welcome to the new age

This may be the only time you’ll ever hear me say this, O, but it’s not like that. It’s so entirely not like that I feel a little like I might hurl even thinking about it. I kind of accidentally destroyed some research she had going on. Or August did. Either way, she’s going to travel with us to collect new data or something. I mostly agreed just because I couldn’t deal with her whining anymore. His research has a reputation for being a little unethical, so maybe he just knows how to get away with bending the rules. Well, those people don’t have an older brother who knows better to look out for them. Mom would probably leave you alone all the time without me around. Hell, she used to leave me all alone before you were born. Yeah, well, we might have to see about a longer leash with this whole traveling thing. I guess we’ll find out.

What’s wrong with her? Is she really ugly? She must be really horrible if you’re not interested even a little bit. She couldn’t travel with someone else? By herself seems like a good option, too, if you guys don’t get along. I hope she’s not one of those girls who thinks it’s too dangerous for them to try and take care of themselves. Mom trusts me, something I wish you did a little bit more of. Although you got bonus points for that time you let me actually go to the Lake Rage Festival and come home with a Pokemon, but your brownie points for that are wearing off! If you every try to put me on a real, live leash, I will get my revenge, so don’t underestimate me, Bell.

[When he’d gotten on a boat and left Cianwood City, Lincoln hadn’t known exactly where his path would take him. What he had known was that he wanted to explore, that he wanted to see the world for what it was outside of the island that he’d been born and raised on. He’d been after a learning experience as much as he was an adventure. So when a friend of a friend had offered to take Lincoln on his boat on his way to Kanto to circumvent the expected route of going straight to Olivine, he’d been happy to take the offer. It had been an easy deal, and though he’d disliked spending that long on a boat it had been a nice beginning to the trip when they’d parted ways at the border between Kanto and Johto. 

[While the bird’s approach seemed to have lasted forever, it felt like it was gone in just an instant. Octavia hadn’t even registered that another person had been approaching them until he was there, tossing his Pokemon into battle and clearing the bird out, and her cheeks burned with shame at the fact that she hadn’t been able to even handle herself against some dumb flying type that had scattered almost instantly.]

Good. I’m sure that once you become Pokemon League champ or something they’ll be glad they invested in you too. I don’t think it should take too long. And, uh, we might have someone else to help us catch Pokemon as it turns out. There’s this girl, Clarke, and it kind of looks like she’s going to be traveling with us until further notice. Trust me, O, I’m about as interesting as teachers get. You find someone who can hold your attention for longer and I’ll glady accept defeat but my mythology tales are much better than most snooze fest professors around here. Definitely better than that crackpot Jaha. Babysitters are for all children who are alone in strange places without their appointed guardian. I don’t hover. I watch from a socially acceptable distance.

A girl? Where on earth did you pick her up, Bell? Not that I’m complaining; you have somebody else to pay attention to every once in a while. I love you, but a girl needs her privacy. We’ve got a whole region to see, I’m sure I’ll find someone and you’ll be the first to know when I do. That guy must know what he’s doing to be so renowned, but I don’t see the appeal either. Don’t get all technical on me; you know that I’m old enough to take care of myself for short periods of time. And there are plenty of people my age who are even allowed to stay home alone while their parents travel, although don’t worry, I’m not in that much of a hurry to get rid of you. I like having my big brother as back up just in case. Uh huh, a couple more feet wouldn’t kill you, though.

Ouch, you insulting my place of employment now, O? Don’t forget that this trip is paid for by Just a Souvenir Shop. They’re betting on us becoming world famous Pokemon trainers. They’re clearly going to lose money. I think our best bet is doing double battle and hoping Gus can weaken Pokemon enough for you to catch them. We just won’t be able to go after any water types until we do manage to catch something else. Nah, it’s too sciencey and boring for you. I mean, you’re already falling asleep during my history lessons unless they involve dueling. You’re alone right now, a choice which I very much regret but I don’t know anyone in New Bark so I couldn’t find a babysitter on such short notice.

I would never. Believe me, I’m very grateful for them giving us the chance to hit the road and be trainers -- which I’m going to be great at once I’ve either caught something else or evolved my current team, by the way. How long do you think that’s going to take? He can’t stay a Magikarp forever. Just because my favorite part of school was recess doesn’t mean that I’d completely hate all of it. You just haven’t found a way to catch my interest yet, that’s all. Babysitters are for babies, Bell. And wow, you’re not here? I didn’t notice. There wasn’t a distinct lack of someone hovering over me to tip me off. 

Splash will still accomplish absolutely nothing. You’re going to need to find some better Pokemon if you want to be the best trainer that ever lived or whatever. I can’t keep having August defend your honor against Caterpies, little sis. It’s getting embarrassing. New Bark Town isn’t exactly a tourist attraction, no. It shouldn’t be long until I’ve finished my work here and we can get the hell out of dodge. Think you can stay out of trouble until then?

I would have some by now, if we hadn’t picked just about the only town in the whole region without a Pokemart. I guess I could break the rules and try to catch a Pokemon in a net, but somehow I don’t think that would hold them as long as a Pokeball would. Are you ever going to tell me what you’re working on or are you just going to keep telling me you don’t want to bore me with the details forever? I never get into trouble, Bell. You’ve never left me alone long enough to get the chance, I doubt that’ll change anytime soon. 

I don’t know how you plan on catching a better Pokemon. It’s not like Splashing it repeatedly will do anything, except maybe piss off your opponent until it kills the one Pokemon you currently have. People weren’t staring at us…Were they? I think you’re just being paranoid. Proof that you need to get out of Mahogany more.

He’s close to learning splash. Maybe. And I don’t know if you noticed but I do have this very helpful brother that I’m stuck with, maybe he’d lend me his Pokemon one day so I can go out and catch something. I don’t think they were just staring at us, they were staring at everyone that wasn’t from their town. Maybe they were confused about why we’d want to be there. I agree with you about getting out of Mahogany more, though. I really hope it’s a long time before we’re back.

Never thought I’d be so happy to get out of a town after Mahogany, but New Bark was even worse. The people there are like something out of Pleasantville. I can’t wait until O and I make it to Cherrygrove, I need a change of scenery.

Right? There wasn’t even a gym! Not that I’m ready to battle one before I catch a better Pokemon -- or at LEAST evolve this one! -- but still, I could have gone in and watched, or done something other than smile and pretend not to notice everyone staring at us. Not surprised, though; I can see why they wouldn’t get a lot of tourists.