His Notebook

Fan Fiction 6

6-“1st Battle”

Jonathan could barely react, his sister dragged him out to the backyard alongside his Bellsprout to compete in a one-on-one match against Vanessa and her Smoochum. Pinky thought the entire situation hilarious, constantly snickering to herself despite the boy’s protests. His yard remained the same as yesterday, nothing had changed but the weather; the summer sun stood directly above them in a clear sky at the height of its power, casting blistering rays that baked his skin, making him sweaty and uncomfortable. Few bug-types loitered around the large lush area that sat between his old beige garage and his porch, Butterfree and Beedrill darted from various gardens surrounding them, inspecting pine bushes, roses among other plants. Wurmple joined tiny groups of Caterpie in munching on dried leaves that littered the lawn. Atop the tall metal fences on either side, flocks Sparrow gathered beside Pidoves, pooping, squawking to one another loudly. These wild pokemon congregated here everyday, all the time. Yet now that he owned Bell, Jon considered actually catching some. Before yesterday, he could care less about them. The difference one day makes, he thought to himself.

Jennifer had them take their respective sides; he stood on one end of the yard in front of his garage, his monster some odd feet ahead of him, enjoying the slight breezes, happily swaying whichever way the wind blew. He smirked. Bell appeared to be one of those go-with-the-flow carefree types, easily distracted by the little things. He liked that. Across from him on the opposite side near the back porch, Vanessa pushed silver frames onto her face, folding her arms confidently, auburn hair flailing over the girl’s shoulders. Her creature, apply nicknamed “Smooches” stood in advance of her, not far from its foe, winding its arms, staring them down, not moving an inch, showing the same look of determined cockiness. It’s well trained, for a hatchling, he noted. They were ready, not to mention going to win. He swallowed nervously. Though she didn’t battle as much as his sister, Vanessa still had tons of experience, way more than him anyway. Those two were right to have swagger. He was only a day in, how would he attain victory? What if her Smoochum wiped them out in one move?

Jon shook his head, feeling as though he would vomit up his own heart. He had to stay confident. This was his first real battle. He had to at least give it his best shot. He had seen his friends pit their entire teams against one another before, he was familiar with the sport, just never been in the driver’s seat. Pulling out the emerald book his sister gave him earlier, “Training Pokemon for Dummies,” he scanned through the pages until he found information on Bellsprouts. According to what he read, the pokemon’s first move, what it was born with, was ‘Vine Whip,’ a physical attack. Following that, something called ‘Growth,’ a move that increased attack. Then ‘Wrap.’ He decided to go with those three moves for now, concluding that the number of moves it knew would determine if Bell was a baby or older. He closed his eyes, repeating the moves over and over to himself to remember them. Jennifer stood in the middle of the lawn, beside one of the rusting gates. After glancing at each of them, shifting her weight on one leg, flipping dark bangs from her eyes she spoke.

“The following match is one-on-one, blah blah blah,” she nodded, rolling her eyes. “The first pokemon unconscious loses… No cheating, yadda yadda…”

“God Jenny, act like a real ref!” Vanessa called out.

“Don’t backsass me! You’ll get a yellow card.”

“That’s soccer dumbass,” Jon frowned.

“You’re the dumbass!” She retorted.

“Can we please just fight already?!!!” Vanessa yelled stomping her foot. Pinky collapsed to the ground clutching its chubby gut in laughter, upon receiving a hard kick from her owner.

“Fine, whatever,” his sister said, waving her hand uncaring.

“You heard, Smooches! Go give Bell a big LICK!!”

With that, the Smoochum took off like a rocket, running as fast as its tiny legs could move, deviously licking her giant pink lips, hurtling toward him, gaining ground quickly. He hesitated, taking a step back. It’s fast! Damn, he gritted his teeth. His creature didn’t have to think long to realize it was in a battle. Mirroring its trainer, the beast waddled a few steps backward, cautious, awaiting orders. Immediately noticing this he gave the first move.

“Um, vine whip!”

As if firing a set of missiles, Bell unleashed two green vines from under its leaflets, that stretched high above them, then zoomed downward, similar to meteors falling from space at her speeding opponent.

“Dodge it and keep going, full steam!” Vanessa countered.

Her monster easily side stepped both shrub appendages while they crashed into the ground, creating a dull thud, dust leapt into the air, its tongue—now dripping in thick saliva—pushed forward, inches from the grass type. Crap, he grumbled, opening his mouth to issue another attack, however it was too late.

“Smoooo…” Said Smooches, trapping  Bellsprout in a bear hug, rubbing its sticky tongue up and down the side of the plant’s bell-shaped head. His monster cringed and shuddered, falling to her knees.

“Excellent!” The mocha teen clapped.

“Get it off you, Bell! Whip her again!” He pointed.

This time the flower tightly coiled its vines around her enemy, enveloping its arms and legs, the pokemon was at Bell’s mercy, though it struggled to break free. He looked on, satisfied as his monster slammed Smooches into the lawn hard, before flinging it in the air like rag doll. Landing back at its trainer’s feet, sliding through the brittle dry grass.

“No!” she gasped, rushing to aid her companion.

“Ha! Payback!” He smirked. “Now it’s our turn, chase after it and use wrap!”

Bellsprout spun around to him, perplexed, tilting her head. “Sprout?” It murmured.

“Uh-oh, it doesn’t know that move…” Jennifer said casually, leaning against the gate, checking her nails. Pinky on the other hand, jumped, cheered, fist pumped the air, too wrapped in the battle to care about anything else.

“Tuff Tuff, Wig!!!” It shouted, karate chopping the lawn.

“Thanks captain obvious,” he replied.

Teary eyed, the blonde haired pokemon writhed in pain, slowly struggling to its feet.“You okay?” Vanessa asked, straightening the scarlet bow on Smoochum’s head, dusting off the broken blades of grass and dirt. Her creature acknowledged that it was fine, furiously glaring at her challenger across the lawn, its fists trembling in rage. He realized they hurt it with their last move, and it wanted to exact swift retribution.

“I was gonna take it easy on you since you’re a rookie,” she sighed, returning to her respective position near his porch. “But Smooches didn’t like that last move. So she’s gonna kick Bell’s ass.”

“Oooooh… You pissed her off,” his sister giggled, amused by the unfolding events. He knew she was doing this on purpose to irritate him.

“Thanks for the heads up,” he said sarcastic.

“That thing is so spoiled, Ness.”

“Stop instigating!!” Her friend hollered, also becoming annoyed. Focusing her attention back on Jon she declared, “I’ll wrap this up in three moves. Round two will be your last dance, and that I promise.”

Fan Fiction 5

5-“Nicknames and Ribbons”

By the next day, Jon had already been to the pokemon center down the street around the corner from his home, met Nurse Joy—who gave him a short tour of the facility—obtained his trainer’s license as well as bought a multitude of items; extra pokeballs, antidotes, all types of heals that treated freezing, burns and paralysis. His sister made sure he had everything necessary, even handing him one of her old leather pokebelts, a single piece of attire that safely held his capsules. He had always known the center existed near his home, but never needed a reason to actually visit. When his friends hung out there, he headed straight home. Upon entering the building, Jon realized he’d been missing out. It was an enormous, amazing place to be. Various giant banners advertising certain tournaments among other events surrounded them, dangling from the orange tinted walls, alongside massive flat screens. A wide counter sat at the center of the lobby where the nurse and her Blissey eagerly greeted those who needed medical attention. Large machines flashed and buzzed behind them. Beside her work area, one hall lead to care units, surgery, check up and bathrooms. Another hall opposite her directed to an escalator that took citizens to a moderate sized gym for battling. Adjacent to her, stood one mini store department where two clerks sold items and accessories for trainers. Across from them were booths, tables, chairs, plush couches, pay phones, video phones, vending machines. Since he owned a monster now, he decided to definitely stop by more often.

The grass-type he captured yesterday was completely healed, no scars or long term damage would affect it, to his relief. The pale pink haired nurse also ran a gender scan, concluding that the creature was female. For some reason this information excited Jennifer beyond belief, she called her friends, telling them everything, including Vanessa Pezzi, his sister’s oldest childhood friend and treasured like a middle sibling to Jon, born from another mother. Lanky and awkward for her age, sporting the latest threads in fashion, silky auburn locks fell to her shoulders. Hazel eyes, thin silver frames hung off her pointy, mocha colored nose. Like the two of them, she too was a trainer, however didn’t battle as much, instead she loved to dress her creatures in what he thought were ridiculously embarrassing outfits of bright shades and polka-dots, trying out for different contests. Soon as she heard, the tall, skinny girl was at his house early this morning. (Today she wore a striped white and gray dress of light material that fell to her knees.)  Since the morning, they had spent most of the day in his room. His sister created nicknames, coming up with “Bell” dropping “Sprout” from the rest of its name, insisting that he accept it, no other title was better. Vanessa on the other hand, thought his pokemon should be the stylish type, draping the creature with jewelry, pink and yellow ribbons, the works. He figured these two girls were hot messes. They were just as stubborn as him, not listening to any of his suggestions, nor he to theirs. Why couldn’t he be left alone? Bellsprout was his, they already owned creatures and if they wanted to dress up or nickname something, use their damn respective teams!

His big headed plant sat on his bed, across from him and Pinky at the desk of his computer, wrapped in dozens of supplementary items, joining tiny diamonds, gazing at the wall past the two teenagers with a far-off look, not paying any attention to their conversation. He felt bad for it, he knew this was torture, yet was powerless to intervene. Shaking his head, he sighed loudly, leaning an elbow against the laptop table, turning to Wigglytuff.

“How do you do it, Pinky? Don’t you wanna kick her sometimes?”

Pinky threw her narrow arms in the air, shaking its head in an ‘it is what it is’ attitude, mumbling, “Wig, wiggly…”

“—Don’t you want at least one for her?” Vanessa turned to him, pleading, tilting her head, holding a pink ribbon. “I think this would look so cute on Bell!”

“See,” Jennifer chimed in from behind, pointing at her friend. “Even she is using the name! It’s perfect!”

“Classy girls like guys with taste, this ribbon will get you tons of ass, dude! Seriously. Come on!”

He groaned, slapping his head. Although Vanessa’s last tactic was tempting, especially when it came to girls, he had enough. He wanted them out of his room and to stop abusing his new companion. Cool summer breezes of the afternoon floated in from the open windows beside him, rattling posters along his wall around them.

“Guys, it’s my pokemon. I don’t want to nickname it, or dress it up. You guys have half of a whole team, do this stuff to your own crap!

“Jennifer,” he continued. “You promised that if I got the thing yesterday with my license, you’d get off my back. Hold up your end of the deal!”

“I lied.” She replied shrugging, nonchalantly.

“Ouch.” Vanessa giggled. Before he could give his sister a piece of his mind and call her every abhorrent name under the sun, her friend changed the subject, taking her accessories off the beast, which seemed to revel in finally being free. Rising to her root-like feet, Bellsprout jumped from his bed, waddling to its owner, hopping in his lap, startling him.

“So, you get a chance to battle yet?”

He shook his head.

“Well that’s awful. You haven’t lived as a trainer until you’ve fought another one.” She explained, pressing her rectangular glasses onto her face.

“I don’t know any of Bell’s moves—” Jon started while his sister cut him off, bouncing up and down as if she solved the mystery to an ancient crime.

“AHA!!!!” She chided, pointing, causing Pinky jump several inches in the air, slightly frightened. “You just used it!”

“Fine! It has a nice ring to it…” He grumbled flustered.

“Damn right it does,” she nodded smug, folding her arms. “Admit it, I’m awesome.” Offended, Vanessa frowned, placing her hands at her hips. 

“Oh so you choose your backstabbing sister’s idea over mine? Pathetic. I hope your wife is some fat hairy chick named ‘Big Momma!’”

“I’ll make it up to you later,” he massaged his throbbing temples. They were giving him a killer headache. The more they stayed in his room, the worse it got. “The problem with battling is, I don’t know my pokemon’s moves, and most folks my age around here are experienced trainers. Waste of time.”

“Ness, what about that Smoochum you hatched last week? I think she and Bell are around the same level. Hang on a minute…” Jennifer said, speeding out of the room past him, heading to her bedroom down hall while Vanessa unclipped an indigo tinted great ball decorated with shiny stickers from the belt of her skirt.

“Really?” She wondered, cocking an eyebrow. Pressing the button at the capsule’s middle, she spoke. “Smooches, get out here.”

The ball split open, brilliant flashes of white light filled the room, somewhat blinding Jon, following one deafening crack. Shiny stickers on the capsule came to life as if struck by magic; pink hearts drifted to his ceiling. The blinding light materialized, forming a small figure that appeared at the foot of his bed. The pokemon was no bigger than a preschool child, thick blonde hair fell some inches below its tanned back, sporting a scarlet bow atop her head. Vanessa used to it to distinguish the beast from others of its  kind. Plus she thought it looked great. Violet skin, unusually massive pink lips, round eyes similar to golf balls, with tiny nubs for hands and feet. The creature immediately blew kisses upon being summoned.

“Smooooo!!” It cried.

Curious, Bell hopped down from his lap, climbing up the bed, joining Pinky in surrounding the pokemon, beginning their own ecstatic conversation. His sister suddenly stormed back into the room carrying handfuls of books. Dumping them next to the animated creatures near the entrance of his room, she tossed one in particular to him, a green book. He glanced at it reading the title aloud.

“Training Pokémon for dummies?”

“I remember those!” The mocha teen clasped her hands, beaming.

“That one in your hands teaches about grass types. I think information on Bell is around page 26. Moves and all,” Jennifer explained. “Put on your shoes, both of you.”

“Why?” He asked.

“Why do you think? Time to rumble. Hurry up!”

Fan Fiction 4

4-“A Reluctant Catch”

Pungent aromas of baked beef, pasta and boiling vegetables filled the beige kitchen, blending into a single flavor that engulfed the senses, filling any person’s mouth with drool. Slaving over the stove between two counters in the center of the room, reaching back and forth from wooden cabinets beside her to steaming pots and pans in front of her, pouring spices onto food, Jon’s mother, Ms. Burnett, a stout ebony woman with salt and peppered locks, dressed in an emerald jogging suit huffed, letting loose a quiet yelp upon hearing the crack of thunder roar outside a window adjacent to her. Rain pelted against the flexible glass. She clutched her chest, breathing a sigh of relief, realizing it was just the weather. The single-parent had been so busy cooking she lost track of her surroundings. Normally, she didn’t cook, leaving this chore to her children while working taxing shifts at her job as a supervisor for one of the city’s non-profit organizations. However today she regarded special, getting the day off, Ms. Burnett decided to be nice and cook dinner. They didn’t have many opportunities to be together due to her rigorous schedule, good thing her kids were teenagers near adulthood, Jennifer and Jonathan had their own lives, it took some stress off of her in the long run. But today, she planned a full day of activities; movies, games, helping her shred unwanted bills. She looked forward to reconnecting with her kids.

Behind her in one corner of the kitchen, a small round table had already been neatly prepared by her eldest; plastic plates, spoons, forks, tall cups filled with iced tea sat waiting to be used. She smiled excited, turning off the stove and oven.

“Jenny! Jon! Dinner!” She called out. After there was no response, she yelled louder, becoming impatient, immediately noticing the door to the back porch across from her, next to the pantry and refrigerator was open. Stepping on the narrow deck which creaked under her weight, rusted swing sets, a short card-playing table decorated the area. Through the rapid downpour, she spotted her children standing ahead of her in the yard, surrounded by a few of the cat pissy gardens near the gate. They were soaked, Jennifer’s spoiled pokemon Pinky included, and appeared to be arguing about something. Maybe it was about a plant, or they caught one of those bad ass alley creatures, she didn’t know. The woman frowned. The last thing she wanted on her special day off was two sick kids about to sock each other’s lights out. Not on her watch.

“You two get your silly asses out the rain and come eat!” She hollered, adding “NOW!” For emphasis.

“In a minute! We’re helping a pokemon,” Jon replied.

“We’re helping his pokemon, mom! Be inside soon!!!” Her daughter interjected.

She shook her head, scowling. Those two were pokemon crazy. Ms. Burnett could never understand what big deal was about them. Jennifer brought a new one home almost every month, she lost track of how many she had now. Her son “claimed” he wasn’t into them, but deep down, she knew he also wanted to collect them like his sister. She might as well own a damn zoo. She shook her head. Her job kept the woman constantly busy, she didn’t have time to get one of her own, nor did she want any. Her first born tried several times to help catch a monster, she wasn’t interested. As long as it would not interfere with the rest of her day, she allowed them to remain out for ten more minutes, disappearing back into the house to watch the news.

Flipping bangs from her eyes, her hair creating a wet smacking noise upon landing onto her forehead, Jennifer reached into the back pockets of her jean shorts, pulling out two items: two pairs of rubber earplugs and one empty pokeball. Cold, extremely wet, not to mention hungry, he cocked an eyebrow as his sister handed a set of plugs to him alongside the red and white tinted capsule, which was about the size of a marble in his hand at the moment.

“What do I do with these?” He asked.

“The plugs are for protection, put them in,” she began, placing her own set into her ears. “The ball is for the pokemon. Hurry up, Pinky doesn’t like getting wet.”

“Wigglytuff!!!” Pinky agreed angrily, stomping one foot, puffing its cheeks, the creature’s fur similar to a drenched carpet.

Jon would have argued with her, however, he wanted to be out of the rain as well. He obeyed her instructions, grumbling to himself. His sister suddenly snatched the ball from his hand, pressing the hard, tiny white button at the center of the capsule. He watched it expand about two or three times its normal size to something similar to a baseball before returning it to him. The wild Bellsprout at his feet opened one eye, appearing enjoy the rainfall hitting it, he watched the roots of its feet sink through the hard grass into the damp soil. He tilted his head wondering what it was doing.

“When I tell you, throw it. Got it?” She said, much louder than she intended. He could barely make out her words over the sound of his pulse, throbbing inside his ear canals.

“Pinky,” his sister turned to the plump creature, trembling in the frigid breezes of the storm, her clothes dripping from head to toe. “S-Sing.”

Jon watched her mumble the inaudible sentence to her pokemon, which nodded, closed its eyes and began moving its lips continually, creating a soft, soothing lullaby that instantly put to sleep all those within earshot and without earplugs. Bird-types dropped from the sky, some out of trees, landing in the yard with a thud. Neighbors with their windows open, random citizens on the block halted in their activities, falling asleep. Those jogging or walking their pets down the neighborhood, slowed to a stop, collapsing onto the pavement, snoozing. Inside homes, people fixing broken equipment dropped their tools crashing to the floor. Others having dinner slumped into their chairs, or their faces plummeted into the plates of their food, snoring loudly. Even his mother watching television. Split-second knockout. Jon looked around, astonished while more beasts continued to be affected by Pinky. The power of a single pokemon… wow, he thought.

“What’s happening?” He yelled. Jennifer didn’t answer. He noticed the plant-type lower its open eye entering a deep slumber. His sister sprung to action, kneeling above it. In a matter of minutes, she successfully pulled free the creature’s limbs without further harm as the lullaby faded to silence.

“Tuff…” Pinky winked cutely.

Rising to her toes once again, removing her plugs, she patted her monster. Her hand sounded as if she was splashing against the surface of a large body of water. “Nice job. I think you overdid a little though.” The Wigglytuff scanned its surroundings, taking in the damage it done then shrugged nonchalantly. Turning to him, she punched his arm playfully, pointing to Bellsprout. “Go ahead.”

Also removing his earplugs, he tossed the ball, which bounced off the pokemon, rolling onto the grass. A beam of red light emitted from the button at the center, enveloping Bellsprout and sucked it inside.

“Went it stops wiggling, Bellsprout will be yours.” She explained.

The button began to glow a ruby tint as it wiggled violently. He felt as if the pokeball could have went on for eternity, just jiggling. What might be going on inside? Probably one fighting for freedom? To remain wild? An earsplitting crack of thunder resounded above them, threatening to tear the sky in half. He noticed the rain returning to drizzle. Anxious to get out of his clothes, Jon groaned. How much longer?  His sister stared patiently. Pinky shook itself dry, showering them in more water. Finally the ball came to a swift stop, glowering disappeared. Along with it he felt the last of his independence, his right to remain an individual vanish.

“It’s yours. Congrats little brother,” she rubbed his head, proud.  “Don’t stand there stupid, pick it up!”

He frowned, reaching for the pokeball. His feelings were mixed at the moment. He protested them for so long, it seemed odd one was his now. Was he a hypocrite? Not to mention the deal he and his sister just made. He still had to get his trainer license. What did he get himself into? She nudged him slightly.

“You alright, dude?”

“Yeah…” he started. “It’s… It’s kinda weird to have now.”  They made their way the back porch, stepping over wild monsters dozing peacefully in their yard.

“You’re thinking too much. Be happy! This is the start of something beautiful! I’ll help you nickname it later—”

“Hold up! Why does it need a nickname?” he interrupted.

“Nicknames help the bonding process. Trust me, I already got the prefect one, too. But for now, let’s get the hell out these clothes and get some food!! I’m starving. I hope Pinky didn’t knock mom out!”

“Wig, wiggly…” Pinky shrugged again shaking it’s head.