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An Uncertain Future	By : Twill Category: Pokemon > General Views: 12846 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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“Thanks, have a good day,” Rob waved to the retreating customer whose order he had just rang up. The man waved back as he exited the pokemart.

“So, this is your last day huh?” The female voice came from behind him as Rob turned to see his co-worker stepping behind the counter.

“Yup. Think Mel, one more day, I'll cash in on that employee discount and then off to see the world.” Rob gestured grandly, raising his arms in a valiant pose. The girl just rolled her eyes as she began her morning routine. Rob didn't mind working at the pokemart, and since trainers under 18 weren't allowed to wander the road without an older trainer, decided to spend his time saving money and wait until hiss 18^th birthday.

There were other perks of working there too. Trainers would often chat for a few minutes while they were shopping. He'd get to hear stories of their travels, exotic pokemon they'd seen or just tips on being a trainer in general. A few even showed off their pokemon to him. He enjoyed hearing about it, but now the long awaited date was just a few days off, he could hardly contain himself.

Earlier in the week he had even called ahead to the gym and they had his starter pokemon all ready to be picked up. Before he left today he would stock up on supplies with his employee discount and then spend tomorrow getting ready. The day after that he'd be out on the road, living the life of a trainer. He smiled to himself as he manned the cash register. A snapping noise bringing him back to the present.

“Hey you're not out of here yet,” Mel chided waving a hand in front of him.

“Sorry, what did you want?”

“I only have one more day of slave driving before I'm stuck doing this crap by myself, and you bet I'm going to make the most of it.”

“So you will miss me,” Rob taunted back at her as he walked around the counter to help, marking it a victory in his mind.

It was a slow day, Azalea town wasn't that large and despite having a gym, it was generally pretty quiet. After helping Mel with her work he took the afternoon lul to buy himself some of the items he'd be needing on his travels. He got pokeballs, potions, food and a few other things he thought might come in handy out in the wilderness.

He could feel his excitement building and when his watch read three, he couldn't take it any longer. “Hey Mel, I think I'm just going to save you the heartache and get out of here early,” He called out to his friend and co-worker.

“No way I'm letting you off easy, you aren't going anywhere until this place closes.”

“Feel free to fire me then, I won't even make a scene or trash my office,” he joked as he grabbed the items purchased earlier and headed towards the exit. Mel met him at the door.

“It's been good,” Mel said, pulling Rob into a hug. “Try not to get yourself killed, and keep in touch.”

“Oh, I'll be fine, I'm sure you'll be seeing me plenty in the headlines in the coming months. 'Hero from Azalea town awes the world.” Rob said, pulling away from the hug and gesturing an imaginary headline.

“I'll be much less shocked finding your name under 'Idiot lost in the woods found'.” But she smiled at him as she said it. “Good luck.”

With his goodbyes done with, Rob turned and headed out of the pokemart and towards Azalea gym. It was a fairly short walk and in his excitement Rob maintained a brisk pace. After a few minutes he found himself outside the large gym and practically threw the doors open.

“Hi can I help you?” the lady at the receptionist's desk asked.

“Ya my name is Rob and I was told my starter pokemon would be ready to pick up today.”

“Oh sure thing, Bugsy should be free right now, go on in and he'll be able to get you all set up,” she smiled and waved him through to the large doors leading to the gym's arena. It was an interesting gym, filled with trees and bushes, it looked more like the middle of a forest than a gym arena.

“Hello?” Rob called out to the seemingly uninhabited vegetation.

“Ah, you must be Rob,” a man said, standing up from the bottom of a tree off to Rob's left. A large Scyther was lazing next to where the man had been sitting. “A little earlier than you had indicated but no worries.” The man smiled and extended his hand.

“Oh ya, I got out of work early and couldn't wait,” Rob grinned, shaking the gym leader's hand.

“Well then I won't make you wait any longer. If you would just follow me I can get you out of here with your new pokemon in just a few minutes.” Rob followed as Bugsy lead him into an office like room off to the side from the arena section of the gym. Bugsy rounded the desk and grabbed a few papers from it. “So, you said it was a Cyndaquil you wanted then right?” Rob nodding ascent.

Bugsy pulled out a pokeball from one of the desk drawers and placed in on a small device. “I'll just need to see your trainer ID real quick.” Rob quickly pulled out his card and handed it to the man, his eagerness to finally get his own pokemon barely contained. Bugsy swiped Rob's ID through the same device that the pokeball now occupied, and with a soft click, handed both to Rob. “And that's it, everything is all set, he's all yours.” Bugsy grinned at the beaming expression on Rob's face.

“Thanks a ton, you have no idea how long I've been waiting for this,” Rob smiled, again shaking the Bugsy's hand.

“I guess I'll be seeing you again in the future then,” Bugsy called out with a smile as Rob left the guy.

“You bet!” It was all Rob could do to stop himself from running home, an idiotic grin plastered across his face.

It took him just under 20 minutes to get home from town and he quickly unlocked the door and went in. His parents weren't home yet, and likely wouldn't be for a few hours. Technically speaking he shouldn't be leaving work for another couple hours. He smiled at that as he put the items he bought from the pokemart on the counter and pulled out the pokeball Bugsy had given him.

The kitchen was too small to make some fancy, flourishing throw so he simply hit the activator button and let his new pokemon out into the kitchen. He'd make up for the less than spectacular release later when he was outside.

“Cyndaquil!” the fire pokemon greeted him happily, running up to his new trainer. Rob beamed and sat down on the floor to greet his new companion.

“Hey there little guy,” Rob said smiling at the fire mouse pokemon. Cyndaquil made a happy chirping noise and jumped into Rob's lap. Rob stroked the small creature, illiciting another chirp as he tried to rub its head against Rob's palm. “So can you breathe fire yet?” Rob questioned, looking down at Cyndaquil.

With a confident “Quil” Cyndaquil leapt back off of Rob and let out a tiny cloud of smoke and steam from his mouth. Rob laughed at the cute display.

“Almost had it there,” he said affectionately as he returned the pokemon to his lap. Cyndaquil crawled up and nuzzled his chest as Rob returned to stroking its head. Rob's good mood couldn't have been tarnished had the entire house collapsed around them. He had his very own pokemon, and together they'd be starting out for adventure in under three days now.

Rob got up and began transferring the things he bought to his room, Cyndaquil following close behind him. Throwing his things onto his desk, Rob let himself fall to his bed, Cyndaquil not even hesitating before jumping up and making himself comfortable as he curled up on Rob's chest.

“You're an affectionate one,” Rob commented, letting the heat radiating from the small fire type relax him. Cyndaquil just cooed happily. Rob still felt giddy laying there on the bed with his pokemon. He had been waiting to begin his trainer career ever since he could remember, and now it seemed like he was just moments away.

He almost up and left right then, though getting caught by the league only 3 days before his birthday would be a dumb reason to lose his trainer license. And Mel would have a field day with that, the humiliation would kill him.

“I'm starving, how about you?” Rob asked, ruffling the fire pokemon's fur.

“Quil!” Cyndaquil chirped, hopping to the floor as Rob pulled himself off the bed. The two made their way back to the kitchen and Rob began preparing a couple sandwiches for himself. When he was done he filled a bowl with a little of the pokemon food he had bought from work and lead Cyndaquil out onto the back porch.

Figuring Cyndaquil would rather be outside than in the kitchen he stepped out onto the grass and sat down, placing the bowl for his pokemon on the ground next to him. Cyndaquil rubbed his head against Rob's leg in thanks before moving to eat his lunch. Rob smiled at the gesture before beginning his own meal.

It didn't take long for Cyndaquil to finish and he then set off to explore the back yard. Rob continued eating as he watched the curious pokemon wander around, investigating the area. Cyndaquil made his rounds quickly however and soon he was bounding back, Rob ruffling the fur on his head as he shoved the last of the sandwich into his mouth.

Small clouds of smoke and steam rose above Cyndaquil, who had started trying to breath fire again, as Rob heard his parents arriving home. Cyndaquil stopped his attempts at the sound of the car pulling into the driveway and looked up at Rob.

“My parents are getting back from work,” Rob explained. “C'mon, let's go introduce you to them.” Getting up from the grass, Rob returned to the house with Cyndaquil right behind him.

“We're home,” rang his mom's familiar voice as she and Rob's father walked into the kitchen.

“Hi Mom, hi Dad...” Rob began his greeting but was quickly interrupted.

“Oh isn't he just adorable,” his mom gushed, quickly kneeling down to scratch under his Cyndaquil's chin.

“Hahah, congratulations Rob, you're first pokemon,” his father said giving him a pat on the back and looking down at the fire type. Cyndaquil were generally known as being timid but his pokemon seemed to enjoy himself immensely at all the attention he was getting.

He talked with his parents for a while longer, his dad asking if he'd finalized his plans for leaving, his mother trying to convince him to stay just a little longer, and Cyndaquil going around looking for a pat on the head from all of them.

Cyndaquil was back in Rob's lap as he sat with his father at the kitchen table, Mom preparing a light dinner. “So, do you know where you'll be heading off to first?” his father questioned.

“I'm thinking I'll head to Violet City first. I can train Cyndaquil along the way, and hopefully catch another pokemon at some point on the journey there. That way I should be more than a match for Violet Gym before I head back this way.”

“That means we'll get to see you again on your way back through town,” his mother said happily, placing a plate in front of him. “And this is for you” she smiled to Cyndaquil who quickly hopped to the floor where Rob's mother placed a small dish for him.

They all talked for a while longer before getting up to do dishes and head off to bed. Rob walked with Cyndaquil back to his room and got into bed. Cyndaquil jumped up after him and snuggled against Rob. Sighing at the heat from his fire pokemon, he was going to say something to Cyndaquil but before he realized it, he was fast asleep.

Rob woke early the next day feeling completely refreshed. He woke Cyndaquil by picking him up and putting him on his chest as he stroked the fire mouse's fur, Cyndaquil chirping happily. After a few more minutes in bed, he began preparing for the day. After washing up a bit and getting the two of them breakfast, Rob brought Cyndaquil out to the back yard again.

Cyndaquil's energetic mood from yesterday seemed to remain and he ran around for a bit as Rob took one of the chairs and watched him. The little fire type also tried his fire attacks again and while still mostly unsuccessful, Rob noticed a few sparks mixed in with the smoke now. His pokemon looked pleased none the less and Rob picked him up in a hug laughing and giving a few words of encouragement.

They spent the rest of the morning outside and by the time the afternoon came around, they were worn out and resting in the soft grass of the lawn. A sharp crack brought the both of them to attention. Rob sat up looking for what had caused the noise and Cyndaquil jumped to his feet, quickly scanning the area. Rob was searching the treeline when a growl from Cyndaquil caught his attention.

“What is it?” Rob asked and then he noticed the small white and green form now lying in the middle of the yard. Having seemingly appeared out of thin air, he got up and went to investigate. “A Kirlia?” Rob asked, voicing his confusion out loud. Cyndaquil growled at it but it hadn't moved since its sudden appearance. Why would a Kirlia be here? Rob thought to himself. If it was captured then where was its trainer. And a wild Kirlia, that would be quite the oddity in itself.

He knelt down and gently went to turn the small creature over but pulled his hand away quickly. He had grabbed its shoulder and realized quickly why it wasn't moving. Blood coated his fingers and Rob quickly began to worry. Steeling himself he bent down closer to check if it was even alive.

The pokemon's back rose and fell the slightest bit, indicating it was still breathing but the situation was still grim, and with how much blood he had gotten on him from just a quick touch...

Rob's mind raced as he tried to figure out what to do, and Cyndaquil was looking up at him with a questioning expression. A pokemon center would be able to help, but he couldn't just pick up a wild pokemon and bring it there. His only other option would be to capture it but... Rob didn't want his first capture to be on an already injured pokemon who wasn't even given the chance to object. If he didn't capture it though, he was sure it wouldn't last long.

Making up his mind, “Cyndaquil, stay here and watch the Kirlia, I'll be right back.” Cyndaquil made a confused noise but Rob was already running for the house. He dashed to his room and quickly grabbed one of the pokeballs from the things he had purchased for his travels.

Rob hadn't been gone longer than a minute before he was making his way back to the two pokemon, one of the red and white spheres in his hand. Rob knelt back down next to the injured pokemon. “I'm sorry” he whispered and gently pressed the pokeball to the top of Kirlia's head. With a red flash of light the pokeball burst open and sucked Kirlia into it, falling to the bloodied grass. The pokeball didn't so much as twitch as it clicked, signaling the capture had been successful.

Rob picked up the ball slowly. There was no rush now, the pokeball was set to keep Kirlia in stasis, so she wouldn't get worse unless it ran out of power. Sighing, he sat back down and noted the emerald blood which blended in with the grass, it didn't look good. Cyndaquil nudged his leg and he gave him a pat on the head with his free hand.

“Well, you up for stroll Cyndaquil?” Rob asked his companion, his voice sounding more tired now as he got back to his feet.

“Quil!” The enthusiastic fire type replied, clearly not picking up on his trainer's mood or the severity of the Kirlia's condition. They walked back inside for a moment so Rob could wash some of the blood off his hand and the pokeball. After that he locked up the house and headed towards the town pokemon center. It wasn't that long of a walk but neither was Rob in a hurry, his mind still questioning whether he had made the right decision.

Pokemon who were truly adamant about not being captured would sometimes fight to their death to remain free. It was very rare, but what if that was what Kirlia had done and was unlucky enough to be found by him. And had the Kirlia not fallen already injured into his back yard, there was no way Cyndaquil could have bested her in a battle, it just felt wrong. Maybe the sentiment of most likely having saved her life would make the pokemon forgive him.

Though Rob was lost in his thoughts, Cyndaquil was having quite a good time seeing the sights as he walked through town. The excitable pokemon watching his surroundings with great interest. Cars speeding past them, buildings with lots of people in them, even a few other pokemon following their trainers around. Cyndaquil chirped happily to his trainer and frowned when he got no response but quickly dismissed his trainer's inattentiveness as something new caught his eye.

They continued through town until they reached the iconic white and red building with a pokeball cresting the entrance. As with Azalea Town's pokemart, the place was rarely busy and when they entered, only two other trainers occupied the spacious lobby. Rob walked up to the counter with Cyndaquil now quietly at his feet.

“How may I help you?” a smiling Nurse Joy greeted them.

“Hi,” Rob greeted back. “This might sound a bit weird but I think I just had a Kirlia teleport into my back yard. As soon as it did though it collapsed and when I went to check on it, well it looked pretty badly injured.” Rob paused a moment before continuing. “I didn't know what to do so I captured it so I could bring it here.”

“It just fainted in your yard?” the nurse asked but her smile didn't waver. “That is odd, well I'll see what I can do for the poor thing. Do you happen to know anything about it?”

“No, I didn't even see it fall, just heard a crack and then found it face down on the grass. I went to move it but there was blood and...” He let his words trail off, not wanting to think about how close the little creature looked to death. He took the pokeball out of his coat pocket and handed it to the nurse.

“Well I promise you we'll do everything we can. Don't worry about it, I'm sure everything will be just fine.” Rob knew that she was just trying to be optimistic for his sake but in fact did feel a little better all the same. He watched as Nurse Joy brought the pokeball into one of the back rooms and disappeared behind the double doors.

Rob took a seat in one of the comfortable chairs that lined the pokemon center's lobby and began to wait, Cyndaquil barely waiting for Rob to seat himself before jumping into his lap. Cyndaquil tried to make what he thought would be a soothing noise for his trainer and whether it was or not, he chirped happily at the smile it brought to Rob's face.

“I'm sorry Cyndaquil but you're just too damn cute,” Rob said, ruffling the hair on the top of the fire type's head. Cyndaquil pushed his head into Rob's palm.

Time passed slowly as the two waited for news on the injured Kirlia. Soon after Nurse Joy had left with the pokeball a chansey had come out to occupy the front desk but no one else appeared from the interior of the pokecenter. Rob was running his hand over Cyndaquil's head absentmindedly as he wondered if he should go and ask when the doors leading into the pokecenter exploded outward into the lobby.

The noise made Rob jump to his feet, Cyndaquil reacting just as quickly and landing himself between Rob and the source of the commotion Rob was expecting smoke from the aftermath of an explosion or a gigantic pokemon to be behind the damage but his eyes widened at the actual cause.

“Kirlia?” Rob's voice held the shock he had been feeling as the small green and white pokemon staggered into the lobby. Rob quickly fumbled for the pokeball instinctively but he didn't have it. He took a step forward but froze as the Kirlia noticed his movement and was quickly surrounded by the blue and purple glow of psychic energy. Cyndaquil growled at it but there was nothing he could do to stop the other pokemon.

Kirlia stumbled again, barely catching itself against the wall and this time Rob noticed the bandages that wrapped her shoulder and torso. He also noticed the faint green hue that was starting to show through them, the pokemon's reckless actions obviously agitating the wounds again.

The doors behind the ones that now hung loosely from their hinges were flung open and before Kirlia had the chance to turn, Nurse Joy appeared with a pokeball and quickly returned Kirlia to the sphere. Rob ran over to the panting nurse.

“Are you OK? What happened?” Rob blurted out as he rushed to make sure she was alright.

“And you say you just found her in your back yard? You're sure?” the nurse panted, using a hand to brace herself against the wall as she caught her breath.

“I, ya, why what happened?”

“That is one hell of a pokemon, that's what happened. She is most definitely not a wild pokemon. She was unconscious when I released her and pretty roughed up, although it wasn't anything too life threatening, it looked a lot worse than it really was. I think she passed out more from exhaustion than anything else.” Nurse Joy began explaining in between catching her breath. “I did give her a tranquilizer though, as sometimes newly captured pokemon freak out a little when they wake up being restrained and injured with strangers around them after being caught.”

“Like what just happened?”

“Exactly, but somehow that little pokemon managed to wake up despite the stuff I gave her while I was dressing her wounds and, well, freaked out.”

“I'm really sorry, I had no idea something like this would happen,” Rob began but the nurse waved it off.

“Don't worry, you seem like a new trainer, but stuff like this happens every now and again here, keeps the job interesting.” she joked, trying to raise his spirits. “And no one got hurt, just our exam room got a little tossed about and this broken door.”

“I tell you one thing though,” the ruffled nurse said looking at him a little more seriously now. “That pokemon you got yourself is quite the catch. I don't think I've ever seen a Kirlia so young with so much power, she has incredible potential. They're loyal pokemon but you're going to have to be careful with her, I hope you're up to it.”

“So she'll be alright then?” Rob asked looking a little more cheerful now. Nurse Joy laughed at that.

“Did you not just see her tear through the pokecenter? She'll be fine. I'm going to go finish bandaging up her wounds and after a little rest she'll be as good as new.” And with that the nurse went back into the pokecenter, leaving Rob to go back to waiting with Cyndaquil.

Once Rob was back in his seat, Cyndaquil nudging his palm, he began mulling over what Nurse Joy had told him. He also wondered what could have happened to the poor thing that would spook it enough to try and forcefully escape from the people who were trying to help, especially if she hadn't been wild, she should be used to humans and pokemon centers no?

Cyndaquil was quietly napping in Rob's lap when Nurse Joy finally reemerged from the pokecenter's interior. She was carrying a pokeball and a broad smile on her face.

“Well she's all set to go,” Nurse Joy said and handed him the pokeball. Rob shrunk it before placing it in his pocket.

“Is there anything I need to do or should know about?”

“Not really, she should be fine in a day or so, the bandages can come off sometime tomorrow and she'll just be sore for a few days, pokemon have much better natural healing powers than we do. I also gave her a pretty strong dose of sedatives though, so she'll be asleep when you let her out. She'll also most likely be a little groggy for a bit when she does wake, the effects will be completely gone in a few hours.”

“Did she cause any other problems?” Rob inquired at the sedatives.

“No we put her out again and this time she slept through, they drugs were mostly so that she doesn't wake up too quickly in an unfamiliar place again, whatever happened before she showed up at your place must have gave her quite the scare for such a reaction.”

“Thanks Nurse Joy, I really appreciate everything,” Rob said smiling and shook her hand. Cyndaquil had waken up during the conversation and hopped off Rob, allowing him to stand.

“Oh it was my pleasure, I hope everything turns out for the best,” she smiled and returned to her post.

Rob and Cyndaquil left the pokecenter and were headed back home when Rob's stomach reminded him they he hadn't had lunch yet. “Hey Cyndaquil, how about we stop somewhere and grab something to eat.” At the pokemon's eager chirp he began to hunt down a place to eat.

Fifteen minutes later found the two sitting at an outside table with a hefty lunch before them. “Dig in,” Rob said to his ravenous Cyndaquil and the pokemon needed no further encouragement. The two ate their meal quickly if for no other reason than how hungry they had been, they day's excitement masking it until now.

Rob and Cyndaquil sighed in unison, their hunger sated. Rob was getting up when Cyndaquil hiccuped, shooting out a small jet of sparks to both of their surprise. “Maybe all you needed was a good meal huh,” Rob said laughing and rubbing the pokemon's head.

“Quil!” The two continued their short trek home with most of the afternoon already gone. Rob entered the house and sat down at the kitchen table, thinking on his next course of action.

“Hey Cindaquil, do you mind taking a rest in your pokeball for a little while? I know it's not ideal but I'd rather avoid another incident when Kirlia wakes up.” Cyndaquil was not overly enthused at the idea but after a little more convincing he acquiesced and allowed Rob to return him.

It was a strange feeling being alone now, he hadn't put Cyndaquil back in his ball since having gotten him home. Sighing he walked outside. He decided the best place to have Kirlia wake would be against the large oak tree that stood near the treeline in his back yard. Kirlia were said to enjoy the sun and nature so it seemed like his best bet. When he got to the tree however he hesitated.

Pokemon had never really made Rob nervous before, but now that he had seen the power the small pokemon held and how she'd reacted the first time after being released. None of the pokeball's features strictly prevented a captured pokemon from harming its trainer and if the Kirlia wanted freedom badly enough, killing him would be the quickest solution. But seeing as he had no other recourse, he hit the activator and watch the pokemon he had saved reappear in a red flash.

She slept peacefully where she had been laid out by the pokeball. Rob scooped up Kirlia gently and placed her sitting with her back against the large trunk of the oak. Her breathing was steady and her wound expertly bound. After making her as comfortable as he could, Rob moved away and began to wait a small way off as to not startle her when she awoke.

Kirlia's mind swam as she woke slowly. A gentle breeze tickled her skin as the sun overhead beamed down onto her skin. She smiled at the feeling but was confused. How had she gotten here, was she dead? She opened her eyes lazily to be greeted by a beautiful day. She reveled in the feel of the tree bark she rested against and the soft grass beneath her. She should find Abra, he'd like it here.

Images flashed in her mind suddenly. A human in all white hovering over her, tying her up with white strips of cloth, a different human with a Cyndaquil in front of him, a stricken expression on his face, doors blasting open... She groggily moved her arm and felt that it was hindered. Strips of cloth like in her vision wrapped her. It was hard to think, something was interfering with her mind, she shouldn't feel like this, and those visions, where had they come from? Something wasn't right.

And then memory crashed into her like a wave. Tears immediately sprung up in her eyes. The sound of Abra's body being crushed echoed in her ears. The smell of his blood, his smiling face. “I love you.” Those were the last words he'd ever say to her, and she had done nothing to help him. He had saved her and she had done nothing.

Kirlia wept softly, bringing her knees up and crying into them. She didn't care where she was or how she got there anymore.

“Kirlia?” The concerned voice snapped the psychic pokemon out of it for a moment, her instincts taking over. Kirlia's head snapped up, staring at the human that was slowly approaching. Her free arm coming up, she tried to charge a psychic attack but with her mind still muddled she managed nothing beside a few blue-purple motes that quickly dissipated. Even in her hazy state, she could now feel the fear building inside of her. She was hurt, something was making her dizzy and she had no way to defend herself.

She tried to curl up further and make herself appear smaller while still keeping an eye on the human. He stopped when he saw the sad display and sat down where he was. Tears still leaked from her eyes as she sized the human up.

“What did you do to me?” Kirlia said to him. At least she tried to, the words sounded slurred even in her mind and she had no idea if any of them reached the human's mind. The though was reinforced by the confused look that he gave her. She tried to stand but this just made her even more dizzy and she stumbled backwards. The human rose, concern back on his face and he was reaching for her.

“NO! STAY AWAY!” she tried to scream at him through her mind but again she felt like it wasn't getting through. She tried backing away again but tripped and fell flat on her back. Kirlia's tears redoubled at how useless she was and the figure that now loomed above her. The man's arms descended and suddenly she found herself in a warm embrace, the human gently pulling her close to his chest. She tried to struggle but quickly gave up and sobbed into him.

Rob felt terrible for the small pokemon he now cradled. Shortly after he had picked her up she had cried herself back to sleep in his arms. He didn't know what to do for her and he just held her sleeping form for a while longer, his shirt damp from her tears.

After a few minutes he got up and carried the Kirlia inside. He brought her to his room and laid her down in his bed. After tucking her in under his blanket he closed the door and returned to the kitchen. He sighed as he slumped down in one of the kitchen tables and released Cyndaquil from his ball.

Cyndaquil didn't like seeing his trainer in such a black mood, and it was the Kirlia's fault he was like this. He hopped up into Rob's lap and increased his body heat to warm his trainer up. Rob put and arm on the table before resting his head against it and looking down at Cyndaquil. “What am I going to do?” Rob asked rhetorically as he began to stroke Cyndaquil's fur. Cyndaquil cooed at his touch and Rob couldn't help giving the pokemon a small smile.

It was getting late already and his parents would be home any minute. He and Cyndaquil hadn't moved much since they sat down, the usually energetic pokemon merely sat with him to keep him company as he got lost in his thoughts. Rob was still unsure whether he should even tell his parents about his new pokemon but he couldn't see a way of keeping it hidden from them.

Rob's time for being left alone to his thoughts soon ended though as he heard the arrival of his parents' car, which was quickly followed by their entrance to the house.

“Hello my soon to be trainer and my favorite pokemon,” Rob's mother's voice called. Rob picked his head off the table and returned the greeting as Cyndaquil echoed his trainer's sentiments with a merry “Quil!”.

“What's the matter?” she said as Rob's father entered the kitchen moments later carrying a pair of pizza boxes. So much for having the option of hiding Kirlia, Rob guessed that he must have sounded more tired than he thought.

“Well I caught my first pokemon today, sort of.”

“That's my boy,” Rob's father said with a laugh. “Haven't even left the house yet and already catching pokemon.” His mother didn't seem to share in his enthusiasm however.

“I hope you weren't sneaking off onto route 33 yet,” she chided. “You still aren't 18 for another day”.

“I wasn't, a Kirlia showed up in the back yard though while Cyndaquil and I were outside.”

“A Kirlia eh, don't take this personally little guy, but I have a hard time seeing you besting a psychic type that strong just yet,” his father said to Cyndaquil who had ran over to him to examine the food he now carried. At his words though Cyndaquil gave a comical huff and crossed his arms. He only managed to look adorable however and gave a happy chirp as Rob's father patted him on the head.

“She showed up pretty injured and I captured her so I can get her to the pokemon center. I think something must have happened to her, she caused quite a stir for Nurse Joy and didn't seem to happy when I got her home.” Rob trailed off, quickly becoming caught up in the internal deliberation he had been in before his parents got home.

“Well I'm sure once she gets to know you everything will turn out all right, just look how quickly Cyndaquil got attached to you. Where is she now anyway, you keeping her in her ball?” His mom tried to sound reassuring but her words rang just as hollow as his own thoughts to him.

“No, she's asleep in my bed,” Rob said absently as he continued to think. The pizza was eventually set out and they all gathered at the kitchen table. Cyndaquil tore into the slice his mother had given him and Rob had grabbed his own. His half of the conversations were subdued the rest of the meal, his mind constantly dragging him back to what he was going to do about the Kirlia.

After a while his parent headed off to bed while he remained with Cyndaquil in the kitchen. Rob decided to sleep out in the living room for the night and not disturb Kirlia. He did however remember that the small pokemon hadn't eaten anything since she showed up in the back yard. He placed one of the left over slices of pizza on a plate and filled a bowl with some of the pokemon food he had. Rob had no idea what the pokemon liked so he figured she'd find at least one of the two palatable until he could ask her in the morning.

He walked quietly to his room and gently opened the door. The moonlight that shone in through the window illuminated the small bump in his comforter that indicated Kirlia was still there. He entered slowly and softly placed the food on his nightstand next to the bed before silently withdrawing.

On his way back to the living room he grabbed a spare blanket from the closet and Cyndaquil from the kitchen. He threw the blanket down on the longer of the couches and laid down. Cyndaquil jumped up and took his spot curled up against Rob's chest. He began thinking about how he didn't finish packing or get ready for his departure tomorrow but fatigue finally caught up with him and he was soon asleep.

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It was warm and soft when she woke up again. Like being back in Abra's caring embrace, her eyes opened slowly, expecting him to be smiling back at her. Her eyes opened, and she was alone, a thick warm blanket wrapped around her and her sorrow. What ever that human had done to her that made her so confused earlier had apparently worn off, though she was still uncertain about exact events or how she had gotten there.

Kirlia shifted, grabbing a section of the blankets and hugging them to her. She wanted to cry but the tears wouldn't come. She felt empty. Everything had been taken from her. Abra was her only friend, the only one who had ever treated her kindly. He had sacrificed himself for her freedom, and she had used that sacrifice to get herself captured mere hours later. She was useless. Abra should have lived, not her.

Kirlia shook underneath the warm blanket, her head a miasma of pain, confusion, hopelessness. She wanted to vomit, to scream, to sob until the world ended and she could see Abra again. Her body was frozen though, allowing her to do nothing but tremble in the dishonest warmth and comfort of the bed.

Moonlight shone peacefully into the room as Kirlia tried to make sense of any of the events during the past day. Everything after arriving wherever she now was a complete haze. Whatever the human had done to her made what few memories she did have fragmented and hazy. And then back at Wes', where Abra had been killed. Where she had killed. She was just as much a monster as Absol. More perhaps, she had slaughtered all of them in an instant. The other psychics, Wes, the other pokemon outside she didn't know, but she had felt her incredible power destroy their minds just as she had felt the others.

Maybe the humans would come find her after what she had done, come and put her down like the rabid beast she was. Her stomach twisted at the thought. The feeling making her sick enough to almost block out the fact she hadn't eaten since the morning. With that thought Kirlia was brought back to the present and her current situation.

Even with the moonlight coming in through the window, the room was too dark to make out much of anything. What she could make out seemed like one of the rooms in Wes' house, not one of the ones he would keep pokemon in though. Why was she here? Was this where the human who caught her slept, and if so, why had he put her here and where was he?

None of it made any sense. Kirlia should be in a pokeball like trainers generally kept their pokemon, or otherwise held where she couldn't escape or interfere. Or what if he was trying to use her. Wes had been kind to her when he had first won her as a Ralts. He wanted the power she supposedly had, to see into the future and extract the secrets from the minds of those around him. She had seen the hatred that burned behind the false compassion though. He held a tight reign on his emotions, but she could see the fire that burned any time he looked at her. She had been unable to hide her fear of him, and when he found out that she knew...

No, she had to focus on the present. Her past was too painful and her future too uncertain to bear thinking about right now. Kirlia let her stomach's protests try and distract her, even if only for a short time. She had no idea where food would be. Wes would always have on of his pokemon bring it down to the basement prisoners and she didn't even know where humans got their food from.

She glanced around the room and noticed two dishes sitting on a small table next to the bed. Thinking it was too convenient, she moved over to inspect them. The bowl contained what looked like the same thing Wes had fed them her entire life, the plate on the other hand contained something she had never seen before. Kirlia wasn't quite sure that it was meant to be eaten but presented as it was she couldn't imagine it would be anything other than food. She leaned in closer to sniff at the peculiar offering.

It smelled nothing like the food Wes had fed her. The human could be trying to poison her, or feed her something that would fog her mind again, but with her being out of it since being found he had plenty of opportunities earlier, why would he bother trying to poison her this way. And if he wanted her dead, he wouldn't have bothered going through the trouble of getting her wounds healed.

Kirlia glanced down at the bandages. Her shoulder and stomach still hurt a bit but pokemon tended to heal very quickly. It took a lot of energy though, and she needed to eat so she could heal herself. With that Kirlia threw any doubts out of her mind and bit into the strange food. It was incredible. Kirlia had never imagined food could taste so wonderful, the sensation momentarily taking her away from the terrible events of the past day and letting her enjoy the moment.

She quickly devoured the flavorful morsel and was disappointed when it was finished. Kirlia's face bore the faint trace of a smile as she laid back onto the bed before catching herself. Anger flaring up at her own incompetence. She was letting the human get to her already, letting him bait her so he could use her for his own purposes and then turn around and torment her. She wouldn't let it happen again. She had to stop being so weak.

With her hunger abated, Kirlia had no desire to remain awake with nothing but her dark thoughts for company. She wrapped herself tightly in the blanket and sank back into the bed. At least maybe in sleep she would see Abra again, and dream or not, maybe she could feel like someone was there for her. Maybe just briefly she wouldn't be all alone.

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It was amazing what a nights sleep could do. Rob sat up on the couch and ruffled the fur of the pokemon protesting tiredly at being woken up so early.

“Morning dear, happy birthday,” he heard his mom call from the kitchen, the sounds of breakfast being prepared making a pleasant sizzle in the background. “Though what are you doing sleeping on the couch?” she questioned as he entered the kitchen, Cyndaquil lazily dragging himself along behind him.

“Kirlia was sleeping in my bed and I didn't want to disturb her. She's been through a lot it seems and she deserved a rest.” He didn't mention that he also didn't want her to go on a rampage and destroy the house, but the concern was trumped by that of her well being.

“So are you just going to keep all of your pokemon out of their balls all the time?”

“If they want to be I don't see why not, at least as much as I can.” Some might call him soft hearted but even with the short time he'd spent with with Cyndaquil he already felt as close to him as he had with any of his human friends, if not more so. And he barely knew anything about Kirlia but he was still worried about her, it felt like he should do everything he could for her.

“So am I going to get to meet your mysterious friend before you head off?” Rob's mom asked as she set a plate of breakfast down in front of him and bowl near his feet where Cyndaquil decided to curl up and go back to sleep. At the prospect of food however, he quickly changed his outlook and began to chow down.

“Maybe,” Rob said slowly. To be completely honest with himself he had no idea how Kirlia would even react to him, let alone his parents, she seemed skittish at best around humans. As soon as he finished breakfast he'd go and see if she was awake and take it from there. He ate slowly and enjoyed the last home cooked meal he'd have for a while, not overly eager to confront his new pokemon. Cyndaquil had no such reservations though and quickly finished his own meal.

After Rob finished his meal and thanked his mother he got Cyndaquil to hang out in the living room, curled up on the couch, as he made his way toward his bedroom. He knocked softly on the door before he went in. Kirlia was sitting on a corner of the bed with her back to him. Her knees were pulled to her chest and she had her arms wrapped around them; she was looking out through the window and gave no acknowledgment to his presence.

“Kirlia?” He called out to her gently, trying not to startle her but he had the feeling she knew he was there. He took another step into the room and she slowly turned to face him, and Rob found himself frozen by her stare. Kirlia's crimson eyes gazed directly into his soul. He felt naked before her and wouldn't have been unable to break her gaze had his life depended on it. Kirlia didn't say anything but he could almost feel her emotions through the intensity of her eyes. After a moment she spoke.

“Why? What did you do to me?” Her words didn't even sound like questions as she turned back to the window and hugged her knees to her chest again. The voice that had spoke in his mind held a sorrow and hopelessness that chilled him. What the hell had happened to the poor thing? Rob started breathing again, not realizing he had stopped since he had locked eyes with Kirlia.

“I, you kind of just appeared next to me. You were hurt and I couldn't take you to the pokecenter unless you were captured and I thought you were going to die...” The words seeming to rush out from him. “I'm sorry for capturing you like I did, but I panicked and couldn't think of anything else to do. I truly am sorry.” He sounded sincere, he was good, better than Wes had been. Kirlia wouldn't trust him, couldn't trust him, he was a human.

“I'm Rob by the way.” Rob said breaking the silence as Kirlia hadn't responded to him. “And uh, I was planning on leaving today if you're feeling up to it. But if you're still hurt I could wait a day or two, it wouldn't be that big of a deal.”

“You could just put me in that ball if I was too injured anyway, I can travel.” The voice was cold, an audible chill through his mind.

“Well, I'll come get you when I'm about to leave then,” and with that Rob exited the room. He let out a sigh as soon as the door was closed behind him and leaned against it for a second. He had no idea how to handle a pokemon like this, he had barely gotten his first pokemon a few days ago. He had gone through the pokemon academy but they had never taught how to deal with anything like this.

Rob took a step back towards the living room when he realized what having Kirlia with him meant. He just had a complete conversation with her like talking to another human. He had stopped dead in his tracks. He could understand her completely, and if she could understand his other pokemon he could talk with them as well.

Excited by the revelation he smiled, he'd have to get Kirlia willing to say more than a couple words at a time to him, but he was confident that he'd win her over. He would figure this out, not just so he could talk with the rest of his team but so that she wouldn't be so miserable. With that he headed back to the living room where Cyndaquil waited, his spirits lifted slightly and a determined air about him.

Rob found his other pokemon curled up on the couch, nestled in the corner made by the armrest and back of the couch. Cyndaquil poked his head up as he heard his trainer approach and looked up at him, a question in his eyes. “You all set to head out?”. An enthusiastic affirmative was the only reply he got from Cyndaquil as he jumped off the couch to join Rob.

It didn't take too long to get everything together as he had most of the things he'd be bringing on his journey already put together. The only things left were the few items and Kirlia which were still in his room.

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Kirlia tried not to think as she stared through the small window that gave her a view of the forest beyond the back yard of the house. It did little good though, the thoughts she tried to hold back invaded her conscience anyway.

She had heard that trainers often traveled with their pokemon. She never had though. She had always been confined by the humans who owned her. Looking out the window she thought that whatever the human Rob made her do, she'd at least get to enjoy the sun every now and then, that is if he didn't end up keeping her in the pokeball anyway.

Kirlia figured she didn't care either way. What right did she have to feel sorry for herself, no matter what happened, she had killed all of them. She was just a murderer anyway. She relaxed her fists that she had been unconsciously clenching. She couldn't tell if she was angry at herself, Rob, Wes... She just didn't know anymore.

Voices filtered in through the wall, the humans talking outside and sounding like they were saying goodbye. They died down after a bit and soon there was a soft knock on the door to the room she was in, the human Rob entering a moment after. “Are you ready to go?” he asked gently. Kirlia didn't say anything in reply but hopped off the bed, slowly walking around it as Rob grabbed a bag from his desk.

Rob looked down at the Kirlia he had rescued. She just waited, eyes kept on the floor, silent. The two made their way into the kitchen. Kirlia could feel the eyes of the other two humans on her, making her uncomfortable. She didn't meet the gaze of either of them and tried to place herself where furniture would obstruct their view of her.

Kirlia paid the humans little attention as they made another round of goodbyes and the older two wishing Rob good luck. Had her parents cared about her like that? She didn't really remember much of her life before being captured, just vague impressions as if trying to remember a dream.

She followed as Rob headed towards one of the doorways leading out of the house and opened it to reveal the outside. A neglected part of her, repressed and forgotten wanted to be happy for the beautiful day that waited through that doorway, but so many other thoughts drowned out that tiny voice as Kirlia crossed the boundary. She was once again resigned to be the plaything of another human's whims.
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An Uncertain Future