The Strange World Through My Eyes

Disclaimer Note: I don\'t own Pokemon. Sorry, but I wish I did.

A/N: Last chapter tonight. More possibly tomorrow!

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Chapter 4: In Love With a Human Pt. 1

Six months passed and I found myself learning more about Pokemon than I imagined. Their strengths, weaknesses, loves, hates, everything. It was better than I thought. And with my new adopted father at my side telling me how to handle things, I was good to go. My Charmander had now evolved into Charizard and I somehow managed to learn to interpret the Pokemon language. That was hard, but since I spoke two languages in the first place, why not add a third?

I was soon ready for my Pokemon journey and spent that night in my room excited. Squirtle sat on the bed beside me and studied the PokeBalls Papa had given us. \"Don\'t worry,\" I chuckled. \"You won\'t have to deal with these. Charizard will when it rains though.\" Charizard grunted from his corner of the room. He was watching a contraption called a television and eating popcorn at the same time. I was really going to put him on a diet since he ate more snacks than Pokemon food. If he wasn\'t eating, he was either sleeping or battling. But he became my other closest best friend other than Squirtle and my first human best friend Ash Ketchum. His mom and my human father were close friends and of course, we became the same way. I was older than he was though and already he was pitching a fit since he couldn\'t come with me on my Pokemon journey.

Anyway, back to the PokeBall discussion. You\'ll have to forgive me if I get off track. It happens.

Charizard picked up one of the balls and sniffed it snorting in distaste. \"It\'s not like a pernament thing, Charizard,\" I pointed out. \"If it rains, you\'ll have to stay in one to keep from your flame going out. After the rain stops, then you can come out. It\'s as easy as that.\" He sighed handing me the PokeBall and then returned to his show. Unlike humans, mermaids didn\'t need sleep constantly. As excited as I was, sleep was the last thing on my mind. I stood up and walked to a purple backpack I was going to take with me and pulled out a map studying it while drinking a soda. Human food sure was better than food in the ocean. I had my limits though. I refused to eat seafood due to the fact I\'m part fish. Would you even dare do that if you were in my situation? \"Well, boys,\" I said seriously. \"Our first stop is Pewter City. I wonder what the gym is like there.\" I pulled out my guidebook and studied the Pokemon Gym. It was rather big and it was then I noticed that the Gym Leader was a Rock Pokemon Trainer.

I closed the book and looked at the two. Squirtle could win, but he probably would wind up in a Pokemon Center with problems. Charizard was my next option since he was also strong. It was decided. Charizard would be my first choice and then Squirtle. The Turtle Water Pokemon walked to his best friend and they began talking about who would watch what show next. I watched them for a moment and smiled. Papa had to make my bedroom totally flameproof since I kept my Fire Pokemon out of his PokeBall constantly. It was either flameproof the place or lose it within five seconds. But unlike some Pokemon, Charizard wasn\'t scared of Squirtle at all. In fact, the two were more of a team than I was with them and they both were like my bodyguards since they were very protective over me. In town, everyone would tease us and say, \"There goes the fish out of water with her two Pokemon guards.\" Everyone in Pallet Town knew who I was and no one said much about it. To them, I was a human with a unique ability.

The morning sun rose in the bright blue sky when I woke up in Charizard\'s arms. I don\'t remember even falling asleep at all last night. Squirtle was curled up in the empty popcorn bowl asleep and I yawned wanting to close my eyes again for a few more minutes.

WHAM!

\"Kari! Come on!\" Papa shouted. \"Come downstairs and get breakfast! Delia and Ash are already here to wish you good luck!\" \"They\'re up mighty early,\" I yawned. \"They wanted to see you before you left,\" he said. \"Come on! Up an\' at \'em!\" I hated it when a good sleep was interrupted especially like this. I\'m surprised he didn\'t belt out in song with those oldies he liked so much while I was with the kids these days. When it came to music, I like soft rock and pop. I stood up and stretched causing the two Pokemon to yawn. Charizard accidentally released his Flame Thrower Attack as he yawned causing me to duck and it hit Papa accidentally! Charizard closed his mouth and put his hands over it. \"It\'s quite all right, Charizard,\" the elderly professor reassured him. Charizard sighed and looked at me as I stood up and grabbed my things. I then lifted Squirtle out of the bowl and the four of us walked downstairs.

After breakfast that Mrs. Ketchum cooked, I stood up and walked outside to find Ash sitting on the fence. \"I can\'t wait to become a Pokemon Trainer,\" he proclaimed. \"You have another few years,\" I chuckled as he climbed on Charizard\'s back. At least he had patience with children. Otherwise, he couldn\'t put up with me. \"Kari?\" the raven haired human asked. I looked at him. \"When I go on my Pokemon journey, will you come with me?\" he asked. I was in shock. He was four years younger than I was and yet he was close to me. I smiled warmly and hugged him close kissing his cheek. \"Sure thing,\" I said. \"Who knows? I might could give you a few pointers.\" He grinned and threw his arms around my neck. \"Good luck,\" he said and I felt tears slide down my cheeks. \"Thank you,\" I whispered as I looked at my Pokemon and the three of us headed for Pewter City.

We decided to fly on Charizard since it was faster than walking and I didn\'t have to rough up my bare feet walking too much. Besides, he loved flying. Hell, it saved on frequent flyer miles when you rode a large Flying Pokemon. We arrived there near lunch and walked to the Gym. I opened the door to find it dimly lit and seemingly empty. \"Hello?\" I asked looking around. The only responce I got was my voice echoing back at me. \"I guess he\'s out to lunch or something,\" I said with a shrug as we walked inside and found a place to sit down. I opened my pack and got lunch for us while we waited. But my sense of hearing picked up on footsteps nearby and I frowned.

\"What are you doing here?\" a male voice demanded. I stood up and looked around unable to see the person. \"Why do you think I\'m here?\" I asmed ignoring the harsh tone. \"Let me guess,\" he said sharply. \"You want to challenge me to a Pokemon Battle.\" What is with this guy? Did he wake up on the wrong side of the bed or something? \"Yes,\" I said nodding. \"My name is Kari Oak a\'m \'m from Pallet Town. It\'s my first...\" He cut me off rather fast. \"I don\'t care if it\'s your seventh battle,\" he snapped angrily. \"You rookies can\'t handle me. In fact, no one\'s won the Gym badge I have yet. That\'s because you guys can\'t get your acts together and battle right!\" That did it! My temper finally came out!

\"You weasel!\" I said giving him a high insult in his world. \"How dare you judge me so fast? You have no idea what I\'m capable of and yet you intend to think that you can beat me already! I was kind enough to treat you with respect and then you act like a total jackass toward me! You coward. You also choose to hide yourself in darkness because you\'re too ashamed to face me. I demand you show yourself now!\" The lights came on and I found myself standing in the middle of the Pokemon Gym and then a figure appeared in front of me.

My jaw almost fell open in shock. This human boy was about a year older than me, but very handsome. He had dark spiky brown hair and I couldn\'t make out his eyes well. His skin was a dark coloring and he wore an orange shirt, brown pants, socks, sneakers, and a belt. I swallowed hard when I discovered who I was dealing with and cleared my throat. \"What\'s your name?\" I asked once I found my voice. He looked at me and frowned slightly.

\"My name is Brock,\" he answered in a quiet voice.

Brock. It was a fitting name for a Rock Pokemon Trainer. I nodded and sighed. \"What kind of match are you expecting from me?\" he asked curiously. \"Since I only have two Pokemon, I would say a two on two match?\" I asked in a question. He frowned shaking his head. \"One on one,\" he said seriously. \"I have things to do today. If you win, you get the badge. Pick your Pokemon.\" I looked at my two Pokemon. Somehow, Squirtle had a feeling that I wasn\'t going to pick him and he knew why. I nodded and looked at Charizard. \"Charizard, I choose you!\" I shouted as the mighty Dragon Pokemon came on the field. Brock grabbed a PokeBall and smiled. \"Onix! I choose you!\" he shouted. We found ourselves staring at the biggest Rock Pokemon in the world. He looked like a giant catipilar made of boulders. Weren\'t no way this thing would ever become a Butterfree though. Charizard snarled at his opponent suddenly. He was ready no matter what.

\"Onix, Tackle Attack!\" Brock shouted. \"Dodge it, Charizard!\" I shouted and he did fast. He flew in the air and looked down at the large Pokemon. \"Charizard, Flame Thrower now!\" I shouted. \"Wrap Attack now!\" Brock shouted and Onix\'s body wrapped around my Pokemon and I gasped. I had to think of something. \"Dragon Rage now!\" I shouted and the fire came in Charizard\'s eyes as one of his ultimate attacks came into view. It managed to make Onix release him and it also dazed him a bit. Hoping I wasn\'t in over my head, I had to do something else. \"Charizard, Sesmic Toss!\" I shouted. To mine and Brock\'s surprise, Charizard lifted the Rock Pokemon with newfound strength he never knew he had and completed the attack sending Onix to the ground. \"Onix is unable to battle!\" the offical said. \"Charizard is the winner and the badge goes to Kari Oak of Pallet Town!\" \"We did it!\" I shouted and hugged Charizard tightly as he was breathing hard, but returned the embrace. Brock called Onix back in its PokeBall and watched us for a moment before handing me my first badge.

That evening at the Pokemon Center, I sat on a bench with Squirtle in my lap waiting for Charizard. Nurse Joey walked in with him standing next to her. \"He\'s all better, Kari,\" she said brightly. \"Thanks, Nurse Joy,\" I said smiling back. \"But I\'m sorry to say we don\'t have any rooms avalible tonight,\" she said sadly. \"We\'re booked.\" \"I\'m sure I can find a place to stay tonight,\" I said and we left. But everywhere we went, no one had a room avaliable. It was a cool night and Squirtle and I were using Charizard\'s tail to get warm. \"I wish there was another way,\" I sighed as we sat on a bench near the park. \"Hey,\" a voice said and we looked up to see Brock standing there. \"You were that girl from this afternoon, right?\" he asked. \"Kari?\" I nodded. \"Why aren\'t you in a Pokemon Center or somewhere warm?\" he asked in concern. I blinked. First he was mean and now he\'s concerned about me? This guy must have more mood swings that I do when it\'s that time of month.

\"Everywhere was booked,\" I explained. \"We couldn\'t go anywhere.\" He bit his lower lip and shook his head. \"Actually, I know where you can stay,\" he said seriously. \"I have plenty of room at my home. Come with me.\" Charizard looked at me along with Squirtle. It was one of those looks that said, \"Don\'t go that far.\" But they knew my decision and I stood up. \"Let\'s go, guys,\" I said lifting Squirtle in my arms. \"At least we\'ll be warm tonight.\"
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To Be Continued...