decisions, decisions (alee | pkmn au)

As the route melded into the beginnings of Pewter City, dirt road morphing into hard, sun baked cobble, finally did Raven allow himself to absorb his immediate surroundings. Moss green eyes peeked open against the splintering haze of sunlight overhead, to observe the rows of finely cut hedges and looming pokestores. The back of his hand swept up to drawl across his forehead, a trail of sheen sweat left in its wake, and the sense of encompassing relief enfolded him happily in its cool depths.

Suddenly it seemed as if energy had flooded anew into his bones. “How about we go up to the pokemon center? These guys can have their break, and we can grab some water?” Jumping to his feet, eyes sparkling like some shoujo manga heroine, Raven nodded eagerly. "You had me at water!" he admitted with a sigh, not realizing that, well, water was at the very end of her sentence, so.

He glanced down at his belt, fingers reaching down to trail over the sheen metal of his six pokeballs, two holding living creatures within their hollow depths. His hand clasped over both, and with an enthusiastic swing he'd sent the balls twirling into the air; beams of red shot out, and from the bright light emerged two forms - one green, incredibly tiny caterpie, and another a hoothoot, sporting quite the scowling countenance. "Bugsy, Hoot," Raven proudly proclaimed, his hands folding on his hips as he surveyed what he assumed to be the best team in all of Kanto; "let's go! Water awaits!"

Just as the words left his lips he took off running, as if a bolt of lightning had just struck him in the small of his back; Sparky gave a yelp of pure, unadulterated joy, whereas...well...Hoot and Bugsy trailed behind, as slow as ever. Hoot seemed rather content to go at her own, hopping pace, whereas Bugsy feebly dragged himself forward ever so desperately, tears collecting in its wide eyes at the mere thought of being abandoned.

Not a second later and Raven had returned, jogging on the spot, only to sweep Hoot and Bugsy up in its grip. "C'mon, Tiny!" he grinned, still practically running in place; "last one to the pokecenter's a magikarp!"

As he ran, slowed down slightly by the weight of the two pokemon in his arms, confidence surged like the rush of a wave at the thought of what next awaited him. This time I'll beat the gym for sure, the boy quietly promised himself, his brow furrowing in intent determination. With Bugsy, Hoot and Sparky on my side, ain't nothing gonna get in my way!

Rounding the last corner, every edge a familiar comfort, loomed the pokecenter. Raven skidded to an abrupt halt, Sparky crashing with a yelp into the back of his legs. Seeing the building in all its red and white glory was enough to have tears springing to his eyes. "I've traveled for many years," he whispered, as he strode to its transparent silver doors, the entrance sliding open for him as if it had awaited his very presence; "and finally, I have reached my goal."

Twirling on his heels to face his childhood companion, Raven couldn't help puffing out his chest in pure pride. "Today's the day I triumph over evil! The gym leader'll be history by the time I'm done with him!"

skyy and her socks