Kat's Story

"No thank you," Noko had said. "I reckon I'll save my money. I do need to think about your reward, after all."

Crimson looked confused at this. He knew that Noko was just being grateful, but he didn't want money. He had plenty of that. He just wanted to feel the satisfaction of saving a-

Oh God, he thought. Maybe it was my calling to be a Guardian...

"Err...thanks..." he told Noko, then sat down next to him. It felt nice, just to relax for a bit. The warm sunshine he was thristing all day long. Suddenly, all the events took him right then and there and he was exhausted. "God, I'm tired," he thought. "I wonder what had happened to the rescue crew? I sent out a pelican..."

Noko gave Crimson a puzzled look when he said "Err... thanks..." before sitting down. Why isn't he excited? Is he shy? Noko wondered. This wasn't how he'd expected the Chimchar to act after his performance in the cave. Maybe he was just worn out; Noko certainly felt that way.

He felt long blades of grass tickling his sides, and shifted to make himself more comfortable. The Eevee and Charmander were eating mango and talking. Noko thought about them as well: Who were they? Why had they been in the cave? How had Crimson known about them? Of course, he didn't mention these questions out loud in case he annoyed Crimson by accident. He tried to turn to a more positive topic.

"That was a really lucky find, wasn't it? Your Moonstone, I mean. I don't think I've ever seen anything so rare," Noko continued obliviously. "And a Mew as well... I only got a quick look at it. Do you think it got out of the cave safely?"

He shut his eyes, resting his eyes for only a few moments before he heard Noko's voice again.

"That was a really lucky find, wasn't it? Your Moonstone, I mean. I don't think I've ever seen anything so rare. And a Mew as well...I only got a quick look at it. Do you think it got out of the cave safely?"

He thought of the one image he had of that mew. Indeed, they were among the rarest of pokemon, but he'd expected a Mew with it's fame to be a little more secrete and cautious. Anyone who caught a Mew was consdered a legend. But that one was bold and fierce. He didn't think it was there to give out lollipops and rainbows.

"Oh I know we're going to see him again..." Crimson finally replied, opening his eyes. "And I'd accidentally dropped that Moonstone when the eevie tugged me towards the entrance. I assume they have it now." He hadn't even realized it, but he noticed that he'd eaten his strawberry shortcake. He stretched his arms, then got up. "Well, come on Noko. If we want to get you better at using fire, it won't help sun-basking." he smiled, exchanging a hand, not just to help him out of his sitting position, but as a hand of friendship.

Noko waited as Crimson sat with his eyes closed for a few seconds. After finishing whatever his thought was, he opened them again. "Oh I know we're going to see him again..." he said, prompting Noko to frown. That tone of voice... does he know something that I don't? he wondered. Crimson did seem like the more perceptive of the two. This was all but confirmed with his next sentence. Noko felt his jaw drop open. He couldn't believe that anyone would abandon such a precious treasure as a Moonstone, even under the direst circumstances. He really doesn't care about money, he finally realised.

He was trying to find something to say in response when Crimson stretched out and stood up. "Well, come on Noko. If we want to get you better at using fire, it won't help sun-basking," he said cheerfully, offering him a hand. Noko began to stammer out an excuse. "I - well, I'd try, but - it's just that - I really can't - there's no need-" Then, all of a sudden, he gave up. Why not give it a try, after all? Maybe being tutored by a fellow fire-type would help. Noko took Crimson's hand and let himself be pulled up. "You don't act like the rescuer I expected," he commented, breaking into a smile.

"I-well, I'd try, but-it's just that-I really can't-there's no need-" Crimson could only chuckle a little inwardly at Noko tried to find ways out of it before he finally gave up, accepting his hand. I'd thought I would act the same way, he realized. Now, it seemed like he was mentoring Noko, in a way.

"You don't act like the rescuer I expected," Noko smiled.

"Hey, Pokemon, like people, have different personalities," Crimson replied, shrugging before turning to the eevie and the charmander. "Hey, I'll talk to you guys later. Stay safe!" Then, he led Noko into the forest to the clearing he'd previously used to train. The scorch marks from his last practice were still there.

"This is quite a private place, perfect for one on one training." he grinned. "I'd just discovered it today. I think it will be perfect. Now, are you ready?" he encouraged. He wanted Noko to feel as confident as possible.