Malcolm Vox's Story

Malcolm Vox

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Malcolm, a young local boy of Lumiose town, was walking around the city as he often did after discussions with his mother. She was once again urging him to get a pokemon to help with his fear of them. He again stressed in return that the idea would only make things worse, and ran out of the house like he always did. He had tucked under his arm a drawing pad with a pencil stuffed into the metal rings. He loved to draw, but he hated doing it in public since most who were impressed with his work wanted him to draw their pokemon which he refused to do.

He was interrupted from his walk by the screams of people running from something around the corner. He ran up to a stationary bystandard and peek around him to see what was going on, as a wall of people was blocking most of the view. He could see a girl with multiple pokemon making some form of music, facing off against a strange figure. He had no idea what was going on but it seemed to be a poke-battle of some sort, or a musical concert. Either way it wasn't really his thing but he felt compelled to watch it for some reason. Malcolm stood in awe of what was going on until he felt something crawl onto his back.

Looking over his shoulder, it seemed a scared pokemon had somehow made it onto his shoulders and was now comforting itself against him. If he remembered correctly this pokemon was a Vulpix. Malcolm was so frightened of the small pokemon hurting him somehow that he feignted right then and there, his passed out body easily seen just inside the ring of spectators with the Vulpix still clinging to his shoulders.

Jennifer breathed heavily as the racial tension finally erupted, the random incursion being the spark that set the whole thing off. "Good thing we paid in advance! Serena! White! We have to get out of here!" Castle quickly came out of her Pokeball, using its large head to block off those that wished ill on the androids just like it might have in the prehistoric days.

No use trying to reason with the unreasonable masses. Thanks to some random terrorist, the flames of war were once again lit. Once they got clear, Jennifer had to learn everything she could about these robots. Were there others like them? And what the hell did they do that she had to take them into protective custody? All questions that needed to be answered once the little issue of not getting trampled was taken care of. The numbers alone dictated that fighting their way out would not be easy, plus there would be collateral damage and possibly people getting hurt. Numbers that a shadowy figure watching from the sidelines was happy to provide. Weaker Pokemon started hitting the deck left and right, a dark blur bounding around the room as they fell. One of the other diners raised a hand to Serena, only to be overcome by a blast of shadowy energy.

Suddenly, a shock of red was visible atop the black body of a two-legged fox. White would recognize this Pokemon instantly...a Zoroark! Larger than normal for its kind, it seemed to have no qualms attacking people that went for the group, but it had most definitely chosen to side with the robots. Hard eyes turned towards Jennifer and the mechanical beings. "I'll clear a path. Go to the northern exit!"

When someone that badass tells you to jump, you don't wait to ask how high, you just did it. The entire dash to the Route 14 gate would probably be a blur, and would definitely leave the mechanic gasping for air. Her body wasn't used to long-term exertions of that sort. But now another player had dealt himself into the game...a Pokemon that could speak?! Well, at least the food was good. That was the ONE redeeming thing about this whole blasted day.

Quickclaw slowly backed away from the scene, signalling Vexnar to follow. They walked to the opposite side of town, you could look out over the ocean from here. He noticed a young boy standing there looking out over the ocean. He stopped crouching and walked over to the boy, tapping his shoulder. He kept his hood on, hiding his face.

"Hey kid, you have any idea what the hell is going on over there?" he asked, pointing behind him.

Vexnar stood next to Quickclaw, looking back at the events.

The young boy in question was about 12, wore a mixture of rustic and modern clothing, and had light brown hair to comiment his pale skin. Malcolm Vox turned around in wonder as he felt a touch on his shoulder, the young boy suddenly changing his expression from awe to muddled fear at the sight of a stranger and their weird looking pokemon.

Immediately the boy shrinks away from the two strangers and wraps his arms around himself for protection. "What do you want?"

Only now it seems does the boy look to where the action was, seeing battling pokemon. His immediate reaction is to throw his arms up and yell at the top of his lungs before hiding behind the strangers, using them as a shield.

His yell alerted a brown haired woman in a sun dress who walks over and takes his hand, apparently the kids mother. "Malcolm, you can't ell in fear at everyone's pokemon, that is disrespectful. My apologies sir, what is your name?"

Quickclaw looked at the kid in confusion, his yell made Vexnar quickly dart his head towards the kid. Sure it was bad, but did the kid have to freak out about it? Aren't people here used to pokemon battles? Before long the kid's mother came along.

Quickclaw wasn't sure how to respond. He liked keeping an ominous presence with his assassin name, but to avoid further questions he just used his real name.

"I'm Greg, and this is my herrarasaurus Vexnar" he said, putting a hand on his companion's head, who then made a low rumble of pleasure, "Hey um, do you have any idea what's going on behind us?" he asked, extending his hand backwards to point once again, "looks like a bigger battle than usual, and they were talking about all sorts of stuff, something about 'more fireknaught'?"

He scratched his head in confusion, waiting for an answer.

Malcolm remained behind his mother at all times while she talked to the stranger. She nods to the man and his companion in kind.

" It is nice to meet you both. I have to admit, a herrarasaurus is new to me, but all pokemon are interesting. I apologize for my son, he has a fear of pokemon."

She leans to one side in order to see around Greg at what he was mentioning. She looks a little worried but flops her hand over after raising it shoulder height in a dismissive nature. "My, those look like some powerful pokemon over there. Pokemon battles are common in the cities, I just hope they don't leave any collateral damage."

The woman holds out her hand in greeting and puts a smile on her face. "I forgot to give you my name, I am Sarah Vox. This is my son Malcolm. We came here to be tourists and get Malcolm used to more pokemon, but his fear is persistent."

She ruffles Malcolm's hair and turns to the ocean, intaking the sight.

Quickclaw opened his mouth, hesitated, then closed it. If people thought Vexnar was a pokemon why correct them? Everyone here seemed to have pokemon, including people that could give him thief and assassin jobs, the less he seemed like an outsider, the better.


He looked at the boy in confusion when she mentioned he was scared of pokemon. If he's scared of pokemon why the hell is he living here, why doesn't he run away, Quickclaw thought. After staring out into space for a second he blinked and began talking.

"Yes well, nice to meet you too" Quickclaw hurriedly replied and he shook her hand, "But the people in that battle said something about Firenaught, what's that? Some kind of pokemon or something?" Quickclaw said, it seemed like much more than a normal pokemon battle was happening there, "And there's so many pokemon, too many for one battle wouldn't you say?"

As he waited for an answer he looked at the kid once again, which reminded him of a younger him. He wasn't scared of anything, but he wanted to be an assassin, his parents thought it was just a phase, but he wanted to lead a dangerous life. He had a hunger for excitement and danger. Much like how this kid's mom didn't seem to understand that the kid may just have a phobia of pokemon and she should respect that unlike Quickclaw's parents.

Sarah turned back towards Greg with a thoughtful look and puts her hand to her chin, while Malcolm hid behind her as Greg eyed him.

Sarah came out of her thoughts when he mentioned the Firenaughts. "Oh, they are a group who follow a... I think it was a Kadabra. Anyway their pokemon leader is of noble cause, but their means are sometimes questionable. Not as dangerous as Team Rocket, for example."

She suddenly lifted a finger as she realized something. "Oh, if you didn't know about the Firenaughts maybe you don't know about Team Rocket either? They are a bunch of criminals who steal pokemon, rather dangerous. If you ever go out into the wilds keep your pokemon close and a map handy."

While Sarah was talking Malcolm took several steps back and instead watched the pokemon much further away. At a distance he assumed he was safe, but the town did seem strange with the stormy skies and the strange lighting. He had heard that the sundail in town gave off light at certain times but this being his first time in the city he couldn't tell if this sort of weather was supposed to happen.

Greg looked back at Sarah as she began speaking, and after she finished he just stared before snapping back to reality. He was surprised that a Pokemon could run an entire group of humans, he thought that humans used Pokemon for their purposes, not the other way around, he had a lot to learn it seemed.

He then rose his hand to his chin, thinking of how to ask about Team Rocket the least suspicious way possible. After a few moments he lowered his hand and spoke.

"Huh, any idea what place this Team Rocket's headquarters would be so I can avoid them?" Greg tried saying in the least suspicious way possible. He glanced at Malcolm who was now looking at something behind him, probably the battle.

Sarah giggles to herself, happy that someone was taking interest in the world. Unlike her son who wanted nothing to do with the world of pokemon.

"Well, I've heard they have a strong standing in Celadon City, but that is across the ocean in the Kanto region. Big city, but still beautiful." Sarah drifts into a short daydream before popping out of it and looking back to Greg. "Not sure if you had any business there but be carful around them parts."

"The Kanto region huh?" Quickclaw replied, "Never been there but I planned to go there within the next few days or so, thanks for the heads up"

He looked at the child who was still staring at the battle happening behind Quickclaw,

"You know, your son's actually a lot like me when I was younger. I wasn't scared of Pokemon but I felt a little misunderstood I suppose about my views and morals, if you want I could have him come with me to Kanto for a little while, help him get over his fear? Vexnar here has space for two passangers" Quickclaw looked back at Sarah, "Of course, your choice, I know it can be a little nerve racking having your child so far from home."

He stood, waiting for an answer, Vexnar looked at him in confusion as to why he wanted to bring this kid along. Quickclaw wanted some questions answered, to see what adults saw him like as a kid, to just try and help another misunderstood individual.

Sarah's eyes light up when Greg makes the offer of adventure with her son. She had meaning to find an excuse for him to get out on his own and explore. "That would be grand! Malcolm, this is your chance to learn and grow!"

The boy blinked in responce and started to shake his head but his mother wouldn't have any of his complaints. "No, this has been coming for awhile now. It is high time you go out and see more of the world. Get to know pokemon, maybe even find friends?"

Malcolm knew he wouldn't get out of this one and sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. It wasnt long however before the sounds of Pokémon battle got closer, even from the sea as water type pokemon joined in. There was almost a minor war going on in the city, and it seemed some people were even evacuating the town via boat.

Sarah points off towards one of the boats in the distance still docked. " There, that ship came in from Kanto. My bet is that it is returning there too. " Sarah bends down to Malcolm and presses some money into his hands before hugging him and running off towards the hotel she was staying at, waving back behind her. "Good luck you two!"

Quickclaw watched as the mother eagerly ran off, confused at the fact that she had just left her son with a total stranger to go across the ocean. That was just asking for the kid to be kidnapped, of course Quickclaw didn't have any plans to hurt Malcolm, he just wanted to help what seemed like a younger him and maybe have some help in Kanto before he joined Team Rocket.

"Alright then let's go" Quickclaw ran towards the boats with Vexnar and Malcolm following, before long they were on the deck looking out over the ocean, waiting for the boat to depart. It was full of people, but not so cramped you couldn't move.

"Hey don't worry Malcolm" Quickclaw looked over at him, "I used to be just like you in a way. But I don't see why your scared of Pokemon, I don't completely understand them myself but they aren't gonna hurt you. Trust me, we'll have plenty of fun in Kanto"

Vexnar nuzzled Malcolm a little, trying to show affection.

"Oh and" Quickclaw leaned over to whisper into Malcolm's ear, "Don't tell anyone but Vexnar here isn't really a Pokemon, he's just a dinosaur" he said, hoping Malcolm would be more comfortable if he knew he wasn't around a Pokemon.

And with that, the boat sailed off towards Vermillion City.

(Leo make your next post in Vermillion)

Malcolm listened to what Greg said but didn't seem too happy about all this. He just wanted to go home and sleep in his bed, but instead he was off to who knows where. He only said one thing in responce, as he wasn't really paying attention."Yeah..."

His thoughts however were immediately interrupted by the feeling of something press against him. Immediately he let out a squeek and recoils several feet from this creature, hugging his hoodie closer around himself. He was in no mood to get close to anything even close to a pokemon, then again he never was.

It would be around nightfall by the time they made it to Vermilion City. The coastal town was south of their destination, but not dangerously far by what a map in town showed. The boy sighs from exhaustion and turns to Greg, motioning towards a motel near the docks. "I think we can sleep there, if you want."

"Yeah alright" Quickclaw replied, "And you know, I'd prefer you call me Quickclaw instead of Greg"

The sky darkened and the stars shone brightly, Quickclaw looked forward to see Vermillion City in all it's glory, they'd be there in about 2 minutes. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a wallet, and counted his money. 250 bucks he had stolen from some criminals back in Kalos, it seemed like a lot for a small journey but that depended on how hungry they would be and how long it would take to travel to Ceruleun or Celadon, he forgot which but he decided to ask which one it was later. He packed his wallet away and turned to Malcolm.

"So I'm thinking of going to the mart for some food when we get there, any ideas of what you'd want?"

Malcolm was surprised to hear about food at such a time. He shrunk down a little and grabbed the shoulder bag at his side. "Oh... no I have food. You go if you want, I will get a room. Under the name Vox." He wouldn't mind using his own name to get a room, and he really wanted to rest. The whole day had started off with site seeing in Anistar, and ended in a whole new region.

"I'll see you in a few I guess..." Malcolm awkwardly moves off towards the motel, letting out a breath. He had to take an extra couple minutes to get there because a couple with their pokemon passed by, so he circled around them to keep the pokemon at a distance.

Entering the motel, Malcolm got himself a room for two, using a little of the money his mother had given him to cover it. Once inside the room Malcolm immediately slumped onto one of the beds only to be startled by something hitting his back.

He turned only to see a small red device. He picked it up, flipping it open to find an empty pokedex in his hand. He blinks in surprize, but guesses that a pokemon trainer must have left it there after using the room. Malcolm puts it in his bag for later use or if he finds the owner.

Quickclaw walked to the pokemart and got himself a tv dinner, it was cheap and tasted fine, so why not. However he didn't go to the motel right away. He stepped outside where Vexnar was waiting and he began looking around the city a bit. Nothing too important to him here, so he decided to hop on Vexnar and ride back to the hotel.

"Yes I'm here for the room Vox" he explained, which he was then led to the elevator and told which floor to go to. He opened the door, shutting it behind him. Vexnar walked over and lied down on the ground between the two beds.

"Sorry I'm late, I decided to look around the city a bit, say, do you remember which city we need to be avoiding? Was it Celadon or Ceruleun?" Quickclaw asked, heating up his tv dinner in the microwave.

Malcolm remained on the bed as Quickclaw came in with Vexnar. He was close to passing out already, his white and blue marbled hoodie hanging off the bed in one corner and his short form under the sheet already. He scooted to the far side away from Vexnar in order to sleep without distractions.

In answer Greg's question came a sleepy yawn and reply. "Celadon. It should be north of here." Shortly after this the sound of miniature light snores came from Malcolm, now fast asleep and dreaming if what could come next.

The microwave beeped and Quickclaw took out the food. Soon after eating he looked at Malcolm.

"Well--" he stopped himself, seeing that Malcolm was asleep now. He lied down in his bed, Vexnar had fallen asleep too. Quickclaw began thinking of what Team Rocket would be like and eventually drifted into sleep, dreaming of the many possibilities of what this team was like. When he woke up it would be morning.

(FYI your post will be in morning leo)