Act 1 - Chapter 8

"Is it bad you caught the Murkrow?" Sasha asked curiously, placing his head on Rose's head.

Trey flinched. How was he supposed to say he was strapped for cash and couldn't afford another Pokemon let alone their bills right now? He had gotten a bunch of help thankfully but that wouldn't last long if he couldn't make more somehow.

"N-no… It isn't bad, I'm just worried I won't have time for everyone if I add to our family too quickly," Trey explained shakily, picking up the Pokeball and standing up.

"Our family?" Yuki and Sasha asked in tandem.

Surprised they both asked the question.

"Yeah. Our family," Trey said looking at all three of them, "Rose, Yuki, Sasha. We are family. The Orphanage is gone… And I'm going to look after you three," his Pokeball in his hand shook slightly, "Sorry four," Trey amended wryly.

Trey then raised his eyebrow slightly.

He's here not even a minute and now he's demanding things already. Murkrow really are mischievous…. He probably got caught on purpose now that I think about it… Trey thought, Murkrow's ball shifting slightly in his hand.

Trey shook his head and continued.

"I'm going to work my butt off to keep you two safe and give you a good life. I wasn't there at the Orphanage when it happened.." he said, biting his bottom lip, his hand clenching, " But I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere, and if anyone tries to hurt us again. So help me Acreus."

Trey finished his face turning grim as he thought about what he would do if, no when he found Charles.

The room remained silent for a time, as Trey realized he may have gone a bit overboard with the comments he made.

Yuki looked at him with an indecipherable expression on her face. But soon turned to a soft smile, tears pulling at the edges of her eyes.

"I can't believe you speak like an actual anime character…. How can you say something so sweet out loud..?" she said her smile widening as her arms hugged tighter around Rose and Sasha, "A family huh… That sounds… nice."

Sasha wiggled out of Yuki's embrace raising a hand, "I like that idea! Does that mean we get to have more family if you get more Pokemon? I really like Rose so the more the better!"

Trey gave a wry grin, "Uh… Yeah, we will have a bunch of family. At least eventually… But right now, after everything I just needed you both to know that I'll be here for you and that everything is going to get better. I promise."

Shasha nodded as Rose cooed in a high pitch raising her white sleeves into the air in agreement. Yuki looked on dotingly, which was a surprise to see from an 11-year-old.

Trey smiled at the scene, happy to see them all feeling not only better but getting along so well. Especially Rose, who Trey assumed didn't have nearly as much interaction with Pokemon let alone people because of Charles.

Feeling himself get hungry now, Trey's hand moved to his grumbling stomach briefly.

"Alright, I'm going to go find us something to eat. Can I count on you guys to keep Rose safe?" Trey asked.

Sasha raised a hand with a whoop.

Yuki on the other hand pursed her lips to the side, "What do you think we are child- Wait I am one now aren't I…. Yeah, we got it, go do your thing pretty boy. Don't forget some drinks too!"

"And ice cream!" Sasha added.

Trey chuckled wryly, "I'll see what I can do…" he said, his hand going to his wallet, feeling the pain already.

Rose, cooed softly, a bit of anxiousness passing through their connection as she saw Trey leave the room.

Trey crowned his head back as he exited the doorway.

"Don't worry Rose. I trust you can keep them safe while I run for some food. I have our new family member, remember?" Trey said, holding up the ball in his hand, "Murkrow. Hmmm we need a name for him don't we.. Wait, is he even a he? I should ask at the desk…" Trey said aloud walking down the hallway.

Trey felt almost reinvigorated at the thought of growing his family now, thanks to the little talk he had with the twins.

Yuki is still acting a little weird but I'm just glad they are doing well enough to joke and talk. As for this little guy…. Trey thought holding the ball up to eye level.

"What are we going to call you…" Trey thought aloud looking at the ball, "We named Rose, so it's only fair we name you as well… But first I guess we should find out if you're a guy or a gal huh."

Trey pressed the button on the Pokeball, and the next moment it expanded several sizes in his hand. He then released the ball to the floor Murkrow appearing in a white light as they unfurrowed their wings and giving a shimmy.

"Murkrow! Mur Mur!" the Pokemon cawed irritated slightly.

"Hey don't yell at me you're the one who caught themselves," Trey laughed, earning a sharp eye from Murkrow, "What's your problem? You eat my food and get caught but you have a problem with me?" Trey scoffed, looking down at the dark-hued bird.

"Krow. Mur, Murkrow!" Murkrow barked, shifting its weight from one foot to the other in almost a dance, its head tilting ever so slightly to the left.

"I don't understand you…. But I guess we better get this out of the way," Trey sighed walking past the Pokemon not looking to see if it was following him.

"So if you behave, you can eat your fill, but I'm going to ask for some things. I'm new to being a trainer so I won't ask for too much since I'm still learning, but I will need some help with battling every once in a while," Trey started listing off.

Hearing a flapping of wings as he closed in on the elevator, Trey felt something land on his head.

Turning his eyes up, he spotted a yellow beak and some red-ringed eyes staring back at him.

"Did you get all that bud?" Trey asked his eyebrows raising.

"Krow, krow krow," Murkrow responded, before giving a quick peck on Trey's forehead.

Trey sighed, rubbing the spot, "I have to say, I'm not a fan of this…."

A cackle-like caw coming from Murkrow, it shifting from one foot to the other on Trey's head.

"I think I have the perfect name for you Murkrow," Trey said, giving a grin as he pressed for the first floor, "How does Misfit sound? Perfect right?"

Murkrow growled, giving Trey another peck.

"Hey! We're on the same team! Fine… Murkrow… Karasu? No, it doesn't have a good right to it. What about Yami? I think Murkrow evolves into Honchkrow right.. So the name is kind of intimidating but.." Trey thought aloud looking up at the still-cackling bird.

Shaking his head, "Yeah maybe not… Are we sure we don't like Misfit? Ow! Ok, I get it no to Misfit…" Trey said, rubbing his head, What about Kuro? Shot simple, and sleek, just like your feathers. Speaking of which, I should probably look more into Pokemon grooming as well as diets… I don't want you two looking anything but your best," Trey said nodding to himself.

The doors to the elevator spread open as they reached the ground level, a sharp beep sounding with it.

Murkrow or Kuro tilted their head to the side, almost pensively assessing Trey's last statement.

"Hmm….?" Trey hummed surprised not to get a response from the previously ener-peckic Pokemon, "Something up Kuro?" he asked.

Kuro looked down at Trey for a moment before scoffing in a weird bird manner, its head turning away from him as it moved to Trey's shoulder, shimmying slightly as it got comfortable on its new roost.

"Ok, then… Kuro it is. I have to check with the Pokemon League if I have to register you. I don't have a Pokedex after all… I should probably look into getting one of those as well," Trey said lamenting the hole in his wallet that was quickly forming again.

Bills! Always more bills! He cursed, walking down the hallway out of the elevator.

Spotting Nurse Joy still at the counter, Trey gave a wave as he caught her eye, as well as Chansey giving a little hop next to her.

"Hello again Nurse Joy, may I ask for a favor?" Trey asked in preamble.

"Sure Trey, what is- Oh, is that a new Pokemon? You didn't come in with it," she said, noticing Kuro on his shoulder still roosting, its head underneath its wing.

"Yeah… The thing is he or she… I'm not sure which but was a surprise catch-up in the ICU room. And that's what I wanted to ask. Would it be possible to get them checked? I don't have a Pokedex to help me right now. So it would be a real lifesaver," Trey said, giving his biggest smile.

"Oh with pleasure Trey, it's what we are here for. I'm surprised it's so quiet. Usually, Murkrow come in flocks and are very rowdy," she observed, getting up from her seat.

"Well, he or she… was very… energetic earlier, but since I named them Kuro, they seem to have calmed down. But, I'm just interested to see how their health is. They were snatching some berries earlier but I honestly can't tell if they have any health problems. I'm still new to this so I just want to be safe for my new bud here," Trey explained, bumping his shoulder up a bit, trying to rouse Kuro.

Kuro gave a small growl-like kaw at being disturbed but settled down again quickly when it saw Nurse Joy. Instead of being snarky like Trey assumed they would be, Kuro instead tipped its head down almost like tipping its hat to Nurse Joy.

"Oh! Is this the Murkrow that hangs around the windows? My, I'm surprised it's been captured…" Nurse Joy said seemingly realizing who the Murkrow was.

"Have you still been stealing food?" she said wagging her finger at Kuro, "I thought I told you to just come to the lobby, I have plenty of snacks for you," she chided.

Kuro winced slightly turning its head again away from the lecturing Nurse Joy.

"Ha, you're getting yelled at. Ow!" Trey yelped a nibble at his ear from Kuro forcing it out suddenly, "I thought we were good?" Trey sighed, rubbing his ear, Kuro again turning its head in the other direction its beak high in the sky.

Nurse Joy giggled slightly but gathered herself, "I'll take a look at him. But Kuro was in good health last I saw. He likes to go around taking whatever he can from the patients. It was a problem for a while, but he always seemed to give everything back after a few days. The items are always finding their way to the front of the Hospital," Joy said, giving a smile to the bird, "I think he just wants to liven up everyone's life here. The patients are always a little mad about losing their stuff, but since they come back it gives them all something to talk about."

With each word Nurse Joy spoke, Kuro found himself further and further in his own feathers. Trey swearing he could even see the black hat-like head of his turning a tinge of red.

"Oh, so Kuro is actually just a sweetheart, who likes to act like a misfit huh.." Trey said looking over to the bird, a snarky grin on his face, "Well, now I'm feeling kind of bad for capturing him if I'm taking him from the Hospital," Trey joked.

Kuro perked up, giving a caw, "Krow! Murkrow!"

"Ok, ok I was just joking! I'm happy to have you, even if you did steal half the berries I bought… Now get your feathered butt checked up, and I promise to get you something good to eat later, yeah?" Trey said, shaking his head.

Kuro gave a low grumble before hopping off Trey's shoulder into Nurse Joy's arms, Trey handing his ball over to Chansey.

"Thanks buddy, I'll pick you up when I get back alright? Actually, would you mind sending him up to the twin's room when he's done?" Trey amended.

"That won't be a problem. We'll take good care of Kuro, right Chansey?" Joy giggled.

"Chansey!"

Trey gave a slight bow, thanking Nurse Joy once more, giving a wave as Kuro looked slightly reluctant to go with Nurse Joy, giving Trey a sidelong glance with its red-ringed eyes, eventually closing them and looking quite stoic for the mischievous bird.

"Hey's kind of a drama queen isn't he?" Trey said smirking before turning to look around for a map of the hospital, "Let's see, cafe… cafe… Ah, looks like they have one! Nice."

—---------

Following the directions to the hospital cafe, Trey was hit by the sound of a bustling room.

Wow, it's actually really packed in here… Where did all these people come from? Trey thought, looking around the room.

His eyes scanned the foyer seeing many of the seats taken, then the cafeteria area filled to the brim with people and Pokemon of all sorts eating whatever they had ordered.

Trey's stomach rumbled slightly smelling the different aromas that were present within the large room.

"Well, better get in line," he said absentmindedly, stepping into one of the lines for a counter.

Trey looked up at the menus that were present all around the area, noticing there were actually quite a few counters for separate ordering windows. As he looked from one to the other, he picked up on conversations here and there.

Some were talking about how they had just finished a battle and were waiting on Pokemon to recover. Or how some were preparing to take the Magnet Train to Johto, wanting to get a head start on the League Circuit next year by capturing Pokemon from the region.

There was even some talking of the Adoption Fair that was going to happen in a few months in Celadon, where there were supposed to be Pokemon from all over being brought to find their forever homes and bright-eyed breeders tried to make a name for themselves by bringing their show Pokemon in hopes of garnering Trainers to go on their waiting lists.

An Adoption Fair huh… Maybe in a few months, we go there all together, I think it will be a good experience for the twins to maybe find a companion. Hopefully, by then everything will be more settled. Trey thought.

Trey was never intending to become a trainer but now that he already had two Pokemon to take care of and no other prospects save for an offer to be a Model? By Mr. Nivvar. And as great as that sounded in a totally not sarcastic way, Trey would rather not be in the limelight if he could manage it.

And from what Trey could see, Trainers made a decent living as long as they could get through a few Gyms.

Now it's just a matter of getting good enough to beat a few gyms… He thought wryly.

"Order?" a voice asked, breaking Trey from his thoughts.

Trey had reached the front of the line while he was deep in thought about the future. Looking at the man who had asked him for his order, Trey was slightly startled unsure what to order.

"Um.. Do you have anything for kids?" Trey asked hesitantly.

"Sir. This is the counter for Pokemon only…." the man said, a small smile on his lips, "The food for people are the other three counters."

"Oh!" Trey said, chuckling wryly, "In that case can I just get something for a young Ralts and a Murkrow? Whatever you can recommend that is healthy would be perfect please," Trey asked, bowing his head slightly in embarrassment.

"Certainly. We have a nice balanced platter for recovering Pokemon that I believe most enjoy, or we have a type-specific choice that you may choose. There is one for Bird Type Pokemon that is more carb-heavy, and a vegetarian choice for your Ralts," the man offered.

"I'll take the latter then, thank you very much for the suggestions," Trey said, ruffling through his pants for his wallet.

"It's no problem. Your total is 36 Credits, will that be cash or credit?"

"Cash," Trey said pulling out one of his 100 credit bills.

Exchanging the money, Trey was directed to the opposite end of the counter where several other people were waiting for their food.

Passing by the people he noticed a familiar face.

"Wait…. Lauren?" Trey said, turning around.

The girl's head perked up from her phone, looking back at Trey.

"Trey? What in the world are you doing here?" Lauren asked, putting her phone away.

"Me? What are you doing here? Are you alright? Nothing happened I hope," Trey asked back.

Lauren shifted slightly, obviously embarrassed to say. But eventually, the silence between them caused her to answer reluctantly.

"Lady and I went to challenge Sabrina… and it didn't go so well…" she said, chuckling lightly.

Trey raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Wow really? How did the battle go? Is Lady alright?"

Lauren waved her hands in front of her reminiscent of when they first met, "Oh no! She's doing alright, it's pretty normal she sees the Pokecenter after a battle just to be safe. The battle though… It was my mistake," she said, her head dipping slightly, and her hand absently going for her pocket where she put her phone.

Trey looked at her hand fiddling with her pocket.

"Did you record it? Is that what you were looking at?" Trey asked.

Lauren's face went scarlet as she nodded.

"Do you mind if I see it? I'm still learning and seeing a Gym battle would help me out a lot if you don't mind?" he asked honestly, curious.

Lauren was a bit apprehensive but offered her phone to him.

Trey took the phone. It was the latest generation Phone Dex hybrid.

I'm not jealous… Yeah, totally not jealous… Trey thought fiddling with the phone.

Lauren saw him struggle and tapped the side of it, the screen flickering to life.

Trey scratched his cheek and thanked her, seeing the already-playing video.

—-----

"Lady, Fake Out!"

Lady rushes forward beelining for the opposing Alakazam.

Sabrina stands wordlessly on the other end of the field, her hand playing with a Pokeball in the air, a faint purple light around it.

Alakazam suddenly flashes in a similar purple light, as its eyes flash brightly.

Lady suddenly comes to a halt, its head shakily moving left and right as confusion paints her face.

"Lady what happened?! Back up!"

Lady quickly recovers, jumping backward at the command of Lauren, but Sabrina's Alakazam follows up quickly with no command from her.

Alakazam suddenly disappears. Reappearing next to Lady, its hands snapping to attention, it's two silver spoons forming a cross as purple light coats them.

Lady is flung into the air as Lauren gasps in astonishment.

"Lady no! Hurry, use Screech!"

Lady struggles to find her ground while floating but does her best to orient herself, opening her mouth as a high-pitched shout exits her mouth towards Alakazam, the Mon unable to move quickly enough being so close to Lady.

Alakazam is stunned briefly, holding its ears with its hands, dropping Lady to the floor.

Lady lands on her feet, ready to follow up.

"Fury Swipes!"

Sabrina grins for the first time in the match.

Alakazam suddenly refocuses in the last moment before Lady's paw connects with its head, teleporting behind her.

Again Alakazam is painted in a purple light, as Lady is lifted up into the air much more quickly this time.

"Good match."

The ball Sabrina played with dropped into her open palm as Alakazam did the same with Lady, as she was dropped to the floor with such force, the field quaked.

"Lady!"

—---------

The video ended with Lauren rushing to the field, and the announcer calling the match in favor of Sabrina.

What in the world was that?! She won without shouting a single command? Is she communicating telepathically? Trey thought, his head going into overdrive.

"It wasn't our best moment… The match-up was hard going in, but I didn't do enough research on her Pokemon and its habits," Lauren said, gently taking the phone from Trey.

"Oh, no it was an amazing match! Even I could tell you recovering was great. I don't think getting out of whatever psychic move she had you in could have been done that way," Trey said trying to console her.

"Thanks.." Lauren said, putting her phone into her pocket again, "She was actually very nice afterward… Her arrogance during the match was a little over the top but since she's a TV star now she films her matches apparently and does it for the camera," Lauren said sighing slightly, "She caught us off guard with Disable, taking our only gap closing move from us since I didn't have Lady learn Agility yet. Then it was all downhill from there. Screech into Fury Swipes was our last ditch, and apparently, she was waiting for it to be dramatic…"

Yup. I don't understand a word she is saying…. I have my work cut out for me. Trey thought, just smiling and nodding along.

"That really is unfortunate…" Trey said honestly, "Are you going to attempt the Gym again?" he asked.

Lauren looked to the counter, her food being called.

"Honestly… I want to but I don't think it's a good match-up for us right now. I wanted to do the circuit with Lady, but I think I might have to look for more Pokemon," she said with a bit of apprehension in her eyes, "But it's not like we're going to give up! It was good talking to you Trey, I'm going to go pick up Lady. Do you want to exchange numbers, maybe talk more later?" she asked.

"That sounds good yea, I could use the help as a fledgling trainer now," he said casually.

"You're a trainer?!" she exclaimed, drawing the eyes of some of the people around them.

"Haha… it just kind of happened. Here," Trey said opening up his phone, "This is my number."

Lauren scrambled for her phone, typing in the number.

"Wow, I can't believe you became a trainer. We will have to talk more! Maybe even a battle!" she said getting excited, her depressed demeanor vanishing.

Trey chuckled, but pointed to the employee becoming irritated at the counter, "Better get your food, we can talk later."

"Ah right," she said, running for the counter and giving a wave to Trey as she went on her way.

Trey waved back, feeling the eyes of a few people on him.

Did I just make a few enemies…? Trey thought, feeling a bit of sweat form on the back of his neck.