Sooner or Later (Chapter III - September 5, 2005)

[Toxicity]

Again, I make an attempt at an original trainer Fanfic. Hopefully I can keep my commitment in this one.

Disclaimer ~ Most of the characters in this story may be cameos of fellow TPM members as they wanted them to be. Don't worry, this will not be anything like my mistakes in the past.

[Rated PG-13 for language, violence, and some angst. This isn't loaded at the beginning yet, but you'll see it.]

Sooner or Later
(The Tale of Flying Solo in a World of Chaos)
By Laura/Sango

Prologue

Columns of darkness enveloped the scenery around the seated figure. His dark eyes loomed outward as the feline figure rested at his feet. The world feared this man, and he hoped for them to bow down before him. This was the notorious Giovanni Medici, leader of the mafia-based Team Rocket. Now his goals were to take on the values of the sins, and thinking they’d stop him successfully, another group that remained the polar opposite of his Team Rocket, Team Aura, attempted to take the virtues for themselves. Little did either realize was that alone, sin and virtue was a deadly figure, but together produced the harmony known as Purity.

“So, Paulo,” He spoke, his voice somewhat cloaking the subtle Italian accent within it. “Did we manage to get everything set up for the expedition at Mount Moon?”

“Sir, we did…” replied the young man named Paulo, who was adorned in complete black aside of the infamous red R on his chest. “But what do we do if intruders are spotted?”

“What we tried to do last time, you twit,” answered Giovanni, his eyes growing a deep look of remorse as he sighed pensively. “We battle ‘em.” Nodding his head, the young executive was dismissed, leaving Master Medici to himself. Leaning back in the leather black work chair, he thought deeply of what was to come in this expedition, and if the legends of Purity were actually true, and that the sins alone would ravage the land of Kanto into a hellish valley. His shoulders shrugging, he continued on with business.

Chapter I – The Ritual Beginning

The young girl of fifteen years sighed, freeing her thick, dark hair from being tied back. After allowing it to blow through the wind as it cascaded back down to her shoulder blades, she relocated her thin silver glasses back in front of her eyes of hazel green. Clearly she was nervous, for this was the day she would leave on her own journey across Kanto. This was Laura Deirdre, and her chronicles threaded into the appearance of Team Rocket and Team Aura. Feeling her soft, toned arms which spread on the ends of her curved figure, she pushed back the sleeves of her black casual shirt and then returned to the thighs of her jeans.

“Laura, are you ready?” a voice calm and soothing called from outside of her room. This was her aunt Christine, who had been her guardian ever since she was found victim of her mother’s emotions. Stepping out, she was forced by instinct into remembering her mother, a former bodybuilder who had retired from being the leader of the Dojo in Saffron City. The pain was then soothed by the depressing memories of her father, who she hadn’t seen since around when her parents divorced. He was a remarkably strong trainer who had trained some with the Elite 4, and was rumored to have taught the modern champion in some ways.

“Yes, I am.” Laura answered, slowly stepping out of her room and into the kitchen. People almost always thought she took after her aunt, since they shared the same dark hair, cat-like eyes, and toned structure. Sitting down at the breakfast nook, she looked back onto those days of preparation for what would come today, and what brought her on the instinct of training the Pokemon she caught.

“So, anyways, did you hear the news?” her aunt asked. After shaking her head, Christine handed her the daily newspaper for their region, Vermillion City. Glancing over it, Laura was amazed of how it suddenly talked of the legends of Purity, but what did catch her attention was the article about Team Rocket and Team Aura. Deep down, she felt that both were a threat even though their objectives were considered to be the direct opposite of each other.

“This is amazing,” Laura said under her breath, eventually finishing up and placing the papers to the side. She took down the plain, healthful breakfast provided to her and sighed at the last sip of her cranberry drink.

“Nervous, aren’t you?” Christine asked, only to receive a nod from her niece. Laura got down from her bar stool and walked over to her backpack, making sure one last time that everything was in there: the customized Poke’Dex she received in the mail, the Poke’Balls she bought at the local store, Potions, Full Heals provided by her grandfather, and some necessities for her and the Pokemon she would have.

“Now that everything’s set, all I need to do is go to Pallet Town via the ferry and get my Pokemon.” Laura told truthfully and quietly. Eyes of both women developed some tears as they hugged each other tightly one last time. Stepping out the door, she waved in reassurance that she would be okay and that she would return home once she finally reached Vermillion. Walking briskly so that she would be on time, Laura still wondered about what Pokemon would be bestowed upon her by the famous Professor Oak. Stepping onto the boat that would carry her to her destination, she looked one last time upon her beloved Vermillion as the ferry drifted towards the west.

By the time she reached Pallet Town, the sun was near midday peak, and her anxiety had subsided well enough to keep a confident posture. She then dashed again towards where the Pokemon Lab would be, and when she reached there made her way through the families of dawning trainers and tourists. Panting with relief as she passed through the doors, she flashed her cobalt Poke’Dex showing that she had full permission to enter the laboratory. Glancing over the machinery, she was eventually stopped by the aging man dressed in a golf-like outfit underneath the ivory lab coat.

“Oh, Miss Deirdre! Good of you to come!” Professor Oak said with a slight smile on his face. Laura nodded and returned the smile as she still rested in thought over her Pokemon. Normally, children would receive a Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle when they began their quest in Kanto. Maybe for her, it would be slightly different.

“Now, this isn’t because I have a bias or you won some sort of contest.” He joked. “Even though I do feel that you could befriend any Pokemon, I’m giving you this in promise…from your father…” A smile remained as he picked up a Poke’Ball specially coated in cobalt blue, which had been Laura’s favorite color for as long as anybody remembered. After dropping it into her palm lightly, he gestured her to see what it was. Nodding, Laura tossed the ball shyly to the ground, and into the air formed a beam of light in the shape of a small sheep. As the light evaporated, the dark blue body with pale yellow wool was revealed, and the Pokemon bleated quietly. A feminine Mareep.

“She’s beautiful…” Laura said in amazement, picking up her new friend and petting her head gently. “I shall call her Aine.” The sheep cooed in delight after she heard the name, a smile upon her dark face.

“Now that you’re set with everything, I guess you can go now.” Professor Oak said, smiling and waving as Laura exchanged the gesture. “Take care!” Nodding, she walked out the door with Aine nestling close, and when she got outside, let her new Pokemon roam with her on the land.

“It’s time, my friend.” Laura said, petting the Wool Pokemon again. Sighing with relief over how it wasn’t a subtle reminder of her mother, the girl and her ally began towards the north, where surprises as well as adventures lie.

[Greyfox]

Although I did note a few grammatical errors, I wasn't too bothered by them. I like the way you began the story; it read quite well. The prologue was a little short for my tastes, but I guess that was to be expected.

Nonetheless, it was a good read, and I look forward to further chapters in the future.

-Grey

[Toxicity]

Chapter II – Into the Lost Woods of Viridian and Out Again

Laura panted and rubbed her sore calves about a mile through the grass of the route. She clearly didn’t find walking too easy, and really wished she had some sort of transportation. Amazed by how Aine didn’t seem to show any trouble, she considered her partner “lucky”, as she did whoever she was slightly jealous of.

“Okay…” Laura began between deep breaths. “Viridian City isn’t too far from here. Once there, we’ll break, then continue forward.” As Aine nodded, she nuzzled her ankles, causing Laura to smile weakly. The duo continued, stalking the shrubs for any wild Pokemon. Minutes elapsed, and they spotted a small bird pecking at the ground, a Pidgey. Whispering commands to tackle, Laura was determined to train Aine to be a strong, skillful one. Aine leapt up and pounced the bird, pinning it to the ground by one wing. The Pidgey pecked and nudged against the fleece wool on the Mareep, but Aine only continued to tackle it before it flew off with all will lost.

“Good job, love.” Laura said to give congratulations, walking over to pick up her Pokemon. The sheep bleated and sighed with relief as her trainer continued forward from the grass and along a natural dirt path that wound north past ledge after ledge. Nodding as she took this as a guide through the green river, she strode on along, through thick patches of grass along the way. She suddenly felt like Link in The Legend of Zelda, by going on an adventure through wild country, expecting evil afoot and possible allies.

Hours of quiet serenity passed, and the dirt path became cobblestone. Looking up from her gaze at the ground, she saw people walking around in their daily business, as well as a store and Pokemon Center. She had finally reached Viridian City. Remembering that the gym was closed, and her promise to Aine, Laura sighed and took her place near a crystal clear pond, sitting Aine down so she could sip from the pool. She couldn’t understand how suddenly she felt so empty inside, as if there was something she was missing. Looking over, she glanced at her reflection, the maturing woman she was looking back at her. All she saw in her natural beauty was a saddened face insisting that the weight of the world should be on her shoulders.

“What is wrong with me…?” She asked herself, trying her hardest not to cry in front of Aine. But to her dismay, the Mareep could sense her sorrow, so she again nestled close to her legs in hopes of cheering her up. Giving a small thank you, Laura pulled out of her teal-colored backpack the small band to hold her hair back, only placing it around her wrist for lack of idea due to her sadness. Around then, a soft acoustic guitar strummed in her head in a familiar tune, so under her breath she whispered the lyrics of the song.

“Take a photograph, it’ll be the last. Not a dollar or a crowd could ever keep me here,” She murmured, bringing herself down with Breaking Benjamin’s ‘Rain’. “I don’t have a past, I just have a chance. Not a family or honest plea remains to say. Rain, rain, go away; come again another day. All the world is waiting for the sun…” Continuing on with her song, she stood up and secured her belongings, gesturing Aine to walk alongside her. Her sudden moodiness and meltdown was quite unexpected and seemed to be over nothing, yet for some reason she still felt unloved. Not necessarily her aunt, but she longed for companionship.

She looked back upon the saddening sight of Viridian as she passed on northward, back onto the dirt which she felt no better than. Ahead of her, the sky seemed to grow darker and darker, as the trees grew lusher and blocked out the light. Nodding with a small amount of regained confidence, Laura and Aine continued through this natural gate into the Lost Woods: Viridian Forest. It was easy for one to get lost in here, so the duo chose to remain cautious the entire time she would be in here. The coos of bird Pokemon filled the air, insects climbing the trees as if their life depended on it. Nothing really that suited much of Laura’s tastes just yet, but then right in front of her with a threatening look in the eye, it landed: a Pidgeotto.

“Pidgo!” It cried to Aine, encouraging her to battle it. Amazed by its will to fight a Pokemon it could lose to, Laura whipped out her bluish Poke’Dex to get an analysis.

“Pidgeotto, the Bird Pokemon. Being territorial, it will stand up to fight any Pokemon or trainer that enters its area. This specific Pidgeotto is a Male.” Seeing that this could be her first capture, Laura commanded Aine to give it a jolt with Thundershock. Nodding, static built up in her fur and transferred to the orb on her tail, firing outwards and at the avian figure. A critical hit!

“Good, now tackle.” Aine backed up and then rammed into the stunned foe, pinning him to a tree as she had done to the Pidgey almost hours earlier. With no hope left, the Pidgeotto fell to the ground, not even strong enough to escape. Pulling out of a side pocket on her back, she enlarged the crimson and silver orb known as a Poke’Ball and tossed it at the weak bird, enveloping it in light as it fell down. Shaking slightly, it stopped, proving that it was a successful capture. Grinning, she congratulated Aine as she walked over and picked up the ball holding her new Pokemon.

“And I shall call you…Robin.” She whispered, rubbing the ball before placing it in one of her jean pockets. With wonder, she pulled out her Poke’Dex to check out Aine. The metallic voice popped in and informed Laura once more.

“Mareep, the Wool Pokemon. Every summer, it’ll shed its fleece, only to have it grow back in only two weeks. Careful, for static can sometimes build up in a young lamb’s wool.” Aine nodded as Laura also put her Poke’Dex aside, continuing through the forest with a new ally caught by luck, and some knowledge of both of her partners.

Eventually, she came to what she feared would happen, a fork in the road thanks to a large tree. Cursing under her breath, she tried to imagine that the tree wasn’t there, and that she was given a large map of this wood, but it was hard to get the thought direct. Shrugging her shoulders, she took the left path in order to find her way out of here towards the next town. That path lead her to another dead end which curved left and back down, but she strode on forward with Aine still at her side.

“Reep…” Aine panted with exhaustion. Laura sympathized with her, yet she still had no other option but to keep going with the Pokemon back in her Poke’Ball. Recalling her with the blue ball given to her, Laura sighed and lightly rested a finger on her lips in thought for a moment. Her main question was if she would make it out of the forest by nightfall, but she also felt the need of companionship. With another depressive sigh, she erased the other thoughts that came into her mind in fluid-like motions, and set her focus on the path.

“It’s no use, I’ll never make it.” Kept running in her head wildly. She had seen worse in the past, but never was it in such a place that ‘Lost’ was part of the nickname. She then considered stopping her pessimistic ways, and with an immediate nod, vowed to do so. Moments passed of serene silence outside of the calm breeze blowing through the air, caressing her face gently and giving her some slight confidence. As the wind thickened for a moment, she finally felt at peace again. All she could do was sigh with relief.

Making a few upward, downward, and turns in almost every direction through the trees, she finally found the light increasing as she emerged back into a plain field. She was clear out of the forest, yet now it was not too far from sunset. Remembering her goal for the day, she dashed forward to Pewter City, where she would stay for the night in the Pokemon Center, and the next day take the challenge of the gym.

~~

Sango note:

~Rain actually is a song I tend to murmur to myself when I'm suddenly depressed.
~Don't freak out by her sudden moodiness. I've got plans to unravel it.
~Yeah, the Pidgeotto scene was pretty short, but the upcoming battles in Chapter 3 will be indepth and more realistic.

Until next time!
~Laura

[darktyranitar]

Great story here...Keep it up...

Oh, sorry for not dropping here by for a long time. I hope this story continues and not meet the same fate as To Those Who Still Care.

Eitherway, I would like to see more of this!
-Faiz

[Mystic_clown]

Not bad Laura. Could use a bit of work, but not bad. Keep it up.

[Darien Shields]

Hmm, interesting. I think you need more actual plot events, perhaps other characters in addition to the worlds littlest gothchild, and stuff. But your writing is pretty good otherwise. Keep it up.

[Toxicity]

No intent on the littlest goth child...and I do indeed plan on introducing newer characters in the upcoming chapters. Featuring somebody who memorizes every annoying internet song fad.

After a long hiatus...here's Chapter 3.

Chapter III – Stones Tossed and Experience Gained: Enter Team Aura

Laura sighed as she entered through the sliding doors of the building with the informal red roof, the Pokemon Center of Pewter City. Panting as she quietly sat on a cushioned stool not too far from where she entered, she looked towards the window, the sky slowly changing colors. Mixes of pinks and purples melted into a dark blue color, as if the heavens were the canvas where the gods made their paintings. Her view was eventually blocked out by a mysterious couple adorned in white uniforms with a black ‘A’ on the chest. She only knew of Team Rocket, but was this possibly the new team?

“Jacob,” the female of the group whispered. “Are you sure the boss wanted us to go and call the gym leader of the area a true sinner?”

Shrugging, the young man turned to his partner-in-crime and told her, “Sarah. He doesn’t make anything clear to us. Maybe we should’ve joined the Rockets instead.” As the two exited the building with sighs, Laura’s feline-like eyes widened with amazement. She was confused, but clearly this was the Team Aura of recent news events. ‘Didn’t make anything clear to them?’ Perhaps their leader didn’t have too much concern over the lower-level members. Sighing, she stood up and brought her two Poke’Balls to the desk. Seeing her presence, a lanky woman with light red hair tied to have small ‘hoops’ and peach skin walked up, her smile greeting Laura.

“I’ll gladly heal your Pokemon, ma’am.” She told the rookie trainer, taking the two round objects to a bed-like machine behind the desk. Laying them in individual slots, and with the flip of a few switches, the Poke’Balls were illuminated with a soft light. A few moments passed, and the light faded to signal that the healing process was complete. Picking them up, the nurse gave the balls back to Laura and told her, “We hope to see you again.” Nodding to show her thanks, she walked back to her seat, but this time curled up on a couple of stools and rested their in fatigue. She had quite a long day walking all that distance, so she needed her sleep to regain energy.

But something troubled here. What did those two have to do with Brock? Wanting to figure out for herself, she sat up before standing once more, taking a brisk, nervous stride towards the doorway. She somehow didn’t want the world to collide, as told within the legends of long ago. Even though those following the sins caused havoc, the virtuous somehow did as well. An example of that kind was given by the Crusades of the medieval era. But both somehow grew tired and fell into silence once the Plague was over, resulting in a peaceful balance. This state of heaven was Purity, and rumor was that once every century a child born would contain this essence. Of course, it was merely a legend, and may not even be fact at all.

Exiting the red and white building, she glanced up towards the night sky, the glinting stars faded out by the mass of street lights. Living in Vermillion, she could tolerate city life, yet Vermillion City was a bit small in comparison to the in-land Pewter City. After some gazing towards the few visible patterns of natural light, she breathed deeply and then headed off to the north side of town, where majority of the town’s “attractions” rested. Being after dark, it did indeed seem quiet, yet there was still the aura of action occurring in other places. She followed directions via the street signs, and in no time found herself at the gym.

Gulping, Laura clenched her fists. Was she truly willing to see what was going on? She did want to find out, but didn’t want to risk getting herself in a mass of trouble. Accepting that there would more than likely be consequences regardless, she walked towards the door, opening it, and quietly slinked inside. It was lit overhead by a couple of lights with a slight blue tint to it, which gave a ghastly appearance to the boulders and rocks surrounding the dirt arena. Suitable, considering that it was a Rock-type gym.

Shyly stepping out a bit further, Laura’s eyes widened as she stayed clung to the shadows surrounding her. A bit of light did illuminate her glasses, yet majority of her body was cloaked by the darkness. Sighing with relief, she walked on a bit more along the wall until she bumped into a sturdy figure. Falling over, she relocated her glasses as she looked up to the pillar she came in contact with.

“Damn. I need to be more careful.” She muttered, almost hating herself for such a small action. Placing an arm on the rock, she stood up again and walked into the light, continuing along until she reached the center of the arena. And that’s when she saw two people besides herself not too far away. Turns out that Laura recognized them as the group of people from the Pokemon Center. Both had eyes of a blue color, and hair in a light blonde color, and looked as if they were part of the “perfect” race. Germans?

“Who…are you?” she blurted out. The two merely smirked, and answered her question.

“The name’s Sarah,” the young woman said. “And this is my partner, Jacob. We come in hopes of eliminating the world of sinners, as we are part of Team Aura!” Laura’s eyes widened. How could they prove that anybody was a sinner? And wasn’t there a saying called “Love the sinner, but hate the sin?” Knowing what was coming, all three reached for their Poke’Balls until an ominous voice stopped them.

“And exactly what the hell is going on here?” A masculine voice boomed. Suddenly, from the ends of the gym, a dark-skinned man with spiked hair and simple clothing as if he was a mountaineer approached the near-battling group. All recognized him as the gym leader of Pewter City, Brock.

“Good timing.” Sarah muttered, walking up so she made direct eye contact with the professional trainer. “Mr. Brock, as much as it hurts me inside to say this, you, sir, are guilty of all seven of the deadly sins. In fact, every single gym leader is!”

“What makes you say that?” Laura questioned in a somewhat cold tone. She didn’t see a point in randomly accusing somebody of a petty crime, yet this seemed far from petty in their eyes.

“No time in explaining now,” Jacob answered, walking over towards Brock, gripping his wrist. “We’ve got to take this fool to the boss, and do the same with the other gym leaders. We’ll see you around, little girl.” And with that, the duo set off a bomb of gas as the fled with their victim. Laura found herself almost paralyzed, falling to her knees as tears of deep remorse flooded her eyes. She couldn’t believe that she didn’t do anything to stop them. Coughing and clinging to the ground, she passed out painfully.

[darktyranitar]

Who is team Aura? What are they're intention? Why are they capturing the Gym Leaders?

That is the question that crossed my mind. They seem to be different than the rest of the usual Team [insert name], only interested in controling the world/capturing Pokemon.

And what will happen to Laura? I guess I have to wait. Okay, keep posting, I'm eager to find out what happens next. :smilie: