
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/12407076.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Choose_Not_To_Use_Archive_Warnings, Underage
  Category:
      Multi
  Fandom:
      Pocket_Monsters_|_Pokemon_-_All_Media_Types, Pocket_Monsters:_Sun_&_Moon
      |_Pokemon_Sun_&_Moon_Versions
  Character:
      Original_Characters, Original_Male_Character(s), Original_Female
      Character(s), Poocheyna, Growlithe
  Additional Tags:
      The_Porn_is_coming_in_later_chapters, Rated_Mature_for_later, I'll_add
      the_tags_as_they_come_though, Slow_Burn, My_OCs, Probably_will_get
      darker, as_the_story_progresses, Blood, Violence, Brutal_battles_as_the
      story_progresses, OC_Robin, OC_Cole, Oc_Sarah, Crossdressing, Gender
      Confusion, gender_discovery
  Stats:
      Published: 2017-10-18 Updated: 2017-10-22 Chapters: 2/? Words: 13100
****** Free Little Bird ******
by LittleLag
Summary
     Robin, a sickly boy of 11, has always lived his life under the
     watchful eye of his father, until they move to the region of Alola.
     There, a fateful encounter of two new friends spurs on his dreams of
     being a trainer and setting out on an adventure! But children
     wondering alone is not always the safest, and lonely nights on the
     road may spur on intimate moments with his new friends and even his
     own Pokemon.
***** A Fateful Battle *****
Chapter Summary
     Robin moves into a new area, alone with only his dad in the world of
     Alola. He goes out, seeking to explore this new place, only to find
     himself quickly at the mercy of a bully who challenges him to his
     first ever Pokemon battle against another trainer and maybe making
     his first friend as well.
When the ship had pulled up to Hau’oli City, Robin had no idea what to expect.
New Pokemon, new people, new everything. Even the air and the sun felt new. But
now, in a new apartment, he stood by his, placed in the thick of a town on the
upswing of expansion. The city had been growing ever since the Pokémon League
had begun to take shape here in Alola, and Robin felt he and his father were
inevitably a part of it.  
Poocheyna, his first and only Pokémon from his home region of Hoenn, scurried
around the place, sniffing at the walls and floor. His tail wagged furiously,
excited for it all.
Well, at least someone is happy, Robin thought, shoving his hands in his sky
blue sweater’s pockets.
“Well…” his dad clapped. “We better tell the Machokes to start bringing the
boxes in right?” His dad was a tall man, physically fit enough to look like he
could rival a Machoke himself, but there was only so many boxes one man can
move on his own. Since they lived on the 3rd floor, it made sense to splurge a
bit on the helpful movers.
“Yeah…” Robin said. He went over to his Poocheyna, whose tail wagged even
faster at the sight of his trainer, and patted his head. A weak smile formed on
Robin’s face as he pushed a lock of oak brown hair from his eyes and tucked it
behind his ear.
“Hey, buddy.” He felt his father’s large hand clasp on his shoulder. “It’ll be
alright. It’s a new start. I know Lisa isn’t here, but the doctor said the
clean, Alolan air will do your health a lot of good. Even in the city, it’s
cleaner than most anywhere else.”
Robin looked up to see his father’s comforting brown eyes staring into Robin’s
own dark green ones. They said Robin had his mother’s eyes although he had
never seen them in person himself to see if that’s true, and photos never do
things justice, he thought. “Yeah, I suppose.”
“I have an idea. Why don’t you go walk around the neighborhood. Get a lay of
the land while the movers do their work. Poocheyna will keep you safe from any
hooligans. And you may meet some new friends.” He bent down, as if to tell a
secret. “And truth be told, I worry Poocheyna will trip up the movers in the
process.”
Poocheyna, as if hearing Robin’s dad’s idea but blissfully unaware of the
accusation, suddenly was filled with a rush of energy as he ran around the
apartment, yapping and barking like mad. Robin sighed but tried to put on a
brave face. Now he had no choice with Poocheyna worked up like this.
“Come on, boy,” he said, patting his cargo shorts, and the rambunctious Pokémon
came running full tilt, nearly tackling Robin. “Alright! Alright!” he said,
starting to crack a giggle. The Pokémon began to lick his legs and hands.
“You be safe, OK?” his father said. “Don’t go too far. You might get lost or
your cough will start to act up.”
“Alright, Dad.” Robin made his way to the door, the excited Poocheyna nipping
at his heels.
“And if you get in any trouble. Call me, OK?”      
“OK, OK!”
“And don’t go in any tall grass. Your Pokémon isn’t strong enough and-“
“Dad.” Robin turned and sighed. “I’ll be fine. I’m 11. I can take care of
myself now.”
His dad looked at him for a moment, seeming to balance on the edge of debating
that point with Robin before laughing himself and rubbing the back of his head
in defeat. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I promise I won’t touch your
stuff while unpacking.”
Robin beamed. “Thank you!” he yelled as he ran out the door, following
Poocheyna’s lead.
 
Robin noticed everywhere he looked there were plants in this city. Tall grass,
fenced off, poked out from alley ways and parks seemed to be more than
plentiful. Palm trees towered over the city streets. Flower displays sat in
front of many buildings, especially the shops. It was a city that seemed to
build around nature as much as over it, striking a balance. Despite the growth,
it still did not look as big as some of the cities in Hoenn too.
Taking a deep breath, Robin could smell the sea. He knew they were close to a
beach that he knew he’d have to visit. Even the port looked like a good spot to
kick back and relax. What made the air even better was how it felt in his
lungs. Deeper breaths were already feeling a bit easier for him to take.
Following Poochyena, he passed in front of a Malasada shop, bustling with
people. The smell that wafted out of the store was killer, making his mouth
start to water. He felt his pocket and realized he had no money for snacks. By
the look of Poocheyna, the smell was working his appetite up as well.
“I’ll tell Dad about it when we get back,” Robin said to the Pokémon. Poocheyna
yipped back and trotted with Robin.
There were so many people with Pokémon here too. Of course, there were many
Pokémon everywhere, but the amount that looked like trainers with backpacks and
belt of PokeBalls was staggering. In the sky, Pokémon cawed and in the sea he
could hear the powerful, water Pokémon splashing. So many different types of
creatures all over and he wanted to see them all. How many Pokemon had he never
seen, he wondered. How many were only here in Alola, waiting to be discovered?
Without paying attention, he suddenly himself standing across the street from
the Pokemon Center. In Alola, they seemed to have merged the Center with the
Mart as well as added in a Cafe, as advertised by a chalk board resting by the
glass sliding doors. It was the epicenter of Pokémon trainers. A crowd of them
came and went with a goal in the mind. Purpose in all their steps. He watched
them move about with envy. Robin felt Poocheyna pawed at his leg anxiously, but
ignored it, lost in admiration.
“Do you think I could ever be a trainer, Poocheyna?” he muttered. His breath
caught in his throat and fell into a small coughing fit. Poocheyna sat and
whimpered as he waited for Robin’s coughing to pass. Eventually it faded,
leaving his throat with that familiar sore feeling, and Robin reached down to
give Poocheyna a reassuring pat. “Someday, right? I’m old enough. And I bet
you’d be strong.”
“That thing? Yeah right…”
Poocheyna started to growl at the sudden voice that was almost unnervingly
arrogant and relaxed.  Robin looked up, still crouched by Poocheyna, to see a
boy towering over him. He looked about the same age as Robin, a year older
probably, but at the same time, vastly more mature. His piercing, icy blue eyes
seemed to dig into Robin’s own and his windswept, dirty-blonde hair made this
kid look tough.
“I…” Robin pulled his Poocheyna closer and broke eye contact. A flush started
to form on his face. “I mean… He might be but he’s never battled a trainer
before, so I don’t know for sure.”
“Then let’s battle, squirt!” the mysterious boy declared. From his belt he
grabbed a Pokeball, and he headed towards to middle of the road, not even
waiting for Robin to agree or disagree. Poocheyna did the agreeing for Robing.
He jumped and squirmed in Robin’s arms, fighting to follow the boy.
“Are you sure?” Robin asked. His voice shook a little, nervous at the idea his
first Pokémon battle. People were already starting to look. A steady stream of
murmurs rippled through the crowd. First day here, and Robin felt he was too
far in over his head. Poocheyna looked into Robin’s eyes, and that was answer
enough. Robin let him go. He barreled to face off against the boy. Robin
followed.
“Hey, they’re gonna battle!” Robin overheard from the crowd
“Here? No way!”
“Who’s that small kid? He looks scared out of his mind…”
“Looks like another victim.”
The crowd grew around them slowly but surely as Poocheyna barred his teeth and
issued a low growl.
“Alright, pup. You want to growl at me?” the boy reached for a Pokeball. “Go!
Growlithe!”
The ball flew through the air before clacking out the ground. It opened in a
flash of red light, which retreated to show the puppy Pokémon, Growlithe. It’s
small, poofy tail thumped on the concrete, seeming happier to be let out of his
ball than interested in the growling Poocheyna in front of him. He sat looking
at the audience he had.
“Poocheyna, it’s not too late to-“
Poocheyna turned to Robin and barked. His eyes waited for orders. Robin’s mouth
flattened, determined, he nodded and tried to remember back to when what moves
Poocheyna had. The only time he remembered seeing them was when Poocheyna had
protected him against a wild Zizagoon, charging in just like he had here and
taking matters into his own metaphorical hands. What moves did he have?Robin’s
fists clenched.
“Growlithe!” shouted the puppy Pokémon as he bounced up, then bent forward, and
stuck its butt in the air. Its teeth drew back in a snarl and Poocheyna didn’t
hesitate to do the same. It was a standoff, both Pokémon waiting for orders.
The crowd was still.
Bite. Tackle. Sand Attack… Robin recalled. Sand Attack and… Howl? He started
with a Howl when he saved me that time. Should I go first? Is the boy waiting
for me?
The other boy showed no motion to commence. He simply stood, arms crossed, with
a smirk on his face. Robin fidgeted, feeling a flush burn on his face as if the
icy eyes that stared at him were stripping him bare.
Finally, the boy spoke in a slow, taunting voice. “Well…?”
“I don’t…”
“Do you not know how to battle? Why do you even have a Pokemon?”
“I know how too!” Robin shouted back, his voice shrill.
“Prove it.”
“Fine! Use howl, Poocheyna!”  
Immediately, Poocheyna turned his head to the sky and let loose a piercing
howl. Robin felt the cry dig into his ears, but he refused to plug them. I need
to look confident, just like him. He could see the boy’s shoulders bouncing in
a quiet chuckle.
When Poocheyna finished, the Pokémon’s  eyes seemed to glow. The energy from
his Pokémon spiked, an aura that Robin could feel.
“Growlithe! Use bite!”
“Grow!” the Pokémon responded and charged.
“Dodge it, Poocheyna!”
Poocheyna made to listen, leaping to his left, but the Growlithe had closed the
ground too fast. The Pokémon’s jaws closed around Poocheyna’s tail, and quickly
jerked his head, killing all moment from Poocheyna’s jump. In one swift twist
of his head, Growlithe slammed Poocheyna into the concrete street, a yelp
escaping from him. The force of the slam had kicked up dirt and dust, clouding
the view.
He’s strong…
“Poocheyna!” Robin shouted. He took a step forward, feeling the instinct rise
to run in and pull his friend out, but Growlithe flashed him a look that froze
him in his place.
Did… he just threaten me?Fear began to grow in his heart. Such power…
He shook his head. He had to win. He had to prove himself. If he ever wanted to
be a trainer, he couldn’t let Poocheyna down!
While Growlithe’s eyes were still on him, Robin shouted “Use bite yourself!”
From the dust emerged white jaws that snapped around Growlithe’s leg. The puppy
Pokemon cried and tried to run, but Poocheyna’s strong jaws took Growlithe’s
legs out from under him. The Growlithe, turned it’s head, growling. Robin knew
Poocheyna was vulnerable still.
“Poocheyna! Let go! Try to stand!”
He did, releasing Growlithe. Growlithe sprinted off, retaking his position in
front of his trainer. Cuts and scratches covered its paw, small sprinkles of
blood mingling in the fur, which clearly hurt enough to cause the Pokémon to be
light on it. Poocheyna stood, looking worse than his opponent. His tail looked
bent, and there was a bad gash on his forehead, leaking enough blood to cause
one eye to remain closed. Robin gulped. Could he really put Poocheyna through
more? His best friend was bleeding out here… He felt a lump form in his throat.
“Don’t get cocky.” The boy said. “Let’s wrap this up, Growlithe. I’m hungry.
Growlithe, use flame wheel.”
Flame wheel?
“Grow! Grow! Lithe!” The Growlithe leaped into the air, beginning to spin.
“Poocheyna… be ready to dodge.” The Pokemon nodded in agreement.
Faster and faster he spun until the Pokémon’s entire body was coated in flames.
Robin’s eyes grew wide as he realized what was about to happen. But he realized
too late.
The Pokemon came crashing to the ground in a blur, and like the wheel of a car,
sped out in full charge. Poocheyna lept, following orders to a key, but that
was all he could do. The wheel had turned, easily tracking Poocheyna’s
movements.
SLAM!
“Poocheyna!”
The Growlithe crashed full force into Poocheyna, sending him flying.
Thud.
The battered Poocheyna landed in front of the crowd who was caught in a crazed
cheer. On shakey legs, Poocheyna tried to stand, but again and again they
failed him. His fur was singed, small embers dancing around Poocheyna. He was
still snarling, wanting to fight, but his open eye was cringed in pain.
“Poocheyna, stop.” Robin pleaded. The Growlithe simple stood and watched,
content in his victory. Besides for the scuff on its paw, it looked like the
fight took nothing from him.
“Pokemon battles are supposed to go on till the opponent’s Pokemon fainted. You
know that too right?” The boy said. Hatred burned in Robin’s heart just looking
at him. “Looks like that pup still has energy left so… Guess you gotta finish
it Growlithe. Em—“
“STOP!”
The crowd went quite. A shrill voice screamed from somewhere, leaving even the
mysterious boy confused. The crowd by Poocheyna parted, and soon the small
frame of a girl pushed its way out. Wearing a frilly dress over her soft, brown
skin and a curly, brown hair tied back in pig tails, she certainly did not seem
the type to be injecting herself into a battle like this. Robin noticed the
Pokeballs around her waist however, and she certainly wore a smirk to match the
mysterious boy’s own cocky one.
“Cole, you absolute asshole!” She continued to yell. She ignored Robin as she
headed straight for the other trainer apparently named Cole. “Beating up
Pokemon obviously weaker than yours. For what? Why on Earth do you need to
prove yourself against this random kid? What is your fucking problem?”
Robin would have never guessed that a girl dressed like that would be capable
of such language, but never had he been more relieved to hear someone curse up
a storm. He sprinted, ignoring the bewildered Growlithe, straight to his
Poocheyna, who’s eyes were still locked fiercely on his opponent and knelt
beside him.
“Stop,” he whispered. Emotionally shot, his worries overflowed and tears began
to roll from his eyes. His hand rubbed the top of Poocheyna’s head, being sure
to avoid the gash that still bled. “Stop. It’s done. Stop.” Desperately, Robin
pawed at his eyes, trying to fight back choking sobs of fear in front of all
these people.
Like snapping out of a trance, the Pokémon looked up at Robin, and all at once
his energy left him. Poocheyna slouched against Robin’s lap.
“S-Sarah!” Robin watched Cole, who seemed completely thrown off, through misty
eyes. Cole’s cool had left all at once. “You were supposed to be out on your
family’s yacht!”
“You would like that wouldn’t you? Making kids cry for some sick fun.”
CRACK!
Robin’s jaw dropped as he saw red bloom on Cole’s cheek. Hand cocked back,
Sarah looked ready to throw a second slap.
Silence filled the air except for the faint hiccups coming from Robin. He
waited for fists to get thrown, for Cole to turn purely violent. But a smile
formed on the Cole’s face instead that turned to a manic grin to a chuckle to
howling laughter. “Alright! Alright!” he barely managed to say. “You win,
Sarah. You win. I don’t want to fight you again. Keep your knickers on. I’m
out. Return, Growlithe.” Cole brought out the Pokeball. A flash of red reached
out, and as it retracted, so did the Growlithe. “Did good again, buddy.”
Robin was in shock. Cole turned, walking away as calmly as he came. Before he
disappeared into the surrounding crowd, Cole looked back over his shoulder at
Robin. “I’ll be seeing you again, squirt. I like you.” And then he was gone.
Sarah turned her attention on Robin, who was unsure if he wanted it. Something
about her scared him more than Cole did. Her strides were long, and she crossed
the street to him in no time flat. “You’re not very smart either.”
“But… But… I didn’t—“ His breath was hitching, the stress of the moment all
hitting him at once.
“Hey. Hey, don’t cry, OK? Don’t cry…” She reached into the purse she had with
her and pulled out a hanky. Her command had the opposite effect, making Robin
start to cry more, but she didn’t berate him. She only started to wipe at his
face, trying to clean the mess.
“You don’t bite Cole’s bait. Ever.”  She continued. Her voice was motherly,
soothing now. “It’ll get you in more trouble than its worth. You’re new here?”
Robbin nodded. “Um… Yeah… I…”
She sighed. “Come on, we’ll get him patched up. He’s a feisty little bastard
ain’t he?” She ruffled Robin’s hair, and despite being only a couple inches
taller than him, Robin felt himself looking up to her as she helped him up.
“Thank you.”
Cradling his exhausted friend, Robin followed her into the Pokémon Center, the
crowd parting around them with looks as confused as Robin felt.
               
“Poor thing…” Nurse Joy said, taking Robin’s Poocheyna in her arms.
“He’ll be OK, right?” Robin said, sounding more panicked than he intended.
“Yes, yes! Of course! I’ve taken care of worse. It’ll be just a moment. OK,
dear?”
“A-alright.”
He felt Sarah’s hand fall on his shoulder. “Let’s go get something at the café,
OK? My treat.”
Nerves eating at him, Robin sat at a table in the café, hands pulling and
toying with the fabric of his hoodie. He focused on their movements intently.
He had never felt guiltier in his life. When Poocheyna wanted to fight, he
should have just picked the Pokémon up and ran. The Zigzagoon didn’t do nearly
this much to him. He had once thought that Zigzagoon was strong, but if that
Growlithe was that strong. He shuddered to think of how powerful Pokémon could
really be.
He looked up when he heard the clattering of a cup on the table.
“Moomoo Milk. You look like a milk boy.” Sarah smile.
“Thank you.” Robin smiled, and picked up the cup. He sipped at the milk,
grateful for the cold feeling flowing into him.
“I got some Roserade Tea. It’s not the best tea ever, but it’s definitely
soothing after I get my temper in a flurry.”
She had to adjust her frilly dress to sit comfortable, but she did so with an
experienced grace.
“You were so mad…” Robin said. “I can’t believe you hit him.”
“It would not be the first time either! Cole sometimes gets a bloated head with
people all around him never telling him no. Sometimes, he needs a good smack to
remind him that there are others that are better than him.”
Robin nearly choked, spitting out some milk in his cup as he tried to keep from
laughing. “He does?”
“Yeah, and who better than the best trainer in my age group? Guess how often
Cole has beaten me. Guess.”
Robin shrugged. He was more than OK with letting her do all the talking right
now.
“None. He tried to do a similar thing to me two years ago, and I whooped his
Growlithe and Axew no problem. He tried a few more times over the years, but I
think he just gave up.” She smiled at him above her cup. “You’re cute. No
wonder he picked on you.”
Once again, he nearly spit out his milk. “What?!”
She sipped her tea. “You want to be a Pokémon trainer?”
Regaining his composure, he took a large gulp of his milk before answer. “Y-
yeah. I mean, that was my first battle with another trainer, but…”
“You’re first? Wicked introduction. Wait. Hold up. This is wrong. Where’s my
manners! I never even got your name and here you are about to tell me your
ambitions. My name is Sarah James. And you?” She reached a hand out to him.
“Robin. Robin May.” He took her hand and shook it.
“Alright, Robin May. You’ve never fought a trainer battle before. Your
Poocheyna is daring but pitiful. And you have no real strategy in a fight. Why
would you ever want to be a trainer?”
She eyed him up with genuine curiosity. It was hard to say no to her. It’d be
like doing so to a mother, he felt, a very scary and potentially easily enraged
mother.
“Well, I want to go on an adventure.”
“Oh?” She cocked an eyebrow.
“Yeah. An adventure. I, well, for most of my life I was sick. I still kinda
have a bad cough from it. My lungs aren’t great… We even moved out here from
Hoenn thinking it might help them and keep the illness from coming back because
of nicer air. That’s what my dad said at least…” he fell quiet for a moment,
collecting his thoughts.
“Because of me being sick, I wasn’t allowed out much. And when I was, my dad
was never far. Only one time did I get far away from him, and luckily my
Poocheyna was there to save me from a wild Pokémon ambush. I want to explore
more though! I love being out there, away from home, and seeing new things!”
“You gotta be tough, you know that right?” she said, taking a sip. “Kids go on
adventures all the time, but it’s not always safe. In fact, some kids get in a
whole mess of trouble that no Officer Jenny can get them out of.  Opportunistic
adults, violent Pokemon… You look like you’d cry if you stepped on a pebble
wrong. How old are you anyway? 9?”
“I’m 11! And I can be plenty tough! And that’s why I have Poocheyna there to
defend me when things get really rough right?”
“Same age as me? That’s hard to believe. Never met a boy shorter than me, but
if you say so. Think about it though. Your Poocheyna couldn’t even handle a boy
one year older than you against a Growlithe that hasn’t even evolved yet.
Anybody worth their salt will wipe the floor with you…”
He remembered the blood from that gash. How easily Growlithe thrashed Poocheyna
around… Robbin’s shoulders sagged. He looked down at his glass of milk, half-
full. “Sorry.” He muttered.
“Ha!”
The sudden laugh from her startled him.
“For what, Robin? For dreaming? It’s endearing. I just need to know what your
plan is. You can’t just go picking fights with trainers willy-nilly. Your
Poocheyna deserves a smarter trainer, and I can help.”
Robin beamed. “Really?”
“Of course! I think I’ll teach you some basics of battling. If we can get some
wind under your wings, you might stand a chance. While I’m not sure about an
adventure, we might be able to get you caught up with other trainers here,
someday.”
“Do you really mean it? I don’t know what to say.” Robin spoke breathlessly,
excitement bubbling in his belly.
She waved a hand. “Don’t mention it. Let’s say I swing on by tomorrow, pick you
up and bring you over to my house.”
“I’ll have to talk to Dad about it, but if he says yes, that’d be great!”
She smirked. “I want to say fuck what your Dad says, but in your circumstance,
I get it.”
“Excuse me,” A third voice chimed.
The two look up and see Nurse Joy standing over them. A happy Poocheyna sat in
her arms, tail out and tongue panting.
“Poocheyna!” Robin jolted up. “You’re OK!”
He yipped back and jumped into Robin’s arms. The Pokemon nuzzled close.
“Thank you, Nurse Joy,” Sarah said.
“Of course. Anytime,” Nurse Joy smiled back before leaving them alone.
“Finish your Moomoo Milk, Robin, then I’ll head back home with you. Cole and
his gang shouldn’t bother you for the rest of the day, but we shouldn’t risk
it.”
Robin agreed, and sat back down at the table. He sipped at his milk, enjoying
petting his resting Poocheyna.
I’ll do better, Poocheyna. Robin thought to himself. That’s a promise.
 
They arrived at the apartment complex as the sun was starting to set. Robin led
the way, leading her to his new place even though he wasn’t entirely sure he
had the right door. He knocked.
“Coming!” he heard his father’s voice cry. Robin sighed in relief that he
didn’t just embarrass himself more in front of Sarah.
The door opened to reveal the tall man. Inside, most of the boxes seemed to be
unpacked, but a good few still lingered, scattered about.
“Robin! You were out for longer than I thought—Who’s this?”
He opened his mouth to respond, but Sarah beat him. She stuck out a hand to
him, and quickly said, “Names Sarah James! Robin’s new friend. You must be his
father, Mr. May? He told me about you!”
His father was stunned. Robin giggled, glad he was not the only one that was
caught off guard by her. “Oh? Um… Alright then! Nice to meet you Sarah! I hope
it was all good things, but thank you for keeping my boy company.”
“Not a problem, Mr. May. He’s a nice kid! I see you’re still rather busy with
the unpacking, so I won’t come barging in.” She turned and shocked Robin
further by wrapping him in a hug. “Take care, OK? Hope to see you tomorrow!”
And just like that, she was striding down the hallway, skirts flowing and head
held high. Not a single thing fazed her.
Robin was forced back to reality when Poocheyna leapt from his arms and darted
into the house. From the doorway, Robin saw him jump onto the couch and let out
a long yawn before falling asleep nearly instantly.
“I guess,” his dad said, “You should follow his lead, eh? Come on in; it’s your
house too.” Robin walked inside, as his dad continued to talk. “She seems
interesting…”
“Yeah. She’s definitely different. But she’s really kind. She even bought me
Moomoo Milk!”
He gasped. “Did you two go on a date?”
“Dad! No! I don’t like her like that!”
“You sure? Crushes are normal…”
“Dad!”
He threw his hands up defensively. “Sorry! Sorry! I’m just playing with you
anyhow. How was the city? Did you run into any trouble?”
“Nothing Poocheyna couldn’t handle!” Robin boasted, lying through his teeth.
Poocheyna’s tail thumped against the couch in approval, and Robin giggled.
“Hey! So I was wondering… Could I go over to Sarah’s house tomorrow? She said
she would be over tomorrow to get me, and I really, really want to.”
His dad paused, his face looking dejected. “I don’t know. I was hoping we could
hang out or something. After all, I haven’t gotten a good look around yet, and
I’d love to do some shopping with you…”
Robin ran and hugged him tight. “Pleeeeaaaase, Dad! Please! This is my real
chance at making friends here! And I don’t want to miss it…”
His father was quiet, hesitating. Then, after a time, he returned the hug.
“Alright. Alright. We’ll have time to do all that later, I suppose. I forget
myself sometimes. It’s a fresh start, and that calls for fresh beginnings,
right? She reminds me a bit of your old friend Lisa, so I know you need this.
Just let me pack you a lunch so you don’t have to burden them to feed you
alright?”
“Sure! Definitely!” Robin nodded. Then, standing on tippy toes, he hopped to
give a small peck on his father’s cheek. He doubted asking for food would
burden Sarah’s family at all seeing as they had a yacht, but whatever made his
father happy.
“Good! Now go unpack your stuff. It’s all in your room, and I don’t want much
left to do tomorrow!” he gave Robin a swat on the butt to move him along,
eliciting mix between a squeak and a laugh.
“Thank you, Dad! Thank you so much.” Robin said in the doorframe of his room.
His father smiled, and shook his head. In his heart, Robin wondered if every
day in Alola was going to be as strange as this one was. As he watched his
tired Poocheyna get up and pad over to him, Robin just hoped that they wouldn’t
be as hard on his friend as they were this time at the least. He’d make sure of
that.
***** In Training *****
Chapter Summary
     Sarah seems to see a great amount of potential in Robin and takes the
     boy under her wing. What started as a simple visit to train his
     abilities to command his Poochyena quickly turned into a sleepover
     where a great opportunity is presented to him. The possibility of
     adventure. As the night progresses, Robin soon learns a lot about
     Sarah. Her parents, her home-life, and her hobbies in fashion, which
     soon involves Robin as he is called on to wear an outfit he never
     imagined he'd ever see on himself, but maybe should have.
Sarah’s house lay on the outskirts of the city, and it was clear why. The yard
alone was a marvel. Topiaries shaped like various Pokémon lined a sidewalk that
snaked its way through beautiful flower gardens and man-made streams. The grass
itself was pristine, a pure, uniform green with not a single blade out of
place. In the flowers, yellow bug type Pokémon dashed in and out of the plants,
stopping to suck quickly at nectar before darting away. Robin almost missed in
the thick of the flora a strange bunch of birds as well red, yellow, pink, and
blue. They swayed like dancers and sung in light voices.
“What are they…?” Robin asked, awestruck.
“You really are new, aren’t you?” Sarah said, walking in front of Robin as she
led the way. She did not look back as she answered. “My parents like to keep a
lot of native Pokémon on their property that they like. Those in the flowers
are Cutieflies. Quick little guys, they are. And the birds are Oricorio
variants. They might look peaceful but honestly, I don’t like them. They get
angry too quickly.”
Robin chuckled. Just like a certain somebody.
“What?” She asked, turning this time.
“Nothing!”
Sarah’s eyes squinted at him, but she turned back to head to the house on this
massive property. The house itself certainly stood tall in its own right. What
seemed to be a three-story abode, it had tan, stucco walls with green ivy
decorating the exterior. It had a warm feeling, but its size was simply
outstanding. Robin wondered how such a house didn’t get lonely in there. Did
any rooms simply go unused?
His hand drifted down to touch the Pokeball in his shorts pocket. Poochyena
usually never wanted to be in his ball, but this time Robin felt it best not to
risk Poochyena wandering free this time. He did not need to get into another
fight.
“So how do you plan on helping, Sarah?”
“Well, I had a little idea.”
They had reached the front porch. Digging in her purse, Sarah pulled out a
house key which she used to let herself in. “Sometimes one of the biggest
things we can give our Pokémon in a battle is confidence and surety—Mom! Dad!
I’m home! Having a friend over!”
“Hi, hun!” Two voices seemed to call from the depths of the home. Robin could
not begin to guess from where.
The interior was just as beautiful as the exterior if not more so. The annex’s
granite floor shined to the point where Robin could see himself. Vases stood on
cabinets, all holding beautiful flowers that made Robin want to sniff them. A
serene, white Vulpix sat by a wide stair case that climbed up to the second
floor that made Robin’s heart flutter with how cute it looked. Must be another
Alolan specialty…
On the walls, there were portraits of very important looking men and women.
They stood with serious, grim faces. Some had Pokémon posing with them, but not
even they seemed overly happy. Such a beautiful house looked over by such
gloom.
“Let’s head to the backyard.”
“Who’re they…?”
“Hm?”
Robin gestured at the paintings.
“Oh. Them… Ancestors. Grandpas, grandmas. They look like fun people, don’t
they?”
“I mean, they certainly look interesting.”
“You can say it.”
Robin twisted his hands together. The eyes from the pictures seemed to burrow
his back. “They look mean,” Robin admitted.
“Well, I can’t attest for how nice or mean they are, but most of my family
doesn’t seem to have changed much! I can’t for the life of me imagine my
parents looking like one of them, though. This way.”
She led him through a door that led to what looked to be a dining room. Instead
of tile, a blood red carpet lay on the floor with a table made of some dark,
dark wood. A glistening chandelier hung over head. As they moved through it, a
thin layer of dust over everything caught his eye.
“I know what you’re thinking.”
“Huh?”
“You think we’re rich.”
They pushed through a swinging door into a large kitchen. Not a single person
was working in it.
“Well, I guess if we sold this house we would be,” Sarah continued. “But it’s a
family home. Been in this family for generations. My parents are well off, but
they’re not millionaires. Only staff we have here are the people who make sure
the lawn looks the way it does. Don’t expect some butler to show up and wait on
you hand and foot.” She turned her head and winked.
Finally, out the back of the kitchen, they came to a wide backyard. A large
pool sat sparkled in the ground, a Dratini statue spitting water into it.
Perfectly square hedges lined the outmost edge of the backyard.
“Alright. One day of training isn’t going to magically turn you into a great
trainer. But I can teach you how to actually be a trainer instead of whatever
that was the other day,” Sarah said. She headed to a wide, grassy space with
not decorations of any kind.
“Go! Popplio!”
From a Pokeball, out came a blue Pokémon with a bright red nose. When released,
the Popplio stood on its tail and clapped, happy to be front and center.
“My first Pokémon, by the way. The professor of this island, Professor Kukui,
gave her to me when I showed interest in becoming a trainer. This little girl
right here has won me many battles. But,” and she turned to Popplio, “this
isn’t a battle, alright? Don’t go all out on him.”
The Popplio turned to Sarah and smiled. Giving an affirmative nod. “Aaro!”
“Ok, Poochyena, come out.” Robin took the ball from his pocket and released his
friend. When Poochyena came out, Robin expected the Pokémon to start running
around the new, spacious area, but he did no such thing. Instead, it trotted
over to the Popplio, sniffing with his tail wagging.
“Looks like he likes your Pokémon, Sarah,” Robin chuckled.
“Goodness! That is actually adorable!” Sarah jumped, clapping her hands
together. “I guess our Pokémon are instant friends like us!”
“M-maybe!” Robin rubbed the back of his head, blushing.
“I’m going to be honest though,” Sarah suddenly said, a serious cast falling on
her face. “Your Poochyena isn’t that strong.”
“Hey!” Robin shouted. He looked at his Pokémon, who seemed to not hear and was
now bouncing around with Popplio.
“Poochyena’s just aren’t known for being super tough, Robin. For a number of
reasons. For starters, he isn’t evolved. My Popplio isn’t either, and for that
reason I’d say my Popplio isn’t going to be able to beat everyone. Second, he
has no good moves yet. At least you never used any if he did. Now. You can work
around this with howl, which was a good way to kick things off in your previous
battle, which makes some moves stronger. Bite also has its uses, sometimes
stunning an opponent and allowing you to get another command in. But nothing in
Poochyena’s arsenal is going to KO a trainer’s whole party. Cuteness and drive
only take you so far, and that goes for both your Poochyena and you.”
“I’m not cute! Why do you keep calling me that…?” Robin pouted. “But fine then.
If Poochyena can’t win battles, what’s the point of all this.”
“That freckled face pouting… You’re like an Eevee, Robin, so stop denying it.
Sorry, sorry, I get carried away. I never said you can’t win any battle
though.”
“I’m confused.”
“Let’s get set up like we’re about to battle, then you’ll see.”
“Right.” Robin nodded. “Poochyena, come here.”
Poochyena barked and trotted over, sitting in front of Robin. Sarah asked the
same of Popplio who looked mildly disappointed about ending playtime to sit in
front of Sarah.
“Now,” Sarah said to Popplio, “I want you to dodge everything, OK?”
Popplio nodded. It bent down, whole body tensing up.
“Robin, go ahead. Throw everything you have at Popplio here. I bet you won’t
land a single hit.”
“Then why should I?”
Sarah smiled. “Just do it.”
He sighed. “Ready then, Poochyena?” Poochyena barked, then set its stance, his
body accepting the new challenge. “I think… Tackle it!”
And Poochyena sprinted, barreling at the Popplio full speed. Leaning back on
its tail, the Popplio, however, bounced up, barking in a way that seemed almost
laughter. Poochyena ran straight under it, looking up in shock.
“Bite it then, Poochyena!” Robin ordered.
The Poochyena obeyed. It leapt at the Popplio, but the nimble water-type simply
moved a bit in the air, just enough to escape the jaws of Poochyena which
clicked together loudly. Stunned by its miss, Poochyena fell hard on the
ground. The Popplio fell with grace. She landed on her tail and bounced happily
on it, clapping. That wasn’t enough to stop Poochyena though. Its eyes glowed
with fury as it bounced back yup, growling.
Then, without order, it charged.
“Poocheyna! Stop that!”
But the Pokémon didn’t listen. It kept chasing after the Popplio which danced
away like this was all one big game. That only infuriated Poocheyna more whose
moves became more and more aggressive, quick, and sporadic. Again and again, it
tried to bit Popplio and failed. Jaws clacked on thin air.
“What are you doing?” Robin’s voice shook. “Why aren’t you listening!?”
He fumbled for the Pokeball. “Come back! Come back if you won’t listen!” But he
wouldn’t even do that.
“Don’t worry,” Sarah said, voice flat and calm. “He won’t hurt Popplio.”
“But I’ve never seen him so angry, Sarah!”
“He’s frustrated.”
“About what?” He was starting to yell.
“About not knowing how to win. Popplio! Water gun to snap him out of it!”
Following the order to a key, Popplio let out a spray of high pressure water
that slammed right in the face of Poochyena. The Poochyena tried to fight it,
standing in the grass with claws dug into the soil, but the water pressure got
stronger and stronger until finally the ground was lost below him. The
Poochyena flew before thudding onto the grass.
Poocheyna got on his feet, and hung his head, tail drooping.
“He’s upset with himself, Robin.”
“Why? It’s my fault, not his.”
“He doesn’t see it that way. You’re giving him the orders, but he doesn’t think
he carries them out right. You tell him to dodge, and he gets hit. You tell him
to attack, and he misses or ends up doing no damage.” She walked to her Popplio
and knelt down, petting her head. “Pokémon desire to protect their trainers,
especially those they love.”
“Like when Poocheyna saved me from the wild Zigzagoon…”
“Exactly. Except he’s finding himself not battling wild Pokémon but instead
trainer Pokémon who have move orders issued with strategies and skills
developed with drive and purpose.” She picked her Popplio from the ground,
holding it in her arms as she stood.
Robin moved to Poochyena. He sat on the floor, tears welling in his eyes. He
hated how he always cried. Other kids always mocked him for being a crybaby,
but he could not help it. Poochyena noticed his trainer sitting by him and
crawled onto his lap.
“The problem is you just call out commands willy-nilly. There needs to be a
goal in what you’re calling before you do it. If you call tackle, there better
be an idea of what your opponent will do in turn. Your Poochyena might not know
what to expect, but you should.”
She was right. Every move he had called had either been because he had seen it
happen before or he knows it’s a damaging move. Tackle, bite, tackle, bite,
there was no rhyme or reason to it. “Poochyena,” Robin said, “It’s not your
fault, OK? It’s all mine. You’re doing great.”
Poochyena turned its head away from Robin in disagreement.
“No, you need to believe me. It’s my fault, OK? I thought you knew that… When
we lose, it’s my fault, not yours. I know you do things on your own, so you
take the blame when things don’t work out… But I’m the trainer. It falls on me
to make sure what you’re doing works. You have enough to worry about in the
middle of fighting.”
Poochyena looked back at Robin, eyes glowing. Robin wasn’t sure if Poochyena
believed him, but he could feel the Pokémon’s tension disappear.
“Of course…” Robin looked up to see Sarah over him. “You two are completely out
of sync also which doesn’t help. That only comes with practice though. It’s a
good sign that Poochyena will mostly follow orders from you, especially if you
can keep his head cool. There are so many ways find that rhythm though as you
and your Pokémon grow closer.”
“Like what?”
But Sarah only giggled. “You’ll find out what works. All trainers do… So let’s
try another round. This time, take it slower and try to praise Poochyena more.
Make him feel like he’s doing things right throughout the fight, and remember
he’s doing this for you. He clearly loves you a lot and will give it his all.”
“Well, Poochyena? If you don’t want to, it’ll be fine. It’ll just be practice
for me. Trying to learn how to guide you in battle so you don’t get hit or
miss.” Robin looked in Poochyena’s eyes and Poochyena his.
Poochyena nodded. In Robbin’s lap, he jumped up and gave Robin a lick on the
cheek before bounding down.
“Great!” Robin shouted. He rubbed away the remaining tears, smiling ear to ear.
“Let’s just have fun with it!”
“Now you’re getting it!” Sarah said. “Better get started then. We don’t have
all day!”
“Yeah!”  And the two ran to position, Popplio and Poochyena facing off, both
ready for commands.
 
They had practiced till the sun had begun to set over Alola, bathing the whole
area in a deep orange glow. Bug Pokémon began to scream their calls, ringing
out in loud echoes. It was a kind of feel that could only be found here in
Alola, and Robin knew to appreciate every moment of it. This was his new home,
after all.
Poocheyna and Popplio had been going at it the whole time. Robin’s throat was
sore from issuing commands, and water puddles scattered the backyard from
Popplio’s water attacks. Poocheyna panted, chest heaving as he had just
undergone one of the biggest workouts of his life. The Pokémon was scuffed up
and dirty, but certainly was not hurt. The Popplio too looked worn out, but a
determined set in her eyes and smile on her face made it clear this whole time
she had been have fun.
“You’re getting it.” Sarah beamed.
“You think so?”
“Yeah. You’re getting to know Poochyena and how he battles.”
“Yeah…”
“And it looks like Poochyena appreciates it!”
As if to confirm what Sarah said, Poochyena yipped and his tail wagged.
“Now for my payment…” Sarah said, a devious laugh escaping her lips.
“Payment?!”
“Of course, you think I’d give this lesson for free? Don’t’ worry. You’ll love
it! You hungry?”
“I, well, yeah I could eat…”
“Great! There’s been a change of plans.” She began to walk towards Robin, and
for a moment, he felt nervous deep in his gut. “Call your dad.” From her purse,
she dug a phone out that she handed to Robin. “Ask him if you can stay the
night. A sleepover! And I won’t take no for an answer!”
All the nervousness in Robin’s gut left him, the void it left quickly being
refilled with excitement.
A sleepover?! I’d never had one before!
“Is this the repayment?” Without hesitation, he took the phone.
“I’d say part of it, at the least.”
The phone rung once… twice….
“Hello?” his dad picked up.
“Hey, Dad! It’s me Robin.”
“Robin? Is everything OK? Do you need me to come and get you?”
“No, no. Everything is fine. I was… wondering if I could spend the night here.”
The phone went quiet for a moment. He became sure his father would say no until
his voice came back on the line.
“You’ve never spent the night at someone’s house before. Will you be alright?”
“I’m sure I will be.”
“Even without your stuffed animal?”
“Daaad….” Robin groaned.
“Well, I’ll swing by and drop off a spare outfit, PJs, and your bathroom stuff.
It’s the least I can do.”
“Thank you so, so, soooo much!”
“I’m just glad to see you making friends so quickly. Let me know the address
and I’ll be over in a flash.”
Robin did just that and hung up, and then handed the phone back to Sarah. As if
on cue, Robin saw a woman stand in the doorway to the house.
“Sarah! Dinner’s ready! Will your friend be staying with us?”
“Yes, Mom! We’ll be over in a second!” She shouted back. Then, to Robin, she
said, “Did he say yes?”
“Mhmm. He’ll be over with my clothes and toothbrush later”
“Fantastic!” She exclaimed and grabbed Robin’s hand. With strength Robin did
not think possible from her, she yanked him across the yard, Poochyena and
Popplio trailing behind. As they approached the house, Robin’s nose was
delighted with the smells of warm, home cooked food. His father could cook, but
certainly not all that well. And as they passed through the kitchen, Robin’s
eyes saw what he smelled. On the table was what looked like a fully cooked
bird, roasted with a dark brown glaze. Mashed potatoes and pineapple slices
seemed to compliment it on the side. Did they make this to impress him or what
this just what they ate daily, Robin did not know.
Then they came out to the dining room, where Robin saw Sarah’s mom and dad
cleaning quickly. They wiped at the dining table, cleaning off the dust Robin
had seen earlier.
“You don’t have to clean to for me…” Robin said, awestruck.
“It’s been way too long since we used this room, and it’s been a while since
Sarah has had friends over too!” Her dad said. He was a portly looking man,
balding. His eyes looked kind, however, and his face soft. Her mother too
looked kindly as well with long, black hair that curled wildly. Her summer
dress danced as she wiped the table.
“Dad, you didn’t have to say that…” Sarah said, for the first time sounding
embarrassed. “But thank you guys for doing this for me. I really appreciate
it.”
“Any time, sweetie,” her mom said. “Why don’t you two take a seat and I’ll
bring out dinner. Looks like your Pokémon worked up an appetite as well. I’ll
grab them something too. Be right back.”
She ducked into the kitchen, and Robin took a seat next to Sarah. Across from
them, her dad pulled out a chair and scooted in, eyeing Robin up. Robin was
confused why the man looked so suspicious. Did he do something wrong? An
awkward silence developed between the three of them until the father finally
spoke.
“You’re not planning on dating my daughter are you?”
Sarah began to cough in a fit. Robin, stunned, almost fell off his chair. Why
does everyone think I want to date her?! He’ll admit, he’s never even had a
proper crush before. But now what did he do? Right beside him was Sarah, and if
he said no, would she got insulted?
“Dad, I’m going to stop you right there,” Sarah piped, rescuing Robin. “I like
Robin as a friend, OK? I don’t think I want to date him. He’s sweet, but I want
someone taller.”
Robin thought, perhaps, that he could be insulted by the tall comment, but he
ultimately felt relieved. He sighed, glad to have Sarah dodge that bullet for
him.
“Alright, alright. I’m just checking. After all, a girl and a boy having a
sleepover? It raises a few eyebrows…”
“Dad!” Sarah exclaimed.
“Dinner’s here!” suddenly from the kitchen doors, her mom shouted. The swinging
doors flew open as she brought out a shining silver platter. She placed it
between them all, and opened up the lid to reveal the food Robin had spotted
earlier. On silver plates, she distributed the food to everyone, leaving bowls
of food on the floor for the Pokémon, and took a seat next to her husband.
“So, you’re the Robin Sarah had talked about yesterday,” Mrs. James smiled
warmly. “Did you want to be a Pokémon trainer like her?”
“Yes, ma’am. She’s really good…”
“That she is! And you’re from Hoenn?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“So polite! Please, you don’t have to be so formal.”
Mr. James barked a laugh, “God knows the rest of our family hates us for our
lack of formality. You know, my comment about her not having someone over for a
while, that’s not because she has no friends.”
“Dad…” Sarah groaned.
“It’s because she never invites them over! That’s all. Sarah enjoys her space,
so it’s kind of interesting to see she brought you over after only knowing you
for a day. You must be something special.” Her dad turned to her, and raised an
eyebrow. Clearly there was more significance with Robin being here than he
first thought.
Robin heard Sarah sigh next to him, but she seemed to have accepted her
father’s embarrassing speech and ate from her plate.  Why does she want me over
if she doesn’t want others?
“Since she’s 11 now, she’s been asking to go on her own Pokémon journey,” her
father continued.
“Really?” Robin said, looking at her. She just shrugged.
“But we always told her,” Mrs. James chimed in, “that while we’re fine with it,
going alone is really dangerous. Even with her skill at battling.”
Dangerous? Every story I’ve heard was about how fun Pokémon adventures were…
Why do people keep calling them dangerous?
“Did you want go on one too, Robin?” Mrs. James concluded.
“I mean… I really would, miss, but…”
“Robin’s been cooped up,” Sarah butted in. “He’s been sick for a long time, and
you can tell by how pale he is, he doesn’t go out much. He’s not even sure his
dad will let him go though.”
“Is that true, Robin?” Mrs. James gaped.
Robin nodded. “Mhm. I’m not very strong, but that’s why I have Pokémon right?”
“I was planning on asking him when the time was more right, but since we’re on
the topic now,” Sarah said, “I was wondering if Robin and I could go on ours?
We’re both 11. He’s got potential to be a competent trainer. And I think it’d
be a big favor for him if we could get his dad to let him go. But I might need
your help for it, Mom, Dad.”
Robin was speechless. He sat there with a fork dangling in his fingers. He
never would have thought Sarah would do this for him. He wanted to cry, but
couldn’t let himself do that in front of her parents. He just couldn’t.
Both of the parents were smiling wide. “Well!” Mr. James declared. “It’s only
right that both boys and girls at the age of 11 go through the Island
Challenges. We could not deny that chance from you two, and there’s no better
way for Robin to truly feel like a citizen of Alola. If you need us to help
convince his father, we’ll gladly do so.”
“Thank you,” Robin said. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“Hey, it’s no problem.”
Without thinking, Robin turned in his seat and hugged Sarah. Shocked, she
tensed up, but eventually eased in his arms and patted his back. “It’s no
problem, Robin. Seriously it’s not. You don’t have to hug me like that.”
He released her and took a deep breath. “Sorry. I just. I never thought I’d
make such a good friend so fast here.”
“How could you not, Robin. If I didn’t, who knows who would’ve snapped you up.
Heaven forbid Cole decided to try and befriend you.”
“Ick!” Robin shouted. “No way!”
Sarah laughed, but didn’t respond.
“By the way, Robin,” he heard Mrs. James ask after sipping juice from her
glass.
“Hm?”
“How did you get that Poochyena? That surely is not one of the starters the
professor of the region gives, correct?”
“Oh! No. He was actually a wild Pokémon. It’s a long story, but we both helped
each other and became friends. He used get kinda closes to the houses in my
hometown, but was always too afraid to come into town. He didn’t look great
when I would see him. He always looked hungry and had a nasty injury on his
side that looked like it healed really badly. Since I couldn’t go too far from
the house, I’d leave food out for him, hoping he’d eat at least. He would only
eat when I left though, and whenever I tried to get close, he’d growl and snap
at me. He wanted to be alone…
“Well, one day, I was walking out of the house and I couldn’t stop coughing. It
got so bad I couldn’t even stand anymore. I fell to the ground, and I remember
just how badly my lungs burned.  He saw me and ran to me and started barking.
He wouldn’t stop barking. Eventually my dad heard and took me in and gave me my
medicine, but Poochyena tried to keep me safe. He got more and more comfortable
with me feeding him until eventually he let me put him in a Pokeball and bring
him to a Pokémon Center. After that, Poochyena always kept me safe. He got
people for me if I get hurt. He defended me against bullies and other Pokémon.
I really owe him a lot…”
“Maybe he feels he owes you too in a way,” Sarah smiled before popping a piece
of pineapple in her mouth.
“It definitely seems like you two are destined friends,” Mrs. James said. Robin
felt himself blushing and looking down at Poochyena who ate happily with his
new friend Popplio. Robin’s heart surged with love for his little Pokémon. He
was truly lucky. So what if Poochyena was not the strongest Pokemon? Robin
could not ask for a better starter.
“Yeah…” Robin responded to both of them, and took a bite from his potatoes.
The rest of the dinner went great. They chatted happily, Robin learning that
Sarah’s parents had been the only ones in her grandparents’ will to get the
house out of the whole family. They also told him about the different things
that the Alola islands do that would be different than in Hoenn, biggest of all
being the Island Challenges. When he asked what they were, they told him that
they were different than gym battles as they were not only battles. The Trial
Captains could ask him to do anything.
When all the food was eaten, Sarah pulled her chair back and asked politely to
be excused, which her parents allowed.
“Come on,” she gestured. “Put Poochyena in his ball for now. He could use the
rest” She did so for Popplio, who went in easily. Sarah wasn’t wrong about him
needing the rest either. He was so tired that the usually restless Poochyena
simply let himself go in the ball, looking almost relieved.
She led the boy up the staircase, and then down the hall. Robin saw paintings
throughout this floor as well, mostly landscapes that showed all kinds of
sceneries across the world. There was no denying that they were beautifully
done, and he wondered if any were rare and expensive. There were many types of
flowers in vases as well, so many that Robin did not recognize most of them.
Were they all from Alola? Or imported from some other land?
Door after door they passed. Most, surely, had to be locked and never entered.
There was no way so many rooms could be used by a family of three. Eventually,
Sarah led him to one door that wasn’t locked, her room. When they entered,
Robin was shocked.
Within, there was a massive bed with a drooping white canopy. On the bed, there
sat countless stuffed Pokémon plushes. The floor was covered in a white, fluffy
throw rug, which was covered in bolts of cloth and ribbon as well as a sewing
kit, open to reveal needles and thread. Lining in the room were torso
mannequins wearing dresses or costumes, and bookshelves that contained who
knows what kinds of books. There, against the wall as well, sat a large white
vanity with accessories and makeup abound sitting on it.
“Sorry for the mess,” she said, removing her shoes here. “Make yourself at
home!”
Through the large window on the wall, Robin could see that the sun had fully
set, night having taken over. He wondered how late it was, but he could not
take his eyes off of the beautiful clothing everywhere. How do they afford
this…? He wondered in awe.
“My parents did not buy this for me by the way.” Sarah said.
“What?”
“I bought all this for myself. My parents have me support my own interests as
best as I can.”
“How could you afford this though?”
“Pokémon contests!  Did you forget I said I’m one of the best in my age group?
Some call me a genius, but I’m not that vain. I’m just better than most people
in this town at battling and contests. I use the reward money on… well…” She
gestured at everything in her room.
“That’s amazing.” Robin said, star struck.
“If we go on an adventure, you can be sure we’ll be winning and look great
while doing it.”
Suddenly, a knock was heard on the door. Sarah wen to answer it and there her
mother holding a purple backpack.
“Robin’s dad came by with this.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She took the bag from her, and she left the two kids to
themselves. Robin moved to take the bag from Sarah, but when he reached from
it, she yanked it from his grasp.
“Hey!”
“Not so fast. You still owe me.”
“Wait, I do?”
“Don’t worry. I said you’ll like it, and I mean it. I mean. If you let yourself
like it.”
“What are you talking about…?”
“I need you to simply do me a favor.” She strode to a door that was set into
the wall, opening it up, she disappeared inside with Robin’s backpack, leaving
him to stand confused. He heard rummaging, laughing. A sense of worry filled
his gut.
What have I gotten myself into?
Then she emerged. Robin’s heart started beating faster and his face flushed
when he saw what she was holding. No way. No way.
In her hands she held a frilly, pure, white dress. Across the skirt, lace lined
the ruffles of cloth, and the top looked like it was meant to hug the figure of
the wearer. All of it meant to be held up by lacey straps. Even Robin, shocked
as he was, had to admit it was such a pretty dress that looked like it was made
by the hands of a professonal. “I made this,” Sarah said proudly. “A lady paid
me to make a few dresses for her daughter who is about your size, and I want to
make sure the fit is just right before I make the rest of them.”
Robin took a step back, holding his hands up. “Wait, why me? I’m a boy! I
can’t—“
She looked confused, but then understanding lit her eyes along with a smile
that shown with mischief. “Of course you’re a boy, silly! I know this. But why
does that matter?”
“It matter because it’s embarrassing!”
“Tsk. Tsk.” She said, shaking her head. She walked up and moved behind him. He
felt her arms wrap around his waist and squeeze him tight. It wasn’t sensual,
and it wasn’t flirty. It was comforting. “You worry about so many things,
Robin.” Her hands came up to run through his hair. “Your hair is long for a
boy.” Her hands then moved to cup his face. Robin’s eyes were wide and his face
was a burning red. “Not only that, but your face. It’s so soft, Robin, even a
girl would be jealous! Those freckles, and your lips. Look, all I’m saying is
that any boy would be lucky to have you.” She looked at him with eyes that
showed no deception. Her voice was caring, complimentary, as if all of this was
supposed to grant him confidence.
“Lucky to have a boy?! What are you?!”
“Robin, if I touched any boy who liked girls like I just touched you I would
have gotten a totally different reaction.” She waved a hand dismissively.
“Trust me. Well. I guess I could be wrong. Maybe you do like girls. Tell me,
have you ever had a crush on a girl before, Robin?” Her hands released his face
and instead grabbed his heads. She looked down at him, and Robin was not able
to look at her.
He racked his brain. The only other girl he had been close to was Lisa, and
people always teased him, saying he had a crush on her. But he never did. He
only saw her as a friend. And other boys in the neighborhood always talked
about girls they liked, and he was never sure what that even meant! “I don’t
know,” Robin said.
“It doesn’t matter. You’ll know when you know, but the point is, you’re really
cute Robin. A perfect canvas. Please let me see what I can do?”
“But…”
She bounced his hands up and down. “Please! I promise I won’t make fun of you
at all. No one will even see besides me, and you have to be curious what you
might look like in a dress like this, right? Do it for a friend at least.”
Robin’s eyes stared at his hands in hers. Even her hands were larger than his.
His mind remembered a time when playing with Lisa and her dolls. They were
young, maybe around 5, and Lisa wanted Robin to be her husband. She had given
him a doll of a larger man, square jaw, and large muscles. She took a lady doll
with short brown hair and a yellow summer dress. Robin wasn’t sure what he
wanted, but he did not want to be her husband and he did not want that doll. He
started tocry, throwing the doll away and refusing. No one could stop his
waterworks, and eventually his dad had to take him home.
When his dad had come to pick him up, he remembered sulking the whole walk
back, whining “Lisa gets all the nice things. Lisa gets all the nice things.”
Had he been curious? Maybe a little. Maybe a little curious to have what Lisa
had.
Robin’s head nodded quickly at the ground, blush intensifying.
“Thank you, Robin! You won’t regret this!”
Sarah turned and ran to her closet, stopping in the frame to tell Robin,
“Strip.”
“Can’t I just put the dress over my clothes…”
“Nuh-uh! Doesn’t work like that! Strip!”
Robin never thought his face could feel so hot. He looked at the door. He
couldn’t run from this could he? No. She was his only friend here. He had to do
this for her… How could he make her upset after what she had promised over
dinner?
He unzipped his hoodie, and took it from his shoulders. It crumpled to the
floor. Over his head, he slipped off his yellow and red striped t-shirt,
revealing his milky white chest with a little baby fat still giving him a
little belly. A small cluster of freckles were splattered on his shoulders. The
freckles too, his father said, he had gotten from his mother. Then he slipped
his shoes and socks off, setting them to the side where he could find them
easily later, before finally removing his shorts, showing thin legs. His whole
frame was light and delicate, untouched yet by puberty quite yet.
She came from the closet with a bundle of white in her hand. When she saw his
almost naked body, she froze. He wondered what she was thinking, what a girl
thought of his body. Finally, she seemed to shake herself back to reality. “I
said strip, Robin, come on.”
“I am!” He said. Goosebumps ran down his back as he felt chilly from being so
exposed.
Then, in a flash, she dangled white panties, smiling. “No you aren’t.”
“No! No! I don’t need to take my underwear off! Come on!” he whined.
“Robin…” Her eyes took on a harsh glare, staring at him.
“But I… But….” He could maintain eye contact. He felt bad, guilty even, for
telling her no. His hands went to his waistband and slowly dropped his briefs.
They pooled at his feet, and he stepped out of them. His hands drifted to cover
his boyhood. The red in his face had spread to his ears and shoulders.
“Thank you, Robin!” She beamed, happy.
At least she is… Robin thought. He wasn’t sure if the thought was bitter or
glad.
“Put these on, OK?” Her voice was gentle, reassuring. Robin expected her to
start laughing at him, tease him for how weak he looked. But not a single bit
of a mocking tone was in her voice. She handed him the panties as well as two
long socks with frills around the top.
Hesitating only a second before realizing wearing panties was better than being
naked, he brought the panties up, noticing the slight bulge in them from where
his penis was. Then the socks, which made his legs look even softer.
“Hands up.” She ordered from behind him, and Robin listened. He expected the
dress, but instead something tight was slipped over his head and his arms were
forced out of elastic straps. He found himself looking down to see, around his
chest, a pink training bra.
“Wait, why?” He turned, asking her.
“The dress expects the wearer to have a little bit of breasts. Don’t worry
about it. Arms up again.”
Robin was done arguing. He simply looked down, surprised at how different just
the slight bump the training bra gave him made his chest look. Then the dress
was pulled over him. It slid over his head and body easily, and Robin stared
fascinated at the skirts that swished around his hips, draping to his knees in
waves. She slipped his arms though the dress’s straps and adjusted them to hide
the bra straps before zipping up the back of this dress. The area of the dress
that fit his chest and hips felt tight, but the feeling of it hugging him like
it did caused a rush of giddiness in him that he could not explain.
“Now finally, the shoes, OK?”
He nodded, and she brought out a pair of flats that she assumed was his size.
They were, and they slid on effortlessly.
Taking him by the shoulders, she turned him to look at the vanity. In the
mirror, he struggled to see himself. His face was the same, but his figure,
usually hidden by the hoodie, now was emphasized. His legs looked odd poking
out of frills and fabric. The socks aided in that effect as they close to his
knees, and the shoes were flatter than his tennis shoes, making him look a
little shorter.
“You look amazing, Robin,” She gasped. Pushing his shoulders, she walked him to
the bench and seated him in front on the mirror. “I’m going to go all out with
this, OK? I’m dying to know what you look like now, no holding back.”
Robin nodded, transfixed with the reflection. He even noticed the pink bra
strap showing, working its way from under the white strap of the dress, and
finding it oddly cute.
She went to work on her new canvas. First, she started on his nails, applying a
pink nail polish with precision. She told him to leave his fingers rested,
spread out on the vanity’s top could dry while she worked on his face, and he
did as she bid.
 Then she went about applying subtle makeup. Eyeliner and mascara to emphasize
his eyes. A light blush was added to his cheeks, blended with an expert flair.
She had done more complicated things than this in her sleep, it was clear. Even
his lips were not spared as a subtle pinkish-red hue was applied. Then, not
just satisfied changing his facade, a brush was taken to his hair, combing it
and combing it, allowing the natural waves in it to come out fully that now
seemed to bounce around his face and neck in ways he never thought it could. He
had watched the whole process attentively, curious, but when he saw the final
face looking at him, he almost didn’t know it was Robin staring back at
himself.
What looked at him, he thought, was a very pretty girl.
“Don’t say a thing,” her voice was so low, it was almost a whisper. “I know you
won’t admit it, but I can see it in your eyes. You love it.”
He didn’t know what to think. He didn’t know what he should feel. He knew that
if anyone had seen him, he’d feel completely humiliated. The boys in his home
town would have laughed at him relentlessly. A boy looking like this? It was
the worst thing possible.
But his body felt… good? There was a tingling sensation that ran over his whole
body that just felt good. It was as if he was seeing a part of himself that he
never thought possible.
“Can you do me one more favor?”
“I… think so.”
“I want you to stay in that tonight, OK? I need to see how this looks in
situations outside of just the mirror.”
“O-ok...”
“Attaboy! I’ll get your bed and blanket set up and then we can play some video
games all night. I think you’ve earned a little R&R. How’s that sound?”
Robin nodded. “I’d like that.” He was glad she liked how he looked. He was glad
she was happy with him. No matter how he felt, which he wasn’t really sure of
yet, he was glad she liked him like this.
On the lush carpet she set up an air mattress for him. He had heard her dad
offering to help down the hall, but she put her foot entirely down, refusing to
let him anywhere close to the room. He felt endlessly grateful for that. They
sat on that air mattress to play on a large TV that was placed into the wall.
After a while, the bra began to feel a bit uncomfortable, digging into his
shoulders, but he did not mind keeping it on. The dress itself felt really
nice. The material wasn’t itchy, and it kept his legs cool. The panties even
felt soft against his crotch and pleasantly cupped his butt, making him wonder
why this was not more commonly worn by other boys.
Sarah beat him in more rounds of the fighting game they had chosen then he
expected, but it was OK. The two were laughing, enjoying themselves the whole
time in a childish bliss of fun. Neither looked at the clock, and no parent
came to the door to tell them it was bedtime. Eventually, sleep loopiness got
to them and the worst jokes started cracking the two up. They even began to
pretend the fighting characters were characters in some goofy play, acting out
the parts is exaggerated fashion.
Then, Robin had adjusted himself to be more comfortable, laying down on the bed
to relax his back, but that was all he remembered after that. Sleep had taken
him before he had even realized it had arrive, and curled up on the air
mattress, he dozed.
 
Sarah was still awake when Robin had fallen asleep. She made no effort to stop
him. She even started to quiet down when she noticed he was dozing off, letting
him relax more and more till his eyes shut and his breathing slowed. It was OK.
He has had a tiring past few days after all. She did not know what had
compelled her to save him from Cole. She would not have done it for anyone
else, but there was something different in the way Cole battled him, an
intensity that she had never seen in Cole before. It worried her.
Cole felt like he owned the city. The older boy knew the layout, all the nooks
and crannies. He became skilled at battles by picking fights like he wanted to
be the best around, but when she asked if he ever wanted to be a trainer and go
through the Island Challenges, he said no. Cowardice or some sense of
responsibility must’ve stopped Cole, but nothing of the kind was stopping this
Robin boy. He was shy, introverted, and non-confrontational, but at least he
let things happen.
She felt proud more than anything, watching this boy start to enjoy wearing the
outfit she had chosen for him. He had bought her lie. Sure she had made the
outfit, but it was not for a customer. She had simply outgrown it. She just
wanted to see what he looked like dressed as he was. With face and hair like he
had, how could she ever possibly resist?
It was not lost on her that he never brought it up his new look once the game
started. She got a feeling that Robin enjoyed wearing this more than he did his
normal clothes, but she understood why he’d deny that if she asked. Good to
know though that there was potential to try this again someday. This was more
fun than she ever expected. Perhaps, she even wondered, when they are far from
this town on their future journey, she could get him to dress like this in
other towns? She wondered if Robin could pass as a girl if he wanted to.
As the boy slept, he looked like a doll, artfully crafted. His hair spread out
like a halo.There was no lie when she said any boy would find him irresistible.
People would think she needed someone there to protect her from any shady
characters on their journey, but in truth, he would need her, without a doubt.
She, of course, could not sleep on the floor, and she certainly would not stay
awake alone. Instead, she got herself ready for the night as she normally did,
and then climbed into her own soft bed, falling asleep not long after.
 
When Robin woke up that morning, he realized a number of things. First, he was
still wearing everything. His face felt odd, and he was sure the makeup did not
make it out intact. His hair had gotten wild from bed head. Worried, he looked
at the dress, concerned he had ruined the dress that Sarah had made for a
customer.
“It’ll be fine,” Sarah spoke behind him. “Good morning, sleepy head.”
“How long had I been asleep…?”
“Long enough for your dad to get a bit worried. We should get you home.”
Robin agreed, trying to wipe the sleep from his eyes, but only managing to get
mascara on the side of his hand. She got him dressed again, putting on the
outfit that his father had packed in the backpack he brought. The bra was
surprisingly hard to get off, but Robin managed. Then, she snuck him to the
bathroom to wash off the makeup, smeared from tossing and turning so badly that
the mascara and eyeliner made it look like he had a black eyes. The lipstick
too was smeared haphazardly on his cheek.
When that was all wiped off, he jumped in the shower and brushed his teeth. He
looked in the mirror and saw again the face of Robin in the familiar, sky blue
hoodie. His hoodie. His shorts. His plain old face, ready to go back home.
Sarah demanded, however, to comb his hair one more time.
“It’s really soft,” she used as her excuse. Robin let her, enjoying her gentle
hands running through his hair, wondering if his mother would have done the
same. When they finished, Robin had left her house feeling refreshed and happy
as he released Poochyena from his Pokeball. He had been most vulnerable with
Sarah and had escaped feeling like he could trust her with everything. She may
ask him to do things he may or may not want to do, but it was all worth her
friendship. Sarah left him at the doorstep to his apartment complex, and the
two had hugged goodbye.
Robin soon learned though, as he entered the apartment, they had forgotten to
clean off the nail polish, as his father had pointed out. Flustered, Robin was
left to make an exuse. The “It was a bet” excuse worked well enough, however,
only ending with Robin suffering through skeptical glances from his father.
 
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