Joseh gave a low grunt. "It's Joseh, and...well...I had a meeting with the professor here right now. Can you give me about fifteen minutes? Then we'll see."
Heather raised an eyebrow. "Serious business, aren't we? Alright then, I'll see you outside." She walked out of the lab with Crosser and the Pidgey, leaving Joseh and the professor alone in the lab.
Joseh shook his head. "Kids are too damn young to be running around the wilderness with Pokemon."
"Well, it's customary that a person who wishes to become a trainer leaves on his or her own personal journey around the early teenage years."
"I suppose, but...some days I wonder."
"But that's not why you're here is it? Your parents called me to let me know you were in town and said something about a problem. It's why I called you here."
Joseh glared. "I don't need my parents' help. They did what I'm doing on their own. Don't they trust me to figure out my own problems?"
"I'm sure they do Joseh, but sometimes we need another's help or guidance. You may have been traveling alone for a year with no one but Noah on your side--"
"There's another..."
"You captured another?"
Joseh cringed at that word. Does he really have to make it sound like we're holding these creatures as slaves? "Not exactly, professor." He turned to his belt and picked off one of the two pokeballs. He opened it as a charge of energy blasted from the capsule. The form of a small Poochyena appeared between them.
The pokemon gave a yelp and ran behind Joseh's legs. "This is Talos, I found him nearly dead outside of Cerulean City. I had heard Team Rocket had broken in the area, so I assumed it was another--" He stopped. He almost said the word "reject"; he didn't want to say that in front of Talos.
"I see..." The professor crouched down and held out a pokecube. "Come on, little one. Don't be shy."
Talos didn't move. It remained quivering behind Joseh's feet.
Joseh sighed. "Now you understand what my problem is. Or rather, why Talos is so...reluctant to nearly everything. I'm sure if he was fully OK, he would've never come to me that night I found him."
Professor Oak returned back up. "I understand your concern Joseh, but there are somethings that only time can fix."
"So there's nothing you can do?"
He shook his head. "Poochyenas are known for their timid natures, and have a tendency to be easily swayed whenever they are treated by others. What I see here is particularly normal." He tossed the pokecube back to Joseh. "But, as a poochyena matures, they grow out of this timid nature. Either gradually or by a critical moment, they lose it. I'm sure Talos will be fine as long as you take care of him."
"That's what mother and father said but--"
"You wanted to do more for him."
Joseh nodded picking up Talos in his arms. He fed Talos the cube that Professor Oak gave him as the Poochyena happily ate into it.
"I do have a request for you, and it will most likely help Talos: I want you to follow that group of young trainers you came in with."
"What? They're just kids--"
"This is also for you. Pokemon are like children, and all have different natures...just like humans. They need guidance. Well, except perhaps Heather, but--"
"Isn't she about fourteen?"
"Sixteen. Daughter of one of my associates."
Joseh blinked. "She certainly did not look sixteen..."
"Regardless, the other reason is to watch out for the one with the strange pokemon. It's possible other parties would want to get their hands on him." He pulled a card out of his labcoat. "This is the latest version of the Pokedex for your Pokegear. I want you to monitor that pokemon and record anything...strange the pokemon does. This will not only be for me for research, but also give you insight as to how a newly discovered pokemon works with others."
Joseh grabbed the card and looked at it. "Anything else, Professor Tree?" It was what he called Oak since he was little.
The professor laughed, "Ah...somethings never change. But yes, that's it."
Joseh began to walk out of the building before hearing the professor say, "Well, there is one more thing: your mother would appreciate it if you called her from time to time...she does miss you."
Joseh chuckled to himself as he walked out of the lab with Talos in his arms and the Pokegear card in his hand.
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As he exited the building, Heather was waiting for him and instantly jumped in front of him. "Well? Are you going to accept my challenge?"
Joseh blinked at the immediate questioning from the girl. "Um...not right now, Miss--"
"Just call me Heather. Sheesh, that's creepy coming out of a guy who's like twenty five."
"Nineteen..."
"What? Really?"
"Yeah...it's the goatee isn't it?"
She nodded, "Well, what's wrong? Aren't you a trainer then Hohsay?"
"It's Joseh, and no, I'm not--"
Talos leaned towards Heather with a tentative sniff. Instantly, the Poochyena opened its mouth and gave a happy bark.
"Awe, what a cute little guy!" Heather opened her arms as Talos jumped from Joseh's grip into them.
Heather caught the small pokemon as it licked her face. "You must be a very brave little guy to just come up to me like that, aren't you!"
I don't...I don't believe it... Joseh stared stupefied at what he was seeing. How is it that all of a sudden, Talos's fears are gone?
meh was just some revengeance highlighting of the fact Chompers is one spastic little freak. If you really feel you must end a battle then do so with grace and make sure it's not just "I win" it has to be fair and equal on both sides. Oh and I've alright stated my reasons behind making up moves, it's just part of Rodney's stratergy.