Single post in Life of a trainer

Chapter 17 – Back on the road On a beautiful morning Andy woke up. He stretched his arms, scratched his hair and turned over to his side, snuggling deep inside the blanket again. He would have been able to continue his morning slumber if there wouldn’t have been that annoying tapping noise on the window. He looked up to see his Butterfree flying in front of the window and tapping on it. Grumbling he pulled the blanket higher, but to no avail. “Benny,” he grumbled, taking his pillow and throwing it at him, but the window was in the way and Benny was completely unaffected by the pillow. With a sigh he got up, there was no way his Pokémon would leave after seeing he was awake. “Fine, fine, I’m coming.” He pushed his blanket away and got out of the comfortable bed. He walked across the small room to open the window, where he was greeted with a cheerful ‘Free!’ “Good morning to you too,” Andy said, scratching Benny’s head. “I guess you’re hungry, huh?” Benny shook his head. “No? You already had breakfast?” Benny nodded. “Lucky you, I’m starving.” Andy’s eyes shifted from his Pokémon to the world outside. That one glance was all he needed to decide he would continue his journey today. He had spent a total of two weeks at the day care and even though it had been fun and a great learning experience, it was time to move on. “I’ll be right down, ok?” Again Benny nodded and he flew away. With a smile on his face, Andy closed the window again and went straight into the bathroom for a morning shower and to put on some of the clothes so neatly ironed by Sophia. He quickly combed his hair and tied it together behind his head, before making his way to the kitchen, where Sophia and George were already sitting at the breakfast table. Sophia was stirring her coffee and George was reading a newspaper. “Good morning,” Andy greeted them as he sat down and they returned the greeting. Sophia placed a cup of coffee in front of him and Andy took a slice of toast from the plate in the middle of the table. “I’m continuing my journey today,” he announced, buttering the toast as he looked at them. “That’s a shame,” Sophia said. “It was nice having you around.” The newspaper George held rustled as he turned a page. “Come now, Sophie,” George said, without looking up from the newspaper. “The lad is a trainer, they have to travel. It’ll take years before they settle down somewhere.” Now he lowered the newspaper and he winked at Andy. “Trust me, Andy. I know.” He folded the newspaper and placed it next to him on the table. “Do you know where you’re going?” “I’ll just follow my nose,” Andy replied in between bites from the toast. George nodded to that and he picked up his cup. “You’re going further south?” he inquired. “Yes, that is the direction I’ve been heading so far.” “If I could give some advice, you should head into Ilex Forest, there is a shrine there, dedicated to the forest’s protector.” “I’ll be sure to check it out,” Andy promised. “The next town is Azalea town, I recommend you go there,” George continued, glad he could share his knowledge with this young trainer, it reminded him of his own days as a trainer, many years ago. “A guy named Kurt lives there, he makes Pokéballs. And there is a Slowpoke Well there. It’s also known as the Rainmaker Well. Locals believe that a Slowpoke's yawn summons the rain and that a Slowpoke's yawn ended a drought about four hundred years ago.” “Really?” Andy asked. “Now that sounds like an interesting town to visit. Azalea town it is then.” “I’ll show you the route you should take on the map,” George promised. “But let’s finish breakfast first.” “And I’ll help with the morning chores before I leave,” Andy said, feeling he owned the day-care couple at least that after the good care he received from them. They finished their breakfast and Andy and George went out to take care of the Pokémon in the day care. After that Andy collected his three Pokémon and told them they would be on their way. He returned each of them to their Pokéballs and went inside the house with George so he could collect his belongings. By the time he had gathered everything he owned, which wasn’t much as he had to carry it around in a backpack, he went downstairs again where George and Sophia were waiting for him. “It has been great heaving you here,” Clair said, handing him a package. “Here is something to eat for along the way. And I baked some cookies yesterday, take them with you as well.” She handed Andy a box with the cookies in them. “You’re spoiling me,” Andy said with a grin. “But it’s impossible to say no to those cookies. Sorry George, I’m leaving you deprived of any.” “Oh, don’t worry about George,” Sophia said. “I’ll bake some more this afternoon.” Andy again thanked Sophia from the bottom of his heart, which, he added, is located real close to the stomach and she had taken very good care of that. He then turned to George and shook the old man’s hand. “Take care of yourself, Andy,” George said. “If you’re ever in the neighbourhood again, do drop by.” “I will,” Andy promised. “I have to take the magnet train back to Kanto anyway.” He said his final goodbye’s and left the house, whistling a happy tune as he followed the road ahead.