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[Alison]

Mercifully Abby did not pursue his near admission on his father's will. What was more, Abby really did seem to know his stuff. It went further than that. Stanley had heard of both the Pokemon Contests and the Pokeathlon. He had only read a brief bit about the contests, his father had instructed him to skip it as it wasn't important for Stanely. The Pokeathlon was something he had studdied, albeit it not willingly.

"It's amazing what we can do with our Pokemon," Stanley nodded after the boy had finished. "I've heard of both Contests and the Pokeathlon." With a slight pause he looked to Abby. "I have some interest in the Contests more than the Pokeathlon. Who knows if i'll end up doing both or just the one."

Stanley stopped a brief moment beside a building, looking up to it. His father's office was on the forth floor. There was no sign of the man, that figured he was likely pouring over his work again.

"Ah sorry," Stanley apologised as he looked back to Abby. "We're not too far now, just another few minutes and we'll be there."

[abadlex]

It would seem that Stanley had heard about the Contests and Pokeathlon as well. He even expressed interest in the Contests... Although he stated that he wasn't sure if he will do both or just the one.

But then Abby noticed something. Stanley stopped briefly at a building and glanced up it... Was he looking for something?

"Ah sorry," Stanley apologised as he looked back to him. "We're not too far now, just another few minutes and we'll be there."

"Another thing to leave alone..." Abby thought before reponding. "Good, good. Soon we can choose our Pokemon and then... Our adventure begins!"

Abby gave Stanley a thumbs up. "Are you ready?"

[Alison]

Abby seemed to be pleased that they wouldn't be far off and from his actions he was certainly ready for it. With a nod Stanley guided the boy towards their destination. As he walked on, they started to walk on past the Pokemon Center. There were a few trainers milling about, along with some none looking trainers, but he did not give them a second look. Instead he guided Abby onwards.

"Well I think that was obvious that it was our city's Pokemon Center," Stanley smiled to the other boy. "Little god sends to any trainer, though it would be foolish of me to think that you don't know that already. I've been in it a few times for study purposes. But it's not going to be long until we may have to use one ourselves."

[abadlex]

As they continued towards their destination, the two passed a Pokemon Center. There were plenty of people about, some trainers and others not. As they continued on, Stanley turned to him.

"Well I think that was obvious that it was our city's Pokemon Center," Stanley said with a smile. "Little god sends to any trainer, though it would be foolish of me to think that you don't know that already. I've been in it a few times for study purposes. But it's not going to be long until we may have to use one ourselves."

Abby was tempted to roll his eyes at the first two statements but resisted as he didn't want to be rude. Everyone would have heard what a Pokemon Center is at least once in their life, having to take this journey and all. It would seem that Stanley had been in the building a few times. While Abby had not been in one, he remembered being told that the buildings were for Pokemon medi-care, an inn of sorts, and a place to do laundry if needed.

Abby merely nodded at Stanley's words and said. "Yeah. We'll probably be using them a lot during the journey"

[Alison]

Getting anything out of Abby that wasn't a reply to something he said didn't appear to be all that easy. But Stanley didn't want to venture into family territory like discussions if he could help it. Stanley was quite for a little while, not entirely sure what else he could say to the other boy. As they headed further on towards the lab, Stanley started to feel anxious about the Pokemon he could get. There were people walking in their direction with Pokemon in their hands and arms. From the looks of them they were generally fresh trainers.

"Just another block to go," he said to the other boy at last. "And then we will be there. I'm curious as to what you expect from the lab."

[abadlex]

As they continued on, Abby started thinking a bit more about what Pokemon he would get. Once they reached the place, he would have to make a decision, after handing in his papers first of course. He had looked at the information given to him about each one and he had some ideas of what he wanted... But it still wasn't an easy decision.

Abby then noticed the new trainers passing them by, Pokemon in their arms. He glanced at the Pokemon, there seemed to be a fair mix of each one of the choices with a trainer.

"Certainly not an easy decision... But then again, there are preferrances..." Abby thought to himself.

Then Stanley alerted him to the fact that they were one block away and asked him about what he expect from the lab.

"So we get our Pokemon from a lab..." Abby thought before responding to Stanley's question. "To be honest... I didn't know the exact place to get a Pokemon, so I didn't know it was a lab"

Abby put on a thoughtful look. "But if it's a lab... I guess it will have various machines. There will probably be some desks where we hand in our papers. Yeah... I'm not really thinking too much on what the place looks like"

"After all, we have to make a decision soon on what Pokemon we want..." Abby continued. "Hmm... I think I'm getting an idea on what Pokemon I would want. Well, we'll see soon enough"

[Alison]

"Certainly an interesting though," Stanley answered as they continued to walk, the building itself starting to come into view. "I haven't ever been in the lab before. I was thinking it was like a science like lab with books and the like. I'm somewhat looking forward to going in!"

Pondering for a few moments he then continued. "I still don't know what Pokemon I want to get. Guess I'll have to see what's there to make a final choice."

Stopping at the building, Stanley gave a grin. It was the first big smile he had given all day. "Well this is it," he thumbed to the glass doors. "You ready?"

[abadlex]

It would seem that Stanley had not made a decision yet either. However, they were in front of the building now, so he would have to make one soon... Abby did as well.

The building seem to have put a grin on Stanley's face, but then again receiving a Pokemon and going on a journey is a very exciting thing.

Abby merely smirked as he casually walked through the doors. "As ready as I'll ever be" he answered when questioned about his readiness.

As soon as he entered the building, Abby took a good look at the place. It was a circular room with a large tank of water in the centre, going from the floor to the ceiling. There were some water Pokemon inside. Circling the area were very long desks with various people sitting at the openings, computers in front of them. There were numbered doors along the walls, where they led was not known to Abby.

But what really caught his attention was two things... First, at the end of each of the cushioned flat benches, there were the potted plants filled with berries. There were presumibly for the Pokemon trainers would received.

"In which case I should pick some after receiving mine..." Abby thought to himself as he glanced at the second point of interest. The big red signs that instructed new trainers upon where to go to submit their papers.

"The moment of truth" Abby told Stanley, pointing the signs out to him. "Once our papers are checked and accepted, we'll be making our separate decisions"

[Alison]

Abby lead for the first time since they had met, that stood to reason really. The boy was seemingly confident enough once he had his bearings. Stanley walked in after him. Wow. Boy had his thoughts on what this place was could have been like were wrong.

He supposed it made sense to have computers and their operators, but the thing that that stunned him the most was the floor to ceiling tank filled with water. Water Pokemon swimming around inside was a really nice touch. Pulling his eyes away from the tank, he looked around. There were pot plants, berry pot plants, some of them looked as if they had already been plucked. That stood to reason, if they were free. Unless someone had been underhanded and had simply taken. He would have to ask after he got his Pokemon.

He didn't think about that for much longer, Abby spoke once more.

"It is," he finally spoke, slipping his gear off his back. Kneeling on the floor beside it, Stanley went to a side pocket, slipping his papers from it. He clinged to them like he was holding onto dear life as he pulled the pack back on. They were his tickets to freedom, his adventure. "Time to make those decisions as well!"

He turned and started to head towards the sign that advertised that is where they should be, waiting for his turn in the queue.

[abadlex]

As Stanley talked, Abby also took off his backpack to get his papers. He unzipped the top most zipper and opened the compartment, reaching for another zipper near the top of the compartment. Opening the inner compartment and reaching into it, he slipped out his papers, folded neatly so they would fit.

As he rezipped everything back up and put his pack back on, Stanley had made his way to the line at the signs' destination. Hanging onto his papers, Abby made his way over as well, taking a spot behind Stanley. After a small wait, the two would be making their decision and their journey would begin.

"Although I still need to restock..." Abby thought to himself as he waited. "Maybe Stanley knows some places... I'll ask him later"

[Alison]

It seemed as if they were both ready with their slips and they were both ready in line. Stanley turned to Abby a little, his face starting to show he was feeling pretty nervous about the whole thing. The trainers ahead of them were being checked in. This waiting was seeming like an eternity.

"Say Abby," he mused. "What did you think of coming in here? Has it given you any ideas of what Pokemon you want?"

[abadlex]

Stanley turned to him a little, enough to show his face. He seemed pretty nervous... The trainers ahead of them were being checked in, just a little while longer before it was their turn.

"Say Abby," Stanley started. "What did you think of coming in here? Has it given you any ideas of what Pokemon you want?"

"Nope" Abby responded. "Going to be a last minute decision... So, how about you?"

[Alison]

Abby still didn't have a clue on what Pokemon he wanted, neither did Stanley all that much. Two trainers were now heading towards them, Pokemon in hand. One with a Pidgey, it flapping it's wings a little as the trainer was talking to it. It seemed pleased at the trainers attention and doing what it could to show it.

"Well that's pretty awesome," Stanley nodded to Abby. "The forming of a bond between a Pokemon and it's trainer."

The other trainer was holding an Pichu, it was snuggled in her arms. It was peeking out at the trainers lined up, while curious it seemed a little nervous, almost timid.

"I still don't know to answer your question," Stanley looked back to Abby. "But I admit i'm in awe at seeing the new Pokemon with their new trainers."

[abadlex]

Abby watched as two trainers pass by, each having their own Pokemon. There was a Pidgey with its flapping a little as its trainer spoke, like it enjoyed the attention it was getting.

"Hmm... Pidgey. Capable of flight, soaring through the skies freely" Abby thought. "Certainly one of the choices that holds great interest to me"

"Well that's pretty awesome" Stanley said with a nod towards him. "The forming of a bond between a Pokemon and it's trainer"

"Of course it is" Abby put simply. "It's that bond of trust that decides a trainer's success in whatever they're doing. Kindness is an important part of being a trainer after all and that leads to trust"

Abby then noticed the other trainer's Pokemon peeking out at the trainers in line, timid like. It was a Pichu, snuggled in its trainer's arms.

"A Pichu... Definitely an adorable little fella, capable of generating an electrical current" Abby thought. "But Some of the other choices hold more of an interest for me..."

"I still don't know to answer your question," Stanley interrupted Abby's thoughts again. "But I admit I'm in awe at seeing the new Pokemon with their new trainers."

"As will the other trainers in waiting will be when they see you and your Pokemon" Abby said with a causal hand motion. "However, you'll be busy making friends with your new partner to even notice"

[blueRena]

It was the banging on his bedroom door that finally woke Taylor up. He poked his head out from the blanket and squinted at the sunlight that shown in through his window. It was too bright as far as he was concerned. And then there was the more pressing matter that someone was beating up his door.

“What do you want?”

It was taken as an okay to come in, and his sister was standing in his doorway saying, “Oh, I dunno. Maybe just for you to get up and go start your little journey.”

“What?”

“Y'know. The thing you've been held back for the past few years from going on, and can finally do now. And you're gonna mess it up by sleeping in.”

“Kimberly!” he shouted, flinging the blanket away from himself as he forced himself out of bed with a sudden burst of energy. “Why didn't you wake me up sooner?”

“I tried. You're a heavy sleeper.”

Taylor didn't answer, scrambling to grab some clean clothes to change into. He shot a look to his sister over his shoulder, and she laughed before backing out of the room and closing the door to give him privacy as he changed.

A few minutes later he was racing out of his room with his backpack slung over one shoulder. He made his way into the kitchen to find something quick to eat. Kimberly was helpful in that aspect, holding out a granola bar. He took it, pocketed it, and then gave his sister a hug.

“I'm gonna miss you.”

“Me too,” he answered, pulling back. “Where's Mom and Dad?”

“Living room.”

Taylor shuffled into the living room, feeling awkward. He was wearing his clothes, not the ones his parents liked him wearing. They both looked disappointed, with it being more apparent on his mother's face. He shifted his weight from foot to foot.

“Well. I'm leaving.”

“Why are you dressed like that? Why don't you go change into something like that nice shirt I bought you? The one with the bits of lace?”

“I'm already running late,” he answered, trying to be nice about it.

“It'll only take a minute.”

“But, Mom, I need to leave. Like, now.”

“You should listen to your mother.” The man was looking down at Taylor. Taylor felt the urge to just collapse into himself and not be there. His father usually had that sort of effect on him. Stalling, he took a deep breath. It gave him at least a short amount of time to come up with a lie, even if it wasn't a very good one.

“I've got the shirt in my bag,” he reached around to his backpack and patted it, “so I'll change into it later. Promise.”

“Taylor,” his mother had started. He made a face at her, and she let out a huff of air. The two of them had had this sort of argument time after time, and usually she won out in the end. She didn't see why it would be any different this time. Figuring Taylor would change later, she relented. “Let's have a hug and get you on your way, then.”

“I'll miss you guys,” Taylor said, hugging both parents tightly. “Try not to have too much fun with me gone, 'kay?” If either parent found the comment funny, they didn't show it. They followed him out the front door and waved him off as he started down the street. It was a little embarrassing, but he'd had worse. This sort of embarrassment he could handle.

Once he was sure he was out of their eyesight, Taylor broke into a sprint. He really hoped he wouldn't be one of the last people there. When he did finally make it to the building, he was wheezing and stopped, doubled over in an attempt to catch his breath. He entered the building when his breathing had  begun to even out. As he looked around, he absent-mindedly grabbed at the Skitty necklace around his neck. It made him feel a little more at ease, staring at the tank of water pokemon, the desks, and the berries that seemed to be there for the trainers to pick at after they got their pokemon.

He filed into the line where he would turn in his papers. He reached into his pocket, remembering about the granola bar Kimberly had given him, opened it, and bit onto it enough to hold it in his mouth as he took off his backpack and put it back on, so that the bag was at his front. After unzipping it and digging around for his papers, he pulled them out, replaced his backpack so he wore it correctly, and started to eat his granola bar.

The two people in front of him were talking about what pokemon they wanted. Neither seemed to have an idea of which they would choose. Which only reminded Taylor that he wasn't sure himself. Axnew, Mudkip, Bulbasaur, Cyndaquil, Pidgey, Pichu, and Rhydon. Those were the choices, and he'd known that for a while now, but had never managed to sort out which one it would all come down to.

A small chuckle escaped. He hadn't meant to laugh, but he'd found the comment of “As will the other trainers in waiting when they see you and your pokemon” funny. It also showed that he had been listening to their conversation, which wasn't exactly the best way to start talking to someone. He tried to fake cough to cover it up. If that didn't work, he just hoped the two in front of him wouldn't get upset that he'd been listening to them.