Different First Steps

"Oh, neat! I don't know much about psychics, but I guess there's time to learn. I guess they like hiding. That's a start." Leon lifted open the flap to his backpack, peeking in at the solosis burying itself among the gear. Without any provocation, Pepper began to scamper around, picking up some of the oats that fell and nibbling on them noisily.

"Now that I think of it, you both have psychic types. That's a little strange, huh? Why did you pick them?"

Lillia smiled a tiny bit, "I think that Lumina is just protective of her food..." Se mumbled. Lumina looked up carefully at Leon's face before sending off a Psywave at him. "Solo!" She said, before starting to munch on the food that she had.

Lillia then frowned trying to remember, "I wasn't sure what I wanted, until the Lab people said something about a Psychic type, when I remembered about Solosis..." She admitted slowly.

Alla thought about it. "Hmm... well Melona seemed patient kind. Sure Drowzee and Hypno both have a bad reputation after that one... incident. But they are docile and good pokemon. So when I saw her... I decided to pick her. Plus my phobia always gave me restless sleep and nightmares. She can help me sleep with her powers and eat my dreams so I can rest easy."

Leon gritted his teeth as the psywave hit him, and felt an odd bit of static electricity run through his hair. He smiled when it was through, and opened his backpack to allow Lumina out.

"Get outta there, you little scamp!" Leon playfully scolded. "I think Solosis was a great choice."

Pepper ignored the commotion, and began to observe Drowzee with interest. Leon picked his pokemon up effortlessly, and plopped her in his lap. Drowzee was a common sight near Celadon city, and seeing one meditate silently brought back memories of his old life in Kanto.

"I guess that's why Drowzees were so popular back home. I just always figured they were clean and cute."

Lumina finished the last of the food and finally levitated out. "Solosis. Solo." She finally submitted, before flying out back to Lillia's side. Lillia nodded before turning to Alla, "They are pretty neat, and you have a much better reason than I did..." She petted the Drowsee and Lumina seemed to pout, causing her to lightly pet Lumina, "Lumina, are you jealous?" She asked, and the Solosis responded with a Psywave to the face.

Alla laughed a little, settling in. I just... I wanna be able to be with pokemon again. My parents ran a daycare once. I saw so many types. We'd always play together. I miss those days." Alla looked to Melona and bit her lip. "I know I'm being difficult, but thanks for being patient Melona." The drowzee wave it off as if she was happy to help her trainer.

"Alla, I would've given anything to grow up with pokemon." Leon said, rubbing Pepper's head delicately. "As a kid, we didn't have enough money to support anyone else in my family, so I had to learn to make friends with wild pokemon. And until just a few months ago, I wouldn't have even considered going on a journey as a trainer." Leon sighed, and stared up at the clouds. For a moment, he longed to be back in Celadon, tending to the gym pokemon there.

"I'm so glad I did though! I think these pokemon are great. Oh! Are you two going to battle now?"

"....I grew up with a few Pokemon....." Lillia admitted slowly, and debated telling her two....Friends?...Acquaintance seemed like a better word, about her past but quickly opted it out of her mind.

A quick Psywave fly by her snapped Lillia out of her thoughts. With false annoyance she told her partner, "You know, you can't just Psywave everything that bothers you..." she rebuked Lumina, before turning back to the others, "Yeah...I think I'm ready..."

Alla bit her lip and nodded. "Okay, we can battle. Just go easy on me..." Alla did have an advantage. Psywave on a Drowzee was a bit weak... but Alla's stomach was filled with butterflies. Nervousness, worry, and all those emotions from pokephobia were creeping up on her. But Alla took a deep breath and stood, Melona in front of her.

Leon sat back against a tree with Pepper comfortably in his lap.

I don't quite know how this battle will turn out, he thought, but I have a feeling they'll both find some victory in it.

Lumina grinned at Melona. "Solo! Solosis~ So Solo!" Good Luck! Have fun~ And may the odds be ever in your favorAnd here I come! Without waiting for an order, she quickly did a Spin with Psywave. The air shimmered with the intensity of the multicolored wave. Suddenly going through the wall, she attacked with Rollout.
Lillia shook her head, "Will you ever listen Lumina...Oh well, it was a good plan..." She mumbled.