Chapter 8: Pike's BirthdayIt had been between 6 and 7 months since Pike and Jake left the forest near Pike's homevillage. Pike was seen staring at his reflection in lake. his headband was removed, revealing the number 50.
"I'm so close, yet still so far away." he sighed.
"Don't worry, you got this far, I'm sure you can find fifty more friends." Jake said cheerfully.
"I know I can, it's just going to take a lot longer. Most of the common pokemon in this region we've come in contact with already. It's going to be even harder than it was before to find some that will even be willing to be friend." Pike replied.
"You need to cheer up a little bit more." Jake observed.
"It's kind of hard to be happy when you're under a curse. If they didn't have to be different species, I would've had probably around 200 friends on my list." Pike sighed again.
Jake giggled.
"Of course, it wasn't for you, I would still be alone in that forest." Pike said.
"Don't mention it." Jake smiled.
That evening, Jake waited long until after Pike had fallen asleep. He ran off on his own and never returned. Pike was surprised the next morning when he didn't see any sign of Jake.
"I wonder where he went?" he thought.
Jake suddenly appeared and pushed his headband down, covering his eyes. Pike just thought Jake was playing as he pushed Pike around. Jake finally stopped and Pike was able to uncover his eyes. To his surprise, there was a group of ten pokemon he'd never encountered before aorund a small cake-like object.
"Happy birthday!" they cheered.
"H-how did you know? Only a few people in my village even know when my birthday is." Pike gasped.
"I learned a lot about you when I was spying on you back in the forest. I asked these pokemon in the area a few miles away if they'd be willing to help you out. They all agreed." Jake explained.
"Thank you." Pike thanked.
Pike was happy for a change, even in his village he had never had anyone wish him a happy birthday. Unaware to Pike, Rose had visited his house and left a present on his bed. Attached to is was a note, wishing Pike good luck if he ever came back.
Chapter 9: Avoiding a TrainerPike and Jake decided to head back towards their homeland. However, they took a different route in hopes of finding more pokemon for Pike to befriend. Pike was now at 40 remaining. They had come across another forest where they met and befriended an injured Zangoose. They helped it recover a bit, as it had battled another for a female's affection. This Zangoose had won, but he didn't escape without taking some serious damage. The Zangoose was incredibly friendly, even enough that he took the time to hear about Pike's curse. He found it hard to believe, even after Pike showed him the number. He suddenly sniffed out something and slashed at Pike and Jake, forcing them into some nearby bushes.
"I guess he didn't really like me after all." Pike figured.
"No, that's not it." Jake contrayed.
Jake sniffed something out that alluded him before, and Pike suddenly smelled it as well.
"There's a trainer nearby!" Pike realized.
"Exactly." Jake confirmed.
The trainer stumbled upn the injured Zangoose, who was too week to do much.
"I came here following some what I thought to be Pikachu tracks, but now I found something even better!" the trainer exclaimed.
Zangoose tried to run, but couldn't. Pike wanted to go out and help, but Jake held him back. The trainer threw a pokeball at the Zangoose and captured him. He then took it out of the pokeball and healed it with a potion. Pike couldn't really tell how, but he knew that the pokemon had changed in some way.
"I don't really know how, but it feels like something's different about him." Pike stated.
"What do you mean?" Jake wondered.
"I'm not really too sure myself, but something about it tells me that is the reason why if I get caught, I can't change back. Some kind of bond must automatically be created with a pokemon and trainer after a pokemon is captured. I don't think that Mew told me I couldn't change back after being caught to punish me further, I think it was some kind of warning." Pike explained.
"Either way, I think we should go. That trainer might come back, and if what you say is true...Zangoose will have to help him capture us." Jake announced.
"Yeah, you're right." Pike agreed.
The two continued on with their journey.
To be continued...Next time: A year has passed, and Pike has done the unbelievable, he's made 99 friends! Celebrations are short lived though, as Pike and Jake are confronted by a trainer who collects rare pokemon...and a couple of Pikachus in the current location is quite rare. Jake helps Pike escape and takes on the trainer on by himself. Pike watches in horror as Jake is easily overwhelmed. All hope seems lost, until help comes from the most unlikely of places.
Incase you didn't know, there's a reason I posted a chapter about Pike's birthday. See my profile on TV.com for more info.