Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A cold breeze hung in the streets of Seoul, its people searching for places to warm up.
Many either went to small bars, restaurants or anything similar, while others decided it would be best to go home. Ofcourse the cold wasn't something special, it was something you could dress against, but the people of Seoul much prefered the summer warmth.

Zoey silently sat near her window, staring outside towards the silent streets. She had just moved to Seoul, all the way from America. She had left behind all of her friends, along with most of her family.
Now she lived in a brandnew place. Alone. Confused. Overwhelmed. She wasn't sure what life would bring and the only thing she could focus on- the one thing that didn't make her feel as lonely- it was music.

Tapping on the windowsill softly, she flinched as there was a knock on her bedroom door.
Her mom peaked around the corner, smiling worriedly. "Zoey ? Did you eat something yet ?"
Zoey sigh, nodding softly. "I'm fine mom-" She murmured, grabbing her lyrics from her desk.
She didn't have much yet. Most of her stuff from America was still packed in boxes.
She just couldn't find the motivation to start unpacking it all.

She watched her mother sigh, her expression softening some. "Mom, listen-" She opened her mouth, but she was cut off by her mother's voice again. "I wanna take you somewhere." She hummed, watching her daughter's reaction closely. "You see- I know we don't have much outside of this small apartment. I wish I could give you something better, but-"

Zoey got up with a sigh, humming softly. "I know- We don't have the money." She cut her off, putting her lyrics back down with a sad smile. "I get it mom- We came here for a job offer."
She had to admit it hurt, being dragged halfway across the world with nothing but a few things she could take with her. She had left her whole life behind, only to start all over again.

"Zoey !" She froze, snapping out of her thoughts to find her mother's concerned expression.
She frowned softly. "R-Right- Sorry-" She muttered, having heard nothing about what her mother had told her. Her mom sigh, humming softly. "It's fine hun-" She frowned, leading her outside.
"Just follow me."

Chapter Text

Zoey silently followed her mother through the streets of Seoul, dressed in a warm sweater and sweatpants. She remained silent all the way, surprised as they stopped in front of a huge building with a red sign. She looked at her mother confused, earning a soft chuckle in responce.
"I know I didn't tell you much about this but-" She sigh. "Do you remember your father's stories about pokemon ?"

Zoey's eyes widened in realisation as she started at the massive logo above them.
She nodded her head, smiling as she followed her mother inside. She looked around curiously, being greeted by a woman with a long braid. The woman smiled. "Welcome, my name is Mi-Yeong."

Zoey smiled excitedly, remembering her father's stories about when he was allowed to pick his first pokemon. Her father had a big strong Charizard by now. Zoey adored it, even though she didn't see her father and his companion often since her parents split.

"I'm Zoey !" She beamed, earning a chuckle from Mi-Yeong. "Welcome Zoey. Are you ready to pick your life long companion ?"

Zoey blinked, hesitating for a moment. Squirtle- Charmander- Bulbasaur-
Mi-Yeong seemed to see the struggle on her face, laughing softly.
"Before you make a choice Zoey." Zoey looked at her confused. "Things work a little different here in Seoul."

Well- that was even more difficult. Things were different ? What was she supposed to do now ?
She opened her mouth to ask something, but Mi-Yeong spoke before she could say something.
Professor Mi-Yeong went before her, leading her to two giant doors.
"Here in Seoul, we don't catch Pokemon to give them to young trainers. Pokemon are brought here when lost, waiting for their trainers to pick them up. When the trainers don't, the pokemon are viewed as abandoned. They'll be waiting for a new trainer here."

Zoey watched in awe as the door opened, her eyes watering at the amount of pokemon waiting for a new trainer. She looked at her mom and Mi-Yeong with sad eyes, wondering if humanity was really that cruel. Mi-Yeong sigh, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. As if reading her mind, Mi-Yeong spoke. "Don't worry-" She hummed. "Some pokemon come here before being born. They were found by our teams as eggs. Without a parental figure, we raised them in a safe environment. We give them a chance to a safe and stable home."

-

Walking into the big room silently, she watched as Geodude played between the rocks, Starmie playing in the water. She watched as Weedle crawled up the trees, Rattata scurrying through the undergrowth. How was she supposed to choose from all of those beautiful pokemon-

She looked around silently, spotting a blue shape near the artificial waterfall.
She squinted her eyes slightly, trying to figure out what she saw.
"What's that ?" Zoey muttered, walking just a bit closer not to startle the pokemon.

Mi-Yeong smiled softly. "That's Vaporeon." She hummed. "Vaporeon is a water type, having evolved from Eevee." She explained, frowning softly. "Vaporeon and their trainer were on an adventure together as they stumbled into a water stone." She shook her head slightly.
"Vaporeon's trainer had made a whole plan on where, when and how to evolve Eevee."
Mi-Yeong frowned. "He brought Vaporeon here."

Zoey felt the anger boiling inside of her. Vapreon's trainer had abandoned them over something as stupid as evolution ? "I'll take them-"

Her mom stared at her in shock, Mi-Yeong's face twisted in surprise. She gently grabbed onto Zoey's wrist as she walked forward, giving her some shrimps. "Vaporeon loves those. Win over her heart-"
Zoey smiled gratefully, walking closer as soon as Mi-Yeong let go of her wrist.
She hesitated, watching as Vaporeon shot up in defence. She shushed it softly, slowing her movements not to startle them. "I'm your friend-" She whispered, crouching down with tears in her eyes. She carefully stuck out one of the shrimps, watching Vaporeon's face twist into one of curiosity.
"I won't abandon you-" She hummed softly. "Let me cherish you-"

Chapter Text

Zoey laughed heartily, watching as Vaporeon gulped down another shrimp.
She ruffled it gently, still cautious with her movements as to not startle her new friend.
She had taken home Vaporeon only a few days ago, trying to win their trust.
"You love those, don't you-" She cooed, rubbing Vaporeon's smooth skin gently.

She didn't know much yet about her new buddy, both learning to trust eachother.
What she did know was that Vaporeon was a water-type. They had evolved from an Eevee with a waterstone and with that they were abandoned by their trainer. Zoey felt the anger burning in her chest again, earning a soft whimper from Vaporeon in responce.

She looked at the creature with a gently smile, carefully scratching behind their gill like ears.
"I'm fine-" She muttered, feeling much better now that she had a partner in her life.
While both were still learning, she felt like she had finally found someone who understood her.
Even if for now, a love for shrimps was all they had in common. Zoey had to admit though. She personally prefered them fried instead of raw.

She was startled out of her thoughts as there was a knock on her door. Her mom peaked around the corner with a sad smile. "Zoey listen-" She hesitated, opening the door some further.
"I know this little apartment isn't ideal-" Zoey frowned, fiddling with her hair. "Mom-" She opened her mouth to speak, yet was interrupted once more. "You should go after your father. Follow you dreams-"

Zoey listened quietly, unsure of what to say. "Mom- I'm not leaving you-" She muttered, watching tears slip down her face. She quickly got up, walking over to hug her mother tightly.
"I know it's not easy-" She sigh. "I know you're doing everything you can to make me happy-"
She hesitated for a moment, clenching her fists as she felt her mother's arms wrap around her sides.
"I don't blame you for the difficult times-"

Her mother remained silent for a while, silent sobs filling the room.
"I'll be okay-" She muttered, holding onto her daughter tightly. "Don't hold back on your dreams for me-" Zoey swallowed her own emotions, slowly letting go. She hesitated, knowing she had a long road ahead of herself. Many dreams to fullfill. "You'll call me- right ?"

A single tear rolled down her cheek, yet she quickly wiped it away.
Her mother grabbed onto her cheeks gently, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"I promise I will call you. My little Zoey."

Zoey chuckled softly in embarrassment, carefully stroking Vaporeon over their head.
She didn't know what the future would hold, but what she did know was that she was eager to find out.

Chapter Text

Looking back one more time, Zoey closed the door of their apartment behind her, a sigh on her lips.
She looked at Vaporeon with a sad smile as they brushed against her leg, trying to make her feel at ease. She carefully ran a hand over its hand, the tight feeling in her chest loosening some.
"You'll be by my side right ?" She muttered, looking back at their apartment.
"I guess we gotta find a place to stay for tonight huh-"

She shook her head, walking away from the apartment she had called home for a short period of time. Her mother had made sure she had all basics for her journey.
From pokeballs, to snacks, to potions, to clothing and bathroom accesoires.
"Where shall we go first Vaporeon ?" She looked back at her companion, watching as they tilted their head to the side. She snorted softly, walking down the cold street.
"Alright alright. I get it." She hummed, making sure to match her steps to Vaporeon's pace.

Zoey thought for a while, just walking without a destination in mind.
She mindlessly walked ahead, bumping straight into a stranger. He stumbled backwards, being quickly grabbed by her wrist. She looked up in surprise, meeting two big, innocent eyes.
I- sorry-" She muttered quickly, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment as the stranger helped her back to her feet. Vaporeon followed closely behind, tilting their head confused.

The stranger smiled, chuckling softly. "Don't worry about it."
An aipom crawled out of a nearby tree, climbing onto his shoulder.
He petted their head softly, humming gently. "I'm Adexine." He hummed. "This is my buddy Aipom."

Zoey stood there in embarrassment, brushing off her clothing softly.
"I uh- I'm Zoey. That's Vaporeon." She hummed softly, laughing in nervosity.
She hadn't even realized they had reached the Sky park yet, laying on the edge of the city.
They had surely walked quite a distance. She shook her head again, clearing her mind.

She watched Aipom in awe, her stomach growling softly. "Oh uh- are you hungry ?"
It was maybe a weird way to greet someone she had just met, but Zoey didn't really care.
She very much just spoke her thoughts, often having to talk herself out of things.

Adexine chuckled in amusement, humming softly as he led her to a park bench.
He watched as she rumbled through her bag, pulling out two cheeseburgers.
"Uh- my mom made these." She smiled. "I know you don't usually eat this in Korea but- it's really tasty." She blushed in nervosity, smiling softly as he took the cheeseburger.

He laughed as he watched Aipom grasping for the cheeseburger, pulling a banana from his own bag.
"No no- that's not healthy for you-" He smiled, placing the banana in the big hand on Aipom's tail.
He turned back to Zoey with a smile, listening as Aipom peeled off the skin.
Watching her take a bite from her own burger, he started eating his, listening as she started telling him about her journey.

"I came here a few weeks ago. My mom and dad split up. My dad was a trainer back in America. He had a big Charizard. I really loved that Charizard."
She chewed on her cheeseburger with a frown, swallowing before continuing. "My mom and I moved here for a job offer, but I can't really get used to Korea-"

Zoey shook her head, seeming to do it a lot to shake off negative feelings or memories.
She smiled. "Mom took me to meet professor Mi-Yeong. There I met Vaporeon."
Sighing softly, she scratched Vaporeon behind their ears, pulling another shrimp from her bag.
Vaporeon gulped it down with a happy highpitched squeek. It was almost dolphin like.

Adexine hummed in understanding, being a good listener. He thought for a bit, then spoke.
"I know what you mean." He hummed. "I'm from America aswell."
Zoey's eyes widened at his words, a bright smile on her face as she rambled and rambled about music, rap, lyrics and whatever else she could think of.

He blinked, completely overwhelmed by her enthausiasm. Where Zoey was a somgwriter, Adexine usually focussed on the instruments behind music. He just nodded his head, not wanting to hurt her feelings. He ate silently, just smiling and nodding every now and then.

Vaporeon had layed down near Zoey's feet, yawning softly. Hours seemed to pass as Zoey spoke about her time in America. How she wrote songs, but never published anything. How she loved rap lyrics. Now she was starting her journey, hopefully to one day be like her father.
A strong trainer, ready to achieve anything.

Noticing it was getting dark, Zoey eventually blinked softly, realizing she had been rambling for hours.
She smiled sheepishly, embarrassment on her face. "Anyways-"
She scratched her neck nervously, hesitating for a bit. "What do you like to do ?"

Adexine blinked again, the sudden silence making things awkward between them.
"I uh- I love that you do all that." He hummed, laughing softly.
"I mainly play instruments. I like playing the piano. But I also play the bass and organ." He hummed, surprised to see Zoey actually listening instead of rambling on and on. He smiled, thinking for a bit.

"Uh, I also do MMA." He hummed, thinking about more things about himself. "You see- It's Thai-boxing. Some use it as a sport. Some prefer to do it for self defence." He shrugged, unsure how to really explain it to her. MMA had many different explanations and many different reasons for people to try it. He looked up at the sky with a soft smile, getting up with a stretch. "It's getting late Zoey."
He hummed, reaching his hand out towards her.

Zoey nodded softly as she listened to his stories, now curious about who she had come to meet.
She blinked, taking his hand gently. "Do you have a place to stay for the night ?"
She froze- She hadn't thought about that anymore. She had been so busy rambling that she forgot the time.

She shook her head softly, her cheeks flushing brightly in embarrassment. Adexine smiled.
"There's a hotel not too far away from here." Adexine led the way silently showing her to a small building. It wasn't luxorious, but it was all she would need for the night.
She nodded her thanks, booking a room at the reception. Taking her key, she turned back to him to see him waiting at the entrance. "You're not staying ?"

He shook his head, chuckling softly. "I'm going home Zoey." He smiled.
"Will we meet again ?" Zoey swallowed, feeling bad for taking so much of his time. Yet she knew so little about the guy in front of her.

He smiled. "I'm sure of it. I'll see you later Zoey." He waved, giving her a wink before disappearing through the entrance, back into the cold night air. Zoey just stood there for a while, a slight flush on her cheeks. She wasn't sure what it was about. This promised to be an interesting journey afteral.

Chapter Text

Zoey woke up late in the morning, groaning as a ray of sunlight shone straight in her eyes. She turned her head in protest, trying to sleep some more. "Gimme 5 more minutes-" She grumbled, only to receive no responce. Usually it was her mom opening the curtains in the morning-

She groggily opened her eyes, finding herself in an unfamiliar room. She blinked a few times, staring at the window. Where was she- She blinked once more. Oh right- The hotel room.
She groaned loudly, pulling her pillow over her face in frustration. She must have forgotten to close the curtains last night.

She shifted once more, pulling the blankets some higher.
*Squeek !* Zoey blinked in surprise, blinking under her pillow. *Squeek !* It sounded again, a wet nose pressing against her neck. She sat up quickly, staring at the source of the squeeks.
A shiver ran down her spine, the dolphin noises continuing as she looked straight into two big innocent eyes.

Vaporeon tilted its head to the side silently, curiosity staring her down as if asking 'Do you have shrimps ?' Zoey blinked, a soft chuckle on her face. She rubbed her eyes tiredly, staring at the alarmclock. 11.07 SHIT !!!

She quickly got out of bed, throwing off her pyjama's and jumping under the shower.
Vaporeon watched in confusion, following her to the bathroom. *Squeek !*
It watched in protest, tail flicking in frustration as it was ignored.

*Squeek !*

Zoey washed her hair quickly, smiling at Vaporeon apologetically. "Gimme a few minutes Vaporeon- I promise we'll get you some more shrimps." She listened as it squeeled in protest, eyes widening as a cold splash of water hit her squarely in the chest, pushing her back against the shower wall.

She clenched her eyes shut, spewing out some water. She coughed softly, a pout on her lips.
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR !" She squeeked, watching vaporeon stare at her in annoyance.
Her expression softened some, another pout on her lips. She shuddered, putting off the shower.
"Fineeee-" She whimpered, grabbing a towel to dry herself off. "I probably deserved that-"

Getting dressed in a comfortable hoodie and sweatpants, she tied her hair into buns.
Vaporeon waited near the door of the hotelroom, agitation clear in its posture.
It seemed to raise an eyebrow as Zoey finally walked over towards the door, opening it with a sigh.
Vaporeon quickly went before her, leading her towards the elevator. "Lets get something to eat alright ?"

-

Zoey walked outside the hotel with a smile, both full and content.
Vaporeon let out a lazy squeek, earning a soft chuckle from Zoey.
"Oh, come on now." She snorted. "You're not gonna drop out on me now."

Vaporeom blinked softly, almost seeming to roll its eyes as they followed behind Zoey lazily.
Where it had been resistant and eager earlier that morning, Vaporeon was now more interested in a nap than anything. Wake up, have fun, eat, sleep, wake up and start over again.
That was the perfect life right ?

It followed Zoey through the streets silently, stopping as they reached the river.
Staring at her in surprise, it quickly scooted back as a splash of water was about to soak it.
Vaporeon stood there in shock, watching as an orange fish jumped out of the water.

Zoey gasped softly. "IT'E SO CUTE !" Vaporeon watched in annoyance. Cute- It had nearly soaked them- Human... What do you call cute ?

She quickly pulled out her pokedex, scanning the unfamiliar pokemon.

/Magikarp, the fish pokemon. Magikarp is known for splashing around/

"VAPOREON ! USE TACKLE BEFORE IT ESCAPES !!!"

Vaporeon tensed up, looking at Zoey in shock as she yelled out a command.
Easy there ! I'm standing right next to you. No need to yell like that !

It quickly rushed for Magikarp, using Tackle.

Magikarp blinked once, using Jump to dodge.

Zoey watched in terror, fiddling in her pocket. She had to do something or it would get away !
Grabbing onto a pokeball, she quickly threw it at Magikarp, just praying it would do what she expected it to do. "GO POKEBALL !!!" She squeeked, nearly falling over at the amount of effort she put in throwing it.

She watched in nervosity as Magikarp was engulved in a red light, being sucked into the ball with ease. It fell to the ground, shaking once. Zoey's eyes widened. It shook twice.
She swallowed, barely holding her excitement as it shook for the third time, locking Magikarp inside.

/Magikarp is now registered in your pokedex./

Zoey stood there for a bit, just staring at the ball. A loud squeal of excitement left her lips as she rushed for the pokeball. "I NOW HAVE A MAGIKARP !!!"

Vaporeon sat down in annoyance, grooming itself silently.
Zoey would be a lot to get used to.

Chapter Text

Zoey squeeled happily, searching on her rotomphone for the nearest gym.
Now that she has 2 pokemon, what would be a better step than to challenge her first gym ?
Vaporeon looked at her in annoyance, its tail flicking softly in boredom.

Scrolling through her phone, Zoey's eyes landed on a normal gym.
"Oh, Vaporeon look !" She squeeled, crouching down in enthausiasm. "It's actually very close. It should only be a few blocks away !" Vaporeon nearly seemed to roll its eyes, nose rummaging through her bag in search for more shrimps as if saying "You should pay me extra for putting up with this shit-"

Zoey laughed, rolling her eyes playfully. "Hey ! That's my bag !" She giggled, trying to grab it but Vaporeon had other plans. It quickly took her bag, rushing ahead. She froze, quickly rushing behind.
"H-Hey ! Give that back !!!" She squeeled, panic in her voice.
"VAPOREON ! GET BACK HERE !" She cried out, following it across the river. "I NEED THAT !"

The city faded further and further, leaving them in a big open place. "VAPOREON !"
Her eyes widened as she saw a small farm appear in the distance, surprise in her expression.
Once again, she didn't look where she was heading.

*CRASH*

-

Zoey fell back on her bum with a groan, mumbling softly.
"I-I'm sorry-" She muttered, expecting to face another person, but instead she stared up in two big innocent eyes. She swallowed, eyes widening. Her fingers trembled softly as she pulled out her pokedex, scanning the big blue tiger in front of her.

"No information."

She swallowed nervously, watching as it tilted its head to the side. "U-Uh... h-hello there !"
She backed up slowly, watching as Vaporeon returned with her bag, placing it in her lap with a soft, innocent squeel. Vaporeon didn't seem dazed by the stranger at all. In fact, they seemed to know eachother already.

-

"Derpy ?"

An unfamiliar voice caught Zoey offguard, making her look up in nervosity.
Vaporeon looked up with a flick of its tail, brushing past the giant blue tiger calmly.

A young woman walked from the distance with a smile, a soft chuckle on her lips.
"Now now Derpy, give our guest some space will ya ?"