Notes: Because Leaf has also saved the day.
Spoiled Grapes
Honestly, she didn't know why or how she ended up here.
Taking a step out of the PokéCenter, the girl drew in a sharp intake of breath before lifting her gaze toward the area where mountains and clouds fused together. Somewhere up there…he was somewhere up there. Doing God knows what, but he was still up there. Being mysterious. Attracting strong trainers. Having TV documentaries being made about him. Crushing the dreams of trainers everywhere. Reinforcing the dreams of more.
It should be you up on that mountain, the bitter voice spoke sharply in her head.
Brushing airborne dust off her hat, Leaf pivoted on the balls of her feet, turning her back to the mountain. Perhaps it's because she's already traveled to the rest of the country – that's why she's ended up here. But it was a mistake. She shouldn't be here. Not with him up there. The very air left a sour taste in her mouth as she thought about it.
She was the one who frantically called him gasping out news of a crime syndicate taking over a company. She was the one who grabbed out to his sleeve warning him about Viridian Gym's Leader returning. She was the one to spit out news of Green's inaugurating Championship before he pushed apart those heavy doors.
Her. Her. It was all her.
As Leaf began to turn the corner of the center, a puff of white bounced in her face and she recoiled back, holding her hand in front of her mouth.
The surprise guest grabbed her hat back and blushed. "S-sorry," she sheepishly looked down. "I – I just…long trip…" Tapping her two shoes together, the newcomer raised her gaze up to Leaf, and sudden amazement and admiration began overflowing in her eyes.
"Is…" she whispered, "is…he here…?"
Leaf followed her direction of sight once she realized the strange girl wasn't focusing on her, and turned around to see that she was gawking at the synthesis of ground and sky. Leaf turned back to the girl, who found herself lost in awe as she perfunctorily toyed with the buckles of her overalls.
…
"…Yes," Leaf breathed, "He is here."
The small girl opened and closed her mouth inaudibly, still transfixed at the beautiful sight. Then she turned her eye to the elder girl and finally found her words after a stiff second. "Th-thank you…" She slowly gave a deep bow, before straightening her spine…and making a mad dash over to the center of the cave in the foreground, as if her life depended on it.
And she was gone.
Disappeared into the dark abyss, no doubt her sights set upon the mystical summit hoping to challenge the strange boy of documentaries and dreams.
As the pitter-patter of her footsteps echoed away, Leaf once again twisted her backside to glare up at the mass of rock and snow…before giving a bitter sigh and making her way back to the PokéCenter. She really shouldn't be here. Not with him up there.
Really, now...
It should be you up on that mountain.
end