Maxie sat at his desk. Shooing Tabitha and Courtney from his room as they finished up a quick discussion over their defeat. Yet at this point the Magma leader wasn't in the mood. The fight had frustrated him to the point where he needed some time alone. At first they objected, wanting to make sure their boss was okay. He seemed so strange and distant at this point. But Maxie didn't care. Maxie needed time alone. He didn't care how worried they were about him. After that defeat from Archie, Maxie needed more than a moment.
Damn Archie. Why did he even have to be at Mt. Chimney? Why was he trying so hard to stop him? Deep down Maxie knew the answer. Why that water loving asshole never left him alone. Because that sea fucker would do anything to make Maxie's life miserable. Anger bubbled inside of him like a volcano about to erupt. A Plinian type of eruption to be exact. Like he was going to explode in the most violent way possible. And he planned to take Archie down for good.
All those years ago why did he even appear. Even back then that fucker wouldn't just Let Maxie go. He wished they had never met… but he took that back for just a moment. If they hadn't met the first time, well let's just say Maxie would be dead. Maxie instead stuck to the thought that he wished he'd never ran into him again after Archie saved his life.
Though if Archie hadn't ran into him the first time, Maxie's life would definitely have been better. He still remembers that day. The feeling of the water around him… then the warm arms around him… Maxie smacked something off his desk as the memory wouldn't leave his head. The whole event tingling his skin as he remembered it all. No matter how hard he tried to push it back the memory persisted. Nothing would let him forget those days. The days he longed to be lost in a sea of past traumatic events.
Sinking back more into his chair, the Team Magma leader decided to embrace them. Closing his eyes and just letting it all run it's Course.
Maxie tossed his suitcase onto the bed. Dust flying up into the air, causing Maxie to cough. He waved one of his hands, trying to push some of the air away. Maxie's parents had forced him to stay with his Grandmother over the summer. It was of course his father's idea. Wanting to get rid of him as much as possible.
Maxie couldn't lie, however. It was better than spending every single day with his father. And he couldn't help but slightly enjoy his grandma's presence. Her house smelled of caramel candies and the sea.
The sea. That was one thing that Maxie wasn't excited about staying here for. His grandma lived right on one of the sea fronts. Water washing up on the shore and making the place look like a tourist hot spot. Attracting tons of younger people there for vacation and bringing in older folks who want to live up life before they die.
He specifically remembers his mother telling him the main reason he was being sent there was to take care of his grandma. The women was getting old and feeble, according to his mother. Though when he asked why she didn't come and take care of her his mother only scoffed. Saying she was the one with the job. Maxie had to admit she had a point there.
Now Maxie didn't feel like unpacking at the moment. Staring at the bag for a moment before he just headed downstairs.
"Aren't you hot sweetie?" Maxie heard the second he got downstairs, turning to see his grandma in the kitchen, working over her small stove.
Maxie nodded and chuckled as he walked over to her. Watching his head as the ceiling was low in some parts. Almost as if it was made perfectly for tiny old ladies. "Yeah, It's definitely a lot hotter here than at home."
It still struck Maxie as a little odd how hot it was down here. The air felt so much more heavier than at home. Sticking to his sweater and making it feel a lot thicker than normal.
His grandma let out a short chuckle before turning to face him. "Well it is a lot more humid here. I'll have to take you shopping to get some better clothes, sonny!"
Maxie chuckled softly before rubbing his neck. "Is it okay if I go explore outside grandma?"
His grandma paused at the question before she let out a soft laugh. "Of course you can! You don't have to ask little old me before you do everything! Just be home by dinner!"
Maxie chuckled before heading outside. Glancing around at the beach that was connected to the house. A few identical ones spread out, giving each a large amount of the beach to share amongst themselves. The thin red head paused before reaching for his belt, pulling off his one and only Pokeball from his belt and letting out his Numel. The small little guy happily bouncing towards Maxie. Maxie smiled as he softly petted his head.
Numel was his only friend. And at least the Pokemon seemed to be glad to see him. He smiled as he petted its head softly. "Stay here and watch over Grandma okay. I'm going for a walk." Numel let out a short protest but Maxie quickly responded. "Don't be like that. It's a beach, you wouldn't have fun here anyways."
Numel seemed to agree with this because it went back to sit at the front of the house without further protest. Maxie took this as a chance to get going. Pushing his glasses back and turning to walk down the beach.
While walking it seemed like it was impossible not to think to himself. Like the obvious fact that his parents really sent him here just to get rid of him. They were probably tired of seeing his face. Maxie would be irritated too if they had a looser of a son like him too. So he guesses he doesn't really blame them.
Dread seemed to wash over Maxie's insides as he continued to sit on it. The thought that he was slowly being abandoned was one so present in his mind it was seared into his brain. His parent seemed to always be trying to get rid of them. And not just them either. His peers had always avoided him. Finding him strange and hard to talk to and of course he'd had friends now and then but none of them felt like they were close… they were just there. People he talked to but didn't really know. So it was hard to call them friends even.
As Maxie felt the heaviness in his chest increase he found it harder to walk. Almost feeling a bit dizzy with it all. This was definitely the last thing he wanted at the moment. Not another spell of depression. Not here and not now. He just needed to find a place to relax… to take a deep breath and just think of something else. That's when a place in the distance caught his eye. An overhanging cliff. Looking out over the water and giving a nice view of the early afternoon sun. That seemed like a nice place to relax.
Maxie was filled with a small amount of energy. Enough to climb up the path to the top of the cliff. He noticed that near the base was a small house, which seemed different than the rest on the beach, as if it was made by someone else. He could also see Pokemon soar by him and over the cliff. The view was definitely going to be great once he got to the top.
When he finally got there he looked over the edge. But what he saw took his breath for a moment. Cutting it off and making the pit return into his gut. The water was so dark from here. It looked cold and…. And hungry. As if calling out to swallow anything it touched. It was… a lot. And Maxie didn't think this out as well as he should have. He never liked the sea. He still didn't. But right now… it… felt like… something.
Maxie couldn't pull away. He knew a part of him wanted to get closer. To see how hungry this ocean really was. It would solve a lot of problems. Fix the horrid feelings in his gut and end any prying thoughts he didn't need. It felt like an answer for a moment. Maxie knew he needed to pull away. He had been planning on pulling away but…
Suddenly he was falling. To this day Maxie wasn't sure if he'd jumped or fallen… all he remembered was falling down. Down into the cold water that filled every bit of him instantly. He felt like he was choking at first. His body struggling to find its way back to the surface. But Maxie didn't know how to swim. The salt in the water filling his lungs and mouth. Causing more distress as he tried to clench his mouth shut. But even that didn't seem to help.
It had felt like hours of struggling. Water compressing his chest. Like it was holding his limbs in place. Making it impossible for him to move. As if his arms were tied down. But as his muscles became sore, he gave up. The darker half of his mind taking over again. This was it. Everything slowly got darker. The cold of the water slipping all over him. Making the tips of his fingers numb. Soon distance seemed to close in as the darkness of the water seemed to get closer. As if some inky substance was spreading through the dark area. It seemed as if it would swallow him whole.
Suddenly Maxie felt something thick wrap around his waist. He was to tired to panic, too exhausted to fight back. So he let it. Maybe it was some Pokemon that was going to drag him deeper. Maybe it was his imagination before the darkness took over. But before he really could pick up what was going on the area around him got lighter. Looking up he could see the sun hitting the top of the water, sending a spray of light onto Maxie below. Whatever had him it was pulling him back towards the surface.
Memories were hazy at this part. Nothing really coming into focus until he was being carried. Back on the beach in a pair of strange arms. He was on the sand in no time. He could barely remember the gritty feeling of it against the back of his neck and in his hair. Sticking to everything due to it's current wet state. He could feel the pressure on his chest. Something forcing water back up from his mouth. And after another fuzzy moment consciousness returned. The memories no longer fuzzy. Coming in with a clear picture. A then unfamiliar face was looking down at him with a grin. A big goofy grin.
"Good, you're breathing again." The voice was deep, though it seemed to crack and break occasionally. "I have to say you really don't know how to go cliff diving. For one you really shouldn't wear a sweater. Especially a wool one."
Maxie coughed and kind of ignored him. He didn't know what the hell this guy was talking about. His mind still catching up with the fact he wasn't going to now trying to figure out what cliff diving was.
"i'm glad I saw you walk past the house." the darker skin manned continued, patting Maxie on the back at this point. "Otherwise you might have died."
"No kidding." Maxie remarked. It had to come off as cold. Obviously he had been trying to stay cut off. but for some reason it didn't deter the guy.
"I can get you home if you want." The man offered. Moving to help Maxie to his feet. "Just tell me which direction you live or with who and I'm pretty sure I can figure it out."
"I'm staying with my grandmother…. her name's Murian."
The guy let out a loud laugh. One that scared the hell out of Maxie. "I know exactly where that is! You must be Maxie. I run errands for Murian sometimes. She's a sweet old lady."
Maxie scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Yeah I guess." Maxie followed Archie as he began to lead him home. The two walking back down the beach.
"I know your name so I guess it's pretty rude if you don't know mine." The guy just kept talking. Maxie couldn't really think of why he wouldn't just shut up. Why was he even talking to him. Why the hell would some random stranger have saved him. "
"So what's your name?" Maxie muttered, cutting the man off just as he was about to go on. the guy only chuckled though. Obviously not finding the rude gesture very, well, rude.
"Archie." He finally answered with a grin so goofy thinking about it now made him sick. And what made Maxie feel more sick was remembering how the grin made him feel warm on the inside.
"Well Archie, it looks like I'm home." Maxie prompted as he headed back to his Grandma's front door.
"Yeah! You know, since you're new here you can always come and hang out with me." Archie prompted. Not taking anymore steps towards the house. The grin still in place on his face.
"I'll think about it." Maxie called back before going inside.
He'll think about it. Maxie ran his fingers through his hair. Why did he say that. More importantly why did he ever go back. He hadn't planned on it. But somehow he did end up back. He wish he hadn't ever seen that man again. Wished he'd stayed locked inside his grandmother's house like originally planned. But no, he had to go for that walk. He had to see if he'd find him again."
Maxie stood up to head down to his room. There was nothing else for him to do today. he felt frustrated and upset. Feeling an empty pit in his chest due to the memory taking hold in his brain. though letting it fade back into the distance was the best way to get past this. Maxie remembered how his Grandmother had freaked out at his water soaked clothes. Eventually laughing it off as silly little Maxie. You're supposed to swim in a bathing suit.
He remembered how he didn't tell his grandmother what had happened. Didn't tell her about Archie and definitely didn't tell her about how he almost drowned.
Back in his room it was warm. His bed made neatly with his thick blankets and comforters. Maxie laid upon it, taking a long, deep breath. He doubted that he would sleep well. Maybe a ruffled nap where he woke up every few hours just to roll around.
But tomorrow was important. Tomorrow they would try again. He was going to awaken Groudon and no one was going to stop him Especially not Archie. Next time would be different. Next time Archie would be the loser. Maxie swore to himself as he crawled under the blankets that next time Archie would be the one who looked like the fool.