Important note: This takes place in the game universe and, thus, is based solely on the game and how I interpreted Touya's personality. Due to this fact, he might not be portrayed as how others might have seen him, please understand that I have a right to see him differently.
Touya is the male player character, for those of you that know him by a different name. I chose this name to use as it seems more human than Black and I cannot stand his English name.
Please do not flame if you do not like the pairing or malexmale in general, as this is, obviously, what this fic revolves around.
I do not own Pokemon, it belongs to its respected creators.
XX
Darkness erased by the eliminating lights of the park's rides. The darkness still full of life as it smiled at me, mocking me, with its unchanged joy. Neon streamers that danced as if this was the only night in the world while people laughed under them. Holding hands and smiling as they entered the rides. The pavement littered with contents and the trash cans empty. Dealers called to the people, challenging them to take on their game to win some sort of prize. Everything and everyone was in motion; happy with a world that they did not know. The only stationary object was the person sitting on the bench beside the Ferris Wheel.
The lights of the park were blinded as the hours grew later and people began to vanish, yet, even as they dropped to a one digit number, the lights never stopped shining. Still they laughed and enjoyed their night even when their only company were the empty benches, trash cans, and rides that were standing still. Even when I, on that bench next to the Ferris Wheel, was the only remaining human being in there.
Not a thing was different and I knew it never would be. So...why did I still think that the world, and people, were capable of change? Why would a stationary ride change to reflect to the fall of a person that it never cared to know? How much of a fool was I to believe in the word "hero"? Though, if I said that I no longer cared, would it be an all-out lie? I never thought that I could miss someone so much that it would effect who I am this badly. They said that I was strong, but that was the most brutal lie of them all.
The soft, purple head of my Zorua rubbed against my chest as he tried desperately to gain my attention. I gazed at the Ferris Wheel, ignoring the small creature. Watching it just made me feel so much worse, but there was something that drew me to it. Were it and Zorua really the only memories that I had left of him?
Frustrated with my behavior, the purple fox sunk his teeth into my unsuspecting hand. Surprised, I quickly pulled my hand away from him as he growled loudly. Blood dripping down my pale hand from the teeth marks that he had left behind.
"Ow...Why did you do that?" I said as I examined my hand. It was a small wound, but I had to admit that it kind of hurt. It was more of the fact that my own Pokemon had actually bitten me than it was the wound. He would have never done this before, but he was becoming fed up with me and I could see it in the eyes as he glared back at me.
His only response was a small cry of displeasure. His taunting eyes mocked me as he challenged my newfound apathy, realizing far too late that his gaze only hurt me more. There was sorrow in his motions now as he climbed into my lap to lick at the hand that he had bitten.
"It's not your fault." I placed my hand on his head, acknowledging his concern for the first time. I knew that it hurt him, too, but for some reason I never put much thought into the reason for his suffering. Now I could see that he was missing someone just as badly as I was. At the rate this was falling, he would never get the chance to see his mother again.
The sound of a familiar pair of heels rang across the cement of the park's walkways, the footsteps becoming increasingly louder as they approached me and their owner's shadow cast over me. I could only guess at the look those blue eyes were giving me as I kept my own eyes fixed on Zorua. My attempts at avoidance were strikingly obvious, worsening the situation.
"Touya!" Came the hiss of her voice as she stomped the ground with one of her shoes. Lifting my head at the harsh sound, my eyes finally met hers and she had every intention to leave it that way. Annoyance laced through those stunning blue eyes and her posture reflected her anger. Standing as tall as she could make herself, with a hand on her hip, she loomed over me.
"Hi, Elesa," I said, making note not to sit up straight in fear of provoking her further. She really had every right to be angry with me, but I found myself wishing that she would just overlook the miniature train wreck that sat on her bench. Being the Nimbasa City gym leader and the owner of the amusement park, she could have kicked my sorry butt out sooner, but she was being merciful to me.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips, "You know, there are many different types of people in this world. Some are bond to disagree with you and you may end up getting hurt by them. It is really nothing to get this upset about." I was grateful that she had toned down the lecture to a few sentences, but it still meant the same thing. I knew what she was driving at, but my stupid ways had me wanting to prove her wrong.
"We weren't thatdifferent." I admit that probably should not have said that, but there was no way that I was going to let her win that easily. Yeah, I wanted to vomit and burry my head in shame, but being a teenager meant that you have to make someone's life difficult.
She leaned closer to me, putting her nose just inches away from mine. Her eyes glaring into mine, as her face showed clear signs of frustration with me. She looked as if she wanted to slap me. Here she was trying to help me and here I was simply trying to deny the truth that was so clearly written on my face.
"Now listen, Touya, when people are in trouble it is my responsibility to chime in and help them out. That goes for chosen heroes as well." Pulling her face away from mine as she finished that last part, making sure to get the point across to me. She stared me down as she waited for my reply.
"I can't even save one person. Where did Reshiram get the idea that I was a hero?" With one quick motion, her hand flashed across my face. Instinctively, my hand was drawn to where she had slapped me as my mind to tried to catch up to the moment, blinking a few times. It took me a few moments to come out of the shock of the action. I know that she was angry with me, but I never imagined that I could make her that mad. My eyes fixed on the ground, avoiding her gaze.
"I am not here to listen to you question the choices made by your Pokemon. I respected you as a trainer when you defeated, but you are no trainer now," She snapped, causing Zorua to recoil back in fright. "Besides, if you don't get going then N will have the better of you. Team Plasma's plans have been put into gear and there is no going back. Do you really want Pokemon and people to lose one another?" She added, lowering her voice after realizing that she had frightened Zorua and that I needed time to digest everything that she was saying.
I knew that she was right, but a part of me did not want to admit it. I had been ignoring the world as Team Plasma was convincing people to release their Pokemon. They had already gotten at least a quarter of the world's trainers to follow their role. I knew that it was my responsibility as Reshiram's hero to stop them, especially since I was all too aware of the secret motive behind their plans. Yet, I could not say the words out loud. Why? That was simple, I did not want to fight him. Somewhere and somehow, I still believe that he did not betray me.
"I know, Elesa." My voice sounded shaky and my eyes could not hold hers, making my words very weak. I did want to save the Pokemon and the world, but what people seemed to not realize that I am simply one person. I am only human and no different, or better, than any other person. Being Reshiram's chosen did not automatically make me invincible, even though that appeared to be the common belief. I didn't want to fight N either and, even if I did, I doubt that I would be able to ignore everything and defeat him.
"Fine, if it's the only way. Touya, I want to have a battle with you! Show me the confident trainer that battled me when you won your fourth badge! Beat me without Reshiram and prove that you are still that person!" Elesa declared. She really was something else, but there was no way that I was going to be able to weasel my way out of it. She would kick me out, or worse...she would go and find Cheren. He was the last person that I wanted to see right now. I feared what his reaction to my current self would be and he was always getting angry with me without the added drama.
"All right." I admit that was not too enthusiastic about having to battle an angered Gym Leader, but it was better than be dragged to my own demise. A smile lit across her face as she grabbed my hand and forcefully yanked me onto my feet. I could tell that she was not going to go easy on me. In fact, by the look in her eyes, it seemed she intended to make this as difficult for me as possible.
Elesa wasted no time at all as she called out Emolga before I was given a chance to stand up. A sigh escaped my lips as I stood up, attempting to keep up with the pace that she had set. She seemed too into the idea of batting for how late it was.
"Serperior..." I stated as I tossed her pokeball in to the air. A flash of light exploded from the ball as the snake-like creature emerged from her Pokeball. Her eyes quite clearly displayed her annoyance at being dragged out so late at night. A small hiss escaped her mouth as she spotted the Emolga, remembering the annoying creature from our gym battle some time ago.
"Emolga, use volt switch!" Elesa called to her Pokemon, who eagerly responded to its trainer's command with a small cry. The pokemon's body sped at Serperior, bursting into light as it rammed into her before returning to its pokeball to allow a second Emolga to take its place.
Serperior far out leveled Elesa's Pokemon, almost making the battle pointless. She couldn't prove a point by simply fighting this way. It would take her almost the entire night to even start to phase Serperior, who was more annoyed by the Pokemon running away than she was about being hit. Serperior disliked Elesa's battling style, as it drove her crazy, but she was gym leader for a reason. After all, Elesa was no push over, especially to trainers that battled her for a gym badge. She keeps her battles at a fast pace to keep newer trainers from getting confident in the battle. It worked, too.
"Serperior, use-" I was cut off as something ran right into me, knocking me to the ground. Glancing around I tried to locate whatever had ran into me, but she was already racing towards Elesa. She was barely able to stop herself from plowing into her as she stuttered out a series of unrecognizable words to the gym leader. Her hands and arms were flailing left and right as she attempted to get the words out.
Sighing a bit, I got off of the ground. Bianca had a bad habit of not only ignoring her surroundings, but of also being a bit unreliable. Even though I have known her for years, she still managed to take me by surprise. I doubted that she even knew that I was the one that she had ran into. Knowing her, she probably thought that she had hit a bench.
"Bianca, what's wrong?" I asked, quickly forgiving her for running into me. It was not unusual to see her in such a state as she tended to act out when anything remotely bad happens. Then again, she almost had heart attack when she picked a flower, but that was when we were kids.
"Touya...! Team Plasma! Cheren's in trouble...!" Was about all that she said that was coherent enough for me to understand, but it was all that I needed. Before waiting for Elesa's reply, I started running. Zorua and Serperior chased after me as Elesa followed with Bianca not far behind her. My mind was telling me not to get involved with Team Plasma again, but my body was moving on its own. I could not deny the fact that I wanted to see him...to save him, even though I knew that it would only end up hurting me more.
My pace died as I allowed my thoughts to take the lead. Cheren would be fine without me, and his pride would never allow him to ask for my help. He was still angry with me - in fact, he might even hate me. I had been avoiding him, in fear of a fight, for so long that I could barely remember his words that day. Everything was already broken, so why did I feel the need to try to fix what I had broken? My feet stopped.
"Touya, hurry!" Elesa shouted as she passed me, never looking back to see if I was still running. Bianca followed close after her as Zorua and Serperior waited beside me. Their eyes were transfixed on me as I stared at the ground. My thoughts poisoning me with each and every new idea. Their negativity engulfing me with flames that felt like the intensity of a thousand burning knives. Their words were a dull knife that was held by...
"Zo! Zorua! Ra!" Zorua cried as loudly as his small body would allow. My attention was stolen from my thoughts and brought to the Pokemon at my side. His tiny body shook with fear, but his eyes gleamed with fire. A low growl came from his throat as he rammed his head into my legs in an attempt to push me. He continuously tired to force me forward, but he was too weak to even move me an inch.
Serperior's eyes glared at me like daggers. Her body was still as she waited for me, having faith in me that I did not have myself. Her whole form simply anticipated my next movement. Her patience was strung with disappointment as she watched the smaller Pokemon's attempts to move me.
My selfishness was broken when I heard someone scream, though the voice was unknown to me. At that point, I knew that I had let Team Plasma go too far. It was my responsibility to stop them...to stop N. As much as I disliked the idea of having to fight him, I had clearly run out of options. N had betrayed me and I needed to get that into my head before it was too late.
Glancing down at Zorua, I let a weak smile come across my face. A yip of pleasure came from his mouth as he jumped onto my shoulders, rubbing his face against mine. His eyes were burning with a will to fight that well surpassed my own, even though he could be forced to fight his very mother. "Serperior, return!" I called as pointed her Pokeball at her. A pleased grin came across her face as she retreated to her Pokeball and I began to run towards the city.