Charicific Valley, 84 days before Ecruteak
Arcanine's speed had improved, and Lucario's Close Combat had also gotten better. Following closely in results were Pidgeot and Eevee. Leavanny was in her usual place on the sidelines watching attentively for any wounds.
It had been like this the moment he stepped into the valley. Jaret and Viola had been carried here by Juliet's Charizard, the one she called "Casanova". Her Charizard was nothing to worry about in his eyes. What actually really bothered Jaret was the fact that he had slipped. Pidgeot was more than capable of dealing with Casanova. In fact, both he and Pidgeot had gone to work, detailing a method to dismantle the dragon. He had only pulled his punches because Casanova had Viola in his claws. Blast Burn at Casanova's level was potent, but still not nearly as bad as he had seen it.
On the other hand, was that mysterious "Ryuu". From the moment Jaret had seen him, he knew the man was stronger. Stronger than any trainer he had ever met. Well, barring Sinnoh's Cynthia. Seeing Ryuu's Salamence clash head-on with Dragonite and hold his ground was something that was very rare and impressive. The battle over Violet City often echoed in Jaret's mind, and had been especially prevalent lately.
The thing was, was that Ryuu didn't even seem fazed.
It made Jaret wonder about Virgil last year. Was this what Virgil had been feeling when Jaret wiped him out? And the sweep was broadcasted publicly at that. It hadn't occurred to Jaret how hard Virgil must've worked only to be swept aside so effortlessly. Jaret wouldn't know. It hadn't happened to him.
At least, not until Ryuu anyway.
The fight had ended in a stalemate, but Jaret had known better. Had Ryuu actually battled him, then Jaret would have ended up exactly as Virgil had. It finally clicked to Jaret that perhaps that was why Virgil was so bitter, especially with him. The thought of having gone no where both irritated and terrified Jaret. But this feeling was nothing training couldn't fix, right?
"You're at it again, Jaret…" Jaret turned, and found Viola standing a little ways from him, staring. "It's not a good idea to work your Pokemon so hard."
"No," came Jaret's short reply. "But they're fine for the time being. This session isn't nearly as long as the rest."
"Jaret, you've been at this—"
"Since we got here. I know, Viola." He paused, realizing that he had said that a little more sharply than intended. Jaret turned to apologize, but the expression Viola returned to him was unperturbed, and unmoving. Perhaps even a little austere.
"Jaret, I know that you're a nice person." Her voice softened a little. "I can already tell that something is bothering you." Jaret felt hos breath hitch.
"You think so?"
"I know so. I've even said something to Virgil about it." Jaret tensed guiltily, relaxing seconds after with a sigh.
"I wouldn't believe you if I hadn't heard the guy call me a 'friend'." Jaret took a deep breath and his voice came out steady "You must've seen me look at you in Violet City."
"More than once," Viola added. " And in the two days we've known each other, I've learned that you are not tense like this." Jaret frowned. "You seem like you're usually more laid back." She already knew, Jaret figured, and he let out an unconvincing chuckle.
"I know you know why."
"It's Ryuu."
"It is," Jaret conceded. "He's just…on a completely different level."
"And you can't stand it?" Jaret shook his head. "It's not that," Virgil came to mind. "It's just that I've never been beaten so thoroughly…"
"But he didn't beat you," Viola corrected. "It was a stalemate wasn't it?" Jaret nodded then.
"Yeah it was, but his Salamence could've razed the entire city if he wanted too…But Ryuu and Sagark both pulled their punches to get a good read on me, and I fell for it…" Jaret felt himself growing more irritated by the minute. "I should've known that me and Arcanine didn't fool that Blaziken." Jaret growled under his breath. "Shinobu took the loss by choice! And Ryuu wasn't even fazed by it!" All of Jaret's Pokemon stopped to stare, and only Arcanine came to comfort his trainer; Viola also placed a comforting hand on hos shoulder.
"Jaret, it was your first experience with someone that strong, and you weren't beaten. Think of this as testing him, just like how he had been testing you." Viola felt Jaret relax a little. "You should rest," she continued. Jaret fixed her with a hard stare, a sentiments that Viola returned unflinching. Jaret's expression was plain, though Viola could feel the emotion frothing just beneath the surface. Jaret sighed finally.
"Yeah, okay…" And Viola watched as Jaret called all of his Pokemon back to their balls, turning to stare at her again. And again, Viola held firm. They each stared for what seemed to be ages.
"What is it," Viola quipped. Jaret flashed her a genuine smile.
"Just…thanks…I really appreciate it." Viola suddenly felt Jaret's larger hands clasping around hers. "I can tell that you're a good person too, and I'm going to have your back like how you've had mine today." He was beaming now, Viola noticed. "So…thanks…" Jaret was just as suddenly gone and heading back to the cabins. Viola watched him go, sitting behind for a moment before following. His smile had been jovial, friendly and genuine. But still, Viola couldn't help but feel something was so horribly wrong.