Chapter 4 – CounterbalancedThe sharp smell of smoke. ... The door opens. ... Something's moving on the other side of the flames. ... Is there a way out? ... The air is so thick! Can't breathe! ... The fire is so close now, scorching hot! ...
It's so dark.
Wait.
There's light coming from under the door.
Fire! Fire!
Flames coming into the room!
Someone is screaming!
Open the window!
Open the window! Open the window!
Open the window! Open the window! Open the window!
She could see a small stripe of light through the trees, promising a beautiful sunrise later on.
Rubbing her face to shake off the sleep, she looked around to find where Zigzagoon had cried out from.
She could see Zigzagoon's striped coat. The Pokémon was leaning on Alex' chest, who was turning his head around in his sleep, caught in a nightmare.
Zigzagoon was frantically licking its owner's face, but without success: Alex struggled to free himself of the weight on his chest and mumbled something inaudible.
Yena kneeled down beside him, gasping as she felt Alex' forehead: he was glowing with fever.
The young man's breath was ragged and panicked.
She gently shook him.
"Alex. Alex, wake up!"
She waited a moment, then gave him another shake.
With a raw scream, he opened his eyes wide up. Zigzagoon jumped off when Alex rolled away from Yena, leaping to his feet.
Panting, he wildly turned his head, staring at the trees surrounding him.
"Alex. Calm down, it's okay. It was just a nightmare."
His dark eyes finally found her, and he breathed in deep.
"...Just a nightmare."
His voice was hardly audible.
His gaze strayed from her face to something behind her.
"You... You made... a campfire?"
Yena blinked, and turned her head to look around.
The fire she had made when Alex had just gone to sleep was burning steadily.
"I did. I worked on your Pokédex all day, and it was getting so co-…"
She stopped talking when she saw Alex' furious expression.
He clenched his fists, trying to contain his anger.
"Don't just make a fire like that. Ever."
"But Alex..."
"NO!"
He stamped past her, kicking dirt over the fire.
He wildly gestured at Zigzagoon, who was sitting down next to Yena.
"Zigzagoon! Help put it out!"
The Pokémon hopped over to the fire without hesitation, turned around and started digging, quickly burying the flames with dirt.
Alex stepped back to watch the fire go out, breathing heavily.
After the last cinders had died down, and the last warmth of the fire was taken away by the light morning breeze, Alex looked back at Yena.
She hadn't moved at all since he had yelled at her, and was simply staring at him.
Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, Alex awkwardly approached her, sitting down in front of her.
Zigzagoon lay down next to him, placing its head on its owner's leg.
"Ehm... I may have overreacted a little."
After a moment of silence, Yena leaned forward and placed her hand on Alex' forehead again.
Ignoring how Alex tried to back away from her hand, she said:
"That must've been one hell of a nightmare. You're not as warm as you were before."
Returning her hand to her lap, Yena studied Alex' face.
"Did you know I can't swim, Alex?"
Surprised by the sudden change of subject, Alex shook his head.
"How would I ever know such a thing?"
Yena nodded.
"You wouldn't, unless I told you. Or when I would fall in the water. I prefer the first method of letting you know."
Her blue eyes looked into his.
"Apparantely you want me to find out on my own, about you disliking fire like that. I was just trying to keep us warm, you know."
Alex backed away, getting back on his feet.
"You sound like my mom, talking like that."
He felt his own forehead.
"I'm fine. I always cool right back down afterwards."
Yena followed his example, standing up and shaking off the twigs and dirt off her clothes.
"I'm sorry to hear that you dream like that all the time, Alex."
"Ugh."
Alex rolled his eyes.
"See what you made me do! You've got me yapping about myself. Don't get used to it, miss.
That'll be the last you hear about me. I'll be gone right when we get to Striaton City."
A small smile formed on Yena's face.
"Make that Castelia City. I almost forgot about it, but look what I did, before I went to sleep!"
She ran over to her backpack, getting out Alex' bright yellow Pokédex. She clicked it open, routinely pressing a button.
The same metallic voice they had heard before from Yena's Pokédex, seemed loud as it spoke:
"This Pokédex is programmed by Professor Juniper for Pokémon Trainer Alex Zenouveau.
The function of this Pokédex is to provide Alex with information and advice regarding Pokémon and their training."Alex came closer, his eyes wide with surprise.
"You actually got it to say my name?"
He took the Pokédex from Yena's hands, looking puzzled.
"But... Zenouveau? Isn't that your last name?"
Yena's eyes twinkled as she grinned.
"Well, programming that thing isn't easy. I compared the data with my own Pokédex, and finally managed to find a way to change the first name. It was the best I could do. Looks like we'll be brother and sister from now on."
Alex closed the Pokédex, holding it close.
"I suppose I should punch you in the face for wriggling your way into my life like that."
He held out his fist, gently tapping her nose with it, causing her to giggle.
"Now that I got that out of my system...
I guess someone to confirm my identity, like a sister, isn't so bad."
Yena gave him a warm smile.
"And I will, if you need me to."
Alex backed away.
"Don't get all cute and cuddly now. I don't think we're the kind of brother and sister that hug all the time.
...In fact, I'm sure."
He turned around, and smoothly ran up to the tree where his bag was hanging, jumping and pulling himself up to the first branch.
From up in the tree, he called out to Yena.
"Let's have breakfast and get out of here, sis."
She laughed.
"Sounds good, bro. The sun is rising already anyway. Anything you'd like to eat?"
Having retrieved his bag, Alex jumped lightly from the lowest branch. Crouching down to scratch Zigzagoon on its head, he stated:
"Anything that isn't cooked over an open fire will do."
...
"Do you always keep Zigzagoon outside of his Pokéball?"
They had been making their way through the dense trees without talking much, Alex in front with a confident stride, and Yena somewhat behind, still struggling to place her feet right. Zigzagoon had been running back and forth, zigzagging routinely through the trees.
Alex looked around at Zigzagoon, causing the Pokémon to immediately come to his side.
"Only outside of towns and cities. Zigzagoon isn't a very common Pokémon, so he would attract more attention than I'd like."
Yena jumped over the roots of a tree.
"If Zigzagoon isn't a common Pokémon, how did you get him?"
Alex glanced back.
"Don't feel like telling you."
He gestured at Zigzagoon, who had strayed from his side again, and was currently chasing after a small group of Lillipup.
After he found they had fled far enough, the Pokémon turned around, happily hopping back to its owner.
"But he keeps me safe from wild Pokémon, as you can see."
Somewhat uncomfortable with the current subject, Alex slowed down a little, allowing Yena to catch up with him.
"Well? Aren't you going to tell me about your Pokémon? You were so keen on showing him off earlier.
Did you have your first Pokémon battle with him yet?"
Yena hand went to the Pokéball on her belt.
"I haven't, actually. I practised a bit with him on his Water Gun attack, but I'm afraid he's not very strong yet.
Won't you have a practice fight with me sometime, just to give Oshawott some experience in battling?"
"No." Alex' answer was short and simple.
"Zigzagoon would crush your precious little Pokémon."
For a while, they continued to quietly step over and on the tree roots.
He then breathed in deep.
"What I don't understand... If you can't swim, why did you choose a water Pokémon as your first Pokémon?"
"That's some personal info you're asking about, Alex. You sure you're interested?"
Her smirk annoyed him.
"Forget I asked, I really don't care."
He sped up, creating some distance between them, closely followed by Zigzagoon.
...
It was close to noon when they arrived at Accumula Town.
At the edge of town, Alex turned around to Zigzagoon, while reaching in his black, worn-out bag.
He got out a slightly unusual Pokéball – this one seemed to be slightly darker than a regular, bright red balls.
Alex held it out to Zigzagoon.
"We'll see eachother again soon."
A red beam of light shot from the Pokéball, causing Zigzagoon to return to its master.
Alex quickly returned the Pokéball to his bag, ignoring Yena's attempt to take a closer look at it.
He glared at the girl.
"I don't plan on staying here. I don't know what you want to do here, but make it quick."
Yena shrugged.
"That's fine with me. I've been here before, so I don't feel like exploring.
But I would like to call my parents from the Pokécenter, to let them know I got here safely."
"If you must. I'll be waiting around the edge of town. The town square is so open, I'll stand out."
Yena tugged his wide, sleeve-less shirt, noting it had some holes in it.
"We should get you some new clothes, that would solve that problem."
Alex stepped back, slapping away her hand.
"Stop that. Go call your parents already."
...
"...Bye mom, dad! I'll call you again when I get to Striaton City, okay?"
After hanging up the phone, Yena approached Nurse Joy, who was standing behind the Pokécenter's main desk.
The pink-haired lady gently smiled at her.
"Hello! Can I help you?"
Yena smiled back.
"I was just wondering if you could give my Oshawott a bit of freshening up, we have a journey ahead of us."
Nurse Joy nodded.
"Of course. It'll take about half an hour to get your Oshawott back to his full strength."
She took Oshawott's Pokéball from Yena's hands, smiled again, then turned around to get back to her duties.
Yena stepped back from the desk when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Hello, Yena! I see you've finally started your journey?"
Turning around, she discovered Professor Juniper, walking down the stairs leading up to the Pokécenter's top floor.
The tall, brown-haired woman was wearing her usual lab-coat, red earrings and matching red shoes.
Yena beamed at the female professor, giving her a quick hug.
She had known Professor Juniper since she was a toddler.
"Professor Juniper! It's so nice to see you!"
"How are you and Oshawott doing so far?"
Yena shrugged.
"Alright, I guess. Nothing much has happened since we left NuvemaTown. We haven't had our first battle yet, either."
Professor Juniper raised her eyebrows.
"Haven't had your first battle yet? Didn't you encounter any wild Pokémon on your way here?"
Yena shook her head.
"I didn't get to battle them. Zigzagoon chased them all away."
"Zigzagoon? Are you travelling with someone that has a Zigzagoon?"
Bright green eyes met her own wide blue ones.
Her heart seemed to beat in her throat when she realised that Zigzagoon had been spotted stealing Alex' yellow Pokédex.
She tried to keep her face straight, as she said:
"Ehm... I did... but it's just temporary, he just brought me to Accumula."
Professor Juniper's face seemed to be closer to hers now.
"And what is this person's name?"
Yena swallowed with difficulty. She couldn't lie to a family friend!
"A-... Alex."
Leaning back, as if this wasn't what she had expected, Professor Juniper leaned back, placing a hand on her hip.
"And could it be that Alex is still around?"
Praying that Alex was keeping himself hidden, Yena shrugged.
"I don't know."
Looking at Nurse Joy, working hard behind the main desk, Professor Juniper asked:
"How much longer will Oshawott take to recover energy, Yena?"
"Ehm... I guess about twenty-five more minutes."
Professor Juniper gave her a smile.
"Excellent! Then we'll be able to look for your new-found friend, right? I'd like to meet him."
Had Alex felt like this when she had manipulated him into travelling with her?
Yena felt terrible.
"I guess we could take a look outside."
...
Alex froze up when he saw them approach.
Yena could see his eyes going back and forth between Professor Juniper and her, and she knew he felt betrayed.
She was almost running, trying to keep up with Professor Juniper's hasty pace.
With long strides, Professor Juniper went straight for Alex.
Ignoring Yena's protests, the woman reached for him, grabbing Alex' arm near his shoulder.
Pulling him towards her, she stared into the breathless youth's eyes.
If Yena had expected Alex to struggle or swear, no such thing happened.
He fiercely stared back into the professor's eyes, but was standing perfectly still.
Professor Juniper pulled his arm again, turning him around, studying his appearance.
Her words completely caught Yena off-guard.
"What have you done to yourself, walking around looking like that?"
She shook Alex' arm when he looked away, making him focus on her.
"Well?"
When he refused to open his mouth, she continued, her expression softening.
"Why didn't you just come to me? You know I would do anything I could to help you."
Yena had been listening to the professor with open mouth.
"Professor Juniper? Have you and Alex met before?"
Professor Juniper glanced over at Yena.
"Yena, let me tell you a story. It's sad story, about a family, with a tragic end.
It starts with a father, a mother and two children."
"Enough already!"
Alex had finally spoken up. After a pause, he added:
"...I don't want her to know."
Professor Juniper studied his face.
"Looks like you're really trying to shake off your past... Alex."
Alex shook his arm lightly, trying to get her to loosen her grip on him.
"I don't need your help, you know."
"And so you rely on thievery, instead of kindness."
Alex shook off the black bag that was hanging from his other shoulder.
The bag fell on the ground with a thump. He gestured at it.
"Well. There you have it. Take back the damn thing."
Yena's voice sounded desperate as she interruped them.
"Please, professor. Let him keep his Pokédex. I think he's a great trainer.
I don't know what happened to him, but he's really kind to his Pokémon, and Zigzagoon obeys him so well."
Professor Juniper slightly loosened her grip.
"Looks like you managed to make a friend, Alex."
She looked to Yena, then back at Alex.
"I've known Yena for a long time, and she has shown some great social skills while growing up.
Maybe you can learn a thing or two from her."
Alex sighed and rolled his eyes, getting tired of being in this powerless position.
"...But I'll tell you what, Alex. I'll give you a chance to earn your Pokédex."
Alex' dark eyes looked up to her face.
"How?"
Professor Juniper grinned.
"Defeat me in battle."