AN: Chapter 9 has arrived my Pokémon loving friends! Just to let you know I went based on the contest in the games, not the anime despite the anime contest are way better! Moving on! I hope you all like it!
Disclaimer: I don't own any Pokémon related material!
Chapter 9
Aki was now on her way to Hearthome City. She rented a bicycle from the shop which would be returned at the end. It was nice not to walk and allow the wind in her hair. It was relaxing and made her miss her own bike. She thought it was cute with a small basket in the front. Pachirisu enjoyed it too as Murkrow who flew beside her. She met up with a couple trainers who were looking off the side down below.
"Hey!" one called out to her.
She put on the breaks before she answered, "Me? What?"
"Are planning to go to cave?"
"No, not planning on it, why?" Aki asked.
"I hear there is this monster of a Pokémon in there! No one has ever seen it as it faints them before they get it chance to see it!" he explained.
Aki wondered if he was trying to tell her a scary story with the way he told her. He didn't realize that he made her want to want to go inside the cave. A Pokémon that was strong and that no trainer knew what it was. What a discovery! However, Aki wasn't dumb as she would wait until her Pokémon were stronger before she would even venture inside the cave. She knew that Pachirisu agreed as she could feel the electric type shake through the handle bars. Pachirisu was a little coward sometimes anyway. She left the boy to continue to stare at the cave as she kept riding.
Aki reached Mt. Cornet by nightfall. She decided she'd rest there for the night. It would be dangerous to travel without stopping. She would reach Hearthome sometime tomorrow. She wasn't in any hurry. The gym would still be there. She set up camp and let her Pokémon out. They eat in silence as the fire crackled.
Snap.
Everyone's head turned toward a bush where a tall man with navy blue hair came out. He had a stony face and looked mean. He was tall and from what Aki could tell about him, he towered over her. All her Pokémon rose to their feet or flew high enough and got into some battle stance in case the man posed a threat to them.
"I mean you no harm…" he said raising one hand. "Mt. Cornet is a beautiful place, is it not?"
"Sure, I guess…" Aki answered warily of him. This guy was kind of creepy.
"Humans do not appreciate the world they have been given. I wonder what it would be like if a perfect world existed under the rule of its true leader…" he voiced. Aki wasn't sure who he was talking to. Was he talking to her, the Pokémon, himself, or no one? She thought about what he said though.
"The world can never perfect…" Aki answered.
"You speak too closed minded," he replied.
"No, the world isn't perfect because of what goes on in it. Nature, whether it is applied to the world, people, or Pokémon makes the world imperfect. However, that is what makes the world so beautiful," Aki explained her answer that she thought was pretty open minded. She wasn't a person to be convinced of something that wasn't her own view.
"You'll see what I mean…you just need someone to point you in the right direction," he said as he turned and walked away.
"That was…odd," Aki voiced after the man was out of ear shot. "Let's never run into him again…"
Her Pokémon nodded in agreement. They were ready to attack him on command or even no command. If he tried anything like kidnapping they would be on him like Poffins. All of them were put off by them. If they ever saw him again they would keep a close eye on him. It seemed like he was trying to convince her of something, but they all knew their trainer couldn't be swayed easily. She had her own mind and set of ideals.
Aki was up early the next morning. She stood at a cliff she found and looked at the rising sun. It was a beautiful sight. Thoughts of all what happened last night ran through her mind. How could that man say that this world wasn't beautiful? To Aki the sunrise meant the start of a new day. The start of a new life. No one could rule over that. Aki wouldn't obey someone. She never listen to anyone…well except her mom, but that is entirely different context. She couldn't think of anyone who would agree with that ideal.
"Monferno…" a voice brought her out of her thoughts.
"Hey bud, I'm coming. We'll eat and then get going," Aki said walking back toward the camp.
Monferno looked as his trainer walked. He wondered what was going through her mind. The man they met last night seemed to have shook her up somehow. It was like with Draven. People kept entering Aki's life they seemed to make her question herself. He didn't want her to feel that way. None of them.
As Aki said they left about an hour later after eating. Aki said they might stop on the way to train a little for their gym battle. Buizel was happy about the idea of their next gym battle. He was up and it would finally be his time for his gym battle debut. He wouldn't let Aki or the team down. Everyone worked so hard for the Forest Badge, now he had to prove himself and make his stand with them.
Hearthome City was a big city. Much different than back at home and reminded Aki of Jubilife City. She visited once when she was little, but never explored. They didn't have time. Since she was on her own no one could tell her what to do. Their looked like so much to do, but the attractions were for a later time. Right now she needed to find the Pokémon Center and later the gym. She did train on the way and some of her Pokémon were in the process of learning new moves. She was happy for them as they all were excited. It was proof they were getting stronger.
"Bun Buneary!" Aki heard. She turned to see a Buneary coming at her. The little rabbit seemed excited to see her. She only knew one. The brown Pokémon leaped and landed on her shoulder. From the voice Aki could tell it was female. She rubbed against her and Aki began to wonder.
"Buneary?" Aki said in a voice like she knew this specific Buneary.
"Buneary!" she rejoiced like Aki had guessed correctly.
"Aki!"
Aki turned to see her mother. Aki was taken back that her mother was in Hearthome City. She should be in Twinleaf Town worrying about her two children as they make their way through the Pokémon world.
"Mom?!" Aki shouted in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Since your brother and you aren't around I decided to come here to visit some family and friends. You do remember your aunt lives here right?" Vickie explained.
"I remember," Aki replied like she didn't want to. She was hoping to skip by unnoticed.
It wasn't that she wasn't happy about her mom being there, it was their aunt. Their aunt never really bonded with Aki and seemed to favor Draven more. Aki connected with their Uncle who sadly didn't live in the region anymore. Anyway, their aunt was a family woman, which Aki respected, and didn't really like female trainers. She was okay with their mother as she did contest which really didn't involve battling. It was cute to her. She liked Draven being a trainer as a man needs to protect his family. Aki never embraced that a woman should only be a mother. They had gotten into multiple arguments in the past about her future. Aki wanted to a trainer while she wanted her niece to become a baker or something. Aki knew that wasn't her future as she couldn't cook. Aki bet their aunt was livid to find out she was a trainer.
"Well, don't worry. We won't see her until tomorrow anyway. We have a more important matter to attend to," Vickie announced.
"What?" Aki asked.
"You'll see," Vickie told her youngest as she lead her toward the center. Aki sighed and followed along. It wasn't like she had much of a choice.
Aki gave her Pokémon to Nurse Joy who said she'd have them ready soon. Aki thanked her before going to her mother where she led them down the hall.
"Will you tell me why now?" Aki asked becoming a little impatient.
"In a minute…" the mother replied as she opened the door and let her daughter go in first.
Aki grunted and walked in. They weren't alone as another person was there. Sitting on one of the beds was Draven. Aki wanted to turn and run, but her mother was in the way. She could push her way out. However, she was sure she would get in trouble for being violent and leaving.
"Hey sis…" Draven said to greet his sister in an unamused way. He was being forced here too.
"This is intervention!" Aki turned and snapped to her mom. Barton probably told his mom which got to theirs. He always was a mama's boy.
"It is. I heard about your fight and this has to stop. You two are siblings and need to work this out…" Vickie started.
"But were rivals mom!" Aki interjected.
"That doesn't mean you should let interfere with your family ties." Vickie said a strong mother tone.
Aki turned her head and grumbled. Draven stayed quiet and Aki was kind of upset at him for that. Shouldn't he also be defending their rivalry? It didn't make sense. He was obsessed with beating her. Did he have a change of heart?
"Aren't you going to say something?" Aki snapped to her older brother.
"I've got nothing to say," Draven answered. He wasn't telling the whole truth or their mother are grilled him.
"What do you want us to do then?" Aki asked their mom. "The way I see it is this problem won't ever be fixed unless we stop being trainers."
"Or at least one of us," Draven muttered.
"What?" Aki snapped.
"You heard. Maybe just one of us has to. Considering that I'm older, it should be me who gets to keep going on their journey," Draven explained getting off the bed to stand in front of his sister.
"Considering you've lost to me I think it should be you," Aki retaliated.
"That was a fluke. Don't worry, I'll take care of your Pokémon," Draven suggested with a smirk.
"They'd never listen to you anyway. I'm surprised your own do," Aki objected.
"Stop!" Vickie yelled. "I don't know what to do with you two…" The siblings turned away from each other in defiance. The bantering was normal, but it was getting a little too personal. One of them would eventually say something they didn't mean and regret later. Vickie always had this problem with the two of them when they were younger, but she could never get them to stop. Their father just let them go at it saying it built personality and strength. She saw his point when the problem worked itself out and they were friends again. "I think it is best to let you work this out. You're capable teens and trainers thus you should do this without your mother forcing you. This is something you need to do for yourselves."
Both siblings knew it would come to this decision. It usually ended this way and worked out. However, both were having doubts about that. Neither of them wanted to give up this idea of being trainers. It was something they held in common. It would either take a while or never before they settled their differences.
"Aki, you're Pokémon are ready for pick up!" Nurse Joy's voice came over the intercom.
"I gotta go," Aki said seizing the chance to leave.
Vickie released a disappointed and frustrated sigh. She loved her kids, but they drove her up the wall. She looked to her son to see him deep in thought. She wondered what he could be thinking about. She also wondered why he couldn't let Aki ever have anything. He always took what he wanted.
"Draven, why do you do this to your sister?" Vickie asked. He looked to her, but didn't say a word. Even though she was his mother he didn't have to explain himself to her or anyone.
Aki walked through the halls to the front desk furious. She couldn't believe that just happened. She wanted to get her badge and get out of the city. She had planned to see the many attractions, but she didn't feel like it anymore. Perhaps there would be something in the next town to make up for it. She did know she had to compose herself before she saw anyone, especially her Pokémon. It was really none of their business.
"Thank you," Aki said to Nurse Joy as she took her partners back.
"Your welcome and come back anytime," the nurse replied with a happy smile.
Aki took a deep breath and walked outside. The sun was still shinning. She looked at her watch to see it was only two in the afternoon. She didn't expect to be in the city this early, but it made sense since she had an early start. They were on the road at seven this morning. She'd challenge the gym tomorrow. Now she needed her own time and her Pokémon would like the break.
Crash!
The sound of crashes and small explosions distracted her from her thoughts. She looked to see a brown, fox-looking Pokémon rush by. It was an Eevee. However, what caught her eye the most was a herd of Pokémon such as a Glameow, Stunky, Dustox, and others that rushed after the scared little Pokémon with a Team Galactic Grunts following behind. They were chasing the poor thing and heading for Amity Square. Many innocent people were there enjoying the park with their Pokémon. They would be in danger. Aki decided without second thought and rushed after them. As she ran after them someone else saw her go and followed.
AN: And we have chapter 9! I hope you have liked this! I might have 10 up this weekend since I'm not super busy. I have plenty of others to work on, but I'm, getting into this one a little more since I planned the next chapter out already. Anyway please review or whatever and I hope to see your views next time!
