An expression of horror had crossed the Umbreon's eyes as the Alolan Sandlash had charged forward, rigid hooked claws radiating with energy. It had only taken one more hit- just one to knock the dark type down; and this time, Fate had not struggled to her feet. X-Scissor was a truly powerful attack, even to a defensive pokemon like herself. However, the individual that felt the true horror was Fate's trainer. "Well... I guess that's it then..." It was as if her rapidly-hammering heart was hit one too many times and had shattered into a million fragments. A shaking hand clutched the Luxury Ball and returned the tired pokemon, and Ellie pried her eyes away from the battlefield to face her opponent. It was a thin girl just a bit shorter than her, fair skinned with charcoal black hair styled in a neat bob; it reminded Ellie of her cousin, who was Arceus-knows-where at the moment. A pair of smoky gray eyes shined enthusiastically, and the trainer couldn't help but cheer her Sandslash on for a job well done. "Yeah, that was great! Awesome job, Frosloo!" The trainer returned her own pokemon and stepped towards the center of the ring; Ellie had forced her lead-heavy legs to do the same. "That was a great battle! You almost won, so I can tell that you're a really great trainer!" She beamed and took Ellie's clammy hand, giving it an ecstatic shake before letting go and bidding her farewell.
Trudging down the stairs of the Alolan Pokemon League was one the most difficult things Elizabeth Crossdale had ever done.
No, it was not in her nature to be anything beyond mildly irritated over loosing a pokemon battle; losing was apart of the game, and it was just an inevitability that had to be faced. However, she couldn't help but let the disappointment take hold of her. She could even feel a few tears prick the corners of her eyes. However, Ellie kept her composure while exiting the building; there was still some dignity that she wanted to hold onto. It wasn't until she was halfway down Mount Lanakila did she feel the tears slide down her rosy cheeks, stinging more than the cold winds ever could. "I know there's no dishonor in losing... But dammit, I was too close... I was too close to finally achieving something in my life..." Her breathes were exhausted and ragged throughout her trip down to the summit, pulling on her neutral exterior once she felt the warm afternoon rays of the Alolan sun on her skin.
They were probably wondering how she had done, and were probably prepared to celebrate her victory; Ellie knew in the back of her mind that she wasn't ready to face her friends. She made one quick visit to the Pokemon Center to heal her team to fighting condition again, but exited as quickly as she entered- refusing to look at anyone. "What am I missing? I thought that after... Everything that happened, I'd be strong enough to become a Champion. But no, I guess not... I'm still broke, my home is falling apart and there's nothing that I can do about it." Another shaking breath escape her lips while the girl paused at the side of the Pokemon Center, hands clenched into tight and trembling fists. First the disappointment, and then the anger- the rage that rarely surfaced.
WHAM!
And then it was gone, like the switch had been flipped and the wrath she had felt was drained her from her body. Instead, she felt quite a bit of pain- hissing and cradling her right hand, which had just met the cement wall of the Pokemon Center; that would most definitely leave a bruise. "Why the fuck did I just do that..." Whatever. It was done with already. Done and over, and now it was time to take the ultimate walk of shame.
"I can't do this... I just can't do this..."
