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A Promise Worth Keeping - Chapter 9 Protect the people
"Wherever you go, I'll follow... I promise." A promise has been made. Now our unlikely hero has to just figure out a way to make sure he sticks to it. But with an alcoholic mother, and an overdeveloped sense of honor... well let's just say it's not easy
#-#
"YENA!" Pistachio just had to do that! Jeez, ever since she evolved it's like she enjoys messing with others. Well, so long as she knows what she's supposed to do then it's fine.
"We want to capture this one, so be nice." I warned her. She nodded, I think, already moving in for the kill. The poor Chingeling was on the verge of freaking out, I can tell. It was running around like the devil was on its tail, and each time it moved it emitted a sound sounding like its name.
I want to laugh, but the situation is too serious for that. So instead I focus. Pistachio is good at corralling the Pokémon back to the battle, so I knew for a fact that it wasn't getting away. Still, it was interesting to see the least.
My momentary lapse in attention made me miss the action, but Pistachio standing over a clearly knocked out Chingling let me know that it was my turn to work. I tossed a Heal Ball, still not really paying too much attention. Behind me Amber was manhandling a few Noctowls, not sure why they thought ganging up on her was smart. Not sure I care either.
Still, what did I really expect to encounter, training in the middle of the night. I can barely see any actual detail for more than ten meters in any direction! But it's the perfect time for training canines to use senses other than sight. Which is why Caramel is taking on her fifth Machop for the night.
I've been teaching her anti-fighting-type tactics to make sure that Ginny will never have to worry about them. Ever. If there's anything in this world that matters to me, it's Ginny. Keeping her safe, making her feel safe... that's all I'll ever care about.
Picking up the Heal Ball and entering it into my Dex, I click yes for the nickname and type it in: M-A-I-Z-E. What? It's a yellow, just like Chingling's body! I would have called him Gold, but that's just silly. And Gold was already taken... but I'm not talking about that.
"Spoink?" And this is why I need to keep defending what my thoughts are all about. Well, at least I know that Ginny won't become suicidal without me getting a heads up.
Hmm, maybe I can talk to Marion about teaching Gumball some techniques to help Ginny cope better during an episode? Worth asking. Don't get me wrong, not having an episode would be nice, but she's not always going to have the choice.
Anyway, better round up the troops and see how everyone's doing. Mint had run off after something, so he's got me the most worried at the moment. Pistachio and Caramel were recalled to their balls, and Amber looked like she was ready to drop from exhaustion. Well, she did good, so she can go back into her ball as well. Well, that's the whole team I had out, so I ran off looking for Mint.
When... when I ran into Mint, and I saw what he was facing... I wished to Arceus I hadn't headed out. "Gol? Golduck?" I was face to face with a Golduck. Female too boot. Flashbacks of swimming and diving with Electra slapped me upside the head before I had half a hope of fighting it back.
Shaking the memories off me for the moment, I took in the scene. They weren't fighting at all. Mint was showing the wild Golduck how to skunk? What has Ginny been teaching you? "Odd odd odd o~odddd iiishhhh..." Turn your lights down low... That was how Bob Marley had sung it, Lauren Hill put a bit more soul into her part. I shook my head.
"Gol gol gol go~ollll duuuuck..." I lost it after that. I grabbed my sides, trying to ease the pain from how hard I was laughing, wondering what in the holy hell was up with these two. An odd Oddish I could deal with, really I could. But a quirky Golduck being thrown into the mix? It was just too much for me.
"Odd?" Mint nudged my leg trying to get my attention. I knew what he wanted, I really did. But he'd just have to let me get this laugh outta my system! Too bad Golduck wasn't that patient.
I felt myself being lifted by a psychic attack – well, not 'attack', more like a move. Probably Confusion, since it wasn't that powerful. I hovered in the air for a moment, before being put down on my feet. My eyes shot to the duck pokemon, wondering what she wanted.
Her eyes glowed red, obviously trying to make a psychic link with someone. Golducks may be capable of using psychic attacks, but they are far from proficient with them. "Why do you train a pokemon that isn't your own?" Her voice was looping over itself, another clear sign she wasn't very good at wielding her powers.
Instead of answering, I walked up to her and held out my hand – my fingers grouped like I was doing the 'trekkie hands'. Yeah, pinkie and ring finger pressed together. Middle and index fingers together and thumb apart. Golducks only have three fingers, so this is the only way to make this easier on her.
She looked at me, shock plain in her eyes. She hadn't expected me to do that… and she knew what it was for. Unsure as she felt, she still placed her hand against mine – her left against my right.
Once she calmed down a bit, I did something I didn't like doing: I thought about Electra. About the first time we went diving together. I had almost drowned, not really knowing my own limits, but she grabbed my leg and dragged me back to the surface. She even used Confusion to guide the water out of my lungs. Without a doubt I would have died had she not been there.
Then I thought about the night she was murdered. The crazed look in Misty's eyes – apparently she thought I had drunk off her last bottle of Gin. She slapped me, kicked me… long story short, Electra forced her back telling me to run. She'd always been so protective of me. She grabbed Beige's ball from my jacket, calling him out to help her – she said her goal was to keep me safe.
Misty went nuts after that. I hadn't known how strong she was until she started forcing both pokemon beyond their limits. Only, I was frozen in place. I couldn't run, I could barely breathe.
"RUN!" Electra begged, tears in her eyes. When I still didn't move, she picked me up and tossed me through the door with her powers. Before I lost sight of her, I saw Misty use that moment to her advantage – one swift motion later and the tip of the golf club ripped through Electra's skull. Somehow there was enough momentum in the swing left to snap Beige's neck as well. Substance abusers seem to find a demonic strength when they go berserk.
Without Electra to guide my escape, all I had left was the speed I was shot off at. I landed in the neighbor's driveway, nearly twenty meters further up. I knew almost immediately my arm was broken – seeing the bone kinda tipped me off. And yes, I was in pain. But the pain in my heart was ten times worse.
Golduck pulled back her hand like she'd been burned. "That's why I can't take you with me." I recalled Mint to his ball, walking off. I didn't even wipe away my tears – Electra deserves as much.
#-#
I woke up the next morning. Wasn't in the mood to do much of anything if I had to be honest. Still, there was much to do. I packed up my tent, started the fire again, put on a pot with water to boil, got out my rod to go fishing and headed down to the little pond.
It took me almost an hour to catch a Barbroach – leaving the nearly fifty Magicarp I caught in the meantime unconscious, but alive. Then I hightailed it back to the fire. Marion had already put on the rice – which was already done. So I shoved a long stick through the mouth of my catch and placed it near the fire. One that size would probably take about thirty minutes to cook clean through.
"Good morning, Haze." I waved to her, in lieu of actually saying something. It took me less than ten seconds to figure out that she wasn't going to just let me be. Yeah, it took me that long because I was ignoring her for the most part.
"Is something wrong?" She asked, after gleaming whatever she hoped to from just observing me. Gee, is something wrong? Hmm… that's a tough question. My girl freaked out on me, I'm not making quick enough progress and my two best brawlers are currently on leave.
"Nope. Everything's just peachy." I didn't even look up from the fire, wondering how long it'd take to get her off the trail.
"Well, when you're ready to talk…" I sigh at her words. Did I ever want to talk? About stuff, sure. But about things that bothered me? No. Never. Even Ginny would count herself blessed if I were to talk to her about those things.
"We head out in one hour. I hope you have everything you needed?" I wondered at that. Pistachio reached level twenty-eight – a proud Mightyena now. I caught the three pokémon-types I had selected for Ginny – two Eevees, an Igglybuff and a Rhyhorn. I briefly wonder if Ginny even knows she wants a Rhyhorn…
I caught a Chingeling (Jolly natured, but I planned on having him for a healer anyway), a dozen Tauros (Tauroses? Taurees? And why the hell are they even in Sinnoh?) and in upwards of thirty Miltanks. And that wasn't even counting the Chanseys I've been sending the Doc and Adam's way. Sure, I kept two of them for my own use (one docile, one jolly natured), but with all the pokemon I tossed their way I doubt they'll complain.
"We head South to Solaceon City. If we fly, we should make it there within the hour. But it's such lovely weather today, I thought we should walk." She's doing it again. She's trying to 'Haze her way out of it' – well, that's what Ginny calls it anyway. Whatever.
"Fine. Breakfast should be done soon anyway." I tell her, not really wanting to get deeper into it that I already was. Time will reveal who this woman truly is. And maybe a long walk with her will do just that.
#-#
So we walked. One hour flying at on or about a hundred and fifty kilometers an hour translates to… three days walking. Knowing Marion, she'll just say to hell with it by sundown and we'll fly the remainder of the way. In the mean time, she'll try to get me to open up to her a bit more.
Not like I plan on complaining right now. Walking on Route 210, with all the wild pokemon in their natural habitats… it had such a soothing effect on me. Maybe that was her goal? To help me to unwind a little before facing Ginny? If that is that case, then she's definitely on my good list – short as it is.
"Look, Ponyta!" Marion announces, pointing at something in the distance. Sure enough, when I look where she's pointing, there was a herd of Ponyta galloping. There were a few Rapidashes in the mix too, but more to the center of the herd. No idea where they were heading, but a herd of fifty galloping Ponyta was a sight to see.
"Gorgeous." I don't understand why I said it, but it mattered little. What's done is done.
"There's one of them lagging behind." She points out. Which I had noticed, but I wasn't exactly going to get involved in that one – because there were two staying behind, not one.
We continue walking. She's pointing out flowers, or clouds that remind her of something. Every once in a while she'll point out a pokemon that might catch her eye. It was… different. Weird.
She never once asked me to do something – well, nothing not within reason. She never once raised a hand to me, or even hinted that she was tempted to do so. She isn't chatty – not really. She says things that she feels are interesting, or just feels like saying.
This woman is… different. She doesn't fit into any category I'd ever experienced where women are concerned. Well, other than Mrs Harrison… she had always been in class of her own. I still couldn't think of her as 'mom', but that would come with time.
Weird… I can't say if I was thinking about mrs Harrison, or Marion…
Anyway, moot point. "I think we have a Scyther fighting a Zangoose. Who do you think will win?" Marion asks, pointing over to her right. Looking at the scene… well it wasn't hard to tell the Scyther was currently winning, but the Zangoose would win in the long run. As I voice my thoughts, I only get a confused narrowing of her eyes.
"Yes, the Scyther is winning now. But Zangoose are notorious for winning against impossible odds." Just as the words leave my mouth, the Zangoose uses Revenge (I guess) and knocks the Scyther out. "There, you see."
She goes silent on me, taking in the scene as it plays out. The Zangoose looks around, seemingly to sniff out any competition. Shit, this is meal time, not just a battle. "SSSE-VIPER!" I call out, trying to egg the Zangoose to do something other than take a bite.
The change is immediate – an age old rivalry takes precedence over any single meal. Without thinking, the Zangoose takes off after me, closing the gap quicker than I had planned for.
I shove Marion out of the way and dash forward to meet the Zangoose. It comes in with a Slash, trying to give me a new hole to breathe from. I duck under the diagonal slash and then jump up with a headbutt to its chin. With the left over momentum, I launch my knee into its solar plexus and quickly amble back to avoid any counterattack it could think of.
"HAZE!" Marion is at my side before I can even check if the foe is still fighting. With my right arm, I move her behind me. I place myself as a human wall between her and… nope, nevermind. That sucker is counting Starmie. "Have you completely lost your mind?!"
Yeah, this is something more familiar. "Risking your life for a pokemon you've never even met?! Is that what you want to do to Ginny?! To have her lose you over something that happens in nature every day?!" Fuck… that I wasn't expecting.
I take a deep breath, trying to come up with some sort of response… only to find I have no idea what to say. Well, that's a first. I shake it off, walking over to the Scyther to check how it's doing – the Zangoose will live, I know that for a fact.
The closer I come to the downed Mantis Pokémon, the clearer it becomes that I really did save his life – and yes, the smaller abdomen show it's a 'him'. There are cracks scattered all over his exoskeleton. And the three small points that decorate his head, well one of them broke off and is bleeding pretty badly. Yea, green blood for everyone!
Instead of going through all the hassle of staunching the bleeding and disinfecting all the cracks, I toss a Heal Ball (one of mine – I keep Ginny's Heal Balls in my pants pocket to keep them separate) at him. Fuck it, he'll help me make it up to Ginny… somehow.
At any rate, I enter the Heal Ball into my dex, click yes on the nickname and enter 'Mantis'. Well, I find it fits. Mantis is the species type of a Scyther and it's a shade of green – a pale green much like your average Scyther.
Once that is done, the ball teleports itself to the greenhouse back in Twin Leaf. I'll be calling on that little fucker soon enough, but for now he needs to rest. Hmm, he might just be my trump card against what's her face… why can I never remember that fighter chick gym leader's name?
Well, once we reach Solaceon City, I'll be changing my line-up. Now, who else would do well against fighting-types?
#-#
Walking. Still walking. Not done walking yet! Jeez, I can't wait to get my own flyer, because this is bullshit! The sun is still high in the sky, but Marion hasn't said a word to me since the whole 'Mantis incident'.
Not that I blame her for it – no one knows how to deal with me half the time, and only Dad and Ginny know the other half. Well, whatever. Not a whole lot invested in the relationship anyway, so I'm not losing much.
Who walks for eight straight hours anymore? There are at least fifty Pokémon I can name right now that were practically designed to carry its trainer so that he doesn't have to walk! Jeez! Talk about old school!
Look, it doesn't matter. I've survived worse than this. I'll survive this too. Idly, I go over the Pokémon currently in my care. There's Pistachio (Mightyena, level twenty-eight), Gumball (Spoink, level twenty-two), Mint (Oddish, level twenty), Caramel (Growlithe, level sixteen, need to pay more attention to her), Amber (Pichu, level sixteen), Angel (Snorunt, level nineteen… this is just sad), Bronze (Swinub, level thirty), and last but not least is Aqua (Finneon, level twenty-eight).
Really, I should be proud of my team, and hers. I should… but I still don't feel it's enough. Well, I'll need to give them a few days to rest – don't want them to burn out now do I?
Hmm… if I teach Bronze to use AncientPower, then I'll at least have a ride. It is the perquisite for him evolving into a Mamoswine after all… I'll have to look into the theory how to go about that. Yes, he does have Thick Fat, so that is good at least – meaning that Fire is not going to be the death of him.
As if on cue with those exact thoughts, I see… the most gorgeous sight I'd ever laid my eyes on – other than seeing Ginny in her birthday suit. Seriously, there will never be something I'd enjoy looking at more than Ginny in the buff. This sight though comes in second.
A Ponyta. Not just any Ponyta – gorgeous as they are. No, this is an albino Ponyta. The flames on its head, back, legs and its tail are all blue. A mix of blues really. Some parts are Electric Blue. Others are more Azure. And the darker parts are Midnight Blue. The parts that aren't covered in the surreal fire, show off a cream… fur? And its eyes are jet black.
I stare. Stare in awe and wonder. My mind continuously supplies details that I have no use for at the moment. Things like gender – male, it's hard to miss the big ol' penis sack hanging between his legs. Age – three years old, judging by his size. Nature – gentle. Things like how gracefully he runs – he loves running.
There are plenty of other things I notice as I study him. He's just a little happier when the sun is shining brightly – he frolics with less enthusiasm when the sun hides behind a cloud. Another thing I notice is that he's alone. That is not normal. Ponyta and Rapidash are always in a herd – usually numbering anywhere between four and forty.
I start making my way over to him, seeing this as the ideal chance to-
"Dash!" A Rapidash appears out of nowhere and tackles the Ponyta, knocking him to the ground. I was already to the point of knocking the teeth out of its mouth!
Taking one step forward, Marion grabs my arm shaking her head. She's worried, and I understand that… but the fact is that in most species albinos are unwelcome. What's worse… is that I can see the Ponyta struggling to get up, limping over and trying to nuzzle the Rapidash… likely his mother. I mean, why else would one of his peers be anywhere near him…
A freak like him…
"Go, Aqua!" I tossed the ball out, calling on my water type to deal with this quickly. Then I tossed out another ball, "Bronze!" Aqua could have dealt with the situation, but that would not satisfy me this time. This time, it's personal.
"Bronze, use Mud Bomb! Aqua, once he's done use Surf!" Marion grabs my arm a little tighter, trying to get my attention. Too bad nothing exists but this moment. Bronze hocks up a storm of huge spitballs of mud at Rapidash, pelting her right between the eyes (his aim is getting better). Just as she stumbles back – and still under fire – Aqua summons a tidal wave from nowhere and slams into her!
I should be pleased, but the only sensation I feel is anger. "Bronze, Tackle! Aqua, Pound!" The two of them charge at the foe, hitting her at the same time – one hitting into her shoulder, the other into her hip. The force, and the lack of balance, spins her around, as she takes a tumble in the ground.
The flames that usually lick at the air around her are all but extinguished – she's barely holding on to consciousness. I move to her, wanting to do this myself. Needing to do this myself.
"HAZE! She isn't Misty!" Marion grabs onto me from behind, trying to hold me back from whatever she thinks I'm going to do.
"No. She isn't." I agree readily. Still, the anger doesn't leave my system. Marion refuses to let me go, not fully realizing that I could just order Bronze or Aqua to finish the Rapidash off, if that was my intention.
"Ta…?" The Ponyta comes up to the battered Rapidash, nuzzling her to try offer some kind of comfort. Yeah, I recognize this scene. She's hurting, and he tries to offer exactly what he's been wanting. And what does he get?
"Dash!" She spurns her nose, refusing to even allow him that comfort. I grab a Luxury Ball and toss it at the Ponyta. He was bruised up enough from Rapidash's attack… but it was just as likely that he simply didn't want to be near her at the moment.
Pong! Shrugging out of Marion's grip – not exactly an easy thing to do – I go and grab the ball, entering it into my Dex. Then I enter 'Midnight' as nickname. The ball disappears in a red flash, teleporting to the Greenhouse.
I recall both of my Pokémon to their balls, after telling them how good a job they did and offering some berries. Then I turn to the Rapidash, not hiding an ounce of the fury raging within me. I reach into my bag, searching for the exact items I would need…
The whole time I'm glaring at this… thing before me. Wondering why a mother would care so little for her child. Wondering why said child is so preprogrammed to love that mother, heedless of the bitch she's been to him. And yet… I understand Midnight better than he's likely to ever know.
"He would have wanted you to have this." I drop some berries in front of Rapidash, walking off without another word.
#-#
We made it to Solaceon in record time after that. Marion no longer bothered to act as if she knew how to deal with me, and I really wasn't in the mood to explain. Of course, she made a point of telling me how proud she was of how I didn't kill Misty/Rapidash… not like I care.
She's on the phone with Dad, trying to figure out where we can meet up. I know Ginny's in the room with Jade, keeping an eye on her. The rest is all static right now. I really have no patience to think about or deal with anything. I just want to take a shower and go to bed.
"Ginny is at the outfitters, apparently drooling over something. Want to head over there?" Marion asks. I don't even spare her a glance, wondering why karma hates me. After opening my eyes again, I look around.
"Cowboy Outfitters and Co." I read the sign, knowing that that is where I need to go. I don't even wait on Marion to confirm, or follow.
The entrance is one of those swing open, double, glass doors. I'm welcomed by a Belle that is wearing way too short a skirt to ever be practical in this line of work – her job is to rope in the customers, I'm guessing. I blow her off and start looking around for Ginny.
Luckily silver hair isn't that common, so I find her quickly. Only… what I find her doing… "Ginny's gone country on me." I grumble. She's perusing the saddle selection the store has to offer. I never took her for that type…
"Haze?!" She turns to me, shock plainly written on her face. She wasn't expecting me so soon, I guess. Her shock slowly gives way to joy, and she glomps me. I'm not even sure what I feel right now. I know I am at ease that Ginny's in my arms again, but the… maelstrom of emotion from the Rapidash… and the Mantis episode… well, it's been a rough day.
"Hey," She withdraws from me slightly. "let's get outta here." You don't have to tell me that twice.
#-#
"So what's with the mood?" Gin asked the second we sat down. I wondered about that, wondered how I could possibly answer her. I mean, I could go into a lengthy explanation about what happened with Mantis, then with Midnight. I could tell her about Marion freaking out and how I just didn't know… how to… deal with her?
Whoa! What the fuck?! I don't know how to deal with her? Well, there's one for the books. But it's too true to deny. For the first time since man invented written language, I was completely clueless on how to deal with another person.
Sure, I was never any good at dealing with people. Fact. Sure, I was never any good at dealing with other's emotions. Another damn good fact. But I knew how to get through the day. I knew how to deal with the situation, because I would shrug them off like they didn't matter.
That put me into a topspin state of mind. I mean, if 'I don't know how to deal with Marion' directly translates to 'I don't want to ignore her'… then why don't I want to ignore her? Because she's important to Dad? That's bullshit to the highest degree. The more important they are to him, the more likely I am to tear into their personality and dissect under a microscope! So that isn't it…
What is 'it' then? What is this… lack of desire to nitpick at her personality and flaws until all that is left is a monster waiting to eat little children at night?
I couldn't even begin to answer that question… which sucks. And what the hell do I tell Ginny? That I can't figure out what to think of someone? Would she understand what that even means? "I can't seem to figure in which mental pigeonhole Marion fits." Stupid question, Ginny knows me better than anyone else alive – for the most part.
"..." She's studying me, not really saying anything. She's obviously surprised, but not unhappy with that. I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "So what do you think about her?"
"Dunno." I shrugged, wondering about that question myself. What do I think of Marion? Sure, she's cool, I guess. She's earned respect through her actions since meeting her. I'll even admit to her being a good influence on Dad. But… that still doesn't really say anything, now does it.
"Why don't we start where you think it went wrong?" This was going to go real bad, real quick. But she asked so...
#-#
After the update and a strange twist in conversational topic – I think she was just throwing me off to give me time to think – we hit the PokéMart. I ran out of Balls, and I have to stock up on PokéFood and berries and stuff. She's got Gumball mashed between her boobs again, lucky pig. "Spoink?" Yes, you. I pet Angel, just to show her how happy I am that she doesn't molest me, unlike some Pokémon.
"So you caught yourself a Ponyta." Ginny teases. "Maybe we should get you a saddle for him."
"That's the plan." I admit, waiting for her to start sputtering. Angel is wiggling around a bit, so I put her on the ground to not drop her accidently.
"Wha… Seriously?!" I roll my eyes. She's too easy to read sometimes.
"Yes, Ginny. Midnight isn't going to be trained for battling." Then a thought hits me. "Well, he will learn to defend himself it comes to that, but it won't be the main focus." Having corrected that, I focus on more important matters. "Anyway, I need to start focusing on the battle with what's-her-face."
"Maylene?" She seems nervous about that. Going into a Fighting type Gym to watch a fight between dad's fighting type pitted against a gym leader's? Yeah, she'll be taking in the sights that day.
We walk into the PokéMart, get the whole 'Howdy y'all!' from the cashier, ignore her and walk to the aisle that housed the PokéBalls I need. We enter the aisle I need and I start picking up some more Heal Balls, Pokéballs and some Dive Balls – we were going to be hitting the ocean soon.
"So who are you planning on taking with you?"
"Grey, Bone, Mantis." I answer easily. "The others are either weak to fighting, or not meant to fight in the first place."
"Sno?" Angel decides to put in her two cents. Since when is she excited about fighting?
"Sorry, Angel, but I doubt you'd enjoy fi…" Angel is holding something in her hands, something she just grabbed. I just stare at her for a long moment. Something… wonderful… amazing… and downright heart attack worthy wrapped up into a single package.
Angel had grabbed an item from a lady who happened to be in the same aisle as us. Only… Angel disappeared in a bright light. Her short, stubby hands were growing longer. The tip of her head smoothens, and two horns jut out diagonally from her temples. Her whole body seems to stretch, turning what some call baby fat, into a long lithe kimono wearing myth.
The light dies down, revealing a whole new Angel. Her once beady eyes are now soft and gentle. There is also an obi tied around her waist. I just stare at her. "Angel, where did you get that Dawn Stone?"
She's looking at that same little old lady, who seems to be looking for something in her bag. "Fros…?" She sounds confused, like she isn't sure what she even did wrong.
"Don't give me that! Angel, that's stealing!" She looks down and away, clearly sorry. I groan, deciding to deal with her sudden kleptomania later. I turn to the little old lady, wondering how in the hell I was going to deal with this…
"Now where did I put that thing?" She mumbles, obviously not even noticing the missing stone – worth ten-thousand PokéDollars, might I add.
"Ma'am, are you looking for your Dawn Stone?" Ginny butt in, obviously not trusting me to handle this situation. I roll my eyes, but remain silent.
"Why yes, dearie. I won it from that store that opened the other day." She explains, clearly not even realizing we know something we shouldn't. "Apparently I was the five-hundredth person to walk through the door, so I won that darling stone. I have no use for it myself, and no one I know has much use for it either." She rambles on, still looking through every nook and cranny of her bag – which might well have enough in it to be considered a mobile home.
"About that." I clear my throat to get her to actually look at the situation. Angel tries to hide behind my leg, but I nudge her forward to allow the woman to inspect her.
"Oh, is the mother of that adorable Snorunt I saw with you. You know, female Snorunts evolve by giving them a Dawn Stone. I've never seen it happen myself, but I hear it's a sight to behold. That's part of the reason I want to find that stone to give you. Snorunt may bring you luck, but a Froslass is the most elegant Pokémon I've ever lain these old eyes on. Why I remember going to the town festivals when I was a little girl, and just staring at the way those Froslass would dance around. For hours and hours on end. I couldn't take my eyes off of them, I tell you… Uh, where did I put that Dawn Stone?"
I have to spell it out, don't I. "Nice little old lady, this is the Snorunt you saw with us. She's been a Froslass for less than five minutes. I'm sorry." I bow low, putting my hand on Angel's head for her to apologize as well.
"Oh?! That's wonderful!" She's excited? Angel steals her things and she gets excited. I'll never understand women. "I haven't seen a Froslass in years! I was hoping you'd let me give it to her to help her evolve!" She's about ready to fall apart at the seams.
"Yeah, that's good and well, but it still boils down to her taking it before you offer it. Please, allow me to reimburse you for-"
"Now, now, we'll have none of that." She interrupts me, a glowing smile on her face. She isn't just happy, she's ecstatic about seeing a Froslass. "I wanted her to have it. I wanted so much to see…" She's in tears. Great. I take a step back, letting Ginny figure this one out.
While they're debating, I take Angel aside. I know she's sorry, and there's no real damage done… so I guess just figuring out what to do with her is the best course of action now.
Funny how all the theory in the world doesn't stand up to worldly knowledge and experience. I've never had a ghost type before, but I know psychic types like the back of my hand. And ghost types are very similar to psychic types… sooo…
"Angel, I need you to try something." I grabbed bother her hands and place them on my temples. This is the easiest place to start when teaching a young psychic type how to read minds, or just make psychic links. "I need you to try to tell me what just happened."
What she sent me weren't words, or even a movie – like more experienced psychics can sometimes send involuntarily. It's more like… snapshots. Pictures showing me what she saw and – to some extent – what she felt.
I saw the same lady smiling as their eyes met. Angel got fussy, trying to go to her – there was an aching in the lady's heart that Angel wanted to ease. Then the lady dropped her bag, rushing to Angel and scooped her up in her arms. The lady cried a bit, obviously overwhelmed. She put Angel down, looking for her purse. That's when Angel saw the Dawn Stone and went to pick it up for her. Only, when she picked it up, she felt something – a twinge that wasn't there before.
She tried fighting it, but that was when her eyes met mine. She was so afraid of how I'd react that she couldn't fight it anymore. She evolved.
"Hey, Haze. Amber here told me she's been a Pokémon breeder all her life. And she has quite a few tricks of the trade she might be willing to reveal… if we spend the afternoon with her." Well, there's the motif. I roll my eyes, wondering what could possibly go wrong with that.
#-#
Fate, a fickle mistress she is. A woman who happens to bare the same name of a Pokémon I 'caught' not a week before. Then there's the fact that she's taking her time to teach Angel table manners.
Now that Angel has three fingers and elongated arms, she can actually hold a fork and knife. She's still ungraceful, but I can already see some progress. Amber is patiently explaining my Froslass how to move gracefully, how to hold the utensils properly and what to pay attention to while doing both.
I don't know if she's worth a damn as a trainer, but she's got spirit. A gentle, warm spirit that radiates through her every motion and seeps into every word. Even as she instructs Angel, she's telling Ginny about her husband, Kahlil. They were both breeders, but were never blessed with children. So instead, they treated the Pokémon they raised as their children.
"Then, late last spring, Kahlil took in." Her voice is heavy, her heart broken. It doesn't take a genius to know that she lost her husband.
"owwwh…" Ginny breathes. Is that even a word? "I'm sorry to hear that. It sounded like you two were so happy together."
"Yes, we were." Ginny hands her a napkin, Amber wipes away her tears… and the story drags on. "Fifty-six years of marriage. Some bad, but most good."
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. "What do you think, Haze?" Huh? I turn to Ginny, who's just finishing up with her eye-rolling feat. "Amber could use a ride to Veilstone City. We happen to be heading in that direction."
Warning sirens were going off in my head. Suddenly, this wasn't a nice old lady who I happened across, but a security breach that had a convenient story. She still wore the green apron and bandana that were standard for breeders (don't ask me why). Salt and pepper hair, with slight hints of the shade of brown it used to be. She didn't wear glasses. Crows feet decorated most of her visible skin. White short-sleeve blouse, three-quarter brown pants and green shoes. Essentially, she was the definition of a breeder – even in her old age. She acts like a breeder too, given how easily she is dealing with Angel and teaching her things that would make her more likely to be adopted by a trainer.
Still… this is all circumstantial. "I can't decide that." Is all I committed to. "I don't mind bringing it to dad's attention, but I need to check something first. Have you ever made a psychic link with a Pokémon before?"
Amber is looking at me a little uneasy. "I can't say that I have." Then a thought occurs to her – kind of obvious from the expressions flashing across her face. "Are you a psychic type trainer? I thought your kind took a vow against ghost types… or any type other than your specialty."
"Haze is a special classification." Ginny teases, elbowing me to get more of a rise out of me.
"It's a simple procedure, and doesn't hurt in the least. It will basically allow unrestricted access to your memories and emotions to whoever you are linked to." I explain, already grabbing Grey's ball and enlarging it. "I'll even be honest about why I'm doing this: I don't trust you. However, I am willing to help you if my partner tells me that you are no threat to me or mine. Simple as that."
Amber blinks a few times, trying to assimilate it all in one go. Good luck with that. She sighs, obviously exasperated with me – take a number. "I have no objections."
That's all I need to hear. I press the button that activates the Premier Ball, enjoying the lightshow and the techno noises as Grey is brought to life from his digital environment. "MeTANG!" He announces his arrival, flexing his muscles and… gawking at Angel? "Tang, meta meta Tang Metang."
Holy flaming shitcicles… Grey is hitting on Angel! And from the reddening of her cheeks, I'd say she isn't totally revolted by his advances. "Hey, who's the new chick?" Grey asks, once the psychic link is up and running. "Oh shit! That's Angel?! Who knew ice could be so HOT!"
I roll my eyes, not quiet having seen this coming. "Grey, can you please just focus on protecting your 'hot chick' please." His eyes lock with mine briefly, then there's a mist that engulfs us both – a violet mist?
Suddenly Amber is standing there, right in front of me and Grey. Only, she's no longer in her golden years. From the silky texture of her skin, she seems to be in her early thirties? Not sure. "This is her mental image of herself." Grey informs me. "She still thinks of herself as hot."
"Easy Grey. I'm sure Angel would love to help you work off some of that pent up frustration. Now just check what you need to check." The violet mist explodes into a bright white, then settles on all three of us. Grey is wrapped in a light gray cloud, probably showing that he's no saint but he won't hurt you unless provoked.
Amber is bathed in the brightest and purest light I've ever seen. She practically is a saint. Well, that solves that – saints don't kill people in their sleep. "Hazel… what's that light engulfing you and your Metang?" Amber asks.
"I'm not entirely sure, but I've heard of something like this. My mentor told me about a gift most psychic types have, to judge a person's soul. The 'clouds' here are like the 'soul mist' he spoke of that takes on the color of our karma, or our deeds and intentions."
"So what do the colors mean?" She asks, staring at something just behind me. I roll my eyes, unsurprised that my 'cloud' is probably scaring her shitless.
"White for purity. Black for evil. Gray for neutrality. Yellow for protection. Green for balance. Red for destruction. Violet for the soul. And Blue… for the greater good." I quote. I can't help but wonder how Tate is doing.
Her eyes are still fixated on whatever color she sees. "Grey, let's go. We've got shit to do today."
#-#
Once we make it back to the hotel, I officially decide that Amber is annoying. She hasn't stopped gawking at me since the psychic link. I shrug it off, choosing to see how Jade and Ralts are doing.
Once the door is open, I hear light snores. From the light sis to it I can tell it's Jade. I make my way inside, careful to not make too much noise. There she is, in the darkest corner of the room – which is saying something, seeing as hotels tend to make their rooms as light as humanly possible.
To counter architecture and interior designers not preparing for a pregnant Flygon, she moved the bed closer to the wall to act as an extra barrier. Then she put the sheets over the nightstand to offer extra shade. I can't help but smiling at this, knowing that she is under there with the four eggs that instincts are telling her are her own.
On the other bed, Ralts is resting, but not sleeping. He seems to be comfortable, but I wonder if he's had his medication since last I saw him. I start walking over to him, motioning for Ginny and Amber to stay back – just to be sure. Jade seems to have taken Ralts as her offspring as well, so I'd rather be overly cautious.
I make it to the bed he's on. He turns his head to me, smiling a bit. The way he's laying down his helmet is being tilted just enough that I can see his maroon eyes and the warmth they contain. "You're in pain." I observe. He nods, looking at the cast on his arm. It's not surprising, seeing as I am probably the only one here that even knows how to apply the painkiller properly.
I hear Jade still snoring away. Should I wake her up now, or should I grab the painkiller and apply it first? She's going to be a bit touchy either way… hmm. "Pass me my bag. And please be quiet about it." I say softly. Ginny grabs it from near the door and tosses it my way. Just as I catch it, I realize something rather important… the snoring stopped.
"Ja," Just as I was about to defuse the situation, a green blur tosses the sheet up in the air, bounces off the wall and pounces on me. I'm not sure if I could have reacted differently, but I know that it would have made no difference. Jade is by far my strongest Pokémon. Add to that the hormones raging through her and instincts screaming in her ears to protect the nest at all costs… meh. It was bound to happen sooner or later.
Just as I land flat on my back from the body check I just received, I feel a weight on my chest forcing the air out of my lungs. I look up, willing away the stars that are speckled across my vision. Jade is standing there, her claws digging into the ground on both sides of my head and she's hissing up a storm.
I take a few deep breaths, keeping as calm as I can. "Jade." I call her name softly – I need her to see that I am no threat whatsoever. "It's okay, Jade. I know that Ralts is in pain, and I want to help him. But I'm gonna need you to let me."
She's thinking about that, if nothing else. "Jade, it's me. You know I won't hurt him."
"Piyuu…" Ralts noises. Not sure what he said, but Jade is calming down from it. She moves to one side, finally removing enough weight for me to breathe properly. Making sure I move slowly and nonthreateningly, I get up. The bag that Gin tossed is still in my grasp, so no worries there. I start digging around, trying to find what I need.
"Don't worry, Ralts. I'll ease the pain so you can go back to sleep, okay?" Can't say for sure if I was trying to soothe my patient… or myself. Still, I have work to do.
His left arm was still in the cast, so I couldn't really do anything with that arm. The Ibuprofin he was prescribed needs to be take orally, but I also picked up something a little stronger for situations like this – he hasn't been given any painkillers at all for nearly two days!
I swab his right arm, prep the needle with some VERY watered down Seviper venom – a fact most ignore is that Seviper venom doesn't actually hurt, it numbs your whole body to the point of stopping your heart. Well, with a two percent solution and something for his nerves… he should be sleeping until tomorrow afternoon.
"Ralts, I'm going to give you an injection. This is going to feel like a mosquito bite." I explain. He nods, looking away. Well, nothing left to do but get to it. I carefully pinch the skin of his arm so that it is slightly raised – that allows for the injection to be kept in the skin tissue so that it will be absorbed slowly over time – I jab the needle in his arm. He winces a bit, but makes no overt noise or motion. I then inject the contents of the chamber into him, making sure to monitor for air bubbles. Just in case.
"Pi… yuuuuuuu." Ralts's breathing evens out, his face relaxes. I place my index and forefingers against his temple, feeling a strong, steady pulse. Good. "Angel, I'll need you to monitor him for a while. I need to discuss something with Dad. I want you to come get me if you need me, okay?"
#-#
The second the door closes my hands start shaking. I no long have the adrenaline high to keep me going, so nothing is keeping me up. Instead of giving in, I focus on my breathing and my heartbeat.
It takes time, but eventually I always get back to 'normal'. Ginny and Amber are looking at me a little funny, but I'm mostly ignoring them. I knock on the door across the hall, waiting for Marion to open the door – Dad is likely either studying something on a map or just staring out at the horizon.
"Who is it?" Marion asks. I reply with something stupid – 'the president of France', I think. There's a second where she collects herself and the door swings open. "Haze, is everything alright?"
"I'm fine." I answer too quickly, still not as 'back to normal' as I hoped. "We kinda had a run in at the Mart."
Her eyes scan the nice little old lady, wondering what she has to do with anything. "Alright. Genevieve, I'm sure you can explain things to William?" I roll my eyes, knowing exactly what that means.
"Can do!" Ginny's fake enthusiasm is anything but reassuring. "Play nice, Haze." Ginny kisses me on the cheek, before she invites Amber to follow her into the room.
"Fine." I decide that if Marion wants to talk with me, I might as well get some business out of the way. So we set out for the PokéCenter – it was time to rearrange my team rooster.
"What happened?" Marion asks before we even make it to the hotel lobby – if you can call it that.
"Nothing. Jade just got a little touchy. We might want to consider camping out to give her some much needed room. I mean, she's been moving around a lot and I'm sure that it going against everything nature has taught her." I explain as vaguely as I can.
"She attacked you?!"
"No! She attacked what she saw was a threat to Ralts. He was in pain and she acted on instinct." I explain a bit clearer. I wasn't upset with Jade, it's hard to fight your instincts.
"Haze! What if it was Ginny?!" That stopped me cold. Fuck. Ginny would have panicked. She would have panicked and Jade would have acted out even worse than she had.
"Maybe we should head to the Daycare Center to ask some professional advice then." I concede. No point in arguing when I've clearly lost. She does something I can't see – probably nods or something – and we keep heading in one direction or another. Jeez, first Ginny and now Marion. I'm not sure if I should consider myself blessed or cursed that I have women in my life that know how to play me like a guitar.
#-#
"So how much longer before Ralts can take that cast off?" Marion asks. We're just walking around for now, no real goal or destination in mind. Well, none that need immediate action at least.
After getting a drink at some snack stand and just chewing the rag for a bit, I decide that even the PokéCenter is not as urgent as I made it to be. "I dunno, with a little luck maybe another month. Sooner, if I get him some help."
"The Chanseys you caught?" She catches on quick.
"Exactly. But even then, he'd need time. I wouldn't feel right holing them up in the station wagon, but I can't exactly ask you and dad to stay here and pay for everything just because-"
"You leave that up to us to decide, young man." She informs me blithely, clearly not caring that she just interrupted me. "I'll discuss it with you father later tonight. He doesn't seem to be in much of a rush right now anyway."
Well, that's shocking. He probably hasn't caught all the Unown he needs. "Alright." I take another slurp at my drink, wondering why I decided to go with a Cherry Cola – a flavor I usually hate. Maybe it's because the alternative was called 'Hunky Chunky Hell'? Yeah, Cherry Cola is a lot more appetizing after hearing that.
"So do you think you're ready to take on Maylene?" She asks. Well, it's a valid question, so I let it roll around in my head a bit.
I have Grey, who is not quite as powerful as I'd like. Still, his tenacity makes up for the lack in power. Will that save him against equally tenacious opponents?
Bone is getting up there, but I haven't been paying a whole lot of attention to her since Hearthome. She's got determination in spades and she polishes everything she does to perfection. She's going to be a major boon.
Mantis however… I have no idea what he's even like. I know he's strong, I've seen him battle. He's well coordinated too. But how will that mesh with my training style? He's something of a wild card, and the last thing I need going into a tough gym is a wild card.
Depending on how Angel is after her recent evolution… there's hope there. She never liked battling, especially my style of battles. She takes instructions well though and is willing to work hard. As a ghost type, she has an obvious advantage over fighting types and almost all of their moves. But Maylene is a gym leader and will take all types into consideration, if nothing else. It's highly unlikely that she hasn't faced ghost types during her, what… thirty year tenure as gym leader. No, she's seen it all and faced it all.
Why else would a fighting type gym offer the HM for Fly as a reward! She wants people to try to take advantage of every fighting type weakness!
"No. I'm not ready. Not even close." That conclusion is inevitable, bitter though it may be. "But if we're going to be stuck here for a while…"
Marion nods. "Good. Always remember that there's always going to be someone stronger than you. There's always going to be someone smarter and more prepared." If this is her motivational speech, it sucks. "So the only thing you can do is work even harder. Push even harder."
I stare up at the clouds hanging over me. She makes sense. I need to work harder, much harder. Ginny deserves as much.
"But remember who you're doing it for, Haze. Ginny loves you as you are, flaws and all. So don't go diving off the deep end and changing into something else."
"How can I do both?" How is this woman doing that? It's like she sees right through me…
"You find a balance. You set standards and you stick to them. You set a certain amount of time aside everyday for the things you feel needs doing. And you make sure both you and Ginny can live with that." That cloud right there looks like Ginny – I recognize the smile. "It won't be easy, Hazel. Nothing worth it ever is. But keep your eyes on the prize; keep Ginny in your heart… If you do that, I promise you it'll be worth it."
#-#
It's been a long day. A very, very long day. We moved Jade into the Daycare, into the maternity ward. She wasn't too happy about it at first, but once the four eggs were with her and Ralts was placed there too… well, she's still not happy, but she's not fighting it either.
Marion negotiated a deal with the owners too. Ginny and I are the only ones allowed to tend to Jade and Ralts – it was easy to arrange that, seeing as Jade wouldn't let anyone else near her. So Jade has all the space she needs, in a nice dark corner. Ralts is getting plenty of rest too. And I decided to introduce Rose to them – one of my Chanseys. Jade wasn't too pleased, until Rose gave her and Ralts a Softboiled egg. They hit it off pretty well after that.
Once they were settled it, I changed up my team rooster too. I now have Magenta – the second Chansey – Angel, Grey, Bone, Midnight and Mantis. I haven't done anything with their training yet, but I did get all of them together to discuss some things. I even included Ginny's team in the huddle.
It took us nearly an hour to get things sorted out properly. But so far, it's been great. We agreed to a basic training routine – I'm in charge of battle training one day, Ginny's in charge of what she calls 'social acclimatization' on the second day and the third day is a day for rest.
Tomorrow we start with that routine, so now I just need to hammer out some basic ideas how I'm going to train them all. I don't want to 'slaughter' the local wildlife, but I don't have training dummies to work with either. So I guess all I can do is run them through katas in the morning and go Pokémon hunting in the afternoons.
Fact of the matter is and remains, though… I simply do not have the manpower I need to whip these guys into shape. So it's time to make a call.
"Hey, Bra! How's it hanging?!" Adam answered, obviously happy about something.
"Adam. I need a favor. A huge, once in a lifetime, never gonna get asked twice kind of favor." He's quiet. Well, that's good, because I don't want him to say yes just because it's me.
"What's the favor?"
"We're stuck in Solaceon Town, because Jade's going off from pregnancy hormones. So I'm using the down to train my team. Thing is, I need your help. I've already made arrangements for you and your girl, if she's up for tagging along. I can even arrange a ride to pick you up and fly you over here." I explain seriously. Marion really has been going out of her way to help me all she can. "I don't want an answer right now. I need you to discuss it with the Doc and your mom. And of course you gotta run it by your girl too."
"I dunno, Bra. Pop ain't gonna be too happy 'bout me missing that much o' school. And Cynthia's momma ain't gonna be happy 'bout that neither." He's hesitant, which I can understand fully.
"Where school is concerned, I can teach you more than those idiots and the Doc knows that. I also know for a fact that Cynthia is really into fashion and designing, so you know Ginny can teach her a thing or two. We can even start teaching her about contests and all that jazz." Arceus, it sounds like I'm trying to manipulate him into this. "I'm not asking for you to say yes, Adam. Just promise me you'll talk to them and at least think about it."
He was silent for a while, probably thinking of a nice way to say no. "Look… Cynthia's comin' over for dinner with her moms. I'll bring it up, but I ain't got no guarantees for ya, Bra. I mean none."
"That's all I'm asking for, Adam. Thanks."
"Peace out." I hung up, deciding it was time to find out what we were doing for dinner.
#-#
Six o'clock in the morning, and here I am in the middle of nowhere. Well, not really 'nowhere', I'm on Route 210, just North of Solaceon. If I throw a stone from here, I could probably hit our window in the hotel – motel… whatever.
Before me stand the troops. Angel, Grey, Mantis, Midnight, Magenta, and Bone from my team. From Ginny's, I have Daiquiri (her Rhyhorn, don't ask where she comes up with these names!), Mint, Caramel, and Pistachio – she's keeping her wonder pig (Gumball) and her Igglybuff (Cotton Candy) to herself.
"Alright. We all know why we're here. I'm going to be pairing you guys off into-" Why are my nuts suddenly vibrating? The feeling is not entirely unpleasant, but it is distracting as hell!
-Incoming call from Adam!- My Dex clues me in. Well, damn. What's he doing up this early?
I flick my Dex open, already curious what he needs this early. "Talk to me."
"Bra, where you at?! Damn, if you ain't impossible to find!" I shake my head, wondering what in the hell he's talking about.
"I'm in Solaceon, like I told you. Where are you?" Why do people need me to snark so early in the AM? So what if I didn't actually snark, the temptation is bad enough!
"Bra. I'm in Solaceon. And I'm willing to bet you are hiding out somewhere just out of town." He… that damn boy flew up here already?!
"Adam, what the fuck! How did you-"
"I'll clue you in, Bra, stop stressin'. For now, just tell me where I can find your up-at-dawn, over energetic ass." I stare at my phone for a second, wondering if I'm still asleep.
"Just to the North of town. Soon as you exit, I'm on the left between the trees."
"Yeah, Gin told me you headed North, but I can't spot yo ass nowhere." I roll my eyes.
Turning to the only tracker I have with me, "Pistachio, find Adam. Bring him here." She's already off in the direction of the town. "I'll see you when you get here." We both hang up. Though I think I'm more confused than anything right now.
"Anyway." Best to focus on things I actually understand. "As I was saying: you will each be paired up to work together. When Pistachio gets back I will inform you all of the pairs and what you will be focusing on. I expect each of you to give it your all."
Each Pokémon has their own reaction to my words – not sure what exactly, seeing as I don't speak Poké and there's too many of them to see them all at once. I run through the pairs I have set up in my head. Daiquiri and Midnight are both meant to be steeds, so they are paired together. Pistachio and Caramel will need similar training too. Magenta will most be here to tend to the guys if they get messed up, but I can't slack off on her training either… hmmm, best to put her with the odd one out.
Grey and Angel will be paired up, seeing as I intend to have them work on similar things. Then Mantis and Bone. At first, I can simply tag Grey, Mantis, Bone and Angel together, simply because I want to run them through a kata – that should settle them for most of the morning.
That means Magenta is going to be with Mint. I have no idea what to do with either, to be honest. But I'll come up with something. I wonder if-
"Damn, Bra! You said, just outside!" I roll my eyes.
"Adam, did you bring Sam with you?" I wonder out loud. Only Samantha would have the balls to complain around me like that.
"Psh, no! She and Cyn ain't exactly on speaking terms right now." I can now make out three silhouettes. The tall one is Adam without a doubt, the one closest to him is likely Cynthia… and that is Gin. I thought she wanted to sleep in?
The three make their way over. Cynthia is apparently a head shorter than Ginny. She has a light tanned look – almost caramel, but still lighter than Adam and Ginny. She's got Asian split eyes and long black/red hair. What the fuck?! Her hair looks like its three different colors! Must be a dye job. Anyhoo, she's Adam's problem.
Adam and I bump fists. He tells me that he and Cynthia flew over on her Skarmory. We crack a joke about how it's not all bad that Sam doesn't like her – it shows that Adam has good taste in women. Well, the usual shit we get up to when we get together.
"A'ight. This is fun, but we got work ta do." Adam cracks his knuckles. "What's the plan, Bra?"
"I need you to handle my Chansey and Gin's Oddish. I have no clue how the hell to deal with either." I tell him honestly. "I have Grey working in Angel and I have a plan that will handle them and my Cubone and Scyther. I'mma need someone to work the Ponyta and Rhyhorn in as well. Then there's just the pups. I dunno if Cynthia has any experience with steeds or pups?"
"I gotchu, Jefe." She just called be 'boss' in Spanish? "Mami used to work on the Laramie Hacienda back in Kanto, so I know a thing or two about Ponyta."
"Kanto?" Didn't she move to Sinnoh from Unova?
"Mami is a labriega… a farm worker. You go where the work is." She explains. I just shrug, it's none of my business anyway. I was just curious.
"Fine by me. Think you can handle both of them? They're both as good as wild." I test her. I know that they are gentle and should be pretty easy to handle, but does she?
"Wild? Please, if they were sassy then I'd say one at a time, but two gentle… Ai! Que linda! Haze, he's gorgeous!" She runs over to Midnight, obviously amazed that he's different than the Ponyta she must be used to. I'm amazed that he doesn't buck at the sudden excitement – he must be REALLY gentle.
Well, she passed my test. "Cynthia meet Midnight." I announce. "He and Daiquiri will be in your care today. Please treat them well."
"Treat them well? Mami is going to pamper her babies! Come on, let's go for a little walk. Venga potro, venga." She guides both Midnight and Daiquiri back to town, probably going to saddle them up or something. She's actually in for a surprise, 'cause I already ordered saddles for both and they should be ready – surprises don't have to be bad!
"Spoink?" There's today's announcer. Let the insanity begin!
#-#
"Yes, Mantis, even you have to move your blades like that." I wanted to say 'hands'… but 'blades' is more accurate. "No Bone, you cannot use your stick instead of your hands."
So far I'm quite please with how they are coming along. We've been at it like this for over an hour. Maybe I'm wearing them out? "If you two get it right, I'll let you call it a day. Sound fair?" I have been working them pretty hard, so calling it quits isn't that bad an idea.
They both nod, worn out. "Alright. From the top." I watch as all four move through the kata. I count them off, going through it myself to make sure they have a reference should they need it. This kata is all about balance and dexterity, but the footwork is really important too – something Angel and Grey don't have to pay attention to at all.
"Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Make a box with your elbows and forearms Grey. Three. Four. Angel your fingers are important too. Seven. Eight." I keep going through the kata one motion at a time. All the way through. Up to the last move: "Ossu!" A punch to our imaginary opponent's heart.
All four of them are breathing hard, but I notice Grey and Angel are the least wiped out. Good, I can play a game with them while the others rest. "Great job, guys! I'm really proud of you!" I praise, handing them a few berries each and telling them to rest up for a bit. While they're munching down, I pour some water into a large bowl and put it on a rock for them. You never know if one of them is thirsty.
I take that moment to look around. Adam has Magenta and Mint meditating – not a bad idea in my opinion. He's been running them through periods of calm and rush to get them used to the interchange – useful if they ever work in a hospital setting.
Ginny's got her pups running through an obstacle course of sorts. Around this tree, under that bush and over that branch. She's doing great! Both dogs are pacing themselves too, so neither is wasting energy.
And Cynthia? Well, I've got to hand it to her, she knows her shit. She's got Midnight and Daiquiri doing what looks like dance steps while wearing full saddle gear – it's meant to get them used to taking orders that may or may not make sense, if I had to guess.
All in all, I'm glad I called Adam. "Alright. Bone, Mantis, you two did great. Once you guys finish up you can drink some water. Then I want you to rest up. I plan on going hunting with you later, so I need you at one-hundred percent!"
They pop the last berry into their mouth and wash it down with some water. Even Bone looks happy to see water at this point – she must be thirsty. Once they're satisfied, I recall them to their balls to rest. Normally I'd let them laze about, but we are in the wild so I'd rather not risk it.
"Angel, Grey. It's time for a game." I toss a rock to Angel, who catches it with her hands. "You two are going to pass that rock to each other. Only, you're not allowed to touch it. Use your psychic powers instead."
There are several reasons I want those two to play for a while without me. The important one is to monitor Angel more directly. She's still very timid, but I need to see if she's as closed off to the world as she had been as a Snorunt. If she's going to be my guard, then she needs to be able to get past that and act when needed. Otherwise, she's just a companion – which is nice too, but less vital.
She's still reserved in social settings – I see the same body language when I'm talking. But now… now that's she's occupied. Yes, there's a major difference. Her body is less tense, she eyes are focused. She is ready for whatever Grey throws at her. Good. That's exactly what I need from her. Exactly what I need. I'll start working her in this afternoon while the others are battling.
#-#
We all meet up for lunch. Well, all of us except dad. He's been AWOL almost since I arrived, and even when he's here… he's still not here. Sucks, but you get used to it. Poor guy's probably wracking his brain to get that thing done for Marion. It's forgivable, and it's not forever. So I try to focus on bigger things.
Things like Angel's recent addiction to ice cream. I can only stare at her as she (politely) guzzles down her third helping. She's even using one of those long spoons that comes with her now favored treat. She still doesn't eat a lot, but she's eating a lot of frozen sweetness! Maybe I should introduce her to frozen yogurt? It's cold, it's (usually) sweet and it has less fat. Can you imagine how weird it would be to have an overweight kimono wearing ghost?
"Spoink?!" Okay, that's weird even for me. And stop reading my thoughts, you stalker. Gumball actually starts snickering at that. I roll my eyes when Ginny looks at her molester curiously.
"Fros?" Angel looks at me expectantly, showing her now empty dessert bowl. I roll my eyes again – eventually I'm going to either learn another reaction to this shit or go cross-eyed. I order a Strawberry Yogurt Blast– the waitress just giggles while eying the broad smile on Angel's face. Why do I always seem to find the pigs when it comes to food?
At least I don't have to worry about Bronze eating through my berry stash twice a day for a while. Another mirthful snickerfest escapes a certain purple porker, who shall remain nameless. "Hey Marion, why did we end up walking on Route 210?" Best to just switch topics entirely – I think Gumball is having too much fun with my thoughts.
"Umm, well… that's…" She stumbles over a few explanations she seems unwilling to give. Gumball snickers again. Jeez! I try to give that pig something else to do, and she just treats it like a soap on TV!
"Huh? Route 210? Isn't that North of here? I thought you guys would have gone through Hearthome City. Did you take the scenic route?" Cynthia jumps in. I smile at her innocent observation, mostly because Marion's sweating bullets.
"Knowing Haze, Marion had to take a detour to give her half a chance to even talk to him." Ginny puts in her two cents. Who asked her, exactly? Is Gumball laughing? Gumball's laughing. "Arceus knows that even I have a hard time with that." My eyebrow kisses my hairline, wondering what she's trying to say by that.
"Anyway, I'm grateful. Now I'm two Pokémon richer." I shrug, refusing to let those two get under my skin just yet.
"Hol' up! Bra, you didn't snark!" Thank you Sherlock Holmes. Without your astute deductive logic, we'd be lost at sea. I pointedly ignore Gumball's reaction this time – did she have too much sugar or something? Sure, Angel's probably going to go into a self-induced diabetic coma if she keeps at it, but Gumball is only eating berries!
"What is a 'snark'?" Amber asks. I roll my eyes, awaiting Ginny's introduction to Hazedom. It isn't often that we meet people that I don't scare off easily.
"It's a snide remark. Something that is uniquely Haze." Gin begins, smiling at me. Here it comes. "Haze kinda has this thing for sarcasm. So much so that people that know him well are amazed when he doesn't use it. I think it's his way of keeping people he's not used to at a comfortable social distance. Something of a dark, twisted humor only he seems to use very well."
"So it's a portmanteau?" Amber asks, nonplussed. Gumball snickers again, clearly enjoying her mid-meal entertainment.
"Portman toe?" Ginny – bless her heart – is the one confused now.
"A portmanteau is a word created by blending two existing words into a currently non-existent one. Like 'snark', 'vurp' and 'shart'." I break it down, wondering how she uses the technique while not even knowing what it's called. Is Angel giggling? I didn't even know Froslass could giggle. Grey must have taught her a lot more than the noncombat uses for Psychic.
I turn to my Snow Land Pokémon, wondering why she's biting her lower lip and trying not to laugh. Her and Gumball's eyes are red – a shared psychic link? Gumball snorts, laughing about something… yup, there she blows. Angel falls off her chair, hovering mid air and laughing her frozen ass off.
Great, just what I need, gossiping females that don't even need to whisper to one another. I sigh, wondering what I got myself into this time.
End Chapter 9
#-#
A/N: And there we have it, a decent chapter to continue our adventure through my warped sense of humor. Up next is Ginny's chapter, some more girl talk and a LOT more fun with Gumball, Angel and Grey.
I'm actually wondering what to do with nice-little-old-lady Amber, because I doubt she'd be very valuable plotwise. I mean, sure it was fun showing Haze's protective side, but I wonder if she'd be worth the effort to develop her as a character. She is an actual Pokémon character, btw. In Platnum she's a Pokémon breeder on route 210. Well, seeing as this is some years after that actual events of Platinum, I figure I can toy with ages and events a little – so sue me!
Anyhoo, just to let you guys know: I really didn't abandon this story and have no intention of ever doing so. I will admit to my addiction of writing Cosmic Comedy, but that has a lot to do with developing my writing style as well.
