Chapter 10 – Azalea Town
Alphonse let off a silent cheer as the group wandered into the outskirts of Azalea Town. Lilly was not as silent.
"We made it!" She cried, swinging her arms up. Her outfit was covered in dirt and mud.
"We should spen' da night here," Zeannah said, "I would like ta get clean."
Her clothes fared just as badly. She glared at Alphonse, who had not a speck of dust on him.
"Fine with me," he sighed, "you two can go to the Pokémon centre together."
As he turned to walk up a path, Zeannah stepped forward to block his way.
"And where do ya think you be goin'?" She demanded to know.
He answered simply, "the Pokémart."
Lilly moved to say something.
"Good," Zeannah said, unintentionally her cutting off, "then, you'lla not minds gettin' some stuff for me."
Alphonse sighed as she went on to list the things she wanted. Most of them consisted of Pokémon items like potions and antidotes.
[Shiver,] Alphonse sent, while writing a list of the items, [do you mind watching Lilly?]
[Watching?] Lilly sent back, having overheard.
Alphonse froze; he had forgotten that she could hear him. Not used to masking his telepathic communication he had sent the thought with little worry about others hearing.
[I would like for Shiver to remain with you while I go do Zeannah's shopping,] he quickly explained, placing an unpleasant emphasis on Zeannah's name.
"Okay," she muttered, downcast.
Zeannah glanced at them strangely then pulled Lilly into a hug.
"Come on! Let's hurry to da centre, warm baths await!"
Alphonse sighed as they hurried down the path, almost pushing people out of the way. He took the path to his right, the one which led to a small, white and blue building seated among the trees. The sign outside confirmed it as the building which he sought.
Spar let out a little shiver as the door opened with a spray of cold air. Inside, there were quite a few trainers, all with a least one Pokémon out.
"Great," Alphonse muttered sarcastically. He gathered up the items which Zeannah wanted, only then realising that she had not given him any money for them. It didn't help his mood. He picked up a copy of the Trainer mag, the must have magazine for trainers and one of Zeannah's items, People & Places, the companion magazine to the radio show, and a job guide.
The job guide was for him.
The person behind the counter raised an eyebrow as he placed everything down.
"Trainer ID, please," they asked.
Alphonse sighed again. He cursed the rules stating that only trainers could buy certain items and pulled out his Research ID. While he wasn't a trainer, working with Mr Pokémon and the Professor required that he have a Research ID which granted him access to historical sites as well as allowing him to have up to three Pokémon on him at anytime. Thankfully, it allowed him to buy trainer items.
"Oh, wow!" The person behind the counter cried as she looked at his ID, "you work with the professor?"
"Sometimes," he answered, "could you please just take the money?"
"What's he like? Few trainers who come through here have met him, let alone worked with him!"
"Could you please finish the transaction?" He repeated, "I have things to do."
She pouted and took his money.
"Thank you," he said, just to be polite, taking the bag of items.
Lilly sighed as she stared out the window of the Pokémon centre. She didn't like being stuck inside most of the time but Zeannah wouldn't let her go outside in only a shirt and shorts. Zeannah had said something about going to a Laundromat, whatever that was, and that she wasn't to move until she got back.
[I want to go outside!] She wined to Shiver who was perched on her head.
[How about some food?] Shiver suggested instead.
"You should be cautious," a voice said from beside her.
A small child, whose height just reached over the table of the booth, rested on the edge of the table. Lilly stared at boy who was smiling mysteriously. She couldn't see much of his features due to the blue cloak he wore. He was facing the ground, so she couldn't even see his eyes.
"What do you mean?" She questioned slowly.
"Nothing really," he answered, "just that you're not out of danger yet."
[You're the boy from Cherrygrove!] Shiver announced, finally realising where she had seen him before.
The boy, unable to hear him, did not comment. Instead, with a bow, he walked outside.
Lilly watched him walk over to someone standing outside the centre. Someone with long golden-white hair who was a little overdressed in a blue shirt and long white pants. She squinted as the person turned around to reveal his face.
"Brother!" She cried, recognising him.
It had been a long time since she had seen his human form, but she was certain it was him. As they turned and walked away, she jumped from the table and tried to dash outside.
A hand grabbed her shoulder to stop her.
She turned to face the centre worker in their green, jumpsuit-like uniform and cap.
[Let me go! I NEED TO FIND MY BROTHER!] She cried out mentally, unable to emulate human vocals in her panicked state.
"Excuse me," the worker said, blue eyes glaring down at her, "is that your Pokémon?"
Lilly pulled from the worker's grip, only to fall flat on her back.
[It's Cam,] Shiver informed her in a calm tone.
Lilly took a few deep breaths. It did not calm her down completely, indeed, her heart still hammered in her chest and tears hung in her eyes with the urgency to get outside. She forced herself to look at Cam, who was hovering near the ceiling, people trying to grab at it from below.
She nodded in reply to the worker's question.
"While you are allowed to have your Pokémon out of their Pokéballs while in the centre, we do ask that you keep them near you at all times. As it is, your Pokémon has been causing trouble so, as is within our rights, we require you to return it to its Pokéball immediately."
Lilly shuffled around in her bag spotted the Pokéball which Alphonse had given her. She couldn't bring herself to touch it. She had not used it, ever. Alphonse had been the one to first place the Cam into the ball and the one to let her out. All she did was carry it around, ever conscious of the prison she carried.
[I'll be fine,] Shiver told her, [a Pokéball's just like a bed. It's a chance to sleep in safety and comfort.]
Lilly reached in and pulled it out. For a few moments, she sat there trembling. Finally, she decided to hand it to the worker. While confused for a few seconds, the worker pointed the ball at Cam, returning her to it.
"Thank you for complying," she said as she handed the ball back to Lilly, "we ask that you keep the Pokémon in here while inside the building for the duration of your visit."
Lilly nodded and let the worker drop the Pokéball into her bag.
She felt small and useless.
Disclaimer: Pokémon towns and characters property of Pokémon company + Game Freak (I think). At the very least they don't belong to me. Any resemblance to existing people (living or dead) and events is a coincidence.
Author note: Okay, I'm sorry that it took so long to get this up. I had it written ages ago and just couldn't bring myself to upload it. And the longer I waited, the harder it was. Anyway, I PROMISE that the next chapter will be up within the week (and that it will be longer).