Chapter Fourteen: Back In The Game

Dear Lea,

Today I had a training session with the gym leader here in Eterna. Lake has been letting me use the gym to train, I feel so honored! I think I'm ready to challenge Ramona. It'll be my biggest battle yet. The weirdest thing happened yesterday, I turned on the television and saw myself. They were talking about me and my battling and how people adore me. Isn't that weird?!

Being a trainer is the best thing in the world, isn't it?

Speaking of that, I'm so excited to see you start beating those gyms again. You know you always have my support. You should join me in the trainer world, I know you miss it. You better be training regularly, or my Grass Types will come after you.

I miss you; hopefully I'll see you soon.

Annie

Annie,

That's such great news. I'm happy for you. You've been ready for Ramona forever; I know you'll take her down. She doesn't stand a chance against you. It's time for you to go for it, as it is time for me to go for the next gym. I'll talk to Ace about it.

If all goes well, the next letter you'll be getting from me will be in Pastoria. Cruz's Pokémon will be getting a beating; and I promise I've been training.

I miss you too.

Sincerely,

Lea

During the past two weeks Annie and I have done nothing but write back and forth. She talks about her current training; she's really anxious about beating the next gym. The last gym, Zaïre in Snowpoint, took her three tries to beat him and she felt like that dampened her reputation. So this time, she's going to clean Ramona out. Then when she faces Wally, the ex-champion and last gym leader, she'll look like a shining star again. I talk more about The Corner and how much I enjoy working there, not including the darker side of things. Annie would understand, I think, but I'm not so ready to explain it.

Yes, there was an obvious darker side of The Game Corner; at first I wasn't totally on-board with this, but shortly I learned how necessary it was. When people do bad things, they need to be punished. In Veilstone that happens a little more often because there's no price to pay. Ace created a price. It might get a little bloody, but ultimately he's doing this whole town a favor. The families are safe, and the people like us are safe; what's the problem? We might attract more of the shadier people of Sinnoh to town, but we keep them straight. That also gives all the stores and restaurants more business, so everybody wins.

It was a slower night, a Wednesday, and Ace, Jack, Clubs, King and I were sitting at the bar doing nothing. There were some people at the slots, and one group playing some simple table game, and that was it. There was nobody here to play Ace or to try to burn down the building—that happened twice—it was just a boring night. Ace asked me about Annie, and I spoke to him about her training, and then I started talking about my training. He was a bit surprised, since I rarely talk about it, but when I mentioned wanting to move on to the next gym, he didn't hesitate in telling me to do so.

"You should just go for it! It's been eons since your last gym battle. I know since I was there," he winked, "just get a move on."

"Really?! Thanks!" I jumped off the barstool, getting a little over-excited, but quickly composed myself. "I'll come back as soon as I beat Pastoria. Things will be just as they were."

"Obviously. Want me to water your plants while you're gone?" He said as he gripped his pipe in-between his teeth.

"And collect my mail, yes."

"Oh, you'll have to pay me for that work."

"Yeah, whatever." I said as I walked away. Once I was out the front door, I did a weird leap of excitement. Not realizing how much I missed actually being a trainer, excitement filled my chest at the thoughts of my next battle. It had been too long.

My mind raced around everything Pokémon. I was channeling my thirteen-year-old self who aced all his classes and took notes on everything in Trainer School. Thinking and remembering types and abilities and everything. I thought about my Pokémon; Gyradose, Golbat, Luxio, and Staravia. I've been training with them, but now I'll need to do some more intense training to remind them of real battles. Maybe catch another Pokémon, too. Cruz is a Mixed Type trainer—who is fond of getting his hands on TM's—and he likes to get a whole new team after a battle. When Annie fought him, he had the majority of Ground and Water Types, which meant her Grass Types demolished them. For me, however, it could be anything. I would need to be ready for anything. Mixed Types are tricky; take a Ground and Water Type like Marshtomp, they're their own weakness and strength in a way. How are you supposed to beat that? That's the thing to figure out.

After spending the rest of my evening preparing to leave off and travel again, which I haven't travelled since coming here from Canalave, I finally went to bed with a mind full of peace. Ever since that incident with the overdose of emotions, I haven't felt at peace. Not as if I've felt bad about things, it's more like I haven't felt much of anything. The change was nice and welcomed. Some peace before all the excitement is a good thing, and there will be excitement; I'm going to beat the gym.

"Gyarados, Dragon Rage!" Cruz commanded. A rush of thrill zapped through me like a bolt of lightning, at first I couldn't fathom that I was in battle again. Cruz's giant Pokémon readied itself quickly, fierceness shining in its eyes, and it spewed the blue dragon fire at my Luxio. He winced and swiftly bounded away; escaping the flame.

My mind snapped back like a rubber band, I wasn't watching this fight, I was in this fight. My instincts kicked in. "Charge, quickly!" I had been working with Luxio to get him to use the move Charge quicker, at first it was to no avail. I even asked the Center workers their advice, and they told me how fragile Pokémon were about things like that…Fragile? My Pokémon? I didn't think so, I just amped up some training and Luxio's move Charge can be done in a much shorter time. "Now Spark!" Electricity rumbled through his not fragile body and shot through the air at Gyarados, making him wince in pain and draw backwards.

"Dark Pulse." The Gyarados shook off the pain and focused. He did nothing but eye Luxio down menacingly. Then, Luxio's eyes darkened and he keeled over in pain. He let out ear-piecing noises, and a dark look crossed Cruz's face. Eventually my Pokémon stood back up, breathless, and electricity sparked on his cheeks. I knew he was angry; and ready.

"Charge, then Spark again!" He breathed in quickly, charging all he could, and then released it all with just an outbreath.

"Bite," Cruz yelled; his face unreadable. Gyarados slithered hastily like a snake and bit Luxio, making him growl and yelp.

Taking advantage of Gyarados already being close, I yelled: "Bite." Luxio craned his head and sunk his little fangs on Gyarados' head, causing him to release my Pokémon. "Charge!" Luxio tried to charge fast—the way I taught him—but then it doesn't seem to work and he tried again; this time taking his time. However, Gyarados opened his large mouth and flames spewed out; engrossing my Pokémon and leaving his fur charred and burned. "Spark, now!" I bellowed; I knew I needed to get as many hits in as possible. He quickly released a tiny spark that barely hit the opponent. Spark is nothing without Charge, I remind myself.

"Now Surf!" Water shot from the ground and collided with Luxio, threatening to drown him. His burn marks turn very red and he cries out in pain.

"Charge!" I shouted, hoping it'll work this time. It does, so I yell: "Spark!" The Spark was a good one, and it hit Gyarados right on the face and he made an unpleasant noise. Cruz winced at the sound, and I knew my foe didn't have much left.

"Dark Pulse."

"Fight it," I pleaded, but Luxio's eyes glossed over with darkness and a look of fear crossed his face. This time, however, it seemed shorter. Luxio, although he lost his balance and had to push himself back to his feet, wasn't down for the count.

"Flamethrower." Cruz commanded, his tone calm. The flames came tumbling from the Water Dragons mouth and Luxio was pushed to the ground with impact; but he quickly hopped up and out of the fire.

"Tackle," Luxio darted to the large Pokémon and jumped on him and latched on with his claws. "Bite!" He growled loudly before biting Gyarados, like he knew it would be the final blow, and Gyarados flopped to the ground lifelessly.

Silently, Cruz recalled the fallen Pokémon and released another; a Beautifly. I held back a laugh, he was really following up a Grarados with a Beautifly?

"Charge, take your time." I thought he might need the extra time since he was getting low on health; plus I thought the Beautifly would be a piece of cake.

"Hyper Beam." Stunned, I watched as the opponent performed the epic move. The light beams hit my Pokémon hard, and I knew he was near fainting.

Luckily, the hit didn't cause him to lose his Charge. "Spark!" The impact knocked Beautifly to the floor, but it quickly—and gracefully—fluttered back up to its place.

"Mega Drain!" It focused, closing its big bug eyes, and Luxio instantaneously smacked the ground; Beautifly sucked every last bit of life from him.

Returning him, I thought of who I should bring out. The obvious choice was Staravia, I would have the Type advantage yet again. "Alright Staravia, use Quick Attack." I yelled. My determined Pokémon shot to the opponent and hit-tackled-punched him to the ground. Staravia hovered over him, about to strike again, when Cruz called off an attack.

"Hyper Beam again!" Beautifly, looking up at Staravia, used the move and pushed him higher in the air and up against the ceiling. Once the attack was over, he started falling to the ground, but then caught himself before smacking into the floor.

"Quick Attack then Aerial Ace!" He used Quick Attack, again putting the rival on the floor, but the shot into and the air and bulleted onto Beautifly; it was a critical hit.

"Mega Drain," Beautifly swept up and looked at my Pokémon. Staravia, who hovered in the air, fell to the ground and cawed loudly as Beautifly took a little bit of his health. "Gust." Then, he flapped his fragile-looking bug wings and a strong gust of air pushed Staravia back a few feet.

"Wing Attack!" I yelled instantly, and Staravia shot up and over to the foe. He wacked him with his beefy wing.

"Aerial Ace." Cruz commanded, and his Pokémon started for mine.

"Dodge," I shouted, and Staravia expertly spun out of the way and flapped into the air; and then used Aerial Ace himself. He crushed the little Pokémon to the floor, and it made a sound of helplessness before being KO'd. Staravia let out a victorious cry and flew back over to me. I smiled at my strong Pokémon, Beautifly was a piece of cake.

"Roserade, let's go!" Cruz's Pokémon came out and got into a battle stance. Although Roserade was a very feminine-looking Pokémon, this Roserade had so much determination in his eyes and rough-looking skin; there was no doubt on its masculinity and strength.

"Wing Attack, now!" A strong move to start out was perfect. My Pokémon did not disappoint.

"Magical Leaf," Roserade quickly spun around—colorful leaves appearing and spinning with him—and then stopped and shoved his arms forward; the leaves followed the movement and stabbed Staravia like knives, he whimpered and the little knife-looking dashed began to bleed. "Poison Jab." Roserade danced over and his arm turned purple; filling with toxins. He smacked Staravia on the right wing, and it shined with purple before he fell to the ground in defeat. I clenched my jaw as I returned him, I didn't like seeing one of my strongest go down; but this wasn't over yet.

"Golbat, bring me to victory." I called him out, he fluttered in the air and looked like a scared Pokémon. As fidgety as he was, he was still strong. "Air Cutter!" I commanded, and he used the move flawlessly; pushed Roserade back a few feet and made him fall to the ground. He sprung back up quickly and charged at my Pokémon.

"Poison Jab again," Roserade obliged but the move didn't seem to effect Golbat.

"Confuse Ray," Qucikly, Golbat flew to the rival and shoved his face in the others; forcing Roserade to look at him. Then, Roserade stumbled backwards dizzily. Cruz growled, and grimaced at me.

"Hidden Power!" He called. Roserade fell to the ground.

"Air Cutter, then Bite." I yelled, and Golbat did just that. When he bit Roserade I could tell that was a good hit, and the Pokémon swung his arm out and hit Golbat as hard as he could; sending him into the air where he caught himself by flying. He snapped out of confusion quickly. He leapt up, glowing, and made a loud grunting noise as glowing orbs shot out of him and pummeled my Pokémon, making him smack the ground hard.

"Magical Leaf," Roserade did the fancy spin again, and the knife-like leaves hit my Pokémon and cut him everywhere.

"Leech Life," I yelled. It wasn't his strongest move, but at least it restored some HP and it looked like it healed the cuts slightly.

"Hidden Power," Cruz commanded, and my Pokémon was pummeled with light orbs again.

"Air Cutter," Golbat sliced the air with his wings, and it hit Roserade hard and he fell backwards; a critical hit maybe. He started to get back up, struggling, but then he couldn't and he fell back down. His eyes rolled back into his head and Cruz returned him.

"Monferno, c'mon!" The large Fire and Fighting Pokémon came out and did some kind of dance that I didn't pay enough attention to to understand.

"Confuse Ray," I said, and Golbat started for the foe.

"Fight it with Flame Wheel," Monferno made himself into a perfect circle and started rolling towards my Pokémon, and then somehow lit himself on fire. Golbat started to fly up higher, but the Pokémon bounded up and hit him anyway. He fell weakly to the ground. "Ember," Cruz yelled, some excitement ringing in his voice. Moferno breathed fire on Golbat, and he let out a cry before fainting. Another one of mine down. Of course, I had Gyarados, probably the strongest Pokémon on my team, and I had no doubts that I would be leaving this gym completely victorious.

"Gyarados, let's go." I grinned, because even though I only have this one Pokémon left, I obviously have the Type advantage here; I'm not threatened one little bit.

"Mach Punch!" Cruz yelled, sounding a bit desperate. The hit was a good one, but Gyarados was still standing strong.

"Surf," I said, that devious grin still planted on my face. After a moment, water shot up from the ground and turned into a thick water wall that enclosed the two Pokémon. Then, after a roar from my Pokémon, all the water crashed into Monferno harshly. "Now Bite." Before the water could even subside, Gyarados lunged forward and sunk his giant fangs into the money-like Pokémon.

"Mach Punch again!" The Monferno's fist started to glow and grew a few sizes, then he dramatically swung it backwards then forwards and hit Gyarados hard. "Scratch." He looked at his claws, again being quite the drama queen, then sliced them across Gyarados' scaled, making some blue pieces fall to the ground.

"Dragon Rage," I shouted, anticipation coursing through me. This battle was so close to being over. Gyarados shot the Dragon fire-electricity at the rival, and he winced and fought to stand his ground.

"Ember!"

Cruz barely got out the word when I yelled: "Surf." Gyarados used the powerful move again, and the second all the water enclosed Monferno, he was out. Cruz, after a moment of staring at the fallen Pokémon, returned him and I returned mine. The large crowd—who I had completely tuned out and forgot about—roared, and I grinned and waved at everyone. They all circled around me, and the thrill I loved and missed returned full-force. It was like I was that trainer who stared down sandwiches with Annie again; not the person who threw knives while running down alleyways.

I just couldn't help but feel exactly like the old me felt.

Sitting down at the small desk in the corner of my Center room, I attempted to write my next letter to Annie. Frankly, I couldn't think of a single word to say. The only thing I could think about was change. More so, the changes in me that had taken place through the past months. Maybe it took me finally battling again to realize that… "I'm a completely different person." I whispered into the lonely air. Nothing was around to hear me and reply, I couldn't even feel the supernatural feeling I got when Giratina was around; the only reason I said it aloud was that I could hear it. I needed to hear it. Logically, I knew this should have upset me, but it didn't.

Why was I so okay with this revelation? Well, I didn't need Giratina to answer this one: I like who I've become. This strong, independent man that my father thought I would never be. A sense of pride overcame me, and I smiled. Quickly my pride was replaced with nothingness again, and I shrugged, I am who I am, I like this person, and I'm not going to change.

Authors Note: Finally, the next chapter is here. I hope my readers haven't lost interest, since, believe it or not, there are only a few chapters left before the ending. Things are coming to a close.

Feedback of all kinds would be greatly appreciated, and is very encouraged! Thanks for reading, don't give up on this story yet!