Chapter Twenty: Knowing
Running From Myself
As it was predicted, the next day brought a huge rainstorm. The rain was pounding down so hard I couldn't see three feet away.
I sat in my room in the Center with Thumper and Roselia. Already today I went out for a ten-minute training session in-between the rainspouts. Now I was waiting for another break.
The night before I hardly slept. I ended up sleeping in past noontime, which made me lose training time, and be groggy for the next few hours. Dinner time was approaching and I still hadn't trained. I needed to train, I thought up somewhat of a strategy. I would need to increase the speed of my Pokémon and my commands to double-hit like Blake. I would try to play his game. That could be difficult, but I had to try something new.
The rain let up a bit, so I jumped at the chance to train. I ran out to the swampy field. Luckily I ran into a wild Pokémon, a Whooper, and had a quick battle with Bibarel. I would train him and he would be my 'main' in this battle. I would throw him out for Croagunk, and then I would throw out Spiritomb for Drapion and make a quick decision for the final Pokémon. Probably Gabite and then have Golduck for my backup. It might work. I had thought. And there was a good possibility that it would, too.
Bibarel was tough, he beat the wild Pokémon quickly. I tried to make command after command; Bibarel had no problems keeping up. I put Golduck against Bibarel. I was going to command Golduck and let Bibarel freelance.
"Golduck, Scratch!" My Pokémon sprinted to Bibarel and jumped up. He sliced his claws over Bibarel's back and landed behind him on his feet. "Water Gun." Golduck spun around and spit water at the other Water Type's back. He fell to the ground but jumped back up. He attempted Rollout.
"Dodge!" Golduck jumped into the air and dodged the attack, but once he landed Bibarel slammed into him four more times. "Confusion." I yelled. Golduck's eyes turned bright pink, but Bibarel didn't look, instead he closed his eyes and used a different move. He slammed into Golduck and sent him flying and crashing into a tree. I recognized the move as Take Down, Gabite knew that move.
"Nice Bibarel!" I grinned. Golduck jumped up and growled. He sprinted towards the foe and looked at me as he ran. "Scratch." Golduck continued the run and ended it with a flying lunge and tackled Bibarel. Then he used Scratch. Bibarel hissed and pushed him off.
He jumped up and sunk his teeth into Golduck's feathers. Golduck growled and fought, but wasn't successful. It started to downpour again. That unaffected Golduck and Bibarel, they were still ready to fight. I wasn't calling it quits if they weren't.
"Water Pulse." I commanded. Golduck used the move perfectly, the pulses picked up rain and hit harder. Bibarel hit the ground. "Scratch again!" Golduck scratched hard. Bibarel had a blood line running down his stomach. But that didn't stop him.
He leapt up and used Hyper Fang. Golduck shrieked and fell to the ground. He rolled over on his stomach and pushed himself up with his arms. "Water Pulse!" Still in the pushup position, he used the move. It slapped against Bibarel's hard body, he fell to the ground and hit his head.
Both Pokémon, soaked and covered in mud, stood up slowly.
I had to snap back into the game, I was the one trying to command Golduck, not just watching. "Scratch!" Golduck and Bibarel collided with each other. At the same time Bibarel used Hyper Fang and Golduck dug his claws into his back.
They both were down for the count. I grinned, they were ready to battle.
The day went on slowly. I went back to the Center soaking wet and waited for another training break. I ate some Pokébread for dinner and shared with Bibarel, Roselia, Thumper and Golduck. They all were out of their Pokéball's in my room.
After a while I went down to the lobby to see what was on the television. My battle was being shown again. That was the first time I had ever seen myself on television, it was weird. I sat and watched the whole thing, which also helped me figure out more strategies to beat Blake. The next day when I would challenge him, I would be confident.
One thing I noticed was how no confidence was in my voice at all and I looked like a weak beginner. I may have been a beginner, but I was not weak… At least the next time I would battle him.
After the battle Jubilife news came on. 'Breaking News' appeared on the screen. Oh no! Did the Golden Cities run out of hair dye?! I smiled.
"As some of you are aware, there has been another attack." My heart leapt out of my chest. I leaned forward, fear shot through me.
"Celestic?" I whispered. Oh Sinnoh, please no! It can't be them back home! It just can't!
"Canalave City was bombed." My heart slowed down and I laid back on the sofa. I sighed in relief. At least it wasn't home. "The research facility was bombed by a high-tech explosive device. Everyone in the building died and the building is nothing."
The screen changed to a big empty spot with trees still aflame around. Some Water Type's were dousing the fires. Someone walked on the screen. "All the amazing discoveries about this land is now gone. The only thing left is what's in Canalave Library. This is a problem, whoever is doing this needs to stop! People are dying!"
I agree and we're trying. I thought a moment, the rebels wouldn't do that, right? I mean, what legend would be held at a research facility? Then it hit me. Lea predicted that there would be more attacks, I was right, he was predicting his own attacks. That means that there will be more.
I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed. Thankfully I had a dreamless sleep. I think that was brought on because of my pure exhaustion. I took a shower and got some breakfast. It was some pastry that wasn't very good, but it was quite filling.
It wasn't raining, although the streets were muddy because it rained all night. I went out to train with my team.
Training was successful and unsuccessful. Bibarel and Golduck had no issues keeping up with my quick commands, but the others… Well, let's just say Gabite wasn't with the program. She wouldn't listen when I was commanding her, and then when I was commanding her opponent, Bibarel, she would take tons of hit because she refused to dodge and double-hit.
Roselia had always been fast, so that wasn't an issue, but she tired easily. After two double-hits she would be so tired she would not hit at all for a little while. And in-battle that wouldn't be good. I trained with Togetic, he was getting better and better. It wouldn't be long until he joined the battling team. Spiritomb wasn't getting faster, she couldn't adjust. It just made me roll my eyes.
I blew a few strands of my blonde hair away from my face as I stood with my hand on my hips, staring at my Pokémon. They were all out and all looking at me. "Listen up, you are all improving, you have so much potential to be amazing. But some things have to change. Gabite, you actually have to listen to me." She wasn't going to listen to that, I could tell just by the way she growled. "Spiritomb, you have to get faster. We need you."
Spiritomb grinned. "Roselia, you're doing good, but I most likely won't be using you this battle. Bibarel, you're going to be of much importance, keep it up. Golduck, you're important as well, try to dodge better." I grinned at my Pokémon. "Now let's get to training."
I trained until lunchtime. I went and picked up another loaf of bread. I quickly ate it and then set off for the gym. And this time, I was confident.
I reached the gym. It was lightly raining and some fog gathered at the tops of the tree. A Bird Type cawed and flew off when I walked towards the building. Blake was waiting inside, he was waiting with his grin painted perfectly on his face, and I knew it.
I walked through the door. The fires were flickering.
"Welcome, welcome! I see that you've come for yet another failed battle?" Blake walked out from the shadows, his favorite entrance. And of course he was grinning. The overly wide, teeth glowing, wicked grin.
"No, I've come to beat you." I saw the camera to my side. I smirked.
His laugh rang out. "Right, let's begin."
I readied myself for the battle. Alright, alright. He'll call out Croagunk, I'll call out Bibarel.
"Drapion, go!" Blake released the large purple Pokémon.
He switched them! Don't panic, just stick to the plan. "Spiritomb, fight well!" I released my Pokémon. She cackled wickedly and grinned. It matched Blake's.
"Fire Fang." Of course he would get in the first hit. Drapion took giant leaps and met my Pokémon, it bit the Ghost Type. Spiritomb screeched them escaped.
"Ominous Wind!" Spiritomb cackled and her purple mist shot out to the foe, it circled around him, much like a Pokémon hunting prey, and then constricted around Drapion. He cried out. "Shadow Sneak." I commanded. Spiritomb melted into a puddle and went to Drapion. She quickly morphed into normal form and tackled the opponent.
Drapion, still bound in ghostly fog, hit the ground. In one motion he broke the bind and sent Spiritomb into the air. She caught herself mid-fall and levitated back to my side of the field.
"Thunder Fang!" Blake called. Drapion obeyed and in one jump was across the arena. He bit my Pokémon, she yelped and squirmed in an odd Ghost Type way.
"Sucker Punch." A black fist appeared and knocked Drapion in the head. He clashed to the ground, but quickly stood up.
"Ice Fang." Blake's tone was normal. He wasn't losing confidence, neither was I. His Pokémon used the move perfectly. Spirtomb attempted at dodging the hit, but her spirit body was caught in the foes teeth.
"Ominous Wind." My Pokémon sent out more mist to bind-up Drapion. The mist tied around him, and then he broke through them and sprinted towards us.
"Thunder Fang." Drapion opened his mouth and chomped on Spiritomb. She screeched and angry screech and fought out of the mouth.
"Faint Attack." Spiritomb's whole expression changed. She went from screeching to showing no emotion. She crept up real close to the rival, Drapion inched back ever so slowly, and then Spiritomb threw a punch. It knocked Drapion across the field. Not enough to make him faint, but enough to make him mad.
"Poison Sting." Drapion shot pins covered in poison out of his mouth. They shot right through Spirtomb and headed right for me. I instinctively fell to the ground. They shot right over me and disappeared in the darkness.
I knew Spiritomb was hit, however, because she winced. Not a bad wince, more of a 'That hurt, but I'll be fine' wince.
"Sucker Punch."
"Thunder Fang."
Both Pokémon ran towards each other, they met in the middle of the field. Spiritomb's shadow fist appeared, but Drapion was faster. Spiritomb cried out and melted into a puddle. Drapion stepped back. I waited a second, would she get up?
Spiritomb quickly morphed into her normal circle-self. "Sucker Punch!" She threw a punch at Drapion, he clashed to the ground, his eyes rolled back in his head. He was out.
Blake returned him and I returned Spiritomb. He grabbed another Pokéball. He paused and gave me a look. When he realized I was not going to release my Pokémon first, he grinned. "Croagunk." The frog-like Pokémon came out.
"Bibarel, defeat this Pokémon!"
"Sucker Punch." In a few great leaps Croagunk was at my Pokémon. He threw a nice punch, knocking Bibarel straight to the ground. A hiss escaped from Bibarel's mouth. He stood up quickly.
"Take Down." Bibarel lunged forward and tackled the foe. Croagunk let out a croak and squirmed under Bibarel. "Hyper Fang." Bibarel jabbed his teeth into the rival's chest. He jumped backwards, off of the Poison Type, and waited for a hit.
Croagunk leapt up and landed right in front of Bibarel. "Poison Jab." Croagunk quickly started jabbing my Pokémon. They were so quick and fluid that even Bibarel didn't see them coming. "Mud Bomb." Croagunk spit up a lot of mud. It covered Bibarel.
"Shake it off!" Bibarel shook hard, some of the mud flew off but he was still covered. "Water Gun." Bibarel didn't miss a beat. He spit water at the rival. Croagunk was knocked to the floor. "Rollout." Bibarel, with great speeds, rolled to the rival and rolled over him twice. "Nice!" I praised. Croagunk jumped up.
"Sucker Punch." Croagunk punched Bibarel's chest. He sent him flying up into the air, Bibarel crashed down hard. "Poison Jab." Croagunk started jabbing all over my Pokémon body. It left purple bruise-like marks. That couldn't have been good.
Bibarel moaned and jumped backwards, he escaped Croagunk but in return slumped to the floor. He threw up purple liquid that pooled underneath him. "Oh no, Bibarel!" He was poisoned. I returned him. Great! My strategy worked so well!
Now for my backup. "Golduck, hang in there a little while!" Golduck came out. He readied himself and got into the battle stance. Knees bent, shoulders back and hands extended in front of him.
"Mud Bomb!" Blake commanded. Croagunk covered Golduck in mud, he quacked and started brushing the mud off. "Faint Attack." The foe lunged towards Golduck and punched him in the stomach. The wind was knocked out of my Pokémon as he fell back on his haunches.
"Scratch." I shouted. Golduck growled and jumped up. He grabbed Croagunk and sent him to the ground, then left a nice red line down Croagunk's arm. "Water Pulse." Croagunk croaked when water slapped across his face like a whip. Golduck stopped holding the rival down and took a few leaps back.
"Sucker Punch." Croagunk quickly got to Golduck, it started to swing its arm but Golduck ducked out of the way.
"Scratch!" I hardly yelped the word. My pulse was racing, this was getting exciting. Golduck scraped his claw on Croagunk.
"Mud Bomb." Golduck was pounded with mud, he collapsed to the ground. "Poison Jab." Croagunk started punching Golduck's body, he hissed and growled.
"Water Pulse!" I commanded. Golduck sent off pulsations of water. Croagunk was sent across the field. It was a critical hit. Golduck managed to get on his feet and rid most of the brown mud. "Confusion." Golduck ran to Croagunk and forced it to look into his eyes. Croagunk began rolling around and making weird sounds. I looked at Blake, his grin was still on his face. He met my eyes and winked.
"Scratch." With one last scratch down Croagunk's abdomen, it fainted. Blake returned his Pokémon I returned mine. Alright, now for his last Pokémon. Here we go.
Blake's nose scrunched up when his grin widened, it was like he knew the anticipation I was feeling inside. "Skuntank." He finally said. He released the weirdest looking Pokémon. It wasn't very tall, but it was very wide. It stood on four paws with large claws and had a tail that rested over the length of its body and ended at its head. Odd looking thing.
Well, Gabite let's see if you please me. "Gabite, finish the battle!" Gabite came out. She growled and focused. Whether that was a good or bad sign, who knew?
"Scratch." Blake yelled. Skuntank, with great speeds, met Gabite. He rose up on his back legs and scratched Gabite. My Pokémon pushed the purple thing away from her and she jumped up and practically glided over the foe.
"Dragon Rage." Gabite swiftly turned around and spewed purple and blue stuff at Skuntank. The rival stood his ground. Could my Pokémon actually be listening to me?
"Flamethrower." Skuntank countered with fire emitting from his mouth. Gabite raised up one of her arms to try to block the fire.
"Slash!" I yelled. Gabite started to use Slash against the fire, the air fought back like a shield. I smiled to myself. Skuntank gave up. "Slash again." Gabite didn't listen this time. She used Take Down. She tackled the opponent, they both crashed to the ground.
"Flamethrower!" Skuntank used Flamethrower, Gabite quickly jumped up and backwards.
I started to say 'Dragon Rage' but my Pokémon's right hand started to glow a blue-purple color. She approached the foe and scratched him on the side, leaving a bloody claw mark. She used Dragon Claw.
"Nigh Slash." Blake shouted. Skuntank quickly swiped a claw on Gabite's leg. She fell to the ground and roared in pain.
"Dragon Rage!" I yelled, desperation filled my voice. She needed to listen to me.
Of course she didn't.
"Flamethrower." Skuntank used Flamethrower perfectly on Gabite. There was absolutely no defense used, Gabite took a big hit.
She stood up and hissed, ready to fight. "Slash." I called. Gabite conformed and slashed hard on Skuntank's chest. He slumped to the floor. I grinned. But that grin turned upside down when he stood back up.
"Night Slash." The rival quickly swiped both claws over Gabite's abdomen. Gabite roared and returned a Slash.
"Take Down." Gabite slammed into the opponent, happy to listen that time. They fell to the ground. Gabite was the first one up, but Skuntank stayed down.
He was unable to battle.
I grinned and a cheer escaped my lips. Sweet victory filled inside of me, like a wonderful tasting berry. And it did taste sweet. I strutted across the field and met Blake in the middle. His grin wasn't as wide as it normally was, but he was still grinned. I smiled wide but didn't show any teeth.
Gabite walked beside me and stood there, glaring at Blake. We were a team, a team that was victorious and tough. "I won." I said. My voice rang clear and confident as it bounced around the room.
"I see you did." He laughed. "Well, you get your money back." He reached into his suit pocket and handed me my money. I took it and admired it. "Nice to have it back? I'll miss it." His grin widened. The cameraman took a step closer, anticipated something that the viewers would eat up. "You're a little feisty girl. A little tough, but more so lucky."
My eyebrows tightened, but my smile still lingered on my face. "You think I won because of luck and not power?"
He wiggled his finger at me. "Exactly. See, you're brainy. Nothing gets past you." He winked. I knew he was kidding, he called me naïve and told me that I missed things.
I smirked. "Well you are a fine opponent. Next time you have a challenger make sure you wipe that 'I'm better than you' grin of your face and replace your unbeatable attitude, because Blake, you have been beaten for the second time and it won't be the last. Tell that to Lea." I winked and matched his grin before turning around and walking towards the door.
"Hey, I'll meet you at the Center for an interview!" The cameraman called.
I nodded and pushed the door open, Gabite and I exited. I returned her and left for the Pokémon Center. I felt remarkable and like I could rule the world. My grin didn't leave my face all the way to the Center.
I sat in the lobby as Blake, the cameraman and Steven, the man from Jubilife News, came in for my second interview. Thankfully Constance and Maxina hadn't shown up.
Steven sat down on the chair next to me. "Now, uh," he paused, "are you going to fix your hair?" He made a disgusted face.
"No." I snapped. He slightly rolled his eyes and readied himself for the camera.
"Hello Sinnoh! I'm sitting here with Cynthia the trainer who has made to gym number five, or Blake's gym in Pastoria." Blake stood behind the camera, grinning creepily at me. Steven turned towards me. "Now Cynthia, after you lost to Blake, what were you feeling?"
I slightly smiled. "I felt a little disappointed, but I knew all I had to do was get better and I could win. And that's what happened."
"Yes it was what happened. What did you do to prepare for the second challenge?"
"I trained my Pokémon harshly." I fake laughed. "I think they all hate me now."
Steven laughed with me. "No! Who could hate Cynthia Everheart? Now, after you won, what were you feeling?"
I sighed happily and my smile widened. "I felt like I was on top of the world. It was breathtaking."
"I'm sure it was. Now what are you going to do?"
"Well, I am going to take a test to get a flyers license."
"You? Flying? Sinnoh skies better watch out! I kid of course." He laughed and paused. "Unrelated to your battling and such, how do you feel about the attacks in Canalave?"
"Attacks? More than one?"
"Why, yes. There was another bombing." He seemed confused that I didn't know this, I would slap myself for looking stupid later.
I thought for a moment. A thought hit me. It was something I thought of before the interview,
I thought about attempting to send a message to the rebels through this interview. This was the time to do it. "I…" I hesitated. I couldn't mess this up. "I think that it's horrible. This needs to stop now. Someone needs to stop this and fight back now."
"Fight back? What are you saying?"
"Fight back… As in send a message to the attacker, maybe?" I tried to sound like I was unsure and was pulling answers out of my ear. "But nonetheless, this needs to stop. Peace in Sinnoh is all I want." I wouldn't say that was a lie, but it was close enough.
"Lea has tried to send many messages but is unsuccessful." Wonder why.
I need to change the subject before I put myself in a deeper hole. I smiled. "I hope it works. Can I say something to my family?"
"Of course!" He seemed genuinely delighted.
I looked right into the camera. "Family, please stay safe. Know that I love you and constantly think of you."
"That's wonderful. With that, we'll close. Cynthia Everheart everyone." The camera cut off. "Alright Cynthia, stay tough. We're rooting for you." He stood up and left off. Blake came and sat next to me.
"Send a message to the attackers?" He threw his head back and laughed. Attackers? What does this guy know?
"Why is that funny?" My voice was filled with annoyance.
"Oh, your TV act is very laughable. Your one of many masks." He chuckled. I felt chills go up and down my arms.
"Well excuse me." I looked away and crossed my arms over my chest.
He laughed hard. "Cynthia, Cynthia, you're too funny! You want people to think you're this grownup lady but you're just a little child." He took a break to laugh. "And you want to be the champion?! How amusing!"
Okay, now this was weird. I shoot him a look. "How did you know that?" …And everything else?
"Oh Cynthia, no one pulls wool over my eyes. You're scared stiff of Lea, which only means you want to challenge him. You want to replace him and be the Sinnoh League Champion. You have big dreams, you know." His grin turned into a smirk. He had my attention, I clung to every word. And he knew it.
"You aren't cut out for the job, Sweetie." The way he said 'Sweetie' made me want to scream. He was just so creepy and weird. "You're a scared little girl. You're probably scared because of a past tragedy. A death, maybe?" He scratched his chin in thought. "But I can't figure why you wanted to set out to be the champion, you say for your deceased grandfather, that's where the death part comes in, but why? Did he hate Lea?" He wasn't asking me these questions, he was asking them to himself. He knew he was manipulating me.
"Possible, but something tells me you're going back on your first thoughts." He met my eyes. "At first you were so set to be the champion, right? You were so ready, right? Now you don't think so. Now that you've been out in the world, you're intimidated. And most importantly, scared to death of Lea."
I couldn't deny any of this. It was all true. So insanely true.
"But something still pushes you on. I thought it was your winning streak, and when you lost I assumed you would crawl back under your rock, but no, you challenged me again. Is it really the thought that you're somehow avenging your granddad?" He looked away in though again.
"No, that doesn't seem right. It must be because you think that now you have Sinnoh counting on you. Let's tell the truth," he leaned in closer, "they don't depend on you as much as you think they do. If you quit, something will make them forget about you. That's why Jubilife exists, right?"
He leaned back in his chair. "So what pushes you forward now?" He sighed, as if he was aggravated. He stood up. "I guess nothing." He left the Center.
Blake had me freaked out. He just explained perfectly what I was feeling, and he made me realize it perfectly. I was scared to death of Lea.
I laid awake in bed that night. I was worried about everything and was an emotional wreck. Thumper slept at my feet, he took up most of the foot space so I had my feet resting on him. Roselia laid beside me and Golduck liked to sit on the floor and stare at me. It was like I mesmerized him. Creepy little duck.
I rolled unto my side. I knew I wouldn't get much sleep tonight. I was so unsure about everything. I was such a mess, I seriously considered going back to Celestic. That's what I felt I needed.
Thumper popped his head out of the blanked and looked towards the door. I didn't think anything of it.
Then I heard the click of the door closing. I jumped up. "Golduck—"
I was too late, a hand slapped over my mouth.
Authors Note: Hey readers. Chapter twenty-one has been written, just not posted because now I have a system! It's hard to explain, but the plan is there are supposed to be quicker updates without me ripping out my eyes.
What does "Go vote on my poll, it's important!" mean? Oh yeah, go vote! If you don't I'll kill off every one of Cyn's Pokemon. Go vote!
Akeyaranu: Let's just say that dream was more reality then Cynthia realizes. And I understand your crash course was to help me... But I wasn't taught that way. Considering what I learned in over ten years old I'd think it's safe to say that things have changed in the grammar world... It's hard to just change to something different, you know? But! I will attempt to do so. It's not like I'm plain-out ignoring your tips, just know that. Smile!
Thanks for reading!