Chapter 19: Dim Beaches

Ryoko sat on the side of his bed, scowling. He couldn't believe how embarrassingly he lost yesterday. If anyone in Cipher knew, he'd be a laughingstock. He felt like the world and everyone in it was telling him everything he knew was wrong. It was driving him crazy and he didn't know what to do.

Ironically, Ryoko's only chance for clarity seemed to be with Blaine. Something he was even less thrilled to think about. Mika was already out doing reconnaissance on the lab and Mewtwo. The lab itself was generally open to anyone with a visitor's badge or interested in touring the facility, but Mewtwo and his data were no doubt kept in a highly restricted area. If not on Blaine's person at all times.

Ryoko had given Haruka a call early that day. He couldn't let on that he was having troubles so he put on a brave face and told her everything was going according to plan. Naturally, Ryoko never liked showing weakness in front of Haruka. She relied on him as much as he relied on her. The fact Ryoko was beginning to doubt his own abilities may trouble Haruka too. He hated lying to her, but in that case Ryoko felt he had no choice.

So here Ryoko was, swallowing his already damaged pride and going to Blaine for advice. He can only hope he doesn't give away his true intentions. Ryoko just remembered what Mika told him, don't get anxious. Stay focused on the end goal. Ryoko told himself this all the way to the gym.

Much like the day before, the gym was pretty vacant, sans the gym trainers and Blaine. Blaine was waiting for Ryoko as he'd said he would. Ryoko walked into the gym and was greeted by Blaine's friendly demeanor and a warm smile. "Ah good, you decided to show up after all. Nice to see you, Ryoko. I guess we should get going." Blaine practically had one foot out the door already.

Ryoko barely had a chance to react. "Wait. Where are we going?"

Blaine grinned and gave Ryoko a thumbs up, "To the beach my boy. Have a little fun in the sun as you kids say."

Fun in the sun? Ryoko has never regarded the sun as anything more than blazing hot and miserable. "What are you talking about?" He didn't see how this would help at all.

"Like I said, I'll help you out with whatever seems to be bothering you and hindering your training. Trust me." Ryoko looked at Blaine like he was a lunatic, but he had to trust him unfortunately.

"I don't even have a swimsuit." This presented a problem, not only because he wouldn't really gain anything from being on the beach without a suit, but also the glaring issue of why someone supposedly from Hoenn wouldn't own a swimsuit.

Thankfully, Blaine doesn't ask. "No suit? No problem!" He laughed and had one of his gym trainers bring out a rack of swimsuits. "We sell swimsuits to men and women on the side. A little extra cash. Go on, take your pick." Blaine's little side business seemed to be very convenient to trainers.

Ryoko just shook his head, "Why are we going to the beach? Is this to train?" Ryoko couldn't help question whatever was going on in that bald head of Blaine's.

Blaine explained, "In a matter of speaking, this is one way to train, but we're not battling. Oh no, you have that down pat my friend. As for what we'll be doing, don't worry. I'll tell you all about it when we're ready. Now grab a suit."

Ryoko played along. He wasn't quite sure if Blaine wasn't just messing with him, but he had to trust him. So Ryoko grabbed a dark red suit, and changed. Then it was off to the beach.

The beach was all Ryoko expected and then some. Being an island, Cinnabar had quite a lot of beach to offer and plenty of people to take advantage of it. Ryoko and Blaine grab a couple towels and lied out on beach loungers. Ryoko wondered what was next. Blaine simply sat down and reclined back in the lounger with his arm behind his head and a satisfied look about him.

"So we just photosynthesizing here?" Ryoko asked impatiently. He was getting a little more than tired of Blaine's games.

Blaine chuckled, "Photosynthesizing. That's a good one. No, just lying back and relaxing. Feel free to work on your tan."

Ryoko rolled his eyes and motioned over his already naturally dark skin. "Hello?"

Blaine laughed once more, "Right, right. Come now, you're from Hoenn yet you've never just stopped and sat out in the sun on the beach?" Blaine got the immediate impression that Ryoko was way too serious and he needed to relax a bit. "Here," Blaine got up, "I'll be right back."

As Blaine walked off a woman in a light blue bikini walked over and sat on an adjacent lounger. "The lab's armed with alarms and packed to the teeth with cameras. There is no conceivable blind spot. Probably upped security after the last attempt." Mika quietly informed Ryoko.

Ryoko glanced over at Mika, scanning her up and down. For no reason other than seeing her in a bikini felt off. Definitely not a sight he was used to. "Figures, Team Rocket's a pain in our ass even now." He said while still giving Mika the once over.

Mika noticed this, she snapped her fingers. "Eyes are up here." She pointed back to her face with a slightly irritated look.

Ryoko blushed slightly, "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting to see you in that. You take good care of your body. You don't look thirty." He clumsily apologized.

"Careful hotshot, don't make me have to tell Haruka." Mika teased. "Anyway, that's the situation. I'm going to continue checking up on the lab, but if we really wanted to be secretive, we'll have to knock out the power and backup generator." Just wouldn't be this mission without more bad news for the two.

"Do what you can. I'll continue working the Blaine angle." Ryoko looked back and made sure Blaine wasn't coming.

"Got it. Good luck with Blaine. I bet he's a tough nut to crack." Mika got to her feet and started walking off. Though as she did, Mika walked with a very intentional and pronounced swaying of her hips. She looked back, biting her lower lip.

"Now that's just not funny." Ryoko glowered. Knowing full well she was just trying to get a rise out of him. Mika giggled and walked off as normal. Ryoko rolled his eyes and laid back in the warm sun. The soft breeze passed over him as the sounds of waves crashing soothed him. He felt at peace almost. Even though he was just talking about their plan to steal Mewtwo, Ryoko felt like his troubles were miles away.

Blaine came back over a few minutes later with treats in hand. "Here you go." He handed one to Ryoko while nibbling on his own.

Ryoko examined the bizarre pink and white candy. "What is this?"

"A Slowpoke Tail." Blaine said between bites.

Ryoko looked a bit put off by that. "These are editable?" Delicacies like these were foreign in Orre, and most places outside of Johto and Kanto. Ryoko still accepted the treat and reluctant took a bight. It was surprisingly sweet and easy to chew. "Wow, that's actually good." He happily took another bite. "Who knew the tail of a Slowpoke of all things would be good?"

Blaine nodded, "I was surprised as you were the first time I had one." Blaine thought back nostalgically to his youth and his first time eating a Slowpoke Tail. "Now see? Isn't this relaxing." Blaine reclined his lounger back further.

He wasn't wrong. Ryoko was feeling a lot more at ease. "Yeah, but what is this helping?" Ryoko personally felt like his time was being wasted on this pointless relaxation.

"I remember when I was your age. I was always so uptight and impatient. Never taking the time to stop and smell the Roselia. Seeing you battle yesterday reminded me of that time. Except your case is a bit different." Blaine explained, but still left Ryoko curious to know more.

Ryoko nonchalantly asked why. "If you've got an idea I'm more than happy to hear it. I've been trying to wrap my brain around it for a while now." It was like Ryoko had somehow lost his mojo. Was it being away from Haruka?

Blaine went on to explain, "You're conflicted. I could see it all over your face. You were like a tangle mess of emotion. Like you don't know what you wanted. Just going through the motions without actually committing yourself to the battle. I don't know what that says about the kind of trainer you are however." There in lied the problem.

"I only care about strength and victory. Pokemon are tools to aid that goal." Ryoko's very harsh outlook came out once more.

Blaine frowned, "I'm very sorry to hear you think that. To me, and many others, Pokemon and friends and comrades. Almost like family. Tell me, why do you think that?"

Ryoko fights back the urge to say, because that's how I was raised. "That's just how I've always felt. Never really been told or felt otherwise. At least not until recently."

Blaine nodded, "That's a shame. Pokemon are so much more than that. Please, call out your Pokemon."

Ryoko reluctantly reached for his bag and called out his team. All his Pokemon look confused to be out of their Pokeballs. "There."

Blaine walked over to Metagross. "You seem like a pretty tough one." Blaine patted the top of Metagross's head. Metagross responded in a surprisingly positive manner. Ryoko has only ever seen Metagross snap and fly off the handle at other trainers. Sometimes even Ryoko himself.

All of his Pokemon seemed to have an air of rest and relaxation. "Gotta say Ryoko, you've have some strong contenders here. I still can't believe I managed to beat your Whiscash and Xatu."

"Yeah, rub it in." Ryoko wore a sour expression as he thought of that defeat.

"Sorry, but it's like I said. I think you've got competing ideals going on in there." Blaine pointed at his head for emphasis. "The type of trainer you are is fighting back against the better trainer you're trying to become." This was Blaine's theory anyway.

"How can you be so sure your method is the right method?" Ryoko started getting short with Blaine once again.

"Easy there Ryoko, but if you want the truth. Then I suggest you think back to our battle. You see, I treat my Pokemon like my friends; family even. I don't get mad at them when I lose a battle. I know they did their best. So at the end of the day either I was the one who failed them, or we were simply not strong enough." Blaine got on his knees and pet Xatu on the head. "And Ryoko, that's okay too."

Ryoko admitting he was weak? The mere thought of it was insulting to anyone in Cipher. Lack of faith in your own abilities was practically forbidden. Cipher is a team, but the chain was only as strong as its weakest link. "Since when has not being strong enough been okay?"

Blaine shook his head, "It shows you're still human. You and your Pokemon are not perfect. Sometimes you need help from others. You don't feel the same way about Pokemon that you do about people right?" Blaine asked sincerely.

Yes. "No." Ryoko lied. He's never seen anyone other than Haruka and Mei as even remotely important. Saying he had friends in Cipher was a courtesy to them than a truth he believed.

Blaine smiled, "See? Now shouldn't Pokemon be treated the same way? They are just as much alive and sentient as Humans." Blaine did raise a strong point. Everyone Ryoko had fought in Kanto up to this point was very kind and loving to their Pokemon. Something that hadn't gone unnoticed, but he still didn't get it.

Ryoko looked back out at the sea and thought for a couple minutes. While doing so a couple women about his age walked past and seemed to be checking him out. Annoying. He simply looked right through them. His devotion to Haruka was as unwavering as the day they started dating. Even before that in all honesty.

Blaine flashed Ryoko a grin, "Someone's popular with the ladies." Even Blaine noticed the looks Ryoko was getting.

"Story of my life." He muttered. Complaining about his none problem. "It's probably because I'm foreign. Stare all they want. I already have a girlfriend."

Blaine laughed a bit louder, "Good for you, son. How long have you been with your girlfriend?"

"Haruka. About four years now." He'd argue longer, but they only officially started dating when he first asked her out at the age of fourteen.

"You must love her a lot then." Blaine pointed out with a tender smile.

Ryoko smiled tenderly as well. "Yeah, I do. I wish she was here now honestly." Ryoko quickly bit his tongue, because he knew what was coming.

"Why isn't she?" Ryoko called it.

"She's a scientist so she's usually working day in and day out. I wanted to travel a bit. I call her almost every day though." Ryoko recovered smoothly. Mika's advice paid off in spades. The devil was in the details so keeping it simple was the best advice.

Blaine beamed, "Ah a woman of science. Warms my heart to hear. Good for you both. Pokemon and training are important, but at the end of the day don't let it take priority of those most important in your life. Unless you're content with being a trainer and nothing more. Which is okay too."

Ryoko nodded, "Don't have to tell me twice. Metagross over there was actually a gift from her. So it's very special to me." Ryoko paused, he'd never said that. He may have thought it every now and then. Like it was some sort of possession, but that wasn't what he was feeling. He looked back at Blaine who had a look that practically said, got ya.

"Special you say? Like you care about Metagross?" Even Metagross seemed shocked by this.

Ryoko blushed and turned back around. "Yeah. Metagross was my first Pokemon. Plus, it's shiny so it's super rare. It's also very strong and I don't always admit it, but it's got me through a lot of tough battles." Ryoko's cheeks were burning. Metagross seemed genuinely flattered. It was used to be cold and indifferent, but now it was excited and happy. Much happier then when Ryoko called it out to battle.

Blaine smiled warmly and pulled out a small berry to feed to Metagross. To which Metagross happily ate it up. "Funny how nice it can be when you're nice to it too." Blaine petted it again. He then handed a berry to Ryoko. "Go ahead and try for yourself."

Ryoko reluctant grabbed the berry and walked over to his Alakazam. Berry in hand he handed it to Alakazam. Alakazam just stared blankly. From the time he was an Abra, Ryoko had never hand fed his Pokemon. Cipher agents were in charge of that. "Go on," Ryoko added.

"Smiles go miles." Blaine flashed a cheesy grin.

Ryoko rolled his eyes and tried a practiced smile, but he eventually just thought of Haruka and a more genuine smile came out. Alakazam lifted the berry with his psychic ability and ate the berry excitedly. "Wow, he really liked that." Ryoko patted Alakazam on the head almost instinctually. Which Alakazam loved even more. Before Ryoko knew it his Pokemon were huddling all around him, clamoring for his attention.

Whiscash flopped up and down with a goofy smile. Absol rubbed up against Ryoko's side, as did Dragonair. Xatu even joined in on the fun. Absol's fur tickled getting a genuine laugh out of Ryoko too. "Looks like you had it in you the whole time. You just need someone to remind you that it was okay to love your Pokemon like friends and family." Blaine said proudly.

Ryoko nodded, "I guess I was so fixated on being strong I never realized that." Ryoko felt a surprisingly genuine warmth from this. An almost innocent wonderment. Was this how normal people felt? People in Kanto certainly acted this way. Still, it's hard to undo over eighteen years of being told what was right and wrong.

It was an enormous step forward, but now Ryoko was even more conflicted. Although, what was most concerning to him was not a matter of strength or his emotional connection to his Pokemon. It was his resolve. Ryoko was now seriously wondering if he could in fact do this? Could he bring himself to betray someone who's proving to be a good friend all for the sake of stealing Mewtwo's data?

Thank you all for reading and I hope you all enjoyed. Please don't forget to leave a review with your thoughts on the chapter, the series, and the Pokemon Sagas Universe as a whole. When not a whole lot happened, but a lot of important things did come to light and have set in motion a lot of change. Momentum is building now. A lot of things will be escalating from here. I hope you all look forward to it.