Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.
Chapter 21
"I've been expecting you! It's soooo nice to meet you!" yelled a woman with crazy, bushy dark purple hair and wild red eyes as she almost tackled me to the floor in a hug. "You're a whole lot different than what I expected, mainly because I thought you would be a boy, but this is great too! Look at you!" She spun me around by my hands and would not stop smiling. It was extremely uncomfortable. After I was thoroughly dizzy and a tad peeved, I was finally able to connect all of the dots:
A late-twenties to early-thirties woman with unparalleled enthusiasm.
Ridiculous purple hair that stuck out in all directions.
The dragon statues and paintings that adorned all open walls.
And finally, she was the keeper of a safe house. They had to be strong, willing to protect everyone in the event of an emergency, and with some sort of experience in dealing with large groups of people.
Iris, the youngest Champion in Unova history, was standing in front of me.
Well, bouncing in front of me.
"I can't wait to train you and that adorable Luxio of yours," she said, flashing me a brilliant smile. "If only Tavon and Arabella had gotten a Dragon type… Now those are awesome Pokemon! You should've seen me in my prime when I had my Haxorus. We were the dream team—"
"Umm, excuse me?" I asked quietly. I wasn't going to get anywhere if she didn't focus.
"Oh!" she exclaimed as if suddenly realizing that I had never met her before and that she had some responsibilities. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, no doubt trying to calm herself down. She opened up her red eyes and smiled at me kindly. "My name's Iris and I lead this safe house. It's very nice to meet you."
I hesitated before I stuck my hand out to shake hers, wary that she might spin me around again. My head was still reeling.
"H-hi I'm Fallow," I said a bit shakily. Was she bipolar or something? She seemed to be completely calm and collected now, as opposed to her hurricane-like excitement only a few moments prior. "This is my partner, Luxio," I said, gesturing to the Pokemon beside me who looked like he stepped into a kaleidoscopic rainbow, "and we are here to become stronger, I guess."
"Aww! You're so precious!" she exclaimed as she enveloped me in a tight hug. I was definitely not a touch person, so my comfort level dropped into the negatives. She finally sensed my unease and disentangled herself from me. "Anyway," she said casually and business-like, "Cheren has already contacted me about what we should do with you. We will start battle training tomorrow."
I was surprised. Wasn't this wasting time?
She laughed at me as she saw my confused expression and walked over to her desk which was littered with papers and a map with different figures sitting on it. "Volantes told me about your concussion, so I want to make sure it is almost completely healed before we do anything too drastic. Besides, you need to learn how to navigate this place first and foremost. Get yourself acquainted with the other rebels and gain their trust. You need the support of everyone if you want to lead us."
Technically, I had no desire to lead a bunch of like-minded rebels. My main objectives were to train Luxio into the strongest possible Pokemon, tear down the increasingly-oppressive government, and discover why my brother was a part of the Regulation Force. That last reason always sent a dull pang through my heart whenever I thought of it. How could my brother, the only friend, my own relative, betray me like this? Leaving me to deal with my unbearable parents and escaping from the NatPol, I couldn't even begin to wrap my head around it. I just wanted to know why. And then, I was going to take him down if I couldn't convince him to rethink his priorities. But I guess I was the only person that could find the Legendary Dragons and befriend them, so might as well appoint me to Leader. Makes total sense.
"And speaking of Cheren," Iris said, digging through her desk drawers overflowing with papers, "he told me to give you something when you arrived." My interest sparked and Luxio and I walked over to her.
After a bit of struggling with opening one particularly-stuffed drawer, she shouted in triumph when she found an envelope with my name written in bold, fancy cursive on the front. I grabbed it, feeling multiple, paper-like objects inside. I opened it, and my heart almost shattered on the spot:
There were letters from Amy, Faith, Themis, Elin, and even Tavon and Arabella. My eyes glazed over with tears and longing for simpler days. I had barely left them all a week ago, but it felt like eons with everything that had happened in the past couple of days. Words couldn't even begin to describe how much I missed them. They were my family.
Iris could tell that I was at the point of a complete meltdown, so I almost hugged her in return when she said, "I'm gonna go check and see how everyone is doing this morning. I'll be back later." She smiled at me, and I tried smiling back, but my face was aching from the effort of holding the intense flood of tears at bay, so I just nodded toward her. My hands immediately ripped open the first letter from Themis the moment I saw Iris teleport out of the room. But when my eyes finally focused on the page, I suddenly stopped. Luxio nudged his head against my thigh and looked at me in confusion. Why wasn't I reading it?
I stopped myself from reading it because I realized that my actions were completely opposite of my personality. I had been gone a week, and my whole character and demeanor had changed. I was the leader of a freaking rebellion and my eyes flooded with tears because I got some letters. I was stronger than this. The old Fallow would have handled everything with simple indifference, but this… this person wasn't me. It felt too out of character.
So steeling my emotions and reeling myself in, I sat down on the floor with Luxio by my side and finally began reading the letter from Themis.
"Red-
"I've never really written a letter to anyone, and I never saw the need, so you better appreciate this one. Besides, I'm only doing it because Amy and her stupid Eevee forced me to.
"So… how's life treating you? I hope you and that fur ball are keeping to your training schedules. Growlithe and I worked our tails off in order to make you at least adequately skilled in combat. You guys still sucked, though. If only you could have stayed a bit longer, then I would've worked you into army material. But noooo, Cheren had to send you off to the less-than-exemplary safe house on Route 4. Relic Castle? Totally unoriginal.
"Uh… well, I don't know what else to say, other than that you have to keep training and you and Shinx have to save us. I'll personally murder you if you fail.
"See you around, kid.
"Themis.
"PS- Please write back soon."
I couldn't help but laugh after I finished reading Themis's note. It was so blunt and short and to-the-point like her. I could barely wait to reply. Just wait until she hears that Shinx already evolved into Luxio! But if we really wanted to show her something, we'd train so hard that he would evolve into a full-blooded Luxray. That day couldn't arrive any sooner.
I looked at Luxio who had his head in my lap. "What do you think, boy?" I asked. He lifted up his head and stared at me with wide, golden eyes. "Are you ready to become a Luxray?" He barked at me in happiness, showing me that he was more than ready. Then that would be our main priority here at Relic Castle: train him until he evolved for the last time.
After I carefully re-folded Themis's letter, I opened the next one, which was from Elin. I missed him and his odd Litwick.
"Fallow-
"It's been three days since you left and everything is so boring without you. Faith and Amy have secluded themselves even more and they barely talk to anyone. When you were here, Themis actually smiled and was able to relax a bit, but now she has a permanent scowl and snaps at anyone who gets in her way. Roxie is still shaken from the whole Regulation Force video, but she's getting better. Even Cheren seems more morose and harsh than usual.
"I guess I'm telling you this because we all want you to come back. We miss you a lot, Litwick included. He will sometimes float around as if he's looking for someone, and I know he's looking for you. I subconsciously find myself doing the same thing, as well, but I know you have greater things to do and accomplish than race back here whenever we miss you a bit too much.
"I know you said that you didn't think you could lead all of us, but I hope you are starting to see that that isn't the case. You and Shinx can take on anything. I knew that the moment I pushed you down into the safe house, but it's time for you to know it yourself.
"Fallow, you're gonna shatter the stars.
"Elin."
So you know that whole thing about staying strong and indifferent? Yeah. That didn't happen.
The tears pushed themselves out of my eyes, and they only increased as I picked up Faith's letter. I could practically see her bright green eyes and dark brown, bushy hair as she was telling me in her motherly-like way to have confidence in myself. She was four years younger than me, but she was one of the wisest people I had ever met.
"Dear Fallow-
"How are you? How is Shinx? Are you both okay? Have you run into many NatPol officers or Regulation Force officers? Are you taking care of yourself? How's the safe house? Better than the one here? Have you made any friends?
"Oh, sorry, that's probably too many questions… but I'm just so worried about you! Nothing's been the same since you left. It's practically impossible not to think about you and Shinx all of the have to come back soon and tell Amy and me everything. We really do miss you. A lot. And I know you have probably heard that in all of the letters you received (they were actually Cheren's idea— how crazy is that?) but I know that it always feels good to have someone miss you. It shows that people care.
"And a lot of people do care about you, Fallow. I know it was hard to see at first, especially with your parents, but you have so many friends here. I know that along this journey, there will be times where you will be utterly and totally alone, without Shinx even being by your side, and the isolation will hurt and make you feel like you don't matter. But please please please remember that we all have your back, even if you can't see us. We will always support you, regardless of whether or not you can find the Legendary Dragons or not. As long as you try your absolute hardest, everything will work out. Just don't give up when things seem to be too hard.
"I mean, the ones who love us never really leave us, right? And we all love you Fallow. Please come back soon and write back.
"Love, Faith."
By now, the tears had morphed into a torrential downpour. All of my pent up emotions were spewing forth like a volcano. It hurt. But it felt so liberating as well.
Three letters down. Two to go. And I was definitely saving the one form Tavon and Arabella for last.
"Fallow, aka Red-
"PLEASE COME BACK. THIS PLACE IS DRIVING ME INSANE. I LITERALLY HATE EVERYONE HERE (except for Faith and Elin… he's kinda cute…). EVERYONE IS ANNOYING ME AND MY EEVEE WON'T FREAKING CALM DOWN AND I NEED YOUR GLORIOUS, ILLUSTRIOUS PERSONALITY TO BRING ME FROM THIS DARK PIT OF DESPONDENCY I'M IN.
"Ahem… Sorry about that. I just really miss you and I have so much to tell you. Everyone is so grumpy and life here is so monotonous. It all just sucks. If my stupid cousin, Cheren, would let me, I would be right by your side in a heartbeat. Arceus only knows how much I hate being cooped up underground. Who cares if I get caught by NatPol? I can just beat them up with my newfound combat skills. I'll be sure to try them out on you when I see you next. You seem like you would be fun to beat up.
"I'm kidding. Okay, yeah, that was a lousy joke, but I seriously can't wait to see you. I know we didn't travel together for long, but it was fun while it lasted. I just wish I could be with you right now. But I know you are doing everything you can to take up your leadership position, and I'll probably only get in your way. Just say the word whenever you need a loyal sidekick, and I'll be there. I'm more of a "work behind the scenes" kind of person anyway. You can take the limelight. You deserve all of it.
"Please write back soon and tell me about everything. I miss you a lot.
"Love your friend, Amy.
"PS- Please excuse the smudge marks. Eevee wouldn't stop hopping around messing everything up."
I smiled after I finished the letter, looking back over the inky black footprints that covered the page. Luckily, I could still read the words. The footprints just added an extra bit of flair.
Amy always knew how to cheer me up. She had actually been with me since the beginning. I owed her so much more than I had given to her. If there ever came a time where I only could have one person to have my back, it'd be Amy. She was a force of nature that I don't think even President Javan could deal with.
Finally, only the letter from Tavon and Arabella remained. Obviously, Tavon wrote the letter, because my name on the front was pristine and perfectly proportioned, almost like he had typed it, but I knew he wrote it. I could see him now, writing at his desk in his gentlemanly manner as Arabella stood behind him, running her fingers through his long, light green hair. If I concentrated hard enough, I could hear her telling him what to write; throwing out long sentences and barely even pausing for breath to allow him to write. And I could see Tavon relaxing in her hands, a rare occurrence that only happened when Arabella was touching him. He seemed as if he had some childhood trauma that caused him to act with such poise and perfection.
Before I opened the letter, though, I reread all of the other ones. Procrastinating, perhaps, but I missed Tavon and Arabella the most. They were my family ever since Audun had left me all those years ago. The only sound that filled the large room were the deep, even breaths of a sleeping Luxio. I owed Tavon and Arabella for him. He was my best friend, and I can't even think about how life was before I got him.
Finally, I opened the letter.
"Our dearest Fallow-
"We have received great reports from Cheren about you, telling us all about your progress, achievements, and commitments from your stay at the safe house. Please accept our deepest apologies that we have not written sooner, but it has been too dangerous to contact anyone outside of Aspertia City.
"Herdier is faring well with us. He seems to be much happier here than staying at your house. He appears to have gained weight in the short span since he has been here. I hope you are not too worried about that. Speaking of your house, we have some slightly disturbing news:
"Your parents have not returned home at all since you left. We understand that you might not care too deeply about them, but it is nonetheless unsettling. We will try to figure out where they are, but Arabella thought you ought to know.
"On a different note, Cheren told us that he finally revealed to you the real reason of your being chosen for this specific leadership position. Yes, it is true that we believe you hold the potential in unlocking the dormant form of one of the Legendary Dragons. A major responsibility, but you hold the power to find them and use them. Now, whether it is Reshiram or Zekrom that will resonate inside of you, even we do not know. But we believe wholeheartedly that one of them will bond itself to you, along with that special Pokemon we gave you.
"So the little creature turned out to be a Shinx? Arabella considered that it might have been a Mudkip, but I knew right away that it was a Shinx. Call it intuition on my part. I know that your Shinx will grow into a powerful Pokemon someday. And you will grow into an even greater person than you already are.
"We really do miss you a lot, and we know that it is a tad unfair that you still do not know everything. But please understand that some things are better kept in the dark than in the light for all to see. Eventually, everything will be made clear and you will understand, but right now, just continue training and rallying the rebels together. And you seem to be accomplishing these things with flying colors.
"You have greatness inside of you, Fallow. A greatness that neither Arabella nor I could ever amount to. I can feel those walls that you build up around yourself, keeping you in a perpetual state of indifference and security, but it's time for those walls to fall. You have the strength, you have the courage, you have the passion. It's time for you to unlock all of that and unleash it, be that roaring wind you so desperately want to be. Blow the buildings down, splinter all of the trees, move the mountains. Rearrange the constellations and shake the earth's foundations. If anyone can, it's you.
"Your friends for always and eternity, Tavon and Arabella."
I laid down and cried.
—
Finally gathering the strength to go back to the Common Hall, I tried to seek a familiar face. In the distance, much to my displeasure, I saw Lucas with his trademark beanie. I couldn't see anyone else, and he was the only person that I knew, so I sucked it up and walked up to him. I could see the annoyance in his eyes as he saw me approach.
"Why me?" he groaned obnoxiously. I stared at him in contempt and crossed my arms. "What do you need, cupcake?"
"Stop being so melodramatic," I snapped at him. Quickly flicking some of my hair into my face to block his eyes from staring at my puffy ones, I said, "I just need to know where I can find Volantes. Or Wolf. Or Chase. Pretty much anyone with a pleasant personality."
He narrowed his green eyes at me. "They should be in the Mess Hall," he said slowly. I nodded to him and began to walk away with Luxio by my side. I turned around as he called out to me. "Have you been crying?"
Rolling my eyes, I turned around and waved him off, hoping that he wouldn't think anything about it. I had to do a better job about hiding my eyes. So I kept my head down when the familiar teleportation light took me to the Mess Hall. At a table at the back of the room sat Volantes, Wolf, Chase, and a strange guy that seemed vaguely familiar. He looked quite intimidating.
"There you are," called out Volantes as I approached. I sat by him and Wolf on one side, while Chase and the other strange boy sat on the other side. "Where have you been?"
I twiddled with a napkin in front of me. "Just around."
I could see Volantes raise an eyebrow at me as Wolf echoed, "'Just around'?"
"Yes, Wolf, we already established that," I snapped a tad too forcefully. Luxio, sensing my unease, shifted beneath the table. I crossed my arms on the table and put my chin on them.
"Hey, Fallow," asked Chase quietly and carefully, "are you alright? You don't look so good."
"I'm fine," I said harshly. All of the boys around the table flinched at my harsh reply, even the intimidating boy. I sighed when I saw that Chase looked a bit scared at my reply. "Sorry, Chase. It's just been a long day."
He muttered something along the lines of "that's okay," and stared at the food sitting in front of him. It was dinner time already? My stomach rumbled at an ungodly volume, my face flushing a bit. Everyone seemed to ease up at the sound. Wolf even chuckled a bit and turned to me.
"Are you hungry? I can go get you some food."
I looked at him with big grey eyes. "That would be spectacular, but I can get it if you don't want to." But he waved me off and walked toward the kitchen. I smiled a bit and then turned to the boy I had not met yet. It finally registered in my brain that he was the other boy in the room this morning with Wolf and Chase when they discovered that I had an illegal book.
Volantes quickly introduced him. "Fallow, this is Christian. He frequently teams up with me when we go out on missions."
I nodded to the boy, and he copied my motions. So he was an untrustworthy rebel, too? There seemed to be many of them around here. I found myself examining his perfectly cut black hair and calm, even brown eyes. Surely there must have been more to him than just a knack for not trusting people? No matter. If he didn't feel like talking, I wouldn't make him.
"Is it true that you have an illegal book?" he asked suddenly in a deep, quiet voice. I stand corrected. Maybe he did like talking.
"Yes," I replied. "What of it?"
He raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders. His extremely muscular shoulders. Even under his black hoodie, I could see the defined muscles this guy had. I gulped.
Muscles were a weakness for me.
Volantes coughed at the suddenly awkward silence that surrounded us. "So, uh, Chris… Have your Pokemon become any, well, nicer?" I perked my ears up at this strange question and listened intently to Christian's answer.
"No, and I don't know why," he replied darkly. Lacing his fingers on the table, he said, "They've been in Shadow mode ever since Team Cipher killed my parents two years ago. Just when I think I'm almost through to them, they sink right back in." Volantes nodded his head slowly.
I was about to ask a question about what Shadow Pokemon even were, but then Wolf put a plate full of spaghetti in front of me. And it was probably unladylike, but I dug in straight away. I was ravenously hungry, and no question was about to keep me from eating this delicious food. Splitting the garlic bread that came with it in half, I gave a piece to Luxio under the table. I never had the best table manners.
The boys talked about everything and anything under the sky while I just ate, enjoying the sound of conversation. Chase asked me a question right as I was done eating.
"Do you think you could read to us soon?" he asked timidly. I had completely forgotten about that. Oh, Arceus. This was about to be interesting. I tried to think of ways that I could weasel myself out of it, but I couldn't think of anything. Besides, sometimes you have to sacrifice your own comfort for the sake of securing the trust and support of others.
So I grabbed the book hidden in the secret pocket of my backpack and asked, "Where do you wanna do this?"
Volantes replied for Chase. "At the table closest to the entrance," he said, gesturing to the table on the opposite side of the room. That seemed like a strange place to read to them, but I couldn't back down. So I nodded, and walked past many rebels until I reached the table. Christian was standing strangely close beside me, but I didn't think anything of it.
But then I understood why he was so close to me when I heard Volantes yell in a loud voice: "LISTEN UP! Fallow is gonna read us all a story so everyone get your lazy bums over here and sit down."
Panic coursed through my system and I immediately started to bolt, only to be enclosed in the extremely muscular arms of Christian. This was completely uncalled for! There was no possible way that I could read to everyone! I couldn't even speak to all of the rebels at Floccesy, let alone the dozens of people here. I was so going to kill Volantes later. Christian still kept his arms locked firmly around me as I continued to try to flee.
"Okay, fine! Fine! Let go of me! I'll stay!" I exclaimed after a bit of pointless squirming. Christian finally let go of me, and then I saw just how many people actually wanted to hear it. At least fifty rebels sat on the floor in front of the table. Maybe I could flee now…
But Luxio could already guess what I was thinking, and he blocked my escape route. We had a staredown with each other for a moment until I abdicated. Jeeze, he was so stubborn like me. So I sat on the edge of the table in trepidation and opened the book to the first page. My hands shook with fear and I could feel a bit of sweat slide down my back. This was hell for me.
But then I began to think that books were my safe place, my haven, my escape route from the world. Wasn't this practically just like reading, except I just had to speak the words out loud? I could do this.
So steeling up my courage, I began in a shaky voice that eventually evened out once I become more comfortable:
"'In ancient days there lived a very noble king, named Uther Pendragon…'"
I continued reading for many long minutes, glancing up every now and then to look at the faces before me. Some were completely engrossed, like Chase and Volantes, and then others tried to appear nonchalant, even though I could see them drinking up the words inside, like Wolf and Christian.
Finally I came to the end of the first chapter. "But when the Archbishop beheld the multitudes that were assembling, he said to Merlin, 'Indeed, Merlin, it would be a very singular thing if among all these great kings and noble, honorable lords we should not find some ones worthy of being the King of this realm.'
"'Unto which the Merlin smiled and said, 'Marvel not, my lord, if among all those who appear to be so extraordinarily worthy there shall not be found one who is worthy; and marvel not if, among all those who are unknown, there shall arise one who shall approve himself to be entirely worthy.'
"And the Archbishop pondered Merlin's words, and so beginneth this story.'"
I closed the book and heaved a sigh. If only I could keep reading. My head jerked up though when I heard the ear-shattering sound of raucous applause. Why were they cheering for me? And then, all of a sudden, Iris was at my side, and everyone immediately settled down. I was in awe to see that all of the rebels were now sitting in front of the table.
"Wasn't that great, everyone?" Iris called out with a bright smile. "Every evening, we'll read a chapter from the book, and we'll let Fallow do it. Does that sound good?"
Everyone sent up a loud cheer, and I became very uncomfortable and awkward now that I couldn't hide behind the disguise of the book. And then my comfort reached into the negatives as Iris said:
"Let's hear it one more time for Fallow: our Leader in this Rebellion!"
But instead of more cheers, she was met with silence.
HERE HAVE A LONG CHAPTER SINCE I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN FOREVER. HAVE SOME FLOWERS WHILE I'M AT IT. AND MY ETERNAL APOLOGIES AND GRATITUDE. I LOVE YOU GUYS.
hahaha soooooo…. new chapter! yay! This one has been on my mind for a while, and I'm glad that I could finally type it up. We are reintroduced to Themis, Elin, Amy, Faith, Tavon, and Arabella, since I know it's hard to remember characters when you only get chapter updates and not the whole dang thing. I hope you all remember them! And major feels with those letters, man. Typing those got to me.
Before I forget, Christian belongs to Shadow'Blaze14!
AND GUYS. WHAT THE CRAP. 207 REVIEWS. THIS IS CRAZY. THIS IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THIS. It's all because of you guys and I am sosososososo grateful for every single one of you. You all mean so much to me, and you deserve more than what I'm giving you.
Replies to reviews now :)
The DJ Absolution: HELLO NEW FRIEND! I'm so glad you don't see anything wrong. I am such a Grammar Nazi that if I make a mistake, I get so frustrated. Thank you so much!
ChrystalDragoness: YOU'RE ALIVE! I'VE MISSED YOU! And you are totally fine about the wifi :)))
Emosewa-13: YOU'R ALIVE AS WELL OMG I THOUGHT YOU DISAPPEARED AND I WAS ABOUT TO BE REALLY SAD. And thanks for the touch-feely :) it's helped a lot.
StarShine65: …. I am so sorry that you have such angry Pokemon…. And you can do it!
Tabos: Sakei is dreamy. He has quite a few admirers here…
ZorialWater: Cupcakes fix all of life's problems. And I hope you internet gets back up! No one likes crappy internet service!
gamergirl101: Thanks so much :) Chase is such a cutiepie and I love him :))
AngelxofxChaos: wow… that's a lot of reviewing… Dude, character development is what I live for. King Arthur is one of my favorite stories ever, so of course I had to incorporate it! Thank you so much for your continual support. it really means a lot :)
PepperMentShock: Thank you so much :)
W.R. Winters: Wolf is friggin awesome and I love him. Thanks so much for sending him in!
Cottonmouth25: Please accept my humblest and deepest gratitude as you continue to praise me in my endeavors in crafting a story worthy of this splendrous website. Alas, you are not alone in your SurfandTurfShipping. Whether that is frightening or exciting is entirely up to you. Until the next one, my good friend!
Swag Giraffe: I take naps 24/7. it's so sad. And I shall definitely look up that card game. I live for those. And that Fairytale story sounds really cool! I'd be so interested in sending in an OC if that's alright :))
Shinymudkip25: Out of all the reviews I've ever received, this one made me tear up. It honestly felt like someone had just wrapped me in a blanket of love and affection and it made me feel so much better right away. Thank you so much for everything you do for me. And yes! We are definitely friends :))
PLEASE REVIEW!