XXI. Never Again

She shuddered, shaken by the events that had so rapidly unfolded before her.

He tried a grin, consoling her to the best of his ability.

She began to tear up, her small limbs quaking in the aftermath.

He cringed on the inside, worrying over her fear.

She wiped the tears in vain, inwardly kicking herself for showing such weakness.

He dabbed at his forehead, the sticky, crimson blood flooding out of the gash.

She was dismayed that this boy, her friend, took the blow meant for her.

He was appalled that this girl, his friend, was so terrified of him.

She stared at him for a long while, soaking it in.

He stared back, absorbing the shock.

She made a promise, scowling at her frilly dress.

He made a vowing, sneering upon his hands.

She would never allow herself to stand by like that again.

He would never permit himself to use such brutality again.

She would train and brawl, sharpen her skills on the battlefield.

He would groom his Pokémon; advance his talents on the stage.

So something like this never happened again.