I AM SORRY!
But kinda not really...
I'll be honest here. Chapter 23 and 24 took a lot out of me as and I was taking a break during Christmas with my family who've I haven't seen for a while and I was immediantly thrown back into school which means a lot of projects.
Quick question:
Does anyone else go to Savannah College of Art and Design or SCAD?
I want to meet you.
I have not had time to build my team for Pokemon Y either so sorry about the friend code.
Plus I didn't really know how to approach this chapter.
Sorry.
This chapter contains:
Anabel.
I am mainly focusing on Anabel on this chapter and if you don't like Anabel
Why the crap are you reading this story?
And you can skip it, its really nothing but character development and abilityshipping..
AND CAMEOS!
Who?
You'll have to read it.
Oh and ExtravagantShipping is back
And as always enjoy
Disclaimer: The rights to Pokémon belong to Satoshi Tajiri, and obviously not me.
From One Side to Another
By True-InTha-Blue
Chapter 25
Her Eyes Smile
(Two months and 20 days since of the Initiation)
"So Brock, where are you thinking of heading to study for your career as a Pokemon doctor?" Max asked excitingly. The past two days were used to discuss about how everyone was doing in the past year or years and about the future. It was a surreal experience for our heroes to go several days without some sort of adventure that wiped them out or battling Team Rocket. Without Ash, the journey seemed a lot like Barry and Zoey's who were use to the monotony. So they battled a bit, talked a lot, walked even further.
Today's discussion was about the future.
Brock thought about it. "Hmmm…. originally I was thinking of trying to find a college here but its not a major field in Kanto and its mostly catered to more female genders." His face took a handsome look. His voice got deeper. "And of course, being the gentlemen I was, I couldn't have the ladies get distracted by my good looks going there."
Everyone sweat dropped. "Let me guess, they wouldn't let you in because the Nurse Joys know about your… habits." Misty said.
"Not to mention that Croagunk wouldn't even let you 5 miles of the place." Max piped in.
Instantly Brock felt the shivers of his Poison-type's stares piercing him.
"So Misty any planes for your Gym?" Brock said in a desperate attempt to change the subject.
For some reason our favorite Water-type trainer sighed. She had been hoping to not talk about that. "Not much. You know I should be using the breaks between the Kanto League to go off and do some heavy training and looking for new water-types but…"
"You just don't have time…" May concluded knowing the feeling of not seeming to get anywhere.
"Yeah. I haven't been feeling motivated as well. I mean I go to contests but I haven't seem to come up with any new moves." Dawn said off hand. It really was true but what was causing it true… she really didn't want to admit it.
A heavy air surrounded the group, until Zoey got fed up with it.
"Okay! I don't know if you guys have noticed it but these past few days it feels like we've been going no where. Both literally and figuratively." She got in front of the group and stared sternly at everyone. "It seems like everyone has done nothing except walk around in circles. You guys look like you've all been in a desperate need of a jumpstart and I'm starting to wonder if this is the real reason you guys are going to see Ash." Zoey shrugged. "And what are you guys going to do if he's all the way in a different region? So what if he didn't let you guys know? Not like we keep in touch with each other either."
Now Zoey wasn't angry at anyone, nor was she condescending anyone but she had a feeling that something wasn't right with all of this.
As expected Dawn, May, Misty and Brock kinda looked affected by her words. Its true that ever since departing from Ash on their own journeys that they haven't seem to have that extra… drive.
Max and Barry didn't get it of course. Max being a new Pokemon trainer and Barry having enough of his own drive to power a locomotive.
"So what we should do?" Dawn asked.
Zoey nodded. "We run! We keep running throughout the day and train super hard during our breaks! If I know anything about Ash is that he's striving to become super strong in these past months since he left Sinnoh."
It was only a day later that Ash was back on his feet. Though he felt the eyes of all the Frontier Brains and Scott all watching him making sure he hadn't done anything reckless. They were still docked at a Sinnoh Bay, near where Ash departed. And on a whim to get away , Ash and Pikachu along with Larvitar headed to the forest. It was back to its normal self, louder and the Pokemon more visible. However it was there he was there for peace and quiet. He wanted to spend time with his Pokemon and thank them for what they had done.
But at the same time, something strange was going around Anabel and the other Frontier Brains. The problem is she didn't know what was nagging her.
'I know there's something I'm missing.' Anabel thought ideally to herself while reading a book. Espeon was napping and it had been a relaxing morning with a cup of tea. But now, the more she thought about it, the more things seemed… off.
It wasn't an unusual thing she sensed these things, being always in tune with nature and all that. Comes with the package but… this felt… different from the other thing that we're off.
It annoyed her, feeling this way. One of her faults was being too sensitive for her, or others, own good. So unable to focus and not wanting to stir up a migraine trying to she left her room. Vaguely she wondered where Ash was but thought better of it not wanting to disturb him incase of he was still resting.
No one was in sight, the ship's lobby felt oddly empty. Devoid of human… or Pokemon.
'Strange.' Anabel thought looking around. If she heard correctly, there were noises coming from the kitchen.
She approached it carefully. Silly she knew but…
"ANABEL!" A head of blond leaped out.
Anabel jumped back and nearly called out a pokemon on instinct if she didn't recognize it as Greta. "Oh… hi." Anabel caught her breath. She looked around warily in case someone else was going to jump out. "What… uh… is going on?" She asked trying to peer into the mess hall. Greta however was suspiciously in her way though.
"Oh its nothing! Yoish! You know I've been thinking since its been a while that we girls have been together when we're not on mission and since we're just waiting for Scott to clear stuff up. Why don't we go to a nearby town and go hang out? Mess around with some hot-shots and take them down a peg or too."
Anabel blinked, unsure what to say. "Ummm okay."
A voice came from behind. "Great."
"Eep." Anabel... well eeped. She looked behind to see Lucy had somehow gotten behind them.
"Let's get going then." They grabbed Anabel by her elbows and hauled her away to parts unknown.
About a minute had passed before Noland poked his head out from the doorway. "Okay all clear." He waved his hand to motion the other men who came out. Brandon and Tucker came carrying boxes while Spencer who had a Breloom out watched from behind.
"You think those two can keep Anabel distracted for the rest of the day? After all she is not an easy girl to fool." Brandon said speaking from personal experience.
"She's in good hands. Why I've given those two a whole run down of the nearest towns local attractions and even better, a guide?" Tucker explained
The rest of the men tilted their heads confused. "A guide?"
"Bonjour ladies!" The three Battle Brain females were greeted by a tall woman with great purple hair dressed in a wonderful summer dress.
"Madame Lucy, Greta and Anabel I presume?" She asked.
Lucy stepped forward. "Umm yes… Oh are you Ms. Fantina? The one Tucker knows?" She asked the far more exuberant woman.
"Oh yes yes. Bon!" She did a twirl. "Tucker told me all about you three. All such fabulous trainers and you all have beauty to boot. Now, let us come and do the things we do in Sinnoh."
The ladies left together, and Anabel still their helpless victim. They came to the center of the town where all the shopping was done. Following Fantina's lead they went into one of the fanciest boutiques. Lucy and Greta didn't hesitate to follow behind, with the paychecks they got being Frontier Brains, they were used to this type of stuff.
Anabel however sighed dejectedly.
Funnily enough, the store held the Ghost-type Gym leader's own brand of clothing that she showed the ladies their styles. The store owners made a huge fuss on how one of their top designers suddenly showed up.
Lucy and Greta and Anabel got pulled into as models. Theme of the day, Trainer's outfits.
Lucy had no problem showing off, being used to be fawned over by her woman posse. Greta, who was normally known as such a tomboy and fighter, hid a secretly girly side that loved to play dress up. After all one must have balance in both training, and personality
Anabel… felt very… out of place and uncomfortable. Dressing up like this, reminded her of some things she rather not care for.
'Why do humans have to-' She mentally smacked herself for thinking that way. Old habits die hard. And another old habit of hers was coming to the fore, sneaking out.
She really didn't want to ditch Greta and Lucy or Ms. Fantina who she heard was a fantastic trainer but… all of this, she thought looking at the boutique full of lovely ladies who fawned over the luxurious clothing and jewelry, was not her. Sometimes she liked to play dress up… but not in front of others, with so many eyes judging her on who she should be.
So when they went to dressing rooms for another round Anabel plotted.
"Come out my friend." She called on to one of her pokemon.
"Cherrim…" A shy voice came from a velvet cover sprouting tiny legs A soothing hand started to stroke the soft petals easing the very quiet pokemon. "Cherrim."
Anabel smiled softly, petting the grass-type pokemon. "Hello there. You seem more hyper than usual." She half joked. Normally in her pokemon's petals were closed, the grass-type never really even spoke.
Cheri, cheri." The blossom pokemon hopped on her lap to show she was indeed feeling better.
"Are you well enough to do me a small favor?" Anabel asked.
"Cher."
"Good. So here what I need you to do."
"Is Anabel still in her dressing room?" Lucy asked wearing a more the reasonably fashionable trainer outfit.
Fantina walked up to the booths. "Anabel darling. Why don't you show us that wonderful dress, why its based off of a real princess don't you know?"
No answer.
"OH MY GOSH! LOOK AT THAT CUTE POKEMON!" A random woman called out in the store.
Woman flocked around table squealing and cooing at what ever was going on. Curious, the three ladies decided to check it out.
"Cherriii." On a table full of scarves was a particularly cute looking cherrim showing a delicate petal dance. It peeking in and out of the curtains looking even more adorable. The move that it was using was super cute too, as soft pink petals swooshed around her body.
"Cherrim."
Everyone hearts melted…. except Lucy's. The eyes weren't squinty enough.
Seeing that everyone was properly distracted, Anabel made her move to get out of the room and almost at the door, the sakura like pokemon did part two of her master plan.
She launched a sunny day right in the store. It dazzled the lights and nearly blinded everyone with its fabulousness.
But when the lights died down, the cherrim and Anabel were no where in sight.
In a poffin store just ten shops away from the boutique, Anabel was congratulating cherrim on a job well done.
"You earned it." Anabel said flicking a berry into the hot poffin mixture. The grass-type giggled and did another little dance similar to Ash's totodile. During the time training with Ash's pokemon with her own, the two seemed to like each other a lot with their own dance moves and hyperactive attitudes when she blossomed. And now that she was in her sunshine form, the shy pokemon was indeed that.
Anabel laughed enjoying this time. She decided to bring out the rest of her team with her. Metagross, Luxray, Dratini and Beautifly. Espeon was still back at the ship, snoozing away.
"Alright now open up." Anabel said holding a poffin in front of her grass type. They were blue speckled with yellow and had slices of berries on top.
"Cher-ri!" The blossom pokemon took the whole thing in. "Cherriiiiiiiii!" She did a twirl tasting the delicious flavors of dry and sour with the sweetness of the berry on top. Soon her little legs were kicking up can-can style showing her excitement.
"Cherii cheri cheri cheri cheri!" Cherrim started chatting away to Anabel about her thanks but all the Salon Maiden could do is smile. She sometimes had to be careful about showing her Ability to communicate with Pokemon as sometimes people began to send her stance looks or worse, they flock around her demanding to know what their pokemon are saying when they figure out her talent.
Inwardly she sighed. 'I should not shy away like this…' She loved helping trainers connect with their pokemon more and yet she hated it when people began to point her out like some special or spectacular person. Ash never saw her as strange or more than a trainer. He was just… honest. Goodness to gracious honest. To him everyone was special in their own different way and yet the same.
Blushing and turning away shyly she thought to herself. 'Yet… he saw me special enough to open a side to his heart that no one else has seen.' What a contradiction.
"Alright guys who next?" Anabel called out to the rest of her pokemon trying to distract herself from her thoughts.
As she came to the last pokemon. "Luxra…" The electric type yawned before nudging his trainer. He pointed towards outside of the cafe with this tail where the three ladies Anabel oh so kindly, and bluntly, ditched were looking for her.
"Oh dear." She muttered to herself. Torn between apologizing and wanting to get away from the oppressive nature of her friends and Tucker's…. girlfriend?
Anabel then realized she was being terribly antisocial today.
Quickly she requested a box for the poffins and quickly made way through the back door without even recalling her pokemon, simply having them follow her. The slower ones staying on Metagross' back.
"Beauta?" The butterfly pokemon began to question Anabel's unsocial behavior.
"I know I know… its just…" She simply couldn't find the words. "I guess… I don't feel like hanging out with… humans." She said bluntly.
Her pokemon looked at her sadly, knowing what she was talking about.
"C'mon. Let's go find a park or cove or something. I need to clear my mind."
What would Brandon think on how she was acting now, isolating herself from society. But… somedays… she just didn't feel like it.
She halted suddenly, causing her pokemon to look back at her. Maybe though… there was something that always got her into spirit.
So along the alley Anabel and her pokemon sprinted for the center of town. Because… battles always took place there.
True enough to her word, there was already a battle in commence.
Like all town squares, a fountain was dead center of the circular park. On the right was a green park but somewhat between the stone walkway and the grassy field was two pokemon and two trainer's squaring it off. A slight crowd was cheering them on with gusto.
It was a Slowking and Shinx duking it out however it seemed that the electric type was struggling against the water psysich power.
"Common Shinx! You gotta pull through this!" A green haired girl called from the side. "Thunder Fang!"
Glasses flashed. "Protect and then use Water Pulse through it."
Shinx had already leapt and plowed into the barrier and then being hit with the Water Pulse in midair.
"Inx!" This seemed to be the finishing blow for Flash Pokemon as it was knocked out with little struggle.
"Oh no! Shinx!" The green haired girl yelled out. She stomped her foot before running towards her fallen pokemon.
"Dang it! I really messed up this time." Said girl said to herself.
The glasses boy smirked. "You'll won't make it to the leagues with that power."
It looked like the girl wanted to punch those glasses in his face until-
"Well… its kinda unfair with a infant pokemon against a fully evolved pokemon." Anabel walked up. The crowed parted ways for her and her pokemon. Anabel had that effect on people.
"I'm curious who challenged who?"
The green haired girl went right into her face."I was already battling against some other trainers when this guy challenged me! I didn't know he would be this strong!"
Glasses boy seemed unfazed by her accusation. "I was merely trying to help her show that she had a long way to go. She was boasting quiet much about being the strongest."
Anabel, being the Salon Maiden and thus required to keep a refined air, resisted the urge to roll her eyes. 'Both of them have a long way to go.'
"While you may have had a good intention… um… ah"
"Conway."
"Conway, I understand wanting to help new trainers but you can't just brutally defeat them like that." Anabel replied. "You have to show them through technique and fines, not brute strength. You'll just crush their spirit and make things worse."
Conway's glasses glinted keeping his expression a mystery. Anabel then turned to the girl.
"You have fiery spirit but you shouldn't boast. Nothing good comes from it."
The green haired girl squinted her eyes. "And who are you to say that?"
"My name is Anabel. My profession usually has be dealing with trainers and helping them improve."
"Interesting." Conway said from afar. Still with that mysterious glint of his.
"So you help trainer's eh? Fine! My name is Angie and you are going to help me out!"
Anabel did a double take. "Wait what?" She barely got those words out before Angie started to drag her deeper in the park, Anabel pokemon following to another battle field admits the pines and oaks.
Glasses boy followed without them knowing.
"Hey! Um! What-" The Salon Maiden stammered.
Angie let go then showed a very Ash-like grin. "Yeah! If you really know what you're doing then you're going to help me out!"
While Anabel admired her enthusiasm, she wondered what she had gotten into.
"Yes please enlighten us." A voice came from behind them.
"You!" Angie yelled. "Why are you following us? You won Conway so go on YOUR way."
He smirked. "No way. I wish see this girl's 'profession' in helping trainers." He was genuinely curious about it.
Anabel sighed but decided to go along with it. She brought up her own Luxray as an example for the weakened Shinx. She didn't intend to push the little pokemon far but it wouldn't hurt to show some helpful tips.
"Well…" She went up to the Flash pokemon gently; instantly he took a liking to her by rubbing against her hand. From there the Salon Maiden was able to sense that Shinx really did trust her trainer. So they had that down, but the pokemon itself was doubtful of his own abilities.
'We'll just need to fix that.'
"What are you doing?" Angie asked starting to get impatient.
"Just seeing a few things." Anabel said. "Alright. I guess what you're looking for in me is how to win battles."
"Yeah!"
"I can't teach that."
"Aw man." The green haired girl complained. "Why not?"
"Because that's something that every trainer has to find out for their own." She put a hand over Luxray's course mane. "What I can show you is experience and a few tips to work with your Pokemon's power."
Angie thought about it, what this girl said did make sense. "Okay."
Conway was far more skeptical. "And you merely pet a Pokemon to sense that?"
Anabel almost paled. That guy is far more observant than she initially thought. This is why she avoided most public places these days. It was a hassle to tell people about her ability. Because they swarmed her or were far more skeptical of her claims thus leading to a headache from both ends.
"I use basic behavior a pokemon reacts to a stranger to gauge trust." It wasn't a complete lie, it did have some basis but not even the greatest Pokemon connoisseur from Unova could tell from a basic pet.
"Interesting." Conway said. Anabel narrowed her eyes, she was going to have to be careful with this guy.
"Alright. Luxray." Anabel called to the X-ray Pokemon.
"Raa."
Angie couldn't help but gulp at the fiercer evolution of her Shinx. "Am I going to have to fight… that?"
Anabel smiled. "Oh no. I just thought this would be an easier example."
Anabel began to use Luxray and her Cherim, who was still in sunshine form, to show her basic dodging maneuvers from attacks. And showing the conductive uses of electricity. Of course this was a little over Angies head.
"I don't get it." She ruffled her hair with a equally confused Shinx sat beside her.
Anabel smiled sympathetically. "I understand. My apprentice had a difficulty with his pikachu trying to learn that."
Angie had faint red blush. "A pikachu eh?" She said remember another certain pikachu trainer.
Of course she had no idea that the other girl was talking about the same person. Such is the irony of this situation.
"Let's try this again. Its really simply just charging your own pokemon and your opponent with enough electricity and the lighting will do the rest."
"So it won't miss?" Angie summed up.
Anabel was pleased that she was getting it. "That's right. And it may have an effect of paralysis. Though…" She shifted her eyes to Conway. "Its best you don't try to challenge this guy with that move, since he would know what you're doing."
Angie also stared at Conway. "You got that right."
The glasses boy was unamused. "Must you be so cynical about me?"
Angie wasn't affected by Conway's attempt at sympathy. "Hey. Your the big shot trainer. So why does your mighty presence bother with little trainers like me and Anabel?" She said slugging her arm around the Salon Maiden.
"Hmph." The glasses kid didn't bother to correct Angie that Anabel probably wasn't a 'little trainer' like she said. "Well now knowing what I see, I would like to challenge this girl to a single battle."
The former day care girl looked like she was about to protest yet Anabel already readily accepted the challenge.
"Very well then." Anabel said. "As challenger you show your pokemon of your choice and then I shall pick mine."
Conway smiled. "Of course yet I still have a slight advantage seeing that your team is all out. And I know just the one"
Without another word, he pulled out his aggron.
Anabel was unfazed by the fierceness of Iron Armor Pokemon and brought out her own faithful steel type.
Conway didn't notice how Anabel's Metagross came to the fore without her calling to it.
"Meta." The Iron Leg Pokemon stared at it's opponent.
"Arrrrrrrr!" The standing steel type growled fiercely waiting for his trainer's orders.
Conway tried to analyze the pokemon. "A steel/rock versus a steel/psychic. Interesting."
Angie looked at them both before picking up shinx. "Hey let's give them room." She said back up a bit to give them a clear trainer space.
Meanwhile Anabel was sending a communication to her Pokemon. 'Metagross. I've decided on this battle that I will not use my empathetic link. As… well you know why.'
"Meta." The Steel type understood perfectly.
"Good. Meteor Mash."
Metagross took Conway and Aggron by surprise with its speed. The pokemon's mighty legs crashing into the Steel/Rock types head making it see, literally stars.
"Arrrr." The Iron Armor Pokemon slide across the ground clutching its head. Temporarily dazed Anabel launched her next attack. "Psychic."
But Conway was able to react. "Protect."
And normally this would work but Anabel was an experienced trainer, not to mention a Battle Frontier Frontier Brain and figured out from long ago how to bypass this normally annoying defense.
"Attack from behind." She said simply.
"Mettaaaa." The psychic power turned into a sphere and zoomed quickly over Aggron and struck from behind. Capturing the other steel type, lifting him up and slamming him to the ground.
Conway… felt sweat from his brow. Anabel was proving to be more than a challenge than expect. 'But no matter. None of these attacks are super effective so I still can have the upper hand' He thought logically.
"Then Aggron use Flamethrower." Aggron with a little difficulty launched the fire type attack and engulfed the Steel/Psychic type. Yet Anabel didn't show any worry.
"Now use Iron Tail Aggron."" Conway ordered hoping to catch the girl by surprise.
"Iron Defense and use Psychic to throw the flames back." Anabel said remembering how Ash showed her that technique during training when she was using Rook against his Noctowl. It was an ingenious way to get rid of the fire.
A metallic sheen washed over Metagross and a blue flow surrounded the flames and were launched back to Aggron. Luckily since Agrron was a Rock type as well, it didn't do as much damage as it did to Metagross. Still Conway was surprise and was then reminded of a certain trainer who also was able to do unorthodox things with ease. Once again, irony played a big part here.
"Meteor Mash."
"Safegaurd!" Conway was starting to see the difference between the two Pokemon's damage. Aggron was taking more attacks than Metagross even though the steel/psychic type took damage from a super-effective fire type move. The defense on that Pokemon was quiet amazing.
Meteor Mash was luckily only hit Safeguard leaving Aggron unscathed. Until…
"Hyper Beam my friend."
"What!" Conway realized the close proximity of Iron Leg Pokemon in relation to the Iron Armor Pokemon. The bright yellow beam of the super Normal-type attack blasted Aggron onto the ground all the way to Conway's side.
"Aggron are you okay?" Conway asked obviously worried about his Pokemon.
"Arrrrr…" Came a weak reply. Things was looking bad for the glasses guy. But now that his opponent's pokemon was recharging it was a chance to strike.
"Get up close and use a Flame Thrower! Then strike with Iron Tail!" Conway was thinking fast of how to get the upper hand.
Anabel quirked an eyebrow, a slight smile showing. 'My friend stay strong.' She told her pokemon believing in it.
'As always Mistress.' It replied with the same faithful tone.
So even as the fire was shot from Aggron's mouth and surrounded it, and even with the Iron Tail constantly was beating against its metal hull, it was not deterred from its goal. To battle and to be victorious.
'It is time!' Metagross let its trainer know that it was ready to battle.
"Iron Defense and Psychic. Crash him in front of you." Anabel said with a determined voice. It was time to end this.
Once the metal coat covered Metagross, the Iron Tail clinged off of it. Psychic surrounded Aggron and before the pokemon or his trainer knew it, he was sent down straight to the ground.
"Now Hyper Beam." Anabel said.
"Prot-"
The Iron Leg Pokemon was faster than the Steel/Psychic type. The Hyper Beam enveloped him completely and once it was gone, Aggron was collapsed and fainted.
Conway said nothing, surprised at the turn of events that lead up to this. He recalled his pokemon and his glasses were hiding his eyes as walking up to Anabel. "I thought you said it wasn't professional to use brute force to battle an opponent."
Anabel smiled at his words. "You're right, but if you recall my attacks I was actually trying to teach you something."
"And that is?"
"Improvisation and flexibility." Anabel said addressing both Conway and Angie. "Conway you are far too easy to predict and you just simply rely on the basic attacks. You want to out do your opponents in both power, type of attacks and keeping attacks from hit with your protection move. But that doesn't work with all battles. You need to surprise your opponent by using you moves and even the area around you to your advantage. Though I must admit my apprentice actually taught me a lot more about improvising attacks. In fact he's almost a genius on what he can do."
Conway showed surprise in his eyes. He was now starting to understand his weakness and why she was able to win so easily. "I guess I understand where your coming from."
Anabel grinned. "I'm glad." She turned to their spectator. "Angie do you understand?"
The green haired girl scratched her head. "Kinda… I guess I just gotta put it into practice before I could really get it." But she pumped her fist. "But I'm totally going to use it when I get stronger! I'm going to be the most unorthodox trainer there ever was!" She proclaimed proudly with Shinx supporting her.
"I am curious. Are you part of the Elite Four from another region?" Conway asked analyzing the Salon Maiden's skill.
Anabel laughed. "While I'm flattered that you think I'm on par with them. I am actually part of the Battle Frontier."
Conway remembered Palmer. "Oh are you from the Sinnoh Battle Frontier?"
Anabel resisted twitching her eye hearing about those punks. "Um… no. I'm from the original branch from Kanto." She reached into her pocket to pull out a business card. "We're actually about to start in a few weeks. If you ever up to it, try to contact our boss Scott. If he invites you, you'll be able to participate. And even if you don't reach me, the other Frontier Brains will teach you a lot." She handed it to Conway.
"I'll see what my options are."
"Hey can I have one?" Angie asked wanting to have one for future purposes.
"Sure." Anabel said.
"Dra dratini." The little Dragon type nudged Anabel's leg and pointed to the sun with its tail. It was past the afternoon and still falling.
"Oh dear. Looks like I need to get back. It was nice meeting you two."
"Aw but I was learning so much."Angie said deflated. But then she intently perked up. "But you and I will definitely meet again and then I'm going to battle you and I'm gonna win!"
"I'll look forward to that day."
"Thank you for the lesson." Conway said his glasses glinting.
Anabel nodded recalling her pokemon and waved goodbye to her new acquaintances. And headed off to the woods.
Ash was busy laying down on the soft grass but noticed how far the sun had fallen during the day. He leapt up calling to his Pokemon and recalling most of them in their Poke'balls. Leaving Larvitar and of course Pikachu out.
"We should head back."
"Pi"
"Tar."
They were happy and content with themselves. It was a relaxing day and they felt their strength coming back. It was the last day in Sinnoh and now it was time to head back. He had also returned to the Reverse World to talk to Giratina with some healing supplies but to his surprise, the Realm of Giratina healed Giratina. Go figure. Still, it didn't stop our hero from offering some berries in thanks. With Pikachu on his shoulder and Larvitar at his feet Ash happily walked back eager to get back to his new family and enjoy his time with them. They've done so much for them and especially his mentor Anabel and…
Ash halted in his steps contemplating something. He really should thank her properly… with… with a gift. Something unexpected from him.
"But what?" He muttered to himself.
"Pika Pikapi?" Pikachu asked what was wrong.
Ash looked deep in thought. "Well…. I'm thinking of getting Anabel a gift. For a thank you for how much she has helped us. The question is…. what do we get her?"
"Lar…"
"Kaaa.." They all mimicked their trainer's pose deep in contemplation. And as per expected they all slumped down in defeat not able to think of a thing that the Salon Maiden would like.
"Aw man!" Ash complained. He wanted to do something special, something with meaning but….. what?!
He looked around seeing nothing. "I guess we should get going. Maybe Brandon could give us an idea."
They walked in silence for a while until noticing some bright that were shimmering in the green. Ash quirked his head at this, something like that nearby Giratina's lake.
"Larvitar?" Being the youngest and drawn by shiny things curiously wandered over there without Ash and Pikachu noticing right away. But the trainer and his partner caught up to the Rock type when they noticed he was missing.
"Hey hey! Larvitar what are you doing?" Ash asked kneeling down next to his pokemon on the cool grass. "C'mon. The ship is the other way…." He stopped looking around the area and it was covered with beautiful light pink flowers that seemed to shimmer in the setting sun.
"Pikapika…"
"Lar…"
"Wow." The trio said looking at the serene scene.
'Gracideas.' Ash thought to himself remembering the flowers name and their… 'grateful'... guardians. He missed that Shaymin, in fact she was the reason he met Giratina. Man, he sure owed a lot to other people for his help. But…. that's part of the of being a Pokemon trainer. You gotta rely on others, a trainer must rely and trust his pokemon and their pokemon must rely and trust their trainer.
But…
He turned to Pikachu. "Girls… girls like flowers right?"
Pikachu quirked his ears at Ash as if to say, 'no duh'.
"And Anabel, Anabel really likes flowers." You could see the gears turning in his noggin. An innocent smile spread on his face before reaching towards his belt. "Bulbasaur I need your help." He released his faithful grass type conducted his plan.
"Bulba…saaauuurrrr…" The bulb pokemon let out a huge yawn, still recovering from the fight. He looked at his trainer with dreary eyes wondering why he was called out at this time.
Ash smiled gently rubbing the grass starter's head. "Hey sorry to wake you up…. but do you think you could use Grass Knot on one of those flowers to lift it up with the dirt? I want it to stay alive."
Bulbasaur nodded respecting Ash's wish to preserve the plant. Using the roots from far below, they lifted one flower with roots and soil attached, then used the same roots to patch the land back up leaving barely a mark in the field. Ash took the plant on the ground wondering if he should really give it to Anabel like this.
"I think I can find something on the ship to put it in." Ash said to himself. "Oh, but thank you very much Bulbasaur. I'll make sure to give you an extra poke'block after you get a lot of rest." He said to his pokemon before recalling him. "C'mon guys! Let's see if we can sneak back on board before night falls."
Pikachu cast a mischievous glance at his trainer, remembering that they were technically suppose to be resting.
"Lar larvitar!" Once again, the Rock-Skin Pokemon took off running leaving Ash and Pikachu in his dust. Basically challenging them to a race.
Ash laughed taking off running easily keeping up with his youngest pokemon despite of his light injuries. It took hardly anytime to reach the ship but Ash reminded Larvitar to slow down as they had they haul themselves back up secretly. Luckily for them there was no one on deck, allowing them to climb through the open window they left. Ash held the plant safely in his arms looking around the room to see if there was anything he could put it in.
Pikachu and Larvitar helped by pointing out a good sized paper cup in his room. It would fit the bottom of the plant perfectly while allowing some water to reside on the bottom as well.
Ash smiled petting both of his pokemon. "Thanks guys." He said before taking care of the flower. And the more he thought about it the more he thought the gracidea was perfect, remembering the meaning of it was thankfulness and gratitude. He was grateful for meeting and picking Anabel for she has done so much.
And he would always be grateful.
Anabel really didn't want to face the other Frontier Brains right now. She would have to explain her ditching, and that would lead to just an awkward situation. Besides, she wanted her Luxray and Metagross to rest up for today and get this odd day over with. She spotted her window on the ship's hull and being the good trainer she was, contacted her Espeon to give her a lift.
'You shouldn't have ditched the other Frontier Brains.' She felt a gentle scolding in her head.
Anabel sighed knowing that her best friend was right. But… but there was really no excuse.
'Sorry.' Anabel said feeling a bit down. Sometimes she forgot that it was Espeon who was really concerned about her social life. The psychic type made it a goal in her life to keep Anabel's interactions with humans and pokemon balanced but sometimes… the Salon Maiden slipped.
'Alright fine I'll pull you up. But you better explain to the others why you left them.' Espeon communicated before lifting her psychic powers to get Anabel to the window. The human crawled through the window unnoticed.
"Are they here on the ship though?" She asked her pokemon. The sun pokemon nodded saying that they were downstairs at the kitchen.
Anabel once again sighed, agreeing that she would go see them after she rested up Metagross and Dratini and look for her Legendaries. She was stalling yes, but Espeon approved of those conditions.
Though…
Anabel blinked for a moment unsure if she was seeing right. "Ash what are you doing here?" And yes the newest Frontier Brain was standing in the infirmary room. Said boy turned around quickly and grinned seeing it was just Anabel. "Oh. I'm just making sure my Pokemon are recovering properly. That's what this room is used for right?"
Anabel shook her head realizing her foolish question. "Oh right." She said walking past him to heal her own pokemon.
Pikachu, in a case that was helping him regain his strength faster, waved to Anabel. "Pika-ka."
Anabel smiled softly waving back before turning in the poke'balls in the healing machine. Larvitar also came up, done from his healing, to give her leg a hug. She in turn patted him on his head.
Ash however tilted his head confused. "Hey… are you… alright?" He asked uncertain of his words.
Anabel was a bit shocked at his observation. "How…"
"Your eyes aren't smiling." Ash said simply. To him it was a matter of fact. He could tell; her eyes seemed to glow, and were super focused and her eyebrows were always high when they smiled when when she wasn't smiling herself, so that meant she was happy. When she was sad, stressed or angry her eyes grew dull and they seemed to be distracted by some mysterious force.
'Once he sets his mind to something, Ash is surprisingly observant.' Anabel thought to herself, after hearing his explanation. She briefly wondered if she could eluded the conversation that would happen if she answered. However she saw that he was giving her such a look of care and firmness, especially that Pikachu was with him now giving her the same look, that she knew that they would not let her go so easily.
"I…" Anabel started shyly. "I've been… off."
"Off how?" Ash pestered. He watched Anabel avoid his eyes and that made him furrowed his brow.
Anabel was unsure how to approach this while not talking too much about her personal issues thought about what to say next. "Well.. I just felt like not hanging out today with… with anybody really except… except my pokemon." She said as if she was ashamed of herself.
Ash blinked than started to laugh. "Why are you so worried about that? I did the same thing today. Heck I snuck out just to hang out with them in the woods."
The Salon Maiden shook her head. "No Ash. Its different. We'll it started this morning-"
So Anabel explained the events that transpired this day. THough she left some of her more private thoughts out, she did admit that she didn't feel like hanging out with Greta or Lucy and simply didn't around people in general.
As for her encounter with Conway and Angie, she only said she met two trainers as she thought that the names wouldn't have much affect.
But then she still didn't feel satisfied and just…
"Low." She finished as they walked out to the lobby not noticing it was awfully dim.
Ash and Pikachu looked quietly towards the girl they cared about, choosing their words carefully.
"Hey Anabel I-"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Both Ash and Anabel yelped out loud and Entie and Raikou bust through the deck doors. They heard the panicked voice of their mistress and were ready to attack who ever caused this.
However…. it was the exact opposite.
All the Frontier Brains and Fantina (and Scott) burst out of the kitchen's doors with light still dim with a nice sized cake and several presents on a tray with several decorations surrounding them, many had halted when seeing Anabel and Ash having frozen faces of shock and two of the Legendary Beast looking quiet fierce.
"Wha?" Ash spurted out.
"Happy Birthday?" Anabel said quietly, then smacked her forehead. "Oh right! Today's my birthday I completely forgot." She looked wearily at everyone. "Oh geez. I thought I told you guys I really don't like big birthday celebrations."
Scott smiled. "Seems like you've had your head full today." He said patting Anabel on her back. "But I'm sure everyone understands." She knew he was talking about Lucy, Greta and Fantina. Greta slugged her arm over her shoulder, Lucy and Fantina stood and smiled.
"We know you weren't doing anything mean to us." Lucy said kindly.
"Vrai." Fantina continued. "I am terribly désolé that I did not consider asking you what you would like to do."
"Yoish. Heard you helped some trainers in the Square though. Lot of people were talking about how you were able to offer advice to two different trainers. That's more of your thing after all."
"That is what being a Frontier Brain is all about." Spencer said with admiration. "Despite of your difficulties with today you still stepped up to the mountain for others."
Anabel was truly grateful from the bottom of her heart that she had such good friends.
"Still. I'm sorry, I've should've been more considerable towards you guys."
Brandon smiled holding a cake with candles in it. "Yes but sometimes we need to have our time to ourselves, though-" He grinned unlike anyway Ash and Pikachu had seen before, it was completely out of character. "I think that for your birthday at least, you should be with the ones you care about."
Anabel felt something nudging her leg and back. Espeon, Raikou and Entie were urging her on. She smiled at the happy Frontier Brains, her family.
"I guess your right." She said before blowing out the candles.
A large cheer follow; the lights came on showing everyone's pokemon including some of the legendaries were there to celebrate this.
"OH CRAP! HOW COME NO ONE TOLD ME IT WAS YOUR BIRTHDAY?!" Ash yelled out loud; he did this now because he was finally over his temporary paralysis from surprise. Now after watching everything and finally clicking in his head, let's just say… he was a little bummed out.
Ash, Pikachu and Larvitar sunk down to their knees with a depressing aura around them. "I'm not a good partner. I don't even have a present prepared for you."
"Pi pika pi…"
"Tar… tar…"
"Oops. Knew we were forgetting someone." Noland said sweat dropping. Lucy and Greta glared at him but did nothing when Anabel confronted the problem.
"Hey hey Ash. Don't worry about it. I forgot too and don't worry about the present. Seeing you overcome your fears and become a Frontier Brain is enough for me." Anabel said with her hand on his back. What she was saying was true, belief and courage of these months have been outstanding.
And Ash saw what he wanted to see. 'Her eyes are smiling again.'
Behind them they heard the faint whisper of Noland. "So cute." Instantly the two teens and their starters shot a glare towards the Factory Head with Pikachu sparking his cheeks. Noland wasn't scared though, smiling away. "Hey hey calm down you two."
"And now that the wish had been asked for, it is time for the most spectacular event, the opening of ones gift to the heart of the soul!" Tucker announced.
Basically that meant time to open presents.
And it was a lot of fun. It was a simple birthday with stuff-filled rice balls for dinner and cake for dessert. The presents were nice as well, Ash observed.
Most of them books, however there was the odd end of a bit of jewelry and a simple but nice dress from Tucker and Fantina. Espeon and the rest of Anabel's team including the legendaries presented a small gem.
The rest of the night drifted off easily with everyone bidding each other goodnight.
However…
Anabel rested inward to her thoughts staring at the night sky, stars glimmering like jewels embedded on a black velvet blanket. She liked staring up at the night like this. It reminded her when she first struck out as a trainer with only Espeon, who was an Eevee at that time, by her side. They slept on the grass together as they had no bed and so the stars were sometimes the only company they had when there were no other wild pokemon around.
Just the two of them.
She saw Espeon leap on the railing and leaned on to her. The Salon Maiden smiled and hugged her back at the comfort her best friend offered, they were always together.
"Pikapika pika."
"That's right buddy, right there is the Pikachu constellation." A voice came to the side. This time it didn't startle Anabel as it was more relaxing despite how rough his voice normally is.
He walked up to Anabel and pointed to some stars on the left side of her. "You see there Anabel? That's the Pikachu constellation. You can normally tell because there some stars that make a perfect circle that shows the pikachu's cheeks."
Anabel blinked trying to see. "Oh wow. You right. I do see a pikachu."
"Pika!"
"Your right. You much cuter Pikachu." She said smiling.
Ash smiled. "So… ah… how old are you now?" He asked curious.
"Well as of today I am now fifteen." Came the simple answer.
However Ash's jaw dropped. "WHAT? That's mean's you're older than me!"
More or less, Anabel was confused by this statement. "I don't get what's wrong."
Ash shifted his eyes nervously thinking it would be more tactful not to tell her that he thought he should be older in the relationship because… he was a guy. "You know what? Never mind."
She couldn't help but smile at his silliness. It was refreshing considering the day.
Ash leaned on the railing with Pikachu hoping on top of it, equivalent to Espeon's balance.
"So tell me, why don't you like big birthdays?"
Anabel whipped her head to him, shocked that Ash was being so observant.
"What do you mean?" Anabel tried to play dumb.
However Ash was no fool, he turned his eyes straight at her, his aura blue one glowing in the darkness intensifying the stern look he was giving her. "Don't play dumb with me Anabel. I may be dense but I'm not stupid. You got some problems with you past birthdays don't you?"
Anabel sighed in defeat. How come everyone that truly cared about her were able to read her like a book. But then she smiled. "Spencer was right. You catch on fast."
"Hmm?" Ash wasn't sure what that meant but let her continued talking. He watched her lean on the railing and about to speak, but he interrupted. "Hey you don't need to tell me everything… I just, I just feel like that why you were 'off' today was probably the same reason you really don't like birthdays. Like I said you don't need to say everything but get the thing off your chest and I'll help ya and so will Pikachu."
"Pika ka."
It was amazing how much the dense trainer who knew nothing of romance or sensitivity had become someone so caring and supporting to a girl he liked. The Salon Maiden took a deep breath before speaking. "Let's just say… I come from a… wealthy family that kinda acted like royalty." Ash nodded waiting for her to continue. "And that when ever I had a birthday that I dressed up as a princess and all the servants and maids would attend for every whim and parade me around our… 'home' like I truly was."
Ash noticed a bitter glint in Anabel's eyes. Something that really was deep down in her soul. "But I was sick of it. Sick of the falseness and the grandeur. My birthday was the pinnacle of those elements so I began to associate my birth date with the things I don't like." She took another deep breath.
"Epheee…" The Sun Pokemon earned her on, supporting that Anabel was making the right choice.
"I didn't have any friends with me during these parties and I could tell that the servants were obligated to 'like' me. That's why I really don't like to be with people sometimes."
"What about your par-" Ash clamped his mouth shut realizing the insensitive question.
"Pikapi!" Pikachu scolded Ash sensing Anabel's emotions to the enquiry.
Anabel with no humor quirked an eyebrow. "My parents?"
"Anabel I'm sorry I shouldn't ha-"
"No it's alright. Its a normally question anybody would ask." She looked forlorn, like an abandon cub. "I never knew my mother, so I guess she died right after I was born. As for my… father…. he was never around so… It's all one big mess isn't it?" She tried to say that with humor but Ash could see a small tear in her eye.
"Pi chu pika."
Ash frowned looking more out of the horizon.
"You know. I don't really know my dad either."
Anabel did not expect to hear that. "Huh?"
Ash kept looking out. "He left when I was really really young. So it was just me and mom growing up. I never understood why he left, no one would answer me whenever I asked, so I stopped asking. From what I gather, he was a Pokemon trainer that was always trying to do great things. And he left to follow some, I dunno a 'dream'." Ash had the same bitter frown Anabel had on not too long ago.
"When I asked my mom what was he like, she would always smile and say he was a great man and never said anything wrong about him even though sometimes I noticed her eyes were red after a while I asked that. So I asked Professor Oak about him. All I got was a stern glare and was told to not mention, and I quote, 'that man again'. Other people in the town simply ignored me and I think it was because my of my dad leaving I didn't have many friends before I became a trainer."
He was still frowning but it was more of something determined. "Y'know, I think it's because of my old man being a Pokemon trainer and he left that mom didn't allow me to play with pokemon much unlike my friends Gary so I wouldn't want to become a trainer myself. That was one of the reasons I wasn't a very good one when I started out… besides being pretty dense. Also that I had no one to teach me about being a trainer" He tried to smile but the girl in front of him could tell that he did have some issues with that. "But despite of my mom's best wishes I finally convinced her to let me become a pokemon trainer. Though I didn't realize it back then, it must've been a lot for her to let me go."
He laughed humorless. "It's funny… I think one of the reasons and its only just one… I want to become a Pokemon Master is because I want to show the guy who left my mom and I that… I became greater than he would be younger than him… and still have time to visit my mom." He smiled and turned to Pikachu. "And we call mom during our journeys ever so often and we make sure to visit here before going off to a new one. Right Pikachu?"
"Pi Pikachu!" The electric mouse pokemon agreed. It was always nice to see Delia for she was a good parent.
Anabel was… more or less to say, taken aback by how honest and blunt Ash was being about his family life. She…. she really didn't know what to say. But she understood what he was trying to say. He knew what it was like to have be alone as a kid before being friends with pokemon. That, and he was saying that he trusted her. He was open like that, a heart that welcomed everyone in.
Ash interrupted her when she was about to speak. "Hey, you don't have to tell me everything yet. I'll just wait until you are ready okay?" He said making her speechless.
"Ephee." Espeon approved of Ash's reason, earning even more respect of the pikachu trainer then ever before.
Ash showed a bitter grin. "It's funny. Why do we have such awful dads? Y'know if I ever become a dad, I'm gonna stick with my kids and help them become strong as well."
This caused his partner to crack a smile. "So you want to have kids to be a dad?" She said between giggles.
Instantaneously Ash blushed, red covering his whole face that seem to glow in the dark of night. Pikachu and Espeon were laughing at Ash's reaction. He shot him a quick glare before turning to Anabel stuttering for an explanation.
"Well…. well… I…. I… Eventually! I… I- I- I mean that once I become a Pokemon Master than… I should go and try live out my next dream of… of being the best dad ever." He cried out defiantly trying to figure out the best answer. This did nothing to quell the laughter emitting from the three.
Despite of this, Ash did smile seeing something.
"Your eyes are smiling now." He said looking at her.
Anabel stopped her laughter but the smile was still there even when she looked away trying to hide her blush.
Now it was Ash's turn to chuckle, though kindly. It did stop however when he felt a some warm arms wrap around him. He felt a pressure on his chest and saw that he was enveloped in a hug. It was a bit different from the normal hugs he gotten in the past.
"Thank you." Anabel said softly. "You and Pikachu really are amazing people."
Ash didn't pull away while he scratched his head. "Aw shucks Anabel." He said humbly. "Your the one we should be thanking…" A lightbulb popped in his head. "Oh shoot I forget! I ah"
"Pikachu Pikapi."
"Epheee Espeon" Ash and Anabel turned to the two Pokemon called out.
(What Anabel heard: "Here it is Ash." "Oh my that's beautiful.")
Pikachu was holding something
Ash grinned big time. "Pikachu your the best!" He said picking something up that Anabel couldn't see. He hid it behind his back when he turned it to her. "Funny thing is. I didn't know it was your birthday and so I didn't really get you a present for that. However what's funny is Pikachu and I wanted to give you a gift. So… from me, and all my team, for every pokemon that I've trained and befriended, and from the… the very bottom of my heart. Thank you for everything you've done Anabel."
And then he presented Anabel with a beautiful soft pink flower in a plastic cup, but she didn't even noticed the later, so immersed in the elegant flower.
"Pika pikaka."
("It's called a gracidea")
Anabel looked up, she had almost forgotten there were others here.
She saw Ash's dual colored eyes staring at her with the utmost… gratitude.
"This flower, is a symbolizes thankfulness. You really done a lot for us… and especially me. So… I know you like flowers, since I remember when we first met, you used a flower to well to try to explain to me your Ability. I didn't get it back then… but… I think I get what you were trying to say a little bit better now." He stood up strait, looking less like a gangly teen and more of a strong man following his dream. "Everyone is special but that doesn't mean that you are higher than anybody else and that doesn't mean anybody is lower than you. We all play a part and… sometimes we gotta depend on each other to walk the path incase we stumble, even a flower can give you hope when your feeling down."
He really has changed from the lost boy of over two months ago. He has changed from a child who was scared of change to an almost man who accepts things how they are. He was taller, and defiantly stronger, but he also trusted others more with his large heart. Yes he had gotten more rash and prone to action more than thinking but it was more for the right purpose and what he believed in his heart than with simple ignorance. He was now back on track to follow his dream, and he was walking with confidence. But now… he had more people and pokemon that had his back. And he had Pikachu on his shoulder to be his companion and now… in his hand, he had a a really super person by his side.
His teacher, his friend, his equal in battle, his fellow Frontier Brain and his partner of affection, the Salon Maiden: Anabel.
Anabel had said nothing as she hugged the pot to her chest but Ash understood. It was like how she battled, she didn't need words.
So they stared at each, content in it the simpleness of it.
And yet… there was something… missing?
They didn't know what to do.
However naturally Pokemon knew what to do. So Espeon and Pikachu rolled their eyes before Pikachu smacked Ash's head forward.
And what happened… was obvious.
It was short and soft. But it was still their first.
Right on the lips.
They separated in a seconded their eyes wide and their face's have never been redder. They were speechless. And their minds, was a combination of being in overdrive to what just happened but at the sometime, completely blank.
If what these two felt was love, love kinda does that to you.
"Uhhh….
"Ummmm…."
Ash bit his lip. "So…" This was reeeaaallly awkward for the both of them. It was making the air like thick as a Muk's goo.
Anabel too mimicked his action. "That was…"
"Something?" Ash guesed.
"Yeah."
They avoided eyes, in fact not even looking at each other.
"It was nice." Ash said. It was the truth, it was indeed nice.
"Yeah."
That only eased the tension a little.
"So… ah see you tomorrow?" Ash said deciding not to push it.
"Yeah."
"Okay…"
Anabel began to walk away but stopped. "Oh and Ash?" He turned to her still embarrassed and afraid she didn't like it.
She smiled, pure and sweet. "Your the one I should be thanking. And… I really did like it. I'll see you later, Ash and Pikachu." And so with only the elegance as a girl could walk in this situation, the Salon Maiden headed to a restful sleep.
"Bye…" Ash waved and just stood there still regeristing what she just said and what just happened. And when it did a dopy grin spread across his face and he sighed gladly still looking from where she just left.
"Pika pika."
"Yeah I know."
"Pi."
"Definatly."
He turned to Pikchu. "So… did you know… that… that was that nice?"
Pikachu shook his head but grinned knowingly anyway. He had a feeling about it.
"It really is nice."
And then unexpectedly:
"YEAH!" Ash Ketchum yelled out to the night sky on how awesome this was!
"SHUT UP!" Someone (probably Lucy) yelled from a window.
Ash grinned sheepishly at Pikachu on his shoulder and whistled along his way back to bed.
And so the two teens, slept good tonight. Dreaming of Pokemon battles… and to what was the most romantic thing for them:
To battling against each other. For, this was love for them.
End of Chapter 25
Hehe...fluff
I hope I portrayed Angie and Conway correctly.
Tell me what you guys think.
So what is Anabel's past?
I'm not telling but what I will hint at:
IT HAS FORESHADOWING TO A POSSIBLE SEQUEL!
...
FLUFF!