Pokémon
Hello there my amazingly awesome readers! How's it going? Me? Well I just finished writing my music theory exam that I've spend all of last month and this month studying for and wrote my Driver's Ed test this week so I'm feeling pretty...exhausted. =.=" But anywho, I have my update ready so everything's all good, right?
Thanks for the continued support from you guys. I feel the love! I'm going to stop rambling now so you can get on with the story!
Chapter # 29 – A Date?
Nicky sighed. "I could have sworn I saw something land over in the trees over there."
The rain wasn't falling incredibly hard, just a weak shower at the time, but it would likely pick up later. Alex had left eevee at the Pokemon Center to keep Paul company as she set off to the far side of Canalave in search of the shadow Nicky had seen, and what she believed was tailing her on the way from Jubilife to Canalave. She walked across the bridge, noticing how malevolent the water looked as curled claws leapt out and jumped towards the boards and tried to climb the banks. Hastily, she got to the other side and continued across the damp cement.
Her gaze fell upon the upper windows of the Canalave Library, sure she detected a movement from the corner of her eye. But she continued without a halt, past the building. She was a few meters from the still foggy forest when a voice called her name behind her.
"Alex?"
Over the girl's shoulder, she saw a boy with shining hair like the sun sheltered by a white umbrella. He wore a thick gray jacket with jeans to protect his skin from the nasty, clammy air coming in from the western wind. She gasped and turned fully around. "Kyler Kendrick?" She finally realized she must look like a wreck, as her shoes and sweater weren't water resistant and slowly leaked in water, and her dark hair was tinted darker and matted to her skull, dripped into her eyes. She laughed, looking down at herself.
Chuckling at the girl, he nodded. "That's me. It's such a lovely surprise to see you again. Why are you walking in the rain?"
Alex sent him a playful glare. "I could ask you the same thing. It just so happens that I like rain."
"Well so do I, but you don't see me risking a cold," he answered smoothly, pulling the brunette under the mini roof to prevent her from becoming more soaked. He pulled her close by her shoulders to make them both fit. "So, what are you doing here in Canalave? Here to see me, possibly?" The golden-haired boy sent her an attractive smile.
"No," she giggled, feeling small against his tall frame, yet strangely protected. "Just the normal stuff. Getting my gym badge, checking out the town. I already know why you're here though."
"Yes, well, on that note I would like to ask you something." He stopped her on the edge of the bridge, looking down in her eyes.
…
"No way!" Xena suppressed a shriek of excitement, doing a little spinning dance with as she giddily chortled. "The Kyler Kendrick asked you to be his date to his family ball? That's huge! Please tell me you said yes!"
Alex raised a brow at the overjoyed purplette. She had just relayed her happenings since they had landed in the city, and this was the result she got. "Wait, why are you so happy about this? I thought you were trying to hook up me and Paul."
"Yeah, don't you see? If Paul hears that your going on a date with one of the hottest guys in the media, he'll be so jealous that he'll have no choice to confess his undying love for you." She sighed dreamily with a contented look dawning her face. "Aww, Paul~y and Alex make a cute couple!"
A pink tint splayed across the brunette's face, she turned away and mumbled out, "I did say yes."
A squeal rang over the phone's speakers. "Then what happened?"
…
A satisfactory smirk immediately overtook the boy's face. "Wonderful. I'll need you there to greet the guests with me, so be there at seven. And wear something gorgeous. We can't have anybody outshining my princess, can we?" He planted a kiss on the back of her hand and parted with a smile, leaving Alex blinking owlishly under the outcropping at the entrance of the pokemon center in a daze. She shivered and decided to change into something dry before she actually did catch a cold.
…
"Eeeeek! That's so romantic," Xena swooned. "Wait, where are you going to get a ball gown?"
At that instant, the purplette looked so crestfallen that you could have sworn that somebody just died. "I've got it covered. My, er, secret agent make-up artists are in town. I'm sure they can whip up something," she slumped, dreading the reunion with the evil maids.
"Phew, that's good, because you look horrible."
Alex sweat dropped, feeling even more depressed. She couldn't really help but wonder why she decided that calling Paul's crazy cousin was more important than changing out of her wet clothes. She already knew her brown locks were beginning to go slightly poofy thanks to the humidity. "Gee, thanks a lot."
Xena shrugged, still grinning. "Cheer up. You've got a date in 24hours. Tell me how it goes! I'll be watching on TV, but I want to know all the dirty details. Tootles!"
"Yeah, whatever," Alex set the headpiece down with a dull thunk and dragged her feet to her room, where she found Paul resting on one of the beds, arms tucked behind his head. She assumed he was asleep again, and quietly curled up horizontally next to her stretched-out fox.
"Where have you been?" Apparently he wasn't so asleep after all.
"Looking around. Why are you so tired?"
"Xavier's snoring kept me up last night."
Alex snorted in amusement. It was quiet for a few moments as the two laid thinking in their own space. Alex broke it, clearing her throat. "I ran into Kyler while I was out."
Paul's brows furrowed, though she couldn't see. "Who?"
"Kyler…Kendrick. You met him back in Hearthome before we left."
Both of them fell into silence for another few minutes.
"What did he want?" Paul demanded with an underlying growl.
"He…he wanted me to go to the Kendrick Corp. ball with him."
"…What did you say?"
"Well, I said yes."
The springs on the bed squeaked as the purplette boy shifted into a sitting position. He had taken his sweater off to be more comfortable, and she could see his onyx orbs as dark as his black shirt narrowed at her. "Why?"
"Because he's really nice, and I felt I needed to make it up after I threw all of my problems at him and you were so rude to him." Alex sighed abstractedly, rolling onto her stomach so she could look back at him. "Plus he's sweet and cute, any girl would be thrilled to go with him."
An annoyed expression passed over the purplette. He rolled back over on his bed, back facing her. He growled, "Whatever, I don't want to hear about your stupid date," before stuffing his pillow over his head as if to block her out.
The brunette frowned. She didn't know why she brought the subject up with Paul, as though he would actually talk about it, or she wanted to know what his reaction would be. With a sigh, she told herself that she would have an amazing time with Kyler the next evening, and closed the door as she went to have a shower.
Paul was fast asleep when she emerged from the washroom. She soon went to bed after eating supper with Nicky, who hadn't left her spot at the table. Darkness had settled in fast since it hadn't been that bright out to begin with. Nobody in the pokemon center was in particularly high spirits since the obscuring mist was still lingering off land, preventing safe flight or sail. It was dull everywhere, and still raining with gales of wind provoking it to slash down like bullets.
It didn't seem like long before the brunette's stomach tingled with vibrations from her alarm. Her lids fluttered open to reveal sleep-filled, cocoa eyes reflecting the fluorescent red numbers on the digital clock: 11:45pm.
With sluggish movements, Alex rocked onto her feet and pulled on pre-prepared clothes laying at the foot of her bed, which was the same long-sleeved, knee-length dress she had first worn when meeting the Soul Salvation, with black leggings and black boots. Her damp locks were left in their natural straggly waves, and she dragged her bag with her and told eevee to watch over the room while she was gone. She groggily disappeared.
She woke up as soon at the frigid midnight air took hold of her warm skin, and stepped out in the puddle-ridden streets with an umbrella to match the night sky. Her feet found themselves skipping along, humming a gloomy tune as she went. The rod of the umbrella was settled against the bare skin between her shoulder and neck, tilted in the direction in which the rain pelted. She hopped to the middle of the bridge and hoisted her legs over so she sat on its edge, legs dangling towards the bleak rapids flowing under.
Bubbles sprouted to the surface, and the rapids broke as a large object rose. There was a popping noise as the pressure released to open the hole in the top. Alex didn't waste any time in ducking in through it, closing the hatch behind her and following the ladder down.
On the last rung, a white-clothed hand was offered to assist her with the short drop that followed. Instead of a hand, Alex placed her folded, dripping umbrella in the glove and hopped to the floor with a click of her heels. "Now, Shadow dear, why the hostility?" the dark man's voice chimed out through the shadows.
"Two words. My luxio," The girl stated, strutting ahead of the man, down the long hallways with quick, agile footsteps a pace behind.
"Now, now, you mustn't dwell on such petty things. We have much more important matters to take care of. First, let us all gather round and discuss tomorrow's events." Dimentio hooked Alex's arm with his own and led her around the corner to the sitting area.
On the cream couch were two girls, one with short, choppy red hair and dark clothing, and the other with a curtain of navy hair with light gray and blue clothing. Both had SS embroidered cloaks hanging loosely around their necks. They looked quite similar, despite the differences.
On each of the black chairs were two familiar figures, a slender, sickly pale female and a buff, well-tanned male, as well as a figure of hooded black lurking by the wall behind them. The white-haired, icy girl sat stoically to the other end of the sofa, staring blankly like she really didn't want to be there. Bones, the skinny girl, was in conversation with the two girls across from her, mostly the other redhead as the other had her head bowed.
Chaos, also known as Dark, the raven-haired boy, glided into the room behind Shadow and Dimentio, finding a window seat to lean length-ways on and observe though slightly isolated from the group.
Bone's noticed the girl first, and jumped up to rush her into a hug. "Hey, Shadow. Wow, what did you do to your hair? That stupid snake hasn't hurt you, has he?" she breathed, energetic as ever.
Shadow smiled, wrapping her arms around the girl's slender waist as she was tugged over to the chair. Astonishingly, they were both able to sit comfortably on the single seat. "No, no, I mean he pushed me out of a plane…twice, stranded me on an island, and lost one of my pokemon," both girls glared at the striking, smirking male, who was standing next to Grim Reaper. "But everything has been alright. I'm still here, right?"
"Ya couldn't 'ave pushed 'er a li'l 'arder?" the heavy accent of Bull's grumbled as he tilted his head back to look at him.
Dimentio's grin grew. "Bull," he chuckled darkly, smacking him upside the head. "Save the violence for tomorrow. Now that everybody's here, we may commence our meeting. The boss has ordered us to attend the Kendrick's special little night tomorrow, and acquire this new creation of theirs before those other goons get it. That's right, everybody, this is going to be a showdown between us and the Avengers." Everybody's face turned solemn, sneering at the name.
The eerie, monotonous voice of Grim Reaper whispered through their thoughts. "Phantoms, it is our duty to sneak through the walls to where this machine is kept like our little ghost friends without being seen or heard. We'll find everything that goes with it, and we'll take it for our own." She glided to the head of the table, hands clasped in front of her. Her subordinates obediently nodded with matching jeers.
"For this, we're going to need eyes on the outside and inside the ballroom. Any ideas on how to get inside without setting off any alarms?" Dimentio asked the rest of the members thoughtfully, circling the room.
Tentatively, Alex's hand rose. "I, uh…I'll actually be attending the ball as a guest. So I suppose you could say I have a way in. And I could probably ask a favor to get Chaos in."
The man spun to watch her, a toothy grin sent to her. "You see, Grim, Shadow really does belong under the House of Chaos. Excellent work, my dear. Chaos and Shadow will handle the inside. Scarlet and Aqua, you'll stand post with me with an aerial view of the building."
The darkly dressed female shrugged, standing and walking over to the brunette and Bones. The chains dangling from her black cargo shorts jingled with the movement of her legs. Stopping in front of the duo, her indigo eyes fell upon Shadow. "Hey, I'm Scarlet. That's my sister, Aquamarine." The other sister hid behind her long bangs, peeking out with timid tangerine orbs. "And your…?"
"Shadow," she answered, minutely intimidated by the girl, yet wondering how her sister even got into the group.
"Shadow," she tested. "Nice. You seem pretty cool. My sister and I will have your back in there tomorrow."
"Oh, thanks." The brunette smiled unsurely. She was pretty sure that was the redhead's own way of welcoming her to the House. And it was actually pretty reassuring that though she would probably in the middle of the crossfire if it came down to it, she would be backed up. "I look forward to working with you."
After her sister, Aqua bowed her head and muttered in a high, delicate voice. "Good luck to you and Chaos. Be careful." She scampered off with Scarlet immediately.
The Phantoms had huddled into a little group discussion with a blueprint and notes laid about the table. Alex, not wanting to bother them, slipped off the chair she was sharing with Bones and made her way over to Dimentio, who was watching her.
"I'm very impressed with your actions, Shadow. I'm sure The Boss is as well. From what I've heard, he's had his eye on you for a short while."
A nervous titter left Alex's lips. She shivered. 'That's not creepy at all.' "Thanks, but I need some help. Where are your maids?"
"Hm, what do you need them for?"
Crinkling her nose and sighing, she avoided his intrusive emerald eyes. "I need a gown for the ball tomorrow night. My date is Kyler Kendrick," she grumbled, not believing that she needed to stoop so low as to ask the snake for help.
The evil man choked down a laugh. "Oh my, that is big. You will be very useful indeed. Being that close to everything happening, you can watch the whole family." Perfectly delighted, he clapped his hands twice and the spiteful maids bustled in with all their frilly glory. They grinned, seeing their dress-up doll standing before them. "You are to aid Ms. Shadow, ladies. She'll tell you what she needs. Scurry along now, there's no time to dilly-dally. Ciao!"
"Follow us!" The chipper girls ran out the door with Shadow, pigtails bouncing merrily after their frivolous faces, an exhausted and dismayed Alex reluctantly following.
Exactly three hours later, an aching Alex found her way back to her bed. Not feeling tired in the slightest, she contemplatively sat on the edge. Her strained brain was still sorting itself out.
'There are two teams focusing their attention on this machine that the Kendrick's built. What's up with that? How is all of this connected? Why would they want this medical machine? It doesn't make sense. The Kendrick's have been having a lot of trouble, but they are known to have the best security in the world. So, I shouldn't have to worry about this right? No, I'm part of one of these teams. I know what's going to happen, so what should I do?' A massive headache had worked its way to the girl's mind, yet she suffered through it until the crack of dawn woke her from her stupor. She decided then what her decision was.
The sun flared out with golden rays on the horizon, and it was almost as though everybody simultaneously cheered, "yes!" from Canalave to Jubilife. Actually, it probably wasn't her imagination at all as a swarm of trainers and workers alike hustled out the doors to wait for the blimp to come floating through the air.
Alex changed into a pair of jean shorts and a fitted blue tank top with her sneakers and took everything with her out the door. "Nicky!" she called with relief, spotting a mane of blond along with a punk attire. "Listen, I need a favor."
'If this thing truly is going to be stolen, at least I can keep my eye on it from within the SS.'
Well then, you know the drill. I can't think of much more to say!
Paul: How come I was barely in this chapter?
Me: Because Alex is more important than you.
Paul: That stupid Kendrick got in there more than I did!
Me: Well, I'm the writer and what I say goes! Maybe if you were nicer...
Paul: *Growls*
Me: Eeep! *Hides behind Kyler* Fine, you'll be in there more next time! I think you'll be visiting the gym. Please don't hurt me!
Xena: *Pops out of mowhere* Tootles everyone!
