Chapter 37: Because the night

The night was so clear that nobody could have told that during the day a torrential rain threatened to drown the whole world. Almost all of the houses in Sootopolis City were damaged in some sort of degree. Some of the houses missed part of the rooftop. People already worked in repairing the damage.

As for me, it was impossible to sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about everything, all the events replayed in my mind over and over. Especially that near death experience. If it wasn't for Trevor, I wouldn't be there telling you this story. The most amazing thing is that the one who caused that dangerous experience, the one who almost crushed me to death, turned out to be a really sweet and calm pokémon. During the rest of the day, I would release Cataegis into Sootopolis's sea every now and then so he could have some free time and after a while, he always returned to where I was, like a trained Poochyena.

And I was getting ready to do the same again, only that this time instead of leaving him alone I would ask him to take me for a ride. Maybe that way I would clear my mind. I still couldn't believe that I was able of such a feat… I was still asking myself "Why me?" Of course I was happy that I saved the world, but it was so… unbelievable.

"Well… It's time for another ride." I spoke to Cataegis's pokéball as I was about to release him into the water.

And when I was about to hop onto him, I heard someone calling my name. I turned around and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was Steven… I could understand that he was unable to sleep as well; the day had been pretty intense for him too. Heck, it was an intense day for everybody in Hoenn!

"Is there something wrong?" Steven said as he approached me.

"No… yes…" Seeing him made me feel nervous. "It's just that I need to clear my mind off of things. That's all."

"Maybe I can join you if you want to, so we can lament together. This had been a very turbulent day for me as well." Exactly what I thought… Wait, WHAT?

"Of course! I need someone to talk to. Let me help you to get on his back." I said as I pointed towards the legendary pokémon.

I hoped onto Cataegis's back and then I reached out my hands to him. I know I already said this a million of times but that's something I will never forget… My hands holding his hands, so warm and soft… I must admit I hesitated a bit before letting him go. I hope he didn't notice it…

Steven sat right next to me. There were a few seconds of awkward silence which I tried to break by clearing my throat a couple of times. I really didn't want to say something dumb…

"So, tell me…" He started. "How does the Cave of Origin look like?"

I sighed. "It's like a dream… The first part is as almost like any other cave, but the place where Kyogre… Err, Cataegis took me to experience his primal reversion… Do you remember the Southern Island? Well, that place is even more dreamlike. I wish you could have seen it!"

"Then, from what you tell me I think it is a wonderful place."

"It really is!" Then I shivered as I remembered how Kyogre tried to attack me not once, but twice.

"Are you alright?" Steven showed some signs of concern.

"Yes, I was just thinking about… about something."

"Is it something that it's bothering you?" I nodded silently. "You can tell me… if you feel comfortable doing so."

It was a bit hard for me to say it, but I ended up telling him everything. "This baby there…" I said as I gently pat Cataegis's back. "…attacked me two times. And the second time he was so close to kill me… I swear I saw my entire life flashing right before my eyes." Then I got a lump on my throat. "But it's NOT his fault! He was very upset… Team Aqua is the one to blame here. And also… if I'm here right now is because of Trevor. He protected me both of the times Cataegis tried to attack me."

"I see… you seem to share a special bond with your pokémon. And you talk about Kyogre like if he has been in your team for a very long time."

"It's true; I grew fond of him even though he has been with me for four mere hours!" After all we've been through inside the Cave of Origins, I think it would be impossible to not grow fond of him.

"It looks like you are very caring towards your pokémon. If everything else fails, have you considered becoming a ranger?"

"Umm, the idea of becoming a ranger sounds really good to me… But I hope nothing fails. I didn't make it until this point for nothing." I began to speak with a hint of excitement in my voice. "And tomorrow… Tomorrow I'm going to battle Wallace. You know what that means, right?!"

"Yes… I know it." Steven seemed a bit serious as he said that.

"I can't wait to beat the champion! It… it will be amazing. I am already wondering what kind of pokémon he or she has!"

"You won't find out until the moment comes." Steven looked even more serious…

"Hey! Why so serious, hmm?" I said as I started to tickle his sides, but he didn't respond. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done tha… AHH, STOP!" I hollered as I started to laugh uncontrollably. Steven began to tickle me under my armpits and at my sides.

I tried to tickle him back, but he pinned one of my arms to my back using his free hand. I swear that I was about to melt, explode or maybe both things at the same time. Having him so near made me feel in a way that I can't describe, I even felt his hot breath on my neck every now and then.

"Please stop I… I can't!" I tried to utter as I laughed uncontrollably. I must say that I'm actually a very ticklish person.

"I won't stop until you tell me you will stop worrying about what happened today!" He teased me as he held my wrists behind my back. His face was so close to mine… The temptation was intense, but somehow, I could resist it… I don't know how.

"I promise… Just release me already!" I smiled coyly.

And as soon as Steven left me go, I pushed him, making him lay on his back.

"What are you doing? This is unfair!" He pretended to be mad as I sat on top of him.

"It's my turn now… don't you think?" I murmured as I poked his ribs playfully. He tried his best to get up but I pinned his arms down with my other hand.

I ran my other hand up and down his belly. I could feel how firm his abs are… I'm pretty sure I looked like a tomato at that moment. Something told me to stop even though I wanted to continue. I was afraid that maybe I was exceeding the limit, although he didn't seem to mind. But anyway, I got off of him and I helped him to sit.

"Oh, are you done already?" He teased.

"Yes… unless you want more." I said as I smiled coyly.

"No no, I think I had enough!" Steven laughed as he put a stray strand of my hair behind my ear. That made me feel somewhat dizzy.

After that, we remained silent for a while. I had no idea what to say and I still shivered from the fact that I had him so near, I could have kissed him if I wanted to… and I really wanted to, but probably that would have ruined our friendship and I didn't want that. I looked down at Cataegis. Apparently, all the fuss didn't disturb him in the slightest. Suddenly, Steven made me snap out of my thoughts.

"Can you see all the stars that there are tonight?"

"Yes, I noticed them. This is the calm after the storm, no doubt." And then something that caught me by surprise happened.

Steven started to sing. HE. STARTED. TO SING.

"When daytime turns to night, when the moon shines bright, when you're tucked in tight, when everything's alright slip softly to that place where secret thoughts run free…" His voice was incredible soothing. Almost unconsciously, I approached him more… and I accidentally placed my hand on top of his. Again, Steven didn't seem to mind and he continued singing."…come face to face with who you want to be, so swim across the ocean blue, fly a rocket to the moon…" I looked right into his eyes and all my worries seemed to fade away. I held his hand softly as he continued to sing. "…you can change your life or you can change the world, life is yours to live… Take a chance and then the best is yet to come. Make a wish, it's up to you! Find the strength inside and watch your dreams come true. You don't need a shooting star, the magic is right there in your heart… Close your eyes, believe and make a wish." Then he stopped singing. "Did you know that song?"

"No I… I never heard it." I said without letting his hand go. "Umm… Do you sing often?"

"No, but the stars reminded me of that lullaby."

I stared at him in awe for a few seconds and then I looked at the starry sky. I saw something that astonished me even more.

"Look at that! Isn't that… Kyogre's constellation?"

"Yes… it is!" He exclaimed.

"Haha, what a causality. We are actually sitting on top of that same pokémon and now we go and spot this! Isn't it wonderful?" I smiled as I looked into his eyes.

"True… And look at the one of flesh and blood; he seems to be very content with you."

"And I'd say he likes you as well. If not, maybe he would have flailed you off. But then again, I don't think he would have done that, Cataegis is actually very docile." I went silent for a moment because it was hard for me to say what I was about to say. I looked into Steven's eyes despite feeling very nervous. "I have to thank you for everything you did for me today. I'm so happy to have you as a friend… I wish I had a way to pay you back."

"You don't need to do anything; I have enough with your gratitude and your friendship." He smiled sweetly. I just wanted to melt again… "And also, the way you protected me from Archie… you are a very brave person. Thank you."

"Don't mention it! I will never allow someone I appreciate to get hurt. Not if I can prevent it."

There were a certain three words that I wanted to utter, but I felt that it wasn't the moment. And probably it would never be, all I could do was looking at him and holding his hand without knowing what to say whatsoever.

"Are you alright? You look very distracted."

"Oh yes! I… I was just thinking about how… things turn out to be very different from what we expect." I managed to come up with something.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, at first I thought that Team Aqua was just a band of tugs, then I thought they were a group of well intentioned extremists and then… Well, you know what happened then." I actually managed to say something that made sense!

"You're right. We can't underestimate people; we never know what they are capable of." He sighed before continuing to speak. "For example, you might find along the way people who think that you are weak, but they couldn't be more mistaken."

"Do you think so?"

"Yes. When you entered the Cave of Origin, I was afraid. But not because I thought you wouldn't be able to make it, I knew you could do it. It was because I didn't want to lose you… I didn't want to lose my friend."

I left his hand go and I put my arm around his shoulder. "Believe me, while I was at that place, I couldn't stop thinking about all the people I care for… and you are one of them."

And without saying anything, Steven hugged me. Maybe we will never be more than friends, but I will always appreciate his friendship. I think I can't ask for a better friend.

Then he separated from me and started to talk about the next (and last) gym leader. "You say you are battling Wallace tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah."

"He's very strong, but the way you are now, you should be able of battling him on an equal footing."

"I hope so; I didn't make it until there for nothing. I will prove him that I'm worthy of taking on the Elite Four." I looked into the horizon as I said that, as if I thought about all the things that still awaited me.

"And one more thing; when you travel the world, you should try to use this. This flute is one of my favorites." He handed me a flute which had two wings that reminded me of those of Latios and Alyx.

"What is this?" I said as I examined the object.

"That's the eon flute. It's proof of the bond between you and Latias. No matter how far you may be from one another, play that flute and Latias will surely fly straight to you."

"Does she really feel such a close connection to me?" Yet another thing that astounded me!

"Trust me, she does. You can give it a try whenever you want. Then she can take you to the sky, soaring above the land with you astride her back."

"Just like when…?"

"Yes, just like when first encountered Latias and Latios at Southern Island…" Steven said that as if that was a fond memory for him too. For me, the day when we encountered the twins surely was an unforgettable day!

We remained silent for a while, staring at the starry sky. Also, I noticed how the water rippled every now and then. If I could have made that moment last forever, I surely would have frozen time! Ah, where's Dialga when you need him?

Sadly, after a while Steven had to leave.

"I wish I could spend more time with you, but I have to go home now. My father is waiting for me."

i"I wish I could spend more time with you."/i Those nine words resonated in my head insistently. I stared blankly at a random point of the sky for a while, but I could snap out of it on my own. "Me too, me too… It's important that you spend time with your family. If I defeat Wallace, I will probably go to visit my parents before heading for Evergrande City."

"You're right. And I think that they will be happy to see you before you take such an important step."

I nodded silently and after a few seconds, I told Cataegis to take us to the shore.

"Well… I hope we have the chance to meet again very soon." Steven said as he looked right into my eyes, it gave me the sensation that it was difficult for him to say goodbye, but probably it was just me.

"I hope so too…" And suddenly, an unstoppable impulse pushed me to do something I will never regret.

I kissed his cheek… But he moved all of sudden and I kissed him near his lips. My heart almost stopped beating.

"Um I… I'm sorry."

And then he kissed me back, on my right cheek. "You don't need to be sorry, it's okay." He smiled in a way that comforted me. "I'm looking forward to see you again. Until then, be careful."

"Alright… I hope we meet soon."

And then he left. I couldn't take my eyes out of Steven as he walked away. But there was another heart stopping moment: not long after beginning to get away, he turned around. I couldn't help but smile like a fool and for my surprise, he smiled back. After that, he finally left. I didn't stop looking in his direction until I lost sight of him.

I laid on my back, on top of Cataegis.

"Dear… Now I don't know what was more intense; if catching you or these last thirty minutes…"