Chapter 17: Settlement with the traitor!
That we could no longer pass the exam was not relevant now. We had to settle this personal war, once and for all. I had hoped that it could end without a fight, but with Darky attacking us, she left us no chance but to make her pay! But even if I'm talking so confidently now, I was scared. Possibly more scared than ever before. I had travelled with her for quite some time now. I knew that she was incredibly strong. And I definitely wasn't. Eevee would have to do most of the damage on her own. But this knowledge didn't mean that I wouldn't try!
Sticking with her Garchomp form, she charged at us. At first, I didn't get why she even cared about her form. A Zorua's transformation is only visual after all… well at least for most of them. I still can't really explain this, but it very likely was some equipment of her cursed leader, but transforming into Garchomp, she did not just get it's look, but also some attacks. For a powerful being like this landshark, they were Earthquake and Dragon Claw. And I think I don't have to tell you how much Earthquake sucked for me?
Our opponent really put everything into this battle. She knew that this was her best strike. If me and Eevee would not return, she could just manufacture some attack or accident. Nobody would ever suspect her.
Her biggest weakness had become her height. Being a Garchomp, she was an easy target for us. But with Earthquake, literally EVERYTHING was an easy target for her. I could not possibly dodge. My strength was drained quickly. Eevee seemed to have way more endurance than me, not that I was surprised. But even if I knew how strong she was… I did not see her winning against a Garchomp-turned Zorua.
We probably would have lost our battle. But as I thought we were done for; Darky was hit critically from behind with a Focus Punch. She immediately fell to the ground and turned back to a Zorua. She was bleeding, but obviously still alive. Just unconscious for now. A Thyphlosion showed itself as our saviour. "What was going on here? I saw you too being attacked by a Garchomp and came to help you." Me and Eevee, well mostly me, since Eevee was really out of breath now, explained the whole situation. The Thyphlosion eyed me curiously. "So, it's really you Flame? That's a great coincidence, I've already been waiting for you." "Waiting? For us? Do you know us?" The Volcano Pokemon seemed to be amused. "Your dad asked me if I could let you stay for the night while you're on exam. Raichu agreed as well, so you won't have to worry about that either." Eevee looked at the ground, obviously being very sad. "As if that even matters anymore. We've failed." The fire type showed a hint of pity. "Just follow me. I'll tell you about me back home. And you can rest there." She angrily glanced at the heavily breathing Darky. "And I have a special room where this one can rest."
20 minutes later, we were sitting around a table in a small, cosy home. Both me and Eevee had a little something to eat in front of us. Darky had been locked in a small room, so that she'd not escape. The friendly Pokemon had at treated some of Eevees worst wounds. As we were now sitting down, she started to tell us. "Flame, you may not remember me, but we've met before. You were still very young as I visited you for the last time." "So, you know my parents, right?" Again, she chuckled. "Of course, I do. Especially your father. He is my brother after all." This was my dad's sister? I knew that my parents had told me about her sometimes. "You're aunt Inferno?" The fire on my aunt's back lit up happily. "So, you do know me. Yes, that's me. I've been living in this lovely town for many years now. And with a lot going on, I never really came to visit you. I'm sorry for that."
I remembered one of the stories my dad told me. "Dad told me that you were living with another friend of him. Is he not here?" The Thyphlosion's happy expression turned a little sad. "No. We were together some time ago, but our paths separated. I've not heard from him in a while. Last thing I heard was, that he had found the real love of his life and his child was born."
She definitely saw our concerned faces, as she immediately continued. "But I'm happy for him. Also, it's the best for both of us. I just sometimes wish we'd at least still friends." She clearly was uncomfortable with the topic, so we decided to switch it. I was just confused, as Eevee seemed relieved as well. For the rest of the evening, we talked about what has been going on in our lives. We told aunt the whole story about Eevee, but not without her promising to keep it a secret. And around one hour later, we went to sleep in a spare room to be on our way the day after.
We were woken up by a knock the day after. Just as Inferno opened the door, looked at us for a moment and started to giggle, I realised that Eevee fell asleep right beside me again. As we left the room, Inferno was about to open the door Darky was locked behind. She had something in her paw. "This is a purity sticker. Sticking it to that girl's fur should prevent her from transforming again. You should have no problems dealing with her then. She still needs to go with you after all."
Slowly the door creaked open. We were expecting some kind of attack, but instead there was nothing. The problem: There was nothing. TRULY nothing. Not even a Zorua! "She's gone? How! Both the window and door were locked! How did she…" Aunt tried calming down. Not only herself, but us as well. "I guess I'll just give you the sticker and if you see her again, you can use it against her."
There was nothing more we could do. Darky has fled and our exam was failed… after a short breakfast the two of us left to get back to Metro City. We had no evidence for anything and Inferno's word would definitely not be enough. She is not unbiased after all. But trying to get something good out of it… me and Eevee would have one and a half days for ourselves. We would just take the fastest way home.
On the way, Eevee seemed pretty depressed. I tried my best to comfort her. "At least she didn't get away unharmed. She'll hopefully learn not to attack us again." It was a rather poor try to comfort, since I couldn't even convince myself. "Let's face it Flame. We lost in every possible way. She got away. She may not have defeated us, but she took away our chance of passing. We just lost everything." "That's not true. We didn't lose each other. Isn't that the most important thing?" She raised her head and looked me in the eyes. Her eyes still showed some sadness, but also gratefulness. "You… you are right. Maybe we have to go to school another year. But at least we do so together." She came a little closer. "Thank you. For always being there for me."
Both of us were silent for the next minutes. People often say that friends are people you can talk to, but TRUE friends are those, who you can be silent with. These people are right. We may have failed the exam, but did we really lose? What had happened made us get even closer to each other. And is it really a loss to be able to spend even more time with those near to you?
We spent another night underneath the stars. Eevee had already fallen asleep, as I was still watching the sky. I knew that I wanted to stay with her. But, even with our failure, once we pass the exam in the second try, joining the guild would mean not seeing her again at all. I always wanted to become an explorer. But now, after this one year, I didn't know anymore. Being an explorer sure is an adventure. But would it be more important that Eevee?
As this year of school started, I never believed I'd find any friends. And now I didn't know if my childhood dream was worth losing the one friend I truly had. And my decision was made quickly, before I went to sleep myself, snuggling onto Eevee's side myself this time and falling asleep to her slow breathing.
The day after was the day we'd reach Metro City. The day we'd officially fail our test. But we were ready. But we were not ready how to react if they'd ask us about Darky's disappearance. They would not believe us, would they? But it turned out, that we wouldn't have to. Just seconds before we entered school, a shadow zoomed past us. Reaching the principal's office, we saw that the shadow was Darky. She had followed us all along to make it really look like we failed. "So, you failed bringing the flag?" I could see the joy in her eyes, as she pretended to be sad. "Yes. We couldn't make it. I'm sorry." Mr Raichu did not seem surprised. I honestly felt a little insulted. "Don't be. Not everything can work out. You are the last one's to be back. The groups will now gather on the entrance. Follow me." As we followed the principal, the traitorous Zorua threw evil, satisfied glances at us. Her plan was disguised perfectly.
As he already told us, every other group was gathered already. Many flags were lying on the enhancement from which Mr Raichu spoke. Counting them… it was every single flag. Except for ours.
"Students and teachers! A long year lies behind us. We really experienced many things. Some good and some bad ones. And some unexplainable ones. This was surely a special year for every single one of us. And now it's over. Every team returned from their quest. And I really want to congratulate you. We did not have that great of a result for many years!" Obvious, at least to me. "But the exam itself was just like the rest of the year. Quite interesting. All of you did great. But I also don't really know what to think. It turned out that some of you don't believe in your teachers." Surprised muttering filled the air. What did he mean by that? "Still, I'm happy to announce our incredible success-ratio this year."
"There was only one student who could not make it!" Student? He obviously meant to say team… didn't he? The evil mastermind herself seemed unsure because of what he said as well. "Don't you mean team sir? There was three of us who could not pass." Without any forewarning, the principal became furious. "Don't YOU dare question my words, young lady! Haven't I told you that we teachers were going to see everything? Well, we did! It was quite nice to hear what you had to say about this year's big incident. Or how much you believe in your teachers! Flame, Eevee, both of you will pass the exam." Beside me, Eevee seemed unbelieving but happy as well. "We… we passed?"