p class="Normal"With Bob in her arms, still annoyed but tolerating Lyra's presence, we set off to the beach-side cafes for lunch. Now during the peak time on a Saturday, trying to traverse through the area in peace was truly a trying activity. Over the course of the journey, Lyra was getting more and more put out. Why? Because they never stop./p
p class="Normal"'Oh my God! It's Ethan Williams!'/p
p class="Normal"'He's so dreamy!'/p
p class="Normal"'This is my chance to get in with him'/p
p class="Normal"'Can I get your autograph?'/p
p class="Normal"'Can I get your number?'/p
p class="Normal"'Can I get your heart?'/p
p class="Normal"'Do I need to take out that blue haired girl?'/p
p class="Normal"'She's definitely competition'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"An exasperating 30 minutes later and we finally made our way over to the Peaking Peeko, a popular little cafe overlooking the ocean in one of the busier sections of the coast. It was apparently funded by a man named Mr Briney from Hoenn, but owned by a dear friend of his. We're guided to one of the more secluded booths for privacy's sake and take our seats, a table for four so that Princess and Bob could also sit with us without being shifted onto the ground. As we settle in, I know exactly what's about to come out of Lyra's mouth, but wait for her to say it anyway./p
p class="Normal"'How do you deal with it? The stalkerish fans would drive me insane! That was only like 15 minutes of attention and I was ready for Bob to blast them all away!' Yeah, it went something like that in my head./p
p class="Normal"'I have no choice, I haven't for the last six years of my life. I'd like to say that I've adjusted to it, but we both know I can't stand being the centre of attention. And we also know that Princess would only attack them if they came close to jostling her,' a nod of agreement, 'but other than that, I just don't have access to any pokemon, compliments of you know who'. Lyra gives me the look to signify that she knows what I mean and feels sympathy for me, but I know she would never understand my struggle./p
p class="Normal"'He still wont let it go after all this time, huh? You were only like seven at the time, you couldn't have known what you were getting into at the time. You know I've tried to convince dad to lift the ban off you, but even as a regional professor, his power doesn't compare to a gym leader's. If it weren't for the fact that it was Koga's daughter that died, I'm sure he wouldn't have this much power over you'. It was true though, since it was a gym leader's daughter that died all those years ago, and it was that same gym leader who pushed the legislation through, the gym leaders were given power to prevent their children from pursuing careers as trainers, no matter if that was for breeding, battling or researching. Most families still let their children leave the house, but my dad just won't give it up since that incident./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Back when I was seven, I wandered away from the house eager for a bit of adventure. I was always so bored in New Bark since it was too laid back for my taste. When I was indecisive over what to do, that's when I saw it: a skiploom. I'd never seen one in person, so I treated it like a sign that I should follow the little flower floating in the breeze. After an hour of trailing it, it finally decided to land. Looking back, I caught it on such a bad day as there was barely a breeze in the sky; not really the best time to chase a weed. As I approached the spot where it had landed, I could hear multiple cries of 'hop hop', and new that I had truly struck gold. The skiploom had nested! I inch up and as I go to peer in, I see a pair of beady red eyes looking dangerously into mine, and before I can say anything, a cloud of yellow dust hit my face dead on. From there, I really started to panic, my body started to go completely rigid and it felt like only 10% of my lungs were functioning. Thankfully I had only been hit with a stun spore, and not a poison powder. Small blessings really./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I was stuck that way for hours, never being fully able to breathe, panicking from not being able to breathe, and not being able to breathe further due to the panic. The sun had just started to go down when something that really chilled my blood happened. 'Aria'. The Ariados had come up looking for a baby hoppip to feast on, but found a human that was even easier to capture. While it knew I wasn't going anywhere, it wasn't going to risk a free meal and spat out a globule of thick white material that covered my body. I couldn't move, I couldn't scream, I couldn't get away from the fangs that were edging closer step by step. Just when I thought all was lost, suddenly a shape came swooping out of seemingly thin air, grabbed the ariados with it's talons and flew off./p
p class="Normal"'Ethan! Thank god your safe! You don't know how anxious I've been since I noticed you missing'. My dad saved me that day, and I learnt later on that it was his noctowl that grabbed the ariados and made a quick snack of it, just like it was about to do to me./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Ever since that moment, dad has struggled to let me go on my own, and would never leave me around dangerous pokemon, wild or not. The death of Janine hammered this fear of his in double as hard since I almost died to the regions most basic of bug/poison pokemon. We both know if he had of been two minutes later, I would have died that night, but no-one would have found my body unlike Janine's was. I imagine though that it would have been some relief if no body was found though than seeing the mangled corpse that was left of her body. I'd seen the images in later years, and they were utterly terrifying. To think bug pokemon, the supposedly weakest type would cause so much havoc./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I understand where he's coming from, I truly do, but I feel like I'm stuck somewhere I truly don't want to be, and it's infuriating to be stuck in this cage with everyone looking in while he's run off with the key'. It's nothing she hasn't heard before. She knows my passion lies with pokemon, but I can't do anything besides read the books. I'm sure if he knew about that, he'd probably burn the library down just so I'm not tempted to head out and study it in person. But at this stage, I know I could probably rival his knowledge on anything but normal, and maybe flying types. He was truly a master in those./p
p class="Normal"'You still aren't happy in your modeling, are you?' She was always quick on the uptake/p
p class="Normal"'No, I might be vain, but I hate the constant ogling and attention. I'd rather be left alone in the park with a good book'. Wow, I had truly become my mother./p
p class="Normal"'Wow, you really have become your mother, haven't you?' Damn./p
p class="Normal"'I mean maybe just a touch. Stop snickering Princess'. The mood grew quiet and contemplative until the food came and we ate our fair share. As it reached it's end, Lyra had that look where she was struggling to make her choice with saying something. This time, I knew she wasn't going to go through with it, so I needed to intervene now./p
p class="Normal"'Whatever you wish to say, you can. Nothing will hurt me Lyra, it's fine'. I heard her exhale before she decided to get it over with./p
p class="Normal"'You truly do know me too well Ethan, it's scary. I really need to find someone like you to date. It's not that this suggestion was going to hurt you, but more the fact that I'm not sure I could live up to the task and get your hopes up for nothing. I might be able to see if my grandparents wouldn't mind having an extra pair of hands at the day care'. My eyes widen in shock at the proclamation. I truly wasn't expecting something like that. I know you'd be amazing with raising the pokemon with grandpa, and I honestly think you'd be even better with the baby pokemon grandma looks after.'/p
p class="Normal"'What makes you think that? I don't think I'd be able to handle children very well at all'. I truly didn't. I mean, I'm way too self-centered to look after a child, let alone multiple fragile baby pokemon./p
p class="Normal"'You can't see it? It only takes one look at Princess, heck, listen to the name you have for her. Everyone knows you care the world for her and treat her like she hung the stars in the sky for you. I'm honestly shocked she hasn't evolved from the bond you two share even if she has next to no battle experience'. Was it really true? I look over at Princess and she stares right back and nods. 'See, even she sees it. You're the only one oblivious to it'./p
p class="Normal"'Wow. Maybe I have been blind to just how pampered I treat her,' an indignant 'vii' was shouted, 'but I should have seen it earlier. And I keep on saying if only to myself that she has the intelligence of an espeon, so I wouldn't be surprised if she was an espeon in disguise. I'm not saying I'd be great with the babies, but if your parents would welcome me, even if unofficially, I'd be extremely in your debt Lyra. Even if it doesn't go through, thank you'. I truly meant those words too. The life that I have isn't what I wish for. The fame and fortune? I would trade it in for a heartbeat if only to be free from this cage I've been stuck in./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"We decide to finally get a move on from the cafe and wander the boulevard. We decided that to try to avoid the crowds a bit, this time we were going to allow Princess to be my hat. Hopefully without my hair, I'm a lot less noticeable. Thankfully, the presence of me owning an eevee is practically unknown even after all this time. I don't travel much with her aside from when she is getting groomed and when we go to the nearby park to play. Surpisingly enough, the adorable eevee and the fact that both Lyra and I are young and in shape were the reasons why people looked at us. I'll take being mistaken as a random hot guy over being myself anyday; it's a lot less daunting./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"As we're moving along, we suddenly see a large crowd. Wondering what could be going along, and praying it wasn't just another Mr. Mime, we scuttled towards the crowd. Instead of a humanoid figure, there stood an imposing 7 foot draconic fire breathing lizard. And what a relief that was. Mr Mimes had a tendency to creep me out more than any chaotic experience with spiders could do. But I digress, huge arse fire breathing dragon lizard? That's still a little intimidating. I'm not quite sure if anything could be just as intimidating as that./p
p class="Normal"'Anyone is free to face him, but be aware that your pokemon will be stuck being transported to the pokemon centre in tinders'. A 6'2 man appears from behind that monstrosity of a lizard and I take my words back. The only thing more intimidating is the man that controls the beast. The man who looks like he's been wrestling gyarados' for the last eight years. The man who has a strange representation to the Elite 4 member, Lance./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I'm pretty sure Lyra must have reached the same conclusion if the hearts in her eyes are any indication. She's made it no secret that she's idolized the man ever since he came aboard the Elite 4 several years ago. Only four years older than us, it was said that he wouldn't be affected by the minimum age of 16 to get his license as he had already successfully reached the top 4 of the Indigo league before the law was introduced. Hailed as a prodigy by most, a god by few, and talentless by the jealous, Lance had worked his way up to become the youngest Elite 4 member at the age of 21, breaking the previous record of 27 almost six decades prior. His achievements are nothing to sneeze at, and his army of dragons even less so. To add even more fuel to the flame, he is the current heir to the prestigious Wataru clan and whose cousin was deemed one of the most powerful gym leaders in all of Kanto and Johto. How do I know all this? Because of the stalker beside me looking ready to faint./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I'll take you on! I'll show everyone here what a fraud you truly are'. It seems that someone was actually ballsy enough to challenge Lance and his overpowered fire-breathing lizard. What a fool. 'Electabuzz, go!' As he finished his over dramatic exclamation the challenger sent out a hairy bi-pedal rodent? Oh, I'm not quite sure what it was. I wish that there had been an over the top yell of it's name so I could work this out. 'This is my electabuzz, and his electric attacks will make short work of your charizard!' Surprisingly enough, both Lance and I both rolled our eyes at that, even if for different reasons. I'm going to assume that my sarcastic monologuing caused me to roll mine just a bit harder though./p
p class="Normal"'It's your loss, and I already described the consequences of such a loss. But alas, another uppity and cocky rich boy is about to lose his phone charger'. Wow. While it was true, that was kind of a dick thing to say. The audience all began laughing both at the comments and futility of the challenger as we all made room around the two of them. Lyra and I starting taking bets over how long it would take for Lance to destroy him. I said six seconds, but Lyra really does see the best in him and said four. When the space became large enough, Lance continued on, 'Is there anybody around that can officiate the match?' I suddenly give Lyra a sharp shove forward. Let's see how hard she fan-girls while attempting to talk to him. As he walks over to us he asks, 'you're qualified? And what is your name?' I can tell by the rigidity in her body that she is like a dear in the headlights, but at a raised brow from Lance she finally speaks./p
p class="Normal"'Yes sir. I'm Lyra Elm, daughter of Professor Elm of New Bark Town'. She stammers out. Shaky, but at least she stopped choking completely. She's going to kill me after this./p
p class="Normal"'Hmm, I believe I might have heard about you when I first visited his lab. You'll do.' With that, he left back for his side where his charizard was lazily cleaning his nails. Lyra, after a quick glare at me for pulling such a stunt and receiving nothing but a sly smirk back, walked to the middle./p
p class="Normal"'This match will be a one on one match with no substitutions. The match will end when the pokemon on either side is unable to continue. Begin!' And with that, she hightailed it away from the two pokemon. As soon as the word begin had come out of her mouth, charizard threw a half-hearted flamethrower without a command./p
p class="Normal"'Electabuzz protect!' A green barrier just barely erecting in time to save it from being burnt alive. 'Cheap tricks! Not even waiting for the match to properly start before throwing an attack? You really are nothing but a filthy cheat!' It honestly got nothing but a single raised eyebrow from both pokemon and owner. 'Now, electabuzz, thunderbolt!' As an arch of lightning was sent towards the lizard, it simply beat its wings once and took off into the air. It really didn't seem like it was going to need a single command from Lance to dominate its opponent with absolute clarity. As the lightning stopped being produced, the charizard simply flew overhead and sent another flamethrower at it. 'Protect again! Such a simple tactic wont work on me'. The fans cheered along, but I could see exactly what tactic the charizard had changed this time. The bloody thing could breathe out fire almost second nature, while protect is a short lived draining attack. While it would have been able to keep it up a long time, it must have gotten impatient, as it suddenly amped up the power of its attack and the protection surrounding the electabuzz quickly crumbled as a result blasting the poor thing with the wrath of a vaguely annoyed overgrown fire lizard. It was clear that this was the end, but oh, it was truly just the start./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Before I truly new what was going on, I heard Lyra's voice scream out, terror overtaking her voice 'Ethan! Get down!' It was at that moment that I realised that some of the flames had become too powerful and had funneled across the ground, coming straight at me. I drop as fast as humanly possible, but I hear a sound that not only sinks my heart, but shatters it completely, 'eeeev!' She was on top of my head this entire time./p
p class="Normal"'Princess! No! Are you okay?' I cradle her in my arms. There's a lump in my throat as I realise that I can smell burnt fur, one side of her now singed. I can feel Lyra and Bob next to me, with Bob lightly spraying her with water to reduce the damage. I can feel that eyes are on me now that they can recognise me, but none of it matters. All I can feel is the dread wracking my body as the most precious thing in the world is hurting right before my very eyes. I would say that nothing could make this worse, but I was so wrong./p
p class="Normal"'Hmph, if it can't even withstand even that small of charizard's flames, it truly must have been a weak pokemon'. I saw red. Red like the ambulance. Red like the stop sign. Red like the warning color of dangerous pokemon. I feel Lyra's hand on mine, but I knock it away. Her pleas going unheard as I stand and stalk my way over to the insensitive dick who hurt not only what was precious to me, but through dirt in my face afterwards. I've never thrown a punch before, but goddamn the pain in my fist was worthwhile just this once./p
p class="Normal"'How dare you?' I whisper, voice barely able to be heard by the surrounding crowd, eyes turned down. My body is shaking from the unadulterated rage, breath coming out in ragged gasps. I look up and straight into his eyes. 'How DARE you hurt an innocent pokemon and then have the nerve to tear it down?'/p
p class="Normal"He seems almost unfazed by the entire ordeal. 'I'm sorry kid, but an accident isn't going to phase me, especially when the attack was so weak. It really shows that you have no talent as a trainer, and is just another rich, pretty boy with a rare pokemon with no use for it.' I can hear Lyra gasp in the background/p
p class="Normal"'I'm not a trainer!' I scream, but I quickly feel the adrenaline leaving my body. I can feel the tears coming into my eyes. 'She's my best friend, she's never been in a battle before, and now she's hurt. I can't...' I feel Lyra grab me and take me away from the situation. 'I'm so sorry Princess.'/p