Kenya kicked a rock. I took a bite out of my snack bar. We'd wandered out onto Route 5. There was a street band playing a somber song. It seemed catchy. I caught myself humming the tune.
Kenya started pacing. I watched her, taking another bite.
"I can wait all night if you want," I said. It wasn't nighttime yet, but it was getting there. The sun was starting to set. She sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"I'm sorry, okay?" Kenya blurted out. "I panicked!" I finished my snack bar.
"Okay."
"I know it was a stupid thing to do! Druddigon was in so much pain! I felt so guilty!" I crinkled up the wrapper and tossed it into a nearby garbage can. Kenya paused, frowning.
"Are you listening?" I crossed my arms.
"Not really, no." She fumed and lowered her head. "Obviously, it was a stupid thing to do something that dangerous in a casual competition." She seemed to shrink, hugging herself. "But why do you think Druddigon did that?"
"What?" I tapped my chin, pretending to think about it.
"I saw the match. You couldn't see; you were stressed out. Darumaka got hurt. You panicked. How do you think Druddigon felt?" Kenya considered this. "Druddigon wouldn't have gone that far if he didn't feel the same way you did."
"But still. I…" Kenya clutched her temple.
"Kenya." I moved a bit closer. "I don't know what that dumb old dirt brain said to you, but Druddigon trusts you." A small smile grew on Kenya's face at the mention of Clay. "Its fine."
She wiped her eyes. I considered hugging her. I didn't get to consider it for very long. Kenya pulled me into a tight hug.
"You're the smartest person I know." She squeezed me tight, lifting me an inch off the ground. I struggled, trying to breathe until Kenya let go.
I gasped for air. His grinning face was barely visible in the dim sunlight. I smiled back, patting my ribs to make sure none had shattered.
Kenya let out Druddigon. She hugged Druddigon, mumbling something. I let out a yawn. Kenya and I ended up staying out on Route 5 until nearly midnight. We finally returned to the pokemon center. Kenya returned Druddigon and hesitated.
The streetlight illuminated her face. Her eyes were locked on the pavement.
"I wonder if we'll battle tomorrow," I said. Kenya looked up at me. She said something under her breath. "What's that?" She shook her head.
"It's nothing. We should probably get to bed. Don't wanna be sleep deprived again tomorrow." She opened the door, dramatically holding it open for me.
"You know," I walked inside. "You should be more proud."
"Yeah?" Kenya followed me, letting the door close behind her.
"You beat Clay," I said. "I couldn't beat Clay. Even Cheren lost to him."
"That was weeks ago," Kenya said. "You could probably beat him now." I shrugged.
"Maybe."
She paused, blinking. Clay was standing in the pokemon center lobby. He noticed us and scowled. He waved Kenya over. She begrudgingly headed over.
I lingered behind her, folding my arms.
"Can I help you?" Kenya asked. Clay grumbled. He extended a hand to her. He was holding a badge. Kenya stared at it for a moment.
"Come on," Clay said. "Take it."
After a long minute, Kenya snatched the badge. She started to walk away, but Clay cleared his throat.
"That's a strong Druddigon you have," Clay said. Kenya paused. Clay left.
.
.
.
The next morning, I was woken by Kenya banging on my door. It was almost eight in the morning.
"Get up!" She yelled, "We gotta go!" I quickly got dressed and followed Kenya out of the pokemon center. Cheren, Bianca, and Cerea were waiting for us outside.
"You sleep in?" Cheren asked. I scoffed. Cerea laughed.
"I can't believe you slept in!" She said. The five of us headed over to the stadium. Not even ten minutes later, we were back into the waiting room.
There were a lot fewer chairs now. 16 chairs in four rows of four. Somehow we were the first to arrive. Cheren sat at the end of the front row. Bianca and I sat down next to him. Cerea dropped down on my other side.
"Hey," Kenya spoke up, pointing at Cerea. "That's my spot." Cerea shrugged and nodded her head at the row behind us.
"There's plenty more seats." Kenya glared at her before heading into the row behind us. I sighed, and without a thought, I got up and followed Kenya.
I felt Cerea's eyes boring into me as I sat down next to Kenya. Other trainers started showing up.
Cerea scooted over next to Bianca, letting Nathan sit in the seat next to her. Nathan and Cerea started talking. There were several gym leaders left.
Skyla, Elesa, Cress. Chili, and Burgh. Lenora had abstained from the tournament apparently because she wanted to focus on the reconstruction of her museum. The screens lit up.
Alder's voice rang through the room.
"Round two is going to be starting today," Alder sounded less rested than yesterday. "The first match is going to be between Trainer Cheren and Gym leader Elesa." Cheren got up. Elesa rose as well. The two of them headed to the door. "The match will be beginning soon."
The two of them soon appeared on the battlefield.
Elesa sent out her pokemon.
Emolga, Stunfisk, and Zebstrika.
Cheren sent out his own Zebstrika, along with Dewott and Archeops.
"Please begin."
"Thunder!" Elesa ordered. Zebstrika glowed.
A bolt of lightning ripped across the battlefield.
Cheren's Zebstrika glowed, absorbing the lightning.
"That won't work," Cheren said. Both of them started shouting orders.
Cheren's Zebstrika played defense, protecting Dewott and Archeops.
Dewott crossed the battlefield, knocking out Stunfisk with relative ease.
Archeops and Emolga danced around each other. Archeops grazed Emolga with its wing, sending it spiraling to the ground.
The Zebstrika's clashed, slamming into each other. Elesa's Zebstrika won out, knocking Cheren's down.
Dewott charged in, slashing at Zebstrika.
Archeops followed up, diving down and tackling Zebstrika into the ground.
Cheren's Zebstrika finished it off with a flame charge.
Alder announced Cheren's victory, and they returned their pokemon.
The two of them met in the middle of the battlefield. The camera zoomed in as Elesa and Cheren exchanged a few words. Then Elesa handed him a badge.
The two of them separated, leaving the battlefield.