I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT! I'VE BEEN WRITING LATER CHAPTERS IN Maverick Hunters AS THE IDEAS ARE COMING MORE FOR THAT ONE! THIS STORY ISN'T DEAD THOUGH! IT WILL FINISH WHEN I SAY IT'S FINISHED! SO UNTIL YOU SEE A "The End" THIS WILL CONTINUE, ALBEIT AT A SLOWER PACE THAN MY OTHER PROJECTS! WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY (SIX MONTHS? YIKES), CHAPTER 4!

Chapter 4: Round 1

"So, before I end class today, does can anyone tell me the best type match up for going against a ghost dark type?" Charlotte asked, everyone raising their hand. "Let's see, Deric."

"Fighting type, right?" Deric asked with much enthusiasm.

"No, that's not it. Anyone else?" Charlotte asked, everyone but one person lowered their hand. "Yes Aaron?"

"Any types besides normal, psychic, and fighting. Fairy types in particular. There are only two Pokémon like that, right?" Aaron answered.

"Bug is another viable option, but yes. Sableye and Spiritomb. Okay everyone, class is over. Get going. Your parents are waiting for you," Charlotte said, everyone grabbing their bags. "Also, tomorrow we will have a test on type advantages and then, we will get into status effects."

"Ms. Charlotte?" Aaron said, walking up to Charlotte. "Can you take me home today? My parents want to meet you personally."

"I'm sorry, but I am busy. I have to get tomorrow's lesson plan ready and finish my own school work," Charlotte smiled. "Maybe once winter break comes."

"That's only two things. It can't that long," Aaron said, Charlotte smiling at his answer.

"He's definitely a smart ass," Nyx smiled, Charlotte nodding towards Nyx.

"I have a few hours of homework that needs to get done tonight. Once I'm done, maybe you can convince your parents to come over to my place. Sound like a plan?" Charlotte smiled, Aaron nodding. Aaron then ran out to catch up with everyone else, Charlotte still smiling.

"He's a good kid. Maybe he could grow up to be that kind," Charlotte commented.

"He's kind. Why wouldn't he grow up to be kind?' Nyx asked.

"People go through middle and high school and become stressed and the kind ones are usually the ones who get the brute end of bullies and other assholes. Of course, that isn't always true for everywhere, but that seems to be how things are in this city," Charlotte answered. "But I have a good feeling about him."

"So, where are we going today? Straight home of are you going to pick up more supplies?" Nyx asked.

"I need more pens, so we are heading to Target, and we will be there while I work on my English class work," Charlotte answered.

"Can I help? I do want to learn how to read your language, and maybe down the line, actually speak it," Nyx spoke, a light tint of red on her face, though not noticeable unless you were an inch from her face.

"Sure. Mind you, I'm a terrible teacher," Charlotte warned, the duo getting into the car. "Say, I know I should have asked earlier, but because I do want to get into move sets and battling, what kind of moves do you know for battling?"

"Well, I'm sure you'd know them by different names, but Psychic is my main one, Focus Blast for dark types, Thunderbolt and Moon Blast. I also use Recovery, Heal Pulse, Teleport, and Psyshock a lot," Nyx answered.

"Wait, you know more than four moves?" Charlotte asked, starting the car.

"Yeah. What, did you only think that we can only know a certain amount of moves and we just forget how to use certain moves?" Nyx chuckled, Charlotte nervously laughing with her. "Wait, you did think that!"

"Out of my head. And in the games that were once a fictional thing, only 4 moves could be known at a time," Charlotte answered, "Looks like there's even things that I need to learn."

"Wait, I feel something strange. At the mall," Nyx spoke, Charlotte deciding to go back to the mall, despite her hatred for the place that banned Pokémon on the second day of knowing about them. She drove into the parking lot, and parked the car, getting out with Nyx. They walked to the entrance they had before and saw a new sign.

"What?!" Charlotte screamed. "We thank you for your patience while we renovated our mall for everyone, including Pokémon trainers to enjoy. Shops that were against Pokémon were removed, and now a stadium that is two stories with an open roof and pool has been finished. We also have a deal on an upcoming product that will be a two for one the first day only. Please return on the first Friday on the next month for the product. Simon's Malls."

"Sounds like it was dealing with people who don't want to have trainers and like while introducing something everyone would be excited for. Say, why don't we surprise people? That will also show you that I am truthful. And shock everyone with the more moves. How about one battle?" Nyx asked, sounding cocky.

"Don't get cocky," Charlotte spoke.

"I am full of cock," Nyx said, Charlotte busting up laughing, Nyx confused. "I don't get what's so funny."

"Cock doesn't mean what you think it does. It is the, um, reproductive organ of males. Their "junk" if you will," Charlotte informed.

"That's inappropriate! Why do people say cocky then?" Nyx wondered.

"Beats me. But don't get cocky. Or think less of the opponent. That will lead to defeat," Charlotte reiterated. "So, shall we?"

"I don't see why not," Nyx answered, the duo entering the mall. They instantly noticed that people and Pokémon were chatting in the food court and eating. Everything seemed so surreal to Charlotte. They walked past the food court, and right to a map of the mall, trying to find the stadium. Charlotte noticed that some of the stores she didn't care for were no longer there, and in its place on the upper floor simply read "viewing area" and the corresponding location on the first floor said "Stadium." The two shared a look, fired up and ready to have their first challenge. They walked to the bottom floor before heading over, seeing that a lot of people were gathered around the entrance, hesitant in to go in. They ignored the crowd and walked right in, seeing a small group of people in a circle, most likely the referees. Charlotte and Nyx walked up to them and decided to interject.

"Good afternoon. Is there a problem?" Charlotte asked, the group turning towards her.

"Yes. You see, everyone out there is concerned that this place is sketchy, as we built it as quick as we did, and no one wants to enter in fear of getting hurt or their partners getting hurt by something falling," one of them said.

"Well, I'm willing to have a one on one with someone. Would one of you like to accept to prove that it is stable? Show people it can take a beating?" Charlotte suggested.

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea," one of them spoke, mulling it over. "Say, that Gardevoir know how to battle, right?"

"I did survive in the wilderness before coming here. I think a competition battle should be simple enough to understand," Nyx answered.

"Alright. One on one? I'll let you choose. Hey! Killer! Bowser! Arcanine! Come out here!" the largest man called out, a Nidoking, Warturtle, and Arcanine walking out. "Hey, one of you is going to battle the Gardevoir standing there."

"My name is Nyx," Nyx informed.

"Sorry. Nyx. So, who do you want to challenge?" the man asked Nyx.

"Charlotte, what was the thing about my typings? Good against poison, fighting, dragon and dark, but weak to steel, poison, and dark types, right? So in order to utilize my effectiveness, I'll want to take on Killer, but that would also put me at a disadvantage as well. Sounds like a fair fight, right?" Nyx talked it over with Charlotte.

"That is true. I'll let you pick," Charlotte smiled.

"Killer," Nyx told the man.

"You look so small. Last change to back out girl," Killer offered, everyone else hearing low growls.

"I think I will be alright. You might want to reserve a spot in the back so that they can tend to your pride once I wipe the floor with you," Nyx said, everyone else but Charlotte dropping their jaw at her remark.

"I think we are ready. So, shall we?" Charlotte smiled, Nyx standing next to her, her arm on Charlotte's shoulder.

"Alright. I will referee this match," a rather tall person spoke, walking next to the field. Charlotte stood on one side, and the man and Nidoking, Killer were on the other.

"This match is a one on one match between Charlotte and her Gardevoir, Nyx, and Harold and his Nidoking, Killer. It is a single knock-out battle! Are both sides ready?" The referee spoke loudly, everyone looking in, some daring to step up to the window.

Charlotte looked at Nyx, who teleported to the battlefield, Killer stepping forward.

"You got this Nyx. I'll let you handle things. I'll be letting you know if danger is close," Charlotte spoke, confident in Nyx's ability.

|30 Minutes Later|

"Sorry for letting you down," Charlotte apologized again, Nyx sighing.

"Again, we both got into that mess. You can't win them all," Nyx said, putting a hand on Charlotte's back. "Come on, what will get you to cheer up?"

"Well," Charlotte sang, Nyx sighing. "Kidding! But losing doesn't feel good. I've had many loses before, but this one feels worse somehow."

"I don't know the details, but it would help to know some of the past details of the loses," Nyx suggested. Charlotte stopped for a brief second, before continuing to the car. She didn't speak the rest of the way home, which worried Nyx. This didn't seem like the Charlotte she came to know and had no idea what was going on in her mind, but one thing she did feel from Charlotte was negativity. Depression, pain, angst, and hate, all aimed inwards.

"Charlotte, can you-"

"Just leave me the hell alone!" Charlotte yelled, Christina and Zelda poking their heads out to see Charlotte heading upstairs, Nyx standing there shocked.

Christina had no idea what was going on, and neither did Nyx or Zelda. The bunny and human walked over to the emotion Pokémon and nudged her shoulder. "Um, did you two get in a fight?"

"I don't know. She suddenly became silent and was feeling bad when I asked her about some of her loses," Nyx replied, looking at Christina, tears beginning to form. "What's going on?"

"Charlotte prefers to leave the past where it is. The past. She had a rough childhood. Hell, she's had a rough life in general. I won't go into detail, but the best thing to do right now is be patient with her. Let me talk to her," Christina explained. "It would be best if I do it alone."

Nyx saw Christina disappear upstairs, and now had more questions about Charlotte's life. Questions she might never get answers for.

|Morning|

Nyx woke up on the couch, seeing Zelda sleeping on her stomach, smiling at the cute little creature. She looked at the wall clock and saw that it was early in the morning, 04:23 to be exact.

'Might as well get up since I won't be able to get to bed again,' Nyx thought, carefully moving Zelda and wrapping her in a blanket so she wouldn't wake up. She made her way to the back door, opening it and was greeted by a rush of cool air. She walked over to the end of the backyard, which was lined by metal poles that were the same height as the ten-foot walls on the side. She saw the slope the house was on, and the street that led into the canyon. She made her way to the table near the fence and took a seat, looking out to the world. She felt the cool morning breeze and the leaves swaying in it. 'This is quite relaxing. If I had made some tea, this would be a perfect morning.'

She wasn't paying attention, which caused Charlotte placing a warm mug in front of her on the table to surprise her. Charlotte had on pajamas and a warm jacket and scarf. "Hot chocolate. It's best while it is warm still." Charlotte took the other seat at the table, taking a sip of the drink. "I usually come out here in the morning after stressful days."

"Charlotte. About yesterday-"

"Don't worry about it. You couldn't have known," Charlotte cut her off, looking down at her hot chocolate. "Hardly anyone does."

"I don't know what you experienced, but I am your friend, so at least talk to me," Nyx replied, taking a sip of the hot brown drink in front of her. "This is sweet, but not too sweet."

"I prefer mine that way. Dark chocolate helps make it that way," Charlotte answered.

"Um, about yesterday-"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you. It wasn't right of me to snap at you. It was just a silly question," Charlotte apologized.

"I should be the one apologizing. Whatever you faced in the past isn't really my business. Especially if it is painful to talk about. I won't pry unless I absolutely have to to help you," Nyx apologized, Charlotte chuckling a bit.

"We should probably shower. Don't want to show up to school smelling bad now do we?" Charlotte suggested.

Nyx smiled and nodded, following Charlotte back in the house.

SO THE ENDING... YEAH. I HAD WANTED TO GET THIS OUT, AND THIS WASN'T THE ENDING I HAD WANTED OR PLANNED FOR... NEXT CHAPTER WILL MAKE UP FOR IT THOUGH. UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, WHICH HOPEFULLY WON'T BE ANOTHER SIX MONTHS!