The New Kids on the Block: Chapter Ten
Quinn- "Random Stuff"
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Somewhere in Moonbeam Forest
Far From (Hopefully) Moonbeam City, Silver Millennium
June 1, 2028
"The only way that you'll ever be prepared for those Gym Challenges is if you're in good physical condition all of the time," I dictated as I flexed my arms, lifting my chin up higher than the steady tree branch. "Now, use your upper body strength to get your chin over the branch."
Celeste coughed, covering her mouth with her hand before saying, "you see, the problem is that I have no upper body strength. Maybe we should try some more basic moves."
"This is basic," I scoffed.
"Maybe we could find some equipment at the next Pokémon Center and use some of it," Blake suggested as he sat cross-legged on the soft, tan ground of the clearing that we had made.
"In case you haven't noticed, we have been lost for the past few days. I wonder when we'll finally get out of here. We're running out of food," Charlize grumbled as she absently kicked a stone, hitting Blake on the back.
"Ouch," he said flatly, his tone completely sarcastic.
She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not even going to apologize to you. Stop being so damned optimistic; think like everything isn't such a wonderful world sometimes."
"But why?"
"It passes the time...you know, complaining does."
"But it doesn't get you anywhere."
"I know that. Like I said," she concluded, "it passes the time."
I snickered at them as I finished my set of chin-ups. I had done about fifty of them, nothing serious. If they weren't going to stay in shape, that didn't mean that I was.
Charlize crossed her arms across her chest, "what are you grinning about?"
I didn't reply.
"You think this is funny, don't you? Well it's not," she said with a scowl, her lips pouted. She looked down to the ground before suddenly jerking up as if she had just realized something. "You're the one with the map! Let me take a look at that. There is no reason why we should be so deep in the forest."
I handed her the map rather nicely, no resistance at all. It was obvious that I was being too kind, even I knew that. But I just couldn't ignore how fun it was when I irritated Charlize. She was the best target; a big red dot was the bull's eye: her mouth. I loved to shove her insults right back down to where they came from.
"What the—" she began, quite infuriated.
A grin tugged at the corner of my mouth. I just looked on to see their reaction.
"Huh?" Brian asked to no one in particular.
"Quinn, I can't believe—"
"You did this on purpose?"
"Yeah," I nonchalantly admitted, no big deal.
"But why?" Celeste asked with a raised eyebrow, her lips pressed into a tight pink line.
I didn't reply.
"That's it! I'm going to kill you," Charlize declared as she hurled an random glass bottle of juice at my head. She had quite an arm, I must say.
I moved my hand up and brought it back down. I stared at the bottle. It was from some company called Mayer Bros. and it was kiwi-strawberry flavored. "Wouldn't want to break the glass, an innocent pokémon might get hurt.
Her cheeks turned as red in agitation as they could possibly get. She grabbed her hair and took a few deep breaths before charging at me like she was a raging Tauros.
It was all pretty fast, I didn't expect her to be so drastic about it; but then again, it was Charlize, the, what I dubbed a long time ago but failed to mention, melodramatic chick. The force of the tackle would have normally just made me stumble, if that; but she had thrown all of her weight into it and caught me off guard. I think she had tangled her leg with mind to increase her chances of falling me too. It was effective.
I fell for the first time since S—never mind that. I fell for the first time in a long time. I'll put it that way. Unfortunately, she didn't manage to untangle them, causing her to fall on top of me.
"Charlize!" Blake and Celeste exclaimed as they watched her grab my hair and try to slam it into the ground. I could feel her rage. If I wasn't careful, she could actually break my neck if I gave too much resistance or if she has suddenly twisted it to the side. So I had to grip her little hands by their wrists. She grunted in anger.
"I think you'd better pull her off of him Blake," Celeste said. "This is getting out of hand." She tried to push him forward but he didn't budge. "Blake?"
"No...this is way too entertaining."
I couldn't resist laughing right in her face as she tried to force whatever she could into the ground, her eyes filled with contempt.
"Stop laughing," she ordered as she wrenched her arms free and proceeded to try and injure me in some way.
Now that I think about it, the position that we were in was an odd one, almost sexual in a way. Here I was, laying upon the ground, with my leg bent, supporting her weight. And there she was, sitting rather close to my groin. And her b—well, they were in my face.
I managed to get out between laughs, "would you mind getting those out of my face? I think you're pulling out my hair."
"That's what I intended," she replied brashly.
All right, I was sick of getting beat up by this little pipsqueak of a girl. With hardly any effort at all I wrapped my arms around her, crushing her against my frame, before reversing the position, leaving me with the advantage. I stood up, giving her a massive bear hug, I had gotten annoyed.
She squirmed while she was against me. "I can't breathe. Let me go!" She made choking sounds with her voice and I couldn't help but let her go.
"Quinn! What were you guys doing frolicking down there. Save that for the bedroom."
I didn't laugh.
"Yeah, you guys can hump somewhere else, when we're not here to watch," Celeste said as she came over to me and brushed the back of my back, a grin taking up her entire face.
"Don't even Celeste," Charlize warned as she smoothed her dark blue jeans and readjusted the strap of her tank top. Her hair was discolored from a bit of fine dirt. Her normally violet hair was all over the place. She looked like she'd been on Survivor or something.
I smirked.
"God I can't stand you!" She turned to Celeste and said, "I swear it, I'm going home sooner than you might think."
"Charlize...you can't be serious," she questioned her with worried eyes.
"You would be doing us all a favor," I said matter-of-factly. "We don't need any girly-girls like you here."
"Excuse me,' she retorted, "you brand me as a girly-girl just because I like wearing skirts and tank tops and occasionally putting on makeup? Is that such a crime?" She shrugged her shoulders, "Besides, that would mean that Celeste is a girly-girl too."
"I think she might be right Quinn. But I don't wear makeup a lot. I have natural beauty," Celeste nodded.
"So you're saying that I don't have natural beauty?" Charlize fumed as she fixed her a murderous glare.
"Of course not Char...you're one of the sexiest people I know," Celeste jokingly admitted. She inched closer to her, and said in a calm voice: "If I were a guy, I would definitely want to get into your pants."
I groaned.
"Same here," Blake kidded, "well, I am a guy so I guess it doesn't count," he said with a chuckle.
"Right."
"How about you, Quinn?" Blake asked me.
I just gave him a look.
"I think that we all know the answer to that question," Celeste began with a sly grin on her face. "Yes, of course. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let you grind on him for such a long time. You randy animals, you!"
I kept my stony composure whereas Charlize couldn't help but laugh at Celeste's mirth. She said, "sometimes I wonder if Quinn even likes women."
"He does; he used to go on dates all of the time. Good girls love bad boys, after all," Celeste told her.
"But I'm not a bad boy and good girls still went on dates with me," Brian mused.
"And downright sexy boys too," Celeste added.
They all began to laugh.
Can we do something, Quinn? I'm bored just standing here like idiots. I wan to walk, or sing—just do something besides watch those three losers over there.
"I completely agree with you Purin," I whispered as we began to walk away.
"We'd better star walking, the next town is called Camden. It has a pokémon center," I told them—ordered them would be a better verb.
Purin walked beside me, Raja and Selene following her, chatting amongst themselves.
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"All right, Celeste, just do ten more and you'll be done with your set, and through with the physical training," I coached her as I held the small of her back as she did her pushups. She was doing the normal pushups, not the ones that some people might call the "girly" ones. Right now she was finishing up her ninetieth and going for the hundred.
Her face was flushed and her breathing was labored, but I assured her that it would all be worth it in the end. Besides, it would also help with her upper body strength, something that she was bound to need in the future.
Blake was cooperative and was going in synch with Celeste. He didn't look half as affected Celeste did, after all, he was used to some sort of regimen for the football team.
Charlize was being some sort of powerhouse, for she was approaching the one hundred-fifty mark, her being a gymnast and all. She was admirable, I suppose. Maybe she wasn't such a "girl" after all. Maybe it was some sort of guise.
"Ninety-seven...ninety-eight...ninety-nine...don't give up now," I encouraged her as she staggered on the last pushup. "Yeah that's it!—one hundred."
Celeste collapsed into a massive heap. Her hair was plastered to her forehead, perspiration rolled down her cheeks, her workout outfit was damp.
Raja hurriedly rushed over with a full bottle of spring water. Celeste gratefully took the water and bit the nozzle and squeezed the bottle, causing the water gush out rapidly.
When she was done, her hand extended, I took it and helped her up. She sighed heavily as she placed her right hand onto the small of her back, her posture a bit hunched.
"Oh gosh...I'd take swimming and the workout machines any day, over this," she said with a wry smile. She looked at Raja and smiled, "thanks buddy. Let me catch my breath and then we can start training you and the others."
Raja didn't look at all delighted. I supposed that he figured that if his training was anything like hers, than he didn't want to have any part of it. I'm not saying that Raja was at all lazy, but...Celeste's training was rather...intense.
"You know," I said, "you can still incorporate swimming into this every chance that you get. Swimming gives all of the muscles a good workout."
She nodded in approval. "I miss being near the water, smelling the salty air every time that I open my window."
"Yeah," I sighed. I had only experienced for a few days when I came back from the Army. There was something different about the air in Hydrangea than here in Silver Millennium. Something that I couldn't possibly explain.
How far until the next Pokémon Center, Quinn? Purin asked as she tugged on my pants leg and looked up to me with big blue eyes.
"A few more miles according to the map," I replied as we gathered our things and began to search for the next clearing so that Celeste could do some training with her pokémon.
Good. I want to see some buildings instead of the same old trees.
"Oh."
You know what?
"What?"
I sense that something is going on between you and that other witch, Purin said with accusing eyes. I think that you both want each other to be your mates, don't you?
What the— "Hell no, where did you get that idea from?"
Let's just call it a pokémon's intuition, she said snugly, crossing her arms; her eyes closed in satisfaction.
"Then your intuition must be telling you the wrong things—wait, why am I even defending myself over something so ludicrous? I never pay you any attention anyways."
She stared at me defiantly, because you have other things—or should I say people or person—on your mind. You're a hopeless romantic, Quinn.
"This is getting out of hand," I growled. First it was Celeste and know it was my own pokémon. I could take it from Celeste because I know that she is just joking and nothing more, but Purin, she probably thought that it was really true. Or, like Celeste, she was just saying it to get on my nerves.
The only reason why you're getting angry is because you know that I'm right. I'm always right.
I swear it, sometimes I think that she is starting to become my female counterpart. And I didn't like it one bit.
"Nobody's always right."
"Except you," everyone said in unison, including the pokémon.
Charlize chimed in, "I'm the leader. I'm the brother. I'm the trainer. I always know what is best for all of you. I always know where to go. I always know how much we should exercise. I always know when we should keep going, I know when we should get to sleep. I know everything!"
Never before did I feel like attacking a woman then at that particular moment.
We stared at each other for the next few moments as we trudged along the dirt path. It was completely silent except for the random call of a Pidgey, or the scurrying of a Rattata, or...the crunching of someone talking.
I froze and put my hand out in front of all the others in order to prevent them from going any further. I don't know why I did that...as if there could possibly be any danger lurking near. Whatever, I tried to always be poised for a course of action.
I began to loosen up upon seeing a guy and a girl sitting in a clearing, jovially eating some food out of a can.
The guy wasn't tall at all, I would say only an inch taller than my baby sister. He had blue, which I had noticed a lot of people possessed so far since we've been on this planet. It was dark blue though, not quite as light a Celeste's. Just a few shades darker, it was. He donned a pair of frayed blue jeans and a cobalt tank top, a cap casually turned backwards. He was almost puny in a sense, compared to me, anyways.
The girl looked like she could be no more than say, eighteen, I suppose. She was of average height, her skin was a bit pale, a bit rosy too. Her hair was chestnut brown with a few random blonde streaks; I assumed that they were probably fake. There aren't as many natural blonds as there used to be like a century ago.
They both looked up when they saw us approaching and waved in a friendly manner.
"Hey!" the girl said as she hopped to her feet, a dragonfly pokémon on her shoulder and a pendant around her neck. It gleamed. The pokémon buzzed a hello. The girl extended her hand to Celeste, who cordially accepted it and said, "Hi, my name's Serenity Kallen, and this is my buddy, Dracara. What's your name?"
"I'm Celeste Briarcliffe and this is my best friends, Charlize and Blake." They each murmured their greetings. Celeste finally settled on me, "and this is my big bro, Quinn."
I nodded.
The guy stood up and introduced himself to all of us. His name was Brian Everwood and he and Serenity were best friends on a pokémon journey with one another.
"So where are you all from, Celeste?" Serenity said as she patted a place on the grown beside her, everyone sat down but me. I remained leaning up against a tree, Purin was cradled in my arms.
"We're from the Flower Archipelago. Quinn and I are from Hydrangea Island. Charlize is from Dew Island and Blake here is from Star-fruit Island."
"Ah," she nodded, "Brian and I came from the Orange Archipelago, from Shamouti. So," she said, eating the last of her meal, "how long have you been training?"
"A few weeks you?"
"About a year, I already have a few pokémon. Which reminds me," her gaze gradually turning towards me. "What's the name of that cute, little Jigglypuff over there?"
I'm Purin, she proudly said, pointing at herself for emphasis. She had a lot of pride, to the point of conceit. I guess...that it was kind of like me...
"Purin," I translated.
"Ah...I see," she said, nodding once more. "Well, judging by the way that she said her name, I would assume that she was pretty tough, right?"
Yeah, I'm tough. Why do you care? she demanded.
"Yeah, she is. Why?"
She stood up, a bright glint in her eye. She sauntered up to me and looked me in the eye. I just gazed back at her. "Well, you wouldn't mind putting her up against my Dracara here, now would you?"
"Not at all," I coolly replied. I looked down at Purin, "you up for it?"
Yeah, I'm way out of practice, she snorted as she broke free from my grasp and walked over to the center of our imaginary ring. Charlize, Blake, Brian, and Celeste, plus their respective pokémon, Brian's was a Bulbasaur, all moved out of the way.
Our first battle, that was. I tried to remember all of the things I'd learned at the University, especially those about Jigglypuff. We hadn't stayed on them for that long, I think I'd skipped over that homework assignment. Oh well, we could make do with what I already knew.
"All right Dracara, show her what you've got," Serenity cheered as she stepped back a few paces, her Yanma slowly advancing towards her opponent.
I have to admit, this was pretty invigorating. Exciting would be a better adjective. This was our first battle after all.
Purin complacently crossed her arms and said, I'll let you know right here and now—I don't take direction well.
The nerve of that little blob...
"Well you'd better do it now. End of the subject, understand?" Okay, my tone was a bit harsh, I'll admit it. But I can't help it; besides, Purin knows, or rather she should, that I do care for her...deeply now that I think of it.
Enough with getting mushy: that's a sign of weakness. Something I my life just won't allow.
"Let's start things off the right way. Tackle her, Dracara," Serenity said calmly. You could tell that she was experienced.
The Italian-flag-colored pokémon buzzed in agreement, and tilted to the slightest angle before zooming down at Purin, who, thankfully, leaped to the side. She was a bit slow—Purin, that is. We could work on that.
"Good evasion, try to be quicker the next time," I coached as she smiled to herself.
"Go Quinn," Blake cheered; however, he was elbowed in the rib by Charlize, who made a cut-throat gesture with her hand.
I think I saw Celeste's head sink into her hands before cheering me on.
"Purin, use your pound attack," I told her.
Since she was so light and strategically-shaped, I figured that she could jump pretty high. Flying pokémon always have the advantage in any sort of battle. That's just common sense.
Purin grunted as she jumped off the ground and, to my surprise, kicked Dracara to the ground.
"Purin, I thought I said to do a Pound attack," I groaned as she landed on the ground.
You did. But, I thought that a kick would be more effective, she answered.
"You're supposed to go by my judgment," I reminded her.
Well, my judgment was best at the time. Look, she's getting up from the ground. Now what should I do, most exalted dictator of my life? she sardonically replied. After all, you know best.
I clenched my teeth. I think that I could see Serenity laughing, a rosy tint to her cheek. "How cute, a trainer and her pokémon arguing with one another."
I figured that some propriety would be necessary, I didn't know this girl. And, for some reason, I didn't feel up to setting up some scathing retort.
"Purin, sing!"
I had never heard her singing voice before then, at let me tell you, it was actually quite...nice, angelic. So good that I didn't want it to end; I just felt a bit drowsy, but who cares? I was actually kind of irritated when Serenity said:
"Stop that noise with a sonic boom."
Dracara reared up, flying higher into the air, her gossamer wing flapping rapidly. Blue energy began to form in the tiny space provided between flaps. Dozens of energy balls were fired at Purin and there was no way to avoid them.
That was it.
Ah! she screamed as she was beat into the ground by the opposing energies, her eyes wide with pain with, what I noticed, tears. Little red bruises appeared on her body after Dracara finished her assault.
Some feeling tugged at me heart as I kneeled down and scooped Purin into my arms. She looked so helpless right then. So weak. So fragile: characteristics that did not at all describe Purin.
Tears streamed out of her eyes.
"That won't make anything better Purin. You tried hard, you'll get better, I just know it," I cooed. It was meant to be soothing.
Yet naturally, Purin took offense.
Is that all you care about? Being strong? she wailed as she used her last strength to struggle from my grasp and hurry away up the hill that we were at the foot of.
"Purin!"
Purin! Come back! the pokémon cried, scurrying after her, disappearing over the hill. Aaaaaahh! Help!
Everyone was up in a flash, Celeste, Charlize, and Serenity in front while we men were behind them.
"Raja!"
"Selene!"
"Pip!"
"Dracara!"
"Purin," I exclaimed once more.
I saw the girls stumble. "Ah, Quinn!" Celeste cried as she was flung backwards, I think her foot was caught in some vine on the other side of the hill. "Help!" They all cried as they began tumbling down the hill.
My heart raced, I didn't know what to do. It was all my fault. Wait, I can't complain like this. I had to be a man and take charge: do what was necessary.
Almost without thinking, I flung myself down the hill, wincing at the pain I felt in my shoulder. Who would of know that this hill should've been classified as a mountain, and that I had veered off to the left?
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Hooray, another cliffhanger! I knew that I could use my writing prowess to develop while still integrating two new characters, aren't the creators at last content? I have a few more to go, I'll let you know when I might need some more, okay? Which brings me to something at hand. You all know Blair Iceblink and Collin McGrith, am I right? Well, their respective creators, Keleri (who now has an account) and the Elemental Trainer (my closest of fanfiction buddies), have each created spinoffs from this fiction. ^_^ very exciting stuff, indeed. The fics are called THE IMMORTALS and uh...I forget Trainer's. Be kind and give them a look. They're both really good starts. Also, I recently wrote a poem about a very hurt pokémon that might interest you. Well, that is all. Until the next chapter— The Duke of Briarcliffe