Pokémon - The Final Journey in Fenyuu
Chapter 36: Only the Beginning
Matt sat and waited at the Pokémon Center. He often rose to his feet and approached the front desk and asked about Lizzie's or Rachel's status with the exams. In a way he felt bad, having them go through such hard work while all he had to do was the final exam, which he himself didn't find too difficult. But he was told that earning those two specific badges were exactly like taking those two exams, so he felt a little bit better.
As he sat down, a trainer took a glance at Matt, then suddenly start to walk towards him. He had long, pitch-black hair that ran freely, with a sky blue blazer and long, navy blue jeans. "I thought I recognized you; you won second place at the Indigo League, before all of that data was erased!"
"That's me," Matt replied. He felt rather surprised, because this was the first time that complete strangers had noticed his success.
He whipped out a Greatball. "How about a quick battle? I finished first there myself about a year ago before getting knocked out of place by the Elite Four." He took a breath, then continued. "I traveled to Johto League after that, and I also did realy well, too." He brushed his free hand through his hair. "Well, how about it?"
Matt shook his head. "I'm waiting right now, and I'm not in the mood for a battle right at this point."
"Oh, so that's how it is. You're afraid!" The trainer shot a mocking smile straight at Matt.
"Do I sound afraid?" Matt replied calmly, yet somewhat annoyed. "I'm serious, I'm in no mood for a battle right now. Try in about an hour or so, and maybe I'll reconsider my decision."
"I only have about thirty minutes here, before I move on out to my first gym. Come on, it won't be long, knowing how I'll whip your weak Pokémon."
Matt normally would have turned down this request but he stood up, staring at the trainer. "Listen, don't insult my Pokémon. Trash talk like that could really get you in trouble one day."
The trainer laughed as if he didn't care. "That's fine; if you don't want to challenge me, I'll perfectly understand how THIS trainer from such a horrible little town became afraid of someone such as myself, a trainer from Pewter City."
"Fine," Matt replied, releasing an exasperated sigh. "If I battle you, will you finally shut up?"
The trainer shot an insulted look at Matt and smirked. "Well, I never realized you had THIS much anger in you. How about a three-on-three? It won't take long; only about a minute." He then walked outside as Matt cursed under his breath, following him.
They stopped at a short, yet far enough distance from the Pokémon Center as they were ready to do battle. The trainer released a short, purple ghost-Pokémon with a mischievous grin which Matt noticed as a Gengar, while Matt took out his Onix to begin with. Onix had lost that round and Matt finished off the weakened Gengar with Charmeleon. Afterwards, Matt had lost the final two rounds, with Charmeleon and Squirtle being taken down by a strange sheep-like Pokémon, which Matt didn't recognize; Matt heard it referred to as Flaaffy. He used his Pokédex to retrieve some information, but was rather upset at such a hard loss.
The trainer brushed his hands through his hair. "Don't be upset by allowing yourself to be defeated by me. You fought strong, and on many occasions had almost beaten me."
"Don't flatter me, you saw how brutally I battled." Matt handed over to Ace some bills and coins. He had more money than he remembered; he collected some while training just before the Indigo championships started.
"I don't flatter. I only tell the truth." He turned around and started to walk away. "And by the way, my name is Ace. I'm certain that we'll meet again, hopefully in the Fenyuu champtionships." He waved one hand, to signal a parting action. "So long."
After a few minutes, Matt stood still. As soon as Ace seemed far enough away, he kicked the ground, with a loud grunt. "Damn it! How could I lose so brutally to a trainer like him? Maybe I wasn't ready for this league." He took in a deep breath and reassured himself. "No, this was only the beginning. And it looks like I've actually made a rival. I'm going to have to stay in top notch shape if I want to have a better Pokémon battle." With that, he returned to the Pokémon Center for quick healing of his Pokémon.
* * *
Matt waited at that Pokémon Center for another day, to see how Rachel and Lizzie were doing. He was challenged by trainers many times, and started keeping track on his record. So far, he found himself with six wins and four losses. He had a higher winning percentage, however he still didn't feel very proud at this point as possibly the newest trainer to ever enter the Fenyuu League.
Two hours later, Lizzie walked into the Pokémon Center, her face completely red, with sweat covering her forehead.
"Lizzie!" Matt yelled, and jumped from his chair to greet her. "Hey! You made it!"
Lizzie smiled, wiping the excess sweat from her face. "Yeah, but it was REALLY hard. The hardest test was the maze."
"Really? I didn't find it so hard. With the moveable brick, the rare candy and the non-existing Pokémon..."
"What are you talking about?" Lizzie replied, firing a confused look at Matt. "Those weren't the riddles I had. I had to dig for a coin, grab a Pokémon with only a net - a really slimy one, mind you - and I had to fight a wild Pokémon in the dark!"
"Wow." Matt blinked. "That's about five times harder than the challenge that I received."
Lizzie took in a deep breath, then exhaled. "Well, the important thing is that I passed, and Rachel should hopefully make her way out in about an hour. She barely passed her first two tests; I'm almost afraid to say that she may not do too well."
Matt cleared his throat. "Lizzie, about that remark that the instructor made...what was it?"
"Oh, that." Lizzie sighed. "After he gave me my report card, he said 'I'm surprised that somebody like you was able to do so well,'."
Matt couldn't help but laugh. He felt bad for it, and apologized afterwards, but replied: "You let THAT insult you?! Both you and I know for a fact that that isn't anywhere NEAR true..."
Lizzie smiled. "Thanks."
"And geez! There are so many trainers here, it's unbelieveable! I was already challenged ten times already, and I've only been here for a day!"
"That's true, you remember how we were told that this was a demanding league, and every trainer has to stay in the best shape for the upcoming gyms, right?"
"Yeah, I know. But even back in Indigo I was never challenged as many times. As a matter of fact, I didn't start challenging other trainers until just before the league championships."
Lizzie looked at her watch. "Well, I'm sweaty, and I need some clean clothes, so I'm going to have a shower, then we'll eat lunch, okay?"
Matt nodded again. "That's fine, I'll just sit here and wait for Rachel."
Another hour passed by, when Lizzie and Matt had almost finished their lunch. They were both surprised by the amount of high quality food that was offered by the Pokémon Center.
"Is Fenyuu rich or something?" Matt asked.
Lizzie shrugged. "I don't know, but I'm enjoying this!"
"I don't even think I've EVER eaten something so...luxurious. Even at home! And I mean ever!"
Lizzie finished off her plate and took in a deep breath. "That was so good; I'm so full! I don't think I'll be able to eat anything else for at least another day."
Matt chuckled as he heard an announcement appear on the P.A. system. "There is a phone called for a trainer named Matt Tenks. Please come up and answer."
Matt raised an eyebrow. "Who could be calling me? I'll be right back." Matt stood up and walked to the front desk where Nurse Joy stood, handing over the receiver to the nearby monitor-phone over to Matt. As he picked up the receiver, Rachel's face appeared on the monitor. "Hey! How've you been? Have you taken the Maze test yet?"
Rachel nodded, disappointed. "I wasn't able to finish in time,;I don't think I'm experienced enough, so I'm going to start out around Johto, then come and meet up with you guys later, hopefully."
"But you passed the first two tests, didn't you?"
"Barely. Another two wrong marks on either of them and I would have failed completely. I'm sorry, I really hate to act this way towards you since I was really looking forward to traveling with you, but I just started, remember? So I think it would be better if I just went off on my own for some experience for a little while, then meet up with you later."
Matt frowned. "That's too bad, but don't get discouraged; I had a really hard time getting through that maze, and so did Lizzie."
A weak smile appeared on Rachel's face. "Then I'm surprised I got as far as I did. I got to the third level with only five minutes left, and I ran out of time."
"Hey, that's pretty good. Next time you'll finish it, hopefully."
"It'll be easier if I get the same riddles."
"Yeah, that helps," Matt replied, laughing. "Well, I suppose it is good to start capturing Pokémon near that area, so you'll have at least something to back you up when fighting."
"Yeah," Rachel replied, nodding; "coming in with just one Pokémon is rather hard to ask, now isn't it?"
"That seems about right. Well, I'm sorry that you didn't make it, but next time I'm positive that you will."
"Thanks! That really made me feel better. See you later, bye!" Rachel winked and blew a kiss as she hung up.
Matt blushed as he put down the receiver, with the monitor in front of him shutting off.
"And just what are YOU blushing for?!" Lizzie called from behind Matt, completely startling him.
"What the...?!" He twisted around quickly. "Why were you spying on me?!"
"I was just wondering who could've called! So, it's that girl you like so much, now isn't it?"
"Who, Rachel? No!"
"Oh, don't you lie to me, why else are you blushing?"
"She blew me a KISS, what do you expect? If YOU ever blew me one, I'd react the same way! I'd even give YOU one in return!"
Lizzie crossed her arms and turned around, with her back facing to him. "Yeah, well, that's just the kind of thing I'd expect to hear from you anyway. Just admit it, it'll take off a lot on your chest. You like her. Say it."
"What is the matter with you?! I told you, I don't like her! As a matter of fact, I find her more annoying than anything else!"
"Well, I don't believe you!"
"You know what? Fine, if you don't want to believe me, then that's your problem. As long as I know it's the truth, then that's all that matters." Matt quickly turned towards the stairs leading to the bedrooms and quickly ascended them. A few seconds later, a slamming noise could be heard.
"Really." Lizzie sighed. "It just seemed so obvious; all she did was ask questions on what he liked, and what some of his hobbies were, as if she was completely interested in him. It seems like she just...wants to take him away."
She walked towards one of the windows and stared outside, placing an open palm on it. She watched as the wind blew around the tall grass, and watched some trainers do battle. She sighed again. "I'm glad she failed. I'm sorry to say, but I can't stand that girl. She had nothing of value anyway."
She wiped away a tear from her eye. "I can't believe that I'm going to have to do this to him, but someday...I'm just going to have to."
TO BE CONTINUED.
Chapter 36: Only the Beginning
Matt sat and waited at the Pokémon Center. He often rose to his feet and approached the front desk and asked about Lizzie's or Rachel's status with the exams. In a way he felt bad, having them go through such hard work while all he had to do was the final exam, which he himself didn't find too difficult. But he was told that earning those two specific badges were exactly like taking those two exams, so he felt a little bit better.
As he sat down, a trainer took a glance at Matt, then suddenly start to walk towards him. He had long, pitch-black hair that ran freely, with a sky blue blazer and long, navy blue jeans. "I thought I recognized you; you won second place at the Indigo League, before all of that data was erased!"
"That's me," Matt replied. He felt rather surprised, because this was the first time that complete strangers had noticed his success.
He whipped out a Greatball. "How about a quick battle? I finished first there myself about a year ago before getting knocked out of place by the Elite Four." He took a breath, then continued. "I traveled to Johto League after that, and I also did realy well, too." He brushed his free hand through his hair. "Well, how about it?"
Matt shook his head. "I'm waiting right now, and I'm not in the mood for a battle right at this point."
"Oh, so that's how it is. You're afraid!" The trainer shot a mocking smile straight at Matt.
"Do I sound afraid?" Matt replied calmly, yet somewhat annoyed. "I'm serious, I'm in no mood for a battle right now. Try in about an hour or so, and maybe I'll reconsider my decision."
"I only have about thirty minutes here, before I move on out to my first gym. Come on, it won't be long, knowing how I'll whip your weak Pokémon."
Matt normally would have turned down this request but he stood up, staring at the trainer. "Listen, don't insult my Pokémon. Trash talk like that could really get you in trouble one day."
The trainer laughed as if he didn't care. "That's fine; if you don't want to challenge me, I'll perfectly understand how THIS trainer from such a horrible little town became afraid of someone such as myself, a trainer from Pewter City."
"Fine," Matt replied, releasing an exasperated sigh. "If I battle you, will you finally shut up?"
The trainer shot an insulted look at Matt and smirked. "Well, I never realized you had THIS much anger in you. How about a three-on-three? It won't take long; only about a minute." He then walked outside as Matt cursed under his breath, following him.
They stopped at a short, yet far enough distance from the Pokémon Center as they were ready to do battle. The trainer released a short, purple ghost-Pokémon with a mischievous grin which Matt noticed as a Gengar, while Matt took out his Onix to begin with. Onix had lost that round and Matt finished off the weakened Gengar with Charmeleon. Afterwards, Matt had lost the final two rounds, with Charmeleon and Squirtle being taken down by a strange sheep-like Pokémon, which Matt didn't recognize; Matt heard it referred to as Flaaffy. He used his Pokédex to retrieve some information, but was rather upset at such a hard loss.
The trainer brushed his hands through his hair. "Don't be upset by allowing yourself to be defeated by me. You fought strong, and on many occasions had almost beaten me."
"Don't flatter me, you saw how brutally I battled." Matt handed over to Ace some bills and coins. He had more money than he remembered; he collected some while training just before the Indigo championships started.
"I don't flatter. I only tell the truth." He turned around and started to walk away. "And by the way, my name is Ace. I'm certain that we'll meet again, hopefully in the Fenyuu champtionships." He waved one hand, to signal a parting action. "So long."
After a few minutes, Matt stood still. As soon as Ace seemed far enough away, he kicked the ground, with a loud grunt. "Damn it! How could I lose so brutally to a trainer like him? Maybe I wasn't ready for this league." He took in a deep breath and reassured himself. "No, this was only the beginning. And it looks like I've actually made a rival. I'm going to have to stay in top notch shape if I want to have a better Pokémon battle." With that, he returned to the Pokémon Center for quick healing of his Pokémon.
* * *
Matt waited at that Pokémon Center for another day, to see how Rachel and Lizzie were doing. He was challenged by trainers many times, and started keeping track on his record. So far, he found himself with six wins and four losses. He had a higher winning percentage, however he still didn't feel very proud at this point as possibly the newest trainer to ever enter the Fenyuu League.
Two hours later, Lizzie walked into the Pokémon Center, her face completely red, with sweat covering her forehead.
"Lizzie!" Matt yelled, and jumped from his chair to greet her. "Hey! You made it!"
Lizzie smiled, wiping the excess sweat from her face. "Yeah, but it was REALLY hard. The hardest test was the maze."
"Really? I didn't find it so hard. With the moveable brick, the rare candy and the non-existing Pokémon..."
"What are you talking about?" Lizzie replied, firing a confused look at Matt. "Those weren't the riddles I had. I had to dig for a coin, grab a Pokémon with only a net - a really slimy one, mind you - and I had to fight a wild Pokémon in the dark!"
"Wow." Matt blinked. "That's about five times harder than the challenge that I received."
Lizzie took in a deep breath, then exhaled. "Well, the important thing is that I passed, and Rachel should hopefully make her way out in about an hour. She barely passed her first two tests; I'm almost afraid to say that she may not do too well."
Matt cleared his throat. "Lizzie, about that remark that the instructor made...what was it?"
"Oh, that." Lizzie sighed. "After he gave me my report card, he said 'I'm surprised that somebody like you was able to do so well,'."
Matt couldn't help but laugh. He felt bad for it, and apologized afterwards, but replied: "You let THAT insult you?! Both you and I know for a fact that that isn't anywhere NEAR true..."
Lizzie smiled. "Thanks."
"And geez! There are so many trainers here, it's unbelieveable! I was already challenged ten times already, and I've only been here for a day!"
"That's true, you remember how we were told that this was a demanding league, and every trainer has to stay in the best shape for the upcoming gyms, right?"
"Yeah, I know. But even back in Indigo I was never challenged as many times. As a matter of fact, I didn't start challenging other trainers until just before the league championships."
Lizzie looked at her watch. "Well, I'm sweaty, and I need some clean clothes, so I'm going to have a shower, then we'll eat lunch, okay?"
Matt nodded again. "That's fine, I'll just sit here and wait for Rachel."
Another hour passed by, when Lizzie and Matt had almost finished their lunch. They were both surprised by the amount of high quality food that was offered by the Pokémon Center.
"Is Fenyuu rich or something?" Matt asked.
Lizzie shrugged. "I don't know, but I'm enjoying this!"
"I don't even think I've EVER eaten something so...luxurious. Even at home! And I mean ever!"
Lizzie finished off her plate and took in a deep breath. "That was so good; I'm so full! I don't think I'll be able to eat anything else for at least another day."
Matt chuckled as he heard an announcement appear on the P.A. system. "There is a phone called for a trainer named Matt Tenks. Please come up and answer."
Matt raised an eyebrow. "Who could be calling me? I'll be right back." Matt stood up and walked to the front desk where Nurse Joy stood, handing over the receiver to the nearby monitor-phone over to Matt. As he picked up the receiver, Rachel's face appeared on the monitor. "Hey! How've you been? Have you taken the Maze test yet?"
Rachel nodded, disappointed. "I wasn't able to finish in time,;I don't think I'm experienced enough, so I'm going to start out around Johto, then come and meet up with you guys later, hopefully."
"But you passed the first two tests, didn't you?"
"Barely. Another two wrong marks on either of them and I would have failed completely. I'm sorry, I really hate to act this way towards you since I was really looking forward to traveling with you, but I just started, remember? So I think it would be better if I just went off on my own for some experience for a little while, then meet up with you later."
Matt frowned. "That's too bad, but don't get discouraged; I had a really hard time getting through that maze, and so did Lizzie."
A weak smile appeared on Rachel's face. "Then I'm surprised I got as far as I did. I got to the third level with only five minutes left, and I ran out of time."
"Hey, that's pretty good. Next time you'll finish it, hopefully."
"It'll be easier if I get the same riddles."
"Yeah, that helps," Matt replied, laughing. "Well, I suppose it is good to start capturing Pokémon near that area, so you'll have at least something to back you up when fighting."
"Yeah," Rachel replied, nodding; "coming in with just one Pokémon is rather hard to ask, now isn't it?"
"That seems about right. Well, I'm sorry that you didn't make it, but next time I'm positive that you will."
"Thanks! That really made me feel better. See you later, bye!" Rachel winked and blew a kiss as she hung up.
Matt blushed as he put down the receiver, with the monitor in front of him shutting off.
"And just what are YOU blushing for?!" Lizzie called from behind Matt, completely startling him.
"What the...?!" He twisted around quickly. "Why were you spying on me?!"
"I was just wondering who could've called! So, it's that girl you like so much, now isn't it?"
"Who, Rachel? No!"
"Oh, don't you lie to me, why else are you blushing?"
"She blew me a KISS, what do you expect? If YOU ever blew me one, I'd react the same way! I'd even give YOU one in return!"
Lizzie crossed her arms and turned around, with her back facing to him. "Yeah, well, that's just the kind of thing I'd expect to hear from you anyway. Just admit it, it'll take off a lot on your chest. You like her. Say it."
"What is the matter with you?! I told you, I don't like her! As a matter of fact, I find her more annoying than anything else!"
"Well, I don't believe you!"
"You know what? Fine, if you don't want to believe me, then that's your problem. As long as I know it's the truth, then that's all that matters." Matt quickly turned towards the stairs leading to the bedrooms and quickly ascended them. A few seconds later, a slamming noise could be heard.
"Really." Lizzie sighed. "It just seemed so obvious; all she did was ask questions on what he liked, and what some of his hobbies were, as if she was completely interested in him. It seems like she just...wants to take him away."
She walked towards one of the windows and stared outside, placing an open palm on it. She watched as the wind blew around the tall grass, and watched some trainers do battle. She sighed again. "I'm glad she failed. I'm sorry to say, but I can't stand that girl. She had nothing of value anyway."
She wiped away a tear from her eye. "I can't believe that I'm going to have to do this to him, but someday...I'm just going to have to."
TO BE CONTINUED.
