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Chapter I: Subsiding Storm
My legs burned as feeling returned to them.
Slowly but surely, my entire body resumed in transmission of its normal sensations, first my legs, then waist, then hands, and eventually head and chest. I was able to move, but I chose not to.
I'd hardly noticed all of it, anyways, being so deep in thought. The ceiling seemed incredibly intriguing, so I chose to stare at a single spot while I let my mind wander.
The storm in my thoughts had long since passed, and I was simply watching apathetically as the dark clouds rolled away, leaving emptiness in their wake.
I knew, deep down, nothing was alright, but opted to act not as if everything was fine. It was a calm, peaceful medium in which I could fully absorb the implications of what had happened not two hours before.
A quick look out of the corner of my eyes revealed it to be 11:30 PM. I'd been paralyzed for an hour and a half, at most, and wasn't any excited to finally be coming out of it. Regaining feeling only meant I had to face my problems and plan for the future.
I sat up with a groan and rested my back against the headboard. The first thing I did directly afterwards was bring my hands to my face and sigh a long breath, assuring myself the entire exchange wasn't a nightmare.
I caught sight of the door on the other side of the room and, giving in to a sad sort of curiosity, flung my legs over the side of the bed and stood, wobbly. Taking small steps, I stumbled towards the door, nearly falling onto it as I arrived. Using my left hand as a brace, I rested it on the doorknob.
I waited a few moments, panting, before trying to turn the knob.
CLICK
Locked… Of course it was.
A sudden lightning strike of anger assaulted my brain, compelling me to hit the door with the heel of my hand as hard as I could. It felt nice.
I sunk back into apathy as the thunder in my brain subsided. I turned around, slinking back towards the bed while muttering all along. I tried keeping my mind off the issue as much as possible.
I noticed something bulging on the sheets in the dim lighting of the room. Reaching out to grab it as I arrived, I realized it was my hiking bag, worn and torn in spots due to years of use.
Absentmindedly, I took inventory of its contents as if the action would assure me everything was alright. A few Potions, some dry food, my hammock, and…
A Pokéball, and most definitely not the one I kept as a spare. I could recognize, only through touch, the unique grooves and dents making this specific device different from all the rest in my possession. Someone had come in earlier, while I was still paralyzed, to drop the bag off. Could it be?
Feeling my heart rate rise in suspicion, I twirled the ball around in my palm with practiced ease. A nervous tick, if anything. I found the button with my middle finger and, cringing in anticipation, pressed it.
I hardly noticed the lid of the ball flip up as a magnificent light and an ethereal whoosh filled the room for a split second. The white light, seemingly volatile, squirmed and convulsed until it found shape just a few feet away.
I sat on my bed, guilt prompting me to turn my head away, as Vita spawned before me.
The sound and light were quick to die out, leaving the room in silence.
I could see her tomato-red eyes dart around before they found my own. I averted my gaze as I began speaking in defeat.
"Vita… I don't know what to do…"
I could hear sliding across the carpeted room as the Serperior approached. I refused to face her.
"They won't let me out, they wouldn't tell me how Somin's doing… Vita, I don't think he's going to make it…"
I pursed my lips as my face burned.
"Ser…"
I shot Vita a short glance to see her staring at me compassionately. I rubbed my face vigorously.
"Did you see anything? After they took me out?"
She shook her head solemnly.
"Arceus, it's Black City all over again… I should've listened to Skyla and quit while I was ahead…"
In defeat, Vita joined me on the bed, letting her tail rest on the floor as the remainder of her snake-like body stretched to my right and behind me. She rested her head down on the bed to my left, where I had since been looking. I turned away from her again.
I bit my upper lip. "No one else knows what happened yet… How the hell am I supposed to tell them Somin died because I couldn't learn when to quit?! Fighting this Gym was stupid! We were nowhere near ready, and I had no idea what I was doing, and Axle and Victor and Jet all got beat up, and—"
I didn't notice I was hyperventilating until one of Vita's vines snaked along the back of my neck and down my spine. I realized I was still shirtless after earlier.
"Perior, ser," she said soothingly, yet with a hint of turmoil. She was telling me it wasn't my fault.
"It is my fault!" I reaffirmed, "Sure, you guys were the ones that pushed me into the fight, but I'm the trainer! I'm supposed to make the final decision! I went along with it all, when I knew it wasn't a good idea, and—"
"Serperior, peri, perior serp—"
"You know Somin even better than I do! You and I both know he's never been hurt this bad!"
"Peri, ser."
"Then why wouldn't they tell me he was okay?! They're trying figure out how to tell me my Pokémon died! Would you tell me my best friend is dead right now, Vita?! I'm a mess!"
I stood up in anger again, finding nothing better to do than walk around in pointless circles. I tried keeping my gaze away from the Serperior as much as possible, but in the fleeting views I had of her, I could see her head hanging.
"What the hell are we supposed to do, Vita?!" I asked as I ran my hands through my uncut hair. "I can't go through all this again! I can't! I won't! And for what? A badge? Some money?"
I couldn't control myself, stuttering endlessly as the full gravity of the situation hit me. The culmination of all my effort.
"I… I-I killed my b-best friend for a f-fancy piece of tin…"
I found my legs walking me involuntarily towards the door.
"GODDAMN IT, LET ME OUT!" I screamed as I hit the door again. And again. And aga-
Vita wrapped a single vine around my right wrist, preventing me from striking the cold wood again. As my breath started calming, pain flared up from the heel of my palm. As the Serperior let me go, I brought it down to my side.
"We're fucked," I said defeatedly while turning around, leaning against the door, and slinking to the ground. "S-Somin's…"
Don't you goddamn dare cry right now.
I clenched my teeth tight as I hiccuped, watching Vita otherwise absentmindedly as she departed the bed and approached cautiously. She herself was crying, though not profusely. I could still see the hope she had in her eyes.
Her snout brushed past my face in comfort as she slithered herself into the space behind me. She proceeded to coil around me once more and lay her head down on my lap.
"It's my fault…" I reiterated to myself. "I knew we weren't ready, and I didn't do anything… Jet just barely evolved, and Victor hasn't even been in a Gym battle yet."
"Ser… Serper."
"No, it was stupid. Stupid ambition, stupid—"
KNOCK KNOCK
My head perked up as the loud sound from directly behind me reverberated throughout the room. As Vita lifted her head, I scrambled to my knees, where I could stand and turn. I hardly waited for Vita to scurry out of the way before I, now finding the handle unlocked, flung the door open.
"Drayden!" I exclaimed breathlessly, not finding myself as surprised as expected to see the dragon Gym Leader standing before me. "How is he?!"
Drayden's yellow-tinted eyes cut into the dimness of the room and looked me over. The man was quite muscular for his age, white, button-down shirt hardly hiding his toned body. It was a display of strength, before anything else.
"You're being quite loud. May I come in?"
His voice was compassionate, but covered over a thick layer of depth and gruffness. I stared at him, confounded.
"Just tell me if Somin's okay!"
"We need to talk for a moment first."
"W-What?"
The Gym Leader, not bothering to wait for a response, stepped into the room. Vita sent him a glare from my right.
"Sit."
"Why do you wa—"
"The sooner we finish speaking to one another, the sooner I'll tell you of your Zoroark's condition. Sit."
It wasn't a request. Finding no other option, and after exchanging a glance with Vita, I let her lead me back over to the bed. As I settled myself, Drayden grabbed the lone chair from the desk in the room and placed it where he could speak to me face-to-face.
Only silence passed between us for a few moments.
"I'd like to begin by congratulating you for making it this far… It's not everyday a serious challenger comes by my Gym, especially one as young as sixteen."
I could feel a glare start to form on my face.
"I'd also like to give a sincere apology for what has happened. A Haxorus' scythes are sharp, this much I know for myself."
He, turning his gaze away from me, raised his shirt cuff to reveal a long, dull scar stretching along the outside of almost his whole right bicep.
"Your strategy, for the most part, was brilliant. I regret not paying my full attention now, seeing as your Zoroark's near-impeccable impersonation of a Steelix shot clear over my head."
"You're talking to me like nothing happened… Where's my team?"
"I'm simply trying to make lighthearted chatter. Bar the… Unfortunate ending, it was an impressive battle, no?"
"Cut the shit. You'd better tell me right now whether or not Somin is dead. Whether or not you killed him."
I knew the statement not to be true in my heart. Truth at the time, however, was easily covered by resentment. Knowing I wasn't going to get a straight answer out of him immediately, I turned to the side.
"Where's my team?" I reiterated.
"You're team's currently resting. They've fought a hard battle and deserve at least that much."
I huffed heavily. In response, Drayden sighed, leaning forward and interlacing his fingers.
"I can't help you if you don't talk with me."
"I want to know if he's okay, Drayden," I said, "and I want to see the rest of my team."
"I don't want you leaving, at least not anytime soon… How can you guarantee you won't if I grant you three extra, fully-healed and fully-grown Pokémon who follow your every command?"
I scowled at him. Why would I leave if Somin was injured and had to remain behind?
"It's rare a challenger like you comes through my Gym, as I've said, and I usually try to treat each worthy adversary with a meal to speak about their journey and what they plan for the future. I suppose that's something you wouldn't appreciate at the moment?"
"What do you think?" I spat in response.
Drayden sighed. "Well then, who should I call about this whole scenario? Parents? Relatives?"
"No one," I put forth harshly.
"... Hmmph. Touchy, are we? It simply would be a formality. Everyone in Unova will know your name and your situation when morning comes, either way."
"The hell do you mean?"
"The battle was broadcast live during primetime, and I'm sure the conclusion to our battle will draw more eyes than it already has."
Cursing under my breath, I turned away. People pestering me about the situation was the last thing I wanted.
"You're keeping me from seeing my team," I diverted, "including my best friend, who, if you haven't noticed, is dying. You seem smart enough to figure out why I'm mad, especially since you were the one who made me leave."
He leaned forwards, a thoughtful look on his face. "You're a lone trainer, no friends or relatives to speak of on your record, and now an eight-badger to add. I'm simply curious as to how you plan your future from here on."
"... An eight-badger," I responded, not as a question.
Drayden, closing his eyes for less than a moment in a silent confirmation, reached his right hand into his pocket. He outstretched his fist and turned it before showing me what was inside.
"It's yours," he put plain and simply, offering me to pick up a small, irregularly-shaped object from his hand. "You succeeded in knocking out all my Pokémon."
I stared, dumbfounded, at the Gym Badge for all of two seconds. It was everything I'd ever wanted as a trainer, and yet, I couldn't help but gag at the sight of it.
"Are you kidding me?" I voiced, raising my head to stare at the Gym Leader with a look of disgust. "Somin is dying, and all for this stupid Badge! You think I want it?!"
"Ah, how insensitive of me," he responded, placing the badge on the bedside table next to him. Without looking at me, he continued. "Would it go better with the news your Zoroark is not on his deathbed, in fact, and is going to make a full recovery?"
"H—... What?"
"I believe you heard me rather well. Somin is weak, of course, but is stable and on the track of healing."
"H-he's…" I felt myself start gripping Vita's vine with vice as my eyes began to burn. "Okay?"
"If you'd like to put it in context, yes. He will be fine."
I covered my mouth with my right hand to hide the spontaneous facial expressions to hit it. I closed my eyes and clenched them tight, struggling not to let myself shake. He was okay… Somin wasn't dead.
"I certainly apologize for the inconvenience I've caused you and your team. If there's anything further I can do to help you all recover, by all means. My Haxorus extends his apologies as well, but we were both afraid your seeing him would hurt more than it helped."
"W-what the hell?!" I breathed shakily, hoping to detract attention from my involuntary reaction, "W-why didn't you t-tell me that in the first place?!"
"I knew you would be having a reaction much like this, and was hoping to learn a bit more about you before I left you to your revelry."
"S-screw off," I stuttered sincerely, though most likely sounding like a playful jab with the way I was laughing in relief.
"Your team will be delivered here within the hour. The Legend Badge's still yours. Congratulations, Ray Alston, you've completed the Gym Challenge."
I ignored the Gym Leader further as he excused himself from the room. By then, Vita had worked her vines around my torso, prompting me to join her in a tight embrace.
I breathed heavily, refusing to cry openly, all while I could feel her snout come to rest on my shoulder, letting me know she was there. I squeezed her harder, choking and coughing simultaneously.
As I heard the door latch behind Drayden as he left, I finally let it all out.
Images, as they appeared and disappeared from the screen before me, lit up the room in a whir of color.
I sat on the floor, gripping onto and occasionally stroking Vita absentmindedly. Most of my concentration was on determining where I'd faltered. I hadn't let go of the Serperior once since Drayden left.
"Ser," she said from my left side in proposal, "per, serperior…"
She was suggesting something, this much I knew. Without context and surrounding situation, however, I found myself at a loss for what she meant specifically.
"We don't have Somin to translate, Vita… You're gonna have to be more specific."
She sighed before ripping my attention away from the television with a gesture. The replay of my previous battle would have to wait.
Once she had my attention, she proceeded to open her mouth and gesture towards it with a vine.
"Food? You're hungry?"
She shook her head before prodding my shoulder with her snout.
"Oh… I'm not hungry, Vita… I feel sick… Food would suck."
She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly in annoyance.
"Thanks for being concerned… It's past one in the morning now anyways… Nothing here in the Center's going to be open, and I really don't want to leave in case the others are brought here. I can get you some food, though, if you want."
I watched as she silently accepted I wasn't going to eat before nodding her head. Smiling a weak smile, I lightly scratched behind her ear before standing, turning, and digging through my bag.
"Pinap or Cheri?" I asked out of instinct before I realized she couldn't reasonably answer without Somin present.
Instead, after exhaling, I tossed her both. She caught one in her mouth and the second with a vine. She nodded her head in thanks.
"So, Vita," I addressed, remembering something, "I actually wanted to ask what you—"
KNOCK KNOCK
I ceased talking immediately, only sharing a small glance with the Serperior before darting for the door. Within five seconds of the knocking, I'd flung the door open.
What lay before me on the ground were two metal trays. The first was home to a metal platter, home to various foods without a doubt intended for me. The second had a few bowls on top, with a couple bags of Pokéfood off to the side. Three Pokéballs were placed in a bowl each.
Looking around, I could see someone walking away, but chose not to address them. Instead, I dragged the first tray just inside the doorway while grabbing the second one and bringing it over to the bed.
I just about had my hands on the first Pokéballs when I realized something.
"Vita, what are we supposed to tell them?"
She'd since joined my side and looked at me with thought. After a sigh, she pointed at herself and said a few words.
"You want to talk to them? No… Vita, you weren't there to know what happened. I should be the one to tell them…"
She nodded in solemn understanding, however reluctant. She joined me on the bed.
"Alright, then…"
I scooped up all three Pokéballs and, after sending Vita a final glance, simultaneously pressed the buttons on all of them. I watched as the light created by the release flash and dim to reveal three of my five total team members.
"Guys," I began addressing the now-conscious Swampert, Braviary, and Durant, "we have a bit of a problem."
I stared at the back of my own eyelids for hours upon hours after I'd finished explaining the situation and answering questions to the best of my ability. I'd tried to avert conversation by revealing we'd won the battle, but it had little effect. I still didn't have any traces of an appetite by the time I went to sleep, so I left my meal to the team.
Everyone had settled down by the time thirty minutes had passed, though I could still hear hushed conversation between distinct voices, the smoothness of Vita's, the throatiness of Axle's, and the shrillness of Jet's for at least another hour.
I told myself I had control over how I felt regarding the situation. Somin was fine, and there was no reason to carry on about what happened to him.
Why did I feel so guilty about it?
I opened my eyes a great time later, knowing I would be unable to sleep at all. Sighing, I sat up.
Vita was curled up into a coil at my feet, while Jet roosted on the bedside corner just beside her. Axle slept on the floor on the right side of the bed, while Victor occupied the space under the heater on the far wall.
Making sure not to wake everyone, I stood and walked over to the bathroom, flipping on the white light. Closing the door behind me, I turned on the faucet and waited for the water to get warm. I splashed my face a few times.
THUD
I jumped as the bathtub behind me, curtain drawn, made a noise on its own. I stared at it for the longest time while I allowed my heart to slow.
Probably something wrong with the plumbing…
I turned back to the mirror, exhaling, before hearing another noise.
Drip… Drip… Drip…
I turned back to the bathtub.
So it was something wrong with the plumbing… Now the showerhead is leaking.
I was about to turn away once again when I noticed something at the corner of the tub and the wall. Something was running along the crevice, a liquid falling to the ground and creating a puddle.
I decided to investigate, leaning forward to touch it. Upon bringing my finger back to my eyes, I took a moment to absorb what it was.
A red, thick substance was pooling on the ground.
A shadow flashed across the corner of my vision. It was behind the shower curtain, and had been darting about as if flying. While it had disappeared by the time I gave it attention, I could tell it was quite small.
Feeling my heart rate rise again, I put out a shaky hand to grip the shower curtain and pull it back.
I thrashed about wildly, unable to scream. I could hardly breathe as well, only made harder when something surrounded my body constricted itself in response.
When I realized where I was, however, I began to calm down. I was back in my bed, and coiled around me was none other than Vita. Her red eyes were already dead on my face, hoping to figure out what was wrong.
"Vita," I choked, "can't… Breathe…"
I saw her face light up in surprise as she loosened her grip. I began breathing heavily to calm down.
"Ser, serperior!" she reprimanded, moving her head to look me over as if I was hurt.
"It was just a nightmare, Vita, I'm fine…"
I sighed. Why had my mind chosen to play tricks on me then, of all times?
A quick glance at the clock revealed it to be 5:48. I'd gotten maybe four hours of sleep, but I'd be damned if I was going back to it.
"Sorry I woke you up…"
"Perior…"
I sighed again. "I'm gonna go get breakfast. I'll grab you guys a Poffin or something while I'm down there…"
With that, I shrugged off her heavy body before throwing my legs over the bed. Apparently, the only other being I'd woken with my outburst was Jet. The Braviary eyed me emotionlessly.
"Any of you want to come?"
While Vita shook her head no, Jet nodded. I supposed the former wanted to get a bit more sleep. The Braviary, on the other hand, was always a light sleeper.
"Come on then…"
Everyone had woken up by the time we returned. We all shared a silent breakfast, everyone picking from either the food I brought back or the remaining Berries in my pack. None of us had much of an appetite.
Getting an idea, I turned on the television and switched it to the local news. As expected, the hosts were recapping last night's battle.
It's like there's nothing real to report on…
"We have been receiving reports that Alston's Zoroark is in stable condition and will recover… Not much else is known, but this sudden twist following the severe injury just last night… It's nothing short of a miracle, I'd say."
"Assholes," I muttered to myself. Publicity was the last thing I wanted in the world. I would have to adjust to it, seeing as I was now an Eight Badge trainer… I turned off the television and let myself lay back on the bed.
The realization I'd accomplished what had basically been my life's goal since I was little was a strong force indeed. It hit me once again in full strength, though seemed rather dull. I still had no clue how to feel. Elated? Depressed? How did my team feel? It was certainly a much different feeling than I'd imagined. Up until the previous night, I had imagined a full day of revelry and celebration, anything and everything to bond further with my team and give us all a pat on the back.
Two soft knocks on the door resounded through the room. There was a moment of silence in which I shared a look with everyone present. Looking then at the clock, it read 7:00 exactly.
I jumped off of the bed and towards the door. Praying for an update, I swung the door open wide.
Drayden was on the other side. His face remained expressionless as I addressed him.
"Oh… Hey," I said, eyebrows creasing.
"Good morning," he responded respectfully, letting the slimmest of smiles grace his face. "Did you sleep well?"
"The hell do you think?"
A moment of silence passed before he chuckled ever so slightly. "I thought not, but it was worth the ask either way."
I lowered my head, looking through him.
"I suppose you want news on your Zoroark's condition?"
"He's stable, isn't he?"
Drayden sent me a blank stare.
"Your Zoroark has quite the recovery time. Have you noticed?"
"What? No, not really?"
"I suppose the injury was never that grave after all, then," he concluded, closing his eyes and shrugging somewhat.
"What are you talking about? He nearly died!"
Drayden, without another word, held out a few pieces of paper held together by a paper clip. I looked at them oddly.
"Apparently not. The nurses asked me to give you these."
"What are they?"
"A report. If it weren't for protocol, they would be discharge papers."
Confused, I looked him straight in the eye.
"Read them carefully if you would," he continued, shaking the stack to remind me it was there. I glared at him.
"Of course, you could simply not accept the papers and have your Zoroark become a candidate for adoption…"
I swiped the papers with a scowl on my face.
"It seems apparent your Zoroark underwent a… Well, I don't quite know how to describe it myself. The papers will tell you everything you need to know, including his eventual discharge."
I clicked my tongue and sighed, holding the papers by my side. "Thank you, Drayden," I said quietly.
"Don't thank me just yet… Skyla is coming."
I froze in the doorway for a moment before stealing a worried glance back towards my team.
"Obviously, she is quite concerned. She hasn't spoken with you for quite some time, no?"
"Well…"
"She believes you are avoiding her… I have an idea as to why. She was apparently watching our battle last night. I had no idea you two were related."
"Thanks for coming, Drayden."
I tried closing the door without issue, but was halted as he stopped it with his hand on the other side.
"She's your aunt, Ray. The fact she didn't contact you directly worries me."
I thought for a moment and sighed quietly.
"I can't stay… There's just a whole can of worms I really don't want to reopen."
"I suppose there's a hard choice ahead then. Abandon your Zoroark to flee Skyla, or stay and meet her."
I hadn't thought that far ahead.
"I believe you know what's right, for you and your Zoroark. She'll be here tomorrow morning."
By then I was breathing heavily, seething. Despite the Gym Leader's proposing the situation as a choice, he knew I had none. I cared too much for Somin.
"By the way, I believe I told you last night I appreciate treating my victors to dinner. I hope you're available tonight, if you feel up to it, that is. Come by my Gym later if so, we have much more to talk about."
Without even waiting for so much as an answer, I heard his footsteps recede down the hall. I stood still for a moment before shutting the door.
Everyone was wide awake now if they weren't before. They looked at me expectantly.
I brought my hands up to my face and rubbed it vigorously, groaning. I mouthed a curse under my breath as my face began to feel hot.
"She's gonna be soooooo pissed," I complained, spinning and flopping on the bed.
I was nothing but a sitting duck now. A concern began to form at the back of my mind, and being stuck in Opelucid was surely no way to alleviate it.
A thought spawned, stemming from the revelation I was stuck in the city without any means of escape. Before I could give it any fuel, I shoved it into the back of my mind. There was no way they'd follow me. I had doubts I was even on their radar, considering the lack of events during the few years prior. After all, I'd given no indication—
Grimacing and terminating the sour thought, I decided to read the papers Drayden had given me. I detached a sticky-note on the front page with an address and a time before setting it aside. Probably a restaurant he wanted me to see him at. Fat chance.
Around twelve noon, I was stepping through the threshold of a recovery room in the back of the Center with purpose. Upon seeing me enter, a nurse inside the room quickly got up from her computer and walked out behind me without a word, closing the door behind her.
Creasing my eyebrows, I took some rapid steps forward to examine Somin.
If I hadn't known better, I'd mistake the Zoroark sleeping soundly on the single bed in the room for another altogether. Yet, this was definitely Somin, looking as young and healthy as ever.
The report has detailed this miracle, and it was even hinted by Drayden himself, but I believed it simply to be an over-exaggeration. There was simply no way he could've healed this quickly.
I took a look at the site of the wound. The fur in the area was shaved away, so it was apparent the gash had already closed, leaving behind a long, pink scar. Not even stitches remained, exactly as the report had detailed.
I'd had a lot of time to process the apparent rapid healing he'd gone through. Now, I was actually seeing what I'd been told about, and I was troubled.
At first, I couldn't believe what was typed out as I sat in my room, skimming over them. According to the nurses, apparently Somin was already fully healed, only exhaustion remaining in the wake of the grisly injury.
I had reread the same line of text perhaps hundreds of times. I spent nearly the entire day, holed up in my room, pondering it before I could muster up the courage to see it for myself.
Was I supposed to be happy he was alright? In all honesty, I was ecstatic. For a while, my best friend had been completely gone, at least in my mind. To see him perfectly well-off was a breathtaking experience.
On the other hand, I was frightened. This… This was unprecedented. Somin had a lot to explain for as soon as he woke.
Forcibly shoving the matter to the back of my mind, I skimmed over the balls on my belt and released my remaining team members one by one. I'd withdrew them in the lobby to avoid unwanted attention. Now that I was easily recognizable, people would feel obligated to approach me, which was the last thing I wanted.
Vita was quick to wrap a vine around Somin's forearm. I doubted she would let go for quite some time.
Axle stepped up next to me and leant a portion of his weight on my side. Smiling softly, I scratched the top of the Swampert's head.
"Alright guys, I know we've been avoiding it, but it's about time we figured out what the plan is."
Everyone looked at me expectantly.
"Staying in Opelucid is a must right now, but we should really start—"
"The nurse left?"
My head whipped towards the bed, recognizing the telepathic voice in a heartbeat. Everyone else had much of the same reaction.
Somin's eyes were open, and I could tell he was trying to sit up.
"Good, she was starting to get on my nerves."
The floodgates opened. I had so much I wanted to say, but only one mouth to speak with.
"Somin! What the hell is wrong with you! You can't use illusions right now! Areyouokay? WhythehellwouldyoukeepfightingthatHaxorusafteryougoth-"
"Thanks, guys, for the welcome back into the land of the living."
It took me a moment to realize I wasn't the only one yelling. Both Vita and Axle were chewing the Zoroark out as well.
"How long was I out for? I had one hell of a dream."
Silence all around.
"Doesn't matter anyways. We win?"
"Somin, shut up… You shouldn't be using illusions to talk right now."
"I feel fine, been awake for an hour or two anyways. Tired as you'd believe, though… Didn't want the nurse pokin' around anything, so I made it into a game of how long I could keep her from noticing."
"Are you serious?"
"Yep," he responded, lifting up his head and staring directly at me.
"I would be so angry at you right now if I wasn't so happy to see you okay."
"You're starting to sound like Vita…"
I sighed in frustration before a more caring expression took control.
"You feel okay? Nothing wrong?"
"Chill. I'm fine," he blew me off lightheartedly, getting his arms under him and grunting as he pushed himself up.
Vita just about had a stroke right then, going off on Somin for his unnecessary movement. The Zoroark spoke with her for a moment out loud before shrugging.
"Arceus, Somin, you're the one that needs to chill! You almost died, and for what? A damn badge? You know how little I've cared about actually getting the badge or not since—"
"Oh, spare me the whole 'it doesn't matter' bullshit, because you're an awful liar. We pushed you to do the fight because we knew you wanted it, wanted it more than anything, but you were too afraid to actually man up and be our trainer."
"I… I don't want to be your trainer. I want to be your partner. Like we did it in Black Ci—"
"And what, a Gym fight means you're the awful trainer that gets all the benefit from forcing his Pokémon to fight for him? Yeah, maybe if you're an asshole about it, but was it not obvious enough we actually like being your Pokémon, Ray? We would've ditched you a long time ago if that wasn't the case. So get your head out of your ass, grow a pair, and take some credit for once."
A few moments of silence followed. I used it to digest what the Zoroark had told me before remembering why I was angry at him in the first place.
"Even then," I muttered. "It's not worth dying over. You went way too far, Somin."
"Relax, it was a little scratch. I don't even know why I'm here, to be honest."
"A litt-A LITTLE SCRATCH?! Look at your leg, Somin!"
The Zoroark sent me a sarcastic look.
"Look at it!"
Rolling his eyes, he tilted his head to gaze at the outer edge of his leg. His sarcastic expression slowly turned into one of confusion. He was quick to start looking sick
"N-no… I swear to Arceus it was a scratch! What happened?!"
"You mean you don't remember?"
"NO! How long have I been out?! A week?! Two?!"
I exchanged a look with Vita. Somin was purely frightened, a state I rarely ever saw him in.
"Okay, okay, calm down… Let's just—"
"You said I almost died?! ALMOST DIED?!"
He began speaking to himself in physical tongue, more than likely curses of shock.
"Somin, we can figure this out," I said, advancing on the Zoroark. "Just to be safe, I'd feel a lot better if you quit wasting energy through illusions right now. If you want me to be a man and actually take charge, then that's my command. Chill out."
The Zoroark's breathing began to calm as Vita snaked a vine around his wrist and forearm, slowly spiraling up until it reached his shoulder. Slowly, she guided him back to a resting position. He didn't dare resist this time, slipping into a rather cautious demeanor.
"Okay. This may sound crazy, but you've been knocked out for less than 24 hours… The nurses' reports I read said they'd never seen a recovery like this, and you weren't magical the last time I checked."
Silence for a moment. He was abiding by my request to refrain from using illusions.
"I can ask what they think happened, but I wanted to make sure you were alright first. Is it okay if I do that?"
Somin nodded slowly.
"Alright. More importantly, I want to know if you're alright. Nothing's hurting you, right?"
He shook his head.
"That's all that matters. We were all really worried."
Hoping to console him and driven by the moment, I reached out and embraced him behind the neck, coming in for a light hug. I sighed before letting go again.
Afterwards, I just backed away and sat down in the chair by the bed as silence engulfed the room completely. Nothing else needed to be said.
That night, I lied awake once again after I'd excused myself to sleep, picking out all the shapes I could see in the popcorn ceiling. While my team chatted amongst themselves in my room, the new addition of Somin included, I thought about a few different concerns of the day.
The nurses told me the only way he could've healed that fast was if his natural power level was so high it regrew the skin before he lost too much blood… It sounds bogus.
I really guess there's no way to avoid Skyla, then… The nurses only let Somin stay in my room on the condition we stayed here for at least a week. Hell, they even let me discharge him officially, meaning I could leave if I wanted to. I wonder if Drayden knows…
What kind of guy would I be if I broke a promise like that, though? Somin could probably use the physical therapy the center provides, anyways. Avoiding seeing Skyla isn't a big enough reason to up and disappear into thin air. Hell, where would we even go?
I rolled my eyes.
I can't believe that entire battle was televised… I should've read the papers I signed more closely, but hell, anyone that wants to know where I am knows exactly where to look. Talk about keeping a low profile.
I stole a glance at my team. They seemed happy.
They're not a threat anymore. Maybe when Amaterasu went missing, they just gave up? I'd bet they wouldn't be able to go on without a leader… If they stuck together, something should've happened to me by now, but almost a year has passed, and nothing's gone on.
I smiled ever so slightly in my team's happiness.
We're alright. All of us. Somin's alive, and we beat all the Gyms. He has to be pretty happy about that, no matter his confusion regarding how he was hurt.
My smile faded.
Though, I have to tell him about Skyla coming to visit… He's not going to be happy.
Cocking the corner of my mouth, I pushed myself up so I could lean up against the headboard. Somin himself was on the opposite side of the bed, sitting up in a position much like myself. The team's conversation fell silent as it became obvious I was still awake.
"Somin, did they tell you Skyla's coming?"
The Zoroark looked away for a moment in what seemed like guilty frustration.
"I'll take that as a yes… Don't blame yourself, it's good she's coming to see us anyways. I've started to feel bad about how we just ditched her and never called."
Axle and Jet particularly seemed miffed at the idea of seeing my aunt. Each of them had a very similar opinion of the Mistralton City Gym Leader, and including Somin, each of them had their own reasons for their dislike of her.
"No matter your guys' opinions on her, she's helped us a ton over the years. I wouldn't have even met any of you guys if it weren't for her. We're all going to be nice and respectful. If I'm being honest, I think we've blamed her more than she deserves."
A question spontaneously spawned at the forefront of my mind.
"Guys… After this is all said and done… What do you want to do after?"
I let the question sink for a moment.
"I mean… We've talked about it before, but, well… I don't know if any of us really expected to beat the Gym on the first attempt."
Somin had a lighthearted chuckle at the truth I'd stated.
"As I see it," I continued, "we have two choices right now, so if you think of any others, tell me," I continued. "I guess I'm impartial to whatever we end up doing after leaving Opelucid… So, let's decide. The two ideas I had were to either go and challenge the Elite Four, or we could go on vacation… A REAL one…"
That last suggestion easily caught the hopeful stares of both Vita and Somin, who were the only ones on my team when I had last taken a 'real' vacation. I, after a few failures at the Fourth Gym in Nimbasa City, chose to take a break and fly out to Hoenn, where we spent three weeks in Slateport. I liked to think that was when my team first started to really warm up to me, but it could be argued, considering it was still early in the journey.
Twice with Axle and Jet, and once with Victor, the team had gone to Undella Town for the beaches it boasted, but it was never really the same as going to a different region. Every experience we'd had there was sour in my mind, anyways. The mood was rather tumultuous, leaving very little room for an enjoyable experience.
"If we were to go on vacation, I thought we could actually head back to Hoenn, but Lavaridge instead this time. The Hot Springs there look amazing, and we deserve some relaxation after everything that's happened." Half to myself, I continued, chuckling "Arceus, we're finally done. Heh…"
There was a reason Lavaridge was considered a higher-quality vacationing spot to even Slateport, the beachside tourist trap. Lavaridge was bound to be much less congested, surely, due to the soaring prices of the resorts there.
The difference between the vacation five and a half years before, however, was my bank account. I had yet to check if my prize money from defeating Drayden's Gym had appeared; more than likely somewhere in the six-figure range. That, combined with the rest of the money I'd made over the years from which I'd hardly tapped due to living a simplistic, traveling life, was more than likely enough to set me up for as long as I liked. More popular events in the eyes of the public proved ludicrously profitable.
Even though I hadn't seen firsthand the celebrity's treatment I was yet to receive, I knew it was coming. I'd been watching the television earlier, and most news stations and battling channels spoke about none other than I myself. I hadn't even given much thought about what becoming an Eight Badger would entail in terms of my popularity. Three days ago, maybe a few avid trainers or league fanatics had known my name as a victor of the Seventh Gym. If my popularity on the television was any indication, I was quickly growing as a national idol as the youngest Eight Badger currently alive in Unova.
"Now, the other option, the Elite Four… Honestly, we're nowhere near ready to take on Alder, or any other Champion that may take his place, but I don't just want to stop after having gotten all the Badges. I don't really think I could live a life just sitting still, if you guys know what I mean…" I sighed ponderously, reminiscing on how alienated I had become from society after all my travels. Even now, I felt my mind was changed permanently, seeing as, after having spent a majority of our journey, taking up more than a third of my life, in the wilderness, I felt more comfortable around the creatures I had met and traveled with than around humans.
"So, tell me, what do you guys wanna do? Like I said, I'm honestly pretty impartial, and while I do have a slight preference, I would be just as happy to go and take on the Elite Four."
The room was silent for a few moments in a calm sense of contemplation. Vita and Somin were looking at each other excitedly, Victor and Axle were conversing quietly, Jet adding in a point every few moments.
I let about a minute pass, leaving the conversations to die out before speaking up once more.
"Alright, we ready to take a vote?"
Jet's interrupted the proceedings with his shrill squawks, trying to get my attention.
"Jet? You got a different idea?"
The Braviary nodded. I then proceeded to address Somin.
"Hey, you feeling up to translation?"
He shrugged in indifference. Nodding to myself, I told Jet to begin. Somin, using his illusions, began translating the Braviary's speech in real time.
"Honestly, as much as I'd love to go and fight the Elite Four, I believe you when you say we're nowhere near ready. I'm interested in seeing the Hot Springs, if they're as nice as you say. I actually had another idea in mind of what to do afterwards..."
I look at him curiously during his little pause, pondering what he could have in mind. It wasn't characteristic of Jet to give suggestions, but then again, it was a refreshing change of pace.
When it was evident to him that I wasn't going to respond, Somin continued in Jet's stead as if nothing had happened. "I was thinking, because we're nowhere near the level of the Elite Four, the only way to fix that is more experience and training, right? Now, I know we've done a lot of it. Hell, the year in the wilderness and the Tour, or whatever you called it, helped a ton."
He was right. The two events mentioned, were those in which, in order to get stronger, my team and I would go off and live in the wilderness for extended periods of time, away from all civilization.
The prior came after four failures in Icirrus City, in an attempt to get the seventh badge. In order to stop ourselves from repeating the many failures needed to get the Fifth and Sixth Badges, I proposed a plan. A year we would stay in the wilderness, in the area around Twist Mountain, as a constant training session. Everyone, their feelings somewhat doused by the consecutive losses, readily agreed when it was put to a vote. This plan, while intended to strengthen the team physically, also succeeded in strengthening the relationship between us. It all turned out quite well, considering we had beaten the gym first try when we got back, and we gained a new companion in the form of Victor, along with a whole slew of evolutions.
The latter, which I dubbed as 'The Tour' came as a result of the paranoia surrounding Drayden and the battle including him. After we had defeated Icirrus, we decided to take a trip to Undella, but instead of traveling back the regular route or fly when finished, I proposed we take the long way around, lengthening the trek greatly. The only objection I had was from Vita and Axle, but after some coaxing, they were readily on board. The journey ended up taking from January to September, when we arrived in Opelucid. A week later, I had challenged Drayden, and here we were now.
Those two events in particular, accompanied by the other journeys we had taken between cities, had helped the team to grow stronger, more so than any other method I had ever attempted. In all instances, I had trained alongside my team, at least to the best of my ability, considering I couldn't exactly keep up with the equivalent of superpowered animals, ones with elemental abilities that could easily dispatch me if needed. Yet, I liked to think I had improved in the physical aspect, the altitude of Twist Mountain during our year in the wilderness certainly helping.
So, in all regards, Jet was absolutely right in saying that they had helped, and not only that. While it was tough, and often painful, I believed, at that point, that I had grown to enjoy living in the wild like family, rather than live in the now redundant comforts of society. I had no ideas surrounding what we would do after the Hot Springs, but I felt strongly against the idea of conforming back to society after all that time away. I wasn't really sure if I could ever feel comfortable in society again, and if we were to train more and more, we might have been able to, one day, be capable of fighting the Elite Four. However, if Jet had an alternative, I was all ears.
"Well, yeah, of course," I answered, "I was honestly thinking about what to do to train up. Was thinking about heading back to the cave, maybe, train up for a while."
Jet shrugged. "I was actually thinking of something a bit more… Interesting. What if, after we were done with the Lavaridge Hot Springs, we didn't leave Hoenn?"
I let that notion sit for a moment, tossing around the idea with interest.
"You'd want to do another Gym Challenge?"
"Well, yeah. I actually had a lot of fun doing this, and it's a lot more interesting of a way to gain experience, rather than just sit over at Twist Mountain until we think we're ready."
The idea sounded appealing, especially considering I didn't have the daunting task of training my team to fruition before taking on the Gyms. Really, I didn't know how strong the Gym Leaders were in Hoenn, but I did know that we would clear all eight Gyms faster than we had done in Unova.
Overall, it was a great idea, and one I wouldn't even thought of had it not been for the insight of Jet.
"I'm down… You're right, it does sound pretty interesting. I really can't see myself doing anything else in life at this point, so why not? Let's hear it then?"
When I turned for an answer from Vita and Somin, their responses were evident on their faces, and even though Somin had his eyes closed in thought, I was able to picture the excited glimmer beneath his eyelids.
So, it didn't surprise me much when they both agreed with both of the notions without issue. Somin seemed excited to show off his illusionary powers to the Hoenn natives, most of whom would have never met a Zoroark, while Vita was hardly holding back her excitement at returning to the tropical region, where Grass-Types thrived because of the high temperatures and sunlight. Despite her dour attitude then, I could tell they both enjoyed the Slateport Vacation greatly, and were visibly crushed when we had to leave, a few days after Axle hatched. Lavaridge, from how much advertisement had played it up, however, was supposed to be much better quality.
Jet, having proposed the idea, required no extra agreement, while Axle and Victor both gave an affirmation.
Axle had maybe seen two or three other Swamperts before, so going to the region in which his native kind resided must've been an exciting prospect. Victor rarely ever disputed and suggestions proposed, considering he was generally open-minded and cheerful despite the situation. If everyone else was in agreement, than so was he,
Content we'd made a unanimous decision, I concluded the conversation there. I then turned towards Somin, looking for any increased signs of exhaustion. Besides being a small bit more groggy in his movements, though, he was otherwise unaffected, and gave me with his trademark smirk, however sluggish.
Checking the clock, I saw it was past 11 PM.
"Alright, let's get some rest… I feel like we're going to have a long day tomorrow."
Vita nodded, "Perior."
"G'night."
With that, I laid back down, finding myself staring yet again at the ceiling. I'd gotten so little sleep over the last day or two, but I still was unable to settle down. There was too much to think about, too much to process.
Maybe a half hour later, I felt like I was finally able to shut my eyes and relax. Arceus knew I could use the rest.
It seemed, however, that the exact instant my eyes closed, the building began shook as an ear-splitting crash reverberated throughout the walls. The bed shook, as did the walls, jostling a few of the hung photos until they fell. My eyes shot open as the quake slowly began to subside, followed by the distinct sound of screams and glass breaking.
Oh no…
