Hi everyone and welcome to the 20th chapter of my first fic.
I have to say that I expected to post this chapter before I went on vacation, but for personal reasonsI couldn't. I didn't have the struggles I had for the last one, but that vacation made m update later than I expected, I'm sorry for that.
It's TIME WITH REVIEWS!
comisure: I'm glad you liked that chapter and I hope you like this one. Thanks for reviewing!
Guest 1: Thanks I'm glad it was worth it!
Guest 2: Thanks for the encouragement and I will!
12courtney12: Yeah, four chapters... I planned on leaving it as a cliffhanger when Green entered the clearing, but I decided to let you know... I never planned on extending that argument. As you say it's kinda hard to update every week, because I always want the chapters to be a minimum of 7.000 words. Writer's block or me not liking the way I wrote some part of the chapter and rewriting it is something that delays the update. I'm sorry for that. I'm waiting for your PM! Thanks for all your reviews.
TheFinalElements: I want to know why you think that or if it's just some sudden reaction.
RionaCremisi: Wow, hospitalized... That's some serious stuff. I hope you are okay now, really. Yes it's been a while so the story has progressed a little. I hope you like the way it's going. I wanted to end it in a cliffhanger (I explain it better in another Review), but I felt pity for you guys because you had to wait for 3 weeks for my update. I thought I would be very cruel to do that. Thanks for congratulating for my birthday! and YEAH I had a great time with them.
Well... thanks for everything. I mean, you praise me very much in your review. I have studied english since I was 5 so I have to know how to do it. Even that I have LC that edits my chapters to leave them absolutely perfect. I'm so happy you say that and thanks again for your review.
That's the end of TIME WITH REVIEWS today. This is the 20th chapter so I will now talk a little about the statistics of this fic so far. In 19 chapters I got: 29 Favourites! 37 Followers! 89 REVIEWS! more than 8800 visits! Seeing this I only can thank you guys and LC5. I could've never thought about those numbers when I started back in February. Just thank you!
Before we start LC5 wants to say some things as well as the Disclaimer:
Hello, LexClone5 here. School has been so boring. Just so you know, I'm a senior in high school, I am addicted to League of Legends, and am currently writing a comic series simply titled "Little League", where a majority of the champions are little kids(Except Annie, who is the only adult) and we are taking elements from their lores and adding it to the series. As I said, I am an addict to LoL, but don't worry, because I'm Master Yi, and on top lane, we have my friend as Ezreal, my uncle is supporting as BRAUM (STAND BEHIND BRAUM! That is our tagline for Braum.) Nasus farming bot lane, and Harold Rammus(my name for Rammus) in Jungle. So we will dominated this match... DEFEAT.
... FFFFFFUUUUUUUUU-
Disclaimer: this fanfic was written by a Pokemon fanatic, and edited by a League addict.
THis said... READ and ENJOY!
Gold's POV
-Well what did you want to tell me?- Sapphire asked towards Green then.
-In a moment Sapphire…- Green told Sapphire- I assume that most of you have realized the same as I did about Rub.
-What about him?- I asked.
-That he can say whatever he wants- Red said- but…
-But he's not a weakling.
-What makes you think that?- asked Emerald.
-Well we talked about that with him, actually- said Green- The weather changed three times today, from sunny to rain, from rain to hail and finally from hail to sunny again…
-And all of them were beneficial- said Silver.
-That's true, we were battling flying types when it started to rain- explained Red- the water made them be slower and our electric attacks to never fail.
-And when it changed to Hail I was battling a Dragonair and a Pupitar- said Silver- My ice attacks were stronger and it was more easy for me to win.
-And finally…- said Green- he helped Sapphire with that Sunny day.
-But all of that could've been mere coincidence- said Emerald.
-He said that he helped Sapphire on purpose- I told him.
-Yeah, but not the others so why are you so sure?- he asked towards Green.
-Well, I believe he is someone who has some good abilities. He commanded three attacks and no one noticed. Not the grunts, not us, not Silver and not Sapphire. With those commands he was able to help some of us and never helped the enemy accidentally- he explained- He knows the theoretical basis perfectly.
-And the fact that not even Sapphire was able to notice him adds more to that cause because she has the hearing sense as developed as some pokemon- said Red.
-And it's not the first time he's done something like that- said Silver- I mean I've never seen someone with his sense of stealth like him. That if we don't count me, Blue, and Ruby, even if he was in a lower level.
-When was that? I don't remember seeing that- asked Crystal when I saw Blue flinch a little and make some signs towards Silver who started to stutter.
-I mean… well he was able to avoid every single battle today except one…- he said then- He has to be good. I was trying to avoid them a little too, but I got caught in some multiple battles in the Battle Royale.
-So he can be very good at hiding as Silver and Blue, and he knows the theoretical basis, which both me and Sapphire already knew for experience- said Emerald- but by the way you said that I believe that there were more- ended Emerald when Green nodded.
-Don't you wonder why I chose this place to talk to him?- he asked.
I, as the others started to think, but I couldn't came with the answer. Soon I stopped and let the others do a work that would only make me waste time.
-Maybe because this is the place where you two fought earlier- said Yellow then.
-That's right, I wanted to try and put him in the same mental state as before and in the same place- explained Green.
-What do you mean with that?- asked Sapphire.
-He, like everyone was guessing, was not happy to see me- he said- that's why he never looked at me directly when I came into the place where we met you and him.
-And what did you expect to happen? That he would go and talk with you like anything had happened? You expulsed him from the group!- yelled Sapphire still a little angry at that fact.
-I wasn't expecting anything different, but I just wanted to kill two birds with one stone- he said- I wanted to apologize to him, and at the same time, I was able to put him under pressure once more.
-And what did you achieve with that?- asked Crystal.
-I was able to confirm that he is a guy which has a tremendous self-control- Green said- He was not only capable to put his anger aside and listen to me. He then was able to forgive me, which I don't know if I deserved. He also apologized himself- said Green in a clear pleased tone- He always thinks before acting or speaking. It can take a while for him to be lead by emotions instead of clear reasoning. This is a quality to admire either in battles or life in general… I'm nowhere near to his self-control as you could see today.
-So are you going to explain me why you did that?- asked Sapphire.
The air became more tense then. I braced myself for the outburst I thought it was going to happen. I hoped not, but given the previous events… Green just cleared his throat before starting to explain.
-Yesterday afternoon the Pokemon Association sent me a message that I had to meet them. I lied when I said that I had to go and do something for my grandfather. I didn't want to spoil the afternoon.
-And what did they said there?- asked Sapphire with her arms folded.
-They insisted in that subject. They gave me an ultimatum. They ordered me to evaluate the battling skills of every person that could place in the Top 10 - explained Green- I mean everyone except us.
-But that was the same as before, they only asked you to evaluate them- said Sapphire- isn't this the same they asked before?
-I said that it was an ultimatum- said Green- they said that it was our last chance to choose them. If I didn't send them anything they would just hold a tournament and the winner would be the 10th. We would have to accept him or her and there would be nothing we could do.
-But, they can't do that!- said Sapphire in anger.
-They can Sapphire- said Green- and they will. That's why I was so mad. I just wanted to avoid that, but at refusing to battle I couldn't do a anything. I just wanted to see if he was good or not and he started to say that he was weak and he wanted t be weak. I had a rough day yesterday and I wasn't in a good mood today so I exploded. I shouldn't have, but I did.
A silence surrounded us now, both Green and Sapphire seemed deep in thought. We just looked at them curiously, but remained with our mouth shut until Green spoke again.
-Of all the students in the Academy, the student I wanted to see the most was him- he said.
-Why?- asked Sapphire.
-Because I thought he would be good- said Green- I saw how he treated your pokemon in your birthday plus all the knowledge you and Emerald said he has. Then again, as we said that day, he had quite the eye for battles. What we said a minute ago only added more to that cause.
-But he said that he was and wanted to be weak- said Silver- what do we take of this?
-I don't know, but we will have to wait until he decides to tell us why he hates battles and why he wants to be weak- said Green.
-He will when he feels that he is prepared- interjected Sapphire- That's something he told me.
-We'll have to wait for that then…- said Green.
-Uhm… now that everything's cleared… why don't we head to Rub's apartment?- I asked- I'm starving!
-I believe that for once we should take Mr. Immature's advice- said Crystal- I'm hungry too and Rub said to be there in half an hour, but we could help him if we went sooner.
Sapphire's POV
While walking towards Rub's house I was thinking about everything that was said not long before. I never noticed him being near me, but he was. I knew from all the classes that he was smart and there was no use in trying to fool him when talking about types, natures, or attacks. He used his Castform to fool that contestant in the Super-rank contest, so I was sure that he did the same to help me. Maybe he didn't know this, but… he saved me. If those attacks had struck, I would've lost and who knows what would've happened.
I was so focused in my thoughts that I never noticed Blue approaching me. She just suddenly stopped in front of me, startling me.
-Wha! Blue don't scare me like that!- I said while she just blurted out laughing.
-I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's just that you were so focused that I wanted to scare you a little- she said- besides I want you to tell me something…
-W-what thing?- I asked a little frightened, she asked that with that mischievous grin.
-When you ran from the clearing after that argument, you went to talk with Rub, didn't you?
-Well, yes I did- I said.
-Can you tell me why?- she asked in an embarrassing tone.
-Well, I saw his face when he stormed out of the place… He was hurt inside and I didn't want him to feel like this- I started- he had helped me before in that clearing so I just did the same.
-But you chose him over Green, who has been your friend for a longer time- said Blue.
-I know, but Green hadn't been fair with him… I know that Green was mad for a reason, but Rub never did anything to deserve that punch- I said- even if he was and still is my friend he acted wrongly and Rub needed someone to talk to. I was also mad at Green, but I was more concerned for him. I never turned my back towards Green, I just helped the one I thought deserved it more and the one who was more lonely.
-I understand, don't worry…- she said to me quietly- I also talked some sense into Green. What he did was wrong and once he understood that he was very sorry for it. He just puts more stress on him that the amount he can handle sometimes… And then he loses his temper. Don't be angry at him anymore.
-I won't. I understand that this issue isn't going the way that we… that I would want it to go- I said- like I said I don't know if I would be able to accept that new member… But we'll have to worry about that later.
-You normally would be very mad at me right now…- said Green from behind.
-Maybe because I wouldn't either let you explain or jump to conclusions- I told him- Or you wouldn't have apologized to him properly. If he forgives you I have little reason to be mad at you.
-I'm glad to hear that… thanks- said Green when we arrived at Rub's apartment.
-Look, we are here- said Crystal, who knocked at the door.
Soon the door opened and we saw Rub, a little surprised. He checked his Pokegear to see the time.
-We are earlier that we accorded Rub- said Green- this way we can help you.
-Okay then- he said- If three of you settle the table, I'll do the rest with those sandwiches.
Soon enough Crystal, Green, and Gold (for Crys order) were setting the table while Yellow and Blue had willingly gone to the kitchen to help him. Emerald had went to the bathroom, Red had gone into the kitchen and I was nearly sleeping in the couch when they came out of the kitchen with some plates.
-It seems that someone is tired- laughed Blue- C'mon, food is served.
The smell of food awoke me completely in a matter of seconds. Looking at the table I could see a large bowl of pasta salad, some rice, six burgers, as well as 3 large steaks. There were also some toasts as well as two bags of crisps.
-I'm sorry for the variety, but I used all I had in my fridge- said Rub, but all the food looked delicious.
-It's time to dig in!- said Gold in a childish way just after sitting down and starting to munch food like a Snorlax would do.
-Gold where are your manners?- asked Crystal.
Gold just looked to the others and finally to Crystal before continuing to devour his meal. I saw Crystal look at everyone who was eating in a slower pace, except me, Red, and Emerald who were eating in a not very polite way. She just then sighed and continued to eat the food in her plate.
That lasted for like 15 minutes until we had finally finished all the food in the table, leaving only some toasts as the remainder of the meal. It was understandable that we were hungry a few minutes ago. We had breakfast as our last meal since the beginning of a day of intense battles, arguments, talks, make ups… An eventful day indeed.
We said only a few things until we finished eating except for the "This is delicious" or things like that. That lasted until green brought some topic again.
-Can I ask you how went the things I commanded you to do?- he asked.
-I was the one who talked with the Pokemon Association- said Silver- They asked how the thing went and I summarized it for them.
-We just put those grunts to sleep with Sleep Powder and tied up with Saur's Leech Seed- said Red- They were returning from some researching place not very far from here they only spent 10 minutes to come and pick them up. We were very lucky.
-Perfect- said Green- What did you tell them Silver, about the fight I mean…
-I only explained the general phases of it. The ambushes, the amount of them in both ambushes and the tactics they used.
-Okay- said Green.
-Have you ever battled against them?- asked Rub from the other side of the table.
It was a little odd. He never said anything since he came from the kitchen with the dishes. He was serious and I could sense some concern in his voice. What was really odd though, was that it was the first time he ever asked something about an organization we battled. It was understandable that he did now, but that concern in his voice surprised me.
-Apart from that day after Sapphire's birthday party…- said Green- I don't think so.
-Are you sure?- asked Rub again.
-Why do you ask?- I asked him.
-It doesn't take a genius mind to see that even if they were from the same group their level was as different as the land from the sea- he explained- you could see that just looking at the clock. They seem to know a lot more about you than you know about them.
-That's true- said Red- using this Amnesia attack they are avoiding every single option for us to learn something of them.
-And… has any organization ever focused on one of you more specifically than the others?- said Rub.
-Well some minor teams tried to take out either Red or Green first, because then, they were the best of us all by a great margin- explained Blue.
-Team Rocket also seemed to focus a little more on me than the rest- said Silver- but that was because Giovanni, their leader… is my father.
-Why are you asking that Rub?- asked Emerald.
-It's just that today they seemed to focus in one of us- said Rub looking at me- maybe it was just coincidence. I don't know…
-Rub can I ask you a question?- said Gold from across the table.
-Yeah- he said.
-Have I ever met you before?- asked Gold.
-I-I don't know…- said Rub- Why do you ask?
-Mr. Immature over here said once that he had the feeling that you reminded him of someone he met- said Crystal- but with his memory… don't pay attention to him.
-Maybe- said Rub- I mean I moved from my previous home when I was like… 5 years old, so there's the chance we have.
-I don't know, it's just a feeling I have- said Gold.
-You're not a girl under that hat, are you?- said Emerald when Rub almost dropped the plates he had on his hands.
-Of course not!- he said turning to see him with a surprised look- What makes you say that?
-Because that would be the only way that Gold would remember you correctly- said Emerald nonchalantly- By being a girl I mean.
There was a moment of silence before we all started to laugh uncontrollably. Rub was laughing too, but by the look on his face I could say that he was very embarrassed by Emerald's joke. Gold seemed furious, but then started to chuckle a little too. When Rub returned from the kitchen though, he was serious again and asked a question that brought us back to the reality again.
-I'm sorry to bring this up, but there's an issue that you should start to discuss- said Rub.
-What thing?- I asked, he was looking straight at me when he said that.
-I saw what happened to your apartment Sapphire- said Rub- and I know that you're aware of that too.
We all became silent for the uptienth time of the day… Those images of my apartment with those holes and destroyed by those grunts came to my mind again. I became sad again… Since even before I entered in the Academy I had lived in the same place. It'd been 4 years of living there. It held so many memories. Parties with the Dexholders, days of studying… It was my house apart from the one my dad was living in. The place had become my house three months after winning the Dexholder tournament, when we were all sent to the "best" Academy to study in.
-We should go there and see the real damage- said Red.
-That's right- I Sapphire standing up- I want to see it completely.
-Let's clear everything and let's go- said Crystal.
-No need to, let's go and I will clear everything later- said Rub- we could also come here and have dinner if we buy something.
-So let's go then- I said rushing to the door, when everybody stood up and followed me.
SIlver's POV
We were running all the way there. It wasn't a long walk or anything it's just that the tension was somewhat intense. Sapphire was leading the way until we reached the place only to see it crowded by fans… The anger in Sapphire's face when she saw that three people had entered through a hole was something to be afraid of. She started to walk towards them, but Rub stopped her midway.
-Don't waste your energy with them…- he told her- we just have to make them leave peacefully.
-But it's my house, they have no right to be there!- she growled.
-Listen to him Sapph- Blue told her- just leave them to me.
-He said peacefully, Blue- said Crystal in a questioning tone.
-I know, but I also want them to stop doing that- Blue said- just come in a minute.
Crystal's fear came true when Blue positioned herself in front of the, almost, 20 people who stood in front of the house. We could hear her talking to them and we all sweatdropped when we saw her send Blasty out. Three seconds after that all the people were running away from the place. I looked at the rest and all had nervous smiles in their faces. After a brief pause Blue waved to us and we just went to see her.
-I'm very afraid to ask, but what did you say to them?- asked Red- san what you used Blasty for?
-Well… for nothing- said Green looking at the side avoiding all of our eyes.
-Sapphire please…- asked Red from behind us- What did she really tell them?
-She just told them to leave or else…- said Sapphire.
-Or else what?- I asked raising an eyebrow.
-Or else they would be sent to the hospital due to a disease called- Sapphire explained smiling a little- Blasty's Hydrocannon.
-Damn that hearing sense- muttered Blue.
-Let's just get going- said Green then while we just kept going until we arrived to the hole that this morning was the front door.
When we arrived most of us stopped walking like allowing Sapphire to put the first foot inside. She saw that and started to walk when Rub stopped her.
-Why are you stopping me now?- he asked while most of us sent him some questioning looks.
-There are holes on the roof and on the walls- said Rub- it could be dangerous.
-Rub is right- said Green not very far away from me- Go Machamp.
-Toro, I need your help- said Sapphire.
-Ursaring, you're up!- I told my bear pokemon.
All the pokemon that were sent out to help us were tired, but seeing that we just needed them for an emergency they would be able to do their work perfectly.
With our pokemon helping us we entered the apartment. There was dust everywhere, and ruin spread on the floor. The powerful beams had been strong because the kitchen was almost destroyed, the fridge being the only thing nearly unharmed. When we moved to the living room we saw that the sofa was covered in dust, but quite unharmed, not that we could say the same about the table or the chairs.
The bathroom seemed okay being the most protected part of the apartment, but when we moved to her room, things changed again. In this room, the roof had fallen on top of the shelves and the table. There was some ruin and dust on the bed. I could see shattered glasses everywhere.
-Th-this sure is some mess…- said Sapphire near to tears.
-Sure is- said Blue- What should we do now?
-We should come tomorrow and try to clear some of this mess- said Red- we could just come and try to pick all the still useful things we can find.
-We'll have to go and see the Academy principal tomorrow- said Crystal- I'm sure that they'll be able to do something with this apartment.
-C'mon Super Serious Gal- said Gold- we are the Dexholders. They will do whatever they can and contact the last person on earth to be able to repair this incident. He is crazy for us like that.
-I know that I don't always agree with this idiot, but he sure has a point- I said- I'm sure that in no time you'll have your new apartment just the way you want it to be.
-Yeah Sapphire, I'm sure of it- said Yellow giving her a comforting hug.
-So where are you going to sleep tonight?- asked Emerald.
-She can sleep in my apartment- said Blue- I'll sleep on the sofa.
-T-thank you guys…- said Sapphire between sobs- and thanks Blue.
-There's no need for you to sleep in a sofa- said Rub- the mattress seems alright… we only have to lift the rubble and take out the coverings.
-Why?- asked Gold.
-It may seem stupid, but when feeling bad… Sleeping in your bed really helps- he said- I know it from experience.
-Seems a good idea- said Green.
-Cupeon and Tupeon, we need you!- said Crystal releasing her Xatu and Cubone… wait Marowak?
-Crystal!- said Emerald surpised- When did Cupeon evolve?
-Oh, that's right… The only one who knew this was Blue- she explained- It evolved when we were fighting those grunts. He had been hit a lot of times and was pretty tired, but when Tupeon's Wish made effect and recovered its energy he evolved. You should see how strong he is right now. Not that he wasn't earlier, but now it's more accentuated.
-I can assure you that she is not boasting her pokemon- said Blue- I've seen it with my bare eyes.
-So Tupeon use Psychic to lift the mess- she said the looking at Green.
-Got it- he said- Machamp take the mattress while the ruins are floating- now we go out of here.
And with that we went out of the apartment. I saw Rub look around a little before going out, but I paid little attention. When we were outside Crystal commanded his pokemon.
-Cupeon use Bone Club and the mattress to clean the little dust that's still left in it- and so he did.
It was surprisingly clean after we saw the state the covers where in, but that was a good thing after all.
-It's getting late guys, we should go have a quick dinner before going to sleep- said Green- we had a hard day today and tomorrow will be a tough one too.
-Is there anything else you want to take before we come here tomorrow?- asked Yellow.
-Not right now…- she said- let's go.
And with that we all started to walk towards Rub's apartment again. I looked towards Sapphire who seemed to be deep in thought. We couldn't really blame her though, seeing the state that the apartment was something hard to endure. I saw Blue and the girls talking to her then to try to enlighten her mood. As always, Blue was capable of making a smile come to her face making Crystal laugh and Yellow want to hide down the earth. Then it was Yellow's time to laugh and Crystal's time to blush. Finally, I heard Sapphire shouting something like "Over my dead body you'll bring me in one of your shopping trips again!" and running ahead of her while the other three of them just laughed at her antics. Seeing that I smiled, my "sister" always found a way to enlighten the mood anywhere, let it be a prison or an actual party. I was so focused in my thoughts that I never heard Rub approaching me.
-Can I ask you something Silver?- he said then, while I saw Green turn his head the same as Red with a questioning look.
-Yeah, sure…- I said.
-You said earlier that Giovanni was your father, isn't this true?- he asked.
-Yeah- I sighed.
-How many people are aware of this?- he asked.
-More people than the ones who know our past- I answered- The Pokemon Association's chairman and high counselors, the Dexholders and their families, and Giovanni himself. And you now.
-Okay- he said- I won't tell anyone, I promise.
-You'd better not- I said in a threatening tone, but he never reacted or showed any sign of fear.
-Was Team Rocket the one who captured you those years ago?- he asked surprised.
-Where did you got that idea from?- asked Red.
-Well, I thought that Team Rocket would have kidnapped some children by Giovanni's orders- he said- To find his lost son.
-It makes sense- said Green, entering the conversation- but it wasn't Team Rocket. We hardly know anything about the people that kidnapped us.
-We never knew the reason they kidnapped us or why they made us fight- said Red.
-Have you ever battled them again?- Rub asked.
-Nope, why do you ask?- I asked him.
-Because it's strange that if they kidnapped us and you were able to escape that they never tried to find you again- he said, almost everything that he said made sense I must say.
-We never saw Marchie again after that, or anyone of their grunts for that matter- said Red- not that I would recognize them, there were some many grunts and that was years ago.
-Look we are here!- yelled Gold- I call dibs on the sofa!
-No you're not, you're helping, like everyone else!- said Crystal kicking him in the back.
And with that we entered the apartment. Seeing that we didn't have any food, we ordered some pizzas.
Crystal's POV
-Gold, can't you just wait for a single minute until everyone has cut the pizza?- I asked to him when I saw him taking in a good piece of pizza into his mouth.
-Pepperonni is better while it's hot- he shrugged and started to munch that slice.
-I always thought that I would never step in another person's apartment apart from the Dexholder's…- I heard Yellow whisper.
-Why is that?- asked Rub who was sitting at her left side.
-Well…- she said fidgeting a little.
-You see… Yellow is a year younger than me, Green, and Blue- said Red from the other side of her- With an agreement with the principal and her good grades she was able to skip a course and come to our class. Before that she was in a class without any of the Dexholders so we could say that she was quite lonely there.
-I had to do all the reports with students in my class- she sighed- I had always to do all the work because they spend the time asking question after question about our missions, friends, and life in general. I had to work hard because I wanted to skip a course, while they only did this every time.
-I know what you mean, but in another way- said Rub then.
-When I went to some of my companion's apartments, they were almost filled with posters of us, and they always tried to make me sign them- ended Yellow- It was very annoying.
-What do you mean with that you understand her, but in another way?- I asked Rub.
-I always did all my reports alone back at my previous college- he said- no one wanted to be paired with me. Luckily, this changed the day I came here, thanks to Sapphire and Emerald.
-In fact it's good to know that someone doesn't have a single poster of us- said Green.
-That's not entirely true- said Rub then looking ashamed- I do have a poster of the Dexholders.
-You do?- asked Sapphire.
-Of course- said Rub- I have one of the first ones that were sold back at home.
-I never imagined that you would have one- said Sapphire.
-Are you just trying to set a low profile or are you being serious?- he asked.
-What do you mean?- I asked.
-I don't stalk you or ask a lot of questions. I don't look up to you as if you were some kind of gods and goddesses like the majority of the Academy thinks, but that doesn't mean that I don't admire you- he said- All of you have done so much for the world only being teenagers, that I would be an idiot not to have a lot of respect for you. I only try to act like you were normal people because that's the way I would like to be treated if I were in your shoes.
-I would've never thought that you would admire us, with all your hate towards battles- said Green then.
-I hate battling, not battles- he said in a serious tone- and that has nothing to do with admiring you or not. You help people even putting yourself in danger sometimes. Anyone that does this deserves some kind of admiration. I have to use the bathroom, if you'll excuse me.
With that he stood up and went to his bathroom. We stayed silent after that. I don't know why unconsciously we thought that he saw us and he never cared that we were who we were. It was kind of a surprise to learn that he admired us, but it also brought a comforting sense after all the events of the day. With that, I saw that, like me, everyone had finished eating. When he got out of the bathroom, he went to his room for a minute until he got out with a deck of playing cards in his hand.
-A game of cards?- he asked then.
We all agreed to do that, and after clearing the table a bit we started to play. We started to play cards and we stayed like that for more than two hours. We played, talked, laughed, won, and lost. For my sake I never bet anything that night, but Gold did lose one and owed Red a pizza next time we ordered them for dinner. With that we found that it was 1 a.m. so we all went home after thanking Rub for everything. Green contacted the Association to know if they could learn something about the grunts we captured, but sighed when they told him they couldn't. We then took separate paths towards our apartments to sleep. We had agreed to meet at Sapphire's apartment at 10 a.m. while Sapphire went to talk to the principal with Blue. The Battle Royale's day ended without any other event this way.
Next morning we met in the scheduled place with the one who were going to be helping us to see what was still useful inside the apartment. After some hours of working and having realized that the only things that remained intact were the ones that were inside the desk drawers. All her books, notes, and luckily, her laptop, were okay. The shelves had fallen, so all the photos had its glass broken. I looked at one of them curiously, when I found that it was the first one we had when they gave the pokedex to us. She didn't seem very happy in the photo, but it was only 3 months after we escaped from that prison, so it was understandable.
Just when we went to have some lunch. Blue called us telling that they were done and that they were coming to have lunch with us. When they got there, they explained us that the principal never put a question to their demands. He called the company that is in charge of repairing those things, and they came to talk with them. They also agreed to do repair the apartment and leave it just the way it was before being damaged and they calculated that this would be done in like four weeks after they start on Monday. Sapphire seemed to be in a better mood and we avoided talking about the apartment after that for her sake.
After finishing our lunch, we went again to the apartment to find more useful things until it was like 6 p.m. So far we found that a lot of items were still useful and that she would have no problem to continue attending to school. What brought her down a little was that she found that some of the clothes she uses in the weekends were somewhat damaged. This changed when Blue asked Rub if he could do something about it, and he agreed, saying that according to the way he saw things, it would be done in less than 3 hours. She and Blue decided that Sapphire could live with her until the repairings would be finished.
With that, and after another long day, we called it a day and we all went to our apartments except Sapphire, who obviously went at Blue's, and Rub, who went to train somewhere for his contest tomorrow, which started a 4 p.m. this time.
Sapphire's POV (7:36 a.m.)
We were flying above the clouds, escaping... "Happy birthday Sapph" he said. "What?" "It's past midnight, so happy birthday". I hugged him, everything was perfect. "I want to tell you something…"but then... "Watch out!". And there it was, the Salamence. I saw Ruby standing in front of me with his arms spread, protecting me. Then a glowing claw attacked him and I saw blood, Ruby's blood... I felt paralyzed from fear. I looked at him struggling to get up muttering "Pro-tect her". Then came another attack and Ruby fell. I looked terrified to my friend falling to the void space below him. I looked at his face and for a half a second his face changed… A hat appeared in his head before returning to be Ruby's face.
I woke up just then. My heart was pounding fast on my chest, like only a few times had occurred. I looked at the clock to see that it was 7:40 a.m. The last image was still in my head when I got the urge to go out of the apartment to clear my thoughts. I went out after leaving a note to Blue, because I didn't want her to worry about me not being there when she woke up. I started to wander in the streets walking aimlessly. That face in that scenarios still dancing in my head. Why would Rub's face appear in that dream, was something bad going to happen? I had this dream like three times a week, but this time it felt different.
Wandering like that I found myself passing by Rub's apartment. I looked curiously, but as expected I heard no sound. Just when I was about to turn and keep walking I heard a door opening and someone talking to me
-What are you doing here?- asked Rub's voice when a feeling of relief entered my mind.
He had just opened his door and stood there like he was going somewhere.
-I had a bad dream, and after that I couldn't sleep- I said- What are you doing up now?
-The same as you, I guess that I'm quite nervous for the contest- he said- I've never had as much an audience as I will have today. If you really came to see me, that is.
-I for one, am going- I told him- And you should know that Green never jokes about those things.
-That's good to hear and I'm grateful for that- he said.
-How's that bruise?- I asked him- Does still hurt?
-No, that ointment you have is something else- he said- but the mark will still be there this afternoon.
-So that means that you'll have to use make-up again?- I asked him.
-It seems that way- he chuckled- Want some coffee?
-Sure- I said and entered the apartment with him.
In there we sat and talked about random things. He told me that his father knew about the attack, and that he had called the previous day to know how were things right now. He also told me that the Association was trying everything they could to reverse the effects of the Amnesia attack to be able to learn something from them.
We turned the TV on and we put on the News. They talked about the investigation my dad was taking part in for a while. I explained what I knew about the issue to him and what Green had told us about that. As expected he was a bit surprised to know that Tsunamis appeared from nowhere. When it was around 10:00 a.m. Blue called me and soon after that I said goodbye to him and thanked for everything. We agreed to meet at the entrance of the Contest hall before he went to compete with all the gang.
-Where were you?- said Blue when I entered the door.
-I was walking… I had a bad dream and I couldn't go back to sleep- I said- I wanted to clear my thoughts so I went out to have some fresh air.
-Okay, when are we meeting the others?- she asked then.
-The preliminary rounds start at 4. We will meet Rub at the entrance ten minutes before that or so-I explained- So what are you doing now?
-Going shopping, we have to buy some things for tonight's meal- she said- It's my turn again today. Do you want to go with me?
-Sure, why not?- I said and we went out of the house.
We spent quite a lot of time buying things because even if the Dexholders and Rub didn't happened to have dinner at her home, we were still two people to eat there. That made us spend quite a lot of time in the supermarket and when we went finally home we had Rono and Blasty carry one shopping bag each. It was half past 2 when we started to prepare our lunch. We had quite a "light" lunch and after we cleaned everything it was time to go to the Contest Hall.
When on the road we noticed both Red, Yellow, and Emerald, walking not so far ahead of us. We greeted them and we continued until we reached the park that was around the Contest's Hall. We noticed Silver, Gold, and Crystal, waiting for us and then we saw Green land on his Charizard next to them.
-Hey guys- I greeted them.
-So I see that everyone came- said Blue- I would've never thought that I would see all of us ina Contest's Hall one day.
-I didn't want to come, but Super Serious gal has some good arguments- said Gold.
-What are them?- asked Blue maliciously.
-Her kicks…- he sighed and we all laughed at that.
-Hey guys- said Rub's voice from the door.
-Hi Rub- I greeted him.
-Prepared to win this all over again?- asked Red in a challenging tone.
-I'll try to, but it won't be easy-he said- The Hyper-rank has some serious competition. Well, I'm going to face the preliminary rounds I see you after the competitions.
-We'll be right here, good luck- said Yellow while I just sent him a thumbs up- we should enter and take our places. This will get very packed today.
-Let's go then…- said Green entering the building.
We all paid for our ticket and we entered the main room of the Contest Hall. I had been there twice, but the size never ceased to amaze me. It was large like a battlefield, but it had the proper furniture for the contests. We took our seat in the stands and saw that there was a lot of people sitting in them already. The contests were to start in like a quarter so I just went to buy some popcorn for the mean time with Emerald. When we came back to our places I saw that sitting in the line in front of me were the same trio I met the first time I saw Rub compete.
-Dia, no Diamond! Stop eating already. The contest still has to start- said the blonde guy on the left of the dark-blue haired girl.
-Pearl stop yelling- sighed the girl- You know that he's not going to stop.
-I'm sorry Pearl, Missy, I'm just so hungry- said Diamond, the dark haired guy on her right- My eleven year old body needs to eat from time to time.
-Every five minutes is not "from time to time" Dia…- said the girl whom they called Missy.
The boy only took another biscuit from the bag and put it in his mouth like they never said anything. I found them quite funny. Then I turned to see our friends who were seated in two different lines of chairs. I was in the front with Emerald at my right and Blue in the other side. Green was sitting in front of Red at the other side of Blue while Yellow was sitting next to Red. Crystal and Gold sat next to our shy friend while Silver sat next to Emerald.
-So are you prepared?- asked Blue to all the Dexholders around her.
-Prepared for what?- asked Silver.
-Prepared to see some attacks being used in ways that you would never imagine- said Crystal cryptically.
-That's true, but I wasn't talking about that- said Blue.
-That what about?- asked Emerald.
-You'll see, just be prepared to see a new Rub today- said her- One you don't know about and that will surprise you…
-He was the same when we met him before- said Gold- I didn't saw that new Rub anywhere.
-You'll understand later Gold- I told him.
-I don't know why, but I have a feeling that this is going to be interesting- said Red.
-I agree- said Green.
Not three seconds after that we saw the curtains in front of the stage started to move leaving the stage be visible in the center of the room. I saw all 4 judges take their position and as Rub said, they were different. I only recognized the main judge to be one of the normal judges this time. Then the speaker entered the stage, microphone in hand and bowed.
-GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTELMAN, AND BE WELCOMED TO THE HYPER-RANK CONTEST TODAY!
So that's the end of the 20th chapter of this fic.
I'll have to say that this one was quite rare to write... The reasons? Like you saw it doesn't have much action. It was, probably the thing that will ressemble the most a "filler" chapter in this fic. Even that fact it still had some important things, but the next one will surely be better. I'm pretty excited to write the next ones, because, even if the end is still quite far... the story is getting more serious. I hope that even those facts you liked the chapter.
This said I only have to add the usual REVIEW and ATAY TUNNED!
