Cynthia's POV
Ash was beaming with excitement when he made his way back over to where we were gathered. Whatever Alessia said most have triggered something in him. I've always liked how Alessia gave her pep talks she never really makes them feel better but gives them hints on how they can make themselves feel better. When I first asked her why she did that I remember her saying they won't learn anything from having their ego's stroked. I comfort them but for them to get over it and move on is something only they can achieve. If I point everything out to them they don't learn from it and next time when something like this happens and no ones around to help them, they will suffer more. I do this in hopes that when the time comes, they will know how to handle themselves. They can be sad or hurt or disappointed but wallowing in it will destroy them. I don't want them to suffer like that. They have to learn from there own mistakes.
Walking back to the Queen farm Ash is still beaming with excitement which is a far better look for the younger trainer then defeat look from before. Professor and Alan Queen left us to go and buy some stuff they need to make dinner tonight while Dawn and Alessia are walking beside me chatting about contests.
"So When do you think the contest season will begin," Dawn asks no doubt wanting to start getting ready for her first contest in the region.
"Soon I swear." Alessia starts of sounding slightly guilty. "The dates for the contests will be releveled in about a month time. It was supposed to be sooner but with everything going on we fell behind slightly in planning."
The reminder about what starting halt's the conversation with neither of them knowing what to say next. We continue in a comfortable silence Dawn is constantly looking around trying to soak everything Silverdale has to offer. It's been a while since I've been to a whole new region but with being the champion, I rarely get time to myself and when I do it's nowhere near enough time to explore a whole new region. One of the things I miss most about being just a regular trainer
Exiting the main city area down the forest route back to the ranch Ash suddenly stops walking and is staring at something. "Ash what's wrong," Alessia calls out as Ash slowly starts walking backwards away from whatever he saw. On guard, Alessia and I pull out our pokeballs. Something ahead of us disturned Ash.
"Is this route you always take back to your house and do many people take it." Ash looks at Alessia poorly trying to hide his distress. Weird question.
"it's the fastest way by foot but in a car you can drive around this area. Like you did when Mom picked Cynthia and Dawn up the airport. And people only really take it when they are walking to our house" Alessia responds looking over to me seeing if this behaviour from Ash was normal. I forgot that Alessia has only known him for about a day. When I shake my head she turns back to the boy in question. "Why."
"I think we should head back and take that route." Ash says walking past us grabbing Dawn and Alessia and pulling them along with him. "It's a beautiful day why not enjoy a walk in the sunlight." Being the only one Ash didn't grab I head in the direction he just came from to see what's going on.
In the background I can hear the three of them discussing Ash's weird behaviour and Alessia trying to make her way past the teens but Ash keeps getting in her way. A few more steps and the sight that made Ash stop results in the same reaction from me. No wonder Ash seems spooked. Printed on every tree from here to as far as I can see are pictures of Alessia with a gun sight pointed at her. Some pictures have her eyes scratched out and multiple stab marks in her. One image had her head cut off from the original picture and printed on top of a stick.
Feeling her stand next to me an overwhelming sense of protectiveness takes over me. "Well this is disturbing." She comments taking in the sight before her but she doesn't sound as shocked as I would expect. Dawn gasps when Ash lets her through. " Arcanine come out I need your help." The fire Pokémon hops out of his Pokeball landing directly in front of Alessia. As if sensing His trainers pain the Pokeball whimpers nudging Alessia with his head earning himself some strokes. "I'm ok boy but could you destroy the posters behind you please." Turning around the loyal Pokémon takes one look at the horrific posters growling at them in offence and anger before using flamethrower to burn them all away turning them into nothing but ash. "Vaporeon use water gun to put out the fires." The water Pokémon appears and does as commands. "Come on we haven't got that far to go." Alessia says with no emotion before walking down the forest path with her two Pokémon flanking her as they talk to each other watching their surrounding acting almost like guards would.
"She didn't seem bothered." Ash states as we watch the champion walk away.
"You think she's seen something like this before." Dawn's question has merit striking fear into my heart. Alessia was far to calm about seeing this for her not to have seen something similar before. "I mean it makes sense doesn't it. She did say that Team Doom was targeting her and her family." Is this what she meant.
"Maybe she has." I add on before trailing after Alessia. Ash and Dawn follow after me. When Alessia asked us all to come and help her deal with this team she mentioned that they had an issue with her and her family but this is far more than an issue. This was a death threat. A personal attack on her and she barely blinked before moving on. How many times has she seen something like this to just be able to walk away like it's nothing.
Once we reach the house Alessia sends her Pokémon off to play with the other Pokémon on the ranch. "Mom and dad should be back soon. Feel free to do whatever you like until dinner. If you need me I'll be in my room. Our manger is asking us for our next album already so I have some music to write."
Leaving the two teens to deal with themselves I quietly follow my ex upstairs to her room. "How many times." I ask her shutting the door behind us. The worry for her is clear in my voice. She doesn't turn around to face me choosing to look out of window instead of facing me.
"Cynthia." She starts in a weak voice but I don't let her continue.
"How many times." My voice grows louder not wanting to hear her simply brush it off. I'm not angry at her. I'm angry at the people who are doing this to her. When she refuses to answer. I try again in a much gentler tone. "Alessia. How many times has this happened." I need to know how many times they've threatened you.
"Eleven." Her voice wavers and is a far cry from the person I grew to love. She sounds alone scared and tired. "Ethan and Mia have also had posters like this sent to them at their house. Bella Eric and Adam haven't yet but they are aware of what's been going on. I guess since only me and Ethan are the only two who live in a single area, we're the easier to target." I Know that when Alessia isn't here or at the Pokémon sanctuary she has an apartment Maine while Ethan lives with his girlfriend in Pertune city. Bella Eric and Adam haven't settled down yet and move from town to town randomly. They don't tend to stay long before moving on I guess it would be harder to get their attention with posters if they're never actually there to see them.
"Why didn't you tell me." Carefully I move towards her. I can't help but feel slightly insulted that she didn't think to share something this big with me. Then again do I have any right to feel the way I do. Everything about our current relationship confuses me.
"Because it's not important." She says turning around to face me. "Team Doom are doing far worse thing then this. It's just a scare tactic."
Just a scare she says.
"Then it's working." I tell her. "Because I'm pretty scared for you." I hate the way my voice breaks as I practically scream at my ex. But what I hate more is the fact that team Doom are doing this to her.
Alessia just releases a deep sigh and flops onto her bed. My bed. Our bed. No. Not our bed. Don't go their brain. "I can understand your concern C. trust me I'm terrified at the prospect of being killed but I can't just break down. Too many people are counting on me to protect them from this danger and I don't have any idea on how to do that. So, the very least I can do is make sure those bastards don't have the satisfaction of watching me break down over some stupid posters."
"Are your parents aware of what's going on." I can't even begin to imagine what my parents or grandparents would react to something like this happening to me.
"No. Not really. They are aware that we've got some death threats but not to the extent that you just saw."
"And is that the extent of it. I mean are posters the furthest it's gone." With the attack on the farm I dread to think what could come next for all the Queen's.
"At the moment yes. That attack here at the farm was the boldest move they made against us so far." She's says with complete calmness and control. I always knew she was strong much stronger than I am but to be able to handle something like this. I know I wouldn't be able to do it. "They can try all they like they won't succeed. They can threaten us all they like but my family doesn't stand alone. All this region's gym leaders stand with us to fight them. Not to mention the police force."
"Alessia." I try to say but she cuts me off with a begging glance.
"I don't want to talk about the rest yet." She jumps back up off her bed turning her back to me her fingers brushing against her musical equipment. "I need some time to get my thoughts in order."
Absentmindedly I nod my head agreeing to let her regain her control. It takes a few seconds for me to realise she has her back to me and therefore can't see me nod. "Right. Fine Of course. Yeah." I quickly verbalise. "Do you want me to leave."
Looking over her shoulder her eyes grow softer seeing my nervousness. Apart of me wants to go and check on Ash and Dawn but a larger part of me wants to remain here with Alessia to make sure she is ok. Even if she asked me to leave, I don't think I could go too far away from her.
"I don't mind if you stay." She empathises the you part and I ignore the way my heart flutters at the reminder that she also wants me to stay close to her.
"Then I'll stay. For as long as you want me too." I tell her taking a seat on the bed watching her as she starts making notes in a notebook. I wonder what she's righting. Lyrics, song ideas. Musical notes. Other music related things.
"You might be with me for a long time then if that's the case." She jokes softly not looking up from her work. If only she knew how pleasant I found that idea.
Ash's POV
After Alessia and Cynthia disappeared me and Dawn settled down on the vast fields that make up the Queen ranch. All around us Pokémon play with one another and relax under the warmth of the sun. There's a sense of peace and serenity here even after the attack. I guess the Pokémon just have that much trust in the Queen family to look out for them.
Pushing behind of the negativity from seeing those posters I unclasp the three pokeball's Professor Oak sent over to me. "Do you want to see the Pokémon I had sent over for me to use against Jolt."
Dawn lights up at this also pushing past the dark ideals that linger all around this new region. "Yes." She practically shouts giddily. "Jolt's an amazing trainer but I know you and your Pokémon can figure out a way to defeat him."
I can feel my face heat up from Dawn unwavering confidence in my abilities and praise. "Ok ." I throw the three pokeballs up into the air with stunsir. It'll be good for stunsir to meet some of my other pokemon. "Everyone come on out."
One by one my Pokémon appear in front of me.
Infernape my fire and fighting Pokémon from the Sinnoh region lands down first shouting out it's name in joy before rushing towards knocking me down as it's arms wrap around me in a hug. He's grown a lot since he first joined my team and I have no doubt that he is one of my strongest Pokémon. Especially now that it can control blaze.
"Hey, Infernape. Long time no see. Are you ready to help me take on this region's Pokémon." I ask once the fire type lets go of me. In response he once again outs out his name raising his hand into a fist signalling, he can't wait to battle with me once again.
Next to Infernape is Krookodile the shade wearing dark and ground Pokémon from the Unova region. This little guy used to follow me all around the region looking to battle against Pikachu. He folds his arm roaring out his name.
"What about you Krookodile are you ready to take on a whole new challenge." Krookodile confidently nods it's head.
Donphan is the finale pokemon I had Professor Oak send over to me. This huge Pokémon came to me as egg. Being a ground type like Krookodile I'm hoping this will give me an edge in the battle at the Silverdale gym. I rub Donphan's trunk. "Are you ready." Donphan give cheers in response.
Looking at my five gathered Pokémon I start to fill them in on what this region is like. "So this region is said to be one of the most challenging for trainers to compete in. After taking on the first gym and seeing the champion and one of the elite four battle I have to agree with that assessment. But I have no doubt that we can win this league if we all work together. Jolt is the first gym leader here. An electric master. He's good. Really good. But so are you. So let's begin training to win our first gym badge." All my gathered Pokémon cheer.
To begin I had Pikachu and stunsir attack my three reacquired Pokémon as they are electric Pokémon. I had them practice different manoeuvres I've learnt over all my years of travelling.
"it's great to see Infernape again." Dawn says from beside me as we watch my Pokémon battle.
"Yeah. I've missed working with him. With all of them really." It's true. I really have missed all my Pokémon and the bonds we worked so hard to forge with each other. I'm hoping during my time here I will be able to make up to them about leaving them behind at Professor Oak's lab while I've ran off to find new adventures.
"I bet they're just as glad to see you." She says as if sensing my thoughts. Before I could respond she move the subject on. "Jolt's gym is a two on two. You brought back three Pokémon. So which two are you going to use."
When I was selecting which Pokémon I wanted to use I thought about Jolt and about him being a counter attacking gym leader. Naturally ground would work in my advantage but I'm willing to bet that he plans on how to deal with ground type pokemon. This is why I brought infernape with me. Being a fire type it has the advantage over two of Jolt's known pokemon.
"Well it all depends on what pokemon Jolt uses. We know he has a Galvantula and Magnezone which infernape has the fire advantage over the bug and steel types. Both Kroodoile and Dophan are ground types which gives them an advantage over electric types but due to Magnezones levitation ground has no effect on it so a ground type wouldn't work against it. But if he uses a different Pokémon one we haven't seen yet then ground should have the advantage. Honestly, I don't know which two I will use it all depends on what jolt uses on the day."
I just hope on the day my first Pokémon can take his out otherwise I'm flying blind on what his second Pokémon is. Either way this time when I enter that gym I'll be leaving with my first gym badge. Like Dawn says there's no need to worry.