"What do you mean, we can't go in?" Seo-yun asked, crossing her arms. Next to her, Lilac sat down in the dirt, tending to his Rowlet. Further behind was James, as if he couldn't stand to be any closer to the others.
"You must have 8 badges to continue on the route," the guard said, shrugging his arms.
Seo-yun sighed, running her hands through her hair. What she had expected to be a quick trip turned out to be a two hour walk to the middle of nowhere, only to be stopped by an officer. It was hot, she was hungry, and craving a cigarette- even though she hadn't had one in months.
Not to mention her newfound companions- Lilac and James. Lilac was quiet, with an odd manner of staring. James was rude, angry, and irritable, all the time. In her two hours of knowing him, she'd only seen him smile once- and only at Luna.
Which surprised her, to be honest. He was so companionable and affectionate with the ninetails, and they seemed to be one- literally. They walked in time with each other, and they bristled together at unwanted intrusions. It was as if they were connected, one soul in two bodies.
The thought made her heart ache.
"He means to say we cannot pass until we beat each and every gym in the region. And that means battling," James said gruffly, drawing Seo-yun from her thoughts. Beside him, Luna rubbed her head against his calf in an affectionate manner.
Seo-yun nodded in understanding, turning around and walking back the way they came. "So, Lilac. What brings you to Kalos?"
Lilac flinched. "How do you know I'm not from here?" he asked, glancing at her. She smiled companionably.
"You have an accent. It's more prominent with certain letters," Seo-yun explained, but she was quickly cut off by James's deep voice.
"How about we skip the conversation and get going?" He snapped, picking up the pace and walking briskly down the paved road. "I have things to accomplish."
Lilac stood before the first gym, glancing up at Henry nervously. While he had battled before, and won usually due to Agatha's strict regimen of training, he'd never really challenged a gym. It just didn't seem important at the time.
James, on the other hand, seemed almost eager. He smiled hungrily, coming to life at the prospect of a challenge. Seo-yun seemed indifferent to the occasion.
"I don't have a full team yet," Lilac murmured softly. "I only have three, not counting Henry. He's not really much of a fighter."
"You don't need a full team to win- it's only the first gym. Six year olds can beat their first gym," James said, albeit a little roughly.
Seo-yun opened the door to the gym, peering inside. "It's a bug type gym. Weak to fire, psychic, and flying type Pokemon. Got any of those?"
Lilac smiled then- a brief pull at his lips before fading entirely. "I have a Lycanroc. Her attack and speed stats are perfect, actually."
With a flick of his wrist, he released the Pokemon from it's sphere. There was a howl of delight, and a large yet dignified Pokemon appeared on all fours. Her fur was a shiny orange, yet faded to white on her thighs, with a shaggy white mane that could rival a Luxray's. She held her head high and peered about, ears perked, green eyes glinting.
"This is Malachite. She's a dusk-form Lycanroc- I don't take her out much, because she tends to challenge everyone she meets. Literally- the last time I let her out she ended up going on a rampage," he said, leaning down to scratch the rock-type behind the ears. The Pokemon leaned into his touch, before turning to face Luna.
Malachite tilted her head, sniffed the air- and let out a snarl. Her fur bristled, she dropped to a crouch, and bared her fangs. James raised a brow.
"Seems she wants a battle. What do you say, Luna?" James asked, eyes clouding with some distant memory. Luna stood to her full height, raised her many tails, and howled.
Seo-yun chuckled. "I think she says yes."
Lilac closed his eyes, took a deep breath. Now was time to center himself. It was time to shove every thought of Valerie out of his mind, if only for 10 minutes. He could not afford to be distracted- Malachite was a living being. Malachite was, possibly, his best friend- which didn't say much, considering she was his only friend.
Which was exactly why he couldn't fail her. And he knew she wouldn't let him down, either- not because she particularly cared for him, but rather, she cared too much for herself.
Malachite was vain. Point blank period. She was vain, rude, and demanding- not to mention moody- but she was a good Pokemon.
A good friend.
And when he opened his eyes, there was no hint of Valerie in his expression. Just determination. Malachite sensed the change, and she glanced up at him with what seemed to be a smile.
It had really been too long since he'd battled. He had forgotten what it felt like- to feel something again.
Ten feet before him crouched James- literally crouched in a stance, not unlike a Pokemon- murmuring something in Luna's ear. The Ninetails flattened her ears against her head and readied herself. Just then, the sky cleared of all clouds, and the sun blazed even hotter than before- drought.
"Malachite, use Accelerock! Ninetails is fast!" Lilac commanded, raising his voice. Malachite's eyes glinted as she dashed forward, almost too fast for the eye to see, and slammed into the fire-type with all her might. There was the sound of crashing rocks- the Pokemon had hardened her mane right before impact.
James's eyes darkened, and the Ninetails spun around, raised her head and howled- three ghostly spheres appearing and melting into Malachite's flesh. Lilac flinched, mind coming to quick conclusions.
James and Luna were close- very close. Much closer than him and Malachite. The fact that he could command without actually verbalizing them- proved their connection. They could read each other. Lilac sucked in his breath; he had only seen this once before.
Valerie. Valerie was close to her Sylveon like this; and no matter how much he tried to defeat her, her bond prevailed, every time. It was more than skill that came into this kind of battling. It was love, loyalty, and friendship.
His face flashed with pain for a moment, and that moment cost him. Luna twisted her tails and opened her maw, flames licking at the air as a torrent of fire burst out. Malachite barely avoided the blow, snapping her jaws in the air.
"Sorry, Malachite!" He called, focusing once more. The Pokemon responded with an angry growl. "Use swords dance!"
James chuckled. "Luna, you know what to do."
The fire-type held held her head high, let out two sharp barks, and a green glare seemed to overtake the sun.
Lilac's mind worked the calculations quickly- with drought in play, there wouldn't be enough time to avoid it. There was nothing he could do. He could call her back, but it would only hurt Malachite's pride. He knew her well- she'd rather faint than retreat.
"Malachite, use Stone edge!" Lilac commanded, just as the beam of light began to charge towards Malachite. The rock-type let loose a torrent of rocks, rising from the ground, aimed for Luna.
There was nothing Lilac could do but watch as Solarbeam slammed into Malachite, knocking her back on her side. She let out a scream of pain- and Lilac winced. He hated that sound.
Just then, Stone Edge ripped into Luna, both of their moves doing catastrophic damage. Just when Lilac thought they'd won- Malachite fainted.
"What the hell?" Lilac asked. James smirked, coming forward.
"Never underestimate the power of status affects. Malachite was burned, remember?"
Lilac dropped to his knees, down next to his fallen Pokemon. The Lycanroc whimpered, batted its tail against the ground once, and promptly passed back out.
He ran his hands down her side, wincing at the burns on her fur. "Got any revives?"
Seo-yun, who had been watching, pulled one out of her back. It was the size of her palm, with jagged spikes. Looking at Lilac's confused expression, she explained.
"Max revive. It'll fully heal her- and you'll need it. We still haven't fought the gym yet," she said with a smile. Lilac nodded, taking it and breaking it into smaller pieces, gently easing them into the Pokemon's throat.
Beside Lilac, James murmured to Luna and scratched her behind the ears. Within a few moments, Malachite had gotten to her feet and sniffed cautiously at her wounds. Luckily, they were already mended beneath the medical properties of the medicine.
She walked forward, pressed her nose to the Ninetail's flank, just below her shoulder. Lilac tensed, James narrowed his eyes- but all was well. Malachite licked the Ninetails across her muzzle and returned to Lilac's side, content.
Lilac got to his feet, holding out an outstretched hand to James. He considered it for a moment, before grunting and getting to his feet on his own and brushing past the younger male.
"Let's get this over with," James began. "I don't want to spend anymore time in this place than I have too."