Chapter Thirty-Five

Dealing with myself grew tiring pretty quickly. I hated the fact that was ultimately too afraid to say what was on my mind when clear-headed. Every time I tried, a mental roadblock appeared with a sign saying 'Hold those Ponytas! I'll kick your mental ass if you even try to say that!'. So I was forced to settle on being mildly frustrated around Professor Sycamore. He didn't seem to mind the off-putting behavior as usual.

After my most recent fainting episode and bouncing back from it, we somehow got to plan our next destination. Taking the Mind Badge from the gym leaders in Mossdeep City was next item on the trainer to-do list. For people to get there however is a bit tricky. It wasn't connected to the rest of Hoenn like Dewford, and wasn't close for a small boat ride. We would either have to travel by air, or take the expansive sea route. Of course we wouldn't be using Pokémon in either scenario because Pelipper wasn't strong enough to support the two of us, and both options weren't one day trips. Worrying though, wasn't much of an issue outside of the professor finding a proper ticket booth for getting us on a bigger boat. I suggested the plane ride, but he said they cost way too much. Well maybe if you cut down on the fancy dinners and hotels, then it would be a good idea!

When everything was packed in our small packs, we went over to Lilycove's port in order to board the S.S. Tidal. And just like the first time, it was still stifling hot with the combination of the afternoon sun and seething mass of bodies. My ears buzzed from the overwhelming noises; how could anybody think around here? Well, it seems like Professor Sycamore had a grip on things as he easily maneuvered through like nothing bothered him.

We ended up exploring nearly the entire port until noticing a growing flux of trainers and tourists. Very soon, we meshed with the crowd, which then morphed into a tightly packed line. The Professor had his hand interlocked with mine as we steadily moved up towards the ivory white titan of a ship. Having us hold hands wasn't anything new if you already didn't know, but I felt more anxious this time around because of all the people that just might be conscious enough to witness it. But despite my fears, nobody did a double-take; not a soul said anything about it.

Still, you can't blame me for making constant quick glances everywhere all the way to the ship's ticket master at the top. Speaking of which, when it came time to give up our tickets, the professor took them out of his breast pocket and handed them over with a polite smile. The ticket master obtained them and returned a gentlemanly smile.

"Ah, bienvenue à bord du Professeur Sycomore! Avez-vous apprécié votre séjour dans la région?"

"Un peu trop chaud à mon goût, mais je suppose que les souvenirs se sont révélés être une belle compensation,"

"*Laughs* Oui, beaucoup trop chaud, mais nous devrions être dans des eaux plus fraîches après deux jours,"

"Je vous remercie. Mon étudiant sera heureux d'entendre de telles bonnes nouvelles,"

"étudiant?"

I was cluelessly watching the two men strike up a conversation in French. A minute of talking however, prompted the complete stranger to steal a look of me. Fuck he knows! Act natural! My hand instantly tore away from the professor's, and this disgusting, braying noise suddenly bursted out from me. Strangely though, the man let out a short laugh himself.

"Elle est si timide, tu es sûre qu'elle est une entraîneuse?"

"Assez sûr! Bien qu'elle soit si nouvelle à l'ensemble. Cependant, j'ai l'intention de lui apprendre très minutieusement "

The Professor's hand gently patted me on the head as if he was pitying me. Dam, I wish I knew what they were saying. They both laughed good-naturedly and bid farewell to each other before I was taken further on the ship. Now would be a good time to ask questions.

"Professor…." I started while giving him a suspicious look. "Who the hell was that?"

He didn't stop or flinch to answer the question. We were in a crowd of people so it wouldn't have been smart to do either of those things.

In response, I could only imagine the smirk he made to himself as he answered:

"Just another fellow Kalosian,"


'Fellow Kalosian' indeed as Professor Sycamore would put it, because I encountered a lot more of those when everything settled down and the ship casted off from the amazing harbor. It was silly of me to initially think that people from Kalos were all together mysterious, predatory aliens from another planet; but then again the only contact I had with a Kalosian up til now had been 'that' guy. These people were outgoing and proper, friendly and quiet, shy and animated. There was also this thing where they would kiss each other on the cheek sometimes when they met up; I kinda wasn't into that. Fortunately, there were also trainers from other regions onboard to make me feel less alienated. Still, I gotta ask:

"Professor, why are there a bunch of Kalosians going to Mossdeep? There's a space center and all, but if I was a tourist, I'd go somewhere with a Ferris wheel or somethin',"

We had currently been exploring this maze of a ship below to hunt for our assigned cabin. Being the only cruise liner in Hoenn, it was crafted to be the best for all that travelers who either got lazy enough to want a boat, wasn't a trainer or made their vacation the boat…at least that's what the brochure told us. Part of it. Professor Sycamore had casually snatched it away from me for his own personal interest in it before I could finish. But the pictures of the inside vividly matched from everything I took in. Its interior theme had a crimson carpet lining the floor with the walls being gold with cream stripes. From what it looked like, it had its own regal theme going on. This was starting to make me feel out of place.

Upon hearing my concern, he turned back with a matter-of-factly smile. "Darling, did you forget? The Hoenn region is one enormous attraction! It does not matter where one goes to venture in leisure as long as the pleasure itself is obtained! Pretty Birdie of mine…you must learn to open that closed mind of yours! Daddy dearest is not around, you know,"

Yeah, yeah. He didn't need to add that last bit at the end….dick.

And my inward commentary couldn't have been truer when I gave him a glare of disapproval, and his response had been to snicker a little too delightfully. I was going to open my mouth to tell him off as the door to our cabin was reached and opened. At once, the urge to make an insulting comment died in the face of what I was seeing: ONE BED. Well, the cabin was nice, but describing that wasn't important now is it?!

"Here we are! A very impressive accommodation if I do say so myself. Now in you go!"

Anybody care to guess how many anxious knots formed in my stomach?

He attempted to nudge me inside, but all four extremities held fast against the door frame. Sweat instantly decided to seep from my skin to further add discomfort as well as increase unnecessary anxiety. Shit, shit, shit! How the fresh hell do I get outta this one?! My body quickly made the shift around to face the direction of the professor, but my eyes bounced around everywhere else for an excuse.

"I-I-I!"

My voice stammered pathetically to stall. But just as it seemed hopeless, the desperate prayer had been answered in the form of a trainer, who casually strolled by our cabin. The trainer and I happened to lock eyes. She hesitated for a moment, and that was all I needed.

"AH-HAH!" I exclaimed with a finger fiercely pointed at her. The girl suddenly looked irritated like it was a common encounter.

Battling Pokémon was a staple livelihood for those who want the hard-working career of being a trainer. Normally when someone wants to engage, you look them in the eye and then the battle starts. Simple, but effective. But with that said, there are exceptions when somebody speaks up and says: 'Actually, I don't feel like battling. Maybe some other time's. Its usually tasteful to respect the other party's wishes not to fight and go look somewhere else. I however, am not.

She was starting to mouth those very words when my feet and hands made an all-time personal record of running over to clamp a hand over her mouth. To prevent any struggling that would follow, a free arm went over her shoulder like we were the best of rivals.

"Didn't think I'd notice, DIDJA?! That attempt of a back out may work on any spineless coward, but it sure as hell won't on me! I reeeeally HATE asinine trainers like you! In fact, I think I'll beat your trainer ass up and down the deck all night if I have to!"

"MMRGH!"

My captive-*cough* I mean fellow trainer was rightfully bothered by these words and elbowed me roughly in my sides to break free. Yes it hurt, but there's no way I'm letting go so easily!

"Yeah Professor, I can't let this shit slide! There's like….no way Imma let her get away with this! Don't wait up for me at all!

The arm that caught her by the shoulder was used as a pulling mechanism to drag her along with me up the stairs. Meanwhile I could hear the wild pounding my heart had been making. I didn't have the guts to look back to see if Professor Sycamore was going to follow me. Being a hunter mostly for the sickening pleasure of it, he preferred to take his time with things; playing with his victims in a way where he held power over them, used a situation for an advantage or simply waited for the object of desire to wear themselves out. This is the part where I inwardly laughed.

I knew all of this, so why was I stalling anyway? Clearly I hadn't kicked him like the bad habit he is, and he didn't show signs of disinterest. You'd think after sleeping with him twice, he'd get bored from my lack of experience. Maybe I should stop fighting and admit it already. Admit that he's a real-life prince charming hot boy, and that I want him to feed me chips and soda all day long! Good arceus, I need to-hang on a dam minute! I can't do that shit! That's exactly what he wants! *scoff* Nice try Professor Augustine Sycamore, but I'm not gonna buy into your shit! I'm gonna-BAM!

Suddenly, as I took several steps on the finally reached deck, a fist materialized in the further left direction and assaulted me in the eye. Honestly I had it coming, but it didn't change the fact of how much I was swearing up a storm and clutching my face in the aftermath. The culprit? Well anybody shouldn't be too surprised it was the now angry victim with her fist still in a ball. She eyed me warily.

"Hey man! Whaddya think ya doin'?! I'm gonna cuall the caups on yauw dumbass!"

Eh? What's up with that weird accent? Where the hell is she from anyway? Okay, focus May! Explain yourself before you get thrown in jail! Also, make a note to find some ice.

First, I allowed myself a few seconds of nursing my injury before trying to expose my face. That was a bit difficult to do.

"Hey, hey, wait a sec! We're both girls here; and I really needed to not uh...I just wanted to get away from that weird guy and stuff! I mean, you know what that's like, right? Guys suck!"

"….GO MISTAH PIGGLES!"

Suddenly, the deck shook violently from the presence of a giant, flaming pig. It stood just over an inch above Chirpie; which is a pretty big deal when compared to a human. Standing mightily on its legs, you'd think it was showing off its brown and black short fuzz coat with that golden pattern ringing around its waist. But what had me glued to its features had been the sporadic flames decorating its neck.

You know, if he didn't look like a vicious beast from hell, I would've snorted from understanding that this trainer had the cruelty of naming her animal 'Mistah Piggles'. Chirpie was totally a cooler sounding for an eventual flaming bird! But I don't think dwelling on names is a smart idea right now.

The fact couldn't have been truer when this beast furiously brought down a heavy fist; right in front of me to break a hole in the deck. The wood splintered everywhere, and I fell back just from the pressure it created in the air. Unholy shit! This chick is insane! I'm all for causing mass destruction, but not on a place where it friggin' fragile and I'm standing on it!

Speaking of her, the girl glared at me in distain. I jumped back up to my feet.

"I don't give a flying fuck if we're giols'! Nobody makes me do what they want and gets away wit' it! Hilda Hawthorn is gonna beat ya to a pulp!"

The angry pig swung again, and I barely missed it in favor of landing on an innocent chair sitter. Very nice of them to break my fall, but I got an earful of gripes in return. Geez, I'm pissing people off left and right today. But there was no time to listen (even though I wasn't gonna) because the Pokémon planned to flatten me into a pancake.

Doing a backflip, I promptly landed on top of a table full of plates with food and a couple who were torn out of what I assumed was a romantic moment. One hand was raised defensively in the form of a balled fist. The other held out Chripie's pokeball. Okay, no more Miss nice May Maple! Also, considering that most of my serious enemies were girls, I really should be less lenient on the whole 'sisterhood' thing; that was really kicking my ass.

"Not if May Maple can do it first! GOOO CHIRPIE!"

I threw the ball fiercely on the ground; which bounced once, twice, three times before opening up in an explosion of light and morphed into the firebird I knew and loved. He stood up bravely in front of Mistah Piggles and went into an offensive stance. The fire pig paused briefly to scan his new opponent. Its flames flared up in preparation of a heated battle. The hushed noises from the four of us in that moment felt deafening.

"…..USE YOUR SKY UPPERCUT!"

"…..ASSOIRANCE THAT BITCH!"

Both Pokémon jumped forward at once to meet each other. Chripie was by every comparison faster than his fat counterpart as he cocked back a talon and aimed directly at its skulled. But when he got close enough to launch it, the animal had also maneuvered with a fist just as fast. My firebird certainly connected the devastating uppercut, but so had Mistah Piggles. The pig's aim was dead center on his chest.

As a result, both Chirpie and Mistah Piggles got flown back. My bird firefighter got knocked into the nearby buffet, while Hilda's pig fire/fighting-type landed in the pool. Surprisingly, the only injured casualty had been my human opposition. She was impacted accidentally by her partner and went right into the body of chlorinated water with him. A few seconds of wild splashing around, and they reached the edge. They both looked angry.

"Yau'we so goin' down! Go and kick that Choi'pe butt, Mistah Piggles!"

"It's 'Chirpie' ya crazy maniac!"

That got her boiling mad. Not that I care about her feelings; it was funny to see the girl struggle back on the deck soaking wet. She had to wring the water out of her long side bangs and ponytail.

Her Pokémon on the other hand merely hoisted himself back onto the wood via his buff arms and got back on his feet. Its neck ignited aflame once more; ready to attempt another smack down. At the same time, Chirpie climbed from the wreckage of the food table with a piece of an octillery leg hanging from his beak. In one go, he sucked the tentacle down. I would've done the same thing.

Silly moment aside, part of the deck was ruined and patrons were now voicing complaints against us, saying that there was a perfectly good battle court below for us to use. These stupid whiners! Does it look like I'm having fun right now?! One idiot had the guts to tell us that his peaceful atmosphere was ruined. I promptly turned my head.

"Shut your fucking mouth!"

"Shut ya fucking mouth!"

Eh? I glanced back at the same time as my enemy with surprised faces. How could this bloodthirsty chick have the same thoughts in my head?! Come to think about it, we both had head accessories, wore shorts and nearly the same hairstyle (I say nearly because her ponytail is longer than mine). Tch, I must be tricking myself into thinking that. Well don't try anymore cause she tryin' to kill your ass!

But back to the battle, both Pokémon charged at each other again, this time attempting some sort of double arm wrestle, but ended up butting foreheads. Chirpie being the not most thick-headed of the two had stumble back; giving his foe a chance to quickly lash out a series of arm thrusts against his face. He was able to take three of the open palmed hits before crashing on the deck. And now of course was the part where panic nearly squeezed all the blood outta my heart. The first owned, strongest partner of mine was getting his ass handed to him on a silver platter by a giant fire pig! However, I should know that he doesn't bow down so easily.

Accounting for this fact couldn't be truer when Chirpie's leg suddenly combusted; putting style and strength into a kick going straight into Mistah Piggles' thick stomach. His flame bursted wildly across a long radius, with a few embers landing on tables and setting them on fire. Who cares though?! The kick had the desired effect of knocking the wind outta that dam monster; which was followed by a knee ramming into the same spot.

"Stay up on ya feet Mistah Piggles!"

"You got the upper hand Chirpie! Kick his ass!"

Chirpie squawked in agreement while taking advantage of his petite body type to deliver a swift, speedy kick. But when the attack successfully aimed, launched and hit square in the chest, Mistah Piggles seized his leg with its three hooved...claw things. At least I can tell what Chirpie has for hands; I don't know what that thing's sportin'. Well we really should've seen that coming in any case.

The opposing trainer created a villainous smile across her face the moment my Pokémon had got caught. Yeah, there was no way we had anything in common.

"Alrite! Now tauss that scrub ovaboa-"

"Hey you rotten brats!"

Our heated tension had a metaphorical bucket of water abruptly thrown its icy cold contents on all four of us and turned to whomever had interrupted the situation. I really had to process the red megaphone, professional jacket and shiny badge in order to come to the conclusion that this man and his two other co-workers were the security guards for the cruise liner. Then it took seconds to figure out how much Pokémon mulch I was in. Maybe he meant one brat instead of two. Good arceus I hope so.

"Oh...He-hello!...what brings you all here?"

"Whaddya want, deadbeats?"

Hilda once again proved how tasteless she could get. Throwing a dirty look her way had been highly appropriate. Not that I'm a fan of discount law enforcement, but that doesn't mean I'm eager to pick a fight-wait a minute! Didn't she threaten to call them on me earlier?! Talk about some major fucking hypocrisy! As much as I wanted to strangle her, doing it in front of security wouldn't go so well.

"You stupid kids are in BIG trouble! The whole top deck is ruined, and the cost of it is coming out of your parent's checkbooks!"

Okay, this wasn't good. Dad might go easy on me, but if Mom found out, I could forget doing anything that so much as resembled fun for the next thirty years!

I did what any sensible person would do: Hold out Chirpie's pokeball and return him in it to start off. Then I stepped forward in an oddly polite manner. "*Ahem* I'm real sorry about the damage we caused-"

My feet suddenly took off running in the opposite direction; moving to find a staircase leading downward. Escaping security by creating an impossible way to follow me was the idea that came to mind, but not running back to my supposed cabin. Picturing 'that bastard' waiting there smiling all happily and politely agreeing to pay for the damages so he could hang the favor over my head like a sword wasn't a pretty one. I'd rather be prancing around my dad in a dress than be held hostage by an I.O.U to Professor Sycamore.

"Hey, dis ain't a half bad idea! Way to stick it to em'!"

"How the hell didja follow me so fast?!"

Hoping that the Hilda girl would be annoying enough to the cruise liner security for me to make my escape proved to be a failure. Somehow, she not only withdrew her Pokémon as fast as me, but actually kept up with out fast I was running! The epiphany couldn't have been more humiliating; especially when seeing her face crack a grin. I should put out my leg to trip her.

The tempting thought lingered in my overworked brain, but settled with an audible groan. You can bet your ass Horrible Hilda Hawthorne heard what awful gesture breathed out of my throat. I don't give a rattata's ass cause that ship sailed, got shot up and sank within the depths of my moral consciousness.

Anyway making our way downstairs, the pace was hurried and we were secret haven-bound. The security guards behind us began gaining distance. Furthermore, our escape was made worse when the words 'Go ariados' was shouted by the opposition. Normally any moron would stop to stare and face off, but this moron is smart enough to get the hell outta dodge. Now if only the moron next to me would take one for the team and fall behind. Realistically though: It didn't matter how many people accidently tripped, there were slim chances of outrunning that kind of poison/ bug-type spider. The smartest course of action would be to fight back. And just as I got to the last step, a thick gob of silky string shot my foot and attached it to the floor. Fuck! Now I gotta fight!

Getting out my pokeball, I held it in the face of the giant purple spider that crawled down the stairs after us.

"Goooo Dustox!"

The big moth came out and flapped her powdery wings with gusto before moving in front of me like a body guard. "Okay girl, blow that ariados away with a gust of wind!" I shouted while energetically pointing to our oncoming target. Dustox understood and began to beat her wings even faster; bits of powder blew against my face to make the effect of having blotches of uneven make-up on me.

The moth's gusts of wind blasted against the security guard's bug; in which was very effective, but I didn't account for retaliation when her opponent suddenly blasted out gobs of spider silk. My moth flitted about to avoid as much as she could before getting caught by the wing. The weight of it disrupted her flight, and thus fell to the ground like a helpless victim. Oh fuck.

I grabbed Pelipper's ball in hopes of being fast enou-

"*SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH*!"

An eagle-like figure suddenly flew past my head and landed a slice of wind on an unprepared ariados. The spider instantly crumpled like a piece of paper. That was…an unexpected save, but what the hell-Areugh! It then appeared before me in the time that I used to blink.

Standing at all of my height with a menacing aura, this bird stared at me for a second, and then used its very sharp, curved beak to effortlessly tear apart the web stuck to my foot. I wasn't sure what this bird's motives were, until a certain person's voice laughed sinisterly behind me.

"HAHAHA! Good joab Braviary! You on that othah hand really blow!"

WHAT?! I don't blow! I'm gonna strangle that damage-causing, weird-sounding, time bomb! But acting on those instincts (tempting as it was) wasn't a top priority with security guards coming down the stairs after us. Two of them fiddling with their belts for their pokeballs. Now's a good time as any to bail.

Dustox was still miserably tangled up, but I had enough time to withdraw her from the battlefield and flee. Reluctantly, I also seized Hilda's wrist to pull her along. She didn't hafta get me out of a bind, and I honestly would've left her if the tables were turned. Maybe we can call this a 'sorta truce'?

"Hey, hey! You don't wanna kick they asses neither? Whaddya, some kind of goil scout?"

"I'm not going to jail because of you, so shut up or I'll leave you behind!"


"Ugh….good arceus these towels smell,"

"We've been hea' for a while! I'm pausitive that those dumb guads are gaun by now!"

"*sigh*…fine I'll go look, but if I'm caught, then you're going down with me!"

Being the lookout was nothing short of dangerous. Exposing my bright red bandana and clashing chocolate brown hair in a sea of cotton white towel is kinda like holding up a sign that says 'right here stupid'. Hilda could've gone instead of me, but I still felt like I owed her for helping me make a getaway. It had been at least two hours since we shook off the security guards, but uneasiness plagued us. Even now felt like an inevitable death sentence as I cautiously poked my head out of the linen cart we buried ourselves in. I did a drastic three-sixty degree turn several times to scan the muggy laundry room. Lucky for us, only the occasional laundered passed by; too busy to notice us.

You have no idea how relieved I was to give those guards the slip! My life so far hadn't gotten screwed up by any serious offenses. There was no possible way in hell that I could begin to imagine what my parents would do to me if I ever committed a crime that was so much as a misdemeanor! But argues finally decided that I had enough torture and gave me a break.

"Okay, its all clear!" I declared; pulling my body from the small pit of used towels and unceremoniously fall to the floor. Hilda endured the same process of freeing herself and slimming onto the tile at the pace of a gastropod-like Pokémon. Hiding underneath all that gross linen will naturally suck the life outta any poor soul. Even now I found it a struggle to so much as stand up properly.

We both had to sit back down and recover for a few minutes before successfully picking ourselves up and casually pretend that our presence in the laundry room had been born from a mistake in directions. our feigning ignorance had convinced the head laundress that we were simply looking for the bathroom. The deception let us off with slaps on the wrists and allowed us to scramble out of the room largely unscathed.

After doubly making sure we were truly safe, Hilda and I planned on shaking hands and go our separate ways. As soon as they touched however, both of our stomachs growled irritably.

"Hey…wanna get something to eat?"

"Eh, shouire,"

So off we went; hitting up another Buffett with intentions of stuffing our faces. Although, we argued about getting certain portions first like it was gonna permanently run out. The fight-breaker was a somewhat friendly game of rock-paper-scissors instead of battling (for painfully obvious reasons). Fortunately, that was the only thing to transpire.

Once we ate our fill, Hilda and I boldly went back up to the deck to chat. The two of us sat perched on the railing. Watching the sea roll about was pleasant to the eyes while listening to each other talk. I told her about my journey so far, and in turn, she shared her progress with me. Hilda is a trainer from the Unova region who decided to take a vacation. "Yea', this regin's alright," she admitted while continuing to stare at the water. "Well its like, 90 percent in the boonies, but in a good way,"

"Yeah, Its almost like Johto, which is probably why I like it. Kinda miss my hometown though,"

"I don't blame ya. I miss my ma and Numeva Town. I guess I've just been procrastinatin' on goin' back,"

"*chuckles* Yeah, I'm like that too. So are you going after we stop at Mossdeep?"

Instead of hearing some sort of smart reply, Hilda got all quiet; which forced me to tear my gaze away from the waves to see what was wrong. Good arceus, I didn't say something to get her panties in a bunch, did I? My idea to the ending of today didn't involve another disastrous Pokémon battle.

Thankfully, only a mask of confusion settled on-wait, why does she look confused?

"What? What did I say?"

"Uuuh…I tink ya gaut on tha wraung boat. Dis' one's goin' ta Coumarine,"

…what?

Hearing that revelation wasn't immediately clicking in my brain. I froze staring at the equally confused acquaintance. Going to Coumarine? There's no way she could be right! I mean I still have two more badges to get! Then there's Hoenn's Regional Pokémon league! Professor Sycamore's a lot of things, but an irresponsible moron is not one of them! So, you have to understand how unbelieving my face looked when trying to tell her she might be the geographically challenged one. I let out a skeptical laugh to boot.

"Coumarine? You didn't bang your head when we were running away right? This boat's going to Mossdeep,"

"Nah-uh! Take a look, see?"

Hilda went into her short pocket and took out her wrinkled ticked stub; smoothing out the thin paper before showing it to prove she wasn't making it up. My hand snatched it away out of annoyance for insistence. "Its right here Hilda! Look: It says in ink that we're docking in the Coumarine City Harbor! That dam head isn't screwed on ri-"

The epiphany that set in seconds after my dumb statement somehow didn't accompany a heart attack. This time, I slowly read the paper again to pick up every detail of its printed words. Oh shit…this boat really is going to Coumarine! How could the Professor screw up this bad?! He insisted we were supposed to be on this boat! Nudging me along with collected reassurances that there was nothing to worry about! Ugh, fucking idiot!

His fuck-up started to make me really angry. My instinct to strangle his neck prompted me to wordlessly to drop back down on the deck so I could hunt the man down. TCH! All of these people are in my way to add the shit cherry on top! I can't even tell some of them to piss off because they can only speak-…..

"….Hilda…which region is Coumarine City in?"

"Hm? You don't know tat neither? Dam, you really need to lauin how ta read maps! Coumarine's in ta Kalos regin! Can't even believe you gaut yaself on the wraung boat,"

To her, I looked like an idiot. Kinda fair for her to think that since the general assumption that the fault had been all mine. But who was the one who suggested the boat ride in the first place? The one who bought the tickets and held onto them; making the excuse that I'd lose mine in a heart beat? The same person who tried to keep me in the cabin the second we got onboard?

All that anger shriveled up as I pieced together the truth behind these seemingly casual intentions. There's no way he could be that crazy right? I mean…I…I don't feel so good…

The taste of fear rose up in my throat and threatened to spill out on the polished wood. My head was bowed and I had to rest both on my knees, but nothing happened. A good thing too, because what I decided to do next required me to be at my best. I turned around quickly to face a concerned Hilda who didn't yet budge from the railing.

"Hey…you alright? You look like ya gonna pass out on me. Lotsa people get on the wraung boat aull the time. You can still get auff and go to Maussdeep if one of ya Pokémauwn can sauwf,"

Hilda was thankfully merciful about not teasing me further about my supposed mistake; which is something I really don't need right now considering the magnitude of a much bigger problem. For a short-tempered Unovian, she was pretty alright. Maybe we're not so different after all. I mean we both had a fire/fighting-type Pokémon in our parties. It makes me wonder what her professor was like; if she had one. Speaking of which…

I cleared my throat and tried recovering from the initial shock of betrayal. Trying to maintain a façade of coolness is easier said than done, but it managed to morph into something that resembled its likeness. "Uh...thanks. I'm gonna just go then...but uh, it was nice meetin' ya," I somehow got out with an awkward wave. Hilda smirked back with a tip of her ball cap.

"Likewise. You ain't so bad yaself. Jauwst keep trainin' those Pokémauwn though; you really need tha work!"

I gave her a look, but it didn't hold the animosity like it originally did in our first encounter. I gave her a two-fingered salute and turned to where I could find a lifeboat to use as my getaway vehicle. Instead of seeing the environment of the upper deck, my nose uncomfortably smacked into somebody's silk shirt. The confusion caused me to wildly back up, but I realized that I had been still casted in the towering shadow of Professor Augustine Sycamore. A calm smile stretching across his face perfectly matched the dream-like gaze he had locked onto me. Harmless and a little bit weird to anyone who saw it. To me: It terrified every part of my soul.

"Birdie..."

He maintained an innocent tone while taking a step forward. Deceptive as his voice and expression was, it had been just that type of demeanor that should've been so blatantly obvious to me from the beginning. The poker face of EVIL. "I have been searching for you all day! To where have you been busying yourself?"

"…."

"AH! Silence I see. Well, one could only hang onto the hope that it had nothing to do with an overwhelming mountain of evidence of destruction around the ship. But I am certain that it must have been the doing of another, no?"

"…."

"What is this? Not so much as a single retort; you look terrified even! But do not fear darling: I am far from angry. For who would correct the mistakes of the pupil, when the blame purely lands on the tutor for not teaching them proper manners? But you must be tired. Come back with me now, do? Perhaps I can help calm those poor nerves,"

He reached out to seize my hand like always to pull me along with him. What happened this time was my hand suddenly slapping his away. The action surprised Professor Sycamore out of his charming façade for but a moment; although it was enough to get a glimpse of irritation in his features. That mistake on his part allowed my confidence to burn more fiercely. Meanwhile, Hilda looked like she had been thrusted into a very strange situation and could only awkwardly watch. A fair reaction when you don't really know who the opposition is and what they're capable of.

With a pointed finger, I proceeded to judge him for the shady bastard he was.

"NO! You lied to me! This boat's not going to Mossdeep...is it?

The question in question wasn't so much as to find out the truth. Hilda may be a violent-prone trainer, but I had a feeling that she's more honest than the supposed authorative figure standing right in front of me. This was more to make him confess his plot of duplicity. Somehow, it was still heart-breaking disappointment when the professor let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair.

He looked away for his much-needed moment, and then locked back onto me. Wearing a more sympathetic expression this time.

"Oh dear…there is no fooling you. But you must understand I had only the best intentions. That whole ordeal nearly stole your frail, little life away! I merely wished to take a slight detour in your travels in order to chase away the lingering dread still haunting you. Dear, you must know this to be true,"

The professor kneeled down to my height; which prompted me to back away. He fessed up about luring me here under false pretenses, but his explanation made my anger less potent. I gotta admit, it was hard not to see any reason behind it. And it had been true: The traumatic-inducing episode still felt too fresh in my mind. Just thinking about how it all went south got that sore injury aching.

I must have made some twitch of change from remembering in my expression, because he then subtly reached out and enclosed both of my hands using his. My feet were firmly planted to the ground, but there had started to be slight pulling on my appendages. Soft at first, as to encourage me to follow. Somehow, I didn't feel anxious despite the betrayal my pride wanted me to have. He tricked me, but that convincing argument...his sad smile...I feel like I'm getting tired.

"How can you fault me for simply looking after the well-being of my precious student? Please allow me to grant you the peace you so rightfully deserve; no one can see it more than I,"

As if he concocted it as some sort of hypnotic suggestion, I could feel my eyes practically roll into the back of my head while the eyelids closed on their own accord. The feet that had been once grounded like heavy concrete, melted and started to slide forward to imitate butter in defeat. Just waiting to get caught up in his warm, comforting embra-"AUGH! MOTHERFUCKER!"

Suddenly, a bare-knuckled fist smashed into the side of my head that jolted me out of a haze of pleasure. And I didn't have a clue as to who the hell got the drop on me until Hilda's arms locked under mine to drag me back against the railing. It had been quick, but painful move on her part when she let out an unexpected yelp. Even Professor Sycamore was surprised by the supposed by-stander; taking a minute to realize she now posed a threat. And while he now stood up cautiously with a dark look on his face, Hilda shook me until I got angry yet again. It was very fortunate for her that I wasn't in a position to knock her teeth out.

"Ya idiot!" She exclaimed while doing her best to keep ahold of me. "Whaddya tink yauw doin'?! Tat guy's a lyin' sack of shit! Goin' to Kalos ain't some slight detauw! It's a whauwle dam derailin'! It takes a mauwnth to get thea'!"

Trust: A very important thing to have as a trainer. Its crucial for raising Pokémon, essential in deciding to where I would be sleeping at night in the great outdoors and expands an extremely little circle of friends. So far, my luck has been good on nearly a lot of things involving trust; maybe putting some in her would be a good idea. Especially since I had been lied to by someone who's supposedly a mature adult with a sense of morals. My chest heaved with a sigh in realization of what must be done. I gotta escape him again if it means that he'll be the one getting broken bones.

"Right…Hilda-"

"Don'tchya waury new bestie! I'll trow ya ova' ta side so tat lyin' bitch don't get his grimy hands on ya!"

"HUH?! HILDA WAIT-"

"DIS IS ONE GOIL YOU AIN'T GETTING, BITCH! ALLEY-OOP!"

In one go, she mustered enough strength to swing my whole body over the side and let go. Everything felt pretty unreal for the first few seconds of going over, but when the feeling of the fall sunk in, well:

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

*Continued in Chapter Thirty-Six*