Day 6: Of Pillars and Holes
A new day, new challenges, new battles, and...the same old scenario at breakfast. Alain was, once again, sitting next to Jacklyn against his will. To be honest, though, he didn't feel like protesting today. He had slept poorly last night, and was consequently feeling tired and very frustrated.
Even though Zara had asked him to forget about the conversation from last night, he couldn't stop thinking about what she had said. About not wanting to hurt the people who had killed her parents, about not telling Steven the truth, and most of all, about saying she trusted him, if that was why she had told him.
"Hey, you don't look so good this morning," Astrid observed from aross the table, "Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes," he replied.
"Come on, what's on your mind? You can tell us!" Jacklyn prompted. Alain just turned away from her. "Please," she went on, "Maybe it has something to do with me? Like you want to tell me something?" Across the table, Astrid started having a coughing fit. Alain glared at her. Whatever she found so funny, he didn't appreciate her display of amusement. He turned his attention back to his breakfast, and took a gulp of orange juice.
Jacklyn didn't seem to notice Astrid's coughing or Alain's glare, just kept right on leaning on Alain like she normally did. "So what do you want to do this evening, Astrid?" she asked. "We could see if Brittney wants to play truth or dare with all of us. And she could bring Gordon with her too!"
Alain slammed his glass back down, nearly choking on the liquid he'd been about to swallow. When he could breath again, turned his glare on Jacklyn with an intensity that normally scared everyone else away.
Astrid, by now, was past trying to hide her laughter. There were tears in her eyes as she looked back up at Alain and Jacklyn, she was laughing so hard. "That sounds like a great idea, Jacklyn," she said in mocking tones, "why don't we ask Brittney right now while she's still there with Gordon." And, still laughing, she rose and walked toward Brittney's table. Jacklyn rose to follow her, but as she walked past Alain, she trailed her hand across his back where his sholder blades met. Alain jerked involuntarily when she did it, and he whirled to confront her, but she was already almost at Brittney's table. She winked at him and turned to her friend.
Alain looked back at his breakfast. Suddenly he wasn't hungry anymore. He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on what new challenges the Elite Four would have in store for today, but he couldn't forget about Astrid's laughter. The sound seemed to echo in his head.
He felt someone tap his shoulder, and he looked up. Zara stood next to his chair, giving him that same almost casual look from last night. "You sleep okay last night?" she asked as soon as she saw his face.
"Fine, I suppose," he replied.
"Well, I wanted to thank you for listening to me talk my head off."
"You keep thanking me for everything."
"I know, but if you're grateful, what else do you do to show it?"
From across the room, Jacklyn and Brittney laughed loudly. Alain put his head in his hand and growled to himself.
"You know, now that I think about it, maybe there is something else I can do to thank you." Zara said thoughtfully. "I'll see you later."
She walked off toward the table where Steven and the Elite Four, minus Glacia, were sitting, and started talking to Phoebe and gesturing toward the door that led out to the courtyard. Phoebe stood up soon after Zara finished talking and announced, "If I may have your attention please, we are ready to begin today's challenge. Please finish up and head out to the courtyard."
There was a loud clatter of plates, forks, and cups as everybody moved to deposit their dishes in the wash bins and go outside. Alain tried to keep his head down and wait untill Jacklyn was outside already, but she found him anyway, and stuck to him like a magnet. He half walked, half was dragged out the door. But when they got outside, what stood on the battle field made Jacklyn drop her arm from his. He got away, then took in the sight.
On the battle field were mounds, no, not mounds, pillars of dirt set seemingly randomly between the trainer's boxes. Where there were no pillars, holes were dug in the battle field.
The one thing that wasn't out in the courtyard, was Glacia.
The students began to spread out and look for the missing Elite Four member. Phoebe, Sydney, Drake, and Steven, however, moved to the side of the field and just watched the students' confusion.
So they know where she is, since they're not looking for her, Alain thought. She's hiding on purpose. But where?
"All of you would have lost by now, if we were battling," a voice called from above. Alain looked up, and perched on top of the centermost pillar, was Glacia, her Glalie levitating beside her. "None of you would have even noticed me if I hadn't said something. If I had ordered my Glalie to attack you, you wouldn't have had time to dodge the attack." She stepped onto her Glalie, and the Ice type brought her to the ground. "This is the strategy I have planned to teach you today: how to use your surroundings to your advantage. Clearly all of you could use a lesson or two on this topic."
A few more seconds and I would have found her, Alain thought irritably, as he moved off to one side of the field with the other students.
"As you all can see, we have covered the battle field in variety of obstacles. These can often hinder the average battler, but what many trainers don't realize is that they can be use to give them the advantage in any battle. As I have just demonstrated, hiding from your opponents is one use for this uneven playing field. I want to see how you will use it. Today you will battle on this field behind me, and the first two trainers to battle will be..." and Galcia glanced at Phoebe, who handed her a clipboard, "...Penny and Alex."
The two named trainers stepped up to opposite sides of the battle field.
Phoebe stepped up to the side of the field to referee. "All rules from the first day apply here. Do you both remeber them?"
Both trainers nodded.
"Then battle begin!"
Penny sent out her Lopunny and Alex sent out his Swampert. Alex ordered a Muddy Water, and Penny ordered Lopunny up onto the pillars to dodge it.
"Hey." someone said from behind Alain. It was Zara. "Have you seen Wally?"
Alain shook his head.
"Well, I suppose he can find me if he needs me. Mind if I say here?"
"I don't."
"You sure you slept well last night?"
"Why do you care?"
"Because you look like you don't feel well, and no one else is going to ask you."
"What's wrong with no one asking me?"
Zara didn't answer for a moment. She stared at the ground when she answered, "You must really like being alone all the time."
Alain wasn't sure how to answer that. He really didn't like being alone all the time, but he had to be, in order to become stronger and keep the people he cared about safe. If he had to choose between being alone and keeping those people safe, and being with them and they being at risk, he knew which one he would choose. Exactly what he had chosen. But she would never understand all that.
"So...what do you think of Glacia's challenge?" Zara began again.
Alain looked back at the battle, to see Lopunny searching for Swampert in the now muddy water filled holes. "It's a challenge for sure," he answered slowly.
"Can't wait to try it out," Zara said.
There was an explosion, and Alain looked back at the battle field to see Lopunny lying on the field, knocked out.
"Lopunny is unable to battle, so Swampert is the winner. Therefore, the match goes to Alex!" Phoebe announced.
"Excellent job there, Alex," Glacia praised, "that was very clever filling the holes with water to hide your Pokemon in." Alex grinned. Turning back to the rest of the students, Glacia said, "The next pair of trainers will be Luke and Alain."
Alain stepped forward to the battle field. "I assume both of you remeber the rules from before," Phoebe asked. Both trainers gave their affirmation. "Then battle begin!"
"Charizard, let's go!" Alain shouted.
"Pidgeot, stand by for battle!" Luke cried.
The two Pokemon burst out of their pokeballs, with loud cries.
"Pidgeot, Mega Evolve!" Luke said, touching his keystone in a leather bracelet on his right wrist.
"Charizard, Mega Evolve!" Alain cried, touching his keystone and throwing his fist into the air.
"Pidgeot, into the air!" Luke ordered.
"Into the air Charizard, and use Flamethrower!" Alain ordered.
Pidgeot dodged the Flamethrower.
"Now, Air Cutter," Luke commanded.
Pidgeot launched its Air Cutter straight at Charizard.
"Use Dragon Claw!" Alain shouted.
Charizard broke through the Air Cutter, and flew straight for Pidgeot.
"Fly behind the pillars!" Luke ordered.
Pidgeot dove behind the nearest pillar, and Charizard's Dragon Claw connected with dirt instead of the Normal and Flying type.
"Now Quick Attack!" Luke shouted.
Pidgeot shot out from behind the pillar and slammed into Charizard. Charizard roared, and Alain's face hardened.
"Now Flamethrower!"
"Dodge it! Fly behind a pillar!"
Pidgeot dove behind another pillar, and sucessfully dodged the Flamethrower.
"Now start flying between the pillars. This is just another Pokeringer contest, but without the ring!" Luke told his Pokemon.
"After it Charizard!" Alain ordered.
Pidgeot took off up and down the field, and Charizard fell into hot pursuit. But Pidgoet was just too quick and nimble. Every time Charizard closed in for an attack, it would duck or dive around a pillar, changing its direction and leaving Charizard too far behind to strike it.
"Now use Air Cutter!"
Pidgeot looped all the way around a pillar and struck Charizard from behind. Charizard tumbled back from the blow, and slammed into the pillar Pidgeot had just looped around, causing the top of the pillar to crumble.
"Now fly away, before they can land a hit!" Luke ordered.
"Don't follow it, Charizard!" Alain commanded. Seeing that pillar break had given him an idea. "Fly up above the pillars!"
"What? Where are they going? Stay on your guard Pidgeot!" Luke said.
Charizard spread its wings and launched itself up above the tops of the pillars. Pidgeot stayed below, still ducking between the pillars, never slowing or stopping, but constantly glancing up at Charizard. As it continued to pay more and more attention to Charizard and not to how it was flying, Alain noted it was starting to fall into a pattern.
"Now Charizard, use Dragon Claw!" Alain ordered.
Charizard went into a dive, its claws starting to glow green, but it didn't dive at Pidgeot. It dove at one of the largest pillars, broke it into large pieces, and the pieces crashed down on Pidgeot. The Bird Pokemon cried out and plummeted, landing on its back, pinned to the ground by the dirt and rocks.
"Flamethrower!"
Charizard slammed Pidgeot with a Flamethrower, but even the force of that move didn't free the Flying type.
"Pidgeot, you've got to get up!" Luke shouted.
"Now, finish this with Blast Burn!" Alain cried.
Charizard landed and punched the ground with a fiery claw. The Blast Burn attack closed in on the still trapped Pidgeot, and exploded beneath it, sending it and several of the surrounding pillars flying. Smoke covered the battle field, and when it cleared, Pidgeot lay in front of Luke, knocked out.
"Pidgeot is unable to battle, so Charizard is the winner. Therefore the match goes to Alain!" Phoebe announced.
"Excellent Alain. Using your opponent's advantage against them to win is a clever tactic indeed," Glacia praised.
"Indeed it is."
Alain knew that voice! He whirled around to look for its owner in the crowd, though he hadn't the faintest clue why he would be here.
Then he saw him. At the back of the crowd, next to Steven, stood none other than Lysander himself. The tall man walked forward from his place next to the wall of the courtyard, and came to stand at the front of the group.
"Lysander!" he exclaimed.
"That was an impressive victory, Alain. I see you are benefiting from the Elite Four's teaching."
Steven stepped up to Galcia, and whispered something to her. She gave him a quick nod and called the next pair of trainers up to battle.
Alain recalled Charizard and walked toward the door of the courtyard after Lysander. "So, do you believe you are learning from this school?" Lysander asked him.
"Yes, sir."
"And you have won every battle you have fought thus far?"
"Every battle, sir. There was one training exercise that no one won."
A pause. "And why did you not win?"
The two had walked into the halls, and were headed toward the back of the building.
"There was another trainer who intercepted me before I could reach the goal. She prevented me from winning, but I also prevented her from winning in the same way."
"Facinating. And who is this other trainer?"
"She's-"
At this point, Alain had just come up to the corner of the hall, and as he rounded it, he ran smack into Zara. It took him a moment to realize what had happened, but when he did, he stepped back from her. Taking in the sight before him, he noticed Wally was with her.
"Oh, sorry, sorry!" she cried.
"-right here." Alain said, finishing his sentence.
"Hi," Wally said, giving him a small wave.
"So this is you friend, Alain?" Lysander asked, stepping around the corner to get a better view of the blonde trainer.
"Huh?" Alain said, his attention snapping back to Lysander's face. Friend? Is she? No, she isn't. But the conversation from the night before came flooding back into his mind.
"Hello, sir," Zara said politely.
"Hello to you as well, Miss-" Lysander began.
"Oh, sorry, I'm Zara, Champion Steven's assistant."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Zara. I assume you are a student here as well?"
"That's right. I'm learning from the Elite Four, too." After a slight hesitation, she went on, "Um, may I ask who you are?"
"Forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Lysander, owner of Lysander Labs, located in the Kalos Region."
"Lysander?" Zara said with a puzzled look on her face. "Oh, so your the person Steven went to see in the Kalos Region a few months ago! He's talked about you often. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Lysander."
"Pleased to make yours as well. Do you study under the Champion?"
"I do, have for the last two years."
"Alain tells me your are a skilled trainer."
Zara glanced over at him quickly, worry flashing on her face, but she quickly suppressed it. "Well, I try, but I don't know if 'skilled' describes me yet," she said, giving Lysander a smile.
"Zara!" Alain glanced over his shoulder to see Steven striding their way. "You are needed out on the field. Glacia wants you. What were you doing in here?" Turning to Lysander he said, "Please, forgive me for interrupting your conversation."
"It's fine," Lysander replied.
"Sorry, Champion, I was trying to find my friend here," Zara answered, gesturing to Wally. Wally scooted further behind Zara. What's he hiding from? Lysander? Alain wondered.
"Well please go out and help her repair the battle field. That Blast Burn of Alain's Charizard left it in quite a state of disrepair," and Steven smiled.
"Alright, I'm going. Coming Wally?"
"Y-yes," Wally answered hastily, sticking to Zara like glue. "Is Al-l-lain c-c-c-coming?"
Zara looked at him expectantly. "Later," Alain said. Why did you say that? Don't you know that your helping Lysander always comes first? You sound like you actually want to go out with them, but as he thought this, he thought of Zara crying last night, and dropped his gaze to the floor. Then and there he made up his mind. Zara's right. After these two weeks are up, we'll probably never see each other again. She's had a rough life. I can be nice to her for another week or so. He looked back up at Zara's retreating form. She trusts me. I should at least try to live up to that.
"See you later!" Zara called over her shoulder as she went out the door.
"So that is your student?" Lysander asked Steven.
"Yes, she's one of the best trainer's I've ever seen. It won't be too much longer and she'll be able to beat me and claim the Champion's title for herself." Steven smiled fondly. "But in the meanwhile, she works as hard as ever."
"Where does she come from?"
"Well, that's a bit of a mystery. She tells me she lives outside of Fourtree City, but she's never shown me a house before. She says her parents aren't there, but are traveling in another region. But I've never seen them, and she can't tell me exactly where they are. And she says they just left her behind."
Alain shifted uneasily from one foot to the other.
"Interesting. And how long have her parents been gone?" Lysander went on.
"According to her, almost eight years."
"And she has no idea what happened to them?"
"If she does, she hasn't let me in on it."
"Sir, if I may," Alain interupted, "I'd like to speak with you."
"Of course, Alain. Please excuse us, Champion."
"Sure." And Steven went back out to the courtyard.
Lysander opened the door to the nearest classroom and stepped in. Alain followed him. "So Alain, what did you want to speak to me about?" the tall man asked.
"How are the experiments with Z2 going?"
"They are going well. Xeosic has almost completed his experiments with the Mega Evolution energy, and we will soon be able to harness the full power of Z2."
"And Z1?"
"It is still evading us. But we will capture it soon, I believe."
"And...how are Mairin and Chespin?"
Lysander's face hardened. He waited a moment before answering, "Chespin seems to be closer to awakening. Mairin stays with it always."
Relief spread through Alain. So Chespin would be better soon, and then he could go back and apologize to Mairin for what he had said to her. He just had to keep fighting a little while longer. "Thank you, sir. That was all I wanted to know."
Lysander's face was still hard as he gave his reply. "Very well. Go and watch the other trainers battle."
"Yes, sir." Alain left the room and walked out to the courtyard.
Outside, Dave and Maxcine were battling, with Salamance flying high above the pillars, and Steelix burrowing underground. Alain scanned the crowd for a moment before spotting Zara and Wally. He walked over to them and gave Zara a nod of acknowledgement. She came closer and said loudly, over the noise of the battle. "So, that's Lysander?"
"Yes."
"He seems...impressive."
"He is."
"So how do you know him?"
"He gave me my Mega Stone and Keystone."
"So he's your teacher, of sorts?"
"No. He's my boss."
Zara turned sharply to look at him. Her eyes glinted with uncertainty. "He's your what?"
"My boss," Alain repeated.
"So you work for him?"
"Yes."
"What kind of work do you do for him?"
Alain hesitated to answer. "It's really none of your buisness." If I tell her, she could very well be hurt. Just like the professor.
"Come on." Zara said, and dropping her voice to a murmur, added, "I told you all about myself last night and you won't tell me anything about yourself?"
"I carry out jobs he has for me from time to time."
"Oh. So he signed you up for this seminar?"
"Yes. He wanted me to train here. Said it would help me get stronger."
An explosion interrupted their conversation. Looking back at the battle field, Alain saw Steelix had fainted. Glacia called the next pair of trainers, Sylvester and another trainer named Flash, who owned a Mega Ampharos.
"Why do you want to get stronger?" Zara asked suddenly.
Alain gave her a confused look. "Don't you want to get stronger?"
"Yes, but with you it seems like that's all you want. Look, I don't know a single person on this planet who does something without some sort of reason, but you don't seem to have a reason for getting stronger. You don't want to challenge a league, you don't have a rival you want to defeat, you don't have a reason, as far as I can tell."
I do have a reason, but it's none of your buisness, Alain thought. He just shrugged.
"Hm," was all Zara said. She turned her attention back to the battle. Alain turned back to the battle as well, just in time to see Mega Sableye hit Mega Ampharos with a Foul Play.
X*X*X*X*X*X*X*XX
Zara watched Sableye and Amphoros battle, but her mind wasn't on the Pokemon's fight. She had thought from the start that Steven was right about Lysander, that he sounded suspicious and possibly up to no good, but meeting him in person had ground the idea even more firmly into her head. He looked the part that Steven had described; tall and intimidating, cold and nearly emotionless. But what was he doing here?
Another thing was bothering her too. Alain had to have a reason for getting stronger, but why wouldn't he tell her what it was? There had to be a reason for that, too. And what were these "jobs" that Alain did for his...his boss? Zara shook her head slightly to clear it of that thought. Something about how Alain had said it, that Lysander was his boss, didn't sit right with her, but she couldn't explain why. She quickly shrugged it off, thinking that it must be that she didn't like calling Steven her boss.
I'll get to the botton of this. Maybe Alain would be more willing to talk if we weren't surrounded by other people. Or maybe he doesn't want to talk about it at all. I don't know, but I do know one thing: I'm not giving up on him, not yet anyway. If anyone in the world deserves for me to give them a chance trusting them with my secrets, it's him. After all, I owe him my life.
"Zara, Glacia's calling you."
Zara pulled herself from her thoughts to see who had spoken. It was Wally. He was tugging on her shirt sleeve, and looking anxiously from her to Glacia and back again. She stepped out of the crowd and up to the battle field. Across the field, Tracy stepped into the other trainer's box. So I get to fight at a double disadvantage today, she thought. Great.
"Are you both ready?" Phoebe asked.
"Ready," both trainer's answered.
"Then battle begin!"
"Go Beedrill!"
"Sceptile, at the ready!"
"Beedrill, use Poison Jab!" Tracy commanded immediately.
"Use Detect!" Zara countered.
Sceptile dodged around the attack.
"Now climb the pillars!"
Sceptile scrambled up the nearest pillar and flattened itself against it.
"Go around and get them! Twin Needle!" Tracy ordered.
"Onto the next pillar, Sceptile!" Zara shouted.
Sceptile jumped to the next pillar, and Beedrill's Twin Needle struck dirt.
"Twin Needle again!" Tracy shouted.
"Move again," Zara commanded.
Sceptile jumped to another pillar, and Beedrill's attack once again struck dirt.
Tracy growled in frustration. "Use Toxic!"
"Use Detect!" Sceptile dodged the Poison type move. "Now Dragon Pulse!"
"Dodge it Beedrill!" Tracy shouted. Now it was Beedrill's turn to dodge the attack. It turned quickly midair and darted away.
I need to Mega Evolve. That way Sceptile can gain some speed and we can compete with this flying opponent. "From the depths of my heart, Keystone respond! Sceptile, Mega Evolve!" And Zara touched her keystone. It reacted with Sceptile's Mega Stone, and Sceptile Mega Evolved.
"Guess we'll have to gain some power too," Tracy said. "Beedrill, Mega Evolve!" And she touched her keystone, which was set in her belt buckle. It reacted with Beedrill's Mega Stone, and Beedrill Mega Evolved. When the dust settled, the two Mega Pokemon were left glaring at each other.
"Sceptile, use Leaf Blade on the pillar your on!" Zara commanded. Sceptile did, and rocks and dirt went flying everywhere. Tracy covered her head to protect herself, and Beedrill flew in crazy zigzags in an attempt to dodge all the debirs. When the rain of debris finally stopped, Sceptile was no where to be seen.
At least, you couldn't see it from Tracy's point of view. Zara could see exactly where her Pokemon was. It was hiding behind another pillar. Breaking the first one was only a distraction, something to keep Beedrill's and Tracy's attention off of Sceptile so it could hide without them seeing it. Now they had to find Sceptile, and they had no idea where it was. One false move might put them right in range for a Dragon Pulse. It was all chance.
Not a bad strategy, if I do say so myself, Zara thought proudly.
"Beedrill, did you see where it went?" Tracy asked.
"Bee? Beedrill," the Poison Bee Pokemon buzzed confusedly.
"Well then, I guess well have to find it. Have a Poison Jab ready and fly through the pillars!" she commanded
Beedrill took off between the pillars, starting on the opposite side from Sceptile. As it zipped though, Zara noticed Tracy constantly glancing over at her.
She's watching me to see if I'll give away Sceptile's postion with my eyes. Thanks to Steven, I know better that to do that. Zara smiled challengingly back at her opponent, the turned back to watching Beedrill. The Bug and Poison type was so close to Sceptile that she could have ordered a Dragon Pulse and hit it at point blank range, but that wasn't her plan.
Beedrill swooped past Sceptile's pillar, but didn't turn around to look at it. Now she could hit it where she wanted to. "Sceptile, use Leaf Blade on its wings!" she ordered. Sceptile leaped from its hiding place, its leaves glowing green, and sliced the attack across Beedrill's wings. Beedrill faltered midflight, them plummeted, crashing on the ground below, and taking a good bit of damage from the impact.
"Beedrill!" Tracy cried.
"Use Dragon Pulse!" Zara shouted.
Sceptile let loose with a powerful Dragon Pulse, slamming Beedrill from above. The Poison Bee Pokemon fought against the attack, but couldn't break through it, and was thrown back against the ground. It struggled to rise after the blow.
"Now, rap this up! Use Frenzy Plant!" Zara shouted, throwing one hand into the air.
"Beedrill, get up!" Tracy pleaded. Beedrill rose and flapped its wings weakly. "Now use Fell Stinger!"
Beedrill shot a Fell Stinger at Sceptile so quickly, neither Sceptile or Zara had a chance to react. Sceptile took the Bug type attack full on, and lost its footing on the pillar. It tumbled to the ground, crying out as it fell.
"Now's our chance! Poison Jab!" Tracy ordered.
"Sceptile, use Detect!" Zara commanded.
The two trainers watched as Sceptile scrambled to dodge the attack. Tracy's face went sour as she watched, but Zara smiled confidently. You can attack all you want, but you can't touch Sceptile when it uses Detect. "Now use Frenzy Plant!"
Sceptile slammed it's tail into the nearest pillar, and large plants began to grow out of the ground surrounding it. The plants closed in on Beedrill, and struck it multiple times. Before Sceptile had completely finished the move, Beedrill had collapsed and reverted to its normal state.
"Beedrill is unable to battle, so Sceptile wins. Therefore the match goes to Zara!" Phoebe declared.
X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X
Alain gazed at the battle field in admiration. Zara certianly was strong, winning a battle where she had a double disadvantage, and taking almost no damage in the process. He would have to ask her for a battle sometime.
As soon as Phoebe had declared Zara the winner, Zara ran out onto the field and embraced her Pokemon. Sceptile thumped her on the head as she hugged it, and she returned it to its pokeball and left the field.
Alain watched as the next pair of trainers approched the field. Pair after pair fought, and he watched them all, just like Lysander had said to. It wasn't till the last pair had fought that he left the courtyard and walked into the cafetaria. To his surprise, Lysander was seated at the Elite Four's table.
Alain walked over to him. "Sir."
Lysander looked up at Alain, "Yes, Alain?"
"I thought you were headed back to Kalos, sir."
"I have some buisness to attend to in the Hoenn Region, and the Champion has politely agreed to allow me to stay here untill I return to Kalos."
Alain nodded, and walked away. He went thought the supper line and sat down at an empty table. The hum of activity in the room rang in his ears, as he thought about what Lysander had said earlier. Chespie was almost better. He only had to keep fighting for a little while longer, and then he could go back to Mairin. Hopefully she wouldn't be angry with him for causing Chespie's injuries.
A flash of red caught his eye. He turned his head a fraction and caught Jacklyn's eye. She winked at him and continued to approach his table, Brittney, Tracy, and Astrid following her.
Alain turned back to his food, pretending he hadn't noticed her. He heard the girls voices coming closer. He shifted in his seat, and considered moving to a different place, even though he knew Jacklyn would just follow him. He could hear Jacklyn's footsteps behind him. Someone sat down in the seat to his left.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Alain looked up in surprise. To his amazement, Zara was the one seated next to him instead of Jacklyn. He stared at her for a moment, trying to figure out how she had beat Jacklyn to the chair.
"And just what do you think your doing? That's my chair," Jacklyn said from behind them. Alain turned to her, and opened his mouth to confront her, but Zara started to twist around in her chair in such an odd manner, that he stopped before he had said anything.
Jacklyn raised her eyebrows. "What are you doing?"
Zara looked up at her with a challenge in her eyes. "Looking for your name. And I don't see it."
Brittney gasped at this, and Tracy and Astrid have each other concerned looks.
"Why you little-! How dare you-! Get out of my seat!" Jacklyn nearly yelled.
"Like I said, I don't see your name on it. I was here first, so why don't you go get a different chair? It's not like there aren't plenty of others," Zara replied calmly.
Silence fell in the cafetiria, as all eyes turned to watch the argument.
Jacklyn's face began to redden, but she took a deep breath and ignored Zara's comment. "I would really hate for Alain to have to sit next to someone like you. Such a mess and so annoying. Shame, isn't it? Do you think you could do him a favor and just remove your ugly self from his space?"
"How do you know he thinks I'm annoying? I didn't see you ask him. Wait," and Zara face went wide-eyed, and she smirked, "can you read minds now?"
Jacklyn's face got even redder. "Look, your hardly worth arguing with, your so incompetent. Just move so I don't have to show everyone just how bad off you are."
"Are you sure you've got the right person? Because last I checked, I was the one who just won their battle today at a double disadvantage. Not to brag. But if you want to find someone who's impertinent, uncivil, ungracious, and downright audacious, then I think there's a mirror in your room." Zara rose to bring herself to eye level with Jacklyn. "If I am the person your looking for, I'm sorry for being so incompetent."
Jacklyn didn't respond, but her face had gone redder that a Slugma. All she coud seem to do was splutter at Zara. When she could form actual words again, she glared at Zara and said in a threatening voice, "You'll pay for that. Just you wait." And with that, she turned on her heel and marched to a different table. The girls behind her glanced at her, then at Zara, and followed Jacklyn's lead.
"And that's the end of that," Zara said, sitting back down and resting her chin in her hand.
"What was that about?" Alain asked, completely confused.
"Well, I said I thought of something I could do to help you out. That was it."
"Arguing with Jacklyn?"
"More like, getting her to leave you alone. I've been watching her ever since that conversation this morning, waiting for a chance to do that."
Alain hesitated, then said slowly, "But now she's going to be angry with you, because of me."
"So? I could care less. Whatever she's going to do to me, I'm not worried." When Alain looked away, she went on, "Hey, don't worry about it, please. I think my life is worth a little yelling from that smarty pants," and she smiled.
"If you say so," and Alain turned back to his food.
"Can I ask you something?" Zara said slowly.
"I suppose."
"Will you come up to the roof tonight?"
"Alright. Why?"
"I'll tell you when you get up there. Untill then, I'm going to get some supper. Watch my seat, please?"
Alain smiled another small smile and nodded.
They finished their meal in peace, thanks to Jacklyn staying on the opposite side of the room. When they were done, Zara left to help the Elite Four repair the battle field for tommorow, and Alain went to his room. He rested for a couple of hours before climbing up the fire escape, knowing Zara would be busy for a while.
She was there when he hauled himself over the edge of the roof. So was Sceptile, and, oddly enough, so was a Baynette.
"Hey, thanks for coming up," Zara said as soon as she spotted him.
"Is that your Baynette?" Alain asked.
"Hm? Oh, no, this is Brittney's Baynette. It wanted to come up here with me, and I can't say I blame it."
"Why?"
"Let's just say Brittney's character isn't too far off of Jacklyn's when it comes to her Pokemon. I got it out of a lot of trouble when I gave it that bag it dropped the first day, you remember, right? That, and she's a total slob. Like this morning, when she threw her dirty laundry on my bed after I left because she didn't have anywhere else to put it at the moment, and she forgot to move it when she left." Zara's voice rose into sarcastic tones as she said this. "Sorry, not trying to rant here, but it really does get on my nerves," and she dropped her gaze to the roof.
Alain thought for a moment before answering, "I think peace from Jacklyn is worth listening to little ranting."
Zara looked up at him and smiled a broad smile.
"What did you want me for?" Alain asked, sitting down. He releaced Charizard, and the Fire and Flying type glared at Sceptile before settling behind him.
Zara stared at the roof for a long time before she answered, "Why do you want to get stronger?"
Alain frowned. "I already told you, its none of your buisness."
"But why is it none of my buisness?"
Alain sighed. "It just is. You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
"Why do you want to know so badly?"
"Just pieces to the puzzle."
"What puzzle?"
Zara smiled and leaned back against Sceptile. "Every person is practically a jigsaw puzzle, and if you want to understand them, you have to put the pieces together." She reached down and rubbed Baynette's head. "That's why I like Pokemon so much better. They are a lot easier to understand, even if they can't talk back to you."
Alain gave her a puzzled look.
"Pokemon usually only do simple things that are necessary for life or survival. They gather food, fight over territory, find friends among the Pokemon nearby. They aren't complicated like people, they just do what they need to, or what they're told if they have a trainer. They don't try and put on false pretences, they don't lie, they don't steal," here she paused a moment and blinked rapidly several times, then said, "and they don't hurt others unless the people threaten them."
Sceptile moved closer to her and rubbed its head gently against her arm. Baynette came closer too, and climbed into her lap to give her a hug. Zara hugged it back and stroked Sceptile's head. "Sorry, I asked you to forget about that, and I'm bringing it up again. I guess I just don't know how it feels to have someone know about it who can acctually talk back with real words. Not sure if I like he feeling or not."
Silence fell for several minutes. Then Zara began again, "So why do you work for Lysander?"
Alain gave her a surprised look. "Because he gave me my Mega Stone and Keystone."
"So he expects you to work him just for a couple of rocks?"
"It's more than that," Alain snapped, "he offered them to me in exchange for my helping him."
"With...what?"
"With gathering Mega Evolution energy."
"Alright, what is he going to do with all the energy?"
"Use it for peaceful purposes."
"Like what?"
"To help improve the quality of life in the world. To further humanity," Alain rattled of all the things Lysandre had told him during his time working for him.
"Yes, but how? Specifically, what is he going to do with it?"
Alain had to think about that. He thought for a long time, but didn't answer. The more he thought about it, the more he realised that Lysander had never told him a specific reason for using the Mega Evolution energy, other than catching Z1 and Z2, and that was hardly furthering humanity. Well, it would heal Chespie, but that wouldn't have happened in the first place if the experiments had never started. And if I hadn't been so hard on Mairin. I'll have to ask Lysander about that sometime.
Finally, Zara went on, "Never mind. So it's worth working for him to be able to Mega Evolve Charizard? He treats you well, and all?"
"Yes. I'm helping him to protect people dear to me, him included."
"May I ask who these people are?"
Alain hestiated to answer. Why don't you tell her? She probably won't even know who they are. "Professor Sycamore, Lysander, and...Mairin." He scowled slightly as he said the last name.
"Mairin? The little girl who came with you the last time you came to the Hoenn Region? The one you left behind when you went back? What was that all about? Steven told me she saved you life when you were faceing the legendary Pokemon, and then you just leave her behind? And now-"
"You don't understand!" Alain shouted angrily.
Zara recoiled at his words. "No, I guess I don't," she said quietly.
"Just don't ask about it. You wouldn't understand." I know I said I would try to be nice to her, but she's getting too annoying.
Zara looked ready to protest, but instead let the matter drop with, "So, I guess that's all I wanted to ask about."
"May I ask you something?"
"Sure, anything."
"Will you battle me?"
Zara looked at him with a strange expression. "You mean right now?"
"No. Just before the seminar is over."
"Alright, if we don't battle during the competition, then, yes, I'll battle you, I promise."
"Thank you."
They sat staring out at the forests and fields of Hoenn for the next several minutes. Sceptile and Baynette played, and Charizard just lay behind Alain and watched them, occasionally growling at Baynette when it came too close. When the Marionette Pokemon slipped and stumbled onto Charizard's nose, the Flame Pokemon roared at it and sent it flying back toward Sceptile. The Forest Pokemon caught Banynette, then turned angrily to Charizard and growled at it. Charizard just raised its head and gave Sceptile a bored look, then shot a lazy flame to Sceptile's left. Sceptile shied away from the flame and roared angrily. Baynette cowered behind it, glancing nervously out from behind rose to its feet and Sceptile marched forward, and the two glared at each other with maliace in their eyes
"What has gotten into you, Sceptile?" Zara asked as she approched her Pokemon, and tried to draw it away from Charizard. "Look I know you don't like Fire types, but are all these threatening looks and words really necessary?"
"Scep tile tile sceptile!" Sceptile shouted gesturing first at Charizard, then at Baynette.
"Yes, I know Charizard threw Baynette, but, although that wasn't the nicest thing to do, Baynette is fine. Can't you just let it go?"
"Sceptile scep, tile sceptile scep tile tile scep!" Sceptile said, clamping its claws together like it was smashing something, then pointing at Charizard.
"Charizard broke something of yours?" Zara guessed.
"Scep!" And Sceptile leaned forward and opened its mouth like it was dropping something.
"Oh, you're upest that you lost the stat boost challenge because of Charizard?" Zara guessed again.
Sceptile nodded.
"Well, don't be upset. After all, we stopped them from winning too. No offense." Zara adressed the last sentence to Alain. He shrugged in responce.
"Well, I'd probably better go before we have a fight on our hands. And I need to get Baynette back to Brittney before she notices it's missing. I'll see you tommorow." And she returned Sceptile to its pokeball, scooped up Baynette, and walked to the fire escape. "Goodnight!" and then she was gone.
"Goodnight." Alain said quietly to the open air.
X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X*X
Zara walked down the hall to her and Brittney's room, Baynette following her. She couldn't stop thinking about what had taken place on the roof.
Why did he yell at me? Was it something I said? And who leaves a little girl behind when he wants to protect her? That's just wrong.
Maybe he yelled at me because he feels bad about it, but doesn't want to admit it. I know that feeling, like yesterday with Wally wanting to come along to face Team Magma. To face Courntey.
I hope Alain doesn't let that story slip to anyone. I'd hate for the wrong person to hear it. And here I go, worrying about it again. Look, you told him so he wouldn't find out about it himself, so if he did know, he would be held by his promise to keep it a secret. And he will, I trust that he will.
She opened the door to her room and went in. She showered, cleaned Brittney's things off of her bed, and lay down.
I'll put the puzzle together. I know I will. Whether or not Steven still wants me to make friends.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
So, despite the message on the last chapter, I have recieved no more reviews. This can mean one of two things: 1) You all think this story is great and have no criticisms, or 2) You all think the story is terrible, and don't want to hurt my feelings, but can't find a good way to say what your thinking.
So please, please review!
