Chapter 84

Mark began to wonder if six people were really necessary for tracking down one, small Charmander-girl. Of course, there was no one to blame but himself for this situation. He wished that he had known what to say to calm Cherry down. Now she might not want to fight in the tournament at all.

Quickstep led the group. He marched forward at a quick pace, hardly ever looking back to check if the others were still with him. Whether the rest of them fell behind or not was not a concern of his.

Mark had no idea what to make of him. He showed little concern for the others, but that didn't seem to stop Maple from liking him. Thanks to the rain, she had been quiet and depressed most of the day, but Quickstep's presence certainly lifted her mood. Even if the difference was only slight, Mark could tell.

Behind them, Kim, Sprinkle and a loud, grumbling Volt rounded out their group. If Quickstep really did know where Cherry was, then it was entirely unnecessary for them to come along. Even still, Mark was glad for their support.

"How much farther?" he asked Quickstep.

"Not too much," he answered, "ten, fifteen minutes. Something like that."

Mark nodded and fell back in step behind him, letting the rain fill the silence.

The scenery around them began to change. As small as Himitsu Island was, each area had a different feel to it. The center of the island always felt like a large city to Mark, but the outskirts felt distinctly suburban. Only a few miles separated them, making the contrast even more drastic. When Mark had fought with Maple, she ran away towards the woods, but what was it about this part of the island that made Cherry run here?

With the exception of Quickstep, the others in the group seemed as equally fascinated by the difference. They had no reason to explore this area of the island so it had remained a mystery.

"This is how most of the island used to look," Quickstep sighed, reluctant to play the role of tour guide, "before Silph came in and started development. This is the wealthiest section, though. Town council members and such. They'll die before they let him change anything else."

"I see," Mark answered. He didn't pretend to understand what Quickstep was talking about. Probably none of them did. But there was a history here that Quickstep had been a part of.

"Most of them don't like human Pokémon," Quickstep went on, "so don't stick around for too long once we get your Charmander back."

"Okay," Mark nodded. Once again, something was happening that he didn't understand. Taking Quickstep's word for it was really all that he could do.

"How come?" Maple asked.

"Ehhh…tough to explain," Quickstep began, "suffice to say, none of these people like change and human Pokémon are pretty much the embodiment of that change."

"Oh…" she was lost immediately.

"Just around that corner," Quickstep nodded towards an intersection three blocks away, "almost there." He increased his pace, nearly jogging as they came up to the intersection.

About another half-block further down the road, Mark could see what must have been a pre-school. There was a small playground out front and, sure enough, he could see two small children with tails swinging back and forth on the swing-set.

A school? Mark thought. Quickstep had not told them where they were going. Yet somehow, it made sense that they would find Cherry at a place like that. As they came closer, he could hear Cherry and her new friend giggling as they swung back and forth. A wave of relief washed over him that Mark hadn't even realized he needed. She was okay and actually having a good time. He breathed deep.

"The hell?" Quickstep peered at them, "I thought she was alone…is that…? Get the hell out of here!"

Mark did not have a human-Pokémon's keen eyesight, but even Maple was confused by what the human Mienshao was saying. They had to step inside the fence before Mark could recognize Cherry's swing partner as a small Skitty-girl.

"Hi, Mark! Hi, Maple!" Cherry called out from the top of her swing.

"Hi, Cherry!" Maple called back, "looks like fun!"

"Uh-huh! You should try it!"

"Maybe when it's nicer," Maple declined. Mark was oddly quiet, so she kept going, "who's this?"

"Oh, this is Claire! Claire, this is Maple and my trainer, Mark!"

"Nice to meet you!" the Skitty-girl called down, "your match in the first round was awesome!"

"Thank you!" Maple called back. Unsure of what else to do, she glanced over at Mark.

He hesitated. Out of the scenarios he had pictured in his head, this was not one of them. He expected Cherry to still be upset, ready to lash out at him and run away a second time. Instead she was smiling and playing with another Pokémon-girl. Could it be a trick to get back at him? Would Cherry do something like that? Still confused by the situation, Mark took a step forward.

"Cherry," he started, "could you come down here?"

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, you do," Mark nodded, "it's cold and wet. It's time to go back." He had never felt like her father more than he did in that moment.

"Aww…" she groaned, "…okay." Mark could hardly believe his ears, but Cherry began to slow her swing. "Bye, Claire!"

"Bye!"

Cherry jumped off of her swing and stepped forward to join Mark and Maple. The difference in her mood was astounding.

"Feeling better?" Mark asked. He needed to be careful, but he still needed to know how she really felt.

"Uh-huh," she nodded.

"You're not still mad at me?"

"Nope."

Mark couldn't help staring. Just like that, she was back to normal. What had he missed?

"It's okay if I can't evolve," Cherry explained, "you still let me battle. And I got really strong, really quick because you helped me," she tugged on Mark's arm until he leaned forward and she could hug him, "thank you."

Mark blinked a few times. Shock and pride battled for supremacy inside of him. He got the sense that Maple was looking down at them and beaming. He had expected to have to comfort Cherry, but instead she was comforting him. It felt like when he had first met Cherry, only with their roles reversed.

"Okay," he managed to speak, "let's go back, then." He pulled away from Cherry and stood up. Though she was far too big for it, she insisted on holding his hand.

"Wait…Quickie? Is that you?" Claire spoke up, recognizing Quickstep.

"Yep, it's me," the human Mienshao answered, "Did you make a new friend, Claire?"

"Yep!" Claire chirped as she began to slow her swing.

"I see," Quickstep humored the small girl, "your dad doesn't mind you playing in the rain, does he?"

"Oh…uh…" Claire hesitated as she looked at her wet dress, "probably…" Her face sunk with sadness.

"There's no potion for the flu, you know," Quickstep continued.

"I know, but…but…" she stammered, looking for an excuse.

"It's not her fault!" Cherry spoke up, "she was just showing me how to use the swings!"

"It's okay, I'm just teasing," Quickstep snickered, though no one joined him, "where is your dad, anyway?"

"In a meeting," Claire answered, happy to forget about her only slightly wet dress, "he told me to wait outside until he was done."

"Do you want me to wait with you?" he offered.

"No!"

"Do you want us to wait with you?" Mark volunteered.

"Sure!"

Mark suppressed a grin at his small victory over Quickstep.

"Alright, but let's get out of the rain and dry off," Mark suggested.

"Okay," Claire came over to stand with Cherry as Mark led the group beneath the overhang in front of the school.

"Say…" Kim spoke up for the first time since their trip began, "who is your dad?"

"Umm…" Claire hesitated, "I'm not supposed to say…" She looked to Cherry.

"It's okay," Cherry told her, "this is Kim and her human Pokémon. We're good friends with them."

"Oh, okay," that seemed to clear Claire's conscience, "my daddy's name is Alfred Silph. He runs the whole tournament!"

Mark's head snapped around as he turned to look at the little Skitty-girl. He stared wide-eyed for a few seconds, briefly unable to accept what she had said. But Claire was completely serious. Next he turned to Kim, who was only slightly less shocked.

"Does he now?" she continued, her voice shaking.

"Uh-huh!" Claire proudly confirmed, "We go to all of the matches! Yours was really fun!"

"Umm…thank you," Kim nodded.

"You're really good! I've seen people with four human Pokémon who aren't as good as you!"

"Really? Uh…thanks," Kim had no idea how to react in the presence of someone who liked her more than Sprinkle.

Mark stood wondering about Claire and her "father" while they waited. His thoughts drifted back to what Kim had said after exploring the Team Deus base. To build the facility, it would take enormous amounts of money and resources. Not only that, but to keep it all a secret, it most likely would have been built alongside the development of downtown Himitsu Island. The only person who would have access to that much power was Alfred Silph.

If that was true, that Alfred Silph was responsible for financing the Team Deus base, then Claire was the daughter of a very powerful crime lord.

But something wasn't adding up. Hadn't Cherry said before that she had belonged to the boss's son? Did that mean Claire had a human brother? Or did that mean they had the wrong idea about Silph?

"So, Claire," Mark began, "do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"Nuh-uh," Claire shook her head, "just me and my daddy."

No brother. So he wasn't in charge of Team Deus. Mark supposed he could still be a member, but it was starting to feel wrong.

Even still, what reason was there for Silph to create an entire tournament from scratch on a small island? It still made perfect sense that the tournament was a ploy. Something to lure in human Pokémon for Team Deus to capture. Mark had no idea if he was onto something or not, but he shuddered to think what was going to happen if he was right.

So they all waited. Wondering who Alfred Silph really was.

A few minutes later, Maple faintly heard the sound of a door opening close by.

"Ah, there he is," Quickstep announced, "I'll go get him."

"Huh?" Mark asked, but even he could hear a man's voice begin to shout "Claire!" Quickstep trotted down to the street, waving his long sleeves as he tried to get Silph's attention.

Mark braced himself as a tall, well-dressed figure crossed the street and walked in front of the fence around the school. He had seen Alfred Silph before, but meeting him face-to-face would be entirely different from watching him give a speech.

"Daddy!" Claire cried, rushing forward as he came through the gate. Her father bent down and scooped her up, propping her against his shoulder.

"Hi there, kitten!" he greeted, "…you're all wet."

"Oh, umm…" Claire searched for a distraction, "I made some new friends! This is Cherry and her trainer Mark and their friends!" Mark stepped forward with Cherry to be inspected by Silph.

"Did you?" Silph asked, choosing to momentarily ignore Claire's evasiveness, "it's nice to meet all of you," he shook Mark's hand with a strong, well-practiced handshake, "It's nice to see Claire playing with friends like her. Outstanding."

"Uh, it's nice to meet you too," Mark returned.

"Wait a second…" Silph held up a figure and pointed it at Maple, "a Leafeon? Ah! You're the Mark that entered the tournament with one human Pokémon! Well, congratulations on your bravery."

"Bravery?" it seemed like an odd word choice to Mark. It certainly hadn't felt like bravery at the time.

"Oh, but even more congratulations on your victory!" Silph continued, heedless of Mark's confusion, "creative and stunning. I hope you can keep it up!"

"Uh, thanks…"

"I showed Cherry how to use the swings!" Claire added.

"You did? That's great!" Silph turned and beamed at his daughter before turning back to Mark and Cherry, "so your name's Cherry?"

"Yes, sir," Cherry nodded, somewhat intimidated by Silph's height and trimmed suit.

"Well, that is a lovely name, Cherry."

"T-thank you…"

"Say, now I have an idea," Silph paused and waited.

"What's that?" Mark asked.

"I'm glad you asked," Silph smiled and accepted the cue, "all of you seem like very nice people and I'd love for Claire and Cherry to get the chance to spend some more time together. Now, I'm a bit busy, running around to boring meetings and such, but were any of you planning on attending this afternoon's match? RiverofTears will be participating, so it's sure to be exciting."

"Uhh…" Mark hesitated. None of them had really planned that far ahead just yet.

"Better yet," Silph went on, "you don't have to give me an answer right now, just take this," he reached into his front pocket and produced a small, silver card, "all you need to do is show that to the attendant at the gate and tell them I'll meet you in my box. They are excellent seats, and we never miss a match."

Mark took the card and peered at it. The card was reflective silver over the whole surface with the Silph Co. logo stamped on both sides.

"Alright, we'll see you then," Silph did not wait for an answer. He turned and began talking to Claire as a very expensive-looking car drove up to the front of the school. He set her down and opened the door himself, bowing like a servant would for a princess.

"She's almost sickeningly sweet, isn't she?" Quickstep asked no one in particular as the car drove away, "she's not really his daughter, if that's what you're thinking. Not biologically, anyway."

"What is she, then?" Kim asked, "She's not his daughter, he's not a trainer. The father-daughter act seemed pretty convincing to me…what's the deal?"

"Got me," Quickstep shrugged, "I've asked Astral about it, but he keeps saying 'It's too personal,' or some lame excuse like that," he started to walk away, "anyways, I guess that's my cue to exit, as well. You got your Charmander and an invitation to a fancy party, clearly my work here is done."

"Oh, uhh…thank you," Mark stammered, "we never would have found her if-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Quickstep waved him off, "just remember that big brother Astral is watching all of you. The damned, nosy, busy-body," once again he directed a comment towards the sky, "you can't tell me you don't like it!"

"Wait," Mark called out, "who's Astral?"

"Human Bronzong with psychic powers and stuff like that," Quickstep half-explained, "have her tell you." He nodded towards Maple before turning to leave. He waved once more as he walked away.

"Aww, hell yeah," Volt grinned with enthusiasm next to Mark as he looked at the silver card in his hand.

"Umm…are you coming?" Mark asked him.

"Box seats?" Kim spoke up, "you're damn right we're coming. I don't even care if he meant us or not."

"Oh, okay…hey, Kim?"

"Yeah?"

"You said before that you thought Alfred Silph was in charge of Team Deus, right?"

"Yeah, I did," Kim nodded.

"Are you sure?"

She shrugged, "honestly, I guess it's still possible, but after that, I don't really want to believe it."

"Right," Mark nodded, "me neither."

"But if Astral says he's okay, then that means he's okay," Maple insisted.

"Who is Astral?" Mark asked again, growing tired of wondering.

"Umm…he's a human Bronzong," Maple repeated what Quickstep had said, "and he can read minds."

"What?"

"He reads minds," Maple said again, "that's how he knew where Cherry was. And he told me how to find you after I met him…"

Mark stared, processing the new information like a slow internet connection. "You met a human Pokémon that can read minds?"

"Uh-huh," Maple nodded, "we were…so I…"

"Never mind," Mark closed his eyes, "this changes a lot…it means Silph's innocent."

"Good to hear…in a way," Kim shrugged.

"In a way…" Mark repeated, "if not him, then who?"

No one had an answer. And apparently the Four had access to a mind-reader who didn't know either. What exactly were they up against?

AN: bad news, friends and neighbors. Overtime has kicked in again, which explains my delay and, sadly, I'm not really sure when it's going to let up again. So, more infrequent than usual updates for a little while, but I'll try my best.

A few things I wanted to note concerning X & Y and this particular story. Some of my usual information sources are still a bit behind, so, I'm going to refrain from editing old stuff, just yet. But, from what I know, Xerneas and Yvetal should not have a major impact on the story and neither should mega-evolution or any other new additions. Megastones would be banned in the tournament (nobody uses items anyway) and I think Dialga and Palkia would really just pretend Xerneas and Yvetal don't exist at all.

However, I did mention before that dragon and ghost Pokemon age more slowly than others (for the purposes of this fan fiction, anyway). I'd also like to include rock and ground in this group (possibly with some exceptions) as aging very slowly, but I'd also like to say that Fairy types don't age at all. They reach a certain maturity and simply stop aging. This actually keeps in line with several Pokemon that appear in X & Y (no spoilers) but makes sense to me anyway.

That being said, ALL human Pokemon age like regular humans.

I guess that's it, for now. I'll see you when I see you.

Thanks for reading!