Chapter Seventeen: Worries

And Everything Came Crashing Down

Two days passed while I was in Veilstone City. I needed to do some serious training and one day wasn't going to be enough. Whenever I asked around about the Leader, everyone would tell me that he's a loner who hides up in the gym. I learned that he was a Flying Type trainer, which made me both anxious and nervous. How would my Pokémon do against Flying Types? I would ask myself. But nonetheless, I was confident.

Another rainstorm had hit which delayed training for that day. It was right after lunchtime. I was up in my room in the Center. I had let out Togepi, who had trained hard the day before, and was sitting on the floor with her in my lap. I knew that if I was caught I would be in trouble, but I was a rebel wasn't I?

I flopped on the sofa and Thumper joined me. I grabbed my two pieces of mail I had received that day. One was from Jamie and the other was from Oliver. I opened his first.

Hey Cynthia,

Annie has started to rebuild statues for Dialga and Palkia where the tower used to be. It's coming along greatly. Also, I took the gems down to my good friend Indi. He did some scientific mumbo-jumbo on it.

After discussing his findings with Annie, they have started coming to the conclusion that those statues, and most importantly the gems, held a spirit of a Pokémon. Freaky, huh? Now I'm going to do some major Pokémon studying to try to figure out which Pokémon. And hopefully why they were trapped in statues.

How are your findings coming along?

Oliver Greene

I would have to write him back later, now it was time to get the latest on Ember.

Cyn,

Hi. I wanted to write you right away about Ember. I talked with Isis and Donald the other day, they said that before he left he was talking about how 'He didn't have a life and he should be the one out there.' They got into a huge fight. Donald was telling him he wasn't responsible enough to leave, which only made him more angry of course, and he stormed to his room and the next morning he was gone.

Isis is worried sick. And I mean sick, she's ill. If Ember knew that he'd come home! But we haven't heard a thing. My guess is he went out to be a trainer. So we'll know in a few days if he's on television getting interviewed.

Good Luck and Stay Strong,

Jamie

Great. Ember left because I'm a trainer and he isn't. Talk about a guilt trip.

I decided to write Oliver back. I grabbed a piece of paper and quickly wrote down my 'findings.'

Dear Oliver,

My findings have not completely come as planned, in all honesty. The whole thing is confusing and I hardly have time to figure anything out. You seem to be doing well on your own however.

Keep up the good work,

Cynthia Everheart

Yes, I know it was half-hearted, but I couldn't just tell him everything about the rebels and why they bombed it. I still needed to learn more about those statues, but the question was 'when would I?'

I walked outside and made my way to the training field. The rain had stopped but it made the ground muddy once I got off pavement. I released Noctowl. "Alright, take this to Eterna City." I handed the folded paper to my Flying Type. He nodded and grabbed the paper with his beak then he soared up to the heavens. That would delay my battle a while also.

I sighed and released Togepi again. She had become my little companion. Staying in one place for more than one night, especially when you're not busy-busy all the time, you seek a little company. I found a spot where the sun had slipped through the clouds and sat there. Togepi, or Thumper, hopped on my lap. I released Roselia, Psyduck and Bibarel. We all sat in the sunbeam and relaxed.

After a while the grass became less wet so I began training. First was with Togepi. She knew Growl, Charm and Metronome. She was getting stronger, but the problem was she was clumsy. She would fall over at random times. It was a 'Roll your eyes' moment.

Then I trained with Roselia. Her speed was impeccable, and she was so tough. I definitely couldn't rid her from my team. Bibarel learned a new move, which was nice. And Psyduck was still a creepy quack who stared at me wide-eyed. He's one I would happily rid, but he's also one of the strongest on my team.

Last I got out Gible. She refused to train at all. "You're about to evolve!" I would tell her. She was about to evolve, she was past the level of evolution. Yet she just wouldn't. I worried that I had a broken Dragon Type. Of course Grandfather would give me a broken Pokémon, and he would say 'Cynthia, it's for your own good. You'll train harder and better because of her.' Lucky me. Well I knew Grandfather always meant the best, that's what matters.

I returned all my Pokémon and went back into town. There wasn't anything for you to do unless you went shopping. I normally took my sweet time going back to the Center where I would then unpack my bag, examine everything within it, and then repack it. Wasn't I just a big ball of fun time?

Truth it, Veilstone wasn't any fun. It was an in-between city like Eterna. Wasn't Golden wasn't normal. What I gathered was that it could be Golden, but because of the rain and mud it wasn't 'fit' enough.

I decided to be adventurous and go down a new road. I walked passed a bunch of houses. So this is the part of Veilstone that's normal. I thought. Houses lined the sides and the road turned to dirt, no more pavements. The houses were much like Eterna, they were about two-story and probably had the average amount of rooms.

It was nice to see kids running and playing on the streets. It made me smile, actually. This was why it wasn't Golden.

I walked down another road. The pavement started back up on this one. I saw a building all lit up and blinking. I got closer. It was a large building with a fluorescent sign that read 'Veilstone Game Corner.' I could hear yelling, angry and happy, coming from the inside. Curiosity got to me; I had to see what was inside.

I walked up to the door. It was fluorescent and mesmerizing. I reached to push it open, but I was stopped. The presence returned.

"What do you want?" I whispered. Aggravation grew in my voice with every word.

"This is not your place."

"My place? You cannot control where I go and what I do. You cannot control me!" I whispered hostilely.

"I am not trying to control you. I am warning you."

The grip on my hand released. I pushed open the door and walked in.

The place smelled harshly of spirits. In fact it burned my eyes. The yelling was ten-times louder and intense. The room was only lit by the fluorescent screens of the machines. Lots and lots of people sat at these machines and yelled at it when the screen didn't show them what they wanted.

I studied the people, and then I realized, they were all Lea's guards. They lined the back wall and watched everyone. It was suspicious.

Guilt rushed over me. Not normal eat-at-your-stomach guilt, insane unnatural guilt that the presence was feeding me. This is not fair! I screamed in-mind. The guilt was almost like pain. It rived through me. I could feel vomit form in the base of my throat. I turned around and left. Once I got a few feet away from the door the guilt disappeared.

The sun was starting to set. I turned to look for the sunset. It was reflecting off of the water in the distance. It was beautiful.

I made my way to my field. Noctowl hadn't returned. I sat on the ground and sighed. "Listen, I don't know what you are or why you're haunting me, but you cannot control me like that." I said through clenched teeth.

Nothing. I couldn't feel the presence.

"Fine. Don't listen. If you don't listen to me, I sure as Sinnoh won't listen to you."

The next morning I got up earlier than usual. The sun hadn't started coming into the world yet. I clicked on the overhead light and crawled out of bed. Thumper was curled up under the blanket at my feet. She poked her head out and glared at me. "Time to get up." I said. She groaned and crawled back under. I laughed. "Fine, sleep in. But today's the big gym day." I still waited for Noctowl to return. I didn't think it took this long for a bird to get to Eterna, but I wasn't familiar with flight travel anyways.

I took a shower and raked through my hair. I pulled it up into a Ponyta-tail then started for the breakfast room.

Once I got there I started filling my plate with potallion berries. Potallion berries were Veilstone's specialty. Because of their soil it's the only berry they can grow. It grows in the ground and sprouts little plants, and it's very good. I've had many variations of the odd-textured berry, but my favorite was the breakfast style. They were put into patties of sorts with syrup on them. It was very good.

I was just sitting at a table enjoying my meal when I heard screams. "Run, run! There's a Pokémon on the loose!" A lady ran into the dining room. "Run!" She shrieked.

I jumped up and went to her. I grabbed her shoulders to keep her in place. "What is going on?" I asked.

She breathed hard. "A—a Pokémon! It—it's in the hallway! Nurses are going after it!"

I took off for the hallway. I didn't think anything of it, just that somebody's Pokémon got loose. I reached the hallway where the rooms were. Three nurses stood there.

"Where is it?!" One said.

"I don't know, I saw it a moment ago!"

"Well what does it look like?" Another said.

"I'm not sure. It looked strange, and I only saw it for a second."

"It probably left this hallway then." I said.

The nurses looked at me, than at each other. "She's right. I'll check the lobby."

"I'll check the backroom." Another said.

"I'll go ask the lady what it looked like." The last one said.

"And I'll stay here." I added. They left and I walked down the hall. Once I got to my room I realized my door was opened. Strange. I thought. I poked my head in. It didn't appear that any Pokémon was in there. Then it hit me: Togepi.

"Oh no." I muttered. I shut my door and searched the hall. "Thumper, where are you?" I said. I sprinted down the hall and into the lobby. The nurse wasn't there. "Oh no!" I ran into the breakfast room. The other nurse was talking to the hysterical lady.

The two nurses came out of the backroom. "Any luck?" One asked me.

Just then, I saw something from the corner of my eye. I turned my head ever so slightly and looked, Togepi was huddled under the sofa shaking. She was scared.

"Nope. None at all." I lied. "But I did hear some weird noises coming from room 4B." Lie. The nurses looked at each other then ran to the hall.

I turned and ran to my Pokémon. "Oh Thumper, you weren't supposed to leave my room!" She started crawling out. Then I noticed that this wasn't Thumper. Well, the face was, but the body was different. She was taller, didn't have an eggshell and two small wings protruded from her back. "You evolved!" I whispered. "That's awesome!" I scooped up my newly evolved Togepi, who was heavier might I add, and sprinted to my room.

Once I got in and put her in her Pokéball. "Sorry Thumper, but you can't escape like that again."

After I went back to my breakfast and continued. The nurses still searched and the frantic lady cried. A had no idea why she was afraid of Thumper, but Lea had everyone thinking wild Pokémon were bad.

I gathered my Pokémon and went out to train before I challenged the gym. The sun had poked its head up and gave light to the world. The morning dew still sat on the grass and the fresh air filled the trees with happiness. Once I reached the field I hoped to see Noctowl waiting for me. Nope, he hadn't shown up.

Worry filled me, what could have happened to my trusted Pokémon? He was smarter than all my others, he wouldn't have gotten lost. Besides, Flying Types have amazing instincts. But if he didn't show up I would have to challenge without him.

Training went well. Minus the fact Gible refused to train… Again. But Thumper definitely was stronger and less clumsy. That was nice.

I trained for another hour or so then I waited for Noctowl. Still nothing. I was very worried. But I still had to challenge the gym. I sighed. "Alright, I guess I'm going."

I started back into the city. I assumed the gym would be opened by now. I walked back to the Center and dropped off my bag and attached my Pokéballs to the belt loops of my pants. I quickly went to the gym. It was open. The blue and tan building was average sized, that made me less nervous. Huge arenas make it harder to focus.

I entered the gym. The field was blue with a large tan bird figure painted in the middle. In the back the door opened and a man, probably sixteen or so, walked out. He had blue hair that was spiked up and wore a blue and tan sweatshirt and matching pants.

"Are you Rhy?" I asked. Rhy was the gym leader.

"You better believe it. You're Cynthia Everheart, the one who's making her way to the top of the food chain." He said matter-o-fact. He approached me. "You're going to have your very first lose today." He smirked.

"I have to disagree with you." I said.

"I've been training for days, my Flying Types are near perfection."

I nodded. "Let's just see who the better one here is."

"I don't like an audience, it's… Not my thing. So, unfortunately, you won't have your fan clubs and television crews with you." His voice always sounded sarcastic.

"Good, I fight better without them." I walked to my side of the field, he walked to his. I grabbed my Pokémon, he grabbed his Pokémon.

"Pelipper, I choose you!" A huge Flying Type came out. It stood as tall as me, had a large beak and huge talons. It was mainly white with some blue stripes throughout it.

"Bibarel, fight well!" I released my Pokémon. He hissed and got into position.

"Wing Attack." Rhy commanded. The foe glided over and smashed its wing into Bibarel.

"Hyper Fang!" Bibarel quickly bit the Pelipper. It squawked and pushed my Pokémon away.

"Payback." The opponent hit Bibarel hard and sent him across the field.

"Rollout." I yelled. He rolled pack to the Bird Type, who was hovering in the air, and leapt up and knocked it down. He used the move three more times.

"Wing Attack." Rhy shouted. Pelipper slapped Bibarel across the face then flew up into the air. The bird went back to its place in front of its owner.

"Headbutt." Bibarel used Headbutt perfectly. Pelipper fell to the ground. "Hyper Fang!" Bibarel bit it hard on the right wing. The foe cried out in pain. Then it stopped fighting and whimpered. It was unable to battle. I grinned.

"Whatever. Chatot, go." A smaller Bird Type came out. It had an oddly shaped head, vivid colors and a red nose. "Use Chatter." Chatot opened its beak and squawked loudly. It pinched my ears. Bibarel fell to the ground and moaned. He kept twitching.

"Rollout Bibarel." I said. But he wouldn't move, he was confused. I returned the Pokémon and released Psyduck. "Water Pulse." My Pokémon sent waves of water out to the rival. They hit hard and knocked it over. "Run and use Scratch." He waddled quickly over to the fallen Pokémon and pinned it down. He started scratching the Pokémon with his long claws.

The opponent pushed Psyduck away. "Mirror Move." Rhy commanded.

"Mirror Move." Chatot repeated. It flew to Psyduck and used Scratch on him. He winced and whined.

"Escape it!" I shrieked. Psyduck managed to stand up and waddle back to me. "Water Gun." He shot water at the Pokémon. It fell back to the ground, but only for a second.

"Sing." Chatot squawked and then started to chirp, or hum rather, a calming tune. I felt myself being pulled into peace, much like what the presence did to me. I accepted it instead of fought it. My eyes started to droop. Why am I… So… So… My eyes closed. I started to lose balance. I slowly lost feeling in my leg. …Sleepy… Then my eyes shot open. The Pokémon almost put me to sleep. I looked at Psyduck, he was out like a Snorlax. Great.

I sighed out of anger. I returned Psyduck. That's two Pokémon down. I had Spiritomb, but Ghost Type moves wouldn't do anything to Flying Types. Togetic wasn't tough enough to battle a gym yet. Roselia would faint as soon as she saw a bird beak. That left Snorlax-Gible, the Pokémon who doesn't listen. Lovely, right?

But I wasn't going to show any lack of confidence. "Finish Chatot, Gible." I released my stubborn Pokémon. She came out and glared at me. Growls rumbled in her stomach. She sat down on her haunches.

"Chatot, Chatter!"

"Chatter!" Chatot echoed. It squawked loudly. I covered my ears, but Gible took a hit. She rolled on her side and growled. She reached her paw and tried to cover… Wherever her ears were, I guess. But she couldn't and that made her angrier.

"Dragon Rage." I commanded. Gible roared and rolled onto her back. I rolled my eyes.

Rhy smirked. "Mirror Move." Uh oh. Dragon moves affect Dragon Types insanely. Gible would be hit hard if she didn't use any defense. And it wasn't looking like she would.

Chatot stood there and cocked its head. Rhy frowned.

I laughed. "Looks like she can't mirror what she didn't see."

"He." Rhy corrected. "And whatever! Use Fury Attack." Chatot flew over to Gible, who was still sleeping on her back, and started to viciously peck and jab his talons into her.

"Fight back!" I growled. "Use Slash!" Gible didn't listen. She roared and tried to kick the foe away.

"Enough, come back." Rhy said. Chatot flew back. Gible stayed on the ground. She was seriously scratched up. She did not defend herself.

"Gible, this is not the time to be stubborn! Use Dragon Rage!" Nothing. All she did was hiss at me.

"Chatter again." Chatot obeyed. Even though I covered my ears it still pinched. Gible was in pain. She roared and leapt up.

I smiled. "Yeah! Gible, Dragon Rage!" She paid no attention to me. She sprinted across the field and slammed into Chatot. She used Take Down. "No, that's not what I said!" She collided with the floor. She took a hit too.

"Mirror Move." Great! Just great! This is why my Pokémon needs to listen to me and not let her anger get the best of her.

"Mirror Move!" Chatot confirmed. She slammed into Gible and pushed her to the ground. The only upside was the fact it took some of Chatot's life as well.

"Dragon Rage." I yelled. Gible jumped up and slashed her claw over Chatot's chest and left a nice mark. The rival fell to the ground and squawked limply, there was no hope for recovery.

Rhy returned the Pokémon. Gible groaned and fell to the ground. She curled in a ball and winced. I ran out on the field towards her. I crouched at her side, she wasn't injured. "Gible?" She growled.

Rhy came over. "Looks like he doesn't want to evolve."

"She." I corrected. "And what?"

"She's blocking herself from evolving. Some Pokémon do that, it's painful stopping the process though."

"So that explains why she doesn't train."

He shrugged. "Most likely. The question is why she doesn't want to evolve, normally only wild Pokémon do that."

I sighed. "At least you're not broken. You're just dumb." She showed her teeth and hissed. "You don't scare me." I reached out to touch her arm, it was switching a lot. She snapped at my hand and I pulled away. "Come on, stop fighting it." She whimpered then growled. The twitching stopped and she jumped up.

"Too late, she stopped it." Rhy walked back to his side of the field, I did the same. He grabbed his last Pokéball. "Staravia, win this for me!" A grey, brown and white bird came out. I could see that it was focused. It had long wings and beefy talons with large claws.

"Gible—" She already started to fight. My Pokémon did not want to listen to me. A sandstorm circled around the opponent.

"Wing Attack." Rhy yelled. Staravia fought through the storm and flew to Gible, he smashed his wing into her and she hit the ground. She roared and stood up. She used the move Slash and leapt up and cut the foes wing.

"Dragon Rage." I tried. Nothing.

"Quick Attack." The Staravia whipped towards my Pokémon and slammed into her. This Flying Type had great speed.

"Slash." Gible, actually, started to obey. She extended her claws and ran to Staravia, but her claws started to glow purple. She slashed the rival's stomach area. Staravia fell out of his hover and crashed to the ground. That move wasn't Slash, it was much more powerful. And the purple was something dragon related so it must have been Dragon Claw.

"Aerial Ace, Staravia." Rhy shouted. The Flying Type tried to escape the sandstorm, but couldn't. I tried to take advantage of that.

"Slash now!" I yelled. Instead Gible spewed purple energy at the foe. At least she attacked. But then she plopped on the ground and stretched out. She wasn't fighting evolving, she was just being the Snorlax she truly is.

"Quick Attack." Staravia weaved through the sand and attacked Gible. She defended herself somewhat, but still took a good hit. She roared then closed her eyes. She had fainted.

The sandstorm subsided. I decided to bring out Psyduck. I released him. To my luck he had awoken. "Water Pulse." The water slapped Staravia and knocked him down. "Confusion." My Pokémon ran to the rival and met his eyes, a second later Staravia was flying in circles.

"Staravia, Wing Attack!" Staravia ended up running into the wall. He slid to the ground and plopped down on his back. He was down for the count.

I grinned. "Great job Psyduck!" I returned him. Rhy returned Staravia. We met in the middle of the field.

"You fought well." I said.

"Yeah you too." I bit of sarcasm laced his tone. "You're the first to beat me in… Well, I can't remember."

I smirked. "Thank you."

"Your Pokémon are…" He hesitated, "tough. Nice job with training."

I nodded. "Same to you. Although, that wasn't all my Pokémon. My Noctowl is away."

"Away?" He echoed.

"Yes, I sent him to deliver a letter and he's not back yet."

His face tightened. "You shouldn't have done that."

"Why?" More worry hit. What shouldn't have I done?

"Because you're on hunting grounds."

Authors Note: Thank you everyone who read and reviewed. I'm not too happy with how this chapter came out, so don't be shy to tell me you agree that it's not my best.

Espeon: I went back and reread that part and agreed with you, I was shocked I didn't notice that. Jumbling sentences is something I do a lot, I normally catch them though. Thanks for the honesty!