Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long in getting the next chapter out. I honestly couldn't think of what to do. This is a pretty short and plain chapter, I'll try and make the next one more exciting. Don't be afraid to give me some reviews, I do enjoy them. It'll definitely help me, I need some opinions on how everything is so far and what you guys might like to see in the future. Thanks for reading guys, I hope you enjoy! ~
"Nacrene City." Bianca read on the sign. "Hey, hey guys! I think we're almost there!" She shouted back at us, waving her hand in the air. Cheren and I looked at one another, shaking our heads.
"Bi, you might wanna look around the sign." I stated calmly, with a small smirk. She nodded at me and glanced on the other side of the sign, her eyes darting all around.
"Val, I don't see what you're looking at. It's just the gate to Nacrene." She said in an airy manner. I face-palmed; Cheren walked past me and flicked Bianca in the head.
"Ow! What was that for?" She whined, hold the spot that was flicked. Cheren sighed, continuing his walk towards the gate. I caught up, grabbed Bianca's wrist and pulled her along seeing she was too focused on the fact that she was just hit.
"Vaalll, why did he hit me?"
"This is why." I stated simply after we exited the Gate and took our first steps into Nacrene City. Bianca's whole face lit up as she looked all around.
"Look guys! We made it!"
"Clearly…" Cheren rolled his eyes, trying to keep himself calm. Her stupidity seemed to get the better of us both at times. It's mind-boggling how someone could be so oblivious. Watching her made me feel like a parent watching over her kid in a Candy Store. Wasn't exactly a great feeling. It didn't take me long to spot the Gym; there was a huge sign hanging over a Museum-like building that said the Gym was inside. Great… So this is probably gonna be a really tough battle. I just hope Shuu and Areya can handle it. I glanced at the two pokeballs that sat still in the bottom of my bag. On our way here I had run across a small Blitzle, she had challenged Shuu and I to a battle. During the battle she had shown her full potential and that really caught my eye, I didn't understand why a wild pokemon was putting so much into a passing battle, but I didn't question it either. It turns out she wanted to be caught though, I threw the pokeball at her and she didn't struggle one bit, it was an instant catch. I was really happy when I saw this, it meant that she was gonna become a valuable member of the team.
"Val, what're you doing?" Cheren placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. I looked up with a smile on my face.
"Just going over everything in my head and thinking of how much I can't wait to kick this Gym Leader's ass." I said with a cheesy grin. Cheren laughed and pulled one of his pokeballs out.
"Well, how about we have a little practice battle first?"
"Alright, you're-"
"Excuse me, but I think I'd like to have a battle with her first." said an all too familiar male voice. Afraid to turn my head, I just stared at Cheren, whose expression just answered every question I had at that moment. Swallowing hard, I slowly inched my head to look at him.
"Good to see you again, Valaina." He took his hat off and bowed like a gentlemen, before looking deep into my eyes. His were gorgeous… Such a stunning emerald color.. And his hair, so- WOAH, what am I thinking? He just challenged me to a battle! I'll beat him without any problems!
"… Valaina?" He gave me a puzzles look as I furiously shook my head. "Is something the matter?"
"Wha- No. You're here for a battle, right? Well a battle is what you're gonna get!" I stood firm in my battle stance, Areya's pokeball ready to go. A smirk crawled across his face; he unlatched a pokeball from his belt and threw it in the air. Out came a small bird pokemon, it flapped its wings a couple of times and calmly stood in front, waiting for a command. Pidove, huh? This is a perfect opportunity to train her.
"Alright Areya, this one's all yours!" I shouted while throwing her pokeball into the air. She came out in a flash of light and a loud cry. Her eyes narrowed at the boy in front of her and the small bird. I could feel she was rearing to go. "Just wait girl, don't rush it." I cooed. She seemed to understand, I watched as her all the muscles in her body relaxed.
"A Blitzle? This is certainly going to be an interesting battle. Let me hear your pokemon loud and clear."
"Listen as you will, see what she thinks. You'll come to find that there are no problems. Areya, watch carefully." Areya looked back at me, nodding in compliance. N's eyes furrowed, he was trying to see what I was up to. He'd soon find out that I was up to nothing, just waiting for him to make his move.
"Pidove, use Leer." N commanded in a hushed tone. The Pidove flapped its wings in response before giving a vicious glare to Areya; she shuddered and a blue aura surrounded her. Dammit. I cursed; I have to think of something quick… Oh, I know. I snickered before looking across to N. He returned the look with a sweet smile, like he was enjoying himself. I thought he didn't like Pokemon being used like this… Yet he's enjoying it? Clearly his Pokemon are as well. He just doesn't get it… Does he?
"Areya, Charge!" Areya stood still, closing her eyes; electric sparks danced all around her, jumping from spot to spot on her fur. With a smile plastered across the Electric Pokemon's face, she opened her eyes widening her smile. A red aura surrounded her for a moment, telling me that her Special Defense was now raised. Perfect. The look in N's eyes was priceless; he knew what was going to happen next.
"Pidove, use Quick Attack to get across and then follow it up with Gust!" N commanded, the Bird Pokemon complied without a problem. In the blink of an eye the small Bird was flashing around here and there. I kept a watchful eye as I look for a pattern, there was always a pattern. There.
"Areya, Shock Wave now!" She let out a loud cry as electrical sparks gathered around her. She reared up, than stomped on the ground releasing a wave of electricity that encircled her. Pidove went flying backwards as it ran right into the attack. N's expression went from that of a victory look to that of horror in mere seconds. He figured he'd won, even though he knew what was going to happen after Areya fully charged. His confidence baffled me. Areya had a proud look on her face as she glanced at me. I nodded with a soft smile.
"You did great, girl. Would you like to keep going?" She happily cried out, joy in her eyes. That was an obvious 'yes'. The both of us stood ready for N's next Pokemon.
"Pidove, return." The small bird was re-called; he looked at the pokemon's ball in his hand and whispered "You did a good job. Rest well," and latched it back onto his belt. "It's your turn now, Tympole!" In a bright flash, a little Tadpole-like pokemon was out and flopping on the floor.
"Uhm… Doesn't this pokemon need water?" I questioned, giving a sympathetic look to the Pokemon.
"Not at all, Tympole flops like that in order to keep itself ready at any moment." He looked at his Pokemon, smiling. His smile always made me melt, ever since I first met him… It was such a soft, kind smile he gave to his Pokemon. He cared about them, a lot. It was more than obvious. "Tympole, use Bubblebeam!"
"Bubblebeam; what's he doing?" I questioned to myself. I shook my head. "Areya, charge towards it with Quick Attack and then use Shock Wave!" Areya sped off with lightning speed. Being the Electric Pokemon she was, speed was at its top for her. She easily made her way across the field, dodging the streams of bubbles that came her way. Swiftly she gathered all the electrical energy she could, and released the wave of electricity right in front of the small Tadpole. Another one hit K-O. N called Tympole back, whispering sweet words to his worn out friend. I smiled to myself, keeping Areya out for yet another round. Hopefully his last one won't be trouble. I jinxed myself though; he soon released a Timburr, just what I needed. Fighting may not have been affective against Electric, but Areya's defense wasn't really the best. Her speed would be able to get her out of most the trouble, but she would only last a few hits. Shit. I scoffed.
"Areya, Charge!" I could tell she was slightly nervous from her stiff stance. After closing her eyes though, he muscles loosened and the spark danced around her once again. N's Timburr gave him a look that said he knew what to do. N just nodded, allowing his Pokemon to follow through with its own plan. No wonder her left it for last… It has a mind of its own… Fuck. He must have trained this one well. I heard someone chuckle and I drifted away from my thoughts.
"What's so funny?" I glared across the field.
"I can see the confused look in your eyes. You're wondering why I allow Timburr to do as he pleases."
"Not at all, I already know. You have him well trained."
"No, he's always been this way. His IQ is higher than most Timburr, and they're fairly intelligent Fighting Pokemon." N sounded like a proud father as he spoke of his Pokemon and its species. Normally he sounded like a little child on a play-date, but for some reason he was far more mature this round. "Let's see if you can keep up with him."
"Not a problem. Areya, are you ready?" Almost on instantly, Areya's eyes shot open and she cried out joyously. "Good, let's get this battle going with a nice Shock Wave!" I glanced around the field only to realize that Timburr was nowhere to be found. I could tell Areya was confused as well. N snickered as his pokemon suddenly appeared right below Areya and in one swift movement it had her on the floor.
"Nice Low Kick, Timburr." His pokemon stood proudly in front of Areya, who was unconscious on the floor. One hit? That Timburr is stronger than I thought… Shit, I'm gonna have to be careful. Let's just hope Shuu will be alright.
"Areya, I'm sorry. You did an amazing job today, come on back." I caressed the pokeball gently and placed a sweet kiss on it after she returned. "Rest well." Placing her pokeball back in my bag, I brought my hand out holding Shuu's. "Alright, it's up to you now, Shuu!" Out he came, his arms crossed and a look of amusement on his face as he saw the Timburr standing there playing with the giant log in its arms. "Shuu, be careful. It took Areya out with on-" Before I could finish, leave were whipping around the field in a furious manner. "Leaf Tornado? I didn't realize how much I trained him." I spoke under my breath. The leaves formed a cyclone around Timburr, slicing and tearing at its skin. A look of horror appeared on N's face, you could see the concern in his eyes. Heck, even I was concerned about the poor Pokemon. The leaves cleared out and Timburr was no longer standing, instead it was kneeling on the ground, barely conscious. One hand was on the log for support.
"Timburr, can you stand?" N called out, worry dripping from every word. I felt horrible, hearing N so worried made my heart ache. "Timburr!" The pokemon responded with a weak cry, and made a futile attempt to stand. One move and it was on the floor, unconscious. N ran over to his beaten Pokemon, and held it in his arms. I slowly walked over, watching N's every movement. Shuu stood behind, arms still crossed. It seemed proud of its work.
As I approached N and his pokemon, he looked up at me with the saddest eyes. "N…" I whispered, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. He was so toned; you could feel the muscle with one touch.
"This is why Pokemon should be free… This wouldn't happen."
"Yes it would, Pokemon battle all the time in the wild. And there they have no one to care for them after the fact, no one to heal them." I softly stated.
"It doesn't matter! Pokemon die every day because of the way we misuse and mistreat them!"
"N! The same thing happens in the wild! Why can't you see that it's futile?"
"Because it's not! They're safer in the wil-"
"Are you stupid? How oblivious can you be? You were having fun! So was your Pokemon! N, It's in their blood to battle. It's what they do! Stop allowing yourself to be blinded!" I couldn't help but yell, I felt horrible for it because of the condition he was in… but he got me so mad. I removed my hand from his shoulder and backed up a few steps. Shock was written all over his face, he'd never been yelled at like that before, you could tell. He returned his pokemon and slowly stood up, looking directly at me. I could bear to look him in the eyes; my glance was at the ground. "I-I'm sorry…"
He took a few steps toward me. "Valaina…" His tone was neutral; I couldn't tell how he was feeling anymore. It's almost like he has some switch that he changes and it makes him swap emotions like it's nothing. He seemed almost emotionless now, there was a small tinge of sorrow though.. It was hard to see, but if you looked closely you can tell it was there. "Good battle." He finally said after a long pause, and held out a hand. I placed mine in his, and we shook. Without so much as a goodbye, he just turned and walked off. I stood there… Confused. What in the world just happened? He was… On the ground basically in tears one moment, and after I snapped he completely changed… What is he? And why do I feel so horrible for yelling? He… Deserved it, right?