Me: Well, I'm tossing out that rough draft! Too many nose bleeds. (Throws out rough draft) Looks like I'll be winging the story for now on! I just hope it doesn't become awful. Any ways, I hope you all enjoyed the prologue! This is where it starts getting good! So, enjoy!
Ikuto: You moron! You forgot to do the disclaimer! He does not own pokemon!
Me: You didn't have to yell…
Chapter One
Just Another Day, Four Years Later
I can't be blamed for sighing at work, can I? No, I don't think so. I let out a heavy sigh in my depressed state, adjusting the collar of my jacket and the apron around my waist. How badly I wish for this day to end so I can return home and try to find a better job than working as a waiter in this awful bar. Too many people get drunk here, and normally, that means someone will start trying to flirt. Disgusting.
I grab the full platter of drinks and plates from the counter, holding it on my shoulder as I move around the many tables and customers. At least being a blaziken, even though I'm below average height, has perks in the waiting business.
I arrive at the table where the food is to be delivered, forcing a smile onto my face. It is made easier at the sight of the young nidoran, the long spikes and purple coloring marking it as the male species. "I'm sorry for the wait."
"It's fine," the nidoking, obviously the father, states with a grin as I place out the orders. "As busy as it is, I thought we'd never get served!"
"Stewart," his wife, a nidoqueen with a recently used moon stone around her wrist, hisses, playfully jabbing his shoulder. "Have some respect. I doubt it's easy to work here."
"Yeah," I mutter, picking up the platter and holding it under my arm. If you need anything, just try to catch my attention when I'm nearby."
"Of course, thank you," the mother of the three member family states, still glaring at her husband. I sigh again, walking away from the table and catching a glimpse of the clock. 6:49. Bella is probably just getting home from her class trip to Nimbasa City in the Unova region. How strange it is that an eighth grade quilava has already done more in her life than her twenty-year-old brother, with the exception of dating.
Ever since I broke up with Sebastian at the funeral four years ago, I've attempted to date a few other people, mainly guys. Of course, they all dumped me after the second date, or ended up being arrested, in the case of the only girl I dated. Then again, I am in Lumiose City, where there are very few people with morals, and this bar is where I've met many of my dates.
Since I finally have a moment of rest, I quickly punch out and remove my uniform, exposing the old black t-shirt and faded blue jeans I have on. At minimum wage, I have to use the money I make to buy food, pay bills, and get Bella new clothes. I'm lucky that I kept these after my parents passed, or else I wouldn't have anything the fits.
"Willow, where are you going?" I turn to see my boss, probably one of the rudest, and most perverted, krookodile anyone will ever meet. I really wish he would just leave me alone. "You still have customers out there, and a few of the regulars want to say hello." By regulars, he means the drunks who want me to come over so they can harass me.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I was supposed to leave a few hours ago, and my sister is just coming home from a trip. She isn't old enough to stay home on her own for very long."
"Yeah, you're not leaving. Not until this place is cleared of your customers." That sends smoke and flames shooting up from my body. Another perk of being a fire-type. He smirks, leaning forward in a cocky manner. "What, am I making you mad, you brat? If you want to keep this job, I suggest you put that uniform back on. I don't think anyone would hire someone like you anyways, you little shit."
"Just shut the hell up and leave me alone!" My fist bursts into flames as I punch his face hard enough to break his jaw. "Let the next guy dumb enough to work for you handle the customers. I'm done here." I storm away from him and through the main eating area. I can catch a glimpse of the family I was just working with, the parents frowning in depression at the sight of me. I mouth the words 'I'm sorry', but I doubt they really understand me before I am outside.
Since it is summer time, the sun is still bright in the sky, but the shadows hide most of the city. If I recall, the next bus back to Aquacorde Town is leaving at 7:05. One of the street clock towers is resting at the corner, marking it as five till. I have enough time to run to the bus stop, if I jump over a couple buildings. I sigh, concentrating all of my energy and fire power into my legs, which catch fire for one of my signature blaze kicks. With one leap, I rocket into the air, do a somersault in the air, and land on the roof of a nearby building. Based on the sign, it is Boutique Coutiurre, somewhere Bella always wants to try and shop at. Of course, I can't afford it, and probably never will.
I can see the bus stop at the foot of Prism Tower, and the bus is about seven minutes away. I start running along the roof tops, which many would believe actually decreases the time I take to get to the stop. In truth, it increases the time, as I have to watch for police officers constantly. Last time I got caught doing this, I was told I'd be arrested for doing it again. Luckily, I'm good at hiding now, thanks to my speed.
I arrive at the bus stop seconds before the bus does, and I pull out my wallet, handing over my bus pass. The driver, a reuniclus that has modified itself to have a body similar to mine, two legs and two arms, eyes me carefully because of it. "I won't need it anymore," I state, and the psychic pokemon accepts the answer, allowing me to take a seat.
In the three minutes between the arrival and departure of the bus, only a few other pokemon climb on. Of course, I don't know any of them, as I never pay attention to my neighbors, unless they are new. Liz and Ikuto both moved to other towns and cities here in Kalos, a few months after my graduation. I don't hear much from them, except about their success on television. Liz is a fashion designer in Shalour City with a yoga studio as well, while Ikuto runs a restaurant with Siebold, the blastoise chef of the elite four in the pokemon league.
The bus starts to move, and I settle down, watching the city go by on the other side of the window. I can't help but recall how I met Sebastian as something more than a crush every time I see this, since it was on a bus ride for a school trip that I got to slowly know him.
Six Years, Nine months before Present
As a new soon to be freshman, my class is on its way to Cyllage City for a beach day and some tours, led by the local gym leader, whose name I keep forgetting. All I remember is that he is a tyrantrum. Liz sits a few seats ahead of me, talking heartily with Helena, the palkia twin sister of my long time crush. Speaking of my crush, I just have to be seated next to him. Rather embarrassing when it feels like the chaperones, my parents, are trying to play match maker with me.
I sneak a glance as Sebastian, taking in the almost fully undone white button up shirt, the gem embedded in his chest, and the blue markings that travel across the firm silver skin of his body. He has taken a bipedal form, as mother calls it, and lounges around, snoring with his arms behind his head. It takes all of my will power not to drool, but I cannot control what hormones are doing to my body. I hate puberty so much right now, having to cross my legs to hide myself. Swim trunks have a tendency to expose too much, as many can guess.
Outside the window, which I can see in the corner of my eye, the bright ocean races past, and a few wild pokemon, mainly clauncher and clawitzer, play around, squirting each other with water. I let out a sigh, and the seat shifts, surprising me, but not enough to get a reaction.
"Something wrong, kid," the dialga asks, naturally taller than I am.
"N-No, nothing's wrong."
"You just sighed, though." I blush, which turns my yellow combusken feathers orange. He smirks, his eyes running along my body. I feel like he's sizing me up for a fight.
"Oh, that. I was just thinking, uh, how badly I want to get to the beach. The water looks really nice today."
"Wouldn't you sink if you tried to go swimming," he mutters. "You are a fire-type, after all. I know for a fact that I'm not leaving dry land today. I'd rather just relax in the shade and sleep."
An image of him doing just that flashes in my mind, and I hold a hand up to my beak, trying to stop an impending nose bleed. Why is it that I have to be so hormonal?
He gives me a questioning look, but grins in just a few seconds, scooting closer. A hand rests upon my leg, and I feel like I'm ready to die of embarrassment when he uncrosses my legs. Sebastian snorts lightly, still grinning. "I should have known. You know, a good way to get rid of that is to think of something gross or funny. I normally picture my sister with baby food on her face after my little brother throws some at her."
I've actually seen that once. It was during parent-teacher conferences, and Helena was trying to feed her little brother, Thomas, a giratina. He sneezed while she was holding some baby food in front of him, and it completely soaked her face. I snort in laughter, stifling it so I don't cause a disturbance on the bus. I guess Sebastian was right, though; my hormones are allowing me to relax finally.
"Feeling better," he asks, nudging my shoulder with his.
I blush again, but I can answer with a smile. "Y-Yeah, thanks. But, how did you-"
"Know you were like that? Because I see how I act when like that. You act the exact same way. Dad says I should go into something called psychology because of that, but I prefer working on machines, like motorcycles."
That bus ride ended rather well, I do recall. I ended up spending the entire day beside the dialga, and we became close friends. Of course, it wasn't until the pep rally in ninth grade when he asked me out.
I smile internally at the thought, but I know I still have not forgiven him for the funeral breaking both his promise and the trust I had with him. I doubt that pain will ever go away. I take another look outside, and I can see the edges of Aquacorde Town up ahead, only a couple minutes away. Despite having lived here my entire life, I still feel nostalgic when returning, like I've been gone for years, not hours. How strange it is to feel this way.
The bus never goes very far into town, but it does stop outside of a local café, down the street from where I live. I climb off here, crossing the street and walking down towards the same light brown house I've lived in since childhood. There have been days when I half expect to walk in and see my parents, smiling a greeting. Of course, I'm always disappointed at their absence.
"Aries!" The door flies open before I even reach it, and Bell a zips out, tackling my abdomen in a hug. She is in a neon green blouse and well-tailored jean shorts, and the grin on her face has me smiling. "I missed you, big brother!"
"I missed you too, Bella," I laugh, pulling her up into my arms, carrying her inside. "So how was Nimbasa City?"
"It was awesome! I got to meet the champion Hilda and her boyfriend N, and the Ferris wheel was amazing! You could see the entire city from the top!"
I grin, recalling something I once read about that very ride. "Did you go on with someone you like?"
"No way! You know I don't like any of the boys in my class. They're all too gross." I can't help but laugh as she crosses her arms, pouting. She has high standards for the boys she wants to date, since I had dated Sebastian, and she has yet to find someone to meet her qualifications. Thank Mew for that much.
The telephone in the kitchen starts to ring, and I move to pick it up. Pressing the talk button, I hold up the phone, listening. "Hello, Willow residence. This is Aries speaking."
"Aries, you won't believe the news!" The boom of Ikuto's shout hurts my head, so I press the speaker button and set the phone on the coffee table in the living room. "Is Bella there and are you on speaker?"
"That is a double yes," my sister laughs, hopping onto the couch, and I sit down beside her. "So what is the news?"
"Well, as you both know, Siebold and I have been successful with our restaurant as of late, and we've had a lot of critics give us amazing ratings. We've been asked to go to Hearthome City for an annual, international culinary event!"
Bella lets out a high pitched squeal of joy, and I can only grin. "That is great news, alright. I hope you both do your best and bring back first place."
"Oh, I'm not finished yet, Aries. The competitors are allowed to bring three guests with them. Siebold is bringing the rest of the elite four with him, and I just called Liz. She's in for the win, so I was wondering if you two are available to join us."
"I wish we could, but with big brother working, I don't-"
"We're in. I cleared my schedule for the next few months earlier. So when do we leave?" Bella glares at me, knowing what I mean by a cleared schedule. After all, it has happened once before.
"We're leaving tomorrow morning at seven from the Santalune City airport. I'll see you guys there." Ikuto hangs up, and I know what is about to happen.
"Aries, how come you lost another job? You always say you're going to take care of us, but you always lose your job after a couple months."
"I actually quit because the boss was trying to keep me long past my shift ended, and I can't afford to work that much overtime. We should get packing so we can be up early tomorrow."
"I know. But don't think I'm going to let you quit another job, big brother."
I snort in laughter at her statement before we go our separate ways to pack for the trip.
Me: Yay! A culinary competition! I wonder what might happen at this.
Ikuto: You kind of spoiled it with all the flashbacks, kid.
Me: I'm not a kid, or even a child! I'm a student of creative writing!
Ikuto: Sure you are.