CHAPTER 2: Uneventful days
Another year has passed. It is the middle of summer, and the air seems to hang between stale and heavy. Perhaps it will rain tomorrow. The sun is beginning to set, bathing the trees in a beautiful color.
N finds himself standing in front of a Pokémon Center. Earlier he had had the misfortune of encountering some budding trainers grouped together, ready to battle anything and everyone who came across. N usually dislikes encouraging younglings in their foolishness, but they had followed him towards a forest where Reshiram had been resting, and he had not wanted to wake his friend so he accepted to take them on. A tired sigh escapes his chapped lips. At least he can make it up to his pokemon friends by having them checked over and fed well.
Shuffling inside, N approaches the counter.
" Excuse me. "
Being polite is the key to dealing with humans. This he has learned well.
However, the nurse at the counter has her gaze fixated on the television above her and does not seem to hear him.
" Recent police reports have revealed that the criminal organization whose members called themselves Team Plasma has finally been disbanded completely or so is the belief. There has been no recent activity for the past 5 months - even among the less notorious members. The police are still looking for Team Plasma's assumed leader, Ghetsis Harmonia, who-"
" -Excuse me."
This time he uses a louder voice, which easily carries over the reporter's on the bright screen. The pink-haired nurse jumps a little, laughing sheepishly and then turning to smile at him kindly, skipping her eyes quickly over his green hair and impassive face.
" Hello there! I apologize! I hadn't realized anyone stepped in. What can I do for you?"
His lips refuse to turn upwards in response, so he starts explaining instead.
" I was in a battle recently and my friends need their rest. I would like for you to do a quick check-up on them before we find an inn. " The nurse smiles sweetly at him for a moment before nodding.
" Of course! Let me have a look at your friends. In the meantime, please have some tea in the lounge area over there. " The woman nods towards a comfortable looking corner with couches, coffee tables and a miniature kitchen.
It bothers him when he has to hand his friends over, even when it's for healing purposes. He supposes the worry will never fade even faced with such a gentle caretaker. He reaches for his belt and places the pokéballs in the counter, which begins scanning the pokémon. The nurse looks away for a moment to check on the computer, and N heads over to the lounge.
N places his hat on the coffee table nearest to the service desk and sits down on a large red couch. It seems to swallow him, and he closes is eyes, waiting.
He is startled awake by a gentle hand on his shoulder. Eyes now wide open and a panicked yell just behind his lips, he jerks away. The nurse raises her hand in a placating gesture and smiles reassuringly.
" Mister, your friends are doing fine now. They were a bit hungry, so I gave them all some food. They were not hurt at all, so I think you must have done very well in your battle! "
The softly spoken words wake him from his panic, and he lets his shoulders drop.
" Apologies, I- I must be tired. Thank you for taking care of them. "
He tries to smile apologetically, and seems to succeed in some way because the nurse beams at him.
" No worries, mister! You can pick your pokémon up from the counter. "
N stands now, fully intending to escape his embarrassment, when the nurse speaks again.
" Oh, and there is an inn just around the corner, you can find it next to the gym! Please have a rest there. "
He nods, not trusting himself with words anymore, and goes to gather his friends . After making sure the pokéballs are firmly attached to his belt, he turns back towards the nurse and bows. He slips money on the table and hurries out of the door.
As he steps out, the air has cleared somewhat and it feels good to take a deep breath of the fresh air. N keeps following the village road until he sees a gym, and next to it an old inn. The inn looks like it has been there for centuries, with most of the paint fallen off. It strikes him as odd, seeing as the pokemon center had been so..polished. Nevertheless, he needs to rest and clear his mind.
It takes no time at all to get a room. Apparently it is not a tourist season. Once inside his rented room, he slumps against the door and locks it with shaking hands. He takes the pokéballs off his belt one by one.
" I'm sorry, my friends. I hope you are feeling better. "
There is silence, and he knows his friends must be asleep by now. He finally smiles, mouth stretching into a true smile.
Then he leans the back of his head on the wooden door and sleeps, again.
But his dreams are still the same, and offer torment instead of an escape. He dreams of his time as a false young prince, eager to show off his learnings and wishing for acceptance. For someone to love him. He knows by now it was futile to hope for anything other than what he truly deserved-still deserves. His dreams mock his eagerness, and he sees himself get slapped repeatedly by strong hands, sees himself beg and apologize, yell and cry. " Papa...papa please!"
But father never listens, he knows. He's now sure he belongs here, on the cold floor, with the red-eyed monster leaning over him, laughing at his pathetic attempts to get up when it all hurts so, so much. The hits themselves resemble light slaps by another standard, but they feel like strong strikes against his fragile frame. He stays there, locked in the dark with red orbs judging his very being. He is unable to get up and he-
wakes up.
Author notes:
This chapter is mainly just N's own view of Ghetsis.
I didn't really want to make Ghetsis physically abusive, but when I imagine him I just think about him taking his disappointment out on N.
But also, for N in this fic, Ghetsis' words probably hurt more than anything else. God, I'm so sorry. Poor N.
I don't intend to add much more of the abuse in this fic I think, just hints. But N gets nightmares because it was highly traumatic for a young child, and because I was in a horrible mood while writing this.
I also thought about just keeping this fic an one-shot, but whoops look what happened.
Next chapter I might even include actual Ghetsis, not just a mention of him. ^^' Sorry for this chapter being so boring.
