Chapter 4

This time when we traveled to Phenac, Wes really picked up the pace. The sand in the wind was almost painful as it brushed against my skin. I had to lean into Wes further to avoid being skinned entirely. There was a good chance he was being joked or moderately annoyed by my grip, but he showed no sign of it. Umbreon and Espeon didn't seem to notice the speed. They just squinted their eyes a little more and leaned further forward. They had obviously reached this speed before. Now I was wondering how fast this bike could really go.

When the desert started to clear and Phenac city was in view, Wes turned the bike to the side and drifted the remainder of the way to the front gates. There, he jumped off and held out a hand to me, helping me off. Umbreon and Espeon looked to their trainer for directions. All he did was point towards the gates and then they were off at full speed into the city.

"What's going on?" I asked right as I started on his tail. Man, his pokemon were in a hurry, but he was only slightly faster than usual. "Is there something-"

"Thank goodness you're here!" I was rudely interrupted by a lady in a pink dress as she came running out the front gates to us. Her hair was a mess and she was missing her left shoe. "The mayor, the mayor has been kidnapped!"

Wes was now in a hurry. He grabbed my arm and started off into the town with me stumbling clumsily behind him. Now, I was a good runner, but the boots I had on weren't really that kind of style. I had to move around all funky a few times before my legs could run properly, and even then it was hard to keep them on.

We darted up the stairs and to the mayor's house, where the door had been propped open. Sensing the danger, I gripped my weapon tightly at my side. I had no idea how to use it. How was I supposed to take on the kidnappers like this? I'd never even harmed someone before, at least not with a sharp weapon. Please, I prayed, give me the strength to do something useful.

The two of us bolted inside. Right away we were reunited with Umbreon and Espeon. They were both at the entrance to the house, teeth bared and backs arching at a group of thugs who stood inside.

Folly and Trudly were in there. They were up against the back wall, hunched over in their usual slouch, but they weren't alone. On our left, three wannabe power rangers dressed in either blue, red, or green saluted. They were all the same height and weight, but their faces had been hidden behind helmets. Their colorful suits were padded that were obviously to protect them from being injured. That was bad news. Could this feather cut through it?

When we entered, they didn't even turn to see us. They stood as still as soldiers, saluting in perfect formation with each other. The only noticeable flaw in this were their headbands, which had all been tied in a different style of knot behind their heads

It was weird to see heavily-armored thugs. It was even weirder to see who they were saluting. A man so tall and thin that it was like he was nothing but a giant skeleton stood in the center of the room, facing Trudly and Folly. The idiot was wearing a golden jumpsuit with golden star earrings and shoes so big you'd think he was dressing up to be a clown. But he had obviously cared more for the old look, because his hair was done up in an afro just as tall as me.

"There!" Folly said, pointed at me. "That's the girl who can see the Haze!"

"Mm?" The disco freak turned around. His hair bounced like a giant balloon. Wow, this guy even had makeup and a golden mask on. He was really concerned about his style. He saw us and laughed. It sounded like a dry cackle. "Oh, my! What a duo! These two don't look like they can do any harm, how could you have possibly lost to them?" He approached me. His suit was nearly damp with all the cologne he had applied. It didn't even smell nice. It was just overpowering. Had he used the entire bottle? "You're the one Folly is talking about, the girl who can see the Haze, correct?"

I glared at him.

"Oh, no need for that, darling. I didn't need to be assured that you were." He lifted his twig of an arm and flicked his wrist at me. The blue power ranger on the right suddenly darted at me. It was too quick, I couldn't avoid it as he grabbed my neck and thrust me to the ground. My hands instinctively grabbed his, but he started applying pressure to my windpipe. It was painful. The bones in my neck began to bend. Already my arms were going weak. Right when he began to reach for something on his hip, my vision started fading. I had been hit so hard my head was spinning. Now I couldn't breathe.

Panic had just started to kick in, but when I went to catch another breath, sweet air filled my lungs. I opened my eyes without realizing I had closed them in all the confusion. The blue goon was on the floor to my right, unconscious. His helmet had been dented by what looked to be the imprint of a blunt object hard enough to injure him. When I looked closer, it became clear that it had been a foot that had dealt the damage.

I felt warm hands slip under my back and gently lift me to my feet. My legs were numb and bowlegged, so when I was at my feet, there was no supporting myself. The hit had been so hard on me. I must've hit my head on the floor too because my skull throbbed. My savior readjusted me.

"Are you ok?" Wes whispered. He must've been the one who saved me.

"Y-yeah," I replied. The words left my mouth dry. He had saved me. And now he was holding me in protective embrace. I was injured, but I was more influenced by how warm and soft he was.

"Oh, my," the man in the yellow suit breathed. "Quite protective, you are. Well, listen here. That sweet young thing in your arms, she can see things that ordinary people aren't supposed to see. That won't do for what we have planning. That just won't do at all." He held out his hand. "Now, if you will please lend us the girl."

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Wes said in a threatening tone. "Why don't you get out of here before I make you?" The tall goon paused.

"What a determined young man. I like that." He looked over his shoulder at Folly and Trudly. "You know what to do. I will not tolerate failure again from you boys." The two misfits saluted him.

"Yes, Master Miror B!" they chanted in unison.

"Good!" Miror B. looked back to us with a smile. "I suppose I should leave you to your fun. I need to attend to a fallen comrade." As he spoke, he picked up the blue man with one arm and slung him over his shoulder. The other two power rangers stepped up to us, but Wes didn't flinch. He predicted that they would just walk past, and they did. As they left, Miror B. followed, waving his fingers mockingly as he went. My partner remained as still as a statue as they passed, but I watched them leave from over his shoulder.

They didn't even look back to try and attack him from behind.

"Alright, let's do this!" Folly grabbed a pokeball from his belt and held it out in preparation to battle. Trudly did the same. "We got ourselves some great pokemon from Miror B, there's no way we're losing to you." Wes snorted.

"You'd be surprised," he said softly. "Umbreon, Espeon, you know what to do."

"Es," Espeon hissed.

"Umbreon!" Umbreon yowled. They took the field as Folly and Trudly let out a lotad and a duskull. The two pokemon looked well trained, but they had no Haze around them. There was no evil gleam or intense hostility in their eyes, just determination. They were normal pokemon. I was beginning to think that all these people had were Shadow pokemon. It was relieving to know that there wasn't enough to give to these idiots.

Espeon darted towards lotad and bit the leaf on his head. Her teeth were sharp and pierced the green flesh just enough to bring tears to Lotad's eyes. He whipped around in a furious circle to dislodge her, but the psychic pokemon held on tight. Bookshelves and papers were upturned as the two of them flew around the room in a panicked frenzy. Duskull had been mildly distracted by the uproar, so Umbreon took the chance and used secret power on him. The pokemon was knocked backwards, slowing to a stop when it came to Trudly's feet. I was about to watch more, but Wes turned around and walked over to the wall, where he slowly lowered me.

"I can fight," I protested, putting my foot down. He ignored me and put me down anyways, moving me so I didn't sit on my foot. When my body was placed against the wall, he met my eyes. Oh, no. He was looking at me just like he had in the stadium. Only this time, his eyes were even softer. Was Wes worried?

"Don't. Move," he ordered. From behind him, Espeon let out a squeak as duskull hit her with faint attack. He returned to the battlefield and started commanding them. He was an excellent trainer. Espeon and Umbreon were just as good of pokemon. He fought with the two boys like they were nothing but children. I doubt that the two eeveelutions were anywhere near half health when he finished off his foes.

"Damn it," Folly cursed. "This guy is tougher than I thought."

"Don't be impressed!" Trudly snapped. "Miror B. is going to eat us alive!"

"What do we do?!"

"Run!"

"Where?"

"Anywhere!" Trudly started off towards the door. Wes willingly let him pass by, smiling faintly.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Folly chased him, stumbling when he had to run near Wes. "Don't leave me here with them! Wait!"

"Are they gone…?" The voice could barely be heard from upstairs.

"Come down," Wes called. "They've been had." I heard some shuffling directly above me. Someone said something that was smothered by the floorboards, then a plump head peeked down from the stairway. The mayor was unharmed yet pale in the face. He had lost his hat in all the commotion. The sight of Wes and I was enough to bring back his rosy red cheeks and jolly expression.

"Good job, my boy. Working out those tough pokemon of yours." He started down the stairs and stopped when he reached Wes. I started getting to my feet while he spoke to him. "It's a good thing you came when you did. Those fools would've found the feather."

"Good thing they didn't," Wes agreed. He glanced at me as I shakily straightened out.

"Is she alright?" the mayor asked quietly.

"They tried killing me," I responded. My hand went to my neck, where a bruise was starting to form. Jeez, that had really hurt. "Wes saved me."

"Oh ho, he did!" He shot the pokemon trainer a sly, 'I know what you're thinking' look. Wes glared. "Well, that's good. He needs to make sure his partner stays by his side." He walked over to the door and peeked outside. "It's turning dark, do you have a place to stay?"

"No sir," Wes replied.

"Then you can stay here." I appreciated that he was offering us a place to stay, but it wouldn't be too easy sleeping after knowing that a bunch of goons had been here with the intent of killing me. And if not killing me, then taking me captive. It wasn't a pleasant thought, but where else could we go? The pokemon center in town wasn't near as luxurious as this house. I guess it'd be ok. "I'm afraid I only have one room, but luckily, there's two beds in it. You can use those." Oh, great. Now I'll be sleeping in the same room as Wes. Don't blush, don't blush!

"Thank you."

"Thanks," I echoed.

"Not a problem. Follow me." We followed him up the stairs and down a short hallway that lead to a single room. There were even more books in here, all uncanningly new and pristine. There was only one wall that wasn't like the others and it was barely visible through the framed pictures of people I guessed were the mayor's friends and family. There was a window peeking through the shelves on one side of the room, overlooking the town from just the right angle. The sun was beginning to set from the outside, giving the fountains of Phenac a sparkling gleam. The rug was soft and clean; it was like it had yet to be used. The only thing in the guest bedroom that had some wear on it was the nightstand, which stood between two twin beds, both flawlessly made. One had a duller floral pattern on the comforter while the other had been stitched with starter pokemon and pokeballs. I was surprised when Wes walked over to it and started unlatching his Snag Sleeve.

"You should be comfortable here," the mayor continued. "I can lock up the door tonight as to avoid any unwanted visitors." Had he not done that last time? "Rui, have you no nighttime clothes with you?"

"No, I don't." Wes glanced over his shoulder almost too sly for me to catch. "I left in a bit of a hurry."

"Oh?" the mayor mused. "Where are you from, young one?"

"Kanto."

"That's quite a ways away. How did you arrive here?" I paused.

"I walked." The room went quiet. The two of them knew that walking from Kanto to here was just as tiring as it was dangerous, especially for a girl with no pokemon. I had just received a weapon today, so the look of surprise on the mayor's face said it all. He wasn't sure if I was joking or serious. The longer the silence seemed to convince him I wasn't fibbing. And I wasn't. It had taken me ten days to get here, and it wasn't at all fun.

"Well, it'll be nice to rest, won't it? I suppose my wife wouldn't mind lending some pajama bottoms for you. I'll be right back." He left Wes and I alone. The awkwardness of the situation didn't hit me until he had already taken off down the hallway. Luckily the powerful pokemon trainer was preoccupied with removing his shoes to notice my red cheeks.

"Esp," I heard a faint voice speak from my feet. Wes' Espeon was rubbing against my leg like a kitten. Aw, she was so cute. When I bent down to pet her, she jumped up and landed on my shoulder. I was surprised at the sudden weight and nearly toppled back onto the bed, but she managed to keep me steady. When we were balanced, the psychic pokemon bumped her head against my cheek. She was so soft and warm it was like pressing my face to a furry heater.

"It looks like she likes you," Wes commented. "You're the first one she'll let you carry."

"I am?" She bumped her head against my cheek again. I scratched under her chin with two fingers. Her purring was loud against my ear. "She doesn't look like the type of pokemon that doesn't always ask for cuddles."

"Psychic pokemon are harder to bond with." He threw his belt on the bed. I guess he was wearing it for the sake of keeping pokeballs on him, because his robe didn't need to be held up. "A select few can read minds, other ones can only sense what someone's intentions are." Read minds? Oh great, there's a chance this pokemon can tell whatever I didn't want it to know. Espeon made a noise I guessed was a chuckle. Yeah, she could read minds alright.

"Here you are, dear." The mayor came back through the door with a pair of silk pajama bottoms and tops. I'm not saying I didn't want them, I just didn't feel like wearing silk with Wes in the room. He saw the outfit, but he didn't seem to care. "There's a set for you in my room, Wes."

"Thank you." He replied, starting out the room. As soon as he was gone, the mayor tossed me the pajamas. "I'll shut the door. You get changed."

"Wait, I don't-" Too late. He was already gone. Well, might as well get dressed. Good thing I did, too. Right when I had got in bed, someone knocked. I told them to come in and Wes entered. He wasn't in his robe anymore. He was wearing some basketball shorts and loose white shirt. Oh God, this was going to be more embarrassing then I thought. Still, he blatantly ignored the awkwardness of the situation.

He climbed into bed and switched off the lamp on the used nightstand before turning the other way. He rearranged himself under the covers, but because his back was facing me, I wasn't sure if his eyes were closed or not. Mine sure as hell weren't. I faced the opposite way as well, but I had this uncanny feeling that he was having just as much trouble going to sleep as I was. There was a chance that wasn't true. Maybe he was just a silent sleeper.

"Hey." I froze. He wasn't asleep.

"Uh, yeah?"

"Your throat alright?" Is that his way of starting a conversation? I felt my neck. It was sore, there'd definitely be a bruise there in the morning. Maybe I could wear a scarf or something. There was no way I was going to tell him that.

"Yeah, it's fine."

"Good."

The room went silent. Now I was almost certain that he wasn't tired. And I wasn't either. The sun had gone down and the moon was in the sky, but it was hard to close my eyes. Every time I did, I pictured Wes. And that was unsettling for me. Especially when we were lying three feet apart from each other. Crap. I was tired but there was almost no way to fall asleep like this. Maybe if I got something off my mind first.

"Why didn't tell me you were a spy?" I asked, almost too low for him to hear.

"A spy for Team Snagem?" he asked back in a slightly louder volume.

"Yeah." He snorted.

"Because you wouldn't have believed me if I did."

"I would've believed you, Wes."
Silence. Oh, no. That was too impulsive of me. I shouldn't have said it. Was it wrong to say that? It was awkward now, really awkward. My face was red and hot like a chili pepper. I shouldn't have said his name. There wasn't enough trust between us to start calling each other-

"Thank you, Rui," he said softly.

Oh my god oh my god oh my god. He said my name. He said it. Now I was red as a strawberry and my heart was racing. It was so loud I hoped that he couldn't hear it. I tried to stifle it, but a smile broke through my defenses. Not like a cute smile, but a wide, derpy smile that nearly stretched my skin. The swirling sensation in my chest felt so good; it was like someone was massaging my heart.

Before I knew it, Wes let out a big sigh. Slowly, I checked over my shoulder. The pokemon trainer had repositioned himself on the bed like a lazy starfish. An arm and a leg were hanging over the edge, a finger or two twitching. His mouth hung open yet he took breaths through his nose. Umbreon was curled up on his stomach, ears pressed against his back.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when Espeon hopped up and curled up on mine as well. She walked in a circle with gentle paws. Then she plopped down and curled in a ball, tail over her nose, and closed her eyes. Her breathing matched mine as I felt myself falling into a deep slumber.

Espeon Has Bonded With Rui!

Rui Used Flatter!

Wes Is Asleep!

Saving Game…

Game Saved!