The next day, the snow have stop falling in the afternoon and shortly the 3 elite members including Caitlin walk outside for their little battle. Caitlin however, seem surprise of the weather change. She began nervous about her vision yesterday of who will die on that day, but she must continue to keep it as a secret from Marshal and the others. Just a little longer.
Shauntal and Grimsley begin their snowball battle with each other, but quickly end when they throw to each other at the same time. As Marshal and Caitlin watch the two begin to argue, then start a Pokémon battle. Marshal face palm.
"From the littlest things, they start a Pokémon battle." Marshal sighed. "Though Grimsley of course will having the upper-hand from his Dark-types while Shauntal have Ghost-types. But in the end, they stop talking to each other for at least 3 weeks and then be allies again."
After the battle end, they turn away from each other with their silence treatment. Caitlin look amaze.
"How did you know?" Caitlin asked.
"Grimsley, Shauntal, and I were friends in Trainer School when I was..."
"HEY GUYS!" Alder greet as he walk outside.
"Good Afternoon, Mentor. You look happy today."
"Ahhh Marshal, I'm always happy when I'm sober. Now, let's go out to have some fun!"
"Oh, where we're going?" Caitlin asked.
"To the Unova Winter Festival, where there's food, games, and beautiful women."
"Mentor, you promise not to flirt any women. You will get arrested by Officer Jenny."
"And it'll be worth it."
Marshal sigh, while Alder laugh joyfully.
"Mentor, you like a father to me and I don't want you to get in trouble."
"Don't worry, Marshal. you can bail me out if that happen. Haha!"
"I'm serious! I can't let you get arrest by the law."
Alder thought about it and sigh; he know his apprentice well and know he's right. Therefore, he said alright of not flirting girls during the festival. Marshal smile after their agreement and shake hands. However he want to watch over him for when he does break it.
The Winter Festival is at Castelia City. Everyone all over the region came to the festival for the fun and more importantly, Pokémon battles. Even the Gym Leaders of Unova came for their participating for the festival tournament and for the fun.
Alder and the others are taking autographs and picture of future trainers. Shauntal and Grimsley continue giving each other the silence treatment while they walking to the city square where the tournament find. The Gym Leaders are having conversations while the elite members and champion walk toward them. However the only one who isn't talking is Alder's old pal.
"Hey Clay," Alder said.
The old man wearing a cowboy hat, covering his frown face and always looking at his expensive watch. However he ignore the greet and begin to dial his cellphone. Alder stared at Clay while he talking to someone on his phone. It look like it an important business call. After he hung up his phone, he tip his hat to greet Alder.
"Howdy Alder," Clay greeted. "Yo' much be partcipatin' fo' th' tournament."
"I don't know really," Alder explained. "I want to have some time with our newest member of the Elite Four, Caitlin."
"Ahh, yo' muss be th' li'l gal named Caitlin ah been hearin' about in Sinnoh. Th' name is Clay, Th' Unnergroun' Bost."
Clay smile, though a little one. He then introduce her to the other Gym Leaders; Alder laugh.
"Haha, I guess Caitlin will be keeping company with the other Gym Leaders," he said.
"Uhh Mentor," Marshal said to Alder. "I thought you said you wanted to have some time with her."
"Don't worry, Marshal. She does need to know about the Gym Leaders and the rest of Unova. Beside, I need to tell you something alone."
Marshal look surprise at Alder, wanted to talk to him alone. At an event like this? However it could be about Caitlin and her power.
Inside of a dark alley of the city, alder and Marshal walk toward a little café where there still light shining even if it's daylight. As they walk inside, they see the café look empty except the owner or bartender and waiter. Alder and Marshal then sit down and order two cups of tea. After the waiter came with the tea, the two get down to business.
"So mentor," Marshal said. "What you want to tell me?"
"Well," Alder said as he sipping his tea. "Since you are my apprentice and being so kind to Caitlin; it's important to keep a secret for me."
"It's about Caitlin, isn't it?"
"Yes. The reason why I want to talk to you about her because you care for her, right?"
The tan-skin man blushes, but never change his expression toward his mentor. However Alder see it and laugh.
"Well Marshal," Alder continue laughing. "I see you do like the girl!"
Marshal's cheeks begin to glow red and cover his face in embarrassment. Alder smiles.
"I never seen you this embarrass since we first met," he said. "But no homo though."
"Mentor," Marshal said. "Promise me you won't tell the others. Plus you didn't tell the rest of the secret."
"Oh right, I want you to protect Caitlin from no mean necessary."
"Huh? How come?"
"Well, Caitlin's family doesn't like me to ask her to come to Unova with me. And also punched her father. Therefore, they banned me from the Battle Frontier park till I'm dead."
"Battle Frontier? Why you doing in the Battle Frontier?"
"For Caitlin; Her butler was a Frontier Brain while she was the puppet with uncontrolled power. I was curious about her and she was very powerful when it come to battling. Her butler's name is Darach and he remind me of you, except his crazy laugh. It was like he had two different personalities."
"I see."
As They drink the rest of the tea, Marshal tipped the waiter and the two walk out.
Snow begin to fall in the middle of the Festival. However everyone are heating up for the little tournament which be starting soon. As Alder and Marshal return to the square where they left Caitlin, they see the crowd begin to form for the tournament. But immediately see Caitlin still with Clay; the two walk toward them. Though the two are talking to each other.
The two stop talking as Alder and Marshal came close.
"Howdy Alder," Clay said. "This hyar li'l lady is gittin' tired, whuffo' not take her home."
"Alright Clay," Alder said. "I take her home, she seem to look tired."
"No mentor let me," Marshal jumped in. "I'm sure you have more things to do in the festival than I do. But please, promise me you won't be drinking."
"Are you sure, Marshal?"
"Yeah! Don't worry about us, mentor. We're going straight back to the tower."
"Alright, I see you guys tonight."
Marshal and Caitlin say goodnight to Alder and Clay and walk away. The two grown men watch them walking till they disappear from the forming crowd.
The snow flakes begin to grow bigger while Marshal and Caitlin are walking in a snowy route. The icy cold breeze blow around the elite members, Caitlin sneeze from the cold.
"Are you getting cold Caitlin?" Marshal asked.
"No I'm ok," Caitlin said before she sneezed again.
Marshal chuckle; he ask her to hop on his back. She hesitate, the request was sudden to her. However her shoes is getting soak from the snow; so she said yes.
After Caitlin hop on Marshal's back, they continue on walking through the snowy route. Caitlin begin to realize about Marshal, he doesn't wear shoes, even if in this kind of weather. She look curious and want to ask him a question. But that will be rude you thought. She tighten her grip on Marshal's neck; he begin to have trouble breathing.
curious
"Hey Caitlin," Marshal said. "Is there something wrong?"
Caitlin bite her lower lip and hesitate again. Then ask her question.
"Why you don't wear shoes," She asked. "You may get frostbite."
Marshal chuckle again, but Caitlin think that isn't funny.
"No I'm serious! I don't want you to get sick."
"I'm sorry, but I think you're the first to asked me that question. But being honest, I have big feet and barely have the right size for me. Therefore I rather don't wear any footwear unless someone make a size 11 wide."
"That's your real shoe size?"
"Yes, but I'm very picky on footwear."
"I see."
Suddenly, Marshal stop walking; Caitlin look puzzled. She asked what's going on to Marshal, but quickly answered to hop off. After the blonde hop off, he quickly snap to get behind him. She ask what's going on but he not responding. Caitlin is getting scare of not from the strange noises coming from the bushes, but Marshal's serious glare. His glare is like a Luxray hunting his prey.
"Hey," Marshal snapped. "Come out and show yourself!"
After a few minutes, the bushes begin shaking violently and a little figure came out. It is a tiny Gothita with tears falling through her pinky cheeks. Marshal wasn't expected a tiny Gothita will be wandering around in this kind of weather. The tiny Gothita than cry and run away from the humans.
"Marshal what was that for?" Caitlin asked. "You almost scared her to death!"
"I'm sorry, I thought it was someone else."
Suddenly, a loud growl was heard. Caitlin quickly ran toward the bushes where the Gothita was found. Marshal called her name but she didn't listen, so he follow her passing the bushes. Caitlin and Marshal run through the forest till they reach to the crying growl by the rough river. It's the same Gothita Marshal scared off and this time, she's in danger from the massive river. She was holding on a branch for her dear life.
"Oh no," Caitlin worried. " Don't worry Gothita, we'll save you."
The current begin to make bigger waves, even Gothita can't hold. Caitlin and Marshal watch helpless as the current picks up.
"Grr," Marshal growled. "We got to save her before she freeze to death. Caitlin, you got to use your power."
"But I can't," Caitlin respond. " I may hurt her."
"But you must! Or she'll died.
"I-I can't..."
Marshal isn't happy of what he did to the little Gothita, but also not happy at Caitlin.
"Fine," Marshal said in disappointment. "If you can't save her, I will."
Marshal march his way to the razor river where the Pokémon is in distress; Caitlin look disappointed at herself. As Gothita's grip begin to weaken, the muscular man quickly grab the Pokemon's little hand and hold her like a football. However Gothita look scare from the chocolate skinned human saving her, though he seem the chocolate skinned man look mean from his orange peel eyebrows.
As the two reach for land, both Marshal and Gothita shivering from the icy cold water and wind. Caitlin begin to worry from their condition, she told Marshal to take Gothita to the tower before they get sick. He nod for agreement before he sneeze.
The three finally reach home, but their condition is getting worse. The little Gothita is on the bed of Caitlin as she took care of her. While Marshal is in bed laying down , but badly ill, he didn't like it. His Pokémon, Sawk, came in with a bowl of soup made by Caitlin. Though he is too sick to eat it. His Sawk look worry for his trainer being this sick from saving a Pokémon.
Later that night, Caitlin told Alder, Shauntal, and Grimsley about the tiny Gothita and Marshal saving her. The Champion is amazed of Marshal's kindness. When Caitlin and Shauntal left together, the men were alone when Grimsley spoke.
"How come Marshal done the dirty work while the new girl just watch?" he asked to Alder.
"Relax Grimsley," Alder answered. "Caitlin is a little girl and Marshal is a big giant. And you must understand their shapes and sizes."
"It not their shape and size I'm talking about, I mean her powers to easily lift the Gothita out if danger or something."
"Come on, you need to stop believing that."
"Not till she tell the truth."
Alder sighed; the more Grimsley want the truth, the less the secret being hidden. He hope Marshal will hold it till the time is right.
The moon is now visible that night, everyone is asleep, except the tiny Gothita. Which is wandering around the big castle. She never knew the kind girl and chocolate man live here. According to her friends, they are the kind King and Queen from a far and dangerous location. Though they too have very big and strong Pokémon and she a weak and tiny one. However she does wish to be one like them big and strong Pokémon with a kind trainer. Someday she will.
During her wandering around in the main hall, she meet with a tall and strong Pokémon who bump into her. Gothita is scare from the Pokemon's glare.