Hey, here's the next chappie! I recently realized, fool that I am, that the spaces between sections weren't showing up. And since I've been trying to get ahead of what's posted, there might still be a few that are a touch confusing. But I'm trying to fix it! Just bear with me, and I'll love you all to death. JK!
Anyway, I want to take a moment to thank all of you who are reading this and sticking with me. I really appreciate it, and I really appreciate the reviews, especially the ones pointing out problems and confusing bits of this.
Khgirl08 – It's pronounced cheer-uh. Sorry about that. I listen to it in my mind, and I guess I expect everyone else to know how to pronounce it. Thanks for asking!
Blood Sucking Fox – Thank you! I try to keep people off balance as much as possible so that when I bring something up, it really surprises it. When I read books like that, I love it, so I'm trying to use it in my writing style. My biggest problem is watching out for inconsistencies.
Anyway, on with the story!
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"And the Cascade Badge is awarded to Chira Tuscone!"
Chira beamed at her pokemon and Trey. "We did it! Our second Gym Badge!" She hugged Insight and began dancing around joyously. Trey just smiled at them. "Yes! We are ready! Ready for whatever may come our way!"
They were walking outside, Chira still overly excited about her victory. "We won. Hah! Take that Lt. Surge!" Immediately her mood became sober again.
"What's wrong?" Trey asked.
Chira told him about her confrontation with the Vermilion Gym Leader. "I wasn't prepared at all for it. I shouldn't have thought I could do it."
Trey shrugged. "Everyone loses sometime," he said. "The losses just make the victories so much the sweeter. C'mon, let's get some ice cream." He pointed to a shop on the other side of the street.
They ate it in the park, Insight playing happily on the slide when she was done. Trey finished his ice cream first of the two humans. "So where are you headed next?" he asked nonchalantly.
Chira shrugged. "I don't know. I really don't want to go back to Vermilion just yet…"
"So don't. There's a Gym in Celadon City. Why don't you go there? I think it's a grass type, so Cami should be able to pull you a victory."
"Yeah, maybe."
He smiled at her. "Tell you what, I'll even come with!"
Chira simply looked at him, unsure how to respond.
"Sure, why not?" he said more to himself than her. "I can always restock my supplies from the department store." He looked at her, waiting for an answer.
Chira smiled. "You can come with. That is, if you can keep up."
"Keep up? I'm going to smoke you."
"Just try."
Surprisingly, it was an arcanine that Trey released to ride. Chira hadn't expected his growlithe to have evolved. She was even a touch disappointed. Even more surprisingly, though, was the fact that they were able to keep up. Cami wasn't going her absolute fastest, but she was still going fast.
They made excellent time, despite the fact the two pokemon ended up competing and wearing themselves out. They camped by a river, Chira excitedly releasing Morrie.
"All right, Morrie. Cami's done with her training for the day, it's your turn now. Ready?"
The pokemon nodded and moved slightly to let her jump on. Chira hesitated when she caught sight of her reflection, frowned, and leaned closer to the water to examine her hair. The roots were starting to show. She'd need to find some dye when they arrived in Celadon…
With a start she looked up. Trey followed her gaze, eyes widening when he saw the golden bird pokemon flying overhead. "What is that?" he asked, pulling out his pokedex.
"Ho-oh," Chira breathed sleepily, and collapsed.
She was flying low over villages and towns, but no one was seeing her. The sounds of battle reached her ears and she changed course slightly. Soon the scene of carnage was below her, and she could see humans using pokemon to fight for them. They didn't even care when one fell. Rage built up within her, taking form when she used her Sacred Fire technique. The screams reached her ears, and she realized too late that she had hit the pokemon as well…
"Chira!"
Chira sat bolt upright, breathing hard. She was dismayed to realize she was shaking. Hugging herself, she asked, "What happened?"
Trey sat back on his heels. "I was hoping you could tell me. You collapsed when that pokemon flew over, and then you were screaming up a storm." He scratched his head. "What did you call that pokemon, anyway? The pokedex didn't recognize it."
Chira frowned. "I don't know," she said. "The last thing I remember is releasing Morrie…"
He stared at her. "Are you serious?" he asked incredulously.
She blushed and nodded.
"I don't believe this," he muttered.
"Are you okay?" someone asked breathlessly.
They both turned to find a girl gazing at them worriedly, an Umbreon beside her. "I heard a scream and…" Her eyes flashed. "This guy isn't giving you any trouble, is he?" she asked Chira.
Chira shook her head. "No, not at all." She shakily gained her feet. "I'm Chira, and this is my friend Trey. Morrie wouldn't let anyone harm me." She gestured to her Gyarados.
The girl smiled. "My name is Erin. This is Zwilum." The Umbreon carefully padded forward before bowing to the strangers. "We heard the screams and decided to investigate." She waited.
Trey glanced at Chira, waiting for an explanation. She frowned and scratched her head. "I'm not sure what happened, exactly," she said finally. "I think I tripped and blacked out for a moment."
"She's lying," Zwilum growled.
Morrie shifted behind Chira, who frowned.
Erin hushed Zwilum with a hand on his head. She glanced at them. "Are you sure?" she questioned.
Chira's eyes widened. "You can understand him!" she said without thinking.
The girl stilled. Trey stared at Chira. Chira stared at her. The girl stared at, well, them. Her pokemon was between them, ready to attack. Erin took a couple steps back, preparing to flee.
"No, wait!" Chira called, but they were gone. A split second later a scream cut through the air. Chira was running in a moment, Trey right behind her. Morrie roared behind them, unable to follow.
They found Erin clutching Zwilum to her, trying to shield the Umbreon from a man. He looked up as they approached and smiled. "What is this?" he said, his voice a purr. "Friends? I never would have expected it of you."
Erin glanced at them, panicked. "Go away!" she screamed at them. "Go away! I don't want you involved in this!"
The man grabbed her arm. "It's too late for that."
Chira's hand tightened around Insight's home. "Who are you?" she asked.
Trey took a step back. "I don't think that's a good thing to ask at the moment, Chira."
"I think it's the perfect thing to ask, Trey." She released Insight, the Eevee settling immediately into a fighting stance. "Now answer the question."
The man laughed. "I see you've met someone else with your blood, Erin dear." His hand settled on her head. "Perhaps this is worth looking into. After all, an influx in those with Ancient blood will be a point of interest to him."
"What are you talking about?" Trey demanded, his hand on one of his pokeballs as well.
"Why don't you ask your friend," he said, gesturing to Chira.
Trey looked at her and she shrugged. "I haven't the foggiest," she said.
"No, you don't, do you?" the man sneered. "Oh, well." He shoved Erin forward, the girl sprawling on the ground. "I'll let you go for now. But next time, you won't be so lucky." He tossed a pokeball straight up into the air, mounting even before the Dragonite was fully out. Immediately the pokemon took flight.
"Hey, wait!" Chira screamed, but once more the object of her scream was gone. She kicked at a stone. "Why does that keep happening?" she growled.
Trey helped Erin up. "Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded, Zwilum pressing close to her.
"What was he talking about, do you know?"
Erin's eyes flashed. "I don't know," she said, and turned on her heel.
Chira ran to catch up. "If you don't tell us, we can't help you," she said.
"You can't help me anyway." She pushed her hair out of her face. "No one can," she muttered.
Chira tripped over a stick, landing painfully. "Ouch!"
"Are you okay?" Erin asked, bending to help her up.
Chira smiled at her. "See what we're experiencing? The first reaction when someone stumbles is to help. Now how about telling us your problem?"
A wall formed between them almost instantly. Erin hissed, "Keep your nose out of other people's business, will you? It's not like you can do anything, anyway. Even if he was right about you and you do have ancient blood, you won't be able to stand up to them. Besides, you'll probably end up being hunted as well." She smiled satisfactorily at that. "There's better chance for at least one of us to escape if we stay apart."
Chira stared at the girl. "You have to be one of the most stubborn people I have ever met," she spat. "Don't you think we'll be stronger if we work together?"
Erin turned her back and began walking swiftly away.
"Hey, come back!" Chira scrambled to her feet but was stopped from pursuing the girl and Umbreon when a hand grasped her wrist.
"Let them go, Chira," Trey said. "They obviously don't want our help."
"B-but they're in trouble!" Chira struggled. "Let me go. We have to help her."
He began to pull her back to Morrie.
"Let me go!" Chira's eyes filled with tears as
Erin disappeared from view.
She crumpled beside Morrie, trembling with anger, but knowing at the same time that Trey was right. She couldn't help if Erin didn't want help.
"My suggestion to you is to put it from your mind," Trey advised. "Otherwise the guilt will eat you up." He relit the fire and put some water onto boil. "You'll probably see you again sometime, when you're more experienced."
"Yeah, you're probably right. I just wish…"
" 'If wishes were fishes, there'd be no room in the river for the water.'" Trey smiled. "Relax. She seemed like the kind of person who can handle anything life throws at her. Now eat." He shoved a bowl of soup into her hands.
She stared at the liquid, her appetite gone. Sighing, she set it down. "I still haven't trained Morrie," she said. She looked up at the Gyarados. "Are you ready?"
Morrie seemed to sense her mood for he nodded. "Let's go."
She swiftly mounted, settling just on his neck. She wrapped a rope around his mouth, and prepared to hold on for dear life. With a lurch, Morrie shot down the river. Chira closed her eyes and let the spray wash over her. Trey was soon gone from sight, and Chira turned to the winding ribbon of water and the sense of unease that gripped her.