Rookie
Chapter 6.

'They can't keep him on trial for long,' Dawn said. She passed Lucas back the letter, frowning to herself. 'It is kinda stupid they want him in court for it though. . .'

'Exactly.' Lucas was fuming. He desperately wanted to rip the letter into shreds, but knew that wouldn't do much good. 'I'm pretty sure Barry was only protecting himself. What have they got against him? Barry shouldn't deserve this. He's a great trainer, he just. . .' Lucas slumped into his chair. '. . . Dawn, do you think he was protecting himself? You know what he's like.'

'I don't know. I can't see Barry harming a trainer with his Pokémon without a justified reason.'

Lucas nodded, running a hand down his face. 'Can't they leave him alone? He's just recovered from a coma, and he's barely standing now.'

'Have you seen him awake?'

'No. But Cynthia contacted me when he woke up.'

Dawn looked at him and cocked an eyebrow. 'How do you have her number? Didn't she disappear?'

'She did, but there were a few people she wanted to stay in contact with. As I'm the current Champion, she would need to stay in touch.' Lucas lowered his eyes. 'Sorry for not telling you, but–'

'No, it's okay,' Dawn said gently.

Lucas sighed and shook the letter angrily. 'I can't believe this though. It's sick. I don't agree that Barry should have harmed a human, but at the end of the day he had a good reason. I'm sure, at least.'

'Maybe we should talk to him. Have you told him about this letter?'

'No. I don't want to.'

Dawn rolled her eyes and snatched the letter off him. 'Barry may blow off steam, but he deserves to know. Can you ask him if we can see him?'

Lucas slumped his shoulders and nodded sadly. 'Yeah, I'll. . . get round to that.'

Barry had lost count how many books he had picked out from Cynthia's bookcase. There were simply too many. Some were old and tattered, yet others looked as good as new. He failed to find any fiction books, and the majority were about legends and Pokémon that existed once upon a time. He rolled his eyes back. How could she read all of these? If Barry was honest, he found it a little sad. . . Then again, he and books never got on.

He removed a huge book and almost collapsed by the weight. The cover was a dull brown, and the book itself had grown old over the years. He carefully placed the book onto the table and gently opened the cover. Dust flew in his face.

'Arceus,' he gasped. He turned a page, and heard an awful sound of something tearing. He gaped wide. How could he have ripped the page? He had been so gentle! Barry hastily returned the book back onto the shelf, hoping it would be a while until Cynthia decided to read that book again. Barry looked up and was intrigued to know what books were on the top shelf. Thankful for being so lanky, he reached and took one down. 'Another book on Dialga? She mad?' This book was just as old as the other, and he was about to open the cover when the book was taken off him.

'I don't want you touching this one,' Cynthia said, gently placing the book back. 'I'll let you off for ripping my Types of Poké Ball through the ages, but not my Dialga one.'

He gaped at her. How on earth did she discover his incident when she wasn't even in the room? He looked around as if hoping an answer would pop up.

'You like history?'

She shrugged. 'Maybe a little bit.'

'Is that what you do in your free time? Read?'

Cynthia smiled happily. 'Yes, it is.'

Barry's knees buckled. 'Wow, you do lead a thrilling life. It's funny because all of the magazines made such a big deal about you being so splendid. Turns out you're a boring woman who reads books.' He laughed loudly, and stopped when noticing her expression. Barry swallowed and turned away from her.

'You should try reading.'

Barry pulled a face. 'Can I hang myself first?'

She grinned and pulled out a book, before shoving it to him. 'That should keep you occupied for the day.'

'No!' He exclaimed. 'I want to train–'

'Read the title, Barry,' she said, brushing past him to sit down with her own book.

Barry groaned and did as he was told. He read the title: Small Tips For a Perfect Trainer. 'Jeez, what kind of snobbish person would read this crap?'

'Me. It's a good book.'

'Says the person who reads books on berries – berries.'

'Says the person who used to be Pokémon Master.'

He shut his mouth, defeated. Barry turned back to his book, toppled backwards and sat next to her. He opened the cover. 'Oh GOD this is boring!'

He heard Cynthia mutter something.

'Sorry?'

'Hm?'

'. . . You said something.'

She looked at him blankly, then returned to her book. 'I didn't speak.'

Barry pursed his lips and began to skim the first page. After the third sentence, both of his feet were tapping against the floor. He then began to make a form of rhythm, then his head toppled from side to side, until his whole body was moving. Cynthia sighed.

'How about if I read to you?'

'Yey, let's listen to Aunty Cyndy about how some magical Pokémon saved the world.'

She frowned, and a small laugh escaped her lips. 'Cyndy?'

He blushed a little. 'Aren't you called that sometimes?'

'No. Not really.' Her eyes lowered to the book in his hands. She turned a few pages, and reached a chapter titled: confidence. 'That should benefit for you.'

'I'm confident enough.'

'Barry, I was thinking about you last night.'

He widened his eyes.

'Not in that sense,' she said calmly. 'Do you panic? You're so fidgety, and I'm wondering if you get nervous easily. That's not unusual, by the way. I just wondered. . .'

'I like to do things quickly. I like being active.' He became conscious of his tapping shoe. 'I'm impatient, I suppose.'

'You're not. If you were impatient, you wouldn't be sitting and talking to me.'

Barry smiled slightly, turned and hid his face in his book. 'I like talking to you. . .'

'I like talking to you as well. . . I still recommend you read that book.

'I can't read.'

'Rubbish,' she snatched one of his Poké Balls and removed his Infernape. 'Read to him. I'm sure he'll be interested.'

Barry looked at the monkey. It hopped onto the sofa between them and rubbed its head against Barry's arm. Its eyes turned to the words. It blinked, yelped and chewed onto the page, ripping it off.

'No,' Cynthia said, bewildered. She grabbed the book from Barry's grasp who was laughing. She muttered a few "oh no"s, before slowly closing her book. She gave his Infernape a disciplining look, then glanced at its trainer. Barry could barely breathe from laughing. 'That's not funny at all.'

'Heck yes it is. You deserved that. Haha, you really had that coming.'

She was about to walk away, when she spotted something. Cynthia widened her eyes and tenderly placed her fingers below Barry's reopened wound on his neck. He stopped laughing.

'What? What's wrong?'

A purple liquid dripped onto her fingertip. 'Who knew Vine Whip could be so infectious. Mind, it probably has toxic in it.'

'What?'

'It's okay. Your body is getting rid of the poison. You're fine. It's just making a mess. Stay here and I'll fetch something. . . Read a book whilst you wait.'

Barry couldn't sit still. His neck was dripping, he was surrounded by books, and his Infernape continued to stare at him uncomfortably. A few seconds passed, and she returned with a bottle of liquid and a flannel. He snatched it off her before she could use it. Barry was panicking so much the bottle top flew out of his hands, and he poured out way too much liquid. The majority of it spilt onto the floor.

'. . . You are so clever, Barry.'

'My ma would agree with you.' He said sheepishly, staring at the carpet. Cynthia took the bottle off him and the flannel. She gently placed it onto his wound. 'Ah! Steady on–'

'I'm being as gentle as I can,' she replied a little sharply.

Barry lips rammed shut. His rustic eyes wandered around the room whilst she continued to dab him, until he slowly rested them on her. He was silent for the next few minutes, until she was done.

'Let me get a plaster.'

She returned and carefully placed it over his wound.

'Oh, my leg. I've been meaning to tell you. It's oozing stuff as well,' Barry explained.

'You're a lot of work.'

'That's good.'

'Take off your trousers.'

He hadn't expected that. Didn't he need to just roll up his trouser leg? He couldn't ask when she walked away to fetch some more medicine. Cursing to himself, he slowly removed his trousers. Urgh, he was skinny and pale. He was happy he had formed some muscle, but. . . he didn't look great. Hopefully she wouldn't care. Well, why would she care? He returned his Infernape, realising it would just get in the way.

He cringed from the sight of his wounded leg. Purple puss oozed out. 'Wow, I am revolting.' He slowly peeled away the tip of his plaster and screamed. 'Gods, that hurts!'

Cynthia returned and found what he was having trouble with. She told him to sit onto the sofa. He obeyed whilst she knelt down and took hold of the plaster. He grabbed her hand.

'Don't. It'll hurt.'

'It'll be fine.' She began to peel.

'Ah bloody hell!'

Knowing she wouldn't get far without him being distracted, she bobbed her head to the side. 'Look! Over there!' He followed her gaze and she whipped the plaster off.

Barry didn't scream. It was over before he even noticed.

'Oh my Arceus,' Cynthia muttered. The wound now began to pour. 'Oh Jesus. . .'

'You should have thought about that before you pulled it off,' he said.

Cynthia placed her flannel over his wound and stayed put for a while. Her eyes rose to meet his. 'I feel like your mother.'

He grinned. 'A lot of people say that.'

In ten minutes, she had managed to cover his wound up again. Cynthia returned back to dab any liquid off his neck gently. He shivered under her touch, and felt clammy. She stopped. Barry's heart raced, and he became embarrassed how deeply he was breathing. She could no doubt hear him clearly.

It took him a moment to realise why he was breathing like this. Why he was panicking.

She smiled at him amusingly, her hands touching either side of his face. 'I really like you, Barry.'

Palmer slouched into his chair and shook his head. 'They want to hear what Barry has to say. I'm apparently an "unreliable" source to them.' He stood up. 'Yeah, I may be his old man, but I know he wouldn't harm a fellow without a reason.' Palmer turned to his Cresselia. 'They stink, don't they?' He looked at Lucas. 'You know, I could silence those twats with my baby here.'

'Me too,' Lucas said. 'But then we will go to jail.'

Palmer laughed. 'True that. So have you contacted Barry?'

'Not yet. I need a lawyer.'

Palmer nodded. 'Good of you to do it for him.'

'He's just awoken from a coma, and he would go into the trial without a thought. He needs to have a good defence, even though he's innocent.'

'I have a man who'll do the job. What I don't get is how they figured Barry had harmed a human, considering it was only Lance and Cynthia there as witnesses. Unless those deranged bastards told them. But would the police believe them? Seriously.'

Lucas frowned deeply, looking away. 'You have a point. I doubt Cynthia would say anything.'

'Is she still hanging about with Barry?'

'Um. . . I think so.'

'Oh,' Palmer grinned a little. 'That's interesting.'

'Lance wouldn't have said anything, would he?'

'Dunno.' Palmer sighed. 'When is the trial?'

'Tonight.'

Admittedly, Barry was disappointed and felt as if she had tricked him for more entertainment, but he didn't complain. They had kissed and touched, yet the woman knew when to stop and left him in a daze. The fact she hadn't gone further with him just made him like her even more.

She had gone to return her bottle of medicine when his Pokétch vibrated. He yelped and jumped into the air.

'H-Hello?'

'Barry? Thank Arceus you're all right. It's Lucas.'

'Oh, hi. Hi there. . .'

'How are you?'

'I'm fine, thanks, yeah. What's up?'

'I really want to see you as soon as possible. I know this will be a pain because you've just come out of a coma, but this is important.'

'Sure. What's the problem?'

'You're on trial for harming a man with your Pokémon.'

Barry stared for a long time, registering what Lucas had just stated. When it clicked, he almost dropped his Pokétch. 'Oh.'

'Palmer is getting a good lawyer for you, and the whole thing should end with you having a happy ending. The trial is at six tonight, Barry.'

He slowly sat down. 'I see.'

Barry hung up shortly afterwards, now having a decided time to meet Lucas. He silently waited for Cynthia to appear, but no explanation was needed. She had heard. He could tell by the anger across her face that she had heard.

The clothes his mother wanted him to wear were far from comfortable. Not to mention it didn't calm his nerves at all. He was convinced he was innocent, but something continued to dig into his skull that he was possibly guilty. No, no, he had done the correct thing. He had only protected himself. If he hadn't, then. . .

Barry swallowed. He needed to stop thinking. He found that funny. Barry never thought about anything. He fiddled with his tie constantly whilst he waited outside the courtroom, talk buzzing in his ears. The pressure was hilarious and horrific. He wanted to scream and run around like a mad man. Arceus, that sounded beautiful.

Palmer couldn't speak to him as he was occupied with Barry's lawyer. Their conversation was in whispers, so the trainer was unable to hear them. He searched around for Lucas, but he was nowhere to be seen. Feeling lonely, Barry removed a Poké Ball and received comfort from his Infernape. He sighed whilst the monkey sat on his shoulders. If he lost the case, his Infernape and all of his other Pokémon – his children – would be taken off him. A pain he would never be able to handle.

A familiar cooing noise was heard nearby. Barry turned his head and beamed, watching a recognisable Togekiss fly over his hair crazily. Its talons clung onto his jacket and almost pulled him up.

'Hey,' he laughed, outstretching his hands to reach it. It slowly flew down to meet him. 'Where's your master, eh?' The Togekiss didn't respond and continued to whizz around him. Barry's heart had lifted dramatically when he saw the flying-type knowing who it belonged to, but the fact she was not appearing saddened him. She had sent her Togekiss to comfort him. Couldn't she herself?

Seconds later someone threw herself on him. Barry almost toppled over in surprise, and was shocked to find it was Dawn. She rarely hugged him.

'They can't say you're guilty. It's so stupid,' she explained.

Barry shrugged. 'Well whatever. Thanks for coming,' he smiled. 'Where's Lucas?'

'He's not far behind. He's speaking to your mother. She needs to be filled in on what's been going on. I feel sorry for her,' Dawn said. She slumped her shoulders. 'Then again, I have no clue what's happening. . .' she frowned to the Togekiss that was circling around the two quickly, cooing. '. . . Is that Cynthia's?'

'Yeah,' Barry said. 'He's my favourite out of her lot.'

'I can see why. He's a lot like you.'

His smile faded and his eyes stung with tears. He hadn't realised the resemblance. Did Togekiss remind Cynthia of Barry? Is that why she had sent it to her, because of who it reminded her of? He swallowed a cry and smiled to the bluenette. 'Thanks. He's a cool Pokémon.'

Dawn turned to his Infernape and began to pet it lovingly. Barry watched her for a while, before seeing Lucas. The man looked flustered, but otherwise confident. 'You'll win this, Barry.'

'Like I haven't heard that one before. Can we go for a run before the trial?'

Lucas pulled a face. Barry grinned.

'I'm only kidding. But if I win this case, the first thing I'm going to do is go for a run.'

Lucas smirked. Barry's lawyer approached him and said a few words, but he couldn't hear him. His mind had gone blank with anxiety. The trial was close. In a few hours he would be either in prison or a free man. He felt hollow inside. He appreciated the fact Dawn and Lucas were here, but he wanted to know why Cynthia hadn't appeared. After what they had been through, he hoped he meant something to her. She had dropped him off at where the court was being held, and disappeared as if he were nothing. Maybe he was being paranoid. . . maybe. . .

'Okay, they're ready for you,' Palmer said. He looked at his Infernape. 'He'll have to wait outside.'

Barry looked at his Pokémon. He exhaled slowly. 'I'll see you soon,' before departing into the courtroom. His heart thudded heavily against his chest, and his feet almost became frozen stiff. Barry had never felt reluctant to move before.

She had found him an hour later. She felt as if her head were to explode. Right now, Barry was on a stand being punished for something so pathetic. She could only imagine what was happening. The man she wanted to find – who she had been searching for for ages – was seated on a bench in the building, his face in his hands.

'I don't like blaming anyone,' she said cooly, sitting beside him. 'But. . . I want to understand.' Inside she was on fire. She had never felt so furious, but she needed to deliver her words calmly. Lance slowly rose his head, running his hands down his face.

'I can't lie.'

'You knew he had good reason to attack like that.' Lance looked at her blankly. 'I would have lied.'

He scrunched his nose. He wasn't angry. He was upset. 'Of course you would have. You may be all confident and heroic, but I get scared, you know. If I had lied and they discovered I had lied, what do you think would have happened? I'd be thrown in prison and Barry would have as well, trial or not.'

'You didn't have to mention Barry.'

'They asked me about him! Those bastards they caught told the police about Barry attacking them with Pokémon. Don't you see the injustice? They're throwing those idiots in jail because of something Barry had done too. Why should that boy be free?'

Cynthia was trembling a little. 'He's not a boy. And, for the record, he had defended himself. He didn't use his Pokémon to harm people for fun.'

Lance remained silent for several minutes. He sighed. 'You think it's right what he did?'

'No. Then again, he had a reason.'

He scoffed and looked at her helplessly. 'Don't tell me you've fallen for him!'

She widened her eyes and laughed slightly. 'Of course not.'

'You two would make a charming couple,' he said, snidely.

'Are you jealous?'

Lance muttered something to himself and turned away. 'If Barry is thrown in jail, what will you do?'

Cynthia stood to her feet calmly. She smiled. 'He won't be thrown in jail.'

'You sound confident. So if he's not thrown in jail, do you intend to still be with him?'

She glanced away. Cynthia pulled a tiny smile and walked. 'That's none of your business.'

Despite the glorious announcement, Barry didn't smile. His heart didn't beat in relief. He didn't feel happy. He felt dead. Sad. Lucas patted his back and beamed brightly, saying "I told you so", whereas Dawn gave him a quick hug. Palmer exclaimed something and ruffled Barry's hair, and he allowed his mother to plant a kiss on his cheek. Palmer said something else, and Barry stopped, feeling a furry paw touching his hand.

Then he could hear.

Barry lowered his eyes and picked his Infernape up. He smiled. Smiled wide. Then he was laughing. He had won. He had defeated the law! He was a trainer. He hadn't broken a rule. He was not guilty. He was a justified man.

A man. Barry was a man.

He felt like a hero whilst he was escorted out of the building. A shrill of joy shot through him, but something was missing. A piece. He wanted someone. Yes, he knew who he wanted, but he couldn't find her. He felt abandoned. She hadn't appeared.

'Hey, you want a match with me, Barry? We can see if you can become Champion,' Lucas explained on their travel back to Twinleaf town. Dawn slung her arm through the navy-haired man's and leaned against him. Barry smirked.

'Sure, why not?' He didn't want to be "Champion". He had felt like a Champion a long time ago.

Lucas noticed his lack of enthusiasm when they arrived home. 'What's wrong?'

'Nothing,' Barry sighed. 'I'm going for my run. I did promise to do that after all.'

'Me and Dawn will be at Lake Verity. Meet us there.'

Barry nodded and waited until Lucas had disappeared into his home. He then stripped off his jumper and dashed onwards. He ran so fast. He ran with all his might. He ran so hard his thighs begged for mercy, but he kept going. Trees whizzed past him, and his hair flew behind. He refused to stop. He was releasing all of his anger, his sadness, his happiness and his love out of this single run.

It felt beautiful to be free.

His feet came to a stop at a ledge covered in flowers. He fell to his knees, exhausted, and picked a flower up before inhaling the smell deeply. He relaxed. All emotions washed away from his body. He sighed. Barry turned his head to a forest of flowers. He walked forwards and sat down, cross legged, picking at the petals.

He knew she was there. It was an accidental meeting that was. . . on purpose.

Barry looked up. She was sitting nearby, her expression almost dreamy. They were alone. The dark settled between them, Mothims buzzing silently.

'I met my Togekiss here. He was a Togepi, of course. Small and abandoned. I was seven then. I took him with me.'

Barry smiled. 'Thank you for sending Togekiss to me. I felt better.'

'Sorry I couldn't appear.'

His smile faded. 'Why couldn't you?'

Cynthia plucked a flower out of the ground and picked at its petals. 'I had to speak with someone. I had to understand something. I'm sorry.'

'I thought it was because you didn't want to be identified.'

'That was one reason as well.' She lowered the flower. 'It'll be difficult for us to speak like this without someone finding out who I am. I know it sounds ridiculous, but. . . I like being away from fame.'

For a moment, Barry was angry at her. He wanted to scream at her. His heart clenched and he softened his expression. He bit his lip. 'I thought we had something. . .'

She smiled. 'We do have something.'

'You've taught me well. About being reckless and all of that. . .'

Cynthia nodded. Nothing needed to be said about the topic. She had been his teacher obliviously, and he a rookie. They sat in silence for a couple of minutes, simply enjoying each other's presence. Barry crawled over to her until they were inches apart.

'I wish I could set you free,' he whispered.

She blinked, lowered her gaze and kissed him. She broke away, words not escaping her lips. Barry swallowed, stood to his feet and ran.

End.

A/N: I've never been great with endings, but I hope this was acceptable. The main point of this fiction was about Barry realising he needs to think before he acts, and also it's him being disciplined about his stubbornness. While I agree these two are complete crack, I thought maybe Cynthia would slow him down, but Barry would also, say, make her life more exciting because he's so quick and speedy. They're almost opposites, and I like opposites :P

Acknowledgements:

1) I do not own the Pokémon franchise and never will. None of the characters belong to me.
2) Thank you to those who have read this fiction. I really appreciate it and hope you enjoyed it!
3) My kittehs, because they're cute ^^