In no way do I own the Pokemon Company or the OCs besides Alita.
Chapter 4
The sun sat high in the sky, the light coloring the quiet plain of dried grass a brilliant gold that rippled like waves under the chilly wind. The clouds lazily drifted along, all manners of fall leaves twirling and fluttering like butterflies along the breeze above.
Alita shivered, not even Pyrrha's warmth could seep through her entire form. Ari had long retreated into the safe confines of her hood, the tiny weight curled tight in the thick grey cloth. Her hands clutched to her bag strap like it was her single anchor, looking down as Matilda hummed an odd tune.
The tune seemed to echo throughout the place, the clinks of pots and pants, the rustle of the grass and the wind that carried the leaves all seemingly singing along. She gathered her wits about her and asked a quiet question.
"W-what is that s-song?" Matilda turned towards her.
"What I'm humming?"
Alita nodded, shyly ducking her head as a blush of embarrassment flushed her cheeks red.
"Oh, that's just an old song I learned a while back from this girl visiting Castelia City who was all the way from Shamouti Island in the Kanto Region. She called it 'The Song of the Guardian'."
"Th-the Song of the G-Guardian?"
Matilda hummed in confirmation. "According to her, it's a fairly old song that's been around centuries. It's one of my personal favorites, to be honest."
Alita blinked. "D-do y-you know m-more?"
Matilda nodded, smiling brightly. "Yep, I sure do! With all my travels I'd be surprised if I didn't know one, if I do say so myself."
Pyrrha yipped in her curious awe, fluffy yellow fur brushing her cheek as the fox wagged her tail, the air warming by at least five degrees. Matilda chuckled at Alita's own wide eyes, at least, the one that was visible.
The silence was thick enough to be cut by a butter knife, the younger of the duo getting redder by the minute in her embarrassment as Pyrrha silently sighed, Matilda trying not to laugh. Vivillon and Fletchling passed overhead in a dance only those of the skies knew, squeaking and chattering with tangible excitement. Grass rustled under the air stirred up by their wings, tickling their legs and leaves flew overhead as silence reigned.
The minute silence was broken by a loud squeak, Alita slightly jumping as her latest Pokemon shuffled out of her hair, the tiny Weedle squinting in the light of the afternoon sun. Ari let out a displeased squeak before she yelped in pain, her Fennekin growling as he used her hair to pull himself atop her head. He curled up there, practically dead to the world as the bug fell asleep again.
Matilda snorted before bursting into laughter, clutching her gut as she doubled over, shaking and wheezing as she tried to gather her wits. Alita whimpered, not understanding why she was laughing so much as Ari continued to slumber and Pyrrha just tilted her head.
The elder gripped her shoulder, body shuddering with each breath as she grinned stupidly at Alita. "Your Weedle coming out of your hair..." She cracked up again, laughter roaring across the once-quiet plains.
Alita nervously laughed, shoulders stiff as her hand awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck and her eyes glimpsed at the ground. Pyrrha yipped, tail tickling her cheek in its wagging as the Fennekin jumped off her shoulder and jumped up and down in the grass, racing circles around them in near-invisibility with the tall grass barely bending out of her way.
Warmth spread in her gut and she laughed, giggles and snorts as her body shook and a new wave ame when Pyrrha jumped up again with a bewildered expression. Aristaeus merely squeaked in discomfort, gently pulling hair as he tried to squirm himself in the ideal position only to be jostled again and again.
Matilda laughed with her, the two leaning on each other as they snorted and chuckled trying to properly breathe again. The Fletchling fluttering by chirped, annoyed and flustered with fierce strokes of their wings that stirred the rippling golden grass and, to Pyrrha's ire, ruffled cold wind into her fur.
The Fennekin shot off a stubborn Ember, the burning ashes singeing the tiniest Fletchling's wings and directing its flight directly into the ground.
Alita's instincts snapped her attention to the chirping bird, whom struggled to get back up, wings flapping in its terrified confusion.
She carefully walked over, hands slipping into her bag as she crouched over it and victoriously pulled out her Full Heal, the yellow liquid swishing in the plastic bottle.
"Th-there, there..." She murmured softly, ignoring the rustling grass of Pyrrha's approach and gently using her left hand to scoop the poor bird up. The Fletchling chirped, twitching and wiggling to get away as she lifted it up to her chest.
"Th-this'll st-sting a bit." She warned quietly, her fingertips gently splaying the burnt wing before she spritz the medicine onto it.
The Fletchling chirped in alarm, squirming in alarm as fingers gently stroked and poked at it tiny red head and the medicine was rubbed in.
"Ssssshhhhhh..."
Matilda merely watched on as Alita healed the tiny bird, right hand twisted around the strap of her heavy backpack before sliding it off her shoulders, setting it on the ground, and sitting beside it to watch.
The Fletchling chirped, eyes bright as it stared at the pinkette in curiosity, nipping at her fingertips as the medicine glowed a soft green and faded away to reveal newly-grown feathers in its place. Alita smiled before setting down the empty bottle and raising her hands up.
"G-go h-home to your f-family, little one."
It didn't even have to be told twice, leaping up to its feet and fluttering off with an appreciative chirp. Alita watched in wonder as it flew up into the brilliant blue sky, a mere speck against the sunny backdrop spotted with fluffy white clouds.
Her thoughts were broken by the brush of her starter's fur against her cheek and Matilda's low chuckle, Alita's head snapping up and red flushing across her cheeks in sudden realization.
"I gotta say, you've got quite the gentle touch." Matilda chuckled, pots and pans rattling as she stood up with backpack in hand. Pyrrha chirped in agreement, leaping up her arm like a springboard and landing neatly on her shoulder, Ari squeaking sleepily as he stretched his body to look at her face from an upside down point-of-view, before squiggling back up and thumping his head against her skull. Hesitantly, she grabbed the hood of her jacket, the soft gray cotton smooth against her fingers as she contemplated.
Gently, she lifted the hood up, long wavy pink locks swept over her shoulder as the hood rose over her head. Ari squeaked in joy as his body was protected from the cold chill, only the warmth of the sun seeping in. Pyrrha squeaked in curiosity before wiggling her way into the hood, hair thrown over her head and big ears as she squeaked and turned it towards Alita's face.
She giggled, gently sweeping her hair out of Pyrrha's eyes as the fox wiggled and chirped excitedly, Ari snoring away.
Matilda watched with a fond smile, patting the younger's shoulder before pointing towards the sight of civilization in the distance.
"Hey, look! We're almost there!"
Alita looked up, eyes bright with excitement and joy, following the tanned arm and hand to the finger pointing straight to their destination.
Her demeanor changed instantly, shoulders tensing and shrinking in on themselves, hands bunching her jacket with white knuckles, breathing shallow.
"Lita? You okay?"
She jumped at the hand pressed against her shoulder, shying away at Matilda's touch.
"Y-yes, I-I'm fine, n-no need to w-worry!" Her voice was an octave too high, wide-eyed as she stared into space, body shaking as her pokemon's heads raised and they stared in concern.
Matilda frowned. "You are not fine." Her hands pressed firmly into Alita's shoulders, backpack already on the ground with a resound thump as she made her sit, setting herself on the ground on her knees as she stared at Alita with an intense gaze. "Talk."
"Wh-what?" Alita whimpered, trying to push herself back up, failing as Matilda held her there with her stare alone.
"Talk," Matilda repeated. "You looked like ya saw a ghost when I mentioned how close we were to Santalune! You're hidin' somethin' and it's hurtin' you. I want to help, so talk."
Alita flinched, shaking as tears filled her eyes. "B-because I… b-because…. I'm scared."
Matilda looked at her, wide-eyed confusion before she frowned and asked firmly, "Why?"
Alita stared down at the ground, pokemon whining in confusion as she admitted softly, "I-I, I n-never wanted t-to go on a j-journey."
Matilda stared, face unreadable as Alita continued, "M-my parents h-have been training m-me since the d-day I was b-born to be a Tr-Trainer. I… I never w-wanted to be a Tr-Trainer before, I-I just wanted t-to perform. M-Maman would always g-get mad..."
Matilda stared for a few moments, tears spilling out of Alita's eyes as her right hand bunched stalks of golden grass in her hands, the rest swirling high above the duo in their makeshift clearing. Alita shaked and quivered as Matilda was silent, the duo's shoulders tense as they avoided eye contact.
"Remind me to never take ya back to your parents..." Alita's head tilted up, gaping at Matilda's murderous look. "Or I will murder 'em, I swear to Arceus..."
Pyrrha yipped, fur tickling her cheek as she nodded in agreement, Ari's voice a faint whine as he squirmed closer into her hair. Alita's cheeks warmed in her embarrassment as she hiccuped, burying her face in her hands as she hid the faintest smile.
"Thank you..." Alita whispered, shaking as she rubbed tears away from her cheeks. Her hood shook as her pokemon squirmed, chirping in agreement as they inched as lose as humanly possible to the tiny Trainer.
Matilda snorted, eyes and shoulders softening as she shot Alita a half-hearted grin. "Don't sweat it, Lita."
Alita perked up, staring at her as she tilted her head, Pyrrha pressing against her cheek and Ari flopping over uselessly. "Lita?"
Matilda chuckled, rising up on long legs and arms stretched high above her towards the sunny sky before her left hand lowered to rest behind her head and the other offered before her face. "Well, you comin'?"
Alita carefully smiled, hand stretching out before subtly flinching back, unsure. She stared at it for only for a few seconds before taking it, legs shaking as she stood up and stumbled.
Matilda easily caught her, nudging her back up with one hand as grappled at the belt at her waist.
Alita distractedly brushed dirt off her leggings, bag, and jacket, head turning only at the flash of fiery light.
Amber stood there, fiery mane flickering through the dry grass, not even the slightest hint of a scorch mark inflicted upon it as the Rapidash stared at Matilda with a displeased snort that steamed in the cool air.
She shivered at that reminder, cold ice rushing down her spine and branching out to her limbs as Pyrrha's warm fur shifted against her skin. Matilda noticed, arms easily pushing her to lay across her Pokemon's back, leg swinging over so she could rise to sit, untouched by cherry flames as she held her hand out to Alita.
Alita hesitantly took it, having to stand on toes and stretch her arm up to grab her hand. Matilda firmly tightened her grip on her hand, easily yanking her up onto the fire horse as Amber shifted with the new weight.
Matilda leaned forward, ignoring Alita's hands curling around her stomach to bunch her parka, murmuring in Amber's ear, "Straight to Santalune and you'll get any treat you want."
The Rapidash perked up as Matilda took out a strip of leather from her pack, tying rope into two notches on either side of it as she fastened it around Amber's neck.
"Hold on tight." That was all Alita could hear before they took off.
Wind whistled against her skin, her Pokemon yelping as they were pushed to the back of her hood, hand flying up to fasten the rim over her head as the other clutched even tighter at Matilda's parka. Cold bit exposed skin as the grass turned into a swirling golden ocean, clouds unrecognizable from each other in the blue sky as they flew like the wind.
Matilda's back was arched, leaning forward with bright excited eyes as her hands clutched Amber's reigns like she belonged there. Steam trailed in their wake as the horse huffed, hooves thudding and crashing a path through the golden sea as the looming form of Santalune City appeared in the distance.
Sandstone walls surrounded the small city, low, earthy buildings peeking up with terracotta shingles as the merry chatter of residents drifted over the breeze. Pyrrha squeaked, Aristaeus's own rising in harmonious agreement as they approached closer and closer with each gallop.
Matilda gently tugged on her makeshift reigns, their speed slowly decreasing as Amber slowed to a trot before stopping. The Rapidash huffed, but stood still as Matilda swung herself off, hands outstretched for Alita once she stabilized herself.
"Don't worry, I'll catch ya." Matilda winked at her, easy grin on her face as Alita hesitated. Cautiously, she slid her leg over, hands pushing gently to slide down Amber's side. Matilda caught her by the armpits, not even stumbling as she calmly placed her one the ground.
"See, no problem at all!" Matilda grinned. Alita smiled back faintly, twiddling her fingers as her feet shifted uncomfortably. "Sorry I didn't pull Amber out earlier, I was curious how well ya could do out here."
"I-it's alright." Alright reassured sheepishly, smiling faintly. "Y-you didn't h-have to bring out Am-Amber."
Matilda grinned. "It's no problem! Let's Amber get her energy out. Who knows what would happen if she was pent up and then let loose."
Amber snorted, shoving her snout against Matilda's shoulder as she boomed with laughter. Alita faintly giggled, Pyrrha's small, furry body squirming in her hood as she squealed and yipped. Aristaeus whined, squirming further into her hood as her shoulders shook with quiet laughter.
Matilda's laughter had quieted to chuckles, unnoticed by the younger as she observed the teen for a moment before shouldering her pack and turning towards the arch overhead.
"Come on, we're here!"
Alita paused, frozen as she stared up at the large sandstone arch above. Her gaze lowered, taking in the town square.
Rows of brick houses lined the street ahead, dirt transitioning to smoothed cobblestone as gardens grew from balconies and upon winding ivy trailing up the buildings, grass lining the streets as it led to a large clearing of space. Within the center was a gray stone fountain, smoothed from years of use and glimmering like a pearl in the light. Two fountains of water poured from the roses of a large Roselia frozen in stone, face forever at peace as it stepped upon its island in the center of its pool of clear blue water. Gardens of roses were lined around the fountain, cobblestone stretching out for walking space with cafes sitting at the very edges of street corners, simple tables with umbrellas protecting customers from the sunlight as servers in black aprons carrying notepads flitted from table to table. People frequented around the town square, streaming in and out like an intricate knot to different streets.
Alita, hesitantly, stepped into Santalune City, heart rushing as she stared up at the cheery blue sky. The environment seemed to warm up and she jogged, quickly stepping to Matilda's side as Amber stepped beside her.
People upon their balconies called greetings, little Pokemon chirping as well with wagging tails, fluttering wings, even little waves. Alita gave small waves, shooting the little Pokemon a sweet smile before turning her attention to the path before she could collide with anyone.
Matilda, keeping a hand on Amber, placed her makeshift reigns back into her bag, fishing out a curious little device that almost looked like a book or case if not for the plastic case.
Matilda nipped a stylus from its side, opening it up to reveal a digital screen decorated with a map of the city. "Hmm, let's see..."
Matilda's stylus pointed to a street not far from them, swiping until it hovered above a big black building. "The Santalune Gym is here..."
Her stylus swiped the opposite way, taking another street near the town square until she found a familiar cheery red structure. "Ah, there we go. Seems the Pokemon Center is up here. We can get a checkup for your Pokemon and get a bit of work done."
Matilda snapped her Town Map shut, taking her wrist in hand and pulling her straight into the crowd.
Amber cleared a path as they walked through, people chuckling and stepping aside as they made their way to a street in the furthermost left corner of the clearing, bursting out from the thick crowd and starting to jog down several smaller streets. It was like a maze, her head spinning as she tried to keep up only with the hand on her wrist.
The Pokemon Center was in sight, electric blue glass panels faintly revealing few occupants inside. What they didn't notice was the gray clouds floating above on the whistling wind, faint rumbles as they stepped through sliding glass doors.
"Welcome to the Pokemon Center, how may I help you?" The stationed Nurse Joy greeted, near identical to her sister or cousin in Lumiose, if not for the lime green cross on the white headband upon her head.
Before she could stutter out an answer, Matilda took charge, patting Amber's side as she informed the nurse, "We'd like to get a checkup on our Pokemon's health and a stay for the night, please."
All Alita could do was faintly smile and nod as Nurse Joy smiled back. "Thankfully you came just in time, our last room is still open and my Wigglytuff and I are available to make sure your Pokemon are in perfect health!"
The large balloon-like Pokemon next to her cooed in agreement, having gone unnoticed before as it waddled out from behind the counter with a tray upon a cart. Its large ears wiggled as it stared at her with big blue eyes, goofy smile on its face as Pyrrha leaped onto the tray and with a bark Ari wiggled out to fall face first onto it, sleepy eyes blinking in confusion. Matilda patted Amber's side, the Rapidash snorted before pacing beside the Pokemon as her Trainer placed five pokeballs down beside Alita's Pokemon.
Without even thinking she fished out her Pokedex, cool blue glass sliding out from the red metal to reveal an image of Wigglytuff.
"Wigglytuff, the Balloon Pokemon, and the evolved form of Jigglypuff. Their fur feels so good that if two of them snuggle together, they won't want to be separated."
The nurse Pokemon smiled, drawing a small smile from Alita before waddling away into a door beside the counter, automatic doors smoothly sliding open and closed in seconds. Matilda nudged her, hand on her back as they walked up to the counter.
Nurse Joy shot her a beaming smile, fingers typing into a screen just out of her sight before a soft hiss echoed. Her hand rose up, two small cards in her hand.
"Your room keys," She explained. "Your room is 219, it's the third door on the left, up on the seond floor."
Matilda nodded. "Thank you, ma'am."
The nurse smiled. "Oh, it's no problem! I'll buzz your room when your Pokemon are all ready to go."
Offering a nod and smile, the two stepped away and Matilda gently nudged her towards the right. They passed by what looked to be a combination of a lobby and cafeteria, plush chairs and tables littered about with an empty food bar indented in the far wall beside a series of vending machines. The entrance was soon replaced by plaster walls, painted over a muted beige that was illuminated by the harsh overhead lights. Soon they were passing white-painted doors, keypads softly glowing beside them to help the gold number plaques shine.
With one step she felt the floor press in on a certain spot, eyes widening and a gasp escaping her lips as the ceiling opened like a hatch, the sliver of smooth stone under her feet floating up before they were suddenly in a new hall.
Matilda shot her a grin, patting her back as her head whipped around in confusion. "Always gets confusin' the first time."
Alita whirled around, eyeing Matilda as she asked, "I-is this the s-second floor?"
The elder grinned, something akin to smug pride in her eyes as she replied, "You betcha! C'mon, our room's over there."
Confused, she followed Matilda, feet shuffling on the now carpet floor, waiting to fall through to the floor below. A few steps and Matilda slid the card into the device beside the door handle, clicking in place and processing for a second until the touchpad turned green and a loud click echoed out.
Unfazed compared to Alita's tiny startled jump, Matilda swung open the door, revealing the room within.
"Welcome to Casa la Pokemon Center," The elder grinned, arms gesturing in an exaggerated gesture as she bowed. "The finest homestead for Trainers worldwide."
Trying not to giggle, she stepped past her newest friend, eyes searching out the room. It was surprisingly large, the tan carpet soft and squishing under her feet, blank white walls stretching up high as light streamed through the cream-colored curtains, the hidden window behind it glowing as she felt her skin light up gold. Two bunk beds sat opposite each other, seemingly a part of the two walls that sat on either side of the window's wall. At the ends of the bunks was a dresser each, tucked in the corner for anyone who needed it, the other ends of the bunks home to desktop tables with an office chair each. A table sat in the center of the room, and a clothes rack sat beside her to the left and the door to what was most likely a bathroom within.
Somehow, it felt more filled instead of her own simple room back home, cheery and bright compared to dark room.
Matilda grinned, closing the door behind her as she nudged Alita fully in. She strode over to the bunk on the left, heaving her backpack onto the white sheet mattress and opening it up, placing a blanket on the bed before digging out a few pairs of clothes and walking over to place them within her dresser. Noting the younger hadn't moved, shot her a grin as she slid off her parka.
"Well? C'mon, normally stays in cities and towns take a while and it's never fun digging around your bag!"
Hesitantly, she walked over to the bunk, hand clutching her white strap before sliding it onto the lowest bed, swinging the flap wide open. She only brought out her single pair of clothes, a white shirt and set of gray pants. She didn't notice the way Matilda's eyes narrowed or the way she tensed, instead placing the set within a single drawer before setting her bag down on the floor beside the bed.
"Hey Lita?"
Her head turned, looking at Matilda as the adult calmly asked, "Don't ya have any toiletries? Or clothes? Or even a blanket?"
She froze again. "M-maman packed m-my bag for m-me. I didn't th-think I would h-have to grab anything e-else from the h-house..."
Matilda sighed and pinched her nose, trying not to notice way Alita shrunk in on herself and whined in shame. "Well then, looks like we're going to just have to get ya some."
"H-huh?"
Matilda dug around her bag slipping something into her pockets as she put her blue coat back on. She practically jogged across the room, taking Alita's wrist in her hand and dragging her out in a near sprint that had her stumbling.
Within a few minutes they were bursting into the lobby, Wigglytuff just walking out with Nurse Joy with their Pokemon, Matilda sweeping up the pokeballs in a fell swoop. In the blink of an eye Amber was gone with a signature red light, Pyrrha and Aristaeus clumsily jumping up onto Alita's shoulders as the adult of the duo called out a thank you, she herself stumbling to repeat it.
Matilda pulled her over to the opposite side of the main entryway, stepping into a hall that eventually widened out to reveal multiple shops.
"All ya ever need is right in here." Matilda explained as they slowed down, hand letting go of her wrist as Pyrrha cooed at a particular window display. "Personal items like shampoo, medicine for both Trainer and Pokemon, and mundane things like battle items. Clothes we'll have to get from the boutique across town."
"I-I don't have th-that much money th-though." Alita squeaked, noting the tags that described prices that'd wipe her account in seconds."
"Who said you'd be payin'?"
Alita literally squeaked, embarrassed blush staining her cheeks as she whipped her head back and forth in a wild gesture of no. "I-I can't just t-take your m-money like th-that!"
Matilda snorted, shooting her a grin. "You'd be surprised how much money I got over the years! Now leave it to your Auntie Matilda to get 'er done..."
She was dragged through the different shops, a shopping basket shoved in her hands while Matilda stalked and eyed shelves like a Growlithe spotting a steak. A first-aid kit and a few vials of other medicines were placed into it, packets of travel food and a canteen as well. She nearly lost track of everything, bags of the necessities of a journey that had her struggling under the weight. How did Matilda have this much?
She could hear Nurse Joy chuckling as she stumbled back into the main lobby, Matilda walking after her with Ari perched on her head as Pyrrha stood on her own head. Taking a path that was becoming vaguely familiar, they stepped upon the platform elevator and with two clicks they were back in the room, bags crashing down on the floor as she dropped onto her bed.
Matilda laughed as Alita groaned, her arms aching from the weight of all the filled bags.
"Tired?"
She groaned in response, refusing to move as she heard bags shuffle and doors creaking as Matilda placed various items where they temporarily belonged. Alita didn't complain as Aristaeus and Pyrrha wiggled around the bed, squeaking curiously as they played and explored the soft mattress.
She did groan as Matilda nudged her shoulder, flipping her over as her hair flopped over her eyes.
"C'mon, grump, we gotta get ya your clothes." Matilda teased, shaking her shoulders. Alita flinched and tried to roll over, squeaking as the elder simply scooped her up in her arms and strode towards the door. She could hear hear Pyrrha and Ari squeak before they were rolling off the bed and walked, or in Ari's case, wiggled towards the duo.
"N-noooooooooo..." She whimpered. All she wanted to do was rest her sore arms and rest. Memories of vigorous and harsh training filled her head as phantom aches throbbed across her body and she et out a louder whine, refusing to move an inch even if with her shudders came new waves of pain.
But that was quickly snapped away with the loud roar of thunder, lights turning dark as Matilda leaped and consequently dropped the much smaller teen in the process.
Her painful trance was snapped when she slammed into the floor, soft carpet just as merciless as the stone floors of home as she yelped and tried to whirl around, only tangling her limbs as she tried to gather her bearings.
She finally laid flat on her back after a full minute of rolling and twisting and confused shouting. The dull thuds of the flooding rain was all she could hear over her own panting, Matilda climbing up onto her bed.
"Guess that ruins the rest of our shopping plans..." She heard Matilda murmur, perking up when Matilda looked towards her. "So why don't we get lunch in the cafeteria instead?"
Tiredly, she nodded, accepting the hand her friend held out to her and scooping up her Pokemon. "I-I wonder wh-what they'll be serving t-today."
"Why don't we find out?"
To their disappointment, the elevator wasn't working due to a loss of power, emergency generators currently not working.
Matilda, unwilling to wait for the power to come back, took her wrist and prowled down the hall, eyeing doors until she pounced and opened a nondescript one, revealing a series of stairs.
Their feet bounced on the stone steps as they walked down two winding series before they found the door. Matilda opened it, revealing the first floor hall, stepping onto the crisp white stone floor. Head turning left and right, they turned left, stepping past various rooms as the dark hall gave way to the barely lit lobby.
Nurse Joy was attempting to restore power, mumbling to herself as her Wigglytuff tried to calm an adamant girl.
She was around her height, pale skin soaked as long white hair stuck to her skin, two braids that looked close to untangling slapping her cheeks as she literally growled, blue eyes glaring into nothing as her hands were clenched. A white skirt that had once was ruffled stuck to the girl's legs, white socks crumpled around her ankles and blue shoes shining with water, blue blouse flopping as she stomped and lace near invisible against her skirt.
"Great, just great. First, it starts raining just before I arrive here. I come in and the power is down so I had to pull the doors open and I nearly got chopped in half in the process. And how can you have no rooms?!" The girl huffed, Nurse Joy purposely ignoring her as she tried to restore power.
The Pokemon beside her whined, trying to bite the girl's hand as she prowled around in search of a new victim of her anger. It had ruff scaly blue skin, hidden behind wet black fur that clung to its torso, neck, and head, eyes hidden as it growled and squeaked trying to get her attention.
Matilda's eyes were narrowed, arms crossing as she eyed the young girl. "Well I'm sorry to hear that happened to ya, but you do know that you can spend the night in the lobby? There is protocol for this kinda thing and Nurse Joy is tryin' to restore power, so why don'cha just wait until she's done to be botherin' 'er."
The girl whirled around, eyes like knives and looking absolutely murderous. "Because I've spent three nights in a row sleeping on the ground and I do not plan on sleeping on the floor of some lobby!"
Matilda glared back. "Still, you're bein' quite rude and ruinin' any chance of possibly sharin' a room with someone."
The girl threw her hands in the air, glaring at the ceiling. "But with who? I doubt there's any space left now!"
"A-actually..." Alita mumbled, Matilda's gaze flickering to her in a silent prayer to not say what she thought she was going to say. "My friend a-and I-I have a spare b-bed you can u-use..."
The girl stiffened, looking at her sharply as her shoulders slowly relaxed and she nearly looked genuinely hopeful. Her Pokemon huffed, finally catching her hand in his mouth and slowly nibbling on it.
Her gaze snapped away from Alita's drifting down to her Pokemon as she groaned. "Daedric, let go!"
The Pokemon didn't respond still didn't respond, continuing to nibble at her hand as she groaned again. "Daedric!" No response. Matilda snickered beside her, taking in the silly sight as she sighed. "Derp!"
The Pokemon, barking as it let go and thumped his head against the girl's leg.
Matilda nearly laughed, hand slamming onto her mouth to prevent it from escaping her lips. Alita tilted her head, hand slowly wandering to the pocket of her gray pants.
"I-is it alright i-if I scan y-your Pokemon?"
The girl gazed at her and shrugged. "I guess, if you're letting me room with you. Might wanna lose the stutter though, it's kind of weird."
Hesitantly, she held her Pokedex up, cool blue glass sliding open.
"Deino, the Irate Pokemon. Lacking sight, it's unaware of its surroundings, so it bumps into things and eats anything that moves."
The girl snorted, hands on her hips as she snickered. "Nearly on point with Derp here. You guys going to get food, I'm starving and you're letting me stay with you guys anyways."
Matilda rose a brow. "Mind introducin' yourself first?"
The girl snorted, tilting her head away. "Not if you're asking."
Matilda's eyes narrowed again and Alita gently asked, "Please?"
The girl huffed. "Fine, only since you asked. I'm Lily, Lily Freelily. Don't forget it."
Matilda huffed, stalking away to the cafeteria as Alita sheepishly laughed, hand rubbing the back of her head as Pyrrha and Ari squeaked and glanced at Lily.
"I-I'm Alita Bellerose." She replied softly. "Pyrrha i-is m-my Fennekin and Aristaeus w-would be m-my Weedle."
Lily nodded, striding over and poking her side. "Nice to meet you, Bellerose. Now come on, the food isn't just going to come to us!"
Alita faintly smiled, a faint blush filling her cheeks as she nodded. "R-right. I'm s-sorry about M-Matilda..."
Lily waved her hand, rolling her eyes. "Don't worry, all adults are like that. Always looking down on kids and other junk. You're decent, I suppose."
"M-Matilda is u-usually nice th-though. Y-you were k-kind of acting m-mean..."
Lily groaned. "Whatever! Let's just get food!"
The younger took her wrist, yanking her towards the cafeteria as she yelped. It couldn't be helped, she supposed. Maybe Lily would change with some food…
Hey everyone, it's Oly, FINALLY back with the Vol update! Sorry it took what, several months? I've been really busy with real life, finishing a season of marching band (we won seond in Division Two at our first state competition in the division!), the various holidays, school, changing fandoms, and my birthday last month! Color guard was also recently demanding with a Christmas concert last week! But anyways, I've been working on this for quite a while trying to get it done and here we are! I sincerely hope you all enjoy the chapter!
Chapter Question: Do you believe Alita will challenge the Santalune Gym soon?
OCs this chapter:
Matilda Nicholson by Quake Shatterfist
Lily Freelily by Shiny Eeveee
Don't forget to Favorite, Follow, and/or Review if you enjoy my story!
~ Oly in Flight