3. Friendship
My head snapped up at the sound of my name whispered in an achingly familiar voice.
Ash Ketchum hadn't changed much. He still wore his classic Trainer's outfit, cap and all. His black hair was just as messy as it was when I had traveled with him and Dawn and Brock. But his eyes were different. His eyes betrayed everything, every single emotion that I knew he was feeling right now. I couldn't meet them for long.
"Ash?" His name came out hoarse and I cleared my throat. "What? How?" My heart was pounding and I hoped I didn't start hyperventilating. This couldn't be happening. No way.
At that moment I saw Pikachu and Reuniclus on the table. I slammed shut the book I was reading and thrust it in Reuniclus's face. "You! You did this! I told you not to contact them!"
Reuniclus shrugged and gurgled the essence of an apology and "it's for your own good" speech. I let out a frustrated noise and threw the book the librarian had just retrieved for me at the Multiplying Pokémon, who easily caught it with its gigantic arms.
"Wait, you knew we were here?" Ash asked.
I sighed. "I saw you yesterday. At the tournament."
"No way! Did you watch me battle?" he asked excitedly.
"No. I left the moment I saw you. It was the final battle."
Ash's face dropped. "Oh, in that case, I'm glad. I didn't win."
"You can't win everything, Ash," I said out of habit. I immediately looked away.
"Celia?" That was Dawn. "Is that you? Oh my gosh, it is!"
I was instantly crushed in one of Dawn's hugs. Brock was right behind her, but thankfully he didn't try to squeeze out what little oxygen was left in my body.
"How are you doing, Celia? Getting by on your own?" Brock inquired.
"Well enough," I answered. "I've got Reuniclus." On cue, my Pokémon drifted over to hover behind my shoulder with a satisfied warble.
"Are you here for the festival?" Dawn queried next.
"Kind of," I replied. "I was coming here anyway. The festival's a nice opportunity, though."
"Why is that?" Ash asked. He hadn't taken his eyes off me for a second, like he was afraid if he looked away for even a millisecond I would disappear again. Which I probably would.
I glanced at the stacks that covered the table. "Er, well, I'm doing some research."
Brock picked up a volume. "On what? Concordia?"
I nodded, mind racing to come up with a reason that I could share. "Yeah, you know about my connection to Legendaries, and I know very little about Concordia, so I wanted to do some studying."
"A lot of studying," Ash commented as his eyes finally left me to wander over the books. I couldn't help glaring at him.
Just then my stomach decided to announce its empty state with a loud growl and I clamped a hand over it, my cheeks warming.
Brock grinned at me. "We were just getting ready to go out for a picnic lunch. Want to join us?"
Dawn jumped in. "Yeah! We can catch up and everything! It'll be great!"
"Umm…" I risked a glance at Ash and then sighed. "I guess lunch wouldn't hurt."
"Yay! Let's go!" Dawn grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me out of the Archives. The librarian yelled something about putting the books back but we ignored her. The Minccinos and Cinccinos that helped there would put them back.
Brock used his map to lead us to a verdant park that seemed a little out of place this high in the mountains. Lilligants and Petilils wandered around, spreading spores and taking care of the flowers and grass. A few Deerling wandered out from the adjacent forest to graze on the lush turf. We set up the blanket near the cliff, which was edged by a fence to prevent anyone from falling over. The river and mountain range stretched out before us in a breathtaking view. Again I had that feeling that this place and I just went together.
The four of us ate as we let our Pokémon stretch their legs and run around the park. I smiled when I saw how much Reuniclus was enjoying playing with its old friends. Humans weren't the only social creatures.
"I forgot how much I love your cooking, Brock," I said as I popped another sandwich into my mouth.
"Always glad to satisfy another empty stomach," he responded.
"So you're on your way to the Elite Four?" I asked.
Ash nodded. "Yep, I finally got all eight badges." He opened his jacket to show eight shiny pins, the badges awarded by Gym Leaders to those who could defeat them.
"We're stopping by another contest, too," Dawn added. "I've won a few more ribbons." She pulled out her case and opened it. It was almost full with lovely, sparkling ribbons.
"I've seen you on television every now and then when I stop at someplace that has one," I said.
"Where all have you gone, Celia?" Ash asked.
I shrugged. "Here and there. I stopped by Nimbasa and Castelia City, but I've mostly been hitting small towns. I actually went back to Fanum to make sure that some of the elders were doing okay, and to see how the temple looked, or what was left of it." I looked off into the distance as I remembered how nature had already begun to reclaim the land the temple that I had called home for almost eight years had stood on before it burned to the ground.
"Has Team Rocket given you anymore trouble?" Brock inquired. I could see why he would ask. They were the ones responsible for the blaze that had destroyed the temple.
I shook my head. "I haven't seen any trace of them, fortunately."
"Probably because they've been too busy coming after us," Dawn said.
"No surprise there," Ash remarked.
"Oh yeah, I love your scarf, Celia!" Dawn exclaimed. "Where did you get it?"
"Thanks. I bought it from one of the vendors in the fountain plaza. I can show you if you like."
"Yes, please!"
We called back our Pokémon and I took the lead as we headed to the plaza. I was acutely aware of Ash's presence behind my left shoulder and I focused on admiring the city's architecture to distract me.
Dawn gasped when she saw all the shops and stalls. Everything was open now, and even busier than the day before. She spotted the scarf stall right away and dashed over to it. The rest of us followed, Brock yelling, "Don't spend all your money, Dawn!"
Soon Dawn had accumulated several bags of souvenirs and she collapsed on the bench that had served as my bed for a little while last night.
"We're going to be broke again if you keep going on shopping sprees like this, Dawn," Brock admonished.
"Don't worry, we'll get more after the next contest."
"Pip. Lup!" Dawn's Piplup put its fins on its waist and stuck out its chest. Ash and I looked at each other and then covered our mouths in an attempt to smother our giggles. When we realized what we were doing, we immediately sobered up.
"Hey, Ash!"
We turned around to see the other trainer from the tournament final, Bello Nocten, striding toward us. Since Ash had said that he didn't win the final battle, that meant Bello was also the tournament's victor.
"Hey, Bello. Ready for that rematch?"
I rolled my eyes. Of course. Ash never walked away from a loss without demanding a rematch at some point.
Bello laughed. "Actually, I wanted to see what you thought about having it in the stadium? As victor, I can pull a few strings and get it in there. Anyone and everyone can come watch it, too."
For some reason, my pendant began to warm up. I subtly placed it under my shirt before it could start glowing and attract attention. What was it trying to tell me? Was a Legendary seeking my attention?
"Everyone seeing you lose? Sounds good to me," Ash answered.
Bello smirked. "Does tomorrow at midday work for you?"
"Yeah."
"Tomorrow then."
Bello stuck out his hand and Ash grasped it for a second, sealing the deal. Bello walked away without another word, melting into the crowd.
"I don't know about you guys, but he creeps me out," Dawn said.
I pulled my necklace back out, cradling the crystal, which lay cool against my palm. Whatever had set it off had passed. I shrugged to myself and dropped it back under my shirt just in case it started acting up again.
AN: It's Friday again so that means another chapter! Celia has finally run into her old friends again, and Ash is being Ash. Sorry there's not much action in this chapter. There will be a lot more in the upcoming ones so stay tuned! Thanks for reading, everyone!