Lesson 9: Challenge

It's where we have been, and the people we have met, that lead us to where we should be going, and to where we are needed the most.

Ashe.

I believe that during certain moments in our life we choose a particular song that compliments it. Like a soundtrack of our life,… it can be anything.

Sad. Happy. Loud. Upbeat. Melancholic. Utter nonsense… You name it.

Everybody has countless soundtracks during a lifetime. It's a song you utterly adore for a certain amount of days, months, even years. You never grow tired of it. Despite listening to it on a daily base you still love it. But then a day comes on which the song doesn't seem to touch you as much as it managed to do the day before. You still like the song, it hasn't changed, the words, the melody, all remained the same, but you didn't. In life we have soundtracks colored in different hues.
What is the color of a happy memory? Which shade fits a bad dream?

A Saddening Blue. Glowing Yellow. Melancholic Grey. Utter Nonsense Orange.

You don't have to like music, you can hate art, but you still have it… The boy in front of me somehow hadn't, and I knew that although he would deny it to the fullest, he was troubled by it. He was deaf to the music in people and shied away from the color they possessed. I knew he was troubled by it, and I knew he was trouble.

I blinked in surprise and stared at his outstretched hand, seriously doubting if I should grab a hold of it or not.

"You can't hear them. That's sad." He stated not in the least disturbed by my lack of words, the look he gave me a mixture of boredom and pity, while trailing his other hand through his messy hair, making the tangled mess even sloppier.

For a second I wondered if he was talking to himself. He seemed to go out of his way to avoid looking at me directly, and fumbled nonstop with a weird cube like thingy that hung around his neck in a manner that reminded me of myself handling the black bands around my wrists.

I hope I don't look as agitated as he does when he plays with that necklace… He talks like a mad man… And he doesn't seem to know about eye contact either… Weird guy…

Lost in thoughts I didn't notice the impatient glint in his eyes, with a sigh of frustration he reached down, already on the verge of pulling me up. His body went rigid as I sprung to my feet without his aid and faced him head on staring into his eyes in search of color. A soft green conjured a huge grin on my face.
The boy flinched, his pupils dilated noticeable causing the black color to erase my reflection from his green eyes. A little scowl appeared on his face, my refusal of help, although it being unintentional, seemed to annoy him a lot. I noticed his eyes flitted between his outstretched hand and the patch of concrete I had occupied only seconds ago.

"Next time I fall on my ass I'll make sure to accept your help." I suggested sheepishly, readjusting my clothes.

"And why is that?" he inquired sounding reluctant to speak, his tone rushed and unsteady.

I narrowed my eyes in disbelief, "Because you're looking rather…lethal… As if you'd throw me down just because you can, and so you could consider helping me up afterwards."

He deliberately averted his eyes and I seized the moment to study his features. Positively every sane, breathing girl in the world would have to admit that he was rather gorgeous in a unique and fascinating kind of way. He, along with millions of other male teenagers wore a black and white baseball cap that looked a lot like mine, however he was one of those seldom males who got away with wearing one.

I don't want to know how many 'how's the weather up there' jokes he has heard already. I thought stifling a loud snort as I noticed that I hardly reached his shoulders.

Noticing the puzzled look on his face, I shot him a 'Don't mind me' look bending down to eye level with the largest of the two Purrloin, marveling at the tapered violet marking above his emerald eyes. "I have to admit, you have one handsome Purrloin." I said following the cat's sickle shaped tail as it lashed through the air, clearly showing off.

The feline produced a loud kind of purr and the green haired teen chuckled out loud. I shot him a questioning look, "Purrloin says he likes you." He commented promptly, scratching his nose.

I wrinkled mine, and stared up into the boy's eyes in challenge, "Let's just say I know in what direction to stroke a cat." I said, hesitating a moment before adding, "And that purr sounded a lot longer than a simple 'She's okay.' It's rude to gossip you know, especially in a different language."

The weird teen seemed to weigh me for a few seconds before answering my question with a shrug, "Only females gossip, and it doesn't count as gossip if there aren't any mean things said."

"Potato patato." I scoffed, awkwardly stretching my hand out to the feline's large head, scratching behind his ears with an affectionate smile on my lips.

Marron who had kept quiet hissed loudly as the second Purrloin peeked behind his trainer's long legs, and I felt how his slender body tensed.

"He doesn't seem to like me that much." I pointed out with a nod towards the scrawny feline that flattened his twitching ears.

"He's angry because something could've happened to the Pokémon inside the egg. He says you're irresponsible." The tall boy said in a blunt manner, completely inconsiderate of my feelings or the possibility of hurting me with his words. Somehow his harsh words didn't bother me, and I realized I wouldn't like it one tiny bit if he turned out to be one of those notorious ladies men who talked big all the time.

"Oh." I said, unable to stop myself from growing red in the face after receiving a lesson on mothering from a teenage boy, "He's right then. I thought he didn't like humans because of his… you know that scar on his eye."

The scarred Purrloin's expression closed the instant the words left my mouth, and his human friend glanced down with a guarded look.
I could feel the tension in the air, almost as if they were communicating wordlessly. Pokémon speech or not, the nature of their conversation definitely wasn't a pleasant chat regarding the weather, that much was clear.

The tall green haired teen's mouth tightened into a thin line, and the moment he moved closer I took a step back, making sure that the distance separating us remained unchanged. Marron stealthily jumped to the ground, blocking the teen in his path and speaking to him in Pokémon speech that contained a series of high chirps. After a particular long sentence coming from the tiny snake his green eyes bored into mine. Moving too fast for me to even take a breath he turned on his heel creating an open field with a lone Marron in the middle.

"Your Pokémon say the most unbelievable things. Even the one inside the egg and especially your Snivy he -"

"Marron." I interrupted unable to help myself from cutting him short, "Err…He's called Marron." I continued pointing very unnecessary towards the tiny snake that nodded curtly and hissed in response.

The teen shook his head and no longer averting his gaze he stared into my eyes, blinking slowly. "You can't hear them…" he repeated his foot twitching as if he had to stop himself from moving closer yet again.

"Off course I can." I smiled, putting my nose in the air, and secretly standing on tiptoe (Even from afar he was ridiculously tall).

"I hear Marron as clear as I'm hearing you right now. I hear him but I don't understand what he's saying, that's something very different you know." I stated arching a brow.

"What's your name?" he asked bluntly, his question a demand not a request.

"My name?" I inquired plucking at a wristband an idea already forming in my mind, "My name is mine, but if you ask Marron he might tell you."

The teen pondered that for some time a knowing smile on his face, "You're testing me."

"Yep." I chimed rather pleased with myself.

"Hm. So you don't believe I can speak to Pokémon?" he asked his pupils dilated and narrowed to cat like slits in mere seconds.

"I'm just checking if you're not one of those all bark and no bite kind of persons." I replied lightly, tightening my grip on the egg in my arms and sharing a knowing look with Marron. "You don't act like someone who's on drugs, so either you're utterly bonkers or you are telling the truth."

My opponent's displeasure only grew as an amused purr reached his ears, "Why would I be on drugs?" he asked his gaze leveled upon me with noticeable irritation.

"Because most people who claim that they're able to talk to Pokémon are!" I laughed enjoying his bickering mood.

"You're embarrassed by it." He interjected, his hoarse voice light, and a half smile on his face as he noticed my reddening cheeks.

"Interesting." He murmured interpreting my sudden shyness as an affirmation to his presumption.

Green eyes took on a sparkle of pleasure and he started pacing back and forth puling at the chain around his neck.

The guy likes a good riddle, I thought seeing how his excitement provided a new spring to his footsteps.

"You don't look like one of those unfortunate human beings named after a town or a region, so maybe it's something old fashioned…" He declared mumbling to himself with his brow furrowed. The small crease between his brows deepened reminding me very much of myself during math. Upon seeing this I had to hide a small smile, the word 'cute' sprung into my mind and I quickly pushed it aside. I wasn't the kind of girl who went al mushy over a guy I barely knew, enough dating experience and being friends with Cheren had learned me how annoying a constantly giggling girl could be.

"Ashe."

My heart started at the sound of my name, and a look of utter surprise gave me away immediately. Folding my arms across the egg I scowled in dissatisfaction, Marron turned and shot me a solemn look, he definitely hadn't told him, and excluding Marron meant only one Pokémon who knew my name remained.

"Why you little telltale." I whispered to the egg in an amused kind of tone. My heart was beating wildly by now, he's the real deal, I thought eyeing the teenager, feeling rather exposed, almost as if he had read my heart through the opinion Pokémon had on me.

"It's a…-"

"Boy's name. I know, but I like it" I interrupted the smug looking teen, daring him to laugh.

A million dollar smile appeared on the boy's face, one of which I could've sworn had halted the strawberry blonde girl wearing heels, and a skirt that left no room for imagination that walked past.

"I was about to tell you the identity of the Pokémon inside the egg, but I guess you don't want to know."

I hardly managed to stay silent for about five seconds before I consciously sprung the trap, though not in the manner he would've liked.

"I don't want to know." I said haughtily but truthful. Something in the way our weird 'conversation' flowed bugged me. It felt like he pushed me in the direction he preferred, as if he had it all planned out in a very math-like manner. A series of possible answers coming from me seemed to be stashed in his mind, and he was simply waiting to confirm his opinion. Feeling happy that none of my genuine answers matched the ones he expected I caught myself going left while he tried to push me right.

Marron swishing his leafy tail pinned me with his trademark stare, a mixture of amusement, smugness and that ever present hint of superiority.

Whimsical. I almost heard him say the word instead of the "Tsk' sound he made.

"Whimsical." I grumbled, the character trade stickier than a bug types string shot, "Maybe so."

On the other side of the clearing N froze, his heart thrumming rapidly produced the amount of beats it had done during a whole lifetime in mere seconds.

Easy N. Zero whispered recognizing the storm of emotions swirling in his friend's eyes.

His concern grew as he noticed the strong hold the male had on the chain around his neck. Despite it being human made, making it cold but sturdy, the otherwise treasured trinket was reaching its breaking point.

"Easy? How can I take it easy when she understood that Pokémon? Zero…she's like me…"

The fake feline flinched, and fox like traits emerged as Zero sniffed the air heavy with the female's floral scent.

She read his body language N, that's all there is to it.

"I'll test her. See if she's worthy." His eyes darkened aggressively, a surge of childlike possessiveness and interest surged as he eyed the oblivious brunette.

Stepping forward while flexing his retractable claws Zero readied himself for the coming fight, "No. I'll use Purrloin." N stated bringing the illusionary feline to an abrupt halt, its eyes trailing the second taller feline that already had its purple fur on end increasing his height effectively. Tearing his eyes of the long legged female in front of him N answered Zero's burning stare. "Trust me." He said, his heart no longer beating rapidly, his stance calm and collected.

Deaf to orders Purrloin sprung towards the distracted snake on velvet paws, the only sign giving him away was the glistening of his claws, and honestly speaking seeing his claws wouldn't help the Pokémon one tiny bit.

Startled shitless I witnessed the skin tearing scratch coming from the teen's graceful feline. "What's your problem!" I yelled angrily as Marron yowled in pain, inspecting the thin lines on his scales.

"A battle." The teen stated, his expression concealed under the rim of his cap.

"I can see that!" I yelled angrily, "What happened to a little heads up?"

"Purrloin just gave you one." Was the only reply I got before the fierce battle in front of me demanded my full attention.

A scowling Marron in the midst of an improvised dodging maneuver hissed in exasperation waiting for guidance. "He's fast Marron, so this time we won't be using your speed but your power!"

The tiny snake hissed and slammed himself head first into the agile cat ready to throw the feline against the nearest bench. "Take him with you Purrloin!" The teenager instructed and with a bizarre dexterity Purrloin used his front paws to grab Marron's tail, using the startled snake to cushion the impact with the wooden bench.
Both Pokémon were swaying slightly by now, but it was obvious that the attack had hurt Marron the most.

"Your Snivy's voice is weakening already. See it as proof that Pokémon are weakened due to their relationship with humans." He said raising a brow as Snivy yelled at him between heavy gasps of breath. "Let's finish this. Purrloin use scratch, aim for the wounds you inflicted earlier. Snivy won't be fast enough to evade you. "

"HIS NAME IS MARRON!" I yelled gritting my teeth with enough force to break them, while following the hissing Purrloin's claws. "Allow him to get close, and then give him a taste of his own medicine!"

Bracing himself for the incoming collision the grass type anchored himself to the ground with his vine whip, mimicking a tree that stood hunched over during a storm. The feline's claws scraped against glittering scales, the feral grin on Purrloin's face froze upon seeing Marron's cold glare. With a loud cry the snake threw the cat upwards, grabbing the feline and stopping it from turning in mid air to land on all fours. Wrapping a slender vine whip around the Pokémon's body, Marron threw his opponent into the ground with enough force to create a cloud of dust. Only after the dust settled revealing a conscious but defeated Purrloin did Marron retract his vine whip, giving the green haired teenager a long hard stare through his pointed nose before trotting back to my side, sitting in a patch of sunlight, eyes closed.

"You did great, I'm very proud of you." I whispered leaving the egg in his care and making sure I didn't block his sun as I made my way towards the shaken Purrloin.

It turned its back on me and his scythe shaped tail almost hit me in the face. "It's not just good looks you posses." I complimented leaving the agitate feline with its dented ego. After al nobody actually enjoyed losing and aside from the stunning feline there was another troublesome creature to talk to.

"I never expected Pokémon to say such things." He mused out loud, more to himself and the second Purrloin than to me.

Stopping right in front of him, I gazed up with a stubborn look on my face. "I've come to claim my prize." I said placing my hands on my hips, refusing to feel troubled by the intensity of his gaze.

"Ah. I'm not surprised." He stated with a sigh of disappointment, "You probably want to know what your Snivy said." He continued deliberately ignoring Snivy's given name.

"No I don't. So stop putting words into my mouth before I choke on them." I snapped, yet again annoyed by his habit to label me. The teen blinked in awe, and for a second I expected his mouth would drop. "What is it you want then?" he inquired fumbling with the chain around his neck.

"Your name."

His mouth actually dropped open this time and I chuckled, "You're not embarrassed by it aren't you?" I pushed on, a crooked smile on my face, receiving a scowl in return.

The nameless teenager closed his eyes before answering, "It's N." He said analyzing my reaction with squinted eyes, trying to anticipate my next action.

A flicker op surprise appeared on my face before I managed to brush it aside, (in my defense you didn't meet a person who's name contained a single letter every day), ignoring the obvious pseudonym I nodded and stuck out my left hand,

"It's been… err, interesting to meet you N." I decided, amused as he too presented his left hand, copying my move with a look of utter concentration on his face.

Weird guy… I thought sneaking a peek through my eyelashes and loosening my grip on his cool skin only to realize his fingers were wrapped around my wrist in a steel tight grip. Shifting uncomfortably I tried to break free, "Can I have my hand back please?" I asked politely trying my best not to wince as he tightened his hold.

A tiny part of my mind rung in alarm, He wouldn't, no he can't hurt me, not in front of dozens of people. If he tries anything funny I'll hit him, or scream as hard as I can. Settling on the idea of doing both simultaneously I braced myself, filling my lungs with enough oxygen to scream for about half an hour. An offended squeak escaped from my lips when N harshly turned my hand palm up, his eyes halted and darkened for a split second.

His lanky Purrloin smoothly sprung onto our linked arms settling down on N's side piercing me with icy blue eyes, entwining his scythe shaped tail with the boy's skinny arm.

Wait a minute… I swallowed, a toothy grin appeared on the Pokémon's face as soon as the expression of shock appeared on mine.

"Your Purrloin!" I spoke unable to stop myself from inching closer, almost as if the Pokémon and his trainer silently urged me on. There was something so annoyingly familiar to those eyes, the way the feline's beautiful purple fur clashed with the aqua blue color almost begged me to notice.

"Ashe!" Bianca and Cheren's voices rung through the air, and I froze. N narrowed his eyes and studied my reaction. Purrloin mewling something shifted nervously and stalked closer, balancing on our arms as if it were nothing. "As long as Pokémon are confined in Pokéballs…They'll never become perfect beings." N said staring over my head, obviously expecting Cheren and Bianca to turn up. "Pokémon are my friends… because of that I have to change the world… "

"Pokémon and humans weren't build for perfection." I answered extracting a look of faint wonder from the tall teen, "We're flawed, and because of that we're…compatible." I continued a deep frown on my face that proved I obviously doubted my own theory. The feline hissed and moved closer, the tip of his nose almost touched mine, "What's he saying?" I asked blinking quickly to stop my eyes from watering.

"He says you'll be troublesome. I agree. You should run."

"Run?" I repeated as his tall form blocked out the setting sun and covered me in shadow.

"Yes. Run. Run. Run. As fast as you can."

The feline disappeared with a swish of its tail.

I managed a forced smile and nodded pointedly towards his hand restraining me.

He leaned in close. Stopping me from fighting back he whispered in my ear, "Because I've killed before. And I'll do it again."

Fuck.

Obeying the sudden need to put as much distance between myself and the strange teen I shoved my free hand against his chest as hard as I could.
There was nothing wrong with being a bit eccentric, yes his name was N and he could talk to Pokémon. Weird, but acceptable, even interesting. However stating the fact that you were a killer with a look of pure innocence on your face was borderline creepy.

N who had been waiting for that specific moment loosened his grip on my wrist, his long fingers lingering on my skin, the touch sent shivers down my spine.

For a second time that day I found myself sprawled out on the ground.

"Crap, crap, double crap!" I cursed. Marron, no longer dozing off in the sun woke with a start, his head hovered above mine, together with Cheren's scowling face and a sniffling Bianca who had to be dehydrated by now from al the crying she had done.

"I got my ass kicked!" I managed looking up at two shocked humans, one hissing lizard and an utterly amused feline.

"You lost a battle?" Cheren inquired loftily hardly containing the smirk on his face

"Somebody touched your butt?" Bianca shouted misunderstanding my words, reddening as Cheren buried his face in his hands and advised the people who walked by to please continue doing so.

What's gotten into you! Zero hissed, fur on end, his agitation clearly ignored by the scrawny teen who stood unmoving, back pressed against the rough wall of a convenience store staring at the rumpled brunette from a safe distance

You wouldn't have lost if I were the one to fight that cocky little snake. We had everything under control but then you just had to go and act on your own didn't you! We were supposed to lay low…You silly human!

The Pokémon's last insult had been a cheap shot, mimicking the teen's father degrading manner of speech always agitated his friend. This time was no different.
N clicked his teeth together with an audible snap waiting for his friend to cease his rambling. His Darmanitan back home had to teach Zero the principals of Zen Mode, otherwise the agitated fox would be the one to blow their cover sooner or later.

"Hush Zero, I can't hear what they're saying because of your purring." N said enjoying the aftermath of his words before continuing, "The way you act doesn't exactly radiate being in control you know." He stated furrowing his brow upon seeing how the black haired teen offered Ashe his hand.

N decided he didn't like him the moment the blue eyed girl allowed him to hoist her to her feet. Oh his hand she accepts… He thought allowing a small smile on his lips as he saw how Purrloin followed the group of trainers, sticking particularly close to a dust covered Ashe who had her arm around the short blonde.

"Let's go Zero, father expects a report on the effects of his speech." He said, happy with what he had seen and already looking forward to receiving a report himself from the feline on his involuntary new owner.

"You too have some explaining to do." N said coldly as they left town unnoticed, turning their backs on the soft glow of the streetlights that had sprung to life mere seconds ago and trading it for the moon's soft glow. Zero, who had dropped his illusion the moment they left town looked up at his trainer, the glare he received in return made him lower his ears.

it was an accident, the moment I looked into her eyes they reminded me of mine and being reminded of my own eyes…falters my concentration.

N didn't answer, purposely lengthening the silence, wordlessly pressuring the fox to continue. His story made sense, but somewhere in the back of his mind it felt as if his oldest friend was lying…

Rubbish. Pokémon never lie, they can't, it's not in their nature. He argued with himself turning the black wristband he had stolen in his hands before shoving it in his pockets.

He wished he could switch off his thoughts just as easily. He almost wished the girl had disappointed him, humans were simple, they made sense in a logical kind of way. She didn't, he could see it in her eyes, pure but wild at the same time.

An unsolvable equation. Good thing I like a challenge.