Lesson 21: To fight
"You're such a little cutie, yes you are, with those gweat big eyes!" Bianca who hovered over a wooden crib cooed, tickling the chinchilla Pokémon that giggled in a high voice and kicked aside her baby blue blanket.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that females of any age simply can't resist the cuteness of an infant, human or Pokémon. They all know how to exploit certain traits such as big teary eyes and soft fur. Yes, even I had to admit that the newborn Minccino seemed to be made of sugar, spice and everything nice.
The fluffy tuft of white fur on its tiny head had something endearing.
Cheshire had been enduring the constant tugging and nipping at his tail and ears for ten whole minutes now. The litter of purple hued kittens that kept on climbing his back were obviously delighted with their new toy. The large feline's patience with the impetuous tykes was rather impressive. "You're just a big softie." I teased when he gave me his best 'I didn't ask for this' stare.
Marron's vine whip seemed to be rather popular among the smaller grass types, and it didn't take long before he and Saya had discovered how they could transform it into a skipping rope.
Of course it was the ever serious Cheren who seemed unaffected by the sparkly eyes that informed me of the fact every newborn Minccino was born completely white. "In their third month of life only the tip of the ears and tail retain their white color." He noted cleaning his red rimmed glasses with a pristine handkerchief used for that, and that purpose only.
"You are very educated my boy." The elderly man who owned the daycare on route 3 said, instructing an overjoyed Bianca on bottle-feeding the little rodent.
"Did you know they choose to alter the color of their fur? Around that age the character trait each mature Minccino possesses comes to the surface."
"The obsession to clean things?" Cheren tried, unable to quell his habit of answering the questions adults presented him with, even taking notes.
I teased him about being a teachers pet for a reason.
Once a nerd always a nerd. I thought, managing to camouflage my loud snort as a cough.
"Indeed! Now what do you know about the color white?" The old man exclaimed delighted with his attentive listeners.
"The color white is evoked by light, coming from the sun or modern light sources such as fluorescent lamps. White is the extreme end of the visual spectrum, scientists used to believe that white was the fundamental color of light but – Hey!"
"We get the picture Einstein." I sighed elbowing him a second time, happy I had kept my mouth shut. My answer 'Clouds, ice cream and snow are white' would sound rather stupid next to the lecture Cheren Encyclopedia Kuro had just given, it wouldn't surprise me if the old man felt compelled to escort me to the kindergarten situated right next to the day care after hearing my thoughts on the matter.
Hmpf I would be better at drawing if I went there. My train of childish thoughts in which Cheren admitted I was smarter than him derailed with the arrival of Mrs. Black. The tall boy who followed her scored high enough on Bianca's Cute-Meter to tear her attention from the hungry Minccino.
"On a scale from 1 to 10 how HOT is he?" She whispered tapping my shoulder, staring at the brown haired male with her mouth open.
I glanced in his direction, "As hot as the milk spilling down your arms?" I suggested dodging the sudden spray of milk that came from the bottle Bianca squeezed in surprise.
"Oh Reshiram." Biana cried ducking behind me with a loud squeal.
She could hide all she wanted, the damage had been done.
Covered from head to toe in warm milk a fuming Cheren turned on Bianca, ready to hit her on the head with his now ruined notebook.
"Is she going to be okay?" An unfamiliar voice asked sounding quite amused. Chocolate colored eyes gave me a quick once-offer before settling on my face.
"Dunno death by notebook? When it comes to being clean my friend Cheren has proven to be worse than a Minccino." I joked readjusting my clothes Bianca (who was now preoccupied with keeping a table between her and Cheren) had clung to.
"I'm Touya Black." The boy said extending a hand.
"Ashe White." I said shaking his hand, "Nice hat." I added readjusting mine with a grin at his black and red colored cap.
"Graduation present." He replied with a lopsided smile, "Took gramps six hours to find one, he didn't even realize some bastard had sold him the female version.
Took me five more hours to exchange it." A genuine smile appeared on his face, "Prancing around with a pink cap might send some mixed signals. Don't tell him though." Touya whispered walking towards the counter where Mrs. Black now sat, taking the egg she handed him.
"The Pokémon inside is in perfection condition, you are taking good care of it." The old lady said with a shaky voice, her hold on the fragile egg firm despite her old age.
With both hands free she started scribbling something on an empty form. Tilting his head reading the scribbles upside down the tall boy whistled, "That's an awesome Pokémon you have here."
The look of envy on his face enhanced my already ridiculous wide grin. "Glad to hear, since I'm going for the surprise effect." I warned adding a wink.
Touya chuckled, "You won't be disappointed."
"Glad to hear it." I sighed in relief, "For all I knew the Pokémon inside was already reduced to a scrambled egg without me knowing it."
The chocolate haired teen blinked, I waved one hand airily, "Long story."
Touya looked around, the lopsided grin reappeared on his face. "We got time." He said with a small nod towards his grandpa who seemed to badger my black haired friend into dry cleaning his jersey for him. Judging by his angered scowl Cheren wasn't very pleased with his blond haired friend, who stood close by staring a hole into her shoes. I could tell from the glum expression on her face that the prospect of being alone with Cheren was not one she found inviting. His clothes were rather soggy looking.
Accompanied by Cheren and Bianca the three of us got a grand tour of the day care. Mr. and Mrs. Black had picked the best possible location for breeding and training Pokémon. Surrounded by trees flying types eyed us from high up their nests, their piercing eyes following our every move.
A spacious pond harbored countless water types, the remaining land consisted of lush meadows where a small herd of Blitzle stood grazing.
Touya who had been raised by his grandparents, (Bianca shot me a horrified look at this) had just started his journey. A blue furred Dewott nicknamed Thames barked and pulled itself to his full height when three Pokédexes were aimed in his direction. Saya blushed from head to toe upon seeing the majestic otter and hid her round face behind her shell.
Cheren who showered the older teen with questions about his Dewott received not one but two jabs to the ribs. Only after challenging Touya to a battle and to our utmost surprise admitting defeat against a super strong Thames did the tour continue, the raven haired teen would share his hidden agenda when he felt like it, he was coping with the loss as if it were nothing, which wasn't like Cheren, he hated losing.
"Say Touya." I began trailing the herd of black and white striped Pokémon, "What?" Touya asked a frown still on his face, he hadn't liked the things we told him about Team Plasma, his grandparents owned a Pokémon day care, somehow Touya knew that Team Plasma members wouldn't appear on their list of customers.
"Those Blitzle, are they wild Pokémon?"
"Yeah, sort of, they come and go." He muttered, "I mean some of them are rather tame, the kindergartners sometimes come over to play with them. You want to try and catch one? Be my guest." He replied realizing what I was asking.
"Hell yeah!" I exclaimed already vaulting myself over the wooden fence, Marron and Cheshire hot on my tail.
This is going to be fun. Marron who trotted next to me hissed, his sensitive scales had already picked up the static that hung in the air. It promised a good fight.
Speak for yourself. Cheshire hissed ignoring Ashe's muffled chuckle at the sight of his fur.
"It's as if Mr. Black dry cleaned you instead of Cheren's sports jacket." I snorted averted my eyes from the fuzzy ball of fur formerly known as Cheshire.
"Crap." I cursed noticing how the strands of hair that escaped my ponytail rose up into the air.
Cheshire's walk gained a new spring. What goes around comes around, he purred haughtily.
Slowly walking towards a tall Blitzle who's stripes hadn't lit up with electricity I stopped. The striped Pokémon glanced at me, yellow rimmed blue eyes blinked.
"Hey girl." I smiled. Ears flicked in response, nostrils flared with curiosity. Lowering its large head with the utmost care the Blitzle allowed me to pet her neck.
Encouraged the rest of the herd soon followed and I found myself surrounded by nudging noses and scraping hooves.
"Wish I knew what they we're saying." I muttered seeing how Marron and Cheshire chattered casually with the herd understanding their soft nickering.
This one claims she runs the fastest. Marron shared pointing towards a fairly large black and white Pokémon who reared up on hind legs, jagged horn flashing with light.
These two are twins if caught they would prefer being caught by the same trainer. Purrloin replied scanning the young pair who's markings were identical.
Here's a mare and her foal, the little one inherited his father's shock wave attack, he's very proud of it.
The hissing, meowing and barking sped up as more and more Pokémon joined in on the conversation.
I'm the best in defense!
Fiercest kick!
Mum's eyes!
The sentence "I'm black with white stripes!" seemed to be an inside joke amongst the herd and a whole new discussion broke loose.
"You're white with black stripes you donkey." One of the twins barked to his brother pawing the grass with a small hoof.
"Are they arguing?" I ventured softly. Marron who shifted his impassive gaze from the herd to me shook his head. Preferring to demonstrate the lizard pointed towards the Pokémon's short stiff fur.
"Who has the shiniest fur?" I tried.
"Longest legs?"
A scaled paw pointed a second time, crimson eyes closed for a second.
"Ah man I suck at Hints." I sighed scratching the back of my neck, "Prettiest stripes?"
Cheshire's ear swiveled, something I interpreted as an encouragement, not a yes nor a no.
"They're black and white…" I mused aloud staring at flashing manes.
"Oh-Oh!" Marron who was pointing with both his paws and vine whips almost fell from the Blitzle's back.
"They're wondering who's black with white stripes or the other way round! Like the Blitzle in that DreamWorks movie!"
The sudden barks of happiness confirmed my guess and I tried cheering without raising my voice too much.
Don't know who this DreamWorks guy is but I'm impressed, she's worse than you in this game but still got it right. Cheshire purred eying his trainer who's face suddenly clouded.
Now what? He hissed.
That's sad." I huffed folding my arms over my chest, "Kinda like Pokémon racism."
The idea that something so human lived amongst Pokémon felt wrong, they were above crap like that.
What's racism? Cheshire asked aloud, slipping up in front of the grass type yet again.
Some kind of human disease? Ashe's looking awfully white all of a sudden. Marron replied, frowning at the expression on his trainer's face.
I looked at the pack of zebra-like Pokémon, shaking my head vigorously, they seemed a close-knit pack and the conversation about their stripes had been just that,
a conversation and nothing more. Humans would be yelling and screaming at each other by now.
"If you have the same amount of black and white stripes raise a… hoof?" I tried flashing a goofy smile.
"You sure this is safe?" Cheren asked trailing his friend who almost disappeared in the clustered group of Pokémon.
"What if they attack her?" Bianca added gripping the wooden fence with such force her knuckles turned white.
"She'll be fine." Said Touya, though he sounded a bit doubtful, "As long as she avoids sudden movements or loud noise there should be no –"
"TOUYA TOUYA THOSE SCARY MEN STOLE MY FLUFFY! " The preschooler's high wailing voice cracked like a whip through the air. Clasping a hand over the crying child's mouth Touya whirled around.
"This is bad."
Agitated by the yelling several Blitzle shone with electric energy, Ashe who was doing a rather good job at soothing the flighty Pokémon shot them a confused look.
All might've ended well if a Pokémon's frightened cry hadn't reverberated through the sky. Two figures clad in ridiculous costumes barreled past the meadow.
All might've ended well but then all hell broke loose.
"Shit!" Cheren (who rarely swore out loud) growled releasing every Pokémon he owned.
"Oh my god, this is terrible!" Bianca screamed peeking through her beret at the stampeding herd.
"Well Touya. Allow me to introduce you to Team Plasma." The dark teenager shared climbing the fence before sending his Pokémon towards the crazed Blitzle.
"How the fuck did this happen!" I screamed stretching my legs as far as possible outrunning the pack by sheer luck, all the while thanking the heavens for joining the track team despite my mother's protests.
The close group of Pokémon moved in unison and seemed to be driven by the same panic. A young foal had been startled by a strange cry, it's fear had infected the others and before I knew it the whole herd had literally gone berserk.
"Run Ashe, run!" Bianca cried sounding as if she were on the brink of a complete nervous breakdown.
"I'm not Forrest-freakin'-Gump!" I yelled back.
A sharp yowl had me stumbling, panic was written all over Marron's face as Cheshire disappeared in a blur of black hooves for a split of a second.
The feline had shoved him out of the way, by doing so he had been slowed down enough for the leading Blitzle to catch up on him. Gripping him by the scruff of his neck with his ever handy vine whip the grass type threw the feline against my chest. Yanking the rope-like appendages I caught the grass type in turn.
Biting and scratching both Pokémon tried to get closer in my embrace.
My heart sank. Jumping the meadow's fence would require wings or a trampoline…
I would never forgive myself if something happened to Marron or Cheshire, if I had to choose between being hurt or seeing them get hurt my pick was a no-brainer.
"End of the ride guys! Cheshire this is new to you but don't you dare come out!" I huffed, pressing the buttons of the two lone Pokéballs on my belt. Both Pokémon disappeared in a flash of red light, giving me free use of my arms again.
Readying myself for the jump a sudden push against my back sent me flying over it with a low "Oof!"
Nickering a loud Upsy-daisy, the electric Pokémon landed graciously across the fence as if she scooped up humans almost twice her size on a daily base.
"I'm dead." I moaned ignoring the soft nose that poked and prodded me.
"They're DEAD!" I fumed scaring the girl in Bianca's arms who cringed.
The motherly blonde uncovered the little girl's ears. "It's okay sweetie, big sister will stop yelling." She spoke softly, sending me a warning look that clearly said there would be hell to pay if I cursed or yelled in front of the kid again. Big puffy eyes gave me a watery look, Cheren who couldn't bare crying females and snotty noses being wiped on sleeves handed her his handkerchief.
"Big sister Ashe and big brother Cheren will go and kick their a-"
"Language!" Bianca hissed patting the girl's back.
"-talk to them."
"You'll bring Fluffy back?" The kindergartner asked lower lip trembling.
The Blitzle who had tossed me over the fence like a bag of potatoes nudged my shoulder and gave me a pointed look. By the time the probability of being tossed back into the meadow occurred to me I had already come up with a plan to comfort the girl.
"I'll pinky promise on it." I answered with a solemn look on my face offering her my pinky finger.
"Really?" Reassured by such a serious commitment she entwined her finger with mine.
Kneeling next to her I decided to give the girl something to do during our absence instead of worrying or crying. "Could you promise me something in return?" I asked in a soothing voice giving her my sweetest smile. Swallowing back her tears she nodded, "Big brother Touya and his grandparents might be scared, so could you be a big girl and reassure them?"
Hesitating her brown eyes glided up towards Bianca, "I will if the nice lady stays with me."
It took Bianca about five seconds to conjure a watery smile on the girl's face. She had always been good with children.
"Be safe!" Biana shouted with a wave.
"You know me!" I answered hitting Cheren on the head when I caught him mumbling "That's why she worries."
"Not every girl can claim she survived a stampede." He scowled rubbing his head.
"Hey it's an interesting topic to talk about during dates!" I chimed walking in Blitzle's hoofprints, who seemed to have a knack for dodging puddles and mud.
The black haired teen snorted, "Funny, you use it during dates, I'll be using it during therapy."
"Win-Win!" I yelled with a fist pump.
Cheren who solemnly believed in the element of surprise could've strangled his friend for her impulsive actions. Yelling at the top of your lungs inside a cavern wasn't very subtle. It was dumb, unnecessary and his friend did exactly that.
"What?" I exclaimed clawing at his hand that covered my mouth.
"Be quiet- Hyaa! Did you just lick my hand?"
"Shhhh."
"Don't you shush me Ashe Justine White." Cheren growled ignoring the water dripping from the ceiling and soiling his shoes.
My angry retaliation died on my lips at the sound of laughter. "Did you follow us to hand over your Pokémon?" Stepping inside the light of Blitzle's jagged mane a Plasma grunt appeared out of nowhere quickly followed by three more.
"Yeah and after I did just that I want to join Team Plasma." I replied acidly, "And since it's dark I might inform you of the fact I'm rolling my eyes."
"Give us the Cottonee you stole." Cheren demanded, releasing a newly evolved Saya who barked at the small army of Pokémon in front of her.
"She evolved?" I gasped pointing out the obvious, eying the whiskered otter that was busy scaring the crap out of a Patrat, "When did that happen?"
"Stopping a whole herd of Blitzle has its advantages, and I had my reasons for challenging Touya." He pointed out looking awfully smug.
"Meddlesome children we will take your Pokémon for getting in our way!"
Not one but four Patrat chose that moment to attack, the zebra Pokémon surprised both Cheren and I when she obeyed my instructions and lit up the whole cave with bolts of electricity.
"Ashe!" Cheren hissed dodging the residue rocks that were sent flying by one of Saya's slashing attacks, "Use Marron and Cheshire!"
"I don't know – Blitzle behind you, kick him! – if they're up for it!"
"Try!" He yelled returning a tiring Thyme and releasing Sherazade who gave the Pokémon responsible for Saya's wounds a welcoming swipe.
"Marron, Cheshire help us out!" Shouting their names both Pokémon materialized on the battle field. A black bruise about the size of a Blitzle's hoof stood out against the grass type's evergreen scales. It was the kind of bruise that would look worse before it got better.
Cheshire refused to meet my eyes and turned his back on me, swiping his sickle shaped tail in agitation. He had looked better with his fur all static and stuff.
The adrenaline I had felt from fighting alongside Cheren, while using Blitzle snuffed out like a candle.
I felt useless, a pathetic excuse for a trainer, 'Mum would be ashamed of me.' I thought fighting my tears.
You don't deserve to cry, they're the ones who got hurt, and do you see them crying?
Maybe I was being a burden to them.
Stupid idiot, we are more than capable of protecting you too! Marron hissed angrily, idly punching an incoming Patrat in the face with his vine whip. You wait for your turn rodent! he leered at the flabbergasted Patrat. The poor Pokémon actually nodded and ran for it.
"See that?" One of the grunts spoke to his partners in crime, pointing an accusing finger in my direction, "Even her Pokémon think she's an annoying little brat!"
Gritting my teeth I ignored the painfully true comment, guiding four Pokémon (Cheshire simply refused to listen and stood on the sidelines) we managed to gain the upper hand in the battle. Blitlze resembling a beacon of light carried Marron who threw his opponents towards a waiting Saya demonstrating that you could play a game of baseball without a real ball or bat. All you needed was something throwable – Patrat – and something you could use to hit with – Scallops.
The amount of Plasma Grunts and Pokémon kept growing at an alarming rate, and with that the rudeness of their taunts enhanced.
It was Cheshire, shivering with suppressed rage who blew them away with a strange fire attack that exploded inside the cave with the power of a raging inferno.
Six adult males, ten Pokémon and parts of the cavern's wall went down from the attack's aftermath. It's power threw the purple cat back with the force of an incoming Bouffalant, clutching the feline against my chest I dropped to my knees watching as Cheren handled the dazed grunts.
"We'll give you back the Pokémon. " One of them spat, supporting his broken arm, his eyes moved in my direction and narrowed, I tightened my hold on the limp feline, "But be aware of how every Pokémon suffers from being used by people." With that said he tossed the Pokéball containing Cottonee to Cheren who caught it with an unimpressed "Whatever."
"Why the long face we got the Pokémon back!" Cheren asked as we excited the cavern, blinking against the bright light.
"You go ahead. I have something I need to do." I replied faking a bright smile, gesturing vaguely towards Blitzle.
"Oh. Yeah. Hurry okay?" Grey eyes studied my face.
"Sure." I said hating the sound of my voice.
No one, not even Blitzle fell for the act.
Hurting the one's I loved hurt like hell.