Author's Note: Confession time. We find out a lot in this chapter, though there isn't as much action. I actually thought this chapter would be shorter, but I guess I got too wrapped up in the conversations. Okay, I really like this chapter and I think you will, too, so here it is:
Light's Adventures
Chapter 15: The Tunnel
Light looked at the sky and noticed it was about to rain. He looked around quickly for some shelter. He found a large willow tree that would suffice. Everyone, it's about to rain, take cover under the willow tree, he said mentally, so Nick could understand.
The group took shelter under the tree. About three seconds after they got to safety, the rain started to come, hard. Light was glad he was able to find a good enough shelter fast enough. "Wow, thanks Light, I didn't even notice the clouds," Nick echoed his thoughts.
Light remembered their plans. If the rain let up soon, they may be able to reach the tunnel they were heading for the last two weeks. Nick said humans called it the Diglett Cave because of only Diglett and Dugtrio being in it. Nick wanted to use it as a shortcut to Pewter City to face Brock, their next target.
After that, they would probably be stopping to rest during the Christmas season. Though it was still fall, Nick said that snow came earlier in the northern cities like Pewter and Cerulean. Light couldn't wait to see what snow was and why Nick disliked so.
Light walked over to the roots of the tree and laid down. Ace perched in the tree's first branch. Blaze and Blair went around the tree to be alone, their tails entwining. Nick sat against the tree and started to doze. Red jumped into his lap and joined him in sleep.
Cream looked like she didn't know where to go, so Light motioned the spot next to him. She came over and sat down, though she looked uncomfortable slightly as she did. Light sighed, realizing she was still uncomfortable around.
"You know, I don't bite, at least not since I learned Psychic," he chuckled at his small joke.
Cream smiled a little, "I k-know."
"Then why are you so jumpy around me? You rarely ever talk to me," he said.
"Well . . . umm . . . what do you want to talk about?" she asked.
Light almost cheered. He was starting to get through. "Okay, did you have any family before you joined us?" He regretted the question instantly as he saw tears start to form in her eyes. "I-I'm sorry; you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," he soothed, putting his tail on her back.
Cream calmed down some and smiled, "Thanks."
"Okay, what do you think about Nick?" Light asked, changing the subject.
"He's okay. I'm glad he didn't make me fight," she said.
"Yeah, I think Nick's a great trainer. I was born Nick's Pokemon," Light said, smiling at the memory of his entrance.
"D-do . . . do you t-think I'm . . . w-weak because I don't want to fight?" Cream asked, looking down at her paws.
"What? Of course not. I may not understand why you don't fight, but not fighting is your choice. I don't think you're weak just because you don't want to fight," Light said.
Cream looked up at him, smiling a little, "Thanks."
What did I say? Light thought. "Do you think badly of me because I like to fight?"
Cream gave him a horrified look, as though that was an impossibility, but it passed so quickly, Light was unsure if he saw right. "No!" The conviction she put behind made Light think he was correct when he saw the look.
"Good," Light said. He glanced up and saw the rain was stopping. He checked the clouds and they seemed to be finished for now. "I think it's time to move out," Light said loudly, so everyone would hear. He went over to Nick and pushed him awake.
Nick got up and they headed down the soggy path. Red let her thoughts out about the condition of the road. However, Blaze, who usually would have been commenting also, didn't say anything. In fact, Blaze seemed not to even notice the road. He was too concentrated on talking with Blair.
Luckily, they were able to reach the tunnel before sunset and they camped under the overhang of the tunnel. Cream surprisingly laid down next to Light, though he was glad for the warmth. Light was able to sleep much easier for some reason, even though he was on stone, now.
(0)
They headed down the tunnel the next day. Though frequent holes poked the ceiling, Light still took the lead since he could see best. Also, his rings let out enough light for the others to easily follow him. Cream stayed close by his side, closer than usual. He actually found some comfort in that.
The tunnel was long, but they didn't meet up with any trainers. However, they did have to fight several Diglett and a few Dugtrio who wanted to stop them for some reason. As Ace, Blaze, Blair, and Red were all at a disadvantage with the ground type Pokemon, Light had to be the one to take care of it.
Luckily, with his psychic powers, he was able to avoid many of the Diglett and Dugtrio. When they reached the end of the tunnel, Light was never happier to see full daylight, even though it was technically sunset. He was starting to think they would have to camp in the horrible tunnel. He wouldn't be able to protect them all night long and then the next day without rest.
Pewter City was thankfully only a short walk away. However, Nick still opted to stay outside, so they camped under the ledge of the cave. This night, Red came over and slept next to him. He was slightly confused for she had been sleeping with Nick after the incident with Blaze, but didn't refuse.
He was almost completely asleep, when he thought he heard a huff, but when he opened his eyes, he didn't see anything and so dismissed it as his imagination. Soon, he was covered with the veil of sleep.
(0)
They got up early, though Light would have opted to sleeping in later. Nick led them to Pewter City and left Light with Nurse Joy, who Light was really starting to question. How did she happen to show up at every Pokemon Center they went to?
Light was taken back and healed with their machines. Though the process was an itchy, uncomfortable one, he was glad they had a machine that healed him outside his Pokeball. He was soon finished and Nurse Joy left him the counter.
Light was surprised when Cream jumped up onto the counter beside him. "Are you guys back already?" he asked.
Cream shook her head, "No, Nick let me stay here, though I'm not allowed to leave the common room."
Light nodded in understanding, though he didn't understand why she would want to stay. At least she wasn't being as shy as she used to be. They sat silent for a little, watching as a few trainers, newbies by their looks, came to Nurse Joy to heal their Pokemon.
Light finally yawned and decided to get that sleep he wanted. He laid down and closed his eyes. It seemed only a second, before he opened his eyes and saw Nick coming with Ace on his shoulder as usual.
"Hey, Light, are you all healed up?" Nick asked.
Light nodded and jumped down to join Red, Blaze, and Blair. Cream jumped down with him and Nick led them to the room he checked out. Before Light could go, Nick called him over to the two chairs in the dining area. Nick pulled them out and made them face each other. Light jumped up into the chair Nick motioned to and waited.
"We need to come up with a plan. We have to use two Pokemon in three days against Brock. He uses rock and ground type Pokemon, but many of his Pokemon know a few fighting type moves," Nick said. Light nodded understanding Nick was hinting at his dark type weakness to fighting type. "Also, I need two Pokemon. Ace is flying and weak against rock, while Cream doesn't fight. The others are fire types, which makes things harder. Can you think of something? You usually always have a plan."
Hmm, it's a tough position. Ace will definitely be out of the question, as will Blair, as she only knows normal and fire type moves right now, Light reasoned, Blaze and Red are possibilities since both know Dig while I'll be the other choice, since I have three effective moves. What is Brock's signature Pokemon?
"Good question. Most people face his Onyx as the second Pokemon. However, the first Pokemon usual varies," Nick said.
There, Onyx rarely ever learn fighting type moves. I should be able to defeat it. For the first Pokemon you should use Blaze or Red and then have me come up against the Onyx or finish the first one quickly and then go up against Onyx. Blaze would probably be the better choice with both Dig and Double Team. Red could burn them, but that won't be able to affect them fast enough, Light explained.
"Man, you really are good at strategy. You should play chess or something. So I'll use Blaze and you. We should get some training in tomorrow and the next day, then," Nick said.
What's chess? Light asked.
"Never mind," Nick said, getting up.
Seeing he was done, Light jumped off the chair and made his way to his lunch. He ate quickly and went to the couch. No one was on it, luckily, so he got it to himself. Light glanced over and saw Ace was roosting on the windowsill, while Blaze and Red where sleeping together in the corner on a cushion. Nick was heading to the bedroom. Light fell asleep quickly.
(0)
Light woke to the sound of screeching. Light jumped up to see, in the dim light of the sunset, that Cream was fighting with Red. Light was too stunned to intervene. For one, Cream didn't fight, which was surprising at ferocious her attacks were. Also, Cream was a nice Pokemon, but the look on her face was scaring even him. A third reason was Red was a team member, not some enemy. For another, Red was a good fighter, but Cream seemed to be evenly matched against her.
Finally, the shock ebbed away and Light jumped down. He tried to tell them to stop, but they weren't listening. Finally, he shoved himself between them, taking a claw attack from Cream, which he was sure was a Slash attack, and a kick from Red, right in the stomach. Cream and Red jumped away from him as they saw who they had accidentally attacked.
Light stood there for a second, letting the pain stop, before saying anything. However, it was a second too long, as Cream ran under the couch, starting to cry, while Red ran into the corner. Light didn't know what to do. He saw Blaze and Blair watching from the corner. Blair looked particularly scared. Ace was also watching from his perch.
Thinking Blaze might have an answer, he opened a channel to him. Blaze, do you know what that was about?
Blaze shook his head at his question. No, Blair and I woke up and saw them fighting.
Light sighed, Do you what I should do?
No, but I do have some sage advice: do not go to either one, yet, Blaze thought.
What? Why not? Light asked.
Think about it. If you go to one, then the other will think you favoring them. You'll have to let Nick sort it out, unless they come to you themselves, Blaze said.
Light saw the knowledge in what he said and sighed. He jumped into the padded chair and curled up, not wanting to get on the couch with Cream under it. Ace tilted his head at Light. What? Light asked.
Nothing, Ace quickly thought, hiding his head as though roosting.
Light thought he may be hiding something, but didn't push it. It was a long time before he fell asleep this time. The wound from the Slash and the kick were smarting more than they should and Light was sure it was because of who had given them to him, even if by accident. He was glad with blissful sleep finally came.
(0)
Light woke up and saw that it was night. He got up and went over to the window, which was open and empty. Ace must be out for some air, Light thought. He jumped up into the windowsill and looked back. He was confused when he saw that Ace was roosting on the back of the couch.
Shrugging, he turned back and stared at the moon. Ever since he had evolved, he had enjoyed the sight of the moon. He shivered as a slight wind came, telling him it was cold outside. He wondered why the window had been left open.
As he thought of this, something else came to mind: the fight! He had completely forgotten about it. Now that he remembered that, he also remembered the wounds, which started stinging immediately.
He looked at the slash mark and saw a little bit of crusted blood where it had hit. No wonder why it hurt so much. He hadn't even realized that it had been bleeding. Light shivered when he remembered the attack had been aimed at Red. That was completely unlike Cream.
Light took a deep breathe. He suddenly looked around, sure he smelt Cream, but she wasn't in sight. In fact, he didn't even see her under the couch. He concentrated on the smell and realized that it was coming from the windowsill itself. He jumped back into the room, but the smell inside was staler. That left only one option: outside.
Light wondered why she had gone out. Then he remembered how distressed she had been looking as she went under the couch. Uh oh, Light thought. What if she was running away?
Light jumped through the window with an easy leap and smelt the ground. Sure enough, Cream's smell was there. It went straight away from the Pokemon Center, not a good sign. Light followed it and found the trail easy to follow, as no other Pokemon had passed recently to destroy her scent from lingering.
Light shivered as he heard the ominous cawing of Murkrow in the nearby trees. He shook off the feeling and continued. The scent trail left town and headed into town. It stopped near a cave and Light realized she was in it. He took a deep breath and came around.
Cream looked up, surprised at seeing him. She cowered in the corner of the small cave, barely able to hold Light let alone both of them. She turned her head away and her ears flicked back on her head, as though waiting for an attack she couldn't prevent.
"What's wrong?" Light asked, sitting down near her.
She looked up and Light saw tears were in her eyes. "Everything," she said flatly.
"Now I don't think that's true. Come here," he said. Cream slowly approached him. "Now, what was that fighting about earlier," he asked, making sure not to put any accusation in his question.
Cream turned her head away and mumbled something.
"Speak up," Light said.
"I . . . was fighting because . . . Red wanted to . . . be with you," she said, spitting the name Red as though it was poison.
Now Light was really confused, "I think I don't fully understand."
"She . . . wanted to be your mate," Cream said, starting to get low again. The point that her head was turned away from him wasn't helping.
Light took the information in, making sure not to show any emotions until he had thought it over. He thought about what he knew about mates. Blaze had informed him, as he didn't have anyone else to tell him. Mates supposedly were two Pokemon who liked each other and had an egg, though they didn't always stay together. So that meant Red liked him. That sort of surprised him, though it was a little flattering that she liked him. However, he didn't think he was ready for a mate or anything, yet, especially if he didn't know the Pokemon well. Red had been on the team for a while, but they didn't converse much.
"So . . . aren't you going to ask?" Cream said.
"Ask what?" Light replied.
"Why I fought," she said.
Light didn't understand her at first. Then he did: she had fought over Red wanting to be his mate. Now that seemed unreasonable. "Okay, why?"
Cream continued looking away for a little, before turning to face him, "I-I . . . like you."
Light didn't understand. "Yeah, but you don't have to fight for me or anything. You already told us you don't like to fight, though I must say you were doing well with Red," he said. The last part got Cream to smile a bit.
She then shook her head. "No, you don't understand. I like you, Light. I like you, like you," she said sadly.
"You already said that, Cream," Light pointed out.
Cream sighed, "You can't take a subtle hint, huh. Listen, I like you more than just a friend. I have ever since you saved me from the Nidoking in the forest."
Light started, "Wait, that Eevee was you?"
She nodded, "Yeah, you probably didn't recognize me, for I was covered in dust then, but that was me. You saved me from that Nidoking, Light. You rescued me. That was the real reason I wanted to join Nick. It's because . . ."
Light waited for her to continue, still trying to get over the point that he had saved Cream. He was glad that he had been able to save her. His attention snapped back to her as she continued.
". . . I love you, Light."