Chapter 10:

I sit on the edge of the fountain in the secluded part of the hotel's gardens. There are plenty of benches to choose from, but I want to be close to the soothing sound of running water. I hold up a Poké Ball and let Crobat out. It sits on the floor in front of me, still looking rather down. It's been a couple of days but it is still upset by its injury.

"How are you doing?" I ask.

Crobat looks at me with sorrowful eyes and seems to mutter something quietly.

"Don't worry, we won," I say.

Sorrow turns to surprise and Crobat suddenly looks relieved. As I suspected, it had picked up on my doubts about winning without it and had felt guilty. I reach out and stroke Crobat's head softly. It seems quite happy about it now. Only the smile fades quickly. The realisation dawns on me too. I need six Pokémon in order to battle Thomas.

"I want you to be my sixth Pokémon as much as you do," I say, "The nurse says you can take the bandages off tomorrow. Why not try flying?"

Crobat pauses for a moment. It then raises both of its wings. This is the important first step. It doesn't look in any discomfort doing so. The wings beat a few times and Crobat gradually rises off the ground. Crobat manages to hover at eye level with me. I stare into its eyes and see the pain it is in. I jump forward with arms outstretched and catch Crobat as its wings give up.

"It's ok, I won't force you," I say and hold Crobat tightly in my arms.

I close my eyes and try to hold back the tears. I have come so far. I am now in the semi-finals. I can start to believe that I have a chance of winning, but I can't. I need Crobat. Not just for its skills in battle, but also the emotional support its presence provides. I am thankful my battle with Rhianne went the way it did. It could have gone so differently because I didn't have Crobat.

I can feel my top getting slightly damp. Crobat is also crying. This is wrong. Crobat is not itself. It needs me as much as I need it. As close as we are in this embrace, we have never been further from each other. We want to help, but there is nothing but lies and empty promises.

"We'll find a way," I say to Crobat, trying desperately to reassure it.

"I guess I was wrong," a familiar voice says.

I open my eyes and look up to see Shaw standing with a Throh. I quickly rub my eyes to be rid of any tears. It is futile trying to hide that I've been crying though. I don't know how long he's been stood there. He could have seen the whole thing for all I know. I assume he's here for another evening training session with his Pokémon.

"I thought you had no respect for Pokémon and your battle today simply reaffirmed that," he says, "But this… You really do care. That is no ordinary bond with a Pokémon. I should have seen it before, that's the sort of bond that enables Crobat's evolution."

"Stop being so good at justifying all the horrible things you say to me," I scream, overcome by emotion. It might not have been the correct choice of words, but the message seems to get through.

"I guess I owe you an apology," Shaw says, unaffected by my sudden outburst.

"No," I say, calming down, "You make it too hard for me to not forgive you. I can't care about what anyone thinks of me anyway. Where would I be if I did? Certainly not the semi-finals."

"I guess that's true," Shaw laughs. I don't feel in the mood for laughing.

"I'm sorry for shouting at you," I say, "I'll leave you to your training."

I start to walk away with Crobat in my arms. I pass Shaw and his Throh, then leave through the gap in the hedge. Shaw suddenly calls back to me.

"Hey, I wanted to say congratulations on winning today," he calls to me, "And good luck in the rest of the competition."

"Thank you," I say and turn back to face him again, "You too. Maybe we can face in the final?"

"Sure thing," he says, "you keep your side of the bargain and I'll keep mine. Then I can show you how to really battle."

I nod and let Shaw get on with his training. I return Crobat to its ball for some more rest and head back to the hotel. I still have a couple of days before the semi-finals for Crobat to recover, but the signs are not looking good. I have to prepare myself for the event that I need to replace it in my roster.

Back in the hotel, I ask the receptionist on duty about using a computer. I sign a list of users and am then told where to go. The computers are in small cubicles with curtains in the area outside the restaurant. Only one curtain is closed. I check the other cubicles until I find the computer with a webcam and microphone next to it on the desk. There is usually one. Thankfully, I find it.

I sit down and turn on the computer. It is an old PC for public use so takes some time to load up. I spend the time getting comfortable in the tightly compacted space and setting up the webcam and mic. When the computer starts responding, I open up Skype to find the previous user had stayed logged in. I ignore the messages that suddenly start flooding in and log out. Once on my own account, I check to see who is online. I smile as I see the person I want is in fact online. I adjust my appearance and start a call.

It takes a moment for the call to be answered. When it is, a video feed of a young girl with long blonde hair in bright pink pyjamas appears. I jolt back in my seat, taken by surprise at who answered the call.

"Hey, Holly!" the girl screams down the microphone. I quickly adjust the volume on the speakers.

"Hey Melissa," I say, faking a smile.

"We got to watch your battle in school today, you did great!" she cheers, "Your Milotic is the best. When I get a Pokémon, I want a Milotic just like you!"

"We'll have to see about that," I say.

"Mummy has been trying really hard to get tickets for the final because we wanna come see you battle," she says.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, I haven't got to the final yet," I say, "I've got to beat a guy called Thomas first and he's going to be a tough opponent."

"But I know you're going to win!" Melissa shouts.

I notice the door behind Melissa opens and a man walks into the room.

"Melissa, what's going on in here?" he asks.

"I'm talking to Holly," she says excitedly.

"Oh, can I speak to her?" he asks, "I think your mum wants you to get ready for bed anyway."

"Sure," Melissa says and jumps off her seat. She rushes out of the room and my dad walks over to the computer.

"Hey future champ," he says as he sits down in front of the webcam.

"Hey," I say. I give up on the fake cheeriness I had put on for Melissa and my dad's smile fades too.

"What's wrong?" he asks, "You're through to the semi-finals and doing great."

"That's the problem," I say, "I need six Pokémon for the semi-final."

"Oh, is this about-"

"No, it's Crobat," I say, "That wing tear from the first round might not recover in time."

"I see," he says thoughtfully, "Can you not use something else you have?"

"No, I don't have anything else that can even hope to stand up to anything I'll face," I say, "That's why the other thing is also a problem."

My dad nods.

"Would I be able to borrow one of your Pokémon?" I ask, "Just in case I can't use Crobat."

"Is that even allowed?" he asks.

"I don't know, but they need not ever know that it's your Pokémon," I say.

"Wouldn't you want to borrow two?" he asks.

"I… I don't know. I don't know if I can just keep hiding from it. If I really want to become a World Champion then don't I have to overcome that sort of thing?" I ask.

"Yes, but not like this, it'll take time," he says.

"I've had time and that hasn't solved the problem," I say, "Surely if it's forced-"

"Forcing a solution to a problem like this can only make it worse," he says, "I know that you can do it. You have a special relationship with your Pokémon. Very few people can bring out the best in a Crobat like you have. I believe in you, your Pokémon believe in you, you just need to believe in yourself."

"Thank you, I'll try," I say.

"So, about that substitute you want," he says, "What did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking Muk," I say.

"Why am I not surprised?" he laughs, "I'm sure Muk will love to see you again. I can arrange for a transfer tomorrow night if that's alright? You should have a decision on Crobat by then."

"Yeah, that'll be fine," I say, "Thanks dad, I love you."

"I hope that's not just because I'm helping you out," he laughs.

"Of course not," I say defensively, "It just seemed like a good opportunity to say."

"I know," he says, "Just go out there and win two more battles to prove it."

"How does winning prove I love you?" I ask.

"Because we're hopefully coming to watch the final. It would mean so much to me to see you succeed where I never had the chance. It'd also make Melissa the happiest little girl in the world to see you battle," he says. I can tell he's getting rather emotional at this point.

"So would giving her a Milotic as her first Pokémon by the sounds of it," I say. My dad is suddenly caught by surprise and looks worried. After a moment, we both laugh.

"We'll have to discuss that another time," he says, "I think she wants to say goodnight."

I notice Melissa peeking her head around the door in the background. My dad moves out of the way and she runs into the room and up to the computer.

"Goodnight Holly!" she shouts.

"Night," I say.

"I just know you're going to beat that Thomas guy," she says, "You're the best big sister in the world."

Melissa then runs off to bed. I am left to take in what she said. My dad returns to sitting in front of the webcam. I find myself hurriedly looking at a clock.

"Sorry, I've got to go now," I say, acting in a rush.

We say our goodbyes quickly and I hang up the call before logging off. I am not actually in a rush to go anywhere. I push the keyboard aside and bury my head in my arms on the desk. I sit and quietly sob in the cubicle. I didn't think it would hurt this much to be told I'm the best big sister in the world. It's not the first time I've heard it, but the first time from Melissa and it is horrible. I hate Melissa. She is not my real sister and I hate her for it. It's not her fault for having a different mother, but I can't help but despise her for being a replacement for the sister I haven't seen in years.

I hear the curtain behind me move. My sobbing isn't as quiet as I thought.

"Holly, you alright?" I hear Robin ask.

I sit up and wipe my eyes. I am a total wreck now. I don't want Robin to see me like this, but I'm trapped in a small cubicle.

"Not really," I sigh.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asks, "Talking about what's wrong can really make you feel better to just get it out there. Of course I understand if you don't want to talk to me about it because we've only known each other a couple of days."

"Well, if you'll listen to what I have to say," I say.

"Sure I will," he says, "I can even offer advice if you want. I can't guarantee it'll be amazing, but it could just be reassuring to hear."

"Just listen, if you don't mind," I say. I clear my throat before continuing. "My mum hated Pokémon training. Her brother was in an accident when out on his journey so it's understandable. But then she went and fell in love with a trainer. He loved her enough to give it up. Except when I found a lost Zubat in the forest and befriended it, he encouraged me to catch it and become a trainer. Obviously, she was furious. She tried to take Zubat away from me but I wouldn't let her. In the end, my parents split up. I went with my dad and became a trainer, but my mum kept my little sister away from us so we didn't encourage her too. I haven't seen them for years. My dad remarried and had another daughter. I can't stand her though. It's like she's trying to replace my real sister and I don't want that to happen. I just called home and she said I was the best big sister in the world. I don't want to be her big sister."

Robin pats me on the back as I break down into tears again.

"You sound like a pretty good big sister to me, to your real sister, since you care so much," he says.

Even though I'm still crying, I do feel a lot better. I have never told anyone how I felt before. It feels strange that Robin is the first person to know, but I don't mind. It seems like he does genuinely care. There is something about him that, despite all his mischievousness, allows me to confide in him. I find myself standing up and hugging the black haired boy to thank him.

AN: Just a little something different to break up the quarter finals. Noticing the number of reviews dwindling. Don't want that to be because people think that because their character is out of the tournament they're out of the story. That is not the case. Everyone has a role to play. It's alright though. Not like I was feeding all the nice comments to my already over-inflated ego or anything. Ahem. Hope you're all enjoying the story. Oh, and if there are people who didn't submit a character who are reading and enjoying, it'd be nice if you could say hello to let me know you exist.