XX. My Inspiration
"Do I even want to do this anymore?" I ask myself quietly, so that no one will hear.
I'm gazing into the lake behind the Pokémon Center. Usually it is sparkling and shining, reflecting the blinding light of the sun. Today, however, a huge cloud overshadows it. With a sigh I sit down, contemplating life as I know it.
Battling is my life, has been for ten years now. All I've ever wanted was to prove myself, to make my family proud. One win is all I need; just one league tournament. Then I can finally traverse back home, settle down with my wife and son.
I miss them badly, more than anything in the world. At night I pine for her body against mine, and during the day I want to swing my little boy around, both of us laughing, never wanting it to stop. Sometimes during a brawl, I imagine that they're watching; somehow, somewhere, they can see me. My wife will smile and cheer me on, and my precious boy will jump with glee when I win, and hang his head when I don't. Throughout the fight he'll turn to his friends, and brimming with pride he'll say, "That's my dad."
Hearing a rustle behind me, I swivel and face Nidorino, my lifelong partner. With a tiny grin I rub his head, and in response he comes closer and lies beside me. I spin around again, but this time my view of the lake is different. The cloud has shifted, allowing the water to glitter and gleam in the partial sunlight.
I smirk.
"I suppose that this would be the time to make a deep declaration on how this is such an apt metaphor on life, and how I will always pull through, et cetera. But since we have acknowledged this already, I feel it would be pointless to state it further."
"Rido," agrees my friend.
Satisfied, I rise and gesture to Niodrino.
"Hurry up now, we have to train. We've got a family to go back to, and we won't get there by lazing off."