Chapter 11

"I'm slippin' down a chain reaction, And here I go, here I go, here I go, go, And once again, I'm yours in fractions, It takes me down, pulls me down, pulls me down low", I Want You To Know Zedd ft Selena Gomez

"You know, I've never seen a Charizard in real life," I tell Ganon as make our way past Driftveil Drawbridge later in the afternoon. I'm currently at the edge of it and it's been mostly silent except for the Duckletts flying around. Madge is running ahead with Courage, who is gathering said Ducklett feathers. Munny is helping Courage collect the feathers by spotting them.

"Nite?"

"They're really cool, though I can't understand why the're not classified as Dragons. Maybe I'll ask Iris that whenever I see her."

"Pig pig."

"It's a decent idea, I think." We make it to Driftveil City, which is probably the least impressive city I've come across. After seeing all of the glitz and glamour of Nimbasa, it feels like a shift in gears.

Driftveil is mostly residential, with orange tiled houses littering everywhere about. There's also giant buildings being constructed all over the place and the construction workers for it. I wonder what they're making?

Courage, Munny, and Madge all line up in front of me. Madge sits down, giving me the indication that she's ready to rest while Courage and Munny have proud looks on their faces as Courage extends his hands full of feathers up to me.

"Those are for me?" I ask him. He nods with a sense of confidence as I gladly accept them. "Oh thank you! You're so sweet! You too, Munny!" Courage quickly climbs up to his favorite spot on my shoulder and Munny floats at me as we hug. "I'll go get these checked when I can. For now, I need to call Professor Juniper and see what's up with her." I walk to a nearby bench and dial her number as my lovelies play around with each other and under going various interactions.

Her face soon appears and she's got what looks like sugar on her lips. I think she's in a restaurant. "Bianca! Perfect timing! I'm over at the doughnut shop. Do you like powered doughnuts? Or plain? Either way, they're amazing with black coffee. Come over!" Juniper promptly hangs up, leaving me confused as to where the location is. I call my Pokémon back as I try to figure out where Juniper is and begin to wander around the city. It's probably the smallest city I've seen since Accumula, but it's so confusing because everything looks the same!

I see a local man in a motorcycle rev up from where I'm standing. "Excuse me, sir? Do you know where I can find a doughnut shop here in Driftveil?"

His bike moves towards me and he eyes me up and down. I suddenly feel exposed and it isn't very comfortable. ""I'm a heartbreaker... My name... Charles. I wanted to get the attention of a girl I like, so I learned a new style of Pokémon battling. Its name...Triple Battle. Want to learn about it?"

"Um. No thank you. Maybe later," I say, even though I'm intrigued by this guy's concept. I'll check on it later. "I just need to know where the doughnut shop is, thank you."

"I see. It's around the corner and to the left..." He revs up his motorcycle again. "I'm a heartbreaker... My name... Charles. I'm always at full throttle."

He's a strange one and I've seen strange at this point. Yet despite his strangeness, he's very correct in his directions so the shop. Juniper is sitting by herself in the center of the mostly empty shop (I guess it isn't rush hour yet...that is if Driftveil even has a rush hour). She has a few boxes in front of her and a coffee mug on the other side, presumably mine. She waves at me when she spots me.

"Bianca!"

"Helloooo Professor Juniper!" I greet, feeling genuine excitement at seeing her once more.

"I'm waiting for the students to come but I'm glad you came here earlier. It'd be much easier if I had someone to talk to while I wait. It'll help me pass the time."

"Of course."

"How's your journey coming along? Have you collected data?"

"Yes. I just got information on Ducklett. Oh that reminds me," I pull out the feathers Courage gathered and gifted me. "Can you explain what these do?"

Juniper sips on her coffee and I take a powered doughnut. She was right when we spoke about these back in Nimbasa. These are really delicious. "They're EV wings. You give them to a Pokémon and their effort values increase a little by them. How did you get so many of these? I've counted just over a dozen!"

"Courage, my Pansage gathered them over on the bridge."

"Ah. He's using his natural gathering instincts. Unova doesn't have berry patches everywhere like other regions so I can imagine a Pansage making do with other items."

"What's an Eevee? I thought it was an uncommon Kanto-based Pokémon that you can evolve into different types?"

Juniper lets out a small laugh, her bun coming slightly undone by it. "EVs are Effort Values. It's a complicated system that only the most intense of trainers use, I can explain it to you in fuller detail, if you want?"

"Sure?"

I get more than I bargained for when I get a rambling mess that lasts about an hour. By then, I've eaten probably about half a dozen doughnuts as Juniper spoke. So from what I understand, Effort Values are stats like defense, offense, health, etc. I don't understand the concept of special attack and special defense and it all just flies through my mind. It gets worse when she explains about EV training and how it's done, even though she herself seems unsure of it.

Despite the fact that I don't comprehend it as well as I'd like, I'm interested in reading up on it.

"I'm not very good at explaining battling to trainers. This is why I quit being a trainer and went to school, in which I eventually managed to take over the region as the professor. I've always been more of a history student, anyway."

"You were a trainer?"

"Yeah. My dad and I used to backpack all throughout the continent when we were younger. We liked to double battle back then."

"That's so cool, Professor Juniper!" I tell her. I never pegged her a Backpacker. Never in a million years.

"It happened after my mom left us and dad wanted to see the world and forget his sorrows. I was totally involved helping him and I wanted to see the world for myself. It was great, but eventually I felt like we didn't have our feet on the ground. Of course, we did have our feet on the ground, but I meant that metaphorically. I think you might know that already."

I nod. If I weren't so full, I'd have giggled like crazy. The doughnuts once looked really good to eat, but now they're just repulsive to even look at. Eating about half a dozen will do that to you. Juniper checks the clock on the wall.

"They should be here at any second."

And just a few minutes later, a small crowd of people a few years older than myself in lab coats walk in. Juniper instantly stands up and begins pushing the tables together.

"Bianca, do you mind helping me with the chairs?"

I eagerly nod and push the chairs to the tables Juniper moved. They make a somewhat obnoxious noise, but I ignore it.

"Students! It's so good to see you," Juniper says as I continue with my task. "Please do take doughnuts. I've got plenty for everyone!" I speed up the process as Juniper opens the boxes. "Thank you, Bianca," she says to me when I finish. "You're a kind, helpful person."

I blush in response.

"Welcome to Driftveil City. It is the closest place from Chargestone Cave as you come from Castelia City. As you were told, tomorrow, we will research the origins of Klink in Chargestone cave, as it is widely theorized that it is their place of origin. Your task is to record and take notes on everything in the cave. We will literally leave no stone left unturned. This is a mission that means a lot to both my father and myself, but it is also a research on a topic that is not only new, but fun as well." The students Juniper is talking to all have bemused expressions on their faces.

They all really do look a bit older than myself. It makes me feel really young and insecure all of a sudden as it reminds me that it could have been me in their position, yet it won't be a reality anytime soon. Mostly, what I'm feeling is still the sting of rejection (and a mild stomachache that's starting to die down). My eyes scan their interested faces, all of them listening intently to what Juniper is saying about Klink. She is correct in how she's not good at explaining technicalities but knows her history.

Then my eyes fall in shock on the only person not looking at Juniper, but at me.

Him.

I quickly look away in a panic. "This over here is Bianca Bel. She's a trainer with four Badges to her name. She's going to participate in our research as a bodyguard. Chargestone Cave is laden with wild Pokémon and infestations, most notably of the Joltik and the Gavantulas that live there." Even though it's nine people, I feel my face heat up as their gazes are directed at me. Juniper has inadvertently worsened my panic.

"Anyway, I expect you to all show up at the cave in the early afternoon. That's when it's at a normal temperature. I will call you tomorrow after my recon with Bianca. You are free to go." I take my bag and stand up. He's quick to scuttle among the crowds and face me. He's a lot taller than from what I remembered.

"Bianca. I'm glad I got to see you again," he says, his golden eyes finding mine.

I stiffen, yet manage to break out a smile. "I didn't think I'd see you here, Colress." My heart is palpitating, though it might also be the doughnuts.

"Klink is a Pokémon that's always had my interest." Of course. It's a genderless species. "I wouldn't dare pass this up."

"That's nice." I feel this kind of pressure being contained and its making me awkward. "How's school been? And your research?"

"The status of that has not changed. Though I can see there's something indeed different about you. I can't place my finger on it." A lot has happened since I last saw him. I got two Gym Badges, confronted my dad and got his support, got my Munna kidnapped, comforted White on her disastrous Ferris wheel ride...

"Bianca!" Professor Juniper says after saying goodbye to one of the other students. "Oh hello there. Do you two already know each other?"

"Why yes. We met in Castelia City," Colress says. "We were just catching up."

"What a happy coincidence! I was just here to tell give Bianca the hotel situation. Take this," she hands a business card to me. "We'll be staying here just so you know. Anyway, I've got to go meet up with some colleagues over on Route 6 who study Deerling. Goodbye now!" She runs off just as abruptly as she came.

"Professor Juniper gave me my starter," I tell him as I watch her image fade away. "She's always lived in the town where I'm from but I didn't really start interacting with her until recently."

"Speaking of, I've never got to meet your Pokémon before," he says.

"Oh right," I say dismissively. Truth is, I run and play out our first/last conversation in my head quite often due to how I still try to find what Roxie was telling me. Oh goodness, Roxie. She made me promise her I'd get his contact info. I freeze up for a second. "Um. Like." Brain freeze. How embarrassing! "Like, we can go outside and I'll take them out." I begin walking to the door and Colress leaps forward, his long legs spanning a distance longer and he advances over to me, holding the door. "Um. Thanks."

He gives a small smile. "But of course."

The day is so nice, yet really hot. I don't know how he does it with that lab coat. Or any of them, really. A cool breeze passes over me and I feel a sudden chill, but it's probably the attraction. It still remains and I'm too awkward to actually comment on it.

"Guys, come out and meet my friend!" They know all about my thoughts on this subject quite well. When they come out, they all react in a matter that's just as jittery as my own. Courage is, as always, the first to react to meeting people and turns away, hopping to his spot on my shoulder while Munny hovers back and forth as though pacing. Madge is barking and Ganon's eyes are narrowed, shifting around. Thing is, they're not directed at Colress at all. It's like he doesn't exist to them. They're staring at different angles, like at the brick walls to the side of the doughnut shop and a stop sign.

Odd.

This is going terribly. "I'm sorry, but they're not in a people mood right now, which is kind of strange considering how chill they usually are. Another time, perhaps." I call them back out.

"That's okay. I think your Pok—" A song interrupts Colress and I can't hear him finish the rest of his sentence.

"We're no strangers to love, you know the rules and so do I—" It's Cheren calling. I hit ignore. Cheren, no! You have the worst timing in the history of the world.

"Sorry about that. It's my friend. I can take this call later." But then the song begins all over again. Noooooo! Colress is going to think he's like my boyfriend or something! I really need to study up on Roxie's theory! Cheren, stop it!

"That's okay. I'm glad we we caught up. Your friend sounds he needs you. I'll see you tomorrow, Bianca."

"Yeah...Bye!" I take the call. I can barely see much of Cheren. He seems to be in a cave, from what it seems. Must be his latest crazy locale for Cheren vs. Wild. Cheren doesn't have his usual haughtiness to him. He looks ragged and worn.

"Bianca! I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something since you keep ignoring my calls."

I look around and see Colress still walking from far away. I'm glad he's away from earshot. "I was talking to this cute guy for the second time, Cheren! For the second time! Grrrr," I growl. In this moment I remember I just broke my promise to Roxie. Or did I? I'm seeing him tomorrow so why not?

"Yeah, no I understand but—"

"No you don't! If ever see you with Cynthia, I swear to Giratina I will Rickroll you." I totally will, by the way. Mark my words. I will never forget.

"That isn't why I'm calling. I'm calling because I feel something's off."

"What? You don't 'feel' anything. Where are you?"

"Mistralton Cave. I came here looking for an Axew to train, but that's not the point. My Pokémon aren't really listening to me, which is really strange because they're below the badge threshold. It's annoying me because I really want to get on with my training. I was calling because I wanted to know if maybe you know something."

"Something?"

"I don't know! You're the empath here! Anything!" Desperation is written all over his face, and my frustration with him isn't caring for it one bit.

"When I took out my Pokémon just now, they reacted kind of oddly. I was introducing them to that guy whose conversation I was having with that you interrupted and they just ignored him. Especially Ganon and Madge, who are typically the most people friendly creatures ever."

"Were they staring at walls and stuff?"

"Yeah!"

"Maybe there's something there they can see that we can't?" Cheren says as a chilly wind passes through my shoulder and I shudder.

"Do you also feel that strange cold air just now?"

"Yes! I thought I was going insane. Wait a second. I think I realized what it is. I think Cobalion resides here in this cave. Maybe they're reacting to its strong presence."

"Maybe. I've never seen a Legendary before."

"Me neither. Maybe it means Terrakion or Virizion is near you. Anyway, I just needed to talk to someone before I completely went feral and White's still not answering me since the Cold Storage Incident."

"Cold Storage?"

"Yes. Team Plasma was causing trouble there." Should I even be surprised at this point? "It's a long story but there was this Vanillish following her around and it destroyed the grunts. For a jokey looking Pokémon, it sure did a lot of damage. I'm forgetting the point here. White's been more...steely. Less talkative, more determined. It's kind of scaring me."

"Me too, Cheren." The chill wind suddenly disappears and the air becomes hot once more.

"It's humid now. That wind is gone."

Creepy. So creepy.

"I guess I'd best get going. Those Axew aren't going to catch themselves." He hangs up on me and I stand alone. I guess I'd better make it to the Pokémon Center and check in.

I instantly see White and her Pokémon in a video chat screen with her mom on the other end. I want to interrupt, but I don't know how that'd fare. But then again, I can always ask her if she's feeling the same as Cheren and I did or what happened at the Cold Storage.

Oh well. "Hey White and Mrs. White!" I greet. White is taken aback, but it lasts for one second.

"Bianca! It's been so long!" Mrs. White says from the screen. "How's everything?"

"Good! I reasoned with my dad the other day and got my fourth badge!"

Mrs. White gives an enthusiastic smile. "That's fantastic. I conversed with your father about it yesterday and White told me a little bit about the incident. I'm glad you got through to him. Anyway, I was going to go and make myself lunch so have fun! Bye, Hilda. I love you!"

"I love you too, mom." And the line disconnects. "So what's happening?" White says casually, her Dewott sitting on her lap. If something's happened to White, then she's not showing it.

"Cheren called me. Asked me if I felt anything weird going on? Do you feel anything weird going on?" It isn't until now that I take notice that her Dewott is acting normally.

"No, not really." White's face is stoic.

"Cheren told me about something called Cold Storage?"

White's face finally changes and she huffs in exasperation. "Plasma was here, of course. See, Cheren and I crossed the bridge together, oh wait, but we met Alder right before then and Cheren fangirled, but that's not the point."

"Wait, you two met Champion Alder?"

"That's not the point," White repeats a bit more hostilely. "Sorry. I got sidetracked. Point is that the bridge was crossed because dadadada...Team Plasma was causing trouble here. So Cheren and I stopped it because Gym Leader Clay told us we had to. Then I saw Ghetsis again and I swear he seems off. I was just telling my mother about it and it really stresses me out."

"Sorry. Do you want to get doughnuts?" I want her to say no even though I want to comfort her.

"It's all right, B. I need to go make my plans for beating N. I already got my badge from Clay, so yeah."

"How'd it go?"

"It was a joke. Otty here totally destroyed his team." She idly strokes her Dewott's head, but I notice that he's passed out. "I plan on going to Mistralton tomorrow and see if Skyla's around to fight." There's the lull in the conversation, but unlike other lulls this one seems expectant on White's part. "I..." she begins. "I should go and train my other Pokémon for the time being."

"Bye then?" But she leaves and doesn't say goodbye back. It leaves me feeling cold and not cold in the way that I felt when I had that conversation with Cheren. But why do I feel it lingering?

Happy Easter/Passover/Spring Break. Please do leave a review, favorite, or if you want to message me, I'll try to respond back despite my busy schedule. Thank you for reading!