Chapter 14
"Turn your face towards the sun, Let the shadows fall behind you, Don't look back, just carry on, And the shadows will never find you,"- Towards the Sun by Rihanna
I can't remember the last time I was asleep for over ten hours. I think it was before I graduated high school on the weekends. My parents never minded my sleepiness as it meant I never did anything bad. I mean, there are far worse things I could have been doing.
I wake up thinking about my mom from back home and how important she is to me. Yes, she never gave birth to me and at a young age, she was told she was never able to have children. It devastated her, but when she met and fell in love with dad, she also fell in love with me and would later legally adopt me. I don't remember much of it, but from what little I can remember about her as a five year old is positive and happy and it has forever stayed that way.
It's fifteen before five and I'm in the empty lobby of the Pokémon Center. There's a nurse standing on the counter, but she looks half asleep and I can't blame her. I see Colress walking inside the center in his usual outfit. He looks more tired than I am.
"Good morning," he says.
"Good morning. How'd you sleep?"
"I'm still tired. I've never been a morning person. Always been a little bit more of an afternoon person overall."
"Me too. I have this lateness problem I'm trying to actively fix. Cheren's forever calling me out on it."
Colress' eyes widen. "That's one of my issues too. There have been instances where I've shown up to lectures at the end. It might explain a few things about myself. In fact, I was ready to give my sincerest apologies for being fifteen minutes late."
Ironic, because I was going to also apologize for being late as well. I spent too much time thinking about my mom from back home to notice that time goes by faster when I'm inside my own head. "Don't worry about it. I was going to do the same."
"Should we get going?"
I nod, leading the way.
It's kind of muggy outside, as though a huge storm took place last night while I slept. It probably did. I'm not really afraid of thunderstorms. Not unless they're really noisy and they make the power go out.
"Did you know that there are legends of Pokémon who wander around these routes and create their own weather patterns?" Colress says as we make our way along the route. It's quiet outside and very little people are around. I kind of like it, though I get the feeling I would quickly grow tired of this.
"You mean the Forces of Nature trio?" I say.
"Yes. I've never seen a legendary, so I'm naturally unsure of their existence, yet the people of this town greatly believe in these three."
"But they exist," I say.
"In theory. I believe that they need to be seen and examined rather than just spoken about through unreliable stories that change in variation from person to person. A one example of these egregious rumors is Kyurem. There are rumors of it being a human eating Pokémon among others, which is why it has my interest even above that of Reshiram or Zekrom, even." My interest is captured by his statement about it being a man-eating Pokémon but the thought quickly fades.
"So do you believe in it existing?"
"Not completely, but the scientific evidence of its existence is staggering. I want see it someday and bring up answers to the surface. I know my form of logic may seem infuriating to many, but I find it natural to have some sort of skepticism and to ask questions as well as finding an answer for them."
We pass a cottage and make a turn left when the sign points to Celestial Tower. I can't quite see it within these dark clouds, but I'm sure they'll clear up soon when the sun rises. Oh, I hope it rises later so I can see it.
"I believe in the existence of Kyurem. And that of Reshiram and Zekrom. I mean, you've got to have something to hold on to. I don't believe in what Victini represents. Otherwise, I would have been the first person to break into Liberty Garden the moment I reached Castelia City."
Colress and I meet each other's glance. "That's understandable. I won't criticize or argue against your point of view."
"Thanks." There's a small silence, but I know what I want to say. "I've always imagined myself with one of the two dragons when I was little. While I think Reshiram is more aligned with my thought process and I think is the more beautiful of the two, I always wished for Zekrom. I wanted it to rain candy so that everyone would be happy. Specifically for myself. In case you haven't noticed, I got over my candy kick and got into coffee."
"I wouldn't want it to rain coffee," Colress says.
For some reason it makes me laugh out loud. "It would be terrifying. Instead, I'd ask Zekrom to make it rain a different frappucino flavor every day. Would be more pleasing and I'd save a lot of money on coffee." I laugh some more as a thought of Juniper with Zekrom reaches the depths of my mind. "Oh goodness. If Juniper had Zekrom, it'd be raining coffee and doughnuts all day long."
It's Colress' time to laugh. I don't think I've ever heard him laugh, but he sounds pleasant. "I never thought of taming either those two. I was too busy with my chemistry set and glowing stars as a child. I was considered odd for not taking an interest in Pokémon like the rest of my peers. It didn't grow until later, when I started reading books on strength. It happens when you're bullied by others for being different."
"I'm sorry," I say.
"That hasn't happened in a long time," he says. "I'll be okay."
There's that awkward pause, though I can justify it as Celestial Tower looms in front of us. It's a large, purple bricked building with spiral positioned windows all around it. It hadn't changed at all since the last time I visited. It looks kind of eerie at this hour and a part of me wants to call dad up and wake him and tell him that this is a horrible idea. Another side of me quickly shuts that part down as I'm traveling with a very attractive guy and dad would be furious to know that I'm off at this hour in the morning walking around with a guy I barely know.
I must look stupid to most people, yet there's something comforting about Colress. Also, there's the fact that my team is a protective lot, starting with Ganon. We walk into the building, which is empty save for a lavender robed woman sweeping the ground floor. A psychic. Its strange how I haven't been here in thirteen years and I forget small details like the psychics who tend to this place. I've read about how they are supposed clairvoyants who wish to be spared from their visions so they willingly spend their time in Celestial Tower. She notices us and stops sweeping. She waves and walks in front of us.
"Greetings. What brings you here at this early hour?"
"Just visiting," I say. "I was told that the sunrises here are magnificent."
"Ah yes. They are one of Unova's many hidden gems. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Belle and I am one of the psychics who tend to Celestial Tower. All I ask is for you to be respectful and considerate. I also ask you that if you are to partake in battle in any of the above floors, you do so with honor and respect. The Litwicks here will not cause trouble and do not be afraid if they follow you, as they are but curious creatures. You may capture one if you see one fit for capture."
"I see. Thank you very much," Colress says. "I must ask you, however. You just said you were a psychic, correct?"
"Correct," Belle says.
"So do you see the future or can you bend spoons?" he asks with skepticism.
"Bending spoons is but a party trick. I can sweep the floor with this broom without touching it, but doing so will waste away my energy. If you'd like, I can use my powers of clairvoyance and see into your future. I can already tell that you will take anything I say with a grain of salt, but I wish to humor you."
Colress smiles. " You guessed right. Please, do so."
Wait. Did he just ask her to look into our futures. Oh my gosh! That's so cool! Maybe she can help! "Ooo! Do me first!"
Colress shrugs. I take a step forward and the palm of Belle's hands extend forward.
"May you please bring your hands up to me?"
"Totally!"
I do so and she does a slight hum. Her hums get softer, yet the buzz remains. "I see a person who desperately seeks meaning and the truth. She is loyal and kind, but unsure how to seek out the answers to her questions. Be kind and be patient and all will reveal itself. There is also a friend who is in danger. It is said that when one reaches Oblivion, they are met by a manifestation of brutality. You will do anything to help them escape that path. And you must."
Belle lets go of my hands and I am left even more confused. "I don't understand anything."
"That is the way my visions work. It is only up to you to see how you interpret them. Now, for you, young man."
"Do I have to actually hold hands with you?"
"If you want me to properly humor you, then yes," she says testily. Colress accepts it and shakes his head. "This. This is not—" Belle's eyes roll back, but instead of the whites of her eyes showing, they're replaced by the palest shade of blue. "Power and control. Ice and Darkness. There is a boundary. A brutal choice awaits you. Hearts and minds will be tested and the limits to your strength." Her voice becomes lower and lower and she begins to actually scare me. Colress, meanwhile, is totally unfazed. "Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold," her voice now echos within the limestone of the Tower in a matching shiver to them. "Heart of steel, heart of ice. Can only be tamed by the fire and the truth, both of these will suffice!"
Colress finally shows some sort of reaction and lets go. Belle is left shuddering. It looks like she's going to collapse, but her eyes go back to normal and gravity tames her.
"What just happened?" she says.
"You don't know what you saw?" Colress says.
"No. This was powerful...Who are you?"
"I'm just a student at Castelia University."
"No. You are something more, or you will be," Belle says with a certain degree of nonchalance and an undertone I can't decipher. The silence is between us is chilling, but Belle herself breaks it. "If I remember properly, I suggest you go upstairs and receive the sunrise. It will happen soon and I am sure you will not want to miss it." Belle instantly goes back to her sweeping, pretending as though she didn't talk to us.
"That was so creepy," I say under my breath, yet loud enough so that only Colress can hear me.
"She put on a fantastic show, if I do say so myself."
"Really? You're not going to take into consideration anything she said?" I say as we start to climb up the stairs.
"She said so herself. It is up to me to interpret what she means. For all I know she's talking about the particularly cold winters Unova is known to get. "
What he just said is mildly frustrating. "I can't help but notice how a some of her words overlaped. Who says brutal in that context? And she said it for the both of us."
"It's probably just a word she keeps using to describe certain occurrences." So does this mean that we might be tied in some form or another? That would sound cool, but in the way she put it seemed really ominous in his case. "Though it does bother me that she thinks I'm lying to her."
"Are you?" I ask.
Silence. "No!" His outburst echos into the first floor. I hear a "shh!" but Colress ignores it. "I really am just a student. A down on his luck student, but a student nonetheless. That part just really perturbs me. May we switch the subject?"
I realize I've reached a conversation topic he feels uncomfortable about. A silence more awkward than ever has reached us. Instead, I just push along the stairs. I didn't notice how powerful my legs have become since staring my journey. I remember how when I was little how I'd quickly tire of these steps. Then again, my legs were much smaller then.
"We haven't seen any Litwicks," I point out as we make our way to the third floor.
"True."
The truth is that I can't help but think of the word "brutal". It really was the one word that stood out to me. I guess I'll look into it someday when I can. Maybe a dream dictionary can help me.
When we reach the third floor, I stray from the path to the top. "I'm sorry, but I was here for a reason," I tell him. Truth is, I'm glad he's accompanied me here because the third floor is noticeably darker than the previous floors.
"I figured."
That doesn't surprise me. It's a subject I'm obvious about but I don't like talking about often, if that makes any sense. Death is always lingering there, but it's my choice to ignore the possibility of it and be happy. From what I've been told, it's what they would have wanted. I stop by their names and the small sentences that accompany them.
"I thought Celestial Tower was just a burial ground for Pokémon," Colress says.
"Not necessarily. Not if a trainer if known and celebrated enough like my birth mom was."
"I'm sorry," he quickly says.
"Don't be. You have no fault in this." My hands glide over the marble words written in bronze. Wendy McQueen Bel. Along with that are Dani the Darmanitan and Harvey the Throh's. "She died when I was three. She always had health problems since she was a kid, but managed to fulfill her dream into becoming an elite trainer. She was able to have children, but was advised not to, yet she wanted to have the most happiness possible. Her illness got worse sometime after she had me and died. Out of her six Pokémon, Dani and Harvey took it the hardest. Sometimes having a loyal and loving bond can be a beautiful thing but when its trainer dies, the Pokémon may lose their will to live. Or at least in Dani's case, turn to stone," I explain. "Either way, this fact devastates me."
"I'm sorry she died. I'm sorry. I'm not good with words. But if you want to talk about it, I'm here to listen." He gives a small smile, which I return.
"Thank you. It's not a subject I talk about much, but it's the one that had always followed me for these last fifteen years. In a way, it defines who I am. My dad remarried three years later and my stepmom has been a great mother to me. We get along great and I love her. Thing is, I look exactly like my birth mom, Wendy, and it can haunt my dad sometimes. That's why he gets really overprotective about me. Wendy was a great trainer. I'm... not. I was beating myself up over it the other day and dad suggested I come here and pay my respects to them. And that's why I'm here."
Colress is silent. "Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me this information. I think you're wrong, however. I believe you might have great potential in your strength. If only I knew how to help you unlock it." That's really kind of him to say that. And really sweet.
"I'll figure it out some day. And so will you. I'm sure you'll get your research accepted someday soon. I mean, if today doesn't end up being what you wanted it to be, or even your month or year, then you can always try again and hope for the best!"
"I can try, but I don't know how much longer I can wait."
"You know, my dad was right. Coming here did make me feel better. Thanks for accompanying me! I didn't know if I could actually do this alone."
"It's no problem."
"Anyway, I wouldn't mind staying here, but I think we might miss the sunrise." He nods at my words. We quickly find ourselves on the path once more and open the wooden door at the end.
The clouds aren't quite as dark as they were right before they first entered. They're starting to pick up some color, though. I don't think the sunrise will happen for another half hour or so. Once again, my memories begin to flood through my mind as I stare at the bell atop the small steps. I remember that bell. The melody it produces changes from person to person. I wonder if I still have the same sound from way back then? Or have I changed somehow? I stand on the final step before the bell.
"Corless. My real name's Corless," he says rather abruptly. He's standing by my side on the final step, his eyes meeting mine in a frank manner. "It's complicated. I was thinking about who I am and what that woman meant. I have been going by Colress since I started going to Castelia University at eighteen, but I haven't been called by my real name in these last six years and I prefer it that way. I did it because I wanted to escape my harsh realities. I didn't exactly grow up in the most loving household. Not anything like the one you said previously. My parents split not long after I was born and it was a constant competition between the two of them for my attention. I wasn't brave and would yield to their narcissistic needs to outdo the other, yet it hurt all parties involved. Worse yet, I was, as I stated earlier, bullied by my peers as a child. Bullied by everyone.
"It changed when I got accepted to Castelia University. I changed my name and to a lesser extent, who I once was. It was time to turn my own tables. I've spent six years successfully defying everything in a metaphorical sense, but I recently haven't been able to keep up with it. I'm a natural skeptic, but what she said about identity disturbed me more than it should have."
That might explain a few things, actually. Why he's put so much stock into strength as a subject. I know it obviously isn't all of his life, but it's a start. Maybe we can really be friends. I'm still really attracted to him, but I wouldn't want to rush into anything. Especially since I don't want to lose any meaningful connection. Also, there's quite an age difference between us. When doing the math, he's twenty four. I turn nineteen in a few months, but that still might be too much of a gap. I should respond to what he just said and get out of my head.
"Well, it's like I said about tomorrows. There's always one waiting and who knows what it could bring?"
Colress gives a small smile. "I should adopt some of your optimism."
"Maybe you should." I return his smile.
"Ellie?" A buzzy voice looms nearby.
"Wickwick!"
"What was that?" I say, feeling alerted by these unknown voices. A Litwick and a Pokémon I'm not familiar with appear in front of us.
"Is that an Elgyem? I've read about these, but I've never seen one up close. They're a new species, even younger than Klink! I'm interested in catching it."
"Wickwick!" The Litwick hovers excitedly and makes a pose. I think it wants to battle.
"Madge, come out!"
"Klink!"
"Oh this is gonna be so cool. I've never done a double battle before!" I say.
"That's splendid because I've never participated in a real battle before," Colress says. "I don't quite know what to do. I've only read about it in books." He adopts an awkward fighting stance, but I don't have the heart to tell him he doesn't need to do that.
"Well, you choose your opponent, in this case, I guess we'd try to weaken Elgyem and attempt to catch him. I can take care of the Litwick because it'll make Elgyem harder to catch."
"Okay, that seems reasonable. Lead the way, then."
"Madge, use Crunch!" Madge zones in on the candle-shaped Pokémon and attacks it right in the critical spot. Litwick flees from the battle like most losing wild Pokémon do. Or so I think. Instead, it just hangs around the side, watching their companion go against us.
"Klink use that Gear Grind attack," he says with a sense of doubt. Klink listens to him, nonetheless and strikes at the Elgyem. It doesn't do much, but it's something.
"Madge, use Take Down." I weaken the Elgyem up some more. "I think now would be a good time to throw another one of those Ultra Balls I gave to you earlier."
"Oh. Right. Just give me a moment." Elgyem uses a Headbutt on Madge. She isn't really damaged by it. "Where is it?" I see him digging through his lab coat for a good ten seconds. "Here it is. Go!" Elgyem bounces the ball away and it flies from the roof. "Is that normal?"
"It happens every now and then. Throw another at it after I use another Take Down. Madge, do it again!" More damage is done to the Elgyem and it wavers a bit while hovering. "I think it might work this time. Go again." Colress throws the ball at it once more and we wait. One...two...three...
The Elgyem resists and comes back out.
"I don't think it wants to be captured," Colress says.
"Its testing you. I think it does, but it wants to know if you're worthy."
"How do you know this?"
"Intuition." I'm making that part up, but I can tell the Elgyem really wants to see what Colress can do. Either way, I call Madge back.
"Wickwick!"
"You again?" I say to the Litwick who apparently never left the premises. It eyes me with interest. "So do you want to come along with me?"
"Wickwickwick!" I'm taking that as a yes.
"That's really cool!" I quickly find an Ultra Ball as I hear Colress order Klink to use Bind on the Elgyem. I throw it at Litwick and it stays in the ball at the click. I have my fifth teammate! I watch Colress throw his penultimate ball at the Elgyem and this time it yields as the click sound can be made. "Yay! We both caught new friends! If you'd like, I can do that same thing from yesterday with the nature app.
"That's be great. Thank you." He takes out the Elgyem and I take out Litwick.
"Elgyem. Male. Nature: Quiet. Scatters things often." Colress nods in approval. "Litwick. Female. Nature: Jolly. Likes to run." I stare at my app then back at Colress.
"But she doesn't have any legs," he says. "How can she run?" That's a good question.
"This app doesn't make sense sometimes so we'll just roll with it," I tell him.
"Wickwick!" she says.
"I should nickname you. Oh that reminds me. Colress, do you want to nickname your Klink or Elgyem?"
He shakes his head. "I'm not much of a nicknamer."
"That kind of sucks because I can't really think of what to nickname Litwick."
"Wickwick!" She is really jolly, though so the app wasn't totally crazy.
"I have an idea for your Litwick, though. From my studies, I took an elective about the sun and the moon and how it affects people and Pokémon everywhere. Your Litwick reminds me of how it is able to maintain a light but yet is obscured. This is called penumbra. This appears in the day-to-day life as it can take form in widows and shutters at the edge."
"Penumbra! I like it! You'll be known as Poe for short. Do you like that?"
"Wickwickwick!"
I laugh. "Good." I look over at Colress, who is studying his Elgyem. "You're great with nicknames." I see him form a slight blush. "Anyway, I should call you back, Poe. You'll need to get checked at the Pokémon Center." She willingly goes inside.
"Thank you again. I never thought going here would allow me to have a party of two Pokémon. Caring for an Elgyem might be a little harder than a Klink, but I can just feed it leftovers."
"Gem. Elgyem!" Colress calls it back.
"Sunrise should happen any minute now." The moment he says that, I start feeling a sense of dread. I don't know when I'm going to see him again after the sun rises. A sad feeling comes over me, but Colress doesn't notice it. Instead, I choose to sit on the middle of the steps and he stands at the bottom of the steps.
The clouds have definitely lightened up in these last few minutes. They're nearly close to a shade of gray that resembles white and the sky above us is a more neutral shade of blue instead of navy. I forget how nature can be this peaceful. In fact, I can't remember the last time I felt at peace. I think it was at Skyarrow Bridge. A shade of reddish orange pierces through the clouds and rises, tinting the sky with colliding shades of pink, orange, red with its natural blue hue.
"This is beautiful," I say.
"It is."
"There's a lot of potential in the todays. I'm not a morning person, but seeing the sun rise reminds me that despite everything, it will always be there to rise."
"You should ring that bell."
"Oh. You're right." I get up and ring the bell. A light, smooth melody comes from its core. Its the exact same one as from when I was little. It makes me cry a little as a memory of my mom and Dani shows in my head. It's of her reading me a story with Dani nearby. I can't remember the story, but I remember her voice and her long blonde hair falling in cascades. It made her already sickly skin look even paler. I don't think my startling resemblance to her was as close then as it was during her prime. I quickly wipe away the tears before Colress notices but its too late as he's closer to me.
"Don't cry." I swear I hear a "my dear" but maybe I'm just imagining it.
"I'm just remembering my mother. I can't remember much of her, but she was sweet and kind and generous. It's nothing."
"If you say so." Silence. "This was a memorable experience and I'm glad we got to share it together. I'm afraid I've overstayed my welcome yet it was by choice."
I don't say anything back. I knew we were going to part ways soon enough.
"That reminds me and I'll regret it if I keep forgetting," he says as we make our way back inside the tower. "Is there some way that we can keep a correspondence?"
My insides freeze up. Oh... ! I need to keep it together. No jumping up and down. No jumping up and down, Bianca. "Why of course! I keep forgetting to ask you the same as well."
We exchange information. Colress is visibly embarrassed when he notices my semi-new Xtransceiver "I'm not up to date with technology so you won't be able to see my face with this device. I've tried lockbreaking and adding better software, but it doesn't quite work. I can still call and send messages, but it's usually a better idea to message me as I might be in class."
"Of course."
We carry on with small conversation topics as we make our way back to Mistralton and that sad part has come back when we reach town once more. "I should get going," he says when we're nearby the airport.
"Well, don't be a stranger! Text me when you get back safely."
"I will." We both just stand there in the morning light. Neither of us make eye contact. "Goodbye then."
"I'll see you around." I turn around and begin to walk away. I look back purposefully and even though I can't see his face clearly once more, I know he's looking back at me.
When I get back to the Pokémon Center, I don't feel that sadness I didn't expect. Instead I feel relief knowing that the tomorrows will always be there to help us out and to guide us. It gives us something to look forward to. The moment I walk into my room, I whip out my Xtransceiver and text Roxie.
A promise is a promise.