Author's Note: Howdy, everyone! I actually got one more review and follow on this story, so that's kinda what encouraged me to keep going! I love seeing comments (unless you're that piece of crap flamer troll who goes around leaving mean comments on everyone's stories) no matter what, so keep 'em rolling and I'll keep with the updates! And I'm a little further in the game, so I can write what happened. This one's just the Gym fight, but if you're loving this story, by all means tell me! Never be afraid to comment, you beautiful people!
The Gym's lobby didn't look too different, so I went ahead and proceeded to the elevator platform to go downwards. But when I did, things had indeed changed from the last time I fought Clay. Instead of the layers on layers of platforms, I found myself passing through some sort of tunnel, my vision disappearing altogether when I saw nothing but black after.
No matter how hard I squinted my eyes, only a minute circle of light would help me. I got on my knees and felt around for anything, falling forward on my stomach whilst supported by my busty front. Suddenly, I moved swiftly to the front on some sort of conveyor path until I landed on another platform. When I stood back on my feet, the circular light flashed and allowed me to look at my surroundings. I stumbled forward disoriented until a Gym worker stopped me while holding a Poké Ball in his hand.
"If you wanna fight Clay, you're gonna have to get through me first!" he declared, sending out his Baltoy.
"Well, since you asked so nicely!" I cackled, calling out my Liepard. "Eris, Pursuit!"
Baltoy tried in vain to dodge Eris' attack when she sharpened her claws. Due to the move's high speed, my Liepard pounced upon the Psychic-type as if it were mere prey. In the blink of an eye, Eris slashed her foe until Baltoy until the poor thing could fight no longer. Panicking, the Gym worker withdrew his Pokémon and told me which way to continue.
I went to the platform on my right, then traveled to the one below it. Going to the right again, I felt my body being carried through the darkness until it stopped on a platform where yet another Gym worker was. As quickly as I got close to the edge of the purple-rimmed escalator, the Driftveil mining worker stopped me Poké Ball in hand.
"Gym's a little tricky, isn't it?" he asked, sending out his Drilbur for the fight. "Don't worry, I should be the last one before you find my boss!"
"You'd better be right," I sighed discontentedly at the thought of having to go through more dark traps. "Michi, come out!"
Out came my Azumarill, giddy and as ready to win as I was. Drilbur attacked first with a hefty Slash attack, itself running forward and slashing its claws out at Michi to inflict moderate damage. Thankfully, it wasn't anything she couldn't shake off, so she merely rubbed her mid-abdominal region where Drilbur had attacked her.
"Michi, use Water Gun!" I instructed.
Sucking in air through her lips, my Azumarill pushed out a torrent of water from her cheeks. The attack hit Drilbur directly in the face, the Ground-type growing weaker as more water struck it down. When Michi's attack finally stopped, Drilbur had grown too weak from the move's power and collapsed to the ground, never to move for the rest of its turn. Its Trainer recalled it back, their next Pokémon being a Sandile. Due to the lack of adequate speed in the little creature, Michi was able to dodge its Bite attack easily.
"Michi, attack using Aqua Tail!" I commanded.
Michi's tail glowed a bright shade of cyan, quickly surrounded by clear liquid armor. She jumped up high above the Sandile, lowering herself down tail-first as she struck the Sandile to the ground. Combined with the force of the move, Sandile fainted and was sent back to its Poké Ball.
"Argh, something tells me you won't have such a tough time with Clay," the worker commented, switching Sandile's Poké Ball for the last one. "Okay, Baltoy! You're my last chance!"
"Take a short break, Michi," I said to my Azumarill and throwing a different one. "Eris, you know what to do! Give 'em a nice Pursuit!"
"Baltoy, try and dodge it!" the worker ordered.
Unfortunately for Baltoy and its Trainer, Eris' attack prevented any sort of absconding on her foe's part. Baltoy ran around fast, but my Liepard was much faster in her chase and pounced the little doll-like creature with sharpened claws. A few slashes of darkness in, and Baltoy fell in defeat. Sighing, the Gym worker sent Baltoy to its Poké Ball and accepted their loss.
"I think you'll be fine against the boss," they commented, pointing to the large escalator leading to where I needed to go. "Good luck, ma'am."
"Don't worry, my skills will be plenty!" I boasted, recalling Eris and stepping downwards onto the escalator.
I was carried downwards and up until I landed feet-first on a firm platform. I wasn't sure which way to go from there, so I merely trusted my instincts and kept walking forward to wherever my path would take me. Eventually, I landed on yet another platform and decided to feel around for a different path. My hand made contact with another escalator, only to fall over and have my entire body be carried uncomfortably to the right.
I landed on yet another platform in the limited light, able to see better with my options. I noticed another purple conveyor, so I took that path in hopes of cutting to the chase faster. Down and up was I taken in a swift swoop, the only option left from there being an ordinary escalator. I was carried to the right and spotted another escalator with a purple rim. I stepped on it, feeling my body go downwards and up until I was face-to-face with Clay in the spare light. Clay himself hadn't changed a bit from the last time we met from his clothes to his stubbornly grumpy expression. When he saw me, that expression retained its natural wrinkle-pinned pout despite his noticeably hearty smile.
"Well, ah'll be!" Clay bellowed, his eyes appearing creased due to the hat despite his refuting expression. "If it ain't ol' Hynd'n! Y'all keepin' up with yer trainin'?"
"Howdy, Clay," I greeted in a fake Southern accent while tipping my cap once until I spoke again. "Yep, I'm back and stronger than ever! You'd better believe I'm gonna claim the League again, 'partner'!"
"Y'all may wanna work on gettin' mah accent raght first…" Clay's face showed noticeable disdain as he took out his first Poké Ball with prepared fire in his eyes. "ALRAGHT! NO FOOLIN' AROUND, MISSY! If yer skills're really as bumped up as y'all're claimin', let's see how ya do against Krokorok!"
"Percy, you're up! Show this gator who's boss!" I called, tossing Percy's Ball upwards until his light came forth from the open orb. "Force Palm!"
"Krokorok, use Bulldoze ta counter it!" Clay commanded.
Percy was thankfully fast enough to grab Krokorok and fling it aside while inflicting critical damage. While Krokorok was on the ground, the tip of its tail started emitting a bright circle, the Pokémon itself lowering its tail down into the ground until a loud rumbling came from it. The force was so strong that it created a wave of rubble and dirt which went hurdling towards Percy, knocking him flat onto his back in a weakened state.
"Krokorok, finish with yer Sand Tomb attack!" Clay yelled.
Krokorok slammed its tail into the ground again, this time creating four large clumps of earth that slammed downwards onto Percy. Just like that, my Lucario was buried and defeated. Greatly worried about his condition getting worse, I called Percy back to his Ball with a sigh.
"No wonder Steel's such a horrible type," I remarked with disgust, exchanging Percy for someone else. "Okay, Tidus! Let's roll!"
In a single flash, my Servine was ready to fight, his tiny little arms at his side while his sharp brown eyes looked on without stress. I told him to give Krokorok a good Vine Whip attack after Clay told his Pokémon to use Crunch. When Krokorok moved forward with darkened teeth, Tidus fended him off with his vines by separating its jaw and preventing any sort of bite. Finally, Tidus was able to wrap his vines around Krokorok, swirl it around in the air a few times, and slam it into the ground once or twice until his foe was no longer conscious.
"Okay, now for the real fight," Tidus said in his typical English accent with his arms folded as his vines withdrew.
"Tidus, that was the fight," I chuckled.
"Are you sure, Hynden? Well in that case, this Gym's more of a warm up for the League."
"Someone's cocky today. Just be on your guard for the final Pokémon."
"Wahse words to yer Pokémon," Clay said, returning his Krokorok and taking out his last Poké Ball. "But let's see how y'all do against mah strongest. Excadrill, saddle up!"
From the moment the final Pokémon took the stage, I took one look at it and felt chills and shudders creep up my body. I blinked once and swore I saw tints of crimson around me, but my vision went back to normal almost as fast. I unconsciously gripped both arms and forced myself to breathe normally despite being close to a type like Excadrill. Gulping and starting to sweat, I regained focus and gave Tidus the next command.
"T-Tidus! Hurry up and use Leaf Tornado!"
Tidus got onto the top of his head and started to spin around, giving life to a flurried swirl of leaves. The Leaf Tornado grew in size, sharp leaves zipping past Excadrill and scratching it deep. Weakened, Excadrill picked itself straight onto its feet and raised its large claws as high as its stubby arm would take it.
"Excadrill, Metal Claw!" Clay shouted, much to my horror.
The Ground-type's claws shone in the dim lighting before glowing brighter, Excadrill dashing forwards at Tidus and slashing him right across the chest. My Servine let out a yell of pain from his wound, lying on the ground in a twitch for a moment while slowly making attempts to get up. When Excadrill repeated the attack to inflict more critical damage, my heart pounded with fear, such a move incensing my hysteria as my vision furiously alternated between normal and crimson. There was a slight dark aura surrounding my body, threatening to get stronger and overtake my being altogether. With a few deep breaths and forcing words of encouragement, I beat the darkness and away the aura slowly faded with my altered vision.
"O-Okay… Tidus! Finish with Vine Whip!" I commanded, spraying my beloved Pokémon with a single Hyper Potion.
Tidus extended his vines, wrapping them tightly around Excadrill and denying it escape. He used Excadrill's trapped form to pick himself up, simultaneously lifting it off the ground and slamming it right back. Then, Tidus picked the weakened Excadrill up before swinging it around in the air, tossing it way across the floor and awaiting its next move. Much to my relief and joy, Excadrill's attempt to get up failed, the abhorred Pokémon collapsing and having no energy left to battle any longer.
"Piece of cake," Tidus said, keeping one Vine Whip out towards my open palm.
"YES! Nice work, Tidus!" I cheered, giving Tidus a well-deserved high-five as hand and vine met quickly.
"Two years'a trainin' really did pay off for ya, didn't it?" Clay remarked, unveiling the reward and tossing it my way into my hand. "Hynd'n, ah'm happy ta say that once again, y'all've earned mah Quake Badge!"
The Quake Badge fell into my hand, and I took out the proper case to insert it into its rightful slot following the Bolt Badge. Closing my trusty Badge Case, I grinned joyfully and gripped it tight between my hands. While holding onto my evidence of victory, I gave Tidus a hug for a job well done, to which he didn't react to much but a satisfied nod.
"Hynd'n," Clay said, getting my attention. "There's also somethin' ah gotta show ya! Ah think y'all're gonna like it very much!"
"Will I? What is it?"
"Ah ain't gonna give away the surprahse! Th' heck's wrong with ya?! Just follow me an' come see."
Clay recalled his fallen Excadrill to its Poké Ball, then pressing a button on the orange elevator machine next to us. Up the platform went to the surface, where we found ourselves in the Gym's lobby. In a few steps, we finally left the Driftveil City Gym and met up with Haley, who'd presumably came back to wait for me. When I showed him the Quake Badge inside my Case, he immediately ran over and hugged me with joy as I wound up spinning him around for a few seconds due to his weight.
"Look at you on your way to becoming Champion again!" Haley cheered, looking at me while still hugging my body. "I never doubted ya for a second, Hynden! You've got some strong skills, and friends, with you!"
"Thanks, Haley! Only three more until the Elite Four!" I added.
"So, you two youngins know each other?" Clay asked, approaching us as I finally got Haley to let go.
"That's right, sir!" Haley corroborated, holding his hand out for Clay to shake. "The name's Haley. Hynden and I go waaay back! I take it you're the Gym Leader?"
"Y'all got that raght! Ah'm Clay!" Clay introduced loudly, shaking Haley's hand until my friend let go after a second or two. "Did y'all wanna challenge me, Haley?"
"No, sir. Gym battles aren't really my thing. Instead, I'm on a mission!"
"What kinda mission?"
"My friend here wants to track down the new Team Plasma and get back his sister's Purrloin," I said before Haley could, seeing how angry and tense he was getting just by hearing the organization's name.
"And when I find the bastards responsible… they're SO gonna get it!" Haley roared, clenching his fist tight. "Arceus, it's unbelievable how much they make my stomach turn! How much grief they've caused me and my family! It's just- ARGH!"
"Sounds like y'all still have some beef with them Plasma folk," Clay noted, scratching his chin. "Even when most of 'em have turned over a new leaf."
"Ha! Mr. Clay, sir, don't tell me you actually believe that BS! Lemme tell you something: People may act like they're all 'buddy-buddy' and good now, but it's all a hoax! Dirty killers and pillagers like Team Plasma are all the same! No exceptions!"
"Haley, y'all can't just live the rest 'a yer life thinkin' all that, can ya? It ain't impossible for even the most unlikely 'a folks ta change. Y'all never know who can turn o'er a new leaf, y'know! Ah mean, don't ya think even the worst person's able ta change if they just trah?"
"Yeah right. You'd have to be numb in the brain to actually buy all those lies! I dunno who told you all of that, but they obviously don't know what they're talking about! If you're a bad person once, you're gonna keep being a bad person and die a bad person!"
"Haley, that's not true," I refuted. "Clay's right; even the most unlikely of people can change. Would a group who was gonna die bad take in homeless Pokémon and make an effort to start over after all the horrible stuff they've done?"
"An' if ya keep thinkin' the way ya do now, ah can guarantee yer not gonna go down such a good road, pardner," Clay added. "Maybe if ya start seein' different pictures besides yer own, you'll finally get it."
"G-Get real! If I don't trust my instincts, all it's gonna get me is a world of pain and misery!" Haley clenched his fists, his eyes shaking as if trying to fight back oncoming tears. "There isn't a single person in this world who cares enough to actually make themselves better after screwin' up so much! And if you ask me, those Plasma bastards are prime examples! You two can fall for their little 'goody-two-shoes' rehab schtick, but I'm not stupid! I see things for what they really are!"
"Do you actually see things for real, Haley?" I asked him with a raised brow and folded arms. "Because you seem to have a hard time listening to Clay. And since I agree with him completely, I figured you'd have enough sense to see reason."
"Hynden, never forget that I wouldn't dream of doubting you for anything. But! I also wouldn't dream of actually giving into an obvious ruse! I mean, come on! What reason do I have for conforming with a bunch of self-righteous terrorists?!"
"Look, Team Plasma's a bad lot. I know that almost as much as you do, but-"
"-If you really knew it as much as I do, then why aren't you seeing the truth? What the heck is it with you and sticking to what you think should happen or is right?!"
I opened my mouth, but had nothing to say to Haley. He looked right at me, blinking and gasping quietly before giving me a few repetitive apologies and a bow of his torso with sincerely remorseful eyes. In the mix, he said something about "not speaking out of line ever again" in regards to me. I told him to stop saying he was sorry for no apparent reason right before Clay gathered our attention. He got us to look in the direction he was pointing, exactly south of Driftveil City where I remembered was the location of the Cold Storage.
"Ah want y'all ta follow me that 'a ways," Clay instructed. "I've got somethin' ya both might like. 'Specially you, Hynd'n."
"Really now? Is it good?" I asked, somewhat excited for my surprise.
"Trust me, y'all're gonna like it. Yer parents didn't help with it a couple years back fer nothin'!"
"Oh! It's the surprised they've mentioned? What are we waiting for, then? Let's go go go, baby!"
Fired up beyond all comprehension, I ran to the southern direction where Clay said the surprise was. Before I passed the Pokémon Center, however, I remembered how exhausted my team must have been from the battle. I told Clay and Haley to wait for a bit, going inside the red-roofed building for the sake of my teammates.
In the Center, I handed my Poké Balls over to Nurse Joy, who took them to the machine and healed my team. After a few short seconds, I got my friends back, letting them all out for some fresh air before I even thought about going out. Most of my team were already well-rested, while the ones who participated in the Gym battle couldn't have felt better.
"I suppose even Ground-types can be a little too much for me," Percy admitted, stretching his arms and legs out.
"Well, that's what happens when you're part Steel, Perce," I told him, disdained from the typical outcome. "If only Lucario were just Fighting, nothing would have happened."
"Whatever do you have against Steel-types, Hynden?" Eris asked me in a curious tone.
"I… I can't exactly say it in front of one right now," I answered, looking at Percy and forcing back slight resent from bad memories to avoid upsetting him. "Just know they're, umm… something bad has happened with one back home."
"Bad enough to make you resent them?" Percy wondered, "Do you hold something against me as well, Hynden?"
"No no! Perce, you're my friend!" I insisted, not feeling entirely honest with myself. "I mean, it's just-"
"-Well, whatever it may be, you must be more mindful next time, dear Perseus," Eris warned, nuzzling her face against Percy's side. "Ground and Steel aren't the best battle combinations if you're the disadvantaged type. Strong as you may be, you could have been seriously wounded."
"Err, uhh, that's right!" Percy squeaked, furry cheeks flashing warm from Eris' nuzzles. "I'll be more careful next time for your sake, Eris. I apologize for being reckless."
"To think it was only a little while ago you guys were trying to rip each other's heads off," I chuckled, looking at the scene while noticing Leon glaring at both.
"Hey, Lady Eris!" Leon called, splitting up Percy and Eris. "Aren't I as good as he is? Tell me I am, right?!"
"Yes, Leon, you're quite a splendid fighter," Eris giggled, putting a paw to her muzzle before turning to Percy with affection. "However, allow me to give Percy his well-deserved praise for fighting Clay."
"Exactly." Percy shot daggers back at Leon, the only difference being my Lucario had a confident smirk for once. "I did something to earn Eris' praise, unlike a certain lazy Arcanine."
"Lazy?! Why you little-!" Leon snarled at Percy, who turned away with indifference while giving Eris his attention. "Raugh, Hynden, do something! I wanna be praised too! I'm a good boy, remember?"
"Of course, boy!" I agreed, thinking of an answer. "Though, if you wanna do something praiseworthy, then hear me out. You're a big strong Arcanine now, aren't you?"
"Yeah, yeah! I'm big and strong! What about it?"
"Well, my bike is still being fixed up, so… if the walks get a little long, you wanna be the one to-"
"-I'll do it! You want a ride, then I'll be your guy! Besides, you're pretty small compared to me, anyways!"
"Wow, that was easy…" I thought before speaking to Leon again, scratching his cheeks as he reacted with a swift tail wag. "Thanks, boy! You'll be such a great help!"
"Alright! I'll finally get praise!" Leon cackled, wagging his tail right in front of Percy's face until my Lucario grabbed it tightly. "Eep! Watch the tail, Percy!"
"Take your own advice, mutt."
Finally stopping, I recalled Leon, Percy, and Eris. While I did the same to Michi and Rubella, Tidus stopped me from sending him back to his Poké Ball using his short arm. He looked at the PC behind us, eyes folding upwards with worry before he turned back to me with a calmer expression. Beneath the serenity, I caught hints of worry in Tidus about something I wasn't aware of yet.
"What's up, Tidus?" I asked him.
"Hynden," he spoke, "I want you to do something before we move any further in our journey."
"Alright, what is it?"
"My sister," Tidus started, looking at the PC again. "I want you to evolve Phoebe. Now, she's still too little to take on our next Gym from what I've heard, but she deserves to live her life and get stronger."
"You're really concerned for that little Sewaddle, aren't you? I get that you've practically taken her as your sister, but how come you're so attached? Ever since we found her as an egg, she's been your number one worry."
"As I've said before, it's a sibling's duty to protect their younger ones. Anyone who doesn't isn't fit to call themselves a real sibling." Tidus looked away from me, his eyes rather sullen and grim as opposed to his calm nature. "And maybe…"
"Maybe what? What aren't you telling me, Tidus? Why are you so worried about Phoebe?"
"Maybe if I keep Phoebe safe and be a good brother to her, I can finally have closure." Tidus' eyes built up with tears, the salted water falling from the lids while he sniffled back morose mucus. "I've never been able to forgive myself for failing my parents and sibling. I-If I'd thought less about myself, then-!"
Tidus gritted his teeth, more tears falling from his eyes as he bowed his head downwards to suppress his pain. The sniffles and sobs were quieted, but nonetheless existent. Feeling worried about my Servine, I knelt down close to him and asked him what happened before. Through sobs, Tidus faced me while wiping away tears and biting his lip.
"I-If you're wondering why I'm so worried about Phoebe, Hynden," Tidus choked, his usually smooth accent now choppy, "it's because of a mistake I can't run from. Phoebe, she's… she's my second chance to be a real sibling."
"Second chance? You had an actually little brother or sister before? What happened to them that's so awful?"
"You could say it was my fault." Tidus cleared his throat, wiping away more tears and blinking to prevent more from falling. "Before I met you, Hynden, I used to live on a Pokémon farm with just my parents. Or, it was just my parents and I until it came along."
"It being some kind of Snivy egg?"
"That's kind of given. Anyways, if you met me back then, you'd be surprised on how different I was than today. I'm not going to lie, I was a bit of an attention-seeking brat with no common sense. So, when that new baby was to come along, I felt jealous. As in, really jealous."
"Oh Arceus, Tidus, did you-?!"
"-Whatever it is you're thinking, I most likely didn't do." Tidus looked away from me, folding his small arms and sitting on the floor as I followed his latter action. "My parents… they trusted me with that egg like it was their lives that depended on it. Of course, my idiotic younger self was too prideful to even do that right!"
"What did you do? What happened to the Egg?"
"I was supposed to stay behind and do nothing but watch the Egg until my mother and father returned. But, I decided that wasn't 'satisfying' and decided to go out and take a break from the stupid little thing. It was bad enough I wanted nothing to do with something that I thought would get me ignored forever."
"You left your unborn sibling behind?! Tidus, didn't you think that was even the least bit irresponsible? Eggs are really fragile!"
"It wasn't responsible at all, but did my younger self care? No. But… there aren't days I wished I had cared about someone besides myself. If I'd been much less selfish, then… then nothing from the nearby forest would have gotten past me and-!"
I remembered Tidus being so composed and collected on a regular basis, but this time, it was as if I'd met an entirely different Servine. While I noticed Tidus was snivelling and trying to fight back his sobs and tears of remorse, his teeth gritting as any cool he tried to keep melted. I hated seeing any of my Pokémon like this, especially considering I didn't want them in the same guilt boat as me.
"Tidus, I…" I hesitated, "I'm not sure what to say. Besides that what happened was awful."
"I know," Tidus agreed, sniffling with sadness. "That's why after seeing how heartbroken my parents were about the accident, I'd only focus on what others' think. How I may feel about something no longer mattered at all."
"Tidus, that's not true. Your feelings on matters are just as important as somebody's else's. I know you feel like you royally messed up, but that's still not a good enough reason to just become someone else's emotional slave."
"Yes, it is. It was my selfish feelings that made the Egg someone other Pokémon's breakfast, so I no longer cared about what I thought about matters. All I care about is doing well for other people's sake, and that's it."
"Okay, I'm definitely with you in regards to doing well for others. But, even I have to take care of myself sometimes to keep out of complete trouble! Don't you think it's a little dangerous to just ignore your own feelings all the time?"
"No, Hynden. All that matters is being concerned about the ones I love. Thinking otherwise would be outright selfish of me."
I attempted to convince Tidus otherwise, but all he did was fold his small arms and look away phlegmatically without listening further. Unfortunately defeated, I hadn't a choice but to take things with a grain of salt until Tidus was ready to listen in the future. He asked me again about Phoebe, to which I accepted the request to make her a Swadloon. Of course, we both decided it wouldn't be immediate due to my want of finding out what the surprise Mom and Dad helped Clay with all this time.
"Good," Tidus said. "And until she's old enough to care for herself, I'll be there to make sure she's safe."
"Don't go overboard with it," I warned Tidus, pointing his Poké Ball at him as the red light enveloped his form. "You're not the only one who's highly concerned about a certain Grass-type."
"You've nothing to worry about, Hynden," Tidus assured me while his body disappeared into the Ball.
"I'm not so sure, Tidus… I'm not so sure."
Shrinking the orb, I linked it back to my belt and left the Pokémon Center. Outside, Haley had been patiently waiting for me with Clay, who, as usual, was getting rather testy from having to stand out and wait. I told them I was ready to go, calling out Leon and hopping onto his back. The orange-and-black fur of my Arcanine warmed my dark green pants and attached purple skirt, my hands gripping onto Leon as I told him to get going.
When Haley and Clay started to walk south, Leon boisterously sprinted forwards with his tongue hanging out. My ponytail flapped backwards in the airy current, yells of discomfort leaving my throat as I tried telling Leon to stop running. Once only me and him were at the southernmost part of town where I recalled being close to where the Cold Storage was. In back of me, I saw a large facility in the Storage's place, my eyes growing wide like the grin stretching on my face.
The dark blue roof was surrounded by a steel frame, the remainder of the arena blocky, yet stable and towering in frame. A red Poké Ball flag on one side and a blue version on the other, the centered flashing screen said "Pokémon World Tournament: Trial Tournament today only!" in big letters.
"Alright, a tournament!" I cheered, clenching my fists as a passionate fire ignited within my heart. "If this is the surprise, then Mom and Pop sure know how to speak my language!"
"How strong do you think the Pokémon entering are?" Leon asked, his tone a bit worried.
"I hope they put up a good fight!" I looked down to see Leon's legs trembling, his face anxious despite the smile. "Aww, don't be scared, Leon! I'll get you all prepared enough to be unstoppable! No one's gonna beat the great future Champion and her team!"
"At least you're as bold as ever, Hynden- I mean, y-yeah!" Leon suddenly bucked up, putting one front paw halfway in the air as he stood boldly. "All that praise and recognition; it's ours! Let's g-go!"
"Wait, there's someone I wanna see first that I haven't in a long time."
I searched around with Leon following, trying to locate the whereabouts of an old friend's remains. When I found nothing despite a thorough search, I started to worry. Something besides my heart pulsed within my chest, the sights around me starting to turn a bright shade of red from reasons only I knew. I tried to calm myself with assuring words that I was guiltless, but my survivor's guilt fought my hope just as strong.
"Hynden, what's going on with you?" Leon asked, getting close to me until I pushed him away.
"I'm f-fine, just don't get close!" I warned him, feeling little jolts at my fingertips. "If… if I can find Lola's grave, I should be okay! Then I'll be guilt free when I see her again!"
I went over to someone on the sidelines who appeared to be an official for the Pokémon World Tournament. No one else seemed to be around the area right then, so he was the nearest person I could confide in for my trouble. He saw how uneasy I was and started talking slowly, ready to be of assistance to me.
"The Cold Storage…" I breathed, trying to pull myself together. "Where… where are all the contents?"
"Oh, the Cold Storage has been demolished for a long time ma'am," he told me, my vision going completely scarlet with astonishment as I felt the Dark Stone's influence distort my emotions. "Everything in it's gone for good."
"G-Gone…? Gone?!" I nearly screamed, the black aura covering my body as fury amplified my aggression, my hand lunging out and clasping the worker's neck. "What do you mean 'GONE'?! She'll never forgive me for what I've done if I don't see her!"
"Err, by th-that, I mean everything's been moved! But, I can't-"
"-You disturbed Lola?! Bring her back to me right now!"
"Miss, I'm sorry, but I don't know where the Cold Storage parts are! P-Please, just let me go!"
"Not until you tell me where Lola is! Make up for violating her grave!"
"Hynden, he said he doesn't know!" Leon pleaded, trying to intervene. Something overtook my body, making me push Leon away with no remorse and take hold of his Poké Ball. "Hynden, please let him-"
"Stay out of this!" I barked as I returned the frightened Leon to his Poké Ball, every last ounce of my will now overtaken by the Dark Stone's influence inside of me. I turned to the official, my visible eye completely bright red and furrowing while my whole body was now surrounded by a strong black aura.
"M-Ma'am, please let me go! I don't mean any-" Ignoring his pleas, I unsheathed Storm's Blade from its skinny scabbard, raising it high without a care or any of my own willpower. "Wh-What are you gonna do with that?!"
"If you won't let me see my Lola, then you pay the ultimate price!"
The official didn't have time to scream, instead gagging and forcing out attempts to scream from the long slender blade being thrust into his gut. Laughing madly, I ripped the blade from his body and slammed it down onto the bloodied mess repeatedly. Blood splattered onto my clothes at every strike, my laughter refusing to cease as I kept stabbing and slicing, striking and killing the deceased man. Once I found him to be struck down enough, I looked at the mess of a corpse that was once human, laughing all the more through visions of red and mists of black around my body.
"It serves you right for keeping me from my friend," I hissed, wiping blood from my shadowy brow. "The next time you mess with me, I'll be sure to-"
"Hynden! Hynden, are you here?" I heard Haley call from a distance, which made me snap out of my Dark Stone-induced trance.
Every last ounce of dark energy and feelings vanished, my vision becoming clearer until no red remained. Looking around to see what just happened, my eyes stopped below my blood-soaked feet. I dropped my katana and reeled backwards while the metal clanged against the pavement, covering my reddened hands as my racing heart tried to goad me into screaming. I didn't want Haley, Clay, or anyone to see what I'd just done to the murdered worker, so I thought fast. As if luck was actually on my side, I found a cavern entrance nearby and grabbed the worker by his collar after I sheathed Storm's Blade again. When Haley and Clay's voices got closer, I ran as fast as I could before they could see me.
"Not again, not again, not again!" I screamed in my head, guilt and anxiety clashing together as one within. "If only I'd paid my respects to Lola sooner, then maybe I wouldn't have snapped! Augh, what in Arceus' name am I doing to myself?!"
Without anybody seeing, I made it into the dark cave. My heart raced as I traversed the rocky terrain, slipping past any and all who might be there. I was a tad more relieved once I was away from the entrance light, ready to dump my horrible cadaver deed anywhere and leave. Just as I found a remote location, a better spot caught my eye. Near a large boulder deeper in the cave was a large hole, where I immediately pushed the corpse in and watched it fall to the unseen bottom with a quiet THUD.
"I gotta get rid of everything," I told myself, tossing Michi's Poké Ball upwards until she was in the near-darkness.
"Hiya, Hynden, let's-!" Michi was about to say until I brutally cut her off.
"-Not now, Michi! I need you to spray me with Water Gun!"
"Spray you? Why do you want me to spray you-"
"-No time to explain, just follow orders already! I don't have time!"
"Wowie, it sure sounds urgent if you're rushing me. One Water Gun coming up, boss!"
Swelling up her cheeks, Michi aimed to where I was and fired a shot of cold, aquatic substance at my body. The strength her blast washed off any and all blood on me, my sword's blade as well when I took it out just as Michi finished using her attack. I was drenched from head to toe, soaking with water dripping off my hair and clothes, but I didn't care about that. Looking back only once at the hole of regret, I put Michi back in her Poké Ball and left with a stained conscience of rue when I heard Haley and Clay calling for me outside. With each step I took towards the bright light exit, my heart pounded from insecurities and doubts long that I'd long buried (or so I tried to and believed) for such a long time.
Pokémon obtained: None.
Badges: 5/8
Boxed/Unboxed: None.
Author's Note: I'm also proud to announce I'll be working on a new story that corresponds with my Nuzlocke universe (but Hynden won't be in it). It's just a backstory fic, but I think a lot of you will like it. I'm not saying what it is; that's something you need to discover for yourselves! So, until then and Chapter 23, stay freeeeesh!