18.

To Run and Hide

"Goldenrod will be our last stop in Johto…doing a u-turn to Kanto to get to Hoenn."

"O-oh…umm…"

"Wondering why? It's for your sake, mostly."

"Huh?"

"You need to get to Paldea fast but not too fast that our rooftop thieves notice you, eh? Mind you, I don't think what you are doing is a very smart idea but…well…it's not a bad one, either."

"W-was it the wrong thing to do?"

"Who knows…life's full of bad decisions, kid. You learn from your mistakes, whether you like it or not. Now…about Goldenrod…"

Mr. Nanu told Liko about Goldenrod City and its Magnet Train that would take her to Saffron City in Kanto.

"From Saffron get to Vermillion…it's a short walk to the docks after that. Vermillion's ships are faster, and there's one that goes to and from Slateport almost every day. That's your goal."

Liko's journey to Violet City was uneventful. Kind of.

Sprigatito had decided to start fights with all the wild Pokemon that dared to look at Liko wrong, and the girl had a hard time keeping him under control and stop him from starting a fight he couldn't win. Sprigatito was determined, but he did stop when he noticed the Pokemon keeping their distance in the tall grass.

Squawkabilly, on the other hand, obeyed Liko without problems. Rotom, too, didn't disobey her, instead it tried to impress her when she was challenged by a youngster on the road. But it turned out to be a bad idea. Everyone could see, Liko especially, that Rotom hadn't been bred for fighting as it's hydro pump, powerful as it was, sent it flying all over, spilling water all over and forcing Liko to return it to it's Pokeball, ending the fight in an unexpected draw but only because that poor youngster was soaking wet. He laughed, waved good-bye to Liko, and disappeared wherever home was.

Mr. Nanu laughed when Liko told him about it.

"Not surprised…it happens. Your Rotom didn't grow up a fighter, after all."

"...yeah."

"That reminds me…the girl wanted me to remind you to keep your little friends trained up. Training against wild Pokemon and trainers out in the road ain't a bad play, but the idea is not to be out in the open for too long. Check the local gym…you don't have to challenge the leader and collect badges, no, but it's called a gym for a reason. Falkner won't mind. Good luck, kid. Make sure to call before you leave."

Squawkabilly had impressed during their training session in the Violet Gym. Rotom made a fool of itself trying to shower a Spearow and missing. Sprigatito wasn't listening.

It's the fight with Ann's Oshawott all over again.

Falkner, the local gym leader, approached her before she left. Liko figured he had taken notice of Sprigatito's disobedience compared to Squawkabilly's silent loyalty and Rotom's silly antics, and wanted to talk to her.

"He lost a fight he couldn't afford to lose, right?" Falkner wasn't looking at her but Liko's sure everyone noticed her bad leg when she entered the gym.

"Umm…it was my fault."

Liko knew it was her fault.

Sprigatito had mild attitude problems before but losing against that man and his Pokemon had made him a little bit vicious, picking fights against wild Pokemon, perhaps trying to become strong all on his own.

The gym leader frowned.

"You're a new trainer, am I right? From Kanto?"

"Uh…yes?"

Mr. Nanu told her that she shouldn't give out too much personal information, not even to the gym leaders because there was always a chance that they might reveal that information to the enemy by accident. "Answer their questions if you can…a little white lie doesn't bite. Let the Meowths worry about it later."

Falkner smiled.

"Of course…it's none of my business."

Liko flinched.

He noticed the lie.

"I-I didn't mean…!"

"It's alright," Falkner chuckled. "I was noisy. Don't let it worry you…but here's a bit of advice. If that attitude of Sprigatito's doesn't change in the future, it won't do you any favors."

Liko sighed.

"I know…"

"How long are you to run before you face reality…?"

Liko is floating, Terapagos by her side.

In the distance, the fisherman upon the black dragon circles about, whistling a merry tune.

"...how long…how long…"

A voice whispers into her ears, again and again, the same words.

"...how long until you meet your fate?"

Liko blinks.

Terapagos is gone.

The fisherman and his dragon are gone, the merry tune a mere whimper in the wind. And standing before Liko is a mask of leaves and crystal, dark eyes staring into Liko's, familiar, familiar.

"...you failed," the masked stranger whispers, shaking with anger. "...you're nothing…nothing…how long are you running for…!?"

Liko can't look away.

"...nothing! Nothing!"

And she sees him, in the background, with his cruel smile, that man from the roof, laughing and laughing, before a light illuminates the world.

Liko hears the merry tune.

"...how long…?"

And she woke up.