[chapter three]
Clair went to her Pokémon's side and stroked his soft fur, the other trainer forgotten. "Hey now," she cooed. Jude trembled beneath her touch. "Hey. It's okay. You did your best." The Riolu shook his head defiantly and rose from the ground, swatting Clair's hand away. Windie came up behind them, stuck her chin on Clair's knee. Whined. Jude grumbled something to her, then looked up at Clair. His eyes had a familiar look of defeat. Clair stroked his head despite his protests and shushed him. "Don't be that way. Are you hurt at all?"
Jude averted his gaze but shook his head. Windie licked his paw. Jude turned away.
Knowing the Riolu needed time, Clair put Jude back into his capsule. As much as she hated 'locking' up Pokémon in teeny tiny spaces—Pokémon were meant to roam free, after all—there was no question that he needed to be alone. Sighing, Clair got to her feet and motioned for Windie to follow her. Jude lost, so she lost. She should have paid more attention to Jude's exhaustion instead of letting him fight. But he wanted to continue, so who was she to stop him? Her grandfather? Her dragons fought until there was nothing left, until the smoke cleared from the battlefield and a winner was apparent. These younger Pokémon of hers, however…
Tch, everything's so different. The fleeting thought of her not knowing what she was doing passed through her mind. Clair made a face and continued forward, making her way off the lawn and away from the vicinity of the Trainer's School. Despite Jude's loss, it was a productive afternoon, and she was able to get a clear view of just what her team's weaknesses were. Windie's was her unpredictability and almost over eagerness to please. Jude's was his steadfast resolve. Losing, for him, is never an option.
What do you know? You're not a tactician, a nasty little voice whispered. You're a stranger in a strange place with Pokémon you don't know shit about. Get over yourself.
Clair shook her head. Tried to clear the imposing thoughts. Failed. Sighing, she picked up Windie in her arms. The Pokémon happily snuggled against her, resting her chin on Clair's shoulder and letting out a contented hum. The warmth of her fur almost made Clair forget the thoughts she told herself. Almost.
It was late afternoon in the streets of Santalune, and Clair found herself back at the Pokémon center before the moon entered the sky. A sandy-haired assistant stood at reception and smiled warmly as Clair approached. Moving Windie to her nondominant arm, Clair used her left hand to hand him her worn ID. She used the last of her perk points to purchase an upgraded healing package. Considered a 'special menu' item among elite trainers, the healing package included special drinks that boosted a Pokémon's innate ability in addition to the normal healing procedures. While she'd never used the services for her dragons, as she believed hard work led to great gains, for her current team… nothing was below her.
Clair handed Windie and Jude's Pokéball to the assistant and untangled the Fennekin from her arms. Windie was loath to leave her side, however, and climbed up her shoulder, whimpering. "I'm not leaving you," she said, grabbing hold of Windie. "I'll be right here. You're going to get some food and then come right back." Windie's ears drooped. Great, the little fox was more attached than she'd realized. Clair ruffled her fur. "Someone has to take care of Jude. Now be good."
Windie reluctantly went with the assistant, who scooped her up in his arms and made his way to the back room. As she watched them go, Clair had a sinking feeling of being more alone than ever. A pang of wistfulness coursed through her as she remembered the photos Lance sent of the trio of him, Will, and Karen, and Clair wished that that would have been her. Together with her friends in the mountains, not alone in Kalos. She frowned, shook her head, and made her way past the milling trainers and went to the sleeping quarters.
Her room was quaint, with a queen-sized bed, desk, and small table. The room had a large television on the dresser and was currently playing the day's news. Clair hardly paid attention to the pink-haired woman as she kicked off her boots and lay on the bed.
"…and in other news, Champions from all over the region will soon be coming for the first-ever conference of the leagues. Why, if I didn't know any better, I'd think something impressive was about to happen!" The woman laughed. "But as you know, I do know better. I'll be attending, after all."
Clair's thoughts ranged from Lance to her grandfather and back to nothingness. The day seemed to take mere moments rather than hours. She started the day hoping for change and she ended with a team of two. A fire-type with the potential for psychic abilities, and a fighting-type with a hitch in his ankle. And not a damn clue what to do about it. Clair rolled on her side, tucking her hand beneath her head. Tried not to beat herself up. Failed.
On the screen, the news anchor continued speaking. This time the story was of a 6-year-old boy stuck in a homemade helium balloon. Apparently, the boy got stuck in the balloon and traveled for an hour and a half while police went on a chase to find him. "Of course, this is all a hoax," the pink-haired woman explained in a chastising tone. "Don't use your children for publicity. For shame. Ah, looks like that's all the time we have for now. See you next time, my friends."
What a stupid idea. Clair shut the TV off and looked out the window. The anchorwoman sounded so insincere, so fake in her delivery. Who cared about a hoax story about a kid trapped in a balloon, anyway? At least the kid wasn't hurt. Clair scoffed and took her Arc phone from her pocket. No messages. She tried to find her contacts and found none but Lance. Her finger hovered over the 'call' button. No, he would be too busy with the others to have time for her. Frowning, Clair tossed the phone onto the bed and resumed looking out the window.
The sky was growing purple now, the blazing orange sun mixing with night. She would order food next, and take delivery of her Pokémon after. Tomorrow she'd challenge the gym, and then make her way towards Lumiose soon after that. Clair hummed and tapped her fingers on the wooden window frame. It was a song she'd long forgotten the words to, but one that brought her comfort. Okay, so she didn't know what she was doing when it came to this new Kalosian team, so what? Lance didn't have a Riolu.
But he could, that nasty voice reappeared. He could, and he'd still be better than you. Poor Clair.
She removed herself from the window and lay back down on the bed. She opened the brochure to Viola's gym and read its contents for the third time. It didn't tell her anything new. Clair grabbed her phone, booted up the main page, and typed in—no, she didn't want to write that, damn autocorrect—information about Vivillon. It appeared to be similar to Butterfree, in that its scales held powders that yielded different effects, and that it often was powerful against young Pokémon. Clair pursed her lips, then exited from the page. Technique was necessary. Technique and finesse. Neither of which Windie held in spades.
There was a knock on the door, and Clair removed herself from the bed to answer it. On the other side was ruddy-faced teenager who smiled and handed Clair two shiny red Poké Balls. "H-Here you are!" the boy squeaked, then coughed, his voice dropping half an octave. "Good as new! Your Riolu loved our special energy drinks. Um! Goodbye!"
Clair watched the kid leave. Glanced at her Poké Balls. They felt like they belonged in her hands. A small smile escaped her lips as she released them into the room. Windie popped out with a flourish, spotting Clair and launching herself at her, demanding to be picked up. This time Clair obliged. When Jude emerged, he looked at her sheepishly, his tail lowered and ears tucked back. He let out a nervous grin, his small teeth sharp and pointy. Clair lowered Windie to the floor and walked to her Riolu.
"Hey," she said, her voice soft. She rubbed her hand behind his ear. Jude leaned into her touch. "That fight was tough. I should have helped you." Windie bullied her way between them and flopped on her side. Clair guessed she wanted her stomach rubbed. Instead she stroked Jude under the chin first, whispering words of encouragement. His red eyes twinkled.
After a few minutes of quality bonding time, Clair went to the phone on the dresser and ordered room service. A night in with some good food and her Pokémon, and she was good to go. In the morning they'd schedule a match with Viola. By evening they'd head out to Lumiose, perhaps further.
[-]
Morning came with the obnoxious beeping of an alarm clock. Clair jolted out of bed, staggered to the clock, and pounded on it until it stopped. She yawned. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she ungracefully dressed in workout gear and pulled her long hair into a high ponytail. Her bangs hung in front of her face, unruly. She looked at her Pokémon. Jude and Windie were intertwined, snuggled comfortably against each other. Windie snored softly.
"C'mon, let's go," she said, rousing her sleeping young Pokémon. "Get up. That's it, wake up."
Jude was the first to stir. He yawned and looked at his trainer, then tried to wiggle his way out of Windie's embrace. Clair gently shook her Fennekin awake, then motioned for the two to follow her. Windie did not want to get up. She opened her eyes, looked at Clair, yawned hugely, then snuggled back against the covers. Clair rolled her eyes. She picked Windie up and set her on the ground.
"Glad you could join us, Windie." Clair looked from Jude to Windie, a small smile on her lips. "We're doing cardio this morning. Unfortunately this will be an every day thing, so you'd better get used to it." She stifled a yawn. "If we're challenging the Gym today, we'd better be quick on our toes. Let's go."
Clair led her Pokémon out of their room, out of the Pokémon center, and toward Détourner Way. The Rhyhorn racing track was empty save a few early-morning walkers, and they gave Clair a wave as they went past. Clair gave them a brief nod and turned to her team. "This will be a great place to start. We'll start slow, then work our way up." She performed an easy standing quad stretch, then moved on to her shoulders. Windie and Jude looked on expectantly. Once Clair finished stretching, she jogged in place. "C'mon, let's go!"
She set off. Jude and Windie glanced at each other, then followed after her. The track was old and well-worn, with several pits and grooves in the packed dirt. Clair led her Pokémon through the course like an old pro, taking the pockmarked road easily. Jude held no issue keeping up with Clair, but Windie wanted to keep stopping. Jogging in place, Clair gave the Fennekin encouragement and ran behind her the rest of the way. She had to perform high knees to keep her heartrate up.
Windie's unwillingness to exercise put a strain on Clair's limited patience. No amount of encouragement or threats seemed to make a difference. Windie did not want to run, especially not this early in the morning, even though she reveled in having Clair chase her the day before. Clair decided to do something drastic. Every time Windie would slow down, Clair would rub her flank and push her forward, causing Windie to run slightly faster. And when she stopped, Clair picked her up and forced her to walk. Three-quarters through the course Windie finally got it through her head that no amount of stubbornness could match Clair's own.
The sun had finally breached the horizon when Clair called off the morning's routine. Windie flopped on her side, exhausted. Jude kept the pace, but she could tell his leg was hurting him. "Let me help," she said, helping the Riolu into a sit. She gently massaged the hock, feeling residual scarring at the joint, and began performing range of motion exercises. Jude resisted at first, but settled soon after.
After a few minutes, Clair stopped. The joint now needed time to rest. Jude leaped to his feet and hopped, barking excitedly. He appeared to be feeling better already. "Hey, hey! Take it easy," she scolded, a smile playing on her lips. "Windie, are you ready to go?" The Fennekin yipped and bounced on her feet. She pressed her fuzzy head against Clair's back. "Pushy, aren't you? Okay. Let's go."
Clair got up, did a couple leg stretches, and led her Pokémon back into town. Even though her team was done exercising, she was not: her routine included a full-body workout. The easy stuff was just for the young ones. She brought Windie and Jude back into her rented room in the Pokémon center and tucked them back into bed. They settled quickly, using each other as pillows. It was early enough that they could get more rest before their match later. Clair, however, went to the indoor gymnasium, picked up some weights, and began to lift. Her day had barely begun.
【-】
Viola's Gym looked less like a place to battle and more of a gallery. To her credit, it was a gallery: like the pamphlet mentioned, the first floor held a variety of photographs on canvases like a museum, with titles and captions for each. Clair and her Pokémon walked across the plush carpet as soft music wafted through the air. It gave the place a stuffy feeling. Clair sniffed and rolled her eyes at the pretentious folk milling about a seemingly-popular photograph. She pushed her way to the east side of the building, where the front desk awaited future challengers.
A woman in a svelte gray pantsuit stood behind the counter. She spoke in Kalosian as Clair approached, a question in her singsong voice. Clair looked at her as if she had a second head. Chuckling to herself, the woman switched to Common. "My apologies," she said in a heavily-affected accent. "We do not often get travelers here. You are to challenge the Gym? Do you have an appointment?"
Clair shook her head. The woman's smile faded somewhat, but her perfect customer service voice never faltered. "That is okay. As it happens, Miss Viola has an opening in twenty minutes. Do you wish to challenge her?"
Why else would I come here? Clair thought. She said instead, "Of course."
"Wonderful!" The woman clapped her hands together, and she moved around the counter. "Please, do follow me. Please note that Miss Viola may take photographs during your battle, and that no other videography is allowed in the stadium." Clair followed the receptionist as they were led downstairs, supposedly to the main stadium. "Miss Viola wishes challengers to know that an interview may be offered to those who defeat her. Do you accept these rules?"
An interview if she won, huh? And no other videography? "So, this battle won't be on TV?" Clair asked. Though rusty, her Common was fluent enough. It was the one modern thing her grandfather taught them growing up: learning the one language most every region spoke. Clair hated speaking it, as it felt so foreign on her tongue.
"Non," the woman replied, shaking her head. "Miss Viola says it takes away from the authenticity of her photographs. Ah, she is so talented, no? A real artiste." They reached the end of a corridor, and the woman opened the door to what appeared to be a dressing room. "If you have any badges, please enter them into the computer provided. Someone will come retrieve you when she's ready. Good luck!"
Clair said nothing. This Viola sounded like a real piece of work. The door shut behind her and Clair saw that the room was indeed a waiting room. A plush couch was on one wall with a large nature photograph above it, and a desk with a modern computer stood on another. There was a vending machine next to it, complete with snacks and drinks. As most things were in this country, they were ridiculously overpriced.
She went to the computer and chicken-pecked her name onto the keyboard. Clair nearly collapsed with disgust when she saw that the registration form required more information than she was expecting. Sighing loudly, she slowly typed the rest of her details into the computer. And when it asked how many badges she held, Clair typed '0.' The number sickened her. 0, as if she were some nobody. She was a dragon tamer of Blackthorn; surely that must have amounted to something.
Clair pursed her lips. Made her way to the couch and flopped herself into it. Windie jumped on her lap. Jude sat on the floor. First she's upset at Lance over a journey, now she's upset because she has no badges, even when she literally started this so-called 'adventure' the day before yesterday. I'm such a fucking nightmare, honestly, she thought to herself. No wonder Lance wanted to leave. He couldn't stand being around me.
She stroked Windie for a few minutes, scowling in the silence. There was a knock on the door. Clair scrambled to her feet. She opened it and a woman with messy dirty-blonde hair stood on the other side, smiling. She had a camera around her neck. "You must be my challenger! Hi!"
"Uh, yeah," Clair said awkwardly, taking a step backward. She brushed her bangs behind her ears. This girl was a little too bubbly. "Yeah, I'm here to fight. You Viola?"
"I am! Are you ready? I can take you to the field. It's not far." She smiled and put her hand out for Clair to shake. "It's nice to meet you, Clair. Where are you from? Your accent isn't familiar!"
Clair ignored her hand. Instead, she pushed her way out the door so she could follow Viola to the stadium. "Johto," she said simply. "Blackthorn. You may have heard of me."
Viola's smile wavered at Clair's rebuttal. "Well, I've never been, but it sounds lovely. I've heard there are a lot of nature preserves there." She started forward, with Clair behind her. Windie and Jude scampered behind. "And the forests! Do you know of Bugsy? He's the leading expert on bug-types. I've even read his journal—it's fascinating."
So Viola didn't know her. But she sure knew Bugsy. Clair was the most powerful trainer in Johto—surely that couldn't have been a mistake. "Bugsy is… capable," Clair commented, shooting a dark look at Viola. "I know him. I am the final Gym Leader, after all."
The Gym Leader stopped in her tracks, and Clair nearly crashed into her. "Oh. My. Gosh! I am so sorry. I knew you looked familiar—nobody I know has that color hair—but I couldn't place it!" Viola grinned hugely. "Now that I know you're a Leader, I won't hold back. Sorry, but you're not in Johto. Us Kalosians are tough."
Clair pursed her lips. Grunted noncommittally. "So. The battle?"
"Ah, right! Sorry! This way."
The rest of their walk to the battlefield was quiet. Clair sulked but Viola seemed in high spirits. The stadium was simple, with bleachers on either side of the field. The field itself was a makeshift forest clearing, with fake trees and small rocks placed intermittently around it. Well-worn dirt stood in the center. Viola walked to the far side of the stadium, taking her place on the wooden platform. Clair took her spot opposite her. There was no audience.
A referee wearing a red t-shirt appeared. "Leader Viola accepts your challenge!" His voice boomed across the room. Despite there being nobody here to watch, the ref spoke as if there were. "This match will be limited to two Pokémon on Viola's side. Challenger, you may battle with whatever Pokémon you wish." He looked to Viola, then to Clair. "Are you ready? BEGIN!"
Viola sent out Surskit. Jude readied himself, eager to fight, but Clair held him back. She encouraged Windie to head to the field first. While its water-typing was detrimental to Windie's fire, if they defeated it fast enough, that wouldn't matter. The match would be theirs. All Windie had to do was be quicker.
Across the battlefield, Viola called, "You're really sending out a fire-type? This is gonna be fun!"
"All right, Windie, just like we practiced," Clair said, ignoring her. "Flame Charge!"
Orange flames leaped from Fennekin's paws. Windie rushed forward, head held down, and careened herself against the bug's side. The two small Pokémon went tumbling across the dirt. Windie landed on her feet.
"I'll make you regret that! Water Sport!"
The Surskit skittered to its feet, chattered at Windie, and sent a torrent of water across the field. The flames on Windie's feet spluttered slightly. Damn. Clair didn't expect this tactical move, but she should have. But while this sort of strategy might have made others hesitate, it mattered little to Clair. This was just a setback, nothing more. She watched as Windie ran to the other side of the field, her little paws skating easily across the muddied field.
"Windie, you've got this! Do it again!"
Though she didn't feel like exercising this morning, Windie was in full stamina now. She barked an affirmative and launched herself as the Surskit once more, sending it reeling across the mud and into a tree stump. On her platform Viola smiled. She called for a Water Gun and Surskit obliged, shooting a stream of water at the Fennekin. It splashed against Windie in a seemingly glancing blow. She shook the water out, looking like a puffball of flame. She ran forward for another Flame Charge without Clair ordering her to. Almost as if she lived to battle.
The final hit was enough to knock Surskit out. It was recalled to its Poké Ball before it fell over to its side. "Well done!" Viola cried. "Both of you! But can you handle this? Vivi, go!"
One down, one to go. Pride swelled in Clair's heart as Windie barked for more. The flames on her feet grew larger. The final Pokémon, Vivillon, appeared in a flash of light, its banded wings large and imposing. It chittered at its trainer and turned its compound eyes to Windie.
Beside her, Jude begged to battle. He tried to catch Clair's attention, but Clair merely scratched his head. "You'll have your turn," she told him. "For now, you need to rest. Windie will let us know if she needs us." Raising her voice, Clair called to her Pokémon: "You're doing great, Windie! Now Ember!"
A jet of flame spewed from Windie's mouth and crashed against the butterfly's side. To Clair's dismay, it did next to nothing. Viola's grin widened. "I told you, we Kalosians are tough! Harden, Vivi! Fennekin can't touch you!"
Vivillon's body tensed, and then its body flashed a bright blue. Windie attempted hitting it with a Flame Charge and rocketed herself in the air, landing on the butterfly and sending it crashing to the ground. Despite the defense increase, it was a brutal hit. Windie tried to spout another Ember, but the Vivillon was up in a flash: it used its thin but powerful wings to push her off. Windie rolled once but was on her feet instantly.
Fennekin and Vivillon appeared evenly matched. The field, once made muddy from Water Sport, had finally dried up. It was Clair's turn to grin. Ember might not have done much damage, but Flame Charge sure did. "Windie! You know what to do!" Windie barked an affirmative. She rushed forward again, the flames on her feet now encircling her body, and tackled the Vivillon in the chest. It attempted to swerve and only just succeeded: the flames barely singed the caudal wings.
It seemed as if Vivillon was weak against physical attacks. No wonder Viola had chosen to make the field covered in water and wanted to boost its defenses: she was trying to finish early rather than prolong it by subjugating Windie to a status condition. Clair's grin widened. "Once more, Windie! Take it down!"
It was physically weak, too. It tackled Windie again, hoping for a critical, but the Fennekin took the hit like a champ. Windie shook dirt off her fur and, with another flaming tackle, headbutted Vivillon in midair. This time when it attempted to dodge it failed, as Windie's enhanced speed more than compensated for that maneuver. Windie landed on her feet as Vivillon crashed into the ground. Delighted, she let loose a shower of sparks in the air.
Viola recalled Vivi back to its ball. "Wow!" she cried, snapping a picture of the victorious Fennekin. "I can't believe it! Clair, your Pokémon's a natural!"
Windie ran to Clair as fast as her little feet would allow. She jumped into the air and into Clair's arms and licked her in the face. Clair couldn't help but giggle and tried, unsuccessfully, to keep Windie calm. Jude erupted by her side, barking excitedly. He jumped to try to reach Windie, but Windie was too focused on covering Clair in kisses to notice. "Okay, wow, yes Windie, great job!" Clair sputtered, failing to hold back a laugh.
Windie yipped delightedly—and then her body began to glow. The change began with her ears and tail, and then slowly the rest of her body. As Clair watched, Windie's form transformed from quadruped to bipedal, just like Jude's. Windie's new form was heavier, and Clair set her down as the evolution finished. Before her stood BRAIXEN.
Windie stumbled on her new legs and Clair held her still. Windie looked up at her and smiled, her sharp, pointy teeth pearly white. She poked her Pokémon on her pink nose and rubbed her newly-white ruff. "You've gotten fluffy," Clair laughed.
"WOW! She evolved!"
Viola made her way to where Clair stood on the platform. She held out her hand and this time Clair took it. "Congratulations for beating me!" she said, beaming. "I haven't had a first-badge battle like that in a while. You've done great work with Fennekin—Braixen!."
First-badge battle. That stung. "Yes, well, I am a gym leader," she deflected. She gave Windie one final pat and the new-evolved Pokémon went to Jude, chattering excitedly. Jude, jealous of his partner's recent growth, stood as all as he could, his chest puffed out. But he was still shorter than Windie.
"If you say so!" Viola laughed. She snapped another round of pictures of Windie, beaming. "You've earned the Bug Badge regardless. I can't wait to tell everyone how you've done." She walked around Clair and positioned her into just so. "Allow me to take your photo! With this, maybe your next battle will be televised! Ooh, let me call Alexa! She's been dying for work ever since Malva cut her last assignment!"
Clair reluctantly allowed her picture to be taken. She attempted to appear cool, like Lance. Effortless. Instead she felt like a fool. Phony. Viola snapped photograph after photograph, first of her, then of her and her Pokémon, then of her Pokémon separately. She breathed a sigh of relief when Viola cried, "Wait right there!" and ran off to who-knows-where, leaving her and her Pokémon alone.
Jude and Windie were still talking in that way of theirs, and Clair couldn't help but smile. Fennekin was cute, but Braixen was gorgeous. Her golden fur shone like the sun, and her white ruff accentuated small shoulders. Her tail seemed to have grown fluffier, too. White fur now masked her face, completely opposite from the black fur around her legs. Windie's fur seemed to grow longer as it reached her hips, curling slightly.
Her Pokémon evolved.
Maybe she wasn't such a terrible Trainer, after all.