"So," said Houndoom, "have you started thinking about stronger Fire-type moves yet?"
"Not really," Scorbunny admitted. "I've been more occupied with Double Kick and teaching that to Bunnelby."
"And that's good," said Houndoom. "But the first Gym is a Grass-type Gym. And he wouldn't be a Gym Leader if he didn't have some sort of counter to Fire-types. Back in Kalos, the first Gym Leader's a Bug-type Trainer, and she leads with a Surskit with Rain Dance and Bubble."
Scorbunny whistled. "Did you have to fight that thing?"
"No, I wasn't on Marcus's team at that point," said Houndoom. "Drapion fought him - he'll tell you all about it if you ask him."
Scorbunny glanced back at Marcus. "I might take you up on that."
Houndoom, too, shot a look back at the pair of Trainers that were following the two Fire-types down the grass-lined hilly path. It was still somewhat early in the morning, and the sun had only just begun to fully illuminate the path; when they'd set out, it had still been fairly dark, and both Gloria and Marcus had decided to keep a Pokemon out just in case some opportunistic Wild Pokemon tried to take advantage of the darkness.
As for why the two were out so early, well, that was because of Hop. He'd set out even earlier, and Gloria had refused to let him get too much of a head start. Marcus, Houndoom knew, would have stayed in bed an extra hour or two - after three years of being a Gym Leader, he had a very rigid sleeping schedule - but Gloria had insisted, and Marcus had ultimately caved.
One thing all Gym Challengers were given for free was a map of the region with the various Gyms marked in order, so that they wouldn't get lost. It was something Houndoom didn't remember Marcus having in Kalos - come to think of it, he wasn't entirely sure how Marcus had found his way so easily. Perhaps he'd had to memorize the path in school before he set out on his journey? Regardless, the map was clearly quite useful.
According to the map, the first Gym, in Turffield, was just down Route 3 and through one of the two Galar Mines that workers extracted valuable ores and gems from. Houndoom wasn't entirely sure why the league was directing no-badge Trainers through a mine, but he knew Galar had been sending Trainers down this route for hundreds of years. Obviously the League knew what they were doing.
"Hey, look, isn't that Sonia?"
Gloria's query snapped Houndoom out of his thoughts. He looked up; sure enough, the Professor's assistant was standing at a turn in the road, looking out at something in the distance with her Yamper by her side. Gloria quickly ran over, Marcus trudging along behind, and Houndoom and Scorbunny stepped over along with them.
Sonia glanced over. "Oh, heya, Gloria! And Marcus as well…what are you two doing up so early?"
"I was going to ask the same question," Marcus admitted.
"We didn't want to lose time to Hop," Gloria swiftly explained.
"Ah, makes sense," said Sonia. "That boy can't sit still at all…and as for what I'm doing here, to be honest I'm just having a walk. Clearing my head, and all that. Say, look over there."
Houndoom looked, but saw nothing but fields of grass, faraway trees, and a sizable building in the distance that was belching smoke into the air. None of it looked remotely different from what he'd seen elsewhere on Route 3.
"That there," said Sonia, "is one of Chairman Rose's power plants. It processes ores dug up from the nearby mine into energy. He's had his companies building a lot more recently - something about 'looking into new forms of energy'. I can't say I get it, but the chairman seems like a pretty brilliant guy, so I'll trust him."
"Sounds interesting," said Gloria.
Sonia gave her a smile. "Now, you don't have to lie. I know this kind of thing doesn't strike your fancy. So…as a little thank-you for having a chin-wag with me, I'd like to give you something." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small device that Houndoom didn't recognize. "This here is an Escape Rope - made by Silph Co., upgraded by Macro Cosmos. That's Rose's company, by the way - their stuff works."
"An Escape Rope?" Marcus frowned. "Isn't it a little early for something like that?"
"Not at all!" said Sonia. "On the contrary, early Trainers will probably get the best use out of this. If Gloria ends up stuck in some area she isn't strong enough for, she can just use this, and presto, she's out!"
"It's some kind of teleporter?" Gloria asked, her eyes widening.
"Yeah!" Sonia affirmed. "Short-range, but should be enough to transport you between most cities in Galar. Of course, it works best if you know the coordinates of where you want to go - the last thing you want is to teleport on top of someone's house or something like that. So I recommend you head to new destinations the old-fashioned way."
Marcus said nothing more as Gloria eagerly took the Escape Rope. "And one more thing," said Sonia. "The Escape Rope has a two-hour recharge time. So don't go transporting yourself into any situations you might not want to be in, got that?"
Gloria nodded. "This would have been really useful back in the Slumbering Weald," she admitted.
"Too right," Sonia agreed. "That's one of the reasons I gave it to you, actually - just in case something like that ever happened again. Hey, so…speaking of the chairman, have you met his sponsored Gym Challenger?"
"I've seen him," said Gloria, her voice taking on a slightly sour tone. "Bede, right?"
"That's the name," Sonia affirmed. "And let me give you a word of warning - he's a real piece of work. I saw him earlier today, tried to interest him in a conversation, and he just told me to 'shut the hell up and get out of my way before I have my Pokemon make you'."
Gloria nodded slowly. "Real piece of work…you're not the first person who's told me that about him. Hopefully we don't run into him."
"Hopefully you don't," said Sonia. "Anyway…you'd best be off if you want to catch up to Hop. I'll follow along shortly - you need not wait for me!"
"Right," said Gloria. "Bye, Sonia!"
"Good-bye, Sonia," said Marcus. But as the duo began to turn away, Houndoom felt his fur suddenly stand on hand. Quickly, he glanced behind him, only to see nothing but grasses, the path, and a few small copses of trees.
"Something wrong, Houndoom?" Marcus asked.
Houndoom turned to see Scorbunny, Gloria, and Marcus all eyeing him. "No," he said, punctuating his statement with a shake of his head.
"All right," said Marcus. "But let me know if something does seem wrong - the last thing I want is to get blindsided by Absols again."
Houndoom nodded. But as the foursome turned and began to continue down the path, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
At length, Marcus and Gloria reached the first of the two Galar Mines and began traversing its insides. Houndoom was relieved about the lack of danger - sure, there was heavy machinery operating within the mine, but they were all operating in closed-off sections that were being watched closely by mine workers - workers who seemed keen to offer battles to any passing Gym Challengers.
Gloria took part in a few, though it quickly became apparent her team wasn't very well suited to the Pokemon the workers were sending out. One of the workers, carrying a Drilbur and a Timburr, dealt some heavy damage to both Scorbunny and Bunnelby before falling. Houndoom watched all this with a slight amount of nervousness. He knew roadside Trainers such as these were meant to test a Gym Challenger's readiness for Milo, almost like unofficial Gym Trainers. If Gloria was struggling so hard dealing with one of them, Houndoom didn't really like her chances against the Grass-type Gym Leader, even with Scorbunny's type advantage.
Fortunately, at the entrance to Galar Mine, there stood a woman who was making a living off of acting as a portable Pokemon Center, selling Potions and Ethers for prices slightly above the average price at stores. Sure, it was slightly expensive, but when the alternative was backtracking all the way to Motostoke, Houndoom could understand why the woman's business was so successful despite the cost. Gloria had taken advantage of the woman's offer after the battle against the Timburr and Drilbur, and was now carrying a fully healed team as she and Marcus continued through the mine.
Things were going decently well until they rounded the final bend.
Instantly, Houndoom spotted two things out of the ordinary. The first was light streaming in from what had to be the exit, on the opposite side of a small, gemstone-studded cave. The second was the purple-clad boy with curly dyed-gray hair standing between them and the exit. His back was currently to them and he appeared to be speaking to a small pink Pokemon that appeared to be half-made up of the tall hat atop its head. As Gloria entered the cave, she abruptly stiffened at the sight of the boy; seeing this, Marcus stopped, and at that moment the boy turned.
Houndoom at once saw arrogance glinting in his eyes and heaved a quiet sigh. This isn't going to go well…
"I know you," said the boy. "You're that Gym Challenger endorsed by the foreign Gym Leader." He snorted. "What a joke."
Gloria and Marcus both blinked. "Excuse me?" the girl asked.
"You are aware that the Chairman is the most important person in all of Galar, right?" the boy asked. "Which makes me, the challenger endorsed by the Chairman, the strongest Gym Challenger here!"
"You must be Bede." Marcus stepped between Gloria and the boy, clearly aiming to defuse the clear tension between the two Gym Challengers. He stuck out a hand. "I'm-"
"I know who you are," Bede interrupted. "Marcus, Dark-type Gym Leader of Kalos? I saw you at the stadium just like everyone else In Galar. You think you're special just because you fought our Champion and lost? Hmph…I guess it fits. A loser mentoring a loser."
"I'm not a loser," Gloria retorted, stepping around Marcus.
"Oh, really?" Bede smirked. "Then I suppose I should prove without a doubt how much of a loser you are. Let us battle. Three on three. I'll even release first, just to give you a little bit of a chance."
"I…only have two Pokemon," Gloria admitted.
Bede huffed. "Fine. A two-on-two, then. Solosis, it's time for a battle."
Marcus and Houndoom swiftly stepped to the side of the cave. Houndoom sat on his haunches and eyed both Bede and Gloria. Bede's small pink tall-hatted Pokemon was standing beside him, smiling, as a similarly-sized green gooey Pokemon appeared in front of him. Houndoom recognized the form of a Solosis - its evolved form, Reuniclus, was famed for its power as a member of the team of Unovan Psychic-type Elite Four member Caitlin.
"Go, Solosis!" the hatted Pokemon cheered. "You've got this!"
Houndoom was fairly certain he recognized the hatted Pokemon as well, though this one he'd never seen in real life up until now. This was a Hatenna, the unevolved form of Hatterene, a Psychic/Fairy-type and Opal's Ace. So he's a Psychic specialist. Considering the purple clothing, I shouldn't really be surprised. That begs the question - does he have Psychic powers of his own? Maybe telepathy like Medicham's?
"Bunnelby, do your best!" Gloria called. Houndoom stepped back, sitting on his haunches by Marcus's side as the two younger teenagers sent out their Pokemon. He eyed Bede warily - the curly-haired boy's attitude didn't sit right with Houndoom.
"Psybeam," Bede ordered with a lazy wave of his hand.
"Dodge and counter with Quick Attack!" Gloria cried.
Solosis gurgled "Mental Shot," firing off a Psybeam in Bunnelby's direction. Bunnelby sprinted to the side with her boosted speed, evading the blast; the Psybeam slammed into the ground with enough force that Houndoom couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. That Solosis is pretty strong for a no-badge Trainer.
"Swift Ear!" Bunnelby called, lunging for Solosis.
"Protect," Bede stated. "Then counter with Psybeam."
"Get back!" Gloria cried, but Bunnelby had already committed to the attack.
"Mental Block," Solosis burbled. Bunnelby slammed into Solosis's newly upraised barrier and bounced off; a second later, Solosis fired another Mental Shot into the stumbling Bunnelby, sending her flying backwards. She landed on the back in the dirt, not unconscious but clearly in pain.
"Nice job, Solosis!" Hatenna cried; Solosis acknowledged the praise with a nod, though Houndoom noticed Bede remained silent.
"You okay, Bunnelby?" Gloria asked.
Bede scoffed. "Don't waste time. Finish it with Confusion."
"Mental Blast." Solosis unleashed a wave of Psychic energy at the downed Bunnelby.
"Counter with Mud Shot!" Gloria cried.
Bunnelby twisted on the ground. "Ear Shot!" A blast of Ground energy flew from one of Bunnelby's ears, tearing through the center of Solosis's Mental Blast; the remaining Psychic energy struck the ground around Bunnelby as the Normal-type rose to her feet. "I'm good," she said, her voice filled with determination.
"All right, Bunnelby, get back in there!" Gloria cried. "Double Slap - watch out for Protect!"
"Psybeam," Bede ordered again. Solosis fired another Mental Shot at Bunnelby, but even without Quick Attack, Bunnelby was fast enough to dodge. The Normal-type hurtled forwards. "Whirling Ears!"
"Protect," Bede called.
Houndoom narrowed his eyes. He knows Gloria's going to be wary of that this time…he has to be planning something.
Indeed, Bunnelby stopped short as Solosis raised a Protect. The Normal-type lunged to the side, leaping around the barrier, and twisted to deliver a vicious double-ear strike to Solosis's oblong body.
But as the Double Slap landed, sending Solosis reeling backwards, Bede smirked. "Thunder Wave."
"Electric Shock," Solosis gurgled as he tumbled backwards.
"Mud Shot!" Gloria cried, but before Bunnelby could react the Thunder Wave struck her head-on. The Normal-type's limbs seized up and she let out a frustrated growl.
"Now Recover," Bede told his Psychic-type, "and then Psyshock."
Houndoom frowned. Is this really a zero-badge Trainer? I could see this kind of power from a second or even third-badge Trainer, but not someone this early in the Gym Challenge.
"Mental Shock," Solosis burbled as it rose, any marks that Bunnelby's Double Slap had left erased by the Recover.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Gloria cried. Bunnelby snarled in fury as she forced herself forwards, breaking through the paralysis afflicting her. Instead of lunging to the side, though, Bunnelby leaped straight for Solosis, who clearly hadn't expected the attack. The Mental Shock, wildly fired, exploded against the ground next to Bunnelby as she hurtled straight into Solosis, who was sent reeling backwards once again.
Bede sighed. "I suppose I've given your Pokemon enough of a chance to shine. Confusion, full spread, then follow with Psybeam. Don't stop firing until it goes down."
"Counter with Mud Shot!" Gloria cried, but as Solosis unleashed a torrent of Psychic energies, Houndoom knew the battle was already lost. There was no way the paralyzed Bunnelby was going to make it through Solosis's torrent of Psychic attacks.
Indeed, though Bunnelby tore through a pair of Confusions with swift Mud-Shots and dodged a Psybeam with Quick Attack, as she tried to avoid a second Psybeam her muscles finally locked up from Paralysis. The Psybeam blasted Bunnelby backwards, and as she tried to get up Solosis called down a quick Psyshock upon her prone form. Her body jerked upwards as she was forcibly sent into unconsciousness. Houndoom winced in sympathy.
Hatenna let out a cheer for her teammate. Bede checked his watch. "Send out your last and let's get this over with."
Though she was trying to hide it, Gloria looked distinctly angry as she tossed out Scorbunny. The Fire-type had clearly seen what had happened to Bunnelby, for he was already tense as he stared down Solosis.
"Ember!" Gloria cried. "Keep firing!"
"Counter with Psybeam," Bede called.
"Goal Shot!" "Mental Shot." Both Scorbunny and Solosis opened fire, but it was instantly clear whose attack was more powerful. Solosis's Psybeam ripped through not one, but two quickly-fired Embers, and Scorbunny had to dive out of the way as it slammed into the ground where he'd just been standing.
"Never mind, go in with Quick Attack!" Gloria swiftly told Scorbunny.
"Corner Kick!" Scorbunny dashed forwards with just as much speed as Bunnelby, if not more.
"Meet it with Thunder Wave," Bede ordered.
"Jump!" Gloria cried as Solosis fired another Electric Shock towards Scorbunny. The Fire-type quickly planted his feet and leaped into the air, sailing over Solosis's Thunder Wave. Twisting, he came down with a Normal energy-wreathed foot onto Solosis's body. The Psychic-type was driven into the ground hard by Scorbunny's attack.
"Confusion," Bede ordered. Solosis, still under Scorbunny's foot, twisted and lased out with a point-blank Mental Blast. There was no escaping the attack at such close range; Scorbunny was tossed away hard enough that he bounced off the roof of the cave and fell back down to the ground.
"Get up and Recover," Bede ordered.
"Don't let him!" Gloria cried. "Get up, Scorbunny, and Quick Attack again!"
As Solosis rose, his body once again glowing with healing energies, Scorbunny lunged forwards at even higher speed than before, little flickers of flame skirting around his feet as he dashed towards Solosis. "Corner Kick!"
But Bede smirked again. "Protect."
Gloria and Scorbunny's eyes both widened; in his haste to stop Solosis from recovering, Scorbunny had overcommitted to the assault. Solosis raised a Protect in his path, and Scorbunny rammed headfirst into it; just like Bunnelby, he staggered backwards, momentarily dazed. Solosis took full advantage of the opportunity to complete his Recover, practically erasing all the damage both Scorbunny and Bunnelby had done.
Houndoom knew Recover wasn't perfect. It didn't help with exhaustion, and it didn't actually heal wounds, merely erased the pain. But at this level, a well-handled Pokemon with Recover was practically invincible. And, though Houndoom was reluctant to admit it, Bede was clearly adept at handling his Pokemon.
"Are you done?" Bede asked. "Honestly. What makes you think you even have a chance of beating my first Pokemon, let alone my second?"
Gloria shot a glare at Bede before turning back towards Scorbunny. "Scorbunny, we can't do single hits - he'll just heal up. We need to combo him down."
"Hmph," Bede grunted. "Good luck with that. Solosis, use Psyshock."
"Dodge!" Gloria cried. "And Quick Attack forwards!"
"That won't work," Bede stated even as Scorbunny dove out of the way of another explosion of Psychic energy. "Confusion. Spread it out - don't let it dodge."
"Mental Blast," Solosis gurgled, letting fly with a rapidly-expanding wave of Psychic energy towards the charging Scorbunny. "Break through it with Ember!" Gloria cried.
"Goal Shot!" Scorbunny cried, summoning an Ember. Houndoom sighed - there was no way the Fire-type move was going to break through. But the Ember did not leave Scorbunny's body. Instead, it erupted outwards, seeming to coat Scorbunny's entire form in a swath of Fire energy.
"Goal…Sprint!" Scorbunny cried as he slammed into the Confusion-
And broke right through.
"Increase firepower!" Bede cried, his lazy attitude completely dropping. Solosis at once began gathering more Psychic energy, but Scorbunny was too fast. His flame-coated body slammed into Solosis, sending the Psychic-type to the floor, and Scorbunny was on him instantly. A swift Protect deflected Scorbunny's opening kick, but Scorbunny managed to twist around it and kick Solosis in the side, then follow up with a barrage of punches that forced it even further backwards.
That has to be Flame Charge, Houndoom realized. It's not only made Scorbunny more powerful, but also faster. And now, with Scorbunny's boosted speed and power, Solosis has no way of fighting back.
Indeed, a second later, Bede recalled his Solosis out of the way of another kick from Scorbunny. "Hmph," he said. "It seems you're not entirely worthless. But then again…I still have my second Pokemon. Hatenna, finish this thing off."
Hatenna nodded and stepped forwards, Psychic energies gathering in one tiny hand as she moved into the impromptu arena.
"Keep going, Scorbunny!" Gloria encouraged. "Just one more - you've got this!"
"As if," Bede snorted. "Psybeam."
"Dodge, and hit it with another Flame Charge!" Gloria cried.
"Magic Beam!" Hatenna cried. Houndoom watched as Scorbunny jumped away from the swiftly-fired Psybeam and hurled himself forwards, flames crackling around his body. "Goal Sprint!"
"Keep using Psybeam," Bede ordered. "Don't let it get close."
Another cry of "Magic Beam!" heralded a second Psybeam, then a third. Scorbunny dodged each one, his feet skidding across the cave floor as the blasts shot up little sprays of dust. As he dodged the third, Scorbunny twisted and leaped straight for Hatenna, twisting into a spinning Flame Charge-boosted kick. "Goal Kick!"
"Use your Ability, now!" Bede ordered suddenly.
Hatenna screwed up her eyes in concentration. "Magic Bounce!"
A barrier made up of pure Psychic energy sprang up around Hatenna, one that Scorbunny slammed into full force. Instead of simply bouncing off like a normal Protect, though, Scorbunny was tossed away with equal momentum to his charge. His flying body slammed straight into a cave wall with a crack that made Houndoom wince.
"Finish with Psybeam," Bede ordered.
"Get up, Scorbunny!" Gloria cried, but Scorbunny was too dazed and winded to follow her commands. Before the Fire-type could do more than begin to free himself from the crater he'd ended up in, Hatenna's fourth Psybeam struck him right in the stomach. Scorbunny doubled over and fell to the ground, clearly unconscious before he even hit the floor.
Houndoom eyed Hatenna as she grinned, clearly delighted at her easy win. An Ability this early? I had my suspicions before, but there is no way Bede's a zero-badge Trainer. With an Ability on his side, I'd put his power level at four or even five badges.
"Honestly, you should probably just drop out," Bede commented. "After all, I'm taking the Gym Challenge too. If, by some miracle, you manage to make it to the tournament, you'll have to fight me again. And you'll lose, just as you did here, because I'm simply stronger than you, and nothing is going to change that."
Gloria looked as if she was about to fly at Bede herself. Marcus quickly raised his voice. "Gloria, why don't you head back to that woman at the mine's entrance and get her to heal up your Pokemon? She was offering, after all - I doubt she's gone already."
Gloria hastily nodded. "Right. I'll do that." Twisting, she scurried away, disappearing around the nearby bend and leaving Bede, Marcus, and Houndoom alone.
Bede shifted his gaze to Marcus. "Let me guess. You're going to call me a cheater. Say that my Pokemon are far too powerful for this point of the Gym Challenge. Do anything to defend your precious protege."
Marcus shook his head. "You know, I knew someone like you once," he said. "My own rival, Calem, back when I was first taking my Pokemon journey. He was a lot like you, actually - he used extremely powerful Pokemon and was incredibly cocky. And part of the reason we were such bitter rivals was because neither one of us took the time to understand each other's perspective. We saw one another as rivals and nothing more, all because we never asked why we were rivals. And so I'm going to ask you now: why? You're clearly a strong Trainer - why go the extra mile and demean and belittle your opponents?"
"Hmph," Bede muttered. "You should be thanking me."
"And why is that?" Marcus asked.
Bede gave Marcus a smirk. "I don't know how it works in your region," he said, "but here in Galar, the Gym Challenge is only meant for strong Trainers. You don't get badges out of pity or by doing good deeds, you get them by fighting and winning. Your mentee should take this as a lesson - if she can't beat me, she'll never get anywhere in this Gym Challenge. And if she can't compete, she's better off just dropping out and not wasting the Gym Leaders' valuable time."
With that, he turned on his heel and stalked off in the opposite direction, heading for the exit to the tunnel. Houndoom stood where he was, watching Bede's retreating backside carefully.
He never actually answered Marcus's question…
"Gloria! Gloria!"
Hop's voice was recognizable immediately; Gloria's expression, which had been fairly grim since the battle with Bede, instantly brightened. "Hop!" she cried, running over to the waving boy. "How was your journey?"
"Not too bad!" said Hop cheerily. "Grookey and Rookidee took out every worker I fought in the mine, and I was just about to head into the Gym to do my first Gym Battle!"
"Lucky you," Gloria murmured. "Scorbunny and Bunnelby weren't as strong against the workers, and…well, then I ran into Bede."
Hop grimaced. "As in the guy the Chairman is sponsoring?"
Gloria nodded. "He's tough. I could barely beat one of his Pokemon with both of mine."
"So you haven't caught any more?" Hop asked.
Gloria looked embarrassed. "It's just…nothing's struck my fancy yet."
Hop nodded understandingly. "You should be fine for Milo, what with that Scorbunny of yours and all. But you won't stand a chance against Nessa without some new acquisitions. How about you ask Milo after the battle if he can help you find a Grass-type or something?"
Gloria smiled. "I just might. Thanks, Hop."
"No problem!" Hop grinned. "After all, I need my rival to be strong in order to provide me with a challenge! I want to win this Gym Challenge, but I don't want it to come easy!"
"Trust me, I won't make it easy," said Gloria. "I'm going to give my team a rest in the Pokemon Center, but once that's done, you can bet I'm gonna give the Gym a try!"
Hop smirked. "Yeah, well, I'm afraid you're gonna have to stay in second place, because I'm about to head in there right now? Want to watch the first Gym Battle of the future Champion, Gloria?"
Gloria shrugged. "Why not? You can get started with the challenge - I'll see you in the actual battle!"
As Hop and Gloria turned and began to walk in different directions - Hop towards the Gym, Gloria towards the Pokemon Center with Marcus following behind - Houndoom hid a smile. This is what a rivalry should be. Not Bede's nastiness, but a competition between friends.
"Marcus, I presume you're going to watch too?" Gloria asked.
"Of course," said Marcus. "I'll watch both - it'll be quite interesting to see the contrast between you two."
Gloria chuckled. "I just hope Hop doesn't overshadow me…that would be a little embarrassing."
Marcus smiled. "We'll just have to see, won't we?"
Scorbunny couldn't say he'd ever get tired of being treated at a Pokemon Center. It was probably the single most comfortable thing he'd ever experienced, and he doubted that would ever change. The inside of a Pokemon Center, though, was something he was already tired of. Oh, sure, the part where the Trainers stood and shopped was vivid and multicolored, but back here, where the Pokemon resided during the healing process, was nothing but blank white rooms with practically no decoration, quite possibly the most boring rooms Scorbunny could think of.
Naturally, this one was no different, and so Scorbunny was profoundly relieved when he saw Bunnelby shifting over to him. "Hey."
"Hey," said Scorbunny. "How are you holding up?"
"Not too bad," Bunnelby replied. "So…you know how Gloria was talking about maybe catching a new team member soon?"
"Yeah." Scorbunny nodded. "It sounds cool, doesn't it? I hope we end up with a Grass-type - we're pretty weak to Water, what with you being a Ground-type and me being a Fire-type."
"Technically I'm not a Ground-type yet," Bunnelby corrected. "I only get that typing once I evolve. But still, you've got a point about that Water weakness." She smiled. "I took the liberty of looking up what Grass-types were nearby on the computers over there."
Scorbunny glanced over to a set of devices on the wall. "Wait, those are for us? I thought those were for Trainers."
"Nope, they're to give us something to do besides sit and talk to each other," said Bunnelby. "Not that I begrudge talking, of course. Anyway, around here, there are apparently Budew, Ferroseed, Gossifleur…"
Scorbunny's mind was wandering as he gazed at the computers. Unwanted thoughts were beginning to clamber into his mind. Memories of a ship, of garbage, of gas, of that Ariados and her clinging, binding webs…
"…Seedot, and Applin," Bunnelby finished. "Which of those would you prefer to have on the team?"
"Um…" Scorbunny hesitated. "Applin," he said at last.
Bunnelby nodded. "Yeah, I can see why that Dragon typing would be attractive. Me, I'd much rather have a Ferroseed. A well-played Ferrothorn is devastating - Cilan from Unova has one, and it's easily his best, even if he tries to claim Simisage is his Ace."
"We'll just have to see what Gloria chooses," said Scorbunny.
"Of course," Bunnelby agreed. "After all, she is the Trainer. In the end, it's her decision who does and doesn't make it onto the team." He paused. "So…that Bede. Real piece of work, isn't he?"
Scorbunny chuckled ruefully. "Everyone keeps saying that…and to be honest, I can see where they're getting it from."
"He's a lot like Bagon," Bunnelby admitted. "Rude, arrogant, using his power to beat up weaker Trainers and then talking down to them…hey, Scorbunny. You aren't going to go all 'I'm useless' on me again, are you?"
Scorbunny shook his head. "Sure, losing sucks…but I'm past that now. And besides, I did beat the Solosis."
"You did?" Bunnelby couldn't quite stop herself from gaping. "Okay, this I have to hear."
Scorbunny launched into the story of his learning of Flame Charge and his takedown of Solosis, but even as he told it his gaze kept wandering over to the computers. Eventually, Bunnelby finally stepped away and settled down in a nearby corner to rest. Scorbunny wasted no time in heading over to the row of computers.
Quickly, he chose one that didn't have a Pokemon on either side - Scorbunny didn't know why, but he really didn't want anyone to see what he was doing. Raising a hand, he tapped a few buttons, and a search engine came up, a blinking cursor prompting him for an entry.
Swallowing, and checking one last time to make sure no one was watching, Scorbunny typed: Who is Hunter J?
I'm just going to bite the bullet and say it:
This fic is going on hiatus.
Simply put, a lot of stuff in real life is suddenly coming at me faster than I expected. And writing three fics at the same time while dealing with that stuff...sadly, I've been forced to conclude it's too much.
Fortunately, I've got an out. Warping the System is only four chapters or so away from concluding. Once that's done, my schedule will be freed up quite a bit, and I think then I'll be able to continue Through Their Eyes with much less difficulty.
So, there you have it. It'll probably be somewhere around two months before this starts up again. In the meantime, thank you all for sticking with me this long, and I'll see you then for the remainder of the First Steps Arc!