Pokemon Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Boundless Sky ❯ Falter! The One Who Loves You Most! ( Chapter 6 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Another short chapter, though this has some significant backstory. The thing with Ralts? It happened in my Ruby game, and was the first plot point I developed for this story.
What does everyone think so far? Any critiques or suggestions? More action is coming up soon -- this is a 26-chapter fic. I'm still building up to some excitement.
~P-Z

Chapter 6
Falter! The One Who Loves You Most!

Chiori couldn't stop pacing. From time to time she glanced at Kouta, who would raise his eyebrows in return. The wait was maddening, and all Chiori could think about was blaming herself.

The nurse at the front desk called for her. "Your Mawile will be all right," she informed the girl. "He wasn't seriously burned, just overheated. Make sure he takes it easy and gets plenty of rest for the next few days." She handed Malik's pokéball to Chiori. "And, as a word of advice, start off slow if you want to train him. He's too inexperienced for the kind of battle he was put through."

Chiori nodded numbly. Kouta thanked the nurse, and Chiori mumbled similar words. Kouta led her outside. "At least he's okay," he said encouragingly. "Don't look so worried."

"He might be scarred for life now," Chiori said. "I can only imagine what that must have been like... poor Malik..."

"That's part of training," said Kouta. "He'll be on his guard now, and you'll be sure not to send him to fight a pokémon against which he's doubly weak." He smiled gently at her novice mistake.

Chiori didn't smile back. Nor had she clipped Malik's ball back to her belt.

"I need to stop by the pokémart," Kouta informed her. "Need anything?"

"I don't know," Chiori answered distantly. "I think I'll just wait out here for awhile." She paused by a concrete bench.

"Okay." Kouta nodded, sympathetic. "I'll be back in a bit."

Chiori waited until he was gone, then let Malik out on the bench beside her. The little Mawile yawned, looked up at his trainer and smiled. "Oh, Malik," she said softly, petting his head. She peeled off a glove to touch his steel jaw -- completely cool, no trace of having been scorched.

"What a nice Mawile." A young woman passing by stopped to remark on the scene. She was professionally dressed, grey blazer matching her skirt, but her long, wavy hair was unbound. "I've never seen one act this way. They're usually pretty fierce."

She set her shopping bags on the sidewalk and bent down, face-to-face with him. Malik blinked his huge red eyes a few times, then squeaked a Mawile giggle. The woman giggled in return, standing up straight again. "He's very happy," she said to Chiori. "From the way you were touching his headpiece, it's easy to tell you really trust him, and that makes him trust you. He adores you."

Chiori stared at her. "What's wrong?" the woman asked, immediately sitting down.

"I..." Chiori started to say. "My friend and I were in the tunnel..." The story came pouring out in bits and pieces. Chiori was aware she wasn't making much sense, but her listener nodded, prompting her to continue. "They said at the center that he's all right, but I don't know, they just meant physically... he was hurt by other Mawile where I found him, just because he's... different..." The impact of her words sank in. Chiori choked back a sob.

The woman patted her back. "It seems to me that he's grateful -- you saved him from the other Mawile, and you rushed him to the center when he got hurt in battle. He knows you'll always be there to take care of him."

Chiori sniffed. "Really?"

She nodded. "Does he have a nickname?"

"Malik." At the sound of his name, the Mawile squeaked.

"And how about you?" she asked the girl.

"Me? My name's Chiori."

"I'm Selene," the woman said. "I'm trained in pokémon behavior and relationships. Usually I can tell after about a minute what a pokémon's personality and feelings are."

"You can?" Chiori's self-pity gave way to fascination. "That's, like, your job?"

"It sure is. I'm still in graduate school, but I know a lot about pokémon. Some of it comes naturally."

"Would you do me a favor?" At Selene's nod, Chiori unclipped her other pokéballs from her belt. She sent out her Mightyena first. "This is Isis, my first pokémon. I didn't really catch her... she was following my big brother around, and he sort of ordered her to stay with me."

Selene smiled, holding out her hand for Isis to investigate. "She's lovely. Look how shiny her coat is."

"She's always taking a bath," Chiori supplied.

"By herself?" Isis cocked her head and licked a paw hastily. Selene watched, amazed. "I've never seen a Mightyena do that. For most trainers, it's the 'tough' member of a team, not the clean one."

"Isis is different. Like Malik." Chiori felt a wave of pride rising within her.

"She's very happy," Selene analyzed. "She knows you respect her individuality, that she can act like herself around you. Have you battled with her?"

"A few times, yeah."

"That's good. She doesn't seem like she enjoys it, but she probably does it out of gratitude. And it would be a waste not to use her natural strength to her trainer's advantage." Selene smiled. "You have some unique pokémon. Who else do I get to meet?" She glanced at the last ball.

"Well..." Chiori released her final team member. The Ralts formed beside Isis, but she didn't make any movements. "She's the one I really wanted you to see. Ralts are psychic-types, right? Shouldn't she know how much I've wanted her?"

"Of course. That's the only way you can catch one."

"I didn't catch her. I traded for her."

Selene's face became grave. "Chiori... Ralts are special pokémon. They're rarely seen with humans, because not everyone can capture one. A Ralts chooses its trainer, not the other way around."

Chiori remembered the Ralts that emerged just for Wally. "So... I couldn't find one because..." She didn't know how to finish.

"Besides that, whomever traded this one to you has severed the bond Ralts tried to form. It's not that she doesn't know you want her... she's more upset that the trainer she chose didn't want her."

Chiori was stricken by a powerful sorrow, stronger than her earlier fears for Malik. Was Kouta that negligent, that cruel? To leave Ralts stored in a computerized database for so long, only to discard her to a stranger?

Selene picked up on Chiori's worries. "Hopefully she'll come to realize that you're trustworthy. Let her spend time with Malik and Isis, so they can influence her. You're very empathic, Chiori. If I can tell that from talking with you for a few minutes, a psychic pokémon will realize it in no time."

"Thank you, Miss Selene," the girl said, beaming.

"You're welcome." She rose, smoothing her skirt and picking up her shopping bags. "I'd better get home, though. My natural empathy tells me my pokémon want their lunch."

Chiori waved as Selene left, then got out her pokédex to look up information on Ralts. Little is known about this pokémon, it read, just as vague as Roxanne's book. Idly, Chiori switched views to read her Ralts's registration data: nicknamed "Ralts" by default, female, met on Route 103, O.T. Amelia M.

The last part caught Chiori's eye. "Amelia?" she said aloud.

Kouta had mentioned a pokémon catching contest, to see who could have the most in his record. Surely there was trading involved, as well? Did this Amelia, ignorant of Ralts's selection process, trade Ralts to Kouta for another record?

"Mai," Chiori whispered. To have chosen a trainer by mistake... at least Malik's difficult past had a happy ending.

"Hey, Chiori." Kouta's voice made her jump. She shut off her pokédex and tossed it in her backpack. "Hi, everyone," Kouta greeted the pokémon. "Enjoying the fresh air?" Isis's tongue lolled out with contentment, and Malik squeaked, but Ralts turned her head to the side.

"Here." Kouta handed Chiori an unopened pack of six pokéballs. "And these, too." A small box of twenty health-restoring potions. "I feel a little responsible. Those will help avoid a situation like that."

"Thanks." Chiori smiled appreciatively. Kouta ran his fingers through his hair, looking embarrassed.

They decided to explore the town, since Chiori was feeling better. Verdanturf was more like a quaint village, filled with friendly people and fresh, clean air. Chiori thought about Wally again, the sickly boy who wanted to be a pokémon trainer more than anything. He was supposed to be recuperating at his relatives' house. Chiori wished she had gotten the address.

Verdanturf consisted mainly of residences, but there was a small pokémon center and supply shop. There was also one very large building, a classical structure with brick walls and white pillars. Several trainers with pokémon hung around near the steps, and, out of all the faces, Chiori found one she recognized. "Brendan!" she called out.

The silver-haired boy ran up to her. "Hi, Chiori! What are you doing here?"

"Passing through, mainly. This is my friend Kouta." She introduced the two. "Kouta, this is Brendan. I met him the same weekend Roxanne and I went on our trip."

"Check that out." Brendan pointed to the large building. "A pokémon contest hall. I just found out about it... contests are almost as popular as battles."

"Contests?" Chiori asked. "For what?"

"Different stuff. You enter a certain type, and you have to do a trained performance with one pokémon. It sounds neat, anyway. I signed up for tomorrow with... hey, where did she go?" Brendan spun in a circle, apparantly searching.

From seemingly nowhere, a little pokémon pounced him, nearly sending him to the ground. Brendan laughed as he regained his balance, holding onto his attacker. "This is my Skitty. She's going to dominate the cuteness contest. Did you see that adorable tackle? I didn't even order it!" He gushed and nuzzled Skitty's pink fur.

"Absolutely precious." Kouta grinned with amusement.

Chiori petted the Skitty. "She looks so soft."

"She is!" Brendan said, enthused by the attention. "I won't let her battle. I don't want her to--"

"Kouta-samaaa!" All was interrupted by a shout, a protest, and a crash. Skitty hissed and leapt from Brendan's arms. Chiori's hands flew to her mouth as she saw Kouta pinned to the ground by an enthusiastic Laurel.

"Now that's a tackle attack," Brendan remarked.

"Kouta!" Chiori exclaimed. "Are you okay?"

He groaned and sat up slowly. "Hi, Laurel."

"I'm so glad you're here!" Laurel said, hugging him. "You can see Sakura and me in the contest tomorrow!"

"I really have to get to Mauville--"

"Please? It's my first one! It would mean so much if you were there!"

Kouta sighed. "All right. We'll see."

"Yay!" Laurel hugged him again, so fiercely that he fell onto his back a second time. "No one's cuter than Sakura! Except Kouta-sama, but it's a pokémon contest."

Chiori looked at Brendan. "Cuteness contest?" she asked.

"That's right," Laurel answered her. "What are you doing in Verdanturf? Do you have contest-worthy pokémon?"

"I do!" Everything about Laurel suddenly offended Chiori. "In fact, I'm entering the contest, too! My Malik is far cuter than your Sakura, whoever that is!"

"Is that what you think?" Laurel released Kouta, sea-green eyes flashing. "Well, I guess we'll find out tomorrow, won't we?" She jumped to her feet, tugging on Kouta's hand. "Come on, let's go have lunch. Then we'll go to Mauville together. It's not that far."

Kouta dusted himself off hastily. "See you tomorrow, Chiori," he said as Laurel pulled him away. "Nice to meet you, Brendan."

Chiori tried to tell them to wait, but she could see that wouldn't accomplish anything. "'Bye!" she called helplessly instead. What had happened to "she can't come with me to the breeding center"?

Brendan waved. "That was interesting," he commented.

"Show me where to sign up," Chiori said, eyes fixed in the direction in which Laurel and Kouta had departed.

---

She felt nervous. In fact, it was the most nerve-wracking experience Chiori had ever experienced. She'd never willingly climbed on a stage in front of a huge audience -- at her middle school graduation ceremony, she'd crossed the stage in a handful of seconds. That didn't count. This was a contest of appearance and attitude, looks and skills. This was Laurel's place, and, from the excited look on his face, Brendan's as well. Though she felt as if she towered over everyone else and looked conspicuous and awkward, Chiori reminded herself she was doing this for Malik's sake.

Before the big event took place, she had strolled around the lobby with her three pokémon out of their balls. "Take a good look," she told them. "We might be back here another time. I bet all three of you could win a different contest." She approached a wall of photographs, past winners. "There's a beauty contest," she noted, patting Isis's head. The Mightyena grinned, her tongue hanging out happily. Beside her, Ralts was staring into space.

"Hmm..." Chiori studied the wall of fame. "Cool contest? Smart contest? There you go, Mai... psychic-types are the smartest pokémon around, right?"

Ralts didn't acknowledge her. "Mai?" she tried again. "Ralts?"

Isis whined softly, concerned. Only then did Ralts turn her head and glance Chiori's way, eyes hidden by her green hair.

"Your name is Mai now," Chiori said to her. "I don't care if I can't have it registered. You're a unique pokémon, and you deserve a name of your own. Mai." Ralts didn't turn away, which Chiori decided to interpret as a good sign.

A broadcast over the wall-mounted speakers informed everyone that the cuteness contest was about to begin. "Wish Malik luck, you two," Chiori said. Isis bent her head down and nuzzled the giggling Mawile. Ralts just stood there, but she did move her head to look in Malik's direction. Chiori returned them to their balls and caught up with Brendan so she could walk with him onstage.

The announcer introduced each of the four trainers and his or her pokémon, and the crowd's initial reaction to the contestants was noted by the judges. Brendan's Skitty received a unanimous awww, and Laurel's Sakura, a Corsola, got some applause -- praise for a unique entrant. Malik, however, was met with apprehension; as Chiori had feared, people were distracted from his cuteness by the huge steel jaw. Malik's reaction points were probably tied with the fourth trainer's Gulpin.

Everyone showed off different moves for three rounds. Chiori, third in line, had no idea what this meant until Laurel, the first, had Sakura use mirror coat, which sounded like the name of an attack. Brendan's Skitty growled cutely, a move so adorable in its lack of threat that the audience swooned as almost one voice.

"Okay," Chiori said to Malik, who waited at her feet. "When I tell you to bite, pretend like you're playing with my old stuffed Teddiursa. Remember when you found that in my closet?" The Mawile looked thoughtful, as if he understood.

However, while Chiori thought his biting move was playfully cute, the audience was startled, watching the jaw clamp the air with a loud snap. Afterwards, the Gulpin's yawn was well-received, even if several spectators yawned back.

Malik's other performances weren't helping his place. His fake tears weren't nearly as impressive as Sakura's refresh or Skitty's tail whip, which involved chasing her tail in frantic circles. The winner was obvious before the final round was over. Chiori sat with Malik in her lap as Brendan and Skitty put on their final show. "First a hard battle, now this." She sighed. "I guess I rush into everything."

Malik gave a little sigh too, but nestled his head in her chest. He looked up at her, reassurance in his ruby eyes. Chiori broke into a big smile. "We'll try again," she said. "Someday you'll get that ribbon for being the cutest pokémon alive."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a couple of women in the audience watching her, hands over their hearts, looking absolutely moved. She smiled at them and scratched Malik's long ears.

Skitty was declared the winner. Chiori and Malik both applauded, the latter looking amused at the act of clapping his paws together. The Gulpin's trainer left the stage quickly; he'd seemed out of sorts throughout the entire contest, obviously put out by his newfound rivals. Laurel, despite being announced second runner-up, crossed her arms and pouted. Chiori wondered what she had to be so moody about. As far as the judges were concerned, her Sakura was far cuter than Malik.

"Third place goes to Chiori's Malik!" the announcer called, pulling a surprised Chiori out of her speculation. She jumped out of her chair without meaning to, blushing and waving while everyone applauded politely. Malik, in her arms, bowed a little, thoroughly pleased.

"That was a great effort," Brendan said to Chiori as they left the stage. "Malik is cute, but, y'know... performance is the main thing."

"Yeah," Chiori agreed. "I didn't know what I was getting into. But we'll be ready next time. Right, Malik?" He mewed in agreement.

"That was a lot of fun," Brendan went on as they paused before the crowd in the lobby. His cheeks were flushed. "Maybe I'll enter Treecko in another... I should catch a certain pokémon for each contest! Now I see why so many people are into it! This is way cooler than battling!"

Laurel whisked past them without a word. "You certainly deserved to win," Chiori told Brendan, watching the petite girl out of the corner of her eye.

"Maybe, but her Corsola was way powerful. I only caught Skitty two days ago!" He laughed, but it faded as he looked around nervously. "I wish Wally had come," he said. "I stopped by his uncle's house yesterday, but he told me Wally needed to be resting when he wasn't out training his Ralts." He sighed. "His aunt and uncle are just as bad as his parents, never letting him do anything."

"At least you got to see him, though," Chiori said. "Was it that important he come to the contest?"

Brendan's cheeks became noticeably more red. At Chiori's raised eyebrow, he changed the subject. "Hey, I wonder if that guy's here... Kouta?"

Her attention was instantly diverted. "You know, I didn't see him," she said. With all the excitement, she had forgotten to look for him. Obviously he had to work, or he would have sought her out after the show.

And Laurel would have been at his side instantly. No wonder she had been so perturbed. Chiori couldn't hide her pleased smile.