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After their failure in reaching the Kanto region through land and the conflict with the maniac twins, Niel hurried to get as far away as he could from New Bark Town.
Avoiding the main path, the group crossed the surrounding forest till they reached Violet City.
The forest was full of angry wild pokémon that really rate when you invaded their territory. Zorua and Growlithe led the way, easily cleaning the path wherever they passed. Cyndaquil was another story.
The new born pokémon had no previous fighting experience and, in the beginning, had trouble defeating even fouls clearly weaker than him. He tended to get overly excited and repeatedly missed his hits, leaving openings for counterattacks.
Niel was starting to get really concerned with the pokémon, but he eventually showed his growth. The small pokémon was still having trouble with the fights, but he was increasingly getting more control of his body and flames. He even learned new techniques and moves by observing the other two battling.
In fact, for a pokémon training for just a few days his progress was quite impressive. But Niel still questioned himself if he made the correct choice in bringing him with them.
The fire pokémon probably could get a better trainer if he had stayed in the laboratory. One that doesn’t have a serial killer in his trail, for example. But this is past now. Cyndaquil didn’t show any signs of wanting to leave the group, and Niel wouldn’t forcibly abandon him now.
Those were his thoughts as the group passed through the gate leading to Violet City.
Before leaving the forest, he called Cyndaquil and Growlithe to their pokéballs. Zorua transformed itself into a Pidgey perching on the trainer’s shoulder. Zoruas were rare pokémon, even more in that region, and the last thing they wanted was to drive attention.
Violet City was a small and cozy village.
A big crystal lake took over almost half of the landscape. A bridge crossing it led to the Sprout Tower, a wobbling building managed for sages that trained and teached trainers and pokémon on the path of cooperation and harmony. Very inspiring, but Niel didn’t have any plans to visit them.
Not that he had an actual plan. Not a long-term one at least.
Johto was a minefield. Staying in the region was a matter of when his father would find him not an if. Kanto was still risky, but there he had a chance.
But his father also knew that.
Because of the mess with the twins and Cyndaquil he lost his window of opportunity and, by now, his father would have certainly surrounded all the passage routes from Johto to Kanto.
He needed to find an alternative and quick. Maybe he could find a way to get to Unova. Zorua would love to know his origin region. Or Alola, he heard they got awesome beaches.
Great, now he was just being delusional.
Not knowing his next steps were making him anxious and that was dangerous. He couldn’t afford to make a mistake. Not with his pokémon’s lives on the line.
Trying to ignore his fears for now, Niel headed to the Poké Mart. Focus on the present, simple steps. He will buy a new bag, new supplies and then head to the farthest city possible while he thinks on a better plan.
Paying for his things on the checkout his attention was caught by the news being exhibited in the small television at his right. It was showing the latest news and, hearing about the “missing Cyndaquil”, Niel listened attentively with his head bowed, waiting for any mention of himself.
He was surprised when the reporter didn’t say anything about him. Not a name, or a composite sketch, nothing but a vague mention of a “Ville pokémon thief”. He let the tension leave his body.
After the accident on New Bark he noticed the missing ID on his reaped bag and was too apprehensive to go back to look for it. So, besides being cautelous of another incident, the boy was also terrified of the idea of his face getting in the news. He’s happy for not being the case, it will make it easier for him to move on.
He left the store ready to leave the town when a red light flashed from his belt and Cyndaquil was released with a cry.
“Cyndaquil?” He barely managed to say before the small pokémon bolted to the building besides the Mart. His face went pale when he recognized the logo of the Pokémon Gym. He ran after the reckless pokémon.
Facing the Gym doors he truly considered turning around and left the fire pokémon behind. The thought didn’t hold, he saw the automatic doors opened and he passed through them.
Once inside, he saw Cyndaquil waving at him from atop a lifting platform that took him to the second floor of the building. “What the hell is he thinking?” Neil cursed.
“Your pokémon seems pretty eager for a battle. Looks like Falkner has a tough battle ahead.” laughed the receptionist by his side. Niel frowned at him.
He wanted to deny it and go away. He couldn’t fight a gym leader. Though they are not recorded, it's common for curious people to observe from the stands. And of course, it doesn't matter the results, they would gossip around all day and night about the show. Niel couldn’t have this attention on him.
“Don’t be scared. Falkner is a flying-type trainer so avoid grass and bug-type and you will be all right.” The receptionist kept talking unaware of his internal torment.
He was already inside the gym. Turning back now would be suspicious. Even more, leaving Cyndaquil behind. Any investigation opened for the abandoned pokémon would easily lead the police to the Lab incident and the man already saw his face.
Niel was screwed.
Zorua, still appearing as a pidgey, gently pecked his forehead and flew to the lifting platform which had already returned to their floor. He took a deep breath and followed his pokémon.
—
He could see the blue sky and white clouds between the columns that hold the tower roof. It would be pretty soothing if it wasn’t the racing heart on his chest.
The gym leader, Falkner, was already on the other side of the large pokémon arena. Cyndaquil, the little menace, was already on his side, fire gushing from his back. Niel was in panic.
There were only three people on the bleachers, the leader and a battle judge, but it was enough to make Niel shake. He couldn't stand out. His mother's screams were loud in his mind. Zorua pecked him. He released the breath he was holding.
He was already there. All he needed to do was lose. Maybe put some fight on it, try to defeat Falkner first pokémon. He couldn’t be too strong nor too weak, just another challenger really trying and falling on getting a badge, just one more normal day at a Pokémon Gym. That’s what he needed to pretend.
Cyndaquil was fired up in excitement. Neil was going to wrap his pokéball in duct tape when this was over.
“I’m Falkner, the Violet City Pokémon Gym Leader!” The gym leader begins and Neil half hears, panicking and trying to mentally outline a plan for the battle.
“I’ll show you the real power of the magnificent bird pokémon!” He finished sending Pidgey, his first pokémon, into the arena.
Despite the leader's speech the bird pokémon was actually pretty easy to defeat. Stuck on the ground, Cyndaquil was at disadvantage, but the Pokémon arena wasn't completely flat. Artificial platforms of varying heights were scattered throughout it and the challenger duo made good use of it.
Cyndaquil jumped from platform to platform avoiding Pidgey’s attacks and sending blasts of flames in his direction. As was happening in the forest he missed several shots and was hit back because of it, but with a final precise ember he finished the pokémon before it could do too much damage.
‘That's it!’ Neil thought. Excitement burning in his chest.
Then Noctowl came.
The pokémon was big, strong and, especially, fast. On Neil’s command Cyndaquil tried to repeat his previous movements, but the owl pokémon would always attack him before he could even prepare his flames.
Cyndaquil was tossed around the arena, raising dust and knocking down platforms. If it continued like that the battle wouldn’t last long. Niel trained eyes saw an opening, a way of fighting back and was about to shout when he stopped on its tracks. Cyndaquil was sent flying with a gust of Noctowl wings.
That’s what he wanted right? An easy defeat and a quick way out of that place.
Cyndaquil lay stretched out on the arena floor. Noctowl landed on a high platform, waiting. The Fire-type Pokémon stood up, trembling, refusing to give up.
Neil's heart felt heavy. He felt blood on his mouth and noticed that he was biting his tongue.
Noctowl prepared another attack flying to the other pokémon with glowing wings. Cyndaquil curled up like a ball and unleashed high and scalding flames in all directions. The flying pokémon had to quickly swerve to avoid being cooked.
The gushing fire diminished, but did not stop. The pokémon uncurled and shouted. His cry echoed in the arena. Niel felt his blood burning.
His logical side was screaming to force the pokémon to give up, to avoid the pain, to run. His heart was pounding. He felt the desire, emanating from Cyndaquil and filling his chest, the desire to fight, and to win this damned fight.
“Curl and roll Cyndaquil!” He shouted and the pokémon obeyed. Noctowl was almost landing another attack when he avoided it.
“Use the platforms and don’t stop rolling!” Niel commanded watching Cyndaquil jump from platform to platform. He stumbles, falters and trips, but doesn't stop rolling, recovering and continuing to jump each time faster.
“Noctowl, wing attack, catch him in the air!” Falkner tries seeing his pokémon having more and more difficulty to hit the fireball.
Niel smiles. The adrenalin running in his veins, not by fear, but for something that he dares to call excitement.
“Now! Ember!” Cyndaquil reacts in seconds, hitting the bird squarely who stumbled in flight and crashed down in the arena.
Cyndaquill falls too, landing on his feet. They watch as Noctowl gets up stumbling, burnt feathers showing.
‘Critical’ Neil thought with a wild smile on his face.
“Don’t stop! Smokescreen!” He shouted.
“Disperse the fog with Gust!” Falker didn’t lose his breath.
“Use Ember Cyndaquil!” The mouse pokémon used the opening and sent another blast of flames hitting Noctowl. He still managed to ruin the smoke cover, but the damage made the owl falter.
“We can still fly! Use Gust!” Falkner commanded.
“Use the platforms to avoid it.” Neil said encouraging the pokémon to climb higher and higher. He could see their path to victory, his heart raced so hard that muffled any previous worry. He just needed an opening.
They continued exchanging blows and dodging. Cyndaquil jumping between the high platforms. Neil observed, waiting. Falkner got impatient.
“Let’s finish it! Wing Attack!” He said carelessly.
Neil reacted in a second. “Headbut him into the arena.” Noctowl lost altitude when he attacked and that was his end. Cyndaquil jumped above him, spun in the air and struck the owl with all its might on the back. Fire gushed from his back as they fell and crashed on the hard concrete bellow.
A moment of silence took the arena as everyone waited for the dust to settle. Something moved and a small shadow got up. A jet of flames jolted from Cyndaquil back as he cried loud and victorious.
Niel heard a laugh. It took a moment to notice that it came from himself.
Cyndaquil turned and rushed to his trainer, throwing himself into his arms.
“You were amazing!” the trainer said in awe. A giggle came from Cindaquil and Zorua flew around them celebrating together.
“Well a defeat is a defeat.” Falkner said approaching them. A sour loser huh.
“Take this official Pokémon League Badge. This one is the Zephyr Badge ”
Neil took the hexagonal metal button on his hand, squeezing it. It was cold and made a strange feeling run through him. An intense mix of pride, fear, awe and panic. All fighting in his guts like a flock of butterfrees. Very angry and heavy butterfrees.
“It’s your first badge right? Take this case too. You're gonna need it if you're gonna collect the eight ones.” The battle judge handed it over the small padded case.
“You already know what's your next move?” Falkner asked and Neil’s mouth dried up. No, he didn’t.
“I would suggest Azalea Town. Follow the south road and you shouldn't take long to arrive. The bug-type Gym there won’t be any trouble for you.” He completed and Neil nodded, lost on what to answer.
The adrenalin of the battle was still running hot on his blood. The excitement made him want to run until the next gym to get another dose. He wanted it so badly that it hurts.
Following the Gym Challenge and facing the Elite Four. He never thought of it before. So why is he feeling that way now of all times? Stupid, he needs to get back to his senses.
“Thank you. It’s a good idea.” He lied and turned to go away, holding back to not jolt to the exit.
—
The sky was cloudy, it’s going to rain soon.
After leaving the Gym Neil rushed with his pokémon to the south forest. He ventured into the thicket until he found a clearing where they could set up camp. Now he was lying back on the grass questioning his life while his pokémon played around.
Cyndaquil was on cloud nine. Neil really considered to seal his pokéball for the time being, but Zorua stopped him.
The Zephyr Badge was still pressed hard against his hand, the insignia mark graving on his skin. He didn’t want to look at it, but the feeling was still there. Wishing for a different life was useless, but now he tasted what he could have had and his heart ached with it.
He was tired.
Tomorrow he will think about his next destiny. Right now he would sleep and try to forget about that disastrous day.
The badge was still on his hands. He thought of throwing it away to the wild pokémon. It ended up carefully put inside the Badge Case on his bag.
He curled up under the tent. Lured by the happy cries of the pokémon outside he quickly fell asleep.
Outside the first drops of rain began to fall.