CHAPTER 101

We were recognized almost instantly.

Eterna city didn’t have a bustling nightlife like Jubilife and Sunyshore, so I expected to at least make it to the Pokemon Center before kicking up a fuss.

I had obviously been wrong. We were still on the city’s outskirts. The less-dense parts of Eterna were mostly filled with expensive family homes from its last expansion a few years ago, but it was the weekend, so some people were still out and about, either driving or walking back home from a night out in the city. At first, there were only whispers. A couple, walking arm in arm, clearly drunk, doing a double-take when walking past us, then saying they must have gotten the wrong people. That there was no way we’d be back here already. A car slowing down next to us, and the driver not so discreetly staring at us after lowering his window, causing us to hurriedly turn our faces away from him. But those were manageable. After all, they didn’t actually stop us or talk to us.

“Hooooly shit!” A trainer yelled. He had a Starly comfortably sitting on his head, and the dim, warm street lights shone on his face. “Is that— that is you! Three of the four first-year prodigies! Ricky, wake up!”

The trainer— who was clearly a first year like us— lifted a hand and tapped his Starly’s side, and the bird lazily opened a single eye before going back to sleep, evidently uninterested in us.

“Can I get a picture with all of you?” He asked, his voice trembling with excitement. He turned toward me with a look of childlike wonder. “The way you took down that Darmanitan was awesome. I’ve rewatched your battle at least a hundred times!”

“S—sure,” I nodded after taking a deep breath. This was just one trainer, so I was relatively fine, but the fact that I had fans was mindboggling to me. “That should be fine, right?” I asked, turning to the others.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Denzel smiled.

“Wait! There’s a risk that the others will see it, and it’ll ruin the surprise,” Cece said.

“Right! Please don’t upload it anywhere until tomorrow,” Denzel said.

“I won’t, I promise!” The trainer smiled.

He was my age, but something about him was so… innocent in a way I couldn’t explain. It made him feel younger than I was, somehow. He grabbed his phone, and we smiled for his selfie before going on our way. People were talking loudly about us now, and we had to stop a few more times to take group pictures.

“Let’s not do any more stops,” Cece sighed. “We’re only ten minutes away from the Center, and it’d be a miracle if no one’s posted about us online or on the forums already, despite us asking not to.”

“They should be partying, I doubt that they’ll be browsing the internet,” I said. My throat felt dry, and I was sweating buckets now that actual large groups were coming up to us. I really hated this. I could understand why Craig’s sister kept a low profile perfectly now, but that path was already barred. Once I took one step toward fame— even though it was against my will— there was no way to turn back.

“Can’t be a party without me,” Denzel chuckled, waving toward a group of teen girls that squealed at him. It was like a scene out of a shitty romance movie.

“You sure are taking well to your new situation,” Cece remarked.

“Well, this is the kind of stuff I’ve been dreaming about for years, so I might let it get to my head a little,” he shrugged.

“I just want to get in a room already…” I grumbled.

“You’re doing well, don’t worry,” Cece smiled.

Denzel perked up. “That’s right! You could be throwing up, or crying, or freezing up—”

“Not. Helping,” I interrupted. I took a relieved breath when I saw that the Center was finally in view, the warm glow of the building offering me much-needed comfort. My steps grew larger and faster.

Obviously, that had been foolish of me, because when we entered the Center, we were swarmed by a horde of trainers and reporters who had seemingly gotten wind that we were here and guessed that we were going where our friends had been staying.

“Please, a moment—”

“How did you all get here so fast—”

“Can I get a picture? My friends will never believe me—”

“Do we have time for a quick interview—”

The bright lights of the camera flashes, the loud voices speaking over each other and the squeeze of pushing through a sea of people all made me clam up, but Cece and Denzel helped me through.

“Please, let them through!” Nurse Joy yelled. The place was so full that we couldn’t even get past the lobby. She released a Chansey, who stared daggers at us. “Let them through, or I’ll have Chansey evacuate the premises!” She yelled furiously.

It was as if hell had frozen over. The room was completely silent, and everyone turned toward Nurse Joy. Nurse Joys were one of the most accommodating, nice group of people on the planet, and they had to be. It was one of the most difficult jobs in existence. Long shifts, having to give up your identity for hours at a time, taking care of abrasive young trainers and their Pokemon, seeing children and Pokemon die… the list could go on and on. So the fact that a Nurse Joy had just angrily screamed was not lost on everyone, and we were finally let through.

“Arceus, that was awful,” I sighed as we stepped into the elevator, thankfully alone.

“Yeah, people can get a bit pushy,” Denzel awkwardly said. “But hey, turn that frown upside down. We’re meeting everyone after so long!”

“Right,” I smiled.

We reached Pauline’s room and put an ear to the door.

“Shit, they’re not celebrating at hers. Maybe Louis’?” Denzel said.

“That’d make sense, he always hosts the parties,” Cecilia excitedly nodded.

We moved on to Louis’ room, practically breaking into a run. I placed my ear on the door and heard muffled voices and music.

“Who wants to do the honors?” I whispered.

“Cece should,” Denzel said, nodding toward the door.

Her hand hovered over the door for a few seconds, and then she finally knocked. I could almost hear Pauline complaining through the door, and Justin trying to hold her back through the door. We all stood up straight, waiting for her to open it.

Pauline burst through the door. “Not during my birthday, you ass— Wh— what?”

Pokemon Center rooms were small, so everyone got a good look at us right away, and they were speechless. They weren’t even moving.

“Surprise?” Denzel hesitantly said. “Happy birth— woah!”

Pauline rammed against him and grabbed all of us, bringing us into a tight hug. Finally out of their stupor, the others ran toward us and did the same. I was being held so tightly I struggled to breathe, and I felt tears stream down my face. We were back. We were finally back, after so long.

“How did you— how did you even get here this fast?” Justin stammered. “There’s no way you could walk—”

“We flew on Craig Goodwill’s Salamence,” Cece explained.

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Emilia’s eyes bulged. “Craig Goodwill’s Salamence? You know him?”

“We’re on pretty good terms,” Denzel boasted. “Took us three days to get there, just in time for your birthday, Pauline.”

“Happy birthday!” Cece and I both said.

“You guys are so stupid!” She cried. “You could have warned us!”

“Well, it’s not a surprise if we do that,” Denzel chuckled. “We don’t exactly have a gift for you—”

“We’re the gift,” I said.

“I was getting there! You joke thief.”

We closed the door, and they welcomed us in. The room felt packed with so many people, but that was perfectly fine. We took off our coats and bags before sitting on Louis’ bed, and he handed us some drinks.

“I still can’t believe it,” he said with a dumbfounded smile. “We have so much to catch up on.”

“And a lot to plan,” I added. “Sorry, I just feel like zipping away from the city as fast as I can, if possible?”

“Still as bad with fame as you were, huh?” Pauline teased. “We can talk about leaving tomorrow.”

“Don’t act all tough, you were crying like a baby five minutes ago,” I retorted.

“So were you! Anyway, um, we didn’t really plan enough food for three extra people, but feel free to take anything you want. You must be hungry after traveling.”

Different kinds of chips were laid out on Louis’ desk, along with a half-eaten strawberry cake.

“I’m surprised you’re this down to earth on birthday food,” Denzel said. “This feels so normal, I was kind of expecting a giant, layered cake.”

“Right? Like a wedding cake!” I laughed.

“Pauline’s always been cheap with food,” Emilia sighed. “She insisted on eating these unhealthy snacks.”

“A girl after my own heart,” I said proudly as I stood up to grab some food.

“You’re taking a whole lot…” Justin remarked.

“I’m a growing girl,” I said as I stuffed my mouth with chips. “I haven’t eaten these in ages.”

“Please don’t speak while you’re chewing,” he chuckled. “Louis, do we have anything else in your fridge?”

“Some leftovers from yesterday’s cafeteria food that I took with me—”

“Nevermind.”

“Come on, Cafeteria food isn’t bad,” Denzel said.

“Or at least not bad enough to elicit such a reaction from Justin,” Cece added.

“They make some awesome hashbrowns up in Snowpoint. You guys were missing out,” I shrugged.

We somehow ended up having an unhinged debate about how Pokemon Center food was either disgusting or at least passable. Unsurprisingly, Denzel and I were on the passable camp, although if there was one, I’d be on the ‘good’ team.

“Pauline… you traitor,” Denzel said.

“I’m sorry, that purée is really bad,” She said, crossing her arms.

“Don’t call it purée, you snob,” he rolled his eyes. “It’s mashed potatoes, and it doesn’t taste nearly as bad as you make it out to be.”

Emilia lifted a hand. “Actually, purée is different than mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes have a rougher texture, and purée is smooth—”

I placed my head in my hands. “Please, let’s not discuss the definition of different potato dishes.”

“But she’s correct—”

“Justin… think of those poor cooks coming in every day to make food for you ingrates,” Denzel sighed, clearly sarcastically.

“Okay, enough about food!” Louis groaned. “The fact of the matter is, they prioritize quantity over quality, which makes sense. Let’s just please talk about something else.”

“Like that Larvitar you caught, Grace,” Pauline said in an accusing tone.

“Right, you did catch one. I assume you got it in Mount Coronet?” Louis asked.

“Her,” I corrected him. “And I did, but she’s still just a baby.”

“I’m so jealous,” Pauline said. “A Tyranitar would fit me so perfectly…”

“Come to think of it, it would,” Cece said. “They’re famously angry and vicious all the time.”

“Don’t be so smug,” Pauline responded. “Anyway, I’m surprised you didn’t tell us you caught her.”

“More like disappointed,” Emilia said.

“I’m sorry, it must have slipped my mind,” I apologized. “Honestly, I was kind of hyper focused on getting ready for my battle, and then the fact that I owned a Larvitar got leaked anyway, thanks to this guy,” I said, hitting Denzel’s shoulder.

“Ow! What the hell?! When we were in Snowpoint, you said it was both of our faults, and now you’re blaming me?!”

“Come on, take a joke,” I laughed. “I’m going to start training her when we get back on the road, but right now, she’s not a battler.”

“Pauline, why don’t you tell them what you found as the next member of your team?” Justin asked.

The girl hummed. “Fine. It’s a Rufflet.”

“Holy shit, it does fit you!” Denzel grinned. “A Braviary? That’s perfect.”

“I have standards,” she huffed. “Why do you think I waited so long to catch a third?”

“If you keep up those standards, you’ll end up with three Pokemon by the end of the year,” Cece joked.

“Damn, you’re a lot more playful these days,” Pauline smiled. “You’ve changed a lot.”

“Agreed,” Justin said. “It’s like you’re happier— I suppose the fact that your father’s been having a terrible few weeks adds to that.”

Cece shot me a quick look but then nodded. We were going to have to do the big reveal, probably tomorrow. “I’ve heard that he’s been desperately trying to contact me, but I’ll let Clarence stew in his own mess,” she said. “I had plenty of money in my account, so I won’t have to change my lifestyle that much.”

Louis gave her a tight nod. “The rest of our parents haven’t cut off the money— probably because they know it’d reflect badly on them. My father’s already under fire for raising prices.”

“He’s still negotiating with the Directorate for a bailout. He’s been having to sell more and more shares,” Emilia explained.

“Right, and I heard that he’s also been asking for lower interest rates,” Cece said. “Clarence has been doing the same thing with Unova’s government. It doesn’t matter. Even though I wish the company would fail, I always knew it was an unrealistic expectation, and I know I haven’t seen the last of him. All I care about now is being free, getting strong enough to keep that freedom, and fulfilling my promise at the end of the year.”

Justin raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been talking about this promise for a while,” he started. “Could you tell us what it is?”

“Right,” Louis nodded. “In Floaroma, Eterna forest, during your gym battle in Snowpoint, and now here?”

“I suppose I will. It was after the… events at Valley Windworks,” Cecilia said, looking at me. She then turned to the others. “Do you remember when Cynthia came to my hospital room?”

“Right, she did,” Emilia said.

“She talked to me about a lot of things that opened up my path to freedom, but she also challenged me.”

I almost choked on my chips. “Challenged you?”

“She asked me to win the Conference, beat the Elite Four, and meet her in battle,” she firmly said. “I remember her words like it was yesterday,” she said with a glimmer in her eyes. “I personally challenge you. Don’t disappoint me. That’s what she told me, word for word.”

“Arceus…” Denzel muttered.

So Cynthia had also seen Cece that day and challenged her? That was probably why Cece was still as driven as before she had finally been freed from her father. Cynthia’s challenge was the goal that kept her going.

“So there you have it,” Cece said. Then suddenly, her eyes burned, and she looked at me. “That’s why I’m going to win this year.”

“We’ll see about that,” I said, smiling at her. “But hey, no matter what happens, no hard feelings, right?”

She agreed immediately. “No hard feelings.”

“I’m feeling left out,” Denzel complained.

I playfully slapped his back. “Oh shut up, you big baby. You’re obviously included in the no hard feelings pact. Everyone is.”

Suddenly, there was only silence, but thankfully, Emilia came to the rescue.

“Guys, thinking about it, we never told you what we all got for Pauline,” she smiled.

“The worst gifts of all time,” the redhead said. “Except Emi’s, of course.”

“I’m not getting you anything next year,” Louis said. “You complain too much.”

“I mean, come on, Louis, Jewelry is so basic! Try a little bit harder. I know you just gave me that bracelet because you didn’t know what else to buy.”

He awkwardly scratched his cheek.

“See? And Justin, a book about starting my own business? Are you sure you don’t want it back, because that seems like something you’d enjoy much more than me.”

“I’ve already read it multiple times, and I think it can benefit anyone, which is why I wanted to give it to you—”

“Yuck. At least Emi got me something good.”

“What’d she get ya?” Denzel asked.

“Money and a birthday card with a nice message on it.”

“M—money?” Denzel stammered. “Don’t you have that already? In ridiculous quantities?”

“Yeah, but if someone gives me money, I can buy myself whatever I want, and it’s not my money, so it still feels like a gift,” she shrugged, before hugging Emilia. “Thank you, Emi, you’re the best.”

“If I’m the best, will you do something for me?”

“Anything.”

“Will you be nicer the next time someone gets you a gift?”

“Okay, you’re asking for a lot here.”

We partied deep into the night, but eventually, it was time to go to sleep. I bid everyone goodnight before leaving. Emilia was barely awake, dozing off on Louis’ bed. Justin and Louis were talking with Cece about something business-related that I was nowhere near smart enough to understand. Pauline and Denzel, meanwhile, were leaning against the open window and had somehow launched into a conversation about if chess was a game, and I quote, for ‘smug smart asses’ or not. I shot Cece a look, signaling to her that I was going to be the first to leave, and she stood up.

“I’ll bring Grace downstairs so that we can book a room,” she said. “Don’t forget to book a room, Denzel!”

He turned our way. “Yeah, worst-case scenario, I’ll just go crash at Justin’s.”

“Old habits die hard,” Pauline smiled.

We left, and when we entered the elevator, Cece gripped my hand.

“Arceus, it hurts to pretend just to be friends,” she sighed.

“It does,” I agreed. “But was it that different?”

“Obviously. With the trip with Craig, I haven’t kissed you in too long.”

“Well, one quick elevator kiss wouldn’t hurt, or maybe you can come back to my room—”

“No, it’s too risky,” she sighed. “What if someone sees me get in or come out? No. We’ll tell everyone tomorrow, right after we make plans to leave Eterna.”

“I think you’re being too anxious about it. It could just be a friendly sleepover. Plus, Louis will be fine with us.”

“I don’t know, Grace,” she said. “I like him, and he’s a friend, but I can see it in his eyes. He still isn’t over me.”

“But he’s given up on you.”

“Right, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love me anymore,” Cece said. “Love can make someone do foolish things. He might have been okay with me finally coming clean about not loving him back, but if he knows I’m dating someone else? He might—”

The doors opened, and we immediately stopped talking. Thankfully, this late at night, people were no longer waiting for us, but we didn’t want to accidentally leak something. Not when we were so close from telling the truth. It wasn’t like we were doing anything bad, of course. We weren’t under that impression at all, but feelings were a fickle thing. It was best to be gentle about this. We booked two different rooms and bid each other goodnight.

Even though I felt anxious, tomorrow could not come soon enough.