CHAPTER 112

I stared back into the taxi as my friends groaned and complained about being squeezed together so much. I had suggested taking the bus, but Pauline had been adamant about being driven to where Emilia was staying because it’d take less time, and she missed her a lot. It was true that they hadn’t been apart in a long while, so now that they were so close, she was probably incapable of waiting any longer. Due to my burns, they let me sit in the front seat so that I could have ample space and no one would rub on my bandages. The entire left side of my body still felt like a pain factory, but it was slowly improving. According to my doctors, though, the burns were healing wrong, so they’d leave marks. So much for hoping that those second-degree burns would just fade away.

I didn’t care too much. I didn’t. I didn’t…

Damn it, I hated it. I had kept my spirits up and focused on healing, but every time I changed my bandages, and I stared at myself? At those rough, red blotches on my skin all along my side, neck, and face?

I fucking hated it. I felt tainted. But every action had a price, and even though I considered the hefty price I had paid for Turtonator worth it, the decision still weighed on me.

And Legendaries, it felt heavy.

“That’s the Center,” Pauline told the driver as she pointed toward our right.

I hadn’t been in Hearthome long, but I already felt more comfortable here than I had in any other city since leaving Jubilife. The skyscrapers, the bustling streets and the dense, tightly packed blocks reminded me of home, but there were some older buildings sprinkled in as well. Dad had come here a few times in his youth, but it was my first time there. Every time he had taken me on vacation somewhere, it had been Sunyshore or Pastoria for the beaches. He was worried sick about me, and Cecilia had expertly skirted along the fact that everything had happened because of a decision I alone took. Recovering enough to travel hadn’t taken as long as I thought, so he was supposed to arrive in two days. He’d probably end up extending his stay for as long as I was here, though. He had saved up a lot of paid leave.

I sighed when I heard someone behind me say something, but I didn’t manage to hear. I turned to ask what had been said, but everyone was already out of the car.

It’d be weird to bring it back up now, wouldn’t it? I made sure to turn my head slightly to the left so that I could hear properly.

“Thank you, keep the change,” Justin told the driver. He looked up at Denzel. “So what now? Should we surprise Emi like you did to us?”

“Wouldn’t work, she already knows we’re here because someone has a big mouth,” he said in an accusatory tone as he stared daggers at Pauline.

“Did you call her?” Cecilia asked.

“I texted her in the car. Now let’s go,” she said excitedly.

Cece turned toward me. “Are you alright? You seem shaken.”

I nodded, but pulled her to the side when everyone walked toward the Center’s entrance.

“I’ll tell you later tonight. I don’t want to ruin things.”

“Okay.”

I sighed. I’d probably call Amanda again too, which was a shame. Sure, I’d be happy to talk to her again, but it was discouraging to think that I might need therapy again after freeing myself from Mars’ hold on me. And for what? Because I thought some scars were ugly on me?

How immature could I be?

But there was another reason. Something that was hidden deep within me that I didn’t want to acknowledge or confront.

“Emi!” Pauline squealed. The chestnut-haired girl had already been waiting for us in the lobby. Pauline dropped her backpack, dashed through the room, and hugged her best friend so hard that I thought she’d suffocate her. “Oh, Arceus, I missed you so much!”

“We talked on the phone…” Emilia said, but she couldn’t help but smile and hug her back. She went through all of us and embraced us one by one, although she was noticeably softer on me in order not to hurt me. “Grace, how are you?”

“It hurts really badly, but I’m better than I was yesterday and the day before that, so I’ll call that a win,” I said. “I missed you.”

“We all did!” Denzel laughed.

“You guys are the ones to talk! I never felt as alone as I did during those weeks on my own in the city,” she said.

“I hope you kept your promise,” Pauline said in a threatening tone.

“I did! I made a coordinator friend. His name’s Vincent. He’s a little straightforward, but he’s got a good heart, I think.”

“You think?” Cecilia asked.

“Well, yes, but that’s beside the point. You can meet him another day. Go book your rooms, and then we can celebrate. I bought a whole bunch of snacks… low quality, just for you,” she told Pauline.

“Grace enjoys those too,” Pauline shrugged.

“I’ll pass, I need to go do something first.”

Denzel stared at me. “Are you alright?”

“What? Can’t I pass on food for once?” I groaned.

“No, no, you can, it’s just… you just never do.”

“Today’s a bit special. Anyway, let’s get this over with.”

We booked our rooms, and my friends gave their Pokemon to Nurse Joy. I didn’t give mine. I’d need them for later, and they hadn't fought on the route because I hadn't been able to focus on training. I bid the group goodbye as I walked out of the Pokemon Center and hopped onto a bus. I would have taken a taxi, but I couldn’t really waste money on those, especially when public transport was free for trainers. Plus, feeding a Pokemon as large as Turtonator was going to cost an arm and a leg. The cost of just traveling and maintaining my team was starting to add up, and I was going to start losing money faster than I was making it. Right now, I had nine-thousand Pokedollars on me, and most of that came from Candice’s prize money.

Food was the most expensive thing on my list. Oran berries went for ten Pokedollars a piece, so they were relatively cheap, and they were the only thing Togetic ate anyway, since she was a picky eater. Mago berries, meanwhile, cost forty each, but Frillish didn’t really need to eat, so I only bought them occasionally. Tangrowth could feed himself through photosynthesis, so even though he loved every single food, he didn’t eat every day. The real money sinks were Larvitar and Electabuzz. Electabuzz ate Pokemon kibble. Pellets of food with all the nutrients an omnivore like him would need, but he was big— almost as tall as I was— and he certainly ate more than me. A single pack could cost hundreds of pokedollars depending on the brand, which I hadn’t settled on yet, but at least they lasted a while. Then there was Larvitar, who ate the most out of all my Pokemon, despite her small size. She ate a mix of berries and kibble every day, and sometimes, she’d snack on some dirt she’d find on the routes too.

Still, I managed to keep my money carefully balanced, which obviously meant I couldn’t exactly save up for anything. That was until Turtonator came into the picture. Now that I’d need to start feeding him too, I was going to end up broke soon. Of course, my friends would no doubt help me out if I asked, but I wanted to solve this myself. I relied on them too much as is.

And there was a very easy way to solve it now that I was in Hearthome. But later.

Obviously, there was the human cost to add to the equation as well. Food, supplies, medicine, new blankets… things could add up really quickly.

I had to switch buses five times to get to the edge of Hearthome. Their public transport lines were nowhere as efficient as Jubilife’s, but I’d deal. Next time, I’d try to take the subway.

I walked back onto route 208 and released all my Pokemon aside from Turtonator. I had considered going to Amity Square for this, since it was a well-known spot for trainers and coordinators alike to hang out with their teams, but there would have been too many people around. Brockhouse’s warning was still clear in my mind. One mistake, and Turtonator would be taken away from me.

That meant that the price I had paid would be meaningless. I looked at my Pokemon one by one. Electabuzz crossed his arm and looked into my eyes attentively while Larvitar stood at his feet, imitating him. Tangrowth caressed the right side of my face gently with a vine, carefully avoiding my burns, and Frillish offered me a short nod. I could tell that he was nervous, as he had been recently. I believed he was blaming himself for what had happened to me even though I had told him it wasn’t his fault. No water type of our level was ever standing up to Turtonator, and I alone had taken the decision to engage him. It was on me, and not anyone else.

“Prrrrri…”

“Hey princess,” I smiled. “I know you like cities, but we’ve got to do something first.”

“Ele.”

“Right. Turtonator,” I said, nodding firmly. “You know I’m usually good at predicting things, and I've had a week to think about this, so I have… I have a good idea of how he’ll react, but I could be wrong. If he attacks, I’ll just recall him, so you aren’t there to fight. We’d lose anyway.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

I heard Larvitar protest and chuckled. “Yes, even you sweetheart. You’re here to see if you can figure out what he’s thinking. The goal today is just making sure we can at least converse, so don’t do anything rash. Frillish?”

The water type’s eyes dimmed.

“Tone down some of your hatred, bud. I can feel it, and it’s not even directed at me,” I sighed. “Can you forgive him or not?”

He thought for a few seconds, and then didn’t answer.

“You don’t know yet. That’s fine, that’s better than a no,” I said with a slight smile. “You know how I feel about my scars, don’t you?”

“Fri…”

“I hate them. I wish they’d disappear, and I hoped that they would, but they won’t. And yet, I can’t bring myself to hate Turtonator. So please, try your hardest.”

He gave me a reluctant nod, and Tangrowth patted him on the head.

I took a deep breath and grabbed Turtonator’s Pokeball. “Here goes nothing.”

I released the dragon type far away enough from us so that he wouldn’t be able to kill me immediately, but not far enough for him to feel isolated. He lifted his head and stared at the sky and then at us. He took a step forward, and grass started to burn under his feet.

“Hi,” I said, standing my ground. I hadn’t interacted with him that much, but I knew that every interaction with the dragon type this early in the relationship was a test. I could not appear afraid, but I couldn't hurt his pride too badly, either. “I kept my promise. Got you out of the cave.”

Turtonator growled and took another step toward me.

“It’s been a few days since you were out,” I continued. “But if you show me that you aren’t dangerous to people, I’ll be able to keep you out more often. I’d like that.”

He kept walking, raising the temperature to an uncomfortable degree. My Pokemon stepped in front of me and got ready to attack, but I stopped them with a word. Turtonator loomed over me, staring down at me like a bug. There was no respect behind that gaze. Just contempt. I was nothing to him.

And he wanted me to know it. I looked up at Turtonator and gave him a tired smile. His eye twitched.

“What’s wrong? Not the reaction you were expecting?” I asked. “What did you think I’d do? Run away in fear? Collapse and cry, maybe? Order my team to attack? Badmouth you?”

The dragon snorted, blowing a few plumes of smoke into my face.

“See? You could have made that burn me or poison me, but you didn’t,” I said. “It just smells bad—”

Frillish couldn’t take it anymore, and he spat out a Water Pulse at him, but Turtonator just snorted and brushed off the attack like it was nothing. Seemingly satisfied with himself, as if he had just proven something, the dragon type turned around and left.

He hadn’t expected me to recall Frillish and follow him.

“Sorry about buddy, he can’t stand you for what you’ve done to me,” I said, pointing at my face. “I've personally forgiven you, but that’s beside the point. I know what you’re trying to do, Turtonator.”

The turtle stopped in his tracks and snorted spitefully. The temperature started to rise even faster. I needed to be quick.

“You’re trying to be unbearable so that I release you. You could kill me, I suppose, but you’re too honorable for that. I brought you out of the cave. I saved you. So you won’t hurt or kill me. You’ll just act like a child and hope that I grow tired of you. I will not.”

Turtonator roared in protest, dismissing my words, and the heat was starting to get unbearable now. I grabbed his Pokeball.

“I was right on the money, wasn’t I? I tend to be. I will learn to love you, Turtonator, and you will as well, whether you like it or not. I will not berate you. I will treat you with kindness, and when you are ready to talk to someone about how awful you feel about your Kamaile’s passing, I will be there.”

I recalled him and almost collapsed on my knees. Tangrowth quickly stopped me from falling, and Togetic flew at me. Her eyes were wrought with worry, and so were everyone else’s.

“Whew, that was close,” I exhaled before smiling. “He was holding back like I thought he’d be, but the heat still almost made me pass out.”

Turtonator had made it as hot as it would be in a scorching desert, not hot enough to burn me, and I appreciated that greatly.

“Think you can convince your big brother to calm down, princess?” I asked. “He’s always had a soft spot for you.”

“Toge!” She smiled.

“Thanks. I’ll release him now. He must be worried sick.”

And worried sick, he was. He placed his tentacles on my shoulders and started scolding me. This was the most vocal I’d ever seen him. Togetic tried cheering him up, but even that wasn't working.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I know you meant well, but the situation could have gone to shit if you gave Turtonator an excuse to attack. He won’t kill me, but he could certainly attack any of you if he was angered enough. I couldn’t take that risk.”

“Fri…! Frillish!”

“Look at you,” I smiled. “You’re usually all calm and collected, and now you’re acting all scared.”

Frillish’s eyes glinted, and he frowned at me.

“I… I know this isn’t a joke, buddy. I know there are consequences if things go wrong. I know. Just… trust me on this. If we come at Turtonator from an aggressive angle, no one will benefit. Look at honey. He hates Turtonator’s guts.”

Electabuzz jumped in surprise, and then he awkwardly scratched his head.

“Don’t think I can’t tell,” I said. “I’ve got eyes at the back of my head! But yeah, he hates him, I mean, he had to travel with a broken hand for days because of him, but he’s trying. So please try. For me.”

He huffed, nodding reluctantly, and I wrapped an arm around him, bringing his face against mine.

“Thank you. I know you’re doing it because you love me. I love you too,” I said softly. “Now, let’s head back.”

——

I knocked on Emilia’s door and was let in. Everyone was partying and having a good time, but I personally found loud spaces to be annoying now that the hearing disparity in my ears was so large. It got distracting very quickly.

“Grace, where were you?” Emilia asked. “I can’t believe you’d miss your welcome party. Do you want anything?”

“I was busy. Team meeting,” I said. “I promise I’ll stay longer next time! Forgive me?”

“Hmph. Fine. I want to spend as long as I can with you guys now that we’re… almost all back together,” she said.

I walked up to Cece, who led me to sit on her lap. “We’ll be staying here for a while. It’s only the first day,” she said as she wrapped her hands around me, carefully avoiding pressing too hard on my burns.

“Good!” She beamed. “Plus, I want you all to be there for my first performance.”

We all gasped. Pauline sprung up with a huge smile. “Emi, did you—”

“Yes, I signed up! It’s in a week and a half, and it’s not a grand contests, so there’s no ribbon to be won, but Vincent convinced me to join with him. It’s only his third contest.”

“Okay, now I’ve got to meet this Vincent guy and give him my thanks,” Pauline smugly said. “He’s been doing my job for me!”

“Don’t get too full of yourself,” Denzel chimed in. “Emilia’s the one who took the final decision. Give her some credit.”

“Right?” She said, angrily putting her hands on her hips. “Thank you, Denzel. Anyway, I’m super nervous, but I’m also so excited I can barely sit still.”

“I’m sure you’ll do well,” Justin smiled. “I’m excited to see another contest after so long.”

“So am I,” I said. “But aren’t experienced coordinators going to join?”

“Probably,” Emilia deflated. “But that’s the luck of the draw.”

“Now that, right there? That’s bullshit,” Denzel scoffed. “There should be rules for that. Like different leagues for coordinators at different skill levels so that the most experienced ones don’t just roll over the competition.”

“That would make sense,” Cecilia nodded. “Ever since you explained how contests worked to us, I’ve found the fact that there wasn’t such a system in place strange.”

“You aren’t the first ones to ask for one,” Emilia quickly responded. “I mean, it feels like a common sense reform, right? But the Contest Committee’s already shut down the idea multiple times.”

“Sounds like bullshit to me,” Pauline hissed. “The Contest Committee’s probably run by a bunch of out-of-touch old men anyway.”

“Well, they make the decisions, so I can’t do anything about it.”

“What if you become super good?” I asked. “Won’t you have influence with the big shots?”

“I would, but obviously coordinators at the top would rather keep the status quo. It benefits them, after all,” Emilia said.

“Right, I should have thought of that.”

“Well, Emilia isn’t like that,” Justin said.

“Right. Maybe if she gets to the top, she can bring change to the system. Makes for a good goal, don’t you think?” Denzel asked.

“I’m not a big dreamer like you lot,” she shrugged. “Right now, I’m focused on my performance coming up.”

“Fine…” he grumbled. “But do know that goals make you improve faster.”

“Goals can be small,” Cecilia said.

“Okay, you win.”

We kept partying for a few hours, and Cece kept me company most of the time, and we spoke about everything, but the conversation of course often steered back toward Pokemon battling and training, as it often did when two trainers interacted. We decided that we’d wait for Chase to arrive before battling Fantina so that we could do our big double battle without revealing anything that we had been working on. We were giving him a week to at least give us any signs of life.

I sure hoped he was alright.

Pauline and Justin were going to sign up tomorrow, however, so they’d battle far before we did.

“Denzel,” I called out. He was browsing his phone— probably the forums. “You busy?”

“Nah, just messaging some girl,” he whispered.

“Ohhhh,” I teased. “Do I know her? What’s her name?”

“You don’t know her, and her name’s Caitlyn. I met her while I was gathering information about Turtonator. And it’s not like that, she was just telling me she made it through the mountain alright.”

“Fine. Killjoy,” I pouted. “Come with.”

He raised an eyebrow, but followed me anyway, and after telling our friends we were leaving, I led him to my room.

“What are we doing?” He asked. “Please don’t ask me to watch some shit movie again, I beg of you.”

“They’re good because they’re shit,” I laughed. “But no. We need money, don’t we?”

“Yeah, obviously. What’s your point?”

“Well, let’s start looking at sponsors then.”

Denzel grinned. “Finally. I thought you’d never ask.”