CHAPTER 187

My legs felt light. Each step was easier than the last as I ran toward the gate to route 215. The warmth and happiness I felt overtook the frigid temperatures, spreading from my heart throughout my entire body. They were here! I was going to see Cecilia, Denzel, and Pauline again after so long. All of the guilt I felt toward dropping everything at the last minute for this was slowly washing off my skin the closer I got to the gate. There had never been any doubt.

We'll be waiting at the gate, Cecilia had sent to the group chat.

I yelled at a taxi before realizing the driver already had a client inside and continued to run. When I stopped for a red light, the fidgets came. Constant anticipation that I couldn't shake off no matter what, and it grew too large to ignore. The Ranger Station I had been questioned in passed me by in a flash, the sentiments of unfairness all but forgotten. I was so close.

"Ah!"

They were there, in the distance, tired but happy. Pauline tapped Cecilia on the shoulder and pointed toward me with a smug smile, and she and Denzel started to wave. Cecilia did not wave. She ran toward me with a limp, nearly tackling me to the ground in the process. She lifted me up into the air, spinning as we laughed for what seemed like an eternity. It was so silly— it had just been slightly under two weeks since I'd seen her, but I was happy beyond words. All the stress of the past few days didn't disappear, but it was lighter now. I knew I'd be able to shoulder more than what I'd been capable of just mere hours ago.

"I missed you," she smiled.

"Hmhm," I nodded, planting a kiss on the corner of her lip. "How was your time on the route? Did you meet, uh—"

"Hatterene?" She asked. "Yes."

"I'll explain soon," I said.

Denzel and Pauline were here now, although they'd given us some space. I wrapped both of them into a big hug.

"Gremlin! Leave it to you to get into some weird ass situations the moment you're off traveling on your own," Pauline said. "You owe us."

"I'm sorry. I did manage to get you safe passage through the route."

"That was a safe passage?" She trembled. "Arceus."

"It wasn't bad," Denzel said. She side-eyed him. "Okay, it was pretty terrifying. How's Veilstone been treating so far, Grace?"

"Stressful and annoying are two words I'd use. I've got a bunch of stuff and obligations… Mira's gone off the rails, Justin still hasn't spoken to us, it's just a lot. Was I the first one to arrive?"

"You were. I didn't think you would run here," Pauline said. "Cece wanted to surprise you like you guys did when you got back to Eterna, but I was against recycling that joke."

"It wasn't a joke," Cecilia said. " And you liked it! You were so happy that you cried."

"I might have."

"You did."

"The real problem was that we had no idea where any of you were and there was no way to find out without seeming too suspicious," Denzel shrugged. "Anyway, everyone's going to show up here, so we can wait if you don't mind?"

"I don't," I shook my head. In all my rush to get here, I hadn't even noticed everyone's messages. The others were all taking a car to get here— and Louis' old driver was at the wheel. The same one who had driven us to Mount Coronet all those months ago. Edward was his name, if I remembered correctly. "You guys won't believe what happened to me yesterday. I battled this guy with seven badges and his Pokemon were incredibly skilled…"

As soon as I named Zachary, Denzel was already looking him up and he noticed that he was also in the LTIP, which was why he'd owned more than six Pokemon before having eight badges. He certainly had the skill and potential to make a great League Trainer, but given his ambitions, I had the inkling that he was mostly in it for the extra money. Pauline and Cecilia were more enthralled by my retelling of the battle, however. The latter seemed particularly interested in him having altered the field to his liking.

To be quite honest, I wouldn't mind a battle against Cecilia or Denzel after I'd practiced the tips Zachary gave me. I kept those for myself, of course, despite feeling bad about it. We were friends, but we were also competitors. If they wanted to improve quickly, they'd have to punch up like I did. Louis' dark limousine arrived just as I was telling them about Chase's narrow loss to Lauren Goodwill.

Emilia's reaction was similar to mine, and with good reason. Unlike me, she'd been apart from her girlfriend for an actually long time. She initiated a kiss, which caught Pauline by surprise and caused her to grin like an idiot. She'd truly come into her own. Denzel looked off to the side with an awkward smile, but then affectionately slapped Louis' back until the man nearly yelped.

"I missed you, my man!" he grinned. "You look happier."

"I am happier," Louis smiled. "Your teachings still carry me a long way during training and Gible's been getting closer to the rest of the team… save for Vulpix."

The two launched into a conversation about the drama in their teams as Mira shot me a look.

"Grace."

"Mira," I responded.

Our relationship was still icy, then. I hadn't been sure if she would keep going with this, but I certainly wasn't going to be the one to apologize first. I was slowly atoning by revealing my changes while she was still off doing Arceus knows what every night when Maeve or Louis couldn't keep an eye on her. Reckless, needless risk.

Cecilia noticed my body tensing and grabbed my hand, but it was only for a moment. Mira soon turned toward the others, but she did not have her mask on today. She was more muted than usual and was content to listen in the background, only chiming in when someone addressed her directly.

"Are there enough spots for all of us in the car?" I asked, leaning into the vehicle.

"It's a limousine, Grace," Pauline snarked. "Obviously there is. Hop in."

I nestled myself deep into the car and was surprised to see it teeming with alcohol. That was probably why they'd been slower than me to arrive when I'd been on foot, besides Edward having to pick up everyone. Unless the alcohol was always there? I didn't even know what kind of alcohol it was other than a few Champagne bottles I recognized because my friends drank way too much, especially when they were almost all underage! Louis served everyone a glass, although I didn't take one and opted for water. Mira also took water.

"A toast to our reunion, however long it may last!" Louis cheered.

"You didn't have to add that last part," Denzel said with a nervous chuckle.

We all raised our glasses and began to drink, and the group divided into smaller conversations. Pauline, Emilia and Louis talked about organizing an impromptu party in one of our Pokemon Center rooms and who would go buy what. Emi had already taken charge of almost everything and the other two were mostly just agreeing with whatever she said. Mira sipped on her water in silence with Maeve there to keep her company and she was slowly cheering up. I hadn't known what had happened to her— probably another fruitless search.

Meanwhile, Cece demanded for me to sit on her lap despite how awkward it made it for her to drink, and Denzel bantered with us while he drank.

"...feels like you two haven't seen each other in years, not two weeks," he joked. "Talk about teenagers in love."

"So what?" Cecilia huffed, tightening her hold on me. "You think it's easy, wait until you start dating someone."

"Not happening. I'm living the single life this year and focusing on myself," he said, pausing shortly. "So, Grace. What the hell was with you and that Hatterene and that Decidueye?"

"Right. What did she do to you guys?" I asked. I knew she'd probably been tough, but fair.

"She sent wild Pokemon to follow us to see how we treated them, then followed us for two days until she talked to our Pokemon to see if we were treating them right, I think," she said. "But then she said that she knew you and to tell you that you had good friends."

My lips twisted upward. Bella approved of them, then. That was good news.

"She sought me out after I spent a night with a group of wild Pokemon…"

I explained most of my journey with Bella, excluding things like her name or the legend that could explain my power to comprehend wild Pokemon. Other than that, I told them everything I'd said to the others, along with the hundreds of Pokemon walking me to the gate as a final goodbye. Needless to say, they were flabbergasted by the end of the story. They'd been so stunned that they hadn't interrupted me at all.

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And I included me being what Bellatrix would consider a halfling because of Togetic. Cece already knew, but Denzel didn't.

"What the fuck," Denzel said after downing his glass. "What the hell. How does that— why didn't you tell me about the fairy stuff?"

I shrunk down slightly. "I thought you'd find me weird or try to find a way to fix me," I sighed. "I know you're disappointed. Sorry."

"I am," he said. "I thought we were best friends. We tell each other about stuff like this. At least I understand what you said about wanting to travel alone for a bit a lot better now. It came out of left field for me before, but I get it now."

"Did you figure out everything you wanted, at least?" Cecilia asked.

"I thought I did, but there's a lot left. I need to figure out a way to balance my two selves. I'm doing an okay job right now, I think."

"I don't think that you're behaving any differently if that's any help," Denzel said. "I mean, the stuff you said. Obsession with prices and things like that, I thought that was just you being weird."

I rolled my eyes. "It isn't weird. It's just different. Thank you for hearing me out, though."

"Thanks for telling me."

"So what did Hatterene say about your teams?" I asked.

"She was tired with mine, I think," he grinned.

"Oh, yeah, yours argue all the time, so that makes sense. She probably thought that they were constantly being too loud. I would have paid to see it!"

But my question had primarily been directed at Cecilia and more precisely, her Scyther. His circumstances hadn't been that different than Bellatrix's, aside from the length of time they'd spent forced to fight against their will and violently trained by their respective trainers. Cecilia stayed silent for a while, so I turned toward her slightly and saw a wave of uncertainty pass on her face.

"I didn't understand it very well, but I think that Scyther decided to stick around," she finally said.

"He gave you a chance, then," I nodded. "Don't squander it, okay?"

She blinked. "I won't."

"Anyway, this entire thing somehow led to me having an interview scheduled at SGNC—"

"Excuse me?!" Denzel yelled.

He downed another glass.

"Yeah, next week Friday. I was actually on my way to begin my training when you guys sent that text, so I'll have to go back tomorrow at six."

"Do you know when it'll be over?" Cece asked. "I wanted to ask you out to dinner."

"I'll probably eat there," I winced. "I owe Melody a lot and this is important, so I can't drop the ball again. Can we go the day after tomorrow?"

"Sure."

"Stop talking about dating plans and talk more about that interview! Arceus, I'm so jealous… argh," he groaned. "I'd give so much to be on that stage!"

"If you could take my place, I'd let you."

"You better take your training seriously! Don't waste your chance. People from all over Sinnoh will be watching," he sternly said.

"Don't talk about work right now," I sighed. "This is only part of it. I've got a lot of things to do. Between the interview, training my team, preparing for Maylene, and practicing the tricks Zach told me, my hands will be pretty full. You guys should get to work too."

"Already started. I like this punching up idea. I've made a post, although I don't think it'll get as much traction as yours. I don't have much to lure them with. Trainers don't care about how many subscribers you have," he grumbled.

"I'm interested in battling Lauren," Cecilia nodded. "You have her number, right?"

"I did add her, but she doesn't like to do things like that according to Chase. She's more of an old-fashioned girl, like 'our eyes met, so we have to battle' or 'meet me at this spot for our fated battle,' so I think you'll have to find her."

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Of course, it would be too easy otherwise. I also have to catch my sixth Pokemon soon… I was thinking of going to see some of Maylene's battles for some inspiration."

"You want a fighting type?" Denzel asked.

"Yes. I've narrowed down the list a little, but seeing them in action will make it easier."

"There are a few fighting types near the mountain on route 214, but there aren't that many wild Pokemon there," I said. "I'll come with you to see Maylene battle if I have time."

"Are we still on for our date? You said you'd be busy."

"Are you kidding? I'm obviously on," I laughed. "You keep me updated on it, okay? And by the way, no joke, you guys should definitely study Maylene and what she does with aura. You didn't listen to me against Fantina, but this time it's true."

"Aura? I thought only Lucario could do that," Cecilia said.

"See? This is what I'm talking about!" I groaned.

—

Denzel was somehow already drunk by the time we got out of the car in front of the Pokemon Center. Despite how big he was, it turned out he'd been a lightweight all along. He leaned against Louis for support while the others filtered in the Center. My eyes scanned the entire street before I stepped out of the limousine, and Cecilia quickly took notice.

"What's wrong? Are you scared about Team Galactic?" She worriedly asked. "I still haven't noticed any League Trainers. I wonder how they're tracking us."

"No… my mother, which is arguably worse. Sorry, that was a bad joke."

"Your mother?"

"Yes. She's in here, and every time I get back to the Center, I get scared that she'll be waiting here waiting to jumpscare me like a cheap horror flick," I shuddered.

"Is she that bad?"

"Now? Not really. In the past? She was horrible," I said. "I don't feel like seeing her."

I jumped as Cece linked her arm with mine and accompanied me into the Pokemon Center.

"I won't ask what she's done. It must have been bad if you aren't even willing to see her," she said.

"Cheated on my dad when I was a toddler," I whispered.

Cecilia's face darkened. She'd only met my father once, but he'd made a big impression on her.

"Ah. Yes, I understand why now."

"Good thing that she wasn't here today either," I sighed in relief. After everyone had booked their rooms, we all stepped inside of the elevator and I tapped Emi's shoulder. "Is the party still happening? Denzel's ready to sleep already."

"Who do you think I am?" she scoffed. "I won't let this fated reunion go to waste! You should all gather in… Louis' room!"

"My room?" the blond man sighed. "I'm the one who has to clean up after."

"What happened to your spunk, Louis? You used to be all about hosting parties! I won't hear any complaints. Chop chop! Get Denzel to his bed."

"I can come…" Denzel groaned. "I can… ugh."

"How can someone get this drunk on three little glasses of Champagne?" Pauline scoffed.

"He didn't eat anything," Emi said.

"I didn't eat anything either—"

"Don't turn it into a competition," she rolled her eyes.

After telling us to come to Louis' room in an hour, Emilia sent us all off. Needless to say, Cece joined me in my room.

"Don't mind the two bags of dirt, the notes, the clay statues— that's Princess' art, don't step on it. Uh, yeah, I should probably clean some of this up. I would have if I knew you'd arrive today."

"Don't worry about it," she smiled as she carefully stepped over a statue of one of the Nurse Joys downstairs. She dropped her bag on the floor. "Mind if I take a shower?"

I sat on my bed and put my phone on silent. "Um, yeah. Go ahead."

I fiddled in place as the soft sound of the shower filled my ears. She came out in a fresh set of clothes clearly meant to lounge in instead of travel. The wound on her leg had largely healed and was just a huge scar, and her stitches were slowly fading, getting absorbed into the skin. It was a mess of irregular, rough, dark scar tissue that stretched over her entire foreleg. I could slightly see the pattern of Krokorok's teeth. Small punctures in the skin that were the only pattern that made sense. I clenched a fist and felt rage bubble in my chest. She hadn't deserved this. Krokorok's trainer hadn't gotten off lightly. His entire life had collapsed and he'd have to go into rehabilitation and learn to live with feelings, but I still couldn't quash this trepidation in my heart. My jaw clenched.

"Can I open a window?" Cece asked. Finally calming down, I nodded and she slid the window open. "Can we talk about… our goals for the future?"

"How far in the future are we talking?"

"After this year's Conference. Winning the tournament would be nice, but…" she trailed off.

"Probably not happening," I nodded. "And if we did by some miracle, we aren't getting past the Elite Four. You came to that conclusion too?"

"I did a bit ago during my time on route 215. It was a weird trip. I was aimless for a while with no goal in mind. Just traveling, having fun most of the time," she said before sighing. "I want to go to Unova and do the Circuit there. I want to become Unova's Champion."

I stared at her as silence crept into the room. She kept staring straight outside the window, but I noticed the little glances she snuck me as she anxiously waited for my reaction. I didn't even know how to react, though. I hadn't expected this conversation at all. I nervously stared at my nails.

"To beat your brother? You never really had an issue with him, didn't you?" I said. She wasn't like Lauren with Craig.

"Beating Mark would just be a means to an end. I would do it even if it weren't him. The true goal is to slowly reform the system to make what happened with my father impossible in the first place. Corporations are too large to touch— and I realize how hypocritical that makes me sound. I mean, I did grow up with his money, but I didn't truly realize it until I understood that if Sinnoh wasn't holding him under house arrest, he'd be free back in Unova. The situation's even worse there than here."

"And you want me to come?" I guessed.

"I do. I already told you a few stories, but Unova is different from Sinnoh. Even if you only have to defeat eight of them, there are ten gym leaders, it's a bigger place than Sinnoh, there are a lot more people and trainers, death is a lot more frowned upon, and I think you'd enjoy it. But I don't want this to be some ultimatum or anything," she quickly said, shaking a hand. "I know Sinnoh's your home, and you might not want to spend time away. I mean, we're just kids, right? It'd be foolish to give up everything for… this. You have your dad, the Poketch Company and this would just be you and I. I doubt any of our friends would come."

"I was thinking about what to do after this year came to an end, but I hadn't come to an answer yet. Can you give me the rest of the year to think?" I asked. "The real answer is I don't know yet."

Cece exhaled and her shoulders loosened. It looked like she had expected me to say no.

"That's okay."

"But how's it going to work? Didn't you want Cynthia to help you find a Spiritomb?"

"I'll have to figure it out. I also want to battle her too, despite knowing that I'd get crushed," she said, finally sitting next to me. Her fingers intertwined with mine as she placed another hand on my thigh and kissed my cheek.

Cecilia was odd like that. She liked to put distance between us when a tough conversation came up in case I gave her an answer that'd hurt so that she'd feel less pain, but then she'd be all cuddly if I agreed with her because she'd need a way to express how relieved and happy she was.

Not that I minded. I had expected us to get straight to this and even put my phone on silent so we wouldn't get interrupted.

"Um… can you…" I whispered.

Her kisses and touch were electric.

—

"Why are you two so late— you know what, don't answer that," Emilia groaned after one look at me.

"Sorry," I giggled with Cece.

"You don't look sorry. Come in," she smiled.

The party was already well underway, although obviously Denzel wasn't there. Some pop song that I didn't know played in the background while Mira laughed in the corner as she forced Louis to do some silly dance that made him look like he was doing some kind of ancient ritual. Pauline filmed the whole affair, adding her snarky commentary.

"Put more heart into it, or I'm sending it to the group chat!" She yelled.

"I think he's going to pass out," Maeve warned.

Louis took a few ragged breaths. "Everyone's looking anyway. I think I'm going to stop."

He dropped on the ground, his chest rising and lowering with each breath. He looked like he'd just run a marathon. How long had they forced him to dance for?

"Denzel's going to be furious about missing this," Emi smirked. "Pauline, it's your turn on the podium."

"I can't, I'm tired from traveling."

"Sounds like a convenient excuse," Cecilia smirked. The redhead glared at her. "Don't look at me, my leg is still messed up. I can't even walk properly yet."

"I'm not dancing. Grace should dance."

"Don't involve me in this—"

Cecilia, traitor that she was pushed me forward.

"I don't even like this song!" I pleaded.

It was too late. I was doomed to Louis' fate. I spared him a look and finally understood what had pushed him this far.

Peer pressure was hard to deal with, especially when everyone was so happy to be back together.