CHAPTER 80

Stand still, stay silent.

Denzel swallowed and kept completely still. He blinked to get the cold sweat out of his eye and stared at Cecilia, who had turned off her flashlight. Eevee was flat against the ground with his ears twitching, ready to signal them at the slightest sound, and Budew was silently using Growth. Slowpoke simply stood by quietly, and so did Deino, although doing so was pissing him off. Luckily Cecilia seemed to hold the dragon on a tight leash these days, so he had no quarrels with listening to her orders.

Denzel clenched and unclenched his fist before slowly peeking beyond the boulder they were hiding behind and toward the lake. His heart jumped in his throat, and his stomach dropped again. A Gyarados was savagely tearing a Seaking apart and eating its remains. It was the fourth water type the monster had killed, and they were forced to stay here, hiding until the Gyarados finally decided it had had its fill.

There was no way they could ever stand up to a Gyarados. Denzel had studied up on Craig Goodwill’s team too much to even think they stood a chance at their current level. None of their attacks would get past its hardened scales or even tickle it. It had used an immensely powerful jet of water— probably a Hydro Pump— to cut the Seaking in half. That amount of water pressure was unsurmountable. Yet they could not run away from the underground lake’s shores either. There wasn’t enough space for that, and even if there was, Gyarados would notice them without a doubt.

Then there was also the fact that it could also hover and fly in the air. Not well, but it could.

And so they hid, desperately clinging onto this rock for survival. Denzel winced as another wave of pain coursed through his body from the right side of his ribs, but he bit his lip to not make a sound. This cave was by far the worst thing Denzel had ever experienced. It served as yet another reminder that even though Pokemon could be befriended, they could also be powerful enough to cause untold amounts of damage. Luckily rangers usually nipped anything that strong in the bud, but this was an unexplored slice of Mount Coronet that humanity probably had never set foot in, and the Pokemon here were ruthless because of it.

Hopefully Grace is fine, he thought. No, she is fine.

Another two minutes, and Denzel could no longer hear the Gyarados crushing Seaking’s bones with its powerful jaw. He looked again, and it seemed to be gone, but he gestured at Cecilia to stay where she was. They’d need to wait at least another ten minutes to make sure it wasn’t bringing back another one of its kills to the surface to eat. Once he made sure that wasn’t the case, he finally carefully stood up, making sure not to make any sudden movements to avoid hurting himself. There was nothing left in the water. Gyarados had eaten all of it, bones and all. They silently stepped as far away from the blood-stained water as they could, and Denzel could finally breathe again when they had gotten far enough away.

“Close one,” he said, trying to keep the mood up. He was fucking terrified. He wanted to curl up into a ball and cry for help. But there was no help, and Cecilia was in a terrible mental state. He stared back at her, and she didn’t seem worried one bit. He smiled thinly. “I never thought I’d have to face these kinds of threats so early in my career, but I guess it’s better if I get ‘em out of the way now.”

“Are you alright?” Cecilia asked.

Not at all, he thought. “I’ll deal. But let’s… let’s try to get back to what we were talking about. There’s still a long way to that lit-up part of the cave,” he said, pointing forward.

“If you want.”

Her answers were quick and devoid of any kind of tone. Lifeless. Denzel restrained himself from sighing. Grace was better at this stuff than he was.

“Um. You said that your death would stop us from ‘immense suffering,’” Denzel started hesitantly. “I won’t press you to ask what that suffering is, since you won’t answer me, and you seemingly think that nothing can be done to help. But what about us? What about… your Pokemon? Did you even ask them about coming here?”

Denzel clenched his fist. Was that tone too aggressive? Too accusatory? Should he rephrase? Apologize?

Cecilia shook her head and looked away. “The only one I told about this was Deino, at the foot of the mountain. Slowpoke didn’t know about it, even though he put you to sleep, and Fletchinder would never have approved. Scyther might have,” she smiled. “To get me killed.”

“Hm.”

Hm? Was that the only response I could come up with? I’m such a fucking dumbass, he screamed internally.

“Sorry,” Denzel apologized right away. “Didn’t know what to answer to that, which might be stupid because I asked the question.”

“No need. You apologize too much. No need to talk to me like you’re walking around eggshells.”

But how could he not? Denzel feared that any wrong sentence could cause her to just lose her will to live again—

“I’m committed to getting out of this cave,” Cecilia said. “You’ve been trapped here because of me, so I have to help. I have to save Grace.”

“And then? What happens if— when we get out?”

“I don’t know.”

“Cecilia…” Denzel started.

“Yes?”

“Nevermind. Just know that no matter what it is you’re facing, we will help you. We’ll come out of Mount Coronet stronger than we ever were. Whatever they throw at us—”

“It’s not something you can face. You can’t just throw a Hyper Beam at it and call it a day,” Cecilia said, raising her tone slightly. “Let’s not even talk about it. I don’t want to think about it. I don’t. I don’t.”

“Okay! I’m— I’m sorry,” Denzel grimaced. Suddenly, Eevee’s ears twitched, and they all stopped. A Dreadnaw was staring at them, seemingly considering if it could take them or not. Deino let out a low growl, and his mouth started to glow blue with draconic energy. The water type yelled and walked into the water, letting them through.

“That went about as good as it could have,” he sighed. “I didn’t even know those lived in Sinnoh.”

One of the teenager’s favorite things was information gathering about a route or area, its conditions, and its wildlife, but nothing could have prepared him for what he’d be facing here. If he had to guess, however, dealing with a Dreadnaw would be similar to how Eevee had dealt with Gardenia’s Grotle. He committed the idea to memory in case they needed it later. Always Double Kick in the belly, not anywhere else.

“Let’s keep going. Any second spent idling is a second Grace could be desperately needing our help.”

Denzel nodded to agree, and they kept going. He was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to lie down and take a break, but he had to push through. Soon enough, his legs would become numb, and the pain would fade, becoming a dull ache instead.

“Cecilia,” Denzel said again. He was probably annoying her now, but he had to try. “In your letter, you said we hadn’t spent as much time together as you would have liked. When we get out of here, I want to remedy that. You also said you want to spend more time with Grace, right? She’d be incredibly happy if you could.”

Cecilia stared at the lake in silence. Was he too insensitive? Could it be considered guilt-tripping? Had he stepped on a shell again? Better apologize to make sure—

“I want to spend more time with her too,” she said, covering her eyes with her hands. “With everyone. I want to continue on our journey together. I want us to realize our dreams.”

Cecilia was sobbing now. Denzel exhaled and tapped her shoulder.

“So you want to do all of these things,” he said. At least he had confirmed that. She could still be brought back. “Look, I know you told me not to talk about it, and that you wouldn’t tell anyone, but I have to ask, and I’m sorry,” he paused. “If it puts us in danger, I’m willing to take the hit. I won’t tell anyone else, not even Grace. I promise you. Talking about it— getting the weight off your shoulders will help. I won’t say it’ll make everything right, but it’ll help.”

“I… I’ll… think about it.”

That was progress, at least. Denzel smiled at her and nodded. They went through a few battles, defeating a Lairon, two Ryhorn, and a Graveler. They had been tough, but nothing compared to the Gyarados they had seen earlier. Eevee had mastered Double Kick so well that he made quick work of any rock or steel types, and he was supported by the others. Still, the problem was that they had no potions, so every hit their Pokemon took would weaken them until they rested.

Which they probably should be doing, but Grace was alone out there. They’d rest as soon as they found her.

“Hey, just spitballing and trying to lighten the mood a little,” Denzel started. “Tell me if you want me to shut up, okay?”

“Alright.”

“How was your afternoon with Grace? Before everything went to shit, I mean.”

The corner of Cecilia’s mouth rose, which was a good sign.

“It was wonderful,” Cece said. “I bought her clothes. She was so shy about it, too. It was very endearing. Then we went to eat at her favorite fast food restaurant… I forgot the name—”

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“Arlyle’s? Yeah, she loves that place,” Denzel said. “Took me there all the time when we were in Jubilife— both times!”

“I never thought I’d enjoy fast food out of all places, but it was amazing! Then we went bowling, which was another riveting experience. The games were… close, but she eventually won. And then she… um…”

“Ah. Got to the hotel?”

“No. She revealed something to me that helped me find out something about myself, too,” Cecilia said.

“Told you to keep it a secret?”

“Well, I’m not sure if she told you, so I’d rather not say.”

Denzel was pretty sure she either meant that Grace told her she was gay or she confessed. He was pretty good at reading between the lines, but on the off chance that he was wrong, he opted not to say anything else.

“To be honest, a part of myself was relieved when I heard her say it, but I was… confused as well,” Cece said. “I never thought I could… I could… it’s hard to explain.”

Hey, you’re revealing way too much, Denzel smiled. It’s so obvious now, you’re not even hiding anything.

“Were you happy?” Denzel asked.

“I wasn’t at the time… it came as such a shock, but now… now that I had time to reflect, I feel incredibly happy about it. I just wish I had more time.”

“You’ll get it,” Denzel said. “I’ll make sure of it.”

She didn’t answer.

The trainer sighed. Another dead conversation, but maybe staying silent was the better idea. The attacks were growing more frequent after all, albeit the Pokemon were seemingly getting weaker. At least he could rest easy now that his job as a wingman was almost over. When they got back to civilization, all it’d take was a slight push from him, and they’d probably start dating. Arceus knew that Cecilia needed someone to love— not love as friends, but love deeply. She had no family for that. Hopefully, Grace would help her stay afloat.

Then again, emotional dependency wasn’t great, but it sure as hell beat being suicidal. One step at a time—

A red eye stared at them from above. Denzel felt every hair on his body stand on edge, and he felt fear.

It was primal. It was a fear that was all-consuming, filling his every thought and telling him to run. The eye made him feel vulnerable and exposed, as if it wasn’t staring at him, but through him. Like it could understand and know everything about him in the mere seconds they had just crossed paths, and he was just a mere insect. Denzel’s breaths grew short and shallow, his lungs pushing across his broken ribs. Dark visions filled his thoughts, and he saw himself die. Again. And again. And again. Once, his head detached from his body by psychic energy. Another time, his limbs unnaturally twisted and broken until they were ripped apart. Denzel screamed, but no sound came out. Instead, he fell on all fours, and dry heaved, his drool slowly dripping onto the ground.

The rock type floated downward and let out a booming sound that echoed across the cave. Denzel’s eye stared at it, but every time they met its eyes, he was transfixed with fear, unable to even think. Cece was in slightly better shape, but she too was gripped with terror and unmoving. Only their Pokemon seemed to be only slightly affected, and Deino seemed immune.

Lunatone hovered over the ground, appraising them, but Deino stepped forward and sent a Dragon Breath toward the moon-like Pokemon. The blue draconic attack illuminated the entire cave and hit the rock type, who seemed barely hurt. That seemed to have set Lunatone off, as its eye shined and rocks all around them were crushed and gathered around the Pokemon. Budew hit it with Bullet Seed, still powered up from her Growth earlier, and Lunatone finally felt something, because it let out a sound that could only be described as an alien cacophony of deep, resonating booms and whistles. It was hurt.

That was good news. That meant that Denzel hadn’t been completely paralyzed by fear because it was just out of their league as Gyarados had been, but because it was an ability Lunatone had, no doubt powered by its psychic type. There was no time to grab his Pokedex to check. Lunatone let out an enraged, booming cry, and the sharpened rocks flew toward them. Slowpoke sprung to life and its eyes glowed pink, stopping the rocks that would have hit both Denzel and Cecilia. The others hit most of their Pokemon, although Eevee nimbly dodged. The boy panicked when he saw that one tore straight through Budew’s bulb, but the grass type looked fine as long as it didn’t hit her face directly.

“Budew,” Denzel breathed out, finally able to get a word out. “Get behind Deino. His scales are tough enough to—”

Denzel was racked by visions of his death once more, and his entire body froze up and flew in the air. He tried opening his mouth, but everything was locked in place. He couldn’t even breathe. Denzel felt tears form in his eyes when he felt one of his arms start to twist. It was like that vision—

“Deino, Slowpoke, save him!” Cecilia yelled, and they both launched a Dragon Breath and a Water Pulse. Budew screeched as she attacked with another Bullet Seed.

Eevee barked and leaped up from a rock, then onto his floating body and kicked Lunatone. Denzel dropped to the ground and sobbed as he gripped his arm. It was fine. It was fine. He was fine. He crawled away until his back reached a wall.

They said your life flashed before your eyes when you were about to die. Nothing had flashed before his eyes. It had just been pure terror.

“Hit it again!” Cecilia yelled, before running toward Denzel. Lunatone ripped another set of rocks from the ground and sent them toward their Pokemon, but Eevee, Budew, and Slowpoke all hid behind Deino, who let out an enraged roar before readying his attack. “Denzel! Denzel, look at me!”

“I’m fucking— I can’t. That fucker was about to kill me just like it showed me—”

Cecilia grabbed his head and stared into his eyes.

“Look at me! Is your arm okay?”

A miniature moon appeared in front of Lunatone and flew at Deino, and the dragon type was actually hurt by it.

“It is. It hurts, but it’s not broken.”

“Thank the Legendaries,” she sighed. “We can beat it. Release your Buneary and I’ll release Fletchinder. We have no choice.”

Denzel winced. He hadn’t released Buneary because he had no doubt she’d be terrified of the cave, but he needed every Pokemon at his disposal to beat Lunatone, or at least convince it to leave.

Denzel swallowed, clenching and unclenching his fists before grabbing Buneary’s Pokeball.

“Good. You can do this, I’m right here. Fletchinder will maneuver around it and harass it from the air,” Cecilia said.

He nodded and released his Buneary just as Cecilia released her own Pokemon, and she began ordering Fletchinder. Denzel focused on Buneary, who was already trembling in fear.

“Listen,” Denzel said. “I’m sorry. I know I said I’d try not to take you out in Mount Coronet, but I need you. I know it’s scary— I— I know,” Denzel firmly said, staring into the rabbit’s eyes. “But I think we can do something, you and I.”

Fletchinder sang, and it spat out an Ember toward Lunatone from afar, away from the range of its psychic powers. Lunatone let out an angry sound and sent sharp rocks toward the flying type, whose body loosened and dropped to the ground before stopping herself right before hitting it to avoid the barrage.

Buneary gave him a shaky nod, and he caressed her ear.

“The gears are moving,” Denzel said as he shakily stood up. His legs felt like sticks. “I’m going to need you to coordinate with Eevee and Budew for this. Watch for my signal and give me a Quick Attack jump like you did against Gardenia’s Hoppip.”

Buneary followed him closer to the site of the battle.

“Budew,” Denzel said. She was still hiding behind Deino, and she stared at him, angry that her bulb had been torn away. “I’m going to throw you up to this Lunatone.”

The grass type screeched in protest and slammed her small foot against the floor.

“You’re going to Stun Spore midair, and Eevee, you’re going to catch her on the way down. When it’s frozen in the air from paralysis, Buneary and Eevee can give the finishing blow. Two Double Kicks.”

Eevee agreed right away, and Budew finally did so as well, although reluctantly.

“You catch that, Cece? Tell Fletchinder to stay away.”

The girl nodded and immediately gave the order just as Deino took another Moonblast to the face. It was disconcerting how much damage the attack was actually dealing. Denzel had never seen Deino get tired so quickly, and he had only been hit by that twice.

Denzel grabbed Budew, and Eevee immediately blurred forward, anticipating the arc that the grass type would take. Denzel waited for another Stone Edge to finish, and then threw Budew at Lunatone just at the right angle and strength. The grass type screeched and released glowing, yellow spores in the air as it passed next to Lunatone. The wild Pokemon’s red eyes dimmed, and it began to stay still in the air. Deino hit it with another Dragon Breath, and Slowpoke another Water Pulse.

Eevee jumped in the air, catching Budew with his mouth and landing gracefully.

“Now!” Denzel yelled.

Buneary slammed her feet against the ground, creating a small crater and soaring through the air. Eevee jumped as well, slightly slower than she was, but that was ideal. Buneary slammed Lunatone with both of her ears, and Eevee did the same with his rear legs. The reason Eevee being slower was good was because they could both hit the same spot, one after another, and Lunatone’s rocky surface cracked. The rock type tried to float away, but it collapsed from exhaustion and the paralysis, crashing to the ground with a heavy impact.

They had won. Denzel gripped his arm, still aching from Lunatone’s twist. That had been close, but they had come out the victors. Budew waddled toward the Lunatone’s unconscious body and kicked it.

“You’re not dealing any damage,” Denzel smiled thinly. Smiling was good. Smiling helped him forget that his arm had been almost ripped away. “But it’s a funny sight nonetheless.”

“Bud!” She screeched.

“It’ll regrow eventually,” Denzel said, looking at the missing top part of her body. “Although it’d be way faster in the sun.”

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Cecilia asked with a worried look.

“No. I’m not alright at all,” Denzel breathed out. “I want to cry, to curl up into a ball, and to wake up from this nightmare. I don’t want to die.”

Do you know how many trainers die out there? Poor kids that get lost going through Mount Coronet, or Eterna Forest? I don’t want that to happen to you!

The trainer’s eyes widened as he recalled his mother’s words on that day he had met Grace.

He needed to… he needed to call her when he got out of here. And tell her he loved her despite their differences. Denzel wiped away a tear from his eye and sniffled. He had told her speaking would feel better, and he was putting money where his mouth was. Crying felt good.

“You… I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s good that you asked,” Denzel said. “I’m alright now, we have to keep pushing. Budew, I’m recalling you so you can rest a little.”

Budew screeched as he recalled her, but it was one of her good ones.

“I should tell you. I should tell you what Amy told me,” Cecilia said as she recalled Fletchinder.

“Feel free to. Like I said, if you don’t want me to tell Grace, my lips are sealed.”

“I’ll tell Grace when we find her… thank you. It’s not that telling you would put you in more danger than you are now, it’s that I thought that you would all leave me if you found out. That you’d be too scared to stick with me even if we somehow escaped.”

“But you—”

“Wanted to die,” Cece said. “I know. I wasn’t… I think I just wasn’t thinking straight.”

Wanted, Denzel thought. Progress.

“I knew my father to be evil, but I never thought him to be capable of finding my worst fear. Worse than dying,” she continued. “But I suppose he does know me well enough for that.”

“Your worst fear?”

“What Amy told me was—”