Chapter 3: Motive’s Firmly Grasped
“Hey, June.” responded Ceailean, “It is...so ‘nice’ to see you.”
“Well lookie here,” provoked June, “It would seem the coward walks among us once again.”
Ceailean began to get a little annoyed, but having dealt with this for a huge amount of time, he resisted his anger.
“Honestly, I thought I could respect you as a person, C-easel.” prodded on June, “After being given the chance to battle me, the legendary June Ranger, for the better part of two years, you still won’t step up to the challenge.”
“And I have told you almost every one of those days that I don’t have a pokemon to battle with.” said Ceailean sternly.
“Don’t play dumb, I know you have a Deerling that lounges around your house all day.” retorted June.
“Even so, it’s just an E.S.P. (Emotional Support Pokemon) It hasn’t seen a single second of battle.” said Ceailean.
“Well, it’s never too late to learn, C-easel.” snarked June.
“Yeah well, I'm just gonna go while you continuously beat your head against a brick wall.” said Ceailean, as he gestured to the door behind him with his thumb. He turned around and started to walk toward the entrance, when barely even making a step forward, he was hit by a snowball on his back. Ceailean turned around to face June again, annoyed with his persistence. “Really?”
“I didn’t do nothin.” claimed June, waving his hands accusingly.
Ceailean then eyed him suspiciously, and turned around again just to get hit by another snowball. When Ceailean looked back, all June did stare back with a smirk. Ceailean then noticed something, he concentrated hard and listened. It was faint, but he could hear a faint laughter. He looked up and was sure that it came from the trees. He bent down and formed his own snowball, June braced for impact and covered his face with his arm. Ceailean then hurled it into the treetops, he heard something react to the impact. Tumbling from the branches dropped a Spheal, leaving a small crater of snow as it collided with the ground.
“Sphea-” said Spheal in a daze. It then looked up to Ceailean and pouted.
“I can really see how ‘legendary’ your battle prowess is with a partner like this.” said Ceailean sarcastically.
“Ha! Just you wait C-easel, one day, I’ll be the strongest trainer to ever come out of Snowbelle.” shouted June, “I’ll be the most respected trainer you’ve ever seen.”
“Yeah well, seeing is believing, I guess.” said Ceailean, once again heading toward the entrance.
“I’ll show you!” yelled June from across the courtyard, almost inspiringly, “I’ll be the one to rule this, everyone will-” He cut off when a snowball smacks him directly in the face. Ceailean looked back to see what was going on. He saw Spheal in the snow, laughing hysterically in front of June, who was glaring down on it with the one that wasn’t covered by snow. June shaked the snow off his face and yelled and Spheal, “Hey, this is no time for your jokes Spheal!” Spheal then began to laugh even harder. June then visibly got angry and said, “I’ll give you something to laugh at.” He picked up a pile of snow and buried the still laughing Spheal under it and began to laugh at Spheal himself. Spheal, clearly unamused, shook off the snow and threw another snowball at June. As Ceailean turned the corner, the last thing he saw was the situation devolving into a petty snowball fight with both sides ferociously throwing snow at each other.
Ceailean walked into his class just as the bell rang. The teacher, Mr. Jasmond was just sitting in the corner of his room, informing everyone that they could have their pokemon out as long as they didn’t roughhouse too much. The desks were all stacked in an orderly fashion against the far wall. This didn’t stop various students from using them as their little personal caves, blocking them off with their backpacks. Ceailean greeted the teacher who looked up from his phone just to acknowledge him and when back to playing. Ceailean looked around to only see half the class present, but he recognized a backpack under the far side of desk caves. He walked to the side of it and sat down to face its inhabitant. There he found a sullen looking kid, wearing welding gloves and overalls. He wore a brown, ragged undershirt and work boots. He was also soldering a particular watch as the fumes were sucked up by the air conditioner.
“Hey.” greeted Ceailean.
The boy turned his head towards Ceailean, popping the bones in his neck as he did so. “Hey.” he said back. He stared down Ceailean for a few seconds before he additionally said, “How much I owe ya.”
“5,000 bucks” answered Ceailean. The boy stared at him for a couple more seconds before he laid on his back and reached for his backpack and pulled out the cash. “This might be the last time I’ll be able get schematics for you, Mallen.”
“I am well aware,” said Mallen, handing Ceailean the cash, “I just wish you would make up your mind about what you want to do, that way I can plan accordingly.”
Ceailean mentally prepared himself for a second and said, “I think I’m gonna head to Lumiose. Within the next week at the latest.”
“Lumiose,” said Mallen, “The birth place of your horrors?”
“Yeah.” sighed Ceailean.
Mallen looked at Ceailean and said, “You better decide quickly, the next train for Lumiose leaves late-night tomorrow. It won’t be back for another two weeks at the least.”
Ceailean was visibly concerned at the news. “And how do you know this information?” he asked.
“The parts I require for my projects take the same train. But due to low demand for travel to Snowbelle, I keep a close eye on its schedule to see when they will get here.”
“Mm-hmm.” nodded Ceailean. He got up to leave when Mallen spoke up.
“C, hold up a sec.” said Mallen, waving his hand to come back. “Are you gonna be okay.”
“Yeah,” answered Ceailean confidently.
“I know what you’re like.” said Mallen, “And as my most valuable asset, I think it is imperative for me to know if you’re mentally prepared for that trip.”
“Yeah, I’m good, I’m great.” insisted Ceailean.
“I only ask because I’ve seen what happens when you think about Lumiose.” said Mallen, “During a history lesson once, you were sweating and you broke a mechanical pencil. It was the most scared I’ve ever seen you.”
“Mallen, I’m telling you from the deepest part of my heart, I am going to be okay.” insisted Ceailean. “It happened a long time ago, I’m over it.”
Mallen stared at him for a few more seconds. “Okay,” shrugged Mallen, “I’ll believe you.”
“Okay, thank you.” said Ceailean.
“Oh, and C,” said Mallen. He smiled and held up his fist towards Ceailean, “Thank you for your service.” Ceailean smiled back and fist bumped him. “You’re always welcome in my workshop, but try not to visit until you find something interesting.”
“Heh, will do.” said Ceailean as he departed from the corner to watch some other students play Smash Bros. Ultimate as some had brought their Nintendo Switches and plugged it into the projector.
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12 o'clock arrives, and students pour out the classes and fill the hallway. Ceailean walked out of his class and yelled back, “Greninja is not low tier, I just suck at using him.” Several students jokingly laughed at him as the door closed. Ceailean only grinned, shook his head and walked on. On the way to the lunch area, he noticed melted piles of snow heading the same way, he can guess who that was. The back of the school was mostly covered in concrete, but went mostly unseen by the snow. Small round tables were scattered around the grounds and protected from the snow by blue plastic umbrellas. In the very back were chain link fences surrounding the pokemon battle fields. Ceailean got his lunch from the snack-bar on the side of the school and walked around to the front until he found his friends at the hangout spot.
“-okay see you there, talk to you later.” said Marie as she hung up the phone.
Ceailean snuck up behind her and asked in her ear, “What’s going on?”
Marie physically jumped with an ‘EEP’ and scurried away from Ceailean. “Um, uh, nothing to be concerned with.” squealed Marie.
Ceailean looked to Devin for clarification, “Yep, nothing of concern, I believe she was talking to her father.” emphasized Devin. Marie then nods vigorously at the response.
Ceailean looked at them suspiciously, but dropped the act and asked, “So whats up.”
“Nothing much.” replied Devin, “Ain’t nothing worth investing my time into figuring out. What about you, have you decided whether or not you’re gonna go to Lumiose.”
“I haven’t thought that far, but what I did find out from our good friend Mallen is that the train to Lumiose leaves tomorrow at night.”
“What, is that true?” asked Marie concerned.
Devin clacked away at his computer and said, “Seems like it’s true, doesn’t even look like it’s coming within the next seven days either.”
“We’ll have to decide quickly,” said Marie. She looked to Ceailean and asked, “So what’s the plan C?”
Ceailean was stammering through his answer when the group heard a familiar voice from behind a tree, “So C-easel is actually gonna run away?” June emerged from behind the tree closest to them and continued, “That’s a darn shame, I didn’t think you would stoop this low.”
“Shove it June bug, Ceailean wants nothing to do with you.” defended Marie.
“Then forever more, he shall be a coward.” snarked June.
Marie became visibly angry, “Enough of your games June, don’t you find someone else to bother.”
June smiled and said, “My reasons are my own. The only way you're gonna get rid of me is by defeating me in a pokemon battle.”
Ceailean just sighed and said, “Come on guys, let's just leave this joker.”
Devin closed his computer with a slap and Marie began to follow Ceailean’s lead. All June did was look down and press his tongue against the inside of his lips. As they turned the corner, June shouted out, “Let’s hope that he can finally man up when he goes to visit his father.” Ceailean just ignored this and kept walking, but after a few steps he realized that Marie was no longer with them. He looked back to see Marie with fists clenched, her eyes covered in shadow and trembling in anger.
“Marie, come on, he’s not worth it, I’m not worth it.” persuaded Ceailean. He grabbed her hand and she began to calm down slightly.
June insulted further, “Or cower in your house, just cause you’re mommy's special boy.”
At this point, Marie couldn’t take it. She forcefully tugged her hand out of Ceailean’s and went back around the corner. “SHUT UP! SHUT UP! You have no idea what kind life Ceailean had to go through.”
The smile disappeared from June, “Please do tell, what's got him so worked up that he decides to run from everything.”
Marie is confronted by Ceailean, who got in her way and said, “Marie please calm, he just doesn’t know what he’s say-” He was pushed out of the way and Marie continued her advance.
“That’s no business of yours.” growled Marie. She was now face to face with June.
“Truly, my intentions are clear, are they not. Let’s get back on track. C-easel, Me, Battle for supremacy.” told June.
Ceailean made eye contact with June and said, “I can’t.”
June just sighed, turned around, scratched his head and said, “Well, that’s a shame. Seeing that this is all a mess, I’ll just g-”
“I’ll do it.” said Marie.
Ceailean and Devin both gasped, “What!”
June turned his head slightly and said, “Oh really.”
“I’ll battle you, and if I win, you have to leave Ceailean alone forever.” demanded Marie.
June turned back with an almost maniacal smile, off putting Ceailean and Devin. He looked down upon Marie and said, “And if I win, you’ll forever admit that ‘Ceailean’ is forever, a coward, for letting a girl cover for his business.” He looked at everyone for an objection. After receiving none, he said, “You’ll know where I’ll be.” and walked off.
Marie just scoffed and walked in the opposite direction. Ceailean tried to reason with her, “Marie, why are doing this, you know what will happen if you lose. I don’t want that on my conscience, there’s still time to back out.”
Marie then faced Ceailean, “How can you deal with him, he is insufferable.”
“Marie come on, that was nothing, he just doesn’t know what he’s saying.” reasoned Ceailean.
As they came round the back, Devin split from the group, “I’ll be right back, have to get something.”
Marie kept stomping towards the battle fields, “He clearly doesn’t care if he knows what he’s talking about, he’s making your life horrible. It’s time I put a stop to it.”
“Clearly it is affecting you more than it is affecting me.” reasoned Ceailean. By now, the battle fields were full of spectators as the news had spread fast. Marie entered through the fence gate, but Ceailean grabbed her by the arm, “Marie, please.”
“I’ve made up my mind C, I won’t lose, I promise.” said Marie. She tugged her arm out of Ceaileans grasp. She walked to her side of the field and faced June. He was giving a sinister smirk as he waited on his end of the field with his arms crossed. The crowd that was loud and rambunctious, hitting the fence in their excitement. Ceailean could only stand back with the crowd around him.
That is when he heard Devin, shouting and taking bets. “Take your bets! Don’t be shy, take your bets! On one side, we have June, a snarky little devil, nothing will ever get in the way of what he wants. Here as his round and prankster partner we have Spheal, a water and ice type! Best you watch out for is sneaky snowballs, they’ll getcha when ya least expect it!
Almost in sync with Devin's introduction, June brought Spheal out of his poke-ball and striked a pose. His arms were outstretched gracefully still smiling, while Spheal looked around in amazement at the crowd.
Devin continued, “And on the other side we have Marie, the blonde hot head who will always stand up for what she believes in!”
“Snom, let's go.” said Marie, taking off her beanie and suspending in front of her. Snom fell to the ground in a sleepy daze. “Come on Snom, we’re going to battle.” she said, prodding it awake with her finger. Snom woke up and looked around at the crowd, then to Marie. “We’re gonna battle okay, let's do our best.”
Devin continued in sync, “A coming along as her cotton consuming partner, we have Snom! It is an ice and bug type. Looking into it, it would seem that it is only able to naturally learn two moves! But having never seen one in action, you and I both will see how those two moves are put to use, for you see, Snom is an incredibly stubborn pokemon! Be careful, as this one refuses to reside inside its own poke-ball, and instead chooses to spend its days in whatever beanie it can find. Worn or not, none is safe from this little snowy Snom!
Ceailean walked over to Devin and asked, “Really?”
“Hey hey, I take advantage of every situation I’m in.” explained Devin as hands scramble to put cash in the betting box, “This one is no different.” He then continued to rant on the match.
After a minute, the crowd quieted down in anticipation. Neither side made the first move. “Here’s the deal,” said June, “I don’t particularly think that you or your pokemon, are exactly battle material. So I’ll tell you what, I’ll let you have the first move.” He outstretched his arms farther to signify that he was open.
Ceailean felt a tug on his jacket in the sudden rush of oohs and ahhs and June’s comment and looked to see who it was. “I should’ve told you earlier,” said Mallen, “The train is quite expensive as the route mostly loses money from moving passengers. Starting price is at 22,500 dollars.”
“It’s that much!” said Ceailean dumbfounded.
“I know you and your mother aren’t in the best of conditions. Do you think you have the funds necessary to buy that ticket?” asked Mallen.
Ceailean pondered for a moment. He looked at Marie, then to June, then back to Marie, then to Devin, then back to Marie, then back to Devin. “I think, I have an idea.” he responded. Mallen watched sullenly as he walked over to Devin.
Ceailean pulled out his 5,000 dollar bill, showed it to Devin, and placed it into the box. Devin looked down to see where he placed it, “Are you sure?” he asked.
“No.” Ceailean simply responded. Devin just shrugged and faced the battle field.
“Go…” said June, provokingly.