Chapter 47: Tough Love

Crisis walked under the golden city street lamps, doing his best to remain inconspicuous and check for followers. He found himself on the street that led him up to the stairs that went to the Pokémon center. He gave a sigh of relief, knowing he was probably home free.

“Damn it Ceailean, what were you thinking going off by yourself?” he said to himself. He made it up to the top and turned to see the Pokémon center. “It’s gonna be a really stressful stretch of time waiting for you here.” He went through the sliding doors and flinched slightly at the bright white lights of the interior. He moved to reserve a room with Nurse Joy until a voice called to him when he went past a booth.

“Yo! Here!” the voice said in a loud whisper. Crisis looked to see Ceailean sitting in the booth, tensely holding his hands together over the table. Fomantis hid under his hands like they were a tiny house, stiff with worry.

“What?!” said Crisis also in a loud whisper. He looked around in disbelief, seeing nothing but normal people conversing within the Pokémon center. “How are you here before me?”

“‘Cause I just am. Does it really matter that much? We got out of a situation I never thought we’d get out of.”

Crisis aggressively sat across from Ceailean and slammed his elbows on the table. “Just who the heck are you?”

Ceailean gave a confused expression. “…I’m me. Who else would I be?”

“No! What are you hiding from me!? You made it here before I did. I was trained for years on how to escape unsavory opponents. Then you show up out of nowhere and just pull that skill out of nowhere?”

“…Are you getting jealous?”

“It’s more than that! There’s also the fact that I have seen you strong arm two people! A mere 13 year old taking on opponents bigger and older than he is? That doesn’t make sense to me.”

“Okay look…” Ceailean spun his hands around in an explanatory way. “I knew somebody back in Snowbelle. They taught me all I know. That’s all I can tell you.”

“Really? You are unable to divulge more?”

“It would be a conflict of interest. As in he asked me not to tell anyone.”

“Somebody who likes to keep secrets. And considering the skills I’ve seen you display, I have reason to believe that they are a criminal.”

“You said it, not me.”

Crisis sighed. “You really are a handful.”

The Pokémon center chimed, indicating that Pokémon had been healed. “Mr. Crimis, please come to the front desk, your Pokémon are waiting for you.” said Nurse joy over the intercom.

“Finally!” said Ceailean. He quickly left his seat and ran over to the counter, leaving Fomantis on the table.

“Don’t think this is over, Ceailean.” Crisis said to himself. He then looked over to Fomantis, who was sweating bullets, nervous to have been left alone by Ceailean. Crisis sighed. “I assure you, I don’t bite.” He reached his hand over to pet it, but Fomantis shut its eyes tightly and turned its head away. Crisis stopped and sighed in disappointment, resting his head on his hand and opting to watch Ceailean as he retrieved his Pokémon.

“Here you are sir, your Pokémon have been fully rested.” said Nurse Joy, pushing a cart with Raboot and Noibat on it.

“Thank you Nurse Joy, you’re a literal lifesaver.” said Ceailean with a bow.

“Why thank you. Take as much time as you need.” Nurse Joy went back behind the counter with a quick wave goodbye.

“Thanks again.” Ceailean walked up to the cart. “Are you two okay?” Noibat hopped up and started flexing its wings with a smirk, only to then wince in pain and fall to its wings and knees. “Whoa whoa! Don’t show off too much Noibat, you’re probably still a bit sore.” Noibat scratched the back of its head and chuckled. Raboot however, sat sadly on the edge of the cart. “And Raboot, what about you?”

Raboot lowered its head slightly before looking at Noibat. Noibat looked back, its smile fading away as its concern for Raboot grew. Raboot picked itself up on the cart, walked over and gently picked up Noibat. Noibat blushed a little, not used to being picked up like that. Raboot held Noibat close and then hopped down from the cart.

“Raboot?” asked Ceailean. Raboot said nothing and walked over to his leg, hugging it tenderly. Ceailean was unsure what to think, until he heard Raboot softly sobbing. “Oh…” Noibat’s expression turned to that of sympathy. Raboot held the two of them tighter, begging the both of them to always be its friend. Noibat smiled, telling Raboot that they would always be friends. Ceailean reached down and patted Raboot’s head. “Everything’s gonna be alright, okay?” Raboot sobbed once more, thanking the both of them. The three stayed around for a few more moments before Ceailean crouched down and rubbed the side of Raboot’s head. “Come on. Let’s go say goodbye.” The three looked over to Fomantis on the table, who had been watching from the table. Raboot wiped a tear from its eye and nodded. They all walked over back to the booth. Raboot unconsciously kept holding Noibat, in which Noibat was too nervous to ask it to put it back down.

“Fomantis?” asked Ceailean. “Are you ready to go?” Fomantis was taken aback a bit, never having thought about what to do after… well everything. It didn’t really feel like leaving. But the words Steenee said echoed in its head. A big commitment, choose wisely. But Steenee ended up being a bad guy, there’s no reason to believe anything it said, right? But feeling pressured to give an answer, it simply nodded.

“Okay, let’s go.” Ceailean offered his hand. Fomantis hesitantly hopped onto his palm and anxiously wondered where he would take it. Crisis remained silent as he watched Ceailean slowly make his way out of the Pokémon center.

Ceailean walked past the sliding doors, his Pokémon following silently. He looked up to the sky, the stars appearing sparse because of the city lights. He then sat down on the bench overlooking the city below, holding Fomantis in his palm delicately. Fomantis looked up to the sky along with him, the waning moon’s light reflecting off its red lenses.

“To be honest, Fomantis. I’m not sure if it's a good idea to let you go right now. Kade is still out there and we don’t have a clue where he could be. For all we know, he could still be spying on us. So if you can fend for yourself, I’ll let you make the final decision. Will you stay, or will you go?”

Fomantis pondered for a moment. It faced Ceailean, twirling on his palm, and placed its arms on his wrists. Signifying that it wanted to stay with Ceailean for a little longer. “Okay, we’ll let you stay with us until the morning, then we’ll figure out what to do from there.” Fomantis lowered its head and it felt an overflowing drive make it decide something else. It looked back up and shook its head no.

“H-Huh, what do you mean?” asked Ceailean. Fomantis was still so uncertain, but it steeled itself and pushed itself forward. Fomantis hopped eagerly on Ceailean’s palm, hoping he would understand. “I’m sorry, I just… I don’t-”. Fomantis then threw itself off from Ceailean’s palm and stood next to Raboot and Noibat. It gestured to them, emphasizing as much as it could about what it wanted. “Wait… are you saying-!” Fomantis nodded excitedly. It then hopped into Raboot’s free arm, rocking back and forth hoping Ceailean would agree. Ceailean smiled. “Well… who am I to say no?”

Fomantis’s eyes grew beady with excitement. It hopped out of Raboot’s arms and danced around happily. Raboot couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Noibat exhaled and Raboot felt it on its neck, realizing at that moment that it had been carrying Noibat this whole time. It gently placed Noibat down, apologizing for not putting it down sooner. Noibat scratched the back of its head, mindlessly admitting that it felt kinda good. Raboot blushed slightly after it said that, somewhat happy and embarrassed at the same time.

“I would right now, but I left my duffle inside the Pokémon center. I’ll catch you inside.” Fomantis nodded and everyone started to make their way inside. Noibat flew up to stretch its wings and Raboot ran ahead. Fomantis happily hopped along, watching its new potential friends walk ahead of it, silhouetted by the white lights of the Pokémon center. The sight made it somewhat awestruck, excited for the future for the first time instead of being afraid of it. Fomantis took one step forward, only to then feel something bonk the side of its head.

“By the way Fomantis, how did you get here anyway? I heard you were only native to Alola, and that’s halfway across the world isn’t it?” Ceailean asked, but there was no response. “Fomantis?” He looked back and saw not Fomantis, but a shaking pokeball. “Wait, what?” The ball rattled one more time and clicked with a sparkle. “WAIT, WHAT!” Ceailean and his Pokémon were all completely shocked. Raboot and Noibat rushed toward the ball and looked around to see who threw it.

Ceailean ran up behind them. “No way! What!? How could this have happened!?” He looked around. “Maybe it was Kade! Making a move while we were winding down!” Ceailean, Raboot, and Noibat all formed a triangular formation, covering each other’s backs.

Then they heard laughter coming from the stairs that lead to the street below. Someone emerged from the steps, having been crouched behind them. Ceailean saw them and opened his mouth to start berating them, but the person started talking first.

They laughed giddily. “Hehehe!” then they took a deep breath, “I did it! I finally did it!” Ceailean immediately recognized who it was and felt an immense amount of dread.

“Oh no…” he said to himself.

“Hey, are we there yet?” complained another familiar voice.

“I’m so tired… I just wanna sleep. I don’t even have enough energy to check out all the stuff we won.” said yet another familiar voice.

“Guys! I did it!” said the first voice.

“Did what…”

“I caught Fomantis!”

“Wait, REALLY!” the other two voices exclaimed. Raboot and Noibat both gave sighs of immense disappointment as they both faced the stairs.

“Come on, I’ll show you!” Three people approached the pokeball. Marie, Falt, and Topaz came running up.

Ceailean put his hands in his hair, about ready to start ripping it out. “Marie! Why are you here!”

Marie pushed him to the side. “Move C!” Marie got on all fours and picked up the pokeball. “It’s right here guys! It’s really here!”

Topaz bent down next to her. “Hurry hurry! I wanna see before I blackout!”

Marie turned around with a smirk. “With pleasure!” She opened Fomantis’s pokeball while sitting criss crossed, “Ladies and non-existent gentlemen-!”

“Hey!” called out Falt and Ceailean.

“I present to you, my brand new Fomantis!” Marie released it from its pokeball. Marie closed her eyes and pointed her finger towards the sky. “Take note of its small green stature. And its eyes are special because it has these red lenses-!” Mid-sentence, Fomantis leapt onto Marie’s chest and pushed her to the ground. It desperately shook her shirt collar, wailing as to just why Marie would do that with tears in its eyes.

“C! Please! Help me! It’s attacking me! Augh! I thought these guys were nice!” pleaded Marie.

“I dunno Marie. It clearly has a LOT of frustrations to vent out right now. I think it would be best for it to take them all out on you right now.” said Ceailean.

“What are you talking about?!” cried Marie.

“Ceailean, help her!” said Topaz.

“Falt, I’ll give you a crisp 5,000 if you take your sister inside and just let this happen.” said Ceailean.

“Understood!” said Falt, being snapped awake.

“What!? You can’t just buy my brother like that!” said Topaz.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Yes he can, let’s go.” said Falt, grabbing Topaz from under the shoulders. He then dragged her inside the Pokémon center.

“You’re so lucky I’m too tired to resist this, but there will be hell to pay tomorrow! Count on it!” said Topaz, shaking her fist at Ceailean.

“C?! What are you waiting for?!” pleaded Marie.

“Nothin’ really.” said Ceailean. He looked towards the stairs in an attempt to ignore what was going on. But then he saw Solosis, floating haphazardly through the air approaching them. “Solosis! I forgot! Are you okay?”

Solosis groaned at the fact the Ceailean ‘forgot’. But it didn’t care, it flew into his arms and cried ugly tears. It rubbed its face into his chest, stating how it tried so hard to do what Ceailean told it to. But it was so hard! So much so that it was so glad to choose Ceailean as its trainer instead of Marie.

“Whoa whoa! Was it really that bad?” asked Ceailean. Solosis looked up with streaming tears and puffed cheeks and nodded. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you fixed up in the Pokémon center.” Solosis thanked him with a sniffle.

“C! Me first! IT IS STILL ATTACKING ME!” cried Marie.

“Uh huh, yeah.” Ceailean bent down and shielded his mouth with the back of his hand. “Throw in a few shakes for the rest, will ya?” Ceailean said with a whisper and a wink. Fomantis angrily agreed, doing so without any interruption in its rhythm.

But then tears started to form in Marie’s eyes. “C…! Please.” An immense feeling of guilt washed down Ceailean’s stomach.

He sighed. “Okay Fomantis. Maaaaaybe you’ve proved your point already, so lighten up a bit maybe.” he said, picking up Fomantis from the back. Marie sat up quickly and gave a sigh of relief.

“Took you long enough, C!” said Marie.

“Uh… you’re welcome?”

“I’d have given you a thanks if you didn’t wanna mess with me!” She then scooted up to Fomantis and pointed her finger sternly. “Hey! You may be MY new Pokémon, but that was completely uncalled for! You need to learn some manners! But since I’M your new trainer, a pinnacle example of proper etiquette, you should be able to catch on real easy.

Fomantis and Ceailean were completely unamused. Ceailean started whistling and subtly threw Fomantis back onto Marie. “Oh whoops!” Fomantis began shaking her at the collar of her shirt again.

“C! Why though!” said Marie.

“It slipped out of my hand.” he said with a shrug.

Snom slipped out of Marie’s beanie wondering what the commotion was. Once it saw Fomantis attacking Marie, it grew angry and charged up an icy wind. It asked just what Fomantis was doing. Fomantis angrily explained the situation as fast as it could. Snom paused for a moment, dissipated its charge, and told Fomantis to continue.

“SNOM! You get back out here this instant!” commanded Marie. Fomantis continued angrily shaking Marie around while Ceailean and all his pokemon watched. Ceailean then looked at Raboot.

“Oh uh, Raboot. I haven't really figured out a cover story for you yet, so could you chill out in your pokeball until I figure something out?” he asked. Raboot gave a subtle nod and Ceailean returned it to its pokeball

He looked back on Fomantis, still berating Marie on the ground. “This may take a while…” he said to himself.

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() Marie slammed her hands on the table of the booth. “Well how was I supposed to know Fomantis went on this ‘mystical adventure’ with you!?”

Ceailean sighed, resting his head on his hand. “I guess you couldn’t have known. But we REALLY were having a moment there.” he said in a low accusing voice. Fomantis stood on the table tightly hugging Ceailean’s arm while staring daggers at Marie.

“Ugh, can’t I just blame it on the fact that I’ve been looking around for Fomantis all night? When I saw it, I just… had tunnel vision, okay?” Fomantis’s expression didn’t change. “But Fomantis, I promise you I’m a really cool and nice trainer. Just as good as Ceailean, if not better.”

“Ehhh, don’t push it.”

“What? I am, aren't I?” She held her hand out to the side. “You guys agree with me right?” Snom and Scolipede looked away, attempting to whistle. Fennekin gave a nod with a small smile. “Thank you Fennekin, at least someone believes in me.”

“I’d say a resolution to this conflict is simple.” said Crisis.

“How so?” asked Ceailean.

“Simply catch another Pokémon and trade it with Marie. We can do it first thing in the morning.”

Ceailean groaned. “You make it sound so easy. I practically almost died catching my first two.” Solosis looked over at Noibat with an accusing stare. Noibat placed its wing on its chest defensively and swore that it wasn’t its fault. “‘Cept you Solosis, you were pretty easy.” Ceailean said while giving a quick pat. Solosis blushed and rubbed up against Ceailean’s hand endearingly. Noibat crossed its wings and stuck its tongue at Solosis.

“I agree, Crisis. I also almost died catching my last two.” said Marie, pointing to her Pokémon with her thumb. Fennekin sighed and Scolipede looked away guiltily.

“I assure you two, those times you caught your Pokémon were mere isolated incidents.” said Crisis. “Not every Pokémon catch is as bombastic of an event as your experiences have been.”

“Oh yeah? How did you get Decidueye?” asked Marie.

“I received it as a gift from Armageddon when I was cleared for field work. As a Rowlet of course.”

“Then how about Gurdurr?” asked Ceailean.

“I received it as a Timburr as a gift from a foreman on a construction site. I was assigned on a mission within the area and I did him a favor.”

“And Farfetch’d?” asked Marie.

“I had time to kill while waiting in a train station in Galar, So I went out and caught it in a field.”

Both Marie and Ceailean flopped on the table in disappointment. “You make it sound so easy,” said Marie. “Even now we’re having complications, all I got from Ceailean was that you guys had cool ole time. Like, what even is that? Do you not have any more details? It’s almost as if you made it up.”

Crisis gave Ceailean a worried look. Ceailean sighed. “Well uh… weeee, met this person named Synden. They were a real handful.” Fomantis rolled its eyes and flopped on the table dramatically.

“And he is who exactly?”

“SHE sells baked goods in this crazy cart of hers.”

“H-Her?”

“Yeah. After I got to the outskirts of town trying to save Fomantis. We found ourselves hungry and looking for food. But the next part of town we ended up being the pleasure district full of restaurants that ‘don’t serve kids’ apparently.” Ceailean started to amp himself up as if telling a grand story. “My Pokémon were unable to move from hunger, and all hope seemed lost!”

“You’re really getting into this huh?” asked Marie.

“That was until she showed up. A seemingly small flame in this world of darkness. The only light that could be seen for miles.”

“C-C? She can’t be that cool, right?”

“If only. But she was Giratina’s advocate in disguise. Because she offered us a one way ticket to salvation, in exchange for one thing that only I could offer her.”

Marie gulped. “A-And what might that be?”

“Our help in moving her cart to the carnival grounds.”

Marie slammed her hand on the table. “Any ole’ bozo could’ve helped push her cart to the carnival grounds!”

“Maybe? But the thing I did differently was that,” Ceailean pointed finger guns at Marie, “I screwed it up.”

Marie leaned right in front of Ceailean’s face. “Stop messing around and just tell me what happened! Straight answer!”

“I released the brake while everyone was pushing, so it got launched down the street. Then Synden tossed me off a flickin’ bridge to catch up to it. Got Scorbunny to drive for a bit! Noibat got hit by a car! She tossed me around the cart like a rag doll with her own crazy driving! And uh…” He snapped his fingers trying to think of something. “A-And we lost Solosis along the way. Thanks for uh… finding it for me by the way.”

Marie slumped back in her seat with her arms crossed. “You’re welcome, I guess.”

Fomantis gave Ceailean a confused look, saying that wasn’t the right time of events. Noibat subtly shushed it and told it to just go along with it.

Ceailean’s eyes then lit up. “Oh! And Scorbunny got excited and decided to race us! So excited that uh… this happened.” Ceailean took out Raboot’s pokeball and released it next to her. Raboot stood up straight and waved.

Marie gasped and leaned in close to Raboot’s face, her eyes sparkling. “Whoa! This is Scorbunny’s evolution? *gasp* “And I missed it?!” She swiveled back over to Ceailean. “Please tell me you got it on video, it would be so cool to see!”

“I mean, I would’ve. But we were both a little preoccupied at the moment.” Ceailean then rubbed his arms, feeling the bruises just under his jacket sleeves. “She also stole my pokédex for a bit, so…” Raboot gave a concerned a glance at Ceailean before look back down on the ground. But then Marie leaned back in and squeezed its cheeks.

“Aww, but it's so cute now!” Marie tugged the skin around Raboot’s skin and pinched its fur. Raboot blushed profusely, unsure what to do. “Your fur is so much softer, and your eyes are brighter! I can see my reflection in your eyes! Oh! And your fur is such a cool edgy red! You look like a tiny teenager with a jacket!” Raboot received too many cutesy compliments all at once. Its head poofed with steam and Raboot quickly waved away Marie’s hands. “Aww, and you’re so shy! That’s so adorable!” Marie squealed. Raboot’s face grew even redder and it desperately crawled under the table, opting to sit against Ceailean’s legs until it could calm down.

Marie then sighed. “Aww, but I was having so much fun.” Her expression then went serious and she looked at Ceailean. “But you C, I still feel like you’re hiding stuff from me.”

“Why would I hide stuff from you? What do I have to gain? Like, what proof do you even have?”

“My proof is how little you mentioned Fomantis in that whole story. So I think you made it up.”

“Uhhhh…”

“Marie, let’s be rational about this. Ceailean has told you the truth to the best of his ability. And its still hard to believe he would lie considering how fast he was able to come up with it on the spot. It would most certainly have to of come from memory.” said Crisis.

Marie pinched her chin and pondered. “I mean, I guess. Were you there for it Crisis?”

“No, I met up with him while walking back here.”

“Ugh! I feel like we’re getting nowhere!”

“Well, Fomantis. I think you’re just gonna have to get used to your new trainer for now until we can figure something out.” Fomantis turned its head away in spite of Marie.

Marie laid her head on the table and gave Fomantis her saddest eyes. “Come on! We’re gonna have fun, I swear!” Fomantis turned its head slightly further. “I just… I just…” Marie then placed her arms on the table, rested her head on them, and groaned.

Crisis was confused. “W-What is she-”

“Give it a minute.” said Ceailean. Marie continued groaning, eventually having her breath become shaky. Fennekin grew concerned and walked over to see if she was okay. It pawed her hair, hoping she would raise her head. But she continued groaning, eventually turning into sobbing. Fennekin shot an accusing glance at Fomantis, to which a wave of guilt went down its body.

“Whoa, Fomantis.” said Ceailean with more emphasis than was needed. “Are you really gonna make Marie, my great friend, cry like that?” Fomantis jumped and rubbed Ceailean’s jacket sleeve desperately, saying it didn’t mean to. “Well…” Ceailean gestured to Marie. “Could you at least try to get along with her?” Fomantis sighed. It slowly made its way over to Marie and place its arm on hers. It took a deep breath to say something, but then Marie immediately raised her head and snatched Fomantis up.

“Haha! I knew you’d warm up to me!” said Marie. “It seems my plan worked too well. Sorry about that, Fennekin.” Fennekin sighed and sat down. Fomantis tried to wriggle out of Marie’s hand, but Marie rubbed her finger on its belly and it started to laugh. “Oooh! You’re ticklish, huh?” Fomantis immediately stopped laughing and shook its head in denial. “Nope, too late!” Marie then doubled down and began tickling Fomantis more. It wriggled around desperately, but Marie’s grip was too strong. It laughed with tears in its eyes, up until Marie stopped and let it flop down exhausted. Then, its stomach growled.

“Oh! Are you hungry?” Hold on, I might have a berry somewhere.”

“Don’t bother,” said Ceailean. “It only eats one thing, sunlight.”

“What?” Marie looked at the time on her pokédex. “It’s 11:27 right now. The sun won’t come up for another 6-7 hours.” Fomantis groaned, saddened so much by the fact that the sun was still so far away. It reached out to Ceailean for comfort.

“Sorry Fomantis,” said Ceailean, “I think you should get used to Marie for a while. So in essence, I’m gonna betray you a little bit for a while.” Fomantis let its arms hang limp, pouting. “Don’t worry Fomantis. Wherever she goes, I’ll be close by. Count on it. Plus she’s been my good friend for a long time. Though she may not be as cool as me, I give you my full confidence that she’ll be a great trainer to hang out with.”

“Ha ha, C.” said Marie sarcastically. “You wish you were half as cool as me.”

“Oh yeah, guys? Who’s cooler, me or Marie?” Raboot, Noibat, Solosis, Fomantis, and Scolipede pointed at Ceailean. While Fennekin and Snom pointed at Marie.

“What?! Scolipede?!” said Marie. Scolipede gasped and quickly pointed at Marie. “It’s too late, you’re just patronizing me.” She then gave a big yawn. “Ugh, it's so late. We should probably get to bed.”

“Yeah, Fomantis really needs to conserve its energy until it can bask in the sun,” said Ceailean.

“Yeah, there’s that. But more importantly! I gotta rest up for my gym challenge tomorrow!” Fomantis then gave her a stern look. “Oh uh… yeah. You’re pretty important too. Best to let you get as much rest as possible until you get some sun.”

“I’ve already booked us a room. Let’s go up already.”

“First one there gets to choose the bed!” said Marie, returning Scolipede to its pokeball as it could not fit up the stairs. She then threw herself out of the booth and ran up the stairs.

“Hey! I have the key! Not like you could choose anyway!” said Ceailean, chasing after her.

“Could you two at least attempt to not cause a ruckus by running around?” said Crisis, knowing the both of them were out of earshot anyway. He calmly exited the both and followed them, all of their Pokémon then followed him.

Back at the booths, a man sat directly in the next booth to the groups, reading a newspaper. He put out his cigarette in the ashtray and picked up his phone. “Sorry Marie, but I can’t stall anymore. Enjoy your last day on your journey. I hope it was fun while it lasted.” He typed in his phone as he said this. The messages said:

Christianson: I found them, they’re here.

Crimis: omy

Crimis: Tell me where

Christianson typed in the address of the Pokémon center and hit send.