Chapter 49: Far From Home

Marie turned over in her sleep, subconsciously hugging her pillow tightly as she did so. But as she rolled over, she laid the pillow right on top of Fennekin’s body, muffling its snores. Eventually, the snores turned into snorts as Fennekin struggled to breath. It turned over, it stretched, it raised its head, but the pressure was still too much. It wriggled around desperately, eventually hitting Marie’s nose with its back paw. Marie’s nose scrunched up as she clenched her teeth. She then rose up and gave a great big sneeze.

“A-chooo!” she screamed, startling the rest of the Pokémon awake. Fennekin crawled out from under Marie’s pillow and pouted, complaining to Marie for waking it up. “Oh Fennekin! Did I roll over on you? I’m so sorry!” Marie then heard more complaints from Ceailean’s bed. Raboot sat up and rubbed its eyes while Solosis floated around drearily, not even sure of what was going on. Noibat and Snom however continued to sleep as if nothing happened.

“You two are the heaviest sleepers out of all of us, huh?” said Marie, rubbing her eyes and yawning afterward. She looked over to the clock on the nightstand. “10:37? Usually Crisis would’ve woken us up by now. Oh well, more sleepy time for me!” Marie flopped back down on her bed and sighed, closing her eyes peacefully. Only to open them a couple seconds later with an unsatisfied expression.

“Darn, now I’m too awake…” She sat back up and looked over to Ceailean’s bed. “C? Are you awake?” she asked in a whisper. She waited for a response but none came. “C?” she asked again, getting up from the bed. She noticed that Ceailean wasn’t there. His sheets were overturned and bed empty. “He’s gone.” Marie’s statement made Raboot’s ear twitch and it looked over, confirming Ceailean’s absence.

“I wonder where he went. You guys wanna check the lobby with me?” Raboot, Solosis, and Fennekin nodded. “Alright!” Marie quickly changed into her day time clothes. “Let’s go see where he went!” she said excitedly. All the Pokémon yawned in response. “Man, you guys seem so wiped out. Maybe I shoulda let you guys keep sleeping.” Raboot waved away her concern and assured her that they were fine.

Solosis however, feeling bitter that it was rudely awakened, decided to take its frustration out on Noibat by bouncing on its back. But when it did, Noibat’s eyes flashed open as it loudly groaned in pain. Solosis gasped, suddenly feeling a huge wave of guilt. Noibat breathed through its teeth and stretched out its limps to try to combat its soreness.

Solosis asked if Noibat was okay. Noibat replied saying that Kade ordered one of his Pokémon to detonate its own dragon rush on itself and it hasn’t been feeling great ever since. Solosis was about to give an apology before Fennekin interjected, confused as to when such an event occurred. Why was Noibat fighting Kade and which Pokémon did such a thing?

Noibat, Solosis, and Raboot were startled. They had completely forgotten that they were supposed to keep that secret. They all quickly moved away, badly whistling as if nothing happened. Fennekin immediately grew frustrated and stamped down its two front paws, demanding to know what they were hiding. The lot began to sweat with worry as they tried to pretend not to hear.

“Solosis!” shouted Marie. Solosis yelled in fear and looked at Marie, shivering. Marie bent forward and held a finger in front of its face. “Hurting Noibat like that was not cool, sis! I really hoped you guys would lighten up soon but you two always go after one another. So we’re gonna make progress right now! Solosis, apologize to Noibat right now!”

Solosis looked down on Noibat and felt hesitant. But it could feel Fennekin's stare beaming down on them, making Solosis want to leave as soon as possible. It gave its quickest apology to Noibat, to which Noibat accepted just as fast before hurrying themselves out the door along with Raboot.

“Whoa, you guys sure are eager.” said Marie. Fennekin scoffed and turned its head away. Marie noticed and walked up to it. “Oh, what’re you mad about, Fennekin?” Fennekin tried to tell Marie everything it heard. It wasn’t mad per se, but concerned with what Ceailean’s Pokémon were keeping secret. “Are they keeping you from some kind of inside joke?” Fennekin groaned with frustration and aggressively told Marie no. “Oh… um, I’m sorry, Fennekin. I just don’t get what you’re saying.” Fennekin sighed. It apologized for snapping at Marie like that and hopped down from the bed, walking out the door while silently cursing at its own language barrier.

“I sure hope it's okay.” Marie said to herself before leaving the room. Shortly after, Snom opened one eye, acknowledging what Fennekin had said before going back to sleep.

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() Fennekin grumbled to itself, frustrated with Ceailean’s Pokémon for thinking secrets were the best way to protect people. It trotted down the stairs towards the lobby, where its saw Ceailean’s Pokémon lined up shoulder to shoulder looking at something. Fennekin gave a subtle growl and walked up to their side, once again asking for what they were hiding. It wasn’t an idiot, they already slipped up and Fennekin wanted to know what was going on.

But it’s aggressive talk was cut short when it saw they were all looking at something, their expressions full of concern. Fennekin looked to see Ceailean, his head hung low, looking at the pokédex he clutched in his hands. The morning light poured through, creating a veil of light that made Ceailean’s silhouette fuzzy.

Marie then slowly walked up behind the Pokémon. “Hey, are you guys alright?” she asked them. She then looked in the direction they were looking and found Ceailean. “Hey C! Watcha lookin at?” she asked eagerly.

Ceailean’s eyes snapped towards Marie. He gave a quick sigh and stood up, quickly walking over to Marie, paying little mind to the Pokémon in his way as they had to jump out of his way. Ceailean then held out his pokédex right in Marie’s face.

“Marie,” he said with a cold tone, “Do you know about this?” On Ceailean’s pokédex was his mothers contact, showing that it was blocked.

Marie’s eyes widened. She stepped back and her breath shuddered. “U-Um, did you accidentally block your mom, C?”

Ceailean shook his head. “Try again! Do you know about this?”

Marie’s heart dropped ever deeper. “C?! W-Why are you yelling at me?!”

Ceailean leaned closer, quieting his voice to a deep growl. “Last chance Marie,” Ceailean gently shook his pokédex in his hand, “Do you know about this?”

“I-I don’t know! I-I swear…” Marie said meekly, coiling her arms on top of her chest and turning her head away while squeezing her eyes tightly.

The two remained silent for a moment. Ceailean then sighed and backed away. “You disappoint me, Marie.”

Marie opened her eyes. “What? What even-!”

“That’s enough, Marie.” said a familiar voice, one Marie was scared to hear. She slowly turned around towards the direction of the voice and saw Ceailean’s mom in the flesh. She leaned against the lobby counter with her arms crossed. She wore a simple black jacket and sweats with a plain yellow t-shirt underneath. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail and was as black and slick as Ceailean’s. She stood up and walked over to Marie, giving Marie a serious look, her black eyes staring deep into Marie’s.

“I told Ceailean everything, Marie.” she said.

“Since Lumiose?!” interjected Ceailean, making Marie jump in place. “That was almost a month ago!” Ceailean shook his pokédex in the air. “You’ve done this and known about it for a whole month!? Why?! Do you even know how important my mom is to me?!”

A hand then firmly grasped Ceailean’s flailing arm. “That’s enough.” said Crisis calmly. “Exploding on her won’t do us any favors. Let us hear her out first, then draw our conclusions afterward.”

Ceailean grumbled and forcefully pulled his arm away from Crisis’s grip. “Fine.” He walked over to a nearby bench and sat down on it aggressively, putting one leg over his knee. “Speak.” he commanded Marie.

Marie backed up a couple steps. Her lip quivered as she rose a hand up to her chest. “…um” Her voice cracked. Everyone was staring her down. Noibat and Solosis were confused, Raboot gave her a disappointed look, Crisis remained stoic but expectant, Miss Crimis crossed her arms and looked down on her sternly, but most scary of all was Ceailean, his eyes full of anger and his foot shook up and down impatiently.

“…I”

A voice called out behind her. She turned around to see Snom on the stairs, looking at her with remorse. It calmly told her it was time to stop running and take responsibility. Marie then felt something touch her ankle. Fennekin was at her side and gave her a slow comforting nod.

“Yeah, okay.” She bent down and picked up Fennekin. Snom blasted itself on top of Marie’s head. “I’m ready, let’s do it.” She turned back around and took a deep breath.

“Come on now, hurry up!” said Ceailean.

Miss Crimis leaned towards him sternly. “Ceailean! Shh!” Ceailean’s eyes widened with surprise before he looked away guiltily.

“Ceailean?” said Marie. Ceailean looked back at Marie with his eyes, refusing to fully face her. “The story I told you about how I got to the train. It… wasn’t the whole story. In all honesty, I wasn’t supposed to even show up that day.” Ceailean’s foot stopped shaking as he finally faced her fully, giving her his full attention.

“You see, my dad was wholeheartedly against the idea of me going on a journey. Nothing personal or anything, just in general. He’d flip if he found out I stepped even a foot outside Snowbelle. But I would’ve felt bad for just up and disappearing, so I thought maybe just this once, he’d hear my plea.” Marie sighed and looked down at Fennekin in her hands. “He didn’t even give me the time of day. No way, no how, he said. Even asking Christianson to lock me in my room. Because of course he could be there himself.”

Marie looked back up and stared deeply into Ceailean’s eyes. “But I had already made up my mind and I wasn’t gonna take no as an answer! So I tied a bunch of bed sheets together and used it as a rope to escape.” Marie sighed, “The rest goes like how I told you already. Snom’s powder snow, the skates, the train.”

Ceailean had to suppress a smirk, remembering he was supposed to be mad. “Okay, but that doesn’t explain why you blocked my mom.”

“Oh, well you see, she gave you a call after Tu- uh, I mean after we spent a week in Lumiose. She called and told me that my dad was looking for me. I was scared and I really didn’t want to get caught so close to the start of my journey. So when she asked to talk to you, I panicked, thinking she would tell of my escape and that maybe-”

“I would rat you out?” finished Ceailean.

Marie sheepishly nodded. “Y-Yeah.”

Ceailean tilted his head to the side and sighed. “I can see that way of thinking, sure. But was there absolutely no faith that I wouldn’t give you away like that? You can trust me.”

“Of course! B-But, I didn’t know for sure! I… I didn’t wanna take any chances.”

Ceailean stood straight up from his seat and moved right in front of Marie, making her tense up. “Marie, if you’d had just been honest with me, I never would’ve sold you out like that. Heck, even though you did something like block my mom, I still wouldn't.”

“Y-You really mean that?”

“Don’t get me wrong though, I’m still, ugh… I’m still rightly pissed off!” Marie winced at Ceailean’s curse. “But maybe I’ll find it in myself to forgive you down the road. Not today, but I’ll give you a chance.”

Marie gave a great big smile. “Don’t worry C! I’ll never do something like that ever again, I swear it! A whole new Marie will be journeying with you from this day on, you’ll see.”

Ceailean relaxed his shoulders and resisted the urge to smile with her, his pride not allowing him. “Uh… yeah sure.” He offered his hand. “Here’s to being better people, I guess.”

Marie shook his hand earnestly. “Yes! For sure!”

Just then, there were clacking footsteps coming down from the stairs behind Marie. “I’m afraid it's too late for that.”

The hairs on Marie’s neck stood up. She recognized that voice, and it wasn’t one she wanted to hear. She slowly turned around and saw Christianson descending from the stairs. His steps were slow and lanky. His tired black eyes stared right into Marie’s as he instinctively reached into his suit pocket and lit up a cigarette.

In Marie’s horror, she quickly turned around and made a run for it, pushing away Ceailean by the shoulder. “No no no no no!”

“Wha-! Marie! Where are you going?!” Ceailean asked, along with all the other Pokémon. Crisis and Miss Crimis hesitantly stepped forward, unsure of what to do.

“Don’t even try it.” said Christianson in a bored tone, catching Ceailean's attention.

As Marie approached the sliding door, she tried to dash through them, only to bump straight into something huge in the way. She fell on the floor and looked at what stopped her. Rhyperior stood in the way, giving a worried look and asking if she was okay.

Marie quickly stood up. “Move!” she said while wriggling her body angrily. Rhyperior was a little shocked to see Marie so desperate and tried to calm her down. But Marie doubled down and ran up to push Rhyperior out of the way. “I said move!” Try as she might, Rhyperior didn’t move an inch, even with her feet scraping across the Pokémon center floor. Everyone else had walked up behind the door and watched from a distance. Ceailean was especially bewildered to see Marie acting this way. It reminded him of when he locked her up in a tower in Tuviere.

Rhyperior looked down on Marie, feeling sad for her. It tried to hold her back, but Marie jumped back in a desperate plea of anger. “MOVE ALREADY!” Marie took out a pokeball and pointed it behind her. “Use megahorn!” Everyone in the group gasped as Scolipede came out of the pokeball and immediately charged at Rhyperior with horns bursting with silver energy, catching it off guard.

Rhyperior was hit directly in the chest and was sent tumbling across the ground. “How in the hell did she get that?!” asked Christianson.

Marie then climbed on Scolipede’s back, clutching Fennekin tightly while Snow held on for dear life. “Come on, we’re getting out of here!” Scolipede looked back, confused as to where to go. “Anywhere but here! Just go!” Scolipede focused up and took off out of the Pokémon center.

“Don’t even think about it!” shouted Christianson, hurriedly walking after her.

“Now let’s not be so hasty!” said Crisis, running up to Christianson’s side. “Is there truly no situation that involves you dragging Marie home?!”

“There isn’t. Now get out of the way.” said Christianson plainly.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“Perhaps we could discuss an alternate-”

“No!”

“But why-”

“It doesn’t matter, now shut up already.”

Crisis skipped slightly ahead of Christianson and blocked him from moving forward. “I’ve never seen such an extreme reaction from Marie ever before in my travels with her! Something must have happened to warrant it! Was it you?! Did you do something?!”

“No!” said both Christianson and Ceailean at the same time. Crisis peered over Christianson’s shoulder and gave Ceailean a confused look. Ceailean realized he made an instinctive reaction and looked away. Christianson sighed. “Whatever quarrel she has isn’t with me. It is with her father. I am just a butler.” He tried to move past Crisis, to which Crisis moved back in the way.

“Not good enough!” said Crisis. “You can see plain as day that she doesn’t want to go with you! So you’re going to just blindly follow her fathers orders? Even though what you are doing is hurting her?!”

“It’s out of my hands, junior. Now if you’re done flapping your filthy mouth around, I need to bring someone home.”

Crisis grit his teeth in anger. “What?!” He reached over to grab Christianson’s suit collar. But Christianson moved fast, grabbing Crisis’s arm, forcing him to step behind him, then swept him off his legs with a twisting kick, making him fall of the ground hard.

“Crisis!” shouted Ceailean.

“Oh my gosh! Are you okay?!” asked Miss Crimis, running up to Crisis’s side along with Ceailean. “W-What are you doing?” she asked Christianson.

“My job.” Christianson said right before the sliding doors closed behind him.

Miss Crimis looked back down at Crisis, who was wincing from the pain. “I’m sorry you guys. If I knew he would act this way, I never would’ve had him help me find you guys.”

“You did what you had to.” said Ceailean. “I don’t blame you.” He sighed and looked through the glass sliding doors. “So what should we do?”

“I’m more perplexed by what you did not do.” said Crisis with a groan.

“W-What?” asked Ceailean.

Crisis sat up and glared at Ceailean. “Why was I the only one to go and defend Marie? Why did you sit back and do nothing?”

“Well… I couldn’t just go up in his face or anything.”

“And yet I have seen you do such things before. Why didn’t you this time?”

Miss Crimis gasped. “You got up in people’s faces, Ceailean? Like, yelling at them.”

“Eh, something like that. I’ll tell you later.” said Ceailean. “But Crisis, Christianson isn’t like… a bad guy, you know what I’m saying?”

Crisis rubbed his head. “The back of my neck would like to believe the contrary, quite antagonistic if you ask me.”

“He’s not evil is what I’m saying. If her dad wants her back, what am I supposed to do about that?”

“You are supposed to-! No, if I have to spell it out for you, my disappointment would be immeasurable. Stay here for all I care, I will be the one to do something about this!” Crisis got up to his feet and quickly left the Pokémon center.

“But… I can’t just…” said Ceailean to himself.

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() Christianson walked up beside Rhyperior, who was laying down on the ground after its big hit. “Enough stalling, we have a job to do.” Christianson said as he passed by. Rhyperior sighed and begrudgingly picked itself up from the ground as if it were just snoozing. He then peered over the railing to see Marie near the end of the descending stairs. He traced the railing until he was directly above the end of the staircase.

Crisis then ran out of the Pokémon center and noticed Christianson near the railing. “You! Stop! This isn’t over yet!”

Christianson scoffed. “Let’s get out of here before he gets any more annoying.” Rhyperior nodded and scooped him up with its right arm, holding him above its head.

Crisis approached confused. “What are you even-?” Rhyperior then leapt off the ledge to the streets below. Crisis’s eyes widened. He ran over to the railing and quickly looked over the edge. “What in Arceus’s name?!”

Christianson remained calm as he fell through the air. He trained his sight on Marie, who had just crossed the street. The ground grew near as he curled up his knees to his chest.

“Come on, come on, come one!” Marie mumbled to herself. Scolipede was extremely concerned by Marie’s action. Despite knowing her for such a small amount of time, it never imagined that she would ever act out this way. Fennekin desperately tried to get her attention, trying to figure out what was wrong. But no matter how much it cried, Marie’s eyes remained looking forward, full of panic and worry.

Then, the sound of something ripping straight through the sky made Scolipede stop in its tracks. It looked back to see Rhyperior just as it crashed onto the sidewalk, cratering the concrete below its 2 massive legs. The shock wave from the impact was so large that it even knocked Scolipede off balance for a bit. Rhyperior then slowed Christianson's fall by letting him roll off its palm like a ball, rolling into a kneel with one hand on the ground.

“Oh my gosh, that was actually kinda cool!” Marie squeaked to herself. Christianson looked at Marie and stood up. Readjusting his suit cuff, he walked slowly towards Marie.

“No more fussing around, Marie.” he said in a plain tone, “Time to come home. Your father insists.” Marie only looked in horror as Christianson approached. Scolipede scraped its front hoof aggressively against the concrete as he got closer. Snom curled up, as if being backed against a wall. As Christianson reached his hand out, Fennekin was about ready to pounce and bite his finger.

“Wait!” shouted a voice. Christianson sighed annoyingly and turned around. Ceailean was rushing down the stairs closely followed by Crisis as well as Noibat and Solosis gliding down with Raboot grind railing the guard rails.

“Hold on, Ceailean!” said Crisis. “Rhyperior is in the way, it could attack and-”

“Whatever! ‘Scuse me!” said Ceailean as he squeezed by Rhyperior. Crisis and the Pokémon followed as fast as could while still remaining cautious of Rhyperior. Ceailean ran all the way up to Christianson, out of breath and wheezing while using his arms to support himself on his knees. “Hah…! Stairs…!”

“Is there a point to your sudden outburst?” asked Christianson.

Ceailean clapped his hands together. “Please! Let Marie continue her journey with us! We’ve done so much, and we’ve learned so much too! Made friends and made promises! I cannot let it end like this!”

“No.” Christianson said quickly.

Ceailean looked up at him desperately. “T-Then what would you want in exchange then?” He reached into his duffel bag. “I have about $32k in here and-”

“About less than half of what I make on a normal work day? Please, your pay grade is too low for that.”

“How much do you get paid?!” Ceailean said to himself. “T-Then what if I went in her place?”

“Now you’re just delirious. Faun only cares about the safety of his daughter. So bringing you only makes things worse.”

“What?” Marie mouthed to herself.

“Mr. Visu shouldn’t have to worry. Marie is so strong now! And she has me and Crisis at her side! We’re practically untouchable!”

Christianson leaned down near Ceailean’s ear. “You expect me to believe that when you two were involved in the Battle of Tuviere?”

Ceailean backed away shocked, “W-What are you talking about?”

“I’ve had to talk to a lot of people in order to find you, seeing as Marie left her phone at home, we couldn’t track her that way. Seems you’ve met quite a bit of people. Sycamore, The Lumiose Gym Leader, a boy in the woods named Terrence, a café owner named Reese, and a prince named Vertant.”

“How did you-?”

Christianson began to pace back and forth in front of Ceailean. “Though you may have scraped through, I do find it concerning that most of them were by the skin of your teeth. I was told it took 2 mega evolved Pokémon to save you from Tuviere. You still think that is the best odds?” Ceailean remained silent, looking at the ground.

“Not convinced? How about that time you tried to hold off a Drapion all by yourself, in which you blacked out from the poison inflicted on you.” Ceailean clenched his fist and turned his head away.

“I can keep going. There was the time where you turned an entire street of Camphrier into a practical war zone, all against one guy.”

Ceailean scoffed. “That guy stole Snom from her! Was I supposed to sit by and do nothing!?”

“By all means, your actions have been heroic and noble. But,” Christianson kneeled down in front of Ceailean, “That’s not the point I’m trying to make. Ceailean, whether you like it or not, you and your group really attract some kind of special attention. Some of the most dangerous scenarios I’ve ever heard of. What do you think will happen if Faun learned about this?”

Ceailean perked up. “He doesn’t know?”

“Not yet. Poor guy would probably melt with worry if I told him that all at once. But can you really look at me with a straight face and say that the safest place for her is with you on this journey?”

Ceailean turned his head again. He thought about everything Christianson hadn't mentioned. The exploding mountain, the storm, Marie’s leg injury and her poisoning. “I…”

“Now you’re starting to get it. The longer you attract this kind of attention, the more you tempt fate. I wouldn’t want to gamble with those odd either.” Christianson stood and faced Marie. “Marie, come on. Cut your old man a break and go back with him. Give him some time to prepare and he’ll let you fly when he’s ready.”

Marie’s breath grew shaky. She curled up against Scolipede’s neck and shivered. “No.” she said under her breath.

“What?”

Marie gave Christianson a fierce look. “I said no!” Christianson grumbled and crossed his arms, opting to hear Marie. “Going on a journey is dangerous no matter what age I go. But I can’t say it hasn’t been the most worthwhile experience of my life. I was so scared, worried, and paranoid! But I also had the time of my life. I was so happy, ecstatic, joyful!” Marie ran her thumb across Scolipede’s skin and Fennekin's fur, “I’ve made some of the greatest friends I’ve ever had. And even with such a short amount of time, I’ve made some of my greatest memories with them. I can’t let that end now, I still have so much left to go.”

“I understand, Marie. Truly, I do.” said Christianson. “But you can’t just run away from home and expect him not to act like this. You tied a shoddy rope from the second floor of the house for Arceus’s sake. That alone would’ve gotten you grounded for a week. But that sounds paltry compared to what you’ve been through. If I told him, I’m sure you’d give him a heart attack.”

Marie felt a wave of anger and she grit her teeth. “Yeah?! Well if he really cared, he would be here and not you!” Ceailean was shocked by this response.

“Hey! That’s not fair! You know he’s been a very busy man trying to run the company your mother left in his hands!”

“Then he’d make the time to come out here if he were so worried, wouldn’t he?!”

“That’s just not how it works, Marie! I’m just the next best thing.”

“Yeah?! Then I want you to send him a message!”

Christianson stepped closer. “What? Marie!”

Marie held out a pokeball at his chest, stopping him. “I’ll prove to him that I can handle myself all on my own.”

“Don’t be ridiculous-!”

“You and me, Christianson. If I handle myself against Rhyperior, that’ll have to make him understand that I should be fine.”

“This isn’t about you! Think about how Faun feels.”

“Maybe he should consider how I feel. We’re just selfish in our own ways, aren’t we?”

“Marie, just stop-”

“Or what? Are you gonna tell me you're a coward?” Christianson grumbled. “I’ve made you an offer you can’t refuse. Take it.”

Christianson scratched the back of his head. “Ugh, you just know so much, don’t you?” he said sarcastically.

“I know enough.” Marie said sternly.

Christianson sighed. “Fine. Whatever will resolve this faster. But, I’ll only do it on the condition that you absolutely have to come back home if you lose. No arguments, no stalling, no escaping, no if, ands, or buts!”

“I don’t plan on losing, Christianson.” Marie said with a determined look. “I’m so much stronger now and I plan on going all out. Count on it!”

Christianson turned around and started to head back to the Pokémon center. “Believe in your delusions. I’ll wait for you back at the Pokémon center battlefield. But if you even think about running away again, no amount of begging will keep you from going home.”

Ceailean stepped out of Christianson’s way as he walked by. Their eyes met for a moment. Ceailean could see his reflection in Christianson’s black eye. They were tired but held a slight hint of longing, as if asking for something. Did he want something from him. Ceailean never got a chance to ask as Christianson jumped on top of Rhyperior and the both of them walked back up the stairs.

Ceailean snapped out of it and ran to Marie’s side. “Marie! What’s your game plan? Did he guess as much? Are we gonna run away?”

Crisis and Ceailean’s Pokémon ran up to their side. “I am in support of this plan. That man brings great concern along with him wherever he goes. I would like to be further from him at this point.”

“Wha-? No!” said Marie, “You heard him, didn’t you? If I even think about running away, I would lose all right to be on this journey.” She looked the other two in the eyes. “I’m gonna do this.”

“You sure?” asked Ceailean.

“I question this as well,” said Crisis. “He was a very intimidating man, much different than anything we’ve ever faced. If we did choose to run away, I do have knowledge of some Team Harmonious safe houses along our journey’s path. He would have a much harder time tracking us if we went between those.”

“No! I don’t want to go on this journey constantly looking over my shoulder.” Marie then rubbed her shoulders, creeped out by something. “Regardless, don’t you two feel that?”

“What?” asked Ceailean. He immediately closed his eyes and concentrated. He then gasped and turned around, just in time to see a figure duck behind an alleyway.

“What is it?” asked Crisis.

“We’re being watched.” said Ceailean. Crisis’s eyes widened and he stood guard, looking around to see who could be looking. The Pokémon formed a defensive circle as well. Noibat concentrated and listened. It then pointed to an alleyway and told everyone something was there. The Pokémon moved to engage, but Marie thrust her hand out.

“No! Don’t bother!” she said. All the Pokémon stopped dead in their tracks. “We can finish this with one battle. Let’s not make this messier than it has to be.”

Ceailean clenched his fist. “If… you’re that determined, then I guess I can’t stop you.”

“Ceailean!” said Crisis, shocked.

“She’s right, you know. This can all end right now with one battle. I don’t want to spend the rest of our journey sneaking around. We have to have faith, Crisis! She can end this today!”

Crisis physically cringed at the idea. “Are you absolutely sure, Marie? I mean, we would be sleeping in real beds for the rest of our journey.” Marie gave him a determined look. Crisis groaned. “I am outvoted as it is anyway. I’ll be there when you challenge him.”

“Thanks, Crisis.” said Marie. “I’ll try my absolute hardest.” Then she held both Fennekin and Snom near Scolipede’s head. “I’m counting on you three, let’s get up there and do this!” Her Pokémon rallied in cheer. Marie faced the other two. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Yeah!” said Ceailean with a fist pump.

“As you wish.” said Crisis with a sigh, holding his hip with one hand.

As they moved, Ceailean tugged on Marie’s shirt. “Huh? Yeah, C?”

“I was thinking. Could I maybe… ride Scolipede? It is pretty cool after all.” he asked.

Marie smiled. “Well duh, you know how long I’ve been asking?” She reached down and grasped Ceailean’s wrist tugging him on top.

“Hey, whoa! I wasn’t ready yet!” Ceailean jumped chest first on Scolipede's back. He struggled to sit up while Marie chuckled at him. Finally, he sat with one leg on each side of Scolipede. He looked around, the ground moving up and down with each trot. “So this is what it’s like, huh?”

“Yeah, you’ve been missing out.” said Marie. Then, when Scolipede dropped down from the curb, it caught Ceailean off guard and threw him off balance. He gasped and wrapped his arms around Marie’s stomach before he could fall. This somewhat squeezed the air out of her and embarrassed her beyond measure.

Ceailean quickly picked himself up. “S-Sorry! I didn’t squeeze too hard, did I?”

“I-I’m just fine! J-Just get a grip would you?!” she said with a squeak.

Ceailean sighed. “So what’s your plan? You would know more about him, but I’d still say that he knows how to hold himself in a battle.”

“Don’t you worry about that. There’s only one way I can approach this battle, and even that is a bit of a hail mary. Let’s get my plus 1 and I’ll fill you in.”

“Plus 1?” asked Ceailean. Then it dawned on him. “Fomantis! Does it even know what’s going on?!”

Marie turned around and smiled. “Just leave it to me, C”