The Epic of Cynthia

Chapter 5 - Endurance

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or these characters

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It had been two days since the group of new trainers had departed from Celestic Town, and Cynthia was already tired of the people she was walking with. At first their trek through route 210 was pleasant, filled with the occasional conversation and flash of excitement when a new Pokémon jumped out. By the second day, the interest in the new had dimmed, and Cynthia came to a sudden realisation.

She was a lot more mature than her age group. It hit her suddenly; she was the only one out of the group that hadn't complained about childish whims. It wasn't only her though. Compared to all the other starter Pokémon, Gible was easily the most mature. She was surprised all the children were acting so childishly. They were all 12 and 13, and the last time she acted the way they were currently acting... Well, she can't remember ever acting like that. Apart from when she sees food.

"This is so boooooring." Grumbled Brendan, the trainer with the Porygon. "We've been walking for two days and we haven't even reached the bottom of the mountain range where we can change to route 215." He was quickly quelled by a glare shot to him from Cynthia. He wasn't going to rise against the fierce girl.

Cynthia was the de facto leader of the small band of pre-teens, and nobody was surprised to why. In situations that required a leader, she instantly filled the roll. She helped them get back on track when they went off road, and even navigated them safely around a Luxray den. It was never officially stated, but it was accepted among all of the travellers. It was important to have a leader on one of the most dangerous routes in Sinnoh.

"Hey Cynthia?" Pipped up Bridgette, "How long till we reach that hotel?" Cynthia sighed and checked her map.
"We're about three hours away from the bottom of the mountain, and it'll be another two after that to reach the hotel." Replied Cynthia. "We'll definitely make it by evening if we keep up this pace."
Bridgette nodded and went back to animatedly talking with her Piplup. Cynthia stowed her map away and looked forward, searching the forest for threats. There were none.

The group continued walking downwards, and soon reached a hill that overlooked large grassy plains. Cynthia gasped as she looked outwards. The fresh smell of plants filled her nose and the song of an Altaria in the distance lifted her heart. She peered into the distance and made out a building near some pastures. She pointed to it.
"There." She said. "We'll be staying there tonight."
"Yes! No more sleeping in tents!" Exclaimed Tristan, a tall, tanned boy. "Race you down the hill!" And with that, the boys rushed down the hill, with Tristan's Turtwig trailing slightly behind. A voice next to Cynthia chuckled.
"Boys truly are something else." Victoria said, accompanied by the solemn nodding of her Chimchar on her shoulder. "They really can't realise we're going to catch up to them and not be out of breath?" This made Cynthia and Bridgette giggle, before they all started heading down the hill.

Soon the group of girls reached the bottom, where they were not particularly surprised to find the boys in a exhausted heap. The practical Turtwig they saw running down earlier was looking at pile of boys with annoyance.
"Come on, get up we need to continue." Said Bridgette. "But we're tired! Just let us rest for a little bit?" Moaned Brendan.
"Do I need to raise my voice?" Said Cynthia, crossing her arms and raising and eyebrow. Instantly, the boys shot up and straightened themselves with flustered laughs. They set off ahead of them, and the group of girls burst into giggles.
"You really channelled a mother's rage." Said Victoria, smiling fondly after the boys. "Anyways, we're finally on flat terrain. Now we have to navigate all of this tall grass, how annoying." The group of girls walked forwards, slightly behind the boys.

A few minutes passed and startled cries were rising from ahead of them, and Cynthia picked up her pace. She soon caught up and found the boys directing their Pokémon to attack a fast-moving green blur.
"What's going on? "Cynthia asked, running up beside them.
"A Pokémon jumped out of the grass and seemingly challenged us to a battle!" Tristan said, "We don't know what though, because before we could scan it it began to zoom around the place!"
Cynthia looked over at the green blur. Despite being outnumbered, it was holding it's own very well and was fending off any attacks. She was intrigued.