A Late Start

Leaving home

The next couple of weeks passed without anything of real note happening, I had fallen into this routine of, waking up, having breakfast, taking the pokemon out for exercise and training, then heading home and relaxing or doing chores until night. It was a simple routine, but it was a welcome change from all the activity of my life recently. Most days Lucy would come with us out onto the route and give Erah some personalised training while I worked with Silas, occasionally Zorua would join in when it was a quiet day, although he didn't take well to fighting. We would gather berries and on a few occasions had a friendly battle with some of the other trainers on the route, most of which recognised me due to my unfortunate, sudden fame. I had gotten used to the title, but I couldn't help cursing Ethan for forcing it on me sometimes, although I was as much at fault for going along with it. I found myself reminiscing as I leaned against a tree while watching the four pokemon do their own little training routines. Lucy was drilling Erah on some fighting stances I didn't recognise, doing simple movements and transitions between poses. Silas and Zorua were Nearby, seemingly trading hits back and forth. I wasn't really sure what their intention was, but they seemed to be enjoying it. I had instinctively been recording Lucy's training routine with my dex, I had planned to watch it back later to analyse their movements. I had been rather lax with their training recently, especially for Silas. Since we would be leaving town soon I didn't want to push them too hard immediately before. Ethan had already left for Virbank two days prior, I had agreed to meet up with him when I made it to the city. I looked up at the Aspertian skyline through the trees. All my life I'd wanted to get away from the place. But now the time is here, I actually felt kind of sad to be leaving. You can always just come back if you miss it, the gym circuit isn't going anywhere. As I let my thoughts run away I found myself drifting towards everything I'd seen, everything I'd been through since Silas came back into my life Six months ago. I had originally wanted to get him some kind of a surprise for all the effort he'd put in recently, but it's kind of hard to surprise someone when they're always at your side. Maybe I'll treat him to a massage when we get into Virbank, there's bound to be a pokemon salon there somewhere. I then found myself thinking about the camping trip with Ethan. How I'd felt when those poachers were trying to get Silas. The feeling of dread when I woke up in the Pokemon centre, not knowing if he got away or not. I didn't care about what injuries I may have sustained. Or what might have happened if Ethan hadn't rescued me that day. I just couldn't bear the thought of what they would have done to Silas if they caught him. As I found myself zoning back into the picture in front of me, Lucy had finished with Erah and was staring directly at me. 
"You seem distressed. Is everything okay?" She had her eyes closed, but I could feel her staring straight through me.
"Uh, yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"Your aura betrays you, you're playing coy, but something within is hurting you. You're afraid, but of what?" She opened her eyes to a narrow scowl.
"Lucy, seriously. I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind right now." She turned her back with a grunt, seemingly dissatisfied with my response.
"It's about time, we should be headed back now." Her voice turned cold like she was purposefully talking past me.
I looked to the sky, gradually turning a mellow Orange.
"Yeah, you're probably right. We should pack it up," I agreed, wandering over to where Silas was playing with Zorua. "Alright guys, come on, we're going home." They both let out a disappointed grunt as I laid my bag on the ground for Zorua to climb into and we all went home.

After we got home I decided to give the two quadrupeds a bath, despite Zorua's protests he eventually gave in. After I was done the shallow water had turned a deep brown, stained by the dust and blood caked into the two pokemons' fur.
"Ugh, that was humiliating..." Zorua huffed as he laid down on my bed.
"But you feel better now don't you?" I teased.
"I feel wet..." He retorted with a huff.
"Oh lighten up, it's not so bad,"  Silas chirped, sauntering around the room like he was on the runway.
"Look at it this way, Zorua, you won't have to worry about your fur clumping around that wound on your chest anymore. Since it's already healed and the blood has been washed away." He grumbled something without projecting it to me and I heard Silas chuckle at it. I sat down on the bed next to Zorua and placed a hand on his back, his fur was still slightly damp on account of him refusing to let me dry him off. "Relax. You won't have to take another one for a while, especially since we won't be at home. And you'll feel better once you dry off, promise." He groaned in response but made no effort to move. There was a knock at my door before Lucy let herself in.
"Oh, hey. What's up?" I turned my head to face her as she stopped in the doorway.
"You are leaving tomorrow correct?" She had her eyes closed again
"Yeah, in the morning. That's the plan at least."
"And you're taking Erah with you?"
"Well. I mean, I hope so. You still haven't given me the all-clear yet." I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
"I am about ready to make my decision, however," She trailed off. "I want you to do something for me first."
"Uh, sure Lucy, what is it?"
"I want you to tell me what's on your mind. What you're hiding."
"Lucy, I told you, I'm fine."
"No. You aren't, there's something you're hiding. That you're afraid of letting out. Tell me."
"Seems like I don't really have a choice here. Do I?"
"You should know who your friends are. And be able to tell them about your problems."
"Alright, fine. Just, try not to freak out. Please?" She let out a grunt but nodded in agreement.
"Very well." I went on to tell her about the camping trip. The poachers, the way I got kidnapped, the threats and how I met them again outside of Floccessy. I told her that I didn't want to say anything because I was afraid of how she would react and that she wouldn't let me keep training with Erah. After I had finished Lucy sat motionless for a moment, like she was deep in thought. Without another word, she left my room. Pulling the door closed behind her. Great job, Lex. No way she'll let you keep 'em now. I sighed as I flopped back into bed. I stole a glance at my alarm clock: 8:37. Whatever, Late enough. I slipped under my blankets and just laid there until morning.

When I woke up Silas had moved onto my chest, he was facing me, snoring quietly. I ran a hand down his back slowly, his freshly cleaned fur ran effortlessly through my fingers. 
"Good morning, bud," I whispered quietly. I felt him shiver under my hand, there was a slight draft billowing through the room from the cracked window. This was probably the last time I'd sleep in this bed for a while, so I decided to savour the feeling. I took note that Zorua had even huddled up to my feet during the night. I must take for granted having blankets like I do, it must have been cold last night. I decided to just lie there and watch the sunrise, there was no rush after all. After about an hour or so Silas woke up, stretching himself out before hopping to the floor, I decided to use that as my excuse to get up and followed him out of bed. I threw a quick glance at my travel bag, loaded almost to the brim with supplies and my normal backpack sat empty on my dresser. Today's the day. I gently pulled my door open and made my way downstairs. Mom was already up and had started on breakfast, she was making pancakes. Lucy and Erah were nowhere to be seen I shrugged it off as I sat down on the couch.
"Morning, Lex, how'd you sleep?" Mom spoke quietly.
"Uh, alright. I think it was a touch cold last night."
"Yeah, there was a bit of a chill on the wind, wasn't there."
"Yeah, I guess so." I glanced down at Silas who chirped in agreement.
"So how's the other one, still sleeping?"
"Yeah, I think so." Of course, I had to tell her about Zorua, It's not easy to hide someone when you're sharing a house.
"You're sure you can keep him under wraps while you're travelling?" She looked over at me as she spoke
"Well. I hope so. at least for a little while." 
"You're meeting Ethan in Virbank, right? he's already out there?"
"Yeah. so it's just gonna be me and Silas for a couple of days." 
"Well, what about the other two? the Zorua and Erah?"
"Well. Zorua can't really fight. and somehow I doubt that Lucy is going to let me keep travelling with Erah." I looked down at the floor while I responded, trying to avoid eye contact.
"Nonsense, you did great in that tournament. That was her criteria right?" 
"I guess we'll find out." By then breakfast was finished and we all sat down to eat, even Silas got a couple of pancakes with some of his Oran berries mixed in. When Zorua eventually came downstairs he had his share as well. After breakfast, I went back upstairs, Changed into my actual clothes and grabbed my travel bag, slinging it over my shoulders. The increased weight caught me off guard and almost caused me to topple over.
"Leaving already?" Mom asked as I stumbled down the stairs. 
"Yeah. It's a long way to Virbank, I want to get a headstart." I strolled over to her before giving her a tight hug.
"Alright. be safe, Lex. and call me when you get into the city."
"I will, mom. Take care of yourself while I'm gone okay?" I thought I could almost hear her crying as I pulled the door shut behind me. I ran my fingers over the plastic holster on my hip. my fingers dipping into the five empty slots. I stopped before the exit to Route 19.
"Alright, boys. Are you ready for this?" I got an excited chirp from Silas and a simple 
"Mhm" from Zorua as I stepped out onto the dirt path separating the City from the wilderness. I stopped at the corner of the route, the last place Aspertia is visible before disappearing behind the treeline. Taking a deep breath as I looked back at my hometown. For the first time, I truly appreciated the view from outside of town.
"I guess this is goodbye for now. I'll be back before too long though. You'll see." I turned away and slowly began on my way down the route towards Floccessy. Before I got far I was interrupted by a familiar voice
"Alexis... Aren't you forgetting something?" I turned around to find Lucy standing behind a thin wall of trees.
"What do you mean Lucy, you knew I was leaving today." I smiled slightly at the sight of her as I ran over to her.
"That's not what I meant." She spoke quietly before handing me a small, red sphere. "I believe this, is yours?"
"Wait, Lucy. you mean it?" She nodded her head slowly in response.
"I trust you'll take care of him?"
"O... Of course, I will. Thank you."
"Good. And I'll take care of your mother in turn. May we meet again."
"Yeah. Until next time right?" I gently took the Pokeball in my hand, feeling the familiar energy coursing through it before clicking it back into place on my hip.
"Now, go on. I hate long goodbyes." She smiled weakly at me before turning away.
"Oh, Alright. Take care now Lucy, You better still be here when I get back." I teased quietly before turning back down the route with a smile on my face and a tear rolling down my cheek. My life has finally begun.

To Be Continued...