The Starr Trainer - A Poke-Fan Fiction

Rumors of Lumiose City

Belle sat on a park bench, sipping her coffee while her pokemon ran around the park playing. She sighed as she looked around at the groups of people traveling together, the friendships, the couples. Her eyes watered, remembering James's goodbye. Instead of coming with her, he returned to Team Rocket, the same organization that tormented her. Three days ago, she won her Cyllage Gym Badge, and since then, she hasn't left Cyllage city. A part of her was afraid to continue forward, and another was afraid to move too far ahead. 

"A penny for your thoughts?" Grant asked, taking the seat next to her. "You alright, Belle? I figured you would've been on your way to Lumiose City by now."

"Wait, why Lumiose?"

"They said there was an issue with getting to do a gym battle there, but it's been cleared up," he explained. Belle nodded. "Is something bothering you?"

"If I'm to be honest. I've been a bit scared. Team Rocket tortured me when they had me, and because of it, I lost someone. I'm just trying to get by." Belle watched as Dragonair and Kingdra swam around in the fountain. "They keep me going," she said, gesturing to her pokemon.

"Your pokemon love you," Grant said. "Hey, no one is telling you to be perfectly okay. We get scars, we have to learn to deal with them because they may heal, but the marks remain." Grant placed his hand on her knee. "I know you're going to be okay." 

"Thanks, Grant." Belle took a deep breath. "I think I needed to hear that." He held up a finger and got up. She followed him with her eyes and watched as he brought back two ice cream cones that looked like a swirlex. She laughed as he handed it to her. 

"Here, something sweet to cheer up someone sweet," Grant said with a significant smile. Her cheeks reddened.

"Thanks." They sat there in silence for a few minutes, watching her pokemon run around. Grant chucked his pokeballs out and let Onix and Tyrunt join them. 

"So, I'm taking a little time off to go to Lumiose City. They're having a big pokemon ball there, and it's a nice break for trainers, gym leaders, and pokemon lovers. It's a masquerade theme, and I thought it sounded fun."

"Wow, that does sound fun," Belle gushed.

"Well, would you want to come? Could we travel there together before you go on your journey? It would be fun to dance and eat their free food."

"Free food is always the keyword," Belle laughed. "Yeah, okay. That sounds nice."

Grant smiled, his face reddening. "You know I don't typically indulge in sweets, but I don't know it sounded fun to sit with you and eat ice cream. I want to get to know you better, Belle."

"Yeah, that sounds nice, Grant." Belle jumped as Dragonair appeared on her shoulder. "You little worm," she said, laughing and handing him the cone. "He likes the cone after the ice cream is gone, and he's a weird one." They both laughed.

***

James sighed, his back against the tree's bark as he sat on a branch watching Belle and Grant. His heart ached as he watched the way Grant looked at her. He perked at the information about the masquerade. James chewed his lip and processed his idea before jumping down.

"I just heard about this great masquerade happening in Lumiose City. Says it's for gym leaders and pokemon trainers, and maybe a good place to hit up for some pokemon."

"That's the first good idea you've had since leaving your girlfriend," Jesse stated, stuffing a donut in her mouth. James looked away. "Still that hung up over her?" Jesse scoffed and rolled her eyes. "What's so great about her anyway, huh?"

"Really?" James asked, looking up. "She saved me, put herself in jeopardy for me and the sake of her pokemon. She's sweet, kind, beautiful." James's face turned red as he envisioned her. 

"Gross," Jesse said, pretending to gag, and James turned his head.

"Leave Jim-bo be," Meowth argued. "So he fell for a pretty little twerp like you haven't fallen for any pretty-faced boy to cross your path, Jesse." 

"Not boys, men. Besides, you said it yourself. She's a twerp," Jesse countered.

"No, she's perfect, and I was right to leave her. She deserves someone like him, a gym leader."

"Whoa, wait. Someone like who?" Jesse and Meowth asked, their interest peeking. James gestured over to where Belle and Grant were. 

"Ah, so that's why you want to go to that dance, huh?" Jesse asked. "It looks like they're just friends. Calm down."

"Watch the way he looks at her. Trust me, I know."

"Relax, Jim-bo. We'll go to the dance, swipe some Pokemon, and you can swipe the little twerpette off her feet."

"Yeah, yeah, sure," Jesse yawned. "I'll take any excuse to dress up anyway."