The Starr Trainer - A Poke-Fan Fiction

A Different Journey

Sunlight blinded her through the Pokemon Center's windows, signaling her to get up. Belle stretched and got up, making her way out front, where she started to work on her exercises. With one arm in a cast, it did require some changing, but she still managed. Belle started to jog. She made her way around the quiet of Cyllage City as the morning was waking its residents. Belle waved to the business owners as they opened up shop for the day and made her way into the forest. The sweet scent of berries and flowers filled her senses. Belle knew it was time to catch up on her training because falling behind was unacceptable. 

Belle stopped after nearly an hour of jogging to rest against a tree. She rummaged through her bag and took a large swig of water from her bottle. She turned around, ready to head back but stilled. Behind her, buzzing beedrill flew around the area. Her breath started to stagger, memories of shattering screams filled her head, and the phantom pains of their poison made her body throb. She took a step back, a twig snapping loudly. The beedrill all turned their attention to her, their buzzing turning mad. 

"No, no," Belle whispered. She tried to lift her leg, but it was as though she was paralyzed. Belle screamed as they made their way toward her. 

"Tyrunt go! Use Draco Meteor!" The attack sent all the beedrills scurrying away. Grant extended his hand to Belle. Grant pulled her up, and she buried herself in his arms, tears escaping her. "It's okay," he whispered, running his hand through her hair. "You're okay."

***

James caught his breath, panting as he put his own Pokeball back. Her scream woke him from sleep. He ran as quickly as he could, but not fast enough. Grant's arms were around her, mending pieces that broke because of Team Rocket. James sighed and turned around to head back to camp.

"Come on, let's go get something to eat, hm?" Grant asked her.

"Yeah," she sniffled. James's heart cracked hearing her fear. Belle was fearless, exceptional, and kind, and Team Rocket took part of her away from herself. Now she had a weakness other than James. The beedrill's terrified her, the poison he jabbed into her. James remembered as he stabbed the stinger into her, over and over again. Now, here Grant was to pick up the pieces, and he seemed eager to do so.

"What happened?" Grant asked.

"I froze," Belle admitted. James frowned at the red on her face. "When they took me, they used Beedrill stingers against me. I guess I developed a fear that I wasn't aware of." Her head bowed, ashamed of her fear.

"Oh, Belle," Grant sighed. "You were hurt, tortured, and taken. Of course, you froze. That's a lot of trauma to handle. Maybe we should exercise together in the mornings till you get your footing? I've been trying to keep up with you since I saw you run past the park," Grant laughed. 

"Okay, that sounds nice," Belle said, laughing too. James's heart simultaneously broke and warmed at the sound of her laughter. If only he brought it on her. "Hey, Grant." He turned to her. "Thanks again. It's been a lot to handle on my own. I'm glad you were here."

"Me too," Grant squeezed her hand. James watched as they walked out of the forest, their hands in one another's.