Heart of Hisui: Rei x Reader

7 - Battling Rei

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-Your POV-

"Thanks for taking a minute for me. I know your plate's full right now." Rei says with pure honesty. He stood, readying his battle stance, across the dirt path lined the rows and rows of rickety, wooden houses inhabited by the citizens of Jubilife Village. Poke ball in hand, we both stood, eyes carefully watching each other, gauging the intensity of the battle.

"No problem," I replied, wondering what he was getting at and preparing the capsule containing my own partner, Oshawatt.

Rei slowly exhales, eyes glued to the ground. Still not looking up at me, he says, just loud enough for me to hear, "I'm going to be straightforward with you about something." This makes me flinch, startled at the odd phrasing.

"...What's the matter? Why are you so nervous? Did you get a girlfriend or something, and you're afraid to tell me?" I laugh curtly and smirk over at the male, though eternally, I wonder what I'd do if that were the case.

"NO NO NO NO NO NO!" Rei's eyes go wide, and he rapidly shakes his head to firmly deny my accusation.

I laugh again at his response and continue, "Okay, so what's up?"

Rei's expression becomes both disheartened and serious. Eyes darting away from where I stood, he says in a low voice, "I don't understand how anyone can handle taking on Pokémon in battle! I know I'm a Survey Corps member, and I've even got my own starter now... but I just can't do it!"

"You got your starter Pokemon?" I ask.

"That's right! Take a look at... my very own partner!" Rei takes out another Pokeball for his waist bag, and out comes a small beige owl, cloaked in leaves. "This is my Rowlet. During that Alpha attack, I should've had Pikachu fight at my side... but my mind just went blank. So, Professor Levenson gave me another. And – and really, when you get right down to it, Pokémon are terrifying, right? Why should this thing be able to fling blades of leaves? And it apparently evolves into an even bigger owl that has a bow and arrow?!"

"Good question," I fold my arms and think. Pokemon were mysterious creatures to use, but wouldn't they always be? Their abilities were beyond that of a human, and the most legendary of them could apparently even turn back the hands of time and warp space at its mere command.

"But watching you at work completing those research tasks convinced me. If I want to do my Survey Corps work well, my partner and I have got to be a team. And our first step toward being a real team... is to battle your team!" He decides, finally locking eyes with me.

I can't help but smile at his eagerness. Gripping my Poke ball, I step back and toss it, revealing my partner, Oshawatt. Rei stiffens slightly, and his Rowlett cooes at us.

Putting my hands on my hips, I smile confidently. "You may have the first move."

"Are you sure about that? Not that I doubt you, but... um... Okay then," Rei glances at Rowlett and shouts a command. "Use a Quick Attack!"

The grass-type owl charges at my sea otter, who brandishes the scalchop on its stomach like a sword. In response to Rowlett as it tackles the other Pokemon, Oshawatt retaliates immediately by slashing the shell out, it slightly glowing with raw power.

"Thunderbolt!" Rei calls.

"You don't have the type advantage...." I mutter to myself. My fists tighten at my sides. "Oshaswatt, deflect the lightning move with your shell!"

"Whoa..." Rei's stunned, raw dropping as Oshawatt sends the bolt flying in the opposite direction. "You seem so in sync with your Pokémon. That was amazing! The way you fight alongside your Pokémon — you don't seem one bit scared of battling." He praised me with a wide grin.

"Thanks!" I reply cheerfully. But before I can give out another order to Oshawatt, a little droplet of crystal clear water lightly hits my nose, startling me out of my concentration. Another, then another... soon rain showers the road where we fought, interrupting the battle completely.

Rei grins sheepishly as he scratches the back of his head, "Oh boy. I forfeit... Pikachu's going to be angry with me... again. And I didn't even give him the chance to battle."

"We'll pick this up later," I promise the boy. "It was only just sunny this morning." I tilt my head, my lips puckering slightly in dissatisfaction. The rain poured down on Hisui without any sign of relent. Rei, who walks closer while returning his Pokemon to its capsule, nods calmly. Even a harsh downpour can be beautiful when surrounded by the mystic wonders of the Hisui region. I can't help but smile when Rei joins me at my side.

A messenger walks up, tipping his hat. "I've got a message for you two, straight from headquarters."

"Oh?" I tilt my head, puzzled. New orders already? It seems we'll now know what we're really going to be doing in the new location.

"Supposedly, it's to the Crimson Mirelands, at least according to Cyllene-san. But you probably knew that much. Seems like you're in for a tough mission. I'm sure you can handle it, though." The guard informs us. "But Cyllene-san forgot to mention... You'll be going separately."

We're going... Separately. By ourselves. Alone. I was so used to traveling with Rei in tow, the thought of doing the research on my lonesome never once crossed my mind. Could I do it?

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Author's Note:

Heh heh. It's been months, I know. But... I CAN'T BEAT ARCEUS!! I've done everything but capture God, so, please forgive me. Now, I've picked up my obsession with PLA and decided to plot out the entire rest of the story while thoroughly editing and revising previous chapters. I'm not sure if anyone is even reading this... um, if you are, just say hi. I need a little self-confidence right now.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and see you next time!

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Word count: 1016 words