CELESTIA

Chapter Two Survival of the Skilled

I was all dirty and exhausted from running away, but I had to keep moving. I took a moment to look back and see how far I've gone, realizing that I have passed through thick trees, tall grass and muddy areas which meant I was far enough from civilization. I grinned at myself, contented that no one will ever find me at this rate.

I slowed down and halted, took a deep breath and closed my eyes to feel the energy of my surroundings. I can hear my own heartbeat, calm and steady. And then there was the sound of branches and bushes rustling in the wind. And finally, the flowing of water downhill. All that running made me thirsty so I opened my eyes and made my way to the river which was just a few meters to the east.

The moment I faced the river, I knelt on my knees and stared at my reflection in the water. Bloody red eyes stared back at me, revealing how exhausted and troubled this creature really was. Her face and body was all dirty, no doubt that this creature has been through a lot. I shrugged off the thought and immediately scooped water with my paws and drank greedily.

"Gardevoir~!" Ugh, that's so good! I needed more. I'm still thirsty. I scooped more water and drank again.

Dark clouds began to cluster in the sky followed by lightning and then thunder as rain began to fall. I cursed and stood up immediately to find shelter. I ran deeper into the forest again until an enormous tree appeared. It was so huge that it looked to be a million of years old or so. The trunk was a few meters thick with vines cascading from the branches and moss invading the thick barks. Countless oversized roots twisted and curled with some boulders stuck in between them.

There were different pokémon peeking from branches, in between roots and within the leaves as I approached the tree and climbed the oversized roots. I ignored them and just continued my way until I reached an empty space in between the roots. It was big enough for me to rest and just like that, I retired there for the night.

Within the dark and cold empty space, I can feel it.. Every fiber of my being..

"I will make you stronger, Alice," his voice sounded so promising and yet.. He failed me. All I can see was his Cheshire cat-like grin as the lights fluctuated on and off, the lights becoming brighter every second until only white light filled my vision. Brand new colors appeared and shapes formed. I can make out a tree with grass surrounding it. The next thing I saw was an egg with green spots. And then there were a pair of baby blue eyes that softly said my name followed by the sound of applause from the audience. Suddenly I can see myself standing on the stage with the spotlight focused on me while hundreds of faceless people watched me. I glanced down to see my shadow slowly spreading and the next thing I knew, an over-sized Cheshire cat grin appeared on the shadow. The grin began to open, revealing several slithering creatures drenched in blood. The creatures expanded and then they all jumped on me.

I gasped wide awake, sweat dripping down my head and I can see that I was still in between the roots of the million year old tree. I took a deep breath and sighed before lying down again.

A dash of orange filled the sky as the sun appeared from the horizon. It was another day and unlike those days where I get to wake up from the sound of computers and my master taking a sip from his coffee mug, this day began with the chirping of bird pokémon. I couldn't see them, but I know they were there. Suddenly there was a grumbling sound followed by a slight twist of pain coming from my abdomen. I closed my eyes, realizing how hungry I was and that I haven't eaten since the night I escaped. So I got up and began looking for food in the forest.

I wandered around until I found a couple of berries hanging on the bush. It was round, blue and it probably fits in my paw perfectly. I made my way to the bush and then picked the berries so I can eat them but just as I was about to take a bite, a big bulky hand from behind shoved me to the ground, forcing the berries off my hand.

"Garde?!" I landed on my red horn and it stung my torso. I cringed and sharply gazed at the pokémon who shoved me. It had a big bulky figure like a weightlifter's cut. Its skin was somewhere in between the shades of sea green and pale blue, it had big eyes and thick, duck-like lips: A Machamp. The pokémon picked up the berries from the floor and was about to eat them but I picked up a rock and threw it right at his face.

"Ma.. Champ?!" the pokémon glared at me but I glared back.

"Garde Gardevoir!" Those berries are mine. I picked them myself so you better return it. I demanded in a calm voice.

"Machaaaamp?" They are not yours anymore, girly. The Machamp grinned.

"Gardevoir," You will regret this..

"Champ Machamp" Oh? And what are YOU gonna do about it? You're so small and frail.

Without another word, I teleported right behind him in a split second and then casted a powerful wave of psychic energy.

"MAACHAAAAAAAAMP!!" he wailed while clutching onto his head. The berries dropped in the process and I caught them. I quickly gobbled them up and swallowed just in time before the pokémon recovered and glared at me furiously.

"Mmm~ Gardevoir.." These berries are delicious.. My hunger was satisfied.

"Machamp! Machamp!" How dare you! You will pay! He lunged at me with a clenched fist and I knew that he was attacking me with a Mega Punch.

I teleported away in response to evade the attack and his mega punch missed. I grinned at him as my eyes shifted a few shades darker.

"Voir..? Gardevoir Garde," So this is how it will be? Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you. Just before Machamp could turn around to face me, I casted a ripple of hypnosis on him.

"Ma.. Champ.." Why you.. Little.. His eyelids were falling and so was his body. His figure swayed a few times and then collapsed on the ground. I dramatically took a few steps closer to his body and stared coldly at him until finally, I casted another wave of energy at him with my eyes gleaming red.

Machamp stood frozen on the grass and he glanced from left to right. He saw himself being surrounded with twelve Gardevoirs. He began sweating and from underneath him, the grass began to shift until two red eyes opened and the mouth parted right where he stood. Machamp screamed helplessly as he fell down into the mouth of the giant Gardevoir.

Back in reality, Machamp was twitching, sweating and groaning in pain. His energy and life force represented by tiny yellow lights travelled from his head to my body. I absorbed every source until Machamp stopped moving and breathing.

"Gardevoir," Dream Eater. I turned around and silently left Machamp's corpse.

"Did you see that, Raiku? There's no doubt that she is Alice the wanted Gardevoir," A young female trainer whispered in her hiding spot.

"Rai," her pokémon responded.

"Heh.. Let's make her ours," she grinned and continued to stalk the Gardevoir until she decided to encounter it.