Revenge

Chapter 10

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

2am, and Avi is sitting at the Pokemon Center, unable to sleep. She watches her Pokemon, both anxiously and defensively; seeming almost paranoid. Flygon, Delphox, and Decidueye had injuries that any Pokemon Center visit can fix, but the rest of her team isn't well.

Sylveon had a heavy dose of poison in her system, but isn't in any grave danger. But she grew the paranoia of something touching her due to being surrounded by Toxicroak and its clones. Any hand that reaches out to her, even Avi's, she instantly flinches and triggers some sort of anxiety attack.

Raichu had a broken rib or two, but Nurse Joy declared he can't battle for a while due to how broken they are. Of course Raichu tried to argue, but he loses this battle, and accepted defeat after a slap from Pikachu and a stern lecture along with his new best friend on the urge of tears from seeing him so hurt.

The worst case: Lucario. Lucario was put into intensive care and is on red alert, meaning there's Pokemon assistants watching over him 24/7. The bullet wound went through his stomach and tore through quite a few things, along with the bullet being covered in some kind of Pokemon poison. Avi's leg was checked too especially with that poison, but she will be okay with some medication.

Ash did his best to try to get her to come back to his house to rest, but she couldn't stand staying and sneaked out back to her Pokemon. She refused to get a wink of sleep until she knew her partners were all okay; or at least out of the danger zone. Dratini stood by Avi, poor thing tried to stay up with her but sleep got the best of him.

Avi doesn't move from the stool she's sitting on, the only light coming in is from the window on her right that illuminates Lucario, Raichu, and Sylveon. The bags under her eyes look dark; something that's been happening since she used her Z-Crystal and Mega Stone in one day. Never had she had to use both devices, but she didn't care now that Legend was behind bars.

A shadow walks past the corner of her eyes and she turns to see Lucy, looking into the room through the window; obviously concerned about Lucario as well. Avi motions for her to come in, and the door suddenly opens.

"I knew you'd be here... Once I saw you weren't sleeping by me..." Ash awkwardly chuckles. He walks in with Lucy and pulls up a chair by Avi.

"...I'm sorry... I didn't mean to just take off... But I can't help it..." Avi says, audibly exhausted.

"I understand, I did the same while Pikachu has been in this situation..." he hands her a hot chocolate and she takes a sip.

"Pikachu has been through this...?" she asks. He nods, "Pikachu's gotten really sick before, and some battles with other Raichus have been too intense since he's a lot smaller than them... No matter how much I wanted to sleep, I just couldn't... Not until my buddy was 100% again..."

She smiles a bit, "So you understand me... Funny how we keep clicking like this..." she says as she stares at her drink.

"What other ways have we clicked???" Ash asks, being his oblivious self.

Avi giggles, "Well for starters we're both Pokemon Trainers. We both really love our Pokemon and always wants what's best for them. We want to be the best trainers that we can possibly be. We love food. We can never rest until we accomplish our goals. There's more too but it's so hard to name them all," she giggles at the last part.

"Yeah, you're right..." Ash admits, realizing that she's right.

Avi sips her hot chocolate once more and gently pets Raichu. He snuggles into her hand and keeps sleeping, and Avi looks over at Sylveon.

"... I wish I could have done better, Ash..." she says quietly, tears starting to form in her eyes. Ash reaches over and hugs her, "You did your best just like how they did in battle. No one knew how cruel his Pokemon could be..." he comforted.

Avi buries her face into Ash's shoulder, some tears still falling down her cheeks, "I can't help but feel this way... Thank you, Ash... You've been here for me this entire time and I've felt nothing but supported and cared for... I hope I can make up for it..."

"Avi, there's something I need to tell  you..." Ash says as he keeps hugging Avi.

"Hm...?"

"... Avi, I really like you... Every time I see something bad happen to you, it hurts me to watch you get hurt... When I see you happy and smiling, I can't help but feel happy and smile along with you... My heart starts racing when we're together and the thought of us parting ways after this tourney really makes my stomach churn and I feel sick... What I'm trying to say is, I don't want us to part and possibly become something more than just friends..." he waits for a response, but Avi's quiet.

Pikachu comes in and sees Avi, "Pika Pika, Pikachu," he says with his ears slightly down.

Ash looks at the mirror's reflection, Avi fell asleep peacefully in his arms. He smiles a bit, "I'll tell you later then..."

He picks Avi up and puts her on an empty bed in the room, but she wouldn't let go of him. Ash tried, but every attempt resulted in failure. He sighs and lays with her, "I've been defeated, buddy," he tells Pikachu. Pikachu knows that sigh was fake and he's more than happy to stay by her side, then goes onto Raichu's bed and settles on the end of the bed that isn't being used.

Morning comes and Ash wakes to Avi not being with him anymore. He immediately sits up and looks around, none of her Pokemon are there either along with Pikachu. He panics and rushes out of the room and starts looking everywhere. He runs outside and sees her by the lake with all of her Pokemon and Pikachu.

Ash lowly walks towards her, being careful not to scare anyone and hears some sobbing. He takes a closer look and Avi is soaking wet, he also notices the water trail from behind her along with some of the Pokemon being soaked as well.

"Rai Rai! Raichu!" Raichu scolds loudly, tears in his eyes and hitting Avi's arm. Pikachu's trying his best to pull Raichu away but nothing is working. Ash sees the Pokemon all arguing and trying to calm each other down but nothing works.

"What's going on here?" Ash asks. The Pokemon fall quiet, but Lucario uses his ability to speak up, "Avi.. tried to drown herself last night..."

Ash's eyes widen in shock, Avi doesn't move and keeps staring at the ground, "The proctor found out and postponed her battle until tomorrow so she can have a chance to recuperate... But right now, she isn't in a right state of mind to compete at all..."

"... I need you guys to bring the injured Pokemon back inside to rest... I need to talk to Avi..." Ash says, not sure how to feel anymore. The Pokemon nod and they all go inside. Avi still refuses to move, and continues to sit in place.

"... H-how could you think about doing something so reckless?!" Ash scolds angrily. "I know a lot has happened, but you can't just try to do some stupid shit like that! You're abandoning your Pokemon, your partners! What about your family? What about your friends? What about us, Avi?!" tears start to form in his eyes.

"... You don't think I know that...? Avi asked in a very hushed tone, "... Ash, depression is just something hard to control... These thoughts just enter your mind at any moment of any day... And it can make you do or say stupid things... I never wanted to hurt my Pokemon or any of you guys... But the knot in my chest... The thoughts that screamed in my mind harassing me that my Pokemon being this hurt is all my fault... It just... Made me want to..." she buries her face into her hands and she sobbed for a bit.

"You're strong enough to defeat those thoughts though... I know you are, Avi..." he encourages.

"You don't understand, Ash!" she snaps. Ash's eyes widen, he wasn't prepared to face such a side from Avi.

"Depression isn't something easy to power through! It isn't something where you can just think happy thoughts and it'll be gone! It's something that forces its way in and stays like an uninvited guest that can't take a hint no matter how much you try to kick them out! Do me the favor and quit trying to be some kind of storybook hero to me because I've never needed it before and I don't need it now!" Avi then runs off into route one while Ash just watches her.

"Pika Pi..." he hears from behind him. Ash turns and sees Pikachu and Raichu still sitting by a nearby tree, ears down after seeing Avi snap.

"... It's okay, guys... I-it's just a moment we all have is all..." he says, feeling his chest getting heavier the more everything starts to sink in.