Unpredictable (Pokémon Fanfic)

3.1

Sienna's P.O.V.

It doesn't surprise me that Lance is here. Of course he would come check on me—whether that be to make sure I'm alright or to question why I 'attacked' someone.

But why is Averie so tense?

I try not to pay attention to her. She's been loyal to me and we've grown quite close over the years, but maybe she's just a little paranoid. That could be it. She's still on edge from earlier today.

Lance fully steps into the room, closing the door behind him. He isn't wearing his signature cape. He's still dressed over the top, however. I can't necessarily fault him. Maybe if I were in a position of power I'd wear whatever as well.

I can't read his expression, his face completely blank as per usual. He keeps a distance from my bed as he speaks. "Care to explain yourself?"

Understandable. "She was threatening me."

He rolls his eyes before placing a hand on his hip. "So you attacked her with a knife." His voice is flat, his words short and clipped.

"I tried running away. I made it obvious that I did not want to battle."

He squeezes the bridge of his nose. "That does not mean you can just attack people with a knife. Normal people don't do that. Arceus! What if you would have killed her?" His blank expression is slowly fading. I think he's upset. I can't really tell. I'm very tired. Now that Lance is in here bothering me, I really just want to ignore his and go to sleep, regardless of what Akia asked of me.

"Lance is there anything in particular you want from me?" His eyes narrow. Averie shifts up, now in a crouching position rather than lying down.

Lance takes a step forward. "Stephanie, I can't say I've ever liked you. And honestly today doesn't help. I'm trying to protect the people of my region from a war. This means I do not have time for homicidal maniacs going around stabbing people."

"Lance, I told you it was in self-defense."

He laughs humorlessly. "The girl is in the ICU. She tried herself to get away. And from what I'm told, you went after her. Stephanie, I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. I've been trying to do so ever since you arrived here, but today. . ." He doesn't finish, as if he's not sure he should say what he's thinking. His eyes are locked with Averie's.

"What are you going to do?" I ask quietly. I say it as a challenge. I can tell he doesn't appreciate it.

"Don't try me Stephanie. Look I—" His Pokégear buzzes. "Yes?' He glances to me and his eyes harden to steel. "Understood." He slips the device into his pocket and makes his way to the door. He turns back to me, our eyes locking. "We're not done here." Then he walks out, slamming the door behind him.

With a growl, Averie hops off the bed and runs over to the door. She turns back and bays, the tone urgent. She suspects something. Honestly, I do to.

I waste no time and make my way out of bed. My legs are shaky and wobble as I try to keep my balance. My vision darkens for a few seconds, my heart beat racing to compensate for my sudden change in position. As my vision clears I notice the I.V. in my arm. I reach up and pull the bag of the stand, holding it by the handle. In my experience, this is much easier that trying to walk around with the stand or ripping out the line.

I exit the room, Averie slipping out as soon as the door opens a crack. She dashes down the hallway only stopping for me once she reaches the end. I jog as quickly as I can to her, but it is slow going. With every step my legs feel like gelatin. My lungs feel like they have been overworked. Even my arms feel weak and barely there. My breathing is stuttering, as if trying to match the tapping of my feet against the floor of the hospital hallway. Goodness. . . What did I do that warrants this much exhaustion? From what I remember, my, um, activities weren't extremely vigorous.

Averie doesn't give me the time to catch my breath as she goes off darting down the hall again, sliding to a stop in front of an elevator. She jumps up and taps a button with her paw. I try and keep up, going as fast as my lungs will allow. By the time I make it to the door, it's already opening. I practically fall in, grabbing on to the wall on the far side to keep myself up. I assume Averie hits another button. The jolt of the moving elevator reminds me to steady myself.

I take slow, deep breaths. I want to go lie back down, but I also want to keep going. Something about this whole situation unnerves me. Maybe I wouldn't even be nervous if not for Averie. She seems too on edge. I look back at her. It's as if she doesn't know what to do with herself. Her two-pronged tail whips wildly. She twitches then looks back to me. Her face is unreadable, but hardly vacant. She quickly whips her head back to stare at the door. Whatever is troubling her. . . Suddenly I'm very on edge. My body feels tense, as if a rush of adrenaline has come over me.

Too quickly, the elevator dings and opens. Averie rushes out. I follow, quicker this time. I try not to dwell on being tired. Just fixing this uneasy feel. I don't know where to go. I just follow Averie. She's acting so strange. Maybe that's part of the reason I'm so uneasy.

Led by Averie, we slip out unnoticed through the back exit. It's warmer outside than the hospital. Humid, almost uncomfortably so. I can hear loud voices, or at least the suggestion of such.

Averie wastes little time slinking her way to the front of the hospital. I follow. Now the sounds of yelling are becoming more apparent. I stick close to the shadows doing my best to keep quiet.

"I heard you! You were making your own deal with the other little assassin that's here! That's why he's not here isn't it?" That's Akia.

"I promise I wasn't!" Peridot maybe? He's sounds exhausted, as if he'd run a mile. I continue edging my way around the side of the building. Hidden behind the bushes I can just make out the scene. A large group of gym leaders, Lance included, stand at the ready. Akia stands tall, menacing in spite of her small frame. Peridot stands in front of her.

"Then what were you talking about?" Her voice was low. Each word pronounced as a challenge. I can practically hear the smile in her voice, though I doubt it shows on her face. What was he talking about that made Akia so upset?

Peridot shifts. "I. . . It was nothing. I-It had nothing to do with. . . with you."

Akia laughs. "Oh really? I'm not dumb Peridot—I know what I heard. You were conspiring something. I know you use to live in Kalos. Just tell them what I heard!" She's bluffing. I can tell. While I don't doubt that she heard Peridot say something, but I doubt it had something to do with. . . whatever she's accusing him of. Besides, despite the confidence she's displaying I can tell she's nervous. She keeps rolling her shoulders, a habit she has when she's not sure a plan will work. What is it? What did Peridot of all people do?

Peridot takes a step back. "Well," Akia asks. I can tell by his body language he's not sure if he should say something. I can practically feel his nervous energy from over here. Something catches my eye. A shadow. It's. . . strange. It doesn't seem connected to any particular object. In fact, it looks like its moving. It's like an Ekans lowly slinking towards Peridot. It stops just short of him.

There is a flash of light. A bright pinkish purple glow fills the area. I hear gasps and yells of surprise.

When the light fades, Peridot is nowhere to be seen.

- - - - - - - - - -

Hey. . . I don't like this chapter. It was such a struggle to write. There was so much I wanted to do with it, but I wanna save that stuff for later. 

Meh. I think it's decent enough though. Maybe it adds a little more to Averie's changing personality. Y'know, she's not just sitting there now. (I'm not the best writer, but I'm trying. Cut me some slack please)

Well that's all I got. See you next Saturday!

Bye!