Trainer to Be

Chapter 15

Author's note: This chapter is written from Hannah's point of view. If there isn't a disclaimer at the start of the chapter it's safe to assume that it's written from Leoni's point of view. Thanks for reading this chapter of Trainer to Be.

I push the cafeteria door open. On the other side of the room, there's a person. She's facing the window behind her so I can't see her face, but I'd recognise that hair anywhere. She's one of the twins, the blonde one. What was her name? "Hannah Davies, the water gym leader." She turns on her heel, slowly but effectively. "I've been expecting you."

"Melissa." I grunt. I've had bad experiences with this girl before. Her and her sister have been members of Team Eclipse for a long time. They've always had strong beliefs that we shouldn't have to hide our little friends away, they just have strange ways of getting the rest of the community to agree with them. The same could be said for all of Team Eclipse. They could just sit down with the Elite Four and have a nice chat about their views but no. Instead they turned to kidnapping Pokémon and spreading fear through the community. It's stupid really.

She giggles. "Did you miss me cousin? Finally realise your error?"

"I- I don't know what you're t- talking about." I stutter. "My cousins are dead."

"That might be what you want to believe Hannah, but I'll never forget how you turned us away two years ago." It's true. When the girls were eleven their parents died in a car crash. Being the nice person I am, I took them in. However, on their thirteenth birthday I found out they were a part of Team Eclipse. I threw them out. It was the only thing I could do. If I had members of Team Eclipse staying with me, the Elite Four would shut down my gym. I couldn't bear to loose my gym, even if it meant leaving my family to keep it. "You took away our home, so now I'm taking your life. Karma's funny like that, huh?" She produces a Pokéball from her pocket. Pressing the button on the front, she screams. "Go, Mightyena."

The wolf-like Pokémon snarls. I remember when she got him. I gave her Poochyena for her fourth birthday. She named him Albert. I guess she dropped the dumb nickname when she joined Team Eclipse. They've both grown so much. What happened to my innocent little Mel? Snapping out of my daze, I take out a Pokéball and throw it against the ground. "Go, Stunfisk."

She smirks. "Pancake is still around I see." God, I hate how cocky she's become. Kelsi was always the brash one, Mel was just in the background. That's why she was my favourite. "Mightyena, use bite." He bites Stunfisk's tail, causing them to roar out in pain.

I feel hurt for both of us. If there's one thing I hate it's watching my Pokémon get hurt. I grimace. "Stunfisk, use mud bomb."

A cascade of mud falls down from the ceiling, crushing Mightyena under it. "No no no no no." Melissa rushes forward. She tried to free him but it's been there for a few seconds and now can't be moved. At least, not for another hour. You can see the hurt in her eyes, she loves that Pokémon almost as much as I love mine. "Hannah please, let him go." The tears are pouring down her face, I almost feel sorry for her. Almost.

Shaking my head, I begin to walk away. "He'll be free in an hour. You didn't beat me this time Mel." You know, I feel a little bit bad. I destroyed her in that battle. It was over quicker than you can blink. Mind you, she's six years younger than me. By the law of age I'll always be the better trainer. I'm just more experienced.

Closing the door behind me, I sigh. I could've diverted her away from this life; I just didn't try hard enough. If I'd just talked to the girls more none of this would've happened. I can hear her cries from inside the cafeteria. Why did I do that? What kind of person purposefully makes their own family cry. I'm a monster.