On The Road

Chapter Five

"Larance. Earth to Larance. HEY!"

Larance blinked as Arriete waved her hand in front of his face worriedly.

"Yes Arriete?" he asked with a small smile.

"Are you okay? You haven't said anything since we arrived in Rustboro."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I've just been thinking, that's all."

"You shouldn't think too much," Bina chuckled as she and Wally approached them. "You'll hurt your head."

Bina held a tray that held food, while Mudkip and Silcoon rode on top of her head, and Tailow sat on her shoulder. Wally held a tray that held drinks, Ralts trailing slowly behind. They settled down at a table, Bina and Wally sitting next to each other, while Arriete and Larance sat next to each other. Their Pokemon crowded around the table, eating their own dinner.

"So, what were you thinking about?" Wally asked.

"Um...just how I'm going to beat my first gym," Larance lied, laughing a bit.

"Larance."

Larance sighed. "Fine. I was thinking about what that grunt said. I don't even know Team Aqua, so why would they want me?"

"To use you as a hostage," Bina replied simply and she took a sip from her drink.

"Bina, that's not funny," Larance huffed, leaning back in the booth and folding his arms. "And why me and not any of you?"

"Maybe it's because your special, or something," Arriete replied, taking a bite out of her sandwich. "Maybe that's why you have golden eyes."

"What, am I like some failed experiment by them and they want me back?"

"I...I don't know."

Larance sighed. "Let's just forget it. I have a gym battle to focus on."

The others looked at each other while Larance quietly ate his soup.

"So, Bina," Arriete began, turning to her friend. "Were you able to get us a room?"

"Yup, one with four beds, since we have a new friend with us," Bina grinned, lightly punching Wally in the arm.

Wally chuckled, before turning his attention back to Larance. The golden eyed boy had stood up and was taking his empty bowl over to where Nurse Joy was standing, Combusken, Cascoon, and Eevee following after him.

"Ral," Ralts muttered, tugging at his trainer's leg.

"Yeah, I know," Wally sighed, picking Ralts up. "I wish we could help."

"Hey."

The three of them perked up to see Larance standing there, yawning.

"I'm heading upstairs to get some sleep," he announced, stretching. "What room, Bina?"

"Um, 204," Bina replied, thinking.

"Okay, I'll see you guys up there. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Larance."

***

"Be quiet," Arriete shushed the other two as they walked into their room.

They heard soft snoring as looked to see Larance already fast asleep, Combusken laying on a makeshift bed beside him, while Cascoon and Eevee slept curled up at their trainer's feet. Arriete noticed that the blanket was slipping off Larance's shoulders, and she pulled it back over him.

"Aw, you two are adorable," Bina whispered.

"Bina, shush!" Arriete almost yelled. "I just don't like seeing my friends cold."