Taming A Dragon

The New City

Hammerlocke was a huge city that was for sure. It's beautiful castle construction left all its visitors in awe. Including me. It was my first time in Hammerlock. My adventure had led me here at long last. The final Gym Leader. I preferred not to know much about my competitor before I walked in to challenge them but rumors about them were always said loud enough for me to overhear them. What I knew was that the Gym Leader liked to use dragon types and used the weather to help him win. He must have been really talented to use this skill perfectly as an advantage. Most trainers never thought to use that skill. Me included.

I decided to explore the city before I went straight to the gym. My pokémon needed a rest and so did I. I walked into the pokémon center and got them treated. They had fought very hard to help me get where I was today. Without them I would have never gained confidence. I felt a strong bond with each one of them and we grew together as a small family. We weren't going to lose against this weather bending Gym Leader. I believed in my team.

After they were fully healed I decided to look into the clothing store. I had saved up a good amount of money from winning trainer battles and thought I might as well spend it on something I could use daily. I walked around slowly making sure I went through every item before letting out a little sigh. Nothing tickled my fancy.

I walked out and noticed a lot more people were making their way, I assumed, from work. I walked through the crowd feeling my legs grow in fatigue by the second. Suddenly I ran into something hard and expected to feel myself slam against the ground but instead a hand was holding me up. I turned to face my savior, to offer my gratitude and my apology for not paying attention but when I met his teal coloured eyes the words wouldn't leave my mouth.  I then realized his hand was on my back and waist and passers by were starting to notice. 

 "U-um...thank you" I mumbled feeling the heat rush to my face.

He pulled me up to my feet and let go of me. "You're welcome...hey...you look familiar have we met before?" he asked bringing his face close to mine to inspect me.

I then realized something I thought had only happened in my nightmares. 

He didn't remember me...

"Oh um I just have that kind of face" I lied moving past him attempting to get away as I fought back tears that were fighting to reach the surface.

"Hey" he called.

I turned around feeling my hopes begin to increase. Perhaps he just needed a few minutes to remember me. I could understand him needing more than one look to realize who I was. After all I did dye my hair blonde not long ago. When he knew me I had brown hair and I was a lot younger than I was now. I let a small smile form on my face as I answered "Yeah?".

"Pay more attention when you're walking, I won't be able to save you next time" he winked. He turned around and began walking away. Fading into the crowd and out of my sight. My legs finally gave way and I fell to my knees. I grabbed my coat where my heart was and winced as the scenario I had painted in my head of us re-uniting was never going to happen. It was stupid to believe that he would remember me. We were only friends a few weeks but we had such a unique connection. 

I felt a hand on my back and looked up to see a lady looking down at me concerned. "Are you okay dear?" she wondered with pity in her eyes. I stood up with my fists clenched and wiped my tears away. 

"I'm fine Miss...I'm fine" I mumbled and began to walk to the nearest hotel where I could check in for the night. I wasn't going to cry like I did when I was younger. I was a stronger person than I was back then. I could handle this.

After paying for a room for a few days, I made my way to the elevator and it stopped at the third floor. I opened my door with my special key and dropped my backpack on the ground. I switched on the T.V and flicked on the news. There was an interviewer asking questions to their guest.

My eyes widened when I noticed Raihan sitting across from her grinning. "Idiot." I muttered annoyed sitting on the edge of my bed to watch it.

"Raihan we hear that you're battle techniques are the future of pokémon battles, what do you say about that?" the woman asked.

"I am the future. I will become your champion with my dragons and we will beat Leon together using my techniques I guarantee it" he winked earning a giggle from the interviewer.

"Ugh" I mumbled rolling my eyes.

"Have you had many challengers in your gym lately?" she questioned.

"I have several challengers but none have beaten me in a long time." he answered grabbing her microphone and coming closer to the camera. "If you think you can beat me head over to the Hammerlocke Gym this week! I challenge all of you new trainers to take on a real challenge!" he laughed and soon the interview was over.

He was my next Gym Leader. How did he become a Gym Leader? I thought he was aiming for champion? I heard that Leon was our new champion which didn't surprise me. What did surprise me was that Raihan was being held in one place by the responsibilities of being a Gym Leader. It didn't make sense. He wanted to travel and see the world.

I took out one of my pokéballs from my bag and pressed the button to release Cinderace. He appeared before me and smiled. "We have a tough opponent this time bud, we can't hold back...not even if I l...know him okay?" I smiled feeling a new set of determination erupt within me. Cinderace nodded and sat down on the floor placing his head on my leg. "We will make him remember me...and then we will get our answers" I mumbled.

I woke up the next morning to Cinderace poking my face. I groaned and rolled myself to the edge of the bed. I swung my legs over to the edge and sighed. "Why can't you let me sleep in?" I mumbled, putting on my slippers. Cinderace grinned at me and I narrowed my eyes. "For that, into the pokéball you go" I said returning him.  I walked into my shower and sighed happily once the hot water hit my skin. Nothing could beat a hot shower when you're leg muscles were hurting you. I washed my hair and rinsed. I let the water run down my body and felt myself get lost in thought. 

My mind drifted to seeing Raihan. He was a lot taller than he had been. His body had gotten muscular too, I could feel it when he held me. I felt my cheeks get warm and I covered my eyes embarrassed. Don't be lewd! "Idiot" I mumbled.I got out of the shower and got dressed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt as the summer heat was only getting hotter by the day. I quickly dried my hair and tied it into a messy bun. Once I got my bag packed I decided that I would go to the poké mart to stock up on supplies. I never challenged a gym without making sure I had all the items I would need. 

I walked into the store and stocked up on some health potions and revives. I hoped I wouldn't need to use the revives but sometimes it came down to it. I hated seeing my pokémon hurt. It made me angry but they didn't seem to mind. They pushed me during battles as much as I pushed them. I left the store and soon I was standing in front of the Hammerlocke Gym. A few other challengers had arrived, probably motivated by Raihan's little speech on the T.V interview. I got changed into my challenger outfit and waited patiently for my turn to do the challenge.

My stomach was filled with Butterfree and knots. I believed in my team but I was worried that seeing Raihan would put me off my game. Having to go through every moment of the battle knowing he didn't know me was as difficult as when he left. To be so close and yet so far from him was torture but I wasn't here for him. I had a job to do. I had to push all my emotions aside for this battle. I owed it to Professor Magnolia and my team. I can't risk them losing.

"Next Challenger please make your way to the entrance and good luck" the announcer said and I stood up. I looked at the door and let out a deep breath. 

"All right, I'm ready" I announced and watched as the doors opened before me.

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A/N

Hey dragons <3

Thank you all for the comments you have been leaving for me! Whenever I see one I get really excited! They mean the world to me and so do you guys (: 

Thank you all for reading my book! More to come! xoxo