Pokémon : Black Rising

32. Rebellion

We chased after the sound. Sure enough, Margret was kidnapped by her own Pokemon and led somewhere astray. Riolu used his Aura vision to find the frightened girl surrounded by her three towering Pokemon.

The Aggron hissed at her. Arcanine was sitting and glaring at its trainer. Ampharos was neutral, standing with its arms crossed. At first glance, it didn't seem much of a kidnap.

Margret squeaked, " Why did you idiots bring me to this filthy place?"

The three reared their heads at her when she said 'idiots'. Aggron raised its hand for a punch but purposefully missed it. Margret screamed in the process.

" We may not have to interfere after all, " Tiyana stated. I nodded in reply.

Margret yelled, " How dare you attack your own trainer like this? Don't you have any remorse? "

Ampharos' tail flicked and Margret shuddered from the rattling Thunderwave. She broke off her frightened stance and put on a threatening face, " If you don't return to your PokeBalls now, I will see to it personally that you are punished. "

Arcanine blurred from its spot and Margret was Tackled back into the tree she was lying. She gasped in pain, " That hurt y-you fool! I'll... I'll... "

The glares of the three Pokemon was enough to shut her up. Ampharos' tail flicked yet again and yellow current shocked the girl. Aggron's tail turned iron and whipped the trainer who has been yelling nothing but insults at it for all its time with her. Arcanine Slashed at her arms, ripping her top and letting some blood ooze out. Margret was screaming in agony by the end of it.

The three stook several steps back before releasing consecutive attacks. Arcanine executed a Fire Blast, Aggron used Rock Tomb and Ampharos shook up a Thunder Shock. A second too late and she would've been good as a roasted buried corpse.

Charmeleon was quick enough to push her out of the way. Tiyana and I revealed ourselves. I asked the rebellious Pokemon, " Doesn't it go a bit too far if you killed her?"

They hissed at the stark reality and stayed down. I told them, "Just because your trainer has been abusing you doesn't give you the right to take her life. I know how you guys feel. The way you guys showed hatred for her was understandable but hectic. What difference does it nake if she dies? All you can do is find another trainer or a place to call home. "

They looked at me and nodded. They left the place not before snarling viciously at their old trainer. Charmeleon returned to my side after saving Margret.

Tiyana scolded the sobbing, fallen Margret, " Look how you have fallen! Your own Pokemon tried to kill you. Don't you get it now? Pokemon are NOT tools. They are creatures with their own feelings, emotions and thoughts. They have every right to be treated with love and respect. What they did was the result of your actions which fueled their hatred. I've been telling you this since childhood but you didn't want to listen, did you? "

Margret's face was buried in the dirt. Her back arched and fell indicating sobbing. Her clothes were soiled, somewhat bloodied and her hair was in a mess. Not some high born princess now, is she?

Margret said in between sobs, "Please... Please f-forgive me... For everything. "

I tried to keep my voice stable, "It's not us who require an apology. But the Pokemon who you have been mistreating. If you look hard, you may find your first victim. "

She looked at me with tear-streaked dirt patched face. She sure did look worn-out and exhausted. Her eyes searched for her previous Charmander. She kneeled before Charmeleon who had turned his back, and begged, " Charmeleon, I want you to... Forgive me. I know you hate me more than anything because all I have done to you... Please find it in your heart to forgive. I am the worst trainer ever, I accept it now. I have been ill-treating all, everyone I meet but... I'm going to ammend myself. Please... Just say you forgive me... "

Charmeleon huffed before turning to face her. He nodded and turned back again. Margret, wiping of the tears, walked in the direction where her Pokemon had disappeared. Charmeleon sighed in the process.

I crouched to his height, " See Charmeleon? If she does plan to make up for her mistakes, do you want to go with her? You were the first Pokemon she had. I'll totally understand if you wanna go. "

Charmeleon looked at her direction. After a long pause, he shook his head and wrapped his hands around my neck. I smiled, " So that's a no then? "

" Char... " he answered.

" Awww... Both of you look adorable, " Tiyana commented with her hands squeezed together.

I laughed and ruffled Charmeleon's head, " We are friends after all. "

We decided to inspect on Margret. After some searching, we found the three rebels lying near a river, basking in the sun. Margret was standing in front of them hesitantly. The three didn't bother to look at her.

Margret began, " I know you hate me now but... I know it's too late but... I-I'm sorry. I've been nothing but a jerk to you guys. I mistreated you for not winning battles and making you go without food for a day. When I think back, I have been nothing but a monster. Finding forgiveness might be hard but please... Forgive me. "

She sniffled for a bit, standing motionless. The rebels looked at each other. Then the unexpected, or rather, the expected happened. All three of her Pokemon came close for an embrance. This time, Margret didn't hold back. She wailed, as loud as she could, to comfort herself and as a sign of apology. It was heart-warming.

Tiyana smiled, " Pokemon are amazing, aren't they? "

I stroked Riolu and Charmeleon, " They sure are. If it were me, I'd never forgive her. "

" That's so like you. "

I chuckled, " Since that's out of the way, let's get a move on. The Beacon Badge is begging me to acquire it. "

She giggled, " Yeah, as if. Do you think we should- "

" Nah, " I interupted, " She'll be fine. Let's go. "

One last look at the emotional reunion, we went on our way.

After half an hour of uneventful walking, Sunyshore City stood before us in all its grandeur. Everything in the city is powered by solar energy. So not much of a surprise when the roofs of houses and buildings were replaced by solar panels. In addition, the nearby fields were covered by panels. The buildings and towers were massive. The famous lighthouse of Sunyshore City stood by the cliff.

" This is one massive city, " Tiyana commented.

" Hmm. Do you think the Gym will be open? "

" It'a just 10:30 bro. Lot's of time left. "

Riolu hopped around with 'enthusiasm'. " Great, race you to the Centre! "

I sprinted in the direction of the PokeCentre. Tiyana tried to protest but I was too far to hear. Eventually, she joined up.

****

I cracked my knuckles in front of the doors of the Sunyshore City (which is a tower by the way). Riolu tried to imitate me by stretching his paws. I laughed, "Ready guys? "

" Rai! " He agreed. The PokeBalls shifted in my belt.

" Let's go. "