Embers to the Flame: Part 6

Ambre woke up early, restless. At about six thirty, she rolled out of bed and got ready for the day. Even with the curtains closed and a door shut, Ambre could hear rain pounding and only being drowned out by the shower. She would have to call off any search for now. In the mean time, there was still the gym leader. Ambre stepped out of the shower and dried herself off.

As she began to comb out her hair, she began to wonder about the Umbreon. Was Rebecca actually her mother? Was it on a biological level? Surely not. Surely she was just the one that raised him, nothing more. Could it even be possible? She shrugged the idea and started to dry her hair.

The gym leader of Laverre City specialized in Fairy types. She knew the day would come when she would have to fight this gym leader and she was not that well prepared for it. Absol would have some major issues with the fairies. Delphox though should be on an even playing field then which left her with one last Pokemon. Hopefully this would be just enough to get by.

She walked out of the bathroom with a towel covering her. She pulled up her discarded dress from the other bed. Without even looking at it in detail, she knew it was filthy and needed to be washed badly. It was not something she should wear to a gym. She looked at the bag from the clothes store next to her dress. Ambre didn't want to, but she didn't have anything else to change into.

She still felt like a Sunflora in the outfit. Maybe she could exchange them. But there was no receipt in the bag. "So much for that idea," Ambre groaned. Sunflora at the gym it was then. She folded her dress up and placed it in her bag with the rest of her stuff.

The Pokemon Center was still mostly empty. Grant, it was still early in the morning and Ambre had met only a hand full of trainers who would get up early. The only other person was a different nurse at the front counter and another trainer reading a book in a sofa.

"Good morning, checking out?" the nurse greeted Ambre.

"Yes, I'm also picking up three Pokemon," she replied, putting the keys on the counter.

"Certainly, let me just make sure that they are ready to be released." The nurse took the keys and began typing away.

Ambre took a moment to eye the trainer. An older guy, probably by about five to ten years older than her, but he seemed completely absorbed in the book as he laid on the couch, stretched out and looking away from the counter.

"Alright then, it looks like your Pokemon are all ready. I'll go get them from the back," the nurse said, getting up from her chair.

"By chance, can I use this computer real quick?" Ambre pointed to the one next to her.

"Oh, go right ahead," she replied.

"Thanks." As the nurse vanished, Ambre quickly jumped on the computer while keeping a watchful eye on the trainer. She searched for "Pokemon human," but her results immediately came up with a humane society for Pokemon. She then tried "human Pokemon," getting more promising looking results. But upon closer inspection, Ambre found that the results were those that she knew were fake else were... She backed out and cleared the history just so she wouldn't be banned from the Pokemon Centers. As the computer wiped the history, Ambre couldn't help but wonder if maybe those debunk myths had some truth to them. She did after all see one.

The nurse returned with a tray of three Pokeballs; Ambre closed the page. "Here are your Pokemon, fully healed," the nurse presented the tray to Ambre.

"Thanks," Ambre nodded and started to collect her Pokemon.

"Though, while it is not my duty to butt in on this, your Delphox seemed a little, well, annoyed. Did something happen to her?"

"Oh, well, she did lose a battle that looked like an easy win. But the Pokemon was much tougher than I thought. Is she okay?"

"Yes, your Delphox is perfectly fit and healthy. But I don't think you should push her too much for now till she calms down. Time does heals inner wounds. But if she doesn't seem to improve, I would suggest going to the southern Lumiose Pokemon Center. They will probably be more of help."

"Thanks, I'll do that then."

"And thanks for coming by."

Ambre spun around, then stopped. "Oh, wait, do you know where the gym is?" she asked the nurse before she could even sit down at her desk.

"Certainly. Just take a right to the back of this center and continue straight till you get to the city square. The gym is inside the large tree. You can't miss it if you go to the clock," the nurse pointed to the side of the room.

"Thanks again," Ambre replied. The nurse just nodded with a smile.

As Ambre turned again to walk away, one of the Pokeballs popped open. In a white flash, Absol emerged. "Absol!" he immediately jumped on Ambre with his tail wagging.

"Glad you're awake then," Ambre vigorously petted him to attempt to match some of his excitement. "And frankly, I enjoyed sleeping in a bit without someone licking me awake." She pulled Absol's front paws off of her and continued, Absol following next to her.

The rain had not lighten up. In fact, Ambre thought it was pouring down even harder than that morning. After a huff of breath, Ambre sprinted off in the direction of the gym with Absol right behind her. Around the corner of the center and a large tree in the middle of the town was already in sight. At the base of the tree, Ambre could see the logo of a gym. This was it. She ran up to the door, stopping short to take a moment to catch her breath. She then looked over at Absol right as he dried himself free, water spraying in Ambre's face and on her clothes.

"Thanks," she groaned, wiping her face off. Absol didn't make any noticeable response.

Much like the rest of the city, the door to the gym was rather old fashioned with a curve door and golden handles. Carved into the wood were pictures of various Pokemon, all doing various things such as playing or sleeping silently. Ambre then noticed that it appeared to mainly be  more cutesy Pokemon such as a Zorua and Sylveon.

The door then opened.

A young man opened the door, wearing a tieless, pressed black suit. "Ah, a new trainer? Please, come in," his white gloved hands gestured in.

"Thanks," Ambre was caught off guard. But without hesitation, she got out of the rainy weather and stepped inside.

The gym was relatively small with a few bleachers unprotected on the side. The dome though was partly created by the tree with roots twisting and turning towards the top. Openings were then covered by stained glass depicting many different kinds of Pokemon, which would probably have been a great sight if it wasn't for the fact that the sun was hidden.

"May I ask your name?" the man asked, closing the door behind them.

"Ambre," she replied.

"Well then, Miss Ambre, I am Sir Reed. I will go bring the gym leader Valerie. But if you don't mind me asking, how many badges do you have?"

"Five," she replied, "This will be my sixth gym."

"Thank you then, I will let Valerie know that you have arrived," Reed gave a small bow before heading off for a room on the opposite side of the gym. She was quite use to this process by now. The gym leader wanted to know how many badges the trainer had so that they could pose a challenge as being too easy on trainers would not really help. But at the same time they didn't want to be near impossible, which would probably halt every trainer except those who were devoted to train day and night. Instead, it was about letting them have a challenge so that they can prove themselves. And despite it was her sixth gym, Ambre couldn't help but feel a small shiver.

Absol brushed underneath Ambre's hand, let it rest on his hand.

"You're right," she looked down with a faint smile, softly scratching the wet fur.

At the other end of the gym, two wooden doors were opened with the gym leader stepping out. Valerie was close to what Ambre had heard before from other trainers: a living doll. Her skin was pale and perfect with a small body fitting into a short, purple dress. It would have been the sight of beauty, one that of both jealously that Ambre could not achieve while traveling and of embarrassment that she was in the presence of someone who could look that way. But the exaggerated sleeves made her look that of a Mienshao and the massive grey eyes made the beauty odd.

"Miss trainer Ambre," Valerie gave a stiff bow. Ambre returned with a small one.  "I see your Absol doesn't travel by Pokeball, or is he that eager to battle?"

"A little bit of both actually," Ambre answered, "Absol is a bit of a unique Pokemon."

"They all are. I've seen many Pokemon and all of them are unique. Some are fierce, some are confident, some even nervous of a battle. But it is the fact that each Pokemon are unique from each other that makes one beautiful. But let us no longer tease your Absol any longer. Did you bring any more Pokemon with you?"

"Just two more."

Sir Reed from earlier stepped forward on the sideline and cleared his throat. "The gym battle between leader Valerie and challenger Ambre will begin. Each trainer may use up to three Pokemon as the limit. Victory is decided when all three of the opponent's Pokemon are unable to battle. There will be no time limit and the gym leader may not retreat their Pokemon. Trainers, are you ready?" Both Ambre and Valerie had grabbed a Pokeball in hand. "Then begin!" Reed cut the air with his hand.

"Azumarill!" Valerie held out.

"Venusaur!" Ambre tossed hers.

In two bright flashes, a chubby blue and white belied mouse appeared on the other side and a large, green monster with a large flower growing out of its back landed with a loud thud near Ambre.

"I must ask, Ambre, do you know much about fairies?"

"Some. I have battled a few before hand," she answered.

"Then we'll see if you have truly experienced the power of fairies. After you."

Ambre already knew what to do. "Venusaur, use Razor Leaf!"

"Azumarill, use Rollout!"

Venusaur had whipped out two leaves flying straight towards Azumarill who had tucked into a ball and began rolling straight for Venusaur. The blades hit, slowing the Azumarill a bit. "Vine Whip!" Not needing further instructions, two vines came out from under Venusaur's flower and pushed back on Azumarill. But the Pokemon had gained enough momentum to read Venusaur, giving a hard thud against its head. Venusaur didn't flinch. Taking the opportunity, Venusaur then wrapped around the Azumarill that was already out of the rollout.

"Quick Azumarill, use Bubblebeam!"

Azumarill puffed up then shot a burst of bubbles into Venusaur's face, making it push the Azumarill away.

"Give a strong Razor Leaf!" With its target stuck in one position, Venusaur gave a powerful throw to two leaves, letting go of Azumarill in the process.

"Defense Curl!" Azumarill tucked itself in and away from the leaves, but one had hit hard near its face.

"Now go for a Take Down!" With loud stomps, the Venusaur slammed into the Azumarill knocking it down on its back with Venusaur stumbling trying to avoid stepping on the Pokemon. It stepped back, watching the Azumarill lie on its back. The Azumarill tried to get up at first, but half-way up it had collapsed back on the ground.

"Azumarill is unable to battle." Reed had called out with a single hand towards Venusaur and Ambre. One to zero and Venusaur was going strong, this was good for a gym battle.

"Return," Valerie held out Azumarill's ball, it returning in a beam of red light. "Your Venusaur never used a poison attack, is that because you rather conserve his strength for a much more needed opportunity or does he really not know any poison moves."

"We prefer to conserve our strengths," Ambre answered.

"Well then, let's see with Gardevoir." In another flash of light, a small, frail figure in what appeared to be a white dress landed gracefully. Valerie's strength as a gym leader was showing here.

"Sol!" Absol placed a paw on Ambre's leg, looking up at her.

"Are you ready then?" Ambre turned to her Pokemon. She already knew the answer as Absol took a step forward. She was glad that she could count on him. "I'm returning Venusaur," Ambre held out the Pokeball with the giant plant monster vanishing in.

In place, Absol leaped into the field, meeting the Gardevoir at the center.

"Trying a more offensive strategy then? It is a bit more reckless than the last," Valerie commented.

"Just how Absol likes it."

"Begin!"

Absol sprinted forward with claws glowing black. Gardevoir held its chest as it began to glow bright. Absol leapt into the air and Gardevoir then held out. The two were covered in a white light. On the opposite was Absol, safely landed behind Gardevoir. Gardevoir went down on one knee with a hand above its horn. Absol turned around, but Ambre saw it flinch as it did.

"Gardevoir, are you okay." With a reply, the Pokemon got back up and faced Absol. It might be reckless, but the payoff was definitely high and Absol wouldn't have any other chance to shine, Ambre thought.

The Gardevoir focused another flash of light and Absol charged again, claws glowing dark again. As Absol got in striking distance, he instead leapt to the side of Gardevoir and behind. The light came, but Absol was out of sight. Instead, Absol slashed from behind.

"That's it Absol," Ambre encouraged.

This time the Gardevoir fell down on both knees, holding itself in pain. It was chanting something, quietly. "Quick Absol, one more attack!" Absol caught the urgency and attacked one more time. But as his claws hit, he was hit with another white flash, tossing him in the air and on his back.

"Gardevoir is unable to battle," The Pokemon was laying on its side, unconscious, "Victory goes to Absol."

Absol got up, shaking and pretty well beaten up. "Are you okay Absol? Can you make it back here?" With a bit of a limp, Absol returned to Ambre's side but immediately crashed to the ground, lying down as if it was going to take a nap. "Just take it easy," Ambre lightly scratched the back of his head, "You did a good job." It was 2-0 now, though Ambre considered Absol to be down.

"I guess it just comes down to this," Valerie commented as she tossed out her last Pokemon. A short, squat yellow creature with a mouth as big as itself, Mawile.

Victory was so close now. "Delphox!" With a flash, the standing fire fox returned. With one look at the Mawile, she had already pulled out the stick from her right sleeve.

"Beg-!"

Already, Delphox spun a blue circle of fire and swung it at Mawile, catching the Pokemon off guard. As the flames ended, small glitter fell on Mawile from nowhere, healing most of the burns immediately. Gardevoir's wish.

"Delphox, wait a second!" Ambre called out.

Delphox looked back at her with a dark glare. While Ambre was a little taller than Delphox, the Pokemon seemed immense with the stare. Words from Nurse Joy then began to echo in her mind.

The Mawile then grabbed onto Delphox's left arm and tried to thrash. Delphox lifted the Pokemon, Ambre noticed that she was in pain, and tried to shake the Mawile off. With no luck, Delphox lifted the Mawile as high in the air as it could and reached for her stick with her right hand. But something caught her attention. Having the chance, the Mawile let go and tried to go for the other arm. Delphox let out a psychic blast. But not at Mawile. Three sharp psychic blows hit a glass ceiling, shattering it immediately.

Ambre turned around to see the shards of glass enter with the incoming rain. With it, a body fell down as well, landing on its side and already scrambling to its feet. Delphox shot a blue fire at it, hitting it square on, causing the figure to go down. Ambre and Reed ran over to the body.

Delphox got Lucario down.