I took a long while to pick myself back up and headed off to the Pokémon center to freshen up in my own room to take a shower and get some rest after a long night of just sitting behind a tree and moping to myself about what had happened in the showcase
I'll have to explain myself to Serena the next time I see her... for the mean time, I took a shower and got ready for the day with a white shirt with a dark pink large waist high fluffy skirt with a black borderline around the waists, white knee high shocks and shoes to match the skirt
I looked at my dress from last night on the bed, staring at it with memories of me enjoying myself dancing on that stage. Even if the showcase wasn't at all my style, I can't remember the last time I felt so energized while doing something like that. What would had been better would had been me playing the harp
The memories of me playing my harp was back in the simpler times when everything wasn't in ruins. I automatically smiled at this and brushed it away to put everything together so I can walk out the room
"So much for relaxing... I don't want to see that thing ever again" B spat out my fan I performed with in the showcase. I picked it up and waved it around, standing on one leg and started dancing around with it. I had no idea what got over me, but I felt my spirit lift up again, and I didn't feel the burden of me failing something that was very important to Serena...
The talents Serena and I developed as we grew up were very encouraged by our parents. We were given talents of the same kind, but the both of us took on the talents the other couldn't do. I kept the talent of knowledge and Serena held the talent of being amazing at everything, being able to be a lively person and sparkle in every way. Though secretly... I shared the talent of playing a musical instrument well with Serena, but not dance... something I don't much take pride in since it's pretty useless to me
I slowed down my dance before completely stopping after noticing I was drawing a crowd. I looked around and saw a few people clapping for me in awe. A few were trying to identify my face, since my hair was all out now. Now that everyone knows Serena is fine and I told everyone that Serena is trusting her big sister to help her. I don't mind now that I'm letting my hair out, since I told everyone I don't like the attention. Hopefully everyone will respect my wishes
I completely ignored everyone and kept walking, just until I heard someone calling me by my name... it was that Aria girl from the showcase. I tried not looking at her, but she stormed at me and got all in my face
"Hey! I was calling you!" She pouted
"And I was ignoring you. Leave me alone" I kept trying to move, but she kept getting in my way. I sighed, giving up, and held my hips "alright, what do you want?"
"I want a battle!" I raised a brow
"Really... you're trying to mock me because I couldn't win against Valerie. Are you seriously wanting to start something?" I popped my knuckles close to her face to threaten her. She froze instantly "I don't care if you're Serena's friend, do not mock me"
"But I'm not mocking you!" She put her hand on her chest "I want to challenge you to a battle! As you!"
"Why would you want to do that? I'm not wasting my time" I turned around, only for her to be in my way again "get out my way!" She shook her head, lifting her arms to her side to keep me from going anywhere
"Not until you battle me!" I groaned and send out Absol "oh! You're actually going to battle me!? Yay!" She cheered and ran off for some space. Everyone started moving to give us space and watch "I choose you! Aeromatisse!" She send a pink fairy like Pokémon "use-" I snorted and yelled out first
"Razor wind!" Absol struck out its attack and created a large wind storm. That was my way of escape. Absol and I looked at each other when no one was looking and made a run for it. When the wind died down, everyone looked around to wonder where I went. I sighed and wrapped my hair with my scarf Shauna gave me, and walked away to find the way out this city
"I know it was wrong to just leave like that, but I can't do this right now" I looked down "I have too much on my mind... my chest hurts" Absol whined at me. I bit my lips and look up ahead, seeing Calem at the exit of the city. He noticed me and smiled, like he was waiting for me the whole time. He even offered his hand
"My lady" he bowed down for me "my queen" I pouted and looked away "Sophie..?"
"Too soon" he stood back up
"Hey, you're not Serena. You were never queen in the first place" I glared
"Why you little!"
"But you've always been my queen" h-huh? "Ever since we met, you've been my everything. Don't feel sad because of something like what happened. Performing isn't your style, and Serena is not going to hate you for this" I looked away. He came up to me and moved my hair from my face "it's going to be okay... right now, let's focus on helping her with this Team Flare thing, okay?" I smiled a little and nodded
"Yeah, let's go" I took his hand and hurried out the city as fast as possible with the boys, feeling Absol staring at us leaving with our hands together. I feel so much better now that I have him by my side
"You two would make a perfect couple!" Serena's voice echoed in my head. My heart suddenly started beating fast. I cleared my throat and pretended like I didn't hear it.
There was a large area of colorful leaves slowing us down. I looked for a way to go around while Calem was looking at his Holocaster then looked at me
"What is it?" I asked
"Valerie contacted me... she told me Aria challenged you to a battle and you ran away halfway?" I rolled my eyes
"It didn't even start, so it wasn't even a battle"
"She really wanted to battle you. Any reason why you left?"
"Are you kidding me? She really dares to ask for a battle even after what happened?!" I groaned
"What did she say?"
"She didn't want to battle me as Serena, she wanted to battle as me" I looked away "look... I don't know how to battle, if it wasn't obvious, even after all this time. I'm not as strong as Serena, and I'll never be. I'm not her"
"Even if that's true, everyone can be good at battling. Don't think too badly about this! You won against the other performers! Valerie is a gym leader! She's tougher than most! How many times do we have to have this conversation? You can battle!" I pulled his hair and shook his head "h-hey!"
"How about you shut the fuck up?" I pushed him into a pile of leaves
"Sophie!" He quickly stood back up "what was that for?!"
"I'm working on it, okay!?" I shouted "I was under a lot of stress! I was trying so hard to be Serena that I couldn't even battle my best! And believe me... I really wanted to" I shut my eyes "so stop talking down at me! You have no right!"
"I know... I'm sorry, I have no right" he stood up "I should had known better than to do that. I guess I don't understand how you feel" I stared at him frowning at his feet. I guess I shouldn't have put my anger on him, since he doesn't understand human emotions as much like me. I wouldn't even know how to explain how I feel
"You're right, you don't" I crossed my arms "but even I don't have a right to blame you for anything. Pushing you was extra, but what can you do?" I shrugged. He chuckled
"Yeah... you're working on your anger issues like I'm working on trying to be normal" I glared at that
"What do you know about my anger issues? I have my reasons!" He sweat dropped and took out his Aegislash to sweep away the leaves in our way "so you don't only use Aegislash to kill"
"Not really, and I rarely take it out "
"Tell me how you met Aegislash" he stayed quiet for a long while before finally deciding to speak
"My first murder weapon was a knife... and I really liked how it felt having control over how easily I can take away someone's life. Aegislash is a ghost type, so whenever I killed, it came by to watch and later it was attracted to me and stayed by my side while watching me kill innocent Pokémon. It was the only thing I can kill without getting caught" I frowned at this "this was when I arrived at Kalos... even if mom believed I stopped killing, Pokémon didn't count much, because they're easier to hide, so I used them to make me feel better. Aegislash decided to watch me before deciding to help me"
"It was simply attracted to you once you moved here" he nodded "funny... Z was also attracted to me, even if it belonged to my dad, I never really officially met it until the funeral"
"I guess there are Pokémon out there who don't really care who you are, but accept you either way" he smiled "speaking of accepting... check this out" he took out his photo album and took out a picture to hand to me "I got a pretty good shot back in the showcase" I took the picture to see me performing with my big fake smile with my normal hair color and no makeup "got to love photo editing. I tried getting the real you instead of you being Serena" I stared at my smile, not believing it was me who was wearing it. The picture looked so legit
"You're really good... can I have this?" He nodded happily
"Yeah! I got tons!" I sweat dropped and put the picture away "let's keep going... the sooner we find Team Flare, the sooner we find Serena, or you, actually... she wouldn't show herself to us yet, won't she?"
"I don't know, and I don't know if she saw the showcase, but if she did, she'll know that you guys are on her side and helping her with me" he nodded
"I'm sure you're right, and don't worry. She's not the kind of person to be disappointed in anyone" I played with my fingers
"I'll have to take you up on that, since I don't even know her enough. I can't forget that you told me she had a eating disorder" I slowly reached to take his hand, surprising him "you were trying to help me play the role better, but I still wish you didn't tell me that"
"I'm sorry" I sniffled
"It's okay..." Absol looked around our path until it encountered a large random pile and ran to tackle it, making a random trainer fly out. I crossed my arms as Calem sweat dropped, not even caring that the guy just got attacked hard and probably got hurt
"Is there a reason why you're hiding in there? You big idiot!" The guy jumped up like nothing and took out what looked like a capture styler "you're a ranger?"
"You're under arrest!"
"What for?" Calem asked boredly. What is this stranger even talking about? A bit of sweat was appearing on my forehead... did he hear what we were talking about?
"Look, what we were talking about, it was part of a game" I lied. The stranger looked confused
"What are you talking about? You're under arrest for trespassing" what? "This area had been removed from the public since a gang showed up and started attacking random trainers. This won't be a actual arrest, so I'll have you all come with me" I lifted my hand, making him stop
"A gang? Seriously? You might not know who we are, but we can take care of ourselves" he stared at me for a long while before flinching
"Are you Serena?" I rolled my eyes "no, you're her big sister, right? I heard you were around. I heard rumors that you're the most powerful trainer in Sinnoh" I blinked confused
"What kind of rumor is that-" Calem took my arm to stop me
"You bet she is!" He smiled big. What is he doing?! He knows I can't battle! Why make me so powerful anyways? For me being a gang member who've killed? "She can do a lot! If there's anything you need help on, she's your girl! But watch it, I didn't mean it technically" I sweat dropped. Seriously?
"I'm really tired of fighting gangs... this is my what? My third one I disbanded?"
"Disbanded?" The stranger held his chin "now that I think about it, the gang activity had decreased during these few months. Could you be responsible?" I just stared "fascinating..." his capture styler went off, receiving a call. He answered and later hung up after speaking and preventing us from walking away as he talked to someone
"I just told my partners that I caught you two in the path, but don't worry. I told them you were with me"
"So?" I asked
"So... you're going to help me with this mission" I was taken back "you there, are you as good as this girl? I'm sorry, that was your name again?" He asked me seconds before he snapped his fingers "Sophia, that's right! Sorry, I forgot for a moment" he looked back at Calem "well, are you?" Calem flipped his hair
"I'm Calem... I'm pretty good" the ranger nodded
"Then welcome aboard! I'm Ranger Rodrick! You will be helping me find the gang who called themselves the Skater punks"
"Wait" I glared "we didn't agree to help you! Why should we?!" He shrugged
"Well, it's either helping me or go back to the city until we're done looking for these punks" I pouted and Calem pet my head
"We'll be fine, we'll be at your service!" We don't have time for this! I don't care about anymore gangs! I have to find Serena! "What is our first assignment?" Rodrick nodded with a smile
"At least someone is in the spirit. Normally Rangers cannot involve the public, but you are a acceptation. Don't make me regret it" Calem bowed "there are rangers out here everywhere, so don't try to make any smart moves and leave. If the other rangers don't see you guys with me, they're going to kick you out" I looked away, hating how I got stuck doing this
"I can always fly" I said. Rodrick rolled his eyes
"Come on Sophie! This can help you be a better trainer" Calem whispered
"How many times does this have to happen?! I'm not gonna get any better!" He only smiled. I pushed him back into a pile of leaves and started walking, and the guys followed
"So tell us about this gang" Calem told Rodrick
"Sure. There have been reports on a few people who have been breaking and entering into people's homes and taking their valuable belongings. They can't be seen because of their quick speed, and many have seen that these people are wearing skates. We later learned that these people are part of a gang, and are actual punks with colorful hair and black clothing" skates huh? I bet they aren't as fast as me on my two feet. I better get this over with if I want to keep going forward. Not that I believe that battling again will improve anything, but I want to get this over with...
"You guys are rangers, to get help from regular trainers like us... that's pretty pathetic"
"What did you say?!" Rodrick glared. I smirked amused and pet Absol's head, winking to have it know what I'm going to do. It nodded and ran away with me, away from the guys "hey!" I shot up the middle finger
"Try to catch me, I don't have time for this!" I laughed and kept running to a point where I think I lost them. I looked around to make sure no one was around while Absol looked up ahead, growling. I looked at what it was looking at too late, because there was a snatching with my neck and my body fell before I knew what just happened. Some punk in skates was rushing off with his hand holding string. I groaned in pain coming from my chest and gasped for air. I looked down at myself and gasped when seeing my keystone gone!
"M-my stone!" I grabbed a bunch of leaves, crushing them, making them crunch until they became small pieces
"The keystone is a form of your heart..." mirror me from my dream echoed in my head. It literally felt like they snatched my heart out my chest
"they..." Absol stared at me "they messed with the wrong person! I'll make them regret everything and say my name" I looked over at the boys catching up to me. Calem saw the look on my face, seeing how pale I was and wheezing
"Sophie!" I lifted my hand to stop him, him already knowing how I was feeling with the angry expression I had on my face. My heart... the one Calem gave back to me. I have to get it back
~~
Well a bunch of things happened the past few chapters! Looks like Sophia's was stolen, literally, kinda... I know the whole heart and keystone thing is confusing, but I'm sure you'll understand soon!