"What do you mean by 'I'm okay'?!" Alexis's mother's shouts could be heard from his phone, her angry, scared, tear-streaked face visible on the screen. He had opted to wait until he had taken a shower before calling his family, knowing it would not be a good time. "You... you... you could have died!"
Her usually bright voice was laced with desperation and reproach. As soon as he called, his mother started shouting at him, his father's face oddly serious behind her. They had seen he had been involved with the incident in the news, where he and Alan had been commended for intervening and helping the crowd escape. It was estimated they had helped save at least a hundred lives, as well as rescuing about twenty survivors. His mother, though, could not care any less about that. The only thing she could think about was her son being in danger... or worse.
Realising her words would not change anything, she darted away from the phone, slamming the door to her bedroom. Alexis was left staring at his father's serious face, who looked at him as if his emotions had been drained. Then, he spoke.
"Your mother is just worried," his voice sounded warm, yet it carried the strain of someone containing their emotion. "Don't blame her for acting like that."
"We... we are proud of who you are, son."
The call ended after that, leaving Alexis with a bittersweet ache in his heart. On one hand, he would continue to throw himself into danger; it simply was not in his nature to stand by when he could help. On the other hand, though... he would continue to worry those he loved.
Alexis sat hunched in the bed, staring at the floor between his feet, his hands holding his head. He lifted his head to look out the window—and froze. Only when he saw the familiar skyline outside the window did it finally hit him. The stadium wasn't there anymore—at least not how it had been in the morning. The roar of the crowd, the flashes of cameras, the cheer of Trainers… all gone. He'd been there. He'd lived it. And he couldn't decide if that made him lucky or cursed.
He could vividly remember the screams, the sound of the explosions, the blood under the rubble. It haunted his mind, but it did not scare him. The more he thought of it, the more his resolution grew in strength.
'Never again,' his clenched fist hurt as his nails dug into his hand, 'never again will I be so helpless.'
*
That night Alexis had trouble sleeping, tossing and turning as the memories of the day attacked his dreams, turning them into nightmares. It was not until Eevee started licking his face, attempting to help him calm down, that he was able to sleep contentedly, a small smile on his face. Even in his sleep, he could feel the love his Pokémon felt for him.
The following day, Alexis woke up well-rested, the exhaustion that had settled on him from the previous day magically disappearing. After freshening up and brushing his teeth, Alexis went back to his room and sat down for a moment, taking some time to brush Eevee's fur and wipe Sewaddle's silk-drool. Then he looked at them with a bit more seriousness, summoning their stat screens.
[Eevee - Level: 18]
[Type: Normal - Gender: Female
Nature: Timid - Ability: Anticipation]
[HP: 55 – IVs: 21 – EVs: 1 – Total: 51
Attack: 55 – IVs: 18 – EVs: 0 – Total: 25
Defence: 50 – IVs: 30 – EVs: 0 – Total: 28
Sp. Attack: 45 – IVs: 31 – EVs: 45 – Total: 31
Sp: Defence: 65 – IVs: 30 – EVs: 0 – Total: 33
Speed: 55 – IVs: 31 – EVs: 52 – Total: 38
BST: 325 – CST: 206]
[Moves: Curse, Covet, Growl, Helping Hand, Tackle, Tail Whip, Sand Attack, Quick Attack, Baby-Doll Eyes.-]
———————————————————————————————
[Sewaddle - Level: 16]
[Type: Bug/Grass Gender: Female
Nature: Adamant Ability: Overcoat]
[HP: 45 – IVs: 31 – EVs: 6 – Total: 45
Attack: 53 – IVs: 31 – EVs: 97 – Total: 33
Defence: 70 – IVs: 30 – EVs: 0 – Total: 32
Sp. Attack: 40 – IVs: 20 – EVs: 0 – Total: 18
Sp: Defence: 60 – IVs: 30 – EVs: 0 – Total: 29
Speed: 42 – IVs: 31 – EVs: 109 – Total: 27
BST: 310 – CST: 184]
[Moves: Synthesis, String Shot, Tackle, Bug Bite, Razor Leaf.-]
He could not help but smile upon seeing their growth. While it had been dangerous and he did not enjoy it, pushing themselves in situations like the one they had lived yesterday had its rewards. Still, Alexis preferred hard work and constant training.
Once he had checked everything was in order and he was not forgetting any of his belongings, Alexis left the lodging area of the Pokémon Center. Just as he was about to say goodbye to Nurse Joy, he saw someone sitting in the waiting area, staring straight at him.
"It is a pleasure to finally have a moment to talk to you," a refined, gentlemanly voice could be heard coming from the person. "While I know you already know me, allow me to introduce myself anyway. Valerio Corsini, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Oh, Mr. Corsini," Alexis greeted amidst shock, surprise, and confusion. "Why exactly did you want to talk to me?"
"If I remember correctly," Valerio started, his face painted with amusement, "you have not received the reward for winning the Lácar Cup."
Alexis's eyes shot open in shock. With the events of the previous day, he had forgotten completely about the Lácar Cup. Still, he could not accept the reward. After all...
"But I did not win the Lácar Cup," Alexis explained himself, wanting to deny whatever rewards Valerio wanted to give him. "Alan and I didn't get to finish out battle."
"Ah, that is where you are wrong, Alexis." Valerio looked at him with a smug smile. "You would have won if the battle had not been interrupted."
Alexis opened his mouth to try and argue back, but Valerio lifted his hand and signalled him to remain quiet.
"While you may not have been able to see it at the moment," the more experienced Trainer spoke, "I could tell what would've happened had you been able to continue."
"So, stop being stubborn and just take the reward," he continued, before smiling when he saw Alexis's reluctance to take it. "If it makes you feel better, Alan already accepted the second place prize."
Once again, Alexis was overcome by shock, before quickly calming down and schooling his features. With a wry smile, he could not do anything but accept the reward. After all, it would have been disrespectful to Alan if he denied the first place when the other party had already accepted the second place.
Seeing the acceptance on Alexis's face, Valerio once again smiled, this time with warmth. "You deserve it, so don't worry."
With those words, Valerio asked Alexis for his Trainer ID and scanned it. Immediately, Alexis received 30,000P on his account, which would be enough to last him until he reached Neuquén.
"And take this," Valerio said as he handed him a strip of black paper with some weird symbols drawn in it. Alexis immediately recognised the item as a Spell Tag, known for increasing the power of Ghost type moves. "Think of it as a reward from me for staying to help."
Before Alexis could say anything, Valerio dispelled whatever doubts he had in his mind.
"And don't start talking about not being able to take it and whatnot," he said with finality, not giving Alexis any chance to deny it. "I recently received it as a gift from a village I protected from some wild Pokémon, but I have no use for it since I don't have any Ghost types."
Feeling indebted and unable to return the clear favour, Alexis could only thank Valerio from the bottom of his heart. The member of the Elite Four simply smiled and waved his goodbye, politely nodding towards Nurse Joy on his way out. Just as his figure was crossing the door, he turned his head and left a few words to Alexis.
"I'm looking forward to seeing your growth, Alexis."
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And that is the end of Volume 1 of the story! What are your thoughts so far?
I've decided to add the Pokémon's level on the screen from this chapter forwards, since I think that will help people understand their stats a bit more.
I can't wait until you see all the events I already have planned for Volume 2!