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An Uncertain Future	By : Twill Category: Pokemon > General Views: 12846 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
- 9
Gardevoir watched as Rob put the finishing touches on the fresh bandages wrapping his leg, the bright morning sun peaking over the horizon. After the full day of rest her body was feeling a little back to normal. There was still a slight ache in her mind, but it was nothing that would interfere with her abilities, and she was a little anxious to try them out after having evolved.

Once Rob was finished, he quickly packed up their campsite. He seemed pretty steady on his injured leg despite still using the branch to get around, and with any luck they would move quickly; she didn't want to spend any more time in that cave than was necessary.

“Everyone ready?” Rob asked them, lifting his pack gingerly onto his back and testing out his leg. Quilava and Sandshrew both rose looking eager to be back on the road. She would have been glad to leave too if they had been traveling in any other direction, but she could already feel the oppressive darkness of Union Cave creeping up on her.

The four of them were soon on the road with Rob in the lead alongside Quilava and Sandshrew, and Gardevoir taking up position behind them as she usually did. She thought about joining them, but she still couldn't bring herself to intrude. Besides, she could try out her new powers without disturbing them.

Learning new abilities was always a strange experience, ranging from spending hours trying to perfect an attack to suddenly just knowing how to perform the skill perfectly. This time, it was more like the latter. Raising her hand she concentrated, not using too much energy but not holding back either, and a sphere of blue energy crackled to life in her palm. She put drew on her powers a little more and the sphere grew, swirling with intensity.

She let her curiosity get the better of her and she put her all into it. The shifting blob grew, giving off arcs of psychic energy, while inside a purple storm raged, contained within the blue walls. With a gesture she released the sphere, launching it at a nearby tree and striking the plant's bark forcefully.

The tree ruptured, giving off a noise like an explosion and causing the travelers to jump, Gardevoir herself not expecting the tumultuous noise. Hundreds of vertical cracks ran up the tree and pieces drooped limply to the ground, what remained looking nothing like the original. The other three turned to look at her.

“Sorry, I didn't mean to, I was just trying out one of my new attacks,” she said looking at the ground.

“Well it's impressive to say the least,” Rob said after a moment. “A psyshock I'm guessing?”

“Better stay on her good side,” she heard Sandshrew joke to Quilava, the fire type throwing up his hands.

“Just try not to bring any trees down on us,” Rob said over his shoulder as he continued down the path. Gardevoir examined her palm before continuing. What if she had used that on someone, would they too splinter into a million pieces? Maybe she'd just stick to what she'd used in the past, those attacks had always been sufficient in handling her foes.

Union Cave loomed before them much sooner than anyone had expected, a mere hour after they'd started out for the day. Gardevoir stared at the intimidating entrance that swallowed light, its inky depths laughing at her. Rob was talking with Quilava and digging through his pack, but Gardevoir's eyes were locked on her inanimate opponent. All the psychic power in the world wouldn't defeat this foe.

She was weak, a coward, but she couldn't continue to let Absol control her; she had left that monster behind. Her hands trembled at her side

“Coming Gardevoir?” Rob's voice shaking her out of her stupor, the other three turned to her, waiting to enter the cave.

“Yeah,” she sent quietly to her trainer and slowly followed them into the abyss. Once inside, Quilava began to glow at Rob's command. Quickly, a warm, steady light was keeping the oppressive darkness at bay, allowing them to see much better than during their first trip through.

They moved rapidly through the cave; Quilava's light averting the danger of stumbling into one of the many dark pools, and whether from the light or the fact that Rob kept all three of his companions out, few pokemon were willing to bother them. After rebandaging his leg this morning he had felt good about heading out, and so far he wasn't displeased with his results. While his leg was a little sore, it didn't hinder him too much as they traveled at a decent pace.

With the lack of any pokemon bothering them, they were moving quickly, especially now that they could see. In fact at their current pace they would probably make it through the cave in about half a day.

“Would you guys be up for taking the scenic route through?” He asked his three pokemon. The cave system wasn't overly complex but there was a path that lead much deeper while still coming out at the same place. It was said that the rarer pokemon tended to make their homes there instead of the more frequently traveled route. Sandshrew shrugged noncommittally, but Quilava seemed to glow brighter at the idea, sniffing the air at the chance to explore.

He knew Gardevoir didn't like being in here but he really wanted the chance to add to his team. If it put her too much on edge though, he guessed the long route would likely be a waste of time anyway, no reason to force her to go.

“Gardevoir? If you want we can just take the shorter path, it would probably get us out of here before it's even dark out.” He turned to face her, but she was looking into the darkness beyond Quilava's sphere of light with a stony expression across her face.

“No, I don't mind being in here,” she said, an odd determination in her voice. She still didn't meet his gaze.

“If you're sure,” he said trailing off, whatever had gotten into her lately, she seemed different. Or maybe it was just something else, in the two weeks they've known each other she had exhibited wildly varying emotions. Once they were back home he'd sit her down; they really needed to talk.

When the fork appeared, Rob lead them down the much rougher passage, the ground sloping steeply downward. The air below was heavier, the echos of water dripping loud in the stillness. For such a small change in elevation, the cave suddenly felt very different, and he was glad to have his pokemon close at hand. Though despite the foreboding aura the cave seemed to radiate, he couldn't say that it was all much more eventful.

In the distance he heard the occasional grating noise of a large rock type moving slowly around, but they never saw any hint of one entering their small pool of light. Maybe they should have just gone the quicker route, he hadn't actually ever talked to someone firsthand who'd found anything rare in these caves.

Time passed without indication as the group made their way through the maze of winding tunnels and broad underground cisterns. The caves might have even been nice if not for the unease he felt from being here. It wasn't just him either, he could see Quilava glancing around, keeping a keen watch on the shadows thrown by his flash technique.

“Hey Gardevoir?” Rob asked over his shoulder. “I don't mean anything by it, but do you feel anything like you did that day we were attacked?” He tried to sound as nonchalant as possible, but he found her slowly closing the distance between them, seemingly without noticing herself.

“Um, no, I don't, why do you feel something? What does it feel like?” Her voice sounded less than at ease in his mind, but if anyone would feel imminent trouble attack it would be her. Now he just felt stupid for worrying his already nervous pokemon further over nothing, but he had to be more cautious during their travels.

“It's nothing, just wanted to make sure it was only me. I think I just don't really like it in here.” His words seemed to have little effect on his Gardevoir though, and she was now walking close enough behind him that if he stopped abruptly she would probably run into him. At least she's more afraid of the cave than me, he sighed to himself.

After what felt like hours of walking through the damp tunnels, he decided that it would best to take a break for a bit, his decision to stop having nothing to do with his aching leg. They made their way to the side of the large cavern and Rob sat down laying his pack before him, his pokemon gathering around.

“Dig in, we just have to make it last another day or so,” he informed his pokemon, grabbing a power bar out of the pack for himself and letting the others take what they wanted. Rob relaxed as he ate the light snack and marveled at how much better his leg felt now that he wasn't using it. He definitely shouldn't have chosen the long way. As he sat though, he had the eerie feeling that they were being watched.

For the most part the group was quiet as they ate, Quilava and Sandshrew tried to strike up a conversation every now and then, but even talking lowly the heavy silence of the cave seemed to disapprove of the noise. And then Rob noticed something. Just at the edge of shadows thrown by Quilava's flash, something was moving.

He tried to see what it was without letting on that he saw it, but it was too dark to make anything out. He glanced at Gardevoir who was looking distracted and tried to get her attention. At that moment he would have given anything to be able to talk to her mind directly; he'd have to ask her if that was possible sometime later. It was said that some trainers were capable of telepathy of their own.

“Gardevoir,” he whispered as quietly as he could, hoping whatever stalked them had poor hearing. She looked over at him. “Don't look around, but there's something watching us in the shadows to my right, can you tell what it is with your powers?” Panic crossed her face, but a moment later her face smoothed, and her voice entered his mind.

“It's a pokemon, I don't know what kind but it isn't very large, and I believe it's humanoid in shape.” Interesting. He wasn't familiar with everything that inhabited these caves, but he wouldn't mind getting a closer look at whatever it was.

“If it tries to run, stop it,” he whispered in Gardevoir's direction and she nodded to him. “Why don't you come out from there?” Rob called into the darkness, the motion stopping from where he had seen it. His other two pokemon looked up at the sudden noise and focused there attention in the direction he was staring. He stood grabbing his walking stick and Quilava flared his flash technique, letting off a blinding light that pierced the veil of shadows, illuminating a now dazzled black and blue pokemon.

Upon getting caught, the Riolu turned to dart off back into the cave, but Gardevoir's barriers slammed into place around it, trapping the pokemon with only one way out, through them.

“Riolu,” the small pokemon whined and Rob immediately felt bad for the frightening him, though why a Riolu was in Union Cave without a trainer was the more perplexing issue. At Riolu's cry though he saw Gardevoir as well as his other pokemon relax, the attack Gardevoir had been holding in her hand dissipating.

“What did he say?” Rob asked his psychic type.

“It doesn't want to fight is sorry for sneaking up on us. Also it's not a 'he',” her voice floated through his mind. Not only was a Riolu here but it was female? A rare find if he'd ever heard of one. While she had released her attack, the barriers remained, and the scared Riolu was staring at them wide eyed, back pressed against the psychic walls.

Rob grabbed a granola bar from his pack and tossed it towards the Riolu, the bar skidding across the ground and landing halfway to her. The Riolu eyed it suspiciously.

“It's for you, if you're hungry. As an apology for scaring you, I didn't mean to, but I couldn't tell what you were doing in those shadows.” He smiled at the Riolu and gestured for her to join them. Slowly, and probably since she didn't have any other choice, Riolu approached and picked up the foil wrapped item. She sat down where the bar had landed, still a fair distance from the rest of them, and opened it, sniffing Rob's gift hesitantly.

Just as he though, the Riolu had opened the package without any hesitation, it must have been around humans before, but what was it doing here? Gardevoir let her barriers drop now that Riolu didn't look like it was going to run, but they could also be put back up before he could blink. Riolu looked in good condition; her fur was neat, and there was no obvious evidence of sickness or injury. So where had she come from?

“Gardevoir, do you think you could find out why she's here? Maybe even try and convince her to come with us? I'd hate to have to fight her for a capture now.”

“Why me?” Gardevoir asked him with a surprised look. It was an odd request, trying to get the pokemon who didn't trust him to convince another pokemon to join his group, but that look in her eyes when Riolu had first spoke...

“Just try?” He asked. “Please?” She turned and looked directly into his eyes, peering into him like she did back in Azalea, judging his very soul.

“Fine,” she said, and a moment later Riolu looked up from nibbling on the granola bar and was gazing at Gardevoir.

“Lu?” her timid voice came as Gardevoir approached. His psychic type strode gracefully over to the smaller pokemon and sat beside her, not touching, but close by her side. And then he waited.

The first emotion he felt as he watched them talk was regret. It seemed that it was mostly Riolu who was talking, and Gardevoir's expression darkened with every word; it wasn't long before the both of them were shooting hostile looks his way. It would be just his luck if a wild pokemon finally turned Gardevoir against him, and down here he'd be nothing but bones before anyone found him. Quilava caught on to Rob's mood and patted his trainer on the leg in commiseration.

“I don't need your sympathy,” Rob muttered and ruffled the grinning fire type's head, throwing shadows all around them. At some point Gardevoir had wrapped an arm around the Riolu and the smaller pokemon was mumbling into Gardevoir's side, a green hand running through the wild pokemon's fur.

Light footsteps caught his attention, and he looked up to see Gardevoir a few feet from him looking down. She seemed slightly hesitant, but the look on her face didn't look open for negotiation. I guess as long as she doesn't go tree slayer on me I can't complain.

“She agreed to come with me,” Gardevoir's telepathic voice told him, tinged with sadness and anger. Rob looked at her with surprise.

“So she'll let me capture her?” This had been easier than he had anticipated.

“No, she agreed to come with me, not you. And I already told her she could.” He blinked at her, their eyes locking.

“So, a wild pokemon wants to follow us around?” He asked slowly, trying to figure out how exactly to handle this situation. “I don't know if-”

“I told her she could come,” her voice came resolutely, eyes boring into him, he knew she wouldn't back down from this.

“Okay,” he said in defeat, and Gardevoir relaxed visibly. She gave him another hard look before turning and walking back to their new traveling companion, or Gardevoir's new traveling companion at least. The blue creature's face lit up as Gardevoir rejoined her, but Rob had a harder time feeling joy at the occasion.

What am I getting myself into? Now that Gardevoir wasn't towering over him he couldn't help but feel like he was making a mistake. What was he supposed to do with a wild pokemon following them around that he had no control over? He wouldn't even be able to take her to a pokemon center if she got hurt. And why would Riolu only want to go with Gardevoir? He should have asked what she'd learned from the wild pokemon.

It was too late now though, he had already agreed, and Gardevoir didn't trust him as it was. If he started going back on his word now... He sighed.

“Everyone ready to get going again?” His weary voice carrying through the cavern. With three nods, plus a glare from their newest member, the five of them continued their way towards the exit and Route 33.

Sandshrew and Quilava flanked him as they continued while Gardevoir and Riolu's steps echoed hollowly from behind. It was good to see Gardevoir finally talking, or at least he assumed she was. He couldn't actually hear her telepathy, but Riolu spoke every now and then. He just wished it didn't make the hair on the back of his neck rise.

Gardevoir welcomed the cool breeze against her skin as their small group stepped out under the moonlit sky. A tightness in her chest that had been present since she'd entered finally releasing. They had made it through unscathed.

“It's been a while since I've seen the sky,” Riolu said quietly, head turned up to gaze at the crystalline stars shining brightly overhead. Gardevoir had felt an immediate kinship to the small blue pokemon, both of them having suffered at the hands of their human masters. The only difference was that she had – had murdered so many. She clenched a trembling fist; she couldn't let herself think about that, not now.

“Let's go help set up camp,” she told Riolu, shoving the thoughts and images that were trying to surface back into the dark recesses of her mind. The campsite looked just the same as it had when they were here last, just over a week ago. She and Riolu headed out into the surrounding trees too look for wood. Rob hadn't asked, but they always had a fire, and with her roiling emotions, didn't feel like talking with him.

“What does Rob expect from me?” Riolu's voice was low, and the pokemon was still hesitant to meet her gaze. They walked slowly in their search for dry timber, the fresh air of the forest a wonderful replacement to the cave's heavy atmosphere.

“Nothing, you don't even have to talk to him if you don't want to,” Gardevoir said gently to the baby pokemon. “He, he won't try and hurt you though. He isn't a bad person.”

Riolu glanced at her wearily. “You said you've only known him two weeks.” Gardevoir didn't know how to explain herself. She didn't trust Rob, but even Wes wouldn't have been able to keep up the charade that long. And he had stopped her from killing that Abra, and how he spoke to her...

“If he tries anything, I'll, handle it,” Gardevoir said, and the small pokemon hugged her around the leg. She paused and watched as the Riolu rummage around the forest, feeling apprehensive. The young pokemon was already looking up to her for protection and advice, and she needed those same thing herself. She couldn't do this. Her new body gave her the appearance of age, but she probably wasn't much older than Riolu, and her outward calm barely hid the storm inside.

Coward, weakling, murderer. Those were what she was, not a mother, and certainly not someone to look up to. What am I thinking? Gardevoir snatched a branch from the ground with more force than was necessary. This would all just lead to Riolu getting hurt, and it would be her fault. She grabbed branches at random, not even checking if they were damp, her brow furrowed.

“Are you okay?” Riolu asked suddenly in front of her, large eyes looking upward.

“I'm fine,” she snapped and immediately regret her words at the look of hurt on Riolu's face. “I'm sorry,” she corrected herself, speaking gently to her new friend. “I'm just-” but she couldn't say. She couldn't lay her burdens on the young pokemon. “Tired,” she finished, giving Riolu a reassuring smile. There was no one for her to turn to, no confidant of her own. She would just have to endure.

They returned to the camp shortly after, Riolu adeptly handling the large bundle of kindling she'd gathered. Gardevoir's own bundle was of much poorer quality, her mind having been elsewhere.

“That didn't take you two long,” Gardevoir hear Rob call out as they approached, the three others lounging around the waiting fire pit, tent already constructed. “And thank you Riolu.” The fighting pokemon gave him a glare in return, and she quickly returned to Gardevoir's side after depositing the bundle.

Gardevoir dropped her own bundle next to Riolu's and patted the pokemon's blue furred head soothingly. Riolu grabbed at her white flowing gown and hid in it, hiding from the others in the voluminous folds. She couldn't help but smiling lightly at the pokemon's shyness, and she saw Rob chuckle similarly.

The fire was started quickly, thanks to Quilava, and the five of them sat around the warming flames. Riolu had taken position next to her; the both of them sharing the side opposite Rob and the other pokemon. The baby pokemon still had herself wrapped up in Gardevoir's gown, snuggling against her side.

“What are we going to do now?” Riolu's timid voice asked, a tiny blue fist clutching tightly to the gown.

“We'll head back to Rob's home and rest for a few days,” Gardevoir replied, running a hand gently through Riolu's soft fur.

“And I can stay there with you?”

Gardevoir continued stroking Riolu's head, and she stared through the flames at Rob's laughing face, his earnest eyes twinkling in the firelight. “Of course you can.”

Riolu's face was buried in her side now. “I was lonely in the cave.”

“You're with us now.” Gardevoir's hand continued it's rhythmic motion, but her eyes never left Rob's face.

“With you,” Riolu corrected.

“Yes with me.” Gardevoir continued to stroke the baby pokemon until Riolu's hand relaxed its grip, asleep against her side. She glanced down at the sleeping pokemon, still wrapped up in her gown. How could humans be so cruel to something so cute, so innocent. And then there was Rob, an anomaly amongst his kind. Whatever happened now though, she had at least some direction. She would protect this Riolu.

“We're going to head in.” Rob's whisper caught her unaware, and she whipped her head up at the noise, a tired smile greeting her.

“I'm going to stay out here, with her,” she sent to his mind, indicating the sleeping pokemon at her side. Rob nodded as if he expected it, handing her a blanket. She took the offered item with a mental thanks, and Rob left them, heading inside the tent with his other pokemon.

“Goodnight, Rob,” she whispered into the darkness, not using her telepathy.

Gardevoir woke early, her and Riolu both wrapped snugly in the blanket Rob had given her. With a yawn she looked down at the still sleeping pokemon, Riolu's blue fur soft in her arms. The others would wake soon, and she didn't know how long Riolu would sleep, but for now she could enjoy the peaceful morning.

Riolu stirred in her arms and sat up. “Morning,” the blue pokemon said, a wide smile across her face.

“Good morning,” Gardevoir replied, also sitting up now that she wouldn't disturb anyone. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yup, though you kept tossing about all night.” Riolu looked up into her still weary eyes. “Are you okay?”

“I guess I just didn't sleep well.” I had a lot on my mind. She tried not to let on to Riolu though. “I'll be fine though, don't worry.” Her answer seemed to please Riolu though and the pokemon jumped up to study the still warm coals of the fire.

“It's bright out here, I'm so used to the cave.” Riolu grabbed a stick and began to stir the ashes gently.

“Do you miss it?” Gardevoir asked distracted, resting her head in her hands, closing her eyes tightly. Her head pounded, maybe she should have tried to go back to sleep.

“Nope,” Riolu's cheery voice rang. She had dreamt of her new life and those around her, and her dreams showed it all ending; they would be better off if she left. A few minutes later Rob joined them, along with Quilava and Sandshrew, and with their appearance, Riolu retreated back to her side.

“You can go talk with Quilava and Sandshrew, I'm sure they'd like to meet you.” Gardevoir said placing a calming hand on Riolu's shoulder.

“But he's there,” Riolu said, glowering at Rob.

“You don't have to be afraid of him, he won't try anything.” He wouldn't right? He captured me, but our situations were different, weren't they? He wouldn't have gone through all that to betray me now, when he already owns me. But then again Rob hadn't said anything about not capturing Riolu. It wasn't just herself she had to watch out for now.

“I'm not afraid of him,” Riolu said sharply. “I just don't like him.”

Gardevoir stood up. “Go on and say hi, I'll take care of Rob for a bit, I need to speak with him anyway.” Riolu looked up at her with apprehension, but she gave Riolu a reassuring smile while she reached out to Rob's mind. “Rob, could I talk with you for a bit?” He looked up at her, standing and walking towards her. As he approached, she turned from him and began to walk away from the camp and into the woods.

She kept to a slow pace as to allow him to catch up despite his injured leg, yet she didn't stop until they were a good distance from the camp. Without turning she stopped, but didn't speak, suddenly unsure of herself.

“Gardevoir is everything okay?” Rob asked. She heard him take a hesitant step closer in the dry underbrush, but he made no further advance. Her heart pounded in her chest as she thought, her mind racing. What would he say if I just told him everything? It was an appealing idea, but how could he not reject her if he knew what she was.

“Yeah, it's nothing,” she finally said, turning to face Rob. He had his arm partially outstretched as if to reach for her, though he dropped it as she faced him.

“So, what did you want to talk about all the way out here?” Rob's eyes met hers, echoing his faint smile. Maybe I could.

“I-I was rash the other day, and I wanted to ask if Riolu could stay at your house when we get back. I know it's a lot to ask, but please.” She took a step towards him, looking up into his green eyes. If he knew what I truly am.

Rob ran a hand through his hair before answering. “Of course she can, but... Gardevoir you've put me in an awkward spot, I know you meant well but still.” She broke their gaze, looking down.

“I couldn't leave her there, she didn't deserve to be alone in that cave, after what she went through.” Another product of the human's cruelty, their complete disregard for pokemon.

“Was it her previous trainer?”

Gardevoir shot him a glare, suddenly worried. “What do you know about her?” She kept her voice low, but she looked into him intently. If it came to it, she'd stop Rob to give Riolu the chance to escape.

Rob threw up his hands defensively. “Hey I was only guessing, she seemed to be familiar with humans, that's all. Did she tell you about it?”

“It's her story to tell if she wishes.” She forced herself to relax the aggressive stance she'd taken, glancing away.

“I'm sure that's likely,” Rob muttered, though he didn't look angry. “Just tell me this, if she enters my house, is she going to behave? I know this means a lot to you, and I have no ill feelings towards her, but I won't put my family in danger over this.”

“I'll keep an eye on her, I don't think she'll cause any problems,” Gardevoir said looking at the ground. “I'm sorry.”

“Well then I guess it's fine then, I trust you.” She looked up at his words. He was smiling at her, honesty gleaming in his eyes. She closed her mouth and looked back at the ground. Then you're a fool, Rob. “Was there anything else?”

Gardevoir shook her head. “Nothing,” she sent, wanting to say more. If he pushed, could I resist him? But he didn't. With a light smile he turned from her.

“We should head back to camp, we can make it back to Azalea before it's dark.” And he walked away, leaving her to catch up.

Gardevoir took her time following Rob back to camp, but when they approached, she noticed Rob had stopped on the fringes with a wide grin. For a moment she was confused, but as she joined him she could see what he found so amusing. Quilava and Riolu were locked together, each trying to come out on top of the other as they rolled about the camp laughing. I guess they hit it off rather well. She couldn't help but feel happy seeing Riolu smiling.

“I do have to admit she's cute,” Rob said as she walked up behind him. When they entered the camp though Riolu quickly broke away, staring daggers at Rob. Gardevoir walked over and placed her hand gently on the fighting type's head. Rob pretended to ignore it, but the look of chagrin on his face gave him away.

“You didn't have to stop you know,” Gardevoir said as they sat back down where they'd slept. Quilava was on his hind legs, looking at Riolu with his head tilted.

Riolu had a sour expression on her face though. “Why does he have to be here?” Gardevoir sighed. Explaining how she was bound to Rob probably wouldn't make Riolu feel any better so she decided against it, and she didn't even know why she was trying to get the pokemon to warm up to Rob.

“You should at least try to be nice, he's helping the both of us out. And you seemed to like Quilava, he trusts Rob.” Gardevoir stroked Riolu's blue fur as she brooded.

“I guess,” Riolu responded slowly, “but Quilava is different, I'm sure Rob wouldn't hesitate to use me.” Blue hands grasped her side as Riolu pulled herself against Gardevoir, looking darkly over the campsite.

Gardevoir watched as Rob had quickly packed up their campsite and once again lead the group down the road back towards where they had started their journey. It was a peaceful day, few clouds overhead and a gentle breeze to make the trek pleasant.

“Riolu,” Gardevoir sent to her companion, “are you going to be okay staying with Rob at his house?”

“Is there a reason I shouldn't be?” Riolu muttered up to her.

“You know what I mean.” Gardevoir watched the others ahead of them, but kept her focus on the Riolu at her side.

“I won't do anything, but if they try to-” but Gardevoir cut her off.

“They won't.”

“But if-”

“They won't,” she emphasized to Riolu who had drawn herself up defensively. “They won't bother you, and I'll always be around. At least do this for me, please?”

“Do you know what it was like? With that future looming over you? Watching your own mother be...” Riolu didn't finish, and Gardevoir looked down sadly. She hadn't told Riolu of her own past, and she wouldn't burden the young pokemon with any more problems.

“They can't all be bad,” Gardevoir whispered, as much to herself as Riolu.

Azalea Town came into sight as the sun prepared to make its descent for the day, the warm glow sending long shadows trailing behind them. Gardevoir could still see the slight limp in Rob's gait as they walked, but her trainer had retired his walking stick, and seemed to be getting along fine without it.

They walked into town, and not towards where she remembered Rob's home being. She was going to ask where they were going, but she wasn't completely sure where his house was, and the familiar sign of a pokemon center was in the direction they were headed. That was probably Rob's destination.

“I just wanted to make sure you guys are all okay after the attack, and it can't hurt anyway,” Rob said to them as their group made its way into the pokemon center. It wasn't nearly as big as the one in Violet City, but it was also much quieter. There weren't even any other trainers in the lobby as they walked in.

The skin on the back of her neck prickled as she followed Rob in. It felt familiar, though she had no memory of the place. Rob did say he took me to a pokemon center after I was caught, was this the place? Everything from that first day was foggy to her, but then how many pokemon centers could there be in one town.

“Gardevoir do you mind getting checked up?” Rob asked turning to her.

“Yes, I'm fine.” She shied away from the desk, Riolu hiding behind her.

“Naturally.” Rob glanced down at the splash of blue that was peeking out from behind her, but didn't say anything more before turning away to drop off his other two pokemon. After handing over two pokeballs to the nurse, Rob lead them over to the waiting area and they sat down, Riolu still hiding.

There was a cluster of those little boxes with people in them showing various things. Gardevoir didn't really pay attention to any of them, or that was until she saw an image that froze her heart. She knew that place.

“...grisly scene. Authorities say they were alerted to the house by an anonymous tip. It is estimated that the gruesome murders happened between two and three weeks ago although with the delay in discovering the incident, detectives are having a difficult time putting the facts together.”

Gardevoir stared, fixated at the screen, its words echoing deafeningly in the calm of the pokemon center. Ice gripped her as the woman's voice continued, the camera panning across Wes' familiar house.

“Police are asking for any information on who could have murdered the reclusive trainer and dozens of the man's pokemon. There is also a substantial reward being offered for any information leading to the capture of the person responsible.”

The box continued on but Gardevoir stopped listening. Trembling hands clutched at her gown. Murderer. She hadn't wanted to, she hadn't intended it to happen, but she couldn't stop it. Her eyes stung as she felt the blood running thickly down her hands. Murderer.

“Gardevoir that isn't you on the television is it?” Rob's words stopped her breath. She didn't move, her heart pounding in her ears, palms sweating. What do I do, what will he do? I-I can't kill him, not that, but maybe if I knocked him out and ran I could...

“Don't worry, I know why you did it. But maybe if you had tried to explain it then...” She couldn't believe what he was saying. Slowly, daringly she turned to look at him with wide eyes. As she turned though, she noticed the screen on the box had changed.

“...was tipped that a Kirlia matching the description was seen briefly outside the city on Route 33, anyone planning on traveling that way are advised to be careful on their journey. We'll return it to you John.” The screen changed but Gardevoir's focus was back on Rob. Rob returned her gaze with a look of concern.

“I'm not angry with you, not after it saved my life, but just next time try and explain yourself a little better, I'm sure they would have been reasonable.” Rob tried to give her a winning smile but she continued to gape at him. She breathed deep as she regained control of her body. He hadn't been talking about the murders, it was only the robbery. Only the robbery. The thought felt so casual, as if she was some kind of serial criminal. But I guess I am.

“Gardevoir are you okay? It's not really that big of a deal, they said the person wasn't hurt, which by the way might have been over reacting just a bit, and you did it for a good reason. Or was it the other story? I wouldn't worry about it, they'll catch the monster responsible. I guess you keep getting shown the worst humanity has to offer, but really we'll be fine here in the city.”

Gardevoir looked away from him quickly, afraid he'd see what she truly was if he looked into her eyes. She wanted to scream, to lash out, but there was no reason for her to be angry, this was all her fault. Yes, that was no human, I'm the monster. A hand gently touched her, running reassuringly along her back.

“Forget I mentioned it, I know it's been a rough couple of days. We're home now though, we can just take it easy for a bit, nothing to worry about. Everything will be fine, you'll see.” His smile was so genuine that she almost believed it, and forced herself to smile lightly in return. It was a smile that never touched her eyes though.

The nurse came back some twenty minutes later with Quilava and Sandshrew trailing behind her, each looking revitalized.

“They're all set,” the woman said with a smile and handed Rob the pokeballs back.

“Great, thanks, it's a relief to hear,” he said with a wave and they departed from the pokemon center. Her stomach roiled as she followed Rob towards his home filled with a sense of unease. She wanted to vomit. The worst part was that she deserved to feel this way. She didn't want to think of it; she couldn't handle any more right now. With a deep breath she forced it back, blocking off everything she could as to stop it from bursting out of her. Not now.

Rob looked eager as they walked up the front steps of his home and opened the door. “I'm home!” He called out and stepped through the front door while Quilava and Sandshrew followed him in. Riolu seemed to hesitate, so she place an arm on her shoulder and gently pushed the nervous pokemon across the threshold.

“No one here will bother you,” Gardevoir sent. The face of Rob's mother appeared around the corner of the hallway and broke into a wide grin, quickly beginning to make her way towards them, but halting suddenly.

“Oh my, Rob, well I must say this is unexpected.” The woman's grin didn't falter but she swept her eyes over all of Rob's pokemon who were now crowding into the entrance of her house. The woman moved in to give Rob a quick hug and beckoned them in. “Why don't you come into the kitchen, there's more room.” They moved further into the house, and as they did she could feel Riolu trying to hide in the folds of her gown.

The two humans had sat down at the table, Sandshrew remaining at Rob's side while Quilava rest his head on the woman's lap, her hand scratching the fire type behind his ears. Gardevoir stood awkwardly unsure of what to do.

“Gardevoir would you mind taking my pack into my room please?” She almost gaped at him before realizing what he was doing. She moved to grab the bag and met his gaze.

“Thank you,” she sent him quietly, and he flashed her a smile before turning back to his mother. Gardevoir remembered the room she had stayed in, and brought both the bag and Riolu to it, closing the door behind them.

“Haha my boy, good to see you back in one piece,” Rob's father's voice came booming through the wall, but Gardevoir pushed the noise from outside to the back of her mind. Dragging the pack a few feet into the room she let it drop against the wall. How does he carry that thing all day? But she was just grasping for anything that would occupy her mind, any kind of distraction.

Riolu had release her as soon as she had closed the door, beginning to examine the room as Gardevoir threw herself onto Rob's bed. The soft mattress gave a false sense of comfort as her mind wanted to scream. And then there was movement on the bed with her.

“Gardevoir?” Riolu's small voice came from behind her. “What's wrong?” Gardevoir buried her face into the sheets, if there was ever a time she wanted to be alone it was now. What could she even say to Riolu?

“It's nothing,” she forced out, harsher than she had intended. A furry paw touched her gently on the shoulder.

“I'm not blind.” The small pokemon hugged her from behind, the touch of fur tickling her back as she dug her tiny claws into Rob's sheets. The room smelled faintly of him. Unease, her tormented thoughts, it all swirled in her mind, but at Riolu's embrace, she felt some of the weight lift.

“It's just been a long day.” Gardevoir forced herself to smile as she turned so she could return the hug. She pulled Riolu close, resting her chin atop the soft blue fur of her friend's head. “Just a long day,” and Gardevoir quickly found herself asleep.

It was dark when she woke with Riolu sleeping peacefully against her chest. There was no clock she could see in Rob's room, but there was silence throughout the house. Gardevoir gently pulled herself away from the sleeping pokemon and got off the bed. She exited Rob's room and stepped out into the dark building, feeling her way around.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she began to make out her surroundings, and moved to the room where Rob was lying. He was sound asleep on the large couch with Quilava stretched out beside him, and Sandshrew curled up in a ball by their feet. None stirred as she entered the room.

On the table near the couch there were three red and white spheres, and Gardevoir easily picked out the one that bound her, taking the small device in her hand. She sat down, looking at the red and white orb, feeling its hold over her.

There was a sense of unease and dread in the pit of her stomach, just like before they were attacked. It waned and flared, as if unable to decide, but it was ever present. And then there was the woman in the box, talking about her crimes. They were hunting her. Everything was beginning to converge on her, she could feel it, and staying would only wrap everyone else up with her problems.

With the pokeball in her hand, she could leave. Rob couldn't stop her from escaping, and she'd be miles away before he even noticed her gone. She could save them from what was coming, from being associated with her. She could leave.
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An Uncertain Future