Chapter 7

Recovery

-Griffin-

"Griffin." A voice whispered. A hand gently shook me.

It was night time and Liam had bested me in rock, paper, scissors, so I had to sleep on the couch. I opened my eyes and saw Zoey shrouded in darkness.

"What are doing up? You need to rest," I sat up on the couch,"Can't this wait until tomorrow?"

"Yeah but, I want to say it now." She sat on the couch.

"Say what?"

"A lot of things."

"Okay, go ahead."

"First off, I'm sorry that I've been a jerk to you. I just hated that I lost to you in that battle. My dad has always had high expectations for me. Being the best was the only way to make my father proud and for him to give a damn about me for once. I'm over you beating me now. But that's not the only reason for my behavior. I never opened up to anyone after my mom died a year ago. My dad took it hard and immersed himself with training and battling and traveling. Leaving me behind. I shut all of my friends out until I only had a few left. By then we weren't as good as friends as we were before. I thought I didn't need anyone so I would avoid getting close to people which meant. So to avoid people I acted cold. My mom just meant so much to me."

I saw the reflection of tears dripping from her eyes. She smiled at me.

"But I'm ready to let people into my life again." She said.

She threw her arms around my neck and hugged me. Good thing it was dark or she would have seen my blush. I hugged her back. She pulled away.

"Thank you for saving me." She said.

"A-anytime." I stuttered.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Zoey disappeared into the dark hallway. I sat there amazed at what just happened. I fell back onto the couch and closed my eyes again.

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"Thanks for the home cooked food and medical treatment, Susan!" Zoey said as we stood in front of the house.

"Are you sure your strong enough to go out?" Susan asked cautiously.

"Of course! A little sting isn't going to slow me down!" Zoey assured her.

"Are you leaving?" Sarah popped out from behind her mother.

"Yes, sadly we have to keep going." I answered.

"You train Electric-Types?" Sarah asked Zoey.

"Yep."

"I do too. How about I send you off with a battle?"

"That would be wonderful!"

Susan chuckled. Liam and I backed up to the house. Zoey would obviously try to go easy on her but how would she? All her Pokemon were freaking strong.

Sarah threw a Pokeball into the air. "Go, Mareep!"

A cream wooled Pokemon hopped out. Electricity danced in its wool.

"Shinx, your up!"

Zoey's Shinx appeared with a bright light.

"Mareep, Tackle."

Mareep charged at Shinx but Shinx was too quick and stepped out of the way. Mareep tripped from the momentum and skidded to the ground.

"Shinx, Thunder."

Shinx shot a huge bolt of lightning at Mareep. Mareep let out a painful cry as it was shocked with electricity.

"Mareep, get up and use Headbutt!"

Mareep jumped to its feet and lowered its head. Mareep ran at Shinx and bashed its head on Shinx's. Shinx stumbled back and winced.

"Double Kick, Shinx." Zoey commanded.

Shinx kicked his back two legs at Mareep's head. Mareep flipped back in the air. Dust stirred up as Mareep landed on the ground.

"Mareep, Thunder Shock!"

Sparks of electricity crackled in Mareep's fur. Mareep's wooly body flashed a golden color and a bolt of lighting struck Shinx. Shinx wasn't hurt but was slightly stunned by it.

"Now, use Tackle." Sarah ordered.

The wooly Electric-Type charged at Shinx and knocked him to the ground. Shinx quickly got to its feet.

"Shinx, Bite!" Zoey commanded.

Shinx pounced on Mareep and sank its fangs on its wool covered neck. Shinx suddenly jumped off and started twitching with sparks racing through its hair.

"Yes! Your Static ability kicked in, Mareep."

Shinx continued to twitch with sparks dancing on its fur.

"Mareep, Headbutt."

Mareep ran at the paralyzed Shinx. Mareep lifted its head and nailed it against Shinx's.

Shinx's head snapped back and the electric cub bit Mareep on the neck. They both exploded with electricity. I squinted at the show of bright lights. Shinx released Mareep from his voltage charged fangs. Mareep collapsed to the ground in defeat.

"You did amazing, Mareep." Sarah returned her Pokemon.

"You too, Shinx." Zoey followed suit.

"Please visit us again. I can't wait to have another battle with you. Mareep and I will be even stronger!"

"I can't wait either," Zoey smiled and patted Sarah on the head, "we'll both be stronger then. Don't forget to be that you can be."

"Goodbye, you two!" Liam waved as we started walking from the house.

"Take care!" I shouted.

"Visit us anytime!" Susan called.

We turned our backs on the mother and daughter and set out on the road. We managed to find our way back to the main road to Diglett's Cave.

Zoey went back to looking at her map. All of my Pokemon played happily alongside the road. Sandy road on top of Donphan's head while Krokorok walked right next Liam.

"We should get very close to Diglett's Cave by evening," Zoey spoke up, "The day after that will be us trying to navigate that wretched cave. I hate the thought of going into that thing."

"What's the matter, Zoey?" Liam asked, "A little spelunking never killed anyone."

"Uh yes, it actually has. There have been five deaths and eight injuries in the last three weeks at Mt. Moon." I said.

"But we aren't going to Mt. Moon. We are going to Diglett's Cave." Liam pointed out.

"Don't even get started on Diglett's Cave recent history with cave explorers."

"Both of you, shut up!" Zoey shouted, "You're getting me all paranoid."

There was a long pause of silence.

"What was that about the deaths in Diglett's Cave, Griffin?" Liam smiled evilly.

Zoey spun around and round house kicked him in the stomach. Liam gasped for breath and fell to the ground. He curled up in a ball and groaned in pain.

Zoey looked at me as if to say "You wanna add something to that?"

"This looks like a good place took a break anyway!" I smiled nervously and plopped on the ground next to Liam.

"She is such a-" Liam started to croak.

"Liam, shut up." I whispered quickly.

Zoey was unloading some stuff for lunch.

"Why do we even let her boss us around?" Liam asked, he was still on the ground.

Zoey obviously heard that an walked over to him and kicked him in the stomach. Liam cursed.

"That's why I'm in charge. I'm going to get some firewood. Griffin, can you get some water boiling?" She asked.

"Y-yeah, sure." I looked down at my beaten friend.

Zoey walked off into the woods.

"Well, it looks like she warmed up to me a little bit but It'll be a long time before she gets used to Liam." I said to myself.

"What was that?" Liam got up.

"Nothing."

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Author note: Yay, character development! Just so you guys know, this takes place a couple of years after Red/Blue/FireRed/LeafGreen and all of that. This means that the gym leaders are different and the types are different. This goes for the Elite Four as well. I hope you guys are enjoying this book because I am. If you like it vote and leave a comment. If you don't, hang in there. It'll get better.

VOTE, COMMENT, AND EAT FOOD!