Chapter 4

Two Unwanted Meetings

-Zoey-

"Yo, champ in the making! Kristoff, the Lavender Town Gym Leader, uses scary Ghost-Type Pokemon. If you don't wanna get spooked, don't use Fighting-"

"Save it," I glared at the flabby man at the entrance to the Gym.

"Miss, I'm just trying to-"

"I'll make you a ghost if you don't shut up."

The man cowered away from the door, muttering something about respect and his ex wife. The automatic door slid open and I stepped into a dark narrow hall lit with small candles. I did not want to see Kristoff, but if I wanted to get stronger, if I wanted to beat my father, I would have to knock Kristoff off my list of Gym Leaders. I continued down the hall, walking towards a bright light at the end if the hallway. The sounds of an electric guitar rang through the hall.

I steeped into the light and was greeted by a battle field. A small stage with amps on each side and shining with spotlights stood at the opposing end. A tall boy with long black hair and a leather jacket sat on top of one of the amps, playing his guitar. Kristoff.

He finished his song and jumped from the stage onto the battle field. "Greetings challenge, I, the proclaimed sexiest and most talented Gym Leader, am Kristoff. I train the haunting Ghost-Type Pokemon. Are you ready to take on my rockin' Poke- oh shit! It's you!"

I couldn't help but smirk at Kristoff squirming at the sight of me. He sputtered out syllables, pointing at me, trying to find the words.

"What are you doing here?" He finally managed to say.

"I'm here for the Badge. Why do you think I'm here?" I cocked an eyebrow.

The Gym Leader regained his confidence, "I figured you heard about the Kristoff experience and couldn't resist the urge, the yearning."

"The only urge I have is the urge to punch you in the face until you need plastic surgery," I folded my arms.

Kristoff gulped and caressed his face. He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. He paused then seemed to have a light bulb appear over his empty head.

"Where's that bitch of a boyfriend you have?" He asked.

My back straightened up and my hands balled up into fists. He was talking about Griffin. The boy I gradually fell in love with. The one I left. The one that I knew was looking for me at this very moment, did guarding my wish to be left alone. It broke my heart to leave him, but it seemed like the right thing to do. I didn't want him following me around because I didn't know where I was going. I wasn't going to Kristoff or give him the upper hand.

"You mean the one that beat the shit out of you more than once," I said coolly.

Kristoff went bright red, "Didn't you come here for a battle?"

"Yeah but this is more fun."

"S-shut up!"

"What? Delcatty got your tongue?" I asked with amusement.

"More like the-the-the-" Kristoff stumbled on his words, not sure it he wanted to say what he had on his mind.

"Go on, say the 'b word'. I dare you," I unclipped a Pokeball from my belt.

I hurled the Pokeball in the air. It snapped open and released my Shinx in a brilliant light. Shinx landed with a confident smirk, mirroring mine.

"Bitch!" he shouted as he threw a Pokeball in the air, revealing a Dusclops. The plump, gray Pokemon gave out a deep grunt.

"Stop talking to the mirror you do your makeup in. Shinx, Thunder!"

Shinx released a massive bolt of electricity at Dusclops, electrocuting the Ghost-Type. Dusclops flopped on the ground.

"C'mon, Dusclops!" Kristoff shouted.

Dusclops staggered to his feet. The Pokemon glared at Shinx with his one, red eye.

"Dusclops, Shadow Sneak, then Shadow Punch!" Kristoff pumped his fist.

A puddle of darkness formed at Duslops' feet. He sunk into it, as the shadow disappeared. My eyes darted around for where it would appear again. A dark blob formed behind Shinx.

"Behind you, Shinx!" I yelled, but I was too late.

Dusclops emerged from the shadow and rammed into Shinx. Shinx slid across the field. Dusclops threw his shadow covered fist at Shinx, knocking him to the ground.

"Shinx, Thunder Fang!"

Shinx quickly leapt onto Dusclops, sunk his fangs into his head and released all the electricity he could.

Dusclops flung Shinx off him, grunting with pain. Shinx dug his feet into the ground, stopping himself from sliding.

"Dusclops, Shadow Ball!" Kristoff shouted, eager to get the upper hand in the battle.

"Send it back with Thunder, Shinx!" I called to my Pokemon.

Dusclops formed a purple sphere in his massive hands and threw it at Shinx. Shinx blasted the attack with Thunder. Both attacks went rushing toward Dusclops. The attacks struck Dusclops square in the chest. The Pokemon flopped on his back, defeated.

"Return, Dusclops," Kristoff scoffed as he returned his Pokemon and produced a Pokeball from his jacket. "Let's rock, Lanpent!"

A Pokemon with a lantern like body appeared from the Pokeball. A ghostly purple flame flickered away inside its body.

"Lanpent, Will-o-wisp!" Kristoff yelled.

Purple fireballs were launched at Shinx, enclosing him. A red mark formed on Shinx's side. I gritted my teeth. Shinx was now burned and his health would slowly chip away.

"Shinx, Thunder Fang," I ordered.

Shinx winced, but shook off the pain. Shinx's fangs became cloaked in electricity. Shinx lunged at Lampent, pinning the Ghost-Type down. Shinx chomped down on Lampent, releasing all of his electricity. Lampent moaned in pain and fired a Shadow Ball at Shinx, launching him off. Shinx groaned after he stood up from the attack. The burn was too much for him.

"Shinx, return," I grabbed his Pokeball, "You've done enough."

Shinx reluctantly was absorbed into the Pokeball. Kristoff smirked.

"Looks like I've got you runnin' scared!" Kristoff jeered. "You can give up anytime."

"And you can shut up anytime," I growled, "Go, Zebstrika!"

My strongest Pokemon formed with a bright light. He stamped his feet and whined.

"Zebstrika, Discharge!" I called to my Pokemon.

Zebstrika's mane lit up and shot bolt of electricity at Lampent. Lampent barely dangled in the air after the attack.

"Lampent, Flamethrower!" Kristoff said with panic.

Lampent's arms stretched out and a stream of fire exploded from his tiny hands. Zebstrika tried dodging the attack, but was caught by the flames. He cried out in pain, but quickly shook it off.

"Zebstrika, Wild Charge!"

Zebstrika stamped his hooves, charging up electricity in his body. Zebstrika rushed towards Lampent.

"Lampent, use Flamethrower once more!" Kristoff ordered.

Lampent sent a wave of flames to stop Zebstrika. Zebstrika charged faster through the flames, the electricity pushing the fire away. Zebstrika rammed into Lampent, lighting up the room with a show of sparks. Lampent slammed to the ground; it's purple flame died out. Zebstrika grunted with victory, showing off as little pain as possible.

"Awesome job, boy!" I wrapped my arms around Zebstrika's neck.

"Looks like you beat me," Kristoff sighed while returning his Pokemon, "Here's the Skull Badge."

Kristoff tossed a black, skull shaped badge at me. I caught it and ran my index finger over it. I placed it next to my other Badges which were the Insect Badge, the Wing Badge, and the Cascade Badge.

"Pleasure beating you," I said to Kristoff as I returned Zebstrika.

"I went easy on you."

"Sure," I turned on my heel.

"Wait! Don't you want to hear a song I wrote?"

I sighed and tried to force myself to leave before I get sucked into a trench of stupidity that I can't climb out of. But I wanted to see what the idiot had.

"Not really," I turned around.

"But I it wrote for you."

I mentally punched my urge to blush, "I bet that's what you say to every girl."

"I know Griffin or whoever told you I was some player but I'm really not."

"Explain the blond you were slobbering all over with when you said you would show me around the festival," I folded my arms.

"The one from Kalos or the Contest Coordinator?"

I narrowed my eyes at the moron.

"What?"

"Whatever, I'm leaving."

"Hey, you can't judge me! You're the one who left Griffin!"

I froze. I tried to play it off, show no weakness.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said.

"I can see it in your eyes. You left him. I don't know why, but you did. You ran out on him without a proper goodbye, didn't you? And your guilt is drowning you!"

"You're right! I left him and didn't have the stomach to say goodbye! I left him a freaking letter and he has no idea why I left! Are you happy, asshole?" I whirled around, tears burning my eyes.

"Never knew you turned into a heartbreaker like me. How about we break each other's hearts?" Kristoff smirked.

I struck Kristoff across the face. A red mark burned into his cheek.

"I know what you're going through, Zoey. I promised her I would come back. It took me a while, but I came back and she was gone. I miss her everyday and no matter how many girls I meet, I can never fill the hole in my heart," Kristoff stared into space.

I was shocked at the sudden mood change from Kristoff. A tear rolled down Kristoff's cheek. I suddenly regretted slapping the boy.

"Ask yourself this, Zoey Sparks, is your goal worth losing the one you love most?" Kristoff turned on his heel and left me speechless in the dim lit room.

I shook my head and stormed towards the exit. I pushed past the advisor at the entry way before he could he say anything I already knew. The automatic doors slid behind me as the hot night air welcomed me. A dry gust of wind blew my hair. Near by wind chimes blew their song into the wind.

I decided to go for a walk. I needed to clear my head. I though about what Kristoff said. I left Griffin for what? To get stronger, to gain my father's love and acceptance, but was it worth losing Griffin. I turned on my X-Transceiver and grimaced at my voice mails from Griffin. He deserved better. He didn't deserve to waste his time on someone as selfish as me, but he never gave up. Everyday he left me a message because I wasn't brave enough to answer his calls.

I smiled at the sight of them, but quickly started cursing myself.

"Zoey, you're stupid! Stupid and selfish!" I kicked a nearby rock.

"Oh, you're much more than that, Miss Sparks," a familiar voice said.

A looked to my left and sure enough, he was there. The mysterious boy with the fedora and blond hair. Evan Locke.

"Y-you!" I stammered.

"Me," he smiled.

Evan was standing on the edge of a beautiful marble fountain. The water was on a rotation so it would spike up every few minutes or so. The water was calm now.

"What do you want?" I glared at him.

"Let me answer your question with another question. Why are you so harsh? We've only met one time."

"Cause you knew the names of my friends even though you didn't know us."

"Miss Sparks, it's part of my job, you see."

Evan walked along the fountain until he reached a stone picnic table. He jumped and landed on the table right as the water shot up from the fountain. He grinned and twirled his hat on his finger. His Espeon creeped out from under the table and took his spot next to his master.

"Don't call me that," I said.

"May I ask you a question, Zoey?"

"Don't call me that either, don't talk to me at all!" I turned heel and was ready to walk off.

"You have a habit for shutting people out, don't you?"

I stopped dead in my tracks and realized exactly where he was going with this. I whirled around and Evan jumped from the table.

"First, it was your friends and family after your mother died. After that, you cut all communications with Liam, Mia, and Griffin so you could become the strongest trainer in the region or so you could prove a point to your father, depending on how you look at it. There's no way you can become stronger if you don't have the guts to talk to the broken hearted boy you left behind."

I had enough with people judging me today. They had no right to tear me down because of my choices. Even if I regretted them. Locke knew he was getting under my skin and he was enjoying it. The boy flashed his signature grin. I was gonna wipe that off his face. I cocked back my fist and swung it at Evan.

Keeping his grin, he deftly jerked his head out of the way and grabbed my arm. He pinned it behind my back. I grunted and tried to escape his hold. I did not like to be held down by anyone, especially this creep.

"Espeon," the Psychic-Type Pokemon giggled at my predicament.

"You don't know a thing about me," I hissed.

Evan Locke leaned next to my ear. I could tell he was smiling. His warm breath made me squirm.

"But I know everything about you, Zoey Sparks," he whispered.

He finally let go of me. I was sure to be ten feet away from him. He laughed at my uneasiness. He bent down and patted his Espeon. He scooped up a nearby rock the size of a large marble. He turned to the fountain and watched the water shoot into the air.

"I will ask you one question and then I will leave you. Deal?" he asked with his back still turned.

"Shoot," I folded my arms.

"Which should you fear most, the stone or the one who casts it?" he turned to me, turning the rock in his hand.

I knitted my brow, "What?"

"Should you fear the destruction or the thing that brings about it? Which is more dangerous?" he tossed the stone in his hand.

"I'm not sure. I guess it depends on the destruction."

"It's the ripples people overlook."

"What?" He was making zero sense.

"When a stone is thrown at water, it creates ripples. These ripples can be big and small, they can reach all the way to the opposite shore. The same goes with destruction. Destruction's ripples often create chaos. When you fought Kane, that was the stone. I hope you are ready for the ripples, Zoey Sparks. Remember, even the calmest waters will have a stone thrown at it," Evan chucked the rock at the water.

"How do you know about Kane? What are you talking about?" I stepped forward.

Espeon jumped onto Evan's shoulders, "Ask yourself these questions. Who cast the stone? How big will the ripples be?"

I scowled at the boy and was with awarded a laugh.

"I must bid you adieu. We will meet again, Zoey Sparks!" Evan removed his hat and bowed.

Evan started to walk off only to turn around for a brief moment.

"I heard the roads are bad. Travel safe!"

Evan walked away, leaving me confused and somewhat scared. Right as the boy disappeared, the water from the fountain shot up. My only thoughts were hoping Griffin was safe.

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Author's note: Hey guys! Sorry for the wait! I'm still working in balancing everything in my life, but school will be over this Friday! I'll try to type as much as I can. My main priority is Protectors book 2. I probably won't update this book for a while and this seemed like a good spot for a hiatus. Thank you for your amazing support!

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