fic: pokemon: Trails in the Valley of Youth, Chapter Two
Title: Trails in the Valley of Youth, Chapter Two
Word Count: 2332 words
Verse: Gameverse, Gen 5
Characters/Pairings: Alder/Cheren, appearances from Black and N
Rating: PG
Warnings: A bit of violence in later chapters.
Summary: Cheren has spent five years under Alder's teachings, becoming a full time apprentice in learning what it means to be the strongest trainer in Unova. Now he's 23, and while he has learned so much, he is becoming increasingly frustrated with where he stands, both with his mentor and his place in the Champion's pinnacle.
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Four years ago
"Alder! Are you okay?"
Alder heard Cheren before he saw him, as his voice echoed across the damaged stone room. Looking up, he could see two young figures at the pinnacle’s entrance, silhouetted against the outside light, though it was hard to see since the lights had been knocked out. They were coming towards him though, and he breathed a inaudible sigh of relief.
Cheren got there first, knelt next to the much taller man, who was kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily from the exertion and pain. He was bleeding from a slash on his arm. The battle with N had been brutal, and he had suffered a terrible loss, his Pokémon being defeated so harshly the battle had gone off the field - and into his trainer box. Afterwards, N had just simply left him without a word and advanced into the castle that had appeared out of the ground, like magic.
Sweat beading on his forehead, he still looked at Cheren's face. He looked shockingly placid, but with a hint of worry. The concern looked alien on him, though Alder had seen it before. But never directed at him.
Alder looked down at his arm, blood running from where he'd gotten in the way of his Escavalier flying towards him. Cheren yelled something to Black, as Black rushed up the stairs of the castle that had risen out of the ground, a blazing monolith against the night sky, taking the responsibility of going after N.
He made no move to follow Black as his friend disappeared into the castle. Instead, he stayed. Alder grimaced as Cheren touched his elbow, moving his arm to look at the wound. The touch was careful and gentle, and it surprised Alder. It was unlike him, caring, almost affectionate.
"Aren't you going to follow Black?" He wondered out loud.
"He can take care of himself." Cheren said simply. "This needs to be cleaned."
Alder looked confused as Cheren began to tend to his arm, but he stayed silent, and was grateful nonetheless.
-------
Present Day
This was it. This was a chance to test everything he'd taught Haxorus in the past year, all the moves, techniques. A chance to prove himself as Haxorus’s trainer.
Cheren watched his dragon Pokémon leer across the field at the Volcarona fluttering a few feet above the grass. Even from several yards away, Cheren could see the battle ready energy in its compound eyes, and though he'd encountered this Pokémon several times before, its gaze still unnerved him, just the tiniest bit. He supposed it could be the bug eyes, the battle scarred wings, the way sparks flew around its body. But it was mostly the wings.
Haxorus lifted its head and looked back at him, and their eyes met. He knew Haxorus, and Haxorus was ready. The corner's of Cheren's mouth twitched. He loved the tense silence before a battle. It was one of the many moments in battle he lived for.
"Rock slide!"
The dragon was already in motion, having predicted his trainer’s command. He ran towards the rock wall to their left, but Volcarona was already in motion as well. Alder's voice boomed across the field, so loud and crystal clear Cheren could understand his every word he said, even so far away.
"Quiver dance!"
Ember sparks started to swirl around Volcarona's sunset colored wings, its movements sweeping, rhythmic and entrancing. Within a few seconds the bug Pokémon was veiled in a whirlwind of sparks and dancing flickers of flame, and its path of flight was still dead centered at Haxorus.
But Haxorus was at the rock wall already, and using its powerful hind legs it launched itself off the ground, straight towards the rock carrapace. Volcarona was gaining speed fast, leaving a trail of fire behind it as it went, zooming towards Haxorus, like a comet.
Cheren's stomach clenched, almost as if he were the one with a gigantic, flaming bug hurtling towards him. He knew why that was. One of Alder's first teachings was a series of lessons about connecting to your Pokémon, feeling what they feel, and seeing what they see. Putting yourself in their place.
Haxorus's head whipped toward Volcarona as the impact finally came, and all four of Haxorus's legs slammed into the wall with a thunderous, crunching sound that echoed across the field.
"Outrage!" Cheren yelled, immediately after the noise. Haxorus responded to his call by pushing, hard, off the wall and right at the incoming Volcarona.
More thunder began to crash around the field as rocks began to fall around the Pokémon, crashing down from Haxorus’s impact against the wall.
Cheren's heart leapt into his throat, as his heart began to race. Haxorus had the edge here.
The dragon's limbs and eyes began to glow as it worked itself up into the complete otherworldly element that the attack Outrage required, still hurtling towards its opponent. Volcarona did not slowed down.
"Overheat!" Alder's voice was clear even above the commotion of the rocks, but he couldn't see either Pokémon anymore, as the curtain of stone had engulfed them both.
Cheren was deafened by the crashing of the rocks, and he held his breath as a cloud of dust covered the field, the raucous noise starting to die down.
Flames erupted suddenly out of the dust, dispelling it in all directions, blinding them both for a split second. Struggling to regain his eyesight, he made out a winged form spiralling out of the swirling mass of dust and fire.
The flames went out in all directions and Cheren had to jump nimbly to the side to avoid them. He glanced at the center of the flames, making out a familiar winged figure. Volcarona. For a moment, it looked like a shining beacon of power, flames still swirling around its body. Then the flames died down, and the facade was dropped, revealing the truth. The moth Pokémon looked damaged. There were holes in its wings.
Cheren's heart skipped a beat.
Its wings beat rapidly, trying to keep afloat. It hovered in a haphazard, and keeping consciousness was clearly difficult for it. Meanwhile, Haxorus was covered with burns, but it was still glowing, caught up in its Outrage attack, poised and ready to attack.
This was it. Time to finish this.
"Haxorus, use Outrage again!"
Haxorus rose up on two legs, and opened its mouth, and its body began to glow again-
"Stop!"
The command boomed across the field. Cheren froze. Haxorus did the same, and looking confused, closed its mouth. It backed down, the glow ebbing away.
Alder jogged onto the field towards Volcarona, who was slowly but surely getting lower to the ground. It had to beat its wings hard to keep afloat, which made it difficult due to its current state. A spark flew here and there around its wings, and Cheren surprised when once Alder had gotten to his Pokémon, he caught it in his arms, despite the Pokémon being almost as tall as he was... and still sparking.
Alder had warned him about ever touching Volcarona after a battle, because it tended to be hot and still slightly aflame after using its fire attacks. But presently, Alder didn't seem to care.
Cheren was furious, evident by the scrunched-up angry expression on his face.. "Why?" He demanded, as he sprinted onto the field. He reached his mentor and the Pokémon, panting slightly. "Why did you stop the battle?"
He looked up at Alder, but his mentor’s face was unreadable. But he swore he saw a trace of relief in the man's features.
"You already won," Alder said calmly. "There was no reason for overkill."
"Overkill?!" Cheren cried incredulously. "It wasn't even finished!"
Alder just shook his head in response, and looked down at his Volcarona, his eyes lingering on the grey in that tinged the edges of its white fur. He recalled it back into its ball without a word. When he looked back at Cheren, his dark eyes looked clouded.
"It was finished," He said firmly. His tone had an edge to it. Cheren knew the tone very well - 'end of discussion'. Alder would not budge.
Cheren made a frustrated noise in the back of his throat, and roughly ran a hand through his hair.
Alder knelt down and ran a hand over Haxorus's head, and the dragon seemed to not only appreciate the touch, pushing its head against his rough palm, it almost purr at the touch. Cheren's Pokémon all knew and adored Alder, and would never hold the same discontent towards him that Cheren did sometimes. Cheren grimaced, anger still coiling in his stomach.
He looked angry now, but Alder knew he would get over it. He always did.
Alder looked up at him and grinned crookedly. "How long has it been since you got a haircut? You need one."
Cheren's frown just deepened at Alder’s attempt to lighten the mood. "You're one to talk." He grouched, folding his arms across his chest.
Alder outright laughed, and the sound of it filled the field.
-------
"You're mad at me, aren't you?"
Cheren just grunted in response, lifting the lid of the pot and checking the contents before lowering it again. The room was permeated with the smell of food, food Alder was shocked to find Cheren making when he came home that night.
Sometimes, after a loss, Cheren would borderline brood for a few hours. He'd take his Pokémon and go down to the valley to train and reflect on the loss, channeling his negative emotions into something constructive. Then he would come back and resume his life as usual.
And after that little scuffle they'd had on the field, Alder was sure he would do just that. But instead, here he was, in the kitchen of their quarters above the Champion’s pinnacle, making some sort of soup or stew. For both of them, judging by the size of the pot.
Though he didn't look too happy doing so.
Alder chuckled and leaned back in the chair. "I don't blame you for being angry," He said. In fact, he had completely predicted it.
Cheren shot him a look, his blue eyes flashing behind his glasses. "I'm not angry."
Alder snorted. "Sure, you're not."
There was an uncomfortable silence in the kitchen, Cheren turning his back and turning his attention fully to the meal. Finally, gettng tired of the quiet, Alder spoke again.
"You know, I don't think I ate anything besides quick noodles and stuff from the garden the whole time you were gone last year." He mused, trailing rough fingers over a stubbled chin.
Cheren shook his head. "You really need to learn how to boil some damn water."
"I would but the smoke alarms need replacing," He replied, watching as the tension in his student's back relax the tiniest bit. He couldn't recall a time where he outright made Cheren laugh, but he has made him smile a handful of times. He remembers each time quite vividly.
"You haven't told me much about your year abroad," Alder said lightly, taking a fork from the table in his hand and moving it around in his palm. Another attempt at conversation.
Cheren replaced the lid of the pot and finally turned around, leaning against the oven. "What's there to tell?" He said.
Alder shrugged. "Well, its been three months since you've returned, and you haven't told me much of anything beyond strengthing your team. Did you see your friends at all?"
He regretted asking as soon as the words left him. Instead of answering, Cheren immediately closed himself off, crossing his arms in front of his chest and looking away.
"...Should I drop the subject?" Alder asked.
"If you could," Cheren replied, his voice hushed.
Alder spoke again, without thinking: "Did you see Black?"
"... And apparently you can't." Cheren rresponded curtly, turning around again.
Alder frowned, exhaling slowly through his nose. He should've kept his mouth shut. "I apologize."
Cheren was quiet for awhile, and Alder assumed he would just drop the subject. But to his surprise, he then said, "Someone tipped Black off on the whereabouts of N. He left seven months ago and I haven't heard from him since."
Alder's eyes widened and he stopped moving the fork around in his hand.
"That's all I'm telling you." Cheren finished.
Alder set the fork down on the table, surprised by the confession. He wondered what made Cheren tell him after all.
Cheren took the pot from the stove and turned around, to set it on the table. He purposely avoided Alder's gaze, instead focusing on dispensing the food into bowls for them.
Alder reached out and carefully touched Cheren's shoulder, amazed at how tall he had to reach. He had gotten taller, again. He must come up to his shoulders now.
"You're an adult now, Cheren, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to." He told him firmly.
Cheren hesitated, his bangs making his expression hard to read. But he looked up and nodded shortly, still silent.
He did speak after they sat down. "You have burns on your arms." He pointed at Alder’s arms.
Alder looked down at his forearms. Sure enough, there were a number of small burns from where he had handled Volcarona earlier.
"Huh, what do you know," Alder mused, looking over them. He was so used to Volcarona-induced burns, he hardly ever noticed them.
"I have some salve in my room," Cheren said quietly.
Alder smiled, and looked at his protege, but he wasn’t looking at him, as usual. So he just settled for eating his soup without any more interrogation.
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<< Chapter One | Chapter Three >>
Word Count: 2332 words
Verse: Gameverse, Gen 5
Characters/Pairings: Alder/Cheren, appearances from Black and N
Rating: PG
Warnings: A bit of violence in later chapters.
Summary: Cheren has spent five years under Alder's teachings, becoming a full time apprentice in learning what it means to be the strongest trainer in Unova. Now he's 23, and while he has learned so much, he is becoming increasingly frustrated with where he stands, both with his mentor and his place in the Champion's pinnacle.
----------------------------------------
Four years ago
"Alder! Are you okay?"
Alder heard Cheren before he saw him, as his voice echoed across the damaged stone room. Looking up, he could see two young figures at the pinnacle’s entrance, silhouetted against the outside light, though it was hard to see since the lights had been knocked out. They were coming towards him though, and he breathed a inaudible sigh of relief.
Cheren got there first, knelt next to the much taller man, who was kneeling on the ground, breathing heavily from the exertion and pain. He was bleeding from a slash on his arm. The battle with N had been brutal, and he had suffered a terrible loss, his Pokémon being defeated so harshly the battle had gone off the field - and into his trainer box. Afterwards, N had just simply left him without a word and advanced into the castle that had appeared out of the ground, like magic.
Sweat beading on his forehead, he still looked at Cheren's face. He looked shockingly placid, but with a hint of worry. The concern looked alien on him, though Alder had seen it before. But never directed at him.
Alder looked down at his arm, blood running from where he'd gotten in the way of his Escavalier flying towards him. Cheren yelled something to Black, as Black rushed up the stairs of the castle that had risen out of the ground, a blazing monolith against the night sky, taking the responsibility of going after N.
He made no move to follow Black as his friend disappeared into the castle. Instead, he stayed. Alder grimaced as Cheren touched his elbow, moving his arm to look at the wound. The touch was careful and gentle, and it surprised Alder. It was unlike him, caring, almost affectionate.
"Aren't you going to follow Black?" He wondered out loud.
"He can take care of himself." Cheren said simply. "This needs to be cleaned."
Alder looked confused as Cheren began to tend to his arm, but he stayed silent, and was grateful nonetheless.
-------
Present Day
This was it. This was a chance to test everything he'd taught Haxorus in the past year, all the moves, techniques. A chance to prove himself as Haxorus’s trainer.
Cheren watched his dragon Pokémon leer across the field at the Volcarona fluttering a few feet above the grass. Even from several yards away, Cheren could see the battle ready energy in its compound eyes, and though he'd encountered this Pokémon several times before, its gaze still unnerved him, just the tiniest bit. He supposed it could be the bug eyes, the battle scarred wings, the way sparks flew around its body. But it was mostly the wings.
Haxorus lifted its head and looked back at him, and their eyes met. He knew Haxorus, and Haxorus was ready. The corner's of Cheren's mouth twitched. He loved the tense silence before a battle. It was one of the many moments in battle he lived for.
"Rock slide!"
The dragon was already in motion, having predicted his trainer’s command. He ran towards the rock wall to their left, but Volcarona was already in motion as well. Alder's voice boomed across the field, so loud and crystal clear Cheren could understand his every word he said, even so far away.
"Quiver dance!"
Ember sparks started to swirl around Volcarona's sunset colored wings, its movements sweeping, rhythmic and entrancing. Within a few seconds the bug Pokémon was veiled in a whirlwind of sparks and dancing flickers of flame, and its path of flight was still dead centered at Haxorus.
But Haxorus was at the rock wall already, and using its powerful hind legs it launched itself off the ground, straight towards the rock carrapace. Volcarona was gaining speed fast, leaving a trail of fire behind it as it went, zooming towards Haxorus, like a comet.
Cheren's stomach clenched, almost as if he were the one with a gigantic, flaming bug hurtling towards him. He knew why that was. One of Alder's first teachings was a series of lessons about connecting to your Pokémon, feeling what they feel, and seeing what they see. Putting yourself in their place.
Haxorus's head whipped toward Volcarona as the impact finally came, and all four of Haxorus's legs slammed into the wall with a thunderous, crunching sound that echoed across the field.
"Outrage!" Cheren yelled, immediately after the noise. Haxorus responded to his call by pushing, hard, off the wall and right at the incoming Volcarona.
More thunder began to crash around the field as rocks began to fall around the Pokémon, crashing down from Haxorus’s impact against the wall.
Cheren's heart leapt into his throat, as his heart began to race. Haxorus had the edge here.
The dragon's limbs and eyes began to glow as it worked itself up into the complete otherworldly element that the attack Outrage required, still hurtling towards its opponent. Volcarona did not slowed down.
"Overheat!" Alder's voice was clear even above the commotion of the rocks, but he couldn't see either Pokémon anymore, as the curtain of stone had engulfed them both.
Cheren was deafened by the crashing of the rocks, and he held his breath as a cloud of dust covered the field, the raucous noise starting to die down.
Flames erupted suddenly out of the dust, dispelling it in all directions, blinding them both for a split second. Struggling to regain his eyesight, he made out a winged form spiralling out of the swirling mass of dust and fire.
The flames went out in all directions and Cheren had to jump nimbly to the side to avoid them. He glanced at the center of the flames, making out a familiar winged figure. Volcarona. For a moment, it looked like a shining beacon of power, flames still swirling around its body. Then the flames died down, and the facade was dropped, revealing the truth. The moth Pokémon looked damaged. There were holes in its wings.
Cheren's heart skipped a beat.
Its wings beat rapidly, trying to keep afloat. It hovered in a haphazard, and keeping consciousness was clearly difficult for it. Meanwhile, Haxorus was covered with burns, but it was still glowing, caught up in its Outrage attack, poised and ready to attack.
This was it. Time to finish this.
"Haxorus, use Outrage again!"
Haxorus rose up on two legs, and opened its mouth, and its body began to glow again-
"Stop!"
The command boomed across the field. Cheren froze. Haxorus did the same, and looking confused, closed its mouth. It backed down, the glow ebbing away.
Alder jogged onto the field towards Volcarona, who was slowly but surely getting lower to the ground. It had to beat its wings hard to keep afloat, which made it difficult due to its current state. A spark flew here and there around its wings, and Cheren surprised when once Alder had gotten to his Pokémon, he caught it in his arms, despite the Pokémon being almost as tall as he was... and still sparking.
Alder had warned him about ever touching Volcarona after a battle, because it tended to be hot and still slightly aflame after using its fire attacks. But presently, Alder didn't seem to care.
Cheren was furious, evident by the scrunched-up angry expression on his face.. "Why?" He demanded, as he sprinted onto the field. He reached his mentor and the Pokémon, panting slightly. "Why did you stop the battle?"
He looked up at Alder, but his mentor’s face was unreadable. But he swore he saw a trace of relief in the man's features.
"You already won," Alder said calmly. "There was no reason for overkill."
"Overkill?!" Cheren cried incredulously. "It wasn't even finished!"
Alder just shook his head in response, and looked down at his Volcarona, his eyes lingering on the grey in that tinged the edges of its white fur. He recalled it back into its ball without a word. When he looked back at Cheren, his dark eyes looked clouded.
"It was finished," He said firmly. His tone had an edge to it. Cheren knew the tone very well - 'end of discussion'. Alder would not budge.
Cheren made a frustrated noise in the back of his throat, and roughly ran a hand through his hair.
Alder knelt down and ran a hand over Haxorus's head, and the dragon seemed to not only appreciate the touch, pushing its head against his rough palm, it almost purr at the touch. Cheren's Pokémon all knew and adored Alder, and would never hold the same discontent towards him that Cheren did sometimes. Cheren grimaced, anger still coiling in his stomach.
He looked angry now, but Alder knew he would get over it. He always did.
Alder looked up at him and grinned crookedly. "How long has it been since you got a haircut? You need one."
Cheren's frown just deepened at Alder’s attempt to lighten the mood. "You're one to talk." He grouched, folding his arms across his chest.
Alder outright laughed, and the sound of it filled the field.
-------
"You're mad at me, aren't you?"
Cheren just grunted in response, lifting the lid of the pot and checking the contents before lowering it again. The room was permeated with the smell of food, food Alder was shocked to find Cheren making when he came home that night.
Sometimes, after a loss, Cheren would borderline brood for a few hours. He'd take his Pokémon and go down to the valley to train and reflect on the loss, channeling his negative emotions into something constructive. Then he would come back and resume his life as usual.
And after that little scuffle they'd had on the field, Alder was sure he would do just that. But instead, here he was, in the kitchen of their quarters above the Champion’s pinnacle, making some sort of soup or stew. For both of them, judging by the size of the pot.
Though he didn't look too happy doing so.
Alder chuckled and leaned back in the chair. "I don't blame you for being angry," He said. In fact, he had completely predicted it.
Cheren shot him a look, his blue eyes flashing behind his glasses. "I'm not angry."
Alder snorted. "Sure, you're not."
There was an uncomfortable silence in the kitchen, Cheren turning his back and turning his attention fully to the meal. Finally, gettng tired of the quiet, Alder spoke again.
"You know, I don't think I ate anything besides quick noodles and stuff from the garden the whole time you were gone last year." He mused, trailing rough fingers over a stubbled chin.
Cheren shook his head. "You really need to learn how to boil some damn water."
"I would but the smoke alarms need replacing," He replied, watching as the tension in his student's back relax the tiniest bit. He couldn't recall a time where he outright made Cheren laugh, but he has made him smile a handful of times. He remembers each time quite vividly.
"You haven't told me much about your year abroad," Alder said lightly, taking a fork from the table in his hand and moving it around in his palm. Another attempt at conversation.
Cheren replaced the lid of the pot and finally turned around, leaning against the oven. "What's there to tell?" He said.
Alder shrugged. "Well, its been three months since you've returned, and you haven't told me much of anything beyond strengthing your team. Did you see your friends at all?"
He regretted asking as soon as the words left him. Instead of answering, Cheren immediately closed himself off, crossing his arms in front of his chest and looking away.
"...Should I drop the subject?" Alder asked.
"If you could," Cheren replied, his voice hushed.
Alder spoke again, without thinking: "Did you see Black?"
"... And apparently you can't." Cheren rresponded curtly, turning around again.
Alder frowned, exhaling slowly through his nose. He should've kept his mouth shut. "I apologize."
Cheren was quiet for awhile, and Alder assumed he would just drop the subject. But to his surprise, he then said, "Someone tipped Black off on the whereabouts of N. He left seven months ago and I haven't heard from him since."
Alder's eyes widened and he stopped moving the fork around in his hand.
"That's all I'm telling you." Cheren finished.
Alder set the fork down on the table, surprised by the confession. He wondered what made Cheren tell him after all.
Cheren took the pot from the stove and turned around, to set it on the table. He purposely avoided Alder's gaze, instead focusing on dispensing the food into bowls for them.
Alder reached out and carefully touched Cheren's shoulder, amazed at how tall he had to reach. He had gotten taller, again. He must come up to his shoulders now.
"You're an adult now, Cheren, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to." He told him firmly.
Cheren hesitated, his bangs making his expression hard to read. But he looked up and nodded shortly, still silent.
He did speak after they sat down. "You have burns on your arms." He pointed at Alder’s arms.
Alder looked down at his forearms. Sure enough, there were a number of small burns from where he had handled Volcarona earlier.
"Huh, what do you know," Alder mused, looking over them. He was so used to Volcarona-induced burns, he hardly ever noticed them.
"I have some salve in my room," Cheren said quietly.
Alder smiled, and looked at his protege, but he wasn’t looking at him, as usual. So he just settled for eating his soup without any more interrogation.
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<< Chapter One | Chapter Three >>