Find my courage (Pokemon fanfiction)

~36 Technical Difficulties

Racing out of the Contest Hall, I bounded down the stairs two at a time towards where Jake was waiting for me and Milly with my Pokémon. I hugged Gardenia happily as Miku and Champ caught us, followed by Milly. Miku clung to Samurai's leg, squealing happily.

"Too bad you two both lost." Jake said, pity clear in his tone as his sister made it too where we stood.

I shrugged, not really caring.

Milly shrugged also. "Can't win 'em all." She, I like me sounded disappointed. Milly had made it up too the Semifinals where I lost in the first of the battle rounds as Champ thought it would be a good idea to ignore me through the entire match. I'd panicked and ended with a staggering loss. Jessica had made it to the finals but also lost.

"How did your gym battle go?" Milly questioned as we headed back to the Pokémon Centre to collect our stuff before heading back on our journey.

Jake pulled his badge case out of his pocket, flipping it open without much effort. "It was easier then I'd thought it be. Not even close to being Reshiram worthy." He sighed as he showed off his sixth badge. "What have we decided in regards to Lilycove City?"

Turning away slightly on insinct, I huddled close to Samurai. We'd figured out that Team Aqua's base was beside Lilycove City, where I was taken for a brief period of time. Although there wasn't a gym in the city, the next contest was there and it would take us almost an extra month of traveling to go around. Jake and Milly both understood how uncomfortable I'd be going to close to the place but, we'd been close to Team Aqua a few times, each time leaving them alone and they let us be on our business - even if we'd witnessed some less then legal actions by them. So, I felt it would be okay to spend a few days in the city provided we didn't make a spectacle of ourselves. Besides, this time we wouldn't be on a boat being threatened to be thrown overboard.

~Paige has decided she's okay with going through Lilycove provided we spend as little time there as possible and make little show of ourselves there.~ Gardenia explained softly. ~She will stay mostly indoors during the duration of our stay.~

"That's reasonable." Jake nodded, gently patting my head. "And we'll stay close in a group the whole time. You'll be safe, promise."

I simply nodded, my usual goofy smile over my features as we entered the Pokémon Centre although I wrinkled my nose as I entered - seeing Laura and Harrison upon entrance. Thankfully the two simply returned a look of disgust before leaving for the cafe. Let's not go there for lunch.

"Paige!" Jessica's voice called as we make our way to the trainers quarters.

Spinning around, I found my friend running to catch up with us. "I wanted to give you something, for your help yesterday." She explained, holding out a small, flat item.

~You don't need to give us anything Jessica.~ Samurai said, reading my mind. ~It was the right thing to do to help you.~

"But no one has ever done something like that for me before." Jessica exclaimed.

~You're sister volunteered to battle with you.~ Gardenia pointed out.

"But she wouldn't have thought better of me for it! Nichole was genuinely impressed we could take down that Metagross. If she battled with me she wouldn't be because she's so much stronger then any trainer I know but now she's seen the real power of my Pokémon. That's why I wanted you to battle with me, not her." Jessica explained, tucking a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. "I haven't had a friend in a really long time Paige, before you guys, I was bullied for ages and Nichole never even bothered to send me a letter. Please, just take it. It'll help you out a lot, your Pokémon too." She again help up the item.