How they met again, chapter 3
Chapter 2 can be read here.
Hearing Alainâs voice again made Mairin feel a bit uneasy, even though she had secretly wanted to hear it for quite some time. But now that her wish had suddenly become reality, she had no idea how to react. Her first instinct was to run away, but there was this other part of her that wanted to stay. It wanted to vent all of the feelings that sheâd kept bottled up inside ever since Chespieâs accident.
It soon came to Mairinâs attention that she had been in the same position for quite a while. She was still standing there, staring at him, with her hand still held in his. She suddenly felt way too close to him. It had never been a problem before; after all, they had shared hugs, and even slept in the same small tent together before. But now... she was actually questioning her comfort. Â
Finally, Mairin recovered from the shock of seeing Alain and pulled her hand out of his grip. While his face had the usual unreadable expression, she noticed that he hadnât moved either, making her think that he didnât know how to react to this encounter either. She tried to back out, but almost fell again as her foot tripped on the leg of a chair. Â
âYou havenât changed a bit, have you?â Alain remarked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
That little comment set something off in Mairin. âThatâs none of your business! I got nervous, and thatâs why I almost fell again. Not because Iâm clumsy!â she snapped, feeling anger welling inside of her chest.
Alain frowned, obviously taken aback at her sudden bust of rage. âI didnât mean to make you mad or anything...â he muttered.
Although Mairin didnât know what to expect from this encounter, she certainly wasnât happy with the way things were going. She felt so angry. He should at least apologize properly!
âYou know what? If thatâs really all you have to say, I have nothing to say to you either. Iâm gonna go. Before something bad happens again.â
Before giving Alain any chance to speak, Mairin began to storm out of the Poke Center, but stopped just in front of the doors. Feeling her lips trembling, Mairin turned to face Alain once more.
âBy the way, Chespie still hasnât moved. And that video Lysandre sent you before, it wasnât⌠it wasnât realâŚâ her voice cracked, and she swallowed before continuing, âI was really hoping that, maybe, you would call us, or even stop by to see us after seeing it, but...â
Mairin couldnât find the strength to finish. Perhaps that was probably a good thing, because she realized she had already said too much. Lysandre had made her promise not to tell anyone about what she had heard or saw in the labs.
âWait, what? What do you mean by âit wasnât realâ? And please let me explain why I...!â Alain called to her, but she was already gone. Â
Mairin ran as fast she could, failing to notice the tears that streamed down her cheeks.
After Mairin had disappeared, a buzzing swarm of confusing thoughts occupied Alainâs mind.
This⌠this wasnât how it was supposed to be⌠Â
A dull sensation of nausea crept into Alainâs throat, and he slowly maneuvered himself to sit in the chair that Mairin had previously tripped on.
When I left, I was hoping that, by the time I saw her again, I wouldâve gotten the cure for Chepsie. I wouldâve told her that Iâm finally strong enough to protect herâŚ. That I would never abandon her again. I guess that didnât happen. Â
He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he didnât register Ashâs sudden appearance
âAlain, did you know her? Who is she?â Ash asked calmly.
His voice snapped Alain out of his trance, and he looked up at Ash, startled. He quickly overcame his initial shock, and with a heavy sign, he straightened his posture.
âYes, I know her. Itâs⌠a long story,â Alain explained. His throat was throbbing, but somehow he found the strength to keep his voice calm.
âWell, if it helps, Iâm a pretty good listener,â Ash responded with an honest smile.
Alain felt the corner of his lips twitch into a grin. Somehow, he felt more relaxed in his presence, and if he was willing to listenâŚ
ââŚHer name is Mairin,â Alain began. âShe saw me battling with Charizard one day, and from then on she became my travel companion. We went through quite a lot together, and she was good company. But then, I⌠I did something that I completely regret. Now, I donât even know if Iâll ever get to apologize to herâŚâ Â
âMairin sounds really important to you,â Ash remarked.
âYes, she is,â Alain confirmed. âSheâs someone that I⌠care deeply for.â
âWell, if thatâs the case, then Iâm sure youâll be able to make up with her! Thatâs my motto: never give up until the end!â Ash declared confidently. His partner, Pikachu, cheered along with him. Â
Alain tilted his head downwards, closed his eyes, and smiled. âYour optimism is surely inspiring,â he chuckled.
Ash laughed coyly and rubbed his finger under his nose. âOh man, thanks. Hey, if you want, my friends and I can help you out after the Finals!â he suggested.
âThatâs thoughtful of you, but-â Alain started to say, but he was abruptly cut off by Ash.
âOh! Thatâs right, I think there was something you wanted to tell me before our battle!â
At first, Alain stared at Ash confusedly, but he quickly remembered what Ash was talking about. âOh, rightâŚâ he hesitated, a bit unsure if he should actually be telling him this informationâŚ
Itâs not like I have much of a choice anymoreâŚ
With a sigh, Alain stared Ash right in the eyes, and began to tell him. âItâs about my boss, a man named Lysandre. Iâve worked with him to collect Mega Evolution energy for his research. He recently contacted me, and⌠he told meâŚâ
âTold you⌠what?â Ash asked.
âHe said that, if I donât win the Finals in two days⌠then heâll hurt Mairin.â
A/N: again huge thanks to @mysticdelphox97 who took her time to edit and polish this fic! And Iâd like to thank @fairy-amy and @white--wizard too for their nice comments that have definitely encouraged me to continue this fic :)