Who Want's to be Alone, in Such a Wonderful World?
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3rd March, 1998, Indigo Plateau
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Blake sat in the high-backed chair, draped in soft leather, as though it had been made for the president himself. The chair, large and imposing, mirrored his own presence in the room—cool, calculated, and utterly in control.
His eyes scanned over the report Lorelei had given him, a flawless set of figures and details laid out neatly on the pages.
She never missed a thing, and her reports were always thorough. Even though she technically outranked him, being one of the Elite Four's of the region while he was just the strongest Gym Leader on paper… But everyone knew who held the power, specially Lorelei, and she respected Blake enough to act as his secretary if needed.
She was thorough and efficient as well. It was the kind of efficiency Blake appreciated, even though it did little to distract him from the gnawing sense of unease that had taken root in the pit of his stomach.
The air in the room felt still, almost unnervingly so. The soft hum of the air conditioning and the muffled commentary from the TV were the only sound that filled the vast office, which, despite its lavishness, had started to feel more like a cage than a place of comfort.
He glanced briefly at the clock on the wall—midday. Everything was proceeding as it should. There was no attack… no alarms, nothing. Everything was going smoothly, Too smoothly.
Opposite Blake, Charles Goodshow sat with his usual cup of tea, his white mustache twitching as he leaned forward, his attention fixed on the television screen where a match between two rookie trainers was underway.
The President of the Pokémon League Committee had an air of amusement, his eyes glued to the scene unfolding before them. He was invested in the match, even if it wasn't as grand as the legendary matches he had witnessed before, like Blake and Steven's battle last year or Blake beating all the elite 4 members one after the other with 3 Pokemon only. Yes, that gauntlet run was a blast.
And even though, as the president, he should be the one taking care of all the documents and paperworks for the league, and the recent situation. Mr. Goodshow had more faith in Blake than anyone else. And he knew how meticulous Blake was at doing this kind of things so he let him do it and relax while he could. It's not like he could get Blake to do his work everyday.
Blake couldn't focus on the screen, not in the way Goodshow did. Instead, his fingers continued their rhythm of turning pages, signing his name, adding a note here and there. It was routine work for him. Everything about the room was routine. From the steady, methodical actions of Lorelei organizing his paperwork to the casual clinking of Goodshow's teacup, it was all as it should be.
And yet, there was something off about all of it… Blake was sure Giovanni or Team Rocket would do something during the League Conference… But till now, nothing such happened… it was already the 3rd day…
He shook his head, trying to clear the thought. Focus.
The battle on the TV screen was ongoing, both young trainers battling with all their might. Taking down each other's Pokemon, breaking down the opponents strategies and coming up with their unique ways to tackle their opponent.
It was then Blake heard a familiar name making him look up at the large TV for just a second.
There Ash Ketchum sent out his Charizard to face Gary's Nidoking.
Blake's eyes flickered with a light of amusement. After all only a few weeks ago he had taught that kid and his Charizard a lesson, they would never forget...
He could already feel the intensity radiating from Charizard as the battle escalated. It was no longer the reckless, hot-headed creature it had been just weeks ago. Though still immature in some ways, there was a new determination in its eyes—a blazing fire he recognized all too well. It was the same fire he had seen in his own Pokémon countless times. For Blake, that indomitable spirit—the drive to dominate, to conquer everything—was a fundamental trait for any Pokémon he chose to stand by his side.
The makings of a Sovereign.
Blake clicked his tongue, a faint smile curving his lips. Look at you and Charizard, Ash… In just a few weeks, the bond between you two has grown immensely. You sure got the plot armor, alright… That Charizard is easily one of the best I've seen.
On the screen, Nidoking charged forward, using Giga Impact, the ground trembling beneath its feet as it charged towards Charizard with incredible momentum. Charizard, however, wasn't so easily rattled.
It darted through the air with a grace that belied its size, narrowly avoiding the attack. Flamethrower followed immediately after, a searing blast of fire that burned through the air and made the crowd cheer.
Gary's Nidoking staggered from the heat, but the Pokémon wasn't finished. With a roar, it retaliated with Megahorn, thrusting its horn toward Charizard, but the fire pokemon was ready. It launched itself into the sky, the gust from its wings pushing back against the wind.
"Gary—he's Oak's grandson, isn't he?" Goodshow mused, his mustache twitching as he sipped his tea. "Quite the trainer. Perhaps we'll see another of Oak's caliber one day. Or maybe he'll follow his grandfather's footsteps into research. As for the other boy… why does he seem so familiar?"
Blake didn't respond immediately. His lips curved ever so slightly as his eyes flicked up to the screen, the faintest hint of amusement playing across his face. Goodshow's musings were rhetorical, and the battle unfolded exactly as Blake had anticipated.
"Looks like my lesson stuck," Blake murmured, more to himself than to anyone else.
His gaze sharpened with quiet approval as Charizard executed a flawless Dragon Claw, its claws blazing with energy as they raked across Nidoking's chest. The Poison/Ground-type toppled with a resounding crash, the decisive blow igniting cheers from the crowd.
If this had been the Ash from the anime, his Charizard wouldn't have even learned Dragon Claw in its lifetime. But here they were now—proof of how drastically things could shift with the fluttering wings of a Butterfree.
Gary's voice crackled through the speakers, issuing commands, but Blake barely acknowledged it. His attention was locked on the way Ash handled his Charizard—the fluidity of its movements, the precision of its attacks. There had been a time when the Fire/Flying-type was a reckless liability, a hot-headed loose cannon. Now, it had become one of Ash's greatest assets.
The transformation was undeniable. Blake wasn't sure whether to attribute it to the so-called plot armor that seemed to follow Ash or to the whims of this world's mechanics. Either way, the leap in Charizard's performance was excessive—almost unnatural—but impressive nonetheless.
Goodshow's chuckle broke Blake's train of thought. "I can't believe these two are still rookies. Give them time, and they'll be formidable trainers. What do you think, Blake? Could they reach your level one day?"
The question was teasing, a playful jab from someone who had witnessed Blake's meteoric rise firsthand. Blake didn't answer immediately. His nod was subtle, almost imperceptible, and his pen resumed its mechanical rhythm across the paperwork in front of him. His mind was elsewhere, drifting far from Ash and Gary's battle.
Lorelei, observing from the side, rolled her eyes at Blake's non-answer, a ghost of a smirk tugging at her lips. Goodshow, ever good-natured, chuckled at Blake's aloofness, finding amusement in the quiet power and mystery of the strongest Gym Leader.
Blake's mind wandered, tugged by an unshakable sense of unease. The stillness in the air felt unnatural, a tension building beneath the surface like the calm before an inevitable storm. It gnawed at him, even as the match played out on the screen before him.
The battle soon reached its conclusion, with Ash emerging victorious. After his Charizard managed to overcome Gary's Nidoking, it held its own in a hard-fought battle against Blastoise, almost taking Gary's starter out of the match and ending it. But with Pikachu, ever reliable, secured the final blow, clinching Ash's advancement to the Round of 8.
Blake leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing as he watched the elated Ash celebrate. For all his recklessness and inexperience, the kid was progressing at an impressive pace. This Ash was leagues beyond his anime counterpart, yet still, he had a long road ahead. Too weak, Blake thought, though it didn't matter. Ash was the protagonist of this world. His growth was inevitable—driven by time, experience, and the world's guiding hand.
Goodshow's cheerful voice broke through Blake's thoughts. "Well, that was an exciting match! Now, let's see what's next." The screen shifted, displaying the next competitors. "Ah, it's that young trainer you endorsed—Raul from Canalave City. What do you think, Blake? Will he win?"
Blake's gaze flickered to the screen, showing Raul squaring off against Ritchie. His interest waned almost immediately. "Raul shouldn't have any problems getting to the finals," he said plainly, his tone unbothered, as if the outcome was already decided.
Lorelei, observing from the side, nodded in agreement. She had been following Raul's journey closely and couldn't deny her growing admiration for the young trainer's skill and potential. Mr. Goodshow nodded as well, his eyes alight with excitement. Raul was a fantastic prospect, and like Blake, he was eager to see just how far the boy could go.
…
…
The balcony overlooked the Indigo Plateau's grand stadium, now silent and still after the day's battles. The setting sun bathed the world in hues of orange and gold, casting long shadows over the empty arena. In the distance, the towering silhouette of Mount Silver stood watch, its snow-capped peak glinting faintly in the fading light. A gentle breeze swept through the air, carrying the crisp, clean scent of the mountain wilderness.
Blake leaned against the railing, his hands stuffed into his pockets, his gaze distant. His hair stirred in the wind, but he barely noticed. His thoughts were tangled—a storm of what-ifs and why-nots that left him restless.
The soft sound of the sliding door drew his attention, and he glanced back to see Lorelei stepping onto the balcony. She moved with her usual grace, a steaming cup of tea in her hands. Without a word, she held it out to him.
Blake accepted it with a nod of thanks, the warmth of the cup grounding him slightly. Lorelei joined him at the railing, her crimson hair catching the sunlight like flames. For a while, neither spoke, letting the tranquil beauty of the scene fill the silence.
"You seemed lost in thought," Lorelei said finally, her voice soft but clear. "That's not like you, Blake."
He sipped his tea, his gaze fixed on the mountains. "Maybe I just needed some air."
Lorelei raised an eyebrow but didn't press. Instead, she switched tactics. "How's Alduin? Still trying to prove he's stronger than every other Pokemon in the world?"
Blake's lips curved into a faint smile. "You know him too well. He's calmed down—mostly. Acnologia has seen to that… Still hates losing, though."
"I'd expect nothing less from your Pokémon," Lorelei said with a chuckle. Her tone shifted slightly, becoming more casual. "And what about you? How's life when you're not busy being a menace to Lance?"
Blake gave her a sidelong glance. "That's unusual… You're fishing for gossip, Lorelei. Too old for that, aren't you?"
The Ice-type master froze, momentarily caught off guard, before letting out an incredulous laugh. "I'm twenty-five, thank you very much! And that's not what I meant!"
Blake chuckled—an actual laugh, low and warm. It was rare to see Lorelei ruffled, and he couldn't help but enjoy the sight.
She rolled her eyes but pressed on, her tone softening. "Seriously, though. You've seemed... much more closed off lately. Ever since Daisy…"
Blake's smile faded, and he looked out over the stadium, the quiet empty space mirroring the hollowness he sometimes felt. "That was three years ago, Lorelei." he said finally.
It was a can of worms Blake didn't feel like opening—ever.
"I know it's been years, but…" Lorelei said gently. "I have known you since we were kids, Blake, But I never understood why you two broke up. You seemed—"
"We wanted different things," Blake interrupted, his tone calm but firm. "That's all. Nothing more and nothing less."
Lorelei hesitated, clearly wanting to say more but sensing the boundary in his words.
Blake sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not hung up on Daisy, Lorelei. I've dated since her—plenty of times, actually. But nothing's stuck. Either I'm too busy, or they want something I can't give. I'm not pushing anyone away honestly, but..." He trailed off, searching for the right words.
Lorelei watched him closely, her expression softening. "But you haven't found someone who fits," she finished for him.
She felt bad for him. They had known each other for a long time, since they were kids and Lorelei had a different kind of love and respect for Blake even though she was a few years older than him. At one time she acted like his older sister, even though things have changed due to power dynamics, she still feels like his older sister sometimes.
Blake nodded, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "That's one way to put it."
"Well," Lorelei said with a sly smile, "there's probably at least, one girl in the world who could tolerate you. You just haven't met her yet."
Blake chuckled, the sound lighter this time. He turned his gaze to the horizon, where the sun was just beginning to dip below the mountains. The sky was a masterpiece of color—amber and violet streaked with gold.
"I hope you're right," he said quietly. "Because… who wants to be alone in such a wonderful world?"
Lorelei's sly smile hinted at mischief as she leaned against the railing. "Well, if nothing else, there's always Karen, Agatha's protégé. I hear she's dying to date you."
Blake froze, his whole body jolting as if hit by a Thunderbolt. He shot Lorelei an incredulous look. "Please don't say that, not even as a joke," he warned, his voice sharp with genuine discomfort.
Lorelei's grin widened. "Oh, come on. You know she's a rising star. And she is definitely pretty. Agatha's planning to retire soon, and rumor has it she wants Karen to take her place. From what I've heard, the girl's got the skill and pedigree to handle the position. Stronger than Will, even."
Blake let out a long sigh, pointedly ignoring her teasing. Lorelei chuckled softly, clearly enjoying herself.
Her teasing expression softened after a moment, and she followed his gaze to the setting sun. The warm hues of dusk painted the sky in rich golds and violets, their soft brilliance reflected in the stillness of the empty stadium below.
Finally, Blake broke the silence. "Honestly, I don't mind Karen joining the Elite Four. She's strong—I've seen her battle. And with Agatha raising her, she'll definitely be shrewd." He took a sip of his tea and added dryly, "As long as she understands the power dynamics around here and doesn't bother me, we'll get along fine."
Lorelei smirked but nodded in understanding. She knew exactly what he meant.
Changing the subject, she glanced at her watch and began outlining the next day's schedule. "Quarterfinals tomorrow. Should be interesting," she said casually.
Blake didn't seem particularly engaged, but when she mentioned the matchups, his brow lifted slightly. "Ash Ketchum versus Raul, huh?"
Lorelei tilted her head. "You sound surprised."
Blake's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Well, there goes Ash's first tournament." He leaned back against the railing, his expression thoughtful. "Still, it's a lesson he needs. Failures are the pillars of success, after all."
Lorelei hummed in agreement. "That's one way to look at it."
Blake straightened, placing the empty teacup on a nearby table. "Thanks for the tea," he said with a nod, signaling the end of the conversation.
Lorelei watched him go, her expression thoughtful as she returned to her own musings.
…
…
Outside, the evening breeze was cooler, carrying the faint scent of pine from Mount Silver. Blake reached into his pocket, pulling out a Pokéball. "Come on out, Alduin," he called.
The Pokéball burst open, and a towering Dragonite emerged in a swirl of light, standing nearly ten feet tall. Its powerful frame and gleaming orange scales marked it as an alpha among its species. Despite its imposing stature, Alduin's eyes gleamed with warmth as it greeted its trainer.
Blake smiled, placing a hand on the dragon's side. "Feel like a flight?"
Alduin let out a deep, happy trill, its tail swishing in excitement. It looked like a happy obedient puppy.
But don't be fooled, when it came to battling… Alduin was a real monster.
Blake climbed onto its back with practiced ease, his thoughts still lingering on his conversation with Lorelei and the battles ahead. "Let's go, Alduin. Mount Silver first, then we'll see where the winds take us."
With a powerful leap and a flap of its massive wings, Alduin took to the skies. The world below blurred as they soared higher, the crisp mountain air biting at Blake's skin. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the wind sweep away the weight of the day.
Above the Indigo Plateau, with the setting sun casting fiery colors across the sky, Blake felt truly at ease. This was his sanctuary—just him, Alduin, and the vastness of the open skies.
Blake leaned into the wind as Alduin soared through the air, the rhythmic beat of the dragon's wings a steady companion to the rush of cool air that whipped past him. The sensation of flight always had a way of clearing his mind, and as the evening sun dipped lower in the sky, he felt the tension from the conversation with Lorelei slowly begin to fade. The wind was strong and soothing, tousling his hair and leaving him feeling weightless—like the worries of the world didn't exist up here.
Alduin's powerful wings beat faster, urging them higher as they swept over the silver peaks of the mountains. The rugged terrain below, once familiar to Blake, began to blend into the expansive horizon. As his dragon glided effortlessly, Blake found himself lost in the peace of it all, unaware of how far they'd traveled.
"Hey, slow down a bit, Alduin," Blake muttered, feeling the pull of altitude in his chest as they crossed into the territory of the Silver Mountains. He hadn't been paying attention, and now, they were well into restricted airspace. Normally, that would've been a problem for any low-ranked trainer, but Blake wasn't just any trainer. He had clearance.
But before he could fully process the thought, something broke through the calm. A piercing scream, faint at first, then louder, unmistakable in its urgency. Blake's eyes snapped open, and he glanced at Alduin, who had perked up, eyes wide with alertness.
The dragon gave him a questioning glance, as if asking what to do. Blake groaned in frustration. "This feels like a forced plot," he muttered under his breath. "Fine, let's go check it out."
Alduin flapped his wings harder, changing course, and within moments, they came upon the source of the scream. Below them, in a clearing near the entrance of Dark Cave, a girl with bright pink hair was frantically running through the woods, carrying a sickly and injured Pokémon in her arms. The Pokémon, Blake noticed instantly, was a Larvitar—a rare outside of certain habitats and very much protected. The poor thing was limp and clearly in bad shape.
When the girl noticed Alduin, she wasted no time. She called out with all her remaining energy, her voice crackling with desperation. "Help! Please! Somebody—help!"
Blake's heart skipped a beat at the sight, and despite his annoyance, he felt the familiar pull of responsibility. He couldn't just ignore someone in need, not even with the seemingly inconvenient timing.
He signaled Alduin to descend, and the dragon obeyed gracefully, landing softly on the ground beside the girl. Blake immediately dismounted, and the girl looked up, her face lighting up with hope as she spotted him.
"Please," she gasped, "You have to help me! This child… it's… it's really sick and hurt! There were poachers, and it's mother was captured… I need to get to a Pokémon Center, fast! Can you—can you take me to Blackthorn City? It should be the closest."
Hearing the word Blackthorn, Blake's mood instantly plummeted, but he was a professional, so he quickly took out a high potion from his inventory space and quickly sprayed the Larvitar so that it would be out of critical condition.
The girl was frantic so she didn't notice the seemingly magical thing Blake just did, she was only focusing on Larvitar.
Blake didn't waste time with pleasantries. The last thing he needed right now was a drawn-out conversation. He could already feel a headache starting to build as the weight of the situation pressed in on him. "Get on Alduin with me," he said quickly as he mounted and extended his hand for the girl to take, "Hold on tight. I'll carry your Larvitar."
The girl blinked in confusion, glancing between Blake and the dragon. She didn't hesitate for long and gave the Larvitar to Blake and took his hand to mount Alduin.
Blake nodded when he saw the girl was mounted and trying to hold onto something. He looked at Alduin and said, "To the Plateau, go as fast as you can. And you…" taking the girl's hand he put it on his waist and instructed her calmly, "Hold very tightly."
"But… why the Plateau? The Pokémon Center is in Blackthorn…" The girl was taken aback and was about to ask questions.
Blake's expression hardened slightly. He wasn't about to waste time explaining himself. "No time for questions, just grab onto me tightly and hang on. The Plateau is the fastest route, alright?" He didn't give her a chance to argue further. He secured the injured Larvitar into his arm and adjusted his grip, feeling the weight of the Pokémon's fragile body against him.
Alduin, eager to take off, was already shifting its weight, eyes trained on Blake.
"Hold on," Blake ordered once again, and before the girl could react, he snapped his fingers and called out to Alduin. "Let's go, Alduin. Fast."
The dragon took to the sky, wings beating with explosive power, sending a gust of wind rushing through the trees as they shot upwards. The girl let out a startled scream as the ground quickly fell away, and her hands instinctively tightened around Blake's waist.
Blake didn't have to look at her to know she was clinging to him for dear life. He was used to the sensation of adrenaline, the sharp, exhilarating feeling of flight, but he couldn't ignore the weight of the situation. He looked down at the Larvitar, which was doing much better due to his quick action. But it still needed to be checked.
He let out a heavy sigh, a knot of unease settling in his chest. Was this a bad omen? The thought of poachers lurking around had been troubling, even though it technically wasn't within his jurisdiction. The thought lingered, nagging at the back of his mind.
Blake shook his head sharply, forcing the worries aside.
Focus. He clenched his jaw, steeling himself. You can deal with that later.
His only focus now was getting them to safety—and that meant heading straight for the Plateau, where the resources of the Indigo League would be waiting. As he wouldn't go to the Blackthorns even if it was the last option on earth.
The only sound now was the rush of wind against his ears and the occasional panicked shout from the girl behind him. And the scream of the wind as they sped towards their destination.
For some reason, a small smile appeared on Blake's lips, even Blake himself didn't know it was there.
…
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[A/N: Next chapter either late tomorrow or on Sunday!]