CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: THE RIGHT DIRECTION

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Ken was, to put it simply, suspicious.

He didn't know what occurred between Jay and Alice whilst he was battling, but whatever transpired left a strong impression on Alice. Her nervous habits from when he first met her—hair tugging, clothing adjustment, the inability to make eye contact—came back in full swing. She'd stare out into space then turn red if her concentration was broken. He'd watch her with an unamused expression as she let out excuse after excuse.

It raised various questions in the blond. What caused her to regress? Was it Jay? Or was Ken the source of the problem? Why did she shy away from him?

Ken's subconscious glare burned into her back as the group of five headed to Reflection Cave. Alice talked with Bailey and even Dan, giggling shyly whenever they began shouting. He narrowed his gaze.

"Want sunglasses? I have an extra pair in my bag."

He shook his head as Jay rummaged through his backpack. "I'm fine."

Jay shrugged. "Suit yourself, Kenny."

"Your nicknames are ridiculing."

"You're wrong, but whatever you say, Hotshot."

Ken's perspective on the other had changed overnight. Jay displayed more intellect than he'd thought possible when he told Ken about his theories concerning the book series. They'd spent hours discussing their opinions.

"Jay," he called.

Jay perked up at the mention of his name, reminiscent of an enthusiastic, hyperactive Eevee pup. "Yeah?"

"Yesterday," Ken began, selecting his words carefully, "while I was battling, you said something that affected Alice's behavior."

The glare Alice shot him the day before haunted the taller boy's mind. He tried to laugh the accusation off. "I made a joke about her height."

"You said more than that."

"Not really. When I called her short, she kind of fell on the ground. I don't know why. Girls are loco. She's hanging out with Bailey 'cause she's short, too. Give her a day and she'll be back to normal." Jay finished his lie with a charming smile, his practiced acting skills deceiving the other.

Ken pursed his lips and glanced at the girl in question, remaining quiet. The person he would confess to was the one blocking him out. It felt... disheartening. He liked sharing his thoughts aloud with someone other than his Pokémon. Unlike Alakazam, Alice gave him feedback rather than waving spoons at him then leaving to meditate. However, imagining her mimicking his Alakazam's behavior did cause him to grin.

Jay bit his bottom lip. His attempt to be oblivious to problem he caused had failed. There's no way I just ruined their friendship by making things awkward, right? They're smarter than that, right? Ah, shit. I should fix this. Operation: Make Things Un-awkward Between Two Awkward People go.

* * *

"Welcome to Reflection Cave!" Dan exclaimed, throwing out his arms. "It's famous for its crystals that act like real mirrors. Rumors say that if you touch them then you'll be sucked into the Mirror World where everything's opposite. That's why the signs say 'don't touch'."

A gigantic, wooden signpost was erected at the entrance of the cave. Red paint emphasized its ominous warning ("DO NOT TOUCH THE CRYSTALS") written in thick letters. A wary Mr. Mime stood watch next to it, eying the five as they walked past.

"What's with the Mr. Mime?" Jay queried, jerking his thumb at the Psychic-type.

"They enforce the rule and track down anyone who breaks it — don't mess with them," Dan finished with a boisterous laugh, ignorant to how chilling his response was.

Jay shoved his hands in his pockets and whistled, examining his reflection as Bailey began a lecture about the site's history. He stuck out from the group, donning a casual tan t-shirt while the others wore their coordinating white tops. Technically speaking, he didn't have to follow the tour's rules since he wasn't a part of it. He was but a Remoraid latched onto a Mantine traveling across the country. His mother would snap at him for being a freeloader if she cared enough to check on his whereabouts.

He wrinkled his nose at the thought. The absence of conversation was getting to him. Needing to distract himself, he chose the person nearest to him and set his hand on their shoulder.

Jay paid no heed to Ken's flinching and announced, "I'm bored."

"Entertain yourself," the blond replied.

"I tried, but one can only stare at a masterpiece for so long before wanting to check something else out."

"Referring to yourself as a masterpiece is a whole new level of egotism."

Alice overheard that last comment and rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "Look who's talking."

Neither male picked up her remark as Jay continued to flaunt his appearance.

"What? It's true. It's not every day you get to meet a super hot, super fit, half-Hoennite-half-Sinnohvian dude with a great personality."

"Your narcissism's astounding."

"I'm not narcissistic! I'm confident."

"Confidence is acknowledging your own skills and talents. Narcissism is forcing others to take notice and applaud you for it."

"Wanna bet?" Jay came to a stop in front of Ken and pointed at him. "I challenge you to a battle. If I win, then I'm right. If you win, then you're right."

He's endeavoring to prove his point by battling. I doubt even Dan and Bailey would be illogical enough to attempt this. Ken pressed his lips in a fine line. "I accept."

Alice hurried after Ken to his side of the cavern. She lowered her voice and asked him, "Are you sure about this?"

He nodded. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"It's just, well, you know—" she waved her hands in the air "—it might get you down if you lose, and then you'll get really grumpy and snap at everybody."

As much as Alice trusted him, apprehension clawed at her nerves. From what she experienced, Ken dealt with his past quite poorly and closed off whenever negative memories reappeared. She feared that if he lost the match against Jay then he'd never forgive the fossil collector.

"I'm not eleven anymore. I can handle defeat." He reached into his backpack and pulled out a shiny Poké Ball. The corners of his lips quirked up into a slight smirk. "However, I'm not planning on losing today. It's a tad depressing that you have little faith in my abilities."

Vivacity in his gaze brightened his expression, and it sunk in that she wouldn't be able to talk him out of it. His promising words erased most of her doubt. He wouldn't tell a lie.

She grinned. "Sorry. Just have more than a tad bit of fun, okay?"

Ken grabbed ahold of her arm as she began to walk away. She jumped in surprise, and a barrage of ideas overthinking his action flooded her brain.

"You should stay on my side in case debris falls from the ceiling alike the Glittering Cave," he explained.

She held her palms up in defense then took a page from Dan's book and shot the blond ever-so-friendly finger guns. "Yeah, okay, sure!"

Ken sighed at her finger guns and let her arm go. "If you call me 'bro', I'm sending you back no matter how many stalagmites are dispersing."

Note to self: never, ever use finger guns, she thought, chuckling at his bluntness. It took a long time, but she was finally able to find humor in his straightforward honesty.

"Let's get this show on a roll!" Jay chirped, his voice bouncing off the walls. He pretended to turn a baseball cap backwards like the main character in Kanto's biggest kids' cartoon and threw his Luxury Ball. "Bassy, I choose you!"

'Bassy' materialized in front of the giant only to cover it. His enormous head akin to a shield had ivory tusks and horns jutting out. Dopey, golden eyes lazily surveyed the area. Unable to locate a threat, the Bastiodon lowered himself and laid down to rest.

"He was a Shieldon in our previous battle," Ken told Alice, impressed by the evolution. "Sceptile, steady!"

Green, slender, and harboring a leer reminiscent to his trainer, Sceptile hissed upon appearing. He flared out the leaf-like blades attached to his arms and the bulbous sacs on his back rattled. Bastiodon didn't bat a single eyelash at the Grass-type's intimidation act.

"Time to rise and shine, Bassy-boo! Iron Defense!" Jay shouted.

Bastiodon grunted while lifting himself from the ground. A series of silver waves emanated from his forehead and cloaked him in a metallic sheen.

"Rock Slide," Ken ordered.

Jay set his hands on his hips. "Iron Defense."

Sceptile stomped his right leg, and fragmented rocks floated up from the fissure he created. He spun in a circle and slapped the jagged stones with his tail. They bounced off of Bastiodon's face like mere pebbles, and his chest rumbled in distaste.

Should we strike before his defense becomes impenetrable or rally our attack stat? Ken debated. "Fall back and use Swords Dance."

"Looks like it's our turn to fight." Jay raised his hand and pointed at Sceptile. "Bassy, take the lead and hit 'em with Toxic!"

A putrid odor filled the area as a thick, violet gunk oozed out from Bastiodon's gums. He inhaled deeply then huffed and spewed out the poison in a sprinkler-like fashion at Sceptile. The Grass-type held up one of the rocks and deflected the grime only for it to splatter onto the cave's reflective crystals lining the walls. Much to the group's shock, the liquid was absorbed into the surface and disappeared.

Alice took a step away from the walls and paled when she spotted the shadow of a Mr. Mime coming their way. "Can you guys please not do that again?"

"Sorry," Jay apologized, rubbing his neck. "I didn't think that was real."

"Now you know not to doubt locals and their stories," Bailey butted in.

He clicked his tongue. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. 'Don't mess with legends and mythical Pokémon.' I've heard it a million times."

"Are your parents storytellers?" Dan joked.

"I wish." Jay shook his head, erasing the distant look in his eyes. "Ditch the Toxic attack, Bass. It's all physical now. Headbutt!"

"Navigate your way behind it then use Drain Punch," Ken directed.

Sceptile bunched his muscles as Bastiodon barreled across the cavern, shaking the ground with every bound. He waited until Bastiodon was a few feet from him then vaulted over the Shield Pokémon. Balling his fist, he punched the opponent and a resounding crack met the ears of all. Sceptile hissed and clutched his aching hand to his chest.

"Ow, that had to hurt. Did he really absorb health from that?" Alice worried.

Ken's brows crinkled and folded his arms tightly across his chest."He's supposed to recover." He raised his voice. "Sceptile, Leaf Blade!"

"Protect~" Jay beamed, chuckling as annoyance flashed across Ken's face.

Sceptile's glowing arm clanged against Bastiodon's head, failing to cause any damage whatsoever. He hissed and struck again only to receive the same result. The red stripes painting the green beast's coat glimmered.

Jay wagged his index finger. "Stop that Swords Dance with Metal Sound."

Alice clasped her ears with her hands as the screeching sound of metal churning erupted. In a way, the terrorizing sound matched the prickling sensation in her stomach. She doubted the battle would end in Ken's favor with the way Sceptile dealt little to no damage.

She chewed on the inside of her cheek as Sceptile and Bastiodon went back and forth. The Grass-type's energy seeped away as the Toxic's poison eroded his health, and Bastiodon appeared to be fine. If she were to make an estimate, she'd say that Sceptile had half the power Bastiodon did.

Fellow travelers gathered at the source of the racket and stayed to watch. Someone took out their phone then exclaimed Ken was in the Lumiose competition, drawing even more attention. The said blond was deaf to their cries since he focused on Sceptile dodging a Headbutt, but Alice caught every word and blushed.

"Use Rock Slide, advance further, then use Leaf Blade!" Ken repeated, irritation plaguing his shout.

"Prote—"

Sceptile moved faster than Jay could speak. A volley of sharpened stones rained down on Bastiodon, each projectile inflicting more damage than the other. The titanic Pokémon stumbled and Sceptile dove with his arms stretched out, slicing his knees. His legs gave out from under him just in time for Sceptile to nail him once again.

"Overgrow: when Sceptile's weak, his Grass-type moves become powerful," Ken explained, a smug smile sprawling across his face. "Sceptile, carry on!"

"Don't get cocky, Kenny," Jay tutted, "Bassy, Iron Head!"

Sceptile's leafy sword collided with Bastiodon's unyielding shield. Adrenaline pumped through the Grass-type's veins, blocking the pain he would've felt. His arms trembled as Bastiodon plowed forward, pushing him backward through the dirt. They were quickly nearing the mirrors.

Ken didn't want to discover what happened once one went through the mysterious crystalline barrier.

"I..." He faltered. An idea struck him. "Eyes." The blond threw his arm out. "Aim for Bastiodon's eyes!"

Rallying the last of his speed, Sceptile drew his appendage back then clobbered Bastiodon upside his face, delivering his final blow. The metal in Bastiodon's face vibrated and brought him to a nauseous standstill. A broken, unsteady groan escaped his lips before he collapsed. Sceptile attempted to turn around and see Ken only to faint the second he adjusted his footing.

The crowd applauded as the two returned their Pokémon. Jay shoved his hands in his pockets and met Ken at his side of the field.

"I'll be honest," Jay began, grinning, "I wasn't expecting to lose."

"It was a fine battle," Ken replied, and he returned the smile.

Jay chuckled and held his fist up. The blond mimicked the action and tentatively knocked his knuckles against the other's. Jay laughed at his awkward manners then turned to the passersby.

He swept his arm in a great circle and bowed. "Thank you, thank you~"

Ken rolled his eyes, but the smile on his lips never faltered. The bitterness he felt whenever he gazed upon Jay disappeared. It took over five years, but the eleven year-old inside of him had finally conciliated.

* * *

"Alice."

The said brunette jumped when Ken called her name. She laughed sheepishly. "You startled me."

"I apologize," he replied, void of much emotion.

"It's okay."

Ken fell in stride with her, keeping her pace at the rear of the group. Jay, Dan, and Bailey led the way by exchanging anecdotes and snickering at their ridiculous tales. The blond hadn't noticed Alice was trailing behind whilst daydreaming until Jay made a joke about Meowstic and she didn't giggle.

Alice fixed her bracelets and rearranged them. "How are you feeling? You know, with the whole battle and everything."

"Lighthearted," he answered, "I redeemed my past self. Jay doesn't seem quite as annoying now."

"Is this your way of saying you like him now?"

"I can stand having a conversation with him."

"Baby steps." Alice beamed, satisfied with his progress. "I told you he's not that bad."

"That's because you condone the flaws in others."

"No I don't. I just, er, see the best in people."

Ken scanned her. Her posture was lax and her expression easygoing. It was polar from her behavior that morning. He supposed she fixed her attitude.

Peculiar, "Your blind optimism's going to lead you into trouble."

She shrugged. "Maybe I'll see Mew, then."

Ken's forehead wrinkled, and he sighed. "Do swear that you aren't going to risk your life just for a chance to hallucinate Mew's appearance like Jay."

"Hallucinating?" Alice repeated. "Do you really think he hallucinated? His story was super detailed."

"No legendary Pokémon would show itself to a common man. He might've mistaken a Clefairy for Mew. The mysterious bubble could've been a slumbering Solosis." Ken held up a finger for each of his reasons.

She kicked a pebble jutting out of the earth and watched it tumble down the hill. "That's no fun. I thought maybe he was one of those Mew helpers."

A shadow fell on Ken's face. He trained his gaze on the sky where the sun sunk, stealing the light from the day. "Involvement with legendary Pokémon is dangerous trouble. The less we come in contact with them the better."

Alice cast a sidelong glance at him, having not expected his ominous response nor knowing what to make of it. She wanted to ask what he meant by that, but Dan turned around to shout at them to hurry and catch up. Her questions could wait.

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Author's Note

This chapter is... yeah. I forgot to say this earlier, but we're finally passing the halfway point!

Question of the Chapter: Have you played the mobile game Magikarp Jump?