Into the Unown (Pokemon Fanfiction OC)

A gentle breeze tickled at Lilian’s nape. Despite the searingly hot summer sun, the pavilion that she now found herself in was perfectly engineered to allow its occupants to enjoy nature without any of its unpleasantries.

All around her were canopies of trees and bamboo, meticulously placed in such a way that allowed a healthy veil of sunlight while shielding against the accompanying heat.

The scent of lilac and orange blossoms permeated the air, further accentuated by the musky scent of earth and moss from a gentle stream that flowed beneath the pavilion. The sound of running water cooled the heart, putting Lilian in a relaxed and tranquil state.

“Quite the little paradise you’ve built for yourself, Lady Erika.” Lilian remarked as she took a sip of the tea that was offered to her — lightly fermented sencha with just a sliver of pickled plum, perfect for a hot summer’s day.

Erika smiled daintily as she settled to pour herself a cup as well. “It pleases me to hear your praise Lady Lilian — may I? Call you Lady Lilian? I do not wish for there to be any confusion between yourself, your venerable uncle and your esteemed aunt.”

Lilian waved at the woman and said that she may address her however she wished, reaching out to grab hold of a piece of lemon cake in one smooth motion while she was at it. 

“I have to say, after visiting Lady Misty and her clan’s bustling enterprise, one has to wonder where lay the source of this bountiful spring, Lady Erika? Especially considering your relative dormancy.” The girl remarked, as she took a bite of the dainty little treat between her fingers.

If Erika was upset by Lilian’s probing, she did not show it. Simply maintaining the same elegant poise and gentle smile that she was known for. “My family predates even the war between Kanto and Johto, my dear lady. Our roots run deep and a tree so matured, if properly pruned, is sure to bear the most delectable fruit.” The woman replied as she took a sip of her own tea.

“You will find that my predecessors were all fairly frugal in their spending. But what use is wealth if it does not benefit one’s people? Fruit left unconsumed will only rot on the ground.”

Lilian responded to the Gym Leader’s words with a light smile and a faux clap of her hands. “What virtuous principles. Does your ‘people’ include the denizens of Celadon City perhaps?”

Erika continued to smile at the haughty girl before her, but the look in her eyes was deep, unfathomable, like the abyss of the Distortion realm itself. “Charity should be afforded to those who are deserving, and most importantly, willing.” The woman replied simply, not elaborating further on her words.

Lilian held back a frown. “What a conniving old Sneasal.” This was why the girl hated interacting with seasoned nobles like Erika. There were always layers upon layers of meanings behind every word, mixed in with an unhealthy dose of deception and misdirection to boot. Why couldn’t everyone just be like her clan and resolve matters through good old violence.

“What about your own family, Lady Lilian?” Erika continued. “I have to admit, it has been too long since I’ve last had the pleasure of greeting Champion Lance and Lady Clair.”

Lilian snorted in spite of herself. “My uncle is absent as usual,” this wasn’t news, everyone and their Growlithe were well aware of their Champion’s frivolous nature by now. “Leaving my aunt to handle things on his behalf,” the girl continued. “Aunt Clair does her best, but between clan matters and the Johto League, there’s only so much that one woman can handle. Hence why I have been sent here to Kanto in her stead.”

“Well then, I hope your stay with us has been pleasant and bountiful?”

For the first time since this meeting, Lilian let out a genuine smile. “Pleasant indeed, and I have also been pleasantly surprised by the caliber of trainers in this region.” Based on the tournament proceedings that Lilian was able to witness so far, she had already singled out a list of names to challenge during the upcoming free-for-all. 

Erika’s smile deepend. “I’m glad to learn that our efforts in organising this year’s meet have met expectations. The whole purpose of our great schools gathering together like this is to foster competition and nurture the budding talents of young trainers like yourself. I only ask that you be mindful in allowing our students a chance to shine before snuffing their flames, Lady Lilian.”

Lilian laughed in response to the Gym Leader’s concerns. “Hardly, I doubt the ones I deem worthy will go down without a fight. If anything I shall have to keep my guard up to avoid embarrassing myself.” 

The girl could already think of one person who could strain her Pokemon to their limits, but she could spar with Nina anytime she wanted, so she wasn’t a priority — a fact that felt strangely warm and reassuring to her. “If only I could bring myself to stop blundering in front of her.” Lilian sighed inwardly, wondering what her friend even thought about her at this point.

Lilian’s momentary lapse in thought allowed her mask of nobility to slip for the briefest moment, eliciting a genial smile from Erika who saw straight through to the girl’s youthful woes. “One must take care to nurture a flower’s bed for it to bloom in spring. Much like gardening, when it comes to matters of the heart, patience is a virtue.”

Lilian suppressed a twitch in her eye and held back on her biting reply, opting to feign ignorance at the woman’s cryptic words.

“I shall be visiting the Celadon City Council at some point during my stay here.” Lilian said as she shifted to a more candid tone, having lost her patience for more veiled exchanges. “Is there anything that I need to be wary of?”

Erika also shifted, straightening her back as she rested her tea cup on its saucer and gave the Blackthorn girl a meaningful look. “Trust no one,” said the elegant Gym Leader. “When a diseased root is left to fester, the entire trunk begins to rot. At what point must one burn down the tree to save the forest?”

Lilian’s face twisted into a deep frown, and the girl fell silent to contemplate Erika’s words.

***

“How goes the matter with the Koga clan?” Lilian asked as she left the confines of Erika’s quarters and made her way to the larger Verdant Orchid campus. There was nothing of note scheduled for today, but she wished to join her friends in lunch if at all possible. “Friends, what a… pleasant notion.”

“I have recalled Hattori from his current assignments and assigned him as a permanent guard to Miss Jones.” Alfred replied, having appeared behind her at some point. The old butler did love his magic tricks.

Lilian frowned. “And what of the elders? Have they said nothing?”

“They are of the belief that this is a good chance to test milady’s mettle.” Alfred bowed in servitude behind his mistress. “The masters said, and I quote; ‘What good is a Dragon who cannot secure her own hoard?’”

The girl’s expression twisted into a scowl, vowing to personally feed those old coots to the Dragon pits when she ascended to Champion. But her anger quickly gave way to weariness after she considered her options. “Is this what it feels like to be helpless…” Lilian muttered as an annoying heat invaded the back of her eyes.

Alfred did not speak, merely following behind his mistress like the faithful servant that he was.

Lilian was falling behind. Her uncle ascended to the seat of Champion at the age of fifteen, and while the same was not necessarily expected of her. The lack of progress towards her goal frustrated the girl to no end. “Hattori’s right, I’m wasting my time on frivolities.” 

For a brief moment in time, the thought crossed her mind that maybe the Koga clan would be doing her a favor, only for her to shake her head and bite her lip to dismiss such defeatist notions.

“I am Lilian Blackthorn, and I shall not succumb to cowardice.” All that she held dear, all that she desired, she will defend to her last breath. For that is the Blackthorn way!

With a renewed vow, the Draconic flames within her heart were once again rekindled as the girl marched on with a determined look on her face. Behind her, Alfred’s face silently blossomed into a genial smile.

“Erika insinuated that something might be amiss with the Celadon City Council. Do you think you can unearth the Ekans?” Lilian asked her servant.

“That was originally Hattori’s task before I reassigned him.” Alfred replied. “But from what little we found, there seems to be a great deal of unsanctioned dealings between the local council and the Yamaguchi Group?”

“The Yamaguchi Group?”

Alfred bowed in affirmation. “Indeed, they are the largest conglomerate operating within the city, with a portfolio that largely skews towards more ‘adult’ entertainment. Although, they have been branching out in recent times, predominantly in the realms of scientific research and logistics.”

Lilian raised an eyebrow at her butler’s words. “How does it make sense that a Game Corner operator went so far out of lane?” Usually when companies branched out, they would start off with adjacent industries to make more efficient use of existing resources. It would be less suspicious if the Yamaguchi Group went into the restaurant and catering business for example.

“Try to dig up as much as you can before we make our visit. I’ll try to keep close to Nina. That way, at least one of you will be free to work on this mission at any given time.” Lilian ordered, just as she reached the cafeteria where her friends were supposedly located.

“Your wish is my command, milady.” The butler affirmed, before blinking out of existence once more.

“Lilian! Right here!”

The girl smiled as she approached the olive skinned girl who called out to her name. “Good afternoon, everyone. I trust you’ve had a productive day?” Lilian greeted as she released her Pokemon and sat down opposite of Nina and next to Kerry-Anne Joy.

Unlike the Vermilion Flame, the Verdant Orchid’s dining area had ample space to accommodate both trainers and Pokemon within a set limit.

“Urgh! Don’t even get me started!” Nina whined. It always fascinated Lilian at how expressive Nina could be whenever the girl let loose. Something that she herself struggled with, given her strict upbringing.

After Nina opened the floodgates, Kerry-Anne Joy joined in with her own grievances as well, something about a tactless Professor with bestial predilections. Lilian listened patiently until Nina called out to her.

“Hey, Lil? Aren’t you gonna go grab food?” The other girl asked, prompting Lilian to jolt in realization at the empty space in front of her. 

Usually, it was Alfred who brought over her food. The girl need not do anything but sit and wait. But with her most recent command, her servant was sent away to fulfill other directives. A fact that Nina must have surmised as she got up and offered to procure food for her.

“No, I can obtain my own meal.” Lilian insisted as she got up ahead of Nina, only to be held back by the other girl.

Nina laughed. “It’s okay, Lilian. This should be Sebastian’s job, but there’s a good chance he might mess up your order. So better I do it.” At the girl’s words, her shadow writhed, seemingly offended by her insult.

Lilian shook her head in response. “No, a Blackthorn is more than capable of tending to herself.” How could she assume the mantle of Champion and protect everything she held dear if she couldn’t even accomplish such a simple task?

Nina chuckled. “Then allow me to escort you, milady.” The girl said as she performed an exaggerated bow and extended an open hand to her, as if she was inviting Lilian to a dance.

Lilian laughed and took hold of her friend’s proffered hand, tacitly allowing Nina to accompany her to the order window. All the while, she fought to suppress the surging heat roiling within her.