Chapter Text
“You did not want me to go,” Caitlin announced angrily. The figure leaning against the edge of the balcony made no acknowledgement of her presence, merely continuing to gaze away at the night skyline of Jubilife City.
“You still deem me inexperienced.” Caitlin took a step forwards, allowing her sentence to linger in the air like a question would. But this also received no answer.
“And after all I’ve trained - so many years have passed - after so long -” Her voice seemed to echo and the air vibrated around her. “I am the strongest of the Unova Elite Four!” Her eyes flashed dangerously.
“Calm yourself down, Caitlin.” The voice was low, and troubled. But still, the figure did not turn around. “This is not a matter of wants . Your skills are better used here than they would be in the Distortion World. Especially to a Psychic-type trainer such as yourself, Giratina will show no mercy.” The voice was barely above a whisper, but the night had become so still that Caitlin had no trouble hearing every word.
“If it were truly because of this, then I can think of a few others who should have stayed behind also!” Caitlin’s normally demure tones had risen to an almost hysterical shriek. “Tell the truth, Cynthia!”
“Keep your voice down.” Cynthia’s tone became suddenly sharp. “You will wake the others.” She turned around, meeting Caitlin’s hostile glare levelly with storm-gray eyes. The black hair clips usually in her long hair had been taken off, but she still had on the brooch with its gray raindrop-shaped gen. She sighed, walking towards Caitlin.
“The truth?” Her voice was soft again, and very heavy. “The truth - is that this is a doomed mission.” She looked down, not meeting Caitlin’s shocked expression. “More likely than not, it will fail, and our losses will be tremendous. That is why,” she stopped at the threshold of the balcony, “I cannot ask so many of you to come with me. Those who are too inexperienced, or too young - those who are likely to become flustered - I cannot permit them to risk their own lives and the lives of others. And of course -” she shrugged, “there are those whose talents do lie in this area.”
She began to walk away. Caitlin followed.
“But then why -”
‘Why do this at all?” Cynthia’s bangs covered her eyes, and only her mouth, curved upwards in a grim smile, could be seen. “Why do anything if it is so likely to fail?” She looked sideways at Caitlin, who was now feeling anxious with this new information. Her eyes held something - determination, maybe? - and strangely enough, sadness.
“Do it, because there is a chance that we will succeed, and because we must succeed.” Her voice lowered to a whisper. “I was once too late to stop Giratina. Back then, I had assistance from some very brave friends. Now, we must not be too late again. Giratina’s wrath will not be so easily dealt with this time.” They were now at the entrance of the Pokemon Association’s headquarters. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must go somewhere. Pardon the late hour, Garchomp, but will you race with me?” She released her Garchomp from its Pokeball, and mounted her bicycle.
“Where are you going?” Caitlin hesitated at the doorway.
“You know.” Cynthia and Garchomp sped off, swift and yet silent. Once, Cynthia turned back and waved, but the smile on her face was just as troubled as it had been before.