Training with the Laurels (Jack POV)

Your sides burn, your heart is beating a million times a minute, sweat dripping from every inch of your skin. “Keep it up,” Wave shouts to you and the other training alternatives.

The Laurels are running as well, Cindy passes by you lapping you once again her purple hair a blur. You never considered yourself out of shape, but compared to the Laurels or even the other trainees, you might as well be a couch potato. Although you shouldn’t be surprised, you’ve watched Yuruki’s boundless energy, your mind going back to the night on the beach where you shared a tent with the Siren.

By the time Malcolm announced cardio being over, your legs were burning, shaking and threatening to drop you to the floor. You fight through it, if you collapse you won’t get back up and you know the day isn’t over. You find your way over to your stuff, draining your water and checking your phone.

“Looking good out there,” Cindy says as approaches, “Keep it up, so we can bust this sausage party.” You and Cindy are the only two women among the entire team, the 5 Laurels and the 10 alternatives.

“I’m trying,” you reply, your lungs on fire.

Cindy drinks from her own water bottle, “Has your Ponyta evolved yet?”

“Not yet, I think we’re close. We’ve been in the Garden everyday.” The Garden being Erika’s Garden, an exclusive women only wild area outside of town. Your association with the Laurels earned you access, but you were still hesitant at first due to Erika’s involvement with Team Rocket. Luckily, it hasn’t been an issue, you haven’t even seen Erika in the Garden.

“You can borrow my Zebstrika again,” she shrugs. They’ve tried you in every role, but your Camerupt was a disaster, but so far you’ve shown the most promise with the more agile roles. You think Cindy has been pushing you towards a ground role, so you can maybe play together since she’s a flier.

Malcolm, the Laruel’s goalie, shouts “Alright alts, we’ll start with Team B downfield, Laurels upfield. Team A can hit the weight room until half when we’ll switch.”

Cindy hands you Zebstrika’s pokeball and slaps your ass before you jog down the field.

The rest of the day was just as exhausting. You’re staying in a Laurel provided hotel instead of a local pokecenter. And after a quick shower, you collapse in the bed. Luckily tomorrow is an off day, you’ll still head out to the Garden though.

Ponyta burns through the horde of attacking Weepinbell. Your phone buzzes, and your eyes light up at Amber’s name.

“Jack! I’m bored,” she whines when the video call connects. She’s laying out on top of the same blue mats that the Laurels use.

“If my Ponyta will just evolve, I might be able to come visit during one of my off days while you’re in Vermillion next week.”

“I’d like that,” she says, “Yuruki is taking me to Lake Rage after their game tomorrow.”

“I wish I was th—“ you stop mid-sentence, “A, look! Ponyta’s evolving!” You turn the phone to show your glowing fire horse to the camera.

“Wooo!” Amber’s cheers crackle over the phone speakers.

Relief washes over you. With Rapidash in hand, you can stop borrowing Zebstrika, but more importantly you can sleep in a little since you won’t need to visit the Garden every day.

Knock, knock, knock. You pause your movie, ice packs falling from your thighs as you get up out of bed. But before you even cross the room, the door swings open for Cindy. “Get ready bitch, we’re going clubbing!”

You groan and protest, just wanting to stay in bed all night. But Cindy is persuasive, or maybe demanding is more the right wording. Either way, you wind up dressed up in your button up and vest, your hair styled just right.

You nurse your drink, not wanting to get too drunk since you know it will bite you tomorrow at practice. “SHOTS!” Cindy hollers over the music with a tray of shots. You try to pass, but Cindy pushes it into your hands, and then a second, and a third.

“Let’s dance!” Cindy tries to pull you from the booth. Your legs scream in protest, and you dig in.

“Cindy, I can’t. I can barely stand,” you whine. “Practice is killing me.”

Cindy grins and slides into the booth. “I’ve got just the thing,” she digs her fingers into the pockets on her skin tight jeans. And she produces a baggy of black powder. With a closer look you see specks of red, and swirls of white.

“What is that?”

Cindy sprinkles a bit onto the table, pushing the powder into two thin lines. “Some muscle relaxers, a mild anti-inflammatory, some vitamins, to make it healthy,” she chuckles, “and a good deal of Rx.”

She runs her face along the table, snorting up one of the two lines. Her eyes go wide, and she sniffles, rubbing her nose, “Wooo!” She gestures at the remaining line of **** on the table.

You stare at it, remembering when Ashley and her goons **** you with Rx. And how you’d spent the entire day self-numbing your heightened sensitivities in a tub of ice. “I don’t know,” you answer hesitantly.

“Come on, it’s great,” Cindy jostles your shoulders.

“I’ve had Rx, I wasn’t a huge fan,” you explain.

Cindy smirks, “What happened?” And you explain the effects the **** had on you. “Oh that sounds awesome! The first time is always the strongest, so you’ll probably be fine. Plus, there’s no guarantee the same thing will happen this time. Some people have random effects. Hell 1 out of about 8 times I go under full body paralysis, and am basically a very life-like sex doll.” You’re shocked at the revelation, she just took a 12.5% chance of being paralyzed in the middle of a busy club. “Do it, do it, do it,” Cindy chants.

You stare at the black powder on the table. Cindy eggs you on, while part of you still tells you it’s a bad idea. “Do it, do it, do it.”