Elesa's troubles

ZOOOOM

Rex was currently speeding off towards Saffron city which was on route to Vermillion. The whole trip would take about two days if he did nothing but ride all day which was the plan. It was about time Onix and Scyther evolved. And there was nothing to do in between. His Pokémon could rest and chill out for two days since it wouldn't be detrimental.

With that in mind, he lean forward and increased the speed of his motorcycle.

***

Elesa was standing on the balcony of her room overlooking the ocean. The Seabreeze made her velvety black hair dance. She had a smile on her face as she stared out into the vast expanse of water.

But suddenly the sound of a phone ringing could be heard. The interruption caused her mood to plummet, but when she thought that it might be Rex, she smiled again and skipped towards it. but a frown quickly took over when she saw the ID.

She reluctantly picked up and heard the voice of an aged old man.

[sweety, how are you?] he asked in a doting tone.

"Don't sweety me dad. What do you want?" she said in a serious tone. The man on the other side laughed before speaking again.

[since you're not in the mood for sugar-coating it. you need to come home. I'm tired of your little game. Running away from home? What are you 12? Do you think escaping your problems will make them magically disappear?] he asked in a serious tone, vastly different from the warm one just a second ago.

"Funny, is that how you see it? I'm not running away from my problems; I'm running away from you! Who the fuck marries their daughter off for their own gain!" she shouted.

[This is for our family's prosperity! This is not an uncommon sight amongst the higher social circles. It will bring you and our family benefits. Your sisters won't have to go through the same fate if you accept.] he said. But Elesa was shaking with rage when she heard that. It was a blatant threat. He was actually willing to blackmail his own daughter using her sister's wellbeing and future.

"You wouldn't dare! Do you have no soul? How can you do this to your daughters?" she yelled as tears welled up in her eyes.

[me? I didn't do anything. it's your selfishness that's forcing me to do this. Make your choice. You have until the end of this week to decide. The wedding will be held at the end of the year.] he said before hanging up.

Elesa stared at her phone in shock and anguish. She dropped to her knees and wept silently. She was being forced to marry someone she didn't like. All for the economical stability their union would provide. She was essentially being sold in exchange for money. And she didn't have a way out. If she refused her sisters would be next on the chopping block.

She came here to get stronger so that she could have more of a say in her matters. But even with Zapdos, she wasn't confident. As she sat there dejectedly all her Pokémon sprang out from their pokeballs and huddled around her with worried faces.

Luxray rubbed her cheek against Elesa's. Electavire patted her back with a stupid smile. Zebstrika stood back and watched with a worried look and Zapdos was off to the side with a frown. It had heard their conversation. Zapdos was a very intelligent Pokémon. It knew that its new master was in trouble.

But it couldn't find a way of fixing it. maybe if it had the strength of that Pokémon. But it shook its head and sat there in contemplation. Elesa smiled unconsciously when she saw what her Pokémon were doing and got up off the floor.

"I'll just have to get stronger in order to free myself and my sisters from our chains." She mumbled to herself. Yet her self-mocking smile never left her face. She knew it wasn't possible in such a short time. But she needed to try. A familiar face suddenly appeared in her mind.

She sighed, "If only I wasn't in this mess. Maybe… never mind." She said to herself as a tear slid down her face. Zapdos heard her clearly and thought about who she was talking about.

It had been constantly hearing about this strong trainer she was going to battle and every time she mentioned it, she would smile brilliantly. This puzzled it but now hearing what she said. It thought that maybe that trainer could help. It would make a mental note to do something about it when they met.

"Thank you, guys, for cheering me up. We will be heading for Fuchsia city next. We will be meeting up with an old friend. Zebstrika you know him well." She said with a slight smile. but Zebstrika shivered intensely when it heard that name and cowered underneath the bedsheets.

Zapdos was even more intrigued to see this since Zebstrika had always been quite arrogant whenever it saw him. Why was it now acting like this? Zebstrika noticing Zapdos's stare came forward and told it what happened with shaking legs.

Zapdos was stunned to hear this. What monstrous power. And this had been a couple of weeks ago. A lot can happen in that time. It was starting to look forward to the battle.

Elesa noticed their little talk and Zapdos's battle intent and couldn't help but jump with excitement.

"Rex, you're in for a shock!" she said with an evil grin before giggling. Her gloomy mood disappeared instantly and she skipped out of her room to get some food for herself and her Pokémon.