FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Fenny sat outside the house, a small distance from the front door and in the grass while watching the sunrise halfway in the sky. He had been here for half an hour while in thought about the upcoming Pokémon League.

He wanted to battle for her more than anything. It was what she'd been training him for, but fighting against more experienced opponents was beyond intimidating. Fenny had gotten better, but the last thing he wanted was to fail Cassidy.

If he didn't meet expectations, just looking her in the eye would be difficult. He'd been making progress, but he hadn't even scratched the surface.

The door opened, which Fenny sighed at. He avoided throwing his troubles at Cassidy when she had so much of her own. He could push through some things alone, and this was one of them. There she was, though, wearing that same cute skirt.

"I didn't think you'd be out here," she said upon walking over and kneeling beside him. "Are you doing okay?"

Fenny nodded slightly.

"What brought you out, then?"

'Just… the sun. I wanted to watch it rise.'

"So, there is nothing you want to discuss?"

'It's not that important.' He kept his head down.

"If it is bothering you, then it is."

'It's… Well.' He glanced at her. 'You know how I've never liked to battle?'

She sat. "What about it?"

'And now I want to train to battle in the League. What if I'm too late? Everyone is better than me...'

"The others have been battling longer, but it doesn't take from your capability."

Fenny looked at her for a second. 'But what if I fail?'

"What if you fail?"

He looked at her again.

"Fen, do not play not to lose. Play to win, and if you lose, take responsibility for it every time. Those who blame their failures on their adversaries or other factors are padding or excusing the result."

'But... but then you're saying the answer to losing is...'

"Not losing. You are not allowed to lose."

He dropped his shoulders and face. 'I don't– that doesn't even make sense.'

"Not yet." She brought her knees up and rested her arm over one. "Would you like to know my greatest fear?"

'What?'

"Another trainer surpassing me." Cassidy paused. "I hold onto that intentionally so I stay on track. I do not want to be an average trainer... If I did, I would be okay with taking it easy.

You have to dedicate your life to an art to understand it— to a single thought, and you must master the art of repitition in countless iterations, learning and refining daily. Not motivation, but will. If it were easy to achieve, no one would care."

'...I know. I don't even know how you do it.'

"The best obsess. I am not even close, but that is why there are only a select number of champions. Mastery is trial and error, rinse repeat. You are never allowed to burn out, and the more extreme you treat it, the faster you climb, because you must sacrifice. Pastimes, distractions— and focus. Your mind can't be in two places at once... But mastery is not only becoming the best. It is also how it changes you."

Cassidy eyed him. "Fenny, look at me. Really look at me."

He did.

"It's not so difficult as it is tedious. Try to see through everything with a clear mind and conscious outlook, take from the best, and put intent behind every action. When I said to manifest your future, you use relentless thoughts, words, and actions at every waking moment. "

'So, I'd have to spend most of my time training?'

"Or all." She nodded once. "There are no shortcuts. How much do you want this?"

---

'Are we going to fight the next gym soon?' Fenny asked while sitting at the table.

They'd gone inside after spending time cleaning Cassidy's moped.

"Mhm, Anistar is next door. I used to watch battles held there a few years back. The leader uses psychic types," she said while waiting for Fenny to pass back her mug.

He did, but only after taking another two sips of the forbidden liquid.

"I will have to use Violet mainly to combat this gym. You'll get your turn soon. Don't worry."

'It's okay. I can wait.'

"I'll be back. I have to touch up on Violet's attacks before it gets too hot out." Cassidy sipped some more coffee and slid the mug to Fenny. "You can finish."

He grinned and pulled it to him. 'Thank you.' He watched Cassidy snag Violet from her room and head out the door.

She took a few steps glanced at her wrist. She wouldn't have a stopwatch to time their session, but that was okay. "Quick sesh, Violet. I'm sure you're ready for the next gym."

"Pard." She stretched leisurely before walking ahead of Cassidy.

"Give me a fury swipes to start, Violet!" She'd been thinking off and on about Laverre ever since she'd gone back to fight its gym.

Cassidy watched Violet jump with nimble grace at a decent height and swipe the air multiple times with swift, cunning claws before landing without flaw.

Her city, good memories, and parents were in her head more vividly than ever. Cassidy had known most people in Laverre before her parents' death. She knew almost every store owner and the city itself like the back of her hand.

After news had spread about Pomace Mountain, Cassidy talked to no one at school. She'd lost her friends and started skipping days after meeting her maniac group. Some residents had even offered to take her in, but it all meant nothing due to her life being flipped upside down.

Cassidy had only been fourteen. The only person who'd shown care in a way she found exhilarating brought her into her darkest, most challenging period, but one that may have kept her alive at the time.

She avoided Laverre for several reasons.

She didn't want to see anyone who could recognize her, it overwhelmed her with sorrow, and she still hadn't come to terms with what had happened years ago. It was impossible— an endless drag she wanted to end often. The thought slipped her mind often; however, it wasn't how Cassidy wanted to go, and it wasn't how her parents would want her to go. She still had something to do.

Her liepard stood and stared back at her trainer.

"Assurance, Violet!"