All Eight
#26 of Cassidy's Journey
Wulfric's avalugg slammed into Fenny with all of its weight, which created an immense amount of impact. No amount of bracing for an attack that powerful could have saved Fenny.
He was knocked back many feet across the field's icy surface and lay still on his stomach at Cassidy's feet, where he stopped.
"Oh, Fenny..." He'd fainted. She kneeled and touched the side of his cheek while returning him to his pokéball. Cassidy slipped it inside her pouch and pulled out Añu's. "You were so close," Cassidy whispered.
--
She successfully finished off the avalugg with Añu and collected her eighth and final badge from Wulfric afterward, a round, tan-colored badge with a blue outline of an iceberg at its center. On the way to the pokémon center, Cassidy placed it beside her seven others. That was it. Her collection was complete, and although the league hadn't been touched yet, a part of Cassidy felt complete as well. She didn't feel happy yet, but she felt some closure. This odd emotion lingered within her during the entire walk home under the late afternoon sky.
Once Cassidy arrived home, she took off her gloves and set her bag onto the couch. Before letting her pokémon out, she wanted to know how Fenny was feeling. Cassidy sifted through her pouch and took out his pokéball, pressing the button to let him out.
'...I fainted... didn't I?' Fenny asked with pre-disappointment after realizing he was back home, letting his head and shoulders lower. He faintly recalled blacking out.
"Yes, but you got us down to Wulfric's last pokémon, Fen. You put up an amazing fight."
'But... I still lost.' He pulled his tail from beside him and held it.
"No, we won. You're still quite new to this, but you went through many opponents." Cassidy wanted him to understand.
'I lost... I'm not ready. How am I supposed to help you with tougher battles?' He froze out of fear while battling that avalugg. That wasn't something he could afford to do. He felt stupid. Fenny held back the urge to cry.
"Fen, listen, that's why I've been training you-"
'I know. I just... don't think I'm cut out for this... I'll hold you back.' He looked away sheepishly.
Cassidy got up and walked to Fenny, standing in front of him.
He looked up at her with glossy eyes.
Cassidy knew how he felt. She embraced his upper waist with her arms and held him against her chest. "Do you remember what you told me? You said if there were one battle you wanted to fight, it would be the league."
Fenny let his tail fall. 'I remember, I just don't want to waste your time...' Fenny rested his cheek against Cassidy's chest and closed his eyes.
"I'll train you as much as I need to, Fen. If you want to be a part of this, then I want to see you improve. You have a lot already."
He kept silent.
"I know you're upset. You lost a battle within yourself more than anything else today, but Fen, our training wasn't for nothing. I'm proud of you, okay?" Cassidy kissed him on the top of his head.
'Okay...' He let a few tears flow while she spoke to him. Her voice soothed him plenty.
"Do you still want to battle in the league? It's okay if you don't. You've done a lot already." She brought her right hand up and gently placed it on the back of his neck.
'I do...' He looked up at her, a bit of the fur around his eyes dampened from his tears. 'When are we going?'
"We'll have to train you a lot more first. We're in no rush, love." Cassidy grinned, tenderly kissing him under both of his eyes. "Let's forget about this for now, hm? I have to get everyone fed, including us two."