Chapter Text
She had set sail from Olivine that morning and landed in Cianwood by the afternoon. Now, Jasmine hiked the western cliffs, trying not to look down at the seventy foot drop to the water below. Holding on tight to Maggie, her Magnemite, she looked straight ahead as she scaled further up the mountainside.
"Would it have killed them to put up some guard rails?" She said to Maggie, pressing her sweaty palms to the Pokémon's metallic body. "Maybe they will when they finally build that Safari Zone on the top of the mountain. I've heard they finally started construction on it."
Maggie buzzed and nuzzled against her chest. People thought Jasmine was weird for talking to Pokémon so much--not just talking to them, but having full on, one-sided conversations with them. Jasmine always thought Pokémon were a lot smarter than people gave them credit for. And they were often the only real confidants she had.
"I'm sure everyone will be surprised when they find out I've done this." She said to Maggie as they passed by a roaring waterfall. "I know what everyone back in Olivine thinks of me. That I'm timid. Weak. I'll show them. Once I bring back that legendary Steel type Pokémon, no one will ever call me weak again!"
There had been rumors among hikers and other people who frequented the area that a legendary Steel type Pokémon had taken up residence in one of the deepest nooks of Cliff Cave. The Pokémon supposedly had the power to grant wishes. Jasmine knew that, even if these rumors were true, her chances of catching such a Pokémon with only her Magnemite would be very slim. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what she would wish for.
"Someone." She said. "I would wish for someone, someone who I could...who I feel I could open up to, and just be myself around. Not a Pokémon, but a real person. I guess that's what I'd wish for. No offense though, Maggie. You're great company!"
Maggie buzzed again before floating out of Jasmine's arms.
"Where are you going?"
Maggie led Jasmine closer towards the wall of the cliff, buzzing and spinning.
"You sense something behind that wall? There must be a cliff beyond here."
Jasmine was a bit shocked when Maggie used Magnet Bomb to break down the thin wall of rock, revealing a huge, dark cavern within. Maggie used Flash to illuminate the cave, resting again in Jasmine's arms to act as her personal lantern.
"Ugh, this is a bit creepy..." She said. "OK, OK, let's see...where's this Pokémon you were sensing, Maggie--?"
Just then, the ground underneath Jasmine began to shake. Out of the floor burst a wild Steelix. Jasmine did not realize how tall the cave was until she saw Steelix towering over her and Maggie. The Steelix stared them down for a second and then screeched before diving straight at Jasmine. She jumped backwards in fright as Maggie sprung into action.
"Maggie! Do something!" Maggie fired off a Magnet Bomb, buffeting Steelix with blobs of molten iron, though this did very little damage and did not deter Steelix at all. Steelix opened his gaping mouth and used DragonBreath, releasing blue flames which scorched Maggie.
"Ah! Maggie!" Jasmine said. She reached out to grab them, but her hand was burned when she touched it to Maggie's hot metallic body. She screeched in pain. "Please! Please, Steelix! Don't hurt us! We--"
"Aqua Tail!"
Out of nowhere, a Dragonair swooped in and slammed Steelix with a long tail coated in water. Jasmine felt a hand grasp her shoulder.
"Are you OK?"
She looked up and saw a girl--very tall, her blue hair done up in a ponytail, wearing a flowing black cape. Jasmine could not recall seeing a more beautiful person in her entire life. So awestruck was she by this woman's beauty that she forgot to even respond to her question. Jasmine watched as the woman took a Poké Ball from her belt and tossed it at the hulking Steelix.
"Steelix...They're not as tough as they look..." The woman said, walking over towards the ball. It shook furiously several times before clicking, confirming the capture. The woman smiled and stroked the Dragonair's head. "Piece of cake! Nice job, Draconia!"
When Jasmine was finally able to take her eyes off this mysterious girl, she saw Maggie at her feet, badly hurt and paralyzed from the Steelix's attack, droning quietly. She picked up the now cooled off Pokémon and hugged it.
"Oh, Maggie..."
"Is that your Pokémon?" The woman said, running over to Jasmine. "Here..."
The woman produced a Full Restore and sprayed Maggie. Slowly, Maggie's burn marks began to fade and they could move around again.
"Maggie! You're alright!" Jasmine said, hugging the Magnemite before looking up at the woman. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"It's nothing, really. Happy to help." She extended a gloved hand. "I'm Clair. Nice to meet you."
Jasmine, still stunned by Clair's beauty, took a too many few seconds to realize she wanted her to shake the extended hand. Doing so quickly and awkwardly, Jasmine looked down to the floor, her cheeks burning pink.
"What's your name?"
"Um...I'm Jasmine."
"Jasmine." Clair said, looking at her. "That's a very pretty name."