I...don't own any of these characters.
Chapter 1: The Invitation
The Pokemon Indigo League was enjoying the morning silence…until a shriek broke the moment followed by a loud ripping sound. Three of the elite four members looked up form their breakfast and sighed. It was Lorelei, again.
"What's the matter, sweetie? Tore your skirt again?" Agatha called out. "I'm comin' right over to sew it for ya." It was a well-known fact that Lorelei wasn't the "housewife" type of woman. She can't even cook breakfast!
Agathe shuffled over to Lorelei's room. "Knock-knock, dearie. Granny Agatha's coming in." Agatha called out, shifting her weight from one foot to another. Her old bones couldn't support her weight anymore and holding her cane in one hand and sewing kit in the other was such a bother. Since no one was answering, Agatha coughed a warning and turned the knob of Lorelei's door.
"I didn't tear my skirt, Granny! Stay out!" Lorelei yelled, seeing a movement from the door. Agatha obviously didn't hear as she continued to intrude Lorelei's space. Agatha looked up just in time to see a Slowpoke doll heading her way. She expertly dodged it and moved closer to the Ice wielding trainer.
"What is your problem, then? It isn't very nice that you yell so early in the morning, you know." Agatha said, sitting on the bed. She leaned her cane against the bedpost and placed the sewing kit on her lap. "Tell old Agatha about it."
Lorelei sat beside Agatha and fiddled with the letter in her hands. "She sent me a letter. The nerve of her." Agatha raised her eyebrow. The "she" Lorelei was referring to was from Hoenn Elite Four's Glacia, who wielded ice like Lorelei. It irked Lorelei that someone who copied her elemental preference would so brazenly send her a letter. Had she no shame at all?
"What's in the letter, then?" Agatha asked, staring at the shredded pieces entrapped around white fingers. She only noted a doodled Glalie smirking back at her.
"Well…it's about an upcoming Ice Pokemon convention in Sinnoh. Shouldn't they have sent it to me first?! I was the original Ice Pokemon Elite Four!! Are they mocking my skill!?" Lorelei exploded.
"Dearie, I just asked what was in the letter and not what you think they are thinking about you." Agatha replied, rubbing her aching temples. She was indeed getting old.
"Sorry…that was mainly it anyway. Do you think I should go? That copycat even sent me the official invitation." Lorelei passed the piece of brightly colored cardboard as she spoke. "Maybe I won't…the league has new trainers coming in everyday."
"Oh, I'm sure all of us deserve a break now and then." Agatha said, slowly stretching and picking up her cane and sewing kit. "Go inform the others about it and see what they think."
Lorelei watched Agatha shuffle out the way she came.
She sighed as she looked at the invitation. Really…that Glacia had some nerve.
Later...
"Say what? An Ice Pokemon convention? I vote she stays. If she learns all those Ice techniques, my dragons are history." Lance laughed. "No, just kidding, Lorelei. Of course you may go."
"If it were a fighting or rock pokemon convention, I would go. We all need to update our skills and see how the rest of the world does it. Maintaining our edge and reputation calls for things like that." Bruno replied. "If we keep using the same techniques over and over, defeated trainers will get the hang of it and defeat us in a rematch. If Lorelei goes, she can observe new styles and teach it to us."
"I agree completely. Besides, I want to see my sister Bertha. Haven't heard from her in ages." Agatha added.
Lorelei sat quietly throughout the discussion. Everyone had decided she would go, but she herself didn't feel enthusiastic about it. If she went…she would meet her rival, who might show off her high-techie and-new-specie of Pokemon. But at least she would learn new techniques to show her teammates. On the other hand, if she stayed, nothing earned, nothing gained. Gathering her resolve, she stood up and began to pack. The convention was starting in 3 weeks.
Since the convention was going to last for 3 months, Lance called an official vacation for the Elite Four. They wouldn't be receiving any challenges during this time period. Initially, the pokemon trainers were disappointed, but figured they could get more time to train.
"So what are you going to do while I'm away?" Lorelei asked during the dinner. "Train, of course. Nothing is more important than that." Bruno replied.
Bruno's brain must be made of muscle by now...everyone thought.
"I'm going to visit my cousin and grandfather in Blackthorn city, and perhaps pick up a new pokemon or two. Claire promised to show me a new type of dragon." Lance grinned.
"I'm going to update my medical checkups." Agatha joked.
Everyone laughed at her statement. Before they knew it, it was time for bed.
"Goodnight, everyone." Lorelei called as she retired early.
"'night, Lorelei. Be sure you have everything you need, OK? Sinnoh's far from Kanto." Lance reminded her.
"Goodnight, Lorelei." Bruno said. "Don't forget to train everyday!"
Lorelei rolled her eyes and was about to enter her room until she felt a hand on her shoulder. "You don't mind delivering this for Granny Agatha, do you?" Agatha asked, giving Lorelei a letter. "It's for Bertha. Don't forget to give it to her! There's an item inside it!"
"I won't, Agatha. Goodnight." Lorelei said. "Thanks dearie." Agatha beamed as she entered her own room.
Lorelei tucked the letter in her carry-on bag. Looking at the world map, she sighed. This would be the longest and probably farthest three months of her life. Hugging her stuffed Dewgong, she drifted off to sleep.
--
Well? What do you think of the first chapter? Will Lorelei be able to enjoy the Ice Pokemon convention without making a scene? What will her reaction be when she sees her "rival"? Can she keep her "cool"? Stay tuned!
I'm not exactly sure if Agatha and Bertha are sisters. At any rate, they do look related, don't they?