I've brought three Pokémon. One Pokémon for the three of you. I hope you choose your partner well. Hilda says hi, and apologises for not being there when you get your starter.
-J
"So, where is she?" Cheren asked.
"I dunno. That's all that was in the letter…" Hilbert replied, tapping it thoughtfully. The gift box it came with was still on the table, unopened.
"Wait, she was mentioned in the letter? Bianca's gotten really bad…"
"Wait, you were talking about Bianca?" Hilbert looked surprised at that. He didn't know why Cheren was so keyed up about Bianca's absence. You'd think it would be her first time or something.
"Hi, guys! Sorry for the delay!" Bianca cheered, having arrived at last.
"Where have you been?" Cheren asked.
"Cheren, she's always late. Let's not go pointing fingers. Now, are we going to open the box or not?"
"Yes! Yes, of course we are!" Bianca cheered, about as excited as a child given coffee.
"What are you waiting for?" You could tell it was exciting. Cheren actually reacted. Hilbert opened the box, and picked up the three Poké Balls.
"Juniper sent the box to you. I think you should pick your partner first, Hilbert," Cheren stated. Hilbert nodded, and picked up his starter.
"Hm. Then I'll take this one," Bianca said.
"Hey! Oh never mind. I wanted this one, anyway," Cheren sighed. He moved to exit the room, but Bianca didn't.
"Hilbert! Let's battle!" she challenged.
"…Really?" both Hilbert and Cheren asked.
"Yes yes yes yes yes yes…"
"I think you'd better. Bianca's never going to blow off steam unless you fight."
Hilbert is challenged by PKMN Trainer Bianca!
PKMN Trainer Bianca sent out Oshawott!
Go! Snivy!
"All right… Oshawott, use a Tackle!"
"Snivy, dodge and use your own Tackle!"
Snivy chose not to, instead turning on his heel and elbowing the incoming Oshawott. Snivy switched back to face it, and Tackled it for real.
Hilbert defeated PKMN Trainer Bianca!
"Oooh…" Bianca sighed. Cheren shook his head. He had spent the battle idly fiddling with the box, and had pulled out three odd braces.
"These things are Battle Rings. They allow one to do battle without shouting verbal commands. Hilda mentioned it in a note attached to them, but must have forgotten to mention it proper… oh well," he explained, locking one on his wrist. Hilbert and Bianca followed suit, and Hilbert remembered seeing a similar brace on Hilda's wrist. He must not have realised its significance.
"Anyway, now that that's sorted, how about I try and fight?"
Hilbert is challenged by PKMN Trainer Cheren!
PKMN Trainer Cheren sent out Tepig!
Go! Snivy!
"Think you can handle another fight?" Hilbert asked.
"Sure thing I can, boy-Hilda."
Snivy stepped to one side, allowing Tepig's Tackle to fly past. The instant it did, Snivy turned around, and used his own Tackle. Still in the momentum of his Tackle, Tepig couldn't counter the sudden threat from behind. Tepig was slammed into a corner of the room.
Hilbert defeated PKMN Trainer Cheren!
"Whoa. You definitely inherited the same genes as your sister."
That was the story of Hilbert's life. His sister, his sister, his sister. Hilda had joined the oddly named Grassside Girls, and from there became a battling prodigy. She rarely visited, but she left the small town of Nuvema chattering for weeks on end.
Although he himself was proud of Hilda's efforts, he had to admit she was talked about way too much.
"Hello there, Hilbert, Bianca, Cheren. Welcome to my laboratory!" Professor Juniper said. The three had come to visit Juniper as thanks for the three starters.
"Don't mention it," was her response. "Now, I have a request for the three of you, now that you have come of age. May you journey forth, and complete Pokédexes on behalf of my studies, and the studies of my colleagues scattered across the world?"
"OK, sure," Hilbert agreed.
"Very yes, definitely!" Bianca exclaimed.
"It would be my pleasure, Professor," Cheren nodded.
"Excellent. Well, enjoy your travels."
After a quick visit home, the three of us could commence our journey. We took our first steps onto Route 1, before seeing a familiar figure bent over in the grass.
"Um, excuse me, miss, but… hi?" Bianca was always the first to talk in a strange event. The girl turned.
"Bianca, Bianca, Bianca… is that any way to treat an old friend?" Hilda asked.
"Oh… Hilda? I'm sorry I didn't recognise you…"
"Don't worry, it's all good. First time you guys have seen me out of Grassside Girl uniform," Hilda explained.
"So… why are you out of uniform in the first place?"
"Graduated, bro! Top of the class, but I'm too old to stick around. Got myself an Oshawott, and then it's time to start the true journey." It's conversations like this where Hilda shines. As a human being, not just a goal to aspire to.
"Then why not join us? We could use the advice," Hilbert found himself saying.
"Stole the words right out of my mouth, little bro!" Hilda wrapped her legs around Hilbert's neck, and leaned over him. She unwrapped them just as quickly, and jumped off his shoulders into the grass.
"How did you do that?" Bianca asked.
"Hard work and determination! Now let's go! Route 1 ain't going to cross itself!"
"Wow… she's good… but I just can't keep up. See you around, guys!" Bianca said, before leaving the group.
"Yeah, Ditto. Sorry," Cheren agreed.
"Oh, darn. My scout leader was always warning me about this."
"I can follow you," Hilbert pointed out.
"Yeah, but you're like, me in a guy's body. Of course you can keep up."
"Attention, everyone!" a man called out. The entire courtyard of Accumula Town turned to face the preserve in which the speaker was standing on. The speaker was a man clad in grey, who was accompanied by six similarly-dressed figures. Only their faces were visible amongst the grey. Two flags, bearing a blue P on a black and white background, stood on either side.
"Silence! The honourable Ghetsis would like to host a speech! Silence for sir Ghetsis!" All voices dulled. Ghetsis stepped forward. His garment could pass muster as a chess rook.
"Thank you. Now, as this peon has told you, my name is Ghetsis. I am here representing Team Plasma. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to talk to you about Pokémon liberation.
"I'm sure most of you believe that we humans and Pokémon are partners that have come to live together because we want and need each other. However... Is that really the truth? Have you ever considered that only the humans see this as truth?
"Pokémon are subject to the commands of Trainers... They cannot opt to disobey horrible commands… They get pushed around when they are our "partners" at work... Can anyone say with confidence that there is no truth in what I'm saying?
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, Pokémon are different from humans. Even the man living under a rock can tell you this much. They are living beings that contain unknown potential. They are living beings from whom we humans have much to learn. Tell me, what is our responsibility toward these wonderful beings called Pokémon?
"That's right! We must liberate the Pokémon! Then, and only then, will humans and Pokémon truly be equals. Then, we can truly understand what promise they hold! Everyone, I end my words here today by imploring you to consider the relationship between people and Pokémon... and the correct way to proceed. We sincerely appreciate your attention. And I apologise for my little mook here."
Ghetsis bowed, and his minions packed up their equipment. The group left, guarding Ghetsis on all sides.
"What did ya think?" Hilda asked.
"If he's a Pokémon liberator, I graduated from the Fireside Girls Academy for Dance."
"I agree there, bro. Glad you can make that assumption. But let's ignore the messenger, and focus on the message."
"Uh… yeah, he did make a good point."
"He's certainly good at what he does. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?" Hilda left the statement unmade. Hilbert's eyes widened. Hilda nodded.
"Be on your guard, brother. Team Plasma is up to no good. I can feel it in my heart." Hilbert nodded. Hilda never called him brother. It was always bro.
"Um… hello?" a green haired man asked from behind them. His outfit was rather bland, and he wore a baseball cap. But he greatly resembled Ghetsis…
"What do you want?" Hilbert asked roughly.
"What was that for, little bro?" Hilda asked.
"No, no need. I get it all the time. I suppose something's happened?" the man asked.
"Yes. We saw some truly terrifying men. One of them looked a lot like you. Hilbert here has just never learned subtlety."
"HEY!" Hilbert objected.
"Kidding, little bro. But I'm right."
"Hm… well… how about a little spar? I'd like to see one like you on the field. Yes… one like you…"
Hilda is challenged by PKMN Trainer N!
PKMN Trainer N sent out Purrloin!
Go! Samaur!
Samaur the Oshawott soared into the air, and detached his shell. He flung it, swung around, and tossed the shell razor-fast into the Purrloin.
Hilda defeated PKMN Trainer N!
"Hilda. If that's your name. You show potential. Yes. I must mull this over."
Well... Unova. Let's get this over with.
In all seriousness, in terms of my brainstorming, Unova One was always going to be a little behind. I literally have two notes on my notes page, one being Hilda being a Grassside Girl (It's not a typo, it's spelled with three 's'es), and a setup for Unova Two that's probably going unused. Fun.
Also, I'm on the fence about a future addition to Hilbert's team. In specifics, I think I have an idea for what I'm going to do, but...
Anyone who has played Pokemon Black and/or White to the final boss should know what I'm struggling with.