Four months after battle with N
"Touko!"
Touko White sighed, before forcing herself to answer.
"I'm here, Mom!"
Her mom appeared at the doorway to her room, frowning.
"Touko, you've barely left this room for days. What's going on?"
Touko grimaced, rubbing her temple and staring down at the pile of papers and reports on the desk in front of her.
"I'm close, mom. I'm really close."
Looking resigned; her mother walked over and stood behind her.
"Touko, I don't know exactly who this N character is, and I can't say I fully understand what he means to you. But…"
Touko stood up from her desk chair, gathering up the papers and deftly shutting down her laptop. She smiled sadly, staring out the window.
"I don't really understand it myself, to be honest."
...
"Are you sure I can't interest you in a ten-pack of Standard Poké balls? I'll even throw in a Premier Ball, if you're interested."
Touko shook her head at the enthusiastic store clerk.
"Sorry, but I'm only here for Revives today." She said handing over her money and accepting a small dozen-pack box of the yellow crystalline medicines in return.
The store clerk continued to grin, waving at her as she exited the PokéCenter/PokéStore.
"Ow!"
Touko stumbled backwards as the girl rushed into her. The girl herself had fallen onto her back, and stared up at Touko with wide eyes.
"I'm so sorry!" She pulled herself up and hung her head. "I wasn't looking where I was going!"
Touko half-smiled.
"Don't worry about it. What's your name?"
The girl shifted nervously. She didn't look that much younger than Touko herself.
"Mei Blanc. I live here in Aspertia City." Her eyes suddenly zeroed in on the Pokéballs attached to Touko's belt. "You're a Trainer!"
Touko laughed.
"Yeah, I'm a Trainer. You aren't?"
Mei shook her head.
"My mom said maybe next year. But she said that last year, and the year before that, and the year before that…But anyway, are you strong? How many Gym Badges have you got so far? Did you ever meet Team Plasma?"
Mei grabbed Touko's hands, her eyes filled with excitement.
"Slow down! Well…I'm not amazing or anything, but my team are fantastic. The trick is to watch out for type advantages. And yeah, I've met Team Plasma." Touko paused, sadness colouring her tone. "I even met the King."
"Really?!"
Music sounded from Touko's bag, interrupting them.
"Sorry, Mei – That's my Xtransceiver. I'd better take this."
Touko pressed the answer button and held the device to her ear.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Touko? It's Looker. Listen, we've found a lead on N. Meet me in Castelia City."
Touko took a sharp breath.
"I'm on my way."
…
"Hey, Professor? It's Touko. Listen, I don't know when you'll get this, but…I'm kind of going away for a bit. Could you let my mom know? I would tell her myself but she might try to stop me. I'll send her letters. But I need to look for N. Say goodbye to Cheren and Bianca for me. Oh, wait. There's a kid in Aspertia City; Mei Blanc? If you're looking for someone to help fill the Pokédex, she could be perfect. Talk to her mom; get her on her first Trainer journey. Please.
That's about everything I wanted to say, I guess. I'll miss you, Professor Juniper. The Pokédex will be full when I get back! Anyway, thanks for every thing. See ya."
The answering machine paused and then beeped, signalling the end of the call.
…
