Notes:
Big thanks to Rattlehead for helping me write this chapter :)
Spot the Easter Egg. Ok, I'll reveal it, seeing as some readers may be too young to see it, lol. Try looking up Forbidden Forest online and see what you find. (It's a computer game, not a real movie,).
Part 2
After not having any luck with Maxie's car, Archie decided to go to a car hire showroom and choose out a decent car for the day. There were dozens of cars there but it took Archie a while to find one that he liked because he wanted a retro one. After about ten minutes of looking, Archie found the perfect car. It was a 1950s model; turquoise blue with a soft top that could be removed in nice weather. The upholstery was a deep midnight blue, the seats comfy looking and elegant, and the dashboard was made from polished wood.
Pleased at his find, Archie went up to the reception desk to book the car ready. The receptionist stared at Archie in surprise because he was still wearing his Team Aqua outfit.
"Um, can I help you sir?" he enquired.
"Yeah", said Archie. He pointed over to the classic car of his choice. "I wanna hire that car".
"Yes, yes of course", said the receptionist. "When you would like it for?"
"This coming Saturday please".
"Yes, very well". The receptionist opened a drawer in his desk and shuffled round inside. "Ah, let's see...here we are. The paperwork!"
"Aw no, not paperwork!" Archie groaned. "Can't I just pay and come and get the car on Saturday?"
"No sir, I'm very sorry but we must do the necessary paperwork".
Archie sighed heavily and flopped down into a swivel chair. "Bloody paperwork", he grumbled. "OK, let's get it over with".
"Right then", said the receptionist. "Name please?"
Archie screwed up his nose, thinking. "Bob's a nice name", he finally said. "Or Wilma, for a lady".
"No sir, I meant your name".
"Ohhh! Archie Aogiri".
"Thank you", said the receptionist, writing on the form. "Male or female?"
Archie scowled. "I'm a bloke, you oughta be able to see that", he said, pointing to his beard.
"Yes, of course", said the receptionist, scribbling down onto the form again. "Hm, address?"
"Team Aqua's Secret Base".
"And where is that, sir?"
"It's a secret, you dozy git!" Archie said. "The word *secret* oughta give that away".
The receptionist began to look uncomfortable.
"Uh, do you have a clean driving license?"
Archie felt in his pocket and produced his license. Unfolding it, he shook his head.
"No, sorry. It's kinda grubby looking, see?" He helpfully pointed out various smudge marks to the receptionist.
"Yes, very well", the receptionist sighed. "We are nearly done now, sir. Do you have a criminal record?"
"I'm the leader of Team Aqua, of course I do", said Archie.
The receptionist looked just about ready to faint. Archie finally ran out of patience.
"Alright then, just give me the car", he said. "Cos if you don't, I'll send a load of grunts round to kidnap you and do awful things to you with modelling clay and pan scrubbers".
Five minutes later, Archie was getting into the car of his dreams, keys in hand. He pulled on his seatbelt and turned the key in the ignition. The engine started with a beautiful purring sound, like a contended Absol.
Archie glanced across at the reception desk, where the receptionist lay back in his chair, passed out. He smirked, slipped the car into first gear and drove it out of the showroom.
"That was less trouble that I thought!"
It was Saturday evening at the drive in theatre in Mauville and Archie and Courtney were parked in the big field, waiting for the film to start. Archie couldn't help but feel pleased with himself. There were loads of other cars there but none of them were as nice as the one he had borrowed. Also, Courtney was very impressed with the car and had admired it greatly when Archie had turned up at Team Magma's Base to collect her.
"It's so luxurious and comfortable", Courtney said, stretching out in the front seat. "It's the best car I have ever been in".
"Ha, glad you like it", said Archie, who was playing with the electric windows.
"Yes, it's great". Courtney leaned over to look in the back. "Hehe, it's got a really big back seat!"
"Uhum, yeah", said Archie, so engrossed with the windows that he didn't see the gleam in Courtney's' eyes.
Courtney nudged Archie. "You're not paying attention again. Did you bring the blanket, like I asked?"
"Yep, it's in the boot", said Archie. "But I don't reckon it'll get cold enough to need it. Not in Hoenn, in the summer".
Courtney smiled sweetly. "Well...you never know!"
"I think there's built in heaters for if it does get cold", said Archie. Courtney giggled while he looked at the various buttons and switches on the dashboard. "Yeah, here you go, see. Front heater, back heater, underseat heater". Archie raised his eyebrows. "Blimey, it's got everything!"
"Yeah, it's so classy", Courtney agreed. "It must have cost a fortune to hire".
"Um, yeah it did", said Archie. "I was kinda lucky to get it at a...discount rate".
"Really?" said Courtney. "How did you manage that?"
"Look", said Archie, pointing towards a refreshments stall. "I'll go and get us some popcorn and soda, shall I?"
"Archie, are you trying to divert the subject away from information that might suggest to me that you obtained that car in an illegal manner?" Courtney enquired.
"OK, OK, I'll go take it back right now!" Archie held up his hands in defeat.
"Don't be silly, Archie. I'm admin for Team Magma; I just wanna know how you did it so I can pass the info on to Maxie".
"Yea cos he could really do with a new car", Archie muttered.
At last, twilight arrived at the sky was dark enough for the film to begin. It was a classic horror film, called Forbidden Forest. It was about a brave archer who became lost in a sinister forest and had to try and survive the night while being hunted by all manner of monsters and terrifying creatures.
Some people were making out during the film. However, Archie and Courtney weren't. They found the film so exciting that they watched it with big, round eyes, unable to look away.
The film ended where the archer defeated a monster called the Demogorgon and finally escaped the Forbidden Forest. Everyone cheered as the credits rolled (except those boring people who preferred to make out). Archie gaped at the screen and Courtney sighed and said, "Ohhh, that was brilliant! I wish it wasn't over".
"Me too", Archie agreed. "But hey, look Courtney!" The final words scrolled up the screen with an exciting announcement.
Make sure to return for Beyond the Forbidden Forest!
"Oooh, a sequel!" said Courtney, pleased. "That's brilliant; we will have to see that".
Archie and Courtney left the movie theatre, heading to Team Magma's Secret Base so that Archie could drop Courtney back there. The car was a pleasure to drive and Archie couldn't help but enjoy it. (Though he was still certain that it was nowhere near as cool as having a ship).
"Say, Archie?" said Courtney, as they drove along a quiet country road. "Can you pull over the next time we see a turning please?"
"Um, sure", said Archie. He drove on for a couple more minutes until he found a quiet and deserted lane. He turned the car into it and pulled up on the side, switching off the ignition. It was a secluded spot; all he and Courtney had around them were trees and the fresh air of the night, which entered through the open windows.
"Um, what's wrong sweetie?" Archie asked. "Are you feeling car sick?" He wasn't sure if it was possible for people to get car sick but it seemed a good idea to ask.
"No, not at all", said Courtney, smiling at him.
"So why you made me drive to here, Courtney?"
"Archie, you're more innocent or more silly than I thought, really". Courtney's answer left him shocked.
"Oh... so that was it?" Archie smirked a little. "Well, let's go to the back seat, baby, I want to be comfortable with you".
Archie opened his door and sat behind, waiting for Courtney. He was relaxing, thinking about how he could show Courtney he was a real man. Wait, what? He didn't need to prove anything! He was a true playboy! She was, another more...or not?
"Ey...what's up?" Courtney sat down next to Archie, interrupting his thoughts.
"Er, nothing unusual. Ey, you look so pretty tonight", Archie said as he played with her hair, softly and carefully.
"Thank you Archie", said Courtney, nestling closer to him. "Tell me, how many girlfriends have you had in your life?"
Archie thought a little. He was thinking because it was one of those questions that must be answered with your heart.
"Hmmm...like you, only one".
Courtney smiled, and climbed onto his lap, kissing him. Archie gasped; the way Courtney kissed drove him crazy. As Archie reached for the blanket to wrap around them, he couldn't help but smile to himself. It seemed as if he had definitely given Courtney the correct answer.
