Chapter 2: Wind's Counsel

Elesa shocked by her mother's sudden appearance stood as motionless as her mother against the hall wall. Elesa immediately retreated into herself. She asked herself "How did she find out I was even living Nimbasa City! Mom should have had no idea where I was." Elesa gulped scared. She had remembered the last conversation she had with her mother. It didn't go well. Elesa told Winona she wanted to travel and train alone. Winona furiously denied her. The night of the fight Elesa took her Pokémon, some food and money and left for her journey. Before Elesa could run from the inevitable scolding, Winona spoke "Are you going to invite your mother in or are we going to stand in this hall all night?"

Elesa became frightened. Even though her mom had spoken calmly she knew a fight was coming. She walked towards her mom and embraced her with a hug, Winona didn't return the hug. Elesa felt awkward and moved to unlock the door and said "Sorry mother. I'm just shocked to see you."

"I'm sure you are, especially since you ran away 2 and half years ago."

Elesa froze and thought to herself "So it begins."

Elesa opened the door and walked into her apartment. It was small with only the basic necessities. The living room and kitchen were kept spotless. Everything seemed to be kept in its place. Winona expression softened, "It would seem you've grown up some. If I recall you used to be a little piggy, always finding some way to dirty your room," Winona said jokingly

Elesa blushed. "So mom," Elesa paused, "What brings you to Nimbasa, and how did you find me?"

Winona pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and sat down. She then took a breath and spoke "The Pokémon League contacted me and told me that you had made and appointment to take your gym leader exam. When I told them you no longer lived with me and asked where to find you they told me you lived here in Nimbasa. I saw you the other day with that young man battling," Winona paused, staring out the window, "What a wonderful view you have Elesa."

Elesa became confused. Elesa went over to her mom's side. With a quiet voice she said "I'm sorry mom. I'm so sorry I didn't want to hurt you but I didn't want you to give up being a gym leader for me and I knew there was only so much I could learn in Fortree City," tears began to flow from Elesa's face.

"Sweetheart, you are living in a fine home, striving to better yourself. I couldn't be more proud of you." She paused for a moment allowing Elesa to withdraw her tears. "With that said I'm still very upset that you not only ran away but never made an effort to contact your mother for so long. I thought I raised you better than that."

Elesa had stopped crying. Wiping away her tears, again hugged her mom. She whispered "Thank you, mom."

Winona moved her hand and placed it on Elesa's arm that was wrapped around her. "Now that we took care of that, it's time to discuss your gym leader exam."

Elesa's face became masked with confusion. From what she understood it would be a simple 3v3 Pokémon battle with another trainer with no use of any special items or berries. Elesa then asked "What's there to discuss? I was told it is a simple 3v3 battle between me and another trainer."

Winona replied "Yes, in a way. But do you know who you will be up against? Or those who will be evaluating your battle?"

Elesa answered her mom curiously "You know who I'll be facing?"

"You are up against a gym leader of the Johto region, Morty, a ghost type gym leader. He is very good and if you still enjoy using electric Pokémon, like when you were younger, your battle will be very even."

Elesa became distraught. She knew her battle would be hard but not this hard. Morty was well known for his dominant use of ghost types and how skillful he was. Morty had only lost a few battles in his career, most of them to trainers who had gone on to fight the Elite Four of the Johto region. "And the people who will be evaluating me?" Elesa asked.

"The champion and elite four of the Unova region. It seems the champion has taken a special interest in you and is eager to see your battle."

Elesa became pale. "The "Adler" is interested in me!?" Elesa thought to herself. She had become speechless. Winona stood and looked at Elesa. Winona always knew Elesa to be shy when came to meeting new people. Winona put her hand on Elesa's shoulder and said "Sweetie I'm sure you'll do just fine. And to make sure of that I'm going to help you train the few weeks we have left before your exam.

Elesa didn't seem reassured. She kept thinking what her mom meant by special interest. Elesa had never met Adler but heard of him through overheard conversations of others. What she could gather was that he was a great man who wandered from place to place all the time and was always one to help trainers asking for advice. Elesa finally spoke "Mom, do you happen to why the champion wishes to watch my battle?"

"I am unsure. But I have heard through rumors that his wandering lifestyle is starting to take a toll on him," Winona stated. Winona turned away for a second. She turned back around quickly and tried to reassure her daughter that is most likely that he wanted to know the gym leaders in his region personally to gauge their competence both in and out of their respective gyms. But when Winona looked upon her daughter she had turned bright red. Winona knew at that moment that perhaps it was time to take Elesa's mind off the exam. "Sweetheart, I am very new to this city and I'm guessing you have been here for some time. How about you show your mother around town and we'll go get some dinner?"

Elesa came back to her senses and responded "I'd like that mom," Elesa paused as she remembered what she had planned to do before she saw her mother in the hall, "Umm mom there is something I need to ask you and I know you are most likely not going to let me do this, but I need to go on a trip, alone, to Mistralton City. There's something there I need to do before I can take the exam."

Winona looked upon her daughter. Her red blush had faded and she looked very serious. Winona responded with a smile "I normally would refuse to let you go and force you stay here and train since you have been very serious in wanting to take the exam. But if this is something you absolutely must do, then I will wait here and watch over your home till your return."

Elesa lit up. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I promise I'll be back in time for a few days of training mom." Before Elesa could say anything more Winona said "But before you leave you will at least spend one night with your mother whom you haven't seen in two and a half years."

Elesa showing no signs of refusal responded "of course mother." Elesa spent a fun filled night with her mom showing her all the sights around Nimbasa City. They ate at one of the best restaurants in town.

When the light shone bright the next morning, she grabbed her pokéballs and some food for her trip. She walked to the door and opened ready to embark on her journey. But before she walked out, she turned behind her and saw her mother sleeping on the couch with a smile on her face. Elesa walked over to her and gave a kiss on the check and quietly said "Goodbye mom. And thank you for everything. I love you," Elesa then walked out her door and began her trip to Mistralton City.