Zene
The Arrival
Back on Arianna I sat. She had to rest before the fight so she'd have to start the journey again. The city sped by us, and some pedestrians were a little confused by the streak of purple and strong winds for the second we passed them. And then we were outside the city, winding through the tress and slowly but surely progressing up route 37. And then I took my turn and I could see the orange sun setting beside me, catching the twilight glow through the trees. And then I fell to my knees outside Ecruteak's boundaries and commanded Darrel to carry me to a centre.
One thing I didn't like about centres, they were always so central. Many a trainer has had a gruelling journey through rugged terrain and few supplies, and they have to wade into the middle of a city to rest. Why couldn't they put them at the front of a city so they were actually useable? Anyway, I managed to reach it before 4 a.m. this time and was back on my feet perfectly steady as I walked in. And hit into somebody.
"Oh, sorry," a box said in front of me. The box then moved to reveal a face. He held out his hand "Hi, my name's Bill."
I took his hand and tried to link his face to his name. I'd seen both before, but I couldn't remember where. "Don't worry about it." I said in reply as he shook my hand vigorously. Then I remembered. "Hey, didn't you make the PC storage system?"
"Yep, that's me." He said letting go of my hand "Inventor of the Pokémon storage system and technological extraordinaire." That's right; I'd seen him on a TV report in the short time I wasn't a trainer. "So you're a trainer I take it?" I nodded "How are you finding my Box system?"
"Well, actually I haven't used it yet."
He looked puzzled "Why not?"
"I haven't caught 6 Pokémon yet."
"Really? You're in Ecruteak and you still haven't got six?"
"I didn't need any more than the two I have now."
"Two! No, that doesn't happen, you can't have just two Pokémon! Give me your Dex." I handed over the box, just a little proudly. He set down the cardboard box filled with mechanical tools on a nearby table and from it he pulled a laptop. He linked it to the Pokédex and examined the screen for a couple of seconds. His eyes widened as he continued to gaze at the machine. He stood up and addressed me "So you have a Meganium and a Zanora?"
"Yup."
"On levels 39 and 45?"
"Yup."
"And so far you have only 3 badges?"
Nod.
"And if you don't show up to Elm's lab in 3 days with 4 badges then you're disqualified from the Johto league?"
"Yeah."
"I think I can help you Zene." He said smiling.
"How?"
"Come to my house in Goldenrod after you beat Morty tomorrow and I'll show you."
"How do you know I'll win?"
"I've known every Pokéopath in the last 10 years to become a trainer. You guys don't lose." And with that he left the centre, box in his arms. He was leaving for Goldenrod at midnight. Good luck to him. I myself got a room, and fell asleep.
