My Great Big Adventure
Once back in Nimbasa City, I spent a while wandering around the amusement park.
Mostly I was killing time before heading off to the next town, but… a smaller part of me was really looking for Hugh. I really hoped he wasn't peeping into Elesa's gym or something…
Nope, nothing outside the gym. Inside, there was another fashion show going on. I supposed Hugh could be been inside, but I wasn't about to risk being forced onto the runway again.
Leaving the area, I headed over to the Battle Subway entrance, just checking if he was loitering around… I didn't see Nate or Ingo and Emmet either.
Hmmm, where else could he be? That is, if he was even still in Nimbasa City…
I decided to check this really tall building I hadn't gone to before. The Battle Institute. However, the guard at the front door wouldn't let me in because I didn't have enough badges. Oh well, I doubt Hugh has enough badges either, and as I found out soon after, he wasn't in there anyway.
Before running into Hugh though, my xtransceiver rang. Or rather, that other xtransceiver rang
I was thinking, please don't be Mr. Deeoh, PLEASE don't be Mr. Deeoh!
"Hello? Is this Rose?"
"It's pronounced—" Ros-UH, you dork! OH WAIT…
"Umm, yes! You said it right! It was Curtis, wasn't it?" I asked, trying to play off my slip-up. I almost revealed my real name!
"Ah, yes, that's me!" He also sounded a bit frazzled. "Rose, I just have to thank you again for hanging onto my xtransceiver!"
I stared at the dark screen. "…Did you call just to check I still had it?"
He laughed nervously. "Sort of? But mostly to thank you! a lesser person would have sold it."
He doesn't know that I had considered it…
"Say, it's a little annoying we can't see each other's faces, isn't it?"
What does he mean by that? Is he curious about what I look like? With his fake identity (Chr-Curtis! still have no clue who Chr- could be), I thought he would be happy I can't see him… or maybe he is, but he still wants to see me anyway! Creeper? Or curious?
"Why? Do you think my looks would help you gauge what type of person I am? Do you think maybe I'm not really a girl?" I couldn't help but ask.
"What… what a bizarre question! That's not what I meant at all; I'm sure you're a fine girl," he replied, laughing. "We won't even recognize each other if we passed on the street. That's all I meant."
"Ah…"
"Uh-oh, my colleague is calling me! I should get back to work… I'll call you soon, bye!" click.
…I'm sure you're a fine girl…
He probably didn't mean it THAT way… did he?
I didn't have too much time to contemplate Curtis's call though. As I was crossing one of the bridges, I spotted two Team Plasma workers near the entrance to the bigger stadium. Perhaps they knew where Hugh was.
"Hey! You two!" I called at them. "Wait up!"
Catching sight of me, the two grunts let out gasps… and bolted straight away!
Why'd they run? Usually they can't wait to battle…
So I chased them across the city, over near Route 16. And, dang, can they RUN. I worked up a sweat!
The two grunts joined two more of their fellow team members, who were just inside the city limits, having a battle with…
…none other than Hugh!
"Hugh!" I rasped, catching my breath. "Here… here you… are!" I've been searching everywhere!
They stopped battling and looked at me… Hugh with an angry expression at being interrupted in the middle of pounding some Plasma ass, and the grunts with expressions ranging from terrified to intrigued.
"That's HER," one of the men I'd chased whispered to the others. 'Her'?
"Wait a minute," said the tallest man, turning away from Hugh, "you mean, YOU actually know this porcupine-head?"
"…porcupine-head?" I asked, confused.
"PORCUPINE?" Hugh blared.
"Sorry, Miss Rosa, we didn't realize this brat was your servant!" the first guy squeaked.
My… servant? They think Hugh is my servant?!
If anything, it's the other way around…
"How… how do you know my name?!" I demanded. "I don't remember telling any of you before!"
"PORCUPINE?" Hugh repeated, clearly upset at being insulted and ignored.
The first grunt smiled at me (creepy!) and said, "Oh, our boss K—"
But then the tall man slapped a hand over the guy's mouth and interrupted. "Our boss is very interested in you, and wishes for you to remain unharmed… so we will leave. This time."
With a quick signal of his fingers (a gang sign, perhaps?), the tall man, probably high in the ranks than these other grunts, ran off and the three others followed.
Well, that was… strange. And their leader is interested in me? Could it be…!
"Thanks a LOT, Rosa!" Hugh yelled, rounding on me. "We could have defeated them, but you just STOOD there and let them run away!"
"I did not!" I was seriously tired of him blaming me for everything. It's not my fault Team Plasma got away, and it's certainly not my fault they stole his sister's Purrloin two years ago. It isn't his fault either, though he blames himself. I gave a huge sigh. I couldn't stay mad at him… "Look, Hugh, I—"
"Whatever," he scoffed. "I'll get stronger on my own." Then, seeing my hurt expression, he added, "Sorry, Rosa… I know it's not your fault. I just hate them so much!"
He recalled his Pignite and adjusted his pack. "Keep training, ok? Get stronger so we can take them down next time! I'm off to train."
I watched him run off towards Route 5.