Eterna City, Chapter XI
Whenever you go on vacation, there's always a mixture of happiness and sadness when you get back home. On the one hand, you're sad because the vacation is over; who knows when you'll see whatever place you just came from again, and it'll be back to the same old, same old. On the other, you're home. That's enough on its own, I guess.
I felt my heart race as I set foot back in Eterna City. Weeks since I last saw those familiar roads and buildings, I hadn't realized until now just how homesick I had been. Not enough that I didn't want to keep traveling, but just enough to make me teary-eyed at being back. Despite the Pokemon Center being in a different direction and probably what should have been my first stop, I found myself running back home. Ignoring the looks of people probably just going about their usual business, I ran as hard and fast as I could back to the apartment complex, feeling a sense of relief when I saw that it had not changed since I'd left. Not that I had thought it would after just a few weeks, but still.
After dashing up the stairs (finding the elevator to be too long a wait), I knocked on my own door. Before long the door opened, and there was Mom.
"Mia! Oh my god!" Mom threw her arms around me on the spot. Normally, getting hugged like this, especially in public, would drive me near death from embarrassment. But after pushing Mom back into our home and closing the door behind me, I let her hug me all she wanted.
"I didn't think you'd be home so soon! How are you?"
"Good. I'm just in town for my second badge. Did Ruby leave already?"
"A few days after you did, sweetie. I hope you weren't expecting to find her here." Mom finally let me get out of the doorway. "Are you hungry? Want me to make you something?"
"I am a little hungry. Pancakes would be nice!" I smiled. Without a hitch Mom got to preparing the batter for the sweet breakfast food. I took a seat in the living room (which of course was the same space as the dining room and even kitchen), resisting the urge to go to my room. I just knew if I threw myself on my bed, I'd probably never want to leave. Figuratively speaking.
"So how has your adventure been? Have you caught a lot of Pokemon?" Mom asked from the kitchen.
"Not a lot, but I have a full team now! Want to see them?"
"Of course! They won't break the floor or anything, right?"
What Mom was referring to was this one time Ruby had brought home a Pokemon that wasn't exactly meant to be indoors. It was a Rhydon, a large and pretty heavy Rock type. The apartment's floors weren't the sturdiest around, something we'd all learn that same day. So when Ruby released the Pokemon from its Pokeball, it landed with such a crash that it broke a hole in the floor. Thankfully the Rhydon managed to hold onto the edge of our floor, or else he would have fallen through to the floor beneath ours, and probably kept falling until he reached the ground floor. Mom and Dad had to pay a lot to fix the floor, as well as the neighbor's property that was damaged. Ruby offered whatever money she had on her at the time, but of course it wouldn't cover much of the damage. That was the last time I saw Ruby's Rhydon, but I think she still has the Pokemon in her PC Storage.
I introduced Mom to my Pokemon, starting with Mareep and ending with Ponyta. I kept Dustox out of it, and it seemed like Mom didn't notice in the end. By then Mom had finished making the first couple pancakes, so I got to eating. They tasted heavenly, especially after weeks of eating sandwiches and junk food on the road. I considered asking Mom for extra money to buy better food, but kept quiet in the end. Pretty sure none of my siblings had asked for such favors, and I certainly didn't want to be the first. Or for the request to become public knowledge.
"Mom, have you heard from Iris?" I asked after finishing my third pancake. I had a stomach for the things, so I could eat like crazy and never get full.
"Your sister's coming home one of these days. She says the Indigo Plateau isn't going to hold their tournament this season."
"Because of the missing Champion, right?" I piped up, about to tackle my fourth pancake.
"It's been all over the news. Cynthia's been interviewed a couple times, but she refuses to talk about the situation. There's also been a lot of reports about crimes in Kanto, so I'm glad she's coming home."
I had to stop myself from sharing what had happened at Verity Lake. If Mom knew about Team Galactic, she'd probably want me to stop my journey. Not that I'd let her, but it would make things tense around her.
"There was another report about a group calling themselves 'Team Galactic' in this region," Mom added, as if she'd read my mind. "You haven't run into them, have you?"
"N-No..." I stammered, and I stuffed another piece of pancake in my mouth as quickly as I could. I shot her a glance, only to catch her looking right at me.
"I hope you're not lying to me, Mia." Mom said, her voice stern. That pretty much meant she knew I was lying, and was giving me the chance to come clean. I stuffed another piece of pancake in my mouth to give myself a few more seconds to think about my response.
"Well, I'm sure you know better than to get involved with things like that." Mom said, as if dropping the entire subject. Honestly I never knew if she was truly testing me or just yanking my chain. Either way, that little bit of nervousness killed whatever appetite I had left, so I quickly retreated to the safety of my room. I'm pretty sure that same swift retreat was all the answer Mom wanted, anyway.
In the end, she didn't ask about Team Galactic again, and after gathering a few things in my room (including a swimsuit for future use) I said my good-byes and left. After a quick stop by the Pokemon Center, I headed straight for the gym. I'd be staying at home tonight, so I didn't have to worry about another long good-bye like the first time I left. That would be saved for tomorrow morning.
The Eterna City Gym stood before me. Many times I had stood in this exact spot, wondering what it would be like to set foot in here and challenge Gardenia myself. I'd met her before, at least indirectly as a part of my class, but never once spoken to her face-to-face. Compared to my resolve when I faced both Byron and Roark, I felt a certain uneasiness in my stomach now. Chalking it up to nerves because this was my hometown gym, I took a deep breath and opened the doors to the gym.
Inside, most of the building was covered in trees and shrubs, like a giant greenhouse. In fact, the ceiling of the gym was made of glass, letting in the morning sunlight that would soon turn to noon. I could hear many different voices coming from within the miniature forest, so I let myself in to find Gardenia. As I wandered through the greenery, I spotted more Pokemon and a couple unfamiliar faces, but no sign of Gardenia anywhere.
"Are you lost?" One of those persons asked me. It was a lass in a red skirt and sky blue blouse, her chestnut hair tied up in a ponytail with a scrunchie matching her skirt.
"I'm looking for the Gym Leader. Is she here?"
"Sorry, Gardenia's not here right now." She said.
I sighed, realizing I'd gotten all worked up for nothing. "Any idea when she'll be back?"
"Nope. She said she had some business to take care of in Eterna Forest. But it's already been a whole day..."
"In the forest?"
"Mhm. She left last night, something about ghost rumors at some old mansion in the forest? She told us to look after the gym and let any challengers know that the gym was closed."
The mansion in the forest; the one where I'd stayed my first night as a Trainer. The same mansion where I'd seen a ghost of a real person. Not that I was really scared of ghosts, especially not of the one that happened to be haunting that mansion, but I wasn't exactly thrilled at going back there.
"And you're sure you don't know when she'll be back?" I asked again.
"I thought she'd be back by this morning. She doesn't like that old place, so it's a wonder why she's still there." The lass shrugged.
"Okay, thanks." I said before going back out the way I came. Once I was outside, I looked in the general direction of the Eterna Forest. I didn't want to leave before getting my badge, since I probably wouldn't be out this way for a while after crossing Mt. Coronet to Eastern Sinnoh. Which left me with only two options: stay at home and wait for Gardenia to come back, or go into the forest and find her myself.
And truth be told, I didn't want to hang around home and be interrogated by Mom all day.
Nostalgia is a weird experience. It hadn't been very long since I walked through these same paths in the forest, and yet it all felt very nostalgic, like memories of ages long past. Never mind it was weeks ago and ages past meant a time when I was in diapers, or not even born for that matter. Still, I retraced my steps from my first visit as a Trainer and found my way back to the old mansion in the heart of the forest. It was a wonder I was able to pull it off, considering I stumbled across it the first time while I was running from a swarm of angry Beedrill and Dustox.
Just outside the mansion's grounds, I found the remains of a campfire. It was fresh, so I figured it had to be Gardenia's work and she was currently inside the mansion. Further adding weight to this claim was the fact that the mansion door was open and slightly ajar. Reaching into my bag, I pulled out Gible's Pokeball and set foot inside. This time I wouldn't be ambushed by Ghost Pokemon.
Fortunately for me, I didn't even have to begin looking for Gardenia, as she was standing right in the center of the foyer. Upon hearing the creaking of the front door, she spun around to meet my gaze. Her brown hair, cut way too short for my taste, seemed to be standing on ends. In her hand was a Pokeball, which she held at the ready as if to throw it directly at my face.
"Who are you?!" She yelped.
"My name's Mia. I'm a Pokemon Trainer." I answered, raising my hands in defense. Gardenia lowered her arm, though she still looked more than a bit spooked.
"What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you, actually. I went by the gym in town and they told me you were out here." I explained, hoping she'd calm down a little.
"Who told you that?"
"Some girl. Brown hair, red skirt?" I honestly never got her name, nor did I care to get it, either. Even back when I was in school I remembered that girl (or one that looked just like her) hanging around Gardenia all the time.
"Caroline..." Gardenia muttered, finally looking more at ease. She took a few steps toward me, though I think she was trying to get closer to the exit.
"What are you doing here?" I asked Gardenia in turn. "That girl mentioned something about a ghost?"
Just the mere mention of the word seemed to heighten Gardenia's anxiety again. "N-No such thing as ghosts! I mean, that's just crazy!"
I noticed her hands shaking, and the trembling of her voice was more than enough to give away her true feelings. Still, I couldn't help myself. "Well, last time I was here I did see the ghost of a girl."
"Quit it! There's no such things as g-ghosts!" Gardenia practically yelled at me. Her voice echoed throughout the mansion as a result, and the girl took a few more steps towards the exit.
"So what if there are ghosts here? Or aren't? What's the difference?" I asked.
"T-There is none. None at all!" Gardenia managed, having finally arrived at the exit.
"So why are you here?" I asked yet again, growing tired of this exchange.
"I'll see you back at the gym! Bye!"
And just like that, Gardenia stormed out of the mansion's front door. With her gone, I saw no reason to stick around myself, so I turned to follow her. Just as I was about to leave, I heard a creaking from the second floor, causing me to stop. I turned to look up the staircase nearby, and at the top of the stairs I saw a faint figure. I couldn't make out a face, but I instantly recognized the white dress.
"Etria? Is that you?" I called out to the figure. Rather than answer, it turned around and vanished into the darkness of the second floor. A bit rattled, I considered following after Gardenia, but finally found myself climbing the stairs up after the ghost girl. Recalling my first visit to the mansion, I turned right and made a left at the end of the hall, finding myself in the same room as before. Standing in the middle of it was the ghost girl Etria, her white dress and brown hair identical to the first time I met her.
"Why didn't you answer me?" I asked.
"I remember you. Your name is Mia." She replied calmly and with a warm smile.
"Yeah." I nodded, almost forgetting she was in fact a ghost.
"It's very hard to clean," Etria said, the phrase sounding eerily familiar. "I'm very sorry about the mess."
"How did you die?" I asked, slightly amazed at myself for managing that. Etria's eyes seemed to gain a bit of light as she looked intently at me for the first time.
"Die?"
"Yeah. You do realize you're a ghost, right?"
Her gaze faltered a bit, as if she was looking for the answer. "I don't remember."
"Huh. Figured that would be an important memory." I sighed.
"Yes. It should be, shouldn't it?" She muttered.
"Well, this got creepier than I expected. I gotta go, okay?" I turned to leave, when I felt something cold grab onto my wrist. I never would have guessed it to be a hand, but when I looked down, that's what I saw. Almost as cold as ice, Etria's hand was latched onto my wrist. I followed her arm up to meet her gaze.
"A world of dreams," she said, looking right into my eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
"At the heart of the world. It seeks to devour the world itself."
"What are you talking about? What is?" I asked again, but rather than a straight answer, Etria just released me.
"I'm sorry. I have to go now." And just like that, I saw Etria's form fade into nothing within two seconds. A chill wind seemed to blow right past me, and that's when I finally decided it was time to leave this creepy mansion.
It was getting late by the time I got back to town, but not so late I couldn't still challenge Gardenia. I made a beeline for the gym, all the while thinking about what Etria had said just before her disappearance.
"A world of dreams, at the heart of the world, it seeks to devour it?" I said aloud, ignoring the dozens of people walking past me and next to me.
"Could it be some kind of Pokemon she was talking about? But what about the 'world of dreams'? What kind of place is that? At 'the heart of the world'?" I stopped in the middle of the street, not more than a block from the gym. At first, my mind jumped to Mt. Coronet, which could be considered the "heart" of Sinnoh. But Etria hadn't said Sinnoh, but "the world". It was times like this I wish I had access to a map. The sun was quickly escaping the sky, so I wouldn't have time to both visit the library and challenge Gardenia.
"First things first: my badge. I can research geography tomorrow before I leave." I said to myself with a nod. I resumed my previous pace towards the gym, making a mental note of everything and sticking it to the back of my mind. I didn't think Gardenia would provide much of a challenge, but all the same I wanted to do my very best when I challenged her.
A shade of orange dominated the tiny forest inside the Eterna City Gym. Standing in the clearing in the center was Gardenia, a Turtwig at her side as she was busy planting a new sapling. Around her were a few of the girls I saw earlier that day, including the lass that had sent me on my way. I didn't even have to announce my presence for all of them to look up.
"Sorry, we're closed for the day." Said the girl with the red skirt. It seems she recognized me though, and added, "But thanks for bringing back Gardenia so fast!"
"You mean I have to wait until tomorrow?"
"No," interjected Gardenia, rising to her feet. "What happened after I left?"
"Huh?"
"At the mansion. When I left I thought you'd be right behind me, but you weren't. Did you find something?"
She was referring to my conversation with Etria. I shook my head. "Nope. Thought I heard something, but it was just the wind."
Whether or not she believed me, Gardenia shrugged her shoulders and stepped forward. The Turtwig at her side followed. "I usually don't accept challenges this late."
"But you're going to make an exception for me, right?" I smiled.
"Just because it's you." She smiled back, a hint of fiendishness behind it. Maybe she did it so I could keep my mouth shut about her unsightly behavior back at the mansion. I had the feeling Gardenia wasn't the kind to panic in that manner, much less in front of others. And especially not in front of her Junior Trainers at the gym.
The field would be the small forest, as it took up the entirety of the gym. Gardenia sat down next to the sapling she'd just planted, her Turtwig ready beside her. I backed up a bit from where I had been standing, giving our Pokemon plenty of space to fight. I figured she wanted to protect the sapling during the fight.
"Three-on-three singles," Gardenia called out. "Defeat all of my Pokemon, and you get yourself a badge."
"Got it!" I reached into my bag, fishing out Ponyta's Pokeball.
"Oh! And one more rule!" Gardenia said. "If anything happens to this sapling, you lose."
"That's... a weird rule..." I said, hopefully not loud enough for Gardenia to hear.
"Turtwig, you're up!" She said. Her small Grass type turtle took his place on the field. I was familiar with this critter since my brother Lucas started with one several months back. Even Mom took a shine to the Pokemon when he showed it off to her.
"Ponyta, go!" I threw my Pokeball onto the field, releasing my fiery steed. In the dimming sunlight, Ponyta's blue flames shone brightly, causing all the girls near Gardenia to gasp.
"A rare Ponyta! Amazing!" One of them called out.
"I've never seen one like it!" Said another.
"Me neither," added Gardenia. "How lucky of you to catch a shiny Pokemon."
"Shiny? What do you mean?"
"Your Ponyta is a shiny Pokemon. It's a very rare breed, one in thousands. Some Trainers go their whole lives without seeing one in the wild." Gardenia explained.
Feeling even better about my catch than ever before, I pulled out my Pokedex to prepare for battle. Ponyta stood at the ready, and one of the girls near Gardenia sounded a tiny triangle to announce the start of the match.
"Turtwig, let's not even give her a chance. Use Grass Knot!"
Gardenia's Pokemon stomped the ground, and at Ponyta's hooves I saw vines creep up and ensnare her. She tried to fight them, but they were keeping her nailed to the spot.
"Now, use Razor Leaf!"
Wasting no time, Turtwig shook its entire body, causing dozens of leaves to shoot out and fly towards Ponyta. The entire time however, I was calm.
"Ponyta, Flame Wheel!"
With a powerful whinny, Ponyta's blue mane engulfed her entire body. Burning the vines at her hooves, Ponyta took off towards Turtwig at an amazing clip. The Razor Leaf attack struck, but because Ponyta's body was covered in blue flames, they failed to connect at all. Unable to dodge, Turtwig was hit dead-on by Ponyta, and sent flying backwards into the air.
"Turtwig!" Gardenia called out, watching as her Pokemon ended up somewhere on the other side of the gym. Ponyta's flames subsided, and the horse came back to my side of the field at a slow trot.
"I think that's one down," I said, giving Gardenia a thumbs-up.
"Yeah..." She grumbled, before producing another Pokeball and releasing her next Pokemon. I quickly scanned the small purple critter.
"Cherrim, the Blossom Pokemon. It blooms during times of strong sunlight. It tries to make up for everything it endured as a bud."
"Wait, what?!" Gardenia yelled almost immediately after the Pokemon materialized. She looked up at the ceiling, then back down to her Pokemon before slapping her forehead.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing! Nothing at all!" She said, though that was clearly a lie. Looking back down at my Pokedex, I realized right away why she was complaining. Because of the time of day, her Cherrim would be at a disadvantage without direct sunlight.
"Cherrim, use Magical Leaf!"
"Ponyta, Flame Wheel!"
Once again Ponyta's body became engulfed in flames, and again she charged at speeds that Gardenia's Cherrim could not avoid. It was almost unfair, really. In another single hit her Pokemon was sent flying, ending up somewhere on the other end of the gym. After this defeat, Gardenia stood up, another Pokeball in her hand.
"Calling it quits?" I asked mockingly.
"You know, I should?" Gardenia admitted, but she still threw the Pokeball onto the field. Out emerged a small green Pokemon with what looked like a white rose on its head and other roses on its arms. Instantly I scanned it with my Pokedex.
"Roserade, the Bouquet Pokemon. With movements of a dancer, it strikes with whips that are densely lined with poison thorns."
"Ponyta, Flame Wheel!"
For the third time in a row, Ponyta's body became a beacon of blue flames and charged at Gardenia's Pokemon. Thinking it would be another easy win, I prepared Ponyta's Pokeball to call her back, only to be stunned when Ponyta circled back towards me. Roserade had dodged the attack!
"Roserade, Stun Spore!"
With fluid movements like a dancer indeed, Roserade blasted Ponyta with a golden powder when her back was turned. It landed just after the flames had subsided, paralyzing her perfectly. Her movements slowed, Gardenia pushed the attack.
"Now, use Poison Sting!"
Emerging from the two collections of roses on her arms, long purple vines lashed out at Ponyta's back, striking him several times and causing him to whinny in pain. He dropped on a knee, and I knew he had also been poisoned, too.
"Finish it with Magical Leaf!" Gardenia called out.
"Ponyta, Ember!"
It was a risky order, but this would be the only chance Ponyta had of finishing this battle single-handedly. As Roserade began to dance in place again, causing all manner of pretty pink petals to float into the air, Ponyta lashed out with everything he had. Dozens of tiny flames danced about the field, joining the petals from Roserade. Some were burned in midair, but most struck Ponyta. However, because Roserade had been so close to my Pokemon, the majority of the embers had hit her, as well. And as tough as Gardenia's Pokemon was, even she couldn't deny the power of fire against Grass types.
When the flurry of attacks had subsided, Ponyta could barely stand. But Roserade was severely burned, and unable to stand at all. It took a few moments, but the verdict came in after another ringing of the triangle:
"The victor is Mia the challenger!" Called out the girl in the red skirt.
"Looks like you earned this one: I present you the Forest Badge!" Gardenia announced, handing me the small pin. I looked at it for a moment, admiring the design before looking at her again.
"Thank you! It was a great battle!"
"Hardly," Gardenia sighed, looking real defeated. "Shame the League doesn't let us use more than one type..."
"Why is that? I've always wondered..." I asked as I put the badge on its rightful slot beside the Coal Badge.
"League rules." Gardenia shrugged, as if that were an answer. "They say use one type, we do it. As long as they pay, right?"
"I see." Though I actually didn't. But I guess it would make it much easier for Trainers to develop strategies, and to practice in general if they knew what to expect. Actually, it was almost sad I came up with that explanation on the spot, instead of Gardenia giving it to me.
"Well, I'm sure you'll do great in the tournament! I'll be rooting for you, kid!" She gave me a light jab on the shoulder. "Show 'em what Eterna City residents are made of!"
"Huh? How'd you know?" I asked, shocked.
"The uniform! I wore one when I was your age!" She laughed.
"Oh, right! I forget I'm even wearing this thing." I pulled at the shirt of my outfit.
"You look real cute in it! Makes a great outfit for exploring the region."
"Thanks!" I replied with a smile and perhaps even a slight blush.
