Of course Black could not so much as set foot on a new route without getting a visit from Cheren. After thoroughly beating his team into the ground yet again, Cheren seemed just as displeased as before. While he grumbled on, Elesa caught up to them, saying they should follow her. She led them down the route and to where a group of entertainers were showing off for a small crowd. A man in the group spotted them and called out.
"Oh! Why, if it isn't Elesa! Aren't festivals grand? Life should be enjoyed!" he exclaimed happily.
Cheren looked away from the man in disgust. "You're Alder, the Unova Region Champion. What are you doing here goofing off?"
"I heard that remark." The man said, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're a judgmental young person, are you not? My name is Alder. I'm the Unova Pokemon League's Champion. Pleased to make your acquaintance. For your information, I'm not goofing off. I'm on a voyage. I know every corner of Unova."
"Oh really? Well I'm traveling to become the Champion right now." Cheren stated.
"Hm. Traveling with a goal in mind is a commendable thing. And what do you plan to do after becoming the Champion?"
Cheren hesitated. "Afterward? Well…become even stronger, of course!"
"Hmm. Becoming stronger... Becoming stronger, you say... Is that alone enough of a goal?" He smiled at the young man beside Black. "Hmmm. It's not that I'm trying to say your way of thinking is wrong... In my travels, I've helped many people learn to love Pokémon. I think that's important, too." He looked over at a couple of preschoolers he had been looking after in the crowd. "If you play with those children, you might gain more of an understanding. Will you two have a Pokémon battle with those two? Hey you two. Come here for a moment."
The two children heard him call and came running over. Black took a step back. "Wait, why are you getting me involved in this? I already love my Pokemon! Besides, I've already beat up so many children just getting here! You think I like being a bully?" he cried out. No one paid attention to his objections. Rather, Cheren turned his attention to Black's Pokemon and offered to heal them. Black handed over his Pokeballs. "What are you? My personal nurse?" he asked.
"I just don't think it would be fair for them to battle as they are!" he stated, handing them back after a moment of care.
Black rolled his eyes and the battle began. The two children both had a herdier, Cheren released his Liepard, and Black chose to use Ashley, whom had evolved into a zebstrika right after the battle with Cheren. Surprisingly the children put up quite a fight, and Cheren's Liepard was knocked out. In its place, he released Servine. Black decided to do similar and switched Ashley for Kenny. The two Pokemon, whom had not gone face to face with each other since first being obtained by their trainers, worked surprisingly well together. They both hit hard, and the preschoolers' Pokemon fell.
"Nicely done! You didn't win, but that was a good battle. Your Pokémon looked like they were having fun." Alder told the children. They both exclaimed how much fun it was to be with the Pokemon they loved before scurrying back into the small crowd to watch the street performers. Alder watched them go before returning his attention to Cheren. "Young man, if there are people like you who pursue strength, there are also people who are happy just being with Pokémon. There are many different people and many different answers. When it comes to what a Champion should be, you and I may hold differing views, but so be it! Give it some thought." He gave a quick farewell to Elesa before returning to the crowd himself.
Cheren grumbled to himself, and the gym leader continued down the route. Cheren followed her. Black on the other hand, released his team and began exploring the route. First thing was first, he wanted a new Pokemon. In the grasses he encountered a gothita. The sight of such a childish, frilly Pokemon made him groan, but nonetheless he took care in whittling down its health and capturing it. After naming the newcomer Stephany and sending her to the PC, he set to training his team more.
One after the other he challenged and brought down a baker, a clown, a musician, a dancer, and an artist. In the grasses he found two backpackers, and defeated them, too. To his delight the levels of his team evened out with each other with just these few battles, and he decided he was finally ready for whatever it was Elesa had in store for him.
I want to apologize for the lateness and shortness of this chapter. I borrowed Dragon Age II from a friend a few days ago, and it has been eating up most of my waking hours...
Also, thank you again hawkfire111 for your review. It, along with all the other reviews I've gotten, help to give me reason to continue. I love writing this, but it's always encouraging to know others enjoy reading it.
This particular part of the game was rather boring for me, though. All this talk about being friends with Pokemon and that it's more than just becoming stronger? Been there, done that. Five generations in a row now. Plus two sets of remakes, in case that wasn't enough. They sure love trying to drive home that point though, don't they? I've got a tip for them: implement a Nuzlocke run feature, and they won't ever need to cram "YOU MUST LOVE YOUR POKEMON" down most people's throats. They'll love 'em even if they hate them.
I'm eyeballing you on this one, Kenny.
