Welcome to the first side chapter of the story! This chapter explains what happened to Lisa after she was separated with Lows for a short while, and what made her gained her confidence to participate in contests. Enjoy!
SC 1 - The Encounter in the Day Care
"Will it be okay if I go out for a moment?" Lisa asked.
"Wow, already? You sure have a lot of stamina. Sure thing!" Lisa smiled at his traveling companion's response as she said goodbye to him before leaving the PokéCentre.
As she walked around the city, she sighed. Sure, it would be nice to join contests... But what if I screw up just like back in the Trainer Evaluation? Sure, that was an accident, but still... Ugh, I just hope I can make up my mind as soon as possible. Lows really want me to join them, and I don't want to disappoint him, either.
She walked out of the city and towards the route before Goldenrod. She sent out Hibana, who knew she wasn't in a good mood again as she let her hugged her, hoping that would comfort her trainer a little. She held Hibana in her arms as she let out another big sigh. Suddenly, something nearby caught her attention.
Goldenrod Nursery and Day Care.
She was already interested with it when she first saw it with Lows. She just didn't want to go into further detail as she thought Lows wanted to reach Goldenrod quicker. However, now that I'm here...
She slowly walked to the entrance, and carefully opened the door. Inside the lobby were a receptionist desk, white walls with three doors and a wooden staircase, and many display cases.
She looked at the display cases, which showed various breeding awards. The last display case contained an award that was written, "Top 15 Breeding Couples: Garam and Anda Patajhad".
"Hey, young one. What are you doing here?" A voice suddenly appeared as she turned around. She saw an elderly woman with dark skin, black-grey hair tied in a bun, and amber eyes looking at her with a kind smile.
"I'm sorry! It's just that... I'm quite interested in this place. My name is Lisa Karame."
"Lisa Karame? Is your father perhaps a breeder in Kanto, too?" Lisa nodded at the old lady's question as Anda continued, "Is that so? That's great! Your father and I are friends. Would you like me to show you around? I'm Anda Patajhad, but you can just call me Anda."
"I'm Lisa Karame, and I would love that! Thank you so much!"
"No problem!" She smiled as she started showing the girl around the Goldenrod Day Care. She was fascinated by the different kinds of eggs in this place, and how incubation worked in here.
"Wow, that's amazing! Thanks for showing me around here, Anda!" She smiled.
"No need to thank me, Lisa. Anyways, when I first saw you through the window, you were travelling with another trainer. Where is he?" Anda asked.
"O-Oh, he's just not with me right now. I came here myself because I had some stuff I needed to figure out myself." She said, before letting out a soft sigh. However, the old lady noticed it and questioned her sudden sigh.
"What's bothering you, sweetie? You can always tell this old lady about it."
Normally, she wouldn't tell her secrets to people she just met. However, she could tell Anda was a good and kind person, and she just told her about what was bothering her without hiding it.
"Hmm... It seems like it would be something you have to decide on your own!" Anda concluded.
"I guess so. I just need some time to make up my mind. It's just that I don't want to embarrass myself again..."
"I'm sure you can make up your mind as time goes." The old lady comforted her.
She would go back to Lows, but she wouldn't want to go back there without an answer to him, that will only disappoint her travelling companion. Besides, she was still stressful to make her final decision.
Suddenly, her Pokégear rang as she answered the call, it was her father, [Lisa! Are you doing alright in Johto?]
"Yeah, I'm doing just fine, Dad. I began travelling with another trainer from Kanto as well."
[Really? That's great! Which city are you at now?]
"I'm currently in Goldenrod City."
[Oh wow, that's great! I have a favor to ask you, Lisa. If you don't mind, can you go to the Goldenrod Nursery and Day Care near there and help out my friends, Anda and Garam? They are my old friends, and I bet they would appreciate your help there.]
"What a coincidence... I'm actually right at the nursery! Don't worry, I'll help them out."
[Thanks, Lisa! Stay safe!] After the call ended, she thought, Maybe, that will help a little...
"Anda, I would like to help out today."
It was actually great to help out at the nursery. She got to learn many new things that she wouldn't normally learn outside the place, which was a good thing. She even got to meet the owner of the nursery, Garam. So far, she was enjoying her time there, even though she hadn't make a decision yet.
She was in a room, doing the work she had been doing for the past few hours. She didn't feel exhausted at all: She was actually quite interested in this kind of work, and she would do it non-stop.
Suddenly, there were some voices coming from the lobby. She said as she held her Vulpix, "Looks like we have new people here, Hibana."
"New people? I would love to meet them!" The Vulpix happily exclaimed as she ran out of the door.
"Oh, great! Hibana, wait!" She followed her out of the north door, as she apologized to the others, "Sorry about that!"
As Hibana continued running, a saw one of the girls' eyes grew wide as she backed away. Her other friend was appearing to be worried about her.
She felt bad as she apologized again, "I'm so sorry! I didn't know you're scared of Vulpix!" She hastily took out Hibana's Pokéball, only for it to drop on the tiled floor. Her Vulpix ran after it and was about to touch the button.
"Oh no, it's fine!" The girl reassured. "Your Vulpix seems really nice. I'm Summer by the way, and this is Lightning, my Raichu."
Her friend waved. "I'm Yuki, and this is my friend, Ichigo."
Wait... Is she who I think she is?!
Lisa gasped. "You're Yuki Mizu?! Oh my gosh! I'm such a huge fan! I'm a Coordinator too." She introduced herself, "Lisa Karame's my name, and this Vulpix is Hibana."
Yuki shook hands with her as she replied, "It's nice to meet a fellow Coordinator. Are you going to participate in the Goldenrod City Contest?"
"I'm planning to, but I don't know if I'm ready. I'm helping at the nursery to figure that out and to help some friends of my dad. He's a very well known Breeder in the Kanto Region."
Anda appeared in front of them as she greeted the two girls. They started a happy conversation as Lisa was there listening to them talk.
Garam walked towards Lisa and said, "There you are, Lisa. Are you really to continue watching over the baby Pokémon?" He then looked at the others. "Oh, we have guests."
"Garam, dear," Anda informed. "These two are Summer and Yuki, friends of Samir."
"Oh, it's very nice to meet you. This is the most visitors we had in a while. Would you like to meet the Pokémon we're raising here?"
Summer ecstatically responded, "We'd love too, and maybe the Eggs here as well."
The couple laughed. "Very well," Anda said, motioning us to follow her. "I'll show you the Egg room first."
"Good idea, Anda. Lisa and I will join you once we get the Pokémon fed."
Anda led the girls through the east door as Lisa followed Garam back through the north door. She couldn't believe she met her idol. She looked so cool! I just wished I can be as great as her someday...
After looking over the Baby Pokémon for a little while, she took five Pokéballs containing baby Pokémon with her as Garam wanted her to take the Pokémon to the yard. After that, she followed the elderly man and went to the room where the other were at to check how they were doing.
Garam asked, "Anda, do you have time to go over the plans for tomorrow?"
Anda nodded. "Sure. You three can go to the yard and relax. The baby Pokémon can also use some fresh air."
Lisa giggled. "I have their Pokéballs with me. Come on, Summer and Yuki!"
They went to the front yard and sat on the medium-sized grass. Lisa threw five Pokéballs into the air, revealing different baby Pokémon around the yard. Summer was interested in some new Pokémon as she scanned them with her Pokédex.
"These Pokémon are so cute!" Summer exclaimed as her Raichu, Yuki's Minun and Hibana watched over the five playful creatures.
Lisa laughed. "They sure are!" Then she became quiet. "Yuki, can I ask you something?"
Her new friend smiled. "Sure, what is it?"
"H-How did you feel when you lost to Azura in the Hoenn Grand Festival?" She asked. She was upset to see her idol lose at the time, and she wanted to know how it felt like to not being able to succeed in contests.
"Oh... Well, I feel really upset, which is natural when you lose. But against a rival who looks down on you, that made it feel worse. I even thought about quitting and staying with my aunt on her showboat back in the Orange Islands."
Upon hearing the response, she tucked her legs close to her body, thinking about the Trainer Evaluation that didn't go well for her.
"But then," Yuki continued. "I met Summer. She's not only kind, but she's really supportive and eager to help others. Along with my family and my other friends, I was able to rediscover the fun of Contests. And now, I'm ready to try and win this region's Grand Festival."
Lisa relaxed upon hearing her answer and let her legs lie on the grass. "I never knew you felt that way, Yuki. You're always so happy when you're on stage. But I'm happy you were able to overcome your insecurities." She then took out a Pokéball. "Actually, can I tell you two a secret?"
The two nodded as Lisa sent out Bureiku, as Yuki became amazed, "I've never seen a Zorua up close!"
Summer looked at her Pokédex as she said, "Huh...so Zorua are not found in Kanto, Johto, or Hoenn..."
"That's right," Lisa said. "They're mainly found in the Unova Region, far away from here. Anyway, a long time ago, when I playing near my house, I saw a weak Zorua, like my Bureiku, begging for food. I was so worried about it, I ran inside and asked my father for some Berries. He gave me some juicy Oran Berries, and I was so happy to finally help a Pokémon like my parents." She paused, then took a deep breath. "But when I gave it the Zorua, it turned into a Gengar, which scared me and took the Berries away. I became afraid of Gengar ever since." She was still a little scared thinking about the past. She never shared this to anyone, not even to Lows.
"But you're not afraid of Zorua?" Summer pondered.
Lisa shook her head. "A Zorua didn't directly affect me back then. Plus, Bureiku is the total opposite of that Gengar. He's a mischievous creature, but he cares about me a lot and is willing to battle tougher opponents to protect me."
Summer sadly smiled, which Lisa took notice of and became worried.
"Oh, did I say something I shouldn't have, Summer?"
"Oh no, Lisa. It's just that...you're a really brave person." Summer replied.
"R-Really? Why do you say that?" She was surprised to hear that. She was never considered a brave person before.
Lisa's new friend took a deep breath as Yuki gently placed her hand on Summer's shoulder. "I...got my fear of both Vulpix and Chimecho from a traumatic event. But I still have some issues seeing them, even though they don't look evil. Hearing about your experience with Zorua, you're more willing to move on from your trauma, even though you're still scared of Gengar."
"Summer's right, Lisa. You may be worried about doing well in Contests, but after hearing about what happened to you, you're much stronger than that."
I-I guess that is true...
Lisa thought as she beamed, "You know what? You're right. Maybe I should do the Goldenrod City Contest. After some more training, I know I can do well!"
Yuki laughed. "No matter the outcome, you won't be disappointed."
"Girls!" Garam called from the door. "It's time for the Pokémon to come in for dinner!"
"Coming!" The three girls returned the baby Pokémon and entered the nursery.
Lisa said, "Thanks for the advice and encouragement, Summer and Yuki. I have to stay here and help with dinner, but I hope we see each other again."
The trio embraced in a group hug. Yuki replied, "Of course, Lisa! I look forward to seeing you in a Contest."
After that, she separated from them as she and her Pokémon followed Garam through the north door. She finished the work for the nursery, including watching over the other Baby Pokémon to make sure they were okay, and helping the elderly couple to make dinner.
After the work was done, Lisa bid farewell to the couple as they thanked her for the help. Compared to earlier, she felt way happier and confident.
After she saw Lows, she knew that the first thing she would say was, "I'm ready to participate in the contest!"