When the train stops at Jubilife City, I cycle to Twinleaf Town. It's almost sundown so I make haste. My "mom" welcomes me home and offers dinner which appears to be some kind of stir fry. It's not as bad as I thought it'd be and besides I'm tired of eating berries all the time. After dinner, I rush upstairs to put the photo in a frame and go to bed. Piplup sleeps on a carpet since my bed isn't big enough for the two of us.
The next day, I wake up in the same room and walk down stairs. "Rebekah! Barry came looking for you awhile ago. I don't know what it was about, but he was shouting about you needing to get on a ship at Snowpoint City." With that in mind, I race outside and to Jubilife City to take the train. I'm not dressed for the cold there, but I'll be gone in a flash. I talk to the man by the boat and ask him where a blonde kid went. He gave me an option to go to a place called the Battle Zone so I go there.
Before heading off, a sweet and familiar face pops by to see me. My face lit up seeing Cynthia again. Is she coming along with me?
"I thought you would come, I'm glad I waited for you!" she said with a smile of an angel.
"You waited here for me?! How sweet!" I said embracing her.
"What are friends for?"
This brought tears to my eyes. I cannot even begin to describe how I felt. All I know is that it's a wonderful feeling.
"I think it's good that our world is constantly changing. Of course, I don't want it to become what only one person wants. A world like Cyrus envisions...no one would want that." she explained.
"Except for Cyrus." I added.
"Right. The kind of world I want to see is where everyone can share their joy. Where Pokemon and the people around them can be happy for each other. I want the world to become a place where everyone is smiling."
"Sad to say not everyone smiles."
"Yes, but still the world could be so much better if we all tried to make it that way."
I agree with Cynthia to a certain extent, but not everyone agrees on one thing. For example, not all people are Christians or Muslims. We all have our own way whether it's made up, or a set of rules. Cyrus had his own way of living, his own ideals and such. It will be like that till the world ends. Because of free will, we get to choose whom we will serve.
"I want you to keep traveling to many far off places and meet all kinds of people and Pokemon. I came all the way here just so I could say that to you." she said putting her hand on my shoulder.
"Heh, you sure have wisdom." I said smiling.
"Your horizons will expand again if you visit the Fight Area as well. I hope our paths cross again!"
"Me too! I want to see you as much as I can."
"I second that."
Is this woman an angel?! I've never met a sweeter person than her in my life! "Aye, aye, then! Let's set sail!" the sailor said. I walk in the boat and it takes off. We sail across ice debris which appears to be no threat. I still can't get over what happened back there. I'm so glad I decided to stick around! When I arrive, I see Barry waiting for me so I rush on over to him.
"Oh, hey, Rebekah! What took you so long?" he asked.
"I'm sorry, Cynthia stopped by to see me and-"
"I'm fining you $100 million!"
"You never change, do you?"
"Ah, never mind the fine. Come with me, will ya?"
I wonder what Barry wants to show me? He walks me over to this huge walkway where two ponds are side by side. There stand two men: Flint and Volkner. Why are they here? Not that I hate them or anything. I'm just curious. Did something happen?
"I tried to get into the Battle Frontier, which happens to be here. Then these guys came along and got in my face about it. Like, they're saying they want to test me if I'm good enough and all that." he explained.
"Let me guess, I have to help you fight them?" I asked.
"Are you psychic?"
"No, you're just easy to read. Let's do this!"
"Just like at Spear Pillar, let's show them who we really are!"
"This situation just cooks! The drama and tension sizzles!" Flint said getting fired up.
"I don't know how I managed to get myself into this, but...show me that got you through the Pokemon League!"
Here we go! Volkner sends out Luxray and Flint sends out Houndoom. I send out Piplup and Barry sends out Staraptor. Houndoom attacks first using Flamethrower on Staraptor, but Piplup puts the fire out with Hydro Pump. Staraptor engaged with Close Combat on Houndoom and knocks him out. Luxray closes in on Piplup with Thunder Fang, but he misses and the proud penguin shoots him with Hydro Pump. So far Barry and I are in the lead!
Their next Pokemon are Flareon and Jolteon. What a combo! Piplup uses Hydro Pump while Flareon uses Overheat, but the fires are drenched as well as Flareon. Jolteon comes ar Staraptor with a Charge Beam zapping his foe. The poor bird could not withstand it so he fainted. Barry sends out Torterra out of rage and type advantage. Flint's next Pokemon is Magmortar.
"Rebekah hold on, okay?!" he warned me.
"What for?" I asked.
Torterra used Earthquake so Piplup braced for impact. But as it turns out, he learns Protect. Both Magmortar and Jolteon are knocked out leaving Volkner with Electivire. This guy is toast! We go with the same strategy and win. Flint was left speechless yet again.
"Hey! Don't burn out on us!" Volkner said shaking the guy around. "Now you're just getting in the way."
"Sorry." Flint said giggling.
"Hahaha! That was a blast! Our combination came up short, but you're also a lot tougher as well. Promise me we'll do this again. I'll see to taking this husk home."
"We'll see." I answered.
Flint and Volkner leave the Fight Area feeling okay with the battle. Barry sure felt proud of himself wearing that smile on his face while standing up straight like a soldier. "See? I got a lot tougher, yeah?" he asked. I just agreed with him because I didn't want to get into an argument. "Okay, I'm off to the Fronti…" Suddenly, a man with spiky blonde hair bumps into Barry. He's wearing a green jacket with all kinds of belts on it for some reason.
"What's this all about?!" he asked
"What the...DADDY?!" Barry gasped.
"Huh? Ah! If it isn't Barry! You've grown all sturdy! And Rebekah, too! I haven't seen you in a long time either! Your mom told me you'd gone off to the Battle Zone so I had to come looking for you. Are you two going to take the Battle Frontier challenge?"
"I was, until you bumped into me."
"Sorry, anyway, the Frontier has five facilities that are all dedicated to battling. Each one has a unique set of rules, so they're all different. Of course, you have to be good to win at any of them. Anyway, I'm satisfied to see that you're both doing well."
Palmer then let's us know that he will be waiting for us at the Battle Frontier. I don't think I'll be heading to the Battle Frontier because there's apparently a whole lot more to explore here.
"My dad is cool, huh? I mean, when it gets right down to it. You think so too, right?" Barry asked.
"Yeah, he's a nice guy." I admitted.
"He's a Frontier Brain after all, he's the Tower Tycoon! I want to be cool like my dad!"
"Well, you're getting there."
"Thanks. You know, that's the one reason I decided to become a Trainer! Ooh, what am I going to do? Should I make the challenge now or train some more?"
Barry impatiently tapped his foot thinking on what to do. Already I've decided to go on and explore. There's this Resort Area I want to check out along with Stark Mountain. I didn't realize these places existed till now.
"Okay! I've decided! I'm going to get tougher! By a lot! I finally made it here! There's no need for haste now."
"Right, good luck!"
With that, Barry was off. I'll admit, the kid's grown on me a little. Before heading off, a boy with red hair in a spiky man bun walks up to me. "Hey, hey. I just watched you two battle. You're something special, aren't you? Beating an Elite Four like that." he said. "Just who are you?" I asked. The boy face palmed.
"Oh, right, howdy. The name's Buck. I'm usually training at the Survival Area or Stark Mountain. You should come up there, you'll get toughened up for sure!"
"I plan on it!"
"Awesome! See ya!"
That dude is almost as passionate as Barry. Not to mention he gives off an energetic vibe. Well, it looks like I'm-wait! What's this? A vibration is coming from my pocket and it's my Pokedex. According to it, I saw every Pokemon in Sinnoh! You know what this means?! I've gotta pay an old man a visit!