Chapter 2: Twisted Meeting
"This picture with the 3 Swanna Sisters looks very beautiful. Never though you could draw very well." Ame exclaimed, as she looked at the sketchbook' pictures in her hands. I blushed a bit from her compliment, after putting my crayons and pencils in the penholder, storing it in my bag. Tirami had changed her position and was now sitting on my suitcase on the floor, still sleeping again.
"Thanks...", I said, taking a sip from my orange juice and ate a apple.
"So I'm now curious about your career as a Coordinator back in Hoenn. I only heard it from my mother's cousin. Tell me.", Ame asked me, while handing me the sketch book back. I felt nervous now, because of what happened back, but I decided to focus on more happy times and imagine, I was interviewedby reporters.
"Okay. When I firstly started my career as a Pokemon Trainer, I went throughSlateport City, when I spotted a huge crowd near a big hall. After managing to go through them, I spotted Lisia, Hoenn's 1# Contest Idol with her Altaria named Ali, who was niece of Wallace, a Water Gym Leader and former Coordinator. As she was talking about the Contests and other stuff, I was soon scouted by one a second as the 100th candidate. I can clearly remember my reactionback then. Never expected such surprise and also I felt very embarrassed, because *laughs* I firstly started my journey. hah!Then I had to perform a performance as an exhibition for the viewers. As a result, the audience felt in love with me, thanks to my dancing skills and teamwork with my pokemon... Though Vanilly nearly screwed up, bc I doesn't like Contests and prefers fighting instead. Dearsweet Arceus, why... Good. So after I bet the Elite 4 and Steve Stone, who was the Champ back then, I hold the for2 years, before decided to retire from the title.", I explained Ame, while counting on.
"So, you retired, because in favour of the Contests, right?", Ame raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. You need a reverse plan for your life. So at 15, I went to the path of the Pokemon Contests with hugesucceus. I participlate in all ranks till the last one and managed to become one of the biggest Idols in Hoenn. For 3 years, I was the star. I had fame, supportand being beloved by everyone. My 6 Pokemon, that I use for battles are also specializing in Contest too. Starryfor Coolness, Tirami for Toughness, Rose for Cuteness, Fleur Beauty and Aurora Cleverness. They all developedtheir personalities within their traits and interests... Well, except for Vanilly, who likes battles and complains about it, but often supports us in the Contests. He often would protect me from attackers or even carry me on his back", I told her about the moments, where my Swampert would play bodyguard to keep perverts away from me.
"Guess, your bond with your teamates is very strong, giving how he treats you", Ame laughted, as she threw the leftovers in a small trash bin."Okay! We'renearly there. The train will be pulling into the Peridot Station shortly. I've arranged for one of my staff to meet you whenwe arrive. She'll be your guide to the city."
"Oh. Okay the... I can wa-", I was about to say, but was cut off from Tirami'sgrowl and barking, catching all the passengers attetion, who now looked around in worried. I knew, what it means,when she barks. Something bad gonna happen, as suddely Vanilly and Rose emerged from their PokeBalls, standing infront of us.
"Swam! Swammmpeert!!!"He called out, as he grab my suitcase with one arm and with the other me.
"Guar!",Rose cried, looking at me.
"Everyone, run! ALL OF YOU GETTHE HELL OUT" Iscreamed at the top of my lungs, attracting the people in order to get off of the train in time.
"What's going on?"A red haired Lass with her Skitty on her lap asked.
"No time to explain!" Ame claimed in response as the train had pulled into the station and rushed tho the exit,calling the people to leave now. I then had an idea.
'ROSE. USE YOUR PSYCHICPOWERS AND TELEPORT!!! NOOOWW!!!!"I called her out, as the Embrace Pokemon nodded in agreement, putting herarms on air, as they glow in a light aura.
"Guuuuaaaaaaaaaaaaarrddeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!"Rose called out.
A loud explosion was heard from inside, as I closed my eyes, clinging on Vanilly's arm in fear. I was afraid, I wasspotted by him, after all pain and sorrow he put me through? How funny...
"Swam?Swam?Swamp! Pet! Petswam!",I could hear Vanilly's voice now. Where I am now? Heaven? Dead? As I opened my eyes, I found myself in his arms with my suitcase next to his hand, including some bruises and cratches on my skin.
"Thanks Vanilly. You're a lifesaver" I gave him a huge. He nodded a bit, before we went looked around. Where on a large grey plattform in.. a lake? However it has a greyish and toxic colour. And itwas very foggy. Wait where are we?" I asked myself, as we both looked at the waters.
"It's poisoned. Vanilly are you okay?" I asked in concern, fearing he may got hurt by the poison. He shanked his head as an answer.
"Good boy. So we need to find Ame now, but... My bag... My bag is gone!Great start dammit!" I noticed, my bag was nonewhere to be found.Now I have to buy a new one and how now?
"Vanilly, please bring me on land." I jumped on his back, holding my suitcase. Luckily he was muchlarger than an average Swampert even without is Mega form and very strong, to carry to 2-3 people. After 5 minutes, I spotted ruins on land with smoke coming out from them. My blood froze, as I realize it was the station, we where supposed to arrive. As Vanilly saw my expression, he swam faster till we hit land, as I jumped from his back and ran towards the ruins;climbing up with Vanillyputting a few away.
"Ame! Ame! Where are you? Hello?Somebody!" I called, but no answer. " Dammit, I hope you're fine, please be fine." I went farther onward, as suddely I heart a Pokemon's cry from inside. It came from a deep spot, I couldn't reach all alone, so we needed to dig it out from there.
"Vanilly, use Bulldoze!" I commanded, as he began to punched some stones, as it shaked a bit. As I carefully wentmy way inside, while Vanilly made more space for me to move and hold a huge wooden plank, to keep it in check, so thingswon't fall apart.I looked around for the cry's source, as I spotted something pink sticking out from a pile of metal. It looked like one of a Skitty, whenI realized a Lass had one during the train ride.
"Shit! Don't worry, I'll save you. Please don't move for awhile, okay?", I calmy called out, as I moved a few things away, while the pink Pokemon meowedin worried. It took me awhile, but making sure it was enough for me to pull it out. It looked very scared, but showingno signs of injuries and curled into a ball, shivering in fear.
"Ssshh. There, there. Everthying is alright now" I tried to cheer it up. After I crawled from the hole, as Vanilly helped me out. "Let's go back at the station. Maybe we'll haveanswers from the police.". As we went down from there and arrive at the station or what was left from it.Police officers were checking and searching everywhere for possible survivors. As I walked around with the Skitty in my arms, in hopes to find it's owner and any possible survivors.
After 7 minutes of wandering, I managed to find a small crowd on the other side. Ame was also among them, which made me glad, she survived.
"Hey...Are you okay?"Ame asked, as she ran towards me, being glad, I was alive from the explosion as well. She brushed somedust and small debris from her hair, as an Alolan Ninetails stood next to her right. I never saw such Pokemon in my life, but only heard them from my grandmother's stories.
Ruby opened eyes weakly. "Yeah... I'm fine... what happened?"
"...Good, you're okay." She remarked as she stared at the now destroyed station,"I'm not sure what happened, but Team Meteor caused the train we were on to explode right as it pulled into thestation. I'm just glad I was able to get out of there in time, but..."She trailed off as a peppy feminine voice was heard.
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"A woman with long green hair tied in a ponytail wearing what appeared to be a yellow cheerleader costume approached, while wiedling pom poms.
"Julia..."Ame mumbled as Julia steadily approached the duo with a skip in her step,"Julia, what did you do?"
"Nothing! I was at the gym-gym and then suddenly BOOOOM, so I camerunning! Nobody booms things without me!"Julia cheered in response. A question mark appeared on our heads, as we heard her statement.
"Well, somebody did. I don't thinkit's coincidence that the bomb detonated right when we entered the station..."Ame remarked, continuing to lookover the damages.
I started to come close. "Oh. Hellothere Julia. My name is Lucia and this is my Swampert, Vanilly."
"WOW! That's a huge one"Juliachimed, as she came closer to him and smiled, instead of greeting me. But Vanilly looked happy with her response and the two high fived.
"They planned this to try and destroy the station."Ame muttered.
"By the looks of it, they did a pretty good job..."Julia answered, admiring the damage, which made me wonder about her.
"This is hardly the time to be admiring their work. I'm going to have theperimeter locked down immediately. The culprit may not have left the areat." Ame spoke, before she had made herway past us, "I'm sorry, Lucia, it looks like I won't be able to help you after all; However, my associate will. Goto the Grand Hall. It's a short stroll down this road. She should be waiting for you there, and...don't worry about allof this, we'll take care of it. Julia please take her" She smiled as she and her fox Pokemonmade their leave towards the Grand Hall.
"Okay, Ame I will! See ya later!"Julia called out, as she turned towardsme.
"So you're Lucia? Sorry for not answering you. I'm Julia, captain of cheer and pep, and all things boom boom!"Thegreen haired cheerleader cheered happily as she introduced herself to us. She looks very cheerful and dynamic, despite the current situation.
"Nice to meet you." I responed again with a smile.
"Oh, Pop Quiz! Are you going to take on the Reborn League?"Julia questioned with a bubbly smile on her face.This made me feel a bit nervous, but I don't see other choice, I guess.
"Yes" I lied again. "I really wantto take the challenge." Just a reserve plan! Just a reserve plan!
"Correct! Then I'll be seeing youvery soon, because I'm also the Electric Gym Leader! I'll be looking forward to your challenge, so go on, let's go tothe Grand Hall already!" She chimed happily, clearly unable to contain her excitement as she grabbed my hand, pointing her towards the Opal Ward and the Grand Hall to the east, before dragging me along this way. Vanilly hold my suitcase and followed us.