Chapter 6:

Roller Up

Location: Santalune City

"This is Alexa, just in once again with the latest victory against my sister, Calem Yvonne!"

Don't worry, I gave her permission this time. As long as she doesn't mention the RR word. "I'm touched," I responded.

"And not only that, but she also got on Viola's wall! That means it was a battle she REALLY enjoyed! Calem, you should be proud of yourself. What else do you have to say?"

"Easy," I said. "I still have a long way to go! Lumiose City is next!"

Alexa had a concerned look on her face. "Yeah… about that…"

"What?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing. Okay, now I'm going to teach our latest Gym victor how to skate! This is Alexa, signing off!" She stopped the camera. "Okay, meet me on Route 22! It's east of the city! I'll be about an hour; need to send the footage to Kalos 24."

Location: Route 22

Route 22 was a beautiful route with a crystal-blue river running past it. To the north was a racetrack, used for Rhyhorn Races. Of course, I didn't care for that; I cared for battles!

Wanting to get some training done immediately, I walked in front of a Rising Star.

"I like watching the races from here! Especially the triathlons!"

Calem Vs. Rising Star Louise

"I choose Chespin!" I shouted.

"Go Psyduck!" Louise replied. She sent out a fluffy-yellow Pokémon with a large bill. It had three tufts of black hair on its head and seemed to be clamping its forehead.

Psyduck (Psykokwak)

#059 (Central)

Water Type

Duck Pokémon

0.8 m (2'07")

19.6 kg (43.2 lbs)

It is constantly wracked by a headache. When the headache turns intense, it begins using mysterious powers.

"Chespin, Vine Whip!" Chespin summoned a vine and hit Psyduck for Super Effective damage.

"Use Scratch!" Psyduck waddled over and swiped at Chespin. It didn't do much.

"Vine Whip again!" Chespin used another Vine Whip, and Psyduck was defeated.

"My blood is pumping like the runners! Litleo, go!" Well, this was a Pokémon I wasn't familiar with. It was brown and had a tuft of orange hair on its forehead. It had round ears and was quadruped.

Litleo (Hélionceau)

#057 (Central)

Fire/Normal Type

Lion Cub Pokémon

0.6 m (2'00")

13.5 kg (29.8 lbs)

They set off on their own from their pride and live by themselves to become stronger. These hot-blooded Pokémon are quick to fight.

I couldn't have Chespin facing a Fire Type, so I recalled it. "Okay Fletchling, go!" I yelled. "Use Peck!" Fletchling flew down and pecked at Litleo.

"Litleo, use Ember!" Litleo shot a spark of fire at Fletchling. It was a direct hit.

"Use another Peck!" Fletchling flew down and pecked at Litleo again. This time it was a Critical Hit. Litleo was down.

"And just like the end of a race, I'm now exhausted…"

Later, Alexa came over decked out in skating gear. "Sorry I'm late! Okay, let's teach you a skating lesson!"

I went into my Bag and got on my skates. I got up but slipped. "Ouch," I said.

Alexa offered a hand. "It takes some getting used to." I took her hand and she stood me up. I needed to keep my balance for a few seconds. "Now follow my lead. Position your legs like a Psyduck."

I put my heels together, but not touching. "Check."

"Now, glide!" Alexa said. She pushed with one leg and started rolling along. She would put one foot on the ground every so often, and I did the same. I got the hang of it quickly.

"I'm doing it! I'm doing-"

I crashed into a tree.

"Beginners bad luck," Alexa said. "But hey, you got it quicker than most. And that's all I'll teach you today. Dotted around Lumiose City though there are people who will teach you more tricks. I think you'll just need the basics for now though. Oh, I have something for you." Alexa went into her bag and got out what looked like an Exp. Share.

"Is this the latest model?!" I asked.

"Yep! You just need to have it and all your Pokémon will get Exp, not just the one holding it like beforehand. Use it well!"

"Thanks! I will put it to good use!"

Location: Santalune City Pokémon Center

"You learned how to skate?" Tierno asked.

"Yeah. Guess I got lucky with that person who doesn't know about 'excuse me.'"

Tierno smiled. "I've been wanting to skate for the longest time. It will improve my dancing skills!"

"Do you ever think about anything else?" I laughed. "Anyway, Lumiose City is the next stop. I've heard the Gym is located in Prism Tower, which at one point was the largest tower in the Pokémon World. It was surpassed by Unity Tower mind. At the very least though, my ambition to battle there is taller!"