Chapter 8
After a night's sleep, Team RWBY got up early in order to prepare for the day. They also want to meet up with Franklin, but it seems that he has gone out early when they try to look for him for some advice.
"Awwww." Ruby is down in the dumps, "I wanted to have his number."
Yang realizes as she freaks out. She even freaked out her teammates. "We forgot to get each other's digits!"
"Oh." Weiss is a little mad. "Don't scare us like that."
Song: Pokemon Theme (Version XY)
Artists: Ben Dixon and the Sad Truth, John Siegler, and John Loeffler
I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
(Pokémon!)
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Yeah, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!
Ruby and Yang head out to some of the stores not too far from the Pokemon Center. They first enter a camping store to get some camping supplies.
They check out some of the sleeping bags with Yang going, "Let's see here. I think we should get sleeping bags that match our color." Yang takes a closer look at the sleeping bags before checking the price tag. "Now let's see here. One bag costs...₽5,000. So they cost the same as the medium-end ones at Remnant in terms of lien."
Trivia: Okay, I know about yen being 0.062 when converting it to $ but I'm just gonna make things simple for some of the younger kids reading this. Although I have no idea what the exchange rate is for lien and real lien is actually a legal claim a creditor has on a debtor's property, should they fail to meet the obligations of a loan contract. Other words, security interest ranted over an item of property to secure the payment of a debt or performance of some other obligation. Plus I also found out that ₽ is actually the symbol of a Russian Ruble being used for Pokemon. Enough about economics, let's get back to the story.
"So it would cost us ₽20,000 for the sleeping bags." Yang looks at Ruby who is looking at the tents, "Found a good tent?"
Ruby looks at the different types of tents and their costs, "There are some good ones and we are in luck. They are on sale." She looks at Yang and shows a red tent, "How about this one? It can fit ten people and it costs ₽9,500." Then shows a picture of a white yurt, "Or how about this eight person yurt tent for ₽124,000? It may not be on sale but it is a lot roomier plus we can share this space with our Pokemon."
"That is a hard decision." Yang takes a closer look, "But I think we should focus on saving some of our money so we should try to find one that is probably around ₽90,000 or lower that does have room."
Ruby points at one of the tents on sale that has woodland camo, "How about this Sylph Co. Air-Hike 16'x9' Modified Dome Tunnel Tent? It is on sale for ₽75,000."
"That...might actually work. Let's see if we can find some camping food as well."
"I think Weiss and Blake went to a department store to get food. So let's just get the camping stuff and head towards the next store."
At a mutli-level super market for trainers, Weiss and Blake are there shopping for some gear for Pokemon. However, on the escalator, Weiss is a little annoyed as she cross her arms and looks upset.
"I can't believe we can't get better items just because we don't have any badges, keys or ribbons!" Weiss says in a moody tone. "Who made up this rule?!"
Blake just shrugs because she has no idea why. "But we did get some potions and Pokeballs."
"Well any case, we should get some food for our Pokemon and for ourselves for the long trip. Good thing that we can store them in our pack gizmos as data so we won't have to worry about expiration dates or getting bad."
"That's true."
As they made it up to the third floor, they come across some sort of raffle station where a woman says, "Step right up and test your luck! We are giving away certain items to a very lucky few depending on the color marble and we are giving away four duplicate items this Friday! Which is today! You can win certain items that can clear things from your path, special Pokeballs, special items, or, for the grand prize, four annual passes to the Onsen Resort at Hotwater Isle! You can pay with tickets or pay ₽50!"
"...huh." Weiss went. "That sounds a little too convenient."
"I have to agree. Not to mention a chance to win passes to a hot springs resort." Then Blake pulls out a ticket, "Should we give it a try?"
"Sure. Hot springs sound nice."
The two approach the stand with Weiss giving the woman her ticket that she got from purchasing Pokeballs for everybody. Once she did, Weiss spins the wooden raffle barrel (or lottery machine depending on how you call it) until a marble comes out. After five spins, she got a green marble.
"Congratulations!" the woman says, "You won a set of four...forest sheers!" She pulls up the prize, "With them, you and your friends can cut down any form of foliage that are blocking your path so that you won't have your Pokemon using cut!" She hands her over the sheers.
Weiss has obtained 4 Forest Sheers
"Okay." Weiss takes them. "I was not expecting that. Can I pay ₽50 to go again, right?"
"You can ma'am."
Weiss tests her luck again and spins the raffle spinner. After a few spins, a grey marble comes out.
"Congratulations!" the woman says again, "You won a set of four...power gloves!" She pulls up the prize, "With them, you and your friends can smash rocks or move boulders that are blocking your path so that you won't have your Pokemon using strength or rock smash!" She hands her over the gloves.
Weiss has obtained 4 Power Gloves
Weiss sighs, "Well, at least we can use these special devices on boulders. Won't have to ask Yang to smash stuff."
Blake then steps up, "I'll give it a try." She hands the lady her ticket.
"Go ahead, ma'am."
Blake then test her luck on the lottery machine as she gives it a few spins. After eight spins, a golden marble came out.
"You won!" the lady says as she rings the bell. "You won four annual passes to the Onsen Resort at Hotwater Isle! Congratulations, ma'am!" She hands over the passes to Blake.
Blake has obtained 4 Annual Onsen Passes
Blake takes the passes and looks at Weiss, "I got 'em!"
"Yes!" Weiss cheers for joy right before they hug each other for their free trip to the Onsen Resort.
Blake lets go, "Hold on, let's see if I can win something else." Blake pays ₽50 to go again and spins the lottery machine. After a few spins, she got a blue marble.
"Congratulations! You won a set of...super rods!" The woman pulls up the prize, "You and your friends can use them to fish water-type Pokemon."
Blake has obtained 4 Super Rods.
Blake's eyes sparkle as she takes the rods. She holds them tight and looks like she is about ready to go off on her fishing trip.
Weiss places her hand on Blake's left shoulder, "Easy there." Blake looks at Weiss. "We can go fishing once we arrived at the Hotwater Isle. Or that contest at the park. So that way you can fish?"
Blake nods very fast in excitement as she gives Weiss one of the rods without a word.
"Why, thank you." Weiss takes the rod. "Now lets get some food before the Nature Park Catching Contest starts."
"And our contest outfits. Although that may take a little longer."
"Once we're done shopping here, wanna check out one of the clothing stores?"
"Of course."
Ruby and Yang are busy at another store not too far from where Weiss and Blake are at which is a clothing store. It appears to be a book store that Yang and Ruby exited out of with Ruby just purchasing a book titled, 'Howling at the Moon by Jade Amethyst'.
"Are you sure about it, Ruby?" Yang asks. "Because that book was way more expensive than one of our sleeping bags."
"Thought Blake would like a gift from both of us." Ruby replies as she shows her the book. "Nothing like reading stories in another world."
"That's true. We need to head to the Pokemon Center to meet up with Weiss and Blake for lunch, so let's book it!"
Ruby looks a little confuse, "Is that supposed to be a pun or are you serious?"
"Both." Yang walks off.
"I still don't get it." Ruby follows. "But I wonder if Franklin is there." Ruby starts to get all bashful.
"Race ya' to the Pokemon Center for lunch!" Yang then runs off ahead.
"No fair!" Ruby runs to catch up. "You got a head start!"
In the clothing store, Weiss and Blake are with a woman that is taking their measurements.
"How long will it take?" Blake asks.
"Well." the lady puts the measuring tape away, "Since the two of you gave us some designs, although the princess with the scar ain't really good-"
"HEY!"
"-along with giving us your measurements, it should take a few hours to make a dress and a yukata. Probably be done around four or four thirty."
"Good to hear." Blake says. "How much do we owe you?"
The lady then types in her calculator to calculate how much it all costs and shows it to them.
"Whoa!" Weiss says and a bit out of character. "That...is a little much. It is almost everything that we have." Both Weiss and Blake are completely shocked by what their outfits cost.
"How about we split the bill?" Blake suggests.
"Yeah. Good idea." Weiss agrees.
After that, the two left and meet up with Ruby and Yang at the Pokemon Center for a quick bite before heading out to Central Nature Park.
Both teams meet each other at the entrance of the Pokemon Center.
"Hey there, you two!" Yang greets them. "How goes the dresses for your showcases?"
"She said that they'll be done by four or later." Blake answers.
Weiss pulls out the receipt, "And here is the cost."
Both Ruby and Yang take a look.
"Holy-!" Yang says and is a little freaked out along with Ruby. "That's a lot!"
Ruby then says, "If dad sees this, he would have a heart-attack."
Yang looks at Weiss and Blake, "Are they decorating them with diamonds?!"
Ruby looks at Weiss and Blake as well, "Please tell us that you guys got the groceries?"
"We did before ordering." Weiss says as she puts the receipt away.
"We also got something else." Blake pulls out some items from her T.I.S.S.O.B (needs a better name) along with Weiss and gives them to them. "Here, we got these at a raffle."
Ruby and Yang has obtained Forest Sheers, Annual Onsen Passes, Power Gloves, and Super Rods.
Ruby and Yang take the items and goes, "Oooo! I can't wait to use these!"
Yang looks at the pass, "You got us passes to a hot springs resort?! Awesome!"
Yang and Ruby gives them a hug after putting their items away. Although, Yang's hugs are too tight due to her strength.
"Speaking of gifts..." Ruby lets go before Yang does and gives Blake a book, "I got you a book."
Blake takes the book, "Why, thank you." Blake really appreciates Ruby for giving her a book.
"Now come on." Yang goes to the doors, "I'm hungry!"
"We may need to make it quick." Ruby suggests. "Because the contest is gonna start soon."
"Then we'll take it to go!"
After getting lunch (yeah I know, I'm skipping ahead but it is to hurry this up to the adventure), Team RWBY made their way to the park and...it is a lot bigger than it appears. The place is so huge that there are plenty of grassy plains, some forests, and a few playgrounds here and there. This park makes New York City's Central Park more like a kiddie sandbox.
Trivia: Central Park is 843 acres. Central Natural Park park is almost four times the size. 3,368 to be exact. Like I said, almost.
Team RWBY is impressed by not only the size of the park, but also the size of the tree. It is the largest tree in the entire park that stands 6 miles high. That's bigger than Mt. Everest by half a mile! Not as big as Olympus Mons of Mars because that mountain is over 16 miles.
"Whoa." Yang says while impressed. "That is one impressive tree."
Weiss stepped up and is in awe, "It's...bigger than any mountain. Bigger than the mountains back on Remnant."
The team just stood there in awe by the Yggdrasil Tree with Blake reading from her Megadex, "The Yggdrasil Tree is the largest tree in the world that is sometimes called the Sundial Tree that cast a shadow from seven in the morning to five at night. The tree is over 6 miles high and a half a mile radius along with being over 5,000 years old. It's roots are connected to a meteorite that has given the tree its unnatural long life."
"Meteorites are cool." Ruby compliments that while still in awe.
Blake puts her Megadex away, "We should hurry up to registration."
Team RWBY walked a few good ways until they come across some sort of orange tent that has the words, 'Cent Nature Park Pokemon Catching Competition' in red.
An old man dressed in a grounds keeper outfit asks, "Are you here for the competition?" He sits there in front of a desk covered in a black table cloth with some papers on it.
"Yes we are." Ruby says.
The old man smiles, "Ahh, you're in luck. I have four empty slots left for the competition. Make sure you and your friends take these." He pulls out a small box that has eight sports balls. "But I'm afraid that there is a bit of a delay. Mr. Sukizo, the President of the Pokemon Fan Club, is running a little behind due to traffic. So, please enjoy your time over their." He points to the northwest to some sort of fountain where there seems to be some school children playing with three different kinds of Pokemon that have different color sashes.
"Aww!" Ruby went as she sees two of the three Pokemon.
Weiss pulls up her Megadex.
They got info on the Drampas but they also learn about the two other Pokemon species. One of them is round, pale pink Pokémon that show similarities to bouncy rubber balls, a large, white tail, which occupies about half of their backs, have rosey pink cheeks and a white band going around the center of their stomachs. Not to mention simple looking
Rubball. The rubber Pokemon. Normal-type. Rubball have extremely bouncy bodies. It loves to play with children and is usually seen near groups of children because of that. They are also known to have rubbery skin that can withstand almost any Pokemon moves.
The third type of Pokemon is sort of small, pink rabbit that has large ears that are mostly white but have pink tips, stubby limbs like the Rubballs, a round white belly; and a white, fluffy ball for a tail.
Lophug. The hugging Pokemon. Fairy-type. Lophug are often cherished for their extreme cuteness. Many say their charm helps lift the mood.
Trivia: Both Rubball and Lophug are from Pokemon Solar Light and Lunar Dark.
"So cute!" Yang admits with her hands on her face.
The Drampas have the colored sashes on their necks, the Rubballs have them on their waists, and the Lophugs have them on their left ears.
"So what is going on?" Weiss asks. "Isn't today a school day?" She looks up on her Megadex to see what is going on. She reads aloud, "Once a month, four lucky schools will be picked to visit the Central Nature Park Pokemon Catching Competition. Each of these schools are allowed to bring their Pokemon and given different colored sashes that represents the school they are from so that none of them will get mixed up. Huh. Guess that makes sense." And she puts her Megadex away.
Then they hear a familiar voice from a bench where a group of children are sitting close to, "And then the Meowth In Boots saved the princess, return her to her family, and lived happily ever after. The end."
The children cheered for the story's happy ending. Team RWBY looked at the person telling the story and it is Franklin holding a blue book with gold letters that reads, 'Big Book of Fables'.
Blake says, "Oh hey, it's Franklin."
Ruby's face starts to turn red, looking a bit nervous, and steam coming out from her head.
Yang licks her upper lips as she approaches him while speaking to him in a seductive tone, "Hey there, Franklin! How's it goin-"
Ruby angrily yanks her sister away by the arm.
Weiss approaches, "Hello, Franklin." with Blake following her.
Franklin closes the book he was reading to the children and some of the Pokemon, "Hello again. Weiss, Blake, Ruby, and Yang." Sylveon then pops up and looking a little hostile towards them.
Weiss then snuggles Sylveon, "Hello cutie!" Sylveon tries to break free from Weiss' snuggling.
Blake talks to Franklin, "Here for the competition?"
"No, not really." Franklin says. "Just looking after the kids while the teacher does some business. I'm actually doing a bit of volunteer work."
"I see."
Sylveon headbutts Weiss which causes her to break free and snuggles up to Franklin. Sylveon runs up to Franklin, rubs her cheek on him, looks at Weiss and sticks her tongue out at her.
"Sylveon." Franklin says, "What did I tell you?"
Sylveon makes a blank expression and looks away. Some of the kids laugh at Sylveon.
"I'm guessing that it's your first time. Catching Pokemon, right?"
Yang nods, "Yep. Plus you did tell us about this competition, so we get to try it out."
"And I'm guessing that you think that all you need to do is just throw a Pokeball at the Pokemon you want to catch."
"Yea-wait. There's more to it?"
The kids laugh at Yang.
One of the girls say, "Of course there is."
"Silly lady." one of the boys say while laughing, "You have to battle the Pokemon to weaken it before capturing."
"Well..." one of the girls speaks aloud, "There are a few certain Pokeballs that allow you to catch Pokemon without battling."
"But you girls do know about type advantages and disadvantages, right?" Franklin asks Team RWBY.
"Y-yeah." Ruby says nervously.
Blake whispers to Ruby, "You've talked to him before without getting nervous."
Ruby whispers back, "I know but...my mind was on something else like that story Blue told us. I don't know how but it helps me focus on something else. As of right now, he looks super cool."
Franklin stands up from his seat, "Alright. Since we got sometime, how about I teach you the basics?"
Franklin took the time to teach them the basics of capturing a Pokemon. Which took at least two minutes because it is easy to explain. However, a certain someone showed up.
"I finally found you!" says the person addressing Franklin in a bit of a hostile tone...who turns out to be Rusty.
"Who are you?" Franklin asks.
Rusty approaches Franklin, "I'm Rusty! From Beige Town!"
"...Where?" Franklin looks a little confuse.
"You're the one who took on Red and beat him! In his honor," he pulls out his Pokeball, "I will defeat you!"
"Wait!" Rotom Dex shows up, "That's Franklin, the League Slayer! He is also the next Pokemon Master once he defeats the Ultima League!"
"Pokemon Master?" Ruby asks as her normal self and no longer bashful. "What's a Pokemon Master?"
Rusty looks at Rotom Dex and says in a more calm tone, "Wait, for real?"
"Yes! Plus if you battle him now, you won't be able to participate in the competition."
Then someone on the megahorn says, "Attention everyone! The master of ceremony is here! Please head up to the orange stage!"
Rusty looks at the direction of the stage, "Ah Wormadam! Better head over." Rusty runs off while shouting, "I'll battle you later!"
"Guess it's time for us to catch 'em all." Yang says.
"Is that supposed to be a pun or trying to do some line from a movie?" Weiss asked.
"Yes."
"Which is it?"
"Both."
Ruby says, "Yang's been acting weird."
"HEY!"
Team RWBY run towards the stage to listen in. On the orange stage, Mr. Sukizo, President of the Pokemon Fan Club, is the master of ceremonies. The man takes the stage and says through his microphone, "Hello everyone! It is remarkable to have you all here today! I also apologize for my delay, but that's what happens when you live in a big city. For today, I am not only the master of ceremony, but also one of the judges." He presents the other judges, "The other two judges are...Nurse Joy!"
Nurse Joy does a smile, "It is a pleasure to be here."
"And for the third judge...Groundskeeper Fargus!"
Turns out that the third judge is the groundskeeper of the park. He just gives a heart-warm laugh and waves at everyone.
"So that groundskeeper guy is a judge." Blake states.
"Who knew." Ruby shrugs.
"I can't wait to get started!" Rusty jumps up in excitement.
Mr. Sukizo continues, "Now for the rules! You can only battle with one Pokemon that you register and no other. Trainers are not allowed to battle each other. You can only catch TWO Pokemon with your Sports Balls and no other Pokeballs. These Sports have been modified to be similar to an Ultra Ball in terms of catch rate and able to catch any other Pokemon other than bug-types. Violation of these rules will result in an instant disqualification! Further more, the trainer with the best Pokemon, best looking or rare, will be given the grand prize of ₽100,000 and a random evolutionary stone depending on the amount of points they earned from the two Pokemon. Second place winners will receive ₽50,000 and a random vitamin for their Pokemon. Third place will receive ₽25,000 and a sitrus berry. Consolation prized include ₽10,000 and a shed shell. With all that out of the way, begin!"
Trainers then started to scatter all over the park in search of Pokemon that will get them a high amount of points to win. Will Team RWBY be able to win such prizes? Or will it be Rusty winning out of left field? And is it the same Nurse Joy from the Pokemon Center? Those are questions that will be answer on the next chapter. Stay tune!