Chapter 2:
Alder and Stronger
Location: Aspertia City
Just like yesterday, Hugh was waiting outside my house.
"So, we have Pokémon now," he said.
I nodded. "So, shall we go? I'm not sure where. We could take on the Gym."
Hugh seemed weirdly offended. "What? Like this? Our Pokémon are only Lv.5. How can we take on Mr. Cheren if we don't have more Pokémon? No no no, let's get some training done. We will test our strength by walking to Floccesy Town. It can't be too hard. We'll spend two days training over there."
I agreed. Floccesy Town is the next settlement over. It's quite an ancient town; most of the buildings are made of stone. There is also a clocktower and is home to a certain person. There is also a farm nearby.
"Sounds like a plan!" I said. "Floccesy Town it is!"
Location: Route 19
The meadow-like Route 19. Green grass swayed beneath our feet next to the crystal-clear lake. There was also a small cliff with stairs going up it, but the stairs were on the other side of the lake. We don't have Surf so we couldn't make it over.
"Our first steps on a journey, even if we're going one place over," Hugh brought up. Sometimes the first steps on your journey are the biggest you'll take in your life.
"Thank goodness you guys haven't gone yet!" Bianca came running up through the gate. "You've only just left. Good." She looked at her surroundings. "I tell you. This reminds me off two years ago, when I started my journey. So, who wants to learn how to catch a Pokémon?" she asked.
We both lifted our hand. Remembering we weren't at School, we put them down a bit embarrassed.
"Then allow me to demonstrate!" Bianca said. In front of us was the tall grass, so she went in.
The Pokémon Bianca came across was a Purrloin.
Purrloin (チョロネコ)
015
Dark Type
Devious Pokémon
1'04" (0.4 m)
22.3 lbs (10.1 kg)
Their cute act is a ruse. They trick people and steal their valuables just to see the looks on their faces.
"Bianca you need to catch this!" Hugh shouted.
"Hold your Horsea I'm getting there!" Bianca giggled. "Go Lillipup!" she yelled.
Lillipup (ヨーテリー)
012
Normal Type
Puppy Pokémon
1'04" (0.4 m)
9 lbs (4.1 kg)
Though it is a very brave Pokémon, it's also smart enough to check its foe's strength and avoid battle.
"Okay Lillipup, Tackle it!" Lillipup charged full pelt into Purrloin. Purrloin was knocked down but got back up and used Scratch.
"Do it!" Hugh shouted.
"Gotcha. Pokéball, go!" Bianca threw a Pokéball and Purrloin went inside. The Pokéball shook on the spot…
Bianca caught it!
"Amazing!" I said as Bianca petted Lillipup.
"Just remember, the weaker the Pokémon, the more likely it is to stay put. You need to get a perfect balance of weak enough to be confident enough that it will be caught but not so much to knock it out. Okay, I'm off. Cheren has a message for me. Have fun in Floccesy Town!"
After Bianca walked off, I suggested to Hugh that we should try catching something.
"Really?" he asked. "I mean, aside from Purrloin the Pokémon on this Route aren't the most exciting. But I guess we'll give it a go, though I might wait till Route 20."
"Suit yourself!" I said, walking into the tall grass. Sure enough, a Pokémon jumped out.
Patrat (ミネズミ)
010
Normal Type
Scout Pokémon
1'08" (0.5 m)
25.6 lbs (11.6 kg)
Extremely cautious, one of them will always be on the lookout, but it won't notice a foe coming from behind.
"Snivy, go!" I shouted. "Use Tackle!" Snivy rammed its body into Patrat, with Patrat using Tackle back. "Again Snivy! Let's get its HP even lower!" Snivy did just what I asked. Well, that's not entirely true. I didn't ask for the Tackle to be a Critical Hit. Patrat was knocked out.
"No Snivy! You got it wrong! You were supposed to bring it close to a KO, not straight up do it!"
Hugh patted me on the back. "Hey, there will be far more Pokémon on our journey. Don't go crying over a simple Patrat. You should be crying when you lose a Pokémon that was already lost."
"What did you say?"
We looked up at the cliff, and our jaw dropped. With his orange fiery hair and his Pokéball necklace, we were in the presence of the former Unova Champion; Alder.
"Could I be dreaming?" Hugh asked as Alder jumped from the cliff to our level.
"Well, I see we have two new Trainers with us today. I would like your names please."
"My name is Rosa. Rosa Wright. This is my best friend Hugh. We're on our way to Floccesy Town for some training. We'll be there for two days."
Alder smiled. "May I see your Pokémon?"
We sent out Snivy and Tepig.
"We've only been together a day, but we're very close!" Hugh said. Our partners ran over, and we gave them a hug. As we did it, we could see Alder looked uncomfortable.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing. You know, Floccesy is my hometown. Tell you what, I'll meet you over there. You can ask me all the questions that you like. It's just a half hour trek down the road. I will see you there."
With that, Alder walked down the road.
"What a downer," I said. "I'm sure we'll find out more when we arrive in Floccesy. Come on! Our Pokémon aren't going to train themselves! Well, technically they could but they're still ours!"
Location: Floccesy Town
The old timey village of Floccesy Town came into view. Despite only being on the road half an hour, it already felt like a day. It was only ten in the morning according to the giant clock.
"Where's Alder?" I asked Hugh. "Surely he couldn't be hiding."
"Alder is out." A Breeder came along. She seemed to be sparking with electricity, and her hair was a complete mess. With her was a quadruped fluffy Pokémon with a long tail that had a golden ball on the end.
"Who's that Pokémon?" I asked, flipping open the Pokédex.
Mareep (メリープ)
025
Electric Type
Wool Pokémon
2'00" (0.6 m)
17.2 lbs (7.8 kg)
When cold weather increases static electricity, its wool doubles in size and the tip of its tail grows slightly.
"Fascinating Pokémon," Hugh said. "To my knowledge, Mareep were first found in Johto correct?"
The girl nodded. "That's right! I came over to Floccesy Town from our Ranch to give it a shear, but it wants none of that, hence why I look a mess. My name is Ellie, the daughter of the owner of the Ranch. I'm, well, still a beginner."
Mareep looked grumpy. "Maybe it doesn't like to be sheared," I said. It would be a shame if it wasn't though. My shirt is made of finely pulled Mareep wool; they make a good business.
"Mareep, you're not a baby anymore. If you still have your coat during the summer, the heat will be unbearable. Come on, let's get you to the shearers." Ellie got out an electric razor. She turned it on and it started whirring. Mareep backed away.
"Quite the shy one," Hugh said.
"I know!" I said. "How about I have a battle with Mareep! A lack of confidence seems to be the problem, so why don't we fix that?"
Ellie fiddled her earring. "I'm not sure. The Mareep here are reared for wool, not for battles."
"Doesn't hurt to try!" I said. "Come on! Let's do it! You'll be the first Trainer I've ever battled!"
Ellie smiled. "Mareep, wanna give it a go?"
Mareep nodded.
"Okay then!" Hugh shouted. "Battle start!"
Rosa Vs. Breeder Ellie
"Snivy, go!" I shouted. As Snivy was sent out, it summoned some vines. Then it hit Mareep. "Snivy, did you just learn Vine Whip?" Snivy turned to me and smiled. "Great job!"
"Okay Mareep, Thunder Wave!" Mareep fired a ring of electricity at Snivy. Snivy was paralysed.
"Oh no!" I shouted.
"Now use Tackle!" Mareep charged into Snivy.
"Another Vine Whip!" Snivy summoned its vines at hit Mareep again. Mareep was almost down.
"Use Tackle!" Another charge into Snivy brought it to its breaking point.
"One more Vine Whip!" Sure enough, Snivy pulled through the paralysis. It used Vine Whip one more time, fainting Mareep.
"Mareep!" Ellie yelled. She gave Mareep a Revive, bringing it back to half health. Mareep got up, and cuddled up on Ellie's leg. "Mareep, would you like to get sheared?" She got out the razor, and Mareep stayed put. "Okay, let's get you to the shearing house. Both of you, feel free to come to the Ranch tomorrow. I'll tell Mum all about this."
Ellie walked off with Mareep.
"That was fine, both of you!" Alder said from behind us.
"You watched?" I asked. "Well, it's what I could do to help."
Alder grinned slightly. "So, questions. Do you have any?"
"Yes," said Rosa. "But it's a big one. When did you last meet, Hilbert Whittaker?"
Alder stopped for a minute. "Hilbert. Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time."
"Wait, why?" Hugh asked.
"I'll explain everything. Let's book a room at the Pokémon Center. This needs to be discussed in privacy."
Location: Floccesy Town Pokémon Center
We knew what we needed to do; heal our Pokémon then book a room.
"Hey Alder," I asked. "Why is no one asking for an autograph? Just because you're not Champion anymore doesn't mean you're no longer a Celebrity."
"Not here!" he said. "In quiet Floccesy Town, I'm as famous as everyone else. Stronger? Certainly. But unlike those stupid paparazzies that went around back during my reign, they respect my privacy!"
After we healed, we went up to my room. Hugh had booked a separate room to, but for the sake of things, we just went into my room.
"You can't let anyone else know about this without my permission," I said. "You can call me mad all you like. But I believe that I am right!"
I got Hilbert's Journal from my Bag. "An old book?" Hugh asked. "What is this?"
I flicked through the pages. "This isn't any old book. This is Hilbert's book! The Journal he used on his adventure! Look, it has everything."
"Let me see," Alder said. I handed the Journal to him and he had a look through. "Yes, I believe this is authentic. This is exactly how I recall our meeting on Route 5, Twist Mountain, Relic Castle and the Pokémon League. Where on earth did you find this?"
"It fell from the sky," I said. "Right into my hands shortly after he disappeared. I want to find previous companions on his journey for possible whereabouts on him. Would you be willing to help me?"
Hugh stood up. "I'm with you all the way! So, who first?"
I turned to the first page. "Cheren. He went on a journey with Hilbert. When we return to Aspertia City in a few days, we'll ask him. Then it's off to Castelia City to meet Gym Leader Burgh. He would know a thing or two, at least I hope."
Alder got up. "I better get going. I have some things to attend do. Good luck on your search."
Location: Floccesy Town
Being only Noon, it would be the ultimate silly to hit the hay then and there. So, me and Hugh took a walk to see the sights.
"Why did you never tell me about this?" Hugh asked.
"I'm sorry. I just didn't want to look like a fool. I trust you Hugh, more than anyone in the world. But I just couldn't."
The two of us sat on a bench and looked at our Pokéballs. "I'm looking for someone to. And I know just who to look for."
"Who?" I asked. "I told you my plan, I need to know yours."
Hugh shook his head. "I can't. It's not easy to bring up and I have the same concern you have. I might be made fun of. I will tell you, I promise. But not at the moment."
I wasn't going to force him.
We have finally reached Floccesy Town, and I have let my word out to my best friend and the former Champion. However, Floccesy is just one settlement that I will find on my journey to find Hilbert. He's somewhere, I know it.