Chapter 16:
Right Down to Join Avenue
Location: Route 4
"The Nimbasa City Gate is just down the road!" I told Hugh. "I'm so excited! As well as the Gym, we can go on the Ferris wheel, check out the Big Stadium and Small Court and maybe even battle at the Battle Subway! So much to do!"
"Calm down," Hugh said. "You do know there's been some developments, right?"
As we got further, we noticed that the Gate looked different to ones we had been through before. It was a large glass covering with automatic doors. "That's odd," I said. "What happened?"
"Join Avenue!" Hugh said. "Come on!" He took my hand and launched me through the doors.
Location: Join Avenue
"This is it?" I asked. What I imagined to be a large modern street was instead filled with, well, nothing. No shops, no restaurants, no movie theatre, it was all empty.
"It just opened!" Hugh said.
"Yeah. You're suppose to have your grand opening AFTER you've put some shops in. I'm not much a businessperson, but even I know that."
Just then, we were greeted by a man who teleported in front of us. He was just a normal Clerk though. "Customers!" he said. "Oh, my goodness, actual customers!" He was with a big-black floating Pokémon with red eyes going all around its body.
Claydol (ネンドール)
170
Ground/Psychic Type
Clay Doll Pokémon
4'11" (1.5 m)
238.1 lbs (108 kg)
This mysterious Pokémon started life as an ancient clay figurine made over 20,000 years ago.
Baltoy -Lv 36- Claydol
"How can we be customers?!" I asked. "You haven't opened anything!"
"Oh," he said. "Maybe that's why. Well, maybe you could help us."
What was that I said about business? And this guy wanted me to run a commercial avenue? When I'm in the middle of my journey? "You've got the wrong person," I said.
"You can help though!" he said. "Okay. So, what do you want?"
I looked around. "Hmm. I think here I will put a Berry shop. Does that sound reasonable?"
"Berry Shop! Okay!" he said. "We'll get to work on it right away!"
I was already doing a better job than this guy was. "Okay, here I will put-"
"Finished!" he said. "What do you think?"
"That was fast!" I said. But it was true. There was a shop there called 'Berry Nice' ran by a man and his Watchog.
Watchog (ミルホッグ)
011
Normal Type
Lookout Pokémon
3'07" (1.1 m)
59.5 lbs (27 kg)
Using luminescent matter, it makes its eyes and body glow and stuns attacking opponents.
Patrat -Lv 20- Watchog
This guy didn't know how to run his place, but he was quick at work when the duty calls. "Okay. Next up, a souvenir shop right there."
"Souvenir shop!" the man said. "Here." He gave me a piece of paper and a pen. "Write down some ideas. I'll get to work!"
Whilst the avenue didn't have much besides the berry shop and the newly opened souvenir shop 'I Heart UNV,' they did have a bench. So, me and Hugh sat down and started planning.
"How about a gym where all the punching bags have Team Plasma's face on them?" Hugh asked.
"I'll just say gym," I replied. "Fitness gym that is. Let's also add a movie theatre to show the Riolu Kid starring, oh, me! A McDonphan will do as well."
"Done!" the owner said. "I overheard you with your ideas and I got to work on them right away! And yes Hugh, there are Team Plasma punching bags in there to."
"Alright!" Hugh said. "Okay. I think we have five more spaces."
"That's good for now," the Owner said. "Out of money at the moment. But not for long. Look! Customers! Customers!"
The Owner ran up to a blond woman and started telling her about the establishment, only to move onto a man who was walking the opposite way.
"Well, I think our work here is done," Hugh said. "I wonder how that man gets things done so quick. Come on! We got to get to Nimbasa City!"
Location: Nimbasa City
"We're finally here!" I shouted. "The city of lights and fun, Nimbasa City!"
"Calm down," Hugh said. "I'm excited to, but it's getting, wait. Is it?" Hugh looked at his watch. "It's only Noon. Well, that Join Avenue wasn't much of an adventure was it. Okay, we'll have a look around."
We walked through the colourful metropolis. There were entertainers everywhere and ads on big screens.
"I still wonder," Hugh said. "How did he build those so quickly?"
Suddenly, on one of the big screens on the Small Stadium, there was a breaking news flash. We stopped to view it.
"Gabby here with you live at Castelia City where a small 'I heart UNV' shop has suddenly disappeared. Reports have come in, including from the owner, that he was randomly teleported to the new Join Avenue complex that has opened just outside Nimbasa City. It also comes in after a berry shop from Driftveil City, a gym from Opelucid City, a McDonphan from Striaton City and a Movie Theatre from Humilau City were also been teleported from their respective locations. Apparently, a Claydol has been the one transporting everything. Please be wary of your business. Okay Ty, you can stop recording now."
I looked at Hugh. "We've got to hurry and set things right! Come on, were going back!"
"Hold on!" Hugh said. "Look!"
"Thanks to this sudden turning point," a man said on the big screen. "My gift shop has been saved! We've been getting more customers here that we have back at Castelia! I might have to set up shop here! But please can I have some warning next time."
Similarly, the man with the Watchog also appeared. "Things are busier but better. Who knew that today would be the day when I can safely say I will be open for some time!"
"Well," I said. "I guess we ended up helping some people. And at least than answers your question."
Hugh shrugged. "You know what? I'm a bit like you. I'd rather not get into anything business related. Nope. I'd like to get into something Plasma butt kicking related! And I will start by taking on the Gym tomorrow!"
"Gotcha!" I said. "I'll go to Route 5 and train up the gang a bit more before I take it on. Trapinch will be the main star."
I'm not going to act like what was done today was legal, but at least we saved a bunch of businesses. And hey, we're in Nimbasa City now! This is a city that I would go to when I had been good; the theme park brings back so many memories. And soon, I will make new ones of when I beat Elesa!