Chapter 17:
Don't Coast it!
Location: Nimbasa City
"Bad news," Hugh told me. He had gone out early to take on Elesa, but the fact that he was back within half an hour didn't seem to be good news. "She isn't in."
"Didn't you expect that?" I replied. Elesa is a model, the most famous in Unova. Part of me was prepared for her absence. She has so many clothes to try on, not all of them good mind. Even I will say that some of what she tries on are a bit too flashy (and quite frankly expensive) for my taste. "Hey, come on! We're in Nimbasa City! We can have some fun today!"
Hugh put one hand to his side. "Okay then. Last one to the theme park is a Slowpoke!"
"Oh yeah?!" I shouted, as we raced each other to the glowing fun park.
"So," I said. "Which ride first?"
"Hmm…" Hugh said. "How about… follow me."
He walked me passed the Ferris wheel. I stopped for a minute to look at it. "This is it," I said. "The place where Hilbert was told…"
"Rosa!" Hugh said. "What are you waiting for? We can go on that after this!"
I smiled. "Gotcha! Coming!" I kept my eyes on the Ferris wheel as I walked away.
Hugh took me to an unbelievable sight; it was the old Nimbasa City Gym! The one Hilbert himself took on!
"This is it!" Hugh said, then pointed to a building with even brighter lights with many amazing colours on it. "Ever since Elesa built her new one over there, this has become a rollercoaster for anyone to use! It's called 'the Shining Roller Coaster!' There are Trainers there as well. Why not give it a go?"
I was already rushing on in.
In the old Gym was Clyde the Gym Guide.
"Yo!" he said. "Nah, I'm not going to do the speech. I'm just an engineer. Enjoy yourselves!"
A coaster came round on the track and opened up. "I'll go first," I said as I got in and sat down. The glass covering went over me.
"Please keep your hands, arms, feet and legs inside the vehicle. て、 うで、 あし、 あし お いれた まま に します."
The coaster darted off round a bend before depositing me at a platform.
"Well, if that's how it starts I can't wait to see the rest!" I said.
"Well," said a Rich Boy in a white tuxedo. "If you want to see the rest, you will have to go through me first!"
Rosa Vs. Rich Boy Rolan
"Okay Trapinch, go!" I said.
"I choose Blitzle!" replied Rolan.
Blitzle (シママ)
147
Electric Type
Electrified Pokémon
2'07" (0.8 m)
65.7 lbs (29.8 kg)
Its mane shines when it discharges electricity. They use the frequency and rhythm of these flashes to communicate.
"Okay Blitzle, Flame Charge!" Blitzle set itself on fire. It then charged into Trapinch who took it well enough. Blitzle's Speed rose, but Blitzle was much faster than Trapinch would ever be anyway. As strong as Trapinch was, it's very slow.
"Bulldoze!" Trapinch made a small earthquake that hit Blitzle for lots of damage.
"Another Flame Charge!" Blitzle charged into Trapinch again. Trapinch could only take one more hit, which didn't matter much anyway. It had this.
"Bulldoze!" Trapinch fired one more Ground Type attack at Blitzle, finishing it off.
"Well, I suppose I can let you continue. Enjoy the ride!"
I continued riding the roller coaster, going around tight turns, across bumps and feeling quite sick. Basically, the same as Hilbert felt when he rode them.
On another platform, a Lady in a purple dress was waiting.
"Oh, I feel sick. Hopefully this battle will bring me back on my feet."
Rosa Vs. Lady Colette
"Okay Growlithe, take it on!" I shouted.
"I choose Flaaffy!" Colette replied. She sent out a pink Pokémon with white wool and a long tail with a blue orb on the end.
Flaaffy (モココ)
026
Electric Type
Wool Pokémon
2'07" (0.8 m)
29.3 lbs (13.3 kg)
Not even downy wool will grow on its rubbery, nonconductive patches of skin that prevent electrical shock.
Mareep -Lv 15- Flaaffy
"Your turn Growlithe!" I shouted. As soon as Growlithe came out, it charged into Flaaffy at full pelt. "Hey, that's Take Down!" As excited as I was, Growlithe had taken recoil damage from it. I took a mental note to be careful when using that move.
"Flaaffy, Thundershock!" Flaaffy fired a small jolt of electricity at Growlithe. Growlithe shook it off just fine.
"Finish with Flame Wheel!" I shouted. Growlithe rolled into Flaaffy covered in flames. It was down.
"Woo, that's better."
I rode the final section of the rollercoaster, which was the big loop at the end. I was just as dizzy as Colette by the end. But at the end was the Gym guide Clyde.
"Congrats!" he said. "You've cleared it!"
"Have I?" I asked. "But this isn't the Gym anymore."
"Well," he said. "Since you were able to conquer the Shining Roller Coaster, you can book the next Gym battle with Elesa if you want."
"Okay!" I said. "For two days, I would like to book a Gym battle. One for me and one for my friend."
Gym Guide Clyde nodded. "Done and dusted. Good luck against our shining star Elesa!"
Hugh arrived on the scene. "I feel sick," he said.
"Better to feel it now than tomorrow," I said. "I've booked our Gym battles!"
Hugh put his thumb up. "Great. Mind if I go first?"
"Yep!" I said. I wanted to do some training on the nearby Route 5 anyway. "Otherwise, I think we should have a ride on the Ferris Wheel to do! Certainly, a spin of a milder variety!"
So, apparently the queue for the Ferris wheel was really long. It took about two hours of waiting without an ExtremeSpeed Pass before we finally got in a car. But it was worth it. We got a grand view of the Unova region, including Route 4.
"Look how far we've come," Hugh said. "And now, we are fighting for our 4th Gym Badge."
"I know," I said. "Hey. I have a question. What do you think happened to N?"
"N?" Hugh asked. "No one knows, and we all know that. I'm sure he's fine. He has the mighty Reshiram on his side after all. It would make you near unstoppable, especially if he has other strong Pokémon. But no one has seen him in two years. No sightings, nothing."
"Understandable," I said. "I'm not even sure Ghetsis would know."
"Well, he will know something," Hugh said. "Not to mess with us!"
After the Ferris wheel, we went on a few more rides before calling it quits. It was fun though. As we headed back to the Pokémon Center, we passed by the Battle Subway. And at the Battle Subway Master were there.
"Oh my goodness," I said. "It's Ingo and Emmet! The Subway Masters! Hello!" I said.
The two men saw me. Ingo spoke up. "Oh, hello. Welcome to Nimbasa City. What can I do for you?"
"Excuse me!" said a boy in a blue jacket with brown hair. "You're interrupting our battle."
"Oops," I said, embarrassed. "Go ahead."
"We could do a Tag battle!" Emmet said. "What's your name?"
"Rosa," I replied. "This is my best friend Hugh. We're going on a journey, and we have three, soon to be four, Badges."
"My name is Nate," said the boy. "And I obtained my fourth one today! Elesa is no joke. And sure, we'll do a Tag Battle. Any opportunity to battle the Subway Masters is always one to take."
"Go get em!" Hugh said.
"Got it!" I replied.
Rosa and Nate Vs. Subway Bosses Ingo and Emmet
"I choose Azumarill!" I shouted, as it was sent out.
"I'll use a Water Type to!" Nate brought up. "I choose Dewott!"
Dewott (フタチマル)
008
Water Type
Discipline Pokémon
2'07" (0.8 m)
54 lbs (24.5 kg)
As a result of strict training, each Dewott learns different forms for using scalchops.
Oshawott -Lv 17- Dewott
"Go Boldore!" shouted Ingo.
Boldore (ガントル)
069
Rock Type
Ore Pokémon
2'11" (0.9 m)
224.9 lbs (102 kg)
When it is healthy, its core sticks out. Always facing the same way, it swiftly moves from front to back and left to right.
Roggenrola -Lv 25- Boldore
"Gurdurr, punch it!" bellowed Emmett.
Gurdurr (ドテッコツ)
074
Fighting Type
Muscular Pokémon
3'11" (1.2 m)
88.2 lbs (40 kg)
With strengthened bodies, they skilfully wield steel beams to take down buildings.
Timburr -Lv 25- Gurdurr
"Dewott, Razor Shell!" Dewott took one of its scalchops and slashed Boldore. Boldore took a few steps back from the impact.
"Strong, just like Hilbert's," I thought. "No. Stop thinking about Hilbert. Think about the battle at hand. Azumarill, Aqua Tail!" Azumarill whacked Boldore with its tail, finishing the battle.
"Gurdurr, Wake-Up Slap!" Gurdurr went over to Dewott and slapped it hard.
"Use Razor Shell again!" Dewott sliced Gurdurr big time.
"One more move should do it," I told Azumarill immediately started charging towards Gurdurr.
"Double Edge?!" Nate said. "That's a very strong move!"
"Then we will use it. Azumarill, use Double Edge!" Azumarill slammed its whole body into Gurdurr, finishing it off.
"Alright!" I shouted as Azumarill jumped into my arms. "You did great Azumarill!"
"Hey, thanks for that," Nate said. He recalled Dewott. "Okay. I'm going to head to Driftveil City tomorrow. I'll show Clay a thing or two!"
After he walked off, I needed to ask some questions to the Subway Masters.
"Ingo. You battled Hilbert before his disappearance, didn't you?"
"Yes!" Ingo replied. "He put up quite a battle!"
"Okay, now I want to ask Emmet something. Hilbert promised he would battle you, wouldn't he? Did he ever do it?"
"No," Emmet said. "If he were to suddenly turn up, it would be all over the news. Wait, how do you know?"
Realising the risk this posed, I showed them the page of the Journal where Hilbert did promise him. I kept my voice down. "This fell from the sky. It belongs to him. I just thought you would know." My disappointment turned to concern when I saw Nate round the corner. Was he spying on us? I pretending to now see him. "Well, that was a great battle. I'm sure our paths will cross again."
"I hope so to!" Ingo said. "Come back anytime!"
"I will," I said.
Good news; my Gym battle is booked! Good news! Growlithe and Azumarill have new moves! Bad news. That Nate kid, who is a nice guy, might let my secret out. This Journal is giving me the push to continue this journey, and I will not have anyone snitching on me.