Chapter 52:

Journey to the East

Location: Aspertia City

I had been home for quite a few days, getting the rest that I needed. And I'm sure Hilbert had got the memo of me becoming the Champion of Unova; it was the front-page story at that moment.

"So," I thought as I lay in bed. "What do I do before I meet Hilbert? Wait…. Train of course! I could take on the League again, but that would be boring."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. I went downstairs to find Bianca. "Hiiiiii!" she said. "A little Pidove told me that you were the Champion! Sorry I'm a bit late to the celebration!"

"It's fine," I said. "Listen. I need some help. What am I to do?"

"That's one of the reasons I came!" she said. She went into her handbag. "Now where is it. Oh no, HAVE I FORGOT IT?! NO I CAN'T HAVE COME ALL THIS WAY!"

"Try your pocket," I suggested.

Bianca, calming down, dug her hand into her right pocket and took out a leaflet with the PWT. "Da da daaaa, da da da da da da daaaaaa! The PWT have something big coming on in about a weeks' time! The PWT Super Championships! Trainers, including Gym Leaders from Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and Unova will be present! You, being the Champion, have already been signed up! Of course, joining is optional."

I thought about it for a minute. Well, I mean I was going to say yes. "Well, on one condition. Actually two. You watch."

"That doesn't need to be one!" Bianca said. "I'll always watch my friend's match! What's the other?"

"You bring Mr. Cheren! Not separately, go together!"

Bianca went red in the face. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah!" I said. "Now is a better chance than any, especially with no Team Plasma to bully us!"

"But he's so busy running the Gym and… just because we journeyed together doesn't necessarily mean he likes me."

"Then we'll go together!" I said. "Wait, I need to see Hugh. I want to see how he's doing with Liepard."

The two of us walked to Hugh's place. I knocked on the door and he opened it. By his side was Liepard, who had a bit of an evil look on its face. However, it was far more subtle than when we retrieved it.

"Things are going good," he said. "Liepard isn't part of my team anymore; it's my sister's Pokémon after all. So, I need to fill in the final slot."

"That's fine!" Bianca said. "Hey, I've got something for you." She went into her pocket. "Oh no, I had another one in here! Where is it?!"

"Other pocket," I suggested.

Bianca went into it and found another sheet. "Da, da da da da da da da! Here it is! The PWT! In just over a week from now, there will be a championship! And you're invited!"

Hugh looked at it. "Okay. I'll start my walk over there. Yeah, I'm walking. It will give me an opportunity to find a new teammate."

We found that to be a good idea. "We should let you get going. Plus, Bianca might have a date!"

"Really?" Hugh said. "They'd have to have high standards to go for you Bianca."

"Aw shucks," she said, blushing. "We should get going. Though I'm a bit nervous."

"Me to," Hugh said. "Thanks Rosa!"

As we walked to the School, I told Bianca about all the good times I had. I owed a lot to Bianca. She gave me my first Pokémon and helped me get through Reversal Mountain.

"But… I don't know what to do next…"

"I knoowwww!" she said. "How about you go the southeast of Unova? That's at my hometown, Nuvema Town! You might even get to meet…"

"PROFESSOR JUNIPER?!" I shouted. "Okay then, that's the plan. Why didn't I think of that beforehand? Maybe I'll see Nacrene City and battle Lenora. Maybe the Striaton Gym to! I suppose I'll be battling Chili."

"Who knows!" she said. "World's waiting for ya kid! And that's before you battle my best friend!"

At that point, we got to the school. We waited outside the entrance, Bianca's knees trembling.

"Alright," she said. "Here we go…"

She opened the door to see Mr. Cheren.

"Bianca! Nice to see you!"

I nudged Bianca slightly. "Go on," I said.

"Erm, Cheren? This might sound stupid, but… wouldyouliketocometothePWTjustthetwoofusbecuaseI'vemyeyesonyouforsometime?!"

Mr. Cheren scratched his chin. "Hmm… sure thing! I'm free!"

Bianca's face beamed. "Really? Thank you thank you thank you! I won't disappoint you!"

Mr. Cheren then eyed me. "Ah, just the person. There's somebody I would like you to meet Rosa."

The two of us walked inside the school. Inside, I saw an old man in a yellow jumper.

"Well well, if it isn't my daughter's new pupil! Who would think that I would meet her after she became Champion?"

"Cedrid Juniper!" Bianca said. "Rosa, this is-"

"Professor Juniper's father, I know," I said.

"Well, you are also the one with Hilbert's Journal! Surprised you didn't turn it into the Police!"

"Ambition, that's why we let her," Bianca noted. "And hey, to an extent, it helped her save the world. So, what brings you to Aspertia City?"

"You!" he said, pointing at me. "I have an upgrade to the Pokédex! May I have it please?"

Without hesitation, gave it to him. He opened a slot in it and inserted a key. "What is he doing?" I asked.

"Done!" he said. "This now includes the National Dex! Now you can scan any Pokémon! Well, most of them! It's not like there are no more to be discovered!"

"Thank you, Mr. Juniper!" I said. "Amazing! Now I have what I need to go east!"

Bianca looked at Mr. Cheren again. "Sorry if I made a fool out of myself," she said.

So, I know what I need to do. And with the National Dex at my disposal, I feel like I'm ready to go the distance!