Chapter 53:
Pinwheels and Needles
Location: Castelia City
"It's open?" I asked the Security Guard at the Skyarrow Bridge gate.
"Yes," he said. "Thank you for your patience. Work is now finished. It is now alright to cross."
"Alright!" I said. "I'm about to see a new part of Unova, one where Hilbert himself started!"
Location: Skyarrow Bridge
Over Skyarrow Bridge I went. I had never walked across before, but I could confirm that it was just as breath taking as Hilbert described it. Underneath, I saw the Royal Unova sail as cars and trucks rolled on the driveable section underneath me. All the way to the Pinwheel Forest.
Location: Pinwheel Forest
Not much light could pierce the ground as most of the leaves above me protected me from sunlight like some sort of natural umbrella.
"Unbelievable," I said. "So, this is where Virizion lives."
I didn't have much time to be in awe though; a Preschooler wanted to battle me.
"Hey! You're the Champion! I don't stand a chance!"
Rosa Vs. Preschooler Jojo
"Serperior, go!" I shouted.
"Wooper, you're up!" Jojo shouted, sending out a blue Pokémon with pink gills.
Wooper (ウパー)
194 (National)
Water/Ground Type
Water Fish Pokémon
1'04" (0.4 m)
18.7 lbs (8.5 kg)
When walking on land, it covers its body in a poisonous film that keeps its skin from dehydrating.
"Leaf Blade!" I shouted as Serperior swiped at Wooper, knocking it out in one.
"No! Okay then, let's try Tympole!" Clearly another Water Type wouldn't do the trick; yeah, I dealt with that one to. "NOOOOOOO! Why did I even bother?"
I continued down the road. And what did I have to deal with? A very angry Teacher.
"Hey! You may be the Champion, but don't bully my Students!"
Rosa Vs. Nursery Aide Ethel
"Cinccino, go!" I shouted.
"I choose Exeggcute!" I replied, as she sent out six eggs with faces.
Exeggcute (タマタマ)
102 (National)
Grass/Psychic Type
Egg Pokémon
1'04" (0.4 m)
5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)
Its six eggs converse using telepathy. They can quickly gather if they become separated.
"Okay Cinccino, Tail Slap!" Cinccino slapped Exeggute across the face five times.
"Come back with Energy Ball!" Exeggcute fired a green ball at Cinccino. Thankfully, it dodged.
"One more Tail Slap!" Cinccino did five more slaps, and Exeggcute was finished.
"Well then, this isn't good. Miltank, go!" Out came a pink Pokémon with large-yellow udders.
Miltank (ミルタンク)
241 (National)
Normal Type
Milk Cow Pokémon
3'11" (1.2 m)
166.4 lbs (75.5 kg)
It is said that kids who drink Miltank's milk grow up to become hearty, healthy adults.
Miltank has no known evolutions.
"Use Rock Blast!" Cinccino fired five rocks at Miltank, but Miltank's health was high.
"Wake-Up Slap!" Miltank slapped Cinccino across the face. Since it was a Super Effective hit, I decided enough was enough.
"Thanks Cinccino. Okay Arcanine, go!" Arcanine came out to deal with another Wake-Up Slap. "Use Flare Blitz!" Arcanine charged into Miltank covered in flames. It was a direct hit and a Critical one to. I had beaten Miltank.
"Wait, you're not cheating. You're just strong! Apologies, please don't sue me!"
Eventually, I got to the entrance of the undergrowth. Was I planning on going in? I looked at the time.
"Only 10:00? Well, I might as well have an adventure."
As it turns out, I made the right choice! Because I was met with a familiar face.
"Rosa!" Mr. Cheren said.
"Hey!" I said. "What are you doing here?"
"Relieving the good days," he said. "Don't get me wrong, I'm still enjoying them. But I like to think about what it was like going on an adventure with Hilbert. It feels a lifetime ago, yet it's only been two years."
"I have an idea!" I suggested. "Let's go together! Check out the forest!"
Mr. Cheren smiled. "Sounds like a plan! Champion and Gym Leader, working together!"
"And," Mr. Cheren said. "I've brought my main team! Not just my Gym team!"
"Neat!" I said.
It didn't take long before we came across a duo of Trainers.
"Hey Miss, shall we battle them?"
"Sure thing! Let's make this a great lesson!"
Rosa and Mr. Cheren Vs. Nursery Aide Rosalyn and Preschooler Ike
"Go Arcanine!" I shouted.
"You're up Gigalith!" Mr. Cheren shouted.
Gigalith (ギガイアス)
070 (Unova)
Rock Type
Compressed Pokémon
5'07" (1.7 m)
573.2 lbs (260 kg)
The solar rays it absorbs are processed in its energy core and fired as a ball of light.
Roggenrola -Lv 25- Boldore -Trade- Gigalith
"Chansey, go!" shouted Rosalyn, sending out a round-pink Pokémon with an egg in its front pouch.
Chansey (ラッキー)
113 (National)
Normal Type
Egg Pokémon
3'07" (1.1 m)
76.3 lbs (34.6 kg)
A kindly Pokémon that lays highly nutritious eggs and shared them with injured Pokémon or people.
Happiny (B) -Oval Stone in Daytime – Chansey
"Pineco, I choose you!" Ike shouted, sending out basically a pinecone with eyes.
Pineco (クヌギダマ)
204 (National)
Bug Type
Bagworm Pokémon
2'00" (0.6 m)
15.9 lbs (7.2 kg)
It looks just like a pinecone. Its shell protects it from bird Pokémon that peck it by mistake.
"Flare Blitz Arcanine!" Arcanine charged forward covered in fire and slammed into Pineco. It held on thanks to Sturdy.
"Chansey, Thunderbolt!" Chansey fired a bolt of lightning at Arcanine.
"Stone Edge Gigalith!" Gigalith fired multiple stones at Chansey. It was a Critical Hit and it was knocked out in one.
"Pineco, Explosion! No, wait!" Pineco exploded, doing a lot of damage to Arcanine, not much to Gigalith and knocked out Pineco. Whoops. It wouldn't have lasted anyway.
"Okay Leavanny, go!" Rosalyn summoned the Bug Type.
"Ferrothorn, save us!" There was no hope.
"Flamethrower Arcanine!" Arcanine shot some flames at Ferrothorn. It knocked it out instantly.
"Leaf Blade Leavanny!" Leavanny came forward and slashed at Gigalith with its leaf hands. It was a strong hit, but Gigalith survived.
"Stone Edge again!" Gigalith fired more stones at Leavanny and knocked it out.
"Don't worry Ike, we tried."
"I tried my best!"
"So," I told Mr. Cheren on the way. "I hear Bianca asked you out. Wait, I was there. Ignore that."
"It's fine," he said. "It was very thoughtful of her. I'm more than happy to do it. I've been so busy I haven't had much time to go out with friends, much less a date." He looked around the forest. "Last time I was here, I was trying to stop Team Plasma with Hilbert. They had-"
"Stolen the head of a Pokémon skeleton?" I asked. "Mr. Cheren, you do realise I have this." I got out Hilbert's Journal. "He really showed Team Plasma, and Virizion to!"
"What?!" Mr. Cheren asked. He took the Journal and looked through it. "He never told me th- oh Virizion told him to keep it secret. Okay, we're good."
Soon, we came across a Youngster who wanted to battle.
"May I?" I asked.
"Go ahead!" Mr. Cheren replied.
"You got really far into the woods!"
Rosa Vs. Youngster Keita
"Go Flygon!" I shouted.
"I choose Mankey!" Keita replied, sending out a brown-furry Pokémon.
Mankey (マンキー)
056 (National)
Fighting Type
Pig Monkey Pokémon
1'08" (0.5 m)
61.7 lbs (28 kg)
It lives in treetop colonies. If one becomes enrages, the whole colony rampages for no reason.
"Flygon, Earth Power!" Flygon sent a shock wave through the ground towards Mankey, doing lots of damage to it.
"Close Combat!" Mankey started thrashing at Flygon. It did a lot, but not enough to knock it out.
"Use another Earth Power!" Flygon attacked once again, this time finishing off Mankey.
Snubbull (ブルー)
209 (National)
Normal Type
Fairy Pokémon
2'00" (0.6 m)
17.2 lbs (7.8 kg)
Small Pokémon flee from its scary face. It is, however, considered by woman to be cute.
"Use Hyper Beam!" Flygon shot a strong beam at Snubbull, knocking it out instantly.
"Okay Crawdaunt, go!" Keita sent out a crusty-red Pokémon with pincers.
Crawdaunt (シザリガー)
280 (Unova)
Water/Dark Type
Rogue Pokémon
3'07" (1.1 m)
72.3 lbs (32.8 kg)
Loving to battle, this Pokémon pinches all Pokémon that enter its territory with its pincers and throws them out.
Corphish -Lv 30- Crawdaunt
"Come back Flygon. Go Serperior!" I shouted. "Use Leaf Storm!" Serperior created a whirlwind of leaves which it fired at Crawdaunt, knocking it out instantly.
"With power like that, you don't need to worry about getting lost!"
After the battle, we found a hollow log that we could go through to take us to the top of a slope.
"Wow!" I said. "Look at this view!" All around us we could see… well trees. But also, Skyarrow Bridge, Castelia City and Nacrene City. "And that's where we're heading next."
"Hold on," Mr. Cheren said.
"What's Lenora like?"
"She's really strong. That Watchog gave me a real challenge."
We talked as we walked down the slope to our next challenge; two Veteran Trainers.
"My oh my," the female one said. "It's the Champion."
"Quite right," said the male. "And a Gym Leader to. Well, let's get on with it."
Rosa and Mr. Cheren Vs. Veteran Trainers Rosaline and Sinan
"Go Azumarill!" I shouted.
"You're up Haxorus!" Mr. Cheren commanded.
"Come out Crobat!" Rosaline replied.
"Ludicolo, enter the fray!" Sinan sent out a yellow Pokémon with a large-green lilypad on its head.
Ludicolo (ルンパッパ)
272
Water/Grass Type
Carefree Pokémon
4'11" (1.5 m)
121.3 lbs (55 kg)
If it hears festive music, all its muscles fill with energy. It can't help breaking out into a dance.
Lotad -Lv 14- Lombre -Water Stone- Ludicolo
"Crobat, use Air Slash!" Crobat swiped the air and hit Haxorus.
"Azumarill, Night Daze!" Azumarill sent a shockwave that hit both Pokémon.
"Haxorus, Dragon Claw!" Haxorus swiped at Ludicolo.
"Energy Ball on Azumarill!" Ludicolo fired a green ball at Azumarill. Upon impact, it revealed itself as Zoroark.
"Now use Cross Poison!" Crobat swiped at Zoroark in an x formation.
"Counter with Flamethrower!" Zoroark shot fire at Crobat, knocking it out once and for all.
"Ludicolo, Ice Beam!" Ludicolo fired a white beam at Haxorus. It was Super Effective and knocked it out.
"Okay Magmortar, go!" Rosaline yelled.
"Simipour, I choose you!" replied Mr. Cheren. "Acrobatics!" Simipour tossed and turned, then kicked Ludicolo for Super Effective damage. It was down.
"Zoroark, Night Slash!" Zoroark slashed at Magmortar in the face.
"Use Flamethrower!" Magmortar shot fire at Zoroark, finishing it off.
"Okay then, let's send out the real Azumarill!" I shouted.
"Electivire!" Sinan shouted. Uh oh. An Electric Type.
"I'll cover for you," Mr. Cheren said. "Simipour, Scald!" Simipour shot boiling water at Magmortar for a Super Effective hit.
"Use Thunderbolt Electivire!" Electivire shot electricity at Azumarill. It did a lot of damage.
"Magmortar, Rock Slide!" Magmortar made rocks fall onto both Pokémon.
"Aqua Tail Azumarill!" Azumarill whacked Magmortar with its tail. It knocked it out.
"Okay Leafeon, go!" The final Pokémon was a yellow Pokémon with leaves for ears and tail.
Leafeon (リーフイア)
097 (Unova)
Grass Type
Verdant Pokémon
3'03" (1 m)
56.2 lbs (25.5 kg)
With cells similar to those of plants, it performs photosynthesis inside its body and creates pure air.
Eevee -Lv up near Mossy Rock- Leafeon
"We still have this," Mr. Cheren said. "Acrobatics!" Simipour flipped and kicked into Leafeon, doing massive damage.
"Thunderbolt Electivire!" Electivire fired lightning at Azumarill, fainting it.
"No worries. Arcanine, go!" I yelled.
"Leafeon, Leaf Blade!" Leafeon, with the leaves on its arms, swipes Simipour. It was down.
"Go Liepard!" Mr. Cheren shouted. "Fake Out!" Liepard clapped in front of Electivire, forcing a flinch.
"Now Flamethrower!" Arcanine shot fire at Leafeon, knocking it out.
"Now to take on Electivire!" Mr. Cheren said.
"Brick Break!" Electivire chopped Liepard, doing Super Effective damage.
"Night Slash!" Liepard swiped at Electivire, dealing the final blow.
"I have one more Pokémon. Go Forretress!" Out came a pink Pokémon. The pink part was the shell. What was inside? I don't know.
Forretress (フォレトス)
205 (National)
Bug/Steel Type
Bagworm Pokémon
3'11" (1.2 m)
277.3 lbs (125.8 kg)
It is encased in a steel shell. Its peering eyes are all that can be seen of its mysterious innards.
Pineco -Lv 31- Forretress
"Flamethrower!" I shouted. Even Forretress' shell stood no chance.
"Of course, the Champion is stronger."
"Nevermind."
"That was fun!" Mr. Cheren said.
"You bet!" I said as we hugged goodbye. "Hey, good luck with Bianca. She can be a handful, but that's what makes her so fun!"
Mr. Cheren smiled. "Yep. And I wish you luck with Hilbert. He's a handful to."
As we parted ways, I found myself at the forest exit. I was about to go out when two Preschoolers stopped me.
"For crying out loud," I said.
Rosa Vs. Twins Ally and Amy
"Go Plusle!" Ally shouted.
"Go Minun!" Amy shouted. They sent out two similar Pokémon. Both yellow but one had red ears with a plus on its tail and one was blue with a minus on its tail.
Plusle (プラスル)
311 (National)
Electric Type
Cheering Pokémon
1'04" (0.4 m)
9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)
It cheers on friends with pom-poms made of sparks. It drains power from telephone poles.
Plusle has no known evolutions.
Minun (マイナン)
312 (National)
Electric Type
Cheering Pokémon
1'04" (0.4 m)
9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)
It cheers on friends. If its friends are losing, its body lets off more and more sparks.
Minun has no known evolutions.
"Flygon, Serperior, go!" I replied. "Earth Power and Leaf Storm!" Both used their combo of moves, dealing with the two Pokémon instantly.
"Aw…"
"See yah," I said.
Location: Nacrene City
The old warehouses stood proud around me. Old, but not abandoned; I was in Nacrene City alright.
"Finally here," I said. "Now I need a rest."
So, my journey to the south-east of Unova has begun. So far, I've made good progress! Keep this up, and soon I'll be at Nuvema Town; the hometown of Hilbert.