-- Chapter 5 --
I pushed the huge, glass doors and stepped into an envelope of air conditioning. I was at Battle Tower, now. I had a weird excitement that I was choking on, and wanted to let out. I scanned the room around Kiara and I. A young boy, no older than about eight or nine, was sitting on a cushiony couch, polishing a Pokeball. A teenage girl was sitting alone at a row of computers. A man who looked like a sailor was using a videophone. I saw an electronic signboard. Battlers, please register at the front desk was followed by an ad for Devon Co. merchandise. Devon Corporation was all the way in Hoenn. I wondered about what it would be like to visit there.
''Hey, c'mon,'' said Kiara, tapping my shoulder. ''Let's register.''
I went over to the front desk. A woman in a pink ''Battle Tower Staff'' uniform was in front of me.
''Hello,'' she said. ''Welcome to the Battle Tower. How may I help you?''
''I'm interested in competing,'' I told her.
''Okay... what kind of battle? We have one-Pokemon battles,'' suggested the woman.
''I think I'll go with that,'' I replied. She nodded.
''May I see the Pokemon that you are using?'' she said. She explained, ''I'm going to see it's abilities and match up an opponent.''
I took out Eevee's Pokeball and handed to her. She put it into a special machine moulded to fit the ball, which was connected to a monitor. I could see Eevee's statistics on the screen. The woman read off the stats, then looked through a list of competitors. Then, she returned my Pokeball.
''I have found you an opponent of the same skill,'' she told me. She came out from behind the counter, and led Kiara and I to a door. After using a key, she unlocked it and held it open for us. We followed her straight to an elevator. She entered a punchcode rapidly. The doors immediately opened. We stepped in. The lady hit the button for the 4th floor. I watched another signboard. It flashed, Floor 4: Easy Battles: Maximum Level 10. The doors slid open again. We were led to a room, after the woman pointed Kiara to the observation room. Then, it was just me. At the moment, my opponent entered through another door. I gasped.
It was Andrew.
''Misha...?'' he said, about as surprised as I was.
''Hi,'' I mouthed.
''Okay, when I raise my hand, you will release your Pokemon,'' instructed the woman, who I now realized was going to be refereeing the battle. I had my Pokeball ready to begin, gripped tightly by my sweaty hand. I loosened my hold a bit, and focused on the referee. As soon as her hand reached up, I sent Eevee out of the Pokeball. I turned my attention to the white light emerging from Andrew's Pokeball. It shaped into... what looked like a Mudkip. I was unsure, because I hadn't really learned a lot about Hoenn- situated Pokemon. I wondered about where Andrew got this almost unfamiliar Pokemon, but quickly turned back to this battle.
''Okay, Eevee, bite!'' I commanded. Eevee quickly did so, and gave Mudkip a hard bite. I had recently worked on Eevee's attacking speed and accuracy. It had made a big improvement, especially to her reflexes.
''Water gun!'' yelled Andrew. Mudkip was as fast as Eevee. A jet of water flew towards my side of the room.
''Jump away!'' I yelled, anxiously. Eevee had recieved quite a blast. My ankles dripped, and I was standing in a puddle. I could be in big trouble, because I was not as familiar with ''elemental'' attacks.
Fortunately, my little Eevee could dodge easily.
''Quick attack, now!'' I yelled. Eevee did her routine, zip, thwack, zip, thwack. The training made her quick attack more powerful.
''Now, a big tackle!'' I said. Andrew seemed to be figuring out the right attack.
Eevee rammed into Mudkip. Mudkip rolled over.
''Oh, no. C'mon, Mudkip. Come on, you can do it,'' said Andrew, now coaxing his Pokemon into getting back up. Sure enough, Mudkip got to it's feet, and used mud slap. It produced a wall of mud, and sent it straight at my side. Eevee was covered, and I had a few splashes on my legs. Eevee took a moment to kick some mud from her face, but didn't take a whole self- cleaning session.
''Finish him off, Eevee, tackle again!'' I shouted. Eevee responded with one big finishing tackle, sending the smaller Mudkip to Andrew's feet.
''The winner is Eevee!'' said the woman, and raised her arm in my direction. I shook Andrew's hand. He looked a bit shocked. I would've been if he had beaten me. I didn't even know he had a Pokemon, or that he would show up in Olivine.
After our Pokemon were in their Pokeballs, a Pokemon nurse led Andrew out to heal his Mudkip. I decided I'd go and heal Eevee up, too, and then give her a bath back at the hotel. I met up with Kiara, and we followed the referee back down the elevator. We found our way through to a ''Non-Urgent Pokemon Healing Station'', and finally went home.
The rest of the week was a blur of visiting the Olivine Lighthouse, swimming on the beach and not much else. Then, we were heading back to Goldenrod City.
-- July 24 --
''Yayy...'' I said to myself. I was on my way to my Grandma Keiko's. She lived in a secluded property near Mount Mortar. Dad was also there. Mom didn't particularly like Grandma Keiko, I guess. Grandma Keiko was her mother-in-law.
I gazed out the bus window. I would get off on Route 42 and take a short boat trip to ''Mortar Island'' as it was nicknamed. It wasn't really an island because Mount Mortar's other entrances linked it. Right now, the bus was on the Route 36-37 detour around National Park, heading toward Ecruteak City. Trainers lurked around, and it sounded like (with an open window) someone was battling deeper in the woods.
A short nap later, I found myself at the stop. I got off and stumbled down to the ferry. Mount Mortar stood above the bus. It was amazing. I had heard about the hollowed inside, and how you could climb the dark labyrinth... if you knew where to go.
Then, I was walking down onto Mortar Island. Grandma and Dad were waiting for me. It was a tiny area, so they were the only ones waiting. Everyone else got off to switch ferries. The other one would go to the Route 42 mainland, and farther east would be the miniscule Mahogany Town. Grandma had lived in Mahogany Town, where Dad was born. She had lived there until Grandpa passed away. Then, she moved to the ''island''.
''Misha!'' said Grandma. She gave me a big hug. Dad also gave me a hug. We walked down to the shallow woods, and went through the passage to Grandma's property. The house had only one floor. There were old mats, and low tables with flat cushions for seats. There were fruit trees in the backyard. Grandma showed me to my room. It was small and cozy. She showed me where my futon was rolled. Then, she offered me some lemonade. We sat out on the deck, and I told her about school and such. She said we may go by boat to Mahogany Town. around the area.
''Have you ever climbed up Mount Mortar?'' I asked her.
''Ah, yes, once, and I did get lost. Now, let's go and bake that cake recipe,'' said Keiko. ''I'll tell you that story another time.''
I followed her inside, as we began to sort out ingredients for Grandma's ''Gourmet Double Chocolate Cake''.
Later that week, Dad, Grandma and I put Grandma's old car onto the ferry, and we took the quick trip across to Route 42, east to Mahogany Town. We drove out there, and passed through the Mahogany Town - Route 43 guardhouse. Dad navigated through until we could see the lake. Then, we pulled over and headed to the shore. Dad took a Pokeball out of his pocket, pushed the center button to make it larger, and released a Pokemon. It took me a minute, but I recognized it as a Lapras.
''Misha, we're going to ride the lake on this buddy,'' said Dad.
''Of course, I won't,'' laughed Grandma. ''The last time I rode a Pokemon on water was when I was twenty three, in the outskirts of Fuchsia City.'' I remembered how she had talked about growing up in Kanto.
Dad whistled. Lapras floated over to the edge of the beachless lake. Right away, it was very deep. I took my sandals off and got onto Lapras' back after Dad. Grandma smiled and waved. Dad navigated Lapras around. I held on and watched the woods around the lake. It seemed very motionless, and lifeless. I guessed that there were no Pokemon living there.
''So, where'd you get your Lapras?'' I asked Dad.
''Oh, deep in Union Cave. I just stumbled upon him,'' explained Dad.
''I thought there were none in Johto,'' I said, surprised.
''Some Pokemon we don't know about lurk somewhere,'' said Dad. A Magikarp jumped out of the water for a second.
''Like that Magikarp?'' I joked, giggling. Dad laughed.
Later, when we were back ashore, we went into Mahogany Town and looked around. Grandma visited her friend, Pryce, who ran the Pokemon Gym. Pryce was very old and used a cane. He seemed wise about Pokemon, though.
-- July 31 --
''Alright, my little Michelle, you have a safe journey,'' said Grandma, hugging me and swaying. I gave Dad a big hug, and waved as I boarded the westbound ferry.
''Goodbye!'' they both called out. I turned around one last time.
''Uh oh, gonna be late,'' I said, as a grouchy steward hissed for me to hurry up, because the ramp was being put up. The afternoon sun hugged the deck, making it very warm. I looked out at Mount Mortar, and waited as the ship arrived. I got onto the bus, feeling empty and tired.
-- Later in the Evening --
I stepped off the bus and hurried home. Unfortunately, the bus happened to stop in the center of the city, leaving me stuck walking home in the dark. I hurried to my street, and burst into the house. Mom looked up from the kitchen table.
''Oh, hi, sweetie,'' she said.
''The stupid bus dumped me at the center,'' I mumbled, setting down my duffel bag.
''Sorry,'' said Mom. ''I should have stayed outside of the department store, and waited for you.''
''It's okay,'' I said, sitting down.
''So how was your Grandma's?''
''Good,'' I replied.
''That's nice,'' she said, sounding distant. I opened the cupboard, pulled out a can of spaghetti, and heated it up in the microwave, for dinner.
I pushed the huge, glass doors and stepped into an envelope of air conditioning. I was at Battle Tower, now. I had a weird excitement that I was choking on, and wanted to let out. I scanned the room around Kiara and I. A young boy, no older than about eight or nine, was sitting on a cushiony couch, polishing a Pokeball. A teenage girl was sitting alone at a row of computers. A man who looked like a sailor was using a videophone. I saw an electronic signboard. Battlers, please register at the front desk was followed by an ad for Devon Co. merchandise. Devon Corporation was all the way in Hoenn. I wondered about what it would be like to visit there.
''Hey, c'mon,'' said Kiara, tapping my shoulder. ''Let's register.''
I went over to the front desk. A woman in a pink ''Battle Tower Staff'' uniform was in front of me.
''Hello,'' she said. ''Welcome to the Battle Tower. How may I help you?''
''I'm interested in competing,'' I told her.
''Okay... what kind of battle? We have one-Pokemon battles,'' suggested the woman.
''I think I'll go with that,'' I replied. She nodded.
''May I see the Pokemon that you are using?'' she said. She explained, ''I'm going to see it's abilities and match up an opponent.''
I took out Eevee's Pokeball and handed to her. She put it into a special machine moulded to fit the ball, which was connected to a monitor. I could see Eevee's statistics on the screen. The woman read off the stats, then looked through a list of competitors. Then, she returned my Pokeball.
''I have found you an opponent of the same skill,'' she told me. She came out from behind the counter, and led Kiara and I to a door. After using a key, she unlocked it and held it open for us. We followed her straight to an elevator. She entered a punchcode rapidly. The doors immediately opened. We stepped in. The lady hit the button for the 4th floor. I watched another signboard. It flashed, Floor 4: Easy Battles: Maximum Level 10. The doors slid open again. We were led to a room, after the woman pointed Kiara to the observation room. Then, it was just me. At the moment, my opponent entered through another door. I gasped.
It was Andrew.
''Misha...?'' he said, about as surprised as I was.
''Hi,'' I mouthed.
''Okay, when I raise my hand, you will release your Pokemon,'' instructed the woman, who I now realized was going to be refereeing the battle. I had my Pokeball ready to begin, gripped tightly by my sweaty hand. I loosened my hold a bit, and focused on the referee. As soon as her hand reached up, I sent Eevee out of the Pokeball. I turned my attention to the white light emerging from Andrew's Pokeball. It shaped into... what looked like a Mudkip. I was unsure, because I hadn't really learned a lot about Hoenn- situated Pokemon. I wondered about where Andrew got this almost unfamiliar Pokemon, but quickly turned back to this battle.
''Okay, Eevee, bite!'' I commanded. Eevee quickly did so, and gave Mudkip a hard bite. I had recently worked on Eevee's attacking speed and accuracy. It had made a big improvement, especially to her reflexes.
''Water gun!'' yelled Andrew. Mudkip was as fast as Eevee. A jet of water flew towards my side of the room.
''Jump away!'' I yelled, anxiously. Eevee had recieved quite a blast. My ankles dripped, and I was standing in a puddle. I could be in big trouble, because I was not as familiar with ''elemental'' attacks.
Fortunately, my little Eevee could dodge easily.
''Quick attack, now!'' I yelled. Eevee did her routine, zip, thwack, zip, thwack. The training made her quick attack more powerful.
''Now, a big tackle!'' I said. Andrew seemed to be figuring out the right attack.
Eevee rammed into Mudkip. Mudkip rolled over.
''Oh, no. C'mon, Mudkip. Come on, you can do it,'' said Andrew, now coaxing his Pokemon into getting back up. Sure enough, Mudkip got to it's feet, and used mud slap. It produced a wall of mud, and sent it straight at my side. Eevee was covered, and I had a few splashes on my legs. Eevee took a moment to kick some mud from her face, but didn't take a whole self- cleaning session.
''Finish him off, Eevee, tackle again!'' I shouted. Eevee responded with one big finishing tackle, sending the smaller Mudkip to Andrew's feet.
''The winner is Eevee!'' said the woman, and raised her arm in my direction. I shook Andrew's hand. He looked a bit shocked. I would've been if he had beaten me. I didn't even know he had a Pokemon, or that he would show up in Olivine.
After our Pokemon were in their Pokeballs, a Pokemon nurse led Andrew out to heal his Mudkip. I decided I'd go and heal Eevee up, too, and then give her a bath back at the hotel. I met up with Kiara, and we followed the referee back down the elevator. We found our way through to a ''Non-Urgent Pokemon Healing Station'', and finally went home.
The rest of the week was a blur of visiting the Olivine Lighthouse, swimming on the beach and not much else. Then, we were heading back to Goldenrod City.
-- July 24 --
''Yayy...'' I said to myself. I was on my way to my Grandma Keiko's. She lived in a secluded property near Mount Mortar. Dad was also there. Mom didn't particularly like Grandma Keiko, I guess. Grandma Keiko was her mother-in-law.
I gazed out the bus window. I would get off on Route 42 and take a short boat trip to ''Mortar Island'' as it was nicknamed. It wasn't really an island because Mount Mortar's other entrances linked it. Right now, the bus was on the Route 36-37 detour around National Park, heading toward Ecruteak City. Trainers lurked around, and it sounded like (with an open window) someone was battling deeper in the woods.
A short nap later, I found myself at the stop. I got off and stumbled down to the ferry. Mount Mortar stood above the bus. It was amazing. I had heard about the hollowed inside, and how you could climb the dark labyrinth... if you knew where to go.
Then, I was walking down onto Mortar Island. Grandma and Dad were waiting for me. It was a tiny area, so they were the only ones waiting. Everyone else got off to switch ferries. The other one would go to the Route 42 mainland, and farther east would be the miniscule Mahogany Town. Grandma had lived in Mahogany Town, where Dad was born. She had lived there until Grandpa passed away. Then, she moved to the ''island''.
''Misha!'' said Grandma. She gave me a big hug. Dad also gave me a hug. We walked down to the shallow woods, and went through the passage to Grandma's property. The house had only one floor. There were old mats, and low tables with flat cushions for seats. There were fruit trees in the backyard. Grandma showed me to my room. It was small and cozy. She showed me where my futon was rolled. Then, she offered me some lemonade. We sat out on the deck, and I told her about school and such. She said we may go by boat to Mahogany Town. around the area.
''Have you ever climbed up Mount Mortar?'' I asked her.
''Ah, yes, once, and I did get lost. Now, let's go and bake that cake recipe,'' said Keiko. ''I'll tell you that story another time.''
I followed her inside, as we began to sort out ingredients for Grandma's ''Gourmet Double Chocolate Cake''.
Later that week, Dad, Grandma and I put Grandma's old car onto the ferry, and we took the quick trip across to Route 42, east to Mahogany Town. We drove out there, and passed through the Mahogany Town - Route 43 guardhouse. Dad navigated through until we could see the lake. Then, we pulled over and headed to the shore. Dad took a Pokeball out of his pocket, pushed the center button to make it larger, and released a Pokemon. It took me a minute, but I recognized it as a Lapras.
''Misha, we're going to ride the lake on this buddy,'' said Dad.
''Of course, I won't,'' laughed Grandma. ''The last time I rode a Pokemon on water was when I was twenty three, in the outskirts of Fuchsia City.'' I remembered how she had talked about growing up in Kanto.
Dad whistled. Lapras floated over to the edge of the beachless lake. Right away, it was very deep. I took my sandals off and got onto Lapras' back after Dad. Grandma smiled and waved. Dad navigated Lapras around. I held on and watched the woods around the lake. It seemed very motionless, and lifeless. I guessed that there were no Pokemon living there.
''So, where'd you get your Lapras?'' I asked Dad.
''Oh, deep in Union Cave. I just stumbled upon him,'' explained Dad.
''I thought there were none in Johto,'' I said, surprised.
''Some Pokemon we don't know about lurk somewhere,'' said Dad. A Magikarp jumped out of the water for a second.
''Like that Magikarp?'' I joked, giggling. Dad laughed.
Later, when we were back ashore, we went into Mahogany Town and looked around. Grandma visited her friend, Pryce, who ran the Pokemon Gym. Pryce was very old and used a cane. He seemed wise about Pokemon, though.
-- July 31 --
''Alright, my little Michelle, you have a safe journey,'' said Grandma, hugging me and swaying. I gave Dad a big hug, and waved as I boarded the westbound ferry.
''Goodbye!'' they both called out. I turned around one last time.
''Uh oh, gonna be late,'' I said, as a grouchy steward hissed for me to hurry up, because the ramp was being put up. The afternoon sun hugged the deck, making it very warm. I looked out at Mount Mortar, and waited as the ship arrived. I got onto the bus, feeling empty and tired.
-- Later in the Evening --
I stepped off the bus and hurried home. Unfortunately, the bus happened to stop in the center of the city, leaving me stuck walking home in the dark. I hurried to my street, and burst into the house. Mom looked up from the kitchen table.
''Oh, hi, sweetie,'' she said.
''The stupid bus dumped me at the center,'' I mumbled, setting down my duffel bag.
''Sorry,'' said Mom. ''I should have stayed outside of the department store, and waited for you.''
''It's okay,'' I said, sitting down.
''So how was your Grandma's?''
''Good,'' I replied.
''That's nice,'' she said, sounding distant. I opened the cupboard, pulled out a can of spaghetti, and heated it up in the microwave, for dinner.