Nimbasa Festival Arc: Preparations For the Event
Suddenly, Jacky's Xtranceiver rang. "Huh?" The girl tapped onto her device's screen. "Oh... it's Elesa.",
"What does she want?" Mari wondered.
"I don't know... wait, I can add you to the conference..." A few taps later, Mari was added into the call.
"Hello, you two", Elesa greeted them. "I know we've literally seen each other just moments ago, but... you guys really need to come to my gym when I get back. Before the ball. You won't believe it.",
"What's going on?" Mari asked.
"We had a stowaway on board.",
"Oh?",
"I'm bringing them with me to the gym. Our guest is eager to meet you.",
"Okay... When are you coming back to Nimbasa?",
"Tomorrow morning.",
"Okay, roger", Jacky replied.
"See you tomorrow then." Elesa hung up again.
Mari looked at Jacky with questionmarks levitating above her head. "A stowaway? Who could that be?",
"Hm... I have no idea", the blonde girl mumbled. "I wonder how they managed to get on board without being noticed... Well, we'll know soon enough. It does make me curious." Nimbasa was already coming into view. They landed in front of its Pokémon Center. "I really want to do something today", Jacky said.
"And what?",
"Come with me, you can help me!" she jumped off her Pokémon and started running. "What the heck are you up to? Tell me before just running off on me!" Mari slid off Skarmory. Jacky sent out her Budew. "I wanna teach it how to fight!",
"Oh...",
"And I need your help with that.",
"Yeah, makes sense..." Mari picked a Pokéball from her belt and sent out Combusken.
"So, Budew..." Jacky knelt down to the little Pokémon and it giggled boisterously. "...We're going to train now, okay? Each time we do that, you'll get stronger, so do your best!" It nodded eagerly, but didn't seem to understand the seriousness of a battle and bounced around. "Oh dear... Budew! You need to focus!" she shouted, but the Pokémon didn't listen to her. "Let's do this." Mari nodded at Combusken. "Let's attract its attention, shall we? Use Fire Punch, but miss on purpose. We just wanna startle it." Combusken's fist was surrounded by fire and it jumped forward. Its fist swooshed past its head by inches, allowing the grass Pokémon to feel the heat.
"Nyaaaahh!" It jumped back, startled.
"The opponent attacked you, Budew", Jacky instructed. "We're stiking back now, and we can't miss. Razor Leaf!" Budew shook itself and sent sharp leaves at Combusken, who dodged them with ease. "That was awesome, Budew!" Jacky exclaimed, and the little Pokémon giggled.
"We can't allow it to lose focus. Combusken, keep it occupied! Use Double Kick!" Combusken jumped toward Budew, aiming swift kicks at it. "Jump back!"
The grass Pokémon took a leap backward, but Combusken landed on its left foot, spun around and kicked it square in the face with its right one. "Now Flamethrower, but miss it on purpose again!" Mari ordered. Combusken sent a jet of flames a hair's breadth past the baby Pokémon. Jacky glanced at her Pokédex to see Budew's attacks. "Use Water Sport!" she then shouted. Nudew shot a light fountain of water from its bud and sprayed Combusken with it. The fire Pokémon backed away, loudly protesting and shaking itself. "Prrrr!",
"Hah! We got it good!" Jacky giggled. Mari smiled. "It doesn't like to shower, apparently. Use Peck!" Combusken attacked Budew repeatedly, but the latter started to run away from it instead of defending itself.
"Oh, come on!" a voice behind them called out and attracted the girls' attention. "Try it on at least once!",
"I'm not going to try this... this... ugh, 'dress'!" another replied. "I want to shine like a star in the hall, not be scorned like a Murkrow!"
Two girls were arguing with each other loudly. One of them was familiar to them. Blonde hair, blue eyes... and a very extravagant way of speaking. Yep, that was Soleil. The other girl had brown, wavy hair. "This dress would turn any character into a pathetic shadow of themselves! I need one that touches my soul and takes other people's breaths away! Like a swan I want to fly over the parquet and charm everyone with my wings! The music will be the wind in my wings and the dancers my muse! Oh... I can see it in front of me! The dance floor is my home! The spirits and gods will make my steps light as a feather!",
"Hey, Soleil!" Mari called out to her and the girl turned and slapped her hands together, beside herself with joy. "Mari, Jacky! I can't believe you guys are here!",
"Is it really that surprising?" She chuckled. "How are you?",
"I'm excellent!" she said, casting a sideways glance at the other girl. "However, my mind is clouded by a demon-woven garment offered to me by this messenger of perpetual doom!", "Also called Susan", the other strange introduced herself, folding her hands behind her back. "Please excuse my sister's behavior. I work in a fashion store near here.",
"Pleased to meet you!" Jacky exclaimed. "I'm Jacky and this is Mari, we met Soleil at the tournament in Driftveil.",
"She told me all about you guys." Susan smiled. "She jumped around like she was stung by a wild Ariados when she saw your win in the finals, Mari!",
"Eheheheh... Well..." Mari brushed back her hair in embarrassment.
"What you have done in Sinnoh was an act of true glory!" Soleil shouted.
"The case was broadcasted internationally, including the footage of how you took that cactus head down. She was about to fly after you guys", Susan explained. "She said something along the lines of 'My chance to not only absorb the secrets of the ruins, but also break the chains of the red soul stones with the blow of justice and make Sinnoh shine again'.",
"Oh my..." Jacky rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment.
"Susan!" Soleil crossed her arms. "That is NOT funny." Then,she turned back to Mari and Jacky. "You guys had THE chance to see the legendary Arceus! How I wish I could have admired the grace of our god..." She lapsed into rapture, hilariously warbling her poetic lyrics to herself. "The ring, infinite, perfect, without beginning or end... the glow of wisdom in its eyes and the bearing worthy of a king...",
"Uh, I guess..." Mari raised her hands defensively. "So... judging by your argument from before, you two will be at the ball too, yes?",
"Indeed!" Soleil nodded. "We've seen others from the tournament as well!",
"Like who?",
"I saw Kattlea just a moment ago! Chris was around too... oh, and Yuna and Laslow as well!" Jacky unintentionally blushed next to Mari and nibbled on her lower lip. "Are you sure you saw Laslow, Soleil?",
"Yes, of course! Susan saw him too, didn't she?"
Her sister nodded. "Yes, he came with a girl he called his companion, but in the background, I kept hearing other girls whispering.",
"What is Chris doing here anyway?" Mari asked. "He's not the type of person to hang out at a dance event, is he?",
"A lot of people are just here for the tournament", Susan replied. "And for meeting all the international celebrities that will be attending.",
"Like me..." Mari laughed awkwardly. "Oh dear... facing Chris in battle again would be a hard déja vu.",
"Everyone has already signed into rooms at the Pokémon Center! This is going to be so exciting!",
"Then, we should hurry before it gets packed", Mari suggested, looking to Jacky. The latter nodded. "You're right...",
"Come on, Susan!" Soleil grabbed Susan by the wrist and pulled her along. "Lead me through the realm of velvet and be honored to choose the dress of my dreams, despite your sacrilege!"
Mari withdrew Combusken. "Come, we may run into some of the others."
Jacky nodded, lifted Budew into her arms, and hurriedly followed Mari into the Pokémon Center.
At the counter, Mari stopped. "Excuse me?",
"Yes?" The nurse looked up. "How may I serve you?",
"Is there a room still available?",
"Of course." She took a key from the board behind her and handed it to them. "Here. You're lucky, only a few rooms are still available.",
"Thank you!" Mari smiled, took the key and went looking for their room. She unlocked it as the room door next to them opened and Yuna stepped out into the hallway. "So I wasn't wrong after all! It's actually you!",
"Hello, Yuna!" Mari waved at her.
"How nice to see you again!" Yuna hugged them both warmly.
"The feeling is mutual." Mari smiled. "How is everyone in the forest doing?",
"Kaze has become Saoko's right-hand man." The ninja girl smiled broadly. "It's as nice as it used to be before the fighting escalated.",
"I'm glad to hear that.",
"My mother keeps sending me letters and reports on how the village is doing. Haruka even wanted to come here with me, but both my Mom and Haruka's stopped her. She is strong for her age, but too young for the world outside the village. She's grown very fond of you, by the way.",
"That's hard to miss." Jacky giggled. "What are you going to wear for the ball?",
"The women of my village gave me a beautiful dress as a gift. I also got myself a lotus flower, I'm going to put it in my hair.",
"I'm sure it will look nice. Speaking of which...", Mari looked at Jacky, "...you need something too.",
"You're right!" Jacky tapped her chin and started pacing up and down. "I need to get a dress soon... And on top of that, maybe something for my hair...",
"Yeah, and it better be quick. Otherwise, you won't find anything nice.",
"Right you are... What are you going to wear, Mari?",
"I think it's time to give the kimono I bought when we last were here a try", she said with a smile. "But I'm sure I'll need a few extra features as well. We'd best get going right away. The sooner the better.",
"Agreed. See you later, Yuna!",
"See you later!" She waved at them. Mari and Jacky left the Pokémon Center after depositing their stuff in their room and headed towards the nearest clothing store.