Chapter 14:

A View from Skyarrow Bridge

Location: Outside the Skyarrow Bridge Gate

So, an update. Cheren had won the Basic Badge and I had already set off for Castelia City.

To get there, I would need to go through Pinwheel Forest. The good news is though that if you follow the concrete path that goes in a straight line, you can get there quickly. I wasn't willing to deal with the leafy labyrinth again, and I wanted to get to Castelia City as quickly as possible since it was just a short walk thought the forest then across Skyarrow Bridge, which is where I was now.

I was standing outside the gate, looking at the giant bridge with its two giant supports holding it all up. Underneath the part, which is to be walked across, multiple trucks and cars drove under. At the end of the bridge were the towering skyscrapers of Castelia City, the metropolitan centre of the Unova region.

"Ready to go guys?" I asked my Pokémon, even if I knew they were in their Pokéballs.


Location: Skyarrow Bridge

I walked out the Gate and was greeted by the roaring of vehicles below me. There was a twisty part of the bridge first which I ran up till I got to the straight part.

It was the straight part that went over the river. "So blue!" I said, as I noticed a boat passing underneath. It was the Royal Unova, the most luxurious cruise in the region created by S.S. enterprises (not sponsored). My parents had their wedding on that boat and it's also a popular host of birthday parties. Not for me though as I get seasick easily.

The further I walked, the closer Castelia City's skyline got. Some of the tallest buildings were piercing the clouds like a sword. My legs were starting to get sore from the walk, but I wasn't going to rest; it was only 9 in the morning after all.

Finally, the slope that led me down to the Castelia City gate. My tired legs walked down the steps and through the Gate, bringing me to the sight of my next Gym…


Location: Castelia City

Remember that dream I had where I was the size of a Joltik? The buildings seemed to recreate that experience. Every building in Castelia City was so tall that you would need to bend your neck just to see the whole thing, that's if the tops weren't in the clouds of course. There were four streets to choose from as well as five piers.

"It's gonna take forever to find the Gym" I said, though I knew I wasn't going to take it on today. Rather, I wanted to get some training in. My next stop would be the Poekmon Center to ask if there were any good places to do so.


Location: Castelia City Pokémon Center

The Pokémon Center was next to the first street, so I didn't need to go looking for it.

I hadn't battled today so I didn't need to heal, but there was a blonde woman at the counter who noticed me.

"Oh, am I in your way?" she asked.

I shook my head and told her not at all but asked her if there was any place to train.

"Why yes! Why not try the Battle Company?" She got out a map of the city. "I give out these maps. It's just down the road."


Location: Castelia City

I walked down the road and found the building that said "Battle Company" on the sign outside. I could hear bashing from inside.

"What's going on?" I asked, worried that Team Plasma might have come to protest.

I flung open the glass doors, shouting if everything was alright.

It was just a Pokémon battle though. A battle between a Lass and her Munna Vs. a Black Belt and his Sawk. I had a bunch of awkward stares and felt embarrassed.

"Are you here to train?" asked the black-haired receptionist.

I nodded and asked where I start.

"On 47F. Beat all the Trainers and you can take on the CEO. Beat the CEO and you win a prize."


I went in the elevator and up to 47F where nine Trainers were waiting for me.

"Welcome to the Battle Company" a female Clerk said. "Okay, let's get some analytics out the way. I will be your first opponent."


Hilbert Vs. Clerk Ingrid

"I choose Dewott!" I yelled.

"Go Herdier!" Ingrid replied, as my Attack was lowered by Herdier's Intimidate Ability.

"Dewott, Razor Shell!" Dewott sliced Herdier with its scalchops.

"Herdier, come back with Take Down!" Herdier slammed its body into Dewott. It took recoil in the process.

"One more Dewott!" Dewott used one more Razor Shell. Critical Hit! Herdier was down.

That was the first one, and onto the next.

"If I may" said a Clerk. "I would happily go next. If I may of course."


Hilbert Vs. Clerk Clemens

"Pidove, go!" I shouted.

"Take him on Timburr!" Clemens shouted, as the log carrying bulky thing entered opposite Pidove.

"Pidove, start with Air Cutter!" Pidove fired streaks of air at Timburr. A third of health was taken away.

"Timburr, Rock Throw!" Timburr took a small boulder and threw it at Pidove for lots of damage. One more Super Effective hit like that and it would be done for.

"Do the best you can Pidove" I said, just as Pidove started relaxing on the ground. Then, all its wounds were healed.

"Another Rock Throw!" Timburr threw another rock, but Pidove survived! "Ah, I believe that your PIdove has just learned Roost. It's a move that takes away the Flying Type for that turn in order to heal."

I punched the air, knowing how much handy that may come in the future. "Okay, finish with Air Cutter!" Pidove fired another Air Cutter at Timburr. Critical Hit! Timburr was down.

"I must say I'm impressed" Clemens said. "Okay, who next?"

"Me" said a Scientist. "Let us see how this Trainer likes to roll on up!"


Hilbert Vs. Scientist Randall

"Drilbur, go!" I yelled.

"Roggenrola, enter!" It was Water Vs. Rock. I knew this would be easy.

"Rock Smash!" Drilbur punched Roggenrolla's hard body, lowering Defense.

"Headbutt!" Roggenrola headbutted Drilbur, but Drilbur took it.

"Use Metal Claw!" This Metal Claw was a Critical Hit, finishing Roggenrola.

"Great experiments!" Randall said.

"But this will be greater!" said another Clerk. "I caught these two whilst fishing the other day. Let's see how well our challenger goes against my catch?"


Hilbert Vs. Clerk Warren

"Basculin, I choose you!" Warren shouted out a green scaly Pokémon with a red stripe going down its back.


Basculin (バスラオ)

056

Water Type

Hostile Pokémon

3'03" (1 m)

39.7 lbs (18 kg)

Red and blue Basculin get along so poorly, they'll start fighting instantly. These Pokémon are very hostile.

Basculin has no known evolutions.


"Go Audino!" I said.

"Basculin, Aqua Jet!" Basculin darted towards Audino as water gushed behind it. It was a direct hit.

"Audino, Attract!" Audino fired hearts at Basculin. It was infatuated and couldn't move the next turn. "Now use DoubleSlap!" Audino slapped Basculin multiple times, doing a bit of damage each time.

"Chip Away!" Basculin headbutted Audino, but Audino handled it.

"Another DoubleSlap!" Audino slapped Basculin again, this time getting some Critical Hits in. Basculin was still infatuated, so I took the opportunity. "One more!" Slap, slap, slap. Basculin was finished.

"But I have one more!" Warren sent out another, this one having a blue stripe and slimmer eyes over the last one.

"Come back Audino. Go Dewott!" I shouted. "Fury Cutter!" Dewott cut Basculin.

"Use Chip Away!" Basculin headbutted Dewott.

"Another Fury Cutter!" This next was one stronger than the last.

"Now use Bite!" Basculin bit down on Dewott's leg.

"I have Fury Cutter!" I yelled. One more from Dewott and Basculin was finished.

"Impressive" the Clerk said.

"But now it's my turn!" said a female Clerk. "I found these Pokémon in my garden and I want to see how they fair!"


Hilbert Vs. Clerk Alberta

"Pansear, go!" I shouted.

"Go Petilil!" Alberta shouted, as her sentient bulk entered. Upon seeing it, Pansear bit down on its head. "Bite?!" I said. "Pansear, nice new move! But let's focus on Fire Type moves for now. They're Super Effective."

"Leech Seed!" Petilil fired a small seed at Pansear. It was covered in a vine that started draining its HP.

"Incinerate!" Pansear fired a flame at Petilil which knocked it out.

"Now Cottonee!" Alberta summoned the white fluffy Pokémon. "Use Stun Spore!" Cottonee covered Pansear in orange powder. It was Paralyzed and couldn't move that turn. "Now Mega Drain!" Cottonee drained health from Pansear, but not much due to Type advantages.

"Try an Incinerate!" Pansear fired a flame at Cottonee. It almost finished it, but Leech Seed was giving it energy. "Alright that's enough. Go Pidove!" Out came my Flying Type.

"Mega Drain!" This didn't do much.

"Use Air Cutter!" Pidove fired a streak at Cottonee, finishing it.

"Well, they do look cute frolicking in the flowers."

"May I?" another Clerk asked, this one male.


Hilbert Vs. Clerk Ivan

"Go Woobat!" he shouted.

"I choose Dewott!" I said back. "Use Razor Shell!" Dewott sliced Woobat and almost finished it.

"Woobat, Heart Stamp!" Woobat started acting cute around Dewott. After it let its guard down, Woobat attacked.

"One more Razor Shell!" Dewott sliced Woobat and finished the job.

"Almost there" said a female Scientist. She would be next.


Hilbert Vs. Scientist Samantha

"Pansear, go!" I yelled.

"Go Munna!" Samantha said.

"Bite!" Pansear bit Munna, doing lots of damage.

"Psybeam!" Munna shot a colourful beam at Pansear. Pansear took it well and good.

"Another Bite!" Pansear bit down once again. This time, Munna flinched giving the opening Pansear needed. One more Bite and Munna was finished.

"Almost there… once again" said the last Scientist there. He held a Pokeball in his hand. "Let's see how you do!"


Hilbert Vs. Scientist Steve

"Pidove, go!" I yelled.

"I choose Sewaddle!" he replied.

Pidove used Air Cutter. Sewaddle was almost done for.

"Use Bug Bite!" Sewaddle jumped up and started giving small bites to Pidove. It wasn't very effective, but it was a bit stronger than I would imagine. This meant that Sewaddle had the Swarm Ability, which powers up Bug Type moves when Sewaddle gets weak.

"Gust!" Pidove blew Sewaddle off its feet and let me win.

I had one more to go, the smart dressed Clerk with the purple shirt and fancy trousers.

But first I went back to the Pokémon Center to heal.

I came back and I was ready.

"I am between you and the CEO. Can you take me on?" he asked. Well, yes I could.


Hilbert Vs. Clerk Wade

"Drilbur, go!" I said.

"I choose Pansear!" Wade said. Since I obviously have a Pansear myself, I knew how it worked.

Just then, Drilbur dug a hole in the floor. "Hey, I'll have to pay for that!"

However, it was able to dodge an Incinerate. "What?!" Wade shouted.

"I know what's happening. Use Dig!" Drilbur came up from underground and punched Pansear, finishing it off in one. "Alright, a Ground Type move that's useable for you!"

"You're up Pansage!" Wade said, sending out the bushy green Pokémon.

I recalled Drilbur for Pansear. "Incinerate!" Pansear shot a flame at Pansage, dealing lots to it.

"Use Fury Swipes!" Pansage started scratching Pansage wildly. Pansear took the blow fine.

"Another Incinerate!" One more flame and Pansage was sizzled.

"Finally, Panpour!" Clerk sent out the Water Type, without a doubt my biggest challenge.

Audino was sent out. "Attract!" Audino fired hearts at Panpour, making it infatuated.

"Water Gun!" Panpour shot water at Audino. Audino has high HP though so it barely felt it.

"DoubleSlap!" Audino slapped Panpour twice. This was going nowhere.

"Water Gun!" Another blast of water.

"DoubleSlap, keep at it!" Audino kept slapping Panpour. Five times this time.

Back and forth, Water Gun and DoubleSlap. Eventually though, Audino was the victor.

"Victory!" Everyone shouted.

"You have the high honour, of facing the CEO." Wade pointed to the elevator. "Go, he's waiting for you on 55F."


The elevator pinged when I reached the top. I was shaking. Who was the CEO? Was he an ex Elite Four member potentially?

My mind raced as the doors opened to reveal…

A Janitor. White hair, green clothes, moustache and all. He was cleaning the floor whilst whistling a song. It was "Eye of the Persian" by Surviving with 1HP.

"Excuse me?" I asked.

The man looked up, his white mustache twitching.

"Aye?" he asked.

I asked him if he knew where the CEO was.

"Eh? Nah, I dunno. I think he went out. Why don't you battle me whilst we wait for him to get back?"

I mean, I had time to kill so I agreed to his challenge.


Hilbert Vs. Janitor Geoff

"I choose Drilbur!" I said.

"I choose Trubbish!" Geoff said. He summoned a small green Pokémon with stubby brown arms. It looked like a trash bag.


Trubbish (ヤブクロン)

074

Poison Type

Trash Bag Pokémon

2'00" (0.6 m)

68.3 lbs (31 kg)

The combination of garbage bags and industrial waste caused the chemical reaction that created this Pokémon.


"Drilbur, Dig!" Drilbur went underground, creating another hole in the building floor. A lot of people working below were clearly annoyed.

"Now let's see, Trubbish what can you learn again? Oh, that's right! Toxic Spikes!" Trubbish fired multiple purple, bubbling spikes around the room.

"Now Drilbur!"Drilbur came up and punched Trubbish, almost finishing it.

"Trubbish, what was that other move? Was it… Acid Armor? No, Acid Spray!" Trubbish sprayed Drilbur with yellow acid. It's Sp. Defense was harshly lowered in the process.

"Drilbur, Metal Claw!" Drilbur sliced Trubbish with its claw, defeating it.

"Oh well, nevermind. Congratulations on the win. Well, I should probably get back to- Oh wait, I have one more Pokémon left! Minccino!"


Minccino (チラーミイ)

078

Normal Type

Chinchilla Pokémon

1'04" (0.4 m)

12.8 lbs (5.8 kg)

These Pokémon prefer a tidy habitat. They are always sweeping and dusting, using their tails as brooms.


"Minccino use, you know that move that doesen't miss right? Aerial Ace? No not that one. Shadow Punch? No wait, Swift!"

Minccino fired stars at Drilbur. It's Sp. Defense had been lowered enough to take Drilbur out in one hit.

I sent Drilbur back. "Okay, let's try Dewott!" Upon coming out, Dewott was poisoned. It was the Toxic Spikes.

"Oh, I forgot I had placed them" the Janitor said. "Anyway. Minccino, use… was it Scary Face? Tickle! Yeah, that's the one." Minccino started tickling Dewott. It's Attack and Defense was lowered.

"Razor Shell!" Dewott slashed Minccino, almost taking it down.

"Well that's not good. Mincinno, use… drat what was that multiple hit one? It wasn't Double Hitm wasn't Double Kick… Doubleslap!" Minccino slapped Dewott five times. Did a lot because of the Defense lowering, but Dewott was fine.

"Finish with Razor Shell!" Dewott sliced Mincinno, fainting it.


"Thanks for that" the Janitor said. "Now how long will it be till the CEO get's- oh wait, I remember! I'M the CEO!"

You're kidding right? This guy runs a battle company?

"Let me get your prize." From the drawer next to one of the computers, he took out a metal helmet with yellow bulbs on it. "This is an Exp. Share. It gives the Pokémon holding it outside battle Exp."

Well, this trip was worth it after all! But, this guy needed to retire. Big time.


As I exited the building, Bianca spotted me.

"Berty!" she said.

"Stop with that" I snapped. "I'm very tired today. I just walked the 2nd longest bridge in the region, then had to do battle after battle to beat a CEO that can't even remember his own name."

Bianca smiled. "Well, on the bright side, we're here now! Our 3rd Badge, this is exiting!"

The sun had gone down, and Castelia City had lit up, partially with the advertising screens with companies like Devon and C-Gear. This would be our destination for the next couple of days.


So, the big metropolis. I'm shocked at my progress. Within the span of a week, I got a Badge and am now in the biggest city in the Unova region. Will I take on the Gym tomorrow? Well, I think it's tradition that I don't take on the Gym within my first two days in a city, so I'll do some sightseeing tomorrow.