Chapter 44:

Don't Shop me Now

Location: Route 9

Route 9. A short route with one attraction that attracts everyone; Shopping Mall Nine. The biggest department store in the Unova region.

"There it is!" Bianca shouted. She pointed to the grand building over the trees.

"Remember Bianca," I said. "We're not shopping for designer clothes or videogames. We're shopping for supplies like Potions. We'll need them."

But she had already ran ahead. I tutted and walked in the same direction. Doing this, I ran into a Biker.

"Hey bub!" he said. "I heard about the incident on the Tubeline Bridge. Thanks a ton!"


Hilbert Vs. Biker Zeke

"Litwick, I choose you!" I shouted.

"Go Pawniward!" Zeke replied. He sent out a black and red Pokémon with sharp steel claws and armor. There was also a steel spike on its head.

Pawniard (コマタナ)

130

Dark/Steel Type

Sharp Blade Pokémon

1'08" (0.5 m)

22.5 lbs (10.2 kg)

They fight at Bisharp's command. They cling to their prey and inflict damage by sinking their blades into it.


"Assurance!" Pawniard attacked Litwick by punching it.

"Flame Burst!" I replied. Litwick fired a flame at Pawniard that exploded on impact.

"Assurance again!" Pawniard went into what I thought would be a knockout. Thankfully, it missed!

"One more Flame Burst Litwick!" Litwick fired one more flame at Pawniard, finishing it.

"Hey, you have real guts going up against Ghetsis. Good luck Hilbert!"


As he rode off, I noticed Litwick's flame was brighter. The flame covered its body. It kept getting bigger and bigger. Once the flame died, Litwick now had a black covering over its blue flame and two black arms.


Lampent (ランプラー)

114

Ghost/Fire Type

Lamp Pokémon

2'00" (0.6 m)

28.7 lbs (13 kg)

This ominous Pokémon is feared. Through cities it wanders, searching for the spirits of the fallen.

Litwick -Lv 41- Lampent


"Alright!" I yelled as Lampent floated about, gleeful of its new form. "Okay. Enough is enough. Let's go shopping!"


Location: Shopping Mall Nine

"This place is humongous!" I shouted. There were three floors, including the ground floor. They had battle supplies, TM's, Potions, the works.

"Sorry!" Bianca said, running to me. "I've not been here in a long time. It's usually too far to drive. To think we walked a lot of the way this time."

I handed Bianca some money. "Some cash on me. Buy what you need."

As Bianca ran off, I was noticed by a Waitress in an orange dress. "May I offer a coffee to ease your stressful situation?"

I said yes and handed her some money.

"Oh no, I don't take tips like that. Tip me with a battle!"


Hilbert Vs. Waitress Flo

"I choose Druddigon!" I shouted.

"Minccino, go!" Flo replied. "Use Tail Slap!" Minccino started hitting Druddigon with its tail. Problem was, it took damage from Rough Skin.

"Revenge Druddigon!" Druddigon punched Minccino back. It took it out in one.

"Oh goody, my next Pokémon! Go Lilligant!" Flo sent out a tall green Pokémon with an orange flower on its head.


Lilligant (ドレヂィア)

055

Grass Type

Flowering Pokémon

3'07" (1.1 m)

35.9 lbs (16.3 kg)

The fragrance of the garland on its head has a relaxing effect. It withers if the Trainer does not take good care of it.

Petilil -Sun Stone- Lilligant


"Use Quiver Dance!" Lilligant started dancing, shaking every step. Its Speed, Sp. Attack and Sp. Defense rose.

"Dragon Claw!" Druddigon swiped Lilligant.

"Now use Energy Ball!" Lilligant made a green ball appear in front of it. Then, it fired it at Druddigon. Despite not being effective, it did lots thanks to the Quiver Dance boost.

"One more Dragon Claw!" Druddigon swiped Lilligant once more. It was finished.

"If this were a money tip, it would be quite a lot. Thanks Hilbert!"


After I picked up some Full Restores, I went to find Bianca. She was on the top floor in a line.

For berets.

"BIANCA!" I shouted. She noticed me.

"Sorry," she said, smiling. I was not in the mood, and she saw it.


Location: Route 9

"One thing," I said. "I asked you to do one thing. But you didn't listen. I'm under a lot of pressure right now."

"Oh, YOU'RE under a lot of pressure?" Bianca said. "What about me? I was lucky my father allowed me to go on this journey. Don't you think I can have a bit of fun?"

I stopped for a minute. I had had a lot of fun on this journey. Entertaining the kids at the Daycare, being in a Musical, finding new areas.

"Listen. The fate of Unova lies on us. Now is not the time for recreational shopping."

"Maybe you need to clear your head a bit!" Bianca yelled back. "Yes, we've been working hard. Yes, we have less ten days left. But can't we have a bit of R&R?"

I can't believe she said that. "The fate of Unova. Maybe you should start taking things a bit more seriously. I need to get to Opelucid City."

However, my heart sank when I saw Reshiram fly off in the distance.

"We might already be too late," Bianca said. "One more chance Hilbert, please. I'll be serious, I promise."

As Reshiram flew away, the heat haze, blasting off its tail, I sighed. "Fine. But we must hurry."


Location: Opelucid City

All around us, the steel-black buildings towered. They had blue lights flowing off, and electronic doors on every building.

"Amazing," Bianca said. "This place looks at least 50 years ahead of everywhere else in Unova. Potentially more!"

"Listen," I said. "I didn't mean to snap at you back there. I have so much pressure put on me at the moment. You can take on the Gym first tomorrow."

Bianca adjusted her beret. "Thanks Hilbert! Now, shall we go find Iris?"

We immediately saw Iris' thick black hair in a crowd. We didn't even have to imagine what was going on. We walked over and found Ghetsis giving another one of his briefings. He was holding an old man whose mouth was covered with a white beard.

"As you know, our Lord N has beaten your very own Gym Leader Drayden." Ghetsis held him up. "I hope this demonstrates the power of Reshiram, and Pokémon to. They are not the same as humans. They are unknown beings with untapped potential. So, I ask you all to release them now so none of you have to go through the pressure of Team Plasma stealing them when we take over the Unova region." Ghetsis noticed me in the crowd. "It's already too late." Ghetsis threw the man onto the ground.

"Who's that?" I asked Iris. She was too concerned to give us a happy hello.

"The Gym Leader and Mayor of Opelucid City, Drayden. He's my mentor and got badly beaten by N. Drayden usually puts up a good fight, but he was obliterated by Reshiram. Its power is terrifying."

"That is all," Ghetsis said. "Plasma will prevail." He and the Grunts walked off.


"Master Drayden!" Iris shouted. The man was rubbing his neck in pain. "Are you alright?"

"Iris. I'm fine thank you. You were right not to step in; Ghetsis is bad news." He noticed us. "You must be Hilbert. You? You're Bianca, Iris' friend."

Bianca nodded. "That's right. I've wanted to come here since I met Iris. You must be a great Trainer to tame this wild one!"

Drayden finally had the strength to stand up. "I suppose both of you are here for a Gym battle. Not today. I'm a bit shook up by today's defeat, which is not something I say often."

I told Drayden that Bianca could go first.

"Thanks!" Bianca said. "But why?"

"Iris," I said. "Is it alright if tomorrow we have a talk about Zekrom?"

Iris nodded. "Meet me tomorrow at ten."

"Same for you Bianca," said Drayden. "We all need to be prepared."


We have reached the destination of my final Gym battle. It's here that my true potential may just be unveiled, and where I might learn more about Zekrom.