Virbank Arc: Arguments
At the Pokémon Center, the three of them sat at a table. Kuraiko had her legs crossed and was sipping tea in her cool yet extremely dominant and toned posture while waiting for her Pokémon. Her long fringe was combed to the side, covering her right eye. Then, she leaned back. "Where are you guys from, again?",
"We're both from Aspertia", Jacky said.
"Aspertia... Then, you had a cheaper way to get here than I did.",
"You had to take the ferry, didn't you?",
"Yes. It was easier when the first two gyms were situated in Striaton and Nacrene, honestly. You didn't have to spend so much money on stupid ferry tickets. Traffic between the southeast and southwestern parts of Unova runs entirely through Castelia. The way to Aspertia from Striaton is so annoying, I tell you...",
"I can imagine that... How long did it take you to get there?",
"Ugh, I did it in two stages. Went to Castelia first, spent the night there, then took the ferry across the river. Hail to the ones who have flying-type Pokémon, that saves anyone the annoying footwalk.",
"That's true... There are Corviknight Taxis in Galar, they really have it easy over there," Mari commented.
"They should really introduce something like that here. I mean, sure, with the metro, you can get everywhere, except here. What a shitty corner. At least they could have made the ferry service more frequent. No, instead, the ferry leaves once every two hours.",
"We don't have to deal with that luckily, haha..." Jacky laughed softly. "But hey, tell me... Have you heard about the child kidnappings?",
"The what? Child kidnappings? You really have to run behind to NOT hear about it. The news are full of that.",
"There's a Pokémon called Hypno behind it.",
"Hypno, huh... You mean big, yellow and ugly?",
"Yes. Have you ever seen it before or... Have you ever had any problems with hypnotized Pokémon?",
"Not at all." Kuraiko shook her head. Mari propped her chin on her hand thoughtfully. "Hmm...",
"Why?",
"Because it keeps pestering us," the black-haired girl replied. "But we have no idea why. It's like it's targetting us.",
"Sounds disturbing..." Kuraiko relaxed her arms. "You guys should definitely be careful.",
"You too, if you keep traveling. You should have some Awakenings with you, just in case.",
"All right. By the way, I heard something else too, and that is that there are rumors that Pokémon poachers have been seen in the area, chasing after Pokémon-associated valuables. The feathers of Swanna, for example, are said to contain magical powers. Mamoswine's tusks are made of ivory, and that is extremely valuable. Lapras were hunted for their hard shells and Rihorn for their horns. Skarmory's feathers were once made into steel weapons and are especially rare. A wild Skarmory has been seen around these parts lately. Maybe that's why they're here.",
"Isn't hunting Pokémon illegal?",
"Of course it's illegal, but they don't care, it's easy money. And boadloads of money. If you see suspicious people in the woods, be sure to report that to the police. This is unacceptable."
The nurse stopped next to Kuraiko. "Your Pokémon are doing great again.",
"Thank you, Nurse Joy." Kuraiko stood up and nodded to the other girls. "It was nice chatting with you guys, but I have to go. I'm sure I'll see you again." With that, she took off.
"Mari..." Jacky looked at her. "I want to challenge the Virbank gym as soon as possible. How about you?",
"No problem." Mari smiled. "But I'll squeeze in some training in between... I can imagine the whole thing will be really tough. By the way..." She pointed to the blue counter in the corner of the center. "It wasn't the case in all regions that the Pokémon Mart is located in the Pokémon Center. We can buy a badge box there, like Cheren said.",
"Ah, right. We should get a badge box urgently, not that our badges will get damaged." Jacky went over to the counter. The man behind it was sorting items into a shelf before turning to them. "Good afternoon. How can I be of assistance to you?",
"We would like to have one badge box each.",
"Oh, of course." He turned and walked to one of the shelves. From a plank, he took two metal, shiny black boxes and showed them to them. "These are the badge boxes designed for the Unova League." He opened one of them. "Here, you can see the notches in the shape of all eight badges. Put your badges in these notches and they won't fall out that easily.",
"Thank you." Mari and Jacky each took one of the boxes. Jacky looked at the surface of the box. On it a symbol was engraved that she had already seen on a sign outside the trainer school. It was the gym symbol, the Pokéball with two prongs on the side. The symbol made the center of the surface. A line extending from it divided it in half. The bottom half was black, while the top half was bright blue on one box and orange-red on the other. "Wow, these look cool," Jacky commented. "How much does one cost?",
"One box costs 1300 Pokédollars," the salesman said.
"Okay, I'll take the red one," Mari grinned, digging the money out of her pocket. She slid it across the counter and the clerk counted it out, nodded, and handed her the box. "Here you go." Mari flipped open the box and carefully placed her Basic Badge in the first notch. "Yay. Great." She smiled, folded the box back closed, and put it in her bag. Jacky took the blue design, paid, then turned to Mari. "Shall we go back to our room?",
"Sure."
The two of them walked up the stairs and unlocked their room. Mari stood by the window and looked out. "With some training, the gym will be easy... I hope. I'll go train again in the evening... Good preparation is the essence of all things.",
"Do what you want... I'm through for the day," Jacky muttered tiredly. Mari left the room an hour later. Jacky didn't notice her return because she was fast asleep.
That night, the Pokémon were still awake. "Couldn't you think of anything better than 'voodoo doll'?" Medicham had already left her gurney and was sitting by the window.
"Do you like 'plumped-up barbie' more?" Gabite asked saucily.
"Just. Stop. With. This!" Absol slapped his paws over his head in exasperation. "You're acting like babies!",
"I have to agree," Kirlia said.
"Medicham started it, after all!" Gabite growled, visibly offended.
"Hard to believe..." Absol growled, closing his eyes. "You don't even get your rest at night."
Zorua was still a little groggy from training and whined, "Will you please shut up? I'm tired!", "Pah!" Gabite snorted.
"You guys are annoying!" Kirlia now said as well, stalking over to Gabite.
"What's your problem, princess?" Gabite asked provocatively.
"...Princess?" Kirlia narrowed her eyes indignantly. A wave of invisible energy crashed against Gabite, sending him stumbling back.
"Are you crazy, Kirlia?" Absol asked, aghast. "You're a team!"
Kirlia was visibly seething with anger. "If he's going to act like a puffed-up Sharpedo that's strayed ashore and got its brain dehydrated, I can't help myself, team or not! He's just outrageous!",
"You don't behave any better when you react like that! You're exaggerating again, Kirlia!",
"Tch! Tell that to Gabite!",
"Calm down, you hag," the dragon hissed. Kirlia slowly turned to face him. "...Do you want to get more than just a Confusion into your sorry face?",
"Gabite, I-I wouldn't mess with a fairy Pokémon...!" Shinx said, lowkey panicking already. Kirlia took a few threatening steps toward Gabite and raised her arms. "Don't make me. Now listen to me, you mega idiot. Stop bugging us with your unnecessary arguments and issues you got with Medicham, or I'll give you more than just hell!",
"Okay, I get it...!" Gabite raised his claws defensively as Kirlia literally pierced him with her angry eyes.
"Looks like Gabite's scared of Kirlia now!" Zorua giggled.
"I'm not!" the dragon protested.
"You so are," Absol sighed.