Who I Am - Lightning99
Chapter 37:
The Aether Foundation
The homeliness exuded by Striaton City was exactly as Red remembered. He recognised several of the polished buildings from his journey through Unova, even if it had been years ago. It was rather pleasing to discover that some iota of his childhood remained.
But Red wasn't there to admire nor reminisce. Unova was the first destination on his and Delia's journey to reclaim Ash's wrongfully distributed Pokémon and to check on his friends. After their flight on-back of his various Flying-Type Pokémon, they had arrived the night before.
The flight had been long given the distance and the need to stop and swap Pokémon, but it had been fun. Delia had thoroughly enjoyed flying on-back of Pokémon, something she hadn't done in years, so Red knew it was worth it. Given his supposed death, they couldn't have gotten a plane anyway. And flying on his Pokémon was an eternal enjoyment for him, too, so he had no complaints.
"Alright, are you prepared?" Delia asked, eyeing up the building in front of them.
"Of course," Red said, able to talk because of how deserted the street was so early in the morning.
"I mean mentally. It might get slightly tiring, even if this is the first person we're here to see."
"I'm alright," Red said. "I won't be talking anyway, so there's no need to worry."
"Naturally. Oh, you sound so much like Ash when you say that," Delia said, giggling to herself.
"Yeah…" Red muttered, once more thinking of Ash. If he had a right to see him.
They entered the building: Striaton City Gym. It wasn't difficult to guess where Cilan was in Unova given his standing as a Gym Leader, and he was the first they wanted to see; Striaton City was the closest city to the direction the entered the region. Red was hoping they could speak to him without his brothers' presences.
The attendant at the desk stopped them upon entry, telling them that they were closed. As Delia spoke with the lady, Red scanned the room. It had changed since his journey. Where was once a simple café with a doorway beside the counter leading to an outdoor battlefield there stood a long, expansive restaurant sectioned into four by curtains. At the end was a stage floored by the markings of a battlefield. And near that stage, Cilan and his brothers Cress and Chili sat around one of the tables. Much to their luck, Red noticed Iris was present too. That made their job easier.
Delia seemed to be having trouble convincing the lady. Luckily, Cilan glanced their way. He was straight on his feet, rushing to the doorway.
"It's alright," Cilan told the lady, politely ushering her to leave them be. "Mrs Ketchum… Umm, Mr Ketchum…"
Red nodded at Cilan, hardly blaming his uncertain tone. After all, he had only met the young man once, when he was in the lab the day of that confrontation. Such a tense, complicated situation was not an ideal place to meet somebody.
Cilan welcomed them in, guided them to the table Iris and his brothers were sat at. Upon seeing them, Iris' slouched posture straightened, her expression taking that of someone sincerely regretful of a crime; Cress and Chili looked confused, the former choosing to scrutinise them with the manner of royalty, the latter verbally and bluntly asking who they were. Cilan introduced them, and both brothers fell quiet, giving their condolences toward Ash. Red was surprised that, despite appearing in the trial, Ash was still assumed dead. There must have been some sort of secrecy regarding it. For that, he was glad.
"Thank you," Delia said, making no indication to correct them of the falsification. "We are here today to talk about that situation, actually. Given the findings of the case on Professor Oak, Red and I decided to retrieve Ash's Pokémon from each region. Also, we want to speak with as many of his friends as we can about what happened."
"You wish to ask us about our hand in the situation at the lab before Ash–" Cilan started.
"Yes," Delia said, saving him from having to say it. As Delia continued, Red saw Chili awkwardly gesturing to Cress under the table. They quietly got up, moving away. "I heard that you were on Professor Oak's side of the argument without the need for convincing or blackmail. Could I ask you why?"
Iris, who Red could tell was on the edge of tears, tried to speak first. Her voice trawled out in stutters, so Cilan placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I shall go first," Cilan said. He sighed deeply. "My reasoning is nothing sinister. Often, people tell me that I am a good judge of people's personalities and characters. I simply thought that Ash could be just as good as something like a Pokémon Ranger as he was at being a Trainer. As I told him, try his hand at something else.
"That's not to say I wanted him to stop being a trainer. Honestly, I wish the whole situation had not have played out as it did. Oak told me it would be a calm conversation to suggest a change so that he could have more experiences under his belt, so I suppose I was deceived in that instance. But that is no excuse. I didn't understand the real reason behind Ash's desire to be a Pokémon Master so badly, yet I tried to get him to change. I stick by my point that he could have been a good Ranger, but… if only I knew… I wish I could take it back."
"I see. Thank you, Cilan," Delia said. She looked then at Iris, who seemed not to have calmed at all. Delia offered a sympathetic smile, something Red couldn't quite bring himself to match.
"I…I made a mistake…" Iris began. "Earlier this year, I was asked by Drayden to take over as the Gym Leader of Opelucid City. It was only temporary while he took care of some business, but I did such a good job that he asked if I would like to split the leadership with him when he returned. Now, we alternate as Gym Leader because he's still trying to take care of his business along with some other leaders.
"I…I let the power of the position get to my head. I had been alternating as Gym Leader for two months when I was called to Kanto, and… I became someone I didn't like. As soon as I heard the news of Ash's passing, I realised how awful I had been…"
"I see. That is understandable. You are young, so you are still growing up. Something similar happened to a friend of ours. For a little while, he became a little bit conceited and it led him to do things he didn't like. I don't blame you, Iris," Delia said. Red didn't blame her either. Delia was right: she was only a young girl growing up.
The story Delia spoke of, though, had Red smiling. It held a special place in his heart: the story of how his and Blue's friendship suffered its only hardship. Safe to say, the moment Blue insulted Red he had realised his mistakes and they had battled, then made up. Of course, Red had won the battle.
"I'm really sorry…" Iris said, and Cilan gave his apology as well.
Delia, though, shook her head. "That's quite alright. Now that the truth is out, I'm sure things will improve from now on. All that's left now is to get Ash's Pokémon. I'm sorry to be blunt, but could we have them back?"
"Of course," Iris said, handing over a Pokéball.
"Fortunately, I didn't think it right to take any," Cilan said.
"Thank you," Delia said, taking back the first of Ash's Pokémon. "Now, would you be able to point us in the direction of Trip?"
Cilan and Iris were wholehearted in their effort to help their endeavours, providing all the information they could. They even offered to join them. Delia turned them down, of course. She flashed Red a sad smile then that reflected exactly what he thought. That Cilan and Iris truly felt awful about their actions, that they were trying to make amends. It seemed they had learned a valuable life lesson.
After they gave as much information on Trip as they could, Delia chatted with the pair a bit more, obviously easing their worries. That was one of her many skills. Red, on the other hand, prepared himself for the next encounter. Something told him it may be more difficult to have Trip part with Torterra.
Ash and Brock walked past the Battle Royal Dome – resisting the intense temptation to enter again – then along the ash-grey path of Route 7 that led to the entrance of Wela Volcano Park. Bypassing the Fire Trial location where Kiawe resided, they entered the semi-circled tunnel leading to the next route.
The tunnel was one long, smooth road that cut through a section of Wela's volcanic stone, roofed by reinforced steel. It was dimly illuminated by a saturated orange light shining from some dangling ceiling lights, the kind you would usually see in a laboratory.
"Thanks for joining me today, Brock," Ash said, his voice echoing gently.
"Thank you for asking me," Brock said. "I haven't been doing a lot lately, so it's nice to get out for a bit. There are only so many summer activities you can enjoy before you get bored."
"You know it's nearing Autumn, right?"
"Yes, it's just that Alola is still as if it were summer."
"That's true," Ash said. "I wonder if they have real winters over here. You know, snow, celebrations, that sort of thing."
"Are you thinking of staying here long term?" Brock asked.
"I… haven't thought about it. Honestly, it's the most comfortable place for me right now. If my mum and some more of my Pokémon were here, it'd be even better. Well, and a few friends, but that's…"
"It's complicated," Brock elucidated as if he had dived into Ash's thoughts.
"Complicated is the only way to describe everything right now…" Ash muttered.
"You can say that again."
Nearing the end of the tunnel, Ash and Brock's conversation came to a stop as, just before the exit, two people chatting in hushed voices blocked their way. The first was an older man, his posture coolly composed, the second an athletic-looking woman who was stood firmly. Both were clad in strange outfits, white jumpsuits decorated with patches of rippled blue on their sides, arms, lower legs, and around their necks. Their gloves were also the same dull blue. They wore hoods over their heads, masks over their eyes. There was something futuristic about the outfits.
Other than their clothes, the only discernible features of either character were their mouth and chin, and their hair. Both were ghostly pale, alarmingly so, and their hair was the same chetwode blue. The man's only visible hair was a long, curled moustache and a beard shaped like a horn; the woman's hair was long and flowing, a fraction of it falling over her right eye, the rest of it resting over her left shoulder. They looked so otherworldly Ash had a hard time not staring.
"Hmm? What is this?" the woman wondered aloud. "The numbers keep climbing on my readings…"
Ash made to step around the pair, but he was stopped when the woman looked directly at him.
"Ah… I bid you both Alola," she said. She made a strange movement as if she were forming a box with her hands. The man mimicked her, then went to twirling the end of his moustache.
"Ah, Alola," Ash said, the word strange on his tongue. He knew it was the customary greeting in Alola, but he and his friends hardly used it in conversation.
"Alola…" Brock said uncertainly.
"Oh, was I incorrect? I believe saying Alola and providing a wave is the customary greeting here?" the woman asked.
"No, I'm sorry. You're completely right," Brock said.
"Hmm… You said your readings are consistently increasing, Soliera?" the man asked.
"Correct, sir," the woman named Soliera answered.
"Interesting that it should occur upon the arrival of this pair… Tell me, do either of you happen to possess any special crystals?" the man asked.
"I believe they are named Z-Crystals here," Soliera elaborated.
"Oh, yeah, I have. One of these?" Ash asked. He displayed his wristband to the pair in which was slotted his newly acquired Firium-Z.
"The very same," Soliera said. "Captain Phyco, it can only mean one thing. We have enough evidence to conclude our investigation."
"Indeed. It would appear its light and the power of these Z-Crystals are one and the same. Quite interesting," Phyco said, twiddling the tip of his moustache faster. He nodded toward Ash. "And you perform Z-moves with these crystals, yes?"
"Uh, yeah," Ash once again answered.
"That wondrous light that appears when a Z-move is used… It is a precious light, and it seems it is taken for granted here. Do you take it for granted?" Phyco asked.
"I'm not sure what you mean…"
"Phyco, it is nearly time to meet with our teammates before we embark," Soliera interjected.
"Of course." Phyco nodded to Ash. "Thank you for your assistance, young man."
"Your aid has been invaluable," Soliera added.
"Uh… no problem…" Ash said uncertainly.
"What is also most interesting," Phyco continued, taking a glimpse at Soliera's device, "is that your presence exudes a higher aura than that of the crystals themselves… Perhaps, as a trial goer, your contact with these crystals and your battles with the Totem Pokémon awash in such dense aura has affected you. Or is it something else…?"
"Captain," Soliera said, her tone exuding a warning.
"Of course. Farewell, young man. I hope we shall meet again."
Once more offering that robot wave, Phyco and Soliera headed for the cave's exit ahead of Ash and Brock. However, as they departed, the silence of the tunnel allowed Ash to catch their hushed chatter until it trailed off to the outside air.
"This fine tunnel… It is most fascinating to learn that such feats of construction have been made possible by the collaboration of people and Pokémon. Our technology may be advanced, but it must be modified to work to its fullest with Pokémon. That is how we…"
"That was a strange encounter…" Brock muttered as they started on their way out of the tunnel too. There was a look of utter bewilderment on his face.
"Yeah… Those people…" Ash trailed off.
"Was it just me, or was their skin colour… unhuman?"
"I couldn't tell you… They were interested in Z-crystals, that's for sure," Ash said. When they reached the end of the tunnel, however, Ash stopped and gave his whole body one big shake. "Oh well. It doesn't matter. Let's just focus on training and getting through the route. I can't wait to challenge Mallow's trial next."
"Sure thing, Ash. After you," Brock said. They headed onto the route then, resolved to their goal of completing that same day.
Her petrifying fear and the resulting misery; the news of her brother being near and her confliction with confronting that complication; her volatile emotions and the stress they imposed: Lillie's mind was as turbulent as a tempest. It was as if she were under a Confuse Ray so potent that she could hardly focus on the happenings around her, not even Dawn asking her name across the circle she and the girls formed on her bed.
"Lillie? Are you alright?"
Lillie heard her the third time but barely, a whisper against her inner voice. She quickly apologised for spacing out, asking Dawn to continue. Only, it turned out Lana had been the one talking.
"Are you sure you're ok, Lillie?" Mallow asked, tilting her head in that caring manner she always did even if she didn't know it.
"Yes. Thank you. I'm just tired." That was an automatic response. That was her go-to excuse when she wandered into her mind's labyrinth. They must have thought she was some sort of insomniac.
"Please, continue," Lillie said politely, trying to keep attentive this time.
"I was just talking about my trial," Lana said. "Another person came to take it on today, and they couldn't do it. I mean, I lessened the difficulty after seeing Ash take it on – it looked way too difficult for less experienced people – and yet I still beat them. I'm quite proud if I'm honest."
"You should be!" Mallow said. "Olivia told us to make them difficult, didn't she? That'll make the challengers try even harder, and they'll come out of the Island Challenge much stronger. You're doing great, Lana!"
"I agree," Dawn said, and Lillie nodded her agreement too.
"Thanks," Lana said. "I'm glad I'm finally doing something on my own. I suppose I should visit my family soon, though, and let them know I'm doing ok."
"Do your family live far away?" Dawn asked.
"Nope, they live on Akala Island," Lana answered. "You know that bridge that crosses over onto a smaller island? They live in the town over there."
"How come you are staying at the Poké-Centers rather than at home?" Lillie asked.
"I prefer it. Plus, I wanted some independence from my family, and freedom from my twin sisters being annoying."
"Aww, but they're adorable!" Mallow swooned, giggling to herself when Lana rolled her eyes.
"I see. You're doing a wonderful job on your own," Lillie said.
"Thanks, Lillie. I can't wait to see how your trial compares to mine, Mallow," Lana said.
"Yeah… That's… actually what I wanted to talk to you about and why we couldn't talk with the boys there," Mallow said, and she suddenly became strangely quiet. Her eyes fell to the bedsheets, which she scrunched in her hands.
"Is everything ok, Mallow? Are you nervous about your trial?" Dawn asked.
"No, it's not that I'm worried about," Mallow said. She groaned, hugging a pillow to her chest, covering her mouth with it. She muttered something completely incoherent into the pillow.
"You're gonna have to repeat that," Lana said.
Mallow sighed, lifting her chin to rest atop the pillow. "It's… kind of about Ash."
Once again, Lillie's attention drifted. Ash was the final complication invading her thoughts day and night.
First, she was worried about him. Ash had said he was alright, and he acted as if he had accepted the situation. But Lillie couldn't discard the image of his teary, dejected expression from her mind. She couldn't simply ignore the severity of the troubles he was forced to endure. She was worried for him, and she wondered if, like herself, his smile and enthusiasm was a façade he thought he had to keep. Given his constant keenness to help her, it hurt to think of Ash not being ok. She sincerely hoped her worry was unfounded
Then there was the other reason Ash invaded her thoughts: the confusing emotions he stirred within her. Whenever Ash was around, the storm inside of her eased, as if it transformed into a calm breeze, to that of snow falling gently on a chilly winter eve. And yet, everything inside of her felt wrapped up in a blanket, hugged, warm.
But it was so confusing, too. She wasn't too naïve to not realise what the feelings could mean. The longer she felt that way, and the more she pondered it, Lillie understood that she was developing some strong feelings for Ash. But she still didn't know what it meant. Because of him helping her, were her feelings born of reliance? Was it a fleeting affection? Or was it love? She didn't know how she would discern if it was love. After all, she had never felt it in such a way before.
Lillie was tempted to talk to Mallow, to Lana and Dawn, to try and explain. But every time she tried, her lips wouldn't loosen their seal, much like how she couldn't tell Ash the truth about her state of mind, her worries. Just like that, it was hard to talk. And she knew she couldn't go to Mallow about something like that.
"W-What about him?" Lillie asked, the hesitance of her question surprising her.
"I think… Since he's going to be the first person to take on my trial… I think I'm finally going to confess to him when he completes it," Mallow admitted, ducking half behind her pillow again.
Lillie felt like someone punched her in the stomach. Around her, Lana praised Mallow for her confidence and Dawn, somewhat hesitantly, questioned why she decided then was the best time. Meanwhile, Lillie tried to discern why she was metaphorically winded. Why, for the first time in days, maybe weeks, all thought was blasted from her mind. A different kind of confusion left her breathless, her mind and body feeling completely lost.
"Are you sure doing it now is the best time?" Dawn asked, and Lillie only heard it because it slightly filled her turmoil with some odd hope. When she looked up from the mattress, she caught Dawn watching her rather than watching Mallow.
"What do you mean?" Mallow asked.
"It's just… With all Ash has been through lately… Won't he be dealing with all of that?" Dawn asked. It was a reasonable statement. Ash certainly had been through a tough ordeal lately. "I'm not saying you shouldn't, it's just…"
"No, I get what you mean… He may be too caught up to be thinking about something like dating right now…" Mallow said.
"To be honest, I don't think he's ever thinking about dating," Dawn said flippantly. Seeming to realise the desperation in Mallow's eyes, Dawn sighed. "Sorry, that won't help. I'm not saying you shouldn't Mallow, I just… I… I know something. Ash, he… Recently, he has liked a girl, but it didn't really end on a happy note. I haven't said anything because he didn't want me to, but I can't keep quiet if you're going to confess. I don't know how he feels now, but it was recent. And with how he's been hurting…"
"I… I see. Maybe now isn't the right time?" Mallow asked, her voice undertaking a sadness Lillie had never heard from her.
"I disagree," Lana said. "It doesn't really matter if he liked someone recently. They are your feelings, and you should act on them as you want. My only worry is his mental state."
"What do you mean?" Lillie asked.
"I heard him say something that's kinda confusing," Lana said. "It sounded as if he didn't think someone could like him. Or I'm just reading into things too much."
Mallow buried her face in the pillow. A long silence stretched over the room before she lifted her head.
"Lillie, what do you think I should do?" Mallow asked.
Again, Lillie froze up. But she tried to give as sincere an answer as possible.
"I don't have any experience with that but… just do whatever feels natural in the moment? There isn't any need to worry over planning something. I think it should just be something that you say naturally…" Lillie said.
"Do what feels natural in the moment…" Mallow repeated. "You're right, Lillie. Worrying isn't like me. I'll just do whatever feels most natural in the moment! Thank you!"
Newly cheered up, Mallow started a new conversation. At the same time, Lillie felt those strange emotions restart their assault. Beside her, Dawn gave her a questioning look, as if she was guessing at something. And that added yet another worry to Lillie's mind.
Considering the winding wildernesses of the forests he had so-far traversed in Alola and other regions, Ash found Alola's Route 8 slightly underwhelming. All it encompassed was the side of a curving road leading to the next Pokémon Center and an adjacent inn. Pokémon wandered about as ever they did, trainers challenged him as their eyes met, and the view of Alola's endless, sparkling sea remained mesmerising, yet the exploration was minimal. Throughout the day, though, Ash benefitted from some lively training to keep his team in top shape for the next trial. Bagon even joined in.
About half-way through the route, the pair discovered a curious, small, boxed building. It was made completely of metal except for the glass windows; the main body was white, and it was raised on several grey steel stands. A variety of Pokémon lazed or ran about beneath its shade. Ash was curious about the building, but he decided to come back to it later. First, he had to complete the route.
And they did just that. By the beginning of dusk, Ash and Brock easily located the entrance to Lush Jungle – the location of Mallow's trial – and realised with joy that it lay on the hill behind the Poké-Center they were currently residing in.
Their day well-spend, the pair fought a few more battles on the hills opposite the Trial Site, helped a young boy find his lost Pokémon, and headed back to the route because Brock wanted to watch the sunset.
Ideals of pleasant relaxation beneath the sea breeze and the diving sun fresh in his mind, Ash's hopes were halted by a shout issuing from the car park of the nearby inn. When he looked over he saw a few familiar faces and a few familiar outfits.
Jessie, James, and Meowth were stood in a shield formation in front of a man and woman in white uniforms cradling a pink Pokémon in their arms. Opposite, there were three Team Skull Grunts, their, and Jessie and James' Pokémon set in a battling formation.
Ash made his way over with little haste because it was a quick altercation. Jessie and James were far superior to the novice battling of the Grunts, and they soon sent them fleeing. Apparently, that wasn't what they wanted.
"Get back here!" Jessie cried, sprinting after the trio despite James' best efforts to recall her. His sigh was more than audible.
"James! What's going on here?" Brock called as they reached the small group.
All eyes fell on them, and James sighed again.
"Thank Arceus you're both here," he said. "We were out on patrol around here when we saw some Team Skull members attacking a wild Stufful."
James gestured the Pokémon in the arms of the woman in white – upon closer inspection, Ash could see a lot of gold lining and buttons dotting their jumpsuits, shoes, and hats.
"Ah, so you stepped in to help," Brock deduced.
"Of course. I was going to go with these kind people, but Team Skull seems to be getting away, and we need to talk to them," James said.
"Yeah, they're gettin' rowdier than ever. It's as if they're tryin' to provoke us," Meowth said.
"We've gotta catch up to Jessie–"
"If we can…" Meowth muttered.
"So, could you check on the Stufful in our place?" James asked.
"Sure," Ash said. "To the Pokémon Center, then?"
"Oh, no, that's quite alright. We shall take it back to our lab for care," the man interrupted. "You're welcome to join us."
"Your lab?" Brock asked.
"Ah, you must not know about us. My apologies," the woman said. "We are employees of the Aether Foundation, an organisation whose goal is to care for any hurt Pokémon. Seeing as trainers take their Pokémon to the Pokémon Centers primarily, we have set up branches around Alola to care for wild Pokémon that are injured. That white building a little way down the route is our branch here on Akala."
"I was curious about that building. So, it's a care centre for wild Pokémon…" Brock said.
"Excellent. Ash, Brock, please go in our place. We'll see you soon," James said, and he and Meowth ran off after Jessie.
"Shall we?" the man asked, gesturing toward the route.
A short walk later, the quartet entered the white building through a sliding door. While small, the building was cosy rather than claustrophobic, and inside, as Ash expected, the walls were as white and spotless as any lab he had been in before. Though white, the room held a neon blue glow.
There were two rooms in all. One room branched off to the left of the entryway, in the centre of which stood a large operating table. Around the entryway wall was a desk station; a bookcase covered the right wall, and several cages filled with various resting Pokémon were stacked beside it. The other room was through another door and had a bed in it, something Ash assumed was for larger Pokémon.
Immediately, a black-haired Aether Foundation employee inside rushed to take the injured Stufful, placing it onto the operating table. She started scanning it with some tools, then treating its injuries with the aid of her associate. Brock watched with his practised eye, frowning, and mumbling to himself at each stage. Slightly amused, Ash watched Brock's antsy behaviour.
After roughly five minutes, Brock intervened, alerting the workers to the discomfort the Stufful was feeling thanks to their heavy-handedness. The pair was surprised but agreed with his assessment. After thanking him, the onlooking woman asked Brock how he could tell, so he explained his profession as a Pokémon Doctor. Unsurprisingly, the workers asked Brock for his aid. Unsurprisingly again, he agreed and got to work. Soon, the Stufful was bandaged up, sprayed with some potions, and fed some berries.
It had been a while since Ash had witnessed Brock working. Seeing him taking care of the Stufful was pleasant. There was something nostalgic about it all, about his professionalism and the ease in his work.
After treating the Stufful's injuries, one of the Aether employees asked Brock if he could take a look at another injured Pokémon. Brock was quick to agree, and Ash could tell he was glad to be back doing some work.
Brock ended up helping another two Pokémon after the Stufful: a Cutiefly whose flimsy wings were damaged, and a Dewpider in the sea outside who couldn't blow bubbles to breathe above water. Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu gently played with the Stufful, knocking a little ball back and forth along the grass.
"Thank you for your help this afternoon," the initial Aether Foundation lady said to Brock as his spontaneous shift came to an end.
"Not a problem," Brock said, smiling. Then, his face scrunched into contemplation. "Are there any opportunities to work here at the moment? I have been thinking of doing some work, and I wouldn't mind volunteering."
"Really? Are you sure?" the lady asked.
"Absolutely. All I want is to help injured Pokémon, so if I can lend a hand, I will do."
"Yes, of course, there is space! We're always looking for volunteers. We'd love to have you. Thank you!"
"Excellent!" Brock said, shaking the lady's hand. "When shall I come by?"
"How about tomorrow morning, at around eight? We are usually set up by then."
"I will see you then," Brock said.
With Brock's new volunteering position confirmed, the pair headed back to the Poké-Center, pushing through the forestry at the back entrance. Brock was walking with an almost constant bounce the whole way.
Hi! I'm finally back with a new chapter!
Sorry it's taken so long to come out (again). Things have been a bit hectic lately, unexpectedly so, but I've been able to get some work in every now and then. However, I should hopefully be back more frequently from now on (but please don't quote me on that one 0_0).
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! There's a little more setting up, but I hope it's good nonetheless! Let me know what you think!