Chapter 13: The Champion's Arrival

Just after Frost had left with Ninetales to conduct the final perimeter check in civilian clothes Cynthia was currently at the front gate of the Hotel eyeing its massive infrastructure.

"I must say Alex it's quite extravagant." said Cynthia.

"Told you Cynthia, it's the best Hotel the Ranger Corp owns. That is why I said it's nice to have a mission near Lumious, because we get to stay at the 'Luminous Pride'." replied the temporary escort.

As both women entered the reception area along with a team of Ranger's behind them they were greeted by the receptionist.

"Ah.. Miss Shirona it's a pleasure to finnaly meet you I hope your stay at Luminous Pride will be enjoyable."

"The pleasure is all mine, sorry for being rude but can I have my room key I am in a desperate need of a bath." replied Cynthia cutting straight to the point.

"Of course, we have been informed of your circumstances and have already prepared a suite for you and your Luggage is being sent upstairs at the moment." he said while handing her a key.

"Thank you." replied Cynthia while taking the key.

"Also Mr. Stone asked me to inform you that he wishes to meet with you once you arrive." he added.

This sent a chill down Cynthia's spine as she stopped in her tracks and turned around.

"He did?" Cynthia asked.

"Well yes he is the only Champion other than you who arrived here, just a few hours ago with his escort and was very keen on speaking with you again."

"Is his room near mine?" spoke Cynthia with slight unease.

"Well of course all Champion's have rooms on the same floor, his is actually the one right next to yours."

"Is another room available possibly as far away from his." Cynthia said with a straight face.

"I am sorry to inform ma'am but due to the information of the Champions staying here all the rooms are booked by civilian's or been allotted to the Ranger's here."

"Is it alright if I share rooms with Alex till the other Champion's arrive you see I don't really wish to see Mr. Stone as of now." said Cynthia returning back to her calm self.

"Well…." the receptionist was about to object but saw how Cynthia eyed him so he calmly replied

"Well I don't see a problem with that as long as the other party agree."

"Thank you." said Cynthia as she turned around to see a confused Alex standing behind her.

"Champion are you sure about this I mean my room will be smaller than yours." said Alex.

"Don't worry Alex it's not the size of the room are the least of my concerns, it does have a shower right? Because that will be issue." said Cynthia with a chuckle.

"Of course it does." exclaimed Alex with a smile.

"Well then it's settled" Cynthia turned around and told the receptionist " please send my luggage to her room for the time being."

"Yes Ma'am" came the obvious replied.

Soon after both women entered the room and Alex immediately pouted and said

"Awww man I didn't get the view of Lumious Tower."

As Cynthia smiled at the girls antics she thought

(Alex was very mature back at the plane but she can be such a kid sometimes.)

"Oh and it seems my roommate isn't here right now." pointed Alex at the male uniform hanging by the cupboard.

"Perfect Alex I'll leave as soon as I take my Shower do you mind keeping watch for me." asked Cynthia while going into the bath.

"Actually I have to report back right now but I will return in an hour." replied Alex.

"No worries just saying by the time you will get back I won't be here."

"Okay see you around Champion it was nice meeting you." said the Ranger cheerfully as she left the room.

Now alone Cynthia sighed and locked the door of the bathroom and slipped out of her clothes she checked the time 8 AM read her watch as she thought.

(Alright I am not late so he won't be waiting for me, also now that I think about it I didn't tell him where we should meet.)

"Well I will just ask the receptionist once I get back to the lobby." said Cynthia to now one as the hot water washed away the fatigue of her body that was accumulating since the mornings plane incident.

After finishing up Cynthia now wrapped I a towel went to her luggage to take out some clothes.

(What does one wear when they go on dinner with a Pokemon Ranger.) she thought when she heard the door behind click open. In hurry to cover herself from what Cynthia thought to be Alex's roommate

Cynthia ducked behind her luggage but was surprised to she a Ninetales staring her down keenly.

(Wait what is an Alolan Ninetales here that too a female.) Cynthia thought as she saw the magnificent pokemon staring her down with the door open behind her.

Snapping out of her thoughts she politely said "Do you mind closing the door behind you." to which Ninetales obliged.

Once the door was closed Cynthia asked "How did you get here ?"

The Ninetales didn't reply.

Sensing the Pokemon's unease Cynthia kneeled down on the floor and called her out again this time even more gently.

As Ninetales started walking near her Cynthia thought why the Pokemon was so shy around people

(Well she is well groomed so I don't see signs of any abuse from the trainer, must be a past experience.) thought Cynthia while Ninetales was sniffing her.

Once Ninetales was down Cynthia caressed Ninetales fur lightly and the Pokemon in turn didn't show any signs of unease making it alright for Cynthia to start a conversation with the fox.

"Does your trainer do your hair." she asked softly to which the pokemon nodded nervously.

(She still isn't totally cool with me being near her.) thought Cynthia as she asked again

"So why did you come here Ninetales."

The Pokemon this time looked around the bed and quickly moved past Cynthia and grabbed a pokegear by her mouth and showed it to Cynthia.

"Oh so your trainer left something here and you just came to pick it back up, how nice of you."

The pokemon nodded in response again and with her job done went to the door unlocked it and left after shutting it close again leaving Cynthia alone to ponder on what just happened.

(Something didn't feel right about that Ninetales aside from the extreme shyness, I couldn't sense it's level at all, maybe I wasn't judging it properly but it seemed as if it was hiding it from me.) Cynthia thought while wearing a light blue double strapped summer dress with a floral pattern and light brown sandals.

After drying her hair and packing her bags again she called the reception to send someone to pick her bags up again as she picked up her clutch with her necessities and pokeballs and left for the lobby.

(I'll worry about the Ninetales later right now I have a dinner I wouldn't want to miss.) she thought as she closed the door behind her.

Authors Notes:

So ya sorry all the Darksteelshippers out there. Anyways here is another chapter for you guys going deeper into the lore behind Ninetales thanks to Cynthia and her ability to judge pokemon just by looking at them I mean what good it is to be a Champion if you can't do that right. Also soon I am planning to introduce a lot of new OC's along with the rest of the Champions in story so be sure to check that out.

Please follow the story and review it, your views on my work are appreciated.

PEACE