Colin and Baz walked down the path from Route 211. As they walked, they noticed a small concrete slab to the right of them. It looked as though a statue once stood there. It caught Baz's attention for a split second, until he realized he was losing pace with Colin. Colin was preoccupied with Croagunk. The frog Pokemon was clung to his chest, still nervous after almost falling off the cliff. Colin looked back to Baz. Golbat circled Baz slowly. "I need to thank Golbat at some point for what it's done for me.", Colin thought. He would've continued that thought had he not walked into someone.
Both Colin and the mystery person sat down on the ground from the collision. Colin jumped up to help the person when he realized he'd seen them somewhere before. It was a woman. She had blonde hair with gray and black beads in them. Her black trimmed, gray coat draped near the ground. Underneath, she wore a gray shirt and pants with black heels. She dressed like it was winter. On her back was an egg incubator. Colin could not see if an egg hid inside. Behind her was a giant lumbering Pokemon. Colin reached out to help her up, but the Pokemon snapped at him. The woman looked behind her. "Garchomp!", she began, "The boy's just trying to help me up! I'll let you know if I get hurt, ok?" Garchomp huffed and watched Colin closely.
Colin helped her up. "Thank you. Sorry about walking into you. I was, um, preoccupied.", the woman said. "Oh, it's no big deal. I should've been watching myself.", Colin said. He thought for a second and put his hand out. "I'm Colin, by the way.", he said quickly. The woman looked at Colin and said, "Cynthia." Baz ran up behind the two. "Hey Colin, did Budew run by with my- WOAH!", he said almost falling over. Colin spun around. "You OK, Baz?", Colin asked, calming Baz down. "Colin! That's CYNTHIA!", Baz said. Golbat took off from Baz's shoulder and gone behind them, towards the concrete slab. Cynthia looked on with a worried look on her face. "And this is?", Cynthia wondered. "Oh! Barry! My name's Barry. But most people call me Baz.", Baz said, attempting to straighten his hair.
Garchomp looked on with confusion and anger, but mostly confusion. "And that's your Garchomp! I remembered when your Garchomp battled Flint's Infernape in the Sinnoh League Finals exhibition match last year! It dropped Infernape with one Dragon Tail!", Baz said, starstruck. Baz went on like this for several more minutes. Cynthia nodded and thanked him for being such a huge fan. Colin zoned in and out of the conversation, wondering where Golbat had gone and shifting slightly when Croagunk did. After about fifteen minutes Colin was fed up. "Ok Baz, why do you know Cynthia?", Colin asked, somewhat annoyed. Baz froze for a minute, then he shook his head.
"I forgot, you're not from Sinnoh. Colin, this is Cynthia, the Sinnoh League Champion.", Baz said with bravado. Cynthia looked at Colin. "Where exactly are you from, Colin?', Cynthia wondered. "Hoenn. Uh, Petalburg City to be exact. Uh, your championess.", Colin sputtered out. Cynthia chuckled. "No need for the formalities.", Cynthia began, "You said you're from Hoenn? I've been to Hoenn for several occasions. The champion there, Steven, is a very tough opponent. His Metagross and Garchomp here are about the same when it comes to power.", Cynthia said, patting Garchomp as she did so. "Oh, that's right. Garchomp...", Colin thought to himself.
Without another thought, he pulled out his Pokedex and pointed it at the champion's Pokemon. ~ Garchomp, the Mach Pokemon. It flies at speeds equal to a jet fighter plane. It never allows its prey to escape. ~ Garchomp looked at Colin, seemingly grinning at him. Colin took a step back. Golbat screeched out behind them. The group looked behind them to see Golbat carrying Budew. Budew had something bright red in its mouth. "My Pokedex! Budew, why'd you take it from me?", Baz asked, picking up Budew. Budew ignored it's trainer, instead watching the road leading outside of Eterna City. The group turned around just in time to watch as a woman sprinted from the road towards them.
She wore seemingly torn orange cargo pants. Her black crop top was overshadowed by her green poncho. Her laced boots were the same color of her poncho. She was clearly out of breath as she sprinted towards the group. "Cynthia! I've been looking for you everywhere! You told me you'd be right back!", the woman said, clearly flustered. Upon noticing Baz and Colin looking onward (with extreme concern), she walked over to introduce herself. "Hello, trainers! Sorry about that, there's just been a little incident and Cynthia here promised to help me. I'm Gardenia, Eterna City's Gym Leader.", the woman said finally.
The group walked over to the Pokemon Center. While Cynthia walked over to heal her Pokemon, Gardenia sat down with Colin and Baz to talk to them. "So, what's going on?", Baz asked, concerned. Gardenia looked at him. "It's the Old Chateau. These people in these weird suits and awful haircuts are turning the place over looking for the only thing that lives there.", Gardenia explained. "What would that be?", Colin asked. "Rotom. A Pokemon that's lived in the building ever since the previous owner left. It's become sort of an icon ever since it lived there.", Gardenia said simply.
Cynthia walked over and looked at Gardenia. "We need to head out. Who knows what kind of damage those people are doing to the Chateau.", Cynthia said dramatically, then left. Gardenia rolled her eyes. "Always one for showmanship.", Gardenia murmured. The gym leader looked at the two trainers. "We could use your help. I've seen the battle footage from Roark's Gym. You're pretty talented. Both of you are.", Gardenia said following Cynthia. Baz and Colin looked at each other and then followed the Champion and Gym Leader to the Old Chateau.
Author's Note: WOW! it has been a while since I said Hi to you guys, so HI! I meant for this to come out on Halloween but A03 Stories and all that hindered that. Don't Worry. I will update from here still. But as always, tell me what you think! Maybe check out the links below too. Hope you enjoyed!
-S
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