Chapter 11: Mint Chocolate

Two days later, the group found themselves in a very colorful city. "This place sure looks interesting," Shelly said as they walked past water fountains, stained glass windows, and buildings painted all sorts of colors.

"Nacrene City is known for its artists," Gary explained.

"Well, I like it," Dani said.

"Me too," Gabri said with a smile.

"Besides art, is there anything else to do here?" Shelly asked, glancing at their male companion.

Gary held up a book that talked about all of the main cities in Unova. "It looks like there's a battle club."

Dani and Gabri exchanged looks. "Let's go!" the eldest sister said excitedly.

Shelly frowned. "But the sun's about to set, and we still have to go to the Pokemon Center to get our Pokemon a checkup."

"We could head over to the battle club tomorrow after breakfast," Gary suggested.

"That works," Gabri agreed.

Dani grinned. "I can't wait!"


The four friends were at the battle club early the next day. No one else seemed to be around, which was disappointing. Then they all decided to check out the machines that were placed within the main room. "I wonder what these are for," Dani mused.

"Those computers show you information about the trainers that are in town," Don Georges said, popping up behind the kids. "Some trainers have xtransceivers, which allows other trainers to video chat with them through the computer."

"That sounds like an efficient system," Gary said.

Dani nodded. "Cool. I'll see if I can find an opponent." As she began to look through the profiles, it did not take long for her to stop. "It's Paul!"

Gabri gasped as she stared at Paul's picture on the screen. "You should battle him so we can say hi!"

Shelly rolled her eyes. "How about you don't?"

Gary crossed his arms and frowned. "I second that."

Dani ignored them as she pressed the button to call Paul. Within seconds, his face became visible on the screen. "Hello?" he said in a gruff voice. "Oh, it's you. What do you want?"

"I want to challenge you to a battle!" Dani said confidently.

"I'll pass," said Paul. "I defeated you easily our last battle."

Dani's face fell. "Simon just wasn't trained then. We want a rematch!"

"I don't think so."

"I told you he's a jerk," Shelly commented.

"Hey, Paul," Gabri said, moving to stand beside her oldest sister, "have you caught anymore Pokemon?"

Paul blinked at her. "Yes."

"How about we have a battle? Then if I win you have to battle Dani."

"I don't know about that."

"He's probably just scared," Gary sneered.

"Fine," Paul grumbled. "I'll be right there."

"It looks like we'll be having two battles," Don Georges said.

A minute later, they all turned as they heard someone enter the building. Paul walked inside and did not stop as he headed for the battle arena. "Let's get this over with," he said. The others hurried to follow him.

Gabri passed her egg to Gary and took her place on the battlefield opposite of Paul. She was ready.

"This will be a one on one battle," said Don Georges. "The battle will be over when one side's Pokemon is no longer able to battle. You may now choose your Pokemon."

"Woobat, stand by for battle!" Paul tossed a Pokeball in the air, revealing a weird looking flying type.

Gabri glanced down at the Tepig by her side. "Are you ready, Dragon?"

"Tepig," Dragon said confidently as he stepped forward.

"Woobat, use Gust!" Paul called.

"Dragon, Defense Curl!" Gabri countered. The fire type curled into a ball as a strong wind attempted to blow him back. When the wind ceased, Dragon hopped back onto his feet, not appearing too affected. "Now use Ember!"

"Dodge that," said Paul. Woobat swerved to the right, but he was still hit by the fire balls.

"Good job, Dragon," Gabri said with a smile.

"Don't mess up again," Paul growled at his Pokemon. "Confusion!"

"Ember, again!"

Woobat opened his mouth, and an odd wave came out, headed towards the Tepig. Dragon stood his ground and released another Ember, but this time the flying type was able to move out of the way.

"It's alright," Gabri said, determined not to lose her cool. She had to think about strategy here. Tackle would hard to use against a flying attack, so they would have to stick to fire. "Run around and use Ember!"

"Heart Stamp," Paul said.

Dragon ran around the battlefield, firing out balls of fire that hit the Woobat. The Woobat snorted before using his own attack. First, he acted cute, causing the Tepig to stop and blink. Then he rushed forward and attacked him viciously, causing him to cry out in pain.

"Dragon!" Gabri exclaimed. She knew she had to act fast, for her Pokemon appeared exhausted. Suddenly, Dragon started marching into place, and his body soon became covered in flames. "What's that?"

"That's Flame Charge!" Shelly called.

Gabri watched excitedly as Dragon raced forward. He leapt into the air, smashing into the Woobat and sending him hurling to the ground.

"Get up," Paul growled, "and use Confusion!"

"Dodge and use Ember!" Gabri countered.

Woobat flew into the air and sent out rays, but Dragon dodged them all. While still running, he raised his head and spat out his Ember. Woobat was struck and fell to the ground once more. This time, he did not get back up.

"Woobat is unable to battle," said Don Georges. "Dragon is the winner, and the victory goes to Gabri!"

"We did it!" Gabri said with a grin. Dragon turned and ran into her arms, and she laughed as she hugged him.

"Such a disappointment," Paul grumbled to Woobat before returning him to his Pokeball.

"Great job!" Dani exclaimed.

"That was a good battle," Gary agreed.

Shelly smiled at her sister. "Congratulations."

"Thanks," Gabri said as she took her egg back from Gary. She glanced over her shoulder at Paul. "Now you have to battle Dani."

Paul let out a heavy sigh. "Fine."

Dani strolled over to the place where her youngest sister had previously stood. She was ready for this! "Alright, let's go, Simon!" She threw her Pokeball into the air to reveal her Oshawott.

"Osha," Simon said as he puffed out his chest.

Paul did not appear phased. "Larvesta, stand by for battle." With that, he released his fire type.

He did not say anything else, so Dani figured she had the first move. "Simon, use Water Gun!"

"Dodge it and use Ember," Paul said swiftly.

Simon released a jet of water, but Larvesta jumped to the side and spat out fire balls. The Oshawott's eyes widened as he was struck by several of them.

"Focus Energy," said Dani. She watched as her Pokemon took a deep breath to calm himself. "Now use Water Gun."

"Take Down!" Paul bellowed.

"Keep using Water Gun!"

Simon shot out his water at the fire type as the Pokemon came charging towards him. Larvesta slowed down, but the water did not stop him from slamming into the sea otter, sending him falling to the ground.

Dani knew which attack to use now. "Razor Shell!"

"You learned a new move," Paul mused. "String Shot."

Simon grabbed his scallchop and swept it in the air. Unfortunately, nothing happened. Before he could react, Larvesta shot a sticky string that stuck to the scallchop. He then pulled the shell out of the Oshawott's hand and flung it to the side.

"Ember," Paul said.

Dani gritted her teeth in frustration. They needed to get that attack down! "Dodge while using Tackle."

Simon ran back and forth, dodging the fire balls that came from the Larvesta. He soon got close to him and rammed into him.

"Leech Life," said Paul.

"Razor Shell!" Dani said, deciding to risk the attack again.

Larvesta leapt towards Simon while the water Pokemon ran towards his shell. It seemed to be a contest based on speed. Larvesta seemed to be gaining fast, but before he could latch onto his opponent, Simon snatched his scallchop and swung it in the air. This time, blue formed underneath it, and he was able to slash Larvesta back, causing him to cry out in pain.

"Stand up!" Paul shouted. "Use Take Down!"

"Water Gun!" Dani said swiftly.

"Jump in the air!"

Simon blasted of water, which Larvesta dashed to the side to dodge while running towards him. Simon took a deep breath before jumping into the air and releasing another stream of water. This time, the water hit its mark. Larvesta fell to the ground and stayed still.

"Larvesta is unable to battle," Don Georges said. "Simon is the winner, and victory goes to Dani!"

"We did it, Simon!" Dani said, grinning at her Pokemon.

Simon turned and stared at her. "Osha?" Then he grinned back at. "Oshawott!"

"Return," Paul muttered, zapping his Pokemon back into his Pokeball. Then he looked over at his opponent. "You've been practicing."

Dani smiled slightly. "Thanks."

Paul turned away. "It's the minimum that's required of trainers."

Dani's smile faltered when she realized he was going to leave. Something inside of her did not want that to happen. "Wait-"

"Great work, Dani," Gary said, slapping his free hand on her shoulder (he was holding her egg).

"Yeah, you sure showed him," Shelly said as she came to stand beside her.

Gabri, however, seemed to be thinking the same thing as her eldest sister. "Paul, where are you going?" she called to the retreating boy.

"The Pokemon Center," Paul replied without stopping. "I have no more business here."

Dani and Gabri exchanged looks. They both knew he was looking after his Pokemon, even if he would not put it that way. After grabbing their eggs and Pokemon, they both started towards him. "Wait up," Gabri said.

Gary frowned as he watched them leave. "Hey, where are you going?"

Just then, a boy and girl appeared at the door. "Hey, do any of you want a tag battle?" the girl inquired.

"I'm sure Shelly and Gary would love to," Dani said. She glanced over her shoulder at Gary. "We'll be back by the time you're done."

Shelly blinked. "Sure. What are your names?" She glanced at Gary, who crossed his arms in annoyance but did not say anything.

Dani and Gabri heard nothing more as they followed Paul out the door. Once they were out the door, the boy said, "Why are you two following me?"

"We want to walk with you back to the Pokemon Center so we can talk to you," Gabri said.

"Why?"

"We like you," Dani answered. "We want to be your friends."

"I have no use for friends."

"Everyone needs friends," Gabri said.

"Not me. Friends distract you from what's really important."

"That's not true," said Dani. "Friends can help you become stronger because of their different experiences and viewpoints. Plus, they're there for you when you really need them."

"Friends can cause pain and misery," Paul said coldly. "It's best to stay away from them."

The sisters exchanged hurt glances. "We're not going to harm you," Dani said gently.

"You may not desire it, but you will once you really know me."

Gabri shook her head. "I don't think so."

"Friendship may involve risk, but the benefit is worth it," Dani said. "Friends enrich your life."

"My life does not need to be enriched," said Paul. "What I need is to reach my goal of becoming as strong as I can be."

"What is the point of achieving that goal if you have no one to share it with? And why not have some joy along the way? Are you really happy right now?"

Paul turned his face away. "That is not your concern."

"You should at least be friends with your Pokemon," Gabri said gently.

"I need my Pokemon to be strong, not soft."

"I'm friends with my Pokemon, and they're not soft!" Dani exclaimed. "Mo and I have won lots of battles together."

"Cynda!" Mo said from her shoulder.

Paul eyed the Cyndaquil. "Based on my last battle with him, I find that hard to believe."

Dani frowned. "We were mismatched that time. I could be you with a fairer opponent."

Gabri nodded. "It's true. She's really good."

Paul stuffed his hands in his pant pockets and looked away. "I see."

Gabri could sense this topic was not going anywhere, so she decided to change it. "So... do you like chocolate?" Chocolate calmed people, and it looked like he could use some.

Paul gave her an odd question as he walked. "Chocolate? What kind of question is that?"

Gabri shrugged. "It's just a question."

Paul hesitated before responding. "I do enjoy mint chocolate everyone once in a while."

Dani smiled. "Cool."

Gabri made a face. "Ew, I hate mint."

"You have no taste," said Paul.

Dani smirked. "I agree." She saw Paul looking at her almost in amusement, and she realized that, for a second, they had the same mind on something.

Gabri rolled her eyes. "Yeah, whatever." She could now see the Pokemon Center coming into view.

"You should head back," Paul said, looking at Dani again, "your boyfriend is probably worried. He did not look too happy when you left."

Dani blinked in surprise. "My boyfriend? Oh, Gary!" She blushed and looked away. "He's not my boyfriend... he's just a friend. A friend who should stay out of my business, just like Shelly."

Paul stared at her, his expression unreadable. "I see."

"Maybe we should go back," Gabri said as they approached the door of the Pokemon Center. "Their battle will probably be over soon."

"Ok," Dani said. "Goodbye, Paul."

"Quil!" Mo said from her shoulder.

"See you later," Gabri said.

"Tepig," said Dragon from the ground.

Paul grunted his acknowledgement as he swung open the doors of the Pokemon Center and the sisters turned and headed back the way they had come.

The girls walked back mostly in silence. When they approached the Battle Club, they could see Shelly and Gary just exiting. Shelly spotted them, and they headed over. "We won; thanks for watching," Shelly said sarcastically.

"We wanted to talk to Paul!" Gabri said defensively.

"Did Paul want to talk to you?" Gary said with raised eyebrows.

"We should go stock up on supplies," Dani said suddenly, not wanting an argument to break out.

Shelly clapped her hands together in glee. "And I can go shopping!"

Gary shrugged. "Ok. Let's go." He took the lead as they all started for the center of town to check out the shops.


After shopping and lunch, the group spent the rest of the day training with their Pokemon. Then they ate dinner and went to bed early to get a good night's rest. Dani and Gabri seemed anxious about something, but Shelly and Gabri just shrugged it off as concern for their next gym battles.

"I think we should head to the next city," Gary said as they were gathered in the lobby of the Pokemon Center after breakfast.

"We can't leave yet!" Gabri said quickly. Dani nodded in agreement.

Shelly gave her an odd look. "Why not? And, Dani, why are you holding a box of mint chocolates?"

"Because..." Dani looked around nervously. She suddenly brightened when she saw Paul walk into the room. "Paul!" Ignoring the question, she moved towards him with Gabri on her heels. "We got you something." She held out the chocolates.

Paul blinked at her, seeming almost surprised. "These are for me?"

"Yeah, even though mint is gross," Gabri said, earning a nudge from her sister.

Paul took the chocolates and stared at them as if he did not know what to do with them. He appeared perplexed.

"You're welcome," Dani said brightly before turning to skip away with Gabri.

Shelly rolled her eyes when they approached. "Can we go now?"

"Yes," said Dani.

"He's never going to be your friend," Gary said with a frown.

Dani and Gabri exchanged looks. "We'll see," said the younger. They were up to the challenge!