The World's Cutest Trainer, Chapter 29
It was always a fun sensation to walk right into a new town, especially one as large as Goldenrod City. Like Celadon and Saffron in Kanto, the amount of tall buildings made me feel like a Weedle in a kid's model city. All around me, people rushed from one place to another, and large TV screens covered the sides of buildings. Commercials for Pokemon merchandise, advertisements for the city's famous shopping mall; I even saw a commercial for Fold-Abel's Bicycles, featuring an annoying grin of a desperate bike salesmen I met long ago.
Fortunately, Goldenrod knew how to keep its visitors and citizens feeling right at home with a large main street. Signs at every intersection informed you of anywhere you'd want to go, right underneath the multitude of advertisements. After a few minutes of searching, I found the Pokemon Center, just off main street. Normally one of the larger buildings in any city, here it was the smallest one in the area. Still one of the most frequented.
Inside, unlike every other center I had ever seen, dozens, if not hundreds, of people were just lounging about, their Pokemon in plain view and interacting with one another. I noticed most of them were smaller, cuter critters, like Jigglypuff, even a few Clefairy alongside Hoppips and Mareep. It made me feel special to be the only trainer in the center with a Vulpix, and it also made me the center of attention for a moment.
"A Vulpix! How cute!" Said one girl, kneeling down to pet her.
"Is she going to enter the contest?" Said another, taking a brush from her bag and tending to the fox's fur.
"Why doesn't she have any accessories?" Added yet another girl, with a frilly bow ready in one hand.
"I know! She could totally blow away the competition with a few ribbons, maybe even a nice dress!"
"Please," I said, picking up my Pokemon before she was swallowed up by the crowd. "I can't answer everyone!"
"You really should have her join the contest!" Said one of the girls around me, but I couldn't tell which one.
"Yeah! I'm sure Whitney would love to meet you!"
"Just follow us, and we'll take you to her!" One of the girls grabbed me by the wrist, while two others started pushing me through the crowd and back out the center. I was actually trying to reach the computer on the other end, so that I could retrieve my Pokemon, but there was just no way to break free from this group. As we arrived at the entrance, the doors swung open, and I saw a familiar face on the other side.
"Star? Is that you?" It was Bill!
"Bill! Help me!" I cried out.
"Excuse us, please!" The girls pushed Bill off to a side, and continued to drag me away from the center. I looked back, seeing Bill give chase, but not exactly able to break through the wall of girls surrounding me.
"Ladies, I'd like to have a word with the little one in the middle?" The entire herd stopped, and collectively turned their heads towards Bill. He took a step back for safety.
"Who are you?" One of them asked, only to be followed by a collective "Yeah?"
"I-I'm Bill, the creator of the Pokemon Storage System."
"Oh, that's good for you. Now, we have to be going." The herd started moving again, forcing me along for the ride. Bill followed closely, but didn't try to convince the girls a second time.
The group made their way down main street, eventually making a turn and entering a large, pink building. Inside, the walls were lined with stalls, people working behind them on Pokemon with scissors and brushes. It was like a beauty salon and spa in one, for Pokemon! The group at this point yanked Vulpix out of my arms, and carried her to one of the empty booths. Though she was barking out and trying to get back to me, I let the girls make off with her. Not like they were going to hurt her, and it finally gave me a chance to talk with Bill.
"Sorry I couldn't stop them," he said, scratching the back of his head.
"It's okay, I think they were more interested in Vulpix anyway. What is this place?" I took another quick look around, mostly to admire the set up they had here.
"One of the growing number of Pokemon Salons here in Goldenrod. Since the new gym leader took over, the city's been choked by Pokemon fashion." I took another glance at Vulpix, who was being strapped down by the girls in a chair as the stylist prepared his tools.
"They won't... hurt her, will they?"
"They're beauticians, Star. The worst harm they can do to Vulpix is groom her in an unflattering way. And I think it'd be almost as painful to them as to Vulpix." With Vulpix now tied down completely, the stylist took a brush and got right to work on the patch of fur between Vulpix's ears.
"So who's this new gym leader?" I asked, looking away from the misery that was Vulpix getting properly groomed.
"Her name is Whitney. The league appointed her the gym after the last leader retired. Her specialty is the normal type, so she could be a difficult challenge without the proper advantages."
"Reminds me, I need to get my Pokemon out of the box. I ran into some trouble over in Azalea, you see."
I gave Bill the short version of what happened, making sure to exclude details about my encounter in Ilex Forest with Celebi. Though Celebi didn't say anything, I had a feeling I should keep that part to myself. Somehow, I didn't think he'd believe me, either.
"I'm so sorry to hear that, Star," Bill said, giving me an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "Team Rocket isn't allowed access to the system, though if they were, there'd probably be a good chance of finding them."
"It's okay. I've already gotten some help with all that." Again, from someone I just couldn't share information about. What mattered was I doing well again. "So, when can I take my other critters out of the system?"
"Well, so you don't leave your Vulpix here alone, I can pick them up for you! I'd much rather stay out of my parents' house as long as possible."
With Bill being a good friend and errand boy, I sat down near Vulpix, watching as the stylist worked his magic on Vulpix. I have to admit, I was amazed at how he was able to brush away all those darker patches of fur all over her body. In essence, aside from the large, frilly pink bow on her head, she looked brand new, like the day I first met her! Once she was freed, she ran over to me, keeping close to my chest while she attacked the ribbon on her head.
"I'm back, everyone! So, what's new today?"
The voice boomed throughout the salon, and came from a girl with pigtails and a single barrette in her hair. Instantly, the crowd of girls flocked to her side, their Pokemon covered in all sorts of accessories in their arms. Curious, I carried Vulpix towards the crowd, which instantly drew the attention of the girl in the center. She pushed through the waves of Clefairy and Jigglypuff to stand before me.
"Well, this is certainly a cute little Vulpix," she said, reaching down to pet her. Vulpix growled a little, already tired of being touched by nearly everyone in the salon. "Not so cute when she's angry."
"She's just not used to being petted so much," I said in Vulpix's defense. The little fox continued to growl at the older girl.
"Well, that just won't do if you're planning on getting into the Pokemon Contests. They begin next month in the Hoenn region, you know, so best get her trained."
"Actually, I've never heard of the contests," I said, which drew a wave of gasps from the girls behind the pig-tailed one.
"Then why are you down here?" She looked at me quizzically.
"Well, your friends there forced me down here. I was actually on my way to the gym before they dragged me here."
"Oh? So you're a trainer? So am I! I'm Whitney," she said, offering her hand for the first time.
"So you're the gym leader? I heard from my friend," I said, shaking Whitney's hand.
"Yeah, the Pokemon League gave me the job out of the blue. Guess they just couldn't resist my charm, right?" Whitney winked at me, showing off that charm she mentioned. I didn't quite get it, but I could almost see why many people would gather around her. She kind of reminded me of Gary Oak, if Gary cared more about making Pokemon pretty than battling.
"So, is it okay if I challenge you to a Pokemon battle?" Whitney's cute expression melted away.
"Now? Well, I don't know, it's getting late, and the gym is on the other side of town..."
"What are you talking about Whitney? The gym's right across the street!" The sudden truth caught Whitney off guard, and she turned around to glare at the crowd.
"Well, if you don't want to battle today, we can do it tomorrow, then. Whatever you want." Taking care of the battle that same day would've been best, but I was a bit tired from the trip, anyway. As if to contradict me, Whitney turned around, producing a Pokeball from her pocket.
"That just won't do! A challenge has to be answered right away! League rules, ya know!"
"Okay, so I'll meet you at the gym? I'm still waiting for my friend to come back from the Pokemon Center." Again, as if to go against me, Whitney shook her head.
"You challenged me, so the battle will begin when I say so! Come along!"
She grabbed me by the wrist, dragging me out of the salon. Outside, I had the pleasure of running into Bill again, and he had the pleasure of watching me get dragged away again. It was like I was just some toy for everyone to drag around at their pleasure.
~o~
Whitney's gym, very much unlike the others, was actually washed white. I mean, completely devoid of any color save for a slight pink that marked the arena bounds on the ground. There were plenty of flowerbeds, but for someone so taken in with fashion, I expected more... well, fashion. As was par for the course, Whitney took her position on the other end of the arena, while the crowd of girls from the salon lined the edges on the left and right. Bill took a seat behind me after handing me my other Pokemon.
"Alright, um... what's your name?" She asked me.
"I'm Star," I called out to her.
"Star! Okay, pick your first Pokemon!" I shuffled through my bag, not sure who to choose, when something hit me.
"What are the rules for the battle?" I asked. Whitney just stood there, dumbfounded.
"Huh? Rules?"
"Yeah, you're the gym leader, right? You're supposed to make the rules for the battle." I couldn't believe I was the one telling her these things.
"Oh, right! Yeah...! Right, the rules are..." Whitney trailed off, looking to the crowd on either side of the arena. Chances were none of them were actual trainers, so they weren't much help. After a moment of thinking, Whitney finally came up with something.
"Okay, we'll do two on two! And no cheating!" Whitney released her first Pokemon, a Clefairy. It came as no surprise, seeing as how just about every girl in the room had one. Myself, too, now that my own Clefairy was with me again. Since the normal type's greatest weakness was fighting, I called on Primeape, as usual.
"Yuck! You carry around such an ugly Pokemon?" Whitney's comment really left me stunned.
"Primeape's been with me since I started my journey. Being a trainer's not all about which Pokemon is cutest." Now I couldn't believe I was the one lecturing her about being a trainer!
"Doesn't hurt to stick to just cute Pokemon, though. Alright, whatever. Clefairy, Sing!"
"Primeape, don't listen! Cover your ears!"
The large ape shielded his pointy ears, preventing Clefairy's song from lulling him to sleep. I let out a large yawn myself, but snapped out of it quickly enough to order the next attack.
"Primeape, Karate Chop!"
He ran towards Clefairy, who tried to make a run for it, but could hardly move as Primeape sent the small critter flying into the air with his hand. Whitney shrieked at the sight of her Pokemon getting tossed around like that, and immediately returned it to her Pokeball. It was almost too easy.
"You like picking on weaker people, don't you!?" She snapped at me.
"Um, no..." I said, confused. Whitney could clearly see I was the smallest girl in the gym, so if anything, I knew what it was like to be picked on.
"Fine, if you want a real battle, I'll give you one!" Whitney threw out another Pokeball, this time releasing a larger, fatter Pokemon. I didn't know exactly what it was, so I took out my Pokedex and aimed it at the critter.
"Miltank, the Milk Cow Pokemon. Its milk is packed with nutrition, making it the ultimate beverage for the sick or weary."
"Doesn't look very mean," I said, tilting my head at the cow. "It's actually pretty cute, in a way."
"Don't underestimate it, Star," said Bill, who was still sitting on the floor behind me. "I heard they're related to Tauros, and can be pretty hard headed."
"It's still a normal type, right? Primeape, Karate Chop!"
"Miltank, Attract!"
Primeape went running towards the large Pokemon, only to have Miltank stop it in its tracks with a hug! The cow gave a large kiss to Primeape, which left him wobbly and a bit dazed. Primeape dropped to his knees, and just stared at Miltank.
"Primeape? What are you doing?" I called out to my Pokemon, who just wobbled to and from in front of Miltank.
"The power of love conquers all! Miltank, Tackle!"
The large cow rammed into Primeape after a short wind up, sending him reeling back.
"Primeape, use Low Kick!"
"Miltank, Tackle him again!"
Primeape got up slowly, but once his eyes landed on the cow, he just stood there, staring blankly at the other Pokemon as it rammed into him again. Whitney started laughing, while I started panicking.
"Primeape, snap out of it!"
"One more time, Miltank!"
Taking direct body blows from that large cow wasn't easy, and already Primeape was having trouble getting up. Before he could be back on his feet entirely, Miltank slammed into him again, knocking him out completely this time. Whitney started cheering herself on, and the girls around us followed suit.
"This is too easy! Come on, pick your next Pokemon!" She certainly was a completely different person when she was having her way. I called back Primeape, and looked down at Vulpix. She could probably hold her own against Miltank, but I thought it was time to have my newest critter join the fight. I reached for his Pokeball, and released Spinarak.
"Eww! You use BUG Pokemon? Gross!" Whitney's remark was echoed a few times by some of the other girls around us, which seemed to put a damper on Spinarak's mood. I leaned down and pet him on the back.
"Don't worry, we'll show them," I said, encouraging the small bug to step forward. Miltank towered over the small critter, and a single stomp would end the battle. Whitney saw it too.
"Miltank, Stomp!"
"Spinarak, String Shot!"
The small spider scurried past Miltank, shooting its web at the large cow's legs. The sticky material held the cow in place for a moment, allowing me to get in another attack.
"Now, Poison Sting!"
He crawled up to Miltank, driving his stinger right into the cow's leg. The Pokemon let out a loud moo, feeling the pain and poison spread throughout her body.
"Miltank, Rollout!"
The normally bipedal cow got down on all fours, breaking out of the sticky web and rolling up into a compact ball. Like a tire revving up, she made a screeching noise on the ground before shooting forward, crashing right into Spinarak and sending him flying into the air. He managed to land perfectly, but was already looking pretty beat down. Wasn't easy taking a hit from that large critter. The Miltank didn't uncurl, and turned right around for another pass at my little bug.
"Spinarak, use String Shot again!"
He spun around, releasing a large spray at the incoming Pokemon. It was slowing Miltank down, but the cow was still traveling at dangerous speeds. She sent Spinarak into the air again, but not as high as before. Another blow, no matter how weak, would probably be the end of him.
"Spinarak, don't stop! String Shot!"
Miltank came around for another pass, though she was traveling much slower now. Spinarak aimed his rear end at the larger Pokemon, and continued to spray it with the sticky substance. The cow came to a quick halt, and eventually was completely buried in the string. The large ball of white material shook about for a moment, like a Pokemon trying to break out of a Pokeball. After a moment, Miltank's head emerged from the mass of string, letting out a long moo.
"Spinarak, Leech Life!"
"Miltank, break out of there!"
The cow tried to push through the sticky ball, but wasn't able to escape before Spinarak climbed up next to her head. He spread open those two sharp fangs, and lodged them directly into Miltank's neck, draining away the cow's energy. The Pokemon let out several long and sad moos as it grew weaker and weaker. By the time Spinarak let go, he was back to normal, and ready to deliver the final blow.
"Finish it off with one more Poison Sting!"
The small spider aimed carefully, driving his stinger right into the back of Miltank's head. The cow cried out one final time, then just fell silent. Whitney couldn't believe her eyes. Victorious, I started cheering for myself, hoping the other girls would join me. After a moment, I started to wonder if they were just kissing up to Whitney, when I noticed that they were all rushing to her side.
Whitney had dropped to her knees, and was outright bawling on the other end of the gym. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I called back Spinarak, and looked over to Bill, who was just as shocked as I was.
"Well, now that's certainly a first," he said, not sure how to react properly to that. Gym leaders were, after all, the best trainers around the land, the ones responsible for teaching other trainers important values about Pokemon and responsibility. Yet, there was Whitney, crying her eyes out because she lost.
"Star, maybe you should go over and, I don't know, apologize?"
"Me? For what? I won, fair and square!" I screamed back, sounding at least half my age when I did.
"Star, do you realize what you just said? Just go and apologize; be the grown-up here. You still have to collect your badge, anyway." Bill had a point, and I quickly realized what a mistake it had been to say what I had so hastily.
I walked across the arena, stopping along the way to free Miltank a bit from the mass of web she was trapped in. The girls from the salon were all huddled around Whitney, trying to calm her down. At least she had stopped crying for the most part, now only fighting back the sobs. However, once she saw me, that took a turn for the worst.
"You!" She said, pointing a menacing finger at me. I raised my hands in surrender.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your Pokemon," I said, finding it particularly difficult to apologize for winning. Tears started to flow from her eyes again.
"You meanie! How could I lose to a little baby like you!?" Not only did I have to take Whitney's sore insults and bawls, but the harsh glares of the other girls around her. More than ever, I felt almost sorry for having won. Of course, it only took a few seconds to slap that feeling out of my mind. I had nothing to be sorry about! One of the girls in the group pulled me aside for a moment.
"Don't worry," said one of the other girls, looking almost as embarrassed as I'd be if I was caught crying in public like that. "Whitney just has to cry after every loss. Give her a minute to calm down, and don't mind anything she says."
Taking her advice, I just stood there, waiting until she finally got over it all. Between the sobs, I was called a few mean things, which made the other girls more than a bit uncomfortable around me. I didn't take anything Whitney said personally, though. Most of the insults were just a different way of calling me a baby, anyway. She wasn't very creative, though she probably wasn't trying to be. Once the tears were done, she got back on her feet, and wiped away the remains from her face.
"I want my badge," I said, not caring anymore for her childish tantrums. Whitney blushed a little, the shame of having broken down like that finally sinking in.
"Yeah, I'm sure you do," she said, digging into her pockets. She pulled out a badge, though it really just looked like a plain white stamp. "This is the Plainbadge."
"How fitting for the gym," I said, taking the trophy. I stuck it onto my trainer card, as was the routine.
"And, I'm sorry about everything I said. I was just a little mad at losing, is all." A little mad? She threw a tantrum for close to five minutes-
"It's okay," I said, forcing a smile at the girl. "I know you didn't mean any of it at all."
~o~
After taking our leave of the group of girls, I left the gym with Bill and Vulpix. She had finally managed to get rid of the bow the beauticians had stuck on her head, so I put it in my bag.
"So, Star," said Bill, now that we were outside the gym, "What now?"
"What do you mean?" I looked up at the night sky, seeing thousands of tiny stars sparkling.
"Well, you have the city's badge, you leaving tomorrow already?"
"No," I said, turning my gaze from the sky to Bill, "I think I'll stay here one more day, and enjoy the city. Of course, that's for tomorrow. Time for this little girl to get tucked in at the Pokemon Center!"
"Actually, why don't you come over and stay at my place?" I stopped in my tracks, turning to Bill.
"Really? Your folks wouldn't mind?"
"Actually, it'll save me a lot of trouble having a guest over. Force my parents to behave a bit better and not bother me as much. I'll even share my latest idea for an invention: a device to turn yourself into a Pokemon!"
I didn't say anything about that idea, finding it to be both quite cool and quite scary. Bill seemed to have already forgotten how he was turned into a Rattata not too long ago, or maybe that was his inspiration? I hugged Vulpix, who was trying to doze off in my arms. Just how cool would it be to turn into a Vulpix like her, and be able to talk with her?