Chapter 3: Journey To Mistralton
Elesa was walking fast down the streets of Nimbasa early in the morning; most shops had not even begun to open. Elesa's had left early not to avoid her mother but to try and slip away before Volkner had caught her. She knew if Volkner caught her trying to leave he would surely stand in the way. She was almost out of the city and on Route 5 but just as she was about to make it out of Nimbasa City scot-free, Elesa hears Volker say "If you wanted to sneak out you should have done it at night."
Elesa froze. "Who said I was sneaking anywhere? I'm just going to train on Route 5." Elesa replied trying to lie her way out.
"You won't mind me tagging along then?" Volker questioned.
"I'd really rather have some alone time." Elesa responded. "Besides don't you have to leave for you gym in the Sinnoh League. You can't keep it closed forever."
"The League has allowed me to assist in your training till the day of your exam. So I don't have to go anywhere till then," Volkner paused and walked closer to Elesa "Also you're very bad at lying."
Elesa took a deep breath and said "Fine. You caught me. I'm going to Mistralton City."
"Elesa I already warned you of what would happen if you did that."
"Look Volkner, there's nothing you can do to stop me from going. I'm not a gym leader yet. So anything that does happen between me and that girl, it won't matter."
"Oh, so you're simply looking to score? Is that it?"
"NO! THAT'S NOT IT ALL!"
"So then why are you doing this? You can't be with her so long as you want to be a gym leader. Did you even tell your mom where you were going? Or did you lie to her to?"
"How did you know my mom was in town!? Have you been following me!?" Elesa barked.
"If you really must know I was out in town on a date and I happened to see you and your mom together."
"Yeah, like you could get a date." Elesa stated sarcastically.
Volkner became enraged and grabbed Elesa by the arm "I am not letting you ruin your life like this. You're staying here in Nimbasa until after your exam."
Elesa became panicked. Volkner had started to squeeze her arm really hard. Elesa in a panic screamed "Oww! You're hurting me!" However Volkner's grip didn't seem loosen despite her plea. Volkner then started to drag Elesa back into the city. Elesa quickly slammed her foot on his and pushed Volkner away and ran off into Route 5.
Volkner then shouted "Don't expect me to help you out when this all goes wrong. And don't expect me to be here when you return!" Volkner's words fell on deaf ears. Elesa ignored him and kept running further and further till she reached the Driftveil Drawbridge.
When Elesa finally reached the bridge she had broken down crying. She had thought Volkner was her friend but when it really matter he showed his true colors. A trainer snuck up behind Elesa and asked "Excuse me miss but is something wrong?" Elesa turned around, wiping tears from her eyes, responded "No. I'm fine."
"You don't look fine," said the trainer. The trainer paused, then said "How about I walk you across the bridge and you tell me what's wrong?"
Elesa didn't know who this mystery trainer was but something about him seemed to make Elesa trust him. Elesa stood up and started to walk with the mystery trainer across the bridge. "So what's your name miss?" asked the trainer.
"I'm Elesa. And what's your name?" Elesa said still wiping the tears from her face.
The trainer paused before he answered "People call me Red."
"That's a strange name."
"I've gotten used to it after all these years. So tell me about your problem Elesa," The trainer said.
"I don't know where to start."
"A normal person would say the beginning," The trainer stated sarcastically, "But wherever you want to start is fine."
Elesa giggled to herself. "Well there's this girl, she's a gym leader. I haven't officially met her yet but when I saw her for the first time yesterday I felt something I can't really explain. But if I had to explain it I guess I would say it was love at first sight."
"And there's something wrong with that?" The trainer asked confused.
"According to another gym leader, gym leaders can't have romantic relationships with other gym leaders." Elesa responded.
"Yeah, I heard that too." The trainer paused "But you don't look like a gym leader to me."
Elesa began to feel down, "I am supposed to take the gym leader exam to become the Nimbasa City gym leader in a week."
"I see. So I don't really see a problem yet. What I see is a trainer who thinks she is in love. And as far I know there's nothing wrong with that."
Elesa responded "But what do I do if I get in a relationship with the gym leader and I pass my exam. What then? I wouldn't want to hurt her like that but I can't give up on my dream either."
The trainer smirked and said "Well a wise friend once told me, you're only breaking the rules if you get caught." The trainer paused, "I have a tip for you that might help you figure out what to do," Elesa eagerly awaited his advice. The trainer then said "Your heart is always the most important thing to listen to. Just follow your heart, It will show you the way."
Elesa's sadness had faded. She found the trainer's words comforting to her. She knew now what she had to do. She must continue her journey to Mistralton and get to know the girl she saw yesterday before it was too late. She had picked up her pace and started to run again. She turned back to thank the trainer, but he had vanished. Elesa never realized that the trainer, Red, was one of the most skilled Pokémon trainers in the world, Champion Red of the Kanto Region.