My Great Big Adventure
This morning, I met another boy (not Curtis) named Nate.
I ran into him this morning on my way to the gym to challenge Elesa. Exiting the PokeCenter, I saw two suspicious-looking characters ganging up on a lone kid. In fact, they were two suspicious-looking grown men! Beating up on a kid!
Two grown men… in fashionable trench-coats… I wonder where they got those…
As much I wanted a break from "helping" people -cough being forced to help cough- something about this boy seemed familiar…
I dashed over to them, pointing wildly. "Picking on children… people like you repulse me!"
The man in the white coat frowned. "You think… I'm ugly?"
What? No! Well, I don't… know? "I can't see enough of you to properly judge that," I replied, squinting in the sunlight.
The man sniffed. "Ingo! She called me UGLY!"
The man in the black coat, Ingo, scoffed. "Enough of this foolishness, Emmet, pull yourself together! She's just a brat! What does she know?"
Obviously moved by his friend? partner? comrade's words, Emmet stood proudly before me and struck a pose. "Brat Girl, I challenge you to FIFTY battles!"
"WHAT!" What the heck, dude?! Just how many Pokemon do you have?
"I'm your opponent. stop bothering her," the boy next to me finally piped up. He had a light voice, but he'd obviously hit puberty… perhaps a year younger than I? maybe two?
"HEY," I rounded on him, "what if I want to battle?"
"ENOUGH!" Ingo's voice boomed across the grounds. "We'll settle this, in the SUBWAY!"
The… subway? All three guys turned their heads and stared at a looming old building behind us. It had a grand staircase…. leading underground! Back to… the sewers? And the sewer king… Colress…!
"But, but…" I searched for an excuse… "I can't go in there! I'm not... old enough…?"
"Stupid kid, it's a subway, not a club!" Ingo quipped. "Come see us when you're ready…" And the two ominously departed into the underground…
"Do they really… battle on the subway?!" I asked, both intrigued and terrified.
The boy grinned eagerly. "Of course! It's loads of fun!"
And then I remembered why he looked so familiar.
"You…! you're that guy's brother!" I exclaimed, pointing at him. He gave me a bemused smile. "You're… you're Hilbert's little brother! I saw you on an interview once…"
He laughed. "Really? I've never been on any of my brother's interviews…"
"No, no, it was a clip… you and Hilbert playing as children," I explained, remembering vaguely a small house and white picket fence… Hilbert is a well-known Pokemon trainer and a good friend of the Champion who often gives interviews. "I… I'm afraid I don't remember your name…" I grinned sheepishly.
"Nate," he said kindly, shaking my hand. "And you're Rosa, right?"
"How do you know my—"
"I've seen your movie. Classic!"
Oh dear…
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone your secret identity…"
Secret… identity…?!
"…Riolu Girl!"
…Nope. Just a movie buff, perhaps. (why else would anyone go see that stupid flick?)
And with a wink and a wave, he ran off into the subway.
On to the Nimbasa City gym…
Or should I call it, the Nimbasa City Runway?
Inside, it's more of a fashion runway than a gym… Actually, it IS a fashion runway… being used as a gym.
I had to battle some side dishes before I could get to the main course. Elesa.
Not sure exactly what to do, I tried to creep backstage. However, the fashion show director mistook me for a model…
and shoved me out onto the stage!
So many people were staring… These pjs are NOT fashionable! I didn't fit in with the show at all…
And then, I heard clapping. Cheers. Screams. "OMG it's ROSA!" and "EEK RIOLU GIRL, sign my cast!"
Aw crud. Fangirls…boys…whoever.
One of the models took offense to my outfit.
"Your ensemble is so atrocious! If I win this Pokemon battle, you have to take it off!" she declared, sending out an Emolga.
But then I'll be naked…! This means… I HAVE TO WIN.
Unfortunately, I did not have a type advantage this time… so it was quite a struggle. I had to heal my Pokemon in between battles… several models challenged me. And finally…
Elesa.
"My, my, what a dazzling star you are!" she fawned. Then, more seriously, "But we'll see which star shines BRIGHTER!"
I almost thought I would lose. Tranquill and Azumarill fainted, both have type disadvantages. I won by a hair… err, a bone!
Lucario knows Bone Rush, a low-powered ground-type move that's super effective against electric types. Down to the last wire, we held on tightly! In the face of battle, we showed no fear. Make it work!
"You shocked me and melted my heart!" Elesa exclaimed upon defeat. "You've earned the Bolt Badge. Your sweet fighting style will carry you all the way to the League!"
I don't know about all that… and 'sweet fighting style'? I'm tough as nails!
Then Elesa made me participate in another fashion show… in my stupid pajamas! She calls my look… "bedtime chic"
Whaaaaat…
After the show, Elesa walked me out. "Oh, here's the TM Volt Switch," she said, handing me a CD. "You can use it! Um, if you want, that is."
I was about to thank her, when just then! Suddenly… I was shoved aside!
Like a sack of potatoes! Or unwanted mystery meats…!
"ELESA! I'm so sorry my friend was bothering you! I've told her to stop that…" Hugh's voice! What is he saying about me bothering people? "Elesa, I think… you're amazing! I'd be honored to have a Pokemon battle with you! Please!"
Dusting myself off, I found that, indeed, Hugh was gushing up to the gym leader, practically drooling over her. Boys…!
Elesa was watching him, one of her eyebrows cocked in amusement. "Slow down there," she interrupted with a laugh. "First of all, Rosa wasn't bothering me. Second, I can't battle you right now; we just finished and I need to heal my Pokemon. Come by the gym later!" She waved at us and walked off, leaving Hugh looking lovesick.
I punched his arm.
"HEY! what was that for?" he griped, rubbing his arm.
"You're pathetic… and why would you think I was bothering her?!"
He scratched his neck. "Sorry… I just think she's fantastic!"
I rolled my eyes and forced myself to walk away. Leave, leave, I told myself, before Hugh can say something else stupid—