AUTHOR'S NOTE: Next chapter! This is quite a bit longer than the last. Once again, I do not own Pokémon, Nintendo and GameFreak do (right?). Submit a review if you enjoy the story, please, or if you'd enjoy it more if I was never heard from again!
The next morning, it's hard not to jump out of bed with a cheer. The only thought that's in my head, and the only one that I need, at that, is that today will be a momentous day, one that should've happened six years ago at most. I wonder if it's more exciting for me as a sixteen year old to be setting out on my journey after waiting for so long as it is for a ten year old that does so as per usual.
A fleeting look at my Pokétch reveals that the current time is eight thirty in the morning. Half an hour later than I'd intended to wake up, but if the device has an alarm, I've not found out how to use it. I sit up in bed and yawn like I'd been asleep for my entire life until now, stretching my arms and back until I hear a satisfying crack in every single one of them as joints fall back into their place neatly.
I stand up and reach to open the blinds, crossing my fingers metaphorically for there to not be rain or any kind of inconvenient environmental condition today. I part the cloth to reveal…an average day, I suppose. There are a few puffy clouds here and there, but it's otherwise sunny. A picturesque little view of the sea and Sandgem Beach, that I've grown accustomed to over the years, but I'm sure others would kill for, greets me like every morning. It's an odd thought that I won't be seeing the same sight out the window tomorrow, if everything goes according to plan. Funny, and here I never liked travelling all that much, for what little I've done.
I don't have to commit the image to memory, however, it's not like I don't know it by heart. Today, in contrast to yesterday, I spot Sheng already stirring awake, probably because I've opened the blinds this time. I smile and decide to wait for him to be up as well before heading downstairs. He tries to fight back the morning for half a minute more before sighing exasperatedly and opening his eyes slowly, nodding at me to say 'good morning' in a silent way, typical of him.
Together, we head downstairs, me perhaps a bit more groggily than him, and I feel my heart skip a beat when I think there's one more step than there actually is and I almost fall on my face. The fright wakes me up fully, is the positive way to look at it, but for a moment there I was certain that my journey was going to end before it even begun.
A part of my brain, at least, is still sleepy, and that one too gets a rude awakening when I open the fridge and see there's just enough inside to make myself breakfast today. Where's everything else, you might ask? I'd forgotten until then that I gave everything that would go bad to Mrs. Sanders so she at least could put it to good use while I'm out.
Yeah, that's right, I gave it to her yesterday at dinner, which was also when she decided to unload the mother of all meals on poor Sheng, Mr. Sanders and I as a sort of going-away dinner to me after I told her I'd be going today at lunch. If you saw their dinner table you wouldn't believe that you could fit five plates of meat, three with fried vegetables, one with Pokémon Food made specifically for Frog Pokémon and countless small bowls with snacks on it, but that woman finds a way. She told me to come by today before leaving so she could give me some more food for the road to Jubilife, and maybe a bit after, too. I'm a bit scared of that.
Unceremoniously, I dump the remaining half-bag from yesterday's breakfast onto a bowl for Sheng to have, and prepare myself the milk, happy not to have to see the horrifying sight of an empty fridge for any longer than I absolutely have to.
We have breakfast in silence, and to an outside observant, this would look like any normal morning. The truth is that I don't know about Sheng, but if he's half as excited as I am, I'd almost rather gulp the milk down in one go and be on my way as soon as possible. Only as I'm sipping up my milk at the end do I break the silence, to ensure myself that the main reason I stayed another day has been fulfilled.
"Did you sleep well again today?" I ask, not looking up from my drink in order to not be too deliberate about it.
"Yes, thank you" is his brief, yet satisfying answer, and it's just what I need to smile and drink up what's left, leaving the Pokémon downstairs while I head upstairs to shower fast and leave the bath ready for Sheng to also take a quick dip before we go. While he does that, I can rummage through the clothes I want to take or not, and then…well, then just wait.
I savor my last shower at home for a while, even if it has to be a quick one and I'll still be taking them frequently, it's the same thing I thought last night with my bed, none are ever going to be the same way as I've grown used to…and beside, it always seems like everyone else's showers are infinitely more complicated than your own.
After that, I get dressed with comfortable clothes, the likes of which are going to make up most of the weight of my backpack, and leave the bath full of water and the same thing from the bottle Lisa gave me for Sheng. I take the bottle with me, to place in the bag now once I return to my room where I moved it up last night.
I cross the door one more time, entering my familiar bedroom and smiling when I see it, for the sheer amount of memories it brings. Behind me in the hallway, coming from the bathroom, I hear a faint splash. I move to my wardrobe and begin to pull out things that aren't direct clothing that I'll need. A black-and-white square patterned scarf that I'm rather fond of despite having few occasions to wear it and a pair of mitts not unlike Lisa's, also black on top and white below, on the palm, are the first things I pull out. There's not very much more to add to my things after that, but I take swimming trunks just in case. For when I return, I make my bed again, too, so it'll be nice and neat, and close the blinds again. Standing at the doorway again, I can't help but turn back dramatically and get one last look at it. Comforting, silent… quite dark since I pulled the curtains, but I can make out everything…and I suppose I'll miss it. Hopefully Sheng'll do his best to clean up the bathroom once he's done in there.
I wait downstairs until he's done, simply enjoying my last moments home in silence and without doing much in the meantime. Eventually he bounds downstairs, looking fresh, happy, and relaxed. No words are needed for him to take his usual place on my right shoulder, and I like to think that I feel him a bit heavier since when I met him, but it has only been a couple of days.
Right, so, let me check one last time. Bag with clothes, phone, Pokéballs and Sheng's Pokéball, toothbrush and toothpaste, all the things that were already there and keys to be put in there after I lock the door? After a quick rummage, check. Looking decent before going? Eh, I'll go with check. No regrets or second thoughts? Only way to find out is usually to go ahead and do it anyway, sometimes. With that thought in mind, I open the door and lock it behind me as I walk out one more time. The world smells fresh this morning, or so it seems to me, and Sandgem's looking as bright as ever. I'm sure I'll miss it before long.
There's just one last thing left to do. I make the short walk down to the Sanders' place again, and despite the early hour, the door is open within seconds of me ringing. Mrs. Sanders is there with the most sad-yet-happy smile I've seen since Kyle left on his journey, six years ago. Man, time flies.
"Oh, Victor! Come on in, darling. I've got everything prepared, of course. How did you sleep?" She speaks hurriedly, stepping aside and ushering me in. She's already making for the kitchen by the time I'm formulating my reply.
"Yes, quite well, thank you," I answer. Following her into the adjacent room, I can already see a few sandwiches wrapped on the table, the remaining bags of Pokémon food from these last few days and then some more, and a few bottles of water, too.
I think there's almost not enough space in my bag for it all, but then again, it's larger than it looks, in my experience. After a few minutes of packing, which aren't missing in old memories of me these last few years that I should've been on a journey, her husband shows up on the doorway to the kitchen from out of seemingly nowhere. He's dressed much like the other day, and by that I mean it's a mystery to mankind whether or not there's anything under his bathrobe.
"Oh, good morning, Vic," he greets me, suppressing a yawn. "You going to be heading out now?"
"U-uh, yes, that's right, I think. Morning, Mr. Sanders," I stammer, and he grins widely in response. Just then, his wife behind me taps me on the shoulder to hand me my now-neatly-packed bag, and I can discern a watery glimmer in her eyes. This is going to be rough. Simultaneously, we both take a deep breath, but she talks first.
"Once again, honey, thanks for coming to see us before you go. I'll get the usual out of the way first; I know that's how you prefer things." Mr. Sanders steps up next to her, and trying his best to smile constantly too. "This journey you're embarking on is going to be one full of adventure, thrills, danger, and even losses, yes. But it's important for you to know that we'll always be back here at Sandgem Town with arms wide open if you feel homesick." At that point, she begins to smile more and her eyes become even more humid. "We…we've got your house key, and we'll check up often to make sure everything all right in there. You've got our number; give us a call if you need anything. And, lastly… you're looking different this morning. Younger, somehow, more full of energy. Maybe it's the Pokémon at your shoulder, alongside whom I can already see you growing, but I know you know this is going to be the start of a different life. And all I have to say is that if your mother could see you now, she'd be the happiest woman on the planet."
Her own tears begin to flow freely after that, and even though I know that she's a woman prone to crying, this time she really means it, and it makes me tear up, as well as we collide into a tight hug. I have to wipe my face clean on my sleeve lightning quick to make sure that her husband doesn't notice, but my caution is unnecessary as he's just finishing up a big, close-eyed yawn. He holds his hand out to me and we shake them firmly.
"Have a good trip out there, Vic. It can only make you better. And remember, safety first, always!"
"You got it!" I assure him, forcing a smile as he takes the force of the handshake a little too far. On my shoulder, Sheng raises up a hand in farewell, which makes both the adults chuckle a little, though Mrs. Sanders' is followed by a sob. I know that the longer I stay, the harder it'll be to leave, so with another forced smile, I make sure that the pack is in a comfortable position and I head for the exit.
"Take care!" The couple calls to me from the kitchen, their voices as one.
"You too!" I reply, and then I'm out the door and have it closing behind me.
The moment that it finishes is when, I suppose, I can really truly consider myself on a Journey. Or maybe when I step onto route 202. Or perhaps it's something you just can't decide like that, and it simply happens.
At any rate, it closes behind me and there's no big eruption of progress within me, so I'll have to look elsewhere for the exciting start to my Pokémon Journey, six years too late.
I don't hurry anywhere, though. Even if I'd left at noon I could probably still reach Jubilife easily enough before dinner. However, I intend to take it quite slowly on Route 202. No need to try and climb any the ledges this time or any of that stuff, just walk through the twisting path up and see what I find. If we find any wild Pokémon, I'm sure they'll be a lot easier to handle now that Sheng's learned how to use Bubble, and as for Trainers…well, I'd rather not get into a Pokémon Battle this soon, but even if we do, we've got a chance, I think.
I pass the Pokémon Center and the nearby Pokémon Mart quickly, and I consider going into both the locales just in case there's anything I missed, but I figure that Sheng's perfectly healthy right now, and if I need anything, I can surely buy it at Jubilife's many Marts, as well. I pass a few people on the street, as ever, and a few of them I know only by face, but even to those I don't, I flash a quick smile to. More often than not, the gesture is met by a raised brow and a puzzled expression, but I don't mind.
When we come to the sign that signals the official entry to Route 202, I don't pause in my stride, but it makes me smile. 'Let's get this started', I tell myself. Jubilife can even be seen in the distance from here, and I don't mean misty-horizon type distance, either. We'll be there before we know it. I ignore the matter of what comes after.
The first half hour of walking goes seamlessly, really. I stick to the path whenever possible, and the only incident is a wild Bidoof that stands in our way, possibly hoping to be caught, or maybe it just hates my guts. By the look of it, though, it's not very strong, and that's quickly proven when it runs off after two hits from Sheng.
That's not to say he's not on the receiving end of a few tackles and scratches from the local Pokémon, ranging from Rattatas to Patrats. Well, I say local, there's a few around, but their population is hardly as large as that of Bidoof, but they can survive nearly anywhere. He's feeling mostly fine by the time we come to a halt at the very border of a small ledge and sit there to eat something for lunch.
So far, traveling with Sheng has been as silent as I'd anticipated, not uncomfortably so, with a few words said every few minutes, but I can't help feeling as if this isn't the right way to reach a higher bond with him. So while I reach into one of the many pockets of the backpack to get out the bowl that he's been using ever since he first ate at my house, that I've grown slightly fond of, I decide to ask him a few casual questions.
"How's it looking to you so far?" I ask, looking out of the corner of my eye at him while I feel around inside the bag for the bag of Pokéblocks. He's just staring out over the ledge at the way we came from, and Sandgem Town is still clearly visible from here, behind a few trees due to the bending path, but observable.
"It's going well enough, I suppose! We're lucky that the larger Pokémon usually keep away from the path, though."
I nod and leave the now-filled up bowl beside him, stashing the plastic bag back in its place to be thrown out later, and extract one of the sandwiches, wrapped up in tinfoil. Smells like…bacon? I'm not going to complain, whatever it is, it's delicious, and I hope that the inside of the bag smells like it for a long time.
Just as I'm about to take my first bite of it, though, Sheng interrupts with a question of his own, and the happening is rare enough that I don't mind leaving it for a few seconds later.
"So how come it's so common for all you people to just start going on these Journeys all of a sudden? I know that apparently you're starting yours quite late, and all that stuff that Mrs. Sanders said earlier about personal growth and such…but there's got to be something you'll do in the meantime."
I do a double-take, surprised at him asking, because I figured that if he hadn't asked something so important until now, he wasn't going to ask it at all.
"Well, technically…the idea is for three of us who got good grades in a test about being Trainers to, with the help of a group called the Pokémon League Foundation," he nods, remembering the organization Lisa mentioned being a part of a few times, "are supposed to take on what's known as the Pokémon League Challenge."
I stop then and use the time to both give the Pokémon an opportunity to ask questions and to promptly take a bite out of the sandwich. Indeed, bacon, and I suspect egg and lettuce, as well, and how does that woman make such good food constantly? Even if I took the bite quickly, I still savor the soft bread and crisp meat, rolling them around a bit more than I should in my tongue before gulping it down and feeling my mouth drawn forward to have some more. I'm unable to resist, and Sheng's gotten to eat quite a few Pokéblocks of his own, but it looks like his next question is in order.
"What does this challenge consist of?" He inquires, sounding oddly suspicious about the whole thing.
"Well…" I sigh as I'm drawn temporarily away from the heavenly sandwich. "In a few cities, there are buildings known as Pokémon Gyms, where Trainers go to get stronger. There's a particular Trainer in every Gym known as a Gym Leader. Defeating the Leader will net you a badge for having done so. The idea is to collect all eight badges in cities all over the region, with each successive Gym Challenge getting more difficult, and finally, head to the Pokémon League Building, and challenge the strongest Trainers in the region."
During my ramblings, I hadn't noticed the way he was staring at me. Not incomprehensive of what I just explained, but looking towards me in a more incredulous 'You….we…are going to do that? Really?'
"I understand. So what do you get for doing that?" Ah, that must be why he was so puzzled. The question actually bothers me for a moment, for two different reasons. One, I had my mind boggled because, really, ever kid ever has wanted to take on the Pokémon League, just because it's taking on the Pokémon League, the ultimate dream! And also because he unknowingly reminded me of the grim purpose behind my outset.
"All sorts of things." I talk more quietly now, reflexively, but he doesn't seem to care or notice. "Fame, if you want it. A bunch of money, most Trainers usually back up their battles with that. A learning experience, an adventure…" I trail off and bite absently into the soft white bread, and the taste of the cuisine puts me in a slightly better mood already.
I look over at Sheng to see if he's got any further questions, and his expression looks like he does, but if that's true he decides against asking them and chooses instead to smile and eat the last of his food. I take that as an indication to focus on my own meal and give my full attention to the sandwich, apart from a quick swig of water I take from a bottle.
Once the two of us are done and everything's been packed up, we still remain fifteen more minutes on our back quietly, looking up at the the blue and the clouds and letting the food be digested a little before getting back on the path.
Those are over before I realize it, though, and though I'm a little sleepier by the time I force myself to stand up and sling the backpack back on, I'm feeling my energy completely replenished, and I'd venture to guess that Sheng's doing similarly. Unless something doesn't go according to plan, our next stop will be Jubilife Pokémon Center, in the afternoon.
Somehow, there are only four encounters that make us stop along the way to Jubilife. Two of them are Bidoofs that are dealt with summarily, and either Sheng has truly gotten stronger or just much more adept at fighting Bidoof in particular. Both victories leave him with a grin, however, so he either enjoys battling or enjoys winning.
The third encounter is pretty unusual, as far as I'm concerned, but most certain a welcome one. Only a few minutes after a small scuffle with a Starly, not even worth mentioning, as all it did was scratch Sheng lightly in the arm before it realized it was outclassed (crashed into a few Bubbles) and flew away, we spot a cheerful-looking young woman strolling down the road ahead of us, coming toward us, so heading towards Sandgem. That's weird enough, I told myself, but it was even stranger when she skipped right up to us and stopped. Despite both me and Sheng pausing as well and staring quite dryly at her, her smile didn't falter as she reached into a pocket on some sort of green apron she was wearing over her clothes and pulled out a bottle.
A familiar bottle, as it happens. It's a Potion, and she handed it to me before I could even think of refusing. Still grinning widely, the girl explained cheerfully.
"I work at the Jubilife Poké Mart, and was going to take a few items down to our store in Sandgem. My partner is carrying most of them in a truck, but I like to go down Route 202 and see if I encounter any Trainers to give a free sample to! Use it well, and make sure to visit us!"
"Uh, thank you very much, Miss," is all I had enough time to say before she just went along with nothing more to add. With the Potion still in my hand, I half-turned to watch her go, and Sheng on my shoulder stared after her as well. He knew I was just as perplexed as he was which probably made it more confusing for the both of us. That aside, I wasn't going to complain about the gift from the girl, and though I didn't think I'd need it to treat that scratch on his arm, I feel safer already just carrying it. I'd seen a few Trainers off the path so far, and one or two of them looked like they could use a hand, so I hoped she reached them quickly.
The last notable encounter was just a few minutes ago from now.
The sun was already beginning to go down, and my Pokétch showed that it was quarter-to-six. At least, that's what my eyes registered from a really quick look, because no sooner than I'd look down, I felt Sheng tap the back of my head urgently, which generally meant that there's a wild Pokémon that wants to battle for any reason. And indeed, there was one. A Shinx, just a few feet away from us and with an unfriendly scowl, leaning heavily on its hind paws and with its front paws stretched out in front of it, ready to leap.
Like any other time before, the Pokémon on my shoulder hopped onto the ground opposite the new foe, and I caught a glimpse of his confident smirk out of the corner of my eye as he moved past my face. And that was all that was needed for the battle to begin, initiated by a growl from the Shinx as it pounced toward Sheng. For the first time, his speed was closely matched, and it wouldn't have surprised me at all if I learnt that the Shinx had been in a few battles before. It landed the first hit, and the second as well, a quick swipe across Sheng's face after staggering him with the aggressive jump.
"Careless…" I hear my Pokémon mutter to himself as his opponent creates some distance and prowls around instead, eyeing Sheng closely, probably to find a weak spot to attack next.
But it's high time that we counterattacked, and its observation is interrupted by a line of bubbles headed straight for it, and he moves aside just in time to avoid getting hit, but we'd anticipated that, and I'd called out previously for Sheng to throw a few at either side of the wild Pokémon to ensure that no matter what it did, they connected.
As it happened, it sidestepped gracefully to the right, and looked at me this time with a bit of a smile that I couldn't see for long as three bubbles of compressed energy detonated painfully in the little lion Pokémon's face, making it whimper…I'd have said masculinely, but I can't remember it well enough to be sure.
Sheng followed that up with a quick rush to get a few hits in. This tactic had become pretty much his bread and butter ever since he learned how to use Bubble. For the first time, though, it backfired. The Shinx must've been expecting it, because it just stood still, not trying to fight the sting from the bubbles anymore, probably listening closely, and when Sheng was nearly upon him, it was too late for my warning to reach him in time, and the wild Pokémon threw himself in Sheng's direction, pinning him to the ground and blindly biting him.
The worst part is I allowed it to go on for several seconds that must've felt eternal to my companion as I threw the bag off my back to reach for his Pokéball and recall him to safety, then make a run for it. The red beam appeared, as usual, snaking over to Sheng and soon, he became the same color and the Shinx was left with nothing underneath it, but more blood than I'd have liked.
Even with the backpack, the running away is pretty easy, and I don't think the wild Pokémon follows me as I dash down the road toward the ever-closer Jubilife City. Naturally, I can't run all that time, and I slow down after only a minute, still holding the Pokéball in my hand. I pant and wheeze, coming to a full stop. While Sheng's in the Ball, he won't bleed too much, and should be generally a lot safer than outside, but the sooner I get to a Pokémon Center, the better. In fact, I'm tempted to use the Potion I got earlier to heal him now and give myself some peace of mind.
But just then, I come across a kid, around twelve or so, with a Pichu in his arms looking around the grass, but he looks up when I approach, still panting and probably not with the best facial expression.
"Hey, excuse me!" He calls out to me as I move past him and, gritting my teeth at the interruption, I turn around and stare at him, probably more harshly than I should, and I see the Pichu's ears droop a little.
"You seem to be in a hurry, which is common enough. I don't like battling, so even though we met eyes, we don't have to, but I just wanted to let you know you're ten minutes from the Pokémon Center that way." He holds his hand out to point the way I was just heading until he interrupted me.
"Uh…thanks?" I say, and the kid just smiles and begins to turn to keep inspecting the grass. The Pichu waves at me and squeaks something cutely enough.
In my irritated state, it takes me a while to realize that with my mind put at ease that the Pokémon Center's close by, I don't feel the urgent need to use the Potion, and I can take the rest of the walk with more ease, knowing that I won't run into any more wild Pokémon if I stick to the path and don't have a Pokémon of my own to be seen.
Sure enough, the kid's word turns out to be true, and it's only seven minutes and one more curve in Route 202 until the road turns into tiles, and before I know it, there are skyscrapers on each side of me, and a bunch of people and Pokémon moving around the street in the afternoon light. This is a familiar enough part of Jubilife to me, but even if it weren't, there are signs that show the way to 'Southern Jubilife Pokémon Center'. It figures that there'd be more than one in a city as large as this.
I try to enjoy the walk through the busy streets, but honestly, cities just aren't my thing, and I'm too worried about having an injured Pokémon on my first day to care. Nobody offers any help or advice to me, as is to be expected, and I don't feel I need any more interruptions.
Finally, after turning a few more corners, I come to a square, which has a street going in every direction. The one I came from, one directly opposite me, and one to my left and right side, and on those streets are skyscrapers with bright neon signs, and even more torrents of people that flood in and out. The plaza is decorated with a few rows of trees and benches underneath their shade in which all kinds of people and Pokémon sit down to rest and chat.
In the center of the square is the Pokémon Center, about five stories high, much bigger than the one in Sandgem. I make a beeline for it, with a familiar red line marking the space between every floor and of course, the roof is red, as well.
The main room is surprisingly empty, with only three other trainers sitting in the comfortable couches and chairs in the side of the brightly lit space. Opposite the glass doors I just came through is a counter, behind which are Nurse Joy and a Chansey, and, from what I know, behind the door behind them, is where they nurse your Pokémon back to health. I approach the pair, both to ask to get my Pokémon healed and to ask for a room to spend the night. Nurse Joy smiles brightly the moment she notices I'm going to over to talk to her. She claps her hands together and places them on the counter.
"Good evening! Hello, and welcome to the Pokémon Center!" She greets me cheerfully, and the Chansey next to her bounces excitedly. I can't help but smile. Just the atmosphere of this place makes me feel more relaxed, the smell, the lighting, and apparently the staff fits right in. "How may we help you, ah…?"
"Victor," I complete, and she nods politely for me to go on. "I was wondering if there was a room free for me to use tonight. And…my Pokémon could use some medical assistance, I think…" I say the last part more quietly and looking down at the Pokéball still in my hand, which I now hold up for Nurse Joy to see, and she nods again.
"Ah, yes. We don't have too many clients tonight, it seems, so your Pokémon should be fine later this evening. As for a room…" she unclasps her hands and reaches one under the counter, pulling out a card key and handing it over to me. "Second floor, room twelve sound good?"
"Wonderful, thank you." I take the card from her and hand over Sheng's Pokéball. Just like that, it's actually difficult to believe that I don't have to explain how he got hurt or any of that. I'm starting to see now why so many Pokémon Trainers love Pokémon Centers.
Nurse Joy hands the Pokéball to Chansey, and the Pokémon carries it off into the back room with a wave to me as it goes. Nurse Joy then turns back to me with a half-smile and bows her head. "Thank you for counting on us, Victor. Enjoy your stay."
"Thanks again," I answer, and move away from the counter to find the way up to my room. I can at least take off the bag for a while, that'd be quite appreciated. And while I wait for Sheng to be treated…I suppose I could make a few calls, I don't quite feel like going for a walk around Jubilife.
There's an elevator in the corner to my right, and I walk over to it and press the button. There's a stairwell right next to the elevator, but I'm in no mood for physically climbing up anything anymore today. The inside of the lift is also lit by yellow lights, and it makes a remarkably long trip to the second floor. Funny how last time I was going up in an elevator in Jubilife City, I was a whole lot more worried. Even though it was little more than a week ago, it feels like a month since I took the exam.
Also in contrast to last time, the hallway that the doors open to is bright, and empty. A dark red rug runs down the length of it, and even if it is almost as long as the entire building, there are only ten doors in the entire corridor, as Pokémon Centers are made more with the intention of being comfortable rather that to house a large amount of people. My room was room twelve, and sure enough, there's a small plaque beside the second door on the right that has the number 12 on it. Inserting the card into the slot in the electronic lock, the door clicks open and a light on the lock beeps green. The inside is mostly dark, but it lights up dimly once I place the card key into a slit in the wall.
The room has a pleasant scent, unsurprisingly. Pokémon Centers are cleaned very often and very thoroughly due to the many smells that a Trainer and anywhere from one to goodness-knows-how-many Pokémon in the same room can leave. There's a shower to my immediate right after opening the door, or, well, a full-scale bathroom, actually. The room itself has a bed large enough for three people, I think to myself. That's maybe an exaggeration. It looks quite plush and comfortable. On the wall in front of the bed is a flat-screen TV atop a small cupboard. There are nightstands on either side of the bed, and the furthest wall from me is completely covered by curtains, though I can see a bit of light penetrating them in a vaguely square shape.
It's not that much to take in, though, just a typical room for Pokémon Centers, and, I presume, hotels. The first thing I do is take off the large backpack and sigh in appreciation. I leave it near the door, leaning against the wall, and then kick the door closed behind me. The further I get into the room, I notice that above the bed hangs a small map of the Sinnoh Region, which could be handy, and there are various paintings of Pokémon decorating the other walls. I switch off the lights I consider unnecessary, then slide open the curtains to let in some natural illumination.
I grin as I part the blinds. It seems that some of my fortune has accompanied me this far, since even if I had a nice view out home, the one from here isn't bad at all, either. I can see straight down one of the streets that led to the plaza, not the one I came from, and all the glowing skyscrapers in the distance…I think I can make out the Jubilife TV building from here and all kinds of people in the street as the sky turns ever more orange. It's quite calming, and it makes me forget about the constant nagging feeling in my head that I could've probably done something more to avoid Sheng getting hurt.
So…those calls I mentioned earlier would probably the best way to completely forget the issue. I reach into the pocket of my pants and switch on my phone, staying in front of the window and staring at my reflection in the crystal while I wait for it, nervous before I even know who I'm planning to call first. I spend three minutes in my contact list debating between Clyde, Lisa, Justin, and Miranda…Mom's number is there, but she isn't an option, of course. In the end, I decide that the first person that'd be interested in having news from me would be Lisa, and I dial her and bring the phone up to my ear. It takes her three rings to pick up (probably taking off a glove or two), but then I'm quickly greeted by her voice, sounding a little different and quite a bit happier.
"Victor!" She squeals my name into the speaker. "I was beginning to think you'd never call! What's up?"
Well, it hasn't been that long since last we saw each other, right? She's probably just missing the sight of Sheng, if I know her.
"Sorry, Lisa. But I just got to Jubilife not too long ago and I thought I might as well give you that call you mentioned."
"Don't mind that. How've you been? Any incidents?"
It's probably not worth telling her how worried I was about the thing with the Shinx. More likely than not it's actually a frequent thing, and I'm convinced he'll be all right, anyhow.
"I've been good, thanks. Haven't done much, but I can't complain. How about you? Did Polly give you lip during the entire flight?" I ask, a grin creeping onto my face as I remember the Ace Trainer's sneaky move of dropping food. The comment makes her giggle.
"Hah, no, in fact, she didn't talk once during it, instead! That's quite uncharacteristic of her, so I supposed it must've made her sulkier than I thought."
Already, I falter when it comes to carrying on the conversation, but thankfully, Lisa knows that much about me and is there to pick up the slack.
"Now, Victor, you're nice and all, but I know you're not the type to call just to exchange pleasantries. Need some advice, I assume?" She speaks incredibly confidently, as if she already knew and was just checking to be proven right anyhow, but I don't mind, even sighing out in relief a little. It saves me bringing up the subject awkwardly.
"Yeah, actually. If you don't mind me asking?" I ask, hopefully.
"Bah, not at all. I'm hardly busy right now, anyway." It sounds quite sincere. "So, what's worrying you? Where to go next?" When she brings that up, I finally think of moving away from the window and I sit on the bed to have the map of Sinnoh for reference. All the routes are marked clearly, and the mattress is quite plush, so it's more comfortable than standing, too. I nod, even though she can't see me do it.
"You got it. It's just…I'm not sure if I should go towards Oreburgh first, or perhaps Floaroma. What would you do?" Well, that didn't help, now that I think of it. Clearly those are my only two options right now. Well, there's Canalave, but I don't think heading there yet is a good idea.
"Well…" she takes a moment to think, and then breathes into the speaker. "Well, I guess that depends on what you want to do. There's no hurry to reach either of the two places, but I think Oreburgh'd be closer anyway, probably a day or so away if you go quickly. However, you don't have to reach Floaroma if you go to Route 204. Quite a few new Trainers like to practice there, and I remember quite an abundance of Budew and Kricketot there. Either could be a nice addition to your team, and there's a massive difference between having one Pokémon to count on and two…in the good and bad ways." She says the last part in a warning nature. "You could just go there to train and perhaps catch a new Pokémon, and head towards Oreburgh a few days after that. Or keep going and go straight for Floaroma Town."
I digest the information while she talks. All her points make quite some sense, as is to be expected of an Ace Trainer, and Rock-type Pokémon are common in Oreburgh city, so if I caught, say, a Budew, I should be able to train more easily with the other Trainers there. I might even coincide with Justin, since he was heading for Oreburgh straight up. I could see myself spending a few more days staying in this Pokémon Center, just training before going through Route 203.
"…Victor? You there?" I hear Lisa on the other side of the line, sounding more amused than worried. I shake my head to bring myself back.
"Oh, uh, yeah, sorry. That's all good advice, thank you. I'll tell you what I do. Any other information to offer?"
She takes a moment to reflect on the question. "Well, I suppose that you should look into stocking up on things at the Poké Mart after you get yourself a bit of money." Man, what's up with people plugging Poké Marts today?
"I'll look into it. Thanks again." And I find myself with nothing else to say, but I manage to catch myself this time. "What are you up to now?" I ask, trying to sound interested, but, to my surprise, I don't have to try too hard and it comes out naturally.
"Oh, nothing interesting. I'm at Eterna City right now, actually. Some work for the League, you know. I'll keep you posted if I see anything weird that you might want to investigate when you get here, though."
Before I can answer, I hear a noise in the background, and she speaks up again, sounding more irritated and apologetic.
"Darn, I'm afraid someone else is calling. I should pick up. Talk to you later?" She asks.
"Sure. Thank you for your time, Lisa." I get the words out quickly, to avoid getting hung up on.
"You too!" Is her swift, but cheerful answer, and then there's a click and nothing more from the other side.
The talk with Lisa leaves me with a smile on my face and a clearer idea of what to do next, but nothing's solid just yet. I talked with her for longer than I thought, though, and the sun's already sunk below the buildings of Jubilife, leaving only the last rays of twilight to light up the world. I feel like testing out the bathroom I passed earlier, as well, just to see if it's as comfortable as the rest of the room, but I should try to make all my other calls before that. I sigh, contently, though, as I lie down the bed, getting comfortable, and call Clyde next. The man picks up halfway through the first ring.
"Hey there, son," he greets me, in a friendly yet gruff way, very characteristic of him. "Whatcha callin' for? There anythin' we can help ye with?"
He makes a good point, I really only called because they asked us to, and because they might be able to tell me whether any of my two 'friends' did, as well.
"No, thank you, nothing in particular. I've made it to Jubilife today…" I begin, but he cuts me off.
"I'm sure the city is glad to have ye back," he states dryly. "Gemma and I are usually here, too, but there's no reason for ye to visit us. Nice that you called, though."
That does sound kind of forced, too, and it's good that I was in a good mood from calling Lisa earlier, because Clyde isn't helping maintain it. "Miranda called yesterday night, said that she'd be leaving Floaroma…" he pauses. "Right about now, actually!" He says, chuckling and coughing somewhat at the end of it. "And that noisy kid called a few hours back. He mentioned tryin' to go through Route 203 tomorrow mornin'. I was thinkin' maybe you should give 'im a call and meet up with 'im before he goes, maybe even go with 'im?" He suggests. It's not uncommon for various Trainers to set out in pairs, and like Justin would say, I'm just in time to do so with him.
"I'll see what's what," I promise him, and that seems to satisfy him.
"Good. Don't hesitate to call again if you have any questions. And, uh, mind keepin' us informed of any kind of interestin' behavior you notice in your Froakie? They're not a native species to Sinnoh, and though they've been researched plenty, more info could always help us look better."
I agree to that as well, and the rest of the conversation is mainly a few bits of chit chat here and there.
"Well, I won't take up any more of your time," I say, finally. Clyde chuckles and tries not to sound thankful.
"Alright. Thanks again fer callin', son." And then he, too, hangs up.
I sigh and roll over onto my stomach. A look at my Pokétch tells me time, but that thing happens to me where I forget the numbers the moment I look away from the watch, and I have to check again. There's probably fifteen minutes until my usual dinner time, and still no news of Sheng…
To push that out of my mind, I decide to call the emotionally coldest person I know: Miranda. I like to think we got along decently, but she was too polite, so then again she must be like that with everyone not called Justin. Or, for her, John or whatever she thinks his name is. And if she just set out, maybe she could illuminate me on how she made up her mind. However, after a few rings and several deep breaths from me to brace myself for a no doubt difficult conversation, my call goes to voicemail, even if I don't decide to leave a message. She must have her phone off or she isn't paying attention to it. A shame. I suppose.
That leaves only Justin to call…I sigh. Well, at least we've got plans to arrange for tomorrow, or so it seems, so there'll be something quick and to the point to discuss. There's three rings and only one second and one word before I groan.
"Hey, Bedhair! You called just in time!" Incredibly, he still snorts after the joke he must've made fifty times already today. "I just got back from dinner. My grandma makes this sweet cheeseburger, you've no idea! If I'd known you were around, I'd have invited you over. Or tried to, but grandma probably wouldn't let you in unless you used a comb first!" He's got a joking tone, but he probably isn't aware that he's being kind of a jerk. "So what's up? How can I help you this fine evening?" And suddenly he's a gentleman. I'm in a stunned silence for a second before I can work out the words to answer.
"Uh…hey, good evening, Justin. I'm glad you enjoyed your meal. I guess I don't need to ask whether everything's alright?" I say, speaking slowly and cautiously.
"Nope!" He confirms, cheerfully. "So is this about what I said about calling me if you found yourself in Jubilife, or do I owe the pleasure to something else?"
With his sudden politeness, it feels bad to affirm that it's the former. "A little bit of that, and a little bit of needing someone more friendly than Clyde to talk to," I explain.
"Oh, I getcha. 'What are ye callin' me fer? Didya break your legs walkin' down th'stairs?'" He says, in an eerily exact imitation of Clyde's accent which makes me chuckle.
"Wow, that was spot on!" I exclaim, and he 'bah's despectively on the other side.
"It's nothing. So, hey, does that mean we could meet up tomorrow? I'm sure we have tons to tell each other, but we might as well show it, too. You were from Sandgem, right?" He inquires, uncertainly.
"Yeah, that's right, why…?" I begin.
"So that means you're probably staying at the southern Pokémon Center, right? Then I'll drop by there tomorrow at ten-thirty AM, sharp! I'm afraid I should hang up now, though, my mom's calling me…" Ah, that explains the bellows in the background I've been hearing for a while now. "Pleasure speaking to you this evening anyhow, Vic-… Bedhair! Talk to you tomorrow!"
"Goodnight, Jus-"Click. Well then. Turns out that I might actually be able to hold a conversation with Justin completely non-awkwardly, I'm sure if he'd been able to, we would've been able to keep going on for a while about pretty much anything. And if I didn't have any plans for tomorrow, I guess he just kind of made them.
I really feel the need for a shower now, both to continue killing time and to sort out my thoughts on how to proceed with my Journey and when. The bathroom's got a tub even larger than mine back home, which I'm sure Sheng'll enjoy later tonight, and the offered selection of shampoo and body gel have a pleasant smell. I take my time with the shower, forgetting to plan my Journey halfway through and simply enjoying it without many thoughts at all, for the most part. I come out of it ten minutes later and a few clouds of steam follow in my wake when I step out.
After drying and getting dressed again, there's a sudden knock on the door when I come out of the bathroom, still toweling my hair thoroughly. It's only had enough time to get ruffled before I open the door, and I can imagine myself living up to Justin's nickname, or getting a new one in the form of Showerhair.
Behind the door is Nurse Joy, beaming brightly and with a familiar blue Pokémon in her arms that hops straight for my shoulder the second the door is open. I acknowledge it with a step back and a chuckle, and then bow my head appreciatively at Nurse Joy, who doesn't give me enough time to say 'Thank you'.
"We took the liberty of feeding him as well; Pokéblocks mixed with a few crushed Berries to ensure he'll be right as rain tomorrow. That kind of injury is nothing too serious; just saying that because you seemed quite worried. Not that that's a bad thing, that's what being a Trainer is about! Once again, thank you, and we hope to see you again!" She bows forward almost mechanically and turns to go back down to the main room.
"Thank you!" I call after her before shutting the door again. I turn my head to my right shoulder with a grin, but Sheng's not there when I look. Instead, I hear his voice coming from the bathroom, and it's not just his tone that lets me know he's already back to normal.
"Food was good, but a bath would make it better."
And it's clear what he means.
We don't get a whole lot done more that evening. I have another, different sandwich for dinner, as well as an apple and drinking more water, and that's enough to satisfy me today. Sheng eventually joins me in sitting on the bed mindlessly watching Jubilife TV, first the mildly interesting news of the day, like a flight show from a few Braviary to celebrate some festival or another in the Unova region. We watch an episode of a sitcom I've got to admit I kind of like, called 'Humerus'. It's funny because one of the main characters is a Cubone, and because it's also rare for a Cubone to be funny. The Pokémon's voices have to be dubbed, but it's convincing enough, and I live for puns like the titular one, of which there are plenty in the series. I'd already seen this particular episode, but it succeeds in both making me laugh and making me sleepy before bed.
With all the lights off and the curtains covering the window again, I can see nothing in the room, but I can clearly hear plenty of sounds coming in from outside, more cars than anything else in the distance, but rarely a laughter or the cry of a Pokémon. It takes me longer than back home, and longer than it does Sheng, curled up on the opposite side of the bed, but eventually, I drift off to sleep.
And the sleeping itself only feels like a blink, when suddenly, I'm awake again and the noise outside seems to have picked up. I feel like I've sunk so far into the soft mattress, I must've left my shape on it permanently, and I near-literally climb out of bed after a minute of staring at the darkness to pull aside the thick curtains and shed some more light on the situation, even if there's a bit already filtering through them. I don't complain when I'm greeted by the same sight as yesterday afternoon, either. Well, maybe a little, as it dazzles me and I groan and cover my eyes with my arm. There are no clouds this morning, it seems, and it still looks quite early.
Having showered yesterday both morning and night, I don't need to right now, but I spend five minutes in the bathroom anyway to make sure my hair is neat enough, to prove a point to the Nurse Joy that it was a fluke…and yes, she probably noticed it was wet, but you can thank Justin for me becoming self-conscious about it. Taking the card key and Sheng's Pokéball, I we head on outside after I'm done.
Down in the lobby, there are the Trainers from yesterday, well, the two that are awake, and one of them kindly lets me know that the Pokémon Center offers free meals to Trainers that stay there and their Pokémon. Funnily enough, she explains this amicably in stark contrast to the Drapion behind her giving me a death glare as it chomps on some Berry I can't even recognize. We go ahead and make the order, sitting on one of the couches near the wall of the room to wait. It's a light blue color, and were it not for his bubbles I might lose Sheng in it. He's looking up at the ceiling thoughtfully, but we haven't talked much ever since Nurse Joy brought him back, never mind that we were busy sleeping, bathing, or watching TV then, and it makes me feel like I should say something.
"Hey." His head snaps back down from the ceiling and his eyes meet mine inquisitively. He sure doesn't look angry…and Nurse Joy said that it wasn't a bad wound, but both of those only make me feel guiltier. "I'm sorry for what happened yesterday, I should not have thought you could go on..."
To my surprise, he holds up a hand to stop me, squinting at me in an almost annoyed fashion. "Don't apologize. I got careless, that's all. In fact, if it weren't for you I'd clearly be a goner. That Shinx, she was quite fierce."
Well, that duly clears up the mystery from yesterday. Turns out I was wrong, apparently. A Chansey begins to approach us, carrying a large tray of food, but Sheng keeps talking.
"I can take a bit more than that, don't you worry, but I'll try not to fail again. Worry not," he assures me, and his eyes tell me that he's putting an end to that subject. Apparently, losing wounded his pride harder than it did his body. And here he had been all 'I don't know if I can do it' before his first battle, and now he's got a record to uphold? I mutter a quick "You did well, anyhow" to him right before we're handed the food. It's pretty apparent that it won't be Mrs. Sanders caliber, but it'll do.
When we step outside after eating for a walk, the feeling of not having anything to do and liking it is back. Sheng taps me on the shoulder, but before I look at him, I decide to take a quick look at my Pokétch. The time is ten-thirty. Huh, weird, I could've sworn that something was meant to happen now. Then I realize why he tapped, and it all comes rushing back like a tidal wave washing over and refreshing my memory. And it doesn't come alone, but accompanied with an excited "I almost didn't recognize you with that hairstyle, but you're just in time!"
To the right, there's Justin, without a doubt. Hair both spikier and blonder than Kyle's, eyes a bright green and a grin as wide as his face, wearing jeans and, oddly, a black-and-white checkered vest on top of a plain white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, never mind the chilly breeze. The dark green pack that he got when I got mine is on his back. His hand is extended toward me, and, perhaps most curious of all, right by his leg is a Pokémon, a Riolu, looking at me, as well, with perfect inexpressiveness.
I shake his hand back and smile weakly, and together, we both start to walk in a random direction, apparently, towards the east, judging by the position of the sun. Five steps in, he jumps in shock.
"Whoa, I just noticed that Pokémon on your shoulder! Is that a Tympole?!" He exclaims, incredulous and pointing a shaky finger at Sheng, that blinks confusedly at him. There's a sound from the floor, and the Riolu mutters something that only he can understand, but judging from the tone he's exasperated with his Trainer.
"Oh, right, a Froakie," he corrects himself, scratching behind his ear as he falls back into step with me. "That's pretty cool, not sure where you got one. I guess it's my responsibility, as a citizen, to ask you, how's Jubilife City treating you?"
I smile a bit at the question and look away from the intensity of his eyes to the skyscrapers around us, and realize that all in all, it's done quite well, especially for a city. I don't like thinking that my mother's in a coma in the hospital here, because other than that, I've quite liked it so far. I shrug. "Well, it's not bad; I guess that I could've gotten a better guide, but…"
He frowns at the teasing and play-shoves me. "I'll have you know I haven't gotten lost in Jubilife City ever since I took out the trash two weeks ago!"
Sheng feels the need to comment on that, even if, or perhaps because, he knows that Justin won't understand him. "I'm so glad we've got him with us." Riolu, which is walking a step ahead of us and does understand, even seems to smirk, from what I can see of the side of its face. To cover him up, I say "I feel a lot better now, thanks, Justin."
We turn a corner and I notice a sign that says we're headed toward Route 203, which reminds me of Clyde telling me that Justin was planning to leave today, which explains why he's got his pack.
"Hey, Clyde…" I begin.
"Gramps," he corrects me, half-smiling, and then nodding. "Sorry, go on."
"Gramps," I start anew, and the emphasis on the word makes his smile get the missing half. "He told me that you were planning on leaving for Oreburgh today."
Justin shrugs and nods imperturbably. "Yeah, that's right, where do you think we're hea-… oh, I see. Forgot your bag?" He asks, despite the answer being clear, and he stops right in his tracks. Without looking back, Riolu somehow seems to know that he has, and it turns around and walks back to join us.
"That's not really it…" I murmur, scratching my left arm. "Thing is, I was thinking maybe I should stay around Jubilife a few more days, maybe check out Route 204 before going anywhere…?"
"Nonsense! If you don't get going soon, you'll never do it!" He protests, frowning for the first time today and taking a step away from me. His Pokémon looks impassively from its Trainer to me and Sheng and back.
"Sorry, man, I'd have loved to go with you, but…" Once again, I'm interrupted.
"Then how about we settle it with a friendly match?" He blurts out, and suddenly three pairs of eyes dart to him, making him visible more nervous, but he manages to keep his voice steady and proceed. "We just head back to the square where it's more open and have a friendly battle. Our first with each other and another Trainer, right?" I nod, confirming that. "Then it's perfect! Winner gets to decide what the Victor does!" He proclaims, with a teasing smile at the joke, and I admit it makes me smile before recovering my frown and raised eyebrows. However, Sheng speaks up.
"You know, it doesn't sound like such a bad idea. None of us will get hurt in a friendly match, at least, not severely, and I could use the training against a new type of Pokémon." I look at him and feel my heart sink when I find him with a confident expression.
"Yeah, but what if we're not ready? For that or for leaving just yet?" I counter, but he shakes his head.
"Just trust me, I have a feeling this will go just fine."
I sigh and roll my eyes. "Fine…" Looking back at Justin, who is apparently discussing something with Riolu about 'I don't want to be alone with you all the way to Oreburgh', I wait patiently for them to be finished, but he notices Sheng and I looking and ends it quickly with a nervous smile.
"So what do you say?"
"It couldn't hurt," I say, shrugging, and that makes him grin fiercely.
There are already a dozen or so people at the square and at least ten of them find a comfortable spot to watch me and Justin square off (heh). There are no hard feelings, of course, and I have a feeling this is actually going to be quite fun. We smile quickly at each other, and he speaks first, looking down to the floor by his leg.
"Alright, Leo, you got this!" He says, and the Riolu, Leo, mutters something to him again as he steps forward a few feet in front of Justin and a few more away from me and bends his knees, getting into a fighting stance. There's a cheer, or more like a squeal, from a girl or two in the crowd.
"Do your best, Sheng," I say, staring at him out of the corner of my eye, which is becoming a habit, and he stares back.
"Don't I always?" He asks in a bemused manner as he hops onto the ground a short distance away from Leo. A girl in the crowd that I recognize as the Trainer with the Drapion from the Pokémon Center steps forward, holding up her hand, and then drops it with a cry of "Begin!"
"Quick Attack!" Comes immediately from Justin, and a response is less than a second away from his Pokémon which nods and dashes forward to strike Sheng. There's no way he can dodge it, and it seems we both realize that he should block it, but I only get the 'B' out when the Riolu is upon him, so I might as well not have said anything. Fortunately, he manages to deflect the paw of the enemy Pokémon with his hand and smack his other one against the body of his assailant, which disengages with a graceful leap backward and an annoyed snarl.
"You know what to do," I say when I realize that for once, the distance has been made for us, and there's an affirmative croak from Sheng, its meaning so basic that there was nothing more for me to understand. He concentrates for a moment, and then spurts out a small field of bubbles at Leo.
Justin seems effectively unsure how to deal with this but quickly he gets an idea. "Just use Foresight and try to avoid it!"
It doesn't even seem to be a case of 'easier said than done', either. Riolu's eyes begin to glow a strange dark blue color, and it flawlessly begins to dodge Bubble after Bubble as they begin to reach him. Still, it works as a distraction, and Sheng bounces up high into the air and begins to descend straight toward Leo, much like he did against that first Starly. Unfortunately, he grunts loudly as his palm meets nothing but the floor and the Riolu effortlessly dances aside, evading the strike and then jumping over a Bubble without missing a beat. All of them have passed now, so he's free to strike again while Sheng recovers from his failed attack, and he does so ever so gladly with a barrage of quick punches at the exposed chest of the Froakie. Rather than try to get out of it, though, he braves the hits and manages to spit out a couple of bubbles right into Leo's face, which pop, forcing him to stop his assault and wipe his eyes clean.
However, he does that rather than try to back off first, which leaves the Pokémon wide open to a few hits back from Sheng, and he takes advantage of the situation, landing a solid, firm Pound onto the unprotected stomach of the Riolu. This one is unusually powerful and actually knocks the other Pokémon back a few feet onto the ground.
Victory is looking to be within our reach easily right now, since Leo is still rubbing his eyes with his paws while he stands up, first getting on one knee shakily. All Sheng's got to do is run forward and get another hit and the match should go to us. We make eye contact for a moment and I nod, confirming this, since I know he feels it as well. Looking up at Justin, who hasn't said another word, it looks like he knows as well, and his expression makes me certain that we managed to win. Sheng is already on the move, and just as he begins to jump again to finish closing the distance, I hear a cry from Justin.
"Stop! Just stay calm and use Foresight, then Endure, and finally…"
His own Pokémon cuts him off this time, which serves him just right. Leo has finished getting up, but instead of trying to clear his eyes, he let his paws drop and shuts his eyes tight, focusing and seeing a vision in his head, most likely. Then, his fur begins to glow, just a little, but the blue indubitably becomes a little lighter, and the black shines in the sunlight. The effect is brief, but he uses it just in time, like his trainer would say.
The ability allows him to mostly shrug off the swipe of Sheng's hand, though both the Pokémon cry out in effort, and then comes the counter. Deftly, Leo grabs Sheng's outstretched hand and pulls on it oddly and upwards, lifting him into the air and promptly sending him back onto the ground by jumping up beside him, raising his leg and dropping it down violently. He times the kick so that he hits Sheng in the back and he doesn't land on his bubbles, landing on the ground with a harsh thud. In contrast, Leo lands back down next to him on his toes, like always.
I can see Sheng is still breathing, though heavily, but his look tells me that he can't go on any longer, and the more experienced Trainer in the crowd steps forward again and shakes her arms in the air. "The winner is Riolu!" She proclaims.
The four of us stay still for a moment, and then Justin is the first to reach as he sprints toward the Pokémon, and I follow quickly. Though, to my surprise, the first thing the other boy does is pick up Sheng and check him for any more serious injury. He's got a few bruises here and there, but he was far worse yesterday, and when I take him back into my own arms he's merely panting heavily rather than fighting to breathe.
"Careless, again…" Sheng chides himself, subsequently bringing a hand up to his head. "Head…spinning…might feel better after a while in the Ball…" he explains.
I nod and smile at him. "You did a good job. I'll see you soon," I say, as I reach into my pocket for the Ball and show it to him. He wastes no time pressing on the button himself and retreating back inside for now, leaving my arms empty of any Pokémon. I sigh and look up only to notice that Leo's nowhere to be found, either, so he must've also asked for a break. Instead, my eyes meet Justin's piercing green ones, and we both smile and shake hands again as we get up. The crowd has dispersed already.
"That was tight!" He exclaims, his eyes glinting with enthusiasm and looking just like a kid who just got off a roller coaster and wants to go again. "I'm pretty sure if we had a rematch, you'd win that one." He pats me on the back in a friendly way, and I chuckle.
"Yeah, well, your Riolu…Leo, was it? He's pretty strong, for real!"
"Yeah, Leo. He's always insisting that I should call him Leonardo." That explains what he muttered at the start of the fight, I think. "Anyhow, that means I get to decide what we do with you, right?" He asks, and the glow in his eyes only seems to get brighter.
"I-I suppose…" I mutter, frightfully anticipating what might come next, even though I suspect it'll be making me come along with him in Route 203. Justin seems to have more surprises for me, however.
"I think you should do whatever you like!" He decides, spontaneously, then gets serious. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that because you lost you're not ready or worthy or anything, like I said before I think you could've won. It's just, I don't want to force you, and looking back, that was kind of selfish…" He sighs. "Besides, I might stay a while at Oreburgh, training, so when you finally decide to head there, I'll definitely still be there, and we can meet back up?" There's an undeniable hopefulness in his voice.
I smile widely and nod. "Of course, man, count on it. This was quite fun!"
He nods, and we just smile at each other like idiots for a while until he sighs and rolls his shoulders. "Well, this pack isn't going to get any lighter, so I should be off now. It was good to be able to have a bit of fun before I go, though", he assures me again.
"Want me to go with you?" I ask, more out of politeness than anything else, but it doesn't matter because he declines instantaneously.
"No, no, please, I'm good! Just take it slow and enjoy Jubilife. I'll see you soon, make sure to call!" He says, and then just turns and starts walking away briskly. Notably, the backs of his ears are flushed red, for some reason.
"Take care!" I call after him, and he waves quickly over his shoulder, and then is gone.