Chapter 3-The Mayor of Phenac and Battling Wakin

Her sapphire eyes go wide when I nod my head gruffly. "Thank you!" she gives me a bow.

"No problem." I say it without thinking. She beams a smile at me and I feel my ears burn. So I lead her to the stairs by the fountain square. Then, Espeon and Umbreon come out of their Poké Balls as soon as we get to the stairs.

"Aww! They are so cute!" Umbreon looks at her like she's nuts while Espeon rubs her tail against Rui's legs. The girl laughs and bends down a little to scratch behind Espeon's ears. The Sun Pokémon starts to purr, and I look at Rui to tell her and Espeon that we need to hurry. But, my eyes fall on what little of her cleavage is visible from my angle. I feel my ears burn again and I turn away quickly.

"We'd better get going." I say after a few minutes of silence. The burning sensation in my ears is gone, and the two females look at me strangely. "It gets late really quickly in Orre, we don't want to interrupt the Mayor's dinner. It would be rude." Rui sighs, but stands up straight and I call my two Pokémon back into their Poké Balls. We walk to the Mayor's house, and just as we arrive, the door opens and a sinister-looking man comes out. Immediately, I stand in front of Rui and glare at the man.

"Hmm…I like the look I see in your eyes. Fufufu, I have a feeling we will meet again somewhere." He then walks off, and I glare at him until Rui touches my arm.

"Let's see the Mayor now, Wes." I nod again and lead her into the house without knocking on the open door. Es Cade was a fat man, with white clown hair shaped on two sides of his head, and it takes all of my willpower to not laugh at him and his weird hair. When he sees us, he gets out of his chair and waddles over to us.

"Ah, you two must be travelers, welcome to my city of water! Phenac City was founded by my grandfather, the first Mayor. I am Es Cade, the current Mayor of Phenac. Is there something I can help either of you with?" Rui steps away from me and closer to Mayor Es Cade. "What can I do for a pretty young lady like yourself?" this statement almost makes me reach for Espeon's Poké Ball, but I stop myself. Why the HELL am I being so protective of her?! My thought train is interrupted when Rui describes a Shadow Pokémon.

"…and that Pokémon wasn't afraid to attack people! Please, Mr. Mayor, you have to believe me!" I look at Es Cade, and the man's expression is one of disbelief.

"Hohoho! I am not sure of this, but I will order an investigation at once. You there, young man, you are a Trainer, no? Why don't you two head over to our City's pride and joy, the Stadium? I'm sure participating in the Colosseum Battles will give me enough time to investigate this Black Aura Pokémon. Come back once you are done." I know a dismissal when I hear one and though Rui is slightly disappointed, she follows me out. But before we leave, I catch the Mayor's expression, which is one of anger or hate, directed at Rui. Hmm…I wonder why…?

"Well, let's go visit the Stadium." I only nod and we head over there. However, the receptionist says that the challenge has already started and to come back later.

"Damn, well that sucks, I guess we'll come back." I hear a 'squeak' come from Rui and I look at her strangely.

"You said 'we', why?" I shrug and walk towards the only way in and out of the Stadium with her following. As soon as we are out, I spot three Team Snagem members coming up the stairs. Well, shit. That is all I can think when they come up to us.

"Wes, you traitor! Blowing up the Hideout wasn't enough, so you took the Snag Machine?! What the hell is wrong with you?" Rui then stands beside me and asks if they are from Team Snagem. "You bet, little lady. And this boy was our best Snagger, he snagged a lot of pokemon for us with that device on his arm!" I don't look at her when she turns to me.

"Wes, is this true?!"

"I was a part of the team, but hence on the 'was'." Before Rui can think of a retort or run, Wakin challenges me to a battle. "Espeon, Umbreon, you're up." They come out and Wakin sends out a Koffing and Corphish. "Confusion on Koffing and Bite that Corphish!" the Koffing doesn't survive, but the Corphish does.

"Bubble Beam!" Wakin says and his Pokémon shoots a stream of bubbles at Espeon.

"Light Screen! And finish it off with Secret Power, Umbreon!" a semi-invisible barrier appears in front of Espeon, and Umbreon shoots a yellow beam at Corphish. The barrier weakens the power of Bubble Beam, but Espeon still takes some damage.

"Damn, you're still good. But don't think this is over, Wes!" they leave and I turn to explain myself to Rui, but her eyes are full of tears.