Frustration made her stomp angrily down the path of Route Three having just left the shrub garden, refusing many challenging trainers along the way. Claire sat on the girls shoulder watching as they walked, the Minccino understanding that she needed space, and enjoying the sights meanwhile through the tension.
Why did he have to be so mean about it? I would of stayed until he beat the gym, we could of trained together! I don't even want him to catch up anymore...
Sighing, she slowed her walk and lightened her steps, relaxing and trying to push her issues aside. The team had a shorter walk to Nacrene City, but a shorter time to train if she wanted to face the gym tomorrow. Thinking about it she hummed, deciding on something her team could do.
Lost in thought she hardly noticed the forked path, walking up the steps going straight after a moments consideration, and consulting the map on her X-Transceiver. To the left was the way to the city, and straight, a path to Wellspring cave. Deciding for the latter, they continued straight. Claire stretched and lay around Heather's neck, curled up tiredly. The trainer smiled, letting a hand come up to pet her Pokémons head.
After a few minutes of walking they came to the cave entrance, a wide mouth of stone. The inside was dark for the most part besides the light coming in, Heather making sure to step carefully. A few steps in she kicked a small rock accidentally, the sound of it bouncing echoing off the walls, being followed by the fluttering of wings and screeches of disturbance. Claire clung around Heather's neck while Heather herself ducked down, a swarm of Woobat disturbed by the noise fluttering around for a few heart beats. As they settled she stood back up, chuckling nervously.
Guess I should watch where I'm walking...
She continued in and stopped as the cave floor gave way to water, the nearly crystal clear pond reflecting the light from the entrance, making shapes on the ceiling and walls. She searched for any Water Pokémon inside but found nothing, figuring they were further in. Exploring the bit of raised cave in the middle, Heather spotted something shining wedged between two large rocks, sauntering over to see what it was.
Between the rocks sat an unopened super potion bottle, the item taking a bit of time to try and get loose. Eventually she gave up trying and used her storage box, scanning the potion, which was transferred to her device.
This thing is pretty handy, I wonder how far it can go. Might help me get things I can't reach, or things like that where it's stuck.
With that in mind she made a mental note to come back and explore the water eventually, jumping off the ledge and leaving the cave to start going to Nacrene. This time when she reached the fork she took the right path, wandering down the strip of fenced in land. Not far from the fork the path turned to a wooden bridge, a small body of water otherwise in the way.
We could come back here for a swim, maybe tomorrow. Neil woul- Neil... That jerk. I'll have to get used to travelling alone with my Pokémon now.
Each step on the bridge amused her, enjoying the sort of thunking her shoes made against the suspended wood. Claire watched the water with interest, the sun beating down on it and reflecting it so it shined. Once over the bridge the terminal that separated some routes and cities could be seen, the trainer and Pokémon going to it at a leisurely pace.
Air conditioning welcomed the two as they entered, the Minccino fanning her tail contentedly. They walked through and stopped briefly at the information screen, checking the weather and seeing if anything was going on in the city. Heather watched the weather as it showed a few days ahead, deciding that the swim tomorrow would be great in the hot weather. Seeing nothing else of interest, they walked out to enter Nacrene.
Nacrene was larger than Striaton, most of the city old fixed up warehouses that were homes or shops, some used as both. Because of the various odds and ends shops, Nacrene was a somewhat popular tourist attraction in the warmer months. Entering the city, Heather passed by several of the warehouses and some old rail tracks before coming to the center, deciding to get Claire checked, and a room booked for the coming up night.
x—x—x—x—x—x
Just like every other center, the rooms were the same, Heather putting most of her things away and releasing her other two Pokémon to play while she grabbed a shower. Claire was being checked over by Nurse Joy so she had some time to spare, deciding to clean up and get some shopping in today before it got dark.
Dressed and ready, she recalled her Pokémon and headed off downstairs to pick up Claire. The Minccino jumped on Heather's shoulder and rubbed her cheek to the girls, making Heather smile and scratch the creatures head.
"We're going shopping now! We'll get some training in tomorrow, you're looking a lot better so maybe you can join in. Sound like a plan?"
The Normal-type squeaked and nodded, getting herself comfy on Heather's shoulder as they left the Pokécenter, going to check out the first three buildings they'd passed entering the city. One of the three, the middle, had a window displaying glass figurines of Pokémon and people, peaking her interest. Heather entered the shop to be greeted by a young man stocking a shelf, asking if there was anything he could help her with. She politely answered no and continued on, browsing the shelves and tables with Claire.
"You know... Maybe I should get something for my mom. I should probably give her a call, too... She didn't want me going out to be a trainer. I think it has something to do with my father." She explained to Claire who listened carefully, offering her sympathy in a cheek rub. Heather smiled and scratched the creature under the chin, browsing more.
By the end of nearly half an hour, Heather had picked out a small clear glass heart with a red splash of colour in the middle, paying for it and getting it wrapped up in a pink and purple box. She added a gift tag shaped like a Snivy and went back to the center to get it mailed.
Most cities had Pokémon delivery systems by ground or air, trainers taking on jobs as messengers to make some extra cash. Heather's package would be a half day delivery by ground according to Nurse Joy, figuring she'd call her mother in the morning. Still having a few hours to kill she browsed the city with Claire, realizing she had to get a Pokéball for her eventually.
The two came up to a restaurant which was a warehouse like the rest, hidden well behind a red canopy and welcoming door. On the side was a wooden patio for guests to eat, a family of four chatting and eating with a Pidove fluttering around them happily. Heather thought for a moment before going inside, a soft chime welcoming the two. She looked around at the cozy little place and went up to order, taking a seat on the lower floor where two booths were set up facing each other. She released her team mates when the food was brought and let them eat, enjoying the company they brought.
They may not be able to speak to me, but they're easy to understand. I guess I'm not traveling alone after all. I don't need Neil with me to have a good time, or to not feel lonely.
Nearly an hour later with scraps left on the plates and their stomach's happy, Heather looked at Lark. The two held eye contact for a few heartbeats before she switched to her Panpour and Claire, searching each of their eyes.
"Alright, we need to talk business. Our next gym is a Normal gym, we don't have any strength over it. This means we need to train pretty hard. You follow?"
All three of her Pokémon nodded their heads, making her smile and take a moment.
They're so willing... I'm sure we're going to make it far.
"Great. Tonight, we lounge a bit, relax. You guys all deserve it. Lark, Panpour, you guys did a great job at the Striaton gym, I'm so proud of you. Depending on how well Claire can keep up in our training, you might get a bit of a break. I'm not sure if I want her fighting yet though, since she's only just getting better."
She turned her eyes to Claire, smiling warmly. Whoever had mistreated the Minccino was missing out on a great Pokémon, Heather hoping to meet the person some day to give them a piece of her mind. Or her fist.
"But we'll get you there eventually, in fighting shape. Tomorrow we're going to be training alone. We'll find somewhere we can be undisturbed, and we'll all work on strengthening up. Sound good? After that, we'll go for a swim on Route three or something to relax. Maybe we'll challenge the gym later tomorrow. I don't want to push us too hard, but I'd love to make it in time for the cruise."
The trio of Pokémon nodded enthusiastically and Heather paid the bill, the team all walking back to the center together. Nurse Joy gave them a quick check and they headed to their room, playing a bit together before all falling asleep huddled on the bed.
x—x—x—x—x—x
Six-twenty-nine in the morning had the sun shining in the window and the group still asleep on the bed. Six-thirty had them all scrambling to shut off the alarm.
Heather hit the off button and took a deep breath, the loud buzzing having scared her half to death. The Pokémon looked similar, hearts racing with wide eyes.
"Ah, time to get ready!" She said enthusiastically, laughing as her partners gave her various looks of - You're nuts.
Heather showered and got changed into an aqua tank top and blue jean shorts, tying her blonde hair up in a ponytail and grabbing a smaller bag filled with water bottles and a small first aid kit. She left the room with her Pokémon at seven, getting breakfast at the center before leaving.
The morning air was a bit chilly and made goosebumps prickle her flesh, knowing that by the time noon came, it would be another hot day. The group walked out of the city onto Route Four, stopping at the entrance to Pinwheel Forest. To the south was an opening in the fence, the group going that way instead. Old rail tracks led the way back toward the city which they ignored, going right past the tracks, heading further in.
Pinwheel forest will take us close to a day to get through if things go smooth. If I remember correctly, we have to go the long way through because there is construction on the straight through path... You'd think they would make another. Damaging the forest wouldn't be too nice though...
Puddles of water sat stagnant around, tall grass feeding off the moisture the whole way they went. A few Pokémon passed them harmlessly, the group continuing to explore for a place to train. Not much further they came up to a high ledge with stairs built into the rock, climbing them to find a flat space with a few large rocks around. Deciding it was a great place, Heather dropped her stuff off under a tree, stretching with a yawn.
"Lets get started!"
x—x—x—x—x—x
Five hours later had Heather worn out and bruised, taking far too many Vine Whips and Tackles. She was no athletic runner, but she figured she could move fast. Not as fast as a tackling Chinchilla apparently.
Heather by no means was in perfect shape, walking too long winding her sometimes. Today however, was different. Today, she trained as hard as her Pokémon. From blocking Lark's Vine Whips to trying and out running Claire's tackle or make hand targets for Panpour's water gun, she went through it with them. Claire was showing to be a real fighter where as Lark and Panpour showed a good improvement in skills, Heather showing she would do anything to help her partners.
The four of them sat in the shade of a tree drinking the last bottles of water, Heather nursing her bruised arms and cramped side. All in all, she figured they'd done quite well, and planned to train like this more often.
Heather finished off the water and stuck the empty bottle in the bag, not leaving their things behind. She stood a bit slowly and winced, nearly panting from the noon sun. Her companions got up as well and they jogged slowly the way they came, going back to the center. Once there she got her partners checked by Nurse Joy and ran to her room to change, coming back down with a bag of towels, a two piece bathing suite, and lunch.
She picked up her Pokémon from the desk and they walked out to Route Three, enjoying a swim in the cool water. By the time they were done swimming and eating it was almost three, heading back to the center for Heather to change. With the gym challenge in mind, she wore a white tank top and a thin tan jacket over top to hide the bruises she'd acquired training, a different pair of jean shorts and flip flops.
With her storage box of items, her Pokédex and her three Pokémon in balls - Claire being 'caught' at the center - she left the Nurses desk and and went straight for the gym, a museum that doubled as a gym in the basement. As she entered she was greeted by a man dressed in a white lab coat behind a desk, his voice smooth.
"Welcome to the Nacrene City Museum and gym. Will it be a battle, or admission?"