Although Summer wanted to train and avoid the Princess Festival in Saffron City, Weldon convinced her to battle in the tournament to save him from a date with her rival Candy. After a hard-fought battle, Summer was able to defeat Candy and earned more of Weldon's respect. Before she could go back to training, Summer gets an invitation to help at a workshop in Viridian City. What is the workshop and who will be leading it?

Chapter 46: The Battling Workshop

"All right. Everyone ready?" I asked my team. We were setting up a surprise party for Blaze, who was coming back from his first round of training today. I reserved the picnic space left of the Pokémon Center last night and we'd been there since 7am.

"Yes, Ms. Summer! I say we have done a mighty fine job," Errol shouted as he finished hanging up two banners with Rocky.

The white banners read "Welcome Back!" and had all of our handprints, or footprints in the case of Errol, Flower, and Rocky. Flower, Lightning and Swirls completed setting a table filled with various colored bowls of Pokémon food, freshly baked muffins and cookies, and Berries.

I looked at my Pokégear. "Great! They should be here soon; it's almost 9:30."

We heard footsteps by the picnic entrance and turned around. Jayden and Blaze entered and we shouted in unison, "Welcome back, Blaze!"

My starter Pokémon was surprised by the party but he gratefully smiled. "Thanks everyone! Did it take you guys a long time?"

Lightning ran up to him, and he allowed her to climb onto his shoulder. "Nope, we planned it since you left."

"How was the last Gym battle?" Blaze curiously asked.

"Ms. Swirls and I battled our hardest. Unfortunate to say, the match was declared a draw," Errol summarized.

"R-Really? What happened then?"

"We still got the Marsh Badge 'cause the far-out kahuna saw our outrageous skills and focus," Swirls added.

Blaze was overjoyed. "That's great news! We can start training for the Indigo League."

We all laughed. I said, "First, let's eat. We can train later."

My Pokémon eagerly nodded and they started gobbling up the delicious spread. While they talked about the week's events, I turned to Jayden. "Thanks for helping Blaze."

Jayden grinned. "No need, Summer. Blaze is a very tough Pokémon. He really put all his energy into training over the past week. I think he's getting close to learning a new move, but you should work on it with him."

"Thanks for the heads up. So you want anything before you go?"

He was tempted, but he politely declined. "Maybe next time. I have a spar today. I'm going to watch the Indigo League on TV, and I hope you win."

I thanked him, and we all waved goodbye as he headed back to the dojo. We continued the festivities until the early afternoon, then started the cleanup process. Suddenly, my Pokégear rang, and I saw it was Professor Birch. I waved to my Pokémon to continue cleaning and I answered the phone.

Hi, Summer. How's it going? the always jolly professor asked.

"Fine, Professor. How's your research going?"

He softly sighed. It's been great; don't get me wrong. But it's been hard to keep track of things since you've been gone.

We laughed. "You're always so forgetful when you become engrossed in research."

How true. Anyway, are you free tomorrow?

"Uhh...yeah. But it's too far for me to travel back to Hoenn to visit."

Actually, I'm coming here! The Kanto Region I mean.

"Really? Is it for a workshop?"

Of course! I'm helping Professor Oak teach a battling workshop to some kids in Viridian City. I could sure use your expertise to help them.

"I guess I can come, but I've only been a Trainer for barely a year."

Don't worry, Summer. I know you'll be fine. Besides, Professor Oak also wants to see your Pokédex.

"Alright. I'll fly over tonight."

Great! I'll see you at the Viridian Elementary School around 8am!

We said our goodbyes and hung up. My Pokémon finished and gathered around me.

"Who was it, Summer?" Flower asked.

Errol closed his eyes and whispered, "It was a man. A jolly and wise fellow, I believe?"

"That sounds like Professor Birch," Blaze realized. "How did you know Errol?"

The Noctowl smugly place his right wing over his chest. "My psychic powers showed me."

Swirls hopelessly shook her head. "That's bogus, Errol. You were eavesdropping..." We all laughed as Errol became disgusted his secret was revealed so quickly.

"Anyway, who is this Professor Birch?" Rocky asked.

Blaze explained, "He's a professor from the Hoenn Region, where Summer and I are from. Summer helped him with his research before she started her journey." The other five were impressed.

"Yeah, he's a fun person, but he tends to be forgetful when he's so focused on his research," I added.

"What did he ask?" Lightning wondered.

"He wants us to help him with a workshop he's co-leading with Professor Oak in Viridian City."

Everyone was excited. "Yay! We can't wait to meet him!"

I felt better after seeing my Pokémon so pumped for the workshop. "Okay, let's head over to Viridian City now. We'll meet the professors at the school tomorrow."

I returned everyone except for Errol. I climbed onto his back, and we traveled back to the city where I made my pact with my first three Pokémon. This time, Errol flew much better, and he was quite proud when we safely landed in front of the Pokémon Center. After I checked in, it was an early dinner and a short relaxation period before going to bed early.

The next morning...

"Summer! You made it!" Professor Birch happily shouted as I approached him outside the gates of the Viridian Elementary School. "It's good to see you again!"

After we exchanged hugs, I greeted, "It's good to see you too, Professor."

Lightning curiously looked at the strange man, catching the professor's attention. "So this must be one of your new Pokémon!"

"Yeah, her name's Lightning."

He extended a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lightning."

The Pikachu gave a hearty handshake. "Likewise, Professor."

He chuckled. "How polite! And what a cute voice you have!"

We were shocked. "Y-You can understand her?" I stuttered.

The man laughed then showed me his left ear, which held an earpiece. "I've been helping Professor Oak test the earpiece based on the information you and his junior assistant collected. He thinks they should be ready for Kanto and Johto Trainers after a few test runs." He then looked at his watch. "My goodness! We should meet them inside."

We walked into the three-story red-bricked school, then into the asphalt courtyard where the other professor, a female teacher in a white blouse and long black skirt, and fifteen first graders were waiting.

"Everyone," Professor Oak introduced, "this is one of my colleagues, Professor Birch, and his junior assistant, Summer. They're both from the Hoenn Region."

The kids oohed and aahed while the teacher with long black hair bowed to us. "Thank you for coming today."

We bowed back. "Thank you for having us, Ms. Lillian," Professor Birch thanked.

"Now then, who wants a lesson on battling?" Professor Oak asked.

Everyone excitedly raised their hands, except for a pale girl with a long black braid and long orange dress. She looked really scared, but her eyes lit up when she saw Lightning on my shoulder.

Professor Birch laughed. "All right then. Let's get started!"

The two began their lecture, with the Hoenn Professor demonstrating wild Pokémon encounters and the Kanto Professor discussing about Trainer battles. I helped with their portions by playing out the roles of a Trainer looking for Pokémon and battling others. Everyone was engrossed in the presentation, especially that girl.

After the lesson was over, the professors opened the rest of the time to let the kids ask any specific questions. All of them ran to either professor, leaving the girl by herself.

"Come on, Yuri," Ms. Lillian gently asked the shy student. "Why don't we ask some questions together?"

"O-Okay…" she timidly stuttered with a soft voice. The two walked over to me, making me a little nervous about what they wanted to ask.

Yuri noticed Lightning on my shoulder and nervously asked, "C-Can I pet her…?"

I smiled, slightly startling her. "Of course. You can pet her on the head."

Lightning happily jumped into my open arms and said, "Nice to meet you."

The girl hesitantly put out her right hand and slowly touched Lightning. Once she saw the Pokémon happily sigh from her gentle touch, Yuri giggled and rubbed Lightning's head. Ms. Lillian was surprised but happy for her shy student.

"Wow! I never knew a Pikachu could be so soft and warm!" Yuri exclaimed.

I chuckled, making her smile bigger. "That's one of the best things about being a Trainer. You get to meet new Pokémon and people, and battling helps us understand our Pokémon better. When you work with them, they can do incredible things."

Yuri gave my words some thought. "Actually, Summer. I do have another question for you."

Ms. Lillian then tended to her other students, knowing Yuri was in capable hands. We sat down on the warm ground and Lightning climbed onto my lap.

Yuri paused then slowly asked, "Summer… Should I become a Trainer like you?"

"What do you mean, Yuri?"

She nervously touched the end of her braid. "My Obasan, or my grandmother...she wants me to become a traditional kabuki dancer. I've been training ever since I started walking. And to dedicate myself to the training, she refused me to be in contact with any Pokémon."

"I see. So you like dancing?"

She looked conflicted as tears slowly formed. "Well...it's fun, but not when someone wants you to be perfect…"

I smiled, trying to stop her from crying. "You should tell her how you feel. If she truly cares about you, then she should accept your decision."

"I...I don't know… Obasan can be strict. But I'll talk to Ojisan, or my grandfather. He understands me better."

I gently held her hand. "That's good. It'll be hard to let your grandmother know. But when you do, there's no going back. You have to keep going, okay?"

"Okay!" she happily shouted, slightly surprising me. She gave me a firm handshake, and her enthusiasm spread through my body. I laughed and was glad I was able to help her.

"Okay, everyone!" Ms. Lillian announced. "It's time for us to get back to class. Let's thank these three for teaching us."

The children gave a happy farewell, and Yuri looked like a normal girl when she waved goodbye. The three of us returned the goodbyes and left the building.

Once we arrived at the Pokémon Center, Professor Oak said, "Thank you for coming to help us, Summer."

"Oh, it's no problem Professor. I was glad to help."

"Why don't we have lunch, on me!" Professor Birch delightfully offered.

"Fine by me!" Professor Oak happily accepted.

We went inside and had an entertaining lunch as I filled them in on what happened on my journey. Professor Oak also took the time to scan my Pokédex to update his Pokémon speech database. Although there was a lot of smiles and laughing, I thought I saw the Kanto professor give a regretful smile when I mentioned the incident at Silph Co. We then went outside and I introduced Professor Birch to the Pokémon I met during my travels. He was so ecstatic to finally meet them that he actually asked them questions about how they met me. With each discussion, I could tell he was happy and proud of what I accomplished in six months.

After we thanked Professor Birch for the meal, he said, "I should be getting back to Hoenn."

"Sure," Professor Oak acknowledged. "I'll take you to Vermillion City."

The Hoenn Professor turned to me and my Pokémon. "It was nice meeting you all! Help Summer as much as you can, okay?"

"We will!" my Pokémon happily cried.

He then gave me a hug and said, "Good luck in the Indigo League, Summer. We'll all be watching back home."

I thanked him for the support, and we waved goodbye to the two professors. I thought about getting some training in before sunset when we heard someone approach us from the front of the Pokémon Center.

When I saw who it was, I gasped, "Wh-What are you doing here?"

Pokémon: Blaze (Blaziken, male): Brave Nature, moves: Fire Punch, Double Kick, Flamethrower, Blaze Kick

Errol (Noctowl, male): Rash Nature, moves: Psychic, Confusion, Hypnosis, Peck

Swirls (Poliwhirl, female): Relaxed Nature, moves: Water Pulse, Hypnosis, Water Gun, Ice Punch

Lightning (Pikachu, female): Adamant Nature, moves: Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Thunder Punch

Flower (Ivysaur, female): Gentle Nature, moves: Sludge Bomb, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf, Sleep Powder

Rocky (Onix, male): Lonely Nature, moves: Rock Throw, Crunch, Dragonbreath, Iron Tail

Questions for the Chapter:

What did you think of Yuri?

Who does Summer encounter?