Chapter 17

We could hide away in daylight, We go undercover, wait out the sun, Got a secret side in plain sight, Where the streets are empty, that's where we run"- Heroes by Alesso ft Tove Lo

While relaxing in my room in the Pokémon Center, I get a call to go to the front desk.

It's Iris. It's ten o'clock that night and White is presumably traversing through Victory Road right now as I'm currently thinking these thoughts. "Hey Bianca."

"Aren't you supposed to be in bed or something?" She's like twelve. Then again, most girls her age don't co-run a Gym.

Iris shakes her head. "No. Things are too crazy for that and Grandpa's worried. He says he knew Ghetsis in the past. While we were out exploring the city, he did a speech here in Opelucid. Grandpa thinks he's the one behind this because Ghetsis is the exact reason why Alder was put as head of the League."

"What?"

"Grandpa says its complicated, but about twenty years ago, he was in Unova's top ten." Twenty years ago? So did Ghetsis know my birth mom or something? It isn't something I dwell on for too long. He'd have recognized me way back then. Right? "Also, after Cheren battled me, N came to challenge Grandpa for his final badge. I was busy battling Cheren so Grandpa took over and lost terribly to his Reshiram. It was really cool seeing it in our Gym, but the way it was devoted to him makes it even more dangerous. So have you thought of a plan of action?"

"Well..."

Iris's face falls. "It's hard to, I know."

"Yeah, but I remembered about those sages. Those sages, Ghetsis included will try to fight White in the worst possible case scenario."

Iris's red eyes meet mine in surprise. "I forgot about that! He's got those other old men, the ones we saw when your Munna got stolen back in Castelia City. Yeah, keep going, I want to hear more." I shove aside the horrible memories of when Munny got stolen.

"We can't get the Elite Four to battle them, but I remember that Unova is currently the region with the most Gym Leaders in the world so far and they're all pretty powerful without the Gym caps on," I continue, remembering the lecture on Pokémon caps all the way back in Striaton.

"Yes! That's it! You and me have to go and convince all of them to come to The League. They're all not working right now, so it's perfect!"

"But aren't they sleeping?"

"I don't know! Point is, we've got some talking to do! Come on!" Iris runs out of the Center's lobby and I follow her out. She's taken out a Pokémon that's so scary looking, that I cower in fear.

"Aww, Bianca. This is Hydra. She's a Hydreigon and she loves apples and flying."

My eyes are still wide in fear despite Hydra's grin.

"Hydreigon are usually scary but this one has a docile nature, otherwise, she'd be illegal to own." She makes me think of Madge, who is kind and pleasant to everyone she comes across. Iris pets her Pokémon and it smiles, baring it's teeth this time. They seem to have a strong bond between them, which makes them look really sweet. "Anyway, she's my fastest Pokémon that knows Fly so I'm taking her to the skies to go and get the leaders. Do you have a flying Pokémon?"

"I have floating Pokémon but none of them can fly."

"Well come with me, then."

"I think I'll take my chances," I say, feeling paralyzed in fear..."Okay..." I suck up my fears and get on the Hydreigon.

"FLY, MY PRETTY!" Iris yells, screaming at the top of her lungs. I think the entire population of Opelucid City heard her scream. I'm registering this as I hold on tight to the Hydreigon's body and I quickly find myself screaming at Iris's volume as we lift off into the air.

"OhgoshohgoshohGOSH!" I scream as we float by...is that a cloud?

"So are you afraid of heights or something?" Iris asks.

"I guess you can say that! I'm just really uncomfortable." I can feel every flap of the Hydreigon's wings and her breathing. Heck, I can feel all of her body movements and my own body cannot handle this.

"Don't worry, it'll all be over and we'll be in Icirrus again."

My nails dig into the Hydreigon's body even deeper, but she's not giving any indication of pain for feeling. I close my eyes and try to count backwards from a hundred, but I quickly lose track of my thought process.

The descent is even worse than the ascent because Icirrus is a naturally cloudy city and the thick clouds make her flying even shakier. I want to get off!

My wish is granted about a minute later and I'm quickly out of the Hydreigon, who just waits in the city as though she were just a common Lillipup.

"Brycen's most likely meditating in his Gym," Iris says.

"Who meditates at..." I check my app, "eleven sixteen in the evening?"

Iris just shrugs at my response. "Come on!" She runs off into the Gym and I follow.

It's freezing cold in here and there's nothing but what looks like an ice skating rink. Oh no! I can't even skate normally without falling! Nonetheless, it's barren and empty, giving off this feeling of loneliness and fragility. From what little I've seen of Brycen off-screen, it seems to somehow fit him.

"Who dares goes into my gym?" Brycen's usual soft voice is now overtaken by the harsh tone he once had when I first saw him and he spotted the Shadow Triad. Also, did I mention how awesome that was?! I mean the him catching them and all that. I couldn't even do that.

"Uncle Brycen! It's me, Iris!" Iris's voice echoes back. I look up past what seems like an ice slide and see Brycen's familiar blue mask above us, glaring down.

"Does Drayden know you're here?"

"He will be once you get to Opelucid and tell him the plan!"

"We need you to go and help White defeat Team Plasma in case anything goes wrong," it's my turn to yell back at him. All of this yelling is so awkward. Why can't he just come down here already?

About two seconds later, Brycen's right in front of us. I barely even saw him taking the slide. Awesome! "Consider that done on my honor." Brycen suddenly leaves the Gym without being told twice, sparing us the pain of ice skating. Iris looks like she's a tad disappointed, but I don't bring it up.

Well that was easy.

"Three down, eight to go," Iris says. "Now to Mistralton!"

"Don't tell me we have to get back on the—"

The Hydreigon roars.

"Aww...you missed me, didn't you?" Iris coos at her. "C'mon, Bianca!"

I'm paralyzed with fear once more and once again I take up the nerve to go and do that once more.

During the ride, I count all of Unova's Pokémon in my mind in order and when I reach Axew's number, something pops into my mind.

"Hey Iris? What'd you do to your Axew?"

"Oh, him? I tucked him to bed not too long ago. He's an early sleeper, that one."

"Oh. I thought you'd have him in your hair as you fly or something."

"Nope! Instead I just place him in his Pokéball!" I suddenly wish I were in a Pokéball. If I were, I'd be hosting a coffee party with Ganon. Boy, that would be loads of fun.

"There's Mistralton!" Iris says, breaking me out of my panic induced reverie. "We gotta go talk to Aunt Skyla."

"O-O-O-Okay!"

At least the Hydreigon has a proper road to land on. A pilot directs her landing and it's smooth. I'm grateful for his help in making this landing so nice. He deserves a cookie. We don't even get off of the Hydreigon when the man approaches us.

"Hello and welcome to Mistralton City. What are two young girls doing on a Hydreigon of all Pokémon at this hour at night?" Midnight is fast approaching and I don't know how fast White's progressing. She can't be fighting the Elite Four by now, could she?

"I'm looking for Skyla. I need her for Gym Leader business," Iris says.

"We really need her. It's really important," I add.

The man's face is frazzled. "I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but Skyla's over in Castelia City at an exhibition right now. Burgh showcased his new collection tonight and she was one of the party guests. I think that party's going on all night."

"Hmm..." Iris says, pausing completely. "Okay then! YAHHH!" And once more, the awful flight continues.

"Well, that made it easy...kinda. Now we gotta get to Driftveil, then Castelia, then Striation City and then we bust out Team Plasma!""

"So why are we skipping Nacrene and Nimbasa City?" I ask Iris. I instantly remember how stupid my question is since Burgh and Elesa are going out. I still think they're a strange pair. But they're oddly cute together.

"Oh, that's because if Skyla's there, then Elesa and Lenora are surely there as well. Also, I wish I could go, but I'm too young to do everything. I wish I could grow up faster. It would be so cool to be an adult."

I'm glad that Driftveil and Mistralton have the closest distance together because we quickly get off. On account of us being in Driftveil, which is the epitome of a suburb here in Unova, Iris calls her Pokémon back.

Clay is obviously not in his Gym and I wouldn't take him to be the type that would. Naturally, he'd live in the biggest house in all of Driftveil: one with a large gate, security guards, and an epic water fountain in front of the white mansion with the dark ceiling.

"Halt! Who are you and what are you doing here at this hour at night?" The security guard says at the gate.

"I'm Bianca and this is Iris. We need to talk to Clay. It's pretty urgent." The guard's face does not seem convinced by this.

"It's always urgent with Clay and yet people always want to take out his precious time for their own selfish greed."

"I'm a Gym Leader, too!" Iris says. "We don't have time for this."

"That's a new one," the guard says. Ugh. What is wrong with him? I understand he's doing his job, but he's being really rude to a kid.

Iris is silent. "I've got a Hydreigon and I'm not afraid to use her!"

The security guard as well as his colleagues behind him begin laughing. "Really? A little girl like you is going to have the most dangerous non-legendary Pokémon in all of Unova."

"I'm not bluffing. Hydra, come out!" She calls forth her massive dragon. Even though she does nothing, the men still freak out and run away from the premises. "Ha! Works every time!" she pats on her terrifying Pokémon as I rush inside their station and press the button that opens the gate.

Clay opens the door before we even get a chance to knock. He's still in his usual clothes, looking confused at the open gates and at us and the Hydreigon at his door. "What in tarnation is goin' here?" His small eyes meet mine first. "Wendy?" Clay shakes his head. "No, yer Wendy's daughter, that's right. If ya want a rematch, you can try again sometime later." His eyes then notice Iris. "Wait a gosh darn second. Iris?"

"I'm sorry Clay, but I'm not going to battle you anytime soon. Iris and I need you to help us defeat Team Plasma in case the worst possible scenario pops up."

"Team Plasma, ya say? Them troublemakers need to be taught a lesson!" Clay reaches into his sides and digs out a pistol, cocking it.

"Um...that's a bit too much," I tell him. He puts the pistol away without even shooting it, thankfully.

"Sorry. I just love the impending battle. Just tell me what to do and I'll lead the charge! Yeeeeeeeee-haw!" Iris and I exchange glances before she gives him directions on what we should be doing. "Next time ya come by here, I'll put y'all on the list 'ta visitors. Now let's get going!" He calls out an Unfezant, which I'm surprised at him actually having, but I figure its for traveling purposes or something, which makes sense.

The trip to Castelia is the longest and I don't know how much longer I can hold on. I'm seriously starting to feel massively dizzy with all of the ups and downs and shakes. It gets worse when I see the skyline of the city and my fear of falling worsens. "Eeek!"

"Don't tell me you haven't grown used to this! It's so much fun!"

"No, it's not" I'm still terrified.

"Don't worry, even if you fell, Hydra will totally pick you up. She's really fast and has amazing night vision! Don't cha, Hydra!" She makes a soft noise as she begins making a rather violent descent. I really don't think I can handle these flights. It bears repeating.

We land in front of Burgh's Gym, where there are an endless stream of news reporters and photographers. Oh no. We come to the entrance and we're instantly blocked.

"Crickets?"

"Huh?" I say.

"Tickets?"

"Tickets? For what?"

"Burgh's art show! It's an invitation only event. Burgh only gives them to the most important of people."

"We don't have time for this! There are four Gym Leaders we need to speak to in order to get rid of Team Plasma!" Iris says with impatience. "Don't make me bring out my Hydreigon."

"Wow, you paparazzi are getting even more elaborate with your excuses and threats! Now step aside!" They're certainly nicer than Clay's security guard, but I can't tell if that's a bad thing or not. It's annoying.

I'm so dizzy I want to fall down, but I'm really tired and really dizzy and really angry and I don't have time for this! "No! My name is Bianca Bel and you go inside and tell Burgh that I need to speak with him and the rest now." I point my finger at him in fury.

"Bel..Bel...Bel..." The man skims on a list. "Your name is on the guestlist, Miss Bel. I just need a ticket to verify and confirm your identity."

Well that was a shocking turn of events. "Wait, what?" Tickets? But I don't remember Burgh giving...

"I haven't seen any of you so I'll invite you to go and try out at my Gym. Here's two free passes." He digs into those stylish green and peach pants and hands us these tickets for some kind of art show.

"What are these for?" White asks.

"You'll have to see..." Burgh says.

Oh right! I frantically dig through my bag until I find the ticket with today's, I mean, yesterday's date and I'm in...Iris is not. "Just wait here!" I tell her.

"Just be fast. We can't waste time!"

I'm escorted by men and women in Volbeat and Illumise inspired suits. I stand out because I'm horribly underdressed compared to most of the patrons. How embarrassing! I knew I should have gone to the mall!

I quickly take off my hat and fix my vest up so I can at least look half presentable. I notice that my body has broken out into cold sweats and I'm tempted to take off the vest so that I can feel the coolness of the air.

Burgh and Elesa are having a deep conversation with faceless people.

"Excuse me," I say, but no one hears me. My voice is too weak, somehow. "Excuse me, please!"

"Yes?" One of the men says.

"Bianca?" Elesa says. I can't believe she remembered me!

"You came!" Burgh said. "And really, fashionably late." I'm glad to see he didn't put much effort into his clothing for the night, which makes me feel somewhat better.

"I came here with Iris all the way from Opelucid City. White's gone off to go battle N and Team Plasma and we need the help of all of the Gym Leaders." I have trouble saying this in one breath.

"Oh my," Elesa says. "How dramatic!" Elesa looks like how I'd expected, though her dress keeps changing from purple to yellow before. I wonder if it's on purpose. Then again, the rest of the room seems to be doing that.

"Indeed. I'd hate to cut this party short, but I'd rather end a fun party than lose my inspirations and best friends!"

"Not like this party was that fun anyway," Elesa says.

"Hey!"

"Sorry, but I'm just being honest."

"Lenny!" Burgh says, cutting through to the crowds. Lenora's with her husband, socializing with a really tall redheaded girl in a sky blue dress. Lenora's wearing something incredibly similar to her regular outfit sans apron. Burgh explains the situation to Lenora and who I presume is Skyla while Elesa stays close to me.

"You look a bit off. Are you okay?"

"Just dizzy from flying. Nothing new."

"You're not familiar with flying, are you?"

"No."

"That's not good..." Burgh and Lenora and Skyla walk away to the entrance. "Let's go!"

The photographers go crazy when the five of us step outside and Iris has trouble catching up to us.

The flashes are so bright and shiny that they make me feel hot. They're so white. How am I hot when I was cold just a few seconds ago? Their words drown out and the flashes stay in my head. A multitude of colors stem from the flashes. Reds. Greens. Blues. Yellows. And they all make what looks like a chain reaction.

When I regain sight, everything is purple.

"BIANCA! BIANCA!" I hear my name being said, but I don't respond and it's the last thing I hear before the world goes black.

I really wish the game had an inclusion of Bianca getting the Gym Leaders together and an actual scene with her and Iris storming N's castle together so I had to come up with a heavily foreshadowed explanation of things and some Chekhov's guns. It's not until the B2W2 chapters where everything gets off-script and crazy and Bianca plays a more vital role in the scheme of things. Anyway, thanks for reading!