Episode 10: Lights, Camera, Pokémon!
The morning after helping drive away a horde of Patrat from the Floccessy Ranch, Niko and his friends continued their journey towards Virbank City. There, Niko would challenge the gym leader for his second Unova gym badge. The road to Virbank City ran through route 20, and would take roughly a couple of days to traverse. Unlike route 19, it was relatively flat and lacking in forestry, but still littered with trees scattered around in groups.
During the couple of days on route 20, Niko spent some time training with Snivy and Rufflet. He didn't know what type of Pokémon the Virbank gym would specialize in, and so he tried to focus on what he was already doing—evasion, speed, and skill. As usual, Snivy was quite calm with her training, rarely needing any sort of intervention on Niko's part. Rufflet, on the other hand, was more of a pain to deal with. Whenever Niko wanted the Eaglet Pokémon to do something—anything—Rufflet would throw a temper tantrum and use fury attack on the ground, thrashing and kicking around aimlessly.
Also along the way Niko, Charlotte, and Warren all got to know each other a little better. Charlotte and Warren continued to share stories of their times at Castelia University, particularly some of the classes they took. During these discussions Niko walked behind them, holding Snivy in his arms as they looked around at the world surrounding them.
Two days after leaving Floccessy Ranch, the trio made it to Virbank City. As Charlotte mentioned when they left Aspertia City, Virbank was a port city with regular trips to and from Castelia City. However, when they got there they noticed that the city was layered in a thin coat of fog. As usual, the first place they decided to head to was the Pokémon Center.
"So Niko…" Warren began as they sat down, waiting for their Pokémon to come back healed up. "When do you want to go find the gym around here? Do you feel ready?"
"Err…I guess I feel ready." Niko said, shrugging. Truth be told, he didn't feel ready, as he was only confident in Snivy's ability to listen to him. Based on their training sessions, he was losing confidence in Rufflet, and was worried about a potential temper tantrum on the Eaglet's part during an official battle.
"What's holding you back?" Warren asked.
"Rufflet. I'm worried he won't listen to me during the battle." Niko admitted.
"I think you have nothing to be concerned about!" Warren said. "Rufflet listened to you against Cheren, right?" Niko nodded. "Well, then he should this time! I think Rufflet's problem is that he doesn't like doing anything that isn't fighting, you understand?"
Niko nodded, but it didn't help. He had experience with Pokémon not listening to him. He recognized the signs. "Anyway, do either of you know of things to do in this city? I'd rather not just come here for a gym battle. This is an adventure, not just about me."
"Oh!" Charlotte, who had been silent since arriving at the Pokémon Center. "There's this great ice cream place called Bearticone. Well, it's supposedly great. And then there's Pokéstar Studios. Have you ever heard of it?"
"It's a film studio, right?" Warren asked. "Yeah, I think I've seen some of their movies. I think my favorite is…Brycen-Man."
"Brycen-Man?" Charlotte asked, as if curious. "It's alright, I think. The plot is lacking…it's more of just an action movie. I like Full Metal Cop and Timegate Traveler, personally." She then looked at Niko, who was giving them both a bemused look. "Oh! You've never heard of Pokéstar Studios, have you?"
"Nope. I mean, I guess maybe I've seen some of their movies, but there's nothing like that in Kanto."
"You mean you don't have a film studio in Kanto?"
"Well, we might. I just don't know where they're based." Niko replied. He's seen a fair number of movies in his life, but during the past four years when he was on the road with his friends he hardly saw movies.
"Would you like to go check it out, then? We could get ice cream first!" She said.
"Sure, why not?" Niko said. Warren agreed, and the trio got up, fetched their Pokémon from Nurse Joy, and went off in search of their first destination—Bearticone.
"Have you ever had ice cream, Snivy?" Niko asked. The Grass Snake Pokémon looked up at him, and then at the ice cream in the shop, and shook her head. "Alright, we can get one for you and Rufflet. Charlotte says they're really good." He said, getting something for Snivy to share with her teammate while he got something for himself. Warren and Charlotte each got something for them and their Pokémon, and soon enough the group was sitting outside of the Bearticone shop watching people walk by.
"I've always enjoyed people-watching." Niko said as he watched Snivy and Rufflet enjoy the strawberry ice cream he got for them. "It sounds weird, but I like it."
"I hear you. Castelia City is good for that." Charlotte replied, handing Smeargle her ice cream. "This city, though, is…a little weird." She said as she saw a trio of young adults with wild hair colors and shapes walking by. She deduced that they were in a band, judging by one of them having a guitar case slung around the shoulder of the shortest one. Upon hearing Charlotte's comment, she turned to glare at the short brunette.
"Hey, don't go dissing my people, doofus!" She said.
"Sorry…" Charlotte said, slightly terrified by the woman. She was short with white, spiky hair. Some of it was tied up in a vertical bun. She wore a purple and light blue-striped long sleeve. The colors reminded Niko of the sweater Lauren always wore, only the colors on this woman's top were paler.
"No, you're not. If you're going to keep talking crap about this city, then freakin' LEAVE!" She shouted.
"Roxie, calm down chick…" One of the band members said. "She didn't mean for you to hear it." Roxie nodded, and then walked away, leaving Charlotte stunned.
"Well then…" Warren said.
"You alright, Charlotte?" Niko asked.
"I'm fine. That was…scary, though." She said, hurriedly finishing her ice cream, presumably as a way to calm herself down. "I don't like it when people yell at me." She then stood up. "C'mon, let's go check out Pokéstar Studios."
Niko, Warren, and their Pokémon nodded, all standing up and following Charlotte through the city. "Do you know where you're going?" Niko asked, leaning over Charlotte's shoulder to a map she was holding of Virbank City.
"Yep! Doesn't seem like it's too far from here, actually. Just to the north, I think." She said, looking up as they reached a T-intersection. On the opposite side of the street was a massive gate with "Pokéstar Studios" Written in an archlike form. "Looks like it! Let's go!"
Walking into Pokéstar Studios was almost like walking into a theme park. There were large sets everywhere, with people jumping or running around with Pokémon. Niko deduced that they were all in the process of filming or practicing a scene. To their right was a collection of trailers that actors and Pokémon were constantly walking in and out of.
"So what are we going to do here?" Niko asked, watching a tall man with light blue hair walking out of his trailer in a ridiculous costume.
"Oh! That's Brycen-Man!" Warren said, pointing over to the light blue-haired man. "Wow…he looks even taller in person!"
"To answer your question, Niko, we could go see if we can get a tour or something." Charlotte replied, looking around for any sign of a tourist center. While she was looking around, Warren was off to meet Brycen-Man, dragging Niko along."
"Brycen-Man! I'm Warren, and I'm a huge fan of your movies!" Warren said, approaching the movie star and attempting to shake his hand.
"Oh, hello there. Glad you enjoy. I'm actually on my way to begin filming Brycen-Man Strikes Back 2."
"Is it true that you used to be a gym leader, too?" Warren asked, and Niko immediately understood what he was getting at.
"Yes, I used to run the gym in Icirrus City. I ended up deciding that being an actor was my true passion, but I still enjoy the occasional battle."
"Will you battle my friend, Niko?" Warren asked. "He's challenging the gyms here, and he would like the practice!"
Interested, Brycen turned to Niko, who vigorously shook his head. "No no, I've only got one gym badge."
"Ah, yes. Maybe we should postpone a potential battle. Plus, I'm afraid I don't quite have the time right now. We're on a tight schedule to start and finish Brycen-Man Strikes Back 2. And unfortunately, I have other engagements in the future. If we ever meet again, remind me of this challenge, and I will accept then." He shook Niko's hand. "Best of luck in the gym challenge. Especially against the leader here. She's…tough."
"Thanks, Brycen. I appreciate it." Niko said. As he and Warren turned to leave, he noticed a familiar face walking out of the trailer next to Brycen's. A purple-haired woman in a black witch's outfit was walking down the steps. What caught Niko's eyes wasn't her familiar face, but the pokéball hovering in her hand. "Warren…let's go."
"What? Why? Charlotte wants to see more!"
"Well let's go find Charlotte then." Niko replied, lightly gripping Warren's hood and pulling him away from the familiar face—Sabrina of Kanto's Saffron City Gym.
The two found Charlotte in the Gift Shop, scouring the wide variety of shirts, toys, and other miscellaneous items related to the many Pokéstar movies. Turning to them, she held out a cartoon figurine of Alder holding a pokéball in his hand.
"Isn't he adorable?" She said with a giggle. "He looks so cute and small." She waved the hand with the pokéball at Niko, who couldn't help but laugh. "Are you done fawning over Brycen-Man?"
"…yes, Warren is." Niko said, eying his friend.
"Niko's mad that I tried to get Brycen to battle him. You know he used to be a gym leader, right?"
Charlotte nodded. "Yeah, of Icirrus City, right? Yeah Niko, you're not ready to battle him. I've heard he's pretty strong."
"That's what I said!" Niko protested. "But someone didn't think so."
"Look, Niko…you're going to have to accept that you're a good trainer. Otherwise I'm going to keep doing this for you." Warren said cautiously. "Anyway, let's go check out the studio. I think that's open to the public, right?" He turned to Charlotte for confirmation. She nodded, and the trio took off towards the studio, which was just north of the Gift Shop.
The lobby for the studio looked much like an ordinary lobby—such as the Pokémon Center—with a front desk, a video chat center, couches and tables scattered around, and a vending machine. In the back of the room was a hallway that led to some restricted area, which Niko took to be the actual entrance to the studio.
"Excuse me," Warren asked to the woman at the front desk. "Are tourists allowed to visit the studio?"
"Only VIP visitors are allowed." She said politely, but with a bite in her tone, as if she got this question constantly. Warren, catching this, backed off and nodded, turning to relay her answer to Niko and Charlotte, who both agreed to leave and check out another part of the studio park.
As they were leaving, the single person Niko wished to not see was standing right in front of him, ready to enter the studio. Sabrina looked at him carefully; studying Niko hard, as if recognizing him but trying to confirm her own suspicions.
"Why, hello Niko. It's been a while." Sabrina said in a kind, yet slightly tense, tone.
Niko wasn't sure how to respond—Sabrina could singlehandedly reveal everything about his past; everything he was trying to leave behind him. She could ruin all of his efforts over the past few months to erase who he was before he arrived in Castelia City. Do I forget she exists? Or do I response as if she is any ordinary acquaintance?
He chose the latter. "H-hi, Sabrina. What are you doing here?"
"I am an actor. I don't think I ever told you." She replied, this time with a smile. Actually, it was more of a smirk.
"No…no you didn't." Niko said. What's she playing at?
"Well, I am. What are you doing around here? I thought you were living in Kanto."
"I live here now, working in Castelia City. I took a vacation with my friends here, Charlotte and Warren. We're just visiting the studio."
"Oh? Would you like to see the studio?" She asked, motioning back into the lobby. The trio all looked at one another, not expecting the offer. "I'll take that as a yes. Come, let me show you." She said, walking through the lobby, nodding politely to the lady at the front desk. As he passed by, Warren couldn't help but shoot her a friendly glance, to which she responded with a slight frown.
"So Sabrina, how do you and Niko know each other?" Warren asked of the Saffron City Gym Leader.
"We have a mutual friend back in Kanto. It's a loose connection, but we've met on a couple occasions. Right, Niko?"
She's covering it up, for some reason. "Yes, that's correct." He nodded to Warren and Charlotte, feeling as though they might be skeptical. As it turned out, they weren't. "Sabrina is from Saffron City, the biggest city in Kanto."
"Kind of like Castelia City?" Charlotte asked.
"Sort of. Celadon City is more akin to Castelia City, actually. But Saffron has a more corporate atmosphere. It's where Silph Co. is headquartered.
Before any of them could respond, the trio arrived with Sabrina in the film room. It was, like most things in Pokéstar Studios, massive. Two corners of the room were covered in lime green flooring and each had a green screen on the wall behind, with flood lights covering the ceiling above. There were long desks completely covered in wires, keyboards, and monitors that displayed a variety of video and audio editing programs.
"Wow…" Warren said, looking around. "So what movie are you working on right now, Sabrina?"
"Mystery Doors of the Magical Land. I play the Magic Queen, Bellelba." She said with a smirk, pulling out a black fan and hovering a pokéball above it with her psychic abilities.
"We'll definitely have to check it out when it comes out in theaters." Charlotte said politely. "And thank you for giving us access to the film studio. Now I get to imagine what it's like to produce a movie behind the scenes!"
"Well, I'm happy to show this off to any friend of Niko's." She said, turning to the young trainer. "Niko, I heard from Brycen that you're challenging the gyms here. I only wish you the best of luck, as I have with any of your ventures." She held her hand out.
"Thanks, Sabrina. I appreciate that." Niko said, returning the handshake. "It was nice to see you again."
"And you as well. Now, I must get to work! Stay as long as you want." She said and, with a flutter of her fan, spun on her feet and walked over to a bearded man in a director's chair.
Niko, Charlotte, and Warren took up Sabrina's offer and continued observing the film studio for nearly another hour. They watched a couple scenes from Sabrina's new movie, as well as some other movie that seemed to pique Charlotte's interest before exiting the film studio and back into Virbank City. On the way, Niko was wondering how much more preparation he would need before he challenged the Virbank Gym Leader.