Episode 42: The psychic's revenge

After days of travelling down route 13, the group finally arrived in Undella Town. Niko's first impression was how small of a town it was. From their vantage point at the top of a hill overlooking the town and bay, Niko could easily see the entirety of Undella Town.

Since Charlotte caught Frillish on a beach on route 13, the group had continued as normal, with nothing of note happening. Niko continued training, occasionally with the help of Warren—and now a more enthusiastic Charlotte. His Pokémon were beginning to master a variety of new moves, and Serperior was quickly adjusting to her new serpentine body. It is also worth noting that the weather was significantly nicer, and the air was crisp and easier to breathe in, as opposed to the cold air that they had grown accustomed to during much of their journey through western Unova.

"So…think we'll spend a day here? Two tops?" Niko said.

"A day sounds fine. Doesn't look like there's much to do here." Charlotte replied as they entered Undella Town. "I read up on this place. Apparently it's more of a 'summer getaway' for rich people, which explains why it's so empty right now."

"Yeah, we're just now getting into spring…" Niko said. "But it's certainly beautiful. Looks just like one of those vacation resorts you see on TV."

"That's because this is that vacation resort." Warren added. "Remember the one we saw in that commercial? That was Undella Town!"

"Looked familiar enough." Niko said with a smirk. They found their way to the Pokémon Center to let their Pokémon rest while they toured the town and bay.

As they walked out, Niko noticed two oddly familiar women. One had long, blonde hair that stretched down to her knees. She usually wore all black, but it appeared that she exchanged it this time for a white dress shirt and black slacks, and abandoned the coat Niko had seen her in. Beside her was another, less familiar figure. She wore a light pink sun dress, and had more hair on her head than Niko had ever seen. At first, he didn't understand the relation between the two women, but upon further consideration it all seemed to make sense to him.

"Niko…?" Warren said, waving his hand in front of his friend's face. "You alright?"

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine." Niko replied. "I just recognize those two women over there."

"You do?" Charlotte said with genuine surprise. "You know Champion Cynthia and Elite 4 Caitlin?"

"Elite…oh, yeah she is a member of Unova's Elite 4." Niko said, remembering her Valet—Darach—briefly mention it. "And yes, I've met both of them before." And it didn't take long for them to recognize him.

"Niko…?" Cynthia said in her calm, melodic voice. "That can't be you, can it?" She walked over to him. "You…look older."

"Oh, the facial hair. And…the longer hair. I'm just trying to imitate you, that's why." To this Cynthia laughed. "What are you doing here?"

"I stay here on occasion with my good friend Caitlin." She said. "Caitlin, this is Niko. Niko, this is Caitlin of the Elite 4."

"We've met before. He defeated my Valet." Caitlin muttered, clearly peeved by this.

"Ah, that's correct. You and Lauren challenged the Battle Frontier. Caitlin did mention a couple that defeated Darach. I heard Lauren accepted a position as a Frontier Brain, is that correct?"

"I—I wouldn't have known that, actually. We broke up after she was offered it." Niko said, looking down at the sandy surface of Undella Town.

"That must explain why she isn't with you in Unova." Cynthia said. "Well, I would like to catch up with you, if you'd like."

"Sure, I'd be fine with that." Niko said. Cynthia and Caitlin then led them down the street, towards a villa that overlooked Undella Bay. Niko's friends were appalled by how extravagant the villa was. Niko wasn't too surprised—he'd seen the Battle Castle before, and understood that it was technically Caitlin's home as well.

They all sat down on a balcony on the second floor of the villa. The view was breathtaking. Warren and Charlotte simply stood at the barrier of the balcony, watching Wingull and Ducklett flying over the sea. Occasionally, a Mantyke or Mantine would appear out of the water as well. A butler then appeared and offered the group tea, to which everyone readily accepted.

"So…Niko." Cynthia said as she sat down across from Niko at their table. Caitlin was to her right, and Warren and Charlotte to her left. "How have you been? The last time I remember seeing you was at Lily of the Valley, during your battle with…what was his name again…?"

"Hunter." Niko said curtly.

"Right. Hunter. Odd young man. He seemed troubled."

"He still is." Niko responded, just as quickly and plainly.

"Anyway, after that you went to Battle Island. How did that go?"

"Well, I ended up only winning four of the five Battle Prints. I lost once to Palmer and then forfeited my rematch. Lauren won and, as you know, was offered a Frontier Brain position, and I guess she accepted it. But after my forfeit I broke up with her, and the following morning my father passed away."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that…" Cynthia said, looking sympathetic. "I hope your family is doing alright."

"I don't know, actually. I left Pallet Town a few days after that, and haven't spoken to anyone since."

"Niko…why would you do that? You should know there is rarely anything more important than family." Cynthia said, almost in a scolding tone.

"I'm not happy with what I did, to be sure. But I did do it, and that's how I ended up here. I gave up being a Pokémon trainer for some time, until my roommate, Warren, persuaded me to get back into it."

"Ah. My apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. Warren, I'm Cynthia, champion of the Sinnoh League."

"Hi…" Warren said, almost as if he was out of breath. "Pleasure to meet you."

"And you are…?" Cynthia asked, turning to Charlotte.

"Charlotte. Pleased to meet you as well."

"And so you're travelling now with these two?" Cynthia wondered. "Challenging gyms again? Or did something else catch your eye?"

"Gyms again. I have seven badges, and we're on our way to Humilau so I can get my eighth."

"Ah, you're almost done yet again. Humilau is a wonderful city, right Caitlin?"

"Marlon is too eccentric for my taste, but the city is nevertheless beautiful." She said, eying Niko. "Marlon, if you don't know, is the gym leader there. He's…an acquired taste."

"And so that must mean you intend to compete in Vertress City?" Cynthia asked. When Niko nodded in the affirmative, she smiled. "I'm glad you're continuing with your journey, Niko. I always enjoyed getting a chance to watch you battle." She turned to Charlotte and Warren. "He is a good person. Him and his friends helped me stop a resurgent Team Galactic."

"Yeah, Niko told us about the Distortion World!" Warren said excitedly.

"Ah, yes…that. What an interesting…place." Cynthia said, almost frowning a little. " I actually have to get back to Sinnoh in a few days' time—the next Lily of the Valley Conference is approaching. But I do wish you the best of luck in Vertress City."

"Thanks, Cynthia. I appreciate it."

"And who knows? Maybe you'll win it, and get the opportunity to battle Caitlin here." Cynthia said teasingly. To this Caitlin frowned a little.

"I'd pummel you into the ground for defeating Darach." She muttered.

"I wholeheartedly accept that challenge." Niko said, smirking. This seemed to set Caitlin off. She forcefully placed her tea on the table and stared at him.

"I challenge you to a Pokémon battle. Right now." She said in a prudish tone. "One-on-one, that way I can prove to you that I am not one to be teased."

"Fine. I accept." Niko said, also putting his tea down. Cynthia, Warren, and Charlotte all exchanged looks, confused by the confrontation they had just witnessed. "I need to go grab my Pokémon from the Center, but I am otherwise ready."

"Humph. You're not ready until you have your Pokémon by your side." Caitlin said, getting up.

Niko and Caitlin reunited on a battlefield outside her villa. The sun was on its way towards the west. Cynthia acted as a surrogate referee, while Warren and Charlotte watched from a distance.

"Gothitelle, I choose you." Caitlin said calmly, throwing out a pokéball onto the field. It was a humanoid Pokémon with a primarily black body. Its head is teardrop-shaped, with a white, bow-like fixture attached to the base of its tip. It had a purple face with a black zigzag pattern above its eyes that resembled bangs. Its eyes were heavy-lidded with blue irises and white pupils, as well as a small mouth with red lips. Four flat, black disks flank each side of its head. Lastly, its body was split into four progressively-larger tiers, with its head and arms being attached to the smallest, uppermost tier. Its arms were thin, ending in small, purple hands with white disks at the wrists. Each tier had a white, bow-like fixture on its front.

"Gothitelle, the Astral Body Pokémon. Psychic type. It can see the future from the movement of the stars. When it learns of its trainer's life span, it cries in sadness."

"Druddigon, I choose you!" Niko shouted, summoning his dragon type, much to Cynthia's surprise. "Use night slash!"

"Gothitelle, shadow ball!" Caitlin commanded. The Astral Body Pokémon conjured an inky black ball and shot it at Druddigon, who quickly slashed through it and slashed again at Gothitelle. Landing on his feet, Druddigon looked around, quickly noticing his opponent was not there. "Psychic!"

Druddigon suddenly felt himself hovering in the air. Then, Gothitelle slammed him into the ground. And again. And again. Caitlin commanded her Pokémon to use another shadow ball, which hit Druddigon in the back.

"Dragon tail!" Niko commanded. Druddigon got back up and rushed at Gothitelle, his tail emitting a purple aura. This time, he managed to land the hit, but not before Gothitelle used another psychic. This one seemed more powerful than the first, launching Druddigon backwards like a rocket. The Cave Pokémon collided with a nearby tree, nearly breaking it down. He landed on the grass below him, now having difficulty with getting back onto his feet.

"Druddigon, can you continue?" Niko asked. His dragon nodded, slowly standing back up. Smirking, Niko continued as well. "Use night slash!"

Druddigon opened his wings and began gliding toward Gothitelle, who conjured a series of shadow balls, most of which managed to miss Druddigon, who weaved in and out of them before closing in on his opponent. Then, Caitlin commanded Gothitelle to use psychic. The Astral Body Pokémon picked Druddigon up with its mind and threw him into the air, letting go just as Druddigon was descending back towards the ground. The Cave Pokémon crashed onto the battlefield, now unable to move.

"Druddigon is unable to battle, Gothitelle is the winner!" Cynthia declared. Niko returned Druddigon and looked up at Caitlin with a smile.

"Guess you got your revenge." He said, smirking.

"I did. I will tell Darach as soon as I get back to my castle that I avenged his loss." She said, returning Gothitelle as well. "But I am somewhat impressed that you managed to keep up. Your Druddigon is by no means strong, but it has moxie."

"Yeah, he does." Niko said, fondly looking at Druddigon's pokéball. The sun was now setting. "Anyway, Warren, Charlotte, and I should get going. It was great getting to catch up with you again, Cynthia."

"Oh, would you like to stay for dinner?" She asked, turning to Caitlin for an affirmative. The Elite 4 member nodded, albeit with some hesitation.

"Sure, that works?" Niko said uncertainly to his friends, who both eagerly nodded. "Yes, we would love to."

The dinner with Cynthia and Caitlin was filled with conversation and the occasional laughter. After, Niko and his friends retired back to the Pokémon Center for the night, where they sat with their Pokémon and reflected on the day. The following morning, they would cross Undella Bay and travel through the Marine Tube to Humilau, eventually arriving in the city by midday, according to Charlotte.

The Marine Tube was an underwater pathway that was built using "cutting edge technology." Charlotte began rattling off facts from her book while she, Niko, and Warren walked through it. According to her, the tube was made of 9.8-inch glass that was built to withstand high water pressure and contact with large Pokémon—to this, Niko pointed to a Wailord that then swam high above them.

"It was also made above the ground and then lowered into the water!" She said excitedly. "Guys…this is so cool." She looked up, watching the various water type Pokémon. They primarily saw Mantine and another Pokémon called Alomomola swimming above, with the occasional Wailord as well.

Soon enough, they saw the tube leading upwards and, within half an hour Niko, Warren, and Charlotte were looking out onto Humilau City.