Chapter 13

"I never thought this guy would have a Registeel. Much less one this large." Thought Winona as she looked the large Registeel as it glared down at her Pelipper, who shivered in fright at the prospect of facing a Legendary Pokemon. "I have to plan carefully if I want to win. While I'm allowed to keep my Pokemon even if I lose this battle, I'm not going to just give up a Pokemon battle without good reason. My pride as a Gym Leader won't allow it." Winona then looked at the Registeel and pursed her lips as she thought of what to do. "Okay, Registeel is a steel type only. So that means it's only weak to Fighting, Ground, and Fire Type moves. None of which any of my Pokemon know with the exception of Altaria." Winona mentally groaned when she realized this. "Okay, with my ability to use type advantage nearly void against Registeel, I have to think carefully if I want to win against this Registeel. Though that's a given because of what happens if any of my Pokemon fly. Especially Skarmory." Thinking it over, Winona decided what her battle plan was.

"Alright, Pelipper use water gun on Registeel!" Ordered Winona as she fired the first shot of the battle. Pelipper obeyed and fired a Water Gun at Registeel. Just as everyone thought, the Water Gun did next to nothing against the Registeel, who just stood there as it took the Water Gun. "Alright, keep using Water Gun then run up to Registeel at forty five degrees to the east. Then follow it up with Wing Attack at fifty degrees at Registeel's right flank!" Pelipper, still on the ground, obeyed his Trainer and began hopping up to Registeel as fast as it possibly could. Because it wasn't really versed in actually using it's legs, largely because it never needed to in the first place, it struggled to actually moving towards Registeel with the speed generally attributed to Flying Type Pokemon.

The Pokemon League Agent saw this and he couldn't help but shake his head in disappointment. Then, without mercy, he ordered Registeel to use Flash Cannon at Pelipper just in front of it before filling it up with Iron Head. Without much delay, Registeel obeyed its Trainer and fired a Flash Cannon at Pelipper.

"Stop right now!" Yelled Winona as she saw the Flash Cannon coming towards her Pelipper. Abruptly stopping a bit, Pelipper was blown away from the sheer force of the Flash Cannon that landed almost right on top of it. If Winona didn't stop it in time, Pelipper would have suffered that Flash Cannon attack and it would have been taken out instantly.

Pelipper screamed as it was taken into the air. Before it can try to recover, Registeel was already upon it. Using Iron Head, the Registeel charged at Pelipper with speeds not possible for a Registeel its size normally.

"Pelipper!" Yelled Winona worryingly as Registeel made contact with her Pelipper. She winced as her Pokemon yelled out in pain from the Iron Head attack, sending it flying away and straight into the wall behind Winona. The attack had been so powerful that it caused Pelipper to create a sizable crevice in the wall. "Pelipper!" Winona turned around to see her Pelipper knocked out and stuck in the crevice it made. Stunned at how fast Pelipper was knocked out, Brock soon recovered and announced the outcome of the first battle.

"Pelipper is unable to battle. Registeel is the winner." Said Brock, giving the win to the Agent, who just nodded.

Disappointed with how fast she lost that battle, Winona returned Pelipper to his Pokeball. After she did so, the Agent spoke up.

"That was a most disappointing battle, Miss Caelus." Said the Agent as he looked at Winona as she looked at him in shock. "Instead of using Pelipper's natural advantage of flight and speed, you instead had it grounded to the ground all the time, thus making it vulnerable to all my attacks. A Flying Type Pokemon like Pelipper relies on its speed and agility to avoid attacks. Without them, its just a big target. Especially for my Registeel. Tell me, how do you plan on reclaiming your former position as Gym Leader of Fortree City if you can't have any of your Pokemon actually flying? After all, it's the City known for its affinity with the sky and Flying type Pokemon. It would be not only sad for the Fortree Gym Leader to be so scared of Flying type Pokemon simply flying, but also be a sign of embarrassment for your family. Would it not be?" Upon hearing that, Winona just gasped a bit before looking down in the ground, knowing that he was right. Brock, seeing this, looked at Winona in concern before asking her if she wanted to continue.

"Yes." Said Winona as she looked at Brock after a minute of wallowing in self-pity. "My pride as a Gym Leader won't allow it. Swellow! Come on out and use Aerial Ace on Registeel while on the ground!"

The Pokemon Agent said nothing as Winona's Shiny Swellow came out of it's Pokeball and flew around a bit before hovering in the air above Winona. Just like with Pelipper, Winona winced at seeing Swellow flying, but didn't say anything as she watched Swellow use Aerial Ace on Registeel once it landed on the ground, running as fast as it's legs can carry it. Registeel just looked at its trainer, who merely ordered it to use Metal Claw, which it did once Swellow got too close.

"Winona." Said Roxanne quietly as she knew what was going to happen. The other Gym Leaders either braced themselves for another quick victory at the hands of Registeel or were telling Winona to stop before it was too late. But alas, Winona couldn't react in time to save her Swellow from Registeel at it moved to attack.

Empowering it's long fingers and shaping them into claws, Registeel then made a metallic screech before taking a swipe at Swellow. Winona, too much in her anger, realized too late what was going on and screamed out Swellow to dodge, but it was too late. The Metal Claw hit Swellow and sent it flying to the wall on the left of Registeel.

Brock let out a gasp of shock when he saw Swellow fly past him and crash into the Pewter City Gym, creating a similar crevice as the one Pelipper made. And just like Pelipper, Swellow was knocked out in just one hit. Amazed at such power, Brock nevertheless recovered and announced the winner.

"Swellow is unable to battle. Registeel is the winner." Said Brock as he announced the winner, much to Winona's shock and the Agent's disappointment.

"At this point I think I've seen enough." Said the Pokemon League Agent as he looked at Winona as she returned her Swellow to her Pokeball. "This battle is nothing short of bullying. Mr. Boulder, I forfeit." Brock, relieved upon hearing that, announced the end of the battle and announced that Winona was the winner by default.

Although she won, Winona knew she really didn't and went to the ground in shame. Concerned, Brock and the Hoenn Gym Leaders went to their friend to help her out.

"It's going to be okay, Winona." Said Flannery as she kneeled down next to her friend in an effort to cheer her up. "We'll help you get through your trauma and help get your position as Gym Leader of Fortree City back. I promise."

"Yeah." Said Brawly as he placed a hand on Winona's right shoulder while she looked at the ground, tearing up at how far she fallen. "We just to get past the trauma part first."

"Indeed." Said the League Agent as he came to everyone. "That trauma is a significant issue that must be overcome. Your first obstacle so to speak. Normally I would just recommend you to seek professional help from a trained therapist, but we don't have the time for that unfortunately." That caught everyone's attention.

"What do you mean?" Asked Tate as he looked at the League Agent, who sighed before speaking.

"As I said before, the League is considering revoking Miss Caelus' Gym Leader License and simply letting local authorities to handle her." Said the League Agent. "Recent evidence my colleagues and I uncovered has put on hold that decision, but without another suspect and people wanting justice be served on the only suspect we have, the League is in a tight spot. Therefore, I recommend two options. One is for Miss Caelus to come with me back to the Pokemon League's regional headquarters in Hoenn so we can prove her innocence to both the people of Fortree City and the League officials themselves. The other option, however, is for her to go on a journey." Everyone let out a gasp at that.

"A journey? How would that help?" Asked Flannery as she looked at the League Agent in surprise. "Wouldn't going back to Hoenn to prove her innocence be a better call?"

"Normally it would, but I think her trauma is something that must be rectified immediately." Said the League Agent as he looked at Winona as she looked back at him in shock. "That trauma is too crippling and potentially career ending." While Tate, Liza, and some of Brock's youngest siblings didn't understand what he meant by that, Norman and the others understood.

"You believe if the League knows about her trauma, they'll never let her be the Fortree Gym Leader again." Said Norman, shocking a few people, even more so when the agent nodded.

"It may sound silly and ridiculous, but I've seen people being denied a second chance or even given a position they desired for less. I don't think it's within our best interest to show Winona the way she is now. It'll battle to prove her innocence and get her position as Fortree Gym Leader back. Let's not make it more difficult than it already is." Said the League Agent.

"But what are you going to say to the League then?" Asked Brock. "The Nurse Joy of Pewter City saw her and would no doubt report it to League officials just in case."

"I got that covered. I'm planning on going to the Pokemon Center to explain the situation as best I can to Nurse Joy there as well as the League in regards to finding Winona." Said the Agent. "But anything else is decided by what Winona wants. I can't really do anything else without impeding Winona's decision on what to do. That, my dear Gym Leaders, is up to Winona. I have plans for which she wants to do, but they require her to make a decision first on whether she wants to go on a journey of self-healing and training or to come with me to prove her innocence. It's up to her."

"I see." Said Norman before looking at Winona. "Well, Winona, what do you think? Do you want to go on a journey or go with the Internal Affairs Agent to prove your innocence." Winona just looked at everyone as she struggled to make a decision.

"I… don't know." Said Winona as she looked at everyone. "I just don't know."

"It's a difficult decision with neither answer being wrong, so I understand your difficulty in choosing." Said the League Agent. "I'll give you until tomorrow morning to decide. After that, it's up to me to decide." With that the Agent addressed everyone. "I'll be taking off. Good luck to all of you and sorry for the "battle" that I had with Miss Caelus." With that, the agent took off to go to the Pewter City Pokemon Center in order to explain to Nurse Joy the situation regarding Winona. Once he was gone, everyone looked at each other.

"Well, with all that done, what do you think about doing, Winona?" Asked Tate as he looked at his friend and elder with concern.

"*Sighs* I don't know. That's the thing." Said Winona as she looked at the ground again. "On one hand, I want to prove my innocence to my city and show them that I'm not to blame for anything that happened at the Feather Carnival, but on the other hand, the Internal Affairs agent is right. How can I be the Gym Leader of Fortree City if I can't even overcome the trauma I'm facing? If I want to be the Gym Leader again, I need to overcome it but…" Winona just winced as she of what the people of Fortree will think that she went on a journey while they were suffering from what happened in Fortree City recently. "Why should I be going on a journey while they're suffering from what happened at Fortree lately."

"Well," Started Norman as he thought of what to say to help Winona. "It's a tough decision, Winona, but one that has no real wrong answer. Its all up to you to decide which is more important to you at the moment. Your innocence or dealing with your trauma. Both are hard to either prove or overcome. Ultimately, like the agent said, it's up to you." Winona looked at Norman before back at the ground, pondering what he said. It was then that Flannery's stomach growled, signaling she was hungry.

Blushing in embarrassment, Flannery looked away from everyone, mentally kicking herself for what her stomach did, before asking Brock if they all can stay for lunch as they haven't eaten lunch.

"That's no problem." Said Brock as he looked at Flannery while going to help Winona up to her feet. "It's almost lunchtime anyway. Let's all go to the kitchen. I'll need help in making enough food for everyone here."

"I'll help." Said Tate with Liza nodding. Roxanne also volunteered to help along with Yolanda and Forrest. As everyone was volunteering to help, Brock and Norman were helping Winona up. Giving a nod, Brock helped Winona walk to the Boulder family house with Norman helping as well with everyone else following them.

Later

Boulder Family House

"Oh man, Brock is such a great cook." Said Tate as he ate some of Brock's cooking, amazed at it's taste. It took sometime due to the number of mouths to feed, but Brock with some help managed to cook more than enough food for everyone in a respectable time. "I never tasted stew this good before."

"Same." Said Flannery as she ate her food with a big smile on her face. "I can see why Ash and Norman's kids kept him around so much. Not only is he great cook, but he's a great caretaker too. Honestly, if he just stopped flirting with every woman he at first glance, he would be an amazing boyfriend." Brock just laughed sheepishly at the unnecessary jab Flannery gave him and just watched as everyone enjoyed his food. Smiling a bit at the couch, Brock had to admit, he didn't think they would all fit in the living room, but they managed it with everyone having enough space for themselves. With everyone happy at the moment, Brock got up and went upstairs with a bowl and glass of water. Going to his room, he carefully balanced the food and water so as not to spill any of it as he opened the door, revealing Winona looked out his window with a thoughtful look on her face. Winona had requested that she ate alone from everyone, saying she needed time to think on what to do regarding tomorrow. Everyone understood and respected her request. Thus, Brock took her to his room and let her stay there to eat.

"Here's some food and water, Winona." Said Brock as he went over to Winona as she looked at him when she heard the door opening. "It's still a bit hot so be careful."

"Thanks, Brock." Said Winona as she took the glass of water and bowl from him and went to his desk to eat. "I know I said this before, but I really appreciate everything you did for me today. And I mean everything. From helping me against those Rattata and saving me from Team Rocket's Sonic Boom. You really are an amazing man. Even with your quirks." Brock just chuckled at that.

"So I've heard many times." Said Brock as he thought of all the times people said that in one form or another. "So, anyway, have you decided on what to do? In regards to what to do with the Internal Affairs Agent from the Pokemon League."

"To be honest, I was actually hoping that you can help me in deciding on what to do." Said Winona as she looked at Brock with serious but pleading eyes. "I want to prove my innocence to the people of Fortree City, but I also want to deal with the trauma I had since leaving Fortree City. Both are important to me, but I can't decide which is more important to do first. On one hand, the people of Fortree City need to know that I wasn't the one responsible for their past sufferings with those Skarmory, but on the other hand, they deserve a Gym Leader that is strong and confident. Not to mention, I need to regain my confidence and deal with my trauma involving Skarmory and all Flying Type Pokemon. How can I be called a Flying Type Gym Leader if I just get shaky at seeing any Flying Type Pokemon just plain flying? I…don't know which is more important right now." Brock said nothing as Winona looked down at her food in deep contemplation, wondering what to do. After some time thinking about it, Brock gave Winona his opinion on the matter.

"If you want my opinion, Winona, I think it's best that you go on a journey." Said Brock, causing Winona to look at him in surprise. Sitting on top of his bed, Brock continued. "You're right in that both are important to do, but I think you're missing another important thing to consider. Yourself and your Pokemon. Some people may not understand this but a journey can actually be cathartic and the treatment that some people need to help solve whatever issues they're having. During my time with Ash, I encountered a lot of people that had a wide variety of issues. We, of course, helped them as best we could. In fact, I think we encountered a boy way back in Hoenn that had a traumatic experience with Pokemon. Though Ash and a few others did more of the work than me, I admit. Plus, I think you need to find your fighting spirit and confidence again."

"My fighting spirit and confidence?" Asked Winona as she looked at Brock.

"Yup, I met a Gym Leader that lost those things back at Sinnoh." Said Brock. "Her issue isn't as severe as yours right now, but I see similar symptoms to what she was feeling back then to what you're feeling now. Uncertainty. Feeling that you're a failure. Even a sense of lost purpose. I think a journey is what you need. Plus, I don't think being in a place filled with people that are hostile to you, even if misplaced or just mild distaste, won't help your situation. Hence why I think you need to go on a journey. But that's my thoughts. Ultimately, it's the choice is yours and I won't think any less of you for choosing the other choice, Winona. Both choice have their benefits and negatives. No matter what, though, I'll be by your side and if you need someone to talk to, I'll be there, either through email or video call." Winona smiled at that, thanking Brock. "Anytime, now I better get going. My food is getting cold and so is yours. Good night and good luck." With that Brock left Winona alone with her food. Looking at said food, Winona thought of Brock and what he said for a bit before ultimately coming to a decision.

The next day

Noon

"I believe I gave you ample time to decide, Miss Caelus, have you decided on what you want?" Asked the League Agent as he looked at Winona with the Boulder Family and her friends behind her, anticipating what Winona had decided on what she wanted to do. In the morning, Winona told everyone that she had decided on what she wanted to do and that she will tell everyone when the Pokemon League Agent arrived. Thus, everyone was brimming with wonder and curiosity as Winona wouldn't budge in revealing what her decision was, no matter how many times she was pestered over it. So when the Pokemon Agent arrived, they were waiting in anticipation in what Winona's choice was.

"I have." Said Winona as she looked at the League Agent. "I've deiced to go on a journey." That answer caused some gasps from her friends and some of Brock's siblings, but Winona stayed staring at the League Agent in his trench coat and hat, who just stared back. "Even if I can prove my innocence, that won't help with anything else. That won't catch the culprits actually responsible nor would that help me get back my position as Gym Leader. Not to mention I can't regain the confidence I lost while making my way to Kanto or my trauma. So, I decided to place my faith in you and the League's internal affairs department to prove my innocence while I go on a journey to regain my fighting spirit and overcome my trauma." The Agent, upon hearing all that, let out a chuckle before giving a nod of respect.

"I think you made the right choice, Miss Caelus." Said the agent before grabbing a shopping bag that he had brought with him to the Boulder Family home and began getting something out of it. Everyone had noticed that the Internal Affairs agent had brought a large shopping bag with him when he arrived to the Boulder residence that he effortlessly carried. A few tried to peek to see what's inside, but the agent always stopped them from seeing. Now, they get to see what he had brought with him.

To everyone's surprise, the agent brought out a box with a pilot helmet on top of it. Winona, however, gasped when she saw the pilot helmet. It was hers back when she was the Fortree Gym Leader.

"I imagine you need more appropriate clothing than what you're wearing right now." Said the agent with some amusement as he gave the box and pilot helmet to Winona, who took them with shock. "So, I took a few of your usual clothing and helmets and brought them with me when I came to Kanto. The rest are in this bag along with a few other things. Speaking of which, for you." If the clothing and helmet weren't a surprise, two Pokemon eggs that the agent brought out were. Safely encased in protective capsules, the agent gave a bright blue and red one to Winona and a blue and tan one to Brock. "One is for you, Miss Caelus, the other is for, Mr. Boulder."

"Sir, I'm shock. I didn't do anything special." Said Brock as he accepted the Pokemon egg in shock, wondering why he got one. He didn't do anything to deserve it. Right?

"That's a congratulations reward for you, Mr. Boulder. You see, you're request to join the upcoming tournament has been approved and I wanted to give you this as a congratulatory gift." Said the agent, shocking everyone. "That and for your assistance in helping Miss Caelus when she needed it. You have my thanks."

"Your thanks?" Asked Brock as he looked at the agent in shock along with everyone else.

"What do you mean by that?" Asked Winona as she looked at the agent in shock. "I don't even know you."

"You don't." Agreed the agent. "But your parents did and I owe them a great debt. One that I hope to repay by helping their daughter out in her current predicament." Everyone was shocked at this.

"You knew Winona's parents?" Asked Tate in surprise.

"No way." Said Brawly as he looked at the agent in surprise. The agent just nodded before taking off his trench coat and fedora hat. Everyone then gasped in shock again when they saw what the agent really was.

"You're a…you're a robot!" Yelled Flannery as she looked at the agent in shock, revealed to be a humanoid sized machine in white and purple armor. Looking a bit like a bug with his head, which had pincer-like objects extending out of slots on each side of his head, the agent chucked a bit before touching his neck. Finicking a bit, the agent soon stopped and spoke a clear metallic tone, a far cry from the voice he spoke before.

"That's correct." Said the internal affairs agent as everyone looked at him in shock and awe of his appearance. "And, if your hearts can take it, I'm also one of the Gate Keepers for the tournament." That caused everyone to gasp again. Winona, of course, didn't know anything about Gate Keepers and simply looked at him confused. Of course, judging by her friends reaction, she guessed he was someone important.

"No way!" Yelled Roxanne in surprise, completely taken by surprise at this.

"You're a Gate Keeper!" Yelled Liza before collapsing at this revelation, forcing Norman to catch her.

"Correct. Specifically the Gate Keeper of Hoenn." Said the agent. "Prior to this tournament, I was just an agent in the Internal Affairs department, but I was chosen along with six others from Glacies to become Gate Keepers. I know the ones for Kalos, Kanto, and Unova are currently in Hoenn for something while the ones for Johto, Sinnoh, and Alola are out doing their own things in the other regions."

"So all the Gate Keepers are from Glacies." Said Norman as he remembered a history lesson about the region. A rather dark history lesson, but one he knew was set in ancient times and didn't indicate the behavior of the people of Glacies today. "That explains the allowing of multiple trainers to face against one Gate Keeper."

"Correct, Mr. Maple." Said the agent. "And I hope to see both Mr. Boulder and Miss Caelus be in the tournament. One because I desire to see him compete and the other because I believe a journey will be good for her." As everyone recovered from the number of revelations given to them, the agent looked at Winona, who was processing all this information, before giving her a nod. "Don't worry about the League and the people of Hoenn if they decide to come after you. I'll deal with it along with proving your innocence. You just focus on getting your confidence back. And if you do decide to join the tournament, I'll be looking forward to battling with you. Same with Mr. Boulder, even if its not in a battle for a chance to earn a Gate Card." With that, the Gate Keeper/Internal Affairs Agent went to leave the house. Before he did, Winona yelled at him, telling about the lead that her assistant told her about. Upon hearing that, the agent gave a nod of thanks before leaving. Once he was gone, everyone began speaking up.

"So that's a Gate Keeper." Said Brawly as he scratched his head. "Got to say, didn't expect it to be a robot dude. This tournament just got a bit more interesting."

"You can say that again, Brawly." Said Roxanne as she finished processing what all just occurred. She then looked at Winona and spoke. "Are you sure you want to go on a journey, Winona? Is that what you really want?" Upon hearing that, Winona looked at her friend with a serious and confident look on her face.

"It is, Roxanne." Said Winona seriously. "It's what I need to focus on right now and I'm going to get it addressed. Trust me." The Hoenn Gym Leaders looked at their friend with varying degrees of curiosity and study before Norman spoke up.

"If that's what you believe is the correct course of action, then we'll support it." Said Norman with a smile followed by Brawly and Flannery. "And don't worry about back home, Winona. We'll help the League and that internal affairs agent in proving your innocence as best we can. You have our promise on that." Winona looked at Norman with teary eyes.

"Thank you." Said Winona before looking at Brock. "And thank you too. Without you, I wouldn't have made this decision." Winona then got up from her seat and hugged Brock, who was stunned at first before returning it with a smile. While a few of his siblings were cheering at Brock for getting a hug from a girl, Brock was just happy for Winona. After a few seconds, Winona let go and gave him a smile.

"So, since you're going to participate in this tournament that agent was talking about, would it be fine if I join up with you?" Asked Winona with a smile. Brock just smiled back.

"Well, since the tournament doesn't have any limits to how many you can have in a team, I'd say alright." Said Brock. "I think you know who I want to join up, right?" Winona just laughed a bit, knowing how Brock wanted to be partnered up with.

"I think I do." Said Winona as everyone smiled at her and Brock as Winona's confidence was coming back a bit. "I think I do."

Meanwhile

Hoenn

Serena

"I'm back in Hoenn." Said Serena with a smile as she stepped out of the airport. It felt great to be back in Hoenn. After some time at home after a brief visit to Kanto to celebrate Ash's victory at the World Coronation Series, Serena received an invitation from the Pokemon League for a special event held in Hoenn within Rustboro City for various Pokemon Performers meant as a promotion for Pokemon Showcases and Contests towards the several of the selected Gate Keepers. Apparently, some of them lacked much understanding of the appeal of Pokemon Showcases and Contests and since they were judges for such events for the tournament, it was hoped they can rectify that with this promotion. Serena, eager to travel, agreed and took the last flight to Hoenn provided by the promotional envelope delivered to her household.

Taking in the Hoenn weather, Serena looked around for her ride, the Pokemon League promised that she would have a form of transportation waiting for her along with several other performers. Looking around, Serena felt a hand tap her left shoulder and she screamed out in surprise. Turning around, she saw that who tapped her shoulder was none other than one of her friends and rival Performers, Miette.

"Miette!" Yelled Serena in exasperation as she glared at her blue-headed rival. "Don't do that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Oh relax. It's not like Hoenn is a scary place." Said Miette before looking around. "So this is Hoenn? I must admit, it's different to Kalos, that's for sure."

"You never been to Hoenn?" Asked Serena in surprise.

"Nope." Said Miette. "Been to Alola and Sinnoh, but never Hoenn. This should be interesting. Even more so because of that promotional thing for the tournament."

"You've been invited to it too?" Asked Serena, stunned that Miette was invited. Although she shouldn't be surprised, she was one of the best Performers out there, having participated in several Master Classes over the years since she met her. Although she never won them, Aria still being the Kalos queen quite handily still performed them well. Serena even heard that Miette managed to face off against Aria in her latest attempt for the title of Kalos Queen.

"Yup." Said Miette. "Same with your other friends and rival. I heard even Aria decide to attend." Serena gasped out in shock at that, having never suspected that Aria herself would be in this promotion. "Although I'm not sure if she's going to participate in that upcoming tournament the Pokemon League is deciding on doing, I do know that she's likely going to give it her all to make those Gate Keepers see the beauty and appeal of Showcases."

"I think we'll all be able to." Said Serena with a smile. "Plus, I think it'll be a good thing for all of us. There'll be Pokemon Coordinators there too and since the tournament is about battling and Contests too, I think it'll be a good thing for us to know about those as well." Miette had to agree there. Although she was a Performer first and foremost, she knew that, if she wanted to participate in the upcoming tournament, she'll have to find good Coordinators and Trainers that focus on battling to participate and what a good way to start than this promotion?

Miette was about to speak up when the two were suddenly tackled to the ground by someone crashing into them. They weren't seriously hurt by the tackle, but it did peeve them off slightly.

"What was that for!?" Demanded Miette as she saw who tackled them. She was then surprised to see the perpetrator was a girl around her and Serena's age. With long black hair that had a red hat with white lines on top of her head, the girl was quite cute. Shaking her head, the girl opened her eyes, revealing them to have black pupils, before speaking up.

"Sorry." Said the girl as she got up and then helped both Serena and Miette up. "I was chasing a Pokemon when I tripped and crash into you two. Please forgive me."

"It's okay." Said Serena when she heard the girl's explanation. Dusting herself off, she spoke up again. "What Pokemon were you after?" Before the girl could speak, the hat she had was suddenly take off her head by some invisible force. While Miette and Serena were shocked at this, the girl was annoyed.

"Victini, I told you about this." Said the girl as she grabbed her hat and put it back on top of her head. "My hat isn't a toy for you." Then before Miette's and Serena's eyes, they saw a strange but cute cream-colored Pokemon appear before their very eyes, looking a bit sad. Seeing this, the girl sighed before patting the Pokemon's red V. "It's okay. I'm not mad. Here. Have a macaroon." The girl then brought out a basket and opened it, revealing it to be filled with macaroons of various colors and flavors. Upon seeing the sweets, the Pokemon squealed in happiness before grabbing a few and eating them, content. While the girl was giggling at this, Miette spoke up.

"That's your Pokemon?" Asked Miette as she looked at the girl as she gave the Pokemon another macaroon.

"Yes and no." Said the girl as she looked at Miette and Serena as they looked at her and the Pokemon eating macaroons. "You see, this Pokemon is still a wild Pokemon, but it wanted to travel around with a friend so it decided to come with me to Hoenn for the promotion held here for the upcoming tournament all over the world. This is Victini. A Mythic Pokemon from the Unova Region."

"Victini." Said Serena before bringing out her Pokedex.

"Victini. The Victory Pokemon. It is said that Trainers with Victini always win, regardless of the type of encounter. It is also said that Victini can provide great power to both Pokemon and humans just by touching them." Said the Pokedex as it gave her data regarding Victini.

"So if this is a Unova Region Pokemon then does that mean you're from Unova?" Asked Miette as she looked at the girl who nodded.

"Yup." Said the girl before introducing herself. "My name is Carlita. I'm a Trainer from the Unova Region and I want to join up for the new tournament that the Pokemon League is planning on doing in just under two weeks."

"I'm Serena." Said Serena with a smile. "And just like you I'm planning on joining the upcoming tournament as well. I didn't participate in the World Coronation Series, but I'm going to participate in this tournament."

"Same." Said Miette with a smile, seeing no reason not to. "Although I do wonder why you're going to a promotion for Contests and Showcases. If I recall, Unova doesn't have a Contest circuit there and Showcases are a Kalos-only thing. How come you're going to the promotion?"

"Well, for one, I want to see what Showcases and Contests are about." Said Carlita with a smile while Victini helped itself to more of her macaroons. "When I heard about them, I couldn't help but be curious about them. So, when I heard about the promotion happening here, I decided to come here in Hoenn to see what they're about. Plus, if I'm lucky, I can see what Performers and Coordinators I want to team up with. Or maybe even get into either of them. You never know. Besides, this is a great way to see more of the world beyond the kingdom I was living in."

"Kingdom?" Asked Serena in surprise. "What kingdom?" Before Carlita can explain, the three girls were suddenly interrupted by the sounds of a very loud and very close man.

"MAGGOTS!" Yelled someone literally next to the three girls, spooking them out and causing Victini to go invisible in fright. The girls all then turned to look at a massive robot in the shape of a medieval knight in gray armor with a visor that had multiple spider-like eyes. "You must be the Performers that were supposed to be here at ten hundred hours. You are approximately twenty minutes late! What do you have to say for that!" Stunned at the robot's loud voice, Serena was about to speak when Miette spoke up.

"Well, for one, you sir are quite rude." Said Miette with a glare. "And second of all, what right do you have to yell at young girls?"

"The rights provided by the Pokemon League, maggots!" Yelled the robot before bringing out a Pokemon official badge, revealing him to be an official from the Pokemon League. "Also maggots! I'm a bloody Gate Keeper! You know! The people you're supposed to give appeals regarding Showcases and Contests! THAT'S WHO MAGGOTS!" The yelling from the robot was so loud that the three girls had to cover their ears to avoid their eardrums getting hurt. Once they were certain the man was done yelling, they addressed him.

"Sorry for being late, sir." Said Serena as she looked at the massive robot. Being around the size of an above-average-sized human, Serena was a bit intimidated at the robot, but still spoke to him. "The plane got delayed a bit back at Kalos and Carlita here isn't a Performer at all. She's just here to watch the promotion. Isn't that right, Carlita?" When Carlita nodded and the robot saw Miette giving a nod of support to Serena, the robot sighed.

"Fine. Your excuse is accepted." Said the robot before motioning for them to follow him. "C'mon. Your limo is waiting."

"A limo." Said Miette in surprise. She didn't think they get a limo as transportation.

"Yes, a limo." Said the robot as he turned to the girls, finally calm. "Thank Aria and her agent for that. Said it's the least the League can do for the Performers that decided to come all the way from Kalos to Hoenn. So, c'mon. You're the last bunch that decided to attend this promotion that isn't there yet. You better get in that limo if you know what's good for you." With that Miette and Serena were about to follow him when Serena realized something and spoke.

"Wait! What about Carlita?" Asked Serena as she looked at Carlita, who was surprised at the mention of her. Upon hearing that, the robot looked at Carlita, and recalled what was said about her, before speaking up.

"She can come too." Said the robot, surprising everyone.

"Really?" Asked Serena in surprise.

"Do I need to repeat myself!" Yelled the robot, creating a scene once again. "Yes, she can come! Now get your butts moving into the limo before I start chewing you out again!" Grateful, Carlita thanked Serena before the three girls followed the robot to their limo, eager to be at the promotion for Contests and Showcases. Carlite was the last to enter as she wanted to make sure Victini was coming into the limo. With some macaroons, Carlita managed to get Victini to return and come into the limo. Taking him into her arms, she proceeded to enter the limo, which soon left to take them all to their destination.

Unbeknownst to them, a certain lavender-haired young man was watching them run with the robot. Humming to himself, the man followed them as they found their limo, looking at Carlita specifically.