I stared at both Robert and Alex, staring glumly out the window. It was the morning after the two day storm and the morning after we'd arrived in Nacrene City. The downpour had lessened to a light rain, but now both of my friends didn't seem to be in the mood to do anything, instead opting to stare out of the Pokemon Center window from the room we'd rented.

I sighed, grabbing Robert's pokedex and bringing up the map. "So after we leave here we'll be heading through Pinwheel Forest."

"It'll take days," Robert complained. "At best."

"Ugh," Alex hit her head against the desk. "A forest after a storm like that doesn't sound appealing."

"So, what?" I asked. "We're just gonna stay here and be miserable?"

"There's a gym," Robert pointed out glumly, chin on hands as he watched raindrops slide down the window.

"Might try it," Alex said without much enthusiasm.

"I find that it's annoying when you two happen to be on the same wavelength," I said, going back to scrolling through a page about Nacrene. Maybe there would be something that would pique their interest... I paused, staring at a link. Clicking on it, it brought me to a new page.

"Hey, what about this?" I asked the two, shoving the screen in front of their faces, blocking their outside view of warehouses.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "150th Anniversary of Day Jobs?"

"Day jobs..." Robert muttered, then sat straight up. "Day jobs!"

"That's what it says," Alex said, sitting up straighter as she gave him a quizzical look.

"No no, you don't understand," Robert said excitedly. "This happens once every year in Nacrene! I forgot it was today!"

"Mind explaining?" Alex was starting to sound irritated.

"It says that Nacrene has had a tradition of having anyone be able to volunteer anywhere in the city for a day," I said, skimming through the information provided. "There's no pay, but there's a festival right after and anyone who volunteered that day gets food and carnival games for free. Oh, there's even a tour of the museum in the evening that will be opening a new exhibit to showcase some newly discovered relics."

"Okay okay, but what jobs are available!?" Robert asked quickly.

"Let's see," I scrolled down further. "Ah, here we go. We sign up online here. There's more than a couple available." I began to read them off. "Someone named Mina needs someone to help out with their art-"

"Me!" Robert's hand shot straight up. "Pick me! Pick me!"

I continued, ignoring him. "Wanted help to clean up the trash around the city-"

"Not me," both Robert and Alex said in unison.

"A library assistant is needed-"

"Doesn't sound too bad," Alex said, nodding. "Might pick that one."

"And a specific request from Nurse Joy," I finished. "Seems she needs an extra hand to help with errands and desk duty."

"Isn't that a woman's only job?" Alex asked, leaning over my shoulder to get a look.

"There's no restrictions stated," I shrugged. "If you two want the other jobs, then I'll do this one. Doesn't matter too much to me."

"What about helping pick up trash?" Robert smirked. "Would you do that?"

"As I said, I've decided on helping Nurse Joy."


It was still an hour before noon, but there were already a couple of trainers sitting down in the lobby, likely waiting for their Pokemon to heal. I went over to the front desk, but Nurse Joy wasn't there. I went around to the door on the side and knocked. Nothing for a couple seconds until it opened.

The pink haired nurse glanced out. "Yes?"

"Hi, I signed up to help you out," I said. "I'm Zeno."

"Great!" Nurse Joy said, smiling. "Come on in back. We were just going over what we have in stock. Follow me."

I headed after her as we walked down a hallway, turning to the third door on the left. It was already open, so I could see the PMC's Audino sorting things on the shelves. A cart was next to her, full of potions, revives, and various status effect cleansers.

"I need to maintain the front desk incase an emergency comes up," Nurse Joy said to me. "Just follow Audino's example and you'll do fine." She gave a quick wave before hurrying off.

I looked around the storage room. It seemed simple enough. Shelves were lined with one specific item on two walls while the last two walls had a few boxes set against them.

"Are supplies running low?" I asked Audino.

She gave a sad cry, then gestured to the boxes, then to me, then to the shelves. I nodded. "Got it." I walked over and found that they were taped up rather securely. Unhooking my knife, I split the top open and peeked inside. A pile of revives lay inside. I glanced over at the nearest shelf, which only had a few revives stocked on the upper two shelves. I was fairly tall, but not that tall.

"Well," I said to myself, unhooking a pokeball from my belt. "Guess it's time to call in some backup."


Robert walked through the rows of warehouses, looking for the one numbered "23".

"23," Robert muttered, glancing at the plates on the sides of each warehouse he checked. "23, where art thou... There's 20, and there's 21. Then that means..." He stopped in front of the 2-story brick warehouse. The large green doors were close, so he knocked. When he got no reply, he knocked louder. He heard a latch unlock and the left door slid open with a loud groan and creaking noise.

A woman stepped out. The immediate vibe Robert felt from her was extremely relaxed. Her long ash-blonde hair had splotches of pink paint in it, which seemed to match the pink that stretched from cheek to cheek, curving over her nose. Her long beige shirt was similarly messy, pink and green splotches decorating it. Her gray jeans appeared worn and she was going barefoot. Robert wondered whether or not he was in trouble with this job.

"Hey, you the volunteer that offered to help me?" she asked, her tone sounding very relaxed as well. Without waiting for an answer, she dragged him into the well lit warehouse as she slid shut the door. The first that Robert noticed was that the place was extremely messy. Piles of canvases littered the ground, dried paint staining the floor, and assortments of brushes cluttered what appeared to be the work area with a fresh canvas sitting upon an easel and a color palette on the ground as well. From what he could see, Robert assumed that the second floor was cleaner than this floor.

"So what do you need my help with?" Robert asked, quickly striking a pose with his chin resting on his chin and face turned grouchy. "Need a posing done?"

"Nah nah," the woman said, sitting on the stool in front of her easel. "Name's Mina by the way, though I assume the ad said that already..." she trailed off, focusing on her blank canvas. Robert blinked, opened his mouth, but then decided interrupting would be rude. Finally she moved her foot around on the floor, feeling over the many brushes before she gripped two between her toes and dipped them into the palette before lifting them to her hand. She grasped both with her fingers now and began doing quick swipes upon the canvas.

Robert sighed inwardly, looking around. Might as well clean up the place if he was just going to end up doing nothing.


Alex entered the museum, lowering her hood. It was still only lightly raining out thankfully, so she didn't need her raincoat. It seemed that this building served as a library as well, but to actually see any of the exhibits she would have to pay to enter those rooms.

"Good thing I don't need to go there," Alex said to herself as she followed a sign's direction through the main lobby to the back where two wooden doors lay open to reveal a large library beyond. Once within the threshold, she could smell the scent of old and new books alike. It was quiet, a couple of people sitting at tables reading books while a man with gray hair and in a suit sat behind one of the checkout counters.

Heading over to him, Alex asked, "I'm here to volunteer."

The man smiled. "Ah, welcome. Our Head Librarian isn't here at the moment, so until she gets back, I'll have you work at the Checkout opposite of me." He turned his computer around so Alex could get a look. "Here, I'll show you how to work this..."

Five minutes later Alex was sitting in a comfy chair behind the desk. Clyde, the other assistant, was busy helping someone find a particular book. Meanwhile she was just doing nothing.

"Excuse me," a woman said, coming up to the desk. "Could I ask you a couple of questions?"

Alex sat up, getting a good look at her. Her dark purple dress screamed gothic, matching her black tights and purple bob cut hair. A pink book and pen were in each black gloved hand with purple eyes peering out from wide glasses.

The woman smiled, popping open her book and readied her pen. "My name is Shauntal and I wish to hear your story, Alex."


"Another box of potions," I said, sliding it across the floor. Greninja stopped it with his foot while using his tongue to grab from the box of revives to place them on the top shelf. Mawile began grabbing the potions and sorting them on the shelf while Mimi was helping Audino sort.

"Hey, Zeno," Nurse Joy popped her head back in. "If you don't mind, I need you to man the front desk for a little bit. I have to take a house call. Audino, I might need you."

"Audi," Audino cried, nodding to Mimi before following the nurse.

"Keep at it guys," I told them. Then I looked to Lucario, handing him the paper I had been using to count how much the PMC had in stock. "Keep at it will you?"

"Hrr," Lucario nodded, taking the pen and paper from me as I headed back to the main lobby. Once there, I slid behind the front desk and sat in the chair. More trainers had arrived since I had last been out here. Two were by the map in the corner, inspecting it while some headed for the stairs up to the second floor. The couches were filled with others talking animatedly and I made out some snippets of battle tactics.

I grabbed two pokeballs from my belt. I let out Joltik first, then Cubchoo, whom Alex had let me borrow so that he could be with Joltik. Good thing too, as Joltik began cowering at the sight of all the trainers. Cubchoo quickly went to stand by Joltik, shielding him from any potential and obviously non-existent threats.

I reached over and ran a finger through Joltik's tingly fur. "It's alright, Joltik. No one's going to hurt you. People aren't all bad."

"You claim they want to be with you even now, yet you keep them confined to their pokeballs! They've grown dependent on you because they are tied to their pokeballs, unable to be themselves without it!"

I closed my eyes. I didn't want to remember what that Team Plasma grunt had said, but her words had stuck with me. Then there was that speech from Ghetsis.

It's looking like Team Plasma are the bad guys, I thought. Then, why do I feel like there's truth in their words?


"Hey hey! Watch it!"

Robert hurried forward, catching the tossed canvas while Mina picked up a blank one.

"It just wasn't quite there," Mina said, not even sparing him a glance. "Now..." she held up her brush, frowned at it, then tossed it away.

"Hey!" Robert caught it in his outstretched hand, finding himself having to balance on one foot.

"Hold it!" Mina suddenly cried out, standing quickly and knocking aside her easel. Robert blinked, about to move back so he could stand on two feet when Mina held out her hands. "Hold that position!"

Robert obeyed. "What exactly are you-?"

"Hush!" Mina held a finger to her lips as she swung her easel back in front of her and picked up a new brush excitedly. "Hold that position for me!" She sounded excited.

Robert groaned. Here he was, barely balancing on one foot while his outstretched arm held a dripping brush while his other hand held the canvas slightly away from his body so he didn't get the paint on himself.

This, Robert realized. This is going to be exhausting.


"You know me?" Alex asked warily.

"Yes yes," Shauntal said, waving her pen. "I saw what you and your friends accomplished over in Kalos. Very thrilling stuff indeed. Quite a battler I must say. Shame you didn't end up going further in the league."

"Uh, thanks, I guess."

"Now," Shauntal leaned forward. "Come on, tell me of your adventures! Of the dangers you've faced! Tough battles and overcoming the odds! All of it! I wish to write my best novel yet, but I need insight!" She leaned back, tapping her chin with her pen thoughtfully. "Filled with the burning passion to beat her opponent, she was willing to do whatever it took to do so..." She shook her head. "No no, that isn't quite right." She looked back to Alex, eyes pleading. "Come on, I need the inspiration! The next chapter won't write itself!"

"Erm," Alex felt taken aback, unsure how to handle this intense author.

"Shauntal, dear, leave the poor girl alone," another woman approached. She was taller than the bookish lady, dark skinned, and held a khaki apron over her shoulder. Her large poofy cyan hair bobbed as she came to a stop, a red lipstick smile directed at Alex. "You the volunteer helping us out."

"Yes," Alex said. "I'm Alex."

"And I'm Lenora," she said, holding out her free hand for Alex to shake. "Excuse Shauntal here. She can be a bit assertive when it comes to her stories. Most of the time she's either holed up in her dark room writing or readings with her Ghost types."

Shauntal sighed, lowering her book and pen. "I'm nearly done with the story too."

"I can still help if you want," Alex offered. "I mean, I am volunteering to help out here. I can't turn away someone who needs my help."

"Really!?" Shauntal quickly brought back up her items. "Where should we start!? Oh! How about your battling skills! Your match against that Clara girl was thrilling to watch! Could you describe how you felt during that match?"

"A battler, huh?" Lenora appraised Alex. "You know, I think I do remember seeing you during the Kalos League." She leaned to one side. "Say, dear, how about we help Shauntal together?"

"Together?" Alex asked, confused. "How so?"

"Well," Lenora's smile turned wide. "It just so happens I'm the Gym Leader here of Nacrene. If it's a battle Shauntal wants, then seeing one first hand should do the trick. And," she patted her apron's pocket. "There might be a badge in it for you if you just so happen to win. So," she grinned. "What do you say?"


"Thanks so much," the young trainer said, grabbing his pokeballs from the counter and headed out the Pokemon Center. I stretched, nodding to Audino. "They done sorting back there?"

"Audi," Audino tilted her head before going to check.

"How are you doing, Joltik?" I asked the little Bug type. He was no longer shivering, Cubchoo sitting right next to him, a comforting hand laid on Joltik's back.

Joltik gave a tiny squeak. He still looked afraid, but at least he wasn't cowering.

The door to the storage area opened again and both Audino and Nurse Joy came back out. The pink haired woman handed me a paper. "Could you stop by the Pokémart and give them this form? We're running low on Max Revives and Ice Heals. It'll be right next to the Café Warehouse close to the road that leads to Pinwheel Forest."

"Sure thing," I took the paper. Turning to Joltik and Cubchoo, I held up their pokeballs. "Let's get going you two." After returning them, I hurried out of the building. It was midafternoon and the rain had finally stopped. The streets still held deep puddles and the smell of rain still lingered. Blue skies peaked through gray clouds, rays of sunshine reflecting off the wide puddles.

Hurrying down the street, I turned and jogged past numerous warehouses. Turning onto another street, I could see the Nacrene Museum to my right. To the left, just a bit further down, I saw a warehouse with a glowing neon sign that said, "Café Warehouse."

"Right around there then," I said, jogging down the street. I swerved to avoid a couple of kids and their Tympole leaping into a giant puddle. I smiled. With the rain gone, the city was becoming more lively. I could see people setting up tents in the streets, carrying tables, chairs, and what looked like festival stands. It seemed the festival was going to be underway by the evening.

After delivering the form to the clerk inside the Pokémart, I began jogging back towards the Pokemon Center, but I only made it a few steps before I stopped. I turned to look at the Café Warehouse. "I wonder..."


"You have no food!?" Robert exclaimed, gaping at the empty fridge. He got really hungry during his posing, but it seemed he would have to suffer for a bit longer. "Anything in the cupboards... Nope, nothing."

"Oh, right," Mina said, glancing up from her painting. "I haven't eaten in like... I don't remember the las time." She frowned, then shrugged as she went back to her painting. "You can like, go get some food."

Sighing as he left the warehouse, he began heading to a convenience store he had seen yesterday when he and the others had arrived here. He stopped when he saw Zeno turn on the street ahead of him.

"Hey!" Robert called out, stopping his friend.

"What's up?" Zeno asked as Robert approached. He frowned. "You look worse for wear. Oh, you got a bit of paint on your shirt."

Robert rolled his eyes. "I got stuck with this eccentric painter. Turns out she's going to be showcasing a painting for tonight's festival. But she hasn't finished."

"Rough," Zeno said. "I gotta run back to the Pokemon Center. Good luck with the painting."

"She's going to have me pose again," Robert said as he took off. "I just know it."

"Robert, wait!" Zeno yelled and Robert stopped, looking back to see Zeno hurrying over. "I have a favor to ask..."


"Watchog is unable to battle!" Shauntal announced excitedly before quickly scribbling something down in her book. "That means Pyroar is the winner!"

"Impressive," Lenora nodded appreciatively as she returned her Pokemon. "Despite being forced to stay in with Mean Look, you took him down pretty fast. I can see how you made it so far in the Kalos League."

"Not far enough," Alex said, shaking her head. "I need to be able to do better than that. So please don't hold anything back against me."

"Now what kind of Gym Leader would I be if I didn't listen to a request like that?" Lenora laughed and sent out a Kangaskhan.

"Pyroar, return," Alex said, recalling the Fire type. "Let's give another Pokemon of mine the time to shine. Come on out, Incineroar!"

The Fire/Dark type landed on the floor, before standing and holding out his paws in a "come at me" gesture.

"Well, don't mind if we do," Lenora raised her hand. "Comet Punch!"

Kangaskhan ran forwards, fists glowing as she bashed Incineroar in the face then in the stomach before the Fire type caught her right fist.

Alex smirked as Incineroar mimicked her expression. "Our turn. Close range Flamethrower."

"Get away!" Lenora cried.

"Nope, not happening," Alex said as Incineroar used his free hand to grip the Normal type's shoulder, holding her in place as his belt of fire began to heat up tremendously. Then a jet of flames engulfed Kangaskhan.


"Help!" A brown haired trainer cried out as he rushed in carrying a Minccino. The Normal type's head looked slightly purple. "He got poisoned in Pinwheel Forest and antidotes aren't working!"

"Audino!" I yelled for the Hearing Pokemon as I rushed out from behind the counter, startling Joltik and causing him to hide behind Cubchoo. Audino rushed out from the set of swinging doors with a cart.

"Here," I took the trainer's Minccino and placed him on the cart. I glanced back at the guy. "He'll be alright, I promise." I then looked to Joltik as Audino and I passed. "Come and get me if another emergency comes up!"

With that we hurried past the doors and into a hallway. Audino swung the cart into the nearest medical room and I placed the sick Pokemon on the medical bed.

"Do you know what to do if an Antidote doesn't work?" I asked Audino. The Normal type nodded and hurried out of the room. Minccino let out a faint cry and I quickly let out Lucario. "Heal Pulse Minccino while we wait for Audino!"

Lucario nodded and held out his hands, which began to glow. Minccino began to shine, and when it faded, the Pokemon looked a bit better, but the sickly purple tinge on his head remained.

Audino rushed back in, but was empty handed. She shook her head worriedly.

"Dang't," I ran my hand through my hair. "And Nurse Joy is out again..." My eyes widened. "Keep him steady! I got an idea!" I rushed out of the room and back into the lobby. I rushed for the stairs that led to the second floor and practically flew up them. I kept going up more floors until I reached the 3rd floor where the room Alex, Robert, and I had rented out. Swiping myself in, I hurried to my backpack and began rifling through it. "Where is it!? Come on! Aha! Got it!"

Clicking it onto my wrist, I ran all the way back to the medical room. Audino had cast a Heal Pulse while Lucario was on a 3rd antidote.

"Lucario," I slid to a stop next to the bed. "I know we haven't tried this before, but try and go with it!"

Lucario glanced at my wrist, then nodded. I turned the pink crystal on the bracelet, energy flowing between me and Lucario. I held up both arms, Lucario doing the same. We crossed them, then swung them back to our sides, then shot out our arms. I then brought both hands and pressed my index fingers to my temples. Feeling pressure being pushed against me, I forced my left hand out towards Minccino. "Z-Heal Pulse!"

Energy blasted around Lucario, his appendages rising into the air. He laid his hands on the Minccino and transferred the Z-move power into him. A bright glow surrounded the Normal type before fading away.

Blinking, the Pokemon sat up and glanced around. "Ccino?"

"Oh thank Arceus it worked," I sighed, laughing a bit to relieve the stress. "Come on, you," I said, picking up the Minccino in my arms. "You're trainer is waiting."


"Aaaaand done," Mina leaned back and stretched. "Man, I'm hungry. You got any food for me Rob?"

"Here," Robert held out a plate. "Want me to shovel it down your throat or you fine eating with a fork?"

"Nah, give it here," Mina said, taking the plate. She grabbed the fork and began inhaling the food. In a matter of seconds it was empty.

"Thanks for the food," Mina gave him a thumbs up, turning back to her painting. "Huh, you know what, I think I can do better now. One last time."

"The deadline is in 15 minutes!"


"Darkest Lariat!"

Incineroar roared as he swung himself forwards, darkness enveloping his paws and arms. He slammed into Sawsbuck and blasted him into the side wall of the arena. When the dust settled, the Normal/Grass type had fainted.

"And Sawsbuck is unable to battle!" Shauntal shouted into her book, pen moving at astonishing speeds. "Aha!" She cried out. "Dancing flames fell from her head as she lit the battlefield ablaze with her burning spirit!" Shauntal squealed. "Much better!"

"Here you go, Alex," Lenora held out the Basic Badge to her. "You've earned this. I look forward to seeing you battle in Unova's League."

"I plan on it!" Alex said, accepting the badge as Incineroar roared, fire bursting from his belt. "And this time I plan on winning for sure!"


"Thanks for all the help!"

"It was my pleasure," I told Nurse Joy before setting off down the street. Evening was just around the corner, the sun close to setting. I made my way to the Nacrene Museum where we had agreed to meet after we were all finished volunteering.

When I turned onto the main street which houses the Café Warehouse and the museum, I stopped. The street was filled with tents and festival stands. People were finishing up setting up games, prizes seeming to range from food to plushies of various Pokemon commonly found in Pinwheel Forest. Several different smells wafted past from the various food stalls as the cooks seemed to be preparing snacks and meals.

I sighed contently. For some reason, the sight of a festival like this made me feel warm inside.


"Hey!" Robert said, raising his hand upon my approach to the front steps of the museum. He and Alex were sitting, clearly waiting for me.

"Well," Robert said once I approached. "I'm off to enjoy the festival." He stood and strolled off, whistling a tune as he went, but not before he gave me a knowing wink.

"What about us!?" Alex asked indignantly as she stood, ready to storm after him, but I put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. She looked at me. "What? Aren't we going to follow him?"

I took a deep breath. I hadn't done this in a long time and it was surprisingly nerve-wracking. I remembered when I was with Willow. Even if our time together had been short, we had done something that I had yet to do with Alex. And since we were a couple now, I intended to rectify that.

"Alex?" I asked.

"Yes?" She asked hesitantly, the final rays of the sun lighting up her hair, making her red strands glow like fire.

I took another breath, trying hard not to let my nerves show. Then,

"Would you go on a date with me?"