Ecruteak City
It was early morning, and Jackson had just gotten up. He and his team fed themselves in preparation for the battle that was to come. Jackson had already chosen his three Pokémon for the gym battle, being Weavile, Dewott, and Quilava.
"Okay, guys. Remember that this battle is gonna be tough." Jackson told the team, "So I'll do my best to make the right commands for the situations, okay?"
"We will do our best." Weavile assured him.
"Hey, are you still bothered by what that that other trainer said?" Dewott questioned, recalling what happened with Cypher in the Burned Tower.
Jackson paused to think on Cypher's words that he said to him yesterday, when Dewott unleashed an attack that did secure him the win against him, though not by his trainer's own actions.
"Weak Pokémon won't account for anything, and weak trainers are abysmal if they can't command their Pokémon to make the right moves, or else they will have to make the move for them. I almost pity the Pokémon who train under you."
"I...don't deny he was wrong." Jackson admitted, "If I didn't hesitated, I wouldn't have just stood there and for you to bail me out. I gotta be a reliable trainer for you guys. I'll do my very best for all of you."
"We do believe you are a reliable trainer." Leafeon assured him, "Don't let what he said get to you."
"From your training sessions with us, we know how hard you train us, sensei." Scyther noted.
"But I am still not completely there in regards to skill." Jackson argued, "I know I can do better, like Suicune said. I can be better than the person I was. So please..." He bowed to his team, asking, "Bear with me." His Pokémon looked to one another. They knew he was wanting to do this, especially since he was bowing to his own Pokémon. They had to respect his wishes, and just do what he suggested...for now.
"Come on, guys." Jackson told the team, "Let's go to the gym together!" He called back his team, apart from Leafeon, as they left the Pokémon Center, going to the gym.
(Insert 'Never Give Up' By Sonar Pocket)
Instrumental Opening
(Jackson stands at the top of a cliff, looking out into the vast landscape of the Johto region. He turns to the camera with surprise, grins, then draws his sword and swipes it across the screen, transitioning to white with the logo appearing.)
What tough heart! Once I decided that I'd keep up the fight
My road has never stopped unraveling
(Camera circles around Jackson as he runs along an open-plain path with his Leafeon, who after a couple seconds, leaps onto his shoulders as he activates his Extreme Gear and shoots even faster onto the path.)
Carrying a small bit of pride
With my fists clenched
(The screen shows a brief image of Professor Elm, dropping papers from his clipboard, and smiling as he rubbed the back of his head. It shifts to a visual of Kris, Ethan, and their starters, with Ethan punching his fist forward, while Kris spun around with her arms out wide.)
I aim for the goal again step by step
Racing towards it with all my might!
(The screen shifts to Sonic & Tails, the former giving a thumbs up, while the latter waved his hands above eagerly. The screen shifts to Cypher, who glared at the screen with a Pokéball held close to his face.)
Sometimes it'll be a bad day
Where nothing goes the way I want it to
But even if the sky blurs through my tears
(Jackson is sitting by a campfire, his expression full of emotional pain as shadows of his past with red eyes creeped all around him. He curled himself into a ball as the shadow of his father appeared over his head.)
I'm sure my smiles will come back tomorrow
So it's okay!
(Shadows started getting blown away one large piece at a time, until light broke out around Jackson, who looked up to see his Pokémon all standing there, protecting him from his trauma.)
There's nothing out there to fear
I'll keep believing that 'I'm strong'
And get going!
(Silhouettes of the Gym Leaders appeared as the screen scrolled upwards through a gold, silver, and crystal colors behind them. It shifts to the emblem of Team Rocket, with darkened faces of grunts, with the four admins in front, holding their Pokéballs. Jackson readies his blade, as he tosses a Pokéball forward, which opens up and blinds the screen in a white light.)
'With you around, there's nothing to worry about now'
I felt as if the sky was saying that to me with a laugh
(Leafeon leapt forward and swung her tail into a Razor Leaf, before her tail glowed as she charged up sunlight, before unleashing a Solarbeam. Dewott and Weavile shoot through the Solarbeam, unleashing double Night Slash, slicing the beam, before dismissing their blades, and Dewott angrily looking at the calm and collected Weavile.)
With the sweat and tears I build up
I'm sure I'll come out dazzling
(Quilava turns to face the Team Rocket logo, before unleashing his Flamethrower. He huffed in confidence as Scyther flew over him, before slashing with his mantis claws like a swordsman.)
Even if I end up feeling anxious after it all
As long as I believe I can do it
(An Aeroblast and Sacred Fire came from the sky, shooting down at Jackson's team, but Jackson stepped in and unleashed several sword beams, countering the attacks and making them explode. He and his team endured the shockwaves and smoke from the explosion, before looking up into the distance, and saw the silhouettes of the Tower Duo flying over the two towers that represented each.)
These footsteps have taught me to
Always
Never Give Up!
(Jackson's Pokémon come to his side as he looked to them, before grinning eagerly, and the group leapt up into the air, taking on the new threat and the new adventure. The screen goes white before showing Jackson standing with his sword stabbed into the ground, his Pokémon companions surrounding him.)
A few minutes later, Jackson and Leafeon stood at the steps to the gym, looking up at it. Jackson tight his hands into fists, saying, "Let's get our fourth badge, Leafeon. We'll win this battle, just like all the others!"
"Okay, then." Leafeon replied, looking a bit worried about Jackson's emotional state, but following him all the same.
They approached the door of the gym, Jackson knocked on it as he called out, "I'm Jackson Alpphire, and I am here for a gym battle!"
"You may enter." Morty's voice called out. Jackson slid the door open, and entered in. He stepped along the short corridor before entering the room that was the battlefield, which reminded Jackson of the dojo back in Ryozanpaku. There, he saw the referee, alongside Morty, who stood there, waiting for him. "It's good of you to come here." he greeted Jackson, "We have met at the Burned Tower, correct? Then you should know that I am Morty, the gym leader here."
"I remember you." Jackson replied.
Morty paused, looking at him, before closing his eyes and smiling, before he said, "Here in Ecruteak, Pokémon have long been revered. It's said that Ho-Oh, the Legendary Pokémon of the Bell Tower, will come down to appear before a truly powerful Trainer. I believed that tale, so I have secretly trained here all my life. As a result, I can now see what others cannot. I see a shadow of the person who will make the Pokémon appear." He poked a thumb at himself, proclaiming, "I believe that person is me! You're going to help me reach that level!"
"Well, I have a stake in this fight, too." Jackson replied, pulling out his Pokéball, "I'm not here to be strong enough for a Legendary Pokémon to approach me. I came here to become strong enough to surpass who I was. I'll be the best person I can be, and the strongest trainer I can be!"
"I see." Morty replied, walking over to his position, "Eusine had spoken to me before he went off in search for Suicune. He witnessed you not only battling another trainer, but also meeting the Legendary beasts. I am looking forward to this fight."
"Thanks." Jackson replied, walking to his station with Leafeon.
Once both trainers were in their respective areas, the referee took his place, and announced, "The Ecruteak City Gym battle will now commence! Each trainer will use three Pokémon each. The battle will decide when one or both sides are unable to continue! In addition, only the challenger will be able to switch out his Pokémon. Are both trainer and gym leader ready?"
"Bring it!" Jackson replied.
"Then let the battle commence!" the referee declared, raising his flag.
"I'll show you my first. Haunter, let's go!" he called out a dark purple Pokémon that looked like a disembodied wispy head with detached hands.
Jackson pulled out his Pokédex to examine the Pokémon. "Haunter. The Gas Pokémon, and the evolved form of Gastly. Haunter is a dangerous Pokémon. If one beckons you while floating in darkness, you must never approach it. This Pokémon will try to lick you with its tongue and steal your life away."
"That's creepy." Jackson noted, "Better watch out for that tongue then. Weavile, you're up first!" He tossed out his Sharp Claw Pokémon to the field, who was ready to take action.
"Starting off strong, huh?" Leafeon questioned Jackson.
"Yep, and I'll make the first move! Weavile, Ice Punch!" Weavile curled his fist, encasing it in an icy aura, before shooting forward at Haunter.
"Now, Haunter, use Curse!" Morty called out. Haunter cackled as his body glowed red, while the illusion of a voodoo doll with a nail sinking into it appeared, before shooting itself at Weavile, who felt the attack, and gasped in pain. He continued pushing forward, unleashing his attack on Haunter, who took it, and was hurled back in pain.
"What happened?!" Jackson questioned, seeing Weavile glowing a dark aura, and looking like he was in pain.
"That's the power Ghost-types have." Morty replied, "By sacrificing their stamina, they can inflict never-ending pain onto their target."
"Jackson, you should-!" Leafeon started.
"I got this, Leafeon!" Jackson argued, pulling out his Pokéball, "Weavile, come back!"
"Mean Look!" Morty called out. Haunter's eyes glowed, and sent a wave to Weavile, causing another aura to appear. The moment the red beam hit Weavile to call him back to the Pokéball, the beam bounced off and dissipated.
"What?!" Jackson gasped, realizing it didn't work.
"You can run away now." Morty told him, "Thanks to Haunter's Mean Look, Weavile's stuck here."
Jackson felt agitated, wondering what to do. He shook his head, realizing that he shouldn't hesitate like he did before. Now was the time to act. "Weavile, if we can't escape, there's only one thing we can do; attack! Use Night Slash."
"Okay..." Weavile grimaced, producing his energy sword, and lunging himself towards Haunter, taking a leaping slash at him.
"Counter with Sucker Punch!" Morty shouted, and Haunter made his fist glow, disappearing and reappearing right behind Weavile, slugging him with a fist to send him crashing into the ground.
"Weavile!" Jackson exclaimed, watching as Weavile got back up, straining under the Curse effect.
"You underestimated the horror of Ghost-types." Morty noted, "Now, you're gonna see its threat. Night Shade!" Haunter shot dark beams out of its eyes at Weavile.
"Icy Wind!" Jackson shouted. Weavile blasted a gust of freezing winds to counter the attack, causing the two to cancel out. Weavile suddenly felt the Curse take effect again, gasped in pain, before collapsing on the ground, dazed and unconscious.
"Weavile is unable to battle! Haunter is the winner!" the referee announced.
Jackson was left horrorstruck. This battle was completely one-sided. He only got a lucky hit in, but Morty had complete control of the field.
"Jackson?" Leafeon questioned, looking to him.
Jackson pulled out Weavile's Pokéball, before saying, "Come back, Weavile." He was finally able to call back his partner to his ball, before pocketing it. "Sorry. I guess I got carried away." he apologized.
"That Haunter is tough, but I have heard Ghost-types don't tend to use Curse twice unless they are high in stamina." Leafeon noted.
"And considering what we did, I bet that's the case here." Jackson stated, pulling out another Pokéball, "Quilava, you are on!" He called out his Volcano Pokémon to the battlefield. "I am not gonna screw this up!" he growled, "Use Flamethrower!" Quilava shot a blast of flames from his mouth, heading to Haunter.
"Use Night Shade!" Morty ordered. Haunter shot another dark beam from its eyes, shooting at the flames. However, after a tug of war between the two attacks, the Flamethrower overpowered the attack, and Haunter was blasted back, hitting the ground, unconscious.
"Haunter is unable to battle! Quilava is the winner!" the referee called out.
"Alright!" Jackson cheered, giving a fist pump.
"Haunter, return." Morty called out, smiling as he looked to the ball, "You made a great effort. Now get some rest." He put away the ball, before pulling out another. "Time for a different change of pace. Misdreavus, go!" he tossed out a ball, and out came another disembodied head-looking Pokémon, female-looking, with a dark blue-ish body and pink-tipped hair, with red beads around its neck.
Jackson pulled out his dex to examine the new Pokémon. "Misdreavus. The Screech Pokémon. Misdreavus frightens people with a creepy, sobbing cry. The Pokémon apparently uses its red spheres to absorb the fearful feelings of foes and turn them into nutrition."
"It turns fear into food?" Jackson asked. He suddenly heard the new Pokemon giggle as he looked to see it approach Jackson, circling around him. "Uh... what's going on?" he asked.
"You look mighty tasty." she noted, the beads around her neck starting to glow.
"Seems like Misdreavus senses your fear." Morty noted, "She doesn't get this excited unless someone has a lot."
"He has you there." Leafeon agreed.
"I-I just have a lot of worries in me. That's all!" Jackson argued, stepping away from the Ghost-type, "Can we get back to the fight?"
"Sure, but be careful." Morty replied, waving to Misdreavus as she came back to his side, "If you let those fears take ahold of you, you will never win."
Jackson gritted his teeth, as his memories of what Cypher said to him in the Burned Tower. They were now being added by what Morty just said right now. "My fears and worries are the reason why I want to win!" Jackson barked.
"Then don't run away! Mean Look!" Morty called out, and Misdreavus's eyes glowed as it concentrated its gaze on Quilava, causing him to glow an aura.
"So now Quilava can't be called back!" Leafeon grimaced.
"No worries. We're taking things head on!" Jackson declared, "Flame Wheel!" Quilava curled up into a ball and became a fiery wheel as he charged at the opponent.
"Take the hit!" Morty called out, surprising Jackson. Misdreavus flew in and directly made contact with the attack, causing her to fly off in pain.
"They deliberately took the attack?!" Leafeon gasped.
"Why is that?!" Jackson questioned, seeing Misdreavus fall down, but catch herself, wincing from the damage she took.
"Now, use Pain Split!" Morty called out. Misdreavus glowed as she unleashed a small tether beam from herself to Quilava. Suddenly, Quilava felt his energy drain, while Misdreavus's stamina was restored. With that, the tether broke.
"Now what is it?!" Jackson questioned.
"Quilava's stamina got sapped, while Misdreavus's stamina is healed!" Leafeon noticed.
"So is it like Absorb?" Jackson asked.
"Not exactly." Morty noted, "It sets our stamina at equal levels, so someone with low stamina is restored, while those with high stamina get drained."
'So THAT'S why he deliberately took the hit!' Jackson realized, 'All of his Ghost-types are super tricky! And that's just a couple attacks!'
"Misdreavus, use Thunder Wave!" Morty called out. His partner unleashed a wave of electricity at Quilava.
"Move with Quick Attack!" Jackson shouted. Quilava started to speed around to evade the Thunder Wave attack that started to pursue him. He ducked and weaved around the attack, coming in close as he got right underneath her. "Now, Flamethrower!" Jackson shouted, and Quilava blasted flames upward at Misdreavus, who angled herself just in time to shoot the electric waves down at her opponent, while she got blasted by the flames. When everything died down, Quilava was paralyzed, while Misdreavus was struggling.
"Gotta take her down before she makes a move. Use Flame Wheel!" Jackson called out. Quilava struggled against the paralysis, but was able to do so, and spin into a flaming wheel as he shot up at the opponent.
"Now, Hex!" Morty called out. Misdreavus created dark wisps around herself, before they vanished and appeared around Quilava's body, before creating an engulfing flame of dark energy that caused Quilava to cease his attack and scream in pain, before the energy exploded, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Quilava!" Jackson cried out, shocked at the damage he took.
"Quilava is unable to battle! Misdreavus is the winner!" the referee announced.
"That looked like it hurt super badly!" Leafeon stated, while Jackson raced over to Quilava's side.
"Quilava, I'm so sorry." Jackson apologized, "I should've just focused on another Flamethrower instead..."
"Don't... blame yourself." Quilava responded, "That... wasn't your fault."
Regardless of that, Jackson felt guilty, and pulled out his partner's Pokéball. "Take a rest." He told him, and he was called back to his Pokéball.
"In case you were wondering..." Morty told Jackson as he walked back, "Hex is a move that doubles in strength if the opponent has a status affliction, like paralysis.
"So you used Thunder Wave to make Hex that much more threatening." Jackson understood, looking to him before walking back to his side of the field, thinking. 'First Curse and Mean Look. Now Thunder Wave and Hex. He utilizes one attack before feeding another one in that creates a combination that is super deadly. His strategies are incredible. Even so, I cannot give up, just yet.'
Jackson reached his end of the battlefield, pulling out his final Pokéball. "Dewott, I choose you!" Jackson shouted, pulling out his Discipline Pokémon to the field.
"So, how'd things go?" Dewott questioned Jackson, rolling his shoulder.
"We lost both Weavile and Quilava." Leafeon answered, "Meanwhile, we took out one of our opponents, and the second is greatly weakened."
"Ha! Leave it to Weavile to fail so badly!" Dewott scoffed, "Guess it's all up to me!"
"Yeah..." Jackson replied, shaking himself out of the worried state, "We still have hope. Dewott, we're gonna win this! Swords Dance!"
"Time to get stronger!" Dewott called out, summoning energy swords that spun around him, boosting his physical attack.
"Let's see how strong you can be with this. Pain Split!" Morty shouted. Misdreavus created a tether that connected herself and Dewott, who felt his stamina being greatly drained.
"Oh, no!" Leafeon exclaimed.
"I forgot about that!" Jackson growled. By the time she was done, Misdreavus looked plenty better than before, while Dewott felt like a ton of his stamina was taken from him.
"We have to take her out in one shot!" Jackson stated, "Dewott, rush in!" Dewott did what he was told, lunging forward with one of his shells at the ready.
"You never learn. Use Thunder Wave!" Morty called out. Misdreavus fired off another wave of electricity, aiming at the Water-type.
"Run and evade!" Jackson shouted. Dewott shot from one side, evading the Thunder Wave, and getting close underneath Misdreavus. Now, uppercut Night Slash!" he called out.
"Ah, hell yeah!" Dewott cheered, jumping high before Misdreavus could hit him with the Thunder Wave, and got slashed by Dewott's purple energy blade. He landed on the ground, putting his scalchop away, before Misdreavus fell to the ground, defeated.
"Misdreavus is unable to battle! Dewott is the winner!" the referee announced.
Leafeon sighed in relief, before looking up at Jackson, who looked concerned. He saw Dewott was breathing heavily slightly, but still able to fight. The problem? Morty still had one more Pokémon left.
"You are tenacious, but you still won't win this fight." Morty told Jackson, "Because you haven't even dealt with my ace, just yet." He pulled out his Pokéball, and threw it, shouting, "Gengar, it's time!" He tossed out a ball, and out came a dark purple bipedal Pokémon that had an egg-shaped body, with spiky ears, a tail, red eyes with black pupils, and a sinister grin.
Jackson pulled out his Pokédex, examining the Pokémon before him. "Gengar. The Shadow Pokemon, and the evolved form of Haunter. Sometimes, on a dark night, your shadow thrown by a streetlight will suddenly and startlingly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow."
"This Pokémon is the evolved form of Haunter?" Jackson asked, putting his dex away.
"Big deal!" Dewott spat, "I have a lot of strength right now, so I can easily put him in his place!"
"Alright Dewott. Let's give him a warning shot! Water Pulse!" the Discipline Pokémon shot an orb of concentrated water at Gengar.
"Dodge it!" Morty called out, and Gengar instantly zipped out of the way, startling Jackson and his Pokémon. He darted about, before zooming in behind Dewott, who was stunned at his sudden appearance. "Now, Clear Smog!" Gengar inhaled and breathed out white smoke that consumed Dewott, causing him to cough in the fumes, as the red energy of Swords Dance suddenly vanished.
"That smoke dissipated his attack boost?!" Jackson questioned, covering his mouth as the smoke reached him, while Leafeon backed far off.
"All of my Pokémon have their own ways of countering all sorts." Morty stated, "This is why I believe I can be strong enough to meet Ho-Oh. Then again, I feel like I'm not seeing you at your best, so I don't even think this counts as a true win."
"What are you talking about?!" Jackson demanded, as Gengar flew back to Morty's side.
"I mean what I said. I can tell you were not prepared to take me on from the moment you stepped into the gym! Gengar, Hypnosis!" Gengar suddenly sent pink rings from his eyes at Dewott, who took the hit, causing him to fall asleep.
"No, I hesitated again!" Jackson exclaimed.
"Now, Dream Eater!" Morty called out. Gengar opened his mouth as his eyes glowed magenta. Dewott got encased in an aura, his mind straining from the damage. The aura was being sucked into Gengar's mouth. Jackson could not do anything to stop the attack, and watched as Gengar continued his attack, until he decided to stop. The moment he did, Dewott was completely unconscious.
"Dewott is unable to battle! Gengar is the winner!" the referee announced, waving a hand to Morty, "The victor of this match is the Ecruteak City gym leader, Morty!"
Jackson fell to his knees, completely ashamed. He had lost a gym battle. Something he hadn't done since Clair's battle. Leafeon looked to her trainer, already telling he let the team down. Jackson looked to his defeated partner, before he pulled out his Pokéball, and said, "Return, Dewott." He called back his partner, and stood up again as Morty approached him.
"Jackson, was it?" Morty questioned, "Listen, I meant when I said you were not prepared to take on my gym when you arrived. You were not in the right state of mind to take me on."
"But... I was only trying to be a better trainer." Jackson stated, "I had to be reliable for my Pokémon, and not cause them any trouble."
"Were you giving them trouble?" Morty questioned, causing Jackson to look at him, "You know, I couldn't help but think of the person I met back in the Burned Tower. He was completely different from the one I fought today. I honestly preferred to face the one I faced then."
"Really?" Jackson asked, looking to him.
Morty smiled as he pat his shoulder, saying, "Take a moment to recover yourself. Find what got under your skin. See all that Ecruteak City has to offer. Then, when you are ready, I will be here to fight you again."
"Yeah... Thanks, Morty." Jackson replied, standing up. He bowed to him, and left the gym, with Leafeon bringing up the rear.
That evening, Jackson was back in the Pokemon Center. Quilava, Weavile, and Dewott were getting healed up, while Jackson got a room for the evening. He pulled out Scyther to be with Leafeon, while he was in his bed, looking up at the ceiling, thinking.
"Are you gonna be okay, Jackson?" Leafeon asked.
"For the hundredth time, yes." Jackson replied, a little irritated.
"Sensei, you shouldn't get angry with her." Scyther argued.
Jackson sat up and sighed, looking at his two companions and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. I know you were worried about me, and... I am, too. First, those two flirting girls had to remind me that I hadn't grown beyond my past, then Cypher mixing my ideals up and pointing out my flaws as a Pokémon trainer. Now, I ended up losing to Morty because my head's a mess. This really isn't funny."
"Jackson, you worry too much." Leafeon pointed out.
"And I think sensei is placing too much of a burden on himself." Scyther added.
"Yeah, thanks for the pep talk." Jackson sarcastically remarked.
"Jackson, start listening to us!" Leafeon barked at him, causing him to look to her abruptly. She hadn't been this snappy with him for as long as he could remember. "Reminder that you created that translation device in order to understand what we were saying." she reminded him, "What's the point of making them if you aren't gonna listen to what we have to say?!" Jackson thought back to when he was making the devices, and realized she was right about that.
"You gotta understand we are here to help you out, so don't just brush us off." Leafeon told him.
"You may be our sensei, but let us be there for you, as well." Scyther told Jackson, "Even a teacher can be taught by the student."
Jackson looked to the two green-colored Pokémon, before closing his eyes, before opening them up and smiling. "Right. I get it. Sorry if I had been pretty standoffish." The two Pokémon relaxed as they smiled at him. "I guess after hearing from Cypher, I felt like that while I had strong Pokémon by my side, having him point out my flaws made me feel like I wasn't good enough yet, and I was falling behind you guys."
"Jackson, we only got this strong BECAUSE of you." Leafeon noted, "You are a plenty strong trainer. You are increasing our training level by fighting with us and putting us through rigorous training."
"And it's not like you're completely cold to us, sensei." Scyther pointed out, "You respect our choices, and make sure we get this strong not just for your own reasons, but for our sake, as well."
"But the fact is this; You are burdening yourself with so much without relying on us, and you are constantly noting your flaws as of recently." Leafeon continued, "Try letting go of it. And if not, lean on us with those burdens. After all, isn't that what a Pokémon and trainer should do with each other?"
Jackson was amazed. Leafeon had grown up so much since the day he met her, and it wasn't just because of evolution. She had become a matured Pokémon who understood him, and knew what to say to him when he was feeling down like he was right now. And as for Scyther, he was learning from his superiors, though it seems he had experience before all of this. He was a reliable ally, as well. And he knew that Weavile, Dewott, and Quilava were all just as helpful for him as they were. Jackson was grateful to have them.
"I'll make an effort to do that." Jackson told the group.
"And about what Cypher said, he is only saying that you are a weak trainer because he doesn't listen to his Pokémon like you do." Leafeon told him, "Let's go look for people who do listen to their partners as good examples."
"Yeah? And where should we go to do that?" Jackson asked.
Scyther looked to Leafeon, wondering she had an answer, to which she did. "As a matter of fact, during a little time yesterday, I got to meet someone who have great experience in working alongside their Pokémon in this town." she answered, "In fact, you already met one of the pairings before."
Jackson paused, before realizing, "You mean..."
"Yes." she replied, "Let's go to that Dance Theatre we saw before tomorrow. I believe we can gain experience from that."