"I'm sorry," I bowed my head to both my friends as I sat on the side of my bed.
While I had been away battling away my anger, Alex and Robert had went ahead and got us all a room. Robert was on the top bunk of the bed across from me while Alex sat in the middle of the bottom bed with her legs crossed.
Robert grinned from the top bunk and flashed me a thumbs up while Alex gave a small smile. "So," she said, raising an eyebrow. "What exactly made you so secretive?"
I relayed everything that had happened, from the call that I had gotten while we were still on Route 4, and up to the point where I had gotten ambushed by Spirit.
"You sure had an eventful day without us," Alex remarked.
"I have to know," Robert said, all traces of his grin from earlier gone now. "Why does she keep warning us? I thought these Executioners didn't care who got in their way, as long as they got their job done?"
"I'm... not exactly sure," I admitted, and added upon seeing Alex's skeptical look, "I really don't, Alex. When Silver and I were hunting down the last of the Team Rocket bases in Johto, she did warn me off then too, but that was it. The next several times I ran into her and the other Executioners it was all business. Why she wants to keep warning us, I couldn't tell you."
"Maybe she just doesn't like killing innocent people that aren't a part of her job?" Robert guessed.
"That doesn't matter, not anymore," Alex told him before looking back at me. "You said that this was her last warning to us? What did you think about that?"
"I think..." I heaved a sigh. "I think that even with the risks, if our help is what will save those in trouble, then we'll do it."
Alex smiled. "Now was that so hard?"
"Yes," I told her bluntly. "You do realize that one wrong move will send three top notch assassins after us?"
"Yes," Alex said clearly, getting up and crossing over to me. "Yes, Zeno, I do understand that. I really do. But at this point, after everything we've done..." she hesitated. "It would feel wrong to not help others when we have the power to help them."
"And if there are others who could help in our stead?" I pressed.
"Who else could do it better than us?" Alex asked, tilting her head with a smile as she knelt in front of me. She laughed at my look of disapproval. "Sorry, just wanted to see your reaction. In all seriousness," she grew more solemn. "We were targets from the moment we began fighting. We could be offed at any time, regardless of what we do or don't do. And we could even stumble into a situation on accident and then be forced to deal with the consequences. All I'm saying is, fighting or not fighting, we'll still be in the same place we already are now." She grabbed my hands. "At least this way, we have a chance at helping take them down entirely. That, at least, we have a good track record of doing."
"But before we do anything crazy, we'll contact Looker beforehand," I told her.
She nodded. "Of course."
Robert cleared his throat after a couple seconds of silence. "You two gonna kiss or something? You're just sitting there."
Alex instantly let go of my hands with a blush and moved away. She sat down on her bed and swung a fist up, punching Robert through his mattress.
"Ow," Robert rubbed his behind as he looked over at me. "So what now? I don't think the gym is open this late, so we just get some sleep and then you two can battle tomorrow? Actually, hold on, let me set up an appointment for you two. Elesa only takes battles on appointment."
"That's different," Alex commented, moving to lay down on her bed. "But it sounds like a plan."
"Nice," Robert rubbed his hands together as he picked up his device. "And then after that we can spend a few days here. Trust me, this place ain't the center of Unova's entertainment for nothing! In fact, since the gym is right in the heart of Nimbasa's amusement park, we can have fun after the battles. In fact in fact, the gym itself is a roller coaster of fun-"
"Okay," Robert said the next day as we walked out of the building he had claimed was the gym. "I didn't expect the gym building to be changed."
Alex raised a fist.
"Hey hey!" Robert backed up quickly, hands in the air. "It's not my fault!"
"You think there's a reason the gym leaders have been moving around their gyms lately?" I asked him as we walked through the amusement park in the direction we were told the new gym was. Many people were walking around us, mainly families with their kids. Tables were full of people eating greasy and sugary food while lines of people waited at rides meant for humans and Pokemon. But out of all the rides here, it seemed that the Ferris Wheel was by far the most popular.
Joltik quivered on my shoulder, so I put a comforting hand over him. There were so many people about that it was making him anxious. But he stayed on my shoulder instead of trying to hide down my shirt or in my hair. I smiled. It was progress.
Robert shrugged at my question. "No idea. But honestly, knowing Elesa, she likely just wanted a change of scenery. She's the one who sets the fashion trends in Unova."
"Is she a model?" Alex asked.
"Oh you bet," Robert said with a wide grin. "She's known worldwide for her beauty and even made her own fashion chain that had it's beginnings right here in Nimbasa. There's several in Kalos alone. I've heard she recently set up one in Wyndon City's shopping district."
A chorus of screams flew by as we strolled by a large roller coaster, the cars zooming by at high speeds.
"Say," Alex looked at me. "Have you ever been to an amusement park before?"
I shook my head. "Never."
"There's a first for everything!" Robert gave me a thumbs-up. "Oh hey, I think we're here."
Decorated with tubes of light, the building was longer than it was tall. It stretched in the back and out of the amusement park. A neon pink and yellow gym symbol gleamed above the main entrance.
"Gym challengers enter here," Alex read on the plaque on the side of the door. "Those not battling or will battle must enter through the side entrance." She looked at me. "Go ahead and have the first go."
I rolled my eyes. "Preferring to check out her strategy before battling?"
Alex shrugged. "If that's what you choose to believe."
I chuckled and rubbed the top of Joltik's head. "Alright then. Well, I'll see you two inside."
Pushing open the door, I stepped inside. I was in a small room with another door at the end. Shrugging, I walked through and found myself surrounded in darkness. Then-
Stage lights burst to life, centering on me. Shielding my eyes for a second, I soon realized I was standing on a long catwalk. A crowd on either side began cheering loudly as they saw me, scaring Joltik enough to shock me on the neck a little. The rest of the room was still dimmed by darkness, but staring down the catwalk I could see a stage at the far end where someone seemed to be standing as merely an outline in the shadows.
After giving Joltik a comforting scratch, I began walking, the spotlights following my movements. Another stage light lit up from the ceiling, focusing on a model in black fur and blue clothing. Her hair was styled to represent the symbol for Electric types. She winked in my direction as she posed for the crowd. This happened two more times as I proceeded down the rest of the catwalk.
As I neared close to the stage, I could make out more of the standing figure. Just as I was wondering if she was wearing a large coat, the stage lit up. A large screen covering the back wall turned on, showing different angles of the woman now standing before me on the stage with a name glittering across the screen in; Elesa. Adorned in a large, fluffy yellow coat, beneath that she wore a yellow and blue two piece consisting of a crop top and shorts connected by a hexagon-shaped buckle. She wore strange headphones, two cone-shaped spikes protruding on either side, the left being red while the right was blue. Her black hair was short, but two long extensions hung down on either side of her in diamond patterns. A red visor covered her eyes as she lifted her head to look at me.
"It seems a new challenger has braved the catwalk," she announced, throwing out her arms wide as the crowd cheered louder. She smiled at me as she tapped her headset, the visor sliding back to either side of her head to reveal bright blue eyes. "Not afraid of a crowd I see."
"Not at all," I agreed. I felt Joltik quiver, so I reached up a finger and set it on his head. "My Joltik on the other hand is. But I'm hoping to change that soon."
"Quite an Oddish relationship you two have," Elesa commented, giving Joltik a curious look. "But I Bayleef the spirit of the battle and cheering fans might get him to ease up."
I raised an eyebrow at her puns. Shocking indeed.
"But let's not Chatot," Elesa said, stepping back. "Or else our fans will Exploud."
I unclipped one of my pokeballs, pressing the button to enlarge it. "I'm ready when you are."
"Oh, confident are we?" Elesa smirked. "Nothing Furret but to see who's stronger in battle!" She crouched before swinging off her large coat as fireworks erupted from the stage in electric sparks as Elesa swung out an Ultra Ball. "So let's see who's star shines brightest! Let's dazzle the stage my Deerling Emolga!"
"Eeeem-O!" Emolga cried as the Electric/Flying type spun a loop in the air much to the excitement of the crowd.
"Let's go, Mimi!" I shouted, sending out Mimikyu. She shook her body, gazing up curiously at the Emolga. For whatever reason, I began to feel a sense of malice coming from her.
"Emolga, use Pursuit!" Elesa yelled and her Pokemon zoomed towards Mimi, a dark force surrounding her.
"Slam her down with Wood Hammer!" I roared and Mimi spun around, a giant green log hammer appearing from beneath her tattered costume. She leaped up, slamming the hammer down on Emolga as she closed in, rocking the stage and catwalk with tremendous force and sending up a small cloud of dust.
"Volt Switch!"
From the smoke two bursts of electric rings shot out and lit up Mimi like a Christmas tree. Her disguise's head flopped sideways as smoke drifted from her now scorched rags. A red light shot from where Emolga had been and back into her pokeball. Elesa wasted no time in sending out the next Pokemon. "Flaaffy, use Thunder Wave!"
The Wool Pokemon shot a wave of electricity towards Mimi as I shouted, "Double Team!" Several copies of Mimi blurred into existence, the Thunder Wave hitting one of the copies and fazed it out of existence.
"Had a feeling Thunder Wave would be used!" I said with a grin. I pumped out my fist and shouted, "Now go! Shadow Sneak!"
Mimi and her clones dissolved into shadows and they zoomed across the arena behind Flaaffy, slicing shadows against her back.
"Volt Switch!" Elesa shouted as Mimi and her clones appeared.
"No way we're going to let you use that strategy!" I shouted confidently. "Mimi, Mimic!"
Flaaffy's blast of electricity destroyed two more copies as the real Mimi appeared at the Electric type's side, slashing ghostly claws through her body. Flaaffy visibly shivered before Mimi leaped back before she could be attacked again.
"Volt Switch again!" Elesa commanded.
"We won't make it that easy for you!" I yelled. "Dodge and use Astonish!" Mimi easily dodged the next attack as she leaped up, the bottom of her disguise opening up wide as she engulfed Flaaffy. A shriek from the Electric type and Mimi flew off. Flaaffy now looked as pale as a ghost.
"Volt Switch!" Elesa shouted and Flaaffy desperately shot another two rings of electricity towards Mimi.
"Shadow Sneak!" I shouted and Mimi dove into the shadows, appearing once again behind Flaaffy.
"There we go!" Elesa shouted. "Confuse Ray!"
Mimi slashed at Flaaffy, but got shot in the face with a blast of ghostly energy. Mimi stumbled back, shaking her whole body in confusion.
"Now-" Elesa started, but I cut her off by yelling, "Volt Switch!" My voice was echoed by Elesa's and Flaaffy shot her attack as Mimi spun her body, blasting Volt Switch as well. By some miracle one of the rings exploded against Flaaffy's side, forcing Mimi to switch out as she got sucked back into her pokeball, but not before receiving the damage from Flaaffy, causing her to return as well.
"Emolga!" Elesa sent out her first Pokemon again. "Quick Attack!"
"It's go time partner!" I swung out Decidueye. "Spirit Shackle."
Elesa's eyes widened as Emolga flew straight through Decidueye. The Grass/Ghost Pokemon pivoted on one taloned foot, letting fly a ghostly arrow. It struck Emolga's shadow on the ground, causing her to flinch in pain.
"Now you're ours," I shot out my hand. "Now take to the skies!" Decidueye flapped his wings, shooting up into the air, surprising Emolga so much that she stopped midair, eyes wide.
"He's still a Grass type," Elesa's eyes twinkled. "Aerial Ace!"
"Feather Dance!" I shouted and Decidueye puffed out the feathers along his body, shooting backwards as Emolga slashed through the afterimage of feathers.
"Now Spirit Shackle!" I shouted and Decidueye let himself land back on the ground as he shot several arrows towards Emolga.
"Use Aerial Ace to dodge!"
Emolga flew at astonishing speeds, rolling to one side to avoid the arrows and slamming into Decidueye, knocking him towards the edge of the stage.
"Leaf Blade!" I shouted and Decidueye slammed his glowing wings into the ground, slowing himself to a half before blasting back into the air and zooming towards Emolga, wings outstretched as they glowed green harsh.
"Meet him with Aerial Ace one more time!" Elesa shouted.
Both Pokemon clashed midair, flying past one another as they traded blows. Decidueye fell to the ground, wings damaged as Emolga did a loop and went straight back for him.
"U-turn."
A dark green circle of energy enveloped Decidueye as he shot towards Emolga, bouncing off of her as he was sucked back into his pokeball.
"This is quite Joltiking," Elesa perked up as I switched pokeballs. "You've stolen my strategy and truly made it your own!"
"And that's how we'll defeat you!" I shouted. "Shadow Sneak!"
Mimi appeared in the air behind Emolga, slashing downwards and sending the Sky Squirrel Pokemon crashing down to the stage below. Mimi flinched as a paralysis effect was inflicted on her as she crashed to the ground as well.
Emolga pushed herself off the ground, bruised and battered while sporting a very irritated looking expression. She blasted towards Mimi, dark energy surrounding her front.
"Slam her with Wood Hammer again!" I yelled and both Pokemon collided. Mimi tumbled away, twitching as the paralysis made her stay on the ground for a bit longer. But it didn't matter, as Emolga had fainted.
Elesa let out a sigh and pouted. "That's Shaymin', my own strategy being used against me. I have my pride as a Gym Leader you know," she said with a laugh. Then she smirked. "But it's a Gym Leader's job to help trainers become the very best, so I hope that you'll continue to grow with this battle! So be as Scrafty as your heart desires!"
"Will do," I replied with a grin. Returning Mimi, I said to the pokeball, "You're near fainting, so get some rest. Decidueye and I can take it from here." I pocketed the ball as I sent out Decidueye to face whatever Elesa would throw at us next. I looked at Joltik, who had stopped his shaking and was now watching the battle with more interest than I could have hoped for.
"Don't you worry," I told him. "We'll show you how we win our battles this time for sure."
"Come on out my stallion," Elesa swung the Ultra Ball. "Zebstrika!"
"She still has Flaaffy, remember that," I warned Decidueye. "But that doesn't mean you should hold back! Go all out! Spirit Shackle!"
"Flame Charge him down!" Elesa shouted and flames circled around Zebstrika as his nostrils flared and he galloped forwards, slamming into Decidueye as he let his arrow fly. As the Grass type cried out in pain as he flew backwards, the arrow switched directions midair and shot into Zebstrika's shadow. The Electric type shook his mane upon being hurt, but he pawed at the ground, eyes narrowing.
"That's it!" Elesa grinned. "Let's show him just how speed can win the battle! Flame Charge again!"
"Feather Dance!" I shouted and Decidueye popped out backwards as Zebstrika burned through the leftover feathers, flinching as his attack was lowered.
"Now Leaf Blade!" I yelled and Decidueye leaped forwards, slashing both wings toward his opponent.
"Stomp him!" Elesa ordered and Zebstrika reared up, slamming his hooves down. Decidueye didn't flinch as the attack phased right through him as he slashed at Zebstrika's belly.
"AHHH!" Elesa cried out, palming her forehead. "I forgot!"
"Good thing too!" I shot out a hand. "Spirit Shackle!"
Decidueye spun his body around after his last attack, crouching as he nocked back an arrow and letting it fly. Zebstrika cried out as he fell backwards.
"Now Leaf Blade while he's down!" I roared.
"Get up and dodge with Flame Charge!"
Flames blazed across Zebstrika's body as he blasted off behind Decidueye, ducking beneath his glowing wing. Turning on his hooves, the Thunderbolt Pokemon rocketed forwards, the flames streaking behind him as he blasted into Decidueye's back with full force. A sharp cry came from my Pokemon as he flew forwards and rolled across the stage. His back was burnt, but he slowly began to lift himself up.
"Once more!" Elesa threw out her hand. "Full speed!"
"U-turn!" I shouted and Decidueye turned and launched himself to meet Zebstrika. An explosion of fire resulted upon their impact, a red light streaking from the smoke and into the pokeball I was holding as I quickly exchanged balls and sent one flying. "Wood Hammer!"
A weak and paralyzed Mimi flew through the air, but she whipped out a giant green log from beneath her disguise as she descended upon Zebstrika. The Electric type turned to charge, but the Wood Hammer bashed against his head, slamming him to the ground with extreme force. Mimi landed next to him, body suddenly jerking as the paralysis jolted her. Zebstrika, however, stayed down.
Elesa returned her Pokemon, tucking the ball away as she brought up Flaaffy's pokeball. But instead of letting her out, she raised it high. "I withdraw from this battle! Zeno the Challenger is the winner!"
The crowd was silent for a moment before they began cheering loudly, chanting my name as Elesa strolled towards me.
"You're certainly a strong trainer," Elesa said, holding out a lightning shaped badge. "Here, the Bolt Badge. You've earned it."
"Thank you," I bowed my head slightly as I received it. I was a little disappointed she ended up withdrawing, but I already knew why she'd done it. I still would have had one Pokemon at full strength while all she had was her weakened Flaaffy. Who was going to win was already determined.
"Anywho, time to get ready for my next challenger," Elesa said, turning on her heels.
"Good luck," I offered her. "Just like me, that won't be an easy fight."
"Oh?" She glanced back at me. "You know my next opponent? Well then," she smirked. "If it'll be anything like yours, I'll have to stay on my toes."
Needless to say Alex won with relative ease. I almost felt bad for Elesa, losing twice in a row like that.
"And that makes four badges," Alex said brightly as we exited the gym and back out into the amusement park. "We're halfway there."
I frowned. I had just been reminded of what that trainer, Kendrick, had said yesterday. "That reminds me. Robert, when exactly does the Unova League Tournament take place?"
Robert pulled out his device and Alex shook her head. "I know that thing used to be a pokedex, but you've added so many upgrades to it I'm not even sure what to call it anymore."
Robert pondered for a moment as he studied his device. A flat screen pokedex stuck to the back of a metal box with holes and antennas sticking out, along with various buttons and knobs that all had different functions. Not to mention all the unseen hardware upgrades Robert had done to the pokedex itself to make it more useful for other things instead of studying Pokemon.
"How about... The RobMachine?" Robert suggested proudly.
"Oh Arceus please no," Alex groaned.
"I'm honestly surprised you hadn't given it a name yet," I told him.
"Hm..." Robert snapped his fingers. "The Robby! It's officially the Robby and you can't change my mind. I'm going to patent it and everything one day."
"You shouldn't have opened your mouth," I teased Alex.
"I know I know," she groaned miserably.
"Wait up!" A voice cried out from behind.
We turned to see Elesa hurrying over to us from the gym, holding what looked to be tickets in her hands.
"What's this?" I asked as she approached.
She smiled brightly. "I could just tell, you two are a cute couple aren't you?"
Alex blushed red as I tried to keep face.
Elesa held out three tickets. "Here, an extra gift for winning. I'd like to invite you all to a special event this Eevee-ning. It'll be a ball of sorts to celebrate the recent success of my clothing lines. And just between us," she lowered her voice, eyes twinkling. "I make sure to invite the cutest couples."
This time I felt myself go red as Robert took the tickets. "Oh heck yeah, they'll definitely be going!"
"Excuse me!" Alex and I voice in unison as we turned on him.
"Now me," Robert shook his head, handing one ticket back to Elesa. "I won't be going. How could I? It would simply be a tragedy if I was the third wheel on this most lovely date of theirs."
While Alex grinded her teeth, Elesa clapped her hands together. "Well that's just lovely. I hope to see you two there then!"
When she was gone, Alex turned on Robert. "You're dead."
"Heh," Robert grinned, backing up. "Now now, I'm doing this for both your sakes- AAAAAAAAH!" He took off running as Alex sprinted after him with murder in her eyes.
As evening drew close and the shadows grew longer across the ground, a figure strolled through the amusement park gates, hat down to hide his face. Close behind was a tall, bipedal Pokemon, and together the two of them made their way through the park.
The figure stopped suddenly, raising his hat as he recognized a blonde further down through a crowd, waving farewell to two of his friends. "Robert," he breathed, before resolving himself and making his way towards one of the few people he might call a friend.
