Route 29
The trio make their way through the tall grass, taking turns with the wild Pokémon that appear. Beck and Barry insist on only attacking, while Ethan mostly lowers the enemy attack before finally attacking- a very boring way to battle according to Barry.
"Yeah, well, your Pokémon are way more hurt than mine. I'm using up my potions on the two of you because you don't use any strategy."
"Liar," Beck argues. "We finish our battle quicker, so we've been taking less damage."
"What did the professor say? 'Patience.' That's what. We take less damage per battle."
"Who cares! You turn a two minute smackdown into a ten minute slow broil. It's BORING!" Barry asserts.
"Well I'm the one carrying the potions, and if you keep complaining, I'll stop healing your Pokémon."
"Seriously?"
"He's bluffing, Beck. And even if he's not, Cherrygrove City isn't far. We're just stalling so we can train a bit. We'll hit the Pokémon Center if we need to."
"Yeah, I'll still heal your Pokémon. But only because I care about Pokémon. You two really should work on strategy though. Like, your Cyndaquil learned Smokescreen, but you've only used it once. Just something to think about."
"Maybe you're right," Beck looks down at Cyndaquil, who is running in circles around her.
"Ugh, strategy smategy. Let's hurry up to Mr. Pokémon's house so we can be done with this." Barry says and then runs ahead of them.
Cherrygrove City
Growing up in Kalos had really colored Beck's perception of the word "city," so for Cherrygrove to be called that seems a stretch to her. It was bigger than New Bark Town, but she used to live a stone's throw from Lumiose City. To call something as small as Cherrygrove a city is something she considered cute for Johto.
Still, she has to admit, it is a very pretty place. The trees surrounding the area were in full bloom, the pink blossoms on the trees being carried away by the warm breeze, filling the air with the sweet smell of spring. Maybe it isn't as big, but it is certainly peaceful. She watches the lake as it gently nuzzles the shore.
"Are you listening, Beck?" Ethan stands with his arms crossed.
"Oh, great. Now he's gonna repeat all of that again," Barry groans.
"No need. I know what a store is, Ethan. You don't have to explain it to me. As for the Pokémon center," she points at the big red and white building, "I've never been inside one, but I know what they do."
"Whatever you say. Let's go get some more potions."
Beck stares blankly at Ethan before replying flatly, "I'm broke."
"Did Mrs. H not give you money when we left," Ethan asks, scratching his head under his cap.
"Do you not remember Barry dragging us straight out of town so we could 'get this over with."
"I didn't know you didn't have any money!"
"I'm surprised Mrs. H isn't blowing up your PokeGear right now trying to figure out where you are."
"I don't have a PokeGear."
Both boys stare at Beck with wide eyes and dropped jaws. They look at each other and then back at Beck.
"Don't worry, Beck," Barry says as he places an arm around Ethan's shoulder. "Our personal guide here will pay for it." Ethan rolls his eyes and goes inside with Beck promising to pay him back.
"Won't your folks be worried?"
"Nah," Barry says as he dials Beck's grandmother. "I called home during one of your battles, and I'm pretty sure Ethan did too. Kinda figured you had during one of mine." It would turn out that Mrs. H was having tea with Elm, who had explained everything to her when she came frantically to the laboratory looking for Beck after she had not been home for a while. Barry hands Beck the PokeGear, and after a brief scolding and a near decade long story about the time Granny snuck out of the house to chase a random Ledyba for three hours when she was but a wee lass, Ethan finally walks out of the store, giving Beck an excuse to end the conversation.
Ethan hands Barry a few Potions and puts the rest in his bag seeing as Beck did not even have a bag with her. "It just occurred to me how...unprepared you are for being out here, Beck." He takes in her white slides, which have brown and green splotches from the dirt and grass, and the dirt under her toenails. She crosses her ankles and looks away.
"Sorry. I'll make sure I'm wearing the proper shoes the next time I get kidnapped."
"I didn't kidnap you," Barry protests. "I just...encouraged you to go on a little trip with me."
"While dragging me away?"
"I encouraged you very strongly."
"Uh huh. Let's just get this done already."