A week had passed since Hitori got herself excused from school, and she didn't spend it all relaxing around in her room, Promise! She continued training with Whismur, refining her Howl and getting further along towards Supersonic. While Whismur wasn't quite able to use the move, it was getting closer. For now, as the week had come to a close, the time until the Pokemon League's Opening Ceremony was only a day away.
While a more outgoing trainer may have used the week to take the trek through the Wild Area that separated the two cities, Hitori was standing at the train platform waiting the final minutes until boarding a train going to Motospoke. "Are you sure you have everything? Papa could still hurry back if you missed anything," Hitori's mom asked, fretting over her daughter.
"I-I'm good, I-I packed everything yesterday and we checked then," Hitori said, embarrassed to have her mom publicly babying her like that. She had a rolling suitcase with everything she needed for her journey. Spare clothes, her laptop, camping equipment, and other odds and ends recommended by the Pokemon League. Her Sleeping bag and disassembled tent tied to the suitcase. In Hitori's arm was her guitar's case, with her dad willing to let her take what was technically his guitar with her on her journey.
"If it gets too much don't worry about coming home! Or if you need some extra funds just send us a message, and we'll top your account up," Her dad added with a proud look on his face. Even Jimmyhen, dad's Linoone was barking as though saying goodbye.
"I will, b-but I am that's what the Pokemon League's stipend is f-for r-right?" Hitori said thinking it was the right thing to say. It was confident sounding right? They weren't noticing how her legs were shaking and how she was hoping she could just push it off for another week. You know, when Whismur learned Supersonic, obviously.
Hitori's parents shared a look for a second, but before they could say any more a notification came on informing everyone to start boarding. "Well, our little girl is going off on her journey now. Do your best Hitori! Your parents are so proud of you!" Hitori's mom said with a wave. Her dad joined in and even Jimmyhen got onto his hind legs to wave.
It was enough to fill Hitori with just enough confidence to nod and wave at them before hurriedly making her way onto the train. Doing what she could to get to the front of the line and flashing her ticket so she could get a seat before everyone walking around got too much for her. Thankfully her ticket was one given to her by the Pokemon League which even came with a private room for the two-hour ride.
The car had a hallway pushed to the side with three sitting rooms connecting to it. The sitting room had two benches facing each other probably meant to hold four people. Still, Hitori was happy to have it to herself, as she sent her suitcase down she took a seat and took a breath to calm herself down. Now that she was on the train she was thinking about the ticket. It did seem awfully generous; it wasn't like she was sponsored by a gym leader or anyone more important. Her recommendation was one of the ones they handed out to whoever to give out.
The ticket also came the day after she had done her paperwork, maybe it just took a little while for them to register it? While she was considering the ticket, the door to her room opened. Hitori flinched as she was expecting to have the place to herself. A young woman with a brown bob hairstyle walked in. She looked familiar but Hitori couldn't place it. "Ah, Hello there see I wasn't tha first one here," She said with a smile taking a seat in the other corner away from Hitori, her only luggage a backpack.
"H-Huh? A-ah, u-um," Hitori stuttered. First one? Why did this woman act like she knew she was going to be here? Hitori tried for another second before the door opened once again and she saw another girl walk in.
She was more familiar to Hitori, the labcoat was a bit more recognizable to her. It was, uh well she may not remember the girl's name but she was the one who had a Dottler in the Tournament where she got her recommendation.
"You!" The girl shouted with a dramatic point of her finger towards Hitori. Something that made the pink-haired girl flinch even harder and look away hoping it would do anything to keep her from being talked to. "That tournament was supposed to be mine! I nearly couldn't get a recommendation thanks to you!" She angrily said as she stepped inside and took the seat opposite Hitori.
'Supposed to be hers?' Did she somehow accidentally mess up a rigged tournament? Did that mean this girl was some rich or important girl that Hitori shouldn't cross? But she already did and made an enemy out of her! Now she'll have to be on the lookout for people in black suits looking to take her away never to be seen again. 'Ah, Mama, Papa, I'm sorry but your daughter won't become the trainer you hoped she would' Hitori thought to herself.
"What I'm trying ta say is that you can't count any battle a sure victory no matter how good ya are or how much you practiced. How about instead of antagonizing her, focus on winning next time ya battle," The brown-haired woman was talking to the girl in the lab coat. Hitori blinked, ah she hadn't been paying attention to either of them she realized.
"Next battle? But it's not like gym challengers are made to battle each other at the gyms, where will I get the chance to get my revenge?" The labcoat girl snapped back, though she seemed less angry now and was taking in the older woman's advice. 'Wait, Revenge!? She wants revenge!? Was it too late to get off the train and go back home?' Hitori thought to herself.
Her worried expression was noticed by the older woman who gave her a reassuring smile before answering, "Well, for one, stop thinking bout it as revenge. You lost, use that loss as motivation for you and your Pokemon to get stronger, then if you beat her down the road, I'm sure this young lass would use that as motivation to get stronger herself. By battling each other you can both push each other to higher heights than if ya just trained off in the forest somewhere,".
If the woman was hoping that would assure or motivate Hitori, it wasn't working. The socially anxious girl choked on her words trying to get something out, telling them both as politely as possible that she would rather not have to do something like that. The girl in the labcoat seemed to be taking the words with more consideration, seeing this the older woman clapped her hands to get their attention back onto her. "Well, how about this? For now, let's just introduce ourselves. Knowing yer names sounds like a good first step to becoming friends. How bout you start us off lass?" She asked, gesturing to the girl in the lab coat.
After blinking a few times, the girl cleared her throat and straightened up. "Natasha Bathory, 14, I'm going to be the next champion!" she introduced in a rehearsed manner. It was subtle, but Hitori did notice that something about that introduction amused the older woman.
"Nice to meet ya Natasha, now how about you lass? Don't have to go announcin yer aspirations or age or whatever, just yer name is fine," The woman responded easily before turning her attention to Hitori.
Hitori froze up and could already feel herself breaking into a cold sweat at having to introduce herself. No! she couldn't be like this, she'll have to give interviews and the like when she becomes a totally cool, popular, and rich trainer. Swallowing her saliva Hitori answered "A-aah, I-I'm, H-Hitori Go-Gotoh. F-f-f, fifteen. I-I-I-I".
The woman cut Hitori off, more to save Hitori from struggling more with her words, "Nice to meet ya as well Hitori, thanks for introducing yerself!". The woman chuckled, "There, Natasha, Hitori, now that you know each other's name and got a look at each other. Ya don't look quite as much as strangers to each other anymore, right? Right?" She continued.
Hitori didn't get it, she still knew nothing about the girl, no Natasha, besides she was still worried about guys in black suits showing up. Ignorant of Hitori's reservation, Natasha took the woman's words much more earnestly. "I see, So Hitori, we'll battle each other again, then I'll show you how much stronger I got," Natasha said, even as she was looking more at the woman for guidance.
"A-ah, u-um o-okay," Hitori eventually whispered out. She wanted to say no, but under the expectant looks of the two, any ability to refuse was brushed away.
"Wonderful! Though, maybe you want to hold off till yer both on yer journeys proper," The woman added giving Hitori something of a lifeline and relief from her thoughts already spiralling towards how she'd have to battle that Dottler again. From there the three of them began to talk more normally. Or more accurately, Natasaha and the other woman talked to each other with Hitori eventually forcing out a whispered answer.
The woman was impressive, Hitori may be less than a Wimpod when it comes to talking, but the way the woman was able to easily lead the conversation around and include someone like herself. It was the kind of eloquent, cool attitude she wanted to have. It was only as the hours passed and the conversation died down into a more comfortable silence that Hitori realized, the woman never introduced herself.
Even with that realization, Hitori didn't exactly dare to ask. After all what if she introduced herself earlier when she was zoned out? She'd look so stupid, maybe the woman would take back what she said and send Natasha and the men in black suits that were surely behind the girl after her. In the end Hitori kind of stewed anxiety for the rest of the train ride. It was a great relief when the train finally came into the station. The first moment she could, she grabbed her luggage and ran out of the room. Ending up one of the first off the train even.
-
It was Hitori's first time alone in another city, and that alone was already enough to cause her anxiety and worry. But adding on top actually having places to go for official reasons and meeting up with someone for the first time in how many years? Elementary? That was enough to make the new trainer's legs shake with each step. As she walked down the unfamiliar streets, luggage dragging behind her marking her as a visitor to the city and attracting the attention that comes with it, Hitori checked her phone again and again to confirm the time, a bit past three in the afternoon.
Her only solace was that she still had quite a bit of time before her arranged time to sign the contract. That and a large number of other tourists and visitors who came to participate or watch the Pokemon League's opening ceremony meant they took much of the attention off herself. A few minutes passed before Hitori's phone buzzed with a notification, which even after a week made her jump, and that was when she didn't miss it from having all of her notifications off.
"Hitori! I just heard the train from Hammerlocke came in! I know it's earlier than we said but want to meet up now? We can get something to eat!"
"I missed lunch!"
"If you already ate on the train don't worry I can just grab something quick and meet you wherever!"
Hitori read over Kita's messages needing a second to parse through the emojis, as well as looking at the picture she added after of her Milcery who already was looking a bit larger than before. Typing slowly from a lack of practice Hitori responded, "No problem".
"Nice! Where do you want to eat? I could go for something sweet!"
"Oh, I have just the place in mind, it shouldn't be too far from the train station either!"
"It's this place that serves burgers, I think it opened only a bit ago,"
"I'll see you there, just look for a Coalossal sign!"
Once again Hitori was impressed at how fast extroverts were able to type on their phones and answer. She looked up from her phone to see if it was anywhere next to her. It wasn't, Hitori gave a small "Okay" reply back to Kita before she began to walk around now with more of a goal in mind.
Fifteen minutes later and Hitori was lost in a back alley, she had been looking all over but the sign was nowhere to be seen. At least she was by herself away from the crowds of people, still she wanted to vent her frustrations just a little bit. Taking a seat next to some trashcans that further hid her from sight she took out her guitar and began to play. Not any song in particular, just making something up to suit her mood.
In a few minutes, she'd have to just ask Kita for more specific directions. While she was at it she also needed to find a place to let Whismur out so she could stretch her legs, a new location with so many people would doubtlessly make the girl cry out. She knew because many people was making her want to cry herself. But for now, Hitori could just play and focus on her music.
A couple of minutes passed, and some clouds must have passed by overhead as the alley began to seem darker. As well as a bit cooler, or maybe that was just Hitori making herself comfortable in a gloomy place such as this alley. But as she finished her second song for a moment Hitori felt a pair of eyes on her and a brief bluish, purple light. Though when she flinched and turned to look nothing was there.
"M-maybe I s-should look for that r-restaurant s-some more f-first. I d-don't want to bother Kita a-after all," Hitori mumbled to herself. As she did, she noticed the purple light once more, only this time it was in a different direction deeper into the alleyway. But again looking at the light only made it go away. "I-I didn't go that w-way yet anyway," Hitori said to herself more to help build her confidence.
She walked deeper into the alleyway which rather than connecting to a street, only seemed to lead to an intersection where both ways were more alleyway. As Hitori wondered why someone would even design a town like this, she once again noticed the light in the corner of her vision attracting her to the alley on her right. Rather than think too much about it, Hitori just took it as a reason to go down that alley. It wouldn't be the first time she daydreamed, and usually, it was weirder like her imag- her thinking about a cartoon character she sometimes doodled.
Reaching the end of that alleyway it repeated a few more times, the purple light appearing just long enough to bring her attention to one turn or another. Eventually, she found herself walking out of the alleys, suddenly on a busy street right next to the train station. The bright light of day made her flinch and blink until her eyes adjusted. Right next to her was a large carboard cutout of a Coalossal.
"Ah, Hitori there you are!" Kita called out as she peeked her head out from the cutout. It was Hitori's first time seeing her out of her school uniform. Dressed in more comfortable-looking shorts even if her shirt looked very similar to what she had as a uniform. She also had a rolling suitcase carrying her things, already they looked a bit more worn than the pristine freshly bought suitcase of Hitori's.
"H-Hello," Hitori mumbled out.
"Sorry, I should have sent you the address, but you found it just fine! Let's go in!" Kita said, sparkling brightly as ever. Hitori was a bit blindsided by, enough that she felt compelled to turn away to shield her eyes. In the process looking back into the alleyway and saw the purple light a final time, though this time she felt she could make out some white below it. However, she blinked, and it disappeared when she opened her eyes again.
Turning back towards Kita, Hitori followed along into the well-illuminated restaurant. Thankfully she didn't have to interact with any of the waitresses, even then perhaps she could have just let Kita handle any of that. Finding a seat in a corner booth where she would feel as disconnected from everyone else, she relaxed just a touch. See? She could enter a place she had never been to before in a different town even!
"Right this place lets you have your Pokemon out, they even cook custom burgers chock full of berries for them as well, so come on out everyone!" Kita energetically said as she pulled out a set of Pokeballs and let out her team. Hitori glanced as the three Pokemon came out, Kita's Pikachu let out a pleased cry and immediately got onto the table to pose. Kita herself was already at the ready with her phone out to take pictures with her Pikachu.
Kita's Eevee meanwhile came out and after looking around jumped onto the seat half lounged and half relaxed as he rolled on the soft seats. Finally, Kita's Milcery did a small spin as she emerged from her Pokeball, blinking and looking around immediately drawn to the smells and seemed to focus on it, staring intently at the kitchen.
Kita looked away from her phone just long enough to say, "Aren't you going to let Whismur out as well? I'm sure she must be so restless being inside her Pokeball all day,".
Hitori fidgeted a bit but eventually gave a small nod. Taking Whismur's Pokeball into her hand, Hitori whispered to the ball, "I'm letting you out. It's a restaurant, K-Kita is here with her Pokemon. T-Try not to be s-s-scared,". Hitori may not fully understand the technology of the Pokeballs, but they were able to somewhat know what was happening around them while inside the balls. With that she tenderly pushed the button, opening the ball up and letting Whismur out right next to her on the seat.
Whismur, upon coming out of her ball stretched and let out a tiny, almost inaudible yawn. Even if her mouth opened to nearly the size of her body in the meantime. She didn't let out a cry as she warily eyed the other Pokemon. Pikachu and Eevee ignored Whismur, or at least didn't try and make a big deal out of her appearance. Though Milcery broke from staring at the kitchen long enough to stare at Whismur before suddenly approaching with a battle cry!
Hitori was already reaching for the headphones around her neck as she saw tears already welling up in Whismur's eyes at the sudden noise. Thankfully Kita noticed and quickly returned Milcery, there were a few tense seconds as Kita, Hitori, Eevee, and Pikachu all stared and braced for the outburst. But Whismur managed to let out a small whimper and exhaled, and waddling to try and hide behind Hitori. Shoving herself between Hitori's back and the back of the seat to hide from the attention on her.
"I-I-I'm so proud of you Whismur! You didn't cry! O-Our t-training is paying off!" Hitori suddenly exclaimed as she set her headphones back down. There was a small muffled cry from Whismur who had remained wedged behind Hitori, but her trainer kept a large dopey smile at the progress. It was the first time she saw Whismur manage to hold in one of her crying fits!
"I-I'm going to order one of everything for you W-Whismur," Hitori said with a sudden bout of energy. Grabbing the electronic menu and randomly pushing every option available.
"N-now now Hitori, maybe just get Whismur like two burgers instead?" Kita offered as she made a placating hand gesture.
Hitori blinked and blushed in embarrassment. She then slinked down to hide under the table, which revealed Whismur who glanced left and right before diving under the table to join her trainer. "I apologize for my arrogance and loudness. I'll remember my place as a sub-Wimpod from now on," Hitori mumbled.
"No no it's fine it's fine! Please come back up, look I'll pay for you and Whismur as an apology for how Milcery acted!" Kita said in a rather panicked tone of her own as she tried to look down under the table. Her Pikachu only blinked a bit and tilted her head at why the camera had stopped, meanwhile, her Eevee had quietly slinked down under the table and was gently pawing at Hitori's thigh.
"O-Okay…" Hitori quietly said from under the table. A few seconds passed before she spoke again adding, "H-How w-was t-traveling?". She had put all of her energy into thinking up a proper, normal response to try and move things away from herself.
"Oh, It was fun, way more work than the league guys tell you, you know? My first night I thought I was going to die when I realized how hard getting ready would be…" Kita was happy to take the cue to move on and share her experience of spending a week traveling from Hammerlocke to Motospoke.
With Kita distracted by talking about her trip, Hitori and Whismur eventually felt enough comfort to emerge from under the table, sitting back down in their seat. They were also able to order without issue afterward. Hitori bought a large burger for Whismur and a burger set for herself. Hitori tried to ignore Kita's aura as she was taking pictures of her food and her Pokemon posing next to her and her food.
Hitori watched with a small smile as Whismur struggled to properly carry a large burger that was nearly as big as Whismur's body. Whismur's mouth opened wide to take a sizeable chunk out of the burger at once. Somehow the pink Pokemon was able to hold the large bit in her mouth without any sort of issue. However, Whismur had to set the burger down to chew. Hitori's smile grew a bit more as she watched a smile grow on Whismur's face as she ate, muffled by her chewing she was letting some kind of hum, one that Hitori recognized as one of her songs.