Hitori had stayed up late that night. At least later than she intended, catching a new Pokemon meant a sudden new number of things she was expected to deal with. Food for one, then she had to look up a bunch of information on Litwick just to make sure she didn't do something to set the Ghost type off. Of course, she may have gotten distracted once or twice during her internet binge.
When she did wake up, she ended up in a bit of a rush to get to the stadium at the allotted time. At least having the hotel room for another day meant she didn't have to bring all her luggage with her. In fact, by wearing her gym outfit under her tracksuit she could not only save on having to carry as much with her but also avoid the inevitable situation of using a public locker room!
She did almost leave without her Pokemon as embarrassing as it was, requiring her to take the Pokeball holder off her guitar case and properly hook it onto the waist of her tracksuit. At least she felt a bit more like a real Pokemon trainer with two Pokeballs hanging off her hip. Finally, she put her headphones on, turned on some music, and headed off to the stadium.
The streets of Motostoke were busy, very very busy. People were pouring into the stadium as the hour of the opening ceremony approached. Hitori wished she woke up earlier, that way she could have just come before everyone else and had time to find a nice corner to wait in. Hitori found herself pounding on her chest as she drew her courage up as much as she could just to get through the crowd.
At least once she made it inside and showed her trainer card off, she was able to enter an employee-only hallway which was basically empty in comparison. Even if there were still workers moving back and forth with whatever preparations they were working on for the ceremony. Despite her preparations, she still did have to go into the locker room. Thankfully a subdivision of a subdivision meant there were only a couple of other girls in the room changing.
Being able to get out of her tracksuit in peace gave her time to calm her pounding heart in. She stored her tracksuit and headphones in the locker before moving on to another room within the stadium. One of a few that were hosting the other first-time participants who had earned recommendations like Kita and herself, oh also Natasha she supposed. The room was plain and white with just benches bolted to the floors for people to sit on. There were a couple of large TVs on the wall, one was showing the arena while the other was rolling through a set of instructions.
They were simple enough, just reminding the trainers to be ready and that they'll be told to walk out onto the arena when it is time for them to be introduced. It was this that made her late appearance something that wasn't a huge loss aside from her mental stability. She just needed to be in this room when called which wasn't still for another thirty minutes according to a timer on said TV.
Finally taking a seat in the corner, Hitori glanced around at the number of trainers. They were split into three rooms to accommodate them comfortably, still, Hitori could see Natasha wearing a yellow variant of the shirt and shorts along with her number, 784. She was standing with her arms crossed and staring intently at the TV. Hitori was just glad she wasn't staring at her like that, she'd probably melt into a pile of slush. Still, she did notice that Natasha had three Pokeballs on her waist, one of which was a Luxury ball.
Hitori then spotted Kita who was happily talking to a few other trainers, she was wearing a red version of the sporty outfit with the number 136. For a moment Hitori considered moving over to say hello, but just as quickly dismissed the idea. If she couldn't approach any of her classmates, Kita included when she was just in school, no way could she in a setting like this. Though Hitori also noticed that Kita had a fourth Pokeball on her belt, a question of when Kita already got a fourth Pokemon came to mind.
Not recognizing anyone else Hitori focused inward as the creeping dread of walking out to so many people really started to rear its head towards her. She managed to ignore it so far as she had so many other more pressing situations to deal with. But what if she tripped? Her clumsiness would be shown on live TV in front of who knows how many people. She'll probably be forced to resign right then and there. She wouldn't even be able to work a job as everyone who walked into the modest Pokemart that would be the only place willing to hire her-
Her delusion was sharply interrupted by the door opening, rather loudly at that and who stepped inside drew everyone's attention. Not just because of the loud disturbance but because, well they were wearing a mascot head. Hitori nearly screamed as Ball Girl walked in, expression unknowable as her large mask shifted to show her looking over the crowd. There were a few seconds where the clear questions of 'What?' and 'Why?' were clearly present on the faces of a good number of the trainers present.
However, none seemed willing to approach the mascot girl and ask for such an explanation. So slowly their attention turned back to their own conversations or other things they were occupying their time with. For Hitori, at least it seemed she managed to go unnoticed by the mascot again, at least for now. She was able to note that Ball Girl wore a mix of red and white for her outfit, adorned with the number 002. Finally, she noted the number of Pokeballs Ball Girl had on her hip, a full set of six. Each in different kinds, none of which was the basic Pokeball.
Certainly, neither was Hitori going to approach her. Instead, she looked over at the TV which after a couple of minutes was now starting to show some instructions. Fairly basic ones, telling the new trainers that when they are given a signal they are to walk out onto the arena. Not approaching the center ring, not crossing onto the other half of the arena, and not going too far to either side. There were even helpful diagrams. They'd be entering from the side entrances rather than the far ends where challengers would come out.
As for why Hitori was paying such attention to the instructions, well it gave her something to ground herself as worry was already bubbling up. Questions like 'What if she accidentally walked too far?' 'What if she didn't walk out far enough?'. It also gave her something to focus on as the ceremony was beginning, heralded by Champion Hop walking out onto the arena, with the kind of easy-going smile that made him feel approachable, waving sheepishly towards the audience. All the while his Cinderace walked beside him with both hands raised up and drinking in the attention like it was his Arceus given right.
'It was easy, just walk out. No need to wave to anyone or anything, step out, don't trip over anything, I don't even have to go that far out, just enough to be seen the crowds of people who undoubtedly would look at you as the Wimpod you are' Hitori thought to herself, slinking down and under the bench. While she mentally prepared herself, the room began to empty as some of the more eager trainers were going off to take their spots.
A few minutes passed and Hitori finally crawled out from under the bench. The room was more or less empty from what she could see, a glance towards the TVs showed that Hop was still speaking. Taking in a deep breath Hitori took her first step towards the door. Only to immediately freeze as by her side Ball Girl had been squatting down and apparently staring at her.
"I see you used my gift an caught yerself a new friend! How about we have ourselves that battle once the ceremony is over?" She asked in a cheery, extroverted tone that made Hitori recoil just a touch.
Hitori froze up as she struggled to force herself to reply. Though before she could even really start to stutter out an answer the mascot gently pat Hitori on her back. "Course if ya don't want I'm not about to force ya. Well better hurry up we're due to step out in a few," Ball Girl said before walked off with a hum and a skip in her step.
Hitori stood amongst the crowd of other recommended trainers in the hallway leading out of the arena. TVs lined the walls presenting different angles of the arena along with one right above the entryway that just turned from red to green. Hitori walked forward a bit robotically her mind more occupied with the upcoming challenge from the mascot than anything.
'Why me?' Hitori could only wonder to herself. She wasn't paying much attention to anything, not Hop's voice welcoming them in, not the filled seats that- oh no she was becoming much more aware of them now. Hitori's steps became much shakier, her eyes flitted around looking for a place to hide, a particularly broad trainer, a bush, a garbage can, anything would do!
"Now it is my great honor to introduce to everyone the eight gym leaders who these shining stars in the rough will be polishing themselves against! There may be some new faces for those of you who have watched the previous years but trust me when I say they're all more than up to the task!" Hop announced with a flourish that could at least snap Hitori out of her panic for long enough to realize it looked a bit like he was trying to emulate the previously undefeated champion, Leon.
From the other side, the gym leaders began their own walk onto the arena in much of the same way that Hitori and the others had. Hitori recognized most of them, Nessa, Kabu, Raihan, Melony, and Bede. However, there were two that brought a small, awed smile to her face. She was seeing Allister and Marnie in person! Something about the sight of Allister looking like he wanted to be anywhere but in front of a large crowd soothed Hitori, that if a gym leader could be feeling anxious, that it wasn't just her, helped calm her down even if just a touch.
Then there was a face Hitori didn't recognize, and she had watched a lot of gym battles, so she understood that it wasn't the same gym leaders every time. Bea and Gordie often took spots from Melony and Allister for some years. Bede had taken over for Opal, and she knew Marnie would eventually take Pier's spot. This year apparently being the year that it happened. The woman had pink hair in a similar shade to Hitori's own and was wearing a white fur coat over her gym outfit with this hairband that looked like Dustox wings. The other notable feature Hitori saw was probably the smuggest expression she'd ever seen.
Then in only a few more minutes, her role in this large crowd was over. The new trainers were asked to return to the waiting room. Hitori was certainly happy to be out of sight and made a quick getaway. There was more to the ceremony, of course, a few exhibition matches from the gym leaders and the champion to ensure everyone who came got their money's worth. Ones that the new trainers were welcome to stay and watch, there was even a small section of seats reserved for them.
Hitori wasn't going to be taking advantage of that however, she was quick to get to her locker to get her things and get out of there. For one she wanted to get her tracksuit on before the locker room was filled back up. As well, maybe if she hurried enough, she could escape Ball Girl's challenge.
In the end, Hitori only got as far as halfway through the walkway off the stadium's lot before she was interrupted by Ball Girl walking up to her from behind. "Hold up would ya?" She asked nearly in a jog.
"Sorry if I pushed ya, consider this an apology from me!" Ball Girl added before holding out another Pokeball. Hitori couldn't meet the eyes of the mascot head but she did at least turn around to face her. She was being nice at least, pushy still but nice. Hitori looked down at the ball being offered to her, a netball judging by the pattern.
Part of Hitori felt like it was the same as offered candy. The kind your mom tells you not to accept. Or maybe it was closer to a deal with a monster. She had accepted the previous two balls from her, so it should be fine right? With such thoughts in her head, Hitori accepted the ball shoved it in her pocket, and gave the smallest of noises in her attempt to accept the apology.
As she turned to walk away Ball Girl took it as a chance to continue, "Great! So, that aside I have an idea if you're willing to battle me! You must have caught your new Pokemon recently right? I happen to have something that could help you out in exchange,". Hitori wondered how the mascot was able to figure that out, but as she turned around to try and politely decline, she noticed that Ball Girl was holding a Pokedex!
Those were super rare! Not only were they a database of information both curated and not of Pokemon, but they also contained information that hadn't been disclosed by professors. Even more than that it contained a scanner that allowed someone to check the moves, ability, gender, and so on of a Pokemon that normally would require a procedure at a Pokemon center to do. A few questions popped up in Hitori's head, most of all being why a mascot had something like that.
"A-ah, sure," Hitori said without too much thought, agreeing more out of her conflict aversion than anything. She could at least justify herself with the thought that it would save money and she did need to know more about what her Litwick could do. She was planning to have to go down the list within the Attackdex to learn that way.
"Good to hear, ah probably shouldn't be startin any battles right out here in public. I know a place near the Budew drop inn we could use," Ball Girl said before gesturing for Hitori to follow before walking off in the direction of said inn. Hitori quietly began to follow her, while keeping a reasonable distance. That counted as being wary enough of strangers for Mom right?
As it turned out behind the inn was a battlefield that anyone who had a room could use. Apparently according to Ball Girl new trainers kept battling in the lobby so they had it built. "Alright, so let's see your new friend!" Ball Girl energetically said.
Hitori carefully held out the premier ball and with a push of the button it opened and let Litwick out. Litwick took a moment to glance around and orient himself before properly noticing Ball Girl and puffing himself up with a confident grin. "T-t-t-this i-is L-Litwick, h-he s-snuck into my room l-last night and l-liked m-my music," Hitori introduced the ghost type as best she could.
"Hmmmm?" Ball Girl hummed in a tone that definitely suggested she was making some kind of face, but under the mask, Hitori couldn't tell at all. "Well let's give 'em a scan and see what you're working with," She added and with that held out her Pokedex, and after only a second it turned on.
"Litwick the candle Pokemon. Ghost and Fire type. Male. Ability, Infiltrator. Known moves, Astonish, Smog, Ember, Minimize, Confuse Ray, Acid Armor," The Pokedex read out. Hitori paid close attention to all the information about Litwick. She'd still have to have Litwick use each move so she could understand how good he was at each, but it at least seemed like he was decently strong.
"Infiltrator huh? Guess that's how he got into your room then!" Ball Girl pointed out. Hitori didn't respond as she had a hand on her chin looking deep in thought. After a second Ball Girl shrugged her shoulders and walked out to the other end of the fairly small arena.
"So, was it helpful information? Want to test out his skills then?" Ball Girl called out snapping Hitori out of her thoughts.
"H-Huh? O-oh y-yes, I w-was just thinking," Hitori replied. It was only a full two seconds later that she realized the second part of the question. Shakily she stood up and realized that Ball Girl was at the other end of the arena.
"Two Pokemon each, don't worry when you lose I'm not going to ask for anything at all!" Ball Girl explained.
Hitori did catch the 'when' in Ball Girl's words and it certainly wasn't making herself feel any more confident. But she had already accepted her kindness multiple times, she was already here, with her Litwick healthy and looking happy to battle. She probably couldn't back out with her current level of social ability. Hitori gave a shaky nod to her new opponent.
Like that Ball Girl was quick to release her Pokemon, swiftly reaching to her hip and drawing out a quick ball. Flicking her wrist the ball shot out and released a Voltorb who wasted no time starting to roll around Ball Girl's side of the arena. "What'da think? A perfect Pokeball Pokemon for a girl like me huh?" Ball Girl asked with a tone that suggested a grin.
"A-ah, y-yes," Hitori quietly stuttered out an agreement more out of a sense of obligation. Already her Litwick was out so the ghost type waddled into the arena with a puffed-up chest and confident expression, ready to fight for Hitori. She considered returning him to use Whismur who she was more experienced with. In the end, she felt Whismur was probably better to save for later, it was what many other trainers and even gym leaders did in the battles she watched.
There was no official signal to start the battle, instead, there was a second or two giving both sides time to think of their first moves. "Roll on out and build up your Charge!" Ball Girl enthusiastically commanded with a snap of her fingers. Voltorb responded quickly letting out a series of sounds that came out more like static on a TV than anything and sped up its rolling quite a lot by Hitori's eyes. Sparks of electricity quickly start to come off the electric type in the process.
Hitori watched the electric type move for a second as she thought over the list of moves that she learned her Litwick had. "E-e-ember. A-ah, s-spread it o-out," She muttered out as best she could. Being outside the public eye may make it easier for her, but it was still hard for her. She had seen the control Litwick had last night when it conjured those flames, which formed the basis for her initial strategy.
Litwick let out a cry in understanding and with a shake of his head, the ghostly flame split off into floating flames that stayed near Litwick for a few moments before firing off in a wide fan shape. Hitori assumed that Voltorb would have been able to dodge Litwick's attack if he sent them all directly towards Voltorb, this way it should at least hopefully get in its way or even land a hit.
"Bounce and begin the screech!" Ball Girl shouted out almost as soon as the flames had begun to fan out. Voltorb responded by suddenly coming to a stop and seeming to almost squish down, all of its momentum transferring upward and over the flames. It hadn't lost all of its forward momentum as it flew toward Litwick and now began to emit a loud, high-pitched screech that sounded a lot like what happened when an audio jack wasn't properly plugged in.
While the harsh noise made Litwick flinch and clench his body up, preventing him from releasing another salvo of Ember right away, Hitori had reached for her headphones and got them on. "A-astonish," She ordered. Voltorb was coming close and she could understand that Ball Girl wanted her Voltorb to get in close from the start, something she could use to ensure at least a trade of damage
"Thunder Shock! Then it's back to charging!" Ball Girl loudly called out enough to overpower the screeching from Voltorb. Hitori's eyes widened, did she misunderstand the situation? Or did the mascot react to her order in time? Regardless Litwick was already faintly glowing with ghostly energy expecting the ball Pokemon to come in close.
What happened instead was electricity began to arc off the ball with enough force that it propelled the Pokemon up and away from Litwick. All while that same electricity arced down and slammed into Litwick causing him to let out a pained cry. As the attack came to an end with Voltorb finally landing back down on Ball Girl's side of the arena, Hitori looked over Litwick, there were some small burns from the attack but to her relief and surprise, Litwick still looked energetic and ready to fight.
"Back to rolling, build that Charge!" Ball Girl didn't give Hitori and Litwick the chance to recover as she already had Voltorb spinning around her side of the arena preparing for another attack. Hitori didn't give another command right away, instead, she continued to focus on whether Voltorb was going to attack physically or at a distance, and how she could have Litwick respond.
"E-ember. B-b-but keep a few back o-okay?" Hitori nervously called out. Litwick responded quickly once again swinging his head to conjure the flames and firing them out in a fan pattern, with three flames remaining around his body.
"Alright see if we can't knock him out with a charged-up Spark!" Ball Girl ordered. Voltorb suddenly stopped and pivoted to now be charging straight towards Litwick moving between two of the embers. As it got closer Voltorb began to discharge electricity as it used its attack.
"A-acid armor, and u-use your embers," Hitori ordered, her nerves becoming a bit less prevalent as her focus on the battle increased. Litwick spent a moment to turn around to look at Hitori, whatever it was looking for it did seem to find as it gained a glint in his eyes. His wax body became less viscous over the last two seconds before Voltorb rammed into him.
Litwick's body burst outward leaving a large hold in his middle and while Litwick let out a cry from the attack, he held most of it back. As Voltorb pushed through the ghost type, it was in the perfect position for the floating flames to converge on its location and set the electric type aflame. Despite exploding out as Litwick did, already his body was reforming as though nothing had even happened, a more smug expression growing on his face.
Ball Girl meanwhile let out a whistle, "Good job! Guess I'll have to kick things up a bit. Rollout! Build it up and make them come to us!". At her word, Voltorb curved so it wasn't heading towards Hitori and moved back towards Ball Girl's side of the arena. The flames that had hit it were being put out by its own rolling movement. Even still Hitori could see that it hadn't gotten out unscathed.
"Confuse Ray," Hitori called out. It'd be her first time seeing what the attack looked like. Litwick let out a ghostly cry as he built up a blurry light that gathered in front of him, one that seemed to flicker and flash making looking at it hard. Litwick was clearly not used to the attack as he took a while to build the attack up. One by one more lights joined the first creating a truly hard to look at display. When he finally released it, it moved erratically swirling in on itself as it seemed to drift one way or another only to snap back on its desired course.
Despite the long wind-up, Litwick didn't have to aim the attack until he released it, aiming ahead of the Voltorb's path. Even as the ball Pokemon was already turning to avoid the attack, the Confuse Ray's own erratic path shifted to follow after Voltorb. Neither trainer gave further commands, instead opting to watch as the exchange took place. Voltorb shifted its route again and again to move out of the way of the attack. Hitori did notice Litwck's flame flicker with each movement, a sign he was controlling the attack.
At the same time, the more Voltorb rolled around, the more rocks seemed to cling to its body. Not that it seemed to slow the Pokemon down any. Unfortunately, Voltorb was too fast for the tracking of Confuse ray and as it passed by, it missed its target, apparently unable to move backward. Now free of having to avoid the attack, Voltorb was free to rush forward towards Litwick. Hitori and Litwick had been too focused on their own attack to react properly.
Voltorb slammed into Litwick and despite warping around in a more fluid state, Litwick hadn't been able to completely break apart and was flung back and into the ground beside Hitori. Hitori looked over Litwick and it was clear that the Rollout was too much for him and he was knocked out. Voltorb meanwhile hadn't stopped moving, twisting back around towards Ball Girl's side of the field and spinning in place as more rocks gathered around it, its rollout continuing.
"I-I'm sorry Litwick," Hitori apologized before returning Litwick. She should have paid more attention, realized the danger that a rock-type move presented to Litwick, and should have had more of a strategy in mind. Taking a breath to steady the choking feeling she had in her chest she took out Whismur's Pokeball and let her partner out.
"Whismur, S-smokescreen," Hitori immediately called out, really feeling a desire to hide within the smoke right about now. Whismur, having assumed such a thing at this point had already sucked in air ready to bellow out smoke. The moment she exhaled the thick smoke, Voltorb had already taken off and was rushing in towards Whismur.