Pokémon: Shining Sun

Lillie: Chapter 4

The Cerulean gym was pretty much what I expected it to be: A massive pool with a short staircase to a battlefield. Some pool equipment was thrown haphazardly around the edges of the pool with no real care, likely tossed away by the few girls swimming around in the pool. On the side closest to the staircase, a woman sat on the edge of the pool with her feet in the water, silently swaying and watching the girls splash around. She wore a modest blue two piece swimsuit under a brighter blue jacket. She had short, flaming orange hair, which perked up a bit at the top and framed her face. Her dull green eyes perked up when she noticed me walk in, and she swung her legs over the edge of the pool to stand up. 

"It's about time a challenger showed up!" she exclaimed, starting towards the staircase and waving me over. "Right up here."

I hesitantly walked around the pool, careful not to slip on any water. I nervously fidgeted with the strap of my bag, running my thumbs over the soft pink nylon. I heard my Pokéballs rustling inside as I climbed each step of the stairs. The woman was patiently waiting as I reached the top, leaning against a healing machine, the same type that was in the Pokémon Center, which held six Pokéballs.

"So, how many badges do you have?" The woman asked, absentmindedly drumming her fingers on the side of the machine.

"Um, none," I said sheepishly. She raised her eyebrows, smiling slightly.

"Really?" she asked rhetorically, pushing herself off the healer and walking over to the corner, where there was another small machine, silver with a small slot near the top and a drawer, which she proceeded to open. "It's been a while since we've had a first-timer around here. Did you just move in?" she asked, gesturing for me to come over.

"Um, yeah. I'm from Alola," I said, walking over.

She set a slip of paper and a pen near me. "Could you write your name on that please?" I took the pen, signing the slip as she continued to talk. "Alola, huh? Not often we get people from there," she said, taking the signed slip and a small case from the drawer, sliding them both into the small slot. The machine started to whir after she pushed a small button, but she continued talking over it. "Be careful though. Some people around Kanto tend to be... less than polite with foreigners. Just watch out for that." The machine partially ejected the case, ceasing its whirring, and the woman took it out, crumpling the paper up and handing the case to me. "Lillie, huh? Pretty name."

"Thanks," I said shyly, taking the case. The top was metallic red, with my signature freshly engraved into the metal, shining a nice gold color. The bottom was mat black, and the small latches were silver. It was small enough to easily slip in my bag, or maybe in a jacket pocket.

The woman started swiftly walking to the battlefield, stopping at the spot farthest from me. "Now then, let's see if you can add your first badge to it."

I walked over to my spot, reaching into my bag and pulling out Bulbasaur's ball, clutching it tightly in my hand. I glanced between the woman and the table, a bit confused as to why she wasn't taking the Pokémon from it.

She giggled at my confusion, quickly explaining. "Those are my strongest Pokémon. See, us gym leaders use Pokémon according to how many badges a trainer has. I have my two right here," she said, reaching inside her jacket and pulling out a Pokéball.

I nodded. "That makes sense... By the way, what's your name?"

The woman's eyes widened, and she burst out laughing. "My gosh! I can't believe I- oh, whatever. I'm Misty, the gym leader here in Cerulean. Obviously, I specialize in water types. Sorry I didn't introduce myself already. It completely slipped my mind."

I smiled slightly. "Don't worry about it."

Misty grinned, striking a pose with her Pokéball grasped in front of her. "Well, Lillie, you ready?"

I nodded with the slightest confidence, tossing my Pokéball. Bulbasaur surged out, giving his best roar, though it wasn't very intimidating. Misty threw her ball, a Psyduck popping out, awkwardly tilting its head.

"Vine Whip!" I exclaimed quickly.

"Confusion!" Misty cried, with much more confidence.

Bulbasaur ran towards the Psyduck, its vines extending from its body. The vines lashed out, striking the Psyduck, which recoiled from the hit, a wave of pink emanating from it and knocking Bulbasaur back.

"Vine Whip again!" I called. Bulbasaur once again charged forward, growling in defiance as Misty instructed her Psyduck to use Confusion once more. The vines cracked against the air, smacking the Psyduck across the face as another Confusion shot out from it. The Psyduck fell, Misty returning it, but Bulbasaur stumbled, his legs shaking.

I raised his ball, but Bulbasaur roared in determination. Misty smiled. "Looks like your Bulbasaur wants to keep going," she said, throwing her other Pokéball. The Starmie that emerged stood poised to attack.

"Another Vine Whip!" I yelled, uncertainty dripping in my voice.

"Swift!" Misty shouted. The Starmie jumped into the air, whirling around to Bulbasaur's back, firing a shower of stars, which slammed into Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur whipped around, batting the last few stars away with its vines and, with one more cry, whipped the Starmie out of the sky, sending it crashing into the ground, and not getting up.

Misty was stunned for a moment. "A critical hit, just when you needed it. That's lucky."

I ran up to Bulbasaur, a potion in hand, but stopped when he abruptly started to glow a blinding white. I stood back in awe as his form started to change, the leaves from his bulb unfolding as his body grew slightly. Misty grinned as the light dissipated, revealing the newly evolved Ivysaur, who smiled at me, showing his fangs. I smiled back, spraying him with a potion and returning him.

"Well," Misty started, reaching into her pocket, "you definitely deserve this." She extended her hand, and in her palm sat a small pin, the shape of a water droplet. I delicately took it, opening my new case and carefully placing it in. She kept her arm extended, offering a handshake which I readily accepted. "Thank you," I said, a big smile covering my face.

"Thank you," Misty said. "If you're staying here in Cerulean, I'm sure we'll see each other again.

"I look forward to it," I said.

Misty waved as I walked down the steps, a giddy feeling rising in my chest.

*****

It is 4 am, and I am just kind of dead right now. I'm failing to remember anything I should address here, so I guess we're just making this note brief. See y'all next time.

Peace.