Pokémon: Midnight Blue

Robin to the Rescue

I woke up in a daze to see Robin and Kylie standing over me. I was not in Pokémon Tower anymore. I was surrounded by white walls and was lying in a soft, tiny bed. I was in a hospital.

"Are you alright, Brian?" Robin asked worriedly.

"I'm alright," I groaned groggily, "Still a little dizzy, but... What happened?"

"That damn Venomoth. For a second, it looked like it didn't get a chance to lay a finger on you, but it used Poisonpowder to knock you out. I wanted to beat the ever living crap out of that guy, but I had to get you out of there as soon as possible."

"That guy... he said his name was Celso... Celso Troark... Who is he?"

"I don't know. Never seen him before. Seems like he knows you though. He kept muttering things about you under his breath. Couldn't understand anything he said, though."

"Hmm. I met him once outside of Vermilion. We didn't really talk much, but right off the bat he seemed like he was up to no good."

"This is too weird," Kylie finally chimed in, "What is up with this guy? What kind of person attacks another human with their Pokémon?"

"It happens a lot more often than you would think, Kylie," Robin responded, "There are a lot of bad people out here. The question is, what exactly is he up to?"

"I don't know," I shook my head softly, "but I'll eventually find out if I keep running into him like this."

Robin blinked and then looked up at Kylie, "Hey, do you mind if I talk to Brian alone?"

Kylie was pretty surprised by the request, "Um, yeah. Sure. I'll be right outside."

When Kylie closed the door behind her, Robin grabbed a seat and gazed at me, "Brian, you're not gonna insist on traveling by yourself, are you?"

I sat up at the sound of this question, "Why not? I've been alright so far."

"You were attacked by a Venomoth today! The only reason you're sitting here is because I helped you out. I can't imagine what would've happened if I hadn't been there. What would've happened if I had just taken off like always and just left you to fend for yourself?"

"Look, I appreciate that you were there to help me, Robin. I am. But now I know more about this guy. I know he plays dirty, and I'll be ready for him the next time I have to face up to him."

"But, Brian--"

I interrupted him with a friendly punch in the gut, "No buts, Robin. I know what I'm dealing with now. I get that you're worried about me, and that means a lot to me. But I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself. So screw your logic."

The cocky smirk on my face wiped away as soon as I uttered that last sentence. That was a phrase that I had learned from Letta. Robin noticed my sudden change of mood and to what it was due.

"You really miss her, don't you?" Robin said to me, almost in a whisper.

"Yeah," I responded similarly, "I'm gonna look for her. I'm going to tread the entire world if I have to if it means finding her. But to do that, I have to beat the Pokémon League, and then the Elite Four, so I can become the champion."

Robin rose from his seat, "Well, to do that, you'll have to beat me at the Pokémon League. And I can promise you, Brian, I won't be easy."

I smirked at him again, "Wouldn't have it any other way, Robin."

We shook hands, and as Robin was walking out the door, he looked back at me, "See you around, Brian. And try not to get yourself killed. I want to be able to beat you before you die."

I chuckled at him, "No promises, buddy."