Pokemon The Novel: Next Generation

Chapter 12: Six Badges, Two to Go

Two months have passed since the trio won their Thunder badge. Then, during those months of travels, they also won their Rainbow Badge from Erika in Celadon City and their Soul Badge from Janine in Fuchsia City. Their next stop was Saffron City for the Marsh Badge, but as they followed the trail, the forest became darker, and the mist seemed out of nowhere, scaring Crystal. "Oh...I forgot that she's scared of Ghost Pokemon," says Mizu, sticking by her sister and putting her arm around her shoulder, reassuring her that she's not alone. Even Yellow does the same, "It's alright, Crystal, we're almost there." says Mizu, keeping her sister close to her side. At the same time, Yellow leaves their side and ready a Pokeball just in case a random Pokemon might appear, but while travelling, they finally reach Saffron City.

Just at the city's edge, the trio has made it out of the forest, but then they all get a surprise peek-a-boo from Macechu, which makes the girls scream from Macechu's childish prank. Crystal and Yellow fall onto the ground, then slide across to a nearby tree, cuddling each other while Mizu gives Macechu peace of mind. Mizu went over to her freaked-out sisters, helped them up, and comforted them by holding their hands and walking them to the Pokemon Centre with Macechu trailing next. She also comforted the sisters and told them that she was sorry. They finally arrived, and the two sisters accepted Macechu's apology while Crystal, Yellow, and Macechu waited for Mizu to return from talking to Nurse Joy. The three were startled by young Joy, but she quickly apologised after startling them, which the three accepted and let the young Joy join them.

"Oh, I'm Zola Joy." says the young Joy, with Crystal and Yellow smiling at her and then introducing themselves to her, even Macechu. After that, Zola asks who the other girl who came with them is, "That's our sister Mizu," says Yellow while reading her book. Yellow reads Macechu, and Crystal spends their time chatting with Zola. "So, are you gonna grow up and be like your mother." says a curious Crystal, to which Zola shakes her head, saying no. "I don't want to be like mommy just yet. I wanna travel and collect Pokemon," she says with a cheerful smile, which surprises her mother, who just walked over with Mizu. "Is that what you want, Zola? To be a Pokemon Trainer?." says Nurse Joy with a worried look. Zola nods nervously, responding to her mother. "Yes, I want to be a Trainer before becoming like you, Mommy," she says with a sad look, worried about what her mother would say.

Nurse Joy thinks and then smiles at her daughter. "Okay, you can be a trainer," she says, reassuring her daughter. She jumps for joy and then hugs her mother. Just then, Mizu comes back, hearing everything and smiles at Crystal. Then she notices this and is a little puzzled. Mizu walked over and then kneeled on one knee, looking at Zola on her level. "How about you join our journey, Zola," she says with a smile, but this causes Zola to see stars and tackle and hug Mizu. "Yes, please take me with you," she says happily while Macechu and Crystal laugh. Then Nurse Joy speaks up. "Only if you take your sister with you, Zola," she says, waiting for her daughter's reaction. Zola shows a bit more star-struck "Yay, Amy is gonna join us." she says aloud, making Yellow drop her book and glare at both her sisters and Macechu. "You two could have at least let me know," she says, crossing her arms at them. "Well, it's Mizu's idea, and I just like it," she says, smiling at the situation. Knowing their group got bigger and had more company, Nurse Joy took everyone's Pokemon for their check-up and gave Mizu their room keys as the trio turned in for the night while Zola sat in her room thinking about what her first Pokemon should be.

While Zola turns in for the night, she forgets to close her window, and a wild Pokemon hops on the window. She notices the sleeping Zola hop off the window and enter the bedroom, with the wind closing the window. The Pokemon hops onto Zola's bed and then curls up to sleep. Meanwhile, Mizu and Nurse Joy talk to her oldest daughter, Amy Joy, who is just a year older than her young sister, making Amy eleven and Zola ten years old. "Why do I have to go? I've chosen to be like you, Mom." says a confused Amy, crossing her arms at her mother and Mizu. "You have my word that nothing bad would be happy for you or your sister, plus she was happy to know that she wants you to come along," says Mizu, trying to reassure Amy that no harm would come to them. Amy took a minute to think about it and then looked at Mizu again. "Alright, I'll join you and your sisters, only that I get to date one of your sisters," she says, giggling and blushing while confusing Nurse Joy and Mizu.