Pokemon: Advanced Wishes Black or White

Chapter 11: Tension Rising

"Where's Professor Juniper's assistant? She should have been here by now,"

an impatient Ash crossed his arms.

"I know. We need that badge and ribbon case," May kicked the dirt to distract herself.

The six friends, including Axew and Pikachu, waited for Professor Juniper's assistant on the dirt path that led to Nacrene City. It had been 30 minutes since the professor called to inform them that her assistant was nearby to drop off the cases, but the wait proved longer than anticipated.

Iris tapped her foot on the ground, "After this, how long till we reach Nacrene City?"

May checked the digital map on her Xtransceiver. "Nacrene City is past a nearby daycare and over the mountain. It should take no more than two days to get there," Cilan interjected, hoping the news would cheer them up.

Suddenly, they spotted a figure running so fast in the distance that a trail of dust followed them. "What's that?" Ash uncrossed his arms.

May squinted her eyes. She swore she saw a person with a green hat and an orange jacket, "I think it's a girl."

"Hey, you people, wait! I'm Professor Juniper's assistant!" the blond-haired girl cried out.

Ash and May's dispositions brightened when they heard the girl. "Perfect, I thought we were going to be here forever," Ash said with relief.

The emerald-eyed girl stopped when she reached them. "Hi...I'm...Professor Juniper's...assistant," the girl bent over to pant.

"Hi there, we heard you have something for Ash and me?" May greeted the assistant.

Professor Juniper's assistant jerked up to show her smile, "That's right. I'm sorry for being late. I had one more duty to finish before coming here."

"It's no problem at all," Cilan communicated.

Speak for yourself, Ash side-eyed Cilan before he turned back to the girl with red glasses.

"Well, here is your badge and ribbon case," the girl reached into a pocket in her jacket. She revealed a black and blue quadratic case for badges. She handed that one to Ash and gave May a black and red case that was similar in design but stored ribbons. "By the way, my name is Bianca. You already know that I'm Professor Juniper's assistant, and well, that's it. I've heard so much about the four of you from Professor Juniper, especially about you, Ash, and May," the eccentric Bianca giggled after introducing herself.

"Nice to meet you, Bianca," Ash smiled at her.

"Hi there," May bowed.

"I'm Iris," Iris shook hands with her.

"And I'm Cilan, a pleasure to meet you," Cilan bowed at Bianca.

"Pika pikachu!" Pikachu waved to Bianca.

"Ax axew!" Axew popped out of Iris's hair to greet Bianca.

Bianca smiled at them, "Nice to meet you all. Like I said, Professor Juniper has told me so much about all of you!"

"Why don't you join us for lunch, Bianca? We were going to eat after you got here," May invited the girl.

Bianca raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden invite, "Really?"

"Yeah, you must be tired from running Professor Juniper's errands. A nice lunch should energize you," Ash encouraged the girl to join them for a meal.

"The more the merrier," Iris also insisted with her friends.