Underdog (Pokémon Fan Fiction)

Chapter Nineteen

            I stood, frozen, on a sidewalk in Goldenrod City. I was planning to re-challenge Whitney later today, but for now Luna and I were wandering around aimlessly. Bugsy had left earlier in the day, and it was really quiet without him hovering over our shoulders constantly. So, we decided to do last-minute sightseeing, because I was confident I’d win the gym battle this time, and we could be on our way. Luna didn’t seem to think so highly of Gigi’s and my skills, though.

            “C’mon, Jack, keep moving. Are you going inside or not?” Luna said, prodding me. The road was pretty crowded, so she was using the fake name- but at this rate, it really wouldn’t be a secret much longer.

            “How about ‘or not’?” I said, rolling my eyes at the sign in front of me. Name Rater it read. Get your Pokémon Nicknames Rated!

            “Why not?” She asked, exasperated. “We don’t have anything better to do- you heard Whitney; she’s not going to be at her gym for another half hour.”

            “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I want to listen to some old quack tell me that the name I chose is cursed.” I snorted, studying the makeshift tent in front of me.

            “Please?” Luna begged, pointing at the sign. “He’ll only be in town a few days!”

            I took one look at her Lillipup eyes, then heaved a sigh. “Fine…but only because I know you’ll come out mumbling about charms and Witchcraft if I don’t supervise.”

            “Sure I would,” she replied, trying to hide an excited smile. “Now let’s go!” And she dragged me inside the large tent.

            Inside, it was dim and smelled of scented candles. I coughed, the aroma making my eyes water, and waited for my eyes to adjust. And old man sat on the floor in front of a low table covered with stereotypical-looking magic props. “Welcome. I am the Name Rater. Would like me to critique your Pokémon’s name?”

            “Yes!” Luna squeaked, letting out Darky and sitting down at the table. “This is Darky, my Umbreon. Do you think the name is good for him?” She asked anxiously. It took all my willpower not to roll my eyes.

            The old man studied her Pokémon. “Hmm…yes, that is a decent nickname. Well done.” Luna’s eyes lit up and she clapped happily, hugging Darky.

            “Jack, you should do this too!” She said gleefully, moving over to make room for me by the table.

            “Uh…I don’t know.” I said, eyeing the table warily. I’d never been the sort to believe in magic mumbo-jumbo, and I really didn’t want to start now. Otherwise I’d start seeing omens everywhere, like those people that think they see Arceus in their cereal bowls.

            Luna frowned at me. “Stop being such a killjoy. It’s almost Halloween! Don’t you want to do creepy, superstitious things like normal people?”

            “Not really.” I shuddered. The last time I’d truly celebrated Halloween was when I was seven, and it wasn’t fun at all. I went trick-or-treating around Violet City, which was nice enough, but then Falkner dared me to go into Sprout Tower alone at night. I didn’t find out until it was too late that he’d tricked me, and there was a haunted house set up in there. Let’s just say it was not meant for kids that are young enough to still believe in the Boogeyman. That pretty much ruined Halloween for me.

            She fixed me with a glare until I threw up my hands and said, “Fine! It’s not like this baloney is true, anyways.” With a huff, I sat down next to her and released Gigi from her Pokéball. Seeming very curious about the strange tent, she looked around in awe and bounced up and down lightly. “Her name is Gigi. So does her name tell of doom in the near future?” I asked in a bored tone.