Gold- A Pokémon Story

Chapter Twenty One: Steeling Ourselves for Battle

By the time we had finally returned to the seaside city, it was getting pretty late in the day. The Team Rocket encounter had eaten up a considerable amount of our day and led to the three of us deciding to wait until tomorrow to take on the gym.

We went to the Olivine Pokémon Center to reserve two rooms and then decided to check out the restaurant next door to get some dinner.

The café was packed with sailors hanging around the sides of the room and at the bar. It seemed to be relatively busy so we seated ourselves at a table and waited to be served.

Lillie examined her menu. "So how long have you guys been journeying for?"

"Five days," I replied absentmindedly while I figured out what I wanted to order. "You said you journeyed with the Alola Champion?"

Lillie nodded. "Mhm! Selene's a pretty cool person. Though sometimes I worry she'll get herself into more trouble than she's been in before."

Silver peaked at her from around his menu. "Why's that?"

"Well," Lillie began curling a strand of her hair around her finger. "She went into Ultra Space with just one Pokémon and then vanished for a week in some other realm."

Silver and I looked at each other and then back at her. "What?"

Lillie sighed. "It's... complicated. I don't think I could explain it very well." She waved it away.

We ordered our food and made small talk between ourselves.

"So," I started. "What do you need Bill's help with anyway?"

Lillie seemed put off by the question. "Uhm... well my mother did some very bad things after our father vanished. She ended up partially fusing with a powerful Pokémon and getting really hurt. And since Bill has experience transforming into a Pokémon I have hope he can help."

We sat in silence for a little bit. "Oh wow..." I said eventually. "Well, at least it's over now."

Silver glared at me and then rolled his eyes. "Ignore him. I'm sure that must've really been hard for you. My dad died before I was born so I can't imagine what it was like to lose someone who was in your life and you held so close. You're really brave for staying strong and helping your mom."  Silver told her.

Lillie brightened up after that and we changed the subject of the conversation. I mostly stayed silent while they chatted because I felt really weirded out by what had happened.

Our food was soon brought to us and we dug in, finishing up and leaving not much later.

We strolled back to the Pokémon Center and Silver's Pokégear began to ring. He picked it up at started listening. "Really? That's great! Alright, thanks!" He hung up the device and put it away. "Bill called me back, he says he's at Ecruteak for the Rainbow Festival right now and would be happy to help!"

Lillie's eyes lit up. "Really? That's fantastic! Thanks so much, you guys!"

I gave her a thumbs up. "Happy to help! Now let's get some rest and tomorrow we'll beat the gym and head back to Ecruteak!" I said as we stepped into the Pokémon Center.

The next day I woke up late enough that I didn't feel it was worth it to try and call my dad. Silver and I wasted no time getting ready and met up with Lillie before heading to the local Pokémon Gym.

The sun was high in the sky and I felt refreshed and ready for a battle. I pushed open the doors and took in the area.

Giant steel pillars ran from one end of the wall to the other and all around the floor creating a labyrinth of metal barriers.