Aspiring Champion

“Well, a pokemon contest I guess you can compare to like a human beauty pageant. There are five categories of contest: cool, tough, beauty, smart, and cute. You enter a pokemon into the contest that you desire, though you have to make sure it’s ready for such a thing. You can feed your pokemon poffin to help increase their sheen and state in each of the five categories. Like if you want a pokemon to be good in a beauty contest you would feed it dry poffins and make sure its move set are of the beauty type. In the contest it’s divided into three categories that decide if you win or not.” You can tell Dawn enjoyed participating in contest, while she was Sinnoh champion and a star battler contest held a special place in her heart. It helps that her mother was a pokemon coordinator as well.

“There the Visual Competition, Dance competition, then the Acting competition. You can likely guess how your score is judged by.”

If Kyouhei was still curious she might even take him to see a actual contest appeal and performance, but likely at the moment he would rather hear about that gym. Seeing as he just asked about that, the young woman giggles at this as she nods. “Actually yes, heart home has a gym leader. Her names Fantina and she specializes in ghost types, she also participates in contest as well. She’s pretty good at it though she’s not a master despite what she claims.”

Seeing as she beat her in a couple of contest but she’s to modest to say that despite anything.

Well this boy had a lot of questions, it a good thing she has a lot of answers to go with them. “Hearthome City is the only city that holds contest, though it’s also one reason I’m here it’s not the main reason. I just happen to enjoy the city for a variety of reasons like the Amity Square, the fountains ect but I tend to travel around move often then not.”

“It’s no problem! I love meeting new people, although I’m a bit surprised. You’re not from here, so I assumed you traveled. Haven’t you met anyone on your travels?”

“I’ve met a lot of people, though most tend to not stay in one spot. Or are hard to find.” Which is true even her best friends Barry and Lucas weren’t exactly waiting in one spot for her. With Lucas helping the professor and Barry being… Well Barry she hasn’t had to much casual conversation with others. Being champion of sinnoh also made it a bit difficult as people are in awe of fearful of you. Which is why she was kind of happy to meet a foreigner who was clueless to her status.

Her social skills were a bit poor when she was younger though, it was only when she was allowed to go out a bit and ran into Barry that she started to gain any. Though Kyouhei should be careful when he assumes thing as while books didn’t teach her about people, it did give her very good insight. Her parents made sure to teach her the skills she needed to be a proper young lady. And cause of her one friend in Barry, who later turned into her rival she slowly began to break out of that shell she had. 

Though unfortunately she hasn’t seen many of the friends she made on her journey, she misses them dearly but she made due. After all she can’t dwell on the negative…

"Unova doesn't have Pokemon Contests, but we have musicals. It's not exactly the same, since it's not competitive, but it still gives Pokemon the chance to show their artistic challenge. You get to dress Pokemon up, too! Although..." He laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't think my Pokemon would appreciate that."

Mostly because a lot of the accessories seemed to be more suited to the feminine and all of his Pokemon were male and skilled in fighting, so he could easily imagine how embarrassed they would feel.“Actually yes, heart home has a gym leader. Her names Fantina and she specializes in ghost types, she also participates in contest as well."

“Actually yes, heart home has a gym leader. Her names Fantina and she specializes in ghost types, she also participates in contest as well. She’s pretty good at it though she’s not a master despite what she claims.”

He would like to challenge Fantina, but did he have any advantage over her? He had two fire-type Pokemon, a fighting/steel, and a normal type. He would have to decide that later.

"She does contests too? She must be talented! We actually have a lot of Gym Leaders who have a job at the side." He was trying to recall the ones with entertainment positions. "Let's see... There's Roxie, she's in a band. Burgh's an artist and man, his gym! It was like an art piece itself! Everything was covered in silk, like a cocoon! It was pretty obviously that he specialized in bug-types. Oh, and there's Elesa! She's a model and her gym was a model's walk-way! --actually, about everyone has a side job. But that's great! It means being a gym leader isn't a super stressful job? Maybe I can be one later and become an actor on the side!" He would probably just have to wait for Roxie to retire so he can snag Virbank and its filming studio.

“I’ve met a lot of people, though most tend to not stay in one spot. Or are hard to find.”

"My friends travel a lot too, but we can reach each other on Xtransceiver. Do you have anything like that here?"

He got out his blue device and showed it to Dawn. On his contact list was the Professor, his mother, Mei, Hue, Cheren, and Bianca.

 “I would like that, and as thanks I’ll buy you some warmer clothing for your stay.”

The boy continued to apologize hastily, but Proton completely ignored him.  Yes, it would probably be best to pretend as if nothing had happened.  No, that wouldn’t work, he had already made too much of a scene.  He should lie, then…Yes, that was the answer!  Arceus knows that lying always helped in situations such as this!

“Yes, yes, I’m sure it was an accident,” Proton replied flippantly after a while, having ignored most of the boy’s apologizes.  ”Don’t worry about it, what’s done is done, I guess.”  He quickly tried to switch into his least threatening face to assure the boy that he had nothing to fear.

“I was just looking for someone, is all,” he explained.  ”And when you bumped into me I seemed to have lost them.”  His tone was slightly bitter when he said this, but he tried to continue to appear as though he was not threatening.  

Proton opened his mouth to answer the boy’s next question, but quickly shut it.  Should he really tell him who he was?  There was a chance he might realize he was from Team Rocket…

The Executive’s eyes flickered back and forth and he studied the boy.  He didn’t look like he came from Kanto, so perhaps Proton’s identity would be safe.

“I was just looking for someone, is all.” ”And when you bumped into me I seemed to have lost them.”

"Oh really, who? I'm not busy. I can help you find them if you want!"

Although he knew that would be a bit of a bother. The department area was pretty crowded. Still, he did say he wasn't busy. He was here to explore and it probably wouldn't be too much to waste a day helping someone out.

"Where did you guys say to meet, though? Do you have their number?"

Kyouhei could hear the hint of bitterness, although he wasn't fazed by it. He wasn't surprised if the man was a little bitter with him since Celadon is a big city and it was hard enough to find someone already. If Kyouhei was looking for someone, saw them, but got hit and lost them, then well, he would feel a little sour, but would quickly let it go if it were an accident. Things happened.

“My name is Proton.” ”And who might you be, kid? I haven’t seen anyone like you around Kanto before.” 

Hue was attempting to convince his palm tree-haired friend to drop the search and head back home empty-handed; most of the times it had proved to work, especially when it came to determining who would take the spot until the local bakery store made its cut-off for a free pastry.

Usually, Kyouhei would put up a front and argue with his friend, but would eventually be convinced otherwise that his best friend would share with him once Hue got out of line — but on almost every occasion, Hue rarely shared his portion (or any booty, for that matter) after the deal had been agreed upon. As awful as it sounded, Hue was used to breaking promises — the smalls ones, at least. But this time, it looked like Kyouhei wasn’t about to let up.

“Alright, alright — guess we’ll just go and both check to see if it’s a Ditto or not.” He turned around then to roll his eyes, perturbed. Well, at least he got a physical description out of his attempt to trick his friend. Sometimes the kid was just too nice for his own good — and that often led him to the more positive consequences than the bad ones. “Beastly n’ big. Human-like. Sounds pretty creepy, if you ask me.”

And while Hue certainly would have agreed with his friend’s notion that no Pokemon was a ‘monster,’ there were definitely some creatures out in their big, wide world that would make any human’s skin crawl with fright. And Hue was beginning to think this Pokemon would be like one of those intimidating types, even if it was just playing around for kicks.

Once Hue had released his grip of Kyouhei’s hair, he had already started walking down one of the pathways both boys had yet to trek through. He was just about to enter into the depths of its shadows when he was halted by an abrupt yank from the top of his head. He was pulled back like a raggedy Pokedoll, only to find that Kyouhei was — what!?

Oh no. No he did not. Just mess up his hair. His messed up his hair. He. Messed. Up. His. Hair. Nobody messes up the hair — nobody.

Once Kyouhei had had his fine toussling up the long amounts of time it had taken to gel that finely-styled hair of his, Hue could only just plant his feet firmly to the dirt, and keep his hands clenched at his sides. He was clamped up, so riled up in his own rage that he didn’t even know how to voice it. Finally, a small exhale escape his lips as he blinked. “…Yeah,” he replied plainly, his eyes still focused on the forest path ahead — and not at his friend (for he might’ve just pounced on him then and there. And maybe then Zoroark would’ve had a snort at the sight). “Guess he…got it right.”

If there was anybody who liked to dish it out, but not take it back, it was Hue. He was a sore loser to the core; but perhaps the one perk about his competitiveness that he managed to get over it within a couple of minutes. With a deep sigh, Hue reached up to fix as much as he could make do of his defiled hair and turned to face his fellow accomplice.

"Even if it wasn't rare, it's still causing some trouble. It can't hurt to go after it and try to stop it, right? Especially since we're already this deep in."

He still couldn't tell that Hue was trying to get him to leave. The reaction seemed natural to him -- they could be doing more useful things like going to the gym or such, but Kyouhei still wanted to see this case out to the end. It wasn't like to him to leave things unfinished unless something more important came up.

"But if you don't think it's worth looking into, I can look around by myself!" Of course, Kyouhei wasn't trying to get rid of Hue either. But he didn't want to drag his friend into something he didn't want to be. Kyouhei had two fire-type Pokemon so he was fine. Not to mention, Kyouhei, from what he could remember of Zoroark, looked like a dark-type, he was almost absolutely certain, so his Lucario would have an advantage.

“Alright, alright — guess we’ll just go and both check to see if it’s a Ditto or not.”

"Oh, great! We can get the job done quicker that way then!"

“Beastly n’ big. Human-like. Sounds pretty creepy, if you ask me.”

"I didn't think he was really 'creepy'. Intimidating, a bit, but I don't think he meant real harm. He was laughing at me, so he probably has a sense of humor, right?"

Well anything could have a sense of humor, just not a good one. Still, he liked to think better of Pokemon than of people. Sure, wild Pokemon would attack him, but he understood that it was because he was trespassing into their territory. It's not like most Pokemon hurt people intentionally, unlike abusive trainers.

“Well then. Whaddaya say we just team up for now and see how it goes? Until we see him, that is. Besides, I’ve gotta hear what you’ve been up to since we last left. Have y’seen Mei yet?”

"I saw Mei when I first came to Nimbasa. We were both at the Battle Subway, at the entrance, and fought the Subway bosses! We won, although I had a feeling they were going easy on us. But after I'm a few more gyms in, I'd like to have a rematch with them!"

Kyouhei grabbed the third Pokeball on his belt.

"Go, Conlaed!"

A flash of light from the red ball revealed his Arcanine, sitting in front of Kyouhei, ready to take orders. The brunette smiled at the large dog and rubbed his chin.

Dress up and charades had always been a favorite game amongst the three since they were little. That, and perhaps just watching TV at one of their houses, with milk, cookies, and the house Pokemon curled up by their sides. And while the three might have childishly wished that they could go through the TV and be there, caught in between all that action and exhilaration, who knew that such a dream was actually possible! And that all three had managed to find one another under the bright lights of Virbank City. And who would’ve guessed that they had been welcomed into the one place that had made all their childhood dreams and aspirations come true.

They were actually here, at Pokestar Studios.

And the first stop they had made together was the filming studio, where all the makings behind films were made. Coincidentally, a spot had opened and had three roles that needed to be filled in. The genre, however, was something rather different from the norm…

“‘Rom…com…’?” The word sounded so foreign; and little did Hue know that it was a mashup of the words ‘romantic’ and ‘comedy.’ But seeing as how action, horror, thriller, adventure, and sci-fi were the only genres registered in this generic boy’s mind, it wasn’t a surprise to find that Hue was drawing a blank at this job offer’s topic. Realizing that just staring at the black-blocked letters wasn’t helping him, he swung his spiky head behind him to face his buntailed best friend.

“Hey Mei, y’mind explaining to me what this is about? This ‘romcom’ business? Like, is it some secret word for action stunts, or something?” The boy’s eyes ventured over to look at Kyouhei, who was standing by the female Trainer’s side.

He really couldn't believe it.

Even though Virbrank City was only two towns away from Aspertia City, Kyouhei had never visited the studio right above Virbank. While he understood that he couldn't leave by himself, Kyouhei had never been able to convince someone to take him there, and even if they could, Kyouhei heard retorts about how they probably wouldn't admit a normal person into the studios and all.

But after the consecutive defeats of Roxie, he and his two best friends were at PokeStar Studios. Kyouhei turned his body to look all around him, to look at the lit-up banners and see the stores off to the East side of this place that sold merchandise of Bryce and Sabrina, and to the West side that had some outdoor filming and trailers.

"We're actually here. I've always wanted to see this place!"

Kyouhei was already certain that his friends knew, but that didn't help him contain his excitement. Even if he had dismissed the idea of being a movie star because he sought to be the next Champion, a childhood dream was still a childhood dream, even a passed one.

Kyouhei turned back to his friends. When he looked at Hue, Kyouhei wasn't surprised to find the male being less than excited. However, he was surprised when said male waltzed over to him, seized him by the shoulder, and started taunting him.

--actually there wasn't much to be surprised about there, either.

“Unless Kyouhei here has watched a few of these ‘romcom’ things. Now that I’m saying it out, it sounds pretty girly — and I guess you might’ve watched a few girly things in your lifetime, am I right or am I right?”

"I watched A LOT of movies and all kinds, you know that!" He released himself from Hue's grip, slapping the other's arm away from him. "They're not girly or chick-flicks if that's what you're thinking! 'RomCom' stands for 'Romantic-Comedies'--"

Yeah at this point, he realized he was digging himself into a grave.

Time to get even.

It was Kyouhei's turn and he threw his arm around Hue's neck, putting the boy into a loose headlock.

"I'm sure there's this one you'll enjoy. It's about this rich boy and he had a stylist Pokemon in a Pawniard. They were friends ever since the boy was a kid and they had matching hairstyles -- you know, that bowl cut look. Except he kept getting made fun of, so he hired a Bisharp and didn't pay much attention to his Pawniard who decided to leave if he wasn't appreciated. While the boy had a nice new, cutting-edge hairstyle, he lost his one true friend, so he fired the Bisharp and went to look for his Pawniard and at the end, you see him with his old bowlcut!"

He let go of Hue's head but planted his hands over is friend's head.

"You get the moral of that story don't you, Hue?"

Between Team Plasma battles and working hard to train her team for gyms, Mei was starving. In most cases, she could go awhile without a big meal or cook herself something nutritious. It wasn’t that she was poor, but that she was too busy to stop in a city and find a decent place to feast. Some days, various travelers or challengers would share lodging and food but that generosity only came on odd occasions. The food she normally stored in her bag for eating on the go was completely depleted. This was because she accidentally released her Axew loose during her travels. No more gummy Ekans for now.

Basically, she was hungry and needed something to eat. Fast.

She paused outside of the former gym cafe. Sure. Why not? Mei entered the building and bells greeted her with their chimes. It was rather quiet for a cafe, and one of the few people there was her old childhood friend, Kyouhei. She could recognize that hair and the bright red visor from miles away. His whole body just popped up the moment she saw him. That alone made her giggle. He reminded her a Lillipup.

“Kyouhei!” She ran over and gave him a big hug, her buntails flying behind her. She was so quick at her actions that the poor boy’s arm was still up in the air from when Kyouhei spotted her.

Choosing the seat opposite to him, Mei responded eagerly. “Nimbasa’s Battle Subway? Oh yeah! That was fun!” She thought for a moment, “… it’s been at least a month, I think. Time really flies, huh…”

Grinning at him, she continued to speak, “I’m good! Just stopping by to see if there’s any Munna around here for my Pokedex!” A loud growl emitted from her stomach. “Urk. But it looks like I need to eat. Lemme just let my Eevee out for a bit, she hasn’t had a chance to get out for a while.” 

Mei fished a red pokeball out from her bag and stared at it intently, checking it was the right pokemon, before pressing the button. In a flash of light, the Eevee sat on the ground, seeming to be half way through a handstand. Scooping the brown pokemon up, she held it in her arms whilst turning back to Kyouhei.

"A month? Heh, it has been, hasn't it! What've you been up to since then?"

“I’m good! Just stopping by to see if there’s any Munna around here for my Pokedex!”

"Oh yeah, your Pokedex."

He didn't want to admit it, but half of the time, he would forget about part of the reason why he left Aspertia City in the first place and why he was even allowed to leave. He was supposed to be helping Professor Juniper with her research, like Hue and Mei, by finding as much Pokemon as he could. While he did use his Pokedex, Kyouhei only used it to learn about the Pokemon, usually forgetting the original purpose unless reminded. But at least he did end up recording data for all the Pokemon he met. He did get a good amount of data, but if only because he had a bad habit of getting lost and happening upon some rare Pokemon.

He could only laugh nervously and tell himself to do better from now on, although he got a feeling he would forget after this conversation with Mei.

"How's your Pokedex coming along, anyways?"

"Lemme just let my Eevee out for a bit, she hasn’t had a chance to get out for a while.”

"Hey you have any Eevee too!"

They weren't exactly common and Kyouhei only came across his through pure luck. He wondered how Mei found hers. That place in Castelia City was well hidden. He wondered if she noticed that lit up exit like he did and came back for it later. Probably. He didn't remember her to be as air-headed as he could be and get lost in a sewer, although for once, that wasn't what happened to him.

"I have one, too. I just got him when I was visiting Castelia! Where'd you find yours? Oh, let me get mine out. I named him Faust."

Kyouhei grabbed the fourth Pokeball on his belt and let out his Eevee.

He hugged the little Pokemon before letting him down towards Mei's Eevee.

“So how are you? Have you been taking care of yourself?”

Dawn was a bit confused when he asked that about how it’s not just in Unova. Well if he meant them being rare then he would be right. Riolu’s were very very rare to find in the wild while their evolution Lucariou was practically none existence, despite Sinnoh being where the species was discovered you will never see a wild lucario. The only ones she’s seen were owned by trainers including her own which she hatched from an egg from Riley.

Now she wonders about where that man could possibly be… She shouldn’t worry about that.

 ”How about tomorrow, if you’re still around? It’s too late right now. I’m sure both of our Pokemon want to rest. But I’ll be in this town for two or three days since it’s so big, and then I’ll be on my way.”

This caused her to smile at this, “Sounds like a plan then. I don’t really have anything planned, I’ve just been participating in the contest hall mostly. If you need it I would be more then happy to show you around the city. I’ve gotten pretty good at knowing the area and can point you in the right direction, don’t need you getting lost again after all..”

As soon as they were inside the Nurse was all over Kyouhei seeming shocked at how cold he was. Dawn tried to hide how amused she found this, as the nurse even made him hot cocoa and brought an extra blanket to make sure he warms up. The fact that he was freezing seemed to finally be settling in as he warmed up finally. Wow his lips were turning a bit blue, and here she was just chatting up a storm with him while he was freezing.

She felt a bit guilty now as it settled in, she’ll make it up to him tomarrow. He kept her company like she wanted even though he was freezing to death. So the most she could do was help him around Hearthome City, and if desired maybe around the Sinnoh region. Well after they find him warmer clothing cause if he goes to Snowpoint City… Well he would be a popsicle.

"Contests? What kind of contests?"

Back in Unova, he didn't have Pokemon contests. He had events where Pokemon would perform in some art form like the Pokemon Musicals, although they weren't really a competition. There was also the movie studio near the second gym he faced, but again, it wasn't a competition either.

She also mentioned that she act as a guide.

"Oh, I've been wondering! Is there a gym in this town?"

Although if he did fight the gym, he may be at a disadvantage from not knowing what Pokemon resided here. Then again, the gym leader may be at a same loss. However, most gyms specialize at something, and type advantages and disadvantages were universal throughout the world. He felt relief in knowing that was constant.

"But is that what you came to Hearthome City to do? To participate in contests? Is this the only place that has contests?" He questioned, one inquiry after another. He was really curious about this new place.

He had finished his hot chocolate and felt a lot warmer because of it. His cheeks were still cold, but at least the color had returns to his lips. The rest of his body, most important the area around his stomach was warmed up. Now only his legs were cold as the warmth didn't spread that far and the blanket didn't reach that low.

“Thank you for keeping me company, sorry for keeping you out longer then you need it… It’s been a while since I’ve had company to actually talk to besides my pokemon.”

"It's no problem! I love meeting new people, although I'm a bit surprised. You're not from here, so I assumed you traveled. Haven't you met anyone on your travels?"

It wasn't uncommon for people to travel alone. Kyouhei had started his journey was Mei and Hue, but the three of them quickly split up a little after they left Aspertia City. Still, he would bump into them every now and then, and they would challenge each other to see how they've grown. They weren't always together, but their roads would always cross. He knew that, so he never really did feel lonely. Plus, like he said, he loved meeting new people and would try to make friends with people he met or talk to gym leaders after their battle.

But then again, Dawn said she was basically kept at home and grew up reading books -- that was her window to the world. He couldn't imagine that books would teach her the necessary social skills to get out. And if she was kept at home, he imagined he didn't have any childhood friends and rivals like Kyouhei did.

He couldn't imagine what it would be like without his friends.

The young lady was impressed that he caught such a rare pokemon, they’re very powerful and strong creatures. With enough patients and training they make a perfect asset to any team. So Kyouhei should consider it a blessing in a sense to have obtained such a lovely pokemon.

Hey, maybe my Lucario and yours can meet! I don’t think mine’s ever really met another. Riolu’s are rare, but Lucario? I don’t think I’ve ever met a wild one before!”

“Oh I’m sure Lulu would love to meet your lucario, there aren’t really that many lucarios out in the wild. So I’m sure she would be happy to meet another of her species, we should definitely set up a play date or something.” She chimed, seeming to adore the idea of the two Lucario’s meeting and possibly making friends. Very much unaware of the bad puns/jokes Kyouhei was making in his head, which might be a blessing as she likely wouldn’t understand the jokes.

Which would result in both of them being embarressed, in Dawn case it would be for not getting the joke and in Kyouhei case for the fact she didn’t get it.

“It’s the other way around for me. I… actually never liked reading,” he admitted with a light-hearted laugh. “But since I lived in a high place and I loved to go out, I had this great view of all the other cities. I didn’t know much about them unless my friends told me, but I could see them. And I used to dream about going to all the places I’ve seen and more.”

Dawn listened to the other intently amazed at how different it was from hers own history, books were her window to the world. She felt like she knew everything and didn’t have to look outside. So she never really looked upon other cities like how he did, or dreamed of going to all those places. Cause well… She felt like she already was there.

She was a bit surprised when the boy seemed shocked when she stated his lips were turning blue. Barely able to react before the boy dashed right into the pokecenter, well guess that’s one way to get someone inside. Though it wasn’t an idiom as he did seem like he was freezing, winter in Sinnoh wasn’t exactly the best time of the year for shorts.

But it seems his own inner energy counteracted any frostbite and such that might have been trying to eat away at him. 

"Yeah, I never give much thought about those things. When I started my journey, I was just so happy that I was going, you know? So I just raced out with my friends to find what the world had for me, and decided I would deal with whatever's to come."

It was extremely reckless and his inability to plan ahead would probably be the end of him one day. Probably because all of his brain power went to Pokemon battles. He was talented in that, and he loved Pokemon with all his heart; those traits, to him, made up for his carelessness.

“Oh I’m sure Lulu would love to meet your lucario, there aren’t really that many lucarios out in the wild. So I’m sure she would be happy to meet another of her species, we should definitely set up a play date or something.”

"It's not just Unova, then?"

For a reason he could not define, Kyouhei gave a sigh of relief. It was probably because he didn't like the idea of Lucarios being common else where while his own had been by himself for the most part. It just didn't seem fair to him. But apparently, it was a common thing, and that made him feel better.

 "How about tomorrow, if you're still around? It's too late right now. I'm sure both of our Pokemon want to rest. But I'll be in this town for two or three days since it's so big, and then I'll be on my way."

He wondered if Dawn lived in this town, or if she was a travelling trainer like he was. She had a Lucario and Lucario were rare, and they definitely don't seem like they'd be around Hearthome City, so he assumed the latter.

Kyouhei didn't like books because while books provided knowledge, they didn't provide actual experience. He was the type of person who actually liked to go out and get his hands dirty. He did go to a school, however, but he didn't excel in the lessons because he never really tried. Usually, he was too consumed with his aspirations to pay attention, or he'd be in some competition with Hue, cause a ruckus, and get in trouble.

But with no leads as to what, exactly, the creature looked like, Hue knew he was already at an disadvantage. So, with a sly smile, he canted his head to the right and his arms crossed across his chest, he looked over at Kyouhei with a knowing chagrin. “So this Zoroark can change not only into other Pokemon, but into actual humans as well, huh? I wonder if the form you saw it in after it lost its human getup was, in fact, what it actually looked like. Y’know, it could’ve just changed into something else, and mabye you actually never saw it’s true form, after all.” He was attempting to bait his gullible friend from next door, as he always had done whenever the two had started a silly competition.

Even the littlest of things always got turned into some grand challenge between them. They’d cause a ruckus in the schoolyard, race around and topple people’s sandcastles at the beach, or cause havoc in the two square with whatever nonsense they’d conjured up in there minds. And usually Mei was right behind them, rolling her eyes and shaking her head in dismay all the way.

And while Hue had the disadvantage at the moment, he had managed to develop a strategy as to how to get even with his adversary: the art of pumping out information. Usually his friendly opponent would nab at whatever question or figurative bait Hue would offer him, and Kyouhei spew out a couple tidbits of information; and Hue was hoping that Kyouhei would follow through this time.

Hue’s whirling mind of plans and deviations was soon cut short, as his friend starting objecting about the silly story he had used as evidence. “Ten, sch’men. I still remember it, and so does Mei.” He tossed out a soft laugh, recalling how klutzy kid Kyouhei had been back then — and perhaps, how he still was. Sometimes, at least. “It’s the only memory I could come up with at the moment. I usually remember you for your silly mess-ups, anywa—”

“H-Hey, watch the face! Watch the face!” Before he knew it, Kyouhei had leaned over and pulled at his pale cheeks. Hue quickly backed away from the boy’s sturdy grip and cupped his now pinked cheeks. “What was that for, huh!?” Even though Hue knew deep down what ‘that’ was for. “Sheesh! You convinced now that I’m not Zoroark? I mean, what if you’re just an illusions too, huh?”

"Well--"

He couldn't come up with an argument immediately. That was definitely a possibility. After all, why would Zoroark dispel the illusion all of a sudden and run? Because it liked messing with Kyouhei? Well, probably. But, Kyouhei did see Hue's point and not his scheme.

"Then... maybe it isn't a Zoroark? Although, I can't think of another Pokemon that is capable of pulling off looking like another Pokemon except for Ditto. What if it's just a really mischievous Ditto?"

In that case, a search probably wouldn't be worth it. Ditto, while it was unique, wasn't rare, and he didn't know if it would be helpful.

"But if it is a Ditto, then it is causing some trouble. I got lost because of it! I'd still like to look for it to confirm what it is. And stop it if I need to."

Kyouhei did fall for Hue's trap, but his heroism saved him.

"Still... The Pokemon I saw. It wasn't like anything I've ever seen before. It was--" Kyouhei took a moment to recall the Pokemon's appearance. "It was human height, and walked on two legs. And it looked like a--"

He was about to say "monster" but he didn't. The only reason the word "monster" even came up was because of its dark appearance, but appearances were deceiving. He didn't want to say "monster" because the word had too many negative connotations with it and Kyouhei whole-heartedly believed that no Pokemon were evil. At most, the Pokemon would be an agent of chaos and love wrecking havoc, but that wouldn't have made it evil. Its actions would be justified in its own eyes. Plus, it's not like the Zoroark did anything atrocious or unforgivable. It just caused Kyouhei a little bit of trouble, but any adventure had its ups-and-downs, at least in his opinion.

"--beast. It looked beastly."

That was the best way Kyouhei could think to describe it. He couldn't think of what animal it resembled, either. Like many Pokemon, it took traits from all different sorts of animals.

“Sheesh! You convinced now that I’m not Zoroark? I mean, what if you’re just an illusions too, huh?”

"Hey, don't start turning on me! Of course I'm not a Zoroark. I just tou--"

Before he could finish, Hue grabbed the bush of hair above Kyouhei's vision.

"O-Ow!" He swatted Hue's hand away and took a step away from his best friend.

“At least he could your palm tree hair correctly, heh…”

Oh, he went there.

Kyouhei wasn't actually offended, but he heard the joke come from Hue and Mei many times, along with him throwing back jokes about cinnamon rolls and a mace. And like each time, he would give an equivalent retort.

"Oh really? In that case--"

Just like that, Kyouhei reached for Hue's hair, grabbing a fistful of hair, and made sure to ruffle his friend's hair out of order.

"Hey, no way! --I'm keeping this, and I'll pull this out whenever you make fun of my hair!"

"Whoever it is, I'm pretty sure they're still in Aspertia. It was only you, Mei, and me who left.  --You're old hair-style?"

Kyouhei took a moment to recall what they looked like many years ago. His hair, he remembered, was actually more normal. It only resembled a growing palm tree, not fully grown like it is now.

“Well I’ll be glad help you get a map then, it’s essential when traveling to a new region. I know it’s easy to get lost with one, but it’s a nightmare without one.” She states as they walked to the pokecenter. While the other told her about his own home region, listening intently.

“You caught a Riolu?” She asked a bit surprised, the species were pretty rare or at least used to be in her own region where the pokemon was even native to. She received her own Riolu from Riley as an egg after escorting him through a cave. So to hear that they started to inhabit another region was a bit surprising but then again pokemon were very adaptive creatures. “Well you’re right they are actually native to this region, I have a Lucario my self by the name of Lulu. She’s a sweetie.”

“Ah well, I was a very spoiled child before my journey, that’s something I can admit even if my hometown wasn’t the fanciest my parents made sure I always had a book at hand. Studies to attend and all the toys I could ever want, I knew so much about the world before I explored it but I never really got to SEE it.” She states, remembering when she first used a pokemon it was just a mess. Even though she was so confident she had to hide behind her friend Barry cause the pokemon she picked wouldn’t fight. The starly’s were vicious pokemon that’s for sure.

Yet right after that they were sent off on a journey to see the world. It was better then all those tales she had read in her books, the adventures were a real eye opener for the sheltered child. Funny how she was surrounded by nature yet was blind to it till she started her journey. But then again cause she was bling to it, it made her appreciate it all the more.

“Hmm…” As the other told her more about his home region, her curiosity about the foreign boy and his home land continued to pique her interest. It was amazing really as she listened to him, it sounded so modernized and much larger then her own Sinnoh cities. Maybe she should do what this boy did and take a boat over to see Unova, it wasn’t like she was doing to much in her own region despite being it’s champion…

Oh they were infront of the Pokeman Center now, they should probably go inside of standing.

Of course he did have a World Map of Unova, which came in handy later in his adventure. But it was a world map, not a city map, so he didn't think it would make a difference. It did, however, because he got lost coming to Hearthome which is why he came to the city so late.

"Yeah I do! They're actually not very common in Unova. I was wondering around Floccesy Ranch, which has mostly Lillipup and Azurill, but I guess I got lucky and found a Riolu!"

He was really surprised when he did find the Riolu. He hadn't gone looking for it specifically; he just wanted to see what Pokemon resided at Floccesy Ranch, and perhaps catch one. When he saw Riolu, he knew he wanted the jackal-like Pokemon on his team.

"I have a Lucario my self by the name of Lulu. She’s a sweetie."

"Hey, maybe my Lucario and yours can meet! I don't think mine's ever really met another. Riolu's are rare, but Lucario? I don't think I've ever met a wild one before!"

Kyouhei wondered if his Lucario would like that. The Pokemon wasn't very social, and it took some time for him to warm up to the rest of Kyouhei's team. Of course, his other Pokemon were fire-type, so it would probably take most Pokemon time actually warm up to their level.

--Yeah, the bad jokes should stop now.

Kyouhei smiled when Dawn shared her story. In some ways they were a lot alike, but in others they were the complete opposite.

"It's the other way around for me. I... actually never liked reading," he admitted with a light-hearted laugh. "But since I lived in a high place and I loved to go out, I had this great view of all the other cities. I didn't know much about them unless my friends told me, but I could see them. And I used to dream about going to all the places I've seen and more."

“Let’s go inside and get checked into a room, we can continue talking inside. Your lips are starting to turn blue.”

"Really?!"