Chapter 223 - 12 New trouble

The trio had arrived in front of the gym by the evening. On entering the center at the entrance, the female member of the group shrieked loudly attracting the attention of every occupant of the Pokemon center.

" Finally, after a week I can bath and sleep on a proper bed. And I don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn anymore. " Then she turned to Alex and asked timidly," Do I?"

Alex looked at her action and shook his head while saying," I can give you some freebies in a human settlement. You don't have to wake up early" hearing this both of them breathe out the air in relief but Alex wasn't done, "But it doesn't mean I will let you slack down your training. Tomorrow, you will be doing your first assignment as a Pokemon trainer and I expect you to complete it brilliantly."

He said the last sentence with a shine in his eyes making the duo shudder in fright. Alex had become an official nightmare for the two young trainers since he made sure their body is strong enough to keep up with their pokemon.

Alex made sure that they train alongside their pokemon when their pokemon are doing physical exercise. So for them, he was a hell trainer.

Alex took the duo to the reception of the Pokemon center.

He then said to the pink-haired Pokemon healer, nurse Joy," Nurse Joy can you please check our Pokemons for any injury and such things. "

She asked with a kind smile," How many pokemon do you want to check?"

He then motioned for Jim and Daisy to do the same. They were placed on the tray.

" There are fifteen pokemon in total. " Alex said.

She picked the tray and handed them to Chansey behind her for the examination.

" Can I see your ID, please?" She asked kindly to check his status and issue the bill.

Alex picked out his phone and placed it in front of her while displaying his Pokemon trainer ID. She saw his details and her eyes widened in shock.

She looked at her in confirmation and asked a little stunned," I.. is this your ID?"

Alex answered with a smile," You can verify yourself." And verify she did.

After that, she said," Everything is in the procedure. You can get back your pokemon from here in an hour. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

" Yes, we want three rooms for our stay in the town. " Alex said.

" I hope you have a pleasant stay " she wished them.

As Alex was turning to leave, Daisy asked," Alex don't we need to pay for treating our pokemon in the pokemon center?"

Nurse joy looked confused at her words and asked Alex," New trainer?"

Alex smiled meekly and said," I am letting them acquainted in the ways of the trainer and this is their first town in their journey. "

"If that so? If you don't mind can I explain the workings of the pokemon center to them?"nurse joy asked.

Alex happily agreed," sure. Why not? You can explain it to them much better than I could."

She then turned her attention to the kids and asked," I am nurse joy. The head doctor of the Soar town. what is your name, dear?"

And the duo introduced themselves.

" I am Jim Gordon. I am from Cerulean City "

" I am Daisy Waterflower. I too am from the Cerulean City."

She smiled at that until she heard Daisy's name and Cerulean city together," Waterflower? Waterflower as in..." she turned to Alex for confirmation.

Alex didn't speak but nodded to confirm what she thought.

She didn't put many thoughts into it and started speaking," Pokemon center is the place of healing for Pokemons built especially for trainers by the Pokemon league. They are in every village, town or city and are also present in some remote roads and areas.

This place serves not only for healing but also as a center for trading pokemon, information exchange as well as mission center.

The ground floor only serves as reception, a cafeteria for all and lobby for information exchange.

The first floor of the pokemon center had healing, mission center and cafeteria for Pokemons.

The second floor had the trading center as well as shops for selling and buying different Pokemon merchandise." She explained all the basic things about the Pokemon center." You understand everything I said." She said with a calm tone.

The duo nodded signifying they did, but Jim said," You still haven't answered her question."

The reply came with in the form of a fist to his head. Alex rubbed his head with his fist and said," you should know the basics before the advanced matters, brat "

Jim mumbled a soft "sorry "and nurse joy continued forward," Next is the service. The pokemon center provides different levels of services for different levels of trainers. These levels are Rookie, beginner, intermediate and advanced.

There are other levels too but you shouldn't pay too much attention to those now.

As for how to reach these ranks, every trainer starts from Rookie-level and based on the badges they earn they can get other ranks.

After you earn two badges you are a beginner trainer. After six badges you earn the status of the intermediate trainer. As for the advanced, you need to possess at least two elite level Pokemon for that status and fight in front of a gym leader who can vouch for your strength or pass the test at the League HQ.

After task completion to you can advance the status but it is a bit too long process and time taking.

Every trainer level gets some concessions from the league. They get some salary every year from the league but it is only for advanced trainer and above. But of course, they had to do some works for the league in return.

Along with that, they get to treat as many pokemon as needed free of charge as long as it isn't a case of major operation where they have to pay at best 30-50 percent of the cost based on their contribution to the league.

Since Alex here is an advanced level trainer, he gets these privileges. Of course, there are others but let them be a secret until you reach here too. " She ended the explanation.

Alex handed them their room keys and said," Now brats you can each head for your room. We will be taking our dinner at eight in the cafeteria and I don't want to wait for your arrival at that time. " He had a glint of light in his eyes which scared them and they hurriedly took off to their rooms. With them, Pikachu and Swablu rushed away with his room key so they could reserve their place before someone else could.

Alex and nurse joy smiled at their attics then he turned to her and said, " Has my package arrived? "

Nurse joy with a serious expression replied back," Yes it had arrived. Follow me. "

She passed the job to another nurse joy and took Alex inside towards her office in the center. In her office, She took out a 20*20 inch package and handed it over to him.

After that, she said," Your assignment is on there." She then asked with some unease," are you going to take these kids out on the task too. "

After confirming that the seal wasn't broken, Alex replied," No I won't take them. It is too dangerous for them to involve in this. I still feel they are too anxious to give me this task when I am with kids. "

" The situation here is pretty critical. They are eyeing the gym leader so he cannot come out to deal with them. Some of the local goons have joined hands with them. So we need an external helper to cleanse them. " she said with a sad face

" How serious is the case? Does Mathew need to be told this." Alex asked.

" Not enough to inform Mathew. There are still about 50 young trainers who are suddenly missing in the town. " She stressed in the town.

" This matter isn't enough to need my help. Such things happen all the time. " He asked.

" Indeed many trainers disappear over time around the town but never in the town. The underworld organization doesn't do such large scale kidnapping in the town, because such an act will be playing the prestige of the league and their final outcome is the only annihilation.

No one does that with the league, yet it happened now. As for why you were specifically called because you had an encounter with them earlier. "

" Oh. Did I meet them before? Who are the main accused then?"

" The shadows." She said.

Then it dawned on Alex why it had to be him. Alex took the box and left the office while saying," Don't worry. I will handle them then. "

Seeing him leave without much information, she anxiously shouted, " How are you going to find them?"

He turned and said," I don't need to find them. They already are after me, or to be more precise after the brats. I just need to catch the fish when he comes out to take the bait." And left her.

Alex was headed for his room and mumbled to himself," The old coot did say he will let me have a chance to have my revenge, but this soon. Hahahaha. Those idiots thought they were the hunter but in the end, they are just baited. Let's just enjoy the hunt, don't you agree, Haunter?"

And purple energy shimmered in his shadow before fading.

Alex will be facing his old for the shadows soon. How will it go? Stay tuned

To be continued...