Chapter 66

Chapter 66

CHAPTER 66

After that almost disastrous contract negotiation with Retani Industries, Cece helped me release a statement exposing their shady dealings on the forum, and Denzel took care of calling them to say that we weren’t coming back. I felt like I should have been doing more to help and warn people, but this was all I could do. At least I could rest easy knowing that the vast majority of trainers browsed the forums at least once in a while, and with my boost in popularity, maybe they’d use that small moment to look up my post.

After that, I finally decided to go pick up the rest of my team, but first, I decided to get some gifts to celebrate, which I could afford with the money I had gotten from winning against Gardenia. Zipping back and forth through the city was annoying, but the look on their faces would be worth it. First, I bought enough poffins for Frillish— although everyone would probably steal from his share. Tangela didn’t eat, but maybe there was a way for him to enjoy tasty things. I needed to look that up eventually to be sure if he couldn’t enjoy the taste of food once in a while like Frillish could. Then, I purchased a small Tepig plushie for Togetic, who could finally use Extrasensory on something other than rocks or poor angel, who she seemed to enjoy bullying.

Maybe bullying was the wrong word since Tangela didn’t seem to mind whatsoever. He didn’t seem to mind many things, to be honest, but I still felt bad for the little guy. I decided to get him a stress ball of some sort that he could use his vines to press and touch. I wasn’t sure he had ever touched the material before, so he was bound to be interested in it, with how curious he was about touching everything new.

Denzel and I already owned a portable battery that we used to cook, but I decided to get Elekid his own battery. Most electric types were capable of generating their own electricity, including him, but apparently, they enjoyed getting it from other sources. It was supposed to feel good if it wasn’t their electricity or something. I’d be able to charge it on the road since it was solar-powered.

I really needed to learn more about the ins and outs of caring for my team.

Since the others were out training and Denzel was depressed about the sponsor incident, I decided to finally get back up to my Pokemon Center room. Plus, it’d be convenient since I was just picking up my team. I grabbed my Pokeballs from Nurse Joy, rode up the elevator, and entered my room. It was scary how fast I had gotten used to the luxurious life at my friends’ hotel because a small part of me remembered Pokemon Center rooms to be bigger than this. People got used to wealth way too easily, so it’d be nice to get back to Earth and sleep here once in a while.

I released my team, and they rushed toward me. Togetic flew at me and knocked me to the ground, rubbing her head against mine. Elekid clapped my shoulder affectionately, and Tangela rubbed me all over with his vines. Even Frillish was staring at me with that smile that I had learned to love.

“Okay, okay, I’m also happy to see you guys,” I laughed. “You were all amazing during the battle. Every single one of you did your part.”

Elekid stood up straight and yelled proudly.

“Your Ice Punch was awesome,” I grinned. “You were even better than when we trained. I have gifts for you guys! Here,” I said, rustling in my bag. “For you,” I said, handing Togetic her Tepig plush.

“Togeprri!” The fairy type cried out cheerfully before grabbing her toy. She flew around the room with it, throwing it in the air and catching it with Extrasensory.

“Glad you like it, princess,” I smiled. “Don’t tear it up, or I’ll have to get you a new one, and that was the last Tepig in stock! For you, Frillish, I have your favorite... Mago berry poffins!”

I saw his eyes twitch a little, but he stayed still and just nodded. He was so strong, pretending not to be completely enchanted by the poffins.

“C’mere and get some,” I said. “Or I’ll have to feed all of them to the others. Elekid’s never tasted any, and you would like some, wouldn’t you, hon?”

“Elekid!” The electric type yelled.

Tangela writhed slightly and curiously felt at the poffins with a few vines, but he seemed uninterested. Togetic flew close, still carrying her toy with her psychic powers.

“Fri...” Frillish said, clearly annoyed, but he came close nonetheless. I grabbed one of his tentacles and looked at him.

“Seriously, I want you to know that I’m very proud of you,” I told him. “Without you, the entire strategy falls apart, and you poisoning that Lombre helped a lot too. I know how hard you practiced with Poison Sting.”

The water type nodded, and I pulled him close into a hug. “Now here, say ahhh,”

Frillish rolled his red eyes and opened his mouth, and Elekid couldn’t stop himself from laughing. Frillish glared and threw water at the electric type, who easily dodged, and the two started playing a game of chicken throughout the room. Elekid somersaulted behind the bed, and Frillish flew after him.

“Hey, no water!” I exclaimed before groaning. “Angel, help me out.”

This was going to be a fun day!

——

I stretched in my chair and yawned as my Poketch started ringing. It was already night time, and I had lost another day engrossed in Pokemon battling. I rubbed my eyes and answered the phone without looking.

“Grace,” I heard, recognizing Cece’s voice. “I’m calling to tell you that the party’s been moved to tomorrow, so there’s no need to come if you don’t want to. I’d like it if you still did, though... you can sleep over again.” She said.

“I’ll come!” I said, suddenly feeling awake. “But why is it canceled? Did something happen?”

“The gym is closed tomorrow,” Cecilia said.

——

As soon as I heard the news, I hurried to Cecilia’s hotel room, where everyone else was already, including Denzel.

“Sorry, I was busy,” I quickly said, taking off my shoes. “Can someone tell me why the gym is closed? Doesn’t that literally never happen?”

“They’re saying that Gardenia will be occupied tomorrow speaking with the protesters and stuff,” Denzel explained. “So the entire gym’s closed for the day.”

“What happens to the people whose battle was tomorrow?” I asked.

“The entire schedule’s moved up a day, so all of our battles are the day after tomorrow,” Louis explained.

Justin groaned. “I had just gotten myself mentally prepared too.”

“Why are you complaining?” I asked, sitting next to Cece. “It just gives you another day of training, no?”

“I’d rather just rip the bandaid off and be done with it,” He said, sinking into the couch. “The nerves are getting to me.”

“Hmph. How weak-willed of you, Justin. You’re better than a man that would worry about nerves,” Pauline complained.

“You’ll do fine,” I told my friend. “Just keep the strategy I gave you in mind, and things will probably work out.”

Pauline’s eye twitched. “You gave him a strategy?”

“Yeah, when he asked me for help with his Lotad a few days ago. Do you want one too?” I grinned. “It’ll probably be a big help since you’ll be fighting two-on-three.”

“I don’t need anything from you,” She crossed her arms. “I’ll be fine on my own.”

“Pauline, don’t be foolish,” Emilia sighed.

“What? I’m telling the truth!”

And so, we spent another night talking among friends. Still, at the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but worry about how things were progressing. The fact that the demonstrations were so significant that they forced the gym to close was concerning. The only time Pokemon gyms closed was when the leaders were sick, and usually, one of the gym trainers that were good at battling took over their duties for the duration of the problem. But to close the gym entirely? Either I was worrying for nothing, or things were worse than they seemed. Way worse.