"Hehehe!" I continued to giggle as Blissey was being silly and carrying me around like I was a stray cat as she sauntered out of the Gym without looking back, and then marching to the Pokemon center.
"W-wait up!" Bugsy called out, but Blissey didn’t wait up, and instead, continued on, practically skipping down the street and entering the pokemon center with a triumphant stride. I wasn’t sure what Blissey was doing, but I was totally there for it, because for a moment.
Yeah. Friendship Evolution was really cool, and there was something that had sparked between us. It was more than just a happy feeling. It was something real.
We were friends. Blissey and I. More than just people working together, or her chasing after a weird kid and making sure her pokemon were healthy.
Blissey... Blissey thought of me as a friend.
I giggled some more at the thought and then Blissey stopped.
"Bliss! Blissey!" She cried out to the mostly empty pokemon center.
But the Chansey and Nurse Joy that worked here both jerked as if scolded and suddenly Blissey was surrounded by pink.
"Oh my! Look at you!" Nurse Joy cried out, and Chansey was cheering as well, literally pulling out little paper fans from somewhere and she was dancing and cheering Blissey on like she had just finished first in a race.
It was super cute, especially as I looked up I could see Blissey’s smile bright and happy.
"Congratulations!" Nurse Joy offered first to Blissey, grabbing her fin and shaking it happily, and then leaning down to grab my hand.
"Thanks!" I said and Nurse Joy smiled at my obvious happiness.
"What’s the big deal?" Bugsy finally asked as he had reached the entrance in time to see all of this and was breathing heavily. "I mean, I’ve never heard of a Blissey before, but... Is it that weird?"
"Oh my, yes!" Nurse Joy broke in before I could say anything. "The exact mechanics between evolving into a Blissey aren’t truly understood! Every Blissey is a wonderful addition to the world! They spread happiness and healing wherever they go!" Nurse Joy gushed and I giggled as I noticed Blissey getting a little embarrassed by the all words.
"Blissey is a Friendship Evolution." I added instantly to Nurse Joy with a big smile. "All you have to do is be Chanseys friend and battle together until your bond grows big and strong and then Bwooom! Blissey is here!" I cheered out and Blissey giggled and patted me on the head, but I realized a moment later, Blissey action wasn’t in agreement but the same emotion Nurse Joy gave me.
A sort of affectionate disbelief.
I looked up and realized Blissey was the same. She didn’t quite understand either.
"Friendship evolution is a thing!" I called waving my arms around but Nurse Joy just giggled and joined Blissey in patting my head.
"Making friends with your Pokemon is very important." Nurse Joy offered, but it wasn’t really genuine.
I slumped. Fine I’ll just have to prove it!
—--
Considering it was getting late,Bugsy and I jumped once more onto Dragonites back and flew back across the ocean to the mainland. Olivine City was really easy to find as we just followed the boats and ships that were either heading out, or rushing back to the city as the sun drooped low.
That and the large lighthouse that flared bright light into the sea letting us home in on it.
Flying over the port city for a bit we spotted the pokemon center and landed.
Everything was going normally, until we actually entered the Pokemon Center when suddenly Nurse Joy pounced on me. Chansey and Nurse Joy both hit party poppers showering Bugsy and I in confetti.
"Congratulations!"
"Chansey!" They both cheered and I blinked, having been a little startled.
"Wha?"
"Another Blissey has come into the world! How wonderful!" Nurse Joy spoke, hands folded in front of her face and stars practically in her eyes. "Can you let her out?"
"Ahhh, sure?" I offered, confused and did so.
"Blissey!" She greeted the world and then blinked at the new set of Nurse Joy and Chansey that were both staring at her with sparkly eyes
"It’s true! Our sister was telling the truth!"
I laughed at the attention Blissey was getting making her be a little embarrassed.
It seems a Blissey appearing was a big deal, and Nurse Joy back in Cianwood had put out the word to all of her sisters. Nurse Joy explained as we were all bunched up on a couch as she offered us some fancy tea, that was definitely not something normally offered to Pokemon Center trainers.
Bugsy and I were both quietly sipping at the treat as Nurse Joy’s Chansey chattered away at Blissey acting almost starstruck.
It was... Strange. I get that Chansey themselves aren’t the most common right now. And Blissey isn’t an easy evolution to get in a world where they aren’t common battlers, and on top of that, the idea of friendship causing Pokemon to evolve not being understood or accepted...
I watched as Blissey flexed and the corded muscle stretched under her skin and yep.
Blissey was still buff. Maybe even more buff. The Chansey looked shocked and I think there was a bit of envy too.
I was just finishing the tea when I realized...
Blissey would be stronger now than she was before... Would her Gravity be stronger too?
I shuddered a bit.
At least Arcanine would be happy.
—--
The next morning bright and early I walked over to the Olivine City Gym.
Thankfully like Chuck Jasmine the Steel Type Gym Leader was still actually holding matches at her Gym despite it being so close to the end of the cycle.
Walking inside the fancy almost high tech gym, I walked up to the secretary at the front, Bugsy following behind me.
"I’d like to challenge Jasmine!" I greeted smiling and the secretary gave me a smile that told me that wasn’t the first time she’d heard that.
Ten minutes later there I was. Standing across from the girl that wasn’t smiling kindly at me, but was looking at me with judging eyes.
I guess she already knew who I was.
"Victoria. I was wondering when you would come here."
"Jasmine! Please let me face your strongest team!" I greeted in turn and she nodded, pulling one of her six pokeballs on her hip.
She was already prepared for this.
The referee wasn’t Bugsy this time, and then finally it began.
"Go! Steelix!" She called and I blinked. That was her Ace I think?
Oh well.
"Go! My Blue Heart!" I cheered and threw.
I laughed rubbing at the back of my head. "I look forward to facing you again. You really surprised me with some of your moves. Your Skarmory is crazy!"
"You took out Steelix before I could... I heard from Whitney, and so I sent my Ace out first... Usually the others do some prep work to buff him up when I’m doing serious battles... I underestimated you." She offered and I blinked because that was interesting!
That meant our next battle would be even better!
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a case. When she opened it she looked through it and slowly brought out a Badge.
"The Mineral Badge, is given to trainers that have proven that they have forged their pokemon to Steel... I offer it to you. With a Star to prove you have overcome the Olivine City Gym today, and forever."
"Thank you." I offered out taking the badge from her with gentle hands and smiling as I showed it to Dragonite who looked proud, but not interested in it.
I took out my case and popped it open, and I heard her gasp, as I slowly inserted it inside.
She was tall enough that she was looking down and able to see the case.
"Is that?"
"It’s the proof of my journey so far." I said after a while. I wasn’t sure what else to say, but it seemed to have been enough Jasmine swallowed and then nodded.
"You... Whitney was being a brat." She decided after a moment with a grumble and a look that wasn’t at me, but at something far away. "You’ve definitely earned my badge. I look forward to seeing this year’s Conference."
"You’ll see me there." I agreed and that was that.
I turned and Bugsy waved goodbye to Jasmine.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I don’t think Jasmine recognized him either.
Poor Bugsy. He was too new of a Gym Leader that the others didn’t even recognize him outside of his Gym.
I looked over and his eyes weren’t really following me.
Bugsy had the eyes of a boy that wanted a battle.
I smirked and turned away. I’d give him another one, but not now. We needed to rest everyone up. And maybe ride Arcanine to possibly the most dangerous Gym in Johto. Even including the Blackthorn Gym.
Mahogany Town was ruled over by Pryce. Pryce who had been one of the most powerful Johto Trainers for so long he was practically an institution.
He was also in Mahogany Town.
—--
I kept my head on a swivel looking for the one thing I expected I wouldn’t see until it was too late as we entered Mahogany Town.
Ninjas.
Just like Fuchsia was Kanto’s Ninja Town, Mahogany Town was literally called the Hiding Place of Ninjas.
At least I was pretty sure this wasn’t the Manga, and Pryce wasn’t actually an evil big bad.
But he was likely going to be pissed with a Kanto trainer showing up.
"Brrr." Behind me I noticed Bugsy shivering a bit.
"Shorts are nice, until it suddenly starts snowing." I reminded him and he nodded. Luckily Arcanine was nice and warm and Bugsy was warming his hands against her fur.
Arcanine on the other hand?
I looked over her head and noticed her tongue sticking out as she kept attacking the snowflakes that flowed past her head.
"Alright, just take us to the Pokemon Center, and we can do some running around."
"Arc!" She cheered and took off causing Bugsy to yelp as he held onto me tightly to keep from falling off.
Arcanine raced through the sleepy snowy Town, and it didn’t’ take us long to find the Pokemon Center and slide inside.
Literally.
"Arcanine!" I scolded her but she didn’t care, having barely slowed for the automatic doors she ended up sliding on the ice purposefully even sitting a bit and letting herself spin around as we all came flying into the center.
"Ow." Bugsy whispered, but he was okay, and I reached down and helped him up.
"Oh. Welcome?" Nurse Joy called out and then I noticed her eyes widening as she saw me...
This was going to become a thing wasn’t it?
—--
"Okay!" Bugsy offered, returning to the main room now wearing pants and a jacket, where Blissey was happily chatting with Nurse Joy’s Chansey as Nurse Joy gushed over Blissey.
I smiled at Blisseys happiness, because she enjoyed the happiness that her presence brought. Even if it was embarrassing her a little.
She hadn’t even had anyone eat her egg yet!
Waving to Bugsy I looked away from those three.
"Great. Arcanine is warming up with some more runs, but I’ll be heading to see Pryce soon." I told him and he nodded firmly.
"Do you think you’ll win? Pryce isn’t like the others." Bugsy added and I frowned.
Yeah. Johto had a lot of newbie gym leaders.
Kanto did too after all, but I had already fought the best.
I nodded. "I’ve fought the best Kanto has already too. Even the old guys. Blaine... Was strong. Really strong. I can beat Pryce." I told him and he nodded slowly, not looking like he quite believed me.
"Is that what you think?" A voice growled out and I looked towards the door. Pryce had just walked in, stalking in the snow coating his boots as he casually knocked off the powder.
I rose up, because there was a reason he was here, and it was me.
"That’s right." I said, firmly and the old man’s scowl grew dark. Real rage covered his face.
This was a man that hated me.
"Then come, I’ll show you the strength of a Glacier." He demanded and I nodded. Our eyes had met after all.
He turned and instantly came face to snout with a lightly panting Arcanine. Arcanine had been sent out on a run after all, and she returned instantly, she lapped across Pryces face in a greeting and walked right past him. Prancing as she entered the Pokemon Center to look at me.
I felt myself shift into a smile, fighting as my lips wanted to quirk up. The look on Pryce’s face was picture worthy. I bet Blaine would give me real pokedollars for it. But I turned to focus on Arcanine.
"Hey Arcanine. You ready for a battle?" And of course at the ’B’ word it was all over.
It was time to battle.