-It hadbeen a while since Hikari set foot in Veilstone City. She had frequented the ‘game’corner for some time three years ago, hoarding up change that got left in themachines during the week. Although she never played – she wasn’t allowed, shehad been told by the kind lady at the counter. It was ‘only for adults’, shehad said. At the time, she hadn’t understood why she couldn’t play. It was justgames, right? She remembers, when she was very young, that she used to sit inher father’s lap during late summer evenings, pulling the switches and gawkingat the pretty, blinking neon lights.-
-Thesedays, she understands the harm places like this could do, though they weren’t illegal.Most don’t fall for the temptation of spending every dime that they own, thoughother do. And that’s where the arm comes in.-
-Hikaritilted her head at the music that filtered through the gaps of the door, a heavybeat that shook the floor you walked on the closer you got. It the background,the department store towered, almost reaching the height of the Galactic HQ.Not quiet, but enough to be impressive on its own.-
-She neverreally had been interested in their goods, preferring to shop from the many PokéMartsscattered around, as well as stopping by the cafe on Route 210 for milk.-
-So, whywas she in Veilstone? The better question is – why not. It was the place shegathered her third gym-badge. Is that not a good enough reason? She remembersit like it was yesterday, her precious Hanish having evolved into his last form– a large, barrel-chested Noctowl. She remembered her excitement when finallymeeting Maylene, and the disappointed of losing her first battle. Then, to feelutterly overjoyed by winning in the rematch.-
-Now… Speakingof Maylene.-
-Deciding,Hikari made her way towards the gym. She would hope the young but powerfulleader would be there, but you never knew. On light feet, she crossed theconcrete paths and up the stairs, hesitating for just a moment before enteringthe gym. Inside, she met… That guy. She never really understood his purposesand when she had tried speaking to him and ask, he only gave tips of typeadvantages and whatnot.
But maybeit would be different this time, so she asked him if Maylene was in.-
-But heonly responded in the same way he did three years ago, which in its own way wasendearing. Though not very helpful.-