She flinches at the look of disappointment that flickers across Cynthia's face as she asks for another month off. She was off in Unova, enjoying her free time now that she didn’t have many league responsibilities. Hikari couldn’t blame her for being disappointed, but it was her duty to make sure someone was at least present.
“You know kid, you didn’t have to take the gig.” The former champ starts speaking, staring at her freshly done nails. “I told you these responsibilities aren’t easy. I understand what you’re going through, but sometimes you need to tough it out.”
Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, she keeps a level gaze.
What if I told you it was official league business?
The journey to Johto wasn’t exactly unpleasant. The air was cool as spring started to arrive, but she couldn’t say that she preferred it. Enlisting the help of Professor Rowan, she was able to get her little excursion approved for official league business. It wouldn’t be the first time that she used history to escape Sinnoh.
After docking, she was supposed to wait for a representative. She assumed a chaperone to make sure she was really doing what she said. The Ruins of Alph not only offered archeological findings, but the legend of Unown was what she really was after.
Adjusting her backpack, her Combee buzzed happily around her head. Unlike her trainer, this Pokemon prefered the sunny weather. It wasn’t too hot or too cold and was perfect for flowers to bloom. Ahead, she sees someone standing at the end of the walkway. Approaching, she raises a brow.
Life's hard for a Pokemon all on his own in the big city. Meowth knows this, pretends he's totally not missing a certain idiotic duo that's basically his left and right hands--nah, nah, he's going to be all right. He's a streetwise guy! There's nothing he can't do!
As if to further fluff up his already inflated ego, Meowth's surprised by a sudden object alighting gently upon his head after a rather stern gust of wind. A quick feel of it with his paws confirms that a hat now calls his fluffy cranium home.
Well, would you look at that! Marveling himself in a store window's reflection, Meowth notices a boy running up to him from behind. He turns around and fluffs his fur out.
"Whaddaya think? It's pretty snazzy, ain't it? Looks like Lady Luck's smilin' down on me! I want dis ta be noted as a bonafide sign o' good fortune--as a' today, this city is good as mine!"
Hibiki feels like he's been all over the city already. Probably has. So the idea strikes him to grab a bite to eat from an interesting looking restaurant in the Culture Sector--which is precisely what he does.
For the first time, he lets some of the exhaustion creep across his face. This situation is beyond physically and emotionally draining, but fortunately, he knows a temporary cure for both.
It's called food. Amazing.
"Hey," he says to the boy beside him, pointing at a sign behind the bar. "It says there if you order the 'Champion's Bowl' and eat it all, the entire meal's free! Drinks and everything. I'll give it a go if you do!"
"Okay, be honest with me. I promise I can handle it." Minako suddenly starts talking to the boy beside her outside the store as if they're best friends. "These underground Districts--how dangerous are they?"
