Chapter Eleven
"Bittersweet Memories."
The pokeball touched Oddish and Oddish was sucked inside.
"I got Oddish!" Andrew exclaimed.
"Way to go!" Celena exclaimed.
"Now that you caught an Oddish, I suppose we should head back to Bill's place," Hoshi said.
"You are right. Besides the sooner we get back, the sooner that we can see Bill's lab," Andrew commented.
Hoshi and Andrew slowly started back to Bill's house.
Hoshi was fidgeting.
"Is something bothering you?" Andrew asked Hoshi.
"I'll tell you later when we have time to talk," Hoshi replied.
"Ok," Andrew said.
"What are you guys waiting for?! Let's get going!" Celena exclaimed as she turned around on the path ahead of them and looked at Hoshi and Andrew.
"Alright, we're coming," Hoshi replied.
The three of them returned to Bill's house.
"Back so soon? Well, that was fast," Bill said.
"I know. It didn't take us very long to find an Oddish," Andrew replied.
"If you're ready, I'll show you around my research lab," Bill said.
"I'm ready," Andrew replied.
"So am I," Hoshi said.
Bill led the way to his lab. He opened the door and stepped aside to let Hoshi, Andrew, and Celena enter the lab first.
"This place is incredible!" Hoshi exclaimed.
"Look at all of the neat things in here!" Celena exclaimed.
Bill didn't seem surprised to hear Celena talk. "So. You can talk, Celena. That doesn't surprise me. I have seen many strange and wonderful pokemon as a Pokemaniac," he said.
"I thought that you didn't want to spook people by talking to them, Celena. What gives?" Hoshi asked.
"I was just wondering the same thing myself," Andrew replied.
"Well, Bill seems like a nice person and he knows alot about pokemon from what I have seen. So I didn't think he would be too surprised by a talking pokemon," Celena explained.
"Your thinking was correct, Celena," Bill said.
"You said that you know alot about pokemon. Can you tell us what you do?" Hoshi asked Bill.
"Not only do I like to observe pokemon but I'm kind of an inventor, too. In fact, I created the PokeDex system that pokemon trainers use," Bill said.
"No way! You mean that you actually invented the PokeDex?!" Hoshi asked in surprise as she took out her PokeDex and looked at it..
"That I did," Bill confirmed.
"I had no idea that you were the one who invented the Pokedex," Hoshi replied.
"I see that you're using my invention," Bill said as he noticed the PokeDex.
"Yes I am," Hoshi said.
"Hey, what is this thing?" Celena asked, drawing their attention to something in a corner of the room.
They all looked in the direction that Celena was referring to.
It looked like some kind of pokemon.
"That thing you are referring to is mine, and it's a pokemon costume," Bill explained.
"A pokemon costume?" Hoshi asked, trying to keep from laughing.
"Why do you have a pokemon costume in here?" Andrew asked.
"So that's a pokemon costume," Celena said.
"That costume wasn't here the last time that I was here," Andrew replied.
"Well, sometimes I like to wear it to see what it feels like to be a pokemon," Bill explained.
"That's very interesting," Hoshi replied.
"The costume is a new one so that's why you haven't seen it before, Andrew," Bill said.
"I appreciate the explaination," Andrew said.
"As long as you're here, I want to give you something," Bill said. He went over to a nearby table and picked up an envelope from the table.
"What's in there?" Hoshi asked.
"Tickets for the S.S. Anne. I was invited to invite the party but I am very busy and won't be able to attend it. So you take them," Bill replied as he pulled a couple of tickets from the envelope and held them out to Hoshi and Andrew.
Hoshi and Andrew each took an S.S. Anne ticket and put it in their pocket.
"It was very nice of you to give your tickets to us. Thanks for the tickets," Andrew said.
"I agree!" Hoshi exclaimed.
"You're welcome. This way the tickets won't go to waste," Bill replied.
Hoshi looked at her watch. "Let's get going," she said to Andrew and Celena.
"We've enjoyed our stay here, but now it's time that we got going," Andrew said.
"No problem. I enjoyed the company," Bill said.
"I had a nice time at your house," Celena said.
"Why thank you, Celena!" Bill exclaimed.
"You're welcome," Celena replied.
The three of them left Bill's house and resumed their journey again.
"I want to stop at the Pokemon Center before I battle at the Gym," Hoshi said.
"That's a good idea. It's wise to make sure that your pokemon are in shape to battle," Andrew replied.
After walking for some time, Hoshi stopped and gestured down a side street. "I think there's a Pokemon Center down this street!" she exclaimed.
They turned down the street and headed for the Pokemon Center.
"This is a different Pokemon Center than the one that I was in last time," Hoshi remarked as they went inside.
Andrew looked at her with a question on his face.
"After you went ahead to your uncle's place, somebody challenged me to a pokemon battle and I accepted their challenge. We battled and afterwards we went to the Pokemon Center to heal our pokemon. We sat and got to know each other while we waited to pick up our pokemon. I also caught Mankey during that time. It was in a Pokemon Mart making a mess out of the place. It broke one of the windows of the Mart before I battled it," Hoshi explained.
"Weren't you scared to be going into the Mart after an angry Mankey?" Andrew asked.
"I was just a little scared. But I knew that somebody had to stop the Mankey from wrecking the place," Hoshi said.
"Sounds like it was an exciting battle," Andrew replied.
"It was. I can only wonder how the Mankey got in the Pokemon Mart," Hoshi remarked.
"We will probably never know the answer to that question," Andrew said.
"Somebody must have really provoked the Mankey after it ran off from our first battle," Hoshi said.
"This isn't the first time that we met a ticked off pokemon," Andrew said, referring to the time when a Nidoran had chased after them.
"I know. It is kind of freaky and scary seeing a pokemon charging right at you! Especially when it is a pokemon that has horns," Hoshi exclaimed.
"I agree with that part," Andrew replied.
Celena just looked around the place and said nothing because there were other people in the Pokemon Center.
There were at least a dozen other trainers in the Pokemon Center. There was even sombody using the computer that stood beside a wall of the room.
"Man, this place is busy! I guess we will have to wait to use the computer!" Andrew exclaimed when he saw all the people.
"It's no problem to wait," Hoshi said.
Hoshi and Andrew sat on some chairs against the wall.
Celena laid on the floor beside them and pretended to doze but in reality, she was watching all the activity in the Center.
Hoshi and Andrew were talking amongst themselves.
"There sure are alot of trainers here. I don't think I've so many trainers in one place before," Hoshi remarked.
"I know what you mean," Andrew replied.
The person at the computer finished what they were doing and left the computer.
"Oh look. The computer is free. You had better go use it before somebody else does," Andrew said as he pointed the computer.
"Let's go," Hoshi replied.
They went over to the computer.
"Since you currently have more then six pokemon, would you like to see how to deposit and withdraw pokemon from your pokemon storage account?" Andrew asked.
"Nah. I think I can figure out how to do it myself," Hoshi replied.
"That's fine with me," Andrew said.
"Sometimes you just have to figure things out on your own," Hoshi said.
"Very true," Andrew remarked.
"I think I'm going to deposit Pidgeotto and withdraw Mankey. I figure it's about time Pidgeotto had a rest and besides, I want to use Mankey against the next Gym Leader," Hoshi said.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Andrew said under his breath.
Hoshi heard his remark. "Please explain what you meant by that remark," she requested.
"It's just that Mankey is a fighting type pokemon and tends to have a temper. I was just wondering if you could handle such a ferocious pokemon," Andrew explained.
"Well, I won't know the answer to that until I use Mankey in a battle," Hoshi replied.
"You do have a good point there," Andrew said.
Hoshi typed in her user name and password and logged into her account. There, she saw five choices.
Withdraw pokemon.
Deposit pokemon.
Release pokemon.
Change box.
See ya!
Hoshi looked at her choices. "I certainly don't want to release Mankey. Not after all the trouble that I went through to catch it. I'm not ready to change boxes yet because I only have one pokemon in my account so far. I'm not ready to log out since I haven't done anything yet. So that only leaves me with two choices. I'll deposit Pidgeotto and withdraw Mankey," she said. She set Pidgeotto's pokeball in the deposit slot, then clicked on deposit pokemon. The pokeball glowed red, then vanished. Next she chose withdraw pokemon and clicked on Mankey's name. There was another red glow and Mankey's pokeball appeared. Then she clicked on see ya and signed out of her account. She picked up the pokeball and went over to the counter to have Mankey healed up so that it would be ready for battle.
Nurse Joy took the pokeball and had Mankey healed up in a few minutes.
Hoshi picked up Mankey's pokeball and she, Andrew, and Celena left the Pokemon Center.
Hoshi and Andrew stood there talking.
"You said earlier that something was bothering you. Are you ready to talk about it," Andrew asked.
"Yes I am. I wanted to wait until we had some privacy to talk without being overheard by anyone," Hoshi replied.
"Well, you don't have to worry about anyone listening in on your private conversation here," Celena said.
"This isn't working out, Andrew. We have both changed so much since the last time that we saw each other. You now live in Viridian City and I have always lived in Vermillion City. Our friendship isn't what it used to be. We've grown apart and now have different hobbies and interests. I know that it's somewhat sad to see a friendship end but this is probably for the best," Hoshi said.
"I guess you're right. I also could tell that our friendship had changed. In fact, I've been thinking about staying in Cerulean City since I've missed living here. I was originally heading back here when I met you in Viridian Forest and got sidetracked. I've been trying to think of a way to tell you this without any hard feelings," Andrew replied.
"I don't have any hard feelings about this. We both tried to keep our friendship intact, but it just did not work out," Hoshi said.
"I know," Andrew replied.
Hoshi and Andrew looked sad that their friendship was ending but they both knew the time had come for them to go their own way.
Andrew pulled something out of his pocket. "Here. I want you to have this," he said as he held out his S.S. Anne ticket to Hoshi.
Hoshi took the other ticket and put it in her pocket with her ticket.
Celena was silently watching them.
"Farewell, Andrew," Hoshi said.
"Good bye, Hoshi. Take care of yourself, Celena," Andrew replied.
"Bye, Andrew," Celena said.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I want to head back to my uncle's house," Andrew said.
They watched Andrew walk away from them.
Then Hoshi turned and went on her way.
Celena was walking beside her.
Hoshi passed a bench and decided to sit down for awhile.
Celena stood beside Hoshi as she rubbed Celena's head.
"Andrew and I both tried to keep our friendship together even though we both knew it was inevitable that it would end. It's kind of hard maintaining a friendship with somebody that you haven't seen in four years. I mean, nothing is the same. Andrew and I both live in different cities and we both have different interests than we used to. I knew this day was coming. I felt that our friendship was growing apart," Hoshi said.
"I hear you," Celena said softly.
"Hey, don't look so glum!" a voice exclaimed to Hoshi.
Hoshi and Celena looked up and saw a boy with a black backpack in his hands heading toward them.
He stopped beside them. "Mind if I sit here, too?" he asked Hoshi.
"Go ahead. It's a free country," Hoshi replied as she shrugged her shoulders.
"My name is Nicholas," the boy introduced himself as he sat down on the bench.
"Call me Hoshi," she replied.
"I was going by here when I noticed that you looked a little sad. Is something wrong?" Nicholas asked.
"I do feel bummed out right now," Hoshi admitted.
Nicholas looked at Efi. "That's a nice looking pokemon," he asked.
"Oh you mean, Celena? Yeah, I guess she is cute," Hoshi said enthusiastically.
"Cute? I may look cute but looks can be deceiving!" Celena declared.
"Wow! I didn't know that you could talk, Celena!" Nicholas said.
"Well, now you do!" Celena exclaimed.
"What a spunky pokemon you are, Celena," Nicholas said as he smiled.
'They only know a small part of my past. But I haven't told them everything yet' Celena thought to herself.
"Would you like to talk about pokemon?" Nicholas asked.
"Ok," Hoshi replied.
"You know, I have a few pokemon of my own. I'm not a trainer. I just caught them because I liked them. Would you like to see one of them?" Nicholas asked.
"Sure. Go ahead," Hoshi said.
"I think you will like this one. This is one of my most recently caught pokemon," Nicholas replied as he took out a pokeball but didn't open it right away.
"Ooh, I can't wait!" Hoshi exclaimed.
"Are you trying to build up suspense or something?" Celena asked Nicholas.
"Ok, ok. You got me red-handed. I was trying to building up suspense," Nicholas replied as he chuckled.
Celena laughed at Nicholas' response.
Hoshi found herself grinning.
Nicholas tossed out the pokeball. It opened up and a Caterpie appeared in a beam of light. "Meet Caterpie!" he exclaimed.
"Oh wow! A Caterpie!" Hoshi exclaimed.
"How cute!" Celena replied.
Caterpie crawled over to Nicholas.
"I take it that you like Caterpie?" Nicholas asked.
"Sure do!" Hoshi exclaimed. She reached over and patted Caterpie on the head.
"Caterpie looks like a good choice for a pokemon," Celena said.
"Now let me show you one of my pokemon!" Hoshi exclaimed. She took out a pokeball and threw it. "This is Penny!" she exclaimed as a pokemon appeared.
Penny looked at Nicholas, then jumped on Hoshi's lap.
"I've always liked Meowth, though I don't have one," Nicholas said as he petted Penny.
"I was feeling a little disappointed because of a friendship that changed," Hoshi said.
"Stuff like that sometimes happens," Nicholas replied.
"I know. But now I feel a whole lot better after talking about it," Hoshi replied.
"So, what brings you to Cerulean City?" Nicholas asked Hoshi.
"I'm a pokemon trainer completing for badges. There's a Gym here and I'm hoping to win a badge from there," Hoshi replied.
"Sounds interesting. If you and Celena don't mind, I'd like to join you on your journey. I'm always interested in seeing the different kinds of pokemon that there are," Nicholas asked.
"I don't mind if you join us," Hoshi said.
"Neither do I!" Celena exclaimed.
"It must be fun traveling to different places, seeing new things, and meeting new people," Nicholas remarked.
"Oh it is. I've only been on this journey about a month and already I've learned alot. Not only that, but I'm having fun seeing new places," Hoshi replied.
"I know that I won't replace your lost friendship with your previous friend, but it helps to have somebody to talk to when you feel lonely," Nicholas said.
"You got that right. You came along just at the right time," Hoshi replied.
"I'm glad to hear it," Nicholas said, chuckling.
"Shouldn't we be heading over to the Cerulean City Gym? You said that you wanted another badge," Celena spoke up.
"You're right, Celena. We have wasted enough time here. Let's get going," Hoshi said.
Caterpie and Penny were returned to their pokeballs.
"Cerulean City Gym is this way!" Nicholas exclaimed as he pointed the way.
Hoshi, Celena, and Nicholas got up and headed toward the gym.
Soon the gym came into sight. The outside of the gym resembled a fancy aquarium.
"This inside of this place looks more like an aquarium than a gym," Hoshi remarked to Nicholas as they entered the gym and saw a bunch of fish tanks.
"It sure does," Nicholas replied.
"This place is really neat!" Celena exclaimed, looking around.
They saw all kinds of water pokemon in the tanks such as Goldeens, Squirtles, Horseas, Staryus, and Poliwags.
"I think Horsea is an awesome pokemon! It seems so graceful as it swins along!" Celena exclaimed as she watched some Horseas swimming around in one of the tanks.
They continued looking around at the tanks.
"Hey look! There's a swimming pool ahead!" Hoshi exclaimed as she gestured to it.
There was a Seel swimming around in the pool.
Three girls were standing beside the pool. They seemed to be having a heated discussion about something.
"I've never seen so many water pokemon in one place before!" Nicholas exclaimed.
The girls looked up. "Hi. If you came here to see the show, you're in luck. The next show starts in ninety minutes," one of them said.
"I didn't come here to watch the show. I'm a pokemon trainer and I came here for a badge," Hoshi replied.
"Why didn't you say so," the second girl said.
"If it's a match that you want, then a match you will get," the third girl replied.
"We are the three Sensational Sisters and the leaders of the Cerulean City Gym! I am Daisy!" the first girl exclaimed.
"Call me Lily!" the second girl exclaimed.
"And my name is Violet!" the third girl exclaimed.
"My name is Hoshi," she replied.
"I'll be your first opponent and the pokemon will fight on the platforms floating in the water. This will be a one on one battle. So choose your pokemon carefully," Daisy said.
"Fine with me," Hoshi replied.
"Clear the area, Seel!" Daisy requested.
Seel swam off to the side of the pool.
Nicholas and Celena went into the stands and sat down to watch the battle.
Daisy took her place at one end of the pool.
Hoshi did the same and took her place on the other end of the pool.
"We're going to make fish food out of your pokemon!" Daisy exclaimed.
"We won't know that until after the battle," Hoshi replied.
"You're up first, Goldeen!" Daisy exclaimed, throwing out a pokeball.
Goldeen shot out of the ball and landed in the pool with a splash.
"Let's go, Mankey!" Hoshi exclaimed as she tossed up a pokeball.
Mankey came out of the pokeball and took its place in front of Hoshi.
"Horn Attack, Goldeen!" Diasy exclaimed.
Goldeen swan toward Mankey.
"Scratch Attack, Mankey!" Hoshi yelled.
Mankey leapt into the air and landed on Goldeen's back, wildly clawing Goldeen.
"Shake that Mankey off of you! Go under water, then come back with an Agility Attack!" Daisy commanded.
Goldeen under water to dislodge Mankey.
Mankey jumped back to the platform as Goldeen submerged itself.
Goldeen swum downwards, then turned around and swam toward the top of the pool at high speed.
Hoshi saw what Goldeen was going to do but had no time to shout out a warning to Mankey before Goldeen hit the platform.
Goldeen rammed into the platform that Mankey was standing on.
The platform tilted at an angle, nearly causing Mankey to lose its balance.
At the last minute, Mankey grabbed the edge of the platform before it could fall into the water.
The platform righted itself and Mankey stood up.
Hoshi could tell that Mankey was starting to get mad. She knew that she had to do something and fast! "Use your Focus Energy, Mankey!" she quickly shouted before she would lose control of Mankey.
"Horn Drill, Goldeen!" Daisy shouted.
Goldeen swam toward the platforms again.
This time Mankey was ready for Goldeen's attack and jumped into the air to avoid the attack.
Goldeen passed harmlessly underneath Mankey, then came to a stop and turned around.
Mankey landed on the platform again.
"Oh no! Mankey's not listening to me!" Hoshi shouted.
Nicholas looked worried as he and Celena were watching the battle.
'Maybe using Mankey to battle with was a bad idea. Maybe Mankey is just too powerful of a pokemon for me to control. I don't think I can do this,' Hoshi thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Mankey was picking up on Hoshi's doubts.
"She had better get that Mankey under control before it goes wild and tears up our gym!" Daisy said to herself.
Nicholas and Celena could tell that Hoshi's confidence was faltering.
"No! Don't doubt your abilities as a trainer, Hoshi!" Nicholas said softly.
'You can do this, Hoshi!' Celena thought to herself.
After a few tense moments, Hoshi felt a new surge of confidence run through her. 'I can do this!' she thought to herself triumphantly.
Nicholas sighed to himself in relief. "I think Hoshi will win this battle. For a minute there, I didn't know if she had the confidence to control Mankey," he said.
"I think you are right. Her confidence was shaken for awhile but now it looks like her confidence is restored and slightly stronger than before," Celena replied softly.
"Focus Energy!" Hoshi yelled at Mankey.
Mankey could sense Hoshi's renewed confidence and listened to her. Mankey began to gather its energy together.
"Fury Attack, Mankey!" Hoshi exclaimed.
Mankey jumped at Goldeen and furiously attacked it several times.
Goldeen was floating unconscious in the water after Mankey finished its attack.
"Return, Goldeen!" Daisy exclaimed as she held up a pokeball and recalled her pokemon.
Hoshi did the same with Mankey.
"Looks like I'm next!" Lily exclaimed.
"I'm ready for this battle!" Hoshi exclaimed.
"Go Tentacool!" Lily exclaimed as she called out her pokemon.
Tentacool appeared from the pokeball.
"A poison pokemon, eh? Well, it just so happens that I have a poison type pokemon too! It's your turn now, Nidoran!" Hoshi exclaimed as she tossed out a pokeball.
Nidoran came out of the pokeball and was ready to fight.
"Poison Sting attack, Tentacool!" Lily shouted.
Tentacool swam toward Nidoran and brushed its tentacles against Nidoran, releasing their poison.
The poison didn't affect Nidoran much.
"Tackle Attack, Nidoran!" Hoshi shouted.
Nidoran leapt at Tentacool and sent it flying into the pool with a loud splash.
Tentacool swam upwards and surfaced near its platform.
"Use your Water Gun attack, now!" Lily yelled to Tentacool.
Tentacool shot a blast of water at Nindoran.
Nidoran was almost knocked off the platform by the force of the water.
"Fury Swipes, Nidoran!" Hoshi exclaimed.
Nidoran jumped at Tentacool and rapidly swiped at Tentacool.
Tentacool winced from the attack.
"Barrier Attack, Tentacool!" Lily exclaimed.
Tentacool raised a barrier around itself that would cut damage by fifty percent.
"Use your Tail Whip now, Nidoran!" Hoshi called out.
Nidoran slapped Tentacool with its tail and lowered Tentacool's defense.
"Acid Attack, Tentacool!" Lily shouted.
Tentacool tried squirt acid at Nidoran but the attack missed.
"Growl Attack, Nidoran!" Hoshi yelled.
Nidoran growled at Tentacool and decreased Tentacool's attack power.
"Time to use your Wrap Attack, Tentacool!" Lily exclaimed.
Tentacool wrapped its tentacles around Nidoran and started squeezing Nidoran.
"You can beat Tentacool, Nidoran! Don't give up!" Hoshi shouted.
"Harder!" Lily shouted.
"Use your Scratch Attack, Nidoran!" Hoshi exclaimed.
Nidoran began wildly scratching at Tentacool.
"Harder, Tentacool!" Lily called out.
"Keep scratching!" Hoshi told Nidoran.
Nidoran looked like it would soon faint but continued to scratch at Tentacool.
Tentacool's grasp on Nidoran loosened a little.
Nidoran somehow managed to get free from Tentacool's grasp.
"I don't believe this! How did Nidoran escape Tentacool's grasp?!" Lily asked in surprise.
"Appearently, Nidoran still had some fight left in it," Hoshi replied.
"It would seem that way," Lily agreed.
"Let's finish this battle, Nidoran! Go for a Double Kick!" Hoshi yelled.
Nidoran turned around and gave Tentacool a mighty kick with both hind legs, sending it flying across the room.
Tentacool hit the wall with a splat and slid down it. It tried to get up again but fell over and lay there without moving.
Hoshi and Lily both recalled their pokemon.
"Now it's my turn to battle! Go Horsea!" Violet exclaimed as she tossed out her pokeball.
Horsea appeared from the pokeball.
"I saved the best for last! Go Bulbasaur!" Hoshi shouted, calling out Bulbasaur.
"Agility Attack, Horsea!" Violet exclaimed.
Horsea quickly swam toward Bulbasaur.
"Vine Whip, Bulbasaur!" Hoshi called out.
A pair of vines emerged from Bulbasaur and tried to whip Horsea, but Horsea was moving too fast to be hit by the vines.
Horsea hit the platform, causing it to rock violently in the wave of Horsea's attack.
"Water Gun Attack!" Violet yelled.
Horsea rapidly sprayed water at Bulbasaur.
"Poison Powder Attack!" Hoshi shouted.
Bulbasaur shoot Poison Powder at Horsea.
"Swin under water!" Violet told Horsea.
The Poison Powder missed Horsea and became diluted as it settled on the surface of the water.
"Poison Powder doesn't work underwater," Violet informed Hoshi.
Horsea went underwater and swam away from the Poison Powder. Then it surfaced away from the powder.
"Darn....," Hoshi muttered.
"Smoke Screen, Horsea!" Violet exclaimed.
Horsea blew out a cloud of smoke that made it hard for Bulbasaur to see its target.
"Razor Leaf!" Hoshi shouted.
Bulbasaur sent out a bunch of leaves at Horsea. Though some of the leaves missed, several of the leaves hit Horsea and made it wince in pain.
"Leer Attack!" Violet exclaimed.
Horsea Leered at Bulbasaur and lowered its defense.
"Use your Sleep Powder!" Hoshi exclaimed.
Bulbasaur fired a cloud of Sleep Powder at Horsea.
"Agility, now!" Violet called out to Horsea.
Moving quickly, Horsea was able to dodge the Sleep Powder.
"Growl Attack!" Hoshi yelled.
Bulbasaur growled at Horsea and decreased its attack.
"Hydro Pump, Horsea!" Violet exclaimed.
Horsea sent a powerful blast of water at Bulbasaur, nearly knocking it into the water.
"Tackle Attack!" Hoshi exclaimed.
Bulbasaur leapt at Horsea and bowled it over.
"Come back with an Agility Attack!" Violet told Horsea.
Horsea was quickly swimming toward Bulbasaur.
"Try your Vine Whip again!" Hoshi called.
Bulbasaur extended its vines and whipped at Horsea.
Horsea again dodged the attack.
"Leech Seed, Bulbasaur!" Hoshi exclaimed.
Bulbasaur shot a seed from its bulb at Horsea. The seed landed on Horsea and vines came out of the seed. The seed began zapping Horsea's strength.
Horsea tried to rub the vines off, but the attack was too much for it. Horsea fainted as the vines zapped its remaining energy.
"Horsea was our last pokemon!" Violet shouted in dismay.
"We're all washed up!" Daisy shouted.
"I guess we need to spend more time on battle techniques and less time on our looks!" Lily exclaimed.
"We're sunk!" Violet exclaimed.
"Seel!" Daisy called out.
Seel swan over to them and opened its mouth, revealing something shaped like a water drop.
Daisy took the water drop. "Here's the Cascade Badge. You've earned it," she said as she offered it to Hoshi.
"Thank you," Hoshi said as she accepted the badge.
"That was a good battle," Violet remarked.
"You three weren't too bad yourselves. This was a very challenging battle," Hoshi replied.
"I'm impressed with the way that you handled your Mankey. You kept your cool in the heat of battle and got Mankey to listen to you before it went wild and messed up our gym," Daisy said.
Hoshi just grinned at their words. Then she turned and left the floor.
Nicholas and Celena rejoined Hoshi as she left the battle arena.
"I got the Cascade Badge!" Hoshi exclaimed as she held out her badge.
"I think that's a pretty badge," Celena commented.
"That was an impressive battle!" Nicholas exclaimed.
"Thanks," Hoshi replied.
The three of them left the gym.
"How long have you known Celena?" Nicholas asked.
"I've only known her for a few days but I'm already used to her being around. It no longer surprises me that she can talk," Hoshi told Nicholas.
"How interesting," Nicholas replied.
"You can say that again!" Hoshi exclaimed.
"What's our next stop?" Nicholas asked.
"Vermillion City," Hoshi said flatly.
"What's bugging Hoshi?" Celena asked as she glanced at Nicholas with a quizzical look on her face.
"I honestly don't know," Nicholas replied.
"She doesn't seem very anxious to go to Vermillion City," Celena said.
"I realize that," Nicholas replied.
To Be Continued