Paradise Pokeball System

Chapter 108: What You Do To Cute Pokémon

With a mix of emotions still lingering in the air, I decided to shift the focus to the upcoming gym battle. I opened my Prisma device and checked the location of the gym. Cortondo was a bustling city with a vibrant atmosphere, and the gym was located at the heart of it.

"Alright, everyone. Let's head to Cortondo for the gym battle. Clive is already waiting for us there," I announced, trying to infuse some excitement into the atmosphere.

I had taken some time to talk to my Pokémon before the girls and I left Prisma. They were all excited for the upcoming fight. I would be lying if I said I wasn't as well. Once I was done talking with the ones that would be on my team, Lusamine, Joy, Nemona, and I returned to Paldea, outside Jolene's house.

Once we got back inside, everyone seemed ready to go.

"I think that everything is ready, but we are going to have to call two taxis," Jolene informed me, and I nodded.

Tallia, seeming full of energy this morning, grinned. "I can't wait to see what kind of Pokémon Katy uses. This will be a great test for your team!"

I returned her smile. "I am excited, but also a little nervous. This is my first gym battle," I said, thinking about when I was a kid, before the accident.

I had always dreamed of being a Pokémon trainer, but what kid didn't? Now I was a trainer, but things had not turned out the way I had planned. My Pokémon were people to me, and I was still having a hard time convincing myself to let them battle.

Sure, they were Pokémon, but were they still at this point? Would I stop them if they wanted to fight?

"You seem like you got a lot going on up here," Dulse said, pointing to his head as he walked over to me.

"Yeah, I am surprised it isn't running out my ears at this point," I sighed, and Dulse laughed.

"You have more going on than I could manage, or would want to!" He said, and I nodded.

"I fully agree with you, but here we are, and my problems and worries are only compounding," I said, and Dulse patted my shoulder.

"I am sure Captain told you that time is not your friend right now, but just remember that we are here to protect you," Dulse reassured me, but I turned to look into his eyes.

"But who protects you guys?" I asked, and Dulse sighed.

"We are trained for this. Each of us knows that stepping through an Ultra Space Wormhole can be a one-way trip. We are all prepared for the worst," Dulse explained, leaving a heavy feeling in the air.

I nodded, understanding the gravity of their mission. The Ultra Recon Squad members were risking their lives to protect not only their world but multiple timelines. It was a sacrifice that weighed heavily on each of them.

"Thank you for being here, Dulse. I appreciate your dedication and bravery. We'll face whatever comes together," I said, grateful for their support.

Dulse gave me a small smile. "It's not just duty; it's also about making a difference. Each time I step into a different timeline and see the bright light in the sky, I am reminded why we fight."

"Enough of this sad talk!" Soliera declared as she came over, pushing Dulse out of the way, and grabbing my shoulders. "Don't worry about us, and focus on the fight!"

"The first taxi is here!" Jolene called, and I nodded.

"Alright... I guess Joy, Lusamine and Nemona can just go back to Prisma... How are we going to do this?" I mused as I looked between the remaining five.

I personally would like to stick with the recon members, but three per taxi was the max. I could send them by themselves, but I had to put some faith in them at some point. Thankfully, Jolene was on the case.

"You can fly with Dulse and Zossie, and Soliera can ride with us," Jolene declared, coming over to pull Soliera from me. "I think we should get to know each other a little better!"

While I wasn't excited to share a taxi with Zossie, Jolene made a good point. While I still wasn't sure about Soliera, Jolene could probe her and learn more than I could ever. Tallia would also be with them.

"Alright," I said and waved for the two recon squad members to follow me as Joy, Lusamine, and Nemona disappeared in flashes of light.

Once the three of us got outside, my favorite driver was waiting for me.

"Interesting bunch you got with you this time! Always a new girl!" Larry laughed, making Zossie turn on me.

"See?! You are a womanizer!" Zossie snapped at me, but Dulse just opened the door to the taxi and pushed her inside before getting in himself.

I sighed and walked around to the other side, putting my hand on the door handle, and bracing myself for the ride. Of course I would have to sit beside her the whole ride there. What had I done to deserve this awkwardness?

"You're touching me!" Zossie growled, but that was the same time the taxi lifted up. "Wait! I am not ready!"

"Sorry miss! Get your belts on! Today's ride should be gentle!" Larry laughed as Zossie scrambled to fasten her safety belt. “Should be, is the key!”

Watching her, Dulse laughed. "You should be a little nicer to the guy. We both know you don't like heights, so be thankful he took the outside seat."

"Shut up, Dulse! You don't have to tell everyone!" Zossie snapped, but then suddenly grabbed me as the taxi shook violently.

As the taxi soared through the skies, Zossie's grip on me tightened, and her expression shifted from irritation to genuine fear. The turbulence seemed to catch her off guard, and I couldn't help but chuckle, earning a glare from her.

"Dulse, do something about this!" Zossie demanded, and Dulse leaned over, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Relax, Zossie. Larry is an experienced pilot. We'll reach our destination safely," Dulse assured her, but Zossie remained tense.

I decided to ease the tension a bit, trying to distract her from the fear of flying. "So, Zossie, what kind of Pokémon do you like? Any favorites?"

Zossie shot me a skeptical look but eventually answered, "I prefer cute Pokémon."

As if on command, there was a puff of smoke, and a strange small purple Pokémon appeared, falling into Zossie's Lap. She suddenly let go of me and hugged the little Pokémon. "Poipole!"

"Poi, Poi!" The little Pokémon squealed, cuddling into Zossie who did the same. It was like a night and day switch.

"She isn't normally this grouchy," Dulse laughed, and Zossie shot him a death glare, but Dulse shook his head. "That look doesn't suit you, and Landon clearly isn't as bad as you make him out to be."

"You would say that! You wish you had women like that drooling over you!" Zossie retorted, but her Poipole pulled free from her grip to float in my face. "What are you doing?! Leave poor Poipole alone! I know what you do to cute Pokémon!"

I just gave her a sideways look. The truth always cut the deepest, but this girl coated her words in salt. I probably deserved that comment, but the Pokémon's interest in me was not my fault!

[The Poipole is interested in you because she doesn't have a master.]

"Isn't this your Pokémon?" I asked with a frown, and Zossie turned away.

"No, Poipole just follows me everywhere. Sometimes she listens, but most of the time she does what she wants," Zossie sighed but then glared at me. "But that doesn't mean you should catch her! You will change her, and then she won't be the same! I have seen what happens when you catch a Pokémon, and how they change!"

Dulse let out a long sigh. "Zossie, enough. While I do understand why you are mad, Landon isn't to blame. He isn't running around catching random Pokémon, or using them against their will. We have already confirmed this, so you need to drop it."

"But-"

"No, drop it. Get to know him first before you make so many wild accusations. You never know what the future holds, and one day you might need to rely on him," Dulse said in a serious voice, deflating Zossie.

I didn't like the implications Dulse was making. It almost felt like he knew something bad was going to happen. He probably wasn't wrong, but that only meant I had to work harder at getting stronger.

The taxi ride continued with a tense atmosphere. Zossie remained quiet, hugging Poipole, while Dulse and I exchanged occasional glances. The turbulence eventually settled, and Cortondo came into view.

As the taxi descended, Zossie released her grip on Poipole, and the small Pokémon happily floated around her. The tension in the air seemed to lift, and Zossie's stern expression softened.

"Looks like we've arrived," Larry announced as the taxi touched down. The door opened, and we stepped out onto the bustling streets of Cortondo.

Cortondo was a town full of life, with vibrant colors, buildings, and a variety of people bustling about. The gym stood tall in the center, a beacon for trainers seeking challenges. As we approached the gym, Clive greeted us with a wide grin.

"Welcome, welcome! Ready for your gym battle, Landon?" Clive asked, his enthusiasm infectious.