Party Pooper
It was a gorgeous spring day. The Starly were singing, the Kriketot were chirping. Everything was perfect in the resort section of the Fight Area. A young girl was making her way to a beautiful villa owned by arguably the most powerful Pokemon trainer in the world, an old friend she hadn’t seen in years. She walked around the property for a little while and explored the berry garden, which was surprisingly well kept.
However, she was there for a purpose. She went up to the front door. When she got there she noticed something next to the mail box. A box that said, “For challenges, leave your name and a way for me to contact you, and I will get back to you.” A small chuckle escaped her. Is it really that bad? She thought to herself as she knocked on the door.
Nothing.
She knocked again.
Still nothing.
Come on! It's one in the afternoon! What is he doing in there?
This time she pounded on the door and got a response.
“I’m coming! I'm coming! My god can't you people read!”an angry voice came from behind the door “I have half a mind to oh...” a young man in a bathrobe said as he opened the door. “Aurora?”
“That’s a fine way to greet someone you haven’t seen in eight years.” In the doorway was an old friend of his. Her once long brown hair, was now cut short just below her shoulders. She was still wearing the same style of outfit from all those years ago. A white hat, light blue blouse, red skirt, with a new dark blue wind breaker.
“Sorry, but you have to understand impatient trainers show up at least once a week.”
“Well that's the price for being famous, Zander.”
“Yeah, yeah, why don't ya come in while I put something decent on.” Zander went back upstairs. Right now all he had on was an undershirt and boxers. As Aurora walked in the first thing she noticed was how clean everything was.
“Your place is very clean,” she shouted.
“Thanks! I have nothing to do!”
Aurora began to explore the living room. It was quite large. In the middle of the room were two couches separated by a coffee table in front of a flat screen TV. The walls were lined with pictures of him, his friends, family, and his Pokemon. In the corner was a PC like the ones in the Pokemon centers and a... piano? Since when could he play? On the wall opposite the TV was his trophy case filled with all his awards, medals, commendations, and of course his trophies.
Her exploration didn't last long. Soon Zander was back wearing a blue T-shirt and jeans(likely worn yesterday, though that wasn't uncommon among trainers). “So what brings you all the way out here today? Come to see 'the greatest Pokemon trainer in the world?'”he said in a sarcastic tone.
“No,” she said with a giggle, “just came to see an old friend and give him this.” She reaches into her bag and pulls out an envelope. “Professor Oak asked me to give you this!”
Zander looked at the envelope in her hand and groaned. “Tell me that's not an invitation to one of his fancy parties. Is it?” As his hand met his forehead.
“Sorry, but yeah. He gets worried about you, y'know?”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Besides, it's not like you have anything else to do, do you?”
“No, I guess I don't. What time?”
“Friday at eight o’clock. Don't be late.”
“Will you be there at least?”
“Maybe.”
Zander smiles as they say their goodbyes. Soon he was alone again. “Well I should probably start packing.” It would take him at least three days to get to Pallet Town. Good thing it's Monday.
__________________
Zander arrived at the party 15 minutes late. He was wearing the tuxedo his mom got him in case he wanted to compete in contests. He did attempt a few, but they weren't really his thing.
“Hello sir.”
“Hi mister?”
“John, just call me John. I don't expect the guests to remember all of the Professor's staff.”
“I see.”
“Your name sir?”
“Zander”
“Ah yes, you're the last one on the list. May I take your bag sir?”
“Okay, can I have a copy of that list so I don't look like I'm talking out of my ass?”
“Ha, sorry sir, I can't do that.”
“Oh well.”
Zander quickly grabbed a glass of champagne and began looking for Aurora, the Professor, or anyone else he knew. I wonder if Gary is here. If so, he's probably avoiding me like the plague.
He saw a lot of rich type folks. God, I hate these types of parties! You have to dress up, the music sucks, and the food sucks too. At least the drinks are good. He took a sip of his champagne and nearly spat it out. I stand corrected. Is this what these people drink? I hope it didn't cost a lot. Give me a light beer any day.
“Zander!”
Oh thank god Professor Oak!
“Good to see you. I was afraid you weren't coming.”
“Oh you know me, I just love these things.”
“Ha, well I'm glad you came anyway. It is a special day.”
“O' really. I thought you did all this just to get me out of the house.”
“Maybe next time, but today is my 30 year wedding anniversary.”
“Oh! Congratul-wait, you're married?!”
“Yes, you didn't know?”
“No.”
“Well, come with me then.”
The Professor lead him through groups of people talking. One of the groups appeared to have an elderly woman who looked no older than forty. They stopped talking when the Professor and Zander got there.
“Zander, meet Violet. Violet, meet Zander.”
“Nice to finally meet you. Samuel has told me all about you.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
He soon noticed the other two people in the group. Karen of the Elite Four and the President of Silph Co.
“Well, here are two people I didn’t think I'd see today.”
“Yes, good to see you my boy.”
“Hows it goin' kid?”
“Oh, you know, same old, same old.”
“That bad huh?”
The group shared a laugh.
“So, what's new with you two?”
“Not much, no good challenges lately.”
“I can relate there. And you Mr. President? ”
“Well thanks to you Silph Co. is better than ever.”
“Always happy to help.”
“If I may interrupt?”
“Of course Professor. What is it?”
“Aurora was looking for you earlier.”
“Really, where is she?”
“Some where over near the observation deck.”
“Thanks, excuse me.”
The Pokemon 'observation deck' was a fancy way to say 'the big window in the back of the lab'. Though to be fair it did overlook the Pokemon habitats. He waited for a while. Nine o’clock. Well one hour down.
“Hi.” A familiar voice called out. Zander looked to his left and saw Aurora. She was wearing a pure white dress that practically glowed.
“Wow... you look great!”
“*giggle*Thanks but I have a boyfriend.”
“Since when?”
“Since when could you play the piano?”
“That's mostly for decoration. But you didn't answer my question.”
“Oh, okay. Y'know, you don't have to be jealous.”
“I'm not jealous, just curious.”
“Well, I met him a few years ago in Viridian City. We've been together for a year now.”
“And his name?”
“Silver.”
“Silver? Long red hair, red eyes, attitude problem?”
“Yeah, you know him?”
“He was my rival when I was in Johto.”
“Funny, he never mentioned you."
“Probably because he was worried if you knew he knew the champion, you would use him to get to me. Wait you never told him you knew me?”
“I just never thought about it.”
“Well there's that too.” The two of them laughed a little.
_____________________
Meanwhile, in a small town library six friends were unwittingly about to embark on an incredible adventure.
“Okay girls are we ready to begin?” Twilight said, as her friends surround her.
“Um... are you sure this is safe?”
“O' course it is Fluttershy Twi would never put us in harm’s way.”
“That’s right AJ.”
“Indeed.”
“Come on lets get this started already.”
“Easy Pinkie. This new telaportation spell requires a lot of concentration.”
And with that the unicorn's horn began to glow. “Here goes nothing. Next stop Sugar Cube Corner.” With a flash they were gone.
_____________________________
“So what's Silver been up to? Is he here?”
“Unfortunately, no. He's on assignment from the Pokemon Rangers.”
“Wow, the Pokemon Rangers. Good on him!”
“Yeah, but I miss him a lot some times.”
“I'm sure he mis...” Zander just stood there like a Stantler in the headlights.
“Hey, what's wrong? You feeling okay?”
Zander looked outside at the habitat “I felt a disturbance in space-time.”
“What?” Aurora looked at him like he was crazy.
“Long story.”
In the distance they could see a portal opened up near the rock/ground area the of habitat and about five or six figures falling from the sky.
“Did you see that!?”
“I saw something.”
“Go tell the Professor that there was an opening in space-time now!” As he made his way to the back door Aurora caught up with him.
“Where are you going?”
“To find what came out of the portal.”
“I'm coming with you.”
“No! I need you here in case whatever's out there is dangerous.”
“But...”
“No buts!”
And with that he was gone.
“Be safe."