Chapter 5 - Route 2

"I can't believe it," Cheren spoke as he approached his friend Hilbert, "You actually scared away those Plasma people."

"Is there a problem with that?" asked Hilbert.

"There actually is…" a man said, "You appear to be someone who's capable of driving them away!"

"Of course," a woman added, "I don't want my daughter's Pokemon from being liberated. I paid $75 to give her one!"

"This is bad news for the whole region!" Cheren patted Hilbert's back, "How can anyone liberate the creatures we own?"

"Never mind that," replied Joey the Snivy, "How does this N guy have any relation with these creatures…? …Is he a Pokémon too?"

"Well, I'll leave this to you," Cheren began walking away from Hilbert, "I better get to Striaton City! I hear they have a nice school to study in."

"What? School?" Hilbert gawked, "You mean you're gonna leave me to chase these goons myself? Get back here you…"

But Cheren already left for Route 2. He either wanted to catch more Pokémon, or he was secretly being a coward.

"What CAN we do?" Lazzo asked her trainer, "I don't want me and Joey liberated from you! I've just met you!"

"Well don't look at me," Hilbert shrugged, "It's not like I'll be totally obligated to chase after these Plasma grunts and take down every one of them and stop their plans…"

"What, you're really going to stop them?" "That's great!"

People started reacting happily and looking at Hilbert.

"Eh?" The trainer was confused.

"Please do it," a teenage boy added, "Your Pokémon beat the living crap out of that bodyguard! I'm sure they can put an end to their plans!"

"Of course," Joey waved at the audience, "We won't let these pseudo-knights ruin our lives."

Joey was right, Hilbert thought. The trainer can't just laze about and let Team Plasma do their dirty work. If no one, not even Cheren can be bothered to stop them, he will!

"Alright," he said, "I'll stop them!"

Hilbert could hear a round of applause from the audience, appreciating his brave words. His Pokémon smiled at him, and everyone in Accumula Town just found a new hero.

"Come on guys," Hilbert picked up Joey and Lazzo, "We're going to Striaton City!"

And so Hilbert and his Pokémon began their walk to Striaton City. They took the road to Route 2 as it directly led to that city. I would be a long walk since Hilbert can't drive a car or use a Flying-Type Pokémon…

*riiiing* *riiiing*

"Hello, Thompsons' Place?"

"Hey, mom, is that you?"

"Hilbert? You're alright!"

Lauren was in joy as she realised her son was okay after many hours of being missing. Hilbert was taking the time to call her before he could go to sleep.

"What's happened?" Lauren asked in a worried tone, "Where have you been?"

"It's a long story…" Hilbert began explaining what happened throughout the whole day, from receiving a Pokémon, the strange thunderstorm, and Team Plasma and their hideous plans.

"Well I'm glad you're okay," Lauren sighed in relief, "Are you able to manage out there yourself?"

"Yeah," Hilbert nodded, "I bought some potions, and seven sleeping bags. That added up to about $303!"

"And you know why your dad transferred $3000 into your bank account."

"True… well, goodnight mom."

"Goodnight," Lauren sweetly said to her son before he hung up.

"Hiiiilberrrrt… Hillllberrrrt…"

"Wha… who are you?"

"You know me, Hilbert… open your eyes…"

Hilbert opened them as asked… he was shocked to see a person in front of him, two green eyes staring at his soul…

"Morning, Hilbert," the person said happily. It was Bianca.

"Oh, it's you," Hilbert got up from his sleeping bag, this two Pokémon were already up looking at Bianca in confusion. Her Oshawott shyly waved hi, while her Lillipup went to Hilbert and licked his cheek.

"You and your Pokémon looked soooo cute asleep," Bianca squeaked happily. It brought her back to the days when she had a sleepover with him and Cheren.

"True," Hilbert muttered, the Lillipup going back to his blonde trainer, "So what do you need?"

"Oh, nothing," Bianca rubbed her head, "I was going to Striaton City."

"Me too," Hilbert stood up, rubbing his eyes.

"So we both wanna battle the Gym Leader here?" Bianca asked her friend.

"Wait, Gym Leader?"

"Don't you know what a Gym Leader is?"

"Oh…" Hilbert remembered, "Those kinds of people in the region who run a gym in certain towns and give you badges for defeating them?"

"Of course, silly," Bianca pinched her friend's cheek, "I wanted to see the leader of Nimbasa City… Elesa…"

She blushed as she mentioned the Leader's name. Elesa was Bianca's favourite Gym Leader in the region. She was on the news five years ago, and her words inspired Bianca to learn about Pokémon along with her two friends.

"Okay…" Hilbert sighed and got dressed to his usual clothes. His two Pokémon approached him.

"Hey, Hilbert," Lazzo whispered to her trainer, "What's the deal with your friend?"

"Bianca…" Hilbert began his answer, "She was always crazy about Pokémon and starting her own journey."

"I can tell," Joey looked behind him. Bianca was petting her Lillipup while Oshawott was eating a berry.

"Do you like her or something?" Lazzo asked Hilbert, "Because I can tell that you have no intention on calling her annoying, and what's with the small blush on your cheeks?"

"Oh," Hilbert noticed that blush, "I just like her as a friend is all."

"Oh really?" Joey mocked him, "How about you ask her out sometime?"

"No!" Hilbert retorted, "But, I dunno… come on, we better get moving."

He got his bag ready and went with Bianca.

"Hilbert?"

"Yes, Bianca?"

"Did you have a Pokémon battle yet?"

"Oh, that…? There was that one with N in Accumula Town…"

"N who?"

"It's a long story. You could've found out yourself if you weren't shopping for goods."

"Oh, shut up," Bianca gave him a light punch in the arm and ran. Hilbert followed her feeling happy to be with her. After all, she was his friend.

"Some couple, eh?" Joey asked Lazzo.

"I guess," The Patrat replied sighing.