Candy

Maybe you didn't get a message because you're town? Idk

Look if I'm going to kill something, it better be something that looks plainly suspicious. Idk much about Zelda or FE, but that Pokémon team... pikachu, lucario, greninja... Giratina?! Why one random legendary in the team?! like if that doesn't smell fishy, only Magikarp will. [Eliminate] Giratina

So we just have to vote for the characters not in our team? Is that all there is to it, or is there something I'm missing?

I guess some of my traditions are: - Always choose the "cute" looking pokemon (sorry for being so superficial lol) - Following from above, I also match gender with looks (sorry again for being sexist) - I capture my favorite pokemon in either a premier ball or love ball - I reorder my moves starting from top left - attacking moves first and status moves last - Name themes for my team, always. For example, flower names, names of my favorite characters, constellation names, etc That's what I can recall right now

For me, I think it's important but not crucial. I listen to other music while playing most of the time xD But yes, if I were to play the whole game without external music, I would like it to have music that matches the scenes and towns well.

I've never been able to use Gardevoir because Ralts-Kirlia were a pain to raise (slow and defenseless). That said whenever I've had either in my team, I've noted Alakazam's amazing as a sweeper while Gardevoir might need at least one Calm Mind to OHKO threats. The only problem with Alakazam would be getting hit by choice scarfed or chlorophyll mons in sunlight since it's super frail.

8/10 that's the insurgence mega eevee! I like the concept but not the design too much

Do you? I'm like in a few other forums so maybe from there Edit: ugh it's like not quoting lol @Venus

You'll find yourself using a lot of status moves and strategy for each Gym. They use creative field effects, so you'll want to take a peak at which moves are favored and which are suppressed to maximize your attacks as well If you don't have a balanced team (like me, I always tend to have a weakness against rock and poison) then you'll want to make up for it. That said IVs and EV training is not necessary - actually, I've found it's more challenging and enjoyable if you don't care about those things that much.

Idk but I'm an antisocial potato, so my first post ever was asking for a purple flower flabebe xD I don't think I ever made an introduction post or thought about looking for E17 info (since back then I had happened upon E16 just as the community release came about). That said, I rather search using my own ten fingers than ask someone a question, so there's that. However, I do want to keep this community friendly for everyone, and don't mind answering the million dollar question (by that I mean costly) with a simple "It's probably coming soon, but we don't know". It doesn't take more than 15 seconds to type that, and the person who posted the question should also be satisfied

For E17 I'm starting Reborn anew, so I'll build my team from scratch as well. Right now I'm thinking of Ribombee, A-ninetales and Midday Lykanroc (although I must say I like midnight's abilities better). That'll go with Florges (of course), Lopunny and maybe Umbreon (which I've never used on a playthrough)

I think the OP thought the gen 6 exp share would be something like another item (like adding a TM or something). Unfortunately I don't think that's the case, unless the devs decided to change exp share mechanics for E17. It's rather easy to grind in Reborn, though bc you can use the guys at the Grand Hall.

I don't think the post was to ask about the release date so we're still safe

I'm in

I chose fennekin as my starter, but speed boost torchic or protean froakie are the most broken imo

I'll give it a try for a while Feel free to add me~ Candy 4356 7877 313 Ok after trying it for an hour, I think it's a pretty neat game. I think once they get the updates rolling, it'll be more fun to play. Learning from pokemon, they should def incorporate the bug and fish dexes. I loved gardening in New Leaf, and if they are planning to make the camp site size upgradable like the houses were in the console games, it'd be a major plus. All in all, better than Pokémon Go lol

Does anyone know what you get when you complete the pokedex?

Chapter 22 After parting with Annabelle, Brenda continued her sightseeing. She went into a few more shops along Mode Street, but always came out empty-handed, since they were all just as expensive as the one she had been to with Annabelle. “Castelia City has lots of neat shops, but they really aren't meant for the average pokemon trainer,” Brenda complained to Ren. Afterwards she took the subway again to reach the side of the city with the famous piers. Two of the three cruise docs had enormous luxury ships stationed, with a lot of well-dressed ladies and gentlemen boarding them. Together with Ren, she walked the distance along the piers, starting from the third cruise dock towards the direction of the Pokémon center. They stopped for two hours to have lunch at a restaurant shaped like a ship on one of the piers, which although wasn't as popular as the Prime Pier, still had a long queue of people waiting to sit and have lunch. The fish fillet sandwich she ordered was great, but Brenda soon realized that clothes were not the only things that were overpriced. By the time they reached the last pier, Thumb Pier, the sun was already starting to settle. “What else shall we visit before returning to the PC?” Brenda wondered aloud, just as she was passing an arcade with many flashing lights. “An arcade? I wonder what prizes they have.” She pulled Ren by the arm and entered the building. The place was not crowded, because the time was just shying the laborers’ discharge hours. “Welcome to Moltres Arcade. How may I help you?” The young man behind a counter asked as Brenda approached. “I was wondering what prizes you currently have,” Brenda said. The young man quickly grabbed a laminated sheet. “Here you can see all the prizes we are offering. You can exchange your coins for as little as a super ball, and the top prize is a master ball. On the back side,” the young man continued explaining as he flipped the sheet for her. “You will find the prize pokemon you can win. Our current top pokemon prize is a Vulpix with egg moves.” “A Vulpix, you say?” The young man was startled at Brenda's sudden exclamation. “Yes, a Vulpix. Would you like to buy coins?” “Absolutely! How much are they?” “10 pokecoins for 1 arcade coin.” “How many coins for the Vulpix?” “That would be 9999 coins.” “Give me 50 coins, please,” she shouted as she banged the counter top with her fist holding exactly 500 pokecoins. The young man was startled, but took the money and exchanged it for coins with shaky hands. Since Brenda was new to the world of arcade gaming, she required assistance on how to play the games. “You can choose from a variety of games,” the lady who was in charge of first-time customers explained. “There are games you can increase your chances of winning by mathematical reasoning, or games you will have to get the hang of by experience. We also have games you can work your way through little by little, or some that require a great risk but has better returns. Which game would you like to play?” “I'm not that good at math, so I'll go for the ones you need experience. Do you recommend me to go for the risky ones?” Brenda asked, but immediately followed by answering her own question. “Don't be impatient, Brenda. Good things happen to those who wait.” “Then shall I show you the way to the games you want to play?” Brenda nodded twice and followed the girl to the section, where one other person was pulling the handle and testing his luck. She sat down in front of the machine which had three rows and three columns of icons. “Oh, I've seen these in TV shows. You pull the handle when you think you'll get a horizontal bingo, right?” “In essence, yes. Place up to 3 coins, then you can win if you get one of the three rows or either diagonal. If you place 1 or 2 coins, you can only test your luck with 1 or 2 rows.” “That means I can maximize my chances if I bet 3 coins, right?” The helper nodded. “Let's go then, 3 coins it is!” Brenda slipped 3 coins into the machine’s slit, and pulled the handle. The icons started moving gradually faster, until they could no longer be discerned from the columns of mixed colors. “Argh how am I supposed to beat my opponent if I can't even see it?” She pouted and pulled the handle arbitrarily. “Lord Arceus, grant me your power!” The power, however, came either too late or not at all. When the icons stopped moving, Brenda was welcomed by a bright and flashing “You Lose” on the display. Ren looked at her with a skeptical look, so she forcefully laughed a little to relieve the tension. “Well one must start somewhere,” she explained. “Like the lady said, I'll get better through experience.” Though the girl had already left them to help newcomers who just arrived, had she been there she would have clarified she never said such thing. For, as most things in the world, there are people who can improve in the art, and those who just lack the natural means to do it. Brenda slipped three more coins into the machine. “This time, Ren. This time will be the jackpot!” “Ah, almost there. Look at that!” “Is that all you got, machine?” “Don't make it so hard! I'm just a newbie.” “Why?! No problem, calm down, next will be the best.” “Hey you, pretty boy. Take my money and give me the coins.” As one would expect, by the 50th loss, Brenda’s coin case was empty as were her wallet. “That's weird. I could've sworn I had spare cash.” Thus, she left the flashy arcade with not a pokecoin to her name and without her prize. When the arcade doors slid shut behind them, both her and Ren’s stomaches roared. Ren looked up at her with a displeased look. “You know, diets are part of rigorous training. It's all about the motivation,” Brenda said, laughing but with her eyebrows knitted. However, when she realized she had also used up the money required to make their return trip through the subway, she had to save her laughing energy for walking. The next day, Brenda had never been more anxious to meet her friends, not only because they were going to spend a day together after a week apart, but also because she urgently needed someone to borrow money from and eat. No one will understand how tasteful Ren and Leaf’s pokemon food, which was the last bit of the can Cheren had given her, looked to Brenda that morning. They left the Pokemon Center at 11:30, so to make it to the National Park with ample time so as to coordinate her exuberant entrance. Of course, she wore the dress Annabelle gave her, and for once in God knows how many years, she left her cap on top of the drawer and left her hair down. Had she put on makeup, she might have looked like the pretty young ladies in the movies, but she had neither the skills or the money to own such thing. Even then, her appearance was a striking change from her usual self, so much so that she almost laughed out loud while looking at herself in the mirror. “I wonder if Cheren and Bianca will recognize me like this,” she grinned and the thought allowed her to forget about her rumbling stomach for a little while. Taking in the fresh morning air, which was even warmer than the day before, Ren and she started walking. I'm fifteen years old! She wanted to tell every stranger she crossed paths with. She almost started skipping and dancing, but Ren, who somehow seemed more conscious of the social norms of humans than his trainer, kindly stopped her. As she approached the fountain her friends would be meeting her at, however, she drastically slowed down her speed. She quickly found some bushes and pulled Ren and herself to crouch behind it. From a quick glance, she noted her friends weren't there yet. “Well, it’s 11:55. Both of them are usually pretty on-time,” she chuckled. “I was always the late one in our group.” Hence she decided to wait where she was. It became 12:00 pm, then 5 minutes passed and 10 minutes. “What are those guys doing? Don't they realize I'm in a hurry to go eat?” When it turned 12:15, she stood up abruptly from the bushes and stomped her way to the fountain. She was about to scold the two of them the moment they arrived. However, that was when she had ignored the joke was on her. Once she reached the fountain, she was startled by the water shooting up in the shape of a massive wall. “What in the-” “Surprise Brenda!” The water wall opened like a curtain, and Cheren and Bianca, in bodysuits, waved from the other side. They smiled at Brenda, who had forgotten to close her mouth. “That wasn't the plan at all,” Brenda scowled. “I was going to jump at you and surprise you.” “We guessed as much,” Cheren said. “But sometimes it's great to get at you for startling us all the time.” They walked out of the fountain and unzipped their wet bodysuits. Just as they did, the water fell down behind them and remained serene. “However, you did surprise us,” Bianca added, to improve her friend’s mood. “We almost got the timing wrong because we weren't expecting you to look like you're looking today.” She was referring to Brenda's outfit, which had gotten a minor splash from the waterfall. “It's a long story, but I figured storing a f-f-500,000 pokecoin dress in the depths of my backpack, never to be worn, would be too much of a shame.” “A 500,000 pokecoin dress?! You have got to tell us all about it, but first,” Bianca said and whistled for her Moon and Chris to appear. “They were behind the artistic water wall.” Chris, her Dewott, handed Bianca her orange bag, from which she pulled out a small package. “It's not a lot, but I'd like you to have this.” Brenda hugged her friend and thanked her. The package contained a pretty shirt, similar in design to the one she had to throw away. “This is perfect! In fact, it was something like this I was hoping to buy, when instead I received this expensive dress.” Bianca was pleased with her friend’s reaction. “I wished I could jump the bandwagon and offer you my gift too,” Cheren stepped up. “Unfortunately I haven't been able to get it yet. I hope you'll forgive me.” “Forgive you? Never. Goodness Cheren, how dare you?” Brenda made a serious face, but her mouth trembling as though about to burst out laughing gave her act away. “I wasn't even expecting gifts from you guys anyway.” Once both Cheren and Bianca finished taking off their bodysuits and neatly placing them inside their bags, Bianca asked where Brenda wanted to go. “I walked around this park a little, and already went to Mode Street, which by the way is where I was bought the dress,” she laughed but just then her stomach growled and she was brought back to the harsh reality. “Uh but I would prefer it if we could get lunch before that… And if some Good Samaritan who will be blessed for years to come wants to volunteer a small contribution to the most needy of our society, I would be much obliged.” Brenda stuck both hands out as though she were begging for money, which allowed her friends to realize what needy person she was referring to. “I'll pay for your meal,” Cheren offered. “Only because I owe you the delayed gift.” “Oh Master Cheren, your charity shall never be forgotten.” Bianca let out a small burst of laughter, though Ren just looked at his trainer and sighed. On their way to a simple restaurant Bianca suggested, Brenda told them about the generous stranger, Annabelle Gladys, who had taken her shopping the day before. “... and so I had no other choice but to accept her gift,” she was talking, when a familiar face appeared two doors from where they stood. “I recall seeing that girl somewhere,” Bianca pondered. “Isn't that Annie, who left Nuvema town in sixth grade?” Cheren pointed out. The girl, who indeed happened to be Annie, stopped at the doorsteps of a building and looked at them for a few seconds. Yet when she met eyes with Brenda, she scowled and disappeared from their sight. “Maybe she didn't recognize us?” Bianca wondered, but started walking again. “Perhaps, perhaps,” Brenda concurred with a hint of embarrassment, since she knew Annie’s hostility was directed none other than at herself. As they passed the building Annie had gone into, Brenda took a peek at the sign, which read ‘Castelia School of Fashion Design’. Huh, she wondered as the school poked at an insignificant memory. Didn't Annabelle say her granddaughter went to this school? “What are you thinking of, Brenda?” Bianca asked, since it was rare that her friend remained silent. “Oh it's nothing.” I wouldn't believe Annie had such an amiable grandmother, but it is a possibility, she thought to herself. Finally, the four of them reached the restaurant, and Ren was as excited as Brenda was to smell food, even though he had eaten breakfast earlier. Afterward, they took the subway to visit the tallest building in Unova, Cosmos Tower. This tower was famous for having the Game Freak headquarters on its 22nd floor and offices of other major companies, though people rarely visited it for this reason. The building’s top most floor had an observatory, which was built inspired by the shape of a galaxy and offered a 360 degree view 550 meters from ground level. People who passed by Castelia City usually stopped by the building at night to see the city’s majestic spectacle of lights, the cosmopolitan cosmos. The group of friends chose to visit this iconic building midday, partially because they knew there would be a smaller crowd, but also because the price to go to the top floor was more expensive at night. “Look, isn't that Skyarrow bridge?” Brenda pointed at the white thin line on the forest’s deep green background. She sighed at the beautiful view. “The night I came to the city, I was there looking at the tall buildings. Now I'm here looking at where I was.” “We can't see as far because of Pinwheel forest, but Nacrene, Striaton and Nuvema must all be in that direction too,” Cheren commented. “It feels a long time ago that we left home, and yet it has been barely a little over a week,” Bianca added. Brenda then sprinted to the other side of the observatory, Ren and the others following behind her. “Exactly,” exclaimed Brenda, scaring the few other spectators around them. “It's been only a week. Our journey has only begun.” She raised Ren onto her shoulder, and pointed her finger to the city past a long road, which had construction workers, like a colony of Durants, walking in every direction. The city’s ambient was a stark contrast to the natural colors of the barren earth of the road - even from where they stood, they could make out the humongous roller coaster and its colorful flashy lights. “See, that's Castelia’s sister city, Nimbasa. It's where we're heading once we beat Burgh.” “You're already thinking of Nimbasa, when you haven't even seen half of Castelia? Why am I not surprised.” Cheren smiled, and Brenda scratched her head saying he might have a point. “Even then, my philosophy is to always look forward - however far that may be.” They stayed a little longer, walking around the observatory a couple of times, before going back down on the speedy elevator that had brought them up. “You know where we should go?” Brenda started. “The museum of fine arts. It's right on this street, too.” Her friend accepted the birthday girl’s suggestion. The street they had to walk on, though, was Castelia street, which was heavily trafficked regardless of the hour of day. They bumped into a couple of office workers, before finally making it to the museum. “Honestly I'm not that familiar with art,” Brenda admitted as she received the ticket Cheren paid for her. “I just wanted to check out Burgh’s paintings. I hear he's as skillful with the brush as he is with pokemon battles.” With a quick look at the other paintings, majority of which depicted breathtaking sceneries and the artists’ portraits with and without pokemon, Brenda and her friends walked quickly to the gallery where Burgh’s paintings were exhibited. They certainly didn't expect to find the artist in person, talking to a small crowd of well-dressed people about his paintings. “Oh, I see some familiar faces,” Burgh commented when he saw them. The other people also turned to see the three youngsters with a Riolu. “Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to Brenda, the girl who single-handedly took down the thieves who robbed Nacrene museum some days ago.” “The incident involved of a young trainer, but I didn’t expect her to be this young,” some of the visitors commented. “Thank you for your bravery, little girl.” Others also murmured among themselves as to how quiet the media had been once the dragon skull had been returned. “They didn’t even interview her. I suspect some sketchy business behind all this.” Burgh excused himself, allowing the crowd by themselves to marvel at his paintings for a little while. “What a pleasant surprise, Brenda. What brings you to my gallery?” “I just arrived at Castelia City two days ago, and of course I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see your art,” Brenda grinned. “I didn’t expect you to know Burgh. Much less did I know you were quite the celebrity,” Bianca said with a puzzled face. “What is this Nacrene museum incident about?” “I’m not surprised you are unfamiliar with it,” Burgh followed. “The media only covered it when Lenora reported the theft after the issue had been solved. They didn’t touch on a word about who had been the criminals, or who had stopped them.” “It wasn’t really a big deal anyway,” Brenda scratched her head. “What the world is coming to. Team Plasma is slowly taking over everything, even our media,” Burgh shook his head sideways, but then brightened his serious expression. “But enough of the gloomy talk. Can I assume you’ll be challenging my gym soon?” “You can bet on it,” Brenda raised her fist and posed for the absent cameras. “I’m glad,” he replied. “Have your friends warned you that my team is very strong? I would advise you to come well-prepared.” Burgh said this, and joined the crowd he was leading again. “So you’ve been reckless again, haven’t you,” Cheren sighed once Burgh was far enough. “To go after thugs and single-handedly defeat them.” “All that ends well is all well, right?” Brenda laughed his concerns off. “Besides those thieves were weak. They had no chance against my team.” She then walked over to take a closer look at Burgh’s paintings. “Now, let’s do what we came here to do. The tickets weren’t cheap, you know.” “Tell that to my wallet,” Cheren said, but joined her with Bianca to admire the art. Unlike the other artists, Burgh had chosen to paint orderly natural phenomena. For instance, there was a painting of a colorful spider web with translucent water drops. Another one looked to be inspired by honeycombs’ hexagonal shapes, and still another which expressed the different patterns of Vivillon, a butterfly pokemon native to the distant region of Kalos. “From what he paints,” Brenda giggled. “I can tell Burgh loves bug pokemon. No wonder he is a bug-type gym leader.” “It’s incredible how detailed his strokes are,” Cheren marveled. Brenda nodded, inspecting the paintings by moving close to them and then walking backwards to take on the view from afar. After repeating this for about four paintings, she quickly turned at her friends with a smile. “Alright, I’m done. Where shall we go next?” “Already? But we’ve only been here for half an hour,” Cheren said, looking at his watch. “Yes, but I already told you I’m not much of an art connoisseur. They are pretty to look at, but I think I’ve looked at them enough.” “I assumed you wanted to check them out to see if you could grasp his battling style. Have you gotten a chance to do it?” Brenda batted her eyes at him. “Battling style? I wouldn’t think paintings could inform me of that,” Brenda laughed. “Let’s go, I think I want to visit the zoo now.” She then led her way, with her usual cheerful outlook. “I should’ve guessed,” Cheren murmured but smirked. “It’s just like Brenda,” Bianca agreed. “But she’ll probably surprise us all with a third badge soon.” Thus, they exited the museum of fine arts, and headed to the zoo, where many rare pokemon from other regions and even shinies were exhibited. Not only that, but they had a chance to hear about what had been discovered about pokemon evolution so far, especially about the findings of a certain Professor Sycamore from the Kalos region regarding Mega Evolution. The whole trip was most interesting to Cheren, however, and he usually lagged behind when he listened to and read every little detail about pokemon research. “Look at the time,” Bianca noted when they were exiting the zoo. “Ah, I forgot to tell you two. I bought tickets to see The Pyroar King at 6:30.” She took out two tickets, and pushed them onto Brenda and Cheren’s hands. “I have some business to attend to meanwhile, so please enjoy and meet me at the Pokemon Center, Castelia-street branch afterwards.” Without any more explanations or time for her friends to say anything, Bianca ran away and soon disappeared at a corner. “The Pyroar King? Isn’t that a movie?” Brenda asked, her gaze fixed on her white ticket. “They made a theatrical adaptation recently,” Cheren explained. The two were silent for a moment, before Cheren spoke up again just for the sake of keeping the conversation going. “I- I guess we should head to the subway station,” he said without looking at Brenda. “If I don’t recall wrong, there’s one just around the corner, the one Bianca disappeared to.” “Alright, let’s have a blast! I love the songs from that movie; I hope they have included them in this adaptation.” Brenda placed her ticket carefully in her backpack’s front pocket, and grabbed Ren’s hand as she crossed the road. “Hurry Cheren, let’s go,” she waved from the other side of the road. “That Bianca …” Cheren murmured and sighed, but soon caught up to Brenda.

The one time I don't have my computer with me I'd love to get that abra.

I was looking for fan games with cool story and gen 6 pokemon (just so I could have florges on my team xD) and google searches led me to Reborn

Yoo guys, it's Candy here with not a new chapter (nw, working on it) but a literally-1-minute survey that will help me grasp my readers' demographics. If you're feeling charitable and can help a sista out, follow this link (which should work): https://www.quotev.com/quiz/10225757/To-Aura-Sphere-Readers

Also, it's easier to get 6IV mons if you have two 5IV parents (optimally one 6IV parent), so if you want you can take a look at the Reborn breeders' threads to see if they might have a useful base to work with

Chapter 21 A good rest in a comfortable bed, after a couple days of sleeping over webs and leaves, was just the exact thing Brenda needed. She was so happy snuggled in her blankets, that she didn't wake up as early as she started doing when she became a trainer. “Oh well,” she scratched her head as she checked the time. “A late start, I guess.” She took a warm shower, and wore one of the two outfits she had left. Given that she now had enough money from winning some battles in Pinwheel forest to make a decent living, she bought brunch and promised herself she would buy a new set of clothes to replace the ones she had to dispose of. After all, I'm in Unova’s fashion central, she thought as she bit into her egg salad sandwich. “Let's go. We're going to explore the city!” It was hard to decide where to begin. Castelia City was so large, a day was too little time to explore in its entirety. However, Brenda was determined to take no rest all day long, to get familiarized before meeting her friends the next day. The first place they walked to was Castelia National Park, to check the meeting location beforehand, but since they were there and the weather was perfectly sunny, she decided to spend some time at this location. They passed some joggers with two dog pokemon: one which looked foreign, perhaps from Alola. Just minutes after seeing them, they happened to reach a picnic spot, where many trainers were laughing and playing with their pokemon, some of which, again, she wasn't very familiar with. “Look Ren. Castelia City is full of trainers from other regions. This is so exciting!” Yet, Ren’s interest was not quite directed to pokemon diversity, but on a pastel pink and baby blue car which was making soothe bell jingle sounds. Brenda didn't need N’s language abilities to read Ren’s face, which had “ice cream!” written all over it. “Shouldn't you feel sorry that you are the reason I'm perpetually low on cash?” Brenda pouted, but in good spirit. They walked over to the ice cream stand, and joined the queue of about 20 people. “Must be good ice cream, if there's this many people lined up,” she pondered aloud. “It's not just ordinarily good ice cream, my dear,” said the old woman standing in front of her. “Castelia cones are internationally recognized to be the best ice cream in the world.” The Panpour she was holding in her arms raised her arm, likely in support of what the grandma said. “Really?” Brenda said, feeling the saliva starting to fill her mouth. “I'm looking forward to trying it.” Ren, in unusually great humor, jumped in excitement. After what felt like an eternity, it became their turn to order their cones. “Sorry, we just ran out of Castelia cones,” was the welcome Ren and she received at the stand. “No! Can't you please scrap the deepest depths of your ice cream dispenser?” “Unfortunately there is no-” “Just one! Just one cone is enough!” “I'm sorry, we really don't have anymore,” said the shop attendant, who seemed indecisive about what to do with the girl, who was now resting both arms and face on top of the counter. Next to her, Ren had fallen back and was lying on his back on the sandy ground. “Now, now. Come child, don't trouble the cashier,” Brenda heard the old woman she had spoken with earlier say, while gently patting her back. Without any choice, Brenda slid her upper body on the counter, and slowly stood back upright. The old woman smiled at her. “You know what,” she said. “I live here and can get these anytime. Would you accept them?” Brenda widened her eyes, but declined politely. However, Ren, with almost invisible speed, jumped up from the ground and grabbed the cone the Panpour was offering. “Ren! You're not supposed to do that!” Brenda shook her head. Now she knew she should've disciplined him after the incident with Annie and her Delcatty. “It's alright. Have this one also,” the old woman took Brenda’s hand, and placed the cone in her grip. “Thank you so much,” Brenda thanked, as she sent Leaf out of her pokeball. “Here Leaf, you can have this.” Leaf smiled and wrapped her vines around the cone, but realizing that her trainer had none for herself, raised the cone to Brenda’s mouth. Brenda thanked Leaf for her kindness, and took a bite off the soft cream and cone. “Mmm!” She exclaimed without words. “There is no doubt in my mind. I've never had anything more sweetly tasteful than this ice cream.” The old woman, who watched as Ren gorged on his dessert and as Brenda made unnatural faces in response to the savour, chuckled. “Are you a tourist or a trainer, young lady?” Brenda took out her badges collection from her backpack’s side pocket, and showed the old woman her two glistening badges. “I'm a trainer, soon-to-be pokemon master,” she replied. “I've come from Nuvema town to take on Burgh’s gym.” “Nuvema! From that far away,” the woman commented. Brenda nodded with confidence. The lady was silent for a moment, before brightening her face. “Say, do you happen to have some spare time today?” “Well, I just have sight-seeing and some shopping planned. All the training is taking a toll on my clothes, so I need to buy new ones,” Brenda scratched her head. “What a coincidence,” the woman replied, but explained further that she wanted to send some clothes as a gift to her granddaughter, who had finished the year with top grades. “My granddaughter is a student of the Castelia School of Fashion Design. Like my daughter, she wants to become a great designer and open her own boutique,” the woman said. “I want to buy her clothes, but you know how youngsters are. They have a different fashion sense compared to us, grandparents. I would be grateful if you could help me, just for an hour or two.” Brenda replied that it was not a hassle. Besides she internally felt relieved she could return the favor for the ice cream. The old woman was visibly pleased. “That is wonderful,” she said. “We may as well introduce ourselves then. My name is Annabelle Gladys, and you can call me Annabelle or Anna. What is yours?” “I'm Brenda, nice to meet you.” “Shall we be on our way?” By the time Annabelle suggested this, Ren and Leaf had already finished eating. The first place they went to, was about 20 minutes by subway, a method of transportation much slower than flying but convenient for those without flying pokemon. “I can't believe where we are now,” was the first thing Brenda said as she ascended the stairs. They were standing in the middle of Mode Street, a wide street with lots of traffic both motorized and pedestrian. Brenda walked side by side with Annabelle, talking all the way until their destination. Annabelle told her about how she has been lonely after her husband’s death 2 years ago, since both her only daughter and her husband work a normal 8 hour schedule during the week, and her only granddaughter is also away in school during the same hours. “Only Rainy keeps me company,” she said and petted her Panpour’s head. “I'm sorry to hear that,” Brenda replied. “What about your friends? Wouldn't they hang out with you?” Annabelle smiled. “It so happens that all my friends have moved to less noisy places like Driftveil and Nacrene,” she explained. “I suppose I should do the same, but oh. What would I do in an unfamiliar place without my beloved daughter and granddaughter?” “Hmm, then what you should do is befriend people in the city. Like you did today, with me.” Brenda stretched her arms, and laughed with such a playful expression as to turn out contagious. “That is true. I'm happy to make acquaintance with you, lovely child.” At long last, Annabelle pointed at the shop they were going to enter. The impeccably transparent glass doors had thick golden frames, and led to a room with wooden floor, which was perhaps composed of one eighth clothes and the rest empty space. Unlike to what Brenda was used to, the store was practically empty, save for a number of customers she could count with a single hand. Both the customers and store workers seemed to recognize Annabelle, for they greeted her by her name. “Madam Annabelle,” welcomed one store attendant. “What may we help you with today.” “Good afternoon, Lucia. I'm looking for a dress to give my granddaughter as a present.” “Oh the young Miss Annabelle? I have a selection of dresses I'm sure she would be delighted to wear.” The attendant led them to another room, equally empty but also equally elegantly arranged, where there were dresses of multiple colors and lengths. “Miss,” the attendant spoke to Brenda. “Do you happen to require assistance with your shopping?” Brenda was puzzled by the question, but Annabelle responded for her. “She is Brenda, and is accompanying me with my shopping.” “Oh, my sincere apologies, madam. Welcome to our boutique, Miss Brenda.” Then the attendant followed to ask Annabelle what color, length and cut she was hoping to find. “If you are looking for a smart casual dress,” she commented. “We have excellent dresses in our new arrival collection. They are perfect for the coming summer, with their vibrant but elegant floral patterns.” The old woman inspected the dress by touching its material. “What do you think about the style, Brenda?” Annabelle asked. Brenda scratched her neck. “I honestly don't know much about dresses. I've always been one to wear pants, so I don't think I can be helpful here.” Annabelle smiled. “Then, there's only one way to find out.” The four of them walked over with five candidates of dresses to the fitting room. “Here, try this,” Annabelle handed Brenda a white dress with red and orange flowers. “Wait, I'm going to wear them?” Brenda asked, though it should have been obvious from the moment they came to the fitting room. “Indeed. We won't know if they look well unless they are worn.” “But, I'm not sure what goes well with me will fit your granddaughter.” “Do not worry, Brenda. My granddaughter and you share stature and facial shape. She has perhaps more bust and her hair is golden, but I believe you will be a better model than, say, I would make,” Annabelle chuckled at the thought. Without giving Brenda a chance to argue back, the store helper pushed Brenda to enter the changing room, and then pulled Ren’s hand to remain with Annabelle while his trainer changed. Inside the changing room, Brenda sighed and unzipped the dress. When she did, she happened to catch a glimpse of the price tag. “500,000 pokecoins?!” she gasped quietly, as to avoid being heard by the others outside. “No wonder people avoid this shop like the plague.” However, as she stroked the silky texture of the floral dress, she wondered how anything could be created that was so soft and comfortable to the touch. Deciding against further thought, she slid the dress on her, and came out for everyone to see. “It’s a gorgeous dress,” Annabelle pondered. “However, I don’t believe it would suit my granddaughter. She is not a fan of excessive colors.” The next dress Brenda was given was a striking blue dress with white flowers. “Um, I don’t feel comfortable being seen in this dress,” she commented from inside the changing room. “What is the matter?” “The cut shows too much of my chest and back.” For someone who had worn shirts with cuts no more than 2 inches from the base of her neck, wearing a strapless dress was a culture shock. “It is fine, just let us see you for a second,” Annabelle told her. “Then you can take off the terrible dress.” “It’s not terrible. It’s actually very pretty, just that the cut doesn’t go with me.” However, Brenda acceded to exit the changing room. “Really elegant and beautiful,” Annabelle said. “That one might be it, but let’s see the other dresses.” Brenda wore the other two dresses, a yellow one which was discarded because it would match Miss Annabelle’s hair color, and a pink one with lilac flowers which Annabelle liked but decided against it because she guessed her granddaughter would classify it as childish. Ren watched Brenda come out with different dresses each time, but was bored and almost falling asleep by the time they were finished. “Alright, the blue one shall be it,” Annabelle said, and then told the store attendant to find her the dress with her granddaughter size. As the attendant collected the other dresses to be put back on the hangers, Annabelle stopped her from retrieving the dress with red and orange flowers. “Brenda, I believe the first dress you tried suited you very well,” Annabelle smiled. “Would you receive it as a token of my gratitude?” “Me? A 500,000 pokecoin dress?” Brenda jerked her head back, as though she had received a punch on the chin. “No no, I doubt there would be any reason for me to wear something like that.” “Please, it is a gift. I’m sure you will find good use for it.” “Wait,” Brenda pleaded, but Annabelle had already told the attendant to charge both dresses to her account. “You meant to buy new clothes, am I wrong?” the old lady teased. “But Mrs Anna…” Annabelle looked at the child who had her eyebrows wrinkled. “I barely ever have an opportunity to go shopping with my granddaughter anymore,” Annabelle sighed. “Today, I feel as though you revived a lovely memory which had been buried in the past.” After the check-out, Brenda was given a fancy bag which contained her brand-new dress, of quality she would probably never afford in all her lifetime. “Thank you for a lovely afternoon,” Annabelle said. “I hope your stay in Castelia will be enjoyable, and I wish you luck in your challenge of the Unova League.” “I had a great time, thanks for everything,” Brenda laughed, as she waved at the old lady who headed home. Once they were on their own again, Brenda looked at the fancy bag and sighed. “Guess I shall wear this tomorrow,” Brenda stuck out her tongue.