90 Chapter 90: A Mission

Caught Pokemon (in order):

Itsuki: Alolan Ninetales, Wartortle, Fearow, Beedrill, Venonat, Scyther, Rowlet, Aerodactyl, Zubat, Porygon, Growlithe

Serena: Vulpix, Frogadier, Pinsir, Torracat, Kadabra

Lillie: Alolan Vulpix, Nidorina, Butterfree, Popplio, Clefairy

People wanted a list so far, here you guys go (:

Will periodically post it, and create a Vol 0 likely when Kanto region is complete.

Don't forget to drop those power stones! Let's try to get over 500 this week.

*

Seeing us get on Erika's good side as she introduced herself to us, I actually let out an inwardly sigh of relief.

Erika may appear a kind and graceful woman on the outside, but on the inside she can have quite the temperament. This was shown quite well in the anime.

When Ash, Brock, and Misty first arrived Celadon City, Brock and Misty were immediately interested in near by perfumeries, like we were. Once they arrived in one, of course with Ash being Ash, he straight up said perfumes smelled terrible and complained that their prices were jacked up too high. Not only that, he said that they turned men into horny monkeys, by showing how Brock reacted to the shoppers similar to the ones in the shop we were currently in.

In fact, now that I think about it, wasn't this the store those guys were attracted to? Erika appears to be her more modern look here much like the rest of the city did, but it was clear she came out then and harshly berated Ash. That ended up with him literally kicked in his ass out of the store.

He then stomped over to the gym to request his gym challenge while failing to recognize that the lady in the kimono who berated him earlier was actually the gym leader, Erika. This led to Ash getting a big red X stamped onto his face by the gym trainers under Erika, and got thrown out.

I had no idea what Ash's issue was back then, but from this perfumery, I've been enjoying these scents, despite being new to perfumes and cologne.

"Haha, it's nice to meet you, Erika. You can call me Itsuki. Yes it is me who is new to trying cologne."

"Itsuki, is it? It is nice to meet you as well, Professor. Such a polite man.", Erika said, greeting me.

"You know me?", I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"Of course. You are quite well known here in Kanto. Moreover I keep up with prospecting Trainers who are currently underway on their journey. You three being here in Celadon City means you've passed the first hurdle.", Erika explained.

"Word travels quite fast eh?"

"So you really are Celadon City's Gym Leader, Erika?", Serena asked still in surprise.

"I am. Though unfortunately for you guys I already have a full list today of Trainers to battle. The next slot won't be available till Monday. I close the Gym on weekends since my Trainers are also my co-workers.", Erika explained.

"I see. You do use the Gym to manufacture your perfumes, don't you? I'm guessing it has quite the greenhouse.", I asked.

"I do. I have my own partner Pokemon tend to the fields beside us. Leafeon, why don't you come say hello?", Erika responded with a smile, which drew our attention to the slow figure approaching Erika.

"Leafeon.", the figure said. Once it came into view, sure enough it was a Leafeon, the grass type evolution of Eevee!

"Wow, so cute.", Serena said with a smile.

"Yes. This is one of Eevee's evolutions, isn't it?", Lillie asked.

"It is."

"Aren't you worried that you revealed your partner Pokemon too early?", I decided to ask.

"It is true that it will take Trainers by surprise, but they need to back it up in battle. Some Trainers don't even make it to Leafeon, so I do hope you guys will give us a good battle.", Erika responded.

"Of course. We were going to find out how to register at the Pokemon Center, but since we met you now, is having our battle Monday fine?", I asked.

"That's fine with me. Now then, as a special treat for potential new customers, why don't I have Leafeon help produce you guys a special perfume and cologne for each of you?", Erika asked with a smile while clapping her hands.

"Eh? Are you sure? Won't that--?", I tried to ask back. But at this moment something buzzed inside one of my pockets. Bzzz, Bzzz.

Hearing this, I decided to take out my device that I use to measure various type of readings. It not only did various things like that, it was also a built in cellular phone. Except the people who currently had my number was very limited. I looked at the caller ID, and my expression turned serious.

"Excuse me for a moment, Miss Erika. I have to take this.", I briefly said.

"Of course.", Erika responded with a nod of her head.

Turning off to the side, I tapped the device. In the next moment a normal sized holo panel appeared in our view. A mature woman appeared in it who had insanely long blond hair. Seeing this woman appear on screen, Lillie blinked at her in surprise.

Meanwhile, the woman looked around a bit before finding Lillie. She then happily clapped her hands and spoke out.

"Ohh! Lillie! Hi, how have you been doing since our last call?", The woman said, acting as if she ignored our surroundings.

"M-M-Mother!?", Lillie yelled back in surprise.

"Good afternoon, Miss Lusamine.", I said, greeting the woman on the panel. Of course, of the few contacts I had registered, Lillie's mom, Lusamine was of course one of them. The only thing regarding this way though, is she only calls if she had something specific to say. Not to Lillie or Serena, but actually to me personally.

"And you must be the Gym Leader Erika. Please don't go easy once your battle begins with these three. I also apologize for interrupting your business."

"It is no problem. It's nice to meet you, Lusamine. I can clearly see the resemblance between you and Lillie.", Erika responded with another bow as she greeted her.

Lusamine responded with a smile, before she turned her head back toward me. She then spoke out again.

"Itsuki, I'll keep this call short. The subject is a bit sensitive. You have a mission. I'll brief you later tonight.", Lusamine said with a serious tone. She then actually hung up the call and the holo panel vanished from sight. It only lasted for a minute or two, which left us at a loss for words.

"A mission...understood.", I uttered softly. I then regained composure, and turned back toward Erika.

"Sorry about that. Besides being a Professor and a Trainer, I also have another job, and Miss Lusamine is the boss I report to for that.", I explained a bit.

"So that's how it is. Moreover you guys seem quite close with each other. Pardon me for asking, but may I know how?", Erika decided to ask.

Serena and Lillie took this time to recover as well, only for light blush to appear on Lillie's cheeks. This caught Erika's attention as Lillie answered.

"I don't mind telling you. Itsuki and I are currently dating.", Lillie answered.

We then saw Erika turn quiet for a moment. After that, a big smile bloomed on her face while clapping her hands.

"How lovely. Leafeon, we are going to get busy. We'll whip up a perfect perfume and cologne to let your relationship soar.", Erika responded with a smile.

"Leafeon!", Leafeon also responded happily.

Erika then brought a couple salesgirls with her and invited us to her greenhouse. As we left, Serena didn't say anything and just smiled.

As for me, I went back into my thoughts.

A mission, huh...?

Lusamine isn't the type to call us willy-willy and gave me freedom to do as I wished to while we are on our journey. The last call was an exception as she wanted to check up on Lillie and even surprised us with the Alolan starters, since Lillie decided to become a Trainer with us then.

But for her to call us directly, and with a mission no less, something must be happening. As to whether it is in Kanto, that remains to be seen. Lusamine always keeps Lillie's best care at hand, so for her to give me one, it is basically saying Lillie is potentially at risk. And if something is happening in Kanto, it might not just be her who is ay risk here.

Looks like I need to talk with Lusamine later tonight after we're checked in at the Pokemon Center. She said she'll debrief me then.