20 Chapter 20: Continuing Journey
The trio left the Veilstone Gym in high spirits. Each of them had beaten the Gym Leader and proven themselves. To celebrate, Dahlia got them all a room at one of the best restaurants in the city.
Dahlia ordered food for them and for their Pokemon that were eating all around them. Xander and Cynthia's Pokemon seemed to have already gotten used to Dahlia's team so they were able to eat without worrying about the stronger Pokemon so close to them.
"What are you two planning to do after Veilstone City?" Dahlia asked while wrapping her pasta noodles around her fork
"We're gonna head to Sunyshore City next. After that, we plan on taking some time to try and catch another Pokemon and train a bit before we go to Pastoria City," Cynthia told Dahlia their plans while taking bites out of her curry.
"That's too bad. I'm actually heading up north to challenge the Snowpoint Gym. Pastoria and Sunyshore are the two Gyms I need to train for a bit more before I challenge them," Dahlia sighed, upset that she was going to have to separate from her new friends.
"Let me give you guys some advice. Travel through the Grand Underground so you can get in some training during your journey. Your Pokemon will improve much more than they will if you travel along the surface," Dahlia suggested to the pair with a serious face. The younger kids stopped eating and began to pay close attention to what the girl was saying.
"You guys should also give up on getting another Pokemon till after you get the badge at the Pastoria Gym. You each have two strong Pokemon but if you still have a lot to learn.
For example, each of your Pokemon is only skilled at using moves related to their types. You should teach them moves from outside of their types while they are still young and before they get too set in their ways to easily learn these.
I would suggest Psychic moves for your Ninetales and Fire moves for Fenris, Xander. Ninetales are famous for their innate psychic powers while all Dragon Types can use Fire to a high degree.
As for you, Cynthia: Gabby should learn Rock Type moves. That would help cover her 4x weakness to Ice Types. As for Lucario, he is fine with only two types. What you need to focus on is his ability to use aura. The better he can control aura, the more powerful he can make his moves, increase his physical and extrasensory abilities, and even use it to predict the movement of other Pokemon in battle.
As for your Larvesta and Feebas, I'll leave that up to you both. It would be best if you guys learned how to think about how to develop your Pokemon yourselves."
Xander nodded when he heard her suggestions. He was already thinking about how to get his Pokemon to use more types of moves but that was difficult to do. So instead, he had been focusing on developing a wide moveset for his Pokemon to use the Types that they already knew.
"Thanks. I'll be sure that you regret giving us such good advice," Xander thanked and threatened her
"Oh?" Dahlia asked with an eyebrow raised. "And why is that?"
"Cause I'm aiming at winning the Conference this year then I'm coming for you," Xander promised with determination in his eyes
"Is that so?" Dahlia asked. "Then you better make sure that you can handle flying a long distance. Cause I'm aiming to become a Frontier Brain."
The duo heard her goal and were surprised. That was when Xander remembered that the Battle Frontier actually existed.
Frontier Brains were leaders of the Battle Frontier and were said to be on the same level as the Elite 4 at the weakest while the strongest was on the level of the Regional Champion.
Members of the Battle Frontier would present unique and weird challenges to trainers before requiring them to fight the Frontier Brain. The hardest part of it all was that to become a Frontier Brain, each one was only open to challenge for 2 days per year, a day per current Frontier Brain.
'I forgot about the Battle Frontier. Ash may have been willing to turn them down but I wouldn't mind being a Frontier Brain with a Facility.'
Xander was never interested in becoming the Pokemon Champion, figuring that it was Cynthia's goal. He had considered becoming a member of the Elite 4 but after being reminded of the Battle Frontier, he had a new goal in mind.
"That sounds even better. I'll come and challenge your Facility in order to get one myself," Xander promised with fire in his eyes
"Guess that leaves the Regional Champion title for me then," Cynthia laughed as she sipped her milkshake. Her goal would always remain the same, no matter what changes may occur around her.
"Good. Then we will all be friends together at the top," Dahlia was glad that she had spoken to these two in the Grand Underground. "Looks like my good luck has blessed me with a fortunate encounter once again."
The trio finished their dinner before heading to the Pokemon Center and passing their Pokemon to Nurse Joy. After giving them up, they all went up to their room to sleep off the exhaustion that had built up from the day.
The next morning, the trio picked up their Pokemon first thing before heading toward the northern entrance of the city. There, Dahlia summoned her Arcanine before climbing on the massive dog and waving to her new friends.
"Make sure you guys call me every now and then. Until next time," she waved them goodbye before her Arcanine took off and did not give the duo a chance to say goodbye.
"And she's off," Xander shook his head at his new friend's antics
"But we'll see her again so no need to worry," Cynthia laughed, finding Dahlia's antics amusing. She then turned to Xander and looked at him with a smile. "Ready to go?"
"Hmm. Let's," Xander was ready to continue their adventure.
The duo returned to the entrance of the Grand Underground and descended, ready to continue their journey.
