Chapter 12: Electric Beauty

Entering Nacrene City my eyes were immediately assaulted by a myriad of colors.

Building painted gold, purple, or blue were everywhere and no one patted an eye at them.

I can also see ton's of street art graffiti, as well as several photographers simply taking photos of everything they can. Then there are the numerous artists set up, with some painting landscapes, while others are painting portraits for paying customers.

Now I see why Nacrene is known as 'The City of Art'. It lives up to its name.

*Snap!*

A flash suddenly appearing in my face I suddenly found myself being handing something. Courtesy of a woman with a camera in her right hand.

"Here young man. A way to remember your time in our wonderful city." She said.

Shrugging, I took the photo and saw myself with a 'deer in the headlights' expression on my face. Which I couldn't help but chuckle at.

"Thank you." I told the woman. "How much would you like for it?" I asked.

Only for the woman to shake her head. "It's free. Have a nice day, and I hope you enjoy your time in our city." She said.

The female photographer then walked off.

Once again I shrugged and then pocketed the photo.

I then continued on my way to the gym.

Which just like the Striaton Gym looked the same as it did in the anime.

Entering, I found myself in a small crowd of people.

I then noticed two different lines, with signs hanging above them.

The one on the left said 'Museum' while the one on the right said 'Gym'. Since the Nacrene City gym and museum are one in the same.

I took up a spot in the right line.

While also making a mental note to check out the actual museum itself at a later date. Since I enjoyed history and the like in my last life.

The line I was in moved quickly and soon I was at the front counter. Faced with a cute female receptionist.

"Welcome. How may I help you today?" She asked me.

"Hello, I am a challenger who would like to sign up for a gym battle." I explained.

She nodded. "Your trainer license please?"

Giving her a nod I reached into my pocket and removed my wallet. Literally taking out my trainers license and handing it to her. Since the license is an actual ID card.

The receptionist placed it on a scanner and then looked up my information, which only took a moment. She then looked at me.

"A next available opening for you would be in two weeks, is that acceptable?" She asked.

"Yes, that's fine." I said.

Since I need some time to train Gyarados in case I want to use her in the upcoming gym battler.

"Very well." The receptionist said.

She then typed the keys on the terminal in front of her, and a moment later I felt a ping from the phone in my pocket. Telling me everything had been set.

Once it was I was handed back my license and left the gym.

Heading straight for the pokemon center, hoping a room was still available.

Since pokemon trainers can spend up to a month staying inside of a pokemon center before they are mandated to vacate their room. It's a rule set in place for trainers who don't have much money when they start our they journey, and can't afford a hotel room.

Though it's not like I can't afford it.

My grandfather is a not only a gym leader but mayor of a major city. Both of which earn him generous paychecks. That's not even mentioning all the money in the Albion's family personal accountants earned over the years through various investments and the like. All of which I have access to since I am a member of the family.

To put it simply I am rich.

But just because I have money doesn't mean I want to spend it.

I was frugal in my last life, and I'm the same here.

Though that is to say, I won't spend big if necessary.

But right now I don't feel like it.

Arriving at the pokemon center I got a room, and then set up.

Once I did I immediately went out to the training fields set up behind the center and released my pokemon.

"Ok gang, time to get to work." I said.

*Snap! Snap!*

Only to hear the familiar clicking sound of a camera of some sort.

Seeing the direction the camera flashes were coming from I turned to face the person taking pictures of me and my pokemon without permission, to have words with them. Since that is not something I am comfortable with.

"Hey, what do you think you are doing..." I trailed off.

Since I recognized the person in front of me.

Elesa.

Future supermodel, electric-type pokemon specialist, and leader of the Nimbasa City gym.

Even without her signature headphones I can tell its her.

At my words she stopped snapping pictures and lowered the camera in her hand, getting a sheepish smile on her face as she did so.

Due to this I noticed she is my own age.

"Sorry about that." She said. "It's just I've never seen pokemon like yours up close, especially your Dragonite." She explained. "I found them all so bright and sparkling I just had to get a few pictures. Again, sorry."

"That's alright." I told her. Getting my bearings back after recognizing her. "I don't mind people taking pictures of me and my pokemon. But I would them to ask first and foremost." I explained to her.

"Yeah, I get that." Elesa said. "Oh, my name is Elesa Lennon and you are?"

"Ezra Grimheart. Nice to meet you." I replied.

"The same. And, I'll delete the photo's I took of your pokemon if you want." She said.

"Well, I'll let it slide this time. But if you want to take any more photo's of them please ask." I said.

Elesa nodded. "Sure." She said. "So, can I take some more?" She immediately asked.

Which made me lightly chuckle.

A girl who know what she wants. I can respect that.

"Sure, if my pokemon don't mind that is." I said. Turning my attention to them.

None of them raised an objections.

Seeing this I turned back to Elesa.

"There you have it." I said.

"Thanks." Elesa replied.

She then got ready to take more photo's, only for a Zebstika to come up behind her and nudge its head into her back.

Jumping, Elesa turned around and then immediately calmed down.

Telling me the pokemon was hers.

"Yes Zebstrika?" Elesa asked her pokemon.

Only for it to give her a flat look, then nudge its head in a direction.

Looking in said direction I saw two Emolga, a Joltik, and a Tynamo standing on another training field.

"Ack!" Elesa cried. She then got a blush on her face. "Right training." She muttered.

Only for her Zebstrika to continue looking at her with a deadpan expression on its face.

Biting my cheek, I did my best to keep from laughing.

"Stop looking at me like that. I understand. I'm coming right now!" Elesa said in embarrassment.

She then started walking back over to her pokemon.

Her Zebstrika right behind her.

But not before it bowed its head in an apologetic manner to me.

'I guess it does such a thing quite a lot with Elesa as a trainer.' I thought.

Giving it a curt nod in response I turned back to my own team.

"Well, that was interesting. But let's get down to business." I said. "Training, and then winning our second badge." I said.

I got a chorus of roars of agreements from my team.

Music to my ears.

-----------------------------------

Rising out of bed I stretched.

Two weeks have come and gone, and today is the day I battle the Nacrene gym for my second badge.

Once I was finished stretching I went to take a shower, and then handled other business.

I then went to the cafeteria and hate a full and hearty breakfast, as did my pokemon.

Speaking of, Gyarados has integrated well into our team.

Once our meal was done I returned them and we headed straight to gym.

As I walked I enjoyed the morning sun.

Since the slot I chose was for right after the gym opened up.

There is actually only one person in front of me.

Arriving at the gym I entered it.

Only to see Elesa standing at the front counter.

Turning around she caught sight of me.

"Ezra, what a coincidence. Are you here for a gym battle as well?" She asked me.

I nodded. "Yes. I am slated for the second match today. And I take it you are the first?"

"That's right." Elesa admitted.

"Well, good luck to you then." I said.

"Thank you." She said.

"Mam, this way." A gym trainer said.

Elesa then followed them.

As she did so I decided to ask the receptionist if it was possible for me to watch the match.

After all, it's not everyday you get to see a future gym leader in the making in iaction.

"Yes, it's possible." She answered.

Once she did so she had someone escort me to the spectator seating.

Where I then waited for Elesa's match to begin.

I hope watching it won't be a waste.