28 Chapter 28: Meeting New Friends

After Cynthia grabbed her plate and sat at the table with the others, Xander introduced everyone. 

"This is my best friend and twin from another womb, Cynthia. These are my new friends that I had just met, Fantina, Gardenia, Flint, and Vulkner," Xander introduced everyone politely. "They have been on their journey for a few months now so they have been to quite a few Gyms."

"Really? Where are you guys from?" Cynthia asked, curious since they were only from a small town. She loved to hear about new and exciting places. 

"I'm from Eterna City," Gardenia explained politely. "I love it there. We have a forest filled with Grass Pokemon."

"Don't mind her. She is a Grass Pokemon fanatic," Fantina explained while nudging her playfully. "The real best city is my hometown, Hearthome. We have the biggest Contest Hall in all of Sinnoh and the number one Poffin House."

"Me and Flint are Sunyshore natives. We came a few days ago to get Gardenia and Fantina's badges," Vulner explained

"So you guys just met up randomly?" Cynthia asked while taking a sip of her juice. 

"Yep. We all met up in Pastoria a few weeks ago," Gardenia smiled as the remembered their meeting. "We all challenged the Gym right after the other and were impressed by each other. Since we were all around the same age and aiming for the Junior Cup this year, we figured that we would travel together."

"That's a pretty interesting way to meet," Xander commented. He knew that the Gym Leaders must have known each other in the original timeline but he never expected that 4 of them were trainers that traveled together when they were younger. 

"So where are you going next?" Cynthia figured that since they had been in the city for a few days, they must have already gotten their badges and were planning on moving on.

"Veilstone. The only one of us who has gotten that badge is Gardenia. Then after that, we are heading to Snowpoint City before going to the last 2 Gyms we need to complete," Fantina sighed, thinking about how she could shop all she wanted in Veilstone and get a bunch of new clothes. 

"We just left Veilstone. The Gym Leader's Pokemon weren't too strong but we were considered Beginner Trainers. Not sure how tough it will be for you guys since you are Intermediate Trainers," Xander was curious how much tougher Gym Battles got when a person reached the Intermediate rank but that was still far off for him and Cynthia since they were just about to get their 2nd badges. 

"The shop is also pretty good. We spent hours there just looking around and buying clothes," Cynthia laughed as she remembered the shopping spree. 

'More like being held hostage,' Xander thought to himself before receiving a punch on the shoulder from an angry blonde. 'Either her Aura training is really paying off or my face shows way too much expression.'

"Interesting. I'm curious how we will hold up against their Fighting Pokemon," Vulkner was glad that he was going to fight a Gym his Pokemon were not resistant to or had an advantage over. It meant that he could really challenge himself there.

"What are you guys gonna do when you're done with Sunnyshore?" Gardernia asked, hoping to have some more friends to travel with.

Xander could read between the lines and understand what she wanted so he gave her an apologetic smile.

"We'll be heading to Pastroia before heading around Sinnoh, counter clockwise," Xander told them their plan on taking down the various Gyms.

"Darn. That's too bad. I would have loved to have some more companions," Vulkner was depressed when he heard that they wouldn't be traveling with them. He had seen that Xander and Cynthia had strong Pokemon with them so he figured that they would be excellent sparring partners.

"That's fine. We'll see each other at the Conference this year," Cynthia assured them

"True. We will be rivals then, though," Gardenia replied with a teasing smile. "Though I plan to win it all."

"Good luck. Tamamo and Mothra will love the fight," Xander teased, his two Pokemon looking up when they heard his call.

Gardenia looked at the pair and frowned. Tamamo was obviously and Ice Pokemon while Mothra was a Bug and Fire Pokemon, all who had an advantage over her Grass Pokemon.

'Hmm. I knew it would be tough but I might need to add some more tricks to counter them. Guess I'll need to teach a couple of my Pokemon some new moves,' Gardenia began thinking of new ways to counter her weaknesses. She had avoided the Snowpoint Gym on her way to Pastoria because she knew her Pokemon were weak against the Ice Pokemon at the Gym.

After a few more minutes of talking, the group of 4 got up from the table to head out to their next destination.

As soon as they left the cafeteria, Vulkner smacked Flint on the back of his head.

"You are always running you mouth. What, got a little shy with such a pretty girl around?" Vulkner teased his best friend

Flint's face began to blush, not denying what Vulkner said. He was just embarrassed that he was so easy to read.

"That's why I thought I caught a new Ghost Pokemon. It was because Flint's soul left his body in front of Cynthia," Fantina joined on on the teasing, usually being on the receiving end from Flint.

Gardenia laughed at her friends and wanted to join in but when she saw that Flint's face was redder than Krookodile, she kept the words in her heart.

The group laughed until they reached the gates of the city before finally letting Flint off the hook as they continued their journey.