Edward and Alyssa took Sonia and Leon straight to the Pokémon Center as soon as they arrived in town. Sonia and Leon's eyes sparkled when they saw the large, three-story white building. Edward was also surprised by the size—it was way bigger than he had imagined, even after seeing it in the games. White walls, red roof, and somehow even more imposing in real life.
It made sense: it was a hospital that served both humans and Pokémon, plus it had a big restaurant and lodging for traveling trainers.
Leon practically jumped with excitement when he spotted the building. Even Sonia, who was usually much more composed, let out a relieved sigh.
She glanced at Leon, exhausted:
— "Finally... a bath..."
Leon replied in the same tone:
— "And clean clothes. And hot food."
For a second, it looked like they were both about to cry.
Alyssa, watching the scene impatiently, threw her arm around Edward's neck and started dragging him down the street, speaking fast and irritated:
— "Yeah, yeah, it was lovely meeting you guys, but me and Edie boy have to head home now. Grandpa's probably freaking out. Bye-bye, see ya never!" — she waved with a forced smile. — "Hopefully never, actually."
Edward didn't even have time to react. Alyssa had absurd strength for someone her size. He only managed to wave goodbye while being practically carried away by the heavy metal gorilla princess.
About four blocks away from the Pokémon Center, Alyssa sighed, releasing her irritation:
— "Finally free from those leeches! And let me tell you, Edie boy, way too much whining for my taste. This whole 'princess in distress' crap is nonsense. If we'd been attacked, I ALONE could've taken down the whole horde."
Edward just shook his head. Deep down, he knew Alyssa didn't like the duo because she felt guilty about their situation... but he wasn't about to poke that wound.
— "But... what if I were in danger, Aly? Would you save me?"
She paused for a second, turned to him, and gave a half-sarcastic, half-sincere smile:
— "Edie boy, don't worry. I'll always save my enchanted guitarist. But, y'know... you better get stronger. It's kinda embarrassing being rescued by a gorgeous lady all the time."
Edward immediately regretted the question, but before he could answer back, the inn came into view.
The hanging sign, shaped like a sleeping Snorlax, swayed in the wind. A warm, familiar feeling grew in Edward's chest—that place already felt like a second home.
As soon as they reached the door, Alyssa shoved it open and yelled:
— "I'M BAAAAACK, BITCHES!!!"
The old man nearly fell out of his chair, spilling coffee all over his shirt.
— "FOR THE LOVE OF ARCEUS, ALYSSA!" — he shouted, hands on his head. — "HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO COME INTO THE HOUSE LIKE THAT?!"
The Altaria, perched on the wooden beam above, jumped so hard it almost knocked over a lamp.
Alyssa kicked her boots off in the middle of the room and was already heading upstairs, two steps at a time, yelling:
— "THIS HOUSE IS SO BORING WITHOUT ME! I'M GOING TO MY ROOM! CALL ME IF THERE'S FOOD... OR IF THE WORLD ENDS, WHICHEVER!"
The old man massaged his temples, breathing deeply like someone carrying sixty years of accumulated patience.
— "Arceus... why do you test me...?"
He looked at Edward, took a deep breath, and said:
— "You... Edie, right?" — he raised an eyebrow. — "I guess I can officially consider you a resident now, huh?"
Edward scratched the back of his neck, a little embarrassed.
— "Actually... I was wondering if I could pay to stay another week. Just until I figure out my next steps."
The old man crossed his arms, grumbling.
— "Pay..." — he scoffed. — "Now that you're friends with Alyssa, if you think I'm gonna charge you for lodging, you're delusional."
— "But, sir..." — Edward tried to insist, pulling out his wallet.
The old man raised a hand to cut him off:
— "If you really want to pay, help out around the inn. There's always something to do. And..." — he glanced up the stairs, where the sound of a distorted guitar was already leaking through — "...help me keep that girl out of trouble. That's worth more than any money."
Edward sighed, half-laughing.
— "Fair enough."
The old man nodded, went to a drawer behind the counter, and pulled out a pile of letters, flyers, and magazines.
— "Oh... some stuff arrived for her while you were out. Take it to her. Save my ears."
The guitar noise got louder as Edward went upstairs. When he reached the hallway, he noticed the door was closed.
He knocked, and Alyssa yelled from inside:
— "IT'S OPEN!"
When he pushed the door open, Edward almost had a stroke.
The room... was pink. That's right. Pink. Floral wallpaper, fluffy pillows, even a soft shag rug. If it weren't for the drum set in the corner, the guitar on the floor, and the amp blasting death metal at 300 decibels, he would've sworn it was the suite of some sweet, delicate girl—which Alyssa very clearly was not.
She was lying upside down on the bed, her hair practically touching the floor, swinging to the rhythm of the music.
Edward stepped in, still dizzy from the contrast.
— "Mail delivery!" — he announced, tossing the pile onto the bed.
Alyssa immediately sat up, dove into the letters, and started digging through them. She tossed aside four music store flyers, three heavy metal magazines, and a bill notice... which she very obviously ignored without even reading.
Then suddenly, she froze. Eyes wide.
— "NO FREAKING WAY!!!" — she screamed, jumping on the bed. — "IT GOT ACCEPTED!!! IT GOT ACCEPTED!!!"
— "What?!" — Edward flinched, almost tripping over a pedal.
— "MY APPLICATION FOR THE WYNDON FESTIVAL GOT ACCEPTED!!!" — She held the letter like it was Willy Wonka's golden ticket. — "That's right, baby! I, THE QUEEN OF HEAVY METAL, AM GONNA DESTROY THAT STAGE! AND YOU, EDIE BOY, ARE MY OFFICIAL GUITARIST. ACCEPT YOUR FATE!!!"
Edward blinked, stunned.
— "Wait... what?"
— "THAT'S RIGHT!!!" — She was jumping, kicking clothes everywhere. — "AND THERE'S MORE!!! There's also gonna be a battle tournament during the festival! And if the prize is as good as the band contest's prize... OH MY ARCEUS!!!"
She opened the flyer, trembling.
— "You know what the prize for the band contest is?" — she didn't even wait for an answer — "A PROFESSIONAL MUSIC VIDEO RECORDING!!! AND... A MYSTERY POKÉMON EGG FOR EACH BAND MEMBER!!!"
She held the letter like Arceus Himself had descended from the heavens.
— "Do you realize what this means, EDIE?! That egg could be ANYTHING! It could be an Absol, a Deino, A DRAMPA... OR WHO KNOWS... A POCKET GIRATINA, I'D TAKE IT!!!"
She started spinning in circles, kicking socks, jackets, magazines, and probably her own dignity.
The old man showed up at the door, knocking on the frame.
— "Yeah... sounds like a great opportunity for you two. Oh, and you can stay at your grandma's house while you're in Wyndon."
The effect was instant.
Alyssa froze. Joy turned into panic.
— "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!" — she threw herself dramatically onto the floor. — "I'D RATHER DIE A SLOW DEATH! A WEEK WITH THAT WOMAN IS PSYCHOLOGICAL TORTURE!!!"
The old man crossed his arms, stern.
— "Alyssa... I've told you a thousand times. A lady doesn't speak like that."
She rolled on the floor to glare at him.
— "WELL, GOOD THING I'M NOT A LADY THEN, OLD MAN!!!"
Edward was bare
ly holding himself upright from laughing.
The old man sighed, exhausted.
— "Arceus... give me patience... or just give me deafness already."