Soul looked at both of his 'friends' that he met during the tournament back at Emblem City, where he got the title of 'Little Champion'.
Soul didn't notice before, but it seemed that Ashley and Opal seemed to be close with each other. He would guess that they travel together as companions.
Well, it isn't like that he has so much time to hang around with them, so a quick greeting should be what he should do.
Soul: Well it was nice to meet with your guys again, goodbye.
Before he could walk away, Ashley pulled her hands toward his shoulders and stopped him from further moving.
With closed eyes and intimidating smiles, she begins to speak.
Ashley: Well, well, well. It's been so long since we've met, don't you have any spare time to waste with us?
Soul: N-No.
This time Ashley opened her eyes, as it made her face even more intimidating and scary. At last, Soul 'accepted' her invitation as they went to hang out around the city today and catch up with each other.
Ashley: Wow! What a coincidence that all three of us are actually in the same place. The world sure is small, don't you guys think so, too?
Ashley said as her hands are holding on both Opal and Soul's shoulders, making them unable to escape.
Soul: 'This girl is scary and is crazily strong! How come she so strong!? I trained my body for the past 7 years and what about her?'
Opal nodded, as Ashley looked over at Soul with an expecting smile. Soul saw Opal, who is indicating that Soul to just do the same as her.
So Soul also nodded, as Ashley smiles even brighter than the hot sun. They went to a local cafe to get some cold drinks since it's hot around here.
Soul ordered a cold lemonade drink and some cookies to the side.
Ashley ordered a cold strawberry smoothie and cake.
Opal went for a Banana split with some fruits to the side.
When all of their orders arrived, they decided to eat inside of the cafe since they have air conditions in there.
They saw a table with four empty seats that can hold up to their number. It was also close to the corner, where the air conditions were so they decided to sit there.
While they started digging in their orders, Ashley was the one who spoke first.
Ashley: So… Soul, how's it going?
Soul replies quickly to her question.
Soul: Fine, what about you two?
Ashley. Me and Opal are pals, who travel around the world and would, so we have it fantastic! Isn't that right, Opal?
Opal: Stopping saying things out so loud, Ashley.
Soul was surprised that the two persons he regarded as rival's actually traveled together. He didn't even know that they'd known each other!
Ashley: Whoops. Hehe... sorry about that, guys. Anyways how many badges do you have?
Soul thought for a second.
Soul: 'it wouldn't hurt to tell your rival's, about how many badges you have since it could help them to fuel their determination to be better than their rival, which is currently me.'
Soul glanced over at Ashley and then pretend to take out his badge collector from his jacket and opened it.
Soul: I have two badges for now.
Ashley who heard this was surprised as her eyes widen with stars, Opal on the hand just glanced at him, then looked away muttering something.
Opal: Dammit, I need to train my team harder after this.
Ashley: Wow! All of us three here just started our journeys around a week or two ago, and you've already got two badges? That's awesome!
Opal: Ashley… the noise will attract attention…
Sure enough, some of the other peoples here were staring at them weirdly, as if they were some sort of annoying bug.
Ashley who heard this looked around and scratches her cheeks, while sweats being to fall down on her forehead.
Ashley: Sorry, sorry. I'm just excited since we've only got one badge each from Celadon City Gym.
Opal: You mean you've got the first badge, it took me two tries to beat her and her Pokemon.
Opal looked depressed by how far she had fallen behind the others, especially more since Soul already has two badges. It was absolutely unacceptable to her!
Ashley: W-Well, she did have a type advantage over your Squirtle, so don't feel down about it, alright? We can go find a gym, which has a type disadvantage against your Squirtle, r-right?
This made Opal's mood somewhat better, while Soul awkwardly staring at both of them and was thinking about if he should escape or not.
Opal: Hnn…
Ashley: Oh yeah. Where are you heading now, Soul?
Soul: Vermillion City, I would be fighting for my third badge there.
Ashley: That's great. How's about we all travel together? Won't it be more fun to travel with your companions, buddies, pals on the long journey?
Before he could say something, Opal beat him to it first with a question.
Opal: What kind of type does the gym use?
Soul: Electric-type. Mainly electric-type, I'm afraid.
Opal: Oh…
She looked a bit more down after hearing this. Wait… she didn't really protest about him joining them and her mood went down when she heard about the gym type.
She seemed like, she would love to have him on board with them. Sadly Soul didn't really like to travel with others so he refused the offer.
Soul: Sorry Ashley, but I have to refuse your offer.
Ashley: Ehh… why?
Soul: First, I like to travel alone. Second Opal has a type disadvantage against the gym, I would be going too and I don't think she would be happy if she falls behind again.
Ashley looked at a bit mad and annoyed and begins to pout a bit.
Ashley: Ok, fine. You win this time.
Soul: If I would give you a recommendation, go to Pewter City. The gym over there only use rock-type Pokemons, so your Squirtle should have a type advantage there.
Opal's mood seemed to brighten after hearing what Soul said.
Opal: Thanks for the information, rival person.
Soul awkwardly stared at her, as he didn't know why she kept forgetting his name. After all his name is pretty easy to say and remember in people's minds.
S-O-U-L
Pretty easy to remember, right?
Another chapter, I have been trying to get Grammarly Premium for free but didn't succeed. Anybody here can help me get Grammarly Premium for free?