Sike: Many XD's! Thank you; I'm glad I can still entertain you after TPML. Milo's password holds great significance to his past, as does Goldenrod as a city. I hope you enjoy this chapter!


(I hate the 5k limit. Makes my life cumbersome amid copy-and-pasting).







Show-Off
-IX-
Cosmopolitan



The Guard House of Goldenrod City was perhaps one of the more dangerous ones to work in. It gave people such as Officer Oliver McCormack and his partner, Officer Denise Walters, some kind of twisted satisfaction to know they worked in one of the ‘crime spots’ in the region. At just past midnight, the two were at their post, watching the stars twinkle overhead.

“Makes you realise how small we really are,” Denise mused.

“Yea,” Oliver replied. “Makes you feel lonely.”

“Oh I don’t know about that,” said the sultry officer, as she took her cap off and swept her glossy hair from her face. “Sometimes it’s nice to feel independent.”

“Oh, yea,” Oliver spluttered. “Independent is great. But in the long term, on such a…dangerous patch like this, it really revives that…mating instinct.”

“What?” Denise muttered, barely paying any attention.

“Nothing,” Oliver sighed.

“Hold up,” Denise said. “People approaching.”

“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!” Oliver said, shining his flashlight. The two boys flinched at the bright light.

“What the fuck’s wrong?” said the older boy, looking tired and miserable.

“No foul language!” snapped Denise.

“We deleted the incriminating photo!” the other boy cried.

“Oh Jake smart move,” the other boy retorted.

“Incriminating photo?” Oliver asked.

“It’s nothing!” said the boy named Jake.

“Nothing? It sounds incriminating,” Denise said sharply.

“Jake you are a massive idiot,” the older boy said coldly.

“I’m sorry Milo, I’m a bit tired,” Jake replied.

“We might have to take this inside,” Oliver said, leading the two into the guard house.

*

Milo had always found the legal system somewhat corrupt and sometimes even pointless. Here, he was sat in an office in part of the Guard House with Jake while the two officers grilled him about an incriminating photo.

“Have you seen the Pokemon?” Officer Walters asked.

“Maybe if you give me your phone number I’ll remember what you’re talking about,” Milo said, smirking. Officer Walters got out her baton.

“Maybe if I sodomise you with my baton, you’ll remember what I’m talking about,” she replied.

“Oh, no, you want Jake, he’s the gay one,” Milo said, pointing.

“You can be so homophobic sometimes,” Jake snapped.

“Arrest me,” Milo said sarcastically.

“We could, you know,” Officer McCormack said.

“Why are you keeping us here?” Jake asked.

“We have to search anybody entering the city,” Officer McCormack explained. “There have been a number of reported Pokemon thefts in the city.”

“Maybe the thieves flew over the Guard House,” Milo said. Officer Walters whacked his shin with the baton. “OW!”

“Don’t test my patience,” she said.

“Denise, don’t beat the boy,” Officer McCormack said testily.

“Sexual frustration is common in your profession,” Milo preached. Officer Walters looked to her co-worker for any sign of what to do, and he simply nodded, perhaps suggesting this comment was too far. On cue, Officer Walters whacked Milo’s other shin, causing him to scream profanities across the room.

“Shut up,” she said.

“Anyway we just need to make sure you are both law-abiding citizens before we let you in the city,” Oliver continued. “This mention of an incriminating photo has aroused some suspicion, however.”

“Hear that Officer? Arousal,” Milo purred. In a flash he was whacked in the shins a third time.

“Why do you keep antagonising Officer Walters?” Jake asked.

“It’s oddly addictive,” Milo muttered.

“Look,” Jake said. “Milo had shown my boyfriend an incriminating photo…it showed me in a rather…embarrassing situation.”

“Oh,” Officer McCormack said, raising his eyebrows.

“Please don’t let word out. I’d hate my boyfriend to find out,” Jake pined. The two officers exchanged a look and nodded.

“You guys seem fine,” Officer McCormack said, his partner looking irritated that she could not hurt Milo any more. They got a bit of a telling off but were allowed to continue on their way, walking into the Guard House. It was pretty similar to the one by Ecruteak City, and since everyone was keen to get to Goldenrod, they did not linger.

“That was a close one,” Jake said.

“Nice lie,” Milo said, surveying his friend. “I didn’t think you’d cope so well under pressure.”

“Well, you know,” Jake said, blushing. The two looked as they arrived on the outskirts of Goldenrod City. The night sky was eradicated by big, flashing lights, illuminating signs and huge skyscrapers that kissed the clouds. Jake’s mouth was open. Milo looked sour.

“Where is this fancy Hotel we’re staying in?” Jake asked. The streets they were on were shabby and dirty. Litter filled the sidewalks as cars whizzed past.

“In the Business District,” Milo said slowly. “This might be quite a walk. Goldenrod is huge.”

“But it’s nearly 1am,” moaned Jake. “And we didn’t sleep last night!”

“Well should I sprout wings?” Milo snapped. They walked on through the grimy streets, seeing the more enticing buildings ahead. A closed newsagents was boarded up, and police sirens filled the air.

“I thought Goldenrod was glamorous,” Jake muttered, kicking a cardboard box out of the path.

“It is,” Milo reiterated. “But you usually drive through the dodgy bits.”

“What did you do last time you were here?” Jake asked.

“Andrew drove me,” Milo replied.

“Is Andrew the guy that works for your family?” said Jake.

“Yea, he’s our…well, he’s just Andrew,” Milo said. “He drove me around, we had a proper good journey. He has a big 4x4.”

“Sounds nice,” Jake muttered.

“Hitting all the bars and clubs, training against his team before the Gyms, just hanging out,” Milo continued. They walked on, heading deeper into the city. There were few cars on the roads, so it was easy for the two boys to zip across to the other side of the road every so often.

“I have an idea,” Jake said, rummaging for a Pokeball. He released his Paras from the Park Ball, calling its name excitedly. Paras emerged, making a clicking noise and taking a deep breath.

“That won you 3rd place?” Milo said.

“Funny,” Jake said. “Last time I made a comment about one of your Pokemon, I got head butted.”

“Touche,” Milo muttered.

“Paras, use Aromatherapy,” Jake commanded. Paras wiggled slightly and in a puff, a cloud of sticky spores burst into the air. Milo stepped back precariously, but Jake walked into the cloud, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes.

“What are you doing?” Milo asked.

“Paras can produce all kinds of spores,” Jake said. “Some can even stimulate the mind, like caffeine. Take a sniff.”

Milo, noticing his friend was not writhing on the ground in agony, took a step forward and inhaled. The sensation in his nostrils was sharp and strong; it was slightly minty. What followed was a curious feeling that his nasal passage was expanding; he felt invigorated.

“Wow,” Milo said, blinking as he stepped away from Paras.

“When I was in the park I met this guy,” Jake said. “And I remember a lot of products at our salon in Olivine used spores from Paras and Parasect. Its Stun Spore can be made into a fantastic hair spray. This guy will provide free styling products for us!”

“You caught that guy to benefit us?” Milo asked. “But what about Butterfree?”

“Maybe I can still catch one,” Jake said.

“Thanks Jake,” Milo said, slightly touched by his kindness.

“No problem,” Jake replied. With their tiredness ebbing away from the spores, the boys walked on beneath streetlights as they got closer and closer to the business district. The walk was long but oddly satisfying; Milo remembered the ultra-luxurious suite his family owned and it spurred him on.

Soon enough, the grimy streets peeled away and they began walking through a much brighter lit area of the city. Milo looked to see thick, chunky buildings surrounding him, identical in their decors. These were the high-rise office blocks of the many companies in the city.

“Look!” Jake said, pointing to a huge billboard. Gina Gourmante was strewn across it modelling some black, lacy lingerie. Her eyes shimmered brightly, but her usually curly blonde hair was straightened. She was pressing a cherry to her full, red lips, ready to take a bite.

“Fucking hell,” Milo said. “She looks amazing! I didn’t realise she was such a…star.”

“I love that girl,” Jake said.

“I wonder if she’s competing in Goldenrod’s Contest?” Milo said, thinking he could strike up a conversation with her.

“I would imagine so,” Jake said.

Milo smiled to himself as they came to the Mal Maison hotel. It had a leaf green canopy jutting out of the golden front doors. Jake made an excited noise as they walked into the cool, chilled lobby. Marble pillars supported the large ceiling, while two large, ornate water features held a number of Goldeen. Milo noticed their horns were removed; this might be a health and safety thing.

“I like this place,” Jake said, chuckling to himself.

“Hello,” Milo said, approaching the desk. A suited man behind the desk raised his eyebrows at their somewhat dishevelled appearance.

“Welcome to the Mal Maison,” he said, looking irked. “Unfortunately our rooms are all booked. I’m sure you can find an…alternative hotel in Goldenrod City.”

“Ahem,” Milo said. “My name is Milo Mitchelson. I believe my family owns the top floor of this hotel.”

“Mr Mitchelson,” the man said, smiling painfully. “Ah yes. Your mother did mention you’d be arriving.”

Milo eyed the man’s badge.

“Thanks Adam,” he said coldly. “Judging by appearance must come so naturally in your profession.”

“Of course,” Adam said, handing Milo’s keys. “Err…some suitcases were sent to your room.”

“I know,” Milo replied, turning to leave. “Dick.”

The two walked up an elaborate marble staircase towards the suite. Milo looked as they spiralled above the lobby, carrying on past the offshoots towards the lower floors until they got to the very top. A plaque on the wall said ‘Mitchelson Suite’. Milo came to a large door and got out his key.

Moments later, the door was pushed open and both Milo and Jake found themselves in a corridor. They shut the door behind them and looked at the different doors leading away from this, the ‘lobby’ of the Mitchelson Suite.

“This is my room,” Milo said, unlocking one of the doors and once again opening it.

“Holy christ!” Jake cried. The room was more like a penthouse than a room in a hotel. A large TV was mounted on the wall before a selection of squashy designer chairs. The entire room was cream and white, with browns and earthy colours mixed in. There was a curved staircase leading to an upstairs area that overlooked this, the main body of the suite. Jake ran to the far-most wall, which was entirely made of glass, allowing him to peer excitedly over the city of Goldenrod at night.

“You’re easily pleased,” Milo said, throwing his shirt to the ground. “God, I fucking stink. That’s what a day with Bug-Eyes Brambles does for you.”

He walked to the bathroom, which was up the stairs.

“Have a look around.”

Jake walked past the living room area and through a door to find a tiled area with a sunken Jacuzzi. This room’s full-length windows were frosted, with only small brick-sized areas unfrosted, allowing one to peer down on the city amid hot frothy bubbles.

Back outside, Jake squealed at the various canvas arts hanging on the walls. He saw a picture of the Seafoam Islands, with a dreamy house depicted on the cliffs by the beach. As Milo showered, Jake walked through into a small study area, with books on all sorts of things. There was another TV here which had a DVD player; Jake saw DVDs of Gym and League battles. One was marked ‘VS Chuck: 23/06/05’.

On opposing sides of the upstairs area were the bedrooms. Both of them were relatively similar in appearance. Looking inside one, Jake saw a huge king sized sleigh bed with big thick curtains covering the glass wall. There was a big shaggy rug at the foot of the bed and an ornate desk.

“I’ve died,” he gasped. “And gone to heaven!”

And, collapsing onto his bed, Jake fell asleep in seconds.

*

At ten AM there was a discrete mechanical clicking. Jake’s eyes opened wearily as the curtains pulled back of their own accord. He rolled over, noticing he was fully clothed. From the top floor of the hotel, Jake looked at the morning in Goldenrod City. The streets were busy. Pidgey flew through the skies, roosting on window ledges.

After wandering out of the bedroom, Jake looked over the living area from the upstairs. Milo was watching TV shirtless, concentrating hard. With him was a girl Jake had never met. She had silky caramel hair and blue eyes, with a similar facial structure to Milo.

“Milo you didn’t tell me you pulled last night,” the girl joked. Jake blushed.

“Piss off, Mia,” Milo muttered. “Jake, this is my sister Mia. Mia, this is Jake.”

“Mum mentioned you’d poached a stylist,” Mia sniffed.

“Nice to meet you,” Jake said, coming down the stairs.

“I imagine it is,” Mia said, disinterested.

“Mia is staying in room in our suite,” Milo explained. “She’s up in Goldenrod doing some modelling.”

“That sounds fun,” Jake said.

“Very,” Mia said, smiling. She got up suddenly, walking to the window. “So Milo, Mum tells me you won in Ecruteak.”

“Yea,” Milo replied.

“I’m impressed you won a contest,” Mia said. “I am. But there are so many variables in a contest, such as the current entrants, and the judges. Having your druggy friend Morty on the panel will have helped.”

“I beat two very skilled coordinators,” Milo replied testily.

“I’ve done that before,” she replied, twiddling with an aquamarine Pokeball. “And I already have the ribbon for Goldenrod. So we might not come face to face for a while.”

“Shame,” Milo said.

“It is, isn’t it,” Mia mused. “Anyway, I’m off. I have a photoshoot this afternoon and need to get some new clothes.”

She walked to the door and opened it slightly.

“Nice to meet you Jack.”

“It’s -”

The door slammed shut. Milo let out a frustrated roar at the departure of his sister and got up off the seat. He paced across the room.

“She’s a right bitch,” Milo said. “Only came in to tell me she wasn’t that bothered I won a ribbon.”

“She’s just pushing your buttons,” Jake said.

“And she’s gonna be around for a while,” Milo sighed. “Anyway, how was your sleep?”

“Fell asleep fully clothed,” Jake smirked. “I’m going to grab a shower.”

“Lovely,” Milo muttered, setting himself back down and watching a music video. Meredith had couriered everything from Ecruteak, so Jake was reunited with all of his styling products and clothes. Unfortunately the clothes looked a bit torn and tattered, so after he showered, Jake reminded Milo of his promise to buy him some designer clothes.

“We’ll do that later,” Milo said. “I wanna test this Scyther out.”

“Are you keeping him on your team?” Jake asked.

“I think so,” Milo said. “He seems really strong…”

Milo explained to Jake about his experience in the National Park, and Barry’s technique of irritating the wild bug Pokemon. Thus, there was every chance that Scyther was angry at being separated from its swarm. The two agreed to grab some brunch and head to the city for some training.

“Or we could go to the Gym,” Jake said, buttoning up a blue plaid shirt. “Train up there? I bet Whitney still runs the Gym. She’s a huge star.”

“I don’t want to go to the Gym,” Milo said stubbornly. He wore a grey v-neck jumper over some jeans. “There’s a great battle spot in the city I like.”

“But Whitney’s been on TV,” Jake moaned. “I want her autograph!”

“Jake,” Milo said. “No.”

They left the suite shortly after, Milo making sure to be particularly rude to Adam, who was still manning the front desk. It gave Milo an odd pleasure to know Adam worked all night. Heading into town, they saw a number of suited people hastily slurping coffee as they chatted on their phones. The Business District was booming, with a number of coffee shops and eateries located around the offices. One woman was using her Porygon to access the internet on her lunch break.

“Dianna I am TRYING to load the HTML server,” she screeched. “Yes the Porygon is bleeping. That’s all it’s doing. How do I plug my laptop in!?”

“The Golden Karp Casino is close by,” Milo said, turning the next street. The big building looked impressive, with a huge golden Magikarp above the entrance. Dollar Signs littered its scales. Jake took a picture with his camera, which he kept in an unattractive waist-bag.

“I’ve never been to Goldenrod before,” he gushed, as they wandered through the streets. Jake would take pictures of famous landmarks such as the Pokemon Fan Club or the Bellossom Herb Café.

“It’s cool,” Milo said thoughtfully. “I hold a disdain for the place, but…you can’t deny it’s pretty cool. Wait ‘till we go out tonight. The nightlife is amazing.”

“They have a really cool Gay district,” Jake mused.

“Well we’re not going,” Milo replied, as they came to a building closer to the centre of town. Opposite was the impressive Magnet Train station, which shot through the countryside towards Saffron City in Kanto.

They went into the building, which had a bare lobby, and walked up to the top floor. This was the City Battlefield, a huge set of fenced arenas for people to train up. Milo stepped out onto the roof and felt a sharp wind ruffle his hair; it was slightly chilly.

“What if your Pokemon falls off the building?” Jake asked, as he ran after Milo. His question was immediately answered as he saw large fenced areas spanning about eight feet in height running around the edge of the building. Almost as if on cue, a Machoke was hurled through the air on one of the arenas, smashing into the fence, which buckled back slightly, absorbing the shock. Machoke then fell to the arena floor.

“Yo,” Milo said, approaching a fat man sitting behind a wooden shack. “Can I get on an arena?”

“Are you two gentlemen participating together?” he asked dryly, eating a muffin. “Or would you prefer separate battle arenas in which to battle on.”

“Erm,” Milo said, looking across at Jake. “You fancy battling with me?”

“Okay,” Jake said.

“We’ll both take the same arena,” Milo said.

“What a fantastic decision,” said the man, spraying crumbs. “That will require a payment of ten pounds sterling from each of your wallets if you please.”

“You take a long time to say very little,” Milo muttered, handing over his money.

“I was initially taken to elocution lessons to eradicate my southern drawl,” he explained, slurping on a large soft drink. “Understandably from speaking to me, you can see it had little effect.”

Milo and Jake left the man and walked along to their arena, noticing some interesting battles on the way. Two boys on the corner of the building had their Pidgeotto fighting above the city itself, while one girl was educating her little brother on how to use his new Mareep.

“So I’m thinking we’ll spar a bit,” Milo said, as they arrived on the arena. It was covered in a thin layer of sand and dirt. “See what Scyther knows.”

“Yea,” Jake said, sounding uninterested. “Who should I use?”

“That’s your choice,” Milo said. He got out the four Pokeballs on his belt; there was Medichams black Pokeball, Arcanine’s plain red one, Totodile’s glitter ball and Scyther’s park ball. The four distinct Pokeballs flew up into the air and burst open, revealing the four members of Milo’s team. Medicham looked inquisitively at Scyther, while Ruby walked over to Jake after seeing the dark green mantis’s sharp scythes. Totodile, naïve, scampered over.

Scyther seemed serious, staring down at the little alligator, who was running under his legs and prodding his abdomen.

“Totodile,” Milo said softly. “Be nice. Guys, this is Scyther. Scyther, welcome to the team.”

Scyther turned to Milo and stared at him coldly. Jake rubbed Ruby’s coat while Medicham used her telekinesis to bring Totodile over and out of harms way. Milo stared back at Scyther with determination.

“I defeated you in a fight,” he said. “I captured you. You had a chance to escape, but you couldn’t. You’re on my team now pal.”

Scyther still stared, not giving away any indication of his feelings on the matter.

“I’ll be taking good care of you, and making sure you can be even stronger,” Milo added. Scyther nodded softly, eyes still locked on Milo. Medicham seemed uneasy, but was kept busy by Totodile, who was attempting to wriggle out of her psychic grip and get into trouble.

“Medicham, Totodile, Ruby, you guys watch,” Milo said. “Jake, get on the other side of the arena.”

Jake released Wingull and opposed Milo, who stood behind Scyther.

“Okay then. Wingull use a water gun!” Jake cried. Wingull flapped up and blasted a precise jet of water down at Scyther. The mantis held his scythes out and span suddenly, causing the water attack to fly off in another direction. Scyther suddenly pushed off the ground and swept through the air, scythes catching the light and glistening beautifully.

“Evade!” Jake yelled manically, concerned they would be dining on his bird Pokemon tonight. Wingull turned sharply and sped into the air higher and higher, but Scyther followed, wings buzzing. Milo was suddenly reminded of the buzzing noise from the National Park and remembered how scared he was.

Wingull darted down, adept at sharp turns, and bolted back to sanctuary. Scyther charged energy in his blades and flapped a ferocious twisting wind towards Wingull. The wind currant curved around the gull and blew her back towards Scyther, who unleashed two blades of energy that smashed into the frail bird.

“Fuck!” Milo said happily, impressed at Scyther’s control of the wind. Wingull flapped out of the way but Scyther slashed wildly and struck the little gull.

“Wingull go for aerial ace!” Jake said, as Wingull recuperated and prepared to strike again. Scyther darted away in an instant, leaving a green blur in his wake. Reappearing behind Wingull, Scyther swung his scythes and connected with the bird again, who failed to escape the sharp clutches.

“Okay, okay,” Jake said, holding his hands out. “Wingull has had enough.”

“Are you serious?” Milo said. “We’re just getting started!”

“Wingull is scared,” Jake said. “Come here…”

Scyther didn’t seem impressed. As if on cue, Medicham jumped and leapt onto the opposite side of the arena, getting into a yoga pose. Milo supposed she wanted to show her own against the ferocious mantis, and establish her place as his strongest Pokemon. Jake scowled at Scyther, who returned the gaze with a cold, steely one of his own.

“Ok Scyther go for a quick attack,” Milo ordered. Scyther sped through the air, but Medicham used her telekinesis to stop Scyther in his tracks. Shocked, he looked at her as she held him in mid-air, sweat trickling down her forehead.

“Try and penetrate the hold!” Milo said. “Fight, Scyther!”

Scyther gave a strange spinning twist and pulled out of the hold, scythes glowing a bright white. Crossing them over into an X shape he flew through the air at Medicham, who pressed her fingers to her temple to throw a psycho cut at the enemy. Zipping out of the way, Scyther then unleashed the X-Scissor attack into Medicham, hurtling her across the arena.

“Medicham!” Milo cried. Scyther flapped back and watched Medicham get up. She held both her hands out and charged up a small orb in each. The orbs cycled through a variety of colours; from a passionate red to a delicate pink, an exciting yellow or a stem green. Eventually they both stopped at an icy blue. Medicham gripped the orbs and hurled them through the air, where they shot out at Scyther like missiles.

Milo watched the hidden power with a smug grin; Medicham had received very exclusive training to help manipulate the type of the attack. The ice attack flew at Scyther, who span around and slashed the orbs away with his scythes. The orbs flew back and exploded in a frosty bang. Medicham watched curiously as Scyther sped through the air.

She slowly rose off the ground, arms out by her side. Using her impressive PSI powers she rose to meet the oncoming Scyther, teleporting to the other side of the arena. Passing right through where Medicham once was, Scyther turned around wildly, only for a shadow ball to shoot forward and explode in his face. Dazed by the sparkling shadow, Scyther was momentarily distracted as Medicham soared through the air and slugged him in the chin with a fire punch.

“Nice going!” Milo said, as Scyther fell to the ground. Medicham lowered herself back down and snapped her fingers provocatively, causing a rogue ember to burst into the air.