Two children were rocking back and forth on the swing set slowly. Both of them had dejected looks on their faces. They looked like Naruto after Shikamaru, Kiba, and Choji went home with their parents.
When Carolina came out of her lab and saw the two children there, she immediately grew a scowl on her face.
"Where are your parents? I thought they were supposed to be taking you into the city today!" Carolina said in anger but not directed toward the children
"Mom and Dad said a new ruin appeared so they went to check it out," Cynthia said
"Hmm. And my parents went with them," Xander added on
Carolina snorted in frustration at the children's parents.
'So irresponsible! I knew I should have broken their legs all those years ago. That way, they would have to stay at home and watch over the kids.'
Carolina turned to the children and motioned for them to follow her.
"Let's go, kids. I just finished my work for the morning so I can take you all to the city."
This was a lie though. Carolina had been especially busy lately due to several new ruins and tombs being uncovered and them needing an expert. But for the sake of the two kids, she was more than willing to put off work.
Both of the kids beamed when they heard her say that. They jumped off the swing and began walking behind her as the professor began making her way to her car.
After they boarded the car, the group began traveling down Route 210 before turning onto Route 215 and heading into Veilstone City. This city had one of the 8 gyms in the region and the largest department store in all of Sinnoh.
After driving around the city until they found a parking spot, Carolina and the children disembarked from the car. Carolina then gave them a tour of the entire city.
"This is the gym of the city. They specialize in Fighting-Types at the moment but who knows when they will change their minds again. 20 years ago, this was a Ground-type gym."
"Grandma Carol. How strong is the gym leader? Cause I heard from my mom that we have to beat them in order to get badges" Xander asked from behind
"Hmm. I guess it's not too early for both of you to learn. Gym Leaders are among the strongest trainers in a region. Although there are a few exceptions, Gym Leaders rank within the top 50 of each region.
A Gym Leader's main job is not to seriously battle young trainers but to test them. That is why it is possible for other individuals to collect badges. But if a Gym Leader goes all out, then no normal trainer would be able to beat one," Carolina explained
"How does someone become a Gym Leader?" Cynthia asked
"Gym Leaders need to meet one requirement while the second requirement depends on the gym and person. The first is that each Gym Leader has to win the Pokemon League at least once.
The second requirement does not matter as much if someone wishes to pass off their gym to someone. Some people like to keep the gym in their family so they will hand it over to their descendants after they win the Pokemon League or sometime in the future after that happens.
But in case the current Gym Leader does not wish to give up their status, anyone can challenge a Gym Leader. But they will not use the same Pokemon they use on newer trainers. Instead, the Gym Leader would use their true team."
"Oh wow!" both of the children said
"Granny! Is there anyone stronger than a Gym Leader?" Cynthia asked
"Of course. There are those rogue trainers that take over the gyms. There are plenty of trainers who don't take up official positions while having the ability to rival gym leaders.
Then there is true the 5 strongest in the region. These are the Elite 4 and the Region Champion. To become a member of the Elite 4, one must beat all 8 Gym Leaders' true teams before beating a member of the Elite 4 or taking up an empty place.
The Region Champion is the true strongest. A region Champion has beaten all 8 Gym Leaders' true teams, the Elite 4, and maybe even the current champion. This makes the Region Champion the undeniable strongest trainer in a region."
By the time Carolina finished explaining, the group had arrived outside of the department store. Cynthia took them from floor to floor until they reached the top floor.
On the top floor were the most expensive stores. Carolina brought the children over to one store in particular. The sign read [Poke Egg Shop!]
Carolina brought the pair into the shop. All around the edges of the shop were podiums with colorful eggs inside incubators on them. In the middle of the shop was a large table with a large number of normal white eggs with green spots on them.
"You brats can pick out one egg. This will be your first Pokemon when it hatches."
Xander and Cynthia looked around the shop in interest as they ran from one egg to another. After looking at all the colorful eggs, the two children ran to the table in the center.
Much to Carolina's surprise, the kids each chose one of the normal eggs and not one of the colorful eggs. She could not help but question them.
"You two didn't want a colorful egg? They are much prettier."
Cynthia and Xander shook their heads.
"Nope. Grandma Carolina said that Pokemon eggs are white with green spots," Xander said in his childish voice
"Yep. That means those must be fake! We don't wanna waste Granny's money on fake eggs," Cynthia followed up
Several people turned to look at the kids when they heard their words. Few smiled at their innocence while others sent them mocking glances.
Carolina could not help but break out laughing when she heard the two children. Everyone knew that the eggs were painted that way because breeders confirmed what Pokemon were in the eggs. The ones in the middle were not painted simply because the store employees had no idea what was in each egg.
Instead of correcting the children, Carolina brought them to the counter and paid for both eggs. Each of the kids hugged their eggs as they made their out of the store and back to their car. They then started heading back to their small town.
"Did you two have fun today?" Carolina asked as she turned on Route 210
But she was not met with an answer. The older woman looked back and saw both children leaning on each other as they slept with their incubators in their hands.