Time Skip~
As usual, my mom gave me a bath. When I got out of the bathroom, she dressed me in a white lace layered dress with ruffles, and the neckline was decorated with beads. The layers at the bottom of the dress made it stand out.
She styled my hair into a simple, cute bun and placed a crown-shaped tiara on my head, with two diamonds embedded in the middle. It matched perfectly with my fancy white lace heels and the Gazania Floret Lariat Gemstone Necklace Mom bought for me. Mom also did my makeup, which made me look like a princess — as always.
But this time, I didn't forget what day it is.
Today's my birthday.
So, my mom made me look like a princess — just like every year.
After getting ready, we headed downstairs. When we arrived in the hall, I saw the decorations, a big strawberry cake made by the maids, my Pokémon, and my dad. Darkrai hugged me from behind, and Zorua jumped on me excitedly. Seeing this, all of my Pokémon started coming toward me too.
"Stop! I don't want my dress to get messed up before the party even starts," I said. No matter what, I try to keep my clothes clean.
All of my Pokémon stopped, and even Darkrai and Zorua released me from their grip. They looked a little dejected after hearing me.
"But tomorrow, you can play as much as you want." As I said that, their moods did a full 180.
After cutting the cake, we had dinner. Only on my birthday do all the members of the household eat together — my mom, the maids, my Pokémon, and my dad. This is the only time in the entire year that we all eat together.
As we were having dinner...
"I have to go to Kanto tomorrow," Dad said.
"Why?" Mom asked.
"Well, it's said that there are fossils there. Maybe we can find some fossil Pokémon."
"You have to go every time around Sid's birthday."
"I only go when it's necessary. And you're forgetting — I was only gone last year and the year before that."
"You were also gone when he was three years old."
"Where is that place, Dad?" I asked, interrupting them.
"It's called Grampa Canyon. It's just outside Neon Town and is located between the Safari Zone and Cinnabar Island."
"Can I go with you?" I asked. I remembered Ash had encountered some fossil Pokémon in that area too — maybe I could find one and catch it.
"Yes, you can. But are you sure? It's going to be boring for the most part," Dad asked.
"Yeah. Maybe I'll find a rare fossil."
"Well then, good luck with that," Dad said with a grin.
After that, the party came to an end, and we all went to sleep.
.
The Next Day~
I was ready to go with Dad. Since we're currently hiding my identity, I don't know how we're going to handle things. They didn't tell me, but I trust my parents, so I won't ask.
I was wearing a tie-dye multicolored skater western dress as we headed to the airport.
After almost five hours of travel, we finally arrived at Grampa Canyon.
We went down into the canyon, where an entire team of paleontologists was already working.
Everything was going smoothly until...
"Hey, clear this area. It's under our control now."
We all turned around to see a middle-aged man wearing a completely black uniform with a capital 'R' on it.
As he said that, several other men and women wearing the same outfit appeared.
"I don't know who you are, but I don't like wasting my time. So get lost as soon as you can" my dad said.
"We are Team Rocket. We were only here to take control of the canyon, but the way you spoke changed our plans. How about this? I'll let you leave alive if you leave all your Pokémon behind," the man said.
"Um… I was wondering, don't you get pretty hot in summer wearing those clothes?" I asked, interrupting everyone.
"Young girl, these clothes are our pride. It's an honor to wear them, so we don't mind," he replied.
"Oh, so you do feel hot in the summer."
"Hahaha! I've changed my mind. Since you're an interesting girl, they can leave — but only after leaving their Pokémon and you behind."
"Team Rocket? Never heard of it. But I promise, if anything happens to her, I'll erase even the letter 'R' from this world," Dad said in an intimidating tone. I was surprised as he never spoke like that before.
"Tough words for a rich bastard like you. You know..."
"You know, I think that's the only thing you can do" I interrupted.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you bark, but you don't bite. You're just a piece of trash."
"You brat! How dare you..."
"Wow. Where'd you learn to say things like that?" Dad asked while the man continued yelling.
"Hey! Hey, you! How dare you ignore me?!" the man shouted as we turned our backs on him.
"Fine! If you won't listen, I'll make you listen. I'll have the final laugh — over your dead bodies!" he cackled wickedly.
And here I was thinking movie villains in this world had bad lines. This guy's dialogue is even worse, I thought.
Seeing no reaction from us, he threw a Pokéball toward us.
"Aggron! Let's teach that brat a lesson she won't forget — even in the afterlife!"
"Aggronnnnn!" it roared loudly before charging at us.
"Wartortle, let's go!" I sent out Wartortle, one of the best options against Aggron.
"I didn't expect you to bring a royal starter Pokémon, brat. I'll snatch his Pokéball from your dead body," the man said.
"First of all, Wartortle is a girl, and second — you can dream on," I replied.
"We'll see about that. Aggron, use Metal Sound!"
"Wartortle! First, use Water Pulse to intercept, then set up rain dance, and follow up with Hydro Pump!"
Water Pulse stopped Aggron from completing Metal Sound. Wartortle then used Rain Dance and landed a direct and super effective hit with Hydro Pump.
"Good, good. I see your Wartortle is well-trained. Seeing this, I'll give you one more chance to join Team Rocket," he said. He didn't change his expression — I think he was confident because he had more people than us.
"If you're going to talk rubbish, at least wash your face with sewage water first. Even that would clean it up better," I said, making him angrier.
"She's just like her mother," Dad whispered with a small smile. He said it so quietly, but I still heard it because he was standing right next to me.
"Now you've done it. Squad B — release!" the man ordered.
All the Team Rocket members threw their Pokéballs, releasing their Pokémon.
The battle had begun. After Team Rocket sent out their Pokémon, Dad and the entire team of paleontologists sent out theirs as well.