---

As Isaac made his way back to the Pokécenter, he noticed an unusual sight for Cherrygrove: a crowd of people around the center, most looking at their phones. Was there some sort of breaking news going on? Were they trying to record something? Isaac pulled out his own phone, scanning the latest trending news. Nothing in particular jumped out at him. No murders, lost kids, burning buildings, or rampaging Tyranitar. So what was with all the hubbub?

His question was quickly answered as several of the people in the crowd pointed in his direction. He then suddenly realized what they were there for. They were there for him. Someone had probably taken a picture of him while he was previously at the center, and now everyone had gathered to see him. Before they could react, Isaac and Kick found themselves surrounded by at least two dozen fans, waving their phones at them, or pens to get Isaac's autograph. Then the bombardment of questions came in. "Isaac! Is it true you're taking the gym challenge again? Where are the two trainers who are supposed to be with you? Can I get a picture with you? Can I get Kick's autograph?" Isaac was a little surprised at that last one, but otherwise, this wasn't a rare occurrence. People would usually ask for this kind of stuff all the time. At least they weren't the weird ones who'd ask for Kick's feathers, or anything like that.

Isaac raised his hands and made a waving motion away from him. "No, I'm not signing autographs, and neither is Kick. We're not staying here for long, we don't have time for this. Go home." Isaac heard the sound of a phone's camera clicking as he turned to see Kick posing for a picture with a handful of people beside him. Isaac let out a groan. This was not going to be easy.

After what felt like an eternity, the crowd had finally dissipated, leaving Isaac and Kick alone on the street. Kick certainly seemed grateful for the attention, but Isaac merely seemed exhausted. He made his way to a nearby bench and slumping back into it, with Kick sitting down next to him. This was a long day, and tomorrow was probably going to be even longer, given how long the road to Violet City was. They could probably make it in a day, but it would likely be sunset by the time they got through the checkpoint. And that's if Leo or Emma didn't get distracted by who knows what. Speaking of...

Where were those damn kids?

It wasn't long into that when the two would arrive back. Hoothoot was resting happily on Leo's head, Terra laying on his shoulder, while the Shinx was bounding around Ema's legs with Tyr. The two had made quick work of getting their new additions to warm up to them in their own ways. Leo glanced around the area, noticing the remnants of the crowd that had been pooling around here, still drawing some eyes. Now, the two of them were also drawing those eyes. He knew that was a possibility, being the two trainers that the Champion himself was mentoring, but...that didn't make it any more comfortable.

Ema, on the other hand, was oblivious to it. Ignoring the Champion himself, she walked right up to Kick, a wide smile on her face. "Hey, buddy. You having a nice day out too?" she asked. She had easily warmed up to the Blaziken, much more than the gruff Isaac. Her Pokemon had different ideas. Shinx let out a sharp cry, bristling slightly in challenge at the much stronger Pokemon. This only made Ema grin a bit more. He definitely had a fighting spirit. That would be good for the gym challenge. She couldn't have asked for a better second teammate.

Leo nervously moved up to Isaac, scratching the back of his head. "I hope we didn't make you wait long, sir."

---

Isaac looked up as he heard the now familiar noises of Leo, Emma, and their Pokémon. Well, at least they didn't get into trouble. Kick, however, seemed far more interested in the return his new friends, happily greeting the two as they approached, nodding along as Emma asked him about his time in Cherrygrove. The new Shinx, however, didn't seem quite as happy, attempting to intimidate the much larger Blaziken. While this might work on a smaller or less experienced Pokémon, Kick merely produced flames from his wrists in return, a warning for what might await the Shinx should it try its luck.

Isaac locked eyes with Leo as he approached, apologizing for making him wait. "No, no, I told you two to go have fun, you don't need to worry about that. Besides, if a mob of fans attacks again, you two might get a little overwhelmed. Either way..." Isaac stood up from the bench, his knees making a popping from the motion. He put one hand on his hip as he looked pulled out his phone to check the time. It was nearly six o'clock. They probably only had and hour and a half or so of daylight left. Probably not worth it to press on today. Besides, the two kids would need their rest, Isaac doubting that these two have made a trip like this before.

Isaac cracked his knuckles, as he spoke to the trainers. "Alright, here's the plan. Route 30 and 31 arent too long themselves, but we have to go through them both before we can get to the next city. Not only that, but we'll making a stop along the way at a place called Dark Cave. Yes, that's really what it's called, no, I can't do anything about it. I'll teach you two a secret hunting technique once we get there if you behave." He then pointed to a nearby hotel next to the Pokécenter. "I'm going to get us a room there. Err..." His eyes looked over the two younger trainers, their Pokémon, and Kick. "Two Rooms. I'll make sure they're adjacent, or at least nearby. In the morning we'll travel up Route 30 and 31, if all goes well, we'll probably make it to Violet City by dusk."

Isaac took a step towards the hotel, turning towards Leo and Emma. "Now then, any questions?"

The Shinx let out one more growl towards the larger Pokemon, but did indeed back off. It seemed like a good fit for Ema, the more Leo watched them interact. He was a little harder to rein in, but was up for a challenge, it seemed. Shinx shrunk back before Ema, returning to its comfortable spot alongside Tyr.

Leo shook his head at the explanation, accepting the plan with no questions to add. His friend slung an arm over his shoulders, grinning a bit. "A secret technique, huh? We seem to be doing pretty well for ourselves so far," she stated. Despite her overconfidence, she couldn't deny her curiosity at what the Champion could show them. She was confident she would one day be standing against him and Kick, but...he had years on them. He was sure to know something interesting.

The meeker boy was quick to reply. "I appreciate your help, sir," he said, shooting a look towards Ema, silently asking her to behave. She was confident, but headstrong. He was sure she'd rise up to challenge the League someday, but they shouldn't deny help where it was given. They were already behind their age range. They could use the help here.

---

"...Right. Let's get a move on." Isaac said to the two young trainers. He looked to the hotel they'd be staying at. The Saint Hotel. The name sounded familiar somehow. Was it a song he had heard? A band? He couldn't quite remember. The building was seemingly pretty short, only having a few floors. Hopefully it wasn't one if those fancy hotels that would charge him out the ass for even looking in the direction of the mini fridge. Only one way to find out.

Stepping inside and observing the scenery, the place was modest, but still had somewhat of a resort feel to it. The walls were a soft white, with curtains and furniture a pale blue. Red flowers in vases decorated nearby tables, and there were several nautical themed items on the walls. Paintings of boats and lighthouses hung in plain view the moment you walked through the door. If he didn't know any better, Isaac would say he was in Olivine. They were by the sea, but he thought they'd go more for the sort of springtime flowery theme, given the cherry blossom trees and the nearby forested route.

Isaac flinched ever so slightly as a woman's voice called to him from behind the counter. A short, brown-haired woman looked up at him expectantly. "Uh... Two rooms please. Adjacent, if you can, or at least nearby." The woman behind the counter spoke up. "Yes, we can do that. We've got two rooms right next to each other on the third floor. There's a door connecting the two rooms, should you need to visit each other. That'll be..." The woman looked up at Isaac, and then at Kick, opening her mouth to say something, before getting a confused look on her face. Isaac could practically hear the gears turning in her head, before she seemingly put two and two together. "Say aren't you--" "Don't." Isaac closed his eyes, a defeated look on his face. "Please, just the rooms."

One transaction later and Isaac held two room keys in his hand. 304, and 305. Two adjacent rooms on the third floor. Hopefully he could get some decent rest, tomorrow was going to be a bit of a trek. Nothing he couldn't handle, but with these two kids it was likely going to be a lot longer, what with Emma wanting to challenge every trainer, and Leo probably wanting to study every tree branch they'd come across. Isaac turned to the two trainers and held out both keys. "Pick a key, doesn't matter which one. You two get your own room, and I get mine. If you really need me for something, I'm next door. And try to keep it down at night, will ya? I don't need to hear you two stomping around all night." His eyes flicking towards Emma as he spoke.