Ever since Ryohei had discovered how ambitious the other party's plans were, he had suspected that the so-called Southern Emperor and Northern Bamboo were probably obsessed with something, or controlled by something.
"So, the Southern Emperor is an Empoleon fanatic, and the Northern Bamboo is a bamboo fanatic?"
"..."
Hata Ranko stared at him, speechless. "No, the Southern Emperor means Norman of Petalburg Gym, and the Northern Bamboo means the Humanoid Pokémon, Danshu."
She wagged a finger. "Buddy, the world's changed a lot. You ought to get out and see it."
"Incidentally, Cerulean Gym is keeping a Great Menace now. It's ridiculously ferocious—not a good place for beginners."
She stopped and gestured with her hand. "After you."
Ryohei's brain nearly crashed. Dazed, he pushed the door open for her, only to feel a cold, sinister presence wash over his face, accompanied by...
Two perfectly round eyeballs.
"Fuck!"
Ryohei's heart nearly stopped. Clutching his chest, he staggered back two steps, then dropped to one knee, gasping for breath.
Right now, he wasn't worried about himself. He was worried that the challenger behind him might have a heart attack.
"Are you all..."
Ryohei looked up and froze, the tortoiseshell glasses on his face nearly slipping off.
Because the baby-faced Hata Ranko was actually rubbing her chin with one hand and playing with the eyeballs in the other, muttering, "Not bad. Cool, soft, nice feel. If these could be mass-produced and sold..."
"..."
With a smack, a ghost claw snatched its eyeballs back. Haunter slowly materialized, looking dejected.
"I'm the challenger, Hata Ranko."
Hata Ranko ignored Haunter outright. These little tricks fell somewhat short of Qinan Gym's professional commitment to "no charge unless we scare you to death."
"Where is Gym Leader Sabrina?"
She surveyed her surroundings, finally focusing on the throne opposite