Jubilife City.
Jubilife City had been built by residents of nearby Oreburgh City, with the entire city constructed on an excavated mountain.
Jubilife City had connections in every direction: Route 204 to the north led to Floaroma Town, Route 202 to the south led to Sandgem Town, Route 203 to the east led to Oreburgh City, and Route 218 to the west led to Canalave City.
It was the most technologically advanced place in the entire Sinnoh Region, as well as its largest city. It was known as the city of happiness where people gathered.
A bustling urban scene unfolded before their eyes. Tall buildings rose in rows, neon lights flashed, and all sorts of buildings lined both sides of the streets in an orderly arrangement. Crowds of people and Pokémon moved along the broad roads, while busy traffic flowed endlessly through the lanes.
"We finally made it to a city! That trip was way too rough. I'm going to get my hair properly done, and then we're going on a crazy shopping spree."
After arriving, Dawn gazed at the thoroughly modern city and exclaimed. Thinking back on the hard days of the past two weeks, just what kind of suffering had she been through?
"All right, all right, but we need to go to the Pokémon Center first to get our things sorted out and sign you up for the Pokémon Contest."
Although Xiaoyun was happy to see the city too, he still reminded Dawn not to forget what they needed to do.
"Then what are we waiting for? Go, go, go!"
"..."
"Your Pokémon have fully recovered. And Miss Dawn, your Pokémon Contest registration has been submitted. I wish you the best of luck."
Nurse Joy addressed the two of them with her signature smile.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy." ×2
"Xiaoyun, let's go shopping at the mall! I heard you can buy the latest Pokémon Watch here. Come on, let's go!"
After putting away her Pokédex, Dawn could hardly wait to head to the mall and buy the latest Pokémon Watch. After all, she had been coveting the watch in the magazine for ages.
"Sure. We need to restock the supplies in our backpacks anyway."
Xiaoyun did not particularly care about it. To him, the watch had far too few uses. When he got the chance, he would ask Professor Rowan to get him a Rotom Pokédex instead. That would be much more useful.
"Sumimasen-sorry."
"Due to certain unidentified forces, all the Pokémon Watches in our warehouse have developed problems and need to be recalled, so our store has temporarily stopped selling Pokémon Watches."
The young woman behind the counter pressed her palms together and explained to us apologetically.
"Ah... How could that happen? We finally made it here. Are there really none left at all?"
Disappointment appeared on Dawn's cute face when she heard the news. After all, this kind of Pokémon Watch was hard to get. If they had not happened to be passing through Jubilife City during this release, she would hardly have had a chance to snag one.
But just when the watch had been within reach, there were none left. What kind of luck was that?
"Yes, miss. I'm terribly sorry."
The young woman bowed to them again in apology. Her manner was very sincere, and they could tell there really was nothing she could do.
Seeing that the sales assistant was just as helpless, Xiaoyun comforted Dawn.
"Let it go, Dawn. Let's head out for now. We can buy one next time we get the chance."
"Sigh, all right."
Dawn sighed regretfully too. After all, there was nothing she could do about this either.
After leaving the specialty store, the two went to Jubilife City's department store to buy everyday supplies for their journey, then returned to the Pokémon Center.
Once they returned to the Pokémon Center, they planned to continue training. They had only just begun.
Just then, a little boy appeared before them, accompanied by a little blue-and-black cat. It was Shinx, Luxray's initial form.
The little boy then stepped forward and politely asked Xiaoyun:
"Hello, big brother. Are you a Trainer?"
Xiaoyun nodded, looked at the boy, and replied, "Yes. What can I do for you, little guy?"
The little boy immediately explained why he had come, treating Xiaoyun like an old friend. "Here's the thing, big brother. The Pokétch Company is holding an event today. There are three Jokers in the center of Jubilife City who ask quiz questions. As long as you answer their questions, you can get the corresponding rewards.
"But those questions are all about Trainers. Could you come take part in the event with me? I know where the Jokers are. How about you handle the questions?"
After listening, Xiaoyun thought for a moment. He remembered there being something like this, but he had forgotten the specifics. Still, since it was only a quiz, he could give it a try.
"Well, I don't mind, but I only know a little when it comes to answering questions. If I can't answer them, you can't be disappointed, okay?" Xiaoyun replied to the boy.
"That's okay, big brother. Just do your best. I'll pay you no matter how it turns out," the little boy said happily after hearing Xiaoyun agree.
"Then I have no problem with it." Xiaoyun nodded.
He thought that, in that case, he did not mind. He could just treat it as going to an amusement park with Dawn to play a quiz game.
"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Xiaoyun, and this is my companion, Dawn." Xiaoyun then introduced himself to the little boy.
"Hello, little guy!"
Dawn also greeted the boy gently, finding this little fellow who acted so familiar with them quite interesting.
Only then did the little boy belatedly realize that he had been so focused on completing the task his dad had given him that he had forgotten to introduce himself.
"Oh, right! I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Teruhiko, and this is my partner, Shinx."
He hurriedly picked up Shinx and introduced him.
Xiaoyun smiled and nodded after hearing that. Although the little boy's way of speaking seemed quite mature, he was still a child at heart.
"Haha, it's fine. Let's go, then. Sorry for the trouble, but could you show us the way?"
"No problem. Just follow me."
The two then followed Teruhiko's directions. After a while, they reached a small alley beside a café, where a person in a Joker mascot costume stood, looking rather mysterious.
"O Trainer who has come to challenge me, are you ready to face my trial?" As soon as they entered, the Joker spoke in the tone of a charlatan.
Hmm... It had something of a river god feel to it.
"Uh... We're ready."
Both Xiaoyun and Dawn felt that this whole thing seemed rather dubious. They looked at Teruhiko and only spoke after seeing the boy nod.
"Then listen to the first question: how are Gastrodon's colors distinguished?"
"By region. Blue is East Sea, and pink is West Sea."
Xiaoyun answered quickly.
"Then name two Abilities that can increase Speed under specific weather conditions."
"Chlorophyll and Swift Swim," Xiaoyun continued answering.
Phew. Xiaoyun had originally thought there would be strange questions like an upside-down Jigglypuff, but once he heard that they were all normal Trainer knowledge questions, he stopped worrying.
"What supplementary item is needed to evolve Poliwhirl into Politoed?"
"A King's Rock."
"Congratulations, challenger. Here is your first coupon. You can seek out the next Joker and answer his questions."
After Xiaoyun answered several dozen questions in succession, the Joker stopped the quiz, took a prize coupon out of his pocket, and spoke to him.
"Big brother, you're really good!"
Teruhiko watched Xiaoyun answer every question with ease. Although he did not know whether the answers were right, Xiaoyun looked really impressive, and he was so fast, too!