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Chapter 64 - Old but New
🕑 Added 2024-10-06 21:05:56 +0000 UTCChapter 64 – Old but New
The next day we woke up early to catch the morning ferry. Not wanting to wake up my Pokémon I quietly recalled them into their balls. The ferry was set to leave at seven AM one hour earlier than their usual waking time. As I was attempting to return Orin the ghost type hopped out of the way from the red beam.
“Lit. Wick…”
“You want to keep me company? Of course you can.”
I extended my arm so the little candle could hop on lifting him up to my shoulders where Orin could have a good vantage point. Before leaving I made sure to tidy up the room so that the staff working at the Pokémon center would have an easier time preparing our quarters for the next guest to make use of it. When I finished, I made sure to silently close the door behind me so as to not wake up the other guests. We walked through the dormitory hallway and into the Pokémon center proper. The lack of people being a clear indication that traveling trainers leaned towards a younger demographic. Before leaving we made sure to quietly waive our goodbyes to the attending nurse Joy who did the same in return. The center’s automated doors slid open and the foggy morning streets of Lilycove city welcomed us.
“Having you out is already proving to be a boon. Can you flare up a bit? I don’t want to collide into anyone else.”
“Lit!”
Fog banks are a rarity in Hoenn; the warm climate typically prevents water vapor from forming naturally. Seeing as we are close to a nearby battlefield, I’d give us over fifty percent odds that a Pokémon move was the cause for our low visibility. I had half a mind to find out who or what was responsible, but we were already short on time.
‘It’s either Mist or a poorly executed Clear Smog. Officer Jenny will set them straight.’
As we were walking along, I noticed that Orin was acting strangely. The little ghost type was fiddling its stubby hands together as if he was afraid of asking something. Naturally as his trainer I wanted to get to the bottom of this.
“Orin are you okay? If something is bothering you, you can be assured that as your trainer I’ll do all that I can to fix it.”
“Lit Wick?”
“Orin asks why he wasn’t picked for last day’s gym battle.”
“Her Pokémon were too fast due to my error of sending out Rena first. They would’ve overwhelmed you even with your type advantage.“
The serious topic of conversation seemed to draw out another who was still sleeping inside her ball. Victini was probably looking to add her insights into our conversations seeing as I could only understand about half what Orin was telling me without her assistance.
“Orin feels bad because he hasn’t won any major league battles for you.”
“Hmmm, but isn’t that a given though? While still in your first form your maneuverability is limited as is your fire power. That’s why Phoebe decided to catch Lampent instead of all the other ghosts living inside the Celestial tower, as an ace trainer looking to make her debut, she couldn’t afford to spend the time it takes to train a Litwick.”
“Lit…?”
“Your proficiency at controlling flames is equal to Rena as is your aptitude for learning new moves. Besides… it’s not like I am betting on winning at the conference during my first try. All that stuff I told Champion Drake was said in the heat of the moment. If you evolve it’s great but if not that’s fine too. Your happiness and well-being are my first priority.”
“Lit…”
Somehow despite being a fire type Orin managed to release a single tear from her glowing green eyes. Victini’s ball opened up on its own and the little rabbit proceeded to immediately hug the distressed candle Pokémon.
“Vi! Vi!” “Don’t worry I’ll make you strong! From now on you are my disciple!”
“Lit?”
“Victini is able to teach you all sorts of psychic type moves. I know for certain that you can learn a handful of them.”
‘Have you managed to grasp the intricacies of using Solar Beam? It took a while before you managed to properly process the Teleport technical machine.’
“I feel like I can do it! Well… maybe after the sun has come up.”
Last evening after dinner I had decided to use the Solar Beam technical machine on Victini, giving her all night to cobble together the move’s intricacies. Now that Rena had mastered the use of Drought the next step was to have all my Pokémon learn how to perform Solar Beam, my trump card for beating the Sootopolis gym. Since the technical machine was only single use, I had my smartest Pokémon learn it first. Furthermore, Victini’s psychic abilities allowed her to share the experience of using the move after a fashion. Which could speed up the learning process. From this point on training time would be reserved for practicing Solar Beam until mastery has been achieved.
‘I’ve learned quite a bit more about Litwick as a species. I do not expect Orin to evolve any time soon. Mayhap during the final stretches of the circuit. Evolution is triggered by a combination of biological and spiritual factors. Since Orin’s a ghost type, only the latter will be important to his growth.’
Eventually we finally reached the Lilycove harbor, the sun was already cresting the horizon dyeing the ocean in orange hues. Contrary to my expectations, the vessel that would ferry us to Mossdeep City was a medium sized ship fit to only carry about three hundred people. Sailormen were walking to and fro loading cargo. While passengers like myself were free to explore the deck and take in the scenic view. Victini had already disappeared, no doubt sleeping off her morning torpor inside my backpack. As I scanned the deck for any interesting figures we spotted the large form of an exotic Pokémon not commonly seen inside the Hoenn region.
“Look Orin, an Infernape! Let’s go say hello.”
It was a rarity to come across one of the regional starter Pokémon, especially one that reached its final stage of evolution and being a foreign on at that. Infernape being one of my favorites was just icing on the cake.
“Excuse me!”
“Nape…?”
“Could I have my picture taken with you? This is my first time meeting a member of your species, and I am a big fan!”
“Lit!”
“Hold your horses there young’un. I am afraid I can’t let you do that.”
An elderly lady who I didn’t presume to be Infernape’s trainer turned around to put a dampener on my plans. She was wearing old fashioned traditional wear, her gray hair tied up with two white strips. Infernape seemed deferential to her but not in a way that would lead me to believe the both had any type of emotional bond.
“You see, I’ve been looking after this Infernape on behalf of its trainer.”
“So… you run a mobile daycare?”
“Not at all but from an outsider’s perspective that’d be a close enough guess.”
“So, your job is one that has you occasionally look after other trainers’ Pokémon, but you are not a daycare worker. Hmmm… a move tutor?”
“Bingo, you got it right on the second try. Even though I am officially retired, high ranking trainers all over the world still seek to acquire my services. They call me: Ultima Guardian of the Ultimate skills!”
“Oh! I get it! You teach moves that are too powerful to be recorded on a single technical machine! Like Draco Meteor or Dynamic Punch.”
“Youngsters these days are so well informed! However, I am incapable of teaching those specific moves. No, what I teach are the three moves that are learned by only a handful of specific Pokémon. Blast Burn, Frenzy Plant and Hydro Cannon.”
“No way! You taught Mr. Moore’s Typhlosion?”
“Among others, yes, you know the old fart?”
‘Old fart? That’s like the pot calling the kettle black.’
“I intern at his gym and am currently on my first circuit run. The name’s Egon from Lavaridge town.”
“Ah that brings me back and you seem to be about right age too. Youngsters nowadays keep starting later and later. It does this old woman good to see some families sticking to the old ways.”
“Miss Ultima would it be possible for any of my fire type Pokémon to learn one of your Ultimate Skills?”
“That depends, did old timmy pull some strings at the league to get you a torchic?”
“No…”
“Pfeh! Don’t let that get you down kid! I am way too busy to take on another client anyway. By the look of that Litwick you seem to be doing a fine job as a trainer. I haven’t seen that type of coloring on his species before today so that little tyke of yours is just as special as any of those high pedigree lab starters.”
That comment seemed to have reinvigorated Orin as the little candle excitedly clapped his hands together.
“Lit Lit!”
That last comment of hers cemented the mental image I had of Ultima in my mind. Eccentric with a rough exterior but ultimately just a kind old lady.
“Thank you for the compliment, not many people notice the different coloring. Have you visited Unova before?”
“This old lady has been to many places but for now we are heading to Mossdeep city to meet up with this one’s trainer.”
“Nape!”
“That’s great! So Infernape already managed to get the hang of Blast Burn?”
“Cheh! Not even close! First off, I don’t teach just any Pokémon an Ultimate skill. A trainer first has to prove their worthiness. That’s why we are going to Mossdeep. I’ve set up numerous trials on the island for my newest prospect. Normally I’d just have my Dragonite fly us over, but this is my old friend’s retirement voyage, so we are tagging along.”
Just like that the both of us sat down and exchanged stories. She had a wealth of experiences to share that a fledgling trainer like me could benefit from. She told me of her home on the Sevi islands more specifically Two Island or how the locals call it Friendship Island. Having her talk about the Sevi Islands made me bring up a dangerous topic that could see myself landed in a heap of trouble.
“Sevi Islands… Have you ever been to Mt. Ember? I’ve heard tales that the legendary Pokémon Moltres occasionally visits the Volcano’s caldera. I would like to visit that place someday.”
The old lady’s demeanor changed in the blink of an eye. Going from encouraging to one of dead seriousness.
“Who told you that?! Has someone been spreading rumors!? Did that old cook Timmy share something he shouldn’t have?”
“Uhmm… No…?”
“Regardless how you’ve come to know about Moltres I’d advise you to keep this information to yourself. Nothing good can come off ambitious trainers coming in mass numbers to capture Moltres. The locals living on One Island are already having a tough time swatting off fortune seekers coming to pilfer Treasure Beach.”
“I wasn’t planning to!”
“Good… GOOD! Now you were in the midst of telling me something about a giant Cofagrigus?”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Two hours later*
We were past the halfway point of our voyage when the rest of my Pokémon decided to come out of their balls to enjoy breakfast with me. Ultima’s Pokémon also opted to make an appearance, she had four Pokémon on hand; Thyplosion, Meganium, Feraligatr and Dragonite. The ferry didn’t provide catering for short trips in between islands like this one but there was plenty of space to make your own dishes which is what I did under the curious auspices of Ultima. The Guardian of Ultimate skills didn’t comment on the way I prepared food but showed a healthy interest in observing how me and my Pokémon interacted with each other. I had taken a similar interest in her Typhlosion seeing as this was the first time I had seen one with another trainer aside from Mr. Moore. My boss had never shared mealtimes with his employees, so I didn’t know how he interacted with his Pokémon outside of work. Ultima seemed to have a decent enough repertoire with her Pokémon bringing her own pre-prepared food packets. We were nearing the end of breakfast and I pulled out my last batch of Lava cookies. Giving each of my Pokémon an appropriately sized piece of cookie based on their body size. I wouldn’t usually feed them breakfast dessert, but I wanted them to be in an extra good mood for the training session I was planning today. Ultima’s Pokémon were looking at us and then looking back to their trainer leaving the question unsaid but it’s meaning clear enough.
“Treats? Pfeh you louts know we only get some twice a week. This figure doesn’t maintain itself!”
Rena, who hadn’t started eating her cookie yet, looked at her bowl then shifted her gaze towards Ultima’s hungry looking Pokémon before showing off her most admirable trait. The fox Pokémon picked up a share of the cookies with her mouth before offering Ultima the Lava cookie, leaving the old lady to decide how to best divide the crunchy treat.
“Nine!”
I could tell Ultima was moved by Rena’s kindness and reciprocated by praising the fox Pokémon’s show of compassion.
“What a darling she is, you’ve truly lucked out by catching her kid.”
Feeling inspired by my Pokémon’s generosity I decided to fish out Victini’s share of the Lava cookies before handing those over as well.
“Here it’s not much but this way everyone can get a mouthful.”
“Hey!”
‘You can always get some more from Phoebe’s parents. They just ordered over two hundred of these. I am sure they’d let you take some.’
Ultima took both of the offered cookies, split them in half and divided them up amongst her own Pokémon. Infernape who was standing off to the side received a berry the old lady managed to conjure up from somewhere within her attire. Making her regional starters give her a questioning look.
“What? You know I don’t play favorites, but I’ll tell you what kid. It has been a while since I’ve seen the sight of Pokémon eating Lava cookies. There used to be a market stall on my home island that sold them, but the family ran into some tough times and they moved away.”
“By tough times you mean the Kanto/Johto war?”
“Quiet down kid! You know we old people don’t like to talk about that.”
It was true that all the people I’ve come across that are old enough to have experienced the war completely refuse to talk about it, referring to the topic with euphemisms and allegory’s. It did get me curious about this supposed family. The only person in the world who knows how to make Lava cookies is my grandmother and maybe my mother. The secret family recipe being passed over from mother to daughter. Zinnia would have been next in line to learn if she hadn’t suddenly gotten kidnapped by her uncaring father.
“I’ll have you know that my grandma is the only person in the whole world who knows how to make Lava cookies. Trainers from all across Hoenn come to her shop to buy them fresh.”
“Kid what’s your grandma’s name?”
“Willow.”
“Well, I’ll be... Little Willow from next door now all grown up and married with grandkids. Say kid, do you have any family photos on that nifty futuristic watch of yours? It would do this old heart good to see her familiar face again.”
Not needing to be prompted further, I went through the collection of photos on my Xtransceiver until I found an old family photo with both my grandparents and kid sister standing in front of the store. Numsy then a numel standing by my side and Zinnia holding Rena in her arms. Satisfied with my choice I removed the Xtransceiver from my wrist and handed it over to Ultima. Who promptly took the opportunity to inspect the image displayed on screen.
“That brings me back… and she seems to be happy too. Your sister is a real cutie pie. I am happy to see that your family’s good looks hadn’t skipped an entire generation.”
‘I feel like I should be offended by that, but it’s true that Zinnia is a looker.’
Ultima seemed to be lost inside a nostalgic recollection, but I was content to let her ruminate for as long as she wanted. Seeing as we were still about an hour’s worth of travel removed from Mossdeep. Her Dragonite who I guessed to be her oldest Pokémon joined his trainer’s side. Opting to watch my family picture as well.
“There’s something that has been bugging me… Do all old people know each other?”
“Cheh! This boy sure is imaginative.”
‘That doesn’t answer the question, Yes or No woman!’
“…?”
‘I can’t really talk back to a respected elder like Ultima. Don’t mind my mental monologuing.’
Having shared plenty of my personal information with her made me feel comfortable asking for some in return.
“So, whose retirement voyage is this? I can’t imagine that this vessel’s last stop will be at Mossdeep Island.”
Before Ultima had a chance to answer a cute looking female Wingull landed on top of the table we were sitting at. It wasn’t uncommon for wingull to fly along boats like this and wait for people to have finished eating to dive in for some leftovers. However, I was quite sure this one had no such intentions. Ultima didn’t seem to be surprised and greeted the little Wingull with fondness.
“Is Briney finally done mucking about with the autopilot system?”
“Win Gull!”
‘Briney?! So, this Wingull must be!!!’
“Arceus! To have the opportunity to meet with the legendary Peeko! Gyarados swim away in fear at the mention of your name. It is an honor!”
“…Gull?”
The Pokémon in question seems to have reacted to her name being spoken. Giving me a puzzled look as if she wasn’t sure what to make of me. Meanwhile my own Pokémon who had by now gotten used to my mood switches were content to let his play out.
“And she’s so cute too! There are no other Wingull who have this type of charisma and charm!”
“You have a good eye lad!”
A man’s voice came out from behind me, no doubt Peeko’s trainer. I turned around and came face to face with the renowned seaman himself Mr. Briney came here to see Ultima. The man wasted no time introducing himself to the other Pokémon who were just about finished with their desserts. Before addressing Ultima personally.
“I didn’t expect you to come here Ulti. Thanks for coming to see this old man off.”
“As if! This retirement voyage is all just a hoax. Knowing you I have no doubt that you’re already planning to spend all your savings on another rinky dink boat.”
“Aye. The S.S. Tidal will sail all around Hoenn and I am getting off this beauty at route 104. Bought this small cottage all lined up with a dock and you are free to come visit me anytime you want.”
“Tch! Fine as long as I know where to find you. By the way this kid here is Willow’s grandchild you know the one I told you about. Turns out she made it out just fine and even has two grandkids to boot!”
“That’s wonderful news! It’s always a pleasure hearing old friends are doing well. Ain’t that right Peeko?”
“Win Win Gull!”
Hearing these two pensioners talk about old friends I couldn’t help but want to start a little experiment of my own. Making a mental list of all the old people I knew personally and those which I’ve already heard about from Ultima it was time to start checking for hits.
“Speaking of old friends, do the two of you know the old ranger running the Hoenn safari zone? That’s the place where I found and caught Raven here.”
“Arf!”
“Jack?” “Jack?”
‘That checks out. Time to switch targets. Most of the old people I know are big shots. I have to filter them out because they are already well known.’
“Oh, sorry I was thinking about the wrong person. You see there’s this crazy old hermit who lives in the woods near Mistralton City in Unova. He’s got this special skill that allows him to determine a Pokémon’s hidden power with just a look.”
“Okay?” “Crazy eyes Pete?!”
‘Mr. Briney doesn’t seem to know who I am talking about. However, Ultima provided a hit. The data is inconclusive, perhaps being a seafaring captain lends to him avoiding airport cities.’
“Do we know of any other inconspicuous elders?”
‘No, the rest of them have too large a public profile. We’ll have to test this theory further at a later date.’
“Sorry, I was trying to confirm the validity of my earlier question. You know about most seniors being familiar with each other.”
“Pfeh! Stop trying to fish for answers kid, it's uncute.”
Mr. Briney being the more levelheaded person offered his own perspective.
“Lad, I've come to know a lot of people throughout my seafaring days. If it's anyone involved with the sea trade, I would know of them and they me. Perhaps it’s like that with Ulti. Her being in the Pokémon business means she would naturally get to know anyone moving in the same circles.“
My enthusiastic endeavor of trying to prove there’s a cabal of old people secretly pulling strings in the background petered out. Briney’s more reasonable explanation made much more sense. Feeling defeated, I quietly sank back in my chair.
Perhaps sensing my state of mind Raven came up from behind me and slid down under my hanging arms demanding to be petted. I knew what she was doing but I still appreciated the gesture nonetheless.
“So kid, will I be expecting to see you at this year’s conference?”
“I still have to earn four more badges, but I think so. We have the strength but seeing as the conference is in less than three months…”
“Time, eh? What are your travel plans from this point on? No doubt you’ll be wanting to challenge the Mossdeep gym.”
“Indeed we will challenge this gym then make our way south to Sootopolis where we’ll battle Juan for his badge. Then head west back to slateport where we’ll either go to Dewford Town or Petalburg City and we’ll finish up our circuit run by challenging Mrs. Stone in Rustboro City.”
“Sootopolis? Then you’ll have your work cut out for ya. Juan is no pushover. I doubt he’ll give you a break just because you’re bringing a team of fire types. Hmm… Sootopolis is this ship’s next destination if you can somehow convince Rachel the gym leader to let you battle straight away. You could stay on board with me and Peeko.”
“Win Win Gull!”
“Really!? I won’t have to buy another ticket?”
“It’s no big deal, the voyage to Sootopolis is a short one but you’ll have to come back within 48 hours. That’s how long this beauty will stay docked at Mossdeep harbor.”
Just like that we spend our remaining time in comfortable silence. Which I spent grooming the rest of my Pokémon. Halo had gotten a good deal of crumbs stuck in her fuzzy mane and once I started with her I had to give my other Pokémon a quick polish to keep things fair. The two oldies watched me as I did so, occasionally reminiscing with each other over past events. Once the Mossdeep harbor appeared in full view Mr. Briney got called away no doubt to help navigate the ship. Ultima got ready to depart as well having done her due diligence by coming to meet her old friend she recalled the rest of her Pokémon and Infernape into their balls except for Dragonite before taking off on the dragon type’s back. No doubt to meet up with Infernape’s trainer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mossdeep City harbor*
It took a while but eventually I managed to get off the ship and onto dry land. Ultima’s decision to leave on dragonback now started making perfect sense to me. The rows upon rows of people and only a single exit point made the disembarking a tedious process. Victini took this opportunity to go out and explore the Island most likely looking for an inconspicuous teleportation spot to leave and come back to. I didn’t forget my promise to Wynaut who was still waiting for us to come pick him up from Mt. Pyre. Over the course of our journey Victini had become an expert teleporter so I had no doubt that she could grab Wynaut in time for our first visit to the Mossdeep City gym.
“Finally! Let’s go hit the market before it closes. We are running low on all sorts of supplies.”
“Ninee!”
“Arf!”
I had my two canine Pokémon out with me, their noses being sensitive enough to lead me straight to the places where food was being sold bypassing the need to ask for directions. Unlike my somewhat scary looking Houndoom Rena seemed to attract attention wherever we went. Having multiple children mostly girls come up and say hi hoping to be allowed to pet her. In situations like these adults usually kept away knowing that being held up at every street corner to be a hassle for visiting trainers. Children however had no such compunctions although I couldn’t fault them, I acted in a similar way when coming across Infernape on the S.S. Tidal. In any case Rena didn’t mind the attention. Giving any of the girls who admired her form the chance to stroke her fur.
Eventually we got to the local food market, the stalls featuring all sorts of supplements, pellets and berries that I would need to shore up my near nonexistent food supplies. I picked one vendor whose prices seemed reasonable and waited until the young lady manning the storefront was done with her previous customer.
“And how can we be of help to you today trainer?”
“Yes, I’d like two tubs of Protein, one Iron, three Calcium, one Zinc and three Carbos.”
The stall worker gathered up my order in a paper bag before ringing me up.
“That’ll be 12.000 poké.”
‘Ouch! High end trainers really can’t progress without a sponsor.’
Going at it alone without a sponsor at the start was still manageable but once your team started evolving and gaining more members you really couldn’t progress as a trainer without one. I was again thankful that my sponsorship also covered supplements. Pulling out the gym’s card I promptly paid the young lady before walking deeper into the open-air marketplace eager to restock our actual food supply.
As I was doing my shopping I kept thinking about money and sponsorships, notably that I hadn’t received any offers so far. Mr. Moore made it clear that I wasn’t forbidden from seeking out additional patrons.
‘Hmm most likely my battles so far haven’t been impressive enough yet. We will have to fix that.’
Comments
Jacob Shaw
Great chapter
