Chapter 66 – Mind your Manners

  Both of the twins were up in their room after finishing dinner and brushing their teeth. Naturally, due to all the excitement of meeting Pokémon the two have never seen before it was a tad difficult to get them asleep. To pass the time I told them of my time at the academy near the Celestial Tower.

  “That’s how their species came to crash landed on earth. Beheeyem was a total bro and the psychic academy in Unova is an interesting place. It’s a bit disappointing that they refuse to share the location of their spaceship. I figure that the engineers at the Mossdeep Space Center would love to study their spacecraft.”

  “Totally! Just the idea of catching and training Pokémon in outer space!”

  “Hold your rapidashes little brother! Whatever the reason these outer space Pokémon have for refusing to share their technology, we should respect their wishes.”

  ‘Tate is the more hotblooded of the two. Liza on the other hand seems to be the more level-headed one. What ambitions do the two of them hold?’

  “The both of you want to be astronauts when you grow up?”

  “Yes!” “Yes!” “Wy!”

  “You too Wynaut!? Wait… how would that work if at least one of you is going to be taking over the gym? Don’t underestimate the responsibilities of a gym leader!”

  “Mom plans for us to be co gym leaders. That way there’s always one of us here to hold down the fort.”

  “The two of you sure are going to have your hands full. Being full time gym leaders and going to college at the same time not to mention having to undergo training as psychics. At least the students taking classes at the Unovan psychic academy are allowed to cheat off their partner Pokémon. Say, does Hoenn have schools for psychics as well?”

  “No, most psychics born here travel to Saffron City for their education. It used to be like that for Mossdeep as well but…”

  “Say no more, I get the picture. Besides, the two of you are still too young to go off and enroll into foreign schools anyway.”

  This time it was Tate who answered.

  “Our grandparents’ teachings have been left to us. We’ll do our home region proud without relying on others for help!”

  “Have you ever considered training fire type Pokémon Tate? That passion is befitting of a fire type trainer.”

  “I’ll start with Victini!”

  “Vi?!” “Awawa?!”

  “Sorry, I meant to say a Victini. By the time I am a trainer I’ll catch one for sure! Egon, do you know where I can find wild ones?”

  “Tate, stop prying into another trainer’s secrets, show some decorum!”

  Liza’s mouth said one thing, but I couldn’t help but notice the silent pause afterwards and the hint of eagerness in her voice. Sadly, I had to disappoint the both of them.

  “Victini is actually a one-of-a-kind Pokémon. There might be a couple more secretly living in Unova, but I couldn’t begin to guess as to their whereabouts.”

  “Awww!” “No way!”

  “Vi! Vi!” “That’s right! I am a super duper special Pokémon!”

  “Since Victini is so special the both of us have to make sure the knowledge of her existence doesn’t become public information. Could the two of you keep our secret until the end of this year’s circuit?”

  “Okay!” “Even from mom and dad?”

  “I guess you could tell your parents. Just impress upon them the need for secrecy. We don’t want poachers and thieves houndouring our every step.”

  “Arf!”

  An annoyed yip could be heard downstairs no doubt the sound of Raven taking offence to my clever word pun. Both of the twins finally let out some tired yawns, the first signs of drowsiness setting in. No doubt chasing Victini around the house and the excitement of meeting my other Unovan Pokémon had expended all their energy.

  “Now go to sleep and maybe if you're good you can watch me, and my Pokémon win our fifth gym badge tomorrow.”

  “No waay mom won’t lose…ZzzZzz.”

  “Wy…”

  As quietly as a pichu I tippytoed my way out of their room and made my way downstairs. This sitting gig wasn’t completed yet, their parents still needed to come home. The rest of my team were busy downstairs watching late night television, funnily enough Glacia was on. Having just won against another ace trainer who challenged the ice type specialist for her position on the ace ranking ladder. The scene of Glacia shamelessly promoting her sponsor’s products brought a smile upon my face. It was nice seeing a familiar face on a late-night show, so I joined my team to watch the spectacle. Minus Halo who had already fallen asleep and was now resting inside her net ball.

  “And I’ve been given to understand that you have a big surprise for the folks watching back home?”

  “That’s right Gabby, as of this morning I have another addition to my frosty line-up of battlers! This cutie has been waiting in the rear, eager to prove her mettle. Go! Glaceon!”

  “Ceon!”

  The Pokémon inside the thrown ball materialized and Glacia had indeed sent out a glaceon. However, the ice type realizing she was standing out in the open and in front of a large crowd of people no less timidly hid away between its trainer’s legs no doubt not used to being the center of attention.

  “Oh my! She’s so precious! You must have lucked out indeed to chance upon such a rare specimen in the wild. To remind our viewers; so far only lab sponsored Sinnohian trainers have managed to successfully evolve their Eevee into this illustrious form. Our own Hoenn professors must be indeed jumping at the chance to study a native Glaceon. Have you received any invitations so far, Glacia?”

  “Not yet Gabby, no doubt I will be receiving some offers after tonight. Let me preempt them by letting some of your viewers know as well as those Professors sitting on their couch watching this, that I currently have no intention to share my Glaceon’s origins or have her be examined by a member of our scientific community.”

  ‘Phew, there are ways of making a Pokémon talk, no doubt the Eevee she bought from that breeder would remember being led near an Icy Rock prior to evolving into Glaceon.’

  The gentlest way to do that was to have a Pokémon of the opposite gender use Attract to make Glaceon compliant to questioning. Other more nefarious ways was to have a strong enough psychic Pokémon force their way into her mind. The latter method was punishable by up to 5 years in prison depending on the circumstances and the individual in question would have their trainer’s license permanently revoked.

  The Sinnohian league association would no doubt have their sponsored trainers questioned after tonight. Sharing confidential information like an evolutionary method wasn’t punishable by law but such an individual would no doubt no longer be trusted with sensitive information.

  “So will we be expecting to see little Glaceon here battling it out on the big stage in the near future?”

  ‘I doubt that. There are good odds of Glaceon having just evolved today. Considering the amount of time it takes to adopt an Eevee and me having shared that tidbit of information with Glacia just a few days ago.’

  The show ended with Gabby the newscaster trying her best to get more juicy details but ultimately failing. While at the same time Glacia wanted to talk about low carb Keto ice cream which one would be able to eat everyday without gaining a pound.

  ‘At this point one has to respect the amount of effort the woman is putting in to make those pokédollars.’

  “Vi!” “Low carb?! Does it still taste as good?”

  It was nearing the end of the evening and to make sure leader Rachel was satisfied with my sitting job I had put all my effort into cleaning up the house. Making liberal use of the duster and vacuum cleaner I found in the closet. Naturally when it came time to clean up the mess my Pokémon made in the living room, everyone in the team suddenly had more important things to do. So, I recalled them into their balls and got to work vacuuming off the fox hair Rena so considerately left for me on the couch while busy grooming herself. I made good time and spent my final hour in the garden stargazing with just my boy Numsy. When we heard the sound of a key being turned from the front door, I knew it was time to face the music. I returned my first partner back into his ball before standing up and making my way to the entry hallway. The front door opened up and I stood face to face with Rachel and her husband Jin.

  “Welcome back leader Rachel, Director Jin. The twins are sleeping upstairs, both them and Wynaut got so tuckered out playing tag with each other that little Wynaut decided to turn in early as well.”

  “It’s nice to meet you young man. My wife has told me bits about you. I assume there were no complications?”

  “No sir, the twins were on their best behavior.”

  It was at this point that Rachel took over the reins of the conversation.

  “Tomorrow’s match will be at eleven sharp. Because of the immediate nature of our battle, I haven’t had a chance to look at the details. I presume you want a fifth badge level battle?”

  “No… Yes.”

  “I thought we decided to ramp things up to seventh level?”

  ‘This is for Orin. He’s been having confidence issues lately and if I don’t field him against a psychic type gym…’

  “That’s right! Don’t worry, I’ll spend all night giving Orin additional training.”

  ‘Don’t push yourself too hard. Unlike Orin you can’t go without sleep for too long.’

  “And Egon… Do you think Wynaut will want to stay with us?”

  “…Yes, from what I could see Wynaut gets along well with the twins and considering his lack of options… Still, I will be here for the rest of tomorrow just to make sure. Also, Tate and Liza have shown interest in seeing our battle play out tomorrow.”

  “They have to attend trainer’s school tomorrow, but I can let them see the video of our battle after they’ve finished their homework.”

  “That’d be great, well if that’s all I better be off, it is way past my bedtime. See you later Mrs. Rachel and Mr. Jin.”

  I left the married couple behind not wanting to overstay my welcome and seriously needing to go to sleep. By the time I made it back to the Pokémon center the lights in the hallways were already turned off. The only one still on was a small reading light behind the main desk for the night shift nurse to enjoy her novella. Upon seeing my face, she shoo’ed me along before pressing her pointing finger to her lips indicating the need to keep quiet so as to not wake up the other trainers and the sick Pokémon inside the treatment wards.

  The following day*

  “Vi!” “Get up!” “Lit! Lit!”

  I opened my eyes to the sight of Orin and Victini crowded around my face. The diminutive duo seemed full of fighting spirit although my little candle Pokémon seemed to be a tad worse for wear. No doubt Victini had put him through extensive extra training to get him ready for our upcoming battle.

  “I am up! Just let me put on some socks first.”

  Orin’s luminescent green started glowing and a pair of fresh socks drifted up from my wash cloth and onto my face.

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  “Orin you learned how to use confusion!? You must have worked really hard!”

  “Wick!”

  ‘It won’t help much in our upcoming battle but thank you for boosting his confidence.’

  “Of course!”

  After I finished brushing my teeth and dressing up, we went downstairs to get some breakfast for me and the team. Unlike other Pokémon centers this one was fairly crowded no doubt because it’s location was closest to the Mossdeep gym. Orin, knowing what to do, hopped off my shoulder and went to work trying to secure a table where all of us could sit at.

  Seeing Orin being helpful like that I wasted no time, making my way to the communal kitchen which was fortunately empty save for a single girl with a psyduck who were both currently engaged with blending pokéblock.

  ‘That vacant expression…’

  “No time!”

  Psyducks were always a point of fascination to me, but today’s hectic schedule left me no choice but to quietly ignore the pair while preparing my team’s meals. Eventually finishing up my task I walked out of the kitchen and noticed Orin had charmed one of the trainers who had managed to secure a table for himself. I recognized him as one of the sailors who worked with Mr. Briney on the S.S. Tidal.

  “Excuse me, would you mind sharing a table with me and my team?”

  “Sure thing, the old man liked you well enough so there’s no chance of you being the crafty sorts.”

  “I never got your name…?”

  “Ernest, nautical apprentice.”

  “Egon, trainer.”

  After introducing myself I sat down on one of the available chairs. The communal eating space was designed in such a way that every table had enough space to accommodate a handful of trainers and two full teams of Pokémon. Ernest already had his partners sitting beside him. A springy looking Machop, A Wingull and a Seel. Just like Ernest I released my own team of Pokémon who immediately after materializing pounced upon their breakfast bowls.

  “I haven’t seen any Hoenn trainers that managed to catch a Seel before, and you must have gotten pretty far inland to catch that Machop.”

  “Machop’s been paired with me through the seafaring company I work for. The Superpower Pokémon are the most useful partners for apprentices like me to have. Their strength helps us out a ton when shipping and loading. In fact, one Machoke can do the job of ten men that’s why the company has machop breeders on retainer, but Seel and Wingull I’ve managed to catch on my own. A Sailor like me can’t do without at least two water type Pokémon!”

  “Oh! So, Mr. Briney also has a team of Pokémon helping him out?”

  “No… his old team has passed on.”

  “Sorry…”

  “Don’t be. Him and his old team have been faring the seven seas together for a long time. The old heads on the ship like to talk about it as if that period was the golden age of sea trade. However! He’s slowly turning into his old self again. The day he found Peeko or more accurately Peeko found him we saw glimpses of his old personality shining on through.”

  ‘Someone as old as Mr. Briney must have lost his starting partners to old age. I am hopeful that I won’t have to experience that.’

  “…”

  I felt Victini’s unease over the notion of my mortality and quickly stopped ruminating on the topic. The rabbit Pokémon might be over a hundred years old, but she didn’t react well to the idea that I’d eventually pass on just like the man who originally hatched Victini out of her egg.

  “So, what’s it like spending most of your time traveling the seven seas? Have you ever been witness to a gyarados attack?”

  “You landlubbers always want to talk about dangerous Pokémon attacks! As to answer your question, yes it happens sometimes even more than once on the same voyage. You have to understand that our navigators have already mapped out every single gyarados spawning grounds. So, if we do come to blows with gyarados it’s usually only a single one. Every single crewmate on board is a Pokémon trainer as well. We can easily defend ourselves from a singular gyarados no problem.”

  “Still, that must be quite the experience.”

  “The captain’s Ampharos makes quick work of any aggressive gyarados. Do you want to know which Pokémon form the actual dangers on international shipping lanes?”

  “Sure do!”

  “Dragalge.”

  “Really? Don’t those Pokémon live in the coastal areas of the Kalos region?”

  “Yes, and some other coastal areas as well, their acid is strong enough to bite through the thickest part of a ship’s hull and they attack indiscriminately. What makes them even more dangerous than other aquatic Pokémon is that they prefer to use sneak attacks, so a ship’s crew won’t even know that their hull has been eaten through until the vessel is already sinking. Whenever we are close to entering the coastal areas of Kalos all the crew’s water type Pokémon are called on to keep lookout.”

  Just like that we had ourselves a little back and forth. Ernest was born into the sea trade and was one of the rare few trainers who didn’t feel the need to compete in a regional circuit. As soon as he was of age, he applied for a job on the S.S. Tidal. The reason he was lounging inside a Mossdeep Pokémon center was to have access to a cheap place to watch television and enjoy his spare time not on the job.

  “Mr. Briney invited me to join you guys on the voyage to Sootopolis City. When I earn myself the Mind Badge I’ll be sure to take him up on his offer.”

  “Sootopolis gym? With a team like yours?”

  “Yup, I haven’t received any sponsorship offers yet but If I manage to beat Juan with a team consisting of only fire types I am betting that I’ll have my pick of them.”

  “Kids like you sure like to dream big, eh? I’ll be rooting for ya. If you want any details on the gym, be sure to come and ask me. I was born and raised in Sootopolis.”

  “Stop talking like one of those old maritime captains! You are not that much older than me.”

  At the gym*

  After finishing breakfast, we got another round of training in on the center’s practice field. Before heading on over to the Mossdeep gym. Walking past those sliding doors I came upon the familiar face of Samantha slogging it doing desk work once again.

  “Hi Samantha.”

  “Egon, you are already back? Isn’t your battle with Rachel nine days from now?”

  “Uhm so funny thing is… Rachel scheduled an extra secret battle for me, in exchange for babysitting the twins.”

  “Hmm that does sound like something she’d do… It also explains why you are not on the roster. Can’t have it become widespread knowledge that our leader accepts favors. Okay! Just follow me, I'll get you where you need to go.”

  Following the beckoning hand of the receptionist slash gym trainer I was led into the gym’s battle facility. Before actually going into the room for battling Samantha headed into what looked to be the employee break room. Where we encountered Rachel nourishing a hot drink.

  “Egon, here for your battle?”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “Alright let’s get to it, although afterwards I would like to talk about a certain Pokémon my kids have been raving about.”

  ‘They couldn’t even wait a single day... Never mind, I just have to focus on winning this battle.’

  “Samantha be a dear and referee for us, would you?”

  The three of us entered the giant observatory room housing the gym’s battlefield. Unlike the last time I was here the field was now sporting a more unkempt look. By the look of it the trainer who had gone before me had a penchant for using ground type moves. The battlefield soil was cracked but not unusable, nothing that would pose a significant hindrance to my own team.

  “We are doing this before our scheduled clean up. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “No Mrs. Rachel, I know how impossible it is to hire cleaning staff that doesn’t start working at the last possible minute.”

  “You work for a gym?”

  “Yeah, Lavaridge since I was seven.”

  The three of us took our positions Rachel and I on opposite sides of the scarred battlefield while Samantha made her way to the referee’s box. Seeing no point in delaying the match Samantha starts reciting the gym’s special rules right away.

  “All battles here are modified double battles! The gym leader and challenger both will release two Pokémon each. No Pokémon substitutions are allowed by any trainer during the match. We won’t keep time; the contest will thus be decided only when one of the contestants finds both his or her Pokémon are unable to battle further!

  “Go! Gardevoir and Meditite.”

  “I choose you! Raven and Orin.”

  The both of us simultaneously released our chosen Pokémon. I immediately assessed our competition.

  ‘Gardevoir is the biggest threat but should be manageable once we get rid of their team’s weakest link. Without her meditite Rachel won’t have a reliable way to get rid of Raven unless she’s actively aware and trained to use fairy type moves.’

  “Let the match begin!”

  “Snarl, Will-O-Wisp!”

  “Safeguard, Protect!”

  Meditite sprang in front of Gardevoir the meditate Pokémon enveloping both itself and Gardevoir inside a turquoise shield. Blocking both the ghostly flames the screeching waves of dark type energy seeking to weaken our opponents. Meanwhile Rachel’s Gardevoir added to their team’s defenses making any further attempts at inflicting status conditions futile as their side of the field became shrouded in pink energies that briefly covered the both of them.

  ‘Can’t let her continue using moves like that, Let’s see if this works.’

  “Calm Mind, Accupressure!”

  “Taunt, Shadow Ball!”

  I’ve never used Taunt in a double battle before, but it stood to reason that Raven should be able to bait multiple Pokémon into only using offensive moves.

  “Awoooo!”

  Raven used her tail in a provocative manner while she hurled vicious insults to the pair of psychic type Pokémon. The two immediately stopped what they were doing and got into aggressive stances no doubt eager to punish Raven for her insult. The dark type energy that subtly infused them erasing their patience for their now forgotten setup moves. At the same time Orin’s Shadow Ball hit gardevoir causing a small explosion and pushing her back into the corners of the arena. Gardevoir seemed to be relatively fine even after directly taking on a super effective move clearly displaying the divide in strength between a first stage Pokémon and one that is in its final form.

  ‘Now it’s just a matter of who hits hardest and my Pokémon aren’t about to lose.’

  “Psychic, High Jump Kick!”

  “Counter, Night Shade!”

  Meditite immediately jumped up in the air falling down at a startling speed, its kneecap pointed in the direction of my trusty pooch. Having already been mentally preparing for the inevitable fighting type move we stood ready to give Meditite a taste of its own medicine. Raven made no effort to dodge the incoming blow instead she readied herself to receive it an orange glow enveloped her. Recognition flashed across Rachel’s face. High Jump Kick was an all or nothing attack trying to stop it mid execution was almost as harmful as letting the move connect. So, I wasn’t surprised to see Meditite go for it anyway. Like a falling star the move connected with Raven’s shoulder bringing her to her physical limits before the kinetic energy was repelled back with twice the force blowing Meditite off the battlefield and into the nearest wall forming a small crater as the fighting type connected with the wall’s surface showing just how much of the move’s force got redirected back.

  At the same time Orin was telekinetically grabbed by Gardevoir and thrown across the room while the candle Pokémon’s eyes turned pitch black, and the embrace Pokémon got lasered in the face. My Litwick was already panting from slammed onto the field’s surface. Whilst the nightshade did it’s work somewhat weakening Gardevoir but I knew that there was still plenty of strength left inside

  “Meditite is unable to battle! The match is now two against one!”

  “Meditite Return!”

  ‘We’ve got this!’

  Both my Pokémon were out of breath Raven barely holding on. I realized I’ve come to overly rely on Counter not fully utilizing all of my Houndoom’s natural talents.

  “Flamethrower, Shadow Ball!”

  “Dazzle them Gardevoir!”

  ‘It can’t be…!’

  The room lit up as Gardevoir emitted a powerful flash infused with fairy type energy. My Pokémon perhaps due to the exhaustion, were too slow to react. Orin handled the move quite well being resistant to it but Raven couldn’t hold on anymore, slumping down towards the ground fainting before she could retaliate. However…

  “Lit!”

  Amidst the brightness a dark ball filled with ghost type energies hit Gardevoir head on causing the psychic type to stagger. Not quite enough power to take her down but we were close. I felt if we could connect with another move this battle would be over.

  “Houndoom is unable to battle! The match is now one against one!”

  “Return Raven!”

  Both our Pokémon were on their last legs. I had no doubt that the next moves would decide the outcome of this match.

  “Shadow Ball”

  “Minimize!”

  Gardevoir fired off her own Shadow Ball but before the move could find its target Orin miniaturized himself dodging the blow by a hair’s breadth. Not wanting to waste this chance to capitalize on this moment I wasted no time and ordered Orin to execute his next attack.

  “Hex!”

  Hex was a lot harder to dodge than a Shadow Ball or Nightshade attack. The ghostly energies forming around the target and flooding their system. The attack would be far more powerful when inflicted by a status condition but I would take what we could get. Gaardevoir tried to hold on but being hit thrice by super effective moves had taken its toll eventually the Pokémon collapsed, fainting in the process.

  “Gardevoir is no longer able to battle, the winners are Litwick and Egon!”

  “Great job! You did it Orin!”

  “Lit! Lit! Lit!!”

  The ghost type hopped up and down in excitement finally earning himself his first gym battle victory.

  ‘Phew! things worked out in the end. Now to just make sure Orin keeps feeling positive about himself. I’ll get my little buddy some special incense after this.’

  “Don’t I deserve a reward too?!”

  Picking up the candle Pokémon and placing him on top of my head was something I only did on special occasions but I was extra happy today since we succeeded in helping Orin out of his funk. Rachel walked up to the two of us after having recalled her Gardevoir.

  “Congratulations Egon from Lavaridge Town, it is my pleasure to award you this Mind Badge.”

  “Thanks a lot. Just three more badges to go.”

  “Now about that mysterious psychic type Pokémon…”

  “Well, it’s complicated… We figured that Tate and Liza would love it if shown a Pokémon they hadn’t seen before. She’s quite unique that’s why I keep it on the down low that Victini is traveling with me.”

  “Hmm… I see, that makes sense then. Are you planning on using this Victini at the conference?”

  “I want to make it to the top sixteen on my own merits but after that… We figured there’d be some trainers who could give her a real challenge.”

  “I know enough. Just make sure you make it to this year’s conference young man! So, my darling kids can brag about having met Victini to my face when we visit Ever Grande City on our annual trip.”

  Just like that she let me off the hook, respecting my privacy enough to not insist. Somehow Rachel seemed content to let things play out on their own. The natural curiosity common in psychic type Pokémon and their trainers was absent in this gym leader. Rachel released a Starmie and teleported off no doubt to have her Pokémon be tended to at the Pokémon center. Samantha walked out of the referee’s box and escorted me back to the gym’s lobby striking up a casual conversation with me as she did so.

  “Aaaand… what did the two of you talk about?”

  “Nothing much, she just congratulated me for winning the gym’s badge.”

  “Sureee she did. What are you going to spend your winnings on? It’s not every day a kid like you earns himself eight thousand pokédollars. You know it’s my job to wire the money to a trainer’s account afterwards.”

  “I am thinking of saving it for a big spend. We don’t have much time left before heading off to Sootopolis City after all.”

  “Boring! Well, if you are going to Sootopolis I highly recommend spending that cash on one of those fancy submarine tours. It’s all the rage nowadays and you get to see water type Pokémon you’ve never met before, even ones that you can’t normally find in the Hoenn region. I've heard that the crew takes breaks for trainers wanting to catch Pokémon.”

  “Well, that would be interesting to see…”