Walter and Rory turned to look at each other, their faces simultaneously going pale. Rory was the first to snap out of his shock. “Haha, very funny. You can’t leave the farm for a year. You guys don’t trust anyone else to train the young Pokémon.”
“That’s where you are wrong.” Stepping around the carriage Jameson’s face was split into a smile nearly as bright as the sun, with his hair Styled in a mohawk reminiscent of a Mudsdales mane. Flannel shirt and overalls with band patches and pins with his signature black boots that he covers the toe with steel himself, and swears it will hold up to a Mudsadale standing on. “I, little brother, have finally passed The Test.” Walter’s relationship with his brother was strange. Though with Jameson being a bit of an oddball it made sense. Jameson always liked to hold that he was the older brother over Walter. However, he was never malicious about it. He seemed to take it as a point of pride that he was an older brother. Even going as far as helping with Walter’s homework and chores.
Walter and Rory received a second shock upon hearing that. The Test, as their parents called it, was a combined test of all the knowledge Jameson would need to take over when they eventually retired. Jameson continued before they could recover. “I hope you didn’t think I would let the two of you leave without a surprise of my own? TITAN!”
“BRAY!” Titan’s roar echoed out from around the house to herald his arrival. He came around the corner of the house, hooves pounding the ground like pistons as he approached. Titan wasn’t alone either, Rory’s Greavard, Logan, bounded about his hooves making a show of keeping guard. The most shocking thing however was the carriage that Titan was pulling. “I couldn’t let my little brother travel in anything but the best. I designed it myself.” The carriage was made from a mottled Poke-synthetic wood of dark browns and greens. It was a new product made through meticulous care and crafting by ghost/grass Pokemon. Owned and operated entirely by the Pokemon. They didn’t take on many projections only for people they find interesting, because to get one of their products someone has to come and spend time with them every night for a week as payment. It was a little sad really. They are all Pokemon that have outlived their trainers as Ghost-type Pokemon tend to do. Not seeing a need for money they charge in what they desire companionship. A group of these Pokemon didn’t want to enter a relationship with another trainer but did miss human interaction. So they came together and decided to grow wooden products for people. After trial and error, they designed a rot-proof wood. Now they grow it into shape for people and always include their logo prominently but tastefully, a Trevenant cultivating a sapling. That logo alone told Walter the care his brother put into his surprise. Titan came to a stop before his father. Mudsdale gives his son a nod of approval before snorting and stamping his front hooves in a clear challenge.
Jameson laughed “Looks like Mudsdale wants to see how Titan handles the road to Postwick. Well, let me give you a quick tour before you head out into the wide world of Pokemon.” Ushering Walter and Rory to the back he produced two keys. “These are for the two of you, hopefully, you won’t lose them but I do have a couple of spares.” At the front of the carriage, a solid railing surrounded an upholstered bench seat attached to the front wall next to a door leading inside. “The carriage is five feet wide and six feet long. You have a height clearance of 10 and a half feet. Be sure to remember that I don’t want to get a call that you took the top of it off in a week. The front axle spins 90 degrees in both directions and can be locked in place. This gives Titan plenty of maneuverability to get you around tight corners on mountainous routes. That is the secret training Titan has been doing with me for the past month. I've been working with him for the last month so he has the hang of pulling it.” The back of the carriage was secured with two large doors with inlaid handles. Popping open the back doors Jameson then grabbed a slightly recessed handle pulling out a set of steps that hinged when fully extended allowing it to drop down on the bottom step in the middle a metal o-ring stuck up. “Watch your feet and come on up. That little toe stuber is there for a reason.” Walter looked up into the interior that was being lit up by…Candelabra? The Chandelure spun in a circle purple flames flaring before floating out to circle the boys with a cheerful “Chande!”
“Yup, it’s your turn to be haunted by Grandma’s Ghost.” Everyone collectively groaned, Pokemon included. “Come on,” Jameson whined, his smile slowly disappearing, “she isn’t even dead yet.” Bruce was the first to break, just a small snort was all it took before everyone started laughing, Pokemon included. “You all suck.” Despite what Jameson said his smile was back in full force. “Now come on you two, the tour is still going.”
Candelabra lazily drifted back into the carriage bobbing side to side happily. The interior matched the exterior with bench seating that could double for beds. What stood out to Walter though is the compartments along the walls. Stepping inside Walter stopped stunned until Rory pushed him forward. Rory was just as shocked but instead of being stunned into silence, his words said it all, “What the hell?” Once they crossed the threshold the interior expanded around them to easily the size of a warehouse and a ceiling that must have been 50 feet tall. The ‘benches’ now beds in true with curtains that could be pulled around for privacy. With four beds in total spaced out fairly evenly along the walls.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
However, the first thing to catch his eye was the walled-in corner to his left. The walls were carved with a forest surrounding a pond, with Pokemon shown going about various activities including one Ursaring crouched suspiciously behind a bush. To the right, a full kitchen had been installed. Capping off one end stood a large freezer next to a refrigerator. The following cabinets had Unkown carved into what Walter assumed were recipes on their doors. A complete sitting area was set up in the middle of the room with some of the most comfortable-looking chairs and couches. The first of the two remaining corners contained the start of a library. Bookshelves grown straight from the walls curved around to create a soft corner. The five rows of shelves reached about ten feet along each wall, separated into two-foot sections with thin columns of wood designed to look like vines. At the top of each column was a candle holder grown to resemble a Trevenant’s claws. Two of them suddenly lit up with ghostly purple flame causing the entire nook to dance in the shadow of the flame. As quick as they came they winked out bringing the show to an end, with Candelabra slowly materializing in their place Bringing the whole library together was a giant fluffy rug grown from moss onto the wood of the carriage. A few different chairs have been placed around the moss. Including a beanbag chair, a big squishy wingback that looked like you would sink into and never want to leave, and finally a simple wooden rocking chair. Off to the side, there was even a writing desk. The final corner was the designated Pokenap station with many different beds for all types and sizes. This brought attention to the Flying type perches of varying designs that were spread around and up the walls with some even hanging from the ceiling.
Walter slowly turned to look at Jameson. “How?”
With a grin, Jameson began to explain. “Well, I don’t know the specifics. The Mismagius that worked on it tried to tell me but we can’t communicate quite well enough yet. From what I have been able to understand though, she cursed it. Now don’t worry it’s nothing harmful, but to keep the space expanded, cursing it was the only way she could keep it from dissipating. Now it just needs to be charged by Ghost-type energy. With Candelabra moving in you will have more than enough of it.”
Walter cut in while his brother took a moment to breathe. “That’s great and all, but that’s not what I meant. I’ve looked into Treant Treasures and they have never produced anything like this. Not to mention all the electronics in here. Not only that, this is too much, it must have cost you a fortune! Neither of us even has an electric type to power anything!”
As though waiting to hear those words a lightning bolt came blasting out of the oven before bouncing around the interior. “Ro-to!” A Rotom came to a skidding halt before the group. Its characteristic electric body shoots off sparks of excitement. “One Problem solved. So you have two other ghosts moving in already. This Rotom is the first, it was living with the crew of Treant Treasures, being Ghost/Electric it couldn’t help much with growing wood. When it saw a chance to be part of this project it jumped at the chance. Much like Rotom, Misdreavus felt the same. While spending time with the Treant crew I told them about what they do here and convinced them to move their operations here. So you see little brother I’ll be getting paid quite a bit. This is only the first one, imagine we sell a carriage the size of a shack with the interior of a palace. It was also how I passed the final part of The Test. Our parents wanted me to bring in new Pokemon and if things go well this year they are semi-retiring leaving me in charge full-time.” Jameson stopped for a moment to give Walter and Rory the most smug look he could manage, before turning equally serious. “I won’t take no for an answer. This is more than just me wanting to give you something nice. With as much Ghost TE as is in the wood, it allows a strong Ghost-type to hide the entire thing in the shadows. I know how you feel about the cults and know that you won’t be able to stand aside if you see them attacking people. Now you have a mobile base big enough to hide in with your Pokemon for days. I’m sure you noticed there are no windows, that’s because the walls can become see-through one-way.” Pulling out three Pokeballs and a phone he hands them to Walter. “I’m sure you recognize Candelabras Ultraball, then there’s Rotoms Pokeball and the final one is actually for the carriage. The phone is another Rotom device it can jump in and you will get a signal in even some of the most remote locations. Now the last thing to show you is the bathroom.” At this, Rory could only groan “I knew that Ursaring was suspicious.” Laughing Jameson led them to the enclosed corner. “If an Ursaring shits in the woods it’s good enough for you too! Now here is where the water storage is. You will need to get a Water-type on your own. I can’t do everything for you. You also have a standing-only shower with a standalone tub. I also put the laundry in here. All of your used water flows through a pipe and out of a hole in the bottom that’s covered you will need to pull the lever by the door to open it, also don’t forget to be courteous and have Titan churn the ground where you parked. Now for the final Pokemon to join you. There is a young Phantump that wants to go with you, It wants to be a battler. Walter, he has been following you around and decided he wants you to be his partner but he’s a little worried you won’t want him. He is still pretty young and has had a few trainers tell him that Trevenants are worthless…”
“WELL THEY ARE FUCKING MORONS!” Walter exploded, how dare someone insult his favorite grass type!
“Tump?” A small voice could be heard from the door they left open. A Phantump poked its head around the door with its cute little nubby arms holding onto the frame the look on its face said it all, pure joy. It flew forward smacking face-first into Walter’s chest using his shirt to wipe away tears. Walter wrapped him up in a hug. “They must have done a real number on you huh? Well, don’t worry I’m going to help you show everyone how great you are!”