We arrived at the pokecenter and Oliver and Jen dropped off their other pokemon to heal while we headed off to collect something. Walking along through the city streets, I noticed a lack of vehicles other than the occasional bike. I guess in a world where pokemon can carry people across land, sea and sky, you don’t need to drive around. I guess pollution would also be pretty low then. Jen still had a big grin on her face while Oliver was happily walking along.
Walking through the city, excluding a few buildings here and there, the shops and houses had natural looking colours that you would find in the forest. The largest exception was the bright blue building with the word Pokemart written above the door. It looked quite similar to the games and anime looking like your average grocery store. While walking by, I could see several aisles with a few people browsing them. All of them looked quite young.
We soon were walking through a market that had dozens of stalls that range from food, wood, metal, and gem work, several filled with clothing, a few different ones stocked with toys for kids, a charizard bouncy castle, a rubber duck game but the ducks are various water pokemon, and a few other more exotic stalls. I had been to markets in my old life and other than everything being pokemon related, it was the exact same. It was disappointing how we just walked straight through the colourful stalls without stopping to properly look at things and I guess my disappointment showed as Oliver piped up. “On our way back, we can have a look if you want Shade and hey, maybe you can get something.”
Really!
“Calm down, we can’t stay to long as we have to go back to the pokecenter for the others, but we could spare a few minutes.” Jennifer added seemingly in a somehow happier tone.
It was about another minute walk before we stopped in front of a small green building with a brown roof and brick chimney puffing smoke. It had a large wooden door, larger than it should be. Above the large door, hung a wooden sign with a hammer and anvil crossed over a red gem on one side and a needle and thread on the other.
A blacksmith and tailor? I say aloud but neither trainer answer as they walked towards the front door. I followed the pair in and the inside was quite well done. On the left side wall hung various metal objects while the opposite half of the building hung shirts, dresses, hats, shoes, and other clothing items. It was an interesting setup.
At the back wall was a large glass counter with various stones and gems along with what looked like precious metals. Behind the counter stood a pokemon I didn’t at first recognise. It was a sigilyph but it looked, cracked. From the top left of its wing like appendage to the fan at the bottom with cracks spanning it’s soot covered body. Shortly after, a large man comes out a door behind the counter on the right side of the far wall. He was bald with plain grey shirt and a black apron. This guy was definitely the blacksmith.
“Thanks Sig.” The man said to his pokemon before turning to us and in an infectiously energetic voice, “Well hello again my friends! Here to pick up the item I assume and what a wonderful umbreon you have.”
“Hello Marshal, we are indeed here to collect the order.” Oliver says to the shop keep.
“Give me a moment then.” Marshal returns through the door he entered, and I decided to look at the various products in the store. The metals side of the store had simple sculptures of pokemon to more interesting designed ones along with having bracelets, rings, and necklaces, some of which had slots for I guess gems and such. Among them was all sorts of tools. There was even a sword sitting in a stand and looked well made. There were also a few pieces of small armour like arm guards and gloves with metal plates on them so you can use your hands full movement while it was protected. Looking behind me to the other side, I see Jennifer and Oliver looking at various clothing and by the looks of it, it seemed hand made. What am I talking about, considering the store, of course it would be. My vision is suddenly partially blocked as something is atop my head and I hear Jennifer giggling.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Tilting my head to the side, it falls off and I can see what it was. It was a black top hat with a blue ribbon round the base. I go to glare at the trainer and she has her phone with its screen towards me. She had taken a bloody photo of me with it on.
“Well I know what my new background is going to be.” She says smiling.
I swear to god, you better delete that! I say overreacting a bit, but she ignores me with a smug look and grabs the top hat to put it back.
“Here we go.” Marshal says holding something long that was wrapped in a piece of fabric. “These should do nicely.”
Oliver walks over and unwraps as Jennifer joins them it but I’m to short to see on all fours. The pair are sliding something up their arm and they turn around to show me. On their right arms, from fingertip to behind their elbow, was a cloth sleeve with metal plates on top. The twins both had black sleeves, but Jennifer had red plates while Ollie had a deep green.
Those are cool!
“Fits like a glove.” Oliver said abruptly said before Marshal starts laughing at the accidental pun.
“HAHA! Got to strike the iron when its hot my friend!” He joyfully yells. Everyone but Oliver started to laugh at the pun as a woman’s voice calls out from the back. “Nice one hun!”
“Well, we got to go, bye.” Oliver said leaving the building in a bit of a sour mood. Guess he doesn’t like puns.
“Thank you for the work Marshal,” Jennifer said bowing, “Our father was right to send us here.”
“Enjoy your day and tell all of your time at Metal Thread!” Marshal calls out in the same happy excited tone he entered with. I couldn’t help smiling while leaving the building as his was so infectious.
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/618692866566389772/795564484147544065/Alternate_Eyes-time_gap.png]
We walked back the way came and stopped to look around the markets. I got quite the bit of attention, but we headed back to the centre and got the other pokemon. I was sitting on the top bunk of Jennifer’s bed so she didn’t treat me like a teddy. The two were having a little bit of party food when Oliver’s phone rang and as soon as he saw the caller, he accepted it and put it on speaker.
“Hey dad!” The twins called out simultaneously.
“Hey kids, how are you doing?” The voice from the phone called out.
“We’re good, we just got out first badge.” Oliver said while Jen had food in her mouth.
“That’s wonderful!” Their father yelled. “I’m guessing you guys got the bug badge.”
“We did indeed, and we got Viola to use a stronger pokemon than average!” Jennifer said with huge grin.
“Good job you two. You did better than me when I fought her.” Their dad cheerfully said through the phone. “I wish I could be there with you, but you know how it is.” He solemnly added. “What pokemon have you got?”
“I managed to catch an aron that was wondering the forest.” Oliver said.
“I got a hoot hoot and an umbreon!” Jen chirps up excitedly.
“That’s wonderful but when we have more time, I want to know hoy you caught an umbreon.” Their father said curiously. “An eevee has to reach a decent level of experience to evolve into one so I’ll be waiting for that explanation. I’m sorry I have to cut this short; I just got a bit of spare time before my meeting so I figured I would check up on you. Stay safe and watch out for each other. Love you.”
“By dad!” The twins loudly say before the phone cuts out and the two suddenly look quite sad. I wasn’t the only one to notice as all the other pokemon also reacted and without communicating, we all crowded around the twin trainers.
Its okay, we’re here with you. Fen says.
We’ll stay with you. Froakie adds.
Just because you aren’t where I started, doesn’t mean it won’t be where it ends. Hoot chirps in.
We will fight with you. Aron adds.
We are you family. I end.
The pair of trainers both look incredibly happy.
“Thank you.” Oliver says.