Chapter 13 – Blast from the Past
“Yes, my name is Aurea Juniper nice to meet you. My father told me about you, the trainer from Hoenn that can’t compete in the Vertress conference but still decided to start his journey in Unova regardless.”
“Yep, that’s me plain old trainer from Hoenn looking to make his mark here in Unova.”
“The next part of our conversation is best kept private, may I?” She motioned her hand to indicate her request for entering the room.
“Yeah, sure come in.”
We entered inside, this room was a small one only having a single bunkbed meant for traveling trainers to share. Luckily the center isn’t overbooked so I could stay here by myself tonight. She takes a look around before nestling herself on the other side of the lower bunkbed.
“In preparation for this meeting I collected all of the loose myths and legends mentioning Victini and put them in this comprehensive folder. There isn’t much information out there about this Pokémon.”
She wasn’t kidding the file she brought up on her datapad was only about one hundred words. I pieced together the most important bits.
Victini is a mythical Pokémon that is said to radiate energy from its body. When Pokémon or people come into contact with that energy, it fills up their bodies, and they exhibit more power than usual. This Pokémon brings victory. It is said that Trainers with Victini always win, regardless of the type of encounter.
‘Some type of special energy that makes people and Pokémon stronger?’
“Do you want me to…?”
‘No thanks if we don’t earn our victories in fair competition then what’s the point? My partners have worked hard to make it this far. I don’t want to belittle their achievements or other trainers’ effort by relying on your power.’
Feelings of relief flooded our connection. Before me and Victini could hash out her issues I was interrupted by Aurea’s next set of questions.
“Egon I must ask where did you encounter this Pokémon? Maybe it’s origin can shed more light on this enigma. Also, I would very much like to meet Victini if possible.”
‘…She seems like a decent sort would you mind showing yourself to her?’
“Okay.”
The clasps on my backpack opened themselves and out popped Victini. She quickly floated her way behind my back while grasping the hem of my shirt. Her head sticking out while looking back at Aurea.
Her timid behavior coupled with those disproportionate big blue eyes invokes a feeling of protectiveness in a certain demographic of people. Judging by Aurea’s reaction it seems she was one of those people.
"Oh Arceus! Aren’t you just the cutest little thing. Would you mind if big sister here pats those adorable ears of yours?"
Both me and Victini are completely stunned from the change in her personality. The formerly business-like woman now exhibiting behavior more appropriate for a teenage girl. As Aurea inched closer to Victini I sensed the Pokémon’s distress. Normally I wouldn’t intervene because I was also guilty of patting her head numerous times, but something about doing it during their very first time meeting seemed overly familiar to me. I resolved to put a stop to her approach.
“Professor Juniper, Victini is rather shy around strangers perhaps it would be best to let her get accustomed to your presence first?”
Being addressed so formally seemed to pull her out of her earlier behavior. She sat back on her spot of the bed and removed the creases on her lab coat.
“Ehem you are right of course. I offer my sincerest apologies for my inappropriate conduct. It is my first time seeing such a unique looking Pokémon and I nearly forgot myself. Now to harken back to my earlier question where did you find this miraculous Pokémon?”
I regaled her with the story of my meeting with Victini without mentioning the breaking and entering. The secret basement, sticking around to play with all the novelty toys and playsets, Victini eventually revealing herself to come play with us finally culminating in the story of her previous trainer.
Aurea is an attentive listener only breaking up my story a couple of times to ask for further details.
“And the groundskeeper just allowed you to walk into the light house?”
“I didn’t really ask him the door was unlocked and I assumed it was just part of the viewing experience.”
“Really? I have been on that boat tour before. I am pretty sure they give out these flyers warning people to stay out the light house.”
‘Darn this is why I can’t deal with the high IQ types. Can’t tell a story without them poking out the holes in my narrative.’
At this time a knocking sound emanated from the door.
“Excuse me, trainer Egon your Pokémon have fully recovered would you mind picking them up from our front desk?”
“Yes of course, I’ll come over right away!”
“Can you wait here for a minute? I need to retrieve my team members.”
She seemed willing to let the matter rest for now. Getting a nod from her I rushed downstairs.
Pokémon centers are like veterinarian offices mixed with youth hostels. All the medical facilities are located downstairs while the upper floors are where all the younger trainers crash on the league’s dime. I made it to the front desk, and a Nurse Joy handed me my Pokémon back before promptly going back to work. I’ve been hanging around this place for a while now so the nurse in charge didn’t ask for my trainer’s license this time. I clipped the poké balls to my nifty belt with magnets knitted on the inside and made my way back up to my room. Victini was hiding under the blankets while an overeager Aurea was observing her frantic actions and taking notes.
Luckily the sudden lull in our conversation left us switching to another topic.
“If Victini’s power is as described by these ancient texts than there is no limit to the number of organizations that would want to capture her for their own nefarious uses. I'm sure that the noble who built this underground room for Victini was sincerely trying to help it. But I think shutting the poor thing up in this room was a mistake. Making sure no one misuses Victini's powers is now your duty!”
She started fishing out something out of her carry all. A poké ball it looked like one of those premier balls the Devon corporation hands out to customers who buy balls in bulk but instead of a red line etching the clasp this one was black.
“Here you go one unregistered poké ball. The unique coloring is for law enforcing purposes. The police will know that this is a legal unregistered poké ball. Letting them know that they would need a warrant in order to have access to this ball.”
She handed over this unique looking capturing device. I take hold of it and promptly drop it inside my bag.
“Aren’t you going to use it?”
“I never really asked Victini if she would like to become my Pokémon. Me and my team just sort of decided it would be better for her to experience the outside world. Letting her make a decision on her own on what goals she would like to pursue is part of that.”
“I want to stay with Egon!”
She projected that thought outwards this time. Making sure Juniper knows that she wouldn’t accept another trainer. The commotion also pulled out my sleeping Pokémon out of their balls. This weird habit of theirs would become troublesome once they’ve evolved.
“Num num”
“Pix!”
My Pokémon are looking at me like I am an idiot. They made sure to let me understand that Victini is already part of our little family.
“My my, if this is how much your Pokémon care about you than I can rest easy.”
Victini rummaged around in my backpack before eventually finding what she was looking for. The ball floated out of the backpack and into my hand. She started looking at me waiting for something staying eerily quiet.
Rena gave me a small huff letting me know what kind of dunce her trainer is.
“Victini, are you willing to be my partner?”
“Vi!” “Yes.”
I tapped the ball on her crown and watched as she got sucked inside. The ball started shaking in my arms until I heard the familiar gotcha sound the ball makes after a successful capture.
“I caught a Victini!”
“Num num!”
“Vuuuul!”
Perfect execution you guys especially you Numsy. I didn’t know you stand on your hind legs like that.
“What the hell are you doing! Shouting out Victini’s name like that do you want to expose her!”
“Sorry, it’s kind of a thing all of us do every time we catch ourselves a new friend.”
Victini popped out of her poké ball and made a peace sign with her claws. Her adorable appearance mollifying Aurea somewhat.
“Egon I’d like to observe Victini for a couple of weeks. Would you mind if I followed you and your team around?”
Victini upon hearing the word observe got reminded that Aurea is still in the room, and she quickly hid behind my back again.
“I guess that’s okay…? I was planning on catching another fire type. I still need a third Pokémon for my match with Burgh.”
‘…!’
‘Don’t mind her. Consider this training to get used to new people and Pokémon. You can’t make friends if you are too shy to talk to them.’
“That works out perfectly. The archeological expedition I am a part of happens to be located in an area known for harboring wild darumaka. I can still be part of the expedition while you get a chance to catch a new Pokémon.”
“My gym battle is scheduled to be held twelve days from now on. Do I still have enough time to make it back by then?”
“It’s fine, route 4 is adjacent to Castelia City. Our expedition site is just off the route. It shouldn’t take long to get there. I have the expeditions’ all-terrain vehicle on loan the ride will take maybe half a day and some extra. Let’s go in the morning.”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
I wasn’t as enthused to get railroaded into going on an expedition in the hot sands of the desert resort. I hate sand it gets everywhere add in my sweat to the mix and it takes multiple showers to get myself completely clean. ’On the other hand… I could use this opportunity for something else that I have been looking forward to for a while.’
“…?”
‘Well, there’s this Pokémon that’s living deep down inside that buried city. Ugh… never mind our journey won’t be as fun if I plan everything out like this.’
“By the frequent drops in our conversation I would guess that Victini is having telepathic conversations with you from time to time?”
“Oh, we are sorry for being rude. Yes, she does like to poke around inside my head from time to time. She is actually very curious about the outside world. If you are looking to garner her attention, talking to her about interesting trivia is the best way.”
“That is fascinating. Most psychic types that I know like to hoard knowledge. That she is not exempt from these typical personality traits is very interesting. Yes, I asked if you wanted to have dinner with me later, I personally have not yet had the chance to visit Hoenn. I am curious about the type of Pokémon that live there.”
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“Mt. Pyre is the absolute worst! So many ghost types looking to prank unsuspecting visitors. If you are there to pay your respects do so quickly and get out. My grandpa is friends with the couple that runs the place. The family has developed such nerves of steel that the ghost Pokémon don’t see them as attractive targets, but that disinterest doesn’t extend to visitors. All their pranking and cheap thriller scares are used on me. Every year I had to accompany my grandfather starting when I became seven years old.”
“You poor thing there there.” Aurea lays a hand of compassion on my shoulder.
“So, would you say that you have some experience dealing with ghost types? Our expedition is currently held up because the place we are surveying is haunted by yamask and cofagrigus.”
“No not really my friend Phoebe is the best when it comes to dealing with ghost types. She specializes in training them and is already making headway into the ace circuit. Phoebe is the granddaughter of that elderly couple I mentioned earlier. She lives on Mt. Pyre when not competing during the off season.”
“Really? Do you have her number? We could really use someone like her for our expedition. The archeology team can’t get deeper without someone to help deal with the roaming ghost types.”
“I don’t know… doesn’t Unova have their own ghost type specialists? Any spirit channelers or mediums native to the region you can ask? Elite four Shauntal also trains ghost types exclusively I believe.”
“We do but they have been reluctant in helping us. They only step in when ghost types become an active threat. Shauntal is a writer by trade, and so she isn’t available for hire.”
“Well… I can give her a call so you can at least get a second opinion. Let me warn you though she can be very mercurial, and money isn’t really a motivator for her since their family is loaded.”
I shift through my backpack in search for the sticky note where I write all the numbers from friends and family on. ‘I should really just put these numbers in my contact list. Then again, I’ve only had this Xtransceiver for a single day.’ Finally managing to find the correct number I attempt to call Phoebe’s pokégear with my Xtransceiver. Pokégears don’t have video phone compatibility, so the call is just audio.
“’Hello...?’
“Phoebe it’s me Egon. I just bought myself an Xtransceiver.”
“Oh, little Egon nice to know you finally decided to give in and buy a phone just like the rest of us.”
‘This is why I can’t deal with her.’
“What little…? I’ll have you know that I got my trainer’s license this year and am already on my circuit run in Unova. Just because you are five years older doesn’t mean that you are more mature.”
“Unova, you say? Have you already caught any new Pokémon?”
“No, I am going for quality over quantity for now Numsy and Rena are enough to win myself some badges.”
“This is why I am the better trainer between the two of us. It’s all about catching as many as you can.”
“Really? Says the girl who caught two banettes three dusclops and a single sableye. I am impressed by the variety of Pokémon in your team.”
“And a Frosslass! Thanks for the tip by the way. Glacia was fuming at the mouth when she first became aware that I figured out her secret evolution method.”
“Yeah, no problem. Anyway, there’s this archeological excavation going on in Unova right now. The researchers have been having troubles with wild ghost types disrupting their progress. I told one of their members about my friend who is good with ghost types. Now they want to bring you on board to help them out.”
“I don’t know Egon I usually don’t mix friendship with work. Traveling all the way to Unova seems like a hassle.”
“There are a couple of bigwigs from the local league association mixed in the group. Maybe you can even catch some of those ghosts they’ve been having trouble with. I am pretty sure you don’t have a yamask or cofagrigus on your team.”
“I’ll consider it. Just have one of their associates call me with an offer. Anyways when’s your next visit? Our Misdreavus really wants you to come spend the night again.”
“Never! And you can tell that banshee to choose some other poor sap to haunt.”
Phoebe was clearly experiencing some kind of schadenfreude from my trauma, inferring from the giggling sound I am hearing on the other end. Just like one of her ghost types would. ‘Probably growing up around ghosts has rubbed off some of their personality traits onto her.’
“You are lucky I am mature enough to separate my feelings for ghost types from my feelings for you. Not many people can withstand their relentless pranking.”
“Aww I care about you too Egg. As soon as you come back from the Unovan circuit I’ll test how much you and your Pokémon have grown. Ciao.”
The girl hung up on me just before I could do the same to her.
“I am sorry for my outburst Aurea that that girl keeps testing my boundaries. Phoebe might be interested in helping, but not for a monetary compensation. She would likely want a free pass for catching Unovan ghost types.”
Aurea let out a small huff. “That is going to be difficult letting foreigners catch Unovan native Pokémon always comes with lots of paperwork. My father could get her a catching permit, but he will have to justify himself afterwards. Our league association still has some xenophobic elements inside. I am sure that in four more years this won’t be such an issue anymore granted that the other regions become more permissible with their restrictions as well.”
The meal was mostly pleasant after that. Aurea was a most excellent conversational partner. Her knowledge of Pokémon ancestry and fossils was very enlightening for a layman trainer like me.
“So, you believe Blaine from cinnabar island is the closest to developing a working resurrection machine?”
“Yes, although the resurrected Pokémon will not have any recollections of their time during the period when they were alive. Also, they would be infertile not able to produce eggs of their own.”
“Interesting and you are working on something similar?”
“Well, that is the whole reason I joined this research expedition in the first place. They need someone with a degree in paleontology to make sure no fossils are damaged in the process. Samples taken from the sediment layers in that area indicate that this will be a prime spot for excavating fossils.”
The dinner concluded and we both went our separate ways. Aurea back to her hotel room in the city and me back up to my center dorm room. Victini still couldn’t sleep alone comfortably so I made plans with my team to sleep beside her on rotation this night’s turn belonged to Numsy. The little camel not minding at all to keep our resident psychic rabbit company for the night.
“Night night”
“Num num”
“Tini Vi”
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Early in the morning I got forced out of bed by a peppy future regional professor. Her loud knocking waking up Numsy, Victini and myself.
“What are you doing? it’s like 5 AM in the morning.”
“For my observational records it’s important to document every waking moment of Victini’s daily life.”
“Well, we usually wake up at around seven in the morning… Do you want to have breakfast with us?”
“Yes please.”
As it turns out Aurea is also a trainer. Not a serious one but she did have a Pokémon on hand. Her Mincinno enjoyed breakfast with us. Rena was a bit wary of the chinchilla Pokémon probably due to losing her previous battle against CEO Geoff’s Mincinno. Victini enjoyed her meal with gusto the sweet tasting berries doing wonders for her appetite. Even though Aurea was also having breakfast she kept fervently glancing at Victini while taking notes.
“So, Aurea what do you intend to do with all the observational data you are gathering?”
“I am glad you asked Egon. After getting permission from my father, I aspire to write my own Pokédex entry about Victini.”
“Really!? Won’t that spill the beans to the public?”
“It’ll be a hidden entry until the trainer in question scans an actual Victini. I always thought that all the Unovan Pokédex entries had already been filled. Now that I have my own chance at contributing to this repository of knowledge, I can get my name up there with the researchers that paved the way for us all.”
“Sounds cool. When do we leave?”
“As soon as your Pokémon finish breakfast.”
We watched Victini try to shove a whole magost berry in her mouth successfully I might add. Her cheeks puffing up to accommodate the piece of fruit that was almost as big as her whole head.
“Fascinating, Victini is able to expand the available space in her mouth. Just like some other rodent Pokémon that we know of.”
“Aurea, I think she might be cheating by using confusion to cut the berry up into manageable pieces inside her mouth.”
“No!” “Vi...?!”
Victini started to spasm uncontrollably while making high pitched sounds. Knowing what this is I walk towards the sink in the bathroom to get her a glass of water.
“Don’t talk while you are eating large amounts of food at once! Even young children know how to avoid getting the hiccups. Drink this glass of water.”
“I am the oldest!” “Vi Vi!”
“Yes, yes you are. Now hold your breath and swallow three times.”
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We finished up at the Pokémon center Victini’s new ball hanging on the inside of my jacket. I also donned my safety goggles. Route 4 is known for its spontaneous dust devils, and I didn’t fancy getting sand in my eyes. I would’ve taped off every nook and cranny of my apparel to avoid the sand getting inside, but that would take too long and keep Aurea waiting.
We walked together towards the parking lot of her hotel where the SUV was parked. Victini seemed to prefer being outside her poké ball sometimes floating around invisibly taking in all the new sights, other times she could be found holed up inside my backpack. After a while we finally made it to her fancy hotel the valet ready and waiting to bring her SUV around.
The drive out of the city was completely traffic free. Not many people used cars to move around Pokémon showing their usefulness even in the transport of people and goods. Senior citizens especially those in Unova ride sawsbuck from place to place. There are many exceptions of course. Children and younger trainers seemed to prefer riding stoutland. The most shocking encounter for me was seeing this hipster guy riding around on a grumpy looking Scolipede. ‘How is that even considered safe? All those venomous barbs… I bet this Scolipede’s ability is poison point.’
The vehicles we did see are mostly people driving trucks and busses. Which made sense. I haven’t seen Pokémon of the size required to carry large enough loads to stock supermarkets.
“What is that?”
“A traffic sign. When the light on the sign turns green, we can go forward.”
“And that?”
“That’s a bus stop. People gather there to be picked up and transported to places somewhere in the city.”
Victini was busy firing off questions at a rapid pace. No longer did she feel the need to act guarded around me. Which certainly was an improvement I have infinite patience for all her little quirks. It reminded me much of myself when I saw my very first Pokémon.
Aurea obviously amused by the Pokémon’s antics decided to drive extra slowly to let Victini take in all the sights. She wasn’t a participant in Victini’s telepathic communication with me, but based on my answers I figure she could make an accurate guess to what the topic of our conversation was.
We finally made it out of the city. Route 4 is one big sandbox, but there are traces of civilization here. The beginnings of a road are being built the goal being to connect the two cities of Castelia and Nimbasa. Little suburban houses dotted the sides of that road. ‘Why would anyone want to live near a desert of all places? Maybe their family Pokémon prefer this environment?’ Peering over the fences I can see a big doghouse accommodating a sleepy Hippopotas. ‘Eh figures.’
“How come this entire place is filled with sand?”
“Well… when there is little rainfall plants can’t grow as well. This desert is a natural rain shadow because of the mountain range over there. The moist air current from the sea blows against the mountain range and is forced to rise, and as it does so the moist air becomes colder becoming unable to hold the water in its vaporous form. Which causes it to rain. The air now bereft of moisture descend again on this side of the mountain range. Making naturally occurring rain very rare in this area.”
“What a splendid explanation Egon. If your career as a Pokémon trainer doesn’t work out, you can always intern at our lab.”
“Thanks for the offer, Aurea. Maybe I’ll do a ‘Professor Oak’ earning the champion’s title and then smoothly transitioning into academia.”
We finally hit the end of the road. Marked by obvious red danger signs. Aurea parked to the side and we stepped out into the blazing sun.
“I thought this vehicle was all terrain?”
“Yes, but generally it’s a bad idea to do so. Most wild Pokémon don’t appreciate the sounds cars make. The wild ones living here are mostly harmless to humans. You just have to watch out for the occasional mother krokoodile and her hatchlings. They are nighttime predators so we shouldn’t meet any if the sun’s up, and we don’t make any loud noises.”
Coincidentally this is also the area where you find wild darumaka. The ones that are looking for a trainer mostly stick to this area because they know humans occasionally traverse this route. When we get near the desert resort that will no longer be the case.
“Why do they call that area the desert resort?”
“Because elite Grimsley plans to build a casino and resort hotel there. Naturally the government is not too keen to allow him to build a resort on top of an archeological site. Part of our funding for this expedition comes from him. He wants our researchers to clearly map out the area he is not allowed to build on so he can convince the two-city council that are responsible for this area to give him the go ahead to build his casino resort.”
“Why would he want to put his casino in the middle of a desert?”
“This desert area is popular with sand boarders. The ground is also very reasonably priced.”
“Now seeing as you are not exactly a seasoned trainer, I have arranged for someone to come pick us up.”
“Hey! My Numsy can ward off any wild Pokémon.”
Numsy at the mention of his name popped out of his ball and gave me a confused stare.
“Ah sorry buddy for waking you, now that you are out would you mind walking with us? A ground type like you can sense if a Pokémon approaches us from beneath the sand.”
“Num”
Numsy unlike me didn’t mind the sand at all he actually got more energetic than usual under this sweltering sunlight. So, the four of us minus Rena who was still sleeping inside her ball remained at that spot until finally a figure approached us from the west. The first thing I noticed about this new persona was her towering height, and the second thing was that this person is the gym leader of Nacrene City Lenora.
“Aurea how nice to see you again. Have you finished up your personal business in Castelia City?”
“Yes, I have. And I also brought a guest along. This is my father’s newly sponsored trainer Egon from Lavaridge town. Egon come meet gym leader Lenora.”
“You…”
The two women responded simultaneously “Yes?”
“I challenge you to a gym battle!!”
“Num NUM!”