Monday, June 19th, 1978, 1630

Vermilion City

Kuon was dressed nearly identically to the last time I encountered him, wearing a beige kimono with traditional sandals that clacked loudly as he walked. His wrinkled face sported a broad smile, clearly amused by something.

Probably me.

There were gasps of recognition as the few teens lounging around the center noticed him approaching. The city’s Gym Leader rarely visited local pokemon centers; people usually came to him, so I could understand their reaction to the well-loved trainer.

In Fuchsia, Kiriel was respected for her prowess but not loved for her personality, and I could just imagine the center going silent if she were here instead.

“Good evening, Kuon,” I said formally as I inclined my head at the man who had ruled Vermilion City for over thirty years, seeing it through both the War of Unification and the Great War.

Although angry, I knew better than to act disrespectfully in such a public venue. Kuon was generally patient but could still react poorly if I made too much of a scene.

Not that I can’t needle him, just a touch if the opportunity arises. The old bastard deserves every bit of it.

“Get over here! It’s been what, two years since I last saw you? Where’s your beard? Those eyelashes are just as long as I remember!”

His tone was relaxed, but I could tell he was genuinely happy to see me, and I felt my irritation recede even as his words rankled me. It was somewhat of a tradition for him to poke fun at me, although I still thought he took it too far at times.

Kuon stormed over, pulling me into a rough embrace that I gingerly leaned into, as my wound was still tender, and I wanted to avoid bleeding on the pristine white floor if I could help it.

“That sounds about right. It’s good to see you,” I said with a pained smile. Old he might be, but weak he was not, and my ribs creaked at the hug. “Looking bald as ever.”

Kuon sniffled, and it wasn’t from tears. “GACK! What the hell is that putrid reek! Were you rolling in Goldeen guts or Gyarados shit?”

His loud voice boomed throughout the room, drawing whispers from the trainers who had noticed him and glares of disapproval from the squadron of Joys standing by patiently.

Waiting for us to leave, more like.

“You’re not totally wrong, but herbs were mixed in too. The ointment worked like a charm. I took a good hit a few weeks ago; you would be proud!”

I pulled away from the embrace, embarrassed by the looks we were receiving at the familiar greeting. Although I knew Kiriel’s plan required Ellie and me to take front and center, I was still unused to such attention and felt self-conscious about my abysmal state.

“I won’t apologize for the smell, though. You deserved that and more for your little prank. And, if Joy is to be believed, you made other unfavorable comments on live television that I would love to hear about.” My voice was frosty yet still respectful. I wanted him to know I wasn’t impressed.

The smile on Kuon’s face faltered, and he looked at me more seriously. “I’m glad you made it into town safely. Now that I think about it, I recognize that smell. It must have been a burn? Every unit was filled to the brim with that shit in the war. Too many Arceus-damned fire types in Johto.”

I scoffed. “Too many? There are only three fire-type species in the entire region.”

He nodded enthusiastically. “Like I said, too damn many! Those mangy, pale imitations of Growlithe have some nasty flames that refuse to heal more often than not.”

“Not a burn, in this case.” I clarified with a shrug. “Ice type-energy. Same difference for all intents and purposes. We spent a few days in Fisherman’s Village to recover after the incident. It’s almost completely healed at this point.”

Kuon’s fading smile turned into an outright frown at this point, and he raised his eyebrows. “Incident? You’ll have to fill me in. I’m happy to hear they could help you in the village. Good people, them.”

“We’ll be staying here for the next few weeks if you’ll have us,” I replied. “I’ll tell you what happened after we leave such a public setting if you don’t mind.”

He coughed, looking sheepish, but nodded at my words. “Sorry for my little joke with the staff. You’re much more rugged than the last time I saw you! It looks good on you, although I’m sure you have an interesting story about why I see shrapnel scars on your face. Probably related to your incident, no?”

He looked around, giving a signal to the Joys, who went into one of their back rooms, returning with my pokemon in a lightweight metallic tray. I quickly strapped the balls back to my belt but refrained from releasing them until a more appropriate setting.

“Don’t I ever. It’s been an interesting few weeks, to say the least,” I confirmed as I followed Kuon out of the building and back into the hot afternoon sun.

The Joys waved mechanically at us as we departed before returning to whatever they did when the center was slow.

In the center of the crudely paved street was a large wooden carriage manned by two guards wearing clan regalia; the yellow emblems were easily visible on their shoulders.

The older man simply nodded as he climbed into the waiting coach, led by a single large Rapidash who stood motionless as it awaited a command.

Kuon settled with a groan onto one of four well-cushioned seats in the coach, signaling for me to follow him.

Clambering up after him, I found a seat, enjoying the relief my feet felt after weeks of walking.

Maybe I should invest in a carriage? Kiriel would never know, and Geralt would get some good exercise.

I waited patiently as Kuon adjusted himself into a comfortable position. The grizzled old man had an extensive history of injuries and lived in chronic pain, hence his decision to travel in relative luxury.

Once he was settled, he turned to me. “Would you mind filling me in on our way to the Citadel? I fear I’ve had too much bad news lately, so I hope you have good things to tell me.”

Gone was the amusement in his voice, and he actually sounded his age. It made me sad to see him like this, as he usually maintained a perpetual smile that served as a nice foil to Kiriel during our mandatory cross-clan outings.

“That would be great. As you noticed, I need a bath, and badly. I promised to meet my companions at this pokemon center. Would you mind leaving someone to pick them up when they make it into town? They stayed behind on Route 11 to pick up some experience,” I explained.

“Oh? Companions? I was led to believe you were simply traveling with one young woman. Do tell,” he purred, a twinkle returning to his tired eyes.

Rolling my eyes, I elaborated. “We picked up another Fuchsia native just outside the city. She’s been a loyal companion and an asset to the team.”

Wait. Why does Kuon know anything about Ellie?

Kuon chortled. “Sure, sure. I’m sure that’s the case. Tell me more as we go, but first, let me assign someone to wait for your friends.”

I sighed tiredly. The way he said friends suggested he thought they were anything but.

What a pain.

“Jed!” Kuon called to one of the guards, who trotted over attentively. The man was clean-shaven, with short, greying hair, and wore much the same outfit as Kuon, except his kimono was darker.

“Sir?”

“Young master Mare lost track of his girlfriends. Would you be a dear and wait for them here?” Kuon asked, but it was really more of an order.

“Yes, sir.” The guard hesitated but added, “Would you mind telling me what I’m looking for? Names, descriptions. Otherwise, I fear I’ll be here all night sorting through teens.”

“Mare, tell the man what your girls look like. And their names,” Kuon commanded, clearly enjoying himself.

“They’re not my girls,” I hissed under my breath.

“No mumbling while you’re in Vermilion! Tell the man about your girls, and be quick about it!”

His tone left no room for argument, so I relented, explaining, “Their names are Eleanor Rayne and Daniella Fiore. They’re not my girls, just to be clear,” I added, trying to ensure that at least the guard didn’t get the wrong idea.

“Sir, I could care less,” he said, writing their names on a small notebook he pulled from somewhere. “Girls, boys. It doesn’t matter. What do they look like?”

“Ellie has auburn hair and green eyes. She generally holds hands with a Chansey, who wears a blue dress most days. Hard to miss,” I added helpfully.

“Blue dress, got it. And the other one?”

“Dark blue hair, usually in a braid. Pale skin. Grey eyes. A fresh scar on her right cheek, athletic build, fairly tall for a woman.”

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“Oh my, sounds like quite the catch,” chipped in Kuon. I ignored him, although it hardly seemed to dissuade him as his smile only seemed to grow wider.

“Is that enough information, or would you like me to keep going?” I asked politely.

“Keep going, please,” teased Kuon, but the guard ignored him this time.

Must be used to his antics by now. He Must be an old hand.

“Should be good! I could use a break anyway. This old codger keeps us running around even in his twilight years,” joked Jed as he took off into the center.

“Bah. Ruining good fun. What a spoilsport,” complained Kuon petulantly, crossing his arms like a surly child being told no.

“You’ll get to meet them soon, regardless. Shall we head up to the manor?” I asked, excited for the steaming bathhouse I knew awaited.

“Fine, fine,” deferred Kuon. “Klein! Lead us up to the Citadel, please.”

Wordlessly, the other guard whispered something to the Rapidash and settled into position at the head of the carriage as the pokemon began trotting easily, even with us in tow.

We were soon steadily making our way up through the tiered city. The ground floor’s street was roughly cobbled together with large chunks of stone covered by years of dirt and grime.

Although Kuon would deny it to his death, there was a class differential throughout the city, with higher levels enjoying much better roads and cleaner services.

The bottom level, which we were currently departing, was mostly inhabited by lower-class, working folks who made up foundational aspects of the economy.

Considering most of Vermilion’s economy was based on trade, this was where most of the sailors made their homes while not at sea. The district was inundated with bars, taverns, and brothels, although they were technically called establishments nowadays.

It was just about time for most people to make their way home for dinner or to their favorite pub for a few hours before waking up at the crack of dawn the next day. As such, the carriage was forced to wade steadily upstream through masses of cursing men, both young and old.

“So, you gonna tell me what happened?” Kuon asked, interrupting me from my analysis of the surroundings.

How much should I tell him?

Although Kuon was a family friend, I was still on the fence about telling anyone what happened until I knew more about the current situation.

Erring on the side of caution, I kept it vague. “We just had a run-in on the road with some nasty trainers looking to pick up some of our gear. You know how Kiriel is; we have way too much stuff on us for the wrong type of people not to notice.”

Kuon studied me, perhaps sensing that I wasn’t being completely truthful.

I held his gaze, doing my best not to wilt under his stare. It must have worked because his grim countenance softened, and he leaned over to pat me on my shoulder in a conciliatory fashion.

“Brigands, then? We do our best to catch most of them, but it seems an unavoidable facet of humanity. It’s not easy to regulate the Fuchsia peninsula. Not that it’s my problem; it falls under your mother’s jurisdiction, and she’s adamant about keeping it as a trial to ensure younger Fuchsians don’t grow soft.”

“It’s okay,” I assured him. “None of us were too badly hurt, although Dani and I were injured.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Tell me about your friends, would you?”

“Sure,” I said, all too happy to talk about my only two friends. “I was assigned to travel with Ellie on day one. She’s a new trainer who moved from Johto a few months ago. She’s super sweet and took great care of me when the wound was healing. She and Dani stayed behind to look for a nice pickup match with another new trainer…” I trailed off, thinking of how Ellie would feel if she lost. It wouldn’t be pretty.

Kuon, perhaps noticing my anxiety, said, “I’m sure it went fine! We hit record-high numbers of new trainers this year, so there should have been no shortage of less-than-first-badge level trainers. What pokemon does she have?”

“Record high levels? That’s impressive. Kiriel mentioned nothing about Fuchsia, and I’ve been mostly out of service. As for Ellie, she has a Bulbasaur, a Totodile, and a Dratini. She also befriended a Chansey, but she’s more like an emotional support pokemon than anything else.”

Kuon’s eyes widened slightly in disbelief. “A Dratini? And where did she get her hands on one of those? She isn’t from Blackthorn City, is she? And two regional starters, to boot. What a team. I doubt you have much to worry about regarding her losing to any of the rabble around here," Kuon said, gesturing to the city surrounding us. "Most of Vermilion’s new trainers pick up a Rattata or Oddish unless they’re lucky enough to import something from abroad or become a member of my gym program, in which case they get a choice between Voltorb or Magnemite.”

“No?” I replied, although I couldn’t remember if she was from Goldenrod or Olivine City. “She got the Dratini from Kiriel at the start of the journey. Part of some propaganda thing to tamp down on anti-Johto sentiment.”

“Interesting,” mused Kuon. “You’re telling me your mother, of all people, the greedy, ambitious woman she is, gave away one of the few Dratini not owned by the Blackthorn dragon-taming clans? And she did it willingly? I find that hard to believe. How do you feel about that?”

“That about sums it up, yes. I was surprised, too; Kiriel had promised me the Dratini at the start of my journey. Some things are more important than family, I guess. It’s not a big deal,” I lied.

As I said the words, the hot surge of embarrassment and anger I felt when Kiriel handed away my Dratini flared in my chest, still as raw as when it first happened.

I tamped down on it quickly, not letting it find purchase within my heart, lest it fester and sow discord in our otherwise close relationship.

Larvitar saved my life. Willow and Ellie are great together. It’s okay.

I’m fine.

Picking up on my discomfort, Kuon tactfully changed the subject. “I see that’s still a sore spot for you. She sounds like a lovely young woman. Tell me more about this other woman? This Daniella.”

“Where to start…” I paused, worried I would out my crush immediately if given too much time to gush about Dani. “She’s a year older than me and comes from a working-class family in Fuchsia. She made it through four badges last year, getting stuck on Blair for the second half of the season. She owns a Rapidash, Scyther, Venonat, and recently caught a Shuppet.”

“An older woman, excellent work,” beamed Kuon. “That’s quite the team. I don’t suppose there’s any story as to how she caught a Shuppet on the Fuchsia peninsula?”

Shit. Maybe I should have kept that to myself. Too late now.

I shrugged dismissively. “No story, I’m afraid. It followed us for a few days until Dani eventually caught it. They’re nearly inseparable now.”

“Indeed. An odd pokemon, Shuppet. Do you know much about that species?”

“No, other than they’re native to Hoenn. Is there something I should know? All I know is it’s a pure ghost type.”

“It’s not critically important, but I believe the information may hold value for you, but it could alter your opinion of your friend. Would you still like to know?”

“Hit me with it. I doubt much could change my opinion at this point,” I replied, curious as to what could possibly warrant his warning.

“Oho? What a firm declaration. You must certainly be impressed with this woman. In any case, Shuppet are notoriously cruel pokemon, seeking out pain and suffering to grow stronger. In the war, they were often found on battlefields, feeding on the cries of the wounded. For a Shuppet to willingly seek out a particular person, wanting to be caught, of all things, leads me to believe there may be more to your friend than meets the eye.”

“More than meets the eye? Isn’t that true of everyone, though? What are you suggesting, Kuon? I don’t like where this is going,” I said coldly, feeling oddly personally attacked.

“I’m not suggesting anything," Kuon said, holding his hands up disarmingly to placate my rising ire. "For a pure ghost that feeds on pain and suffering, it seems odd for them to seek out a teenager, does it not? On a related note, have you heard of Agatha?”

I looked at him incredulously. “Who hasn’t? She’s a ghost-type specialist who became infamous in the war for her mass slaughters. I don’t know much beyond what my tutors taught me; little was good. Where are you going with this? Are you suggesting Dani might be suited for the military?”

I was intrigued, as the thought had crossed my mind after witnessing her clinical and detached thinking; My years of training hadn’t done much to help me in my first actual life-or-death situation, yet she had stepped up instinctively, even if her approach was just a bit too aggressive.

“I’ll let you make your own conclusion. However, regarding Agatha, most people don’t know she wasn’t always a ghost-type specialist. In fact, she started as a bug-type specialist and could barely keep the things off of her! She only began to be known for the esoteric ghost typing after losing most of her team one by one in the many hot zones she was embroiled with. The ghost types populating the battlefields were drawn to her, not leaving her alone until she caught them or sent them packing!”

“That certainly wasn’t included in my lessons,” I complained, mulling the new information over. It matched eerily with what Dani had revealed our night in the hot springs and only increased my concerns about her more recent shift in personality.

I shrugged, not wanting to delve too heavily into such dark thinking. “She’s had a tough life, Kuon. That’s all. It’s one pokemon, and I haven’t seen Chausette do anything that made me think she was looking to kill or torture people. I think you’re reading into this too much.”

Kuon hummed, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “As you say, young Seiichi. I’ll drop the subject for now. Let’s just say I’m excited to meet this Dani. It’s evident you care a great deal about her, which is good enough for me to give her the benefit of the doubt.”

I nodded curtly, ignoring my embarrassment at how prickly I had been when Dani was questioned. It wasn’t like me to respond so emotionally. “That’s right. She saved my life, and I’d appreciate it if we moved on to something else for the time being.”

“Done. I apologize, Mare. I did not intend to antagonize your friend before I ever had the chance to meet her. I fear my thoughts have been negative as of late, and I’m looking for monsters in every shadow. Forgive me?” he asked earnestly, holding out a hand.

I reached out and tentatively shook it, feeling a sense of unease seeing Kuon this serious. “Apology accepted.”

An awkward silence descended upon the carriage, and we both turned to our respective windows to admire the beautiful view of the harbor.

By this time, we had departed the bottom tier and were now in a much quieter and organized part of the city. The rattling plaguing us from the poorly constructed street was gone, as the roads in this district were seamlessly constructed from immaculately mined stone blocks.

We were no longer the only carriage around, but our driver professionally steered us through the busy street.

Kuon’s manor, or ‘Citadel,’ as he liked to call it, was on top of the plateau overlooking Vermilion harbor. It was constructed with defense in mind and gave long lines of sight in every direction, perfect for stemming off an invading force if the need arose.

We were probably still a few minutes from reaching the summit, and I was decidedly not enjoying the awkward silence.

“So, uh. What’s been going on lately, that’s got you so down?" I inquired.

He grimaced, sitting up and turning to me. “I was wondering when you were going to ask. There’s been a few things. Would you like the little bad news or the big bad news first?”

“Let’s go, little bad news, please,” I replied with a light chuckle.

“Little bad it is. I lost a few soldiers last week on a bodyguarding excursion. It was in the same area you were traveling through, so I was wondering if your incident was related, but it sounds like it wasn’t. Which is good. I lost one of my most experienced men. He was on a long-term security detail and was slated to return home to Vermilion by the end of the month.”

My blood ran cold at the admission, as it confirmed my suspicions in the worst way possible.

“Oh? Who were they on a security detail with, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I do, actually. Confidentiality reasons, of course. Without giving out too much info, it was just some bigwigs in central Kanto. Nothing serious, which is why my man declined to take his whole team with him. I can’t help but think things would’ve gone differently if he brought more than two of his pokemon. He was always arrogant that way, and now, it caught up with him,” Kuon explained in a melancholy tone.

Fuck. Adrien was one of Kuon’s men?

My dream of a peaceful stay in Vermilion already looked like a foregone conclusion.

“I’m sorry to hear that. You never know, maybe they’re still alright?”

He shook his head. “I doubt it; at this point, it’s been nearly two weeks. My men would never go that long without communication unless they were detained, disabled, or dead. I’m just glad you didn’t get roped up into whatever nixed them. I fear dire times are ahead.”

“Right… And the big bad news?”

“The big bad news is that I’m nearly certain we’re headed into another war unless something dramatic changes. I’ll leave it at that until after dinner tonight. I’m afraid you may have some serious conversations ahead, young Mare.”

I cocked my head in confusion. “What do you mean? Serious conversations with who? I don’t even know anyone in Vermilion besides your family.”

At this point, we had finally reached the upper plateau, and the carriage slowed to a crawl as we approached the manor gates, which were just beginning to open to allow us entrance.

“Sorry, Mare. I’m afraid you do,” Kuon said apologetically, and my heart dropped as I saw a familiar face poke her head out of the opened gates in greeting.