“Look, all I’m wanting to know is if you actually enjoy what you’re doing,” I say, kneeling down. “I get you feel like you need to do it, but I want to make sure you’re happy doing it. Is it fun?”
A few hours had gone by as Buddy, Kid, and I wandered around Ecruteak City. I clocked a few locations I’d like to stop by, notably a used clothing shop and a small market that advertised foodstuffs for both humans and Pokemon. We were in a clearing on the side of a large, single-story home, after having received permission from the elderly couple who owned it to use it for training. They had flagged me down while I was walking by, actively looking for somewhere to work with Kid, and generously offered their backyard. They informed me that though the town was rather large, there weren’t many public spaces for trainers to actually work with their Pokemon, and most ended up on Route 38 to the west of town. Having been in the northeast corner of town, I was told by the kindly woman that “there’s no reason to mosey all the way that way just to work with that lil’ fella, so I hafta insist, just do it here!”
They were sitting on wooden rocking chairs, sipping tea on their wooden porch about 30 feet away, talking to each other about who knows what. They clapped every single time Kid showcased a move, giving him further motivation to train. I was currently speaking with Buddy about battling, as Kid worked on shooting his Ember like Buddy did, in a controlled shotgun spray, against a large rock sitting in the yard.
It is fun, Buddy! I want to battle more! Ruff!
“If you’re sure,” I say, giving him a few pats and standing up. “We’re buddies, after all. I don’t want to like, use you. You know?”
Ruff… you think too much again, Buddy. It is fun, believe me!
“If you insist. If you ever change your mind, let me know, yeah? And I’m sorry I didn’t ask sooner.”
I won’t, Buddy! I want to get strong, ruff. For you, for me, for Kid, for God…ruff. It is fun anyway, Buddy, do not think more.
I sigh and turn back to Kid, who’s making fast progress. Not that I know what an ideal Ember should look like, but it certainly worked well against that…Poltchageist? The other few battles we had on Route 42 told me Buddy was progressing well, and the victories today affirmed that, at least. Regarding Kid, he didn’t know any of the names of his moves, exactly, but I’ve more or less determined what he can do after letting him go at it, though I still have some uncertainties.
Ember, Astonish, Leer, and Clear Smog he can do for certain. He’s working on them in order, and I’m satisfied with how his Ember looks. It’s only been about fifteen minutes, but he has great control. Being able to emulate Buddy may have sped up the process, since Kid went from shooting about five little fireballs in a wide spray to over a dozen in a tighter shot in a short period of time.
He claims to have other moves, but it was hard to really understand his explanation. He displayed them, but…. Well, two of them resulted in the flames of his eyes doubling in size as he focused, returning back to their normal size after a moment, and the other one did nothing. The one that did nothing… He had said I think if I do this to someone and they hurt me really bad, they’ll get hurt too. Destiny Bond is my best guess, but I don’t really want to find out the hard way, right? The other two were explained with even less certainty.
This one is like, um, I go hyah! And then they can’t do what they were doing anymore. And the other one is like that too, but they can still do it? But not as much… I think?
We had yet to test them out against Buddy, though I suggested trying it out after he worked on his other moves, but going off of that, I’ve tentatively concluded that they could be Disable and Spite respectively. Kids attacks reinforce a thought I had about him being a Ghost type (I really should have asked that Nurse when she was giving me advice on his diet), but nothing about how he looks or acts really screams Ghost to me, you know? So… my theory is that he might have a branch evolution. His dad was a ghost, according to Suicune, and I’m still operating off the assumption that Pokemon offspring are the same species as their mother. The Amarouge did not look like any ghost Pokemon I’ve ever seen, at least. I guess we’ll find out later.
After about six hours, some positive reinforcement, and a few sandwiches later (that couple was really sweet, feeding us and letting us use their yard), the three of us were exhausted. Kid most of all though. Turns out my guesses about Disable and Spite were… probably correct, as that’s what the effect seems to be. He managed to stop Buddy in his tracks as he Howled, Kid shattering the aura that was around Buddy’s body, buffing up his attack with Disable. Spite was also loosely proven in short order, as I tasked Buddy with working on his own Ember against the large stone and Kid Spiting Buddy’s stamina somehow, only letting him get off about a dozen shots before stopping. Buddy could shoot them off almost endlessly before, but he was winded and couldn’t shoot more than a couple little fireballs at the end of it.
Astonish was practiced against Buddy himself, and I used a couple of the potions Mark gave me to fix Buddy up so we wouldn’t have to go back to the Center. Kid used it similarly to Shuppet, and I could see Buddy flinch on occasion as Kid screamed in his face on approach and gave him a right hook every attempt. Clear Smog worked like it does on the tin, with Kid shooting an almost-invisible blob of smoke at Buddy, basically auto-tracking him when he attempted to dodge. Belatedly remembering that it acted like Mist, I explained my theory to the two of them and Buddy had Howled, buffing up his attack, only for his newfound strength to dissipate upon being hit. Now that… that’s going to come in handy.
Buddy also worked on one of his moves we hadn’t used yet, and…broke the rock we were using in our training. After convincing me that the self-damage I was afraid of was a nonissue with the Potions and there’s no better time than when we’re safe in a city with a nurse, Buddy!, he showcased his Head Smash brilliantly. The rock collapsed in on itself upon impact, falling down to the ground in small pebbles, after Buddy charged the rock and coated his head fur with a shining white aura.
He also didn’t get hurt. At all. Said it was like a tackle, but with his head. So… Rock Head ability, maybe? That’s awesome. Assuming he wasn’t lying to me, anyway, but nothing about his appearance or attitude told me there was any recoil at all. So that’s a thing, and that’s one hell of a move to pull out.
The couple invited the three of us in for an early supper as we were wrapping up, while also insisting that the broken rock was no trouble.
“It’s been there for years, my boy,” the older gentleman, John, chuckled, leading us inside their home. “So you did me a favor. I won’t have to mow around it anymore!”
“Yes, don’t mind it at all, Silas,” his wife, Lisa, tells me. “That was an impressive attack, too! Now, the washroom is right over there, so go ahead and wash up and I’ll whip something up.”
“Thank you, really, you didn’t have to do this,” I say, bashful at their friendliness. “But we appreciate it, a whole lot. For the training, the food earlier, this…”
“S’no problem, son,” John pats me on the shoulder. “Not a problem at all, we love the company.” His wife nods in agreement, and I smile.
I sat with John for a while in their living room after washing up, Buddy and Kid snoring quietly on the couch next to me, while Lisa worked in the kitchen. This was a large house, and it turns out that it’s been in Lisa’s family for a long time. Like, her grandmothers grandmother, long time. They weren’t just being polite about wanting the company either, as I learned they had two children about my age, and they hadn’t been home in a while. Their children were both married, with careers outside of Ecruteak. Their son worked as a dockmaster in Olivine, and had been there since he made connections with the crew of some charter ship that took him to Cianwood during his journey. John and Lisa’s daughter ran a boutique in Goldenrod, I was told, though she visits a little more frequently than her brother does.
Dinner was a brilliant affair, with a very traditional Japanese-style spread. I wasn’t entirely familiar with Japanese cuisine, exactly, but I could identify a few things I had tried before. Funny how they tasted similar to what I remember too. White, fluffy rice with bonito flakes and an egg, miso soup, fried mackerel, as well as some vegetables that were delicious but I couldn’t identify. Kid ate at the table with us, John going so far as to pull out a booster seat for him, and ate the same, thoroughly enjoying himself. Buddy was… picky, so I set him up with his normal supper. He did inhale the mackerel on the plate presented to him though.
Mackerel, I thought. An egg, like what I would expect, too. Haven’t seen hide nor hair of animals here, but… I guess they exist. I have a lot to learn about the ecosystem, apparently.
While eating dinner, we casually spoke until they inquired about the elephant in the room. They guessed I was about 20 (I was flattered), and wondered why I started my journey so late, politely asking. I corrected their age assumption (they were shocked, suffice to say), and shared what’s become my go-to story.
My story isn’t a lie, though I do omit some of the more absurd details. I’m not from Johto, and my daughter went missing. That there was never any evidence that suggested she was physically abducted, how long it’s been since she disappeared, and that I have no idea where to look, outside of affirming that I’m positive she isn’t anywhere back home. I came to Johto to look for her, and hopefully make some connections that can otherwise help me find her, and my tentative plan was to basically make fliers and go around all the major cities, asking for help.
Both John and Lisa were heartbroken at the thought, and after finishing up dinner, Lisa gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, tears dripping down her cheeks in sympathy. My eyes were misty in return. I had given a description of Taylor while we were eating, and she swore that the both of them would ask around in my place. I thanked the both of them, returning Lisa’s hug and giving John a firm handshake in gratitude, and left to complete the errands I hoped to tackle this evening with a motivated gait.
That was… good. The entire time we were at dinner, I kept having intrusive thoughts about what happened in Mount Mortar. I acted normally enough… I think? I hope so. I can’t get it out of my mind though, the way he struggled against my grip, and the blood coating the floor after Buddy…
Buddy, ruff, are you okay?
I look at Buddy, my thoughts interrupted. “What? Yeah, I’m fine. What’s up?”
Buddy Silas was breathing loud.
Buddy, you were making a sad face too.
“I… yeah. No. I’m fine,” I say, distraught that it was clear on my face. “Did I do that at dinner too? With John and Lisa?”
Ruff… I do not know.
Yeah, sometimes. Is it… because of your child? ‘Cuz she’s…not here, Buddy Silas?
“No.. well yes, that was bothering me at dinner,” I say. “I miss her, and I’m always worried about her… But right now, no, I was thinking of something else. It’s nothing though. Don’t worry.”
Buddy’s eyes twinkle through his fur and he nods at me, continuing onwards. Kid leans forward and gives my calf a quick hug and follows Buddy.
…So maybe I’m not okay
I shake my head and head towards the clothing shop I clocked earlier that day, hoping I can find a few things. We make it there in short enough order, though…. I’m asked to recall my Pokemon or leave them outside. I frown, but nod my head, and step outside to ask them what they want to do. Both express preferring to relax in their ball, and Buddy even tells me that if I’m just shopping in buildings, he can stay in the ball until I’m done. Kid nods and agrees.
I recall them both, and…feel strange, being on my own. I don’t think about it too much, and head inside. I take about half an hour, trying things on, and grabbing some necessities. Knowing I have the space in my handy-dandy bag of holding, I end up spending a little over one hundred dollars and getting five whole entire outfits, including fresh underwear and socks.
Thank you God.
A short walk later, I’m at Kricketune Wireless, spending a notable chunk of my reward money on a phone and a service plan. I’m given the option to pay ahead of time for my service contract, so I do so. It’s a real piece of work, though the terminology of the specs are unfamiliar to me. Things are different here, I’m reminded. It’s fast though, and I’m guaranteed service on all major Routes in both Johto and Kanto. I also spend a little extra for a case and a solar charger, which was rated to be efficient enough to charge the phone to full battery in direct sunlight in a single hour.
If the battery doesn’t have a low capacity, then man, that’s impressive.
My last stop is at the grocery store I spotted earlier, and I’m assisted by a gentleman about my age with picking up foodstuffs for Kid. It’s not that expensive, and he even advises a few flavoring packs that go with it so Kid doesn’t get burnt out on the same flavor. Very kind. I pick up some non-perishables as well for myself, as well as some other handy things, for when we have to camp out on the routes. A pot, pan, portable gas stove, and utensils. Everything I planned on picking up paid for, including my earlier purchases, and I’m down to just over half of what I started with. Not bad, I think, knowing I spent a lot of money in one go.. But also respecting that there’s not much else I need. Thanks Mark, you gave me way too much, and it helped me here too. I wouldn’t have had enough to get everything.
On my way out, I mention to the clerk that I’m in the market for grooming kits for my Pokemon, asking where I can go to pick something like that up. I’m referred to, with a grin, the Pokemart, which is right next to the Center. I’m a little embarrassed at not even noticing there was a store right next door after he tells me precisely where it is, but I thank him all the same and I’m soon on my way for my final stop.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
The sun has gone down, and I arrive at the Center around 7:30pm (according to my fancy new phone). I continue onward and see the very-obvious blue roof, approaching it and very clearly seeing the words “Poke-Mart” above the door, with the o replaced by the image of a Poke-ball.
Be more vigilant, Silas.
I step inside to see it flooded with teenagers. Well, maybe not flooded, but… maybe a dozen people? The interior is about twice the size that a large gas station would be, people and Pokemon alike wandering up and down the aisles. Reminded of my companions, I decide to step back outside for a moment to let Buddy and Kid out. They greet me, and we all head back inside to browse.
Okay, so there’s a lot of prepacked Pokemon food here, first and foremost. They have what I’ve already picked up for Kid, too, so that’s good to know, if I happen to need more in the future. Support small businesses though? Maybe I’ll check small grocery stores anyway. There’s a medicine aisle, with potions, antidotes, first aid kits, the works. I’m not in the market, thanks to Mark, so we walk past that quickly enough too. There’s a few clothes folded on shelves for trainers, a small selection of jeans, t-shirts, and thick socks. Again, I’m good…for now. I should have noticed this sooner so I could have seen that a Poke-mart basically has everything a trainer needs.. Oh well.
We soon find what I’m looking for, but they’re not grooming kits exactly. There’s a plethora of different shampoos, soaps, brushes, combs for all kinds of Pokemon. Lots of directions in advising what product would be good for particular Pokemon, I read the back of a few bottles and decide I need to check out Buddy and Kid to determine what exactly would be best for them.
After letting them know what I’m doing, I give Buddy a short little examination. I rub through his fur, trying to determine what keywords to best describe what I feel. The bulk of his coat on his body is soft, like what you’d expect on any other dog. The big tuft on his head and his tail, though.. They’re soft and floppy, but there’s paradoxically a strange degree of coarseness to it. Thinking about it, that’s probably the rock-type in him, so I nod and thank him, giving him pets.
I then pat Kid’s head, rub his back and feel his stomach and hands. He..hm. Parts of him feel smooth and cool to the touch. From context, I assume it’s a sort of natural armor his species has, and determine it’s some sort of naturally occurring metal, making a note of that. His body underneath, though, is rough, coarse, and warm. Hm… being a fire type, I have to make an assumption here. I conclude it’s likely some sort of mineral, perhaps coal, and begin to select items I’ll need.
A sort of wax for the metals, a wire brush for the body, and a dry soap for Kid. Both wet and dry shampoos and conditioners for Buddy, and two brushes, a soft and hard bristle each. Satisfied, we browse the rest of the store, finding nothing else we need or want, and go to check out. Getting in line behind two trainers, one of which has a Vulpix out with him, I passively scan over the products behind the counter. Pokeballs, Great Balls, Ultra Balls, and some other variants are available for sale. Little discs…tms?... are behind a glass door on a shelf with names and prices underneath. Double Team, Swift, and Charm are recognizable enough, but there’s also some like Chilling Water, Trailblaze, and Pounce, that I’ve never heard of before. They’re all affordable enough… well, that’s half true. I can afford them, and based off the prize money from the gyms, they’re easily attainable for trainers. But the most expensive of them is Swift at 2500. That’s about what I spent today on everything, and I got a lot of stuff. Shaking my head at the cost, I put it in the back of my mind, taking at step forward as the trainer with the Vulpix checks out and I move up in line. Continuing to peruse the shelves, I spot something that I have to do a double-take at, realizing it’s utility.
Flame Charge, 1500.
I’ve got no idea what determines what Pokemon are capable of learning, but my first thought is that both Buddy and Kid can use that. It’d also give the both of them a well-sought after stat boosting move, and the only time I can think of speed hurting someone is Trick Room. Now that I’ve thought that, I chuckle, thinking I probably jinxed it and I’ll face it soon enough, but… Hm. The next trainer checks out, and I’m up next.
“Evenin’, trainer!” I’m greeted by a twenty-something year old man, wearing a blue apron and a nametag that says Will. “Will that be all for ya?”
“Uh, maybe,” I say, putting my basket on the counter. “I’m not sure if my Pokemon can learn a certain move, is there a way I can determine that before purchasing a TM? I’m also curious if they’re single use. I’m new to this. Sorry, thanks.”
He pulls the items out of the basket, putting them on the counter and placing the basket behind the counter. He then leans down and pulls out a thick phone-book sized text, and opens it up midway. “Depends on the move. What move ya lookin’ at?”
“Flame Charge.”
“Flame Charge…. Yep, here,” he says, spinning the book and pointing at blocky text that says the name of the move. “Any Pokemon on that list is guaranteed to be capable of learning the TM. Anything not there, attempt at your own discretion.”
I thank him and look at the list. Charmander and its line, Vulpix, Growlithe… no note about Hisuian. Ponyta, Magmar, Flareon, Cyndaquil…. Slugma can? I’d love to see that. Houndour, Torchic, Numel, Torkoal, Chimchar, Tepig, Pansear, Blitzle, Darumaka, Litwick, Fennekin, Fletchling, Litleo, Litten, Pikipek, Salandit, Turtonator… There’s a few more entries after that, but I don’t recognize their names. There’s no Charcadet, Amarouge, Ceruledge, or verification that a Hisuian Growlithe can learn it, and I release a sigh.
“Not on the list,” I say. “Yeah, this’ll be it.”
“Mm. Sorry bout that,” he replies, closing the book and putting it away. “You’re welcome to try though. Uh, the Flame Charge copies we have on sale aren’t TMs actually, they’re TRs. The TMs are reusable to an extent, but the TRs are one and done. We take returns if you wanna give it a shot and it fails, since it’ll still work.”
Hmmm… single use. Well.. what with how Ember worked earlier and Kid improved his skill after watching Buddy, I wonder if one can teach the other? “Yeah, I’d like to give it a shot,” I decide.
He smiles and nods, turning around to unlock the display and grabs a disc out. “Gonna need a reader? You said you were new.”
“Uh, I don’t know if I have one, so… what is it exactly?”
“It reads the TMs and TRs, syncs up to your pokeballs so they can learn the move,” he explains, opening up another display a few feet away and grabbing a sealed box with a picture of what looks like those old portable CD players on it. “Real easy. Got one? Or do you need one?”
“I’ll need it,” I say. “How much though? I don’t see a price.”
“100 alongside the purchase of a TM or TR,” he says, walking back to the counter. “500 on it’s own though.” He sets it down and starts scanning the care products and the TM. “So yeah?”
“Yes please, thank you.”
“No prob.”
With a total just a little under 1700, I pay for everything and thank the clerk again, leaving the store with a bag full of shiny new things, Buddy, and Kid in tow, returning back to the Pokemon center.
After talking to Buddy and Kid, I decide to get them checked out, and I turn them both in to the nurse on duty. I go up to my room, and start playing with the new toy, trying to figure out how it’ll work. It seems simple enough, syncing up with a ball and leaving the disc to run while they’re synced up for about ten minutes. I always wondered how that worked. I’ll get to that when Buddy and Kid are back. I take a shower, put on my (new!) pajamas, and start to organize all of todays purchases in the Devon bag of holding, with Buddy and Kid being brought up to me as I’m wrapping up. Thanking the Chansey on duty, she salutes with a you fuckin got it, dude! and she waddles off. Maybe all Chansey’s cuss like sailors.
I explain the TR process to Buddy and Kid, and then explain what new move I bought. Both of them are excited, and they both are confident that it would work on them after I mention that I don’t know if they can actually learn it, based off the book. Giving it the old college try though, I tell them that I’d like to give Buddy a shot first, and that if it works, we can’t use it again. He has experience, albeit only a little, with helping Kid with moves and I’m hoping he could teach it to Kid if it’s successful. I also mention that different types of Growlithe were said to be able to learn it, so odds are higher it’ll work with him. Buddy stands proud, and taps his nose to his ball, recalling himself. Kid looks totally pumped up, expressing his excitement for being able to learn from Buddy again and, as he said, goin fast as heck, boy!
I sync up the ball with the reader, and set them down on the bedside table. I sit down on the floor, leaning against the wall with my backpack beside me, and wave Kid over. I pull out all the grooming goodies, and knowing what they’re for, he skips to me in excitement. It takes us.. A lot longer than the TR takes to stop spinning, that’s for sure. But we’ve flaked off some dead skin (I really do think it’s coal now), and his skin feels far less rough. His armor is shining beautifully too, and I swear the flame on his head got a little taller. I rub his head, chuckling and dismissing him, and he prances around the bed with his arms in the air in enjoyment.
I release Buddy directly onto the bed, taking the reader in my other hand. I open it up, and… well. I sure hope it worked. The top of the disc was originally fairly blank, only saying the name of the move in big, bold letters, and the bottom of the disc looked just like the back of a normal CD. The bottom, now though… is black. Pitch black. That’s not returnable.
“You think it worked?” I ask Buddy, sighing and putting the TR back in its sleeve. “Looks like the disc broke, so…”
Ruff! Buddy, you said… I would be on fire, and I would run fast and hit another Pokemon? And I would get faster, Buddy? Yes?
“Yeah. But like, don’t do that if you think you can. Not in the room.”
Aroooo! Yes, Buddy! I think I can do it! No, I know I can!
“Awesome, that’s awesome,” I say with a smile, patting him on the head. “We can get a little early morning training in tomorrow so you can get the hang of it.”
Yes!
Awwwwwww but I wanna learn it too, Buddy Silas! Buddy, show me how to do it!
Ruff.. Kid, Buddy just said not to do it in the room, ruff.
But… please? Tomorrow, Buddy?
“Sorry Kid,” I say, maintaining my grin but giving a sad expression. “We have that battle in the afternoon, and I don’t know enough about this to promise we can get it down in time. I can’t promise he can teach it tomorrow, but you can watch him practice and you can try to copy him. Deal?”
Deal!
“Good, good,” I say. “Buddy, ‘mere. Bath time.”
…Bath? Me, Buddy?
“Yes bro did you not pay attention? I made it perfectly clear we were getting things for you. I already cleaned up Kid.”
Kid is not wet, ruff.
“Kid didn’t need a bath,” I tell him.
Then why do I?
“...Seriously? You guys are different. You have fur, Kid doesn’t.”
…I do not like this, ruff.
Awwwwwwwwwwwww Buddy, are you scared of water?
I am not scared of water, Kid! Ruff…
“For real, are you really that opposed to it?” I ask Buddy, tilting my head. “I know you’re like, a fire and rock type, and that water is effective against those types, so if it’s that bad, then I won’t. But I always thought it was like an energy thing, like it had to come from a Pokemon to hurt.”
Ruff… yes. It is a type thing, Buddy. Ruff…ruff.
Nuh uh, I can get in the water, it doesn’t hurt, Buddy! I’m fire too!
Noting his literal fire hairdo, my eyes widen a little. “Can you? Really?”
Yep! Mom made me sometimes. It was okay.
“Huh,” I hum. “Well, Buddy?”
…..fine.
Buddy had a bath. He enjoyed it immensely, and loved the attention afterwards from all the brushing.
Kid was fast asleep with his entire body on the pillow of the bed by the time I was done brushing Buddy, and the pupper in question was yawning while I wrapped up. I gave him a pat on the head, affirming he was finished, and he didn’t hesitate to jump up on the bed, nestling down next to the pillow. I smile, looking at my clean Pokemon, worn out after a long day of work. I’m reminded of taking Taylor out for errands when she was young… She’d fall asleep at dinner, the tyke, all worn out. I miss her so much. I sigh in contemplation, and sit down at the desk, winding down for bed.
I do have one more thing to do before bed, though. It’s a little before 9pm, so it should still be early enough… I pull a piece of paper out of my backpack, tap in the hastily scribbled number, and hit the “call” button at the bottom, the phone camera opening up and showing my face as it rings.