Seated where he was directly in front of the podium, Sam could see Paul’s face clearly. The once farmhand had a tiny patch of gray hairs in his beard and the beginnings of a bit of a belly. His shoulders and arms still held muscle that could only have been gained from hard work, but the calluses on his broad hands were not as prominent as they once were. Like Sam, Paul had undergone small changes that made him look older and more refined as the years went by. He had thrown himself into the work that came with a League presence and had made himself invaluable as Pallet Town grew. It all had started with merely being present at Town Hall meetings then occasionally chiming in with ideas of his own. As folks took these suggestions and implemented them, Paul would eventually get roped into running the projects. Soon the man spent more time talking to contractors and organizing new building efforts than he did helping around the farm.
Luckily by this time Sam had grown up enough to take on the abandoned duties. At first Sam had relished the opportunity to finally be able to drive the tractor, but the novelty and excitement had worn off quickly. At the end of the day, it was still work. But Sam felt obliged to do it. His grandfather’s eyesight wasn’t quite all that it once was and he was moving slower the older Sam got. There was even some talk about parceling up most of the fields and selling them. Maybe they could hire a new farmhand or two, but the subsidies on wheat had gone down as well. Any salaries would just cut into the bottom line and there was a seemingly never ending slew of repairs to be done on the machinery and repairs cost money. They already had needed to dip into Sam’s college fund when one of the barn walls fell. Now he only had enough to afford maybe two years.
Things were changing, and changing rapidly.
“I'm honored to address you today.” Paul’s voice rang through the microphone. “I had a laugh contemplating who declined to speak before me; surely you could have found someone a bit more eloquent.” A wry chuckle rippled through the crowd. “It took me much longer than you’d probably expect to come up with something to say. I’m not really one for public speaking, and I still can hardly think of myself as a leader in this community. For those who didn’t know, I grew up in Pewter. A much bigger place, and a whole lot less personal. Not like here. Not like Pallet Town. The very fact that you all have welcomed me and now count me as one of your own is something that I take pride in. Much like these new young adults, I have been molded by this place.”
There was a smattering of applause. “When I look at these young men and women I don’t just see the kids that I had to chase after for chucking a practice balls through MacGinnis’ window, nor do I just see kids who all too frequently bit off more they could chew in the forests and had to be bailed out by our local Rattata. No, what I see are people who have grown, and more than just grown up. I see people who have volunteered their time building and hauling, taught each other and supported one another, and have found their own places within the community just like I have. We may be small, here in Pallet, but we’re close. All of these newly minted young adults are only graduating from the schoolyard. Now that you’ve reach this point, it is only natural that you evolve past your base forms as children into your next stage. Remember the trials you’ve faced and apply the lessons learned from them in your careers and relationships.” Paul looked directly at Sam as he continued. “Even if life takes you far afield, remember where you’ve come from and what home has done for you. Savor these moments of transition, because one day one of you will likely be up here instead of me. Hopefully sooner rather than later, have I mentioned that I don’t care for public speaking? My legs are practically jelly right now.” Many of the older folks guffawed heartily as Paul shot the crowd a wry grin. “Now, ladies and gentlemen and Pokemon of Pallet Town, I present to you the graduating class!”
Sam waited as names were called; he and the other ACE Trainers would be last. He watched as they marched solemnly up the stairs to be presented with a simple certificate and a round of handshakes from Paul, Miss Brunch, his Grandfather, and a few League representatives. It was a strange sight seeing the reps up on the stage with their stiff collars and starched and pressed dress shirts. The League truly had their fingers in every pot now. A few of the oldest generation had complained that their presence would only bring harm to Pallet Town and drive small businesses into the ground. To their credit, a few smaller shops had closed, but all of them because the folks running them retired rather than being forced out of competition. Sam had heard some rumors of these shopkeepers having been bought out by the League to make way for the not-so-shiny-new PokeMart, but dismissed them. All of the folks who closed had no children, and only sold some niche products like ink blocks and handmade paper. While a small part of Sam would miss the familiar shops, most of him was grateful that the smell of charcoal and bleach wouldn’t assault him everytime he wanted to stroll down the boardwalk.
It was Aggie’s turn to ascend the stage. Her eyes sparkled in the sunlight and she flashed a huge smile as she took her certificate. Golden rays of sunshine highlighted her blonde hair as she turned to face her mother for a picture. Maude Smith’s grip on the disposable camera was shaky as tears of happiness ran down her face. A flash of annoyance briefly crossed Aggie’s face, but it was gone so quickly that if Sam didn’t know the girl better he’d have thought he had only imagined it. Even dressed in red hakama and white kosode, Aggie struck a casual leaned back pose with arms on her hips. As Sam watched her practically flounce down the stairs on the opposite end of the podium, he could feel his gaze being drawn to just down large her eyes looked and how red her lips were. He blinked. It seemed that Maude had convinced her to put on a little makeup. He hadn’t noticed in the comparable darkness of the schoolhouse, but out here in the sunlight the difference was striking. He blinked again. He hadn’t really ever thought about Aggie as a girl before, but the sudden realization was breathtaking. Aggie must have noticed his stare because the image was promptly ruined by her usual smirk and a stuck out tongue.
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Some things, he supposed, would never change.
Paul cleared his throat and a high pitched whine make the crowd wince as he spoke up again. “Now, as you all know, the Youngsters program has been quite a hit among our children. They get the opportunity to expand their classroom learning with more hands-on experiences and even some mock Trainer battles. Being Den Master has been both a treat and an honor as I have had the opportunity to watch our kids grow in the program. Additionally, thanks to our local Pokemon friends and their invaluable contributions, no one who wanted to participate has been without a partner. Please take a moment to say thank you to our Rattata friends!” Paul waited for the applause to die down then continued. “The capstone of this program is something that many of you have become quite familiar with. Not an easy task! To qualify for the Achievement of Character Excellence, or ACE, children must complete a full set of Youngster badges in skills such as survival, first aid, and community service. To top things off, they must plan, execute, and complete a project to provide the community with a service or installation that will provide ongoing benefit. Three of our own have done just that and will be awarded with ACE designation along with their diplomas today. Please hold your applause until the ceremony is complete.”
Sam, Grant, and Obediah stood as one.
“Grant Cheery. Samuel Himada. Obediah Himura. Please step forward.”
As one the three young men marched up the steps and stood on the little taped x’s on the stage.
“Grant Cheery, you are hereby presented with your ACE designation having completed the duties and requirements of its station. Wear this badge with honor and pride.” Paul pinned a bronze circle with a green leaf stylized like a Pokeball upon the boy’s chest and then his diploma.
“Samuel Himada, you are hereby presented with your ACE designation having completed the duties and requirements of its station. Wear this badge with honor and pride.” Sam received his own pin, then his own diploma.
“Obediah Himura, you are hereby presented with your ACE designation having completed the duties and requirements of its station. Wear this badge with honor and pride.” Sam could tell that Obediah was trying very hard not to stare at the emblem on his chest as he nearly fumbled the paper in his hands.
“Gentlemen! The Youngster’s Oath!”
As one the three young men belted out the familiar refrain. “The Youngster’s Oath!
On my honor, I will be the very best.
I will perform do my duty to community and my Pokemon and to obey the Youngster’s Law:
To help other people at all times.
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
Paul’s back was ramrod straight as he heel-turned and faced the crowd. “Ladies, Gentlemen, Pokemon of Pallet Town. Your very first ACE Trainers stand before you. Do you accept their oath?”
The cheers that erupted gave Sam shivers that tingled down his spine and left Pidgey-bumps on his skin. Even as he descended the stairs and into the arms of his Grandfather who still had the strength to lift him high into the air, Sam could feel the near electric sensation that came with a crowd cheering for him. It was a strange thing, being honored for just having fun. He would have earned all of those badges even if it hadn’t come with the ACE. Sam could feel his cheeks warm as his own brilliant smile refused to budge off his face. Even the sudden appearance of a reporter from the Pewter Gazette pestering him with questions didn’t put a damper on his face. He dodged the questions and suggested that Grant would be a better target for the reporter’s attention as he made his way to where Sally stood with his mother’s urn. Sam’s smile remained despite the tears as he spoke to his now departed mother.
“Look mom. I’ve graduated. I’m an adult now.”
His voice broke as he hugged the urn. There had been signs that Mirabelle Himada might be making a comeback, little things like a smile or a gripped hand had given Sam hope. But her weakened body had succumbed to a sudden fever that had ripped through the town three years ago. Sam had wept bitterly that day as hope left just as quickly as it had come. It had been like losing her a second time and only her final whispered words had given him enough strength to fight on.
“Be safe, Sammy.”
Sam felt slender arms wrap around his waist. Aggie’s hair smelled like sunshine and meadow flowers. She wept too.