Chapter 24

OPEN WATER

Sing me something that’ll bring me to my knees

That’ll put my mind at ease

Please tell me anything

We can build this like a dream

Let’s make believe, just you and me

If your love is like a dream, don’t wake me up

It’s hard enough to face the world alone

- Blessthefall

I

The sunlight played upon the shards of glass surrounding Seth, casting sparkling glimpses of light that illuminated the corpses and blood strewn around him. The deafening cheers for his victories seemed to encase the stadium as he and Primeape took slow, deliberate steps closer to Ditto's still form. Seth glanced at the body of a spectator to his left who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Broken glass lay scattered at their feet as he closed the gap between them and Ditto. Ditto's body lay face down, resembling a lighter shade puddle of blood blending with numerous others staining the battlefield.

"Thank you so much," Seth's voice stuttered out as he recovered from the surge of adrenaline. He picked up Ditto, whose body barely held together, feeling like a bag of water with a hole in, as more blood dripped out from the left side of his body. "You saved me, you saved Erin."

Primeape assumed a defensive stance in front of Seth as two Team Rocket members, dressed in their usual black garments, flanked an official-looking man in a white suit with a small "R" logo on his left suit jacket pocket. His formal attire seemed at odds with his disheveled bright blue hair. "Congratulations, Mr. Conklin! My name is Archer," he said, stepping over Misty's smashed body as if it were a minor hindrance. "On behalf of Team Rocket, here are your winnings." He produced a sleek black money pouch adorned with a bright red "R" pinning down the flap. Seth accepted it, noticing five bundles of bills, each marked with a 10,000 denomination.

"We hope to see you again next year," Archer said cheerfully, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding carnage, which had accumulated over six days of bloodshed. Seth stood there in disbelief, cradling Ditto's lifeless body in one arm while holding the money in the other as more cheers rained down from above. They turned away, and Primeape relaxed as Seth's fatigued face turned towards Archer.

"Come on, let's go and let Erin say goodbye to Ditto." They turned around and began to make their way toward the competitor's entrance, located in the now deteriorating concrete wall.

The walk to the infirmary felt almost instantaneous; Seth was so lost in thought, juggling the task of explaining Ditto's death and dealing with Sarah's presence. As he pushed open the infirmary door, Erin ran to his father, tears streaming down his face. Emily placed a hand over her mouth, shocked and disbelieving, as she moved closer to him. They all held each other, oblivious to the room around them. Erin took Ditto from his father's arms, and a torrent of emotions—sadness, gratitude, and happiness—overwhelmed them in an emotional outpour that consumed the entire infirmary.

"Ditto saved me, Erin," Seth said, tears still flowing. "You should have seen it. It was incredible."

II

The following day passed quietly, aside from a brief trip to the Galley. A few people offered their congratulations to Seth outside, but he remained unresponsive to the inquiries and questions directed at him. While the ship buzzed with life outside, with affluent passengers celebrating the conclusion of the event, Seth, Erin, and Emily kept to themselves, staying by Beth's side. Beth continued to ask for her father, her memory seemingly clouded by intermittent waves of reality. Relief washed over them like a tide when the ship sounded its horn as it neared Fuchsia City. Seth seized his father's and Emily's hands, coaxing them outside to catch their first glimpse of their destination.

As Fuchsia City unfurled before them, a sense of disappointment settled in. It was starkly different from the towering cities that housed the renowned gym leaders, a point of pride for the Kanto region. At first glance, the eye was drawn to the reddish-brown dirt pathways that wound between the buildings and snaked upwards. Shinden-zukuri architecture, characterized by its intricate design, scattered the landscape in an almost haphazard fashion, as if carved into a hillside and cascading down towards the ocean.

However antique and unique Fuchsia appeared at first glance, the unmistakable Team Rocket’s outer wall loomed tall, rising from the short beach and scaling the hill, firmly imposing the organization's influence on the city's old aesthetics.

"Fuck me," Emily hissed, her words escaping between clenched teeth. She stared at the sight before them with disbelief. "They're dropping us off right in the city. What the hell am I going to do without a valid ID or a name that hasn't long expired for taxes?"

"When we got on—" Seth began, but his words were abruptly drowned out by the blaring horn, causing Vulpix to growl and bare her teeth in a defensive stance. As the ship approached Fuchsia City, still ancient but beautifully preserved, Seth tried to continue his explanation. "When we got on, they mentioned some problem with the files in Celadon City. I guess, given the uprising there, they're accepting peoples’ claims until the city's recaptured."

"And if that doesn't work?" Emily's grip on the railing tightened as the ship cut through the water, now only minutes away from docking.

"We'll have to figure something out," Seth replied.

"That's a lousy plan, Seth."

"Do you have a better one?" he retorted.

She glanced down at Erin, offering him a reassuring smile. "No."

"Come on, let's go get Beth." Seth added, as he picked up his son and left the sprawling city behind the closed door. They hurried up and got Beth, still wearing the stent, and their belongings. Dr. Proctor seemed utterly relieved to be rid of them. Without saying goodbye to him, they made their way to the main deck, greeted by a horde of passengers buzzing about the incredible voyage and eagerly anticipating next year's trip. It took all of Seth's self-control not to unleash his anger on them.

To their relief, no one was checking IDs, and the landing led them straight into the heart of the city. Emily couldn't help but think that it was because no Kantoian from outside a major city could afford such a trip, making the whole process a colossal waste of time. For the first time in her life, she was ecstatic about entering a major city.

The initial disappointment of Fuschia quickly gave way to the breathtaking beauty of the town that terraced into the hillside. Each step revealed an antique-like compound, which ascended to the highest point of the city where the largest building stood, surrounded by a plethora of trees. The buildings themselves were a blend of classic and modern, melding traditional aesthetics with contemporary functionality. Sliding paper doors, or fusuma, graced each building, while the streets wound their way through the city, flanked by small shops with colorful banners and intricate lanterns, all against the backdrop of ancient temples and serene gardens.

Seth had to gently pull Emily away from the mesmerizing sights, reminding her to keep moving as they searched for Khadijah Clayton, a friend of Beth's father.

"Khadijah!" Seth's voice echoed amidst the crowd pouring into Fuchsia City's docks, but there was no immediate response. Panic surged within him as minutes dragged by. What would they do if no one came for her? Finally, a short woman, significantly older than Seth and Emily, stood holding a sign that read 'Foster'.

"Where's Liam?" she asked bluntly, scanning the crowd, but the somber expressions on their faces, especially Beth's, conveyed the answer. "Right. Do you have the money for her?"

"Money?" Seth echoed, puzzled.

"He promised to provide the taxes due this year and the next to take care of Beth if I agreed to care for her."

To Emily's surprise, Seth didn't protest. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two small bundles of neatly bound $10,000 bills. "Erin, say goodbye to Beth." Khadijah knelt down and Erin gave Beth an awkward hug in her new caretaker's arms. He gave her a grin that seemed to infect her. It amazed Seth sometimes that no matter the mood, circumstances, human or Pokemon, Erin’s demeanor just drew you in and refused to let go until you met his dimpled smile with your own smile.

"Goodbye, Beth!" Erin said energetically, as Khadijah lifted the young girl the short distance to her height.

"Goodbye," Beth responded softly, waving weakly, and she disappeared into the bustling crowd.

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"I'm fucking starving, and I smell like shit!" Emily exclaimed, turning her attention back to Seth.

"As usual, your point?" Seth responded with a small smirk playing on his lips.

"Take me out to dinner and get me a room, moneybags," she said, playfully shoving him.

"Daddy, can I ride Noivern?" Erin asked, bouncing up and down and reaching for the Poké Balls on his father's belt.

"Um no," Seth replied, grabbing a different Poké Ball from the front of his belt. "But you can ride Torterra." With the emergence of a red light and Torterra's substantial form, the crowd made way for them like a procession, cutting through the bustling city. Erin led the way, perched atop Torterra's back, his face lit up with excitement.

III

The day came and went, its hours marked by the shifting hues of the Fuchsia City sky as it transitioned from dawn to dusk. Emily's impatience finally got the better of her, and she impulsively picked the first restaurant she laid her eyes on. Once there, she embarked on a culinary journey that left Seth genuinely concerned. She seemed determined to eat to the point where it seemed like she might have to physically push more food down her throat just to make room for additional bites.

As they ventured through the city, it felt like they had stepped into an endless festival. Street vendors had set up shop on nearly every available inch of the meandering dirt paths. Seth couldn't help but notice one particular elderly vendor with a Smeargle companion who specialized in selling decorative masks. Erin, fell in love with a vibrant Flapple mask, and when his father said no, it ignited one of the most spectacular temper tantrums Emily had ever seen from him. A few moments later, Erin was bouncing up and down on Torterra's sturdy back, wearing his makeshift Flapple mask, and accompanied by Vulpix.

Sarah, like a persistent shadow, seemed to appear on every street corner. She bore the visible scars of injuries, both her own and those Seth attributed to his actions. However, her incessant attempts at guilt-tripping couldn't dull the joy that Seth felt while exploring the city with his family. Emily briefly mentioned Brian, but she quickly halted her words, as if she didn't want to taint the day's festivities with the memories of their shared trauma. The sting of that loss still ran deep, a constant reminder of Seth's perceived failure to protect those he cared about.

Upon entering their hotel room at the end of the day, they found it spacious and welcoming. The warm water of the shower was a necessity after a day filled with exploration. The fact that there was only one bed meant that both Emily and Seth had to tolerate Erin's restless movements throughout the night. Despite this minor discomfort, Seth couldn't deny the comforting atmosphere of the room and the restful sleep they enjoyed, despite the occasional intrusion of nightmares.

IV

"Dad, who are you going to use?" Erin asked with infectious enthusiasm, determined to keep pace with Seth and Emily. The reddish dirt path they trod wound its way around the hill, leading them halfway up to the second-largest building in the city.

"What type does he use?" Seth inquired of his son, curious to see if Erin had remembered.

"Um, I don't know," Erin admitted with an exaggerated shrug.

"Yes, you do, come on," Seth encouraged, a smile tugging at his lips. Erin's curly hair danced in the wind, which carried the crispness of winter's end and the promise of warm spring days.

"Poison!" Erin declared triumphantly.

"Good job. So, who should your dad use?" Emily chimed in.

"Well, Poison doesn't work on Steel types, right?" Erin pondered aloud.

"Yup," Seth confirmed.

"So, Metang?" Erin suggested, seeking his father's approval.

"That sounds like a great plan, buddy," Seth praised, and Erin beamed, his excitement propelling him forward as they approached the large, open stadium surrounded by ancient buildings. Statues stood proudly along the main path leading to the gym, their forms majestic against the backdrop of the blue ocean and the spring breeze that rustled the city.

"Emily," Seth said, catching her attention after she had been captivated by the stunning architecture ahead. "If this looks like it's going to get violent, will you take Erin?"

"Of course," she replied flatly, her hair dancing wildly in the breeze.

"Also, could I borrow Lairon?"

She handed over the red and white Pokéball from her belt with a patient nod.

"Take good care of him, okay?" Emily requested firmly, as he accepted the Pokéball.

The gym's interior was, to put it mildly, imposing. As the sun began its descent in the west, the looming figures of Poison-type Pokémon, Nidoking and Toxicroak, gazed down at them. Upon pushing open the gym doors, they were greeted by a ceiling nearly shrouded in trees, creating a floral canopy that allowed intermittent streams of sunlight to filter through. The dirt path outside continued on inside as if the builders just forgot to make an interior. They walked inside the round walls encircling the wilderness and continued past the dirt and into grass leaving memories of their footprints as Krictune sounds buzzed wildly from the trees as they ventured further into the gym.

"Dad," Erin said, a note of concern in his voice as he clutched his father's hand while navigating the forested path.

"It's okay, bud. Vulpix is watching over you," Seth reassured him, keeping a watchful eye on his Pokémon leading the way.

After a couple minutes of winding through the dense trees, the greenery finally gave way to a rectangular open space entirely covered in grass. Three imposing oak trees sprouted sporadically from the ground, continuing to obstruct the sun's rays from fully illuminating the interior of the gym.

"Is this usually how this goes?" Emily asked, taking in the eerie scenery. The air began to take a stale musty smell to it. It appeared to be designed to be intriguing and beautiful, but a sinister darkness had enveloped the entire building, making it feel as if thousands of eyes were peering at their every movement, causing goosebumps to infest their entire bodies.

"No," Seth replied, walking around the battlefield, trying to find answers to the seemingly unexplained emptiness while holding tightly to Erin's hand.

"Hello!" Emily yelled loudly. "Is there anyone here?" Suddenly, huge puffs of smoke materialized out of nowhere with a bang like fireworks. The smell of smoke burned as they inhaled it burning their throats.. Seth immediately grabbed Erin, holding him tight as flames burst out from Vulpix, randomly burning the flora as she desperately tried to find the attacker. Red light flooded in front of Seth as Primeape materialized in front of him when he pressed the button in the middle of his Pokéball.

"Boo," a loud, young voice came from behind Emily, causing her to scream and turn around wildly, attempting to strike. However, her hand was caught by a second person behind her, and Erin was screaming loudly in his father's arms.

"Whoo, I'm sorry. We're not going to hurt you. Promise," said the older voice as his grip softly released Emily's wrist. While the sound of Erin's sobs persisted, the smell of smoke began to fade as they noticed two people now backing away from Emily. The first person Seth noticed was a tall, lanky man wearing a black Keikogi with a tight red scarf that covered and hid his face below his eyes. What looked even more out of place was the similarly dressed person to his left, who was half his height with purple hair tied tightly behind her head.

"I'm Koga, the gym leader. This is my daughter, Janine."

"What the actual fuck, man!" Emily yelled. "What if I attacked you or worse, her!"

"Well, for one, you tried," he said plainly, "but my daughter here is going through a ninja phase, and she really wants to practice. Unfortunately, we don't get many visitors anymore." Janine removed her mask, smiling. She was only a little older than Erin, possibly seven or eight, but she was brimming with energy as she ran around them. "Are you both challenging me?"

"I am," Seth replied, still holding Erin, who had calmed down considerably.

Koga stared at Seth for a moment, which seemed to stretch on as he scrutinized every feature from head to toe, as if trying to decipher a riddle with the answer somewhere on Seth's body. "What's your name, friend?" Finally, he said kindly, trying hard to dispel the tension he had caused.

"Seth Conklin."

"Interesting. Do you have a father who died in the war?" Koga asked, walking closer to Seth and examining his features.

"Who didn't?" Seth replied with growing frustration.

"This man, his name was Edward, had a Rhydon. He had a similar beard to yours, never long, but always enough to notice," Koga continued, rubbing his chin in deep thought.

"Yeah, that's him. What, did you know him?" Seth asked thoughtlessly, rubbing his beard.

"He saved my life at Mt. Silver," Koga answered with a smile.

"What - how - how is that possible?" Janine made her way up to Erin, tugging on his shoe to get him to come play with her. Seth absentmindedly set him down without even bothering to see if he wanted to or not.

"I was a Captain in the war; your dad was one of my men in my Company. I can tell you everything if you want, but first, let's discuss this battle," Koga reassured him. The kids were now running around the tree, throwing small white bags no bigger than the tip of his fingers, creating a loud pop when they hit the ground. "I have been wanting to have Janine practice some gym fights, since she will most likely take over for me. What do you say, your kid versus mine?"

"Um," Seth didn't know what to say. He couldn't risk the continuation of this quest by having Erin battle, could he?

"I will make you a deal. If your boy loses, then me and you will have an actual battle. Deal?" Koga assured, as if reading his mind.

"Erin, come here," The intermittent pops ceased as his son came running to him. "Want to do this gym battle?"

His face lit up brighter than Seth had ever seen. "Oh my gosh! Emily, Vulpix! I'm gonna fight this gym battle! I am going to fight this gym battle!" Emily smiled at the energetic boy who was now running in meandering circles around them.

"Does your boy, Erin, was it? have any Pokémon?" Koga asked, watching Erin's excitement.

"Yeah, three," Seth replied.

"Janine has four can he borrow one of your guys?” Koga asked.

“Yeah of course.” Seth responded.

“ Janine!" Koga yelled authoritatively. "You're gonna battle for me."

"Yes, sir!" She said, grabbing her Pokéballs from her hips and releasing them in front of her. Venipede Spinarak, Skorupi, and Golbat took the field, looking at their trainer. "Alright, guys, remember our training. We got this!"

Seth walked over and placed the Pokéballs in his son's hands, then knelt down to eye level. "You got this, buddy. You have trained these guys way more than I have ever done." Seth couldn't help but smile at his completely electrified son. "Win or lose, you will be amazing."

Seth walked back toward Koga, leaving Erin on the right side of the battlefield.

"Appreciate you doing this for me," Koga said to Seth, walking up towards him. "She can get a bit competitive. Apologies in advance."

Seth looked at Janine and her Pokémon, with the exception of Golbat, small and in front of her, attempting to look intimidating. "Nah, it's good. I think he'll be alright."

Red light flooded in front of Erin, and Torterra, Noivern, Lairon and Metang emerged, taking the field in contrast to Janine's Pokémon.

"My lord," Koga said disbelievingly, quickly met with Seth and Emily's chuckles as they watched with pride from the sidelines.