Conia is already waving from a distance as I approach the submarine. In the darkness, she’s barely visible. We’ve all returned on our own – which means everyone used their Flying-type Pokémon while I had to walk back. The muscles in my thighs are burning and part of me wants to throw myself into a corner and not have to move another toe. The rest of me drags myself straight over to Conia.
“I assume the other two are already inside?” I gasp at the same moment I reach her.
“They are.” She glances briefly at the heavy metal. “Zir’s sat down at the controls and Amethio ... isn’t talking much at the moment. Losing again has ... ruined his mood.”
A curt sound of understanding escapes my throat as I follow her inside the submarine, listening to my echoing footsteps before we stride into the control room. Amethio is missing.
“We’re all set?” Zir eyes me briefly before turning to Conia. Her barely perceptible nod elicits the same reaction from him. It is time-honoured understanding they share without a single unnecessary word. Almost as if all the audible statements are just for me, so I don’t stand awkwardly on the sidelines.
Inwardly, I shake off the thought before sliding down the wall to the floor and taking a breath. “What’s the next destination? Are we still going after the Rising Volt Tacklers?”
“Unova,” Zir replies without turning to face me. “Conia and I could attach a few small tracking devices with a camera function to the Volt Tacklers’ ship. That way, we know where they’re going. Until they do something suspicious, we’ll follow Hamber’s orders.”
Our original goal comes back into focus. Unova’s headquarters, my uniform, a look behind the scenes of this organisation – thousands of ideas that seem awfully small in the face of the tasks we’re leaving behind. Terapagos is still in the hands of our opponents. They could cause a catastrophe at any time if they find out how to use this Pokémon properly. Yet Hamber’s calm seems to influence me. He wasn’t too worried about not getting his hands on the legendary Pokémon today. Presumably, our rivals are still a long way from solving the mystery surrounding Terapagos.
Snorting, I put my head in my hands. I understand far too little about all this to give it any serious thought. It’s better to trust the others and concentrate on what’s in front of me. It’s better to work with that than with worries that have no added value.
As I force myself to my feet again, Conia glances in my direction. She seems to be waiting for something, a decision or a question, and I can’t help but give her a crooked smile. “I’m going to get some fresh air. We’re probably not diving, are we?”
She doesn’t answer, just nods, before turning back to her screen and noting a few words. Probably a report for the files, so Hamber can get a better overview of what happened. I watch her for a little longer than necessary before I actually turn away and make my way to the ladder that will get me out of here. But as soon as I grab the metal rods and look up, the unclouded view of the sky doesn’t fit into my world. The hatch is open, even though I’ve pulled it shut behind Conia, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d be worried about an intruder. But fact is, there’s only one person on this ship who might be up there, and I don’t know if it’s wise to join him now. I could turn round and go to my cabin instead. The room is cramped, but it’s enough to get some rest and not annoy anyone.
My hands clench tighter around the metal. It would be a better decision to move and leave Amethio in peace, but I want to see him. The desire to look him in the face and understand what’s going on inside him right now boils under my skin, pushing me forward and forcing me to climb the ladder slowly.
The exit draws closer with every breath. It only takes a little further, two last steps, for me to join him. But my movements stop immediately when I recognise Ceruledge’s inaudible murmur and Amethio’s voice reaches down to me in a soft tone.
“I... I have to solve this mystery...” He sounds as if he is about to collapse under the weight of his tasks. Timid, vulnerable, nowhere near his usual rigidity. “I need those answers.”
It would be far too easy to show up now, corner him, and pry until he reveals all his thoughts to me. Instead, I remain in my position and start counting seconds. Two full minutes of crushing silence and the wind from the outside world cooling my skin. Only then do I push myself through the opening, careful to pretend I haven’t noticed a thing.
“Hey.” It’s a stupid, terribly inappropriate greeting. It just doesn’t find a place between us – not here and now. Yet it’s all I can think of.
“Do you need anything?” There’s nothing left of the soft sound of his voice. To me, he is simply the Amethio he always portrays. A little hard with his words and not interested in getting into topics unrelated to our mission.
“No,” I mutter quietly. “I just wanted to get some air.”
In slow steps, I push myself in his direction, my hands clasped behind my back and my gaze fixed on the starry sky. Thousands of lights draw uneven images above us, as if they are creating their own universe for us to observe and admire from down here. In Alola, I paid no attention to the art behind them. Now, at Amethio’s side, I can indulge in this tranquillity.
“Do you have a plan after we dock in Unova?” After a few breaths, I turn to him. “Or are we waiting for Hamber’s next decision?”
“As soon as the circumstances arise, we’ll continue hunting Rayquaza and take possession of Terapagos.”
“Which of the two has priority?”
“Rayquaza.”
He doesn’t have to think twice about my question. For him, it’s clear who he wants to devote himself to and which task lingers secondarily in the back of his mind. As I told Hamber, he won’t give up on this mysterious Pokémon. Not today, not tomorrow. And I can hardly imagine what would have to happen for him to change his mind about it. Hamber’s words don’t hold water for me right now. Still, I am prepared to follow Amethio. For now.
The silence of unspoken words circles around us. We both look at the world in front of us, the sea – glittering under the moonlight – and the devouring blackness at the edge of the horizon. We both see the same thing and yet I am certain our thoughts could hardly be more different. He certainly doesn’t think about how beautiful the sky sparkles and how the night changes our surroundings. He probably finds comfort in the sight of this image; a kind of solitude reminding of how sometimes we walk our path alone.
“I wonder how many people are standing outside right now, like us, musing under the stars.” A smile forms on my lips before I dare to glance sideways at Amethio. “In the end, we’re not as alone in our actions as we probably think.”
He looks at me as if the very idea of thinking about others in a situation like this is strange. But he says nothing. Not a single negative sound escapes him – until his shoulders slump.
“Maybe.”
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》 W H I S P E R S 《
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It takes about four days to travel from Galar to Unova by submarine. Spending this time in such close quarters with three other people is draining in a way I’m not used to. My head is so heavy I barely notice the tall facades of this city. There is a buzz of voices around every corner, vibrant clothing combines with eye-catching fashion and as we cross the threshold into the interior of a building, a cool breeze seems to hit me. Castelia City stays behind the doors.
Sighing, I place the back of my hand on my forehead and try to collect my thoughts. There’s a strange buzzing in my ears and although I’ve slept well, I just want to close my eyes.
“It’s unusual, isn’t it?” When Conia appears beside me, I struggle to hum in agreement. “The buzzing inside the submarine tends to get stuck in your head for a long time. Big cities quickly become exhausting afterwards.”
“Is there anything you can do about it?”
“Rest up for the day.” Her thumb points towards the exit. “There are lovely coffee shops where you can sit down and let the change take effect.”
Her words sound like a suggestion I can sympathise with. The monotonous corridors with their beige walls and the endless grey tiled floor already convey more tranquillity than the colourful mood outside. Yet the wide pathways seem terribly impersonal and only the signs on the walls, which serve as directions, presumably prevent the staff from getting lost.
When we stop in front of a staircase, Amethio turns to me immediately. “The Explorers’ rooms are on the first floor – together with a kitchen and a dining room. The rooms on this one are for meetings. On the second floor, you’ll find places to train your Pokémon, as well as balls, potions, and other resources.” With a wave of his hand, he points to a lift a few steps away from the stairs. “You’ll get a staff card. Access to the third floor and everything above will only be granted on Hamber’s instructions. The same applies to the basement where the researchers work.”
“Although I may allow you access to the depths of this building, too.”
Out of nowhere, a warm voice nestles against my senses. My body reacts far too slowly, turning sluggishly so I can put a face to the sound. What meets me is the charming smile of a young man whose clothes seem more striking than those of Amethio. He bridges the last few metres to us in relaxed strides, but doesn’t take his eyes off me for a moment.
“I’ve already heard we have a new member to welcome.” He holds out his hand to me. “Spinel. You must be Domino.”
Before I can comprehend his greeting, Amethio shoves himself between us, causing Spinel’s hand to drop and his eyes to take on a mocking gleam.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to say hello to the new girl and give her this.” He doesn’t flinch for a second. Instead, he reaches into the inside of his light-coloured uniform jacket and pulls out a card. His dark teal hair, sticking out wildly in places, frames his handsome face playfully as he tilts his head. “Without her card, it might be difficult to open the doors – or even use the lift.”
Without further ado, Amethio snatches the card from him and I avoid commenting as Spinel pushes past him and approaches me again. His narrow but well-shaped eyes scrutinise me. “If you need anything or have questions and Hamber doesn’t have time, you can contact me.”
With a smirk in Amethio’s direction, he finally turns away and goes on his way. I can’t help but look after him before turning my attention to the others. Zir and Conia have assumed a stiff stance, while a nervous twitch in Amethio’s brow increases the tension in the group. He holds his nerve with difficulty before returning to his explanation as if nothing has happened.
“Your room number is on the card. The things from the airship were placed there.” Finally, his next words include us all. “We’ll be staying in Unova for a while. According to the tracking data, the Rising Volt Tacklers seem to be on their way here too.” He puts a hand to his side. “It could be they’ve set their sights on Domino.”
Immediately I gasp, ready to ask, but also remember the encounter in the mine. My father has sent this crew after me and now that they know where I am, they’re probably thinking about fulfilling their mission alongside their adventures. It seems like we’re in a game where whoever has the better hand wins. In these breaths, the Volt Tacklers have the upper hand, shoving it straight into our faces.
“Until further orders follow, you’re excused.”
Conia’s distant suggestion of a coffee shop moves back between my thoughts and while the group disbands and everyone goes their separate ways, I check my bank access. After everything that’s happened in Alola, I’ve organised my things a bit. Old clothes have been washed. My data has been transferred from my old mobile phone to the Rotom Phone and I’ve given the old device to a collector who has reset it in front of me so it can be recycled and displayed in the distant future.
With the almost 12,000 dollar I have left, I can afford a visit to the coffee shop. It’s not far until next month and my first payout from the Explorers. From then on, I’ll get double what I got from throwing Pyukumuku – all for myself. The cost of my food, my uniform and its replacements, my accommodation and everything for my Pokémon will be covered by Gibeon. That’s how it is for every member of the Explorers. All in all, I could hardly imagine anything more comfortable than standing on my own two feet, pursuing my desire for adventure, and making some money on the side without having to worry.
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Straightening my shoulders, I finally turn on my heel. I can look at my room later. Every bit of exhaustion that previously put me in my place gives way to new enthusiasm; until I stride back out onto the city streets and the heat of the day burns down hard on me. I shield my eyes with one hand and glance over the people roaming around in friendly chatter. It’s loud. Pidoves jump around on low walls or pick food scraps off the pavement. Cars occasionally pass along the wide streets and the fashion in this place keeps me spellbound for longer than necessary. The residents of Unova think little of floral shirts and loose shorts. Jewellery glitters on the ears and wrists of every other woman. Black garments create strong contrasts with bold colours. Sunglasses cover half of their faces, and every second man is wearing a suit.
Everyone looks busy in a certain way, and I can’t help but take a step back. I don’t fit into this picture. Not with my airy clothes, the baggy green top and the ruffled jeans that just reach my calves. The pale yellow sandals, which go well with my training bag, look out of place with the rest of my clothes. It’s impossible not to stand out in this crowd. Only the thought gives me the feeling some people are looking in my direction – as if they want to shake their heads.
Sweat on my forehead makes me swallow dryly as I wipe my hands on my trousers and finally take a step straight into the crowd. Along the way, I reach for my Rotom to get an overview of the city. It hasn’t been long since I was last here. My father and I lived here before we moved to Alola. Still, I only have a hazy recollection of our life here – a mosaic of holes and noise.
To my left is the city’s Pokémon Center. If I venture one street further in that direction, there are clothes shops, a Pokémon massage parlour and a hairdresser. There also seems to be a game shop and, even though I know nothing about video games, it doesn’t seem wrong to try something new. It’s just under fifteen minutes from here to a fairly popular café. All options are open to me, so I grab a few scattered strands of hair from my side braid and rub the parched tips between my fingers.
I am no longer within reach of my father. Little things for myself are possible. I am in a different region that seems almost new, and perhaps this is the point at which I should take a step towards change. My first decision, made in peace. So I head to the hairdresser. My fringes are stinging my eyes, anyway.
After a few minutes’ walk, during which I keep my eyes firmly on the ground, the beautifully decorated shop rises in front of me. A large pair of scissors is emblazoned above the black entrance door, adorned with curved letters telling me “Hair Today”. As I enter, I am immediately enveloped by the sweet scent of rose petals. A breath later, I am approached by a woman with a beaming smile, pointing to an empty seat in front of a mirror. There are two other customers next to me, served by an Audino carrying biscuits on a tray.
Stiffly, I settle down on the black chair and look into the overly large mirror in front of me. The entire atmosphere is so absurd it only slowly dawns on me I can’t remember a single visit to the hairdresser. Have I ever been in contact with professional scissors? I remember having my hair cut and only the images in my head – as vague as they look – pull the corners of my mouth down.
“Sorry about the mess. I assume you want to get your hair cut?”
I look at the woman behind me in the mirror for a moment before I let out a toneless, helpless laugh. “I ... yes. I don’t know. I want to change something and ... probably look better ... maybe?”
“I can see you’re not sure what would work?”
A nod overcomes me, so she pulls the elastic out of my hair with nimble fingers and my white strands fall down in disorder. They have grown longer. The front strands reach down to my shoulders and the rest below my chest. My purple tips are completely dried out and look as if a small child has used a felt-tip pen. She can’t miss the split ends either.
“We’ll have to trim it a bit. Does your hair always fall this well?”
“Only when I tie it in a knot after washing it. Otherwise, it’s rather ... wild and wavy.”
She runs a hand through the mess on my head. “How about I cut your ends, we get rid of the purple and I show you how to shape it? Then it’s worth leaving it loose.” The stranger purses her lips briefly. “I should straighten your fringe, too. Your last hairdresser ... made sure it not only falls badly, but is also very uneven.”
“I ... cut that myself...” Sometime between our arrival in Alola and my decision to leave.
“The ... rest of your hair, too?”
“My father...”
“Oh...”
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》 W H I S P E R S 《
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Changes are strange. At first, you feel unusually self-confident, as if you’ve suddenly become something special. Immediately afterwards, you can’t stop picking at the new features and wondering whether all this was really a good idea.
The only thing stopping me from ruining the hairdresser’s work are the two bags in my hands containing new clothes I scored in a boutique sale. These treasures bring me one step closer to the people of this region, but the question whether it was really wise to spend six thousand dollars when I’ll probably be wearing a uniform most of the time will probably haunt my dreams.
However, I cover the last few steps to Café Sonata with more vigour than before. I settle down at the first available seat – a deserted table for four that is now all mine. The bags are placed on either side of me before my hands wander back to my head. My fingertips trace the straight line of my pony as I check once more whether the gentle waves down my shoulders have gone out of shape. Then I let out a sigh.
While I was getting my hair cut and groomed, this stranger asked me what felt like three hundred questions, most of which I couldn’t answer.
“Are you doing this little type change for someone?”
I wanted to say “no”, but then I had to think about the Explorers and this city and, yes, I probably did all this because I realised I should no longer look like a rowdy runaway.
“Is the hair colour natural?”
Maybe. Maybe not. At least no colour grows in, so I assume something has gone wrong with me – judging by the fact neither of my parents has white hair.
“Have you looked at this year’s trendy summer hairstyles yet?”
Fashion isn’t a thing for me. I always wore what my father gave me and then only what I liked. There was never an issue of worrying too much about my appearance. As far as I can remember, my thoughts were always flooded with questions, closely followed by the desire to escape. Everything else never played a role. This is the first time I’ve been able to put other ideas into my head; even the first time I’ve been allowed to sit down in a café with hundreds of people passing by.
This is the freedom I’ve been looking for. The adventure with all its liberties, the beautiful moments and the opportunity to not have to worry about the next day because your father might suddenly turn up to explain you’re moving again. I can touch Pokémon. My team is with me. And as I lean back in my chair and look at the clear sky above me, I can’t hold back the wetness in my eyes. Here, my father can’t stop me from smiling at the waitress and ordering a lemonade with a slice of cake. He can’t stop me from stroking a passing Rockruff. He has no more power over me. Not here. Not now.
“Excuse me, is this seat free?”
My shoulders shrug as a brunette approaches me. She has leant down slightly towards me so her white top almost allows me to see into her cleavage and when I notice the heavy-looking red earrings, I find it even harder to categorise her.
“Sure,” I reply, so she sits down on the chair opposite me, snorting. She doesn’t fit in with the image of this city any more than I do with my clothes. Her outfit reminds me of Kukui’s casual demeanour.
She combines a green miniskirt with red, well-worn trainers and the grey lab coat on her body was probably once white. Her appearance conveys chaos, which is all too familiar to me, and as the corners of my mouth twitch upwards slightly, her interest wanders in my direction. Raising a thin eyebrow, she studies me for a second before holding out her hand.
“Aurea Juniper,” she introduces herself. “Pokémon professor. But I think you’ve already noticed the latter, judging by the look on your face. What gave me away? The coat?”
“The coat,” I confirm as I take her hand and a charming laugh sneaks onto her red-painted lips. “I’m Domino Simpell. Can you tell me your area of expertise?”
“Don’t be so formal!” She waves it off. “I specialise in the origins of Pokémon – how long they’ve been in this world, where they come from and where they go.” She places her order on the side and although my drink and cake appear at the same moment, I hold back. “Are you interested in research?”
I take a sip of my lemonade, feel the tingle in my throat and have to clear it. “To be more precise, I’m on my way to becoming a professor myself.”
“In what field?” She leans in my direction again, a curious gleam in her eyes.
“I don’t know yet. First, I want to take some exams and get to know everything ... evenly.”
“I see. So you’re planning to take your first exam here in Unova?”
It’s the most natural next step for me. It’s time I dare to advance. I can’t wait forever to feel ready for a test, and after all the books and Pokédex entries I’ve rummaged through, I’m almost certain I can do it. Still, my conscience longs for more certainty.
“That’s the plan. Is there a particular topic I should prepare for, or will the questions cover every area?”
She briefly puts a hand to her chin. “It’s been a long time since I took the first exam... But I think you stick to basic knowledge about Pokémon and their habitats on the first run. The last part is a bit difficult. But nothing you can’t find out with a bit of research.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. Asking was the right idea. I can provide basic knowledge about Pokémon, but I’ll look up the habitats of some of them just to be on the safe side.
“You shouldn’t worry too much,” Juniper explains in the meantime. “As long as you get no less than fifty per cent in this test, you’ve as good as passed. The first step is probably the easiest on the path to becoming a professor.”
“That sounds a little worrying for everything that follows.” My shoulders slump before I pick up my fork and Juniper is served her coffee.
“It usually looks harder than it is. The important thing is not to worry.”
The day I can approach an exam with so much confidence will probably be the day I stop worrying about my future, which has elbowed me in the side out of nowhere. Still, I agree with her, because in the end, her view is the right one. Maybe I’ll find some peace in the exam room if I think of it as another adventure with no consequences should I fail.
“If you need help with anything or would like to barricade yourself in a lab for a fortnight,” she pulls her Rotom from a pocket of her lab coat, “you’re welcome to contact me.” In the next blink of an eye, she shoves her number in front of me. “Only if you want to.”
I can’t possibly refuse. As a professor, there’s probably never enough socialising and if I start now, it can only benefit me later. So I save her number and write her a brief message so she receives mine, too.
Within a few moments, Professor Juniper becomes an acquaintance that slowly and gradually gains momentum when she finally asks where I come from and what brings me to Unova. Besides, she also orders cake, so we end up connecting between desserts, several drinks and stories. I tell her about Alola, the Ultra Beasts and Burnet. She, in turn, gives me an insight into her research, which she started as a little girl. She is now almost thirty and her knowledge of Pokémon is so extensive she can even explain how the Pokémon Klink must have appeared out of nowhere almost a hundred years ago, as there is no other evidence of its existence before then. Her passion resonates in her every word and as the sunset bathes the window facades in an orange glow, we finally break away from our discussion.
“The doors to my lab are always open to you!” Laughing, she puts both hands on her hips. “I’d love to show you one day how I took my samples and how I tracked the Pokémon in this way.”
“I’ll get back to you on that.” Maybe, someday, when the time is right and I’m sure I can contribute something to this meeting. That’s not today, not tomorrow, and probably not even next year. But I hope at some point I will be able to talk to others about research and bring my own knowledge to the table. Today, all I can do is raise my hand and wave goodbye to Juniper – gently and barely noticeably, because this city doesn’t approve of excessive movements. At least, I can’t remember a time when anyone here has ever been exuberant.
With a heavy sigh, I collect my bags, put the money on the table to pay and mourn the fact I am now broke. Still, my day was a complete success. A change happened. I am ready to let go of many things and get to know others and all I need now is a plan for the time I will spend with the Explorers in Unova.
When we will leave this region hasn’t been decided yet. The Rising Volt Tacklers remain an unknown component of this stay for now, which means we’ll be waiting here for a while. When our opponents get here, there’s a good chance we’ll make the acquaintance of other special Pokémon in some way. Terapagos will be there and maybe we’ll finally meet Rayquaza again. Anything can happen.
Slowly, I set off, leaving the café behind and letting my gaze wander. Phone conversations filter through to me in a wild confusion – tense exchanges, shouting on the sidelines, whimpering in the shadows of some corners of the buildings. Everyone faces their day differently. This makes Castelia City a little more colourful, although no less monochrome in its appearance. To live well in this place, it’s necessary to like the reflected heat of the almost all-glass buildings. Under my skin, it leaves the same unpleasant emptiness as Alola. I don’t belong here. This place is just a stopover.
“I’m telling you, open your eyes!”
Distant sounds of approval draw my interest away from the thoughts of the city. People are cheering, someone is trying to overpower them, and when I recognise a small gathering from a distance, assembled in front of a fountain to listen to a man on the stone ledge, I step closer.
“They do our work, being snatched from their natural habitats and thrown into spaces that are all too cramped for them. Worse, in fact, some of them spend most of their existence in Poké Balls!”
My body squeezes between the onlookers until I emerge in the front row and get a better view of the circumstances. Four men, standing upright with one arm behind their backs to maintain their posture in front of their superiors, stare into the void. Wearing uniform outfits – someone seems to consider the combination of a blue hoodie with a white overlay and black full-body fabric underneath to be elegant – they hold the gloved fingers of one hand near a badge with an ornately embroidered “P”. The man, meanwhile, who is giving his speech, wears a wide, purple robe pressing against his lean torso with every breeze.
“Some catch Pokémon to put them in a storage system where they stay forever. They stay locked in their balls for years until they die.”
My hands clench into fists. This bunch tells the same story heard on the news. They take to the streets to preach what some people deliberately switch off. They are probably hoping to be heard by all those who would otherwise pretend to be deaf – set up like a small sect to attract attention.
“Pokémon should not be treated like cattle by us humans. It’s our responsibility to take a step in the right direction and set them free to restore the balance between humans and Pokémon!”
A quick snort escapes me. They’re imagining a world in which friendships are prevented and hindered in order to pursue an idea that is far too radical for such a complex world. I can’t imagine what it would be like to no longer have Ying by my side, and I don’t think Mimikyu would be happy to be out there alone again. Not every Pokémon is made for a life without humans – I’m sure of that.
“They have big ideals, don’t they?”
When someone approaches me from the side, I turn my gaze in a flash to a boy whose steel-grey eyes rest wearily on mine. His bitten lower lip sticks out red.
“For many people, such ideals are ... difficult to understand. But I think everyone will realise the goal behind these things one day.”