With our little detour, the trip to Ecruteak City took three days instead of two. The route was not as developed as most other routes, still being heavily wooded. We encountered numerous trainers, but most were polite and understanding about me not actually being a trainer competing in the Pokémon League. A couple, however, were pretty adamant about battling, with one actually ordering his Graveller to attack me, to which Jaws, quite happily I might add, made short work of. There were also Sudowoodo blocking part of the path, but Jaws managed to get them to move out of our way. Along the way, I even called up Liz, because why not? We talked quite a bit. I told her about our destination and why we were headed there. She was fascinated, saying she had always wanted to travel to Hoenn after hearing stories from her older sister, Jess, challenging the Hoenn League. At one point, it rained on us, and stupid me forgot to pack an umbrella. At long last, however, we managed to reach Ecruteak City.
We open the door to the Ecruteak Pokémon Center, sopping wet. The place was pretty busy, even for a Pokémon Center. People are gathered around a frantic-looking nurse and an over-excited Chansey, all shouting unintelligible things at them. They are all soaking wet and many of them are even muddy. They are many Pokémon too, all looking exhausted or injured. I push my way through the crowd and listen to what people are saying.
“I understand your troubles,” the nurse says. “We are working as fast as we can, but we simply don’t have the manpower to administer you all at once.
“I don’t care about your troubles,” one disgruntled man shouts. “My Furret is injured and it’s your job to heal her!”
“Yeah!” yells another upset trainer. “I thought this was a Pokémon Center! So treat our Pokémon!”
The nurse holds up her hands. “I’m sorry, but we are working as fast as we can,” she pleas. “These things are not instant. It takes time. Please, be patient.”
“We’ve been patient long enough!” shouts a third trainer. “It’s our turn now!” He pushes the nurse aside, causing her to fall to the floor.
“That is enough!” bellows a loud commanding voice. Everyone turns around toward the source. In the entrance stands a tall imposing figure with spikey-red hair, wrapped in a dark cloak. Everyone remains silent as the man walks toward the offending man, his stern red eyes boring deep into him. He grabs the man by the collar. “Is this how you treat a lady where you’re from?” he asks, pushing is nose mere millimeters from the man’s face. “Because if it is, you belong out in the mud with the rest of the trash!” He drags the man to the entrance and shoves him out the door. He then turns to face the rest of the crowd. “Anyone else have a problem with how things are run here?”
The crowd burst into murmurs of acknowledgements. I rush over to help the nurse to her feet. The man approaches the nurse and extends his hand. “Are you all right?” he asks in a soft voice. His demeanor is suddenly completely opposite from his commanding presence mere seconds earlier.
The nurse takes his hand and he gently kisses it. “Oh yes, quite all right,” the nurse says, blushing. “Thank you, Lance.”
The name rings through my head. I have heard this name before. My mind races to place it and finally, it hits me. This man standing before me is the Indigo League Champion! I have heard stories about him and his Dragon-type Pokémon. Their power are the stuff of legends; the vicious Gyarados, the ancient Aerodactyl brought back from extinction, the terrible Tyranitar, the fire-breathing Charizard, and the all-powerful Dragonite. There are rumors of a sixth Dragon he owns, for he carries six Pokéballs with him. However, nobody knows what this sixth Pokémon is, for he has only ever used five in battle. To actually have a Pokémon he has never used in battle, he must be incredible powerful. He is one of the few trainers to be known around the world and has earned the respect of all who challenge the League. The man is a walking legend.
Lance turns to me. “And who might you be, young man?”
“Oh, um…” I stammer. To have the legendary Lance speak to me has made me unexpectedly nervous. “My name is Crono, sir, from Goldenrod City.”
Jaws peeks up at Lance from between my legs, almost knocking me over. I step back over him. Lance looks down at Jaws.
“I see you have a Mawile,” he says. “Interesting choice of companion.”
“Wasn’t exactly my choice, but…” I stop. “You know what he is??” I mentally slap myself, because of course he knows.
“Of course. Do you not?” he asks, curiously.
I shake my head. “He kind of just fell into my lap one day. I would love to know more about him.”
Lance nods. “I can do that, but later,” he says sternly. “Now is not the time for idle chit-chat. We currently have an emergency situation on our hands in need of my presence.” He turns to the crowd. “As you all know, the sudden storm as caused a mudslide and flash flooding at Mount Mortar. People and Pokémon alike are getting washed away, while many more are trapped in the caves, and you all choose to bicker like a bunch of school children. Nurse Erin is doing her best to help you all. I expect each and every one of you to sit and wait patiently until it is your turn. More serious injuries take priority, to be decided by the nurse and ONLY the nurse!”
The crowd murmurs in agreement, most with their heads down in shame. Lance looks back at me. “Crono, you keep these people in line.”
“Huh?!” I gasp. “Wait, why me?”
Lance’s eyes bore into mine. “Because you are the only one here not panicking. You also showed compassion toward the nurse. Finally, I sense that Mawile of yours is quite strong. Work with him to maintain order here. I must head to the Lake of Rage.”
“Sir, if you don’t mind,” I say. “What is going on?”
Lance takes a deep, impatient breath. “An old enemy has taken over the Radio Tower in Goldenrod City. The signal they are transmitting are causing the Magikarp at the lake to viciously evolve. The subsequent Gyarados swarm are raging, causing the current storm. I will head there to find a way to calm them down.” Then, with a swish of his cloak, he was out the door.
The Radio Tower. My heart sinks as I think about my mother. I hope she is okay. However, I decide now is not the time to worry about her. She is strong and Professor Oak promised to take care of her. She will be fine. There are many others here who need help.
I look over at Nurse Erin. “What can I do to help?” I ask.
The nurse furrows her brow. “We have a second machine to heal Pokémon, but it broke down a few days ago. We haven’t had anyone able to come out here to fix it. So, unless you are an electrical engineer, I fear there isn’t much you can do.”
I ponder for a bit. “Well, I did dabble in electronics growing up,” I explain. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt if I took a look.”
Erin nods. “Very well,” she says. “Chansey, do what you can to assist him. I can take it from here.”
Chansey nods. “Chansey Chansey!”
I look at Jaws. “Hey, buddy, stay out here and protect Nurse Erin,” I say. “Listen to her and help her out.” Jaws nods.
Chansey leads me to the broken machine. I look around the outside of the machine. As I do, I think back to my electronics lessons. The first thing they taught us was to check the physical first, then the logical. The outside of the machine appears undamaged, so it is time to take a look inside. I find a panel on the side and open it up. My eyes widen as a plethora of wires and circuit boards appear before me. I take a deep breath and crack my knuckles. “Well, let’s get to work.”
YOU ARE READING
Beyond the Adventure - A Pokémon Story
FanficCrono is a 17-year-old boy living in Goldenrod City who longs to escape the noise of the big city and see the world. One day, a strange Pokémon falls into his lap, sparking the adventure of a lifetime.
