Beyond the Adventure - A Pokémon Story

Chapter 4: New Friends, New Enemies pt4

        Darius does not say anything, solemn after hearing my story.  I continue to stare at Brawny’s ball, the tragic memories lingering at the front of my mind.  Even Jaws remains still, just looking at me with a worried face.  Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Darius breaks the silence.  “So I take it you grew up with a Machamp?”

        I nod my head.  “That Machamp lived with us since I was two,” I explain.  “I don’t remember much back then, but I remember Dad teaching it to hug me every night before bed.  Machamp was so strong, Mother was worried it would crush me, but Dad wasn’t.  He wanted Machamp to be a family Pokémon after he got out of the military.   I looked up to Dad.  He was my hero.”  I smile as I grip Brawny’s ball tightly.  “I promise to take good care of you, Brawny.  For Dad.”

        Darius places a hand on my shoulder.  I look back at him and stand up.  “So, I figured out how we can make it to Hoenn,” I say.

        “How?” Darius asks.  “Both the ships are out of commission.”

        I grin.  “We go home.  To Goldenrod City.  The Johto and Kanto governments worked together to install a rail system that goes between the two regions.  Before, you had to travel around the base of Mt. Silver to cross over.  However, that was not very practical because the wild Pokémon in the area are really dangerous.  So now we have a rail system!”

        Darius raises an eyebrow.  “Okay, but that doesn’t get us to Hoenn,” he says, skeptical.

        I continue.  “The rail system will take us from Goldenrod City to Saffron City.  From there, we can head south to Vermillion City and hop on a ship there!”

        “Huh!” Darius says, surprised.  “Well, Kanto was next on my list anyway.  Let’s go!”

        We walk out of the dock house.  The crowds of people have dispersed.  I guess since nobody can go anywhere, they went to find alternate methods of transportation.  I turn to head toward the gate, but Jaws pulls on my shorts.  I look and he is pointing at Darius, who has stopped to stare at the ocean.  I walk over to him.  “What’s up?”

        “How far is Goldenrod from here?” he asks.

        “Um… I’m not sure,” I respond.  “but it took us nearly a week to get here, so we need to get going.”

        Darius ponders this for a moment, then pulls out a map.  He looks it over, nods, then puts it away.  “Yeah, we can make it.”

        “Of course we’ll make it,” I say.  “but we need to leave now if we’re going to get to Ecruteak before dark.”

        Darius shakes his head.  “Oh no, we’re not walking,” he says arrogantly.

        “What are you talking about?” I ask, annoyed.

        “See, normally, I would fly on my Talonflame,” Darius explains with a smirk.  “But as strong as she is, she can only fly one person.  However…”  He pulls out a Dive Ball and tosses it in the air.  The ball pops open and a beautiful blue Pokémon with a large grey shell pops out.  “I have a Lapras!  She’s strong enough to ferry the two of us there!”

        Lapras lets out a siren-like cry.  I admire the shimmering hide of the water Pokémon, but I am not convinced.  I gesture toward Jaws.  “I think you’re forgetting someone,” I say.

        Darius looks at me, confused.  “Who?  It’s just us… oh.”  Darius looks at Jaws, clearly remembering that he does not have a ball.  “Well, you’re just going to have to get him one.”