1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 50: Lights Beneath the Water

Route 40 began at Olivine's harbor, where the pavement ended at open water.

Shade stood near the water with his bag over one shoulder, watching the distant currents like he had crossed them many times and still respected them.

"Route 41 gets rougher," Shade said, pointing toward the islands barely visible across the water. "The Whirl Islands are out there. You can Surf around them, but the whirlpools near the entrances are another problem."

Kris adjusted the Good Rod at her bag. "So the route itself keeps moving."

"Pretty much," Shade said. "If you stop paying attention, the current will carry you off course."

East studied the current near the breakwater. "We stay on the outer route and get the medicine first. We can look at the islands another time."

Lillie nodded while checking Lapras's Poké Ball. "We do not have a way through the whirlpools yet, but Surf is enough for the route around them."

Shade smiled. "Exactly. Stay out of the whirlpools and you will be fine."

A woman near the harbor rail turned when she heard him. She wore a light traveling coat fastened with a feather-shaped pin, and the wind kept lifting loose strands of her hair.

She looked at us with recognition. "Heading south on Route 40?"

Kris looked at the feather charm and then at her face. "Wait. Are you one of the Week Siblings?"

The woman smiled. "So you have met some of my family."

"Tuesday on Route 29, Friday on Route 32, Thursday on Route 36, and Sunday on Route 37," Lillie said. "Tuscany, Frieda, Arthur, and Sunny."

"Then you can add Monday," the woman said. "I'm Monica."

Ethan blinked at the sea, then at Monica. "Johto really did assign your family to the calendar."

Monica laughed and took a long, polished beak-shaped item from her bag. "I come to Route 40 on Mondays. Since you found me, this is yours."

She placed the Sharp Beak into my hands.

"The Sharp Beak boosts Flying-type moves," Monica said. "Give it to a Pokémon that can make good use of it."

Jumpluff floated closer, cotton puffs bobbing in the breeze.

Pikachu sniffed toward the Sharp Beak, then looked at Jumpluff, "That smells like the same wind she keeps chasing."

I smiled. "I was thinking the same thing."

Monica glanced at Jumpluff and laughed softly. "Looks like you already have someone interested."

Lillie held the Sharp Beak for a moment, then returned it to me. "We can decide who carries it when we train."

Monica nodded toward the water. "My brothers and sisters are scattered around Johto too. If you run into the rest of them, say hello for me."

"Thank you," I said. "We will."

She waved as we headed toward the harbor steps. Behind her, Route 40 stretched south in long blue bands broken by swimmers, rocks, and white-tipped waves.

I sent out Lapras, Politoed, and Feraligatr to help everyone spread out safely. Reisa released Azumarill, and Shade sent out his Water-type to guide the formation.

Togetic floated close to Lillie at first, staying just above Lapras's shell while the sea breeze pushed harder than the wind over land.

Togetic leaned into the gust and beat his wings faster, "The wind keeps trying to turn me around. I am staying close until I learn it."