Second chapter of Life Renewal and Future Hope.
Enjoy.
"Passengers, we welcome you to the city of Alto Mare; the city of water! If you are visiting, we hope you enjoy your stay. And for returning passengers, welcome home! Please watch your step when exiting the ferry and thank you for choosing JR Ferries!"
Once the gangways connected the boat to the dock, a young trainer walked down sporting black pants, dark blue runners, and a white t-shirt covered by a grey sweatshirt and a light brown bag.
He ran a hand through his short, black hair, taking in the scenery he's known so well. "Ah, the beautiful city of Alto Mare. It hasn't changed a bit." And it was true; all the buildings, shops, and canals were exactly as he remembered all those years ago. The sky was a bright blue and flocks of wingulls flew all around the docks. The trainer smiled, remembering the times he had while living in Alto Mare. Most particularly when he met...
"Rai!" a voice shouted from a crowd.
"Huh? Speaking of the devil himself," the trainer, known as Rai, said to himself, gazing towards where the voice came from, instantly recognizing whose it was. Through the crowd, a man wearing a white lab coat walked at a fast pace towards him.
"It's been a long time Rai," the man told him as a matter of fact, giving him a friendly hug once he reached him. "It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too Jack. It has been way too long since we last saw each other," Rai said, eyeing the memories around him. Sighing he added, "seven years, seven years away from here,"
"Ah yes, the memories. I still remember that first battle of ours; you were so full of yourself back then." Jack couldn't help but chuckle a little as he remembered that fateful day.
Rai huffed. If Jack wanted to play that game, then so be it. "And I remember you being an old fossil who researched the same thing he was."
"Hey, hey," Jack said with a fake, annoyed voice. "It wasn't my fault that they found those fossils here. I was the only researcher here at the time and they made an offer I couldn't refuse. You know my speciality are the eon dragons."
Rai shrugged. "Unfortunately I do. I couldn't take a single step in your house without standing on some sheet of paper that something to do with them. Speaking of which, do you still live in the same place?"
Jack gave him a playful shove from that last comment and smiled. "No, not anymore. Just after you left, the city offered me a larger building to accommodate my research more efficiently. Come," he started, mentioning him to follow inland. "It's this way."
"You never cease to surprise me Jack." Rai grinned as he shook his head, adjusting his pack before following him towards the main streets.
One turn and down a single street, Jack and Rai found themselves in a wide open area where tourists as well as locals walked or visited. It was considered the central part of the city, and where the museum was located too. Since Rai was too quiet taking in the familiar city, Jack was first to break the silence as they continued to walk by the well known museum.
"So Rai, tell me. What have you been doing all these years?"
Rai shrugged in response. "The usual. Traveling here and there, catching a handful of new Pokémon, meeting new people along the way..."
Same old Rai, Jack thought to himself. "You still like traveling more than battling and winning leagues?"
Rai nodded, his gaze rising to the blue sky momentarily, greatly considering a thought in his head. "Yeah...but I might try for the Hoenn League next year. I'm not sure though..."
"And why is that?" Jack asked, intrigued. "I'm sure you've raised strong Pokémon that could put up a good fight in this year's league."
"My Pokémon aren't the problem Jack. I'm sure I have a chance at winning the league with my current Pokémon. It's just that...leagues aren't my thing."
The potential Jack saw in his friend was unmatched. He seriously believed Rai could become the region's champion one day, but that didn't stop Jack from finding out why. "Too many battles?"
"Well, it's not the battles... It's because I don't like the fans, media and whatnot if I do end up winning the league. I won't be able to travel anywhere without being noticed, and you know that I don't like attention."
Jack raised a brow at him. To an extent, he did understand. "Fair enough."
The two pillars caught Rai's eye as they walked past, where the two statues of the legendary latios and latias were built atop. Too long since the last time he had seen those iconic figures. After taking in the beauty of the legendary Pokemon the statues represented, Rai returned his attention to his friend, wanting to know what he was doing since he left. "And what about you Jack? Have you been doing anything interesting?"
"The same as always to be honest. Minor research on those two main fossils in the museum." Jack pointed to said building. "More on a few others they just imported and 'less than I'd like' research on latios and latias. So, all in all, neverending studies."
"I see," Rai replied. "Sounds like late nights."
"Only four or five days a week, but the city pays me well for my research and for the fossils in the museum."
Rai shook his head at him. "And you're still a workaholic aren't you?" he joked, still remembering him as such.
"Hey now, I love what I do even in a different area than my specialization." Jack grinned at Rai. "We're almost there." They both rounded a corner after crossing a canal courtesy of a small bridge and continued down a narrow street. Rai still noticed how amazing the view was. Even from there he could see the entire stone platform, the museum, the docks he arrived from, and the sea beyond. The city's architecture was especially eye catching and memorable. "Ah, here we are." Jack stopped in front of a two story building that was side by side with the water canal.
Rai examined the two story building that was connected to a couple more shops and homes on the right side, which also held the same style and architect. Compared to Jack's previous home, it was twice as big. "Is this it?"
"Yes," Jack answered, pulling out his keys from his coat pocket before unlocking the door, inviting Rai inside to a spacious yet crowded interior filled with bookshelves, computer terminals and tons of paper. Same old Jack, Rai thought to himself. "Don't mind the mess. I haven't had time to clean up yet."
"When do you clean up?" Rai teased the truth. With every visit with Jack, came a maze of unavoidable research papers scattered throughout his place.
"Ha ha," he slowly scoffed. "Like your place was any different."
Rai merely grinned at the truth in his words, leaving him without a comeback. Instead, he examined the interior home, taking note of two floors and visible rooms from the front door. The walls were masterfully created from a white coloured stone which were supported by columns of wood. Pictures hung on the walls offered memories of Jack's past visits, from local areas to regional trips. He noticed a couple portraits of Jack and himself from their earlier years, when he still lived in Alto Mare. That was before Jack studied the fossils in the museum.
Jack removed his shoes and hung his house keys before mentioning Rai to follow him to the second level. Once past all the research equipment to the other end of the house and up the stairs, Jack introduced his friend to the living quarters on the second level. Complete with three bedrooms, a kitchen/dining room, a living room, and one bathroom.
The first room once up the stairs, was Jack's guest room. "Here we are," Jack said, inviting Rai into a medium sized bedroom. "This is yours."
"Thank you for allowing me to stay with you Jack," Rai said, setting down his bag on the double bed.
Jack nodded. "Anytime. You're always welcome here. By the way, how long are you staying in Altomare?"
The response came as a shrug from Rai. "I'm not sure. A week perhaps, maybe longer."
"Excellent. Plenty of time to win a few battles from you." Jack chuckled. "I am anxious to see what new Pokémon you've caught in your travels. Perhaps it will assist me in my research."
"We'll see about th-" Rai was suddenly interrupted by a ring from inside Jack's pocket.
Sighing, Jack produced a cell phone from his lab coat. "Sorry Rai. Excuse me," he apologised, pushing a button on the device before bringing it up to his ear. "Jack speaking... Yes? Where? I see... No, leave the specimens in the current conditions until I arrive... Ok, I'll be right there." Closing the call, he slid the cell phone back into his coat pocket and sighed again.
Listening to the call and observing his reaction, Rai already knew Jack's work was never to be left alone. "Never could catch a break could you?" Rai laughed.
Jack ran a hand through his aging hair, wishing he could give his friend a more detailed tour of his home. "Unfortunately, no," he admitted, hanging his head. "Anyway, make yourself comfortable and I'll try return before dusk."
Rai nodded before sitting on the bed's side, watching Jack walk out of sight.
"Oh! And Rai!" Jack suddenly spoke, peeking his head from around the corner, a worrisome expression on his face. "Try not to let your Pokémon destroy my research again."
Chuckling at the memory of shredded and burnt papers in Jack's previous home, Rai held up his hands. "Don't worry! It won't happen."
"Right..." he said in disbelief, disappearing from sight again.
Speaking of Pokémon, Rai thought, finding his Pokéballs before holding the six miniaturized spheres in his hands. "You guys are probably hungry," he spoke to the Pokémon inside.
So without further delay, he clipped the six Pokeballs back into their respective places on his belt before swinging his bag around his shoulder that held the appropriate supplies. The front door closed with a click, indicating Jack's departure just as Rai made his way downstairs, trying to recall the best place in Alto Mare to feed the six Pokemon; a spacious, secluded area preferably. The first place that came to mind was the Pokémon Centre but remembering back, it was on the other end of the city, unless they built another one, which was very unlikely.
Then he recalled an area at the edge of the city which wasn't too far from Jack's home. It was a small section of Alto Mare, barely known by anyone the last he visited, and large enough for a group. That area consisted of a small forest, a soft ground of grass, and a field. Remembering back all those years ago, Rai would spend some hot days relaxing in the shade of a tree, watching the ocean sparkle in the distance with Typhlosion, who was just a small quilava at the time.
Rai smiled. It was perfect. Carefully stepping through the minefield of research papers and books on the floor, he eventually made it to the door and stepped outside, taking a deep breath of the ocean air. The city always had a calm, peaceful feeling to it. Alto Mare was, after all, a popular tourist destination. He reached to his waist and found Typhlosion's Pokeball, enlarging the device before releasing the fire type onto the stone walkways.
Typhlosion stood tall, stretching and yawning loudly from his time inside the device. Catching his trainer's eyes, he blinked before noticing the stone building behind Rai which led to curiosity forcing him to eye the surroundings.
While Typhlosion was examining his surroundings, Rai patiently waited, hoping his trusty fire companion would eventually recognize the city.
"Remember this place?" Rai asked, placing a hand behind the fire type's head. Typhlosion gazed up at Rai for a second then back the surroundings. For Typhlosion, it all seemed familiar but he couldn't figure out why. The fire type met his trainers eyes once more, noticing the necklace he always wore around his neck. A necklace with a silver wolf figure hanging from it. The wolf necklace...
Typhlosion went wide eyed as the memories rushed like a wave all at once, quickly moving to the stone rails that separated the walkways from the canals before rediscovering the two statues fixated high above on two pillars. Latios and latias; the ones Rai always mentioned. Now he remembered; Jack, the legend about the Eon duo, their favourite garden, the sparring matches against Jack's Pokemon, the entire evenings they spent together trying to find the Eon Dragons... And her. Typhlosion remembered everything, from the first day they arrived till the day they had to leave it all behind.
Rai walked up beside his partner, leaning against the guardrail, grinning. Judging from the stare Typhlosion gave the statues, he definitely remembered something. "It's been too long since we last came here, seven years ago," Rai reminded him. "You and I have both been through a lot in that time, haven't we?"
Typhlosion happily nodded, watching the one of many boats slowly travel along the canal just below them, with the tourists pointing out what features they loved about the island city.
"You were a quilava when we once lived here... You and I used to race each other around the city," Rai chuckled.
The past memories easily came forward for the fire type. He remembered winning those races.
Rai ruffled the navy coloured fur on top of Typhlosion's head, looking up at him. "Come. Let's go find that garden we always went to. The others are probably eager to get some fresh air and eat."
At the mention of eating, Typhlosion felt his stomach growl. But he ignored it and focused his mind on the garden instead as he walked alongside Rai down the street. Just like his trainer, the fire type too loved the small, peaceful garden Rai always took him to spend the day. The fresh breezes, the sound of the waves hitting the rocks, the sparkling sea, and the clear sunny sky always made for an enjoyable day.
"Remembering old times Typhlosion?" Rai asked his pókemon, who seemed to be deep in thought. His Typhlosion let out an affirmative sound in response as they walked. Rai narrowed his eyes down the street, recognizing the landmarks the more they got closer to the garden. "Me too. I can still vividly remember all the hours we spent exploring the city," he said. To the sides, most of the shops have either been replaced by new ones or have been renovated. Still, the city felt and looked the same. "I think we are close."
The streets were starting to become less crowded. Less and less shops, and more residential buildings occupied the streets as they continued towards their garden. Fewer people stood by various wooden stands, choosing their next product, being either food or souvenirs, while the rest made their way toward the centre of the city.
Rai was certain as he kept his sight where he needed to go. Only a couple more streets and they should be-
"Raaawwwrrrr!" a tiny voice shrieked.
Rai's heart skipped a beat when he heard the cry of a tiny Pokemon on the ground before quickly noticing that he stepped on something. But before he could think any further on the matter, a small jolt of electricity surged throughout his body only for a second, forcing him to instantly step back in surprise. After steadying himself, he quickly found a small shinx cowering behind someone's feet, licking its stepped-on tail. Behind him, Typhlosion naturally acted and prepared for the worst until he saw the the cat-like pokémon hissing at them from its cover, clearly in pain.
The girl who the shinx hid behind gasped as soon as she heard her Pokemon's cries and looked down until she followed the shinx's angry glare at a young guy and his typhlosion. She instantly halted her shopping with the small food stand and turned around to glare daggers at Rai.
"What did you do to Shinx?!" she yelled at him with clenched fists, ready to defend her Pokemon.
Rai found himself speechless, being forced to take another step back from the dark blue-haired girl. "Um. Sorry."
Her quick temper faded as she examined Rai with wide eyes, not believing what she was seeing. Typhlosion too relaxed, inching closer to the shinx to make sure it was ok.
A few silent moments passed by as Rai didn't understand why the girl didn't look angry anymore, not until her face and form reminded him of a friend long ago.
"...Rai? Is that you?" She inched her head forward to him, squinting, trying to recall if it really was the boy she remembered.
No, it couldn't be, Rai thought. He too had trouble believing who was right in front of him. She was a slim person featuring lengthy blue hair with a silver feather clipped onto a few strands, semi-loose jeans, a two piece red and white shirt, and a crafted bracelet. Rai eventually nodded, beginning to recognize who the girl was. "The one and only."
The girl received a burst of happiness. She produced a wide smile, closing her eyes shut before hugging Rai tightly. "It's really you!" Now there was no doubt in Rai's mind. Before he had the chance to return his old friend's hug, she quickly released and stared into his eyes. "I hope you remember me," she teased.
A grin came to Rai's face. Of course Rai had talked with her on some occasions but time has revealed just how much she has grown over the years. Her once short blue hair was now longer and she was taller, perhaps a little more so than he was. He had to admit, age has been kind to her because she was more beautiful now that she was as a young woman.
"Come now Katherine," Rai said. "I would never."
Katherine joyfully smiled at his response. "When did you get in?! And why didn't you tell me?!" she attacked, one question after the other.
"I arrived not too long ago actually. Jack met with me at the ferries and he showed me to his home," Rai explained.
Typhlosion leaned down at Shinx who fearfully hid behind Katherine's legs, carefully eyeing the fire type in case he attacked suddenly. Typhlosion pulled away in guilt when the flash Pokemon looked ready to cry its heart out as tears slowly dropped from its yellow eyes, still holding the injured tail close. Unknown to the fire type, Shinx began glowing a faint yellow around its body, both Katherine and Rai unaware.
"Jack?" Katherine started, tilting her head. "How's the good professor doing? I haven't seen him in-" She stopped abruptly and looked down, feeling the brush of Shinx's fur against her leg. "Awww. I'm sorry Shinx!" Katherine immediately felt horrible for completely forgetting about her Pokémon, carefully picking up Shinx to cradle the teary Pokémon in her arms. "Did that mean Rai step on your tail?"
The glow started to fade as Shinx simply burrowed her face into Katherine's arm, hurt more emotionally than physically. Typhlosion stood by Rai's side again as his trainer scratched the back of his head embarrassedly.
"Is Shinx alright?" Rai asked.
Checking the small Pokemon's tail over carefully, Katherine found Shinx was alright before answering. "She's fine. Probably just a little sore."
"That's a relief." Rai answered honestly.
Katherine gasped, finally noticing Typhlosion standing next to Rai, rivaling his height. "Hey! Is that Quilava?"
"Yes." Rai nodded, placing a hand around his partner. "He evolved during our travels a few years ago. Meet Typhlosion."
"Wow! Hi Typhlosion!" exclaimed Katherine, reaching a hand out to which Typhlosion greeted in his own way and allowed her to pet the top of his head. Katherine giggled and stood up straight, meeting Rai's eyes once more. "So where are you and Typhlosion heading?"
"Do you remember that small garden I took you to a few times when I still lived here? It's by the city's edge, not far from here."
Katherine nodded. "Of course! We spent so much time in that garden, there's no way I could forget that place. I still visit it from time to time actually."
"Well, I'm heading there to feed my Pókemon. If you like you can come with me. After all, we haven't spoke to each other in quite some time"
Without hesitation, she nodded again. "Sure! It's lunch time anyway, and I have to feed my pókemon too. But first I have to head home to grab the rest of my team and drop off groceries. Why don't I meet you there? I won't take long."
"Sure. I'll be waiting."
Katherine smiled and picked up a few plastic bags off the ground next to her using a free hand. "Ok. Be right back!" With that said, she began walking in the opposite direction towards the centre of the city in a fast pace, but slow enough not to disturb Shinx. After all that time, Rai finally returned to visit; she couldn't wait to spend more time with him.
(((((((((())))))))))
Unbeknownst to everyone, a few miles off the city, the Pókemon reached its destination. It was that area where it felt the disturbance of the currents of the sea, yet there was nothing strange or out of place. The rising underwater landforms told the Pokémon of an island, above the water's surface. On that island, stood a city. To remain hidden, the Pokémon continued to conceal itself under the covers of water, laying eyes on the manmade structures while it floated seamlessly in place. It wasn't the first time it had seen human structures, yet they were always fascinating to observe. However, the presence of this city was both good as bad news. The good news was that the city was intact, hence something stopped the sea of doing any damaged to it. The bad news was that the Pokémon held knowledge of the city, thus recalling who lived and protected it.
The Pókemon was tempted to go, but there was no entry into the city without being discovered. The canals were way too small and they weren't deep enough to go unnoticed by those who might be watching the water's surface. And flying wasn't even worth thinking off, even at night. No, there had to be another way, but how? The Pokémon pondered about how to get to them for some time before an idea arose. It was risky, for it could attract curious people, but it was the only chance.
Now, patience was needed until the darkness of night.