Jason and the Fleece of Hoenn

Chapter 6 – City of Alph

After getting drenched in rain the next morning, fending off a band of robbers who came at them in broad daylight, and being attacked by a wild haunter the following night, by the end of the third night travelling the party was exhausted. Their food was all but gone and their water bottles were empty. Heading south to avoid Violet Town, they found the area arid, without any streams that could provide fresh water, or any source of food. They needed to get help from Alph that day, or they would be forced to head back to Violet Town with its associated risks.

The City of Alph was much bigger than a mere city, as its name might have suggested. It was surrounded by a magnificent sheer sandstone wall, impossible to climb. Most of the wall seemed only a few years old, an almost dazzling array of creamy shades as it bathed in the rays of the rising sun.

They walked over half a mile south along the wall before eventually encountering a way in. They kept silent all the way, their throats too parched to waste precious moisture speaking. In the past, Jason might have had the odd hungry day—like once when the weather was so bad for nearly a week that they had to stay couped up in their cabin and ran out of food. But he had never gone this thirsty before. He was starting to feel faint and didn't know what to expect next. He admired how everyone else was enduring patiently, and felt proud of his group.

So when they saw the gateway, they ran up to it excitedly. To their relief, the gate seemed open, but when they looked inside, two guards in a distinctive blue uniform armed with spears stood side by side barring the way.

The guards scrutinized Jason and his party without shifting their positions.

"What do you want?" one of them asked. "Johtians are not permitted into Alph."

"Please, we need help," Jason answered. "We've run out of food and water."

"I'm sorry, we have our orders," said the other guard. "Violet Town is only a mile north of here."

"I don't think we can make it," Jason pleaded. "If you won't let us in, at least can you give us some water?"

"We can't desert our post," said the first guard. "Now beat it."

The guard levelled his spear to make his point. Quil took the gesture as a threat and growled menacingly, but Jason signalled to him to stop. Ru, who was at the rear of the group, stepped forward and stood next to Jason.

"Look, we really need help," he implored. "I'm a long way from home, and my cousin here's an orphan, and we're trying to get to our uncle in Goldenrod City." He gave a pleading look that Jason though should melt anyone's heart.

"Likely story. You can't use our territory as a short cut!" replied the guard. "Go the long way!"

"What about our Pokémon?" Ru continued. "They might die if they don't have water soon, and they're all hungry. Please! Don't you care about 'em?"

The guards exchanged a brief glance.

"Watch them," said the second guard to the first, as he turned to a funnel protruding from the wall.

"Tagmatarch, sir!" he called into the funnel. "We have a … minor situation at the East Gate."

- – — – -

"Start with your names and where you are from."

The tagmatarch's uniform was a darker shade of blue and more intricately designed than that of the other soldiers. He was a tall, well-built man with a look that said that you weren't to mess with him if you valued your life. His tone of voice only reinforced that impression.

"I'm Ru, and this is my cousin, Jay. I'm from … out east. He's from … nowhere—he's a homeless orphan."

The tagmatarch studied Ru carefully, but the officer's face was unreadable.

"Are they your full names?" he queried.

Jason did not want to answer that question, and as evidenced by Ru's silence, neither did Ru. Although Jason planned to reveal himself to the ruler of this place and petition for help, he had dreamed that it would happen under less unpleasant, and hopefully friendlier, circumstances. This was not going according to plan, and he didn't know what to do. Ru was revealing as little as possible and even made out that they were relatives, and Jason thought it best to follow his lead. He wondered why Lucario wasn't speaking up.

"Meowth got your tongue, boy?" said the tagmatarch. His voice was not loud, and the question sounded reasonable, but the tone held an underlying threat. There was no way out. Either they lied and ultimately risk the distrust of the people from whom they needed help, or they cough up the truth of their situation to someone who did not seem particularly endearing to their situation.

"My full name's … Ruby," Ru replied cautiously. That was news to Jason. Jason began to wonder why Ru—Ruby—hadn't told him his full name.

"I see," said the officer. For the first time, his face showed a slight expression, a mere furrowing of the brow. Did Ru's full name mean something?

"So that means …" the officer continued and looked at Jason but broke off. Turning to his men, he said, "Watch them." He turned to leave, but in the process gave stern glances at Lucario and Quil, as if to say, don't do anything foolish. Jason looked at them both, and thought he noticed Lucario nodding slightly at the officer, but it could have been his imagination.

"You never told me your full name was Ruby," Jason told Ru.

Ru shrugged innocently. "You never asked."

"It seemed to mean something to that guy."

Ru shrugged again. "I honestly got no idea."

"Quiet!" barked one of the soldiers in the room guarding them.

- – — – -

Tired of standing, they eventually sat down. After waiting for half an hour, Buff was now showing signs of distress from dehydration. Her wings looked limp, her antennae drooped, and she looked exceedingly glum. Jason himself was feeling faint and his throat was getting painfully dry. He knew that everyone was suffering. He wanted do something for them, but he felt powerless. After waiting for so long, Jason felt that they were being treated unfairly. They hadn't committed any crimes, they had merely asked for help and had been invited in. Why didn't they at least give them some water to drink?

Jason took Buff in his arms, at least to offer some comfort if nothing else.

"Can you please give us some water? Look, she's not coping," Jason said to the soldiers.

The soldiers exchanged a sympathetic glance with each other. "Sorry, be patient just a little while longer," one of them said.

They did not have to wait much longer. The tagmatarch returned. He faced Jason.

"I wish to confirm," he said, "your name is Jason from Goldenrod City, son of Aeson, former king of Johto."

"I'm Jason," he replied, "but … I don't know my parents' names." Jason bowed his head. "What Ru said about being orphaned is true."

"Come with me," the officer replied tersely and headed for the door.

Everyone arose and started to follow. Hearing their sound, the tagmatarch turned back and said, "Jason only."

Jason stopped in his tracks. Ru was about to utter a protest but Jason held out his palm to him.

"I don't desert my men," he said forcefully to the officer, "or my Pokémon."

For a second time since they had set eyes on him, an expression flashed in the officer's face. For a brief moment, his eyes opened a tad wider and his mouth opened just a crack. His eyes then dropped before his face dissolved into expressionlessness once more.

"Come then."

The entire group exited, followed by the two soldiers. Jason carried Buff, who was now limp in his arms. The group were led down stone pathways lined with trees between grand stone buildings, most looking dull with age, quite unlike the city wall they had seen earlier. They were led into another building, which turned out to be a bathhouse, where they were told to wash themselves. Apart from Jason and his group, there was no-one else in the bathhouse. Whether it was because this one was reserved for special use, or whether it had been deliberately vacated for Jason, he had no way of knowing. Either way, the stonework was very old and well worn.

A soldier came in carrying a pitcher of water and two cups. Jason poured a cup and offered it to Lucario, while he poured some water into his cupped hand and helped Buff drink. After she had had enough, he gave some to Quil. Meanwhile Ru took the other cup and was helping Fluff by slowly pouring small amounts of water alternately down each of her throats. Finally, the two youths had a cup each. By then, the pitcher was empty. Another soldier came in with a clean set of clothes for Jason and Ru, and the boys asked him for more water. He pointed to a tap, which Ru used to refill the pitcher and they all had another drink.

Their most urgent need met, the boys were then glad to strip off their clothes which by then were quite filthy and smelly, and they washed themselves in the pool. Lucario and Quil also stepped in and cleaned themselves. Fluff sat at the side of the pool and squawked, pointing to her saddle. Ru went over and took it off. Fluff splashed water over herself, after which she gave herself a good preen. Finally, Jason carried Buff over the side of the pool and, using the moistened edge of one of the towels that had been provided for them, cleaned the dust that had built up on her over the course of their journey. The coolness of the water helped restore her vitality, but she was still weak from hunger.

Next, Jason and Ru tried on the new clothes, which were of a style they had never seen before, but they fit reasonably well once they figured out how to wear them. They had no way of knowing whether they were being lent or given for keeps. In any case, they would not be able to walk around Johto in Alphic clothes, so they washed their old clothes and draped them over a balustrade to dry.

They had only just finished when a soldier came in, telling them to follow him. Jason wished that he would be told what was going on rather than being left in suspense. This time they walked for several minutes. Jason noticed many more buildings of different types. On one side of the path there stood an array of shops and workshops, while on the other it looked like houses. In one house, two young children were playing outside with a poliwag, while in another, a mother carrying a baby were exiting their house going off somewhere.

What caught his attention the most was some of the Pokémon that he had never seen before. Besides the familiar poliwag and ubiquitous brown pidgey, small red and green birds would occasionally flap past. The strangest Pokémon, however, were black and oddly shaped, having one huge eye. When he first spotted one, he had to look twice to convince himself that it was a real living thing, not a weird statue someone had made. They could hover in mid-air, and move from one place to another at unbelievable speed. Even odder was that each one he saw seemed to be a different shape. Once one of them flitted up to Jason staring at him with its giant eye, then shifted to Ru. It gave Jason the creeps, and by the look on Ru's face, he felt the same way. Jason was glad when it wandered off.

Eventually, they reached a majestic building with beautifully carved wooden doors at the end of a street. Upon entering, they were warmly greeted by some fancy looking people, and Jason and Ru were guided to a table on which a feast had been prepared. The Pokémon were led to a small mat on the floor near the table, on which delicious looking fruit and berries lay waiting. Jason would have expected Lucario to eat at the table with him, but Lucario seemed to go along with where he was being led and did not let on that he could speak.

"Welcome, visitors," announced one of the people, who proceeded to introduce himself and the others. "I am chief councillor Plato. With me today are councillors Athena and Jaxus. I believe you are Jason and Ruby? Please take a seat."

Plato was elderly, not as old as the Greens back in Viridian, but his hair was grey and his face had not a few wrinkles. He wore a cream coloured uniform, sort of like a cloth draped over him, with coloured decoration along its edges. Athena and Jaxus were younger, with dark hair, and similarly dressed, but their uniform was white and had fewer colours in its decoration.

"Thanks," said Jason.

"You can call me Ru," said Ru.

The other two councillors offered their greeting and all three of them sat once the two boys had seated themselves.

"I've been told you are hungry. Please serve yourselves whatever you wish from the table." He turned to face the Pokémon. "And you, Jason's Pokémon, please eat as our guests."

Ru filled his plate high and started eating ravenously. Jason felt like doing the same, but instead chose to act in a more civilized manner and ate at a pace less likely to give himself indigestion.

"Delicious food," said Jason.

"Yeah, thanks heaps!" mumbled Ru through a mouthful of cheese and bread.

"Jason," said Athena, "we're surprised to see you here."

"In fact, we're surprised that you survived at all," said Jaxus.

"The initial reports were that your entire family was killed," said Plato. "Later on there was a rumour that you had somehow survived, but we didn't know what to make of it."

"Evidently, the rumour was true," said Jaxus.

"Hey, why don't you let Jay tell his story?" Ru put in between bites. "I wanna hear it too."

"True," said Athena. "Jason, please tell us what happened to you."

Jason finished his mouthful and scratched the back of his neck, wondering how to explain.

"There's not much I know, really. All I can remember is growing up with Quil—that's my quilava—in Kanto."

"In Kanto? Who took you there?" asked Plato.

"I don't know who helped me escape," Jason answered. "I've never really thought about it before, but I guess if I ever find out, I should thank them."

"Who looked after you?" asked Jaxus.

"Lucario did," Jason replied.

"Who's that?" Jaxus enquired.

"Isn't that a kind of Pokémon?" said Athena.

"Lucario, I think you better stop hiding and come here," said Jason.

Lucario rose from where he was seated on the mat with the other three Pokémon and walked over to the table.

"At your service," he said cordially. Athena didn't succeed in muffling a scream, while the other two councillors gasped.

"A talking Pokémon!?" she exclaimed as she held her hand to her chest, not even trying to hide her surprise.

"Yes, I'm a talking Pokémon, and Jason has been in my care until a message came recently imploring Jason to return."

"Who sent the message?" asked Plato.

"Before we continue, may I take a seat? I have a few questions of my own."

Plato extended a somewhat shaky hand and Lucario picked a vacant seat to sit down on.

"Why didn't you tell us at first that you could speak?" asked Jaxus.

"We didn't receive a very warm welcome at first, did we? I wanted to be sure of your intentions before I revealed unnecessary information about us."

"Yes … well … you have to forgive our military," said Plato. "We have to defend ourselves against Pelias."

"Pelias?" said Jason.

"Your uncle," said Jaxus, "who killed your father—his own brother no less!" He shook his head as he said that.

That news hit Jason like a ton of bricks. All this time, he had considered himself an orphan, alone in the world without family. Now, suddenly, not only did he discover that he had some family after all, but that his family was responsible for the evil in his life and in the country of Johto. Until then, his family's history had been abstract, remote facts. This revelation made it personal.

"We … didn't know," said Lucario.

Turning to Jason, Athena said, "I'm sorry, Jason. It must come as a shock to you. We would've broken it more gently to you if we knew you didn't know." Her face showed genuine concern.

Jason was comforted at least a little by Athena's kind words. So there were people who cared? He nodded to her in gratitude.

"So please tell me," said Lucario, "where do you stand in all this? I've been told that you're an independent country."

"That we are," said Plato proudly, "and thankfully we do not have kings rule us. We and the other councillors are elected by our people."

"So what is your relationship with Johto?" asked Lucario.

"When Aeson was king of Johto, he left us to rule ourselves in peace," Jaxus answered. "We travelled freely in Johto and we also freely welcomed visitors to our city."

"Yes," said Plato. "Our city was esteemed, respected. Legend has it that we invented writing, a long, long time ago, and we generously shared this gift to our neighbours."

"When your father was king, I was a young woman," said Athena. "I hadn't even dreamed that I would be elected councillor one day, but my husband and I were sent as envoys to Goldenrod City on the occasion of your birth, Jason. The last time I saw you was when you were a tiny baby. It was such a happy time."

"But that all changed when Pelias seized the throne," said Plato.

"Once he established his own position, he threatened to conquer us too," added Jaxus. "We had to build walls around our entire territory to keep the Johtian army out. We had to build up our own military, who up until then only had a ceremonial role in our society."

"We suffered a great deal because of it," said Athena. "Can you imagine men leaving their families to spend their time quarrying rocks and building a wall? Youths being drafted into military service, fearful of their lives, yet noble and willing to sacrifice themselves for their people?"

"You can see why you were treated as you were when you arrived," said Plato. "We can only apologize now, but we had no idea who you were at first."

By then Ru was stuffed full and leaned back, placing his hands on his now bulging stomach.

"Thanks guys," he said. "What a breakfast! It was almost worth going hungry!"

Jason, who had meanwhile stopped eating when he discovered that the king was his uncle, resumed his meal. Even if he had lost his appetite, he needed to regain his strength. Discovering what he did that day only motivated him even more to defeat the man he was ashamed to be related to.

Plato clapped twice loudly. Jason wondered what it meant, but then noticed a girl around his age come in through a door behind the table. She arrived at the table and stood next to Plato.

"Some grepa juice please," he said. "Oh, our guest over there has finished his meal," he added, pointing to Ru.

She walked over to Ru and picked up his plate. Ru, though, couldn't keep his eyes off her. Jason saw him looking her up and down, but it was unclear whether he was admiring her or assessing her somehow. Jason himself found her pleasant to look at. Not only did her young female body have an appealing shape, but he was impressed by the way her long black hair reached to her waist and swayed with a life of its own, and how it contrasted beautifully against her smart, clean clothes. This answered one question he had. From Ru's reaction it appeared that Jason wasn't the only boy who seemed to like girls. Maybe all boys did. Evidently, from what Mrs Green said in passing that day, girls liked boys too. But he still had no idea what it all meant. Was there a purpose to this attraction?

As Ru and Jason watched the servant girl walk back to the door, Jason had the distinct impression that someone was looking at him. He turned around and saw Athena with a smirk on her face. He felt his cheeks flush and his heartbeat go up, but again, he couldn't understand why he would experience such a reaction.

"We've opened up to you," said Plato. "I think it would be fair if you told us your position, Jason."

Jason sighed. If only everyone in the world was as gracious as these people seemed to be. But the reality was that it wasn't so. There were evil people who had to be fought if goodness had to have a chance to prevail. The kind people of Alph had suffered because of the king, perhaps not as much as the rest of Johto, but they were affected nonetheless. He had to defeat his uncle for their sakes as much as for his own people.

"I'm back in Johto for one purpose: to defeat the king."

"So you aim to seize control of the country in his place?" asked Plato. "Are you after power? Revenge?" He asked this question matter-of-factly, with a straight face and gesturing with his hands.

Yet the questions seemed strange. Jason couldn't figure out why Plato put things that way, almost as if Jason was up to no good. Jason simply wanted to tell them the truth. He glanced at Lucario, who looked back at him encouragingly. He looked at Ru, but he seemed to be wistfully gazing at the door through which the servant girl had just disappeared.

"I want to serve my people. If they'll have me as their king, then I'll try to rule them as my father did, with responsibility and love."

The councillors considered Jason's reply. Meanwhile, much to Ru's pleasure, the servant girl returned with a jug of yellow juice. She came over and poured it into cups that were already on the table.

"Please drink," said Plato, "as a token of our common hope, a hope of better things to come."

Did that mean they were going to help? Jason couldn't help but feel anxious. It sounded like these people could be on his side, but they hadn't committed to anything yet. He saw the three councillors pick up their cups and held them up. He imitated their behaviour. Ru was still gawking at the girl, so Jason elbowed him and got him to do the same. Jason saw them drink the juice, so he did too. It tasted a mixture of sweet and sour, and had a pleasant smell.

"Jason," said Plato, "we shall meet with the rest of the council today and speak with you again tomorrow. In the meantime, you are welcome to go wherever you wish and enjoy our city. We'll prepare some quarters for you to sleep tonight."

"You can have dinner with my family tonight," said Athena. "I'll show you where to come when we're outside."

With that, Jason finished his meal and made sure his Pokémon had finished theirs. To Ru's delight, and to his own, Jason had to admit, the pretty girl came back to collect the dishes. After that, they were escorted outside.

- – — – -

At first they walked about aimlessly, looking around the city, until a youth who looked about Jason's age came up and introduced himself as Praxis, Athena's son. He said he was given the afternoon off work to show them a few places around town. They started off looking at the library, which was where Praxis worked. The many scrolls and parchments there contained the collected knowledge of their civilization. He said that the library was his favourite place in the entire city, and rattled off all sorts of facts, like about Pokémon training having originated in Alph over a thousand years ago before it spread to the rest of the world, and how there was supposed to be huge flying Pokémon called Ho-oh and Lugia that were rumoured to live in Johto but which very few people had ever seen.

Next they were shown the council chamber, where laws and important matters were decided, and they spent some time in the art gallery, which hosted sculptures and paintings, mostly Alphic, but a few that had come from other parts of the world. One section of the gallery held some unusual artworks, which were painted by Pokémon called smeargle. No-one, not even Lucario, had heard of them before, but Praxis said that they had lived in Alph as long as anyone could remember. They also found out that the creepy black floating Pokémon were called unown. Praxis assured them that they never hurt anyone.

By the end of the day, the three boys were getting along wonderfully together, even laughing and making jokes, although Jason didn't always understand them. Towards evening, Praxis took them home where they were served dinner and met the rest of his family, which included Athena, Praxis' father Andros, and his sister Korie. After that, they were shown to a room where they could stay for the night. Exhausted from being up all the previous night and walking around all day, they went to bed early and slept for many hours.

The next morning, they were awoken, Jason and Ru were given a fresh change of clothes, and breakfast was delivered. Athena then showed up and escorted them to the council chamber where the Alphic council was in session. The Pokémon were asked to remain outside, but at Jason's insistence, Lucario was permitted to enter.

The council chamber was simply a room with little more than a large table and set of chairs. At the head of the table sat Plato, and judging by their similar clothing, eight other councillors sat at the table. In the corner of the room sat a solitary figure at a small desk with pen and a scroll of paper. In the opposite corner stood a young man dressed in a similar style to the servant girl who attended them the previous day.

"Jason, Ruby, Lucario," said Plato, "welcome, and please take a seat."

Athena led them to some empty chairs, then sat down herself, making ten councillors in all.

"Jason," said Plato, "we're discussing the extent to which we can support you in your task of overthrowing Pelias. It will be no easy task, especially for someone so young and without an army or weapons. We would like to ask you certain questions."

Jason wasn't sure where this was going to lead, but he knew that he would need all the help he could get. All he could do for now was co-operate with them.

"Sure," he replied.

Plato gestured towards Jaxus.

"Jason," said Jaxus, "what is your plan?"

On hearing that question, Jason looked down. He didn't yet have much of a plan, so what could he say?

Looking back up, he answered, "At the moment, I don't know a lot about the king. My plan is first to understand the situation, learn what I can about him, and about the people, and also about the people he uses to control the people. I guess I need to find out who my supporters are and what they can do. I can't come up with a plan to defeat him until I get all that done."

Jaxus looked worriedly at the other councillors. He looked uncertain as to what to ask next.

"So let me get this right," said another councillor. "As yet, you do not have a plan for defeating Pelias."

At this point, Lucario spoke up.

"If you permit me to speak …"

At this, there were gasps and commotion among the councillors.

"Please, please," said Plato to quiet them down. "Yes, we have among us today a remarkable Pokémon, one who can speak. Please let's give him the benefit of a hearing."

The chamber settled down—although astonished faces remained—and Lucario was able to continue.

"Thank you. As some of you know, I have been raising Jason in the absence of a family. For his safety, I kept his identity and location secret since he arrived in Kanto fourteen years ago. That means that I had to keep Jason's identity secret even from himself, lest he unwittingly reveal it to other humans. If the information somehow made its way to the king, Jason would be in danger and the hopes of the people of Johto would be dashed."

"So are you saying that Jason has only recently discovered his identity?" asked the councillor who had spoken before.

"That is correct," Lucario answered. "It has only been a matter of days. He has had neither time nor opportunity to formulate a plan. He has demonstrated incredible courage to return to a land and people whom he cannot even remember, yet he has come at their request. We do not even know who sent the message, although I was expecting such a request to arrive one day. If you can offer some support, it will be welcome. As you too wish to be rid of Johto's present king, I presume that you will help him."

"What is the extent of your present support?" asked Jaxus.

Jason looked puzzled.

"What help do you have at the moment in your task?" another councillor explained.

Jason sighed. Why did they want to know all this? Couldn't they just say that they'll help him?

"I've met one person who says he's willing to help, and he says he knows others. Also Ru and his family will help."

"So you have a handful of people," said a councillor. "That's all? What skills do they have? What weapons?"

"I don't know," said Jason. "For their safety, I don't think I should say anything else about them, but I have no idea how many supporters are secretly waiting among the people. I'm hoping it's more than a handful."

"I personally guarantee that anything you say here will be kept within these walls," said Plato. He turned to the man at the desk and said, "blot any details about Jason's supporters."

"It's all right, Plato," said Athena. "I don't think we should pressure Jason into telling us more than he feels comfortable. We should value his honesty. Given that he has only discovered who he is mere days ago, I am moved and impressed by his responsibility and courage. Even tagmatarch Spartis praised the boy in his report to me yesterday!"

There was a commotion among the councillors once more. Apparently, this Spartis guy was not easy to impress. Jason wondered what it was about himself that earned him the praise.

"Alright, everyone!" Plato called the council to order. "We discussed this scenario yesterday. Although it was only a contingency plan, I believe we should follow it. Councillor Jaxus, can you please explain it to Jason?"

"Yes, chief councillor," said Jaxus with a nod. Turning to Jason, he said, "If we agree to support you and knowledge of this is inadvertently revealed to Pelias, it is very likely that he will attack our city. Even if he does not succeed in conquering us, he will surely inflict severe losses, even if only as a demonstration of force to anyone else who would seek to defy him. Not only would we suffer, but your supporters in Johto will lose the will to fight. Everyone except Pelias would lose."

At this revelation, Jason's hopes fell. They were not going to help? He had been so sure that they would.

"Had you had a definite plan with good chance of success, then we would be willing to join forces with you to rid Johto of this madman. As it stands, however, you do not."

At this news, Jason bowed his head, took a deep breath and thumped the table with his fists. He wasn't angry with the people of Alph. He was simply disappointed with the reality of the situation. Was there anything he could do or say that would change their minds? Ru, who was seated next to him and had remained silent, put his hand on Jason's arm to help calm him.

"Jason, please listen," said Athena. "There's more to be said. Jaxus, please continue."

Jason looked up and Jaxus continued his speech.

"We decided that in such a situation, we offer three things. Firstly, we will supply you with provisions to help you on the next step of your journey. Secondly, if you are ever in danger, know that you will always find refuge here. Thirdly, once you have a plan that will succeed, come again to us, or send a messenger, and we will do everything in our power to help."

Jason sighed. He was at least comforted by their generosity. He understood. He felt the weight of responsibility himself. He could understand that the council would have to take responsibility for their own people. They could not choose a course of action that would expose their people to harm. He was still disappointed, but he understood.

"Thank you," he said. "You've been kind."

"I think this has been enough for today," said Plato. "Are there any matters of urgency?" Receiving no replies, he announced, "Council adjourned for today."

Outside the council chambers, Athena came up to Jason, took his hands in hers and said, "Jason, you did well. I know you must be disappointed, but I'm encouraged by your courage. Some of the other councillors might frown on me for saying this, but you'll make a good king. I hope you succeed, I really do."

"Frown?" Jason replied.

"We Alphics don't believe in monarchy. In our system, we elect our rulers every four years."

"I see. Tell me, what did you mean before about the … tagma … what was he called?" Jason asked.

"Tagmatarch Spartis? He was impressed how you said you wouldn't desert your men or your Pokémon. In spite of his hard appearance, he's a man of great loyalty. Your words touched his heart. I nearly cried when I heard his report."

Jason smiled. It encouraged him to know that in spite of the mistakes he had made so far, at least he did some things right.

- – — – -

They spent the rest of the day resting to regain their strength for their journey ahead to Goldenrod City. After dinner, Praxis came with their clothes that they had left behind in the bathhouse, which had been cleaned, patched and pressed for them, along with as many provisions as they could carry.

They got up the next morning for an early start. Praxis was to guide them through Alph territory up to the southern entrance which led to the mysterious Ilex Forest. From there they were to make their way westwards through the forest and then north to Goldenrod. They bid goodbye to Athena and her family, thanking them for being such kind hosts. Praxis went off for a minute to say goodbye to a friend. When he returned, they set off.


This story is set long enough ago that Alph was a thriving city, not merely archaeological ruins. I don't think anything about its history has been officially revealed, except the suggestion that writing evolved from copying the shapes of the unown.

A tagmatarch was a real ancient Greek military officer, roughly equivalent to a US army major according to Wikipedia.

I named Plato in honour of my uncle, but it was also the name of an ancient Greek philosopher (Πλάτων). Athena (Αθηνά) was the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Andros is the name of an island where (so I was told) my grandfather was born. I made up the names Spartis, Jaxus, Praxis and Korie, but Spartis is reminiscent of military-minded Sparta, "praxē" (πράξη) is the Greek word for "deed", and "Korē" (κόρη) is the Greek word for daughter.

For those of you who aren't familiar with it, in the original myth, Pelias only imprisoned Jason's parents. I decided it would work better for my story to worsen him a few notches.

"But that all changed when …" Credit for that phrase belongs to Avatar: the Last Airbender.