Day of departure for Alola, 9:00 AM
Brendan and Zinnia began were packing their bags, in preparation for their flight to Alola that left in fours hours from Rustboro. Zinnia, who had always traveled light before, struggled to fit the last articles of clothing in her travel case. To add to her frustration, Charmander refused to enter his Poké Ball, unlike Skrelp and Trapinch. The Flame Pokémon stood with his arms crossed, defiant.
"Don't worry, Zee" Brendan said, as she groaned in exasperation. "He's small enough to board the plane with us, like Aster. The plane is a specialty design, has an area in the back were Pokémon that get antsy can hang out. Non-flammable, naturally." He approached her case, looking over it. His own case was neatly organized and packed, despite having just as many things as her.
"Can you organize it? Please?" Zinnia asked, defeated. She never figured packing for a trip could be so taxing. Crap, I forgot the lingerie and the dress is in there. Brendan agreed before she could take it back.
"Of course. Should take just a few minutes, only the top of the pile needs fixing. No need to dig deep." Zinnia internally sighed with relief, and Brendan set about rearranging some of her clothes, which were mostly tops, shorts, and socks. He jerked his head towards Charmander. "You could calm the kid down, in the meantime."
She sat on the floor next to the Fire-type, who looked at her with inquisitive and anxious eyes. Zinnia stroked his head to get him settled. "Okay, Charmander. You don't have to stay in your Poké Ball on the plane. I just need you to get in it for a little bit, okay? I promise to let you out when we get to the airport."
Charmander thought for a moment, contemplating. He nodded trustingly, and Zinnia returned him to the Poké Ball. Brendan spent another minute working on her suitcase, then zipped it closed.
"All done" he said happily. He glanced towards the clock, and turned back to her. "We've got some time to kill, anything you want to do before we leave?".
Her memory hit her like a freight train. "Yes. Petalburg Woods" Zinnia said with quiet seriousness. Confusion cast over Brendan's face, then recognition soon replaced it.
"Right. We'll stop on the way. We oughta leave now, then" he replied, his own voice now matching her pensive tone.
Deep in Petalburg Woods, an hour later
Brendan, Zinnia, Aster the Whismur, Lucario, and Charmander walked through the thick brush that indicated they were approaching the heart of the forest. Sceptile was ahead of them, using his tail to clear a path. Lucario walked behind Charmander, having taken it upon himself to stamp out the embers left behind by the Fire-type's tail. Aster stuck close to Zinnia, seemingly frightened to return to the site of that harrowing night.
"Not much further now" Zinnia muttered. I think. I said the same thing ten minutes ago. She had last visited Aster's grave ten years ago, the day she left Hoenn for her journey. Zinnia grew concerned that the forest had already taken it over.
Lucario's voice entered her and Brendan's thoughts. "I believe you are correct this time. I sense an aura ahead, but it is faint. Likely the aura left behind by Aster's body" the Aura Pokémon said telepathically.
Sure enough, they came across the derelict ruins of the lab. It was blackened by old soot, and crumbling. Young trees had sprouted inside, where sunlight showed itself through the walls and roof. Vines completely covered the outside of the building. Zinnia could see several pairs of eyes staring at her from the dark interior of the lab. Ghost-types, most likely. There was a lot of death that day. The eyes disappeared when they spotted Lucario and Sceptile staring back.
The area where she had buried Aster was covered with tall grass; Zinnia could not discern where the slight mound was. All she could mark it with was a stone, and that too was hidden by the foliage. "Lucario?" she asked. She didn't need to finish the question, as the Pokémon closed his eyes and put out his palm. After a moment, he opened his eyes, and began walking forward.
He stopped after about twenty meters, and stood still. "Here" he communicated. Zinnia and the rest walked over, and she saw the stone she had laid on Aster's grave.
"We can have Charmander use Ember to clear the grass" Brendan suggested. "I'll bring out Swampert, so he can wet the area around, to prevent the fire from spreading."
Swampert doused an oval around Aster's grave, and Charmander lit the dry grass ablaze with his tail. After a couple of minutes, the flames consumed all the grass, and Swampert threw mud onto the fire to suffocate it.
"Thank you, Charmander and Swampert" Zinnia said solemnly. She knelt on the mound. Brendan shifted, somewhat uneasily.
"Do you want me and the others to leave you alone?". She shook her slowly.
"No. You can stay here. I want you to. I'm not going to speak. If she can watch me from beyond the grave, she already knows what I have to say." Brendan sat on a nearby stump, while Aster the Whismur and Charmander sat next to her. Lucario, Swampert, and Sceptile stood off to the side, keeping watch on the lab.
Zinnia closed her eyes and relaxed. She conjured up the image of Aster in her mind, as best she could. Blue eyes, and flaming long hair. The curve of her back, her radiant smile. The small freckles that she could only see when they kissed. It was hard to believe she died eleven years ago. Five years from now, Zinnia would have lived half her life without Aster. The thought seemed inconceivable at first, but every day, her memory of her first love grew foggier and more faded.
"What I wouldn't give for just a picture of her" Zinnia thought aloud. Movement in her peripheral caused her to turn, and she saw Brendan retrieve something from his pocket. A photograph, the kind you needed to get developed.
"Lucky for you, nothing." He gently offered her the photo, and she took it gingerly. It was of her and Aster, sitting on a bench together. Aster was wearing a dress. Her sixteenth birthday, I remember. Neither of them were looking at the camera. Instead, they were smiling at each other. It was the day Zinnia realized she liked Aster as something more than a friend.
"How did you get this?" She asked Brendan incredulously. "I don't remember anyone ever taking our picture."
"I got it from your grandmother, a week ago. Aster's dad took it with a digital camera he bought the day before; after Aster died, he left the camera with your grandma. She didn't know how to look at the pictures until a few years ago, when I showed her how to operate the camera. Apparently, she got them printed out with someone's help."
"Why'd you wait to give it to me? Not that I'm upset you did wait." Brendan shrugged.
"Just waiting for the right time, I suppose." He looked over the grave, pondering briefly, then spoke up again. "Why don't we make this more permanent? Make a cairn on her grave?".
Zinnia nodded wordlessly, and looked at the lab. "There's our source of stone." The crumbling brick would serve nicely, and any larger chunks could be cut down to size by Brendan's Pokémon. The group set to work, Sceptile and Lucario cutting brick, Zinnia and Brendan hauling it. Swampert made mud to use as mortar, and Charmander dried the mud with his tail after Swampert packed it. A few Haunter and Ghastly attempted to interrupt their work, but they were easily frightened off.
An hour later, a modest cairn covered Aster's resting place. Zinnia placed her hand on it, and inhaled deeply. She exhaled, and turned towards Brendan. He must have been reading her mind, because he stepped forward and hugged her. They stood there for a few moments, Zinnia resting her head against Brendan's chest, enjoying the comfort of his arms. They pulled away eventually.
"Thank you for doing this. For being here, and helping me." She could feel her eyes get watery, but resisted the urge to wipe them.
"You can always count on me" Brendan promised. He took a cursory glance at his watch. "Unless you want to stay longer, we should getting going. Flight is in just over an hour." Zinnia nodded.
"I'm ready, let's go." She gazed at Aster's grave one last time, and walked away.
Rustboro Airport, 1:43 PM
"Really? This is your first time on a plane?" Brendan asked in disbelief. "You've been to five other regions." They sat in first-class, on the left side of the cabin. Their seats had proper tables, and television screens in front of them. The seats in front and behind them were nearly ten feet away each, giving them plenty of room to lean back.
"Always took the ferry, or rode on Salamence. Far less expensive, and ferries tend to be more comfortable. It helped I was never in a rush." Zinnia shifted in her seat, clearly impatient. "Why the hell hasn't the plane taken off yet?".
"Double, and triple, and quadruple checking things, I'd assume." Brendan replied. They had managed to board on time, and there was no delay. More than he'd hoped for already. Charmander and Aster the Whismur were in the Pokémon section of the plane. Aster had been most hesitant to leave Zinnia, but she had successful coaxed the Whismur into the cushioned room by promising to check on her every couple of hours. Charmander put up no fuss, and was simply happy to be out and about.
Ten minutes later, the airliner finally began to move. Zinnia breathed a sigh of relief, but quickly grew annoyed again when Brendan told her that the plane still wouldn't get in the air for at least another five minutes.
The flight to Alola was largely uneventful. The two spent most of it watching movies (Brendan was eager to catch up). An adventure film about a Spheal looking for its parents, a mystery thriller featuring a Stoutland hunting a Hypno, and an action film telling the story of a Zangoose looking for revenge against a Seviper that nearly killed it.
Brendan and Zinnia visited the Pokémon several times, generally in between watching movies. Aster was overjoyed every time, and attempted to follow whenever they left. Charmander greeted them happily, but seemed perfectly content to stay. He seemed to be playing with a Dratini while they were gone, since that's who he ambled off to after Zinnia and Brendan left.
Lunch wasn't served, although there were snacks provided. For dinner, the flight attendant brought lobster rolls, which Brendan devoured gleefully while he and Zinnia started another movie. They had just finished the Zangoose movie when the pilot's voice came over the speaker.
"Hello passengers, this is your pilot. We will be touching down in Heahea City Airport in about twenty minutes. It's early morning in Alola, so you should be able to see the islands under the rising sun, if you sit on the left side of the plane."
Brendan looked out the window, and could see a large, fairly rocky island. Poni Island, he presumed. The only signs of civilization he could see from the plane was a village of boats moored on a dock. Seafolk Village, he remembered from the travel brochure. Not too dissimilar from Pacifidlog Town, albeit more secured.
He leaned back in his seat, so Zinnia could lean over him to see. "Not much detail I can see" she said, peering intently. "It does look beautiful in the morning light. I can only imagine how it looks during the day and night." She sat back down.
"We should tour the islands first, before we start training hard" Zinnia continued. "From the pictures, they're too pretty not to. And, it'll help us figure out the best places to train." She made a strong argument, though Brendan needed no convincing. He never vacationed much, with his dad working all the time. Never to another region, except Kanto, when he still lived in Johto. But it didn't feel foreign or exotic at all. Just more people, taller buildings, and less tradition.
"Alright, I'm game. Malie City sounds appealing, might remind me a bit of home. Though Olivine was more modern than most cities in Johto. Anway, the travel brochure spoke highly of the Sushi High Roller. I'd like to go there sometime, since you still owe me dinner for when Lucario beat Salamence."
"I was hoping you'd forgotten about that. But sure, we can go. Pick a date, make reservations in advance." Zinnia yawned, and looked at the time. "7:17 AM" she read. "I wonder what time that would be in Hoenn?".
"It's 10:17 PM in Hoenn" Brendan replied, looking at his clock app. "Fifteen hours ahead of here." He felt a little tired himself. "In hindsight, we probably should have napped. Jet lag is going to suck for the few days."
After the plane landed, the two retrieved Whismur and Charmander. Brendan decided to wait around to see who would pick up Dratini, and he was rewarded with quite the surprise. Dratini's owner was man about fifteen years his senior, with dark, spikey crimson hair and a long cape. Lance.
"Champion Lance. It's a pleasure to meet you." Brendan extended his hand to offer a handshake. "I'm-" he started to introduce himself, but the other man cut him off.
"I know who you are" Lance said, taking Brendan's and giving it a firm shake. "Brendan Ahlgren. It's a pleasure to meet you, as well." He directed his attention to Zinnia. "And you're Zinnia Sarkany, I remember from Mauville TV's interview. Lance Blackthorn." The Kanto Champion shook her hand as well.
"Here early for the tournament, Champion" Zinnia asked cordially.
"Not quite. I plan on returning to Kanto in a couple months, and to come back to Alola shortly before the tournament. I'm here to scout the talent, see what I may find myself going up against. I've never fought an Alolan trainer before, and I've heard some of the Pokémon here have a different form than in Kanto. Pokémon that would normally struggle against dragons suddenly finding themselves at an advantage." Lance then turned the conversation to Zinnia.
"Speaking of Dragon-types, you are Dragon user yourself, aren't you? One of the Draconids. I recall visiting your people along with my cousin, nearly three decades ago."
"Yes, my grandmother recalled you. Said even then, you were an adept Trainer. Clair said she didn't remember much, though." Lance's eyes lit up slightly at the familiarity with Clair Zinnia's tone possessed.
"You've met Clair? How is she? I haven't seen or spoken with her in a while, not since before her and Steven got engaged." His tone was jovial, though it carried a tinge of sadness. Family issues?, Brendan wondered to himself. Clair was resentful of how she was perceived compared how Lance was, so perhaps that was why she hadn't contacted him?
While Brendan was thinking, Zinnia was responding to the question. "She is doing great! Seems very happy being with the illustrious Mr. Stone." Zinnia didn't appear to pick up on Lance's subtle pain.
"That's good to hear. We all need someone special in our lives… To keep us grounded, and comfortable." There was a hint of longing there, and this time Brendan could see that Zinnia heard it too. Lance snapped himself out of it, and changed the subject.
"Anyways, it was nice meeting you two. If either of you want to train with me, call me. Here." He handed Brendan and Zinnia small, white slips of paper with a phone number on it. "I hear the Pokémon and Trainers at Poni Island and Mount Lanakila are particularly strong. Farewell!". Dratini wrapped itself around Lance's arm, and he walked off briskly.
After he was out of earshot, Brendan turned to Zinnia. "Sound like he's a lonely guy. Like I was for a while." She nodded in agreeance.
"It's surprising, yet understandable. Guy as famous, powerful, and handsome as him, and he doesn't have wife, or even a girlfriend? But it also makes sense. Lots of Dragon trainers are intense, heavy. Spend most of the time training alone, especially when you're a Champion like Lance. Clair and I are the exception, not the rule. And Clair is what, thirty-two? She told me Steven was first boyfriend she ever had, and they started dating when she was twenty-nine. And Clair isn't lacking in looks department, as I'm sure you've noticed."
They started walking off the plane, continuing the conversation. Zinnia returned Charmander to his Poké Ball, and Aster walked alongside her.
"Do you think that might be part of him coming to Alola early, to get out of the routine? If he wanted, he could probably just have Alolan trainers come fight him in Kanto. The Alolan Pokémon keep their form no matter where they go." Zinnia shrugged, as they approached the baggage area.
"Plausible theory. Or he just wants to miss part of winter real bad." They retrieved their bags, moving to exit to the rental car the league had provided them with. Only a couple of people stopped them for pictures; Zinnia eschewed her cloak and signature top for a plain black top, and wore a red baseball cap. Brendan wore his Sootopolis Pirates cap, and his grandfather's old leather bomber jacket Norman gave him before Brendan left, a pair of sunglasses hanging from the lapel. They looked like run-of-the-mill tourists. It helped that Brendan shaved after the interview; his face had been scruffy then.
Holiday-themed knick-knacks, candies, and decorations with an Alolan twist were displayed at kiosks and tourist shops all across the airport. Brendan ignored them, until he spotted a box of peppermint candy canes. He stopped, and pointed out the sweets to Zinnia, smiling. She looked at them for moment, clearly wondering why he had pointed them out. Recollection hit, and she grinned back. Brendan bought the box of candy canes and unwrapped one. He then reached for Lucario's Poké Ball.
Out came the Aura Pokémon, who started sniffing the air, clearly smelling the peppermint. He spun around to see Brendan holding the candy cane out for Lucario to grab. "Try a candy cane, Lucario?". The Pokémon gently took the cane, awkwardly holding it between his paws.
"Smells good." He gave the cane a testing lick, then took a bite. "Tastes better" he said telepathically, with an appreciative tone. Lucario chomped down the rest of his candy cane happily, oblivious to Brendan and Zinnia's stifled laughter. Finishing the treat, he licked his chops and looked up at Brendan, eyes begging adorably.
"Could… could I have another?" he asked almost shyly. Brendan unwrapped another one, and handed it to Lucario. Zinnia could barely contain herself, her face flushed red, and a hand over her mouth.
"Just one more for now" he told the Pokémon in an authoritative but amused tone. Brendan put away Lucario's Poké Ball, opting to let him walk alongside them. The Pokémon finished off the second candy cane with a loud crunch, and licked his paws this time.
"There are many new auras here. Not just the people and the Pokémon. The land itself is awash with it. This whole region feels… holy." Lucario sounded almost entranced.
"Are you sure it's not just the peppermint talking to you?" Zinnia teased. Lucario shot her an annoyed glare, and looked to Brendan.
"You must feel it too, Master. It is warmer here, and it's not just the weather. The land is alive. Your aura is strong, for a human." Brendan shook his head.
"Nothing here. I can't sense aura anywhere near as good as you. Is there anywhere that the aura is most concentrated?." They located the rental car, a fairly new Range Rover. Entering it, Brendan activated the GPS to route to Tide Song Hotel.
"Hmm. I can sense four points at which the aura is most concentrated. One point on each island. Perhaps you will be able to feel it at one of these points?". Brendan started up the car, and exited the parking lot.
"Maybe. We can visit the one here later. Right now, all I want to do is sleep." Luckily, early morning on a Sunday meant there was little traffic. Even still, it would take nearly an hour to reach Tide Song Hotel according to the GPS. The sound of airliners probably doesn't make for a relaxing vacation, Brendan decided. Zinnia was already asleep, and Aster napped in her lap. Lucario sat quietly in the back, his eyes closed. Meditating most likely, as his head remained perfectly still.
Finally, they made it to the hotel. Brendan parked near the entrance, and a chauffeur and a bellhop emerged. The chauffeur offered to park the car in the resident's lot, and the bellhop unloaded their luggage onto a dolly. Brendan handed the keys to the chauffeur, and returned Lucario to his Poké Ball.
They followed the bellhop in to the hotel, and Brendan approached the receptionist. After showing his and Zinnia's identification, he obtained the keys to their room. The chauffeur returned the keys, and Brendan tipped him. A third floor suite that overlooked the beach, with a large balcony. The bellhop brought their luggage in, and departed with a polite bow of his head, after Brendan tipped him as well. Aster found a comfortable chair, and promptly fell asleep.
Zinnia kicked off her shoes, and unceremoniously collapsed face-first onto the king-sized bed. "Soooo soft" she said with pleasure, her voice muffled due to her mouth being pressed against the comforter. "Could you close the curtains? I'm already too comfortable." Brendan walked towards the balcony, closing the curtain to cover the sliding glass door. It was a brilliant view, but he was too tired to admire it now.
Brendan slipped off his own shoes and jacket, and eased himself onto the bed next to Zinnia. He rubbed her shoulders until she fell asleep, a contented smile on her face. He laid his head next to hers, slowly drifting off himself. For the first time in a long time, Brendan couldn't wait until he woke up.