Chapter 12: Unexpected partner
After feeding Venus those blue Pokéblocks whose effect still remained a mystery for me, I went back to the cafeteria and I ordered a bacon sandwich. The intense battle made me hungry again! But not enough to order a Mauville Ramen Bowl, I wanted something lighter. Although I still remembered how delicious the noodles were… But I didn't regret ordering the sandwich. The bacon was slightly salty, exactly how I like it, and the bread was crispy. I couldn't ask for more! That cafeteria serves the best food in Hoenn, I'm telling you!
After throwing away the remains, I headed to the bicycle shop. I already had a fair amount of money thanks to the battles I won and I figured that the bicycle would be useful. It wasn't hard to find the place, I entered the shop and an elderly man greeted me.
"Hi! How can I help you?" The man said cheerfully.
"Hi! I'm traveling across the region and I'm looking for a bike with which I can help me to reach faster my destinations." I explained to him, remarking all the important details.
"Then this one is perfect for you!"
The man showed me a dark red bike with black stripes. It looked really cool!
"This bike is the Ultra Sport 1.0, perfect for travelers like you! It's very comfortable and also, you will be able to overcome many geographical obstacles that you wouldn't be able to sort with a regular bike. So, what do you say?"
I examined the vehicle and after hearing the seller's explanation, I was really convinced.
"I'm taking it! How much does it cost?"
"It would be 4500 Pokédollars. Oh, and another thing: you can fold it!" He announced while folding the bicycle "And it comes with this bag in which you can put it, so you can carry it around."
"Cool!" I said while giving him the money. I ended up making a good purchase!
I went outside the store, eager to try out my new bicycle. I wasn't afraid of falling off, because I already knew how to ride on a bike. As the seller promised, the bike was very good; the seat was very comfortable and I could get a good grip from the handlebars. This would make my travelling more easy and comfortable!
I wasn't really sure about where to go. I wanted to challenge the next gym leader, but first I wanted to train my pokémon a bit more. I headed towards the exit leading to Route 117, riding my brand-new bicycle. The sensation was amazing! The wind blown into my face while I pedaled at full speed.
Upon entering Route 117, I found the Pokémon Daycare. I couldn't help but make a stop: in a backyard, there were several pokémon playing together. I could see a young Zigzagoon frolicking trough the grass. It was an adorable sight! There were also a few couples of pokémon whom were very affectionate towards each other. I bet these were mates! Before I could realize, ten minutes passed. The daycare man was starting to look at me in a funny way. After apologizing, I began to pedal again like crazy.
Soon, I arrived to a small town: Verdanturf Town. It's a small place, there's nothing remarkable, except for a Contest Hall, which is much smaller than the one in Slateport City. Then there you have what you find in all the other cities and towns; the Pokémon Market and the Pokémon Center. After taking my buddies to the Pokémon Center, I noticed the entrance of a tunnel in the north part of the town. I decided to take a look inside.
Before entering the cave, I saw a banner which read: "Rusturf Tunnel". Then I remembered something and I realized that this tunnel linked Rustboro City and Verdanturf Town! How cool is that? I got off on my bicycle and I put it on its bag. Right in front of the entrance, there were several boulders blocking the path. I sent out Trevor so he could use rock smash. I was going to return Trevor to his Pokéball, but I decided to leave him outside. I never walked along with any of my pokémon and I wanted to try out the experience!
We walked for a while before we spotted two persons talking to each other.
"Trevor, maybe we shouldn't keep walking. What if we are going to interfere on something which is none of our business?" I said to my partner. We were going to turn back when one of the persons called for us.
"Hi there! Can you help us, please?" A young man said.
I walked with Trevor towards them: there were a man and a woman separated by a row of boulders.
"These rocks are keeping us apart… Do you have, by any chance, any pokémon who knows the attack rock smash?" The young woman inquired.
"Of course! Trevor, use rock smash on these rocks over here." Trevor obeyed and reduced the slab to dust.
"Thank you very much! Finally I can be together with my girlfriend! You see, when the construction of the tunnel was cancelled, I decided to dig it by myself. I found the way of doing it without disturbing the pokémon who live there and now, thanks to you and your pokémon, the passageway is totally accessible!" The man explained, displaying evident satisfaction.
"I'm glad we have helped you! There's nothing better than helping those in need, right?" I said lightheartedly, while the couple agreed with me.
"As a show of gratitude, I want to give you this." The man said while handing to me small, round object. It had two S shaped lines in the center, each of which was colored in a different shade of grey.
"What is this?" I asked while I examined it.
"This is a very special object. You will know what it is when the time comes!" He exposed while winking an eye.
After we said goodbye to each other, the couple left towards Verdanturf Town. Having a tunnel connecting two cities is very practical! I thought for a second of going to Rustboro City, but I remembered something: I forgot my mobile phone at the cafeteria!
I explained the situation to Trevor, who seemed to understand everything I said, and I made him follow me. We quickly headed towards Mauville City, I ran as fast as I could but it was very hard to keep up with Trevor's speed; indeed it's true what they say about Grovyle, it's one of the fastest pokémon! We arrived very soon to Mauville City and we found without any problem the restaurant. When I entered I looked everywhere, already afraid of having lost my mobile phone, when I noticed Trevor was holding something: he found my mobile phone!
"Wow Trevor, you are the best!" I said while patting his head and after retrieving my phone, which I kept safe inside the bag so I didn't have to face this inconvenient again.
We exited the restaurant and this time I decided to choose a different path. I wanted to go towards the Route 111. I would train for the next gym battle along the way. Trevor and I were walking minding our own business when I noticed to persons dressed in a attire that was starting to get all too familiar… they were Team Aqua soldiers. I hid with Trevor and we spied them.
"We have to walk until we reach Fallarbor Town?" One of them complained.
"Yes. But don't worry, I brought food! Food makes everything better!" The other said trying to cheer up his partner.
Hereafter, the two Team Aqua grunts left towards Route 111. I felt in the obligation of following them. Arceus knows what they were up to!
"Trevor, I'm sorry but I must get on the bike. That means you must return to your pokéball." He nodded in agreement and I withdrew him. After that, I immediately got on my bicycle.
I pedaled very fast; I swear I could see two blue bandanas on the distance. I followed them fast, but cautiously. I didn't want to get caught so soon. I saw them sending out a pokémon, which returned to his pokéball very soon. When I reached that part, I realized that they used him to clear the rocks on the path, as I did moments before with Trevor in Rusturf Tunnel.
I kept pedaling along the route until I saw someone I already saw that day, Josh… What was he doing there now? I didn't know if it was a good idea to approach him or not, knowing that he seems to hate me for no reason. But I understand it, we are rivals and rivals usually don't get along, so… Anyway, I got off my bike and I walked along with it until I reached Josh.
"Hello! What are you doing here?" I asked expecting already his usual rude response.
"Emily! What are you doing here? Stop stalking me!" He answered exactly the way I expected.
"You know, I have better things to do than stalking you. But I just was curious about you being here now."
"I won my gym badge, as usual, and now I'm keeping up with my journey. I assume you are doing the same."
"Yeah. Well, actually I'm following a couple of Team Aqua grunts."
"Team… what?" He inquired.
I explained him the whole business going on: their purpose, their goals… As I explained him the matter, he seemed to be more and more puzzled.
"So… you mean to tell me that these guys want to cover the Earth with water because we are contaminating the oceans?" He said. His expression was priceless. For him, the plan sounded so crazy as it did to me.
"Exactly. And that's why I'm following those guys. I know I'm just a regular person, nothing extraordinary. But I want to try to avoid the catastrophe, you know?"
"And… do you think that these guys over there might be Team Aqua soldiers?" He pointed towards a group of people wearing a very recognizable attire, at least for me.
"Yes, they are."
The members of the criminal organization were blocking the entrance to the cable car that leads to Mount Chimney. I didn't know what to do. I tried to ponder the different options, but Josh kept interrupting me saying that he had a better idea. The twentieth time he said "I got a better idea!" I responded very annoyed.
"Okay! And what's that brilliant idea of yours, Mr. Brilliant?" I asked with a tone full of sarcasm and annoyance, glaring at him. I don't like to be interrupted when I'm trying to think about something important.
"Hey, don't talk to me like that!" He whined "I think that we can reach Mount Chimney towards the Fiery Path. If I'm not mistaken, which I highly doubt, it shouldn't be hard to reach to the mountain. Watcha think?"
I thought about it for a moment and, indeed, it sounded really plausible. Understand me; knowing Josh, I honestly thought he was going to crack a stupid joke. But that time he had a really good idea that would help us to investigate what Team Aqua was up to.
"Nice, Josh! Thanks for the help." I said honestly.
"Meh, no problem. But if somebody ever asks you who's the idea was you must say it was MINE! Okay?"
"Okay." I responded without wanting to start a fight.
I put the bicycle back at its own bag and be began to walk towards the Fiery Path. I didn't expect to have Josh as a traveling partner. I wasn't sure how much it would last, since I was used to travel without any other human being accompanying me and I liked it that way. But trying something different doesn't hurt, right?
