Author's Notes: Well, I'm back! Here's to a new year!
Yes, Keleri, it is odd that the psychics and dark-types should have such problems with each other. After all, they seem to get along well enough in the other regions, don't they (witness Pokemon Colosseum)? I, too, was initially leery of making the Tarsix a nocturnal Pokemon, but based on the real animal that it's modeled after, I could neither really bring myself to think of it as either a dark-type or one with sleep cycles more akin to ours.
Chapter Twelve: Rumors
Tobias crossed to the typical desk that ran along the far wall of the center. The nurse there smiled welcomingly at him, prepared to accept his Pokemon. Tobias doubted that she'd be smiling if she knew who he really was. Removing his Pokemon's chimes from his belt, he handed two of them to her. "I'd like to have these two healed please. There's another thing, though. My Zigzagoon has been acting funny for the past couple of days and I can't figure out why."
The nurse accepted Tobias's chimes and then said, "Let's have a look at him, then."
Tobias nodded, ringing Chevron's chime. The Zigzagoon materialized on the counter before the nurse, whom he turned to regard with curious eyes. "See, he's been itching all of a sudden. Just like that," Tobias explained, as Chevron demonstrated by vigorously scratching himself behind the ear.
"Hmm," the nurse muttered, picking Chevron up. She gave him a quick checkup, running her hands through his fur and inspecting him carefully. She smiled at Tobias as she set him back down on the table. "It's nothing to worry about. He's just getting ready to evolve. He itches because he feels like his skin doesn't fit right anymore, if you see what I mean."
"Evolve?" Tobias repeated in shock.
"That's right," the nurse replied, smiling again. "He's a little beat up, too. Would you like to have him healed as well?"
"Umm, sure," Tobias replied dazedly, handing over Chevron's chime. "Dinner would be nice, too."
"Of course," the nurse agreed, accepting the chime and scooping Chevron up as well before disappearing into the back area of the center. Tobias was left leaning against the counter, not sure what to make of her proclamation. He wandered over to a seat at one of the common room tables. The center was still largely unoccupied, as most guides straggled in well after dark, having wanted to extend their training sessions for as long as possible.
He sat and pondered the possibility of evolution as the nurse bustled out with his dinner which was, unsurprisingly, fish. True, there wasn't much that he could do about Chevron's evolution. It would only take a bit more battle experience for him to make the change, and unless Tobias prevented him from battling ever again, he would quickly acquire it. What would it be like, though? He'd heard that some Pokemon became totally different upon evolution, such as the originally vacant and weak Magikarp that grew to become the immensely powerful and fearsome Gyrados. From what he understood, though, most evolution changes were more subtle than that. As he gulped down forkfuls of fish, he resigned himself to doing what he always did in situations where he didn't know what he was up against: consult the guidebook.
In this case, the guidebook was not overly helpful. It had a wealth of information on the evolutionary process itself, how it was achieved and so on, but little about the psychological effects that it had on the Pokemon that underwent it. Shutting the book with a sigh and shoving away his plate, he returned to the front desk to request a room for the night.
The nurse returned his Pokemon to him and handed him a room key, which she said belonged to number eight. He ascended the stairs, found his room and entered it, only to find that it was not much different than the one he had stayed in during his visit to Tamato. He plopped down on the bed, allowing his heavy pack to slide the floor with its characteristic heavy thud. He rang all three of his chimes at once, releasing all of his team.
"We have some serious talking to do," he informed his Pokemon. Accemenla and Jinx glared at him resentfully, preparing for a lecture on their behavior during Tobias's match against Martin. Chevron merely peered up at him with innocent curiosity, awaiting Tobias's speech. "I'll begin with you two," Tobias announced, indicating Accemenla and Jinx. Jinx rolled his red eyes and Accemenla twitched an ear in annoyance, but neither made any sort of verbal protest. "The way that you two behaved in battle today was inexcusable," Tobias began, glaring down at the pair. "We could have won that fight if you hadn't been expending all of your energies trying to do each other in. First you, Accemenla. You don't even know Jinx. What's the big deal about fighting with him?"
He is a dark-type, she replied as if that explained everything.
"Don't try that with me," Tobias snapped. "There were plenty of master guides that had psychic-types and dark-types on their team that got along perfectly well."
Yes, well, you're not a master guide, are you? Accemenla retorted.
The insult stung Tobias. He gritted his teeth in anger, resisting the urge to retort with something unwise. "No," he admitted, choosing his words carefully to prevent something unwanted from tumbling out of his mouth, "but I am your guide, and if that means that you have to learn to like a dark-type, then that's what you'll do." He hoped that didn't sound too overbearing, but Accemenla merely flicked her tail and remained silent. He next rounded on Jinx. "And you," he growled. "You should know better. Just because Accemenla is acting up doesn't mean you have to join in. Maybe she insulted you, but you insulted yourself more by your actions." The Murkrow appeared unrepentant as always, silent and brooding. Tobias continued, "And I want you two to make up. Accemenla, tell Jinx that you're sorry."
The Tarsix's eyes, which had been half-closed as she allowed her mind to wander, flew fully open. I will not, she stated firmly.
"Yes, you will," Tobias ordered. "You deliberately tried to provoke Jinx and even tried to hurt him. He deserves and apology. Give him one."
And what if I don't? Accemenla asked dangerously.
Her answer found Tobias completely unprepared.. What leverage did he have over the headstrong Pokemon? What sort of punishment could he arrange that would have any affect on her behavior, short of an act that could be termed "Pokemon abuse?" Just then, he thought of something fitting. "Then you won't be participating in any guide battles until you do," he threatened.
This infuriated the battle-loving Tarsix. She'd thought that she had the human stumped after her biting retort and had been congratulating herself on a card well played. She lashed her tail angrily, glaring at her guide. Then turning sullenly to Jinx, she growled, I'm sorry, broadcasting the message so that the human could hear.
Tobias sighed. It was certainly not a sincere apology, but at least it was a start. "Your turn now, Jinx," he stated. Jinx looked up in surprise. "Yes, you too. You deliberately followed Accemenla's example and didn't help her out when she was in need. She deserves an apology as well."
Jinx fluffed his feathers up angrily, shooting venomous glances at Tobias out of the corner of his eye. At last, however, he spat, "Krow," at Accemenla. Tobias guessed that this was an apology, as Accemenla merely gave a mental snort rather than attacking or acting offended.
"All right, then. I'll leave you out for the rest of the night, provided you stay in the room and don't make trouble, okay?" he asked. The pair nodded sullenly, and Jinx flapped up to perch, as usual, on the bedpost. Accemenla, on the other hand, darted over to the bedside table, scampered up one of its legs, and then leapt from it onto the windowsill. There she sat, staring pensively out at the moonlit city beyond the glass. Only Chevron remained seated before Tobias. Though worried by the tension he had sensed during the conversation thus far, he was encouraged by the fact that Tobias didn't look at all angry as he gazed down at him.
"So, Chevron, you heard what the nurse said?" he asked the Zigzagoon kindly. Chevron nodded, chirring his affirmation. "What do you think of it? Evolving, I mean. Do you think that you're ready?"
This gave the Zigzagoon some pause. He sat on the ragged carpet that covered the floorboards, pondering as hard as he could. He didn't really know all that much about evolution, though he knew that it meant that he would turn into a Linoone like his parents. Surely it must be a good thing, then? He nodded emphatically, adding an enthusiastic "Goon! Zig zigzagzagoon!"
Tobias smiled, pulling Chevron into his lap and giving him a good back scratch, which caused the raccoon to purr with pleasure. Though he realized that the small creature probably didn't realize all that evolution entailed, at least now he knew that Chevron was willing to go through with it by his own free will.
He yawned widely, thinking of how good it would feel to sleep in a real bed once more. "Looks like it's about time for me to be turning in, eh, Chevron?" he asked with a smile. Blowing out the lamp, he slid under the covers and sank slowly into a restful sleep. As he did so, however, his eye caught the form of Accemenla, now silhouetted against the light trickling in through the windowpane. He shivered briefly as he pondered how very little control he had over the headstrong creature. What allowed a guide to exert dominance over a Pokemon, anyway? As far as physical strength and, occasionally, strength of mind, went, Pokemon outstripped humans easily. And yet, they submitted willingly enough to the authority of their guide, putting their faith in their human companion. What a tenuous hold it must be that we humans exert over our Pokemon, he thought to himself, before sliding into the confused ramblings of sleep in earnest.
The morning dawned bright and cheery, a few wisps of ragged cloud hanging amongst the grayish-blue color of the sky. Tobias awoke slowly, the light filtering in through the window causing him to start up faster as he realized that he had, in fact, slept late. Grumbling disappointedly, he shoved the covers aside, dislodging Chevron, and stood. Stretching, he noticed that Accemenla was still roaming around the room, currently clutching the headboard in her articulate claws. Jinx was preening on the bedpost, ignoring her determinedly. Tobias hoped that they hadn't had any sort of fight in the night, though he felt that such a feud would probably have awoken him and half of the center.
Shrugging back into his pack's straps, Tobias beckoned to his three Pokemon. "Come on, we're already late. Let's get some breakfast." Jinx darted over to land on his head almost before the sentence was out of his mouth, watching smugly as Accemenla, who had been on the verge of jumping to grab onto Tobias's pack, faltered and glared up at him, deciding to trail along with Chevron instead.
Down the stairs the quartet went, emerging into a once again nearly empty common room. Most of the serious guides had already left, headed out to begin the trek to their next destination or shop around and cruise for battles. Those that were left would probably be staying in the city for a while and didn't have to concern themselves with getting an early start. Tobias approached the main desk to request a meal for himself and his three Pokemon before taking a seat near a table occupied by three young guides of about his age.
Listening idly to their amiable chatter, he guessed that they must be traveling companions, or at least friends from the same town. "What's the buzz, Jordan?" asked one, a girl with her red hair hanging loose about her shoulders . As she spoke, she teased the tail of the Ekans draped languorously about her neck.
"There's quite a bit going down, actually," the boy that must be Jordan replied. "Big doings, if you catch my drift. Fishy, like."
"And what isn't fishy in this town?" joked the third party member, a girl with her hair done up in intricate braids.
"Har har, Hannah," Jordan replied. "Anyway, you've all heard of that Talltree kid from Firstseed?" Tobias's ears perked up, and it was all that he could do not to whip around to stare intently at the speaker. He carefully maintained an air of nonchalance, all the while listening with bated breath to the now very interesting conversation.
"The one with the Murkrow, right?" Hannah replied, offering the Jigglypuff in her lap a berry, which it rejected. "He stole some Pokemon and then broke out of the jail."
"That's the one," Jordan confirmed. "Anyway, they reckon there's been another sighting of him leaving Rareview. One of the guardsmen there claimed to have been on his trail a couple of nights ago in the Dakrill forest, but apparently he escaped. Or, rather, the guard came staggering back into the city so bloodied up that they could barely tell it was him. Apparently, he'd been attacked by a Murkrow murder that was hanging around in the forest."
"Serves him right, the foolish git," the Ekans girl announced. "Everyone knows that you shouldn't go bumbling around in forests like that after dark. Nothing escapes from a murder without serious injury. 'Cept other Murkrow, I guess."
"Be that as it may, there's something else," Jordan continued. "The boy was headed north."
"This way?" gasped Hannah.
"Huh. If he comes skulking around here, me 'n Coils'll teach him not to abuse Pokemon," the Ekans girl snorted derisively.
Jordan made no comment, merely forking a bit of scrambled eggs into his mouth. "There's other rumors coming out of Firstseed, though. Their master guide, Madam Truebeech or something, she's gone missing. Disappeared without a trace, in fact, and her Alakazam with her."
"Maybe she just went out to catch some more Pokemon or something," Hannah pointed out. "Master guides are always heading off on quests and stuff like that."
"Not without informing the guides' council first, they don't," Jordan replied grimly. "They're in a right tizzy over there because no one's seen or heard anything from her for, oh, about a week. I tell you, it's strange times, strange times."
Tobias allowed their chatter to slip to the back of his mind. So, Sergeant Danklake had survived his encounter with the murder, and he had recognized Tobias as well. At least no one knew of his assumed identity. The tidbit about Madam Truealder was disturbing, though. The timing seemed all too perfect. The woman had apparently disappeared just a couple of days after issuing Jinx to Tobias. Yes, all was not right in his hometown.
The nurse brought him his own plate of eggs and various berry confections for the two Pokemon. Tobias thanked her as she set the food down and asked, "I'm looking for a ferry to get to Frostdown. Do you know where I can find one?"
"You're in luck," the nurse, a plump woman with a kindly face, replied, "there's one leaving today. Just head down the street outside the center to the east until you reach the shipyard, and look out for the Sea Pidgeot. She'll be headed that way."
Tobias thanked her and bolted down his breakfast. If the ship was sailing today, he'd need to get down to the docks as soon as possible if he wanted a place on it. He only hoped that he wasn't already too late. After he had finished, he found himself impatiently prodding his Pokemon's progress forward, finally irritably telling Accemenla, who had been amusing herself by trying to levitate her breakfast into her mouth, to either eat it like a normal Pokemon or leave it. At last they were ready to go, Accemenla returning to her chime and Jinx hopping up to his usual perch.
Tobias strode along the narrow streets of the town, the salty air burning in his nostrils, its scent alien and exotic to the young guide. As he neared the shipyard, the activity increased markedly. Guides swarmed along the piers, looking for ships bound to various destinations or seeking out a shipment of rare goods from other areas of the world. Fisherman piled their catches up on the docks, adding the overpowering scent of fish to the mixture of aromas drifting on the restless air.
Searching frantically among what seemed innumerable huge ships, Tobias at last located the one with Sea Pidgeot emblazoned proudly on her side. Hurrying over to a sailor who was occupied with lugging a huge, unmarked crate onto the ship, he called, "Excuse me, where can I ask about getting passage on the ship?"
"Ye'd be wantin' the captain, then," the man grunted in response, sweat breaking out on his forehead as he strained with the heavy load. "'E's over thataways," he informed Tobias, jerking his head towards a man standing on the pier near the ship, arguing vehemently with a small, shrewd-looking man.
Tobias thanked the sailor, who at last succeeding in heaving the crate up onto the deck of the ship, and nervously approached the man that the sailor had indicated. The short man darted away, leaving the captain alone, still obviously fuming. "Err, excuse me?" Tobias spoke up meekly.
The captain turned to him in exasperation. "Yes?" he asked curtly.
"Is this the ship that's sailing to Frostdown?" Tobias inquired, just to be sure. The captain was a tall, imposing figure. He wore fine clothes, kept impeccably clean despite the slime that clung to the pier and seemed unavoidable in the bustling environment. His hawk-nosed face sported a pair of green eyes that gleamed with intelligence and determination.
"That it is," the captain replied, a little less angry than before. "Are you looking for a place on her?"
"Yes, I am," Tobias replied, relieved. "How much is it?"
"It's 750Pk. That covers housing, meals, and any Pokemon that you might be bringing with you. The voyage will take nine days, nonstop," the captain informed him.
Tobias winced as he heard the price. The prize money from the fire temple had been 3000Pk, and he'd already lost half of it to Martin. He was loathe to part with so much of it already, but what other choice did he have? "I'd like a spot on the boat then, please," he announced, reaching into his pack for his money pouch.
The captain reached into his coat as well, withdrawing a small book and a pencil. Accepting Tobias's fare and counting it carefully, he scribbled something in the record book. "Name?" he asked as he tucked the money away.
"Thomas Goldspur," Tobias recited. After his slip with Accemenla, he had been rehearsing his new name over and over again.
The captain jotted this down as well before closing the book again and tucking it away again. He extended his hand to Tobias, announcing, "I'm captain Swarmvine. The ship will sail at one thirty this afternoon and no later. Make sure that you're here on time. We won't be waiting and there are no refunds."
Tobias took the proffered hand and shook it. "Thank you. I look forward to the trip." The transaction completed, the captain Swarmvine turned away to berate a sailor who had dropped one of the crates being loaded into the ship. He found himself adrift in the city once more with little notion of what to do.
He wandered down to the rocky beach, looking out across the Sunrise Ocean in awe. Never before had he seen something so vast. He squinted but couldn't make out the other side, though he could see a black smudge on the horizon. Undoubtedly, it was one of the World's Teeth, the stone spires of legend that jutted from the water around Waytar and marked the boundary of the shield.
Pacing along the shore, listening to the voracious waves impale themselves upon the sharp rocks that lined beach, he pondered the old story, one that his father had recited numerous times before the fire on cold winter nights.
Supposedly, the last of the legendary beasts to attempt to break through the shield had been the massive and fearsome legendary beast of land. He had taken the continent in his vast jaws and bit as hard as he could, throwing all of the power of the world against the small landmass. Rather than crumbling beneath the force of his jaws, however, it was Waytar that triumphed--the creature's huge teeth shattered on the impenetrable shield. The fell and impaled themselves in the waters just outside the boundary. The huge legendary, bellowing in anger and defeat, had subsided once more, leaving the continent peaceful at last.
Tobias had never really believed that story--after all, who'd ever heard of a Pokemon, even a legendary, big enough to take the entire continent in its mouth? But if the teeth really did exist, maybe it was true, after all.
Tobias spent the rest of the morning wandering throughout the city, looking with interest at the exotic wares set out in stalls all across the town. He found one shop that specialized in selling rune slabs only, and was sorely tempted to buy one that one of his Pokemon could use. Their high prices were daunting, however. Also tempting were the greater chimes, those forged of copper, which hung in a bellmaker's shop. These, too, were expensive, and though Tobias's money was burning a hole in his pocket he schooled himself carefully to avoid spending it here. After all, the ride to Frostdown would provide him with all of his basic needs, there would be no more new Pokemon to catch along the way, and he could rest assured that the market of the booming Frostdown would hold far more impressive items.
Tobias made it back to the ship with time to spare, and the captain sent a sailor to escort him to his quarters. They were cramped but serviceable, about as good as a guide could expect on a small passenger craft such as this. Returning to the deck, he gazed once more across the vast ocean as sailors rushed about on deck, making everything ready for castoff.
"Hey, kid!" came a voice behind him. Tobias turned from the rail in shock, only to find himself confronted by the Ekans girl that he had seen in the Pokemon center, though the snake was no longer draped around her neck. "You're a guide, right? Wanna battle?"
"Oh, sure," Tobias replied. This would be his chance to evolve Chevron, or so he hoped. He reached for the Zigzagoon's chime and rang it, calling the raccoon Pokemon forth. The other girl countered by releasing the Ekans he had seen her with earlier. Tobias drew in a deep breath, prepared to make his first command.
Unfortunately, a sailor had heard the telltale voice of Tobias's chime and moved to stop the battle before it began. "What are you kids, nuts?" he bellowed as he charged up to them. "You can't battle on this ship! One attack that puts a hole in her could send us all to the bottom!"
"Oh…sorry," Tobias replied mareepishly, cowed by the towering, red-faced sailor. The Ekans girl didn't appear as perturbed, recalling her Pokemon in calm silence. The sailor stalked off once more, grumbling darkly to himself. Chevron bounded over to look out over the ocean, another new sight for him. He was as awed as Tobias, and apparently quite eager to go out and explore it himself, though fortunately his guide caught him before he hurled himself off of the railing and into the strange, undulating water.
At last, the final preparations were made and the ship slowly moved out from the dock, huge sails bellying out as they caught the wind. The prow slowly turned northward, the boat cutting a path through the waves in pursuit of its distant goal. Tobias clung to the rail, mesmerized as he watched the road before him open up in a great strip of azure water.