#075 Graveler
Graveler, the rock Pokémon. The evolved form of Geodude. Its preferred movement is rolling, presumably because it is a slow walker. It often rolls down mountain paths at high speeds, crushing objects in the way and stopping by running into huge rocks. If it gets damaged, it can recover over time. Graveler climbs a mountain from base to summit, feasting on rocks all the while. Upon reaching the peak, Graveler rolls down to the bottom, only to climb back up again. Graveler can be often found on mountain trails, so travellers, be warned. - Nurse Evergreen.
While Nurse Isabelle was having tea and cookies with the married Joy, the Pewter Gym leader himself joined them. He told them he had hadn't been able to break the news to his senior Geodude just yet and asked if Isabelle would join them for dinner. Joy explained with a hint of pride in her voice that Brock loved to cook. After agreeing with genuine delight, Isabelle watched Brock retreat to the kitchen. Seeing him cheer up from being in the kitchen reminded her of Dominic. The ranger was passionate about cooking as well; he often sent her recipes he found, excited to cook them sometime. The list was growing much faster than they could eat, though.
The house attached to the Gym, where Brock and his wife lived, felt awfully empty. From the number of built-in beds, it was obvious this house once held many people, yet none were present at the moment. On the walls, pictures hung of kids who looked just like Brock. A feminine version of Brock with a basket of Pokémon eggs, a teenager Brock look-alike with a Charmander. There was even a picture of a girl holding a young Geodude, with the note underneath saying "Suzie and Geodudette", which made Isabelle giggle. Brock's family was much larger than her own and they seemed to have had a wonderful childhood.
"They've all grown up and left to explore the world," Joy spoke from somewhere behind her. "As a teenager, Brock always took care of his siblings, until his father was up for the task again. Recently, Brock's father, Flint, has retired as Pewter city Gym leader, and so Brock was called back from his travels to take over. He was travelling with the daughter of the Cerulean Gym and some kid with a Pikachu who wished to challenge the Kanto League. Brock inherited a ragtag crew of Pokémon from Flint and had them checked. That's how he and I met," she said with a fond smile on her face.
Because Joy seemed truly in love with the rock-type gymleader, Isabelle smiled kindly at her. "I'm glad that it worked out for you. I hope for Brock he isn't too lonely without his siblings? Surely, he misses them a lot."
Joy nodded and stroked her stomach. "He does, but it helps that we're starting a family of our own." She laughed. "He's such a naturally caring person. I have no doubt he'll be a great father."
Behind them, in the door opening, Brock stood, smiling at his wife, who wasn't aware he was there. Then he left again as a kitchen timer went off.
After a truly marvellous meal, Isabelle packed her bag, getting ready to leave. It was getting late and Isabelle was weary from travelling since dawn. But before leaving, she had to fulfil her promise to be there as support when Brock would tell his Geodude it was time to let those little pebbles, as Isabelle called the younger Geodude, to take his place.
Joy and Isabelle stood a bit away, outside of hearing distance. At first, Geodude seemed happy with the compliments, obviously hearing about how well he served the Gym. But when the moment came he was told he'd have to retire for the sake of his own health, the rock looked confused for a moment before crossing his arms stubbornly, turning half away. If he could, he would have shaken his head. Both nurses watched with pain in their hearts; it was heartbreaking to see a Pokémon not wishing to retire, but he'd fall apart and die if he continued.
With a sigh, Brock stood up. It was obvious it was Brock's choice whether he'd retire the Geodude or not. He could simply not use him for battle anymore. However, as a trainer, it helped if the Pokémon agreed with your choice.
"He'll come around eventually," Joy promised her husband, who joined them. "We'll find a new role for him. It's not like we'll keep him in his Pokéball forever. It'll be alright, sweetie."
Izzy regarded the Geodude with a sigh. Somehow, the refusal to give up reminded her of her mother. She made a mental note to call her mother tomorrow morning.
On the double doors that marked the entrance to the Gym came insistent knocking.
"We're closed!" Brock called out, for it was dark out, nearing bedtime.
"Sir, please. I have nowhere to go," came the reply. With a sigh, Brock opened one of the doors. A thin man came in, poorly dressed for the crisp mountain air in a tattered shirt and holey pants.
"How can I help you?" Brock asked as he closed the door against the cold. The gym, however, wasn't very well insulated. The Pokémon who lived here did not need warmth, after all.
"I know this is a strange request but I have no other choice. Please purchase my Graveller!" The man held out a worn Pokéball. The shiny red surface had gone dull with scratches and dust from the mines.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm begging you, good sir. I lost me job at the mines and me wife and young ones are hungry. If I can't work in the mines, I don't need a Graveller." He offered the Pokéball to Brock again, insisting he'd take it.
"How did you lose your job, good man?" Joy asked gently, joining her husband's side who seemed at a loss what to do.
"It's me leg, m'lady. A boulder crushed it. Can't walk so well now, so the foreman sent me home. No use for a cripple, he said. But mining's all I know, m'lady."
Brock took a deep breath. "Bring the man inside. Give him some dinner. I need to think this over." He watched his wife and the impoverished stranger go. Izzy watched the scene with interest. Judging from the state of the gym, Brock did not have a lot of money yet. Purchasing the Graveller might be beyond his capacity yet he was too kind to deny the man.
"Isabelle. What is your opinion on this?" Brock asked without looking at her, causing Izzy to uncross her arms.
"What if you offer the guy a job here? Dude's a miner. Obviously knows his way around rock-typed Pokémon. Get registered as a Kanto League gym, as Flint was, if you aren't yet. You can fill your team with some adopted Pokémon from the centre or catch your own in these mountains."
Brock looked at her for a few moments, mulling it over. "Not a bad plan. It'll be a lot of work but we already have the means necessary right here. Go official and make it my and my wife's job. I'll discuss it with him. Thank you, Isabelle."
As Brock went back to his house to discuss the plan, Isabelle left quietly through the front door. It was time for her to leave, and she desperately wanted a bath and a bed. Being so close to the mines made her feel icky from the dust in the air.
