Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon
Chapter 14:
Yawning, Fara forced herself out of bed and shut the alarm off. The time read 2:30am and she couldn't help but grumble. For the last three weeks she had been staying at the Vermilion Gym dormitory and had started her battle training. Well, more like boot camp. Her usual wake up time these days was around 4:30am so as to start the pre-training workout.
Running, calisthenics, and stretching routines had been set up by Surge and usually took Fara and hour and half to complete. Of course her pokemon joined her as well with similar exercises. Afterwards she would eat a hearty breakfast, filled with protein (cause she was a skinny runt according to Surge), and take a brief shower.
The day would progress to tactics lectures hosted by the experienced apprentices at the Gym. These lessons would take anywhere from two to three hours and often included valuable information about team compositions, pokemon capabilities, trainer safety, and history. Seeing as she was apart of the Vermillion Gym now, Fara also trained with the apprentices in pokemon anatomy and first aid at the Pokemon Center.
Fara had been amazed to learn that Gym apprentices were expected to master field first aid as part of their training. The differences between what Fara had learned at the academy and now were apparent. As a potential trainer you learned how to use potion, antidotes, and other basic medical supplies to treat routine injuries until you were able to get a pokemon to the Poke Center.
As a Gym apprentice you learned to practice advanced emergency procedures; CPR, field surgery, intravenous injections, and much more. In retrospect it was understandable why such knowledge was necessary. Gym battles, in comparison to day to day battles, were intense and could involve extreme attacks and strategies designed to take opposing pokemon out quickly. An unexpected hyper beam, like many other attacks, could cause serious injury or death. So it was required for Gym Leaders to be able to stabilize a pokemon and/or a trainer for emergency healthcare.
The lectures on trainer safety were reinforced by Nurse Joy and other healthcare professionals Fara and the apprentices learned from. It was a fact that pokemon were much more durable than humans. This meant that attacks that damaged pokemon were often lethal to trainers. Situational awareness in any pokemon battle was necessary for a trainer. A moment of lost attention could lead to the trainer being hit by an opponents attack. They were taught how and where to position themselves in any battle situation. The physical training Fara was getting was incorporated in these lessons.
Fara had taken these lessons to heart. Her childhood experience with the weak Ember attack and the stray electric jolt from Raichu had left lasting impressions. A large benefit of these lessons had been Fara's confidence in battle training. Knowing where to and not to stand had given her a feeling of control that she had lacked at the academy. She was now more able to focus on necessary details during the battle and her skills had bettered as a result.
The rest of her days were filled with battle drills and self education. She usually spent her free time at the local library looking into pokemon and where to find them. She had to plan several trips to fill her training quota.
Shaking off her covers, Fara got out of bed. Today would be her flight to the Alola Region. Surge had been kind enough to let her leave on the pokemon acquisition journey she needed. However, this didn't mean morning training had been postponed. Her early awakening was so she could do the morning workout before leaving for the air port. She cursed Surge as she woke her grumpy pokemon. Sadistic jerk didn't give anyone a break.
A day later Fara was walking off a small airplane into the humid heat and sun. The island she was on was called Ula'Ula Island and, according to her research, one of the most sparsely populated islands in the Region. It boasted several extreme environments including a desert, jungles and frigid mountains tops. Fara's goal was one of the three mountain tops where the elusive Keokeo, otherwise known as the Alolan Vulpix, lived.
The Keokeo were not a rare species but did avoid humans. Oak had been kind enough to inform her that they liked to live in small family packs of two to five. Sometimes a Ninetails would be amongst the pack structure but it was uncommon to see the normally solitary creature in a group. The mountain tops were very cold and dangerous to people inexperienced in cold weather and mountain climbing skills.
Fara was going to go up with a mountain guide she'd hired with Surge's help. Kahua, the mountaineer, was experienced in tracking Keokeo and would help Fara find an appropriate pokemon. It was just after the baby Keokeo started to become independent so Kahua was sure they could find one that Fara and her pokemon could capture with little hassle.
Fara's go to pokemon, Dirk, her Poocheyena, would help her capture the Vulpix. Making her way through the airport Fara smiled in memory of how Poocheyena came to get his name.
It had been a week into her training when one of the Gym Apprentices named Chris had asked her about her pokemon's lack of names. He had been passionate in his explanation on why Fara rectify the situation. Naming was important in bonding with pokemon. It bred familiarity and kinship between a trainer and their partners. Of course, there were exceptions. Not all pokemon wanted a name but Chris had said it was better for Fara to give her team a choice.
Fara had agreed with the argument and had asked her team. They had been enthusiastic and Fara had spent a better part of a week to find her companions fitting names. Poocheyena had been easy. Fara had remembered a description from her text about Mightyena having sharp dirk-like teeth. Dirk had been thrilled at the tough nature of the name and had agreed.
Pichu had been just a little more difficult. Any electric variant names suggested by Gym members had been thrown out by the mouse pokemon. Fara had agreed. Electric names for electric pokemon were overdone in her opinion. It had been a habit that gave Pichu his name. Being a mouse type, Pichu loved to sleep in enclosed spaces with paper and cloth material for bedding. Fara had been watching Pichu shred an old dish cloth when his name came to her. With his approval, the pokemon had been named Shred.
Pidgey had been the easiest and hardest of the three. Like Pichu he had disliked names involving his abilities like flying. Fara had felt a name indicating protection or guardianship would be more apt considering his protective nature. Pidgey had agreed with the concept but had vetoed dozens of names. It had taken a week until Fara had come across the name. It meant to guard and protect. Pidgey had been visibly pleased with it and so had been named Warin.
Smiling Fara caressed the pokemon balls on her belt. Her team was becoming closer everyday. Looking around the exit of the airport Fara spotted a dusty jeep with a dark skin man holding a sign. Seeing her name Fara hurried over.
The man she walked towards was middle aged and smiling when he spotted her. His face was distinguished with fine laugh lines and a short goatee. He waved a greeting towards her and spoke.
"Alola, are you Fara Knight."
She nodded in reply and the man's smile widened. He walked forward and took Fara's baggage without asking.
"Welcome to Ula'Ula. I'm going to be taking you to the motel and then a tour first. We'll discuss arrangements for the expedition during dinner." He explained.
Finding the plan reasonable Fara nodded at him with a smile.
"That sounds good. I wanted to pick your brain about local pokemon anyway. I need to catch a few different pokemon while I'm here and Lt. Surge said you have a reputation for local pokemon lore."
Kahua hummed agreement and then, after both trainer and guide fastened themselves in the vehicle, spoke.
"You don't know what kind of pokemon you're looking for are you? We have many species and some are related to your Kanto pokemon like the Keokeo. It would help if I had an idea of what you're looking for.
Fara's brow furrowed in thought as they traveled out of the airport.
"I'm looking for pokemon good at defense, transport, and tracking. I also need to expand my type pool. I have an electric, dark, and flying type right now. Hopefully, I'll have an Ice and Fairy type when I look for the Vulpix. I can't have any pokemon with psychic potential at all though."
Fara rubbed her finger over the small silver ring pierced at the top of her right ear at the last statement. She'd had her inhibitor delivered to the Vermillion City Silph Co office last week. She'd chosen to have the earring design when going over options with Nurse Joy and Lt. Surge. It small size, location, and design insured the longest contact and least irritation. According to Surge it would also be less likely to be lost or damaged in her career path. The fact she could bath and sleep with it helped. Other than cleaning it regularly Fara had little reason to remove it.
Kahua cleared his throat and Fara glanced up startled. Seeing the man's grin Fara smiled back sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, I get lost in my thoughts a lot. Let me know if it happens again."
Kahua chuckled.
"It's alright. I'm often left with nothing but my thoughts for company. It's easy to get lost in them. You might have to drag me from them as well." He stated
Fara giggled. She was starting to like Kahua. He had an easy going feeling about him and a warm smile.
"Now, as far as pokemon go I have to tell you that you picked the perfect place for transport pokemon. We Alolan's use them primarily for goods transportation between the islands. Even on Ula'Ula there are Ranches that specialize in breeding them. I have an acquaintance we can visit who works at one. I'll speak to her and ask about taking you down to visit. How does that sound?"
"Really Kahua? That'd be awesome. I was told I need at least two to four more transporters for my training. Being able to see different ones would help."
Kahua looked startled.
"Two to four transport pokemon? What kind of training needs so many?" he asked.
Fara glanced at him before turning her gaze to the rich vegetation around her.
"I'm training to be a Scavenger." She replied softly.
Kahua slammed down on the brakes and turned off the road in an abrupt stop. Fara completely unprepared was jerked roughly by the safety belt. Turning towards Kahua, confused, Fara's words froze at the look on his face. His face was grief stricken. He was starring at Fara in horror.
"Please tell me I misheard you child. Please tell me you didn't say you would be training to be a Scavenger." Kahua pleaded.
Swallowing roughly Fara just nodded. Kahua stared and then leaned his head against the stirring wheel. Silently, she watched as the older man sat and grasped the wheel in a punishing grip. It was a few moments before he took a deep breath and sat back up. His face was stoic but Fara saw sadness in his gaze as he looked back at her.
"I'm sorry child. It just startled me to know what you are training to be. That name brings back memories." He said quietly.
Without another word he started driving again and both sat in silence. Silence prevailed until they reached the edge of a small town close to a mountains base. Kahua broke it gently.
"Fara?" he asked.
She looked over at him.
"I am sorry if I scared you. As I said before the name Scavenger brings back memories." He paused then continued.
"I had a son once. He was born to my Mia and me when we were both very young. We called him Jason. He was willful and independent and became a Scavenger despite our worries. In Alola, the people often depend on Scavenger's to get specialized goods delivered. It is seen as an honor to become one." Again Kahua paused. He swallowed roughly but continued.
"Jason wanted to be seen as someone important and honorable. He was often teased as a child. We were quite poor back then and he suffered for our failures. So, he became one. He proved to be very good at it and earned a reputation as a top tier Scavenger."
Fara watched silently as the man stopped again. A small tear had escaped the stoic man's face as he parked in front of a large white building. Her throat felt thick as she listened. The quiet grief and words told Fara she wouldn't like this tale.
"When Jason was 20 he received a job to transport a few prism scales to the Sinnoh Region. These scales can be found in the water around the islands though are still very rare. It was the rareness that brought the attention of a poaching group. They were notorious for hunting Feebas and selling them on the black market."
Kahua folded his hands tightly on his lap. Fara saw, for the first time, anger on the kind mans face.
"We do not know how but this Poaching Group got wind of Jason's job. He was alone with only two pokemon to support him. He was told to bring only two in hopes this was to prevent any word getting out on the importance of his mission. Scavengers are often watched closely by spies. The level of their team usually signifies the importance of the objective. So, confident in the secrecy of the assignment and his pokemon's strength, Jason left."
Kahua's knuckles turned white from the intensity of his grip.
"Jason never came back to us. We only found what was left of his Lapras' body a month later. The police told us that, based on the decomposition and autopsy findings; she had been killed days within Jason's departure. There was evidence of pokemon attack damage that was responsible for her death."
Kahua turned to Fara and she forced a sob down. Her checks were wet with silent tears. The horror of the story and Kahua's grief racked her deeply.
"I tell you this because I hope you understand the hardship you face. Jason was arrogant and died because of his overconfidence. Scavengers die every day. Humans are a greedy lot. You may very well have to face the ones who care little for life." Kahua stated.
Fara bowed her head and knotted her shirt with her fingers. What could she say? She was a stranger to grief and the naked honesty of Kahua's story froze her to the core. A moment of silence passed before Fara felt a hand on her head. Looking up she saw a gentle smile on her guides face.
"I did not tell you this to grieve you child. I only tell you this so you may be careful in your endeavors. I do not want those who care for you to feel my grief. Do you understand?" he asked.
Fara slowly nodded and Kahua's smile deepened.
"Good. Now we should check you in. I will let you rest and return tomorrow. This afternoon has been heavy on both our hearts."
Fara wiped at her face and sat straighter. Getting out of the jeep and after grabbing her gear they entered the two story building. While smaller then other places she'd seen Fara felt it was more visually appealing. The white planks and large bay windows that covered the building hinted at an older style. Beautiful verandas spilled out the front of the motel. Patio tables and exotic plants filled them. It was gorgeous and Fara was sure, had she felt better, she would have spent more time admiring the sight.
After the view they stepped in and were greeted with the cool kiss of air conditioning. Fara was quick to check in and said goodbye to the Guide after hammering out a loose schedule for the following day.
Once in her room, Fara flopped on the bed. It was still relatively early but she felt rung out. After a few minutes she released her pokemon. After an inquiring look her pokemon settled themselves around their trainer. Warin found a perch on a desk chair while Dirk and Shred curled up with their trainer. It was comforting for Fara and she spent the next hour lazing with her friends before getting up. She wanted to call Surge and eat.
'A shower probably wouldn't be amiss', she thought, as she ran a hand through her sweat dried hair. While cool inside the outside humidity and heat had wreaked havoc with her curls. Sighing she unpacked her toiletries and used the shower adjoined to the room. Her mood slowly got better after Shred decided to join her in the shower and tried to help her wash her hair. The little mouse was fond of water and fascinated with her thick curls.
Fara had even been forced to return the pokemon a few times due to his insistence of releasing the mane from their ties to burrow in it. Endearing at first, it had become annoying after he tangled the already difficult locks into a bigger mess. Smiling, she expertly removed him from her shoulder and took over the task. Shred, at her feet, used the cascading water to wash him self after getting some shampoo from Fara.
Twenty minutes later Fara and Shred were dried off and ready to rejoin the world. She made her way to a terminal she had seen in the lobby. Warin stayed behind while the other two pokemon joined their trainer. Fara was quick to dial the Gym and waited until Chris could transfer her to Surge. Once the man appeared she greeted him. Surge picked up her quiet tone.
"So you heard about Kahua's son huh?" he stated
Startled Fara stared at the man before comprehension dawned on her.
"You picked him for me because of his son didn't you?" she replied
"I did. While it's cute how hard you're working Earl and I thought it'd be best if you got a taste of reality kid. You need to understand what you're getting into. Scavenging can be a fun and rewarding career but you didn't seem to understand the darker part of it. We don't want you to end up as a statistic." He stated.
Fara stayed silent. What could she say? She'd thought that the Raichu attack and her experiences made her understand. To be fair, they had to a degree. But the one side she hadn't seen was the face of someone who'd lost someone. It made her uncomfortable when her thoughts imagined the faces of John or Mrs. Packard if something happened to her. Surge spoke again.
"Fara, the reason Oak and I let you go on this trip was so you could think about your future seriously. You need to understand the dangers of this job. Talk to Kahua while you're there. The worst that could happen is that you get to explore a beautiful region and get a couple of pokemon. If you decide against becoming a Scavenger we'll support you but don't do it because you feel you have too now. Your training with me won't end and you could still go about your life. Earl wouldn't be upset if you dropped out now."
Fara felt hollow at the statement. It had felt like she had finally found her nitch but now Surge seemed to be telling her to stop. A small flicker of anger flowed through her. He'd been the one to get her started and now he wanted her to stop. It didn't make sense.
Surge spoke again. He must have seen the anger.
"Hey kid, I'm not saying you should quit."
Her head snapped up at the statement. He continued to speak.
"I want you to do this but only if you understand the consequences. I get ahead of myself sometimes and I feel like I started you on this without letting you know about what you'd be getting into."
He rubbed a hand against his face.
"You have spunk kid. I believe in you but I want you 100% okay with this choice before you continue. Just promise that you'll think about what I said while you're there."
A little confused Fara nodded.
"Great, now I wanted to let you know that I deposited the money you gave me for the plane and motel back into your account."
Stunned Fara asked. "Why'd you do that?"
"It was Earl's idea. You see, he wants to test you a little with a mini mission. He wants you to get him an order of tropical berries to be shipped back with you when you leave. A couple of Berry growers are looking to expanding and want some of the tropical fruit. Since you have a license Earl figured you could do this. He's paying for the basic expenses as compensation. The plane, room, and three meals a day along with the charges for the berries are covered. Anything extra is coming out of your pocket. That includes the gear, guide, and supplies you'll need for your pokemon expedition."
Shaking her head in wonder Fara asked a question.
"I know I have a License but that's only for Kanto. I can't pick Berries here."
Surge grinned.
"That's where you're wrong. Earl had Oak hook you up with an Alolan License. The requirements are the same as Kanto for the most part. I sent you a copy of the Regs with Earl's Berry list. Oak greased the wheels kid. You'll be fine. Earl changed your return flight to six weeks from now. That'll give you time to explore and do Earl's mission."
Fara shook her head with bemusement. 'Why did today have to be a roller coaster?' looking at the grinning blonde Fara huffed and spoke.
"Fine, it's good to know I'll have time to explore. Earl's order shouldn't to hard either. Just make sure Earl sends an authorized merchant signature." She stated.
Fara wasn't too worried about a Berry Order. Licensed people were able to buy Berry's in bulk if it was for merchant purposes, even if it was for a third party. The Merchant Signature would give her the authority.
"Good. I'll talk to you next week. Make sure to send a call out to Oak and Earl every week too." He demanded.
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head in affirmation. Surge caught sight of the motion.
"Just for that kid, you'll add three miles of beach runs to your morning routine."
Jerking her gaze to the man in horror she watched his smile turn sadistic.
"Oh yeah kid and that's only the first week. I'll be giving you updated training schedules. You will battle at least three times a week and will go through an evaluation to determine if you followed with your fitness schedule. See ya!" he yelled.
The screen turned black and Fara glared at it. Her pokemon looked at each other and backed away from the sudden dark aura of their trainer. Pokemon or human, no one messed with angry women. Surge was insane.