A/N: This chapter is a little bit short.
A/N 1: This chapter is now a little longer than it was before. Well, by a little bit I mean more than double.
A/N 2: 16/10/2021. I've edited this story, major changes have been done to it and the chapters don't match what they did before. If you're jumping in here, you might want to go back and re-read the story. Although, why you would be jumping in at chapter 12 I don't know, especially when I made it to chapter 19 before editing.
Chapter Twelve: Finding Work and Some Independence
To ensure that Altaria had time to get to know her new body, her new strengths, I spent three weeks working through a new training plan.
At first, it was just Altaria getting use to flying and dodging with her larger body, before she started carrying progressively heavier things until she was finally ready to carry my weight. It took her two weeks to feel confident and comfortable carrying my weight, especially since we wouldn't be using a saddle, and another week of flying together before Altaria knew that she wouldn't drop me even at her top speed.
Of course, I also had to get comfortable in the air, where the only thing I could 'see' or 'feel' was Altaria and Noibat when he flew close. I wasn't yet strong enough to be able see land when we were flying high in the sky, which meant that the only sense of direction I had was from the sun on my face. I'd get stronger in time but, for now, when we went into the sky, I was putting my complete and utter trust in Altaria, something which she didn't take lightly.
Since I'd gotten to the island, I'd been thinking of a way of becoming more independent of Nurse Joy and earning my own money so that I would be able to go on my Pokemon Journey as soon as possible even if I didn't manage to sauce a sponsor.
As the island was so small, there was only really two rolls in which I would have been able to find employment while so young: in the berry fields or as part of the carrier service. I'd decided to start with the carrier service since it would allow me the opportunity to get used to flying with Altaria, and perhaps allow my team the opportunity to face off against wild Pokemon. All applicants for any carrier services had to have at least one fighting capable Pokemon, and they suggested they also had their own flying type capable of carrying them although some services did provide a flying type. There were also some carrier services, typically based in larger regions like Johto or Kanto, who would accept someone who had a riding Pokemon (like Rapidash) and a water Pokemon (like Lapras).
The Orange Islands had several carrier services, with each main headquarters located on Kumquat, Island Two of the Seven Grapefruit Islands, Mikan Island and Shamouti Island. The Carrier service for Kumquat mostly exported care goods; the Grapefruit Carrier services exported the fruit that it was named after we well as other fruits such as lemons, apples, oranges and pears; Mikan Island where they exported lots of coconut and fish and Shamouti was the largest grower and distributor of berries across the islands so they sent out samples using the carrier services, and keep in contact with their two partner islands (two officially unnamed islands, which the people of Shamouti called their berry islands).
As the carrier service was so important to the running and economic support of the island, it was run by the Mayor of the Island. Tobias Altman had been the Mayor of Shamouti for the last twenty-five years, but for the last three years there hadn't been a designated deliverer although Tobias's daughter had been filling the roll despite looking to join the tour boat service. She was a sailor at heart, not a flier.
With the delivery of the berry's samples being seasonal: Cheri and Chesto beginning of April, Aspear and Figy beginning June, Sitrus mid-May and the rest were August, the delivery services spent the rest of their time running letters to the other islands and back. Outside of berry harvest weeks, the busiest time for a carrier would be from the end of June until the Middle of July as the festival took place across the 17th and 18th of July. Because of the time they'd taken to train, I ended up approaching Tobias the first Monday after the Festival of the One.
"Jenny," Carol Altman, Tobias' daughter, greeted me at the door. Her voice somewhere between relived and happy, she knew why I was here as I'd already sent an application for the carrier post. "Come on in. dad's waiting for you in the office."
"Thank you," I allowed Carol to take my hand and guid me through her house instead of trying to follow her footsteps with my stick. Since she wasn't wearing shoes, it would have been difficult to follow the minimal noise she was making despite the enclosed space and I still didn't want to rely on my Aura ability when I was using it so much in training already.
"Ah, Jenny. Welcome, welcome." Tobias greeted me happily. "I hear congratulations are in order, your Swablu evolved into an Altaria did she not?"
"Yes sir. That's why I sent in my application." I confirmed. As I spent the majority of my time avoiding the human populations of the island; the mayor hadn't had the opportunity to see Altaria since she evolved. Getting the job wasn't just a means of earning an income, and developing my bond with my Pokemon, but also a way of re-introducing myself with the human population which I had been avoiding as I trained, learnt and studied.
"Yes, you wanted to take over the flier position. I've got a test run for you to do, and if you're successful you will receive the job full time. You are confident in your ability to navigate across the open ocean and to the islands?" Tobias asked seriously.
"Yes." I confirmed. "We've been working on blind-navigation and my Pokenav can give verbal directions if I need it." I also drifted my hand across the Pokeballs that held Riolu, Noibat and Altaria. "I also trust my family to help guide my way."
"Alright, lets have a look at Altaria and get you set up for your first delivery." Tobias got and Carol retook my arm.
"I'm glad your Altaria evolved. Ferrow is getting old and grumpy, it's a struggle to get him into the air and I don't have a flying type on my team since I belong to the sea." Carol spoke quietly so her father couldn't hear.
"You've only got water-type Pokemon?" I questioned, surprised.
"I have three Pokemon, all water-types who I caught around the islands. as a sailor I don't really need more than that." Carol explained. "Ferrow belongs to my dad."
"Any advice on the job?"
"Save your money from the busy seasons; make sure to find stop points for the longer flights. Unless you really enjoy flying, don't plan to make the job permanent." Carol advised.
"I wasn't planning to. Just for a year or two. Enough time for the mayor to find a replacement, at least." I agreed, taking a deep breath of fresh air as we stepped out into Tobias' back garden.
"So, pay varies depending on distance and type of delivery." Tobias began. "A letter would be around 50 dollars, and a parcel between 200 and 300 depending on size. I'll supply you with a messenger bag, and parcel harness." He paused a minute to blow a whistle in a distinct pattern. "Your test delivery is a letter to be taken to Drake on Pummelo Island, arrival by four this afternoon."
"Will I find him at the stadium?" I questioned, as Pummelo island isn't a very good starting point for finding someone.
"Not at this time. You'll probably find him in his gym and training centre. Pummelo island has just the one hill, and at the top is a where he lives. The door is next to a large Dragonite statue, you'll Altaria will be able to find it easily enough." Carol explained.
The sound of wings beating proceeded Farrow's landing with a disgruntled squawk.
"It's alright, Farrow. I just need the Parcel Harness. You're not taking a parcel anywhere. And, all being well, you shouldn't need to again." Tobias was quick to reassure the furious storm Pokemon.
The moment the harness was free, Farrow took off.
"Right, Jenny if you could release Altaria I'll make sure the harness fits nicely before you head off."
I pulled Altaria's Pokeball from the chest cross belt that I'd found in the lost and found. Riolu was in the centre of the cross, then Froakie, Vulpix and Altaria oi nth three slots on the way up to my right shoulder. Piplup, Noibat and Deino in the slots going down to my right hip. The other strap, which crossed under Riolu's ball, went from my left shoulder to right hip and was presently empty.
Clicking the button to resize the ball, I released Altaria. She gave her wings a stretch and whistled a short cry.
"Altaria, we need to put the parcel harness on you." I explained.
"Jenny, would you like to do it? Altaria would be more comfortable with you hanging something around her neck and it will prove that you can do it by yourself for when you take the parcel harness off." Tobias suggested, reaching out an taking one of my hands before placing something into it.
It was a neckless with a chain large enough to fit around most Pokemon's necks and a clip which allowed the user to put it on any link and adjust for size. Tobias explained that placing my hand on the pendant would have the square expanding in order to be able to attach the parcel to be transported. I slipped the neckless around Altaria's neck and secured it so that it rested just below were the clouds of Altaria's body started.
Once the neckless was in place, Chloe handed me the medium sized parcel that I was to deliver. It didn't weigh a lot, perhaps the same as Vulpix when he'd first hatched, and shouldn't bother Altaria.
"Is that alright, Altaria?" I confirmed, stepping back.
"Alt," she shrilled, bending her neck down and rubbing her head against my cheek as she knew that I wasn't using Aura and wouldn't be able to see her if she made her agreement in another manner.
"Altaria, we're heading to Pummelo Island. To the East, it's not far." I gentle ran my hand along her slender neck. "Do you remember where it is from the map that I showed you?"
"Altar," she confirmed, nipping slightly at the messy pun on my head where she used to make nest.
With that confirmation, I moved out of the cuddle of Altaria's neck and climbed onto her cloud like body. As she was so very soft, and her body large enough to take my much smaller form, I hadn't bothered investing in a saddle. Once I was settled, and sure that I was secured on the largest part of Altaria's body, I gentle tapped her head – the signal that I was ready to take off.
"Good luck!" Chloe's voice echoed after us as Altaria began a steady rise.
Pummelo island was a three- and half-hour flight, at a steady pace of 75mphs which Altaria was able to maintain easily. She could have flown at 105mph without pause for seven hours, but I didn't see the reason to push her when there was no time constraint. I'd arrived at the mayor's home at nine, which meant I'd be at Pummelo Island by one at the latest – three hours before my deadline.
When I estimated that we were around forty minutes from our destination, I released Noibat to fly alongside us. He'd be able to scout ahead for land as his eyes were a little better than Altaria's and he wasn't constrained by a weight on his back. It also gave him the opportunity to experience more than just their small world of the island of Shamouti, as he never flew beyond my sensing range. Once we were on land, I'd release the others as well since Riolu was the only one who had experience something other than Shamouti and even than he'd only seen the small world around Lucario's cave.
"Noi!"
"Al!"
My flying companions let out cries of warning when we were close enough to land that I would be able to sense it.
"The Aura is with me," I whispered, bringing one of my hands up to my chest to help my focus. I didn't typically use these tools, but with the greater use of Aura – more power or a technique that required high skill – meant that I currently needed the additional crutch to focus. In time, I'd be able to extend the unique vision granted by Aura Sight for miles without these words, but for now I was making slow and steady progress.
The blue of Aura replaced the blackness of my world. After a few seconds, I was able to focus on the world below; we were hovering above land. Not far from the beach, there was a large stadium but I couldn't find the mountain – it was outside of my sight.
"Altaria, we're heading to the hill. Land at the base; I want the others to have the opportunity to explore the island with us." I directed.
"Altaria," she cried in affirmation as she began descending.
Knowing that I didn't like to descend sharply, even with my Aura open, she slowly descended. When she got too close to the mountain, she began circling as she descended towards the landing point she'd decided on.
As we got closer to the ground, I was able to pick out the trees which grew around the hill and the bush plants which seemed to grow up the hill with the occasional tree. I wondered if it was a brilliant green of summer? Or if those small forms on the bushes were flowers which popped with colour and life. It certainly smelled like there was flowers growing near the hills. Where those bright sparks Pokemon? they were definitively alive, but I couldn't make out features.
Finally, Altaria landed and I slid from her back and stopped using Aura as my feet touched the ground. I felt the disturbance as Noibat came towards me and turned so he could land on my back and attach himself as was his custom. I had no doubt that he'd seen enough from the skies and wanted to stay close to me in this strange place.
Once Noibat's grip was secured on my shoulders, I released the rest of my family from their Pokeballs.
"Everyone, we're on Pummelo island delivering our first package. Since we have time, I decided to land at the base of the hill so that we had time to explore a little and experience some more of the world. I will not be using Aura, so please don't travel far."
Froakie placed a webbed hand on mine before he and Piplup travelled a little way off together somewhere on my left. Altaria took to the skies once more, but I could still hear her wings beating above me so she hadn't gone far. Vulpix and Deino went slightly to the right, Vulpix letting out small yips to help Deino work out where he was going.
I released my guide stick from its place on the holder at my hip, and placed a hand on Riolu's shoulder and began a slow and steady trek up the hill.
As we went up, one of my family occasionally returned to my side with an item of interest for me to look at. Froakie dug up a flower and brought it over as he thought I'd like the smell, before going back and replanting it. He knew better than to kill a plant by breaking it off at the stem, which was why he had dug it up from the roots. Vulpix returned with a branch in mouth, the bark with a sap inside that he thought tasted nice; Deino found a leaf with an interesting texture.
The hill wasn't that large, so despite our slow pace we were able to reach the top in under twenty minutes. Figuring it would be impolite to enter Drake's home with my entire family out, I returned everyone except Altaria and Riolu. I took the parcel from Altaria and returned her as well, leaving me with only Riolu. Riolu took the parcel from me so that I could still use the guide stick and his shoulder.
Keeping a hand on the Eminiation Pokemon's shoulder and a tight grip on my stick, I approached the door which Riolu informed me was next to a large statue of a Dragonite.
The door was open.
"Hello, Mr. Drake!" I called.
My voice echoed into the room, splitting off into different directions and areas of the building. From my reading of Drake, I new that his home was split to contain a public training area, his own personal training rooms and his personal living area. There was noise coming from one of the passages, by the sounds of it likely one of the training rooms.
We followed the noise.
"Hay kid, what can I do for you?" a male voice, Drake's, sounded from an area where it sounded like he was using a punching bag.
"I've a parcel, from Mr. Altman." I pointed down to Riolu who lifted the parcel in presentation.
There was the steady beat of footsteps as Drake approached. I couldn't hear the sound of anyone else in the room, so Drake was training without his Pokemon.
"I was warned that parcels from Shamouti would be delayed because Ferrow is acting up?" Drake voice was curious.
"I'm new. I've got an Altaria who is happy to explore the Islands and take me places." I explained, lightly tapping her ball which warmed in confirmation.
"You have an Altaria and a Riolu? You can't be older than ten. Are all your Pokeballs full?" Drake asked curiously as he accepted the parcel from Riolu.
"Yes, each is a member of my family I've raised since they hatched. Riolu is the only one I didn't raise by hand, but I knew his father well." I explained, knowing well that this would be a common question until people got used to seeing me delivering their parcels with Pokemon on my person. They'd eventually begin to consider it normal. "I'm licenced to hold them all, and soon I'll be able to officially register them as mine."
"Well, you are certainly proud of them," Drake chuckled. "I take it I will be seeing you more often? And perhaps, that I will be able to meet you Altaria? I prefer Dragonites, but I quite admire other dragon types as well."
"She'd like to meet you. She's one of the few of my family who likes meeting others. But she doesn't like being inside buildings, especially since she evolved." I accepted the money for a parcel delivered and placed it in a secure pouch of the messenger bag.
"That's fine. Now I know a hostile Ferrow won't be involved, I'll be able to take Dragonite out for flight training even when I know I'm expecting a parcel." Drake's voice said he was still smiling. "It's bad form to seriously main a carrier's Pokemon."
"Altaria and I would love to meet your Dragonite. I've heard some of your battles, they sound impressive." I bowed my head in fairwell before leaving the Champion to his training.
Once outside, I contemplated exploring the island a little more, but I decided to simple return home and confirm my first complete job. I'll have time to explore Pommel and other islands later.
