~ Chapter 96 ~
Katelyn of Johto
"With the Gym being closed, we took some time to explore the city until it was open and taking appointments again. While exploring the city we met a Johto Gym Leader, my future opponent, Jasmine, and her younger sister, Katelyn, who would eventually become a companion of ours down the road. Though…we didn't know that at the time. The two were in Sinnoh to broker a trade deal between Olivine City and Sunnyshore City among other things. We ran into them at the Sunnyshore Bazaar of all places…"
The group explored the market.
They had been dragged to, and sidetracked by, a very aggressive berry salesman, who kept offering them better and better deals for Oran Berries.
Pikachu had smelled the berries from a whole building away, and had forced everyone to chase him down to the berry salesman's stand and refused to leave until they had purchased an absurd amount of Oran Berries.
Once that detour was over, the group split up to explore the bazaar, everyone wanting to look at different things or sections in the area.
Sam and Alyssandra went together, starting in the antiques section, exploring artifacts and collectibles from Kanto and Johto.
Sam found a few Oni Masks that he bought, and Alyssandra got some antique jewellery to wear in future contests.
Next, they wound up in a section with old books, and even some old games—another collection Sam and Alyssandra both seemed to enjoy working on together.
Twinleaf Town didn't have much in the way of game stores, but whenever he could get a chance to travel to Sandgem Town, he would always make a stop in the local game store to see what he could find, Alyssandra usually joining him.
In recent years Sam had refurbished and grown his collection of Familcomp and Hyper Familcomp games, as well as adding to his GameBox, Notendo 87 and Notendo Wee games.
That didn't even include his collection of handheld consoles from Notendo, including the rare GameKid Mini—which was essentially a GameKid Progress but smaller; needlessly smaller.
He was excited for the release of the upcoming Wee O, though many were sceptic the console would reach the heights of the Wee console, but Sam had faith.
He missed gaming, and having his friends to come over and play games together on their consoles; games like the Antonio Kart or Antonio Party games, or the Ultra Bash Siblings games.
Road Fighters was another favourite—few could match Niya's skill with the super-soldier and spec-operative Kammy.
Since leaving, Sam and his friends had completely forgotten about their old pass time, but this bazaar allowed Sam and Alyssandra to indulge in their collecting desires and further add to their collections.
It was a nice call back to their youth, and their lives before Team Galactic and this Pokémon Journey.
Alyssandra was excited to go back home and enjoy some time hanging around the town, spending time together and having a small break after all this moving and travelling.
Of course, what they would do after once lounging around home for a few weeks was still undecided—but they could figure that out later.
It was a fun and productive morning—Sam had almost forgotten about the disappointment of the closed gym this close to the Elite Four.
Sam and Alyssandra walked through the remainder of the crowded bazaar, the crowd ringing loud in their ears; they started to wade through the sea of people, looking for their friends.
Suddenly, a small, shorter than Alyssandra, girl with light blonde hair bumped right into Sam as she stooped down to grab a playful, mischievous looking Eevee.
She was wearing black leggings, grey and blue boots, and a white and grey sweater with a large, wide zipper and a thick, heavy turtleneck.
Atop her head sat a pair of Go-Goggles, and her hair was long, to the middle of her back and layered, splayed about her shoulders and side bangs she brushed quickly behind her ear.
Her shining blue eyes met Sam's with embarrassment.
Sam stumbled and caught the girl, who nearly fell flat on her face.
"I'm so sorry!" cried the girl, straightening her bag and settling her Eevee back in its Poké Ball, "My Eevee got away from me and…I didn't see you, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Are you okay?" asked Sam.
The girl nodded. "Yeah, just a little clumsy but that's been my life."
"Hey, you're that girl!" cried Alyssandra, recognizing the girl.
"Pardon?" the girl asked confused.
"I think what she means is," explained Sam, understanding Alyssandra's meaning, "Is that we saw you here yesterday, talking to another girl. I remember you, too, but…you don't remember us. We were just passing by on the street."
"Oh!" stated the girl, "I suppose, yeah. I mean, if you remember me…I was here, so I must be the same person!"
"You seem rather…confused," stated Sam, kindly.
The girl smiled. "I'm just a little flustered, and a bit lost. I came charging after Eevee but…I've been looking for my sister, and I have no idea where she could be. I think once I find her my mind will be "
"We can help you find her," chimed in Alyssandra, "It's the least we can do. Maybe that might help a bit. You're not from here, are you?"
The girl shook her head. At this point it was clear she was about a year or two younger than Sam and Alyssandra.
"Thought not," smiled Alyssandra, "That's all right. Come on, let's go look for her."
"So tell me, what's your sister look like? What's her name?" asked Sam.
The girl thought for a moment. "She's about your height," she said as she pointed to Alyssandra, "And she's got long brown hair, with two pony tails sticking up above two baubles on the side of her head. She was wearing a blue dress with a red ribbon on the front, some sandals, and a white sweater on top."
"That's…accurate," laughed Sam, "What's your name by the way? I'm Sam, and that's Alyssandra."
"Nice to meet you," smiled the girl, "I'm Katelyn Kasparian, but you can call me Katelyn—from Olivine City."
"That's in Johto!" exclaimed Sam, "You're from Johto too?"
Katelyn nodded. "Are you?"
Sam shrugged. "Sort of," he explained, "My grandfather was born in the Kanto Region, and then moved to Johto to apprentice at a Pokémon ranch outside of Olivine City. My uncle still runs the ranch out there, and I've spent summers there before. Olivine is beautiful…but I'd be lying if I didn't say Ecruteak was my favourite."
Katelyn looked at Sam, screwing up her face in thought. "Do you happen to be an Accardi?"
Sam laughed. "Figured that out fast. Yes, I'm Sam Accardi."
Katelyn smiled. "That's so cool!" beamed the girl, "Your grandfather gave my family the first Amphy! We still use descendants of that Amphy in the Olivine Lighthouse! In fact, I recently got my Eevee from your uncle. It was a birthday gift from my sister."
"Wait a minute," paused Sam, "Amphy of Olivine Lighthouse…there's an Ampharos atop that Lighthouse with that name, maintained and owned by the Gym Leaders of Olivine…is your sister Jasmine of Olivine?"
Katelyn nodded. "Yup!"
"Huh," stated Alyssandra, baffled.
"Small word," added Sam, "How's the Eevee been? Top notch I hope?"
Katelyn smiled sheepishly. "Definitely an energetic one, but I love her! She's been…a handful, yes, but honestly, I wouldn't ask for any different out of a partner."
"Are you two looking to take on a Pokémon Journey together?" asked Alyssandra.
Katelyn shrugged. "I don't know. I don't really have anyone to travel Johto with, and the whole gym battle thing isn't really my thing."
"So what is your thing?" asked Sam.
Katelyn smiled. "Pokémon Breeding, to be honest. A little bit of Pokémon Research too!" explained Katelyn, "I've studied lots on Eevee and its evolutionary line—that's sort of what sparked my passion for breeding—and I've been looking into rumors of a new Pokémon popping up in Kanto on Cinnabar Island…no one's had proof of its existence yet, but supposedly, it can become any Pokémon or person it wants, and even learn their moves. Imagine what discovering a Pokémon like that would do to the world of Pokémon and Pokémon research?"
Katelyn's eyes lit up like stars.
"I find it fascinating, that you can raise two Pokémon of the same species, and both Pokémon can grow into two different types of fighters, with different types of potential," explained Katelyn, "Or how one could be better at Contests, and better bred to become Contest Champions, while a sibling could become better suited for battles. Raise two Pokémon in the same or different environments, and they can turn out completely different. And then you put that into the context of an Eevee, that can evolved into different Pokémon, with their own set of potential and stats and abilities."
"Part researcher, part breeder. It's beautiful, and you're definitely passionate," smiled Sam, "Have you considered interning at the Johto Ranch? I'm sure my family could use someone as passionate as you."
"I dunno…that seems like a lot of responsibility," started Katelyn, "But I'd be lying if I said I hadn't dreamed about it for years."
"I'll see if I can put a word in with my uncle," added Sam, "You'd learn a lot. I think it would really help you."
"Thank you, so much!" beamed Katelyn, "That would mean so much to me!"
Sam waved his hand. "Don't worry about it," he smiled, "Fanning passion like this is what the world needs more of, and it just helps that I have the ability to help with this kind of a passion better than others."
Katelyn hugged Sam tightly and then hugged Alyssandra.
"You guys are the best!" she cried, "I'm so glad I met you!"
Alyssandra smiled embarrassedly, and Sam merely chuckled.
"Harassing strangers again, Kat?" smirked a smokey voice.
Everyone turned to see a tall, skinny girl, a few years older than Sam and Alyssandra that matched the exact description Katelyn had given of her sister.
Sam recognized her even without the description Katelyn had given—he'd seen Jasmine of Olivine before, and met her personally a small handful of times, though it had been years and he doubted she'd remember him.
Yet, despite Sam's thoughts, she did. "It's been a while, Sam."
Sam turned pink. Jasmine had remembered him…he was flattered that a Johto Gym Leader had even bothered remembering the little kid that used to follow his uncles around to business meetings. "You remember me?"
"Of course!" laughed Jasmine, "You were always a cute kid. I see you've met my sister."
"Yeah!" exclaimed Katelyn, "Sis you won't believe it! He's going to try and get me an internship on the ranch! I get to follow my dreams!"
Jasmine smiled. "That's so kind of you, Sam. That's amazing, Kat!"
"It was nothing," smiled Sam, "I recognize the talent and passion she has, it would be a shame if it went to waste."
"I quite agree," chuckled Jasmine, "It'll be quiet at home while she's gone, but maybe that's not a bad thing…we'll stop losing plates and cups to the floor. I hope the Accardi Ranch has lots of plastic utensils, because she'll break them all otherwise."
Katelyn frowned. "I'm not that clumsy."
Everyone laughed.
"So, what brings you two to Sinnoh?" asked Sam.
Jasmine sighed. "I'm meeting with Volkner…he's been, interesting to deal with."
"What do you mean?" asked Sam, hoping this would give him information on the gym.
"Well, he was impossible to find," explained Jasmine, "I went to the Gym, and the Gym was closed. Then some weird guy with a fiery red afro came and told me to find Volkner atop the lighthouse. I met him there, and the man seemed so…sad. But at least he was still willing to do business. It's been good, but…Volkner is not himself."
"What's wrong with him?" asked Sam.
Jasmine shrugged. "I don't know. But the red haired guy said he'd been trying to help Volkner out for months. The two are close friends but he hasn't had any luck. Apparently he's suffering from a lack of challenge. Being the last Gym Leader in Sinnoh isn't the busiest job—in any region really. Not a lot of people come by, and he shuts down most people that come across his gym quickly because they've got no, and I quote, 'style or passion.' They battle by numbers."
"That would explain why he shut down his gym without notice," Sam muttered to himself.
Jasmine shrugged. "I don't know. I do know that business wise, he's as sharp as ever, even if he's lost his battling spirit."
"Somoene will have to reignite that," stated Sam with determination.
"You mean you, don't you?" asked Jasmine, "I hope you can. Volkner's been good to Olivine, and I consider him a friend and business partner. But he won't listen to anyone right now."
Alyssandra put a hand on Sam's arm. "We can figure out how to do that tomorrow," she said calmly, "For now…let's go find Jeremy and Niya, and maybe we can take our new friends out for lunch."
Sam looked at Alyssandra and sighed. "Fine, let's go find them," agreed Sam, "Would you guys be interested in grabbing a bite to eat?"
"I'm famished!" cried Jasmine, "I'd love to."
"Please!" added Katelyn.
Sam smiled. "Good! I'm buying. Let's go find our friends, and we'll go find some food."
It would be two years before they saw Katelyn and Jasmine again.
But Sam had no idea that the next time he'd see Katelyn, she would be joining him and his friends on the remainder of their Pokémon Journey through Johto, and become a permanent fixture and part of the "family" from then on.
