The menu in Jasmine's hands displayed a wide swath of vegetarian options and seafood specialty dishes. Fried Magikarp wasn't a particular favorite of hers, so her eyes drifted toward the kelp wraps stuffed with tofu. She closed the slightly sticky menu and looked across the table to Whitney and Falkner. Despite the colder weather beginning to set in, Whitney had opted for a tight floral tank top and Capri shorts while Falkner had stayed course with his predictable wardrobe of comfortable blue and white robes.
The restaurant was a small hole in the wall type place with limited seating, an open cooking area, and a pungent smell of fish oil with a layered hint of degreaser. A Hariyama in a chef hat and a pair of human cooks located behind the back counter worked together on chopping up various bits of food.
"Have you two decided yet?" Jasmine asked, waving over the waiter.
Whitney scowled at the menu, her knuckles turning red against the flimsy plastic covering. "Where is the goddamn meat?"
"It's listed in the fish section," Falkner said. His menu was already closed; his elbow resting on top of it as he counted the ceiling tiles. "Just hurry up and pick."
"Fish isn't meat, Falk. I thought Kanto had lots of Tauros. That's why I picked a place that actually serves meat."
"Whitney, it's an island. Most meat here will be Magikarp and maybe some imported Whiscash. I doubt they'd bring Tauros to a place, well, like this," Jasmine gently proclaimed. The waiter approached and Whitney tossed her menu aside with a defeated huff. "Um, I think we'll have three seaweed salads with a set of tofu rolls."
The waiter nodded, jotting down a few notes on a small pad of paper before inserting into their pocketed apron. Whitney threw her hands up and let out a loud grunt. Falkner kept his gaze fixed upward, nearly on the back half of the restaurant's set of tiles.
"It's whatever. I'll have good food when I get home, but!" Whitney slapped the top of the table, managing to get Falkner's attention as he snapped his focus down for a moment. "You have to tell me how traveling has been, Jasmine! You're so lucky to be able to go around without Olivine City getting all on your case about it!"
"Well, one of my trainer's at the gym is trying really hard to make a case to be the Gym Leader. It's worked out I'd say, plus the league gave it the green light at Chuck's behest."
"Chuck has that kind of sway?" Falkner mused.
Jasmine shook her head. "Bruno does, and they're good friends. He would have gone if it weren't for personal things going on, so I was the next up. Our cities being the closest was just icing."
"So, Thad managed to shred through the entirety of the region's Gym Leaders in less than three months," Whitney sighed, slamming her head against the table. Her muffled voice echoed out, "why can't there be any justice? We've trained for so long! That's just not fair! This is Gold all over again."
"Thad actually earned several badges by doing community deeds," Jasmine quickly corrected. "He only battled in a traditional sense against Morty, Bugsy, and Clair for the badges."
"And it took him two tries to get through Morty," Falkner added. He stretched and folded his arms behind his head. "Relax, Whitney. He's talented, but not a freak of nature."
"Have you seen that dude's abs?"
Falkner rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean."
"So, how has Goldenrod been faring since we left?" Jasmine said. She took a sip of water and looked at Whitney expectantly. "Anything new?"
"Permits for impromptu Pokemon-Human events have been restricted, but the cash influx has helped out. The underground has seen a rise in tourism since officials don't like messing around down there," Whitney mused. "Besides that, a few challengers here and there. Managed to break even."
Falkner nodded along. "About the same for me, though much of my attention has been focused on the new tunnel in Dark Cave. Contractors have been using my birds to scout the landscape for the best path to Mahogany Town. Supposed to help encourage trade and help travelers get around the region faster-"
"Are we really going to talk about politics?" Whitney finished the rest of her water in a few gulps and wiped her lips. "C'mon. We should be talking about strategy! Remember the first two rounds you can't face someone from your region, so let's plan! Last time was such a disaster."
"Because you got Leon in the first round?" Jasmine couldn't hide the start of a smile. "That is rotten luck to get a champion in the first round."
"Exactly! So I hope it isn't rigged this time!"
Falkner slowly blinked, averting his gaze. "It's not rigged, Whitney. Someone has to face him. We know it's all random."
"I'm sure someone's got dirt on that Porygon. Just give me someone like you had last year, Falkner. Some ranger outta Orre, yeah?"
"It wasn't easy. I barely won that."
Whitney raised her chin and squinted her eyes. "Mhmmm. Sure. Maybe you should get someone like Leon. Or maybe Blue?" She stole a glance toward Jasmine. "I know he gave you fits last time around."
"He's a champion for a reason," Jasmine shrugged as the waiter deposited their meals on the table. Each of the Gym Leaders clammed up for a moment and smiled at the waiter and nodded, turning their attention back to Jasmine. "But, yes. We should talk a bit about strategy for the early rounds. Usually those tend to be one-on-one matches. It's good for television to keep viewer's attention with rapid fire early rounds, so it makes sense to lead with your most dependable Pokemon. Meta gaming your opponents tendencies too much can trip you up."
"B-b-bu-"
"Whit, you brought your Bibarel," Falkner slurped up some of the salad, pausing as he chewed and swallowed. "Should have just used Miltank."
"I thought Leon would lead with Charizard and I wanted a type advantage! Can you blame me?"
Falkner put his fork down and looked directly into Whitney's eyes, his mouth agape. "Your Miltank knows Rollout! Rollout! This kinda overthinking is why you're struggling."
Jasmine picked up a roll and bit into it, chewing quietly as Falkner and Whitney continued to exchange barbs. Which Pokemon would be optimal for each stage, and reminiscing of past events. Despite being a seasoned veteran, Jasmine enjoyed the dinner. Meeting up with her fellow Gym Leaders was a rare occurrence, but was almost always welcome. Few people could relate to her experience and all the burdens, and the lack of fawning over someone felt nice.
Like how Thad doesn't seem to see me just as a Gym Leader. Jasmine used her chopsticks and nibbled on some of her seaweed salad. She took a sip of water as Falkner stood up from the table abruptly, mumbling about going to the bathroom under his breath.
"So, Jasmine," Whitney rested her elbows on the table, cupping her face with both her hands, "you've gotta tell me. Traveling around… have you, ya know."
Jasmine nearly choked on her food, forcing it down with a strong gulp. "Really? You're just going to ask me that out in public?!"
"Yeah! Spill already!"
"Fine, fine, but I think we'll need a change of scenery."
Whitney raised an eyebrow suggestively. "Alcohol?"
"Only if you promise to behave."
"I'll try, but no promises." Whitney stood up from the table, her chair making a loud screeching sound across the floor. "Now let's go! I'm pretty sure there's some place near the waterfront that has a good view of the volcano!"
Jasmine drummed her fingers on the table. "And leave Falkner with the check?"
"Just spot him with your Pokenav later and stop being a Whismur about it C'mon!"
"Alright… I'll message him and we can go." Jasmine whipped out her Pokenav and dialed in a quick transfer. "But nothing too crazy, okay?"
Whitney hooked an arm around Jasmine's and yoinked her away from the table, eliciting a small yelp. A bright, devious smile spread across her face. "Of course!"
The two Gym Leaders scampered out of the restaurant. Jasmine gave a bashful wave goodbye to the perplexed waiter.
Falkner soon after exited the restroom and promptly received the bill. He paid the toll with a heavy sigh, taking a glance at his Pokenav, and then finished the rest of his meal with a satisfied smile on his face, simply enjoying the quiet.
Thad scratched his bare chest as he watched the little plate inside the microwave spin. A large hunk of cured meat spun round and round, a few occasional pops and clicks from the machine going off.
The timer dinged, and Thad immediately thrust his hand inside to collect his savory prize. Breakfast was commonly heralded as the most important meal of the day, and to have the option to not eat dried meats and beans on the trails of Johto, well he'd be remiss not to take the opportunity. The cut looked like a flank steak about the size of his forearm, oozing with marinade and juices.
I didn't see any name on it in the community fridge. Smelt fine. That's the unwritten law. Thad carried his plate to the empty island table in the kitchen, placing his plate down gently. Early morning gains, here I come!
The overhead lights were dim, but pierced through the shadowy morning. Even on the shore, five in the morning was still early for many people, no matter how dedicated. Despite the allure of a cushy cruise and accommodations, no vacation would be taking place. Vacation to Thad was a place designed for more training and competition. Perhaps it was some people's Hell, but Thad knew the path to well-chiseled abs is paved with sacrifices.
A click from the atrium door made Thad perk his head up. The door creaked open to reveal a man with bleach blonde hair, red tracksuit, and a sparkling smile. The cantankerous sound of his custom made tennis shoes echoed throughout the kitchen, stopping only as he opened the fridge. He hummed to himself as he scanned the contents.
"Morning dude," Thad said in between bites. "Looking for grub?"
"Of course! Need to start my morning off right with some premium nutrition!" The man crouched down, sifting through the bottom parts of the fridge drawers. "Pretty sure I can make something quite tasty here."
"Eggs and other meats are middle shelf, my guy."
The man let out a shrill, haughty laugh. "Oh, I shall not be needing any of that. Just getting stuff for my soy milk latte and a nutty kale salad to start the day off."
Thad nearly dropped his large hunk of meat as he watched the tracksuit clad man shimmy through the various tubs of food. Thad quickly checked his ears for a large build up of wax, but they were squeaky clean. He'd heard right. A goddamn soy milk latte for breakfast.
Alright. Maybe it's a fluke. I'll try again.
"So, uh, buddy… what kinda foods do you eat?" Thad asked.
The man spun around, holding a cartoon of milk in one hand and a large swath of greens in the other. He gently placed them down on the marbled countertop before fully facing Thad. His nose twitched as he made brief eye contact with Thad's hearty breakfast choice, curling his lips into a sneer of disdain.
"Nothing so barbaric as that. I prefer whole foods procured by nature. Only raw leafy greens for me and my delicious coffee."
Thad narrowed his eyes, nodding slowly. "Ahuh… and what's your name?"
"Me? I'm Brad. Best Fairy-type specialist in the Kanto region." Brad scooped his cooking materials into a large wicker basket. He walked back toward the entryway, pausing as he looked back to Thad. "I already know who you are, Thad. I've heard quite a lot of you from some of the other patrons. And I must say, you don't impress. Enjoy your slab of ill-gotten gains."
The door slammed closed as Brad left Thad stunned for a lack of words. He relaxed his shoulders and practiced a few breathing exercises before resettling into his seat; he'd not even noticed himself standing up by the time Brad had escaped from the kitchen.
"Vegan weirdos…" Thad grumbled.
He took another bite of his slab of meat, chewing rather loudly. From the man's sleek designed outfit to his holier than thou attitude about food, it rubbed Thad every wrong way possible. Vegetables weren't bad, but there was more to life than broccoli. It'd be like living your whole life doing squats without knowing about the benefits of lunges: pure madness. Plus, it's not like hunting wasn't natural. Stuff made of meat ate other meat all the time. Could it be really that bad?
The doors to the kitchen swung open once again, and this time Thad stood to attention, gripping the bone of his steak like a club. Messy pink hair poked through the crack, and a familiar face rubbing sleep out of her eyes strolled into the room. She blinked and stopped dead in her tracks as Thad remained in position with the weaponized protein.
"Uh, good morning to you too?" Whitney mused, trying to fight off a yawn. "Did I catch you at a bad time?"
Thad sheepishly lowered the steak. "Oh. I thought you were someone else." He tossed the steak aside and wiped off his hands. "How you been!"
The two rushed forward, embracing each other in a tight hug. They lingered for a moment before separating; Thad gestured to an open seat at the table. Whitney took her place and immediately slouched forward, resting her arms on the table for support as her neck struggled to support her head.
"I am… very tired. Stayed out way too late." Whitney looked at Thad's breakfast with a twinkle in her eye. "Hey, uh, Thad… you gonna finish that?"
"Probably," Thad sat back down, scooting his chair in, "but you want a slice? I was gonna make a peanut butter smoothie afterward too. Need those healthy fats before I go out for a long swim."
"Just gimme some of the steak. I'm starved for some real food."
Thad slid his plate over to Whitney. He stood up and sifted through the various drawers for a knife and fork, eventually settling for a large chef knife, skewer, and extra plate for himself. It achieved the same purpose, and even with a bit of style and pizzazz. Thad briefly considered continuing his search, Brad's comment gnawing at the back of his brain, but he doubled down and brought the tools to Whitney.
I know what I'm about. Ain't not latte sipping fool gonna make me think twice.
Whitney gave a manic smile of approval as she graciously accepted the utensils and carved off a large strip, then returning the larger piece to Thad's new plate as he sat down. She munched happily on the meal as Thad mowed through the rest of his dish. He deposited the plate in a small dish pit in the corner of the room and rinsed his dish off with a little bit of soap. Thad adhered to the 'wash what you use' ideology in the kitchen. Accountability is always necessary when being a visitor in the food dojo.
"So, where's Jazzy?" Thad asked as he dried off his hands on a towel. "Figure if you're around, the other Gym Leaders must be too, yeah?"
"Jasmine is currently sleeping in. She got a little bit too into karaoke after a couple drinks. She'll come around by noon, I'm sure," Whitney said. "So, want to meet some of the other people on the ship in the meantime? My roomie has a few guests over."
Thad pumped his fist in the air. "Hell yeah. Lead the way!"
Whitney hopped off the seat and smoothed out her slightly disheveled manila crop-top. Thad followed the spitely Gym Leader down the narrow halls of the ship, taking several tight corners that zigged and zagged haphazardly. Thad occasionally looked up at the ceiling and behind him, as if to confirm it was just the morning grogginess or that the layout of the ship itself seemed akin to a maze designed by bored engineers.
Thad nearly ran over Whitney as she abruptly stopped at the sliding door to a suite. She dug into the shallow pocket of her shorts and flashed her key-card against the scanner beside the door. After a faint click, the door slid open and the sound of several voices carried out into the hallway, dying down immediately as Thad could sense the attention in the room shift.
"I'm back!" Whitney hollered as she crossed the threshold. "And I brought a friend!"
Thad burst into the room with a triumphant pose, hands on his hips and head held high. The small sleeping quarters on the left side had been converted into a meeting room with the coffee table moved to the center, the twin bed mushed against the wall, and a few extra folding chairs pilfered from the unoccupied side of the room. A few blankets were hurriedly stashed in the corner along with some extra beige and pink colored clothes.
"Wassup people," Thad gave a friendly wave to the guests. "Looks like we're all in the same boat for some ass kicking fun, yeah?"
Whitney rushed beside Thad, smiling. "Here, let me introduce you." She pointed to a man lazily lounging on the bed, "you've met Falkner before I'm sure." Falkner gave Thad a slight nod, but not enough to remove his elbow from propping up his head. "And seated on the other side we have Karen and Leaf."
Karen flipped her silvery hair in a playful manner and winked at Thad. The jock was all too eager to return the favor with a subtle flex of his pecs and waggle of his eyebrows. Baggy white jeans and a yellow crop top with a jagged undercut to show off a slim midriff left little to the imagination.
In contrast, the woman beside Karen, Leaf, appeared much more mild mannered than her saucy friend. Long brown hair jutted from a thick brimmed white bowler hat, clashing against a beige purse, short sleeve blue tank top, and a modestly cut red skirt. Her smile was soft and charming, reminding Thad a bit of Jasmine's demeanor as she waved back.
"So this Chuck's new protege?" Karen's sultry voice purred. "Well, if there were to be an image of a Fighting-type specialist in the dictionary, I'd imagine it'd be you."
"You're, uh, certainly a well-built fellow," Leaf added. "A pleasure to meet you."
Thad plopped down on the floor, his back against the thin dividing wall. Whitney chose to weave through the middle of the room, wedging herself into a spot on the bed in which Falkner was forced to scoot aside with a heavy sigh.
"So, y'all ready for the big dance?" Thad asked. "I'm itching to dunk on some peeps."
"Most definitely, though some of us are more prepared than others." Karen's bright eyes flickered toward Whitney, who seemed to wilt underneath her gaze. "We like to talk about the new up and coming people since this tournament only comes around every four years or so. It's a good chance to promote your region and have some fun."
Leaf nodded along. "And the food is usually quite tasty. Sinnoh has a wonderful selection of decadent soups and hearty meals. It's also one of the oldest regions of recorded Pokemon battling."
"Before we get too friendly," Thad gestured to Leaf and Karen, "I don't think you two are Gym Leaders. You reppin' Johto or naw?"
"Oh! Yes, quite so. I was invited by Lance," Leaf proudly said, sitting up a bit straighter. "I was the Johto regional champion a few years ago. Each major region gets twelve nominees; two are special selections, one is by default the reigning champion, and the rest are from the Elite Four or Gym Leaders via application. I was a special selection."
Karen smirked and raised her hand. "And I'm one of the current members of the Johto Elite Four, and I've held the title of interim champion too." She leaned forward a bit, resting her elbows on her thighs; a predatory gleam in her eyes. "Shame we couldn't have battled before the cruise."
"We could always take this topside. Duke it out," Thad offered.
Falkner let out an irritated huff. "Doubtful. Some genius smashed through one of the decks last night, and the captain has forbidden any battling during the cruise. Lance backed him up, so if you want to keep your spot in the tournament, I wouldn't."
Thad clicked his tongue and hummed along. Well, looks like Morty at least didn't tattle on me. Guess ole' scarf guy can keep things on the down low.
"It's always someone each year," Whitney lamented, not minding her arms as she stretched over Falkner's legs. "I remember when Blue and Silver got real into it last time. Made their match last time in Driftveil City all that more exciting."
"Perhaps you forget the part where Blue's Arcanine nearly burned down the ship," Karen quipped, shaking her head. "Time and place for everything. Some of you youngsters are way too hot headed."
"Speaking of which," Leaf dug out a Pokenav from her bag and scrolled through a few screens, "I've got some matches we can watch from some of the other big names that have recently come out. Paldea and Unova look to have some strong contenders this time around. Not to mention Hoenn always brings hardened veterans from their Battle Frontier."
"Well put it on the TV already!" Whitney hastily said. She moved Falkner's legs again, pushing him further into the wall as she tried to get comfy on the messy bed. "I haven't had much time to scout with, well, being busy and all on the farm and city."
Thad propped up his legs and watched as Leaf and Whitney squabble over how to properly connect the Pokenav to the small bedroom TV. The small space with intimate conversation reminded him of the days in college where he and a few trusted teammates would spend hours analyzing every tiny detail of an opposing team and player; whether it be combat sports, football, or track and field. It was a comfort zone for Thad as eventually the TV flickered to life and heated commentary from the years of experience rebounded around the room.
Whitney and Leaf were the most excited over the game play, while Karen made the occasional jest or prod at the misplays. Falkner half watched the video, checked out either on his own Pokenav or making general conjecture anytime a Flying-type Pokemon would appear on screen.
Time flew by as room service was ordered and devoured by the time lunch came around, evening bleeding into the evening as a few breaks were called every few hours or so. Thad felt welcomed to be in the presence of so many invested competitors, even with a few extra people piling into the room as the afternoon wore on like Jasmine, who nestled up beside him on the floor, and a spiky haired man with a jawline that looked chiseled from stone.
Before he knew it, Thad's eyelids were beginning to win the battle of closing and much of the previous chatter began to die down as the sunlight dimmed from the circular window that looked out across the vast ocean.
Jasmine helped Thad to his feet; his legs and back feeling a bit cramped and tense from not moving enough. Not that the position wasn't enjoyable. Good company and the weight of Jasmine's sleepy head on his shoulder were enough to make the small cabin feel a little bit like home.
Eventually as the sun vanished beyond the horizon, people filed out of Karen and Whitney's shared cabin. Thad wandered back to his own cabin half-awake, rubbing his eyes as he tried to sort all the different techniques he'd witnessed. From baton pass strategies, entry hazards, substitutes, and aurora veil setups, they all swam around his brain and how to build momentum and keep the metaphorical foot on the gas pedal.
Thad swiped his key-card and the door to his cabin slid open with a soft thunk. He stepped forward, but was immediately rebuffed by a wall of muscle. His tired eyes glanced up to see Bruno, the mountainous man barely squeezed into the entryway of his quarters. The man placed a massive hand on his shoulder that looked to be roughly the size of a baseball mitt. Their eyes met, and the larger shirtless man let out a faint snort.
"Thad," Bruno's voice boomed like thunder from inside a well, "It is time. Come with me."
"Where big guy?" Thad tried to peek around Bruno, but the man's massive bulk shielded the entirety of the cabin from sight. "You didn't eat scarf bro as a snack, did ya?"
Bruno wrinkled his nose at the comment. "Morty is away. I needed to find you. It is time for you to engage in a timeless tradition of students of combat and fighting." He squeezed Thad's sculpted shoulder a bit then let go, his eyes looking somewhere indiscernible in the distance. "Before every great tournament, there is a place in the Sevii Islands that is sacred and hidden to all those who cannot brave the whirlpools. Only for the truest practitioners of body sculpting. Previously Chuck made the journey, and now it is your turn."
"Booyah. Wait, you said whirlpools? We taking the tiny boat or…" Bruno's lips twitched into the slightest of smiles, and Thad's excitement grew in turn. "We're swimming, aren't we? Dope."
Thad stepped back as Bruno entered the hallway, gesturing to Thad to follow. "We depart for Karate Island immediately. The others will be waiting."
Without another word, the two beefcakes disappeared into the night. They braved the churning waves of the blackened waters, speeding past pods of Dewgong and Wailmer. The currents were vicious and tumultuous, but Thad and Bruno powered through with blistering speed and tenacity. The light of torches eventually pierces the darkness and the sounds of distant drums filled Thad's ears. His heart thrummed with joy as the unrelenting beat grew closer.
There would be more than just training his mind today, but also his muscles and will.
A/N: Back again, and this is the final little interlude (side quest?) before the finale at the World Tournament in Sinnoh. Still hoping I'm getting the balance between comedy and world building, as it's a good juggling act to practice. Plus, I've got a lot of battles slated for the upcoming chapters, so I'm trying to avoid overloading the ones leading up to it. It can be a bit fatiguing to essentially write longer combat scenes, and to read them concurrently too (at least how I imagine it and feel as a reader) so trying to sprinkle in some more characterization.
Also, a happy holiday season to you all and happy new year! Thanks for reading and enjoy the cold season! I'll be back after the new year with more content!
