Chapter 3 - Meltan
The two men had been traveling together for roughly a week since they first met. Gordon wasn't much of a talker, but Clint more than made up for it. Although the Kalosian had only been on a few adventures during his long life, he still had what seemed to be a life full of stories. Gordon appreciated the company though. There was something about Clint that he found refreshing and almost child-like.
The two were now leaving Cerulean City, where they had stayed for a couple of nights. Clint made an effort to show off the various areas of the city, including the aquarium, but he had unfortunately forgotten a lot about the area. He had battled with the gym leader months ago, and he didn't stay around very long.
They made their way through Route 24, nearing its end. The entrance to Azure Park was close, which meant that they'd soon be climbing the mountain. The weather was hot, which Gordon didn't like. He was constantly sweaty, and he drank through his water as though he had been starved.
"Let's take a break," Gordon said as he limped over to a tree. He put down his big bag and used it to help prop him up. He was afraid to sit on the ground, as he wasn't sure how he'd get back up.
Meltan and Petilil had also become close over the past week. The two enjoyed playing with one another, and Petilil treated Meltan like a younger sibling although little did she know, the mythical Pokémon was much older. The two would spar, and Meltan lost every time. But it shook off its losses easily, as it knew that it was getting closer to evolution.
The two Pokémon got into the shade and stood next to Gordon as Clint drew out his map and analyzed it. Clint looked over the map and at Gordon, who was breathing deeply.
"You sure you can make it through the mountain, Gordon?" Clint asked. "You seem exhausted."
"I am exhausted," Gordon muttered. "I'm not as young as you."
Clint laughed. "Maybe we should call it a day? I'll set up a fire and make us some tea."
"Tea?" Gordon groaned. "It's bad enough that I have to only drink water. You're telling me that you're gonna make me drink tea?"
"You don't want tea?"
"I'll drink it. It's just tainted water, right?" Gordon said with a grin. "I don't mean to be bothersome. My age is showing."
Clint didn't respond. He put his bag down and started to dig for his portable fireplace. He had used it countless times since his journey started. It eliminated the need to go out and look for firewood.
"Mind if I ask you a question, Gordon?" Clint asked while starting the fire. "What's with your limp? It's kind of severe, even for someone in their forties. And when you walk, it sounds like moving steel."
Gordon grinned and smacked the side of his left leg, knocking on an iron cast. "That's because I have this clunky supporter on. Helps me stand and walk, even if it ain't pretty."
"What happened?" Clint asked. "And I think I should ask again, but are you sure you want to go someplace dangerous like Mt. Azure? If we're attacked, it could be the end of your life."
"Back in Unova, I was known as one of the top tier Steel-type trainers, ya know?" Clint said. "I loved working with steel and iron and getting my hands dirty. When I was younger and I stopped traveling, I started working on cars in my city. My dad was a mechanic. He'd rebuild old cars and then sell them."
Meltan and Petilil inched toward the fire while looking at the older trainer. Meltan had never actually heard the story of why Gordon was in braces. He just knew that he had to resist the urge to eat them.
"But cars didn't interest me as much. I took a keen interest in bikes, Clint. Have you ever rode a bike?"
"I haven't."
"There's nothing like it. The wind whipping against you as you barrel down the roads of Unova is a feeling I can't even begin to explain. It has to be experienced," Clint said. "But unfortunately, all it takes is one small mess up, and your life could be in danger." He knocked on the steel once again.
"I see," Clint muttered.
"One fateful night on Twist Mountain, I was forced off the road by some drunk idiot in a sports car. I managed to steer off the road but not fly from the mountain. I hit a ditch, and I was stuck there for hours. I eventually managed to pull myself out and wave someone down, but the damage had been done. The left side of my body was left broken," he said.
Now that Gordon had said something, he realized that there was a slight droop to Gordon's face. When he sPoké, it was with the right side of his mouth, which made some of his words garbled.
"I'm sorry," Clint muttered. "That sounds terrifying. My wife would never let me ride a motorcycle. I can travel the world, but I can't get on a hog!"
Gordon laughed. "I still ride when I can. Not even near-death is gonna keep me from feeling free, ya know?"
"What about your wife? Isn't she worried?"
Gordon shook his head. "Nah. We're divorced. We don't get along. She was probably disappointed when my accident didn't kill me."
"Don't say that."
"I'm joking, but ya know? It was a nasty divorce. I still respect her a ton, but I can't say she feels the same about me," Gordon muttered. "How's the tea coming along?"
Clint looked down at the fire. "I-I haven't started. I was too busy listening to your story!"
"Take your time," Gordon muttered. He finally built up the courage to sit down, putting his back against the tree. "So, you're for real about taking on the conference this year, eh? It's not embarrassing for you to be taking on all of those young kids?"
"Not at all!" Clint said. "It's kind of a dream come true! I never really got my chance to show the world what I could do. Family obligations always kept me from doing it. I was proud to be there for my family, don't get me wrong, but I always knew in the back of my head that I wanted to be a trainer."
Gordon folded his arms. "You never considered being a gym leader or something?"
"You have to be a good trainer to become a gym leader," Clint said while laughing. "I had zero credibility to my name. You said that you were one of the top Steel-type trainers in Unova though? Did you compete when you were younger?"
Gordon nodded. "I'm a proud Unovan, so I didn't do a lot of travel to foreign lands. I went to Orre for a bit, but it's practically a wasteland. But I did compete in the Unova League four times."
"Four times?" Clint asked, baffled. "Couldn't get lucky, I guess?"
Gordon shook his head slowly. "No. I won it twice. As I said, I'm a proud Unovan. There was no such thing as an Elite Four when I was competing, so I was considered one of the strongest trainers in the land. Had there been an Elite Four and champion, I can guarantee you that I would have been involved somehow."
"This has me itching for a rematch against you!" Clint exclaimed excitedly, accidentally spilling over some of the tea.
"When we evolve Meltan, I'll battle you again, and I'll go all out," Gordon said. "Klinklang is relatively new to my team, so you haven't seen anything yet."
"You're just lying to make yourself look tough!" Clint yelled. "But I'll call your bluff, and I'll beat you down, old man!"
After the two finished their tea and got one more night's worth of sleep, they made their way through the clearing that the locals called Azure Park. They came to the bottom of the mountain made of silver and blue stone, and they stopped before the cave entrance with a warning sign for people who might dare to enter.
"You're Pokémon are healthy, Clint?" Gordon asked. "Anything that we come across is going to aim for our heads. Be on your toes."
Clint put his hand to his chin. "But if I'm on my toes, won't that expose my head even more?"
Gordon shifted his eyes but then had a sly smile. "I would think that the only thing that would stop your mouth is decapitation. But then who would fill in the awkward silences of my life?" He took a step forward, his boots making loud noises as they hit the steel ground. He looked back at Clint, who hadn't moved very much. "You coming?"
Clint sighed and then tightened his overalls.
"Yeah."
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
A short chapter. We'll find out if Meltan can evolve in the next chapter. I'll also show off a little bit of the dangers of Mt. Azure. I kind of imagine it as a sister mountain to Mt. Silver. But no one ever has a reason to go to Mt. Azure, as it seems to lead to nowhere.
Once again, the story about Gordon and his motorcycle accident is based on real-life events. And for those who don't remember, Clint was in Chapter 3 of KiiK, so if you're wanting some of his backstory, you can go there. CrescentApple is the writer who made Clint, and he has his own short story going for the character. Feel free to check it out to get more context (it's an entertaining read).
REVIEWS:
CrescentApple - "Huh. I thought Gordon would have won for some reason. Awesome 2 on 2 battle, now im curious what the rest of Gordon's team looks like. Clint is just too savvy. I can already see the camaraderie between these fine gents, and its suitable." - From the sounds of it, we'll be seeing one last battle by the end of the story. Clint will have to really go all out.
