Chapter 10: The eyes that see
"Next, please!"
The next person in the queue walked towards the counter after the man behind it called them. It was fairly early in the morning, but Hau'oli City's City Hall was bustling with activity.
While most stood in a row, Juliette and her father preferred sitting down in some chairs. They chose the ones closest to the counter so the father and daughter duo could avoid crossing the whole room to get to the public worker.
Juliette's eyes darted across the room. While it wasn't too long until her turn, she and her father have been there almost since the building opened. It was Édith's idea to have them go there as early as possible. Still—they had been sitting there for longer than they wanted.
Juliette sighed and rested her head on her palm. Mainard noticed her gestures.
"Don't worry Juliette, there's only two numbers away from our turn."
Juliette sat up straight. "Yes, but we've been here for what, two hours?"
"More or less." Mainard looked at his wristwatch.
Juliette sighed and leaned back in her seat. "I guess good things are worth waiting for."
However, Juliette felt her journey wouldn't be official until all of the processes were dealt with. She wanted to be able to travel across the region without restrictions. Being able to gather any Cell she happened to come across would be great, but Juliette wanted the real deal. The sooner we get this out of the way, the better. I can't wait to gather all those Cells and see what happens.
Over twenty minutes later, Juliette and Mainard's turn finally came. Their number appeared on a screen and the two got up from their seats, heading for the counter.
"Alola! What do you need?" the officer greeted them.
Mainard exchanged glances with Juliette. "My daughter needs a Ride Pager and permission to navigate Trial sites."
"Ah." The worker looked at Juliette. "Are you going to take part in the Island Challenge?"
"No, it's not that," Mainard interceded for his daughter.
Juliette cleared her throat. "It's for an after-school activity."
"What kind of after-school activity requires you to get a Ride Pager and permission to navigate Trial Sites?"
Juliette gave the man an annoyed look. If he's this nosy with everyone, no wonder it takes him forever to attend people. "The assistants of a Pokémon Professor in Kalos want me to collect—" The teen interrupted herself. Was it wise to go around telling everyone about her mission? "Nevermind. They want me to help them with a task that involves visiting a big part of the region."
"If you don't tell me what you want the Ride Pager and the permission for, I won't be able to go through with your petition."
Juliette crossed her arms and exhaled.
"My daughter left school so she could devote herself to this task. She needs the Ride Pager and the permission to fulfill it. I have the school's document here." Mainard opened a blue cardboard folder he was carrying, but the officer stopped him.
He laughed, looking at Juliette, "You really thought I wouldn't let you, did you? I can see it in your eyes. Man, I wish people were more receptive to my jokes!" The man walked away from them. "I'll bring the forms out in a second."
Juliette put her hand to her forehead and rested her elbow on the counter, sighing.
"That joke was unfunny even for me," Mainard huffed with a shake of his head.
The officer came back shortly after. He brought a couple of papers and put them in front of Juliette along with a blue pen. "I hope you remembered bringing an ID photocopy, we need that along with the forms."
"I didn't think of that." Juliette lowered her gaze. "Sorry."
"Don't worry about it, I can make one for a few Pokédollars." The man stopped to look at Juliette and Mainard's reactions. Going by their faces, they weren't amused. "I'm joking. We do that for free. Now, remember you do have to pay a fee for each petition, but we'll talk about that later."
Juliette gave her ID to the man and watched him go photocopy it at the back of the room. In less than a minute, he was back with it and the copy.
The man handed the ID back to Juliette. "Alright! Time for you to start filling the forms...although you could have started while I was gone."
Juliette sighed in exasperation and began writing on the forms. Once she finished, she put her signature on both.
"Since you're underage," the officer pointed out, "I'll need your father's signature too."
Mainard added his signature and gave the papers back to Juliette. She handed them over to the man behind the counter.
He stamped both documents. "Done! You can start playing the waiting game now." A silly look appeared on his eyes. He was about to let fly one of his jokes. "It's the only one without loot boxes I know of."
Juliette disregarded the quip entirely. "That's something I'd like to know. How long will it be until I get the permission and the Ride Pager?"
The man whistled. "I can't say. That's the magic of bureaucracy. Your petitions could be ready in a few days, a week, a month, or even a year. It's a matter of patience."
Juliette stared at him deadpan. How can he say that without batting an eyelid?
"I hope it doesn't take that long." Mainard glanced at his daughter and then back at the man. "What about the taxes you mentioned earlier?"
"Oh, that! It's 1,500 Pokédollars for each process, please."
Mainard gave the money to the worker who proceeded to put it in a safe under the counter. "Everything's ok! Have a nice day."
Juliette and Mainard said goodbye to him and thanked the man. After that, they finally left the City Hall.
"Did you bring the Zygarde Cube?"
Juliette shook her head. "I left it at home. I don't want to risk losing it in a huge city on another island."
"Understandable, but soon you'll have to take it everywhere with you and you shouldn't worry. Besides, I know you'll be careful to keep something like that from happening."
"I hope you're right...especially in the 'soon' part. If it takes them a year to process the petitions, I might lose my mind."
"Don't take that man seriously, Julie. He was trying to be funny."
Juliette snickered, "Yes, he sure tried."
It was near lunchtime now. Mainard and Édith were in the kitchen preparing everyone's meal. Meanwhile, Juliette sat on the couch doodling away. She had been sketching Zygarde Cells over and over again. The main drawing featured a Zygarde Cell lying on a rock surrounded by orchids.
As Juliette focused on one of her smaller sketches, Poppy tried to get her Trainer's attention. She stood on her hind legs in front of Juliette. Halbert decided to join her teammate, sitting not too far away from her and vocalizing.
"Is something the matter?" Juliette asked, looking up from her sketchbook.
Halbert and Poppy turned towards the house door. They looked back at their Trainer to make sure she got the message.
Juliette smiled and shook her head. "Knew it." She looked over at the kitchen. Édith and Mainard were still busy cooking. "We'll go outside, but we still need to have lunch. Is that okay?"
The two Pokémon nodded and jumped to the armchairs at either side of the couch. They sat there minding their own business, wanting to avoid bothering their Trainer.
How cute. They're waiting patiently. I hope lunch is ready soon so I can take them out for a bit at least.
Juliette turned her attention back to her drawings. She began sketching another Zygarde Cell. This one laid on a tree branch she had drawn before. Unfortunately, her creative process got interrupted yet again. This time it was because of her phone. It beeped on the coffee table. Juliette put aside her sketchbook and picked her phone up. She just received a message from Luana. Juliette opened the notification.
"What are you up to?" Two smiling emojis followed her friend's message.
Juliette typed a quick response: "I'm at home. You?"
Almost as soon as Juliette sent the message, the app indicated Luana read it. Her friend wrote back right away: "I'm at the café with Kiawe, Mallow, and Lana."
Before she could answer, Luana fired a new message: "Why don't you come over? It'll be nice to see you again." She concluded the message with the star-struck emoji.
Juliette re-read the message a few times. But it's only been two days...
"Wait a second."
Juliette got up from the couch and walked over to the kitchen. Her father was chopping some vegetables. "Uuh..."
"Do you need anything?" Mainard asked as he continued with his task.
"Luana sent me a message saying she's at Sunrise Café with Kiawe, Mallow, and Lana. She wants me to go there...right now."
"Then go." Mainard put the knife down and looked at Juliette, lifting a shoulder. "I don't see a problem."
"What about lunch? You're already preparing it and if I go, that would be wasting my helping."
"Don't worry about that," Édith reassured her granddaughter, "we can eat it ourselves."
"That settles it, then." Juliette scurried towards the phone, which she left lying on the couch.
She sends in her answer. "I'll be there in a bit."
"YES! I'll tell everyone you'll be here soon."
"Thank you."
Luana sent another message. She adorned it with blushy emojis: "By the way, there's someone new with us today. I'm sure you'll like her."
Juliette raised her eyebrows at the message. A new person?
After sending a thumbs-up emoji, Juliette wrote that she would get Halbert and Poppy and leave the house. She put her phone in her pocket and turned towards her Pokémon. "Guys, looks like we're going outside after all!"
Halbert and Poppy cheered at the news and jumped off their seats.
"I'll go get my bag, wait a second."
Juliette headed for her room and grabbed her bag, making sure her purse was inside. She took a glance at her desk. After a moment of thought, she walked over to it and opened the first drawer. This was the place where Juliette kept her most precious possession—the Zygarde Cube—safe. "You never know," she thought out loud.
Juliette went down the stairs and headed for the kitchen. "I'm leaving now and I'm gonna take Halbert and Poppy with me."
Mainard turned around. "Okay, take care and have fun."
"Are you taking the Zygarde Cube with you?" Édith asked.
"Of course." Juliette placed her hand over her bag.
"Alright." Édith dried her hands on her apron. "Send a message whenever you're ready to come home."
"I will." Juliette turned towards Halbert and Poppy. "It's time to go."
The Pokémon followed Juliette with eager steps and the trio soon reached the door.
"See you later!" Juliette said as she walked outside the house.
"See you!" Édith and Mainard answered.
Juliette and her Pokémon made their way to Sunrise Café. Nothing extraordinary happened on the way there. The distance between Juliette's home and the café didn't leave much room for that, anyway. The Zygarde Cube didn't give off any signs either. That didn't surprise her.
When Juliette reached the café, she opened the door and her shoulders slumped. The place was crowded and she couldn't see her friends. Juliette stood at the door with Halbert and Poppy by her side, scanning the place with her eyes.
Luana soon noticed and called for her friend, "We're here!" The girl waved a hand to make herself seen.
Sighing with relief, Juliette and her Pokémon approached Luana. Everyone else was there too. Luana had put together two tables so all of them could fit. Although there was no food yet, everyone had been served a drink. That wasn't what got Juliette's attention the most, however.
There was a Blaziken sitting at the table. A girl Juliette never met before was next to the Pokémon.
That Blaziken wasn't the only Pokémon in the table. Mallow's Lurantis sat with her too and Lana's Wishiwashi was in a bowl on the table. Everyone else's Pokémon were close by. Halbert and Poppy joined them as their Trainer hung her bag on an empty chair next to Lana.
Before Juliette could sit down, Luana put her hand on Juliette's back. "I'm going to introduce you to our friend." Luana extended a hand towards the unknown girl. "This is Anakalia—or Ana, for short."
"She's also my girlfriend," Kiawe chimed in with a proud smile on his face.
Anakalia snorted and grinned. "You didn't need to say that, I could have done so myself."
Ignoring Anakalia's words, Juliette responded to Kiawe. Surprise and confusion crossed her face. "Your...girlfriend?"
Anakalia got up and approached Juliette. Tall and athletic, her tanned skin emphasized her muscles. A fishtail braid gathered the girl's medium blonde hair. Intimidated upon seeing how Anakalia towered over her, Juliette plastered a nervous smile on her face. She was at a loss for words.
Anakalia made the first move and extended her hand for a handshake. "Hey!" Her voice was loud and clear.
Juliette extended her hand back with hesitation. She's about to crush my hand, isn't she?
Luckily for Juliette, the handshake Anakalia gave her didn't hurt. It was firm and gentle at the same time.
"From your reaction, I gather you've never heard of me." Anakalia rolled her eyes and smiled. Her expression looked a tad forced. "This boyfriend of mine sometimes leaves his head back at home."
Juliette thought back. I'm sure Kiawe must have mentioned her before. It would be strange if he didn't. If only I didn't space out so much when I meet up with everyone... "No, it's not that! He did talk about you. It's just that I—"
Anakalia interrupted her with a hearty laugh, "I was just kidding, no need to be so tense."
Luana arrived right at that moment interrupting the two girls' conversation. "Why don't you two sit down? It'll be more comfortable."
The two girls sat down. Juliette craned her neck to look at Halbert and Poppy. They were playing with Kiawe's Alolan Marowak.
Luana approached Juliette. "Do you want anything to drink?"
"A glass of orange juice, please."
"Right away!" Luana left for the bar.
As soon as the waitress walked away, Anakalia resumed the conversation. She leaned towards Juliette ever so slightly. "You didn't tell me your name yet."
"My name is Juliette and...I should have said this before, but it's nice to meet you."
"Don't worry, it's nice to meet you too!"
A silence followed their exchange as other conversations went on in the table. Juliette watched Halbert and Poppy again; they were staring at Anakalia's Blaziken in awe, but the Fire-type didn't seem to notice. Juliette looked at Anakalia out of the corner of her eye with a similar sentiment. This girl looks like she walked out of a fitness magazine.
Out of nowhere, Luana put the orange juice glass in front of Juliette. "Here's your juice, Julie," she said with a smile.
"Thank you."
"You're most welcome!" Luana then turned towards the end of the table. "What does everyone want to eat?"
"Why did no one eat yet?" Juliette asked Lana in a hushed voice.
"Because we were waiting for you."
"Oh..."
Not long after that, everyone's orders arrived. Luana had asked her aunt and uncle for permission to join her friends. She was now sitting at the head of the table. Momi, her Vaporeon, joined the Pokémon that weren't big enough to be with their Trainers at the table.
Juliette pushed around a piece of the chocolate éclair she asked for with her fork, overhearing a comment from Anakalia. The athlete talked about how she ordered kéfir because she was "in desperate need of proteins." Hearing Anakalia talk to the others made Juliette want to come up with a topic of conversation. I'm the only one not talking to her. She felt the need to say something before Anakalia would think she made a negative impression on her.
Juliette watched as Anakalia showed Kiawe something on her phone. The scene gave her an idea for a conversation topic.
"How did you guys meet?"
Kiawe and Anakalia looked up in the blink of an eye. The question caught them off guard.
"You know," Anakalia said with a vague gesture of her hands, "it's your typical 'boy meets girl' kind of story."
"It's still worth telling, don't you think?" Kiawe asked his girlfriend.
"Sure, why not?" Anakalia shrugged. "You go first."
"Alright..." Kiawe shifted his attention to Juliette. "It was one day in which I watched my grandfather battle Trial goers. It was like any other day; some challengers managed to defeat him and some didn't...but one of them stood out to me."
Anakalia touched Kiawe's arm. "I don't mean to interrupt, but I'm still amazed I could beat his grandfather. He was one tough guy."
"I saw the battle. Your Blaziken did a great job." After the exchange with his girlfriend, Kiawe addressed Juliette again, "That was one of the things that got me interested. I was intrigued by her Blaziken as well as her battle style. She also used Machamp that day."
"When the battle ended, he came to talk to me. I remember he looked kinda nervous...it was cute."
"How long ago was th— I mean, how long have you been together?" I can't believe I'm the one leading the conversation. Is it Opposite Day or something?
"It's been three years and I'm hoping for many more." He put an arm around Anakalia, whose expression went serious for a split second.
The girl forced a smile. "I do too."
Anakalia's attitude didn't go unnoticed for Juliette. Not knowing what else to add, she nodded in response. Maybe Anakalia is the kind of person who doesn't like to talk a lot about her relationships.
Luana squealed and startled Juliette. "I'm so glad you two are getting along! See," she addressed Anakalia, "this is why I insist you join us more often."
"You know I'd love to, but I need to train as often as possible."
"You should make some time for your friends, too," Luana said with a pout.
Anakalia groaned. Juliette looked over at Kiawe and saw how his expression had gone serious.
Mallow noticed too and she decided to try lighting up the mood. "So, about next week's test, did any of you study yet?"
"I didn't have time yet," Lana said, "although I might have some free time tomorrow afternoon."
"That's good... What about you, Kiawe?"
"I studied as much as I could," Kiawe sighed, "The supermarket and the farm duties don't leave me much free time either."
Anakalia chimed in, "Hey, at least that's something. By the way," she said, looking at Juliette, "I heard you left school a few days ago. Why is that?"
"Uh..." Juliette stopped to think. It was clear Luana had been talking about her to Anakalia before her arrival. What if she finds my reason lame? It might sound like a fantasy to her rather than an actual thing I'm doing. Plus, if I didn't tell the man at the City Hall, should I be telling Anakalia? I barely know her.
"Well?" Anakalia tapped a finger on the table.
Like an automaton activated by a switch, Juliette started talking, "A few days ago, two people came to our school asking for help with a project, so I offered myself to help them."
"Yeah but...what's the project about?" Anakalia asked.
Juliette looked down as she tried to find the right way to explain it. How do I say it without sounding like a loon?
She would have spent more time dwelling in her thoughts if Luana didn't make her snap out of them. "Tell her already!" Luana patted Juliette on the back. "There's no need to be shy about it."
Juliette looked over at Anakalia. The athlete looked at her with expectation.
"Alright. The people who came to school work with Professor Sycamore in Kalos. I have to help them find fifty Zygarde Cells as they find the other fifty and—"
"Zygarde?" Anakalia interrupted her, "The same Zygarde from the Kalosian myths? I had no idea it was in Alola too."
Juliette shrugged and smiled. "Me neither."
"What do you have to collect those fifty Cells for?"
A realization struck Juliette as Anakalia asked that question. "To be honest, I'm not sure. Maybe they want to study its biology or something. It's said that the Cores, which are another part that makes up Zygarde, can see what happens around larger areas through the Cells."
"Ooh." Anakalia nodded. "So the Cells are the eyes that see in a way, right?"
"Yes, exactly."
Night had fallen upon Paniola Town.
"See you," Juliette said as she waved goodbye to her friends. She was the first of them to leave the café.
Time went by in the blink of an eye. No one realized that the sun was setting considering how many heavy conversations the group was in. When Juliette saw the sunset, she decided it was time to go home. Even though she didn't have class, she didn't want to go back home so late. Although I'll have to sleep away from home a lot once I start traveling.
Juliette took out her phone and sent a text to her dad. She let him know that she was on her way home. As she put the phone back in her bag, Juliette took a glance at the Zygarde Cube. No response, just like before.
Accompanied by Halbert and Poppy, she walked the path back home lost in her thoughts. Anakalia is right. Why are Sina and Dexio looking for those Cells? Why do they need help from others?
Juliette and her Pokémon weren't alone on the street. Other people and their respective Pokémon were still hanging out outside. The bright street lights made one feel safe even at night. It was yet another thing that added charm to the small town.
Beep
A sound interrupted Juliette's peaceful walk back home. Even if she only heard it once before, Juliette knew what it meant. Sure enough, when she opened the bag to take a look, the Zygarde Cube was on. It detected a Cell near her location. Juliette grabbed the device from inside her bag to take a closer look. It was marking Paniola Ranch as the location. Her jaw dropped. She looked around to ensure there wasn't anyone nearby.
With her Pokémon hot on her heels, Juliette began pacing across the street, the Cube clutched tightly in her hand. It's impossible there are two Cells in the same place. That'd be too much luck. Maybe the device has a memory or something. She looked down at the Zygarde Cube. Although if that was the case, it would have gone off earlier too...
Juliette made up her mind. "Halbert, Poppy, let's go!" She would go to Paniola Ranch and see what happened. It wouldn't hurt to try, would it?
With her Pokémon flanking her, Juliette headed for Paniola Ranch. She looked at the Zygarde Cube and saw how she started getting closer to her goal.
Soon, the trio reached its destination. Juliette walked into the Ranch without taking her eyes off the Zygarde Cube. According to the device, she was getting closer to the Cell.
Juliette looked up, assuming the location marked would be the same from the other day...though she then realized it wasn't. This one was in a paddock that had to be accessed through a ramp. While she needed to walk through the grass a bit, Juliette wasn't as afraid thanks to Halbert and Poppy's presence.
As the three made their way towards the paddock, Juliette saw two sleeping Mudbray not too far away. They must be the same ones from the other day, she thought.
Juliette, Halbert, and Poppy walked down the ramp. With a sigh, shel looked down at the device.
She was in front of the Cell.
"Unbelievable," Juliette whispered. She crouched and motioned for her Pokémon to come closer. "Now look."
Just like the other day, Juliette pressed the button on the Zygarde Cube. A green light soon appeared revealing a Zygarde Cell. Halbert and Poppy got closer to take a better look at the creature, staring in awe. Juliette couldn't help but smile at their amazement. After all, she felt the exact same way.
It wasn't long until the Cell got sucked into the device. The same text from the first time appeared on screen: "Count: 2 Cells, 0 Cores"
"Two down, forty-eight to go." Juliette put the Zygarde Cube back in her bag. She turned around to look at her Pokémon. "Let's go home, guys. It's getting late."
Nodding, Halbert and Poppy followed Juliette in her walk up the ramp. A warm feeling took hold of her chest. Although she was barely starting, Juliette felt one step closer to her goal. She clutched the bag closer to her body and smiled.
The only thing bothering Juliette, even if just a little, was not knowing what Sina and Dexio wanted exactly. Anakalia's words replayed in her mind every now and then. She wasn't sure of what the answer would be. What Juliette was sure about, however, is that it wouldn't be the only question she'd be asking herself in this journey.