Chapter 6
The morning cries of the local dodrio slash through the sleepy towns silence as Pippa and I exit for Jublife. Rubbing my weary eyes I scout the road ahead. I can see the winding path weave in and out of the long grass. Huge trees dominate the landscape their shadows creating a welcome refuge from the ferocious sun. Even as early as this the suns heat makes me thankful that I wore shorts. I smile kindly at Pippa and bend down to give her a well-earned treat I purchased from the local poke-mart. As she eats from my right hand I gently stroke her head with my other. I can feel my affection growing towards her as she gleefully eats out of my palm. Right now she is the closest thing to a friend I have and I am so grateful that she's here. The last few days have been crazy and trying to piece it all together is giving me a headache. As Pippa finishes eating she looks up at me, gives me a huge smile and bursts into a joyful tune.
"Ha, you like singing don't you? I like it." I say tenderly and smile at the little blue bird. Oh, how cute is she? "Right… Time to do this." I proclaim.
With route 202 before us Pippa and I set off with a spring in our step. I even find myself subconsciously whistling along to her enchanting song as we set off for Jublife.
Jublife, city the most modernized in all of Sinnoh is alive with its busy inhabitants and their Pokémon stampeding about in an attempt to complete their daily tasks. To the left of me a crowd of children are being entertained by a colourful clown whilst another happily greets visitors. Before me smartly dressed workers can be seen hurriedly entering the revolving doors of a huge white cube shaped building. I wander, awestruck towards this monolith forgetting I'm in the middle of a bustling street. Wow. I inwardly admire. We don't get buildings that big a home.
"That's Sinnoh's national TV station you gawk at." A velvet voice boasts from behind causing me cheeks to burn red. Suddenly a tall, muscly man pauses beside me. "You should check her out sometime, she's a real beauty." He winks at me with his dark brown eyes as he swaggers towards the front door, spinning it with ease to enter.
I dreamily gaze for a moment at where the beautiful man entered, entranced by his dulcet tones. I snap out of my fantasy when someone barges into me, moving off without even a hint of an apology. Pretty rudeI! Suddenly realising that I have just been standing in the middle of a busy walkway my cheeks glow in full on embarrassment and covering my face I duck inside the Pokémon centre at great speed.
In my haste to get off the street I stumble through the doors and clumsily trip over my own feet. Oh come on! My not so graceful entrance has attracted the attention of the whole reception which does nothing for my embarrassment. Wishing for the ground to swallow me up I put my hands over my head as I lay spread eagled on the cold stone floor. I feel the furry face of Pippa nuzzling in beside me, checking that I am okay.
"Come dear, give me your hand." A woman softy whispers, kneeling down beside me.
Partially opening my right eye, sneaking a peak at origin of the kind offer I am greeted by a beautiful young woman with bright pink hair smiling broadly at me. Her smile is infectious and I find myself grinning back as I graciously accept her hand.
"Thank-you." I murmur, dusting myself off.
"That's okay dear. Now what should I call you?" Her warm voice makes me feel comfortable.
"Linda, miss." I smile. It is now that I notice her pristine nurse's uniform. She must work here.
"Well Linda my name is Nurse Joy. How can I help you on this fine day?" She waves me over to the front desk which a chansey is currently standing behind busy at work. This is the first time I have ever seen a chansey in real life. It is a kind hearted and charitable Pokémon, perfect for working in a hospital.
As I follow nurse joy I see various trainers sitting around the waiting area. Some are in deep conversation, discussing battles they've had or new Pokémon captures, others look nervous as they eagerly await the return of their Pokémon from the emergency room. I recall a chapter from my trainer's handbook on the Pokémon centres functions including a place for Pokémon to rest.
"I'd like to recover my friends please." I ask kindly un-attaching Hilda's poke-ball from my belt and placing it on the tray before me. "You too Pippa." I look behind me to see the little blue bird peering out from behind my legs. I smile softly at her. "It's okay. Nurse Joy will take great care of you. I'll wait right here."
"Oh yes." Her smile shining bright.
"Pip." Pippa jumps up into my arms hugging me before joining Hilda in the tray.
"See you soon." A wave of sadness washes over me as chansey takes the Pokémon through the back. This is the first time I'll have been on my own since I left home. My mind drifts back to our adventures on the way to Jublife.
I stand staring at the youngster's shinx, the blazing heat forcing a bead of sweat to glide down my pale cheek. Knowing the trainers Pokémon to be an electric type to send in Pippa, a water type, would be unwise. With a look of steely determination I reach down to my belt and grip tightly around Hilda's poke-ball. With a sharp intake of breath I toss the red and white ball before me releasing the beaver with a bright white light.
"Hilda! You're up."
"Bidoof." She roars, ready for action.
Standing proud I ready myself for the first attack. Fist clenched I thrust it out towards my opponent.
"Hilda, smash it hard. TACKLE!"
A cloud of dust is kicked up as Hilda charges at her foe.
As the shinx collapses unable to continue I punch the air victoriously and rush over to lock the battle weary Hilda in a bone crunching hug. That was our third win in a row, each sweater than its predecessor.
"You were great!" I praise with a huge smile etched across my face. I pick up the victor and begin spinning her around in the air laughing as we soak up the magical moment.
"Your Pokémon will be ready soon."
Nurse Joy's soft voice wakes me gently from my daydream and I smile thankfully at her.
"Thanks a lot." I beam. "Oh, Nurse?"
"Yes dear?" As polite as ever.
"I'm looking for my friend. A blonde haired boy, about my age. He has a turtwig. Have you seen him?" I look imploringly at her, praying that she has some information. Please, please, please say you've seen him. I repeat this over and over thinking the more I say it the more it'll be true.
"Hmmm, I can't say that I have. I'm sorry." She signs disappointedly. My head drops. "But…" She adds lively. I snap my head up, my hope returning. "If you ask that man in the corner he may know."
"Awesome. Thanks." I respond gratefully.
I walk slowly over to where the man nurse Joy indicated sits. As I edge closer I recognise him as one of the clowns entertaining the visitors as they entered the city. Now I am closer I can see more clearly what he is wearing. He has on a daffodil yellow shirt with matching trousers and oversized bright white shoes. His clothes have a ruby red pattern embroidered down the seam, but it's his hat that really grabs my eye. A huge red and yellow masterpiece is perched upon his head. Its three claw like shapes hang down from the tip, each with a bell attached on the end that rings happily every time he moves.
"Excuse me." I cough to get his attention.
Looking up from his newspaper and letting out an audible sigh he surveys me with his large emerald green eyes. After a moment he puts his paper down on the red leather chair beside him and folds his arms. I take this as a sign that I have his attention.
"Emmmm… sorry to disturb you… but…" Ugh, why does this guy make me feel uneasy? "I was wondering if you have seen…" Before I can finish he has sprung to his feet and taken up a crouching position swaying from side to side like a flower in a mild breeze. He then slowly presses his index finger to his lips.
"To the beautiful nurse Joy,
I heard you just say,
That you search for your friend,
Then you must not delay.
Perhaps I can help,
Perhaps I cannot.
I do tend to see things,
That others do not.
Solve my clever riddle,
My fun little game,
Before the time runs out,
And the prize is yours to name."
I stare blankly at this strange man as he continues to sway with an unsettling grace. Is this guy for real? I screw my face up in bewilderment before sighing.
"Fine. Hit me with it." I concede seeing no other choice.
The clown lets outs a squeal of excitement causing his bells to ring merrily. He reaches underneath his shirt and pulls out a golden pocket watch that was hanging around his neck. Its beautifully crafted shell shines under the bright lights of the Pokémon centre. Taking a deep breath he stills.
"Ripped from my mother's womb,
Beaten and burned,
I become a blood-thirsty slayer,
What am I?"
A deathly silence befalls the building as a crowd gathers around us. I can hear my heart pumping blood around my body, increasing in speed as I wrack my brain for the answer. Holding the watch up to his smiling face the clown presses a button on the top indicating that my time has begun. I stare blankly for a moment taking this surreal situation in before snapping back to the riddle. I repeat it over and over in my head. 'Ripped from my mother's womb.' What can that be? Almost a minute has passed as I glance up at the watch. Damn! There are too many people around to think clearly. I rhythmically tap my right foot on the hard stone floor as I search the room for a clue. As my gaze meets that of the clown he shrugs and taps his wrist. My time is running out and I've got absolutely nothing. Come on, think. I am about to give up when something catches my eye. A huge green sign with yellow writing hangs on the wall behind the front desk. The colourful sign reads 'Oreburgh- We Know How to Rock!' Everything feels like it goes in slow motion as I piece the puzzle together. The clown is moving to call time on his game as I scream.
"You want me to go to Oreburgh!" Relief washes over me as I solve his riddle. "I mean ore. You are iron ore." Correcting my answer as coolly as I can.
The room collectively holds its breath as we look to the clown for his answer. He is frozen on the spot in a peculiar pose. One leg is elevated and folded over the thigh of the other. His golden pocket watch sways from side to side in a hypnotic motion. My heart is racing as I study him for some clue as to whether or not I'm correct. I cross my fingers in hope. The suspense is killing me. I feel like I am about to explode when I clown nods his head to confirm my answer as right. The room erupts into vibrant applause and a huge smile crosses my lips as I finally relax. The clown sidles up beside me in one swift motion.
"Your friend did pass,
Blue glow in eye.
Defeated me he did,
And I did despise,
The way that he fought,
Ruthless, without mirth,
Talked of destroying,
Those of no worth."
My heart leaps as I hear the clown's words. Ralph's passed through. Hopefully I can catch him up. I take a moment as the rest of the message sinks in. What did he mean by the last part? Destroying those of no worth? Ralph wouldn't do something like that. Confused by this I turn to question the funny man only to find he has vanished. I eagerly search the busy room in vain as he is nowhere to be seen. As I move towards the entrance to see if he has exited a hand taps me on the shoulder.
"Linda your Pokémon are well rested and ready to go." Nurse Joy smiles pointing me towards the excited little bird on the desk.
"Thanks." I reply, thankful to be reunited with my friends so we can make our way to Oreburgh.