Chapter 49 – The Journey Home
The day after the closing ceremonies, May, Martin, Trevor, and I all met for breakfast one last time. We talked about what a great journey it had been, and how much fun we'd had along the way, how many life and death struggles we'd had, and how many times we kicked Team Rocket's butts. Trevor was the first to leave. He mounted up on Rapidash and rode off. He said he was going to keep riding Rapidash around Johto until the next big race came along. Martin left next, on Arcanine. He told us to stop by the Ice Cave to visit him anytime. The last goodbye was the toughest – saying goodbye to May. We returned to the park to sit on the bench once more while we let the Pokemon play together. I said to her, "I guess this is it for a while. I wanted you to know I was really glad when you decided to accompany me on my journey. My Pokemon are great company, but it was nice to have another person to talk to." May replied, "Same here! I really enjoyed it. And Amber just loves Flamefox. I hate to separate them." I said, "Yeah, but it won't be long before we're journeying through Kanto together! Just a few weeks." She held her Vulpix pendant in her hand and said, "I owe you a lot, Joe! If it hadn't been for you and Sage Li, I might have given up on my Pokemon journey a long time ago. You two really helped me to believe in myself and my Pokemon." I said, "I was just helping a fellow trainer in need." She said, "Well, it meant a lot to me. Thank you." I replied, "You're welcome." Flamefox and Amber were playing together in the grass, so happy to be with each other. I knew Flamefox would miss Amber as much as I would miss May. Anyway, soon May's parents arrived and asked, "Are you ready to go home?" She answered, "Yes. Come on Amber and Redfur!" Amber licked Flamefox goodbye and they nuzzled one more time. I put out my hand to May so we could shake hands, but she grabbed me and hugged me, saying, "I'm really gonna miss you the next few weeks. Keep in touch, okay?" I said, "I will." She then walked off with her parents, accompanied by Amber and Redfur. Flamefox looked a little sad as they walked off and I picked him up, saying, "Don't worry, boy! You'll see her again in no time!" My own parents headed out earlier that morning. They weren't entirely thrilled about my wanting to ride Tauros home, but they let me do it, anyway. It would about a week or so to get home, since I wouldn't be constantly stopping to battle at gyms, or to battle junior trainers this time. I released Tauros from his pokeball and said, "What do you say, buddy? Ready to go home?" He "mooed" loudly and I mounted on his back. I said, "Come on, Flamefox!" and he hopped into my lap! Tauros ran us out of the Pokemon Village and back the way we had come from, with Firestorm and Inferno running beside us. Once we were in the wild, I released Jolteon and Vaporeon to run with us, and Fearow to fly above us. Over the course of the next few days, we backtracked through all the routes and towns that had led us to the Indigo Plateau, waving to people who we recognized, and sleeping at Pokemon Centers or in the woods each night. I lost all track of time, because it was such an enjoyable experience being out with my Pokemon in the wild, with not a care on my mind, sleeping under the stars at night, and taking in the gorgeous scenery during the day. It had been a while since I felt this free.
After about 5 or 6 days, we reached Goldenrod City, and just south of there was the Ilex Forest! We were almost home! We spent one night in the Ilex Forest before we reached the sign that read "Now entering the Brushfire Woods". "Almost there, guys!" I exclaimed to my Pokemon. While travelling through the Brushfire Woods, I thought I saw something orangish-brown run behind some shrubbery. Flamefox and Firestorm ran after it. I hopped off Tauros and shouted, "Wait, guys!" and ran after them. I saw them head down to a clearing ahead, and they stopped. There were 2 wild Vulpixes with them. I approached slowly. When the 2 wild Vulpixes saw me, they almost ran off, but Flamefox said, "Vul vulpix!" and Firestorm said, "Niine ninetales!" to them. They stopped and looked at me cautiously. I said, "It's okay." And crouched down, reaching out my hand. They stayed where they were, so I pulled some Pokemon chow out from my backpack and held out a handful. Flamefox and Firestorm continued to vocalize to them, as if telling them that I was okay. They both slowly approached an nibbled at the food in my hand. These Vulpixes were much older than Flamefox and Firestorm, I would say at least 20 years old, although it was a well known fact that Vulpixes can live to be anywhere from 500 to 1,000 years old. One was female and slightly lighter and the male was slightly darker, but both were orangish brown, like Flamefox is and Firestorm was as a Vulpix. I looked at Flamefox and asked, "I know this is a long shot, but are these your parents?" Flamefox and Firestorm nodded. I looked at the wild Vulpixes and said, "It's a real pleasure to meet both of you! You should be very proud of your sons! They have won many battles for me, and I'm proud to call them my best Pokemon friends." The wild Vulpixes nodded to me, as if they understood. Then they loudly called out, "Vulpix vulll pix vul!" Suddenly, a great number of wild Vulpixes came out of hiding from all around us! They varied in age from 6 months to at least 50 years, and a few looked to be around 500, all scraggly and ragged, with some greyish fur mixed with their orangish brown. A few Ninetales approached, as well. Lastly, approaching slowly and accompanied by a Ninetales on either side, was a very elderly looking Vulpix – his fur was completely greyish-white, but his tails were still somewhat reddish-orange, with a lot of grey interspersed, the same with the curls of hair on his head, and he still had brown fur on his paws, but a bit darker. He sat down in front of me – he had to be close to 800 years old. The other Vulpixes and Ninetales bowed to him in respect, including mine. I decided that he must be the clan elder. I, too, bowed, and said, "It's an honor." He walked up to me and put his front right paw onto my hand, and in an older tone of voice, said, "Vul vulpix." I said to them all, "This is a great honor for me. I have always felt a close bond to Vulpixes, and to be in the presence of your entire clan means more to me than you could possibly know." They soon all began to call out, as if cheering for me, Flamefox, and Firestorm. The elder stood up on his hind legs and took my Vulpix pendant in his paw to look at it. I said to him, "That was a gift from a friend of mine. She also has a Vulpix and has raised it well. She and Flamefox are very close. I wish you could meet her. I'll have to bring her by someday" He smiled at Flamefox and looked back at me, as if he fully understood every word I was saying. My other Pokemon approached, and Inferno came over to Firestorm. Flamefox and Firestorm's parents came over to get a better look at her, and the elder did, as well. The normally quite feisty Flareon was quite respectful to all of them. We spent that night with the Vulpixes. It was a unique opportunity for me to observe their social and family structure. Vulpixes are usually quite solitary, but they are very social within their own family unit. I watched as parents preened their young, and other Vulpixes caught food for each other. In the evening, they vocalized and did incredible shows of fire. It was really quite a beautiful experience. The elder always had those 2 Ninetales to either side, his bodyguards. The others brought food to him. I was quite impressed with the respect they showed for each other within their clan – if only humans could learn to be that respectful of each other. I slept peacefully that night, surrounded by a multitude of Vulpixes and Ninetales.
The next day, after having something to eat, I decided it was time we got under way. Flamefox and Firestorm said goodbye to their parents, brothers, sisters, and other relatives, and to the elder. I petted each of their parents, saying, "I promise I will continue to take good care of your sons." Then I approached the elder, and he put his paw into my hand, as if giving me his blessing. I said, "Thank you. Now that I know your clan, I'll have to come by to visit occasionally." He nodded and said, "Vulpix vul". The rest of the fire foxes called out again, as if cheering for us. I mounted onto Tauros, with Flamefox in my lap, and Firestorm beside us. As we galloped off, some of the younger Vulpixes followed us a ways, but then they stopped and just watched us as we disappeared in the distance. I told Flamefox, "You have a very big and friendly family! Now that I know them, I can't wait to visit them more often. And we'll have to bring Amber to visit them, too!" He smiled and said, "Vulpix!" as we galloped ahead.
A few hours later, we were getting near the clearing where I had first met Flamefox. When we entered the clearing, Flamefox and I were knocked off Tauros' back and Tauros, himself, had been knocked over! "Are you okay, Flamefox?" I asked him. "Vulpix" he replied. Then I looked up, and I couldn't believe it! "Not you again!" I shouted. It was our old friend, the Stantler! "You pulled a dirty trick on me, letting me think I caught you back all those months ago! But I'm a much more experienced trainer now! You won't get away from me this time!" Then I ordered, "Tauros, use body slam!" Tauros, already angry from Stantler tackling him, charged at Stantler, and Stantler hit him with hypnosis! I said, "Okay, you want to play hard ball? Jolteon, use thunderbolt!" Jolteon leapt in front of me and hit Stantler with the powerful electric attack. Stantler began to collapse to the ground. I called up Vaporeon and said, "Use water gun!" He did so, and the impact sent Stantler flying backwards and onto his side. I took out an empty pokeball and threw it, shouting, "Pokeball, go!" It engulfed the Stantler, but instead of transporting to Professor Oak, it went upwards. "What the heck…?" I began to ask, when I noticed a giant Meowth balloon appearing from behind the trees. I heard sinister female laughter, and I said, "Not these guys again." Then it started, the same old motto:
Jessie: "To protect the world from devastation"
James: "To unite all people within our nation"
Jessie: "To denounce the evils of truth and love"
James: "To extend our reach to the stars above"
Jessie: "Jessie"
James: "James"
Jessie: "Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light"
James: "Surrender now or prepare to fight"
Meowth: "Meowth, that's right!"
I watched as my pokeball got sucked up to their balloon in some kind of giant vacuum cleaner device. I shouted, "Don't you guys have anything better to do?" Jessie said, "Ha, there's nothing better than stealing rare Pokemon and making big bucks for the boss!" The 3 of them jumped down and Jessie said, "Give up your Pokemon, or we'll take them from you. You're spiky haired friend isn't here to protect you this time!" James whined, "Don't mention him! He scares me!" Meowth said, "Quit your whinin'! This is the kid who won big at the Johto League! If we steal his strong Pokemon, it'll put us in good with the boss!" I said, "Fat chance!" Jessie said, "We'll see! Go, Ekans!" and released her snake Pokemon. James said, "Go, Koffing!" and released the floating gas orb. "Koffing, smokescreen!" James shouted. We were surrounded by a cloud of smoke, and I couldn't see a thing! I took out Fearow's pokeball so he could do a gust and clear the smoke, but the vacuum started up again and took the ball from my hand! The smoke cleared, and the rest of my Pokemon were in a big net, hanging from Team Rocket's balloon! "Hey!" I shouted. Jessie said, "Tough luck, kid!" I shouted, "Flamefox, Firestorm, use your flamethrower and burn through that net!" They each did a flamethrower attack, but the net didn't burn! "How do you like our fire proof net?" Meowth asked. Flamefox and Firestorm began to call out, and soon, several Vulpixes arrived on the scene! "Oh, look, Jess! More valuable Pokemon to steal!" James said. She said, "Good idea! Let's get out the other net!" Just then, 3 of the wild Vulpixes launched a flamethrower attack at the balloon, causing it to burst into flames and crash down! "Grrr, we'll show you!" Jessie shouted, and released Ekans again. James released Koffing. Meowth said, "I'll keep my hands on these pokeballs" as he held Fearow's and Stanter's pokeballs in his paws. One of the wild Vulpixes tackled Meowth, knocking the balls out of his paws, and Stantler emerged. Jessie shouted, "Ekans, get that Stantler! Use wrap!" The snake wrapped his large body around Stantler, crushing him. He was still too weak from our battle to defend himself! Meanwhile, Koffing was tackling the wild Vulpixes. I ran over to the net, and it was all tangled up. I said, "Don't worry, guys! I'll have you loose in no time!" Meowth said, "Oh no you don't!" and used fury swipes on me, which hurt! I was knocked to the gound! Stantler began to call out, as did the Vulpixes. Suddenly, an entire herd of Stantler appeared, as did several more Vulpixes, among them the elder and his bodyguards. Jessie said, "This just gets better and better! Look at all the Pokemon we can capture!" James whined, "But Jessie! There are a lot more of them than there are us!" Several Stantler tackled Ekans, forcing him to release his grip on my Stantler! The Vulpixes began to hit Koffing with flamethrowers, knocking him down! Jessie and James put their arms around each other. "I think we're about to lose again!" James shouted. Several Stantler charged at them, and tackled them to their crashed balloon. My Stantler hit Meowth with a tackle and sent him flying over to Jessie and James. The elder Vulpix walked up to Jessie and James, and James ordered, "Koffing, use poison gas!" As Koffing released the attack, the elder Vulpix released a powerful flamethrower, more magnificent than even mine could do! The poison gas exploded, and Jessie, James, Meowth, Ekans, Koffing and their balloon skyrocketed up as they shouted, "We're blasting off agaaaiiin!" and disappeared into the stratosphere! "All right! That'll teach them to mess with us!" I shouted. Stantler used his horns to help me remove the netting, and my Pokemon were freed. "Thanks" I said to him, and petted him. It was clear that we were friends now – I guess I finally earned his respect. I walked over to the Vulpixes that helped us and said, "I thank all of you for your help." The elder once again put his paw in my hand, and said, "Vul vulpix" in his older voice. I walked back over to Stantler and said, "We're okay with each other now, right?" He lowered his head to my shoulder and nuzzled me. I petted him and said, "I'm glad."
With Tauros over his hypnosis, I mounted onto him again with Flamefox, and we ran the rest of the way home, accompanied by Stantler, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Firestorm, Inferno, and Fearow. We waved goodbye to the other Stantlers and the Vulpixes and Ninetales as we rode off. By evening, we reached Crimson Town! Everyone cheered as they saw all of us ride into town! My parents, Mr. Murphy, the kids from Crimson Town Pokemon Academy, and the townspeople all gave me a big hero's welcome for being this year's big Johto League champion! My Pokemon and I all ate well that night, and it was nice to finally be at home, in my own bed, with my little plush Vulpix, and Flamefox sleeping next to me.
The next few weeks, I rested and just enjoyed being home and playing with my Pokemon. Stantler and Tauros got along well together now. I also called Professor Oak and had a few of my other Pokemon sent home. Since I wasn't training for a time, I could have as many as I wanted with me. I had my big party, which May, Trevor, and Martin came to. Flamefox was so happy to see Amber again, and the next day, we brought Amber and Flamefox to the Brushfire Woods to meet Flamefox's parents and the elder, all of whom seemed to greatly approve of Amber. I also went to May's party the following week, along with my Pokemon. We all had a lot of fun. By the third week, I felt I was rested enough to head to Kanto for my second Pokemon journey.