Chapter 68 – Reunion at Breeder's Lane
The day after my fire foxes' outstanding victories against Erika's grass Pokemon, May and I excitedly headed for Scissor Street, which is also known as "Breeder's Lane", because of all the Pokemon salons and Pokemon breeding related shops located in the vicinity. We were accompanied by our usual posse of fire Pokemon, but Flamefox, Amber, and Firestorm walked faster than May and I, and Redfur, Fiona, and Inferno – it seemed that Flamefox and Amber were even more excited about seeing their son again, and Firestorm about seeing his nephew again, than we were! May said, "This is great! I don't recall Suzy having a Pokemon salon last year when I came through here. But there are a lot of great shops with the latest in state of the art breeding equipment. I'll definitely be coming here a lot to shop once I open my breeding center!" I said, "Maybe Suzy can give you some tips, too!" May nodded. We continued walking through Celadon City. It was quite a walk all the way to Scissor Street, so we stopped at a local Pokemart to get some pop from the vending machines. May was wearing some of the perfume she bought at Erika's shop, and I noticed it's sweet scent as she walked by me, like a bouquet of flowers. After that, we proceeded ahead. May knew where Scissor Street was, because she'd been here a year ago – if it hadn't been for her, I don't think I would've found it on my own without a map. Anyway, we soon reached an intersection, and the sign going right read "Scissor Street". "This is it!" May exclaimed. I replied, "Okay. Let's keep our eyes open for Suzy's salon!" There were lots of people walking along the sidewalks with their Pokemon, some with lots of makeup on, others very well groomed. "The people around here take great pride in bringing out the best in their Pokemon. Around here, its not all necessarily about brute strength or move sets" May told me. "Yeah, but Pokemon aren't just about that stuff, anyway. There's much more to them than that. There's the special bond between trainer and Pokemon" I said, as I watched Flamefox and Firestorm walking ahead of me. May nodded in agreement, and said, "Not to mention their individual personalities and needs. These are all things a good breeder needs to know." Our fire foxes soon stopped in front of a building with an awning and a glass door, with a picture of a Vulpix on it. "This must be the place!" I exclaimed. May replied, "Yeah! Let's go inside!" I pushed the door open and little bells rang. "I'll be right with you" we heard a female voice say. We walked in further and saw Suzy, in a white outfit, standing over a flat table. On the table lay a Raichu, and there was some other lady standing next to the table, as well. Suzy was massaging the Raichu's cheeks and said, "You see? It's just a matter of where you massage them. It's quite easy to give your Raichu's electric cheeks a massage without getting shocked yourself." The Raichu looked extremely content and the lady said, "Oh, thank you so much, Suzy! I don't know what we'd do without you." Suzy said, "You're welcome." The lady picked up her Raichu and walked out, saying, "We'll see you again next week." Suzy said, "Okay. And remember how I told you to massage him." Then she saw May and I, and Flamefox, Amber, and Firestorm. "I don't believe it!" she exclaimed. May said, "Surprise!" and I said, "We noticed you opened this salon and had to stop by to say hi since we're in the neighborhood." Suzy replied, "I'm glad you did! It's good to see you both again! How are you?" I said, "Doing good" and May said, "We're both League champions." Suzy said, "I know, I saw you both on TV when you won. Seeing Joe's win was one of the reasons I jumped at the chance to have a Vulpix that was Flamefox's offspring – and May, your win was equally impressive last year! I watched it with Vulpix!" She knelt down to pet Flamefox, Amber, and Firestorm, and said, "Your Vulpixes and Ninetales' are all looking great! You're doing an excellent job taking care of them." May asked, "How is your Vulpix?" I said, "Yeah, we've been looking forward to seeing him again, after seeing that poster at the Pokemon Center, advertising your salon." Suzy replied, "Is that poster still up? That's from when I first opened this place months ago, just before your big win at the Indigo Plateau, May. I had meant to invite you guys to the grand opening, but things were hectic then, with Zane and everything." I asked, "Oh? Where is Zane, anyway?" She answered, "Oh, we had a little disagreement about my opening this place. He felt I should wait and we could both open a breeding center together. But I felt more drawn to opening a salon here in Celadon City. He wasn't too happy about it, and headed off for Johto to pursue other ventures. We still keep in touch, though. He evolved his Vulpix. I still disagree with his philosophy that a Pokemon's outer beauty is what matters the most. But our friendship has always had its ups and downs. I would never evolve my Vulpix, though. He's fine just the way he is. In fact, follow me – he's asleep in the back." I was thinking about what she said about Zane, then started to say, "We know another really good breeder. Maybe…" May elbowed me in the side and whispered, "We shouldn't be setting up Martin!" Suzy gave us a confused look, then led us to the back, where Vulpix was asleep on a nice, soft red cushioned chair set against blue curtains. "Aww" May said. "He's really grown up" I said. Flamefox and Amber ran over to the chair. Vulpix's ears perked up and he lifted his head from sleep. When he saw his parents sitting in front of him, he smiled and exclaimed, "Vulpix!" Flamefox and Amber replied "Vulpix!" right back, and they were soon nuzzling and licking each other's faces. Firestorm ran over to his nephew and nuzzled him, then got down so that Vulpix could get onto his back and he could run him around, just like he used to. Suzy said, "Oh, that's so sweet." May commented, "The poster said Vulpix has won all kinds of awards." Suzy replied, "Yes, he's won quite a few beauty contests with that cute face and perfect hair. You two are excellent breeders already!" On the wall, there were some awards, including 2 awards of excellence in Pokemon breeding, and 3 awards from Pokemon magazine for most popular breeder, among Vulpix's awards. May said, "Wow, you are modest, Suzy! You never mentioned any of this to us when you came for Vulpix! I don't think we'd have even bothered to screen you – we'd have just given you a Vulpix, no question!" Suzy blushed a little and said, "You're very kind. I just don't like to brag about these things. I try to be the best breeder I can, not for the awards, but because it's my dream." I said, "I take it you didn't nickname him." Suzy answered, "I feel a little silly telling you this, but no, I didn't give him a nickname, and probably won't." I said, "That's okay. In all honesty, I've only nicknamed a handful of my Pokemon" and May said, "Same here." Suzy said, "Good, original nicknames are so difficult to think up, aren't they?" We both nodded. Vulpix was enjoying this little reunion, as were his parents and uncle. I asked Suzy, "So, do you only use Vulpix for beauty contests, or do you train him, too?" Suzy answered, "Every good breeder knows that to bring out your Pokemon's, you have to keep them in top shape by training them. Vulpix doesn't just sit around and look pretty. I spend a few hours training him every day. In fact, he's only one level away from learning fire spin!" May said, "He's already at level 41? That's outstanding, considering how busy you must be with your salon and everything." Suzy said, "Well, I know that if a trainer had him this long, he'd probably be at a higher level than that, but I'm proud of both of us for how far we've come together. His flamethrower technique is already very impressive, so I'm anxious to see his fire spin." I looked at his father and brother, and said, "Impressive fire attacks run in the family. You won't be disappointed!" Suzy looked at Redfur and Fiona, as well as Inferno, and said, "All of your fire Pokemon look sensational – these two Growlithes would make an excellent breeding pair, as would your Ninetales and Flareon." May replied, "Thanks! Yeah, I'm intending for these 3 couples to be the first 3 breeding pairs at my breeding center someday, when I open it." I replied, "The only tough part is that some Pokemon are mine and some are yours. That could be a problem." May said, "I suppose we could swap Pokemon occasionally or something." Suzy said, "You know what would be a good idea? For the two of you to become business partners! Joe, you could open your gym, and May could open her breeding center off from the gym. Then all of your Pokemon could be together. It's just a thought." I said, "Yeah, but I really want to open my gym in Crimson Town. I'm sure May wants her breeding center in Violet City." May answered, "Not necessarily, Joe. Crimson Town would actually be more ideal, because it's more rural, with lots of woods and space for the Pokemon to roam around. The city is a little too urban for my tastes. In fact, I really don't want to open my breeding center in the city." I stood there and blinked, stunned for a second. I had this brief vision in my head of my gym, combined with a breeding center and a Pokemon sanctuary. It seemed so ideal – perfect! Then I asked, "Really?" May replied, "Yeah" and had a look in her eyes, like she had seen what I just saw. Suzy then said, "Well, there you go! Something to think about for the future. Now how about we all go outside for a little walk? It's such a nice day outside – and I could use a break." May said, "Okay" and I said, "Sounds good!"
Vulpix walked with his parents and uncle, ahead of Suzy, May, and I. I asked Suzy, "Is Vulpix any better around people yet, or is he still shy?" She answered, "He's still quite shy. In fact, he doesn't like to be handled or picked up by anyone except me, although I'm sure he'd let the two of you touch him." We headed for the park, and there was an ice cream stand. I said, "Come on, May. I'll buy you an ice cream!" Suzy said, "That won't be necessary. Everything is on me today!" We both thanked her, and we sat on a park bench to eat our cones. May and I shared our cones with our fire foxes, letting them take one lick, then we would each take one. Suzy said, "You two have really strong bonds with your Pokemon!" I said, "Yeah" and May said, "Joe really helped me to realize how much a strong bond with your Pokemon can help you as a trainer." Suzy said, "That's true in breeding, as well. Good communication between Pokemon and their trainers is essential if you want to bring out their inner strength. I truly believe that a Pokemon's beauty is on the inside, waiting to be discovered." May asked her, "Do you think you could give me some tips?" Suzy replied, "Of course! After all, I wouldn't have Vulpix if it weren't for you. As soon as we return to the salon, I'll show you the proper way to massage your Vulpixes."
After our little ice cream break, we walked back to Suzy's salon. On the way, another lady walked up to Suzy and said, "I need to reschedule my Nidoran's appointment. Can we make it next week, the same day?" Suzy said, "I'm sure I can fit you in. Just give me a call later to be sure." She said, "Oh, thank you, Suzy!" May said, "You must get very busy." Suzy said, "Yes, I do. But it's rewarding work. You guys can help me if you want." May exclaimed, "That would be great!" I said, "You can count me in, too." Upon re-entering her salon, Vulpix hopped up on the table, and Suzy said, "First, let me demonstrate on Vulpix how to properly give a massage to a small quadruped fire Pokemon." We both watched her, rubbing her Vulpix's back and shoulders, as he lay there, perfectly content. I said, "Come on, Flamefox! I'll give it a go!" May said, "You too, Amber." We both proceeded to massage our Vulpix's, as Suzy had shown us, and they loved it! I also did Firestorm and Inferno, and May did Redfur and Fiona. Suzy said, "You guys are getting the hang of it – but now it's time to take care of some clients' Pokemon." A few of her customers came in, and Suzy showed us other techniques that are helpful in bringing out a Pokemon's inner beauty. She told us afterwards that we had done quite well for our first day in the Pokemon salon business.
After her last customer had left, she took us to an open area nearby, her training area for her Vulpix. She said, "Okay, Vulpix, let's see what you've got! Show us your flamethrower!" Vulpix proceeded to launch a powerful volley of flames from his mouth. "Impressive" I commented. "Just like his parents" May said. We then heard laughing, and turned to see a young male Pokemon trainer. Suzy asked, "Is something funny?" He answered, "Yeah. It's funny that a Pokemon breeder thinks she can train Pokemon to be stronger, when all they really do is sit around looking pretty and winning awards. That Vulpix could never win a real match!" Suzy replied, "Oh really? Would you like to put your money where your mouth is?" He answered, "Yeah! Let's have a match!" Then he took out a pokeball and shouted, "Go Nidorino!" The secondary evolution of Nidoran materialized, and his trainer ordered, "Body slam that Vulpix!" He ran at Vulpix, and Suzy said, "Agility!" Vulpix quickly moved, dodging the attack. "Good agility move" I said to May. Flamefox and Amber watched their son intently as he battled, as did Firestorm. Then the trainer shouted, "Try tackling it!" As Nidorino charged at Vulpix, he did another agility, once again dodging the attack. Then the trainer said, "Time to play hardball! Use water gun!" The Nidorino shot out a stream of water at Vulpix, which pushed him back, against a wall. "Vulpix!" Suzy shouted. The trainer said, "So far, I'm not impressed. I haven't even seen one damaging attack." At that point, Vulpix's body began to glow. May and I knew what this meant, and so did Suzy! "Vulpix, use fire spin!" Suzy shouted. His body glowed brightly and his eyes glowed bright white as he released the tornado of flames! They wrapped around Nidorino, trapping him inside and twisting around. When the flames dispersed, Nidorino was knocked out! "No!" the trainer shouted, and recalled his pokeball. Suzy told him, "I hope you learned a valuable lesson from this experience! A cute exterior hides inner strength!" He looked down and said, "I guess there is something to your techniques after all. I'm sorry I was so quick to judge you. Is it okay if I come to your salon to learn how I can bring out my Pokemon's inner personality?" She answered, "Of course it is." He nodded, then walked on. I said, "Wow! That was very impressive, Vulpix!" and I petted him. May and Suzy petted him, as well, and his parents and uncle ran over to nuzzle and lick him. Suzy said, "Well, Vulpix, you reached level 42! I'm very proud of you!" He replied, "Vulpix!" and leapt into her arms. I looked at May and said, "We'd better get going soon." May said, "Yeah. We still have to get ready for the water race." Suzy said, "Well, it was great seeing both of you again. Please stop by and visit anytime!" We said, "We will!" Vulpix nuzzled with his parents and uncle once more, before we headed out. We waved goodbye to Suzy and Vulpix as we walked back into the city.