Savoir-faire – To Know and To Do
XIII: Enquêter – To Investigate
Day 17: Today there were two notable events. One was the third member of our party, an up-and-coming Trainer possibly earmarked to become part of the Île-de-l'arc Conference. It would hail the day we met Noël Duval.
The other was the fourth member of the team.
Maybe I should have pitied the guy.
I mean, it can't be good to be told that you're going to join a couple of travellers on their way to the city next door and then be exposed to someone like Dr du Bois. Especially like Dr du Bois. Noël Duval certainly looked like he was considering that, when he was confronted with her and her Lucario.
"Will your Snover be a problem?" she declared once introductions were finished.
"H- Huh? What?" Noël blinked, eyeing me and then her.
"Not a lot of boys carry an umbrella," Dr du Bois pointed to his rucksack, from which the knobby, battered handle was sticking out. "A Snowbelle City-guaranteed canvas umbrella. Since you are already wearing waterproof gear, I can only imagine that the umbrella was used in frequent training to shield the Trainer from hailstorms. The only place with frequent hailstorms in the entire Kalos region is Route 17, Mamoswine Road, within the Montagnes de Kalos. The only Trainers who go there on a dedicated basis to need an umbrella are Trainers either using the hail to train their Pokémon in hail. No other Pokémon requires training of hail such as the Snover and the Amaura, and if you already have an Amaura, then what are you doing in Ambrette Town? Hence, the Snover."
"That's really creepy... just so you know," Noël confessed. "That's all you got?"
"I'm not exactly inclined to study you too much at the moment," Dr du Bois answered as we loitered by the Ambrette Pokémon Centre's reception counter. "After all, we were supposed to leave an hour ago."
I had realised that I forgot to tell Dr du Bois about the Bagon until an hour before checkout and leaving, thus delaying the trip. Yes, whatever. Noël had turned up at the Pokémon Centre with Gary's letter that Dr du Bois read with an unreadable expression.
"At least I took precautions,"she muttered darkly, handing the letter of recommendation back to Noël. "Is your birthday on the twenty-fifth of December?"
"Y- Yeah, how'd you-"
"An old Kalosian tradition, to name a child born on Noël as its namesake," Dr du Bois dismissed. "Noël is the Kalosian word for Yule."
"You mean like how some kids are named Wednesday?" I asked.
"Something like that," Dr du Bois replied indelicately as Nurse Joy finally rang the counter bell.
"Oh, you're here!" Nurse Joy greeted us with a practised smile as she approached us behind the counter, the small blue dragon following behind her. "Your Bagon has been so attentive, you know! Dr du Bois, thank you for the tip on its injury the day before."
Dr du Bois kept a poker face as she nodded. "Yes, we wouldn't want anyone to know how the Pokémon Centres seem to be missing injuries, wouldn't we?"
Nurse Joy's smile faltered slightly.
"Of course not," Dr du Bois serenely commented as behind her, Bagon slowly waddled up to me.
"Well, thanks," I patted its head. "So, you're going back to the cliffs. Try not to land on any more people's heads, right?"
It head-butted me on the leg.
"Ouch!" I hopped to the other foot, clutching at my leg and jumping. "What was that for!"
"It likes you," Noël chuckled as Bagon squabbled. From my belt, Frogadier burst forth, giving a stern look and a series of croaks that Bagon quickly ignored.
"Bagon, ba!" It yelled.
"Do you want to come with me?" I asked.
"Bagon, ba!" it agreed.
"Then..." I produced a Pokéball, my heart thrumming. This would be my first Pokémon that wasn't a gift, or an accident from the menaces Dr du Bois kept as Pokémon, or something. It would be a companion. "We'll be counting on each other now."
The Pokéball fell, slowly in an arc, the button-side mashed against the Bagon's head. The metal-lined apicorn burst open, swallowing the Pokémon in a burst of red energy before it closed over once more. It bounced, beeping an angry red as the ball shook, before it was calm and still. The beeping stopped with a click.
"Thank you, Bagon," I murmured, opening the Pokéball once more. Bagon reappeared, this time rushing, or waddling to hug me.
"Well, that's nice," Nurse Joy commented. "If you're going to take that Bagon into captivity, then perhaps I could issue a full course of medication. Just antibiotics, of course, to help with a possible infection. If you're travelling, I recommend keeping that Bagon out of its Pokéball during its recuperation period. Walking is a form of physiotherapy as well."
"Thanks, Nurse Joy," I answered as I filled out the requisite form and received a packet of medication with the prescription attached. "Bagon, the Nurse just said that you'll have to be kept out of the Pokéball for a week, alright?"
Bagon responded with a cheerful cry.
"Dragon-type, eh?" Noël looked interested as we left Ambrette Town to begin on the Muraille Coast. "Interesting. Why don't we show our Pokémon when we stop for the night?"
"You're on!" I challenged. "Which city did you come from, anyway?"
"Erm, Mozheim- I mean, Couriway Town, but we moved to Snowbelle City before I went to school," Noël answered casually. "I attended le lycée in Auffrac-les-Congères, and from there I got my advanced Trainer certification from the Gym."
"So you got your Trainer license at eighteen?" Dr du Bois looked slightly pained as I asked that question.
"Technically I got it at ten, but I became an Ice-type specialist after certification from Leader Wulfric," Noël replied.
"What's the difference?" I patted Bagon's head as it lumbered along beside us at a sedate pace.
"Well..." Noël frowned. "With the basic Trainer's license, you basically acknowledge that you can keep any Pokémon as a companion and battler, an advanced type specialisation requires knowledge on a specific type, its strengths and weaknesses and being able to cover ourselves in battle, and yet use our chosen type to its fullest advantage."
"Not just that," Dr du Bois clarified. "With an advanced Trainer license, knowledge in first aid for a specific type is often amongst the topics tested, as well as knowledge of habitat, care and advanced dietary needs. Type specialists like Gym Leaders usually end up in the field of Pokémon medical research after retirement, due to how often Pokémon medical research and type knowledge overlaps."
"Er... right," Noël swallowed.
"Doctor, you're going to scare him," I reproached.
Dr du Bois sniffed in the face of an ocean breeze, and said nothing else.
"So, you're going on a League run?" Noël asked. "So am I. Maybe we'll face each other in the Île-de-l'arc Conference."
"Is that... fine?" I asked. "I mean, anyone who realises that you're an Ice-type specialist would have the type advantage."
"Type advantage isn't everything," Noël shook his head. "Besides, I am not a pure Ice-type specialist; my license also covers dual-types."
"With that license, you could probably set up a Gym," Dr du Bois commented.
"No way," Noël shook his head. "Snowbelle City has no need for two Gyms. I will become an Ice-type master, and then I will take over the Snowbelle Gym."
"Quite the high bar you've set for yourself," Dr du Bois commented. "Ramos and Wulfric are the oldest and most experienced Gym Leaders of Kalos. The life of a Gym Leader is also fraught with risks, subject to the whims of the Pokémon Inspection Agency, the League, and the inter-regional Pokémon laws. Compared to the Elite Four and the Champion, Gym Leaders have the most responsibility in guiding young Trainers and testing them for the Pokémon Leagues. The requirements to hold a Gym in Snowbelle City, the last Gym before Île-de-l'arc would be even more rigorous."
"If it was an easy dream, then it's not worth it," Noël rebutted. When he said so, I felt like he was someone to be admired, for at least having a dream to work towards instead of aimlessly flitting about.
"And of your plan, Donar?" Dr du Bois finally got around to commenting on that.
"I'm going to use Frogadier and Bulbasaur," I answered.
"Wise decision," Dr du Bois commented, almost airily. "If you can hit them on time, that is."
"Oh..." Noël smirked as we approached a rather rocky part of the cliff. "C'mon. If you can stand up to these critters, we'll have a look. Use that Frogadier."
"These critters?" I asked, pulling out my Pokéball to call upon Frogadier. We started battling with a lump of rock that Noël chucked in my direction.
I got my answer when the little critter from hell erupted. I had no idea why, but there were pincers and rocks and the critter fought hard. Frogadier's jumping ability could only go so far before a Smack Down blast floored him once more, and then the critter used Bug Bite.
"Frogadier, use Water Pulse!" I called, as Frogadier shot a pulse at it. The Zubat from hell not only endured, but then proceeded to smack Frogadier around until we finally beat it. Dr du Bois's expression was all I needed to convince me that no, I was not ready for Grant.
"...I see what you mean," I sighed. "Dwebble are a pain."
"I think Graveler are the biggest pains," Dr du Bois muttered. "If we're setting up camp here, perhaps it is time to introduce our last member to M. Duval."
"What last-" Noël stopped as Darkrai arose from her shadow. "A- A Darkrai?"
Darkrai raised a clawed hand. His blue eye glowed. And then... Hello.
"W- Why do you guys have a Darkrai...?" Noël stuttered. He would probably have crapped himself if Darkrai wasn't on his best behaviour today.
"Oh, I think M. Oak must have forgotten to mention that fact," Dr du Bois airily spoke. "Will you have a problem?"
"Is it going to sleep in a Pokéball?"
"I am offended by the lack of trust that implies," Dr du Bois huffed, acting like what an offended Pidgeot might have looked like. "Darkrai is his own person."
"Meaning it's wild," Noël blinked.
Come here and tell me that, Darkrai muttered darkly, causing Noël to shiver.
"We have our own ways," Dr du Bois's hand-waved the questions Noël must have had, and it was readily apparent that Noël was not going to get his questions answered.
"Still, if we're having trouble with the Dwebble, we need practise," I added. "Can't be helped. Bulbasaur, I choose you!"
Bulbasaur greeted me as I released him, scowling at the next Dwebble I set him on.
"Well, Dwebble usually have the Sturdy ability," Noël added as a stray Vine Whip made short work of the Dwebble. "It's not that simple to defeat one."
"Speaking of which, I keep hearing about abilities," I commented. "I don't get it."
"You..." Noël gaped at me. "Well, Pokémon have special abilities, abilities that are related to them that can exist outside of battle as well. Say, between... between Bunnelby. One can pick up items more easily, another can regain health from eating any Berry. Then, there are some that can hit ridiculously hard."
He indicated Bulbasaur, still holding off the spawn of hell. "Your Bulbasaur has the ability Overgrow, which increases the power of its Grass-type attacks in trouble. For someone whose strategy revolves around straightforward battle, it's the best solution. Some Bulbasaur have the Chlorophyll ability, which increases their speed in strong sunlight, so those Bulbasaur feature in teams revolving around the use of the Sunny Day move. Of course, abilities can change across evolutions, but those cases are rare and spontaneous."
"I see," I looked down at Bagon. "Nurse Joy said that Bagon had the Sheer Force ability."
"That's great!" Noël encouraged. "Sheer Force allows Bagon to use Ember with double its normal power. It's a very prized ability."
"Fletchinder... can Fletchinder have different abilities as well?" I asked, unleashing my Fletchinder. She greeted me with an affectionate peck.
"Well, I can't tell..." Noël doubtfully studied her, perched on my cap. "I think..."
"And Frogadier?" I asked.
"Most Frogadier have the Torrent ability," Noël commented. "I don't know. Frogadier are rare Pokémon, even within Kalos. Even though they're usually given to Trainers as starter Pokémon, they're usually available through Breeders. But your Fletchinder..."
"W- What about her?" I bristled.
"No..." Noël squinted, reaching out to brush her wing with one hand. "I thought so."
"What?" I asked.
"The most common ability with the Fletchinder line is Flame Body, usually indicated at the Fletchling stage," Dr du Bois provided. "But, in the history of Santalune Forest, there is a select group of Talonflame with special hunting ability and skills, lost to the forest during the Kalosian Revolution era. Certainly, this Pokémon is the descendant of those great hunters. What Noël was trying to say is that he's certain that your Fletchinder has the ability, Gale Wings."
"T- That's good, right?" I stuttered.
"It's good," Dr du Bois nodded, a hand reaching out to Fletchinder on my head to run a finger across its wings. "For a Flying-type, certainly. Now, your Frogadier."
"H- huh?" But I called out Frogadier, who submitted to a cursory examination. "I- Is there something?"
Dr du Bois's eyes narrowed. "Altair."
Frogadier defended me from the blow aimed at me, immediately firing a Water Pulse that dissipated in contact with the bloodthirsty Lucario.
"What was that for?!" I bellowed as Frogadier growled at Altair.
"Tell it to use Pound next," Dr du Bois stared before indicating a small, fragile-looking rock.
"Erm..." I nodded. "Frogadier, Pound!"
Frogadier's fist immediately shattered it.
"What is it?" I asked as Noël and Dr du Bois immediately studied Frogadier.
"This is the first time I've met one..." Noël commented, still looking at Frogadier, who immediately hid behind me. "I- I need my PokéDex."
"It won't change the result," Dr du Bois commented. "At least it's not a female Froakie."
"Is there something wrong?" I defended.
"Hmm? Oh, no," Dr du Bois wryly answered. "To answer, your Frogadier has the infamous ability named Protean. That ability allows the Pokémon to change its own type depending on the last move it used in battle. For example, directly before the Pound move was used, your Frogadier changed its type to Normal-type."
I looked down at Frogadier, who merely gave a croak in response, still eyeing me with a gimlet eye that was also friendly. "So... it changes its type every time it uses a move?"
"Yes," Dr du Bois answered.
"So..." my head nearly burst. "It can hold a type advantage depending on whatever move it uses, as long as it can learn the move."
"It can also have a same-type attack bonus off all its moves," Dr du Bois added.
"So..." my head was spinning. "Lick, turn Ghost-type. Pound, turn Normal-type. Toxic, turn Poison-type."
"Pretty much," Dr du Bois allowed. "Though, Protean is a rather rare ability, so... never allow anyone else to know its ability."
"Because then Pokémon thieves could come after Frogadier?" I asked.
"Amongst many reasons." Dr du Bois sighed. "The most famous documented case of a Greninja with Protean involved a serial killer and the Kalosian perfumery industry."
"I don't think I want to know anymore, thanks," I quickly replied, sensing another factually accurate horror story on the rise. "I'll keep mum about it."
I got in some more target practice as Dr du Bois marked out a spot and began setting up camp, now pulling in my Bagon for assistance. In this case, Dr du Bois pulled out her tarp to stretch to a nearby rock and a telescopic pole, making a small shelter from the night winds over the beach. A boundary was marked in the sand, its use apparent as soon as I spotted the Dwebble purposely avoiding the small ditch dug by that foldable multi-purpose shovel Dr du Bois had, and training Bagon to mark out spots, which my newest Pokémon was doing with great enthusiasm.
I unleashed my various Pokémon, earning Bagon a celebratory cacophony as my team surrounded their newest member. Fletchinder greeted him with a peck.
"No," I swatted at her in warning.
"We'll have to give him meat," Dr du Bois commented, almost airily.
"Eh? Why?" I asked.
"Bagon will evolve to Shelgon, and then to Salamence," Dr du Bois waved, as if my question was unworthy of comment. "During the Shelgon phase, Shelgon tend to eat little because they possess a small mouth. The reason why Salamence tend to be angry soon after evolution is because of hunger caused by the spontaneous bodily change of evolution. At this stage, berries and fruit are fine, but Bagon would definitely need more protein than compared to the rest of your comparatively herbivorous Pokémon."
"I..." I looked down. Ambrette Town was way back, and Cyllage still some distance away. Unless I wanted Fletchinder to burn down a Wingull, I was going to have to fish to feed Bagon. I was going to have to consign Pokémon to death to feed my own Pokémon.
Dr du Bois started setting up a fire-pit inside the bivouac for some reason. "Feeding a Pokémon well is also another responsibility you take as a Trainer. If you cannot accept that, and the reality that comes under it, then you should release that Bagon right now."
I eyed Bagon, who shook his head and smiled. Well, as much as his rather cute and reptilian face could manage. "Ba!"
"You... you would wish for that?" I asked. "I... I don't want to deprive you of anything."
"Well, if you were really desperate, Bagon could subsist on human food," Dr du Bois commented.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Noël shook his head. "But yeah, that Bagon looks like it should be developing the start of its Dragon Breath sometimes, that could work. But I wouldn't recommend it."
I grimaced, deciding to shelve the subject aside for the moment. "Noël, are you going to bring out your Pokémon?"
Noël pulled out a Pokéball, unleashing an Amaura first. The Tundra Pokémon cried with joy as it appeared, and Noël patted it on the head. "Borealis is a Pokémon, sponsored by the Snowbelle Gym courtesy of Leader Wulfric. As of two days ago, he became my Pokémon."
"Eh?" I blinked as he drew out another Pokéball. It opened to herald a blast of cold air, and then I spotted white and green and a tail on what looked like a walking tree about half my height, its green eyes shining under a white cap with three points, its bottom half and feet a woody brown, looking like a snow-covered pine.
A second later, I realised it was raining. A solid splash and the sudden cold informed me that the rain was far heavier than I thought.
"I told you," Dr du Bois muttered, picking up the rather small Pokémon under its... arms to stare into its eyes. She looked more resigned than pissed off, and I probably had a good idea of what was pissed off, after the Clauncher Bouillabaisse Incident two days ago. "This is a Snover. Part of the Mountain Kalos habitat, its entire evolutionary line is a walking hailstorm. Trainers using one usually have a hail-based team, which also limits them to locales or continued travelling so as not to permanently affect the local ecosystem. But, since we're by the sea, it's not much of a problem."
"What? Huh?" I gaped at the tiny Pokémon. It was hard to imagine that such a Pokémon was responsible for the current hailstorm.
"Snover and Abomasnow have the ability Snow Warning," Dr du Bois explained, seated warmly under her bivouac with her Chandelure out. "What that means is that wherever they go, a hailstorm will follow."
"So why is it not much of a problem now?" I asked as a volley of hail cascaded from mysteriously overcast skies.
"The ocean water takes longer to cool," Dr du Bois explained. "The maritime winds coming from the ocean are warmer from being over the water. This will increase the temperature near the coast, and cause less precipitation in the form of snow, but much more in the form of rain."
"Wha- the- wha- huh?" In the distance, I could see swimmers already coming back into the coast, getting away from the rain of hail.
"It's hotter over the ocean that over land," Noël chipped in. "Snow can't form, no hailstorm. But a tonne of rain can, yeah."
"Well then," Dr du Bois murmured. "You could look at the ocean and the pretty hail while I get comfortable. Jelly! I need to see what you're about to eat!"
The pink menace of a Jellicent was diving into the water, a wriggling sort of thing in her flipper-tentacle that she was patting with a sort of carnivorous interest. She used one tentacle and flung the wriggling thing upon the beach, where it thrashed about. I might be a novice Trainer, but Tentacool were amongst the most common Pokémon up there with Magikarp.
Dr du Bois studied it from where she hid under the bivouac. "Fine."
The pink menace loomed, and was about to chomp down before Noël swooped it up by its blue, squishy non-stinger head. "Hold on!" The silver-haired Trainer scowled. "You're serious."
"You know that it's poisonous, right?" Dr du Bois commented, watching the two tentacles flap about in the hailstorm's breeze. It might have been my imagination, but the Tentacool looked rather relieved not to be Jellicent chow.
"It doesn't matter," Noël shook his head. "I'll take care of it."
Dr du Bois shrugged. "Suit yourself. Jelly, keep hunting."
The Jellicent wilted, now sinking back into the ocean to come up with a Magikarp. The poor Magikarp sunk back down into the sea with the pink menace, unaware of its approaching fate, while the Tentacool looked way more relieved as Noël pulled a bucket of water from the sea and dropped it inside.
Humming a ditty of a sort, Dr du Bois caused Noël to step away from her as she called out her Chandelure to set up a fire. "Donar. If you're going to call out Fletchinder or Bulbasaur in the hail, I advise against it. This is not suitable flying weather."
I scowled, my breath steaming. "This is cold. Really, really cold."
"Can you give Sapin back now?" Noël asked.
"Sapin?" I asked. The answer was given as the Snover was handed back to Noël, who promptly hugged it.
"This guy saved me when I got lost in Auffrac-les-Congères," Noël reflected, almost in a dream. "He's my starter Pokémon. Snover usually live in secluded mountain areas because of Snow Warning, but they are very curious about humans. Sapin, this is Donar."
"Er, nice to meet you," I greeted as Noël held him up to face me. Sapin sniffed, and then reached over and hugged me with bristly arms that felt thick and smelt comforting and fresh. It then plucked something off of his midsection and offered it to me.
"W- What is this?" I was stunned.
"The Snover line has a unique type combination of Grass/Ice," Noël commented. "That's Snover Berries, berries that grow on Snover."
"It can... grow Berries..." I babbled, accepting one in my mouth. "It's... cool." It was like an ice lolly, except slightly sweet like an Oran Berry or something, cool and refreshing.
"It's an Ice-type Pokémon, obviously it would be cold," Dr du Bois murmured.
"It's like a walking food supply," I added.
"Well... yeah," Noël accepted my praise. "But, in this weather it might not be a good idea."
"Dessert, perhaps," Dr du Bois waved to dissuade Sapin from giving her some. "Ça me dit quelque chose. Donar, your mother did call you in Ambrette, right?"
I swallowed. The resulting conversation with Mom hadn't been fun, since I had forgotten to contact her in Camphrier Town. "Right..."
"She authorised me to buy this."
This turned out to be a portable stove. It looked like a giant pot with a rimmed base, and in the middle was the circular brass burner, set into the solid aluminium base with vents poked in the side presumably for air flow. It came with two lidded pots, a tea-kettle, and a special grip inside.
"As you might have noticed, firewood is not readily available in some instances,"Dr du Bois waved to the sandy beach stretching out from the coast, with the Ambrette Cliffs as a backdrop overhead. "Your mother authorised the buying of this Trangia stove with that in mind."
"Oh..." I gaped at the entire package she began to disassemble. "Erm... thanks, Doctor. But... is there fuel?"
"Of course," Dr du Bois reached back into her seemingly bottomless bag, pulling out a beer can. I gaped as she cracked it open and then poured the entire thing into the circular burner. "Crystal."
A flame set it alight, ring jets aflame as she lowered it back into the wind-screened stove, and then set the stove into the fire-pit. With a completely serious expression, she then pulled out a bag of rice and three normal, brown eggs. "Pull out the giant bottle of water I made you bring."
I was very thankful, as she poured the water into the pot with the rice and began watching them.
"Because alcohol tends to burn slower and with a lower heat output, there tends to be a longer cooking time," Dr du Bois advised. "Alcohol tends to be freely available if you walk into any outdoor store and get fuel on the other hand. Since you are also underage, you could just buy kerosene and use this stove with your Fletchinder's Ember or a lighter."
"T- Thank you very much, Doctor!" I nearly shouted, huddled under a warming bivouac with Noël and her, and all the Pokémon sans Jelly.
"With that in mind, we are safe from high tide, and we can begin cooking," Dr du Bois nodded. "Since it is obvious that we are not going to be together forever, I will teach you a few basic recipes to feed yourself."
"Thank you!" I bowed.
"In camping, food preparation is usually done in a settlement first," Dr du Bois explained. "Of course, if you have the stomach for it, you could also cook Pokémon. But, since you obviously can't, then today I will show you egg fried rice with cheese."
"Yes, Doctor!" I nodded.
"First, the Pokémon," Dr du Bois waved.
"I think... I might need help as well," Noël volunteered. "Sapin, Borealis, careful."
I reached for the bag of kibble, setting out four bowls for all my Pokémon. I mournfully studied the bag of general kibble, resolving to have a look at the PokéMart in Cyllage. "Erm... Doctor. It's technically possible to take an entire journey without camping out, right?"
"Yes... at an exhausted dead run or with a bicycle," Dr du Bois answered. "Running from city to city tends to have that effect. And sometimes, there are tourists who abuse the Trainer system, so Pokémon Centres are usually fully booked."
"Yeah, the Centre always was booked unless I could get an early room," Noël agreed. "So, camping, was it? Killer on the back, though."
Altair gave a gentle snort. I think the Lucario just managed to lose all respect for Noël.
"It is entirely possible for us to camp out without a fire," Dr du Bois began. "Food can be either hot or cold, but we must all plan meals ahead of time. A cooler is troublesome to pack, so it's best to finish perishables like eggs and meat quickly if we don't have one."
As the pot began to steam and bubble, Dr du Bois waved towards her bag of rice before putting it back into her bag. "Preparation is always done in an urban settlement, at home or in a Pokémon Centre or even in a PokéMart kitchen, if you ask nicely enough. Then, utensils and number of pans used are to be cut as much as possible, and it is possible for one Trainer and six Pokémon to eat entirely human food out of the same pan."
She indicated the bubbling pot with one finger. "Cast-iron pans are thicker than the normal pans used in a house, so in the hot flames of a campfire they heat up quickly. They distribute heat more evenly, so it's easier to cook with. In a pinch, you can also use the pan as a weapon against small to medium-sized Pokémon."
"Doctor..." I sighed.
"Meat and fish can also come from wild Pokémon, but that's for next lesson," Dr du Bois murmured. "The true difficulty in setting up a campfire is the heat, but the Trangia stove is amongst the most idiot-proof of camping stoves, and as I had mentioned, fuel and lighting are readily available between the two of you. Cooking and eating utensils can be one and the same, but use metal forks. Next time I'll also show how to set up a wood campfire, but now to essential foods to pack."
"You know, I never thought that camping involved so much brainpower..." Noël muttered. I agreed; it was nearly always after a campfire meal that I really admired her expertise.
Altair snorted, earning him a look from the good doctor as she opened the lid and started cracking eggs into the bubbling meal.
"Water is a must; always have a two-litre bottle on you," Dr du Bois began lecturing as she tossed some dried green onions into the pot and stirred with a metal spoon. "Quick-cooking grains like rice, and ready foods that can be packed easily like pasta and flatbreads, are essential basics. Oats and wheat biscuits make good breakfast cereals. Canned foods exist for travelling purposes, and in a pinch you can just cook the food directly in the can. Dehydrated foods are an idea, if you can find someone willing to loan you a dehydrator in any part of the Kalos region, but I don't recommend too much processed foods. Fresh foods are to be used up quickly, so buy fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms on your journey. Drinks like milk, water, juice, and beer as you need them, since usually you won't need anything else more than drinking water on legs between. Seasoning comes in a small kit, and bring only stuff like olive oil, salt and pepper, soy sauce, and one seasoning of choice in tiny bottles not exceeding twenty millilitres or so as the basic cooking kit. Darkrai, you don't have to listen to me, unlike these two."
The Pokémon timidly raised his hand. Why do humans cook their food?
"Meat and other foods naturally contained microbes harmful to humans when ingested, which are destroyed through the application of heat," I pointed to the campfire. "If you're asking that question, then I guess your kind aren't as immortal as we think. The long-winded version is somewhat related to the Arcanine in mythology, but the simple version is that, fire is the first weapon of mankind against nature."
The smell of egg cooking was mouth-watering, but even more than that, Dr du Bois finally started to stir the rice with great care. "In camping, there are two big meals of the day; breakfast, and dinner. Lunch is always just a snack to get through the day."
"And the kettle?" I held it up.
"Fill it up," Dr du Bois lifted the pot of rice from the fire. "Tea bags and instant coffee pouches are useful, and hot water is always appreciated."
Waves crashed against rocks and the beach as the filled kettle cooked on hot flames.
"Never leave an empty kettle over a fire," Dr du Bois warned as she threw in a few curls of cheese. "When water is poured into it, it'll instantly evaporate and scald the hand with severe steam burns. Also, advice only within the Kalos region; consider bringing some cheese along. With that said, bon appétit."
Noël's hands started trembling, especially as he sniffed. "Delicious..."
I agreed, but I think the most surprised of us all was Darkrai, who actually got to try some. His description of it was more eloquent than anything a human would ever come up with:
The rice is flavoured with the scallions and eggs, and the cheese adds a flavour I have never known. This is... what is this white food that brings such a flavour of nuts?
"Crottin de Vaniville," Dr du Bois answered. "Using the Skiddo and Gogoat endemic to the Kalos region, humans have discovered the use of their milk. Since males and females of the Skiddo line lactate, males are milked and their milk used to produce cheeses across the Kalos region. A similar process is used with Miltank, producing different cheeses. Due to an event five hundred years ago that anthropologists call the Ransei exchange, Miltank also exist in the Kalos region, thus the variety of cheeses differ according to towns and cities. What you just ate was the claim to fame of Vaniville Town, Crottin de Vaniville."
"You mean you were toting this around the whole time and you never said a word?" I exclaimed.
"I don't have much on hand," Dr du Bois waved off. "But it's good?"
In my house, I imagine that Mom could make something more elaborate. Yet, there was certainly something magical about having a camping stove, eating out as the stars peeked out under a waning hailstorm's clouds, and waves crashed in some symphony of the ocean. A clink of metal, the scrape of a fork on the bottom of my brand-new stove-set thing, and idle chatting that started made it magical.
"…Isn't that bad for Pokémon?" Donar started to object as I gave Darkrai some tea from the very handy kettle. Oddly, he liked tea. I was as surprised as anyone could be.
"Only for some. Most can have it in small doses," Noël replied easily, though I was frowning as he did so.
"Oh," Donar sleepily replied, laid out next to Noël Duval and his own Pokémon. A dessert of Snover Berries had taken the energy out of a half-terrified boy, leaving a fat, contented Trainer with equally satisfied Pokémon. Noël held the bucket with the Tentacool close, though; he seemed afraid that Jelly was going to make another bid for it.
Tell me another story, requested Darkrai as I started my Holo Caster.
"What about?"
About food. About how your humans understand us. How about... fire as the first weapon of mankind.
I looked at the stove, still burning with the smoky blue under the bivouac. "Arcanine is known amongst humans as the Legendary Pokémon. Even though Arceus is known as the creator god, Moltres and fire is worshipped in all the regions that know it. Yet, the root of common fire, the fire that truly started civilisation, comes from Growlithe."
Those little Pokémon? Darkrai sounded stunned. Explain, please.
I curled up more, close to Darkrai. "Most humans are afraid of the dark. Humanity on a whole is weak; without wings to reach the skies, without a nose to differentiate foods, without claws or talons or poison to fight. Anthropological theory commonly holds that, without the domestication of Growlithe, mankind would still be living in caves."
Darkrai's hand shook as he pointed to the flames. This is the origin of your civilisation, he communicated. This, and that small Pokémon.
"Fire allowed mankind to cook food and warm shelters, to defend itself through flaming weapons and keep hostile Pokémon at bay, aeons before the Pokéball gave human civilisation the chance to conquer the world," I told him. "Were fire alone the benefit accrued to mankind by the presence of this Pokémon, it would have been far more than enough. Growlithe also eat Rattata and other vectors of disease in the Pokémon world. They serve as playmates by day, and spend the nights guarding the caves where people slept. Most importantly, it was through their bonds with Growlithe that mankind first learned the basics of Pokémon training, which he would apply to more and more species, until the world was conquered. To those primitive peoples so long ago, it must have seemed like divine protection, that a Pokémon like Growlithe was around to helped man through its earliest, most trying age. Arcanine is therefore, far and away the most revered of the gods."
The Pitch-Black Pokémon floated down, its legs appearing to stabilise it as he began pacing. There must be a reason. A reason why we, we who command the skies and the earth and the underground, bow before humanity.
"Humans themselves are curious why the Alakazam does not," I scoffed. "You would not be the first Pokémon to figure that out."
I... I did not have a good idea of previous life forms, Darkrai admitted. Yet I wanted something more.
"Any other Trainer you would have met would have captured you for their own ambitions," I nodded.
You do not have ambitions?
"The ambitions I have cannot be carried out by the power of Pokémon," I answered. "Only humans can fix the mistakes of humans. I might as well take the time to educate you when I am bored."
Then, your own studies?
"Are human-based," I supplied. "This stage of the Trainer programme, I have heard many of my peers refer to it as the independence run. Young Trainers rush through their first four badges at this stage for some reason, ranging from running away from home to simply proving that they are suited to a Trainer's lifestyle."
"Independence run?" Donar spoke while laid out on his back.
"It's rude to eavesdrop."
"Sorry." Donar mumbled. "Why independence run?"
"By inter-regional law, the moment any Trainer gains their fourth badge is the mark by which they come of age in the eyes of the Pokémon League," I answered. "For those who run away from home, they have those six months to make the run through the four Gyms needed before the authorities catch up with them. The time limit is shortened by the prevalence of communication technology, but the term stuck because many young Trainers, like you, start on this journey in search of independence from parents."
"Oh..." Donar reflected. "Do people really do that?"
I sighed. "As a rule, Pokémon Centres tend to spot young Trainers, with a team that shows signs of under-training or of rushing through Pokémon Training, and if the Trainer shows signs of consistent abuse that has nothing to do with travelling on the road. International Police also has a specific subsidiary in the Pokémon Welfare Agency just to combat this phenomenon of the independence run."
"Why do you know so much about it?"
"Have you ever thought," I archly enquired, "that the social problems that surround Pokémon Training are also part of my study? That encouraging the path of a Trainer has manifest and latent functions, and that my job is to document such cases? Anyone can get a Trainer's license at ten. That does not mean that a ten-year-old is independent enough to survive with only the company of a Rattata or two."
"Okay, okay," Donar sat up, alarmed.
"Then also consider that not all Trainers have a well-meaning Pokémon Professor with them, and most likely are unable to provide for their Pokémon because they are children," I counted. "What happens when those Pokémon turn their powers upon kids? Incinerated, slashed, drowned, poisoned, crushed, stabbed-"
"I get it," Donar groaned.
If I had been holding a Pokéball, it would have been crushed. "No. You don't. So let me put it into context. You started out your journey with four other children like yourself, and where are they? You are alone here, without a support structure, and considering that you came from Kanto, a foreigner in a strange land."
Donar backed slightly the moment I showed my teeth. At least, at the very least, Donar Oak had no wish to be a hero.
But heroes are chosen, something whispered to me. Heroes often don't have a choice. They might think they have a choice, but very often that choice is influenced by caring for other people. If every choice was decided purely on self-preservation, the same outcome would happen that a hero must combat any threat simply in the interest to survive. And those who are heroes, Champions, are expected to set an example. The moment a Champion is crowned is the moment Kalos expects them to stay as a paragon to work towards.
A light tap brought me out of my shell.
I understand, Altair whispered. We are very close to the mausoleum. Our departed companions await us.
My hands fell apart, fingers splayed out under the frosted moonlight of night, bare flickers from the stove to illuminate. "Of course. Right."
"D- Doctor?" Donar spluttered as I laid down on my sleeping bag, beside Darkrai.
"Bonne nuit, Donar," I murmured, falling into the dream with the very thought that Delphi must have known that he was going to die that day.
I comforted myself with the thought that, regardless of the studies, I would have made the pilgrimage to Geosenge Town regardless. I would have contributed to the local flora industry, and arranged a bouquet of hydrangeas of all colours. Greens for Deneb, reds for Delphi, blues for Sealeo, and purple for Banette. I would have ended up sleeping by the marked stones, before setting out the next morning with Vega and Altair to escort me back to Route 15. Donar Oak was neither responsible for the decimation of a Champion's team, nor held accountable for the subsequent silence. Donar Oak was not the reason why Daisy Linden lost half her team... nor, why their deaths had to be kept from the world.
The Tentacool grew attached to Noël Duval, hence Duval added it to his team under the nickname of Charybdis. I am concerned of what this may imply as to his mental state-
-no, I am not. Not really.
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