Chapter 5: Oldale Town

Disclaimer: No, no, no, how many times do I have to tell you? I don't own Pokemon!


The next day dawned bright and clear as Sapphire woke from her slumber. According to the Pokenav, she and her team would reach Oldale Town by noon. That would give her plenty of time to stock up on supplies, get some food, train her Pokemon a little, and be on the next route. It was too dangerous for her to stay at the Pokemon Center right now, especially with her being so close to Littleroot Town. Briefly she wondered how her mother was doing, but then pushed those thoughts out of her head. She didn't care what her mother though or how she was doing. All she cared about was getting back to Goldenrod City.

The morning passed by without incident. She had a quick breakfast, trained a bit with her Pokemon, and resumed her trek to Oldale Town. The sun was high in the sky when she reached the crest of a particularly large hill. To her immense delight, she could see Oldale Town just a short distance away.

True to her earlier prediction, it wasn't long after noon when she finally stood at the town's gates. She didn't think it was possible to have a town smaller than Littleroot. Sure that place had been small, but this place was downright tiny! It only had four buildings, for Pete's sake! A Pokemon Center, a Pokemart, and two modest houses. What was up with this place, did everyone just sleep outside or something.

"Oh, a customer!"

She was pulled out of her thoughts when a middle aged man ran over to her. He was wearing a blue apron, and a rather flustered grin on his face. Before she knew what was happening, he had grabbed her by the arm and was literally dragging her over to the Pokemart!

"It's been ages since I've had a customer!" He babbled as he pulled her into the small shop and quickly got behind the counter. "So, what can I get for you?" He asked.

Sapphire blinked, before scanning the available merchandise. She was appalled to see such a low assortment; the place only sold Pokeballs, potions, Pokemon food - non organic - and paralyze heals.

"Um, I'll get a paralyze heal I guess." She said, not sure what else to get. Sure it was a tad bit expensive, but she didn't have any. And, to be honest, she felt a bit sorry for the man.

The bright grin that crossed his face only served to make her feel worse. Eagerly he set about counting out the correct amount of money from the wad of Pokedollars she handed him, and the giving her the change. He rang up the purchase in the cash register before grabbing a potion and a paralyze heal from the shelf.

"I only bought a paralyze heal." Sapphire protested.

"I know." The shopkeeper replied. "Consider the potion a gift from me to you for actually buying something! Have a nice day!"

"Thanks, you too." Sapphire replied as she stored the medicine in her bag and walked out of the shop. Her next stop was the Pokemon Center to heal her Pokemon, and maybe get a bite to eat.

As she was walking across the green grass to the Pokemon Center, she was stopped by a middle aged man in a delivery uniform.

"That was a nice of you to buy something." He said. "Rodriguez does that with every trainer who walks into town, but you're the first to buy something from him in months."

"I didn't do anything special." Sapphire replied as she brushed off the man's compliments.

"It is the smallest acts of kindness that can have lasting impacts." The man said before pulling out a Pokeball. "I work for Devon Corporation in Rustboro City. The president recently gave me this Beldum to hang onto until I found a worthy trainer to pass it on to. I think you'd do quite well in raising it, and you're certainly worthy in my eyes."

"Thanks, but this isn't really necessary." Sapphire said as she accepted the Pokeball. "I really didn't do anything outstanding."

"Yes, but I want you to have it anyway." The man replied with a smile. "Well, I must be going. I need to deliver these parts to Headquarters, and it's going to take me some time to get through Petalburg Woods. If you're ever in Rustboro City, feel free to stop in at the Devon Corporation."

With that, he walked away. Sapphire watched him go for a moment, before a growling stomach made her recall her destination. Slipping the Pokeball into her pocket, she headed towards the red roofed building.


"Welcome to the Pokemon Center!" Nurse Joy said as Sapphire walked into the building. "Can I help you."

"Actually, I was wondering if you'd be willing to do a quick check up on two of my Pokemon." Sapphire replied as she pulled out Swampy and Shade's Pokeballs. "And I was also wondering if there's a place around here where I could purchase a set of wristbands to store my Pokeballs on."

"Well, I can certainly heal your Pokemon for you." Nurse Joy cheerily explained as she grabbed the two Pokeballs off of the counter. "But I'm afraid that there isn't a place in town to buy anything like what you're describing. My best guess is that you would probably find something like that in Petalburg City."

"Okay, thanks." Sapphire sounded disappointed. "About how long will it take for you to heal my Pokemon?"

"Come back in about an hour and a half." Nurse Joy recommended after a moment's thought. "If you want, you could go do some training on Route 102. There's plenty of wild Pokemon there."

"I just might do that." Sapphire said after she thanked Nurse Joy and walked out of the building. She did want to train this new Beldum of hers. Sure Beldum could only learn Take Down, but it would be a nice wild card Pokemon to have. Her mind made up, she walked towards Route 102, a small smile on her face as she mentally began to plan out her training.

"Stop!"

The harsh cry caused her to freeze in place. Looking around, she was met with the sight of a portly man running towards her. He was wearing glasses that concealed his eyes, wore a white shirt and blue pants, and had a panicked look on his face.

"What's wrong?" Sapphire wondered as she looked around. She could see nothing remarkable, nothing out of the ordinary. The man finally caught up to her, and paused, catching his breath.

"You see these?" He asked as he gestured to a set of human footprints on the ground.

"A set of footprints? Well whoop-de-do." Sapphire muttered. This was the wrong thing to say, because a very offended look crossed the man's face.

"This scientific discovery isn't something to be dismissed!" He said hotly. "I've discovered a new species of Pokemon! By recording data about this footprint and sketching it out, I'm sure I'll finally be acknowledged by the scientific community for my great contribution to history!" He paused, before looking over at Sapphire. If he was hoping for interest, the girl failed to deliver. A very bored look was on her face.

"Look, I'm not asking for much." He pleaded. "Just let me take some pictures, make a few sketches, collect data...that sort of thing. I promise it won't take long."

Sapphire groaned before walking away. Behind her she could hear the man calling out his thanks, but she ignored him. Instead she looked around the collection of buildings - for indeed, it was more a collection of buildings than a town - looking for another route to train on. She couldn't go back to Route 101, because Brendan and May were there. Route 102 was blocked off, at least until that lunatic was done sketching his human, sorry, Pokemon footprint. That left Route 103 to the north. Her mind made up, she quickly hiked to the start of the path, half expecting to be stopped by yet another person in this town. None impeded her progress, however, and soon Oldale Town was concealed by trees.


So, was that any good? Leave me a review to let me know what you think of this story! Flames will be put out by a Wingull using Water Gun!