I'm trying to update more often but I can't promise anything. In the last chapter, we saw the end of the Cerulean Arc. This chapter is primarily comic relief but don't think it's unneeded filler. In order to help the ever-closer plot along, our friends need to become more powerful.
In case you want to re-read or reference story arcs for some reason, here's a little table of contents:
Discovery and New World Arc (1-4)
Teammates Arc (5-10)
Boulder sub-arc (11-14)
Mount Moon Arc (15-19)
Gold's Past Arc (20-25)
Cerulean mini-arc (26-28)
Thanks to I.C. 2014 for reviewing the last chapter- s/he gave me the push I needed to get this chapter completed. I've also done a lot of character study practices so hopefully that will benefit the storyline. Enjoy this reasonably long chapter!
We decided to leave Cerulean City the next morning.
The weather was so nice, all three humans released their Pokémon and the lot of us walked down the forest path. I walked next to Gold and Poison near the back of the group.
"Is anyone else really freaked out by how Abra walks?" I asked, staring at the strange psychic creature moving stiffly in front of us. I had usually only seen Abra move short distances or teleport. Seeing the Pokémon so vertical was throwing me off.
"Creepy," Poison agreed.
"Pay attention, Rusty, if someone comes from straight ahead, it goes front, jab, jab, you're not gonna get a better teacher than…" Gold told me.
"Gold, I can't punch anything, I don't have arms." I sat up and waved my front legs in emphasis. Gold looked mildly surprised, then confused.
"…Right…"
"Yeah."
Sam, who had been animatedly talking to Rae further ahead, fell back a little and started to walk backwards to brief us. A welcome distraction from what would have been awkward tension. "We're heading to the next Gym. It's pretty far away so we'll be walking for most of the week."
Another Gym battle already? Something had Sam excited. Personally, I wasn't sure I wanted to go straight into another battle, but I trusted him to make the right call.
Several hours later, we came across a large building. Sam approached a wooden sign.
"It says Trainer School, do you guys want to check it out?"
Rae shrugged but I smelled food so I gave an enthusiastic yowl of approval.
"Alright, then. Let's go!"
The inside of the building was inviting and professional at the same time. Rae and Sam approached the desk and a tall woman looked up to greet them.
"Hello, welcome to the Pokémon Trainer School of Cerulean. We are a great way for both trainer and Pokémon to expand their skills. Would you like to sign up for classes? We have a one day, two day, or three day rate. Three day is the best package by far and food and lodging is included."
"Yeah, let's do it!" Sam said, then looked at Kurt and Rae. "Uh, do you guys want to?"
"Definitely," Rae nodded. Kurt shrugged.
Sam turned back to the the woman. "Three trainers and their Pokémon please!"
"Alright, it'll be this much," the lady slid a slip of paper towards Sam and he blanched. Rae looked over.
"That's all our money, Sam. Are you sure it's a good idea?"
"Think about how much we'll learn!"
"Alright, but you're taking the next job we take alone."
"Fine," Sam handed over the Poké and the lady smiled and gave him some paper. Sam walked over to a table to fill it out so I jumped onto his lap and onto a table. Gold lay on the floor.
"Look at all these classes I could take! Caring for Canine-types, Basic Pokémon Anatomy, Journeying 101, Match-ups…"
"Kanto History, Teamwork, Human/Pokémon Communication…" Rae smiled. "Yep, I'm taking those."
"I'm definitely taking Novice Cooking, Psychic Types, Journeying and the Fitness class. Sam take it with me!"
"Fine," Sam said, marking something on his sheet, "Only if you take About Evolution."
After Sam had filled out his schedule, he flipped to another section in the packet and helped me decide what I would do. I didn't know what to expect with the classes I was taking but Gold seemed very content with his schedule.
Day 1: Introduction
Me, Poison and Gold sat together in a large room filled with Pokémon. Missile was somewhere in the back trying not to be seen. Nothing to be done there.
A Pokémon Gold identified as Vileplume walked onto the stage.
"Greeting, Pokémon, for the next few days you will learn everything you need to know to become a stronger and more experienced Pokémon! A few Pidgey are delivering your schedule as I speak…"
I looked at Poison who looked positively exuberant to be here and then at Gold who looked as if the very idea that he might have something to learn was insulting. I didn't know how to act so I just settled for something in between.
Day 1: Normal Type for Pokémon
My teacher, a Persian, explained to us (me, a Ratatta, Pidgey and a Meowth—all Pokémon I had battled) that we weren't super effective against any type. Any hits against a rock or steel-type dealt half damage and we couldn't hit ghost-types at all. And fighting-type moves were twice as effective on us. I took that time to voice my opinion that we suck.
Unfortunately, the class didn't seem to appreciate that so I kept my mouth quiet for the rest of the class. Apparently, Normal-types have high HP and Attack, so I guess that was sort of a silver lining.
Day 1: Pokémon/Human Communication 1
I was a little upset when I found out Sam wasn't in my class because I was starting to miss him. On the other hand, I was happy to not have to see the other humans. Not Kurt and Rae though, I could tolerate their presence.
A duck-like blue Pokémon I had never seen before explained to us the importance of human gestures and showed us the human alphabet. He even spelled out our names for us on the board. I don't know how he wrote so well with his webbed hands.
I recognized almost all the symbols he wrote down from other places. I was waiting for him to print more on the board when the Pokémon did something surprising—he said a phrase in Human. It sounded a little croaky but he had definitely said 'That's right, I can speak Human.' Show-off.
Then he encouraged us all to practice speaking a few words as well. I picked 'Sam'. Our teacher said I was being too ambitious and should start with something that sounds like 'eevee' so I told him something in Eeveese that sounds like 'duck poo' and he left me alone for the rest of the lesson.
Unfortunately, I got nowhere with Human-speak and my dumb teacher refused to help me anymore.
Day 1: Lunch
A lady passing out the food looked at me in line and looked through a line of smaller paper bags before pulling one out for me. I backed away, nervous, so she set it down and continued to serve the others. I ran to Sam, sitting by a tree in the grassy courtyard and pawed open the paper bag that had the word 'EEVEE' printed onto it. I was pleasantly surprised that I could see the only word I understood written so quickly. Inside the bag was a Pecha berry and small Pokéchow that tasted just a little bit sweet. Next to me, Gold was eating rice from his bag and talking about his Attack Combos and Combat classes. Poison was eating truffles and mushrooms, which looked nasty but he seemed to enjoy.
Day 1: Boot Camp 1A (Quadruped)
I was glad to get some exercise after all the learning I had been subjected to but I turned out to be a little over my head. In my class were a Bulbasaur, Pikachu, Meowth (the same one from earlier), a Slowpoke and Poison. The teacher, a Nidorina, had us running across a balance beam, jumping from platforms and racing through obstacle courses. I came out behind Pikachu and Meowth, and one unfortunate time, after Bulbasaur. Poison did his best not to lose to a surprisingly quick Slowpoke. Even though it was difficult, I left feeling accomplished and maybe just a little bit dizzy.
Day 2: Move Sets for Pokémon
We were taught by a Lickitung. I couldn't understand what he was saying and I fell asleep.
Day 2: Evasion 101
Our teacher was crazy. He shot attacks at us and expected us to dodge. Luckily, I caught on pretty quick. After getting shot with a Water Gun a few times, I started tucking and rolling out of the way if I couldn't move fast damage rolling did was a lot less that the damage done by the actual attack.
Day 2: Intro to Type Analysis
After the hell that was Evasion, it was nice to sit down and listen to 'fire is stronger than grass, grass is stronger than water, water is stronger than fire.' I actually might have learned something from that class.
Day 2: Pokemon/Human Communication 1
Still no luck on saying 'Sam' but I know what all the vowels look like now.
Day 2: Lunch
Gold talked about his Martial Arts class, he seems to have connected with his teacher. Sam and Kurt are complaining to Rae about their Fitness teacher and enthusing about the upcoming Journeying class. I'm really started to like the Pokéchow. I think it's specialized to Pokémon type. I feel more energetic.
Day 2: Bootcamp 1A (Quadruped)
We jumped in and out of tires for half an hour. I like to think I lost the subsequent races because I was tired from Evasion 101. Poison seems to be improving. That's great unless he starts out-racing me.
Day 3: Attack Basics
We covered all my usual arsenal (Tackle, Quick Attack) but then I saw some other moves like Bite. I think I'll try that one in a fight, it worked well against the attack dummies. I also tried Headbutt but for some reason I can't seem to pick that one up. Our teacher assured me that it was expected that I might not be able to because it isn't a move an Eevee can naturally learn. I like Tackle better anyway.
Day 3: Pokémon/Human Communications 1
We learned more letters. I can recognize vowels and the letters 'B' 'D' 'F' 'G' 'H' 'J' and 'K'. I can also recognize the words 'job,' 'sun' and 'Sam'. So if someone is writing about Sam taking a job in nice weather, I guess I'll know.
Day 3: Lunch
I realized how much I'll miss the Pokéchow. I've noticed an increase in my endurance and I asked a teacher. Apparently, most of the extra energy is temporary—if it were my regular diet, it would stay like that—but eating it does have a smaller long-term effect and helps you grow stronger. The downside is, it's really expensive. I enjoyed lunch with my team and shared stories with Gold (who had sparred with his Martial Arts instructor) and Poison (who had learned how to improve the quality of his poison).
Day 3: Intro to Tracking
We went out to a big field and our teacher hid ripened fruit throughout the area. We were let loose (five other Pokémon and I), nose to the ground, trying to pick up a scent. I replicated what I had learned tracking Gold's colony and caught onto a scent quickly. A nearby Ratatta who noticed I had caught a scent tried to follow me, but a quick growl changed his mind. After following the scent nearly a dozen yards, I shoved a rock out of the way revealing a banana. Within the time limit, I found two other fruits, putting me in second place. Not bad.
Day 3: Boot Camp 1A (Quadruped)
Today was a bit of a final exam; one long obstacle course involving jumping, running, balancing, and a little bit of climbing. I got second place again.
And like that the course was over. We would stay the night and leave in the morning. Even though the Pokémon School was work and learning, it felt more like a vacation than anything I'd ever experienced.
Day 3: Night
I was learning dozing off to sleep as Sam packed up his last few things. I was almost too out of it to hear him.
"Nova?" He breathed.
"Vee-ee?" Yep, It'd be really nice if I could just speak his name in Human instead.
"Do you want to go outside with me for a little while?"
"Ee." We walked a little while outside and settled on the grass beneath the stars. They looked beautiful just as they had in Cerulean City. And I saw my first full moon. It was breath-taking. Round, like eyes and pale like marble. Was it made of marble?
"Nova, I kind of miss my family. I don't know why…it's weird. Do you miss yours?"
I tensed a little at his question, but did not answer. He mistook my silence for thoughtfulness.
"My mom and my sister are alone in the house. My sister, she's always been sick, so my mom and I took care of her. It's weird not to be doing that anymore. I…I feel like a bad son, I guess. I left just like my two older brothers did," Sam hugged his knees to his chest a little, "like my father did."
My eyes softened and I squeezed by his arm into his folded lap, causing his knees to lower. I nuzzled his chin, wishing I could speak human words.
"Keh. E nee-e eevee, Vee-ee," Don't worry. I promise to protect you, Sam. Those were the only words I could offer him.
The next morning, I woke up to a sweet scent similar to the pastries we had helped make weeks ago.
"Happy anniversary, Nova!" Sam cheered.
I raised my head groggily. "What?"
Sam picked me up and put me in his lap at the table. Interested, I sat up, forelegs on the table. Inside a box were a dozen pastries.
"It's April 1st. A month ago today, we started our journey together! And you are turning seven months old today too!" Sam told me.
Gold spat out the juice he was sipping in surprise. "You're only seven months?"
I titled my head in confusion. "How old are you?"
"A year and a half. Jeez, Rusty, you're still a pup."
My face felt hot. "I'm not a pup! I know a lot of things and I've been exploring for a month!"
Gold shook his head, "Pup."
Please review! It would help my writing and my morale (directly correlated to update speed) if you answer a couple of these questions!
1. Do you want to see the team go to another Pokémon School further in the story?
2. Which character do you think is the most under-developed?
3. What's you're favorite thing about Nova?