V.

After two more days of walking and camping out by the roadside, he arrived in Violet City. He was happy to be in civilization again. Sleeping in a tent had made him nervous, and each night he had released all three of his Pokemon to sleep beside him like stuffed animals.

He remembered the city vaguely from his youth, and his memories were mostly of its colors: dark navy and maroon. His memory proved true. The city had a strange, ornamental style, more given to decoration than the plain functionality of New Bark Town. It took him nearly twenty minutes to walk to the city center, where most of his objectives lay.

Before doing anything else, he went to the Gym. It was a massive building with a stadium attached. The Pokemon League had built and rebuilt the Gyms in Kanto and Johto over the decades. Everyone said that Kanto's Gyms were far superior, but Theo, dwarfed by this building, had a hard time imagining how any Gym could be much grander. This one, perhaps reflecting the type preference within, was constructed of airy, feather-like stone. Theo had no head for such things, but he thought that thousands of people could probably fit inside.

He thought of himself on the battlefield, ringed by crowds who would either cheer him or jeer him. The thought made him shudder. If he had his way, he would make that a reality sooner or later.

Inside, he approached the desk.

"Hello," said an attendant, a young man near Theo's age with thick brown hair and glasses. "Are you here to buy tickets?"

"No," Theo said. "Well, I don't know. I'm here to sign up to battle."

"A challenger," the attendant said, nodding. "How many badges do you have?"

"None," Theo said. "I'll be going for my first one."

"A Tier One battle, then," the attendant said. "What's your identification number?"

Theo rattled it off. The clerk typed rapidly at his computer.

"Theo? And you have a Cyndaquil, a Magnemite, and a Togepi on hand?" He frowned. "I've never seen a Togepi in person before. That'll be interesting."

"She's something," Theo said sheepishly.

"Your opponent won't have any of this information, of course," the attendant said. "This is just for registration." He continued typing. "Since you're in Tier One, you'll have unlimited opportunities to try for your first badge."

"Then what happens?"

"If you win?" the attendant asked. "You move up to Tier Two and the rules change a bit. If you keep losing, you get bumped back to Tier One."

"I get it," Theo said.

"Let me see. I have an opening about three and a half weeks from now for Tier One."

Three and a half weeks? Theo had imagined that he could waltz into the Gym and challenge it that day.

"That's the earliest time?" Theo asked.

"Yes, sir," said the attendant. "The Gym has some public events this week, and then it's running Tier Two battles the following week. You get a few free tickets for being a challenger, though." He slid a handful of tickets to Theo across the desk. "You can watch the higher Tiers and get a feel for how things go here."

"Thanks," Theo said.

"Here's the date and confirmation of your appointment," the attendant said, handing Theo another piece of paper. "Tier One battles are three-on-three, so bring all three of those Pokemon. If you have any changes in your roster between now and then, please let us know at least a day beforehand." He smiled. "We'll see you in a few weeks, unless you swing by to watch some battles. I'm Kyle, by the way. Ask for me if you need anything between now and your battle."

"Thanks, Kyle," Theo said. He pocketed his tickets and left.

He went to the Pokemon Center next. Violet City's was far larger than Cherrygrove's, and it was decorated in the same subdued navy and maroon color scheme of the entire city. The lobby here was crowded with maybe a dozen people accompanied by Pokemon. Theo spotted a young woman in a martial arts outfit, accompanied by a Machop, while a hiker sat sharing a sandwich with a Geodude. A bald man in a robe sat sipping tea at a back table, a Bellsprout wiggling beside him.

"I was wondering if I could book a room," Theo said as he approached the desk.

"Certainly," the nurse said. "For tonight?"

"I'm going to be in town for three weeks or so," Theo said. "I have an appointment at the Gym then. Can I stay until then?"

"I'm afraid not, sir," the nurse said. "Pokemon Centers aren't meant for long-term stays. I have room for you tonight and tomorrow, but you'll have to find lodging on your own for the rest."

Theo's stomach churned. He had been banking on free accommodation. How could he afford to stay anywhere?

"How would I find something like that?" Theo asked.

"There's a computer back there," the nurse said, gesturing behind the man in the robe. "There are listings for hotels and rentals you could search through."

"All right," Theo said. "I'll take the room for tonight and tomorrow, at least." He handed over his three Pokeballs and went to the computer.

He felt no better looking at the listings. He could afford a few nights if he emptied out his savings, but he didn't have nearly enough to cover the duration of his stay. What was he to do? Sleep in a tent for three weeks? Walk back home and retake the journey when the time came? What would his mother say if he came back through the door after only a few days away? He couldn't do it, but he could see no other solution. He sighed loudly and hit his fist against his own knee.

"Excuse me," said a soft voice. The bald man in the robe was standing and staring at him, his Bellsprout curled like a serpent around his wrist.

"Yes?" Theo said.

"I see that you are seeking lodging," the man said. "I am Sage Jin of the Sprout Tower. We welcome all travelers to stay with us."

"Sprout Tower?"

The sage nodded. "A place of worship. As I said, all travelers are welcome, provided they follow our practices while they stay."

"Your practices?" Theo asked. This was the second time he had encountered a strange person in a robe in a Pokemon Center. He wondered if this would become a pattern.

"We honor the way of the Bellsprout," Jin said. "Tranquility. Peace. Openness." The man's voice was monotone and he barely blinked.

"I could stay for free?"

"Certainly, young master," Jin said, inclining his head. "You simply must abide by our customs for the duration of your stay."

Something about this didn't seem right.

"I don't have a Bellsprout," Theo said.

"That is no problem," Jin said. "One can still learn, even if one does not possess."

"And I can leave when I'm ready?"

Jin bowed his head again. "If you wish."

"What are these practices?"

"You can see for yourself, young master," Jin said, "but in general, we open ourselves to the sun and the sky, as the Bellsprout does. We pray, we honor the earth, and seek oneness." He tilted his head. "We also battle, if the young master is seeking practice."

Now that was interesting. If he had to wait three weeks, he may as well train.

"Am I allowed to leave during the day? I have tickets to the Gym."

"You may go in the evenings," Jin said. "We are not jail keepers."

"I'll think about it," Theo said.

"Seek us in the northern part of the city, if you wish," Jin said. He bowed again and left the Pokemon Center.

"Do you know anything about that guy?" Theo asked the nurse as he watched Jin leave.

"I'd be careful with them," the nurse said.

"What do you mean?"

"They're sort of a cult," she said.

"A cult?"

"They do strange things," the nurse said, frowning. "It seems like sometimes when you're in town, you'll turn around and there will be one standing behind you. They're always outside with their arms out like leaves. They spend a lot of their day praying and chanting, and they all have that same weird voice." She shrugged. "Plus they worship Bellsprout, of all things."

"Where do they live?"

"It's kind of like a temple, across the river on the northern side of town."

"It might be my only option," Theo said.

"Such a shame," she said. "You have such lovely dark hair."

"Will they make me shave it?" Theo asked, startled.

She laughed. "No, I don't think so. Just be careful." She shuddered. "Something about them gives me the creeps."

VI.

Two days later, Theo was heading to the northern end of Violet City. He had spent those two days in the Pokemon Center, feverishly searching for lodging, but little was affordable and nothing was cheap. Still, he typed away with Allegra on his lap to soothe him, finding nothing over and over. Once, he looked up to find another bald, robed man staring at him with eyes that didn't blink. This was not Jin, but he looked so similar that the hair on Theo's arms stood on end. Theo waved politely. The man bowed.

"Sage Jin wishes the young master to know that the offer stands," the man said in a flat, emotionless tone.

"Thank you," Theo said. "I appreciate it."

That sounds like something a murderer would say, Theo thought.

He woke on the morning of the third day without another option. The Pokemon Center had turned him out. Here he was, going to their door to beg. Should he let his mother know? Who would go looking for him if he disappeared?

Relax, he told himself. You've got a Cyndaquil, and all they've got are Bellsprout. You can fend them off. He hoped, at least.

Theo arrived at a river which was as wide as a swimming pool. An ornamental bridge crossed it. Theo stepped over it slowly, his nerves building at every step. The river below was dark with a swift current, but Theo saw the ominous flash of scales below. On the other side was a gate made of dark, glossy wood carved with a pattern of vines and leaves. The gate opened into a central courtyard, paved in white stones and decorated with a simple circular fountain. Sprout Tower stood on the opposite side of the courtyard, a five-story pagoda with eaves flaring out from a central pillar.

Like a stem and leaves, Theo thought.

The door was barred by a heavy wooden beam, but in front of it was a massive gong and a mallet.

"Here goes nothing," Theo said to himself. He took the mallet and struck the gong.

The beam across the door revolved upward, and the great door swung open. From inside, a barefoot man in a long black robe approached. His head was shaved, too, but this was neither Jin nor the other man from the Pokemon Center.

"I am Sage Nico," the man said. "You are welcome to Sprout Tower, young master. May you stand firm in the sun and bend in the wind."

"I, uh," Theo stuttered. "Thank you. You too." Theo hoped that was the right way to respond.

"How does the young master call himself?"

"My name is Theo," Theo said.

"You are welcome, Master Theo," the sage said, inclining his head. "Do you seek refuge in Sprout Tower?"

"I do," Theo said. "For a little while."

"We ask that you wash your hands in the fountain," Nico said, gesturing back. "Then you may enter."

VII.

"Your bedroom is here," Nico said. He had led Theo through dark hallways made of wood from floor to ceiling. The floor creaked under their feet as they climbed the stairs. Theo eyed the central pillar as they walked, and he could have sworn he saw it swaying. On the top floor, Nico led Theo into a small cell which contained only a simple platform bed and a side table. On the bed was a black robe, and beside it was a pair of sandals.

"We ask that the young master turn off all his electronics and leave them in the table drawer while he is in the Tower. Then the young master should change his attire and join us by the fountain for morning devotions," Nico said before stepping out of the room. Theo hesitated, staring at the black robe. This was already strange, but he couldn't afford to be turned away from here, too. He pulled off his clothes and folded them into a neat pile on the bed. Sighing, he tugged on the black robe, then belted his Pokeballs around it. He turned off his cellphone and his Pokedex, feeling like he was at the start of a horror movie, and then he went to the fountain.

Outside, Jin was standing before a group of sages. Their heads were all shaved and they were dressed in identical black robes. They stood in a line, their arms slightly outstretched, faces pointed at the sun. In front of each of them was a Bellsprout, all about knee-height. They too had their leafy appendages flared out and faces turned skyward.

"Young Master Theo," Jin greeted him. "We welcome you to Sprout Tower. We begin our morning devotion by absorbing the sun, just as our Bellsprout do. In the sun we find heat. In the sun we find energy. The sun is peace." He nodded for Theo to join in, and then he stretched out his arms, closed his eyes, and assumed the same posture as the other sages.

"If you have a Pokemon who can participate, you may release it," Jin said.

Well, only one of them really has arms, Theo thought. He clicked his Pokeball from his belt and released Allegra. He had expected that she would sing and chirp as usual, but she seemed to sense the gravity of the situation. She stood before Theo, opened her arms, and tilted her head back. He let her rest against his leg so she wouldn't topple backwards. She smiled up at him, and he returned the smile.

This is ridiculous, Theo thought, looking at all these men standing there in the sun. They were all bald; weren't they worried about melanoma? He had to do it, though, however silly he felt. He needed a free bedroom. He closed his eyes and pointed his face toward the sun. In the cool spring morning, it did feel nice to have the warmth on his face. The men around him made no noise for several minutes, but all at once they began to hum a single note in unison. Their Bellsprout matched them, making an odd, croaky sound. Theo did not join in, but Allegra sang a note at his feet, matching the pitch of the sages. While the Bellsprouts' noises were flat, Allegra's was beautiful, as if she really were celebrating the sun. They held the note for what must have been half a minute. When the noise stopped, they all clapped their arms to their sides and opened their eyes. Jin smiled and bowed to Allegra.

"Your devotion is welcome, little sister," he said. Allegra chirped at him and returned his smile.

Jin faced the sages again. "Just as the plant seeks water," he said, "so do we. In the river we shall find moisture. In the river we shall find stillness. The river is peace." He turned toward the bridge and began to walk. The other sages followed in a single file, their Bellsprout moving in their strange, sinuous walk. Theo recalled Allegra and joined at the end of the line. He had so many questions, but he knew this was not the time to ask.

At the edge of the river, the sages lined up along the shore. They bowed to the water, so low that their foreheads nearly touched the ground, their Pokemon mimicking them at their sides. Then they stood upright, and to Theo's horror, they began to undo their robes. One by one, they slid into the water, wading until they were shoulder-deep. Their Bellsprout followed to the edge of the river, but rather than enter the water, they sank their root-like feet into the wet soil at the water's edge.

What the hell is wrong with these people? Theo thought. All the sages all had stepped in gracefully, until Theo was alone on the shore.

"Come, Master Theo," Jin called. "As the plant seeks water, so do we." As if in response, the sages began to hum the same single note from earlier. Theo steeled himself, slipped off his sandals, and then hastily undid his robe. He hurried to the water's edge and jumped in quickly, without the steady graces the sages had shown. He just didn't want anyone to see him naked. While the sages had remained placid entering the water, Theo gasped; it was cold! For a moment he was afraid he wouldn't be able to stay, but Jin called to him again over the noise of the current and the humming.

"To your shoulders, Master Theo." Theo waded out to the other sages. He was a little taller than most of them, so his chest stuck out a little higher over the water. They all appeared unbothered by the cold, maintaining their unearthly calm. Theo's teeth, meanwhile, began to chatter.

Theo could not say how long they stood in the water, but it quickly became unbearable. The current was strong enough that he had to expend effort to keep still, and while he got used to the cold, it never stopped bothering him. At one point, he felt a set of scales rub against his leg, and he jumped, yelping. He was ready to ask when they could leave the water when the sages all turned as one and walked back to shore. Again, they were steady, unmoved by the cold or the current. Their Bellsprout followed, making a strange humming noise again. Theo, instead, leapt gracelessly out of the water, splashing and tripping to his knees. He hurried onto shore and pulled on his robe.

This was even weirder than he had expected.

VIII.

After their morning devotion, the sages separated and went to other tasks. Some took to the kitchen, where they prepared the simple meals of vegetables, broth, and bread that the monks consumed. Others left to preach in town, while still others took to the basement of the Tower, where they practiced battling.

"Can I go down there?" Theo asked Jin when they returned from the river. He would endure all this weirdness if it meant practice on the battlefield.

"Not yet, young master," Jin said. "We demand at least one full day in the Tower before we permit battling." Instead, Theo helped in the kitchen, peeling potatoes and chopping vegetables.

I should be training, he thought to himself. Vulcan was at his feet, nibbling at pieces of vegetables that fell. For the moment, he, at least, seemed content not to be fighting.

Theo ate the simple lunch he and the other sages had prepared. He admitted to himself that it tasted good and felt good to have contributed to it. Afterwards, when there were no eyes on him, he put on his ordinary clothes and left to explore Violet City. Vulcan padded along beside him as they went back to the Pokemon Center to pick up more food for his Pokemon.

"We'll be fighting in there soon, buddy," Theo said to Vulcan as they passed the Gym again. He looked down at the Cyndaquil and smiled. "If we survive this Tower."

With nothing else to do, Theo walked to the edge of the city, where wild Rattata and Weedle clustered in the grass. He sent each of his Pokemon out by turns to battle, but by now they were all well-equipped to win such skirmishes easily. Mags barely took a dent from any of his opponents, while Vulcan was developing a quick set of paws, ducking and dodging attacks. Of the three, Allegra was still reluctant to fight. Theo couldn't blame her, given how random her results still were.

At last, though, the sun began to set, and Theo could not avoid the Tower anymore. He recalled his three companions and headed back. In his room, he changed back into the black robe and rejoined the sages for an evening devotion, in which they all knelt and pulled their arms together, like buds closing. After that was another simple dinner of soup and bread.

"Young Master," Nico said. "I brought this for you." He handed Theo a small bundle like an oversized teabag, filled with shredded herbs. It had a mossy smell to it, and there was a piece of paper tied to it. On the paper were symbols Theo did not recognize.

"What is it?" Theo asked.

"A Cleanse Tag," Nico said. "It will keep malevolent spirits away while you sleep. Put it on the threshold of your room."

"Thank you," Theo said, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Spirits? If he stayed until Christmas, maybe Santa Claus would swing by, too.

In his room, Theo undressed and tossed the Cleanse Tag into the corner. He didn't know what spirits lurked in this tower, but he was fairly certain grass clippings and doodles would not ward them off. The platform bed creaked as Theo rolled onto it. It was not much more comfortable than the ground he had slept on while he traveled. The blanket the sages had provided was thin and barely covered his whole body.

If this is what becoming a Pokemon trainer is like, he thought, shacking up with freaks and always being uncomfortable, maybe I should turn around now. He took a deep breath and willed himself to stop complaining. This was only the start. But how was he supposed to get through this?

With friends. He released all three of his Pokemon to sleep in the bed with him. Vulcan snuggled against him for warmth, while Mags and Allegra took the head and end of the bed, respectively. It was tight, but the closeness made him feel better. After a while, the sounds of his three sleeping Pokemon lulled him enough that Theo drifted off.

He was startled awake by Allegra's high-pitched shriek. It was black in the room, and he couldn't see what was distressing her.

"Vulcan," he said, pulling the blankets away from the Cyndaquil, "light up for me."

The Cyndaquil's back lit up in a weak, sleepy-looking fire. Theo's eyes took a second to adjust. Mags was floating above them, his eye closed. At the end of the bed was Allegra, but she was not alone. A gaseous ball floated beside her. It had large, wicked eyes which were locked on her, and its giant tongue was licking her face.

"What is that?" Theo shouted. The Pokemon, whatever it was, gave a deep, shuddering laugh; if it had a throat, it sounded full of phlegm. Allegra shrieked again and looked at him, pleading for help. Theo hesitated. If he commanded Vulcan to fight it, he could easily set the whole Tower on fire. Mags would be a better option, but when Theo looked up, he saw that the Magnemite was still asleep, despite the Togepi screaming below.

Theo scrambled to the end of the bed and snatched Allegra away. The Pokemon turned on him instead and dragged its massive tongue across his face. Theo's whole body broke out in goosebumps.

"Get lost!" Theo said, batting at the Pokemon. The creature laughed and widened its eyes, as if to strike again.

Suddenly the door flew open. Jin stood on the threshold, a HootHoot sitting on his shoulder.

"Foresight, then Tackle," he said calmly. The HootHoot's wide eyes turned purple, and its irises seemed to ripple. It launched the attack at the gaseous Pokemon, which growled and shouted.

"Peck," Jin said, and the HootHoot attacked again, assaulting with its beak. The gaseous Pokemon roared with a sound Theo had never heard a living creature make. It surrendered and flew out of the room. The HootHoot cooed once in victory, and its eyes returned to normal.

"What was that?" Theo asked, his heart racing.

"A Gastly," Jin said. He went to Theo, bent down, and picked up the Cleanse Tag Theo had tossed aside earlier. "Master Theo did not listen to our instructions. Ghost Pokemon will not cross a threshold if this is resting there." He smiled. "The young master will get no sleep in the Tower without the aid of a Cleanse Tag."

"Ghost Pokemon live in this Tower?" Theo asked. Ghost Pokemon were rare and fickle, he knew. To catch one was difficult; to train one was even more so. As a child, his father had told him scary stories of Ghosts turning on their trainers.

Jin inclined his head. "A few. They always have. Perhaps since before the Tower was built. We live beside them."

"Why don't you chase them out?" Theo asked.

"Have they no right to seek peace, as we do?" Jin said. "We must simply take precautions." The HootHoot whistled as Jin stroked its back. He picked up the Cleanse Tag and placed it on the threshold. "Sleep better, Master Theo. And I would ask that you open your heart more to our teachings. Our way of life may not be yours, but that does not mean you cannot learn something from us." He closed the door behind him.

Theo sat on his bed, chastened. These sages had welcomed him in, had fed him and sheltered him, and all he had done was roll his eyes at them and bite his cheek trying not to laugh. Jin was right. He had been disrespectful.

Tomorrow, he resolved, he would be better.

"Boop, boop," Mags said overhead.

"Oh, now you're awake?" Theo asked, laughing. Vulcan snuffed his flame and curled up beside Theo, who stay awake, thinking. None of his Pokemon could do what he had seen Jin's HootHoot do against that Gastly. He would commit to the Tower while he was there, and he would learn.