And the day begins as it tends to do with a sunrise.
Or the flipping from 11:59 to 12:00 depending on one's view.
Today, Clyde awoke to sunlight flitting through the canvas of his tent. The quiet sounds of the forest a mumbling in the background and preventing complete silence from overwhelming him.
Slow to leave the warm comfort of his sleeping bag and tent, Clyde grudgingly exhumes himself from his burrito roll, unzips the tent, and climbs out into daylight.
A low fog accompanying a cool dampness is immediately felt as the morning sun has not yet had a chance to warm up the forest clearing. Giving a big stretch and a silent yawn, Clyde looks to his companions' tents.
Unsurprisingly, he gleams absolutely nothing from them. The tents are still closed; no light emanates to reveal any silhouettes and an overwhelming silents radiates from them, almost seeming as if empty.
In the off chance that they're both still sleeping, Clyde remains silent in his brief exploration. Lacking any specific goal, he opts to sit at the base of a nearby pine-esque tree and take a look at his Pokédex once more.
Not an ideal seat, yet functional enough to once again study the device in his hands. Turning it on, it displays a Pokéball and a loading bar. Letting it fall to his side, he looks up into the trees while waiting for a 'Ding!' of completion.
As silent as he was, so too is a Starly which stares him down. It's expression indistinguishable beneath the mask of feathers all birds carry. Though its eyes convey almost a look of dismissal or disdain. Ironic.
"I wonder if you're the same bird as before." He mutters quietly to himself. "Least I have Oshy with me now should things go poorly." Watching the bird with an unflinching gaze, it tilts its head. A moment later, the Pokédex beeps. "Coincidence? Can birds here sense the future?"
Shaking his head, he looks down at the device once more. A couple clicks reveals the saved data of Oshawott, downloaded from some distant server.
It shows much as it did prior, limited information on themselves, the scalchop so incredulously named, and their demeanor and activities. Little is known about their preferred habitat, their diet, or really any specific environmental wants, desires, or preferences. Furthermore, it's lacking in any specifics surrounding their life cycle, habits, social structures, and reproduction.
"Well, if we're spending some time by a lake, no reason I can't do a bit of research. Can figure out a little bit of stuff that Oshawott likes and dislikes. Works as a good starting point." He reaches into his memory, trying to recall any specifics he can about sea otters. Flicks of memories, most of which are random fun facts, surface. The majority of these are benign, a couple grim, and one involves the specific differences between river otters and sea otters. Something about webbed feet and their tails.
"First thing we'll check will be water preference, salty or fresh. Let's see if they really are sea otters or if they're closer to river otters. Looking at them, it's hard to really say. But I'm also not an otter biologist, Then, while we walk, try to note any local plants of interest. Tangentially related, but important none-the-less. Solid outline, at least. Let's see how it all goes wrong." He looks to the trees once more, the Starly maintaining eye contact. He grows uncomfortable. Despite those feelings, he maintains his calm demeanor. "Ignoring the potential death bird, let's see if I can figure out how to add notes to a Pokédex entry."
Similar to a phone and PDA though much less intuitive, with enough toying of the options and settings, a menu is eventually displayed that allows a trainer to modify or expand upon the information provided for a given Pokédex entry. In this case, the options for Oshawott are displayed.
"Might as well add a little something. What's the worst that could happen?" Interacting with the device is easy enough at face value. Doing anything more than typing a few words however is quickly tedious, almost reminiscent of texting on a flip phone. "Hopefully there's an easier way of dealing with this. I can easily see myself getting sick of it."
After a few minutes of writing, rewriting, and correcting, he has a brief writeup. 'Bivalves make up the bulk of Oshawott's diet. Though they also appear to be opportunistic scavengers when it comes to fish or other quick aquatic fauna.' The click clacking of keys an almost calming noise in the wilderness that makes up his surroundings. Navigating to the 'Save' feature, he saves his current progress. Twice.
"Two whole sentences. Solid for a first entry. Whenever I get enough, I'll export it." He re-reads the couple sentences of typed text. 'Though, I don't remember seeing any non-Pokémon fauna in… basically any media published ever. If that's the case, does that make the bivalve-mollusk-clams Oshawott has been eating Pokémon? Bit small to be a Cloyster or whatever.' He looks around the make-shift camp. 'Might as well double check that aquatic book while I'm here.'
Pocketing the Pokédex, Clyde stands and meets the gaze of the Starly once more. He waves to the bird and departs towards the lab, hardly giving it the time of day.
The door opens with a click and slowly creaks open against the force of his shoulder. "Need to oil the hinges, I guess. For a new lab, it feels old."
Darkness wages a losing war against the rising sunlight. Most of the lab is cloaked in shadow with little able to be seen in any meaningful detail. The one thing that stands out though are a few piles of books still scattered on a table. He approaches them and attempts to quietly rifle through the stacks. As he does so, an overwhelming silence takes hold and causes any noise to be almost painful.
Eventually, an encyclopedia on water Pokémon is located. A quick trip to the index has two listings of interest, Cloyster and Clampearl. Navigating first to Cloyster, as it's the first entry, he finds it holding significantly more details than the Pokédex entry of Oshawott. Though most of it is unreadable given the darkness.
He sighs, stands, moves to turn on the lights, clicks them on, and returns to his seat.
More detailed information on their biology, its capabilities, native areas, evolution, and general factoids amongst areas of interest. Evolution shows it to be evolved from Shellder by use of an Evolution Stone.
Looking into the regions it is native to yields interesting results. They are not found anywhere in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, or Sinnoh. They are however present in Unova and Kalos. The only way for Clyde to find one would be for a Shellder to evolve.
Flipping to Shellder's entry, it shows a drastically different result. These Pokémon can be found essentially everywhere except the Hoenn region. In Sinnoh, they're exclusively found around the Greater Eterna Forest area. A quick reference of the Sinnoh Region map conveniently posted alongside one of the walls of the lab shows that to be a fair distance away from their current location.
"Wonder what Oshawott's been eating then if not them. Though they do track, maybe the book is out of date. Or they're an invasive species." Returning to the book, he checks the entry for Clampearl. 'Might as well check for posterity's sake.'
'Clampearl can be found in Routes 124 and 126 in the Hoenn region surrounding and north of Sootopolis City, Routes 219 and 221 in the Sinnoh region south of Sandgem Town and bordering Pal Park, Routes-' He focuses upon the entry for Sinnoh, references the map once more, and sighs.
"I'm literally in Sandgem Town. Great memory, I have." Pinching the bridge of his nose, "Well. There it is then. Clampearls. Still, seems odd." Referencing the size and weights, they are found to be normally approximately 52.5kg on average. "And those ones are certainly not that. Interesting. One would have expected to find large ones along with small ones. Yet none are to be found. Maybe the ones that grow that large flee for deeper waters. One mystery down, at least." Gently closing the book, he lets loose a held sigh. 'And another takes its place.'
Looking to the pile of books once more, Clyde contemplates what to do next.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, the decision is made for him as the door opposite to him bursts open in a figurative explosion of light and sound as Lucas charges in.
"Oh! Clyde! You're awake! I got Turtwig back!" He shouts between heavy breaths, his face red with exertion. "This has been the longest wait ever, but it's finally over!" Presenting a Pokéball, he leans heavily against the door frame. "Been running all morning to get to and back. Exhausting! But worth it."
Clyde nods, "Is he all good or do you still have to treat him? Did they just let him out of the hospital since the worst of it has passed?"
Raising a finger as he catches his breath, he sighs. "He can't battle, has to be careful, and can't swim or roll in mud. Nothing strenuous. But he's back! Which I could not be happier about. This means I'm all set for today! We can head out right now!"
Head shaking, Clyde dismisses the idea. "Dawn is still asleep, I think. Plus, we have to pack up and ensure we're not missing anything."
The little enthusiasm Lucas has fades as he deflates. "Yeah, alright. Well, what should we do now, then?"
"Could always pack up our tents."
"Yeah, but that's boring!"
"Alternatively, we can read more about the lake we're heading to."
"That's even more boring!"
"Do you have any suggestions?"
Lucas aggressively thinks on the question as Clyde expands upon it. "Suggestions that specifically do not involve battling or heading out this second."
After several moments of silence, Lucas gives a resigned sigh. "Yeah, I don't know. I guess we can pack our tents. Sooner we do that, sooner we can go."
"Then let us pack. We should probably try to be quiet, at least." Clyde makes his way for the back door; Lucas follows suit.
Exiting once more, they both let their Pokémon out of their balls. Brief flashes of light illuminate and reveal Oshawott and Turtwig.
Examining Turtwig shows them to look similar to how they did before. Little evidence of the battle that had so seriously wounded them before remains. They're happy, look un-affected, and in general is just a pleasant tortoise.
Oshawott is likewise as happy as ever holding look of contentment as they stretch and shake off the previous night's sleep.
"No time like the present." The two of them set to work dismantling their tents as Oshawott and Turtwig sit off to the side, Oshawott attempting to play with the tortoise in question. On more than one occasion, Clyde is distracted by the display. 'Almost looks like she's trying to teach him patty cake.'
A while into the dismantling, some light rustling comes from Dawn's tent. Pachirisu pokes their head out from the base of the tent flap and peaks out at the two other trainers currently working on their own tents. They retreat and a couple minutes later, a sleepy Dawn emerges from their temporary residence.
They too examine the two gentlemen who have nearly completed the collapsing of their tents. She asks, "How long have you two been up?" As she rubs the sleep from her eyes.
Clyde looks up from his tent that he can almost slide into his backpack. "Me? Like, a half hour. Lucas has been up longer."
"I got Turtwig back!" He shouts, gesturing towards the grassy turtle. "We can now adventure. All is right in the world."
A long, silent yawn from Dawn spreads to the others as she exits her tent. "Alright, I'll pack up and we can go. Nowhere for us to get breakfast anyways. Can eat when we get there or while we walk."
Each giving an exchanged nod, the three return to their work. Clyde finishes first, followed shortly after by Lucas. The two sit in the shade while Dawn continues her own packing. An unspoken agreement between the three. The two shan't offer help, nor would Dawn accept it. Some demons are meant to be fought alone.
In this case, the demon in question is a giant tent.
The battle is fought, and with the help of her trusty side kick Pachirisu and Piplup, the foe is eventually vanquished. Though not without consequence.
Her skin, already pink from the sun, is displeased.
"Alright, one more thing before we go. Sunblock." She says, regretting her choices thus far.
The trio once again nod and make their way for the Pokémart.
"By the way," Clyde begins, "We're happy to help speed up the packing if you need it."
"Once I'm able to reliably and confidently do it alone, sure. Until then, sunblock and strife." Dawn walks and talks, carrying Piplup as Pachirisu carefully balances on her head.
With little more to share, the three head to the Pokémart, obtain anti-sun lotion, and begin their trek westwards.
As they set out, they pass the lab one last time.
"Hey, did anyone tell the professor we were leaving?" Lucas asks towards his companions, Turtwig firmly set in his Pokéball.
Clyde shrugs, Dawn nods. "Sent him a message. He's up in Canalave, needed to research something."
"Wonder what. Hey, maybe if we're quick enough, we can visit him!" Lucas exclaims, a newfound pep in his step.
"Luke, that's like, a week of dedicated walking in good conditions. At least. For us? Probably a month to cut through the forest. Not including rest, food, or any other unexpected situations. Plus, we'd have to cut down on our research." Dawn produces her Pokégear and looks at it intently. "It'd take us a long time. To say the least. Unless you can fly, no."
Lucas waves dismissively. "We'll just have to catch some flying Pokémon, then. Easy-peasy."
Letting out a groan of displeasure, Dawn shifts her focus away from her friend.
They walk in silence as the sounds of the town grow faint, Route 201 lying before them holding countless opportunities.
The couple hour walk is simultaneously completed quickly and feels longer than it did before. Thanks to the wall of trees on either side, most of the walk is completed in shade before the noon day sun overtakes the trees and bares the full heat of its existence upon the group. Despite the shade, the sun is quick to burn away the low lying fog that clouded the area. Likewise, any attempts to note specific flora of interest are met with failure as Clyde has neither the knowledge nor means to identify or note any of the plants in question. As such, he focuses mostly on walking and spotting any potential Pokémon that may pass within viewing distance.
Sadly, none do. Aside from Starly, which he had already become acquainted with and did not wish to meet again.
Arriving at the water, they take a brief rest by the shore, still shaded, and partake in breakfast. Some packed rations with some sweet snacks. Clyde opted to get Feraligator bites, said to be a favourite of gatormons everywhere. They're vegan yet taste like beef jerky. "A pleasant surprise."
Dawn got Pachirisu themed candy and is sharing them with their namesake who seems to absolutely love them. Meanwhile, Lucas got the same as they had prior, Charizard and Turtwig delights. The former for himself, the latter for his Pokémon.
The sun, rising and radiating in full force, shines like diamonds against the lake before them. It stretches off far into the horizon, an endless body of water indistinguishable from an ocean.
Were it not for the fresh, crisp, non-salty taste of the water, it could pass as such.
Grateful for said fresh water, the party drink their fill once Dawn confirms it to be safe.
A calm and slow morning.
Peaceful.
Dawn breaks the comfortable aura of breakfast, refocusing to the task at hand in asking, "What's our first plan?"
Clyde motions towards the lake. "I'd like to poke around in there a bit. Fish a bit, maybe swim. Don't know about that though, skittish around fresh water."
Lucas points to the forest. "I'm going to explore the forest with Turtwig! Apparently, plants can grow on him and I absolutely have to test this out. Portable berry bush, here I come!... Probably!"
Dawn nods at the requests. "Well, I'd love to find some wild Bidoofs and Bibarel. See what they tend to do out here, how they live and what not."
Looking towards her, an ember of excitement flares up within Clyde. "Beavers? Okay sign me up for that. We can find a lodge, and I can fish once we're in the area. Hopefully it'll be easy to find. They're not exactly hidden."
"And I can look for berry bushes while we walk! Until we get to wherever it is we're going, at least. Then I'll venture off into the spooky forest!" Lucas pats Turtwig by his side. "And I've got my best friend here to keep me safe. Fool proof!"
"I thought the nurse said you can't have him battle?" Clyde adds holding a face of doubt.
Lucas avoids eye contact and looks towards his Pokémon. "You'll keep me safe, right?"
Turtwig plops on the ground with a soft 'thunk' seemingly refusing to answer the question.
"Anyways." Dawn interrupts the potential brewing conflict. "We can figure that out once we find the Bidoof, and an area to camp for the night. If everyone's all good and full, we can start walking around the lake. I'd rather we went North personally, any objections?"
Neither trainer raise a protest.
"In that case, onwards! And no leaving garbage, we're leaving things the way we found them!" She tosses her food wrappers into her backpack and shoulders it before striding forward.
Another several hours pass as the trio, sun blocked and hydrated, walk along the shore of the lake. A couple times, they had to navigate a rough, rocky outcropping in order to avoid entering the water itself and swimming past. The water largely seemed shallow except at these points where it almost dropped off into an abyss. Despite the difficulties, the discount mountain climbers are able to conquer the trials before them.
They eventually come across a river, rushing water granting an ambience partially comparable to that of the ocean shores they had enjoyed the days prior.
Looking down at the waterway, it runs into the greenery, curving and running deeper, deeper, and yet deeper still. Several fallen trees litter the water spanning its length. Some of them still having leaves on their branches.
"Well, who wants to cross first? Assuming it's not too deep, I mean." Dawn asks as she looks towards her two other friends.
Clyde focuses upon the river, particularly the downed greenery. "Those trees look fresh, I bet if we look down there, we'll find some Bidoofs."
Dawn gives a quizzical glance. "Think so? I know they live near water, but I figured they'd be in the actual lake."
"If the water is shallow, yes. Or if they make their own pond. Barring either of those, rivers are the next best place to look. Sure it's surprising they're not in the lake, but I'm sure there's a good reason for it. Those downed trees are an ideal indicator for their presence barring an actual lodge. Surprised nothing in those encyclopedias mentioned that." Clyde looks around the area, gauging whether one could make camp here.
"That's why we're here." Dawn exhales hard, sizing up the new challenges that lie ahead. "Learn more and fill in the blanks. Though I'm surprised you know so much about them, they're mostly only found around Sinnoh. Not really many other places. And if the books are lacking, do you have some secret hidden experience with ye olde Bidoof? Are you holding out on us?" She waggles an accusatory finger.
"Spent a lot of time learning about aquatic creatures. Them included, to an extent. Though that was more tangentially related, I focused a lot on fish and whales." Motioning to the Pokéball on his belt, "Barely learned about Otters, but I spent a bit of time with them thanks to a friend, so here I am."
"I'll have to poke your brain later today, once we're settled in. Until then, suppose we'll poke around the river!" Dawn confidently strides along the waterline.
"Hey uh, before you go, why don't we see about making a camp here? Maybe not this second, but at least have an idea of where we can meet up." Lucas adds, looking between his two friends.
Dawn shouts without breaking stride. "Sure thing!" She replies, neither looking back nor giving any response of value.
Clyde looks to his side, shrugs, and moves to a small, seemingly flat-ish area slightly inside the tree line several meters from the river. He sits a moment and rests. "Well, better here than sand. Or rocks."
The two remaining trainers, after a few minutes of rest, pitch their tents. It's both easier the second time given the practice and more challenging given the rougher terrain. These balance out and it ends up taking as long as it did prior. Two tents are set up, and the beginnings of a camp established. Lucas and Clyde take the chance to grab some of the rocks that make up the shoreline of the river to edge out a rough firepit. With enough fallen trees and wood, there would be no short supply of combustible materials.
While collecting wood for the later fire, Dawn returns. "I can confirm, there are in fact Bidoofs down the river. Thank you for your insight, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go stare at them for the next six hours. If anyone needs me, I'll be looking at plump mouse Pokémon." Tossing her backpack by Clyde's tent, she quickly returns up the river and disappears from sight.
"That was quick." Clyde mutters, grabbing her backpack and tossing it inside his tent. "Should be mildly safer there. Well, I'm going to go poke around the lake a bit before checking up on Dawn. Might as well give her some space to get her initial observations in before I give my input."
"Then I'll go look for a berry bush! I'll be back here in a while, hopefully with some berries in tow! If I get ambushed by another Starly, you'll hear screaming. Let's hope I don't!" Producing his Pokéball, "Come now, Turtwig! We look for berries!"
Lucas similarly wanders off, leaving Clyde alone with his thoughts. "The lake calls. Come now, Oshawott. You can get some swimming in and report anything you see in there."
A few steps down the slight slope brings him to the lakefront. "Beach front property, best value." Releasing Oshawott from their Pokéball, they scamper into the water without so much as a glance at their trainer. Slipping beneath the waves, they splash and swim happily.
"Oshawott approved water. Noted. Now to figure whether or not it's better than sea water."
Looking into the shallow parts, it looks like most freshwater lakes do. Soft sandy shore, small rocks littering the water, little water striders, and some plants sprouting. "Wonder what the foundation for the ecosystem is. Can't imaging these bugs are that."
Shifting his gaze over to the horizon, the sun is blinding. 'Regret not getting a hat or glasses. Mistakes.' Despite the brightness, he continues to admire the beauty. Some ducks are swimming in the distance. Bright yellow in colour, they seem to be enjoying the water and occasionally splash and fly short distances.
"I'll have to fish later, see if I can't catch us something. The ducks are probably looking for fish. Psyducks? Psyducks." Enjoying the weather, he runs through a mental checklist of things to investigate.
Most of them involve determining the local fauna that inhabits this lake. Outside of Psyduck.
Knowing what kind of fish live here can give indicators of what their food sources are. The lacklustre immediate conclusions do not help. 'There might be something deeper down, but usually minnows or small crustaceans are the foundation after or alongside bugs. Usually at least.'
Lacking any immediate answers, he strips half naked from the waist down and sets his clothing aside by the water. "Sincerely hope neither Lucas nor Dawn come out here. Should have gotten a swimsuit. Whatever. Quick check, and it's unlikely they will visit. Future things to buy. Hat and now swim trunks."
Following Oshawott's lead, Clyde wades into the water.
It's cold.
The warmth of the sun and air does nothing for the water.
It is simply cold.
Almost painful as his skin tingles, not used to the sudden change in temperature.
He briefly contemplates returning to land but decides against it. 'Science is often uncomfortable.'
Moving deeper, his eyes are fixed on the water below him. It's a very shallow slope and he's able to walk a significant distance before the water gets to be a over meter deep. Despite the depth, it is reasonably clear and he is able to clearly see the bottom. 'Good and bad thing.' He thinks, mentally logging the observation.
Once the water is waist height, he walks parallel to the shore and searches for anything new.
Oshawott, upon being requested to keep their distance from the budding trainer as to not spook any fauna, keeps their distance and explores sights unseen. What discoveries the otter might make they keep to themselves, hording the knowledge of the depths.
After a few minutes, small loach-like fish approach and examine the trainer. They scatter quickly at the slightest movement, occasionally returning before scattering once more. 'Well there's something at least. Saw that in the book, can't remember the name. Wouldn't have caught that with a fishing rod, so this wasn't all for nothing.'
Continued exploration shows little else. Some types of moss carpet large swaths of gravelly sand, other types of grasses sway with the waves. No other insects of note outside of the occasional water strider.
Plagued by curiosity and having been given more questions than answers, he returns to the shore, shakes himself dry as best one can, and re-dons his clothing.
As he does so, Oshawott brings him a large, white, waterlogged bone.
"Well what's this? Bigger than a loach, that's for sure. So there's something else out there. Carp, maybe? Or another fish. Will have to cast a line and hope. Though if it's this shallow, might be a challenge." He thanks Oshawott, pockets the bone, and sits once more contemplating his newfound knowledge.
"Alright, loaches are bottom feeders if memory serves. Which is fine. There's bigger fish which might feed upon them, and also provide them with food. That's a closed system, something has to feed off the grasses. Water striders don't, or if they do, not enough to support an ecosystem. I guess the loaches could eat algae and support it that way, but pretty sure minnows normally fill that niche in a freshwater ecosystem. Wonder if the Pokédex could scan them. Probably shouldn't get it wet, though. And I doubt Oshawott can catch one. Not yet at least. There are no snails to speak of, which is surprising. Which means I must be missing something. Mysteries upon mysteries."
While thinking of the possibilities, he reaches to grab the fish bone once more. In doing so, he feels cool metal in his pocket. Shaking his head, he refocuses upon the lake and the bone in his hands, forming hypothesis after hypothesis of what he might be missing. It always returns to either a missing fish or bug. He racks his brain, trying to think of something. Some explanation.
While trying desperately to recall the lessons discussed during his brief stint in GLIER and freshwater ecosystems, the voice of a small child speaks out from the water. "You are not from around here."
This quickly draws his attention as his current train of thought is violently derailed. He looks to the water and sees nothing aside from an unphased Oshawott and distant Psyducks. He looks from side to side, spotting nothing. Turning around, his eyes linger, trying to identify the source of the voice. "Hello?" He asks, unsure of where to aim his voice.
"Hello." The voice responds, distinctly from the water. "You are not from around here. Are you lost?"
He faces the water once more, scanning the water from shore horizon for any source of the distinctly existing voice. Any anomaly that may explain it. Challenging though it may be with the sun, he presses on despite the oppressive presence.
"Uh, I don't think so. I'm just here with a couple of friends. Where are you?" He asks, eyes shifting quickly, searching for any lead to focus upon.
"We are in the water." The voice responds. "You're not confident in your statement, are you sure you are not lost?" It asks once more. Their voices are surprisingly emotionless, almost monotone, lacking any childhood enthusiasm or cadence.
Clyde scratches the back of his head. "I… I'm pretty sure I know where I am. I'm sorry, I can't see you. I don't know where to look when speaking. Why do you ask, though? And who are you?"
The voice is silent for several seconds, holding a pregnant pause before speaking once more. "We cannot say for the moment. The sun is too bright, and we must depart. Please come back at dusk such that we may speak again."
Clyde blinks. "Okay wait what why is there a child in the water and what is going on here?"
Silence permeates the air. Where there was once a voice, there is no longer.
He sighs. "'Strange women, lying in ponds, distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.' And yet here I am, at the heart of an Arthurian story with strange either child-like or feminine voices speaking to me from the water. I swear if I come back here and am given a sword, I am going to lose it." Shaking his head, he calls for Oshawott. As they return, he continues his thought. "Or I'm currently losing it, and this is all a hallucination." Climbing ashore, they are seemingly unaware of anything that had just transpired. "Did you hear anything out there?" He asks towards his Pokémon. Oshawott tilts their head quizzically. "Come on then, Oshy. Let's just go give Dawn a visit."
Giving a chirp of approval, the two set out towards the river and by extension Dawn. Clyde walks by the side while Oshawott opts to swim in the water, exploring it and searching for mysteries only an ottermon could appreciate.
