O
Chapter 11: Graduation
Caleb woke up as he felt the sun's rays in his eyes. The fire had burned low to glowing orange coals, illuminating Girafarig as she watched for threats. Her tail twitched, and she turned to see Caleb getting up, moving out from under his blanket. The things were coarse and thin, but sturdy and surprisingly warm for the cold desert nights. Caleb shivered a bit as he crouched by the fire.
"Did you sleep okay?" Girafarig asked.
"Not really. I kept having weird dreams. Things like getting kicked out of the Academy while everyone watched, or Pokémon chasing me."
"It wasn't just you. I wondered if Kadabra's psychic pulses would be stronger when he slept. That's what he was like as an Abra, too."
"What? But I never had weird dreams before!" Caleb said.
"That makes sense, I mean, you're not Psychic. You remember how Talonflame said that most Psychic-types can communicate with each other? Well, when he was an Abra, it felt like he was constantly talking in his sleep. Now, as a Kadabra, it's more like yelling. It's so loud even non-psychics can hear it a little now. He'll either have to learn to control it, or nobody in the Academy is going to sleep well." GIrafarig sighed. "I know you're pretty attached to him, but... he scares me a little. Not that I think he's bad! He's just so freakishly powerful for being so young. And those scars of his can't be a good omen. I never put much stock in Hidden Power predicting your personality or destiny, but... there's too much weirdness around him, even if he is human." GIrafarig paused. "Sorry for unloading on you like that. It's just the stress of the Academy and that dungeon. Don't tell him that I said these things, okay? I don't want things to be awkward between me and him."
Caleb took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'll do that," he said. "I just want to make sure he doesn't get hurt. And help him do whatever he's here to do."
"Sorry for the rant," Girafarig said. Caleb threw more wood on the fire, sending up a shower of sparks as flames caught the wood. The dull orange glow flared into bright yellow, acting like a second sun as the first rose above the horizon.
"Guys! It's time to get up! We need to get back to the Academy as soon as we can!" Caleb called out.
He shook Alex's shoulder. As his eyes opened, Caleb felt a sudden, dull pressure in his head for a moment before it subsided. Girafarig was right, Alex was so powerful that a glance gave him a headache. But… If he was that strong by accident, what would he be like once their journey truly started? All the world-saving humans had battled legends as only their first stage. As a Kadabra, they could do even better! Caleb imagined fighting the Blades of Justice, a single Psychic attack from Alex knocking them out. Maybe they'd meet gods like Lugia or Yveltal! Caleb imagined dozens of scenarios as he stuffed his blanket and supplies into his bag, andeveryone around him followed suit.
"You know, it's kinda funny that you evolved while fighting a Rattata. I mean, nobody's going to believe it, it's so crazy!" Caleb said.
"I wouldn't if I hadn't seen it happen. Deputy's gonna be in a good mood that his kin was so threatening," Lairon said
Dewott started laughing. "A RATTATA? What'd it do, nibble your toenails? I could beat those up the day I hatched. How'd it give you enough challenge to evolve?" she giggled.
"Um... I-I only knew a Ghost-type move… I couldn't hurt it, and it was going to bite my throat..." Alex whimpered.
"So? You've got claws, punch the rat. Can't be that hard," she said.
"Hey, he could have died! I bet you were in danger when you evolved!" Caleb snapped back.
"A little... but that's what evolving's for. I beat Litten's ass so hard he never challenged me again. So what's your next battle going to be? An Igglybuff?" That might bump you up to a full Alakazam!" Dewott mocked.
"Just stop it, Dewott!"
"Or what?"
"I'll tell Deputy Raticate!"
"Wimp. Gotta be able to roll with the punches, kid. You can't protect the human forever, you know." Dewott said as she packed up the last of her supplies. She sprayed a jet of water to douse the fire, sending up a cloud of steam and smoke as it hissed.
Caleb rubbed his arms; it wasn't quite cold enough to keep his blanket out, especially once they started moving, but he shivered as the cloud of steam passed over him.
After they further doused the fire by burying it in sand, they started the walk back. Once again, Caleb's group soon outpaced Alex's, and they started talking about their exploration.
"How are your legs holding up?" Caleb asked Murkow at one of their rendezvous points. He followed the same pattern they had worked with before, scouting ahead then landing periodically.
"A little sore, but I'm managing. I wish I could have flown above the rocks and told you the way out, but that distortion stopped me from flying. The air was wrong, like there was a solid wall right at the top of the rocks. Felt really weird," Murkrow said.
"Yeah, it was pretty different from Juniper Mesa, wasn't it? Fomantis was the best here, since he could use Grass moves on everything. But that's what teams are for! We all have things we're good at, and things we need help with!" Caleb said.
Another idea floated into his mind- him guarding Alex from a ravenous Mightyena, his punches driving the dark-type away from his vulnerable partner. That's why Caleb had come to the Academy, to be part of great stories and adventures of protecting the weak and innocent. Then the gods dropped the best kind of adventure in front of him: to escort a human on their journey through the Pokémon world. And tomorrow, they could start on it for real.
Caleb daydreamed about what lay ahead. How would they get to Uxie? Alex said they had to go across the ocean! Did the Academy know Surfing Pokémon, or would they have to find their own? What kind of Pokémon was Uxie? Caleb bet they'd have to fight Uxie, just like Luka and Rose. And that would be after a dungeon full of puzzles and more ferals to fight! It would be just like his heroes!
Caleb kept thinking to pass the time as they kept their march to the Academy. Soon, the Rainbow Mesa appeared on the horizon, growing larger and more vibrant as they got closer.
The morning chill was fully gone as they approached the main street in Rainbow Mesa. It looked like another hot, cloudless day was forming- but that was most of the weather here. Caleb glanced behind to see if Alex's team was close, but they had been left behind hours ago.
Caleb nodded to Combusken as they approached the Academy as she swept a pile of dust out of the front door. Caleb stepped up to the Toxicroak manning the front desk that morning.
"Hey! We're the Pidgey cohort, back from Sandstone Maze!" Caleb announced.
"That was yesterday, wasn't it? Head to the survival class, Sergeant Rime should already be there," she said as her throat sac blew in and out.
Caleb continued to lead the rest of the group through the halls until they exited out the side door by the basin of sand. Just as Toxicroak said, Sergeant Rime was there; leaning on his ice cane. He looked up as the group approached. Golduck was also waiting patiently beside Sergeant Rime, carefully inspecting everyone as they came in. But no one had injuries; the dungeon had healed them unnaturally fast. In addition, training had injuredinured the recruits to the harsh environment around the Rainbow Mesa. Their skin had darkened from the sun while thick calluses had grown on their feet. Now they looked less like children and more like true adventurers.
"There you are. I expected at least one team would make it back last night, but I was mistaken. Is the other team close?" he asked.
Dewott smirked. "They're probably another hour out. That Kadabra is still pretty slow, even after he evolved."
Sergeant Rime blinked. "Sorry, could you repeat that? I don't believe I heard you right."
Caleb spoke up. "Yeah! We went through the dungeon first, and when we were setting up camp, Alex- I mean Abra, he evolved! He evolved into a Kadabra inside the Sandstone Maze!"
"Really? The Abra evolved inside a dungeon, on his first major mission? Are you certain he didn't have a Golden Seed hidden somewhere?"
"Nope! He evolved in battle, like they do over in the human lands!" Caleb said.
"That is… peculiar. I have heard reports of ferals evolving in battle inside a dungeon, often followed by the team being defeated. It's supposedly more common on the Mist Continent, but for normal Pokémon, the spatial distortion inside Mystery Dungeons makes evolution impossible under all but the most extreme battles. It's much more reliable to make a pilgrimage to the Tree of Life or the Caves of Growth. There, the barriers to evolution are lessened in some mysterious way." Sergeant Rime tapped his cane against his feet. "But enough of that! Let us look at your equipment, and see if you have packed and used it well. By the time we are finished, the rest of your cohort should be near."
Caleb unpacked his messy bag, the wadded-up blanket spilling out while scattering his map, tinderbox, and pouch of trail food onto the sand.
"No! We've gone over this! You must pack neatly, so you can access any item in the pack without digging anything else out! Show me again!" Sergeant Rime scolded.
"I was just trying to get back early," Caleb grumbled.
"Yes, and now you're going to spend even more time repacking than if you had just done it correctly in the first place. Pack your bag like we've practiced. Maybe it will stick this time," he ordered.
Caleb spread out his blanket and refolded it as Sergeant Rime inspected Murkorw's and Fomantis' gear. "No complaints about either of them," he mumbled.
After two halfhearted attempts to get his bag organized, Sergeant Rime pronounced his packing satisfactory. Then an unmistakable headache pounded into his head, just like the morning.
Sergeant Rime tilted his head. "It appears that you aren't just telling me a story. We will have to discuss about him getting a focus so that the rest of us can think."
The other group trudged into the basin, digging out bowls of sand to make more comfortable seats.
Physician Golduck beckoned Alex over, seeing his evolved form and the bright new scars he had and immediately began poking and prodding at him. After a few minutes, Golduck said something to him, and he rejoined the group.
"What did he say?" Caleb whispered.
"I'll tell you later." Alex answered as Sergeant Rime called them to attention.
"You have all returned. Please present the treasures you have recovered," Sergeant Rime said.
Caleb, Alex, and Girafarig dug into their bags and pulled out the large, clear crystals. Sergeant Rime twirled his cane as a lavender glow surrounded it, and the crystals floated to him and stacked in a neat pile at his feet.
Alex also pulled out the small stone he had picked up that formed a strange geometric pattern. "Um, Sergeant Rime, is this valuable? I thought it looked interesting, and that someone might want it," he asked.
Sergeant Rime glanced at them. "Oh, that's a sand-flower, or rock-rose, depending on the vernacular. They aren't particularly valuable, but some find them attractive. Perhaps one of the markets in town might buy it from you, or you can keep it yourself. But it wasn't a bad idea to pick up items to see if they are worth trading, if they do not weigh you down."
Alex folded the stone back into the blanket, protecting its delicate petal-like forms.
"Now that you are all here, I would like to hear your report of the dungeon. What did you learn, and what can you improve on? Kadabra, I would like to hear your story first. How *did* you evolve inside a Mystery Dungeon as one so newly trained?"
"Um, I don't think I did anything special. I was pinned down by a Rattata, and the only move I knew was Ghost-type Hidden Power. Everyone else was fighting at the same time, so I fought harder, and I suddenly was stronger and could use psychic moves." Alex looked down. "But everyone says I keep giving them headaches with this power."
Sergeant Rime's mouth dropped open– both the one on his face and the one on his belly. "You forced out the evolution power... fighting a Rattata? Are you sure it wasn't a Krookodile or even a Raticate?"
"We saw. It was a Rattata. We're just as confused as you are," Girafarig explained.
"But he's super strong now! That means he definitely passed, right?" Caleb asked.
"That decision will be made later, Machop. Kadabra, were there any other successes or difficulties you found in this mission?" Sergeant Rime said.
"I didn't know that Mystery Dungeons were so hard to be in. It felt like it was trying to force me out, even without all the ferals trying to kill us. There was just a feeling like it was trying to crush us," Alex said.
"And now you understand why so few Pokémon decide to brave the dungeons, day after day. It makes a good defense for certain outlaws, though it varies on how long even they can endure the oppressiveness of the dungeon. Machop, what did you find most difficult about the dungeon?"
"It was super hard trying to find the way! I knew it wasn't worth making a map, but I forgot how crazy it gets in them!" Caleb said.
"The Sandstone Maze is named accurately. Many dungeons have quirks to how the distortion changes and arranges the environment," Sergeant Rime explained. "Sometimes, you can predict the likely places for the gateway to the next area. But that takes experience, usually meaning you have to delve into the same dungeon over and over. It's usually not worth the effort to focus only in one area, however." He gestured his cane to Baltoy. "Baltoy, your turn."
And so it went, each member of the cohort sharing their experiences. Finally, Sergeant RIme called on the two escorts to share their impressions of the newest batch of recruits.
"They worked well enough, in my opinion. Slow, but they held their own. Kadabra has enough power to fight off anything that's not Dark. It'd be a shame if they're stuck in the kidde classes again." Lairon said.
"Good. What about your group, Dewott?"
"Murkrow fell apart inside, said it was too hard to fly. He was kinda deadweight in battle, probably just the wrong dungeon for him. But he had a good sense of direction, at least. The other two took a couple floors before they really started fighting like they have to in a dungeon. Fomantis kept whining about if the ferals would survive. But he wasn't planning on being an adventurer anyways. Sure, let them pass," she said.
"Thank you for taking responsibility for the groups today. You may go now," Sergeant RIme dismissed them with a wave of his cane.
"We will deliberate for a time. Go store your supplies, eat a meal if you desire, and meet in the auditorium in one hour. Dismissed!"
As the group made their way up the crowded stairs, Caleb turned back to Alex. "Wow, he is so tall now," he thought to himself.
"So what did Golduck say?" Caleb asked.
"He said my evolution was strange. I guess that evolution heals wounds and scars most of the time, but mine made them more pronounced. But they aren't really scars like you get from injury. Golduck said they look more like the skin didn't grow enough with my evolution, like I'm growing too fast. Some Pokémon get marks like these when they gain a lot of muscle too quickly. Like how you're probably going to get some lines on your arms after you evolve, too."
Alex's situation was very strange for a human-turned-Pokémon. None of the stories Caleb had heard matched up with what Alex was experiencing. That must have meant something was super special about him!
"Oh, yeah, we'll match after I evolve. That's cool!" Caleb said. "But, they're not scars? That means you definitely aren't marked by some evil, it's just weird. Nobody can say you're bad now!"
Alex looked down, tracing a line on one arm.
"I don't know. It still looks wrong. They even stick out more than before. Everybody's going to know who I am. I can't pretend to be a random Pokémon, with how weird I look. And if I keep giving people headaches, I don't think they'll say nice things about me."
"They don't know what they're talking about!" Caleb protested.
"I hope so. We'll just have to find out my past when I meet Uxie. Once I know that, then I'll know what I need to do here."
"That's the spirit!" Caleb said. He saw the odd stares as Pokémon noticed the new Kadabra covered in scars, some of them rubbing their heads in seeming pain. Then they'd see Caleb, and realize who they were and give the two a wide berth. It was disheartening, seeing how they all avoided Alex. But that's what Caleb was there for, to be a friend and a supporter when the rest of the world was scared. Principal Blastoise would know better than everyone, that a partner stood by their friends in all circumstances. So Caleb took a deep breath, stood as tall as he could, and looked straight at everyone who avoided them. It didn't change how others looked at them, but Caleb still supported Alex.
The cafeteria was only half full. Most Pokémon are out doing jobs right now, or in classes if they choose to continue their education. But the Pidgey cohort took up a table and had a light meal while they waited.
"Do you think any of us are getting held back? Those tests felt really hard, but I thought they'd tell us before we went to the dungeon if we weren't going to pass anyway." Murkrow said.
"I hope so. I don't want to sit through another one of Talonflame's lectures on Pokemon footprints," Girafarig said.
But Caleb was confident that he would pass. Sure, the math and reading tests were tough, but he was part of the first group back! And there wasn't any way that he would pass without Alex by his side. It had to be part of the Code, that the human and partner wouldn't be separated like that. Plus they had to go see Uxie! Principal Blastoise wouldn't get in the way of such an important mission like that. So Caleb stayed close to Alex, giving him support and encouragement even as his headache slowly throbbed and grew.
What if Alex was some sealed away part of a demon or spirit? That might explain how he was so powerful. But then he'd probably have to die in order for it to get cured. Caleb put that idea out of his mind. No one wanted to be part of a sad story, they wanted to be heroes that saved people! And no human-turned Pokémon was boring. Miko never saved the world like Taylor or Rose, but she helped so many others! Caleb wanted to be that kind of person, and now he even had a human of his own to follow!
Not long after, Mentor Darmanitan entered the cafeteria and told them it was time. The Pidgey cohort went into the auditorium. Principal Blatoise and Deputy Raticate stood at the front, near the speaking platform. Darmanitan then ushered them into taking the seats behind the podium, where they could be seen by the few who gathered to see and meet the new graduates.
Caleb had heard that most didn't bother with the monthly meetings for the new recruits and graduates when there was work to be done. Sometimes Pokémon would watch for potential teammates if they had a rest day or the rumors were interesting about the new recruits. So, instead of the five or six bored-looking Pokémon that had watched them on their entrance day, there were several dozen Pokémon in the crowd, mostly staring at Alex's new evolution. Some of them whispered to each other. Caleb stood straighter, hoping to deflect some attention off Alex, but only managed to make himself look slightly less small. Alex tried to comb his stringy new mustache in his fingers, but only made it look more frayed. Even more Pokémon filed in, perhaps after they heard that one of the recruits had evolved. Even Chimecho slipped in, watching from the back.
At a cue from Deputy Raticate, all the assembled Pokémon sat down. Deputy Raticate remained standing, and began his speech. He kept his strict bearing, but now it was tempered with recognition instead of the aggressive persona he used on new recruits. "It is the end of another month, and we have seen new Pokémon become part of the Academy. The Pidgey cohort has trained, and they have passed all the tests required for graduation to become full cadets and gain all the trust and responsibilities of a member of the Academy. They have grown as trained and educated Pokémon on the Sand Continent. They have all worked hard to stand in this place. Principal Blastoise, we present these recruits to you."
Principal Blastoise stood up, and his soft, deep voice echoed in the human-designed acoustics of the auditorium. "This cohort is one of the most fascinating we have seen in a great while. We have a reborn human, who has put forward much training and effort, in spite of opposition and has evolved only this previous day in a battle for his life. Regardless of his past or mission, that drive is something that will be a great asset to our great Academy, whether he travels the world or stays and continues his learning to contribute to the knowledge we have gathered here. Beyond him, every one of the Pidgey cohort has prepared and broken past their old limits, in the nature of Pokémon. Now we have a new class of Pokémon to take on the work that is so needed in today's changing society: craftsmen to build houses, enchanters to create items that make exploring safer, farms to grow our food in the desert, bookkeepers to grow and share knowledge, scouts to find new lands and areas, and adventurers to delve the Mystery Dungeons or find hidden treasures of old. We expect great things from you all."
After discussing with their teachers and Mentor Darmanitan, I have faith that the Pidgey cohort is ready to be enlisted fully within the Academy, and are now granted membership with all of the privileges and responsibilities of cadets. Congratulations!
"Now you may move forward with whatever course you choose. Prepare to change the lives of those around you for the better. Think of your favorite adventurer: he who saves a Pokémon from certain death in a Mystery Dungeon, and a life that would have been lost is preserved. Now he can go on to work and live in ways he could not before. But that was only one mission, one day's work. Over the course of that adventurer's career, he saves hundreds of Pokemon, all with their own lives and stories.
"But adventures are not the only way to change lives. New farming techniques allow hundreds of Pokémon to live in one of the most arid parts of the Sand Continent. A single blacksmith produces tools for an entire town. Healers can travel and cure villages of disease and set long-broken bones. In some ways, these trades can help even more Pokémon than a Rescue Team. That is why you are all here."
Caleb had achieved his goal, to go to the Academy and become an adventurer. Sure, he hadn't actually gone on any adventures yet, but he was allowed to now! Him and Alex were going to Uxie's domain, and they would meet a real legend in the flesh! This one had met at least two human-led teams in the past, who knew how many more famous explorers had met her? Since she was the Guardian of Memory, maybe she knew stories that nobody else remembered! Caleb could take those stories back, so they'd be in the library for everyone else to see! Legends and stories of valor and heroism, ones they could tell around the campfire while traveling... that sounded amazing!
Caleb saw Principal Blastoise, Deputy Raticate, and Mentor Darmantian going down the Pidgey cohort, giving short greetings and a fist bump in acknowledgement.
"Great work you've done so far. Don't let us down!"
"Always keep your guard up. Even a Pichu can cripple, if it catches you unawares."
Principal Blastoise leaned in to Caleb and whispered, "Support Alex. I know that expression in his eyes. The truth will always bear out, though it often takes time and trial. Even Gengar turned out alright, in the end."
Caleb glanced at Alex to see him subtly trembling as he held himself up with psychic power. Caleb noticed his headache worsening as well.
Caleb's mouth went dry as the weight of responsibility suddenly bore down on him. For a moment, he wasn't a partner to a hero that changed the course of the world. He was a Pokémon watching his friend nearly have a breakdown.
"I'll try, Principal Blastoise," Caleb said to his hero, the stalwart partner of Team Poképals.
Caleb leaned over and whispered to his friend. "Alex? you know I'm here for you, right? We'll be able to get through anything together- no matter what happens, I'll stick with you."
"Umm, thanks," Alex said in his too-deep voice. Evolutions were supposed to make you stronger, yet Alex seemed more vulnerable than ever.
"Do you want to go to the Shrine Hall for a bit? I don't think anyone would mind if we were a little late for apprenticeships today. Actually, I don't think we really have to do those anymore if we find better jobs."
"Umm, yeah. I think I'd like that," Alex said. The rest of the meeting passed in a blur, but Principal Blastoise eventually dismissed them for the afternoon.
The two quietly walked the halls to the quiet dimness of the Shrine Hall. They were surrounded by statues and monuments to every known god, arranged in some manner that Caleb could only guess at. Alex made a beeline to the shrine of Spirit, while Caleb wandered until he found the towering monument to Regigigas.
Regigigas was such an odd Pokémon; its eyes were said to flash in strange patterns, yet never blinked, and its limbs hung on a square body with no discernable head. Stories said it created others in its image out of raw elements. Regigigas was the embodiment of physical strength; huge, determined, implacable strength. Regigigas demonstrated that one didn't have to control the skies or embody the oceans; it would do its duty, even if it took a hundred years. When it was tasked to move the continents and islands, it didn't look for power over the earth, or the psychic ability to teleport. Regigigas simply made ropes and towed the rocks with the steadiness of a glacier carving out lakes and valleys. And when it needed help, it made allies that were like itself to share the work. When its task was complete, Regigigas did not stand and seek for glory; it carved caves for itself and its creations, then slumbered until it was needed again.
Caleb's parents, along with most of Granite Quarry, revered Regigigas as their patron. They sought to emulate its determination as they hewed rock from the mountain and carved it into blocks for bridges, for towers, or for homes. Granite Quarry was not a wealthy town, but they survived well enough.
Caleb looked up at the statue, where he barely came up to the knee of the giant as its stone eyes stared impassively back at him.
"Regigigas, I know I haven't been doing the prayers like I should. It's not like I haven't had time, it's just... you never really left any teaching behind, you know? Most of what we know about you comes from others. You're not the talkative type, like the Spirit Trio, or Latias, or Mew." Caleb sighed. "I'm still not doing this right. But I've got a big responsibility now. Like, really big. I've got to hold myself and Alex together, and it feels like half this place is against us. I know the stories said that most heroes get exiled at some point, but it was just stories, you know?"
The statue didn't answer him. Its five golems continued their passive stares as well.
"I just want to know what to do, and have the strength to do it. That's what you're about, right? Doing your job and fulfilling your duty?" Caleb said. He reached out and touched one foot covered in a representation of moss. His arm was smaller than one of Regigigas' fingers, which reached down nearly far enough to touch his head. Beside his partner, how could Caleb help with his meager strength? Alex was cracking solid rock by accident. And what could Caleb do against a god, if that's where their journey really took them?
After a few minutes of ruminating, Caleb turned to go. Alex stayed near the Uxie shrine, looking like he was cleaning the highly polished stone. But Caleb had a job to do. Exploud didn't like slackers, and Caleb knew there was a wagon that needed rebuilt waiting for him.
"Are you planning to keep working for me, or are you running off to be an adventurer like every other apprentice these days?" Exploud asked Caleb once he arrived at the workshop.
"I don't think we're going anywhere, Master Exploud. For a while, at least. We need more Poké so we can buy the supplies we need. And the work is good here. I know it's useful, keeping everything fixed in town."
"Of course it is. Get to work, I want all the box irons for Hakamo-o's wagon cleaned and straightened out before you leave today. Get Monferno to help you- she should be faster than heating up the forge for a single job like that. Get to it!" Exploud rumbled.
"Yes, sir!" Caleb said. He grabbed his sack of wrenches and tools and began to look through the disassembled cart. The wagon was a common four-wheeled design, with a hitching that could be pulled with a bar for those with hands or attached to a harness for quadrupeds. It had seen many years of use, and the entire thing rattled and shook like it was about to fall to pieces at a moment's notice when it had been taken in. So far, they had taken it completely apart, saving the few boards that were still straight and unbroken, turning the rest into firewood. All the metal fittings needed servicing, which meant Caleb and Monferno needed to bend them back into shape, after which an experienced worker would retap the bolt-threads.
Once Caleb had gathered all the parts and tools, he found Monferno sharpening a knife at the grind wheel. Her foot rocked the treadle to make the stone shriek against the steel of the blade. Not quite fast enough to cause sparks, but Caleb still stood back. He waited until she took the knife off to inspect the edge before interrupting her.
"Hey, Monferno. Can you help me with these? Exploud said we didn't have enough smithing today to make firing up the forge worth it. But half of the irons off the wagon need to be straightened." Caleb said.
"Do I look like a pile of coal to you? Just because I'm a fire-type doesn't mean that's all I'm good for," Monferno shot back.
"Well, it's only for a few of these, so it'll be quick and you can go back to your project."
"I'm not sure you get it. Yes, I can get hot enough to flex the metal, but it's not really going to save you much time. Fire doesn't instantly soften metal, whether you use coal fire or Pokémon fire." She dropped the knife on the bench. "You know what, sure. I wanted to talk to you anyways. I heard some interesting rumors this morning, and I'd like to hear it from an actual source when I have one."
That... wasn't unexpected. While they usually had jobs on opposite sides of the room, probably due to Exploud trying to avoid conflict with his workers, Monfero often had an excuse to come and mess with Caleb. Accidentally knocking his tools over while she passed, rude comments about what a good little slave he was, or asking how his cushy life at the Academy was helping Alex get stronger.
It was never obvious or blatant enough for Exploud to do anything. When Caleb had mentioned it to him, he'd simply told Caleb to work out his own problems. As long as the work continued and nothing was broken, there wasn't any point in him butting in.
Maybe today was a plot to get Caleb and Monferno to talk out their issues while working together on a project. Or maybe Exploud simply didn't care much about the people, only the practicality of who brought what skills to the workshop.
"Just so you know, you're gonna have to hammer this harder than you would after a few minutes in the actual forge. I'm not wasting my strength to get them up to yellow hot when someone strong like you can just swing the hammer harder. Got it?" Monferno said.
"Yeah, I think so." Caleb said.
"Good." The two walked to the forge, where Caleb put the few bars and hinges that needed straightened in the crucible. Monferno stuck her tail in place of the charcoal and took several deep breaths. The flame on her tail grew from a friendly torchlight into a blazing bonfire that creeped out of the crucible hole.
"So, tell me what happened yesterday. I've heard rumors, and they're so crazy, I don't believe it would happen even to a human. What delusion did the Abra give you?"
Caleb felt that the truth was the best thing to say and would protect Alex the most.
"Well, we went on two different teams out to a Mystery Dungeon, and we passed the test. We graduated earlier today."
"Of course he graduated! There wasn't any way the building devoted to worshiping humans wouldn't let him do as he pleased. What happened on your little walk?"
"He's worked super hard for the last month! You know how he was at the beginning! He would have died in the wild if I hadn't found him!" Monfero's fire grew brighter and hotter, but Caleb had to say his thoughts. "He pushed himself so much that he evolved yesterday. And he's super strong now! He's not the weakling you think he is. He's my friend," Caleb finished.
"That rumor was true then. I didn't believe that runt got there so fast. Something's off about him, I promise you." Monferno took another breath, so the flames waned and focused.
"You know? It's not your fault some god dropped him on your lap. I guess I can't really blame you for sticking up for him." Monferno peered at the metal in the small window of the forge. "Try it now. It looks hot enough."
Caleb wrapped the loose end of the steel with a leather cloth and pulled it out. The metal was glowing dull red, not yellow like he normally used.
"Umm, are you sure this is hot enough?" Caleb asked.
"Well, I'm not gonna sit here and burn myself up for an hour until I'm getting paid for your work, too. Just swing harder."
Caleb shuffled through the forge, finding the piece that was least bent. Caleb tightened the iron in a vise, and slowly pulled on it with another wrench. Nothing happened. Normally, he could reshape and fix a thin bar of metal like this with one hand. But this rod wasn't as hot or soft as he had been taught to make them before working. Caleb grabbed with both hands, leaning slowly to bend the piece back to straight. He was careful to avoid bending it too far, and to make sure he was actually straightening the metal, not just adding a second bend in the direction he pulled. Then he turned the wrench, fixing a slight twist in the rod.
Caleb examined the steel, making sure it was in the right shape, before quenching it in a bucket of water. A cloud of steam rose up as the metal hissed.
"See? Told you it would work." Monferno said.
"It's harder than it needs to be. I don't want to snap the metal because it's not flexible enough," Caleb explained.
"Oh yeah? Well then you can heat it up yourself. But you wanted it fast, so that's what we're doing. I need to sharpen the rest of those knives before I leave, or I won't eat tonight, unlike you." Monferno snapped. "I guess I should say I don't hate you, really. It's just that Abra took my spot while not being worthy of what he's got. He gets private tutors and endless pandering, and I've gotta work twice as hard just to have a roof at night. But let's make a deal: if he's worked as hard as you say, let's set up a battle, me and him. It's traditional for newly evolved Pokémon to test their strength, right? Just make sure I get the first one." Monferno said.
That might be a good idea. Alex was super strong! He could probably knock out Monferno in one attack! Maybe two. Not only was Alex strong enough to hit through rock, he had the type advantage. Monferno would have a really tough fight. If Alex won, he'd get more confidence. But if he lost… Caleb didn't let himself finish the thought.
"Uh, sure, I think he'll do that," Caleb said. He'd have to tell Alex about the tradition later. Hopefully nobody challenged him before the end of today.
Caleb kept pulling out irons and straightening them with the anvil, vise, and hammer. Monferno maintained her steady breathing to keep the forge going under her own power.
"I guess I never asked you where you came from. I know you want to be an explorer, but I never found out how you got that dream," Caleb said.
"Lily Village is the most boring place you can imagine. Everyone just fished all day and hoped to not starve to death in winter. I figured I would rather die than live in such a boring place, so I got stronger. I wanted to be a bounty hunter, but nobody would trust me with jobs unless I had dungeon experience. The Academy was the closest place, even if they did make you an apprentice for a month learning useless math and history." Monferno said. "I get paid a lot more than you do, actually, but it doesn't go far when you have to rent an inn room every night. Even if most of your pay goes towards your Academy fees, you're gonna come out ahead of me."
"I'm sorry," Caleb said, surprised at this new side of Monferno she hadn't shared before.
"DON'T feel sorry for me," she snapped, her fire flaring painfully bright. "It's that damn human getting special privileges for things based on a weird dream, not anything he's actually DONE. But if he's put in the work like you say, he might actually be worth something. Or maybe you're just trapped with him, and you lie to make yourself feel better. If that's the case, I mostly feel sorry for you. You still got preference for admittance, but you actually worked for that but you didn't ask for that, and probably would have gotten in even without the human."
"But humans are awesome! They've saved us so many times!"
"Sure, a few of them have. But a lot of them don't do much for us, either. It's stupid that Pokémon outright worship them when we solve most of our problems on our own. Rescue Teams were a thing for years before Charmander and Squirtle pulled Raquaza's head out of its ass. Didn't Team ACT do more stuff than those two ever did? Sure, the human did the missions. But ACT actually organized and carried on the Rescue Team Federation after Lucario retired."
Caleb was speechless. How dare she disrespect what the Principal had done with his partner in the past! Taylor gave up his family, friends, and entire life, deciding to travel as a Pokémon and save a world he had no connection to. Who cared that they weren't as caught up in bureaucracy as team ACT, they were out actually saving Pokémon in dungeons and other disasters.
"You know what, screw it. I'm not arguing with you over this today. It should be hot enough to finish the last few pieces. I'm going back to my job. Just make sure I get that battle," Monfero said, reducing her tail fire to a manageable level.
Caleb stood dumbstruck for a moment before grabbing the last few rods to straighten. They were already cooling and getting even stiffer. A few minutes later, he had the full armload of box irons straightened and ready for thread repair. He placed the stacks by the lathe, which was manned by an Ice-type Darmanitan.
"We need the threads fixed on these before we put them back on the cart," Monferno said.
He grunted in acknowledgement as he continued to inspect the spinning metal he was currently working on, some kind of metal shaft.
Without any other assignments for the day, Caleb decided to walk back to the Academy. He and Alex would be able to start planning their trip to Uxie's cave, now that they'd graduated. Caleb tried to think about how much Poké they had saved up as part of the apprenticeship. It wasn't much, enough for a meal at one of the restaurants in town once a week, but not enough for major traveling supplies and rations. What if... Caleb thought. They'd probably have to do a few jobs and missions to be able to go. They'd be able to start taking jobs tomorrow, so it would be good to see what was available and what they paid.
The size of the room awed Caleb. Three walls, all covered with posters and listings. Caleb stayed away from the Outlaw board; there wouldn't be anyone at his skill level, and Alex probably wouldn't want to do one anyway. The opposite board was classified for all kinds of work; calls for caravan escorts, craftsmen to build a house, cleanup of waste (Poison Pokémon highly recommended) to even psychic communication lines that Alex might be able to contribute to. There wasn't a lot of pay in those jobs, but they were steady, simple, and plentiful.
The last board was what excited Caleb— the rescue requests. Dozens of Pokémon who were reported lost from family and friends, or the occasional contingency plan of a daring solo explorer who put a listing of where they would be, and if they didn't return to report their success, they were put up for rescue.
Every single one of these papers represented a person in real trouble. That's what Rescue Teams, Exploration Teams, Helping Adventurous Pokémon Prosper Institute, and dozens of other organizations sought to help. The missions were graded in difficulty and distance, so Caleb looked at the simple missions, the ones that could be done in a day or less and posed the least risk for a new team out on their own. Would any of the rest of the Pidgey cohort come? Baltoy and Fomantis wouldn't, they had their own careers they were interested in. Maybe Murkrow would come if it were a search and rescue mission; his bird's eye view could spot a lost Pokémon a long way off.
Caleb imagined himself finding a lost Pokémon, scared from the dungeon as he guided and protected them with Alex. Who would wait for them back at the Academy?
But there were only a few jobs for close areas that matched their skill level. Caleb took note of them, then had dinner, waiting for Alex to come back.
He didn't show up at dinner. Caleb sat as he ate slower and slower, until he had an empty plate and still no partner. Caleb felt for the headache that now signaled Alex's presence, but he was alone.
He slowly went back to the room to find Alex laying on his bed with his eyes closed. It was now almost too small for his larger body. Maybe he'd get a new one, or would they have to pay for that as well?
"Alex! I was looking for you!" Caleb said, rushing to his side and giving him a hug. Caleb noticed that he didn't feel the pressure from Alex's psychic power.
"Oh! Hi Caleb! Sorry, I had to stay late at Drake's Emporium. Principal Blastoise gave me a note for Altaria that said I had to have a focus item, and they gave me this," Alex held up a wooden spoon. "They said it's supposed to bring my power into one spot instead of it leaking everywhere. But I don't know if it's actually making anyone feel better."
"I can't feel anything! It was a bit tough earlier, but I don't have a headache anymore! It's great!"
"Oh, that's good." Alex gave a small smile. "But I think we need to plan what we're going to do next. I need to meet Uxie to learn what I'm supposed to do."
"I know. I think we need to do some jobs and save Poké before we go meet Uxie," Caleb said. "I don't think we have enough supplies to make it all the way there. Isn't the Cave of Knowledge a week away?"
Alex blinked. "I thought I was going to have to convince you we'd have to stay. I need to practice my evolution before we go anywhere. I went up to Psychic Gothitelle earlier to practice with my evolution, and I broke the room. Again. She asked me to levitate a book just above the floor, and I rammed it into the ceiling and broke the light crystal." Alex fiddled with his spoon. "But yeah, I noticed that we probably need supplies before we leave." Alex closed his eyes, reviewing the memory he had of the place.
"I think it's about a week away if we're fast. But we have to hire or rent a ferry across the ocean too. I don't think I can teleport that far, and I've never taken you with me in a teleport."
"So what do we need?"
Alex took out a sheet of paper and a charcoal stick.
"I need to be able to control my powers. I caught myself almost teleporting back to base when I thought about food while working on an orb. It feels like my power is always trying to escape. The focus helps it from affecting others, but it also makes any leaks much more concentrated." Alex made a note.
"That sounds like it'll take a few days, at least. Maybe we could do more dungeon missions so you can express that power," Caleb suggested. "I think we should make sure we have good items. Doesn't your place make enchanted stuff? What if you got another item that made you more durable? I know you can hit even harder than me, but you get injured more easily."
"I think that could work. I know there's clothing or amulets that you can get that can enhance certain aspects, but I don't know how they work. I'm still only doing orbs right now. I'll have to ask Zweilous. She knows a lot."
"Oh! Another thing. Caleb, I've seen you use a lot of attacks, but I don't think I've seen you use any elemental power. If Uxie wants to battle us, you should probably learn a move that's effective on Psychic types, oh and Ghosts too. I'm not sure what you can learn, but maybe one of the sergeants could help,"
"I thought about that too. It's hard for my species to learn anything outside of Normal or Fighting energy. I think it's possible, my mom could sometimes cover her fists in fire or electricity, but I never figured it out. It's a good thing I've never had to deal with Ghastly,"
Alex made another note. "That's at least a week's worth of work, just to learn moves. I don't know how much that might cost, or how much jobs pay. And it's still not counting what supplies we need."
"Before I had dinner, I was looking in the job room. Most dungeon jobs pay a few hundred Poké, but they're risky. Town jobs pay less, and a lot of them want you to do them for a few days or weeks, but you don't have to worry about paying for Escape Orbs and all the other stuff you need to take for a dungeon run," Caleb said.
"Well, we'll look at them in the morning. We've got a lot of freedom now. We could quit our apprenticeships, or we could start doing them all day. I think for now, we should just keep doing them at least in the afternoons, unless we find a really good job that takes all day. Or if there's nothing going on, we could do the apprenticeships instead. I'm starting to learn a lot about how things are built, and it's nice to be able to make something and know you did that, you know?" Caleb said
"Yeah. Zweilous has been really trying to push me into enchanting full-time. I think she just thinks I'm stronger than I actually am. She tried giving me a spoon carved from a gemstone before Altaria stopped her. It was supposed to be really powerful, but they can shatter or something."
Caleb froze as he remembered his promise from earlier. "Oh, Alex, I have some bad news too. Do you remember Monferno?"
Alex blinked. "Yes? What about her?"
"Well, she heard you evolved. And she wants to battle you."
"What? Why does she want to do that? Does she want to hurt me?" Alex cried.
"No! Not like that! It's a... tradition, kind of, that Pokémon get to battle others after they evolve. It's supposed to test their new strength and help them adjust to their new body. It's usually more of a game than a full battle, but I'm not sure that Monfero is going to hold back. But it should be easy for you! You have the type advantage!"
Caleb saw Alex tense up, his confidence from planning the trip gone.
"I don't want her to hurt me. I don't like any battle, but… I don't think she'll hold back like the sergeants do. It's going to hurt."
"I'll make sure you're alright," Caleb said. "No battles between Pokemon can get out of control, or you're kicked out of town. It will be okay."