Chapter 14 - A Day Off
Paradisal Town
"So we need to find an appraiser?"
Ewan frowned, glancing around the town's commercial district, while trying to stay apace with his partner. Despite Steel's insistence that the pair got to sleep in that morning, the Treecko had other ideas. 'It's better to get our work done early so we can relax the rest of the day.' Which was a cute sentiment, except the Mudkip couldn't stop yawning because he barely got enough sleep after their big mission.
"Steel mentioned there was one somewhere in town," Ozzy responded back, the Treecko furrowing his brow, glancing at the various buildings for any signs pointing them in the right direction. "It can't be that tough to find."
"It's been thirty minutes," The Mudkip pointed out. If he were human, he'd be crossing his arms right now, so he had to make due with a simple arched brow and a judging look. "Can't we just ask someone for directions?"
"But it might be another of Steel's tests. We have to figure this out on our own!" Ozzy replied, determined.
Oh. It's one of those moments.
Ewan shook his head, walking up alongside the Treecko as they continued to push through the morning crowd. "Ozzy, your desire for adventure is cute and all, but don't you think Steel would rather just get results? If we can't work with the people of Pepromina to get things done, are we really a Destiny Team?" It wasn't the most mind-blowing logic in the world, something even a baby could follow, but the realization in Ozzy's yellow eyes was enough to alleviate Ewan's stress. 'Job done!'
"You're right," Ozzy admitted, immediately shifting gears as he sidled up to a nearby pair of Ursurang women who were having a nice smoothie at a nearby stand. Ewan couldn't hear much of the conversation, but the warm laughter from his partner and the beaming smiles on the faces of the bears told the whole story.
The grass type was really settling into the role of the people person, a stark contrast from the water type's more introspective focus. Ewan could still hear Steel's feedback from the day before echoing in his mind - To learn how to fight, and to trust his natural instincts. It was weird to think he might actually be a gifted fighter, and he could tell he didn't want to squander that potential.
Maybe he should give Titan a visit later, get some training in.
"Thanks again!" Ozzy called back to the gals, sliding next to the Mudkip with a grin. "We just need to head down the street, take the first right and look for the bright blue door. There's a Kecleon that runs an appraisal store for all kinds of odd junk. Apparently he's our best bet."
"Look at you," Ewan smirked, giving his friend a small nudge. "Skilled at getting info and popular with the ladies. I think we've got a charmer on our hands."
"And yet I'm choosing to spend my time with my bestest partner in the whole wide world," Ozzy teased back as they began to walk. "If people like me, that makes it easier to do my job. But I'm not really looking for any of... that," He gestures back to the two Ursurangs, a small shudder running down his spine. "I've got a career to think about."
"Something tells me you'd be breaking new ground in the human world," Ewan drawls. There's not a lot he remembers thanks to the amnesia, but some pieces of knowledge feel inherent, and a guy who can make the ladies swoon? Yeah, he'd be popular for sure. "Oh, turn right here?"
"Yup, and I can already see the blue door over there," Ozzy points out, a finger pointed towards a rather faded blue lacquered door just a few buildings down. "Kecleon's Wonder Trove," He reads off of a rather crude looking wooden sign above the entryway.
"It's uh... Not exactly the most professional looking business from the outside," Ewan remarks, the Mudkip padding over to the door. It had definitely seen better days, worn by weather and a few claw marks. "You sure this is the right place?"
He didn't notice the Treecko rolling his eyes behind him, Ozzy stepping up to the door without a word to push it open. The creaking sound that followed seemed to echo through the building as the pair stepped inside, finding themselves in a rather cramped entryway. Enchanted flames, similar to the ones at the Guild, lined the walls in regular intervals, though the light was far dimmer by comparison.
Glancing around, they found rows and rows of desks and tables filled with various knicknacks of all different shapes and sizes. A ton of shimmering gemstones in one corner, some light blue orbs piled in another corner. Seeds of all different shapes and sizes, and that's not taking into account the various treasure chests lining the back of the shop. And there, sitting behind a small countertop, was a bright green Kecleon.
His beady eyes were examining a rather round sphere, a polishing cloth in one hand as he deftly cleaned up the artifact.
"Oh, you must be Kecleon," Ozzy began, the pair winding their way past the displays towards the shopkeeper. "This really is a nice plac-"
Ozzy's words were silenced as the lizard deftly held up a hand to stop him, one of the Kecleon's eyes shifting to look at the pair. "No small talk," He interrupted with a surprisingly deep voice. It had an aura of command to it, one that stopped the pair from their musings in their tracks. "Just tell me what you want."
"R-Right," Ozzy mumbled, fiddling with his pouch until he found what he was looking for. "We found this during a mission recently and we need to get it appraised." Pulling out the gemstone they'd found the day before, he gingerly placed it on the desk of the appraiser, making sure to brush off any of the dust that was on it.
The Kecleon carefully placed the artifact he was working on to the side, leaning down to take a closer look at the gem offered into his possession. "Doesn't look particularly remarkable..." He glanced back up at the pair. "Where'd you find it?"
"In the horde of an outlaw thief at the Bejeweled Basin," Ozzy replied. "It was likely stolen from someone, so anything you can tell us about it could lead to us finding the owner."
The shopkeeper gently picks up the gem, glancing around at the smooth edges, peering deep into the crystal's surface, before placing it back on the table. "It looks like a regular old gem to me, I think you kids got duped."
"Young adult," Ozzy corrects rather tersely. "There's really nothing you can see out of the ordinary?"
The Kecleon shakes his head. "I'm a businessman, I'm not into scamming people with false information."
Ewan could feel the disappointment welling up between the pair of them. Ozzy was hoping the gem would be some sort of clue, some type of marker from which to begin a new adventure. And the Mudkip was just disappointed that they got up so early in the morning to find out their lead was a complete dead end. Surely this couldn't be it...
"Wait!" Ewan exclaimed, snapping out of his thoughts. "I have an idea!"
"Oho, the Mudkip speaks," The Kecleon drawled, peering down at the water type.
Ozzy's eyes shined with recognition. "R-Right! The whole reason we brought the gem in the first place." He turned back to the Kecleon, the determination back in his eyes. "When we found it, Ewan & I both held the gem for a short time, and we could feel an energy inside it."
"An energy?" The Kecleon drummed his claws against the wooden desk, looking between the pair then back to the gem.
"Y-Yes, if you'll allow me to hold it for a second-" Ewan didn't wait for a response, hopping his front paws onto the desk so he could touch the gem. And the moment he made contact, the clear crystal began to take on that familiar seaweed green texture.
The Kecleon didn't waste any time, "Hold that paw there!" He leaned in, practically pressing his iris against every part of the gem's shape, watching as the green hue began to thrum and vibrate with every second. "This is fascinating... Truly remarkable..."
"Do you know what it is?" Ozzy excitedly asked, eyes shining with curiosity.
The Kecleon continued to poke and prod the gem, pulling away after a few moments to look at the pair. "Nope, no clue."
"S-Seriously?" Ewan stammered, taking his paw off of the gem so he could rest from the stretching. "That's... A bit of an anti-climax."
"What do you expect when you bring something into my store that I've never seen before?" The Kecleon ruminated, gesturing around to his horde of wares. And looking around at everything he owned, he was correct - Not a single seaweed green gem in sight. "But I can give you some advice."
"We'll take whatever you can give," Ozzy replied, picking up the gem to put it back in his pouch, and naturally the gem continued to radiate energy in his hand.
"That gem is a precious artifact. One that has seemingly bonded with the energy you two possess. I don't believe in coincidences, but something tells me you should hold onto it for now, perhaps even see if anyone else you know has a similar reaction." The Kecleon brought a paw to his chin in thought, rubbing it softly. "Whoever lost this gem is likely going to try and find it given it's properties, so something tells me you'll run into the owner at some point."
"It's not like the gem is a secret or anything," Ewan muttered. "Maybe it wouldn't hurt to let more people hold it, see who has a reaction."
The Treecko nodded. "It almost feels like we're chosen or something! How exciting!"
"I'll put my feelers out with my merchant network. Us Kecleons get around Pepromena - If there's any information to be dug up on this mysterious gem, we'll find it." As he said that, he flicked a small coin between his fingers. "This appraisal is free since I couldn't give you a definitive answer on what the gem was, but any info I get on it will come at a cost."
"...Right, money," Ozzy groaned, the wallet in his pouch already feeling lighter at the thought.
"You really forgot in the excitement, huh," Ewan teased back.
"I just like adventure, okay?" Ozzy huffed. "So how much for the info?"
Kecleon shrugged. "Depends on the value. We price information differently depending on it's rarity and how much it took to get it. But given this is about something I've never heard of, it'll be at least ten-thousand Poke."
"T-Ten thousand?!" Ozzy choked up. "We can't afford that!"
"You're one of Steel's lot, right?" The Kecleon grinned, his eyes glinting with a manipulative gaze. "Bet he sent you here to find answers. He can pay, or make you work off the debt. And I get a nice cushion of savings for my next purchases."
"Somehow I'm not shocked in the slightest," Ewan drawled, turning to his partner. "I guess we tell Steel about all this and see what he says?"
"...Fine..." Ozzy grumbled, folding his arms. "I guess you'll be in touch if you get that info?"
"I'll send a letter of summons to the Guild," The Kecleon responded. "Pleasure doing business with you two."
Paradisal Guild
By the time they returned to the Guild, new knowledge in hand, the sun had already risen high into the sky. Various recruits and Destiny Teams were heading out for their respective missions, leaving the building pretty quiet. A handful of Pokemon were planning in the main hall, and there was always someone using the Mess Hall for lunch. Ewan couldn't help but longingly glance at the cavern leading to the dojo, but that could wait. They had to go inform their leader of their discoveries.
This was the first time they'd ever stepped onto the third floor of the Guild. From what Ewan could recall, this floor had Steel's office, as well as the Guild's library. The layout of the floor was identical to the lower floor, with a square railing stretching around the room so nobody could fall to the first floor. A door to their left led directly into the library if the smell of musty old books was to be believed.
On the opposite side of the floor, a large ornate door with steel trimmings stood. A bit on the nose for Steel's office, but if you've got a name like that, you may as well lean into the theming.
Then to the east, another door, smaller in size. As they walked past it, Ozzy gave it a small nudge only to find it locked. "Huh... No sign either?"
"Wonder where it goes?" Ewan pondered.
"Steel never mentioned it during the tour, I wouldn't worry about it..."
"You're already thinking about what's behind there, aren't you?" Ewan smirked.
"...Shut it." Ozzy plodded on, though the faint blush on his face at the teasing had the Mudkip satisfied he'd hit the nail on the head.
Working their way around to Steel's office, Ozzy was the first to notice a sign next to the door. "One knock for clients, two knocks for recruits, three knocks for emergencies."
"Whatever system works for them, I guess?" Ewan shrugged, the Mudkip plodding over to the door, only to realize he couldn't really knock. "This is really inconvenient."
Ozzy sauntered past him, leaning against the door before knocking against it with the back of his palm twice. What the Treecko wasn't expecting was for the door to almost immediately open inwards, causing the new recruit to lose his balance and stumble backwards onto the floor. "Ow, ow, ow, ow..."
"C'mon Captain Cool," Ewan jeered, stepping over the corpse of his partner, Ozzy rubbing his back as he used his tail to spring back up. Though as Ewan entered the room, he couldn't help but let out an impressed whistle. "Damn, this room is nice."
Steel's office had all the usual makings of a good workspace. Shelves lined the western wall, filled to the brim with various tomes, trinkets and other various amenities. On the eastern wall, a few practice dummies were set up, each sheared with various cuts and slices, while the northern wall faced a rather large open window. It looked out over the courtyard below, and had a perfect view of the land around the Guild.
In the corner, there was also a running waterfall that drained into a small rock pool, which itself drained into the lower levels. A free wash basin and drinking pool, Steel certainly had it made.
Said Bisharp was currently pouring over a host of papers on his desk and... "Are you wearing glasses?" Ewan remarked. A small pair of reading glasses were fitted just beneath the large axe on his head. The Mudkip wasn't going to question how they stuck there, Pokemon were already magical creatures as is. But seeing their leader doing his actual job, sifting through documents was a far cry from what they'd seen the day before.
"They're a great help for spotting some of the smaller scrawlings from our clients," Steel remarked warmly. "You'll have to do this at some point as part of your training, you know." With that, the Bisharp shuffled a few papers to the side, gesturing for the pair to take a seat in front of his desk. "Now then, how did the appraisal go?"
"We went to see Kecleon..." Ozzy explained, before launching into an explanation about their discoveries. The way the gem glowed with the pair of them holding it, the advice the Kecleon had given them, and finally the information he promised to look into. "...So he wants ten-thousand poke up front minimum."
To the Guild Leader's credit, Steel didn't seem phased in the slightest by the number. In fact, if anything there was a sense of familiarity to the request. "I'm guessing this isn't the first time he's extorted the guild for money?" Ewan drawled.
"You would be correct," Steel acknowledged. "Kecleon is a rather valued business partner. He is able to source incredibly rare and valuable items for the Guild's use. And yet he always tries to break the bank doing so." Folding his arms, he looked between the pair of expectant recruits. "I'll be honest with the pair of you. It's a high ask. Especially seeing as you're new recruits and I cannot guarantee that this information will prove valuable to the Guild itself."
Ozzy nodded in agreement. "We wouldn't want you to give us a special privilege like that. I think Aura would actually have us taken out back and executed if you paid 10,000 poke just for us..."
"How long would it take us to save that much money doing missions for clients?" Ewan asked, a curious glint in his eye. "Kecleon did mention that we could always work off a debt if needed."
"That won't be necessary," Steel responded quickly. "The Guild takes a cut of all earnings to help keep the wheels running, so to speak. Fully fledged Destiny Teams get eighty percent of the total reward, while recruits get a sixty percent cut. Though that's just how the Paradisal Guild works. The other major guilds in the other regions are... A lot stricter, shall we say."
"Sixty percent doesn't sound too bad," Ewan muttered. "We have to train here for a few months, right? We could save up the money."
"That actually reminds me, we didn't get paid yesterday for the outlaw mission," Ozzy chirped up. "How much was the bounty on that Seviper?"
Steel, as if expecting the question, tossed them a rather large bag of gold. It jingled as it settled in Ozzy's lap, and as he got to counting, Steel explained, "The bounty was a hard one-thousand poke, as the fiend had been terrorizing the area for quite some time. Outlaw bounties tend to increase the longer they're left to their own devices."
"But wouldn't that just incentivise Destiny Teams to let outlaws commit crimes? So the payout ends up being larger?" Ewan pointed out with a frown. "That feels a little... Backwards, doesn't it?"
"You catch on quick," The Bisharp smirked. "The Tempori Region where we are now is under the jurisdiction of my Guild. So I ensure that Outlaws are taken care of as soon as possible by giving them higher bounties. If nobody takes the job within a week of it's posting, I'll either personally take on the mission myself, or I'll send a high-ranked team to handle it on my request."
"Is that why you took us on the outlaw mission yesterday?" The Mudkip asked curiously. "His time was already up and you saw the opportunity?"
"Partly," Steel shrugged, the Bisharp running a claw along his desk. "In actuality, I was curious about you two. Ewan, your honesty is rather refreshing in a line of work where everyone wants to kiss up to you for a promotion."
At this, Ozzy finally finishes counting the poke, eyes shining with gold as he goes, "S-Six hundred? That's a lot of money."
"It seems like it, until you begin procuring and sourcing your own items to take into dungeons. Be sure to collect anything you can from Mystery Dungeons, as they can often be used for trading and selling." Steel glances over at the Treecko with a mirthful look. "As for Ozzy, while your determination to follow your dreams is tantamount, I'm also curious about your clan." Those words definitely caught the grass-type off guard, Ozzy freezing in place.
"His clan?" Ewan asked. "Wait... Didn't Charlie mention something like that a few nights ago?"
"They're quite well known," Steel explained, the Treecko shrinking into his seat awkwardly. "They live in a settlement near the Green Thorn Jungle to the west, though we rarely see any of them in the outer world. Aside from Ozzy, I'd say the only one I recall is-"
"Look, I get it," Ozzy interrupted suddenly. "I understand why you'd be curious. But I need time." The Treecko stood up from the chair, glancing back at the Bisharp with a conflicted gaze. "...I left the jungle a few weeks ago, I didn't leave on the best of terms and I just... I'd like to be Ozzy the Treecko for a little while. Not Ozzy, potential heir to the family fortune."
"So I was right," Steel muttered. "You're Dryleaf's son then."
Ozzy nodded. "Can I go now?"
"Of course," Steel responded. "I have work to attend to, and this really isn't the time or the place to discuss your past." He then glanced over to Ewan. "Titan's been eager to train you, if you're interested in heading down to the dojo." Then back to Ozzy. "As for you, the library here is a perfect spot to relax and lose yourself in the pages." He begins to move the papers he was reading back to the center of his desk, glancing up at the pair before making hand motions to shoo them out of the door.
"G-Got it," Ewan stammered, awkwardly following the Treecko out, the door closing shut behind them.
And the silence is palpable. So many questions racing through the Mudkip's mind, especially knowing that Ozzy was actually someone important. What else could he be hiding? If he couldn't find out about his own past, he may as well delve into his partner's.
"Ewan, I know you have questions-" Ozzy started.
"A family fortune?" Ewan interrupted. "A potential heir? Are you like... famous or something?"
"...It's complicated," Ozzy frowned.
"Ozzy, this is stuff I think I have the right to know," Ewan countered. "Plus you've been so kind to me already. If this is weighing on you, just vent to me. Let me in, no judgement, get it all off your chest." The offer was made, whether the grass-type would take the deal remained to be seen.
The Treecko took a few steps to the left, resting against the railing that overlooked the lower levels of the guild. Below, the comings and goings of various Pokemon could be seen, and he gave a large sigh as he rested there.
"Ozzy?"
"...Tonight, before bed," He announced. "The hot spring, I'll tell you everything then. Just give me the afternoon to figure some things out."
"O-Of course," Ewan stammered with a nod. "Take all the time you need!"
The Treecko glanced back over at his partner, a tired smile playing across his face. For a moment, Ozzy's charming bravado faded, revealing a very exhausted looking guy underneath. "I'll see you later then. I'm gonna hit the library."
"Oh... okay, yeah!" Ewan nodded. "Then I'll head down to the dojo and I'll catch you when I'm done!"
It wasn't a perfect conversation, but Ozzy was communicating. And that's all the Mudkip could ask in a situation like this. He watched as his friend walked around towards the library door, slipping between it's cracks and letting it close behind him, which left Ewan completely alone for the first time in a while.
"I guess I should head for the dojo then," He thought aloud, allowing his paws to lead the way. It was nice to have a little bit of silence to think. And there was a lot to unpack. They had a special magic gem, they had to save up ten-thousand poke to afford the potential info, Ozzy's past went deeper than he thought, and there was still the matter of those dreams he was having.
He hadn't had the chance to mention them to Ozzy yet. But if the Treecko was being honest with him, he owed it to his partner to do the same back.
Why he was in this world? He really wasn't sure, but the Guild, Ozzy... They were giving him a direction, somewhere to focus on. And he wasn't going to waste that chance.
The dojo was surprisingly sparse when Ewan finally found himself emerging from the cavernous path to reach it. Only a small handful of Pokemon were training, though he didn't recognize any of them of the top of his fin. Titan was nowhere to be seen, but he imagined if he waited around enough, the Carracosta would show up. Instead, he hobbled over to a small bench near the side of the room and let his eyes wander.
There was an Electabuzz practicing his thunder punch against a straw dummy, sweat pouring down his brow as he tried to hit harder and harder. Further along, a Braviery was scratching his claws against the nearby cavern wall. Whether that was a healthy way to train, he wasn't sure. But it worked. Then his eyes noticed a white figure in the corner, someone he actually recognized.
The Alolan Vulpix that had been at the dining hall the night before - She'd seemed particularly shy, but with the way she was training you'd never have thought. She held an ice shard between her teeth, and was combining it with a series of quick attacks to absolutely shred a straw dummy to pieces. For someone so timid, her technique was shockingly accurate. Her attacks hit vital points on the dummy with precision, and immediately he was intrigued.
Deciding to pay her a visit, he walked on over as she let the ice shard melt into the air, watching as she sat down on her hind legs to rest for a moment, before announcing, "Those were some serious skills."
"Ah!" She hopped back up, as if she'd received the fright of her life. Her bright blue eyes shimmered with alarm, until she saw exactly who he was. Some of the fear left her expression, though she still kept her distance, as if anything might spook her.
"S-Sorry," Ewan stuttered. "I didn't mean to scare you, I just saw you were training and I-" He paused, exhaling a breath he didn't know he was holding before giving her a warm smile. "I'm Ewan. I joined the guild recently." He had to hold back the urge to hold out his paw for a handshake, not wanting to seem even weirder to her than he already was.
"...Jenny," She mumbled, looking away awkwardly as she said it. "...I'm a recruit just like you."
"Who's your partner?" He asked. "Is is the Turtwig? You were hanging with him yesterday."
She nods, taking a tentative step towards him, though her voice remained quiet as a whisper. "H-He's my soulmate."
"S-Soulmate?" Ewan stammered in surprise. "Isn't that a bit extreme?"
"He saved my life..." Jenny whispers, ignoring his outburst. "He's a real gentleman..."
"But like, Soulmates? So you're bonded for life?" Ewan asked, trying to understand.
Jenny's muzzle lit up with a blush, noticeable on the pure white fur. "N-Not really. We're just close friends... More like a brother..."
Ewan doesn't comment on how Soulmate and Brother have two very different connotations, but perhaps that's just something different about the Pokemon world. Either way, he wasn't going to question her given how close she seemed to running away at a moment's notice.
"I-Is the Treecko your Soulmate?" She suddenly asks.
Ewan blinks once. Twice. Did he hear her right? "Sorry, what?"
"I-Is your Partner your Soulmate?" She asks with a little more assertiveness.
"T-That's a loaded question-" Ewan stammers, cutting himself off before he can confuse the situation more. "I've known him for less than a week, I really don't think that's something either of us have thought about."
She gives him a very small smile, "You're blushing."
"O-Of course I am, you can't just ask that?!" He blurts back, looking away awkwardly, though the question is now in his mind. Ozzy's been good to him the past few days, and something told him he didn't have that many connections as a human. Or that human connections weren't as immediately close as those from Pokemon. "H-He's a really good guy, I guess."
"I think you work well together," She admits, though after a few moments of silence that unease begins to creep back into her posture. "S-Sorry, I need to go-"
"It's okay," Ewan interrupted with a smile. "It was nice talking to you."
She doesn't respond, but gives a small nod before scarpering off to the exit, Ewan watching as she went. She was definitely an odd one, but the way she handled herself in training, it was clear why she was a recruit. If she could get over her shyness, she'd be a tour de force.
"Well well well, look who came to train!" A boisterous voice announced, Ewan spinning around to see the familiar dark blue shelled Carracosta emerging from a nearby door in the back of the dojo. A place for the instructors to rest, no doubt. "I've been waitin' for you, squirt!"
"Titan! I was just looking for you," Ewan responded, bounding over to the large turtle with excitement. "I learned how to use Mud Slap but Steel says I need to learn more water-based attacks."
"But ya need some guidance, am I right?" Titan huffed with a grin. "Then let Papa Titan teach you young'uns how it's done!"
'Papa... Titan... What have I gotten myself into?'
"Let's focus on that target over there," He explains, gesturing to a rock with a painted on target that's rather far from them. "Yer water gun is a powerful ranged tool, so y'should be able to hit this no problem."
"So how do I actually use water gun?" Ewan asks expectantly, tail wagging from side to side in anticipation.
The Carracosta laughs. "Water types are special. We got a special organ inside us that generates water. Y'gotta focus on that point of your body and allow the water to fire out."
"But how am I supposed to do that if I don't know what I'm feeling for?" Ewan asks, confused.
Titan takes a moment to think, before pointing directly at his stomach. "This is where I focus on. Ya likely got yours in a similar spot, so focus on a spot around yer stomach."
He does as he's told, not wanting to bombard the turtle with questions. But it's hard to tell whether he's focusing on the right part of himself. The stomach was rather distracting too, as he realized he hadn't eaten lunch. And he was beginning to panic-
"Take a deep breath, son," Titan softly stated, placing a palm on Ewan's back. It was firm, but gentle, steadying the Mudkip for a moment. "Deep breaths, then focus again. This time, don't think of the organ, that don't work for you. I've been doin' this for a long time, so I can tell yer more of a thinker type."
Ewan barely registers the spiel he's on, listening to the advice and taking a few deep breaths until he can feel the anxiety beginning to calm down. "So what do I focus on?"
"Yer better at visualizin', so think about a ball of water inside you." Ewan begins to do just that. It starts with a mental picture, a moment in time, a simple drop of water. But gradually the drop of water begins to expand, becoming a small orb. Then large enough to see the waves lapping at the surface and the flowing of the water as it winds itself in a clockwise direction. It's just sitting there in the darkness. "Once ya see it, focus on one point and let the water there rise up..."
Ewan does as he's told, focusing on the tip top of the orb. For a moment, nothing happens, the Mudkip trying to keep the image up as best he can, until he begins to see a few small drops falling upwards. Like little drips of rain, until very faintly a cylinder of water begins to form. It's like the water is rising upwards, while the orb continues to swirl, and with every rotation the cylinder begins to grow in size. "Up and up... Rise on up and up, let it fill yer senses," Titan whispers, Ewan doing just that. He can visualize the water rising up through his body, a cold sensation forming from the pit of his stomach, until it begins to rise.
"And when it rises so much you can't hold it back, ya just gotta release it," Titan finishes, carefully rubbing the Mudkip's back to keep him calm and centered.
The water rises, hitting the very top of his mental image. It's all pooling on the ceiling, like an upside-down puddle. But the vortex connecting it to the orb below gets stronger, stronger, water rising from the very depths until he feels it against his throat. It can barely be contained, he doesn't know what to do, but instincts kick in, and with a trembling step forwards, he breathes in air through his nose, opens his mouth and using that extra air, exhales.
A torrent of water launches itself from his throat, the sheer force causing him to stumble backwards as he doesn't expect the strength. It fires across the dojo, slamming into the target before sliding upwards as Ewan trips onto his back. As he hits the ground, the impact causes the link to shatter and the water comes to an immediate stop, the excess drops showering him in a cool mist.
"Nicely done there, squirt," Titan applauded, the Carracosta looking mighty satisfied. "Bet ya weren't expectin' that kinda pressure, hmmm?"
"N-Not at all..." Ewan muttered, still in shock that the water had come from him.
"And a mighty fine force too. Yer a natural, kiddo."
"Young adult," Ewan corrected, a slight flush on his cheeks as he realized he'd picked up the habit from Ozzy. "C-Can I try again?"
"That's what the trainin' is for."
With the mental imagery in his mind, Ewan's second attempt goes a little better. He's able to stay on his feet, though the force pushes him back a little bit. His third attempt, he manages to stay in place, and the fourth attempt he actually strikes near the center of the target. It's like a dam was broken, the mental blockage sinking into the water of his abilities, and the level of excitement on his face was palpable.
People could just do this? It was insane, unlike anything he'd ever experienced.
He couldn't wait to show Ozzy!