Chapter 36; mr Pokemon
The sun rose steadily over the Johto region as Tails and Knuckles woke up still sleepy. Exiting the tent they found Sonic and raichu doing their morning routine of training, raichu perfecting its iron tail to use like a second nature, and Sonic standard workouts.
While Knuckles was prepping their stuff for departure, he asked Sonic to help cyndaquil train. Sonic agreed but informed Knuckles that it would be best if he found his own training program for his pokemon. Possibly it wouldn't involve waking up as early as Sonic and raichu –excluding chikorita as Sonic wanted to first build its bond with him before getting into hard training – but nonetheless, Knuckles and cyndaquil would have to find their own training method.
Tails in the meantime looked online to see if there were any coffee shops in cherrygrove. While browsing, he noticed Sonic do his morning laps to keep himself quick on his feet. He couldn't help but notice Sonic was somewhat faster than normal.
After team Sonic got back up, they continued on their way towards cherrygrove city. While on their way there, a strange pokemon cry was heard. What was clear about it however was that it was one of distress.
"Let's roll!" Sonic declared, racing alongside raichu towards the source of the cry. Tails and Knuckles followed.
The source of the cry was found and Sonic was struck by déjà vu. Just like the first time.
A team rocket grunt was trying to catch a small brown pokemon using a net. The grunt was almost successful until he heard steps behind him and turned.
"Gah! The hero of Kanto! Zubat use bite!"
A zubat emerged from the grunt's pokeball. Sonic merely snapped his fingers. Raichu moving in the blink of an eye, thunder punched zubat knocking it out. The grunt took a step back in fear and tried to run away.
"Chikorita vine whip!" Sonic shouted as he sent out his new pokemon.
Chikorita appeared and wrapped its vines around the grunt's legs causing him to trip and fall. Knuckles managed to reach the grunt and put him in a headlock immobilizing him. Sonic approached him, wearing his angriest and deadliest look –"too bad gazes can't be lethal sometimes" Sonic thought – while Tails went to check on the pokemon being attacked.
Sonic knelt to meet the grunt's eyes.
"P-please" the grunt begged "please don't hurt me".
"Like you weren't just trying to hurt and catch that pokemon just now?" Sonic responded menacingly.
"What do you want me to do Sonic?" Knuckles asked him. Sonic, his hatred for team rocket burning hot was itching to have Knuckles break the guy's legs as a warning for team rocket to stop but knew that if their war against team rocket went public just like in Kanto they would probably be prosecuted for physical damage and vigilantism. Plus they needed to show they were the good guys.
"You will go back to Archer empty handed. Yes I know who is leading you. You will tell him that the one you refer to as the hero of Kanto is coming for him and the rest of team rocket. And this time he's not alone. Let him know that team Sonic is coming for all of you. Am I clear?"
The grunt shook his head positively. Knuckles' eyes met Sonic's as he didn't want to let him go. Sonic however waved negatively and Knuckles relented letting him go. The grunt crawled in panic for a moment and then escaped as fast as he could yelling in fear.
"Tails the coast is clear. Is the pokemon ok?" Sonic asked behind his back.
"Firstly it's a sentret. The name of its species. Second it's only physically ok. It is a baby. It's too scared to be left alone".
Sonic recalled his Alakazam hearing this.
"Maybe if we found its mother? Or one of its species to care for it?"
Tails agreed and they started looking around to see if another sentret or its evolution furret was around. But nothing turned up. Returning to the main path team Sonic was now facing a dilemma.
"What do we do with the little guy?" Sonic asked his friends.
"We can't leave it alone. It won't survive without one of its kind" Tails insisted.
"I agree with Tails. But what do we do later on? I mean sure we can care for it now but what when we need to complete a team of 6? Furret is a normal type as I read online. And it's not that great as a battle partner. I'm all about caring for it but when the time comes to strike the rockets or if we take part in the league I'd prefer to have strong pokemon".
"Honestly both of you make valid points" Sonic also agreed "leaving it behind is not an option but it's not battle material".
Tails looked at the little helpless sentret.
"Give me a pokeball Sonic".
Sonic looked at Tails.
"You sure Tails?"
"We can't leave it. I'll care for it".
Sonic stared for a moment then gave Tails a pokeball from his backpack. A baby pokemon like this sentret would be a certain catch. Tails took it and touched sentret with the pokeball's middle button, causing it to be absorbed.
The pokeball shook thrice and beeped confirming the catch. Tails picked up the pokeball smiling. Sonic was happy with the outcome but couldn't help but think Tails had an ulterior motive for catching this sentret.
After the new addition to the team, Team Sonic went on and finally reached cherrygrove, finally getting their chance at a fresh cup of cold coffee. They strolled around town for a while to drink their coffee in peace, while bonding with the sentret, which bonded well with chikorita and cyndaquil. Raichu felt a bit of an outsider since the other pokemon were all so young and low leveled. Sonic petted it on the head.
"Don't worry buddy, our new friends will grow as we continue our journey and you won't feel that way then. But keep in mind I'm counting on you to be a big brother for them ok?"
Raichu let out a happy cry, agreeing.
After the coffee, team Sonic started making their way north. Tails calculated it would take at least 2 days to reach Violet city and even when they did, Knuckles would still need training. Sonic himself also wanted to train or maybe even catch another pokemon as he considered using the already battle hardened raichu against the gym leader not exactly a fair fight.
The team made their way up the complicated path to the north. Along the way they met several passing trainers or trainers who trained. A lot of them recognized Sonic as the hero of Kanto and asked to battle him. Knuckles ended up taking most of the challenges as he managed to gently goad his opponents into proving themselves first by beating him before taking crack at Sonic.
Sonic of course battled a bit as well, but only using chikorita. Again he didn't think using the already battle hardened raichu was fair for anyone. He made an exception when all of a sudden the trio along with the last opponent Sonic faced were jumped by a wild fearow. Raichu immediately jumped into action, sending the fearow away in terror with one thunder punch.
While following the path which was not as straightforward as the roads of Kanto, passing through the woods, by lakes and several parts of the path were uneven, forcing the team to look for other way around, Sonic noticed a strange thing about the path; it was becoming less and less distinct.
Opening his map he looked and verified they were still heading north, which confused him. Deciding to press on, the team entered deeper into the woods. Raichu took the lead fighting off powerful wild pokemon, while Sonic let chikorita walk behind it and asked raichu to let chikorita fight weak enough wild pokemon. Since a lot of them were bugs, Knuckles also took the chance to practice the rapid fire ember strategy.
After about another hour of traversing through the woods, the team had become exhausted and hungry. Their patience was growing thin with each step they took. Sonic again opened his map. He closed it again wondering what had gone wrong. Until he noticed a small detail.
"Tails which way is north?" Sonic asked not taking his eyes off the map.
Tails looked at the compass.
"That way" he said pointing towards a mountain.
Sonic cursed.
"Damnit. I knew it. We're lost".
"How do you know?" Knuckles asked "we're still heading north aren't we?"
"Yeah. But we strayed off the path to the east. That" he said pointing towards the mountain "is mount Tensei. Running through it is a cave the map names as the dark cave. Our path was meant to pass by its west entrance and then head a bit west to reach violet city. But" he said punching a tree "the mountain was to be on our right hand as we moved north at all times. And if we look north it's right in front of us".
"Damn you're right" Knuckles admitted taking a look at the map himself "where did we go wrong?"
"Hold on. Couldn't we then use mount Tensei as a landmark? You know to go west and find the path again?" Tails suggested.
"Of course we can" Sonic said "hopefully it won't take us too much to reach the path. I'm starving".
"You're not the only one" Knuckles countered "I could eat bark right now".
"Then let's not waste time" Tails got them to focus as he turned so that his gaze was to the west.
While walking trying to find the path Tails remembered something.
"Hey Sonic how did you know who the one leading the remaining rockets is? You said his name earlier when we interrogated that guy".
"From the message Mewtwo showed us. Ariana is one of the admins of team rocket. If that Archer sent her and the receiver of the message Mewtwo intercepted commands that means these 3 have to be the 3 admins of the team and he assumed control after Giovanni went in exile" Sonic explained.
"I honestly think we should have broken something in his body. Like who would believe them and how would they even prove we did it?" Knuckles inquired.
"We have to try to be the good guys Knuckles. As much as possible. It's not like our actions are exactly legal. I still don't know how I wasn't arrested after the damage we did to silph co".
Knuckles looked down. Sonic had a point but for those monsters to go as far as to harm baby pokemon. He assumed Sonic went through a similar phase with his Alakazam when it was an abra.
After about 20 minutes of walking the trees started thinning out until they found themselves outside a small cabin. To their delight the cabin was next to the path. As the team went to enter the path again, they turned right and run into an old man in an old style suit, a bowtie, a hat and a cane. He looked at them in surprise.
"What are you thugs doing on my lawn?"
"Y-your lawn?" Tails muttered.
"Forgive our trespassing sir, we got lost in the woods" Sonic apologized.
The man looked at Sonic top to bottom and then noticed raichu.
"My, my. Wait a minute. You're not Sonic the hedgehog, the hero of Kanto are you?"
Sonic began wondering how far his reputation had reached.
"I am indeed sir. And you are?"
"Oh what a pleasant surprise. My name is mr Pokemon. Forgive my earlier thug statement. Samuel has assured me you are an example of a trainer".
"Samuel?"
"Oh you know him as professor Oak".
"You know professor oak?"
"Why yes he is a very good friend of mine. He told me all about your achievements during the duration of the kanto conference tournament season. And your legendary final round. Legendary birds Moltres and Zapdos clashing? This is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle".
"Thanks sir".
"And what brings you to the Johto region? Aiming to conquer a second tournament?"
"It's little complicated but our participation is part of the plan".
"Our?"
"I'll be entering the tournament alongside Sonic" Knuckles declared.
"I see. I shall warn you the gym challenge of Johto will be is considered harder compared to its Kanto counterpart. You and young Sonic will have your work cut out for you".
"We'll be ok sir".
"Why don't you join me inside my house? I have many questions for you and if my hunch is correct you also have at least one question for me".
Sonic considered the proposal. Apart from the fact that they were starving and would probably get something to eat, he did wonder what mr Pokemon knew about team rocket's presence in Johto.
"What say you guys?"
"No prob" Tails shrugged.
"Same" Knuckles also agreed.
"Then we accept your offer mr Pokemon".
They followed the old man inside the house. Knuckles was immediately fascinated with Mr Pokemon's collection of knowledge about pokemon legends and myths including several manuscripts about legendary pokemon. One of them was the story of the legend of Moltres, including the verse of its chosen one. Sonic felt nostalgic reading it as he still missed his old team. He wished that they were there with him but knew it was for the best that they stayed with Mewtwo for the time being.
One of the manuscripts caught Sonic's attention. It was the original one unlike most of the manuscripts that mr Pokemon had translated from ancient languages. Mr Pokemon's translated text only had one phrase currently.
The myth of the jade orb.
"I wonder that that is" Sonic thought "maybe if we meet again and he has finished translating the text I could learn about this jade orb".
"I have to admit that is an amazing collection mr Pokemon" Tails admitted.
"This is beyond candyland for me" Knuckles said not taking his eyes off the translated manuscripts "some of this stuff even I didn't know about. Like wow".
"I appreciate the compliment. But if I may be allowed, I have questions for your friend Sonic".
"Ask away then sir" Sonic said letting Tails and Knuckles to continue reading through the manuscripts.
"I would like to ask you several questions about your encounter with the legendary Moltres, as well as your ordeal with the titans of the orange islands".
"Ok. What would you like to know?"
"Is it true that the Moltres you are said to be the master of, previously acknowledged you by granting you one of its feathers?"
"Yes it's true".
"So the legend of it is real and has been proven true through you. How marvelous. Also is it true that you battled it on the mouth of an active volcano?"
"That is also true".
"Simply marvelous. Battling it on its home territory and coming out on top? Not a lot of trainers can claim such an accomplishment".
"I'm aware of that sir. Mind if I ask you a question of my own?"'
"One last question. Is it true that the legend of the orange islands has come to pass during the last festival there?"
"Yes. Lugia appeared".
"Oh how marvelous. If only I could witness that beast for myself. But it is very hard to come by. Not a lot people have seen it".
"Is it true one resides on the small complex of islands known as Whirl islands? Right off the coast of Cianwood city?" Knuckles asked momentarily taking his eyes off the manuscript he was reading.
"It is only a rumor but there have been sightings of Lugia in the vicinity of Cianwood and Olivine City. Though Lugia has been sighted many times across Johto. Therefore it's not for certain whirl islands is its home".
"I wonder if that Lugia and the Lugia Sonic fought alongside at the orange islands know each other" Tails asked rhetorically.
"Excuse me. Fought alongside?"
"Yes. Me, my raichu and my Moltres fought alongside Lugia against the titan birds. At least during the first half of the conflict. The other half of it was me, Moltres and raichu against them. We were the bait for lugia to take the chosen one to the Shamouti shrine to fulfil the treasure collecting tradition".
"The legendary lugia joined you in battle? And you fought all 3 of the titans at once?"
"Yeah. Almost perished doing so. The chosen one, Ash is his name, managed to complete the trio of treasures and Lugia calmed the titans down before they finished me off".
Mr Pokemon was at a loss for words.
"Taking on one of those legendary pokemon is hard enough as it is, taking on all 3 and living to tell the tale? You really are a tough and unique trainer Sonic. You two are lucky to be travelling with him".
Tails and Knuckles didn't know what to answer. Sonic spared them the need to answer.
"That's all very nice mr Pokemon but I really need to ask you a question of my own".
"Forgive me, I get carried away. Ask me anything".
"Is there any rumor around of the presence of team rocket here in Johto? Any sightings?"
"Team rocket? Didn't you force them to disband?"
"I did but I found out lately they are planning to regroup here and possibly start their team all over again. Me and my friends are here to stop them".
Mr pokemon was again at a loss for words.
"I…I can't believe it… I'm sorry my boy but I have not heard anything. But I know someone who might know something".
"Really? Who?"
"His name is looker. Detective looker. He is the leader of the search team for the boss of team rocket. His team's headquarters are in Ecutreak city. You are doing the gym challenge are you not?"
"We are" Knuckles verified.
"Excellent. Your path will lead you there eventually. You will have the chance to meet him somehow".
"More than perfect" Knuckles said rubbing his hands "I can't wait to get a chance to visit the city museum and the burned tower".
After the end of their conversation, team Sonic bid mr Pokemon goodbye and proceeded a little further, having forgotten their hunger. They kept going until nighttime came and their hunger returned even mightier than before. After making camp, Knuckles prepared dinner for everyone. While eating Tails posed a question.
"How do you guys think we should approach this detective looker once we are in ecutreak of course?"
"We won't" Sonic responded.
"What?" they both asked in unison.
"Why not?" Knuckles asked Sonic confused.
"This detective looker could be trouble. To him I'm the last person who saw Giovanni before he went into exile. Worse than that. I let him escape".
"You didn't let him escape. Moltres was too injured to pursue him".
"That's from my point of view Tails. As far as I'm concerned, he will probably be looking for an opportunity to question me. Currently I'm in the clear. But if looker finds out we're pursuing team rocket, he could arrest us. Or at least me. So meeting him is not an option. We will have to find team rocket ourselves".
Tails and Knuckles looked at each other. While detective looker's help would have been invaluable, Sonic made a valid point. Vigilantism wasn't exactly legal. Looker could have them in prison if he wanted to, Sonic especially for letting a mafia boss escape.
The trio spent the rest of the night mostly silent, going to bed each lost in their thoughts despite their exhaustion of the day's small adventure.
Meanwhile in Ecutreak City, in the police headquarters, an officer was heading towards the special ops room. Knocking on the door he was told to enter.
Approaching the detective and his assistant who were looking at a huge board of clues on Giovanni, the former turned to meet his eyes.
"Detective looker. A report just arrived. A report that you might find of the utmost importance".
Looker took the envelope the officer was holding. Opening it he saw nothing more than a picture. A picture of 3 individuals walking down the street in New bark town. The photo was from the previous day. And one of the 3 boys in the picture was undoubtably…
"The hero of Kanto" Looker whispered. He rubbed his chin.
"This should prove to be a most interesting turn of events".