Chapter 95; Voyage with a friend
"Alright Ralts! Confusion!"
Ralts fired confusion and knocked out the opponent's wurmple.
"Way to go!" Wally hugged his Ralts which shared the excitement of their victory through its empath ability.
After their victory, the two returned home for lunch. His mother had already set the table up and Wally's father and cousin Wanda were already there.
"Hey I'm back" Wally greeted them.
His father greeted him back normally, his cousin a bit coldly and his mother didn't reply at all.
Wally silently sighed and he and Ralts sat next to each other.
Just as Wally was about to start chewing the first bite, his mother looked at Ralts disapprovingly.
"Please put your pokemon back in its ball Wally".
"Ralts is hungry. It also needs to eat".
"Maybe but it has no place in the family table".
"How can you say that?" Wally asked her saddened.
"Just recall it Wally. It's no big deal" Wanda tried to convince her cousin.
"No big deal? Excluding it is no big deal?"
His mother then noticed Ralts was bruised as it had been battling and hadn't healed yet.
"Were you two out battling again?!"
"N-no. We were training" Wally lied.
But it made no difference.
"Why do you keep going behind our backs like this?! What did we do to you?"
"I was just training it's no big deal".
"Need I remind you what happened a few days ago? During training?" Wanda bluntly reminded him of his asthma attack.
"It was one time".
"One time is all that is needed for something horrible to happen Wally!" his mother said at the point of tears.
"But that will always be the case! When will I be able to do something I like?!"
"Just give it a couple more years Wally" his father tried to appease everyone "let your body grow and…"
"And what?! That's all you always say! Let my body grow out of asthma! What if it can't?"
"Wally we're your family. We're responsible for your well-being".
"What about my mental well-being? Or Ralts'? My emotions affect its emotions".
His father looked away for a moment.
"You're right. Ralts is too empathetic and it will get hurt unnecessarily. Maybe it's best to take it back to the fields and let it go".
"Let it go?!" Wally exclaimed "are you serious?"
"You said it yourself Wally. Its mental well-being also matters".
Wally wanted to explode but didn't have the heart to yell at his parents anymore.
"You know what? I'm not hungry. Come on Ralts".
"Wally come back let's talk about this" his father tried sounding reasoning.
"Wally it's for your own good" his mother begged but he didn't listen.
Wally went up to his room and took out his hidden pokenav. He couldn't face them right now.
"Hey. What's up?" he texted.
A reply came shortly after.
"Hey. Won first badge. Setting out for Dewford right now. By the way do you know someone named Mr Briney?"
"Yes I do" Wally texted "he lives by the sea in a wooden shack. Can't miss it".
"Thanks. How are things on your end?"
Wally contemplated a bit before replying.
"My parents suggested I release Ralts because of what happened when we trained together".
A few seconds passed in silence. He read his own message again, allowing it to sink in.
"That's horrible. Like what the heck? They bottle you up to keep you safe?"
"I didn't mind back when I was little. But it's choking me. Worse than asthma ever could".
Sonic took a while to reply.
"Well… since I am gonna be in the neighborhood, want to meet where we trained? Catch up a bit before I leave for Dewford?"
Wally's eyes gleamed in excitement but he got an even better idea.
"Don't know if I can make it. Sorry".
"Oh rip. Ok. I promise I'll keep in touch".
"Thanks. Though I have a feeling we will meet again sooner than you think".
"Lol ok. Talk soon" Sonic typed and headed to the beach.
The wide open space and golden sand brought him peace after his clash with Shadow. It was rejuvenating.
And just as Wally had said, there it was. A small wooden shack by the sea.
Sonic walked up to the door and immediately a white flying pokemon came out of nowhere and started pecking him.
"Hey quit it!" he tried to scare it away but it came on harder.
Raichu came out of its pokeball and attempted to thunder punch the pokemon only for it to fly away.
It landed on the shoulder of a tanned stocky old man.
"Mr Briney I presume?" Sonic asked as Raichu returned to his side.
The old man nodded.
"I was wondering when our paths would cross young Sonic the hedgehog".
Sonic sighed. He couldn't not be recognized.
"Go on bring it in. Treat me like a hero like everyone else I meet does" he said in an almost annoyed tone.
"You are a hero alright. But you are no saint" Briney replied with that cheeky smile on his face, catching Sonic off guard.
"Ok that was unexpected" the hedgehog admitted.
Briney laughed out loud.
"I love a good joke. As does Peeko".
"Who?"
The pokemon on Briney's shoulder cried out.
"Peeko. My trusty wingull partner".
"Oh I see" Sonic nodded.
"So I assume you came to me for a trip to Dewford island?"
"How did you… ?"
"Mr Stone and I are acquaintances. His son Steven usually commutes to and from Dewford island in my boat. He absolutely loves visiting the Granite cave near Dewford town".
Sonic didn't really know what to reply as everything was pretty much said.
"Well… when are we leaving?"
"As soon as my boat is ready. And I expect you also lend a hand in preparing it".
"Oh. Sure".
The two walked a little further away and saw a beautiful and breathtaking ship, shaped like a Wingull, docked just over the edge of the beach, so it wasn't visible from Mr Briney's cabin.
"Woah" Sonic, Raichu and Torchic were awestruck.
"A beauty isn't she? Built at the Stern shipyards as a personal favor by my good friend, captain Stern".
"This is really impressive. And it's shaped like Peeko".
Mr Briney pet Peeko.
"Little gal here has been a very caring partner in my retirement years. Or what should have normally be my retirement years. Anyway I returned from Dewford only this morning so it needs fuel. Help me fill her up and we're good to go".
Sonic nodded and the two got to work.
Mr Briney headed over to the fuel tank on the side of the ship. Sonic climbed aboard and was instructed to hand him fuel containers from the storage room which was a trapdoor on the same side of the ship.
As Sonic got to work, carrying the huge containers to hand them to me Briney, having to rely partially on his bond with Raichu to increase his strength, Raichu, Torchic and Wingull socialized. Wingull even offered Torchic some some of its treats.
"So uuuh… Mr Briney?"
"Yes?"
"Apart from Mr Stone letting you know… you seemed a little too calm meeting me. As in you were expecting me to show up regardless. Or to at least run into me".
"That's because I was. You see the reason I returned from Dewford this morning was because I transported a group there yesterday. A group that seems to know you".
Sonic could only think of one group.
"Let me guess. A group led by a kid named Ash".
"Correct".
Sonic was a bit ashamed to be asking Mr Briney for transportation to Dewford but was also quite puzzled.
"Then… you must know… what Ash thinks of me".
"Why yes I do. And his friend Brock shares the sentiment to an extent. The other two kids… I'd say they're on the fence about it".
As Sonic handed him the last container, he looked over the edge.
"But then why are you nice to me? You must know what I did to Ash".
"I do".
Sonic was perplexed.
The trapdoor suddenly slammed shut behind him, causing him to jump.
"Oh don't worry about it. It tends to close sometimes. And to think I used to complain it wouldn't before I oiled the hinges" Briney laughed out loud "alright then. Anchors aweigh! Peeko we're setting sail my darling!"
Wingull cried out in excitement.
A few minutes later, the ship had reversed out of the bay and was heading south.
Sonic took in the endless sea at the right of the boat and the land of Hoenn moving at the left. It was very soothing.
Raichu and Torchic also marvelled at the sights and also at Wingull flying besides the boat without a caring in the world.
"So how long have you been a sailor?" Sonic asked, wanting to break the ice before asking Briney more about how he knew Ash and more importantly, why he was expecting to meet Sonic.
"From a very young age lad. I was an avid sailor ever since I can remember. My father was also a sailor and I got my love of the sea from him. Together and later after his eventual passing, I travelled the seven seas. I was sometimes tempted to settled down somewhere with a woman but my love for the sea was just stronger".
Sonic contemplated such a life. It did sound adventurous to travel all the time, being a free bird. He had never thought if that could be a life for him with everything he had in Green Hills.
The continuing rumbling of Mr Briney brought him out of his what if daydreaming.
"After thinking my time to retire had come, I thought I would grow depressed from not sailing anymore until I met Peeko. She increased my liveliness tenfold and I decided when my time comes, it will be where I love. The endless beautiful sea. So I had this boat built and I make any kind of living I can. Usually it's either fishing or transporting people from Dewford to Rustboro and vice versa, which is why I met your rival, Ash".
Sonic, even though waiting for this chance, allowed guilt to distort his expression.
"I'd say I am more his enemy than his rival now".
"Kid's hurt but kind. I don't think he truly hates you".
"After what I did? Unlikely".
Briney went to reply until he noticed the fuel storage trapdoor slightly moved.
"I think we got a stowaway".
"Stowaway?" Sonic jumped up as Raichu instinctively rushed to his side.
The two walked to the trapdoor. Sonic grabbed the handle and pulled it open.
Inside layed…
"Wally?!"
"Surprise!" Wally smiled and climbed out.
Sonic was too shocked to speak.
"How long have you been hiding in there?"
"Snuck in while you were fueling the boat".
Mr Briney could have easily gotten angry at this but instead burst out laughing.
"Ahahaha! You're a sneaky little one young lad. So the trapdoor closed because you closed it".
"It did" Wally scratched his head as Ralts crawled out of the storage and approached the other pokemon, overjoyed to see them.
"What were you doing in there?" Sonic asked Wally.
"Joining you of course".
"Joining me?!"
"Yes. I couldn't stay home any longer with them after what dad suggested about releasing Ralts. Packed everything I could need in case of emergency".
"But… what about your parents? Won't they be worried?"
"They will. But it's ok. They will get over it" Wally brushed it off.
Sonic still had his reservations about Wally joining him.
In any case Briney welcomed Wally abroad as long as Sonic was ok with it which he was.
As Briney stayed at the steering wheel for a while, just to enjoy the moment as the ship had an autopilot setting, Wally started excitedly suggesting all the fun things they could do on their journey.
"We could try fishing for some water pokemon. Or explore the Granite cave. Some really fascinating lore is said to be hidden in there. Or maybe go watch a pokemon contest. And training too. There's so much room for growth for me and Ralts. All the stuff we could learn from you and Raichu and your other pokemon…"
It was only then that he noticed Sonic wasn't replying as he was still processing having Wally along.
"Oh sorry. I just realized I was improper. I should have asked if I could join you. I didn't think it through, I was just eager to leave home. I'm so sorry".
"It's no problem Wally relax. It's just… aren't you rushing things a little?"
"Not at all. That's how you started your journey isn't it? You were given the option and you just did".
"I did but… it's not exactly the same. My parents encouraged me to do it because I was going through a rough patch and believed it would be the best for me. Yours are not exactly in agreement".
"They will never be. If it was up to them I promise you they would bottle me up literally. You know, shut me in one of those bubbles things for sick people".
"I don't know. Maybe I'm just being a bit sentimental but it just feels like you are doing this to punish them".
"Sonic, they would feel like this even if I was to move out as an adult. I'm telling you, you haven't seen anything of them yet. Let's just forget about them ok? Let's look ahead. The world is ours to discover. I want to see everything and experience everything with Ralts. And if I can learn from you along the way it will be all the better".
Sonic couldn't help but be infected by Wally's contagious hype. The kid was clearly having this desire in its purest form. All he sought was freedom.
"Alright. Guess we should discuss what we do when we get to Dewford. After a small errand I have to get out of the way at least".
"What errand?"
"I'll explain later" Sonic said as Briney joined them.
"So how long have you been friends with Sonic?"
"I'm actually his biggest fan!" Wally proudly declared. Sonic felt a mix of gratefulness and shame at this.
"Maybe not introduce yourself like that mate" Sonic told Wally "you're Wally. Not an unnamed fan".
Briney was impressed by Sonic's decision to try and push Wally to start growing into his own person so that he wouldn't just be know as Sonic's biggest fan.
"Well I think you have a very good role model going for you young lad. You couldn't have asked for a better mentor in battling. If you seek something fun to do in Dewford town, I strongly suggest visiting the local fishing club. They're great fellas and it's always good to have a water pokemon for your team".
Sonic couldn't help but agree. With half the map being water and his Kanto and Johto teams out of reach, he would need to get a water type to surf on if need be. A gyarados wouldn't be a bad catch but training it from a Magikarp would be a pain to deal with.
"Maybe I can get a red gyarados with some luck" he thought, still somewhat bitter Lance had beaten him to it back then.
"We will! Thank you Mr Briney".
The three continued talking as the ship sailed itself, getting closer to Dewford town every minute.
Towards the end of the trip, Mr Briney informed Sonic that since he had to take the package to captain Stern and would need Briney's help to cross the sea and get to Slateport which was a lot further away compared to the distance they had just crossed, he would return every two days and to meet him at the pier of Dewford town so he could collect them when they were ready to go.
As Wally saw the lines of Dewford island appear faintly in the horizon he exclaimed excitedly, Ralts joining him in it.
"You know it's very likely you will run into your rival on the island" Briney spoke to Sonic seriously.
Sonic sighed.
"I know. And a confrontation with him won't be pleasant".
"You'd rather avoid him?"
"I mean… what good will running into him do? All we will do is clash. When we met in Rustboro he kept jabbing me about my actions. I feel horrible already, I don't need him twisting the dagger more".
Briney looked down, lost in deep thought.
"Have you talked about this with someone?"
"Everyone. My friends, my family…"
Briney shook his head.
"You are blessed with good friends and a loving family young Sonic. I don't have a family of my own but I have friends all over the world thanks to my travels. And I can tell you this. Your friends are a great support… but not the one you need".
"Not the one I need?"
"I noticed how you felt uncomfortable during our talk with Wally. The kid idolizes you and you feel like an imposter".
"I might be. I don't know who I am anymore after everything. I thought what I did was because it was the right thing but now…"
"Now you don't know if you should believe your friends who value you and want the best for you and so they may only be seeing the best in you, while the person you've wronged and his group of close friends sees only the worst in you" Briney surmised.
Sonic was amazed at how accurate Briney was. He nodded.
"So who do I listen to?"
"Your situation is unique so take what I say with a grain of salt. But my advice? Neither side".
"What?"
"Don't get me wrong. Your friends are there for you and you're lucky to have them. But they can't tell you who you truly are because they may be sidelining the worst of you. Maybe they don't and I'm wrong but from my experience, you will never be sure about yourself in this case".
"So what am I to do?"
"Befriend someone new. Someone who won't be biased when it comes to you, positively or negatively. A truly neutral individual will see the whole you, the real you. And if they end up becoming your friend, you will know to trust their opinion on you".
Sonic looked at Wally and knew the answer already.
Wally wasn't that person. He was as biased as one could get.
Soon after this discussion, the S. S. Wingull docked in Dewford town.
"Ahoy! We hit land in Dewford!" Mr Briney announced.
Sonic and Wally disembarked and thanked Mr Briney for the lift. It was a very enjoyable voyage.
Mr Briney wished them luck on their adventures on the island and reminded them about the exact hours of day he would come by to take them to Slateport if they were ready.
He and Sonic also exchanged a look which from Mr Briney's side was encouraging to follow his advice.
Following that Sonic and Wally set out to head to town and explore, and more importantly get something to eat. Their pokemon were starving.