Setting:
•Cherrygrove City, Johto•
•After 11 AM•
•Late February•
•Amber (Wolfe Alias) POV•
Chapter Nine
Old Names, New Masks
Chika and I made it to Cherrygrove City in a matter of time seeming how it was only just past eleven in the morning. As we approached the main signpost, I stopped to read what the city was about.
"The City of Cute, Fragrant Flowers, huh? Sure sounds like a nice place, right Chika?" I asked my companion as I stroked the leaf on the Pokémon's head, which immediately released a sweet fragrance.
"Ah, good morning, good morning lassie! Fine day, is it not?" The voice of an older man startled me, and I placed it to a kind looking elderly gent who stood about five feet behind me.
"Indeed, sir. It's sure is lovely weather today. Right Chika?" I asked the Pokémon on my shoulder. She rubbed her face against my cheek affectionately as she waved her leaf in the air in reply.
"That's a nice Chikorita you have there, lassie. Obviously looks like you two are rather close. I take it you are a pretty skilled trainer, no?" He inquired.
I knew I couldn't afford to blow my cover, even to an older person, so I casually responded. "Actually, I'm a new trainer. I just got Chika today from Professor Elm. Luckily we made friends right away, right pal?"
"Chikori!" Replied the happy Pokémon on my shoulder.
"Impressive, lassie! You certainly had this old timer fooled. So I take it you're new to Cherrygrove City as well?"
"Yes sir. I used my map feature on my pokegear to get here from New Bark Town. I'm on my way to Mr. Pokémon's house on Route 30. But before that, I was thinking of stopping by to let Chika play in the flowers. We could use some lunch, too. Truthfully, I forgot to pack a lunch, but I do have money at least." I grinned.
"Ah, you are resourceful for a beginner. But then again, I suppose that has to do with your age. I don't see many beginning trainers as old as you. But to answer your question, I do know of a few places to eat, and one of them is in the local flower gardens, so you can eat while your Chikorita sunbathes. Follow me," the older man kindly led the way.
I followed him as he led me past the Pokémon center and what appeared to be a small mall—though I'd seen much bigger in Celadon City back in Kanto. By then, I realized I started to hear the gentle slapping of waves against a shore, and I smelled a salty tinge mixed with a sweet fragrance in the air.
A nice-sized garden with picnic tables and many beautiful, sweet-smelling flowers then pulled me out of my previous reverie. In the center of the place was a pagoda-shaped building with a small line in front, which I realized to be a small restaurant.
I grinned at the man. "Thanks so much, sir! I really appreciate it!"
Chika jumped off my shoulder and rubbed her leaf against the man's pant leg in thanks before taking off for the flowers. She sniffed each and every flower as she went, pulled in by the natural beauty. Of course, I figured her being a Grass-type probably had something to do with that as well. I smiled, left the old man, and entered the lunch line.
After a short wait, I brought my lunch to a picnic table near Chika and dug in. My Pokémon was very contentedly sunbathing on a large rock, body splayed out and leaf standing lazily erect to soak up the sun's rays. I watched her eyes droop until eventually she closed them for what I guessed to be a nap. I let her sleep as I ate, and I took my sweet time since I for one wasn't in any rush, for once. It wasn't like me, the impatient Amber I always had been, to take my time, but the lovely scenery was just too nice to take for granted.
Once my meal was finished, I disposed of my trash and approached the comfortable Chika, who cracked open a red eye sleepily. "Hey, Chika. You hungry for anything? I guess you get most of your energy from photosynthesis, but I'm sure I can get you some food if you'd like," I smiled as I crouched near the small Pokémon.
I could tell she was contemplating what I said for a few seconds, but she then shook her head no, slowly got up, and stretched—very much cat-like. After she looked alert enough, I held out my arm and allowed her to jump back on my shoulder. "Ready to go?" I asked.
"Chika!" She replied jovially.
We hit the road again, and the GPS feature on my pokegear proved to be very helpful navigating the unfamiliar city. Before leaving the city, I decided to backtrack to the Pokémon center to see if I could find out what moves my new Pokémon knew just in case we'd get into a battle. If I had a Pokedex, I wouldn't have needed the detour, but alas, my Pokedex was also sadly destroyed in the schoolhouse fire—not like Professor Oak didn't download my data before I torched my house. Professor Oak was one of the very few people I could trust with my real identity, though I hadn't seen him since I made the change.
I entered the Pokémon center to find a boy sleeping on the sofa in the lobby with a Pokémon I recognized to be the fire starter, Cyndaquil, curled up in a ball on his chest. At least that sated my curiosity on who got Cyndaquil, since the boy looked to be just a beginner trainer, himself. He looked relatively young, though I actually expected much younger from a brand new trainer.
Usually trainers started at the age of ten, provided they completed their primary education and didn't want to pursue a higher education such as vocational school or even college. I knew that at least in Kanto, school systems were very advanced, getting us the highest amount required by the age of ten. Unfortunately, that usually left the slower students to repeat grades, but that was another matter entirely.
I took care not to wake the late sleeper as I approached the counter where Nurse Joy awaited with a rather happy looking Chansey. "Welcome to the Cherrygrove City Pokémon Center. How may I help you?" The nurse asked in her cheery voice.
"Um, hi. I'm a new trainer, and this Chikorita is my first Pokémon. I was wondering if maybe you could help me find out what moves she knows… I don't really know what I'm doing since I'm new to this," I acted embarrassed.
"Oh, it's okay. That machine over there," she pointed in the direction past the boy's sofa, "will help you find out everything you need to know about your Chikorita! And, if you have any questions at all, feel free to ask," she smiled.
"Oh, wow! Thank you so much!" I happily replied as I took off to the machine.
It was an interesting device I knew I'd never seen back in Kanto. It seemed to be a platform hooked up to a giant computer monitor, which appeared to be touch screen. I placed my little green Pokémon on the platform, and she looked up at me curiously. The screen, which was black with a pokeball symbol that bounced around changed to a dark blue as the word: "Loading…" was written on it.
To my awe, I saw a picture of a Chikorita pop up on the screen. I realized quickly afterward how the way the information was laid out was almost like a Pokedex, even though it wasn't portable.
"Thanks, Chika." I picked up my Pokémon and let her climb back on my right shoulder. "Now, let's learn more about you." I pressed the general information button, and one loading screen later, plenty of information popped up.
Species: Chikorita, Leaf Pokémon
Type: Grass
Ability: Overgrow
Number: 001, 152
Height: 2' 11"
Weight: 14.1 lbs.
Color: Green
Egg Group: Monster/Plant
I then pressed the continue button to read on to the next page.
Gender: Female
Level requirement for evolution notyet achieved.
Nature: Adamant, Somewhat Stubborn
Food Preference: Spicy
Dislikes: Sweet
I smirked. "So, you like spicy food just like me, huh? Guess we really are alike then. As for sweets, I can pass on them, but I don't mind them. I'll be sure to keep you away from any Pecha berries." I laughed quietly to my Pokémon on my shoulder before pressing the statistics button.
Stats:
Endurance: 3/5
Attack: 4/5
Defense: 5/5
Special Attack: 4/5
Special Defense: 5/5
Speed: 5/5
Moves Known:
Tackle: Power: 5/10 –Physical—Normal Type
The user charges in with a full-body tackle
Vine Whip 4/10 –Physical—Grass Type
Vines lash out at the opponent. May also be used for binding and carrying
Razor Leaf 7/10 –Physical—Grass Type
Multiple razor sharp leaves are fired at the opponent at once. Often is able to hit critical points
Aromatherapy 2/10 – Status – Grass Type
The user releases a relaxing aroma to heal injuries. In experienced users, it can either increase or cease the will to battle in an opponent
Note: Ratings of a move's power may change as a Pokémon grows stronger or even evolves. Check your moves often to view your progress!
I had to admit, my old Pokedex didn't show that detailed of information on moves. I was a bit envious that I was so behind the times. I then decided to check out Chika's actual Pokedex entry, since the machine seemed to have one.
Pokedex Information:
A sweet aroma gently wafts from the leaf on its head. It is docile and loves to soak up the sun's rays. Its pleasantly aromatic leaves have the ability to check the humidity and temperature.
Once done, I powered off the machine, and it went back to the screen saver. I then turned to my companion on my shoulder. "Well, that was pretty interesting. You're a higher than average level for a starter, but you're not able to evolve yet. You've got four moves already, though, and that's a huge start. Vine Whip and Aromatherapy, huh? I think those will come in handy."
I patted the Pokémon's leaf as I walked past the sofa with the boy and his Pokémon. Both seemed to stir slowly. By then, it was past twelve in the afternoon.
I really grew to love my pokegear's map since it was rather easy to find my way out of the city and into Route 30 in the north. Before long, I reached Mr. Pokémon's driveway, which really was a huge forest-like setting with a single clearing and gravel road in the center. Thirty minutes after going down the insanely long driveway, I was in front of the house. It actually looked more like a cozy brick cottage, and I got the feeling that maybe Mr. Pokémon lived there alone. I knocked on the wooden door politely as I waited for someone to answer.
From inside, I heard the shuffling of feet, and a few moments later, the door opened a crack. Peering out from the crack I saw a wiry man with thick-rimmed glasses that seemed to have made a red impression on his large nose. He was about my height, though I bet if his posture had been better, he'd have been much taller than me.
He wore a white lab coat with a black shirt underneath and some beige dress pants. In his hand was a thick book, which I figured was some sort of research. Seeming how he was just staring at me, I started: "Hello, are you Mr. Pokémon?" I patted Chika's leaf, which released a pleasant fragrance.
"Yes, I am. How may I help you, young lady?" He replied in a warm voice.
"Professor Elm sent me to deliver your discovery to him," I smiled in reply.
"Ah, so you are the new trainer Elm said he'd be sending. Come in! Come in! Have a seat and make yourself comfortable," he ushered me inside and closed the door quietly behind me.
The inside of the cottage's main room was stuffed with lab equipment and books that laid haphazardly everywhere. I made out a small dining room to my right, which held a few chairs and a small coffee table. One of the chairs, a really comfortable looking recliner, seemed to be occupied, though the person wasn't facing me so I couldn't tell.
Once inside, he carefully examined Chika. "Ah, I see. So you chose that wily Chikorita of Elm's. About time someone took the poor dear. She looks to have bonded with you rather fondly too. I see potential there, young lady."
"Oh, by the way I have another guest, so I suppose we might as well get all of the introductions out of the way. Oak! We have a visitor!" He called to the figure in the chair.
A chill ran down my spine at the mention of his name. Was it really possible he was talking about the same Oak I knew? The Professor Oak? I already knew I wouldn't have to worry about Professor Oak blowing my cover, but I never expected I'd meet him here in Johto.
I didn't want Mr. Pokémon to suspect anything, so I knew I'd have to definitely put on my best poker face. I felt myself stiffen as the man I knew for most of my life stood up from the chair and casually strode his way into our room. Of course, it was entirely too likely Professor Oak wouldn't recognize me at all. After all, he didn't know what my new identity looked like. Then again, just like his grandson, Blue, Professor Oak was very good at determining who a person was just by their voice alone.
"Ah, now, let me introduce myself. I am Mr. Pokémon. I love exploring new things about this world. And here is my colleague, the one and only Professor Oak. I'm certain you've heard of him before. After all, he is perhaps the greatest Pokémon researcher of all time! He is also the inventor of a handy Pokémon encyclopedia known as the Pokedex. Though, I'm certain he can tell you more about that than myself." Mr. Pokémon smiled.
"So, young lady, what happens to be your name?" Mr. Pokémon then asked.
I tried my best not to furrow my brow nervously as I replied. "I'm Wolfe, and here on my shoulder is my companion, Chika. Nice to meet you both."
I formally shook both of their hands, and not to my surprise, Professor Oak raised his eyebrow at me without Mr. Pokémon noticing.
"Ah, now that we have the introductions out of the way, how about we all sit down for some tea?" Mr. Pokémon asked.
"Sure," I replied.
He then ushered Professor Oak and myself into the dining room and motioned for me to sit in a large chair across from the one the professor returned to. To my annoyance, my feet barely touched the floor since the chair was too large for me. Chika jumped off my shoulder and onto my lap with a content sigh.
"Now, I'll go put the tea on and get that thing I want you to deliver to Professor Elm. I'll be back in a few minutes; feel free to socialize," Mr. Pokémon grinned before heading out of the room and out of eyeshot.
Before I could even have a chance to speak, Professor Oak started. "I had a feeling you wouldn't last long without being a trainer." He seemed amused.
"Eheheh. You know me well, Professor," I said as I nervously rubbed my back with my left arm.
"I admire your tenacity, Amber—err, Wolfe—but I must remind you that you are endangering yourself as well as that Chikorita by doing this," he scolded gently.
"I know, Professor. I know. I've given it plenty of thought. I've got a cover story, and Chika is already strong. I've absolute confidence in us as a team. And, I'm doing well to keep my identity a secret. I promise I'm not quite as rash as I used to be," I grinned.
Professor Oak knew how impulsive and reckless I used to be as a trainer. At least I learned some self-control from my training in The Ops.
Professor Oak sighed. "Alright, well, if that's how it is, here. Take this," he handed me a blue device that folded in on itself into a compact square.
I eyed it intrigued. "It's the newest version of the Pokedex. It's the new portable version of the ones implemented in Pokémon Centers throughout Johto. I used the information from your last one to help create this with trainers in mind. So, do me a favor and fill it out. All you need to do is scan any Pokémon that you haven't encountered before. Be careful since the portable version is still just a prototype. I've only one more produced at this moment since I'm still checking for bugs." He grinned.
I grinned as well. "Thanks, Professor! You know you can count on me. Oh, speaking of Pokémon, how are the guys I left with you doing? I miss them…"
I left some of my old Pokémon with Professor Oak for safekeeping, though it was only a few of them since I really did split up the team to keep them safe.
"Ah, I suppose I can update you on your Pokémon. Your shiny Lapras, Speckle, is doing well. She's been keeping order for me with the other water Pokémon. As for that Aerodactyl of yours, he's been behaving for the most part, though he does tend to fight Blue's Pidgeot from time to time." He shook his head with a chuckle.
"Your Nidoking broke my fence the other day, but luckily I got it repaired before any Pokémon escaped." He continued before pausing, likely taking inventory of everyone I left with him.
"Let's see… Your Ninetales actually has a keen interest in helping me file paperwork. My lab's much tidier with her around. Your Flareon seems lonely; I think she misses you. Your Vaporeon is still as agile as ever, and he constantly makes me believe he ran away with that Acid Armor of his."
"Hmm… Your Persian sleeps at my feet every night. Your father took your Rapidash, and I'm guessing he's being kept at the Viridian police station. And your Marowak and your Wigglytuff like taking care of the younger Pokémon around the ranch, so they greatly help with the workload. Let's see, is that it?" He asked.
"Yeah, that's everyone I left with you," I smiled.
Some of my old team: Speckle, Aero, King, Tails, Neelix, Cerulean, Persia, Gallop, Kaiser, and Melody. Man, I missed those guys.
Speckle I had saved from Team Rocket. Aero was resurrected from an old amber fragment I had gotten somehow; he was one of the first members of my team. King was my first obtained Pokémon thanks to Team Rocket, if you want to consider Charry ran away. Tails was a gift from Bill, given to me as a Vulpix. Neelix was one of the Eevee I rescued from Team Rocket, as was Cerulean. Persia was a stray that took a liking to following me. Gallop had been with me ever since I was a child. Kaiser was an orphaned Cubone, whose mother was killed by Team Rocket while protecting him in Lavender Town. And Melody, she was given to me by none other than Silver, himself, years before I really even knew him. She was my ace battler who I could always count on to put foes to sleep. And there I was, not even able to see any of them. That stung a bit.
"Oh yes. I also have one of your Pokémon with me right now. I borrowed him from your father for the trip into Johto," Professor Oak fished around for a pokeball at his side.
"You do?! Which one?!" I demanded enthusiastically.
Professor Oak pulled out the pokeball, and I recognized the face inside immediately. It was none other than one of my furry best friends, my Arcanine, Repede. The dog inside looked at me in surprise. He knew what I looked like, even though I had to give him up to Dad. Repede finally was qualified as a police dog, but he worked only for my father who used him mainly for transportation.
"Repede!" I grinned at the dog, who wagged his tail inside the ball. "Man, I'd give anything to have my guy with me here in Johto. But I know he's doing his part in this, and I heard he's doing really well," I said to Professor Oak.
"I'm so proud of you, boy," I replied to the Pokémon inside of the ball. "Please, Professor, make sure my boy is taken care of. He's the fastest Pokémon transport on four legs, and he's gotten me out of so many tricky situations; he deserves to be treated the very best."
"No worries, Wolfe. Your Arcanine is safe in both your father's hands and mine. Oh, and I've heard about that Charizard of yours through the grapevine. It seems she's still in the Charicific Valley to the northwest of Violet City. I heard she's made quite a reputation amongst the wild Charizard there. I know you'd like to visit her, but remember that if she sees you, your entire cover will be blown," the Professor warned.
He knew as well as I did that most of my Fire Pokémon—especially Charry—had the habit of knocking me over and licking my face. Only my Fire Pokémon did that.
I knew that if Charry were to find me in Johto, she'd no doubt do the same as always. Of course, she'd also kidnap me and bring me to the valley herself, no doubt. She'd want to show me her newfound strength from training with some of the toughest wild Charizard around. It was an honor for a domestic Charizard to live in the valley, seeming how most domestic Charizard, although fierce, were nowhere near as strong as their wild cousins. Charry, I knew, was the exception since she did live in the wild thanks to my lack of skill as a brand new trainer years ago.
Regretfully, I replied, "I know Professor. I wouldn't want Charry to get hurt, and if my cover's blown, there's a chance she'd be targeted since she's my main battler. Besides, I'm starting fresh, and even though we just met today, Chika and I are already friends. Isn't that right?" I asked my Pokémon, who had jumped off my lap to inspect the room during my conversation.
"Chikori!" She replied as she returned to my side and jumped back into my lap. She patted my leg in a friendly fashion with her large deep green leaf.
"I must say, that Chikorita certainly looks healthy. You two really have hit it off rather well, too." Professor Oak smiled.
"Yep. She's so much like Charry when I first got her all those years ago. Only this time, I know how to handle this type of strong-willed personality," I laughed.
Professor Oak chuckled. "Ah, I'll never forget that day when you set off with that stubborn Charmander. I remember I had to recall her for you and fix the latch on the ball since she refused to go home with you. I was almost certain you'd give up being a trainer. Good thing I didn't bet on that one."
"Indeed," I grinned. "Chika really is strong already, though. I stopped by a Pokémon center and used that new Pokedex machine to check her out. She's already got four learned moves."
"Oh? Most starters only know two," he pointed out.
"Well, Chika knows Tackle, Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, and Aromatherapy," I said proudly.
"Interesting. That means she has egg moves. Aromatherapy in particular is usually a high-level move for the Chikorita line. And Vine Whip usually can't be learned through level up at all for a Chikorita, either. I wonder if your Pokémon's egg moves have anything to do with Mr. Pokémon's latest discovery. Ah, I hear him coming back right now," Professor Oak stated.
The two of us quieted up as Mr. Pokémon entered the room with two cups of steaming tea, one for me and another for Professor Oak. He left the room again and quickly returned with a bowl of Cheri berries for Chika, who naturally loved the spicy flavor. He reentered the room one more time with his own cup of tea in one hand and a strange object in his other arm.
"This," he referred to the oblong object before placing his tea on the table and taking a chair, "is my latest discovery. It was actually given to me by some people I know who run a Pokémon Day Care near Goldenrod City. They've found Pokémon eggs before at the Day Care, but never any quite like this. The trainer didn't want it, so they handed it to me to pass along to Professor Elm. We believe it might belong to a Pokémon that has never been encountered before—maybe it's a long-lost baby form of a Pokémon we thought to be just a basic stage. Hopefully Professor Elm will be able to clear everything up. When it comes to the study of a Pokémon's life cycle, Professor Elm is the greatest. Even Professor Oak acknowledges that."
"Indeed. I find that egg to be quite baffling. I'm more into field research than lab research anyway, thus why I keep a large ranch of trainers' Pokémon. I'm sure my colleague, Professor Elm, will be able to find something out about that egg," replied Professor Oak with confidence.
Mr. Pokémon handed me the egg, which I looked over. Chika sniffed it as well, as if expecting it to react. It looked cute, in a way. It was snow-white with random red and blue triangular patterns scattered across the hard shell.
After I placed the egg carefully into the largest compartment of my backpack—on top of my clothes—the three of us enjoyed our tea and participated in small talk until about three in the afternoon. I really enjoyed learning about Professor Oak's research; I used to listen to his lectures all the time when preparing for my Indigo League debut. But I realized I needed to hit the road if I wanted to give Professor Elm that egg.
And so, Professor Oak and Mr. Pokémon bid me and Chika farewell and good luck as we headed for the door. Professor Oak also told me to stop by Goldenrod where he'd be soon hosting a radio program known as "Professor Oak's Pokémon Talk." I agreed it'd be nice, and I turned the knob of the door that led outside. We were still on track to make it back to New Bark before nightfall.