Simon let Shadow wander for a bit, following the Pokémon as he moved through some high grass. After the grass was a field filled with groups of large leaved plants that looked vaguely familiar. And after the field was another section of grass. The changes in scenery were lost on Shadow as the Pokémon had his head to the ground and appeared to be following a scent. Simon brushed stray leaves from the bottom of his pants leg. "What are you doing, bud?" the trainer asked. They cleared the grass and still Shadow was focused on something.
At least he's easier to track. Simon thought. The reversal in color and change in stature post-evolution was nice.
At the sound of his trainer's voice Shadow looked up and gave an anxious whine. They were getting closer to whatever it was.
Good Simon thought. Shadow broke into a slow run.
"Hey!" and Simon followed.
Past some more grass and towards the edge of a man-made dirt barrier Shadow skidded to a halt. They'd reached an area of trees. Forepaws raking against bark, Shadow attempted to climb the nearest one.
More trees. Crossing his fingers against Pidgeys Simon looked up. The tree was full of branches all of which had healthy leaves. There was nothing but green to see. Light green, some dark green, and lots of leaves in between.
"I don't see anything here. Calm down, you're making a mess." Simon backed up a few steps and detached a Pokéball from his bandolier. "Let's try something."
Shadow's whining ceased and he moved toward the arriving Pokémon.
"
Drow?" Drowzee yawned as he emerged. The Pokémon looked around. "
Zee?"
"Good morning," Simon knelt down to talk to the sleepy Pokémon, "Could you Headbutt that tree please? Shadow move out of the way."
"
Yen!" Seeing his teammate Shadow happily obliged. "
Migh. Te. Mi."
"
Zee..." Drowzee gave another yawn but did turn to look at the tree Shadow had scratched up.
Simon and Shadow cleared a path for the psychic Pokémon. "
ZEE!" the Pokémon dashed forward, its form actually blurring to Simon's eyes just before the headbutt struck. There was the sound of angry flapping.
Please don't be Pidgeys. Or Spearow. Simon silently pleaded. Beedrill would be bad as well.
Be something small Simon decided. The lowest branches began to shake. Then two rocks fell to the ground.
At least, that's what it looked like to Simon. Dark green, the same color as the leaves, the two large objects were unmoving. They also seemed to be hovering a few inches above the ground.
"What is that?" the trainer wondered out loud. He moved forward to get a better look closely followed by Shadow.
They looked sort of like a pine cone. If a pine cone had undergone massive doses of radiation and somehow mutated to giant-size. Simon leaned closer. Suddenly the closest pine cone's eyes snapped open.
"Pine!"
Uh-oh Those eyes were
not friendly. Simon scrambled backwards. He retrieved his Pokédex as he moved and pointed the device at the leftmost Pokémon. "Shadow, Drowzee?" the trainer called. The Pokémon answered from a short distance away. The second pine cone began to open its eyes just as the Pokédex beeped.
No. 204 Pineco
Bagworm Pokémon
HT 2' 00"
WT 15.9 lbs.
It looks just like a pinecone. Its shell protects it from bird Pokémon that peck it by mistake.
"PINE!" The first angry Pineco dropped to the ground and began hopping towards Simon.
Woah!
"Shadow use tackle on the angry one. Drowzee, use Confusion on the one behind." Simon ordered. The trainer continued to walk backwards.
The Pokémon gave their affirmative cries. Shadow dashed forward quickly. He launched into the air and then lunged towards his target. Drowzee remained closer to the trainer but was equally as focused on his own attack.
"
Piiiine. Co." Drowzee's target began to spin in place as the Confusion attack took effect. Simon himself became a little confused as he watched the Pokémon raise itself into the air while still spinning. He sidestepped a bit and caught a glimpse of something anchoring the Pokémon to the tree above.
Ah. Now things made more sense.
"Well done." Simon complimented Drowzee. He looked towards the Pineco that had been tackled. It had been moved several yards in the attack. Unfortunately the Pineco didn't have any visible damage. There was a strange fog or mist surrounding it. "Shadow try a bite attack." Simon called. The trainer glanced back at the confused Pineco. It was still spinning in place.
"
Might!" Sharp teeth latched onto the angry Pineco.
"Drowzee-" Simon turned but his words stalled when he saw the Pokémon was already starting an attack. "...use disable." Simon finished quietly. A dark glow, the signature of the Disable attack, started around Drowzee and was echoed around the Pineco. "
Pine!" Completely ignoring Shadow and the sharp teeth still embedded in its side the Pineco's eyes focused on Drowzee. "
Co..." Another glow began to form. But this glow wasn't dark. This glow was...blue. And it was getting brighter.
"Shadow move!" Simon called out. He hit the button on Drowzee's Pokéball and aimed while dropping to the ground.
*Piiiiiine* There was a bright flash, a roar, and then silence.
"Pah." Simon spat out bits of grass that had blown into his face. He slowly sat up, blinking several times to try and clear his vision. "Shadow?" he called.
"
Yen!" Shadow answered. Free of debris the Pokémon was a few feet away from some Pineco-sized drag marks. At the end of the drag marked trail was a crater.
Self-destruct Simon realized.
How unpleasant. The trainer picked up his pack and walked towards the battleground.
"
[small]co....[/small]" At the bottom of the crater a blackened Pineco was unconscious. "I guess that's one way to end a fight." Simon noted. "
Migh." Shadow seemed to agree. The Pokémon pawed at the ground, causing bits of dirt to drop onto the downed Pokémon.
"Yes, you win." Simon laughed quietly. The words sounded a bit odd, prompting Simon to place a hand over his ears. After effects of the explosion, he reasoned.
Where's the other one? Simon spun around.
"
Pi." The remaining Pokémon still looked a bit confused but not angry. It had a shimmering mist around it, the same kind its partner had earlier. Simon checked the Pokédex entry.
Protect. "I think you are smarter than your friend." Simon informed the Pineco.
"
Pine. Pi. Co. Pine." the Pineco answered.
"
Migh. Te. Yen. Mi." Shadow picked up the apparent conversation, adding comments of his own.
"
Pine.....pine" The Pineco looked up at the tree it had fallen from. Oddly Simon began to feel a bit guilty. "Sorry for disturbing you?" he offered. The trainer also didn't want another explosion to occur.
"
Pine...." The Pineco moved its body back and forth. Then it slowly began to move upwards. Simon watched until it disappeared into the leaves.
"
Might?" Now that the fight was over Shadow decided he was hungry. He pushed against Simon's pack and gave his trainer a pleading look. "No more snacks. You already had half of my sandwich." Simon told Shadow sternly.
"Yen..." Shadow's ears and tail drooped momentarily. "Migh?" Then something else caught his attention.
Another scent? Simon guessed. "We don't need any more explosions." he warned.
"
Yen." Shadow began moving along a nearby path at a deliberately slow pace. His head was up and his ears twitched every few seconds.
Not a scent, Simon decided,
but a sound. As they rounded a group of hedges a building came into view. Simon stopped to inspect the building while Shadow continued moving until he was on the front porch. Made of what looked like stone or brick the majority of the building was sort of a pinkish hue. Dark wood shutters matched the door and the roof was a vibrant red color. A bit like the Pokémon center. A simple mailbox was situated in front of the building. A large mailbox not unlike those in front of Simon's office building.
A business, maybe?
"Why did you-oh." As he walked up the steps Simon could hear the sound of an argument. He stepped back to take a closer look at the sign above the door.
Code:
Pokémon Day Care - 'Let us raise your Pokémon!'
A daycare center for Pokémon? He had heard of such a place but never actually seen one. It this spot seemed like an odd place for a daycare. Simon looked up the path and then turned to see the other direction. There was no one in sight. "It's kind of hidden." Simon noted. Ignoring his trainer Shadow pushed against the door. It opened it slightly. The muffled argument became became clear.
"We're sorry but the Pokémon you gave us did not get along." An elderly female voice was apologetic but firm.
"I don't care if they get along or not your
job is to make me an egg from what I give you. My buyer is already upset and let me tell you you do not want-" Simon shook his head. That voice had to belong to a man in a suit. That arrogance and tone would produce nothing less than a designer outfit and probably a phone or laptop. Expensive things, for showing off and looking like you were important. There was a list of standard phrases entry-level delivery boys were supposed to use when dealing with someone so pompous. They were the type most likely to file unwarranted complaints. The list had a lot of apologies and soothing assurances.
"We're sorry." Another voice joined in the conversation Simon was eavesdropping on. A male voice that sounded just as old as the woman's. "We can care for the Pokémon but they won't be providing any eggs." There was a slight pause. "No matter what we do."
"Oh really? Because I've got a nice negligence report here that I can just-"
Simon sighed and took a step back. He really had no place here. He had no authority. It wasn't like he could just...
"-and let me tell you, Vulferam Hart never takes no for an-."
Wait a minute. Simon quickly pulled his pack around and undid the top. Pushing past his latest purchases he withdrew the package he'd gotten from his office.
Code:
Vulferam Hart, Attorney at Law
c/o White Room Industries
Oh no. There was a non-too-gentle shove to the trainer's back. Simon found himself falling forward against the door, stumbling into the lobby, and instantly attracting the attention of the occupants. The trainer glanced backwards to see Shadow just behind him.
"As I was saying, are you prepared for the full attention of my department to come barreling at full steam against-"
"Sir? Excuse me, sir?" Simon rose to his feet and stepped forward. The older couple behind the counter looked at the trainer while the lawyer paid him no attention. Instead the man continued to rant for a few seconds.
"Sir!" Simon braced himself as the man, who actually was in a suit, finally turned in his direction.
"How dare you? Can't you see I'm busy. Do you even know. Who. I. Am?" Which each word the man's voice rose in volume. His face turned red and Simon was briefly reminded of how Pineco looked before it self-destructed.
Shadow didn't care for the man's attitude. "
Migh." He walked in between his trainer and the man, forcing both to take a step backwards.
Simon held out the package along with the electronic signature device he'd hastily removed from his pack. "Yes sir," he replied, "and I'm supposed to deliver this to you."
The Suit yanked the package out of Simon's grasp. He mumbled a bit as he read over the shipping label.
"There are the parts we ordered last month. Why'd it take so long,
boy?" the man sneered.
Because you refused to pay for the delivery. Simon thought.
"I'm sorry sir, the item was marked for pick-up only."
"I don't want to hear it just give me that-" The man took the signature device from Simon and used the attached pen to scribble on the receipt. "Here." Simon was forced to drop his pack to catch the device. He winced as the pack landed on his foot and something fell to the floor.
The Suit turned to the elderly couple. "I've got to get this back to the office. But I'll be back to finish
this conversation." Completely ignoring the mess he'd created the man walked out of the building.
*Whew* Simon sighed quietly in relief. He knelt down and began to pick up the Potions that had fallen out of his pack.
"Thank you." Simon's head jerked up and he saw the couple had stepped out from behind the counter.
"It's...it was no problem." The trainer replied. He finished putting stuff back in order and stood up, holding the pack by one of its straps. "I'm glad I could help." And glad he could get rid of the package. A good deal in the end. "Sorry for barging in like that." Simon added though he made no mention of the eavesdropping.
"It's quite alright." The older woman turned to look at the man, who looked back. There was a moment of silent communication. It was something Simon had seen his parents do often. Something he didn't really understand. So he waited patiently for some sort of cue. While he waited he observed the couple. They were dressed in plain clothes. Both had greying hair but somehow they didn't seem as old as his own grandparents. They both moved without any sort of assistance and didn't have the gaze of the absentminded.
Abruptly the man gave a quick nod and headed toward the back of the room. "Would you mind waiting here for a minute? My husband won't be long." The daycare woman smiled. A normal looking door was opened and the man disappeared. Strange sounds, and the sound of several Pokémon, were heard until the door swung closed. Shadow's head tilted in confusion.
Simon nodded as he shouldered his pack. "Okay."
Exciting by the sounds that he could no longer hear Shadow bounded forward. He leaned against the counter in an attempt to reach the door.
"Shadow, be careful." Simon warned. The Pokémon whined and dropped back down to the ground.
"Oh he's not hurting anything. So are you a Pokémon trainer?" The woman asked. She gestured to Simon's chest where his bandolier was on clear display.
"Yes ma'am. And a courier." Simon detached his ID from a sleeve on his pack and held it up for a few seconds. When the woman made no move to step forward he put the card away. Shadow walked closer, brushing against Simon's side. Simon dropped his hand down gently on Shadow's head, scratching behind his ears until the Pokémon made a happy sound.
"Well. Perhaps you could do us a favor." There was the sound of a soft click and Simon looked up to the man returning. He had a small plastic container in one hand and something held carefully against his side.
Both trainer and Pokémon leaned forward.
A Pokémon egg! Simon recognized the spherical object. He'd never seen one before. Well, not a
real one.
"I...it'd. *ahem* A favor?" Simon stumbled over his response as the man neared. The egg was mostly white but had some blue and red accents.
The daycare woman continued, "One of the other centers sent us this egg. But we're a bit overbooked you see. We want someone who will appreciate the Pokémon to take care of it. A Pokémon ranger or breeder. Or a trainer. Like you."
"What do you say?" The daycare man gave a broad grin and placed the egg in Simon's hands.
"Me? But...Thank you." Simon remained still, not wanting to move, not wanting to do anything to disturb what he'd been given. "Are you sure?" He asked nervously.
"Relax, boy. It's a tough one." The daycare man laughed at Simon's expression. "You're not going to break it just by holding it."
"What is it?" Simon asked. Despite the man's assurances he cautiously tilted the egg on its side. He found that the red and blue accents covered the entire egg.
The old man hesitated before replying. "We have our suspicions. I hope you don't mind but we'd like to keep it a surprise. Just in case we're wrong."
Simon nodded. "Okay." In his current mood he felt like agreeing to anything. He had a Pokémon egg. A
real Pokémon egg.
"Let me see that pack of yours." the daycare man requested. Wordlessly Simon handed it over. The man took the bag to the counter and set it down. He held up the container he'd brought along with the egg. "This is Pokémon food," Shadow's ears twitched at the familiar word, "but it's designed for baby Pokémon. It's made to last. So this ought to keep you until you can buy some more at a Pokémart. Be sure to specify that you want food for a young or baby Pokémon. There
is a difference." Simon nodded again and let the man put the container of food in his pack. There was a brief shuffling sound "You have a bike that you're not using?" The man looked curiously at Simon.
The trainer shrugged.
Is that a bad thing? Simon wondered.
"Do call us when it hatches?" The daycare woman stepped closer and gave Simon's arm a friendly pat.
"Yes ma'am." Simon replied.
"Great! Let me just get you our number." The woman turned and disappeared behind the counter. "We had cards made just the other day..." There was the sound of drawers being opened and closed rapidly.
The daycare man handed Simon his pack and traded for the egg while Simon put the pack back on.
"Unfortunately we can't tell you when it'll hatch." The man apologized, "But when it's ready, it's ready. Don't be alarmed if there is glowing either. That's normal."
"O...kay." Simon took the egg back and hefted it up a few times. It wasn't that heavy. But maybe he should use the bike. That way he wouldn't have to carry the egg around all day. Plus he'd cover more ground.
"Here you go, dear." The daycare woman returned, triumphantly waved a small card, "What did you say your name was?" She handed Simon the card. It had the daycare's logo, address, and phone number on it. Scribbled on the backside was another number and the couple's full names.
"Simon. Simon Braddock ma'am." He shifted the egg so he could hold out his hand.
"Simon! That's a good name." The daycare woman's handshake was gentle but the man's was solid. Simon was surprised to notice that both couple's hands were calloused.
They work for a living. He reasoned. Caring for Pokémon had to be a tough job.
"Indeed it is, " Simon was startled until he realized the daycare man was referring to his 'good' name. "If you ever have Pokémon in need of care feel free to stop by. Or mention us to one of the other couples. We're networked!" The man happily reached over to pat a large bulky machine that Simon identified as a very very old computer.
"I'll do that." Simon assured the couple. "And thank you." Cradling the egg against his chest Simon waved as he left the building. The couple's own farewells were mirror images of each other. Though, just as the door closed, Simon heard the man mutter something about his bike.
"I wonder what that was about." Simon commented to Shadow.
"
Migh." Shadow's response was to yawn.
Once he was on the porch Simon paused. Out of curiousity he scanned the egg with his Pokédex.
Egg
?????
HT ??
WT ??
?????
"Well it was worth a shot. So what do you think, bud, what is it?" Simon leaned down and held the egg out. Shadow sniffed at the offering. And appeared to lose all interest. Instead Shadow diverted his attention to Simon's pack.
"
Yeennn?" The Pokémon asked hopefully.
Simon laughed as he stood up straight. "You can't be hungry already." Shadow whined, dropping to lay on his back as though he was starving. Simon laughed again at his Pokémon's antics. "Alright. Okay. We'll stop to eat in Vermillion, I promise. First thing."
"
Might!"
