Chapter 113: Steelix and Stone

Chapter 113: Steelix and Stone

The foundry region of Pewter city was mostly on the northern side of the city. This was due to the main entrances being through the south, with the north being the closest side to all the mountains and mines.

Salvadore, along with, Missy, Greta, Yolanda, Rachel, and Stephen, all trudged along with me as we made our way.

and thanks to the fake attempts by the council in their rejected claims for part of the Viridian forest, they were later awarded greater control of the mountainous region surrounding Pewter to the north, said Salvadore as he walked along with his book on the history of Pewter held in front of him. A few times I had to nudge him to the side to make him avoid stepping intosomething.

Stephen rubbed his chin. That would have been a long-sighted idea on their part as the region is still considered rich in mineral resources, no?

I nodded. Yeah, it is. Then I flicked a glance at Salvadore, who was pouting. The girls giggled at him, but I offered a smile. Sorry, go on reading, youre doing a great job! This is interesting stuff!

Salvadore nodded. The mountain range north of Pewter then proved to be highly rich in resources, that led to a large economic boom. In the early days, gold nuggets and silver were mined, causing a rush of people into the city. The Rangers eventually stepped in after too much ecological damage had occurred and the numbers of rampaging pokemon increased with reports of a giant Golem being sighted. The Rangers introduced an environmental legisation to the government of Kanto at the time, to create safe, sustainable practices that meant miners needed licenses and the ability to restore the land depending on the amount of land they would be processing. Large companies have to draw up long-term plans for various stages of mining with the impact on the land being kept as small as possible.

Salvadore turned a page, and I poked him to the side to stop him from walking into a pole. Since those restrictions were set in place no major pokemon rampages have been reported while industry in Pewter has continued, albeit at a controlled rate.

What do they have to do to restore the land? Yolanda asked.

Salvadore furiously flipped through his book. Uhm Im not sure?

Stephen coughed. They need to control the tunnels they cut, or fill in any open-cut mines they make. They also need to be mindful of any water flow that could be disrupted due to their mining, and create plans to ensure no waste is going into the water. Otherwise, there might be an increase in the number of Muks, Koffings, or even some pokemon like Gastly, if theyre too damaging to the environment. There are lots of eyes on those businesses, but theyre still very lucrative, so its worth going up there.

He indicated his thumb. A nugget of gold this size can be enough to keep you and a full pokemon team fed and housed for a month. It's why so many hikers just happen to carry pickaxes with them. As a single trainer hiking through the mountains, if they just happen to run across any exposed minerals, such as gold or metal, they can dig it out and sell it. All without the need for licenses. If they set up a sustained digsite, then they might run the risk of being fined or arrested, but it all depends on how greedy or how much risk they want to take on.

Missy leaned forward and grinned at Stephen. Sounds like you know a thing or two about hiking!

Stephen grinned. Its my hobby, and while Ive never been so lucky to stumble upon a vein of something precious, I have talked with others. Some of them were very cagey about how they found their gold on routes I know Ive trekked across many, many times in the past.

Ah, said Missy.

Alright gang, it looks like were here! I said when we reached the foundry that Id been in discussions with for a few weeks now. Time to talk with the foreman. Make sure to follow their advice alright? No wandering off! I said to Salvadore and Yolanda. Yolanda gave me a bemused look before turning to Salvadore, who was tucking away his book.

Stephen surprisingly shifted from foot to foot. Ill try my best! he said. Yolanda shot the larger man a look before biting her lips to stop herself from giggling.

Gym Leader Brock and party? said a growly voice. I turned to find a tall, powerfully built man in overalls standing at the gate. His salt and pepper hair was topped by a hard hat and his eyes had wraparound safety glasses. He flicked his eyes around my group and frowned slightly. You waiting on two more? he asked.

I coughed. Id originally planned to bring Forrest along, but Two couldnt make it, I said simply.

Salvadore shifted. Shame Dad had to look after the others. Hed like this.

I hummed noncommittally, and Yolanda shot me a look before sighing and shaking her head. Crystal is also sick, she said to the man.

He nodded slowly. Riiiiight, he said, searching me before shrugging. Well, their loss! Im Foreman Hendricks! I run this here foundry! Brock here has been in contact with us for a while about evolving one of his Onix into a Steelix!

Salvadore and Stephen perked up only for Foreman Hendricks to raise a hand. Please keep your questions until after we get through the safety briefing! I need all of you to wear the following hard hats, glasses, and gloves He glanced over at us and hummed. You ladies, Im going to have to ask you to change into some full-body clothing that is flame retardant and tie up your hair, he said to Rachel and Missy. They both nodded their heads and did as asked.

A few minutes later, we were assembled once more, listening as he explained where to walk, and what we were allowed to touch or not touch.

He clapped me on the shoulder. Brock here will be separate from you for the main event as it's his pokemon but youll all be on a railing overlooking the evolution vats we keep around. Now, any more questions?

Salvadores hand shot out. Yes! So many! he said, beating Stephen to the punch.

Hendricks smiled. Well, ask away!

Salvadore opened a notepad. What sort of pokemon are used in the foundry? How do you determine what metal is useful for a metal coat for pokemon such as Scyther, or for Onix? What does this facility mostly smelt? How long has it been operational? Why do it this way at all? How long have you been working here?

Hmmm, said Hendricks. All right then, got an academic or two in the crowd, it seems. Going to be a future pokemon professor?

I hope to sir! Salvadore said earnestly.

Hmmm, good! We need more smart people like you around! If pokemon professoring doesnt work out consider metallurgy, which pays well!

He then rubbed his jaw in thought. Hmmm, to answer your questions, we mostly use Machoke around here thanks to their ability to hold heavy loads and their ability to learn moves that make them safer against the molten metals. We still clothe them in gear much like yourselves but also apply an oil that keeps them from dying of heat exposure while making them less flammable.

Salvadore wrote that down before opening his mouth only to cough and write something else.

Hendricks leaned against the wall, realising he needed to get comfortable. We also employ a lot of water pokemon such as Blastoise, Starmie, or even Kingler. Kingler are good at handling heavy loads with their bigger claw, and again, theyre fire resistant. Lots of fire types otherwise! Magcargo, Camerupt, Arcanine, Rapidash, and pokemon like Flareon are useful around here! he said with a smile.

As to how we determine useability for a pokemon? A lot of that depends on what the trainer wants. You shouldnt use the same metal coat for an Onix as you do a Scyther. Scyther needs a lighter metal that can keep an edge while also still have a high abrasion resistance score.

He grinned. That means the score of how good a metal is at resisting abrasion, friction, or damage. Something that comes up for pokemon. To heal that sort of damage a trainer will typically feed their pokemon a small drink of metal each weak or sprinkle metal flakes into their meals. The good ones will, at least, Hendricks said in an offhand manner.

He reached to the side and plucked a metal bar he had sitting to the side. This is the alloy that we will have made up for Brocks Onix. Its got a great abrasion resistance, so it will be able to handle longer-term abuse from pokemon battles. Now it isnt too heavy, but it will also have some benefits by making Brocks Onix slightly less weak to Ground-type moves. This will be thanks to the evolution creating metal networks internally for Steelix that will absorb the impact slightly better. He then leveled a stern look at me.

That is, if you have been feeding your Onix the metal, as we planned out for the last week?

I nodded firmly. I fed him the precise amounts and kept up weighing him. Hes been a bit slower in his movements and slightly more lethargic in the mornings.

Good. Means hes at the threshold of naturally evolving from devouring the metals. The reason were going to tip him over is that we can control the layering of the metal coat instead of just letting nature take its course. As you might recognise all fo this costs a pretty pokepenny which is one of the only real downsides, Hendricks said to group before turning back to Salvadore. What were your other questions?

Salvadore repeated them only to tack on another at the end. and what is the oil made of that you apply to the Machoke?

Hendricks laughed. Last question? No idea beyond Rawst and Occa Berries in the mixture. He gestured to the foundry. Weve been operating for over a hundred years. The foundry itself took a lot of damage that made us need to rebuild a few years back really but uh thats not really important! he said quickly. Salvadore frowned but nodded when the man lightly shook his head.

I held in a sigh. The worlds method of dealing with the war by sticking their head in the sand sometimes resulted in situations where you couldnt help but trip over it.

We mostly make steel for buildings that we ship to construction sites. Theres a lot of work going on in Vermillion at the moment, and theyre always looking to replate ships traveling on the oceans, so we have plenty of work to do! As for me? Ive been here for roughly thirty years! he said proudly. I mentally marked that down as meaning that hed probably been here during the war then. I eyed some of the scars on his arms and wondered then which were from working here during those times.

As a metal foundry, this place would have had some tactical significance, especially if it held the ability to evolve pokemon such as Scyther or Onix.

Stephen coughed and raised his own notepad. What is the alloy that we will be seeing applied today?

Aint really got a name got a complicated series of numbers. Hendricks rattled it off quickly before tilting his head. Oh! Also, Brock has a few diamonds thrown into the mix that Onix will be laying in. Not sure why that was part of the request.

All eyes turned towards me, and I smiled. Oh, just something I want to test out, I said simply. I rocked on my heels and didnt say anything else. I knew what they were for When Steelix Mega evolved. During those moments, he would have certain growths of jewels out the sides.

Stephen tilted his head but made a note of it, while Hendricks merely scoffed. Diamonds dont add strength. Theyre pretty, but theyre only strong in one plane of force. I merely nodded. The diamonds wouldnt ever be exposed, and I honestly expected them to be crushed into fine pieces. Theyd only emerge during mega-evolutions as crystalline growths.

Hendricks sighed and shook his head before glancing around to see if any more questions would be asked.

Greta raised her hand. How did people work out that metal coating needed to be applied for Onix to evolve?

Hendricks nodded his head. Ah that! See, they dont really need a metal coating. The metal coating is to give them a stronger body. This is something we worked out only fifty years ago? Until then Onix would just devour a store of metals and go from there. But some blacksmith thought that like a tool, you needed metal internally and externally. He did that and found that his Steelix and Scizor were stronger if a bit heavier This chapter was first shared on the Ñøv€lß1n platform.

Hendricks rubbed his chin. First discovery of metals being used in evolution, though, was around here. One of the warehouses that store the metals before they get shipped off got raided. The workers found a number of Steelix passed out from gorging themselves. Back then? They had no idea what those pokemon were! Wouldnt have been hard to see that the metal had been eaten, and then add two and two to get four!

Everyone imagined the expressions of people back then discovering new evolutions by accident. Greta giggled and nodded her head. Thanks!

Rachel surprisingly raised her hand. Will photography be allowed? Onix evolving for Brock will be a pretty important moment!

Hendricks nodded. Knock yourself out! Just be aware that the molten metals will put off a lot of light themselves so have a camera that can handle that otherwise youll get lots of smudgy photos!

Rachel reached into her bag and withdrew a professional-looking camera and a few other pieces of equipment before she turned and smiled at Missy and Stephen. Youre being recruited! she said shamelessly as she gave them both bits to hold.

Oh! Dont worry about that! I had done a geological survey of the Mt Moon region and this was one site that I had identified as having some potential for having rare minerals! It seems I was proven right, but Im a little late with you having already secured the cave. He nodded at me before tilting his head. How much do you want for it?

I blinked. Nothing. Im not selling it.

Steven blinked back at me. Youre not selling it? Brock you do realise that diamonds are crucial in a lot of manufacturing processes? Theyre not just used for jewelry! Im offering top pokedollar that no one will be able to match!

Im not looking to sell.

Brock, he said with a sigh. What do you want? Name a price, and Ill buy it! Everything has a price

I dont want money, I said firmly, feeling more than a little annoyed at how he was barreling along with this conversation.

Steven pursed his lips and assessed me. You dont want money? Do you want shares in my company then? I snorted, and he continued to observe me while thinking. I must have seemed an odd person to him, but money wasnt something that was an issue for me.

He tilted his head. I dont often suggest such an exchange but Youre a rock-type specialist, so perhaps you can see the value in this trade more than most.

I tilted my head, curious as to what he was alluding to. He smiled more confidently now. Certain pokemon have the ability to harness energy from themselves and their trainer once they create a certain bond with each other. This isnt well understood and is in fact extremely rare. I know of only a few trainers that can pull this off but the effects of this

Youre talking about Mega-evolution? I asked.

Steven blinked. Ah? You know of it then? Lance I could understand with the Blackthorn records, but you He considered me much more closely now, like I was a surprising geode that had a depth he hadnt expected.

So, would you be interested in a Megastone? Steven said with a thoughtful expression. Thats rather canny of you.

It has nothing to do with being canny; Im just not selling.

Brock, you just havent heard a price youd be willing to sell for. Thats the truth of the matter. I applaud your forethought in grabbing the land. Now Id like to make a deal. Thanks to my companys mining rights I have a number of stones. Here is my current collection for sale. He tapped something on his transceiver, and a long list sprouted up in front of me before my transceiver readjusted so the list was displayed alongside Stevens face.

Without meaning to, I glanced at it and was surprised at how long it was. He had Gardevoirite, Ampharosite, Charizadite, Blastoisinite, Blazikenite, Houndoominite, Mawhilite, Metagrossite, Sharpedonite, Steelixite, Slowbronite, Salamnecite, and Beedrillite.

I blinked before huffing. What no, Tyranitarite? In fact, there was only one good option on here for me specifically.

Steven finished taking a sip of his tea. He tilted his head at me. I wasnt aware Tyranitar could Megaevolve but I suppose that fits with what Ive learnt so far of which pokemon could do so.

He pursed his lips in thought. I have found that these stones typically occur around areas that the pokemon live in abundance He steepled his fingers. Mining or scouring a mountain with Tyranitar upon it is not something that is currently feasible. The sites that these Tyranitar are known to frequent are considered nature preserves.

I frowned. Something about the way he said, nature preserves felt like he was more saying areas I cant profit from or perhaps I was misreading him? I considered him and watched him as he glanced around, watching something flit around near him.

I considered the potential future of the site. A possible mythical pokemon versus a Mega evolution. I was about to suggest something when I remembered I had promised Id try and get one for my little sister.

That made me feel a sudden gut punch. I shook it off and huffed, shed understand I frowned. Did I even need a Mega stone right now? Most of my pokemon at the Elite level could easily throw down with Lance, of all people. How much stronger did I need to get? Id said I wouldnt chase power once to Janine, and this felt almost, but not quite, the same. No, I didnt need or especially want to sell my diamond cave for this. I shook my head.

Im afraid I cant accept this.

Steven tilted his head. Id be willing to sell you two Mega stones.

I flicked my eyes to the list, and possibilities played out. I did just get a Steelix didnt I?

There was also the potential of gifting another stone to Sabrina. If she had Slowbronite, or Gardevourite, shed have a lot of potential for her pokemon.

The others. Meh.

Really, it came down to future potential with the caves being more than just mines. I frowned as something else occurred to me. You do realise that getting access to the cave would require a lot of change to the Mt Moon area dont you?

Not a problem. Devon Corp is used to creating plans that will work with whatever regulations are in place. A decade of mining, and then we re-establish the native plants and pokemon into the region.

I again tilted my head at his choice of wording. It didnt sound like I hummed. Im afraid that wont work for Mt Moon. Its a nature preserve itself. I shook my head, But thats beside the point. I dont think I really want to sell out the cave for a mega stone, or two.

He considered me before shrugging. Well I wont be selling it for three, that would be rather too much for one trainer, he said. I frowned and glanced at the list hed sent me. If this was what he was willing to sell Did that mean he had others that he wasnt willing to sell? Or others he was controlling?

Seems a bit hypocritical, I pointed out.

Well these are mine to sell, he said with a smile I imagine others would call charming. If you find any of your own, youll find you might not want to sell them just as I do. They are, after all, not simple stones.

Hmmm, I said, not all that impressed with his argument. Shouldnt you be getting ready for your match against Karen?

I have it well in hand, my team are more than ready, he said.

He watched me for a while before sighing. Well, I see you wont be accepting my deal today, Brock. Keep me in mind for selling though wont you. He shrugged. Ah well, think nothing of it, it was a whim on my part, he said with a simple shrug that I didnt really believe. Now, if you dont mind I have much to do and see! I look forward to seeing you again soon! he said.

I barely grunted out a goodbye as the transceiver disconnected.

I put my hand under my chin and considered what had been shared. I worked my jaw a bit before making a decision. I called Georgina, my accountant.

Hello? Brock? Is something the matter, Im at home today looking after Crystal, remember?

Ah no worries, I just wanted to ask if I had the funds to purchase some more land around Mt Moon from my personal funds?

She snorted in an unladylike manner. Easily, that land is cheap as anything, as people cant do anything with it. There isnt thought to be much worth.

Hmmm, well I just thought it might be a good idea for the pokemon preserve to take any available land off the table. Can I manage that?

Hmmmm, itd be tight, but with the amount of Ace trainers coming your way you shouldnt feel too much of a pinch. You just wont be able to make any big bets safely.

Hmmm alright then. Ill put in

Ill get it sorted out and email you the forms. I can do it from home and bill you! Georgina said merrily.

I snorted. Alright, tell Crystal we missed her today and that Rachel took a lot of photos of Steelix evolving. Bye for now, I said.

I hung up and stretched. Hopefully, Id beat Steven to the punch of snapping up any other land around. I didnt like the idea of him mining Mt Moon. Sure, there were old tunnels, but the place didnt need to be strip-mined. Maybe thats not what he intended, but he rubbed me the wrong way.

So fuck that guy.

I headed back out to find my family balancing and playing a sort of hopscotch game on Steelixs back. Flint raised a brow at me.

Everything alright?

Yeah, I reckon it is now, I said as I smiled at Suzie as she successfully completed a loop of Steelix.

Right then and there, I knew I should never sell the cave of diamonds.

Suzies smile was huge as she turned it towards me, and that was just for a simple little game. There was something you should never try to put a price on. If things ever worked out and I got my hands on some Carbink maybe, just maybe, my theory might pan out for Suzie. Thatd put a smile money couldnt value properly on Suzie.

Not that it stopped people like Steven Stone from trying such things. I rubbed my chin and considered the coming week. Steven versus Karen of Lavender Town was already being billed as the match of the week, to be held at the plateau's Indigo Arena.

That would see him at the League at the end of the week.

I hummed, but he still expected to see me soon? I turned that thought over before the answer came to mind. I had been advertising the sale of the Lileep

Somehow, I dont think Steven Stone was going to ignore that.

Looks like I was going to be seeing him very soon indeed.