Chapter 119: Cold reception

Chapter 119: Cold reception

So, Rocko is off for a fortnight, I said to the assembled group. I nodded to Rocko, I think we can all say well miss you terribly before you even walk out the door. It wasnt the best way to start off the meeting, but it honestly was one of the more important points, so I decided to announce it early.

Missy, Rachel, Greta, Crystal, and Yolanda all nodded their heads seriously. Crystal then shot Dennis a worried look. The man was practically buzzing in his seat. Worse, next to him was a towering stack of forms that I just knew he was going to be dying to start introducing as part of our procedures.

With Dennis as my second in command, he was getting a lot more authority on various tasks that Rocko had been much more relaxed on. Id probably let Dennis run through things for a week before pulling him up when he got too anal retentive with the paperwork.

That way, if he had any really good ideas, they got a chance to actually be demonstrated. He had already submitted a few proposals, and I had given them some thought. I suspected his decision to switch around the method of tallying pokemon battles might be useful, but it needed to be tested in action first.

Everybody applauded for Rocko, who waved. Dont worry! Ill not be having it easy. Ive got two weeks to teach my little brother and sister some tricks, get them some good pokemon, and such before coming back. Ill be back before you know it! He then grinned. Itll be good training for when I get a month off in three months time when I can really work with them!

The room at large flicked their eyes towards the paperwork next to Dennis and then shuddered. Rocko smirked only to clap his hands. Alright Dennis, we can all enjoy a good joke, put them out of their misery.

Dennis nodded seriously and leaned down to pull out another stack of papers.

I joined everyone in staring at the monster that Rocko was leaving with us. I was halfway ready to pull him up on this madness, only for Dennis to raise a camera and take a picture of everyones expression.

There was a moments silence as Dennis chuckled. Heh! Got you! Heh! You should see your faces! he said turning the camera around to show the room our gobsmacked looks. He reached out and pulled both towers of paper work, leaving a much more realistic trio of folders.

Crystal slammed a fist into the table. Deniss has been replaced by an imposter! Ive never seen him make a joke before!

Yolanda shook her head at her friend and put a hand on her. It was probably his wifes idea of a funny joke.

Dennis slumped. ... yeah, Yolandas right.

A few people laughed at that, while Rocko snickered and stood to clap Dennis on the shoulder. I hummed and moved on with the next order of business. Namely that I would be away for the next two days with my trip to Mahogany Town.

I can do this now thanks to Greta and Missys work they put in going through the pokemon and making sure they had the right move sets, and, more importantly, the right temperaments to handle Gym style battles.

This got another round of thanks, and I then laid out everyones duties for the rest of the week.

Also, Im going to be hopefully scaling back the hours that were working with a slightly earlier cut off in a few weeks time. I want to scale back some of the challenges that were facing. Theres no need to rush through them after all.

I tapped my notes. On that note, I see there have been some booked in doubles battles for me, which will be interesting for our usual crowd, along with the tropical Friday coming back up soon. I see Brawly is booked in My eyes alighted on the final dot point on this particular discussion, And then I also have my match with Will.

Rocko and Dennis both straightened up at that, while Rachel began bouncing in her seat. Weve already sold out tickets! I think its going to be a super event! Its almost a shame we signed that deal so early in the year cause with the attention Will has drawn, the television company is going to be making tons of this match!

I shrugged. Its nice, but it wasnt our main concern back then. Good for us for later. But yeah, everyone be aware that he will be the last match of the day next weekend before lunch.

Alexa cleared her throat, and I glanced up. Yes Alexa?

Is there any reason were not running it later. In the evening perhaps?

I frowned. Thats the time we have Gym battles. I dont do fights at night, as we book slots for the day. That way, we all get home at a reasonable hour. Why?

There has been some queries from the television group about running it later, she admitted. nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.

I huffed and shook my head. Well, were not running a later match. One, we dont do that cause of what I said earlier, and two? I dont want to give Will any special treatment. I think hes gotten more than enough of that.

Hear hear! cheered Missy only to blush when everyone looked at her. I chuckled and nodded in thanks at her show of support.

You ready for him? asked Stephen, his eyes flicking around. People have been talking him up around town a lot more than usual. When I tilted my head, he elaborated. Part of my research is to interact with the pokemon trainers and see how they are doing. I spend time on the routes but also go around to the Trainer hangouts like the various restaurants and battle clubs.

Yolanda snickered, You mean Mr Mimes?

Stephen sighed hugely. It really saddens me that Professor Oak was right about it being such a good spot to gather information. I just offer to buy some kids the cheap burgers and they answer any question I ask!

I smirked, adopting a lecturing pose as be took on a flowery tone of voices. Wisdom in spades,

His mind sharper th I started to tease, only for Stephen to hold up a hand.

Please dont I get enough of that when I check in with him in the breakroom Stephen then tilted his head. Rocko did you tell him youre on break? Otherwise, hes going to be all sad when he comes and finds you gone. Stephen rubbed his chin. Then again, hell probably still be sad.

Just tell him Salvadore will play against him for a fortnight. I rolled my eyes and Yolanda giggled. Rocko quickly fired off a message to that effect. I rolled my eyes harder.

"Right, well, with that out of the way, the only other thing of note is that we have a date for the inaugural Pewter Gym Contest.

Dennis got a pained look and shook his head. Theres going to be so much glitter, he muttered under his breath.

There is in fact, not going to be any glitter, I said firmly. I ignored Rachel as she held up her thumb and her finger to indicate that there would be a little bit of glitter.

The theme that were going to be working on is going be a Tough theme. Something our area is well known for with our Geodude, Onix, Mankey, Beedril, and other pokemon that are not traditionally cute or beautiful being found locally for now, I added quietly at the end. One day I would have Carbink and then hopefully a Diancie.

I then clapped my hands together and signalled the end of the meeting. Alright, report to Dennis for the next two days, as Im off to talk with Pryce in Mahogany Town.

The Gym trainers all turned to Dennis, and he started assigning jobs while Rocko stood and talked with Alexa and Rachel before moving off.

Yolanda made straight for me. Youre going to fly there on Zephyr? When I nodded she pursed her lips. Will he be able to handle the flight? Are you sure you cant ask Sabrina to take you? Shes able to teleport nearly all the way across Kanto!

I held up a hand. Almost all the way across Kanto, I corrected before continuing, Even in an ideal situation, shed need to teleport three to four times in a row to make it one way to Mahogany Town, Im not sure, but Id pretty sure that would tire her out a lot.

Yolanda opened her mouth, but I twitched my hand to indicate I wasnt done speaking. Also, thats not accounting for the Silver Range that shed have to teleport around. That place is crawling with Dark type pokemon, that makes it extremely dangerous for her to teleport through as some of those pokemon will attack her and restrict her range of teleporting by a significant margin. Shed instead have to Teleport south toward New Bark town before heading back north west, extending the trip to six or seven teleports at least.

Oh, I didnt know that, she said. She walked with me to our house before brightening up and hurrying away. Dont go before I give you something! she said as she dashed off.

Alright, and no running! I called after her. She cheekily ignored me. I checked in with Flint, and he seemed to have a good idea of what he was going to have to do for the next two nights.

So you remember where the spare sheets are in case the twins have another accident?

In the linen closet! he said exasperatedly, waving me off. Timmy, whod been following Flint around, mimicked him with his shooing gesture.

Alright gang! Im off for a night! So anyone want to give me a goodbye hug? I called as I made for the door, my travel bag slung over my shoulder and my pokeballs checked.

Brock wait! If youre dropping in on Terra and Titans mother, can you give her this? Yolanda said as she handed me a clay tablet that had a handprint and a clawprint with Yolanda and Terras names above each. A picture of Yolanda and Terra was also shoved into my hands. And give her this so she knows her daughters doing well!

Shes a wild pokemon Yolanda, Flint said patronisingly. Shes not going to care. Brock you really should stay away from her! he said worriedly.

I waved off his concern. Shes calm as anything with me. And I think shell like this. Maybe oneday Ill take you up there when youre trained up a bit Yolanda, introduce you?

Yolanda beamed. Id love that!

A hand on my arm made me look down. Oh hey Suzie come to say good bye?

Yeah! she said as she hugged me. She held onto me. When you get back you need to tell us another Snorlax story! she demanded as she broke off.

I chuckled, Sure thing.

This caused the smaller kids to line up and hug me before listing their own demands for toys, snacks, or stories as they hugged me. Eevee decided to get in on the hugs by leaping into my arms. Heh, hey girl, sorry I can't take you; otherwise, if you get lost, I might come back with a Glaceon! I said dramatically.

Eevee huffed at me but licked my hand when I put her down. Munchlax pointed at his mouth before he hugged me. Munch? he asked.

Sure, Ill get you a Mahogany special snack, sound good?

He nodded happily, hugged me, and then scampered onto the couch. He rocked back and forth with a content look on his face, as though he was prepared to wait right there for my return.

With that done, I nodded farewell to Flint, stepped outside, and released Zephyr to begin soaring west. With Zephyr judiciously using Tailwind to boost his speed, we made good time to Mt Silver where I released Don to shepherd a flock of Fearow that were hanging about above the mountain. I didnt think they were going to be a threat, but they were known for their territorial behaviour, so I had him chase them off.

I considered flying down then and there to approach Titans mother, or as the Rangers called her, Empress, but decided against it. I wanted to get to Mahogany Town with time to spare for shopping and to get an initial look at what Lorelei had hinted at. I really, really hoped it was something like an Aurorus. That would be perfect for both of us. Otherwise, my next pick would have to be a Tyrunt. That would be an amazing find.

Lance would be so envious if I got a Tyrantrum.

I spent the next hour imagining having such a pokemon before the reality set in. The chances werent high for that. There was more likelihood of Aurorus, but then again, certain pokemon would favour certain regions for a reason, especially with ancient pokemon.

The sun began to climb higher in the sky, but I didn't feel the heat too badly due to how high we were flying. As we got closer to Mahogany, the temperature continued to drop, even though the valley between the Silver Range and Mt Mortar showed lush greenery, there was a chill in the air despite it being late spring now. There were a number of slopes that were still white with snow and I could spy a number of people and even pokemon skiing or snowboarding.

Hmm I wonder if Brawlys any good with snowboarding? I said to myself. I snapped a picture and sent him a message.

He responded quickly. Nice! Gone hit the slopes, man?! We should do that one day! Get a weekend free and board it up!

I chuckled. Well, that made sense. He had spent time in Cianwood, which wasnt that far away from the snow. I sent back that Id think about it while wrapping a scarf around my neck and tightening my flight goggles and gloves.

Zephyrs breath started to fog up as he closed in on our destination, and when we landed, he heaved huge gouts of fog into the midday air. I tugged off the goggles I used for longer flights and shook myself out to get feeling back into my limbs as Zephyr hopped towards a drinking station at the pokecenter that had been set up for pokemon such as himself. Then I sent off another message to Lorelei.

I didnt have to wait long as a familiar redhead walked up and waved. Brock! called Lorelei. Glad to see you made it over Mt Silver so easily! As she got closer, the now familiar drop in temperature followed her. I saw a number of people shiver as she passed them by. I merely channelled some more rock energy into my limbs. Id move stiffly but not feel the cold as much.

I paused. No torch? I asked.

Gramps doesnt like the glare that having two torches in the caves causes. The place sort of becomes a mirror maze otherwise. It hurts his eyes Lorelei swallowed what she was about to say and offered a tight smile, Its not usually a problem.

I hummed in thought for a moment. It seemed like Pryce valued not having a headache from too much glare over Loreli potentially injuring herself. Pryce was really starting to rub me the wrong way with how he was acting. Put a hand on my shoulder; that way you can feel any dips you cant see.

She did so, but we still had to hurry after Pryce as he hadnt stopped for us. I had no issues navigating the darker tunnels, thanks to my dark energy trick, so we quickly caught up.

When we did, he stopped to glance back at me, his torch flicking up into my face.

Something the matter? I asked as I shielded my eyes. It didnt matter that I was wielding dark energy, having a torch shine itself into your eyes stung.

He took a moment to inspect me before grunting and shaking his head. Just didnt take you as an aura user is all. I paused as Lorelei hissed in surprise. Her hand twitched on my shoulder before staying where it was very carefully. Pryce continued as though he didnt care that hed casually detected my aura use, something no one else had done beyond a very select group with the Guardians.

Thought youd have been like a rock. You certainly have the head for it, he said waspishly.

I took after my pokemon, I replied, ignoring the slight even as I felt my eye twitch. His attitude was really starting to piss me off. I locked my face into a rictus of a smile. I had to remember what I was here for. Do it for the Ancient pokemon Brock! I considered biting back, maybe even nudging him a little.

He was old and the ice was slippery Alright, that got a bit too dark.

I called up some Rock energy to stabilise me before I got too tempted to do anything drastic to this old crotchety man.

I wanted to see the fossils I chanted in my head, while saying aloud, Oh I have that as well. I worked with my pokemon to get it, I said back with a tinge of pride.

Alright, so I wasnt going to stop myself from needling back at least a little.

Feh! he said in annoyance, only to step around a corner and suddenly into an open cavern.

He set the torch down and pulled on the end to make it into a lantern that brought light to the cavern wed entered. I whistled at what was revealed, it was a room that was practically full of ancient bodies. I whistled at the forms of a number of shrivelled bodies that had skin that was too tightly wound over skeletons. I could easily recognise the pokemon on display.

Anorith, and Kabutops seemed rather close together, as did the Omastar. I walked a little further in and found an Aerodactyl that was curled up around what looked like a nest. The final pokemon was a pokemon that resembled a mammoth.

I whistled when I stood before it and realised that it easily stood at two and a half, if not three metres tall. Wow, I said as I inspected tusks width of my legs but almost the length of my body. Thats some impressive ivory.

Pryce stepped up to me. Yes, this is the pokemon we wish to resurrect. It will make a powerful addition to my team, he said. I frowned. I had gotten the feeling he meant replacement rather than addition.

I squinted at it. You know I think this one has a lot that is similar to the Swinub line.

Pryce scowled. It perhaps is an ancestor pokemon but the modern variant has grown weaker.

I hummed. I knew that wasnt the case thanks to my past lifes knowledge, but conveying that to Pryce, an Ice expert, was going to be difficult. What if there had just been a condition of evolution that hadnt been met?

He turned and scowled at me. Are you one of those people that will try to preach friendship with me? I felt the temperature drop, but I didnt huddle into myself to try and avoid him.

Friendship is important, its how were able to make our pokemon stronger. But its not the mechanic of evolution I was talking about.

Which were you referencing? Lorelei hurriedly interjected, trying to move the conversation away from the touchy subject.

Pokemon moves that need to be learned. I actually only yesterday pointed out that Erika from Celadons Tangela could potentially evolve with a certain move, and she did.

A Grass type pokemon is not the same thing as an Ice type! snapped Pryce.

I took a calming breath. The link is the same, though, perhaps a Piloswine could bridge the gap with Ancient Power, I said honestly. It helped that I knew I was right.

That didnt help Pryce though. Bah! Youre awfully confident its a Piloswine evolution for a trainer who has never raised one! Piloswine are smaller and hairer!

Evolution does change a number of pokemon in different ways, I replied, thinking of Octilery.

Hmpf, well see if you have any truth to your words when your machine revives this pokemon.

What will you do if it comes out as a Swinub? I asked. He merely scowled at me, and I sighed before gesturing to the other frozen fossils, deciding to not deal with it. Nope, no way, not my issue. What do you want to do with the other fossils?

Well have them cut out and sent to the Pewter facility for holding. With them being frozen rather than entombed in rock, there should be more genetic data, so we will get more pokemon resurrected.

I nodded before considering something. Why did you never approach Bla

Im not approaching Blaine with this! growled Pryce fiercely. Then he grimaced and held his hip. He gritted his teeth and snarled. Lorelei ran up to him and let him lean on her for a few moments as he regathered himself. He shuddered and sighed. Thank you, he murmured quietly to her.

She gave him a tight smile before she looked up at me. When Blaine burns things he really burns them. During a match with Blaine, Grandfather got hit by a tongue of fire and has been struggling with the aftereffects for years.

Oh, I said.

Pryce scowled. He doesnt need to know that! he snapped before standing. Lorelei watched him worriedly, ready to support him if his hip gave out once more. I tilted my head, Id never considered that he might have raised her up to Elite Four to have her supporting him. The common narrative never mentioned him being injured.

Blaine laced his fire with aura I take it? I asked.

Lorelei nodded, while Pryce grumbled. He didnt want to leave things with a simple retirement with his last match; he wanted to show off. That man is like a volcano, though, and he doesnt have much discrimination; remember that if you ever fight him!

I nodded. I only ever fought him for my seventh badge.

Pryce tilted his head. You did the traditional eight?

Yeah, Giovanni wasnt as hard to get through back then, I shrugged, Id prepared well and truly to take the fight to him, but hed merely faced me down with a Kangaskahn and Rhydon before awarding me the badge. It would be a lot different these days, I suspect.

Indeed, Pryce said. He watched me thoughtfully. Who trained you in aura? It couldnt have been Agatha.

Oh? She trains others? I said, faking that I didnt already know Agatha very well, or that she could teach Aura.

Pryce nodded slowly, his frosty gaze attempting to cut into me. Indeed, this new girl that is challenging Steven Stone She reeks of Agathas methods. He looked away. I faced Agatha a lot, you know, in the past? She was always a tough opponent.

Hmmm well, Ive only ever learned aura from my starter pokemon.

Pryces face hardened, and I knew Id touched on a sore spot once more. Hmmf, learn what you can before he runs off on you!

Titan wouldnt do that without a good reason, I said firmly.

Know that, do you? Think you can count on him? he said, his chin jutting out. I thought the same! Forget what you think you know and listen to experience, boy! Pokemon can and will betray you! he shouted, his voice echoing in the frozen cavern.

I stared at Pryce and took him in. He really was a bitter old man. Hed been burned, literally and metaphorically. His lifes work had slipped through his fingers What must it have been like to follow in Samuel Oaks shadow? The weight of two regions placed upon him with Oaks retirement. It couldnt have been easy. These days, he was almost a footnote to Oak, and Lance, despite his tenure as Champion.

I worked my jaw and wondered how I should deal with this.

Pryce opened his mouth. Your Titan is a pokemon, a beast of destruction; dont forget that! One day in the future he will leave you and claim some mountain, but then he will be a threat to everyone!

I scowled. Alright, I was going to rip the bandaid off. How long was it before you gave up looking for your starter pokemon? I said.

Pryce reeled back at the sudden shift. He narrowed his eyes at me. You!

Lorelei held up her hands and stepped between us. Hey, come on now, lets calm down. Were getting a little too heated! Lets cool down!

No, I want to hear how long it took for you to give up, I said, holding a hand up to Lorelei.

I looked for two years! he snapped.

But you gave up in the end, right?

Oh, and I su

I wouldnt have stopped looking, I barked, cutting off what he was going to say. I even stepped forward to get closer to him. What if he got swept away or injured? What if he got stolen? What if he went looking for something to help with your burn from Blaine?

Pryces eyes flashed, and a look of worry appeared before he closed himself off. That is not what happened! And what I did back then is my business!

Sadly, thats not true. I point out. You were the Champion, even as a former champion, your words and actions carry weight. He blinked in surprise at that while I looked him up and down, judging him. If you gave up on the bond between you and your pokemon, Im not all that surprised that you lost to Lance.

Boy, you better be ready to back those words up! he said, pulling out a pokeball.

Id be delighted to show you how wrong you are, I said as I unclipped Titans greatball from my necklace with a twist.

Lorelei slumped. Urgh men! Fine! Lets take this back to the clearing! Were not fighting in here but only a small battle to sate your stupid egos! She threw up her hands in disgust.

I nodded, not dropping my gaze from Pryce.

Id beaten the current Champion, now I needed to teach the prior Champion a lesson.