Misfits 21 - The Passing of a Flame

We took a boat out to Iron Island. It was a jagged, craggy black spear of rock against the horizon. It looked unforgiving and harsh. But I had my team beside me, and I knew that we would be able to train well here.

I found out that training didn't happen on the island itself, which was far too rocky and perilous, even for wild Pokemon. Rather, it was underground that we would head, into old iron mines, long abandoned except for brutally strong Pokemon and perilous trainers.

For safeties sake, though, I found out that many trainers did not venture into the mines unless they had another trainer with them. These pairs would spend days, even weeks, underground, training. I watched several trainer couples heading down into the rock, spelunking tools strapped to their backs along with any supplies they would need. I was worried, since I didn't have a partner to train with, nor did I have the supplies it seemed were necessary.

Then I found Riley.

He was a tall, thin guy, probably in his twenties, but he had a boyish look about him still. He had a big blue hat on. He saw me fretting, and came over to say hi. It turns out, he's a regular here - a small, squat building right by the docks was his. He helped trainers around here, and he and his scruffy Lucario made sure that the wild Pokemon were not overly disturbed by the trainers. And sometimes, like with me, he'd provide equipment to unprepared trainers, and be their partner.

I agreed, but not before Mo and Rudder got up in his face. Rudder fixed him with a sharp stare, and said threateningly, "Alright, boyo, if you lay a FINGER on our girl Emily, then I can promise the police'll never find your bones!"

Riley grinned and assured Rudder he was only trying to help. Rudder was still reluctant about it, but I wasn't too worried. Had I been alone, sure, stranger danger. But I had gone into strangers houses, gotten free supplies and items all over, traveled in the woods with strangers, and for heavens sake I had a flaming fighting monkey, an enormous eagle, and an otter the size of a refrigerator to protect me. If you're not a Pokemon trainer like me, though, then you'd best follow Rudder's advice and NOT go into the mines with the strange man.

Anyway...we went down into the mines. I was glad for Mo's head flame, since it meant we didn't need a torch or lantern to see our way.

Riley told me that he was worried because someone was disturbing the Pokemon, more than usual, of late. He was searching for the culprit. "Usually the Pokemon aren't this agitated." He said grimly, as a flock of Golbat winged past us with a screech. So we had to trek through every inch of the tunnels, on Riley's rounds. I didn't mind, though. We got some great training, especially Rudder, who could blast away anything we saw. We also fought quite a few trainers.

As night fell (I couldn't tell, but I was tired and Riley said it was night) we made camp. Riley showed me how to pitch the two tents, and Mo lit a fire. We cooked a meal out of the stuff in the backpacks we had brought down. I sat with my back against Rudder, who was drowsing off beside Gilly and Spirit. Sir Calvin was already asleep in the tent, tired after all the training. I watched Mo and Dia, sitting together by the fire. I wasn't the only one watching - so was Riley's Lucario, Aden.

Aden watched them for a moment, then said, quietly, "Sorry, I don't mean to pry...but are you two...mates?"

Mo glanced at him and then at Dia. "Yes, I suppose so." He said.

Dia nodded. "We are."

"Oh." Aden had a strange look on his face, but he didn't ask more.

I slept well that night, with Mo and Rudder sleeping near the entrance to the tent, just in case Riley tried anything funny. But I could tell they were starting to warm up to the guy, as was I.

The next day went about the same as the previous. We trekked through the old tunnels, checking for wild Pokemon, training, and battling trainers. Riley didn't talk much, but when he did, it was very interesting. It turns out he was one of Byron, the gym leader's, students. Byron was even interested in giving him the gym leadership once he retired. Riley wasn't interested in it - he liked being on Iron Island, where he could do what he pleased and felt like he made a difference, taking care of the island. He was a rather noble guy.

As we set up camp again, Riley said we were getting closer to the source of the disturbance, figuring by the way the Pokemon were acting up. He went to bed early, saying he wanted to be rested for tomorrow, and whatever we'd find that we'd undoubtedly have to get rid of.

I was in my tent, drowsing off with my head resting on Rudder's belly, when I heard voices outside. I woke up enough to be curious, and peeked outside the flap.

It was Mo, Dia and Aden again. But this time, Aden had something sitting in his lap. It was round and pale blue, and spotted. He was speaking. I listened.

"I've been thinking about you two." He was saying. "You two are mates...it's been a while since Riley and I have seen a trainer come down here, with Pokemon that are mates. Usually they don't survive this far." The Lucario fell silent.

Dia sat on Mo's knee. "What is it, Aden?" She asked, cocking her head. "Yes, Mo and I are mates. What of it?"

Aden looked away. His eyes were glistening. "It's just...seeing you two...it's brought memories back, that's all. I think it's for the best, that you came...the world works in circles, and we meet who we're meant to." He looked back at them. "I used to have a mate, a Lucario named Helena. She belonged to another trainer who was with Riley a few weeks ago. We had been travelling with them for a month, and Helena...there was a Graveller, and it used Selfdestruct."

Mo looked horrified, and Dia wilted. "Oh, Aden, I'm so sorry."

The Lucario lifted a paw. "I lost my Helena." He said quietly. "But not before she..." He shook his head, picked up the round thing, and held it out to Mo and Dia with a sad smile. "Here. It...it's mine. It was ours."

It was an Egg.

Mo stared at the egg, and then back at Aden. "Aden...?"

The Lucario held it out. "I can't raise a child." He said, his voice cracking. "Not here. But I could never leave Riley. He's been my best friend since I was a pup. The egg...Helena's child...it's due to hatch in a few days. I want you two to raise it. I want Helena's child to have a chance at a better life than this, patrolling the darkness. And perhaps, someday, he could come back and meet his real father." He smiled slightly. "I imagine its a boy."

Dia looked at Mo, and their faces softened. Mo took the egg in his wide hand. "We'll take good care of him."

The next morning I woke up, and I wondered if it was a dream. But when I looked over at Mo and Dia, curled up together, Mo was cradling a blue spotted egg in the crook of his arm.

That day we found the disturbance, which were more Galactic crazies, setting off traps in the deep parts of the mines and scaring the wildlife. We defeated them, got them arrested, and after three days of training in the mines, we went back up. I said goodbye to Riley, who I thanked, and Mo and Dia said goodbye to Aden, who thanked them.

Then we got on the boat and headed back to Canalave, and Iron Island dwindled and vanished far behind us.

Misfits (c) me
Pokemon (c) Pokemon

(Yeah, I tried to train longer with Riley, and I got Rudder, Sir Calvin and Spirit up to level 50. But Mo, Gilly and Dia had type disadvantages, so, I was paranoid. I decided to train them later. After I hatched the egg I got from Riley. )