Sugarcube

Chapter 51 Facing a Friend

Chapter 51 – Facing a Friend

Larvesta shyly tried to butter up the newest addition to the team. Her and Houndour exchanged clicks and yips with each other. The bug type seemed to get along with Houndour well enough judging by the cadence of her words. Houndour seemed to realize early on in their conversation that she was communicating with a child and showed the appropriate amount of care not to upset the little tyke. I had no clue what the two were busy talking about since...

Chapter 50 - Man's best Friends

Chapter 50 – Man’s best Friends

“Are we there yet Hoothoot?”

“Hoot!”

It’s been a while since Hoothoot had agreed to guide us. The little owlet made us hike up and down the cliffs in search of a particular cave. The owl Pokémon knew that the local fire types lived in one of these caves but he didn’t know which one. Leading us to have a few close calls with the Pokémon who were using the caves as their private living spaces. After an encounter with...

Chapter 49 - Exploring the Safari

Chapter 49 – Exploring the Safari

Before I had the chance to properly mentally prepare myself the 14 year old girl burst through the main entrance ready to cause all kinds of mischief. She seemed energetic enough, probably having gone to bed early to conserve energy for this morning’s meetup. She took one look at the lounging area before darting over to be her usual rambunctious self.

“Egon.”

“Hi there… Phoebe how’s it been?”

“As if you car...

Chapter 48 - Haunting Escape

Chapter 48 – Haunting Escape 

It had been four days since we entered route 120. After the Barboach incident Flannery insisted on riding her Ponyta for the remainder of the trip. Naturally this meant she had excess energy left over, which she helpfully used to motivate me to walk faster. Ponyta was only big enough to carry one of us and I didn’t have the faintest idea how to ride the fire horse Pokémon. So even asking for a ride was a waste of energy. Having Oddish t...

Chapter 47 Interlude pt2

Chapter 47 - Interlude pt2

“Thank you again! We’ll be sure to visit you lots!”

“Draaa!”

Me and Goomy waved her mother goodbye as she retreated back into the swamp. Now that Goomy is officially my partner, I can tell her all my secret plans. Egon always says it's ok to keep secrets from anyone, but not the partners who trust you to lead them into battle. So, as we walked back to the agreed upon gathering area I did just that.

“The Fairy type is go...

Chapter 46 - Interlude Rite of Passage pt1

Chapter 46 – Interlude Zinnia undergoes draconid trial pt1.

Living in the village got better once big sis Aster started taking care of me. The bigger kids now kept away to avoid getting on big sister’s bad side, daddy compromised with me by replacing Horsea’s old fishbowl with a nice big aquarium that he asked the village’s glass artisan to build, all so my little dragon could comfortably sleep together with me in my room. He even told me that if I said nice things ...

Chapter 45 - Pack Attack

Chapter 45 – Pack Attack

“Egon we are not going off route to find a wild Absol just so you can prove some crazy nerd theory of yours!”

“We won't, but to travel on foot from the beginning of route 120 to the connecting route 121 will take us around two and a half days. I am betting we’ll come across one in that timeframe.”

This morning I prepared breakfast as usual for each of our respective teams and then I went off to the center’s computer room to c...

Chapter 44 - Flying Off

Chapter 44 – Flying Off

“I am the king of the wooorld!”

“Skarr?”

“What are you doing?”

“Sorry I’ve always wanted to try that.”

Strangely enough I wasn’t experiencing bouts of acrophobia even though I was high up in the air. It probably had something to do with being carried aloft. I never had any problems flying inside commercial airplanes either. The only thing that made me nervous about this situation was that I...

Chapter 43 - Fortree Skyline

Chapter 43 – Fortree Skyline

‘Another megastone… Well at least I know I wasn’t wasting my money.’

Having paid the store owner extra for the setting the man had his assistant manage the counter for him, while he went in the back to resize the fitting and set the megastone inside the anklet. The man assured us it would only take around twenty minutes to do so. Here I was sitting with Flannery, Rena and Halo on the sidewalk outside the store waiting for my number...

Chapter 42 - The Evolution Solution

Chapter 42 – The Evolution Solution

“Egon, how do you control this thing?!”

“You don’t, just hang on tight! This isn’t a wide river by any means we’ll be there within a minute or two!”

It was obvious that these Wailmer have never ferried humans before in their life. They kept bouncing up and down. I was lucky that my grandparents bought that hippity hop for me when I was little else I’d be having the same difficulties that Flannery was experienci...

Chapter 41 - An Electrifying Battle

Chapter 41 – An Electrifying Battle

“And now the Mauville gym battle will begin! Each trainer will use three Pokémon; the battle ends when all three of either trainer’s Pokémon are unable to continue.”

“Go! Magnemite!”

My finger hovered over Numsy’s poké ball, but eventually shifted to Orin’s.

‘I could lead off with Numsy and attempt to sweep his team, but Orin needs the experience.’

“Go! Orin!”

The little candle Pokém...

Chapter 40 Meeting of the Minds

Chapter 40 – Meeting of the Minds

Our meeting with the pack of electrike went smoothly as far as I could tell. Although Flannery’s penchant for dog Pokémon was a surprise to me. My fellow red head gleefully rubbing their bellies and scratching behind their ears, and even more surprisingly the canine Pokémon letting her do as she wished. She attempted to do the same to the pack leader but he rebuffed her advances.

‘Understandable, he needs to save face in front o...

Chapter 39 - Battle Frenzy

Chapter 39 – Battle Frenzy

The battle between the gym trainer Eli and his challenger Egon from our own Lavaridge town will now begin! This will be an elimination match with each trainer using three Pokémon, only the challenger is allowed to substitute Pokémon during the match.

“Let’s begin, Magby, I choose you!”

“Orin show your stuff!”

Both of us called out our respective Pokémon at the same time. Eli choosing to lead off with one of the gym�...

Chapter 38 Lost and Found

Chapter 38 – Lost and Found

The proprietress of the Wooper Inn was excited at the prospects of using Larvesta silk for her face masks. She went ahead and sent the batch we gave her to the silk manufacturing company she usually buys from. Since larvesta silk had a different texture and make up than regular wurmple silk the company let her know that it would take a while until they’d have all the kinks worked out. Not to mention all the product testing they still had to do ...

Chapter 37 - Birthday Girl

Chapter 37 – Birthday Girl

“See Halo? These are all fire type Pokémon just like you.”

“Vess.”

As we were walking through the gym’s hallway on our way to the caldera, I couldn’t help showing off some of the interesting sights most challengers don’t get to see when visiting the gym. The gym had everything. From personal use hot springs gym trainers sometimes used to dehumidifying heat pipes. Some of the fire type Pokémon living here are more comfor...

Chapter 36 - Cracking an Egg

Chapter 36 – Cracking an Egg

The following days were quite hectic, Mr. Moore being determined to turn Victini into a competent battler by his definition. The military style no nonsense training didn’t mesh well with her personality type. 

“Give me twenty flamethrowers within ten minutes or you can go to bed without dinner!”

“Vi!?!?”

He didn’t deign to spare me from his extreme ministrations either. According to him, great trainers were alw...

Chapter 35 - Trial by Fire

Chapter 35 – Trial by Fire

My grandparents lounging in their garden, instead of managing the cookie store, set red bells ringing off in my head. Grandma loved that store and badgering passing trainers to buy from her. I was afraid that with Zinnia gone they’d feel too out of sorts to continue managing their passion project.

“Egon, we can't do anything about it. Even if we disagree with Willow’s handling of the situation, Zinnia is still her daughter.”

&n...

Chapter 34 - Home Sweet Lava

Chapter 34 – Home Sweet Lava

Camping out on route 111 was a treat. The closer we got to Mt. Chimney the more the ground around us started heating up. Sleeping on this soil felt like taking a nap on an electrically heated blanket. I knew for sure that, just like me, my team appreciated feeling nice and toasty. The ranger corps route 111 recommendation to sleep during the daytime and travel at night seemed a tad over exaggerated.

The upcoming route 112 consis...

Small City Goodness

Chapter 33 – Small City Goodness

“Thank you! for showing us the way to the city. If we are ever back in the area again, we’ll come visit you and the pack for sure!”

“Ruff!”

After sharing a pleasant meal with the electrike pack I decided it was time to head into Mauville city. The pack’s leader decided to escort us to the City’s borders in exchange for the pleasant meal and conversation we had. Not to mention the copious amount of ear scratches I ga...

Chapter 32 - Trick or Treat

Chapter 32 – Trick or Treat

The next day we finally made it to route 110. The route was right next to one of the very few freshwater rivers in Hoenn. Naturally it made for a great view only blemished by the large seaside cycling road built on top of the river. The river’s meandering ended up creating a landpassage straight to Mauville city. Of course, during the rainy season this passage was too dangerous to travel over therefore necessitating building the cycling road in...

Chapter 31 – Size isn’t Everything.

Chapter 31 – Size isn’t Everything.

“Numsy you’re giant!”

“Ruupt”

The crowd was suitably awed, it’s not everyday that you get to witness a Pokémon’s evolution live and in person. Shellder, who was already diminutive in size compared to my previously unevolved Numel, was now completely dwarfed. The battle was put to a halt, a common courtesy during evolutions that happened mid battle.

“Where am I going to put you? You can’t jum...

Chapter 30 – Captain’s Challenge

Chapter 30 – Captain’s Challenge

We reached route 109, or what we people in Hoenn like to call it, the number one tourist hotspot in the entire region. At any point in time, you could find ongoing beach parties and family barbecues littering the vast stretches of beach inside the route. From our vantage point in the sky, I could also pinpoint the famed Seashore House where small daily tournaments were held for passing trainers. The rewards were not all that impressive; th...

Chapter 29 – Taking to the Skies

Chapter 29 – Taking to the Skies

“Pix Pix!”

“I know! We have to hurry!”

Ultimately, I decided it was best to skip town as quickly as possible. I didn't know when Shauntal would hand over my private information to the Champion. By virtue of being a last minute ticket it cost us less than I was expecting, fifteen thousand pokédollars was a steal for a flight that long, which left me plenty of money to pay for much too expensive airplane food. I was secret...

Chapter 28 – Technical Mayhem

Chapter 28 – Technical Mayhem

Getting the opportunity to browse through the school’s technical machines was an amazing opportunity. I would try to keep an open mind on what kind of technical machine I was shooting for.

‘Teleport!’

The pantry housing the technical machines looked to be more stocked than the one inside the Striaton gym. Even with a distinct lack of non-psychic type technical machines. All in all, there seemed to be around a dozen different v...

Chapter 27 Surprise after Surprise

Chapter 27 Surprise after Surprise

“Just a bit more heat Litwick.”

“Lit!”

The little candle Pokémon’s flame started burning more intensely, finally producing enough heat to boil the water inside the pot.

“That’s it, this will make enough morning tea for everyone thanks Litwick.”

“Wick!”

Why did I request Litwick’s help with cooking while this house had a perfectly serviceable stove? Preparing food together was an activity m...

Chapter 26 – Wishing for a Friend

Chapter 26 – Wishing for a Friend

Now having the opportunity to take a closer look at the Litwick I notice that unlike the others of its kind this one has chemical green eyes instead of the bright yellow ones of its brethren. Sadly, it’s fire was still out for some reason and the expression on its face makes me believe this one is experiencing health problems. As a fire type specialist, I know that a sizzling external flame is a sign of good health. Fire types that can’...

Chapter 25 – Celestial Views

Chapter 25 – Celestial Views

“Hmmm… Okay then.”

“Really!? you’ll keep our secret?”

Phoebe just finished explaining mine and Victini’s circumstances to our enigmatic hostess.

“It’s fine you don’t seem like the type of trainer that would misuse the power of a legendary Pokémon. The way you have been trying to keep Victini’s existence a secret is admirable enough. However, I would caution you to avoid the psychic academy inside the sett...

Chapter 24 – Spectral Menace

Chapter 24 – Spectral Menace

“We finally made it. Thank you for being our guide Tranquill.”

“Quill!”

It was dark out but despite that the small settlement surrounding the tower wasn’t completely devoid of light sources. Despite being so far removed from civilization the streets are paved with cobblestones and surroundings are lit by street lamps. However, instead of a normal color the street lamps give off eerie blue light. Upon further inspection I no...

Chapter 23 – Auric Discovery

Chapter 23 – Auric Discovery

There I was sitting awkwardly on a makeshift barstool waiting for my host to finish brewing something I can only describe as leaf juice since he didn’t have any appliances at hand to boil his water.

“Do you want us to lend a hand? Numsy here is an expert in boiling water at just the right temperature.”

“Num num!

“No, thank you. I have gotten so used to steeping my leaves in cold water that I have grown to prefer it this way.”<...

Chapter 22 – Mysterious Hermit

Chapter 22 – Mysterious Hermit

I hurried back to Gear Station in order to make it in time for our train’s departure. All of my Pokémon were resting in their balls, since I didn’t want to lose them in the crowd of passengers that were getting ready to board the train. The automated station announcement echoed throughout Gear Station.

“The train heading for Mistralton City is leaving within ten minutes. All passengers please make your way to platform three.”