Chapter 26

Redwald, Greta and Eusine left the third route just behind. There was a small town lying between the route and a cave that would head to Cerulean City. The small town was called "Moon Town". The town was full of small houses that belong to poor people. Also, the place seemed to be quite uncivilized. There were no shops to buy grocery, or any facilities to rule the town. There were only the houses as shelters and a Pokécenter.

Greta felt uncomfortable after her first step in the town. "I've heard of this place before. No one mentions here nicely." She said. "In fact, watch out your things. It is very likely to be stolen. A boy at the high school got everything of him stolen when he was here with his family."

Redwald checked his watch. It was around 9 p.m. "We can't go on at night." He said. "There is a cave waiting ahead, and we can't just sleep there. It is dangerous."

"I am not sure if it is more dangerous than staying in this town, Red." Greta said, and she meant it. But Eusine agreed with Redwald to spend the night in the town. He convinced Greta by telling that no one could hurt them in the Pokécenter, and they would leave early in the morning, so that no one would see them.

When they handed over their Pokémon to the nurse and took them back, the nurse was quite kinder than usual. Greta speculated that it was because she was happy to see some decent people. After that, the nurse brought the three to their room. The room had two beds, but the sheets were so dirty that no one could sleep in those sheets. As a result, everybody washed their sheets in the washing machine and dried them in the clothes dryer. Within the period, they had their not-quite-pleasant dinner at the Pokécenter. Everybody managed to go to beds right after midnight.

Because they were exhausted and tired, Redwald and Greta fell asleep pretty soon. Walking on the third route which was almost like a desert did not feel any good for anyone. However, Eusine, despite being tired and dehydrated, could not sleep. There was something that bugged his mind ever since he heard of something, and he could not help but to think of it. He forced himself to fall asleep, but it did not do the trick.

Sick of trying to sleep, Eusine got off the bed and checked his watch. It was almost 2 a.m. He walked outside of the room and found the nurse in the lobby. In the beginning, Eusine started the conversation with general stuffs. Quickly, the nurse was talking about the disadvantages of night shifts. Eusine wanted to have a decent conversation but hearing the nurse complaining about pretty much everything was not the best way to spend the night for him. Therefore, Eusine decided to ask about what had been bugging him for so long.

"I have heard about a myth." Eusine said. "It is about a war from a century ago that's called the World War. As much as I am interested in myths and I made a lot of researches about Kanto before heading here, I am not quite familiar with the World War's effect on Kanto. Would you be willing to tell me what you know about it?" He asked.

"I am not a good story teller, to tell the truth." The nurse responded. "However, you must read the story of Rabbie Fragola. We have the book to this story on our bookshelf." She was pointing out the bookshelf on the edge of the wall. "I assure you, the story is real."

Eusine looked at the purple covered book. "The story of Rabbie Fragola." He thought. He walked towards the bookshelf and grabbed the book. It was dusty, but it was solid. No one barely touched that book, Eusine thought. He cleaned the cover with a napkin and put it on the table. He was ready.

Rabbie Fragola was a nineteen-year-old young boy who was living in Saffron City in the late 1800's. Not much was known about him. People would speculate that he came to Kanto from another region. He had a different dialect; his appearance was different than local Kanto citizens. He did not even have a family or a life partner. He was living on his own in a small flat he rented in the city. One thing everybody knew about him, however, was that he was a popular person. He would help anyone in need and greet everyone with care. He was working at a bakery. He would make the best bread in the city.

At his time, the life in Kanto was completely different than what it would hold in the future. Pokémon were workers just like the bourgeois. Training them was not something common. At this time, the Poké Balls were not even invented. There was the kingdom to rule the nation. The Kingdom of Kanto was not as colonist as the other regions, but they still did not care enough about making people happy. Still, people accepted it and lived the way they were allowed to have.

In this colonial period, Fragola was maybe the happiest person on earth. All he cared about was working and gaining money and spending them as he wished. Baking was a passion for him and making money out of it would make him even happier. One of those days, he offered his boss to bake new flavours and serving them to the customers. But the boss strongly rejected his offer and asked him to bake what he always would. Fragola never understood why people were so scared of change if change may mean something better. He would believe that the fear would haunt people down until they understand what they had been missing.

His happy, calm and peaceful life was going to be disturbed by a movement that took place in the other side of the world. But this movement was so powerful that it took only a couple of months for the whole world to hear about it. As the rumour had it, a public in another region started a war against their kingdom. They were tired of being exploited and not providing their needs. The kingdom was sucking their blood so mercilessly that people eventually began to die for illnesses. According to what was being told, the war was still going on in that region. But other regions had the same movement as well.

That brought the ultimate question in Kanto. Should they have performed the same movement? Would it turn out to be better for everyone? The kingdom heard the rumours right after. They strictly warned the public that the Kingdom of Kanto was not as mean as the other kingdoms were, and they were providing what the public needed as much as possible. But it was hard for some to believe. They were working very long hours, mostly more than half of the day the whole week, and still the money they got was enough for barely anything. On the other hand, some people were so loyal to the kingdom that a war against the kingdom would mean a war against some of the public as well.

In this mess, Fragola stuck to his own routine and just focused on baking. He followed the news and deep down hoped that the people in the other region would win the war against the Kingdom, but he decided not to let his peace be disturbed by anything.

In the meantime, the Kingdom that was not happy with all the news around the world began to order the authorities to oppress public. In a short span of time, people were no longer allowed to go outside after sunset, they were not allowed to meet as groups in the day time, they were not allowed to travel without permission and they were not allowed to move without history check. People were not happy with all the new rules, but those who complained about it were put in the prison for at least a couple of weeks and were not allowed to see their families.

Fragola did not know what he could accomplish and what power he had inside. He only focused on his lonely, personal life and baked for people in Saffron City, until the day… The day, he met the elegant lady in green dress and cream hat, who walked in the bakery to buy some muffins and cake.

When the lady walked towards the counter, Fragola could not take his eyes away from her. He cleaned the flour on his face with his backhand and dropped the knife. The lady stood right before the counter and looked at the muffins.

"May I help you?" Fragola asked. Although he had a different accent, he tried to sound like anyone from Kanto, but he had no idea why he attempted to do that.

"We have a celebration." The lady said, before she looked at Fragola. That was the moment a small spark inside of two hearts lighted up simultaneously. Fragola was lost in the lady's beauty, while the lady was lost in Fragola's brown, strong eyes and small mouth which was smiling gently.

The lady tried to say something, but she failed to do it with words. Once she could not bring out any sentence, she laughed nervously. Fragola followed her laughter. "I am sorry." The lady said. "My family is celebrating my dad's new job. After so long time, it is being really helpful now."

Fragola showed the lady a white cake. "Is anyone allergic to the cream?" He asked. The lady shook her head as no. Fragola put some muffin and brownies for her. "That should do the purpose." He said. The lady grabbed the bag and paid the bill.

"Thank you so much." She said and bended her knees to show appreciate. Fragola dropped his head as a response. The lady turned her back and walked away. With the rush Fragola felt in his veins, he walked towards the door and introduced himself. "I am Fragola, by the way…"

"Fragola, Rabbie. I doubt there are people out there who like to eat bread and don't recognize you, mister." The lady said with a small smile on her face.

"I am White. Jenna White." She introduced herself back. Fragola gently opened the door and let the lady out. That was going to be a moment to never forget for Fragola.

In the following days, Fragola felt something in his stomach. Unlike what is called "love", it was an unpleasant feeling. He could not focus on his work as before, he did not manage to eat, he ran out of motivation in life. It took longer than he was afraid of it would turn out to be.

One of those days, Fragola's boss talked to him in his office. "What is going on with you nowadays, young man?" He asked. Fragola could tell what was wrong, and gladly fix it, if only he knew what it was. He did not have fever, he would not throw out, he did not feel a pain. It was something on the inside, which was hard to describe.

"Maybe one or two days off could help you." His boss offered. Fragola did not think it would make anything better. "I love my job, sir." He said. "If I don't keep myself busy with it, I would lose my mind."

"The problem is, Fragola…" His boss responded. It was clear that he was going to say something unpleasant. "…I respect you, you know that. You are our face that many people in the city chooses us. But, if you keep it that way, I have no room for you."

"What do you mean by that way, sir?" Fragola asked. He was not sure if the answer was what he wanted, but he had to know.

"I checked the request box the other day. You have been baking wrong in the past couple of days. Salty sweets, bread with sugar and many other amateur mistakes." He said. "I think this is because you are distracted for some reason."

"I apologize sincerely, sir!" Fragola stood up and bended. The boss stood up and put his hand on the young man's shoulder. "You have been working here for years without a break, young man." He said. "I understand if you are tired. Let me give you two weeks off. Go, rest, enjoy the days and night, maybe find a lady for yourself to hang up with. It will help, trust me."

Fragola was devastated. He was still happy that he did not lose his job. He could not find easily a job that he would feel passionate about.

He struggled in the beginning. Life was boring without work. All Fragola could do the whole day was read the papers and walk around the city. Both came exhausting for him. Whenever he held a paper, everything was about the revolutionary movement across the world. Although the kingdom banned any news to be published or talked about the revolutionary movement, secret organizations would do it and spread them all around the region. Whenever Fragola decided to go for a walk around the city, everybody would ask too many questions that he would not want to answer. Ignoring them was not in question as it was something too rude for him.

One of those days, while Fragola was watching the orange sky with boredom in his mind, he did not know something that would change everything, not only for himself but also for the future of Kanto, was going to happen. When he turned around the corner and saw the lady, Jenna White, walking fast up the road.

For a moment, Fragola froze and remained motionless. His heart was beating so hard that he could hear it almost. It was forcing all his energy so much that it could stop beating any second! Fragola lied his back on the wall and tried to take a deep breath. But it was near impossible. He had to calm his mind first, but he did not know how.

While he was thinking of a possibility to survive, he considered all the changes in his life and tried to solve what was off with him. All started after he saw that woman, Jenna White, and never worked for the better. When he saw her again, his whole body reacted in the worst possible way. She was the reason. Because she was affecting poor, innocent Fragola's body, organs and mind.

"Are you alright?!" Someone rushed towards Fragola. Fragola was happy that he was found. The helping person could help him finally. As Fragola turned his head to talk, he saw White running towards him.

"No, not you…" Fragola thought, but he couldn't say it out loud. White put her purse on the ground and lied her hands on Fragola's chest. "Are you having a seizure?" She asked. Fragola wanted to be away from White. He held White's wrists to take them away, but when he touched White's skin, Fragola's body reacted like all the poison was taken away and all the issues were fixed. His heart began to beat normal and he was able to breathe again. He did not feel as hot as before. White, despite of causing all the problems, fixed every single one of them.

"Thank you." Fragola said, while he was still in shock.

"You've been sweating a lot, look at you…" White responded. She took a handkerchief out of her purse and mopped his brow. Fragola straightened up and pulled himself together. He was once again calm and able to think.

"Thank you, Jenna." He said. White looked at him in a shock. Only family members or the best friends could refer to each other by their first names. Fragola, without thinking of it, said it all of a sudden.

"I apologize, White." He said. "I wasn't thinking straight."

"You don't look fine, Fragola." White said. "My flat is not far away. Let me give you something to eat."

Fragola attempted to stand up. "Thank you for your concern, but that would be unnecessary." He said. "I will just go to my place. Neither is it far."

As soon as he stood up, Fragola felt dizzy and lost his balance. White reached her hand to him to not let him fall. "You are clearly lying, Fragola. Please, let me help you." She said. Fragola had no choice, but to accept it.

They walked for the next fifteen minutes. The sky lost its magical orange shade and left there to darkness. Fragola, as always amazed by the nature, watched the pure sky and wished to see the earth from up above. Fragola barely remembered White was there until they arrived at the backyard. Until then, Fragola did not realize that they were not using the ordinary entrance.

"Why are we sneaking in?" He asked. White gave an allusive look. "Kingdom investigates everyone now due to recent incidents. We don't want to draw attention, do we?"

Fragola nodded. They silently walked through the backyard and got in the house. White had a simple, elegant house. Everything was minimalistic, but they looked comfortable. White showed the cough to Fragola. Fragola had a sit and watched White going to another room. Fragola lied back and watched the ceiling, thought about how he ended up in White's house after everything. After a couple of minutes, White returned with some snacks and drink. "Here, it will help you get better." She said. Fragola showed his appreciation by dropping his head.

"Did you see a sanitarian?" White asked. Fragola had the first bite of his snack. "No, it is unnecessary." He said. "I just felt my blood pressure higher because…"

White paid her complete attention on Fragola.

"…I haven't eaten well today. I was busy…" He said. He could not confess that the existence of such lady as herself was causing too much mysterious reactions inside his body.

"Join me for the dinner, then." White offered. "I will cook now. Eating alone makes me upset." Fragola was not sure if tantalizing invitation could be any better for the situation. He wanted to reject the offer and walk back at home already. The atmosphere was uncomfortable for him. On the other hand, however, he did not wish to leave White behind.

"Okay." He said softly, decided to wait and see what would happen.

For the dinner, White cooked beef. "I bought this beef two weeks ago." White said. "National Tauros beef that are raised for making this food delicious. They are expensive, and I buy once in a month if I'm lucky to keep it for special occasions."

Fragola was supposed to take the hint, as he did. For a nineteen-year-old young boy who never tasted love, everything made sense once Fragola combed White's hair. White, with a gentle smile, looked at Fragola and held his hand. The little bulb in the kitchen was glowing in Fragola's eyes so bright. While looking directly at his eyes, White felt how amazed she was.

Fragola never thought beef with wine could taste this good. White talked about her life. Unlike what Fragola expected, she was not boring on it. She talked about the job she had a while ago, but recently she had no job. Although Fragola felt connected with her, he did not bring up his own issues with the job. She said that she was busy with an organization, but she never talked over it. Fragola mentioned his job, but White knew everything necessary already. "You are a popular gentleman, Fragola." She said. "I heard that you are not native to Kanto. Am I correct?"

"You are indeed, White." Fragola said.

"Where did you come from? Where is your family?" White asked. Fragola raised his wine. "Why don't we talk about future?" He asked.

"You are trying to change the conversation." White said.

"I am only distracted by your blood red lips, White." Fragola said. "They have been in my mind ever since I saw them for the first time. I can't get your lips out of my head."

White stood up and walked towards Fragola. Fragola turned the chair and left a room on his lap. White gently placed her back on Fragola's right arm. As she put her hands on Fragola's shoulders, Fragola wrapped his arms around White's hips. They were breathing onto each other. First, White's nose touched Fragola's nose. After, Fragola's left hand was placed on White's neck. They began to kiss each other. Both closed their eyes and enjoyed each other's lips.

White stood up and held Fragola's hand. She led the way to her bedroom. They declared their love for each other in the soft light and spring smelling sheets. Fragola never knew what life was until he tasted that. He could have never imagined that touching another skin could be so refreshing and relaxing. He knew that if he experienced sex while he felt like he had a heart attack, it could heal anything. Instead of stumbling, Fragola would be standing up all refreshed and healthy.

"I can't help it, but I love you." White said. Fragola combed the lady's blonde hair in his fingers. He did not want to use words, because he knew no word could satisfy him to express his feelings. Instead, he straightened up and kissed the lady's lips just like the time when everything began. He knew that White felt the passion in Fragola's kiss. She just had to.

After a long, comfortable, peaceful sleep, Fragola opened his eyes to the sunlight in the room. The room was dominated by the shades of brown. The dust could be seen clearly from the window's sunlight.

"Good morning, my love…" White said softly. Fragola kissed her on the forehead. He reached to White's cigarette pocket and smoked one.

"I didn't know you were smoking." White said.

"Rarely." Fragola answered.

White got out of the bed and went to kitchen to prepare a delicious breakfast for two. It took half an hour, but she prepared the perfect breakfast for Fragola. They asked questions to each other during the breakfast in order to get to know each other better. At some point, White checked the clock on the wall.

"I am sorry, but I am running late." She said, as she rushed to the wardrobe and grabbed a green dress.

"What is the rush?" Fragola asked.

"I have an important meeting in 20 minutes. I have no luxury to be late." White said. She did not realize what it sounded like, but she realized right after. Fragola was looking at her, looked disappointed.

"No…" She responded. "Not that kind of a meeting." She tried to find the correct words to fix it, but she did not manage to.

"If you have…" Fragola attempted to talk until White stopped him.

"You are misunderstanding me." She said, but then, she was speechless again.

"Then make me understand you right, Jenna." Fragola responded. White nodded her head.

°Total honesty, that's important, isn't it?" She responded. "But please, promise me that what I say is between us."

"Pinky promise." Fragola said, showing his pinky finger. White stared at the floor while talking.

"I joined an organization a while ago." She said. "We are a secret organization, and we are trying to encourage and inform people about the revolutionary movement. When the time comes, we will fight against the Kingdom."

Fragola was fascinated.

"Respond…" White said. She was uncomfortable with the silence. But Fragola was just shocked.

"I can't believe…" He said. "You are actually doing it… I was wondering which people were busy with publishing those news secretly. It is all up to you?"

White nodded her head. She looked like she felt guilt.

"I am amazed! Please let me in." Fragola said. White was shocked. She did not expect to hear it from Fragola, from someone who would never care about politics and ignore to be involved.

"Are you sure? If it is all about me, you don't have to." White was sceptical. Fragola nodded his head. "I was never this sure, Jenna." He said. "I fight for freedom."

White believed deep inside that she could never manage to find someone matching better than Fragola for herself. She brought Fragola to the organization and introduced him to everyone. Fragola met more than twenty people in one day, but Fragola could not take away his eyes from one particular person, Jenna White.

The next day, Fragola met his boss and wanted to get back to the work. Although his boss insisted on that Fragola needed some more time to pull himself together, due to Fragola's persistence and effort, his boss decided to give him the chance for a day. Fragola baked delicately so delicious that he never baked this good in his life.

"What is different this time?" His boss asked when he tasted one of his muffins.

"No idea." Fragola said, despite he knew it was inspiration.

Humans

 * Redwald Walker
 * Greta Parker
 * Eusine Hunter
 * Rabbie Fragola
 * Jenna White
 * The Nurse
 * Fragola's Boss
 * Members of Organization

Pokémon

 * Tauros (mentioned)