Chapter 20

When the sun rose for a new day behind the mountains of Pewter City, people got out of their houses to go to work, run their errands or provide their casual requirements. Redwald, Greta and Eusine were not any different. They woke up early in the morning, had a fulfilling breakfast at the Pokécenter, and left there for some more training.

On their road to Pewter Jungle, Redwald and Eusine were having their conversation about Redwald’s Pokémon. “They are as eager as me in this.” Redwald said. “They won’t let me down, I know that.”

“That’s for sure.” Eusine responded. “Each has respect for you. Some even have their own reasons to be as eager as you are. I am sure they will be just fine in the end.”

Suddenly, Greta stopped walking and stared at Redwald and Eusine from back with Metapod on her hands. As Redwald and Eusine realized, they turned their back. Greta was smiling at them.

“What is it, Greta?” Eusine asked.

“I won’t be coming with you today.” Greta said with the same smile. “When I am there with you, I always take care of my Pokémon, which is fine. But today, I have something for a change. I will see the malls and shops, and buy nice things for myself, you and my Pokémon. I am sure change of weather will be fine for my Pokémon, too. Metapod is recently too depressed.”

She showed Metapod in forth. But the problem was that ever since she evolved, Metapod had always looked depressed. She did not have a mouth or a face to show expression. She would sleep even with open eyes, and she had no possibility to show any emotion or reaction to anything. No one could even tell if Metapod was sleeping or not.

“I understand.” Redwald said. “You have fun with your Pokémon, then. We will meet you at the Pokécenter for the dinner.”

“That’s fine.” Greta said. She let out a laughter and turned her back to walk back to the city as fast as she could.

“But, Greta!” Eusine shouted from back. Greta turned her back to see him. “I know that you are a responsible girl who wouldn’t spend her all money for fun and let herself be helpless for medicine or food for the rest of the road, would you?”

“You are right, Eusine!” Greta said with another laughter, turned her back and ran even faster until she disappeared in the crowd of Pewter City.

The day began perfect for Greta. She visited clothing shops and tried various dresses on her. She asked Metapod’s idea every time, but Metapod did not respond her. Greta had to call Nidoran and Paras out to get opinions. But she remembered what Eusine said, and did not buy any new dresses. What they or Pokémon need on the road had the top priority, and Greta could not forgive herself if something happened to them.

“Let’s make a promise.” Greta said to her Pokémon. Nidoran, Metapod and Paras were staring at her carefully. “Once we complete our journey and return home, we will come here and buy a dress that we all love. We will deserve it.”

All the Pokémon joined Greta’s cheer with joy and pleasure. Greta took Metapod on her lap, Nidoran stood on Greta’s shoulder and Paras held onto her bag. Greta left the shop and walked on the street with her Pokémon.

In the afternoon, Greta saw a café on the road. A young lady with white shirt was waiting on the door, greeting people who were coming to the café. The lady and Greta looked at each other in the eye for a moment. Greta wanted to visit the café.

“Let’s go there.” She said to her Pokémon. “We can treat ourselves, we are celebrating today.”

When Greta came to the entrance with her Pokémon, the young lady with a sincere smile on her face welcomed the little girl inside. She directed the way to an empty table standing next to the window. With the very same sincere smile, the lady let Greta have a sit, and walked back to bring the menu. Greta realized that it had been a long time since she was treated like a lady. Since she started her journey and got separated from her parents, she had always been in a struggle with Redwald and Eusine, who would treat her like an adventuress person, which was the only rational way to treat her. But being treated like a royal lady for a change made her feel much better.

Greta did not call her Pokémon back in Poké Balls. Nidoran, Metapod and Paras had seats of their own. It was like Greta having a date with her Pokémon.

“We are treating ourselves today.” She said. “You are free to take a dessert of your wish.” All the Pokémon, except Metapod, cheered for it. Greta could not even be sure if Metapod was there, conscious, listening to her or would want anything. Greta found the solution by treating her Pokémon in the most proper way possible, wishing Metapod was not hating her for doing something wrong.

When the same, blond lady brought the menu and put it on the table. “Please, take a look at our menu.” She said. Greta responded with a thank you, and the blond lady walked away. But before Greta had a chance to take a look at the menu, a Pokémon caught her attention. The Pokémon that was standing on a table next to another window, watching the people walking outside. At first, Greta thought how cute the Pokémon was. But then, something else caught her attention. The Pokémon had an empty look on her face, almost like unhappy. Something was bugging her, Greta thought. She scanned the Pokémon through her Pokédex to analyse her.

“This is something else...” Greta thought herself. Pikachu’s misery was because of something completely different. Greta wanted to approach and talk to her, but she thought it would be better if she asked the waitress first. Her arrival happened in around 5 minutes.

“What would I bring you?” She asked.

“Pikachu.” Greta said. She did not know how to bring it up, therefore, she decided to direct her straight away. The waitress was surprised, she gave an empty look at Greta. The smile had disappeared for the first time.

“I am sorry.” Grete said. “This Pokémon has been standing there since I came here. She seems to be troubled. Does she belong to someone working here? I would like to get a permission to approach her.”

“She can’t be approached.” The waitress said. “As soon as she realizes you, she will attack you. You wouldn’t want to be shocked by electricity, madam.”

Madam... What a lovely way to be called, Greta thought. But she decided to not be distracted. “You don’t understand.” She insisted. “I spent years working at Day Care service for Pokémon. I am on a journey to understand Pokémon and their nature. This can be an unprecedented opportunity for me to analyse.”

“I am sorry.” The waitress responded. “I can only help with your order at the moment. What would you like to have?”

“Who is her trainer?” Greta asked. She knew she was crossing the line of being nice and kind, but she had no other choice. “I want to talk to her trainer, if possible.”

“I am her trainer.” The waitress said. She lost all her charm. Greta would not be surprised if the woman kicked her out of the café. She insisted on getting an order. Greta, in the other hand, stood up and began to walk to the Pokémon. The waitress held Greta’s hand and pulled her back.

“Stop it!” The waitress said. Greta shook her hand and said the same thing to her. Just as she was about to walk towards Pikachu fast, the waitress stood in front of her to stop Greta.

“You win.” She said. “But before, tell me why you are so interested in her.”

“I already told you.” Greta said. “I want to achieve my goal, understand Pokémon and find a way to help them in every circumstance. I would feel uncomfortable if I walked away without getting a chance to talk to her.”

“Sounds fair.” The waitress said. “Be here at 6 p.m. I won’t have much costumers, and we get to have a conversation. If you are so interested in her, you may want to know why she is depressed.”

Depressed... That was a strong word to state a Pokémon’s situation. Greta had read books, and in them, she learned that Pokémon could be upset upon particular incidents, such as losing their trainers, losing a tough battle, or be unsatisfied with their situation, but depression was never mentioned as much as she could remember.

“Why?” Greta asked. She was shell shocked that she could not think properly.

“Not now.” The waitress said. “Meet me and I will tell you all about her. Now, I have a café of costumers to run.”

The waitress walked through Greta and attended to a table. Greta slowly walked back to her table, hugged Metapod, let Nidoran and Paras climb on her shoulders, and she walked away, still shell shocked...

For the rest of the day, she could not focus on the shops or beauty centres. She could only think of that Pikachu and calculated the possibilities what could really happen to make her so upset. She knew that she was ruining the day for Nidoran and Paras as well, but she could not help. When Nidoran licked her hand to get her attention, Greta apologized for her behaviour. “I will make it up to you some other time. I promise.” She said.

The time had almost stopped, or passed three times slower. Greta checked the time so often that it barely passed. Until the clocks hit 6 p.m., Greta experienced three days of waiting. But finally, while there was only 10 minutes to 6, she stood up, called Nidoran and Paras back their Poké Balls, and walked back to the café. She was ready to learn what it was about.

When Greta walked in the café, the young lady was busy with fixing the tables. Only an old couple and Pikachu were still in the café. When the lady saw Greta, she expressed a gentle smile and showed her the table to sit. Greta and the lady sat on the table and the conversation began naturally.

“I am Greta.” She introduced herself. “I’m from Pallet Town, and on a journey across Kanto.”

“I’m Diana.” The lady responded. “I used to be on a journey as well. Nowadays, I am just in this café, working for a peaceful life. Going home and preparing my very precious food is my biggest hobby.”

“You sure have a calm life.” Greta said. “Does Pikachu belong to you?” Greta was getting to the point quickly. Diana nodded her head. “Her name is Foudre, and she belongs to me.”

“What is wrong with her?” Greta asked, she only hoped that Diana would not receive it rude. She just had no idea how to pull things together without wasting time anymore.

“She is depressed.” Diana said. “I took her to many doctors. They all came up with the same conclusion. She has depression. No matter what I do, or how hard I try, she won’t forgive me.”

“So, she is mad at you...” Greta repeated. “What did you do so bad that she ended up with such depression? How long has it been like that?”

“I’m afraid it has been like that for over 6 years now.” Diana said. “See, years ago, when I was much younger, I started on a journey to compete in Kanto League. Foudre was one of the first captures of mine throughout my journey. She has been a determined, ball of fire ever since. She even defeated half of my team before I got to her. The beginning was troublesome for us. She never listened to my commands, or respected me until I proved that I was a worthy trainer. However, before the season was over, I failed to collect eight required badges. I had only seven, and the last gym I visited was too challenging. I… I failed to meet my Pokémon’s expectation. They all were mad at me at the time, for sure, as they counted on me for everything and trained hard out of their respect for me. But Foudre was the one with the biggest disappointment. In that summer, my Pokémon forgave me, and stuck with me for a long time. But Foudre could never get over the fact that she failed to compete in the League for me.”

“For sure, my Pokémon expected me to go on a journey in the next year, collect the one required badge and compete in the league this time. But I decided not to. I wasn’t ready and I wasn’t sure with myself. What if I failed again? What if I got the badge somehow, but eventually fail at the league? I couldn’t take the risk of disappointing my Pokémon, my family and friends once again. Instead, I went to college and four years later, I started to work here. I have good condition with all of my Pokémon, except Foudre... She is still obsessed with the past, and couldn’t get over imagining how it would be like if she competed in the league. I won’t deny that she is very skilled Pokémon and she would do great things, but I could never offer her to leave me and find a proper trainer to fulfil her own dreams.”

“If she wanted to, she could leave me already. But instead, she is always in this café, sitting next to that window and watch many people as possible every single day. She refuses to come home with me, yet she refuses to leave me. I would feel afraid she would leave in the early times. I would come to this café and check out if she was still here for many times at one night. But now, I know that she won’t do that. She will forgive me, but this is just not the time.”

“Diana...” Greta spoke. “I don’t mean to sound rude at all. But it’s been over 6 years... Don’t you think waiting is not the way of fixing things? She didn’t leave you, because she still believes in you and waits for you to go on another journey. Will you ever do that?”

“That’s… I’m afraid not possible, Greta.” Diana said. She was so close to cry, but she did not. “I failed not only my Pokémon or other people around me as a trainer, but also myself. I don’t have courage to do that. Even if I convinced myself now that I have, it would only get things worsened.”

Greta nodded her head. Diana had a point. “So, it would be waste of time to talk about your potentially possible journey. Instead, I want to focus on Foudre, if you please.” She said. “You know, my parents run a Day Care service. I wanted to work there. But some day, when I had full charge on a particular Pokémon, I felt that I lacked so many things, like experience or courage. Therefore, I came along with my friends who were on a Pokémon journey also. We hold each other’s hand and help. That makes everything easier for us. In the meantime, I won’t do anything in vain. I will get experience, understand Pokémon, their souls and their nature. If I left here with not even asking about this Pokémon, I would never be able to forgive myself. But I know it is not easy for you to face your past and bring it out to some stranger. I appreciate your courage.”

“Thank you.” Diana said softly.

“But, you have to understand that Foudre is not dead inside yet. She still has dreams and hopes for her future. She is only depressed, because she is far from making them come true. If you don’t let her go for any process for her life, you will either lose her as she convinces herself that you won’t ever go on a journey, or just see her getting sick and worse every single day, eventually passing away. Keeping her here, convincing yourself that she will forgive you some day is just selfish. You shouldn’t do that for the sake of you both.”

Diana put her head on the table, covered it with her arms and started to cry. Greta was making perfect sense, she was bringing out what she ignored to think about for a long time. Now, everything was clear as crystal.

“You are like my inside voice that I kept in silence for a long time.” Diana said. She was really upset about the situation. Greta genially put her hand on Diana’s shoulder. “It is okay to pendulate or be worried or lost. The important point is to keep on holding and do the best as soon as possible.”

Diana lifted her head and asked the hard one. “What do you think I should do now?” Although, she was not sure if she was ready to hear the answer.

“I know that you love Foudre so much, more than any ordinary trainer would feel for their Pokémon. But, if you won’t go on a journey and make Foudre’s dreams come true, you have to let her make her dreams come true.” Greta said.

“You want me to give it to someone?” Diana asked.

“Maybe temporarily.” Greta said. “As long as Foudre could participate in the league, and she would return to you.”

“As if that would be possible.” Diana responded. “See, if Foudre ever tastes what she experienced with me, she will love her trainer more than anything, even me. She won’t ever want to come with me.”

“If you want to leave her here to decay, you will see her death eventually!” Greta responded. She did not realise while she was speaking, but her voice was much louder than usual. Diana knew that Greta was getting annoyed. But she could not let a stranger say things about her so soon.

“That’s enough, lady.” Diana responded. “This conversation is already over. Please, leave here.”

“Diana! I am sorry!” Greta responded. “Please, hear out what I say, help this Pokémon!”

Diana stood up and held Greta’s arm. “You may leave now, otherwise I will have to call the police.”

“No, hold it!” Greta attempted to say something, until Diana pushed her outside of the café. Before Diana closed the door, Greta could only scream. “If you change your mind and want to find me, I am camping at the forest area! You can find me easily!” She said. But all Diana did was closing the door and turning her back to walk away.

Greta was not happy with what happened, but at least she had a clear conscience that she did her best for the depressed Pokémon. Later on, she could only walk all the way back to camp area and find the guys for the dinner.

The next morning, when Greta was asked to go along with Redwald and Eusine, she disgruntledly rejected it. She had no lust for anything. After a while, she could only let Nidoran, Metapod and Paras come out of their Poké Balls, and enjoy the warm nature while they still could. “An eager winter is on the way. We won’t be able to be outside that well soon.” She said. All the Pokémon probably did not probably care what she said.

Greta enjoyed being depressed and spoiled for a while by lying down on the grasses and watching the sky with many thoughts in her head. As she knew it could help nothing, despite it was not simple, she forced herself to get up and wash the dishes from the morning. “I should talk to guys and start making shifts for dishes.” She mourned. But then, she remembered that she was incapable of finding locations on the map and Eusine was already helping them a lot with everything. Then, she decided to stick to that, as it was what she was most helpful with.

While she was using the lake’s clean water to wash the dishes, she realized some rustle from behind. As she was distracted, she dropped one of the plates to the lake’s bottom before she turned her back. But what she saw rather surprised her instead of frightening. Diana was coming along with Foudre.

Greta washed her hands and stood up as she came closer. “Hi, Greta.” Diana greeted her friendly. Greta was quite surprised.

“What brought you here?” Greta asked. Foudre sat on the grasses and began to slack. Diana hanged her head before she began her speech. “I am sorry for my behaviour from yesterday, Greta. You were absolutely right. It was me who wasn’t ready to face anything and acted like a child.”

“I am sorry, too.” Greta said. “I should not judge you before knowing anything about you personally. You are right to be mad at me.”

“Foudre and I had a conversation this morning.” Diana said. “I asked her if she would like to go on a journey with you with the condition that you would bring her back me once you’re done with your journey and ready to head back home.”

“What did she say?” Greta asked. She could not help it but she was smiling. Diana called Foudre back in her Poké Ball before she said anything.

“You know...” She said. “Foudre hates to show her feelings. When I asked her, she pretended she didn’t care, but she actually did. She wants to go along with you, discover other places and feel free again. I just... I just couldn’t keep her in the café anymore. It was her prison.”

“I understand you, Diana.” Greta responded with sympathy. “I totally understand you.”

“Before you accept, let me say that Foudre is a very challenging Pokémon. She will enjoy driving you crazy. She won’t let you get closer to her maybe for a very long time. But I know, once she knows how nice person you are deep inside, and that she can count on you, it will all be resolved and she will open up to you.”

“Are you ready to deal with such troublesome Pokémon, ready to take all the weight on your shoulders?” Diana asked. Greta smiled again. “You know, I am.” She said. “I dedicated my journey to discover and understand Pokémon. There is no way I could reject such an offer, especially considering Foudre wants to see all those places.”

Diana nodded her head with a gentle smile. “Then, I can count on you.” She said. “Please, promise me that you will bring her back in the end. I can sacrifice myself for not seeing her for a year or so, but I can’t bear with not seeing her for the entire rest of my life.”

“Don’t you worry, Diana.” Greta said. “Once I am sure that I can work at the Day Care service adequately, I will return home and stop by at your café to have one last conversation with you. Until then, you can contact me through Pokécenters any time you want. Nowadays all the Pokécenters have the calling device, even with camera. You can see how Foudre improves.”

Diana nodded her head. “Let me say good bye to my darling.” She said. Greta took all the dishes and let them be for a while.

Diana took Foudre’s Poké Ball and called the creature out. Foudre appeared on the grasses again.

“As we agreed, you are ready to set off.” Diana said. “I know you are mad at me more than anything. But no matter what, don’t take it as an agreement of letting go of you. As I promised, you will be back with me in the end. In the meantime, I believe, you get your chance to enjoy everything you are offered and let go of your anger against me.”

“I really hope you do.” Diana said. Foudre was quite emotionless during the whole speech. But once Diana hugged the Pokémon and let eardrops go out and they fell on Foudre’s fury skin, Foudre felt something for the first time, empathy.

“You are a flower, almost ready to blossom.” Diana said, still crying. She called the Pokémon back in her Poké Ball one last time, before she handed it over Greta, even though it was the hardest thing she had to endure in the last years.

“Eevee, use Bite!” Redwald ordered. Eevee ran to the branch of the tree and used bite on it. The branch suddenly broke off and fell on the ground.

“Your turn, Poliwag!” Redwald said. “Use Double Slap! Remember, you have to do it as many as possible at once!”

Poliwag ran to another branch of the tree and used his tail for Double Slap. He hit the branch five times in a row. “Well done!” He responded.

“Sand Attack and block your foe’s sight!” Redwald ordered to Pidgey. Pidgey flew and rolled in the sky, and came closer to the ground. There, he flapped his wings as tough as possible and created a body of sand in the air. “That should do the trick!” He said.

“Tangela, this is your time for Vine Whip!” Redwald ordered. Tangela let go of her two vines out of her body, as they reached to the branch and broke it off just like Eevee did. The branch fell on the ground, as Redwald congratulated Tangela.

“If they keep it up that way, there is no way you would lose, Redwald.” Eusine said, proudly almost like he trained his student.

Greta running behind the bushes interrupted their conversation, as both Redwald and Eusine thought Greta was in danger. But she was only in a hurry.

“I have something to show you!” Greta said excitedly, almost like her heart was going to stop beating.

“What is it, Greta? Are you alright?” Eusine asked, as he ran to her and touched her arm.

“I am!” Greta said. “In fact, I have never been better!” She took a Poké Ball out of her pocket. “This is my Pokémon!” She said, as she threw the Poké Ball, and let Foudre come out of it. The Pokémon appeared on the grasses, felt odd as everyone was staring at her.

“What is this Pokémon?” Redwald asked.

“She is Foudre.” Greta responded.

“How did you get her?” Eusine asked. And therefore, Greta started everything from the beginning, where she visited the café the day before.

Humans

 * Redwald Walker
 * Greta Parker
 * Eusine Hunter
 * Diana