Into the Unown (Pokemon Fanfiction OC)

Celadon City was an interesting place. Its outskirts were lush verdant forests, teeming with Pokemon and plant life thanks to the tireless work of Erika and the Celadon Gym. However, the city itself had a distinctly archaic feel to it; blocky buildings, stained concrete, faded signboards and tacky neon. It was like stepping back into disco era Japan with how dated the aesthetic was, like a city left behind by progress and time.

For a brief period in history, Celadon was the most developed and populous city in Kanto. However, a bout of mismanagement by disconnected cronies and real estate inflation drove longtime residents towards neighbouring Saffron instead. 

As their bus drove by, Nina could distinctly make out the shadows of that momentary period of excess in the form of ostentatious hotels, storefronts and ‘entertainment centers’, now dull and utterly devoid of glamor. There was a distinctly retro feel to it all.

Yet despite its lost glory, there was still an abundance of people living in the city; gloomy eyed individuals squinting at the afternoon sun after a long and intimate session with the slot machines, haggard looking night workers, anxious salaryman buzzing about, skeezy looking touts, easygoing passerbys and so much more.

“There’s a certain color to this city that the industrial Vermilion lacks…” Nina muttered, eliciting a confused look from Kerry who was sitting next to her.

“Did you say something, Nina?” Kerry asked, but was met with a light shake of the head from her friend.

“Nothing. Just wondering why there’s so many people lining up outside the department store.” Nina pointed at the long queue outside the iconic building that wrapped all the way around the block in an attempt to change the subject.

Oddly enough, Kerry seemed to light up at the question. “That’s because Lady Erika just released a new scent today. So everyone’s vying to get their hands on it.” The girl then wilted when she realized that the line was actually double stacked and even extended across the street from the department store. “I was hoping to maybe buy some as a souvenir for my mom, but I don’t think that’s happening.” The girl added, voice tinged in melancholy.

“Oh yeah... I think Bev mentioned something about wanting me to buy a bottle for her as well.” Nina took another glance at the Gyarados of a line outside the bus window. “Yeah, ain’t no way I’m getting involved in that.” She concluded. Nina never liked queues, in this life and the last, it was a waste of time and herd mentality at its worst.

“I wonder if we can get Lady Lilian to pull some strings for us,” said the sheepish Kerry. It seemed the girl wanted Erika’s new perfume more than she was willing to admit. Nina simply laughed and said that she would ask their highborn friend when they met up later.

***

“I was informed by Lady Blackthorn that you two won’t be staying with us?” Mrs Smith asked, once they had arrived at the inn that the school booked for the group. It was located at the outskirts of the city, but was fairly close to the Verdant Orchid, where the inter-school meet was going to be held, a mere twenty minutes bus ride away, closer to Route 16 as opposed to the forty minutes it took to get here from the city.

“Yup,” Nina answered. “The Blackthorn villa is only about a fifteen minute walk from here, so there won’t be any issues with us coming by and engaging with the rest of the team.”

Mrs Smith nodded in understanding. “Very well then, if you know your way there then go and store your luggage before coming back to join us for dinner. It’s important to spend some time bonding with your peers. Lady Blackthorn is welcome to join us as well of course, if she feels so inclined.”

Both Nina and Kerry replied in affirmation before bidding their goodbyes to Matsuri and Thomas, promising that they would come back and join them later in the evening. Nina had a great time with her two seniors during their train ride. Matsuri was boisterous but extremely friendly, while Thomas was a kindred soul whom Nina thoroughly enjoyed speaking with. 

It wasn’t often that Nina got to meet someone who was equally as passionate about Pokemon in the same way that she was, outside of the various Professors and researchers she was acquainted with. In fact, she found out that Thomas was actually sponsored by Professor Cerise, an expert in Pokemon ecology.

“This place is really different from the city huh?” Kerry remarked as the two students leisurely strolled through the little village that surrounded the inn. 

Nina nodded and flipped through her notes. “Yup, this place is called Rainbow Meadows and mostly houses people who work to maintain Erika’s private nature reserve. But recently it’s been making a name for itself as being an idyllic vacation spot. In fact, the inn that the others are staying in was a recent addition to accommodate the influx of tourists.”

“Wow, Erika’s super capable huh?” Kerry said before casting her gaze to take in the quaint little village adorned with fragrant wildflowers and a river so clear, one could easily see the colourful pebbles lining the bottom and the leisurely Goldeens swimming through it.

“Shinx!”

“Pi!”

The water looked so enticing that even Kerry’s Pokemon were tempted to jump in, though Lynxie looked like he wanted to take a bite out of the Goldeens instead. “Careful not to fall in, you two.” Kerry called as she hovered anxiously over the two juvenile Pokemon.

Nina chuckled at the sight. “It’s fine, the water’s shallow and either Nairy or Espy can fish them out if they fall in.” She assured, but just as an extra precaution, Nina also asked Espy to keep an eye on the little ones in her mind.

“I don’t see a lot of tourists around though.” The young Joy remarked as they stopped atop a cute little wooden bridge to take a photo.

“That’s because this place can be considered as a gated community of sorts. Do you remember that guarded outpost we passed by on our way here?”

Kerry nodded. “Yeah, they talked to our bus driver before letting us through. Also, what do you mean gated community?”

In lieu of an answer, Nina pointed towards a large building located at the center of the village, one that looked understated and blended in well with its surroundings, but was otherwise constructed using quality and expensive materials. “That there is Erika’s new Gym. Her old one in the city is still intact, but you’re not going to find her there most days. Instead, she has a stand-in that handles challengers on her behalf.” 

She then added that if a trainer wanted to fight Erika herself, then they needed to obtain permission to enter Rainbow Meadows to do so. Which actually wasn’t that hard to do, since they just had to make a booking with an authorised tour group. Cost was a factor of course, since accommodation in Erika’s inn with all their amenities and Munchlax star rating wasn’t cheap.

Kerry frowned in confusion at Nina’s words. “So you’re saying that Erika has abandoned Celadon City?”

Nina shrugged in ignorance. “Who knows? That’s a question we should ask Erika if we ever get a chance to meet her. Maybe in a less direct manner though, I hear she’s a very sensitive soul.”

Word on the grapevine was that Erika was in constant conflict with the entrenched business community and City Council of Celadon City, so she went and built this little paradise away from all the politics. That said, she couldn’t just forsake the city entirely since her position as Gym Leader was attached to it, so she took the route of malicious compliance instead. 

Even all the work she did on the outskirts of the city was in part out of spite, since it was ancestral land belonging to her clan and the City Council had no jurisdiction. But Nina refrained from sharing such rumours and hearsay to avoid spoiling her friend’s impression of the noble and demure Gym Leader.

Their walk to Lilian’s vacation home took a little longer than anticipated, since the girls often stopped to take pictures and marvel at the scenic view along the way. The villa owned by the Blackthorn clan was a quaint two storey construct which stood alone and slightly removed from Rainbow Meadows as a whole.

The two girls were greeted not by Alfred, as Nina had expected, but rather a familiar looking face in a butler’s outfit that caused Nina to burst out laughing.

“Looking good, Shadow.” Nina snickered, once she calmed down a little. The man who greeted them was indeed the usually gruff Purple Shadow, who looked extremely out of place in a swallowtail suit. Utterly conflicting with the sleazy, dishevelled image that the ronin usually wore.

In response, Purple Shadow merely gritted his teeth and forced out a cordial greeting to his two guests. “Good afternoon, Miss Joy and Miss… Jones…” said the man, looking constipated as he addressed Nina in a respectful tone. “On behalf of milady Lilian, I would like to warmly welcome you to her humble abode.”

Nina let out a little smirk at her friend and mentor. “You know, you’re looking an awful lot like a Sebastian right now. Should I call you Sebastian while you’re working as Lilian’s butler? That’ll help with your cover, and you said last time that I’m free to call you whatever I want right?”

Purple Shadow’s eyes twitched at the teasing of the haughty girl, nose flaring as he simply responded with; “You may address me in whichever manner you desire, Miss Jones…”

“Err… Nina, do you know this gentleman?” Kerry chimed, feeling a little bad for the poor man.

Nina snorted at the use of the term “gentleman” to describe the brutal ronin. “This here is Purple Shadow, or Hattori as is his original name. He works for Lilian and is the one who has been helping me with Brucey’s training.” She explained, having learned Purple Shadow’s real name at some point after pestering the guy for months.

Kerry nodded and gave a little bow towards the ‘butler’. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr Hattori. My name is Kerry and I’ll be in your care during the duration of our stay.”

Hattori’s face blossomed into a warm and amicable smile as he returned the sentiment. “Likewise, Miss Joy. It is always a pleasure to be of service to such an elegant and intelligent lady. It is a shame that not all individuals are as refined as yourself.” He added, in a subtle dig at Nina.

However, the girl in question merely snorted and feigned ignorance. “I’ll tell Lilian you said that. It’s not right to speak ill of your lady behind her back.”

Hattori leveled an intense glare at Nina and was just about to burst out with a rude remark before he was struck on the head by a gloved hand.

“Behave yourself, Hattori.” said the steady voice of Alfred as he lowered himself in a bow towards his two guests. “Good afternoon, Miss Jones, Miss Joy. It is wonderful to see you as always, and an absolute pleasure to welcome you to the villa. Please, you have been left unattended for too long, allow us to relieve you of your burdens and show you inside.”

Nina nodded and said her thanks to Alfred, before unceremoniously offloading her backpack to the fuming Hattori. Kerry did the same, but in a much gentler manner.

The inside of the villa itself was, surprisingly, very tastefully decorated. Nina was expecting a load of gauche, maybe Lilian’s cape collection, ostentatious banners or stuffed Pokemon heads and various tasteless paraphernalia. However, looking around, Nina couldn’t even see a single clan emblem in sight, which was very out of character from her impression of the Blackthorn clan so far.

As usual, Espy went in search of a good spot to sit on the living room couch, but not before Nina made her wipe her feet against a mat to avoid soiling any of the, presumably, expensive brand named furniture. 

And since this was the estate of a clan of Dragon Tamers, they were naturally very welcoming of Nairy’s presence, who gave Nina a little boop upon release and went about exploring the place with Sir Clodington in tow. Brucey opted to stick close to Nina, and for the better as well, since she didn’t want to risk her mischievous Golbat doing something that might put an unnecessary dent in her wallet.

“Please allow Hattori to settle your luggage while I provide a tour. Milady has specifically asked that I prioritize our bathing amenities.”

Nina lit up at the mention of the baths, wondering if it truly was as luxurious as Lilian described. “Where’s Lilian by the way?” She asked, as the two girls followed Alfred to the back of the villa where the bathroom was.

“Milady is currently engaged in a call with her elders upstairs.” Alfred answered, before checking his wristwatch. “I believe she will be joining us soon.”

Nina nodded and said that there was no rush. “Oh, Mr Alfred.” Kerry chimed, looking a little shy in front of the dapper old man. “Our teachers ask that Nina and I join them at the inn for dinner tonight, will Lady Lilian be willing to join us?”

Alfred let out a genial smile as he opened a sliding door leading to the changing room. “Of course, milady has cleared her schedule this evening specifically for the both of you. I am sure she won’t be opposed to the notion… And here we are,” said the old butler, while gesturing towards the steamy space that opened up before them.

Nina’s eyes sparkled at the sight. Just like Lilian said, there was an indoor portion and an outdoor portion to the villa’s bathing area. The indoor bath consisted of a massive square bathtub made from cypress wood, filled with steaming hot spring water flowing from a stone relief of a Gyarados’s head that was attached to the tiled wall.

The outside bath was a stone one recessed into the ground, lined with smooth rocks and filled from an intricate Dragonair statue that poured water from its mouth. Encompassing the bath was an entirely open space that afforded its occupants with a scenic view of a bamboo forest, with no worries about privacy thanks to the natural wall of yellowish green plant stalks surrounding them. The top was also covered with a straw canopy to shield against the elements.

All in all, the villa’s bathing area felt refreshing to look at, despite the stifling heat of the steamy waters.

“There is also a sauna behind that door should you be so inclined.” Alfred added as he went over each of the amenities within the bath, including the little shower area as well as the expensive looking liquids and lotions that they stocked for the girls.

Nina was grinning like a fool by the end of the tour, feeling glad that she took Lilian up on her offer. She doubted that even the inn’s bath was so well equipped. And even if it was, she would have to share it with others who may or may not be respectful of bathing etiquette. 

She recalled that Miles once went to a hot spring where some of his fellow bathers had neglected to completely rinse the bubbles off their bodies, resulting in the residual soap floating on the surface of the bath he was in. He knew that they weren’t exactly dirty, but the bubbles seemed gross to him nonetheless.

Nina checked the time on her Pokedex. “I mean, there’s still some time before dinner. Surely I can afford to take a little soak…”