Sprigatito took over Joe's pillow that night. No point getting a pet bed. They'd be away for a year starting tomorrow. He laid her to rest on one side. Claimed a side for himself. In the middle of the night he awoke with a sneeze. Sprigatito was curled up in front of his face. Her tail stroked his nose. He sat up. She shifted from the change. He smiled. Lay back down. Felt wet on his face and pillow. She'd licked him at some point recently. Maybe he grumbled in his sleep and she tried to comfort him. His side still hurt after all. Or maybe he was tasty food in a dream.
In the morning, Joe felt a fuzzy feeling in his belly. Anticipation. Wore his usual basic outfit. Jeans, shirt, jacket. Joe was a simple man. His wardrobe was full of similar sets of clothes and nothing more. He ate a simple breakfast and left his apartment. Pushed his keys through the letterbox. He didn't need them. His mother had spares for him to pick up when he came back.
Sprigatito's belly rested on his shoulder. Two legs dangled up front, two behind. She always rested there since he caught her yesterday. Joe was glad Hydie mentioned Sprigatito's gender. He didn't want to think of her as 'it' the entire time. Maybe the PokeCenter checked for people, because Joe certainly wasn't going to look.
Joe's destination was Olivine Gym, but he was an early riser. The Gym was still closed. So he wandered around the city for a while. Found himself at the cliff overlooking the pier. Where he saved Jasmine two years ago. The original path on the edge was sealed off. They had a new path excavated through a hill to reach the lighthouse. Local Government only acted when someone's life was at risk. Typical.
Amphy's lighthouse had been renovated too. Now the light was operated by technology. Amphy retired, not wanting to put others in danger.
Joe thought it was about time. He headed for the Gym. Double checked a mental list of items. Strapped to his back was a massive rucksack. One step away from a military pack. Tent. Sleeping bag. Clothes. Food. The essentials. He'd had to cram Pokemon food in last second. He usually had space for souvenirs. For now the cat's food could take that space.
Joe reached the familiar Steelix head. Walked inside. Greeted the bespectacled receptionist. The same woman he'd scared into giving him Jasmine's whereabouts. It turned out she was reasonable. When she heard what Joe did, she thanked him. Forgave him. Said she would've done the same thing. The receptionist had been on Jasmine's side the entire time. She always smiled warmly at Jasmine like an older sister caring for a younger sibling. The receptionist was the one that had encouraged Jasmine to phone the PokeMart and inquire about the delivery. That led to Joe and Jasmine meeting. Joe felt like he owed the receptionist for that.
"She's in the arena." The receptionist saw Joe. Knew why he was here. Directed him to Jasmine.
Joe nodded. Headed through a bright hallway. After befriending Jasmine, Joe did a bit of research on Gym Leaders. Information on obscure celebrities was easy enough to find on the Internet. That was when Joe learned Jasmine's age. Two years younger than him. So when they met she was twenty. She was one of the youngest Gym Leaders, but that just proved she was a formidable Trainer.
He picked up on the sound of battle. Walked into an open space. Floodlights hanging from the ceiling. Dirt arena. Rows of empty seats surrounded the arena. Jasmine's lack of popularity on full display.
Many people knew there was a Pokemon Gym in Olivine, but even so, they didn't visit. Jasmine's problem was her extreme focus. She put on a good battle, but that was all she did. Anyone could watch a good battle from the comfort of their home. Gym Leaders like Raihan of Galar, or Elessa of Unova, or Gary of Kanto did more. They were expressive. Purposely engaged the audience. Gale force winds from a fly-by. Actively talking to the audience. Get them involved. They have a catchphrase or a popular finishing move that the audience can shout out. They put on a show.
Massive one-hundred-inch televisions bolted to the upper walls, showing the battle. The feed was edited live. There were multiple cameras pointed at the battlefield. In one corner of the screen was Jasmine. The other corner housed a challenger. A young girl.
Surrounding Jasmine's portrait were six circles. Two were blacked out. Two looked like Pokeballs, but greyed out. Two were coloured Pokeballs. So it was a four versus four and two of her Pokemon had been knocked out.
The challenger had three greyed out. Her blue and white bunny, which Joe learnt was an Azumarill as she called out to it, was her final Pokemon.
Jasmine had a steel bird flying around the arena right now. Skarmory. It soared by Joe as he took a seat. His clothes ruffled hard. Sprigatito had to dig her claws into his jacket otherwise she'd be blown away. This was what Joe was talking about. Any of the popular Gym Leaders would take advantage of this action to engage the audience in banter, but Jasmine was too focused on the battle to realise she now had a spectator.
Skarmory reached the peak of its ascension when it was struck by a powerful water-type move. The bird fell. Hit dirt. Kicked up dust. When the dust settled, Skarmory couldn't stand back up. Jasmine used a Pokeball to retrieve Skarmory. Blue energy absorbed it.
Jasmine pocketed the ball. She favoured long, flowing dresses. Her one piece was pastel blue with white arms. Orange bow on her chest. She pulled out another Pokeball. Tossed it. Out came a red bipedal bug with wings. It had clamps for hands. Scizor.
Joe was sad that Scizor came out. He wasn't going to see the Gym's mascot today. Steelix. A shame. He liked the big guy. He'd also missed the Gym gimmick. They varied wildly. Every Gym had a different gimmick. Some were part of the battle. Some were before. Some were after. Johto's steel-type Gym had a steel cutting competition before the battle. Joe likened it to martial artists cutting wood with a hand. Being an activity before the main event, this Gym's gimmick didn't mean anything. Didn't factor into a win or loss from battling. It was an appetiser before the main course.
The massive screens changed to reflect this development. Pokemon called Rotom loved electronics. Joe had encountered them a few times. Nuisances. One took over the lights of the PokeMart for a day. It would randomly switch them on and off to scare people. For Gyms, Rotom integrated itself into the systems. Controlled everything. But there was a truce. Rotom was treated extremely well, given great comfort, and in return it had a job to do.
This meant Joe was on livestream right now. He was tempted to wave at a camera. All Pokemon battles were incredibly popular. That included Gym battles. Every country had a Gym for every type of Pokemon. They all streamed battles with challengers. An army of Rotom handled it all.
With a lull in the battle, Jasmine finally noticed Joe. Her heart rate quickened. Saw Pokemon on his shoulder. Had he finally caught one? She put on a poor display in front of Joe. Lost Skarmory. But she wasn't going to lose Scizor. She proceeded to fight well. Too well. Gym Leaders were a challenge. Challenges are supposed to be overcome.
Once the dust settled, Scizor was standing. Azumarill wasn't. It was Jasmine's win. The girl cradled her blue bunny. Tapped it with a Pokeball to return it. Met Jasmine at the side of the arena.
"Y- You fought well… You'll win next time." Jasmine comforted the girl.
The girl nodded. Walked away with a sour expression. Disappeared into a hallway. Loss affected children the worst. Teenage angst.
Joe stood as Jasmine approached. "Good job."
She smiled at his words. Always happy to receive praise from Joe. Her vision shifted to the Sprigatito on his shoulder. She had to satisfy her curiosity. "Is this another stray or have you caught a Pokemon?"
"I caught this one yesterday." Joe said, scratching the cat under the chin.
"Took you long enough." Jasmine retorted. For someone that constantly looked after Pokemon, it had taken Joe a long time to catch one. "It doesn't suit you though."
"What did you expect, a Machamp?" Joe joked. But Jasmine was serious. She nodded vigorously. "Who knows, maybe Sprigatito will evolve into a meathead like her Trainer." The cat was startled by this. Started slapping Joe's cheek. He looked at Sprigatito. She shook her head. "What? You don't evolve into a beefcake?"
Jasmine answered for the cat. "I've fought a few. Meowscarada doesn't need muscle. It attacks at range using grass-type moves. It usually keeps opponents away with its signature move. Trainers double down on what Meowscarada's signature move does, so there's no need for muscle. Energy does the heavy lifting."
There it was. Jasmine's famous battle knowledge. She excelled in the subject. At first she would talk Joe's ear off and then act bashful. Sorry for speaking about battle so much. Joe didn't mind. It was her hobby. He liked it when people got excited about things they liked. He happily listened. Absorbed the information from the passionate woman.
Joe hummed in response. He doubted Sprigatito would evolve. He had no plans to use her in battle.
A pause in the conversation allowed Jasmine's mind to race. The smile she had from when Joe arrived was now gone. She knew why Joe was here. She looked at the ground. Grabbed her dress with both hands. Gripped tightly. "Are you really going…?"
Joe had been looking forward to this day for a long time, and Jasmine had been fearing it. She'd counted the days since he told her months ago. Joe often spoke of his love for nature. He wanted to go out and see more of the world. He was leaving for a year and there was nothing Jasmine could do about it. It was selfish to want him to stay, but she couldn't help feeling this way.
"I sure am. I'd ask if you want to come with me, but then it'd be cut down to a six-month holiday." Joe grinned. Tried to lighten the mood. Joe could be stubborn on topics like chivalry. Gym Leaders earned a good wage, but he would pay for everything for Jasmine. Beyond his chivalry, they knew Jasmine wasn't cut out for adventure. She was too anxious. It was too far out of her comfort zone.
Jasmine didn't reply. Tears silently rolled down her cheeks. She sniffled. She used an arm to rub her eyes.
"Come on, don't cry. You've made other friends. You won't be alone and I'll be back before you know it. Just don't count the hours." Joe didn't want to preach. Time was limited and he wanted Jasmine to enjoy herself. Paying attention to time would only make it worse.
Jasmine looked up. Saw Joe's pearly whites. She was drawn into the moment. Her lips curved into a smile, eyes still wet. "...Be sure to keep in touch, okay?"
"You bet. I'll write you a letter every month." Joe laughed.
Jasmine started beating his chest feebly with the sides of her fists. "Use your phone! It's what technology is for!" Joe had teased her one too many times. At some point she learnt to retort. When they first met she'd just go quiet. It showed how far she'd come.
Jasmine had never voiced her thoughts, but she enjoyed her time with Joe. He was a good friend. Maybe something more. He was patient with her despite her anxiety and shy personality. Seeing him smile made her feel comfortable. He listened to her ramble. He was fun. The thought had crossed her mind. Maybe she wanted this in her life permanently.
Joe ignored the beating. Jasmine's slender arms weren't made for hurting. But he wasn't ignorant of her feelings. He wasn't a complete idiot. He liked her. She liked him. He would've acted if not for his own problem still being unsolved.
Jasmine's fake outrage ended. The duo walked to the lobby. Joe joked about how Jasmine was stuck working this year while he'd be enjoying his time off. She lashed out again. He laughed again. The receptionist heard them coming. Looked at the doorway. Smiled when she saw Jasmine. Joe noticed her. She kept up the big sister act at all times.
"Well, it's about time I go. I've got a ferry to catch." Joe patted Jasmine's head. "I'll see you later, Jasmine."
Joe walked. Waved at Jasmine. She gave a little wave, hand in front of her chest. He turned. Took a few steps. And then he was stopped. Could feel arms around him. He looked under his arm. Jasmine had grabbed him from behind. She was under his backpack. Joe couldn't get a good look at her. He took another few steps forward. Jasmine let her feet drag, all her weight on him.
For her part, Jasmine was surprised she wasn't embarrassed to be acting like this.
"What are you, a kid?" Joe wondered how to detach Jasmine from him without hurting her. "But damn, you must really be eating steel. I don't think I could carry you again. You're way too heavy."
Jasmine glared even though her face wasn't visible. Bared her fangs. Pinched Joe's sides. This earned a small grunt. She'd actually hurt Joe. Taken advantage of an existing injury. The fall from when he jumped to save Sprigatito yesterday. Joe took a few more steps. Jasmine continued to be dragged along.
Joe grabbed her arms. Pulled them apart. If Jasmine had longer arms then that would've been much harder. Even if she remained weak, she could've interlocked her arms in an annoying manner. Joe stretched her arms out as far as they could go. Let go and darted forward. Jasmine rushed to grab but her arms grasped nothing. Joe ran out the glass doors, shouting his goodbyes one last time for good measure.
Jasmine followed to the stairs leading out of Steelix's mouth. Watched Joe leave. She'd never thanked him properly for all the help. Not just with Amphy and the lighthouse. He'd assisted Jasmine in many ways over the couple of years they'd been friends. She put her hands around her mouth. Shouted for the first and only time in her life.
"I love you, Joe!" Jasmine was surprised, but not unhappy, at the words she'd spoken. She paid attention. Maybe he'd heard. Maybe he'd come back. But he didn't. He was long gone, into the sea of buildings.
People walking nearby were startled by the sudden shout. They looked her way. A lover's quarrel, perhaps? They returned to walking.
The receptionist came out. Stood beside Jasmine. Put a hand on her shoulder. "There's always next time."
Jasmine didn't know it yet, but her confession caused a stir for fans of Pokemon Trainers. People asked if she'd always been this cute. A woman in love looked different. Rumours were created. Word spread. Johto's steel-type Gym Leader had confessed to someone. This created curiosity. People realised they didn't know much about Jasmine. They started paying attention to her livestreamed battles. They saw just how crazy strong Jasmine was. She cultivated a fan base without knowing. These new fans were like the receptionist. They cheered on both her career and love life. Her fanbase steadily grew over the course of months. Jasmine had avoided the spotlight until now, but this was inevitable. She was a Gym Leader. They all became popular celebrities. It was just a matter of time.
* * * * *
Joe ran through the streets. Aimed for the sea South of Olivine. His chariot awaited. Sprigatito had never moved so fast. She was enjoying the sensation of rushing wind on her face.
Joe liked using his own feet to travel, but it'd take a month to reach Mt. Silver. He'd seen Johto. He wanted to rush and see Kanto. He was catching a ride to a town called New Bark. It sat at the base of Mt. Silver. Travelling along the sea, Joe knew of places he'd see. Goldenrod. Azalea. Cherrygrove. He'd already visited them.
He arrived just in time. One minute to spare. He walked up a long metal walkway. Reached the deck of the ship. It was a large white vessel with red accents. On the deck was a swimming pool and Pokemon battle arena. Those were just two forms of entertainment he could enjoy while aboard. He expected to get to them all eventually.
A stewardess stood at the end of the walkway. She greeted customers with a polite smile. Then Joe appeared. Her smile faltered. She looked at him with pleading eyes. Joe ignored it. He knew how he looked. She was begging him not to cause trouble.
He went below deck. Found his room. Gold numbers on the door. He ducked inside. He heard a child pass by. The boy laughed at the giant. Joe barely fit through the door. The boy's mother hushed him. Joe smiled. Looked at his room. Joe realised why the stewardess had looked at him funny. He expected a tight fit, but even he was surprised. The bed was literally too small. The end of the bed had a wall connected to the bathroom. His feet couldn't dangle over the end. He'd have to sleep on the floor. Lay the quilt on the carpet. Use a blanket from his backpack to cover himself. It'll do.
Joe tossed his bag into a corner. Left to explore the ship. Went to the deck. The ship jolted. It began to move. He stood at the railing. Watched Olivine disappear. Turned to watch a battle. Fire and water collided. Wind washed over him, pressure from attacks colliding. It was better than watching a battle on television. Feeling the attacks. The excitement from the crowd.
Once the battle finished, Joe kept moving. Found a casino. Partook for a while. Lost a bit of money. Gamble long enough and everyone's a loser. He found a cafeteria. Enjoyed an early meal. A juicy steak. Sprigatito sat on the table. Watched with wide eyes. That could've been her if Joe were as scary as he looked.
It became night. Joe was in his room doing push-ups. No fitness center on the ferry. Sprigatito sat on his back. Yipped every time Joe reached the peak of his ascension. She was frightened of Joe yesterday. Now look at her. Joe liked having someone around, even if they were an animal. He couldn't converse with her fully, but the comfort of a pet was not to be underestimated. Joe wanted a family one day. Raising Sprigatito would be like training to raise children, but without the hard work.
Joe stood up. Wiped his sweat. Looked out the oval window. Saw the moon. Got his bed on the floor ready. As he lay there, Sprigatito curled up beside him, he thought of Jasmine. He had heard her confession. He wanted to go back to her. But instead he'd run away. He liked Jasmine, but he wanted to fix his problem first. But he had no idea how to fix himself.
A couple of years ago he'd gone to his mother. Asked for help. There was something wrong with his memories. His adult years were fine. Middle school was patchy. Single digit years were unavailable. His mother was a doting parent, but in that moment she was unusually stern. Told him to drop it. Don't worry about it. Joe obeyed even though he didn't want to. He had no free will on the subject. It sounded like brainwashing. Joe was hypnotised to avoid certain topics.
He didn't feel right accepting Jasmine's feelings. What if he forgot her? What if she entered their home and he thought she was a stranger? It would ruin the relationship. He couldn't put this burden on her.
Joe sighed. Rolled over. Closed his eyes. He wanted to remove the brainwashing. Wanted to be in a relationship with Jasmine. But he knew when he woke up, he would have no desire to solve his own problem.