Pokémon Fool's Gold | Orre & Galar Fanfiction

Chapter 94: Content

The ascending trail to Eclo Town was rough and uneven. Prickly branches brushed the limbs of climbers. It was teeming with Trainers. Amber, Cassia and Seth were forced to pitch their tent for the night at the edge of the slope. Their Pokémon were exhausted. None of them admitted it, but they were, too. Dinner was more beans. Amber pulled mould off the bread. She wouldn't be keeping that Cipher packet.

They heard Parvor's voice. He saw their tent and pitched his close by, assuming the area had to be poop-safe, but they both awoke to tents pelted by droppings and urine. They crammed in breakfast to take off first. He overtook them on Mudsdale anyway. Cassia smirked at Amber.

'How things change... from "it's not a race, you know" to running off like your cousin.'

'I'm not that bad! Well, maybe I'm as bad as the new Zane. He's seriously calmed down.'

She snorted. 'I wouldn't go that far. But he has changed for the better. We all...'

Cassia was interrupted by an Ace Trainer's challenge. Amber and Seth took on a pair of Veterans in a multi battle. The glaring sun reached its peak. They took shelter under an acacia tree's branches to glug back water. Even in the cooler, it tasted like it came right out of a boiled kettle. Seth took off his jacket.

'Don't even think about telling me it's a "dry heat."'

Amber smiled wearily. 'I think we know by now. Although I still maintain Galarian heat is worse.'

Only the Fire-type Pokémon wanted a warm lunch. The cooking pot remained in the bag Blaziken carried. They shared out trail mix. Their supplies were dwindling. Phantom puddles appeared and faded. Amber was so sweaty even she couldn't get excited about seeing her first mirage. The canyon rim didn't seem any closer... but Seth spotted a Vibrava above. They rarely ventured into the canyon. It couldn't be so far. The Trainers they battled encouraged them. A Gym Trainer pushed a cart. Bottled water was nestled amongst ice. They gratefully took three each, one for themselves and the others for their thirsty Pokémon. Amber hiked on with her bottle pressed to her forehead, but it was soon warm. She took a pan full of ice from the next cart. Cassia shook her head when she placed cubes wherever they fit in her clothes. Seth checked his P★DA.

'Makes sense. It's 119°F.'

Amber blinked. 'Er... in Galarian?'

'About 48°C,' Cassia translated, 'OK, the ice isn't such a bad idea. It's hot.'

Though the ice cubes turned to warm mush. Amber poured the water over Vaporeon and Empoleon. They hoped for another cart, but there were only more Trainers eager to battle. The sun dipped. Pink tinted the sky. It was still sweltering. A Sandshrew emerged from a burrow.

'We have to be getting closer...'

Four Veterans, like a final test, flanked the path. Above their heads, a faded sign pointed to Eclo Town. They took on one each. The last was defeated by Parvor.

'Stay hydrated and rest when you need to,' he warned, 'It's still over a mile to Eclo Town!'

He took Seth's camera for a photo when they reached the rim. They heard the rumble of Highway 2. The sunset painted the rising dunes like fire. With no Trainers lurking amongst the cacti, except a Backpacker unwilling to battle, the walk was refreshingly easy even on the shifting sands.

The desert gave way to buildings with vibrantly painted wooden frontages and balconies. They were bizarrely juxtaposed with modern blocks of student accomodation. Cassia bought several cups of shave ice from an Alolan food truck. She handed them out to her friends and their Pokémon, but Amber was gone. Seth's clicking shutter followed her. Under the welcome sign dimly illuminated for the night, she hugged Trip and Camden. She gratefully accepted the shave ice when Cassia followed.

'I can't believe we made it! Come on – you two thought you were gonna die on that climb, too.'

'I certainly did.'

Seth sat on the curb to remove his sweaty creepers. His feet were red and slimy with exploded blisters.

'Should've listened to the mom friend and worn trainers. Being three inches taller is only worthwhile outside of the Big Ditch.'

Amber pointed to her hiking boots. 'This is what you should be wearing. I don't know how you even walk! Those platforms are massive!'

They tossed coins to a busker playing a harmonica. Trip directed them off the main street to a creaky hotel. The fans inside barely stirred cool air, but at least the water in the showers was cold. They sat around a polished wooden table in the restaurant. A western band played. Football replays were muted on the TV. They triumphantly clinked glasses together. Only Cassia drank wine. Amber and Seth chose cool Nomelade. A waitress in a frilly dress delivered fries and pizzas.

'You sure you don't wanna do the trek?' Amber asked Trip, 'I can stay with Camden.'

'Nah. I'm really not interested in being Champion, Amber. And we have the rest of our lives to hike all over Orre when Camden's a little older.'

'Well, that's certainly true.'

They shared a soft smile. Cassia rolled her eyes.

'Get a room.'

'That's not a bad idea.'

Amber picked up her jacket. 'I'm wiped out.'

'Sure you are. Try not to make any more babies.'

'Cass! I'm not that stupid! One is plenty, even for me... or it is for now, anyway. Sleep well, kids.'

The doors swung shut. Amber giggled as they climbed the stairs.

'I don't know when she thinks Cam's giving us the time to get it on...'

'In five years, maybe.'

'That's about how long it'll be before I don't go running back to check on him when he stays with grandma and grandpa.'

Trip unlocked the door. 'But I'm happy just like this.'

The music actually sent Camden to sleep. Trip gently laid him in his bassinet. He turned to quietly ask Amber to tell him about her hike, but she was already asleep in her clothes. Sleeping in a bed was still strange to him. He was content, though. He no longer needed to worry Gretchen would return in the dead of night. Until Camden woke them both, he slept as soundly as Amber.