Chapter Four: Enter Galactic!
Chapter Four: Enter Galactic!
As it had going from Jubilife to Oreburgh, the trip in reverse took Galen a few days, spent mostly focused on travel with sporadic stops to eat, rest, and train. It was nearing sunset on their third day after leaving Oreburgh that Galen and Luxor entered Jubilife, filthy and exhausted after all the time spent on the road. Galen couldn't help but smile slightly as he caught sight of his reflection in the window of a building as they walked past. It had been just under three weeks since he had left home, and already he could see the physical effects of traveling so much.
His skin was tanned-or at least more so than it had been before. What little excess fat had been on his body was rapidly disappearing from hours spent walking and occasionally running. Perhaps most noticeable was the thin layer of hair on his lower jaw. He had recently begun shaving every two weeks or so, as he was at the age when facial hair started to become a problem, but somehow it was more prominent now. Oddly, he found he kind of liked the look.
Unfortunately being unshaven with dirty clothes and unkempt hair didn't send a very good impression. He smiled ruefully, knowing that he would be better off cleaning himself up once they checked into the Pokémon Center for the night.
When the next day came Galen set out through Jubilife once more, now wearing freshly laundered clothes and with both hair and facial hair neatly managed. He had likewise chosen to give Luxor a quick bath as well. While the Shinx now looked rather well groomed, there were several quite noticeable scratch marks along Galen's arms that gave testament to how much effort the task had taken.
But the tasks ahead were weighing more heavily on Galen's mind than those of the night before. Since they had been prevented from going straight to Eterna City from Oreburgh, they would have to go north from Jubilife, and pass through Floraroma Town and the Eterna Forest to reach their destination. It was going to be incredibly tedious-not to mention a general pain in the ass-but it was their only real option.
As they walked down Jubilife's main street Galen still couldn't help but feel slightly awed of the sheer size of everything around them. He couldn't even see the tops of some of the buildings they walked past. After a life spent in a small town he just couldn't help but be a bit amazed with anything more than about four stories. Yet all at the same time, he found that there was something he found unappealing about the city. He found himself longing for more open spaces and smaller crowds. The crowds were probably the worst part. The streets and sidewalks were choked with people, making it difficult to get anywhere at a decent pace.
Luckily for Galen and Luxor though, as they went farther north through the city the lines of people thinned until an unending stream of bodies had become but a trickle. As they got close to the northern edge of the city and Route 204 beyond it people stopped appearing all together, as though they had all been drawn toward the centre of the city by some unseen force.
It was the general lack of people around that caused Galen to be startled when he heard someone call out his name from behind. Turning he caught sight of the source: Professor Rowan and Dawn, the latter of whom was waving to get his attention. Galen stopped and waited for them to catch up to him, wondering what they were doing in Jubilife in the first place. "Hey. I didn't expect to run into you two here."
Dawn smiled brightly as they came near. "We were just off on Route 218 studying the Pokémon in that area."
Professor Rowan nodded, confirming what she said. "I can't help but wonder what you're doing here though Galen. I though you would be farther along with your travels by now."
Galen chuckled. "I'm farther along than I look. I've already been to Oreburgh and back. I had to come back through here because the way to Eterna from Oreburgh was blocked."
"I see. And what kind of progress have you made then?"
Galen hesitated briefly before running down the short list. "Uh...well...I've caught two new Pokémon, Fireball evolved, and I now have one Gym Badge. How's that for progress?"
Rowan nodded approvingly. "Good considering how inexperienced you are."
Dawn chimed in then to say, "I think it's pretty amazing actually. It took me forever to get my Turtwig to evolve, and I doubt I could get any badges if I tried."
Galen smiled. "I'm sure you're not giving yourself enough credit."
Dawn shook her head. "I'm rather bad at things like battling. Assisting the Professor is one thing...but that's about all I'm good at."
"Nonsense. There must be plenty of things you're good at."
Dawn blushed slightly. "I don't really think so...but thanks."
Professor Rowan watched quietly as the two continued talking, feeling no desire to interrupt them. After all, in his lifetime he had found that of all the feelings in the world two were the greatest: that of traveling with a Pokémon for the first time, and that of developing your first feelings of affection for someone else. If what he was seeing was right, the latter was taking place before him, and the last thing he wanted to do was ruin that for the two of them.
Galen and Dawn continued to talk for a few minutes before they finally seemed to run out of things to say, and Professor Rowan suggested then that he and Dawn should start heading back toward Sandgem. Galen bid them farewell, then turned back toward the north. He looked down to Luxor and said, "Sorry 'bout that Lux, We can get moving again."
The Shinx bounced happily and they set off once more. They hadn't made it more than two steps though when they heard someone cry out in shock. It was Dawn's voice.
Galen immediately took off toward the source, Luxor a few steps behind. Turning a corner he found himself starring down an alley way. Professor Rowan and Dawn were there, facing down two people in black and silver clothing, both of whom had light blue coloured hair. Walking up behind Dawn and the Professor Galena asked, "Are you guys alright?"
Dawn nodded. "Yeah. These two just jumped out of nowhere and demanded the Professor hand over his research."
One of the strangely dressed assailants--a man, Galen thought, though it was hard to tell--nodded. "That's right, and we won't take no for an answer. Team Galactic requires your research to further our goals."
Galen quirked a brow. "Who the hell is Team Galactic?"
The other of the two--who appeared to be a woman, though was really as androgynous as the other--responded. "The organisation we work for of course! It's Team Galactic's goal to change this world, and we need the Professor's research to help with that. So hand it over or we'll be forced to take drastic measures!"
Professor Rowan scoffed. "Honestly, what's wrong with you people? You think you'll get what you want just by raising your voice and trying to be intimidating? And what is with those outlandish outfits you're wearing? Dawn, Galen, both of you do yourselves a favour and don't grow up to be like the sorry excuses for adults you see before you."
Dawn looked mortified by Rowan's gall but Galen couldn't help but snort in amusement. Both Galactic members seemed quite upset by the Professor, both scowling. The one on the right said, "Don't screw with us dammit! We're being serious here."
Rowan nodded. "As am I. You two couldn't be more uncivil."
Galen stepped forward. "If you'd like Professor, I can deal with them."
One of the Galactic members snorted derisively. "You? Deal with us? You couldn't if you tried."
Galen shrugged. "I don't know, I'd say I have a pretty good chance."
"We'll see about that." Both of the Galactic members produced a Pokéball each and with twin flashes of light a Glameow and a Stunky appeared before them. "Still going to be cocky about it?"
Galen laughed. "Its not cocky if you can back it up. Fireball, you're on!"
In one smooth motion Galen plucked the necessary Pokéball from his belt and pressed the button, releasing his Monferno to face the two Galactic Pokémon. A split second later came the sound of another Pokéball opening and a Grotle appeared beside Fireball, the bush covered tortoise staring down the opposition. Galen looked to his right where Dawn stepped up beside him and said, "You can't fight them alone. I'm helping you."
Galen smiled. "Alright then. Should make things more interesting."
After but a few moments filled with bursts of fire, lashing leaves and slashing claws the battle was over, with Fireball and Dawn's Grotle standing victorious over the Stunky and Glameow. The two Galactics appeared stricken, unable to believe they had lost to a pair of teenagers.
Galen smirked, crossing his arms with a smug look in his eyes. "So then, I think this is the part where you say 'curses' and run off like the bad excuse for bad guys you are."
The Galactic grunts exchanged a glance, then recalled there Pokémon. One--the one Galen was almost certain was male--said, "We won't forget this!"
The two then turned and ran away, leaving the three in peace. Galen started to laugh then. "Well, it was almost as cartoonish as curses. Guess I can call that a win. Nice job Fireball. Return!"
The Monferno disappeared when struck by the beam of red light, returning to the safety of his Pokéball. Galen then turned to Dawn, who had just returned her Grotle to its ball as well. He smiled. "See, told you that you weren't giving yourself enough credit. You did pretty well in that battle."
Dawn blushed. "Umm...thanks."
Before Galen could reply Professor Rowan walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did quite well yourself. It's rather clear to me now that giving you that Chimchar was the right choice. Who knows, keep growing like you have so far, and there's no telling how far you can go."
"Thanks Professor. Will you two be alright from here? I'm already a bit behind. I wanted to be well on the way to Floraroma by now."
Rowan nodded. "Yes, I think we'll be quite alright. Farewell for now then. I'm sure we'll meet again."
Galen nodded enthusiastically. "You bet. See you then. Bye Dawn."
Without waiting for a reply Galen set off back toward Jubilife's north exit with Luxor at his heels, eager to get out of the city, and back on the road.
***
The next two days passed in relative ease for Galen and his Pokémon. After traveling through the wooded are north of Jubilife they made their way through a cave, coming out to the other side with the smell of flowers hitting their noses. The smell grew stronger as they continued north toward Floraroma, explaining without a word where the town's name came from.
As they travelled Galen made a point of stopping to train, and on rare occasions spar with other trainers they passed on the road, all for the purpose of strengthening his Pokémon for the next gym.
When they finally reached the city of flowers Galen couldn't help but feel a bit homesick. The little town reminded him of Twinleaf, with its size and how close it was to nature. But he immediately noticed something was wrong. The tone was far different from Twinleaf. It seemed as though everyone he passed by was wearing a sombre expression.
Galen hurried along to the town's Pokémon Center, figuring he could find answers there. Upon reaching the Center he was met with a scene of low grade panic, with Nurse Joy and the other Center workers--human and Pokémon alike--rushing about as though some disaster were going on.
Managing to stop one of the Center workers for half a second Galen managed to ask, "What's going on? Why is everyone so frantic?"
"Everyone's panicked 'cause the Center is only running on emergency power, and we're trying to prepare for when the generator runs out."
Galen frowned. "How can that be?"
"I don't know. Something's gone wrong at Valley Windworks. It's the plant that supplies most of western Sinnoh's power. I'd guess that Floraroma's not the only town without power right now. I'd guess Eterna and Jubilife are getting blackouts too. Worst part is, no one can get into the Windworks to figure out what's wrong."
"Why can't any one get in?"
The man looked away frantically, clearly in a rush to get back to his duties. "Look I...what I've heard is that the Windworks has been locked up, and there's people in weird silver clothes guarding the entrance. Now that's all I can tell you. I gotta get back to work."
He rushed off without another word, leaving Galen to ponder the implications on his own. "Silver outfits huh?"
He looked down to Luxor. "Sounds kinda like those Galactic people we ran into in Jubilife, huh?"
The Shinx nodded. It seemed like more than coincidence.
Galen smiled. "Whadaya say we pay a little visit to the Valley Windworks? Who knows, maybe we can help these people."
The two turned and walked right back out of the Center, unnoticed by the staff or other trainers there. A few quick questions to passing town's people told them that the Windworks was to the east, just a short walk outside of town.
The left Floraroma behind and made their way down the road that lead to the Windworks. Half an hour passed before they reached the outer fence of the facility. So far there was no opposition. Even the gates were open.
They walked through the complex, passing the towering windmills the generated the plant's electricity. The massive, slowly moving white blades had an almost eerie feel to them as they turned, rotating with only the slightest gusts of wind.
Finally they reached the building at the back of the complex. Peeking around one of the windmills they finally saw the people who were guarding the facility. Just as Galen had guessed, there were two members of Team Galactic blocking the entrance, both of them all but identical to the two he had faced in Jubilife.
Deciding that it would be a waste of his time to keep skulking behind a windmill, Galen stepped out and started walking toward the building, Luxor following less confidently at his heels.
When the two Galactics spotted him they moved to stop his progress. One said, "Hold it, this area is currently under use by...uh...our organization, and we're not supposed to let anyone enter."
Galen quirked a brow. "Oh really? And what is it that Team Galactic wants with the Valley Windworks?"
The grunts starred in shock at him knowing who they were. After a moment one of them put that sentiment into words, asking, "How is it you know about Team Galactic?"
Galen shrugged. "I ran into a few of your people in Jubilife. Thrashed 'em pretty good too. They weren't very strong...or smart...or good at keeping secrets, apparently."
Again they appeared more than a bit surprised. "Wait, you mean you're the kid who beat the team sent that was sent after Rowan's research?"
Galen nodded. "Sounds like it. Would you like to give up and let me in now?"
They both grinned, and one replied with, "Hell no. Our leaders weren't too pleased with that fiasco. They'll reward us nicely if we take you down."
Each of the grunts pulled out two Pokéballs, bringing out two Zubats, a Stunky, and a Glameow.
Galen rolled his eyes. "What an original line up you have there. Your buddies in Jubilife had the same, minus the Zubats that is."
Galen reached to his belt and pulled off one of the capsules there, releasing Star in in a flash of azure light. "Star, Luxor, this one is yours."
The Shinx and Starly nodded to each other, then stepped forward to face their opponents.
A moment of silence passed, all the trainers and Pokémon waiting and watching. Then Galen sighed impatiently. "Alright, screw it. Spark! Quick Attack!"
Luxor's body pulsed with electricity as he jumped toward one of the Zubats and Star surged forward at high speed toward the other. Caught off guard by the sudden attack the Galactics failed to respond, resulting in both bat Pokémon taking full force attacks, knocking them out of the fight in but a moment.
Star and Luxor jumped away from the two remaining foes just in time, avoiding a Scratch attack from the Glameow and a Shadow Claw from the Stunky.
Then, they both began to glow.
Galen watched in amazement as the two evolved in tandem. Star's wingspan tripled and her body did the same, her previously small toes reshaping into longer, sharp talons. Luxor's body had doubled in length, and through the light Galen could make out a scruffy mane growing around the electric-type's head.
When the light faded, both were larger, and presumably stronger. Where once had been a Starly and Shinx, now where there as Luxio--his fierce eyes flashing with light as electricity ran the length of his body--and a Staravia--her body hovering a few feet above the ground as she stayed aloft with measured flaps of her wings.
Galen grinned. "Well, this is...unexpected." He pulled out his Pokédex and did a quick scan of his two newly evolved Pokémon. His smile widened a bit. "Alright then, let's finish this up."
The two grunts exchanged a furtive glance then in tandem recalled their respective Pokémon. Galen smirked as he recalled Star. "Well, good to see you know when to give--"
He stopped, realizing that the two grunts were smiling. His brow furrowed in confusion, then his eyes widened slightly. "I'm an idiot. There's someone coming up behind me, isn't there?"
The next he knew, Luxor gave a distressed cry as Galen fell to his knees, the back of his head throbbing from a blow he had just received. He barely remembered being dragged into the Windworks building by two of the grunts. He barely noticed the sound of Luxor struggling against the grip of the third grunt.
The next thing her remembered clearly was a hand grabbing him by the chin, forcing him to look up into the smug face of a red haired woman. She chuckled. "Well now, a nosy little trainer come to get in our way? Looks like you learned a painful lesson, little boy."
Galen gritted his teeth to fight of the pain and asked, "Who the hell are you?"
"Me?" She asked. "I'm Mars. I'm one of the three--er, four--commanders of Team Galactic. But I think what's more important is to know who you are...so that we can deal with you properly."
One of the grunts spoke up. "Commander, he said he was one of the trainers who battled the operatives who attempted to acquire Rowan's research."
"Really now? Well, it seems we over estimated him then. Those two were just weak to fall to such an...unimpressive adversary." Mars let go of Galen and took a step back, sizing him up. "You aren't exactly intimidating kid. I would guess you got lucky in the past. So then--"
Mars was interrupted by the appearance of an older man with light purple hair. He wore a white lab coat and a pair of red tinted glasses. He looked over the scene with mild interest then spoke to Mars. "We've collected all the data we can here. If you're finished playing with children, I suggest we leave."
"Tsk...why do you have to interrupt my fun Charon? Ugh...Never mind. Let's go." Mars leaned forward to make sure Galen could hear her. "As for you, I'll be generous. You can walk away this time--I'll even let you keep your weak little Pokémon--but be warned: the next time you cross Team Galactic, it will be the end of you."
Just like that it was over. Luxor was roughly dropped on the ground beside him. The Galactic members began to leave, Mars herself only pausing long enough to kick Galen once in the gut and say, "Just a bit of insurance to make you stay put."
Then they were gone, and Galen was left to lie there on the ground, clutching his midriff and waiting for the pain to fade.
After ten minutes or so he managed to drag himself to his feet. He looked over to Luxor, who looked concerned. Galen smiled. "Don't worry Lux, I'll be alright. Nothing really hurt but my pride." He looked around and added, "I guess that was pretty damn stupid. I don't know why I thought they would be willing to solve everything with a Pokémon battle. Guess the real world doesn't work like that."
Galen took another look around and said, "Let's get outta here. We can let the people of Floraroma know the Galactics cleared out, and they can get this place running again."
Luxor nodded and together they left the Windworks behind. When they arrived in Floraroma Town the news spread quickly, and Galen was treated like a hero. By the time he and Luxor went to sleep in the Town's Pokémon Center that night, the power had been restored and Galen's name was known by virtually everyone in Floraroma.
He didn't much care for the praise though, as he knew he hadn't earned it in any respect.
Two days later, after sufficient time for him and his Pokémon to rest, they set out from the town, heading north toward the Eterna Forest.