Chapter Text
The gravel crunched beneath his feet as Alder trudged down the road, kicking up loose rocks as he walked. The bright afternoon sun bathed the earth in its warmth, beating down upon the rocky path. His necklace of six Pokéballs hung from his neck, clicking into one another as he walked.
He stopped at an outcrop to catch his breath, tilting his head up to look at the clouds. He wiped off a bead of sweat with the back of his hand, a smile curling onto his lips as he glanced up into the atmosphere. The sky was a beautiful crystal clear expanse that stretched past the mountaintops and through the trees. If he squinted enough, he could make out the distant silhouette of a Braviary circling the air, its cry echoing across the sky.
For Alder it was just another day of trekking through the vast Unova expanse, a journey he had been on for nearly two years at this point. He couldn’t remember when he started wandering across the region, but it had been so long that he had forgotten what it was like to live settled.
He knew that he had responsibilities as Champion that were probably being neglected, much to the dismay of the Elite Four who were left to pick up the scattered pieces. It probably wasn’t a very good look that he kept on vanishing from the Pokémon League, but staying in that old building all the time was stifling. The Unova wilderness was a much more thrilling place to be in with its gorgeous landscapes and its crystal clear air. Why wouldn’t he want to keep traveling across the region? After all, the last village he visited had told him this part of the Unovan wild was uncharted, new and ripe for discovery. So of course Alder had to come this way to see it for himself.
There was a rattle of stone as he skidded down the rest of the mountaintop, stopping at a tangle of brambles that seemed to block off the rest of the path. It seemed to be an abrupt end to his journey as he glanced up at the towering vines. But Alder knew from experience that there was always something behind the rough. With a grimace he pushed away the sticks and headed into the bushes.
The twigs poked into his arms and snagged against his poncho, but he managed to push his way through the bramble. With a sigh he brushed away the leaves that got caught in his clothes, then turned around to see where he ended up. His jaw dropped in awe at the sight before him.
The road that he was following had faded out into a wide forest expanse that stretched out into the undergrowth. The old cobblestone was overgrown with grass and ferns, nearly obscuring the ancient path. A couple Sewaddle were huddled in the treetops, wrapped in tender green leaves. In the distance he could make out the figures of a couple young deerling, bounding away into the bushes. It was clear that this place was well guarded, undisturbed by the rest of the world.
Alder glanced back at the broken brambles he had just pushed through, looking at the road he had just taken. He watched it stretch up the hill and disappear over the horizon. He then turned his head back to the undiscovered woods. The towering trees beckoned him into their expanse, whispering songs as the breeze whistled through their budding leaves.
A stray thought passed through his mind. He could either choose to disappear into the woods for a few more days or return to civilization. He had been gone a long while already. Was it perhaps time to return to the Pokémon League?
He paused, then shook his head. He wasn’t needed, the Elite Four could handle the champion responsibilities for a few more days.
With a heart of wonder and eyes of awe, Alder took a step forward and disappeared into the undergrowth.
—
Beams of light filtered in through the dense forest branches, like gold ribbons trailing across the sky. The cooing of Pidoves echoed across the forest, their fluttering wingbeats pattering as they dived in between the trees. Alder trekked in further, watching the creatures weave and dance between the brambles. He closed his eyes, bathing in the sunlight. It must be nice to fly weightlessly through the forest breeze.
He opened his eyes again and tilted his head up to look at the forest canopy. The light trickled in through the leaves and sprinkled across the road in a shower of golden flakes. There was a twinge of nostalgia that twisted in his heart. It reminded him of the woods around his hometown. He had been on the road for a while, maybe it was about time he paid a visit to his house in Floccesy town.
He made his way further down the trail, following the Pidove. But they were faster than him, quickly disappearing from sight. After another hour of walking, Alder could feel himself start to tire. With a sigh he settled onto a fallen log beside the path. He swears he could have walked on longer, maybe the years were finally catching up to him. A little too quickly in his opinion.
He lifted his hands to massage the burn scars snaking up his arms, pulling his gloves up to cover the charred skin. The itch was an ever-present burden throbbing deep in his bones. A constant reminder of his mistakes. Memories that he would rather forget.
As his mind began to wander, he heard a soft trill in the air. Alder lifted his head carefully just in time to see a Sewaddle dangle out of the tree above him. It was hanging from a thin film of silk, twirling in the air. Alder smiled, holding out his hand to let the Sewaddle land.
“Hey there little one!” He said with a chuckle, watching the Sewaddle crawl around his hand. It trilled happily before climbing onto his shoulder. There was a rustle of leaves above him and he glanced up to see more Sewaddle perched on the branches, as well as a Leavanny overlooking the group. One by one they drifted down from the trees and landed on his clothes in a chorus of happy murmurs.
Alder laughed as he watched them climb around his poncho, dangling from his sleeves in thin filaments of silk. Even the Leavanny, who was standing warily in the treetops above, leaped down from its perch to settle on the log beside Alder.
“You’ve all come to join me huh?” He said merrily, reaching out his hand to pat a Sewaddle that was perched on his arm. It was a little difficult for him to move his fingers but he managed to stroke it on top of its head. A chorus of trills echoed in the clearing as the Sewaddle vibrated with joy.
Eventually the Leavanny stood up, its antennas twitching as it glanced back into the foliage. With a swift twitch of its head it beckoned the Sewaddle away before leaping back into the trees. One by one the Sewaddle crawled off of Alder and back into the canopy. He beamed as he watched them crawl slowly up the trunk and into the leaves.
But as the Pokémon disappeared into the forest he felt the familiar ache of weariness that plagued not only his limbs but also his heart.
Perhaps it was really time for him to return home and rest a bit. Standing up once again, he dusted the thin silk strands off of his clothes. Alder smiled as he glanced at the foliage, gilded with the afternoon sun. He swore in his mind that he would try to return to this place again once he was well rested.
Just as he was about to head back down the road, he heard a rustle in the bushes and the muffled sound of laughter. Alder whipped around in alarm as a group of Pokémon tumbled out of the foliage.
A Darmanitan rolled out of the ferns and sprung up in surprise, quickly flaring up its flames in defense. It was followed by a Zorua, Deerling and Woobat, who each stopped playing and raised their hackles in alarm. The Woobat and Zorua growled in warning, posing next to the Darminatian. The Deerling let out a bleat of surprise, its white tipped tail flicking up. Finally, a boy climbed out of the bushes.
He was around five years old, with a thick bush of sage green hair that fell across his back. He had on a faded orange t-shirt and a pair of brown shorts that were ripping at the seams. Most mysterious of all was the strange cube around his neck that jingled as he moved.
The boy froze with fear, his eyes widening. He lowered himself down, crouching beside the Pokémon.
Alder was momentarily shocked, his mouth hung open in surprise. His mind raced with questions. What was this boy doing in the woods? Was he lost? Where were his parents?
The two stared at each other for a few moments, before the boy began to step back into the brush. Alder finally snapped out of his trance. He couldn’t just leave a child out here alone.
“Hey there, my name is Alder!” He said, giving them a small smile as he crouched in front of the little group. “What’s a little guy like you doing out here alone?”
The boy paused, his teal blue eyes blinking. At a closer glance Alder could see that he had a cut on his face. It was pink and swollen with infection, probably painful too.
His Pokémon posed in front of him defensively but the boy stood up, resting a hand on each of their backs. He began to murmur, turning his head back and forth between his Pokémon. To Alder’s surprise, the Pokémon stopped growling and stepped back warily.
“Are you lost?” He asked. The boy only stared blankly at him then let out a chirp, ducking his head. It was a strange gesture, almost like he didn’t know how to talk.
Could he be a Pokémon orphan? Alder had heard countless stories of children who were adopted by Pokémon in the wilderness but never had he actually seen one. It probably wasn’t very likely, but he kept the possibility in the back of his mind. Nonetheless a child this young should not be in the woods alone like this. He needed to get him out of the woods.
“Don’t be scared,” Alder said with a grin, slowly extending a hand. “I’m not gonna hurt ya!”
The boy looked back and forth between his Pokémon, then took a step towards Alder cautiously. His Darmanitan leaned forward in alarm, but the boy turned around to reassure it, speaking in an incomprehensible language. Alder held his breath as the boy slowly moved away from the bushes and out into the clearing.
Bit by bit, the boy inched forward until he was directly in front of Alder. He looked up at Alder, scanning his face for any sign of a threat, then reached out his own little hand and laid it against Alders gloved palm. The boy looked down in surprise, then looked back up. There was a familiarity between them that no Pokémon could offer. A connection seemed to click in his head as his hand curled gently around Alder’s fingers. They were one in the same. They were human.
Alder held out his second hand encouragingly, his breath held in anticipation. He was close to getting him, but one sudden move and the boy was likely to dart back into the forest. He gave the kid a friendly grin.
“Let’s get you out of these woods, they’re no place for a little guy like you.”
The boy hesitated, then took another step forward. He placed his little hand on Alder’s arm. As slowly as he could Alder lifted the boy gingerly into his arms, cradling him against his chest. He let out a small breath of relief, he was safe with him now.
The boy looked down in surprise as he was lifted off the ground, but eventually wrapped his arms around Alder’s neck, tucking his head against his shoulder. He curled his small hand into a fist as he clutched at Alder’s poncho. Alder felt his heart melt a little as he tucked the boy into the folds of his clothes. He took one last look around the forest. Where were his parents? Maybe once he got the boy cleaned up he would visit the police office in Floccesy town to see if anyone was missing a kid.
He looked down at the boy in his arms with a smile. “Where are your parents, little fella?” The boy stared blankly back at him, but no response was given.
“Huh, I guess I’ll just have to look into this myself.” He murmured to himself, turning away towards the path.
As Alder began to step away, the Pokémon who were with the boy began to cry out in distress. The Darmanitan stepped forward and let out a grunt, tilting its head upwards. The Zorua followed behind, whining in alarm. The boy turned his head to look at them, his eyes widening as he looked back and forth between Alder and the Pokémon. He chirped, reaching a hand out towards the Pokémon.
Alder turned around, his eyes wide in surprise. “Eh? Is something wrong?”
Neither boy nor Pokémon could talk, so they continued to babble incoherently to one another. Alder watched as they gestured back and forth. Maybe they were worried that he was going to hurt the child.
He pointed to the cut on the boy’s face. “Don’t worry, I’m just taking him to my house to treat this nasty cut, and maybe look for his parents.”
The Pokémon looked at him skeptically, then continued their torrent of noise. Alder looked at them in confusion.
“You know you can come with me right?” He finally blurted out, hoping that it was the right thing to say.
The Pokémon quieted, their ears perking up curiously. All of a sudden it clicked.
“Ah so you were worried about leaving him!” He said with a hearty laugh, shifting the boy in his arms. “No need to be so alarmed, you can come along! I wouldn’t want to separate such a loyal group.”
He stepped out of the bushes with N in his arms and started down the road. The Pokémon looked at each other, then back at him. Silently, they began to trail behind Alder.