Backflip

Nick scurried along the path, a brown knapsack bouncing on his back. He flicked his head side to side, searching eagerly. ‘Where’s the Xatu?’

‘That way,’ answered Vine, pointing down the crossroads, to the left.

The trio had left the bustling metropolis of Celadine city several days ago and traveled south, to Pokemon square. They had spent yesterday evening in town, gathering information about their destination, and more.

The townsfolk were glad to talk of their town’s proud history. Despite it’s small size, the town boasted the continent’s pelipper post-office. The town was built upon small businesses which thrived with rescue teams often travelling through.

Flip’s gaze lingered on a long, tall building, by the centre of the crossroads. The building’s entrance was shaped like a giant Cubone skull. An extension and a several upper-stories had been added over the years. Apparently, the rescue team that stopped the meteor called this place home, when they were alive. After the duo had passed, their base become a hub for local rescue teams. It had a small medical centre, mess hall, storage facilities, accomodation, and more.

Flip’s heart ached at the sight, but his eyes remained unblinking and his smile, ever-present, if slightly forced.

Nick snapped his fingers in front of Flip’s face. ‘Anyone home?’

Flip’s eyes shifted to stare lifelessly at Nick, but the Sableye merely shrugged and began wandering down the path. Vine floated along behind him and Flip silently hurried to catchup, falling in step beside them.

The journey soon became filled with mindless chatter as the countryside rolled by. The gentle path weaving through the forest eventually faded away. Lush trees were replaced by arid shrubbery. Mossy boulders turned to crumbling stone, and the soft ground turned sandy, and hot.

After some time, the trio came to the foot of The Hill of the Ancients. A large yellow hill, not quite a mountain. It was tall, but not particularly steep. Though the arid shrubbery provided no shelter from the relentless midday sun.

‘We’re climbing that?’ groaned Nick.

Vine nodded. ‘We’re almost there.’

Flip wandered around the base of the hill for a moment, glancing at the nearby knolls. ‘Vine, let me see the map.’

Fishing the map from his bag, Vine held it out for Flip to see. After studying it for a moment, Flip nodded. ‘Follow me.’

Nick and Vine shared a curious look before following after the Wooper. Edging around the side of the hill, they found a thin river running through a gorge.

‘This way should be easier,’ Flip said, nodding with approval and diving into the water.

Vine grinned widely, greedily lapping up water. ‘Secret tunnel! Secret tunnel! Through the mountains~’

‘Not a tunnel,’ sneered Nick, scuttling past, into the shade by the mountainside.

Thinking for a moment, Vine nodded and resumed his song. ‘Secret canyon! Secret canyon! Through the mountains~’

Vine continued to sing as they trekked through the gorge. Between the shade from the mountains, the cool river, and the scenery, it was a pleasant walk, despite the persistent heat.

After some time, Flip steered them onto a narrow ledge, weaving its way up the hillside. The hike wasn’t steep, but the gravel underfoot was loose, and Flip stumbled, falling onto his face. Vine hurried to help his friend, but Flip stood and continued walking without complaint, or frown.

Eventually, they came to the peak. A green bird Pokemon stood by the cliff’s edge, watching the sun dipping behind the mountain range. Mountains sprung from the earth, proud and mighty, glowing red with the sunset, like jewels in a king’s crown.

Nick scurried past Xatu, sitting on the cliff’s edge and dangling his feet over the abyss. Noticing how the mountains looked as if they were ablaze, Nick sighed. ‘Wish I could start fires like that.’

Xatu’s large green eyes slid to focus on the Sableye. ‘Please, don’t.’

‘Excuse me, Xatu?’ Vine said, floating beside the bird Pokemon. ‘I was wondering if you could help us.’

A smile quirked at Xatu’s beak. ‘You and everyone else. Though, I suppose you are particularly lost.’

Nick’s laugh erupted and he nearly toppled off the cliff. ‘Lost? No. No, no, no. Not lost, just empty.’

Xatu raised a brow, looking curiously upon Nick.

‘Have you ever heard that song?’ Nick waggled his finger. ‘Hey, how you doing-‘

‘Well, I’m doing just fine, I lied, I’m dying inside~’ finished Vine.

Xatu chuckled, shaking her head. ‘I’m afraid, I cannot help the empty.’ Xatu looked meaningfully at Nick. ‘Some things cannot be taught. We must learn them ourselves. Those things can fade, but they never truly disappear.’

Vine’s gaze fell to the dirt. ‘So, we came for nothing?’

Xatu’s brows raised and she stretched a wing towards Vine. ‘You aren’t empty. Quite the opposite, in fact. You’ll live three lives before anyone’s the wiser. After that, I wish you luck. As for you.’ Xatu turned, eyeing Flip. ‘Go home.’

Flip’s smile flickered for a moment. ‘Back to Celadine.’ It wasn’t a question. It was refusal.

‘Don’t twist my words.’ Xatu’s eyes narrowed and she looked harshly upon Flip. ‘If he could see you now.’

Vine glanced at the sun, it hadn’t set any further, but it seemed darker somehow. Then, he noticed the rigidity in Flip’s body. The Wooper was smiling, but there was no humour there.

Xatu’s stare grew softer, pitiful. ‘They say demons run when a good mon goes to war. Flip, would demons still run from you?’

Silently, Flip turned and began walking back down the mountain. Vine spun in circles, glancing back and forth between Xatu and the Wooper.

Xatu smiled, and called after the retreating Wooper. ‘Remember, lead is not magnetic!’

Vine spared a baffled look at Xatu before floating after his friend.

Nick rolled backwards to stand beside Xatu. ‘That was cold. I respect it.’

Xatu sighed as she watched them leave. She’d seen many things throughout her long life; multiple generations of heroes, great calamities, and simpler things too. Her power of foresight had improved the longer she lived and the more she saw. Still, that didn’t mean her power was perfect. Perhaps, this time, Flip would prove her wrong.

*****

Vine sipped at his drink, thinking sullenly on the day. Vine had known Flip nearly two years now. The Wooper had simply shown up one day, and he’d been in Vine’s life ever since. Flip had never spoken about his past, not where he’d come from, nor where he was going. Now, Flip slurped a fine whisky through a straw in a small bar, late at night.

Nick scurried over to the table, two mugs in hand. Jumping up, he sat on the table edge and threw back a mug of brown, strong-smelling liquid. It burned his throat and he sighed appreciatively.

‘What now?’ Nick’s question hung in the air, a spark to be nurtured, or smothered.

‘We go home,’ Flip said firmly, glancing over the top of his glass. Wooper’s torsoes aren’t very long and Flip’s head didn’t reach much above the table. His feet dangled high above the ground.

Nick’s brows wiggled curiously. ‘And where would that be, pray tell?’

‘Celadine.’ Flip’s voice was firm, much like his smile.

Vine shook his head. ‘Flip-‘

‘Or! And hear me out here.’ Nick stood upon the table, waving his mug and stumbling slightly.

‘No arson,’ groaned Flip.

‘Killjoy. What I was actually going to say is, let’s rob a bank!’

Flip laughed, only lightly, but it was there. Vine smiled at his friend, though couldn’t help but notice how heavy Flip looked, how tired.

Flip shook his head. ‘No, we,’ he paused suddenly, his brow furrowing and eyes growing distant. For a moment, it seemed as if Flip were juggling a memory and a very bad idea. The moment passed, and Flip returned to the present. ‘No, we’re not robbing a bank.’

Nick nodded solemnly, and winked. ‘Right, we are not robbing a bank.’

The quiet bar grew quieter as the door creaked on its hinges. A tall Pokemon stood in the entry, silhouetted by the streetlamp’s dusty golden glow. It shuffled forward, taking no discernible steps. It wore a large pointed hat. The Pokemon was clearly in the wrong genre; it would’ve been much more at home in a western. Though, I suppose a bar-brawl is about to ensue.

Stepping from the shadows, the Pokemon, a Hatterene, searched the bar, it’s gaze passing coolly over the patrons. It’s eyes settling on Flip, Hatterene dashed closer, it’s eyes ablaze.

‘Keep it down,’ hissed Hatterene.

Flip nodded glumly. ‘Sorry, I’ll be leaving in the morning.’

‘You better be going bloody far because damn.’ Hatterene dropped into a seat. ‘Should I drink with you or beat the life out of you? I’ve honestly no idea.’

Flip scoffed and shrugged. ‘I’ll drink to that.’

Hatterene thought for a moment before nodding. ‘So will I.’

What, no bar fight? That’s not right. Hang on, let me check the script. Duh duh duh, then that, ah, here we are.

Nick moved to drain his second mug, but Hatterene swiped the tankard from him. She swirled the cup round, watching the drink whirlpool. ‘On second thought, I choose violence.’ Hatterene tilted her head, downed the drink, and swung the mug at Flip’s head. ‘Wood hammer!’

Flip merely raised his brows as the mug splintered against his skin, and Hatterene’s follow through sent him flying across the room. Flip crashed into an Octillery, slamming it into the bar. Growling, Octillery spun in it’s seat, pouring a bottle of booze into it’s mouth. Octillery spat it’s drink like bullets and the fight spread.

His eyes glimmering, Nick formed a small will’o wisp in front of Octillery. The liquid bullets ignited and Nick had turned the water-type into a flamethrower. Cackling with delight, Nick scampered throughout the bar, narrowly dodging the attacks and spreading flames. I kept Nick from arson for one whole chapter. That’s a poor personal best, but hey, gotta start somewhere.

Fidgeting with his hands, Vine hovered closer to the Snivy behind the bar. ‘Can I get a waffle? Can I please get a waffle?’

Snivy sighed, not looking up from the mug she was cleaning. ‘Same crap, different day. Ty! We got another fire.’

A Buizel bounded in from the back rooms, a tea towel slung over his shoulder. He leapt over the bar, knelt beside the flames, and began asking them very politely to go burn somewhere else.

Slamming her head into the bar, Snivy muttered to herself. ‘In another life.’

Inching away, Vine grabbed Flip from where he moodily lay on the floor, and pulled Nick down from the table where he cackled. ‘What am I going to do with you two?’ Vine dragged them from the bar, and down the street.

‘Just don’t leave me,’ Flip muttered.

‘I already told you what I want,’ growled Nick.

‘We’re not robbing a bank.’ Flip said, rolling his eyes

Nick crossed his arms. ‘You never let me do anything fun.’

‘You just committed arson.’

Nick and Flip argued tirelessly and Vine groaned inwardly. He was desperate to shut them up, and I was unsure how to finish the conversation. Thus, Vine dragged their sorry behinds through town, eventually coming to a river.

‘Here on the air continent we like to treat people with respect, backflip!’ Vine yelled, tossing Flip and Nick through the air, into the river.

Flip watched the sky grow hazier, more distant as he sank. It reminded him of another time he’d gotten farther away from the light. Closing his eyes, he let the memories, and the water, wash over him. Settling on the riverbed, he stretched out, and went to sleep.