Chapter 15: Rainbathing, Rip-Offs, and Remembrance

Ivan sat at his desk, a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and a book in the other. He sipped his drink before letting out a satisfied breath. 

‘Nothing like coffee and a good book,’ he thought. ‘Especially A Tale of Two Sealeo. I’ve been itching to read this first edition again, but I had all that AIRTA paperwork.’ 

He smiled. ‘Oh well, at least Nightscale is all set now.’

The Grovyle put down his mug before turning his attention to the window. There was a light smacking sound as water began to pelt it and streak down. The sunlight pouring in was dimming, slowly darkening the base.

“That’s not good. It was sunny when I was out on the other side of town,” he muttered before closing his book and hopping off his chair. He walked over to the window to glimpse the sky. It was mostly shrouded in gray, though most of the clouds seemed close. 

The Grovyle was about to walk away but stopped and looked at the grass below. 

Galena was lying on a wooden lounge chair, a tanning mirror in her hands and a pair of sunglasses on her face.

Ivan frowned. “Better go out and get her.”

The Grovyle walked to the heavy wood slab comprising the door and pulled on it with all his might. Once it relented, he hopped from the front step and onto the road. He shut the door and began toward the base’s side yard.

Galena was still sprawled out even as raindrops pelted her body. Another lounge, which was empty, was set up beside her.

“Hey, Galena? Not to interrupt, but what are you doing?” Ivan asked as he approached. “Rain’s about to come down.” 

The Goodra lifted her head and adjusted her sunglasses so that her eyes met Ivan’s. “I know dude. No need to worry about me.” 

“Are you sure you want to be out here? Don’t want you to get a cold or anything,” he replied with a look of confusion and concern.

Galena sighed. “Oh, I guess I haven’t done this before here. I’m just rainbathing.”

“Rainbathing?” Ivan asked with a brow raised. “What’s that?” 

“Okay, you know how I’m a Goodra, right?” She asked before laying her head down again and putting her sunglasses back on. “We need rain to stay healthy. It’s a boost to my immune system, and that’s important cause showering to stay clean means I lose a lot of protection. Plus it feels great on my skin.”

Ivan smiled. “Oh, I see now! That’s interesting… Can I join you?”

“Knock yourself out,” Galena replied before gesturing to the second lounge. 

The Grovyle nodded and walked to the chair. He hopped on and lay down, facing the gray sky. Droplets dotted his scales, creating a pleasant tingling sensation.

“This is kind of nice. My leaves will like it, anyway,” he agreed, resting his hands on his stomach. 

Galena stretched herself out more. “Told ya. Just maybe don’t stay out too long. I’ve got blubber to keep me warm, and you’re kind of a beanpole.” 

“Fair enough,” Ivan chuckled before furrowing a brow. “Never really thought about it, but is being a Goodra uncomfortable or awkward at all?” 

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, yeah. You saw what happened at Lustershine Caverns. I was a sitting Ducklett while those freaks wailed on me. But it’s a give and take. I may not be graceful, but I’m built like a wall. As I’ve said, I’m proud of being all big and sturdy.”

“I remember that! Being a Goodra sounds interesting,” he replied. “Quirky if nothing else.”

Galena smirked and raised her sunglasses. “You think I don’t wonder what it’s like to be you? Running around with arm leaves and those sharp teeth.”

“What it’s like to be me?” Ivan asked, rubbing his chin. “That’s a fair point… though I’m basically your typical lizard Pokémon. I bask when it’s warm and put on clothes when it’s cold. It’s weird to think about having leaves, I’ve just accepted them… They’re not like, actual leaves, but rather a plantlike part of me, I think? But I still have to get plenty of sun and water.”

She laughed. “So you finally admit you’re a plant… but you’re a dragon too, right? You said your dad was a Salamence.”

“That I am!” Ivan said with a proud grin, showing off his fangs. “I guess I’m an odd mixture of things. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m proud of my dragon heritage.”

“It’s pretty sweet, isn’t it? Being dragons I mean,” Galena remarked.

Ivan’s grin grew wider. “It’s the best. Knowing thousands of years of dragon blood runs through your veins? Who wouldn’t love that?”

“Weirdos,” Galena said before shaking her head. “Guess it’s kinda hard to imagine yourself as any other Pokémon, huh? I only evolved a couple years ago, but I can barely remember what it was like to be short like you.”

The Grovyle crossed his arms. “You know I’m taller than average for a Grovyle, right?”

“Yikes,” she said jokingly before drumming lightly on her belly. “Well, it’s important to remember we’re all different I guess. But those differences make us Pokémon. Did you know that some people don’t like my goo? I’ve had legit fights with teammates over it.”

His smile faded and his mouth fell open. “You’re kidding. Who wouldn’t like you just because of a little slime?” 

“You’d be surprised. Some people can’t stomach it,” the Goodra sighed. “I feel lucky I can date outside my species sometimes. My family is almost all Goodra cause of that.” 

Ivan shook his head. “That’s awful. Not your family being mostly Goodra… but the idea of being rejected for what you are. You put it best, differences make us Pokémon. We should respect and embrace that.”

“Amen, my dude,” she said before offering a balled hand for a fist bump. “You’re cool like that, you know? You’re not shallow. You can appreciate people, whether they’ve got scales or fur or slime. Goodra are social beings, so being excluded sucks. Especially when I know I’m all awesome and pretty.”

Ivan laughed and touched his fist to hers. “No problem! I can’t imagine someone wanting to exclude you. No one is perfect, but everyone has something great about them.”

“Read my mind, dude,” Galena said with a grin. “Thanks, it means a lot. We have our differences, kale head, but I can at least say you’ve got a good outlook. Makes Pokémon like me feel appreciated. 

“And I appreciate you tolerating me as a scatterbrained leaf lizard,” Ivan joked before sitting up. “I should draw out my family tree sometime. My family’s kind of funny, we’ve got dragons and lizards and snakes and… and…”

The Grovyle’s jaw opened involuntarily and his nose twitched. “Ah, ah… ACHOO!”

He sniffled before shaking away the disorientation from the sudden, violent sneeze.

Galena playfully rolled her eyes. “Guess Grovyle aren’t made for rain after all. Maaaaybe you should go inside and finish your coffee. There’s some Cheri cobbler left in the fridge too, so help yourself.”

“Y-Yeah, I’ll go get warmed up,” Ivan said sheepishly before hopping off the lounge. “Thanks for the talk! It’s always good to learn new things about you and the others. Makes me feel closer to you guys.”

The Goodra put her sunglasses back on and stretched. “Ah… Yeah, you too, Mister Dragon. Appreciate you checking on me. I’ll come in if the rain gets worse.”

With that, the Grovyle nodded and walked back to the house, though he stopped just short of the door and looked back at his teammate with a smile.

‘Good to have people who respect you, even if you’re not perfect, if you have your own little quirks. Maybe I’ll think more about that mutual respect while wrapped in a warm blanket.”

---

Inti trudged down a street behind the tall buildings of Florei Valley’s plaza. Around him were little shops and colorful stands, humble compared to the plaza’s large shopfronts. Pokémon of every shape and size shopped for or sold wares on the still prosperous side road. 

“I am not used to seeing so many Pokémon in one place,” the Druddigon muttered. He looked up to the sky, a creeping blanket of gray doing little to ease his apprehension. “I hope it does not rain while Lady is out exploring the town. Her wings could get wet…”

He looked around again, scanning for something in particular. “There has to be someone who sells them here. I was told I would have luck if I came here and—”

Inti’s mouth snapped shut as his head turned toward a stand on the side of the road. It was a simple wooden table with a hanging sign that read, “Faux’s Flowers.” 

The Druddigon finally smiled. “Perhaps I was not misdirected after all.” 

Inti walked over, clutching a pouch of Plates Ivan had given him the last payday. As he approached the stand, he noticed a variety of flower bouquets spread across the table. Even more plants were contained in crates, pots, and trays behind it. A Thievul wearing a belt and scuffed-up jeans sat in a chair behind the table, his golden eyes lighting up as Inti arrived. 

“Good afternoon, my friend!” the fox said in a chipper, singsong voice. He flashed the Druddigon a toothy grin. “Welcome to Faux’s Flowers! Faux being myself, of course. What can I do for you today?”

Inti’s eyes darted around before meeting the Thievul’s eager gaze. “Er, hello. I am looking for a specific flower.” He scanned the selection on the table, which consisted of red, yellow, and pink flowers— but his frown deepened. “I do hope you have what I am looking for…”

“I pride myself on my variety! Name the flower! I go to great lengths to provide customers with exactly what they think they want!” Faux replied cheerfully. 

Inti furrowed a brow. “Right… I am looking for Cobal asters. They are my wife’s favorite, and I would like to surprise her with some when I come home.” 

“Ah, Cobal asters. An exquisite choice!” the merchant enthused, widening his saccharine smile before hopping off his chair. “It just so happens I have one last bouquet in the back!”

Faux dug through an open crate and pulled out a bunch of blue flowers with his mouth. He came back to the table and presented the flowers to Inti, plopping them on the table. “Are these to your liking?” 

Inti returned his smile. “Yes, those are quite nice. My beloved will be ecstatic.”

“What a lucky lady!” the Thievul remarked. 

The Druddigon blushed before reaching into his pouch and scooping out glittering rectangular coins. “Believe me when I say that I am the lucky one. Anyway… how much is the bouquet?” 

“For a pleasant fellow like yourself? I can part with my last bunch of Cobal asters for only sixty Plates. Isn’t that a steal?” the Thievul replied as he jumped back into his chair. 

Inti’s eyes widened. “S-Sixty? Forgive me, but that seems quite excessive. I have only known capitalism for a couple of weeks and even I think that’s ridiculous! My team often charges less than that for a rescue.” 

“Ridiculous? Tsk, tsk, my friend. Surely you know that Cobal asters are quite uncommon in the summer. Think of the poor soul who trekked all the way to Stonethrow to pick them,” Faux rebutted, shaking his head. 

The dragon rolled his eyes and quietly growled. “I happen to be from Stonethrow, and I could go and pick them myself.” 

“Ah, but don’t forget you are paying for the convenience!” the Thievul remarked. “You could go through all that trouble… or you could walk away with flowers for your blushing bride today!”

Inti scoffed. “Forget it. While I do not have many other uses for my savings, you do not know what I’ve gone through to earn them. Good day.” 

The dragon turned and began to walk away. Faux shook his head as he watched him leave. 

“That’s a shame… I am absolutely heartbroken,” he replied with an exaggerated frown. 

Inti craned his neck to stare wearily at the conman. “I am sure that you will live without my business.”

Faux clicked his tongue again. “I do not mean the sale. I am heartbroken for your dear partner, it nearly brings me to tears. I guess someone here… doesn’t love his wife.”

The Druddigon froze. His jaw dropped, his eyes widened, and his claws curled into fists before he whipped around. He slammed the table with his fists, the impact resulting in a loud thud. The table broke, snapping and buckling in the middle.

“I ADORE MY WIFE! How dare you accuse me of such a horrible thing!” Inti roared, his chest rising and heavy breaths escaping his bared fangs. 

Faux reeled back in shock, nearly falling out of his chair. “O-Oh my! Seems I struck a n-nerve!.” He gulped before nervously pushing the flowers over closer to the fuming dragon. “Perhaps… M-My you’re a big, muscular fellow… Perhaps you could show that love by bringing her these asters today? I-I just remembered I’m having a s-sale! Only 40 Plates for these beauties!”

Inti glared at the Thievul, piercing his soul. He scowled before tossing a small pile of coins onto the broken table and snatching the flowers. He wordlessly turned and began to stomp away. 

Faux let out an emphatic sigh, now certain his life wouldn’t end because of a handful of asters. “Pleasure d-doing business with you! Tell all your friends about my services!”

“I would not count on it,” Inti spat without looking back. But he then glanced down at the elegant flowers in his claws, and his tense demeanor loosened. 

He exhaled, then smiled. “The things I do for love… at least I am content knowing Lady will be thrilled by such a gift.”

---

Though storm clouds hung gloomily over Florei Valley, Lady’s disposition was sunny. The Beautifly energetically flew around town, her big blue eyes sweeping over houses, gardens, trees, and passing Pokémon. 

She rounded a street corner and shot through a stretch of residential road, wood and brick houses passing by as colorful blurs. 

“The town is so beautiful! I won’t stop until I see every inch of my new home!” the Beautifly squealed as she ducked under a canopy of trees. 

The dirt road beneath her wound down a lush hill, leading away from the houses and toward a tall, gated wall.  The structure was made of stone and metal fencing through which ivy, vines, and other foliage reached. 

Lady’s eyes glowed with curiosity. “Oh my. I wonder what’s through this gate!”

Without a second thought, she fluttered through the entryway and looked around. 

Inside the fence was a large expanse of grass, trees, and pathways. It would have been like any other park if it weren’t for one detail— the abundance of stone slabs popping up from the ground everywhere the Beautifly looked. The area seemed to be more stone and marble than grass and trees. 

“Woooow… What are all these stones for?” she asked herself as she began down the area’s main path. 

Lady was guided down a hill by trees, flowerbeds, and lamp posts. She passed dozens of sculpted stones before reaching a central area, an enormous paved circle with offshoots winding up and down the hills. 

Eager to explore, the Beautifly floated around and studied the different stones. Most were square or had rounded corners, though some were shaped into statues depicting various Pokémon. She perched onto one shaped like a Nintetales with its chest proudly puffed out. 

“This must be one of those art exhibits I’ve heard about!” Lady remarked before crawling onto the Nintetales’s head. She then fluttered down to glimpse a short platform holding the statue, a golden metal plaque glittering on the front.

‘Mirage King,’ the plaque read. ‘Beloved father and friend. Adventurous sailor. Those he has touched shall remember him as a man worthy of his noble name.’

Lady’s eyes shimmered like the pristine metal. “What a nice thing to say about this Ninetails! Did he make the statue? Maybe I’ll ask my hubby if we can make one together!”

Her curiosity piqued, she flew around the edge of the area, perching on statues and reading inscriptions in the stonework. Each one was marked with a name and a range of numbers. 

“I wonder what those mean,” she murmured as she landed on a statue of a smiling Audino woman with a top hat. “Hmmm… maybe that’s how long the person has been making art? It is really good, I hope it’s not too hard to make one of these—”

“Hey! You up there! Beautifly!” called someone from below in a weary, gravelly voice.

Lady looked down to see an Audino man glaring at her through a pair of small, round glasses. His expression was tired and cranky with big bags under his aqua eyes. He wore a red vest, a pair of gray pants, and a lanyard holding a keyring. A round, pink tuft of fur sprouted from his forehead. In his hand was a shovel, its tip speckled with dirt.

“Oh, hello! Enjoying a day in the park too?” Lady asked. 

The Audino scoffed and pointed up at her. “Are ya trying to be a wisecrack with me? This isn’t a park! Get down from there!”

“Wisecrack? That’s a funny word!” the Beautifly chuckled before fluttering down. “I’m just looking at all this lovely art! Do you work here?” 

The Audino rolled his eyes. “No, I’m a graverobber and that’s why I have this shovel. Of course I work here! I’m the groundskeeper.”

“Oh, well the grounds are very well kept!” the Beautifly remarked with a gleeful flap. 

“I… Oh, thank you, I suppose,” the Audino stammered. “I do try to— Wait, don’t play coy with me! By frolicking around the place you’re disrespecting those buried here.”

Lady tilted her head. “Buried? What has been buried here?”

“Have you… seriously never seen a graveyard before?” the man asked, his mouth agape. “Look, lady, PEOPLE are buried here. This isn’t a playground.”

The Beautifly blinked as she processed the idea. Her antennae drooped. “O-Oh my, I thought it was just a really pretty park! We don’t have anything this fancy for the dead in the wilds. I’m sorry for being disrespectful…”

“A wilds mon, huh? Well, I guess I can’t fault ya for that. But no more prancing, got it?” he replied, putting a hand on his hip. 

Lady’s antennae returned to their usual position. “Yes, sir! I will be the most respectful Beautifly you’ve ever seen!”

“Good, good,” the Audino sighed before stepping back toward the path’s edge. He put the head of his shovel down and leaned against it. “Cause with all the ruckus you’ve been making, you could wake the dead—”

“You called!?” someone called from behind.

Suddenly, a Drakloak popped up from behind a gravestone. The groundskeeper yelped before stumbling forward, his shovel falling to the ground with a loud clank. After the Audino regained his balance, he turned to lock eyes with the ghost. 

“Corson! You scared me half to death! I told ya, keep that up and you’ll give me a heart attack!” he hollered with a frown. 

The Drakloak grinned. “But then you’ll be stuck with me forever, Conrad! Wouldn’t you like that?”

“Yes, but I’d like to live out my time in the mortal plane,” the Audino grumbled. He blinked and looked at Lady, who was staring curiously at him and the ghost. 

Conrad rubbed his temples. “Don’t mind this phantasmal prankster here. He’s my husband. Likes to sneak up and startle me. I’m in my forties but my fur will be gray in no time.”

“Husband? Congratulations! I have a husband too!” Lady squealed before blushing and looking over the baggy-eyed Audino and the phantom. The latter wore a fanny pack designed like a purple monster sticking out its forked tongue. “My name is Lady. You two seem like a wonderful couple!”

The two exchanged a glance Corson smiled at the Audino, whose expression softened before he returned it. 

“This grumbly guy is my other half. My only regret about our relationship is that he wasn’t around when I was alive,” the Drakloak remarked, his yellow eyes gleaming. 

Conrad leaned over to give Corson a peck on the snout. “And while digging graves isn’t the prettiest job, I met this goofball here, so I can’t complain about that life decision.” 

“Awwwwww! You make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!” Lady, clutching her chest with her stubs. “Love is such a wonderful thing. I can’t imagine a life without it!”

Corson grinned. “Or an afterlife. I’m happy I have my cute little Connie. People like him make eternity a bit less lonely.”

Conrad twiddled his paws. “Well, it’s not just us. After we married, we took in some other haunts that liked to hang around here. Never thought I’d be someone’s old man, but sure enough this job also yielded two childr—”

“BOO!” yelled two more Pokémon behind him. Two Dreepy emerged from the same grave. One had a ribbon around her neck, and the other wore a bowtie and had an X-shaped mark on his forehead. 

The Audino flinched and gripped his chest while they laughed. “GAH!” He turned to the gravestone again and crossed his arms. “Not you kids too…”

“Oh my goodness, they’re so cuuuuuute!” Lady sang, her eyes lighting up. 

“Yeah, they’re handfuls but we can’t help but love ‘em,” Conrad admitted before frowning at the two. “Wait a moment. Willow, Musket… aren’t you supposed to be in school?”

“Dad pulled us out!” the Dreepy girl cheered. 

Conrad glared at Corson. “Oh yeah? And why did he do that?”

“To see our papa!” Musket replied before floating to the Audino. “We have a lifetime of schooling ahead but with you working so much, we can’t have a good laugh with you anymore! And when you’re home you’re always tired.”

A look of guilt washed over the groundskeeper’s face. “I… I’m sorry I haven’t been spending much time with you kids. Just trying to keep a roof over your heads… but maybe I’ll use some vacation days. You three will live forever, but I might not. Should make the most of my time with you while I have it.”

“Awww, papa you’re sweet!” Willow said before nuzzling up against him. Her brother did the same and Conrad embraced them, taking one Dreepy in each arm. Corson hugged him from behind, completing the group hug. 

Lady began to melt as she watched the four embrace. “You are an amazing family! I agree with all my heart, it’s important to cherish what you have!”

“That’s very true,” Corson said with a big smile before pulling away from the hug. “You know, that reminds me of something we have here in the cemetery. Would you like to see?”

Lady’s antennae stood up in intrigue. “I would love to!”

“Great, follow me!” the ghost said before floating toward the right. 

He led the others down another trail, and within a minute the group arrived at a small courtyard. In the center stood a statue resembling a tree with many twisting branches. But instead of a wood finish, the branches had a vibrant, crystalline quality, each a different color of the rainbow. Colorful leaves sculpted out of stone shot off from each branch. Even under the sky’s gray cloak, the statue shimmered.

Lady’s eyes went wide, speckled with the vibrant colors. “Wooooow! What is it supposed to be?”

“What, ya never heard of the Tree of Life?” Conrad asked, looking at her sideways. 

Corson chuckled as he turned to the Beautifly. “I guess wilds Pokémon don’t know this stuff as well. As Connie said, this is the Tree of Life. It’s said that sometimes the legendary Pokémon Xerneas dies, and in his place a vast tree grows. Then, after a thousand years, he comes back to watch over the living.”

“Didn’t you tell us Xerneas helps sustain the life of all Pokémon, papa?” Willow asked the Audino, her eyes aglow with fascination. 

“Did I? I don’t remember that,” Conrad said sheepishly. “Must be my old age. But yeah, er, Xerneas’s whole thing is keeping the cycle of life going with Ylveltal. That’s why the town put this statue here, you could say it’s symbolic. I think there’s an inscription on the thing too.”

Lady fluttered over to see for herself. At the base of the tree was a square stone slab engraved with writing. 

‘The Tree of Life. In honor and reverence of Xerneas, the lifekeeper. May your power enrich the living and safeguard the souls of the dead.’

She blinked as the information sunk in. “Oh my goodness… That. Is. Incredible! I love Xerneas! They’re like Mister Sun, always watching over us!”

“Uh… Sure, that works as a comparison I suppose,” Conrad muttered before clearing his throat. “It’s a balancing act. Xerneas watches over life and Ylveltal over death. Or something like that.” 

Corson put his arm around his husband’s back. “Sort of like our family, isn’t it? A beautiful mixture of living and legally deceased!”

“Yeah, our family rules!” Musket proclaimed before floating onto the Audino’s head.

Willow joined her brother. “Alive or dead, I couldn’t ask for a better family!”

Conrad sniffled as a heartfelt smile spread across his face. “You guys… You’re going to make your old man cry.”

“Awwww! I’m going to cry too!” Lady squeaked, fighting back tears herself. “But I think I see what you’re saying! The world has a balance. Sad things happen, but good things happen too! Life is beautiful in the way that good things can come from the sad ones!”

“Basically. Nobody wants to meet a premature end, but if I hadn’t we wouldn’t have all this!” Corson remarked proudly.

Musket rose up into the air. “Yeah! Having a ghost family is the best. Except when they make us go to school forever.”

“Well, at least we never have to know about paying taxes,” Willow said with a shrug. “And you guys are pretty great.”

“Life is funny like that, with so many surprises!” Lady replied as she flew higher. “I didn’t know joining a rescue team with my hubby would lead me to a great home and great friends, but here I am!”

She looked up at the tree with a look of admiration. “Thank you Xerneas, for protecting us and allowing us to live wonderful lives!” 

“And thank you for this little heart-to-heart, Lady,” Corson said. The Drakloak and his family shared one last embrace, squeezing in close to each other and cuddling.

Lady fanned her wings happily. “Of course! You all have reminded me, I should get back to my husband and friends now! I’m going to tell them how wonderful life is for bringing us together!” 

“Bye Lady!” Willow said with an enthusiastic wave.

“Yeah, thanks for stopping by. Come back anytime, ya hear? Sorry for yapping atcha earlier,” Conrad said with a chuckle.

The Beautifly nodded. “Don’t worry, you all have been lovely! Goodbye!”

And with that, Lady fluttered back up the path and out of the cemetery. Her flight was vigorous, a newfound appreciation guiding her home. Though the clouds above were gray, she had a vibrant glow of contentment around her like the shine of the rainbow-colored statue.