A Trip to the Port of Olden



‘OPERATING’



The informative light shone dimly over the closed door of the operation wing of the Hospital. On the other side of the door, operators worked on Martyr, her body just only having reached the hospital merely an hour ago.



On the other side lonely sat Burrito. Nyberim had come and earlier, but had already left. That didn’t matter all to Burrito though, all that did matter was the state of the Flareon laying on the other side of the door.



Burrito: (H-how… why….)



He could still not believe it.



Burrito (Just yesterday… just only a short time before…)



He grimaces and looks down, trying to keep his own cool.



???: Why did I have to come in his stead?



A visitor.



Burrito pays no attention as another mon enters the wing of the hospital. They speak with the attendant at the desk before arriving near the waiting area.



???: Hey you.



Burrito looks up.



Burrito: Me?



???: Yes you. Are you Burrito by any chance?



Burrito: Y-yes I am. And you are?



Bre: Bre.



Before Burrito stood a Breloom.



Burrito: And why are you here Bre? Marty is the only one in this wing.



Bre: I come in my master’s stead, as much as I dislike it.



Burrito: You come in Ny’s place?



Bre: Yes yes, though coming to check on the False Prophet is not all that appealing.



Burrito frowns at his remark.



Burrito: Hey! Don’t call Marty that! E-especially since she is…



Bre: It’s better that way.



Burrito: Wha-



Bre sighs.



Bre: My master might be an Amberist, but I am in no way supportive of the Dome. In my eyes, I see cause for joy with the False Prophet in the hospital.



His remarks continue to enrage Burrito.



Bre: Speaking of hospitals, I’m shocked that they even took her in, considering who she is. Heck, even the attendant over there was a little hesitant speaking her name.



Burrito: Stop… stop talking…



Bre: And why should I? The prophet should have been long dead by now. It’s only because of my master that she isn’t already gone.



Burrito: J-just…. STOP!!!



Burrito thrusts a paw forward, knocking the Breloom back. He looks at Burrito in shock before reverting back to his usual expression.



Burrito on the other hand was attempting to stop the tears once again.



Burrito: M-martyr isn’t like what you think! She isn’t like any of that!



Bre: …



He walks forward to the crying Espeon.



Bre: I didn’t come here to fight. However, I don’t agree with your words. I do see the path that you have now taken. What a shame. Maybe one day you might understand the risk that she puts on us all.



He turns to the door, the light above still on.



Bre: Well, looks like she is still in there. No point for me to be here any longer.



Bre walks out with a quick step, leaving behind the sullen Burrito.



…



…



...



Burrito: (Just…. Marty isn’t like that! I know it! I just do!)



His quiet thoughts are interrupted by a sudden ding. Above the door to the operating room, the light that had been on dimmed, and out came a number of operating mons. The last one being Dr. O.

Burrito wakes from his thoughts to bombard the Dr with questions.



Dr. O: Oh hey there Burrito! What-



Burrito: Isshegonnabefine?!?!? Issheisheishe?



The Dr steps back in surprise.



Dr. O: W-woah! Hold on! Can you wait just a second?



Burrito: S-sorry… I just want to know if Marty is alright…



Dr. O: I understand, just lets be a bit calm about this.



She turns to pull out a clipboard, looking down at the details.



Dr. O: It…. was tough.



Burrito: Tough?



Dr. O: Getting the numbers to work on a client such as her was difficult. Many of our operators didn’t want to operate.



Burrito: T-they didn’t? But why-



Dr. O: I believe you already know.



Burrito: (...)



Dr. O: Look….



She gets his attention.



Dr. O: I know you care for her and all, but she is who she is, and it doesn’t change what she has done.



Burrito: (...)



Burrito fell into a state of even more sadness. He felt as though all his feelings were under attack from all sides today.



Burrito: Just…. just tell me how she is.



Dr. O: Well let me tell you flatly, she isn’t dead.



It was the first thing all day to raise his spirits. Martyr wasn’t dead!



Burrito: R-really?!?! That’s soooooo good to hear-



Dr. O: Hold on now, I wasn’t finished.



Burrito stops to listen, abit more energetic than before.



Dr. O: She isn’t dead, however she isn’t conscious either. She seems to be in a coma.



Burrito: A coma?



Dr. O: Yes. One I don’t think she will be waking from anytime soon.



Burrito: Not anytime soon? But coma’s are usually just a few day things!



Dr. O: Not this one I’m afraid.



The hope that had been building ever since it was confirmed that Martyr was indeed alive had been cut short by this new development.



Burrito: (And just when I thought everything was going well…) ...s-sigh...



Dr. O: Hey.



She puts a hand on Burrito’s shoulder.



Dr. O: She may be the false prophet, but I do believe we’ll find something to help her heal. Just my own instinct.



Burrito: …



Dr. O: ‘Come now Burrito-brain, this isn’t the time to be sulking!’ is what she would say, correct?



Burrito: (...)



…



…



Burrito: ..you’re right.



He lifts his head to face her.



Burrito: This isn’t the time to be upset. There is a flareon in need of saving! And if anyone can understand when she needs, it’s me!



Dr. O: (Well… I wouldn’t say you understand everything, but whatever floats your boat.)



Burrito: Thanks so much Dr!



Dr. O: N-no problem! (I didn’t do all that much…)



He turns to exit but not before looking back at the room Martyr lie in.



Burrito: (Don’t worry Mary, I will make sure you’re back in action! I swear it on my own name!)

With that he departed.



---------------------------------------



Nyberim: A fire orb…



Burrito: You think that would do the trick?



Through the nearby screen at the hospital entrance, Burrito had contacted Ny for advice on what to do. He sat cross legged on his desk pondering the many items related to fire.



Nyberim: A Fire Orb inflicts the user with a BRN, but you know that Fire types cannot be burned. Instead, it helps to rekindle their fiery spirit.



Burrito: Rekindling Marty’s spirit…



Nyberim: That is what I believe. It could be all for naught, but it is a starting point.



Burrito: It’s good enough for me!



Nyberim: You sure?



Burrito: Absolutely, it’s better than going on nothing! Thanks for the starting point Ny!



He goes for the power switch to end the call.



Nyberim: Burrito wait!



Burrito: Huh?



Nyberim: Do you even know where to find a Fire Orb?



Burrito: Uhhh…



Ny sweatdrops.



Nyberim: Heh, let’s focus on finding one first before you get ahead of yourself.



Burrito: Hehehe… sorry.



Nyberim: Now…



On his end, Ny pulls out a tablet from his back pocket and begins to search.



Nyberim: Let’s see… aha! The Olden mines!



Burrito: The Olden Mines?



Nyberim: Yes, a large active mine just to the south of the Port of Olden. Many rare gems and orbs are found in those mines every year. It might just be the place to look.



Burrito: Olden Mines…. got it!



Nyberim: Just take the train from the local station and you should be good to go. Rides from Twitchopolis to Olden are free, so help yourself. Also… look behind you.



Burrito: Hmm?



Burrito turns around to see… Sam!



Burrito: Sam??? What are you doing here?!?



Sam: N-ny sent me…



Burrito looks to Ny.



Nyberim: Looong story. I thought you would like to have some company with Martyr bedridden. He may not be the best battler, but two is better than one!



Burrito: (He may not be Martyr but… a journey is better with two than one.) Alright, thanks again Ny- ..wait.



Nyberim: Hm?



Burrito: Did Xsar agree to this?



Nyberim: U-uhh…. looks like I have something to do, see ya and good luck!



The power on the screen quickly goes out.



Burrito: Sigh…



Sam: X-xsar doesn’t know?!? But I thought this was just going to be a show thing…



Burrito: It isn’t. This is all about Marty.



Sam: What happened to her?



Burrito: …



Sam: …



Burrito: Just… lets get moving.



Sam: A-alright!



The two head for the station. Their destination of Olden awaiting.



----------------------------------



Martyr: ...



…



…



…



Martyr: (Ugh… my head…)



Darkness, blackness, silence.



Martyr: (What even happ-)



It all came back.



Martyr: (Bird Jesus! Where is that coward?)



She looks around, but is unable to see anything in the darkness.



Martyr: (If only I had some light…)



Picking herself up, she feels around for anything that she can find.



Martyr: (Nothing nothing nothing, cmon…)



???: WelCome lITTle fLaREON.



A distorted voice.



Martyr: Who’s there?!?



???: YouR FaVOriTe.



Martyr: Favorite what? I don’t like when people are cryptic!



???: ThiNk.



Martyr: Did I not say no cryptics?



???: fEel.



Martyr: …



???: HeaR.



Martyr: (Shut up already and get to the point.)



???: REGRET!



Martyr: A-a-ahhh!



Her body racks with intense pain and she falls to the floor.



Martyr: W-what…. what did you do?



???: NotHiNg liTTle FLAReon, jusT a WaRM up fOr WHaT is tO come!



Before her eyes, the background finally begins to brighten. What she can see…. will forever live in her memory.



Shadows, stretching endlessly around her, swarming a rock of pure darkness.



------------------------------------------------



Dundun-dn, dundun-dn, dundun-dn.



The train pressed ever forward along the barren tracks. Dry wastelands spread away both directions, a vast contrast to the lush and green lands of nearby Twitchoplis.



Sam: What’s that?



He points to a prickly plant through the train window.



Burrito: That’s a cactus, a plant that lives in the desert.



Sam: A plant that lives in the desert? But Xsar told me that deserts are too hot for life!



Burrito: Heh, well she isn’t wrong, but there are the odd ones out that are able to adapt to life in the sun.



Sam: I heard it’s hot out in the desert. But I’m a fire type… s-shouldn’t I like it?



Burrito: I can’t answer that for you Sam. I’m not a fire type myself.



Sam: O-oh yea, silly me. Sorry.



Burrito: Nono, it’s all fine Sam. It’s my first time in a desert too you know?



Sam: It is?



Burrito: Yep! I may have visited many regions in my travels, but none that I have visited so far have had a true desert. Let’s just hope that it isn’t as hot as they say.



Dundun-dn, Dundun-dn, Dundun-dn.



A few more hours pass on the rails. Burrito and Sam get some much needed rest for their journey ahead. A slumber that is rudely ended by the PA.



PA: Attention please passengers! We have nearly arrived at our destination: the Port city of Olden. Please prepare your things as we arrive, and we thank you for choosing Twitchen Lines.



Burrito: Mnnn….! That was a nice nap.



Sam: Muwaaah! Did they just say we are getting close?



Burrito: Yep! Olden is just around the corner. Maybe we can see it from the window?



The two peer out the window looking for the port. At first they only see more desert, but after the train crosses one last hill…



Sam: Look!



Ahead lay the town. A small congregation of buildings where the sand reached the sea. On the far side rose many towering cranes, pulling and grabbing many things from the ships down below.



There was the Port of Olden, the Jewel of the desert and the first step on our hero’s journey.



Episode 11 (END)