Chapter 143: Sunshine Kindergarten
Blackthorn City is a quiet city nestled among the mountains, surrounded on all sides. Only a narrow wooden bridge crossing a river provides access to the outside world.
In the games, no matter how much time passes, this place always seems like a small, secluded village, barren and with few people. But in the anime, it was a different story. Because of the Dragon-type Gym and its powerful leader, Clair, the Blackthorn City of the anime was quite lively, with no shortage of trainers and Pokémon on its streets.
But that was two hundred years in the future. The Blackthorn of today, while not as destitute as in the games, was not very prosperous either. It was a large town, a little better than Azalea, but not quite at the level of a "City."
On the southernmost side of Blackthorn, near the river, was a small port for outside travelers.
"You two can take the yacht back. I'll be staying here for a month or two," Leaf said to the two sailors, then led Will and Floragato away.
As a rich kid, Leaf had traveled a fair bit in his youth. He had been all over Johto and even the neighboring Kanto region, so he was no stranger to Blackthorn City.
"As you can see, Blackthorn's development isn't particularly fast. The reason it's called a 'City' is because what you see isn't its true foundation," Leaf said, eager to show off his knowledge in a new place. In short, he wanted to show off for Will. But Will didn't mind. He could actually learn some interesting things from him.
"It's called a city mainly because the members of the Dragonite Clan live here in seclusion. You probably don't have a concept of them, but basically, they're a very powerful and ancient people," Leaf said with a wave of his hand. He hailed a cargo carriage from the side of the road. With Blastoise and Sceptile being so large, this was their only option.
He negotiated with the driver for a moment. The driver, who had been annoyed at being stopped, was all smiles two minutes later, bowing and inviting them aboard. He even thoughtfully tossed all the cargo off the cart to clear a space.
On the cart, Leaf continued his explanation.
"This city was carved out of the wilderness a few hundred years ago by the Dragonite Clan and their Dragonite. They chose this place because it's surrounded by mountains, far from the chaos of war. Even during the most turbulent period in Johto a hundred years ago, not a single life was lost in Blackthorn. Nowadays, the Dragonite Clan has moved to the other side of the mountain, to a small village. The original city was given to the League to manage. The League, in turn, designated that plain as the clan's private territory and declared Blackthorn an official 'City'."
Leaf chattered on. He loved talking about these things with Will. He felt this Sceptile was different from other Pokémon. He seemed to understand every word, every sentence. It was completely different from talking to his Blastoise, who, while understanding his words, didn't always grasp their deeper meaning.
"By the way, what's your business in Blackthorn? If you need help, just say the word. I know this place very well," Leaf said, looking at Will enthusiastically. The journey from Cherrygrove had taken about ten days. In that time, he had come to regard the quiet, patient Grovyle as a friend.
"I want to go over there," Will said, pointing a hand to the north. He could feel the surging Dragon-type energy behind the mountain. That had to be the Dragonite Clan's homeland.
"The Dragonite Clan? You want to go there?" Leaf frowned, a troubled look on his face.
"What's wrong? Is it difficult?" Will asked. In all the time they had been traveling, he had never seen such an expression on Leaf's face. Any other problem, he would have just thrown money at.
"The people who live in the Dragonite homeland are very xenophobic. And since it's a private territory recognized by the League, outsiders aren't allowed to just barge in," Leaf explained, crossing his arms as he planned his next move. "The Dragonite Clan originally established this place to cut off contact with the outside world. They don't like outsiders visiting."
"Is there no way at all?" Will was surprised. The Dragonite Clan of the past had been so open, welcoming all tribes.
"In the north of Blackthorn City, there's a place called the Dragon's Den. That's the only way for outsiders to get in. The requirement is that you have to defeat the Dragon Elder who guards it."
Will was dumbfounded. Was this a joke? He was a "Dragon Elder." How could any ordinary person beat him? This was clearly their way of telling everyone to stay out.
"Don't worry, it's not hopeless. We'll just have to try something," Leaf said. "I know a few of the younger members of the clan. Maybe I can get them to escort you in. The rules don't allow outsiders, but a wild Pokémon should be fine."
The carriage gradually came to a stop. Leaf led them to a large, double iron gate. On the other side of the gate and its high fence was a miniature ecosystem: a lawn, a pond, flowerbeds, a small grove of trees, a rock garden... it was a place that could satisfy the needs of most Pokémon.
"This is the Pokémon kindergarten I built in Blackthorn. It's called the Sunshine Kindergarten," Leaf said, pressing a button on the gate. "We're building kindergartens like this in all the major cities in Kanto and Johto."
The place was on the very edge of the city, built against the mountain, where there were few people. It was indeed a suitable place for young Pokémon to grow.
"Meow!" Floragato, who had been silent, suddenly tugged on Will's arm, pointing to the other side of the fence. In a small tree, a Treecko was sitting on a branch, staring into space.
Floragato looked at the Treecko, then slowly turned her head to look at her own Sceptile. Her eyes went wide, as if she had just had a shocking realization.
Smack.
"What are you thinking about?" Will said, tapping her on the head.
"Meow?" Floragato rubbed her head, asking Will why she didn't look like him.
"You weren't born from me, so of course you don't look like me."
An expression of disbelief appeared on Floragato's face, as if her parents had just told her she was adopted.
"You're only just realizing this now? Please, look at yourself, then look at me. Do we look alike at all?" Will shook his head helplessly. He had thought she already knew. After all, he had asked his Golbat in his past life, and it had said it knew from the moment it was born.
But more importantly, the Sceptile line and the Meowscarada line were not in the same egg group. They couldn't possibly have an egg together.
"Meow..." Floragato looked dejected. She had always thought Will was her real parent. But now, looking at the Treecko on the other side of the fence, even it looked more like him than she did.
"Haha," Will couldn't help but laugh. He bent down and picked her up.
"Meow?" Floragato was surprised, and a little embarrassed. She now saw herself as a "grown-up" and was embarrassed to be held like this.
"Don't worry. Even if you're not my biological daughter, I'm raising you like you are. And you're much cuter than that other Treecko," Will said, scratching her little ears.
"...Meow!" Floragato blushed and proudly turned her head, all her previous dejection gone.
"Come on down. There are lots of little friends in here. You can play with them," Will said, putting her back on the ground. He looked inside the fence. There were indeed many Pokémon in their infant and first stages. But they all looked a little strange. Take that Treecko, for example. The white of one of its eyes was green, which actually looked quite cool.
After a while, an old woman of about sixty came walking over from inside the park.
"Young Master," she said, opening the gate and greeting Leaf.
"The Sunshine Kindergarten isn't an ordinary place," Leaf explained as he led them inside. "There's a reason it's called a kindergarten and not a daycare."
He pointed to a rock wall. An Elekid had the plugs on its head stuck into the rock. "Whee-bee," it cried, its arms windmilling as the electricity it generated flowed into the rock.
"That Elekid was born in a Thunder Stone mine and has too much electric energy in its body. It often discharges uncontrollably, hurting innocent people and Pokémon. Before it can control its power, I'm letting it stay here. At least in the rock cave, it won't hurt anyone," Leaf explained, then pointed to the other Pokémon. "Basically, all the children in this kindergarten are 'problem' children with some kind of physical issue."
"That Elekid isn't a problem child. It's a genius," Will said, looking at it. Stronger electric energy meant stronger electric moves. He remembered Ash's Pikachu getting overcharged and wiping the floor with Wattson's entire team. This Elekid had incredible potential.
"After the children get better, if they want to be with humans, I help them find a place in the Pokémon League. If not, I send them back to where they came from."
"You're doing a good thing," Will said, giving Leaf a thumbs-up.
"Haha, well, it's good for us too," Leaf said. "This kindergarten cost a lot of money. Even with a heart full of passion, I can't just throw away my father's hard-earned money."
"What's the benefit?"
"My family helps the League by relieving some of their pressure and providing a source of battle-ready Pokémon. In return, the League gives my father some conveniences, like relaxing the import-export quotas at the customs office, and helping us contact business partners in distant regions."
"I see," Will nodded. He didn't think this was some dark, backroom deal. The rules should be flexible for those who contribute.
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