Chapter 1 - Part 2: Water & Fire
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Chapter 1 - Part 2: Water & Fire
(17)
Upon entering, I noticed the floor was comprised of small seashells that had been flattened and presumably cemented to the floor. There were a couple large puddles in the entrance room.
I visited the lobby for my routine water. Apparently the water from this fountain directly connects to an enriched aquifer deep below the ground. This water was simply the very model of refinement! As for the rest of the lobby, it had a mixture of small blue tiles, yellow tiles, and brown tiles and a couple tiny pools with blue glass orbs with a black water energy symbol in them sitting on top of small pillars in each pool.
I then made my way into the main area of the fortress. The first room had a pool of water surrounding a raised platform connected to both the exit and entrance by wooden plank bridges. The floor was more seashells.
Doduo jumped into the water and began to swim around the perimeter of the room.
In the center of the platform was another fanatic by the name of Jacob. He had dark short hair, was wearing swim trunks, no shirt, and a pair of silver googles resting above his eyes on his head with big red letters on the lenses: 'G R'. He looked to be about ten years old.
The moment he began speaking, it became evident to me that his tedious tirade of how water energy is the best energy type would not be ending any time soon! Thankfully his eyes remained shut as he confidently droned on. In fact he was so distracted by his own speech that I was able to simply walk right past him into the next room! Thankful that I need not endure his inane ramblings, I made my way to the next chamber.
Doduo swam quickly leaping out of the water and onto the bridge as it followed.
The next chamber was massive and housed a glorious and impressive waterfall of epic proportions! The height of this room must have been upwards of fifty feet! Along the sides of the waterfall were natural rock cliffs! There was a large platform in the middle connected to the entrance and exit by small wooden plank bridges. The platform was surrounded by water except for the side near the entrance. The floor was more of the trademark seashells. There was a third bridge that connected to the waterfall which appeared to cover an entrance to another room!
Doduo ran full speed into the waterfall! It then began to run up the waterfall! Once it got to the top, it flung itself down onto one of the rocks below. It looked immensely painful. I honestly have no idea how it survives these things! Shortly after, it picked itself up and hobbled about with a look of pleasure upon its faces. It released an absurd amount of feathers during this stunt.
I would have loved to linger in this place but I noticed the all-too-excited gaze of another would-be duelist by the name of Cody. He wore a blue wet-suit and a black bandana with the GR logo. His skin was significantly tanned from sun exposure. He looked to be maybe seventeen.
The vice imposed upon this fellow was such that he should glorify all things Magikarp! He insisted that a fabulous treasure lay beyond the bridge and cave behind the waterfall, but only those with four Magikarp in their decks may lay eyes upon it.
I glanced the other direction and noticed a sign that read "This way to the leader's chamber" I gave one look to the hopeful Magikarp fanatic and one look to the room's exit and quickly stepped away as he desperately spoke as fast as he can trying to sway my opinion on Magikarp. He then quickly began offering me many different things to stay and duel him, but the more desperate he became, the more suspicious I became.
He then started to try to give me pencils, hats, drink coasters and small car chargers - all of them Magikarp themed - but I knew the game; accept anything and it becomes a form of psychological entrapment meant to lure you in to listen to their supposedly short speech that would no doubt last hours! Once that happens its only a matter of time before they try reeling you in to purchase a questionable time share and running your credit without asking! Oh I’m sure his gift card for listening to his sales pitch would be real, but to a far greater extent would be my regret of the time wasted!
Fully expecting this used-car-salesman of a duelist to follow me throughout the entire rest of the fortress, I indicated to him that I might duel him on my way out if he waited patiently. Thank the stars it seemed to have worked! I quickly made my way deeper into the fortress.
The next room initially appeared to be unoccupied. It was a long room full of water, some small platforms, and long wooden plank bridges connecting them. Our of the water in several locations scattered about the room were rock pillars. The floor was the same as the previous rooms.
Doduo leaped to the nearest pillar landing on it gracefully. It then began leaping from pillar to pillar with great finesse. When it got to the final pillar, it failed, massively plunging headlong into the rock and sliding down into the water. I loomed over the edge to see it floating with several bubbles coming up. I considered jumping in to help it but it rolled over and let itself float around while it breathed. It looked satisfied, so I decided to ignore it.
Just as I was about to make my way towards the next room, A figure dramatically flipped from the depths of the water onto a nearby platform and with one of the most absurd poses I have ever seen, my foe declared himself as Alex. He wore a green wet-suit and a snorkel mask connected to oxygen tanks. He was wearing a black swim-cap and goggles for his eyes. He was a bit chubby. His gear made it too hard to guess his age.
He boldly spoke, "I heard how you use your bench to power up your Voltorb, but I bet you can't beat me if you have two less bench slots!"
I inquired as to how much he would be willing to bet. He then pulled out his wallet and revealed his funds. Realizing that the amount of money needed to maintain my bribery of the gambling company was ever mounting, I wagered his funds would prove useful and thus our duel commenced!
How one such as he became someone who is popular here I will never know. His cringe-inducing actions ceased the moment my victory was claimed. It baffles the mind that he actually reasoned such a restriction would inhibit my ability to secure dominance in our duel. He laid his funds down and with overly dramatic posturing sunk himself back down into the depths.
I then proceeded into the central chamber. There were multiple waterfalls cascading into a pool in the middle of the room. Out of the pool in the middle was a large stone platform connected to the entrance by a stone bridge. The platform was at the stop of a set of wide stairs. the water from the pool in the middle spilled over the edge below into another pool that the bridge extended over.
Brooke the GR leader of the water stood atop the platform and greeted me. She wore a white swim cap with a red GR logo on it. She also wore a white bikini that left rather little to the imagination. She had brown eyes and very tanned skin. In fact, I could tell it was actually sun burned skin!
Rather than discussion of the duel we would proceed to, she was preoccupied with how one ought to not use tanning beds too frequently and how it will make you look darker than you realize. She explained she was always kept indoors and unable to bathe in the warm rays of the sun, so she thought she could make up for it in the tanning bed, but the tanning bed was on too high of a setting. Her motions were stiff and calculated as she winced from the severe sunburn. She then commented that Bill's inventions are not all they are cracked up to be, especially Bill's Ultra Sun Tan Super Deluxe Bed! I instantly empathized with her as we began our cordial and respectable duel.
Our duel swiftly concluded. Water was no match for my Voltorb no matter who wielded it. She did notice how my Bill's Teleporter only seemed to function half of the time though and expressed her sympathies. After the duel, we compared our general grievances regarding Bill and that the marketing of his products far exceeds their benefits. She was impressed by my ability to draw eight cards with Gambler though and concluded it must be fated that the win became mine. I allowed her to draw her own conclusions on the matter rather than attempt to explain the benefits of bribery as I made a graceful exit.
As I made my way towards the outside I passed Cody who looked at me expectantly while approaching.
I quickly explained there was an emergency and that I would be unable to duel after all and quickly left. Having a real emergency of kidnap and potential starvation was feeling pretty amazing right now all things considered!
Back into the initial room, it seemed Jacob was now concluding his thesis on all things water. As he opened his eyes, I paused for a moment.
He then exclaimed "I can't believe it! You're the first person to ever listen to me all the way through! I was going to duel, but just being listened to is more than I could ever ask for! Mark my words, friend, when the resistance rises, we shall set you aside and our wrath will spare you!"
I simply nodded and performed a slight bow as I exited and returned to the lobby for more of that exquisite water!
I then visited the counter with my newfound funds and gazed at the assortment of snacks they had for sale. I attempted to purchase one but the employee manning the lobby store refused to take them out for me to purchase stating that by order of Claire on behalf of the King, no one was to sell or provide food to me.
Well, it was worth a shot.
I then made my way out of the fortress.
The next destination would be the GR of Fire Fortress!
(18)
As I entered the fire fortress, I was taken aback at how they have literal lava flows inside the building! The only thing that struck me more than the unbearable heat was the absurd amount of money it must take to maintain such a spectacle!
Reasoning that I would be losing hydration quickly in this place, I made my typical stop to the lobby for water. The lobby was a fantastic and comfortable temperature. The floor was all what appeared to be black rocks, perhaps obsidian. After drinking more than I usually would, exited the lobby and made my way inside the main section of the fortress.
Lava pools lined most of the walls in the first room.
Doduo walked up to the lava and peered intently into it. Before long its feathers caught on fire as it ran around gleefully as its burning feathers started falling off.
Ignoring the insane bird I noticed the next member of GR waiting in the room: Jess. Notable was the mask upon Jess's face. When I inquired as to why, Jess simply replied ominously that one should never seek plastic facial surgery from Bill's discount doctor services. Not wanting to keep the matter focused on such a horrid topic, I quickly pulled my deck out for our assumed duel.
I fought fire with fire as my Dark Rapidash clashed with Jess's Dark Rapidash. My Pokemon proved to be the greater of the two however! Upon the conclusion of our contest, Jess pulled up the mask to cover the eyes in shame. I then noticed the face appeared perfectly presentable! When I inquired upon this, Jess pulled the mask off and looked down to the left while admitting it was just a stunt meant to garner sympathy in the hopes of it affecting the duel. Having no clue how one should respond to such a revelation, I simply shook my head as I departed for the next room.
The next enclosure offered the same extreme in temperature. A raised platform of rock connected by a stone bridge on either side with a pool of lava surrounding the platform on all sides though the bridges were far enough above the lava for it to be safe to cross. How anyone could stand about all day in such places though was utterly beyond me. It had to be near 110 degrees here! Granted, even that seemed cool compared to what I would expect temperatures around lava to typically be. Even so, my poor suit will no doubt be unfit to keep wearing once I am done here!
As I tread into the tumultuous temperature torture, I noticed Doduo happily rolling along the floor to finally put out the literal fire in its feathers. I suppose it does need to put out flame because if all of its feathers burn away it won't have any left to leave about everywhere! Well, at least we will not need to tidy this place of feathers for a change!
(19)
I then noticed who appeared to be perhaps a little girl of age ten. She had light blue eyes with light blue hair to match. Kind of like the color of a blue flame. She also wore a blue shirt but had a light yellow apron on with the GR logo on it.
She then approached me and introduced herself as Kara and that she has been taught to duel anyone who desires, but only if they empty their entire deck of all energy except fire.
What is with this island that it has so many odd and varied fanatics?! The common-folk of TCG Island never took to tedium such as this! I braced my ears for what I assumed would be yet another hail of pointless monologue about how fire by itself was superior to all other energy types, but to my great surprise, she simply asked if I would be willing to duel under the conditions! When I inevitably declined, she simply curled up on the floor to nap speaking of how it was too hot to duel anyway.
It was at this point I realized that I still had that tiny Doduo fan that one typically acquires at theme parks! Reasoning that she will likely need it far more than myself, I presented it to her as a charitable contribution. GR member or not, this ten year old did NOT kidnap me and deserves kindness!
At this her face lightened mentioning she had never received a gift before and would always cherish it. She then activated the device and lay about content as I went about my way.
"I'll make sure to tell them you are good. Thank you so much Mr!" she called out as I made my way through the door.
Doduo followed. Its plumage mostly charred. It actually looked more black than tan at this point. I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it. Doduo seemed pleased to be the focus of such things.
The next room was smaller but only a comparatively thin winding walkway separated the lava.
Doduo marveled at all the lava about this room but apparently decided it had enough fun with burns for now as it stayed fairly close to me patiently.
My next would-be opponent was on the far end of the room and donned the name of Ellen. She wore a yellow and red cap and had beautiful long brown hair with bangs that covered one of her eyes. She wore a tight red suit with yellow buttons. She looked to be about twenty-four years old. I noticed how she might be close to suffering initial stages of heat stroke as she attempted to explain why every deck should contain four Eevee.
I explained that she may need medical attention and should visit the lobby of the club where it is hopefully of more tolerable temperature. Clearly she wanted to speak further of Eevee but her weariness of the heat won out as she sauntered towards the exit muttering something about the regulatory body of the island needing to impose better workplace accommodations.
I decided to accompany her to the lobby for if she were to have a medical emergency, that would surely outrank some petty starvation of mine. I offered my arm to her which she accepted as I began to escort her to the lobby.
Doduo immediately began bouncing itself on the floor shaking off the charred bits of feathers. It now looked like it was having a bad hair day, or in this case feathers! It did remove most of the ash and soot from its feathers though.
Half way to the lobby she started having trouble walking. To my surprise, Doduo ran out ahead and lowered its body! I helped her on praying it wasn't about to jump into a nearby pit of lava. I would try to carry Ellen, but I do not lift weights and seriously doubted my ability to reliably carry anyone older than a small child. Doduo carefully lifted her and made its way to the lobby and cooperated in helping her into a chair!
I noticed that other than some feather ash, Ellen did not appear to have any of Doduo's feathers stuck to it. Hah! She must have got lucky since I supposed too many of its feathers fell out or burned recently!
I then purchased a water bottle and brought it to her. She thanked me and gave Doduo a pet on one of its heads. She then mentioned I should come back and see her once my business here was concluded. She explained that they have a shower here and a fast dry cleaning service usually reserved for employees but that she would let me use them.
What good luck! Here I was worried that a foul stench would linger upon me for the entirety of the remainder of my journey here!
I thanked her and once I was satisfied she would be ok, I noticed Jess and Kara sitting in some chairs.
They looked pretty hot but Kara was still using the fan I gave her. I reasoned it must be one of several breaks they likely get during the day.
Kara looked up at me with her hopeful eyes and a smile. She wished me luck in my duel!
I thanked her as I placed an arm across my stomach and bowed.
I mentioned I would put on a special performance just for her.
As I turned to leave, I noticed Doduo appeared to be staying behind. Could it be that it wanted to keep an eye on Ellen, given her condition? Utterly perplexed, I made my way towards the furthest depths of the Fire Fortress.
(20)
In the final chamber, I noted there was even more lava than the other rooms! Lava below the bridge that connected to the central location. Lava above on a platform above spilling out onto the main platform before flowing further to meet the lava under the bridge. Surely just a few degrees hotter and the cards we dueled with would surely burst into flame!
I then took note of the opponent in the room, Bernard, leader of the Fire Fortress! I immediately noticed his pair of protective sunglasses as well as built-in fans to his apparel as well as what appeared to be tubes of some presumably cool liquid circulating throughout his unique apparel. Clearly this place of business operates as many businesses tend to: favoring those at the top at the expense of those beneath.
Indignant of such a display I announced my intent to duel with more than my usual resolve! He then explained that fire in this place will have no weakness to water and that was the reason for implementing lava in the workplace. He explained how he finds far less challengers to surpass him in such an environment. Little did he know, I possessed the ability to make his Pokemon weak to whatever strikes my fancy with Porygon!
I took down the tyrant with several zaps from my Voltorbs and switched his weakness to allow triumph with my Dark Rapidash. His Rapidash and Magmar presented the biggest obstacles but were unable to withstand my onslaught.
I then scolded the fellow explaining he should offer better treatment of his employees as he clearly has the means. As I made my way to the exit, he merely laughed indicating his defeat is all the more reason to continue in his ways.
I made my way back to the lobby and noticed Doduo performing various antics as Ellen laughed.
I went about showering and having my suit dry cleaned. Once I was done I began to leave the lobby and noticed Doduo trotted up to Ellen and nudged its heads affectionately on her arm. She smiled and gave each head a stroke. Doduo had a peculiar reaction to this. It seemed to hate it, perhaps, but appeared to be trying its best to convince itself of the opposite! Doduo then bowed to her before turning around and promptly trotting over to me.
As I left, I noticed Kara standing expectantly outside. I suppose she must have been waiting for me?
She was amazed by my duel and decided to give me a gift! It was in a little sandwich bag. It looked like a cabbage roll filled with... rice? Such a simple little thing! To my starving body though, it might as well have been gold!
I can't just accept this so easily though... Clearly the folk of this island fear retaliation from their King!
I asked her if it was really ok to give this to me and that I didn't want her to be in trouble.
She asked me to lean close so she could whisper.
I obliged.
She whispered that she will let me have it if I keep it a secret and that no one could know!
Finally someone on this island who ISN'T willing to watch me starve!
I gave her my solemn vow as a gentleman with my hand upon my heart.
She held it out for me again.
I accepted after first looking around to make sure no one was watching. I will not have her tarnished on my account!
Kara watched as I ate it. Her eyes lit up as I bit into it.
It tasted bland, but I didn't care. It was so nice to have something-anything else to eat!
After finishing, I reasoned that her food was more valuable than the money I had on me, so I emptied my pockets of every scrap of cash, every coin. I crouched down to her level, thanked her face to face, and gave the money to her.
I regretted that it wasn't much. Perhaps this small gesture would be meaningless to her, but honor would not allow for me to do any less!
Barely a second went by when, suddenly she was hugging me!
She wished me good luck in the rest of the duels here and that she would be rooting for me!
Far be it from me to coldly reject a hug from one such as this!
I gave her a hug back and lingered a little while for her before standing up.
Ah... a pity there are not more on this island like her.
I bid her farewell and took my leave.
With Kara's hopes and the ever-present Doduo, my next destination was the GR Fighting Fortress!
(21)
Upon my journey to the next fortress, I stopped at the GR Island’s Challenge Hall. Figuring it was a good time for a rest, I sat upon one of its many unoccupied stools. I reasoned that they must not have an event currently going.
It was then that my phone spoke to me again! Quickly I answered and found the other end was occupied by one who was not outsourced to Neo judging by the lack of a Neo accent! A tear came to my eye as I explained the entirety of events leading to this moment.
I then learned the harsh truth: Bill Incorporated has been navigating a particularly tumultuous bankruptcy thanks to the mismanagement of its gambling wing. Apparently the winnings have far exceeded the accepted perimeters and they had to relocate Bill's Teleporter to his home. I then learned that his nephew, Timmy, a toddler of the age of three, frequents his home and often plays unsupervised. Apparently his unfortunate penchant is to unplug the teleporter at every available opportunity! Bill is frequently too busy on calls with Lawyers regarding the bankruptcy so he has little time for supervision but plugs it back in from time to time. The rep apologized and mentioned he would hire an employee to protect the power cable, but lacks the funds.
I thanked her for the information and concluded that my bribery of the gambling employees is likely connected to the failure of the teleporter. I wasn't particularly sympathetic considering the abuse I suffered at the hands of their demented call center, so although I could stop the bribery, there was a certain sense of ironic justice in its continuation. The teleporter will remain inconsistent regardless at this point anyway, so I opted to continue the bribery knowing that both cards will continue to occasionally fail. I reasoned that my bribery was only a small portion of the overall unreliability of the teleporter and surely my bribery has been increasing my chances considerably more with the Gambler card!
Now that we have cleared up that matter, it's time to phone my good friend Ronald to arrange to leave this phony resort behind!
I dialed the number, lifted the phone to my ear, and then... nothing? The horrible truth then dawned on me: my phone had now died and I was without the means to recharge it! I slowly and deliberately slid it back into my pocket with dismay as I set out for the next destination.
At least that horrible cacophony of terrible phone-filtered music ceased! I could take comfort in that. That Doduo was without cheer as a result of the departure of the infernal music that plagued my ears no more, was icing on the cake. Dumb bird! It would now have to find alternative sources of torture to placate its tendencies!
I then began the trek to one of the few remaining fortresses on this island: the fighting fortress!
(22)
When I arrived at the fighting fortress, I marveled at the stone architecture of the structure and the sections of marble flooring near the doors. It appeared to be oldest structure I had ever seen! The entrance was lined with several statues of people with primitive clothing. I also noticed to my dismay that this fortress doesn't have a lobby! What?! How do they visit the restroom and drink from water fountains with no lobby!? How do they buy snacks? What kind of place IS this?! I then resolved to be out of this place as quickly as possible.
The receptionist for the fortress was standing nearby and informed me that the leader became lost again in the maze below and that I would have to venture in to find him. My questions regarding this matter were many, but my task was clear! To the maze!
Upon entering the main hall, it became evident that the exit was up ahead which would lead to the remaining locations on my map of GR Island: the Colorless Altar, Psychic Stronghold, and GR Castle. As for the main hall itself, the stone architecture continued here but I noticed some of it had been painted with the path to the exit in red, and giant letters on the left and right sides of the hall: "G R". Near the exit, was two bronze pillars with some kind of old writing etched into them. On the left and right sides were doorways with stairs with signs above them that read "Maze". On the left side was another set of stairs with a sign that read "Exit From Maze" I then proceeded down the stairs into the maze.
The construction of the maze seemed relatively simple and judging from some odd outlines on the walls, it appeared there used to be metal fixtures for torches but they had since been replaced by standard lights. I also noticed the floor looked peculiar in some sections. After looking closely, I determined they had implemented trap doors in the floor to impede ones progress! I was not one to be hoodwinked by such measures so I simply navigated around them.
I soon found myself in a large dead-end chamber with a lady by the name of Grace. She wore tight fitting blue gym equipment and a black bandana tied around her forehead with big red letters on it: 'G R'. She had spiky orange hair and light blue eyes. She looked to be about twenty years old.
I had to take but one look, just one to know what was about to happen. You can always see the hopeful desperation in the eyes…
I made for a hasty exit as she began loudly proclaiming how fighting type energy is the best energy and all decks should only have that kind of energy in it. Clearly she has never seen what happens when you pit a fighting type against an especially dumb, lazy, fat, and masochistic bird or any other bearer of fighting resistance! No sir, i will not be making a fighting deck just so I can suffer a defeat at the likes of a creature like Doduo!
Thankfully the complexity of the structure allowed for my quick disappearance, but her insufferable monologue would continue without end for the entire exploration of the structure. If one ever needs to know if something is unpleasant, one need only look to Doduo. Indeed, its smugness suggested enjoyment. I simply must be rid of this place as fast as is convenient!
As I explored the remainder of this meandering mysterious mole-infested maze, I chanced upon a man by the name of Tony. He had pale skin and was bald and muscular with no facial hair.
He proclaimed we should duel but only if I were to downgrade my deck by removing the most useful common cards of all: Energy Removal!
"My good man," I scoffed, "I am already using a deck constructed completely of common cards and you ask that I debilitate it further? Why should you begrudge me what little advantage I can attain?"
He then began a tirade of how the cards are broken and should have never been invented and that they would be much better if a coin-flip was implemented for them to be successful. I then retorted that he was quite mad and that a coin-flip would render them pointless for all intent and purpose. Clearly he was not seeking refinement but rather oppression! It was already bad enough that Gamble and Bill's Teleporter should often fail and this clod wants to nerf my power further? I bid him farewell as I made my way to the exit of the maze. Perhaps the leader returned from the maze as well so I can get on with things?
Brooke in-game has an unusual skin color that i think is supposed to make her look tanned, but it just looks more like a sun-burn to me and was my inspiration for her sunburn in the story.
In the games, each island has a location/building known as a Challenge hall. Occasionally, there is a challenge cup held here where the player can participate in a mini-tournament against other duelists of the island to win a promo card if the player is undefeated after 3 or 4 opponents (I forget the exact number of opponents). Most of the time, a challenge cup is not being held so the building is typically relatively empty. Like clubs and fortresses, each challenge hall also has a lobby.
Ronald is the antagonist of the first game. Kind of like a counterpart to the rival from the mainline Pokemon games. Ronald's role in the 2nd game shifts to one that helps the player and scouts out Team GR.
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