The morning passed pleasantly after Joey continued south. The excitement of the battle gradually settled into comfortable conversation. Well, conversation might have been giving Ravina too much credit.

Mostly, She talked and Cinder listened. Occasionally he would offer an approving chirp whenever she happened to guess what he was thinking.

"...Do you think I looked nervous?" Cinder looked at her in a way she took to mean an affirmative. "I'll take that as a yes." He chirped again. She laughed. "Thanks, Very supportive."

 

The path continued winding north through gentle woodland. Sunlight filtered between broad green leaves. Several trainers passed heading in the opposite direction, each offering friendly greetings as they walked.

One young Bug Catcher excitedly showed Ravina a Caterpie he'd caught that morning. An elderly woman warned them to watch for uneven ground after last night's rain. Another traveler simply smiled at Cinder.

"He’s an adorable little fellow?" Ravina Smiled.

 

Around midday, another cottage came into view. Unlike the last few farmhouses they'd passed, this one was impossible to mistake. Every tree surrounding the property bore brightly coloured fruit.

Red, Blue, Green, Pink, Black, Yellow and White.

The colours almost looked painted against the deep green leaves and Cinder immediately became fascinated. He wandered toward the nearest tree. One bright red Apricorn had already fallen into the grass which he cautiously sniffed at before looking back at Ravina.

"...Go on."

He nudged it experimentally but nothing happened. Apparently satisfied, he rolled it gently across the ground with his nose.

A warm laugh drifted from the porch. "Looks like he approves."

Ravina looked up to see an elderly man who was watching with obvious amusement.

"Good afternoon." he continued with a smile 

"Afternoon." She glanced toward the trees. "...I've never seen fruit like these before."

"Most visitors haven't." He stepped down from the porch, brushing soil from his hands. "Let me guess, you're looking for Mr. Pokémon?"

Ravina smiled. "I am."

The old man's shoulders drooped theatrically. "They all are, I've become the landmark."

He sighed dramatically. "'Turn left at the Apricorn fellow, 'If you've reached the Apricorn trees you've almost gone too far, 'Mr. Pokémon's just past the Apricorn bloke.'"

Ravina laughed, thinking fast as she replied. "...Actually, I was hoping to meet the Apricorn fellow."

He blinked. "...You were?"

"Professor Elm mentioned someone nearby who still works with Apricorns."

The old man straightened immediately."Well! That's different, come in!"

 

The cottage smelled faintly of polished wood and drying herbs. Shelves lined every wall. But instead of books, there were hundreds of Apricorns.

Each carefully sorted by colour, Half-finished wooden Poké Balls rested beside delicate carving tools.

Ravina slowly turned in place. "...You make Poké Balls?"

The old man nodded proudly. "The old way." He started as he picked up a smooth blue Apricorn. "Long before modern factories..." He gently turned it over in his hands. "...every Poké Ball began like this."

He smiled. "Takes patience, modern ones are faster, "But..." He shrugged. "...some traditions are worth keeping."

 

For the next twenty minutes, Ravina forgot she was supposed to be running an errand. The old craftsman happily explained every variety of Apricorn. Which Pokémon seemed drawn to each colour. How careful drying changed the shell. Why handcrafted Balls still mattered despite modern manufacturing.

Cinder sat beside him the entire time, Listening and occasionally sniffing whatever Apricorn the old man happened to be holding.

"You've got yourself a polite little partner."

Ravina smiled. "He tries."

The old man laughed. "Nah." He gently scratched beneath Cinder's chin. "He is a good boy~."

 

Eventually, the craftsman disappeared into a back room and returned carrying a weathered leather satchel. Small loops had been sewn into the inside, perfectly sized for Apricorns.

"My grandson used to carry this, but he became a Ranger. Doesn't collect Apricorns anymore.” He said as he offered it to Ravina. "You'll be travelling, You'll find these trees all across Johto. It'd be a shame to leave good Apricorns lying on the ground."

Ravina hesitated. "I couldn't just—"

"You can, I've got another."

She accepted it carefully. "...Thank you."

"Think nothing of it." He smiled warmly. "Just promise me one thing."

"What?"

"If you ever reach Azalea Town..." He pointed farther south with one weathered finger.

"...visit Kurt, my old teacher, if anyone can show you what an Apricorn can become, it's him."

"I will." Ravina nodded gratefully.

 

As Ravina stepped back onto the road, she paused. "...One more question."

"Hm?"

"How much farther?"

The old man chuckled. "Not far." Then he pointed up the gently rising path. "See that hill?"

Ravina nodded.

"Mr. Pokémon's cottage is on the other side."

"...Really?"

"You've almost made it."

 

The walk felt shorter after that, excitement had a way of doing that. The trees gradually thinned. The road climbed steadily toward higher ground. Then the forest opened.

A neat little cottage overlooked the surrounding countryside, smoke curled lazily from its chimney, flower boxes rested beneath every window.

Outside, someone had carefully tended a small vegetable garden.

The place felt peaceful.

Cinder stopped beside Ravina and she smiled. "...I think we've found it."

The little Fire-mouse looked toward the cottage, then back at Ravina as if silently asking:

"Ready?"

Ravina took a slow breath. Adjusted the satchel containing Professor Elm's parcel. And walked toward the front door.

Unaware that waiting inside were two people whose conversation would quietly change the course of her journey forever.