Hard Enough - Chapter 364 - Metalworks

“So… I know Forrest wasn’t here last time I did this, but all of you want to come again?” I asked.

The group, now composed of Forrest, Salvadore, Greta, Yolanda, Rachel, and Stephen but now Cindy, Tommy, Timmy, Suzie,  Billy, Tilly, Flint, Lola, Misty, and Crystal were all present.

At this point I felt more like a tour guide than a Gym Leader with the gaggle I found myself leading to the foundry section of Pewter city.

“It was pretty awesome to watch!” Yolanda commented and Terra beamed while for Suzie, Togepi madly waved her stubby little arms around.

Lola smiled. “It’s a family event!” she declared. Then she adopted a fake-looking pout. “Such a shame Sabrina couldn’t make it.” 

Stephen and the others who were very much not family all shifted and moved to the back of the group to give me and Lola room. 

Most of the young kids didn’t notice, but Yolanda’s lips thinned, Forrest rubbed his forehead, and Salvadore grimaced. 

That got a flat stare from me. “Sabrina is busy running her gym. By the way, how are your therapy sessions going?” I asked, deciding she needed a jolt.

“I don’t attend therapy sessions,” remarked Lola. “I just have tea with a nice lady sometimes,” she said through clenched teeth. “But still it’s a shame Sabrina couldn’t make it that she priorit—” Lola started to say something that I had no doubt would be a snipe at Sabrina’s character, only for Yolanda to nudge her.

Forrest didn’t let Lola’s antics affect his mood in the least. “I don’t mind! She’s helping me out with Metagross!” 

I shot Forrest a thankful nod. 

“So, which metal blend did you go with?” Flint asked.

Forrest sighed. “I’ve decided to go with a traditional blend. I read through Brock’s notes regarding the idea of adding diamonds and other trace metals and I think the percentage pay off isn’t worth it. I’d like to keep things straightforward and easy to parse. I don’t want to switch things up seeing as I’m building up a strong Steel type roster!” he declared.

He adopted a confident grin. “And once you find another Mega stone I’ll be able to borrow your Steelixite for myself!” he declared with all the confidence that a young man can muster.

“Ho?” I replied, raising an eyebrow. “You realise that I might just hold onto it, no?”

“I’ll at least get the next one, right?” he asked.

When I grimaced he straightened up. “Who else would get one?” 

“You’ll meet her next circuit,” I replied. “Her name is Jasmine and she’s the Gym Leader of Olivine city. She’s taken over the Gym thanks to her uncle’s contributions as a Ranger. From what I’m hearing about her she has a lot of community support while also being a clued in trainer.”

Flint backed me up on this. “Lance wants the next Steelixite to go to her, as she does have a Steelix starter.”

“Hmmm, what about like a Magnezonite? Or a Skarmoryite?”

“Are you just making up mega stones?” I asked. Technically it was possible that more mega stones had been added to the list since I’d arrived in this life, but there wouldn’t be any way of telling without encountering the stones in question. 

“We’ve had several researchers tracking and creating patterns on which pokemon have stones and extrapolating for other types of pokemon,” Flint revealed. 

Salvadore bounced as this new information was revealed. Flint pointed to my pokebelt. “The most likely pokemon to have a stone is going to be an Aggron.”

“Why’s that? What factors make them more likely to have a mega stone?” Salvadore asked.

“They have lots of living groups spread around the world so the chance of encountering their stones is quite high,” Flint suggested. “From what we’re finding, pokemon with more niche methods of evolution are typically harder to find Megastones for, making them much more unlikely to have one.”

Salvadore copied that down but it was Yolanda who asked the next question. “So, pokemon like Magnezone, or Eevee’s might be tougher to get megastones for? I suppose Scizor is also off the list?” she asked.

“Actually, Scizorite is possible,” Flint muttered. 

“Eh!? Really?” Forrest gasped. “I need to get a Scyther then!” Forrest whipped his head around to me. “I’ve been good!” he claimed only to get a snort of derision from me.

No way I was paying for his pokemon. He already had a bunch of gear along with Challenger, who’d been a Graveler when he left on on his Journey.

Forrest didn’t attempt another angle with me but rather whipped around to Lola and Flint. “Missed birthday presents?” he asked.

Flint stuttered and almost tripped while Lola giggled and flicked Forrest on the nose. “Ohohoho! How shameless you are!” she giggled.

Yolanda and I both shot Lola flat looks at her calling anyone else ‘shameless’.  “We’ll consider it however!” Lola tacked on with a smirk towards Flint. “I did earn all that money from discovering the Trinity Nations!”

Forrest beamed but Lola’s suggestion had the others instantly waving their hands and suggesting other items or pokemon they’d like to have. 

I facepalmed. I’d offer Lola the books on parenting that I had but they’d more likely end up as paperweights rather than being read. 

Still, something Flint had said stood out to me. “When did we find a Scizorite?” I asked.

Flint coughed. “We didn’t but we got hold of an updated catalog that Steven, or rather Devon Corp are offering to exclusive individuals. They passed it along to us and we found two new stones on there.”

“What else did they find?” I asked as I brought up the old list that Steven had offered to me almost a year ago.

“Cameruptite,” Flint replied.

That got a hiss from me. “There been any issues with Team Magma over that announcement?” I asked.

“Not that I’m aware,” Flint replied, shooting me a worried look. “Should it have?”

“Hmmm, mostly a gut feeling, but when a group of criminals name themselves Team Magma in Hoenn? One of the pokemon I’d expect the big bosses to have would be a Camerupt, ergo…” I made a rolling gesture with my hand.

“Ah,” Flint replied.

Lola’s eyes narrowed. “Team Magma you say?” 

I shot her a flat look. “They’re a potential issue and something I’ll flag with Lance but I’m sure Steven won’t want any more egg on his face. The stones are highly secured, I’m sure.” 

“Nothing stopping them buying it through an intermediary though, right?” suggested Yolanda.

Flint and I shared a look. 

Lola clapped her hands. “Let’s talk about something else! Criminals aren’t something to be talked about with children about!” she declared. 

Suzie tilted her head. “But Brock handles villains all the time?”

“Yeah! Like the time the Gym got attacked and he was all like ‘Ragh!’ blow them away!”

Lola’s lips thinned. “Hmmm, yes, well let’s focus on more positive topics!”

Forrest waved a hand at my wrist. “Can I get a look at that list again? Worth keeping in mind what’s possible!” 

I flicked him the updated list I had access to. Yolanda, Misty, Salvadore, Greta, and Crystal all clustered around him so much so that he could barely walk.

A struggle played out with the kids jockeying for prime position as Forrest warred with himself. 

He obviously didn’t want to be crowded like he was, but at the same time he liked having Misty leaning in like she was. I turned my head away so I could chuckle to myself.

Eventually, Yolanda realised this was a losing battle and that Forrest wasn’t going to speak up.

“Uhmmm can you send it to Salvadore and I as well?” she asked.

“Sure thing,” I replied, flicking her the list.

For the next few minutes, the only sounds were a quiet murmuring and the occasional laughter as the younger kids zoomed around us.

Ah, peace and quiet. 

With my hands behind my head I stretched out my spine and allowed myself the moments of bliss.

Flint and Lola linked their arms together and looked content.

Right, I knew how this worked. I started a mental count down. 

Ten, nine, eight, seven— Suzie tripped and twisted in the air to stop herself from landing on Togepi. She landed and smacked into the ground.

She rose, gave me a look, lip quivering and tears in her eyes. Then she sniffed loudly and rose. “Good thing I’m tough!” she declared firmly before charging after Tommy who’d stopped when she fell. “Tag you’re it!” she announced.

“She’s such a good girl!” Lola giggled.

“She is!” Flint replied with a proud smile. He glanced towards me and nodded causing me to look away. 

It still felt weird when he acknowledged me like that.

Behind me Yolanda giggled, letting me know she had caught that exchange. I flicked some snow at her, causing Greta and Crystal to be caught in the crossfire.

“Hey!” growled the trio as one.

I just continued on, pretending innocence, but I could feel their eyes boring into my back, promising retribution.

Before they could enact anything, Forrest spoke up. “There’s actually quite a lot of steel-type pokemon on this list. Is there a theory on why that is?” he asked.

I glanced at the list he was referring to. Mawilite, Metagrossite, Scizorite, Steelixite, and Aggronite, with the last having a small asterisk next to it to indicate it was merely theoretical at this point. 

I hummed, knowing that Aggronite would be real. 

“Hmmm you’re not wrong,” Flint rubbed his chin. “We’re not fully sure why it is, but there is some thoughts regarding Steel types being more likely to have their territories include others of their type which increases the chances of Megastones being found.”

Flint perked up. “Speaking of interesting points! We got approval for an initial survey of Charicific valley! We think there’s going to be a high possibility that a Mega Charizardite will be found there!” 

I whistled. “That is good news,” I replied. 

Now I’d have to keep an eye out for the X Y variants. I could only imagine that most of them would be looking for the red and yellow stones while the dragon typed Charizardite X would be blue and black. 

Something to keep in mind going forward. “Any chance of jumping on that expedition?” I asked. Salvadore’s head— wait no, everyone’s head snapped up to me with a hopeful expression.

Flint just laughed. “You’re the CEO Brock, if you want to go, you can go,” he suggested.

“Neat.” I pointedly kept my eyes fixed forward so I couldn’t see the various eyes boring into me.

“Brock?” asked Yolanda.

I kept walking, pretending I couldn’t hear her.

“Big brother!” called Salvadore.

I lengthened my stride slightly, pulling away. “Look guys, the foundry is right there!” I called, deflecting like a champion.

The gazes shifted but when I glanced back Yolanda shot me a look that promised we’d be having words later. 

Waiting in front of the foundry much like last time, Foreman Hendricks met us with his normal growl. “Gym Leader Brock and Party? All here this time eh?” he remarked as his eyes slid over the group.

“Yeah, we grew some since last time.” I scratched at my cheek self consciously only for Hendricks to grunt.

“No problem. We have the space in the foundry for them. The little ones will just have to be monitored.” he paused on Togepi and Terra. “And I would suggest both of these even littler ones go back into their pokeballs. I don’t want any accidents with molten slag!” 

Suzie and Yolanda pouted at that while the pokemon cried out in disappointment but before long they were both back into their pokeballs.

“Alright, just like last time then, please keep your questions until after we get through the safety briefing!” Hendrick’s lips twitched as his eyes shot to Salvadore who rubbed the back of his head and laughed awkwardly. 

“I need all of you to wear the following hard hats, glasses, and gloves. Also, you ladies, will all be changing into full-body clothing that is flame-retardant. Also, hair,” he said to girls who nodded seriously. Lola knelt behind the younger girls and quickly had their hair tied up while helping them into the suits.

“I’m like a spacegirl!” giggled Suzie as she tottered around in her silvery suit. 

Hendricks chuckled at her before coughing. “Right then! Now that you’re all dressed to impress, let’s move! Follow me and no moving off the safety strip!” he called.  

This time he clapped Forrest on the shoulder when we reached the private smelter we’d used last time. “Alright, young man! You’re with me!” Hendricks jerked his head to the rail observation deck which most of the group were already heading to.

“Ah, good, you remember. The rest of you need to remain up there!” he chuckled. “Always nice getting repeat purchases!” he turned back only to find one more person than he expected.

Salvadore had remained on the floor, his body practically bristling in anticipation. 

“I’m not gonna say it this time until right at the end,” teased Hendricks.

Salvadore slumped and sloughed his way up to the observation deck. He bumped into me and grumbled about not being that bad which drew a chuckle from me. He drew out his pokedex to record the binding/evolution process. 

Crystal glanced from Salvadore to Hendricks, “What was that about?” she asked.

Yolanda giggled. “Salvadore asked a ton of questions last time when Hendricks asked if there were any. He knows better now.”

Lola giggled and made to wrap an arm around Salvadore. “My little science guy!” she cooed. I stepped out of reach, instead moving up next to Stephen.

“Surprised you came again,” I prodded.

“Experimentation often means repetition. It’s interesting to see the process, but with there being a different metal used, I’m interested in what might change,” he replied, gesturing to the pokedex. Then he glanced around. “I wonder if the foundry keeps any recordings themselves,” he mused, eyes lingering on several security cameras.

I left him to his thoughts instead of giving the foundry a slow once-over. It was a bit different being on the observation deck this time around. 

Forrest looked much smaller as he stood next to Hendricks. The man offered him a plate of metal for Forrest to review and before he accepted it back.

Hendricks then led Forrest to a separate walkway where he pressed a large button. Instantly red lights began to blare as a work crew of oiled up Machoke wearing hard hats sauntered out.

“This is giving me ideas,” Rachel muttered. I reached over and flicked her on the ear.

“Keep it PG and off the recording!” I whispered. 

A blastoise and other water type pokemon moved into position and Misty’s focus shifted to them instantly. 

When Forrest released his Onix it lay in the vat eagerly, eyes locked on Forrest as he bounced on the spot.

“ALL CLEAR!!” Hendricks bellowed before hitting a red button that sent warning lights flashing around the two suspended vats. 

This time I noticed that instead of Flareon it was Magcargo creating the flame for the vats.. 

“LAST CALL SAFETY CHECKS!” Hendricks called, glancing around. 

The other workers and pokemon all shot back thumbs up.

When he turned back to Forrest my brother grinned and shot a thumbs up. 

Hendricks pressed another button and the vats tipped over, spilling the molten contents on top of Onix. 

“ONIX! TRY TO HOLD OFF AS LONG AS YOU CAN SO YOU GET AN EVEN SPREAD OF METAL! DON’T STOP THE EVOLUTION BUT JUST SLOW IT DOWN! STRONGER BODY NEEDS A STRONGER SPREAD!” Hendricks shouted. 

Just like last time Onix groaned as the light of evolution swept down his form.

The glow continued until the vats had looped his body. Hendricks hit another button and shouted. “GO AHEAD! NO MORE HOLDING BACK!”

Unlike with Jorm, when Forrest’s pokemon rose from the metal, it was already finished with its evolution. I leaned over to mention that observation to Salvadore, who perked up with interest.

“Steeeeeelix!” roared the newly evolved pokemon.

Small differences stood out to me the more I watched Steelix slither out of the molten metal. 

First of all, Steelix was much faster in escaping the hotter temperature, unlike Jorm. He also had more of a dull matte to his form compared to Jorm who had emerged with a certain sheen to his form.

Perhaps that had been the diamonds?

Our vision was obstructed a moment later as Blastoise unleashed a torrent of water on the still glowing metal causing a cloud to rise up. 

Stephen and Rachel sighed. “At least this only lasts a little while,” he muttered as powerful extractor fans spun up. Huh, I hadn’t even noticed that last time.

When the red lights cut off, the group hustled down to the ground floor where Forrest was rubbing a polishing cloth all over his pokemon’s body with a giant grin.

Misty approached quickly. “Congratulations, you two!” she called. “This is a great boost for you both!” 

Steelix and Forrest both beamed at her. “Haha thanks, Misty! This is going to really boost our chances for the Battle Frontier!” he declared.

“Oh you two are going to be so cute heading off together!” Lola squeed. 

Yolanda, who’d been about to approach Forrest stiffened and shot Lola a look. I glanced at her as she stepped back with a scowl while pointedly not looking at anyone.

“Hey, what’s up?” I asked, bumping my shoulder into her lightly.

Yolanda jerked her head at Forrest who was happily chatting with Lola and Misty about their plans for the battle frontier. “I mention I’m leaving for the next circuit and she flips out, but Forrest mentions heading off in a few days and his plans are for Johto and she’s fine? It’s just not fair!”

“No, it’s not.” I rubbed my chin. “I think she’s sort of locked onto the idea of Forrest and Misty being a couple, so she wants to do everything she can to make that happen. Might even be a copy of her and Flint in a way but I’m not sure if I match wave lengths with her,” I murmured with a shrug.

“So I need to get a boyfriend?” Yolanda growled.

I grimaced. “That might make it worse, actually.” I rubbed my forehead. “I honestly don’t know how she’d react. Guess it would depend on the person. Despite the sniping she does with Sabrina, I’m pretty sure she likes her.”

“Sabrina hates her,” Yolanda replied with a twitch of her lips. I hummed, watching Yolanda and noting that she didn’t seem bothered by that.

“So Sabrina is allowed a free pass on that but I’m not?” I mused, pointing out Yolanda’s hypocrisy. 

Yolanda tilted her head. “Huh, I mean… No but… Sabrina is Sabrina?” she looked baffled even as she said it.

“She’s got her quirks so she gets away with it?” I offered and Yolanda nodded slowly.

“Yah I guess, that and most of the time it seems more funny to listen to, but maybe that’s because Mum has been annoying me lately.” Yolanda scrubbed at her face. “Urgh! I don’t know!”

“Right,” I said slowly. “Well let’s just ignore Lola being herself, and instead just be happy for Forrest.”

“Right, I can do that!” she nodded and exhaled before inhaling and smiling.

I stopped her from walking up to Forrest. “Also, if you’re thinking about getting Lola to buy you something, don’t be surprised if it comes with conditions.”

Yolanda blinked before realising I was talking about an earlier conversation. “Hmmm right, good point. I’ll need to make some money.” She licked her lips. “Do you mind if I use the songs you sang? Some of them were really good, even if you were being silly when singing them,” she murmured. 

“Ha, no, by all means go for it,” I offered. “No way I’d be able to sing them half as well as you.”

Yolanda nodded and trotted up to Forrest to offer her own congratulations. 

I looked around and found Salvadore. He’d ambushed Hendricks with a large booklet open with him scribbling notes as he asked various questions. 

“—happens to the left over metal? I noticed that there was some last time and this time with the evolutions!”

Hendricks chuckled. “We melt it down, get the impurities out and use it like any other metal! We’re a smelter foundry for a reason!” he declared. He nodded towards me as I approached. “Speaking of items, I heard you’ve commissioned the blacksmithing workshop for something a bit unusual.”

“Eh,” I shrugged. “It’s a vanity piece.” Reaching into my pouch I drew out the shield that I had gotten from Rota. “I bought this—”

“In Rota,” remarked Hendricks as he reached out and snatched it out of my hands. He tapped a part on the back with a smirk. “Got Rota’s Georgio the Blacksmith’s mark here,” he muttered. He glanced at me with a smirk. “You show the blacksmith team this did you?”

“I did,” I replied carefully.

“Heh, that’ll stir the pot a bit. Don’t be surprised if they happen to make a ‘better shield for you’ that will match the armor you’re having commissioned.” 

Salvadore whipped around with stars in his eyes. “You’re having armour made up?” he gushed.

I made a patting gesture to signal he needed to calm down. “Again, it’s a vanity piece to complete the set.”

“Hehe, I heard they got in an argument with each other over the neck piece?” 

I coughed, recalling how I’d thought it a bit gaudy only for one of the blacksmiths to get rather intense on creating something functional accurate and that a neck guard that wrapped around and slightly protected my shoulders was a good thing. 

I’d had to look up a few things about armour after making that call, and when I’d placed the order they’d had me come up here for measurements that reminded me a lot of the times I went to the tailor.

“So cool!” Salvadore whispered. “Can I be your page?” he asked.

I glanced at the notebook he was holding. “I mean, in a way you already are,” I replied, earning a fist pump from Salvadore. 

“Oh! Cool! We need to find out when the local fight Knight is!” 

I tilted my head. “Fight night?” I asked.

“Yeah, knight with a k, it’s a play on words that they do where you get some armour, and play fight with others! You’d be really good at it! There are a few kids in my class who have parents that are into it! It’s really fun!” Salvadore gushed, his hands bouncing up and down. 

“Uhmmmm I’ll have to check my schedule,” I replied, causing Salvadore to slump. Well now I felt bad. “But if I’m free we’ll make it happen,” I offered, causing him to perk right back up.

“Nice!” he cheered. “Does this mean I get some armour for myself?” he asked.

I eyed him. “Is that what this is really about?” I asked and he smiled sheepishly. 

I huffed and mussed up his hair. “We’ll see,” I muttered.

Salvadore’s smile didn’t fade even as Steelix’s rumbling roared as the doors were open and Forrest mounted up for their first ride together, cause him to look around.

“Oh shoot I still have—” he whirled around only to spot that Hendricks was gone. “Awww man!” he whined. “I still had questions!”

“Might be why he ran?” suggested Stephen, who’d been standing to the side working on his pokedex entry. “I’d suggest just emailing them to him. If he doesn’t want to respond he doesn’t have to, but it also makes it less of a chore to have questions like that. He can also make someone else reply if he doesn’t know the answers.”

Salvadore stiffened. “Can I do that with other people?” he asked.

Stephen didn’t even glance up. “Sure!”

Salvadore grinned like he’d just heard the best thing in his life. He instantly drew out his Xtransceiver and began to type furiously. He started muttering under his breath about finding emails for various people and companies.

I watched him carefully, feeling like I should be slightly concerned… for other people. Was my brother about to spam people with questions? Hmmm, guess it was better than him hounding them in person, but I doubted he’d be getting replies from everyone.

I tapped him on the shoulder. “Make sure you get a few different sources for certain topics,” I suggested. “Makes the information more valid.”

“Gotcha!” he replied, still typing away.

With him distracted, I had to nudge him into the midst of our family so he wouldn’t get left behind. Even with us on the move however, he didn’t look up from his typing.

Lola hummed and looked over. “Salvadore dear you’re going to get square eyes if you stare too much at that screen. Give it a rest.”

“But Mum!” whined Salvadore. “Brock just promised he’d let me be a page for him and I need to look up cool armour!” He bounced. “Oh! And we need some proper heraldry! A banner and coat of arms.”

Lola swallowed. “We… actually already have those,” she said. 

Something about how she was acting caused everyone’s focus to shift onto her, meaning everyone caught her words. Yolanda was the first to speak. “You mean the Gym coat of arms? With like the Boulder badge symbol right?”

Lola wet her lips and shook her head. “No, my family… we had, or rather still do have a coat of arms. “It is a grey, brown, and blue shield with a Gyarados rising from one side while on the other an Onix rises to meet it. Zubat wings sweep out the back of it with a knight helm atop the middle.”

Lola bit her lip. “I think I need a cup of tea,” she murmured, turning and marching off, off the path leading home.

Yolanda blinked. “We have a coat of arms?” she asked.

Flint coughed. “Yes, we do. It can be further stylised for individuals in the family but the family itself has that crest thanks to your mother’s side previously being nobles. Technically, some people might still wear them as small badges on their lapels, but they’ve fallen out of favour.”

Flint glanced at me. “I think it might mean a lot if you had a banner made up with the heraldry for you and Salvadore’s knight fight thingie,” he said, revealing he’d heard our earlier conversation. 

“It’s called Fight Knight!” groaned Salvadore. 

I chuckled at his exasperation and led our family back home. Lola was very much not in the house when we got there, meaning she had actually gone to her therapist for a talk. 

Huh, will wonders never cease? I thought to myself.

When she returned she had slightly red eyes but she shot me a large smile. “Want to learn how to wield a mace?” she asked, reaching into her pouch and drawing out a large mace with slightly fluted head.

“Uhmmm, what?” I asked. “You have a mace?”

“Hmm? Oh I prefer to use knives, much more effective but with how strong you are, you could wield this pretty effectively!” she suggested, swinging the mace back and forth. 

“It was your uncle’s,” she muttered quietly. 

“I guess it would be kind of interesting?” I suggested slowly. If for nothing else, it might help me get some ideas for Bertha and how to wield her tail as a bludgeon.

Lola beamed at me in a manner that caused me flashbacks of Trixie and her ‘fitness boosting’ camps. 

It let me know I was about to spend a good deal of time in pain. 

When Yolanda and Cindy walked in and caught Lola and I swinging maces around, they both perked up.

“Want to learn some weapons training, girls?” Lola asked, and both girls nodded.

Lola tossed them a set of nightsticks. “We’ll start with these and I can show you daggers later!” she declared. Both girls grinned at this, and I shook my head. 

For all that, a pokemon world was generally a happy place to live, but damn there was some latent bloodlust under the surface.

I watched Yolanda go through some forms and take to it rather quickly. Well, if anyone assumed her a ‘weak link’, she was sure to surprise them. 

My gaze slipped to Cindy who was keeping up with her sister. If Cindy got a few years of Lola’s training… well she was going to be one to watch.

I shook the thoughts away and settled back into my practice, for all that they were growing, I wasn’t going to be left in the dust. 

I was the eldest, and that meant I had to do some trail blazing, even if that meant not all of my siblings would follow the path I’d set.

It was the thought that counted sometimes. At the very least they would have an easier time of it, and that always brought a smile to my face.

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A.N. Thanks go to my patreons for you continued support!

It also goes to Twmmy for proofreading!