Jackson: Baba's Request

Crash and leaves crunched under Jackson’s shoes as he walked, his footfall heavy as he walked with a limp due to his metal prosthetic leg. His mightyena/noctowl fusion named Atlas walked alongside him. Atlas had a light blue coat with thick white fur along his back which had multiple light yellow diamonds markings on it.

The forest around them was colorful with trees and giant mushrooms surrounding them. Being that they were in SylvanGloam the area had a mystical and mysterious aura around it. Being that the area had no buildings due to its ever shifting landscape Jackson was shocked to see an older woman standing at a stand.

The stand was constructed from wood sandwiched between two towering trees. Despite Jackson’s visits to the forest in the past he had never seen this stand before, which left him rather baffled. The old woman smiled as he approached, although she was unable to see his face due to the metal mightyena mask he wore.

“Uh… hi. What is this?” Jackson questioned curiously. His partner began to sniff at poffins that were sitting in a bowl on the stand.

“This is my shop and my name is Baba! We have plenty of goods for all your pokemon needs. Like these poffins that your pokemon seems rather interested in.” The old lady answered, her voice soft and welcoming.

“I’ve never seen this stand before, where did you come from?” Jackson questioned.

“Though… I don’t sell to just anyone. I’d like something in exchange. Don’t worry it's not anything crazy, I just want you to do a good deed to someone!” She explained, completely dodging Jackson’s question about where she had come from. 

Jackson shuffled his feet as he thought about her request. He had better things to do considering he had to make money to actually afford living. Still, he thought that some of the products at Baba’s stand could prove to be useful.

“Alright, who did I need to help?” He asked.

“Oh well I don’t have any in particular for you to help. Just lend a head to the next person you see who needs help.” Baba explained and Jackson sighed.

“Alright, I guess I’ll be back… Once I do that.” He said, not too enthused by the idea of having to find someone. He figured at least he could head back to ThunderDale so he could get back to work. As Jackson walked away Atlas turned away from the poffins and trotted after him.

As Jackson made his way through the forest he was surprised to see a trainer looking rather lost. She turned around in place several times, messing with her bag nervously. A raitora stood at her side who shared her trainer’s worried look.

“Are you lost?” Jackson questioned and the other trainer squeaked with surprise as she turned around to face him. He blinked, wondering how neither she or the raitora had noticed him approaching with his heavy footfall. 

“U-uh yes. Sorry, you startled me.” She apologized. “I’m trying to get to GroveHeart but I seem to be terribly lost…” The trainer’s eyes were staring rather intensely at him, though Jackson figured that was likely due to the mask he wore.

“It’s okay, I can help you.” Jackson reassured her.

“Oh! Is that a mightyena? He’s so cute!” The girl suddenly said as she reached forward to pet his pokemon. Atlas didn’t seem too enthused by this but also allowed it.

“Well he’s a mightyena and noctowl fusion, but yes.” He explained and she nodded. Jackson cleared his throat, wanting to get Baba’s request done with. “We should get going so I can show you out.”

The other trainer followed Jackson as he walked through the woods with Atlas at his side. The raitora was now in her trainer’s arms, the pokemon’s wide eyes taking in its surroundings. She sighed with relief as they reached a bright blue river. On the other side bright green grass could be seen which marked the start of GroveHeart.

“I know where to go from here, thank you!” The trainer said as she began to rush away. Jackson shook his head, his metal mightyena mask hiding his confused expression. Of course the trainer was in a hurry now that he didn’t have to deal with it.

“Come on Atlas, let’s go back. I’ll buy you a treat.” Jackson said to his companion, who let out an excited bark as he began to rush back towards Baba’s stand.