Closed Heart - Chapter 14 is now available!

[mysterioustrainer]

Upon my recent return to the Gym and the Pokemon TCG after my absurdly long 5 year absense and aimless wanderings, I have decided to revive my work on what was a popular fan-fiction way back in 2005. I have worked on it here and there throughout the years, and even tried to write variations that had nothing to do with Pokemon. However I found this story was designed to be for the most part how I left it last. Thanks to the Gym's admins, I was able to clear out any old versions off of this site so I can present a fresh look at this 7 year long project.

CHAPTER GUIDE (Please note, hyperlinks will redirect viewer to the chapter position on the topic.)
Chapter One – Explosion in the night (starter topic)
Chapter Two - A Heart is Awakened
Chapter Three - Heather's Calling
Chapter Four - Conflict in the Rain
Chapter Five - CIPHER's First Attack
Chapter Six - Parting Among Friends
Chapter Seven - Lindsey's Book
Chapter Eight - Day of Darkness Falls
Chapter Nine - The Rain
Chapter Ten -Rematch in Celadon: Shawn versus Asuki
Chapter Eleven - Battle on Knot Island, Survival in Eclo Canyon
Chapter Twelve - Friends Reunited
Chapter Thirteen - The Abandoned Factory
Chapter Fourteen - Lovrina's Trap

Closed Heart
A Pokemon Orre Region fan story by Craig Simpson​

Long ago in the lands of Orre, a region stricken by heat and dusty winds, a strange breed of Pokémon terrorized the land under the command of their cruel masters. Their hearts were artificially closed and kindness removed from their souls. The heart of the operation, the CIPHER Organization, would have taken over the world with these brainwashed Pokémon. However CIPHER was destroyed when a young man along and a teenage girl challenged their strength and freed the Pokémon who were trapped by their own hearts. Since then they disappeared like the sandy winds covering foot tracks in the desert of the Orre region and were never heard of again. Five years passed with peace, until CIPHER resurfaced with a new and bolder plan and nearly succeeded, but only to fail to a group of freedom fighters led by a twelve year old boy. Since then Orre remains quiet and isolated from the troubles of the world, and the only reminder of CIPHER short lived reign is the Realgam Tower which is now used for tournaments for prospective Pokémon trainers across the world.

Fifteen Years Later…

Chapter One – Explosion in the night

The crowd’s roars shook the old foundations of Pyrite Colosseum. It was a colosseum that slowly decayed over time as Pokémon battle after Pokémon battle ensued on its ground floor. Part of the ceiling has given away to the shouts of the crowd or the attacks of the amazing creatures that fought in combat. In this day and age it became a respectable colosseum since the start of the Orre Pokémon Tournament Association (which quickly became to be known as “OPTA” for short) and it attracted many local Pokémon trainers in their quests to become the best Pokémon masters across the lands.

A girl in her teens was one of the competitors. She had a brown hair color, and her eyes were hazel in color. She had been training for nearly five years but never won any tournament in the Orre region. Nevertheless despite numerous losses she never gave up hope and continued to pursue her dream of one day competing in the Realgam tower. This day was different as she was fighting to her best in the final battle of this week’s tournament.

She was carefully watching over her Pokémon, Scyther, as it fought hard in the arena against her opponent’s Primeape. The battle was very fierce and it seemed no clear winner was ahead, as it had started very smoothly. She always kept her cool even if it was checkmate against her. She never felt too bad after a loss unlike most trainers. Probably it is because she has had more than most trainers. However within the last month her skills have significantly improved and she was doing her best ever today. Her opponent, however, seemed more desperate to win in every move.

“Primeape, use Mega Punch!” The angry opponent commanded. He was rough and hosted a fierce attitude similar to many of the trainers in the Orre region. This should come no surprise to anyone who has been to the Orre region has known its brutality is reflected in the hot and dusty winds as well as many hearts of trainers who live there. The exhausted Primeape desperately attempted to make a powerful strike on its trainer’s command however the girl saw it coming and was ready.

The girl knew it was now or never. If Primeape hit Scyther it would surely be knocked out. So with a deep breath and an extremely brief moment to herself, she raised her hand and called out at the top of her lungs, “Scyther, use Aerial Ace!” Her voice carried through out the hollow walls of the colosseum over the crowds’ cheering.

“What?! It can learn that!” The other trainer was clearly surprised from this move as it takes a great deal of training to make a bug Pokémon like Scyther to learn it. Before he could regain his composure, it was already too late.

The Scyther flew quickly into the air and avoided Primeape’s attack easily. Primeape could not see Scyther as it was bathed in the sunlight that shined through the gaps in the ceiling above. Everyone was amazed as the Pokémon was even far above the highest of spectators. Then the girl knew her shot was open. “Now let’s make the final blow!” The girl said. It was at that moment a few tears shed from her eyes.

“Scyther!” the Mantis Pokémon said as it flew down at lightning fast speed and struck the Primeape head on. It was easily knocked out in that finishing blow, sending it crashing into the wall not far from it’s trainer. The crowd soon roared in excitement from the spectacular move by the girl trainer.

“No!” the man ranted. It was clearly obvious he was angry about his loss. “How could a little girl like her defeat a three time winner?”

The judge looked over the scene though no one would question the girl had just won and he shouted out, “Primeape is unable to battle, the winner of this week’s Pyrite Colosseum knock out challenge is Heather from Agate Village!”

“Alright! Way to go Scyther!” the girl said as she raced for her Scyther. She felt a rush of emotions tie up her heart and she burst with laughter but was crying at the same time as well. After all when it is your first victory in a tournament you would get pretty excited too, wouldn’t you?

“Scyther!” the Pokémon said while dancing around with its bladed arms. Heather raced over to Scyther who was bruised and battered from the battle and hugged her victorious partner.

“You haven’t heard the end of this!” the opponent said as he recalled his Pokémon. He was dusty and red in the face. It was clear he was a bit of a sore loser especially considering he lost to a girl who did not meet his standards of a trainer.

“Dude just chill out.” The judge said. “It is just a simple tournament. It’s not like the Orre Championship.” Nevertheless the losing trainer stomped out in anger. While the girl fell to her knees in happiness. “Congratulations, Heather.” The judge said.

“Thank you.” Heather said as she bowed to the judge. It was clear she was shaking all over in excitement and she was sweaty from the intense battle and her face was soaked in her own tears. She began to turn red in the face as well, though it was in embarrassment. She slowly came to her feet.

“Here is two thousand dollars for your victory. Please spend it wisely.” He handed a pre-loaded debit card with her award payment inside along with a small black granite plaque displaying her new title which said ‘Champion of Pyrite’ with the date right below that. She quickly placed the items in her handbag as she feared dropping them in her nervous tension.

“I will and I hope to participate here again someday.” Heather said with the most tense tone in her voice.

“Is there something wrong?” asked the judge looking concerned.

“No. No it is alright, I am... I mean... I never won a tournament before.”

The judge chuckled. “Yes, as I can see. However I never quite seen a reaction like yours before. Usually most trainers are bouncing on end on their first win and return champs usually just grab the cash nearly leaving the plaque and head out. You seem very appriciative. So I would like to ask that you continue to battle. Orre needs more trainers like you I think.”

“Thank... Thank you.” Heather replied.

She looked up into the rusty old Colosseum and saw that there where hoards of people waving to her and calling out her name. Never before had she received such applause. She gave one final wave then headed for the exit slowly. The crowds continued to cheer on Heather as she left the building. Outside it was another hot and musty day. Heather quickly worked her way out of town however her friends caught up quickly.

“Heather!” another girl cried out. Heather turned around to see a girl about the same age as her, though she had blond hair and her eyes were green. She was your typical beach girl in the lands of Orre. It was Friday so she had to wear blue mostly as her extensive wardrobe coordinated to the days of the week. This other girl raced for the new winner.

“Andrea, did you see my win?” Heather asked with a great amount of excitement in her voice. Her face was still a little bit pink.

“Of course I did silly! I wouldn’t be shopping at the general store during your battles. It was so great!” Andrea replied.

“Hey that was a great move at the last second there.” said a boy who appeared to be a few years older than that of Andrea and Heather. He looked like any other young man of Orre wearing a T-shirt with denim jeans. His appearance was rough around the ages yet maintaining a teenager look about him.

“Thanks Shawn.” Heather said. “Well we better get home before it gets too late.”

“Yeah I think you started some unneeded rivalries in this town now.” Andrea replied.

Heather, Andrea, and Shawn headed for a hovercraft near the police station. They all got in and took off to the Northwest. Once they cleared Pyrite, Shawn kicked up the gas and speed across the unmarked lands of Orre. Hovercrafts and bikes replaced the need for cars nearly thirty years ago, leaving the lands untouched and free of roads. Mesas and Plateaus seem to fly by as Heather looked to the North. She could see beyond the smaller hills the towering Mt. Battle, a daunting peak that also hosted some of Orre’s finest events.

The journey home was without incident and the weather was gracious as the hot and barren deserts of Orre began to cool off for the evening. It was an about an hour since their departure from Pyrite when the lands started to turn green and the sun was setting. They finally got into Agate Village just before dusk.

Heather waved goodbye to her friends as they retired into their homes which lay near the river. Heather took a slow walk up the hill past the Poke Mart to her home which was the highest tree in the village. In Agate, most of the residents were retired from the days of training Pokémon. Their homes intertwined with the forest and all who lived there were one with the life of the forest. Heather was no exception despite her young age.

A few stars started to shine to the east and the gentle winds blew across the grassy paths in the village. Her home was lit as her great-grandmother was preparing supper. It smelled like tomato soup which if anything was Heather favorite flavor when soup was served. She opened the door and received a warm welcome.

“Good evening, Heather.” Her great-grandmother said.

“Hi Grandma!”

“How are you tonight?” The elderly lady asked as she slowly lifted herself from the chair she was sitting in.

“Great.” Heather replied. “I just won my first tournament.” She then reached into her handbag and showed the plaque she received from the judge.

“Well that is absolutely splendid.” The old woman said, “You are becoming just like your father.”

“Yeah, I guess I am...” Heather said as she smiled the best she could. The painful memory of her parents was a burden on her heart even to this day. It should be known that Heather’s parents are dead unfortunately. Her grandparents lived very far away and she only seen them a few times when she was really young. Her great-grandmother despite her very old age, now was the only thing left for her. “My Dad. I wonder if he won any tournaments.”

“Come Heather. Supper is ready for you. It will get cold if you dawdle.” This snapped Heather out of her trance as the aroma of her favorite smell was coming from the kitchen.

“It that tomato soup?” she asked with excitement.

It was once again a simple meal for Heather although it was delicious being Tomato Soup. After dinner she helped cleaned up the dishes and wished her great-grandmother a good night. After which she took a bath especially from being covered in dust from the city of Pyrite. She then retired to her room which was in the highest point of the large tree.

She walked out onto her balcony and looked over the endless landscape of the Orre region. It was a beautiful quiet night. She saw stars shining more brightly than ever. She reached for her chest and grabbed a pewter medallion that hanged around her neck. It in the center bore an insignia that showed a golden sun setting on a purple mountain with a crystal blue river flowing from the mountain parting green plains. It once belonged to her mother but after her death, Heather inherited the medallion. It was sort of a good luck charm to her in battle but otherwise it was her reminder of her lost family.

“Mom I won my first tournament.” Heather said to the stars in the sky.

Heather continued to look across the deserts of Orre in search of Pokémon flying through the night. She then could see a bright light in the distance and she knew it was Realgam Tower in one of their championship tournaments. She dreamed of competing in that tournament for it was her one goal as a trainer.

After a bit of daydreaming she opened her eyes to the sounds of some commotion below the Pokémon Center. Heather saw two shadowy figures walking into the secret cave. She wondered who would possibly be going into the scared forest at this time of night so she sneaked out of the house after getting some new clothes on and waked down to the lower parts of the village. Heather carefully approached the entrance, making sure her hiking boots did not snap any fallen branches on the ground.

However before she could go in she heard the hasty footsteps of the two strangers coming quickly. So she turned around and scrambled up the hill. She made for the Pokémon Center which was now closed for the night and hid in a nearby bush. Once she felt sure she was hidden from the intruders she studied them as they made their escape to a hovercraft across the river. She could barely tell the looks of the two however they looked like they were in some sort of uniform. They wore a round helmet and their eyes were covered by the shaded visor of the helmet.

“Is the coast clear?” One of the persons asked. It was hard for Heather to hear because of their distance but thankfully nothing else except for the faint cries of wild Pokémon in the forest was audible.

“Yes, lets get out of here. I don’t want to get the same rude awakening these losers are going to get.” Heather’s heart started to race. She didn’t know what they meant by their statement but it couldn’t be good. Once the two figures ran off into the dark desert, she left her hiding spot, dropped down to the path below, and raced into the cave.

Heather worked as fast as she could to make her way through the plant life that grew in the cave, it was becoming more and more impossible to make the passage through each year. It took some time to wander through the passage but soon she emerged on the opposite side of the village where the Relic Forest began. She decided to check the Relic Stone since it was the only man made (or at she personally thought it was man made) object in the forest.

Upon Heather’s arrival at the shrine, her heart skipped a beat when she saw a bomb tied onto the Relic Stone. A LED timer revealed it was only two minutes before it was to explode. Reaching into her handbag she rushed to find the fourth PokeBall in her order, which should be her Scyther. She called out her Scyther from its poke ball as she raced to the stone. “Scyther use slash to cut these ropes!” she screamed as she raced for the bomb.

“Scyther!” the Pokémon cried out as it quickly lashed through the ropes.

The bomb dropped into Heather’s arms and she started to race out of the forest. “Stay here Scyther! Don’t follow me!” She pleaded as she dropped her handbag which contained her other Pokémon.

She touched the relic stone to get her footing and it that moment her mind was filled with an image she couldn’t tell what she saw except her mind was clouded with a dark aura. Soon she regained her composure and focused to the emergency on hand. She dashed for the cavern. Her Scyther called out but she ignored it’s plea as she knew she couldn’t let anyone get hurt from the bomb. “Oh please no.” She said as she was beginning to panic.

Heather raced through the secret cave as fast as she could. There was only about 20 seconds when the entrance was within her reach. She desperately continued to race for the nearby river and with only five seconds to spare, Heather tripped on an uprooted tree branch and the bomb fell out of her arms. “Oh God, No!” she screamed as she crashed to the ground. However it slid and fell in the water. She regained her footing and started to make for a dash back for the cave’s entrance.

When the timer clicked zero it exploded and a tower of water came shooting up into the sky. Screaming in terror, Heather fell to the ground from the shock of the blast. Soon lights to nearby houses started to light up as the residents of Agate Village started to come out in curiosity of what happened. Heather was covered in water and mud that was a result of the explosion. Her Scyther came out of the cave and checked to see if its trainer was alright. Heather got up in slight pain and wiped the slime from her face.

“Heather!” cried out Andrea as she raced to her friend still in her blue pajamas. “Are you alright?”

“Yes.” Heather said with a sigh of relief as she looked back to see only mud covering the landscape around her.

“What happened!?” cried out the village elder clearly in a fit from being awaken from his deep sleep. Heather came to her feet and approached the elder. After a moment of explanation, Heather led the elder and her friends into the forest and showed the rope which tied the bomb. Soon it wasn’t long before Heather started to receive praise from the other villagers for saving the relic stone. “That shrine is all too important to protect.” The elder said. “You did a very good thing however I wouldn’t have wanted you to risk your life over it. It doesn’t matter now because what is done is done. You’re going to be quite the heroine around here now.”

“Thank you, Elder.” Heather replied as she turned red just like from the tournament.

“Now I suggest you get yourself a bath and a good night’s rest. I’ll make sure the Pyrite Town Police learn of this and we’ll watch over the shrine tonight.”

“Very well.” She said as she yawned. It was clear to anyone that she was now fatigued from the combination of events that took place throughout the day. She, escorted by Andrea, was walking up to her home to finally get some sleep.

“So what got into you?” Andrea asked. “You could have been killed.”

“I don't know. I just had to do it. I was desperate to save the shrine though I never knew what the relic stone is all about.”

“They say it can open the hearts of Pokemon. At least that is what my uncle tells me. Though he won't explain that and I can't figure out what he means by that.” Andrea then yawned. “Well I'd almost say you owe me for waking me up like that but it wasn't your fault...” *yawn* “in the first place.”

They then reached Heather's front door, she was still dripping in mud. “Thank you Andrea. Thank you for being here with me always. You are a good friend.”

“You are just a good person to be a friend with.” Andrea replied. “Now get some sleep. You've got work tomorrow.”

“What? What do you mean? Wait!” Heather cried out but Andrea ran back down the hill without looking back. This was not the first time, but it would usually left Heather anxious knowing her friends had something planned for her the next morning. However this time she was exhausted and to make manners worse her great-grandmother opened the door, terrified to see her great-granddaughter bruised and covered in mud. “Um... hi Grandma.”

She then left her shoes outside and carefully made her way to the bathroom to clean up. She then spent most of the late-evening explaining to her great-grandmother what went on. After all of this she was wiped out and decided to go to bed. She took off her medallion setting it on the table next to her bed. She laid back and looked out her window and continued to watch the stars. It wasn’t long before she fell into a quiet deep sleep.



Meanwhile the two shadowed figures watched the village from a cliff far away making sure they were out of sight from the eyes of the village. “What happened? I thought the river wasn’t supposed to explode.” One of the men said.

“You idiot! Of course it wasn’t supposed to explode. Someone found the bomb and tossed it there before it exploded.” The other replied.

“Who did it?”

“I don’t know yet. So keep quiet and let me look.” The second figure continued to watch the crowd and noticed Heather who was covered in mud. “Her! It must be. She is a mess that only that bomb could have done.”

“Who? Let me see!”

“You dimwit! Back off! Dang it. The boss is going to pound us for this failure.”

 

[mysterioustrainer]

Closed Heart - Chapter 2 - A Heart is Awakened

Chapter Two – A heart is awakened.

The night ended peacefully and a new day was born in the Orre Region. Heather accidentally slept over for about a half hour, however the smell of her great-grandmother making waffles woke her wary spirit. She still couldn’t believe what happened last night and how she just saved the village. After getting dressed she headed down the stairs to greet her great-grandmother. After breakfast she could hear the horn to Shawn’s hovercraft. She left the house in a bit of a hurry, but not before she gave a good hug to her great-grandmother. “Now don’t go and do anything hasty again okay?” her grandmother asked.

“I’ll try not to Grandma.” Heather replied. She raced out the door and started to make a dash for the edge of the cliff from where her home stood. Heather jumped of the cliff and landed perfectly in Shawn’s hovercraft.

“Ahh!” Andrea cried out in terror. “Must you keep doing that!?” Heather said her usual apology to Andrea while Shawn continued to laugh as he was used to Heather small prank every morning.

“So are you ready Heather?” Shawn asked. “I hear another tournament is in the works at Phenac City. You should enter it.” He then passed a flier to Heather.

“I can enter that tournament now?” Heather asked while being very surprised. The flier showed a graphic drawing of the bright blue dome of Phenac Stadium, once the pride of the Orre region.

“Oh yeah, your win at Pyrite qualified you to fight in Phenac Stadium.” Andrea replied.

“If you even get fourth place you are then qualified to climb Mt. Battle.” Shawn said after Andrea. This excited Heather. For the longest time she wanted to try her luck at the 100 trainer challenge however didn’t have the luck at local events to make it happen. So she took a deep breath while Shawn kicked in the gas. The group speed off in the hovercraft to the southeast.



Meanwhile in the depths of an old warehouse the two shadowed figures stood before another dark figure. There was very little light in the room and the only clear thing that could be seen was the edge of a desk.

“We have come to report sir!”

“Well then, Have you done what I have commanded you to do?”

“No sir we failed the mission.”

“Now, now. How could have failed me with a task so simple?”

“A girl saw what we were doing and was able to get the bomb into the river before it exploded. Here is the video.”

One of the shadowed figures plugged in a USB cable into the binoculars. Then a LCD screen near by turned on showing the recorded playback of the binoculars. It showed the explosion in the river and eventually the zoomed in on the view of Heather being praised by the crowds. It wasn’t long before the playback ended.

“I see. This was most unfortunate for you wasn’t it?” the mysterious voice said.

“Yes sir.” They both said with a squirm in their voice.

“You are both trembling, I will deem that punishment enough for now. Then I will forgive for this one failure however it would be most wise to not let something like this happen again.”

“Yes sir, we will make sure our next mission succeeds this time.” The shadowed men said in unison.

“Very good, you may now go.” The dark figure replied.

“What about the girl?” asked one of the shadowed men.

“We shall not risk spoiling our new operation in the interest of revenge. Let her go. However in the rare event she should interfere with you two again… Well I am sure you know what to do.”

“Yes sir.”

The two shadowed men disappeared into the darkness. Then the sound of a door opening and closing allowed the dark figure to speak freely in his isolated office. Still bathed in darkness, he merely spoke to the walls around him.

“Yes young one. You are lucky to be on what good side I had there, just as I was lucky to be with the leads of our plan again. However next time if you choose to get in the way you won’t be lucky.”



Heather had been to Phenac City before however never on such a nice day. The sun was shining brightly without a cloud in the sky; however a gentle breeze kept the denizens of the city cool. Heather's and Andrea's attention was caught on a new extravagant clothing shop near the Pokémon Center.

It wasn’t open however, Heather saw something she never seen before, a dress short to the thighs with a diagonal cut and colored shining white displayed on a mannequin. She was staring at it for a few minutes until she heard an unfamiliar voice come from behind. “It’s made out of cut Lopunny coat.”

Heather turned around startled to see a young woman wearing a similar designed dress and was blue in color. It was clear she was the store owner of the clothing shop. “Lo… Lopunny, is that a Pokémon?” Heather asked.

“Yes it is, and it’s indigenous to the Sinnoh region which is far to the west. However a farmer recently stared a ranch here in Orre and is raising a heard of Lopunny. In which I can buy the coats and start creating soft yet sleek clothing. The fur can be quite fluffy like that of a Mareep, but it doesn’t have a static discharge since the Pokémon is not an electric but instead a normal type.”

“Really. Yet the dresses look so smooth!” Andrea said.

“Yes it takes time but you can spin out the fur to a very fine thread and create pieces your whole body breathes in, which is useful in this hot region. I am about to open, would you like to try some on?”

“I would love to!” Heather said. However Shawn cut in and told them that the tournament would be starting soon. “I guess I will have to come back if I have the time. I would like to see how I would look in that white one on display.”

“Oh I am sorry.” The store owner said. “The white one isn’t for sale. It was my mother’s creation and no one has wore it. It is a gift to someone special some time down the road. I hope you can understand.”

Disappointed but not heartbroken Heather said, “Okay I understand. But I do want to try some on if I get the time so I will come back as soon as I can.”

“Are you competing in today’s tournament?” asked the store owner.

“Yes I am. I just won my local tournament and I can now participate in bigger events. My name is Heather.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Heather. My name is Lindsey. I just opened this shop so I am still a little new to many faces in the area. I hope you do your best today.”

“Thank you ma’am. I better get going now.” Heather replied. They waved goodbye to Lindsey and made their way to the higher parts of the city.

Before they disappeared out of Lindsey’s sight she pulled out a medallion that was identical to Heather’s and whispered to herself, “She really has a heart of gold, just like her mother.” She then looked down at her older and more worn medallion as the trio disappeared out of sight.

It wasn’t long before their arrival to Phenac Stadium. The stadium featured an amazing crystal blue dome that shined like a sapphire. Heather was always excited to see the beautiful building however she never been in the main hall where tournament entrants applied.

The tournament hall reopened about two years ago due to the Orre region becoming more and more popular for its Pokémon tournaments, something that other regions fail to offer. Inside the back wall was covered in gentle waterfalls. The lady at the desk greeted the trio. “Hello and welcome to Phenac Stadium. How can I help you?”

Heather, overwhelmed with anxiety, approached the receptionist. “Hi, I would like to enter in the tournament.” It was clear she was shaking in her yellow vest.

“Okay.” replied the receptionist. “Have you won any tournaments outside of Phenac?”

“Yes. I took first place yesterday at the Pyrite Colosseum tournament.” Heather simultaneously produced her trainer card from her handbag.

After scanning the trainer card into the computer and Heather’s profile came up on the screen, the lady then realized who she was. “Oh so you must be that heroine from Agate village.”

“Huh?” Heather said as she was caught off guard.

“The news is all over you! The newscaster on OBNS said that you won the Pyrite tournament yesterday in conjunction with your actions that same evening. You must be one heck of an adventurer.”

Heather was embarrassed by the kind comments. “No I just happen to see the strangers who planted the bomb from my balcony. I didn’t really think I did all that much.”

“Well enough idle chat. Your tournament qualifications should make you a worthy competitor for this event. Please do your best and good luck.”

“Thank you ma’am.” Heather replied, now she was terrified that she was becoming a celebrity in the region.

Heather was guided to the main door on the right hand side. It was huge and painted a bright blue color similar to that of the dome. It opened and Heather gave one last wave to her friends. Soon the door closed behind her.

“You can go see the tournament in that balcony over there if you want.” Said the receptionist to Andrea and Shawn as she pointed to some stairs.

“Thank you ma’am we really appreciate it.” Replied Andrea as she grabbed Shawn by the arm and dragged him up.

Heather walked down the slightly dark hallway where she heard some commotion coming from a room to the right. Ahead were some closed doors so she peeked inside and saw a group hovered over a television showing a repeat newscast of her incident in Agate. She kept quiet not wanting to cause a scene as she slowly entered however when one of the other competitors turned around and saw Heather he jumped up in excitement.

“Wow! It’s you!”

This frightened Heather as she screamed for a moment. The other five competitors turned to look to see who it is and was immensely surprised to see Heather standing at the doorway. The all were speechless until one of them broke the ice.

“Whoa the girl on the news is here in our tournament!”

Heather didn’t know what to say. “Um hi. Well I guess…”

“That was too cool what you did.”

“How much mud did you get on you?”

“Did you get hurt?” another girl asked.

“Well um.” Heather was more embarrassed to each question.

“Leave her alone.” an isolated voice said.

Heather turned to notice another competitor, clad in black, sitting on a couch alone. She was surprised that she failed to notice him.

“Just because she did a good thing to save her village doesn’t mean she is going to whoop all of your butts. However I wouldn’t be surprised if she did.”

Heather was confused by the competitor’s comments.

“My name is Eric.” The competitor said. “So you are the heroine Heather?”

“Yes sir.” Replied Heather. Her face was as bright as a ruby.

“I do hope you do your best. These six may look like clowns however they too have earned their place here like you have.”

“Hey! Who are you calling clowns Eric?” said the other girl. “Oh and by the ways Heather my name is Kimi.”

“Hello Kimi.” Heather said and then she turned to Eric again. “I always intend to give everything I got.”

“Good then maybe Pyrite might actually give us a run for our money this time.” This intimidated Heather. She had the toughest trouble winning the tournament at Pyrite. She was afraid she was going to be the weakling in the room.

“Okay everyone.” A new voice said from the door. Heather turned to see a man clad in a green shirt with a Poké ball insignia on his right breast. Heather figured it was a tournament judge to get the event started. “I have our pairing for the first round here. As always, pairings are based on the ratings of each player here at Phenac. Eric you have the highest rating so you will face against Korte a newcomer from the Johto region. Kimi you get Saki from the Outpost.”

“Oh not again! We always battle in the first round.” Whined Kimi.

The tournament organizer continued down the list. It was soon apparent to Heather another eight competitors waited in a separate room from Heather’s. Heather was excited to see who she would fight first. “Heather, since you are new as well you have to take the second seed in our tournament system which is Montio. He is from the Under.”

“Where is the ‘Under’?” Heather asked.

“You never heard of the Under?” said Kimi. “It was an abandoned mining colony underneath Pyrite however it was recently populated again within the year manly because of a discovery of rare crystals some of which may be evolution stones. Trainers there are very harsh they say.”

“I see.”

“Well then, the first match is Heather’s come with me.” Said the judge. “Remember this is a three on three match. One Pokemon at a time in this event. You can use any three Pokémon you wish for any match but once a player knocks out three Pokémon, that player wins.”

“Understood sir. I am ready for battle.” Heather said as she swallowed back down her heart which was in her throat. She was shocked she couldn’t believe she would already be going into battle already. She was more scared than any of her previous events. It felt like a dozen Beautifly were tearing up her stomach. She was led onto a platform on a stream of water and the platform started to go upstream. She then could tell it was on a conveyor of sorts.

Heather knew what it looked inside Phenac Stadium however she never seen it from the tournament floor. Once she cleared the tunnel she saw the bright blue dome from inside the stadium walls. The spectators where like dots from the balconies. Banners which had the different kinds of Poké Balls decorated the hall. She got off onto the stadium floor which itself was also decorated like a Poké Ball. The water bordering the stadium floor gave her an idea to her first battle.

Soon her opponent appeared. He was dressed pretty filthy and gave a mean look. He didn’t even reply when Heather tried to greet him. He seemed more interested in getting the battle started. She even tried to offer a handshake but he even turned that down.


“Trainers, Pokémon at the ready.” Said the judge.

Heather pulled out a ball and was ready for action. So was her opponent.

“Begin the match!”

Heather threw out her first Pokémon which was a rare Milotic. The audience gazed in awe at Heather’s first choice. Milotic were rare overall but the residents of Phenac didn’t even realize one was in the Orre region. Montio’s first Pokémon was also a water type, a Poliwrath.

“Milotic get in the water!” Heather commanded.

“Poliwrath you too and use Mega Punch!” Montio countered.

Both Pokémon jumped in. Poliwrath was swimming furiously trying to find Milotic, while Milotic swam gracefully underwater. Heather raised her arm with her fist clamped tight.

“Did you need something?” asked the Judge.

“No. Milotic knows what this means.”

Soon an explosion of water came from the entrance where Montio entered. Poliwrath came crashing down on the tournament floor but was not yet beaten. Milotic then jumped out of the water next to Heather’s side.

“Now Milotic use bubblebeam!”

Milotic shot off a plentitude of bubbles right at Poliwrath. Poliwrath was crying out in pain and jumped back into the water.”

“No Poliwrath. Get back up here!”

“Milotic go back and find it again.” Heather said checking Poliwrath’s retreat. Heather then gave a slashing motion with both of her arms and it wasn’t long before another explosion of water came only more intense than before. A ring of energized water shot straight into the ceiling and was then misting onto the audience. Then Poliwrath came crashing down into an opening of the water. It emerged upright and unconscious. The audience applause Heather for her unique attack as it gave them a much needed cool down in the warm room.

“Poliwrath is unable to battle. Milotic is the winner!” exclaimed the judge.

“Way to go! Milotic you were great!”

Milotic gave a gentle song of victory while Montio was cursing his bad luck. He then regained his composure and tossed out his next Pokémon. The Pokeball flew high in the air and the next Pokémon to appear was a Raichu. It was very fierce looking so Heather recalled her Milotic and thought what she should use as her next Pokémon. Then it came to her what would work best. “Arcanine, I choose you!” Heather called out as she threw the Poké Ball onto the stadium floor. Heather’s Arcanine posed for the audience as it gave a daunting roar. The legendary Pokémon focused on Raichu and was poised for action.

“Raichu quick attack!” Montio commanded.

“Arcanine, Agility!”

Arcanine amazingly dodged the quick attack and Raichu only ended up falling in the water. Arcanine ran quickly around the huge arena and was able to charge the Raichu.

“Arcanine, use Fire Blast!” Heather ordered.

Arcanine shot off a wall of fire right at Raichu who was still swimming to get out of the pool. The blast hit right on which sent Raichu flying into the air. It landed on its feet however it already appeared exhausted.

“Grr. Raichu use Thunderbolt.”

Raichu started to shoot off lightning bolts at Arcanine but kept missing.

“Arcanine stop the electricity with your best Fire Spin yet.”

“Arcanine ran faster and fire started to spew from its fur. Soon the entire arena around Raichu was a giant column of fire. Raichu tried to fire off more electricity however the Fire Spin was creating a vacuum which channeled the electricity in pointless directions. Soon Raichu collapsed from the severe heat. Arcanine let up and the judge approached Raichu.

“Raichu is unable to battle. Arcanine is the winner.” Heather jumped for joy as Arcanine howled in pride. Montio couldn’t believe he was losing so badly. He then took a deep breath and started to laugh.

“You think you won?” said Montio with a sneer look. “I just begun!” He threw his last Pokémon onto the field.

The Pokémon was a Blaziken, which is a rare Pokémon to see in these parts. When Heather first laid eyes on it she blanked out for a moment and was in pain. She was forced to close her eyes and in that moment her mind left the stadium, the crowds, and the battle before her. It seemed like she was being teleported to a place beyond time and space as the world around her disappeared in a twisting blend of twilight.

It was then her mind saw a void of nothingness around her. The black aura, one she remembered from when she blacked out from touching the relic stone, surrounded her. She felt cold but she couldn’t shiver. She then was gripped with an emotion of fear like she never felt before. Why is there this darkness? She cried out for help but nothing but black aura continued to surround her.

Then a light split through the shadows in front of her and she followed the light. It was then she saw her mother, although she was considerably younger from when Heather last knew her. In fact she was about Heather’s age before she was even born. She approached Heather and simply said.

“Save them. Save them from the darkness and bring back the light of their hearts to them.”

It was then she could see reality returning to her. Almost as if it was reverse of what started her blackout. Before long Heather regain her conscience and found her self back in Phenac Stadium and only a few seconds pasted her. It was then she looked at the Blaziken again. It wasn’t normal now. It was shrouded in the same dark black aura that just previously clouded her thoughts. She couldn’t understand why either.

“Why is that Pokémon glowing black like that?” Heather asked. She then felt the same coldness and fear from her most recent blackout.

This caught the attention of an audience member dressed in black. He looked rather shocked to hear what Heather just said. He focused his hearing even more to pay attention to the battle.

“What are you talking about?” Montio asked.

“Can’t you see it? Your Blaziken is shrouded in darkness.” Heather replied.

“Enough with these silly distractions. Blaziken!”

Blaziken stared at Arcanine and Heather with the coldest eyes and then started to charge. Arcanine poised in position ready to defend against whatever Blaziken was willing to dish out. However Blaziken instead jumped over Arcanine and headed straight for Heather. Heather tried block with her arms but a swift and very powerful punch knocked her into the water.

It seemed like time stopped for everybody in that moment. As Heather flew from the hit, Andrea screamed out in terror. Kimi who was in the waiting room covered her mouth as she watched the sight from the television broadcasting the event. Elsewhere in town, Lindsey watching the battle in her shop, dropped some clothes she was holding and fell to her knees. Everyone else also had their uniquely terrified expression as Heather laid limp in the water. It was soon the judge regain his composure and performed his required duty.

“Stop the match! A Pokémon attacking a human is a disqualification. Heather wins!” Cried out the judge. The judge got on his intercom and called out for the police. Arcanine was furious and attacked Blaziken with full force using the most powerful Extreme Speed attack it could muster. Knocking Blaziken to the ground, which Arcanine then pinned the Pokémon to prevent it from moving. Police officers on standby quickly surrounded Montio and arrested him. He tried to resist however it was no use. His Poké Balls were stripped from him and he was hauled off. Meanwhile, Andrea and Shawn jumped out of the balcony, despite its height, onto the tournament floor and ran to get Heather out of the water.

“Heather! Heather! Are you okay?” Cried out Andrea! Heather was barely conscious and in pain.

“Heather stay with me! Heather! Heather!”

Andrea tried to keep her awake however darkness finally consumed her and she passed out.

 

[mysterioustrainer]

Chapter 3 – Heather’s calling

Heather soon woke to find herself in the hospital at Phenac City. She was in a recovery room of sorts and in bed with a bandage around her arm. An icepack was wrapped around her head. She recalled what happened and looked outside and realized the tournament had to be over because it was now night. Andrea was resting her head on Heather’s bedside however woke up to see her best friend was awake.

“Heather, you are alright.” Andrea said in a faint voice.

“Yeah I am in quite a bit of pain though. What happened?” Heather asked.

“That nasty Blaziken gave you a hard hitting punch. It even bruised your arm badly.”

“Oh yeah. But did Arcanine finish the match on its own?”

“Oh Heather you fool. You are concerned about winning more than your own self. That is so usual of you. It didn’t matter. Montio was disqualified and arrested. His Pokémon are now in the custody of the town’s Pokémon Center. It was a good thing too Arcanine was so upset and made that Blaziken kiss the dirt. We were lucky it then didn’t turn on Montio.”

“Well Arcanine knows better.” Heather said with a giggle. “Why did that Blaziken attack me and not Arcanine and why was it glowing that black aura?”

“Well we don’t know why it attacked you, but it wasn’t glowing at all. You must have been seeing things.” Andrea replied.

“No, I am sure of it.” Said Heather “Blaziken was shrouded in this black aura. It was frightening! It looked evil.”

“But Pokémon aren’t naturally evil, however this case might prove me wrong.”

“So who won the tournament?”

“The tournament isn’t over.”

“They finished the first round and since you automatically won. All of the remaining competitors and the tournament staff decided to postpone the final matches until tomorrow. They all want you there because you put on a super great show.”

“That is great!” Heather said with excitement.

“We let your great-grandma know of what happened and Shawn should be coming back from Agate with some clothes for you to wear tomorrow. We are going to stay the night here okay. The hospital says if you awaken tonight you can be checked out. We will stay at the Pokémon Center though.”

“Alright. Is grandma okay with that?”

“She is worried to death about you however she said you will be alright with us.” Andrea replied. “The hospital doesn’t want you leaving town tonight.”

“That is good. Thank you Andrea.” Heather then laid her hand on her chest and then started to rub it frantically. “My medallion! Where…”

“It’s okay.” Andrea said. “It is right here.” She then pulled out Heather’s Medallion and gave it to her. “I know how important this medallion is to you I didn’t want it getting misplaced while you were in the ER. Besides the paramedics back at the stadium did not want it in their way. So I took it for safe keeping.”

“Thank you Andrea. You are a good friend.”



It was around 10:00 pm when the small hospital released Heather. Thankfully the Pokémon Center was virtually next door. Heather soon realized she was still in her soaking wet clothes from being knocked into the water and started to shiver from the winds of the cold night. However upon their arrival at the center they saw a familiar face.

“Lindsey!” said Andrea. “It is good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you too Andrea and it is especially good to see Heather back on her feet.”

“Thank you Lindsey.” Heather said still cradling her arm.

“I have something here for you.” Lindsey said as she handed her some very soft clothing. It was light blue in color, and after unfolding them it was clear to Heather they were pajamas.”

“I saw the incident on TV today, and found Andrea and Shawn at the hospital. You look terrible just knocked out like that and soaking wet in your clothes. After learning you three are staying the night here, I went back to my store and brought these. They are some of my earlier work when I was young.”

“Thank you very much Lindsey. They are so soft.” Heather said as she rubbed the pajamas across her cheek.

“Well I best not hold you up. You need your rest. I look forward to seeing your matches tomorrow.” Lindsey said. She gave a hug to Heather and then departed the Pokémon Center.

Once the two trainers settled in, Heather was once again taking rest on one of the beds in her new pajamas. “Hey I am hungry. Is there anything to eat here?” She asked.

“Don’t worry Heather I’ll get us something to eat. I think the nurse here has some hot tomato soup ready actually.” said Andrea. “Hey wait a second.”

“What is it Andrea?” Heather asked.

“I don’t remember your eyes being bright blue like that.”

“What? My eyes are blue?”

“Yeah, take a look.” Andrea gave Heather a hand mirror to look in.

“Whoa!” Heather dropped the mirror into her lap. She was in shock to see her eyes look so different. They use to be a hazel color but now they were beautiful and bright just like the sky on a clear day. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. Let me get the nurse.”

Andrea ran out the door from the lodge. Soon Andrea came in with a tray holding two bowls of soup, the scent of tomato filled the room and it could only make Heather smile. Following Andrea, a young lady in a hospital outfit came to check on Heather.

“Hello my name is Nurse Joy, please let me take a look at your eyes.”

“Oh hi Nurse Joy. It’s a long way to come down from Agate isn’t?” said Heather.

“Oh I fear you are mistaken. The Nurse Joy in Agate Village is my sister.”

“Okay. She never told us that. Are you sure you are not her?”

“Yep!” Nurse joy said with a smile while showing the peace sign with her hand.

Heather felt more confused than better. The Phenac City’s Nurse Joy took a closer look at Heather’s eye while comparing it to Heather’s identification card, however she decided there wasn’t anything wrong with her.

“Are you wearing contacts at all?”

“No.”

“Hmm. This is too weird, but I am a nurse for Pokémon so I can’t really diagnose this condition. However I never ever heard of anything like this anywhere. I suggest you see an optometrist about this although there really aren’t any in the Orre region.”

“It doesn’t hurt though and I can see fine.” Heather said.

“Then for right now don’t worry about it. I suggest you get some rest and check your eyes tomorrow.”

Heather took her advice and laid back still exhausted. Shawn did return but not in time before Heather was back asleep after dinner. In fact it was very late by the time he returned. He entered the trainer’s lodge only to see Andrea still awake.

“I see she was released from the hospital.” Shawn said.

“Yeah, she finally woke up about three hours ago and they allowed us to come here. Heather’s arm should be better tomorrow they said but want one final look before we leave town after the tournament. Her arm is really bruised though. However we have another problem.” Andrea commented.

“What do you mean?” Shawn asked.

“Well I was about to go get Heather some dinner when I discovered her eyes turned blue.”

“You’re joshing me!” Shawn said in disbelief.

“No I am not! Even Nurse Joy saw too. Heather’s eyes turned blue.” Andrea said with the most honest voice you could ever hear from her.

“That is very weird.”

“Heather also said that the Blaziken was glowing black and looked evil too.”

“Okay this is getting more interesting. But I think we should listen to more from Heather once we get this tournament is done with right?”

“Yeah I guess you are right. You did bring all of us everything needed to stay the night?” It was then Andrea began to sound worried as if Shawn forgot something.

“Yes. Including your best friend apparently.” Shawn said as he reached into the duffle bag which contained Andrea’s things and pulled out a soft Teddiursa plush which he then handed to Andrea. Andrea was happy to see her toy.

“Andrea you still sleep with teddy bears?”

“It’s my right. The only other person besides my parents who knows this is Heather, so don’t you dare tell anyone else!”

“Okay then, I swear. Good night Andrea.”

Soon enough the entire troop was in bed washing away the terrible moment in their memories away with their dreams. Heather was probably one who was the most asleep being still exhausted from the night. Andrea did find sleep but only thanks to her Teddiursa plush. Shawn though stayed up for a while watching a desert storm close in on the city. Elsewhere in the center, in a dark room, a Poke Ball also stood silent in a locked box.



Meanwhile far away from Phenac city the black figure from the audience took an elevator down a shaft deep underground. He then walked through the Under, until he reached an isolated building. The building looked abandoned before but seemed to be under reconstruction much like the rest of the underground city. There he worked his way through the halls until he reached a second elevator and when even deeper into the earth. Then he came to a subway and boarded the train and inserted a key drawn from his pocket. There the train went deep into a pitch black tunnel.

Soon he emerged on the other side and departed the train into a strange building working his way into a dark office. He approached a desk which another person sat behind in darkness. Only the faint green glow of test tubes and other equipment gave what little light in the room.

“Sir. I have some bad news.”

“Report Ein.” Said a deep and cold voice from the darkness.

“I fear the descendant of Rui has her mother’s gift.” The black figure then handed a digital camera which played back the last few moments of Heather’s battle. “I find it ironic she is already meddling in our plans before she realizes what is going on. Nevertheless she is a threat to us and the new plan.”

“I see.” The person then came out of the darkness. He was dressed in a dark purple cloak with evil white hair that flowed in all directions. His eyes were red and his facial expression would suck the happiness out of anyone who would see him. “I suggest you take care of it before we face the same failure that destroyed the first time.”

“It is already underway, Master Nascour. She will be our prisoner by the end of the week.”



The night sky started to turn a bright ruby color. Stars still shined in the heavens, and the songs of Taillow and Pidgey greeted the early dawn as they swam in the fountains of Phenac City. There was no one who was wandering the streets of the oasis, except for a brown-haired girl bracing a wounded arm. Heather sneaked out of the Pokémon Center to catch the early day. She stared at her medallion almost hoping it would show how she would be able to perform in the rest of the tournament. Heather removed the bandage on her arm and massaged away of what remained of the pain. A dark red bruise still appeared on her skin, however this did not disturb her after she rolled down the sleeve to her pink long sleeve shirt that was provided by Shawn.

Heather ran up the city streets. She made it to the stadium’s main entrance and turned to the east to catch the shine of the first sunlight. The sunrise was different in Phenac than what it was in Agate. In her hometown the sunrise would come up just a bit to the south of Mt. Battle making its granite peak sparkle. However here in Phenac, the sun seemed to lit the entire rugged horizon on fire for a moment while the sky turned from a ruby color to a bright orange color. She had trouble figuring out which was more beautiful.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” a strange voice said. Heather turned around to see who it was talking behind her. “Oh, hello. My name is Corison. I am the mayor of Phenac City.”

“Hello Corison.”

“You must be Heather. Sorry to hear what happened yesterday. We never expected that we’d see that kind of Pokémon again.”

“What do you mean?” Heather asked with excitement in her voice. “You know why that Blaziken attacked me?”

“Yes. That was a Shadow Pokémon.”

“A Shadow Pokémon?”

“Yes. These are terrible Pokémon that somehow have been trained to attack and hurt people. There were incidents just like this one twenty and fifteen years ago.”

“Really?”

“Yes. This is a serious problem because there was only one secret organization behind the plot to make Shadow Pokémon. We thought that organization was destroyed both times, however this proves they are back yet again.” The mayor then paused a moment. “It is funny that you yourself should get involved in all of this.”

“What about me?”

“Well, you are the daughter of Rui and Sean, right?”

“Yes.”

“Are you all still in Agate?”

“Yes, but my parents are dead.” Heather said with a heavy heart.

“Oh, no. I am so sorry. How did they die?”

“They died when I was seven years old. They so loved each other so much. One night when my parents when walking about the forest behind our village, a desert storm came in and quickly flooded the lower grounds of the forest. They should have been able to make it back safely however they were found dead.”

“Drowned?”

“No. It was determined that they were murdered by a brutal attack even though it was made to look like they were drowned.”

“By who?” Corison asked with curiosity.

“We don’t know. The Pyrite police have worked desperately to find the culprits however the mystery has been unsolved since.”

“I’m sorry.” Corison said in feeling bad for bring the subject up. “I would almost blame CIPHER, the organization I was talking about, as payback but based on your age then that would have happened even long after the second incident.”

“No don’t worry. I would like to bring whoever murdered by parents to justice. However, I will not take revenge upon anyone.”

“It makes me happy to hear that Heather. However this means things are now more complicated, I was hoping your mother was still around.”

“What do you mean?” Heather asked.

“Your parents were involved in the first incident twenty years ago.” Corison replied. “Your mother Rui had a very special gift. It was an ability that only others could dream of having. She could see the hearts of Pokémon. Rui one time came across trainers in Pyrite that were using those Shadow Pokémon. Your mother noticed that the Pokémon was shrouded in a black aura, or so she claims.”

“Wait! I can see them too then!” Heather jumped in very excited.

“I wondered if there might be a chance you could though I did not want to give your hopes up.” The mayor with a smile. “I saw your performance up close yesterday and remember you talking about the Blaziken right before it attacked you. So you must have your mother’s gift.”

“Really? So that is what I saw then.”

“Yes. Your mother was once kidnapped because of this. She would have been in big trouble if it weren’t for your father at the time. Your father stumbled upon the kidnappers just after taking care of business of his own. He realized the kidnappers were trying to haul your mother away so he engaged them in a fierce Pokémon battle. After winning the battle, he rescued Rui from the confines of the burlap bag she was kept in. That is how your parents met for the very first time.”

“Wow that is amazing. I never knew how my parents met before.”

“Your father’s story is even more interesting. He was actually a red face paint double-agent who took out Team Snag’em, a group of lowlife gangsters who would steal other trainers Pokémon by using terrifying machines called Snag machines. They would convert Poké balls into Snag balls which could capture another trainer’s Pokémon. He destroyed their base and eliminated all but one of the snag machines. It was then, he then meet Rui and together they learned about Shadow Pokémon and used the last Snag Machine to save the first 42 Shadow Pokémon from the CIPHER organization.”

“That is incredible.” Heather replied with great interest. “How are Shadow Pokémon made out of regular Pokémon?”

“How it is done, is unknown to us however it is said that the Pokémon’s heart is artificially closed, wiping out all happiness and kindness it has inside.”

“That is terrible.” Heather said as she couldn’t even imagine how any person could be so cruel to any form of life.

“Yes it is and has been deemed illegal here in Orre. However your father and mother worked to purify all of the first 42 Shadow Pokémon by training them and raising them. Then by using the special relic, which you saved in your village, they were able to break the seal on the Pokémon and return it to normal.”

Heather was overwhelmed by the history of her parents. “Wow my parents did all of that?”

“Yes and they brought down the CIPHER organization themselves. They are heroes to all of us who remember those dark days here in Orre.”

She couldn’t hold of this question anymore. “Why did my parents never tell me?”

“I only know because I am the mayor of this town and must do everything to protect it and the entire region of Orre. Those involved in the first incident contacted two extraordinary professors in the study of Pokémon and explained the whole situation, then they decided to keep the secret about the first CIPHER incident.”

“Why?”

“Secrecy was just one of many ways to prevent from Shadow Pokémon from resurfacing, although five years later they did.” Corison said.

“Really?”

“Yes, however not for long, in fact the second reign lasted shorter than the first. The professors after being told, set up a laboratory 30 miles northwest of your village. I am sure you have been there before yes?”

“Yes I have. I was able to get my trainer license there though I never met the Professor in charge there.” Heather replied.

Corison continued with his story, “During those five years they worked hard to develop a way to purify any more Shadow Pokémon easily. One of those professors mysteriously died while investigating one of the known CIPHER’s research facilities; however his son and mother remained to pick up his work. CIPHER did mysteriously resurfaced and under the command of a new leader.

“CIPHER’s first shadow Pokémon in the second incident was the legendary Lugia. How they obtained the Pokémon is a baffling mystery to us all. They used the Lugia to kidnap 83 Pokémon which were on a transport ship heading for Orre. Lugia lifted the entire ship shaking off the human crew and 82 of those 83 were turned into Shadow Pokémon.”

“However CIPHER could not have picked a worse time to relift their Shadow Pokémon plan. Professor Krane and his late comrade’s son worked together to rally the entire region and with a recreated, and enhanced, snag machine, they followed in your father’s footsteps, and recaptured and purified all 83 Pokémon, including the Lugia, and rescued the one rare Pokémon that fortunately slipped through CIPHER’s clutches.”

“What an amazing boy he must have been.” Heather replied. “He saw Shadow Pokémon too?”

“Yes, through technology though.” The mayor continued. “Professor Krane developed the new Snag Machine to have the ability to recognize Shadows and only snag those Pokémon. That boy was amazing. He was only twelve then, but now he has moved on in pursuit of becoming a Pokémon master. He no longer lives in Orre. However Professor Krane is still around. He will need your help later on.”

“I understand. I will do everything I can to help that Blaziken.”

“I thought you might. Give me your P-DA email and I will contact you when I learn anything that will be of help to you. Make sure you get there at your best chance. But not before you win at this tournament.”

“Thank you, but what do you mean by win?”

“Sorry I can’t help but root for you.

The two shook hands and Heather departed for the Pokémon Center. When she arrived she discovered Andrea was busy with the laundry of all three trainers. Shawn was in the complimentary kitchen helping the nurse with breakfast for all of the visiting trainers in that center this morning.

“Oh sure leave and make us do all the work.” Andrea said with a grin.

“I am so sorry.” Heather said with embarrassment. “I should have come back sooner. I meet someone at the stadium.”

“Who?” Shawn asked.

Heather took the time to explain everything that has been revealed to her about Shadow Pokémon and about her parents. They were just as equally amazed that Heather’s parents were heroes to the Orre region. After breakfast they cleaned up and decided to make their way for the stadium to finish the tournament.

They left the Pokémon Center about a half an hour before the tournament was scheduled to start again. When they got there they discovered the stadium was more packed than ever. Everyone in town seemed to have come to see Heather battle, despite her injury. She tried to make a quiet entrance however the press and several Phenac citizens were trying to chase her down to ask her silly questions or get autographs. She made a quick dash into the competitor’s lobby followed by her friends. The denizens tried to follow but the stadium’s security gave them the shelter they needed. The judge from yesterday was there along with a man in a nice suit.

“Heather, welcome back.” The judge said.

“Thank you sir. It is good to be back.” She said while bowing to him.

“Allow me to introduce Mr. Corton. He organizes these tournaments here at Phenac Stadium and the rest of the Orre Region.”

“Hello Mr. Corton. I thank you for postponing the rest of the tournament for me to continue.” She replied while bowing to him.

“That is awfully kind of you miss. I just couldn’t believe how that nasty trainer would allow his Pokémon to attack like that. It wouldn’t be fair to go on without you.” Heather gave a smile in appreciation.

“Now Heather,” said the judge. “Here is where we stand before your battle. All of round one has completed. All of the matches in round two is also now over except for yours. Your opponent understands the situation and was kind enough to start today. So this match is starting off first. Once this match is done, the semifinals will begin.”

“I understand.” Heather said with excitement.

“Excellent, good luck Heather. Also don’t keep battling if your arm gets to you. Like all of our trainers, you safety is more important than the tournament, understand?”

“Yes sir.”

“Then go and give it your best.”



Heather was in the tournament hall, and her opponent was of no surprise. It was Kimi who was overly excited to be in the second round. Both make a great handshake and then took their places in the hall. Soon the judge took his place and singled the trainers to be ready.

“Trainers ready…Begin!”

Kimi with a gracious pose tossed out her first Pokémon. “Linoone, I choose you!”

Heather took a moment to see what to choose, however she too tossed out her first Pokémon. “Gardevoir, let’s go!”

Kimi’s Linoone soon saw its target and followed its trainer’s first command, “Quick Attack!”

“Use Reflect to ward off the attack!” Heather replied in quick command.

Gardevoir danced in a beautiful display, emitting a psychic shield around it. This deflected the powerful blow that Linoone attempted. Linoone then backed off to wait for the next command from its trainer.

“Linoone, use swift attack.”

“Now use Light Screen!” Heather countered.

The protective shield changed color and continued to protect the Gardevoir from taking any significant damage. Heather carefully observed the battle for a moment and noticed that Linoone was very close to the water.

“Gardevoir, use your Psychic attack head on!”

“Oh no!” cried out Kimi.

“Gardevoir glowed blue and seized control of Linoone with its telekinetic powers. Linoone was then thrown in mid air right into the water.

“Now Gardevoir use Thunderbolt!” commanded Heather.

“Thunderbolt?!” Kimi said in disbelief.

It must have taken a unique amount of training to have Gardevoir focus its Psychic energy into electrical energy however it paid off as the water advantage knocked out the Linoone after a brief explosion in the water. This excited the crowds greatly!

“Wow, Heather you really are good, but I am not done yet, Sneasel lets go!”

“Sneasel huh? Gardevoir return!” Heather said as she recalled her Pokémon. She then threw out another Poké Ball which revealed her Scyther.

“Let’s go!” both trainers said.

Sneasel and Scyther charged each other and dodged each others first attacks. Then Heather made the first command.

“Scyther, agility.”

“You use agility too Sneasel!” followed Kimi.

Both Pokémon tried to outrace each other. The crowd roared at the site, never before have they seen such a feat by two trainers at the same time.

“Slash attack now!” both Trainers said simultaneously.

It sounded like the crashing of swords because the claws of Sneasel and the blades of Scyther were engaged in a fierce yet tough battle. No one could tell where the hit was precisely because both Pokémon were tremendously fast. However a loud clash came from the center of the arena as both Pokémon were sent flying back to their trainers. Though it was clear that neither was ready to give up yet, and they continued the battle.

“Sneasel, use your beat up attack.” Kimi said. Sneasel started to charge at Scyther, however no hits were connecting.

“Scyther, Aerial Ace!”

“Oh no!” Kimi was caught completely off guard. Scyther took a huge jump into the air, and then with full speed attacked Sneasel head on and was sent to the center of the arena. It was knocked out from the amazing blow.

Heather was pleased to see that she was winning her second match with still all three Pokémon. Kimi sent out her next Pokémon which was something Heather never seen before in person, a Seadra.

“Alright it is another water Pokémon to battle, Scyther return.”

It was apparent that Heather wanted to have fun with this last battle no matter what, so she called on her Mitotic another time. Both water Pokémon went into the water and started to hunt for each other in the paths. Heather did a spinning jump in the air, and raised her one good arm. Soon Seadra was sent flying out of the water from an explosion near Kimi.

“I get it Heather. You are able to communicate with your Milotic with visual commands.”

“That is right, it is difficult for Water Pokémon to hear their trainer commands in water so I trained Milotic with its good vision to look for my signals.”

“What a great idea! Can I teach my Pokémon to do that?”

“If you spend enough time with them you can teach them to do anything.” Heather said with a smile. “But let us keep going.”

The battle continued however Heather’s communication advantage once again gave her victory to much of the satisfaction of the audience. Kimi was more than happy to lose to Heather, she raced to her and gave big hug. Heather yelped in pain from her bruised arm however was still happy to have such a great opponent to battle. Both were congratulating each other to no ends.

The crowds of Phenac Stadium roared over Heather’s battle. Once again delivering a stunning performance, Heather waved to the crowds before leaving the tournament hall, soon making it to her competitor’s lodge, she then sat down exhausted.

“You really have your father’s spirit don’t you?” Corison said.

Heather turned around to see the mayor of Phenac in the lodge. He gave a big smile, and it couldn’t help but make Heather laugh.

“…and your mother’s heart.”

Once again Heather was speechless and embarrassed by Corison’s kind comments.

“I guess I love to train my Pokémon, it is what I do.”

“I am glad to hear it. I have never before seen such an amazing battle. I am sure you are going to show what Agate Village is made of.”

“I hope so. Whatever the case I am glad I can be here.”

“And I am honored to have someone of your unique talent here. It reminds me too much about your parents.” Corison paused a moment and realized his mistake. “Sorry I didn’t mean to…”

“No it is okay,” Heather said after looking down with a sad face. “I am just glad you can tell me about them, because I barely knew them before they died.”

“You should be proud to be their daughter. They really gave it all to save Orre and with thought of no reward. In fact after the incident, all I think they cared about was being with each other. The Pokémon they saved were given to talented trainers from other regions so that they could be happy. Your father retired as a trainer, and together both Rui and Sean spent the rest of their time together in Agate village. That was the last I knew of them. I was only a kid back then. That I am afraid is all I know of them.”

Heather then raised herself from her sofa and gave Corison a hug. “Thank you so much. I never knew them like that and now I know that they didn’t die without a reason.”

“What do you mean?” Corison said.

“They were murdered in my home town and I bet it was to protect a secret. You said that Shadow Pokémon are coming back, well I need to find CIPHER and stop them once and for all. Most importantly I need to find who killed my parents once and for all.”

“I was afraid you might do that one of these days, even if I didn’t tell you, and even if CIPHER no longer existed. However you have an advantage that no one else has. You have your father’s skill as a trainer and you have your mother’s gift. Combined I don’t think anyone can stop you. So I have something for you.”

Corison picked up a large object from the ground covered in a cloth. He pulled off the cloth and the object was a device that Heather had never seen before. It was black and gray and it appear to mount on a person’s right arm.

“What is it?”

“This is the new Snag machine.” A man in a white lab jacket said as he approached the mayor. “Hello, my name is Professor Krane. After the first incident, we reassembled it with your father’s instructions which were entrusted to us in the event Shadow Pokémon should ever rise again. These days, you are the only one we could entrust to wield such a device. Heather if you are to fulfill your promise to stop CIPHER, you will need this.”

“And us.”

Both Andrea and Shawn were behind her. Heather was surprised to see them but the judge was right behind them saying it was okay for them to visit her when she was not battling. After a quick explanation to her friends, all three decided to adventure together and finish what Heather’s parents started.

“However there is one thing I have to take care of first.” Heather said.

“What is that?” Andrea asked.

“Finish this tournament!” Heather then turned around. “Thank you Professor Krane. I promise to use this device wisely.”

“I am sure you will. You do have your parent’s blood inside of you. This version of the Snag machine did have a visor which scanned for Shadow Pokémon. However you apparently already have that gift in your own eyes. So I decided to unattached the scanner. To steal another trainer’s Pokémon is an unforgivable act however this is the only way to save Shadow Pokémon. Understand?” Krane asked.

“Yes I promise to never misuse this device.” Heather replied.

“Then good luck on your journey and in this event. I look forward to the results.”

“Thank you. I also am told that I should see you at your laboratory sometime.”

“Yes please do.” Krane said. “We have something there that will help you on your quest.”



The third battle proved tougher as Heather battled against a person visiting Orre from the Nuova region. Both came down to their last Pokémon, however Heather’s Gardevoir had the surprising advantage of Thunderbolt against the opponent’s Oshawot. Heather had won her way to the final match, however it was soon to be a brief celebration as Heather discovered that the final opponent was none other than Eric.

The final battle was getting the crowd roaring over the newcomer’s reign over the other competitors however this did not shake Eric’s confidence. Both trainers shook hands and then started the battle. Eric’s first Pokémon was an Aggron so Heather decided to go with Milotic again.

“Milotic you know what to do!” Heather commanded.

Milotic jumped in the water disappearing out of everyone’s sight.

“Hey Heather your mistake this time!” said Eric, “Aggron use Thunderbolt!”

“Oh no!” Heather said as she quickly flung both arms into the air straight up.

Aggron fired off a powerful thunderbolt however it was no good because Milotic was high in the air after jumping straight out of the water.

“Now use water pulse.”

Milotic fired off a power water shockwave right at Aggron which hit right on.

“Darn Heather, you are good.” Eric said realizing he was in for his toughest battle yet.

“Milotic then dived back into the water.”

“Use Earthquake Aggron.”

“Aggron smashed the ground causing the whole stadium to shake severely. Water was splashing all around them. It was even soaking the lower levels of the audience. Heather couldn’t keep her footing and too fell to the ground. It soon washed up Milotic however it was not done for.

“Now Milotic, use another Water Pulse.”

“Fight back with Thunderbolt.”

Both Pokémon hit each other with their attacks. However Milotic couldn’t handle the charge it got from the electricity. It fell to the stadium floor.

“Milotic is unable to battle, Aggron wins!”

Heather couldn’t believe Aggron was that powerful, however it didn’t let her spirit wane. She called out her Arcanine next.

“Aggron use Earthquake again.”

“Oh no you don’t, Arcanine Extreme Speed.”

“Extreme Speed?!” Eric said as he was caught by surprise. Arcanine came at Aggron with the fastest Pokémon attack in the book. Aggron could not stop it and took a huge hit. It was instantly knocked out despite the type disadvantage.

“That was really good Heather, but I got more where that came from, lets go Vaporeon.”

“Oh no a water Pokémon,” Heather said to herself. “However I bet after that Aggron, I don’t think there will be many more Pokémon that will be to my advantage with Arcanine, so lets keep it in.”

“Vaporeon use water gun.” Eric commanded.

“Arcanine, double team!” Heather countered.

“Arcanine picked up its speed to create the shadow effect of double team which caused the water gun to miss. However this did not stop Vaporeon.” It continued to fire off water gun attacks until it make contact with Arcanine.

“Arcanine, don’t give up use Extreme Speed.”

Once again Arcanine made a huge impact against the opponent. Vaporeon was sent flying into the water.

“Okay now to my advantage.” Eric said with a grin. “Use Acid Armor.”

“Oh no, Arcanine quick, use flamethrower to stop Vaporeon from disappearing in the water.” However it was too late, Vaporeon was gone completely invisible in the water.

“Now use Surf.” Eric said feeling he secured this part of the battle.

Water rose from the arena and was ready to strike Arcanine, however Heather was fortunate to see the shadow of Vaporeon in the wave itself. “Arcanine, jump and use Take Down.” She commanded as she pointed to Vaporeon’s shadow.

Arcanine attacked with brilliant speed and struck Vaporeon head on. Vaporeon crashed to the tournament floor followed by Arcanine. Arcanine barely got up while Vaporeon was left unconscious.

“Vaporeon is unable to battle, Arcanine is the winner.” Declared the judge.

Heather jumped for joy in the excitement of the crowds. However Eric still did not feel beat. He decided to use his final choice and tossed out the last Pokéball. It was a Pokémon Heather could only dream of one day seeing, but not in a tournament and it looked more than ready to battle. It was a Charizard. Expect there was something different about it, though it was clearly not a Shadow Pokémon. Instead its skin was black a for a brief moment it seemed to sparkle gold before Heather.

“Why is it colored black? It isn’t evil. Is it?” Heather asked with caution cradling her bruised arm from the incident from yesterday.

“No. Not like that Blaziken if that is what you mean.” Eric said with a grin. “I am very fortunate to have an extremely rare Shining Pokémon.”

“Shining? Are they special?”

“Well not in battle except their stats are slightly higher by the book, they are just unique in color and highly coveted amongst trainers. I was very lucky to find this guy when he was just a Charmander.”

“Well then if it’s just some bling behind your true brute strength you have given so far then I guess I can take it. Arcanine, use Flamethrower!” Heather said.

Arcanine fired off a stream of fire right at Charizard, however it too struck back with a fierce Take Down and Arcanine was sent flying.

“Arcanine is unable to battle, Charizard is the winner!”

Heather couldn’t believe how fast Charizard was in its first attack. She knew that despite her Gardevoir knowing thunderbolt, the battle would not go her way anyways so she pulled out a different Pokémon. It was the sixth Pokémon from her bag.

“Latias I choose you!”

“A Latias?” Eric said in excitement. “You have a Latias?”

Latias, the Eon Pokémon, came out of its Pokéball with great excitement. Flying in circles around Heather and was ready to battle.

Eric couldn’t help but gawk at Heather’s latest partner to take the field. He was like a child at a toy shop with no money to spend. “How do you have a Latias? Isn’t that the Legendary Pokémon of Altamare?”

“Yes it’s a long story and would be best saved for after the battle if that is okay?” Heather replied.

“Okay.” Eric said with an extended sigh, obviously showing signs of envy.

“Let the battle begin!” the judge said.

Both Latias and Charizard went straight into the air. Charizard was fast however Latias was easily on top of it. Charizard made a nose dive in the attempt of retreat however it could not escape the eased flying of the dragon-type.

“Latias use dragon claw!”

“Charizard use Wing Attack!”

A flaming claw from Latias attempted to slash at Charizard while the wings of the blazing Pokémon struck Latias. Both Pokémon took a hit however were still ready to battle. Soon an extensive chase after each other ensued. Attacks were exchanged with the greatest of might and both Pokémon quickly became exhausted.

“Latias don’t give up. Hyper Beam.”

“You too Charizard!” replied Eric in command.

Both Pokémon quickly charged a powerful blast of energy and fired it at each other. A massive explosion occurred when the two Hyper Beams connected. Smoke filled the room and both trainers were blinded by the explosion. When the dust finally settled, both Charizard and Latias were unconscious.

The judge was speechless for moment along with the rest of the audience. He regained his composure and shouted, “Both Pokémon are unable to battle. The winners of the Phenac Stadium tournament are Heather from Agate Village and Eric from Phenac City.”

Both trainers were in shock for a moment on what had just happened, but then raced to their Pokémon. Latias was exhausted of energy however appeared to be okay. Same with Charizard.

“Great first time Latias.”

“That was its first time?!” Eric said in disbelief.

“Yeah. Latias is a special friend of mine so we rely on each other in the gravest of circumstances. I haven’t had her very long though.”

“Oh my goodness.” Eric said. He was speechless after that.

The crowd cheered on both competitors and both competitors clasped hands and raised them in victory. They were both winners and received the same prizes, however when it came to present the single trophy, Eric handed it to Heather.

“Why are you giving it to me?” Heather asked.

“Because I think you are more of an extraordinary trainer than what I am. You know what Pokémon is all about and I don’t want you to forget that. I hope this trophy will keep this battle in your heart as it will in mine.” Eric said.

“Thank you Eric.” Heather hugged Eric one last time.

From the crowds you could hear Andrea hollering out, “Whoa yeah, you go girl!” This caused Heather to jump back in embarrassment and decided to head on out. She raced out of the tournament hall with a final wave to the crowds. They refused to become silent.



Hours later, Heather, Shawn, and Andrea made the long trip home. The first to find them was Heather’s grandmother who was more worried for her health. However it seemed that the entire town caught wind of her achievement in Phenac and the situation about the Blaziken. A victory party was started at Heather’s house and most of the villagers were there. Heather could not have felt more embarrassed about it. After the party, the village elder, Shawn, and Andrea remained for Heather to explain what has happened in the last two days.

After about an hour of talking, Heather revealed the Snag Machine that was entrusted to her. Her Great-Grandmother commented on how she hoped to never see that device again, however followed with the fact that something has to be done about the Shadow Pokémon. Heather then told them that she was going after CIPHER along with Andrea and Shawn. It took a lot of convincing however Heather’s grandmother also eventually agreed that only Heather could do this.

Soon the group could hear a hovercraft approaching Agate village. Heather looked out the window to see Mr. Corton come out and approach Heather’s house. They let him in and offered him some refreshments however they just got straight to the point.

“Heather, you proved to be a strong trainer today.” Mr. Corton said. “I am very proud of you. I have also learned from Corison that you intend to stop CIPHER again.”

“Yes that is right.” Heather replied.

“Then do me this, save the Shadow Pokémon that now exists. You have to get them back with that Snag machine and purify them.”

“Yes I will do that.”

“Then I have something you will have to have.” Mr. Corton pulled out a Pokéball outside of his pocket and showed it to her.

“Inside is the Blaziken that attacked you. You will have to be it’s trainer now.”

“Me!?” The pain of Heather’s bruised arm reminded her about how vicious that Blaziken was however she knew that she was the Blaziken’s only hope to becoming what it once was. “I understand and I will help this Blaziken open the door to its heart again.”

“I am glad to hear that, once you get control of that Blaziken, you should head for the Under whenever you can, I have contacted Duking from Pyrite. He will help you as he was one of your father’s most trusted allies in the fight against CIPHER before. He knows more about the situation back then than what we do.”

“Thank you Mr. Corton. I will do my very best and it will be enough to win this time for good.”

“I’m sure it will. Good luck and you two watch over her. Friends really need to stay together in what is sure to be dark times again for the Orre region.”

“We will.” Shawn said.

“To the very end!” Andrea said.

 

[Redados1]

I like this story, keep going!

 

[mysterioustrainer]

Chapter Four - Conflict In The Rain

Author Comment: I am so glad there are readers really enjoying this story. I always welcome any comments anyone has.

Chapter Four – Conflict in the Rain.

It was a new morning, but raining. Heather woke to the rare scent of the mist of rainwater. She was partially disappointed but took confidence that she had no tournaments to go attend. In fact, her plans were going to be more interesting. She decided that she need to go check out the lab and get any advice for raising the Blaziken she was entrusted. So she got on her P-DA and e-mailed her friends. Within moments Heather got replies from both Shawn and Andrea saying they would be happy to transport her. So after a very big waffle breakfast, Heather put on some water resisting clothes along with her medallion tucked inside her jacket and went outside.

It was still raining and the storm did not look like it was going to let up. She looked around but Shawn’s hovercraft was nowhere to be seen. “It must be the rain that is holding up Shawn. That or Andrea can’t find anything to wear again.” So she ran to the Pokémon Center to wait for them.

Upon her arrival she decided to make sure her Pokémon were ready for battle in case she needed them. She knew that tough times loomed ahead and felt uneasy about the newest Pokémon in her roster. It was then an unfamiliar face came up to her. It appeared to be a trainer from another town.

“Um hello. My name is Emily. I am traveling from the Kanto Region and visiting Orre. I… I…” It was clearly obvious the girl was shy to talk to Heather. “I saw you on TV yesterday.”

“I see. Wait that tournament was televised?!”
“Yes, your battles were great Heather. I… I would like to have a Pokémon battle with you.”

“Well it is a pleasure to meet you, and by the Orre Pokémon Tournament Association rules I must comply with your request. Would a two on two be okay since I don’t have much time?”

“Yes that will be perfect since I have training session scheduled at the Pre Gym in Phenac this afternoon and my ride will be here in an hour.”

The two put back on their rain gear and headed outside to an open plain where it looked like battles have taken place before. The rain was falling heavier and with the large waterfalls that make Agate famous, it seemed like an ocean was falling in on them.

“Are you ready Emily?” Heather shouted out.

“Yes I am!” Emily replied.

“Go Riolu!” Heather shouted out as she tossed out her fourth Poke ball. Instanly a small blue Pokémon popped out of the flash of light from the Poke ball opening. It flipped through the air and landed perfectly on the wet ground.

“Pikachu I choose you.” The electrical mouse also came out of its Poke Ball but slipped on the wet grass and landed on its back.

“Pika!” It groaned as it climbed back up.

“Perfect. Okay Riolu it’s finally time to start some real training.”

“Ri!” The tiny Emanation Pokémon cried out while clinching its fist.

“Lets begin with Low Kick.” Heather commanded.

Riolu began charging at Pikachu and then let itself slide on the wet grass while raising its foot to kick Pikachu. Pikachu immediately began to jump up from the grass and dodged the attack.

“Pikachu double team!” Emily followed up.

Pikachu began to run faster and continued to dodge the attacks from Riolu. Riolu was not giving up and soon enough it made contact with a Force Palm attack. Though Pikachu regained its footing after the impact.

“Pikachu thunderbolt attack!”

“Pi-ka-chu!” The electric Pokémon cried out as bolts of electrical energy flew from it’s red cheeks. However Riolu then jumped up and grabbed the root of a tree that stuck out of the side from the tree that Heather own house was entwined with.

“Riolu now Reversal!”

Riolu swung around the branch and with the gained momentum it made the attack connect. Pikachu was again sent across the small plain sliding in the mud and rain but it was not out. It shook it self from the mud and jumped up to the same exposed root that Riolu was on earlier. Pikachu tried again to use Thunderbolt and the attack connected that time.

Riolu after being hit was not out of the match. It regain its posture and then jumped up in pursuit. Both Pokémon continued to climb the roots and branches of the trees. Heather seeing this decided the match was not going to be staying put. She ran towards the base of the mountain side and started to run up the muddy wall below her house. Before gravity caught up to her she thrusted herself from the wall and grabbed onto the roots above and started to climb. She then looked back at Emily only with a look of awe on her face. “Come on, in Orre unless you are in a tournament there are no borders in any match.”

Emily too terrified to even attempt what Heather just did decided to quickly run up a path leading to the higher levels of the village. It did cost her valuable time not being able to track the battle. By the time she reached the two Pokémon and Heather, Pikachu was starting to get exhausted from dodging all of Riolu’s attacks.

“Pikachu use another Thunderbolt to fight him off. You gotta keep your distance.” Emily cried out in exhaustion from running up the hill.

“Pika!” Pikachu shouted as more electricity shot out from its cheeks. Riolu was hit slightly but made an escape by diving in some mud. After the attack ended it launched out of its hiding place and lunged at Pikachu. Knocking into the mouse Pokémon, they both fell into a streaming flash flood of water going down a steep hill.

In the moments of their sliding, Pikachu used the water advantage to charge the waterfall with electricity which really hurt Riolu, however it was able to touch a rough rock for just the right moment and jump up and strike back Pikachu with another Force Palm. Then both fell off of the waterfall and fell through a hole into the sacred forest.

During this time Heather also foolishly jumped into the hole. Emily could only scream as she felt no choice but to follow them. Thankfully the jump was not dangerous for either of them and both landed without any problems short of getting extra wet. They then found themselves next to the Relic Stone.

“This is a fun battle Emily!”

“This is what you call fun?!” Emily cried out as she wiped back her soaking wet hair.

“Yes, I can’t remember any time when I had to run all round my home just to keep up with this battle. Your Pikachu is really good!”

“Well your Riolu is also good, but I can’t lose now!”

“But I can’t lose either!” Heather replied.

The battled continued. Riolu again continued is volley of punches and kicks while Pikachu deflected with it’s electricity. It looked like there was going to be no end until Pikachu landed a quick attack on Riolu knocking it to the exit from the shrine.

“Okay let’s finish this Pikachu! Volt Tackle!”

Pikachu started to charge at Riolu and then brusted into a bolt of lightning while crying out “Pika Pika Pika Pika PIKACHU!” The attack made a direct hit and Riolu was sent flying out of the opposite end of the cave knocking it out and almost falling into the raging river below.

“Oh no.” Heather said as her heart stopped. “Riolu!” She cried out as she ran for her Pokémon. It laid on the ground breathing but barely conscious, no more than two feet from the edge. She pick up her little fighter and cuddled him. “You did me very proud my little puncher. You fought harder than ever before. Good job.”

“Ri-olu…”

“It’s okay you earned a good rest.” She said as she recalled Riolu back into its Pokeball.

“Heather you still have one more Pokémon to choose.” Emily said as she stood from the top of the ledge near the Pokémon Center.

They both returned to the meadow from where the battle first began. Emily was still ready to use her Pikachu. Heather was not sure what to use against the powerful mouse that stood in her way of a victory. Heather then could hear the familiar sound of Shawn’s hovercraft. Time was running out for this battle. She then decided it was time to see how powerful the Blaziken really was. She picked up her fifth Poke ball from the backpack and tossed it out. Blaziken did stand up and shouted out in a terrifying cry.

“Blaziken use flamethrower.”

Blaziken looked upon his tiny target and instead of charging it with flames as Heather expected, it started to run after Pikachu.

“Blaziken, what are you doing?” Heather cried out in terror. She then saw the shadow around her new Pokémon grow bigger and turn an evil looking red. What happened next was not in Heather’s wildest imagination possible. Blaziken brutally struck Pikachu head on. The attack looked awful and Pikachu was sent flying into a muddy wall, instantly knocked out.

“Blaziken no! That was not what I told you to do!” Heather cried out as she started to race for her disobedient Pokémon. Emily started to race for her Pikachu now also in panic after the attack. It was then Blaziken started to charge at both Emily and Pikachu. Jumped up ready to do whatever that terrible attack was again. Emily tried to cover her beloved Pikachu expecting the worse when right at the last moment Heather tackled Blaziken.

She along with Blaziken rolled and fell off the edge toward the Agate Forest entrance. Heather landed on her back only to have the Blaziken about to attack her again. She cringed in fear knowing she was now in danger from the terrible Pokémon again. However right when the attack was about to connect, Blaziken was once again hit. This time by a Flygon’s Hyper Beam attack, knocking it out. Heather looked up and over to see Shawn with his Pokémon by his side.

“Oh Shawn.” Heather said as she started to cry.

“It’s okay Heather. Get up.” Shawn said as he extended a hand to her, pulling her up to her feet. They both recalled their Pokémon and started to climb up the hill towards the Pokémon Center. When the reached the meadow, Heather discovered Emily was nowhere to be found.

Emily had instead run from the meadow after Heather stopped Blaziken and made it to her room at the center’s lodge. She could only hide in a corner crying holding her injured Pikachu tight in the darkness.

 

[AlmightyGoldenGarchomp]

These stories are amazing! I like how the setting is in Orre. I always thought shadow pokmeon should get more of a story. You have real talent as a writer.

 

[mysterioustrainer]

Chapter Five - CIPHER’s First Attack

Author's Comment - Thanks again for the kind comments. I am hoping this chapter doesn't disappoint. This chapter is a bit long at first because I always felt I wanted to explain how a Poke Ball works, However things will start to become a bit more bizarre and the newest part of CIPHER's plan will finally make its first appearance.

Chapter Five – CIPHER’s First Attack

“Shawn, I’m sorry.” Heather said shivering while sipping a cup of hot chocolate. Both of them were back at Heather’s home.

“About what? You would have no idea it would happen.”

“I should have. I should have known better to turn a Shadow Pokémon against an innocent trainer like Emily. I should have learned that when it attacked me back in the tournament.”

“Heather, you are its trainer and one day you will have to take control.”

“I know.”

“But that day can wait. Now we have to get going to the lab. You are cleaned up now after what apparently was a really messy battle in more ways than one. Come on I am sure the day can only get better now.” Shawn said right before a knock on the door was heard. Heather went to the door to let Andrea in. “Took you long enough to get ready.”

“Will you give it a rest Shawn. I just spent the whole morning trying to find the perfect outfit for this flood we are in the middle of.”

“But its only 10 am Andrea.” Heather said faintly.

“Fine half of the morning. Gees no one is on my side today.” It was then Andrea became aware of the emotions of Heather. “Hey what’s going on Heather?” Shawn and Heather took a few minutes to tell about the events that transpired already. Heather now was feeling just as bad as before and was ready to cry again.

“Heather it’s okay, you saved that girl and really that is the true victory in that battle.” Shawn said trying to keep up Heather’s spirit.

“What did you do with the Blaziken, Heather?” Andrea asked.

“Its now deposited into the storage system for now.” Heather replied. “I don’t want to touch that Pokémon. I really don’t.”

“Well if it makes you feel better remember we are going to see Krane today and see what he knows about Shadow Pokémon.” Shawn said.

“Yeah, you are right. We should be going now.”

They all headed outside into the rain and boarded into the wet seats of the hovercraft. Shawn turned on the engine and departed from the borders of Agate. It was a surprisingly short drive from Agate to the lab. While Andrea and Shawn remained calm, Heather continued to look uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong?” Andrea asked “You haven’t said a thing the whole trip.”

“Oh sorry. I am worried.” Heather replied.

“About what?” Shawn asked.

“Don’t know. I think something bad is going to happen.”

“Like what?” Andrea asked in curiosity.

“I don’t know. I just have a feeling.”

“Should we turn around?” Shawn asked with concern.

“No! No. I just want to get there as soon as possible.”

Shawn put on the gas a little more and the remaining distance only took a few minutes after. The lab came into clear view after clearing a dense forest. The lab was two stories and all white except for a giant Poké Ball sculpture on the top of the roof. Shawn pulled the hovercraft to a stop and Heather was the first to jump out. The rain was still falling. Heather, Andrea, and Shawn all entered the main entrance of the lab. Professor Krane was there to greet them.

“Ah welcome. I am so glad you could make it.”

“Thank you, Professor Krane.” Heather replied.

“So what brings you here today?”

“Mr. Corton came to my house yesterday and entrusted me with the Shadow Pokémon that attacked me in the tournament.” said Heather.

“I see. It was a wise choice by our local POP manager.” Krane said.

“I think so because I want to help it.” Heather replied. “It is a very mean Pokémon, I don’t think I can trust it in a battle with another trainer.”

“Why is that?” Krane asked getting a hint that something is wrong.

“Well, I rather not say.” Heather was scared to tell Krane, knowing what happened this morning could cost her trainer license.

“Please Heather, you can trust me.” Krane said. “Shadow Pokémon are terrible fighting machines and will do devastating things in this world if they are in control in the wrong hands. I have already seen enough to know that when their hearts are closed there can be nothing good coming out of them. But the good is not lost. It is locked up here.” Krane said as he placed his hand on Heather’s heart. “That goodness is waiting for someone to reach for it, and let it take over the Pokémon and free it from the prison itself is locked in. That person is you Heather.”

“Thank you, professor.” Heather said. She then took the time to explain the morning events to Krane.

“Heather you did the right thing in the end there.” Krane said. “I am very proud of you. You know when a battle goes wrong and you did your best to stop it. If you were fearful of losing your license I assure you that would not happen. Your heart is truly that of a Pokémon Trainer.”

Heather took a sigh of relief knowing that was over with. “Thank you for understanding. I really did not want that to happen. We need to help that Blaziken.”

“Then here is the way to just that.” Professor Krane led them into the room to the right of entrance, inside was very large and unidentifiable equipment. In the center a platform was glowing with strange imaged shapes hovering over it.

“This way Heather.” Professor Krane said. He positioned the girl on the platform. “Now don’t be afraid but this may startle you.” He said as he pushed a button. A flash of light surrounded Heather and wind blew from below her. She felt like she was being blow away from the lab. The light dissipated and she discovered she was in another room. However it was strange as it had no doors and blocks floated around her. She then look at herself and discovered something that surprised her.

“Ah! I’m see-through!”

“Don’t be alarmed you are alright.” It was Professor Krane’s voice coming from all directions of the room. “You have been virtualized into the purify chamber. Let me explain. First off you know how a Poké Ball works right?”

“Yes, the material and energy pattern of the Pokémon is converted completely into patterned data storing the Pokémon safely until it is summoned by the trainer. Because of this technology, the Poké Ball is able to be transported as data by uploading it into a PC and sent to storage systems or traded for other trainers Pokémon.”

“Very good you know a lot about Pokémon don’t you? Well this may shock you but that is exactly what we have done with you.”

“You mean I am in a Poké Ball?” Heather asked in shock.

“No we just virtualized you just like when a Pokémon goes back into a Poké Ball. You are not bound in a Poke Ball so you can freely roam the dimensions of the purify chamber. You are seeing exactly what the Pokémon stored here will be seeing.”

“I see but it look like a rather dim place to store Pokémon.”

“Sort of, but that is because there is no Pokémon yet. Pokémon naturally get along with other Pokémon most of the time, and that proves to be the most effective means to purify Shadow Pokémon. So we built the purify chamber based on allowing the victim Pokémon to virtually play with purified Pokémon. Now let’s get started. As a professor I was able to check your storage file in the Orre Storage databank. You appear to have about twenty Pokémon.”

“Yes. Some of them aren’t used as much as I like to though.”

“Well you be able to make up for it today. First off find the Poké Ball holding the Blaziken in your storage boxes.”

A holographic display came up showing a Pokémon box navigation interface similar to that of the PC interface. She then touched the Blaziken icon to highlight and selected it. She then saw the screen expand in front of her showing nine rings each with places to place 4 stored Pokémon on the ring with one more place in the middle of each ring.

“Now please place the Blaziken in the center of any one of the rings. The computer for the purification chamber will recognize any Shadow Pokémon and only allow you to place them in the center of the rings.” Heather did just that.

“Good now look above.” Professor Krane said.

Heather looked above and saw a hologram of Blaziken shrouded in the shadowy aura just as she first saw it. She thought the Pokémon was crying for a moment yet it looked like it was ready to take her out again.

“Now you will see the hologram screen look like the interface for withdrawing and depositing your Pokémon, next to it is a diagram where four of your Pokémon can be placed in a ring.”

“Yes and I see Blaziken in the center of that ring.” Heather replied.

“Good now do you have any Grass, Ice, Bug or Steel types.”

“I have my Scyther which I often use for battle, and I have a Hoppip that I found at the Oasis Poké Spot a while back.”

“Lets use the Hoppip. Open the box where your Hoppip is stored. Now press your figure on the icon of your Hoppip and drag it to the diagram and place Hoppip on the ring.”

Heather followed the professor’s instructions. Once completed a new platform in front of her appeared and as if it was released from its Poké Ball the Hoppip appeared. Heather gave it a friendly wave and the Hoppip waved back, excited to see its trainer. Then it focused its attention on the Blaziken. Then a stream of energy started to flow from Blaziken to Hoppip. It was very white in color.

“Good.” Professor Krane said. “That stream of energy is called the flow. When you position the leading Pokémon on the ring that the Shadow’s Pokémon attacks is super effective against it, you get a great flow. Look at the meter labeled flow on the diagram.”

“I see it. It shows around 50 percent. Is that good?”

“Yes, most of the time that is a good number. Now set in three Pokémon in the ring that each Pokémon after another has a disadvantage against the one before.”

“Okay.” Heather said as she quickly chooses a Wooper as the first, then a Trapinch as the second. Then she picked a Vulpix as the last. Once set correctly she saw two new meters come up but before she got a look at them she saw something extraordinary. “The Pokémon are singing and dancing. I have never seen that.”

“That is the tempo. You see the Pokémon are wanting to make the Shadow Pokémon happy so they sing, dance and play. This is will take sometime but the Pokémon will eventually open the heart to the Shadow Pokémon. You have a very good tempo as the second meter there shows and the third is the Shadow gauge which determines how close the Pokémon is from opening its heart. Get the idea?”

“I do get it. Yes.” Heather replied.

“Then hang tight as I de-virtualize you.” Professor Krane said.

The return trip was not as frightening as being virtualized Heather thought, but being transformed into computer data was exciting. She now knew what a Pokémon must feel like when it is stored into a PC. Heather in a flash of light found herself back in the lab with the professor, her friends, and other members of the lab were watching and congratulating her.



It was an hour later and the three trainers along with Professor Krane was enjoying a box lunch Heather prepared. “So this is why the second incident flopped for CIPHER right?” Andrea asked.

“Yes.” Professor Krane replied as they continued to eat lunch. “CIPHER did not know about the technology back then although they knew a lot about me. They even kidnapped me back then. Nevertheless, the purification chamber is the ultimate way to undo CIPHER’s plans each time.”

Their lunch was a pleasant one in the lab. Rain continued to fall. Heather was getting new fans all around her asking about the tournament from yesterday. Things went on quietly in the lab and Heather knowing the Blaziken was in good hands took time to try out their battle simulator. After an hour of using Pokémon she never seen before she knew it had to be getting time to heading back to Agate Village.

“Well it’s getting late. We need to check back on the home front.” Shawn said.

Heather stepped out of the battle simulator and started to wish the professor one last goodbye for the day, but that is when it happened. KABOOM! The entire lab shook to the result of an explosion. Krane, Andrea, and Shawn were knocked to the floor while smoke did not reveal Heather’s location. Shawn quickly came to and woke the others.

“Heather! Where are you?” Shawn shouted.

“Help me!” Heather was hanging on by one arm on the edge of the ripped floor. Below the lobby was littered with debris and fire and three masked persons were attempting to jump up and grab Heather.

“Heather hold on!” Shawn said. He slid for the edge and tried to reach for her hand, but the edge she was grabbing on was beyond the length of his arms.

“Ow! It hurts.”

“What hurts Heather?” Shawn asked.

“My leg, I think it’s broken.” Heather said. It was clear she was in intense pain as tears drenched her face.

“Then why not fall down into my men’s arms?” said a feminine voice. It was clear one of the culprits was a woman in her late twenties. While her face was masked she had pink hair down to her ankles sticking out.

“Not a chance!” said Shawn. “Heather don’t worry I am coming.”

“Too late, I can’t hold on.” Heather said and it was then she lost her grip. Shawn however made one final lunge and grabbed her hand. Heather cried out in pain because it was her bruised arm from two days ago he grabbed.

“Heather!” Andrea screamed. However Shawn pulled Heather up to safety. Heather then cringed in pain.

“Get that girl!” The woman below commanded to her peons.

“Not if I can help it. Armaldo and Noctowl go!” Shawn tossed out two of his Pokémon. Armaldo came crashing down right in front of the masked woman while Noctowl soared to block the men from advancing.

“Armaldo pin down that woman! Noctowl take care of those other crooks!”

“Sorry I can’t let you do that.” The woman said as she ripped off her mask. She was a very beautiful woman however her eyes glowed in red. It was clear she was not a normal person. She pointed the palm of her right hand at Armaldo and with a smirk launched a purple beam of energy at point blank range. Armaldo was sent to the rumble behind it instantly knocking it out. Then the woman did launch a similar projectile at the Noctowl and knocked it out of the sky.

“What the heck? How is that possible?” Shawn said in disbelief.

“Shawn, look out!” Andrea screamed again but it was too late as Shawn took a hit with the same purple beam of energy. He fell unconscious to the ground. “No Shawn. Heather!”

It was too late, Andrea tried to pull out her Pokémon but by the time she got the hand on the ball the roof above collapsed from the fourth attack by the strange woman. She was knocked on the head by debris and also fell to the floor. The roof collapsed around them. Soon sirens could be heard from a police vehicle approaching.

“Drats there is no time for us to capture the girl. We will have to come back.” The woman said as she and her peons fled the building.

“Did you plant it?” The woman asked as a third peon fled the building from a different exit.

“Sure did.” The peon replied. “Timer set for five minutes. It was the shortest the bomb would let me do.”

“Fine enough. Lets get back to the base.”



“Shawn. Andrea. Wake up.”

Andrea came to only to the realization of pain and some blood in her blonde hair. Shawn also came to. Professor Krane was right there beside them. The lab itself was a disaster.

“Where’s Heather?” Andrea asked still not fully aware to what happened.

“She is over here but she is unconscious and bleeding. However it seems nothing at all was taken.” Professor Krane said helplessly.

“No Heather. What will become of her?” Shawn asked as he came to.

“I don’t know but I do know that attack was clearly done by CIPHER.” Krane said as he raised the woman’s abandoned helmet. It bore a strange logo with CIPHER written over it.

“I see, what about the purification chamber?” Andrea asked.

“Oh no I haven’t check it yet!” Krane said with panic.

The trio quickly ran down the emergency stairs and raced into the room. First they took a sigh of relieve as none of the equipment was harmed. However Andrea, gasped in disbelief and raced for an object on the platform of the chamber. It was a bomb. She ripped off the ropes with a pocket knife she had and then picked up the bomb and shoved the other two out of the way.

“Andrea don’t!” Shawn screamed.

“Don’t follow me!” Andrea shouted back as she raced out into the open. Shawn tried to follow but could only limp in pain. It was still raining. The others couldn’t help but watch as Andrea jumped down onto the lower ledge of the gardens of the lab. She was out of sight but in a moment they saw the bomb fly in the air and it exploded.

“Andrea!”

Dust and debris floated to the ground. The explosion caused one of the nearby fountains to crack and start leaking water on the ground below. Shawn was the first up from the explosion and jump over the fountains to find Andrea unconscious and bleeding from her right arm. Professor Krane was also up but he ran for the lab to reach for the nearest working phone.

“Andrea please wake up.” Shawn said.

Andrea did not answer, she laid on the ground limp now getting covered in muddy water from the damaged fountain. It was soon Krane was back out talking to an emergency dispatch describing Andrea’s visible injury. Shawn was in tears, in a few short moments, Heather was nearly kidnapped but injured in the process, the lab was wreaked and worse Andrea’s only sign of life was a faint breath of air from her mouth.

“Shawn,” Professor Krane said, “let me check her pulse.”

“Okay.” Replied Shawn as he stepped aside.

Professor Krane pinched the wrist of Andrea’s good arm.

“Its weak, very weak.”

Professor Krane followed instructions from the phone. Krane checked Andrea carefully and that was when he discovered a second injury. It appeared that Andrea’s right rib cage was really bruised. Although it was only moments it seemed liked hours to Shawn. Then Krane stood up and turned to Shawn.

“We have a problem. She’s dying and we are the only ones who can help her. She bleeding internally and if she doesn’t make it to Phenac City for treatment soon, she will die within two hours at the most.”

“What?” Shawn said in disbelief.

“Shawn is your hovercraft still undamaged?”

Shawn glanced around the building to see the hovercraft still in position where it left it last. “It looks okay from here.”

“Okay then bring it here and get ready to load her into the back.”

Shawn dashed for the hovercraft. At this time police on patrol bikes arrived, Krane quickly explained the situation and it was then Krane, an officer, and Shawn loaded Andrea into the hovercraft. A police officer after quickly swept the building brought out Heather who was also unconscious. His Armaldo also regained consciousness and exited the building.

“Armaldo sorry that didn’t work out at all. Please return.” Shawn said as he recalled both of his Pokémon into its Poké Ball. “Okay I think we are set to go.”

“Then let’s not waste a moment.” Krane said.

The hovercraft and one officer on her patrol bike took off for Phenac City. Other officers continued to investigate the building and was calling in backups and detectives. Shawn never risked pushing his old ride as hard as he did now. He prayed the engine would hold. It was a seventy minute drive from the lab to Phenac he calculated and was worried if Andrea would hold out until then.

Shawn’s hovercraft cleared the forests and was on a direct course to Phenac, but the city was more than 40 minutes away still. It was then he heard a scream. He looked back and saw the policewoman escorting him crashed into the desert sands. She got up so Shawn decided to not interrupt his course knowing there was no time. It was then a miraculous thing happen.

One of Heather’s Poké Balls randomly opened up and from it shot out her Scyther which slashed the metal wing of a high flying craft. Its pilot was obviously a CIPHER goon since he wore the same uniform as the attackers from the lab. The CIPHER peon crashed to the ground due to his damage craft. It was then Shawn discovered two more peons were following him in similar crafts.

The CIPHER crafts started firing bright balls of energy at them. Shawn knew what they were. Those cannons were illegal stun cannons designed to instantly knock out a Pokémon cold for capturing.

“Okay that’s it.” Shawn pulled out two of his Poké Balls. “Professor can you take the wheel?”

“Yes I can.” Professor Krane replied.

Shawn quickly slipped into the passenger seat while Krane took the wheel. During those few precious moments, Scyther was hit by one of the energy balls and crashed to the desert floor but was passed by all three vehicles.

“Oh no Heather’s Scyther.” Krane said.

“Don’t worry if it was just knocked out it will find the way back home easily or find us in Phenac.” Shawn said. “Now Flygon and Salamence I choose you!” He raised two Poké Balls and from them in flashes of light which shined brightly in the stormy weather the two Pokémon emerged both in flight. It was then another of Heather’s Poké Balls opened unexpectedly and out from it came her Latias.

“Nice for you to join us Latias. Now Salamence use Flamethrower, Flygon Outrage, and Latias use Shadow Ball.”

All three Pokémon successfully launched their projectiles. However the Flamethrower and Outrage blast missed their targets. However Latias’ Shadow Ball hit right on and knocked one of the two CIPHER’s back, but only to be back in pursuit as he started firing on the Pokémon while the leading peon continued to fire on the hovercraft. All of the Pokémon tried to avoid their attacks and was falling behind.

It was then the leading peon got a lock on the hovercraft however it’s engine exploded from a flamethrower attack from above. Shawn look up and saw Eric coming down riding his Charizard.

“All right! Way to go Eric!”

“No problem but the job’s not done yet.” Eric said.

“Right lets finish this. Latias, Salamence, Flygon!” cried out Shawn.

“Charizard!” commanded Eric

“Use Hyper Beam Attack!”

All four Pokémon fired a direct shot right at the remaining peon and his air bike exploded on immediate impact. The peon himself fell about ten feet into the dunes of the desert.

“We did it!” Krane said.

“Yes we sure did!” Eric said.

“Thank you Eric,” Shawn said, “but how did you know where to find us?”

“Once again your friend Heather is all over the news. Only it is for the worse this time. It was then Corison the mayor came to me telling me to help you get to Phenac.”

“I see then let’s not waste any time.”

Eric hopped off his Charizard into Shawn’s hovercraft. By some miracle the speedy Scyther regained its strength already caught up to them. All of the Pokémon were recalled into their Poké Balls.

“So what has happened to her?” Eric asked.

“She tried to rush a bomb out of a room with precious equipment we need if we are going to win this fight against CIPHER.” Professor Krane explained. “The bomb exploded too close to her. If we don’t get to Phenac hospital soon, she will die.”

The hovercraft continued on its course without incident. Soon Shawn, Professor Krane, and Eric saw the lights of Phenac in sight. The rain had finally stopped.

 

[pokesam128]

great story more please

---------- Post added 05/07/2011 at 09:50 PM ----------

this is of pokemon colluseum

 

[CheeseEX]

^ and pokemon XD witch was the sequel to pokemon collusem... if i dont have things mixed up agin lol

anyway back on topic

great story cant wait for more but boy would i hate to be that last peon lol
and also what happened to shawns noctowl? or did i just miss it several times

 

[mysterioustrainer]

great story cant wait for more but boy would i hate to be that last peon lol
and also what happened to shawns noctowl? or did i just miss it several times

“Armaldo sorry that didn’t work out at all. Please return.” Shawn said as he recalled both of his Pokémon into its Poké Ball. “Okay I think we are set to go.”

We can assume Noctowl still hasn't recovered from the knockout from when it was hit in the lab. Obviously we can assume it will be alright. As for the peon, well I promised this would be a story where no one dies, they just get really bad boo boos.

 

[CheeseEX]

ok sorry and thanks for clearing that up and i still would hate to be that guy lol

anyway im kinda confused about the timeing was it really only 5 years later? i cant remember lol

 

[mysterioustrainer]

ok sorry and thanks for clearing that up and i still would hate to be that guy lol

anyway im kinda confused about the timeing was it really only 5 years later? i cant remember lol

No it is 15 years since the events in Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness. All in all I predict the year is around 2023. Pokemon Collosseum or Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness does not specify what year it (of course no Pokemon game does) so I decided to put Pokemon Collosseum around the year 2003 since that is when the game was released for Gamecube. (You will find out why I choose a specific date in a later chapter). The storyline of Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness specifically points out its been five years since CIPHER's first attack. I wanted my main character to be fifteen of age for a variety of reasons, so I decided it was best to push for a fifteen year gap since XD Gale of Darkness. I predict Heather was just born before the events of XD Gale of Darkness, though her parents whereabouts of course left unknown in that game officially. So as you can see its difficult to keep things to canon not only to Pokemon in general, but to keep in line with the official events of Pokemon Collosseum and XD Gale of Darkness. Can't tell you how many times I have played through the story lines just to make sure I am kept on track.

 

[mysterioustrainer]

Chapter Six - Parting among Friends

Chapter Six - Parting Among Friends

The rain may have stopped for the moment but it wasn’t long before another storm was coming. Thunder was roaring in the distance and the winds were intolerable. The hospital was thankfully near the Pokémon Center in Phenac. It was an enough to make Shawn sick over Andrea. They quickly pulled next to the emergency entrance and already Corison, Mr. Corton, and several doctors and nurses were there with stretchers waiting for Andrea and Heather.

“Oh dear, she’s worse than we thought.” Mr. Corton said.

“Don’t worry, she will be alright, Shawn got her here.” Corison replied.

Shawn did not respond to any of this his mind was too lost. In less than three hours one of his friends had been nearly kidnapped for some unknown reason and the other is on the brink of life. He could no longer think but instead cry.



Elsewhere in the region, a small hoverbike was speedily crossing the desert plans. It wasn’t following any marked roads which were an illegal thing to do in Orre. It would have gone unnoticed in the area if it weren’t for a Pokémon ranger in the area hearing the noise of the bike’s engine. Naturally suspicious, the ranger, who was brown hair in color and had a Pachirisu (a rare electric type Pokémon for this region) as its helping partner, got on his craft and started to pursue the illegal driver.

The ranger attempted to signal the driver to pull over but instead the driver attempted to make a break for it. Nevertheless, the ranger continued to pursue. With the signal of his hand he ordered Pachirisu to attack the vehicle ahead of him. Pachirisu complied and with a simple thunder shock attack the vehicle was stalled. The ranger slowed down and approached the stalled vehicle quietly.

All of a sudden, a large object flew from the vehicle and landed between it and the ranger. It was covered in shadow from the nearby rock face in the ravine they were in, but as it cleared the edge it was a Pokémon and one that was not a favorable pair against the Ranger’s electric partner.

“Oh no a Claydol.” He said in fear. “The Claydol then slammed hard into the ground causing a shockwave to strike the Pachirisu and the ranger. They both fell to the ground unconscious from the attack.

“Good job Claydol.” The mysterious man which the ranger was pursuing said. “Now I think I can get this bucket of bolts going again so hang tight for now and make sure they don’t move. We need to get this disc to the boss.” Then from a dark corner of the ravine, he could hear a noise. “Hello? Who is there? I am in no need of company right now!”

The noise continued and was soon to be discovered footsteps from somewhere, but in the darkness of the stormy night, the man could not tell where they are coming from. He began to panic and tried to rev the engine to his hover bike but it would not start. Soon the footsteps stopped though and for a moment, the man thought he was safe. Then all of a sudden a dark shadow came in from behind him.

The man cried out in terror and commanded the Claydol to attack the mysterious figure. Claydol attempted another fissure attack but was hit and knocked out by some mysterious attack from a dark place of the ravine. The man, after recalling his fallen comrade tried to run but was pursued by the dark figure. From a distance you could hear the man’s last cry for help but no one else was around to hear it in the desolate ravine.

The ranger after a bit finally woke up. Right around the same time his Pachirisu came to. He first jolted to the fact he was possibly in danger but soon came to realize that no one was around him. The hover bike was missing though so he assumed the suspect must have escaped. Feeling fortunate he was alive he decided to retreat to his vehicle and back to Mt. Battle where his base was.

However when he reached his own vehicle he was in for the surprise of his life, the mysterious man he pursued was unconscious and tied up next to his bike with his trainer belt equipped with three Poke Balls out of his reach. The ranger looked around some more but could not find the bike the man drove. He then picked up the fainted suspect and loaded him into the back of his hover craft and made for the city of Pyrite to drop him off at the police station.



Meanwhile, Andrea and Heather was immediately rushed into the emergency room. Shawn was also taken there to get treatment from his minor injuries. Krane left for the Pokémon Center. Reports came in that authorities had safely secured the research lab. Krane spent the time recalling his entire staff from their leave of absence. Shawn after being released with bandages across his arms, did nothing except stare at the ER door. It was about three hours and more visitors arrived. It was the village elder and Heather’s great-grandmother from Agate village.

It took along time to explain everything yet nothing comforted anyone. It was clear that heather’s great-grandmother was in a wreck, while the Elder continued to ponder what was to become of her. Krane, after a half-hour of phone calls, came back and reported that all of his people were reporting to the lab and a construction crew was already assigned to the task of getting it rebuilt.

It was five hours since then and a new morning was approaching. It was then finally a doctor came through the double doors. Shawn was the first to stand up.

“Doctor, is Andrea alright?” Shawn asked.

“For now, she suffered from internal bleeding which we were able to finally control. She also had a cracked rib and a broken leg. We have her in intensive care because of her delicate condition.”

“Thank goodness.” Krane said. “Now what is the status on Heather’s condition?”

“She is fine for now. She has a broken arm and a leg. She should be back on her feet in two weeks. However there is something else though. Her eyes are blue but we have on her records that they are hazel.”

“Yes sir.” Shawn said. “Her eyes did use to be Hazel but after she saw the sha…” Krane bumped him as a reminder not to talk about the existence Shadow Pokémon and Heather’s ability to see them to strangers. He then continued by revising his words, “After she was attacked from the Blaziken three days ago in the Phenac tournament.”

“I see. That is unusual but there is no Optometrist in Orre so I suggest when she recovers that she goes to Goldenrod City in Johto and see a doctor there.”

“I understand and I will tell her.” Shawn said.

“However we are just thankful she is alive. We will monitor her condition along with Andreas. We will let you know of any developments. In the mean time, we are checking her into a room right now.”

“Thank you, doctor.”



Meanwhile, in the same dark room as before, Master Nascour watched the news on the attack on the lab. While it was visible to no one as the room was dark he smiled at the delight of the girl’s incident with the bomb.

“At last we have results for all of us.” It was after he said this to himself; an unpleasant chime came from the darkness of the room. “Enter.” A CIPHER peon entered the room. “Report.”

“We failed to stop them from getting to Phenac sir.”

“So I have heard. As he glanced to the news on the screen. It appears more are resisting our conquest of this world. We must accelerate plans. Let go of the girl for now as she is crippled in the hospital right now and it will be impossible to get to her. We must take advantage of time accelerating the production of Shadow Pokémon and our new experiment if we are to succeed now.”

“Yes sir. Also as you have requested the old CIPHER lab has been evacuated and all personal and equipment is now in our new site.”

“Excellent. What about the factory?”

“They have almost completed operations there. They expect at least four more weeks to be completed.”

“Four is unacceptable.” Nascour said with anger. “We must have all 200 Pokémon completed by the end of the month. Transfer any available crew and equipment there.”

“I see. We will do what we can.” The peon said as it saluted.

“Dismissed.”



The Pokémon Center in Phenac only had Shawn as its only occupant in its lodge. Everyone else had gone home for the night or was still in the hospital. Shawn only found sleep because of his fatigue from the battle getting to Phenac. It was midnight, and the second storm was raging on. It didn’t wake up the battle weary trainer in any way though.

Shawn woke around 10:30 in the morning to discover the Pokémon Center was pretty quiet. He quickly ate a small breakfast and made his way to the hospital. He found Professor Krane in the lobby. “Good morning Shawn. Sleep well?”

“No. My arm is killing me.” Shawn replied.

“Then you are not the only one in pain. Heather was quite grumpy this morning.”

“Heather? She’s awake?!”

“Yes, and she is waiting for you.”

Shawn dashed off as if nothing had happened to him. He wandered around the hospital like a lost Growlithe trying to find Heather’s room. After some helpful guidance from a nurse, he rushed into the room finding Heather awake and eating breakfast. Eric and Kimi were there as well.

“Heather, are you alright?”

“Yes I am fine. Technology is wonderful these days, by bones have been repaired and I will be able to be out in a week or so.” Heather replied. Technology was truly wonderful in the Pokémon world. Scientists studying off of Pokémon physiology discovered ways to advance the human medicines and broken legs or ribs were only a couple of weeks delay in one’s life.

“That’s good.” Shawn said. “You were unconscious the entire time getting here. Just like Andrea.”

“I know. Professor Krane explained everything to me. I can only hope she will make it.”

“Make it?” Shawn asked now realizing something is wrong. “What do you mean?” He then turned to Krane. “Professor, what is going on?”

Professor Krane looked at Shawn very seriously. “Shawn I think you should come with me.”

Krane escorted Shawn to a different floor of the small hospital. Soon he found that they had to stop at a desk to sign in before entering the ICU area. After receiving clearance Professor Krane led Shawn to the third room which was the only occupied room at the time. What feelings Shawn felt when he saw Andrea words cannot describe. Andrea was still unconscious and now was in a breathing mask, an IV was inserted into her right arm along with sensor attachments which tracked her pulse and other vitals.

Shawn walked up to the bed, starting to cry. Andrea was probably his best friend throughout the years and was like a sister to him. He looked down only to see her Teddiursa plush was brought to her. He then turned back to the professor and asked, “What is her condition?”

“Amongst recovering the injuries we already knew about her heart was severely bruised. We didn’t notice it because of the heavy bleeding in her system. However overnight, she lost her pulse and it was a miracle she is alive for the moment. However she cannot survive on her own.” Professor Krane said sadly.

“What do you mean?”

“Well it is expected that her heart will give out in about three days. Today they are transporting her to Saffron City in the Kanto Region. Their hospital is the only one equipped to handle this emergency. A helicopter is already on the way to transport her and will be here within the hour.”

Shawn was speechless knowing that Andrea was still not out of the fight for her life. He was so lost in emotion he didn’t know what to say. He didn’t even notice the knock on the door to Andrea’s room until Professor Krane said something. “Hello Corison. How are you?”

“I am fine. I have come to see Heather’s friend and to talk to Shawn here.”

“Me?” Shawn asked.

“Yes, I fear we need your help. We believe CIPHER is far bigger than the last two times. A CIPHER troop was found en route to what we believe what may still be one of their strongholds although he would not leak any information about it. He did however reveal that the organization has waged war on you three in desperate attempts to make their Shadow Pokémon plan to finally come to fruition.”

“I don’t understand.”

“They have somehow learned of Heather’s ability to recognize Shadow Pokémon. It’s a weakness to them they cannot afford to allow to exist. Both attempts failed because of the weakness. The peon captured specifically said CIPHER is making all attempts to find you three.”

“I see. They are desperate to destroy us now.”

“No believe it or not. That is what is interesting. The Pyrite City Police which have the man in custody asked the man what CIPHER would do if they found any of you. The only thing the man said is that they could use Heather. Beyond that he refused to say anything.”

“Use her? How?”

“I don’t know. What I do know is that I fear the region is not prepared to handle the emergency at hand. The public has learned of CIPHER’s resurfacing thanks to the media. Many trainers have set aside their plans to help us. Some of them are stationed right out side this hospital to prevent anyone suspicious from entering. However we feel an attack is imminent due to both of your friend’s conditions.”

“But what use does CIPHER have for Andrea? She can’t see Shadow Pokémon.” Shawn said.

“She can be used as a hostage.” Corison replied. “Andrea’s name is all over the media and because of her actions she is equally a target of CIPHER just as Heather is. If Andrea is kidnapped in her current condition not only will she die, CIPHER will get away getting anything they want including Heather for whatever purpose they have for her.”

“I understand, so because Andrea can’t defend herself you need me to go with her.”

“Yes please until she can fight along side, you must do anything possible to ensure her safety and health.”

“I understand, but what about Heather though? She can’t fight right now either and it sounds like she is at least a week bedridden.” Shawn said.

“Eric, Kimi, and three other of Phenac’s finest trainers stand in CIPHER’s way of getting to them, along with a quarter of my city’s small police force. They don’t intend on backing down for a moment.”

“That sounds as good as we can expect then.”

“Shawn.” Professor Krane interrupted. “I want you to take the Snag Machine with you. Right now we are not in a state in which we can make an effort to stop CIPHER. If CIPHER chooses to attack you and Andrea then this device may be your only chance of fighting back against any Shadow Pokémon you encounter. Besides with you leaving the region the machine will be safe until we are prepared to use it.”

“Thank you professor, but if I am attacked how can I see Shadow Pokémon though?”

“Last night, I took original scanner that was used to detect Shadow Pokémon and reattached it to the machine. That will help you. Also here are some Ultra Balls which are very powerful for catching Pokémon. You will need them in case you find a Shadow Pokémon and need to snag it.”

“I understand.” Shawn said as he took the Snag Machine and equipped it.

“Good luck Shawn.” Corison said. “Come back stronger and when Andrea is also strong again.”

“I will. I promise that Andrea will come back.”

It was then they could hear the blades of a helicopter outside. It was time to get Andrea to Saffron City. Doctors and nurses came in to begin preparing Andrea for her journey. Professor Krane, Corison, and Shawn was requested to leave the room but not before Shawn took the Teddiursa plush from Andrea’s bed with only the comment of “She is going to need that in Saffron.” before he left the room.

Shawn returned to Heather’s room and discovered Eric and Kimi was there. He explained the situation and Heather agreed that the snag machine had to be taken out of CIPHER’s reach for now. Eric and Kimi also agreed that the time to fight back will come just not today. Shawn was provided his things by Nurse Joy from Phenac’s Pokémon Center. Soon the time came for him to board the helicopter bound for Kanto.

Shawn was back in Heather’s room giving one last goodbye to her along with many visitors from Agate. They have learned of the plight and given him many useful items for his journey including potions and revives for his Pokémon. He gave Heather one last hug and simply said, “Just hang in there until I get back and then all three of us will take on CIPHER together.”

“Yes we will. Good luck Shawn. I will miss you.”

Shawn then was on the roof of the hospital and boarded the aircraft. It was then Professor Krane shouted out to him. “Shawn, a colleague by the name of Professor Oak will meet you in Saffron. I would like for you to help him in something that might benefit all of us.”

“Okay I will do that Professor!” Shawn shouted as the helicopter began to pick up speed in the rotation of its blades.

Soon the aircraft lifted itself off of the ground and many wave goodbye to Shawn and Andrea. Once Phenac was out of site, Shawn turned his attention to Andrea who was still unconscious on her stretcher. He placed her Teddiursa plush next to her while he himself laid back to watch the earth below them. What was once desert plateaus was now shimmering blue ocean, and ahead was rolling mountains and green vast lands. Shawn knew he was looking at the Kanto region ahead of them even though he never seen it before. The helicopter continued on its course and thankfully without incident.

Shawn looked ahead and could see a large city ahead of him. It was bigger than any other city he had seen before. Oddly enough most of the buildings seemed to be of a golden yellow color shining in the sunlight. The helicopter pilot began signaling for clearance to land on one of the taller buildings. Shawn then knew they must have arrived in Saffron city. He turned to the blonde hair nurse beside him and asked, “How is she?”

“As good as we can hope for now.” The nurse replied. “Her heart is weakening minute by minute though. So as far as I know she is going to go into surgery as soon as we land.”

Shawn was once again becoming nervous but focused to the matter that he could do nothing at hand and continued to hold Andrea’s sleeping hand. Before long the helicopter started to drift down to one of the buildings. It was probably the tenth tallest building in the metropolis. At its peak was a radio tower of sorts which he guesses was for medical dispatch. From his seat he could see part of the landing pad they were approaching and already a new stretcher and several medical personnel was waiting for them.

When the helicopter landed, Shawn opened the door and quickly allowed doctors and nurses to get in and carefully lift the wounded girl out of the aircraft. Shawn at that point could only follow them inside for a ways and watch them take Andrea into a very advanced operating room.

“Keep fighting Andrea.” Shawn said to himself. “You are almost there.”

He found a waiting room near the operating room Andrea was in so he decided to rest for a moment there. He wondered what had to be done to save Andrea inside that room. He also wondered if Andrea would be able to live a normal life after she recovered from surgery. He also wondered how friends and family would treat her. Andrea’s parents also died years ago in a tragic accident of their own but Shawn wondered how their spirits are handling the fact their daughter is on the brink of life. He also wondered how Andrea’s Pokémon were doing. He knew they were still at the Pokémon Center in Phenac city for safe keeping and silently dormant in their Poke Balls. However he felt that her Furret, Oddish, and Buizel where in fact worried for their trainer. Despite the fact of trying to eat or even get a little sleep, his tired mind would not rest to the thought of Andrea still being in surgery.

Hours passed and Shawn soon found himself wandering the halls of the hospital. He soon found another waiting room a little bit away from the operating room and instead looked to the west. The sun was setting and it made a mountain he did not recognize shine like gold with a silver edge. Before he realized it he asked himself, “I wonder what mountain that is, it looks like nothing like our Mt. Battle.”

“That my boy is Mt. Silver.” A foreign voice said behind Shawn. Shawn turned around suddenly from the surprise to see an older man with silver hair. He was about Shawn’s height and wore a white lab jacket. “I am sorry if I started you.”

“Oh no, it’s okay. I am just a little stressed right now because my friend is in Surgery.”

“A little stressed would seem to underestimate the feelings you are going through right now Shawn.” The man replied.

“Yeah I know.” Shawn paused a moment before he realized what the man said. “Wait how did you know my name?”

“Well I am Professor Oak and I came here as soon as I heard from Professor Krane.”

“Oh forgive me professor. I didn’t know.” Shawn said while bowing in respect.

“It’s okay. With all of the doctors around here I guess it feels good for once to blend in with the crowd in someone’s eyes.”

“I beg your pardon?” Shawn asked.

“Well not to brag, but I am quite popular in the community for the study of Pokémon. I have worked many years to learn about as many species of Pokémon possible in fact my latest journey helped me to discover over 130 new species, which brings the count to over 600.”

“Wow there is that many different kinds of Pokémon?” Shawn asked with disbelief.

“Yes and there is sure to be many more we don’t know about.” Oak replied. “But enough about me, I have come here to help you and your friends. Professor Krane was kind enough to give me his studies of the rumored Shadow Pokémon that many experts and authorities in these lands have come to fear.”

“I fear it is not rumor. Shadow Pokémon are back for the third time.” Shawn said sadly.

“I see I have read the scientific reports from Krane and his late comrade but I would like a personal view of what they are like.”

Shawn spent the evening with Oak explaining what has happened so far and everything that Heather told him about the dark history of the Orre region. While having dinner at the cafeteria, Shawn then revealed the snag machine to Oak. Little they knew a doctor took a minute to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“So this device can successfully capture another trainer’s Pokémon?”

“Yes it can, Professor. The original one from the first incident was apparently damaged beyond repair however was used as a template to create this one. This snag machine was specifically designed in case anyone should ever use Shadow Pokémon ever again, which it did during the second crisis. While it has yet to see action in our latest incident, we know it will be the key to stopping the CIPHER organization.”

“So now more about Heather, she can see the hearts of Pokémon?” Oak asked.

“Strangely yes, it was apparently her mother’s gift as well. None of us, including Heather herself, knows why she has this ability.”

“Well that is why I have come to find you. I might know where you can find a piece of the puzzle to this mystery.”

“You know why Heather has this gift?” Shawn asked excitedly.

Professor Oak and Shawn picked up their trash and started to make back for the original waiting room Shawn first visited. When in the elevator, Professor Oak continued his testimony. “Not exactly, but I do know where one can find a clue to what might be apart of a greater puzzle. Once we know Andrea is alright for now, I want you to visit Lavender town for me. Do you know where that is?”

“No professor. I am afraid this is my first visit to the Kanto area.”

“That is alright though, listen. Lavender town is east of this city no more than a day’s walk. The town is small but features a dominating building known as the Pokémon Tower, where trainers let their late comrades rest. The tower is not of our interest though. There is a path a little more east of there and a small stone shrine exists. Do you understand so far?”

“Yes I do professor. Please go on.” Shawn replied as the two exited the elevator and quickly made their way to the waiting room.

“There an old woman by the name of Melenia who will confront you asking not to approach the shrine. However get as much information as possible from her. She knows every detail of a legend that might be related to Heather. Will you do this?”

“Yes, I will do this for you and for Heather. I just wish she could be here right now because she would be overly excited to hear about this.”

“I know but if what I remember what I know of this, she will have to come here as well someday.”

It was then a doctor who appeared to be in scrubs and covered in splatters of blood approached Shawn. Shawn quickly stood up and started to shake.

“Shawn is it?” The doctor asked.

“Yes.” Shawn said as if he had a rock in his throat.

“I have good news. Andrea is going to make it.” The doctor said with a smile.

Shawn fell to his knees in joy. “Thank you doctor this is the first good news in two days for me.”

“However listen, she is not going to live what one would call a normal life though.”

“What do you mean?” Shawn asked who was now starting to feel nervous again.

“Her own organic heart was beyond repair which we already knew. So we had no choice but to give her a very advanced artificial one. The procedure was only done nine times before and never on a patient who is so young or who suffered an accident and not a disease. This new heart has made her what you would call a cybernetic lifeform.”

“What!?”

“Please let me explain. In order for the new heart to function on its own without any complications we had to link the new heart directly on Andrea’s nervous system. While on the outside she will live normally and look normal, however because of the new heart, her nervous system is now interlinked with a machine that only functions as her heart but will also keep her alive in many other ways.’

“Phew that was a relief. I thought you turned her into a robot.”

“Well in a certain view yes, but mind and spirit are still hers, she just now has a better body than you or me.”

“Thank you doctor, I appreciate your efforts to save my friend.”

“She is expected to wake up finally within the next few minutes. Would you like to see her?”

“Yes please. Can I?”

The doctor started to lead them to a new wing of the hospital and in a room that faced the northwestern mountains of Kanto when you looked out the window, Shawn found Andrea still sleeping on a hospital bed. He walked up to her and simply watched her eyes. After about fifteen mintues, he heard a moan.

“Andrea? Can you hear me?”

Andrea’s face squirmed in pain as she said, “Shawn, is that you?” She then slowly opened her eyes only to discover that she was in a room she never seen before. “Shawn where am I?”

“You are in Saffron city of the Kanto region.” Shawn replied.

“Kanto but why, last I remember we were at Professor Krane’s lab when those CIPHER crooks attacked us. There was the bomb and then… oh I can’t remember. Heather, where is Heather?”

“It’s okay Andrea. Let me explain everything that has happened so far.”

Shawn spent the late evening retelling the latest events to Andrea. He then told her about Oak’s revelation and how he must travel to Lavender while she recovers. By the time he was done it was approaching midnight and he decided to finally get some sleep in which he was deprived from. Oak offered him to take him to the Pokémon center in which he gladly accepted. So with one final goodbye to Andrea and once again giving her the Teddiursa plush he so long took cared of the last twenty-four hours, he left Andrea to get some more sleep.



Shawn and Professor Oak walked down the streets of the large city almost reaching their destination. Professor Oak was easing Shawn’s weary mind with stories of how trainers including his own grandson took journeys from region to region collecting what he called badges in order to compete in that region’s league championship.

“So trainers here have to collect eight badges from the area’s gyms and only then can they compete in the tournament here in Kanto?” Shawn asked.

“That’s right, trainers in this region can do that since Pokémon thrive in this region and are easy to capture. As you know it is rare to find wild Pokémon in the Orre region not to mention the barren lands make it impossible for any one trainer to travel from town to town on foot. Kanto along with Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Nuova all have a league system of their own.”

“Sounds like something Heather will one day want to do after she wins Realgam.” Shawn replied.

“I beg your pardon but what is Realgam?” Professor Oak asked.

“Oh I am sorry. Realgam tower is a huge tower with a Colosseum on the top where the Orre Championship Event takes place. Only trainers who have conquered the three star tournaments can participate in that event. Heather was fortunate to win the most recent Phenac Stadium event just a few days ago. However she still has Mt. Battle and the ancient Orre Colosseum tournament to finish first and neither of those events is any bit easy to win.”

“I see, well give her my best wishes in her journey.”

Soon the Pokémon Center was in sight and they were about to enter when all of a sudden a smoke bomb exploded in front of them.

“What’s going on?” Shawn cried out while covering his eyes.

"Prepare for Trouble! Make it Double!" cried out two individuals.

“Raticate!” cried out a fierce looking Raticate that stood between them.

“It’s members of Team Rocket.” Said Oak with the most seriousness in his voice.

“Team Rocket? Who are they?”

“Why my dear boy, even though we have heard you are from the Orre region we find it offensive you never heard of our great organization.” Cassidy said with a sneer. “We exist because it is our destiny to one day take over and Pokémon is the key to our dream.”

“What makes you think you have any better chances in comparison to some of the goons my friends and I have faced?” Shawn said, clearly standing up to the duo.

“You shut up boy. Although it sounds like you need a crash course in Team Rocket battling 101!” Butch replied.

“Yeah, and it sounds like you need cough drops.”

“Very funny kid. Now drop with the jokes and while you are at it drop the snag machine as well.”

“How do you know of the snag machine?”

“Well lets just say in Kanto you just can’t talk about anything around here without it getting overheard by someone else.” Cassidy replied.

“A Team Rocket spy must have overheard us talking about the machine while we were in the cafeteria.” Said Professor Oak. “It was foolish of me to be so curious about the device.”

“Well we can’t do anything about it now other than not let these clowns take it.” Shawn said as he started to reach for a Poke Ball on his trainer’s belt.

“Argh! That is it! Mightyena take care of that punk!” Butch cried out as he tossed out a Poke Ball. From it appeared the daunting Pokémon.

“Well if you want to play then why didn’t you ask in the first place?” Shawn said as he tossed out a ball. From it appeared his Armaldo which stood more than twice as tall as the Mightyena. “Armaldo, use your Slash attack!” Armaldo raced towards the Mightyena and immediately made its first strike against it’s opponent sending it flying.

“Oh no you don’t. Mightyena use take down!” Butch commanded and immediately Mightyena recovered it’s stance and charged the Armaldo with full force knocking it to the ground. However it was not beaten yet. “Now use your crunch attack!”

“Armaldo lets give these Kanto goons a taste of the winds of Orre! Use Sandstorm attack!” Armaldo cried out a mysterious chant and magically winds began to pick up around them while clouds disappeared. Dust and debris began flying around them and all but Shawn or his Armaldo was taking cover. Armaldo then raced for Mightyena which was stopped dead in his tracks and was head-butted back to Butch knocking him to the ground.

“I guess I will have to take care of this myself! Tentacruel go!” Cassidy cried out while she tossed out a Poké Ball which opened to reveal a Tentacruel. “Use Hydro Cannon and take care of that beast!” Tentacruel spewed a blast of water to Armaldo which was too powerful for it to resist. It fell to the street knocked out.

“Good job Armaldo you have earned a good rest.” Shawn said as he recalled his fallen comrade. He then pulled a different ball from his belt and tossed it high in the air which revealed a Cacturne. “Now Cacturne, use Pin Missle.” Cacturne started to fire out the needles from its spiky body while Tentacruel fought back shooting poison from the tips of its tentacles. It seemed like no clear winner was coming until Shawn decided to surprise them. “Cacturne hit Tentacruel hard with Needle Arm!”

“What?” Cassidy said never hearing that attack before. Cacturne dashed at Tentacruel with intense speed which was a bit of a surprise for everyone including Professor Oak. Upon impact Tentacruel was also sent flying and landed hard on the ground. It was knocked out from the intense attack.

“Well done Cacturne!” Shawn said praising his Pokémon. “Do you two care to surrender now?”

Both Butch and Cassidy growled and then together they shouted out, “Go take care of him Raticate!” Raticate then started charging towards Shawn and his Cacturne.

“This is too easy.” Shawn confidently said as he recalled Cacturne. He then threw out a third Poke Ball which revealed his trusted Noctowl and with all of this heart he shouted, “Noctowl use Hyper Beam to send them flying!”

Noctowl seemed to glow for a moment and then from its beak launched a brilliant beam of energy right at the Raticate. The Raticate was hit by the beam but was also pushed back by the hit which then hit Butch and Cassidy. An explosion occurred and they flew off into the sky. All you could hear from them was a fading cry of “Team Rocket’s blasting off again!”

“Way to go Noctowl although I really didn’t need you to hit that hard.” Shawn said laughing at the same time.

“Congratulations Shawn.” Professor Oak said after coming out of hiding. You would make a fair competitor at any of our gyms around here.”

“Thank you Professor. That was the most fun I have had in days now.”

“Well Krane will be pleased to hear the Snag Machine is in safe hands even from low life here in Kanto.”

“You bet. I promised Andrea that we were going to stop CIPHER and I know that we will be able to do just that.”

Shawn bid farewell to Professor Oak for the evening and retired to the lodge of the Saffron City’s Pokémon Center. While his team he just used for battle were getting treated for his injuries he himself was passed out in bed with no intentions of waking up for some time. Meanwhile, Professor Oak after an hour’s drive returns to his laboratory and starts up his personal computer. It wasn’t before long he was making a video phone call to Professor Krane which he quickly answered.

“Good evening Professor Oak, what news do you have?” Professor Krane asked.

“Very good news for the most part. Your friend Andrea is alive and will make a full recovery with the exception she now as an artificial heart.”

“That is good news I look forward to telling Heather in the morning.”

“How is she doing?”

“Good for now, she has recently been busy reading something a friend gave her today. It is something about her ancestors apparently. It’s really interesting. I am going to be able to look at it soon myself.”

“What do you mean?” Professor Oak asked.

“Well apparently Heather might be a descendant of a tribe that is said to have lived in Orre long before anyone else discovered the land. Apparently called the Hoanto.”

“Did you just say the Hoanto?”

“Yes professor do you know who they are?”

“I believe so, and if I am correct and Shawn completes the mission I have given him. Heather’s past might start to be revealed to her.”


Meanwhile, somewhere in a forest north of Saffron.

“You know,” said the very raspy voice of Butch, “ I think we should retire.”

“Shut Up!” Cassidy replied in anger.

 

[CheeseEX]

never expected that

"you sound like you need cough drops" genius lol fun to read you have described the battles well i shall now wait for more

 

[mysterioustrainer]

Chapter Seven - Lindsey's Book

Chapter Seven – Lindsey’s Book

During the day Shawn spent in the Saffron hospital during Andrea’s surgery, Heather was along anxious about her friend’s condition. While she herself was making a speedy recovery and hoped to be out of the hospital in a couple of days, she couldn’t get any sleep. It was in the evening just after picking at her supper of tomato soup she couldn’t help but shout out into the room. “Ugh! I can’t take it anymore!”

A nurse happened to be passing by and decided to peak inside Heather’s room. “Are you alright Miss?”

This got Heather all embarrassed. “Oh I am sorry, I guess my cabin fever was getting to me. I just want to know the condition on my friend I guess.”

“You mean the girl that was flown to Saffron? I am sorry but there have been no updates that I have heard. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I guess I just don’t like being tied down at all.” Heather said with a sigh.

“Well you are not the first patient to express that feeling to me. So don’t feel bad okay?”

“Okay thank you.” Heather replied, and with that said the nurse returned to her duties.

A few more minutes passed when a knock on the door could be heard. Heather excited from the knock welcomed the visitor to come in. It was Lindsey. As she entered she appeared to be holding a book in her left arm. Lindsey was dressed in what appeared to be a bright red shirt that she herself must have made and also wore a light brown leather jacket.

“Hello Heather, how are you tonight?”

“Much better now that I have visitor. This place is too boring, I swear!”

“Well I am glad that I can be of service then.” Lindsey said with a smile. “How are your injuries?”

“They seem like they are getting better by the hour. The doctor said if I continue to recover like this then I will be able to be checked out and return home for rest by tomorrow.”

“That is absolutely splendid to hear. Well in the meantime how about I share something with you.”

“What is that Lindsey?” Heather asked with great curiosity.

“Well first let me ask you this if you don’t mind. That medallion of yours right there,” Lindsey pointed to the piece of Jewelry on the table next to Heather. “Where did you get it from?”

“It was my Mother’s.” Heather replied. “My Mom died when I was very young at seven of age and it was given to me by my great-grandmother who is now my only living relative in the area. She however is getting ill throughout the years lately, I am sure this incident can’t be helping with her heart. She has already been in the hospital at least twice now this year.”

“I see. I am sorry you lost your mother when you were so young. I recently lost my mother two months ago, and I still feel the loss in my heart. You are a wonderful girl, Heather, please do not let anyone take away the smile you have. For what little time I have seen you, I see that you are always smiling. It must be hard to bear such a burden though.”

“There is a secret.” Heather said as her eyes became teary. “When I want to cry, I don’t hold back.”



Meanwhile, at a small homestead that probably stood for nearly a century and a half, a small glowing light shined out of the one small bedroom. A young man just turned on his computer and pulled out the disc he took from the CIPHER peon before dropping the crook at the ranger’s hovercraft. He inserted the disc into his computer and it automatically opened a very large document. The document was labeled, ‘EIN FILES: CLOSED HEART PROJECT DOCUMENTATION LOG’

“It’s worse than I thought.” The man said as he started to read the file.



Heather cleaned the tears off her face with her one good arm. Lindsey then moved her chair closer to Heather’s bed. “I am sorry I should probably have not been so nosy.” Lindsey said.

“No, it’s okay, because I think I can trust you.” Heather replied. “For some reason I feel a warm connection to you, kind of the same feeling that I get from when I am around my great-grandmother.”

Lindsey smiled and took a deep breath before she revealed her secret. “I suppose your insight serves you very well Heather, because in a sense we are family.”

“What do you mean?”

Lindsey reached into her shirt and started to pull out a pennant. To Heather’s surprise it was a medallion identical to her own. Lindsey’s however was more beaten and worn, the colors on the front were nearly faded. Lindsey handed it to Heather so she could exam it more closely.

“I never knew my pennant was not the only one.” Heather said.

Lindsey started to explain, “It’s okay because this proves that you descended from the same tribe as I have. This makes you an Orre native. I too have lived in Orre though I have visited other regions for study. There are only three families including yours still existing from our tribe and each of them on the verge of extinction now.”

“What is our tribe?” Heather asked.

“It is called the Hoanto. In our extinct native tongue it supposedly means the ‘Family of the Spirit’ or ‘Heart’ as some call it.”

“Family of the Heart?” Heather questioned in curiosity.

“Yes, according to legend our tribe once had the ability to unite hearts with all life and create peace across the land. However enemies throughout time waged war against the Hoanto and nearly destroyed the tribe.”

“I see. Could the tribe be able to see the hearts of Pokémon?” Heather asked.

“You mean did our ancestors have your ability?”

“Wait how do you know of my secret?”

“Well I have been in Orre to know about all three Shadow Pokémon incidents. I was only four when the first one occurred but ironically, I happened to see the moment when your father rescued your mother and met for the first time.”

“You saw that moment?!” Heather asked in excitement.

“Yes.” Lindsey said as she closed her eyes picturing the moment in her mind. “It was truly romantic. Your mother was held captive in a burlap bag, after it was discovered that she had your gift. Your father quick to discover the problem at hand engaged the crooks. It was a quick battle to say in the least as the goons stood no chance at defeating your Father’s Umbreon and Espeon. After the battle, your mother escaped and their relationship began as friends and partners in the fight against Shadow Pokémon. That was the only time I ever saw them, but I can say they became best friends, and soon to be lovers.”

Heather smiled as she held her own medallion. “I am glad they were there for the land.”

“Just like you are now. I know of your story so far because Corison and I know each other really well, and since you and I became friends, Corison has let me in on your quest to stop CIPHER.”

“That is okay, I feel comfortable around you so I trust you.”

“I am glad you do but please remember. Not everyone can be trusted. The mayor of Pentac back in the first incident was the betrayer of Orre and the top leader in CIPHER when they started operations in Orre.”

“Yes I heard of that, and now the nation’s government took precautions to ensure Orre’s leaders are not apart of the criminal syndicate.”

“Which is why Corison can be trusted. So can Krane and Mr. Corton who leads the Orre Tournaments for Pokémon.”

“I have been careful with my secret, though somehow it seems like CIPHER is already too well aware of me as they have attempted to kidnap me, if not kill me.”

“Yes, you are the one person who will decide the victor of this battle. It is a shame that the region is once again on the verge of being overran by a criminal organization but CIPHER is not the first in history of doing so.”

“It’s because of Pokémon.” Heather commented. “Pokémon are extraordinary creatures and the people who head these organizations only see them as tools. Even when they are not converted into Shadow Pokémon, they can be used to cause terrible things to other people and other Pokémon. Thankfully we too can rely on Pokémon to fight back but we have the advantage of loving all Pokémon and taking care of all forms of life.”

“You are truly wise Heather.” Lindsey said as Heather smiled at the comment. “Now I think that covers what we know of today, it is time you learned about your past.” With that said, Lindsey opened the book. The cover also bore the same logo as that of the medallions. Inside, ideograms covered the ancient pages and Heather first wondered what language they were. Then Lindsey started to speak an unrecognizable tongue.

“Ai-unto fi Hoanto. It means the ‘History of the Family of Heart’.”

“Is that Hoanto? I thought you said it was an extinct language.” Heather asked.

“Not quite actually, I am now the only one in the world still capable of reading, writing, and speaking it. I hope that before you continue on your quest, I will be able to teach you everything there is to know about it. Since it is getting late however I will only read the first chapter. My store is not open in two days however so I will visit you in Agate and we can continue from there.”

Lindsey then spoke in English telling the story. “A great bird came from the heavens. It was a bird that shined in all colors of the rainbow after a great storm. In the left talon, it carried a message that was written from the deity that created all things. From the skies it flew down to the desert and it sought someone to take the message.

“There were those who fought the bird to take the message but none succeeded, they called upon the animals of the earth to engage the bird of many colors, but the animals failed to conquer it. Nets were cast but were burned. No one could take the message. Then when all began to retreat in terror, a young child ran towards the bird and instead of attacking it like others have, she cried out, ‘Please great bird. Please, I do not want to hurt you, I want to ask you if I can read the message.’

“The great bird then cried out and flames spewed from its feathers, fire soon surrounded the child and would not burn out on the sands. No one else could reach the child and save her from the great bird. The great bird then descended to the earth and then handed the message to the girl.

“The girl broke the seal that the message was closed with. The seal turned to light and surround the girl and soon absorbed into her and her eyes turned blue. She then opened the message and read out loud and the whole land could hear her. ‘Peace! Peace and happiness surrounds us who do not fight.’

“Then with that said the people across the land stopped to attack the bird and the fires died out. The bird then took the skies but did not return from where it came from. Instead it flew above a river toward the mountains and flying into the sunset. It is said that it flies across the earth now never sure of a destination, but only with intention to keep the peace on earth.”

Lindsey then closed the book and Heather spoke, “So that is how tribe was started?”

“Yes with this one little girl. It is said that the tribe that the girl came from united with other tribes they once feuded against. It is said the entire land of Orre became united and the Hoanto tribe, which is rumored to be named after the girl, was created.”

“Incredible story, I am surprised I never heard of it before.”

“Yes. The story is passed on through other members of the Hoanto for the most part though many across the land know of it simply as a legend. Our bloodline is the only link that the Hoanto did exist.”

“I see. I never knew that I was so unique I guess.” Heather said.

“We are all unique in this world, Heather. We each have legends in our past and we continue to write new ones each and every day. The point is that we are the ones writing them now, so make them good.”

“I understand.”

“Well it is getting late and you need sleep. I sure hope you get out of the hospital tomorrow or the next day. I sure hope Andrea comes back soon as well.” Lindsey said.

Just then a knock on the door and Corison happened to come in. “Why hello Lindsey, I didn’t expect to see you here so late, not to mention to see Heather still awake at this hour.”

“Thank you, I was here keeping Heather company while we shared some stories with each other. I was just about to go home so Heather can get some sleep.”

“I see, well I have good news. Andrea’s surgery was a success and she will live.”

“Oh my goodness, that is not good news.” Heather cried out. “That is awesome news!” She started to cry for joy for a moment but quickly recollected herself.

“However, I should note that the hospital at Saffron was forced to replace her heart with an artificial one.”

“What!?” Heather asked as she started to panic. “Will she be…”

“Don’t worry. The hospital there expects Andrea will be better than ever before with the artificial heart she now has. She will be able to live longer and not suffer nearly as many diseases as that of normal humans. Andrea is expected to return home for further recovery (along with Shawn for that matter) within a week now.”

“Wow that is great to hear then.” Heather was relived that her friend was going to be okay for the most part.

“Well that is all I came here for. I suggest that you do get some sleep. I was talking with the doctors here and they said you are going to be able to go home tomorrow.”

“Finally, it’s better in my own bed any day.”

“Lindsey, can I walk you home?” Corison asked being the courteous gentleman he was.

“It would be my honor.” Lindsey said. She then turned to Heather, “Please take care of yourself and get some good rest before I come in two days.”

“Okay I will. Good night Lindsey, thank you for everything. I greatly appreciate it. Good night Corison. Thank you for coming and telling me about Andrea, I feel a lot better now knowing she is okay finally.” With that said the two adults left the room, and Heather was finally alone. She took one last look at her medallion and then looked out her window toward the stars. “Mom, I am sorry I haven’t gotten off the greatest start in my life but I promise I will complete what you started so long ago.” After a pause and letting a tear fall down her cheek she said, “I miss you. Good night, Mom.” It was then Heather turned off the light and went to bed.



The sunrise was different in Kanto than what it is in the Orre. What was once a ruby red sphere emerging from a brown granite skyline, now was a shining white crystal emerging from a green vast landscape turning snow covered mountains that laid to the west into giant diamonds. Both views would be considered beautiful in their own respects but they were entirely different. Many in Saffron missed the sunrise as usual, but one visitor was awake looking to the east towards his destination.

Shawn was already well prepared for his journey. His Pokémon were well recovered from the battle from last night. After eating a small breakfast, he found himself waiting by the video phones. It was then his left pocket from his backpack began to vibrate and make a jingle. Pulling out his P-DA, he discovered he received an e-mail from Heather. The subject was titled, “FINALLY GOING HOME”. Excited he quickly opened the letter and began reading.

Dear Shawn and Andrea,

I am so glad to hear that you both are now alive and well. Andrea, I am very sorry that I have brought this burden upon you and I am eternally grateful that you saved all of our lives as well as our only hope to save the Pokémon in our world. I am in your debt. Please forgive me for the lost of your human heart, but I hope your new one will be stronger and will be just as kind as before.

Shawn, I have learned of your mission and wish you the best of luck. Please be careful on the way to Lavender town. I do not recommend visiting the tower as I have heard it is haunted, though I do not know if such legends are true. I am unsure of what you are looking for to aid my journey, but I must ask that you keep yourself safe no matter what. Professor Krane recommends avoiding challenges from any trainers you may encounter, though he reminds you that Kanto’s league rules are the same in Orre’s. You cannot turn down a challenge. Remember you must keep quiet about the snag machine at all costs. Also beware, CIPHER may or may not know of you two being in Kanto right now so keep your eyes open at all times.

I will be released from the hospital here in Phenac today. I will soon find myself back in my own bed for another week and I might finally be back on my own feet by then. Right now I have Lindsey to keep me company and teach me something very important during the next few days. Eric and Kimi has been more than helpful, and they are coming with me to visit Agate for the first time for them. When you two get back there will be a big welcome party waiting for you. In the meantime I will be doing everything possible to start on leads on finding out about CIPHER’s plans.

Good luck Shawn. Nom qui bo ferana goro tou.

Heather

Shawn looked at the last sentence over and over again but wonder what Heather wrote. “Since when did Heather learn a second language. Much less one I never heard of before.” He asked himself. After getting frustrated for a few minutes, he finally saved and closed the e-mail.

At the same time an announcement came over the P.A. at the Pokémon Center. “Attention Pokémon Trainer Shawn Rockshear. Please pick up any center public video phone and lift the receiver and press the white button to receive an incoming call.”

“Finally, Professor Oak is finally contacting me.” Shawn put away his P-DA and was already on the phone. In an instant the screen turned on and Professor Oak was shown in the display.

“Good morning Shawn. Did you sleep well?” Professor Oak asked.

“For the first time in ages it seems Professor. Thank you.” Shawn replied.

“Well I am glad to hear that. I have also heard your friend in Orre is also doing good and is going home today.”

“That is correct. Though she is still at least a week bedridden.”

“Yes that is true, but don’t worry soon all of you will be back together. Are you all prepared for the journey to Lavender?”

“Yes I am Professor. Thank you for sending me the precise directions last night. That will really help.” Shawn said.

“No problem. I also made arrangements with the Pokémon Center in Lavender to expect you since it will be getting dark by the time you get there.” Professor Oak noted.

“I understand Professsor. I must admit it will feel weird actually walking to another town. I am already beginning to miss my hovercraft.”

“Well I wouldn’t want to have to travel in the desert on foot any day myself Shawn so I do not find your feeling about this matter surprising in the slightest. Good luck Shawn and send me an e-mail if you are in trouble.”

“I will and thank you.”

“Well then, please check up on Andrea for me and then you should start to make your way to Lavender before it gets too late.”

“Okay Professor I will contact you when I make it to Lavender town.” Shawn said. “See ya later.” With that said the communication was ended and Shawn picked up his backpack and equipped the snag machine. After bidding farewell to the Nurse Joy, who looked like the Nurse Joy’s from both Phenac and Agate (which she simply stated they were her cousins twice removed), Shawn began to make his way for the hospital.

Shawn soon discovered that Saffron was a far busier city than what even Phenac ever was. Shawn took pleasure blending in with the crowds knowing he was keeping the snag machine hopefully out of prying eyes (if there were any). Almost getting lost once, he soon found his way to the hospital in the center of the city. He was able to find Andrea’s room with ease.

After knocking on the door, he heard a cheerful voice saying, “Come in.” Shawn entered to discover Andrea leaning up eating a hearty breakfasts consisting of waffles. There was a nurse monitoring her condition as she ate. After introduced himself, his conversation started with Andrea. He first told about his battle against the team rocket trainers and then he told about his conversation with Professor Oak this morning. After that he showed the e-mail from Heather on his P-DA.

Andrea started to cry but only for a moment after reading the first paragraph. “Oh Heather, you shouldn’t look down on yourself so much in this times.” Andrea said. After reading the entire message, she turned to Shawn. “Do you think you are going to find what you are looking for?” Andrea asked.

“I don’t know. I am not even sure what I am looking for in a sense, but if it will help Heather learn about her past and about her secret ability, I have to do my best to complete my mission.”

“Of course with your determination now, I will feel sorry for any trainers that might try to pester you. Well enough talk, it’s nearly nine o’clock and you need to get out of town by eleven if you intend to make it to Lavender by nightfall from what I hear.”

“Yes I guess you are right. I will be gone for a few days so don’t let your robotic body do anything bad while I am gone.”

“Don’t worry, I feel great and the pain from surgery is already leaving me. The doctor’s say if my recovery is as fast as it is now, we will be home in Agate within a few days. So right now go complete your mission and get back here as soon as possible. So you don’t do anything foolish while you are gone okay?”

“I will.” Shawn said. He then approached Andrea and gave her a kiss on the cheek. When he pulled himself back there was a tear on his face.

“What was that for?” Andrea said with a soft and intimate voice.

“I am just really glad you are back. See ya in a couple of days.”



The morning sunrise in Orre was to be as expected for Heather. She was once again treated to a delicious waffle breakfast by the hospital. She couldn’t help to think though that despite how good the waffles were here in Phenac, she would be more than glad to find her stomach full of her great-grandma’s own recipe, a recipe she hope to inherit one of these days. Before she knew it, her IV was being removed and she found herself changing into some clean clothes of her own ready for transport back home. Eric, Kimi, and Lindsey were all in the room helping her pack. Eric was making trips from the room to the transport carrying her luggage and other things, while Kimi and Lindsey were carefully packing get well cards and presents from friends (now becoming too numerous to count) into a box.

Before she made final preparations to leave her hospital room, Krane entered the room. “Good Morning everyone. Are we ready to head back to Agate?”

“Yes please Professor. Despite I don’t mind visiting Phenac, I really miss my old bed.” Heather said with vigor.

“Well you will soon be home. Oh, by the way, Shawn is on his way to Lavender now and assuming he doesn’t get stopped by too many trainers looking for a battle he should make it by nightfall.”

“Yeah, I am really looking forward to the information he will be bringing back to us.”

“Indeed, now as far as our front goes, I do have some new news about CIPHER.” Professor Krane said.

“Really?” Heather asked with enthusiasm.

“So we have no leads to where CIPHER has come from this time.” Krane said. “Citadark Isle is not their base anymore according to authorities. However there are three other places where CIPHER could be hiding which have not been accessed yet.”

“What are those places?” Eric asked.

“There is an abandoned lab which lately has been impossible to reach due to a unusually powerful sandstorm in the area. It belonged to CIPHER and CIPHER may have reoccupied it again. Secondly a pyramid like structure exists in near the Eclo Canyon. That use to be the manufacturing center for Shadow Pokémon. However it is blocked off due to flooding. Third is they may have slunk back into the Deep.”

“The Deep? But that place has been declared off limits!” Kimi said.

“What’s the Deep?” asked Lindsey.

“The Deep is an abandoned mining colony which was more underground than the Under. The Deep was rumored to be haunted, and had so many accidents in the past. Eventually around the time the first CIPHER incident ended, the Deep was sealed off from anyone entering it.” Eric said.

“So any of these don’t seem likely.” Lindsey replied.

“It's possible actually,” said Professor Krane. “Citadark Isle, had technology which disrupted ocean currents and weather patterns, causing it to storm constantly around it, forcing ships and aircraft away. However authorities have secured the Isle so they are not there at all.”

“So we have three leads and all of them not very good.” Heather said. “So where do we go from here?”

“We must be patient I guess. CIPHER will make a move, despite it being possibly even more drastic as their last.”

“Waiting is something I have been doing for sometime now. I just wish there is more I can do.”

“Well my recommendation is when you are not busy with Lindsey, please take time to check any news from the Internet. You be so surprised what you may find. Well that is it for now. I have to get back to the lab. We have almost finished construction and the main systems are now back online. By the ways your Blaziken is half way done with purification.”

“That is great news Professor. Thank you.” Heather said.

“Heather you are set to go.” A doctor said coming into the room.

“Thank you sir. Thank you for your hospitality.” Heather replied.



On the eastern edge of the metropolis, a lightrail train was approaching the last station on the line. Shawn was on board and he could begin to see forest ahead of him. After disembarking, he came up to a gate house which lead out on the dusty road to Lavender. Upon entering he was greeted by a gatekeeper who could only cough and groan due to thirst. After leaving the border of Saffron, a dirt path laid before him. Shawn was not used to the small isolated paths for walking travelers which separated them from the vehicle traffic on the highways a few miles to the north.

After the first couple of miles, the path began to curve to and fore and climb up into the higher country. Shawn, who literally lived in Orre his whole life, found the higher elevation exhausting, but he continued without even the slightest delay for a few more miles. Every now and then he would have to pull out his P-DA to take a picture of the beautiful mountain scenery of the Kanto region.

It was two o’clock and he decided to take a break. After feeding each of his five Pokémon a quick snack, he decided to take out his lunch himself. It was a lunch box provided by the Pokémon Center in Saffron and it was surprisingly tasty to him, even if it was just a few California rolls and some rice balls. He also broke out a refreshing green tea which he saved all the way from Orre. Soon he found himself daydreaming as he looked up at the clouds.

That moment however was lost however when he heard the snapping of a twig somewhere refocused his attention. He quickly repacked just before a young girl about his approached him from the west. She had brown hair with green eyes, and appeared to wear a yellow top covering a pink long sleeve. Upon inspection, there were Pokeballs attached to her belt.

“Oh hello, are you traveling?” the girl asked.

“Yes I am. I am on the way to Lavender town.”

“I see so am I to visit the Pokémon Tower, to pay respects to my mother.”

“As have I.” Shawn replied starting to make a story up. “By the ways my name is Shawn.”

“And I am Azuki. I come from Celadon City. What about you?”

“Oh I am not from around here. I am from the Orre region.”

“Orre region? I have only heard about it but never been there. Isn’t that to the north?”

“No it is actually to the southeast. By road I think you have to go through the Johto region.

“Wow that is far from here. What bring you here, taking the league challenge?” Azuki said as she pointed to the Poke balls on Shawn’s belt.

“No. I am only visiting for a short time. I came with my friend who was severly injured in an accident back home, and she had to come to the hospital in Saffron for advanced treatment. As she recovers I am running an errand for another friend of mine.”

“I see, well then I guess I should not ask you for a battle for the fun of it, then.”

“I am a Pokémon Trainer and whether I am in Orre or Kanto I can’t refuse.” Shawn replied. He then took off one of his Poke balls off of his belt. “Besides I do need a little excitement on this trip. How about 2-on-2?”

“Albright then, you got it!” She too removed a Poke ball. “Be careful because I know I am no pushover. Go Victreebel!”

“What is that?” Shawn asked himself. Upon studying it he discovered it appeared to be fairly evolved and was obviously a grass type Pokémon. Upon his observation he made his selection. “Go Noctowl!” With a very high toss his Poke ball opened to reveal his owl Pokémon before Azuki.

“Wow I rarely see that one. Mainly because I really don’t get out at night.” Azuki said with a cheerful tone. “Okay Victreebel, lets start with Acid.”

Immediately Victreebel shot spits of poison at Noctowl which it completely evaded. Shawn knew it was his turn. “Okay lets start with quick attack!” Noctowl immediately swooped down on Victreebel and connected with the first hit of the match. Victreebel fell back but only for a moment.

“Victreebel use Vine Whip.” Azuki commanded. Victreebel complied by shooting vines at Noctowl which soon enwrapped and slammed the bird to the ground. Noctowl quickly though pecked its way free.

“This is becoming a good battle.” Shawn thought. He also could sense that Azuki had no ill intentions so he knew he was far from danger. Not to mention he was having fun. “Noctowl use Psybeam!” Shawn commanded. Noctowl’s eyes glowed blue and immediately a blast of colorful energy struck the Victreebel head on. After taking the attack, Victreebel was spinning around in confusion only to trip over a rock and passing out. “Yes way to go Noctowl!”

“Good battling Shawn. You really know your stuff.” Azuki said as she recalled Victreebel.

“Well in Orre, one can’t get around very well without tough Pokémon.” Shawn replied. He decided to be nice and he also recalled his Noctowl.

“Well then I guess I have to get my game on. Go Leafeon.” Her next Poke ball revealed a Pokémon Shawn again had never seen before. Once again obviously grass type from the leaf like tail.

“Is that some sort of Eevee evolution?”

“Yes it is. It can only be evolved from a Moss stone and only few exist in the world including a huge boulder found in the Sinnoh region. I had to travel there to allow my best partner to become the Pokémon it wanted to be. Now let’s get to it.”

“Yes I can’t wait to see what this Pokémon can do.” Shawn said with excitement. “Shedinja I choose you!” His Poke Ball was flown high in to the air only to reveal a spooky looking bug that simply floated above the ground.

“Yikes it’s a Bug Pokémon!” Azuki knew once again she was outmatched. “Okay no worrying about it now. “Leafeon, use Leaf Blade.”

“Use Shadow Sneak.” Shawn commanded. As Leafeon generated and shot off a humongous leaf at Shedinja, it vanished dodging the attack and suddenly reappeared at Leafeon and attacked it at point blank range. Leafeon instantly fell back a few feet.

Azuki gave out a faint growl as she replanned her strategy. “Use Giga Drain.” Leafeon concentrated and in a brief moment you could see it try to attack it by absorbing energy from it, but only to fail without reason. “I don’t get it.”

“You never battled a Shedinja before have you?” Shawn said.

“No I haven’t but I know there has got to be a catch. Let’s try a more sneaky move against it. Use Aerial Ace!”
“Shedinja use Protect.” Shedinja put up a shield against it and it deflected against the flying type attack.

“That’s it you gave it away.” Azuki said. “It can only be hit with a Super Effective hit.”

“Yes but it is too late. Shedinja, Shadow Ball.” Shedinja gathered ghostly power from the trees and rocks around it and absorbed it into a purple glowing ball. It then shot the energy at Leafeon, knocking it out.

“Oh, dang it. You are too good. Professor Oak will be pleased to hear you are doing alright though.”

“Wait how did you?” Shawn said feeling he let his guard down.

“Oh don’t worry I am here to help you. I was contacted by Oak this morning and was asked to check up on you since he knew I make a monthly trip to Lavender. If you like we can get there together.”

After taking a deep breath of relief, Shawn decided that was a great idea knowing the trip would go a lot faster. “Okay then, lets make best possible speed to Lavender town.”

“You got it.” Azuki said as she gave a brief victory sign. The two picked up their things and recalled their Pokémon. After a few miles, Azuki finally could not keep her curiosity down any longer. “So what is that thing on your arm?”

Shawn was stumped knowing he should not talk about the snag machine to a stranger, even if she did know Professor Oak, but after a brief moment, he came up with an excusable story. “It’s a device that can detect some rare Pokémon. One of Oak’s colleges from my homeland entrusted it to me during my visit here in Kanto. He wanted to make sure the device worked in all regions.”

“Oh that is cool, but it does make you look a bit like a robot if you ask me.” Both continued on the journey without incident and by the time the sun was starting to set they could see a dark gloomy tower with a small town below it. “That is it. Lavender town.” Azuki said. They both headed down the hill, and Shawn found his own heart was starting to race in excitement knowing he was completing his mission soon.



Meanwhile, Heather was enjoying her time back home. Happy to have some of her Pokémon freely wondering about the house, and others fly and run about the village, she found herself finally comfortable in her own bed with Lindsey by her side. Lindsey just arrived from Phenac by the time sundown came and read to Heather another chapter from the ancient book. The chapter was more about a historical review of the peaceful times of the Hoanto and did not peak into more about Heather’s ability to see Shadow Pokémon. Nevertheless, Heather learned more about speaking the secret language and began to understand the ideograms in the book more and more quickly. She was also fascinated by the culture of the tribe and how much it was so like in Agate today and the rest of Orre. By the time it was midnight, Lindsey decided to retire into the guest room while Heather finally laid back with her Riolu also laying back on a pillow resting. She looked out and for the first time in a few days she started to redraw constellations into the night sky until she fell into a peaceful sleep.

 

[CheeseEX]

this was a good chapter but theres a few mistakes id like to point out a i probaly forgot some of them lets see

"that said the communication was ended and Shawn pickup his backpack"

may i point out "pickup" shouldnt it be "picked up"?

"Oh, by the ways" shouldnt it be way? unless he is talking in internet speaks

anyway its a good story

 

[mysterioustrainer]

Thanks for letting me know, I kinda got lazy with the proofreading before posting this chapter (mainly because its a day late from my usual weekend post). Hopefully it will look better now.

 

[mysterioustrainer]

Chapter Eight – Day of Darkness Falls

The next morning came with rain once again. Heather looked out her window and was reminded of the terrible battle she last had against the girl from Kanto. She tried to look into her disappearance but no one had any information about Emily. Heather was treated once again to her favorite breakfast which of course was waffles. Lindsey and Heather, as they ate, talked about some of Heather’s past experiences as a trainer.

“So I have to ask and I know you have the time to tell me. How on earth did you capture a Latias?” Lindsey said.

“Well it happened a little while back. I’d say a few months ago.” Heather replied. “I am not sure if you know or not about it but I visited the new Pok[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]é[/FONT]spot established on the beaches to the west of Gateon Port.”

“Yes I remember a broadcast that some Pokémon have begun nesting there.”

“Well it was my first time there so I didn’t know what to expect. I hiked there from Gateon Port.”

“You hiked? Isn’t it like a good five miles away from the town?”

“Yes, it wasn’t all that bad because the ocean side kept me cool for the trip and there was a fresh water spring right at the Pok[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]é[/FONT]spot. Even if you are not a trainer, it is a fun trip. Anyways, when I got there I decided a rest. Napping underneath the palm trees I let a couple of hours passed by quietly. I even let a few wild Pokémon just eat off some of my bait I left.

“After a few hours, I was going to just pack up and head back home, however I then heard a really weird cry coming from some rocks near the ocean. So I raced down to see what it was. I heard the cry coming from a huge rock in the middle of the ocean. So I dropped my things and started swimming to the rock. After getting to the base of the rock, I could barely see what appeared to be a Pokémon on the top of the rocks. I figured it couldn’t swim or fly and somehow it was trapped up there. I decided to take the risk and climb the rock face. If anything it was probably the most foolish thing I have ever done, considering how dangerous doing it really was.”

“I would say, how high was it?” Lindsey asked.

“About thirty feet.” Heather replied.

“Okay that was suicidal, even cliff diving from that high up can prove fatal if you don’t know what you are doing.”

“Well wait until I get to the good part. Somehow I was able to climb the rock without incident. Once I made it I finally saw the Pokémon. She was somehow trapped in an old net that was abandoned in the sea. Never before even seeing such a Pokémon, I had no idea what it was. I started to slowly approach her and she started to panic.

“I tried to speak to her, but she continued to struggle. Right then she slipped and started to fall off of the edge. Not even thinking I lunged to the Pokémon trying to grab her, but instead her weight also pulled me over. While in midair I grabbed the Pokémon and helped aim for the open ocean as we fell. Thankfully we hit open water and did not kill ourselves. Nevertheless, it took all of my strength to swim back to shore dragging the drowning Pokémon.

“When I came ashore, we were both barely breathing, I couldn’t even get to my feet. Before I realized it. I passed out.”

“Dear God, so you are used to these kinds of things?” Lindsey asked.

“Well I believe any trainer in Orre should be prepared for the unexpected.” Heather said. “That however is the first time my life was ever in jeopardy. I woke up to find myself at the Pokémon Center at Gateon Port. Someone found me and apparently called for help though he never revealed himself to me or anyone who came for me. I have been searching for this person ever since so I can thank him.

“What is even weirder they also rescued the Pokémon and brought her to the center as well. I then discovered it was called Latias and apparently it is nearly a one of a kind and is said to be extinct. Since she was a legendary Pokémon we decided to let her go to wherever she was going. At first she did take off, and I started to go home, however when I finally got back to Agate, I saw the Latias flying to me. When she came to me, she was sad for some reason.

“I asked her, ‘Are you lost?’ and it nodded to me. Little did I know then Latias can understand human speech somewhat. So I came to the conclusion it had nowhere else to go and I promised it that if I can ever find her home I would take her there. That is how she became my Pokémon. Others have warned me that her powers would be extraordinary so I promised myself that I would only rely on her after a lot of good training and only when the time really came for her to aid me. That is why she only was used in the Phenac tournament for the first time last week.” Heather said as she concluded her story.

“Wow that is amazing, have you had any luck finding her home?”

“No I am afraid, I did a lot of research but nothing or no one in the area has any clue of where I should look, I am just glad that Latias continues to trust me and we are just as good of friends as the rest of my Pokémon and of Shawn and Andrea.”



Meanwhile, Shawn was waking up barely remembering his surroundings. He spent the night at the Pokémon Center in Lavender town. Still a little groggy he slipped out of bed and dressed for the new day. He came to discover that the town was covered in fog. “Darn it. I hope this fog clears up.” Shawn said.

“Don’t count on it.” Shawn turned around to the sound of Azuki’s voice. “Oh, I am sorry for startling you, I hope you slept well.” She was just standing outside of Shawn’s room wearing an extraordinary kimono gown which was blue and covered in designs of flowers. The threads of the flowers shined in all colors of the rainbows. Her hair was pulled back with a headband that appeared to have a flower Shawn never seen before attached to it.

“It is alright. Good morning Azuki. Forgive me, but you look beautiful today.”

Azuki could only blush. “Tha… thank you. This was my mother’s dress. I am going to see her grave on the edge of land where the shrine is. You see I make the trip to Lavender from Celadon every month to visit my mother’s grave.”

“I understand.” Shawn replied as politely as he could.

“Oh I don’t want you to feel like you are prying. It’s okay. My mother died saving a lot of Pokémon one time. She was on Kin island during a really bad typhoon. My mother was working to get Pokémon trapped in the Berry forest out and did so successfully, however when she tried to escape by crossing the bridge which let back to town, a gigantic wave came crashing down on the bridge preventing passage. All she could do is have her Pokémon be transported to safety and…” Azuki started to cry. “She drowned by the next morning.”

“Are you alright?” Shawn asked.

“Yes… yes. I am sorry, I shouldn’t be crying it is just that…”

“You miss her just like I miss my mother. She died giving me life and I am just one of a trio of orphans in my land and it is through our own stories we have bonded together.”

“What about your father?”

“I don’t know who my father is.” Shawn said. “I absolutely have no clue. I never had really any family expect my best friends who are like sisters to me. I am thankful for that though.”

“I am glad to hear that. I am just thankful my mother did so many amazing things with her life and I am very proud to be her daughter. Well we should get going; we both have things to do at the shrine.”

“Yes we do, I am ready whenever you are Azuki.”

The trip to the shrine was short and without incident. The fog never lifted and Shawn continued to trip on rocks and continued to shiver in cold. “Why is it always so foggy here?”

“The ocean currents are mild along shore here,” Azuki explained. “Along with the colder temperatures than what you are used to, fog seems to always shroud Lavender. Don’t worry we are almost there.” Azuki gracefully walked across the path while Shawn continued to trip every now and then.

Before long they saw what looked like a very exotic house, and was white with large red trim and a brown clay roof. A single lamp was lit at the entrance. As Shawn drew closer to the building he saw an old woman holding the lamp. She too was dressed very formerly and appeared to be expecting Azuki.

“Azuki my child, welcome back.” The old woman said.

“It is very wonderful to see you again Meliana.” Azuki replied as she hugged the older woman.

The older woman then made eye contact with Shawn as he approached the shrine. “Who are you?” She said sharply.

“This is Shawn.” Azuki said. “He is here on behalf of Professor Oak and has come to find you. He needs to learn of the prophecy.”

“What business does he have to need to know the prophecy?” Meliana asked.

“I am here on behalf for my friend, Heather, who is very far away and cannot come herself due to a serious accident. I am here watching over another friend who is in the Saffron hospital who was hurt even more. Professor Oak told me that you might be able to explain something for me about a ‘gift’, my friend Heather has and it is important I relay the information to her.”

“I see. You will have to tell me more about this boy if I dare reveal what this shrine holds but that will have to wait until my business with Azuki here is completed.” Meliana said not trusting Shawn.

“I understand ma’am. I will wait as long as you need.”

“Your manners are very polite boy. I can see you are not just another tourist unlike most who come here.” Meliana walked down the stairs and took a small twig from a firepit and lit it from her own lantern. She then placed the flaming twig into the firepit allowing the rest of the dry wood to ignite and started a small fire. “Wait here until I return. Please do not enter the shrine until then.”

“Yes ma’am.” Shawn said as he bowed. He then took a seat on a stone bench next to the fire.

“Come my child, everything is ready as usual.” Meliana said. Azuki and Meliana began the slow walk up a small path leading up a small hill across from the shrine. Shawn was then alone.

He looked around but not much was to be seen due to the dense fog. He could see the shrine was decorated with small statues of Pokémon he never seen before, as some fog lifted in places, he saw he was surround by three larger statues of what appeared to be legendary Pokémon he never seen before. All of them were quadrupeds and one appeared to look like a rugged mountain with smoke surrounding it like a volcano, one was smooth and had tails that flowed along the body like waves on water, and the third was dynamic as if a giant lightning bolt. Soon the fog reclaimed the statues beyond Shawn’s sight.

“I have returned Shawn.” Meliana said from behind Shawn. “Let us go inside now, and you can tell me your story.”

Upon entering the shrine Shawn's eyes was treated to artwork that he never seen the likes of before. Many were of what appeared to be different legendary Pokemon and it seems each picture told a story in itself. One picture was of a Pokemon that looked like one of the statues outside. It was running across water making the water turn blue and clean. Another picture showed three birds that appeared to represent the elements of fire, ice, and lightning each of them in conflict with each other. There were many others but none more so dramatic than a picture of a legendary Pokemon that Shawn recognized right off of the bat.

“Ho-oh”

“My child you are very knowledgeable. How do you know of this creature of legend?” Meliana asked.

“Ho-oh is the symbol of my region. An old legend says Ho-oh help created the tribe that founded the land of Orre and brought peace to the entire world.”

“Yes. A legend that is true in nearly all lands but none more so of your own. Now let us sit down and tell me what you know and what you need to know.”

Shawn spent nearly an hour explaining all of the events that have taken place so far. With the exception of the snag machine he explained Heather's mission, the history of Shadow Pokemon, and Heather's incredible gift. After he concluded his story, Meliana appeared to be deep in thought. However after a brief moment, she opened her eyes and spoke.

“So the daughter of Hope is finally here.”

“I beg your pardon?” Shawn asked in confusion.

“If what you say is true Shawn, your friend is not just any human with some magical talent. She is a Honato descendant and more importantly the ancestor of a girl named Kiy-la-honato. Which in our language translates to Hope of the Heart. Kiy was the girl that received the message from Ho-oh written by the mysterious deity that eludes us all as the Hoanto tribe was created. You've heard of this legend in detail yes?”

“No, if you refer to what I said earlier about Orre's creation then what I have told you is the extent of my region's ancient history.”

“I see then I will tell you what I know.” Meliana took her turn explaining to Shawn about the details in which Orre was made, the story was nearly identical to Lindsey's account though Shawn of course was unaware of Lindsey telling Heather about this legend. After she concluded her account. Shawn was left in awe.

“I never knew. I don't think no one is Orre does. Heather doesn't.”

“Not yet, no but if she fulfills her destiny as a daughter of Hope much like her mother did, I feel Heather will come to discover she exists in this world for not just her own well being but for the well being of all life, Pok[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]é[/FONT]mon and humans. Your problem against this CIPHER organization is far bigger than just a war of humans attempting to take control of the world. I fear a more sinister figure is behind the corruption of your land. A creature whom my tribe fears to name.”

“Your tribe?”

“Yes, please keep this even more of a secret but I am the last descendant of a dying tribe called the Siya. The siya was once a secret race dedicated to keeping peace in the world after the Honato was founded. The race was once strong but unknown to virtually everyone on earth. Now only I am the only one left and I feel you may be the only one alive who now holds of my secret, except for the possibility of any daughter of Hope, Faith, or Charity.”

“Faith or Charity?”

“Sia-la-hoanto or Faith of the Heart and Mili-la-honato; Charity of the Heart, were sisters of Kiy according to legend. Each of them mysteriously inherited powers similar to Kiy's but not were not the same. Sia's gift was the ability of prolonged foresight was considered a prophet in her adult years. Mili's gift was the ability to heal wounded souls. Her compassion was unrivaled short of Kiy's heart. The three sisters promised themselves to continuously help to stop the world from being torn apart by war and maintained peace for years to come.”

“Okay that makes sense now what about this unnamed creature?” Shawn asked.

“That I do not know beyond the knowledge of its existence.” Meliana replied. “However myth rumors of the three sister's death was caused by the will of the creature though this cannot be proven. If you and Heather continue your destiny, I am certain when the time is right, knowledge of the creature will be revealed to you. So do not be troubled by this and stay concerned by the matters that are happening. Are you still prepared to handle the trials that await you and your friends?”

“Yes more than ever.” Shawn said. “We promised each other we would not stop until CIPHER is stopped and any shadow Pokemon technology is completely done away with. We will succeed.”

“Then your quest here is complete.” Meliana said as she took off a medallion off her neck. It was old and tarnished but appeared to have a symbol which sported a tomoe that seemed to be in flame, but instead was purple and blue. She gave it Shawn.

“I know that there are fewer days ahead of me than there are behind. I have no children of my own. No one has ever heard my legend aloud before in the last thirty years and this Medallion is proof of my ancestry. You protect the daughter of Hope and I know you will take care of her. You clearly have the qualities of a Siya. I want you to hold onto my legend, will you do this of me? Will you become the last of the Siya?”

Shawn was speechless. He then picked up the medallion and held it into his hands. He then spoke. “I have no family of my own. I myself know that my line is also on the edge. But... but I don't intend to let my line or yours end. I promise to become a Siya.”

Both bowed in respect of each other and Shawn put on the medallion around his neck. It was then the peace and serenity of the shrine was disturbed with a shriek from the garden. Shawn not missing a heartbeat ran out of the shrine to find Azuki being thrown from a hill top quickly followed by her Leafeon and Victreebel. Her kimono ruined from the mud and her own blood. Shawn looked up to see a single figure clad in a CIPHER uniform clearing the fog. The figure yet to notice Shawn or Meliana.

“You now see my Pokemon will not tolerate your silence. I know you were with the boy. I want to know where he is... now!” The CIPHER agent said.
Azuki coughed up the small amount of blood in her mouth. “You use your Pokemon to attack a person. You nearly desecrated my mother's grave. It is clear your intentions are anything but good. I should have you destroyed!”

“Not if I first do it myself!” said the peon. “Yanmega, use...”

“Use Hyper Beam attack Flygon!” cried out Shawn.

“What?!”

Before the CIPHER peon could react it was too late. The attack from Shawn's Pokemon made contact with the cliff that the peon was standing on. Not only did it slash through the cliff collapsing the peon's sure footing, the beam also connected with the Yanmega that was unseen in the shadows of the fog. Yanmega fell back out of sight while the peon, hit the ground hard below.

Shawn raced for Azuki who was cradling her wounds. He picked her up and asked her, “Are you alright?”

“I am fine. He is after you. I think it is that device. That thug wants that thing.”

“I know. Don't worry I will take care of this.” Shawn said as he gently let Asuki rest on the soft grassy ground.

“Yanmega!” the enemy Pokemon called out as it was not out for the count. It began to make for Shawn. It was then the eyepiece of the snag machine reacted and extended the scanner and Shawn saw the Pokemon glowing dark in a evil looking shadow.”

“So that is what it looks like Heather.” Shawn whispered to himself. Then he shouted. “Flygon, dragon wave!” Flygon followed the command by shooting a out a yellow energy ball. The ball expanded in shape and became like a shock wave which struck the Yanmega, preventing its attack and making it crash to the ground.

“It's down! Alright it is time to see what the snag machine can do.” Shawn said as he pulled out an Ultra ball. He grasped the ball in the hand of the machine. The machine then surged with a mysterious energy and charged the Ultra ball with it. After hearing the signal chime from the machine, Shawn threw the ball at the target. The ball shined like a blue star in the fog and struck the Yanmega.

While throwing a Poké Ball at another trainer's Pokémon would often have nothing occur other than like throwing a rock at it, the Snag ball opened spewing out a dark blue energy surrounding the Pokemon and sucked it in. The Snag ball fell to the ground, and from here on out what was like catching a wild Pokemon with a regular ball. The ball shook from the struggle of the Pokemon.

It was at this time, the peon who commanded the Yanmega rose from the ground, he then heard the original Poke Ball that contained Yanmega starting to crack and sizzle. The peon pulled off the Poke Ball from his belt and held the ball in his hand. It was then the old ball exploded knocking the peon back onto the ground. The snag ball clicked and the Yanmega was captured.

Shawn started to walk to the ball holding the newly captured Yanmega, however when he reached down to pick up the ball, he was slapped in the back of the head. “What on earth did you do Shawn!?” Asuki screamed.

Shawn turned around and stared at Asuki from the ground, “I have no choice. It was a Shadow Pokemon. That trainer is a CIPHER agent. He made this Yanmega evil. Professor Krane has authorized me to 'snag' any Pokemon who's heart been turned evil by it's trainer. Shadow Pokemon are nothing but tools to these trainers and they intend to conquer the world with them. It is Heather's mission and mine to stop CIPHER before the entire world suffers their wrath.”

Asuki grabbed Shawn by his collar and said. “I don't believe you. It is a major violation to steal another trainers Pokemon! As the Celadon City Gym Leader I represent the International Pokemon Organized Play Association and hearby relieve...”

“Asuki that is enough!” Meliana cried out. “Shawn knows what he is doing. He didn't travel all the way from Orre just to sight see you know. His quest is in combat against these thugs. He just saved your life and maybe your own Pokemon.”

Asuki let go of Shawn, in which he fell back to the ground. She then collapsed and started crying. “Oh mom, I am sorry I can't be as strong as you.”

Shawn got up and started to see the peon also getting up and scrambling up the hill. “Shoot he is getting away.” Shawn said as he made pursuit. “Flygon pick me up! After him.” Flygon flew low to let Shawn jump on Flygon's back and they both took the air. However once they cleared the cliff, the peon disappeared in the fog. “Noctowl use defog to clear this weather.” Shawn commanded as he sent out his owl Pokemon.

Noctowl did successfully clear the fog revealing the true beauty of the eastern coastline of the sea next to Kanto and the shrine shined brightly in the sun which was now revealed. While one would find this rare moment of sunlight a pleasure to see the serene valley in the true daylight, Shawn wasted no moment searching for the peon. However it was clear the agent from CIPHER made a swift get away.

“I lost him.” Shawn said.

 

[mysterioustrainer]

Chapter Nine - The Rain

This chapter is dedicated to all trainers in our world that are forced to deal with hardships greater than becoming a Pokemon Master.

Chapter Nine – The Rain

Flygon flew back down the cliff and Shawn hopped back onto the ground. He recalled both of his Pokémon after congratulating them. He then saw Asuki still crying from the incident. “Asuki.”

“I am sorry Shawn. I... I just don't have what it takes to be a gym leader.”

“What do you mean?” Shawn asked.

“I get too emotional.” Asuki relpied. “Ever since Mom died, I can't hold my emotions together. I get too over reactive.”

“Well I don't blame you. This device has never been outside of my region until now. I agree that stealing Pokémon is a very wrong thing to do. However what CIPHER has done to this and who knows how many more Pokémon is terrible. No words can describe their morality of their crime.”

“What do you mean?”

“This Yanmega has had it's heart closed is the best way to describe it. Through some unknown means, this Pokémon has been brainwashed and any memory of living happy and doing what it wants is now gone. It is literally programed to be a battle machine. It even knows powerful and dangerous attacks that Pokémon do not learn normally. Attacks so powerful that not only it does extensive damage to its opponent's but damage to itself. According to my Professor, the Pokémon can even go beserk without any warning, posing a danger to anyone in its sights.

“I am sorry Asuki for not telling you but the ability to stop CIPHER is the secrecy of our operation. I already had a leak of information about of the Snag Machine even before this incident. I was especially concerned about telling you when you asked me about the device on our way to Lavender town.”

“I understand now. I am so sorry Shawn. I didn't mean to stop you.”

“Let's not worry about it. I don't think he had any other Pokémon with him otherwise he might have tried to use them just then and along with his Yanmega.”

“Really why? You can't use more than one Pokémon at any one time.”

“In this region yes. But Orre, rules permit up to two Pokémon in game play. Besides CIPHER if they are as desperate as they are is bound to start to break the rules no matter where they are.”

“Good point.”

“Shawn. Asuki.” Meliana interrupted. “I believe it is time I take you both to the Pokémon Center in town. The fog is already returning and now it sounds like it is going to rain. We will go there and get Asuki changed into some clean clothes and we will talk to the police there.”

“I agree. Besides my cover is completely blown now and CIPHER knows I am here. They are aware of the existence of the Snag Machine so I need to get with Professor Krane and Professor Oak for advice on what to do next.”

“Alright let's go.” Asuki said in the softest voice.



Meanwhile, Heather continued to lay in bed reading Lindsey's book. No one was around to visit her today as the weather continued to be rainy and bleak. With a pile of notes containing the language notes, she found herself working through the language of the ancient text. She often found herself talking in the tongue of the Honato. Her grandmother would often come up to see her condition.

It was during another lunch with tomato soup, Heather found herself looking out the window realizing the rain was nonstop the last few days. “This is weird. I don't think the rain has never kept pouring for two days let alone five. This has got to be a record."

“No... No it is not.” Heather's grandmother said as she walked in to collect Heather's dinnerware. This storm is too eerily familiar. It is like the one...”

“...when my parents died. Isn't it?” Heather said with the most serious tone.

Her great-grandmother could only nod in reply. It was then shouting began to come from outside. Heather's grandmother opened the door to Heather's patio to see what was going on. It was coming from the lower levels of the city.

“Hurry up with those sandbags! The water level is getting higher!” said one of the village residents.

“Is everyone out of the forest?” Another villager asked.

“I think so but Sara's daughter hasn't been found yet.” Said the first.

“This is bad. The water level is high enough to submerge an adult now.”

It was then Heather forced herself out of her bed. This caused her grandmother to react. “Heather yon can't go out there. You can't even properly walk in that cast yet!”

“Don't worry grandma. I am going to help but I won't leave this room. I need you to go back downstairs though if I am to pull this off.”

“What do you mean?”

“Latias, I choose you.” Heather commanded as she threw out her Pokeball. Latias excited to see Heather came out with the upmost joy. “Grandma please. I need to be alone otherwise I can't command Latias from here.”

“Okay I understand.” Her great grandmother said as she left the room.

“Latias come here.”

Latias landed on the deck to see her trainer.

Heather then rested her forehead on Latias'. “Latias, listen we need to find Nani. Remember her?”

Latias nodded.

“Okay then let's do this. Sightshare.”

Latias' eyes started to glow and she started to take off. It was then Heather was in a trance. While her eyes were closed she could now see everything that Latias was seeing. Latias fly to the cavern to the relic forest. Heather thought. Latias flew below and whisped past the people setting up the sandbag barriers.

“What was that?” A villager asked.

“Heather's Latias.” The elder said.

“What! You mean she is out of bed?”

“I don't think so, the Pokémon came from her patio.”

Latias quickly cleared the cave before the water level rose. It was then Heather continued to guide Latias through the forest. The relic stone itself was already underwater. This is bad. Latias fly faster.

Latias did and quickly began to sweep the forest. They were approaching a rock face to the east when Latias (and Heather through Latias' eyes) saw the terrifying sight of Nani trapped on the smallest of ledges on the rock face inbetween two waterfalls caused by the flooding. Beside her was an Eevee which belong to her. It was then Latias flew to the girl.

“Nani” said Heather through Latias by Latias' psychic powers. “This is Heather talking through Latias. Are you okay?”

“Heather!? Heather help me I am scared!”

“It's alright, listen you and Eevee need to climb onto Latias here and she will get you back to the village. Trust me.”

“Okay Heather. I trust you.” Nani said as she climbed onto Latias.

“Now no matter what happens, please hold on. It is going to be a scary ride I am afraid. Latias let's go.”

Latias flew as fast as she could through the dense forest. It was not long however before she pasted the relic stone which could barely be seen under the raging waters. It was then she made it to the cave except for one problem. It was underwater.

“Oh no! Nani you need to take another deep breath. Latias can't fly around this and keep her strength up so we have to dive into the water.”

“Okay Heather I will try!” She then took a deep breath.”

Latias when you are ready. Latias dived into the water and started to swim upstream into the cave. What was seconds to come into the forest was now taking minutes. Latias was striking against the roots of trees and vines as she struggled against the current. Latias faster! Nani's running out of time. Latias then gave a burst of strength never before seen, glowing blue, Latias was now swimming through the water like a hot knife through butter. The entrance appeared and Latias cleared it without delay. Latias surface! Heather commanded.

Latias shot straight up out of the water and crashed into a pile of sandbags, then crashed to the ground, Nani fell off of Latias back choking out water quickly followed by her Eevee soaking wet. The elder ran and scooped up Nani into his cloak. Other villagers ran to Latias, exhausted from the swim.

“Latias are you alright?” a villager asked.

“She's okay.” Heather said through Latias, which startled everyone. Latias then got up and hovered in her usual position. It was then it turned white and suddendly it transformed to look like Heather, wearing her bed cami and all.

“What on earth?!” The elder said.

“Don't worry, it is still Latias you are looking at and she is merely disguised to look like me. It's also my voice talking through her psychic powers. I am right up in my room above you all. Let's just say a trick I really can't use for Pokémon battles right?”

“Heather, Latias thank you.” The elder said. “You really are a guardian to us all.”

“You're welcome Elder.”

“Nani! Nani my baby where were you?”

“Mama!” Nani cried out running out of the elder cloak to her mother. “I'm sorry Mama. I was playing with Eevee in the puddle over there,” she said as she pointed to the muddy field where Heather battled Emily a few days before. “When it saw a Rattata running through the field. It started to chase the Rattata and it ran into the cave, I ran after Eevee and I was in the forest. It started to rain a lot then and the forest was turning into a lake. I ran but couldn't make it out. It was then Heather's Latias came to my rescue.”

“Oh goodness never run off on me like that again.” Sara said as she turned around to see Latias still looking like Heather. “Heather what on earth are you doing out here in the rain wearing only your sleeping clothes?”

“Oh it's not really me! You are looking at Latias.” Heather replied. She then explained again what she told the other elders.

“Well thank you from the bottom of my heart then.”

“No problem. Well Latias has done enough. Come on back Latias.” Latias then transformed back to her usual shape and then took off for Heathers house. Everyone was waving good bye cheering Heather and Latias.



Back in Lavender town, night finally fell on the town and the fog once again completely reclaimed the area. As according to Meliana's prediction it started to rain. At the Pokémon Center, Asuki and Shawn were finishing their report to the local police officer that Shawn conspicuously thought looked like the cop he saw escort him to Phenac though she said that was her distant cousin. They made care to not mention the part of snagging the peon's Pokémon though as Shawn did not want to risk further ruining its secret.

It was after this that Meliana made her farewells and with one final goodbye returned to the shrine. After a moment of awkward silence, Shawn simply said, “So you are a gym leader huh?”

This caught Asuki off guard but she then recollected her thoughts. “Yeah... I became the Celadon city gym leader after my mom died.”

“Fun job?”

“For the most part. The down side is that you do not get to go to places unlike most other Pokémon trainers, however I want to be just like my mom.”

“That's cool. So since I beat you yesterday, does that mean I get a badge?”

“No silly, you have to face against me in an official gym match at my gym in Celadon. Say you still have about three days left her in Kanto, after we return to Saffron tomorrow and check on your friend, you should come to Celadon and challenge me the next day after? How does that sound. I am sure I will get my revenge then.” Asuki said with a sneer.

“Sounds like a challenge to me,” Shawn said. “And maybe I will keep the Snag Machine more safe by moving from town to town then.”

“Good idea. Alright then we will battle again then. Right now lets take it easy, I hear the center has some tomato soup ready for the trainers here tonight for dinner.”

“Awesome, Heather would be racing for the kitchen right now if she was here.”



The night fell for Agate village and the rain continued to fall. Heather was once again on her bed resting but instead of studing the Hoanto language, was using her laptop. Eric and Kimi had come over as well delivering a pizza to Heather for dinner.

“I don't get it, it seems the weather decided to become completely hacked.” Heather said.

“What do you mean?” Kimi asked.

“Well it seems no one including the OBNS even knows why the weather is so wet. The forecasts show yesterday was suppose to be sunny, today was suppose to be sunny and tomorrow is suppose to be scorching hot with not a cloud in the sky apparently. Orre is lucky to get rain but not as much rain as this.”

“You are right that Orre has been getting a lot of rain, but is there really anything we can do about it?”

“Hmm. Maybe.” She then opened a video phone program on her laptop and dialed the lab. “I hope he is still there at this hour.”

The phone did answer and Professor Krane was on the other end. “Hello, Heather. How are you doing?”

“Much better today Professor. I am hoping to start moving around a bit in the next day or two.”

“That is very good to hear. Oh by the ways, congrats on making the news again and saving that girl.”

“What how did the news hear about that?” Heather said in embarrassment.

“Well as if your entire village doesn't praise you for everything you do. It is amazing for your Latias to know exactly what to do with you bedridden.”

“You mean the news doesn't know her ability?”

“No what ability?” Professor Krane asked.

“Whew that is a relief.” Heather said as she sighed. It was at this time, Heather explained Latias ability to sightshare and transform. She even let Latias show Professor Krane, Eric, and Kimi the transformation ability which surprised them all to see two Heathers in the same room.

“Wow, you look cute in your p.j.'s.” Eric said.

It was at this time Kimi whacked Eric in the back of a head. “You pervert! How dare you take advantage of a cute girl like Heather... I mean... Latias. Heather. Ugh now even I am confused!” She screamed while jerking around Eric by the collar.

Latias changed back to normal and Heather recalled her. She then turned back to Professor Krane while Kimi continued to strangle Eric. “So Professor have you noticed anything weird around the region lately?”

“The rain?” The professor guessed.

“Yes. Isn't it weird that it is been raining for three days straight now and with many storms just before hand.”

“I think you have a good point, but what are you getting to.”

“Well you said back when I was checking out of the hospital that CIPHER had technology that made storms on the sea at their old base. Do you think they are doing it again?”

“It's an idea but to submerge the entire region. I don't think it is possible. However these storms have been weird.”

“Well I have an idea to stop it, but I need the help of every trainer that has any Fire or Grass type Pokémon. Professor you can get in contact of every person in the region with a Pokémon trainer license, so can you do this for me?”

“I will try. What do you need them to do.”

“We need to call back the sun.”


It was the next day and once again Heather woke to the misty smell of rainfall. She used to love the smell when the rain came on occasion but now it was becoming intoxicating. She even found herself for the first time wanting to sleep in, however after a few minutes buried in her pillow she woke up realizing that her plan needed to go into action today. She immediately picked up her Laptop and dialed the lab. Professor Krane answered.

“Good morning Heather. Save the rain of course.” Krane said as he yawned. It was evident he was up all night.

“Indeed Professor. How many trainers were you able to get a hold of?” Heather asked.

“Fifty-seven of them that I feel I could trust. Many of them are now in position ready to do their assigned tasks. Most importantly as far as I know every one of them is just as willing as you are to stop this rain.”

“Hmm I guess that will have to do. How many will be in the air?”

“Not enough I am afraid. Only ten, I can say that only about ten percent of the region will be able to be seen by them. However I did get as many rangers and police on duty to help as well. Many of them are not in the air, but are positioned in very good positions to see additional areas. However the entire region cannot be covered. I'd say we have about a fifty to fifty chance of a true success.”

“I agree. I sure hope we can uncover their base with this plan. We will only have one shot at this.”

“Why you say that?” Professor Krane asked

“Well if CIPHER truly is responsible for causing this rainy weather across the region they are doing it to cover up their operations right? So when we break up the weather no matter how short it lasts, they will become aware of our efforts and could end up finding new places to hide before we can find them. Even if we find them I'd say we only have a day to make a move on any leads. If I am lucky I will be free of this infernal cast by the end of today and Eric, Kimi and I will pursue that lead.”

“Are you sure you want to do push yourself so hard Heather?”

“I have no choice. We have to stop this rain, which if CIPHER is the cause they will stop making it pour because they will know we are on to them. The rain is starting to tear the land apart and Pokémon and humans are starting to get hurt. We need to make our move now. More importantly we need to take this opportunity to try and find one of their operations and shut it down.”

“Your logic is very reasonable. But please, you step down from the action if you are hurting alright?”
“Very well professor.” Heather said. It was then Heather's laptop displayed a dialog with the message 'NEW CALLER: SHAWN'. She then restored the window with the phone call to the Professor. “Professor, Shawn is trying to get a hold of me. I will contact back in a few minutes.”

“Alright Heather. I will keep getting things ready.”

Heather then switched over the calls on her laptop. “Shawn good morning.”

“Indeed Heather, save for the rain.” Shawn replied.

“What it is raining in Kanto too?”

“Yeah started to rain yesterday and hasn't let up. Why it is raining in Agate?”

“It is. Four days in a row now too!”

“That is crazy.” Shawn said. “Why is it raining so much lately?”

“Well I think it is CIPHER.” Heather replied. She then took her time explaining everything that occurred in the last two days. She then listened to Shawn about his unfortunate battle with a CIPHER peon and his plan to try and stay on the move. “Wow I am jealous Shawn. Well you let me know how your gym challenge turns out. I have to get to work to stop this rain. By the ways what are you going to do with the Yanmega?”

“Well I guess I will see if I can transport it to Professor Krane from here. If I can, then it should be in the purification chamber by the end of the day. Otherwise I may avoid using it until I can get back home. Kanto trainers is too strict on the rules to risk using a Shadow Pokémon in battle.”

It was then Heather could hear another voice come from the room Shawn was in. “Hey I am not strict, I was doing my job as a Gym Leader that is all!”

“I'd be careful Shawn.” Heather said giggling. “Andrea may get jealous if she finds out about you and Asuki.”

“What!? Hey that's not funny!” Shawn said in a panic. Heather then immediately decided to be extra mean by hanging up on him.



Shawn could only stare at the desktop of the video phone of the Pokémon Center he was in. “That girl sometimes.”

“Sounds like someone I'd would love to have as a friend.” Asuki said. She was already packed and ready to head back to Saffron.

“Indeed. I am glad she is mine. Well let me call my Professor and see if I can transport the Yanmega to him.” Shawn said as he started a new call.

The professor did answer. *yawn* “Good morning Shawn.”

“Professor Krane you look tired. Have you been up all night?”

“Yeah. I have been working on getting this plan of Heather's in action.”

“I know. She told me everything. Good luck with it, hopefully it may even wipe out the rain clouds here in Kanto.”

“Wow it is raining a lot there too?” Professor Krane asked.

“Yeah two days straight now.” Shawn said.

“This is wild weather then. So what can I do for you Shawn?”

Shawn took the time to explain the events that transpired across the last two days. Professor Krane was shocked to hear a CIPHER agent attempted to steal the snag machine.

“So professor, can you do a inter-region transport for me?”

“Hmm let me see. I think so. Yes, the Knot Island Pokémon Network Center is still reporting ready for inter-region transport. Let's do this.” Shawn took the ball containing Yanmega and set it on the Poke Ball transport pad. Professor Krane initiated the transport and immediately the ball shined brightly in a white light and disappeared. “Okay it is now heading for the center.” The professor said. It was then both ends of the video phone call got a red dialog box displaying, 'TRANSPORT FAILED: SHADOW Pokémon DETECTED.'

“What happened. Professor?” Shawn asked.

“Darn it I totally forgot. Ten years ago in an effort to continue to defend multiple regions from Shadow Pokémon from being distributed, I worked with the IT lead on installing a protocol to prevent inter-region transports and trades of any Shadow Pokémon. It was a protocol to help us isolate all Shadow Pokémon. The IT lead's name is Celio and he runs the center. I have to contact him right away. Shawn I believe Yanmega is safe for now and I will do whatever it takes to retrieve it. For now head back for Saffron.”

“Very well Professor, contact me on my P-DA if you learn anything okay?”

“Of course Shawn. I will see you later.”

It was then the phone call ended.



It was midday in Orre and the rain still was pouring, what now seemed harder than ever. Heather stood on her patio with a Pokeball in one hand, dressed in full rain gear save for her casts on her arm and leg. She also wore a bluetooth earpiece on her right ear.

“Professor are we ready?” She said. It was clear the exhasted Krane was on the other line.

*yawn* “Yep, have at it girl...” He then found himself snoring. The professor struggled to type in the conference call to all of the trainers he rallied. He then sent out a e-mail message to anyone without a cell phone to their P-DA's. “Heather you are patched in.”

“Santo-ine nai sia!” said Heather. While it was dialog in Hoanto, it served as a password to signal all the trainers to begin their attacks. All across the region, there were trainers on the ground using their Grass and Fire type Pokémon to use the sunny day attack. Almost immediately the sky began to clear. The rain across the region began to stop. Then the most rewarding experience came. The sun emerged from the clouds and it shined like gold.

“What an amazing sight.” Heather's great-grandmother said.

Heather was busy looking across the skies only to see all of the clouds disappearing around her. She was afraid that her hope that CIPHER was causing the rain storms was not true but then she caught the sight of a huge cloud very far away in the southeast. It even appeared to be farther away from Phenac. She was then was getting a report from Eric who was patrolling the area.

“Heather, can you hear me? I have got what appears to be a small hurricane just beyond the outpost.”

“A hurricane? In the desert?” Heather asked.

“I know it sounds weird but that is exactly what it looks like.”

She was then getting reports from three other trainers and isolated the remaining storm to be twenty miles to the east of the Outpost. Professor Krane also confirmed the storm from watching a Doppler radar provided by OBNS.

“Okay then we have our target. Great job everyone! I really appreciate your help all of you! Looks like we have a forecast of sunshine this afternoon.”



Shawn and Asuki was waiting for the next train to Saffron. The rain continued to pour violently against the shelter they were sitting in. Both of them were beginning to shiver from the cold.

“So who is CIPHER? Are they like Team Rocket?” Asuki asked.

“No one is really sure these days on who operates the criminal group, CIPHER.” Shawn replied. “CIPHER first appeared in Orre about twenty years ago. A long time ago sure but not one easily forgotten. Apparently Heather's parents worked together to stop CIPHER the first time. They came back five years later but Professor Krane and another Pokémon Trainer, whom I can't remember his name, stop CIPHER just as easily. Each time they seemed to be under the command of a new leader. However this time they are more prepared than ever it seems to stop any rebellion against them.”

“Wow they are that determined?”

“Afraid so, what is more puzzling to me is why do they implement the same plan. You'd think after the second time, that Shadow Pokémon are not the answer to conquering the world but it seems so important that they use them. These last few days I have begun to think there is something more behind this.”

It was then a train was starting to pull into the station. Asuki immediately stood up and started to race for a door. Shawn was quick to follow. Before long they boarded the train but not without getting soaked from the downpour. The train began its departure. Both found a quiet seat and started to talk again.

“So when you get back, what are you going to do?” Asuki asked.

“Well I am going to give the snag machine back to Heather as she can use it better than I can. Just because of her ability to see Shadow Pokémon. Then Andrea and I will team up with her and start to look into CIPHER's operations and find ways to shut them down again.”

“I hope you can. I can't imagine how out of control the world would get if Shadow Pokémon started to appear in other regions.”

“I am just glad that protocol does exist.” Shawn replied. “Without it I know CIPHER does have too much of a good chance to export Shadow Pokémon to other regions.”

“Hey Shawn look!” Asuki said abruptly. The rain was stopping and sunlight began to rapidly shoot through the clouds. All around them clouds were starting to break up and the storms subsided. It was then Shawn's P-DA went off. He pulled it out to discover he had a new e-mail message from Professor Kaine.

Dear Shawn,

Good news. Heather's plan to stop the rain storms was a huge success and appears to spread across the nation. Kanto should be seeing some sunshine any minute now. Also I was able to get a hold of Celio and he understands the situation. However you are needed to go pick up the Yanmega at the Pokémon Network Center on Knot Island before you leave the Kanto Region. Head for Vermilion City in two days and meet a person by the name of Bill there. Bill is the inventor of the Pokémon Box Storage System (simply called the Box to us professors). and the Kanto System Administrator of the Box. I am sure the time will help you to stay on the move for a while but be careful and do not trust any strangers. I would not be surprised if there are other CIPHER agents in Kanto and what is worse is they may even form a collaboration with Team Rocket to try and stop you. I will keep you updated. Good luck Shawn.

Professor Krane.

“Wow that is a task.” Asuki noted. “Listen after we do our Gym Battle I will travel with you to Knot Island.”

“Are you sure? Don't you have to get back to running your Gym?”

“Not really. It is the dead season for new challengers as the Kanto Championships at Indigo is about to start. I have about a month before I really have to get back to work. So I will go with you and make sure you stay in one piece.”

“Very well then.” Shawn then muttered. “Andrea might start to get jealous.”



“Ow!” Heather yelped as the cast on her leg was coming off. She was in Phenac City that afternoon and her casts were being removed. Rarely has she ever broken an arm or a leg but never has she been in the middle of stopping a criminal organization attempting to take over the world.

“Okay Heather how does your leg feel?” a doctor asked.

“Stiff. Almost as if the cast was still on.”

“Well that is expected. Try to stay off of your foot for the rest of the day and take it easy the next two days please. After that you should be good as new. You are free to go.”

Heather was limping out of the hospital to meet Eric and Kimi. With a few hours left before nightfall they decided to visit Lindsey at her shop. This was the first time Heather had the opportunity to actually shop at Lindsey shop and was finally thrilled to spend her tournament winnings she accumulated for the days prior. The trio knocked on the door as they entered.

“Heather hello!” Lindsey said. “Thank you so much for what you have done today.”

“Your welcome Lindsey, but you know I wasn't the only one, everyone with a good heart in this region helped. I think it is great that we can unite the region against CIPHER.”

“Yes, but it was your idea. I am so proud that you can bring together everyone like this. I know CIPHER will not stand a chance against us.” This could only make Heather blush. “Oh don't feel embarrassed you should be proud of yourself.”

“I know. I guess I just want to do what is right though.”

“Well enough about your latest heroic. How are you doing? I am glad to see you standing and without any casts finally.”

“I am doing good. I just got checked out from the hospital completely now. They say I will be back in full action in a couple of days. For now well tonight I figure I finally get to shop here like I wanted to from when I first met you.”

“Well I am honored. Let me know what you like.”

After trying on several outfits she finally decided to settle on one that still made use of her jeans she was wearing. It was red babytop that kept her backside fairly exposed. It had long sleeves but with it being made out of Bunary fur, the shirt felt like silk to her skin. She was also paired up with a red messenger bag, and it was about the same size as her usual messenger bag. So it was like a total new look for Heather. She then put back on her denim jacket which completed the outfit perfectly.

“Wow Heather.” said Kimi. “That is the best outfit I have ever seen. Where did you get that Jacket anyways?”

“It... it was my mother's. Back when she was my age.” Heather said. The tone in her voice clearly revealed again that the thought of her mother would bring pain to her heart.

“Oh.. I am... I...” Kimi realized her mistake but couldn't get any words to get out of her mouth.

“It's okay. I am fine.” Heather replied.

After paying for the new clothes, Heather, Eric (who during the whole visit spent his time on his P-DA studying Pokémon Statistics), and Kimi (who also bought a cute yellow tank top with a graphic print of a desert sunrise) decided it was time to go. As Eric and Kimi packed up, Heather took a few more moments to speak to Lindsey. This time it was in Hoanto.

“Sora toha ni shee maku anto.” (I have nearly finished the eighth chapter.) Heather said.

“Moka?” (Really?)

“Lai. Oniato sanata mai 'shuka valoo asente'?” (Yes, however what does it mean by dark clouds will rise again'?) Heather asked.

“I am not sure.” Lindsey said in English. “But I can't help but feel that passage may mean by what is happening now here in Orre.”

“I see.” Heather said.

“The ninth chapter will also be a dark story.” Lindsey warned. “Please read it with an open mind as its meaning is difficult to translate.”

“Okay.” Heather replied.

“Heather!” Kimi said. “It's time to get you back home. We have a big day ahead of us.”

“Okay I am coming.” Heather replied. She then turned back to Lindsey. “Thank you... for everything.”

“No Heather. Thank you.” Lindsey said. “It is clear now you are the best hope for this region.”

Heather once again started to blush and began to follow Kimi and Eric outside. She then turned her attention to the same white dress that she first saw when she discovered the store. “You know I still would love to try that dress on, Lindsey.”

Lindsey could only smile. “I know you would. Good bye Heather.”

“See ya next time!” Heather said as she waved good bye. The trio of trainers ran off for the Pokémon Center.

Lindsey now alone watching the trainers disappear around the corner whispered to herself. “Don't worry Heather, you will be able to wear my mother's dress one day. It was made just for you.”

 

[Bug Boy]

This is AMAZING. Please, keep it up!