Chapter 10 - Rematch in Celadon: Shawn versus Asuki
Chapter Ten – Rematch in Celadon: Shawn versus Asuki
Heather woke up at the Pokémon Center feeling even more refreshed since the last few days. She was actually able to wake up to the sunrise like she used to do. She also realized that her arm and leg were not hurting like they used to. Feeling great she once again put on her new outfit that she bought from Lindsey's shop. Without disturbing the other slumbering trainers in the center. She snook to the lower level of the center. She immediately made for a public PC and used it to activate the holomap in the center. The holomap typically sported a diagram of the city itself, however she accessed the Orre region map and after attaching her P-DA to the PC she pin-pointed the location the trainers were reporting on the usual storm that would not subside their strange attack.
“Hmm it's too far for it to be at the Outpost and that is the last known building in that direction. Computer.”
The computer beeped to Heather's signal.
“Are there any known buildings at the designated coordinates.”
“No public buildings are located at known coordinates.”
“Public buildings? What about private?” Heather asked with hope.
“That information is classified under the Orre Region Privacy Act of 2003.”
“Figures.” She thought to herself that she should have realized it would be too simple to just ask a public computer for information. However it was in that train of thought she heard the entrance of the Pokémon center open and a familiar face did walk in. It was Corrison the mayor.
“Corrison hello.” Heather said from her desk.
“Why hello Heather. I am glad I did not arrive too early. I was hoping you were awake.”
“Oh?”
“Well I just came by to say thank you for what you did two days ago. If it weren't for you we would start taking on flooding that our city water systems can't handle. You probably saved many lives in your actions, despite you being bedridden.”
“Thank you Mr. Corrison.” Heather said with a blush.
Corrison then moved to the holomap. “Was this the source?” He asked as he pointed to the red dot on the screen, indicating Heather's coordinates. “The source of that terrible storm?”
“Yes according to the triangulated position the other trainers gave me. That storm is still there and might be growing again. I checked this morning and noticed it is about three times bigger from when we localized it.”
“Well I was afraid of that.” Mr. Corrison said.
“Why do you know what's out there?” Heather asked as she began to get excited.
“Yes that is the location of the old Team Snag'em hideout.” Corrison said with most seriousness. Heather could help but feel shocked.
“Really they are back in business? I thought they the organization was destroyed by my Father and that CIPHER created the storm machine used on Citadark Isle.”
“Your facts are correct except you are missing one piece of the puzzle. I should have told you in my previous conversation about this subject but Snag'em worked for CIPHER. They stole the Pokémon that were used in the first Shadow incident. Later CIPHER literally dumped the group after your Father's attack and the leader of Snag'em even fought against CIPHER in the second incident.”
“Wow really? What has happened to them then?”
“Team Snag'em truly disbanded and their leader is now the chief ranger for the Pokémon Rangers in the Orre region. He now of course works out of Mt. Battle at the Pokémon Ranger Station there. He says he created the Orre divison for the Pokémon Rangers as a way to repay for his mistakes, but I believe he has paid for that debt several times now, but he has no intentions of letting up. You might hit him up for information about the old hideout.”
“Sounds like a fun trip to visit Mt. Battle for the first time.” Heather replied. “Shame I won't have time to enter the 100 trainer knockout challenge.”
“I wouldn't worry about that, it's off season for that event right now and won't start up for another two months.”
“Beep. Beep.” Heather's P-DA just went off indicating it had a new message. She picked it up and read it immediately.
Dear Heather,
This is Krane, thank you very much for your efforts two days ago. The sunshine was so beautiful yesterday that some of my colleagues took the day off sitting the yard getting their suntan's back into shape. Besides that the reason I am writing you is that your Blaziken is almost ready to be purified. Please come back to the lab at your earliest convenience. Shawn and Andrea are well, will tell you more when you arrive.
Krane
“Well it looks like I have multiple destinations today. I will have to go get ready Mr. Corrison. I need to return to the lab and that will be a bit of a flight.”
“Excuse me, but did you say flight?” Corrison asked while rubbing his ear.
“Yes. I don't have the hovercraft here and won't be able to take a shuttle until tonight, so I have to use my more unorthodox means of transportation.”
Shawn found himself looking around the land like a Zigzagoon trying to check out every pebble on a road. Asuki would have been embarrassed if it weren't for the fact they were the only two on the train heading for Saffron. As he saw each new sight Asuki would give a brief explination. “Okay to the south there, that is Vermilion City. The gym leader there is the daughter of a old solider who used electric Pokémon in a war a long time ago. So she uses electric Pokémon too. That is the town of course we will head for once we are done in Saffron.” Shawn then found himself looking from the right side of the train. “That town you see far to the north is Cerulean City. A woman by the name of Misty runs the gym there and uses Water type Pokémon. She used to travel with a really good trainer we gym leaders have come to respect.”
“What was his name?” Shawn was beginning to think this could be the trainer Heather was looking for.
“I don't remember. I wasn't even born yet when he first did the Kanto run. He was born in Pallet Town they say. The same town that Oak has his lab. Apparently he himself was proud for this trainer to be one of his own. It even sounds like the trainer even out did his own grandson who is also now an adult.” She then laughed. “I wonder how Professor Oak still has any energy in this day and age. He has to be well past eighty and he still works like no other in his research. He says 'his project' is near completion and only until then will he retire and give the lab to his assistant.”
“What project is that?” Shawn asked.
“To have an encyclopedia of every Pokémon in the world. A completed Pokedex.”
“A completed Pokedex? I thought they were discovering new Pokémon all the time.”
“That is what I said when I talked to him about the matter. However he said something inside of him was saying that his quest was almost done. At least to him. He may be right and every 'known' Pokémon is about to be cataloged but I think that he still acknowledges there are still many more to be discovered.”
“Wow, I heard from him that the count is nearly up to 500 these days.” Shawn said in disbelief.
“No. More than that, the count is now over 600.” Asuki said. “I know for a fact he has data for 602 different species to date and he suspects many more but until they are found by a trainer he can't get any confirming data.”
It was then they found themselves pulling into Saffron City station. Once again Shawn found himself overwhelmed by the mass amounts of people. He would even find Pidgeys and other bird Pokémon, including some he never seen before flying over their heads carrying letters or small parcels. It kind of reminded him of old novels about Wizards using owls to communicate with each other. Elsewhere they passed by what appeared to be a Pokémon Gym.
“Oh that is not an official league gym there.” Asuki said. “That's a dojo that operates under strict rules of martial arts that both Pokémon and humans fight in. They do of course welcome challengers. Though you must use fighting Pokémon.”
“Really? Sounds like a fun trip one day.” Shawn said and continued on knowing he did not have any truly qualified Pokémon with him. Soon enough they found themselves at the hospital again. He stopped by the desk to learn if Andrea changed rooms, and to no surprise that was the case. The duo worked their way to one of the higher levels. However this level was a little more bright colored than the ICU's level was, he was grateful to find Andrea in a warm red room with a brilliant view of Mount Silver to the west.
“Shawn! Thank goodness I was beginning to worry.” Andrea said. Shawn raced up to her bed and hugged her. After a small moment they let up and soon after Asuki entered the room.
“Andrea I like you to meet my first friend from this region. This is Asuki and she runs the Celadon City Gym here in the Kanto Region. She was sent by Professor Oak to guide me safely to Lavender Town.”
“Wow really. That is great.” Andrea said showing no signs of jealously much to Shawn's relief. It was then Shawn and Asuki sat down and began the long story of their encounter and of how the CIPHER peon attacked him. He then told Andrea that he was going to Celadon to fight Asuki properly and try for a gym badge and his mission to Knot Island. He did not however reveal the details of the story Melina told him to pass on to Heather, instead told Andrea that he was not allowed to tell. As expected Andrea was disappointed.
“Oh sure, just go run off with another girl while I stay bedridden.” Andrea said with a sneer.
“IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!” Shawn shouted in a panic. He then covered up his mouth realizing he was in a hospital.
“Get off it Shawn, I was only teasing you. I don't want to be cooped up here anymore than you do but I don't have a choice. Besides if CIPHER is on to us we need to keep the Snag Machine moving.”
“Okay.” Shawn said with a breath of relief. “Then Asuki and I will be heading off. Expect me to come back in a couple of days. Please don't do anything rash and stay safe until we get back.”
“I will.” Andrea said with a draw. “Just bring back some good stories okay and be ready to show off that badge when you get it.”
“If he earns it.” Asuki interrupted. “He hasn't even seen half of my roster yet.”
Heather found herself at the outdoor balconies of the stadium in Phenac. She was looking to the west watching the storm there once again gaining strength. She knew she would have to make it back to here as soon as possible before the storms start pick up again.
“I wonder why they didn't shut it down. They must really want to be hiding something or was completely unaware anything has happen everywhere else.” She said to herself. She was soon discovered by Eric and Kimi. “Oh, hi guys!”
“We will be set up to head for the Outpost tonight Heather.” Eric said. “Be sure to try and be back as soon as possible.”
“I understand. I am sure it won't take too long.” She then grabbed the Poke Ball containing Latias and threw it into the air to release her. “Okay Latias. We need to head in that direction. Are you ready? This will be our first real flight.”
“Heather,” Kimi interrupted. “Not to be mean but it looks like Latias might be a bit small to safely transport a human on her back.”
“She's not.” Heather said and at that moment her own feet lifted off of the ground and she was glowing blue. It was clear that Latias was using Psychic to enable Heather to fly on her own and with a blast of air and light. They were off.
Shawn and Asuki soon found themselves in Celadon City. The two cities simply merged into each other as they were both major metropolises of the Kanto region. Shawn continued to feel overwhelmed by the city life but was beginning to become less anxious by the sights of gardens and flower shops across the city streets of Celadon. Before he knew it they arrived at Asuki's gym.
It was a large planetarium from the looks of it. Inside several really beautiful girls greeted Asuki upon her return and was extremely concerned by her day late absence. (She apparently was suppose to have returned yesterday if was not for the attack.) In any case she went to her private quarters to clean up and change clothes for the upcoming challenge. Several of the girls there seemed to go out of their way to make Shawn comfortable.
However it was not long before Shawn was escorted to the main arena. He was expecting a standard Pokémon battlefield unlike the elaborate designs of the stadiums and colosseums of the Orre region. However the surroundings was covered in grass and plant life. There were several bushes along the side lines. This was clearly a gym where Grass types did have the advantage. However there was a small pool (though too small for any Water type Pokémon to make good use out of it) in the center in the form of a Poke Ball. Before long Asuki did return wearing a more functional but still beautiful kimono dress, this time Yellow with Poke Ball insignias covering it. She took her side and spoke aloud, “Welcome Shawn, to Celadon City Gym.”
“Thank you Asuki.” Shawn replied.
“As the gym leader of the Rainbow Badge, I accept your challenge! This will be a three Pokémon battle. Only one Pokémon may be used at a time. All international Pokémon training rules apply in this match.”
“Agreed.”
“Then I choose you, Victreebel.”
Shawn was a little surprised she choose a Pokémon that he had already beat in battle before. She must have learned to something so he decided it was prudent to pick a different Pokémon. So without futher hesitation he picked and toss out a Poke Ball while exclaiming, “Armaldo! I choose you!”
“Okay Victrebel, this time we need to keep our distance. Use Razor Leaf!” Asuki commanded.
Victreebel began shooting out several leaves which flew at Armaldo like shuriken. Armaldo was ready for Shawn's first command. “Armaldo, defend yourself by using fury cutter attack!”
Armaldo despite it's bulky size gracefully destroyed any leaf that attempted to strike it, and very little damage was dealt upon it. Then Armaldo knew that was the cue to charge against Victreebel and with its final swing with fury cutter, struck Victreebel. It fell back but was not out.
“Ah fell for it!” Asuki said, “Solar beam!”
Shawn was then startled by the sight, while solar beam would normally take a few minutes to power up, Victreebel's attack was launched immediately. Armaldo was hit at point-blank range and was instantaneously knocked out.
“How was that possible?” Shawn said to himself, then he looked up at the glass dome above them. It was then obvious. The sun was extremely bright and he must have wondered if the plan Heather executed yesterday had a much longer lasting effect across the nation. Nevertheless, he had no Pokémon who could change the weather to his favor now so he was going to have to be clever.
“Okay Noctowl I choose you!”
From its Poke Ball, Noctowl flew high into the sky ready to attack. Noctowl fought against Asuki's Victreebel from their first encounter which may now prove to be a disadvantage from her experience from battle with it combined with the now limitless power of her grass type's solar beam attack. However he did not risk pulling out his Shedinja yet, because he feared many of her Pokémon may now be prepared for it.
“Okay Noctowl, we need to keep Victreebel busy, let's use aerial ace attack!”
Aerial Ace's incredible speed did keep Victreebel busy, despite not having to recharge the solar beam attack, Noctowl was successful in dodging the beams. Each time Victreebel missed, Noctowl would hit Victreebel. There was even a time one of the beam ended up taking out a large rose bush on the sidelines, leaving many of Asuki's assistants running.
“This is getting no where.” Asuki growled. “Victreebel, use Acid!”
“Noctowl use protect!” Shawn countered.
Noctowl was quick to hold it's position and generate the energy needed to deflect the poisonous attack. Once Victreebel ended the attack, Noctowl took the moment, to make the final blow with one last Aerial Ace. Victreebel was hit and landed in the small pool, knocked out.
Asuki had no choice but to send out a new Pokémon. “Bellossom! I need your power!”
Out came a beautiful Pokémon, Shawn never seen before. He decided to keep Noctowl out and immediately commanded Noctowl to begin it's attack again. However, Asuki did something different this time.
“Bellossom, use Leaf Storm!” Asuki commanded.
Bellossom raised its little arms and with a very pleasing battle cry, it began to glow green, and then several leaves from the trees, bushes, even blades of grass from the surface of the battlefield took to the sky and swarmed the building flying in every direction. Shawn was used to sandstorms, but nothing like this. His Noctowl not only lost its target but instead hit the ground with its latest aerial ace attack.
The attack subsided, and before Noctowl could get up, Shawn saw what was coming, Bellossom also took advantage of the bright sunlight and fired a solar beam. “Noctowl protect!”
It was too late however, the attack already connected with Noctowl and the owl Pokémon was sent flying, crashing into the ground a few feet away from Shawn. However by some miracle, it was not out. It first limped to get it's footing and was all of a sudden back in the air.
“Alright! Let's not let that happen again! Roost!”
“Bellossom, Leaf Storm!”
Again the leaves began flying in every direction in the gym, however Noctowl landed and took shelter on the ground. Asuki was lost for a moment, looking in the sky for her opponent's Pokémon. However it did not take long before she found Noctowl, regaining its energy.
“Quick Bellossom, finish it off with solar beam!”
“Sky Attack!” Shawn commanded.
The beam barely missed Noctowl as it took to the highest parts of the large gym, and without delay, made direct contact with Bellossom. Like Victreebel, before it, Bellossom landed in the pond now soiled with grass and leaves.
“Oh no! Bellossom!” Asuki recalled her Pokémon back into it's Poke ball. “You are too good Shawn. But my Leafeon will wield it's full power!” She threw out her last Poke Ball with emitted the shining light that transformed into Leafeon. “Solar beam!”
Leafeon's solar beam was the fastest of all three different Pokémon Asuki has used in this match. Shawn was not even given a chance to think. The beam instantly hit Noctowl and the tired owl finally submitted.
“Good job, Noctowl.” Shawn said as he recalled it. Then after thinking a moment, he knew only one of his Pokémon would for sure stand a chance against the powerful Eevee evolution. “Salamence, it's game time!”
Shawn threw out his final Pokémon, which was the powerful Salamence he last used against the CIPHER peons from escaping Krane's lab.
“Dragon Pulse!”
Salamence's attack was ruthless, immediately a surge of plasma like energy filled the room from Salamence, and directly hit Leafeon head on however it was not out of the fight.
“Oh no! I am too close to this victory than to lose to a dragon, Leaf Blade!”
Not only was Leafeon fast with its Special attacks, but the physical attack of leaf blade was like a samurai charging it's target. No time to defend, Leafeon struck across Salamence knocking it back to Shawn.
“Dragon Pulse again!” Shawn commanded
“Protect yourself Leafeon!” Asuki countered.
Leafeon was successful in protecting itself against the second Dragon Pulse attack, which was far stronger than the first. While Leafeon used its energy to deflect the attack, the attack otherwise was tearing the gym apart, ripping apart tree branches and cracking several large planters that surrounded the arena, everyone except Asuki and Shawn was running in terror. The final move was at hand.
“Leafeon, this is it. It's all on this move.” Asuki was whispering to herself.
“Focus Salamence, let's win our first gym badge.” Shawn said as well.
“Last resort attack!” Asuki commanded.
“Hyper beam attack!” Shawn commanded.
It seemed like forever, Leafeon began to charge at Salamence, at what appeared to be the ultimate form of a tackle like attack. Salamence took aim at Leafeon, charging the energy in its mouth. If Shawn was just a second late it would have been over, instead right when Leafeon made the final lunge, it was caught in the fire of the powerful hyper beam which nearly hit Asuki and blasted into a wall behind her. When the attack was over Leafeon was on the ground behind Asuki, knocked out from the hit.
“I don't believe it. He won.” Asuki said to herself as she gazed upon her fallen comrade.
Heather arrived at the lab within a few hours, just before noon. The lab was heavy under construction. However she found Krane, and his assistants working in the Purification chamber. He turned as discovered Heather entering the building.
“Hello Heather, I am afraid the last bit of the Purification is going slowly, it seems it is taking longer to purify Shadow Pokemon than last time.”
“I see, though one should not see that as a surprise I guess.” Hearther replied.
“Why do you say that?” Krane asked.
“Think about it, CIPHER's speciality is Shadow Pokemon, surely they are working to perfect it.”
“Perhaps, if that be the case I would wonder why this is not a XD Shadow Pokemon.”
“XD?” Heather asked looking puzzled.
“A more powerful form of Shadow Pokemon. The only known XD in the past was a prototype and originally was thought to be a Shadow Pokemon impossible to purify, though through research was proven wrong. In any case, I fear things are more complicated than the last two incidents.”
“We can only assume as much, CIPHER intends to win at all costs.” Heather stated.
“Yes, well maybe by tomorrow, Blaziken here will be ready to open its heart.”
“I hope so. Well I wish I could stay and chat but I really have to get to my next destination.”
“Where is that?” Krane asked as they started to walk to the nearby PC.
“Mt. Battle.” Heather said as she logged on to the PC. “I need to find the Ranger leader there. Apparently he has information about the target site that we need to investigate.” She began checking on the weather on the PC.
“Yes that is right, remember despite now working for the good guys, he is still very rough around the edges... well just rough all round. His name is Gonzap, and wouldn't hesitate to fight you if he still trained Pokémon.”
“I'll keep that in mind.” Heather replied. They began to make their way to the exit.
“Are you feeling alright Heather?” Krane asked with the most sincerity.
“Better than ever. My leg doesn't even bother me anymore for the most part. I think Latias might have done something to it when she was transporting me here.”
“That is good. I would love to get a chance to examine Latias someday, of course there is still many questions about her kind we do not know the answers to.”
“Well if this war is ever over, maybe we will have that chance.” Heather said as she smiled. They then exited the building and without hesitation she summoned Latias and once again took to the air.
“Look what you have done to my gym!” Asuki cried out.
“Sor... sorry. I thought you wanted to see my best!” Shawn said in terror.
“Yes but not destroy my garden in the process! Boys. You are all alike. Well I guess I will have to replant everything later. Anyways, congratulations, I know this was more a single achievement for you than a step to becoming the Kanto league champion, but either way you earned this Rainbow badge.”
Asuki handed over a beautiful gold pin, layered with multiple gems forming a rainbow colored flower. Shawn took the badge and pinned it to his backpack and it sparked in the sun.
“Now I guess I will get changed and we will make our way to Vermilion City.”
“Should we work to get this place back in shape first?” Shawn asked still feeling guilty.
“Heck no, the girls can take care of that. They do this all the time. Though I think they never had it this bad in for them. Come on meet me at the entrance, I will get changed quickly since this is the second Kimono you have destroyed within the last 48 hours.”
She disappeared up a flight of stairs, Shawn still didn't feel any less guilty as he made his way to the exit.
Heather stopped in Agate village for a quick lunch, most of her team's Pokémon was let loose to enjoy the sunshine, while she ate a sandwich her grandmother made, she was on one of the highest levels of the village overlooking the desert beyond it. Everything for a moment felt normal as if CIPHER, Shadow Pokémon, her newfound power never even existed. She was very thankful for this moment.
However her bliss was soon interrupted as her surrounding went completely black. She seen such a feat before, it was a night shade attack, though it was not meant for her harm or any of her Pokémon. She was being isolated.
“Do not turn around.” A muffled voice said behind her back. It was clear the stranger was right behind her and may be wearing a bandanna around his mouth.
“What if I do?” Heather asked with the slightest hint of fear in her voice.
“Because our time to meet has not yet come. Seeing me now will only make your hunters pursue you more.”
“My hunters, you mean, CIPHER.”
“They seek you, it is important that you do not fall into their hands.” the mysterious voice said.
“Because they know I hold something valuable.” Heather replied.
“You are Honato. You are more valuable than you can imagine. You must not be trapped by them.”
“But I must pursue them. There is no one else who can see Shadow Pokémon.” Heather said this realizing this mysterious person knows of her ability through the legend of her tribe.
“Yes you must, but as you hunt them, they will hunt you. Imagine if they found this opportunity to strike like I have.”
“Then I would be in trouble.” Heather said and with that, light around her returned. She then attempted to turn around but could not get her focus from the bright sunlight. By the time she could see again. It was too late. No one except for a few villagers near the Pokémon Center was present. She then pack her things and raised all of her Poke Balls. “Team return!”
Thanks to a forest shortcut Asuki knew about, it was only a few hours walk to Vermilion City, Shawn could smell the scent of the ocean, just as if he returned to Gateon Port. He looked out to the South and could see several ships at dock. As they wondered through town, he saw what appeared to be the Pokémon Gym for Vermillion. It looked like a military barracks.
“That's the gym for this town huh?”
“Yes it is.” Asuki replied. “The gym leader has become very difficult to beat since the death of her father. She is tough. Unless you use fast ground types, they say she is unbeatable.”
“That sounds scary. Still Heather would love to fight you and her, along with the rest of the gym leaders here in Kanto.”
“Well our doors will be open to her.” Asuki said. It was then doors to the gym did open.
“ASUKI! What on earth are you doing here?!” said a woman with brown hair who appeared to be a few years older than Asuki. She was dressed in a tight fitting military style outfit, but with shorts. She was also sporting bandages on her legs, arms, and even one of her left cheek. She was also wearing glasses. “You should be on duty! I already heard you completed your personal leave at Lavender. You can't just take a weekend off every week you know, the Kanto League Championships are almost over!”
“Hey don't blame me.” Asuki said back in a very sarcastic tone. “If it wasn't for a certain trainer completely wiping me out earlier,” (she tilted her head toward Shawn) “My gym wouldn't need a week's worth of repairs.”
The other girl then looked at Shawn, and after taking a moment to study him, she grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pull him up to her face. “IS THAT SO? Well if it weren't for the fact I already have a day full of trainer's already lined up in there to challenge me. I'd drag you in my gym myself, if Asuki is actually knowing what she is talking about!” She then let go of Shawn's collar and he dropped to the ground. “But since the rules force me to battle trainer who are in line of you first, even though I already know I won't be handing out a single badge today, I will just have to let you go!”
“Well I am glad we can come to an understanding miss... miss?” Shawn asked as the girl started to turn red in anger.
“PRIVATE! You little turd! Don't you know a soldier when you see one! I am in the National Guard after all, and I don't wear this uniform for show! Now listen here! I expect you to come back and see if you can back up your insult. Cause if you don't, I, PRIVATE Christi Blane, will just take a bit of personal leave myself and come find you! DISMISSED!”
“Yes Sir!” both Asuki and Shawn said. Christi then turned around and stomped back into the gym.
“Well at least you met her on a good day.” Asuki said.
“THAT was a 'good' day?”
Heather wasted very little time completing her journey to Mt. Battle. She looked up at the glaring peak above her and saw the usual smoke coming from the top of the volcano. However she never had been so close. She approached the village below the mountain and saw the usual crowds of trainers either at shops buying up supplies, getting rest at the Pokémon Center, or simply at the main building waiting to enter the glorious mountain for training sessions.
She felt bummed that she could not take part in the 100 trainer challenge today. Especially knowing she was now qualified. She also knew that if she could complete the challenge, that was an instant invite to participate into the Orre regional championship. She wished she could be calling Eric and Kimi and scrapping the plan, however she knew that there were more important things to be done than to focus on her career as a Pokémon trainer, not to mention Corrison stating the challenge season was completed. So with out further delay she found a large building with the Pokémon ranger crest above the entry way.
Immediately she found a reception counter with a young female ranger serving the post there and she approached it. “Excuse me, is the Ranger leader here today?”
“Yes he is." The ranger replied with uncertainty. Clearly it was a request not commonly made. "Can I ask what business you have with him?”
Heather thought for a moment, she wasn't sure if this Gonzap would appreciate the mention of his old criminal team just to grant an audience with her. So she choose her words carefully. “It is about that storm building up, out east past the old Outpost. I was told he can help me with my investigation with it.”
“I see. Well let me call him and I will see if he will talk to you. Take a seat right there.” The ranger said as she pointed to a bench just to right of Heather. Heather did sit down but it only took a few minutes for the ranger to return to her. “He said he will see you immediately. Please follow me.”
The ranger guided Heather through the ranger post. There were a lot of high tech devices and multiple similar dressed young adults working hard at dispatch stations or typing reports. Heather then found herself in front of a flight of curving glass stairs that led to an office on the floor above. The ranger motioned for Heather to continue on her own and she left her, returning to the reception desk.
Heather climbed the stairs quickly and knocked on the door when she reached the top. However the door slide opened electronically. Heather entered a room where the sunlight from the nearly endless windows gave the only illumination.
“Silly girl, there was a door bell.” said a rough and older voice. The man who was talking was looking away from his desk out to the Orre desert.
“My apologies sir. I am from Agate Village and I am not exactly used to all these electronics around...”
“Yes of course. Pokémon Trainer ID OR-97345. Peacecraft, Heather Illana. OPTA rank 1 star.” The figure then turned around. The man was bald, and appeared to be around his fifties. However he was far from poor health. Despite the fact he was in a ranger leader's uniform it was clear he sported powerful muscles across his body. Heather could only imagine how many tenths of a second it would take for her to be defeated in a arm wrestling match against him. “and the daughter of the man who betrayed Team Snag'em.”
“So I have heard, but would you not agree that you now betrayed that forgotten team's principle?” Heather said boldly.
“Heh... perhaps. I only decided to truly give up on Team Snag'em when the news of your father's death came to me. It was about eight years ago and I realized any chance at my revenge was taken from me. Now I seek justice from those who robbed me of my opportunity to fight against your father one last time.”
“Justice or vengeance?”
“Justice. I only held a grudge from your father when he first destroyed my old base, twenty years ago. It was then I realized my power could do so much more than to settle my own affairs. Otherwise how could someone like me now be the leader of the Orre Pokémon Rangers?”
“Then if what you say is true, then you must know why I am here.” Heather then started to approach Gonzap.
“Yes. CIPHER. We share a common enemy Heather, daughter of Sean. Your exploits already are making a difference even we rangers could not have done. Now the only reason I can see you need my help is to learn about my old base.”
“Correct.” Heather replied.
Gonzap started to laugh. “Well I am sorry to disappoint you but I have not been in Eclo canyon ever since I demolished the building, eight years ago.” Heather was shocked to hear this. “Ever since I realized Team Snag'em was done for I made sure no remaining element to our old plans remained, I destroyed the remains Team Snag'em headquarters until only a smoldering pile of rubble remained. I then set out on the world to learn the true meaning of Pokémon on my own, until I am now who you see before you today.”
“Well thank you for at least trying to help.”
“Indeed.” Gonzap replied. “It is a shame I am no longer a trainer. I can see your father in you, except you do have your mother's eyes. You would make a great opponent.”
“Likewise, Gonzap.” Heather said as she then turned and walked for the exit.
“Be cautious, daughter of Sean.” Gonzap said. Heather stopped at looked back at Gonzap. “Your father and mother sure weren't and they almost got killed when they fought CIPHER. Beware of that part of the canyon. There is only one way out of that canyon.”
“Thank you.” Heather replied. “I always take care of myself.”
Shawn and Asuki was on the sea-runner heading for Knot Island. Shawn was again treated to seeing many different Pokémon in the sky such as the Wingulls and Pelippers that tried to keep up with the fast moving ship. Below he could see several fish Pokémon also chasing the ship alongside. Along with them was a man who looked like a computer nerd from the 80's. It was Bill that Professor Krane mentioned about. During the journey the talked about how the Pokemon Storage System works and Bill's fondness for Eevee and its many different evolutions. Asuki even mentioned its because of Bill she learned about the evolution into Leafeon through the moss stones.
It was only a matter of time before they arrived. Unlike the metropolises of Kanto, Knot Island's village was small and untouched. Which made Shawn feel a little more at home.
It was easy for Shawn and Asuki to find the Pokémon Net Center. Upon entry, they first found what would appear to be a normal Pokémon Center with all of the usual resources, however in a chamber to the right, there was a large computer lab. There was only one person working there, and he seemed to be working on a very large machine.
“Disaster, the whole thing is a disaster!” It was clear the technician was talking to himself.
“Excuse me... Celio.” Asuki said as she touched his shoulder.
“What? What!” He turned around in a whirl. He was a man about in his late thirties, wearing large glasses and his hair a mess. “Asuki. Oh what a pleasure it is to see you again so soon. Come! Come! I have some tea ready here.” He was scrambling to get to a counter where a hotplate was cooking a kettle. “Come so soon for a visit again?”
“Well this time on business actually.” Asuki said as Shawn walked up. “This is Shawn, he has come here to retrieve the Yanmega that was blocked here during inter-region transport.”
“Ah yes. So you are the thorn in my side these past few days.” Celio said with a glare.
“Excuse me?” Shawn replied.
“Well not to say that it is really your fault.” Celio said as he continued to make three cups of tea. “I invented the inter-region transport filter to prevent any form of transport, trade or storage, of any illegal Pokémon, such as the Shadow Pokémon you tried to send. Needless to say this was the first test ever since I build the darn contraption fifteen years ago. I guess it worked.” Celio said as he started to burst out laughing.
“Needless to say, the system actually activated, and pretty well crashed half of the system. It's a wonder international pen-pals or elite Pokémon veterans are not ticked from the system not working like it should. Which should be fixed by the end of the day.” Celio then started to rummage in a desk and then pulled out a familiar looking Ultra Ball. “Here you go. You know it's a wonder your trainer license was not suspended when the system activate, it took explanations from both Oak and Krane to me on what was going on before I agreed to surrender the darn thing to you. Not to say I am not glad to be rid of it, mind you.”
“Don't blame you.” Shawn said “I was surprised a CIPHER agent did successfully attack me here in Kanto. Though I am equally surprised you just had this Shadow Pokémon in a drawer in your desk here.”
“Why not? Nothing ever happens on this island.” Celio replied. It was then a window broke open from an explosion.
Meanwhile, Heather, Kimi, and Eric were looking out to the east just beyond the Outpost gas station. The storm began to grow in size again and they could feel a cold wind blowing in from the east.
“It's cold! I wish I brought my bigger jacket if I knew we would hit this.” Kimi whined.
“I do not get it.” Eric said. “Why rebuild the storm? They must know by now of what we did yesterday.”
“I know. I do not understand either, but I think whatever we find there will answer a few questions.” Heather said.
