Chapter 4: The Oldale Ruins Discovery!
Last time on "Pokémon Hoenn Journey", Ash, Minato, and May were traveling together, heading for Oldale Town for Ash to register for the Hoenn League. Things have gotten a little bitter as they were walking by.
First, Minato didn't feel like trusting both Ash and May, seeing that they were trainers. And May had lost her first wild Pokémon battle against an Azurill, with its friends, Marill and Azumarill.
Now, the three trainers had ran all the way to the ruins, where they meet Professor Alden, who seemed to be researching the ruins. The professor guided the three to the Oldale Town's Pokémon Center up ahead.
In there, May's Torchic was shown that it only needed a good night sleep for it to fully recover. The same went for Minato's Poochyena and Zigzagoon, despite that they didn't take heavy damage.
As they were in the Center, Ash called Prof. Oak, a Kanto Professor, which May bragged about meeting him face to face for the first time. Minato was only slightly interested as the call ended.
When that was done, the Kanto trainer gave the two beginning trainers a tour around the Pokémon Center, before he heard about a new Gym Leader that came up in Petalburg City.
However, before Ash could get the news, May dragged him away to have supper, since it was the middle of the evening. As they were eating, they met up with Prof. Alden once again, much to their surprise.
Ash, May, and Minato were all in Prof. Alden's office that was part of the Pokémon Center. The Kanto trainer noticed a picture of the ruins that he and the others saw before at the route.
"Hey, Professor. Is that the same routes that we saw at the hill before?" Ash asked, curious. "Yes! And lucky for me, the Pokémon Center has been generous enough to give me the use of this room while I continue on my research on those ruins!" Prof. Alden explained.
He looked at the picture as Minato glanced at it with little interest. "You know, there is a stone chamber hidden in the ruins! And legend has it, that there's sort of bridge, or portal of our world and the ancient Pokémon world!" Prof. Alden explained.
"A portal? You can't expect us to believe that it has something to do with time traveling, do you, Professor?" Minato scoffed as Torchic looked up at him in curiosity and surprise.
"Minato..." Ash grunted, glaring at his companion before the Professor stopped the Kanto trainer. "Wow... I have to admit, that kind of sounds amazing..." May admitted.
"Yes! But, because of its strange construction, any attempts to have entered the chamber have caused it to begin crumbling. So, its contents remain unknown!" Prof. Alden explained.
"So, basically no one can get in there? That should be pretty a no brainer." Minato sighed, realizing of what that meant. Before the Professor could agree, Ash turned, asking his question.
"But, what do you mean by ancient Pokémon?" Ash asked, curious. "Pika?" Pikachu asked along.
"Well, Ash. I'm not talking about extinct fossil Pokémon, like Aerodactyl and Kabuto, I'm talking about ancient Pokémon, that's been living in ancient times before changing at all!" Prof. Alden explained.
"Wow... How cool!" Ash exclaimed. Minato just sighed, looking at the objects and things that the Professor had in his work room. As Ash and May were talking with the Professor, he looked at the mirror.
There was a mirror set near the exit of the room as he stared at it. The lonely boy touched the tear looking marks on his cheeks. "..." Minato stayed silent, until his Fire Type hopped over, confused.
"Torchic?" Torchic asked, blinking at his trainer. "It's nothing, Torchic..." Minato lied as he bit his lips, sighing. It didn't seem to convince his starter as the little Fire Type frowned at his trainer.
"... Ancient Pokémon... I'd love to see one." Ash finished. "Pika Pika." Pikachu agreed, wanting to see the Pokémon as well. The Professor chuckled at that, seeing the Kanto trainer's excitement.
"You just might get your chance, Ash." Prof. Alden explained. Both Ash and May turned to see a tablet held in the Professor's hands. Even Minato walked up, seeing the stone tablet.
"The correct way to enter the stone chamber, is written here on this tablet!" Prof. Alden explained, showing the tablet. "You're kidding!" "Pika!" Ash and Pikachu exclaimed, both amazed.
"Let's go, then!" May exclaimed, wanting to see the ruins. "Well... There are four keys needed to enter that haven't been yet been found. So, I'm afraid we'll have to wait just a bit longer." Prof. Alden explained.
"Count me out... I'm not interested in one of those things..." Minato grumbled as he walked out of the room. "H-Hey... Minato?" May called out. Ash glared at where the boy had left, wondering of what he was planning.
Meanwhile, Minato had left the Center with Torchic, as the lonely boy wasn't interested in histories and other such things. "Those two... They don't know why I joined them... And it's because of one reason..." Minato grunted.
"Chic?" Torchic asked, looking up at his trainer. Before the lonely boy can answer his starter's question, there was someone else who asked for Minato's reason for the journey.
"Is it for vengeance?" A dark voice called out. Both Minato and Torchic blinked in surprise, as they turned to see three men with red cloaks and hood on. "What... Who are you!?" Minato snapped.
"Houndoom, let's go!" "Mightyena, you're up!" The two men called out, summoning their Pokémon. A dark hound looking Pokémon and a dark wolf Pokémon growled at the boy and his Fire Type.
Torchic glared at his evolved opponents, facing them. Minato quickly took out his Pokédex as he scanned the two Pokémon, starting with the Mightyena first.
"Mightyena, the Bite Pokémon. Mightyena is the evolved form of Poochyena. They move primarily in packs, working together to capture their prey." Minato's Pokédex buzzed as he scanned Houndoom next.
"Houndoom, the Dark Pokémon. The evolved form of Houndour. Houndoom's eerie howl is said to cause those who hear it to shudder in fear." The Pokédex buzzed once again.
"We are part of the organization that is the enemy of the one who you are seeking to destroy." The female grunt explained, stepping up. The two men sneered, staring at the lonely boy.
"Out of the way, kid, so you won't get hurt." The first male grunt demanded, cracking his knuckles. Both Houndoom and Mightyena growled and barked at the boy and his little Fire Type.
"Just what are you trying to do here?" Minato asked. But, before he could get some answers, the first grunt called out his attack. "Houndoom! Use Dark Pulse, go!" The first grunt called out.
Houndoom leapt in the air, before it shot the Dark Type move at Torchic. "Ngh. Dodge, then use Quick Attack, Torchic!" Minato shouted. Torchic narrowly dodged the powerful attack before he slammed into Houndoom.
However, it didn't seemed to faze the Fire-Dark Type as the second grunt made his attack. "Mightyena! Use Hyper Beam!" The second grunt shouted. Mightyena attacked this time, which Torchic dodged again.
"Quick, use Ember on Mightyena! Then, use Peck on Houndoom!" Minato called out desperately. Fireballs shot at Mightyena, who immediately shook off the attack as Peck was dodged by the Dark Pokémon.
"Heh. Not bad, kid. But, it's over. Houndoom, use Fire Blast!" The first grunt called. "Mightyena! Use Shadow Ball!" The second grunt shouted. Together, the two Dark Types shot their powerful attacks at Torchic.
"Dodge it, Torchic!" Minato shouted as Torchic tried to jump and dodge. He managed to dodge Fire Blast, but he took a direct hit from the Shadow Ball! The Chick Pokémon skidded on the ground, fainted.
"Oh no!" Minato gasped. He ran over to his Fire Type, returning it to its Pokéball, before the three grunts approached him. "Get inside, kid. NOW." The grunt demanded as he shoved the lonely boy inside the Center.
However, the Center was dark with no electricity at all. Several other grunts were inside, trapping people in their rooms. Even Nurse Joy was shoved away, much to her protest.
"What... What is the meaning of this... What are you trying to- GAH!" Minato started, before he was knocked unconscious by a brutal kick on the stomach.
Minato groaned in pain before he blacked out, only seeing that the grunts sneered at him. He felt that his wrists were being tied in the back, tightly or some sort. "Nuts... Ugh." Minato groaned as he closed his eyes.
Later...
"...to! Minato! Wake up!" May's voice called out. "What..." Minato grunted as he weakly opened his eyes. Through the blurriness, he was able to see Ash and May, with Pikachu at their side.
Even Nurse Joy was with them, concerned about the lonely boy. His wrists didn't feel like it was tied up anymore as he slowly got up. "What... Where is this?" Minato asked, as he held his head.
"You were knocked out by those crooks... And you seemed to be in a bad shape... You don't know how worried we were." Ash explained, feeling relieved for his new companion. "Pika Pika." Pikachu agreed.
The lonely boy frowned, before taking out his Pokéball that belonged to Torchic. "And Torchic..." Minato started as Nurse Joy interrupted. "I managed to make Torchic a little better with all the medical supplies I had with me before they were taken away..." Nurse Joy explained.
"I see..." Minato scoffed, putting the Pokéball away. "So, Minato... What happened out there?" May asked. Minato got up, glaring at his back, seeing that the storage door was locked up.
He pounded on the door hard, ignoring May's question. "You people... Who exactly are you!? Are you the people that MURDERED MY PARENTS!? Tell me... TELL ME RIGHT NOW!" Minato bellowed.
"Minato, stop!" "Don't do this!" Ash and May cried out, as they pulled their friend away, before they were pushed back. "Stay out of this! This has nothing to do with the rest of you!" Minato snapped.
"Yes it does! We're your friends, Minato!" Ash retorted. "Pika!" Pikachu agreed. "Pathetic. I never recalled you as a friend before..." Minato scoffed, turning his head away.
That was when Nurse Joy stepped up, breaking up the argument. "Alright, enough! I don't know what problem you have with each other, but now is not the time to be fighting with each other!" Nurse Joy snapped.
With that said, the three trainers broke up with Ash and May apologizing. The Kanto trainer turned to the nurse, with a question in his mind. "Nurse Joy, do you know these people?" Ash asked.
"Oh no... I don't know them... But, I'm sure that they were the ones that caused this blackout... Ah! Then that means, all of the Pokémon treated here are in danger!" Nurse Joy gasped.
May was panicky about that. "Wait! You mean my Torchic is in danger!?" May gasped. "We have to switch over to our reserve power right away." Nurse Joy explained, thinking of a plan.
"Well, to do that, we need to get out of here first." Ash reminded. "Pika!" Pikachu called. Everyone turned to see the Electric Type pointing at an air shaft that was near the floor.
Ash grinned, complimenting his partner for his eyes. "An air shaft! That's great, Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed, seeing that the plan was going in hand for escape.
So, with the air shaft set, Ash and Minato were crawling around the shaft to see if there was an exit nearby. "Hey, Ash! Minato! Slow down, you two!" May called out to the two boys.
"What are you doing, May?" Minato asked, glaring at the girl. "Well, why should I miss out on an adventure?" May asked, pouting at the lonely boy's rudeness as the three crawled into a fork route.
"Now what? Which way?" Ash asked, looking around. To his answer, Pikachu used his ears to find the correct route. He pointed at the route as the Kanto trainer smiled at his partner.
"That way, huh?... Hey! The exit!" Ash pointed out, seeing another hallway of the Pokémon Center. "Well... I hate to admit it... but I wasn't expecting your Pikachu to be the route expert." Minato mumbled.
"Yeah... Your Pikachu is pretty smart, Ash!" May complimented. "Out of the way..." Minato grunted as he bashed into the exit, making it more easier for him and the other two to get out.
The three trainers and Pikachu ran over as the Kanto trainer ran to the front desk, digging out a key. "Yes! The master key that Nurse Joy was talking about!" Ash exclaimed.
Just then, the lights came back on again as both Minato and May ran over. "We switched the power to the reserve power!" May exclaimed. Ash nodded as he and May ran for Nurse Joy.
"Hey, Minato! You coming?" Ash called out. But suddenly, Minato was running off, leaving the Center. "Huh? Wait, Minato! Where are you going?" Ash called out. May turned, surprised as well.
"He must be going after those criminals!" May gasped. "Well first, we have to get to Nurse Joy first!" Ash called. May reluctantly agreed, before she turned to see where the lonely boy had left.
Meanwhile...
Minato was out of the Center as he took Zigzagoon and Poochyena's Pokéballs with him to fight off the grunts again for a rematch. e gritted his teeth, remembering what the evil group had said before.
"If those people knew who the murderer of my parents, I have to get some answers off of them! Even if it means to get it by force!" Minato thought as he kept running towards the Oldale Ruins.
As he got near, he heard several voices, especially Prof. Alden's. "... The only thing left to do is to find out which key goes to which hole. And you will help us with that." The first grunt sneered.
Minato gritted his teeth, realizing that he was one of the men who knocked him out. "I won't!" Prof. Alden snapped, glaring at the grunts. The first grunt sneered, reminding the Professor.
"Really? Then, I assume that you don't care about what happens to the poor people at the Pokémon Center." The grunt reminded. "Y-You wouldn't!" Prof. Alden snapped angrily.
"We would and we will! Unless you obey us." The first grunt threatened. The Professor backed off, realizing that he had no choice, but to go along with their orders.
"Argh... Fine... you win." Prof. Alden agreed. He took the four small orbs as he inserted them into the holes. Suddenly, the entrance to the ruins opened, surprising everyone in the front.
Everyone headed inside as Minato followed quietly, wanting some answers from the people of the organization. As he got close, he waited for a few minutes, until one started to come out.
It was the first grunt who knocked him out. The lonely boy quickly took out his Pokéballs, summoning his three Pokémon. "Alright! Poochyena, Zigzagoon and Torchic, let's go!" Minato shouted.
The first grunt turned in surprise as Minato's three Pokémon appeared to fight. "Ugh! It's you again... Typical brat." The first grunt grunted annoyingly as he summoned his Mightyena.
By then, all the other goons came out, seeing of what was happening. "Sir!..." One of the female grunts called out as she took out a Pokéball. "Don't bother. Just get in the chopper. This will be over quick." The first grunt assured.
"Sir!" The four other grunts called out as they all ran into the chopper. "Alright. Answer me this! What do you know about the people who killed my family!" Minato demanded, pointing at the grunt.
The first grunt sneered, laughing darkly. "And if I were to not answer?" The first grunt asked. "Then, I'll just have to get some answers by force!" Minato threatened as his three Pokémon were ready.
"Fine. I'd like a challenge, anyway." The grunt agreed as Mightyena growled at his three little opponents. "Mightyena! Use Crunch!" The grunt shouted. Mightyena lunged at Zigzagoon first, who dodged.
"I don't think so! Zigzagoon! Iron Tail!" Minato called. An Iron Tail made a hit on the Dark Type as both Torchic and Poochyena were ready. "Poochyena, use Dig, and Torchic, Ember!" Minato shouted.
The little Dark Type dug underground as Torchic shot fireballs, which Mightyena resisted on. "Ha. Pathetic. Mightyena, use Shadow Ball!" The grunt called. A Shadow Ball was launched under Zigzagoon's feet, exploding under him.
Zigzagoon yelled in pain as he landed in front of his trainer's feet, knocked out. "No way!" Minato gasped. "Now, Mightyena! Use Hyper Beam on the little bird!" The grunt shouted.
Mightyena leapt in the air, preparing to shoot Hyper Beam, but at the same time, Poochyena bashed into his evolved form, interfering with the attack. "Ugh. Why you little..." The grunt growled.
"Now! Use Quick Attack and Tackle!" Minato called. Torchic sped up, hitting Mightyena with a swift Quick Attack, as Poochyena bashed into his evolved form with a Tackle attack.
Just then, the chopper was ready to fly as the female grunt called to her comrade. "Sir, we're ready to fly right now! Our next mission has been called!" The female grunt shouted.
"Alright. Mightyena, return." The grunt called, returning his Dark Type. Minato widened his eyes, then glared at the grunt. "You're kidding! You're running away from a battle!?" Minato snapped angrily.
"Even if the battle were to continue, you still would've lost. We're calling this a draw... but I will tell you one thing, kid, as a reward for interesting me with your little determination." The grunt assured.
The lonely boy narrowed his eyes as the grunt got onto the chopper. "The people who murdered your parents are like us, only in a blue color, which are enemies of us." The grunt reminded.
The door closed as the helicopter flew off and out of sight. Minato held Zigzagoon in his hands as Torchic and Poochyena ran over to their trainer. "Blue color..." Minato started.
He was interrupted by Ash and May, who ran over to their friend. "Hey, Minato!" "Minato!" The two called out, as the lonely boy turned. "You're both late..." Minato hissed, not impressed by the two's sudden appearance.
"Sorry..." Ash apologized, but he still glared at his companion. "Prof. Alden! Are you alright?" May called out, running to the Professor. The two boys turned to see the Professor getting up, with the help of May.
"Yes... I'm going to be just fine." Prof. Alden assured. "What a relief!" May sighed, feeling relieved for the Professor. Ash glared up at the retreating chopper, seeing that the goons got away.
"Who were those guys anyway?" Ash asked. Before anyone else could answer, there was a familiar whispering trio that were whispering their mottos behind them!
"Prepare for a very quiet trouble..."
"Make it a very silent double!"
"That's right! Just look what the Meowth has dragged in! For shiny treasures!"
"Wobbuffet!"
"Shhh!"
Unfortunately, they were heard as the four turned to see Team Rocket hiding from them! "You guys again!?" Ash snapped. "Rats. Seems like we were discovered!" Jessie taunted.
"You guys give back those treasures, right now!" Prof. Alden demanded. Immediately, Jessie and James took out their Pokéballs for battle. "Arbok! Go!" Jessie called, summoning her Poison Type.
The cobra looking Pokémon appeared, ready for battle. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" "Torchic, you use Quick Attack as well!" Ash and Minato called out together.
The two starters charged at Arbok as they slammed into the evolved Poison Type towards the evil trio! The three yelped in shock as they all were knocked away, dropping the four keys.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt them!" Ash shouted. Pikachu leapt in the air, shocking Team Rocket, causing them to be sent flying into the air! "TEAM ROCKET IS BLASTING OFF MUCH TOO SOON!" Team Rocket screamed as they were out of sight.
When they were gone, Prof. Alden picked up the four keys and inserted them into the second door portal. "Good! They're back to where they belong!" Prof. Alden sighed, relieved for the treasures.
Just then, the sun rose into the sky, showing a new morning. "Morning already?" May asked. Minato shrugged with no care as he placed the now conscious Zigzagoon down with Torchic and Poochyena.
His three Pokémon watched the amazing sunset as well. Suddenly, the four keys started to glow, causing a bright light to surround the whole chamber! Everyone turned in surprise, seeing the hidden entrance move out of the way.
Underneath it were stairs for an underground cave. "What's this?" Prof. Alden asked, amazed. Ash and May were amazed, especially Minato's three Pokémon. The lonely boy only watched, startled by the sudden new pathway.
Everyone headed down the stairs, seeing an amazing sight. It was like an underground lake! "It's an underground water supply!" Prof. Alden pointed out. "It smells so fresh and clean!" May pointed out.
"That's pretty obvious by the looks of it." Minato reminded as he looked around. "I wonder if this leads down to the sea?" Prof. Alden wondered, looking at the small underground lake.
Suddenly, something popped out of the water, revealing itself! Everyone gasped, especially Minato as the shadow faded, showing of who it was. "It's a Relicanth." Minato replied, scanning it with his Pokédex.
"Relicanth, the Longevity Pokémon. Relicanth is covered in stone-like scales, which allow it to endure the pressure of the deep ocean." Minato's Pokédex buzzed.
"Great Scott! It IS the ancient Pokémon, Relicanth!" Prof. Alden exclaimed. "Relicanth?" Ash asked, confused. "I'll be! It IS true! These ruins are the portal between the present and the past!" Prof. Alden exclaimed.
Later, on a late morning...
"May, Minato. I'm happy to tell the two of you that all your Pokémon are feeling much better now!" Nurse Joy explained, handing the three Pokéballs to Minato, with Torchic's Pokéball towards May.
"Oh great! Thank you!" May thanked as she summoned her new, fully restored Fire Type. Torchic looked at his trainer, before hopping into her arms. "Oh... I'm so glad that you're feeling better!" May exclaimed.
Minato gave a small nod to Nurse Joy in thanks as Torchic suddenly appeared, getting onto Minato's shoulder. "Not this again..." The lonely boy sighed in annoyance as Ash smiled.
"Hey. That proves that Torchic wants to be with you, rather than staying in his Pokéball!" Ash reminded. He then looked up at the nurse, wanting to know more about the organization.
"Nurse Joy, do you know anything about those crooks now?" Ash asked. "Officer Jenny is doing everything that she can, but no clues!" Nurse Joy explained. "Oh... That's too bad..." May admitted.
"Well, I guess it's time for us to head for Petalburg City, right?" Ash asked his two companions. "Ash!" Prof. Alden called out. The three trainers turned to see Prof. Alden walking towards them.
"Are you three leaving so soon?" Prof. Alden asked. "That's what we're about to do, Professor." Minato answered, sighing.
"Hey! Guess what! I've been doing a little more research, over at the stone chamber... and so far, every indication has pointed to ancient Pokémon and man interacting peacefully!" Prof. Alden explained.
"Wow... That's amazing!" Ash exclaimed. "You learned so much, and you did a lot!" May exclaimed. "I guess that's great..." Minato muttered, turning his head away with little interest.
"Right! I can hardly stop working, even to sleep! There are so many undiscovered secrets of Pokémon!" Prof. Alden explained. Minato just stared at outside, wondering if he'll meet the organization again.
Later...
After saying their farewells to Nurse Joy and Prof. Alden, Ash, Minato, and May were back on track, heading for Petalburg City. "I forgot! I never knew who the new Petalburg Gym Leader was!" Ash recalled.
"Uh... I don't know..." May lied, looking up at the sky. "Well... I'll be going to my first Hoenn region Gym battle! And that first badge is mine!" Ash exclaimed, feeling pumped up and excited to win his first badge.
"Pi Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed, as he was pumped up as well. Minato only glanced at the two, before scoffing. "Those three... heh. They're completely oblivious of what my goal is, huh..." Minato thought, as he sighed.
And so, with the incident settled, the three trainers head for Petalburg City for Ash's first Hoenn region Gym battle! What will occur there as they get there? Stay tuned for some more actions!
To be continued...
Minato's Team:
Torchic: (M): (Ember, Peck, Focus Energy, Quick Attack)
Poochyena: (M): (Bite, Tackle, Howl, Dig)
Zigzagoon: (M): (Iron Tail, Hidden Power, Sand-Attack, Headbutt)
Next Chapters:
Chapter 5: A Family to Remember By
Chapter 6: To Retrieve with a Family!
Chapter 7: A Taillow Flock Makes Problems!
Chapter 8: Taillow to Lead and Resist On!
Chapter 9: The Triple Knickers in Battle!
Next chapter preview:
Ash: Hey! This is it! This is the Petalburg Gym where I'm going to get my first Gym Badge!
Max: Hey, sis! Is this really the guy from the Silver Conference in the quarterfinals!? His name is Alf!
Ash: It's Ash, kid! And you don't have to remind me of where I had lost!
Norman: So! Are you two in a mood for some Gym battle? I could take on the two of you if I want!
Minato: A tempting offer, but no thanks. I'm not interested in Gym battles. All I care about is avenging my parents.
May: Avenge? That sounds kind of a bit scary, Minato... Just, what kind of a trainer are you?