Chapter four: Calming seas
Dawn felt weak and insignificant about her inability to prevent her Island from becoming something that reminded her of glowing golden ore. By no means was what she observed beautiful. Fires were raging in random parts of the vegetated portion of Twinleaf, while the place which she called home positioned along the beach was completely leveled. Rage fuelled Dawn's determination to somehow avenge the destruction of her childhood home, but more so, the likely deaths of all the people she cared about.
Azelf sensed Dawn's pain, but understood her rage would only bring about more suffering. Dawn heard as Azelf echoed it's thoughts into her mind.
"I know how you feel, but I urge you to consider the world as a whole. Remove yourself from feeling like a victim Dawn."
"I'm trying. That's unusual isn't it?"
"Dawn I can't tell you much, but you are different, and that's why you're the chosen one –you've always been."
"For a Pokémon, you sure know a lot!"
"Pokémon tend to know more about the balance of the world than an average human could ever. Let's go Dawn, we have to find the professor - he'll tell you the rest."
The sound of rapid footsteps surprised Rowan, causing him to quicken the pace at which he typed in his secure access ID. A voice echoed with the approaching footsteps, freezing the professor in place as he realized it belonged to Dawn's best friend. "Is that really you professor Rowan? Answer me please!" The professor heard the secure metallic door positioned flatly in the grass slide open. Slowly Rowan stepped forward. "Leo do you know where Dawn is?" The old man hoped against all odds that his daughter had escaped with Leo. A frown creased Leo's young face. "I'm sorry, but I haven't seen her anywhere for a few days" The professor suspected Dawn's disappearance had something to do with Azelf, now he felt certain of it. "Don't worry about Dawn Leo –have faith."
Azelf had a keen ability at finding people, which amazed Dawn. After Azelf assured the brunette of her father's wellbeing, it became possible for her to function as her depressive state of being became optimistic. "Alright Dawn; are you ready to learn your destiny?"
"I've always been, Aze."
Before Dawn could blink, she stood in the midst of the vegetation she'd been looking at from the sky an instant ago. "Look Down." Dawn complied.
There was a carpet of grass camouflaging the door leading to her father's storage facility. "So that's where he must store all his Pokémon." It surprised the brunette that her Azelf had an ability to travel through solid barriers.
Leo sat with a dejected atmosphere about him, until he saw a duel tail wiggle above him. Gazing up, Leo saw Azelf floating above him, the sight of which for some reason made him smile uncontrollably. Rowan noticed Leo's sudden shift in disposition, focusing his eyes to the same point Leo's gaze watched. The professor choked his words out. "Az…zzelf is Dawn with you?" In response the Pokémon floated toward the entrance of the basement, nodding its little head for the professor to unlock the door. The next thing he knew, Rowan watched Dawn's face light up at the sight of him, and Leo further in the basement. "Dad, I'm glad you're alive, and you too Leo." A heartwarming smile was plastered on Dawn's face as she hugged her dad, then Leo. As the three people relished their reunion, Azelf's features darkened. "Dawn, I'm sorry but you don't have time for this right now." At Azelf's message, the brunette sobered up, although reluctantly.
"Dad, there isn't much time, and I'll have to leave –soon." She gave a pause before continuing. "Have you heard of 'the balance of the world', and 'chaos storms'?"
"I'm afraid I have, however I'm not an expert. I've tried to deny it, but I suspect I've always known you are the one meant to restore the world."
All Dawn knew was the she must fix the world. "But how do I rebalance the world?"
"By gathering Palkia, who's in charge of space, Dialga, who controls time, and Giratina the Pokémon controlling dimensions … together their power is enough to restore the world to a perfectly balanced state. I do not know the repercussions of rebalancing the world, but I'm certain a world safe from chaos storms and without merciless men like Lundi is worth it."
"What's so special about me though? Can't someone else gather three Pokémon –perhaps an experienced Pokémon master?"
"It's not so simple Dawn. You don't choose to save the world, the world chooses you."
"Fair enough … wait I don't even know where those Pokémon are, also how in heck am I supposed to 'gather' them?"
"To find them you have a guide, Azelf. To gather them, well you'll have to learn for yourself because frankly I haven't a slightest idea, but there is a researcher I know who specializes in the study of the guardians, opposes Lundi and lives in Celestic Town –here." Quickly, Rowan searched his bag for pokégear, finding it, Rowan handed the gear to his daughter. "Hold on Dawn, I have something else you'll find useful." In a safe there were a few rare master balls Rowan gathered over the years for being a top researcher of Pokémon evolutions and legends. "Here's my entire master ball collection –please use it wisely Dawn."
"Thank you for this." Trying to keep stoic, Dawn continued. "I will, and I guess this is goodbye then…" Dawn spun around, after placing the five master balls she received into her black backpack. As she walked toward the exit, Dawn could hear Leo's footsteps following her own.
Leo continued to follow Dawn as she made her way down to the seashore. Finally having had enough of Leo's persistence, the brunette paused, speaking in a harsh tone without looking at the blond young man. "Why are you trailing me Leo?"
"I'm not trailing you, I'm going to help you in any way I can."
"You are not coming with me!"
"I don't care if you don't want me to help, because this is as much my problem as yours. Azelf you agree with me, don't you?" The Pokémon gave a big nod, surprising Dawn, whilst causing Leo to let out a sigh of relief.
"I guess that means you can come along Leo; don't get yourself killed though." The young man smiled at Azelf, silently thanking it.
