Chapter Six

Niko led the astounded Trainers up the many richly-ornamented corridors to the Southern Tower. As they walked along, everyone couldn't help but stare at the many works of art lining the walls. There were paintings of fields, mountains, rivers, gardens, and people robed in royal attire; all were displayed in beautifully crafted frames decorated with gold and silver. Other pieces they passed included vases made of delicate porcelain, intricately carved busts of famous men and women from around the world, and rich tapestries depicting fierce battles dating long before the Middle Ages. One picture in particular that caught everybody's eye came up just as they were halfway to their goal.

This painting was big enough to cover one wall of an average sized room, and was framed in pure ebony highlighted with golden leaves on the corners. The painting itself seemed to represent a large city, surrounded on all sides by forests and mountains. A beautiful blue river ran right through it, giving it the appearance of a large piece of jewelry. What really caught their attention was the castle overlooking the city in the picture; it was exactly like the castle they were currently walking through in every respect, right down to the many blue-roofed towers!

As Ash, Brendan, and the other Trainers stopped to gaze at this beautiful picture, Niko turned back around to see what all the gawking was about.

"I can't believe it," May wondered in awe, "it's the same castle."

"Hmm," Brock said, rubbing his chin, "Maybe King Lorenzo used the one in the painting as a model for this one."

For some reason, Ash didn't think this was true. Taking a closer look, he could see small, calligraphic letters written in the bottom right corner of the canvas.

"Hyrule," he read softly.

"So," Niko suddenly interrupted, "I see you've found the Great Sea's old portrait."

All the children just looked at him as if he was speaking another language, but it was Max who broke the silence.

"Was this kingdom close to this region?" he asked.

To their surprise, Niko only chuckled before answering, "That kingdom is this region."

"WHAT?" they all screamed in surprise.

"Well," the young guide began as he motioned for them to keep walking, "the story goes that, a long time ago, a great and terrible evil overpowered the ancient kingdom of Hyrule. The people believed that a legendary hero, known even further back as the Hero of Time, would come to save their land. When he didn't appear, the people begged the gods for help.

"Hearing the cries of the people, the gods sealed the Great Evil away within his own power. Then, with a torrential downpour of rain that lasted for many days and nights, they sent the land of Hyrule to the bottom of the sea."

"That's awful!" May exclaimed.

"Did everyone die?" Max asked.

"I'm getting to that, hold your horses. Anyway, the gods knew that to seal the people away with the kingdom would mean making the Evil One's wish for total destruction of the land come true. So, they commanded those who would create a new land to take refuge on the mountaintops."

Brock added, "And I'm guessing that those mountaintops became these same islands?"

"You got it."

The Trainers were even more amazed than ever; none of them had any idea that an ancient civilization was lying right below them. The whole concept was mind-boggling!

"After King Lorenzo ascended the throne," Niko continued, "he financed many underwater expeditions to visit the Lost Kingdom of Hyrule. Thousands of artifacts (many of them housed in this very castle) were brought up from the ocean floor. In fact," he then paused and spread his arms out, spinning around twice in front of his staring charges, "this entire castle was once fathoms below the sea."

Ash's already wide eyes grew even wider as he listened, "Are you kidding?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" he replied with a teasing glare, "My grandpa, as a matter of fact, was one of the many seafaring men assigned to that project. The King had the whole castle brought up and rebuilt on this island stone-by-stone."

"Wow, no wonder the old guy needs to sit down all the time," joked one boy near the end of the line. Many of the others joined in laughing; only Niko, Ash, Brock, May, Max, Wally, and Brendan didn't think it was very funny. Come to think of it, May actually felt pity for the aging King.

Once the laughter had quieted down, everyone resumed their journey to the Southern Tower. Within a couple of minutes, they came to the double doors of the tower, which were made of cherry tree wood and lavishly decorated with carved birds and trees and bordered with ivy. Niko laid his hand on the brightly polished silver handles and pushed the heavy doors open.

For one fleeting moment, everyone in the group got the impression that they were walking into a forest. Baby trees in large earthen pots stood against the walls, which had lifelike trees and shrubs (every leaf and branch expertly accomplished) painted all over them. Directly across from them were the large glass windows; the bright green curtains were held back by plastic ivy vines, allowing the newcomers to view both the southern part of town and the open sea. In the center of the wooden floor was a wide dark green carpet, upon which stood a large table made of oak, two long sofas and at least three chairs (one was a rocker); each seat was cushioned in luscious green velvet, and small pillows embroidered with various animals. A big fire was already burning in the stone fireplace, giving the entire room a warm, homey feeling. On both sides of the fireplace were another set of doors, and two other sets stood right across from them: Ash and his friends guessed that these led to other rooms.

"Now then," Niko began as he trotted to the center of the room, "as I've said before, you guys have exactly two hours to prepare for the day: choose your beds, put your stuff away, get the Pokémon ready...you get the idea. The rooms to the left are for the ladies, and you fellows get the right. The doors right here" (he pointed to the ones closer to the main doors) "lead into the bathrooms. Be advised that they can only hold so many people at once, so don't come crying to me if somebody used up all of your favorite shampoo or whatever. The bedrooms are on the second floor of the tower," he stopped and opened the left doors near the window, revealing a set of steps, "Just head up the stairs, you'll find 'em easily."

Without waiting for anyone to ask questions, Niko walked past the Trainers and headed for the main doors. "I'll be back in two hours to fetch you guys," he told them, "I expect you all to be ready to go by then; if not, then that's your problem." Niko then pulled the doors closed, and left them.

While all the other visitors wandered around exploring the rooms, Ash, Pikachu, and Brendan just stood there wearing disapproving looks on their faces. Apparently, they were not impressed with the seemingly uncivil manners of their guide.

"Man," Brendan asked aloud, "is he really supposed to be our group leader?"

"Chu, chuu," Pikachu grumbled irritably from his master's shoulder.

"I don't know," Ash answered, "but he has about as much manners as Team Rocket."

Both boys and the Pokémon couldn't help but laugh this time. Ever since Ash could remember, Jessie, James, and Meowth always had a habit of showing up at the most unexpected (and sometimes unwelcome) times. Even after all these years, he still hadn't figured out why they didn't quit chasing him and his friends long ago. Were they really so obsessed with capturing his Pikachu? Well, whatever the reason, Ash knew that he wasn't going to let this trip be wasted on trying to anticipate those clowns' next ambush.

"C'mon," he said to his companions, "let's put our stuff away and get ready."

"Right," Brendan agreed as they headed upstairs.


Exactly two hours later, Niko was once again leading his group down the stairs towards the Great Hall. All the girls were talking amongst themselves about what they were going to do when they got to town. Many of them talked about shopping in the marketplace, while the rest felt like taking a walk in the park. The boys, by contrast, were eager to get theirs and their Pokémon's examinations over with, so that they could start training for the upcoming Tournament.

Looking down from the second-floor balcony, they could all see that Mako and Senza's groups had already assembled in the hall. Ash waved down to Marina and Jimmy, who smiled and waved back the minute they saw him. With another quick glance he spotted Tyler, who just stood there with his arms crossed and looking completely miserable.

"What's the matter with him?" Ash inquired.

Brendan looked at Tyler and shrugged, "Don't know; maybe he got his first warning."

"Or maybe he got all three," May grinned.

Brock looked uncomfortably in her direction, "Uh, I don't mean to butt in, but don't you think you're being a little hard on the guy? I mean I know he's a jerk and all, but perhaps if you were a little nicer..."

"He's more than just a jerk," May cut in venomously, "he's arrogant, rude, stingy, uncaring...and those are his good points."

"I'm with May on this one," Wally added timidly, "I don't like that guy."

"If he's that bad with people," Max observed, "I'd hate to see him in a Pokémon battle."

The six friends all nodded in agreement; they knew from experience that such a person obviously had a lot to learn about how to properly train and take care of Pokémon. As they reached the main floor of the hall, they were able to speak to their two friends from Johto.

"So," Marina proceeded to ask, "What's your room like?"

May spoke up before the others had a chance, "Amazing; the whole place looks like the forests back home. I almost felt like Little Red Riding Hood walking through it."

Jimmy stepped in excitedly, "If you think that's something, you should see the Eastern Tower sometime: the whole common room looks like an aquarium!"

Marina instantly described the features, "Plastic seaweed curtains, aquariums swimming with tropical fish on every wall, seashell decorations everywhere...oh, it's like a dream."

"I'm beginning to wonder if the other tower rooms look just as good as ours," Brock asked himself.

"Hey, Tyler," Ash called over to the sulking red-head, "what's yours look like?"

Tyler only frowned at them, as if completely disgusted with their meaningless prattle about bedrooms and decorations. Just as he was turning his gaze away, they managed to hear him mutter, "Pssh, too much red."

"Too much red?" Brendan echoed.

"I guess his group is in the Western Tower then," Ash said. Suddenly, he saw the expression on Tyler's face change; his face blanched, and his cocky air was replaced by both shock and disbelief. Within two seconds, the now anxious Trainer began edging his way to the very back of his line.

"What's he so scared of?" he asked, causing the others to look in the same direction.

Max, eager to know himself, took a quick look to see what Tyler was staring at. "I think the answer is right over there," he declared. His seven older friends turned to where he was pointing, and could see that this was certainly no lie.

Stepping through one of the lower doors and walking toward them, was a young girl - apparently about the same age as Jimmy and Brendan. Her bright red hair was tied up in a ponytail high on her head, and was held together with a shiny brass headpiece that shone like gold. The modest necklace and bracelets she wore were also gold-colored, and they really seemed to set off her deeply tanned skin. If it weren't for her serious yet carefree manner, her red eyes would've seemed quite intimidating.

"I see I'm just in time to meet some of the competitors," she said. Many of the boys melted at the sound of her voice; it was not all that deep - like that of a fully grown woman, and was smooth and slightly musical.

"Din, what are you doing here?" Niko said, obviously addressing the newcomer, "I thought you were supposed to be with Her Highness."

The girl just smiled pleasantly and waved away the remark, "Don't worry about Celia; the other girls are with her. I just came to let you know that they'll be returning to the castle in half an hour." She then turned to the many boys and girls and gave them a graceful bow. "My name's Din," she introduced herself, "I'm one of Princess Celia's attendants. Are you all enjoying your visit to the Great Sea?"

All the Trainers gave their answers in a variety of delighted whistles and shouts. Din stood there with a proud smile as she observed them, a look of pure satisfaction across her face. Five minutes passed before Nudge and Zuko came down with their groups. Zuko blankly announced that the buses were all ready for the trip to town, and the children were soon being hustled to the front door.

When they got outside, Ash, after letting Pikachu stay with Brock, managed to sneak over to the crowd of Johto Trainers. For some reason, Tyler had regained his composure and was wearing that same haughty smirk as before. Ash quickly tapped him on the shoulder, only to receive a cold stare in return.

"Something I can help you with, Mouse-boy?" Tyler asked in an annoyed tone.

Ash lowered his eyebrows, "I just want to know if everything's okay, that's all."

"Heh, 'course everything's okay; why shouldn't it be?"

"It's just that, when we first saw Din inside, you looked like you'd seen a ghost or something. Do you know her? Was she an old girlfriend?"

Tyler looked at him even harder, "What are you talking about? I've never seen that chick before in my whole life." He then turned away and quickly walked over to the bus before Ash could ask anymore questions.

As he sat on the moving bus, Ash wondered why Tyler reacted in such a way. He knew that he wasn't imagining it; he knew that something about Din had made the spiteful Trainer nervous. Ash didn't say anything about it to Brendan and the others, because he didn't want Tyler to feel embarrassed about it - no matter how much of a jerk he was. Despite these thoughts, the bus ride to town was a pleasant one, and the eight friends soon began making plans for their visit that afternoon.