Chapter 7 – Vacation in Pathway
What was close to a seven-hour drive in a car became a nine hour drive in the bus. Traffic was mainly to blame for that. But it gave Pelame, Pugno, and everyone on board time to rest up. Or, they would be resting a lot more peacefully if Blessing and Torden would keep their mouths shut.
"Ugh, are those two idiots not capable of being quiet?" asked a shiny mienfoo with a slight accent who was walking down the aisle. She stopped at the row Pelame and Pugno occupied. "Is this seat free, by any chance?"
"Certainly!" Pugno offered. The mienfoo then took the last seat of the row, sitting next to Pugno.
"I see you've met some friends of ours—"
"Friends, you say?! Oh, goodness, they must annoy you to no end!"
"Yep. Torden's said that whole spiel about phones for four-legged Pokémon so many times I have it memorized. He's practically dedicated himself to making it known that he knows that those phones have two stands, one for speaking into and one as the earpiece to be leaned against to hear the Pokémon on the other line, and there's a number pad that's used for dialing a phone number—yeah, like I said, it's infectious. I just quoted that spiel myself."
"He must be very charismatic, then." The mienfoo extended her hand for a handshake. "My name's Wangrey."
"I'm Pugno," Pugno greeted, shaking Wangrey's hand. "And this is my friend Pelame. She had a bit of a rough week, so let's let her sleep."
"No problem."
Pretty soon, Blessing and Torden had run out of things to talk about, so once they went to sleep, so did the rest of the passengers.
And so, at 5:00PM, the bus arrived at the Pathway Station. Everyone on board was relieved to get off.
"I never thought I'd say this, but my headache managed to get even worse," Pelame heard a disembarking psyduck say.
The Pathway Station wasn't nearly as big as the Llyria Union Station, but its retro look was refreshing to look at. In fact, this entire section of town was a throwback to an earlier era. It seemed to be a throwback to the exact era when television first became a family room mainstay.
"So, this is what the 1440s were like," Torden summarized. "I think Henry would love some pictures of this."
"Uh, Torden, he's the Technological Science Department Head," Blessing reminded. "I'm sure he'd know about this era already. He likely lived it."
"Seeing as how he was born in 1466, I'd say 'no' to that."
"Oh, wow, really? You actually memorized his birthdate? What, are you some kind of stalker?"
"Please don't start in again, you two," Pugno scolded. "Remember, we're here to give Pelame some peace of mind."
"And… we're doing that by…?"
"Well… actually, I don't know yet. But you two bickering is just tensing her up more."
Blessing and Torden took the hint in Pugno's annoyed tone.
"So, where's the motel at?" Torden asked.
"In the Northern District," Pugno answered. "We can take a local city bus there."
"Good idea, Pugno. I read online that they offer discounts for students. We'll only be paying 50 Parts each."
With the plan set, the four went to the local bus stop and caught a bus to the Northern District. In half an hour, they arrived there. The stop was on a curb near the busier area of the town, about three blocks away from the motel. On the walk there, Pelame took note of the location of the giant climbing tree. Along the way, they came across a sizable amount of Team Static flyers advertising open spots in the team. Pugno took one down and put it in his backpack, figuring it could be important. It was unlike the ones they saw in Llyria.
"Why are they advertising here?" Pugno wondered.
At the traffic light across the street from the motel, Blessing saw an ad for Pathway Tours. She placed that one in her backpack. One crossing of that street later, and the four friends were at their destination. Torden was suddenly awash in memory, as this was where he had met Pelame and Pugno. The four checked in and then set their items down in the room they were given. Room 208 was one of the only ones that would fit four Pokémon. As soon as they were settled, Torden switched on the TV. The rerun of The Squirtle Squad was about ten minutes in with a new episode following after it.
"You know, I heard on an online message board that this episode was bad," Torden said. "I recognized it as soon as I saw that last part just now, when Bill just turned in that report he copied from Lanette."
The commercial break started up and played the usual junk Torden wished he could skip. Then suddenly, a certain ad got their attention.
The ad depicted a young dratini frolicking around in a bathtub that was just its size. It looked absolutely blissful just messing around.
"What a great time that cute little guy is having," an announcer said. "That tub is just the right size for him."
Suddenly, the dratini evolved into a dragonair. As dragonair was much bigger and longer than dratini, he suddenly didn't fit in the tub. He tried to wriggle free, but couldn't lodge himself out.
"But if he ever grew any bigger…"
"No… way…" Torden silently mouthed, instantly recognizing the announcer's voice as Snivy's.
As the dragonair continued to struggle out of his tight predicament, he suddenly evolved into a dragonite. Upon this, the poor thing went from barely being able to move to not being able to move at all.
"He'd be in for a lethal squeeze."
The scene shifted back to the dratini in the tub. A familiar figure was standing next to him.
"Wynaut?!"
"I knew it!" Pelame cried. "I knew from that rhetoric that this was a Team Static ad!"
"Little one, you wouldn't want to go through that, would you?" Wynaut asked.
"No, I don't wanna!" Dratini answered.
"Well, luckily, I know a way for you to stay a dratini forever. See, I'm part of a group called Team Static. We wish to get rid of evolution, and I've discovered a way to. See this?"
The camera focused on the Everstone Wynaut was holding.
"This is an Everstone. It will stop you from evolving if you hold it. But it's such a hassle to keep holding onto it, right?"
The scene then changed to a diagram of what Wynaut explained next.
"Therefore, with a quick and painless surgical procedure, I can place this Everstone within your body, making its effect permanent. This will only cost 85 Pokéns, but to save you from evolution, it's a worthwhile investment. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes! I love being a dratini!"
The scene then shifted to a picture of an Everstone with a small spark engraved on it, which served as the Team Static logo.
"Save yourself from evolution! Join Team Static today!" Snivy announced as the scene shifted to her.
"If you wish to either join or get an Everstone implant, seek me out, or call this number," Snivy said as a phone number appeared below her. "Have a nice day!"
"Those pieces of junk!" Torden shouted.
"Wow, Torden, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with you," Pugno added. "How did they get permission to air this propaganda?"
"Wait, isn't 0151 the area code of Lake Llyria?" Pelame asked, remembering an important detail. "You think that could be where they're headquartered?"
"That could be possible," Pugno replied. He then picked up the room phone and dialed the number of Lake Llyria.
"Hello, you've reached Lake Llyria Resort," said the automated message system. "Our hours are 8 o'clock AM to 10 o'clock PM daily, including all holidays. If you would like the cabin booking department, press 1. If you would like the free swim shore, press 2. If you would like the event booking department, press 3. Otherwise, stay on the line for the next available operator." The busy tone sounded four times before an operator finally picked up. "Hello. This is Solosis. How may I assist you?"
"Hello, Solosis. Listen, I have reason to believe a criminal organization is headquartered on the premises of the Lake. Can you launch an investigation?"
"Well, I've never heard of such a thing happening—"
"I just saw an ad of theirs on TV. Their phone number has the same area code as the Lake."
"That could be coincidental, but we'll look into it for you. Thanks for the warning."
"You're welcome. Have a nice day."
"You too. Goodbye." Both Pokémon then hung their phones up.
With that matter settled, the four friends finished watching their favorite show. After the new episode was over, the four friends switched the channel over to the new episode of Charge Brothers.
"Eww, gross!" Pelame said. "You watch that junk?!"
"Junk?!" Blessing responded defensively. "Excuse me, Pelame, but this happens to be the greatest and funniest show of all primetime television!"
"Blessing, no show that had its lead plusle dare his minun brother to shout the word 'blinder' in a room full of Shiny Pokémon is any good. Not to mention its offensive caricatures of Shiny Pokémon, and Pokémon from Shizazoto, Tradja, the Twilight Kingd—anywhere, really!"
"Well, Squirtle Squad does that, too! That's the thing about these satire sitcoms; they make fun of everyone and everything."
"Not to the extent Charge Brothers does it! The way they do it is so offensive I seriously think the writers are bigoted! I'm going outside!"
Pelame did just that. Pugno followed, despite being able to stand the show.
"Hey, Pugno. I thought you'd be watching the show. You can go do so, if you want."
"I'd rather not leave you alone," Pugno answered. "Not when there's thugs like Team Static around. Besides, I'd rather not watch it with those two."
"Also, I'm kinda hungry. Want to go get something to eat?"
"You don't need to ask."
After dinner at the local Char Brothers', Pelame and Pugno went to a childhood favorite destination of Pugno's. They had hiked to the top of the Overlook Plateau, where they could get a great view of the entire town. Pathway was small enough to be seen from just one plateau. But the best part was that, by law, all the city's lights were to go off for the entire 9 o'clock hour. When that was done, the stars in the sky were visible.
"Hey, Pelame, remember the first date we had?" Pugno asked.
"Oh, how could I forget? Jirachi's Final Wish is still my favorite movie!" Pelame answered. "In fact, this sky is totally reminding me of the part where Taiyang and Jirachi just stargazed."
"Yeah…"
The two of them picked out as many constellations as they could see. Then once that was over, Pugno turned to Pelame, looking directly into her eyes.
"Wow… Pelame, your eyes…"
"Yes?"
"They're like shining emeralds. Really, somehow, your green eyes really are brought out in the starlight."
"Same with yours, except yours look more like rubies."
They kept their eye contact going for about half a minute. Then Pugno took a quick look around.
"What? What is it?" Before Pelame's question could be answered, Pugno suddenly kissed her. She took a bit to comprehend what just happened, and then kissed back once she realized it. It felt refreshing to do this under such beautiful scenery and with a soothing night wind blowing.
"Pelame…" Pugno said once they were done kissing. "I think I just realized something. I… I love you."
Pelame gasped in shock. She couldn't believe what she just heard. She got her thoughts together in time to adequately respond. "Oh, Pugno. I love you, too."
"Really?"
"Of course! You're the first friend I ever had who revealed a side of me that made me able to keep a friend for longer than a year. I feel safe… and comfortable near you, Pugno. You're one of the best Pokémon who ever happened to my life."
"Pelame, you're the same for me. I think my life completed itself once I met you."
With all their loviest-doviest babble said, the two kissed once more.
Fourthmonth 10th, 1512 was the date the Pathway Town tour was to begin. Pelame, Pugno, Blessing, and Torden got up at exactly 8:00 AM to go join the 9:30 AM tour. First on the program was the rundown of the town's history. All of the visitors gathered in front of the mr. mime serving as the tour guide.
"Greeting, all visitor to our town of Pathway," he began.
"Shouldn't he be saying 'greetings,' as a plural term?" Pelame wondered to herself.
"On the job, my name is Navigator, so please call me that if you have any question. Do you have any question?" He noticed Pelame was raising her paw. "Yes? How about you?"
"Why are you saying those singular terms that ought to be plural?" Pelame asked. "As in, 'do you have any question' instead of 'do you have any questions?'"
All of the tourists looked back at Pelame in disbelief.
"Just another on-the-job quirk," Navigator answered. "I'm not like this off the clock, just so you know." He then returned to addressing the group. "Now then, about this town's history. This town was built as a rest and restocking stop for spelunker who explored the nearby Mystery Dungeon that used to be everywhere around these part. There was no telling what danger would come out of those many Dungeon, so they needed a safe place to unwind after a hard day's work. But since the land between those Dungeon was so sparse, the town ended up being a very small size. The Southern District was closer to the Dungeon, so it would get ransacked a lot by the wild Pokémon living in the nearby Dungeon. On the other hand, the Northern District was safe from harm. Then, when all the Dungeon disappeared from the world, the town lost its purpose as a traveler's pit stop. What few visitor the town would get would stay for a while, admiring the town's landmark that were left there as the only remain of the Dungeon that used to be all over the place. Word got out, and in five year, the town became the tourist attraction it is today. Since that day, it was named Pathway, having had no proper name before."
"Wow, that is really confusing," Pelame lamented about Navigator's speech quirk.
"And that's all for today's part of the tour," Navigator concluded to the immediate chagrin of everyone attending.
"Seriously?!" shouted an especially miffed mankey. "I paid 40 Pokéns for a minutes-long second-grader essay about this town?!"
"Tomorrow, the tour will continue at the Giant Climbing Tree. See you then!" Navigator then created a ball out of Barriers and then rolled away with it. Getting the hint, the tourists all dispersed. As they did, Blessing noticed someone familiar to her.
"Flygon? Is that you?" she called out. Pelame, Pugno, and Torden were surprised to see that she was calling out to a salamence. Their shock grew when the salamence actually responded to that name.
"Why, if it isn't my pal Blessing!" answered the salamence.
"Pelame, Pugno, Torden, meet Flygon," Blessing introduced.
"Uhh… Blessing? That's a salamence," Pelame corrected.
"…sheesh, Pelame, I can smell the soap drifting from your platform. I know he's a salamence. His name is Flygon. I met him in jail."
Pelame and Pugno failed to be surprised to hear that, although Torden was a bit taken aback.
"Nice to meet you all," Flygon greeted. "I take it you're on vacation, too?"
"For a week, but yeah," Pelame answered. "So, why do you have the name of a different species of Pokémon?"
"That's simple. It's because my kind should have been called 'Flygon!'—yeah, just kidding, but there was a time in my life where I really did believe that. And during that time, it was the source of all my anger problems. I ended up accumulating a large amount of property damage and injuries whenever I raged about it, and one day, I was finally caught and jailed."
"Oh, you should've seen how he was caught! It was so hilarious!"
"Oh, for goodness' sake…" Flygon muttered.
"It was an altaria named Silver who caught Flygon. See, she was Mega Evolved at the time, and Flygon seriously thought he could take her on. He flew right into her and faceplanted directly into her cloudy down! The only part of his body that could be seen was his tail and his butt! For the entire trip to the jail I was at—"
"Klingdale Correctional Facility to be exact."
"Uh, yeah. Thanks for the reminder, Flygon. Anyway, on the entire trip there—I saw it through an inmate's binoculars, by the way—he was just helplessly wriggling around, trying to get out of Silver's clouds! When he landed, literally everyone broke out into laughter, including myself, of course. Oh, I wish I was filming that! I even suggested he be left there so we can watch his butt helplessly and uselessly wriggle around! Of course, my suggestion wasn't taken, and they also didn't let me run up there to go kick his exposed seat. They just pulled him out. Well, after slapping a PP-Zero bracelet onto his tail to keep him from using any Moves to escape. But still, it was so hilarious!"
As Blessing was recounting this humiliating event, Flygon's face grew more and more annoyed. Not to mention red with embarrassment. "…yes, I can tell you were amused. You'll never forget it, will you?" he snarled.
"I didn't get to see him all that much, 'cause he was constantly visiting a therapist about his anger problems. Somehow, he ended up being released before I was."
"Well, that's because it was my first time in jail, as opposed to your two times."
"So, how have you been since then, old pal?"
"Calmer. And constantly searching for work. And only now have I finally found a job. You'll have me as the tour guide on Thursday, where I'll be showing the skyline to everyone. Looking forward to it?"
"Oh, definitely!" Pelame answered.
"Good. I promise you'll like it. After all, no Pokémon flies better than me!" Flygon couldn't resist adding a smug and confident smile to that remark.
"If this were a cartoon, there'd be a twinkle in his teeth right now," Torden whispered to Pugno, who nodded in agreement.
"Well, I'll be seeing you all then! Keep looking forward to it!" And with that, Flygon was off.
"So… now what?" Pelame asked. "Today's tour was an absolute bust, and we didn't have anything else planned. So what will we do now?"
The four friends, strapped for ideas, were now just flipping channels on their room's TV. They all found themselves wishing they were young enough to tolerate what was on each channel at this exact time, since nothing grabbed their attention.
"Nothing on TV, tour ending early, stores and restaurants too crowded, park being rebuilt," Pugno listed off. "This is officially the most boring day of my life."
"You preach to the choir there, Pugno," Torden agreed. "I'd let you all play my Fudapan Pocket Friend, but its batteries ran out. We pretty much have absolutely nothing to do, unless we want to run afoul of Pathway's tour season laws by checking each landmark out ourselves."
The four friends sighed in disappointment and boredom, resigned to the fact that this day would be spent doing nothing at all. And unfortunately for them, it was. Not even combat training Pelame eased the boredom.
One aspect about tour season in Pathway that was popular with most visitors was the fact that once a landmark was discussed and viewed during the tour, it was then open and free for revisiting. This didn't mean much on Tuesday, when only the Giant Climbing Tree was covered. "Whoop-dee-doo," many a tourist thought at the prospect of only a tree being open for revisits. But it was Wednesday's schedule that opened up a rather large section of the town. Specifically, the outskirts were now open for free exploration. Pelame and her friends were joined by Wangrey in exploring the outskirts further.
Wangrey was quite the experienced climber. Being the only quadruped in a group of bipeds, Pelame was finding it difficult to make it over some of the tougher climbs in the deserted outskirts. Wangrey had to carry her over those areas.
After some trekking, the five discovered an opening in the cliffside. In front of it was a small vent.
"Here's something the tour left out," Wangrey said. "I wonder if this is a leftover Mystery Dungeon?"
"If its interior layout changes upon a revisit, then it is," Pelame added. "But Mystery Dungeons shouldn't exist anymore. This might just be a regular cave."
"Actually, it's a mine, and you would all best stay out of it if you know what's good for you."
The five friends looked around, trying to find who just spoke to them. A small paras approached them.
"Don't go in there, please. A friend of mine nearly died in there. He dug deep in there and uncovered a chamber full of hydrogen sulfide."
"Hydrogen sulfide? What's that?" Blessing asked.
"I remember Professor Tectarro mentioning that," Pelame explained. "And Professor Bibli mentioned it, too. They both said it's a hazard that many an explorer have run into. It's a poisonous natural gas that can potentially kill someone."
"Yes, and it nearly killed a friend of mine who was mining in here," Paras explained.
"That's awful! Is he okay?"
"Luckily, he is. I managed to retrieve him in time to save him. I didn't allow him in there again until I got a gas mask for him."
"That's good. And if you don't mind my asking, what was he mining from here?"
"My apologies, but I can't tell you. It's a secret."
Pelame then noticed something odd about the lumpy space between Paras's eyes.
"What is that there?" she asked, pointing to the suspicious spot.
"It's a scar," Paras answered. "I got hurt long ago."
The five travelers didn't know what to make of any of this that had just happened.
"Anyway, it was nice meeting all of you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the tour, and please don't ever go in there." Paras then left after saying that.
"What an odd guy…" Pelame noted. She then focused back on her friends. "So, want to go back to town now?"
"Well, I would've wanted to explore that mine," Pugno answered. "But I'd rather not, now that I know there's poison gas in there. So, sure, I'm up for going back to town."
"I guess there's nothing better to do…" Blessing added.
"Well, we could always go to the video store on the way, or the arcade," Torden suggested.
"Sure, but after dinner," Pelame decided. "I don't know about all of you, but I'm starving."
With their minds made up, the five travelers went on their way back to town. As soon as they reached the general populated area of Pathway, they were stopped by a mime jr.
"There you all are!" he called. "I was wondering where you five went to! I saw you heading out into those badlands and so I went to contact the police." He turned around to face the three cops behind him. "It's okay, officers."
Two of the officer ariados went away grumbling, but one of them stayed. "You kids sure are reckless," he scolded. "You ought not go that far out there ever again. Rogue Pokémon gather out there, and you could've run afoul of them."
"Thanks for your concern, officer, but I think I could've handled myself and protected my friends," Wangrey responded.
"Against the likes of the brutes out there? Sorry, but that's not likely. And considering how far out you went, you also could've fallen into that poisonous Everstone mine."
"Excuse me, what was that you just said?" Pelame asked in shock.
"There's a mine full of Everstones out there," officer Ariados explained. "It was shut down a while ago on account of those particular Everstones having a harmful and poisonous chemical makeup, unlike all the other Everstones in the world. But there have been reports of a group of Pokémon going into that mine and taking its Everstones."
Pelame, Pugno, Blessing, and Torden all had the same thought upon hearing that. "Team Static!"
"Who?" asked officer Ariados and Wangrey in unison.
The five travelers, Mime Jr., and officer Ariados went to the nearby Police Station so Pelame could give her report.
"Team Static is a group of Pokémon who are trying to get rid of evolution," she explained. "We don't know who their leader is, but we've met his underlings: Snivy, Scyther, and Wynaut. And that paras we met in front of the mine might be yet another underling. But anyway, Snivy's the spokesgirl, I don't know what Scyther's job is, and Wynaut's their surgeon. He implants Pokémon with an Everstone, and that keeps them from evolving forever! In fact, they already had that surgery done to themselves, which means you can identify them by their surgery scars. They need to be stopped!"
Officer Ariados typed everything he had just heard into a digital report. "That's one messed up group, I must say. Do you know where they're headquartered?"
"We think they may be hiding out at Lake Llyria," Pugno answered. "Their phone number in their ad started with the Lake's area code. I let the Lake staff know already."
"Good initiative. All right, I think that's all I need. We'll keep an eye on those individuals. Thanks for your information. Stay safe, now."
Char Brothers' was a no-go, considering that a shiny Mienfoo was among the group. They were willing to settle for a smaller, cheaper, and unhealthier dinner at Big Poffins.
"Ugh, Poffins…" Torden complained. "And after losing so much weight, too…"
"So, Wangrey, you're on vacation, too?" Pelame asked to get a conversation going.
"Yes I am," Wangrey answered. "I'm visiting here from Shizazoto. I must say, apart from a few facilities shunning me for being shiny, it's been a great trip."
"I had a feeling you were native to Shizazoto. Your accent tipped me off."
"Did it now? Well, you sure are perceptive."
"I've been wanting to go there again someday. I may not look like it, but I'm half-Shizazoto and half-Twilight Kingdom ethnicity. Since my dad is Twilight Kingdom ethnicity and nationality, my nationality defaulted to his even though I was born in Shizazoto, per the Twilight Kingdom citizenship laws."
"Oh, I knew you had a bit of Shizazoto in you, Pelame. I can see it in your ears. That spot near the middle on the side is a little bit thicker than an Eevee of full Twilight Kingdom ethnicity would be, and I've known that to be a physical quirk of many quadruped Pokémon from Shizazoto."
"I see. Can you excuse me for a sec? I need to use the restroom." Pelame quickly excused herself.
As this was a small restaurant, the restrooms were located in a smaller building outside in the back. Pelame had no trouble finding it, and it was also easy to locate the proper facilities for quadruped Pokémon like herself. After freshening up, she headed back inside when she met up with a familiar face.
"Hello again," Paras greeted. "Enjoying your meal?"
"I haven't eaten yet," Pelame answered. "Before you go, I want to ask you something."
"Sorry, but I have somewhere to be."
"I promise this'll be quick. Can I know more about that scar? Because it looks just like the ones I've seen on Pokémon who belong to a group called Team Static…" Pelame caught herself at that remark, then came to a realization. "Wait… you can't be…"
Paras said nothing in response. He just shut his eyes and smiled.
"How could you?! Don't you know what a terrible thing it is you've done to yourself?!"
"No, Pelame. It's you who have done a terrible thing to yourself! Seven evolution choices, and you're leaving yourself susceptible to all of them! I started Team Static to help Pokémon like you, and this is what I get in return?!"
"Wait, what do you mean you started—" Then Pelame understood completely, and the truth terrified her.
"You really are perceptive, Pelame. I'm not just a member of Team Static; I'm the founder and the boss."
Pelame backed away from Paras in terror.
"I don't understand, Pelame. Why risk evolving? Do you like being an eevee? Does your friend Pugno like being a riolu? Please don't be afraid of me."
"Why shouldn't I be afraid of you?! Your follower tried to cut my head off!"
"Oh, thanks for reminding me of that. I've been wanting to meet you to give you my apologies for that terrible incident. I'd never want you dead over a simple disagreement of views. But I would like to understand why you think evolution is so great."
"Oh, I don't know! Maybe because it's what lots of Pokémon look forward to doing when they grow up! You're basically taking away their right to mature! How do you even sleep at night knowing what you've done?!"
Paras shook his head in disappointment. "So confused. Those are words of an evolution-loving shill. You know, you seemed a lot smarter that day I met you in the theatre when Jirachi's Final Wish premiered. Sure, maybe you could prosper if you evolved, but me? Know what I have to look forward to when I evolve?! I get to be a cadaver animated by a mushroom!"
"That's not true! Well, not in all cases, but that doesn't mean you get to take away everyone's right to evolve! You should've seen the end of the movie, when Fungus—"
"SILENCE! Do not speak of that monster to me!" Paras was surprised with himself for that outburst. Clearing his throat, he continued. "Pelame, you're a smart girl, all things considered. So please understand that what I hope to do for the world is ultimately for its own good. And I have a way to accomplish it."
For some reason, Pelame was suddenly feeling very tense.
"While I was last in that mine about a week ago, I came into contact with a marvelous power. It was incredible. I could feel it flowing through me and making me stronger. I could even hear what it was saying to me. It called itself the 'Dark Blessing.' With it, I feel as though I can do anything."
"…"
"I will finally rid the world of evolution. But in due time, though. Pelame, I don't wish any harm to come to you, but I can't promise your safety if you try to get in my way. I tried to be as peaceful as I could, but the world only listens to force and fear nowadays. The Swadfrieg War was evidence of that. I didn't want to—really, I didn't—but I'm afraid that I must act without peace. I must act with force, as that's all the world will listen to anymore."
Pelame's temper finally got the best of her, and she let it all out. "You're out of your mind! No! I'm not letting you get away with whatever you're planning to do! I don't care what you do to me! I will not be afraid of you or your team!"
"Pelame, please follow my suggestion. Just go on with your studies and move on with your life. Just remember that it'll be thanks to me that you'll be living it as an eevee." Paras left with those cryptic words.
For this week, even Team Static had been taking a vacation. But now, Paras decided it was time to call it off. He met his followers in the first chamber of the mine. In a safe chamber like this, gas masks weren't necessary.
"Good evening, sir," Snivy greeted. "Did you enjoy your dinner?"
"Yes, I did," Paras kindly answered his underling. "How about all of you? Sorry I couldn't join you."
"It's all right."
"We saved you a slice of Enigma Poffin," Wynaut said, offering up the treat. "Anyway, you seem a bit perturbed. What's on your mind?"
"Pelame."
"Huh? You mean that eevee I lashed out against? Did you let her know how sorry I am for that?" Scyther asked.
"Yes, I did. By the way, I'm cancelling your probation for that, Scyther."
"Ooh, thanks! So why is she on your mind?"
"She still embraces the idea of evolving. Plus, she correctly identified me as the leader of Team Static in seconds, all because she noticed my scar. I thought I'd had it hidden better."
Paras sighed in disappointment. Facing his followers, he gave his announcement.
"In order for the plan to succeed, we need resources that can't be easily claimed. Llyria Academy should serve our needs well enough. Plus, I think we've used that underground hideout at the Lake for long enough. Everyone, it's time for us to relocate."
The day was now Thursday, the tour day Pelame and her friends had been looking forward to all week. At sunset, it would be Flygon's job to fly tourists up to see the town's famous skyline. Until then, Pelame devoted her time to combat training. This was the first time she ever devoted herself to combat so fully. Although she hadn't caught up to Pugno's skill (nor did she think she ever would), she was beginning to finally get the hang of self-defense.
"Well, one thing's for sure," Pugno summarized as another of his jabs missed. "You're a lot better at dodging and guarding. Want to try attacking now?"
"If you're up to it, then yeah," Pelame answered.
"All right. I'll be on my guard now."
Pelame began by rushing at Pugno, colliding with him before he could do anything about it.
"Wow, Pelame. Guess you just learned Quick Attack."
"Huh? Is that what that was?"
"Oh, yes it was. Aramir showed my class how to tell the difference between a Tackle and a Quick Attack. I've been taught to recognize a wide array of moves."
With that lecture done, the two got back to practicing.
While that was going on, Blessing and Torden were out on the town. After a stop at the giant climbing tree, they decided to go to the arcade. They kept a close eye on the time, as it was only fifteen minutes away from the next tour time. A worthy distraction came up when they spotted Snivy through the window. She was walking down the street. They walked away from their game of competitive Dodrio Talon Trot and followed the Team Static spokesgirl.
They followed her into the alley, where she entered the back door of a currently closed convenience mart. Despite being closed, the back door was unlocked. Snivy entered, and so did her pursuers. They hid as soon as they heard someone speaking to their target.
"Is the truck here?" Snivy was asked by a familiar voice. Blessing peeked around the wall and saw that Snivy was talking to the paras she and her friends had met yesterday.
"Yes, sir," Snivy answered. "I paid it in full. I also took the liberty to send a thank-you note to Wynaut's aunt for supplying us the money to get the truck and our other supplies."
"Nicely done. Then let's be on our way."
Blessing and Torden got themselves ready to intercept the team as they left. As they walked past the doorway, Blessing struck out with an Ice Beam as Torden unleashed a Thunderbolt. To their surprise, Snivy jumped in front of her boss and took the attacks. They got another attack ready, but Paras hit them with a Stun Spore first, freezing the two in place. He then gave Snivy a Cheri Berry to cure the paralysis he accidentally inflicted on her.
"Meet up with Scyther and Wynaut and help them get the truck packed," he ordered. "And thanks for protecting me, and sorry for paralyzing you."
"You're welcome, sir. Understood." Snivy went off to her duty. Paras then focused his attention on the two intruders.
"I remember you two from yesterday," he said. "Your friend Pelame was very perceptive to have been able to identify me right away as Team Static's leader. I presume she already told you about me."
"Yeah, she did," Blessing retorted as curtly as she could. "She also mentioned that you were completely out of your mind, too."
"Well, that doesn't surprise me to hear how low of an opinion she has of me. She is an evolution-loving shill, after all. I hope you two aren't following her example."
"Tough luck, Paras, because we are."
"Hey, uh, could I have a Cheri Berry?" Torden interrupted.
"Well, regardless, I can't overlook your attack on my colleague—" Paras continued, ignoring Torden.
"Oh, you mean the idiot who jumped in the way of our attacks?!" Blessing shot back.
"—I can only assume that you mean us harm, and I will not tolerate that. Therefore, you two are coming with us." With that, Paras shot his Spore attack at them, putting them to sleep. He then grabbed a nearby rope and tied Blessing and Torden up with it, binding their hands and feet together in front of them. He also got some tape and plastered some strips over Torden's electric cheek pouches, and two more strips over their mouths.
Snivy, Scyther, and Wynaut had finished packing the truck with their supplies.
"Sorry I'm late," Paras announced as he arrived. "We're bringing along an extra set of packages. Scyther, if you please."
"Certainly," Scyther responded. "No one gets away with trying to hurt you, sir." He then picked up the two prisoners on the blunt edges of his sword arms and put them in the trailer of the truck.
"Okay, team. We're off!"
Upon Paras's announcement, they were off. Wynaut was given the job of driving the truck.
"Hey sir," Snivy said. "Why not let me drive? I'm the one who bought the truck."
"I know that, and I appreciate it. However, you're needed to keep an eye on the map. Now that both this town and Lake Llyria have been tipped off about us, we need to take a different route."
Snivy wasn't happy with her lowly new post. Wynaut started up the truck and the team was off at last, with their two prisoners regaining consciousness too late.
"Get ready, world," Paras thought to himself. "With the help of my Dark Blessing, I will rescue this world from evolution."
