Steel (Poke)Ball Run

Chapter 25 – VS THE DISAPPEARING COFFEE

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The first of certain complexities involved Mr. Steel, his child bride of a wife, and someone who is revered and trusted by his people, Mr. Valentine who is a man also known as President Valentine; President of the Unovan Republic.

Approximately forty-five minutes before Mr. Steel came face to face with the legendary map, he was first shown a photograph of Dragonspiral Tower. His servant had entered his luxurious carriage where prior to his entry, Mr. Steel had been alone with only his own company to indulge himself. As such, he quite a tray of wine and cheeses with him.

'This photo was taken from about two hundred metres in the air by hot air balloon following the race. Maria had the photograph taken because for some reason, the presence of the Dragonspiral Tower was distressing her. She claimed that some sort of evil energy was emanating and thought it might produce a spirit photograph. Women are so fickle. As you can see, Sir, there is no energy depicted in that photograph. Anyway, as for my report, you will soon see the possible connection. The participants of the Second Stage are mainly running on two routes. It is estimated that eight hundred of our participants chose the route closest to the mountains…

'However, sixty-eight of those people, have been confirmed dead. Accidents in rocks, ice, and water…'

'Sixty-eight?' Mr Steel mourned.

'As for the larger, remaining five hundred and twenty-three of them dropped out once they neared Icirrus City, which as you may know, is close by the location shown in that photograph. The main cause of the dropping out was simple lack of determination. No injuries, just weakness of the mind. But it is reported quite popularly that as people neared Dragonspiral Tower, their conviction simply died: as though they had neither truth nor ideal to pursue in this race… An odd coincidence given the lore of Dragonspiral Tower, are you familiar with it, sir?'

'Refresh me.' Mr Steel replied, a tad flippantly.

'The local Isshu people claim that Dragonspiral Tower was built in commemoration of the sealing away of the legendary dragons, Reshiram and Zekrom: the dragons of truth and ideal, respectively. Once, allegedly, a piece of one of the sealed dragons, Zekrom, was housed there. But people have searched it and have discovered that no such artefact exists. Though, others say that it might have been stolen, displaced somewhere nearby… But of course, it doesn't, such powerful, god-like Pokémon couldn't exist.'

'I see.'

'They say the Dragonspiral Tower chooses people, a certain individual, perhaps two, perhaps more, and imbues them with either "truth" or "ideal"... but I don't know for what purposes an inorganic building would have for some random people.'

'How odd.'

Mr. Steel passed back the photograph. His servant placed it on the table as he had no need for the photograph. He had no such beliefs of evil energies.

'How're the favourites contending? Wait… Gyro Zeppeli, he would've been one of the first through the area, do you think he would have noticed anything? How's he going?'

'Currently, the balloons have lost sight of him. But he was in first place and accompanied by Johnny Joestar. He is most likely twenty kilometres from Tubeline Bridge which means that he may be the first to accompany… that feral.'

'Feral? That's no way to talk about one of President Valentine's chosen Trainers.'

'When Gyro Zeppeli bypassed Icirrus City, was there any chance of him finding anything? He went quite off-course between the first race town and Icirrus City, it is possible. Given the location in which he went off-course, it is entirely likely he ended up north of Icirrus City and therefore, put in the vicinity of Dragonspiral Tower.'

'What sort of find do you believe he could have made?'

'A stone, for example.' Mr Steel made prayer hands and tapped his wrinkly lips. 'There is a possibility that Gyro Zeppeli found a peculiar stone in that land. Look into it.'

'Excuse me, could you please repeat yourself? Peculiar stone is a touch vague. Do you mean a precious jewel or an Evolution Stone?'

'Have the balloons catch up to him. So, they may investigate him. It might be difficult to ascertain, as it might be small. I'm thinking… a Dragon Stone. See if Gyro Zeppeli is carrying something like that. Though, he may be hiding it in a bag or even in his mount or has given it to one of his Pokémon, those are all possibilities. I doubt he'd share such a spoil with that companion of his. He may not even realise its rarity at all.' Mr Steel pondered these possibilities with grave sincerity.

It honestly chilled his servant to the bone. Rumours of Team Pax Unova unfurled in the inner of the servant. They were a group of thugs that no one took seriously for they chased fairy tales. Was it possible that Mr Steel was a sympathiser to their outrageous cause?

Allegedly, they were searching for the Heroes of Truth and Ideals. But those were just figments in stories. Such people did not exist and most certainly would not reincarnate. And so, the servant had to ask with a wobbly voice:

'I'm surprised at you suddenly mentioning this given the current climate of the Unovan myths. This stone… Mr Steel, outside of successfully electing a Champion, is it possible this race has another purpose? When you say Dragon Stone… you don't mean…?'

Words failed the servant. He couldn't phrase such idiocy in his mouth, and yet, he was being stared down ever so stern from Mr Steel.

'I say this without a doubt. The Steel Ball Run race will be successful. That is its only purpose. I do not know what you are accusing me of. But right now, we need an investigation into Gyro Zeppeli… Again.' Mr Steel affirmed.

His servant was terrified, but he did not want to gamble his place, so he left. To investigate Gyro Zeppeli, again, he supposed. Though this time, such investigation was to bear great weight. Greater than identity verification from curiosity. This was genuinely serious.

Mr Steel sighed. He heard the thump of animated footsteps and the curtain rolled back. He caught sight of a bushy tail and in the slit of the room now newly revealed, he saw a man lighting a pipe. He was surrounded by lavish Pokémon. Each and every one of them seemed to sparkle.

'Your conversation, Mr Steel.'

Mr Steel looked towards the speaker, it was only respectful, after all.

'Your conversation, Mr Steel,' he began again, 'allow me to make one correction. It's not only a possibility that Gyro Zeppeli found something in vicinity of the Dragonspiral Tower but it is a fact.'

He placed his pipe in the mouth and continued to muse. 'That Trainer we sent, Oyecomova, pursued Gyro Zeppeli and did not return.'

'Wait, you don't mean? Has Zeppeli entered this race with the same intention as us? To find the Dragon Stones?'

He held up his chin with his palm; elbow to the piney table. 'That… we don't know for certain. It is entirely likely that he happened upon a Dragon Stone by chance. It is possible he didn't even know it is a Dragon Stone at all. If the stories are true, and by the stars they are, then it can be ascertained that the Dragonspiral Tower chooses people of truth and of ideal and it is a certainty that it has chosen Gyro Zeppeli. The problem is after Zeppeli. It will not be useful to our purposes if the Dragon Stone is lost or buried. Therefore, we need to investigate immediately so we may find out how the Dragon Stone Zeppeli found is being concealed so that we may alleviate it from his unworthy presence.'

The smoke from the pipe wafted up in elegant curls. There was a Braviary decal on the pipe; it seemed quite old. He spoke darkly. This was a man who would stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Mr Steel felt sweat drip down his temples; he trembled slightly. It felt to be a sin to speak out against this man.

'Wait a second, I don't know much about Gyro Zeppeli… and I did promise to cooperative extensively with you - and your associates - In this race but that sounds a lot like… getting rid of Zeppeli. Permanently. I was never told there would be murders happening in this race! Because that is not within my interests of searching for these Stones with you at all!'

The Pokémon in the room grew tense. They eyed up Mr Steel and looked ready to pounce. But it was their Trainer he was most afraid of.

'Listen, Mr Steel, it is justice for us to get the Dragon Stones! We will use any means necessary! I was chosen by the Dragonspiral Tower: its presence compelled me. What if left when there is neither truth nor ideal is justice. Therefore, it is the destiny of my compatriots and I - yourself included as you have, until now, abided by my interest - to seek the stories and resurrect the dragons because humanity is finally ready for such power. We will be assured that such powers are in my hands by the end of this race, you understand, Mr Steel? And the Champion will, of course, become my pawn so we must influence that favourably also; there are plenty of competitors who will be unsuited to such a position within my ranks.'

The pipe was smoked out and placed on the table. There was a deafening silence between it bumping onto the table and the man drawing out a briefcase that had been sitting idly at his feet, unnoticed thanks to the menagerie of powerful pets this Trainer flaunted. The Pokémon drew in curiously; wet noses twitching as they sniffed the briefcase.

It opened with a click and Mr Steel could not believe his eyes. Popping out of the briefcase was a mechanised easel of a sort. Spread upon the canvas was a page of parchment pinned beautifully to the canvas. If it had been anyone else showing Mr Steel the contents of this briefcase, Mr Steel would have had their hides tanned for such bogus con artistry. But no, this was most certainly legitimate.

The map depicted Isshu era Unova before erosion and natural disaster, even human intervention, had drastically changed the shape of it. Across this region, there were nine slashes indicating something, hard to tell what as most of them did not correlate to an actual landmark acknowledged by modern standards but Mr Steel knew by his stars that those marks were meant to indicate the locations of Dragon Stones. This was Lili's Map. There was no doubt about it and seeing it in the flesh was strangely sobering but it also left him terrified.

It left him terrified as to most, it was just a random string twining through Unova but to him, it was grave importance. To him and nigh three thousand others too.

'Mr Steel! Bring success to the Steel Ball Run race. This race that passes through this route on this map. When a large enough people pass by the Dragonspiral Tower, those who become imbued with its power and are strong enough to embrace it, will be uncovered. The mediocre will be culled from the chosen. From this, the scattered Dragon Stones will reveal themselves from their hidden locations in this region. That is for certain.'

The man sneered; his face became revolted. His Pokémon drew up onto their haunches.

'And murder, you say? Watch your words! Stephen Steel! This race would not exist if it were not for me.'

'I understand, Mr President of the Unovan Republic.' Mr Steel replied, dumbly, too petrified to rebel any further than he already had.

The atmosphere was terse. Electric, like a fire could ignite between them at any moment. The low whine of Pokémon was threatening but it was those cold, lying eyes belonging to President Valentine that was even bigger death notice for Mr Steel.

Then there was a voice, blissfully unaware of the atmosphere she was about to enter. The door parted; a slight creak as the train carriages shook.

'Excuse me, the coffee is ready.' Lucy Steel piped up as she carefully opened the door all whilst carrying a tray that was heavily laden with fine china and a gorgeous kettle steaming with aromatic coffee.

'Don't come in! You haven't got permission, yet!' the President barked.

Having raised his voice, his Pokémon were spooked. But their instinct, despite what their natures may imply, was fight rather than flight so they saw Lucy as a threat. After all, she had disobeyed their master. They crowded around the door. All of five of his pet Pokémon behaved like a single, curious drone. They pestered Lucy's feet and having not expecting five Pokémon to bound to her, Lucy was quite surprised.

She squealed as she attempted to protect herself from their clawed paws. The tray tipped upwards as she tried to use her hands to defend her face; she crumpled in on herself and raised her knee as a guard thinking the leather of her boot might protect her somewhat.

As for the china and the billy full of coffee, up and into the air they went. The coffee splashed over the pine table President Valentine was seated at. The china cups wobbled through the air before smashing on the ground. The Pokémon chattered and spat.

'Mr President!' Mr Steel yelped. 'I'm extremely sorry.'

President Valentine was wholly unfazed, he eyed up Lucy.

She stood her grounds though; lowered her leg and flattened out her skirt. She allowed the President's Pokémon to sniff at her. To decide if she were friend or foe. She was not afraid of Pokémon for she had grown up around them however, she saw them more as food than friend herself. Her parents were strict with her and her siblings; not allowing them to ever see the stock they kept as anything more. This world view hadn't changed since her marriage. Right now, it may prove useful beneath the eyes of the President and he himself were analysing her, her reactions and similar.

'This is my wife.' Mr Steel sputtered through his words, rife with embarrassment on Lucy's behalf who remained strong despite her major faux pas. 'She is very foolish and…'

Mr Steel noticed something peculiar. The table was wiped clean of coffee save for three, small puddles that resembled blood stains with how they dripped over the decorative engravings on the layered edge of the table. The billy itself was also missing.

'Be careful.' President Valentine warned. 'Not about me or my darlings here, but Mrs Steel, beautiful young wife of my esteemed associate Stephen Steel… It's above your head.'

With a tubby finger, he pointed upwards. Lucy cautiously lifted her head and before she could even tip her chin anywhere further past the table, she caught the kettle. It landed in her hands with a soft oof. She couldn't believe it. She heard the President's Pokémon titter. One approached him shyly and he scratched beneath its chin, he half smiled as though proud, but Lucy was uncertain as to why. It had been standing behind her and had not done a thing. How did these things seem to correlate?

No, they had to be unrelated. Surely. Some sort of sleight of hand or magic instead, perhaps?

The President further slumped over the very much clean table. There were sounds coming from the roof. Thuds and rustles: footsteps and the beat of wings. He smiled, sinister.

'The actions of my servants, Mr Steel. They are called plans… Not murders, the orders I give out.' President Valentine explained in a low voice; flaunting the fact that he had dared to mention the previous conversation in the room with fifteen-year-old Lucy present.

'You must forgive him, he's your age, Mrs Steel. He isn't used to responsibility like this, but he has excellent capabilities as a Trainer. Though, I will admit that his social skills are a touch inebriated and cities such as Icirrus make him quite nervous which is why he has been hesitant to make his appearance.'

Lucy's skin prickled. She shivered slightly but something outside the moving carriage caught her eye. In the sleek shadow of the train, a new figure arose. A figure with a many pointed head and a cane. Though the arising of this was troubling, that figure upon the train's roof's shadow was not the cause for concern upon her face. But rather it was still the three events that transpired regarding the coffee: kettle's miraculous jump, the disappearance of the coffee, and why the President seemed proud on behalf because of one of his darling pets' seeming inaction. For reasons Lucy cannot verbalise, she cannot help but feel they are connected. And that, for reasons she is unknown to for this is all intuition for her, that unnerves her gravely and deeply.