Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.

Hey guys, update has arrived. Due to the fact that I'm busy from now on since school is about to start for me, updates are going to be slower and shorter. I'm sorry, but I have a life that requires me to do other things besides fanfiction.

My editor has disappeared still, so when he comes back, I'll tell you guys. Until then, updates will have grammatical errors since I'm too busy to check it.

Anyways, enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 24:

Manaphy continued to lead the gang higher and higher up the temple. It continued to swim up the water canals at quick speed. May, Brendan, Max, and Hiromi had to cross bridges and move zigzag to catch up. Finally, Manaphy swam up a water canal that leads to the center of the temple. Unfortunately, everybody else had to climb up the stairs.

"How many stairs do we have to climb?" Max gasped. Apparently Manaphy seemed to have an easier time moving up than the others.

"You're asking me?" Brendan asked in a tired tone. He was starting to wish that he slept more. "This is my first time here."

"Keep moving," Hiromi said from behind them, "The treasure lies just ahead. I know it." Finally after climbing so many steps they finally reached the top where a small pool of water surrounded the centerpiece. Everybody crossed over the small bridge, and Manaphy jumped back into May's arm. Together, they walked toward the stone tablet in the center of the room.

The tablet had a small picture of a crown and on the bottom were strange markings that Brendan had never seen before.

"Hiromi, what is this?" Brendan asked.

"This is probably the tablet that indicates where the Sea Crown is," Hiromi replied, pointing to the picture on top.

"Then what does the inscription say?" Max asked. Hiromi shook her head in reply.

"I dunno. This is ancient writing. I think my grandpa can read it though."
"Would you like me to read it?" A scraggly voice asked. Brendan whipped his head around and saw the one and only- Phantom.

"You," Brendan glared at the man who only grinned back.

"I see that wound of yours is healed. But enough of that let me read the script. After all it's the least I could do since you showed me the way to the temple."

"Showed the way! Showed the way!" Chartot screeched.
So we've been watched this whole time, Brendan gritted his teeth. He felt stupid for letting Phantom get everything while everybody did the dirty work.

"Forget it Phantom," Brendan replied in his angry tone, "You don't deserve to even set foot into this temple." His ruby eyes glared menacingly at Phantom who didn't flinch at the sight.

"My, my, such an angry tone. But just remember that I am stronger than you are and I have Pokemon that will attack on my command." Brendan didn't flinched at this comment, but he didn't move from his spot. May and Max hid behind Brendan. Both of them were afraid of this menacing pirate. However, Hiromi stood her ground.

"You have no power here. This temple belongs to the People of the Water." Phantom chuckled at Hiromi's statement.

"I happen to know everything about the People of the Water and of course, the Sea Crown." Hiromi's confidence faltered a notch as Phantom confidently stepped in front of the tablet to read the inscriptions. He read the words easily as his fingers ran along the words. Hiromi's eyes seemed to grow wide with fear and shock the longer Phantom read.

"The one who opens this door with the People of the Water's mark will gain the power of the Sea Crown. And the one who obtains the Sea Crown will become king of the Sea Temple." Phantom finished the sentences with a large gruffy laugh.

"There you go," Hiromi said, trying to sound tough, "You can't get the Sea Crown. You don't have the mark."

"Oh, but your wrong," Phantom replied with an evil grin. He pulled out of his pocket a string with those green leaf looking stones that May and Hiromi had.

"The People of the Water's mark!" Hiromi gasped. "How did you?"

"I had my sources," Phantom grinned.

Yeah, I bet, Brendan thought. Phantom brought the bracelet and placed it next to the crown mark on the stone tablet. The mark glowed green and then the tablet sank to the ground and glowed green.

A line from the tablet went to the wall in front of the group. Then the circular mark appeared like the one in the abandoned temple Mina had produced. Phantom moved the circular mark like Mina did and soon the wall melted away. On the other side of the wall was a long hallway leading the way to staircases.

Unable to contain his excitement, Phantom ran down the hallway as fast as he could. Hiromi ran after Phantom. Brendan could tell that despite the dangerous situation, Hiromi was filled with excitement.

"Come on guys," Brendan said. May and Max ran after Hiromi, toward the Sea Crown.

...

The ship was bobbing up and down on the quiet night. However, the tension in the air made the night more unbearable that usual.

"The lunar eclipse is almost over," Mina whispered. The red moon slowly turned back to the white color, and the sky was turning black again. "The temple will disappear."

...

Down underwater, Jack was still swimming toward the temple when all of a sudden the bubble shield around the temple started to disappear. Then the temple started to disappear as well.

Oh no, Jack thought, Not now. Breathing heavily through the breather he had in his mouth, Jack quickly pressed Mantyke to swim faster.

Author's Notes

Well, the gang met Phantom and disaster is going to strike.

I apologize but I'm so busy that I can't give the reviewers my personal thanks this time. I'm literally late for an appointment. I'm really sorry, but I'm still putting your name here.

...

Thank you

the shadow of hell

Brenedictio

renniegirl

Jarkes

RubyXSapphire

xX-Sapphire-Articuno-Xx

for reviewing.

...

Thank you guys for reviewing. I'll see you next week hopefully.

-JapanDreamer