After Grandma Lan's funeral, Summer was harassed by her cousin, Sorin, who refused to accept her as the Legend Guardian candidate. Feeling distressed about the building responsibility, Summer ran into the Kimono Girls, who gave her their full support and reading material to learn about the myths of Johto and the other regions. Later on, she encounters an unusually quiet Yuki before continuing on their journey. What happened to her friend and what will happen along the way?

Chapter 23- A Dim Outlook

The dinner with my family went by quicker than I expected. Instead of dwelling on her passing, we focused on Grandma Lan's vibrant life. My uncle, aunt, and dad told all of us about their childhood experiences where Grandma Lan had to either help them overcome challenges or had to discipline them for making unnecessarily risky choices. Although I was still feeling a little sad, I was happy to see my dad smiling and laughing with everyone. I talked to my cousins about our journeys throughout the dinner. Jenny, the oldest, talked about her travels in Kanto while Christy, the middle child, discussed about her time in Hoenn. Stephy, the youngest, was still too young to start her journey, but she made it clear she wanted to go to the Orange Islands first. For the first time in six years, the Scorcher family was reunited in their home region.

Afterwards, we said our goodbyes and headed our separate ways.

"Good luck, Summer," my mom said as she hugged me.

My dad knelt down and smiled. He gently touched the necklace and whispered, "Take care of yourself and Yuki, okay?"

"I will." I hugged him and headed back to the Pokémon Center.

When I arrived, Nurse Enju motioned to me. "Summer, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure, what is it, Nurse Enju?"

She glanced around, then leaned forward. She whispered, "Can you make sure Yuki is okay?"

I whispered back, "What happened?"

"She...had a medical situation at the Contest today. She's in your room now."

My heart sank. "Of course. I'll check on her." I briskly walked to our room by the cafeteria and opened the door.

"Summer!" Yuki gasped. She was sitting on her bed with Ichigo on her lap. "I thought you'd be spending more time with your family."

"They needed to get some rest for the trip back home. Nurse Enju told me you had a medical situation at the Contest Hall?"

She fidgeted. "How much did she tell you?"

"Not much. Do you...want to talk about it?"

She clenched her dress. "Not right now…"

I was a little taken aback. "Oh, okay. I'll get ready for bed."

I left for the bathroom, worried about her heightened nervousness. That's really unlike her. It must be really serious; I should leave her alone for now.

Later that night…

"No… No…!"

Huh? Who's shouting?

I opened my eyes and lay on my side, facing the room. Yuki was yelling in her sleep, her sheets partially covering her.

"Mom…! Dad…!"

Our Pokémon, who were on their respective Trainer's beds, woke up to the sleep talking. Ichigo shook Yuki's right arm. "Yuki, wake up!"

When she didn't respond, I joined her Pokémon. "Yuki, Yuki…" I whispered, shaking her other arm.

"Come back!" She shot up, and I narrowly dodged her head. Unfortunately, I landed on my butt. She was finally awake, and her body was shaking.

"Are you okay?" I asked as I stood up and massaged my behind. "That must have been some nightmare. You never talked in your sleep before."

She wiped the sweat from her forehead and sighed. "It's...something from my past. I thought I removed it from my eidetic memory, and I don't know if I can remove it again."

"Is that what happened at the Contest?"

She looked at the night sky, then back at me. "Summer. Do you promise not to tell anyone about what I'm about to tell you."

I sat on her right. "Of course."

She took several deep breaths and pushed her disheveled hair back. "When I used to live in Snowpoint City, my parents and I were walking near the ancient temples when a strange black hole opened in front of us. A scary-looking Pokémon with a long ribbed neck and skeletal wings emerged. It had a creepy smile, and when it touched the ground, six legs emerged from its body. It dragged my parents into the hole, with no explanation whatsoever. I would have been dragged in myself if my parents didn't push me away. Before it returned to the hole, it shouted a piercing, high-pitched cry, something that I'd never thought I'd hear again. Ugh...it's so embarrassing!"

I smiled. "Not as embarrassing as being scared by Vulpix or Chimecho. That sounds like a legitimate Pokémon to be scared of. If it's okay with you, can you tell me its name?"

She hesitated, then responded, "I've read about it in books: Giratina, the Creator and Ruler of Anti-matter."

"I see. Thanks for telling me, Yuki. I don't know how or when, but I know you'll see your parents again."

She smiled and wiped away some tears. She hugged me and whispered, "Thanks, Summer."

I returned the gesture and we fell back asleep, this time with no more disturbances.

The next morning…

"Are you sure you don't want to do the next Ecruteak City Contest?" I asked my friend as we left the Pokémon Center.

She nodded firmly. "I think I still need time to recover from yesterday. But don't worry, I'll do it when we return. The next Contest week in Ecruteak City is next month. I can do the Olivine City Contest in the meantime."

From the southwest, a Skarmory landed in front of us. "My ladies," he said in a regal tone. "My name is Aldebrand. I offer this note written by my mistress." He handed me a hastily written scrap of paper.

I read aloud, "'Summer, you have not met me yet, but I am in desperate need of your help. Please come to Glitter Lighthouse in Olivine City, and I will explain everything. Sincerely, Jasmine.'"

Yuki's eyes lit up. "Jasmine? She's the Olivine City Gym Leader. I wonder why she needs your help."

"My ladies," the Skarmory said with a bow. "I can guide you to the lighthouse."

We sent out our Flying types, and followed the Steel type towards the ocean. We flew over a Miltank farm and a windy path through the trees. Small houses, gravelly streets, and a large yellow and white lighthouse located at the south end of the city soon came into view.

Aldebrand landed in front of the lighthouse, and we followed suit. He bowed and said, "My ladies, my mistress is inside waiting for you."

"Wow, he is so sophisticated!" Ume remarked.

Errol grumbled, "I am not impressed. Your enunciation is subpar at best."

The Steel type softly growled, but we returned our Pokémon before things escalated. I opened the door to the building and a salty scent wafted towards our noses. The walls were made of dark stones, and a stone staircase placed against the wall led to the lantern room. Inside were two familiar people.

"Summer?" Weldon asked. "What are you doing here?"

Caleb crossed his arms. "That's what I'd like to know. I thought only Weldon was invited."

"No, I invited both Trainers," a meek voice replied. "Allow me to explain."

A girl in her early twenties descended the stairs. She wore a light blue dress with white lace at the hem, a white cardigan with a red bow, and silver sandals. Her long light brown hair matched the color of her eyes, and two hair ties with red round decorations lifted her side bangs. She carried a strong but gentle air around her.

"My name is Jasmine. I'm the Gym Leader here in Olivine City." She looked at me and Weldon. "I invited you two based on advice from my colleagues in Kanto. I heard that you were part of the team that defeated Team Rocket, and I know both of you are capable to complete the tasks I am about to give you. The Pokémon of this lighthouse, Amphy, is not feeling well. I'm afraid he needs a special medicine made from ingredients found in Cianwood City and the Whirl Islands."

The Trainer agent scoffed, "Then why do you need Weldon's help? He can easily fly to the city on Fearow."

Jasmine's eyes narrowed. "Normally that would be the case, but there has been severely cloudy over the bay. No Flying type Pokémon can clear the clouds, let alone cross. The only way to travel is through a Pokémon who can surf the turbulent waves."

"That's easy too. Gyarados can swim across. We don't need to involve a mediocre Trainer."

Weldon gritted his teeth. "That's enough, Caleb…"

Jasmine had the same sentiment. "I don't like your attitude, sir. Besides, Summer is not helping me with getting the herbs."

The man raised his eyebrow. "What can she do?"

The Gym Leader looked at me with a caring smile. "I need some water from inside each of the four caves that make up the Whirl Islands. It is a crucial ingredient to mix with the herbs."

I answered, "I read about the islands. They're the resting place of Lugia, and each cave contains water with different chemical and healing properties."

She giggled. "You are keeping up your homework. My friends, the Kimono Girls, told me to grant you access to the northeast and southeast islands, which I happily do so. Unfortunately, you also need Chuck's permission as well to enter the northwest and southwest caves."

"The Cianwood City Gym Leader?" Yuki asked. "I've heard he can be hard to track down."

"Which is precisely why I want both of you to go there to find him and challenge him to a Gym battle. Once you do, Weldon will able to retrieve the herbs, and Summer the water. As long as you complete these tasks by the end of the week, they should retain their potency."

Caleb sauntered to the door. "Then we should be on our way. I guess we have to be chauffeurs as well. Come on Weldon, plebeians. Let's go."

We rolled our eyes, then waved goodbye to Jasmine. Weldon guided us to the pier west of the lighthouse and let out his Gyarados.

He was about to help us up when Caleb pushed me aside. "Make way for the 2004 Kanto Regional Champion's agent!"

I fell onto the concrete pier; luckily, I didn't fall into the water. Man...second time today...

"Are you okay, Summer?" Yuki helped me up, and I brushed off the dust from my clothes.

"I'm fine. Thanks, Yuki."

Weldon offered his hand. "I'm sorry about this, Summer and Yuki. I'll deal with Caleb later. Climb aboard."

We boarded Gyarados' back, and we surfed into dark blue waters of Whirl Bay. The weather was just like Jasmine said. The clouds were so thick, it looked like nighttime. Gyarados easily swam through the strong waves, and in one hour, we passed by four large islands and a manmade island located farther south. Each was guarded by a rocky outcroppings, with four large whirlpools providing extra protection to the natural ones.

As we ventured on, Caleb was focused on his planner and couldn't care what we did. Weldon took this opportunity to talk to us.

"Summer... I heard what about happened to your grandmother. I'm very sorry about your loss."

I raised an eyebrow. "Do...or I guess did you know my grandma?"

He looked at the water. "No...but I wish I did. Grandpa Michael talked about her frequently, but before I could meet her, he passed away." He gave a deep sigh. "Now I can't see both of them in person."

"Um... You know, Weldon... I-"

We lurched forward as Gyarados slid in between two small wooden piers. What we saw was a humble town lined with either fishing nets hanging to dry or gardens of vegetables, fruits, and medicinal herbs. The buildings were made of sturdy brick, and the roofs matched the color of the ebbing waves. We arrived in Cianwood City.

Summer's Pokémon:

Blaze (Blaziken, male): Brave Nature, moves: Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Blaze Kick, Sky Uppercut

Errol (Noctowl, male): Rash Nature, moves: Psychic, Confusion, Hypnosis, Air Slash

Swirls (Poliwhirl, female): Relaxed Nature, moves: Water Pulse, Hypnosis, Psychic, Ice Punch

Lightning (Raichu, female): Adamant Nature, moves: Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Thunder Punch

Flower (Ivysaur, female): Gentle Nature, moves: Sludge Bomb, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf, Sleep Powder

Rocky (Steelix, male): Lonely Nature, moves: Rock Slide, Crunch, Dragonbreath, Iron Tail

Yuki's Pokémon:

Momo (Wartortle, male): Quiet Nature, moves: Water Gun, Rapid Spin, Blizzard, Aqua Tail

Ume (Swellow, female): Adamant Nature, moves: Roost, Wing Attack, Quick Attack, Swift

Ichigo (Minun, male): Sassy Nature, moves: Discharge, Hidden Power, Helping Hand, Spark

Kiui (Hoppip, female): Jolly Nature, moves: Bullet Seed, Synthesis, Tackle, Sleep Powder

Questions for the Chapter:

What do you think of Yuki's fear and her reasoning for it?

Will Summer and Weldon get the medicine ingredients in time?

How will Summer fare against Chuck?