Summer and Yuki, along with Weldon and Caleb, arrived in Cianwood City to find Chuck, the local Gym Leader. Once they found him, Summer battled Chuck in an action-packed match where she emerged victorious. As the girls waited for Weldon's match to finish, something unexpected happens to one of Summer's Pokémon. Who is it, what is the cause of their behavior?

Chapter 25- Wisdom from the Depths

Master Thief A paced in front of one of the Whirl Island caves. So those Admin members couldn't find any traces of the scrolls… My analyses can't be faulty. Maybe I need a different approach. Those two Grunts mentioned something about a "Project P" they were previously assigned to. If the legend is true, then that item may help our cause. They should be here soon."

His black Pokégear rang. "Yes?"

{I'm not doing this anymore.}

He frowned. "What are you talking about? You wanted her to suffer, right?"

There was a pause. {I regret that decision. Seeing the pain from her past… I went too far. I won't torment her anymore.}

The teenager clenched the device. "Don't do this."

{You know, you've been acting weird since you came here. Is there something wrong?}

Master Thief A sighed. "No, everything's fine."

Before the caller could respond, he hung up. He's getting suspicious. It looks like I need to be more careful around him. Sorin...you'll regret not helping me anymore…


After running loops on the beach outside Cianwood City, I sat on the sand to study while everyone else continued training. Blaze climbed the cliffs, Rocky and Lightning dueled with their Iron Tails, Flower helped Yuki and Kiui with their appeal, and Swirls and Errol practiced their psychic abilities.

These scrolls hold a lot of information. I never knew Ho-oh rarely makes itself known to those besides its Legend Guardian or that Lugia is the cause of the whirlpools of the Whirl Islands. Will I really be able to remember everything in them?

"Now, Kiui!" Yuki shouted. "Sleep Powder then Bullet Seed!"

I looked up and saw the Hoppip spin around, spraying a fine mist of white powder into the air. As they slowly fell towards the sand, Kiui spit a stream of seeds from her mouth. The powder swirled around the brown seeds, creating mini spiral-like flowers before they shattered into chocolate-colored dust onto the beach.

"That was great, Yuki!" I praised. "It looked very pretty."

She beamed. "Thanks, Summer! Flower's been a big help with Kiui's Sleep Powder." She ran over and sat next to me. She raised her eyebrow. "Why are you reading a blank scroll?"

"Huh? What do you mean? They're rows of writing all over it."

We stared at the rolled paper.

Yuki shook her head. "I still don't see anything."

Wait… This sounds familiar… I opened my backpack and rummaged it.

"What are you doing, Summer?"

I pulled out the scroll from Slowpoke Well. When I unfurled it, I was shocked to see words written in black ink. "I...I can read it now!"

"WHAT?! How?!" The Sinnoh native could barely contain her excitement.

"It must be a failsafe to prevent most from reading and abusing its contents. Because I accepted becoming the Legend Guardian candidate, it must have recognized my intentions and gave me the ability to read it."

"That is brilliant! But...maybe you should keep what you read to yourself for now."

"Good idea. You can go back to training now."

"All right." Yuki stood up and returned to the Grass types.

So, what does it say? "Kitakaze, the Legendary Beast of the North Wind, can be summoned using the beryl stone of the Seishin Nekkuresu. By touching it with your left index and middle fingers and saying the words, 'Kitakaze, Beast of the North Wind. I call upon your wisdom!' Kitakaze will appear and aid you."

My eyes grew wide. No wonder why the writing is hidden. Being able to summon Kitakaze and the other Legendary Beasts...that is both cool and scary. If someone abused that power...I don't want to think about that.

Suddenly, everyone approached me. Errol was in a panic as Rocky tried to calm him down.

"What happened?" I asked.

Errol stuttered, "M...Ms….Swirls…"

"Swirls swam off to the islands," Rocky finished, trying to maintain his composure. "She didn't say she was going there…"

I put the scrolls away. "We need to follow her. She could get into trouble if she's in a trance." I returned everyone except for Errol.

Yuki returned Kiui and said, "I'll let Weldon know. His Gym battle should be over soon."

"Thanks, Yuki. I'll call you once we get Swirls back."

After she ran back into the city, I mounted the Noctowl, who got over his shock. "Errol, it'll be difficult to find her in that weather. Will you be okay?"

His eyes showed a fierce determination. "Of course, Ms. Summer. Ms. Swirls means so much to me."

I stroked his head. "I know. Now, let's go!"


Yuki ran to the Cianwood City Gym with Ichigo following close behind. When she and Ichigo reached the entrance, Weldon and Caleb emerged from the door.

Weldon was stunned by the girl's panting. "Yuki, what's wrong?"

"S-Summer…" she gasped. She took a deep breath and continued, "Summer's chasing Swirls, who seems to be in a trance."

The boy glanced at the water. "The water still looks rough. I have to help her."

Caleb clasped onto his client's shoulder. "Weldon, we need to get the herbs first!"

The Trainer glared back. "I can always get them later. Summer may be in danger!"

"I can't let your emotions interfere with your duties as a Regional Winner anymore!"

Weldon pushed Caleb's hand away. "I've had enough of you controlling my life, Caleb! You've done nothing but push my patience and ruin some of my relationships. You're fired!"

Caleb turned red with anger. "Fine with me. I can always help other Trainers who are stronger than you!"

"Good luck with that." Triumphant, Weldon looked at Yuki. "Come on, let's find Summer."

She smiled and the two ran towards the pier. Once they disappeared, however, Caleb's anger turned to satisfaction.

He opened his planner to a page with Braviary and a Mightyena within a black and white coat of arms. Written to the left of it were the words, "Phase 1: Interfere with Weldon's priorities". Caleb looked at the next sentence and smiled. Now time to implement Phase 2.


Errol tried his best to fly to the nearest island, but a gale kept pushing us back. I braced the winds and shouted, "Errol! Can you use Confusion to help you fly?"

"I can try, Ms. Summer!"

His eyes glowed blue, then that energy surrounded us. He flapped his wings, and we were able to pass over the southwest island. Suddenly, Errol fell forward and we hurled towards the sand. The Owl Pokémon tried to straighten himself, but somehow, we made a soft landing. I crawled off his back and panted.

"Are you okay, Errol?" I asked after catching my breath.

He stood up and preened his wings. "I am fine. Though I must say, I did not expect to encounter that barrier."

"What barrier?"

Puzzled, he looked above us. "How odd… When we approached the island, I experienced a pulsating power. That was what caused my unexpected descent."

I stood up and looked at our new surroundings. "I still can't see it, but I believe you Errol. Can you see if you can find Swirls with your X-ray vision?"

He blinked, but no color surrounded his eyes. "This is rather strange. I cannot use my psychic powers here."

I took out my Pokégear and what I saw scared me. "I don't have service here. This somehow must be a dead spot, even though there's a cell tower on the center island." I looked at my worried Pokémon. "Errol, maybe you should take a break."

He shook his head. "No, Ms. Summer. I fear Ms. Swirls is approaching a peril we cannot comprehend. I must stay and aid you."

I walked to the entrance of the cave. "I still don't know what we can do. But we should get inside before the winds pick up again."

He flew over and we entered the damp cave. It was musty with a hint of saltwater. A ladder that led to the next floor below was placed at the end. I took out the rock climbing helmet and turned on the flashlight before descending to the next floor. I was surprised to see four endless tunnels in a large room.

I was worried. "Not again... I don't know which way to go."

Errol tried to use his powers again, but it was no use. "If there was some type of guide to aid us…"

Guide? Aid? Maybe...maybe it'll work.

I placed my left hand in front of my necklace.

"What are you doing, Ms. Summer?"

"Hopefully getting some help." I took a deep breath and touched the blue stone with the two prescribed fingers. A cool breeze surrounded me, giving me the confidence to start the incantation.

"Kitakaze, Beast of the North Wind. I call upon your wisdom!"

The wind grew stronger, and the stone flashed white and purple. To my amazement, the Suicune from Ilex Forest emerged from the light and stood before us.

She smiled and said, "So, you learned how to summon me, Summer."

I was confused. "Wait, I can hear you talk without your telepathy? How's that possible?"

Kitakaze touched the necklace with her tail. "You have the Seishin Nekkuresu. All accessories of Legend Guardians allow direct communication with their respective Pokémon. But I believe that is not why you summoned me, correct?"

I nodded. "I'm trying to find Swirls, my Poliwhirl. She was put under a trance and headed to the islands. Errol and I tried to follow her but we ended up crashing and entering this cave. Can you help us?"

The Legendary Pokémon stroked her chin. "Hm… I believe that is the time once again. The Royal Summoning."

"What is this 'Royal Summoning'?" Errol asked.

"The Royal Summoning is an event that happens every five years at the underground cave of the islands. The Poliwag and Poliwhirl who were born in the Johto Region are summoned by the power of the Royal Rock and are tested to determine who will become the next ruler."

"But why every five years?" I inquired.

Kitakaze answered, "Time changes quickly for them. Changes in weather, homes, interactions with humans. I am unsure of how that came to be, but that was what I have observed."

I nodded. "Thanks, Kitakaze. I think I have a better idea of what's going on. Let's make sure Swirls is okay, Errol."

The Owl Pokémon looked at the tunnels. "But which path must we take?"

Kitakaze chuckled and closed her eyes. "The power of the Mighty Lugia will deter regular Pokémon, but those who are close to his level in strength can overcome his power for a few moments."

She quickly opened her eyes, releasing a gold energy that split and entered the four tunnels. The tunnel third from the left then emitted the same energy as the Extrasensory.

"Follow this tunnel. It should take you to the Sacred Pool. However, you must not interfere with the trials. Otherwise, you and Swirls will face great danger."

"We'll keep that in mind. Thank you."

She gently touched my right cheek and smiled. "You are progressing well, Summer. You ask the right questions and show the compassion we admire. I look forward to seeing you again."

Kitakaze touched her corresponding stone on the necklace, and she disappeared. Relieved, we ventured through the faintly glowing tunnel towards a ceremony I would never forget.

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 did you think of Weldon's reaction to Caleb?

What is Phase 2?

Will Summer and Errol be able to help Swirls?