*wakes up at computer desk*
Yawn…crud….fell asleep on computer last night. Now my face has that keyboard imprint. xP
Read, review and enjoy…I'll go get something to snack on.
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The research room of the Union was busier than ever. Nage and a few other scientists were working hard to decipher the diary and restore it to its former glory. Some went without sleep or even a proper break. They were very dedicated towards their research and goals. Kate and Keith decided to pop in and see what was up.
"You have to keep your voices down!" Murph whispered. "They're trying to work!"
"Murph…" Nage stared at him.
"One wrong move might destroy the entire research room!" Murph said. "No shouting. Ever."
"Murph, there's no need to be quiet." Nage told him.
"But what if there is? What if the entire base needs to be quiet so the diary can be deciphered?" Murph questioned quietly.
"Murph's sunny disposition makes it cheerful here." Nage said to the rangers. "Puts a smile on our face, even after the long hours…hm? Now what is this?"
"You found something?" Kate asked.
"Letters are starting to emerge on the cover!" Nage watched the screen, excited. "B-R-I-G-H-T-O-N. Brighton?"
"I heard of that name!" Murph, Kate and Keith exclaimed.
….
"When was that?" Murph asked.
"Beats me." Keith shrugged. "Isn't Brighton some kind of candy? Maybe toothpaste?"
"I think it has to do with Altru." Kate whipped out her cellphone. "But I do know someone who'll give us the answer."
Kate dialed and waited for the other end to pick up. Not that long but what was with the signal?
"Kate?"
"Hey Issac."
"Long time no see! But can't talk. Cell phone service isn't exactly great here."
"So I notice. Listen, does the word Brighton mean anything? I'm sure you said something about it to me at one point."
"Hmmmm…Brighton…Brighton…oh yeah! I gave you, Keith and your Union friend a tour! Brighton is the second president of Altru."
"Ok thanks Issac!"
"No problem. Hope to see you again soon!"
"Bye!"
Kate hung up. She noticed Hastings joined in and talked to Nage about update on the diary.
"Brighton was Altru's second president." Kate told the group.
"What? Brighton was the second president of Altru?" Hastings exclaimed. "Wait…I remember now! That was true! He was a plain man, not very noticeable. I have no idea where he is now or even if he's alive. He'd completely slip from my mind."
"So the diary was written by Brighton Hall." Keith assumed.
"That would be a good guess." Hastings said.
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A presentation was held in the research room later. Everyone from earlier plus Erma was there.
"We estimate the diary was dated back some thirty odd years. At the time, it was apparent the oil fields in the Chroma Highlands were running out. Brighton was very concerned about this." Nate spoke. "But it was then he made a huge discovery while drilling a new hole. A large, black stone ontop a ceremonial dias. This is what I believe to be the Shadow Crystal."
Shadow Crystal…Kate remembered it.
"Blake writes that something within him responded to the crystal. He sensed an unusual power came pulsing from it, an energy of sorts." Nage went on. "Altru's current president, Blake, was written briefly but only in passing. Seems he left the care of his only child to his wife. His attention focused on the crystal. Brighton believed that the Shadow Crystal could've been able to solve the energy crisis of Almia. And….er…that's all we've got so far. We'll continue with our work."
"Well done Nage." Hastings nodded. "We're starting to see a connection between the Shadow Crystal and Altru.
"So this lil stone is the energy of the future?" Murph walked over to the black stone on the pedestal. "Cool!"
FLASH! Shimmer!
Right as Murph stood next to the black stone, he started to glow. His chest was a brilliant blue. Everyone in the room noticed right away.
"Wha…? Whatcha? What is this? What the heck is going on?" Murph stumbled over his words.
"Murph!" Hastings exclaimed. "What's happening to you?"
"Looks really pretty." Keith commented.
"Not the manliest thing to say." Kate smirked.
"Shut up." Keith muttered.
"Murph. What are you hiding in your chest?" Erma questioned.
"Hold on Chairperson! I've got nothing to hide!" Murph took out a necklace. "Oh hey. What's shining is my pendant!"
Hastings was already checking the machines and inspecting the stones power.
"The power's gone down! The meter says the dark shards power is sharply dropped with Murph's pendant near it." Hastings said . "Murph, where did you get that pendant?"
"This? My pop gave it to me a long time ago. He got it as a souvineer from the Hia Valley." Murph replied. "He's the leader of a pokemon research team up there so we don't exactly talk all that often. Said it was made by an old lady there who called it the 'Tears of Prince'."
Hastings took all the information and thought it over. For a few minutes, he paced the floor of the research room. When he finished, Hastings turned to face Kate and Keith.
"You two! Don't just stand there!" The professor said.
"Huh?" The rangers blinked.
"Off to the Hia Valley! Gather information on the Tears of Prince at once!" Hastings ordered.
"Yes sir!" Kate and Keith saluted, accepting the mission.
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With information from Rhythmi and Murph about the Hia Valley, the two rangers went to the river. Kate captured a floatzel while Keith preferred his own buizel for travel. The water was freezing! Keith didn't know how Kate was able to withstand it so easily. Then again…traveling around the world probably had its perks. Like experience and being able to withstand any climate. Meanwhile Keith was used to the warm, tropical places. So this visit to Hia Valley wouldn't be a good one.
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After a long trip up the river and through the Ice Cave, Kate and Keith made it. But they were greeted with a blast of frigid air and harsh snow. Hia Valley, home to blizzards and harsh cold weather. Maybe Kate should've asked for a hat or gloves before she left. She hadn't been in a place like this for years.
"Come on." Keith was shivering fiercely. "Let's go find that camp before we turn to ice cubes."
"Maybe if we stay active, we'll keep warm." Kate suggested.
"How do we do that?" Keith asked bitterly, in a bad mood from the storm.
POW!
Snowball smacked him across the face.
"Gotcha!" Wave cheered.
"You little…" Keith smirked and prepared to return fire.
"My turn!" Chia threw a snowball but missed Kate.
"Come here!" Kate started to chase Chia across the valley.
Pachirisus were notoriously fast. But then again, so was Kate. They quick ran through the snow and around the trees. Chia slipped a little as they ran out into a bare patch of snow. Kate ended up sliding around but managed to grab hold of Chia. The two laughed and started to head back to where Keith was.
Crack…
"What…was…" Kate cautiously looked around.
CRAAAAAACK!
With a scream, Kate felt herself falling.
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Keith froze, hearing a scream. One he knew well.
"KATE!" Keith dropped the snowball and ran alongside Wave to where the sound came from.
From the tree clearings, he could see ice starting to break up and split. Underneath was water, some sort of miniature lake. There was a hole in the center of it. Kate had to have fallen through.
"&#^$! Wave, let's go!" Keith shouted.
"Right!" Wave nodded.
The two boys ran out onto the ice, neither caring about how thin and risky it was. They dived into the water. Arceus it was freezing! Even worse than the river ride on the way over! And it was incredibly deep as well. Keith saw Kate and swam down, with Wave's help. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close. The way up seemed longer than the way down. Keith had trouble holding his breath (of all the times to leave the aqualung at the Union…).
"Just a little more…" Keith thought, trying to hold on.
At the surface, Keith gasped for breath. Wave, despite being tired, swam them all to shore. Keith dropped Chia and Kate onto snow while he tried to catch his breath. Way too close. He nearly drowned himself.
Wave nudged Chia, worried. Both pachirisu and ranger were out like a light. Keith could see Kate was breathing but it was labored. Her pulse was dangerously low. Kate would freeze to death if Keith didn't find help. Keith got up and carried her in his arms while Wave carried Chia on his back. The two guys walked through the snow and back through the trees.
"Hey! Anyone out there?"
A voice? Whose? Didn't matter, Keith needed help.
"Yeah!" Keith called. "We've got trouble!"
Soon enough, someone came forward. Minus the beard and a few details, he looked like an exact older version of Murph. Had to be his father.
"What happened?" He asked.
"My friend fell through the ice and almost drowned. We need someplace to warm up before she freezes." Keith explained briefly.
"Swimming out here is dangerous. Especially now, so close to night." Murph's dad warned. "Come with me. Shiver Camp isn't too far off."
Keith followed the man through the thick snow. He could feel Kate's heart getting weaker while his own was close to a heart attack from worry. Her skin looked so pale and light.
"My name is Pamur by the way." Murph's dad said. "What brings you rangers out here anyway?"
"We're doing some research for the Union and it brought us here to Hia Valley." Keith replied.
"The Union? Have you met Murph?" Pamur asked.
"Yep. He's as cheerful as ever. Said to say hello." Keith answered.
Soon enough, the pair reached the campsite. Several sturdy huts were placed around the grounds, lights on. Pamur showed the pair to a spare hut for guests and such. Kate was laid on a bed, covered with many blankets. Wave grabbed one and pulled it over Chia, then snuggling beside her himself. Pamur made hot chocolate for the two before leaving to his own hut. he offered to help Keith out but the redhead refused, saying he could handle it.
"Kate…" Keith whispered. "How many times will I have to save you from the water?"
Keith held her head up and slowly poured hot chocolate into Kate. Her skin felt smooth but terribly cold. Hopefully something warm on the inside would help. Kate usually looked so peaceful sleeping. But unconscious like this? It drove Keith crazy with worry. To think he almost lost Kate again….
"You really care about her, don't you?"
That came from Wave, who curled up beside Chia to keep her warm.
"I could say the same to you." Keith said.
Wave looked at him for a moment before going to sleep. Keith yawned, feeling exhausted. Slowly and surely, Keith drifted off into the darkness.
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Dah dah DAAAAAHHHH! Kate in trouble! Better wait and see what happens next chapter, coming soon! Does Kate live?...no she dies. Dies of hypothermia and just dies a slow, painful death.
KIDDING!...or am I? Heh heh heh.