Chasing after Master Thief A, who stole a display case with amulets from the Kabuki Theater, Summer, Yuki, and Khouri split up to find him. Summer not only found the third of the Rainbow Scrolls, but the thief himself. After a bitter struggle, Summer was able to summon Sandā but lost the scroll to her enemy. In the aftermath, she learned of the teenager's true identity. Khouri, sensing the imminent threat, recommended them to seek the help of Pryce, the Mahogany Town Gym Leader. Reunited with Samir, the three venture into the town, which is shrouded in a strange fog. What is the fog hiding, and will the three find the Gym Leader?

Chapter 33- The Haunting of Mahogany

Yuki, Samir, and I walked into a small village east of Mt. Mortar. Despite what Khouri said, Mahogany Town looked deserted and very creepy. A thick fog billowed from the mountains and over the wooden buildings. I felt very uneasy, even more than when I first arrived in Lavender Town.

Samir shivered. "I don't like this place. It feels like something bad is going to happen."

I patted my friend's back. "Don't worry, Samir. We just need to stay together."

Yuki looked around. "Maybe we should find the Pokémon Center. The nurse should be able to tell us what's going on."

"Good idea, Yuki. Let's go."

We wandered through the town, our senses heightened by the unusual silence and the rising white blanket. I couldn't help but feel we were being watched by someone, or something, inside the buildings. After a few minutes, we arrived in front of a two-story building built with dark brown wood. The Pokéball symbol was made of silver and crystal, which blended into the fog.

Yuki opened the door. The lobby was empty except for the nurse at the desk. Despite her clean white uniform, her long black hair, thin frame, and pale skin made it seem she never left the Pokémon Center for years. She stared at us with her yellow eyes and showed an eerie grin.

"Why hello there," she said in a sickly sweet tone. "Are you Trainers here for a visit?"

I really don't like this at all. I cautiously answered, "You can say that. Do you know what's been going on here, Nurse…"

"Nurse Matsukuro, my dear."

"Right…" This woman's really creepy. And I don't see a pin on her hat… We need to go.

Samir had the same feeling. "Maybe we should talk to the townspeople."

"What's wrong?" the nurse asked. "You don't trust me, young children?"

Yuki slowly shook her head. "Not particularly."

We walked backwards to the door and ran out. Thankfully, we weren't being chased. We panted outside the building.

"What is going on here?" the Sinnoh native wondered, looking around. "This is nothing like the books said."

Samir suggested, "Maybe we should head back to Ecruteak City to come up with a plan."

I stroked my chin. "That's a good idea, Samir. Let's go."

But the fog still covered the town, making it feel more like a maze. Then, something approached us from the east.

"Wh-Who's there?" Yuki called out.

A girl wearing an orange vest and brown skirt appeared before us. Her physical appearance was similar to Nurse Matsukuro and she carried several green boxes.

"Hi there," she said in a high-pitched drawled voice. "Would you like to buy some RageCandyBars? Only five Pokédollars each."

"No thanks," I replied.

This only made her more persistent. "RageCandyBars are delicious! Just buy one. Please?"

This is getting creepier…

Yuki gave a nervous chuckle. "We're fine, thank you." She then hissed, "Run!"

We dashed away from the unnerving scout and further into the fog. When I felt we were safe, I looked around and saw I was alone.

"Yuki? Samir?" But I heard nothing.

Okay. Maybe they got lost too. Should I go look for them?

I took out Errol's Pokéball but it didn't grow to its regular size.

Again? This isn't good.

The fog got thicker as I struggled to find any landmark. Then, a familiar voice brought a chill to my spine.

"Come on, Summer. Play with me."

The blonde ghost girl from Mt. Pyre walked towards me; her smile didn't hide the evil in her eyes. Her pink dress fluttered as the low clouds swirled around her.

"No!" I screamed. "Get away from me!"

I sprinted away, not caring where I went. In the confusion, I slammed into something solid. It felt like a tree. Sensing the girl was still behind me, I grasped the nearest branch and began to climb. Her laughter echoed through my ears, and I quickened my ascent. A few minutes later, I made it to the top and breathed a sigh of relief.

Hopefully she stays down here. Maybe I can find Yuki and Samir from up here.

Gripping onto the branches, I scanned the town, which was still enveloped by the low clouds. Then, I saw something strange next to me. It was a metal satellite dish.

What's this doing on a tree? Maybe if I can touch it, I can see how who put it up here.

I lifted my right hand but before I could touch it, the ghost girl shot out of the antenna, laughing her creepy laugh. I was so shocked, I let go. Before I tumbled down, I landed on something slightly squishy. Startled, I sat up and saw a red-haired man in a black cape standing a Dragonite.

The man shouted in a deep voice, "Ryusei, Defog!"

The Dragon type flapped his wings, dispersing the fog over Mahogany Town. I saw Yuki cowering in fear, her hands over her eyes, and, to my surprise, Weldon, who was curled in a ball.

I looked at the man, who turned to me. He wore a dark blue jumpsuit with orange trim on the collars and chest and black boots with orange trim at the top. The inside of his cap was red with gold stitching resembling the Pokémon League Association logo.

He looks familiar... "Thanks for saving me," I said. "Who are you? What's going on? And why are you here?"

He smiled. "I'm Lance, the Pokémon League Champion of the Johto Region."

"You're the Johto Champion? Wait, I remember! Weldon battled you in the Indigo League. But aren't you part of the Kanto Elite Four?"

Lance laughed. "I still am, so I'm basically doing double duty. Anything, to answer what's going on, that fog was charged with fear energy, making you experience your deepest fear. But before I answer your last question, let's help your friends first."

Ryusei descended and landed effortlessly. We got off and I ran over to Yuki. Her eyes were closed, and she whimpered, "Please...leave me alone…"

I gently shook my friend's right shoulder. "Yuki. Yuki, it's just an illusion."

"Huh?" She opened her eyes and placed her hands on the ground. "Summer… I'm so happy it's you! I heard his roar, and...and I couldn't take it…"

She embraced me and I patted her back. "It's okay, it's over now."

After letting go, she sniffled and stood up. I looked at Lance, who was trying to snap Weldon out of his trance. We joined them. Weldon was in a state I've never seen him in. His eyes were wide, and he muttered unintelligible words.

"Weldon," I whispered as I shook his shoulder. "Weldon, are you okay?"

"S-Summer?" He blinked and his eyes returned to normal. He sat up and moaned, "What happened?"

"You experienced your deepest fear."

My rival looked away, embarrassed. "S-Sorry you had to see that."

Lance gently scolded, "I told you this would happen, Weldon. But at least you've recovered." He turned to me and Yuki. "I understand you're traveling with someone named Samir. Is he with you?"

We observed the streets. Yuki answered, "He was. But I don't see him."

The Champion frowned. "That's not good. I was informed he's carrying an item Neo Team Rocket wants."

I immediately understood what he was talking about. "The first Rainbow Scroll. We need to find him."

Suddenly, a high-pitched noise rang over the town. I winced in pain and covered my ears. The others did the same.

Where is this noise coming from?! I scanned the town and couldn't find its source.

Lance grabbed something from his pocket; it was a small metal cube with a large blue button. He pressed it, and a light blue dome surrounded us. The sound became dull, but Ryusei was still suffering.

Lance took notice and took out a Pokéball. "Ryusei, go inside." The Dragonite obeyed. After he put it away, he said, "I received reports from the PLA that Pryce has not been corresponding with the Johto branch for a week. Around that time, this strange fog appeared and that frequency started every once in a while. Because of their harmful nature, the path to the Lake of Rage and the connection between Ecruteak City and Blackthorn City have been cut off. I traveled here to find out what happened."

Yuki twirled her hair. "This can't be more than just coincidences. I feel that someone is behind all of this, maybe even with Samir's disappearance."

If what Master Thief A said was true, then Neo Team Rocket may be behind this. After all, they would know about the Rainbow Scrolls since Proton was at Slowpoke Well and Ariana and Petrel were at Mt. Mortar, based on what Yuki told me. But why do they want the scrolls?

Lance looked at the north gate. "I know we should find Samir, but I only have one sound dampening device. I think it's best to stop the source of the frequency first."

I hesitated. "I don't know. Both are important."

The Champion brushed his hair back, his cape blowing in the breeze. "As a leader, you have to focus on the most pressing issue. Once you solve it, then the other problems may be solved that way too. That's one thing that all Legend Guardians have to deal with." He smirked at my astonished face. "Now come on, we need to find the source."

A familiar female voice echoed in my head. It was hard to understand, but I could make some words out.

The...Lake… Go… Lake…

Kitakaze! What lake are you talking about?

North… Cannot...maintain...tele…

My head throbbed and the voice disappeared.

"Are you okay, Summer?" Yuki asked.

I nodded and asked Lance, "Is there a lake north of here?"

His eyes grew wide. "Why yes. It's the Lake of Rage."

"That's where we need to go."

The Champion didn't question my sudden knowledge. "All right, everyone. To the lake!"

Samir stood alone in an empty space. Where am I?

A yellow winged Pokémon materialized in front of him; the one who wanted him to become a Legend Guardian.

"Zapdos. What are you doing here?"

"The better question, Samir, is what are you doing here?"

The boy looked around. "I don't even know where 'here' is."

The Legendary Pokémon landed before him. "This is a place no one wants to be in. A crossroads, if you will."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense. I've been feeling that way for a while."

Zapdos was crestfallen. "I know. I heard what Master Lugia said to you. Do you want to surrender your role as our Legend Guardian?"

Samir sighed. "I don't know, Zapdos. Everything's been so complicated. I thought I got over my traumatic experience, but I guess I haven't."

"Unfortunately, you don't have much time to contemplate. The world will need you once more."

The Pokémon slowly faded.

Samir reached out his hand. "No, Zapdos! Wait!"

But he was gone.

The boy crossed his arms and sighed. "Does the world really need me?" He closed his eyes. Images of his friends, family and Pokémon flashed inside his mind. Yes...I have to. If not for the world, then for them.

A bald pale man in a black robe with red trim gleefully paced back and forth in a laboratory, searching for something on the steel tables. He was the owner of a small store in town, but with the special job he was given, he was going to make more than he earned in the last five years.

Proton entered the room. He smirked when he saw Samir unconscious and tied up in a corner surrounded by several Electrode.

"Hey, old man!" the admin member shouted. "You finished already?"

Startled, the man ran over to his employer. "Of course, Proton sir. I was just finding something to put it in."

The green-haired man groaned. "I don't need anything to put the scroll in! Just hand it to me."

The shopkeeper inched forward and handed him the rolled parchment he stole from Samir's satchel. Proton grasped it tightly. "The moment is drawing near. We will get our revenge on those who defeated us and control the Johto Region and beyond!"

He was about to laugh when a slimy pink object wagged in front of him. "Get that Slowpoketail out of my face and make sure the others don't get in here."

The shopkeeper shuffled his feet. "Well...about that…"

Proton's eyes narrowed. "You did chase them away, right?"

"Yes...and no…? They're heading to the lake."

The Neo Team Rocket member smashed his wrist on the table, shattering several glass vials. After taking a few breaths, he recomposed himself. "I'll deal with them. Make sure he doesn't wake up!"

Relieved there was no punishment yet, the shopkeeper bowed and stood watch over the captive.

Proton stepped outside and called his fellow members. Their plan can't be foiled again.

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

Aurora (Seel, female): Calm Nature, moves: Water Pulse, Aurora Beam, Aqua Tail, Aqua Ring

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 (Skiploom, female): Jolly Nature, moves: Bullet Seed, Mega Drain, Tackle, Sleep Powder

Mikan (Cyndaquil, male): Bold Nature, moves: Tackle, Flame Wheel, Ember, Smokescreen

Questions for the Chapter:

What it pretty spooky?

What is Weldon's deepest fear?

Why is Neo Team Rocket using the fog and the frequency for?