Many of you couldn't wait for Keith's visions to be revealed so I wrote the next chapter as quickly (and as best) as I could! Not too much action but we have a lot of informa-…
Chia: *strolls in, covered in red liquid-like substance* I'm back!
Tell me that's strawberry jelly on you.
Chia: Ok. It's strawberry jelly.
….it's not strawberry jelly at all, is it?
Chia: Not even close.
*face palm* Hopefully some of my readers are alive; reading, reviewing and enjoying.
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Kate was in awe as she walked through the halls of the Union. Starry eyed and full of hopes, dreaming that she could be stationed at the world's ranger HQ. However, Keith was thinking differently. This building was where he was born; in a secret laboratory that no one else in this building knew of. To Keith, this was like touring the outside of a prison. More specifically, his prison. And he did not want to go back any time soon.
The redhead was feeling sick to his stomach as he came into the Union. His nerves were jittery. All Keith wanted to do was get out and go back to safe Vientown.
"Just get the meeting done with and you'll go home." Keith mentally assured himself. "Things will be fine. Just smile and be happy for Kate's sake."
Keith's tension was soothed a little to see Kate excited. He listened as Kate went on and on about how she's always wanted to see the Union. Kate deserved a spot working for this prestigious place. She worked hard, understood pokemon and had one heck of a personality. Still…Keith liked to stay with her in Vientown. To remain close as they patrolled together and laughed alongside their friends.
"Here we are!" Murph said. "The conference room!"
On the second floor, Murph guided them to the door with a 'Conference Room' plaque next to it on the wall. Obvious. But could be easy to miss if one didn't pay attention.
"Thanks Murph! Hey we should hang out soon." Kate said.
"Sounds great!"Murph gave a thumbs up. "Oh and tell the Ringtown crew I say hi! I ought to visit when its not so busy around here."
"Will do!" Kate nodded. "Come on, Keith! Meeting time!"
Keith and Kate both entered the meeting room together. It was a very large, spaced out room with tech stuff all over the place. Even the floor was a gigantic monitor! Keith had seen it once or twice before. Though the Union building made him anxious, the conference room floor monitor always fascinated him. There were other people in the room; some which Keith knew. Nage was a scientist who worked at the Union's main lab and was well known for his work. There was a very pretty green haired girl who looked to be about nineteen. She was Wendy, one of only ten top rangers in the world. Barlow was there as were Chairperson Erma and Professor Hastings. Three normal rangers stood off to the side; probably just those assigned to work at the Union and here to learn gigaremo info.
"Our prized rookies are here!" Barlow said. "Everyone, this is Kate and Keith. Kate has figured out how to stop gigaremos and helped us gather one for study. Both took on Dim Sun when they came to Pueltown though Keith showed exceptional skills handling a boss pokemon like that. He also captured an overpowered charizard that Dim Sun unleashed as a threat."
"Kate? Keith? How about a demonstration?" Erma requested.
In the center of the room was a functioning gigaremo. Keith found it was strange he didn't have a headache from this one. But why question it? This gigaremo requested a water type attack so Keith and Wave would handle this.
"Wave! Water gun!" Keith called out.
"You got it!" Wave unleashed a water gun on the gigaremo.
There was an explosion from within the machine and KABAM! The gigaremo was destroyed once again! Just like the others had been. Kate and Keith stepped to the side as the professor went over to the ruined gigaremo.
"What you all have seen is the method to destroying these wretched devices. But red ones aren't the only type out there. It's reported that there are several colors that each have different moves that affect it. My suspicion is that the mechanisms are different in each machine, therefore different colors and attacks. Though I'd need another colored gigaremo for further study." Hastings explained. "Point is, a gigaremo can be stopped. And we'll do it with people and pokemon teamwork. Spread the word to all rangers about this. Special thanks goes to Kate for discovering this crucial info."
Naturally, no thanks to Keith. But Keith was sort of used to being treated this way. After all he was a robot and not a human. Keith kept quiet though as the rangers heaved the destroyed machine off to the side.
"Hey professor? I'm curious about something." Kate spoke up. "That gigaremo didn't control the pokemon in the building or give our partner pokemon any problems."
"So you noticed. Everyone, please look down at the monitor below us." Hastings said.
A file opened up, pulling out a document. Looked to be a complex diagram of a gigaremo. The center held a diamond object that resembled the black stone from before.
"In that diamond shaped section was a small black stone. It was removed while rebuilding the gigaremo for this meeting's demonstration." Hastings continued. "The gigaremo fails to hypnotize pokemon when that stone is not in place. Clearly, the black stone is needed for the gigaremo for its full function and that its embedded with a mysterious power of sorts."
The diagram disappeared below, making the floor screen normal again.
"Don't worry! We area rangers will search and destroy each one of these gigaremos!" Barlow proudly told everyone.
"And the Union's hard at work on the analysis on the black stone. A full investigation behind Dim Sun is launched too. Me and my partner are on the case!" Wendy added.
Erma took a step forth. "Peace within Almia is being threatened by a new team that calls themselves Dim Sun. Not only have they hurt pokemon and put lives in danger but they've gone so far to attack one of our own rangers. I am not frightened by these strangers and neither should any of you. Instead, do your best to protect this region from harm. Work as one towards the common goal of peace. Safeguard the people, pokemon and our beloved Almia."
Erma left the room with the professor and Nage behind her. The rangers were starting to clean up the mess. Barlow mentioned he'd be talking to Hastings for awhile so Kate and Keith were free to explore the Union. As he left, Wendy came up to the pair.
"Hey guys! Name's Wendy and I'm…" Wendy started to introduce herself.
"You're a top ranger! The flying ranger of Almia!" Kate blurted in excitement. "Er…sorry! I've heard a lot about you!"
Wendy laughed. "And I've heard quite a bit about you too, Kate. How about I give you guys the Union tour? Maybe in exchange you can answer some questions for me? It might help my investigation go smoothly."
"Of course!" Kate happily said.
Keith knew the Union but he agreed to tag along. Actually, it was fun talking to Wendy and walking around. Wendy was smart, sarcastic and had a sense of humor. Not like Crawford's goofy comedy but enough to make someone smile. Kate seemed to be in awe over how cool Wendy was. A little obvious Wendy had herself a fan. Keith found it was sort of…cute.
The questions asked were nothing too tricky to think about. Like if Dim Sun said they had an experiment going on, what color the gigaremo was that they fled with, details on capturing hypnotized pokemon and such. Quick and easy questions that Wendy noted down for future reference. After that, it was all fun and games.
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Hours went by quickly. Barlow had spent so much time discussing gigaremos with the professor that it was too late for anyone to go home. So Kate and Keith were arranged to sleep in one of the unused rooms in the Union. Keith was relieved he got a room and wasn't sent to the lab where he used to stay. Even more relieved that neither Erma or Hastings talked to him.
The rooms were small and made for one person to stay in. Walls were mostly soundproof, had locks and were of basic (but cozy) design. A bathroom connected two rooms together. Kate and Keith each got a room with a shared bathroom separating them. Keith changed into a set of clothes the Union provided, relaxing in his bed. He dug out and stared at the Silver Wing which was given to him only hours ago.
"Heya buddy!"
Chia wandered in. Wave had gone exploring and Kate went to go talk to Wendy for a bit. Thus, it was safe for Chia to be in her mew form.
"You feeling lonely?" Chia asked.
"More tired than anything." Keith yawned.
Chia then noticed the feather. "GASP! Is that a Silver Wing?! From a lugia?! Where did you get it?! It's so rare!"
Keith gave Chia a brief explanation about what happened in the ocean with lugia and the key.
"Stupid Dim Sun…how dare they try to go after legendary pokemon? HMPTH." Chia huffed.
"Well lugia's all better now. Swam off with a few scrapes but it'll be fine." Keith assured.
"Psychic pokemon are almost as good as grass types when it comes to healing." Chia noted.
"Psychic? It's a psychic and water dual type?" Keith blinked. "I guess that explains the visions…"
"Visions? What visions?" Chia asked.
"I was watching over Lugia while Kate got the pokemon to free it. Lugia opened its eyes and looked at me, as if it wanted me to come over. So I swam over. I put my hand on his head and….and this weird sensation came over me." Keith recalled. "I-I was frozen solid but without any ice. All these images started to race through my eyes and pour into my brain. Even now, I can remember a few that somehow seem very important. It's like lugia was trying to tell me something."
Chia was silent for a minute. She paced (well…fly-paced) around the room in thought.
"Maybe it was." Mew said, getting an idea.
"You think so?" Keith asked.
"Yes!" Mew nodded. "Lugia's psychic powers must have picked up that you are, what you call, an artificial human. I mean any legendary pokemon can tell this sort of thing. And I think he sensed that you wanted to be human. That desire must have been strong enough for him to see! That Silver Wing? It's given by lugia as a symbol of thanks. Lugia's way of thanking you was not only the feather but those visions! I think he was trying to guide you to the legendary pokemon that might be able to help!"
"Wow!" Keith gasped, thrilled. "R-really?"
"That's got to be it!" Mew said.
"Great but I don't know what these pokemon are." Keith sweatdropped.
"Describe them to me and I'll give you the scoop." Mew told him.
There was a pencil and paper nearby. Keith decided to use it for recording the important information.
"What's the first pokemon that came to mind?" Mew asked.
Keith took a moment to reflect. "I-I see a bird. A gigantic bird of red and gold. But in the right light, I think I see a rainbow reflected off of it. Looks so big and majestic."
"You're talking about Ho-oh, who is sort of related to Lugia." Mew said. "I guess it makes some sense that lugia recommended him. He's the legendary rainbow pokemon associated with not only color and peace but also longevity and resurrection. Ho-oh's got the power to revive pokemon from the dead! He did it with raikou, suicune and entei back when the Burned Tower was…well…burned to the ground. Rumor has it that those pokemon used to be a jolteon, vaporeon and flareon beforehand."
"So a pokemon with the power to resurrect the dead surely could help me out." Keith assumed.
"I could kill you and see if Ho-oh does something." Mew jokingly suggested.
Keith gulped. "Ah…let's call that a last resort."
"Suit yourself." Mew shrugged. "Next?"
"I see…" Keith paused. "Three pokemon. I think they're some sort of trio. All of them are small and sort of like you. Sort of the same but with differences. One is dark pink, one is yellow and the other is blue."
"I think you're talking about the lake guardians of Sinnoh; Mespirit, Uxie and Azelf. They're known as the emotion pokemon that represent spirit, knowledge and willpower. Though I'm not too sure how, your concern about being human may connect to them. Lugia sure thinks so." Mew told him. "I don't know them personally. But a friend of mine does. Next time I see her, we'll have a chat. Maybe the lake pokemon can take a break to help you."
"As long as they're not bothered by the request." Keith said.
"Next pokemon?" Mew asked.
"Only one left." Keith responded. "It's another small one. But it's shaped like a star. Yellow top with three green tag like things and yellow ribbons. I can't tell if that thing is a stomach wrinkle or not."
"That's jirachi and it's a third eye. And wow is that thing creepy." Mew shuddered. "I've been friends with Jirachi for a long time! She's always so sleepy! I have to sing just to wake her up, play and have some fun!"
"Can you tell me about jirachi?" Keith questioned.
"Jirachis can sleep for 1,000 years. When their 1,000 years are up, they'll stay awake for one week and be hyper maniacs. Course you can wake jirachi before the 1,000 years are up. Some, like me, sing to it in a soft voice. They say they'll appear when least expected and fulfill wishes to those who really need it." Mew explained.
"That means I could wish to be human!" Keith grinned.
"Exactly!" Mew clapped.
"But do we know where jirachi is?" Keith asked.
"Sort of? The jirachi I know can sleep-fly itself across the globe. And sometimes, she'll sleep-fly to where I am if she's lonely. Odds are we'll run into her eventually." Mew replied.
"Great! This is amazing! I might have a shot at being human!" Keith felt excited.
Knock! Knock!
Chia quickly got into pachirisu form and whispered. "I'll see what I can do about finding these pokemon."
"Thanks." Keith said.
Kate came in through the bathroom door. She wore a basic white t-shirt and black shorts provided by the Union. Her hair was worn down; soft, silky and smooth. It looked like a waterfall cascaded down to the shoulders. Brought out her blue eyes more too. Keith couldn't help but think how beautiful Kate looked.
"It's getting late. I'm turning in." Kate told him. "Night, Keith!"
"Night Kate." Keith responded.
Chia jumped on the girls shoulder, smirking. Kate closed the door and left for her own room. Keith yawned, tired as well. He turned off the lights and got into bed.
Five pokemon. Five hopes. Hopefully, one of them would have the answer.
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We have hints to what pokemon may be able to help! Did a lot of research into the topic! I almost considered mewtwo but he didn't fit into my story. And there's reasons why I omitted arceus.
Chia: That thing on jirachis stomach is an EYE?
When I was little and Hoenn first released, I thought it was a pouch. No idea that was a third eye that opened up. And I had to admit, that freaked me out the first time I saw it.
Chia: …subject change so my mind doesn't explode, next update?
It should be coming up soon. And don't you dare attack the other authors or my readers again.
Chia: *smirks* I make so such promise.
