Chapter 17

With that Zapdos incident done, the gang heads North through Route 111, onward to Lavaridge Town. Along the way, Hiccup noticed the road seemed to split and there was the path on one side and a desert on the other.

Fishlegs explains, "That desert area tends to get a lot of sandstorms so it would be quite difficult to get there without any sort of goggles. Besides, we don't need to head that way anyway."

Hiccup nods. "Then the left path it is."

Just then, a voice was heard behind them saying, "Oh, it's you two again!" They turn around and see the scientist that Hiccup and Astrid helped out at the Petalburg Woods.

Hiccup recognized the guy instantly and said, "Oh hey, I remember you."

Fishlegs asks, "Do you two know this guy?"

The scientist explains, "Why yes. Your friends here helped me out when Team Aqua stole my research back in the Petalburg Woods. They were certainly a big help."

Astrid nods. "Well, we were happy to help."

The scientist then adds, "So, what are you all doing out here?"

Hiccup explains, "We're on our way to Lavaridge Town so I can get my next gym badge. You?"

The scientist explains, "Well, I'm actually here on a special research trip. I am here to possibly see the legendary Pokémon Regirock."

Fishlegs's eyes widen. "Regirock?! It's here?"

The scientist nods. "Well, supposedly it's here. You see, some of my colleagues and I have been doing research back at the Weather Institute and recently we made a discovery stating that Regirock might possibly be resting right here."

Hiccup then asks, "Sorry but, what's Regirock?"

Fishlegs says with a sort of 'duh' tone to his voice. "Uh, only the greatest Rock Type Pokémon ever."

The scientist chuckles. "Well, you're not wrong there, my fat friend. You see, Regirock is a legendary Pokmeon made entirely of rock. It, along with it's brethren Regice and Registeel, are all very good at wielding the power of rock, ice and steel, respectively. However, according to legends in the Sinnoh region, if all three of these Pokémon were to be brought together, then it can awaken a massive legendary Pokémon, Regigigas. If we were to find Regirock, it could lead to us discovering so much about not only ancient Hoenn, but perhaps Rock Type Pokémon all together."

Fishlegs adds, "Which is why we are going to find it. Ok, catch me up to speed on what you've got."

The scientist begins showing Fishlegs the research he had gathered at the Weather Institute, and he did not skimp on a single detail. Hiccup whispers to Astrid, "Should we really be doing this?"

Astrid nods. "Yes. Look, this is clearly Fishlegs's thing so we should be supportive about it."

Hiccup nods. "You're right, you're right."

The scientist was wrapping up with, "By my calculations, the temple that Regirock rests in should lie in the eastern part of the desert."

Fishlegs nods. "Alright, I think I've got it. Well then, let's go."

The scientist stops Fishlegs by saying, "Hold on. That area is quite famous for having terrible sandstorms on a daily basis. Luckily, I brought extra pairs of Go Goggles which can help you see in sandstorm."

The gang each takes a pair of goggles and slips them on. Something then occurs to Hiccup, "Hey, I guess this is your reward for us helping you at the Petalburg Woods."

The scientist chuckles. "Yes, I suppose so. Alright, let's get going."

As soon as the gang entered the desert area, the wind picked up, blowing sand into their faces. Luckily, the goggles were there to help them out. Using a map that the scientist drew up, they climb the sand dunes and head towards the area the scientist believes to be where Regirock is hiding.

Along the way, Hiccup couldn't help but notice some of the desert Pokémon, like one that appeared to be a moving cactus.

The Pokédex read, "Cacnea, the Cactus Pokémon. Cacnea can survive for up to 30 days without drinking by absorbing water stored in it's body. The yellow flower on it's head blooms only once a year."

The gang walked for what felt like an hour in the blazing hot sun, sand blowing into their faces all the while. Hiccup was the first to ask, "Are you sure you know where you're going?"

The scientist replies, "This doesn't make sense. We should've seen something by now but so far it's just sand, sand and more sand."

Astrid suggests, "Well, maybe we went the wrong direction."

The scientist shakes his head. "No, that can't be it. I just don't understand what I'm missing."

Fishlegs says, "Let me see the map." The scientist hands over the map and Fishlegs looks through it thoroughly. "Huh, that's weird. Says here we should be close." He puts the map down and says, "I just don't get this." He kicks the sand and finds something hard press against his shoe. He moves the sand around a little and sees a rock with 7 dots on it.

The scientist's eyes widen. "Whoa, that's the symbol that appears on Regirock's face. Perhaps…"

Astrid says, "Perhaps we can't see the temple because it's buried in the sand."

Hiccup nods. "And it looks like we're gonna need to do some digging." He tosses a Pokéball and out pops a white beetle. "Nincada, I need you to dig around this area, let us know if you see a cave of any sorts."

"Nin." Nincada digs into the sand using its sharp claws. It goes down for a little but until it yells out, "Cada!"

Fishlegs comments, "Nincada must have found something."

Hiccup yells down the hole, "Nincada, see if you can dig a tunnel big enough for Fishlegs to fit through.

"Nin." Nincada says as it starts to build the tunnel while the humans dug around on top.

It wasn't long before they all dug through and found themselves in a dark cave. Since they were now inside a cave, they all take their Go Goggles off. Hiccup calls back Nincada and calls out Abra. "Abra, use Flash."

"Aaaaaaaabra!" Abra's body shines like a light, allowing them to see that exact symbol on the floor of the cave, and some type of writing on the back wall.

The scientist's eyes widen more. "This is it. This is Regirock's cave."

Fishlegs says with the joy of a child on Snoggletog. "Oh my Arceus, yes!"

Astrid asks, "What's that writing on the wall?"

The scientist explains, "That's braille, I believe. One of my colleagues is blind and she taught me how to read it." He looks at the dots on the wall and reads out, "Show a rock your smash, and you will see the way. Huh."

Fishlegs says, "I know what that means. Geodude, go!" He throws a Pokéball and out pops a grey rock with arms. Fishlegs commands, "Geodude, use Rock Smash!"

"Duuuuuuude!" Geodude smashes one of the nearby rocks and soon, the back wall opens up, revealing another room.

Standing in the center of the room, was a pile of tan and orange rocks with that same 7 dotted symbol on it's face. Fishelgs says with even more joy, "Regirock! It is here!"

Hiccup pulls up the Pokédex and it reads, "Regirock, the rock peak Pokémon. Regirock's entire body is made of rock. If part of its rocks get chipped, then it can put it back on itself to recover."

Fishlegs says, "Standing in front of the king of Rock Types I…I don't even know what to say."

The scientist smiles. "It truly is a magnificent Pokémon."

Regirock then suddenly raises it's arms as high as it can go. Astrid asks, "Uh, is Regirock just giving us a welcoming hello?" Regirock then slams its arms down, causing rocks in the cave to shatter and fall. "Guess not." Astrid adds.

Hiccup yells, "Abra, Confusion!"

"Aaaaaaaab!" Abra's hands glow purple as it does its best to keep the rocks from falling onto the gang and moving them out of the way.

The scientist says, "This isn't good. Regirock must think we're intruders trying to capture it or steal something from it."

Hiccup asks, "Well what do we do? I don't think Abra can keep this up much longer."

Suddenly, Fishlegs yells, "STOP!" Regirock pauses and sees Fishlegs standing right in front of it, staring it down.

Hiccup asks, "Fishlegs, what are you doing?"

Fishlegs replies, "Something crazy. Regirock, listen to what I have to say. We are not here to harm you. We are not here to harm your cave. We just came here because we just wanted to see you." He gestures to Geodude, "As you can see, we are kind to Rock Types as well as all Pokémon, so I do ask that you do not attack us. Please, Regirock." As he says the last part, he looks away and holds out his hand.

Hiccup's eyes widen at the familiarity of the gesture. Regirock, on the other hand, was too intrigued by the bold move that Fishlegs was showing. It looks over to Geodude and sees that it seems to be happy with being with this human, so Regirock figured that this human must be ok and it leans in to touch the top of its forehead to Fishlegs's hand.

Fishlegs smiles. "That's it, Regirock." Regirock then pulls away before walking to the back of the cave, moving some of the rocks, and pulling out a tan hexagonal rock with Regirock's 7 dots in the center. Regirock gives the rock to Fishlegs who looks it over.

The scientist comments, "Amazing. Regirock seems to trust you, Fishlegs, so much so that it's given you a special platted rock. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it."

Fishlegs looks back and says, "One thing you should know about me is that I'm always full of surprises."

Hiccup comments, "Hey, that's my line."

Fishlegs chuckles. "Fair enough. Well, I think you should have this since it is for your research." Fishlegs tries to hand the rock over to the scientist, but Regirock grunts in disproval of the act.

The scientist comments, "I think Regirock gave you this rock with the intentions for you to keep it."

Fishlegs replies. "But, your research."

The scientist shakes his head. "No no, I think I've seen all that I need to see. Besides, I'm sure that we will see each other again at some point."

Fsihlegs nods. "Well, alright then." He puts the rock in his backpack, turns back around and says to Regirock, "Regirock…thank you." Regirock nods.

Hiccup says to Abra, "Abra, you mind teleporting us back to Route 111?"

"Abra." Abra nods before they all gather around Abra and it teleports them out of the cave and onto Route 111, right outside of the desert area.

Once out there, Fishlegs shakes with total giddy. "Oh, I can't believe I was able to hold my excitement that long. I mean, I, a former Rock Type gym leader, got to touch the king of Rock Types and gained it's trust."

The scientist adds, "And it is thanks to you that I was able to see Regirock and witness it's true power. By the way, that rock plate that Regirock gave you, well I believe that it might just be one of the pieces needed to find Regigigas, and I suspect that Regice and Registeel have plates similar to that one."

Hiccup replies, "Well, guess you'll have to do a bit more searching. I'd love to help but I do need to get on with my journey."

The scientist nods. "Yes, Hiccup. You three should be going on your way, and if I need help I will certainly look for you."

Hiccup nods. "Sounds good. It was good to see you again uh…."

The scientist chuckles. "Just call me Scott."

Hiccup nods. "Scott, got it."

With that, Scott bids the gang farewell as they continue to head to Lavaridge Town. One of the gang members, however, was feeling more excited than ever about the day and was beginning to wonder how he was going to sleep that night.