I almost wish it didn't have to end.
There was something about being Grant's Gym Trainer that made me feel safe. It wasn't just that we were under the protection of a Gym Leader, or that we got to stay at Hotel Cyllage, though Celeste was thrilled about that. The sense of safety allowed me to focus on training, both my own and my pokemon's, and the results were fantastic. After some hesitance on his part, I convinced Grant to let me practice rock climbing without the equipment, and found that my Team Plasma skills translated very well to this. Surprisingly, Celeste proved that she wasn't totally helpless at it either. During the gym challenges, Celeste was just as adept at catching challengers who fell during the puzzle as I was.
Being a Gym Trainer was fun in its own right as well. I learned to wield Tundra well, and found that despite what the pokedex had said, she managed our warmer climate just fine. When she would start to feel warm, she released cold air from the gems on her sides, instantly cooling herself off. I also realized that her frills were like a mood ring, and kept a mental note about the colors and what they meant. So far, all I had gotten was that yellow meant she was excited, pink meant she was happy, light blue meant she was stressed while dark blue meant she was sad, and purple was when she was relaxed or wanting to relax.
We took every opportunity we had to study the journal from Parfum Palace to get more answers regarding Mega Evolution. I had managed to find a page that had a picture of Lucario on it, and I consulted the list of references Genny had made to translate enough of the writing to see that it did not belong to the writer of the journal, and it scared them. Could it be the Lucario that Lord Shabboneau's scroll had described?
Anyway, it turned out, the main reason Grant wanted us to be Gym Trainers was because he had put in a request for a supplementary team from the pokemon league. He reasoned that with more pokemon at his disposal, he could take on challengers without Gym Trainers properly. I could definitely understand his impatience, as since Diantha kept a very hectic and busy schedule, getting her to do anything was like pulling teeth. I didn't hold it against her entirely for this, though I found her lack of delegation annoying. Eventually, after the third day Grant finally got his team. With the addition of a Larvitar, Binacle, and Carbink, Grant felt he had everything he needed to rebalance his gym. He reluctantly released us from our duties to allow us to continue our journey, though not without giving us a map that showed us exactly where all of the Tree Guards were so we could avoid them easier.
"Aldith, I don't like it here." Celeste whined as she scooted in closer to me, Fay stroking her hair softly as she tried to reassure her. I reached down and grabbed her hand, holding it tightly as Lavier stomped beside me. I didn't really blame her as we made our way through Route 10. Everywhere we looked, giant stone columns filled our vision, and they were arranged in a way that made me think of a graveyard. There was something off about this place, but I couldn't quite figure out what.
"Hey! Over here!" Shouted a familiar voice. Celeste perked up as we looked in the direction of the yelling, and Mark was running over to us from behind one of the columns with Cole running not too far behind him. I chuckled as Celeste pulled away from me to meet him, pulling him into a hug as he got to us.
"Hey it's good to see you! How have you been?" Celeste asked as she pulled away. Mark smiled and nodded at us, reaching behind his head to rest it against his palms.
"I've been super awesome, and it's all thanks to you guys. I'm in a full unit now!" He said as Cole sat down. The corners of my lips twitched a bit at his words. I wanted so badly to say something to him, tell him he was making a big mistake and that he should get out while he could. I had to remind myself that this was not Team Plasma. That everything was going to be fine and I'm getting worked up over nothing. Why don't I believe myself?
"Aldith?" Celeste's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I blinked as I turned my attention to her. Celeste and Mark were staring at me in confusion, and I sighed and shook my head.
"It's nothing. So what are you doing here, Mark?" I asked. He tilted his head in confusion, but said nothing as he turned his attention to one of the large stones.
"We're looking for something. I don't know what because they wouldn't tell me since I'm new. I'm just supposed to look out for anything weird, whatever that means." He replied. I narrowed my eyes and looked around, taking note of flashes of bright orange that surrounded us.
"So, what are these anyway?" Celeste asked, resting a hand on one of the pillars.
"Oh, this is called Menhir Trail. Legend has it that these stones are ancient relics. It's said that both Xerneas and Yveltal used these stones to refine their powers, and contain them when they are resting." He said, making me take in a sharp breath.
"Really? No wonder Xerneas is here then." Celeste remarked. I hummed as I stared at the stone, thinking about Celeste's observation when I heard Lavier start growling. I carefully looked around, trying not to look overly suspicious, and noticed that the Team Flare members who surrounded us were now watching us carefully.
"Mark, what's happening?" I hissed carefully. He made a distressed sound and gestured for Cole to stand up.
"Remember I'm the lookout? I was told to keep everyone out. Hurry on up to Geosenge Town, I'll cover for you guys so that you'll be left alone." He whispered, snapping his fingers, Cole growled, and I grabbed Celeste's hand, pulling her alongside me as we started to run between the pillars. Cole howled as he breathed out a large, black cloud of smoke, and despite how hard we were coughing, I kept my focus on running, that was until we ran right into something.
"Aldith, I think we're in trouble." Celeste whimpered. I groaned as I sat up and rubbed my head, cracking an eye open and gasping at the person in front of me. A very tall man stood in front of us, his long, white hair billowing around him while he glowered at us through his black eyes. I jumped up and noticed that he was taller than I thought. He easily could have towered over even Carina, and she was almost seven feet, which put him at around nine feet if not taller. I stood between him and Celeste, bracing myself for a fight even though I wasn't sure I would win. He breathed deeply as he stared at us, the motion of his chest spinning a key that dangled around his neck.
'He will not hurt you.' Said the voice. The stranger's head jerked up, as though he were reacting to something, and I narrowed my eyes at him. Did he hear it too? He looked down at us again and smiled, the gesture oddly warm.
"I see. It is finally time. Thank you both." He said, his voice deep and raspy. It reminded me a bit of Kyurem's voice, only the rasp came not just from age, but tiredness. He looked as though he was very tired as he looked at Celeste, smiling as he focused on her Floette. Celeste whimpered and grabbed my shoulders, shrinking behind me. The man reached behind himself, slinging a very old-looking bag around as he reached inside.
"Hey! Hands where I can see them!" I commanded, looking at Lavier briefly. The Charmeleon nodded and he growled at the man again, spitting out a Flame Burst that broke on the ground in front of the man's feet. He was unfazed as he continued to rummage through his bag, the sounds of light clinking filling the air. I was going to yell for another attack when he retrieved his hand, something glittering in his massive fingers.
"Do not be afraid. I do not wish to hurt you, and I must obey the Auras. Will this help you believe?" he asked, holding his hand out. His fingers unraveled to reveal a bright yellow stone resting in his hand. Celeste poked her head up and gasped as she looked at the offered Shiny Stone, and she looked at the stranger.
"I can have that?" She asked. The man smiled and nodded, turning to Lavier. He lowered his hand to the Charmeleon, and Lavier seemed skeptical. With some hesitation, he grabbed the Shiny Stone from the man, clutching it tightly as the man stared at his collar. He hummed thoughtfully, and he turned to us again.
"The power you are attempting to tap into, it is dangerous. You need a strong will, and strong discipline, to use it constructively. Guru Gurkinn can teach you. Find his apprentice in Shalour City." He said, turning away from us. He began to saunter away as voices shouted around us, but I didn't pay much attention as Celeste took the Shiny Stone from Lavier.
"Celeste, I think he heard my voice." I said incredulously.
"Mine too. It told me not to be afraid." She said as she put the evolution stone in her pocket. I hummed as I stood up, wanting to say something else to the man, but incredibly he was gone, seemingly without a trace. I briskly walked over to the gate that led to Geosenge Town, Celeste and Lavier following close behind, when a scratching sound caught my attention. A white and blonde form shot past us and stood just inside the gate, the girl panting hard as she looked at us.
"Hold up! I need you to tell me what just happened. What did that guy say to you?" She said. I tilted my head and crossed my arms.
"And I would do that because?" I asked. The girl sighed as she pulled her shirt open a bit, reaching inside a fold and pulling out a box. The open opened, revealing a small, orange pendent that looked like a pair of fists connecting.
"Because I am the Gym Leader of Shalour City, and next in line to become the Guru of Mega Evolution. My name is Korrina, and right now it is also my duty to protect Xerneas, so please, help me."
TBC
Yes I know what the stones on Route 10 actually are. This is just a display of the way word of mouth works.
So this chapter kinda went all over the place for me. I wasn't quite sure where to go with this, but I'm satisfied with how it turned out. I know it's a little early for me to get AZ involved, but I feel his role should have been bigger in the games. X and Y had so much potential with its story.
We ready for Charizard yet? Because it's gonna be Charizard Time very very soon. I am so looking forward to writing out the mega evolution battle and making it go PROPERLY. I was so annoyed with the Lucario thing.
Let's ramp it up in 42!
