Chapter 40:
Stone Searching in the Ruins
Location: Nimbasa City
Me and Bianca got ready to head to the Desert Resort. We went to Nimbasa City as it's the closest to it.
"Before we go," I said. "Maybe we should ask Elesa about the Dark Stone. She's an Electric Type expert after all."
"All set!" Surprisingly, Elesa was ready to go anyway! She wasn't wearing her usual runway outfits, but rather appropriate scruffy desert clothing. "I promised to come with you guys and share my knowledge with the Professor. It would be my honour!"
I tipped my hat. "Then let's get going. The fate of Unova is relying on us retrieving the Dark Stone before Team Plasma."
"I hope so to," Elesa said. "N arrived with Reshiram. I didn't even stand a chance."
Then we needed to get moving.
Location: Desert Resort
It wasn't an easy trek by any means. We had to trudge through thick sand and of course brave the sandstorm. There were sand dunes everywhere, as well as stone structures sticking out of the sand.
"This place was apparently supposed to be a massive hotel to go with the construction," Elesa said. "But after the Relic Castle was dug out, those plans were scrapped. Smart move in my opinion. There's modernising Unova but then there's disrespecting its history."
Across the sand, we could see Professor Juniper waving over to us. We ran over. Well, we ran as fast as we could through sand and blistering heat. She was by the entrance that led down into the Relic Castle. Surrounding them were round, blue Pokémon with short arms and a deadpan face.
Darmanitan (ヒヒダルマ)
061
Fire Type (Standard Mode)/Fire/Psychic Type (Zen Mode)
Blazing Pokémon
4'03" (1.3 m)
204.8 lbs (92.9 kg)
Its internal fire burns at 2,500֯ F (1371 ֯C), making enough power that it can destroy a dump trick with one punch. (Standard Mode).
When weakened in battle, it transforms into a stone statue. Then it sharpens its mind and fights on mentally. (Zen Mode).
Darumaka -Lv 35- Darmanitan
"These Darmanitan have been protecting this castle for many years," Professor Juniper said. "They must have got weak in battle, so changed to Zen Mode to fight them off with Psychic powers. This is there Hidden Ability though, so not many Darmanitan have it."
"Maybe their hungry!" Bianca said. "Can't guard ancient ruins on an empty stomach! I know what will do the trick!" Bianca went into her bag and took out a RaGeCandyBar. "I was saving it for desert but you can have it!"
The RageCandyBar levitated out of Bianca's hands and into the mouth of one of them. Upon digesting, Darmanitan changed into a large orange Pokémon with long arms and fiery eyebrows.
"Good thinking Bianca!" Juniper said. "You know a lot about Pokémon! I could use someone like you!"
"You could?" Bianca asked. "Well, anyway. I think we've wasted enough of Hilbert's time. He needs to find the Dark Stone."
I was about to go down when Elesa called me. "I should warn you. There is quicksand down there. If you run, you will get sucked down to another floor. Please be careful".
I nodded, then started my exploration.
"Good luck Indiana Hilbert!" Bianca yelled.
Before I went down, I could see a bunch of large trucks coming from the distance. All of them arrived on the scene, and a bunch of construction workers came out. From the biggest car though came a man wearing expensive clothes, too fancy for a desert.
"Yes, this will do!" he said.
"Oh no," Elesa said. "It's the boss of this construction project, Hans Goldtooth."
"Forget it!" he said. "I will build this resort! I've changed my mind!"
"We'll handle the filler plot," Bianca said. "You go and find the Dark Stone."
I thanked her and went down.
Location: Relic Castle
Sand was beneath my feet and stone walls were all around me. The walls had writing on them that could mean anything. But it also had small crevasses of sand dotted in places.
I needed to get a move on, so I started running. But as I ran through the crevasse, I felt myself getting pulled in. "No no no no no!" I shouted as I tried to run up. That didn't help. In fact, it only pulled me down faster.
I fell through the bottom and onto the next floor. Well now I knew what to look for. There was a set of stairs that took me up to the next level, so I went up.
I tried again, but this time walked through the quicksand rather than ran. I got across with ease.
Before I went down to the next floor, I came across a Miner.
"Howdy. Hey, I know you. You're trying to stop Team Plasma!"
I nodded. "Yeah. Hilbert's the name, but you might already know that."
"You're a bit late," he said. "Team Plasma are already here."
Of course. They must have heard us. "I need to hurry," I said.
"Hey, wait a minute!" the Miner said. He handed me two Fossils. "I was working in Chargestone Cave as part of the Fossil team. That's where I know you. Would you like one of these Fossils?" One of them had a wing like an Archen (Plume Fossil) and one had the shell like a Tirtouga (Cover Fossil). I went for the Cover Fossil because that bite still hurt on occasion.
"Thanks!" I said as I descended.
The next room was quite small, but a Grunt was down there. I knew what was about to go down.
"We will find the Dark Stone before you do. Forget about it! Our Lord N will rule Unova!"
Hilbert Vs. Plasma Grunt M
"Go Watchog!" the Grunt shouted.
"I choose Gothorita!" I shouted.
"Watchog, Hyper Fang!" Watchog's fang started to glow white. Then, it bit down on Gothorita.
"Psychic!" I shouted, as Gothorita lifted up Watchog with its mind, then flung it against the wall.
"Hyper Fang again!" Watchog did the same thing, almost finishing Gothorita. Gothorita flinched the next turn, so I switched to Litwick. It took a Hyper Fang, and then another because Watchog didn't know Crunch. (What is it with Trainers and wild Pokémon forgetting moves in order? It's a terrible idea).
"Flame Burst!" I shouted as Litwick fired a flame at Watchog. It was done for.
"Krokorok, go!" the Grunt shouted.
"I choose Amoongus!" I replied.
"Use Dig Watchog!" Watchog went underground, dodging a Giga Drain. "Now!" Krokorok came above ground and attacked Amoongus.
"Another Giga Drain!" Amoongus fired back with a Super Effective Giga Drain. It one shotKrokorok.
"PLAAASSMAA!" the Grunt yelled, before running out. "You will never find it!"
The only other thing this room had was another quicksand pit. I had no choice but to take my chances, so I jumped in.
The next room had two quicksand pits and two Plasma Grunts. I decided to try the furthest pit along.
"Hey!" the first Grunt yelled. "This is no place for kids! That means you to!"
Hilbert Vs. Plasma Grunt M
"Scraggy, go!" the Grunt yelled.
"I choose Druddigon!" I shouted.
"Scraggy, High Jump Kick!" Scraggy leapt forward, but it missed.
"Dragon Claw!" Druddigon's claw started to glow. It then swiped Scraggy.
"Another High Jump Kick!" Scraggy got a hit in this one, but also felt the rough skin.
"One more Dragon Claw!" Druddigon swiped Scraggy again, knocking it out.
"Watchog, go!" the Grunt shouted.
"Scrafty, you're up!" I replied. "Use High Jump Kick!" Scrafty leapt forward and kicked Watchog for a ton of damage. It was a one hit.
"PLAAAASSMAAA!" shouted the Grunt. "What? You think I still can't trick you!" He pushed me into a pit, and I fell down.
Well, that was dirty. Now I had to go up another flight of stairs to get back to that level.
As I walked over, I came across a Pokémon. It was gold and blue and had four, black arms coming out from it.
Cofagrigus (デスカーン)
069
Ghost Type
Coffin Pokémon
5'07" (1.7 m)
168.7 lbs (76.5 kg)
They pretend to be elaborate coffins to teach lessons to grave robbers. Their bodies are covered in pure gold.
Yamask -Lv 34- Cofagrigus
"Okay Scrafty, come out!" I shouted. "Use Crunch!" Scrafty chomped down on Cofagrigus. Despite being a Super Effective hit, Cofagrigus' Defense was really high so it only took about a third of its health away. Cofagrigus came back with a Scary Face, lowering Scrafty's speed. "Use another Crunch!" Scrafty bit down again. One more would do it. Then, Cofagrigus used Curse. It knocked itself out on the process. Not the best move in the world.
I went back up the stairs and tried making my way over to the other quicksand pit. Of course, a Grunt was waiting there for me.
"Nice try!" she said. "This is where you turn back!"
Hilbert Vs. Plasma Grunt F
"Garbodor, go!" the Grunt shouted.
"I choose Gothorita!" I replied. "Psychic go!" Gothorita blew back Garbodor with Psychic energy.
"Sludge Bomb!" Garbodor fired a ball of purple gunk at Gothorita. Gothorita was poisoned in the process.
"Another Psychic!" Gothorita blasted back Garbodor once again. This knocked the trash bag out.
"PLAAASSSMAAAA!" the Grunt yelled. I put my thumb up at Gothorita. As the Grunt ran out, Gothorita started to glow with a familiar tone. Yep, it was evolving again! After it had finished, it was taller, had multiple ribbons and four large feelers as ears.
Gothitelle (ゴチルゼル)
082
Psychic Type
Astral Body Pokémon
4'11" (1.5 m)
97 lbs (44 kg)
Starry skies thousands of light-years away are visible in the space distorted by their intense psychic power.
Gothita -Lv 32- Gothorita -Lv 41- Gothitelle
With the Grunts now dealt with and a newly powered up friend, I made my way to the other quicksand pit and jumped down.
The next room had four quicksand pits. I decided to make my way over to the furthest one at the bottom and be wary of Team Plasma tricks again.
Sure enough, there were Grunts here. And one of them caught my eye.
"I've had enough of sand," an F Grunt said.
Hilbert Vs. Plasma Grunt F
"Trubbish, go!" the Grunt yelled.
"Go Samurott!" I replied. "Use Surf!" Samurott made a huge wave that crashed into Trubbish.
"Sludge Bomb!" Trubbish fired a purple blob at Samurott. When it hit, Samurott was poisoned.
"Surf again!" Another wave washed away Trubbish.
"Liepard, go!" the Grunt yelled.
I recalled Samurott and sent out Druddigon. "Fake Out!" Liepard clapped in front of Druddigon. But since it also made contact, Liepard was hurt from the Rough Skin. "Okay Liepard, use Slash!" Liepard swiped Druddigon.
"Druddigon, use Revenge!" Druddigon, remembering the hit, punched Liepard. It was down in one.
"PLLAAASSSMAA!" she yelled. "Nice try though!"
Just then, an M Grunt appeared. But having learned their tricks, I dodged. He kept going, crashed into the F Grunt and they both fell down the quicksand pit. It's like they missed a High Jump Kick!
I went down the quicksand pit furthest from the stairs. I landed on a small ledge with another pit, so I went down that one to.
At the bottom of this pit was a large room with a larger staircase and a small exit to another room. I wasn't alone though; I was with my biggest foe.
"Ghetsis!" I shouted. "Can't say I'm impressed. Awakening a Legendary Pokémon like this is no small feat."
Ghetsis walked over to me, his cane stomping the stand with every other step. Then, he laughed. "I know why you all are down here. But the Dark Stone you speak of? It's not here."
"Get over it!" I said. "Don't even think about using the promise as an excuse. I was chosen by your king to battle."
Ghetsis knocked me down, then put his cane up to my face like a knight that had put a rival in his place. "You may think Team Plasma let you off lightly but I won't! I'll crush you right here and now! You'll never find the Dark Stone! You'll never beat N! And you will never, for the rest of your life, get in the way of our ambitions again! Shame it will only be for a couple of seconds." Ghetsis pulled his cane back, ready to strike.
"Stop it Ghetsis!"
Dropping down from the ceiling was none other than Cheren, Alder and Officer Jenny! This caught Ghetsis's attention, and I made my escape.
"Cheren!" I said, running into his arms. "Oh boy am I glad you guys showed up."
"Ghetsis," Jenny said. "We saw what you were about to do, and I don't know why we didn't do this before. By authority of the Castelia City police, you're under arrest! The police are waiting outside for you! Either come with us or on your own with your hands up!"
"Well, if it isn't the Champion," Ghetsis said.
"Cut the crap!" Alder replied.
"No no, let me speak. Tell me, you lost your Pokémon to an illness, you couldn't take care of it, and you still take battling this seriously?"
Alder stopped for a minute. He wiped a tear from his eye. "Stop," he said. "Don't use Trump Card on me."
"I won't even bother. N will beat you, I can assure you of it. And once he's beaten you, he will give the Unova region one order; release all your Pokémon, lest Team Plasma does it by force. Well, I shall be making my leave. Plasma will prevail."
Ghetsis used an Escape Rope and was whisked out of the cave.
"I didn't think he'd had that," Alder said. "We were so close! At least you're alright Hilbert."
I looked around the room we were in. "No I'm not. We didn't find the Dark Stone! It's not here! The big question is are you alright. That's why you're like this. I'm sorry."
Alder was fine at the end of the day though. But his face was red from crying.
Cheren looked at Alder and Jenny, then back to me. "We have good news though. Let's get out of Relic Castle; we need to get to Nacrene City ASAP! Hawes will explain everything!"
Location: Desert Resort
"I am so sorry everyone," Hans Goldtooth said as I came out of the Relic Castle. "If I had built the resort, all those Sandile would be homeless. Please forgive me."
"Yeah yeah," Bianca said. "Hilbert! Thank goodness you arrived, that filler plot was boring. I know what a Sandile is."
I told her that we should head to Nacrene City stat. Officer Jenny offered to police escort us. She also arrested Hans Goldtooth whilst she was at it because he went against a contract. (It was that simple!)
Location: Nacrene City
Me, Alder, Cheren, Bianca and Professor Juniper were given a police car tide Nacrene City. (Elesa needed to get back to Nimbasa City for a fashion show). The police car pulled out from in front of the Nacrene City Museum where Hawes and Lenora were waiting.
"What's up?" I said.
"The stone we analysed!" Hawes said. "We believe it might just be the Dark Stone!"
"Knew it!" I shouted. "Sorry I didn't tell you all before. But it was taken in and we didn't really have them time just in case it was a false alarm."
Hawes gave the Dark Stone to Alder. "Don't drop it," Lenora said. "It's our biggest weapon against Team Plasma."
Alder held it up to me. "Hilbert. I am about to put upon you the biggest duty that any Trainer in the Unova region has had in a long time. Find some way to reawaken Zekrom, beat N and Reshiram, take down Team Plasma and save the Unova region."
I gulped. It was some duty.
"Why me though?" I asked. "I can't even keep a promise. Let Cheren or Bianca or Iris, or even you do it!"
No. It should be me.
"Ignore all that. Okay. I accept."
Alder handed me the Dark Stone. Upon touching it, my body filled with electricity, just for a moment though.
"So," Bianca brought up. "How do we awaken it? We have thirteen days before the deadline when N and Hilbert have to battle! We haven't a day to waste!"
"Maybe you do!" Lenora said. "If I may give a suggestion, how about you guys have a day off. Just for tomorrow though, then its training and finding out how to awaken Zekrom. Continue your journey to. You all need to get the final Badge. You can do it."
I knew exactly where to spend some time off.
"Guys, shall we go home for a bit?"
"Yeah!" they both shouted.
Wow. I have a lot ahead of me. Better use tomorrow as a big break; it might be the only one I get.