"Already leaving?" I asked, looking up from my bowl of curry. It was currently night and the moon was out shining.
"Yeah," Piers nodded next to his Obstagoon. "While we may not be able to do any more shows thanks to that bloody cult, I was invited to do some special battles here. Before that I guess I should train and get to know this region a little better."
He turned and began walking out of the campsite with his Pokemon, waving back at us. "Maybe I'll be seeing you four again."
Sometime after he had gone, Clara set down her bowl. "Thanks again."
Alex raised her eyebrows, trying to hide a smile. Clara noticed and shot her a glare.
"Really, it's no problem," I shot a glare at my two friends and they nodded in agreement, though Alex rolled her eyes when Clara wasn't looking.
"I honestly should be going as well," Clara stood, setting her bowl down on the leaf-covered ground. "I need more time to think by myself. But before that," she unclipped a pokeball from her belt and handed it to me.
"What's this?" I asked.
"Pawniard," she smiled. "I already have Bisharp, plus I feel like Pawniard will be better off with you as his trainer. I did a poor job of it with my own it seems. I plan on fixing it, but I don't want to try and train a new Pokemon on top of that."
"Are you sure?" I questioned. "I'll accept, but only if your absolutely certain."
Clara hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I am." She started to walk away, then turned to look at me. "Last time I beat you. I expect you to get stronger and give me more of a challenge."
With that, she walked off, though in a different direction than Piers.
"Back to just us three again," Alex sighed, helping herself to more curry. "Dang, there's not much more in here."
"What?" Robert looked in then glared at Alex. "I wanted more thank you very much."
Alex smirked, twirling her spoon at him. "Sucks to be you, huh."
"Hmph," Robert folded his arms. "Looks like there will be no dessert tomorrow."
Alex sighed, holding out her bowl. "You can have half. Only half."
"Sweet," Robert piled some of her food into his own bowl and began eating.
Alex looked at her food and glared at him. "That was more than half!"
Smiling, I walked towards the tent Robert and I shared and let out Pawniard. He had been healed by Robert, but we were gonna get him checked up at the Pokemon Center in Dendemille Town to be sure.
"You okay?" I asked the somewhat confused Pokemon.
He made a metal-like sound and I smiled. "Hey, don't worry. We'll see Clara again for sure. In the meantime, she wanted you to train with me."
Lucario walked over and knelt by Pawniard, staring down at him. Then he rubbed the smooth part of the Steel type's head and gave him a thumbs up.
I grinned. "You get him used to all this Lucario, will you?"
Lucario nodded and led Pawniard away to meet the other Pokemon. As I walked back over to Alex and Robert, I stopped by a tree, looking up. "Anyone out there?"
Greninja landed next to me without a sound and shook his head.
"Good," I yawned. "Could you keep watch until morning? We want to make sure no one comes back for revenge. Switch off with Lucario if you get too tired."
"Gren," he said and leaped back up into the tree. Holding back another yawn, I helped Alex and Robert clean up the dishes in the river and we all headed into our tents for the night.
...
"A town on the sides of a hill," Robert nodded as we walked into the city on the lowest part. "Quite interesting to say the least."
A town where fluff dances on the wind apparently, according to Robert. Houses were built on the side of the hill with a road leading up the path towards the top where a solar power windmill sat. The weather had gone from fall like to a gentle snow with temperatures getting colder. Unfortunately for Alex and I, there wasn't a gym here.
"Brr," Alex rubbed her bare arms. "I am not liking this at all. We need to buy warmer clothes."
"Oh, definitely," Robert agreed, checking his town map. "It's gonna get much colder after this town."
"Let's go shopping again then" I rubbed the back of my head. "But it really isn't that cold."
Alex slapped me on the back of my head, making Robert bite back the words he was about to say, which were probably in agreement with my own.
"I'll get the clothes," Alex appointed herself. "Actually, Robert, you come to."
"What about me?" I asked, having a bad feeling about this.
Alex smirked. "Go to the Pokemon Center and wait. You did want to get Pawniard checked up, right?"
I sighed, nodding. As she turned to head up the street, I tugged on Robert's sleeve. "I'm not saying to stop her completely, but please make sure my clothes will be presentable."
"Yeah, man," he patted me on the shoulder, grinning. "I got you. I got you."
As he left, the sinking feeling in my stomach plummeted. I had a feeling it was going to be so much worse now.
...
"The check-up shouldn't take too long," Nurse Joy bowed her head as Wigglytuff wheeled Pawniard into the back of the Pokemon Center.
"Thanks," I nodded and headed back outside. I breathed out, watching my breath frost. Something beeped in my backpack, so I slipped it off and pulled out my Holo Caster. Thankfully Clemont was able to work his science and make it so this Holo Caster as well as Robert's and Alex's wouldn't be monitored. Clicking a button, a hologram appeared of Diantha.
"You're awake," I exclaimed, then made the decision to head to the back of the Pokemon Center. "When did you wake up?"
"Just yesterday," Diantha smiled, but it looked forced. "I heard what happened in Laverre and I can't thank you enough. I was asleep for too long it seems. Despite capturing many Cultists..."
"It still feels like we lost that battle," I said, feeling the same as she did.
Diantha nodded. "I'm not at full strength yet and I don't think I'll ever be. What they did to me I do not know, but it's taken its toll. The public doesn't know I am awake yet, so please keep it a secret. Telling Robert and Alex should be fine."
"Alright," I looked around, just to make sure there was no one nearby.
"I've alerted the International Police about Lysandre and Team Flare," Diantha went on. "They're currently trying to build a case, but he's covered his tracks well. We also don't want him catching onto us."
"Is your Holo Caster...safe?" I asked, wary.
She nodded. "Yes. This won't be monitored. I'm assuming yours are as well, but I had something installed to make sure yours was covered even if you hadn't." She winced, bringing her hand to her head. Before I could say anything, she said. "I heard from Valerie you're heading to Dendemille Town to learn more about Xerneas and Yveltal, correct? That's good. If the Cult does manged to summon this Chaos, we may need the power of the Kalos Legendaries."
"Diantha," I could see her straining herself. "You're not fully recovered yet. Don't worry about Kalos right now. We have it covered."
She gave a small smile. "Thank you."
The call ended and I tucked the device into my pocket. "Kalos legendaries, huh? Yeah, we're going to need to know a lot more about them."
...
"On the bright side," Robert said as we all walked down the street together. "Diantha's awake. On the down side, she's not fully healed. On the other bright side, you look fashionable, Zeno."
"Shut it," I growled, keeping my hands stuffed in the snow jacket Alex had picked out for me. It wasn't the worst, but I still didn't feel comfortable in it. Bright blue with water symbols on it, a Greninja featured on the back. My only consolation was that the thicker pants I wore were black.
"I have a Greninja," I felt the need to point this out. "But why did you have to buy this? Something plain would have been a lot better."
"There was a plain hot pink one, right?" Alex turned to ask Robert.
"Yeah," he agreed. "On sale too. I'm sure they wouldn't mind taking this one back. I mean, if that's what Zeno wants..."
I felt my eye twitch and they both laughed at my expense. Sighing, I straightened my wool cap, which thankfully was black as well.
"So," Alex wiped a tear from her eye, still grinning. "Valerie said the old lady lived where again?"
"Northernmost part of town," I responded as we continued our ascent up the street, heading near the top of the hill.
"But we don't know exactly which house," Robert scratched his head. "Well, I guess we can just ask around and hope their aren't too many old women who live here."
We were now on the street that had the windmill, which was just down the road to our left.
"You know," Alex squinted. "That windmill is basically the northernmost part of town. Maybe it's a house as well."
"Can't hurt to check," I shrugged.
"Mailbox," Robert noted as we stepped towards the door.
We let Alex take the lead on this on as she knocked on the door, stepping back. We waited for about ten seconds before we heard the door being unlocked. It opened to reveal a woman who was probably in her late twenties or early thirties. She had long black hair and tan skin with brown eyes. Despite the weather she wore shorts and a black t-shirt with the words "Dendemille Museum" in block letters.
"What can I do for you kids," she asked, eyeing us suspiciously. "It's the weekend, so we're closed."
"Wait," Robert stepped back, looking around. "This is a museum? I didn't see a sign?"
"We're local," the woman said, folding her arms. "We don't really need signs."
"Sorry," Alex apologized. "We're looking for an elderly woman. Would one live around here?"
The woman just stared at Alex for a moment, then sighed. "Come on in." She gestured for us to follow her as she headed back inside. "Lock the door when you come in. Leave your shoes at the door as well. I don't want the floor wet."
The three of us left our shoes on the welcome mat and looked around. We were in a large circular room, glass cases set up around us, displaying old artifacts inside. There were old paintings hanging up, one showing a majestic Pokemon with multicolored antlers in a serene forest, several other Pokemon either around or on her. Next to that painting was another, this one showcasing a large winged Pokemon which looked like arms, with a third one seeming like a tail. It was blasting a dark energy beam down on a town in flames, it's body black and red.
"Welcome to Dendemille's Museum," the woman said, standing in the middle of the room.
"You live here?" Robert asked.
"My house is through that door," she pointed at a door behind her with an electronic lock. "Off limits mind you. We'll talk in here."
"So wait," Alex looked lost. "You're not the elderly woman, are you?"
"Seems like Valerie didn't explain much," our host shook her head. "She can be a bit vague at times. Or she enjoys doing this to me." She went over to the door that apparently lead to her house and knocked on it. "Rotom, bring out some tea."
She looked back at us. "There isn't an old lady here, at least none that Valerie would mention. She was talking about the windmill," she patted the cracked wall, smiling fondly. "It's old, but we've been keeping her up and running, with a few modifications of course. One of the reasons why I decided to start a small museum here."
"But how'd you get all this stuff?" Robert asked another question, looking around.
"My mom was a collector," she shrugged. "As was her mom. I just decided to finally let the public see it. For a price of course. I need to stay afloat somehow."
She shook her head. "Sorry, forgot to say it. I'm Sandra. Nice to meet you three."
We introduced ourselves and Sandra raised an eyebrow. "Ah, the ones who helped out in Laverre City. Right, Valerie did mention she sent you guys to me. Guess I forgot."
"We wanted to know more about Xerneas," I said.
"You'll want to know about Yveltal as well then," Sandra put in. "The two legendaries that helped shape Kalos, those two go hand-in-hand. Xerneas, the Life Pokemon," she went over to the painting with the Pokemon with antlers, then pointed at the winged Pokemon destroying the city. "And Yveltal, the Destruction Pokemon. They're also known as the Mistress of Life and the Herald of Death."
She scowled. "However, a certain rich family designated Xerneas as Beast X. A crude name for sure."
"Beast X," Alex muttered, but I remembered.
"Princess Allie," I remembered that girl, mostly because she essentially kidnapped me and tried to marry me. "She told us a story about Beast X and the king of Parfum Palace."
"Disgusting story," Sandra reflected our sentiments perfectly. "I had the rare chance to hear it myself. I wanted to add that piece of Xerneas' antler to the museum so it wouldn't be in their hands, but that brat wouldn't let me."
"Yeah," I shook my head. "Sounds like her."
Alex muttered something about about the princess that I didn't catch, but I guessed it wasn't pleasant.
"Anyway," I said, trying to get back on track. "We need to know more about them. What can you tell us?"
"First," Sandra said, raising a finger. "I need to know why."
"Why?" Alex asked, looking at me.
I nodded. "Because of my Greninja. Well, he was a Frogadier when he died."
Sandra blinked, then the door to her house opened. A Wash Rotom buzzed in, balancing a plate of tea cups atop him. Sandra set it on the floor and thanked him. He buzzed happily and zoomed back into the house, the door shutting and locking behind him.
Sandra took a long drink before setting her cup down. "Let me see this Greninja of yours."
I unclipped his pokeball and let him out. Sandra walked up to him, inspecting him.
"Yeah," Sandra put her palm on his forehead. "The buzzing of life. It's stronger with him." She looked at me. "So you both met Xerneas?"
When I nodded, she asked, "What did she look like?"
I started, then replied, "A white tree. Ancient looking."
Sandra nodded, pursing her lips. "That would make sense. According to their legends, Xerneas and Yveltal have a lot of power, so when a lot of it is used up, they would go into a hibernation sort of state. Xerneas into a tree, Yveltal into a cocoon." She walked over to a glass case and tapped it. "Take a look."
We went over and looked at what was inside. Several ancient looking texts on age-worn papers, but Sandra was pointing at a specific one. On it were crude pictures of the Legendary Pokemon as seen in the painting. There was also a tree similar to the one I had seen next to Xerneas, and a cocoon next to Yveltal.
"Of course," Sandra said. "They aren't in total hibernation, as seen with you, Zeno. I'm guessing after Xerneas was freed from Parfum Palace thanks to the King's descendant, she went into her Tree form. However, I'm sure the conflict going on here now in Kalos has stirred her slumber. As it probably is with Yveltal as well."
"Why would Yveltal be asleep?" Robert asked.
Sandra smiled sadly. "People don't like to talk much about the war that occurred between Kalos and Galar. I myself found out as much as I could and discovered Yveltal himself might have made an appearance. Yveltal may be the embodiment of death and destruction, but in the end, he is still a protector of Kalos in his own way. It was said there was an entire fleet making it's way secretly to invade Kalos, but was mysteriously wiped out. If the survivor's words are to be taken as truth, there was a winged monster there, its cry one of death itself."
"So it would be wise to assume Yveltal had gone into hibernation as well because of that," Sandra finished. "However, both must know of the Cult and other dangers plaguing Kalos."
She looked at us all. "If Xerneas saw fit to make an appearance to you, then you all must be vital to saving this region. However, I'm afraid Xerneas and Yveltal might not be able to help save Kalos."
"Why is that?" Alex asked.
Sandra opened her mouth and started to say something, then seemed to change her mind. "Have any of you heard the Tale of the Great Kalos War?"
"The one from 300 years ago with Kalos?" I asked, but Sandra shook her head.
She lead us over to another glass case. This time there was a small painting inside showing a man atop what looked like a giant flower of sorts. "There was a man who lived in Kalos 3000 years ago. It was a time of war, where people and Pokemon fought. Kalos was divided at the time and people and Pokemon alike were called into battle. The man's Pokemon, a Floette," she pointed at another drawing, this one of a Floette with a dark flower. "Was called into battle. After several years of war, the man received a tiny box."
This time we were looking at a handmade item, a replica by the looks of it. A small wooden coffin with a black flower and red stem atop it. Alex pressed her hand to her mouth and Robert shook his head.
Sandra continued. "The man sought to bring back his Pokemon, no matter what it took. So he sought created a machine that would give life back to his Pokemon. And so, he had revived Floette. But the man's anger had not subsided. He sought revenge against the cruel world that had taken his beloved Pokemon away from him. So he turned the machine that had created life, and turned it into one that would take it, the Ultimate Weapon."
She pointed back at the man atop the flower. "He became a bringer of destruction that ended the war. He wiped out a large portion of both sides of the war, ending it after so many long years. However, that machine was only able to be used at a terrible cost," She closed her eyes. "Pokemon were used to power it."
"What?" Robert's eyes were wide. "Pokemon!?"
Sandra nodded. "So the Floette found out what was done to bring her back. So she left the man. It is said he continues to live eternally due to unexpected side effects of using the machine, wandering forever in hopes of finding his Pokemon."
"So what was the purpose of that story?" I asked.
Sandra smirked. "Nothing gets past you, huh?" she frowned. "I had managed to locate what I believed to be the tree that was Xerneas and the cocoon that was Yveltal."
"I thought you said you were a collector," Alex said, raising an eyebrow.
Sandra laughed. "Smart kids, aren't you all. I'm also an archaeologist."
"Anyway," Sandra shook her head. "The tree and cocoon, both have disappeared recently."
"Disappeared?" I questioned. "How?"
"I do not know," she said, a bit of anger behind her voice as she said it. "But I believe I know the reason why. After countless studies, I came to the conclusion that the stones on Route 10 are not actually stones. They're shells."
"Shells of what?" Robert asked, but I had a feeling he had guessed as I had.
"Shells of the Pokemon used to power the Ultimate Weapon," Sandra affirmed my conclusion. "And if regular Pokemon can be used to do that much destruction, imagine the aftermath of using a legendary Pokemon, the Destruction Pokemon himself if my hypothesis is correct."
Robert's eyes widened. "Region-wide?"
Sandra shook her head. "Planet-wide. My guess is that whoever stole the stones needed to use them for tests. Now they want Yveltal, though I don't know why they would need Xerneas."
I stayed silent, connecting the pieces. She might not know why Xerneas was needed, but now I think I knew. Team Flare were probably the first to test the stones, but left them on Route 10. Team Radiance on the other hand stole the stones to study them. If both Xerneas and Yveltal were stolen, I could guess who took either one.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door. Sandra stood and crossed the room, opening it. After talking with someone, she closed the door and groaned.
"What is it?" Alex asked.
"Team Flare was spotted heading up towards the Frost Cavern," Sandra sighed. "I'm the one who usually takes care of issues around here since I'm the only one strong enough, but I have business to take care of elsewhere, so," she looked at us. "Could I ask you three to head up there and stop whatever they're doing. I'm fairly certain you all are capable."
"We sure are," Robert slapped his knee, standing up. "Constant danger will do that to you."
"I have one last question," I said. "If you knew this much about Xerneas and Yveltal, why haven't you told people like the International Police? Knowing this would greatly help them in saving Kalos."
Sandra just stood there, both of us staring at one another. Finally, she smiled softly. "I was told to wait."
"Wait for what?" I asked.
"For you," she replied. "You're not the only one who receives visions, Hero Born of Darkness."
With the newest addition of Pawniard to Zeno's Pokemon, he now has a full team of six. Twelve total if we're counting his Alolan 'mons. 13 if we decide to include Rotom, but hey, who cares. In other news, school sucks. I just really want it to be over at this point. I mean, this week was more relaxed, which is why I was able to get this out now. However, school still sucks. Until next time. I'll get another update out for LDOC, then work on the next part for Dark. Toodles
