"So we got a few days," Robert announced, walking into the room we had rented out in the Pokemon Center in Anistar City.
"Why?" Alex was lounging on the bed, flipping through a pamphlet. "Shouldn't cracking down on Team Flare take priority."
"Unless," I sat forwards, sliding my knife back into its sheath, having been whittling a stick down to make it smooth. "The Cult."
"You guessed it," Robert snapped a finger in my direction. "There were reports of them in a marsh on Route 19, so the IP are investigating. Compared to the Cult, Team Flare can wait."
"Nothing to do but wait then," Alex sat up, crossing her legs and tossing the pamphlet behind her. "I'm down for some down time. Honestly, most of our journey has been one thing after another. It was like this in Alola too. I'm going to bet that this isn't normally what trainers do on their journeys."
"Yeah, they go about their journeys exploring new places, meeting new people, making new friends," Robert spread out his hands. "The only thing they have to worry about is having enough food when camping and training for the next battle." His hands dropped to his side dramatically. "Meanwhile we have to do that AND beat up bad guys. Things are rough for the Defenders of Order."
I cocked an eyebrow. "We're sticking with that title then?"
"Oh yeah," Robert grinned proudly. "And there's nothing you can do to change it."
"Well," Alex waved her hand to get our attention. "Since we got like two days or so, that's more than enough time to do our gym battles and explore the city a bit. It'll be best to stay here and wait for Looker to pick us up, rather than just getting our badges and leaving."
"Fair," I nodded, then pointed at the object she had tossed behind her a minute ago. "I'm guessing you were reading that pamphlet just in case we had the time to explore?"
She smirked. "Well, of course. It's best to be prepared. First though," she tapped her chin, then her face lit up. "Oh, right. Now I remember. I wanted to check in on our friends in Alola. Feels like it's been forever."
"Sure," I shrugged, hopping off my bed and stretching. "Why not."
"I take it you'll be dragging us around the city afterwards?" Robert asked innocently.
"Yes," Alex said with a straight face.
...
"Not there?" Alex asked, leaning in close to the screen.
"Hm," Professor Kukui nodded, his large fish tank gurgling in the background of the screen. "That's right. Actually, I'm getting a bit worried myself. I've tried contacting Hau several times, as well as Lillie and Gladion. Nothing."
We had all squeezed into a telephone booth inside the Pokemon Center's Communication's Room where we had video called Kukui to see if Hau or anyone was there. No luck it seemed.
"Do you have any idea where they could be?" I asked.
"Call up Aether," Kukui advised. "Last I heard they had all gone there together."
"Thanks Kukui," Robert said, but before anyone could sign off, I asked, "Is Mahina with Gladion?"
"Yes," Kukui confirmed. "Funny, I overheard Hau asking him that exact same thing last time they were here."
I nodded, my suspicions having risen and I could guess at what was going on. "Okay, thanks. Tell our Pokemon we say hi. Actually," I pondered for a second, then said, "And tell them they'll see me in person in over a week."
"Same for mine," Alex grinned. "We might need them for the Kalos League Tournament."
Kukui grinned. "Alright! I'll be sure to tune in. Can't wait to see what you'll will make of it."
Ending the call, I punched in the numbers for Aether and soon Wicke appeared on the screen.
"Ah," she said, straightening her glasses. "Zeno, Alex, Robert. What can I do for you all?"
"We were wondering where Hau, Lillie, and Gladion are?" Alex asked. "Professor Kukui says he hasn't been able to get in contact with them lately."
"Well," Wicke looked slightly embarrassed. "That is highly confiden-"
"They went didn't they?" I asked, leaning forwards. "Into the Ultra Wormhole?"
"What?" Alex and Robert asked at the same time, then both let out "Ahs" as they remembered when I had filled them in on the information Hau had given me a while ago.
Wicke was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Well, I guess it's fine for you three to know, as you were directly related to this problem." She straightened. "Yes, they did. We located the source of the opening where the new Ultra Beasts were able to get into our world and Hau, Lillie, and Gladion decided to investigate inside."
"Is that safe?" Robert asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We're not sure," Wicke shook her head. "They were supposed to return in a couple days, but haven't yet. We've kept the Ultra Wormhole stabilized for the past half month-"
"Past month!?" the three of us were shocked. Hau and the others were who knows where beyond our world and have been for half a month at least?
"Correct," Wicke nodded. "They do have Lunala with them and two of the Ultra Recon Squad Members with them, Dulse and Zossie. I'm sure they're fine."
When we ended the call, we weren't feeling so sure about that statement.
"Really think they'll be okay?" Alex sounded worried. "I mean, Lillie isn't a fighter."
"Hau and Gladion will definitely protect her with their lives," I said to reassure her. "Not to mention Nebby, who is a legendary Pokemon."
"Yeah," Robert nodded, though he looked worried as well. "They'll be just fine. Hau is the Champion of Alola don't forget."
"No point in worrying over it," I said. "Alex, weren't you going to take us places?"
She brightened. "Yes, yes I was." she grabbed both of our hands and pulled us along. "And I know the first one to visit."
...
"Woah," Robert breathed as we walked across the large platform extending over the water. Rising into the sky at the end of the platform was a huge pinkish crystal rising into the sky, a golden symbols fitted onto it. There was a hole in the middle of the large crystal.
"The Anistar Sundial," Alex announced. "Apparently between 8 and 9 PM the light that filters through gets those rings on the ground moving." She pointed to a circle of shrubs and within that there were six rings in the ground, a golden sphere in the middle. "It also rains these sparkles things for around ten minutes."
"Glad we're not here for the sparkles," I remarked. "So is it just here to tell time?"
"Yes and no," Alex said, then clarified. "According to the pamphlet, Sycamore believes it has something to do with Mega Evolution, but he's still conducting research."
I unsheathed my knife and held the Keystone up to the light, half expecting it to glow brightly or something. Nothing.
"So what's next?" Robert asked. "I mean, are we just going to continue staring at this thing? Yeah it's beautiful, but unless it starts exploding fireworks..."
Alex tapped her chin. "There's a cafe near here. But I'm not quite hungry just yet..." Her eyes brightened. "Right! There's a Boutique shop near here. We can head there first."
A shiver ran down my spine. I was going to have to thread carefully or else I would end up with worse clothes. I still didn't like the blue coat I was currently wearing.
...
"So, Greninja," I looked at him. "What do you think?"
He nodded approvingly at my choice and I grinned, then saw out of the corner of my eye someone else looking at us. Suppressing a sigh, I tried to ignore them. We had entered the Boutique shop and I had decided to let Greninja out of his pokeball. Not only were shiny Pokemon rare, but seeing a shiny Greninja was especially rare, as I could tell from all the glances our way.
"Alex and Robert already left to the cafe ahead of us," I noted, not seeing them in the store. As far as I knew, Alex hadn't picked out anything for me, so I was in the clear to get my own clothes. After I purchased the items, I winked at Greninja when we left. "Keep this one to yourself. Surprises are best kept that way."
Greninja nodded and tugged his tongue tighter around his neck. It was a bit chilly out, but much warmer compared to being out stuck in a snowstorm.
"Huh," Alex set down her cup when we neared her and Robert, who both sat in a booth inside the cafe. "Looks like I didn't need to worry."
The clothes I had bought and now wore were definitely not ones that stood out, but they seemed acceptable. A zipped black jacket with yellow-green outlines and black pants.
"Best I could find," Greninja and I sat in the booth opposite of them. "No plain black jackets. You got lucky this time."
"Or maybe you don't want to admit you're tastes are evolving," Alex smirked, then took out her pamphlet. "I did some more reading on the gym leader. A Psychic user who deals in double battles. Two Pokemon for each side."
"Only two?" I was a bit surprised. "That's different."
"Indeed," she agreed. "It says her combination attacks are really something. So strategy is going to be very important for this battle."
I glanced at Greninja. "Hm, who else?"
Greninja croaked and I nodded. "Yeah, that might be for the best. Let's go with that."
"I know trainers can roughly communicate with their Pokemon," Robert leaned forwards, eyes full of interest. "But it seems like you can do more than just that. It's like you're having conversation."
"Not really conversations," I shook my head. "It's more on what I feel and then interpret that feeling. It's kinda hard to explain."
Robert nodded. "Noted. Might have to do more research into this matter."
"Once we're done here I would like to check out the local gift shops," Alex said, sipping at her coffee. "I need some mementos of this journey so far. Then I propose we find a fancy restaurant. I say we deserve that after everything we've done thus far."
"Sounds good to me," Robert agreed. "Eating good always appeals to me."
"Sure," I nodded, already thinking ahead to the battle to come tomorrow, trying to think of a suitable strategy. And then, after that, we would be taking down Team Flare for good. Then a smirk spread across my face. I was hoping for a great reaction tomorrow.
Filler chapter, had to happen. Gym battle will be next up and I believe I can feature Alex in this one finally. Till the next update. I'll try to get one up within a couple days. Toodles
