"I don't have time to explain everything. This is my number, I will call you later. We will explain everything we know then."
"We?"
"Yes, we. There are more than just the two of us in this world. You will see."
Those were the words Velda told me in private, just before Looker and Pyral came back and interrupted our conversation prematurely. I'm still bewildered even long after she had left, mind swirling with a million thoughts.
"Eh? You are not coming with us?"
"Sorry, I have somewhere to be at. It's kind of a last minute thing." I answered apologetically at Amy's question. Last Parade is already over and we are now having our nights out. Usually, the five of us would go eat dinner together outside camp and simply hang out and chill until we have to book back in. Tonight, however, there is somewhere else that I have to be at.
I need answers.
"To Olivine."
Crown gave a shriek of affirmation before taking off into the air with me on his back. Olivine, that is where Velda had messaged me to go to, saying that it is where people like us are currently gathered. It didn't take long for Crown to bring me there.
"The restaurant two streets away from the lighthouse… left side… Neon sign board…"
I muttered to myself the description of our meeting point that Velda had messaged me earlier while searching for said location from my position in the air. How hard can it be to search for one restaurant so close to Olivine's landmark?
Found it. Right in the middle of the street.
"Ms Bale, right? Please come in."
My first impression when I first touched down was that whoever had reserved a table at this restaurant had to be rich. Like really rich. Everything is just so posh and… you get it. Falkner sometimes does bring Ciel and I to enjoy some real expensive stuff because he's a doting older brother but that in itself is still a really rare treat. For someone to reserve a table at such a high-end place for a first meeting with someone they know nothing about, this guy has to be rich.
The waitress led me to a private room at the back of the restaurant and opened the door for me. I gave her my thanks as I walked in, suddenly feeling a little out of place at such a posh restaurant for wearing a cap, plain shirt, and jeans. If I had known we would be meeting at such a place I would have worn something nicer. Maybe a fancy dress.
Then again, the number of dresses I have in my wardrobe could be easily counted with a single hand, and none of those are good looking enough in my eyes. I really should give my wardrobe a big update once I have the time. Maybe Amy will be willing to go shopping with me and pick out some dresses? My fashion sense can't be trusted, so it will be nice to have a second opinion whenever I go shopping.
I spotted Velda immediately when I walked in, along with several people that I don't recognise. They are all sitting around a round table with an empty seat reserved just for me. Velda waved at me happily the moment she saw me, gesturing for me to take the empty seat that was positioned beside hers. Our orders were quickly taken and our meals were promptly served. The moment the waiters and waitresses were out of the room and shut the door behind them, leaving us to our own devices, the silence was broken.
"So, she's one of us?" A man with unruly yellow hair asked with a yawn, looking as though he hasn't been sleeping properly for days.
"Isn't it obvious?" Velda retorted before turning to look at me.
"Do you want to introduce yourself? Or do you want me to do it for you?"
"It's fine, I can do it myself." I replied to Velda before turning to face the rest of them and if Velda's words are to be believed, we are all the same.
"Um, my name now is Skye Bale. I'm from Violet City. And before you guys start asking, yes, Bale. That Bale. I'm Falkner's sister."
"Oh, I know Falkner! He's a Gym Leader!" A bespectacled woman with a bob haircut said excitedly as she looked up from her plate. I simply shrugged.
"Yup, that's him."
"You don't have to be so uptight about your family name cos it's not like we will be treating you any differently. It's not really a big deal, all of us here are related to some prominent figures one way or another." The yellow hair man returned my shrug with his own as he pointed to the bespectacled woman from earlier.
"That scatterbrain is Shannon Juniper, niece of Cedric Juniper. Red over there-"
He pointed to a lady with dark red hair that cascades down her shoulder. That shade of red is very rarely seen in Johto.
"Is Nova Labelle, niece of Lysandre. That Lysandre of Lysandre Labs. Short stack over here-"
Velda kicked the yellow haired man underneath the table, making him yelp in pain.
"Hey, what's that for?!"
"I told you to not call me by that name!"
"Velda is the heiress of one of the most ancient families in Hoenn that helped founded the region." Nova supplemented as Volkner and Velda continued to squabble right in front of us. Ignoring them, Nova pointed to a large dark skinned man with an intimidating figure.
"He's Akamu Kahale from Alola. His wife is the inventor of Foldable Space Technology."
"And him?" I pointed to the yellow haired man, who is still squabbling childishly with Velda.
"Oh, he's Volkner. You know, Sunyshore's previous Gym Leader? That's him."
My jaws dropped. A Gym Leader. Here, among us?
"Back to the main topic." Volkner emphasised as his argument with Velda came to a temporary close. He turned around to face me.
"I'm just going to ask a simple question. Do you or do you not happen to know why we are here? As in, in a cosmic sense?"
"Like why we were given a second chance at life?" I clarified, and they all nodded. Well, sorry to be them, but I was the one wishing that they were the ones with the answers.
"I was wishing that you guys could tell me why."
"Ah crap, another dead end." Volkner lamented as he covered his face with a palm.
"At least we found another. Now there's only one more left. Maybe he or she is the one with the answers." Nova said as if to reassure Volkner, who simply responded with another dramatic sigh.
"How are you so sure that there's only one more left?" I asked, feeling very confused. The rest of them exchanged glances before the stares locked onto Nova, who simply accepted the job of being the one to explain things to me.
"It will take a while to fully explain everything. Just listen with an open mind and don't freak out at what we are going to tell you next, okay?"
"So… let me get this right. You guys happen to be all part of the interpol-"
"It's temporarily part of the interpol. Right, big guy?"
"Temporary." Akamu nodded in agreement to Volkner's words as he ate his meal. The both of them even toasted to that.
"Just ignore them." Nova added, gesturing for me to go on.
"Right. And you are telling me that Team Rocket is planning a region wide attack on Johto on this coming National Day-"
"Starting from the Indigo Plateau. Which means you will be involved in some big shit that day because the 1st Ranger Regiment will be there." Volkner said while sipping on his wine glass.
"- and we are all kept in the dark about this?" I asked in disbelief. That explains all the sudden Urban Evacuation Training that we are all subjected to. Everything suddenly made sense. The higher ups knew about this but didn't think to inform us?
"There are too many Rockets who have infiltrated into the ranks of the Indigo forces. Anyone around you could be a Rocket, even your best friend. That's why there is a need for such a level of secrecy." Volkner explained while munching on some cheese fries. He took a look at the plate of fries, then offered them to me, which I gladly took before continuing on my tirade.
"And is there anything we can do to stop Team Rocket?"
"We are already on it." Velda assured. "It was why Looker and I were there at Indigo Plateau earlier today. The Rocket we were asking about, there's a very high chance he is a Team Rocket Executive, and a very dangerous one too."
"Executive. That… kinda put things into perspective." I admitted. Executive. It is a known rank within the Rockets that is only just below those of the Leader, which I know is Giovanni thanks to my foreknowledge, but have a severe lack of evidence to accuse him of.
Wait a minute.
"Then you guys should know that Giovanni-"
"Is the leader of Team Rocket. Yes, we know. The Indigo League is already doing something about this." Volkner sighed before taking another handful of fries and putting them in his mouth.
"Then is there anything that I can do? To uh, help?"
"Unfortunately, no." Volkner's reply was swift and decisive. "Not without raising unneeded suspicions from people who we don't want to meddle with our secrets. Does anybody else know about your status?"
"No."
"Same for us. We prefer to bring this secret to our graves. So until we find a more… explainable reason for us to casually meet without raising any suspicions, we will have to pretend that we never met you and vice versa. Other than short stack, of course, cos you guys had already met for work related purposes. But if you want to help… Just be prepared for anything. As a Flying Specialist, I can already imagine you being tasked to constantly ferry people here and there without rest on the big day."
"I will keep that in mind." I nodded before asking that burning question at the back of my mind.
"And about that… prophecy thing. There's one more of us, and that person is very likely from Kanto? Not only that, all of you suspect that he's Grimsley's missing son?"
Shannon nodded in reply.
"Yes, that's what we think because it will fit. All of us here are born with an unnatural affinity to a certain pokemon typing and Grimsley noted that his son had the same affinity for dark types. You can feel it, right? How odd we are as compared to the residents of this world. There is a certain type of pokemon that we are each naturally more inclined to than the rest. You should have already figured out Vel's affinity, right? Hers is with ghosts. Yours is with-"
"Flying types." I whispered, suddenly realising that maybe the nickname of Bird Whisperer that I disliked so much may have some grain of truth in it. Maybe the ease in which I tame and interacted with flying types isn't entirely due to my father's and Falkner's teachings. Maybe it's because I really do have something special within me that endears me to flying types.
"And it will fit. In the prophecy, there are seven titles given to seven individuals, and we have all figured out our respective titles. The only two left are Shadow, Vanquisher of Darkness and Flier, Symbol of Courage. We have long since figured out that the last word of each title refers to a pokemon typing, and it is obvious which typings these two titles are referencing to. Since your affinity is with flying types, then you are the Flier."
"Symbol of Courage." I nearly spat in disdain. "I'm far from courageous. What an unfitting title."
"Regardless, that's the title we are given, if we are to believe in this stupid Seven Sages prophecy." Volkner said without a care in the world while carrying on with his meal.
"And you guys are certain that Shadow has to be from Kanto?"
"Because each of us here comes from a different region that made up the PWL, and we were lacking anyone from Kanto or Johto. Your existence cements that fact even more, that now the only person we are lacking is the one from Kanto, the holder of the Shadow title."
"I personally do not want to have anything to do with this." Akamu spoke up. "But at the rate things are evolving, I have a feeling that we might not have a choice. Prophecies are not something to be taken lightly in this world, especially one made from a powerful psychic. The PWL relies an awful lot on prophecies due to its accurate foretelling properties. The reason is to better maintain peace across the world. If a prophecy from 500 years ago had accurately foretold our existence today and all of us had somehow met with each other without meaning to, then there is definitely a larger force at work here behind the scenes."
"And you say this is a prophecy regarding the Legend of the Seven Sages from the Unova region?" I turned to Nova, whose current job happens to be a historian. Nova nodded and so did Shannon.
"It is a bedtime story every Unovan will know. In times of crisis the Seven Sages will rise up and save the world, it is that kind of cliche tale." Shannon added. "But… to think that I might be one of those Sages the legends talked about…"
Shannon shivered towards the end of her words.
"I'm no sage. I don't even look like one." I replied immediately.
"Do we look like sages to you?" Volkner countered and… he has a point. I decided to ask my next question.
"And then the other prophecy, the end of the world one?"
Volkner's reply is as swift as ever.
"Just keep it to yourself. Nobody outside of the Pillars, high ranking world leaders, or other authorised personnel are let in on it. We don't want to incite a mayhem of an international scale."
"So that means that Falkner would know about it?"
"Yes, he does."
"Okay…" I trailed off, my mind still trying to wrap around the idea of having to take two different prophecies seriously. Seriously, prophecies? That… I don't know? Voodoo magic thingy… or something? What really is a prophecy anyway?
"So… what are we going to do now?"
"I figured that no matter what happens from here onwards, we could at least keep in contact. At the very least, we won't be lonely. Anything new that we find out, we could share with each other." Velda suggested.
"And in the short term? The Rocket problem?"
"Just leave it to the interpol. Technically, you are not supposed to know about this, especially with your clearance level. I don't want people to be asking questions that we have no answers for." Volkner replied, and I reluctantly agreed. As of now, there's really nothing on my end that I can do other than to be mentally prepared for what is to come.
"So, really no one comes to mind? No notable Dark Specialists you have met? Anyone with weird affinities for dark types?" Volkner carried on the conversation seeing as everyone else had gone silent.
"I only ever met two notable Dark Specialists. One of them is in the same squadron as me and he's definitely not who we are looking for." I said in thought as I pondered over this issue. Yeah, there's only two Dark Specialists that really stood out in my mind.
"And the other?" Nova asked.
"The Rocket you guys were investigating. He's really scary. Every terrifying quality you can find in dark types, he brings it out." I admitted. "But there's no way we will know for sure cos, well, he's a Rocket. I only ever met him twice and both times he was trying to kill me. And if he really is like us, why will he be siding with the Rockets?"
"That might be bec-"
"Vel. That is confidential information." Volkner cut Velda off before she could continue. Velda frowned at Volkner's words.
"She's one of us."
"And not part of the interpol. I know I'm not the most qualified person to say this but sometimes, certain rules have to be adhered to." Upon seeing how Velda is about to make another argument, he quickly carried on. "Especially for matters of grave importance like this. Besides, no offence, Skye, our similar statuses aside, we only just met you."
"It's fine. I understand." I brushed it off, understanding where Volkner is coming from and the unsaid message in his words.
"Then if Skye joins the interpol?" Velda pressed on.
"You need to first convince Looker and I have to remind you, he's not like us." Volkner patiently explained things to Velda although I can tell that his patience is getting a little strained.
"What do I need to do to join the interpol anyway? Assuming I want to." I asked in curiosity, catching their attention immediately.
"Prove yourself to be uniquely useful. Prove to everyone that you have a unique skill set that only you have and nobody else is superior to you in that regard." Akamu easily summed up the answers that I need before looking at me curiously.
"You are a Ranger, right? Come to think about it, Looker could do with having a Ranger on the team. Being a Ranger would entail having a very unique set of skills that the interpol would need in the future."
"I specialise in rescue operations." I added.
"Another plus point for you if you want to join the interpol. We don't have anyone with your specialisation yet in the interpol." Akamu nodded.
"For how long? How long have you been a Ranger?" Shannon asked in curiosity.
"About… four years now?" I said after some thought. "I also won myself quite a number of medals and accolades that not many Rangers can boast…? Outstanding Ranger Award, Outstanding Airman Award…? Does that help?"
"I will flip through your profile when I have the time. If you really are interested in joining the shitshow and you really have the skills the interpol needs, I will introduce you to Looker." Volkner said with another yawn. "Ah dammit. Why am I suddenly doing the recruitment for him? This wasn't part of the deal."
"Just suck it up, Hokage wannabe."
"Still taller than you, short stack."
Another audible painful kick could be heard from underneath the table.
"Well, in any case it's nice to meet you, Skye!" Shannon said excitedly. "I personally hope that you can join us, actually, even if Volkner and Akamu don't want to stay on after the Rocket crisis is over."
"Huh? Why?" I asked curiously as I glanced at the two men present. Volkner simply shrugged.
"I'm retired."
"Volkner and I do not have any pleasant memories or experiences when it comes to working with authorities, especially with any League." Akamu elaborated. "We are just here to help because the situation this time is really an unprecedented case and Looker really looks like he needs all the help he can get."
"So Looker's your boss?"
"He's the director of the interpol." Akamu explained. "But yes, you can say that he's our boss. On Looker's end, he answers directly to the PWL."
"Genuine word of advice before you start having weird thoughts, do not tangle with the upper echelons of any League, especially with the PWL. Take it from someone who's been through that kind of shit." Volkner droned as he continued with his meal, effectively killing the mood in an instant.
"And yet you're here as an ex Gym Leader because…?"
"Because, reasons."
"... Right." I said slowly, knowing that Volkner dodged that topic on purpose and probably does not want me to continue prodding. Okay, anything related to any League or PWL is a landmine when it comes to Volkner. He hates dealing with authorities. Got it.
"Ignore the Hokage wannabe, he's simply an ass. Even said so himself." Velda scoffed, making it loud and clear for Volkner to hear. Volkner simply rolled his eyes and continued his meal.
"In case you've forgotten, I'm the one paying for your meal, short stack."
"In case you've forgotten, I'm a Vera. My family is loaded. Your threat means jack shit to me."
"Can you guys stop flaunting your wealth in front of me? Pokemon Researchers don't earn much." Shannon stated as she sent them an annoyed glare.
"Oh, they do. If you are on the level of, let's say, Professor Oak." Volkner added helpfully.
"Do I look like a Professor Oak to you?"
"Then go be one. If I can become a Gym Leader through my own power you can be the next Professor Oak if you put your mind into it."
"I guess I have it the easiest. My uncle is super rich and loves to shove money into my bank account. I lost count on how many zeroes there is a long time ago." Nova purposefully mentioned that tidbit of information in a carefree manner as she ate her meal.
"Lucky you."
"Lucky me." Nova agreed. "Must have accumulated some good karma in my previous life, unlike you guys."
"You know, given Volkner's crappy personality, that will explain how he ended up here as a nameless orphan." Velda wasted no time in taking a jab at Volkner, who tried to swat at her head with his hand but Velda had dodged it right away and childishly stuck her tongue at him right after.
"I was a good human being in my previous life, I swear! Why aren't I as rich?!" Shannon whined.
"Girl, your uncle is Cedric Juniper. He definitely is loaded."
"Not that I'm complaining because uncle is a nice person, but it certainly doesn't feel like he's rich."
"At least we are lucky enough to either make it rich or born rich, so that's something. Maybe whatever higher beings up there were kind enough to give us some sort of head start before dumping us here in this crazy world without any warning." Volkner talked between mouthfuls of food. "Going by that weird logic, how rich do you think that Shadow guy or girl would be?"
"He's Grimsley's son. That alone will make him rich." Akamu helpfully pointed out.
"If he's ever found." Velda reminded us again just as helpfully.
"But like Volkner, he might have made it big on his own too, in whatever area he chose to specialise in. Look at us, we all somehow made some sort of stir in our respective regions, big or small. Maybe the same applies for Shadow as well." Nova mentioned offhandedly.
"That's… a good point." Volkner conceded. "I will have Jarvis check up on if there are any males in their twenties who made it big in Kanto. Either way, looking at us now and the circumstances we were individually dropped into at the start, it's not really a far stretch to say that this Shadow guy must have made some sort of impact on the world as well."
Throughout it all, only one word really caught my attention.
"Jarvis?"
"Volkner and I both happened to name our porygon-z Jarvis. It was how we found each other by accident." Velda explained.
"She copied me. I got my Jarvis way before she did." Volkner pointed a finger at Velda as he said that.
"Shut up, you annoying asshole."
"Hey, watch your tone when talking to your betters. I'm an ex Gym Leader!"
"So? You said it yourself, you are retired."
"Are they always… like this?" I asked lamely as I pointed to the pair that had started squabbling again. Akamu simply shrugged while Nova rolled her eyes. Shannon just laughed nervously.
"It's just how they get along with each other. They are actually pretty good friends as far as I can tell."
Looking at them still quarreling away, I certainly do hope so.
Name: Skye Bale, 16, Female
Affiliation: Indigo Ranger Force, Johto Region, 1st Ranger Regiment
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Code Name: Zephyr
Pokemon Team:
1. Pidgeot (Crown), male
2. Gliscor (Glide), male
3. Skarmory (Dia), female
4. Crobat (Beats), male
5. Jumpluff (Cotton), female
6. Dragonite (Tino), female
7. Noivern (Echo), male
8. Emolga, (Emi), female
9. Hawlucha (Hawk), male
10. Sigilyph (Cosmo), female
11. Aerodactyl (Aria), female
12. Masquerain (Heli), male
