"Geosenge Town?"
"The ultimate weapon has to be there. Look at this image of the mural I captured with my Holo Caster at the Tower Mastery. It is the missing link we needed. Look, uncle. The stone wall each pokemon is placed in front of. Take those pokemon out and you are left with the stones. Look at how they were arranged. Doesn't it remind you of a certain place in Kalos?"
"Route 10. Those stones look exactly like the weird stones lined across Route 10! The stones whose existence and purpose had not been determined for thousands of years! It's Route 10!"
"Exactly! Look further into the drawings of the mural. You see the Ultimate Weapon in the background, right? Assuming this mural is factually correct about the geographical location of the Ultimate Weapon and these stones, then judging from the angle this scene was drawn, then the only place other than Route 10 that also has weird stones placed there is-"
"Geosenge Town. The unexplained stone spires in the middle of the town."
"Exactly! If we want to find out more about the Infinity Energy brought about by Mega Evolution we need to find out more about the Ultimate Weapon and the Kalos King! They are all linked! The Ultimate Weapon has to be at Geosenge Town!"
That was the conversation I had with my uncle when I realised those weird stones at Route 10 are in actuality the same stones depicted in the mural at the roof of the Tower of Mastery. From there on, uncle and Malva took over the entire project and from what I know, the Kalos League and Government are now also in on it. The secrecy surrounding the Ultimate Weapon is so tightly controlled that even I am not allowed to know anything more than I already found out. Even for my uncle, only him and a select few from Lysandre Labs are let in on the secret by our region's authorities. I am not given the clearance to know more.
Honestly, I'm not that interested about the science and military part of the project. I'm more concerned about its history and considering that from now onwards, the project is more science and military than history, I'm fine with washing my hands off it. For now.
Luckily, I have friends that I can share the existence and knowledge of the Ultimate Weapon with because they are let in on this secret. It's definitely better than being forced to bottle everything in.
"Mademoiselle! How is the full course this time? Is it to your liking? Are the battles more to your taste?"
"Food wise, I have nothing to pick about. Battles wise, I honestly think this segment will be a big hit among trainers. The challenge is there. Not too hard, but definitely not easy. It forces you to think through your strategies instead of bulldozing your way through recklessly. Novice and Intermediate trainers will benefit a lot from this kind of battle because it forces them to think instead of relying on brute strength. The experience they get from the battles here will help them in completing their Gym Circuit, that's for sure."
The both of us sat in a private room in Siebold's restaurant, drinks in hand as we lazily lounged about. He's one of the few that I can freely share what I know about Mega Evolution and the Ultimate Weapon because he has the needed clearance as a member of the Elite Four.
"So, Tower of Mastery? I expect no less from you, Nova! You are a splendid trainer after all! To be approved by Gurkinn himself is something to be proud of! I believe that makes you the… fifth? Fifth successor that he had chosen thus far? If I recall correctly, that is."
"Makes me wonder who the first four were." I hummed in thought as I took another sip of the coffee Siebold had so graciously offered. "Gurkinn never told me."
"We can't go about giving out the identities of wielders of these stones. It's top secret." Siebold said with a wink as he briefly revealed his own Key Stone worn on his wrist and hidden within his sleeve. "What we do know for sure is that all Thirteen Pillars of every region are definitely given one Key Stone and Mega Stone each. Sometimes, certain members are allowed possession of two Mega Stones if their region's League deemed it necessary. Other trainers who are let in on this secret and also granted possession are heavily watched and controlled by their own regional League."
"So the PWL knows everyone who has these stones? They keep a list?"
"Oh non, non, non!" Siebold shook his head furiously. "Only on certain individuals that warrant such a thing! People like me and Malva, for sure, due to our titles and positions. Maybe a few other individuals that the PWL thinks may be a wild card and need to keep a close eye on. Mostly, possession of these stones are controlled by every region due to a secret treaty between the member regions, that they will regulate the usage and possessions of these items based on a set of agreed rules."
"So, only the Kalos League would know that I now have a Garchompite and a Key Stone then?"
"Oui! The Tower of Mastery also happens to be outside the jurisdiction of the PWL due to its special status, so they won't ask for the list of successors that have learnt and possess this power. Successors like you also don't need prior approval from a third party to possess this power. The only thing the guru of the Tower has to do out of obligation is to let the Kalos League know that there is now another successor who inherited this power."
"I don't like the term. Successor, that is." I mumbled. "Doesn't feel like I did anything to earn this power."
"The lucarios at the Tower are extremely picky and cautious in helping the gurus choose the successors, Nova! To be approved by any one of them is something to be proud of! They must have seen something in you! Not only that, not everyone can clear all forty floors!"
"It's not that hard if you know what you are doing."
"Yet, not everyone who attempted the challenge cleared the Tower on their first try, right? Give yourself some credit, mademoiselle! I'm not just speaking as a friend, but also acknowledging your skills as a trainer in the capacity as one of our region's dazzling Elite Four! The Tidecaller, Siebold Bocuse, that's me! Oui!"
I cannot help but laugh when Siebold did those weird poses again paired with those ridiculous light shows put up by his starmie. Siebold does have a knack for cheering people up and getting people to like him.
"If you're not an Elite Four or a chef, I think you would make quite a good entertainer. A comedian, maybe?"
"Hohoho! To be a Pillar is to be an inspiration to trainers not only in your region, but also to the world as well! We are the ones that help nurture the next generation of Pillars! You need to be approachable so that trainers wouldn't be afraid of asking you for help! Such is our duty, guiding the next generation, yes it is!"
"You are a splendid Elite Four, Siebold. A sparkling one." I said in earnest. Childish antics and weird way of speaking aside, Siebold is indeed an inspiration for Kalos' trainers, there's no denying that.
"Why, merci, Nova! You just made this good sir very happy, oui!" Siebold said with a large smile and a clap of his hands. "Now, you will be heading to Unova soon, oui?"
"Yeah." I cannot hide the small smile on my face as I thought about it. The upcoming project that I'm going to be involved in got me excited just by thinking about it. "Uncle heard that there's some big archeological excavation going on at Unova and they need experts because this project is extremely delicate. Not just in the excavation part of it, but also in translating ancient texts the Unova team suspect that they will find there. The moment my uncle knew about it he somehow put my name forward and now I'm involved in it. You know him. He really spoils me rotten."
"True, but for you to get accepted into foreign archeological work so easily speaks volumes on how good you are in archeology and also as a historian! You always do have a knack for piecing out the truth, Nova. It's a valuable skill to have, just be careful of people who do not want such skills to be used on them. The world is not as kind as it seems, mademoiselle."
"Is… anything the matter?" I asked cautiously at the weird words Siebold had chosen to use.
"Nope, not really. Just better safe than sorry, yeah? For things to appear to shine there must be other things that absorb all the light. If not, how would we be able to tell apart what appears to be bright and what is not? Kalos may appear to be glamorous, that's true, but we both know that there is always darkness lurking underneath the light, it's just how well we regulate the balance. It's the same everywhere. Like Xerneas and Yveltal, light and dark, life and death, there's always a need for balance, no? That's why life is so interesting."
Being the good friend that I am, I simply placed my palm on Siebold's forehead.
"Nova?"
"Nothing, just checking if you are having a fever."
"Why?"
"The Siebold I know could not possibly spill such wise words on his own. Either you are sick, or you lifted those words from somewhere. Alright, since you don't have a fever just whose words did you just copy from?"
"N-Nova! Those were truly my own words!"
"Good job, Rumble! That was a nice Sand Tomb!"
I cooed over Rumble as I scratched him under the jaw, making him purr in delight. Our team's little baby is improving fast. He will be a big bad krookodile in no time at this rate. Maybe somewhere within half a year to a year? It really depends on how long his growth spurt will continue.
We are currently at Route 13, a route located at the northern end of Lumiose that connects both Coumarine City and Lumiose City. Route 13 is simply a great plain where no plants can grow and the clay here is of a reddish hue. The fact that no plants or the likes ever grew here in our region's history is also why some people call this place the Lumiose Badlands. It is the perfect place for wild ground types to congregate because they can dig and burrow to their heart's content. It is also the best place to train ground types. The deserted nature of this area of Kalos is also why the Power Plant is located here. If anything happens to the Power Plant, damage to the surrounding area will be minimal because of the general lack of life here.
This was where I caught Core many years ago. Right now, our team's landshark is burrowing deep underneath the ground to his heart's content somewhere out of my sight but I can feel some sort of link to him somehow. I don't know how to explain it, but my affinity with Ground types allows me to also sense their presence around me to a certain extent. I usually don't notice this radar-like ability mine taking effect. It's only when I truly concentrate on trying to sense ground types around me that I can have a rough estimation on how many there are around my vicinity.
Naturally, my 'link' to the ground types on my team is a lot stronger as compared to others simply because I spent a lot of time with them. Currently, Core is approximately almost a hundred feet down under the earth, I think. I don't really have anything to measure the exact distance.
"Hello there, you guys want to play too?" I gently conversed with other wild ground types who are curiously watching me train Rumble. The rest of my team are around me lazing about and generally enjoying the strong winds here. Sail is having a good time letting the sails on her back flutter with the wind and howling (or is it singing?) while she is at it.
The wild ground types that are watching us are generally those at the very basic stage of their evolutionary lines. Diglett, trapinch, gible, geodude, and maybe several other rarer Ground types not common to the Kalos region. They have been observing us for a while now.
Some of the shyer ones ducked back into the ground and burrowed away the moment I opened my mouth. The more curious ones simply waddled up to me and allowed me to pat them on their heads without biting my hand off. I know for a human to have such an affinity for ground types is not exactly normal, but considering this is a world where abnormalities are not that uncommon, it's really nothing home to write home about.
'Hey, human. Human! Can you hear me?!'
"Hm? Vision, did you call me?" I turned back to look at my claydol, who also gave me a curious look.
'I didn't say anything, Mistress.'
"Pretty sure I heard something." I muttered as I looked around. My ground types all perked up at my words as they too did a quick scan of our surroundings. There's really nothing else and nobody else around other than us.
'Oh finally. Somebody who can hear me. It's been way too long. I think I'm starting to forget what the sun looks like. Below, you nitwit.'
I looked down and saw nothing but my own two feet and a lot of dirt.
Maybe the voice meant literally? Like below below?
"Below?" I called out to no one in particular, hoping that the unknown voice can hear me.
'Yes, below. Now listen here, human. The mighty me is in need of your puny assistance. Get me up into the light.'
Huh, whatever that is, it sure loves to give orders.
"Vision? Can you tell Core to dig at the location right below me and see if he can find anything?" I called out to my claydol, knowing that it can use its telepathic abilities to converse with Core. Since Core is already digging around he might as well search for whatever had called out to me.
We simply waited for Core to search for the mysterious voice. Meanwhile, I found myself entertained by whatever I had heard while we were waiting for Core.
'Ow! Gentler you brute! Watch where you are burrowing! How dare you measly- OW! Watch where you are pointing those- OOF! GENTLER, you oaf! Stop that! How dare you do that to me, le Porion! Ow Ow OW OKAY I TAKE EVERYTHING BACK! JUST STOP- oof! POKING! Oh come on- ME!'
I lost it. I simply laughed out loud when I heard that unknown voice in my head speaking in such a way. Still, what kind of pokemon is it? For it to be able to converse in my head it must be a psychic type, right? For it to be so deep underground it is also likely a ground type. Is there any other Psychic-Ground dual type pokemon other than the claydol species? None came to mind.
Huh, now I'm curious.
'Oh no no no don't you dare- ARGH ARCEUS ABOVE THIS STINKS! HOW DID I GET REDUCED TO SUCH A STATE?! THE MIGHTY- OH BY THE EARTH DO YOU EVER SMELL YOUR OWN BREATH YOU OVERGROWN LIZARD?!'
Core emerged and threw up a small cloud of dirt and dust with his appearance. He immediately walked up to me excitedly the moment he spotted me, tail wagging excitedly like an overgrown puppy.
"There, there. Had fun?" I patted Core on the head as his throat rumbled in delight. I quickly glanced around. Huh, where is whatever pokemon that had called for our help? I couldn't see it.
"Uh, Core? Just who or what did you find? Where is it?"
'Let me out! LET ME OUT!'
Core turned away and began to cough as if trying to get something out of his throat. I raised my eyebrows. Okay, now I think I'm starting to know why that voice reacted in that manner.
With one last forceful cough, Core managed to spit something out. Something small, green, and entirely drenched in Core's spit.
"Seis? A little help?"
My whiscash helpfully spurted a low powered Water Gun at whatever small creature that had the unfortunate luck of being a passenger in Core's mouth. The small blob of green thing couldn't be bigger than the size of my palm and it barely managed to anchor itself to the ground to prevent itself from being washed away by Seis' Water Gun.
'Watch where you're spraying those! I demand you to stop! STOP!'
Seis got visibly annoyed at the creature's haughty tone and proceeded to increase his output, washing the creature away and sending it flying until it rolled to the front of Core's feet. Core didn't seem bothered by it as we all watched the small green and no longer slimy blob flopped back down onto the ground, twitching uncontrollably.
"For something so small you sure talk a lot, don't you?" I said with a laugh as I knelt down in front of… whatever this is, and extended a hand towards it. I have a feeling it is a ground type, my senses are telling me so. I have also never seen something like this before. This is definitely a pokemon that I don't know about and probably a brand new species of pokemon altogether.
I don't even know how else to describe this new pokemon other than the fact it really is a green blob with a relatively bigger head and a small body, one large eye at the left side of its head, and has a hexagonal pink marking near where I assumed its abdomen is. And it's really small, like smaller than my palm kind of small.
'Argh. The audacity. Argh! To think the mighty me had been reduced to such a state! Played around like a pebble along the dirt road! I swear, there's a severe need for me to remind the world of my greatness!' The green blob raised its little head to look at us with an aura of arrogance and haughtiness. It puffed up its almost non-existence little chest and looked tilted its chin up before telling us its next demand.
'Bow down to me, ye mortals! BOW DOWN TO THE MAGNIFICENT PORION!'
Naturally, what he received were everyone's unimpressed looks and a period of silence. A wild gible kicked the blob from behind and it went tumbling again.
'Argh! The cheek of you, you plebeian! Wait till I get back my full power and size! Le Porion will smite you-'
"Alright, that's quite enough out of you." I patted the green blob on the head to get it to stop. "Is that your name, Porion?"
'Such insolence! How dare you speak of my title in such a casual manner! Such insolence! I demand-'
I simply picked up the green blob with my hand and studied the pokemon carefully, ignoring its yelling. Hmm, I'm sure of it. I had never seen a pokemon like this before and I'm sure nobody else had. A new species of pokemon entirely?! I totally need to tell uncle and Professor Sycamore!
'-is outrageous! OUTRAGEOUS! BOW DOWN BEFORE MY MIGHT! BOW!'
"Alright, blob. We heard you." I dismissed it casually as I held it in my palm, the green blob still hopping angrily on it. "Say, I really need to send you in for further study. You are unlike any pokemon anyone had seen before."
'STUDY?!' The green blob roared in indignation. 'I'm the mighty Porion! I'm not something up! For! STUDY!'
In the next instant, the ground shook violently and we all fell onto our backs from the suddenness of it all. The green blob hopped in front of us angrily as it continued to yell out loud.
'Now! Bow down before my- oof!'
Tinen apparently had enough of the blob's rude behaviour and began to whack at it with her two bones. We simply stand aside and watch. Huh, that just now… was that an Earthquake? It felt like one but at the same time doesn't feel like one. Earthquake require the user to bodily force a vibration into the earth but the blob was hopping on my hand earlier, not on the ground, so that just now cannot be an Earthquake. In that case, it actually shook the ground with just a mere thought? That… not many Ground types can do that. Maybe something like that can be achieved with Earth Power but most Ground types need to be in contact with the ground itself to even do so, yet this small blob just did a feat that only very experienced Ground types can do after years and years of harsh training.
Interesting.
'Ow! You- oof! Argh fine fine FINE! I allow you mortals to bask in my- oof! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?! I already allowed you commoners to- okay OKAY! JUST STOP HITTING ME!'
Tinen huffed with equal annoyance as she and the blob had a heated staring contest. The blob attempts to say something once more but Tinen will whack it with her bones every single time it does so. In the end, what resulted is the blob lying down on the dirt in an admittedly pathetically manner.
'This… This is madness! What had the world come to?! Me? The mighty me reduced to a mere punching bag for a measly MAROWAK?! Argh, Arceus! Curse you! Curse you and your infinite wisdom for creating me in such a foolish manner! Now how am I going to go back to my previous glory?! NOBODY EVER RESPECTS LE PORION ANYMORE!'
"You've got guts, I give you that. You are probably the first pokemon who openly dares to curse and swear at Arceus itself from what little I know." I let out a laugh as I picked the blob up. "Alright, I can understand you not wanting to be a lab rat and scrutinised and poked at by people in a tank all day long. I won't hand you over to anyone or tell anyone of your existence, okay? I will promise you that. That fine with you?"
'Hmph.' The blob huffed and turned its head away with its head still held high. 'Now that's more like it. Alright, le Porion has made up its mind, I shall appoint you as my protector! Onward, my loyal subject! Assist ye lord in returning me back to my former glory!'
"Yeah, yeah, nobody's too small to dream big." I said as I took out a pokeball to try and capture it, only for the blob to knock it out of my hand. For something so small it does have some force behind its blows.
'No one puts the mighty Porion into one of these damning contraptions! They might have changed in size and colour the last time I saw it but le Porion still recognises these derogatory things anywhere! Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Nobody puts le Porion into one of those things! Never!'
"Alright, alright, you hate the pokeball, we get you the first time. Look at you, how cute you are!" I cooed at the cute little blob and laughed within the confines of my mind as it began to hop angrily on my palm in indignation once more. I slid the blob into the pocket of my coat and gestured for my pokemon to begin our walk back home, but not before we waved our goodbyes to the wild pokemon that we have befriended in our short time here.
'Ahh, yes, this is comfy. Ye lord is pleased with this royal treatment.'
I rolled my eyes. Whatever this pokemon is, it really has an ego bigger than the size of this planet.
"I get it. Until you tell me what you really are, I'm going to call you Blob."
'Wait, what? BLOB?! I shall not accept such a title!'
"It's cute. You don't like it?"
'Cute?! The mighty Porion does not do cute! Why, back in my heydays civilisations quake in fear of my presence! People only dare to whisper my name! All bowed before me! I'm revered as a deity!'
I cannot help but laugh out loud. Not only does this little blob has a hyperactive imagination, it is really good at crafting stories.
"Huh, you really have a way with storytelling."
'Stor- Don't doubt the words of your lord! Your mighty lord has no need to lie! Fine! If you want to know of my true name that much this mighty being shall grant you your puny wish! Bask under my glory and listen well, plebeians!'
Blob hopped out of my pocket and stood at the top of a small boulder near us, its miniature chest puffed up and head slightly expanded as it sucked in some air. Everyone looked at him in curiosity.
'I'm the one who watches the land! I'm the one who monitors the state of the world! I'm the judge! The Jury! And the executioner! I'm the dutiful overseer, the omnipotent watcher of the world's ecosystem! Fear me! Worship me! Bow before me! Bow before your lord and saviour, the mighty ZYGARDE!'
What followed the introduction was the cold whistling of wind and muted silence. Nobody was impressed.
"Blob." I said in genuine worry as I patted it on its head. Is this pokemon alright in the head? "It's okay to dream big, but sometimes having too big a dream gives you more troubles than it's worth."
'WHAT?! This ain't no dream, human! I'm the Overseer of Kalos! Le Porion! ZYGARDEEEEE!'
Core summarised what we were all feeling at this moment by giving a loud and obnoxious yawn.
"Look, I'm a historian that happens to do some research on myths and legends. There weren't many records regarding Zygarde's physical appearance, but we know enough to know that Zygarde is many things and appears before others in many forms. It may be a hound, a serpent, or a gigantic humanoid creature, but certainly not a small cute little green blob like you." I patiently explained as I picked Blob up and put him into my pocket once again. His voice sounds like those of a male to me, so I guess I shall refer to Blob as a he. We began our long walk back as we ignored Blob's indignant screaming.
'Cute-' Blob seethed at the word before starting his rant again. 'HOUND, SERPENT, HUMANOID! THOSE ARE ALL THE FORMS I CHOSE TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU FOOLISH COMMONERS! THERE'S A REASON WHY I'M LIKE THIS RIGHT NOW! I'M JUST NOT AT MY FULL GLORY AT THIS MOMENT AND YOU ARE THE CHOSEN ONE TO RESTORE YE LORD BACK TO HIS FORMER GLORY! BE GRATEFUL FOR MY GENEROUS GIFT, YOU DAMN PEASANTS!'
"If you really are the Zygarde that you claim you are then surely you can prove it by changing into any one of the forms I just mentioned? If you cannot do so, until then you are simply Blob. Lying is not a good habit to have, you know?"
'Ly- LYING?! ME?! ARRGH! HAS THE WORLD REALLY FORGOT ALL ABOUT MY GREATNESS?! HOW LONG WAS I STUCK UNDER THERE?!' Blob yelled uncontrollably as he somehow squirmed and hopped his way up to the top of my head and began to rant to the sky angrily without stop.
'Where had all my cells dispersed to?! Why am I now reduced to this pathetic state?! Being called a Blob, whacked by a lowly marowak and nearly eaten by an overgrown Dragon?! That's not all! Now nobody believed my words and doubted everything I said?! Nobody ever reveres me anymore?! Damn it Arceus! Had this loyal subject not done a dutiful job in watching the world you created while you were having your lazy slumber?! HUH?! What did your Creation Trio even do while you were snoozing away at Mt Coronet?! What did any of your other subjects do while you were asleep?! How many calamities had I prevented, how many disasters had I stopped?! Only I continue to do my duty and this is what I get in return?! Mortals doubting my words and rubbing my dignity into the dirt?! Curse you, Arceus! Curse you and your foolish idea for creating me in such a manner! Answer me dammit! Can you even hear me?! Stop sleeping and make me great again dammit! Return my power back to me!'
We all watched on and laughed as Blob continued to scream nonsensical words out at the top of his lungs from where it still is currently balancing himself at the top of my head. I gently picked it down and returned it to my pocket once more, making sure that it is snuggled comfortably in my pocket. Blob sure has a hyperactive imagination and a bigger mouth.
'What are you lot laughing for?! I'm the Legendary Overseer of Kalos, you hear me, mortals?! ME! The Overseer and Watcher! The Judge, Jury, Executioner! I'm- STOP LAUGHING! THIS MIGHTY LORD IS SERIOUS!'
"Well, you have to admit that you look the furthest thing from a Legendary." I continue to laugh uncontrollably. "I mean, which other Legendary is a small cute green blob like you? Aww, you are just so cute!"
I continue to pat Blob on the head as it squirmed around in chagrin, trying to avoid my hand to no avail.
'I admit that I can sense that you are special, human. Only you ever heard my voice while I was stuck down there and that is why I've oh so generously chosen you to restore me to my former glory but! But this is no excuse for such rudeness! And stop petting me! The mighty- ahh… That's the spot, a little more to the- yes, ah…'
We all watched in surprise as Blob visibly melted into a puddle of content mumbling when I happened to scratch him underneath its small little hand with my fingers. The sight of it made us explode into laughter and our laughter brought Blob out of its relaxed stupor.
'What are you all laughing for?! You, human! Continue with your administration! This mighty- ahh… yes… ah…'
I shook my head in fond exasperation as we continued our way back home.
Well, at least things are looking to be more interesting day by day.
Character and pokemon list:
Nova Labelle, Age: 26, Female, Ground Specialist, Historian, Niece of Lysandre
Pokemon on hand:
1. Mamoswine (Berg), Male
2. Golem (Crust), Female
3. Excadrill (Solid), Male
4. Golurk (Drift), Genderless
5. Garchomp (Core), Male
6. Claydol (Vision), Genderless
7. Whiscash (Seis), Male
8. Marowak (Tinen), Female
9. Torterra (Terra), Female
10. Gigalith (Mantle), Male
11. Tyrantrum (Jaws), Male
12. Aurorus (Sail), Female
13. Sandile (Rumble), Male
14. Unknown creature, self-proclaimed Zygarde (Blob), ?
