Chapter 44:

The Walk to the Chasm

Location: Humilau City Pokémon Center

"You can't sit in there moping all day," Hugh said on the other side of the hotel door. "Okay. So maybe you gave up at the wrong moment. But this is something we shouldn't give up on."

"What's the point?" I replied. "I got nowhere when I was trying to find Hilbert, but then yay. He appeared."

"Yes," Hugh said. "To give us a second chance. If it wasn't for him, we would be as good as dead."

"Just leave me alone!" I yelled back.

It was an hour before I finally realized how rude I was. I came out of the room and went downstairs.

"Hugh left," Nurse Joy said. "To go to the Giant Chasm. I suggest you help him. How far have you come already?"

I relented. "Okay. But… wish me luck. I'm not sure if…" I forgot that I kept Hilbert's secret. "Erm… Lugia. Lugia came out of the ocean and saved me."

"Wow that's amazing!" Nurse Joy said. "Don't worry, it's a secret with me!"

Location: Route 22

"Hugh. I know I was a jerk back there. No no, that won't do." I was stumped on what to say.

I was too lost in thought that I didn't even see the Ace Trainer.

"Hey, I know you have a lot on your mind, but I can put you to the test!"

Rosa Vs. Ace Trainer Shel

"Starmie, come on out!" Shel shouted.

"Arcanine, go!" I replied. "Night Slash!" Arcanine slashed Starmie in the gem.

"Counter with Swift!" Starmie fired stars at Arcanine, revealing it to be Zoroark.

"Night Slash once more!" Zoroark slashed at Starmie again, this time cutting off one of its arms. (Don't worry, they grow back). It was down.

"Nice one. Okay Drapion, go!"

To go up against this Poison Type, I sent out Azumarill. (With the last one knowing Ice Fang, I wanted to be safe). "Ready?" I asked.

"Thunder Fang!" Are you kidding me?! Drapion bit down on Azumarill as sparks flew off.

"You good?" I asked. Azumarill suddenly breathed in and spat a large torrent of water at Drapion. "Hey, that's Hydro Pump! One of the strongest Water Type moves!" It did a fair bit to Drapion.

"Thunder Fang again!" Drapion chomped down with its sparking jaws once again.

"We've got this. Surf Azumarill!" Azumarill made a huge wave that swamped Drapion and finished it.

"Okay. I'll let you get back to staring into space."

I still needed to think about what I was going to say to Hugh. So, I decided to stop for a bit. Over the rocks in the distance, I could see the smoke coming from where the Plasma Frigate crashed.

"I know!" I said. I dialled Hugh's number into the Xtransceiver. I waited and waited. But he wouldn't pick up. "I understand if he's still mad at me. That, or I hope the Giant Chasm has no phone signal."

As I continued to mope, Meloetta came up to comfort me. Then, the Swords of Justice appeared. All three of them.

"We saw what happened," Cobalion said.

"Hey, that was brave of you kiddo!" Terrakion applauded.

"You're not finished yet," Virizion reminded. "But Meloetta, you really helped out."

Meloetta smiled. It cheered me up a bit. "I missed my chance with Hilbert though…"

"It wouldn't have made much difference," Cobalion explained. "Hilbert is a very busy Trainer these days. You wouldn't have had time to give the Journal back, even if you did look for it yesterday."

I heard trotting at that moment. Suddenly, a fourth member appeared.

"Is that… Keldeo?" I asked.

Keldeo (ケルヂィオ)

298

Water/Fighting Type

Colt Pokémon

4'07" (1.4 m)

106.9 lbs (48.5 kg)

When it is resolute, its body fills with power and it becomes swifter. Its jumps are then too fast to follow.

Mythical Pokémon.

"Keldeo. We believe that you may be strong enough now to assist Rosa on her quest."

Keldeo smiled. "Really? I'll… I mean we'll show Kyurem who's boss!"

"We will meet you in the Giant Chasm," Virizion told me. "I'd recommend getting some rest at the Giant Chasm entrance. You had an understandable late start, but we can't have more delays."

Taking their advice, I headed towards the entrance to Giant Chasm. A Backpacker however wasn't going to let me through without a fight.

"It's not the easiest walk here, is it."

Rosa Vs. Backpacker Lowell

"Swinub, go!" shouted Lowell, sending out a brown-furry Pokémon.

Swinub (ウリムー)

258

Ice/Ground Type

Pig Pokémon

1'04" (0.4 m)

14.3 lbs (6.5 kg)

Rooting the tip of its snout into the ground, it searches for food. Sometimes it even digs up a hot spring.

"Arcanine, go!" I shouted. "Flare Blitz!" Arcanine charged its flaming body into Swinub, knocking it out instantly.

"Oh dear. Go, Darmanitan!" Lowell shouted.

"Crunch Arcanine!" Arcanine chomped down on Darminitan for about half damage.

"Hammer Arm!" Darmanitan brought its hands down onto Arcanine. It was a Critical Hit and it was knocked out.

"We're in no danger of losing. Flygon, go!" I shouted. "Earth Power!" Flygon made the earth in front of it crack and it hit Darmanitan. I had won.

"The hike was worth it for this battle!"

Whilst today was short, Cobalion was right. I shouldn't just prepare myself physically for Team Plasma, but mentally to. After what happened, I don't think I'm in the right mind just yet. I will traverse Giant Chasm tomorrow.