Chapter 12: Deeper into the Fog
"What?" Kevin said in shock.
"That's what I thought, too. It was almost undetectable, though," Barks explained. "Someone had lined the inside of the dish with a strange material. It was causing all the signals going to the dish to bounce off in a direction and become lost. It didn't stop normal phone signals to go through, though."
"Why wouldn't they stop normal phone signals to come through?" Kevin asked Barks.
"The material only blocked those with a smaller wavelength," Barks explained. "That's usually what Pokégear generates. I think, though, that Team Rogue is behind this. It sounds as if they are trying to cut all communication between certain individuals. You may need to check it out."
"Sure, I'll look into the matter when I get there," Kevin replied. He then changed the subject. "Anything new on the Psychic?"
"That's also what I tried to call you about. It seems we have a name for him now."
"And? What is it?" Kevin inquired.
"My informant tells me that his name is Arguelles. However, he was unable to get any address lead for you to find the person."
"Arguelles?" Kevin thought for a moment. "Strange… that name almost sounds familiar."
"Really?" Barks gained a surprised look. "Where on the outskirts of the world did you hear that?"
"I don't remember," Kevin said, shrugging. "I only know that it sounds familiar."
"If you say so, Kevin." Barks seemed to shrug. "Well, perhaps you should go and investigate on the Goldenrod incident now."
"Now?" it was Kevin's turn to have the shocked expression, even though no one could see it. "Slow down, Barks. I have other priorities, as well. I haven't even gone to the Azalea Town Gym yet."
"Oh, I never mentioned it, did I?" Barks commented.
"You mentioned something about Goldenrod and Arguelles, but other than that, nothing else," Kevin stated.
"Then I guess I haven't." Barks took a deep breath. "Ok, here's the news… My informant also mentioned to me that Team Rogue seems to have a lead on your position."
"What?"
"I don't know if it's true or not, but my informant seems to be precise on his information. Just yesterday, I happened to overhear someone's two-way radio go off blabbing on something of a leader back in Cherrygrove City. I was probably the only one who noticed, but he managed to pull a radio out far enough from his back pocket to turn down the volume before someone else looked. It confirms the fact that Team Rogue could be in any city."
"What does that have to do with their lead on me?" Kevin asked. "Make your point clear, Barks!"
"My informant told me that they know you're in Johto. They even know you're using someone else for a disguise by transforming into them."
"How did they learn that?"
"It is because they have Arguelles on their side," Barks said. "Look, Kevin. It may be against your better judgment, but you have to get moving. If you don't act soon, they could pounce on you at any moment."
"Wait a minute," Kevin suddenly said. Something was strange about the whole thing. "Who exactly is this person who's giving your information?"
"I'll ask about the informant later," Barks replied. "Just get out of there!"
"All right, I'll finish my business in this house and then get moving." Kevin said reluctantly. He then hung up.
"So, you're actually Kevin, huh?" Kurt said after the conversation was over. "Seems like you must have some secret to hide."
"Well, it's no secret anymore to you, Kurt," Kevin answered. "I'm the Lost Trainer Kevin from Kanto, and I'm trying to keep the fact that I'm now a hybrid hidden from everyone."
"I see… Well, I won't bother looking at your hybrid form. But here," Kurt said, handing Kevin something. "Here's a fast ball for saving my granddaughter from that storm. Remember, they're used for catching Pokémon who have a tendency to run from battles."
"Thanks, Kurt. You have my gratitude." Kevin said, walking to the front door and out. "Perhaps we'll meet again!"
* * *
Arguelles took a sip of his tea he had brewed from his special herbs and rested on his chair, watching the glow of the fire. "Ahh, for once things are going my way. Team Rogue is going to cause havoc, Kevin will be caught, and I will finally have my revenge on him. Perhaps I should be celebrating."
Arguelles stared at the fire for another minute. "I wonder how Kevin is progressing. The thunderstorm that I caused must have caused a bit of confusion. He's probably fighting for his next badge." Arguelles began prodding the town for Kevin. Finding his signal, he watched it for a moment.
Something was wrong, however. Arguelles could feel it. "Did I make him panic?" he said to no one.
He realized what it was after Kevin dashed past the town Gym. "Does he know what's going on?"
Master, we have a problem, Swieten suddenly said to Arguelles. Do you notice it too?
Yes, I did. He passed the gym without stopping, correct?
Yes, but that's not it, either, Swieten replied. Apparently, Kevin has a contact.
What?? Arguelles said in surprise. Was their plan not flawless?
It's not that, Swieten said. Somehow Kevin managed to get an amplified connection through his Pokégear. We're trying to figure that out.
Don't pursue that, you fools! Arguelles shouted. He wouldn't be moving on if he didn't know we found him. Find the source of his information!
The source won't help us at all, Master, Swieten stated. Patrael already told me that Kevin's contact is someone who is completely uninvolved with retrieving the information. He only relays it. Not only that, but we don't have a direct location for the man.
Then who in darkened skies is getting the information?!? Arguelles exploded. Tell that pathetic Rogue leader to have all his members on high alert. If anyone is overhearing their conversation, have them immediately dispatch the individual! If they're this close to having their plan executed, They shouldn't have to worry about their secrecy!
Arguelles stopped the Psychic communication on that word. "Their plan is so close to being completed, and it's already falling apart in their face…" Arguelles said to himself, pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. "Now we have to deal with individuals other than Kevin! Can't those fools do anything right??"
Arguelles growled and threw his glass of tea against the wall in anger. "I never should've relied them… Those goons never could do anything right, even if their life depended on it. It's most likely that they'll botch this task as well!" He soon calmed down. "No matter. If need be, I'll take it into my own hands to deal with Kevin. And if I do, he… will… fall!!"