Chapter 22: Friends Reunite

Kevin didn't wake up until two full days had past. Finally, he managed to wake up from his sleep to find a pair of slightly glowing eyes staring into his own.

"Gaah!!" Kevin said in surprise, scraping away on his back. Scrambling backwards, not realizing where he was, he fell off the shelf in a headfirst fall.

Be careful! an alteration of Lugia's voice said. Before he fell too far, something in the darkness grabbed his feet, causing him to dangle like a rope.

Kevin, though grateful he was caught, was still puzzled as he attempted to look around in the darkness. "Thanks," he finally said. "Umm… where am I exactly?"

Perhaps if you created one of your strange balls of light, you would know, the voice said.

Oh yeah, Kevin said, feeling slightly stupid. Using flash in a Psychic shell, he created a new lantern and illuminated the area around him.

The Lugia that held him looked at the ball in awe. Strange how you are capable of trapping light in such an object, he said.

If only he knew half of the things we learn these days, Duo-Cevan muttered. Then he would be really impressed.

Kevin began flapping his own wings so the Lugia wouldn't have to keep holding him. Looking at the Lugia, he realized that the glowing eyes were from the legend. "Sheesh, so you were the one who gave me a scare. Don't do that!" He said, partially laughing.

Kevin.

Kevin turned to face the Greater Lugia. "Yes?" he asked.

It is time for you to leave this place, Lugia stated. I will use my powers so you will appear in the water near the shore of Cianwood. It would be best if you had a water Pokémon and a disguise so people do not realize who you are.

"All right, thanks Lugia," Kevin said gratefully. He sighed. "Will I ever get to see you again?"

Perhaps the Lesser of my kind, Kevin, Lugia said. However, unless you are with Ash when we Legends unite, I highly doubt you will see me again.

"I'll remember what you've taught me, Lugia!" Kevin exclaimed as a bubble surrounded him and threw him at the waterfall. Kevin thought he was going to bounce off the bottom of the lake, only to find that the bottom seemed to have disappeared. Once he was fully submerged, he sank even deeper and the cavern disappeared into the blue darkness, which suddenly was obstructed by a rocky wall as he literally passed through it.

Kevin felt like he was traveling for an hour as the bubble moved swiftly over the ocean floor. Schools of Remoraid, Quilfish, Magikarp, and an occasional Mantine were Kevin's entertainment. At one point, he caught a view of two Mantine swimming around him, watching him in interest for a few seconds before they swam off.

Wow… Kevin said in awe. The ocean looks so different from the bottom.

Yes, Duo-Cevan agreed. He chuckled a bit. It's rather tranquil down here. Quiet, except for your talking.

Ahh, but our conversation is like music to my ears, Kevin joked back.

Speaking of music, the melody's gone, Duo-Cevan pointed out.

Kevin realized that he was starting to surface as the bubble began moving up from the ocean floor. Disguise time, he thought as he activated his trainer disguise. He then realized that his Blastoise would be too big to be let out of his Pokéball now.

Guess this means we'll have to get a bit wet, eh? Duo-Cevan commented.

The water above Kevin was starting to get noticeably lighter. Before he knew it, he could see somewhat of daylight through the water surface. As the bubble pushed through the surface, it burst halfway, causing Kevin to splash back in. He surfaced and immediately let Koenis out of his ball, and began surfing toward the shore, which he spotted without much trouble.

Once he got onto the beach, a few people gave him strange glances, but resumed in their activities. Others just stared, until Kevin looked their way.

Do you get the feeling they've never seen people like you before? Duo-Cevan wondered.

More like they've never seen anyone with this kind of clothes on, Kevin remarked. He quickly recalled Koenis and shook off any excess water that wouldn't come out, letting the rest of his suit dry as he made his way to the Pokémon center.

Think there are any Nurse Joys in here? Duo-Cevan wondered.

Highly possible, Kevin thought as he walked in and was greeted with a positive, "Hello!"

Kevin looked around and found the building nearly empty, save for one man. "Hello Nurse Joy," Kevin greeted. He suddenly changed the subject. "Say, where is everybody?"

"What the…??" the man said, turning towards Kevin's voice. The man's face lit up. "Kevin? Is that you??"

Nurse Joy looked at the man, then at Kevin. "Do you know him, Kevin?" she asked, knowing that saying his name wouldn't get any additional attention.

"Of course I know him," Kevin answered. "Nurse Joy, this is Warles. We've known each other since I disappeared from Indigo Plateau."

"I thought you were captured by Team Rocket!!" Warles exclaimed. "What happened? Why didn't you come out?"

"Whoa, slow down, Warles," Kevin sighed. "I was. Only one suit fit me, and unfortunately, it was rigged."

"Rigged?" Warles wondered. "How so?"

Kevin explained what happened back down in the base. "So unfortunately for me, I was stuck down there for two weeks."

"Well, it's a good thing that you didn't give up any Pokémon," Warles sighed. "So how did you find me here?"

"I had a couple of sources, one being Barks," Kevin answered. "He told me someone codenamed Surveyor was giving him information."

"Ahh, so you were his errand boy, huh?" Warles said thoughtfully. "He told me that he had some 'recruits' for helping him stopping a spread of Team Rocket. I thought it was some elite trainer, or so he told me. I had a bad feeling, though, that it would be you. Of course, at that time, I didn't know you had escaped by then."

"Then what was all the information he told me that came from you?" Kevin exclaimed. "He gave me all sorts of information that I needed. Was that not you?"

Suddenly, Kevin's Pokédex began vibrating. He flipped it open. "Yes?" he answered.

"Where were you??" Barks voice shouted as his face appeared on the monitor. "I've been trying to contact you since yesterday and I couldn't get a signal!"

"I was on Whirlpool Islands," Kevin answered. He then fibbed a bit. "I guess I got knocked out in there or something, because next thing I know, I'm on the shore."

"Well, I'm glad you're safe then," Barks said, sighing with relief. "I didn't want to lose you. Where are you now?"

"With me, 'commander,'" Warles interrupted, looking at the monitor. "I suspect the espionage Rogue raid went well?"

"Surveyor?" Barks turned his attention to Warles. His excitement calmed a little. "Yes, it was stopped without much trouble."

"Sorry about having my radio break," Warles said, scratching his head. "Had I not sacrificed it, I would've been captured."

"Well, I'm glad you're safe too."

"Barks, What are your sources for the other information you've been giving me?" Kevin suddenly asked. "You know what I mean… the info about the Psychic?"

"Various employees, including Surveyor," Barks answered. "Surveyor was my best man on this team, though."

"You never told me where to find him, though," Kevin interrupted. "Where is this Psychic?"

"That's something I never did learn," Barks said. "None of them could locate him."

"Well, regrettably, I was holding some information back when I mentioned about it," Warles said. "Though the Psychic is a dangerous enemy, I was holding back until after the Rogue incident. I figured that he wouldn't be much of a problem until we focused on him, considering he was going after Kevin. I didn't realize, though, that the whole thing was riding on his shoulders."

"So where is this Psychic, Warles?" Kevin asked.

"Way past where you are, I'm afraid," Warles answered. "The path to his home was just between Violet and Ecruteak City. You'll have to wander a bit between the routes, but at least the hurricane is gone, so it'll be easy to find."

"How will I know when I find it?"

"You're a Pokémon. Finding a hole in the forest wall badly concealed should be no problem for you," Warles stated. "That is, unless you've forgotten how to be one."

Barks suddenly interrupted. "If you're in Cianwood City, how do you plan on getting off without being noticed, Kevin?" he asked. "It's tourist season. At least a good portion of people will notice if you try to fly without a Pokémon to ride on."

"You could always swim out into the water a bit and fly out from there," Warles suggested. "It's not as suspicious, but at least—"

"No," Kevin sighed. "I'll just get out either Fearow or one of my other flyers. I had intended on competing in the Johto league to at least get badges, but in this case, I don't care anymore. I'm sick and tired of running. Now I'll have my enemies do the fearing."

"That's the Kevin I want to see!" Warles said. "However, you better wait until the evening. If you can fly fast enough, you can probably make it during the night, before the Psychic wakes up."

"In that case, you better get some rest," Barks explained. "It would be best to see if Nurse Joy will allow you to rest in the recovery room. If it helps your disguise at all, Warles should dress up as a trainer and pose to be yours as you sleep."

"Oh cool!" Warles exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "I get to be a trainer of the hybrid for the afternoon!!"

"Don't push it, Warles," Kevin growled.

"I was only kidding, Kevin," Warles said, backing away.

Kevin looked up to Nurse Joy. "Nurse Joy," he called, "Can I arrange something to get some rest in the recovery room?"

"What should I say that should explain the situation?" Nurse Joy asked.

Kevin gave himself a number of painful slash marks before answering. "Will the answer 'got beaten up by a Pokémon' work?"

Nurse Joy nodded. "Doesn't that hurt?" She asked.

"No," Kevin said, shaking his head. "Pain doesn't mean anything to me anymore."

"So it's settled," Barks stated. "Kevin, if you have Scyther blades with you, equip them and get into bed. Warles, that scientist get-up won't work for a trainer. You'll have to change. As for me… I'll see if I can get anymore information, since I can't do a thing from here except for what I'm doing already."

"Ok, thanks Barks," Kevin sighed. "If you find anything before I get there, contact me."

"Bye Kevin," Barks said, ending the call as the monitor went out.

*                                  *                                  *

Arguelles woke up from a nap that he had taken over the afternoon. Swieten was sitting on a desk beside his bed.

Have a good rest, master? Swieten asked.

"Indeed," Arguelles nodded. "A small nap and I can concentrate for the next 20 hours."

Amazing how your Psychic skills use so little energy yet recharge you so violently, Swieten said in awe.

"It should be amazing how you managed to get out of that Goldenrod Radio tower alive," Arguelles sighed. "You took quite a risk sitting on the Rogue's shoulder rather than the window."

Speaking of which, when was the last time you detected Kevin?

"Two days ago," Arguelles answered. He began brewing himself something to drink. "I still don't know…"

Arguelles's thought suddenly came to a halt. "Wait, I sense him again!" Arguelles exclaimed.

Where is he, master? Swieten wondered.

"Strange… why is he in Cianwood?" Arguelles said, more to himself. "Maybe he went there in hopes to escape. Or maybe something else…"

Perhaps that's where the mercenary spy is, Swieten suggested. Maybe he planned the Rogue's fall all along.

"You may be on to something," Arguelles said in thought. "Of course, Kevin may be part of another plan altogether. In any case, he must know where I am by now."

What do you suspect he's planning this moment?

"Nothing, since he's asleep," Arguelles answered. He began talking in a mocking voice. "Aww, the hybrid's asleep. Poor thing must've been tired."

He may be preparing, Swieten thought. If he's resting now, he may attempt to ambush us at night.

"Well, if he is, then he's in for a big surprise," Arguelles said, grinning. "I'm looking forward to killing him finally."

Swieten sighed. If it's death you're obsessed with, why don't you just find a more simple target and wipe them off the face of the earth?

Arguelles threw a nasty glare at Swieten. "I've waited far too long for this moment, Swieten. I've been waiting far longer than I've had you. Don't tempt my patience," he growled.

Swieten shuffled a bit uncomfortably under Arguelles's stare. I certainly hope you know what you're doing then, he said nervously.

Arguelles looked away from Swieten and stared off into space. "Oh, I do… I certainly do."