Chapter 5: Finding the Portal
Completely stripping himself of his equipment save for Diamond Blade, his trainer disguise, and his secret revival medicine, which was hidden completely under his shoulder, Kevin left the area of his forest and into the open. The travel would be lengthy, but he had to do so; Lugia even decreed that they should be stopped.
I promise, Lugia, Kevin thought to himself as he took off to the skies. I will stop these men and recover any hybrids or Pokémon. And for the people… I promise they will pay for Jelza's kidnapping.
I'm almost positive that last one is more of a promise to yourself than to others, Duo-Cevan said, curiosity hanging in his words.
I suppose you could say that, Kevin answered. However, you have got to understand… I broke down when I first was changed into my form. She may be more than that if she's turned into one. And if there's anyone in this world that can give them a lesson to never forget, it would definitely be me.
Have you ever considered what their motives are, Kevin? Duo-Cevan asked.
As far as I can determine, they have no feeling for others or the creatures of this world, Kevin declared. He gave a slight growl. And kidnapping people from public is so low that I could—
Don't forget, Duo-Cevan interrupted, that we no longer have the Three here to stop our temper. They don't know how much stronger Dark Cevan has gotten to harness our rage and use it to transform us, so we should keep it to a minimum.
You're right, Kevin agreed. A third form inside him, Dark Cevan was dangerously powerful, as he had enough energy to completely level a city to its foundations, leaving nothing behind, and still have enough to fight off a full Pokémon team. The Curse had created a bond to Kevin, making it impossible to remove.
Kevin's Pokédex began vibrating. He flipped it open. "Yes?" he answered, not sure of whether it was Lance or Warles anymore.
"Hey there, Kevin," Warles answered. "Are you heading to Cinnabar Island yet?"
"Just began flying there, Warles," Kevin replied. "I'm assuming that you know the layout of the mansion?"
"Assuming that they didn't change it from its original blueprints, yeah, I know it from every corner," Warles answered. "However, I have to tell you something: I can help you find your way through the mansion, but once you're through the portal, I won't be able to contact you. In fact, you won't even be able to contact Lance."
"Is it because of the fact I'll be in a different world?" Kevin asked.
"Yes," Warles said, nodding. "By the way, I did some scouting ahead of you, and they will notice you if you fly in from above. If there's one thing that will help you against their technology, it will be the benefit of surprise. They don't seem to expect people to come in from below the sea, so if you can find some way to breathe underwater, then they will have no way to detect you."
"What about when I get on the shoreline?" Kevin asked. "Won't they detect me then?"
"That's why you'll have the benefit of surprise," Warles explained. "They are idiots and don't seem to expect anyone to get past a certain point. Once you're on the west shore of Cinnabar, you will have no problem getting to the mansion. That's when I want you to call me for info on the building. Which reminds me… I have something that I can transfer to your Pokégear that can help you remain stealthy inside the building."
"Well, send it over," Kevin said. "Just make sure it's quick; I'm already over Viridian City."
Warles hit a few buttons on the computer he was calling from, and Kevin noticed a red bar growing longer at the bottom of his screen. A minute later, the monitor flickered for a moment and returned to normal. Warles looked back up to Kevin. Hey there, can you still hear me? he said.
Kevin nearly pulled the Pokégear away from him. "What the… How can you do that?" he asked. He heard Warles, but it was almost like telepathy.
Don't try to speak to your Pokégear, Warles informed. I won't be able to hear you. The 'something' I transferred turned your voice transfer to synthesized telepathy. I can speak to you normally, but instead you hear it as telepathy, and you can speak to it through your mind, as if you were communicating to your other mind.
How the heck did you manage to make something like this be transferable? Kevin asked, catching on to the change.
I'm a scientist, if you forgot, Warles reminded. Anyway, this may prove strange at first, but you will find it highly useful inside the mansion when you have to remain as quiet as you can.
Ok, thanks, I'll land at Pallet Town and see if I can get something to help me breathe underwater, Kevin said. He then cut the signal and called Lance again. After a short waiting time, Lance's secretary picked up. Kevin gave the code and was immediately transferred to Lance.
Hey Kevin, Lance answered as soon as he was connected. So how's Jelza feeling?
Either she's in a disappearing mood or, to be blunt, kidnapped, Kevin replied back.
Kidnapped?!? Who would do such a thing? Lance asked in shock.
Remember my mentioning of Ursaring disappearing off Mt. Silver? Kevin reminded. It's those same guys. Apparently, they seem to have acquired a form of technology that we do not hold. As of now, I'm traveling to Cinnabar Island, as my friend informs me that they have established some form of outpost.
I see… Lance said solemnly. How soon do you think you'll be back?
As far as I can tell, Lance, don't expect me for a week, he said. That's probably the maximum amount of time I'll be gone, assuming that time there is the same as here.
Please don't tell me this is going to be like that mission for the all-powerful Pokémon, Lance pleaded. We've been friends for too long, and I don't want you disappearing on me again!
I can't promise anything, Lance, Kevin said. All I can be sure of is that whoever it is that is taking people from our world, they will pay for taking my student. However, could you promise me something?
Sure, Lance said, curious.
If I disappear again after this incident, it will most likely be that I will never return again, Kevin said in a sad tone. If that's the case, you are to gather Jelza's belongings and adopt my Pokémon to your 'family.' Treat them as I would. Can you promise me that, if it comes to it?
Lance nodded on the monitor. If it is to be my friend's final wish, then I promise, he confirmed. Though if you should disappear and never come back, I will not let our trust fade.
Thank you, Lance, Kevin said, smiling. He was glad that he no longer had to wear the trainer suit in a situation like this. He then looked up from the monitor for a moment as he began approaching Pallet Town. Well, this is where I leave. Farewell, Lance.
Farewell, Kevin. Lance replied. And good luck.
The call ended, and he landed at the town. Several people became quickly aware of his presence, and got out of his way as he walked toward the shore. Curious as to what he was doing, they began to form as an audience.
Seems like we're getting a crowd, Duo-Cevan remarked.
Kevin ignored the remark. We gotta find a way to travel underwater somehow, Kevin stated. However, using our conversion/conversion2 maneuver won't work. We need to have a pure transformation.
We could use transform, Duo-Cevan suggested. Unfortunately, we need to see a water Pokémon in order to turn into one.
Kevin turned to the crowd. They edged back a little from his attention. "I need to swim underwater from here to Cinnabar," he announced. "Do any of you have a Magikarp or Seaking on hand?"
The crowd looked at each other for a while before turning back to him and shaking their heads. A girl from the audience stepped forward. "I have one at Prof. Oak's lab. I could quickly grab it and—"
"Too long," Kevin remarked, interrupting her. "I must make haste to the island. I'll have to try another method."
The audience once again began talking among themselves as Kevin turned back to the shore. I think it's time that we use our water essence in a serious matter, Duo-Cevan, Kevin said.
Hey, don't look at me! Duo-Cevan remarked. They gave you the essences, not me. You'll have to figure out how to use it yourself!
Duo-Cevan was right. Kevin had, after all, made the blade when he experimented with the essences. Water Essence, Kevin thought, don't fail me now! He then concentrated on what he was hoping would happen and immediately took a plunge off into the water, swimming out into deeper areas.
It worked. Kevin managed to harness the water around him to absorb enough oxygen that he needed, as well as keep the water from entering his mouth as he opened it. This way, he could not only breathe out when the oxygen in his lungs was becoming used up, but also breathe in fresh air as if he were wearing scuba gear and not have to worry about breathing in water. In addition to that, the water seemed to act like a compass around him, telling whether he was heading toward the island or not.
You're acting like you've used this before, Duo-Cevan commented.
It's strange, Kevin replied, curious even to himself. It almost feels like it's been a part of me, no matter how far back I think. I even have the knowledge as to how to use the other Essences, as well.
Probably how the Essences work, Duo-Cevan suggested. No matter, however. You be the guide, I'll swim to the island.
However, Duo-Cevan had relatively little effort used on his part. Kevin seemed to know every underwater current that was occurring, and so used it for his advantage to move in a concentrated direction while he wondered how he would go about rescuing the hybrids. Perhaps their technology in holding the hybrids is the same as Warles's, he thought.
He began to wonder more when the Essence made him aware of the decreasing depth of the water. Currently being able to look fifty meters ahead of him, he quickly saw the sloping land of Cinnabar. Though the island itself seemed more like a column out of the water, the volcano's lava had run so much that it now gave the effect of an extremely large shield volcano.
How soon do you recall Warles wanted us to get out of the water before the shore? Duo-Cevan asked.
I think he wanted us to get out the moment the land broke the surface, Kevin answered. He looked down at the Pokégear on his wrist. I'm just glad this thing's waterproof, open or closed.
Kevin got as close to the island as he could underwater. Finally, it reached a point where Kevin could no longer stay in the water without some part of him exposed in the air. Standing up on the shore, his memory flooded his mind as he recalled the deserted island. Ever since the volcano incident, the lava heat was so intense that it completely scarred the island. Broken branches and shards of rock were strewn about on the hardened path that destruction had run across. Even after the volcano, Kevin could still see some rocks that seemed to burn with an internal glow. The landscape itself, though the sky seemed perfect enough, was sand, rock, and char as far as he could see.
Phew, Kevin thought, shaking off the same feeling every time he saw this place. Never thought I would be coming back here for anything other than to inhabit the island with life again. Nothing seems to agree that the time will come again.
Kevin quickly dialed Warles's number on his pokedex and waited for him to pick up. After two rings, Warles finally answered. Yes? Warles answered as he picked up. Kevin, I presume?
Right again, as ever, Warles, Kevin nodded as the monitor flickered on. I just crawled on the island on the west shore, as you said. Any suggestions?
Well, if my assumption is correct, there's literally nothing that you can hide behind on the island, Warles stated. If it's possible, you'll have to use the landscape itself to hide on. I must suggest that you use your trainer suit when approaching the mansion. The char and rock should be enough to hide you when you lie low as someone glances your way.
Indeed, Kevin said, looking at the ground. So onto the mansion. How should I hide myself when I'm getting in the building?
Well, since they only expect those who they detect, the guards won't stand around outside forever, Warles declared. It's almost certain they only wander around once. Try getting in position when someone's coming.
I'll try, Kevin said. Well, time to move. I'll call you later—
Hang on, Warles said. I'll disconnect. Leave your Pokégear open in case I should contact you, or if you should activate it with telepathy. I'll have only voice connection on in later calls until you're through the portal, so the light from the gear won't reveal your location.
Kevin was about to say more, but then the monitor flickered off. He then put on his trainer disguise and made his way toward the location of the rebuilt mansion. Though he could not see it, he already assumed that it would be in the exact location of where the previous one was before the volcano leveled it.
Not only did he find the mansion, but he also found that it looked exactly like the one before Mewtwo destroyed it. However, he could somehow tell that it had been rebuilt with new materials. Regardless, he knew what he had to do. He did a low crawl toward the building, making sure to scan the area of guards. He didn't see anyone, but to be safe he waited for a minute, motionless on the ground.
It wasn't until after the minute passed that he watched a strangely dressed man walk around to the back of the mansion. The man was dressed in a dark blue suit with black stripes running down the arms and legs. He was also wearing a loose-fitting dark blue hat that had a visor across his face. Kevin thought he was unarmed until he noticed the green device strapped to the bottom of his arm, which was hidden until the man had gone past the midpoint of the mansion. He couldn't make any more of it, other than it had several different lights about it, a nozzle to depict a gun, and a handle, which the man gripped on to, holding his index finger out as if he were pointing.
Well, that certainly confirms it, Kevin said, observing the gun. Nobody dresses like that even if they were guards, and that 'weapon' is nothing I have ever seen.
Maybe we should ask Warles about it, Duo-Cevan suggested. After all, it seems that he knows a lot about abnormal situations.
Kevin suddenly watched the guard's attention swivel toward his direction. His blood seemed to nearly freeze. Did he see me move? He wondered. The guard then turned, and moving as quietly and slowly as possible, he turned his head and observed a Slugma moving slowly across the landscape. Wondering how or why a Slugma existed on this island, he didn't watch long before the guard pushed a button on the handle of the device, causing a second section to stretch over the hand, just opposite of the other end, which now stuck out past his index finger. He seemed to test the device with his finger, and then approached the Pokémon cautiously.
The guard made a small motion that Kevin easily noticed as something to activate something camouflaged with the black stripes. "Guard Alpha to outpost," he spoke. "We seem to have more Fire oozes coming our way. The volcano must not be as dormant as we thought."
"Understood, Guard Alpha," A radio blurted out, loud enough that Kevin could hear it as if someone else were speaking. "Proceed to plan B. Capture the first one you see and disintegrate the rest. We will have to perform some studies about them."
Warles was right, Kevin thought as the man walked closer to the now angered Slugma. It was sensing danger from this man and was preparing to attack. These guys don't expect anyone else to get past a certain point. Hard to believe, though, that Slugma are giving these guys problems.
The Slugma struck out at the guard then with Flamethrower. The guard anticipated the attack and dove down to the ground, rolling to get within distance of the device. Kevin knew what he would do next. The guard stuck his device in the face of the Slugma and pulled in his index finger as tight as it would go on the handle. A burst of electricity, seeming to pack a thunder in a smaller size, shot out and wrapped the Slugma in it, knocking the Pokémon out.
A 'weapon' that not only seems to be used for something deadlier, but also knocks out their targets, Kevin wondered in amazement, as the guard seemed to pick up as much of the fire Pokémon as he dared without getting it in his face. That must be how they got the Ursaring.
As soon as the guard left and turned the corner, Kevin sprinted toward the back of the mansion. Daring to glance in a window, he saw something that caught his eye.
Two men were standing beside two metal columns that curved toward each other at the top. Between the two columns, there was a mass of colors shifting in what appeared to be an opening. Even though he was viewing it from an angle, he immediately recognized what it was.
He saw the portal. Warles's information had been confirmed.