Chapter 13:
Hearing a Pinwheel
Location: Nacrene City
"Hilbert!" Bianca said. She practically shouted at me after I had left the Pokémon Center.
"What now?" I asked.
Whilst I knew that Bianca was the jokester of the trio, when she's serious, she means it. The look on her face said it all. "Team Plasma! They're at Nacrene Museum!"
The whole Museum was loaded with Team Plasma Grunts. They weren't harming the exhibits, but the visitors and staff (which included Hawes) were being held hostage. Lenora was battling some of the Grunts with her Watchog.
"What's going on?!" I shouted.
One of the Grunts turned to me. "Oh no, it's you. We have no time for you." The Grunt went over to the hostages. "Now. We will let you go on one condition; release all your Pokémon. No tricks, we will keep to our word and set you free."
"What are we to do?" Bianca asked.
Suddenly, all the lights went out. We just kept quiet. We were concerned that a single word would mean trouble.
The lights flicked back on, but everything was not back to normal.
"The Dragon Skull!" Hawes shouted. "It's gone!"
As a Grunt hushed him, we looked up at the Fossil to see he was right. The towering Fossil was indeed headless.
"One of the Grunt's must have gone off with it" I told Bianca. "You stay here and battle with Lenora. I'll give chase."
Bianca nodded. She's a strong Trainer, despite what her Father may think.
Upon coming out of the Museum, I was greeted by Cheren and another man. He had a long sleeved green shirt on and long brown hair. He had trousers that had red and black stripes on the front and were green at the back.
"Would you happen to be the Gym Leader of Castelia City?" I asked the man.
"That is indeed the case" he replied. "My name is Burgh, a good friend of Lenora's. But we can't chitchat. I saw the Grunt with the Dragon Skull; he ran into Pinwheel Forest."
I looked at the great expanse of trees outside Nacrene City.
"We can't let them get away. I need to find the Grunt with the Skull. Cheren, people are being held hostage in the Museum. Work with Bianca to stop them."
Burgh offered to go to Pinwheel Forest with me, to which I agreed. "I know the Forest like the back of my hand. Trust me on this one. Okay, let's make haste. Good luck Cheren."
Cheren gave his trusty smile and ran into the Museum.
Location: Pinwheel Forest
Little sunlight pierced the ground through the thick trees. We walked along the road to a small opening.
Burgh told me the plan. "Okay Hilbert. You go into the Forest and find the Grunt. Me? I'll wait outside the exit and stop them."
I was confused. Wasn't Burgh the forest expert? Shouldn't he go?
"I heard from Fennel about your actions in the Dreamyard. Plus, you'll be the one battling me at the Gym right? I'd like to get a taste of your skills. No point arguing, we need to stop Team Plasma."
Through the foliage I ran, looking all around for any Team Plasma Grunts. I knew not to mess around in the woods. Many Bug Types have moves that can inflict Status Alignments on my Pokémon, and that's the last thing I wanted, especially if I got lost. Though I did stock up on Antidotes before I went.
A few steps in my chase, some Twins spotted me.
"May, look! A Trainer!" one of the girls said to the other. Honestly, it was hard to tell them apart. They wore the same green clothes, had the same short brown hair and had the same colour eyes. Like at least put glasses on one of them or something.
"Mayo, shall we battle him?" the other responded. I had no choice.
Hilbert Vs. Twins Mayo and May
"Pansear, Pidove! Go!" I yelled.
"Go Sewaddle!" May (or Mayo?) shouted. She sent out a small Pokémon with a round yellow head, a green body and a leaf cap.
Sewaddle (クルミル)
046
Bug/Grass Type
Sewing Pokémon
1'00" (0.3 m)
5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)
Leavanny dress it in clothes they made for it when it hatched. It hides its head in its hood while it is sleeping.
"Venipede go!" Mayo (or May?) replied, sending out a small red Pokémon with some green on it and two antennas on its head.
Venipede (フシデ)
049
Bug/Poison Type
Centipede Pokémon
1'04" (0.4 m)
11.7 lbs (5.3 kg)
It discovers what is going on around it by using the feelers on its head and tail. It is brutally aggressive.
"Okay Pidove use Air Cutter!" Pidove shot streaks of air at both Pokémon, but Mayo (May?) had everything covered.
"Venipede, Protect!" Venipede created a shield around itself to block all damage from the attack.
"Pansear, Incinerate!" Pansear shot a flame at Sewaddle, but it missed.
"Sewaddle, Razor Leaf!" Sewaddle fired sharp leaves at both Pokémon, but it wasn't very effective due to the Types of Pidove and Pansear.
"Okay Venipede, Protect again!" Venipede made another shield that blocked the Air Cutter that fainted Sewaddle. This meant Pansear had to fire Incinerate at Venipede which it also blocked. "One more time Venipede!" Venipede tried to create a shield, but it failed. Protect's chance of failing increases each turn.
"Okay, ready? Pidove, Gust! Pansear, fire the Incinerate into the Gust!" Pidove created a gust of wind as Pansear shot a flame into it. The Incinerate's acceleration was increased and it hit Venipede with an explosion. It was down.
"Waaahh! May, we lost!" shouted Mayo.
"Okay, I must ask. Did you see anyone wearing white run through here?"
May (Mayo?) scratched her chin. "Erm… yes! Keep going the way you were running!"
The forest continually got darker the further I went in. It wasn't like a cave, but the trees above got continually thicker. Eventually though, I did need to stop for a breather. I would let Burgh know first. I had his C-Gear number.
"Hey Burgh, alright if I take a little pit stop?"
Burgh nodded his head. "Sure. No sign of Team Plasma from where I am. It's easy to get lost in this forest if you have no idea what you're doing. Oh, and they should still be in this forest. I had a speak to the Trainers on the path and Team Plasma haven't made their way to Skyarrow Bridge. We should be good. Thanks for the update!"
As I logged off my C-Gear, I saw multiple white, fluffy Pokémon dancing and spinning in the wind. They had green leaves on their sides.
Cottonee (モンメン)
052
Grass Type
Cotton Puff Pokémon
1'00" (0.3 m)
1.3 lbs (0.6 kg)
When attacked, it escapes by shooting cotton from its body. The cotton serves as a decoy to distract the attacker.
Below, I saw multiple round, green Pokémon with leaves on their heads dancing around.
Petilil (チュリネ)
054
Grass Type
Bulb Pokémon
1'08" (0.5 m)
14.6 lbs (6.6 kg)
Since they prefer moist, nutrient-rich soil, the areas where Petilil live are known to be good for growing plants.
The Petilil continued to jump off when suddenly, they fell in a hole that was covered by leaves.
"Oh no!" I shouted as I went to check on them. I wanted to wonder why the hole was there, but I knew the priority would be getting the Petilil out first.
"Pidove, Dewott! Go!" Pidove lifted them up with Dewott giving support.
We got the five Petilil out, then I examined the hole. "This doesn't look naturally formed" I thought. I felt around the rim to find… sand? "That's odd. We're in a forest, how can there be sand?"
"Hey!" A Plasma Grunt noticed me and came running over.
"I suppose you're the one who did this?" I asked.
"Fuhgeddaboudit!" he told me. "I was ordered by Lord Bronius to stop you, and I gladly will."
Hilbert Vs. Team Plasma Grunt M
"Patrat, I choose you!" the Grunt said.
"Get em Dewott!" I said as Dewott lunged forward and chopped Patrat with a scalchop. It didn't do a lot of damage, but I knew it would! Dewott had learned Fury Cutter! That's a Bug Type move, helpful against Grass Types.
"Patrat, Crunch!" Patrat chomped down on Dewott's arm.
"Razor Shell Dewott!" Dewott was able to grab a scalchop and slice Patrat, knocking it out.
"PLLLLLAAAAAAAAASSSSSSMMMMMMAAAAAAAA!" the Grunt yelled running off. "No, I don't have the Dragon Skull! Nice try!"
I continued to shuffle through the tall grass, battling Pokémon as I went. "How could those tyrants steal something as valuable as that? Well, okay they are evil but still."
As I walked, I felt like I was in the presence of the forest itself. I was in a forest, obviously, but it felt like a part of the forest was staring at me.
I made my way up a fallen hollowed out log to a small slope where, sure enough, a Team Plasma Grunt was waiting for me. Under her arm was the Dragon Skull.
"What do you think?" her asked. "Once a Pokémon to, it fell and became fossilized. Such beauty, even in bones."
"What is your goal here?" I asked. "Aside from keeping people hostage, how will this help you with your goals?"
The Plasma Grunt sneered. "You really think we're going to reveal any of that? Well, there is something I will reveal. You are right next to my trap."
Wondering what he meant, I took a baby step forward, only for the ground to give way beneath my feet. I stepped back quickly. In the hole was a brown Pokémon with black stripes and black rimmed eyes, almost like glasses. It had sharp teeth.
Sandile (メグロコ)
057
Ground/Dark Type
Desert Croc Pokémon
2'04" (0.7 m)
33.5 lbs (15.2 kg)
They live buried in the sands of the desert. The sun-warmed sands prevent their body temperature from dropping.
"Well, let's get this over with shall we? Sandile my dear, ATTACK!"
Hilbert Vs. Team Plasma Grunt F
"Drilbur, come out!" I said. "Okay, start with Rock Smash!" Drilbur punched Sandile and lowered its Defense.
"Sandile, Attract!" Sandile fired a heart at Drilbur, who immediately fell for Sandile's spell. That's Attract in action. In this case, my female Drilbur was infatuated by Plasma's male Sandile. Case in point, it couldn't move that turn. "Now use Sand Tomb!" Sandile made some swirling sand below Drilbur. It would now be trapped within the tomb and I can't even recall it.
"Try another Rock Smash!" Drilbur punched Sandile again. Sandile was almost finished.
"Sandile, Assuraance!" Sandile tackled Drilbur.
"One more Rock Smash!" Drilbur fought through the infatuation and punched Sandile one more time. I had one.
"PPLLLLAAAASSSSSMMMMAAAAAAA!" the Grunt shouted. Drilbur got out of her spell.
"Sandile's not the one!" I joked with Drilbur. "But this Plasma Grunt will be the one to explain everything."
"Fine, here's your stupid Skull!" she said, throwing it over. However, she threw purposefully a short distance.
"It's going to break!" I yelled, just as the wind started to pick up.
"Oh no" the Grunt said, as something swept by and put the Skull safely in front of me. I picked it up and when I got up, I saw a 4-legged Green Pokémon with a red streak on its neck.
Virizion (ヴイリジオン)
146
Grass/Fighting Type
Grassland Pokémon
6'07" (2 m)
440.9 lbs (200 kg)
This Pokémon fought humans in order to protects its friends. Legends about it continue to be passed down.
Legendary Pokémon
"Leave this place" it yelled telepathically. I could hear it to so that I could understand the situation.
The Grunt got up nervously. "Okay" she murmured.
"I won't ask AGAIN!" the Pokémon said, stomping its right front foot on the ground. This was enough to scare the Grunt off.
"PLASMA WILL PREVAIL!" she yelled, her voice echoing as she ran through the undergrowth.
"Hilbert, are you alright?" Virizion asked me.
I was silent. Never mind the fact it knew my name, I was in the presence of a Legendary Pokémon.
"But the Pokédex said you fought against humans. Why did you help me?"
Virizion knelt down as if I were a king. "Because. I believe in you. You have been fighting for the rights of Pokémon, and one good turn deserves another. However, I fear that more dangers lie down the road. Team Plasma are a bigger threat that one may already think." Virizion turned away. "Do NOT mention my appearance to anyone, even your closest friends. It's best that our meeting stays anonymous."
"But the Grunt!" I mentioned. "Will she tell Team Plasma?"
"They won't believe her. Okay, your work here is done. I should suggest you leave this place as well. I have done my duty, and you must do yours. Take down Team Plasma. My friends may offer assistance. And if you end up not needing it, then I bid you farewell, Hilbert Whittaker of Nuvema Town."
With that, Virizion leapt off into the forest.
My Xtransciever started ringing.
"Hey, I saw a Grunt run out. Everything alright?" Burgh asked.
"Yep!" I said, showing him the Dragon Skull. "Let's head back to the Museum!"
Location: Nacrene City
Everything was fine when we got back. Cheren and Bianca were tired out big time, but the place was rid of Plasma Grunts.
"You got it back!" Cheren said. "I knew you could do it!"
Hawes mentioned that everything was in tip top shape, well sort of. Only two people had liberated their Pokémon, and we could all agree that was two too many.
"I must thank the lot of you. You all deserve rewards!" Lenora said. "Cheren. Usually in an event like this I would postpone a Gym match till tomorrow. However, I am more than happy to make an exception! Meet you in an hour!"
Cheren adjusted his glasses. "Gladly Lenora. Thank you."
Lenora turned her attention to Bianca. "Bianca, your Munna is very strong. But when you feel it's time to evolve, give it this." Lenora gave Bianca a black stone that gleamed like the moon. "This is the Moon Stone. It can evolve Munna into Musharna, but only when you want to. Remember, when you evolve a Pokémon like this, it can't learn anymore moves by level up."
Bianca gulped. "Okay" she said nervously.
"And Hilbert. I must say, you were the driving force here. Is there anything we can do for you?"
Hawes held up some memorabilia. "Free pencil from the Gift Shop? Maybe a shirt or mug?"
I shook my head and pointed to the black stone. "You are going to have an archaeology team look at that. There's something that's fascinating about it. I don't care if you come up with nothing, it should be looked at like. That is my request."
Lenora walked over and touched it. "Ouch!" she said, retreating her had then shaking it quickly. Her hair went slightly up on end as she did this. "Okay, we will have someone in tomorrow to have a look! I promise!"
"I won't join you at the Café later" Cheren said. "Sorry, I'll be a be a bit busy."
Me and Bianca had our last coffee that we would have in Nacrene City for a little while. We've had so much that honestly, we were surprised we weren't bouncing off the walls.
"So, Castelia next?" I asked Bianca. "We need to go over Skyarrow Bridge to get there."
Skyarrow Bridge is the second biggest Bridge in Unova, but it's also the most iconic. It officially connects Pinwheel Forest to Castelia City. It's also the tallest bridge; you can see it over the trees.
"You go on ahead tomorrow" Bianca said. "Don't wait for us!"
I'm really not sure if I should have written down my encounter with Virizion in here just in case someone else reads this; I did make a promise to it. But hey, I stopped Team Plasma for the third time. And tomorrow, I would be heading to my next destination, the metropolis of Castelia City!
