As expected, Obsidia Ward was not accessible from the eastern side. Even if I could get past the police officers blocking the entrance, what stood behind them wasviralovergrowth ofweedsand bushes. Traveling through the snake-like vines and roots would be a hassle, to say the least. But there was also the north entrance to the North Obsidia Ward where we were allowed the access, since the overgrowth hasn't been spread around that area and also this is were Kanto's Ambassador was currently waiting for us somewhere near the Sliph Co. branch building, their family owned in this region, from what Ame told us before.
I'm kinda excited to meet a fellow representative of another region, yet I'm nervous at the same time. What if that person was more advanced in diplomatic matters than I am? Are they also a high ranking member of a pokemon league? What are their interests? But what if there was-
Calm down already, girl! A part of me stubbornly snapped. No worries about small things, when there's a bigger problem right now.
I tried to put my mind in ease, feeling my anger for the overgrowth situation building up with every step I'm taking. We walked pass 3 police officers whose uniforms were slightly torn and dirty, some citizens taking shelter in the nearest undamaged shops and noticed how many Grass- and Bug Pokemon (mainly Hoppips, Butterfrees, Paras and even Pidoves) were currently inhabiting the surroundings as their new home. It looked so turbulent yet as least they have an effective shelter unlike us humans, given how much damage was around Obsidia Ward and it makes me upset seeing this mess.
Soon my attention was cut off by Florinia calling me over near the entrance of an overgrowth free building (assuming that we reached our destination), which I immediately complied and we both entered inside the place. The first thing that caught my eye was a shiny Lopunny wearing a Silk Scarf around it's neck putting 2 boxes on a table, before walking over the counter and started sorting some papers that have been scattered around. Then my eyes shifted to the rest of the room. A Wigglytuff was sitting on a black sofa, which was surrounded by books and more scattered papers. An angry-looking Clefable glaredat it, and halted what it was doing just tocall her out in a language only they could understand. Yet, Wigglytuff simply repositioned itself so that its back was now turned against the other Fairy Pokemon, and carried on reading its magazine.I looked on as the Clefable approached Wigglytuffand started towave its index finger in the airuntil it began glowing white.
SinceI was fully aware that Clefable was using Metronome on Wigglytuff, and that its outcome could range from Splash to Hyper Beam, I almost sentone of my Pokemon to stop Clefable. However, it was unnecessary. Before I could even select a pokeball, theLopunny jumped in from outside my field of view, and perfectly landedbetween the two pokemon. It then quicklypushed Clefable to the floor, whichflinched the Fairy-Type enough to interrupt the Metronome process. When the Clefable could stand back up, it glared at Lopunny angrily, but said no more.Wigglytuff laughed at what had happened, but couldn't make fun of it any longer when Lopunny hopped over and snatched the magazine from its hand.
The message was clear and serious, because I saw Wigglytuff quickly grabbing the papers and carried them to a basket, dropping them inside, all while avoiding Lopunny's gaze, who took a seat on the sofa; having a satisfied expression on it's face.
This was kinda awkward yet funny scene to watch, since some of my Pokemon; especially my Gardevoir and mischievous Froslass tend to argue about some small things- be it about freezing her favourite food or causing a small hail above our heads- until my Ninetales has to separate the two, because she was constantly fed up with them.
Florinia, meanwhile, simply looked at the scene with an indifferent expression on her face, although she had her right hand pressed against her mouth as if she were to supress a laugh.
Suddenly we heard a joyful cry behind us, when a energetic looking Furret rushed downstairs from an entrance behind the counter, before leaping over it and stopped right in front of us; it's round black eyes sparkling with curiosity. Then the Normal Pokemon ran towards Lopunny, Clefable and Wigglytuff to greet them, before going back to us and stood on it's hint legs, while leaning it's paws on Florinia's legs with a huge smile. She didn't clearly smiled much despite spotting a small one on her lips, but slightly bended and did gave it a headpat to the Pokemon, before it shifted it's attention towards me and recieved also a headpat from me as well.
"Slow down, Furret. You almost made me drop the books and papers in the office!" A loud male voice catches our attention and Furret ran back towards the counter and jumped atop of it, without dropping it's cheerful expression.
The owner of the voice came downstairs while wrestling the heavy box and stack of books he was carrying and the Furret that wouldn't stop circlingaround him. When he placed the stuff on the floor, I could take a better look at him. His orange hair was messy, and Furret jumping on his head didn't help him, really. He noticed usstill standing in a corner,and smiled.
"I'm sorry for it that, ladies." The orange haired boy laughed, while scratching the Normal Pokemon's left ear. "This little guy is really energetic these days and I have some problems keeping him in line these days, especially busy ones. But let's go into other matters now."
He got off from the counter and whistled to the direction, where Lopunny, Clefable and Wigglytuff (all 3 seemingly fine now) just finished sorting any paperwork, before heading towards us, upon hearing his whistle.
"My name is Alex Socialite. I'm the ambassador from Kanto. Nice to meet you, Florinia, and... Mitsuko Birch, correct?" Upon seeing me nod, he continued talking. "I hope we can work together to solve this overgrowth problem."
He smiled and held out his hand to me.
"I'm glad to be able to count on your help," I said, and shook his hand.
"Yes, that's me. It's nice to meet you, Alex." I mustered up a smile, as we both shoke our hands. "Glad you guys from Kanto also decided to form a partnership as well."
A small tentative smile was formed in his lips, as he let go of my hand "Yes, yes... This region would be beneficial with our support. But let's go into serious matters now, because we have to stop the floral overgrowth around the Obsidia Ward."
As an answer, I simply gave out a firm "True" from my mouth and nodded my head in understanding. The situation was getting tense with every precious second passing into more wasted time, as the overgrowth continues to spread it's chaos around the 3 targeted wards. More lives to be claimed and destroyed and I won't allowed this to happen.
"Correct: According to Ame, your people have pinpointed the location of one of them in the Obsidia Park, where a miniature architecture of a forest currently exists, I am correct?" I heard Florinia speaking "It was also told during the meeting, before we had some technical issues between communication matters."
"Indeed, but that exactly time we were attacked by the overgrowth as well, so we were interrupted from further discussions." Alex stated, while narrowing his eyes. I remember the conversation we had with Slip Co's employees during the meeting, only to be cut off by another attack from the floral overgrowth and the communication went off for 7 minutes. I was scared, that they got killed on screen, but luckily they seemed to be fine once they send us a signal again and it was just the building shaking due to the attacks.
That's probably why these Pokemon were cleaning the lobby room, I recalled with a huge relief, despite the small anxiety in my chest and me looking at the window, my hands slightly trembled. Just hurry up already... Please...Hurry up...
"We also spotted a black hooded person entering the forest without getting harmed by the vines." He continued with a series tone "If we assume from you guys, that these Team Meteor people are indeed behind the explosion on the train station- according what you got from thr interrogation, if any?- , so they are behind the floral overgrowth as well."
I silently nodded to Alex's conclusion, while feeling a little light-headed of thinking this again, but it soon turned into hatred and disgust for Team Meteor. Of course they're doing this again! How dare they killed all these innocent people, who simply minded their business or had different plans for their future! They'll fucking pay and I'll-
"Hey, are you okay Mitsuko?" Alex's voice interrupted my thoughts, making me turn my head towards his direction. "I understand your worry about the situation, but we don't know much about the organisation currently and we cannot charge in without a plan."
My eyes quickly shifted between him, his Pokemon and Florinia (who observed the conversation in silence), feeling a small sting of embarrassment for letting myself out of focus and decided to change the topic, before they'll ask me further questions about my behaviour. "Yes, you're right, I just got carried away. That's all." I managed to put a small smile and spoke and calm as possible without raising their suspicion. "So what is your plan suggestion about stopping the floral overgrowth in the park?"
Meanwhile somewhere else in Obsidia Ward
The areas of the Obsidia Slums were cold, broken and eerie, much like most of it's residents, be it Pokemon or humans who take shelter in there. Cold and lifeless walls with various drained colours she sees every time and the hard floor was littered with more garbage than usual, whatever she steps foot in this place, aside from the small cracks of course. It smelled awful enough for her to cover her month and nose with a thick scarf and staying away from unhygienic spots for her own health.
The lights were still partly working enough for her to see her surroundings and to be careful whatever she stumbles upon.
Better be quiet and careful than getting yourself involved in trouble, she remembered the warnings of her older siblings, whatever she planned to go out outside, for a small walk or buying groceries on her own. Only talk to strangers, when their ask you something than simply talk to them at all. But better keep your Pokemon with you always than being entirely alone.
Her Glaceon- despite being a Pokemon of a frail type- was a very sturdy individual with much skill, like the rest of her Pokemon are. The Ice Eeveelution walked with it's trainer closely by her side through a small corridor connected to a understairs area beneath it, with some thugs talking with eachother or playing poker, while some Ratatas resting near a hole, fighting for any leftovers inside of a trash bin. Some people tend to look at her small form, covered in a baby blue cloak cape, leaving only her legs and white shoes visible to be seen, aside from her arms carrying a small groceries bag with her; filled with food she bought mostly.
Someone let out a whistle from not so far away from her, but she ignored it. That was one thing, she was taught.
"Ey, you little smol rat in blue!" She heard a male raspy voice behind her from the left side. "What you're doing all alone there?"
Just ignore them, she thought to herself, despite feeling uncomfortable by just hearing such comments.
"Didn't you mommy told you not going in dark places like these?" An older woman called her out in a loud voice for everyone else in this place to hear, causing the young girl to mentally cringe at how scratchy that woman's voice was despite being in her mid 30's. "Oh, I forgot, perhaps you don't have a mommy, you poor lil' orphan!"
It sounded more of a cruel mockery, as some of them started to laugh at her "joke". However the hooded girl simply continued walking and ignored this cruel response and the loud laughter around her, despite her Glaceon snarling and wanted to fire an Ice Beam at them, but her trainer simply snapped her fingers to catch her attention, a gesture of hers which means "Don't do anything stupid!".
Once they finally left that crowded place, the Glaceon looked at it's trainer with pity on it's big blue eyes. Despite having her mouth covered, the hooded girl simply bended down- enough not dropping anything from the bag- and petted it's head.
I'm fine, Glaceon. Don't worry about me, that was the meaning behind her gesture, something the Fresh Snow Pokemon knew and understood too well. As a response, it affectionately nuzzled her face, before they started to walk through the slums again.
Soon the pair stumbled in another room, where they encounter more people as well. However instead of the previous ones with their cruel jokes, these people looking too afraid and were scared of her, looking somewhere else than at her. Some of them- mostly young mothers- are even holding small toddlers or babies in their arms, neither with fearful or hateful expressions and hold their children tightly, whatever the young girl spared a small glare at them. She herself had to supress the tears, that threatened to come from her navy blue eyes.
The next room was an just empty pathway with the floor being filled with dirty water, thanks to some broken pipes filling it, and some yellow platforms were to far away from each other or had some holes in them.
But the hooded girl sent out her Aurorus to freeze the gaps and the water with a powerful Blizzard, thus creating a small ice skating rink (like a similar one she remembered from her childhood, she enjoyed mostly spending her time there once) and happily slide all the way towards the other side. The exit wasn't far away from here and was pretty close reaching it as well.
She just had to go through the final room of the slums after passing through the 3rd and 4th annex rooms (which once housed many boxes and damaged good im various storages), they finally arrived in the exit room. Relief washed over her hooded girl, as she managed to get most of this terrible place behind her.
But thanks to the vines blocking off most of the streets, she didn't had a chose but to enter through the slums and was glad now, that she received a small map from her big brother, as he works in the storage section of the slums and knows every corner, telling her some stories of his workplace. But unlike her, he is used to this.
Suddenly distant hysterical screams cut through the eerie silence, so loud that even the walls couldn't hold them within, making the girl to drop her bag on the floor and Glaceon letting out a small yelp, hiding behind it's trainer's legs. She quickly took her Ice Pokemon and the shopping bag into her arms, slowly backing away upon hearing loud noises following as well, something mechanic and distorted at the same time.
Soon her eyes widen in shock, as her mind grasped the meaning behind the noises, once she spotted vines slowing making their way through walls and the floor started to crack underneath them, following with some rumble above them.
The slums are going to collapse! She thought in terrified realisation, as she saw more cracks appearing on the walls and the floor The floral overgrowth is spreading too much!
Wasting no second, the hooded girl bolted for the exit as fastest as possible, carrying both her bag and Pokemon in a protective grip, when suddenly she heard people shouting and yelling as well. Turning her head just for a moment behind her, she spotted from a far distance the residents of the slums pushing and kicking eachother of their way, all while trying to escape from a soon-to be teared apart place, that was already bad in structure and circumstances.
Her legs were burning from such intense running within seconds, despite her condition, but she never dared to stop until she reaches a safe place.
But oh look, there's the exit already! A bright smile of relief spread across her and Glaceon's lips, as they'll be soon away from this collapsing place and right into-
However this chance got shattered immediately in 3 big steps outside the slums entrance, when she unexpectedly tripped and lose her balance, collapsing on the ground. She tried to get up, only to see her left leg being tangled by two vines and she tried to undo them, even with Glaceon's desperate attempts to freeze the vines and break it, but no avail. She couldn't move and they were coming closer and closer.
Outside was a mess from the floral overgrowth, but there has to be someone around and would have notice the disturbance now, right? She shouted at the top of her lungs for help, while struggling to break herself free from the vine with Glaceon crying out as well, hoping they'll get noticed.
However before someone could come to rush over the place at time, the first people came like a horde of raging Tauros out from the entrance. They were coming closer and closer! Panicked thoughts started to invade her mind, as she tried to think what to do. Suddenly she had an idea.
"Glaceon!" She gasped and put Aurorus GreatBall inside the bag, tying a knot at the top and threw it in front of some boxes on the right side near some bushes. "Hide behind the boxes now, hurry!" The Ice Eeveelution reluctantly obeyed it's trainer request, despite being hestistant at first and managed to hide behind the bushes.
This was the last thing the young girl ever saw, before closing her eyes and lost most of her consciousness, as she was trampled beneath by several panicked people and Pokemon, fleeing towards the streets of South Obsidia Ward and Coral Ward.
A/N:Phew, here's another chapter done. Slowly, I'm finding the motivated again to write the chapters and managed to build a stable schedule, ever since I entered an adult education school and doing other import things.Also I'm happy, that we enter in the last month of 2021 and I cannot wait for 2022 to be honest. We'll see.Remember, my children and fellas: Feedback is always appreciated :)