Chapter 14 Preparations for the Frenzy
After getting into the office, Cyllene says, "First of all, have you made progress on your research tasks? If you have progress to report, I will judge its worthiness. Show me your Pokedex."
Ash and Serena show the Pokedex to Cyllene, and after seeing it, she nods, "Hm. You have made progress. It seems you have earned yourself a star. With this, you have officially attained the rank of Second Star in the Galaxy Expedition Team."
Ash and Serena put the second star badge on their uniforms, and Cyllene says, "Have these as well. They are further recipes you'll need for crafting."
They get a recipe for the Feather Balls, which is something that they are confused about. Ash says, "I don't think I have heard of Feather Balls..."
"And this one is for Super Potions." Serena says as she takes the second recipe.
"Continue to dedicate yourself to completing the Pokedex if you hope to rise higher in the ranks." Cyllene says as they nod.
"Ah, good! You're already here!" Laventon walks into the office and says.
"Professor Laventon. The briefing, if you please." Cyllene says.
"Yes, let's get right to it. So, Ash and Serena...I understand you've been requested to find out the cause of Kleavor's frenzied state. But as you're aware by now, Kleavor is a mighty thing. Nigh invincible, even! The Security Corps tried throwing Poke Balls at Kleavor when they were attacked, but...I'm afraid they didn't even come close to catching him! It seems he's a far trickier opponent than even those aggressive species of Pokemon that cannot be caught outside of the battle once they're riled."
"I'd like to be perfectly clear on this point." Cyllene says. "The mission will put you in extreme danger. Do you believe you can handle it?"
"Of course, we can." Ash and Serena exclaim.
"Very well. Then let's go over the particulars. The Diamond and Pearl clans revere their nobles because they believe these Pokemon serve their "almighty Sinnoh." They leave offerings to express their gratitude to these Pokemon in locations they call the noble's seats."
"So perhaps a good starting point for our research could be to find out what sorts of offerings they normally leave for this Kleavor." Professor Laventon suggests, and it causes everyone to think, but they are stopped as they hear Mai's voice.
"Ash and Serena! We need to speak with you."
As they turn around, they see that Adaman and Mai enter the office. Adaman says, "Listen - that rift in space-time seems like it connects this world to a whole other world. That world might be where almighty Sinnoh itself resides - the true almighty Sinnoh, that is. The one that rules over time!"
"Dialga?" Ash thinks, "I don't think so...but he was right about the other world, the future world where Serena and I came from."
Adaman says, "So if you fell through the space-time rift, that might mean...you traveled through time- by almighty Sinnoh's own power! Think of it! You must've been just swimming in its divine might!"
"Well, you are right about traveling back in time from the rift." Serena says, recovering from the shock very fast. "I mean, we came here from what? 2000 years later from now."
"I've got a favor to ask both of you, oh amazing time travelers." Adaman says, "Don't just study Kleavor. Quell his frenzy!"
"Well, you certainly caught us at a good time, young Adaman Yvonne! We were just discussing our next steps with regard to this whole Kleavor situation." Laventon says, and Serena also widens her eyes at the name that Professor Laventon just spoke about.
"Oho! You must be that Galaxy Team scholar I've heard about. Good to meet you, Mr. Professor. Share some of that knowledge with me sometime!" Adaman turns back to Ash and Serena. "Now, let me elaborate a little...Those Pearl Clan types have a lot of respect for Kleavor. You heard his title - Lord of the Woods. I'm sure they'd rather get this under control, too, but it's hard for them to come right out and ask those of the Galaxy Team, of all people, for help. And the truth is, we in the Diamond Clan have a similar problem on our hands. A Pokemon dear to us, off in the mountains, has flown into the same type of frenzy as Kleavor. Now, there's certainly bad blood between us and the Pearl Clan, but still...We've all got to share Hisui, and that means we ought to tackle our problems together."
Mai says, "But there aren't many people capable of standing up to such powerful Pokemon. You're the best hope we've got."
"I see. So where is this Lord of the woods?" Ash asks.
"You'll find Kleavor at Grandtree Arena. That's in the very heart of the Heartwood. His warden is a boy named Lian. Lian is a brilliant child but also a bit...Well. Sometimes brilliance can be blinding, you know. He'll tell you all about his beloved Kleavor - whether you wish him to or not." Mai replies.
"Anyway, I'm sure you're up to the challenge...so we'll be counting on you! See you later!" Then Adaman and Mai leave the room, Akari says, "He certainly left quickly once he'd finished talking. I suppose he really values his time."
"Adaman and Mai weren't wrong, you know. If you're to study and perhaps even quell Kleavor, you'd best start by visiting his abode." Laventon says.
"Our new Heights Camp would be a handy place for setting out toward Grandtree Arena. And you should stop by the pastures, too. You'll want to choose the best Pokemon to bring." Akari says.
Ash and Serena are now outside of the office, and Ash asks, "Serena, I forgot to ask, but Adaman seems to have the same last name as you...you don't think he..."
"I don't know...one has the same last name as me, and one has the same face like me...do you think I'm..." Serena mutters.
"The descendant of both Diamond and Pearl Clan? Maybe we see them arguing a lot right now, but they might be together in the future? " Ash asks, "Maybe we should have Lillie call your mother to find out."
"But my mother didn't know I am still alive, right?" Serena asks, "I mean, I don't want her to accidentally hurt Lillie or your mother at the matter, though..."
"Don't worry. I don't think it will be that bad." Ash says. "I mean, it will also be sad to keep her in the dark as she might have depression at your demise."
"I know what you mean, I love my mother and my mother loves me. It will be more hurtful if she can't move on." Serena frowns.
Just at the moment, they hear a voice, "Finding yourself unable to pick up the materials you come across? Are satchels always seeming full? If that sounds like you, it'd be wise to lend me your ear a moment and hear what I have to say."
They turn to see a man in a guard's outfit walking towards them. "I am Bagin. And you can carry around even more in that satchel of yours if you learn the trick to packing things in. I can teach you, if you'd like. What do you say?"
"Sure." Ash says, "We could really have some use."
"I like your initiative! My teaching fee is a neat $100. All right?" Bagin asks. Ash hands over the money as he starts to work on the bag, only to add one more space. "And that's all there is to it! You see how much more you can fit in by packing things rightly? If you want to be able to carry even more things, there's more I could teach you. What do you say?"
Then he asks for 200$ for one more space, and then 300$, they realize that it will become more expensive the more they space they ask, and they decide to stop after spending 1500$ for 5 spaces.
"There are times when a single extra item can mean the difference between life or death, you know." Bagin says as he leaves.
"Well, I know what he means, we really need a lot of means to survive, and if we don't have space to put Potions, we won't be able to heal Pokemon, or if we don't have space to put Poke Balls, we can't do the quests to catch Pokemon." Ash says.
"But surely, I really miss my old bag, we can put much more stuff inside." Serena frowns.
"We did come to the world with empty pockets and empty items." Ash says with a sigh.
They decide to do another request as they find a woman named Radisa on the second floor. "Oh, splendid! You came along at a good time. I'm looking for a pickling stone, you see. Would you mind lending me a hand? It needs to be the right size to fit atop one of my pickle pots and heavy enough to put nice, firm pressure on the pickles while they're fermenting."
"So we need to find a huge stone?" Serena asks. "I don't think that is hard..."
"Hmm...But I suppose it'll be hard for me to lift such a heavy thing from the pot...The best thing would be for the stone to lift itself up, actually...Oh! I've a rather good idea. There's a Pokemon called Geodude that lives on Deertrack Heights - it would be perfect for the job! Could you catch one and bring it back to me? I'll head home and wait for you there."
As the woman leaves, Ash says, "Well, I do have another Geodude in our party. Maybe I should give one to her."
After searching for her house, with the help of Arc Phone as it has recorded the location of the quest, Ash gives her a Geodude.
"Oh my! Would you look at that! It really does look like a rock! And it seems to be the ideal weight, too. Oh, it's simply perfect! Thank you, young man and lady. With this Geodude's help, I'll surely make some scrumptious pickles!"
And she gives them 3 Honey Cakes and an Exp Candy S. to both Ash and Serena. They put it into the satchels and leave to the Gate.
But when they get outside, they are going towards the Obsidian Fieldlands. But they are stopped by a voice from Volo.
"How are things, my good friend!" Ash and Serena turn around to see him and he says, "I certainly hope you're putting that Secret Back Strike Technique I taught you to good use!"
"Well, that was really nice to use." Ash says.
"Either way, I have some Super Potions here, just for you!" Volo says.
"Wait, don't we need to buy it from you since you're from the Ginkgo Guild?" Serena asks.
"Oh, think nothing of it! Having the Survey Corps out and about studying Pokemon is great for business, you know. Supporting you now is actually an investment in my own fortunes!" Volo smiles and hands over the Super Potions. "And now I must depart! There are ruins that are just calling to me!"
Ash and Serena shrug as they leave to the Obsidian Fieldlands, and thanks to the carriages, they are now at the Hights Camp without the need to walk some more.
Here is a new chapter, and both Ash and Serena are second rank members, and they finished 12 side requests, there are a total 94 of them and I will write down all of them considering this story is also a guide. I hope you like this chapter.