Uncharted Hearts:
Part 3 Worry Not
It is noisy inside the cafeteria, despite there being no sound from the huge aircraft outside a few storeys down on the runway, taking off or landing every few minutes. The five hundred new trainers now with their supervisors, are spread about the airport in groups, making the place lively and busy. Professor Oak is walking back from the counter, carrying a tray of bites and beverages, while Delia sits by the large window overlooking the many airliners from all around the world, just watching them pass by like they were born to fly. She remembers her son's very first time leaving home to journey independently through Kanto, and already misses him.
She does not understand why Ash has not yet arrived, when she knows he should have been here by now with both Misty and Brock, landing in a small aircraft owned by Tracy's father on the mini runway closest to the large building. So what could possibly have happened? The main reason she wanted to sit by the window was to see her son's arrival with his friends, and watch the moment he would stare in amazement upon the grandeur of this place. A new memory she would never forget. Unaware of her surroundings, she does not notice Professor Oak placing her tea on the table, or the fact that he is speaking to her.
"Here is your Roserade tea, Delia." Delia just sighs. "Delia?"
"Oh…" she turns to him, "...professor. Sorry. I'm worried about Ash and his friends. They haven't got here yet."
"I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason as to why they are running late."
"I guess, but he hasn't called. And when he doesn't call, I know something is up."
"He'll call you when he can, Delia. I assure you. Besides. He never called you often when he travelled around before."
"I guess you're right, Samuel. But he did call at first, every time he got to a city with a gym in Kanto."
"Yes. He did, didn't he?"
"But I just don't like that he hasn't called."
"He most likely thought to call you once he arrived here. But I'm sure everything is fine."
"I hope you're right, professor. But after those strange happenings on the way here, I'm afraid things may not be what they seem." Samuel pours her drink.
"Professor Aspen might be able to enlighten us on whatever may be going on. But until she arrives, we'll be left in the dark about this."
Footsteps are soon heard behind the pair of them, and as they turn, Samuel's face brightens up in seconds.
"Hey there gramps."
"Oh. Hey Gary. How have you been?"
"I've been doing great actually."
"That's good to hear. So. What have you been up to lately?"
"Eh. Nothing much. My studies have been alright, but studying to be a Pokémon Professor is really hard work."
"Tell me about it. It took me a long while, but I've heard about all your good research lately. I'm sure you'll do fine."
"Thanks, gramps." He seems to go into thought, glancing at Delia and not seeing Ash there with his friends. He expected Ash to be there, but found it odd that he was not. "But where's Ash? Shouldn't he have arrived by now with Misty and Brock?"
Delia just sighs at a loss, looking out of the window again in hope her boy was there, on his way to her.
"We don't know why ourselves. But I'm sure he is fine. Might just be held up somewhere."
"We won't know until he arrives, or when something else happens."
"Well. Something did happen on our way here. I'm not sure if you witnessed what me and Delia did though. But it was two Legendary Pokémon that flew by, and all the Pokémon in the vicinity of the plane acted frightened afterwards. It was rather strange."
"Yes. I heard about what happened. I was looking for Professor Aspen in light that she could explain more about it, but I haven't seen her yet."
"She might very well be in Sacriotu City, setting everything up for tomorrow." He recalls why Gary is there. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"No sweat! I have everything under control and memorised. It is also why I will remain here after the Pokémon Lecture is finished with."
"Found something of interest have we?"
"Yeah. The rare, ancient and fossil Pokémon here."
"Oh. I, too, am willing to learn about all the new Pokémon here."
"There's quite a lot, from what I've heard. Not sure how many though."
It is then that the news channel is suddenly turned up, showing the remains of an aircraft and the firefighters that put it out. Lying on the ground behind them are two body bags, with forensic scientists also at the scene. A reporter by the name of Lydia Stern is on the screen with a microphone to her lips.
'I am here on the beach from the Cliffs of Oragen.' She stands at the left of the screen side on, to show the scene behind her, as the entire cafeteria of people look at the television, but Delia is extensively worried knowing Ash, Misty and Brock were travelling by biplane.
"Delia?" Professor Oak asks concerned, but Delia just continues watching the news in silence.
'As you can see behind me, there are remains of an aircraft where firefighters have just been at work putting out a blaze with their Pokémon. Two bodies have been pulled from the wreckage, but sadly neither of them survived whatever may have happened.' The camera is moved to show both Officer Jenny and one of the firefighters, standing beside each other. 'I have with me Camarra City's Officer Jenny and Captain Shuko Akane of the Camarra City Fire Department.' They both nod to show they are ready for questions, as the camera pans to Lydia's left. 'I also have with me, Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Fiadh McNamara.' Fiadh nods as well. 'So. What exactly caused this blaze to happen?' Lydia asks looking to Officer Jenny, before holding the microphone out to her, as the camera zooms out to show all four of them.
'As of right now, we are unable to share any more information upon this matter other than what we already know. We have forensic scientists at the wreckage in hope that we get some light as to who or what caused this,' she answers.
Lydia brings the microphone back to her mouth and looks to Shuko. 'Is there any chance the blaze might start up again?' She repeats the previous motion.
'Considering the good work of my firefighters, not even a smolder remains. But we are in the process of finding the other half of the aircraft with help from the coast guards that patrol this section of the shore. We received a call from a young man earlier today, and were on the scene in a very short time,' he states.
Finally Lydia looks to Fiadh. 'I believe you were a witness to a few things Lieutenant Commander. Can you shed some light upon what you saw?' She brings the microphone towards Fiadh.
'It was hard to get a good look or even understand what was going on, due to how fast it all happened, but I remember hearing a loud boom which made me hurry on out of the coast guard hut we have on this beach. What I saw was a large collapse of the cliff nearby, and before I knew it, an explosion happened high above the ocean amidst a ray of bright light in the distance. It was awful, learning that the two victims didn't make it. But as Captain Shuko Akane stated, I have my coast guards searching the entirety of this shore for anything that may help with this investigation,' she concludes.
'I recall you spoke with six Pokémon Trainers while you had the blaze under control Captain,' Lydia continues, looking to Shuko once more. 'Is this correct?'
'Yes. Three young lads, and three young lasses. I asked if they knew the two victims, and one young lass said they were their pilots. The eldest lad explained to me that two Pokémon were fighting, after I asked if they knew what happened. I believe he mentioned the Mythical Pokémon Lunes and Solos.'
The entire cafeteria fills with gasps among other worried or surprised noises.
'He gave me much explanation about Solos and the villainous organisation called Team Umbra. He said Solos used him to tell the others about what had been going on at the time, then showed me a Tear from Solos himself. They had injuries that I presumed were from the accident, then a young man with a Pikachu...'
"Ash…" Delia tries to say, but chooses to remain silent while the news continues.
'...and what I think was a Noivern, informs me that he was involved in the accident as well as the lass and eldest lad with him. He said that if their Pokémon hadn't saved them, then he doubted that either him or the two with him would've survived their ordeal.'
'Thank you Captain Shuko, Lieutenant Commander Fiadh and Officer Jenny,' Lydia states after bringing the microphone back to her mouth. 'And there you have it. We will keep you informed on any new updates to what happened here. This has been Lydia Stern. Back to the studio.'
"Well. At least we know Ash, Misty and Brock are still alive. That's the best news I've heard all day," Gary says, as an attempt to cheer up Delia. "You see. He'll be here before you know it."
"I guess. But at least we know they're all alright. I can relax now, knowing my Ash is on his way here. Thank you, Gary."
"Don't mention it."
Delia goes straight to her Roserade Tea, now in the state of mind that she is certain her son is on his way.
Professor Aspen is already on the computer phone to the Oragen Town Pokémon Lab, remembering the news she had just heard about the aircraft accident on the beach. Behind her, many people are setting the large hall up ready for tomorrow, with over five hundred chairs lined up in rows. The stage is also getting made ready for the Pokémon Lecture event, including the lights and cameras that are now being tested. With a worried countenance, she keeps the phone to her ear listening to the dial tone hoping someone will answer her. She understands that they may be busy, and is very patiently watching the screen before her.
'Hello…' a voice answers as the screen reveals a young man with square glasses that he sets there on his nose, the phone to his ear. '...Oh. Professor Aspen. How may I help you?'
"Kyle! Are they there?"
'Who, Professor?' Kyle asks.
"Ash, Misty and Brock."
'No. They left only moments ago.'
Professor Aspen sighs in relief. "Oh, good."
'What's the matter, Professor? Has something happened?'
"The accident."
'Oh. The plane accident.'
"Are they alright? Is anyone hurt?"
'Don't worry so much, Professor. Marcel, Tara and Román arrived with them safely. Though all three of them were injured including the Pokémon that well, saved them. Susie can't quite ponder how Pokémon can do such a thing.'
"They were injured? How badly?" Aspen questions, keeping to the main subject.
'Nothing grave. Nurse Joy checked them all over. Misty is fine, despite the head injury she received. But Ash may have cracked ribs, and Brock well, his leg is broken. I was particularly worried about Ash's Noivern, but Tara helped them both out as best she could.'
"So all three of them were safely found? That is good news."
'Sadly, their two pilots didn't make it. And the police still don't know their names.'
"I know. The news was put on down here too. They don't even know what caused the accident in the first place."
'Well. There is the issue with the two Mythical dragon-types mentioned, and whatever Team Umbra are planning.'
"Lunes and Solos yes. But whatever happened to Solos may be bad, considering his Tear that Brock now has it seems."
'If Brock has it, then that can only mean Solos used his Psychic Link ability on him. They will remain connected via that Tear at all costs. This is an opportunity for us. While Brock has the Tear, we can use it to help find Team Umbra's base.'
"That is far too risky and dangerous, Kyle." Professor Aspen does not sound very amused.
'Huh?'
"Think about Team Umbra. What will happen if they figure out the location of the Oragen Town Laboratory? We cannot risk losing valuable data on all of Criolu's Mythical and Legendary Pokémon. And if they get their hands on it…"
'I see,' Kyle interrupts, knowing what Professor Aspen will say next. 'You think they may be after all the Mythical and Legendary Pokémon here. But so long as the remaining Mythical Pokémon stay hidden, they will never get a single Legendary.'
"They have already captured Lunes and Solos. We cannot afford them to capture any more. They keep the balance. If that balance is corrupted, we will lose Criolu to the destruction of Ophiudian and Dracomonarchus, as they fight for control over the entire land. If Ophiudian gains the rights to Criolu, no one here will be safe. But if Dracomonarchus gains these rights, no one will be free. That is after the destruction they cause, as they battle it out until only one remains, and then everything we know will be under new order. We need Artaeziem to remain in control. But I fear Team Umbra may be after him too."
'Why do you say that, Professor?'
"Arceus didn't appear out of nowhere, Kyle. Artaeziem, our God, created him in order to make the Pokémon world as we know it today. If Team Umbra gets to him, we will lose this world to their malice."
'I understand.'
"Besides. When Brock arrives with Ash and Misty. I will study the Tear myself."
'But the barrier that would manifest? Are you sure?' Kyle questions with worry.
"I'm sure I'll be able to handle studying it at a distance," Professor Aspen replies rather confident in herself. "Who knows? I might even find a way to have Solos trust other humans, and then I'd be able to handle the Tear myself."
'Well. Good luck to you if you figure something out.'
'Kyle!' a feminine voice calls, coaxing Kyle to look over his shoulder. 'I need your help on this theory of mine please.'
'Sure, Susie.' Kyle looks back to the screen. 'Well. I better go, Professor. Good luck with all the setting up and I hope Ash, Misty and Brock arrive on time. If I know Marcel, Tara and Román, that would be the first thing on their minds, if nothing has happened on the way.'
"Yes. I believe so too. Anyway. Taa-taa for now."
'Bye, Professor.'
The screen then goes blank before Professor Aspen returns the phone to the receiver. She could not help but sigh again in relief, knowing her guests are all alright. This in turn coaxes a member of staff to come over and check on her, where she casually says everything is fine before going back to work setting everything up ready for tomorrow.
Román is still backstepping to keep his distance from the strange new Pokémon he has never seen before, but it just continues walking up to him carrying the Spierdeicus that it caught. What could Román do? If he ran, he would just be followed, and that would be no help for either of them. The worst thing happens, when he ends up backing into a tree with nowhere to go, his fear too great for him to think straight. That is when the antelope just places the weakened spider at his feet, nodding towards him to show it is not a threat as it simply sits down watching him, a purple aura surrounding its pine green and vine covered body.
Now that Román has a better look at this new Pokémon, he notices the vines wrapped around the antelope's entire body and huge antlers like bandages on a mummy. Growing from them are betel leaves. The antelope's underfur is jungle green, but despite being admired, it just continues watching Román with its innocent orange eyes. Román looks at the Spierdeicus and notices the clear burn marks on its two front legs, before he comes to a conclusion as he calms himself down.
"A… Are you giving it to me?"
The antelope makes a short and deep masculine call in agreement with Román.
"Th… Thank you, for catching it for me. You probably already know. But this Spierdeicus is the one that bit my Croagard and poisoned her."
The antelope makes a different call and nods, before quickly disappearing like it was never there to begin with. Román could not help but notice that the antelope specifically looked amidst the trees as though something was going to appear there any moment. Before he could ponder if it may be a danger, a recognisable voice informs them on the current situation, albeit with a tired strain.
"Man. Rushing here is tiring."
"Kobayashi?" Román asks, wondering why he rushed.
He takes a deep breath, as a means to feel less tired. "Mine is getting rather exhausted keeping the poison from spreading. I need the Spierdeicus now."
"Here." Román holds it up for him.
Kobayashi jumps down to the ground and takes it from Román's hands. "Great! But what were those noises I heard?"
"An antelope, obviously," Tara says. "Didn't they teach you animal sounds in Pokémon school?"
"Eh. That was a while ago. I'm not gonna remember much afterwards, am I?"
"It wasn't just an antelope though," Misty explains. "I think it was, Forittep."
"Either way," Marcel continues. "We should be getting back. You especially, Kobayashi. Croagard needs that anti-venom."
"On it!" He jumps back into the tree in seconds. "Riku will lead you back. I have ribbons along the path to the hut. See you later!" Without a second thought, Kobayashi heads back into the trees.
Moments later, the antelope reappears much to the confusion of all in the immediate vicinity.
"Thank you again, for catching that Spierdeicus for me." Román reaches out with his hand slowly, so as to not freak out the Pokémon, and the antelope without hesitation rests his forehead against it, closing his eyes in thanks.
"Are you, Forittep?" Marcel questions, before the antelope simply turns to him and nods before disappearing again.
"Damn it! I was gonna record him!" Tara complains holding up her Pokédex hoping Forittep would return, but he never does.
"I doubt he will let you record him, Tara," Román states. "He's a mythical Pokémon after all."
"But…"
"Well. Now that we know it was Forittep, all we can do is head on back to Kobayashi's hut," Misty assures.
"I agree," Román concludes. "I can't wait to see Croagard well again."
Without wasting any more time, Riku goes straight to leading the group back to Kobayashi's hut, searching for the ribbons tied to the branches. If he recalls, when on the right, that means the hut is in that direction, and no distraction will take his mind elsewhere. Not even when he notices both Farox and Labrudeo, pricking up their ears and looking up expecting something to be there.
Marcel follows their gazes, but he sees nothing but the canopy of the forest. "Huh? What do you both see?" He watches as they still look, tilting back an ear in unison as if to say they are confused.
"Maybe they hear something we don't yet," Misty states, informing Marcel that she too notices them acting this way. "But let's just head back."
"Right," Marcel replies, but he glances up once more wondering, still following Riolu with the others.
They reach the hut in no time at all, Riolu first on the rungs of the ladder. Farox and Labrudeo are casually running up the twisting wooden stairs, surprisingly with Lacea trailing behind. If they were racing Farox was winning, but Farox clearly seems like he wants to hurry back to Ash. Despite the lengthy climb, both Pokémon make it inside the hut before Riolu even reaches the top of the ladder, and already Farox is nuzzling Ash impatiently.
"Hey again, Farox." He laughs while giving his friend some much needed fuss. "Did you have fun?"
"Far. Far."
"That's good."
Lacea is just laying on the floor beside Jasenria who is still silent. But Meditite is not chanting like she was before she left. Has the worst happened before they could get back? In moments she receives a hand on her head by Brock, who now gently strokes her.
"Don't worry, Lacea. She's got through the worst of it. We're just waiting."
"Lab?" Lacea looks up to him, tilting both her ears back.
"Yes. Kobayashi got the medicine to her in time. She's had a dose of the anti-venom and we're just waiting for it to work its magic. She'll be back to normal before you know it."
"Labru," Lacea replies, before laying down again just watching her.
"Is she alright?" Marcel asks upon climbing the last rung and stepping inside.
"As I was telling Lacea here…" he strokes her once more. "...she's got through the worst of it and we're just waiting."
"Oh, good."
"Jasenria!" Román calls, before hurrying on over to her once he reaches the flat wooden floor.
"Román! Warn me next time you go to shout!" Tara complains as she clambers up, Adiemus nestled comfortably around her shoulders. "I nearly lost my footing after you made me jump!"
"Sorry, Tara. But I've been worried about Jasenria ever since she was bitten."
"I know. But you could at least be a little quieter about it." She is soon silent when she sees Román rest his hand on Jasenria's forehead. "Sorry for complaining. But I'm sure she is fine." She watches Riku playing with Mine, and decides to let Adiemus join in. "Go on Adiemus. Have some fun."
"Adera?" he replies looking up to her.
"Unless you want to stay with Jasenria." She lets her Aderalite slither down her arm where he then heads straight to Jasenria, stopping beside Coreonus hoping to see her back to normal.
"I find it weird giving Pokémon actual names," Ash begins. "I mean. That's a new training in itself, where you have to train them to know their names."
"Naming isn't for everyone, Ash," Brock states. "It's all up to the trainer."
"I know."
Croagard then starts to move her head.
"Jasenria?"
"That's the sign we've all been waiting for," Kobayashi says. "I probably should've mentioned that I already had an antivenom from Spierdeicus here."
"So was it all just a waste of time?" Román questions, ill amused.
"No, not at all. I needed to make a pint of Spierdeicus venom, so I could freeze it to -20 celsius ready to be sent to the lab. And Spierdeicus are very rare to find. You could've got any Spierdeicus, but all I needed was one to fill the pint-sized vial of mine."
"But I thought it could only be the one that bit Jasenria. Now I just feel like I wasted everyone's time."
"It is okay, Román," Marcel replies. "You didn't know, and were just trying to do what was best for your Pokémon."
"Besides," Tara continues. "We needed to bring our friendship closer, and working together is the best thing for it."
"Maybe Kobayashi knew you three had to grow closer as friends after what happened," Misty states. "And I just wanted an excuse to do something that didn't involve sitting around."
"And we're boring?" Ash asks a little hurt.
"Oh, Ash! I never said that! I just didn't want to stay here twiddling my thumbs."
"We were twiddling our thumbs too you know. We couldn't do anything else."
"Exactly! You both needed your rest!"
"I guess."
"Well. We were helpful waiting for you," Brock says. "Ash kept his eye on Jasenria and Mine, and I helped tidy the hut, then milked the Spierdeicus when Kobayashi returned with it."
"You were supposed to be resting!"
"Gees Misty. We're not that badly hurt."
"That is besides the point!" Misty sternly replies with a glare.
"Anyway. I am sorry if it felt like I was using you," Kobayashi apologises.
Jasenria moves again, this time a lot more than before. This is the most Román has seen her move ever since she was bitten, and that brings his hopes up that she may indeed be waking up. Coreonus, Adiemus and Lacea are watching with interest now, before Jasenria opens her eyes and looks up at everyone she recognises.
"Croa?"
"Hello, Jasenria," Román greets, tears welling up in his eyes. "It's so good to see you've pulled through."
"Croa!" Jasenria cries, jumping into Román's arms and hugging him tightly. She hops down and hugs Coreonus, Adiemus and Lacea with a new spring in her step as they call, happy that their friend is back to her old self. When she returns to Román's arms, all he can do is hug her silently as he lets his tears fall. "Croa?" She looks up and wipes away his tears. "Croagard, cro-cro."
"Thanks, Jasenria." Román wipes away his tears. "I'm just so happy you're okay."
A very touching reunion is cut short, when Lacea and Farox begin to act strangely, pricking their ears up and looking to the ceiling of the hut. All the other Pokémon there do exactly the same thing, look up.
"Again?" wonders Marcel. "What exactly are they hearing?" Before he can react, both Lacea and Farox run to the outside of the hut, more or less barking at something unseen. "They're acting strange, just like before."
"Could something be happening that we don't know about?" Tara questions.
"We'll only know if we go and check it out," Román concludes, before the sound of a helicopter flying overhead happens. "A helicopter? Here?"
Lacea and Farox charge off ahead and down the sloped stairs, causing Marcel to follow them without thinking. "Oh no! Forittep!" he shouts, much to both Tara and Román's confusion.
"Marcel! Wait!" Tara cries, raising a hand, but Marcel is already gone. Following him surprisingly fast is his Lizarsisar.
