Chapter 7: Dungeon Researchers

Roku's P.O.V.

Violet City PokeMart

I stepped into the PokeMart to see one of the nerdiest people I've ever seen. I could already tell that he worked for Professor Elm.

"Ah, there you are, Roku!" he said, immediately recognizing me. "Are you prepared to take care of this Egg?"

"Yeah," I said, not quite sure how to answer.

"OK, I'll leave you to it." The aide handed me the Egg. Right once I grabbed it, it started to glow slightly.

"Professor Elm said that it would hatch only if carried by an active Trainer," the aide explained. "So then, he suggested that I come to Violet City in hopes of finding you here. And that's how I came to be here."

"Uh…OK," I said, not sure why he would explain his situation.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I must be getting back to the Lab," the aide said. "Take good care of that Egg, OK?"

The aide slid past me and exited the PokeMart. I took this opportunity to load up on any supplies we might need, as well as some food so we didn't get hungry on our long trip to Azalea Town.

"What? Not a fan of vegan food?" Reia joked.

"No, just not a fan of eating it for the rest of my life," I responded.

We exited the PokeMart and headed out to the gate, only to be stopped by a lady dressed in a very flashy kimono.

"Excuse me, but where did you get that Egg?" she asked politely.

I explained the story to her. She nodded in understanding and said, "So, it was handed on to Mr. Pokémon, then down to Professor Elm, then to you."

"Yeah, that's the gist of it," I confirmed.

The Kimono Girl nodded again, then looked at Reia. Her eyes lit up. "Reia!"

"Hi, Zuki, how goes it?" Reia said, smiling.

"Good! We recently got another one. This one we will make sure stays out of Team Prime's hands!"

"Wait…You're a Legend Keeper?" I asked. "And who is this Team Prime?"

"Oh, uh…Who are these 'Legend Keepers' you speak of?" Zuki said nervously, trying to cover up her last statement.

"It's OK, Zuki," Reia reassured her. "He already knows. He can be trusted."

"Oh, well, in that case…" Zuki said. "Team Prime is the very group that we save the Legendary Pokémon from. They aim to use their power to take over the world."

"So, which one have we liberated this time?" Reia asked.

"Her name is Latias," Zuki explained. "She originates from the Hoenn region. We found her hiding out in the Burned Tower."

"Wait…did you say Latias?!" I said, my heart skipping a beat.

"Yes, why?" Zuki asked, confused.

"Well, I never told Reia about this, but Latias and I are very good friends," I explained, the memories flooding back into my mind. "She crash-landed in New Bark Town one night two years ago. Professor Elm and I nursed her back to full health, and we've been friends ever since. But one night, she just left all of a sudden. As a matter of fact, that's the reason I left New Bark Town. I had to find her."

"So THAT'S who your friend was!" Reia exclaimed. "I honestly wasn't expecting that."

"That's very sweet," Zuki said. "I will tell you that Latias constantly thinks about you."

Just then, a call rang in on Zuki's P*DA. She answered it with a polite "Hello?"

"Zuki, it's Lance!" said a frantic voice. "We've been attacked! It was Jay! He was after Latias!"

"What?!" she exclaimed. "Is she OK?"

"Yes, she's a little shaken up, but she's not injured," Lance replied. "She keeps muttering something like 'where's Roku' or something like that. Does this mean anything to you?"

"She needs me," I said.

"It has no meaning to me," Zuki lied flawlessly. "But I'll look into it. In the meantime, make sure she doesn't leave. I'll be there as soon as possible."

Zuki hung up and said, "Come. You must follow us to Ecruteak City if you wish to see Latias again."

I nodded and followed Zuki to Route 36, where she said, "There's a shortcut here! It's the fastest way to Ecruteak from here!"

We made our way to the shortcut, which was blocked off by an odd-looking tree.

"What the…?" I said, curious about the tree.

"I've got this," Zuki said. "Go, Umbreon!"

Zuki threw out her Poke Ball, revealing a slender black fox-like Pokémon.

So that's an Umbreon…I thought to myself as I pulled out my P*DA and accessed the Pokedex.

"Umbreon, the Moonlight Pokémon and one of the eight evolutions of Eevee," the Pokedex rattled off. "When exposed to the moon's aura, the rings on its body glow faintly, and it's filled with a mysterious power."

"Umbreon, use Cut!" Zuki ordered.

"Time to slice and dice!" Umbreon said aggressively, sending an extended claw flying at the tree. However, the claw merely bounced off of the tree and didn't leave a single scratch on it. Although, it did wiggle slightly.

"What?! But how?!" Umbreon shouted in disbelief.

"Well, this is troubling," Zuki said. "Looks like we'll have to go the long way around."

"What?!" I shouted. "But I can't! Latias needs me!"

"I understand your concern, but we obviously can't do anything with this 'tree' in our path!" Zuki shot back. "We'll have to go around."

I sighed. I knew that getting angry wasn't going to get me there faster. I calmed myself down and said, "Fine. How long will this take?"

"If we're lucky, about a week," Zuki said. "I'd ask any other Legend Keepers out there if they could give us a lift, but as far as I know, they're all out on assignments."

"OK, then we might as well get moving," I said, heading south. I was eventually stopped by another obstacle. A scientist ran out of a gate and collided with me and Luna, knocking us to the ground.

"Oh! I'm sorry, are you OK?" he said frantically, helping me up.

"Yeah, no harm done," I said, brushing myself off.

"Hey! What's the big idea, running into us like that?!" Luna barked.

"Waah! I'm sorry!" the scientist said.

"Hey, Luna!" I snapped. "He doesn't know what you're saying."

"Oh, right…" Luna said, backing down.

"Sorry," I apologized. "Luna's a bit on the sassy side, if you catch my drift."

"No problem," the scientist said. He held out a hand. "My name is Carter. I'm a dungeon researcher."

"I'm Roku Kimura," I said, shaking his hand. "I'm a Pokémon Trainer."

"Wait, you're a Pokémon Trainer?!" he said excitedly. "You're just the kind of person I was looking for! I need your help!"

"No problem. What's up?" I said calmly.

"My assistant has been trapped in one of the chambers we've been researching and can't find her way out!" Carter explained. "I was going to ask the Violet City Gym Leader for help until you came along."

"Well, I defeated the Violet City Gym Leader, for your information," I bragged, flashing my shiny new Zephyr Badge. "So, how's about you direct us to the chamber?"

Carter nodded and motioned us to follow him.

"You're a really good actor, you know that?" Luna said.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, confused.

"You acted like such a big shot back there. It was actually kind of pathetic."

"What's so pathetic about being confident about my skill?" I asked. "I defeated a Gym Leader on my first try."

"You mean, WE defeated the Gym Leader on our first try?" Reia chimed in.

"You know what I mean," I said, smiling.


Latias' P.O.V.

Legend Keeper HQ, Johto Division

"Roku…Wh-Where's Roku…?"

Lance sat beside Latias as she continuously muttered that phrase. It was driving him up the wall, but he knew that the events that had unfolded that night slightly traumatized her. He eventually stood up and walked out of Latias' room to go contact the physician.

Once Lance left, Latias stood up and fully camouflaged herself so that she was completely invisible.

They stopped me this time, but they won't get me today.

Latias opened her door slowly and slipped past the guards that were guarding her room. She laughed silently when she saw that they were asleep.

Now THAT'S pathetic, she thought to herself.

She noticed that the elevator leading out to the Dance Theater was open and waiting. Two of the five Kimono girls were stepping in. She got through just as the doors were closing.

Phew…that was close, she thought. I'm almost there.

"So, where are you going, Latias?"

Those words sent a chill through Latias' spine.

"You forget that we can read minds," one of the Kimono Girls said. She got on her P*DA and rang into the boss.

"Cedric, it's Naoko. We caught Latias trying to escape. Give us your order."

"Send her back to her room. We can't risk Team Prime getting their hands on her."

"Please, Naoko," Latias begged. "I can't take being trapped in this place. I have to find Roku."

"As much as I would love to help you, my orders are above all else," Naoko said. "Unless you were to, oh, I don't know, viciously attack us and escape…"

Latias looked at Naoko. "Really…"

"Go ahead. We'll make sure they don't find you."

Latias nodded. "Thank you, and sorry for this."

Latias turned invisible and struck Naoko and the other Kimono Girl with a vicious claw. The elevator opened to the Ecruteak Dance Theater, and Latias quickly made her escape to the outside world.


Roku's P.O.V.

Ruins of Alph

Carter had directed us to the chamber that his assistant was trapped in. The door was tightly shut, and Carter explained that she couldn't open the door without solving some sort of puzzle first.

"Is there any way we can get into the chamber?" I asked.

"There is, but it'll be tough," he warned us. "Follow me."

Carter led us to another small building that housed a small wall with an odd pattern inscribed on it.

"We've been trying to solve this puzzle for a long time," Carter explained. "Think you can solve it?"

"I don't know what help I can be, but I'll give it a try." I stepped up to the panel.

It was actually quite easy. It was just a picture of a Kabuto set up on moving panels. Once I finished moving all of the panels into their correct positions, the picture glowed brightly.

Then I realized that the floor had opened up beneath me, and we were standing on nothing.

"Ah, crap," I said before falling through the hole.


Jay's P.O.V.

Team Prime HQ

"Hmm…you've failed me yet again, Jay…"

"Heh, uh," Jay said nervously. "You heard about that, huh?"

The boss whirled around and gave him an ice cold stare.

"Cut the crap! I will not tolerate your insolence!" he shouted. "You failed! What else is there to say?!"

"That wasn't my fault!" Jay shot back. "You know how strong Lance is! I didn't stand a chance!"

The boss laughed. He knew that Jay was starting to get desperate for another chance.

"You remember what I said would happen if any of you failed again?" the boss said coldly.

"No! Please, boss, I'm begging here!" Jay said desperately, hitting his knees.

"Hmm…Fine."

Jay looked up. "Say what?"

"I'll give you a chance to redeem yourself, Jay," the boss said. "But to do so, you'll need more strength." The boss pulled out a box with three Poke Balls in it. "Contained in these Balls are three of the most powerful Legendary Pokémon in the world. Choose one."

Jay stood up and walked over to the boss' desk, looking at the three Poke Balls. He could feel a massive power emanating from all three of them. After some serious consideration, he picked the one on the left.

"Ah, Giratina, the Renegade Pokémon," the boss said, smiling cruelly. "A suitable choice."

Jay bowed and said, "Thanks, boss! You won't regret this!" Then he ran out of the boss' office before he could do anything else.

"You just LET him have a powerful Pokémon like that?!" said Darkrai as he exited the shadows.

"You worry too much, Darkrai," the boss said. "Jay knows nothing of Giratina's true power. He's too stupid to find out, anyway."

"You'd better hope you're right about that," Darkrai warned, retreating into the shadows.


Roku's P.O.V.

Ruins of Alph

"Is everyone all right?" Carter shouted.

"OW! Not so loud!" I shouted back. "This place has an echo!"

We had landed in some sort of chamber after solving that puzzle and falling through the floor. It was pitch-black in that chamber.

"Does anyone have a Pokémon who has Flash?" Carter asked.

I slapped myself in the forehead. I knew I should've caught a Bellsprout.

"Maybe I can help," I heard Zuki say. "Does anyone have a Flash TM on them at the moment?"

I felt around in my Bag until I found my TMs. I handed them to Zuki, saying one of those was Flash. She sent out her Umbreon and fired up one of the TMs, facing it at Umbreon. Soon, Umbreon's fur lit up brightly, blinding all of us who were unaware.

"OK! It works!" I said, rubbing my sore eyes and taking my TMs back from Zuki.

"Right, now let's get a move on," Carter said.

"Carter? Is that you?!" shouted a voice from farther in.

"Aria! Are you hurt in any way?" Carter shouted back.

"I'm fine! But I still can't find a way out!" she answered.

"Sit tight!" Carter said. "I brought help! We're on our way!"

We navigated to the place Aria was sitting. Upon seeing Carter, she jumped up and hugged him.

"Carter! I was so scared!" she cried.

"Wait a minute…" Reia said. "I've seen her face before…"

Aria looked up from Carter's shoulder and instantly froze. "Legend Keepers?!"

Carter whirled around and looked at us. "Roku, is that true?"

"I knew it!" Reia shouted. "They're from Team Prime! What are you creeps doing here?!"

"We were investigating the Ruins of Alph to see if they held any connection to the Legendary Pokémon of Johto," Aria explained. "Then I got myself trapped in this chamber and couldn't get out! I sent Carter to find help, but I didn't expect him to run into Legend Keepers! So now I'm gonna have to make sure you don't leave here alive!"

"Roku, stand back!" Zuki said. "I'll take care of Aria."

"Fine, then I've got Carter!" I shouted.

Aria and Carter pulled out their Poke Balls.

"Go, Salamence!" Aria shouted, releasing the massive blue Dragon-type Pokémon.

"Go, Umbreon!" Zuki shouted, sending her Pokémon into battle.

"I didn't want to have to do this, Roku," Carter said. "But I've got no choice. Go, Fennekin!"

"Go, Luna!" I shouted, sending my Pokémon in.

Fennekin flared its nostrils and directed its attention at me.

"C'mon! Let's battle!" he said. "I've been itching to fight someone the entire time he's had me!"

"Wait, so you've never battled before?" I said.

The Fennekin faltered slightly. "Well, no, not exactly…"

I faltered slightly as well. I was about to destroy an innocent Pokémon. Despite being the Pokémon of a Team Prime Trainer, Fennekin did nothing wrong.

"Hey, Fennekin!" Luna said. "Do you like being with that Trainer?"

"Are you freaking KIDDING me?!" Fennekin snapped. "I hate him! But I've got no choice but to battle with him! He has my Poke Ball…"

Now I really felt sorry for him. I felt like I had to save him from Carter.

"Enough chatting!" Carter snapped. "Fennekin, use Ember!"

"You don't have to do this, Fennekin," Luna said softly. "If you truly don't want to be with him, then release your bond with him and join us."

Fennekin stood there, unsure of what to do. Then, he stiffened his expression and walked up to Luna.

"You…want me to join you?" Fennekin asked.

"We really could use your help," I said. "But it's all up to you."

Fennekin thought for a little bit, then nodded and faced Carter, fangs bared.

"What…? Fennekin, what are you doing?!" Carter shouted. "You're saying that you want to be with HIM?"

As though Fennekin was showing proof, the Poke Ball that contained his DNA exploded, covering Carter in a cloud of smoke. Acting quickly, I pulled out one of my Poke Balls and threw it at Fennekin, hitting him and pulling him into the virtual environment.

It wiggled once…twice…three times…


Zuki's P.O.V.

Ruins of Alph

"Umbreon, use Faint Attack!"

Umbreon disappeared, showing up behind Salamence and hitting him hard.

"Salamence, use Dragon Claw!"

Salamence's claws flared up, and he swung, only to hit thin air.

"Now, Umbreon, use Dark Pulse!"

Umbreon launched a powerful beam of dark energy at Salamence, engulfing him in a black aura. Salamence hit the ground, fainted.

"What…?" Aria said silently. She couldn't believe the events that had just unfolded.

Aria looked at Carter, who was black from all the smoke, and said, "Let's get out of here!"

She returned Salamence to his Poke Ball and ran off, unaware that they were still trapped.


Roku's P.O.V.

Ruins of Alph

I laughed as the two Trainers stumbled around to try and find their way out. It was funny, but then I remembered that we were in the same predicament.

"Not for long, we're not," Zuki said as if she read my mind. She produced a second Poke Ball from her kimono and tossed it, shouting, "Go, Raikou!"

I was awe-struck as Raikou was released from the Poke Ball. I had only heard stories about Raikou and his counterparts from my childhood, but now he was standing right before me, looking as majestic and powerful as a thundercloud itself.

"Whoa…" I managed to say. I pulled out my P*DA and loaded the Pokedex to get his entry.

"Raikou, the Thunder Pokémon," the Pokedex said. "Raikou is said to have fallen with lightning. This Legendary Pokémon can fire thunderbolts from the rain clouds on its back."

"Raikou, I need you to open up a hole so we can get out of here," Zuki said calmly.

"As you wish, partner," Raikou said. The rain clouds on his back began to spark with electricity.

"Raikou, use Thunderbolt!" Zuki shouted.

Raikou released a massive stream of electricity, blasting a hole in the floor big enough to fit Arceus Himself through.

"Let's move," Raikou said, beckoning us to climb on his back. I was unsure that Raikou could even carry all of us, but we all managed to fit on his back, and Raikou full-on leapt out of the chamber and out into the Ruins of Alph.


Author's note: So there's Roku's second encounter with a Legendary Pokémon, and it would turn out to be one of his (and my) favorites. And now he has a brand new partner in the form of a Fennekin, a Pokémon that can't be found in the Johto region. This is shaping up to be pretty interesting, eh?

Anyway, the group will be tackling the Union Cave next (yay…), and I'm thinking about making the Egg hatch during that time. I'm gonna tell you right now, it's not going to be what you all think it's going to be. Or is it…?

I'll leave you to figure that out. But for now, this is Strato Abyss signing out.