Chapter 29 – The Fresco

The Pokemon moved so fast, Professor Kale didn't have time to react. She was immediately angry that someone would deliberately attempt to destroy historical records, simply because they did not like the idea of the world. The tiny Pokemon launched itself at the fresco, not quite making it.

Jill jumped in the way of the attack, receiving the fast moving Pokemon, which knocked the young woman into the wall behind her. Part of her mind quickly registered that the offending Pokemon was a Sneasel. The Pokeball Jill was holding fell from her hand with the impact, releasing her starter. Jill fell after the hit, winded, but wanting to call Caladan back. The grass type was wearing an expression that was completely different from anything before however. He was truly angry.

Caladan roared a battle cry and sent a flurry of razor leaves at the ice type who was retreating closer to Cyrus. Through the whole thing, the business man looked neutral. While the razor leaf was effective in driving the Sneasel back, it did not stop it from renewing its attack. Claws scrapped at Caladan's back as the smaller Pokemon darted around searching for a soft spot in the grass types armour. Caladan was incensed that someone would attack his trainer and was doing everything to crush the tiny dark type.

It was this raw, untethered emotion which finally unlocked the power Caladan had been feeling growing inside of him. A white glow burst forth, blinding everyone in the cavern. Caladan could feel himself growing, his power stretching down into the earth below him. Large spikes grew out from his shell on his right side, while on his left, the bushes turned into a small tree. His size continued to expand until he was over six feet long. Stone spikes grew out just behind his jawbones, and finally, with his new form, Caladan roared once more. His voice was still the same deep timber, but now it truly held the power of the earth in it. Jill looked on in awe as her starters glow faded down revealing his final form for the first time.

"Cal…" she whispered. His battle cry shook the walls of the cavern. Cyrus looked on, impressed with the young woman's power. This was the first time he had come face to face with a Torterra, and it was certainly an impressive sight. It did not change his goal however. He pointed and his Sneasel darted in once more. This time however, Caladan changed attacks. Pushing himself up off the ground, Caladan slammed his now much heavier body back down creating a massive tremor that knocked everyone to the floor.

Jill was shocked at how powerful Caladan's earthquake attack was. It was also potentially dangerous as more and more dirt was falling around the group. Yelling could be heard from outside which caused Cyrus to look around. The shaking continued however, making it impossible for anyone to enter the cavern. Caladan was now striking out with razor leaves, injuring the opposing ice type. But he was mad. This other trainer and his Pokemon had attacked Jill. All the grass type could see was red. His mind was blank save for a single repeating thought. Protect Jill. Protect Jill. He would bring down the entire mountain if he needed in order to protect his trainer. Cyrus frowned and grabbed another Pokeball. This time he released a Golbat, while recalling his Sneasel.

"Your power is impressive child however, I will not be stopped. Professor you have answered my questions about the beings of time and space. Now Golbat, use air slash" Cyrus commanded. The bat responded immediately sending out sharp blasts of air which cut into Caladan. At the same point, Jill saw a black shape launch itself towards both her and Professor Kale. The grass type was preoccupied and missed it, and Jill was a fraction too slow to bring out another Pokemon. The shadow was basically on top of Jill when a loud bang resonated about the cavern, knocking the young woman down.

Dust was settling along the cavern floor when Jill opened her eyes back up. I must have blacked out she thought as she looked around. Professor Kale was also lying on the ground still unconscious, and not far away was Caladan. He too was groggily getting back to his feet.

"Caladan, are you alright?" Jill asked in the muffled air. The ground type shook his head as if snapping out of a daze and turned to face his trainer.

"I'm alright" the deep gravely voice said. "What was that?" he asked. Jill shook her head, not knowing what had knocked them out. She shakily walked over to the professor and checked on the older woman. Professor Kale seemed to be alright, but Jill still felt that she needed to get help to make sure. The young woman looked around once more at Caladan, noticing that his attention seemed to be elsewhere. Jill followed his gaze back towards the fresco. Her heart froze as the recognized the glowing blood red orbs staring out from the darkness swirling around the glassy surface.

You've gained its trust a disembodied voice said. It's deep ancient timbre Jill seemed to remember from her dreams. You follow the flawed? Jill and Caladan looked at one another not understanding. Suddenly Jill's head felt as though it had been split in two as images flashed through her mind. She couldn't grasp what they all were or what they were about. Caladan seemed to be having a similar experience as he gasped at the barrage.

Answer!

"I follow Jill by choice!" Caladan cried out. The images left as abruptly as they assaulted trainer and Pokemon. Both bowed their heads, Jill falling down to her knees.

By choice… Worthy? Jill snapped her head up at that comment. Worthy? The darkness was shrinking yet those red eyes seemed to bore through the young woman.

"Wait!" Jill yelled. "What do you mean by that?" She ran up to the fresco but never got her answer. She touched a hand to the cool surface, but nothing looked back out. She turned back around to face Caladan.

"What was that about?" the grass type asked.

"I don't know" Jill replied. "But that's not the first time that thing has visited me. I don't know what it wants though."

"Was he asking if you're worthy?" Jill shook her head unsure. Everything about this wasn't making sense to her. A noise behind her made Jill turn back around. People were rushing inside to see what had made such a commotion. Jill took one look back at the frozen fresco before turning her attention to helping people asses and get Professor Kale out of the cavern.

Cyrus was looking down over the city from his office two days after his encounter in the chamber. The sky was grey, threatening the first snow of the season. Tree's lining the streets were barren of any leaves and people walked around huddled against the wind in their heavier jackets. The CEO was still mulling over what the presence could have been that blasted him out of the chamber. He remembered releasing his hound to attack the girl and destroy the fresco, but before his Houndoom could attack, something had poured out of the ancient painting and sent the businessman and his Pokemon hurtling backwards. Cyrus had landed heavily at the entrance and rolled out of the cavern into one of his employees. Apparently both Cyrus and Houndoom had been knocked unconscious so instead of investigating, his grunts had ushered their boss back to his private helicopter and airlifted the man out.

But here was proof that there was something else out there. Something had attacked everyone in that chamber. But which legend was it? Even Saturn was having a hard time pinpointing which one it could have been. Cyrus had met with Charon as well to go over the plans for what they would require of the lake deities. Whatever he had faced in Celestic town was much more powerful than they had anticipated.

The girl was another issue. He would need to keep her away from his plans. There was something about the young woman that confused Cyrus. In her, there was a conviction around her ideals. She saw the world as something greater than it was. Something worth fighting for. Her Pokemon had responded to this, that much was clear based off the evolution Cyrus had witnessed. That young woman shared something in common with Sinnoh's champion. They both possessed a certain confidence. Unlike the champion however, the trainer Cyrus had run into was still finding that spirit. But she could become dangerous. Perhaps it would be worth investing in someone to track her down and eliminate her. He was close to accomplishing his goals. Now was not the time to be sidetracked or waylaid by some random trainer. With these thoughts running through his mind, Cyrus once more pulled up the image of his goal. Lowering the blinds, he set to work running the simulations, illuminated by only the red light.

Cynthia did not take long in arriving in Celestic town after news of the attack at the cavern reached her. The first thing she did was to check on her grandmother in the hospital. Nurses told the champion that the older woman was doing fine and on her way to making a quick and full recovery, but that didn't stop Cynthia from worrying. She walked briskly down the hallway, her long travelling coat fanning out behind her. Finding the correct room, Cynthia walked in without knocking.

"That's impolite you know young woman" came the familiar voice of her grandmother. Carolina Kale looked just as healthy as ever.

"I was told you were here and I came as soon as I could" Cynthia responded. Looking around, the champion was surprised to see Jill still here. "Jill, I didn't know you had already made it to Celestic!" The young trainer nodded.

"Yes, I was giving Jill a tour of the cavern when a rather dour businessman interrupted us." Cynthia frowned at her grandmother in confusion.

"Cynthia, Cyrus, the CEO of the Galactic corporation, he attacked both of us and tried to destroy the fresco!" Jill said. Cynthia looked at her grandmother who nodded. Cynthia sighed. This was the final straw, but to bring down a world leading technologist and CEO of a major corporation who held a fantastic amount of sway and power within the government would not be easy.

"So, he truly is the one behind all of these attacks this year. I'll alert the proper authorities" Cynthia said, turning to make the necessary calls. Jill stayed in the room while Cynthia left to call whoever she needed to inform. Carolina went back to looking at the young trainer.

"You should continue on your journey. Cynthia will take care of things from here with the authorities" Carolina said.

"Are you sure?" Jill asked. Knowing who the mastermind was meant that they could make their move now and prevent Cyrus from doing anything more dangerous.

"Yes, I'm sure. Whatever happened in the cave, we'll be studying it for years. We may or may not find the answers we seek. But this Galactic business you can now put behind you. I'm just sorry that you were involved at all." Cynthia rejoined the two women a little later on, explaining that the International Police and local authorities had been informed. Jill stayed for polite conversation a little while longer before leaving. Cynthia escorted her cousin towards the dormitory wing of the Pokecentre but not before Carolina caught her eye, informing Cynthia that there was more to discuss.

Unbroken grey skies loomed overhead. Cold was trying to bite its way through the young woman's clothing. Epona walked close to her trainer as they neared the edge of the city. The silence was broken only by the soft footfalls of the family. Breath misted the air, disappearing as fast as it formed. And in the backs of all the minds present laughed the mysterious force which was now undeniable to everyone in the group.

At an unspoken signal, Jill stopped for the evening. She could have pushed on into the dusk to arrive at Canaclave however, she wasn't sure she wanted to be in a densely packed populous this evening. Without being told, Icarium and Sphyrna gathered firewood. Chase created a bare spot which Epona could light the fuel. Jill set down her pack and pulled out the tent and began assembling it with Urim's help. Camp was established quickly and silently.

Urim was the most confused by this. He was used to his family being light and full of laughter. This was a different side, and he wanted desperately to do something about it, but had no ideas as to what could help. Caladan laid down closer to the fire, staring into the dancing light. Icarium settled into a meditative state across the flames from the grass type. Chase started pacing outside the ring of light that was slowly growing and becoming stronger as the sky darkened. Jill set about cooking, once more with Urim's help. The young woman smiled at the flying type as he did his best to coax everyone into talking. Finally, he huffed and plopped down on Caladan's broad back. Jill gave a small laugh at that.

"I'm sorry Urim" she said.

"I just don't get what the problem is" he replied in a small voice. Everyone was healthy and strong. What could possibly have his family not speaking to one another?

"We are all trying to find answers to the mystery before us" Epona responded in her airy voice.

"But why?" Urim asked. Why was everyone so confused about this?

"Because something attacked Jill!" Sphyrna exclaimed. Caladan looked down at this, unnoticed by everyone save Jill who's heart almost broke at the sight of it. However, everyone was somewhat shocked by Sphyrna. Here was the dragon who was the most challenging member to Jill, as she was the one who wanted to fight the most. And apparently the tight group had assumed that the dragon had only wanted to fight for herself.

"Wait…" Chase said, walking back into the light. Even Icarium had opened an eye to stare at Sphyrna. "What do you mean someone attacked Jill?" he asked with narrowed eyes. "Why does that bother you so much?"

"Because she's our trainer!" Everyone was silent. Sphyrna walked around and up to Jill, who she was eye level with. "I should have fought for you back in that cavern." Sphyrna's voice went quieter as her statement went on. "I should have come out and took down whoever that man sent out." Jill was touched by what her dragon thought of her.

"I thought you only fought cause you loved to fight, scales!" Chase said shocked. Sphyrna whirled around and snarled at the electric type.

"I do love to fight! But that doesn't mean I don't know what Jill means to us!"

"Thank you, Sphyrna" Jill said, placing a hand on the dragons ridged neck. Sphyrna looked down.

"That also isn't the mystery" Icarium said, dragging the conversation back to Urim's original question. He was aware of what the dragon was feeling and thought the best thing to do was allow Sphyrna to have a private moment with Jill. For Sphyrna, admitting that she felt this family was important to her and that she would put her life on the line for Jill was something major.

"Speak for yourself" Chase said laying down by the fire beside Icarium. He felt Jill roll her eye's and lightly swatted Chase's head for her. Everyone laughed at Chase's indignation and look towards Icarium, which in turn lightened Urim's spirits. Caladan finally looked up and replied to what was on most minds in the clearing.

"There is something else out there. Something that is wondering if Jill is worthy, but none of us know what it is or what it means."

"But Jill is worthy!" Urim said happily. Jill laughed lightly at the comment. Urim could find no faults with his trainer, so why shouldn't she be perfect?

"Not everyone see's Jill the same way we do" Epona said softly.

"While we may think she's 'worthy'" Caladan added on, "others seem to be judging her. Other's we know nothing about." Everyone was silent for a moment.

"So, what's next then?" Urim finally asked. Everyone around the fire looked at one another and began laughing. They all laughed until their sides hurt from the clenching. Urim was the only one not laughing simply because he was confused as to what was so funny. Once the laughing started to subside, Jill came over arms open to Urim, who happily floated into them. She enveloped him in a tight hug.

"This Urim. We keep doing this."

Jillian's Pokemon:

Caladan (Grotle) - level 33, ability: Overgrow, nature: Bashful
Chase (Luxio) - level 35, ability: Intimidate, nature: Impish
Epona (Ponyta) - level 33, ability: Run Away, nature: Naughty
Urim (Togepi) - level 34, ability: Serene Grace, nature: Brave
Sphryna (Gabite) - level 34, ability: Sand Veil, nature: Naive
Icarium (Kirlia) - level 34, ability: Trace, nature: Lonely