Chapter 34 – Beginning of the End
It only takes a fraction of a second for life to change. In the blink of an eye, people can become who they were meant to be. What no one knows is when that second will be. Nor what kind of a person they will turn into. Will they become the hero of the story? Or do they find themselves becoming the support that people need most when disaster strikes? Will they become the father they've always wanted to be for their daughter? The mother who loves her son when her son doesn't see that love for himself?
Disaster has a way of bringing all of these emotions and reactions to the fore in humans. It does one other thing; it brings people together. In the face of tragedy, there comes a togetherness, a fabric that knits itself only in these situations, creating a spirit of human nature that is unmatched.
Jill watched all of this play out in the brief moments between blinking eyes. Tears came, unbidden and unwanted. Anger warred with sadness and helplessness. People coughed through dust and helped one another up. The savagery of the earthquake had taken everyone unawares. Thankfully the library had remained standing. But while the structure remained upright, many books had fallen from their shelves, and most people had been ousted from their chairs. Cracks appeared in the plaster in the ceiling. It was the yelling and confusion that struck Jill the hardest. No one appeared seriously injured, but that didn't stop some from acting like it. Barry however, was surprisingly calm and terror reigned around the trio of trainers.
"We should check on the professor" the blonde said to his companions. Jill nodded her agreement, while Lucas was staring around. Jill had to remind herself, that while Lucas was technically a trainer, he wasn't the same type of trainer that Jill and Barry were. They were retreating into their battle calm state of mind, whereas Lucas still had yet to find that within himself. Jill walked over to the professor who was somewhat dazed from his fall during the shaking. Barry gently touched Lucas' arm, jolting the other young man into his right frame of mind.
"I'm alright" the gruff voice said as Jill helped the professor up. Outside, the sirens of emergency services could be heard. Once the professor was standing he took stock of the three young adults in front of him.
"Are you three okay?" All three nodded they were fine. Jill was the only one who had remained in her seat, not for its lack of trying to remove her. Caladan's earthquake attacks were something similar.
"What the hell was that?" Barry asked. They were all looking around now as people left the library.
"I'm not sure" Rowan said distracted. "That tremor wasn't normal. Nor was it a Pokemon attack if I'm to judge…" His gruff voice trailed off. Jill was frowning as people were pointing at something outside. She started to move without a word or thought. Barry and Lucas looked at one another then followed the young woman out. Rowan was the last to leave the library and his face fell when he saw the world around him.
Saturn thought he knew what was going to happen. There would be an explosion and his team would move in and secure the package within. Well there was an explosion. It was far larger than anyone had guessed it would be. Super-heated steam rushed through the trees as deep black clouds rose into the sky. An earthquake tremor went rippling past. Saturn rushed behind a large tree and covered his face. One of the grunts was too slow and began screaming as the steam burned his skin. Saturn could feel the heat everywhere around him. So much so, that he too was on the verge of yelling out. Within seconds it was past.
The entire group was on the ground. Saturn looked around as everyone began picking themselves up. He had to be careful not to be angry. Charon would pay eventually, but first he still had a job to do. One of the grunts, a man named Reid went to check on their fallen comrade. Saturn stared as Reid felt for a pulse. Finally, the man stood and shook his head. Saturn didn't spare a second glance and signaled that they move out. The group made their way back to the lake slowly, Saturn silently hoping their equipment had survived the blast.
Mars watched the angry black clouds holding all the lakes water roll in the sky. What had been a nice day, with blue skies and big fluffy white clouds had taken a drastic turn. She was smiling. The explosion had been amazing to watch, but she wished they had been closer, not waiting in the trucks along a road. Unlike Saturn and Jupiter, Mars had to hide the trucks in a rental property within Twinleaf. The town was close enough to the lake that the road couldn't be blocked off without drawing undue attention.
The vehicles roared to life as they moved out. Mars did have a larger crew, most disguised as disaster relief workers. Their job would be to block the road off so that they could secure the mythical Pokemon at the lakes center. They reached the lakes edge after some driving and stopped. It was quickly apparent that these vehicles wouldn't be making the trek across the lakebed. The view was otherworldly however. Mars marvelled at the destructive power the bombs held. The lake was almost completely devoid of any water. However, its bed was too steep to get the trucks in and out.
The commander stepped out and immediately wished she hadn't. The chokingly thick humidity still hung in the air. Sucking in a breath, Mars told her men to get moving. It was time to capture a myth.
Cyrus watched without emotion as Jupiter's reached the lake edge. Like the others, this one's water had been evaporated. It was no longer snowing in the picture. In fact, all the snow in the area had been vaporized it appeared.
He had barely felt the tremor when it passed through the bunker moments earlier. They had surmised that a bomb of this scale would cause some tectonic action, but three made it a guarantee. Thus, this safe house lab had been reinforced to withstand the shock. So far everything had gone plan.
"Your bombs did their job" Cyrus noted to his scientist. Charon nodded along.
"I am looking forward to the arrival of these legends! With their power, we will surely be able to create the Chain."
"They are the key" the emotionless voice said in an undertone. It would take some time for the crews to get the mythical Pokemon. And that precious commodity had a clock which was quickly ticking away.
Water slowly spread across the hardwood from the shattered glass. The rather large dragon was standing staring out the bay windows beside the blonde champion of the Sinnoh region. Cynthia's region. And it was under attack. The glass had broke when Cynthia spun at the news of what had happened. Looking out her window, she couldn't really see, but there was the faintest stain of black against the pastel blue skies. Her hands were balled into fists, nails biting in, but the pain was a needed grounding for the champion. She had failed her people.
The league and international police were still trying to find where Cyrus had gone to ground. Cynthia was convinced even before that he hadn't fled the region like so many of the IP believed. No here now was the proof that the best trainer in the region had been right. The CEO of the Galactic Corporation was still in Sinnoh and here was his master plan beginning to unfold.
The door below banged open. Cynthia had left it unlocked from earlier. She was still expecting the IP to report in later today. Her Garchomp growled at the intrusion, freezing the Elites who were entering the room. Anytime Cynthia's Garchomp growled was a bad sign. Vervada was usually extremely calm, but no one was in their calm states today. Aaron's eyes darted between the dragon and the champion who was standing rigid and unresponsive to the intrusion. Vervada's amber eyes never left the three Elites.
"Cynthia?" Aaron finally ventured. When the champion didn't respond, Bertha put her hand on the bug type users arm, silently saying to step away.
"Wait" Cynthia said in a tight voice. Bertha looked towards the younger woman, her heart hurting for the champion. She had a vague idea as to what Cynthia was feeling.
"What should we do?" Aaron asked. Cynthia looked down at her clenched fists and took a deep breath. She was still needed, and thus, she needed to be in control. After a moment, she reached out and placed her hand on the Garchomp who was still glaring at the others in the room. Vervada looked at her trainer and stopped the low rumble she was making. Finally, Cynthia turned to look down at the Elites.
"First thing is we need to assist those who are in the most need. Bertha, you'll coordinate from the tower." The older woman nodded. "Lucian and Aaron, get in the field, wherever we're needed most. Flint can stay in Veilstone for now, especially with Maylene gone."
"And you?" Aaron said. Bertha was ready to berate the younger man, but Cynthia answered before Bertha could say a word.
"I'm going to find Cyrus" the champion said in that cold iron voice.
Jill was staring at the blackening sky. It was as though someone had spilled a can of black paint and it was spreading across a table of blue. Something was very wrong, and Jill looked at Barry. The young man stared back at his childhood friend, both trainers thinking the same thing.
"Team Galactic" Jill said in a quiet voice. Barry nodded. The professor looked at the two of them, his mustache twitching.
"They seem to have targeted the lakes" the professor said. Jill had known since Rowan confirmed that the earthquake wasn't natural that this was Cyrus and his goons. They were going after the legendary Pokemon.
"We have to get to the lakes" Jill said quickly. She began looking around, realizing that the throng of people outside the library was going to make any travel more difficult.
"I have a solution for that" Rowan said. All three trainers looked at the famous professor. "I did come here to give a talk about Pokemon evolution, however, that was not the reason I invited you three here. Each of you, in your own way, have grown and gained the trust of your team. Your Pokemon respond to you because you exemplify certain characteristics. I was hoping that because of this, you would all be willing to assist me in researching Pokemon at these three lakes. There are rumoured powers there which have been told through legend." Jill recalled her talk with Professor Kale back in Celstic town.
"You're talking about the lake guardians?" Lucas asked.
"I mean it would be awesome if they were real, but come on gramps, no one has actually caught a legendary Pokemon! They're just legends!" Barry exclaimed. Rowan frowned slightly at the young man calling him gramps but let it pass as there were more pressing issues at hand.
"Myth's actually, but there is scientific evidence that legends will come to those who are worthy." Jill realized that Lucas' theory about Professor Rowan meeting Red may have acutally been true. And what about the other champions? Arthur had come here to research the legends and Cynthia too. Had they been deemed worthy? And what requirements did Barry, Lucas and she meet to have a shot at meeting the legends?
"How do you know that the lake guardians would show for us?" Lucas asked, echoing Jill's thoughts.
"I've been paying attention to trainers for years. As this region leading professor, it is partly my duty to bestow Pokemon to beginner trainers who show promise. Never before have three very different individuals come to maturity in the same year such as you three. Indeed, it is rare for even one such person to exemplify that which some believe legendary Pokemon look for. But I can asure you that they do exist and that you three had the characteristics that are needed to help our research."
"I think in this case, we're going to be rescuing them" Jill said unsure. Here was the moment she had been waiting for, the chance to help with what Cynthia and the league were doing. Something that both Red and Arthur had done. Help stop a terrorist organization. And she was scared. Rowan looked down at the young woman and noticed the warring emotions behind her eyes. But deeper than that was the unshakable will. She would do what needed to be done in the time of need.
"Each of you will take a lake" the professor said.
"Wait how are we going to get there?" Barry asked. He looked around at the small group. "I don't know about you, but I don't have a Pokemon fast enough to get us there in time to help!"
"I will have a friend teleport you there." The three young trainers looked questionable at that. Professor Rowan explained. "In extenuating circumstances, there is the option of teleporting people across great distances, as long as the Pokemon in question is strong enough to do so. Most psychic types who can do this are not strong enough. However, there is one in this region who is." Rowan pulled out a small phone and dialed a number.
"Yes, I'm in front of the Canalave library. We need some help." The professor was silent for a moment then nodded. "Thank you." Everyone waited. It was only a second before there was another person standing in front of the group with a rather large Alakazam, who looked bored.
"Lucain thank you" Professor Rowan said, extending his hand. The Elite was standing in simple red slacks and black turtle neck. His wavy grey hair was the envy of most woman who followed the league here in Sinnoh. He was also rather aloof.
"I can see what you're thinking, and the answer is no" the psychic master said.
"These three are worthy enough to help" the professor said his voice gruff and authoritative.
"I don't care, they aren't strong enough, they haven't trained for this, and Cynthia would have our heads for even discussing the matter." Lucian's voice was silky enough, but there was iron underneath. He didn't believe Jill and Barry could help, just like Cynthia!
"You don't know the first thing about us!" Jill said angrily. She was tired of being told she wasn't ready. Yes, she was scared, yes, she was unsure, but this was what she was meant to do!
"Don't I?" the psychic asked. "Jillian Heart, aged 18 cousin to Sinnoh Champion Cynthia. You've had some impressive victories over the gym leaders here but only have 5 badges" Lucian rattled off in his voice of silk, staring at the young woman through tinted glasses.
"Six" Jill countered glowering back at the taller man. Lucian inclined his head the slightest amount to concede the fact.
"Barry White, aged 18, son of Palmer White from the Battle Frontier. Also has 6 badges" Lucian said slowly turning towards the blonde who was also glaring at the Elite. In fact, the only person who looked unsure was Lucas.
"And finally, we have Lucas Cole, also 18 years of age and relative to researchers. No gym badges." The final statement pissed Barry off finally.
"Hey Mr. High and Mighty! Just because Lucas doesn't have any gym badges, doesn't mean he isn't a great trainer!" Lucian stared at the young blonde seeing the same fire his father had. But his father was only a frontier brain and not an Elite. Lucian was one of the most powerful trainers in the region. Lucas for his part, blushed at Barry's compliment.
"I respect your choices for who you give Pokemon and the Pokedexes too professor, but I will not go against Cynthia's authority on this."
"We have to help" Jill said quietly. Lucian returned his gaze to the young woman, who in turn defiantly stared back at the purple tinted eyes.
"There are other ways to help" the Elite said quietly and finally, with more compassion than he had shown since being here.
"Lucian, I picked these three because they have something Cynthia and I recognize. The same reason I advised you to the Elites. They have shown something more, and I believe they are part of the puzzle to the legends." Lucian was still staring at Jill calculating. It was a long few minutes of silence in the group. People were still milling around but staying clear of the powerful looking Alakazam.
"Arceus, Cynthia is going to kill me…" the Elite finally said. Jill's eyes widened as she realized something had caved within the psychic.
"Alright, you three, what you're about to do is extremely dangerous. You are not to engage this Team Galactic at all. Do you understand." Jill looked at Barry, both biting their tongue. Lucas however was the one to say what they were thinking.
"But professor… how else are we going to help the mythical guardians?" the black haired young man asked. The professor sighed.
"I know it will be difficult, but these people are not going to stop at merely knocking out your Pokemon."
"They are terrorists" Lucian said. "Cynthia is heading into the field, as are we to stop them."
"We're ready" Jill said. Lucian finally nodded.
"Which lake do you want them to start?" Lucian asked of the professor.
"Each of you will take a lake" Professor Rowan said. Lucian started at this but held his tongue. "Lucas, I want you to go to Lake Verity, outside of Twinleaf town. There you should be able to help Mesprit." Jill nodded. Mesprit was the being of emotion, something which Lucas showed for both Pokemon and people.
"Barry, I want you to take the high passes to Lake Acuity. Uxie is the mythical Pokemon of that lake. That leaves Jill with…"
"Lake Valour" the young woman finished quietly. She was ready.
"Lake Valour yes. Azelf will need all the help it can get." Jill nodded. "I'm sorry to ask this of you three, but the time is now. Are you ready?" The gruff voice was thicker than usual, and Jill realized that the professor didn't want them to do this. He must have thought that they needed more time, but that some something they were out of.
"Let's go save some legends!" Barry shouted.
Hope you are enjoying the story thus far. From here, our story gets a touch darker. I want to do a more realistic take on this part of the game. Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts, both on this chapter and the others. Thanks!