=Chapter 33, Eons of Hoenn=
(Father Latios' PoV)
*Ugh… that hurt…* He thought to himself, remembering the beating he took as everything came flooding back to him. *Where… am I…*
He wearily opened his eyes and tried to figure out where he was, all he saw were what appeared to be tables, in a strange room that he wasn't familiar with. It almost looked like the examination rooms in the Pokemon Centers that he occasionally found himself in during his younger years, but this didn't appear to be anything like that. Also instead of a helpful nurse with pink hair, there was a man in front of him with his back to him.
He didn't like this human, without even sensing his intentions he knew he didn't like him.
(Human… why are you doing this to me?) He whispered to the human, not at all surprised to feel restraints on him as he tried to lift his head.
The man put down something that looked like papers on a table in front of him, before he turned around. Latios could see into his deep green eyes, and he saw nothing that resembled anything gentle or kind. What kindness or care that the human had for a living being had all but vanished, replaced by a mere shell of the sincerity that they once had. He only cared about Latios being alive, nothing more.
"Oh so you finally woke up?" He asked with a chuckle. "Good, I was beginning to wonder if Masquerade hadn't done an even better job on you than expected."
(I ask again… Human… why are you doing this to me?) He whispered again, trying to gather his strength to use recover and heal himself, but unable to for some reason. (What have I done to deserve this, why have you done this to me?)
"Oh I have nothing against you, and you haven't done anything to deserve it." He said with a smirk. "You see the organization that I work for, requires a legendary creature for our research, and since we've failed twice now to capture one… well third time's the charm as they say."
"You mean to say, YOU failed to capture one twice in a row." A second, more cynical voice said as a second human walked into the room, this one wearing a mask. "Well Viridian, since you've got your test subject I suppose it's time I get a move on and head out to check on our Snagem friends. Can I trust you to handle things here?"
"You sound as though you can't trust me Masquerade." Viridian said with a frown.
"Well let's see, so far your one strike on failing to capture a legendary that I spent months tracking for you, and you even were humiliated by the very same legendary that escaped us before. Can you imagine why I'm so cautious this time?"
"In other words you don't trust me to handle this myself." Viridian replied.
"If the Pokeball fits on the belt." Masquerade said with a chuckle, moving to stand in front of Latios. "Well I did all the hard work, now he's your problem, don't try to fumble it up this time!"
(Wait!) Latios shouted to the second human as he turned to leave now. (My young, what have you done to them?)
Masquerade turned and looked back at him. "As we were fleeing Southern Island, your two offspring tried to chase us down, but I deployed our onboard Net Missiles to tie them up and stop them in their tracks. By now they're either probably in some Trainer's collection, or trying their hardest to break free!"
"Consider them lucky, if I had my way, I would have taken them along with you." Viridian said to Latios, causing him to angrily stare at the human. "An entire family of Eon Pokemon for our research, the boss would have given us a bonus, maybe even let us keep one of the younger ones for our own purposes."
"Yes well, unlike you Viridian I would rather get what we need then risk screwing up, like you always seem to do!" Masquerade shot back. "Those two younger ones damaged our plane, I've got the engineers fixing the jet to make sure it's working properly. I wasn't expecting us to be hit by a Mist Ball and a Luster Purge attack, and they sure did a number on the navigation systems. Better be happy with the one we needed and now have then risk losing all three because someone got greedy."
Latios breathed a small sigh of relief as he heard the truth. His son and daughter were safe and away from this human. Now all he had to do was figure out how to get out, but still he couldn't gather up enough energy to use Recover, nor could he use his other abilities.
"I'm guessing that you're trying to break free of your restraints?" Viridian said. "Well don't bother trying, before we strapped you down and while you were still unconscious, we injected a drug into your body to keep your energy low. We also strapped a special psychic inhibitor to keep your powers from becoming active while it's on you. So make yourself comfortable on that examination table, you're going to be here for a long time…"
Latios watched the two humans leave the room and out of sight, and took a steadying breath to calm him down. The last time he was on an examination table like this, it was because his wings were damaged. Now he was stuck on this table wondering how to break free before that Human, Viridian, did what he was planning.
And of course, he didn't have young ones to worry about back then.
=Littleroot Town, Several minutes after Latias appeared=
(Jacob's PoV)
"Karen, Jessy!" Jacob shouted as he ran towards the meadow where his mother was buried, followed closely by Latias.
Close to the center of the meadow he saw his two friends and their Pokemon untying a blue and white Pokemon, similar to Latias in appearance but slightly bigger, from a similar net that Latias had been trapped in.
"Jacob, who is that?" Karen asked as Sara ran over to meet him and jumped into his arms.
"This is Latias, she says she and her brother need our help!" Jacob said as Sara quickly settled into his shoulder, wanting to snuggle with him but resisting because of how serious the situation was.
Latias nodded and floated in front of them, holding the strange device before them.
(Brother, are you alright?) She asked the blue one as the two finished untying him.
(I'm alright sister, but which way did that plane take our dad!) He said, levitating before all of them. (Who are these humans, can we trust him?)
(I think they are Trainers, I believe they are trustworthy.) Latias said nervously to her brother. (Besides we don't have a choice but to trust them, we need their help!)
(We don't need their help, we can find and save dad on our own!) He said back to his sister.
"Uh Jacob, what is going on here?" Karen asked while the two Pokemon talked.
"Latias fell right on top of me and my teacher when we were talking, and once she learned from Arky that I was trustworthy she told us what was going on." Jacob said as Sara listened psychically. "They live on an island called Southern Island, and she and her brother's species are called Latios and Latias. She's Latias and he's Latios."
"I've heard of them, their more commonly referred to as the Eon Duo." Jessy said as she replaced her knife and handed Jacob his team. "We saw Latios fall from the sky and came to investigate, took us a while to find him."
"If these two are from Southern Island then they must not trust humans very much." Karen said as she held lance in her arms. "Southern Island is normally unreachable from what I've read on the Pokenet. Only a few humans, if any are allowed to visit it, and of them they must all be trustworthy of the Eon Pokemon, and only an Eon Pokemon can take them to the Island. If the rumors are true nobody shares the true location of Southern Island, people speculate and theorize as well as search, but nobody can find the exact location. It's supposedly protected by a mysterious veil preventing humans from finding and reaching it, so only an Eon Pokemon can get through."
"You know a lot don't you?" Jessy said.
"Hey, when you surf the web you learn a thing or two!"
While Jacob, Karen and Jessy talked to each other, the psychic argument between Latios and Latias continued, with the brother wanting to go after their father without help from 'Humans', while Latias insisted they needed help. Her arguments were starting to win as she raised more points the longer they went at it.
(Brother you saw what happened to dad!) She said, her voice growing desperate. (Dad is the strongest on the island! If they could do that to him, how are 'we' going to save him?)
(We have to try!) He said, sounding as though he really didn't want to argue anymore. (How do we even know they're trustworthy, because some Pokemon we don't know says so?)
(Brother if we couldn't stop them when they weren't using Pokemon, how can we rescue dad when you KNOW he'll be defended. They can see us when we're invisible too, so we can't even sneak up on them! The Pokemon I saw said that Jacob was trustworthy, and I believe him!)
Latios was silent as he turned to eye his sister, before glancing at Jacob. (How certain are you…)
(I can sense it, he was telling the truth, every word he said to me was honest and Jacob didn't try to capture me like you always thought they did!) She said instantly. (Dad said that there were bad humans, but he also told us that there were good humans. Remember Arthur and his Gallade? We have to try to trust them, or else we'll never save dad! You know its true brother!)
Latios looked down on the ground before he sighed and floated over to Jacob and his friends, looking defeated but also determined. (Alright… if sister says you can be trusted, then I trust you.) He said to Jacob. (Will you help us you three?)
"Help an Eon Duo save their father, you bet I'm there!" Karen said with a fierce grin, matched only by Lance as he agreed with her.
"I never did like kidnapper or Pokemon thieves." Jessy said with a nod.
"We've helped legendary Pokemon before, haven't we Sara?" Jacob asked the Kirlia on his shoulder, who nodded with a smile.
(We'll help, just tell us where we need to go!) She said to the two flying Pokemon.
(We don't know…) Latias said sadly as she held that device close to her. (We lost track of where they were going when we were both caught in those nets…)
"What's that you have Latias?" Jacob asked curiously, noticing the strange object she was holding.
(I don't know… I found it just as those strange humans were leaving with dad…) She said, holding the device out to Jacob.
(I told her to just ignore it, but she picked it up just before we gave chase.) Latios said, staring at the device angrily.
The device in question looked like an oversized spatula with what appeared to be a grid screen for its head, with several dials on the side and a hand holder sticking out at the base. Jacob examined it with Karen and Jessy for only a few seconds, before Karen snatched it away and started fiddling with it and turning dials. "I recognize it, this is a Model DF 580 Poke Tracking Device." She said as she continued to turn dials on it. "It's a common model that Pokemon Rangers, Poachers, and Hunters use for tracking herds and keeping an eye on their migration patterns."
"Karen, how do you know what it's used for and what it is?" Jessy asked with a raised eyebrow.
Karen merely shrugged her shoulders before the Tracking Device turned on. "Like I said, you learn a few things surfing the web." She said, holding the device out for them all to see. "Okay it's working now…" As they looked at it, a single dot appeared on the NE section of the Tracker, with the distance of the dot compared to where they were according to the tracker. "Well whatever this thing is tracking, its northwest of us, close to Lavaridge Town and it isn't moving."
"You think it's where they took their father?" Jacob asked.
"Probably, where did you get this?" Karen asked the Eon Pokemon.
(One of the humans who took dad away dropped it I think.) Latias said. (I was watching them just as they left, one of the humans dropped it as he climbed into their plane.)
"He just dropped it, like that he just dropped it?" Karen asked with her eyebrow raised. "You're telling me that some guy who had the ability to go to Southern Island, capture your dad, and get away from you two, would just drop a five hundred dollar piece of tracking equipment capable of following any tracked Pokemon for three hundred miles?"
Karen sighed and smacked her head with the palm of her hand. "Well I suppose miracles happen. Adults aren't exactly the smartest people in the world so anything's possible."
"How are we going to get to Lavaridge Town?" Jessy asked them both. "I mean we can move fast, but there's no way we all can get there fast enough on foot. I could use my Fearow, Julia to get there, but she would take forever to get there at her speed, and she can't carry more than one passenger at a time! We need to get there fast, and Julia's fast but she's still not that fast!"
Karen nodded thoughtfully as she looked over Latias and Latios. "You two are fast, you could technically take us there pretty fast on your own." She said to them.
Latios and Latias looked at each other before shaking their heads in unison. (We are fast yes, but we are still young for our age, we're not able to carry more than one of you, not without losing a lot of our speed.)
Jacob thought carefully before he suddenly snapped his fingers. "I've got it!" He said eagerly. "I know how we can all get there."
(Suicune?) Sara asked him. (Suicune would take us? Are you sure she'll help us Jacob?)
*She has to help us Sara, we need to reach their dad and fast, and she's clearly the fastest land Pokemon we know who can carry multiple people at a time.* Jacob said as he ran to the forest. *Besides my teacher Arky, she's the only other Pokemon large enough and fast enough to help us, I just hope she's nearby!*
As Jacob ran to the forest, far away from Littleroot, Karen, Jessy, Lance, Latios and Latias chased after him. Once he was at the forest line and well out of sight and hearing from anyone near town, he called out in a loud and clear voice. "SUICUNE, SUIIICUUUUNE!"
"You're calling Suicune Jacob?" Karen asked. "How is she going to help us?"
"A Suicune, you know a Suicune?" Jessy asked incredulously. "How'd you meet a Suicune, I've never heard of a Suicune here in Hoenn."
"I met her in Petalburg Woods, I just hope she's near…" Jacob was saying before a sudden rush of blue jumped over him and landed behind him, standing between him and his friends.
There she stood, six feet tall with her white streamers and hexagonal crest, Suicune. Instantly she looked at Jacob with a look of suspicion and curiosity.
"Whoa… a real Suicune…" Jessy said.
"Nice to meet ya again!" Karen said with a wave.
Suicune looked at them and nodded before returning her attention to Jacob, instantly he felt her mind touch his to speak to him. (Greetings Jacob, what is the matter, why have you called for me?) She said, her voice full of concern.
"Suicune, you've got to help us." Jacob said. "Latios and Latias' father have been kidnapped, we don't know who but we need to get to Lavaridge Town near Mt. Chimney as fast as possible. They're not big enough to carry us all, and Jessy's Fearow is too slow to keep up with them. I know your fast, faster than most Pokemon I know of, do you think you can carry all of us and take us there?"
She looked over Karen and Jessy, as well as the Pokemon present and looked at Jacob again. (I can carry you all yes, but why do you want me to carry them?) She said with a raised eyebrow. (They have no right, no right to even be in my presence, whereas I owe you my life and freedom.)
"Because they're my friends Suicune, and we all promised to help Latios and Latias." Jacob said determinedly. "I need their help, I can't do it alone Suicune, so please help us?"
Suicune thought for a moment before she nodded and knelt down so Jacob and the others could climb on. (Very well, if you wish it then I will take you all.)
"Climb on Suicune's back everyone, she'll take us all there." Jacob said as he climbed onto Suicune's back, somewhat familiar with her with the last time she helped him.
"Wow, I get to ride on top of a legendary, pinch me I must be dreaming!" Karen said as she and Lance climbed on while Sara settled into place in his lap. "I should've stuck with you the first time we met!"
"Oh boy…" Jessy whispered as she climbed into place behind Karen. "Jacob, you have no idea how tempted my inner trainer is right now…"
Suicune growled warningly as she stood to her full height and prepared to take a running jump. (Tell your friend that if she continues such talk, I will see just how well she can fly without her Pokemon to aid her.) Suicune whispered to Jacob.
"Uh Jessy, ex nay on the cap talk kay?" Jacob said nervously.
"Sorry, didn't mean it like thaAAAAAAAAA…" Jessy yelled as Suicune took off faster than any of them were prepared for.
Off they went, Jacob holding tightly onto Sara and Suicune as his friends were all carried toward their destination. Behind them Latios and Latias kept up easily, only having to slow down because of the trees in the forest.
While Suicune ran Jacob talked to Sara about what just happened, compared to what they know was going on. *First we encounter Suicune being attacked and tracked by this group for months on end, to the point where's she's all but dead on her feet. Then we encounter this same group attacking an Articuno because they couldn't get Suicune. Do you think these are the same people who now have Latios?*
(I don't know Jacob, but it does sound suspicious and it does seem like a trend.) She said back to him, just as curious and worried. (Why do they want a legendary Jacob, what do they want with them?)
While they talked, Suicune listened to their conversation intently, but remained silent as she continued to run northwest toward Mt. Chimney. After a long time, she finally spoke up. (I know it is not my place Jacob, but perhaps you may find this information useful.) She said to them.
"What do you mean?" Jacob yelled as she jumped really high, scaring Karen and Jessy and causing them to shriek in surprise.
(During my wanderings, and especially as I followed you while you traveled, I have heard strange rumors from across these lands.) She said. (Many Pokemon have gone missing over the months, not only here in this land but in other lands, especially my home over the years. Though they are from species that flock in great numbers that to you humans it is unspotted, their decrease in number is considerable to us. Also I have been hearing many rumors from other humans, that more and more Pokemon have been stolen over these recent months.)
(That's Snagem's work, do you think the two are connected?) Sara suggested to both of them.
(I do not know little Kirlia, I only know what I have been hearing.) Suicune said as she took a sharp jump and turn down a path in the forest.
They continued to run at great pace, with the two Eon Pokemon easily keeping up behind them. Slowly, ever so slowly Mt. Chimney came into view, and the vast mountain amazed him with its sheer size and height. What amazed him still was how fast Suicune could move, he didn't underestimate her speed in the slightest. It took them over seven months travel to reach Lavaridge Town, yet Suicune had crossed the distance between Littleroot and Mt. Chimney in just over an hour.
"Sorry for saying this Jacob, and no disrespect to Suicune, but I think from now on I'll just walk!" Jessy shouted as Suicune took another running jump and they had just enough time to see the distant town of Verdanturf, before they were once more racing for Mt. Chminey. "I really don't feel like we should be able to travel this fast around Hoenn!"
(I take that as a compliment.) Suicune said with a grin as she started to climb the base of Mt. Chimney.
Half an hour Later, Suicune slowed down and finally stopped to let them get off of her back, moments later Latios and Latias joined them as well. "Oh that was so intense!" Karen said with a huge grin as she and Lance hopped off. "Remind me to join you the next time you want to take Jacob for a stroll eh Suicune?"
"No offense, but I'll take an eight hour flight with Julia any day over that…" Jessy said as she slid off of Suicune's back, holding her stomach and looking like she was about to puke.
Jacob and Sara climbed off of Suicune's back and looked around where they were. Suicune had dropped them off just short of Lavaridge Town itself, though still within the forest line. "Thank you Suicune, we couldn't have gotten here fast enough without your help." Jacob said, bowing to the legendary in gratitude.
(Thank you as well.) Sara said, bowing alongside him.
Suicune nodded and turned to leave, though once more she looked at Jacob. (I'll be watching from afar if you require assistance, and be careful. I want to see you again when you have achieved that sixth badge.) She said before she turned and left.
Meanwhile Karen was busy fumbling with the tracker, turning it this way and that way. "Follow me guys, I think I can lead us there." She said as she led the way.
They followed Karen away from Lavaridge Town and deeper into the forested area, followed by the Eon Pokemon.
As they walked Latias floated next to Jacob and looked at him with a nervous expression. (Can I ask you something?) She asked.
"Sure, what is it?" Jacob said, Sara looking at Latias as well.
(Your friend called that Suicune a legendary Pokemon. Why is she considered a legendary?)
"Well I suppose it could be applied to the fact that we never encounter them most of the time." He said thoughtfully. "Suicune is a rare species of Pokemon that lives in the Johto region, in fact a Trainer is considered lucky if he even sees one in his life. A pokemon is also considered legendary if it's really powerful, like powerful beyond what normal Pokemon are. I'm lucky to have not only met one but four legendary Pokemon as well. You and your brother are considered legendary as well."
(Is that why those two humans came to our home, to capture our dad because he's a legendary?) Latias asked sadly. (Dad told us that only a few humans have ever been to our home, and of them they were all trustworthy. He said that none of them have ever shared our home's location with outsiders or untrustworthy people or Pokemon. Why would they do such things?)
"I don't know Latias, but I do know that we'll help save your dad, I promise you we'll save him!" Jacob said confidently.
Sara nodded and smiled in agreement. (You can trust Jacob, he says what he means and he never breaks a promise!)
Latias nodded but still looked somewhat sad as they continued walking behind Karen and the others. (I always wanted to go beyond Southern Island's veil, I never imagined I'd be trying to rescue my dad…) She said to him sadly. (Mom always talked about how bad humans were, saying that Trainers capture and keep Pokemon against their wills and even make them battle for amusement. Dad always said that some humans were like that, but for every bad human there was a good one to match them.)
"If it makes you feel any better Latias, at least you and your brother have a dad to rescue." Jacob said with a sad smile.
(Why do you say that?)
Jacob didn't want to explain, but since he made that statement he had to respond. "I don't even know who my real dad is, Arky's been more of a dad to me, and of course I lost my mom a few years back. Since then I've been on my own, except for my friends, and especially my team." He said, scratching Sara's head to make her feel better with the depressing thoughts running through his head. "They've become my family now, so it's not as bad as before."
"HEY, I FOUND SOMETHING!" Karen shouted.
Jacob looked up to see Karen pointing at some kind of cottage just sitting in a clearing in front of them. The cottage looked completely ordinary, in fact to Jacob it didn't seem out of the ordinary in the area. It appeared to be just a Pokemon Ranger's cottage.
"I don't understand Karen, it looks like a Pokemon Ranger's place." He said as they approached it.
"Maybe, but the Tracker is pointing straight at it!" Karen said.
(What are Pokemon Rangers?) Latios asked. (I've never heard of that species of Pokemon.)
"Pokemon Rangers are people who live out in wilderness to keep an eye on Pokemon and travelers." Jessy said. "Rangers spend their days helping and keeping people and Pokemon safe in the wilderness. It's also their job to protect travelers from more dangerous Pokemon by using their own companions to keep them at bay."
(If that's what a Ranger does then why is this Tracking thing leading us to a ranger's cottage?)
"Good question…" Karen said as she and Lance opened the door and walked inside, followed by Jessy, Jacob and Sara and the Eon Duo.
The inside of the cottage was, cozy, to say the least. It was a single large spacious room with a straw bed in the corner, a kitchen area on one side, couch and bookshelf for comfort, a built in fireplace that was walled off with stones, and a closed off area which apparently was the bathroom. The dishes in the kitchen were neatly arranged and stacked for convenience, the stove was spotless and the pots were hanging from in perfect alignment. The fireplace was devoid of burned logs and the bed was perfectly made. All in all, the cottage had all the necessities for someone living out in the wilderness of Hoenn that was expected to have little contact with city dwellers or time to live long in this cottage.
"I don't know Karen, it looks like an ordinary Ranger's home." Jacob said which Jessy agreed with him.
"I don't think so…" Karen said, and she and Lance looked at each other before nodding in unison. "Look at this place guys, it's too neat."
"Sure it's a little neat and clean, but come on, maybe the guy or girl who lives here just likes keeping things neat and clean?" Jessy said with a shake of her head.
"No way, not this neat or clean." Karen said as she walked over to the stove and felt it with her hand. "The stove's not warm, and there isn't even a shred of spilled food or ingredients on it. Those dishes are also spotless, as if they haven't been used at all, nobody is that clean. Rangers wake up early and go to bed late, a Ranger wouldn't be living such a clean spotless life. Look at the floor also, it's almost completely devoid of dirt and dust, point me to a Ranger who is that clean!"
"Maybe he just sweeps his floors thoroughly?" Jacob asked, though he and Sara were starting to get suspicious of the building as well.
"Where's the broom and dustpan then." Karen said instantly. "I'm telling you this place is not right, nothing looks right here for a Ranger's home. Also where's the Ranger? I could buy the story that he might be out but if so then how come the door's unlocked. I tell you that something is wrong here!" As she looked at the fireplace, Lance walked over to it and called her attention.
"Rio!" Lance said, pointing eagerly at something in it.
Karen walked over and snapped her fingers. "I knew it, this place is too suspicious to be legit." She said, picking up the logs in the fireplace and showing them to everyone. "Fake fireplace logs, what Ranger uses fake fireplace logs in a cottage that has a perfectly safe and working fireplace?"
As they watched Karen tossed the logs back and walked over to the fireplace. "These books also, none of these books look like something a Ranger would read in his spare time." Karen said, picking one up and showing them. "The Adventures of Abby the Absol, what Ranger reads kid's books? This is the stuff my mother read me when I was four years old before bedtime!"
"Your mother read you The Adventures of Abby the Absol before bed?" Jessy asked.
"That's not the point, this place is too suspicious to be an ordinary Ranger's home." Karen said, putting the book back. "Rangers are tough customers, living out on the frontiers in isolation for most of the time. They spend most of their time outdoors, walking rugged paths and wading rivers and streams. I've never met a Ranger before but I KNOW that not a single Ranger goes a day where he isn't trudging dirt wherever he goes. Now the only way this place could be legit is if the Ranger who lives here is a neat freak, enjoys kid's books, doesn't use his stove, and is afraid of fires."
Jacob nodded, Karen isn't the smartest person he's ever met, but she certainly knew her stuff when it comes to things he didn't understand. If this wasn't a Ranger's home, then why was it out here to begin with?
(So where's our dad?) Latios said.
"Good question." Jacob said as he and Sara looked around the room, then he felt Sara hold her head in slight pain. "What's wrong Sara?"
Sara shook her head and looked at him out of the corner of her amber eye. (I sense people… close by… but they're below us! I can't sense who or what they are but I sense beings nearby…)
"Sara says someone's below us, she doesn't know who or how many but there are people below us." Jacob said.
"Okay, so we've got a Ranger cottage that is suspicious as a Hasty Snorlax, and now Sara says people are below us." Jessy said. "Someone say, secret lab much?"
"Sounds like a video game cliché if you ask me." Karen said with a sigh. "Three heroes on their Pokemon Journey go to rescue a legendary, discover suspicious looking building with a secret door that leads to a secret lab. Problem is, where's the secret door?"
From outside the building came a loud knocking, causing them all to go silent as they watched the door instantly. Minutes passed and the door remained unmoving. "Sara, do you sense anyone outside." Jacob asked.
(No… and I've been sensing the entire time…)
(I don't sense anyone outside either… do you brother?) Latias asked her brother.
(No, I don't either…) Latios said calmly.
"Sounds like it came from the left side of the cottage." Jacob said, moving to the door. "We'll check it out."
Jacob let Sara down so she could battle if necessary, and walked outside with her and looked around. There was nothing in the clearing in any direction, and as they moved around the cottage to the side where the knocking came from, they saw nothing still. "You sure there's nothing around here besides us?"
(Yep, still nothing…) Sara said nervously.
As he looked around at the cottage wall, he saw a weird discoloration in the wall about the size of his hand. The wood seemed, odd to him, as though it didn't quite belong with the rest of the building. *You think…*
(Possibly… it does look suspicious…)
Needing no further encouragement, Jacob tapped it and found that it was hollow, and had a very small handle that allowed him to grip it and pull it, revealing a small red button. *A hidden panel… hmm, clever.* He thought to Sara as he pushed it.
A rumbling sound came from inside the cottage, and Jessy yelled for Jacob to get back inside. Instantly he and Sara ran into the cottage to find that they were all staring at the couch, which was sliding ever so perfectly into the wall to reveal a small a hidden staircase beneath it. Unlike the rest of the building, this was clearly what they were expecting after seeing everything else.
"Okay… so who wants to go down into the creepy staircase of concrete in the cottage of weirdness first?" Karen asked nervously.
Jacob shook his head as he and Sara started walking down with Latias right behind him, followed by Jessy and Latios, and finally Karen and Lance.
Down they went, deeper and deeper into whatever strange laboratory this staircase led to, knowing that they were heading to a dangerous situation, one that could easily be disastrous for them. Yet they had no choice, they promised to save Latios and Latias' father, so they had to do it.
As they continued walking down, Jacob noticed that the walls were becoming more and more clean. Then after five minutes of walking, they exited into a large room with an incline ramp that seemed to lead outside but was covered at least thirty feet above them. The room itself was massive, about as wide as any Gym they had encountered, with space enough for a large jet to be parked smack in the middle of it with piles of crates and boxes around it. Around the jet were technicians, each of whom were working on it with the speed of those who were trying to fix something very quickly.
(That's the thing our dad was taken on!) Latias said instantly, pointing at the jet.
The Jet itself resembled the shape of a Large Latios, with clamps on the back of it to hold down whatever it was transporting with great speed. The people working on it failed to notice Jacob and his friends as they were concealed slightly by all of the crates and boxes ringing the perimeter of the room.
"Quickly, get behind here!" Karen said as she led the way to a large stack of boxes and crate that concealed them from view.
Instantly they all ran to it, and just in time as all of the people working on the jet stood at attention for whoever just arrived. "How much longer before we're ready?" A cynical voice shouted.
"A few more minutes' sir, the attacks it received upon leaving Southern Island damaged it more than we thought." Another voice shouted back.
"Well good, we need to get the move on, I want all non-essential personal to start heading out to site B. We've already transferred most of the specimens and subjects to that site to continue with the project. Only I and a select few will remain here to continue testing on the Latios we obtained from Southern Island."
(They're talking about dad!) Latios said angrily. (What are they planning to do with him?)
"Shush…" Jacob said as Karen signaled to the others to follow her.
As they crawled slowly to the other side of the room, the man started talking again. "Alright I suppose I can leave you all to your business here, once you're finished move out of the facility and make for site B. I'll return shortly to begin work on the Latios in Examination Room 5B! Got that, I don't want to see any of you here by the time I get back!"
"Yes Sir." Another voice shouted as footsteps started sounding.
"Examination Room 5B… where's that?" Jessy said as they reached the end of the room, still concealed by their wall of boxes.
"To the right and down the hall." Karen said instantly as they approached two halls on their side of the room.
"And how do you know?" Jacob asked.
Karen instantly pointed up and they saw that two signs over the hallways said 'Examination Rooms A1 – C9' and 'Testing Chambers D7 – A5'.
"Oh…" Jacob said as they all paused at the hallway, not because they didn't want to but because their line of boxes stopped just short of it.
"On the count of three, all at once." Karen whispered, to which everyone including the Eon Duo nodded. "One… Two… … … Three!"
They took off running down the hall, fortunately nobody in the jet room noticed them, and they were able to make it down the hallway without being spotted. As they ran they passed by multiple examination rooms, all of which varied in size. Some had pictures of extremely large Pokemon and others with small, clearly indicating what room was for what size type Pokemon it was meant for.
As they turned a corner, the hallway widened, and they saw that they were on Examination rooms 4B – 5K. "It's just a bit further ahead!" Karen said as they continued running. "Let's get their dad and get out before we're…"
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!"
They all stopped and froze instantly, especially Jacob and Sara as they recognized the voice that just ordered them all to halt.
Slowly they turned around, and Sara began shaking harder than before, because they saw to their horror who it was that had stopped them all dead in their track.
/watch?v=qIeszyb3glU
He walked calmly, briskly, with his hands clasped behind his back and wearing the same attire as before, though without the hat this time. His glasses were in place and he looked at them with the same sneering green eyes as before. He looked between Jacob and Karen, then to Jessy, then to their Pokemon Sara and Lance, both of whom shook in his presence. Finally he looked at the two Eon Pokemon behind them, and smirked.
"So you brought me another pair of Eon Pokemon, I must thank you both." He said as he came to a stop. "I wanted to capture the two younger ones, but my colleague insisted that one was more than enough, and to not risk losing the one we had to get more than we need. I'm glad that fate has another way of looking at this."
"Viridian… what are you doing with their dad?" Jacob demanded.
"Why ever should I tell Rattata like you?" He said with a smirk. "What I plan to do to my future tools is something you don't need to know. How you were able to even find this facility is something I'd like to know, because whoever let you in is going to be in serious trouble with me."
"That's something a Muk like you doesn't need to know!" Karen shouted, reaching for a Pokeball on her belt. "Jacob go on ahead and get Latios out, we'll keep this loser busy!"
"Karen you have no idea how strong he is!" Jacob said instantly. "His Pokemon are different from others, they're more violent than you know!"
"Jacob, less talk more action." Jessy said as she too pulled out a Pokeball. "Karen and I can handle this guy if we work together, but you need to get Latios out so we can get out. Now go, we'll hold him at bay!"
Jacob didn't want to leave his two friends alone after the beating his team suffered the last time they faced Viridian. Yet they were both right, the faster Latios was freed the faster they could leave, and despite his fear at what Viridian might do they were right. Two on one were better odds than his had been, and they were both more capable Trainers than he gave them credit for. Plus Jessy had Feral, her Gyarados, if any Pokemon could stand up to Viridian's, it was the one Pokemon that only became fiercer and more powerful with rage and anger to aid it.
"Alright… just be careful you two, you have no idea how powerful he is!" He said as he started to back away from Viridian, who by now retrieved a Pokeball of his own.
(I'm coming with you!) Latias said instantly as she followed behind.
Jacob expected Latios to follow as well, but he moved forward and floated next to Jessy and Karen, glaring at Viridian. (I'll help you stop this human, go Jacob, keep my sister safe and get our dad free!) He said determinedly.
"Alright!" Jacob said as he turned and ran down the hallway toward Examination Room 5B.
A few moments later he heard the sounds of battle occurring, and he knew that they had just begun the battle to keep Viridian busy. "I hope they're safe." Jacob said as they passed Examination Room 4P."
(Will the others be alright, I know my brother is hard headed like dad said he used to be, but I know he's stronger than me. I'm worried now about your friends being in danger, that man sounds like he's really dangerous.)
"Viridian is a dangerous person alright, but I know Karen and Jessy are tougher than they look." He said, trying to have confidence in his friends.
They were strong, and he knew Jessy's team was just as strong if not stronger than his team, but those two had never faced Pokemon as violent as Viridian's.
As he ran, he saw it, Examination Room 5B, the door was opened and he could see the faint outlines of some Pokemon lying on a table behind the faded glass. "There!" Jacob shouted.
They ran into the room and found a larger version of Latios lying clamped down on a table, another Latios. The older Latios looked like his son, but his white and blue feathers were a lighter shade of blue and grey due to age, and he was of course much larger than the two younger Eon Pokemon.
He was clamped down with restraining belts and around his neck was some kind of necklace that was glowing purple and blue every few seconds. He looked pretty beat up as well, due to the numerous bruises and cuts on his body, as though he had been through a heck of a fight. At their entry the Latios turned its head enough to see who it was, then its eyes widened in amazement.
(My daughter, what are you doing here, and who is that human with you?) He said worriedly.
"We're here to get you out Mr. Latios!" Jacob said as he released Harold from his Pokeball.
(This is Jacob dad, a new friend of mine, and like he said we're here to save you!) Latias said with a smile as Harold instantly reacted to the sight and without being told to, started cutting Latios free from his restraints.
As Harold worked to free Latios from the numerous restraints, Jacob took the chance to look around and saw a computer at one end of the room of examination tables. "Sara come with me, Harold keep working on Latios." He said, and Harold nodded in understanding.
They ran to the computer and he saw that it was on, in fact there was a data disk sticking out of it, and on the screen he saw that multiple files were being downloaded onto the data disk. More specifically, files that were all labeled under the names Project Dark Aura, Phase 1, Phase 2, Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3. There were other files that were available to be looked at, but the rest were all password locked, and only these five folders were being transferred to the data disk.
"Grovyle!" Harold shouted, causing Jacob to see that he had finished cutting Latios free.
"Alright Harold." He said, before taking a chance and taking the data disk with him once it finished transferring files to it. "I have no idea what this stuff is, but we can look at it later. For now we need to get out of here Latios!"
(Wait human, not yet…) He said as he wearily levitated toward him with his daughter helping him. (This device… is keeping me from using my powers. Please take it off of me!)
Jacob and Sara looked at the strange necklace, still glowing purple and blue, preventing the wearer from using its powers. "Harold try and slice it off if you can." Jacob said, and his Grovyle nodded, before taking very careful aim at the necklace.
Then he sliced it off with a swipe of his bladed arms.
(Thank you human, I feel so much better now.) The older Latios said with a sigh of content as he shook the remaining pieces off. (Now let's go, I don't like the idea of staying here any longer.)
They all left with Harold in the lead, Sara trying her hardest to stay with them, and the two Eon Pokemon behind. Minutes later a voice declared over an intercom, [Attention all personal, this facility has been compromised, begin evacuation procedures. System database wipe and facility lockdown will begin immediately. All personal will evacuate the facility immediately, I repeat, facility lockdown will commence immediately. Nothing will be allowed out in T-Minus ten minutes!]
"I don't like the sound of that." Jacob said as he picked up his pace.
As they ran faster, he turned a corner and found that he had just walked in on the aftermath of a still going battle. Jessy and Karen were breathing heavily, Karen's hair in shambles and Jessy's jacket sporting several razor leafs. They're clothes had rips and tears in them, and both of them were holding Latios as he struggled to stay awake, sporting more bruises and injuries than either of them or his father. In front of them glaring angrily and showing his massive fangs was Feral, using his own body to form a living shield to protect both girls from their opponent.
Viridian was standing there, unharmed and still looking just as confident and smug as before. Before him was a Pokemon Jacob had never seen before. It looked like a spider, but was yellow and stood two feet tall, its compound eyes were all tinted purple and its body crackled with electricity. "Oh so the boy finally makes his return." Viridian said with a smile, spotting Jacob and the others behind him. "You're just in time to watch me destroy what's left of your friend's futile resistance."
"Jacob!" Jessy said, a sigh of relief escaping her as she saw him. "Thank goodness you're here, you're just in time. He's stronger than we imagined, you were right. He's destroyed both of our teams and I've only got Feral left!"
"We at least beat two of his Pokemon and he says he only has two left!" Karen shouted with what breath she had. "But you were right, his Pokemon are violent, more violent than we imagined, we need to get our teams to a Pokemon Center fast or their wounds will get worse!"
Viridian laughed as they talked, before his Pokemon released a violent torrent of electricity at Feral the Gyarados, and Jacob recognized it as Discharge. Feral roared in agony as he took the hit, but only reacted by curling around the two girls he was protecting to prevent them from getting hurt. Feral's body was wracked with electricity as his dragon skin darkened in spots from the attack.
Moments later the attack ended, and Feral all but collapsed as he continued to protect Jessy and Karen, as well as Lance and Latios from further harm. "Feral, are you alright, speak to me boy!" Jessy cried out, climbing over her Gyarados to his face.
"Grwr…" Feral moaned, feebly trying to open an eye to look at her, but failing.
"Hahahahaha!" Viridian shouted, laughing at the poor Gyarados before him. "Is this really ALL you have? A Gyarados, a Fearow, a Manectric, a Combusken, a Linoone, a pair of Mightyena, a Breloom, and even a Legendary fighting alongside you, and STILL you could only beat TWO of my Pokemon? They aren't even specialized to defeat you, I simply picked whatever was available to me. What a pathetic demonstration of your skills as Trainers."
"Rio!" Lance shouted as he jumped in front, tiny fists clenched as he glared angrily at Veridian.
However the little Riolu's display was just a show, as his whole body was trembling at the sight of Viridian and his Pokemon. Viridian saw through the tough façade easily though, as he smirked at the little Pokemon. "And this is your last Pokemon, barely a year old Riolu with barely any training done against my Galvantula?" He said, causing what little there was of Lance's courage to waver even more. "I don't know what's sadder, the Pokemon you train or your futile attempts to defeat me."
"We'll see about that!" Jacob said as he and Harold prepared to battle, and this time he felt Sara's courage grow alongside him.
(You've got that right Jacob, he's not scaring me with his mind this time!) She said as she took a step forward. (This time we fight together!)
"Jessy, Karen, get back, leave this fight to me and my team!" Jacob said, and both trainers nodded as Jessy recalled Feral into the safety of his Luxury Ball, while Lance quickly ran back to Karen.
Viridian merely glanced at the Grovyle before he pulled out his second Pokeball, which contained his fourth and last member. Out of the Pokeball came a Houndoom, and instantly it made its presence known, as its eyes glared at Harold and Sara. Once again, there was a faint purple tint in its eyes that wasn't supposed to be there. Yet all it did was make the two Pokemon all the more intimidating to his team.
"So we meet again boy from Mt. Chimney." He said with a smile. "You stopped me from acquiring the Articuno back then, and from what I've heard you rescued that Suicune that stopped me. Two legendaries escaped my grasp because of you, and now you seek to stop me from keeping the Latios. Tell me what is it about these Pokemon that compels you to stand in my way? Here you are again, risking your life for creatures that you yourself hardly know, and yet not only do you risk your own life but also the lives of those creatures you now have at your side. Is one single legendary worth all of this?"
"They're my friends, I don't need any other reason, Pokemon aren't just tools they are living creatures." Jacob said furiously. "Harold, Sara, we can't afford to let this guy hold us here any longer. Take on that Houndoom with Quick Attack, Sara give that Galvantula a taste of your Confusion Attack!"
Both of them nodded and used their attacks simultaneously, Sara gathering her psychic powers while Harold moved at a super-fast speed to smack headlong into Houndoom. After Harold smacked his opponent, Sara used her powers and hit the Galvantula.
Unfortunately both attacks were pathetic, the Confusion barely affected the Galvantula, and the Houndoom only growled even more as Harold retreated to protect Jacob if necessary. "Houndoom, Flamethrower, Galvantula, Bug Bite!" Viridian ordered, and both Pokemon obeyed instantly.
Houndoom's mouth became enflamed and released a piercing hot string of fire at Sara, while Galvantula bared its teeth and charged Harold. Sara used her powers to create a small barrier to protect against the heat, but it broke easily and she was engulfed in the fire. Harold tried to dodge the electric spider Pokemon, but its speed easily matched Harold's, and soon teeth sank into Harold. Both Pokemon cried out in pain, but Sara's cry of pain was all the more piercing through his psychic connection with her, as he felt the heat of the flame hit him as well. But for some reason he felt a wave of comfort wash over him, and not just him but also Sara as well as the heat suddenly disappeared from her. Harold had been relieved of the Galvantula, which merely a moment ago had sunk its teeth into his Grovyle, was now knocked back next to Viridian.
Viridian was glaring at them, as behind Jacob he felt the psychic power of Latios speaking to him. (Enough of this charade.) Latios said to them all, floating forward to stand between Jacob's team and Viridian's. (This is not a normal Pokemon Battle, your Pokemon fight with the ferocity of savages, not the discipline of battle trained Pokemon. If you want to fight any opponent, then it will be me!)
Viridian sneered at the Legendary Pokemon, before he smirked as he pulled out a Pokeball. "If you insist, though just to make sure you are aware, this time I'm going to capture you for myself." He said, and revealed a purple Pokeball with the letter 'S' on it. "When I do capture you, I'm going to make sure you do not escape your cage ever again."
Something about the ball worried Jacob, it didn't look like any ordinary Pokeball that Jacob had ever seen. However Latios wasn't worried at all. (As if you pathetic human, all this time you fail to realize one important detail.) He said, and the air shimmered around him, revealing a Pokeball that was tied to his neck in the form of a necklace. (I am already captured, as long as I carry Arthur's Pokeball, I am safe from your attempts to capture me!)
"Now it's your turn to be called pathetic, legendary." Viridian said with a smile. "This isn't an ordinary Pokeball, it's called a Snag Ball. We develop these little numbers for Team Snagem to use, they're sole purpose is to bypass the Pokeball's safety barrier to capture an already captured Pokemon. So the rules don't apply to you anymore, and you are quite weak, so I don't think your resistance will be much."
Jacob went wide eyed at this news, and he and Sara knew they had to get that Snag Ball for Electra in Mauville City. Latios however was still unconcerned with that news. (Let's test that theory!) He said, and suddenly his body glowed and all of the injuries he received earlier vanished instantly. (Alright kids, watch your old dad fight, just like he did in the old days!)
As they watched, Latios opened his mouth and a purple beam of energy was blasted at the Houndoom, knocking it back instantly. Viridian staggered back in surprise but recovered quickly to issue orders. "Houndoom counter attack with Fire Fang, Galvantula use Signal Beam!"
Both Pokemon counter attacked, but Latios smiled as he shifted into Double Team, creating multiple after images. When both attacks missed, Latios fired off another beam and focused the Houndoom down, knocking it out instantly. (You thought I was a weak Latios, well you underestimated me!) He said enthusiastically. (I was trained for a year by Arthur, and thanks to that training I've become the strongest Latios on Southern Island. My power easily outclasses yours!)
"Galvantula use Electro Web!" Viridian shouted.
Galvantula responded by sending out a web of electricity, but Latios simply took the attack and shrugged it off before responding by charging Galvantula with a small barrier of psychic energy in front of his head. Galvantula was flung backwards, and it was clear that Latios, despite being old, easily was the victor of the battle.
"Impossible… how…" Viridian said in shock as his glasses started falling off. "How could this happen, that idiot told me you were feeble and weak!"
Jacob felt Latios smug attitude double at hearing those two words. (He was mistaken, I may be old, but I had an amazing trainer. One of his favorite tactics that I learned, was to bide my time and learn how strong my enemy is before revealing my true power. It also helped that you restricted the use of my powers, letting me see just what kind of human you really are.)
"That's right, and you're not getting away this time." Karen yelled. "You're going to pay for hurting that Articuno on Mt. Chimney!"
Viridian sneered as he recalled his two Pokemon before pulling out a second Snag Ball, just as the intercom blasted a two minute warning. "Well unfortunately for you, I have no time to play around, so I've got no choice but to retreat." He said angrily. "Let's see how long you resist these Snag Balls!" He shouted, before tossing the two Snag Balls at Latios and Harold.
As the Snag Balls soared at their targets, they emitted a purple glow. Latios' eyes widened as he cast a purple barrier to protect himself from the Snag Ball, but Harold wasn't psychic and out of sheer instinct he flung his arms up to protect himself, and Sara was too slow to bring her psychic powers to create a barrier for him as well. The Snag Balls connected, and a small white barrier rose to protect Harold, just like when Coral was protected from Jessy's Quick Ball. However where Latios was safe thanks to his psychic barrier, Harold's ball protection barrier shattered and the Snag Ball connected with the Grovyle, who was wide eyed and fearful for a split second, before being absorbed into the Snag Ball in a beam of light.
"HAROLD!" Jacob shouted as the ball fell to the floor.
While they were all distracted at Harold's 'capture', Viridian fled down the hallway toward the jet room, but Jacob could care less about Viridian as he watched feverishly as the Snag Ball shook once, then twice, then a third time, praying that his Grovyle could break free of his prison. Then the ball started cracking, and a bright burst of light flashed at them, blinding them temporarily as Harold reappeared.
He was panting heavily, shaking furiously, and his eyes were wide eyed in fear as he held himself with his clawed hands. "Harold, are you okay?" Jacob said as he ran to his Grovyle's side. "Harold, speak to me pal…"
Jacob was interrupted as Harold grabbed him and held him tightly, shivering harder than he's ever done before. "Gro… vyle… Gro… vyle!" Harold whispered, not looking up and simply burying his head in Jacob's chest.
"Sara?" Jacob asked.
(He's distraught Jacob… very distraught…) Sara whispered nervously to him.
[Attention all personal, one minute to lock down, please evacuate the facility, Repeat attention all personal, one minute to lock down.]
"Guys we can bond later, for now let's get out of here!" Jessy said.
"It took us like ten minutes to get down here, there's no way we can get up that staircase in one minute!" Karen shouted as Jacob recalled a terrified Harold into his ball.
(Climb on!) Latios said, going over to Karen and Jessy. (I can carry three of you, and my daughter can carry Jacob if he holds onto his Kirlia.)
"What about Latios your son?" Jacob said, but Latios levitated next to them with a weary smirk.
(I can still fly, don't worry about me.) He said.
They all nodded and started climbing onto the Eon Pokemon, but just as they did Sara used her powers to grab the Snag Ball for Jacob to hold. In moments they were all ready. (Hang on tight!) The older Latios said eagerly, and in seconds they were soaring faster than Jacob could imagine.
They left the hallway and entered the jet room, they saw the sky high above them. As they turned to the sky, Jacob heard the roar of an engine, and watched as the Latios Jet flew right out of the room alongside them. Sitting in the cockpit was Viridian, ignoring them as he piloted the jet out of the secret lab and right past them.
"SHOULD WE CHASE HIM?" Karen yelled as they soared out after him, just as the lab's door closed behind them, locking the facility up.
"NO, LET HIM BE!"Jacob said as the Eon Pokemon turned to land on the ground near the cottage. "WE'LL CATCH HIM ANOTHER DAY!"
He was right, they would catch him some other day. Viridian wasn't going to run away forever from them. No doubt he would search for another legendary Pokemon for whatever experiment he was planning, but when that happened Jacob and his friends would stop him again. Besides he had to take care of a more important issue. Harold his Grovyle was almost snagged from him, and the effect seemed to have devastated the Grovyle. He needed to take care of his Pokemon, like Arky always said to do.
That was what separated him from Viridian, Viridian didn't care about Pokemon, and he didn't care what happened to them. Jacob however did care, and he would rather take care of his team and friends than chase a criminal like Viridian any day.
Arky taught him well, but sometimes Jacob wondered, why did Arky teach him to think this way? Not that there was anything wrong with taking care of his friends and family, but why did he have to let the criminal get away in order to do that?