=Chapter 38, Route 119 Adventures=
=Rainy Days=
*Jacob to Arky*
*Hi Arky, it's me again, boy do I have some cool stuff to describe to you today. After we finished up in Mauville City with Electra, we actually gained a new traveling companion in the form of Segan, the salon owner from Petalburg City. He asked us to let him join because he said something about weird things happening around Hoenn, and he and Glace wanted to investigate it. How could we refuse when he offered to pay for whatever we need while traveling with us?*
*In any case Arky, after we left Mauville City, we made our way to Route 118, and after crossing the river separating Routes 118 and 119, thanks to Coral fording it with us all on her back, we began the long trek to Fortree City. According to Karen and Segan, it would take us at least three weeks to make it through this section of Hoenn. A few days was all it took us to get through 118, and we ran into those two interviewers, Abby and YW again. They wanted to interview us and see how much better we've become, needless to say Karen and I trumped them easily.*
*Sara was the star of this battle alongside Shrew, both of them proved their strengths in the match, and despite me wanting to avoid giving a quote, Karen dragged me into it. Our short, sweet, and intriguing quote was 'Teamwork Kiddies!' ugh I was turning red at that.*
*In any case, we moved on to Route 119, and Segan handed us several umbrellas, and purchased a waterproof tent for himself, since Karen and I had all purpose sleeping bags. He explained that we would need them because of Route 119's reputation for having constant thunderstorms and rainy days.*
(Jacob's PoV)
"Is it always this rainy?" Jacob asked as he, Segan and Karen trudged through the wetlands of Route 119, clutching umbrellas to shield them from the never ending torrent of rain.
For three days since they first arrived on Route 119, they've been trying to make their way through the huge swath of tall grass that marked the beginning of Route 119. Occasionally they encountered small patches of open fields where Trainers and even a Ranger had set up tents to provide shelter from the rain. Yet no matter where they went, there was no break from the rain as it continued to pour down on them.
"How come there's a desert close to Mt. Chimney, but it's like a rainforest here near Fortree City?" Jacob complained as Sara sat on his shoulder, using her powers to sense where they were going because of how impossible it was to see in the tall grass.
"I always heard the stories of the constant rain showers of Route 119, but man I never thought they'd be this bad!" Karen shouted as Lance hung onto Karen's neck to stay out of the rain.
"Believe me, this is a light rain shower you two." Segan said as Glace floated next to him, holding the small umbrella to cover herself and Glace, though because of his coat and hat, they clearly didn't care about it getting wet. "Just wait, eventually it will really begin to pour, but occasionally there will be days when it's dry and sunny."
They continues to traverse through the tall grass, according to their flying scout, Roran, they still had a good day's travel before they left it behind. So once they looked up and saw the sky beginning to darken, indicating night was approaching, Jacob and his friends decided to make camp as they found a small clearing that was unclaimed by any other Trainers.
They unpacked a large canvas that they could put on small pikes to allow them to create a small fire to cook food and eat dinner in shelter from the rain. When that was finished, they gathered what little firewood they could in the tall grass, and piled it together along with some other flammable pieces they found, old newspapers, paper bags and sticks. Needless to say, they were all damp because of all the rain. "Alright Jacob, bring out Kenna because otherwise we're never going to get this fire started." Karen said after they gathered everything together.
"Are you sure about that Karen, Kenna is already feeling bad enough as is." Jacob said, not wanting to bring out Kenna to make her feel even worse.
Ever since they entered Route 119, and the unending rainfall, they had been forced to rely on Kenna's flame type moves to prepare the fire and dry off their firewood. Unfortunately because Kenna didn't practice her fire type moves they did not have much success. Each time she tried to use her Ember, it failed to light the fire, at most it caused the wood to steam, and sometimes she succeeded in lighting a small fire, but the moisture in the air always snuffed it out before it could spread.
This only made her feel even more useless to Jacob, and caused her to become more depressed with each attempt.
"Jacob, I know you care a lot about your team, and you don't want to make them feel bad." Karen said. "But this is not the time or place to be gentle with your team. Kenna's a fire type, and I've never once, in all my life, heard of a fire type not being able to light even a SMALL fire. Sure this is the infamous Route 119, but a fire's a fire, and I am not eating cold Remoraid Soup again. I'd rather not use the lighter I bought, cause I don't know when we'll be able to get another one."
Jacob sighed and pulled out Kenna's Pokeball, took one nervous glance at Sara, who nodded in understanding, before he released Kenna for the third time that day. In a flash his blue flamed Ponyta appeared, and shivered in slight fear from the rain that was pouring around her. The moisture in the air evaporated upon contact with her flames and body, causing a slight cloud of steam to rise up around her.
"Pffbt?" She asked Jacob, and after a second Sara translated. "Yes Jacob?"
"Hey girl, listen I know you're having a hard time here, but do you think you could give lighting a fire for us another try?" Jacob said as gently as he could.
Kenna looked at the small pile of firewood with a mixture of hesitation and fear, noticing that Karen was nearby and waiting for her to light it. She looked at Jacob with a pleading look that clearly begged him to put her back in the ball, and Sara silently told him that she really didn't want to make Karen angry because she failed to start a fire again.
"It's okay girl just give it one more try, I know you can do it, just do your best and nobody will be upset with you." Jacob said, holding Kenna's muzzle in both hands and rubbing her cheek gently to show that he believed in her. "One more try alright?"
Kenna blinked a few times nervously, before she nodded and nuzzled him affectionately. "I'll try my best Jacob." Sara translated.
With that she slowly walked over to the small fire, glanced at Karen nervously, before she opened her mouth and took a deep breath, before expelling a series of flames at the pile of sticks.
Unfortunately, her Ember attack was absolutely pitiful, and the best she could muster were small puffs of smoke as her attack merely dried off the wood before the moisture of the air made it wet again. "Looks like we have to use the lighter again." Karen complained angrily as she pulled out a lighter and went about trying to start the fire Kenna failed to start.
Kenna lowered her head in shame as she watched Karen flick a small device to perform what she should be able to do naturally. "It's okay Kenna, you tried your best." Jacob said, petting Kenna through her flame, feeling a tickling sensation as she granted him immunity to it.
"Pffbt…" She complained, "I still failed…" before turning and walking to the edge of their shelter in disgrace.
Jacob sighed and looked at Sara, who nodded in agreement with what he wanted to do. "Guys you handle cooking for now." He said as he and Sara walked over to Kenna while she knelt down on the ground.
Jacob noticed that as she knelt down, she appeared to get even more depressed as the small flames on her legs were unable to ignite the grass on the ground because of how wet it was. "Hey Kenna, how are you feeling?" He asked her warmly while sitting down, trying to cheer her up.
Kenna looked over at him before leaning into his hands and whined in sadness. "Why am I so weak…?" She asked him as Sara continued to translate.
"It's not your fault Kenna, if anyone is at fault it's me for not training you." Jacob said calmly as he scratched her behind the ear. "I never trained you to use your powers or abilities because you don't like fighting, so I never bothered. So don't blame yourself for being weak."
Kenna still looked depressed as she continued to accept his affection. "Does that mean you won't keep me with you?" She asked sadly.
Jacob shook his head as he calmed his Ponyta. "No, you're a valued member of my team, just like Coral was when she was just a Feebas." He said to her. "I didn't mind or care that she was a Feebas, and even if she were a Feebas still I wouldn't mind. It doesn't matter to me if you're the weakest Ponyta ever, to me you're just as important as Harold and Sara are to me. If there's one thing my teacher taught me, it's that we all have our place, some of us are good battlers and some of us just need to find that place where we belong. You'll find your place Kenna, and when you do, no doubt we'll all be proud of you."
Sara nodded in agreement. (That's right Kenna, you'll find your place, and we know it!) She said warmly.
Kenna finally looked up at Jacob and smiled at him, letting him know that she appreciated his care. "I hope I find my place soon…" She said an affectionate nuzzle to his cheek.
"Hey you guys done over there, foods starting to get warm!" Karen yelled as she started to release her team.
Jacob looked over and saw that Segan was putting the finishing touches on their soup for dinner. One thing they learned about Segan was that only was he a great groomer of Pokemon and people, but he was also a decent chef from his travels. Glace helped him with the soup by putting ingredients into the pot when it was necessary. With a sigh he stood up and helped Sara onto his shoulder and waited for Kenna to stand up to join him before they went over to eat dinner.
In truth, Jacob didn't know what to do for Kenna. He didn't want to have her fight when she really didn't want to, and he didn't know how to train her any other way. For now though, Kenna was a member of his team, and no more or less valuable than any other member. She didn't need to fight to prove herself to anyone.
All Kenna wanted, and it was something Sara told him in private, was to find her place on the team.
=Studies=
(Anita's PoV)
She watched from the cover of the tall grass in her tent, looking at the view screen of her PokeTech as her target separated himself and his Kirlia to speak to his Ponyta. "Huh, what do you know, he has a Shiny Ponyta, now that is a rare one." She said to herself as she stuck a Pecha flavored lollipop into her mouth. "Hmm, let's see, level estimate is in the 9 range, move pool seems to be a very weak Ember, an underused Growl, an unused Tail Whip, and a very weak Tackle." She turned a dial to turn on the mic to her 'agents' in the field and switched to a picture of the sun. "Alright Light, I'm switching to you, see if you can get a closer look, move in from direction South by Southwest for seven paces, don't expose yourself and remember to keep your mind closed to the Kirlia."
She watched the screen as tall grass obscured it for the most part, before a break in it appeared and she got a good look at the scene. Instantly she adjusted the screen so that the Ponyta was in the center and began writing down data. "Alright keep focused on the Ponyta Light, let's see what makes this Ponyta special to this kid." She said as more data began appearing on the screen. "Let's see, according to this the Ponyta's nature is, Timid, IV stats are roughly 7, 5, 13, 12, 9, and 20 respectfully. Moves used over the past six months are Ember, average seven per. EV stats are almost nonexistent with the two highest being Speed and Defense in the ten range."
Anita sighed as she rubbed her forehead in frustration. "Really, what is he training this Ponyta for, or is he just keeping her to show off like a Trophy?" She moaned as she returned her attention to the screen as the Ponyta began to show affection by nuzzling her Trainer. "Hmm… I wonder…" She switched the monitor to a picture of the moon to show the same image of the Ponyta and her Trainer, but from another angle. "Dark I've switched back over to you, readjust your position so that the camera has both the Ponyta and Trainer together. Avoid the Kirlia, I want to keep this between the boy and Ponyta for the moment."
Moments later the screen adjusted so that eventually the Kirlia was moved out of sight and only the Ponyta and Trainer remained. Once only those two remained, new numbers and data started appearing. "Interesting, this Ponyta has a 3.5 bond according to the scale, out of five this is extraordinarily high considering how weak she is. For a friendship and trust rating, it's roughly a 174 rating based on the amount of time that has been spent traveling between the two. Despite how weak it is level and stat wise, the friendship and trust between the two is quite high. Now then… on to the Trainer and the Kirlia."
"Light I'm switching back to you, readjust to get the Kirlia and Trainer now in view, watch out for that Riolu now, its ability to see auras may give you away." She said, sucking on her lollipop with gusto as she watched the Trainer starting to release his team one at a time, but still keep his Kirlia on his shoulder.
Moments later the screen shifted and she began getting readings from Light's equipment now. "Hmm, level range roughly 28, nature is Careful, IV's are… well now, 15, 24, 30, 25, 28, and 21 respectfully. Not bad, not bad all things considered, moves used over the last few months are Confusion, Teleport, Calm Mind, and Double Team. Pretty average pool, nothing special, and with an EV spread specializing in Special Attack and Special Defense. Now let's see how you rate when it comes to your bond."
She switched over to Dark's camera and instructed him to get the Kirlia and Trainer in view now, and moments later watched as data appeared once again. "Hmm… what the." She whispered as a 3.9 appeared, but the coloration was off. "This has to be a glitch, most likely, this is substandard equipment considering I made it out of Pokeball parts and a recycled PokeTech. Why are the hearts more red than pink, the Ponyta's were all pink, why is the Kirlia's red? Whatever, let's see closeness rating is about 214, pretty normal all things considered. A strong bond between Kirlia and Trainer, pretty average strength in terms of training, though why does he keep this Kirlia wild?"
She hummed to herself as the group ate their dinner, and after more studies and notes, she learned that all of his team were quite close to him, some more than others, and a few stronger than others. After taking her notes of the strengths and weaknesses of his team, she put her notebook in a bag and finally shut off the PokeTech. "Alright, Dark, Light, get out of there and return to HQ. I'm tired and tracking this boy down was annoying, not to mention the thought alone makes me hungry."
She pulled her earpiece out and opened up the tent's flap, before laying back and waiting for her two operatives to return. "Really now boss, I know this is what I asked for, but why do I have to stalk the cute ones?" She said in a bored voice. "He's not worth this much effort, hacking into the Pokemon Database, locating his Pokedex's signal, coordinating his location to where he was at each incident involving the legendary targets and tracking him down to this route. Way too much effort. Really now, not even covering up Snagem's mistakes or the slipups your boys make is worth the overtime."
She looked up at the top of the tent and wondered what drove her to forget to put the rain flap on the top of the tent, and sighed in annoyance that she really hates doing so much work. "Dad, sometimes I have way too much work because of you." She muttered to herself, rubbing a piece of jewelry around her neck.
=Segan's Story=
*Jacob to Arky*
*We've been traveling through Route 119, and after finally getting through the tall wild grass we made our way upstream by following the river. Coral has been thoroughly enjoying swimming alongside us as we traveled on the land path while she swam through the water. Segan even showed us where his sister found Coral as a Feebas.*
*Today was a nice day and Roran flew on ahead of us to tell us how far away we are from a local tourist attraction, the Hoenn Weather Station. We're still a good week away from it, but it gives us plenty of time to take in the sights as well as do some training.*
*Some of my team are getting restless with the lack of Trainers battling along this route, so what I've been doing is having them pair up to spar with each other. Ivan and Roran often battle Harold and Sara, with Latias, Coral and Kenna just watching. However there's still the grudge fights between my team and Karen's and now that Lance is strong enough, he's officially joined Karen's team as one of her viable team members.*
(Jacob's PoV)
"Ivan use Howl!" Jacob ordered as Ivan dodged Lance's Force Palm.
"Graaawr!" Ivan roared, hyping himself up for battle and increasing his attack.
"Lance, use Quick Attack!" Karen yelled.
"Rio!" Lance responded, charging forward and smacking Ivan with his paw before he could react.
Lance retreated instantly and waited for Ivan's counter attack, and he didn't wait long as Jacob told Ivan to move in with Thunder Fang. Ivan bared his fangs and let the electricity surge through them before he charged forward.
"Lance use Endure!" Karen shouted instantly, and Lance instantly ground his feet into the dirt, held up his paws defensively, and braced himself for Ivan's onslaught.
Ivan didn't hesitate as he charged and bit down on the Riolu's arm, however because Lance was a fighting type, and thanks to him enduring the attack, he did not lose his footing or his stance against the Mightyena.
"Alright well done Lance, now show him you're Reversal!" Karen ordered.
"Rio!" Lance shouted as he grabbed Ivan's muzzle, surprising both Jacob and the Mightyena with just how strong he was. "Rioooo…luuuuuuu!"
Lance used his surprising strength and not only picked up Ivan who was bigger and heavier, but also threw him down onto the ground heavily. Ivan wearily got back up, but it was clear the match was over. "Well done Ivan." Jacob said as he and Sara walked over to the strong willed Mightyena. "Good try, but in the end the fighting type won."
"Grawr." Ivan growled in acceptance while Lance was being showered with congratulations by Karen and her team.
"Way to go Lance, you beat that wolf like he was a paper weight!" Karen said as she and Lance celebrated. "Sure you had the advantage but Ivan is one of Jacob's toughest team members!"
"Riolu!" Lance said with a smile.
"Alright you two, enough of that now, it's time for lunch." Segan yelled from their small campsite. "Making poor old Segan slave over a fire for you two kids, now where's the justice in this world."
"Oh stop complaining Segan, think of it as fair compensation for making us slave over tolerating that smelly coat of yours!" Karen said with a chuckle. "Honestly now I see why your sister hates it so much. That thing stinks so badly it makes me want to toss it into the river!"
"Oh please not the jacket, anything but my jacket!" Segan said in mock desperation, pretending to clutch his jacket into a pile and clutching it as if it were his first born son. "I can't live without my jacket, please oh please merciful master spare my poor precious jacket!"
Glace who was out and admiring the scenery around them also pretended to beg Karen to spare Segan's jacket. "Froslass…" She whispered, giving her sad eyes as she held Segan's shoulder in mock fear and desperation.
Jacob chuckled as well as they released their teams to eat lunch in the shade of the waterfall. As their teams ate the three started talking about what was going on around Hoenn, and in particular bringing Segan up to speed about what they were investigating. "Wait, you mean those Snagem people were going to let whoever this group is, turn my Glace into a Shadow Pokemon?" He asked in horror as Glace brushed his hair, shock on her face at what Jacob and Karen explained. "Why would they do something like that to an innocent creature like Glace? She hasn't got a mean bone in her body!"
"I'm not sure, but whoever they are just want to create powerful Pokemon." Karen said angrily. "So far they've been capturing tons of Pokemon from the wild and using Snagem to steal Pokemon that have close bonds with their Trainer's or humans, regardless of their actual strength. That's why they targeted you and Glace specifically, it wasn't because Glace was rare or for her skull mask, it was because they wanted her for her close bond with you."
"Well, at least they failed to spirit her away from me." Segan said cheerfully, holding Glace close to him as she nodded in agreement.
"It's even worse than you think Segan." Jacob sighed, scratching Sara's head as she started to get depressed, knowing what he was thinking. "The wild Pokemon are being used as experiments, testing this project of theirs to see how viable and useable it is before they use it on more powerful Pokemon. Even the bonded Pokemona are reduced to experiments and test subjects."
(It's horrible, they're killing Pokemon every day.) Sara continued sadly. (My parents were taken, and Kora's brothers and sisters as well. They probably aren't even alive anymore, and I won't ever know if my parents are still alive or not!)
Segan looked very sad at Sara's expression and tried his best to cheer them up, unfortunately couldn't because of how depressing the topic was. All he could do was apologize to them, and try to think of positive things. "I can't believe things have gotten that bad." Segan said. "This pales in comparison to the times before me and my sister were around. I remember the stories my mother told me about the great disasters of Hoenn. I figured things couldn't get that bad, but after hearing this, how could things have gotten this horrible. At least back then, people knew what was going on to a degree, but this time hardly anyone is aware of it! Not to mention the groups that were running around were easy to spot!"
"What's even worse is that there's no proof of it happening!" Karen complained angrily, viciously taking her anger out on her food. "These guys are thorough, the evidence we found was wiped the moment Electra tried to examine it. They've taken wild Pokemon that are in such high numbers nobody will notice it even if they tried! They're using Snagem to steal Pokemon and put the blame on them so that nobody sees what's really going on."
"And until we expose them, nobody will believe a word we say." Jacob said sadly.
They became silent on that note, and ate their food in silence. After a few minutes and trying to find something, anything to change the topic to something else, Jacob finally became curious about the great disasters of Hoenn, having never heard the full story about it other than the rumors. Segan said he didn't know about it personally, having not been born when it happened, but he did say his parents lived through it.
"Well, it all started years and years ago, before me and Fera were born mind you, I'd say about forty years sounds about right." He said in thought. "Back then, there were two environmentalist groups at war with each other. They were called Team Aqua and Magma respectfully, led by Archie and Maxie. Magma wanted to create more land so that humans could expand and move forward in life, while Aqua sought to preserve the natural environment and especially the sea for all Pokemon to exist in. The two groups clashed over their ideologies, but things came to a headway forty years ago when they awoke two legendary Pokemon."
"Team Aqua, in an attempt to get ahead of Magma in their goals, awoke the great Sea Basin Pokemon, Kyogre, while Magma seeking to do the same over Aqua awoke the Continent Pokemon, Groudon. With those deeds done, they expected their goals to be realized, but they made the fatal mistake of underestimating the power of those two Pokemon. Groudon and Kyogre clashed as they did in ages past, and both Pokemon attempted to establish their dominion over the region. Kyogre's power, upon being awakened, summoned forth an unending torrent of rain that threatened to drown the region and eventually the world, while Groudon created an intense heat wave that sought to dry up all the water around Hoenn and beyond."
Jacob, Karen, and all of their teams that were out were paying great attention to the story Segan was weaving, especially Latias as she slowly levitated over to Jacob's side so she could get a good view of Segan. "As the two Pokemon prepared to clash in Sootopolis City, two great Trainers with arms raised high above them, from opposite sides of the secluded city, caught the attention of both Pokemon, and in their hands were two glowing, glistening orbs of ruby red and sapphire blue, both radiating a soothing and calming energy that stopped the Super Ancient Pokemon's rampage."
"Kyogre, enamored by the Blue Orb in Saphire's hands, approached the young boy as he challenged him to a battle, in order to save the world he loved. Groudon, captivated by the Red Orb, also approached the young Trainer Ruby as she too challenged the mighty legendary, determined to save all that Groudon threatened."
"Their battle began, and the fight was fierce for both Super Ancient Pokemon were fighting for the power that both orbs contained, while the Trainers and their team's battled to protect their homes and friends, as well as each other. The fighting became more ferocious as time went on, with neither side willing to surrender, but it was concluded as a great beam of light broke through the dark clouds which gathered above the region. From that heavenly green beam of light, an even greater, more powerful Pokemon emerged, the third Super Ancient Pokemon of the sky. Lord Rayquaza, the great Pokemon of the sky, and guardian of all Hoenn."
"In his presence all stopped fighting, and with a great and mighty roar, both Kyogre and Groudon became passive and less violent. Yet as Lord Rayquaza left, both the land and sea Pokemon returned to resume their battle with the Trainers. Yet this time their powers were more tamed, and neither sought the destruction of the region or world. Instead, they felt a spark that only those Pokemon under the command of a Trainer feel."
Segan smiled as he reached the epic conclusion of his tale. "They felt the spark, which comes from facing a worthy opponent in battle." He said. "The two resumed their battles, and now the stakes were different, neither wanted to obtain the orbs, they wanted to face the two Trainers to see if they were worthy of their powers. The Trainers, seeing and understanding this, pitted their teams against the ancient ones in a final confrontation that made all of Sootopolis tremble in excitement. Kyogre and Groudon battled Ruby and Sapphire, determined to make the spark they felt become a reality. Ruby and Sapphire, forgot all about saving the world, the region, their homes and loved ones. In the heat of battle, they simply wanted to test their strengths, test their team's strengths, and prove themselves worthy of the Super Ancient Pokemon."
"They continued to fight until exhaustion took its toll on all sides, and just when it seemed that both Kyogre and Groudon would emerge victorious, the Trainers finally revealed their ace up their sleeves. Two Master Balls, primed and ready to capture the mighty beasts of land and sea, and so they did. In two brilliant flashes of light, an exhausted Kyogre and a tired Groudon, were captured in an instant."
(Incredible…) Sara whispered in amazement in Jacob's lap.
(I always heard that Trainers captured Pokemon, but I never knew they could make Pokemon that are close to immortals obey them.) Latias said in awe.
"I heard of Aqua and Magma being beaten down by Ruby and Sapphire, that's what made their names so legendary." Karen said. "But I never heard about them capturing Kyogre and Groudon, how come that little detail wasn't mentioned in all the stories I've read about them?"
"Yea, I would think if a Trainer captured a super legendary Pokemon like Kyogre or Groudon, it would be all over the news." Jacob said, also curious about how that little piece of information seemed to have slipped.
"Well you see, that WOULD have happened, if not for the fact that everyone in Sootopolis, in gratitude for the two Trainers saving their city and the region, agreed to keeping silent about the detail of Groudon and Kyogre being captured. To the world, it looked like the Super Ancient Pokemon simply returned to their resting places to slumber, but to those who were there when it happened, the truth would remain in their hearts and minds, and nowhere else." Segan said with a bit of a smile. "Kyogre became one of Sapphire's most faithful and powerful protectors, using the sea itself to shield the boy as time went on. As for Groudon, he became Ruby's most solid fighter, shaking the very land against any who challenged her. There are legends and even theories that whenever it rains heavily somewhere for a brief period of time, it is Kyogre fighting for Sapphire, and the same goes for hot days, in which Groudon fights for Ruby."
"So I'm guessing your parents told you the story, and you agreed to keep it secret?" Karen asked.
"Pretty much, though now that I've told you, you have to keep it secret as well." Segan said. "Ruby and Sapphire have enough on their plates with the HNN hounding them even now that they're retired, they don't need whoever this group is targeting them now. If word of Sapphire and Ruby having Kyogre and Groudon got out, well I don't know what would happen. Maybe they could fight off their opponents, or maybe not. They are over fifty years old, poor folks don't need any more intensity in their lives, they were only eleven or twelve years old when they faced Kyogre and Groudon."
(We'll keep it a secret Mr. Segan.) Latias said with a smile.
"Yea, we all will." Jacob said, getting nods of agreement from his team. "Ruby and Sapphire don't need Viridian chasing after them for Groudon and Kyogre."
While they talked, none of them, not even Sara, noticed a pair of cameras and binoculars pointing at them from the top of the waterfall, hidden thanks to the brush and vegetation. Of the river.
(Anita's PoV)
"So he also has a Latias, this boy is full of surprises, can't believe I missed her last time I observed his team." Anita said. "His team is quite average, balanced to cope with multiple types of Pokemon he may be facing. His strongest team members in order are his Grovyle, Kirlia, Milotic, Latias, Swellow, Mightyena, and finally Ponyta. Each one specializes in a different stat to make them more capable and suited to their battle styles, in tandem with their Trainer's personality. All in all, he's just an ordinary twelve year old Trainer with some interesting Pokemon."
As she watched she wished she could listen in on what they were talking about. "His team isn't weak to any particular type of Pokemon, as they each cover each other's weaknesses quite easily. Therefore I will have to confront him with just the Pokemon I have on me."
"Umbreon?" Dark asked as she adjusted her PokeTech to take some more readings.
"No Dark, you and Light are to avoid fighting if at all possible." She said. "Now Light, let's get some readings on that Latias."
"Espeon…" Light said as she turned to move the Camera on her back so that the Latias was in the frame.
"Easy now, readjust five centimeters to the right and…" Anita said, but just as the Latias came into picture, she flew over her Trainer and moved in front of him, so that he was in the way. "Dang it, get out of the way I don't want you I want that Latias…"
Suddenly numbers and data started appearing on the screen, surprising her as she wasn't expecting it to pick up readings. "What the… you're not designed to take readings on humans… so what are you picking up?" She whispered as the data started to make sense. "Nature, Serious, level 100, IV's 31, 31, 31, 31, 31, 31, EV's unknown…" Just as she was about to read out more, something glowed around the Trainer, and her PokeTech sparked and smoked, before it blew up in her hand, leaving only a smoldering mess of what was her PokeTech.
"Umbreon!" Dark yelled, asking if she was alright.
"I'm alright Dark." Anita said as she looked at the remains of the PokeTech. "Now that is interesting. Could it be possible, I've met another like me Dad?" She asked as she touched her necklace. "Looks like I've got to introduce myself to this boy, but not before certain preparations are made."