II: Eterna

Will took in a deep breath, marveling at the many aromas that were woven within the air. Since they had left Sandgem, he had insisted that they only make stops when necessary. Because of this, they had cruised right on through Jubilife city, even though Artemis had tried to talk him into battling with some of the students at the trainer's school. Will on the other hand had never enjoyed the atmosphere of large cities and was happy to put the place behind them. But when they had come to the summit of the flower laden hill that marked Floaroma, even he couldn't resist staying for a while. The town had a calm atmosphere about it that oozed relaxation, and the two trainers had spent much of the day visiting many different vendors selling different species of potted flowers.

"See? Didn't I tell you that this place would be worth it?" said Artemis, leaning up against the side of the Pokemon center, his arms crossed behind his head. "I'm telling you, I could retire and spend the rest of my days living here."

"I have to admit, you were right. This place is amazing! And those Gracidea flowers!? I have never smelt something that good from a plant before! I almost wanted to eat it!"

"You always want to eat Will, doesn't take long to figure that out," laughed Artemis. Normally Will would have at least offered up a defense, but he felt so relaxed that he just smiled.

"Yeah your probably right!"

"Well if you like those than we should go and check out the Floaroma meadow! It's just a little north of town, besides there's a guy who runs a shop there that I wanted to visit." Artemis led Will through a small path that wound its way through a sea of flowers. Steadily the path led them up even higher, and eventually they gained a vantage point so that Will could see the entirety of the small town.

"I can't believe that more people don't actually live here. The town is so tiny!"

"Part of its due to preservation. Nobody wants to risk destroying the ecosystem of the flowers here, so the towns never grown beyond what it needs to be. Travelers come and go all the time, making it a popular tourist spot but the only ones that stay are florists. They work hard to keep Floaroma town just the way it is." The path led them through a small line of trees, revealing an even larger meadow than the one that the town itself was built in. Flowers covered virtually every inch of the ground, save for one lone tree whose leaves were oddly colored a rich gold. Near this tree was a stand bearing many jars filled with a golden liquid.

"Hello boys! Names Apis, anything I can do for you today?"

"Hi Apis! You wouldn't happen to remember me, would you? It's been some time since we last met." The man gave Artemis a quick scan.

"Hmmm, you definitely look familiar. Wait! I know! You're the boy with the Lunatone right? Artemis, I think it was?"

"Your absolutely right! How do you manage to do that? I bet you see hundreds of people every week!"

"A good salesman always invests in his customers no matter how many he has!" Laughed Apis, "and who might this be?"

"Oh this is my friend Will. He's here all the way from the Johto region! Figured I would treat him to some of Floaroma's famous honey!"

"Well you've come to the right place! Johto eh? Welcome to Sinnoh! Here this one is on the house!" said Apis handing Will a small jar of honey.

"Oh wow, thanks! But you don't have to."

"Nonsense!" said Apis waving his hand back and forth, "it's my pleasure! really if you want to thank anybody, thank Shaymin!"

"Shaymin?" asked Will confused.

"Ah yes, figures you wouldn't know about him. Shaymin's a mythical pokemon that lives somewhere here in good old Sinnoh. Most refer to it simply as the gratitude pokemon."

"See Will, Shaymin is the reason that Floaroma town exits here!" Said Artemis who was busy gathering a large collection of honey jars for purchasing.

"Wait, it made the town?"

"Well In a roundabout sort of manner yes. See a long time ago, the hill that Floaroma sits on used to be a desolate patch of land. People tried their best to try and spruce the place up, but alas nothing grew save a lonely dried up berry bush. But that all changed one fateful day. A young woman was passing through from Eterna when her partner Leafeon was poisoned by the bug types that infest the nearby forest. She sought out help, but found that she was quite alone with nothing before her but the barren landscape. This young lady however was an expert on flora and recognized that the shriveled shrub held Pecha berries, powerful antidotes to even the strongest of poisons. Using those precious few berries, she saved her Pokemon and together they offered up their thanks for the blessing nature had provided them. In that instant, the entire hill erupted into a grassy wonderland full of flowers. High above the hill she saw a small green and white Pokemon with a flower on its neck flying overhead. See Shaymin has the power to create beautiful flower patches in an instant! But only does so when it witnesses an expression of true gratitude."

"Wow, that's some story" said Will, thinking that the whole thing sounded a bit far-fetched.

"That's why I spend every day working hard to make the sweetest and best tasting honey in the world! It's my way to continue expressing gratitude for what Shaymin did. After all, if it wasn't for him, my great great grandmother and her Leafeon might not have settled the area, and I wouldn't live in the most beautiful place in all of Sinnoh!"

"And I wouldn't be able to buy all this delicious honey!" chimed in Artemis, "I'll take ten if that's alright with you Apis,"

"Ten?! By gosh kids what are you planning with all that honey? Catch a Snorlax?"

"Were on our way to Snowpoint, so were going to need a pretty big stash to last us on the road!"

"Snowpoint eh? Then I take it you two plan on passing through the Eterna forest?"

"That's right, why is something wrong?" asked Will noticing the worried look on Apis's face.

"Well. Now that you mention it yes. The forest has been dangerous as of late and not just because of the bugs. No one knows why but, the number of ghost type sighting has increased tenfold, and a thick fog has settled in over the northern portion of the forest. Folks that go wandering in find themselves back where they started, or on the completely opposite end of the forest! If you two are planning to tackle the wood, it might be smart to wait until tomorrow morning, that way you get a full days' worth of sunlight to make it through."

"Thanks for the warning Apis!" smiled Artemis as the two trainers packed away their honey, "we'll be sure to wait for tomorrow then!"

The two thanked the honey salesmen and made their way back to the Pokemon center. Will let Weavile lick clean the honey jar Apis had given him while Artemis talked to the receptionist about getting rooms for the night.

"Bad news, looks like they are all full. Seems nobody wants to pass through Eterna with the state it's currently in. We might have to camp out for the night." Will looked towards the eastern gate of the town.

"Or… or we could just try and make it through tonight."

"Wait what?!"

"Oh come on Artemis, your telling me that your curiosity isn't intrigued by this at all? I mean don't you want to know what's causing all of this?" Artemis shifted his feet back and forth uncomfortably.

"Don't get me wrong I mean. Alright yes I'm curious too but. Well if it's dangerous."

"Danger didn't stop you from taking on a mythical Pokemon! Come on if we can handle Darkrai than this should be a breeze!"

"Yes but I have spent my whole life studying Darkrai! I was prepared for that situation. Ghost types though Artemis? This one is wild card! Who knows what could happen!"

"That just means it will be that much more fun! Listen, my grandfather always said that adventure will pop up at the most unexpected of times and that you should always say yes when it does! I mean, he's in his late sixties so obviously, it worked out well enough for him!" chimed Will, forcing himself to push away a sudden mental image of his mother. Artemis seemed to think this over for a few minutes before giving Will a sly smile.

"Alright then you've sold me on it. Follow me, the forest is just a few miles after we cross the river east of town."

The two boys ventured out into the night, hearts racing from both excitement and fear. Artemis knew the way. It took them about an hour to reach the bridge, and another to reach the forests edge. Will could begin to see the long shadows of the tree's reaching up toward the starry sky.

"So what is our plan here exactly Will? Are we just going to charge head first into the forest or what?" Will thought about it for a moment

"Well, he said that fog has obscured the northern part of the woods. Sounds to me like someone is trying to hide something important. Let's start by finding the fog first." Together they followed the path into the woods, unaware that a third party was following closely behind.

Williams thirst for adventure quickly turned to aggravation however, when they failed to find any signs of fog. Deeper and deeper they plunged into the ancient wood, but their surroundings failed to produce any foreboding omens. They were passing through a small clearing free of trees, William having just about to give up hope, when Artemis grew curiously still,

"Is it just me, or did it get a lot colder just now?" Artemis wasn't wrong. The two trainers could see their breath in the night air. The tall trees of Eterna then seemed to bend, blocking out most view of the sky, blanketing the quiet wood in an almost unnatural darkness.

"Say, we're still following the forest path, aren't we?" asked Will, noticing that the well-worn trail that they had been relying on for the past hour seemed to have vanished.

"That's it, remind me never to listen to another one of your stupid ideas ever again," growled Artemis whose began to comb the forest floor, looking for any trace of the trail.

"Now come on, no need to panic, look we've already been in the forest for what an hour? Maybe even longer than that and nothing bad has happened to us. We've just gotten ourselves a little lost it's no big deal!" Though Will tried to reassure his friend, he couldn't help but feel a little fear himself. They had been very careful in following the road just to be on the safe side of things. It made no sense that they had now just suddenly lost it. "Come on, I think that it's this way." Of course, Will had no idea if he was right, but it felt better to be moving than standing still.

They hadn't seen a single wild Pokemon during their venture either which Will had found comforting at first. Now however it was maddening, for their absence had generated the inescapable feeling that something was stalking them. As they pressed further and further into the forest, their surroundings became darker and the trees appeared more and more menacingly. Suddenly a rush of chilled air passed over the two, rattling through the branches overhead it sounded like the great breath of an unknown monstrosity.

"Will, I don't think that's the right way. Maybe we should turn around?" But Will didn't hear his friend, instead his eyes had become transfixed on a mass that was steadily creeping towards the two. Fog, thick and unruly, was closing in around them. At the same time, strange and unnatural sounds began to emanate from within.

"Artemis, you're seeing this right? This isn't all just some joke playing out in my imagination?" As he said this Will took note of ghoulish lights dancing within the fog, some of which gave the impression that they were watching.

"We should have just listened to Apis!" said Artemis, drawing out Lunatone's pokeball, "Will we might be in for a bit of fight!" Will followed suit and called out Weavile. Another strange gale passed over the two as the lights swirled faster and faster.

"What are we aiming for?!" said Will through gritted teeth as he tried to pick out a target.

"Anywhere just attack anywhere!" responded Artemis who had given up on trying to hide his fear, "Lunatone psybeam!" The moon Pokemon fired of a rainbow-like beam from its eyes into the mist but the lights simply danced out of the way. Will swore that as they did, he could hear laughter behind the veil.

"Oh geeze! What are we supposed to do now!"

"Hey! LISTEN!" thundered a voice from above. Will looked up just in time to see Apis jump down from out of a tree. At the same time a massive black and yellow Pokemon that looked to be wearing a ballroom gown swept down by his side. "Alright Vespiquen, use Defog!" The bee Pokemons wings became wrapped in a blue light as it beat them furiously back and forth. In turn bright crescents of wind swept into the fog, causing it to recoil backwards. "Alright you two follow me and keep close!" Together, the trio charged into the opening created by Vespiquen, even as the fog closed back in on the gap they had made. They were running so fast that the whole forest had become nothing more than a blur, Will had no idea how Apis knew where it was that he was going. Soon enough they came to rest in a small clearing where a large moss covered rock sat quietly in the grass. Will leaned against it as he gasped for more air.

"How… did …. You… find us?"

"I've been following you two idiots since you first left Floroama town! What on earth were thinking! I tell you that the forest is a dangerous place and you decide that the best time to cross through it is in the middle of the night?!"

"His idea, all his," said Artemis pointing at Will.

"Wait, so you followed us through the forest? But how?"

"I've lived in this area my entire life. Vespiquen and I combine the nectar that we collect from the flowers in Floaroma town with berries that we harvest here in the forest to make special types of honey and jam. As such, I know the layout of the land like the back of my hand," said Apis with evident pride.

"So then, you must have some idea what's really going on here in the forest!" asked Will with a bit of realization. "You can take us to the source!"

"Source?"

"Come on! The way that fog came after us! This isn't just something that's happening by chance! There's something going on in the deeper part of these woods and you're the only one who can lead us there!"

"You don't want to go there trust me." Will couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Aha! So, then you do know where this is all coming from!"

"I don't know for certain it's more of an idea that's all," said Apis as he began inspecting the grove. Clearly he was fearful that the fog might find them again. "Look deep in the wood is an abandoned place known as the Old Chateau. It's been vacant for as long as I can remember, and it has always been the sight of many ghost type Pokemon. But a few weeks ago, the ghosts around the house became incredibly hostile, so much that trainers and passersby alike just left it well alone. Then the fog business started up. During the day, it's not so bad. The fog recedes from everywhere else in the forest except for where that house stands. But at night it grows, reaching out further and further. Something inside I think is causing all of this, but it's too dangerous to go there."

"But Apis, we can help! Artemis and I were both here! If the three of us were to go in together-" but Apis just shook his head.

"No, I am not risking something happening to two young men. I have already spoken with the gym leader of Eterna City, she has agreed with me that we must keep travelers out of the house's way until Fantina returns from her business in Kalos."

"Fantina? Who is that?"

"She is the gym leader of Hearthome city," said Artemis who was still clearly shaken up by the incident with the fog, "She is an expert on ghost types."

"But who knows how long that could take!" shouted Will, "We are here right now, why don't WE try and fix things!"

"Listen here Will," said Apis, growing fed up with the boy's behavior, "Ghost type Pokemon are not something to be trifled with. Mess with them and you're asking for an early trip to the grave."

"Fine, well if you won't help us find the house, can you at least help lead us out of the forest?" Apis looked around a second time, considering the question more to himself than the two trainers.

"Hmm. It would be faster to take them towards the city. We've already managed to make it this far and as long we don't stray too far north… Alright then, but we need to be quick. Stay close!" Will and Artemis returned their Pokemon before following Apis back into the closely grown trees. It was clear that they were off the usual path, and several times Apis had to double back after spotting some landmark that remained hidden to the eyes of the trainers. After what seemed an eternity of wandering lost in the dark though, the trees started to thin apart and soon a dirt path revealed itself winding through the wood.

"Ahh here we are! Follow this trail eastward and you two should be just fine." Artemis on the other hand simply pointed behind the wise honey master, fear brimming in his face.

"It's back!" Sure, enough billowing outward to greet them was the fog from before, though this time it moved with a speed entirely unnatural.

"Vespiquen Defog!" Once again the bee Pokemon unleashed bright waves of light into the vaporous air, though this time as the fog parted ways a series of tiny ruffled orbs appeared before them. Each bore a pair of glowing violet eyes.

"Those are wild Misdrevous look out!" Even as Artemis spoke the ghost Pokemon unleashed a flurry of shadowy blobs toward them. "Lunatone use protect!" Artemis's partner appeared in a flash, putting up a barrier to block the assault.

"Now quick Vespiquen knock them out with air slash!" The hive Pokemon rose into the air before spinning its body swiftly. As it did, its wings created a sharp blade of air that scattered the ghost pokemon. Will was about to call out Weavile to help fend off the attackers when he saw a dull glow beyond the wall of fog. He recognized it, the light of a window.

"Will what are you doing!?" Shouted Artemis but he was too late. Will had bucked the group and was now sprinting towards the faint glow. He knew they would be mad but that didn't matter. Something clearly had upset these wild Pokemon, he couldn't just leave them like this. He was going to do something to help. As soon as he was engulfed in the fog, the sounds of the battling behind him vanished. Everything became deathly silent but still he could see the light emanating from behind a pained glass window which was getting closer and closer.

Then all at once the fog parted, and Will found himself staring up at the entrance to a large, ruined manor.

"So this is the Old Chateau. Weavile, I'm going to need your help with this one." He released his partner and together they made their way slowly up to the manors steps. As they did another howl of wind passed over the trees, and Will noticed that with it went several more ghost Pokemon which seemed to be heading in the direction that he had come from.

"Probably after Artemis and Apis if I had to guess. Alright then, let's see what these spooks are hiding. Lead the way Weavile!"