Hey, everyone, Merry day after Christmas! 087-B here, and I'm finally back with a brand new chapter for Gravity Falls: Sinnoh Adventure! I'm so sorry for taking so long, but real life priorities top writing FanFiction!
Now, you guys should know most of what happened last chapter; stuff I'm too lazy to recap!
As for this chapter, this chapter is a turning point in the story. Important plot details will be revealed and will further open up a mystery that has plagued Sinnoh for many years, and while not too much will be unveiled, the first door to solving the mystery is starting to open.
This chapter, though not the finale of Season 3, was originally gonna be the finale of this story's first compendium, but I've since made the third season's finale the ending of the first compendium.
As for how many compendiums there will be, I can't say. They won't all last thirty chapters, though; some will be longer, others will be shorter, but they're all comprised of multiple story arcs to form one large arc that ties in with the next.
I struggled choosing which chapter should end the compendium; this chapter's more mysterious tone, or the season finale's intense vibe. Either way, this chapter is still a huge one in terms of plot, but I can say with 100% certainty that the finale will top all previous chapters, and you'll be left on the edge of your seat, just wondering what will happen next!
…okay, I doubt anyone will be that enticed.
But, I sadly cannot reveal too much about the upcoming finale of the third season; instead, I'll have to move on with this chapter.
Now, on with the show!
-Chapter 30: What Remains And What's To Come-
"Alright, Salamence, let's go!"
"Come on out, Torterra, it's time to shine!"
With that, each trainer had sent out the Pokemon they would use in this battle; Lucas and Toterra, and Zinnia with Salamence. As everyone had taken a seat to watch, Dipper had gasped at the sight of Zinnia's Dragon-Type Pokemon, immediately pulling out his Pokedex to scan it.
Salamence, the Dragon Pokemon
Dragon/Flying-Type
Ability: Moxie
As a result of its long-held dream of flying, its cellular structure changed, and wings grew out.
"Whoa, a Salamence…!" Dipper uttered in disbelief. "It's…no way! Level 78?!"
Meanwhile, Mabel had heard of Turtwig's final evolution, but she had never seen it before, and was quite surprised to see it now. Quickly, she pulled out her Pokedex and scanned it.
Torterra, the Continent Pokemon
Grass/Ground-Type
Ability: Overgrow
Some Pokemon are born on a Torterra's back and spend their entire life there.
"Whoa…Dipper, you think that's a high level? Look at this!" Mabel exclaimed. "Lucas' Torterra is Level 85!"
"Being Champion of Sinnoh, I'll be considerate and allow you to make the first move." Lucas crossed his arms and smirked.
"This is obviously a ploy; you want me to make the first move so you can know for a fact you were predicting what I was going to do, then counter and set up in advance!" Zinnia smirked as well. "But I'll humor you; Salamence, Aerial Ace!"
Salamence lifted into the air with its wings, then sped forwards towards Torterra, its body being enveloped in a bright red and blue light.
"A Flying-Type move? That'll be super effective against a Grass-Type like Torterra!" Mabel noted.
"But Torterra's also part Ground-Type." Dipper added. "So, the end result will be neutral damage, nullified by the second type."
"Aerial Ace, huh…? That won't do much, but I'll have to play it safe and go on the defensive, just in case…" Lucas muttered. "Torterra, used Curse!"
Torterra obeyed quickly and stood its ground, enveloping itself in a bright red light, then a bright blue one. When the attack collided, Salamence rammed its head into Torterra, only to be sent flying off and to the ground in front of Zinnia.
"What the…!" Zinnia muttered.
"What…what did that move even do?!" Wendy asked.
"Um…hold on…ah, here!" Dipper said, flipping through the pages of a small handbook. "Curse is a move with varying effects; Ghost-Type Pokemon are affected differently, but normal Pokemon that use this move will have their Attack and Defense stats boosted, at the cost of their Speed being lowered."
"What does I say about Ghost-Types, dude?" Soos asked.
"Uh…it…it doesn't say how they're affected at all." Dipper cocked an eyebrow in confusion. "No matter; Torterra's defense must've been boosted high enough to complete withstand that attack!"
"Your attacks won't do anything to Torterra!" Lucas chuckled defiantly. "He's been through worse than a measly Aerial Ace!"
"Heh…well then prepare for a true assault!" Zinnia mused, though she was really in deep thought, wondering how to successfully land a good hit on the Grass/Ground-Type.
Geez…this is mind-numbingly stressful…! This kid's got skill!
"If you aren't gonna make a move, then I'll just go again." Lucas sighed, an impatient tone evident in his voice.
"H-Hey! Just gimme a moment to think!" Zinnia shouted back. "Um…oh! I got it!"
"Do you, now?" Lucas mused himself, earning a glare from Zinnia.
"Yes, actually!" She replied. "Salamence! Use Dragon Dance, then follow up with Dragon Rush!"
Salamence roared as it was surrounded with a thick red and blue static-like fog before it faded, allowing Salamence to briefly flash red, indicating a sharp boost in stats. It then sped up high into the air, before speeding diagonally downwards towards Torterra, ready to strike.
Torterra glanced back at its friend, and Lucas simply smiled and nodded. Without another word, Torterra faced Salamence head on and countered, blocking itself and striking with multiple large, thick, grassy, thorny vines. The impact of the attacks caused a large explosion of smoke, dirt, gravel, and dust…
…and when the smoke cleared, Salamence was unconscious. The battle was already over, and Torterra had won.
"What?! That fast?!" Zinnia was shocked as her eyes widened, awkwardly withdrawing a Pokeball and recalling her Salamence. "Yeesh…even for a type disadvantage, you definitely know how to fight!"
"Well if I didn't know how to manage my Pokemon's weaknesses, I wouldn't be the champion." Lucas merely adjusted her beret and recalled his own partner with a smile. "That, and my Torterra has a beneficial nature, good hold item, and well-rounded stats, despite imperfect internal values."
"Aw yeah, way to go Lucas!" Dipper cheered, pumping his fists.
Lucas chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "H-Heh, thank you!"
Zinnia crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "So, I've got nothing better to do now. Might as well stick with you guys for a bit."
"Oh?" Mabel spoke up. "So, does that mean you'll join us on our trip to Veilstone City?"
"Whoa, kid, sorry. Too far." Zinnia shook her head with a smirk. "I'll maybe hang around until you decide to blow this joint. Then we'll head our separate ways."
"But…" Dipper stopped himself as he trailed off. He enjoyed mysteries, and this 'Zinnia' person was the embodiment of an enigmatic mystery, one that was so big, it seemed like it tied into an even bigger enigma…
But it would be too weird to describe her as such out loud, so he kept quiet and dealt with the awkward silence that followed.
"…anyways, I have an idea." Lucas began. "It'll be getting pretty dark soon, so why don't we stop by one more building, rest up for the night, and head out for Veilstone in the morning?"
The group nodded and spoke in agreement. Seemed like a good plan, but then Soos spoke up. "Well, where are we going, dude?"
Lucas then started off. "I figured we could check out the Pokemon Daycare!"
The walk back to Solaceon Town didn't take too long, and soon, the large group went to the Pokemon Daycare. A nearby fence sectioned off a portion of the town so that baby Pokemon who lived at the daycare could play around, and any passersby could stop and watch them play and make sure they were safe. Lucas explained he knew the owners from his childhood and was friends with their son for some time before he moved to another region to study abroad, while his parents retired their old business and took over the daycare. The elderly couple who ran it consisted of a man named Jeffrey Krane, and his wife Lilly. However, only Lilly was there to greet the group.
"Ah, Mr. Champion! Welcome, welcome, it's so good to see you again Lucas!" The woman smiled warmly and hugged Lucas, whom returned the gesture with a chuckle.
"Mrs. Krane, it's lovely to be back. I'm simply on a roundtrip through Sinnoh again, before I head off to Kalos for the Ivory-Violet Conference." He replied.
"Oh goodness, you've finally been accepted for that?" Lilly seemed a tad shocked. "But aren't you a bit young?"
"I may be young, but I'm by no means inexperienced!" Lucas smiled. "I've been the Champion since I was in my preteens, I'm ready."
"The Ivory-Violet Conference?" Dipper spoke up. "What's that?"
"It's a very private meeting for the regional champions. You need to apply to go, and it's incredibly hard to get in." Lucas explained. "It's kinda like applying for an ivy-league college; not the easiest thing to do, and the chances of getting accepted on the first go are next to never."
"And you were accepted on your first try?" Mabel asked with hope in her eyes.
Lucas blushed and smiled nervously. "Heh, well…you see–"
"This young man has applied once every year for five years and he's only now gotten in." Lilly crossed her arms, making Lucas sigh. "Now, who are you all?"
"I'm Mabel Pines, Pokemon Trainer Extraordinaire!" Mabel proudly proclaimed. "And that's my brother Dipper, lesser-than-average non-extraordinaire."
Dipper grunted in annoyance, crossed his arms, and rolled his eyes. "Oh ha ha, very funny Mabel."
"Well welcome, welcome everyone!" Lilly beckoned everyone to fully step into the vintage styled lobby of the Pokemon Daycare. "Now, what brings you all here?"
"Well, I was hoping I'd be able to show them the Pokemon?" Lucas responded.
"Oh, of course! Follow me!" Lilly lead the group around a hall in the back of the building that lead out into the fenced-off field.
Instantly, everyone found themselves playing with and marveling at the large amount of baby Pokemon. There were many kinds, such as Buneary, Bidoof, Pachirisu, and more. Everyone was having a good time, until Dipper noticed something in the corner of the field, near the trees. It was a Pokemon egg being carefully watched and protected by a Pokemon he had never seen before. He carefully approached it to check it out with his Pokedex.
Charmander, the Lizard Pokemon
Fire-Type
Ability: Solar Power
The fire on the tip of its tail is a measure of its life. If healthy, its tail burns intensely.
Charmander was a bipedal, reptilian Pokemon with an orange body, though its underside and soles were cream-colored. It had two small fangs visible in its upper and lower jaws and blue eyes. Its arms and legs were short with four fingers and three clawed toes. A fire also burned at the tip of the Pokemon's slender tail.
"Whoa…a Charmander?" Dipper was in shock.
"Yes, a Charmander." He was surprised that Lilly had come up behind him. "That one has always had the public's eye. We've raised it for many years…many, many years."
"How many years?" Dipper asked. "Before I was born?"
"Even before Lucas was born." Lilly answered, leaving Dipper with a wide-eyed expression. "A little over fifty years ago, my own relatives owned this daycare, and I would often visit. One day…a pair of trainers came in, left their Pokemon, then came back the next day and got them back…it wasn't until a week later we discovered the eggs.
"We failed to contact either of them, so we held onto them. Then, one day, one egg hatched into that little Charmander, and it became very protective of that egg. For years, my family has raised it, I've raised it, my husband has raised it, and we've never been able to figure out where the trainers had gone.
"And yet, after fifty years, it's still only a baby, and the other egg…it's very much alive, but it's never hatched." Lilly finished. "It's a large mystery…"
A mystery?
Dipper started to step forward, but he was stopped by Lilly. "Don't go near him. He's skittish and quite protective.
"And do not ask about fifty years ago. It's not something many like to talk about, as it was a rather depressing day this occurred, when we had found the eggs…not that we remember or know much."
Dipper simply watched the Charmander carefully keep the egg warm with its tail, and he simply stared at the Pokemon and the egg for the duration of their stay at the daycare. Once they had to go, he still couldn't keep his eyes off of them until he got to the Pokemon Center.
Nightfall hit quicker than the group had thought as they returned to the Pokemon Center. Everyone agreed that tomorrow they would leave Solaceon Town and head out towards Veilstone City. However, while everyone had gone to sleep easily with that thought in mind, Dipper found himself tossing and turning slightly in his bed. He soon opened his eyes and lay still, staring up at the ceiling, deep in thought.
I really can't sleep…
He adjusted his vision to look out the windows located where the walls met with the ceiling, staring at the crescent moon overhead. All that had been on his mind for a majority of the day was what they had learned at the daycare.
The Charmander, and the egg…they've just been there for years…
He was incredibly surprised to encounter a non-native, unowned starter Pokemon living there at the daycare, and the Kanto-native Fire-Type had intrigued him greatly. What intrigued him even more, though, was the egg that it had been watching, the one that had never hatched.
That egg has been there for over fifty years and it still hasn't hatched…why?
It was a mystery that had intrigued him all day since coming back, and he wished they didn't agree to leaving Solaceon Town tomorrow. A part of him wanted to stay behind and further solve the mysteries of the two Pokemon, but he knew the others wouldn't be happy about having to wait longer to get to Veilstone City.
He wanted to do something, he needed some way to study the egg…but the daycare would probably never give it up, let alone the Charmander.
Dipper sighed. He'd think of some sort of solution in the morning. For now, though, he needed to get to sleep.
Tomorrow would be the start of a long venture to Veilstone, and he fell asleep incredibly displeased when he remembered the route ahead was notorious for its constant rain.
Everyone had stood outside of the Pokemon Center in the morning, discussing plans for their trip to Veilstone, and what they'd do upon arrival. Dipper, however, eased his way away from the group, and sprinted for the Pokemon Daycare. He didn't know when he'd have time to make a second trip to Solaceon Town, if he ever came back, so he had to do this now. He quickly rushed through the doors, panting, and slammed his palms onto the counter, surprising the employees and patrons some.
But Lilly simply smiled at him. "Well, welcome back! Did you need something?"
"Yeah…I just wanted…wanted to say that…" Dipper found himself panting more and more. Maybe running wasn't exactly the best option…
"Oh dear, take a breath, would you?" Lilly frowned a bit. "Now, what was it you wanted to say?"
Dipper heaved out a breath, then looked up to face her.
"I want to take custody of the egg."
The room fell into silence as Dipper stared at Lilly with a determined look. Lilly merely blinked. "I…I'm afraid I can't–"
"You can't allow it?" Dipper asked. "Why not? I need to solve the mystery of that egg, why it's here, what's inside, who had been here to lay it, why the Charmander has such a protective behavior regarding it…
"It's all weird and interesting, and I want to know more. And besides…nobody wants to talk about it much, and I feel the need to dig for more." The boy smirked. "Please? I'm a novice trainer in the works, I know how to raise a Pokemon, and heck, my sister is already taking care of an egg! So I'll have help! Please, let me take it!"
Lilly stood there in thought for a few moments, sighing. "…but I'm afraid that the young Charmander wouldn't want–"
"Then I'll take it."
Lilly looked up and Dipper looked over his shoulder, surprised to see Lucas standing at the door. Lilly smiled. "Ah, Mr. Champion, how lovely of you to stop by again!"
"Lucas…did you follow me?" Dipper asked. "Why?"
"Well, I was confused as to why you were coming back here…but I listened from the door, and, if you really want to take care of an egg and solve its secrets, then I wouldn't mind helping out and raising that Charmander, so it can stay close to the egg and continue to watch over it.
"I mean, I too wouldn't mind looking after a new Pokemon, it's been a while since I've raised one from the ground up…" The man stared off for a moment, a gentle smile on his face. Seemed he was reminiscing.
Dipper smiled. "Thank you…it means a lot that you'd help me with the egg, and even take care of the Charmander."
"Well, I'm pretty sure if I didn't care for Pokemon, my licenses as a Trainer, Champion, and Professor Aide would be terminated." He chuckled. "Anyways, Ms. Lilly, you'll allow us?"
The elderly woman smiled. "Certainly…I'll go fetch them, and then–"
"Ooh! You guys are getting some Pokemon?!"
Everyone looked to the door again to see a grinning Mabel standing nearby. Dipper smiled. "Well I'll be taking that egg to care for and study, Lucas is taking the Charmander…then we're heading out."
"I want a baby Pokemon too! Please please please!" Mabel seemed incredibly enthusiastic about this as she threw herself onto her brother and spun around, making the capped boy dazed. "I'd like an egg, please!"
"W-Whoa, Mabel!" Dipper held his cap and stumbled back a few steps once he was free of his sister's grasp. "You already have a Pokemon egg!"
"You can raise more than one egg, Dipper." Lucas explained. "I've met people who've raised up to five eggs at a time…it's incredibly impressive."
Lilly smiled. "You seem to have an interest in breeding, then, little missy."
Mabel nodded. "Last night, after we left, I stayed up reading about it! It's so interesting to learn about how Pokemon eggs are born, what you can do with breeding, and how you can breed any kind of Pokemon out there, depending on egg groups, and obviously the gender…
"…I mean, I don't want to become the best breeder out there, but I'd like to at least try to raise a few eggs!" Mabel grinned as she finished.
"Well…we have plenty of eggs, but we have to keep them for any trainers who decide to return…except for one, however." Lilly explained. "I'll be right back."
The woman stepped out of the room into the back and returned with three things; a small Pokeball labeled 'Charmander', an old glass capsule containing the old egg, and a shiny new capsule containing a brand new egg that resembled the old egg, but with pale blue spots.
"This new egg here…a hot-headed, but rather serious trainer came in a few days ago, and they had left their Pokemon here…but they didn't want the egg." She frowned. "So we kept it. I don't know where the trainer is now, but you're welcome to take the egg if you'd like."
As Lucas took the Pokeball and put it away, and Dipper carefully took hold of the old egg capsule, Mabel quickly grabbed the new one and set it on the floor, pressing a button to lower the glass seal and kneeling by the egg.
"Aww, it's so round and cute~!" Mabel hugged the egg.
And when she did, it began to glow.
Everyone's eyes went wide.
"W-What?!" Mabel started to panic. "O-Oh no, it's gonna explode! I broke it! N-No!"
"Mabel, just calm down!" Dipper said. "It's just…what is it doing, anyways?"
Lilly smiled at the boy, then the girl.
"It appears its hatching."
Mabel gasped as the egg's shell glowed completely white before shrinking away and reforming into the shape of a Pokemon. A Pokemon she had definitely seen before, a Pokemon Dipper had seen before, a Pokemon that they hadn't seen since the start of their journey.
When the glow faded, Mabel was hugging close a newborn Mudkip.
-(End Of Chapter)-
To be continued!
Well, a lot happened!
Lucas and Zinnia battled, with Lucas coming out as the winner; the gang visited the Solaceon Pokemon Daycare and found three things there; a baby Charmander being carefully raised by the owners, and two Pokemon eggs – one that had been left there recently, and one that had been there for many, many years…
The eldest egg went to Dipper, and the youngest egg was given to Mabel, where it hatched into a Mudkip! A Mudkip? Why a Mudkip? Where'd the egg come from? Does Mabel express her liking of Mudkips so people know and hear, and will they say to her that they heard she likes Mudkips?
And what's with that super old egg? Why was it being guarded by that Charmander? Who left the egg? What's with that Charmander? And just what will hatch from Dipper's egg? Only time will tell…
Also, don't expect the next chapter to just immediately cut to the gang's arrival in Veilstone City. It's gonna take some time to get there. But don't worry, I have no plans for filler…kinda. See, for the finale of the Season to work, I'm gonna need Chapter 31 through Chapter 33 to be zero Veilstone activity, and merely be the trip there. Trust me, Chapter 34 and Chapter 35 will be the major Veilstone Ctiy antics you're probably dying to see. A good chunk of the start of Season 4 will also relate to Veilstone City and the surrounding routes. But that's about all I can say. I'll try to make the 'filler content' interesting, maybe I can develop some of the characters…what characters do you want to see more of? And if the group is too big, should they maybe split off into smaller pairs so I can focus on one section at a time?
And also, I'm sorry that the battle between Zinnia and Lucas wasn't that great, but hey, not EVERY Pokemon battle can be spectacular. In the realistic world of a Pokemon game translated to literature, Pokemon battles between two important figures can be quick. Look at some people who sweep the Champions of games in seconds flat. This isn't an anime-adapted Pokemon world, this is a world adapted from the ideology of the games.
Now, for the next cipher!
WKH HJJ LV D OLQN WR WKH HYHQWV WKDW RFFXUUHG LQ WKH SDVW; VHFUHWV ZLOO VRRQ EH UHYHDOHG!
Can you crack the code?
Anyways, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter, reviews are highly appreciated (we topped 100!), and as always…
Stay Tuned!
~087-B