Tracing Origins
A/N: Hey everyone! As usual, thank you for all the wonderful positive feedback. I apologize for how long this one took. My week has been insane.
Anonymous, you made some damn good catches! About the Johto thing, it was a typo on my part. When I went back to see what you were referring to, I realized that I only wrote 'Johto' when I meant that Kendall had participated in a junior league held exclusively in the Johto region that he placed fourth in. I will go back and change that immediately.
As for the ranking system of the Silver Conference, I am mixing anime canon with something of my own concoction. It is the only way I could rationalize how anyone could be considered 'worthy' to challenge a region's Elite Four and Champion (since the anime never acknowledges this at all). Of course, you have to be among the top three to be considered ready to challenge them, but I think that the Pokemon Association would also rank the other participants of the various Leagues (even the losing ones) in order to keep a record on each person for the reason that they might one day challenge the Elite Four. So in a way, it's an unofficial ranking but a way for the Association to give trainers something to strive for: to work their way up to face the best of the best.
Haha, I know that barely clears it up so sorry if I've just made it MORE confusing. Thanks again for the sharp eye. Without further adieu, here is chapter four of Tracing Origins...
Chapter Four: Unable to Connect
"Sir? All preparations are complete. We are ready to start whenever you give the signal."
Mr. Stone nodded and thanked the young man before he turned his back towards the cavern entrance. This dig was slated to be an exciting and potentially important because of the area's age and reputation. Before now, the world had paid little attention to the rocky, rough terrain of this place, content to ignore it and what little it could offer.
One of the local factories might have turned it into a dumping ground had Mr. Stone's son not intervened a few months back. It had not particularly surprised him when he had gotten a call from Steven with the request that they take possession of the centuries old dustbowl, in order to protect it. It was, Steven had argued, not only a wild habitat for many of Rock and Ground-type Pokemon but littered with caverns and nooks that could contain precious materials not yet discovered.
As both a geology enthusiast and Pokemon-lover, it had not taken much to sway Mr. Stone. Still, he had asked Steven to present a much more solid reason as to why they should even consider taking up the deed for what was, as others so aptly called it, a wasteland. They were, despite their family's generous contributions to the general public, still a business.
Naturally, his son's eyes, bright even through the video-phone monitor, had become steely with determination, and it was a few days before Mr. Stone heard from him again. This time, however, Steven had shown up in person at Devon Corp, having flown in on his Metagross all the way from the Johto Region. Mr. Stone had just finished a meeting and had been relaxing in his office.
When his secretary had buzzed him via intercom to inform him that his son was there, Mr. Stone—in his moment of surprise—only noted with mild curiosity at the amusement in her voice. When Steven had stridden in, however, Mr. Stone understood the hint of contained laugh in her voice the moment he saw his only son and heir.
Steven, dressed in his impeccable black and purple suit, was dusty from head to toe. It didn't take a genius to see that he had been on a dig, probably somewhere with a lot of sand and grit from the looks of him. That certainly would account for where the hulking chunk of rock that he laid down with a dull thunk on Mr. Stone's desk had come from.
Mr. Stone, shocked, could only gape at his son and at the glimmering rock. He could still picture the little grin Steven had given him when he had said (in a voice that knew he'd won), "This, Father, is a rock that must contain at least a dozen fire stones. And this is just a small one that I found. It is from a cave in that place I spoke to you about." The smirk deepened triumphantly at Mr. Stone's impressed expression. "Think it's worth taking a look now?"
The sound of laughter coming from the other men abruptly brought Mr. Stone back from his reverie. His eyes fell on the other three that had agreed to accompany him and Steven on this trip, all of them good friends and colleagues that shared a similar passion for geology. They had shown patience so far. However, Mr. Stone knew that if Steven didn't show up soon, they'd have to start the exploration without him.
What's taking him? It's not like Steven to be this late. Mr. Stone thought with another glance at his wrist watch. It was rare that his son kept him waiting when they made plans to go on a dig. If anything, it was normally Steven who scolded him about punctuality whenever Mr. Stone was late to their rendezvous.
Frowning, Mr. Stone pressed the button on his phone that was specifically set to dial his son's number. His paternal instincts were beginning to prickle in a mild state of alarm, but he refused to explore that line of thought. Not yet, anyway.
A shrill ringing filled his ear. Then—to his surprise—it was followed immediately by the cool monotone of a recording that claimed his son wasn't connected to any network and that he ought to try back later. Mr. Stone pulled the phone away from his face and blinked at it. Where would Steven be that he wouldn't be able to receive phone calls?
His home them. Steven normally stopped off before going off on excavations to drop some things off, including most of his Pokemon. He claimed that they deserved to rest once in a while since his trips were long, hard, and exhausting. So whenever a large excavation was underway, he left most of his team at home, taking only one or two along as a precaution.
Mr. Stone dialed his son's home and waited patiently to hear Steven's voice. It was a good thought but one that proved fruitless as well. Mr. Stone's worry mounted as he hung up on the answering machine message that had begun to play. He didn't like this.
Steven was independent and free-spirited in his own oddball way. It was not unusual for him to take periods just to go adventuring, sometimes for months. However, he always had the courtesy to let someone know that he was doing so, just to avoid worrying anyone. He was especially good about letting his father know when he was unable to attend their digs, something they both took seriously.
It could be nothing. Don't panic yet. Mr. Stone grimly told himself, keeping the sinking feeling in his stomach at bay. He looked down at his phone and began dialing again. Steven might have simply forgotten to get in touch with him. However, there was one person he was sure his son would have contacted (if he wasn't with him) if something had come up. Or so I hope.
"Watch it! Coming through!" Kendall called out relentlessly as he tore down the halls, past various cubicles and colleagues who looked up in surprise at him as he whizzed by. Seagram even began barking to get people to move out of their way. They were in a frantic search for their superior.
"Sonuva…why doesn't he appear out of nowhere when we need him to??" grumbled Kendall as he and Seagram slid around the corner, nearly bowling over another of their colleagues. The startled woman cried out and threw up her arms, sending the pile that she'd been hauling into a cascade of loose-leaf white sheets of paper. Kendall could only spare her a terse, apologetic look over his shoulder as he and Seagram rushed on. "Uh! Sorry Hannity!"
Her angry cursing followed him down the hall. Kendall winced regretfully. There went the tiny sliver of hope about the hottie in Research and Development.
"Grow-lithe," Seagram sharply growled for him to focus!
Kendall shook his head, pushing his troubles aside. "Right! Sorry."
They raced down the corridor that was lined with doors, each leading to the various wings of Head Quarters. Kendall looked into the open doors that they passed, but he did not see the man that they sought in any of them. Not that he was surprised. In any busy day (like that one), there was only one place that he expected to find the man.
Sure enough, as he and Seagram neared the epicenter of their facility, the unmistakable figure of Nate Thorne appeared on the other side of the large glass doors leading into the control center of Head Quarters. This spurred them to hurry, nearly smacking into the automatic sliding doors in the process. Thorne hadn't noticed them yet, for he was intently explaining something to two of their data analysts.
When he did notice, Thorne abruptly cut off from whatever he had been saying and cast a cool gaze on Kendall and Seagram. Kendall fought an instinctive urge to turn and run away. Thorne was a big man at 6'0" and a body builder's frame, which he stuffed into cheesy, uncomfortable navy or black suits and ties. He was rugged and gruff on the eyes, but his appearance masked the sharp intellect that had saved their organization countless times.
"Sir!" Kendall blurted out without preamble, waving the printout he'd brought in front of his face. "We have a situation."
The two data analysts were startled by Kendall's sudden intrusion. They looked back at him with equally surprised and annoyed expressions, but Kendall didn't have time for them. His eyes were for Thorne alone.
"What is it?" Thorne crisply asked, snatching the paper from his hands.
Kendall swallowed thickly. "We have a Code Seventeen, Sir."
Thorne's thick, dark eyebrows furrowed. He nodded a sharp dismissal to the two analysts and drew Kendall to his side. Then his eyes went to the printout, and his face became even grimmer when he took in the words printed on the page. His gaze snapped up to Kendall. "When did this come in?"
"About an hour ago. We waited to see if it was just a malfunction, but the signal never returned so…"
Thorne nodded tersely, and Kendall could almost hear the gears cranking in his head. When he spoke again, he sounded dead serious, "We need to send someone to confirm this. Come with me. The Director must be informed if this mission has been compromised."
"Right," Kendall said. He and Seagram fell into step beside Thorne, who purposefully marched down the halls with out the need to tell anyone to stand aside. Kendall mulled over the distressing discovery that he and Seagram had made for a moment. Then, he asked, "Sir…should we contact, you know, him?"
Thorne gave him a Look that would have withered a flower and clearly suggested that Kendall might be crazy. However, he merely answered, "No. Not yet. He'll know if something's wrong when we know."
Wallace started his morning with a trip to the Cave of Origins. As the Guardian of the sacred site, it was his duty to protect and honor what was said to have been the birthplace of life itself. He had not understood the importance of his role as a child. However, as the years passed and Wallace saw more of the world, his eyes were slowly opened as to why his people held a cave in such reverence. It wasn't the cave, he'd come to realize at one point, that his people revered…but the precious miracle that was life, which was what the Cave of Origins symbolized.
Juan met up with him on his way to the shrine. Together, the two Water-Masters made their way down Sootopolis City's quiet streets, down the stairs that connected the higher levels of the city to the lower ones, and onto the loamy earth that covered the entrance leading into the cavern. Of course they did not pass the threshold of the cavern entrance, for it was a sacred law that allowed no citizen of Sootopolis City to set foot inside the cave's boundaries.
Instead, Wallace and Juan stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the shrine that had been set up for those who wished to pay homage to the cave. They lit sticks of incense and planted them into the small black pot filled with sand (gathered from Sootopolis' own beach) and clasped their hands into quiet prayer. The crisp, refreshing morning air around them was warmed by the tendrils of smoke and took on a pleasant, spice-like smell.
When their blessings were concluded, Juan was the first to speak. "Are you rested, my old pupil?"
Wallace hesitantly nodded, the dream once more on his mind. "Yes. I slept…well, satisfactorily, I suppose. It was…it was unusual to be sleeping in my own bed instead of in my apartment in Ever Grande City."
Juan didn't seem to mind the sorry excuse for a reason. He merely nodded, smiling onto the peaceful sight of Sootopolis City as it slowly awoke to the sun's prompting. "Ah…that is understandable. There are few places like this one. And even if it were possible to see a more beautiful place, there surely would be a lacking of the strange magic our Sootopolis possesses!"
The pride in Juan's voice of their beloved city made Wallace grin. He shared his teacher's feelings. Wallace was certain that no matter how far he traveled, that no matter how many enchanting places he saw, no place would ever be able to hold his heart the way Sootopolis City did.
"So what is the plan for today, Master?" Wallace asked, adding with a chuckle, "I am yours to command."
Juan opened his mouth to reply but stopped when something past Wallace's shoulder caught his eye. Curious, Wallace craned his head around to see what it was. A young man garbed in swimming trunks, a tank top, and sandals was descending the stairs, his purpose clearly being to reach them. Wallace recognized him to be one of Juan's current pupils.
"Master Juan. Master Wallace," He greeted with a carefully practiced bow.
"Hello Triton," Wallace returned politely. Triton's head snapped up in surprise. He looked surprised, then very, very pleased. It was, in all likelihood, probably because Wallace had actually remembered his name. It never ceased to amaze Wallace how many of Juan's current apprentices reacted in such a pleased or overjoyed way when they realized that he recognized them.
"What is it, young Triton?" Juan inquired.
Triton looked at him. "Master, a challenger has come seeking a battle with you."
"Ah! An early bird!" Juan beamed. Battles were his favorite way to warm his Pokemon up for the rest of the day. He threw his head back, hand planted on one hip, chin tilted upward dramatically. "Very well. I shall return immediately. Tell the others to begin. If this challenger has any promise to back his bravado, I shall expect him past our ice puzzle and waiting!"
"Yes Sir!" Triton agreed enthusiastically. He gave them another bow and scampered off.
Juan fondly watched his student go. Then he turned to Wallace. "Will you be joining us, Wallace?"
"I would enjoy watching," Wallace admitted. "I am curious to see how far along your new apprentices have come."
Juan's large grin took on that proud gleam again. "I think you will be impressed. I admit, though, I pity this challenger. He or she has come at a most unfortunate time."
Wallace cocked his head at him curiously. "What do you mean, Master?"
At this, Juan gave him an incredibly amused look. "Wallace…the Hoenn region Champion is here. How would you battle if you knew that the top trainer of the region was watching you?"
Wallace was reminded again of his elevated status among the students and blushed sheepishly. "Ah, I see your point."
"Come along," Juan chuckled, turning towards the stairs.
The sounds of a battle could be heard all the way from outside of the Gym. Juan and Wallace thanked the water ferryman that conveyed them to the Gym's island before dismounting. Juan listened to the clashing sounds that emanated from inside the Gym's walls for a second. Then he nodded approvingly and said, "From the sounds of it, this one has spirit."
Wallace noted an added pep to his Master's step as the man gracefully swept through the doors. Immediately, they were met by the noise of a fierce battle that was being waged in the lower portion of the Gym. Through a jagged hole in the iced flooring—probably where the challenger had fallen through—Wallace caught a glimpse of a Bellosum duking it out with a Clamperl.
It didn't take long for their arrival to be noticed. "Oh! Master Juan! Master Wallace! Good morning!"
A junior trainer that was participating in the Gym Battle left her spot along the railing to greet them. She and several others were watching the battle from the ground floor on the ice's edge. Juan and Wallace met her half way, and Juan immediately launched into business, "How is it looking so far, Dana?"
"Not bad, actually! He…" Dana trailed off momentarily as the challenger—who Wallace could now identify as a mousy-haired boy in red and orange—effectively defeated the Clamperl. Dana blinked down into the scene, impressed, and then went on cheerfully, "He is a Grass-type trainer from the looks of it. He had a Tangela that walked in with him. Plus, we saw him fly in on a Tropius."
Instead of anxiety one might expect to see from a Water-type user after learning such a thing, there was excitement on Juan's face. He clapped his hands together. "Delightful! Too long has it been since we have faced a worthy adversary!"
Dana, though obviously used to Juan's ways, hid her amusement behind a dubious look. "I don't know, Master. He seems pretty tough."
Juan gave her a hundred-watt smile, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Student of mine, challenge is the spice of life! Ah! It looks as if our worthy opponent has defeated Jetsom! Splendid! Pardon me, young Dana. I must go to my post and see if this young man truly is worthy of the Rain Badge."
Wallace bowed his head to Juan. "I too must be excused for a moment, Master. I need to make a phone call."
"Very well," Juan replied and turned to walk towards the place in where he would meet the challenger should the boy manage to reach him. Dana and the other trainers eagerly followed him away.
Wallace smiled, seeing that some things never changed and that included Juan's charismatic personality. He turned and made his way to a doorway that would lead into the back rooms of the Gym. This Gym was his second home. From the many years that he had trained and fought here, he had come to know it like the back of his hand. So it did not take long for him to slip down the hallway and into the break room that the junior trainers used when Juan gave them a recess.
He discovered it already occupied. The frizzy-haired girl that he'd met the day before sat at the table consuming a huge heap of fruits, yogurt, and granola. Her eyes were glued to the television as she expertly navigated through channels all the while feeding herself with her other hand. Wallace caught blurbs of programs on each station as she continually changed channels.
"—best Vitamins on the market! You will be amazed after you see the different in your Pokemon's dexterity and stamina after feeding it just ONE of our special—"
A crowd was booing. A disgruntled looking woman leapt up from her seat on the stage, "Oh shut up! SHUT UP! You all don't know me! You don't KNOW ME!! Shut the—"
"Know what we're doing today, Mr. Sparks??" A Pikachu shook its head, feigning confusion. "Well…today we're going to play The Poke Ball Wheel Game! Let's—"
"— members of the Pokemon G-Men raided and arrested what is believed to be the top three men of the infamous Darkman Gang. They are a notorious gang of thieves that specialize in Dark-type Pokemon and have been suspected to have been responsible for the fire in the Lavender City Pokemon Center two months ago. A spokesman for the Pokemon G-Men had this to say…"
It took a second for Brenne to realize that she wasn't alone any longer. Her head jerked in his direction, and she leapt up in surprise. "Oh! Master Wallace! I didn't see you there!"
"Yes…good morning, Brenne," Wallace greeted uncertainly as his eyes roved over the cache of food. "What's this?"
Brenne blushed and shrugged. "Breakfast! Uh…" She pawed through the large bowl of fruit and presented a banana to him. "Would you like something?"
Wallace politely declined, "No thank you. I just need to make a phone call."
"Oh! I'll turn the television down then. Er…I'll just go…get more granola…" Brenne said awkwardly. Wallace appreciated her thoughtfulness in giving him some privacy.
As soon as she scampered out, he pulled out his and attempted to call Steven again. It had seriously started to worry him that he had not heard from his lover yet. It was just too out of character for the silver-haired man. Wallace did not like the thought that something could have happened to him, but he was unable to shake the strange sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Again, he was met with the same message stating that Steven was not connected to any network. Wallace tried Steven's home, but it too was of no avail. He even called Devon Corp. to see if Steven had perhaps stopped by in the past twenty-four hours. Mr. Stone's secretary politely told him that Steven hadn't been there for weeks and that he ought to be on a dig in Johto with his father.
Yes. Wallace thought as he stared down at his phone. But I would know by now.
His fine brows knit together in concern as the thought he'd been staunchly keeping at bay made itself fully known. Steven…did something happen to you?
He nearly jumped out of his skin as the screen on the phone lit up, and the phone began to ring. It surprised him to see who it was—according to his Caller ID—that was calling. His heart still pounding, Wallace hit the answer button and brought the phone to his face. "Hello?"
"Wallace. Hello, it's Sedgewick."
"Yes, I know. Is everything okay, Mr. Stone?" Wallace really wanted to demand immediately if Steven had arrived safely, but it would be impolite. There was a worried overtone in Mr. Stone's voice that Wallace hoped he was imagining.
"I hope so. I was wondering if Steven was with you. He has not shown up for our dig, and I can't get a hold of him."
Wallace's mouth went dry. The knot in his stomach twisted even more tightly, making him feel sick. "...He's not here, Mr. Stone. He left days ago for the dig, and I haven't heard from him. I…I thought he'd be with you."