Canalave City was busy by the time Hunter and Umbreon walked inconspicuously into town. Hunter, walking with his eyes closed, maneuvered through the crowd as if his eyes were open. The trail was getting stronger. They were close.
He sighed. Whatever's happened to him, I just hope I'm not too late.
Crossing a bridge to the other side of the city, Hunter and Umbreon looked up. They were standing in front of a library. Hunter went inside even though the trail didn't lead there.
Inside, he went up to the third floor and looked at legendary Pokémon. While skimming through one book, he froze.
On the page in front of him was a picture of a strange Pokémon. It was red and green, had two odd protrusions extending from its head, and a large purple crystal in the center of its chest.
He read about it.
Deoxys. A Pokémon that allegedly came from space, it has almost never been seen by humans. Its abilities are unknown.
Hunter stared, thinking back to his dream of a red and green flash swooping towards him.
He brushed his hand along the page. Could this be it?
He got up and put the book back, going back downstairs and exiting the library.
He closed his eyes again, seeing that the trail led out to sea. Iron Island?
He looked around, and saw a boat moored in the harbor. Walking up to the sailor manning it, he looked at him. "Can you take me to Iron Island?"
The sailor smiled. "Sure, kid! I take lots of trainers there."
The boat was fast, and they made it to the island in less than half an hour.
As Hunter walked up the stone staircase, he closed his eyes. The trail led, not down into the mines, but up into the landscape of the mountain.
He looked up at the outcroppings, then turned to Umbreon. "Umbreon, return."
In a flash of red light, Umbreon disappeared inside its Poké Ball.
Hunter turned back to the cliffs, then ran at them and started jumping.
Maylene sat in the living room with Riley. "So, you met Hunter on the road?"
"Yes. I didn't talk to him much, but he looked well enough. He thought I could be a big help to you, probably because of my knowledge of Aura."
Maylene looked at Mara, who was wrapped in a blanket, sleeping in one of the chairs. "That may be it. She's been having small pains, but it hasn't gotten really bad yet."
Riley looked at Mara and walked over to her. He pressed his hand against her stomach, feeling the new life that was aching to burst out. "It's almost time."
Maylene looked out the window worriedly. Hurry back, Hunter. Please, hurry.
It had been fifteen days.
Mara was close.
Ooh... race against time. Big plot twist coming up in the next chapter!