Sorry for the really long wait, but a mix of writer's block and back-to-schoolitis got in the way. But it's here, and I want to say thank you to every one of you for your reviews, follows, etc. I hope you like this chapter, and as always I really appreciate feedback.
...Huh. I thought it'd be a bit more lengthy.
Along the northern route of Solaceon Town, leading to the Celestic Resistance base, walked the unusual group of trainers. Alizarin decided to chat with Achak on his right while Naomi quietly kept up by his left side. The brother-and-sister duo, Luke and Valerie, led the way since they were already involved in the resistance and knew a safe path.
Upon arriving in Celestic, the group was greeted by a familiar boy with an orange cap. He halted them with an arm extended in an attempt to display authority. "Stop right there! Who are these people?" he asked, looking toward Luke and Valerie. The male folded his arms in annoyance while his sister spoke up.
"Alex, these are Alizarin and Naomi," she explained while gesturing to the two individuals. "They want to join and help us out." She then gestured to the tall man behind her. "And this here is Achak. He has important information regarding Ghetsis."
Alex's eyes widened in amazement. "Really? Well, come on! I'll take you to Azuro. He should be talking with Hilda and N at the moment."
The group followed after giving nods in affirmation. The building that was their destination was the largest in the area, sitting at the top of the mountainside. It was traditionally built, as were the others around it. Two other houses, equal in size to each other but considerably smaller than the mentioned building that separated them, seemed to guard it. Alex walked ahead of the group up the stone steps that led up to the house.
"...And you two will then confront him, and get the information that we need out of him," a voice concluded as the door creaked open. The speaker averted his gaze to the now open door, letting in the younger cap-wearing teen in along with five other people. He moved a loose strand of dark blue hair from his face, his eyes cold.
"What is it now, Alex?" he questioned with an air of annoyance. "We're going over a plan to find out Ghetsis's true intentions." He gestured to the two Unovan heroes of Truth and Ideals as he spoke.
"A-Actually, Azuro," Alex said, "that's why we're here. We have a guest who found out some information on Ghetsis that he feels is important."
The blue-haired male, known as Azuro, arched an eyebrow. "Does he, now?"
"I do," called the voice of Achak as he walked through the open doorway as he had been walking at the rear of the group. "But how about we have a seat?"
Azuro, who had been standing the entire time while Hilda and N stayed quiet, lowered himself into a chair on one side of a table. Achak took a seat on the other side, facing him.
"Now then," Azuro mused, "what is it you want to tell me?"
Achak, now settled in a chair opposite Azuro, began his explanation. "My name is Achak, a humble lover of Ghost-types. I recognize that you are very busy with running this resistance of trainers, so I will cut to the chase." Azuro nodded, giving Achak the green light to continue.
"As you know," he continued, "the legendary Pokemon of Hoenn that embody ice, rock, and steel have been attacking the people and Pokemon of Sinnoh. Yet, nobody seems to know why."
Azuro waited for Achak to pause to speak up. "This is true. Although our suspicions toward that shady man, Ghetsis, have been solidified by Hilda and N here. What we don't know is how he is involved. And then those other trainers who seem to have complete control over the legendary Pokemon..."
"The answer is simple, my friend," the Ghost-type specialist said.
When Achak did not continue, Luke stepped in. "He believes that Ghetsis has revived Regigigas."
Achak nodded. "Not only that, but those trainers that have captured the three Hoenn-native Regis indeed do have control over them. They plan to separate humans and Pokemon so as to have as little opposition as possible... and I see that they have a head start."
The room fell silent. Azuro, Hilda, and N exchanged looks.
"How could we not have seen this?" The leader of the resistance asked himself. "It makes sense-"
"How do you know this?"
Everyone in the room turned to look at Naomi. Her arms were folded as she gave Achak a look. A look that let the others, especially Achak, know that she knew something was up.
Achak's expression became thoughtful, then almost devilish. "I suppose you could say that I have collaborated with the green-haired man myself."
Again, the room fell silent. Although this time, the tension had increased even more so. Had the resistance actually brought an enemy into their base?
"...What?" Alizarin walked up to the table Azuro and Achak were seated at and stood at the latter's side. "Are you saying you're working with him?!"
Luke and Valerie exchanged glances while Naomi remained in her place. Hilda and N each reached for a PokeBall on their own belts, but Azuro told them to stop.
"Now, I understand that you may see me as the enemy here," Achak continued, "but I assure you that I am not a true ally of Ghetsis."
Luke decided to cut in. "But you just said-"
"I am aware of what I said. The truth, that Ghetsis to my knowledge does not know, is that my cooperation with him is only that of face-value. I only wished to gain his trust, which in turn allowed me knowledge of his plan."
"So you're really on our side?" asked Hilda.
The Ghost-type trainer took amusement in the girl's question. "Not quite. I simply seek a temporary alliance against Ghetsis. Aside from this mission, there is no further connection between us."
Azuro nodded. "Works for me. Now what do you suggest we do to counter Ghetsis? If he has Regigigas under control like you said, it could be trouble. We also have to deal with the Regis from the Hoenn region."
"Technically," Achak began, "he does not have control over Regigigas yet. He has only managed to awaken it so far, which is why Regice and the others came to Sinnoh; to assist Regigigas. Sadly, their attempts only gave Ghetsis more power to control. Now, I suggest we-"
A loud ringing noise interrupted him, as Azuro glanced at his belt. With a sigh, he unlatched the transmitter and held it up to his ear. "What is it? This had better be important."
"Azuro! There's a giant monster destroying Eterna City! We need back-up!" said a voice that blasted through the transmitter. Azuro pondered a moment silently.
"Is it a Pokemon?" he asked.
"I-I think so! One of the other trainers said something about it being a Regigigas or something but I'm not sure!" The device emitted what sounded like an explosion from the other end.
"What was that? Are you alive?!" Azuro shouted into the speaker.
The other end was silent for a moment, then sounded again. "Y-Yeah, it just destroyed a building with one swing of its arm. We still need help over here! It keeps getting orders by the green-haired man riding on its shoulder!"
Everyone shuddered. Ghetsis was already one step ahead of them.
"...It seems I spoke too soon," Achak said sheepishly.
The trainers in the room exchanged shocked and worried looks. "I'll take a party of our strongest trainers with me to Eterna City. We'll be there as soon as we can... until then, keep yourselves alive." Azuro latched the communication device back on his belt and stood up. "Okay, new plan. Hilda and N will go ahead and keep Ghetsis and Regigigas busy while the rest of us catch up later after we've made all of our preparations."
Everyone gave signs of approval and scattered to prepare themselves. Hilda and N stepped outside and called their respective dragons: Reshiram to Hilda and Zekrom to N.
As Alizarin, Luke, and Valerie began walking out the door to follow them, Achak stopped them. "Ah, you three. I wish to ask if you could assist me in capturing a certain Pokemon. It is our best chance against Regigigas."
The three exchanged glances between each other, silently asking the same question. What Pokemon could that possibly be?
"W-What is this Pokemon, exactly?" Valerie asked, nervously.
Achak smiled confidently. "Giratina."