Chapter 15
"It's like they know I'm looking from the outside, And creeping to the door, it's like they know, And now they coming, yeah, now they coming, out from the shadows"- Dangerous by Big Data ft Joywave
I go back to sleep after exchanging a few messages with Roxie. She's currently back in Castelia and is on her third badge. The topic of badges is what makes me pass out in the first place. I know I still have to go back to Driftveil City and ask for a rematch against Clay, but I don't want to. Not at all. It's not like I don't feel ready. I mean, I like creating bonds with my lovelies and training them, but I don't enjoy the actual training process as much or feel passionate about it. Also, that feeling I had back there was too much for me. I don't think I want to continue on as long as Team Plasma is still active and I'm being watched over.
A buzz comes from the foot of my bed, but it makes a generic ringtone, meaning it isn't Colress texting me nor is it White, who I texted to make sure she was doing okay since I hadn't heard from her in days despite the fact that we're staying in the same place. It's Juniper calling me.
"Professor!" Her smile reminds me of sunshine and warmth.
"Hey! I need you to come by the airport. Think you can do that?" Anything to take my mind off training and my worries about White.
"Sure!"
Juniper promptly hangs up when I give her the confirmation. I wonder what that's all about.
When I arrive at the airport, I see Juniper sitting in a small square table with her usual extra set of iced coffee waiting for me, which I gladly accept. I've already gotten used to her free coffee, and she has excellent taste in the stuff.
"How has your day been, Bianca?"
"Wonderful. Yours?"
Her face falls a little. "I forgot to give you your reward for helping me with my research." She hands over a small pink stone. "It's a moonstone for your Munna, in case you haven't evolved her yet."
"No, I haven't. Thank you!" I'm frankly surprised that it's not a pink stone, but a jagged one with craters. It literally looks like it came from the moon.
Juniper's not done, though. "Also, I need you to help me out a little bit more."
"Sure."
"My dad decided to go and wander off to Icirrus City on his own to go see Dragonspiral Tower and I need you to keep an eye out on him. I'd love to do it myself, but I can't leave the lab vulnerable to thieves. There's only so much I can do and yet I don't know how I can get around it. Sometimes I wish I could clone myself but that's not possible."
"So you want me to be your dad's bodyguard?"
Juniper takes a sip of hr coffee. "Yes. Also, your friends took off in that direction and Hilda is determined to make it to the end. I know you want to be at her side."
"Of course!" Juniper smiles. "Well, great." A ding-dong noise emanates from the airport.
"The flight from Mistralton to Icirrus City is now boarding."
There's a small silence as the automated voice repeats what she said in another language. "Um, you want me to take that flight?"
Juniper slowly nods.
"Eeek." My fear of heights combats me, gluing me to my seat.
"Don't worry. It's just a half hour flight. It's all paid for."
"But I gotta go check out of the—"
"I can do it for you. I've got some authority. Please." Juniper usually has a silly look on her face, but this time she's serious.
"Okay. I'll go."
And somehow this day grows more unpredictable as five minutes later, I'm on a plane leaving to Icirrus City, watching Juniper wave from outside of my window. Boy this day did not go as expected.
Both vertigo and gravity fight when I get off the plane. It got worse when we descended and the rain poured like buckets, which terrified me. Worse yet, I had to keep all of my Pokémon in their balls. I forget how sometimes strict laws can be about Pokémon usage.
No one is waiting for me when I leave the terminal so I decide to just make my way to the Center and see if there's White, Cheren, or Juniper's father. Icirrus is a small, nondescript city. It would make sense for a movie star who has abandoned his career to take up residence here in this rainy city. The entirety of my flight consisted of people talking nonstop about the Brycen like he was a tourist attraction. The one thing that did hold my interest was the Pokémon Fan Club, which I admit I do want to check out on my own time.
It's drizzling here, which is enough for me to take out my small purse-fitting umbrella. It's still got some remaining crumbs from some cookies I bought in Castelia City, but I shake them off as I press the button that causes it shoot straight up, hiding me under its canopy with its bright green with white daisies interspersed. I knew taking this would help me at some point!
I turn back on my Xtransceiver for leads. I do get a message from Colress telling me he's back home, which was something I admittedly forgot about. I begin to text him back when I hear a voice calling my name.
"Bianca?" It's Cheren calling out from the Gym's entrance.
I walk over to where Cheren is standing. Except it isn't Cheren. It isn't the Cheren I know anyway. He has his voice, but there's something different about him. Maybe it's how much wilder his hair has grown and how dirty and riled up his clothes have become. He's grown a small amount of stubble lining below his mouth. The Cheren I know would murder this person or send him to Giratina. He's changed so much since our last face-to-face meeting in Nimbasa. Why is it that every time I see him again, I always feel so displaced and alone?
"Cheren? You look different..." I instantly regret what I say the moment it comes out of my mouth.
"I do?" Cheren looks totally perplexed at my words. Backpedal, Bianca, backpedal.
"Um yes! You've um...Um. How's your quest to make yourself stronger?" That wasn't quite a nice save, but Cheren's expression changes to more of the old Cheren I know.
He smooths his hair and straightens his glasses. "I'm not sure anymore. I don't know if I'm growing stronger or if it's my Pokémon. Maybe both" Maybe that's why he looks so scraggly instead of being uptight. "How's the whole finding yourself thing going?"
"I think helping White is my top priority right now. Besides I'm not a good enough trainer. I'm not very good at many things now that I think about it"
"I know what you mean...This power struggle in my mind." Cheren's eyes grow wilder underneath his glasses. It makes me feel a sense of despair knowing how different things have suddenly gotten. Like stakes were suddenly raised. It's scary.
I want to tell Cheren of my sudden fear and throw myself into his arms like I occasionally did with him or White whenever we watched scary movies. I feel so isolated even though I'm standing across a person I've known for as long as I can remember.
"No, this power struggle overall. You can feel it, too?"
Cheren slowly nods, looking just as terrified as I currently do.
His face is deadly serious, he doesn't even bother to take off his glasses in the pouring rain so I can't even see his eyes."It's like we'll never be good enough in anything, never amount to—"
White interrupts our grim mood, coming out the Gym with a serious look on her face.
"White!" Cheren says. "Did you get your seventh badge?"
She nods. "I did." Her mood has about the same seriousness as ours.
"Cheren and I were just talking about about our future. Even though it's no good for either of us, we'd gladly sacrifice ourselves to your cause." The words come pouring out of me like the rainwater. I don't know why I'm like this right now. I want to cheer everyone up, but instead...
Something...Something isn't right. Something hasn't been right all along.
A tall masked man in blue comes out of the Gym, scowling. "Who are you?"
The three of us are silent. I know this is Brycen, the former movie star who became a recluse after being typecast as the villain for too long in his movies.
"Who? Us? Um...I'm Bianca and this Cheren—"
"I know you are there! Why don't you show yourselves!" he says in tranquil fury. Cheren, White, and I exchange confused glances. The dark mood surrounding us has suddenly been lifted—no, it's been shattered by the metaphorical icicles that carry in Brycen's clipped tone.
The grass surrounding us seems to wither and turn black in a perfect circle. Then the blackness rises and three people in black surround us. They look like ninjas but aren't. My deep fears...this must be the those Shadow guys who were stalking us and making us feel that despair!
The one closest to Brycen applauds sarcastically. "Bravo. Not many people are trained as astutely as you are."
A second one begins to speak, "We are the Shadow Traid, beings of the shadows and not easily noticed."
"Our mission was to solely speak to White, but so be it," the one who was behind me says, his eyes are set on mine, as if I'm some kind of plaything. "Ghetsis wants you at Dragonspiral Tower. Our Lord N is waiting for you there. You are to go and witness history in the making." They disappear right after that's said and the cold air is lifted.
"Come back here!" Brycen says. "I'm sorry, young man, if you are here to challenge me, but I must head over to Dragonspiral Tower," he tells Cheren. Brycen leaves the three of us just standing there.
"Wait! I'm coming too!" Cheren says in a stupor.
"Whoaaaaaa! What should I do?" I'm lost. I can feel my eyes widen as I cling onto my umbrella.
White huffs and shakes her head softly. She then throws herself at me and gives me a Beartic hug. I hug her back when I regain what's just happened.
"What was that for?"
"I don't know. I just really need a hug. Everything's happening so fast. Come with me." White takes me by the hand so roughly that I almost drop my umbrella.
We silently walk up North of the town. The leaves here aren't as bright green as other places here in Unova. An older man is awaiting us at the very edge of town. His small eyes glint in recognition.
"White! And you must be Bianca!"
"Huh?"
"I'm the other Professor Juniper, but you can call me Cedric."
"Oh hey, I was just looking for you! It's nice to meet you! Your daughter has helped me go on this journey and has helped me explore all of the possibilities my life can go to. I'm so very, very grateful to her."
"That's great. But there's other important matters we should discuss. Naturally, my daughter is concerned I am here, but here's the issue. Team Plasma broke through the tower wall here and now they're inside. Dragonspiral Tower is a sacred place that if disturbed by the wrong people, could set off cataclysmic events all throughout Unova! Gym Leader Brycen and your friend...Cheren both went off after them.
Dragonspiral Tower has been around since before Unova was founded. On the top floor, legends say that there is a dragon looking for those who search for the truth. Like I said earlier. If someone comes with their heart that is not deemed worthy by that dragon, it will awake in fury. If it is by Team Plasma, then we've got problems. Either way, it doesn't end well for us. Going after them in the tower is a very risky move. I won't stop you, but I will warn you."
"Don't worry, Professor Juniper," I say. It sounds weird rolling that name around my tongue. I don't want to just call him Cedric. "Cheren's strong. He can do it. I'm not as strong though, I'll admit. So I think, maybe, it would be nice if I stayed here and be your bodyguard?"
"Well thank you! That makes me feel safer about staying at the foot of the tower. So I guess it's up to you, White."
She nods and heads off, giving me a meaningful glance. I, on the other hand, get closer to the other Juniper so that we both can stay under my umbrella.
"She's really not afraid, is she?"
"No." White is fearless.
We walk along the narrow bridge to the ground floor of Dragonspiral Tower. It's dilapidated, yet beautiful. It makes me wonder just how it looked a thousand years ago.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Cedric Juniper says.
"Yes. I want to know more about it."
"There are theories. See, before these was mass immigration from lands such as Kalos and the like, there was a tribe that was wholly devoted to the three dragons. They were advanced in nature and specialized in Dragon-Type training. It is said that they were the descendants of these dragons, at least when they were all just one dragon. The legend varies from person to person, but it is said that the Ancient Unovans were peaceful, intelligent, and benign, but that changed when the brothers of legends were born. One emphasized the truthful nature of the great being while the other was committed to the ideals. Both became bitter and due to their conflict, the dragons were separated as a result. The first represented the fiery nature and unbending will of the hero, the second to the hardy, yet rampant nature. The third form of the separation became a bitter, ice cold entity that was never heard from again in this legend."
"What happened?" I ask.
"That's the big question. The civil war was enough to push this tribe into near extinction. There are only but a few left. They are commonly depicted as having red eyes and purple hair. If I know better, I believe Drayden has adopted one of the tribe's descendants. In fact, Drayden knows much more about this than I do. He's been an avid fan of history that rivals my own daughter's."
Why does that sound familiar?
"That's really neat, Professor Juniper. I want to know more about it."
"You know, you've got the heart of someone interesting in learning. I've seen it before in my daughter. She loves traveling and seeing all of the possibilities the world has to offer. She was like you once. We backpacked all across the continent until we reached Unova and she realized what she loved in life."
"Well, hopefully I won't have to walk that far in my case," I giggle at my own words. I gain composure again. "But you're right. I've learned so much since leaving home and a lot of it was through Juniper—um, your daughter, that is. I've had the most fun while doing missions for her and making inferences and observations."
I feel like something's about to snap in my mind, like a big change is upcoming, but a wild Pokémon comes a little took close to us. I've never seen it before. It's about three feet tall with a yellow and fuchsia body. My Pokédex labels it as a Mienfoo, a fighting type. It bows before I send out Munny, who I have yet to evolve.
"Oh, I've got to get that thing upgraded for you. May I have it for the battle?"
"Sure!" I hand it over as the Mienfoo attacks Munny with an attack which barely even hits her. Wow, Munny's become so much stronger.
"Use Psybeam!" Munny manages to nearly knock out the Mienfoo, who still stays on the skin of her teeth. She's fast. Very fast, but not very strong. Impressive. None of my lovelies are that strong. I mean, Poe the Litwick is still wearing her Exp. Share and growing very slowly. It'll be a long while before she evolves.
Mienfoo bows once more and gives Munny a graceful handshake. Well, not really, as it just pats down her large, round body. It walks up to me and shakes my hand. I think she has accepted defeat? The Meinfoo doesn't go anywhere and a few awkward minutes pass as Juniper finishes the upgrade on my Pokédex.
"I think that Mienfoo wants you to train it. It must have been impressed."
"Really?"
"I think you're stronger than you think you are, Bianca."
I blush, turning to the Mienfoo for an opinion. "Do you want to join my team?"
She gives a determined nod.
"What do you think, Munny?"
"Mun-na!"
"Well, okay, then!" I reach into my bag and take out one of the unused Ultraballs, making sure it isn't Poe's. I throw it at Mienfoo and she accepts the capture.
Oh wow, I just realized I have a full team! Oh my gosh!
I take her back out and have her examined by the app. It's a Mienfoo, obviously, Female, and her nature is modest and she's capable of taking hits, even though I didn't need an app to really tell me that. Cool! I take her back and glance over at Munny. "Hey Munny, how about you become a Musharna today?"
"Mun-na!" she happily accepts, floating towards me.
"Well, okay then!" I rummage through my bag and take out the moonstone Juniper gave me earlier. I place it on the top of Munny's body and it begins to absorb the stone immediately. "Eeeeee! You're so cute!" I've seen Musharnas before (back during my first encounter with Plasma) but Munny is way more cooler-looking!
The ground rumbles, dust floating in the air.
"EEEEARTHQUAKE!" I yell. I'm quick to react to events and take Juniper by the hand, running out of the tower's entrance as fast as possible. We run over to the city's limit once more when the rumbling ceases.
"Up there!" Juniper says. I can't see anything, though. "What's that?"
"I can't see!" There's some kind of speck in the sky. A speck that releases fire like some kind of rocket or a missile. What is it? Oh! I wish I could be closer to it somehow, yet I kinda don't. And just like that, it's gone.
Just a few minutes after the rumbles, Cheren and Brycen meet up with us. Seconds later, White runs, panting. Her face is both defeated and frazzled.
"What happened?" Juniper asks.
"He's got it. Reshiram. It's accepted him," White says, still panting.
"It's true," Brycen confirms.
"Wow, I never thought that'd happen," Juniper says with interest.
"It was N," Cheren says, still in shock. "He took it and then told White he had to go and find the other legendary Pokémon."
"Huh?" I say in utter bewilderment.
"Why but of course!" A voice that doesn't belong to any of us five says. We all turn back to see a giant man with tanned skin and red and blonde streaked hair resembling fire. His face is square shaped and rugged, yet wrinkled in age. I've seen him before. Isn't that—"
"Alder!" Cheren says excitedly. "You came back for me, senpai!" Oh gods. White pushes him off before he attacks the Champion and he stays there. I should have known Cheren would lose his senses. Senpai? Really?
"Alder, I haven't you in a while. What a sight for sore eyes! How are you? Are you doing well?" Juniper says. "Yet, this isn't quite the time for happy reunions."
"Yes. There is absolutely no time for chitchat! While on my way over here, I was almost knocked out by a fiery presence and I knew it'd be none other than Reshiram. It has awakened! The big problem at hand is it's chosen to support Team Plasma. If that happens, then the possibility of everyone being forced to release their Pokémon is imminent."
"Captain obvious, much?" White says. "Look, I don't have time for this. I thought I had to go get the Gym Badges. Now I gotta go and figure out how to summon some Legendary? Really?"
"I like your thought process, so I'll get to the point quickly. Some variations of the legends say that Reshiram burned Ancient Unova during the war. We can't have that happen again so Zekrom must be awakened at all costs. This means that we need to follow leads. I have two possible locations: Undella Bay and the Relic Castle at Desert Resort. I think we should head over to Desert Resort. I've traveled all over Unova and those are the two spots that have hosted such castles from that time period."
"Whoa, wait a second!" I say throughout all of the chaos. "Isn't this a really dangerous idea for White to go after the dragon? What if it doesn't accept her?"
Alder stops, sizing me up for a second. "You have a very kind heart, but that is not the way to think at this moment. I don't like the idea of taking commands from N or Team Plasma, but it is our best hope. I'll meet you with you there."
Juniper nods. "Okay. I'll leave that to you, then. In the meantime, I'll investigate the tower for evidence. Hopefully I will find something."
Brycen turns to Juniper. "I shall go with you."
They leave and Cheren gets up. "Oh I get it, senpai master. Helping with this cause is what will ensure us getting strength, right?"
Alder facepalms. "I'm flattered, but I'm not your master...or sen...Sen...Pie? Sensei? And no. That is not how it works. I'm going. See you around, kid." He calls forth a large red butterfly looking Pokémon my Pokédex registers as Volcarona and settles himself there.
"I'll go with you, Master Sensei," Cheren says, taking out his fully evolved male Unfezant. Both leave as quickly as possible, the last I can see and hear from them is Cheren asking Alder endless questions. If Alder is annoyed, then he isn't showing any of it. He just seems confused by Cheren's fanboying.
White rolls her eyes, taking out her own Unfezant, who has finally decided to evolve. "This is a real thing, isn't it, White? Wow..."
"I know, right? I'm still in shock."
"I want to help you out but I don't know what to do about that either. I don't have any flying Pokémon so I guess I'll meet you in the next town."
"Thanks, Bianca. It's the sentiment that counts. Thank you for being so supportive and sane. I feel like I'm in a cast of crazy characters here," she says that last part more to herself than to me.
"I'll be ready by then!"
And I watch White fly off into her fate in the long distance.
If only I knew of a way to help.
Sorry I didn't update in a while. I've been going through some life changes. Please show love by favoriting, following, and/or reviewing if you've made it this far.