Chapter Thirty Nine – Wish For The Forest
The morning sun was beaming all over Almia, the air was mildly cold and the breeze was almost non-existent as Alexa casually strolled along the forest path. Her Nidoking companion took note of the mild damage on the ground as well as on most of the trees they passed along the way. The Nidoking looked towards his trainer in confusion.
"Niidoo...?"
"The forest had a fire a few months back," Alexa explained. "There was a fuel spillage and the gizmo that was being refuelled set off a spark that started the fire in the first place."
"Niidoo..."
"Yeah, Luana and I sorted it out, Nando, don't worry," Alexa smiled sweetly. Nando smiled at his caring friend.
"ALEX!"
Nando and Alexa stopped and looked behind them as a graceful Rapidash galloped towards them, with Keenan and Keith on her back. Iara sat behind Keith, somehow still on the Rapidash's back despite the high speed, while Buizel was safe on Keith's shoulder. The riders dismounted from the Rapidash's back after she gradually came to a halt.
"There you are! Why weren't you at the house this morning?" Keenan asked worriedly.
"I just fancied an early morning walk, that's all," Alexa replied.
"But you missed breakfast," Keenan stated. Alexa shrugged.
"I wasn't hungry," she said plainly.
"Alex..."
"Ryder's been asking about you," Keith added. Nando sighed with frustration.
"He hasn't left a good impression on the Pokémon," Alexa said, explaining Nando's sigh.
"What about you? Do you trust him?" Keith asked.
"Uh...it's hard to say," Alexa admitted. "I know he's telling the truth, but...I don't know. I need more time to think it over."
"But you do believe him, right?" Keith questioned.
"Yeah, I believe him," Alexa nodded.
"Then there's no reason why you can't trust him then."
"I guess," Alexa said quietly. After Keenan returned his Rapidash to her Poké Ball, he looked around at the forest carefully; he hadn't had the time to admire the scenery properly due to past circumstances.
"Is it true this place was on fire?" he asked. "Ryder told me about it this morning."
"Yeah, it was," Alexa replied. "It seems to be recovering pretty well, though. I wonder what it was like before the fire; I never went here beforehand."
"Maybe it's like the Ilex Forest," Keenan assumed. Alexa shrugged.
"So, this walk you fancied. Going anywhere in particular?" Keith asked.
"Not especially," Alexa said. "I doubt I'm really welcome at the Ranger Union, so that's off limits..."
"What makes you think you're not welcome?" Keith questioned.
"You had that meeting with your boss, right?" Keenan asked.
"Y-yeah...but I still think the professor's not too keen on me," Alexa said quietly.
"Hun, he doesn't hate you," Keith sighed. Alexa looked at him in confusion. "He just thinks you need to pull yourself together."
"How do you know that?" she asked.
"Barlow told me," Keith answered simply. "I asked him to talk to the professor about it, and what I just said was what Barlow told me last night while we were finding Ryder."
"You didn't need to go through all of that trouble," Alexa said.
"It's nothing, really, I just-"
"No, that wasn't a compliment; you really didn't need to go through all of that trouble," Alexa said rather firmly. "If I wanted answers, I'd get them myself."
"...sorry. I thought I was doing you a favour," Keith apologised.
"I appreciate the thought, Keith," Alexa smiled. "But I'm a big girl; I can fight my own battles." Keith smiled at her.
"Yeah, you're right. Guess I wasn't thinking," he said nervously.
"I won't hold it against you," Alexa winked. "I'll talk to him when I'm good and ready."
"You're not at the moment?" Keenan asked. "Part of me was thinking you left this morning to talk to him."
"I'm not that confident yet," Alexa confessed. "We weren't exactly on good speaking terms before I got suspended in the first place."
"Oh." Iara looked around the forest and spotted Ollie in the distance.
"Por!" Keenan looked down at her.
"What's up?" Alexa looked at what Iara spotted.
"Ollie? What's he doing here?" she asked. She ran off, hoping to catch up with Ollie. Nando followed her immediately, and Keenan, Keith and Iara followed behind.
Alexa and Nando caught up with Ollie in a clearing. He spotted them as they approached him. Ollie smiled.
"Hi, Alexa! You're looking pretty today," he said, admiring Alexa's casual attire. Her attire was composed of a deep purple long sleeved shirt with a heart shaped hole just below her neck, a pair of black bootleg trousers with a dark cyan belt bag clipped around her waist, dark grey slip-on shoes and her grandmother's emerald choker necklace. "Not on duty today?"
"No...suspended."
"Still? I thought that was over," Ollie said, bemused.
"Unless there's something the Union's not telling me, my suspension's not over yet," Alexa said as Keith, Keenan and Iara caught up to her. "What're you doing here anyway?"
"Oh, right. I decided to restore the forest to its former state," Ollie replied.
"How?" Keith asked in puzzlement. Ollie looked towards him.
"I'm looking for Celebi; Elaine said it has the power to heal the forest," he explained.
"Why would a Celebi be here?" Keenan asked. Ollie looked down at Keenan before looking back at Alexa.
"Who's this?"
"My little brother, Keenan," Alexa replied. She smiled down at her brother. "And Celebi's not strictly bound to the Ilex Forest just because it has a shrine there. They appear wherever there are forests, like the Vien Forest."
"And I want to find it and ask it to heal the forest," Ollie added. "I even saw it once, but only briefly. I haven't seen it since."
"That's hardly surprising; Celebi can travel through time, after all," Alexa said. "In fact, nobody knows that if there's more than one Celebi or if the Celebi from each time period is actually the same one."
"I don't know where it is now, though..." Ollie sighed.
"I guess I could help out," Keith suggested. He then faced Alexa and Keenan. "Will you help me?"
"Of course," Alexa smiled.
"I don't know how we can, but okay," Keenan agreed. Bidding Ollie 'see you later', the trio and the Pokémon began their search for the elusive Celebi.
It was early afternoon by the time the search party ended up in front of a large waterfall near the edge of the forest. Keenan, Alexa and Keith sat down on the grass to take a break.
"We've covered half of the forest, but there's still no sign of Celebi," Keith complained. Alexa leaned back against the tree trunk and relaxed.
"Well, Celebi shares some traits with Mew," she began. "Both are playful, but also timid in spite of their power. Maybe Celebi's hiding because he's just scared. Then again, he could be hiding for, as Ryder would put it, the 'lulz'." Keith moaned with frustration.
"Whatever the reason, it's doing my head in," he said. "Why did I agree to help Ollie with this in the first place?"
"Pity?" Alexa questioned, rather jokily. Nando sniggered at Alexa's reply.
FLASH!
A flash of light caught the group's attention as Celebi materialised before them. Everyone stood up and looked at the seemingly cheerful Celebi.
"That's it?" Keith questioned.
"Eeyup," Alexa confirmed. Celebi spotted Keith, Alexa and Keenan.
"Celebi, we were wondering if-" Keenan was cut off by Celebi's giggling as he began to circle the entire group before flying further into the forest. Everyone watched him leave.
"I think he wants to play," Alexa guessed.
"I don't have time for games!" Keith exclaimed. "Hey, Alexa, do you have your Dodrio with you?" he asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"Think she'd be up for a run?"
"She usually is," Alexa replied as she took out the Safari Ball from her belt bag. She pressed the button on the green Poké Ball to release the three-headed ostrich Pokémon. "Gals, Keith wants another ride if that's okay with you; there's a Pokémon to catch, so to speak." All three heads agreed with the request and she bent her legs to allow Keith to mount onto her back.
"Okay, let's get that Celebi!" Keith exclaimed.
"Wait, Keith, Celebi's-" Too late; Ellie-May-Jan had already jumped over the river in pursuit of Celebi before Alexa could warn Keith. "...mischievous."
"We should get after them," Keenan suggested.
"Think Darcy's up for another run?" Alexa asked.
"She usually is," Keenan replied with a smile, mimicking his sister's words. Keenan released his amber-eyed Rapidash from her Poké Ball. He and Alexa climbed onto her back, one at a time, while Iara jumped onto Darcy's back, like she had previously. Alexa looked down at her Nidoking.
"Nando, can you watch from the river please? If Celebi gets out of hand, use Water Pulse to startle him if you can." Nando gave Alexa a salute in response.
"Niidoo..." Darcy leapt beautifully over the river as Nando dived into the river itself. Nando swam quickly alongside Darcy, who ran along the riverbank, hoping to catch up with Keith and Ellie-May-Jan.
Keith and Ellie-May-Jan had a tough time keeping up with Celebi, who was constantly avoiding the pair, much to Keith and Ellie's mutual annoyance. Jan was having the time of her life chasing Celebi, but May paid no attention to the chase.
"Hihihihihihi..." Celebi giggled.
"You won't be laughing when I get a hold of you!" Keith threatened. Darcy galloped onto the scene, narrowly avoiding the idle Forretress along the way.
"Keith, wait!" Alexa cried.
"If I do, it'll get away!" Keith responded loudly as he continued his chase. Darcy grunted with annoyance as she began to chase the Dodrio.
"Weren't you listening to me earlier?! I said Celebi are playful! He's playing with you!" Alexa exclaimed.
"Does it look like I'm having fun!?" Keith shouted, quickly loosing his cool.
"Maybe Celebi thinks your anger is amusing!" Keenan yelled in response. "Don't let it-"
ZOOM!
Ellie-May-Jan dashed away from Darcy, at top speed, after Celebi. Alexa and Keenan watched the blurry figure of Ellie-May-Jan speeding off into the distance.
"...get to you..."
"I think it already has," Alexa sighed.
"C'mon, Darce!" Darcy neighed loudly as she began to sprint after the semi-irate Dodrio and the rattled Ranger rider.
Ellie-May-Jan had almost caught up to Celebi when he decided to turn around. Ellie-May-Jan had to skid to a halt when she and Keith noticed Celebi's change of direction.
"Oh for goodness' sake!" Keith yelled loudly in frustration. The Dodrio sped off, following Celebi.
ZOOM!
Ellie-May-Jan brushed passed Darcy, causing her to stop dead in her tracks. Alexa and Keith watched the chase in bewilderment.
"This isn't going so well, is it?"
"No, bro...it's not..."
Keenan clicked his tongue twice, and Darcy turned around to proceed chasing Ellie-May-Jan again.
Keith had almost cornered Celebi by the river if the Time Travel Pokémon hadn't sped off passed him for the umpteenth time. Keith practically roared with anger as Ellie-May-Jan ran after him again. Nando looked over the riverbank in shock; he hadn't seen any human so furious.
ZOOM!
Once more, Ellie-May-Jan passed Darcy at blinding speed. The troupe watched the Pokémon chase.
"If this keeps up, everyone's gonna get dizzy," Alexa moaned. Keenan looked down at the ground, which was almost completely ruined by Dodrio and Rapidash footprints.
"Looks like the ground's suffering from all of this too," he noted.
"Maybe we should stay here and intercept Celebi," Alexa suggested. "We're getting nowhere trailing after Ellie-May-Jan at every turn."
"Standby, Darcy," Keenan said quietly to his soon-to-be exhausted Rapidash. Darcy nodded and stayed put.
Soon enough, Celebi was in sight, as were Ellie-May-Jan and Keith. Alexa was the only one to notice Celebi's baby-blue eyes shining in a green light.
"STOP!" Alexa cried.
But it was too late; one of Ellie-May-Jan's talons got caught up in knotted grass and she fell. Because she was running at virtually top speed, the fall was rather devastating, not just for her, but for Keith and Buizel, who practically flew off of her back. Keith and Buizel bounced along the ground and crashed.
Horrified, Alexa and Keenan jumped off of Darcy's back. Alexa ran over to Keith and Buizel while Keenan tended to Ellie-May-Jan's aid. Celebi floated above the wreckage, laughing so hysterically that he was almost crying.
"Keith! Are you all right?!" Keith groaned as he struggled to stand himself up. Alexa helped him off of the ground, but almost gasped in shock when she spotted blood dripping down Keith's head.
"Ow..."
Iara and Darcy glared at the chortling Celebi angrily. Darcy scraped her hoof on the ground, preparing to charge as Iara jumped down from her back. Alexa looked back at Buizel.
"Buizel, are you hurt!?"
"Bui-bui bui...!" Buizel replied giddily, raising a paw into the air. Buizel's response was somewhat muffled, as his face was flat on the ground. Alexa used her free arm to help Buizel up.
"You're clearly not," she sighed.
"You okay?" Keenan asked the wounded Dodrio. May was bawling her eyes out and Ellie was glaring furiously at the extremely amused Celebi, feeling utterly humiliated, leaving Jan the only head actively communicating with the boy. Jan lifted her left leg up slightly and Keenan spotted the slightly swollen ankle. Keenan looked back at his sister.
"Alex! I think Ellie-May-Jan's sprained her ankle!" he called. Alexa looked back at her brother.
"I'll take a look when this is all over!" she responded.
Darcy neighed furiously as she and Iara charged at Celebi. No matter how many times Iara used Ice Beam or Darcy used her Megahorn technique, Celebi dodged each attack easily, as if to taunt the angry Pokémon. From the river, Nando tried many a time to use his Water Pulse attack to startled Celebi, but, to the Time Travel Pokémon, it was just another attack to dance around. Keenan, Keith and Alexa watched the display.
"Even attacking him's not working!" Alexa said anxiously. "That Celebi's mischievous alright..." Keenan took a Poké Ball from his belt bag and opened it. But nothing came out of the Poké Ball. Keenan then watched Celebi, waiting for something to happen.
Exhausted, Darcy, Iara and Nando ceased their assault. Celebi began laughing hysterically again, much to everyone's frustration. A violet Misdreavus slowly materialised behind the laughing Celebi and took a deep breath.
"MIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
Celebi yelped in fright as the Misdreavus startled him with an ear-piercing screech; the screech itself was loud enough to only startle Celebi and nobody else. Celebi hyperventilated as he held a hand over his tiny little heart. The Misdreavus giggled.
"Thanks, Ruby!" Keenan smiled. Keith stood up hastily and readied his styler.
"Right..! Capture on!" he yelled as he fired the capture disc at the recuperating Pokémon.
"But Keith, you-"
"I can still use my styler, Alexa," Keith insisted abruptly. Ruby, the Misdreavus, rolled her eyes; having noticed the bleeding cut on Keith's forehead, she knew he'd need help.
Celebi became serious. But regardless of how he tried to prevent the capture disc from circling him, his attacks were always thwarted by Ruby's many antics; sometimes she'd pull at Celebi's wings, sometimes she'd appear randomly in front of him, but she mostly nudged Celebi to stop his potential attacks. Eventually, Celebi became enveloped in a friendly light as the capture was declared complete. Keith recalled the capture disc back into his styler and relaxed.
"You shouldn't have stood up so fast," Alexa said with concern. Before Keith could talk to her, Alexa jogged over to Keenan and Ellie-May-Jan. She took a brief glance at the Dodrio's wounded ankle. Keith walked over to her, with Buizel, Iara, Darcy, Nando, after climbing out of the river, Ruby and Celebi following him.
"I know, but Celebi's shenanigans just irritated me," he said quietly.
"I tried to warn you about Celebi's behaviour," Alexa sighed. "I didn't think you were so easily angered."
"I'm not, normally, but I don't like feeling degraded," Keith explained.
"Yeah, well...a few seconds of hearing a friend's advice before jumping to the fray wouldn't go amiss," Alexa mumbled.
"I'm sorry," Keith apologised. Alexa stood up, looking unimpressed. Keith assumed she was mad at him, but her attention was focused on Celebi.
"My Dodrio's sprained her ankle because of your antics," she began. "And Keith's suffered as a result of that too. What do you say, mister?"
"Bi-bibi..." Celebi said regretfully.
"I should think so too. Fortunately neither injury is serious, but you've got to be more careful if you want to play with others," Alexa cautioned.
"Bibi-bi..."
"Let's just get back to Ollie," Keith moaned. Alexa took the Safari Ball from her pocket and recalled Ellie-May-Jan. Once her Dodrio was safe inside, Alexa placed the Safari Ball back in her pocket, knowing that she'd tend to her ankle later. Keenan returned Darcy and Ruby back to their respective Poké Balls and the group set off to leave the worn down racetrack of a forest clearing.
Keith, Alexa and Keenan returned to Ollie, who was hopelessly searching the same area over again until he spotted Celebi floating near Alexa.
"Is that Celebi?" Ollie asked.
"I'm perfectly fine, don't worry about a thing, we only got hurt trying to catch it," Keith muttered spitefully, holding onto his forehead.
"Celebi, please, hear my wish!" Ollie's sudden request took Celebi by surprise. "Please, restore the forest to its former glory! Thank you, Celebi, make my wish come true!"
"Uh, Ollie, I-I don't think you should, uh..." Alexa had noticed how nervous Celebi became.
"What's wrong, Celebi? Please, show us your fantastic powers of healing!" Ollie begged as he tried to get a closer look at Celebi.
"Biiiii!" Celebi flew away in fright and hid. While Ollie believed Celebi had disappeared, the little Pokémon only hid behind a tree trunk. Keith looked at Ollie, almost in anger.
"Well done," he said sarcastically. Ollie sighed.
"I guess that's what happens when you try to make easy money by doing something as shady as what I've done," he said remorsefully. "And I didn't even do it properly. I didn't think this through either..."
"No you bloody didn't..." Keith muttered angrily. Alexa glared at him.
"Keith..!"
"It's just...when I saw Celebi coming here with you guys, I thought all of my problems were finally solved. I've always been such a shallow-dreamer," Ollie said sadly.
"I wouldn't say that," Alexa said gently. "You shouldn't put yourself down like that."
"Yeah? While I was searching for Celebi, I think I may have done more harm to the forest," Ollie continued. "Maybe I stepped on a plant or a branch carelessly or something; I never thought about being careful in my stride at all."
"Ollie, branches and plants get damaged all the time, it's not a big deal," Alexa moaned. "I highly doubt you'll be condemned for stepping on a twig."
"I just thought I could at least try to protect the forest; it's the least I could do," Ollie concluded.
"You're not superman, you're human," Alexa chuckled.
"Besides, Alex says that Celebi's the Guardian of the Forest. If you want to help the forest, I suggest leaving that to Celebi," Keenan added with a friendly smile. Ollie laughed.
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Your heart was in the right place, though, so I'm sure Celebi will realise that. It's just that he had a bit of a fright today and is gonna be edgy for a little while," Alexa explained. "It was the only way we could stop him before his antics hurt more than Keith and my Dodrio." Ollie finally spotted the blood on Keith's face.
"Are you okay?!"
"Ecstatic," Keith replied sarcastically.
"My Dodrio sprained her ankle, but I think she'll be fine once it's sorted," Alexa smiled.
"Biii!"
Celebi flew around the clearing, leaving trails of light behind him as he flew. The forest soon began to shine in the same light until...
FLASH!
The healing light faded and revealed the forest to everyone blinded by the shine. They looked around in amazement at the forest's perfection; the grass was lush, little flowers had sprouted from the previously fuel-soiled earth, the trees stood tall and the air felt fresh for the first time in months. The sight was absolutely breath-taking. Yet Keith was the only one who was still sour about the experience he had.
"So this is what the forest looked like, huh? It's beautiful!" Alexa said happily, admiring the scenery. Even her Nidoking was impressed at the sight.
"Not quite Ilex Forest, but I agree!" Keenan stated. Alexa laughed; she knew her brother loves the Ilex Forest.
"Thanks, Celebi!" she called.
"Bii-bii!" Celebi replied merrily before fading away, disappearing to another point in time presumably.
"That was amazing!" Ollie smiled. "So that's the magic of Celebi's powers, huh? I'm glad I got to witness it."
"Yeah, well, you can tell Elaine about it once we get to the Ranger Base; I have a Dodrio to check over, and Keith needs that cut looked at," Alexa said sweetly. Keith huffed.
At the Vien Town Ranger Base, Elaine was seeing to Keith's cut, wiping away the excess blood with an alcohol wipe, and Alexa was using an emergency first aid kit from her belt bag to take care of Ellie-May-Jan's sprained ankle. Meanwhile, Keenan was simply having a drink.
"Sounds like you all went through a lot to get the forest back to normal," Crawford said, sounding impressed.
"I'd say it was worth it, but that depends on what everyone thinks about the experience," Alexa assumed. Ellie-May-Jan squawked quietly in three different tones; Ellie's was disgruntled, Jan's was neutral, but May's was saddened.
"I just think Ollie could've been more grateful for what she and I went through," Keith said nastily.
"I'm sorry, Keith, I was just so excited about restoring the forest and thinking about Celebi," Ollie said sheepishly.
"Yeah, well, it was because of Celebi we got hurt in the first place," Keith pouted.
"And he apologised for that," Alexa sighed. "Nothing's broken, so that's something to focus on." Barlow looked at Alexa with concern.
"Alexa, you shouldn't have had anything to do with it, you're still suspended," he said. "Even though I'm trying to arrange sick leave for you."
"I didn't do anything, I was just tagging along for the ride, so to speak," Alexa said in defence. "And I don't need sick leave."
"At the moment," Barlow muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Keith demanded.
"Take it easy, champ, I'm just concerned," Barlow said calmly.
"That's my job!" Keith yelled.
"Mum's the one keeping Erma up to speed on her recovery, so, technically, it's her job," Keenan explained.
"Look, I'm just trying to look out for you, Alexa, the last thing we want is for you to have a total breakdown," Barlow explained.
"I appreciate the concern, but I'm doing fine right now," Alexa sighed. "Seriously, I don't really need the extra help. I can take care of myself."
"I don't doubt that, but anything can happen so long as Cain's out there," Barlow said quietly. Alexa looked at Barlow in frustration.
"What're you implying?" Barlow sighed, as if he was regretting what he was about to say.
"The professor doesn't think you should be outdoors until Cain's caught and handed over to the International Police," he explained hesitantly.
"Oh come on! Don't tell me he wants her under house arrest as well?!" Keith yelled.
"Calm down," Elaine said softly as she proceeded to clean the cut on his forehead. As the alcohol wipe touched the open cut, Keith winced.
"That's not what he's saying. He doesn't think that you're in the right state of mind right now, Alexa, and he doesn't want things to get worse for you," Barlow explained. Alexa resumed wrapping a bandage around her Dodrio's ankle, annoyed at Barlow. "He's just trying to look out for ya."
"I can take care of myself," she insisted. Keenan grew concerned.
"You're getting worked up, sis."
"Wouldn't you be if you discovered that your old boss is trying to take care of your well-being behind your back?" Alexa asked rhetorically. "Not that I don't appreciate it; I just wish I was in the loop." Alexa tied the final knot on the bandage wrapped around Ellie-May-Jan's ankle and she smiled at her Pokémon. "Feel better?" All three heads squawked in mutual agreement and gratitude. "You're welcome."
"There we go," Elaine smiled as she applied the squared dressing over Keith's cut.
"Thanks," Keith said quietly as he stood up from the table he sat on. "This whole escapade took the entire day; I think it's time we called it a day."
"Agreed. Get back to Chicole Village and get some rest, all three of you," Barlow stated. Alexa returned Ellie-May-Jan back to her Poké Ball and stood up.
"We will. Thanks. And, please, no more speaking to the professor on my behalf; I'll talk to him when and if I feel ready," Alexa requested as Keenan approached her.
"Y-yeah, okay. See you soon, Alexa," Barlow said as the trio, along with their Pokémon, left the Ranger Base.
"You didn't mention what her Dad said to you, Barlow," Luana said with concern. Barlow sighed.
"I didn't think I needed to. Loss of appetite could mean anything. Besides, Hayden sounded like he was already on top of things."
En route to Chicole Village, Iara and Buizel ran around playfully and Nando watched them with a smile. Keenan began to ponder.
"I don't get it," he began suddenly. "Where's Cain hiding?"
"He just shows up when it suits," Keith huffed.
"Maybe Ryder can have a crack at finding him with his aura when he's feeling better," Alexa suggested. Keith looked at her, looking hopeful.
"Does that mean you trust Ryder still?" he asked.
"I just needed some time to think, but, yeah, I do," Alexa confirmed. "I just wish he'd listened to Chelsea, but what's done is done."
"I think he'll be happy to hear that," Keenan said, smiling up at his sister.
"I think so too," Alexa smiled. Her smile was short-lived. "But..."
"What's wrong?" Keith asked.
"I don't get why Cain's here in the first place," Alexa replied.
"Battling, right?" Keenan assumed. Keith scoffed.
"Understatement."
"But if Cain's looking for a real challenge, he'd try finding a legendary Pokémon," Alexa continued.
"Like Celebi?"
"No, there're stronger legendary Pokémon than Celebi. But the ones Keith and I know of aren't here anymore."
"Huh?" Keith raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Yeah; Darkrai was escorted back to Sinnoh, Cresselia and Heatran left when their gems no longer needed protection, and Palkia and Dialga are back in their own dimension. What other legendary Pokémon resides in Almia?"
"Are you even sure there ARE any more?" Keith questioned.
"Hmmm..." Alexa took a few moments to consider a response. "There's a possibility..."
Elsewhere...
A rugged male Empoleon was released from his Poké Ball, but he emerged from a blue light as opposed to a red one.
SMASH!
Empoleon looked at his master in confusion as he crushed the Poké Ball with his foot. Cain glared at Empoleon as a large Gengar emerged from his shadow, grinning evilly at the newly wild Pokémon.
"Poleon?"
"Now...let's see if this works," Cain said cold-heartedly. Gengar sniggered.
"Gen-gar..."
To be continued...