I'm going to have to make a lot of changes in these older chapters I have (ones I've written already before posting the story here). I put all these unnecessary points that make up most of the chapter. Sometimes I wonder just what I was thinking when I wrote these things.

Lots of things going on. I finally feel like the story is beginning to come together, just a tiny bit. Imagining how it'll play out can only do so much than actually writing. It makes me excited!

Here's Chapter 30! ...And the introduction of another event to come.

Chapter 30
Puzzling Memories

"I've heard there's news. What's gotten them wound up?"

"Well, they didn't want to say anything at first. But I did some convincing, and I found out that they can now detect the signals of Johto's legendary Pokémon."

"Suicune, Entei, and Raikou?"

"Yeah. They sound pretty sure of themselves, too."

A bald man adjusted the thin frame of his sunglasses. He stood with loyal conviction. His boss, towering and intimidating, slid back in his cushioned leather chair behind the massive desk separating them. Slight skepticism crossed his features.

"That's mighty interesting, if true," he grunted. He stroked his long, jagged mustache. "What else?"

"They want you to initiate the secret mission they discussed with you. Could you tell me what that is, Boss?"

"Hm...I see," he muttered to himself. "And there's a point to a secret mission, Wakin. It's secret."

"I know. But who's going to do it?" Wakin asked him, somewhat hopeful. "Does it involve those three legendary Pokémon?"

"Of course not. Those beasts aren't our business. They're handling it."

He gawked at his chief. "They're handling it? How? If they can pull that off, I'd have a whole new respect for them."

"Wakin!" his boss exclaimed, interrupting him. Wakin jumped to attention. "Get Wes over here. I have something that I want him to do."

"Yes, Boss!" Wakin's expression faltered after his instinctual response. Disappointment caused him to frown. "Wait a minute; you're going to make Wes do the special secret mission, aren't you?"

His superior just stared down at him in silence.

"I know you trust the boy, we all do, but you shouldn't spoil him and give him all the good things to do, you know?"

"That's not your concern, Wakin. Just get him over here."

"No need to do that," a new voice replied. "I'm already here."

Wakin turned around, and the other man sneered. On the other side of the room, a boy leaned on the stairwell railing with his arms crossed casually. He appeared no older than an assured fifteen, bearing a deep tan and dirty blond hair that spiked and maneuvered around his face. He struck a slick grin the moment he was noticed.

"That's awfully convenient of you," the boss said and glanced at his other minion. "Wakin, go contact Cipher. Tell them that I'll carry out their 'special secret mission' as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir! Right away!" Wakin accepted the order, rushing away. He cast a quick glance at Wes, who walked further into the room as Wakin clambered down the stairs and out of sight.

"So what is it?" Wes asked as he strode toward the desk.

"Eavesdropping again, aren't you?"

"I just got back from an outing. Here's some souvenirs." He dropped a couple of Poké Balls in front of him, allowing them to clatter on the desk.

The man handled each to observe the creatures within. He uttered a deep laugh. "Good, good! We'll get these down to the Snag Machine and convert them."

"About that; the recharge time was shit so I made some personal tweaks last night. Hope you don't mind."

"If it gets the job done, I don't care what you do to it. Fine work." This sign of satisfaction dwindled away, and he straightened his back to eye the boy. "Now, onto other business."

Instantly, Wes's sneer vanished.

"I have a request for you. One about a top secret mission, if you hadn't heard that already." His boss rested his elbows on the desk, wearing a deadly look of focus on his robust face. "If you're willing to do it, you'll win a trip to the Johto region."

"Johto? What's it for?" The teen's voice was serious, but still contained a hint of life, the sense of humor and individuality that he showed when he wasn't dealing with a task on hand.

"Let's say it involves," his boss's eyes darkened, "a new type of thing to snag."

Wes smirked again. "Sure. What kind?"

"Don't be so cocky," he snickered. He turned away in his chair, looking out the rounded window that was behind him. "It's from Cipher, so you know it's important to work quickly."

"Sounds perfect for me."

"Exactly. And I'm only assigning it to you; no one else will be going with you to capture the girl." The man wickedly grinned. "You seem to be the only one who can do things right around here, so I thought you were the best man for the job."

"Heh," the boy laughed. "...So. It's a kidnapping."

"It is."

"What kind of chick is she?"

The boss wheeled his chair back to him, pulling out a small packet hidden under his desk. He patted it and handed it to him. "Very young, so it should be easy. You could carry her here on your back if you wanted to."

"Might I ask why they're going out of their way for this?"

"Not our business to know."

Grabbing the two pieces of paper stuck together with a paperclip, the boy skimmed over the documents. "I doubt a Trainer like that will ever think to come to this dustbowl."

"My thinking exactly. You'll also need a place to stay. They've given you a position at a pharmacy, which is near one of them Gyms those people are so fond of."

"A fake name." Wes's eyebrows rose slightly.

"Yes. As you'll see, you may have a bit of opposition. The well-informed kind." At the boy's silence, he raised an eyebrow. The quiet lingered, but he waited with a surprising amount of patience.

Wes was frowning slightly. "Damn. She's only ten years old?"

"Would you prefer her to be your age?" the man asked.

The boy shrugged. He turned his back to him and made his way for the stairs. "I'll be sure to send you a postcard."

"Hold it."

Stopping, Wes looked over his shoulder. His boss shot a severe glower at him.

"I don't want you coming back here without her," he warned. He further furrowed his brow, appearing downright frightening. The boy seemed unfazed by it. "I'm not shitting you, this is important. For some reason, they're eager to get their hands on her."

"Don't worry, I've got you covered. Later, Gonzap."

"And hey, if you see some good Pokémon scurrying about, be sure to nab 'em. Johto's got to be teeming with the things."

With a complying gesture, Wes left through the staircase that his colleague had previously taken.

Once outside, he walked within the deep shadows of a crevice that leaked only occasional daylight. He approached his motorcycle, a crimson monstrosity that boasted a huge engine. But he paused before reaching it. Turning back, his sharp yellow eyes deplored the steel building behind him. A sturdy, haphazard structure, it fit snugly between the surrounding canyons.

It was the first time he was going to leave this rustic homeland of his. But he would be on a mission, and he'd be focused—regardless of his target—else risk facing punishment. That didn't stir fear in him; facing hardships head on was what he did for a living. It had shaped him into the person he was. He was a mixture of arrogance, vigilance, and decent skill to match—going to Johto just seemed like an interesting venture to him. Yet he had a small soft spot, which was, of course, something usually kept locked away.

Wes was torn from his thoughts as he felt a tugging from his dusty, hooded overcoat. At his side was his Espeon, a fox whose fur was gorgeous like silk.

"Eefi!" he meowed. He stared at Wes with contentment in his all-seeing violet irises. The Espeon rubbed against Wes's leg and ran back toward the bike, leaping into the passenger seat with an Umbreon, a similar creature whose fur was dark as night.

"Bura!" Umbreon yipped with impatience. The amber rings dotting his body erratically glowed and flashed in his excitement.

"Eefi ef!"

"Burakki, bura!"

"I know, I know," Wes said, making a smile at their eagerness. "We've got a long trip ahead of us, so get yourselves comfortable." He swiftly jumped onto his bike and slid his mirrored sunglasses over his eyes, hiding away the papers in his coat. Reaching over the handlebars, he started the engine, which roared loudly as it burst to life.

"Let's get the fuck out of here!" he yelled.

"Eifi!" "Bura!" His Pokémon, his partners, cheered. Within moments, the irregular motorcycle emerged from the secluded Eclo Canyon. They raced into a never ending sea of desert, leaving behind a trail of smoke and sand.

Marina stood alone in the middle of an infinite plane. The air was shrouded in an ominous purple aura; the flat scenery went on without end on all sides of her.

"Where am I?" she asked. The atmosphere seemed to muffle her voice, as she could hardly hear it herself. She felt an uncomfortable tension, making her anxious to leave. But as she walked, it never lifted—as if following her. The sky above and floor below were dark, and the air in between was thick an unpleasant to look at. Although in the distance there was a bright light in all directions, it was unreachable.

But Marina stopped. In the distance, another girl stood silently. Her hair was drenched a dark plum shade, and her hands covered her face. The skirt of the girl's dress was ripped to near shreds. Yet the most bizarre part of her was, though she seemed to be sobbing, she did not make a single sound.

"Are...you okay?" Marina asked. Once again, her voice was quiet.

Wait, I've had this dream before. Marina looked at her shadowy hands. But why don't I have that really strong urge to reach her like I did before?

Yet wanting to comfort her by her own will, Marina walked toward her. As she continued, she felt the sickening darkness around them turn thicker. The darkness was like a thick web holding her back from reaching the girl. Unnerved and discomforted by the darkness, Marina stopped.

"Who are you?" Marina asked again, louder. "Where are we? Why are you still crying?"

The young girl turned away and vanished. Most of the hazy mist faded.

She left again. I'm by myself, she thought suddenly. The idea disturbed her, but it was an unavoidable feeling. There was nothing around, nowhere to run or hide from the oppressing atmosphere.

Her spirit dropping in the chilling emptiness, she held her arms. As silent time passed, she could feel herself becoming anxious. She wandered around, looking for an exit. Hope ebbed away from her, leaving a bleakness was almost unbearable. But Marina continued onward, staving off the desolate fear and emptiness that attempted to overtake her.

A set of taps echoed from an unknown direction, and a hot burning sensation wafted about the area. The thick air turned into smoke, yet there was no fire to be seen.

Marina shivered as she felt a cold breath whistle at her neck. She turned, preserving her hope for a savior to take her away from the horrible place. Her eyes widened as an orange figure stood directly behind her. It loomed over her as it once had, giving her a bitter remembrance of whence she had first met it.

The girl was then yanked from her nightmare, and she felt a hand shaking her shoulder. With great effort, she opened her heavy eyelids.

"Hey, wake up."

Two young men were looking over her. The one kneeling beside her was a blond draped in loose blue clothing. His expression was calm, and he smiled in relief as he saw her look up at him.

His acquaintance, dressed in a swanky violet suit, was slightly younger than the first. A lock of his brown hair went across his serious yet sophisticated face. "She's awake," he said, pointing out the obvious.

"Are you okay?" asked the other.

"Um..." Her thoughts were jumbled as she tried to remember her dream. But she nodded.

"That's good. My name is Morty," he turned his head to the young man in purple, "This is my friend Eusine."

"Oh," her voice returned properly as she slowly sat up. She greeted groggily, "I'm Marina, a Pokémon Trainer from New Bark Town."

"I see. How did you get down here, Marina?" Morty asked her, backing off to give her some space.

"Down here?"

"Yes," the well-dressed Eusine replied. "There are signs warning people not to go in the Brass Tower, as it's dangerous. You can fall through the floors," Eusine's eyes shifted upward, "Did you happen to get here that way?"

"N-No, I didn't," Marina answered with a slight stutter.

Brass Tower... Am I in Ecruteak City?

"Then how?" Morty questioned, perplexed.

"Um..." Marina trailed off and let out a sudden sneeze. The men looked at one another and Morty stood.

"Let's get out of here first," he said. "You must be cold."

"Okay." Marina crawled to her feet, and a small smile formed on her face as she fully woke up; for the first time in what felt like a long time, she wasn't feeling completely tired. In fact, she felt energized and aware as they descended a level of stairs.

"Those are your things, I assume?" Eusine motioned toward the backpack and jacket-covered Pokémon egg.

"Yeah." Marina strode over to them. Putting back on her mini-coat and bag, she carefully held the egg close. To her relief, it was still very much warm.

"The ladder is over there," Morty said, passing by her.

"Huh? Ladder?" Marina looked around as she followed him next to Eusine, who sometimes eyed her with curious suspicion. Across the room was a large hold in the ceiling, where an iron ladder led to it from the floor.

"We put in that ladder today. There were sightings of strange Pokémon sighting last night, and since Eusine was thinking of exploring the Brass Tower, I considered it my duty to check it out with him."

"We didn't find anything, though," said Eusine. "Except you."

"A-Ah," Marina managed a reply.

I don't think I tell them about Lapras and the Unown and...everything. They probably won't believe me. Even I can't believe what happened or how I got here, she decided in her mind.

"How long have you been here?" Morty asked.

"I don't know. What day is it?"

"The Second of November," Eusine replied slowly, casting another curious look.

"Sunday," Morty answered as well.

"Sunday?" repeated Marina, covering her mouth in shock.

But when I was last at the Ruins of Alph, it was Friday! She frowned at the memory of Kenta; even more at his pained face at the injury she had inflicted him that night. Guiltily, she gazed down at her Pokémon egg.

"Even though it wasn't your fault?" Latios had told her that, but she still had no idea what to think. It certainly did not wipe away the heaviness in her heart.

"You alright?" Morty asked, and Marina looked back up. Eusine had climbed up the ladder already, while Morty had a hand on one of the bars and watched her with slight concern. Marina stared blankly. She forced a smile as she shook her head and walked toward him.

"Nothing, I'm alright."

The sunlight was bright and blinded her eyes when they left the ruined structure, and Marina shaded the offending rays with her hand. When she adjusted to the light, she looked around at the city ahead in wonder. A little way away was endless clusters of houses, which continued in rows along the lengthy streets. Each building strongly gave off a traditional feel, and cute gardens with small bonsai tress sat in some of the compact lawns. A group of girls wearing different-colored kimonos walked down the street, chattering amongst one another as they entered the small crowd of pedestrians. There were a few others that were in customary dress such as this.

"It's nice, isn't it?" Morty asked her, barely smiling at her amazement.

"Yeah. That's so cool; I haven't been here in so long I don't even remember!" Marina turned to him, smiling. "So I was in the Burned Tower...I mean, the Brass Tower?"

"It can be called either one of those, don't worry," he assured and turned around. "Yes, that'd be the one right here."

Marina turned around, expecting to see the old burnt-down tower she had read and heard about. The anticipation was met, as it sat alone with merely one story left, though it left a sorrowful impression because of its abandonment. The wooden entrance in front of it had a silver plaque on the top, but even that looked slightly charred.

An intense stinging sensation at her throat suddenly caught Marina by surprise. She coughed and covered her mouth with her free hand, gazing back at the tower. Her heart skipped a beat, and she nearly lost her grip on her egg. Before her, the tower had grown a significant amount, back to its full and beautiful restoration, but was alighted in brilliantly burning rose-colored flames. They conquered and seared the wood ferociously, devouring it with greed, and she resisted the urge to leap in fright as the top story collapsed into itself.

What's going on?! Am I seeing things?! She thought through the dizzying pain in her neck. Any sort of peace that she had regained in the first ten minutes of her waking was decimated, and her body trembled uncontrollably. Worse yet, she could hear the panicking voices of people. Women screamed, men yelled out, and children cried. One individual caught her ear, and hauntingly she immediately thought it must have been her own.

"Suicune!"

"Hey, I'm talking to you! Answer me already," Eusine scolded her, frustrated the girl wasn't listening to him.

"Eusine, calm down," Morty responded.

"But she's clearly ignoring me, Morty!"

"I wouldn't say that..."

Marina glanced at them and back at the tower. They can't see this? I remember that I've seen the Brass Tower burning down years ago, but...!

The flames flickered and roared, and the heat felt so real that it froze her on the spot. The sounds of the frightened people stunned her further, especially because Morty and Eusine—as well as the calm and happy people in the distance—were disturbingly calm. She coughed again. Her throat constricted and burned as if it were the one on fire.

I can't take this!

At that, she turned and took off running.

"Wait, where are you going?" Eusine asked.

"Come back!" Morty called.

Marina's mind raced at such a blinding speed that she couldn't keep track of it at all. Her head ached all of a sudden, but nonetheless she ignored it. The roads she took were mere blurs, and she narrowly avoided other pedestrians, gaining her some inquisitive glances. She apologized breathlessly countless times to the point where she simply repeated it over and over—endlessly as though the words were not her own. But because of her choker robbing her of breath, the words shrank to a whisper and then to nothing at all.

Unclear memories not relating to the burning tower flooded into her mind, but the scenery presented was much of the same. Buildings were set fire everywhere in an old city she had never even seen before. A prominent, powerful figure stood in front of her with a particular beast at her side. Aside from that clean image, the vague pictures following were impossible to distinguish.

What is all of this? She pondered hastily. Though they weren't familiar in the least bit, she could definitely tell they were recollections. Why can't I catch a break? Am I going crazy?!

She closed her eyes tightly, hoping to make the images stop so she could finally slow down. Just as when her head began to sting again, her train of thought was cut short as she collided straight into someone, and they both collapsed onto the ground.

Marina rubbed her forehead as she recovered from the impact. The pain everywhere had released, and the odd visions also halted for good. She sighed, relieved.

"Watch where you're going, will...?!" the boy beside her scolded in Marina's ear, but he stopped mid-way. He then exclaimed, "Dammit, Marina, quit running into me!"

Marina's eyes opened wide to see a familiar black jacket and unmistakable crimson hair, looking up into the boy's silver eyes.

Oops.

Marina's Current Pokémon:

King the Quilava
Kenya the Spearow
Phany the Phanpy
Misdreavus
Pokémon Egg
Prince the Eevee
Lapras