There's only a couple chapters to go before we leave Ecruteak City for good for the rest of Part 1! Sheesh, Marina spends a lot of time there.

This is unrelated, but I wish I had the mystic foresight to make Soul/Kotone/Lyra be Marina's sister when I first started this story. May and Lyra look pretty similar. Heck, that's be a perfect switch except for the whole Hoenn thing. Oh well, poor Lyra and her marshmallow hat.

Enjoy!

Chapter 58
Challenge

The dusty white grains of snow fell upon Ecruteak City, and the haphazard wind carried it along. Marina, along with Ecruteak Gym Leader Morty, trekked in almost full sprint toward their destination: the ancient Tin Tower. Numerous other curious people gathered as the news of a momentous event at the tower spread like wildfire. As they approached the gateway that guarded the isolated path to the tower, there was a loosely-packed crowd chattering with excitement and unease.

Marina, too, felt this combination of feelings as she followed Morty through the people, who backed off to make way for them. Many eyes were on Morty, some trying to get a word in hopes that he would know what was happening. But attention was also curiously set on the girl Trainer. It wasn't just because she was tailing their Gym Leader; even in the rush of voices, the bell in her grip jingled to offer a soothing comfort.

At the entrance of the first gateway, a stern monk held down the passage like a soldier would protect a fortress from intruders. The rigidness toned down as he eyed Morty.

"Morty. I suppose you want to go through."

"Yes," Morty replied, cool yet urgent.

Accepting the request, the bald man warily stepped aside and let him pass. But he did not tolerate Marina's tagalong behavior, and shot his arm out in front of her. "Though the Gym Leader is allowed, you are not. I beg your pardon, but I ask you to leave."

"What? But—."

"There are no exceptions. I cannot let you pass."

Morty paused immediately and turned. Marina frowned in both frustration and helplessness; she had already dealt with a situation like this months before, but she knew better now than to get angry.

He eyed the monk. "No, let her through. She's with me."

Puzzled, the robed man spent a moment in disbelief, but he moved aside and watched with a keen interest—along with all the onlookers—as Marina rushed past and followed Morty inside. A strong smell of incense trickled up her nose, and it grew stronger as they proceeded onwards.

"Thanks, Morty," Marina said, smiling a little.

"Not a problem."

At the end of the hallway, there was a large room that openly displayed the exit, which lead to the well-kempt outdoor path toward the Tin Tower. Blocking it, however, were two more sages who conversed quietly with one another. When the pounding and creaking of the floorboards beneath announced Morty and Marina's arrival, they approached them with haste.

"I came as soon as I heard," Morty told them before they had the chance to talk, "What's happening?"

One of them seemed hesitant, casting questioning eyes down on Marina. She held the bell's chain with both hands, and a nervous smile flickered on her face even as he turned away. For now, he set his focus on Morty.

"Upon the emergence of a Trainer who has the ability to touch the souls of Pokémon, a legendary Pokémon will come forth to put that Trainer to a test at the Tin Tower. You well know this legend, correct?"

"Yes."

"It has come true," the other monk exclaimed, "The Legendary Pokémon Suicune has arrived!"

Morty seemed to tense; whether it was in anticipation or otherwise, it was too well-veiled to be detected. "Has Suicune challenged either of you?"

"No," the first said and shook his head. "Thus far, Suicune has avoided us. We do not think Suicune wants to challenge us; our duty is to maintain the Tin Tower and to protect the legendary Pokémon, so it will not disturb us."

"I see..."

A peculiar tickling feeling shook Marina's hand that held the bell. She shivered and turned toward the exit, at the dirt path that slowly accumulated the light snowfall descending upon the area. The feeling was strange yet nostalgic. Once again, it was another familiar sensation that she simply could not pinpoint.

But one thing felt certain: Suicune was out there. It wasn't because of the trust she put into the monks' claims or Eusine's instincts; no, it was something deeper. Somehow, strangely, she could sense it. She could feel it.

"I am curious, Morty. Who is this girl?"

"Her name is Marina Shimizu. She's the Trainer that awakened Suicune, Entei, and Raikou from their sleep after the Brass Tower burned down three years ago. And, from what I've heard, Suicune has taken a particular interest in her."

All eyes were probably on her at that moment, but Marina resisted letting it distract her.

"Is that...true? Suicune, Entei, and Raikou are not supposed to be seen while they sleep..."

"Marina, could you ring the Crystal Bell for me?" Upon a vacant reply, Morty persisted to catch the girl's attention. "...Marina?"

"H-Huh?" Marina turned with a start, snapping out of her semi-trance. Her eyes skimmed the transparent blue sphere in her possession, taking a second longer to realize what Morty was asking her to do. Though vexed as to why, Marina swayed the Crystal Bell. They listened to the pristine ringing that followed, and Marina blinked in confusion at the surprise the monks showed.

"The sound of the Crystal Bell! It...It's sublime!"

"What?" Marina rung it again and offered it to them. "It's just a bell; you can ring it too, if you do it right."

The one closest to her shook his head, holding up his hand to refuse politely. "No, I already know what it sounds like when I ring it."

"Um...What?"

Did I miss something here? She thought, puzzled.

Morty wore a small smile at her clueless responses. "Despite what Eusine says, the Crystal Bell isn't an ordinary bell. Its chime is indicative of the bearer's heart and soul. So far, yours is the best we've heard by a long shot."

Marina was left open-mouthed, and she looked at the bell again once before staring back at Morty. "Seriously? Why didn't you tell me that before?"

"Eusine doesn't like the Crystal Bell because he doesn't believe that it analyzed him accurately," he said with a near chuckle. "I thought it was best to not mention it again when he was around."

"Oh..." She held up the bell and locked it into her palm, catching a brief chime as she did so. The chilly tingling in her hand fortified. "Indicative of the ringer's heart and soul...?"

One of the monks spoke, though Marina soon began to tune him out. "I see... We are to allow passage only to those people who possess the power and soul of truth..."

"Marina."

She jolted at the voice, which whispered and echoed breathlessly. The tone was so familiar—she knew she had heard it before, multiple times in fact, years ago—that it was nearly aggravating when she couldn't put a face to the voice. She shivered when she heard it again.

"Marina. Come here, please."

What...who is that? It sounds like... Her instincts commanded her to look back outside, where Suicune certainly must be. It's coming from out there. No further response came, but Marina's anxious heart continued fluttering. She looked at the monks and Morty, catching onto the last sentences of the sage's speech.

"...Please, do go on ahead. If Suicune wishes to challenge you, then it will approach you."

Marina eyed them strangely. "Didn't you hear that?"

All three men appeared taken aback by her response, looking at her as questionably as she did them.

"Hear what, Marina?" Morty asked; even he was oblivious.

They didn't hear? Why? Her gut churned in unrest for the second time that day; twice too many. Geez, I really don't like it when weird things only happen to me. So much for everything going back to normal.

Marina released a quick shake of her head. "Nothing. What will happen if Suicune challenges me? Do I have to battle?"

"To put it in simple terms, yes," a monk said once he had recovered from Marina's apparent oddity. "I feel that Suicune wishes to test your purity and strength by observing both you and your Pokémon in battle."

"As for capturing," his colleague added, "You can attempt it. If Suicune is impressed enough, it will allow you to catch it and become its partner."

"Okay." Marina felt a rush of excitement swirling in her chest.

"Do not be nervous. Be honest and open, and work together with your Pokémon. So again...please, do go on. Walk down the path toward the Tin Tower, and see for yourself if Suicune will put you to the test."

The sage's wise words were powerful; but, if anything, they stirred only more doubt in the blizzard of uncertainty. Marina slowly turned toward the open door, taking a deep breath. Morty patted her shoulder twice.

"Good luck."

Marina nodded. She gripped the Crystal Bell tight and stepped out onto the golden-brown path that was gradually being swallowed up by powdery white.

During her time in Ecruteak City, the girl had visited the Tin Tower frequently, even if visitors were only permitted to explore the first floor. Yet unlike plenty of those times before, the path was completely empty except for her. She was alone, braving a road on which she may have company at any moment. She could hear nothing but her own careful footsteps on the dirt. The chill from the wind teased her bangs and tickled her neck. Unnerved by anticipation, she drew nearer toward the seven-hundred-year old tower.

A benevolent brush of northern wind swept her hair awry, briefly shooing the snow away like it were unwelcome bits of cotton.

In that instant, the mystifying sensation exploded into Marina's senses, and she turned to her left. Facing her was a wall of aged trees, but the arbor shield did nothing to break her intuition.

Suicune... Suicune's here!

As if the conclusive thought served as a cue, the Pokémon's azure figure took an impressive leap from within the canopy. Suicune's mane seemed to slow as it landed, but it kicked up its flowing momentum just as another breeze played with its white streamers. Suicune straightened its lean body and turned its head toward the human girl, who stood merely three yards away.

Marina could barely breathe. The prophetic feeling had settled down upon Suicune's appearance, but not her awe. Suicune seemed to become even more beautiful the more she saw it. But a wave of worry interrupted her admiration; this time, Suicune meant business.

The gentle, potent voice, seemingly out of nowhere, once again talked into her mind.

"Good to see you safe, Marina."

The girl's cautious eyes jumped around and behind her for a second, but they settled back on Suicune, who waited patiently.

"Was it you...? You were the one who spoke to me?" she could barely ask.

Suicune did not do anything at first, but it delivered a single nod. "Yes."

A shiver still ran through Marina's entire body, and her hands were turning clammy. Seeing a legendary Pokémon was one thing, but talking to one—no matter how familiar it felt—was an entirely different experience she didn't expect.

"The elders are correct… I want to test your worthiness," the slight hesitation seemed uncanny, but Suicune continued, "Battle with me, and try to capture me."

"Then...you want me to capture you?"

"We shall see."

Marina glanced down at her belt, where six of her fully-rested partners lay strapped inside their Poké Balls. Despite Suicune's great strength, the fight would still be six against one.

If I capture Suicune because I just exhausted it from battling all my Pokémon, that's just not right, even for my Pokémon, her thoughts meagerly advised her. She frowned.

Suicune shifted, but upheld itself gorgeously without yielding. "Do you have doubts?"

The underlying trembles in her arms and legs almost answered the question without Marina needing to utter a sound. It was subtle, but she felt so nervous that she was certain Suicune was keen enough to see it.

"I don't know," she finally said. She gave a light, meek shrug and repeated herself. "I don't know... It doesn't seem fair."

"This is not an unjust fight. This is a challenge, and a test," Suicune reassured sternly.

Marina breathed deeply to herself. "Okay," her voice picked up a shard of confidence, "But I'll only use one Pokémon, and I'll throw only one Poké Ball, even if you escape. That's... more fair to me. I've dreamed capturing you for years, Suicune. But I guess I'm actually happy with just seeing you." She willed herself to smile a little.

The Aurora Pokémon seemed to show a particular sparkle in its scarlet irises. "Are you certain of that? I am not a creature of ordinary strength."

"I… Yes," she replied with a nod.

"Very well. That is admirable of you; I accept to those terms." It faced her fully and slid closer to the ground, preparing a formidable battle stance. "Choose your Pokémon, Marina."

The blue-haired girl again turned her gaze to her Poké Balls; at the moment, she didn't have Kenya with her, so that left King, Prince, Phany, Amber, Muu-chan, and Lapras. Her thoughts strained to be both fast and efficient.

So Suicune's a Water-type. King and Phany wouldn't do well. Amber has the advantage, but that's not safe either; she's too young and inexperienced to put her up against a legendary Pokémon. And I'm not comfortable with Lapras; that's just not a good match-up. That was meant literally; the thought of using Lapras, who had such a dark demeanor, to battle Suicune may give Suicune the wrong impression.

So it's either Prince or Muu-chan. Okay then. Pick wisely, Marina...

Marina plucked the Poké Ball into her free hand. She nodded again and locked eyes with the Legendary Beast before her, slowly growing the bravery needed for the battle ahead. "Alright, I'm ready."

So the battle in Crystal Version between the protagonist and Suicune begins...rather early in comparison to the games. But there's no other place to put it, so here it is. Besides, Marina won't need to return to Ecruteak any longer. I love Ecruteak, but jeez, how I've gotten stuck there so many times... lol

Things will be wrapped up the next chapter, then onto Mahogany Town. Muahaha!

Until next time, my dear readers... at the Tin Tower's altar.