Diving into the room, we quickly hide behind some shelves as the voices of Noibat and Clobbopus pass, then fade.
I release a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Skitty is trembling beside me.
"Phew, that was close!" I whisper "For sure," she agrees, "I can't believe that grass-for-brains thought he could do this—we're barely doing this." She adds, muttering.
It's been one too many times. I know we're in the middle of a mission…but I've got to know.
"…Skitty?"
"Mmm?" She glances my way while still keeping an eye on our surroundings.
"How come…why…uh…" I'm struggling to find the right words—I don't want to come across as accusational, but... "Why don't you…like Serperior?" Oh well done, nothing like being blunt. It would have been more tactful to whack her over the head with a 2-by-4.
She turns and pauses for a moment, looking at me like she can't believe we're actually having this conversation now. "What do you mean? I like him just fine." She finally says.
I shoot her a look as she turns away. "It's ok, we're a team, remember? You can tell me. Did he…say something, or…?"
She looks my way again, expression sad. "N-no! It's not anything he did but…well we are a team…but the fact is you two…and the others…." She pauses for a moment, "they're your real team."
Oh.
Ohhh…it suddenly makes sense.
Every argument they've had…every time she tries to rile him up…heck every time they've even interacted neutrally, she's been thinking that, at the end of the day, he's part of my team…and she's not.
My heart breaks a little.
"Skitty…" our eyes meet, "we may not have known each other very long, but I know this; we are a team, no matter what." "But…your memories…if they keep coming back…" she swallows, "when you remember the rest of your life…and the three of them…our time together won't look like much at all…" "I don't know what will happen with my memories…if I'll ever get it all back…but you're right, our time together has been short, and I want to be able to make new memories, with you." And, in the midst of everything that's going on, I really am looking forward to when it's all over and we can finally relax and actually explore—all of us, together. Her eyes are watering slightly. "Oh, Gwen," she sniffles, "yes, I'd love that…" she stands, "c'mon, I think it's safe now, let's go find the others."
I stand, then pause for a second. "So does this mean you'll stop fighting all the time?" I can't help but smirk. "Gwen, in this world, you can't have it all…plus, someone's gotta keep him in line" she grins back.
Well, it's progress.
We return to the mission, regarding the spacious room around us. "So…human artifacts…they usually put the newest treasures in the back, see that display?" She gestures to a huge cabinet that stretches to the top of the ceiling and occupies most of the wall. "Where? I can't see anything!" I squint while looking around with exaggerated movements. She playfully swats my side, "we're supposed to be in a mission!" She grins, "but yeah, I bet it's in there." Probably along with 1000 other things. We sneak to the back of the chamber. "I'll look up there, you check down here," she says, pulling out the stepladder that's been stowed away to the side. We search for a minute, then two. We check and double check and triple check the cabinet, and I'm certain.
They're not here.
I feel my panic rising. They have to be here, somewhere in this place. But it's so big, and Noibat can only stall for so long…
"Skitty! Where else could they have put them?" I whisper urgently. She's concentrating. After a horribly long minute, her face lights up, "Oh! If it's not with the human things…no…they wouldn't have…would they?" She says to herself while descending the ladder. "What?" "It could be…in the exhibit about the Center's history…but only the most exclusive things go there…" "what are we waiting for? Lead the way!"
We re-enter the main hall, listening out for Noibat and co. I hear them in the distance, Noibat's voice floats out of a room gushing about how he can't believe there are so many different types of orbs. Something about his excitement tells me he's not just pretending either.
He really deserves so much more than Dr. Laurel.
Skitty leads me to another room simply labeled "The Exploration Center" in ornate font.
On the left side of the doorway, carved directly into the wall, is a large crevice, spanning from about two feet above the ground to two feet below the ceiling, entirely covered by glass. Inside lies various objects and trinkets, carefully positioned, and bathed in a soft light. The relevant photos, plaques, and descriptions have been arranged within the space. The crevice continuously winds its way to the back of the spacious room, all the way around, back to the right side of the entrance. As it reappears on my right, I notice the space is empty.
"This is a complete history of the Center up to now," Skitty says. "Every major discovery, every great explorer, it all ends up here" she says, awe-inspired. "It's…amazing! So you think Dragalge and Rotom…could be here?" The thought makes me uneasy—would the Exploration Center really lock away two living pokemon indefinitely in a museum-style exhibit? No trial or…anything? Skitty interrupts my thoughts, "I mean, having a real-life human here is pretty historic, what do you think?" She nudges my shoulder.
"I think Lurantis would like to make an exhibit of me; probably one that showcases me being chained to a post." Skitty lets out a laugh, "maybe right now, but when she realizes why we're doing all this, she'll want to put you on a pedestal instead!"
I sincerely doubt it, but I appreciate the sentiment.
Walking down the corridor, we work our way through the conception of the Center, the legacy of its very first Master, all the way to now. I really need to find a way to get back here later legally to properly appreciate it all.
And sitting there, the last things added to the timeline?
My bag, contents out on display.
Wanted posters for my team.
And two, labeled pokeballs.
We throw huge stupid grins at each other. We found them! Right here in front of us! We just…
We just need…
To…to get them…out of the exhibit.
Skitty seems to realize the problem at the same moment. They're fully encased behind a thick layer of glass. Now what?
"Skitty? Is there anything, anything, we could use to get them out?" She thinks for a moment. Then another. Her faces is scrunched up as she wills an answer to come, but none does. "I—I don't think so…" "there has to be a latch! A lock! Something we can try! They had to get them in somehow, right?" I'm feeling desperate now. Imagine, brought to our knees by a piece of glass.
I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.
"There is…one thing…but we'd have to be seriously fast," Skitty offers. No, she can't mean—
"We have to break the glass"
"But-" "listen, if we use our moves on it, it'll shatter. We grab the balls and bolt before they realize what's happening. We'll bring Noibat, hide somewhere, then as soon as it's safe, we'll get Serperior and find a new base. But we won't have another chance. It's now or never." Of this she seems certain. And I have to agree, it's a miracle we made it this far this time—to risk going through all that again? It's too risky.
I take a deep breath. Exhale. "Ok," I look at Skitty, eyes determined, "let's do it."
—
I'm by the entrance of the cave, savoring the last rays of the setting sun. I don't think I've actually seen the sun in days—no wonder I've been so irritable.
Of course, it could also be because of this whole…situation. Thinking about Gwen and the others in danger…waiting for them to get back…what's taking so long? Where are they?
This waiting game has been an incredible test of patience…I've just about memorized every crevice in the cave, explored every inch, and worn a path down from pacing.
Come on Gwen…you guys have to be ok…it can't come down to this.
I realize my breathing's gone a little shallow. I think it'a something I picked up from Gwen, mind always running away with possibilities at the expense of one's own inner peace. I take a deep, steadying breath. Then another. It's going to be ok.
It has to be, because as soon as it gets fully dark, I'm going to go find them.