A/N: Look what just happened, here's a new chapter! It's been almost a year, apparently. Time really flies. I can only apologize, life has been terribly busy, and admittedly, fanfiction is not as high on my priority list as it used to be. Still, I enjoy it, and I enjoy seeing all your reactions, so this story continues. And my apologies if I have not responded to your review or message yet, I have had some trouble with getting alerts from FFN. Just know that I truly do appreciate your kind words! Thank you all for your kind words and your patience, and I hope you enjoy!
To Guest (25-02-2022): Thank you so much for your big compliments! I do hope you will continue to enjoy the story, despite the long waits between the chapters.
To Guest (01-03-2022): Thank you for reading and reviewing!
To Guest (06-03-2022): Thank you for reading and reviewing, and apologies for the wait!
To DesertDawn101: Your private messaging is turned off, but I just wanted to say thank you for reading and reviewing!
To Guest (06-04-2022): Thank you, and you'll have to wait and see…
To Anon: Thank you for reading and reviewing :D
To Hmm: Thank you for your review! It is a very interesting thought and it's indeed something that happens in real life. It can work well in a story, for drama and character development, so I'm not saying it's not going to happen… But let's hope for a happy ending ;) Thank you!
To Guest (25-07-2022): Thank you for your review! I agree that IkariShipping does not have many hints in the anime, but I enjoy their interactions, so that's why I like it. I hope you enjoy the story anyway!
To Guest (29-1-2023): Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the story and I hope you like this next chapter!
Days
The day Cilan receives a gift
Cilan
Tuesday, February 4th
"Welcome, everyone," Alder said over the teleconference. On the screen, his unusually serious face was in the largest window, with the faces of other Unova Gym Leaders and Elite Four members in smaller windows in a row above him. Cilan could spot Iris's face easily. She was back at her own Gym, alone, but she seemed to look well – as far as he could see on such a small screen, anyway.
"I will keep this meeting short and stick to the most important points," Alder continued. Cilan shifted in his seat, squeezed in between Chili and Cress so they were all on camera.
"I received news from the Indigo Champion yesterday: Morty Andrew has disappeared," Alder said. Cilan gasped and Chili exclaimed a loud "What?" right into his ear. The reactions from the others in the teleconference were similar.
"Calm, calm," Alder said quickly, gesturing with his hands. When everyone had quieted it down, he said. "It seems that he has gone of his own volition."
That drew similar shocked reactions, though mixed with confusion.
"Leaf... is not happy, to say the least," Alder continued. "Morty has contacted her that he is safe, but he refuses to tell her his location. It seems he does not want to be found." Alder pressed his lips together. "She assures us it will be fine. There are some low-key search parties looking out for him. For now, they have decided to tell the public an excuse for Morty's disappearance, to not create any more panic."
Cilan frowned. There were already some people who were spreading panic-inducing news with varying degrees of actual facts to it without the actual government adding to that. And if the public ever found out that Leaf was not telling them the whole truth, that would only create distrust…
"To stay on the topic of ghost type Pokémon," Alder continued. "The Indigo division has started to keep track of the public's opinion on ghost type Pokémon. So far, the results have shown an obvious downward trend there. I would like you guys to keep an eye out as well. I'm not going to make it as serious as Indigo has done, but try to figure out your challengers' opinions on ghost Pokémon and we might get some insight on how that is here in Unova."
"Great, more work," Chili muttered under his breath. Fortunately, they were on mute, preventing that unprofessional (if true) comment from being heard by their colleagues and boss.
"It will be interesting and for a good cause," Cress chastised. Cilan agreed, but sometimes he wondered if Cress just took the opposite side of an argument just for the sake of arguing.
Chili was opening his mouth to reply, but Cilan hissed at him to be silent. This meeting was too important for his brothers to be squabbling.
"We finally have more news from Skyla," Alder then said solemnly. "She is doing well considering the circumstances and again, I would like to emphasize that it appears she will make a complete recovery. She will not be able to pick up her Gym duties for some time, so I have decided to take the Gym out of rotation for the remainder of the Season. There are exceptional circumstances we're dealing with right now, so I and the Elites have decided that seven badges will be enough to enter the Vertress Conference."
That caused some raised eyebrows and a bit of discussion from a few Gym Leaders (Chili was muttering about it being unfair while Cress was defending Alder's decision), but Cilan thought it was a good solution, considering the circumstances. A few minutes of pointless discussion later, Alder shut them up by saying that the decision was already made and that they should live with it. "Skyla agrees and that's that! We have more important matters to discuss, because Skyla has spoken with me about the attack."
Everyone fell silent and Alder looked satisfied. "Right," the Champion said. Cilan found himself unconsciously leaning forward in anticipation. "It is not much, sadly. Skyla remembers very little; either her memory has been tampered with, or she didn't see anything. She told me that she fell asleep, she was sure that Shauntal was still alive then, and then she experienced horrible nightmares." Alder shook his head mournfully.
"So we still don't know anything?" Chili asked, and Alder shook his head.
"We presume it's a Pokémon attack, but we don't have anything concrete to go by yet. Of course, the investigation is still going on, but the lack of witnesses…" Alder looked troubled. "Remember to keep an eye on your challengers and on their opinion of the Ghost types, alright?"
There was some more discussion among the attendants, but it all came down to the same conclusion: likely a Pokémon attack, uncertain who or what or with what reason, and the investigation was still going on.
The longer the meeting lasted, the more defeated Alder looked, and that was more demotivating for Cilan than any lack of news. When the questions dried up, he ended the meeting with a short, "That was all, and good luck to all of you."
The teleconference ended and Cress closed the meeting program and shut down the computer. Cilan found himself staring at his own and his brothers' reflection in the black screen.
"Things are not going well," Cress said after a long pause, and Chili and Cilan both shook their heads. There was nothing more to say.
Cilan glanced at his watch and knew he should be off – he had his client with the Salamence to see, yet another hopeless case it seemed. No, he should stay positive...
He said his goodbyes to his brothers, and then went out. It was hailing outside, and Cilan had to cover his head with his hands against the ice coming down as he ran to the car. With a relieved sigh he stepped into the dryness of the vehicle, the hail now a harsh ticking against the roof. He started the car and drove to the outskirts of the city.
He should stay positive... It was easier said than done, but he put a smile on his face and straightened his shoulders. Iris was an inspiration for him: she had found her fire and passion again and was working very hard as an Elite Four member. And she seemed to be enjoying it, too. Yes, she was truly an inspiring example.
He reached his destination, and with a confident though hasty step he walked to the entrance of the large house that showed off the wealth of his client. Mister Ken Parrish was one of his regulars, and Cilan was usually ushered in with a lot of pomposity. This time, however, the man's face was sagging in a somber frown. Cilan felt the bright smile slip off his face.
"Sir?"
"Cilan," Mister Parrish greeted, standing aside so Cilan could walk in. "Please come in."
Usually, they went straight to the Pokémon room or the garden, but this time, Mister Parrish led him to an office. The middle-aged man took place in the luxury chair on one side of the desk, while Cilan took a normal chair on the other side. It all had a very official feel to it, and Cilan's stomach churned.
"It is a hopeless Pokémon," Mister Parrish spoke in a cool and calculated tone. "We just cannot work together."
"But, sir..."
Mister Parrish held up a hand. "Cilan, I have put a lot of thought in this. I have put a lot of money, time and energy in this Pokémon, so this is not a decision I make lightly."
Cilan knitted his brows. "Are you certain? We have been making progress..." And they really had been. Their friendly, positive and supportive strategy had at long last seemed to be wearing the dragon type down, and she had become a bit more approachable. Or, a negative voice whispered in Cilan's head, perhaps she had simply gotten tired of her constant rebellion without any results.
Mister Parrish pressed his lips together, and sensing an opening, Cilan continued, "It would be a terrible shame to give up now, sir. Salamence has become more approachable, and I'm certain that with more time…"
Cilan trailed off, realizing what he was saying. While Mister Parrish was far from a terrible owner, Cilan's Connoisseur's instinct had warned him for this match. Still, from what he had seen, Cilan thought that the man's persistence would win over any Pokémon at some point.
"No, I am sure," Mister Parrish said with finality in his voice, and after a pause, Cilan nodded.
A silence fell, both men lost in their own thoughts. Then, Mister Parrish took the Pokéball from the inside of his jacket, and held it out to Cilan. "I know you will find a good place for her."
The younger man blinked. "I..."
"Please," Mister Parrish insisted, and Cilan finally relented and took the Pokéball. Albeit uncommon, finding a new match for a Pokémon or human was something that a Connoisseur could do.
"I know just the place for her," he said, and gave the man sitting opposite him his best reassuring smile.
Mister Parrish's shoulders relaxed and he leaned back in his chair. "Well, Cilan, this meeting was a short one, but I do not want our cooperation to end. I am on the lookout for a new Pokémon and I want your help with that. No Dragon type though, mind you." He laughed at his own joke, albeit a bit shakily.
Cilan smiled, his hand tight around the just accepted Poké Ball. "Of course, sir."
Mister Parrish continued talking about possible new Pokémon and Cilan nodding along, his attention drifting. His fingers stroked Salamence's Poké Ball. Yes, he knew just the place for her…
A/N: Well, there it is, a new chapter. Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Once again, I cannot thank you enough for your continued support, despite the long absences, and I intent to make the next chapter come out faster! Please leave me a review and thank you!
Note about the recommendations: My thanks to all of the people who sent me their recommendations over the years. I still have a large list to go through and I still have quite some other stories to catch up on, so for now I will stop with this column. However, it might return in the future. Thank you all!