Note: It's been nice to get back to this fic again, and I've already made significant progress on the third arc. It's great to know that people wait patiently for this series to update and I'm glad that I'm living up to expectations.

Also to a big ole' Salamance in the comments, just remember that patience is a virtue.

Enjoy.

Sinnoh chapter 2: The Empoleon has no Clothes!

Yellow's night was peaceful, more so than that of her fellows.

The room they rented was not too large, with a single bedside table separating their respective beds. She looked over to Ash. He was out cold.

Probably doesn't stay up late often, huh? Fine by her, it gave her time to get ready. Not that she needed it, her morning routine was fairly quick, and in no time at all she was dressed and ready for the day. She looked back at Ash. Still asleep. Might as well let him rest. She left the room and entered the long hotel hallway. The red and white decor gave the place an old timey feel. She thought it was nice, looking down the hallway where the elevators were located.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, very. I can take care of myself, you know…"

"I know you can take care of yourself. But still…"

Yellow turned around. She hadn't even noticed that Dawn and Zoey were in the hallway as well. They were standing close to each other next to their doorway.

"Ash will be there, and Yellow and those there Dexholders."

"But you saw that Pachirisu…"

"I know, that's why I'm going. I have to help, somehow."

Zoey sighed. There was no changing Dawn's mind when it was made up. All she could do was go with her…

"Hey, I know what you're thinking," Dawn placed a hand on Zoey's cheek. "But your parents haven't seen you in a long, long time."

"Yes I know but still…"

"Listen. It's just a short trip to mount Coronet, then I'll meet you back at Snowpoint City first thing tomorrow, alright. There's no…"

"...need to worry, I know, I know," Zoey said softly. She placed her hand on the back of Dawn's head, pulling her in for a quick kiss on the forehead.

"What am I ever going to do with you…" It was at that moment that she noticed Yellow, staring from a few meters away.

"Hey there Yellow! Or should I call you senior?" Zoey called.

Dawn turned around, startled.

"Oh… Yellow!" she gasped. She thought they were alone. Granted, perhaps an open hallway wasn't the best place to have their conversation in the first place.

"Oh sorry.. Umm… I'm just heading downstairs," Yellow's exaggerated hand motions eventually pointed to the direction of the elevator. "To get breakfast."

"Breakfast sounds good, right Dawn?"

"Yaahh, right." Dawn said, quite flustered. The three made their way over to the elevator.

The hotel dining room was packed, as expected. Yellow figured that they would probably have to save some food for Ash, what little there was left. She looked around for a free table.

"Looks like the place is full," Dawn observed.

"Maybe we'll have to eat outside or… oh, look!"

Zoey spotted the other dexholders at a large table near the side of the hall, waving them over. There was just enough room for the rest of them, including Ash whenever he pulled himself out of bed. The trainers got their respective plates in order and sat down at the table.

"So, where's senior Ash?" Diamond asked, taking a bite out of his 5th piece of toast.

"Hmph… senior Ash," Dawn giggled to herself quietly. She could hear similar sentiments from Zoey and Yellow.

"He's still asleep." Yellow said.

"Sounds like Ash," Dawn said, cutting into a pancake.

"So what's the plan senior Yellow?" Pearl asked.

"We're heading to Mount Coronet after breakfast. We will explore the ruins until we find… umm"

"We find…"

"Well, something important. I… don't know," Yellow said, disappointed with herself.

"So, we don't know what we're even looking for?! How are we supposed to find this thing if we don't even know what the thing is?!"

"Relax Pearl. I'm sure senior Yellow and senior Ash will know what it is when they find it, isn't that right?" Platinum said to Yellow with confidence.

"Yes. I wouldn't pull you all into this if it wasn't important."

"Well, we know it's important senior Yellow," Diamond said. "You're looking for senior Red. We can't leave him in whatever scary place he's in."

"I don't think you're helping Dia," Pearl said.

"... but it sounded really, really scary. That's why we have to help senior Yellow!"

"Thank you, all of you!" Yellow said, her smile genuine.

"And I'm coming too," Dawn said. Zoey smiled, despite rolling her eyes.

"Oh good. Senior Dawn's coming too," Diamond said.

"Please Diamond, it's just Dawn," Dawn replied. This wasn't the first time she had made this request. She figured it wouldn't be the last.

"Yes. Sorry. Dawn's coming too!" Diamond proclaimed again. "How about you, senior Zoey?"

"Please, it's just Zoey. And I wanted to come too, but I promised my parents I'd see them today, and they're leaving the region tomorrow for a few months."

"Well don't you worry senior Zoey. We'll make sure Dawn gets back to you, unharmed," Pearl said. "We aaarrreee expert bodyguards, afterall."

"Really?!" Dawn asked. Diamond didn't mention that at all.

"Not really. We tried though, kinda," Diamond corrected.

"Dia! No, Diamond! I'm trying to make the lady look-a-like and her girlfriend feel better!"

"I don't think you're helping much now," Diamond said.

"That's 'cause you messed up my pitch!"

"We're all dependable, I assure you miss Dawn, and miss Zoey," Platinum said.

That's when Yellow heard it. The faint sound of a familiar voice screaming from down the hall in front of the dining hall.

"We slept in again! Breakfast is almost over!"

"Pikaaa-chuuuuuu,"

Ash blasted into the dining hall, still dressed in his night clothes. Pikachu followed close behind. Unfortunately for Ash, the floors had been polished just the previous night. No problem for the average passerby exiting at a reasonable speed. For someone rushing in however…

"Hey guys! I Gowoaaaaa!"

Ash lost his footing. In vain he tried to catch himself, but he merely threw his balance off even more, making his fall even more volatile. Eventually he couldn't resist any longer, and gravity took him, landing in a jumbled mess and his head slamming into the wall.

"Ooouucchhh!" He exclaimed, gripping his head on the point of impact. Some of the other hotel goers came by to investigate, his Pikachu rushing up to him.

"Pikaaaa?"

"I'm… I'm alright Pikachu," Ash said, grunting as he picked himself back up.

"You gotta be more careful young man," an elderly woman said as the crowd left.

"I will, thanks," Ash said. He looked around the dining hall, still gripping his head. He saw his friends sitting at the end of the hall. Beside Yellow was a large plate full of food that he assumed, well hoped, was for him. He would have rushed over, but he opted to walk this time.

"Morning guys."

A collective "morning" rang from the group, with various levels of giggling laced throughout after his blunder. Pikachu ran up. A bowl of pokémon food was waiting for him on the ground as well, next to Piplup who was already done eating.

"Nice of you to join us," Yellow said.

"Oh Ash, always in a rush," Dawn said, finishing the last of her toast.

"Ya, heh," Ash sat down, immediately digging into his plate. Most of the others had already finished eating, except Diamond, who had a third plate full of food ready. He was already digging in, and Ash followed suit. They both ate with a ravenous disposition. It was borderline inhuman.

"Wow…" Dawn said as she and the other trainers looked between the two.

"Are ya sure senior Red is senior Ash's copy?" Pearl asked.

"I… I don't know…" Yellow said, witnessing the carnage.

The trainers waited outside of the hotel, standing near the driveway. Ash took a deep breath of the morning air, which was nice and cool. Pikachu hopped up to his shoulder.

"Chuu?"

"Yah, it is a nice day Pikachu," He scratched the little pokémon's head.

"There's the taxi," Zoey called as a cab car drove up to them. "Well, this is goodbye, for now,"

Pleasant send-offs were given by the other trainers, except for Dawn. Zoey walked up to her.

"You remember to stay safe, alright," Zoey told her.

"Ya ya, thanks mom," Dawn responded as she hugged her.

"Right, I'll see you at Snowpoint," Zoey said as they released each other. Zoey hopped into the cab, waving goodbye as she drove off.

"Where to now?" Diamond asked.

"I want to check in on my sister before we leave, if we have the time."

"Of course we do, come," Yellow said as the group walked to the pokémon center. It was a brief walk, and the group quickly found themselves inside, waiting at the front lobby. It was quite large, though still smaller. Jubilife didn't even have a local pokémon gym, so most trainers would only stop by briefly on their way to Mount Coronet or the nearby mining town of Oreburgh city. After a few minutes of relative silence, a Nurse Joy entered the room from behind the desk.

"Your sister is waiting in the next room, Miss Platinum. I request that your friends wait out here."

"Yes, no issue, thank you," Platinum walked to the back with Nurse Joy, making their way down a small hallway. They walked past various rooms, all containing injured pokémon going through treatment, some minor, others more severe. They turned into the room where Pachirisu was recovering, Moon still waiting behind the glass.

"Good afternoon, Moon."

"Afternoon Platinum," Moon responded with a hug.

"How is Pachirisu looking?"

"Honestly, this case is far beyond my expertise. It's just not… scientific…"

"Just not scientific?"

Moon motioned towards the computer screen. Platinum took a look, it was similar to yesterday. The vital signs for Pachirisu were clear, the ones present. The sections of it that were covered in the black substance however… ceased to be.

"Her breathing has stabilized since yesterday, but she's still unresponsive…" Moon said, visibly shaken.

"Moon…"

"I just…" The distress was growing in her voice. "I feel so helpless. What use is a doctor who can't help their patient."

"Hey," Platinum placed her hand on Moon's shoulder. "All you can do is your best. Even if your best is just taking care of Pachirisu."

"Yes, of course, as is my responsibility," Moon said.

"Good," Platinum said. While she smiled at her, Moon couldn't help but notice a soft sigh come out of Platinum.

"I will be alright Platinum. You should go. You and your friends should start your investigation as soon as you can."

"I will. Goodbye, for now," Platinum said before hugging Moon again, her grip slightly tighter than she intended. She left the room, with Moon going back to her analysis. Platinum made her way past the desk and back to the other trainers.

"So how's Pachirisu?" Ash asked, somewhat bluntly.

"She's doing better, though still a long way from recovery."

"Platinum… you look worried," Diamond said.

"Dia! She's just… well…" Pearl was somewhat lost for words.

"I am," Platinum sat down. "I'm worried about Moon. This whole situation is worrisome, and I don't like leaving her here alone."

"Well Nurse Joy is here, as well as the other staff," Ash interjected.

"Yes, but…" Platinum knew that Moon could take care of herself, and that she was surrounded by other professionals who will keep her safe. Still…

"Platinum, it will be alright. Your sister's smart." Dawn said.

"Right, of course. Okay." She took a deep breath, calming her nerves. "Let us leave, to Mount Coronet."

The trek to Mount Coronet from their hotel was not a long one, though it did involve crossing through the dense forest that sat between them. The pathway was at least well worn, with many trainers making the long trek to mount Coronet.

"Pipluuuup," Piplup complained to his trainer.

"Come Piplup, it's not that far off," Dawn answered, before looking to Platinum. "So, did you pick Piplup as well?"

"Pick?"

"Yah, you know. When you were old enough to become a pokémon trainer, you got to choose between three pokémon and…"

"Oh the lady had all three pokémon when she started her journey," Diamond interrupted.

"Yes, well it wasn't necessarily to go on a pokémon journey as the trainers in your world call it. I was on a pilgrimage that my family has partaken in for generations. My father had given me three pokémon to assist me."

"Yah, and she gave the other two to us!" Diamond exclaimed. "But she did keep her Piplup, so I guess you two have something in common."

"Awesome. Did he stay a Piplup?" Dawn asked.

"No, she was quite happy to evolve."

"So she must be an Empoleon by now, right?"

"Yep. Let me bring her out," She reached for her belt, tossing the pokeball. "Empoleon, go!"

Empoleon was quite the intimidating pokémon. While still retaining its penguin esque qualities, it was almost 5 times the size of Piplup, with a set of horns adorning its head, giving it an almost ominous presence.

"Poleon!" Empoleon looked down on Piplup. Pipulup puffed up its chest, hoping to match the larger pokémon's visage. He thought he was doing a well enough job of it. Most of the present company thought otherwise.

"Well, at least you're trying Piplup…" Ash commented.

That's when it caught his eye, just behind Piplup and Empoleon. Something off in the forest, laying amongst the shadows provided by the trees. It moved quickly through the brush, though it caused little disturbance to its surroundings. The darkness of it, it almost felt like… the absence of light, like it wasn't something that was present, but rather a piece of space that was just… missing. He couldn't explain it, but he knew it was bad news, and there was one thing he could easily tell about it, from the brief glimpse it provided him before it fled into the tree line.

It wasn't a pokémon. It looked like a human.