Chapter 8

After arriving at Castelia City, Anthea, Concordia, and I meet up with Gorm and Bronius. Zorua decides to hang around in the city disguising himself as a boy to play pranks. He really likes to do that a lot.

Once he returns, I ask, "Did you have any fun, Zorua?"

He replies, "Tricking an Oshawott, it was fun."

Oshawott... Hilbert has an Oshawott, I wonder if he manages to trick Oshawott into doing something... When Anthea arrives with three Casteliacones, she says, "N, why don't we take a rest here and have this ice cream?"

"Sure. Thanks a lot." I say while I taste the Casteliacone, even though there are in sale in other regions, but tasting in a city where it was invented was another level of deliciousness.

When we are walking by, we notice Hilbert and Cheren in front of the gym. "Hey, Hilbert. I just challenged the Gym Leader Burgh. He's a seasoned Gym Leader. He made me work for that Badge! But for me, Bug-type Pokémon aren't much of a challenge. I'm going to keep winning like this against all of the Unova region's Gym Leaders! Then, I'll head for the Pokémon League and outperform the Champion! If I do that, everyone will admit what a strong Trainer I am… That will make me feel truly alive…"

After Cheren leaves, we see Burgh out of the gym. He says, "Ah hah! You're the one who fought Team Plasma in Pinwheel Forest... If I remember, your name is... Hilbert! Come to challenge the Gym, I suppose? Aww. Sorry, but could you wait a bit? I was informed that Team Plasma has shown up! In fact... Come with me! I'm going to the dock at Prime Pier!"

As we see them leave, Concordia says, "So it seems that one of the sages is causing some trouble for them..."

"How about we try to see?" As we all head to the Prime Pier, we find Hilda and a purple-haired girl with an Axew. "Come on! This way! Team Plasma... They took this young lady's Pokémon."

"Hilda!" When Hilbert rushes to his sister, she has been crying and says, "Hilbert, is there anything we can do? My Solosis... Team Plasma took it..."

The purple-haired girl says, "I heard this lady's scream and ran after the thief as fast as I could. But this city is so big and so crowded... I'm afraid I lost them."

"Iris... You did everything you could." Burgh replies. So that girl is named Iris.

"But that's so bad! Taking people's Pokémon is really bad! 'Cause it's really nice when people and Pokémon are together! They each have something the other doesn't, and they help each other!"

"Iris..." Hilda says.

"Agreed! No fear-we will get that Pokémon back. Right, Hilbert?" Burgh asks.

"Of course, nobody is getting away with my sister's Pokemon." Hilbert says.

"Having said that, finding a person or Pokémon here in Castelia City will be like finding a needle in a haystack." Burgh frowns.

Just then, a Team Plasma grunt arrives, and she says, "I spy a Gym Leader?! Last time went so well, I thought I'd grab another Pokemon... Rethinking... I need to get out of here!"

That stupid grunt... she just made a way for them to search the base.

"Hilbert, let's go! Iris! You stay by that young lady's side." Burgh says as they chase after the grunt. I decide to go to the base in the building, which is in front of the Castelia Gym.

The three grunts notice us and let us in, and we manage to find Bronius. Bronius is an archaeologist and a member of the Seven Sages. He is depicted as an intellectual and has a passion for history and ancient artifacts. He is willing to follow Ghetsis's orders to further his research.

I say, "Bronius, may I speak with you for a moment?"

Bronius looks at me and says, "Of course, N. What's on your mind?"

I say, "I've been thinking, Bronius, about our mission and Ghetsis's vision for a world without Pokémon trainers. Do you ever wonder if there's another way, a more peaceful way, to achieve our goals?"

Bronius pauses before saying, "N, you've always been one to seek alternative paths. But Ghetsis is our leader, and he believes that trainers exploit Pokémon. Our mission is to free them."

"I understand that, but forcing trainers to release their Pokémon... it causes pain and resentment. Is there no way to convince them willingly, to show them a better way?"

Bronius sighs, "It's a noble thought, N, but humans often resist change. Ghetsis's methods may be extreme, but they are effective in pushing our agenda forward."

I say, "I've seen the anguish in trainers' faces when they part with their Pokémon. It doesn't sit right with me. Can't we do more to help them understand our cause without causing so much suffering?"

Bronius just puts a hand on my shoulder and says, "N, your compassion for Pokémon is one of your most remarkable qualities. I don't have all the answers, but we must trust Ghetsis's leadership and the bigger picture. There's much we don't yet understand."

I decide to resign and say, "I suppose you're right, Bronius. I'll continue to follow Ghetsis for now, but I hope we can find a way to achieve our goals without causing pain and resentment."

Bronius says, "Trust in the cause, N. We are making strides, and perhaps, as time goes on, a better way will reveal itself to us."

Then we hear a commotion and we hear some grunts saying, "No one's here! Not a soul! No other Team Plasma members, nor any of the Seven Sages, are inside! If you think we're lying, why don't we have a battle and find out?"

"If you want a battle, I'll give you one." Hilbert says.

"I... had a thought! I'll take care of this weak-looking runt so you can show off by handling that tough-looking guy over there!"

"Oh please! Hilbert, I'll leave that one to you!"

I say, "It seems that the trainer and the gym leader who gave Gorm some trouble have found this place. Is there anyone here in this building?"

"Yes, Ghetsis and Rood are also here." Bronius says, and I flinch to learn that Ghetsis is also here. I shake off the thoughts and Bronius says, "If you'll let me, Lord N. I will defeat the intruders."

Then we see Bronius leave, and we also notice Hilda and Iris arriving at the building. "Phew, we got lost. Even with the directions from the Rotom Phone, I couldn't figure it out!"

"Team Plasma is inside. The stolen Pokémon may be there as well. Okay, I'm going in!" As Burgh is the one that rushes in, Iris says, "OK! This time, I'll join the fight! Come on, Hilbert, Hilda. You too!"

Once they enter the building, they start sneezing and Hilda says, "Look! I see dust... some kind of spores maybe... floating all around us!"

"Be careful! This must be the stuff that made Hilda fall asleep!" Hilbert says.

It turns out to be Bronius' Amoonguss. Amoonguss manages to put up a fight, but it is defeated when Hilda uses Tepig to defeat him.

At the same time, Ghetsis and Rood also arrive, and Ghetsis says, "My word, if it isn't the Gym Leader, Burgh."

"So, what would you say is the guiding principle of Team Plasma, anyway? "Take what you want from people"?" Burgh demands.

"I thought it would be humorous to prepare a hideout right in front of a Pokémon Gym, but we were detected more quickly than I imagined." Rood says while turning to a grunt, "You fool! You left a trail behind you. You ruined this mission and lost an opportunity for us to save Pokemon!"

The grunt takes a step back. Ghetsis says, "Indeed... No matter. We already have an exceptional base of operations. Is everyone familiar with the legend of the founding of the Unova region?"

Iris says, "I am! It's the white Dragon-type Pokémon, right?"

Ghetsis says, "The truth is this... The white dragon appeared before a hero who sought the true way to knit together a world full of warring people. This white Dragon-type Pokémon shared its knowledge and bared its fangs at those who stood against it. Together, the power of this Pokémon and the hero brought unity to the hearts of everyone in the land, and that is how Unova was created."

Then he steps forward and continues, "We shall bring back the hero and that Pokémon to Unova once again! If we can win people's hearts and minds, we can easily create the world that I-I mean, Team Plasma desires!"

"Here in Castelia, we have a lot of different kinds of people. Everyone's ways of thinking and lifestyles are very different. Honestly, there's something about what you're saying I don't quite understand." Burgh says. "One thing we all have in common is that we all care a lot about Pokémon. Even meeting for the first time people can talk about Pokémon. Talk or battle or trade... Remember your speech at Accumula Town? You were responsible for leading me to rethink my relationship with Pokémon. For that, I thank you. At that time, I made a promise... I swore to myself that I would dedicate myself to Pokémon even more strongly! What you guys are doing... Aren't you going to strengthen the bond between people and Pokémon even more?"

Ghetsis then starts to laugh, "Myah-ha-ha-ha! You are quite hard to figure out- a little more intelligent than I'd expected. I am fond of intelligent people, you see. You'll enjoy hearing about this... From every corner of the world, I have gathered knowledgeable people for our king's benefit. You could call them the Seven Sages. Very well! We will submit to your opinion and be on our way."

He turns to the grunt who has the Solosis, "That girl over there... Return her Pokémon!"

The Solosis is back in Hilda's embrace, and Hilda mutters, "Solly! I'm glad you're safe! Thank you..."

"Hilda! Why are you thanking them? They take people's precious Pokémon!" Hilbert asks.

"It's just... I'm... I'm so happy that my Solosis is safe." Hilda replies.

"The friendship between Pokémon and people can be very touching. But, in order to liberate Pokémon from foolish people, we will revive the legend of Unova- and win the hearts and minds of everyone. Farewell..." Then they also use Flash to leave.

Iris turns to Burgh and asks, "What are you doing? Why are you letting them get away?!"

"What do we do if anything's happened to the other stolen Pokémon?" Burgh replies.

"It's OK. Thank you, Iris! No one was hurt. More than anything, I got my darling Pokémon back again!" Hilda says.

Then they are having their moment and Anthea says, "That Burgh, he really made a point. The speech at Accumula Town really helped some trainers rethink the relationship with the Pokemon."

N says, "And I was surprised that Father, no, I mean Ghetsis, will return Hilda's Solosis to her."

Bronius is now by our side and he says, "N, Ghetsis certainly knows how to manipulate emotions to his advantage. Returning that Solosis will win us some sympathy."

"I hope you're right about that, Bronius." I reply. "But still, about those trainers, Hilda and Hilbert, what do you think about them?"

"I think they are special, but something tells me that they are going to get in our way more often." Bronius says. "We manage to return the Solosis to them, but what's next?"

"You're right. That's why I have been keeping track of them from Accumula Town. I want to see what they're capable of." I say, "By the way, where is Rood?"

"Rood is at the Liberty Island." Bronius says.

Then we bid farewell to Bronius and head to Liberty Island so we can find Rood.

Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, this is about the second Seven Sage Bronius. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be back to Ash.