Remaining silent, I just followed Nira who hummed along while looking around. The streets were somewhat empty other than a few Pokemon here and there. After a bit of walking, I decided to speak.
Shaymin: Um… What do you think Autumn and Bolt doing right now?
Nira: Hmm? I actually don't know. I'm sure Saz told them about our journey, so I doubt they're making another rescue team or something.
Nira stretched and looked back at me.
Nira: I know I sorta got everyone lost… But I am having a lot of fun exploring a new place. And now that it stopped snowing, I think we can finally get some directions. Hopefully…
Shaymin: Um… A- ask someone walking by?
Nira: I kinda want to find the others first, but sure. I guess it'd be better getting the info now.
Nira looked around and saw a few Pokemon just sitting and chatting. I followed behind as Nira approached them.
Hanging back, I just waited for Nira as they talked for about a minute. When he was finished, he walked up to me and shrugged.
Nira: So… To the North, there is a town called Catalyst. Appears that nothing else is nearby for miles upon miles.
Shaymin: S- strange…
Nira: Yeah. Oh well… Guess we'll just have to walk there when we find them.
Nodding, I continued to follow Nira down the road for a bit more. Luckily, our search only lasted 10 minutes since we saw Scorch sitting at a bus stop bench along with Shock and Cloud. When they noticed us, I saw Scorch instantly jump up and ran up at us.
Scorch: You two are alright…!
Nira: Yep. Almost ended up badly. Luckily someone found us and helped.
Scorch: Dang. When you got separated from us, we sorta wandered the streets. Glad we found shelter not long later, but still… Was really worried about you two though.
Shaymin: Um… Where's Ember?
Scorch: Oh, he had to piss or something. He'll be back soon.
Nodding, I sat down and waited. Once Ember arrived, he looked surprised and we greeted him.
Ember: I'm surprised. We're all back together finally. Now the next step… Where the hell to go next?
Nira: Um… It appears we are nowhere near Hexa, um, somehow. I asked someone and they spoke about a town named Catalyst in the North.
Cloud: Weren't we walking North all this time? We'll get further from Hexa…
Nira: Right… Um…
Cloud: We should just head the way we came.
Nira: I- I guess… So I guess we'll be heading South?
All of us agreed as we sat up and started walking out of the town.
We walked for a good amount of time before Nira stopped and sighed.
Nira: Um… I don't remember any of this.
Cloud: It's a forest, so… I doubt we'll find anything different.
Nira: I guess, but still. Ugh… I am unsure what to do. Lets just keep walking this way.
Ember: Sounds good I guess. Lets keep heading in this direction.
We walked forward deeper into the trees.
While walking, I saw Nira trip suddenly as he fell into a hole. I looked confused and looked down as Nira sat there. He rubbed his head and groaned.
Nira: W- what the…?
Shaymin: Um… You okay down there?
Nira: Yeah. What the hell is this thing? Ugh… Can you help me get out?
All of us other then Cloud gathered around this strange opening. We reached down and grabbed Nira before pulling him up. While pulling Nira up, I heard Cloud.
Cloud: I think I found a good path to take… Hurry and catch up.
Cloud walked off as we pulled Nira up. Once Nira was up, we quickly rushed to catch up with Cloud. It appeared to be a trail.
Nira: At least it's something instead of walking through the trees.
Cloud just shrugged and walked down this path. Everyone followed but I was stopped by Shock. He looked down the path and shook his head.
Shock: This place doesn't feel right.
Shaymin: Um… What do you mean?
Shock: I don't know… This place just feels wrong. Just be careful, alright? We already fell into one trap…
Nodding, Shock turned back and sighed before catching up with the others. I followed behind him as we caught up with the others.
Nira: Hmm? Hey, look.
Nira walked forward and bent down. He looked around the surrounding path and tilted his head.
Nira: Paw prints? Sweet. I think someone is nearby since these look fresh.
Ember: Jeez… When did you turn into a tracking hound?
He chuckled gently and shrugged.
Nira: Eh… It's a skill I picked up on when navigating my old team. I didn't want us running into a dangerous team or something.
He got up and looked down the path.
Nira: Doesn't look like a big Pokemon. We could most likely ask for help if we run into them.
Scorch: What are we waiting for then? Lets go!
The team agreed as we walked down the path.
We walked for a good while without encountering anyone. Cloud then stopped and growled. She punched a tree and spoke.
Cloud: This sucks ass. Where the hell are we even going?
Scorch: Why don't you look up?
Looking up, I saw a large skyscraper through the trees. When Cloud noticed this, she just huffed and clenched her teeth before walking off quickly to this building. Scorch shrugged and chuckled nervously before leaning against me.
Scorch: Heh… I'm so gonna get slapped.
Shaymin: She's pretty unsettling when mad.
Scorch: Hehe. You have no idea. Anyways, lets get going!
We followed the path and ten minutes later, we managed to arrive at a new destination.
Scorch: Celestial City? Think it's related to space?
Ember: Wait… Celestial? I hadn't been to this place in so long, I nearly forgotten about it completely.
Scorch: You've been here before?
Ember: Err… When I was very young. I lived here for a tiny bit. It's quite difficult… But I think I remember some stuff about it.
Ember walked into the city and began looking around. He seemed quite interested to be back to this place as he checked the many shops and buildings around. He remained silent and continued to scan the area.
Ember: Huh… Yeah… I remember a few places.
Scorch: I never knew you lived here before.
Ember turned to face us and crossed his arms.
Ember: Yeah, it is weird being back honestly, but it's kinda nice… I'm sure I'll remember more as we walk. So, um… I guess we'll explore around for a bit.
Cloud: Cool… I'm going to get some food…
Cloud waved us off and left. Ember shrugged and walked down the road as we followed behind him. The weather was nice and it was perfect for some exploration. At least for now. Who knew if it would suddenly rain or snow again. I explained this to the others and Ember didn't seem too bothered. He pretty much shrugged it off and said that we'll be on our way again soon. I just accepted this and walked down the street with him and the others. Scorch was on his phone and soon looked up.
Scorch: The weather report said it should be clear. But err… Witnessing that weather change in Quantum… I am unsure it'll hold up.
Ember: I'm sure we'll be fine. If it does happen again, just stay close, hmm?
While the two talked, I was just looking around. It wasn't like Aurora, but the few towers were still massive. The biggest one clearly stood out and I spoke about it.
Shaymin: What is that building?
Ember: Hmm? Oh… It's pretty foggy, but I believe that's the SE Building.
Shaymin: Err…
Ember: It's the Space Exploration research building. Probably not it's name, but once again, it's foggy…
Ember rubbed his head and sighed.
Ember: I think it's mostly researching what's beyond the earth. You know… Planets and all that. I'm trying to think… I believe it also keeps tracks of launched shuttles. Keeping maintenance and stuff. Pretty cool honestly.
Shaymin: T- that's actually pretty cool. I used to stargaze… It was really nice…
Ember nodded and smiled before turning the corner. I followed him and Ember stopped in front of a building. It was a Cafe of some sorts.
Scorch: Eh? Want a latte or something?
Ember: Heh… Sorta. Wouldn't mind one since I hadn't had anything to drink or eat in a while.
Scorch: Then lets head in? Bet we're all starving.
Shock: Sure… I guess it gives me time to search some stuff up.
Nira: Lets hope they have some sort of Pumpkin Spice.
They walked in and I followed.
Sitting down, I just waited and spoke with Nira. After a bit, a Sylveon walked up.
Envy: Ah, hey there. I am Envy. What can I get you?
We ordered and off he went. After that, I just sat back in my chair as Nira searched up some stuff. Nira looked pretty focused as we talked about what our next plan was. That's when Nira spoke up.
Nira: Hey… This place has an advance technology store nearby. I might head there after getting my stuff here.
Ember: That's fine. But, err… I want to ask… What are we going to do? Head back to Hexa? Or maybe explore the nearby area?
Shock: I rather return to Hexa…
Shaymin: I am actually wondering if we could contact someone from Hexa.
Shock: I doubt Autumn would like getting bothered by another rescue…
Shaymin: Uh… I wasn't going to ask for a rescue team. I just wanted to contact them…
Shock shrugged and sat back.
Shock: And how are we going to contact them? For some reason we barely get signal out here.
Scorch: Eh, we get signal out here fine. The strange part though is that we can't reach Hexa.
Nira: Um… Yeah… No idea why. I guess we should keep walking. Honestly, I'm having a load of fun exploring out here.
Scorch: I don't mind that. I love exploring unknown lands. So much to see…
Shaymin: Guess that's what we'll do then.
Once our food came, Nira took it and got up.
Nira: Well, I'm heading to that shop. I guess I'll meet you nearby?
We agreed and off he went. Once he left, we just started chatting among each other. After speaking for a few minutes, Scorch got up and looked at us.
Scorch: Well, I guess we should head out, huh?
Ember: Sure. Lets find Cloud and meet up with Nira.
Scorch nodded and ran out of the shop. We followed and began looking for Cloud. We found her reading some magazines at some sort of book booth.
Cloud: Ah… Back so soon…? Hmm, alright. What's the plan…?
Scorch told her and she just shrugged.
Cloud: More walking…? Ugh, fine.
We walked down the road with her. This tech shop Nira mentioned was down the road from the cafe, so it wasn't too hard finding him. Our timings were pretty perfect as he walked out the moment we walked up to the door. He nearly ran into me before stopping.
Nira: Oh, I was just about to head towards you all.
He placed his bag down. He opened it and pulled out a drone.
Nira: I bought this since it was pretty awesome. And, err… I wanted another thing to help us scan the lands.
Scorch: Drone looks pretty sick. I'm sure it will help us a lot!
Nira: I had one before, but err… It wasn't waterproof. So yeah…
Nira placed the drone back into the bag and got up. He looked down the road.
Nira: Well, I guess we should head out.
Scorch: Sounds good. Lets get going!
Nira lead us as we followed him outside of the city. Once away from all the buildings, he took out the drone and started it up.
Nira: Okay… Lets see if I can find something in the distance…
We waited by and hoped he finds something...