Chapter 34

Back in Mossui Town, we resume our training within the Ghost Manor, honing our skills and strengthening our bonds with our Pokémon. The days pass, and our dedication to improving our abilities remains unwavering.

The following day, Carmine pays us another visit, this time with an invitation. "You'd better get a move on - and don't keep me waiting!"

"Of course," I reply, and with a sigh, we all follow Carmine as she leads us to her house. "So why did you call us here?"

"We wanted to talk to you before Kiki wakes up," Carmine explains, and her grandfather welcomes us as we gather in their home.

"Here you are. I wanted to fix dear Ogerpon's mask, but... I'll need one more material if I want to do a proper job of it," the grandfather informs us.

Carmine chimes in, "Yeah... According to Grandpa, we need to get a Crystal Cluster from the bottom of the Crystal Pool. I mean, we COULD just return the mask as it is. But I think it would make Ogerpon real happy if we fixed it up first!"

"Yeah, I bet it would be happy," Serena agrees, sharing in the sentiment.

Carmine expresses her feelings, saying, "Especially now that I've heard the real story... I just want Ogerpon to be happy, you know?" Her genuine concern for Ogerpon is evident in her sigh.

"I'm sure Ogerpon will be pleased to know you care so much for it," the grandfather reassures Carmine.

"Right?" Carmine beams with a warm smile. Just then, Kieran emerges from the house, catching sight of our presence.

"Mornin', Grandpa," Kieran mumbles upon seeing his grandfather.

"Ah, good morning, Kieran," the grandfather warmly greets him. However, Carmine quickly intervenes, advising her brother, "Kiki! You'd better go kill time somewhere—"

"Yeah, yeah. Do whatever you want, Sis," Kieran responds nonchalantly, appearing indifferent.

"E-excuse me?! I don't need that kinda attitude from you!" Carmine protests, clearly upset by his dismissive tone.

Kieran, unfazed, simply states, "I got stuff to do, OK?" before turning and leaving, leaving Carmine frustrated and perplexed by his behavior.

"What's his problem? He's been all bent out of shape since yesterday," Carmine complains, clearly frustrated by her brother's recent behavior.

"I don't know... He spent the evening in his room without so much as a bite of dinner," her grandfather shares his concern.

Carmine dismisses it, saying, "Must be teen angst or something. It happens! It woulda been hard to get stuff done with Kiki clinging to you, Ash and Serena. Guess things worked out in our favor! The Crystal Pool's at the top of Oni Mountain. I'm usually not too keen on outsiders heading up the mountain, but I think we can make an exception for you! What say you and I go for a hike to find ourselves a Crystal Cluster?"

"Sure, we can go there," I agree, ready to embark on the journey to obtain the Crystal Cluster required to restore Ogerpon's mask and bring happiness to the misunderstood creature. With Carmine leading the way, we set off toward the Crystal Pool atop Oni Mountain.

Arriving at the Crystal Pool, our breath is taken away by the breathtaking sight of the glistening crystals adorning the pool's surroundings. Golly expresses our collective awe, saying, "This place is so beautiful."

"I know... it is similar to Diancie's domain... look at how the crystals are glowing around here," Luke observes, drawing a comparison to another enchanting location.

As we take in the stunning scenery, we also notice various Pokémon inhabiting the area, including Chimecho, Chinglings, Bronzor, and Bronzongs. Carmine provides some insight, saying, "This is the Crystal Pool. Bet you didn't expect it to be so pretty, huh? The crystals here are always shining. Isn't that strange? There's even a weird rumor that you can meet people here who've passed away."

The serene ambiance of the Crystal Pool, coupled with its mysterious legends and the vibrant presence of Pokémon, makes it a truly enchanting place to visit.

Alice explains, "Now we'll just need to get a little bit of the crystal from the bottom of the pool so we can fix the mask properly!"

Carmine then encourages us, "And that's where you come in, guys! Go on, then! Jump in! Don't be scared!"

I'm taken aback by the idea, asking, "Wait, you want US to jump in the pool?!"

Carmine justifies her request, saying, "Well, yeah. I can't swim. And besides, my clothes would get soaked if I did it. You've got a real nifty Pokémon to ride on, right? You'll be fiiiiiine!"

We prepare to summon Koraidon to assist us, but suddenly, the ground starts to shake. Bryce voices our concern, exclaiming, "What in the—?! An earthquake?!"

Our shock intensifies as a Milotic suddenly emerges from the water, its elegant presence leaving us in awe. I ponder, "A Milotic? Does that mean we can find Feebas and Milotic here as well?"

Carmine, unfazed by the unexpected encounter, smiles and remarks, "This one looks strong! You're awful lucky that I'm around."

Golly, displaying confidence in our team, adds, "Well, it doesn't matter since we have several champions here."

With determination, we decide to engage in battle with the Milotic, hoping to chase it away and continue with our mission to retrieve a crystal from the pool's depths. After Milotic departs, Carmine admits, "Sheesh, that surprised me! Now that I think about it, Pokémon like that one do show up here from time to time..."

Turning to us, she continues, "I know Alice is really handy to have around in a battle, but it seems like you two are also handy as well, aren't you?"

Serena responds, "Well, we do share Pokémon and we act quite similar," with a sigh of acknowledgment.

As we discuss our experiences, I notice a piece of crystal cluster lying on the ground nearby. I pick it up and remark, "Hey, isn't that...?"

Bryce speculates, "Maybe it was stuck to that Pokémon you fought?" We examine the crystal cluster, realizing that it could be the material we need to fix Ogerpon's mask.

"The energy coming from those crystals at the bottom of the pool... I knew it!" Suddenly, Briar appears, catching us off guard.

"Ms. Briar?!" Alice gasps in surprise.

"Hi there, Carmine. And the others, too! I thought you were paired with other students. Did you decide to switch things up?" Briar inquires.

Carmine, aware of the significance of the Crystal Pool, responds, "Uh... I'm sorry, Ms. Briar, but this place is actually pretty special. I'm not a big fan of outsiders just wandering around up here."

Briar addresses the situation, explaining, "I'm aware that this is sacred ground, yes. I did get permission from the caretaker, though. Was that not sufficient?"

Golly, intrigued by Briar's presence, asks, "...Why did you come here?"

Briar reveals her purpose, saying, "Oh, just doing a bit of field research. I was interested in the properties of the water here. And, well...my hunch was on the money! You see, the Crystal Pool's waters emit energy of the same wavelength as Terastal energy. Though I have no idea why that is... Once I figure that out, I might be able to stabilize the Terastal phenomenon in regions other than Paldea!"

Carmine, eager to leave, nods and suggests, "Well, um... We've got somewhere to be, so... Let's head back, guys!"

We bid farewell to Briar and make our way back to Mossui Town, leaving behind the Crystal Pool and its mysteries for now.

Upon our return to Mossui Town, Carmine eagerly informs her grandfather, "Hey, Grandpa! We got the Crystal Cluster you needed!"

However, the atmosphere quickly shifts as her grandfather's expression turns grave. He somberly admits, "Ash, Carmine, everyone... I'm so sorry."

Confused and concerned, Serena asks, "Huh? Did something happen?"

With a heavy heart, the grandfather reveals the shocking news, "Kieran, he... He ran off with the mask."

Our faces register a mixture of surprise and horror as we come to terms with the unexpected turn of events involving Kieran and the precious mask. Carmine questions, "What? Why would Kiki do that?!"

She turns to us, her frustration evident as she demands, "Did you tell him about the ogre or something?!"

"We didn't! But I had a feeling that he was eavesdropping on our conversation yesterday when your grandpa told us the story of Ogerpon," I explain.

Understanding that we wouldn't intentionally betray her trust, Carmine softens her tone and says, "Right, I'm sorry... I know you wouldn't just go blabbing to him like that."

The grandfather interjects with important information, saying, "Kieran seemed to be headed to Loyalty Plaza with the mask. I think... it would be best for you to go after him."

Realizing the urgency of the situation and the need to retrieve the mask, we nod in agreement and prepare to chase after Kieran to Loyalty Plaza.

Arriving at Loyalty Plaza, we discover Kieran standing before the Loyal Three monument, clutching the mask in his hands. His attention is drawn to our presence, and he acknowledges us, saying, "Ash, Serena...and you guys..."

Carmine immediately confronts him, demanding an explanation, "Kiki! What in the world do you think you're doing?"

Kieran, with a conflicted expression, voices his realization, "You knew, didn't you? You knew that the ogre wasn't the real bad guy in the stories... The Loyal Three were the real bad guys, but the ogre's the one that gets treated like an outcast!"

Carmine, taken aback, mutters in astonishment, "You... you know?"

Kieran's anger boils over, and he confronts us with intense frustration, accusing, "And you did the same thing to me! You treated ME like an outcast when you went an' met with the ogre!"

Attempting to explain our perspective, I start to say, "I-I'm sorry! We didn't mean—"

But Kieran cuts me off with a shout, his anger unabated, "You're no different than those villagers back then... You know how much I love the ogre! You acted like you didn't know anything, but you were laughing at me behind my back all along!"

Alice, defending our intentions, tries to reason with him, saying, "That's not what happened at all!"

However, Kieran is too consumed by his anger to listen, yelling vehemently, "Liars! You're all LIARS!" The tension in the air is palpable as our friendship with Kieran hangs in the balance.

Carmine, deeply concerned about her brother's sudden change in behavior, questions him, "What's gotten into you, Kiki?! You're acting real off today..."

Kieran's determination to settle things through a battle becomes evident as he declares, "Ash and Serena. Either one of you. Battle me. If you win, I'll give you back the mask. So c'mon... Battle me already!"

Serena, understanding that there's no alternative at this point, agrees, saying, "Fine, I'll battle you."

Kieran seems resolute as he instructs us, "OK... Let's do this, then. Get to your position. I'm not gonna hold anything back, you hear me!" With that, they engage in a five-on-five Pokémon battle.

Kieran releases his Yanmega, and Serena responds by sending out her Klawf. Despite the underlying tension and mixed emotions, Kieran affirms, "I know this isn't right, but...I can't just hand over the mask to you!"

In this intense five-on-five battle, Kieran's Pokémon roster remains familiar, consisting of Yanmega, Dipplin, and Poliwrath. However, he introduces two new members we've not encountered before – a Gliscor and a Cramorant. Pikachu, perhaps recalling past encounters with Cramorant's Gulp Missile ability, instinctively takes cover behind my hat, avoiding any potential danger.

Serena, well-aware of the importance of this battle, strategically selects her Pokémon to face the challenge. With Klawf, Lapras, Kilowattrel, Dachsbun, and Finizen at her side, she manages to overcome all five of Kieran's Pokémon, emerging victorious in the battle.

Amidst his frustration and evident disappointment, Kieran lets out a yell, exclaiming, "Why...? Why can't I be as good as you..."

Our hearts ache for Kieran as we witness his emotional turmoil. He approaches the monument, venting his frustration by punching the fence, even if it results in his hand bleeding. I can't help but express my concern, muttering, "Kieran..."

Carmine, clearly worried, asks, "Kiki, are you all right...?"

Kieran eventually retrieves the mask and hands it over, fulfilling his promise. "Here. I promised." He then unexpectedly says, "Say hi to the ogre for me."

"Hey, listen, Kiki... I should apologize for—" Before Carmine can offer an apology or explanation, Kieran abruptly cuts her off, stating, "I'm goin' home." With those words, he rushes off, leaving us with a mixture of emotions and unanswered questions.

"I'm sorry about all that. He's normally not like this at all." Carmine expresses her remorse for her brother's recent behavior and speculates, "Do you think most people act up like that around Kieran's age?"

Alice responds, "I don't think so..."

Carmine reflects on her brother's unexpected outburst, stating, "Right... I sure never let teenage angst get to my head like that. I don't know what to do with him..." Her concern for Kieran is evident.

Amidst their conversation, a strange sound reaches our ears, prompting Carmine to inquire, "Hey, can you hear something? ...Is it coming from the Loyal Three Monument?"

As we turn to investigate, our astonishment mounts when we witness the statues at the monument trembling, with eerie purple smoke rising from beneath them. Alarmed by the ominous sight, I urgently call out, "Everyone! Get down!"

We huddle down just in time to witness a powerful purple beam of light shooting into the sky from the monument. As the strange phenomenon subsides, Alice voices our collective confusion, asking, "What's going on?"

As the dissipating smoke reveals the aftermath of the strange phenomenon, our attention is immediately drawn to three peculiar Pokémon perched atop the remnants of the Loyal Three Monument. A dog, a monkey, and an avian. Each of them possesses an unsettling dark aura, and they take notice of our presence, stepping forward. Carmine, visibly taken aback, gasps in horror at the unexpected sight.

We hear snippets of their conversation as they discuss us. One of them remarks, "Who are those weird-looking people?" Another responds, "Don't know, but they don't seem to be threats." The third chimes in with, "It's great to be back alive."

While some of us can comprehend their words, Serena takes the initiative and directly addresses them, inquiring, "What do you three want?"

The enigmatic trio gathers in a circle, engaging in murmured discussion among themselves before departing the area. Carmine, still bewildered and frustrated, exclaims, "Seriously, WHAT is going on?!"

"I think they are the Loyal Three... and they have been resurrected..." I suggest, drawing a connection to the legends surrounding the statues.

Golly acknowledges, "The story said they were laid to rest under the statues, right? What brought them back to life?"

Alice, ever focused on the task at hand, emphasizes, "But the important thing is... they ran off toward Kitakami Hall! This can't be good! Let's go after 'em!" With determination, we decide to pursue the resurrected Loyal Three, intent on discovering the cause behind their revival and its potential implications.

Here is a new chapter, and the Loyal Three has finally make an appearance. I hope you like this chapter.

Ash and Serena's Pokemon:

Charizard x2, Pikachu x2, Primeape, Tauros (Paldean) x3, Lapras, Girafarig, Dunsparce, Steelix (Crystal), Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Garchomp, Lucario, Krookodile, Zoroark, Bisharp, Greninja, Sylveon, Noivern, Lycanroc (Dusk), Mimikyu (Shiny), Corviknight, Indeedee x2, Kleavor, Sneasler, Floragato, Crocalor, Quaxwell, Oinkologne x2 (Male/Female), Spidops, Lokix, Pawmot, Maushold x2 (Family of four/three), Dachsbun, Dolliv, Squawkabilly x4, Naclstack, Armarouge, Ceruledge, Bellibolt, Kilowattrel, Mabosstiff, Grafaiai, Brambleghast, Toedscruel, Klawf, Scovillain, Rabsca, Flittle, Tinkatuff, Wugtrio, Bombirdier, Finizen, Varoom, Cyclizar, Orthworm, Glimmet, Flamigo, Clodsire, Dipplin, Sinistcha