Chapter 15: Rain

"I can't believe you actually found a Munchlax." Despite his words, Lucas had a wide grin on his face as he handed the Nugget over to an overjoyed Barry.

"Well, I can believe it!" Barry crowed. "Between Dawn's shiny and your Chansey, I figured it was my turn to have some good luck! Now, we're all even!"

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Perfectly balanced, as all things should be?"

"You know it!"

Dawn had a smile on her face as she watched the two banter. "Wait up, guys. I'd like to find some shelter before it starts raining. We don't want to get soaked to the bone."

With matching grins, Lucas and Barry stopped and waited for their friend to catch up.

Lucas let out a sheepish chuckle. "Sorry, Dawn. I guess we got a little into our competition..."

"It's fine," Dawn said with a shrug. "You completely left me in the dust, anyway. I didn't stand a chance."

Lucas was going to say something in response, when he heard Barry's voice; "What's that you got there, Chunky? Some kinda berry?"

He turned just in time to see Barry gently pluck a strange blue-green object out of his Munchlax's hands. It seemed to be made of leaves, and Lucas couldn't help staring at it. Either it was his imagination, or the item was legitimately glowing. Could it even be called a flower? It definitely didn't look like any kind of flower he recognized.

"Doesn't look like any berry I've seen," Dawn said, squinting at the object.

"Can I get a closer look?" Lucas requested. Barry nodded and held it out without a fuss. The minute Lucas took it into his hands, the petals opened to reveal a small ball of light. It expanded before anyone could react, and their surroundings changed. Images moved around them as if they were standing in a hazy dream, but sounds could be heard loud and clear.

"Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"It's about the Red Chain...surely I'm not the first one to have used it, right? Can you tell me about the previous users?"

"...Their names have been lost. And before you think about asking Dialga, I must tell you that he would not remember them either."

"What?! I thought he remembers everything, he's literally the Lord of Time!"

"There is no easy way to explain this, especially to a human. But I will say that the price you pay for using the Red Chain does not just stop at your life. The true price is what the Plague takes after it kills you."

"Does that mean...if it does kill me..."

The image faded away, and the flower disintegrated in Lucas' hands. He couldn't shake the inexplicable pang of sadness. He didn't recognize the woman that Rei had been talking to, but he supposed that didn't matter. He was much more concerned about was what was said. It was strange that the words 'Red Chain' brought up some measure of unease, but what was that about a Plague?

Barry's voice broke the spell of melancholy, but didn't alleviate it completely; "...I am so confused."

"Judging from Lucas' expression," Dawn started, her gaze flickering towards his face. A moment passed before she scrambled, "Actually, never mind. Lucas, are you okay?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "I'm just as confused as the two of you. This is the first time I've heard of any kind of plague."

"...So what about that Chain they were talking about?"

"That's..." Lucas shut his mouth. He really should have expected Dawn to catch that. "...Maybe? It feels like I should know, but I know there shouldn't be a reason for me to know."

"That makes no sense."

"I know it doesn't. I don't know how to explain it," Lucas admitted. He hadn't expected to have to tell Dawn and Barry about his weird deja vu at all, but that flower really twisted his arm. "But don't get me wrong; it isn't that I think you won't believe me. I told you about my being able to sense Aura, and I should've been more upfront about seeing the Unown in Hearthome. I just..."

He put a hand to his mouth, gaze shifting towards the spot where the image of Rei had been. "I just...I haven't thought of a way to explain it. All I can tell you guys right now is that it's different from how I can sense Aura. It's like...a weird kind of deja vu."

( If Lucas closed his eyes long enough, he could still picture it; a horrified Survey Corps member staring right back at him, so similar and yet so very different. )

At that thought, Lucas took a few steps back. "Um, is it alright if I take a walk by myself? I need to clear my head."

Without waiting for an answer, he turned heel and walked towards Route 215.

In hindsight, Lucas realized he should have taken an umbrella. The rain had started a lot sooner than anticipated...or was it that he had walked for a longer time than he had wanted?

It was strange how warm the rain was, but that only served to heighten the strange melancholy Lucas felt. It wouldn't be the first time strange things had been happening around him. He somehow knew it wouldn't be the last, especially if people like Aevus were going to be involved.

Speaking of...Lucas recalled the guilt and anxiety rolling off of Aevus in waves. Whatever history Aevus had with the Unown (or maybe even the area in general), it had to have hit him hard. Those emotions were far too intense to not indicate some kind of traumatic history. Lucas found it a wonder that he was able to stay on his feet, but he supposed that was only because he had April by his side.

While Lucas appreciated that Aevus seemed to realize just how much he had to explain, he couldn't help feeling frustrated. What was Aevus so scared of?

"How long?" Lucas said aloud, looking up at the gray sky. "How long am I going to have to wait for the truth, Aevus?"

Something in his pocket let out a loud chime. This threw Lucas off for several reasons, including the fact that his phone was set to silent the last time he checked. Even more confusing was the fact that there was no indication of tampering. The most unsettling thing of all was the message that awaited him.

Unknown Number (10:35): Instead of waiting for the truth, might I suggest searching for it yourself?

Unknown Number (10:35): Surely a Trainer as smart as you would have thought to do so already.

Lucas didn't know how to respond to that. Was someone watching him?! He looked around - the only other people he could see were a couple of Ace Trainers in the distance, and they didn't seem to be focused on him at all. Other than the two Marill playing in some nearby puddles, Lucas couldn't see anything or anyone that could've been watching him.

His phone chimed again.

Unknown Number (10:36): Lucas...I understand that you are young, but it is rude to say nothing when someone addresses you. :T

Lucas (10:36): That rule only applies to in-person meetings. Getting a text from a strange number would put anyone on guard.

Lucas (10:36): Who are you? How do you know my name?

Unknown Number (10:37): Do you know of a ghost Pokemon named Rotom? They are said to possess human devices from time to time.

Unknown Number (10:37): Perhaps something similar happened to your phone? :3c

Lucas (10:40): You're bluffing. My phone hasn't acted up at all. I think I'd know if a Ghost-type possessed my phone.

Unknown Number (10:41): Because you would have sensed it, yes?

Unknown Number (10:41): While it is good of you to trust your instincts, you should know that some beings are strong enough to conceal their Aura.

Lucas (10:41): Are you serious?!

Unknown Number (10:42): Does that truly surprise you to learn? You may be more sensitive than the average human, but never forget that you are still human.

Lucas (10:43): I know. Not like I want to be anything else, anyway.

Lucas (10:43): ...That said, I appreciate the reminder. Thanks.

Unknown Number (10:43): d(￣▽￣)b

Lucas (10:44): Seriously, who are you? You know my name already, it doesn't seem fair that I don't know what to call you.

Unknown Number (10:45): A very fair point.

Unknown Number (10:45): You may call me Pen, for I am mightier than any sword. (•̀ᴗ•́ )و

Despite the absolute strangeness of the situation, Lucas laughed out loud. He was an absolute sucker for wordplay and puns, so this Pen character was already in his good books.

Lucas (10:46): LOL! That's a good one!

Unknown Number (10:47): Thank you. :)

Unknown Number (10:47): I must be quick, so getting to the reason I contacted you - I merely wanted to vouch for the one you call Aevus. I happen to know him quite well.

Lucas (10:48): Really?

Unknown Number (10:48): Indeed. Time Flowers - like the one you and your friends watched - are truly useful artifacts, but they can cause misunderstandings if one is not careful. Think of my reaching out to you as a preemptive strike against that possibility.

Lucas (10:49): Time Flowers?

Unknown Number (10:50): Do your research.

Unknown Number (10:50): My point is...go easy on Aevus when you do come across the truth. He has been through far more than his fair share of trouble (not that any of it is my business to tell you). I am certain you are aware of the guilt he carries.

Unknown Number (10:50): I believe any other member of the Pantheon would be similarly hesitant, were they in his position.

Lucas (10:51): THE PANTHEON?!

Lucas (UNSENT): What do you mean by that? That's an autocorrect error, right?!

[NUMBER NOT IN SERVICE.]

Lucas' last message may not have gone through, but that didn't matter. His mind was spinning.

The Pantheon. Of course Lucas recognized the phrase; as an umbrella term for legendary and mythical Pokemon. Pokemon that were so powerful that they could be considered deities.

While Lucas wanted to take Pen's words with a grain of salt - he still wasn't sure why he even answered the mysterious texts in the first place - he couldn't ignore the implications.

Before anything, he had to find Dawn and Barry. His first stop to find them was the small house he passed while clearing his head - it was the best shelter he could think of.

Thankfully, it didn't take long for Lucas to find his friends - the little house turned out to be a small restaurant. Barry noticed him immediately and waved him over.

"Took you long enough!" he huffed as Lucas approached. As Lucas shrugged off his jacket, Barry continued, "We were worried when the rain started. Don't scare us like that!"

"Sorry about that. I didn't think the rain would start that quick," he admitted, pulling his phone out of his pocket. Thankfully the chat history hadn't been mysteriously wiped, so his conversation with Pen could still be read. "Just look through this real quick."

Dawn took the phone in her hands. As she scrolled through it, Barry looked at the screen from over her shoulder. It was clear when she was done, because she looked up at Lucas with wide eyes.

"The Pantheon?" Dawn breathed. "They're implying that Aevus is-?"

"That's what I was thinking!" Lucas said, in a hushed whisper. Their table was then approached by the waiter - the only other person in the room - who then held a menu in Lucas' direction. With a shake of his head, he told the waiter, "Just a Moomoo Milk for now, please."

When the waiter departed, Barry questioned, "You two don't actually believe this, do you? How do you know it's not actually a Rotom messing with you?"

"I don't really want to," Lucas admitted with a shake of his head. "If what Pen said is true, it would turn everything I thought I knew about the Pantheon on its head!"

"But it would explain a lot," Dawn answered. "At the very least, we shouldn't ignore the possibility."

Not just a lot, Lucas realized. It would explain everything.

Lucas had learned that a Pokemon's Aura was vastly different from a human's - if only because it was easy to tell what typing they had just from getting a feel of their Aura. Having godlike power - the kind of power a legendary would have - would definitely explain the sheer intensity of Aevus' Aura.

It would also explain why Aevus knew so much about the subject of Aura, despite the overall scarcity of information that could be found. Looking back on their conversation in Hearthome, Lucas did think that was a little odd. But if Aevus happened to be immortal, that would mean he was still alive during a time when Aura sensitivity was less of a taboo.

And as far as Aevus being everywhere without being a Trainer himself? That might have been the strangest thing of all, but if Aevus happened to be a Pokemon himself...

Lucas didn't want to acknowledge the possibility, he really didn't...but all of these things pointed to Aevus being a member of the Pantheon. In fact, not only did Pen's implication answer almost every question Lucas had about him, it only created more questions. Which member would he be, hypothetically? Why disguise himself as a human in the first place? Why...

"If Aevus really is a member of the Pantheon," he said aloud, before he could stop himself. Upon seeing Dawn and Barry's curious expressions, he was half-tempted to take the words back. But he pushed through; "Why would he bother helping us out?"

'Why would he bother helping me,' he wanted to say.

"I always say that some members of the Pantheon are kinder than your family made them out to be," Dawn pointed out, placing a hand on Lucas' shoulder. "They're way more powerful than us, yeah. But that shouldn't mean that they're emotionless, or that they can't be kind. Should it?"

Lucas didn't answer, but he knew she had a point. Leave it to Dawn to make sense of something he couldn't.

If what Pen said was right, then Aevus contradicted everything he thought he knew about the Pantheon. Lucas always imagined them to be somewhat distant when it came to human affairs - even if they did exist and were watching them, they would never actually get directly involved. Distance might not be completely inaccurate when it came to Aevus, but at least he seemed to be trying. That was way more than he could have ever expected from a member of the Pantheon.

Still, Dawn's logic wasn't enough to completely quell the nagging question of why.