Previously...
"Hey Ash, it's been a while since you called," said the voice of Red Ketchum. Ash's father. "So, how has the journey through Hoenn been so far?"
"We have a problem," Ash said, and Red immediately went quiet, while his eyes narrowed. Not that Ash saw that of course. "A very big problem."
And now...
"What's going on, Ash?" Red asked with a hint of concern in his voice, as he knew that if Ash is saying there is a problem, then that problem must be near apocalyptic.
Ash sighed, and then explained to his father where he is, and what happened since he and the others arrived in the swamp where Mudkip were cared for by Swampy. He finished with the retelling of what he did after he found Swampy dead, and the current situation.
Once Ash finished explaining everything, Red sighed as well, and was quiet for a while, thinking about everything Ash told him.
After about a minute, Red said. "Ok Ash, listen up. I want you to call Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy and tell them what happened. They should be there soon, as that place is not that far from Dewford Town.
"I will notify the Pokémon League about what happened, and they will probably send someone there. It might be better if you and the others stay there and wait for the Pokémon League representatives to come and check the place up. They will also want you to explain to them what happened to make sure they have all the details. Did you understand that?"
"Yes, I understand," Ash sighed.
"Good," Red said. "I'll call you as soon as have some information to tell you. Unfortunately, I will not be able to come and be with you and Serena since I'm in Unova for some job I have to do here, but I think we'll be able to meet in a few weeks in Mauville City, as I'll be there."
"Ok, dad," Ash said, and Red hung up the line, with Ash doing the same.
"What did your dad say, Ash?" Serena asked, as she was standing in between Max and May, and looking at Ash.
"He told me to call Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny and tell them to come here," Ash said, and started to dial the number for Pokemon Center in Dewford Town. "He also said he will call the Pokemon League, and that we need to wait here for someone to come and check everything."
Serena, May and Max all nodded in understanding, as that sounded like the right thing to do at the moment.
Nurse Joy answered the call, and Ash told her what happened and where they are, and she said she is already on her way. He then called Officer Jenny and told her the same thing.
After that, the group of four kids could only wait for everyone to come, though Ash decided to go and bring the other two poachers to where Swampy's body lay, just in case, so that they won't free themselves and escape.
XXX
The next two days have been very hard for Ash, Serena, May and Max, as they first had to wait for Jenny and Joy to come and check Swampy's corpse, as well as all the Mudkip in the swamp. Then, they all had to stay there and wait the representatives from the Pokemon League, who came at the end of that day, when the night has already fallen.
It turned out that those representatives were just several Pokemon Rangers, as there was no one else who could do anything about the situations.
The night was used by Ash and the gang to, once again, explain everything that happened, and then they all waited the morning, so that Officer Jenny can take the two poachers in prison, as well as Swampy's body to the morgue. The poacher which was burned by Delphox was treated by Nurse Joy so he won't die, but he was still in a bad state and will have to be treated by a real doctor before he is sent to prison. The poachers Pokemon were taken by the rangers to be 'taken care off'… whatever that means.
Joy also returned to the Pokemon Center in the morning, and brought all the baby Mudkip with her, as well as all the Mudkip eggs, which were unhatched. Two of the rangers went with her to make sure there is no trouble, while one went with Officer Jenny.
The rest of the rangers stayed in the swamp just in case, while Ash, Serena, May and Max were allowed to go to the Pokemon Center and rest properly until the day when they will be allowed to go to Swampy's funeral, which will be held in the swamp, as he had no family left, and has spent decades of his life in that place, so it's the best option for his final resting place.
When it comes to the old Mudkip, his situation was explained to the rangers, and they allowed Ash to keep the Mudkip as his own Pokemon, as long as Mudkip agreed. Mudkip did agree, and on that second day, before they returned to the Pokemon Center, Ash caught Mudkip. Of course, the situation was such that Ash didn't feel like celebrating, or even being happy like he usually is after he catches a new Pokémon.
XXX
Three days after the battle in the Mudkip swamp, and Swampy's death, Ash, Serena, May and Max, along with Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny from Dewford Town, as well as several of the Pokémon Rangers, have all gathered again in the swamp where they performed Swampy's funeral, whose real name was revealed to be Kenji Yamanaka, aged 71.
With the funeral over, everyone but Ash moved away from the grave site, which was behind the shack where Kenji lived in for decades. Ash stayed behind, and just stood there in front of the grave for a few minutes, before he said. "I'm sorry, old man. I shouldn't have let you go alone, but I promise you that if that poacher is still alive, I will find him, and, I WILL, kill him."
Ash then turned around and walked away from the grave, while thinking about the poacher, and if he really is alive like the rangers suspect. They suspect this because they have searched down the river, and haven't found either the poacher nor his Salamence, which could suggest that he is still alive, or that the river dragged him all the way to the sea.
Ash also though about the affiliation of that poacher and the two which were captured. He learned from the Rangers that there is a group of poachers and hunters who hunt Pokémon and humans all over the world, and are selling them as slaves to the highest bidder. Apparently, while the two poachers which were captured were unknown to the police and the Pokémon League, the old poacher who killed Swampy and battled against Ash, was known to them, and is known to be a member of that team.
When Ash asked about this team, and how he never heard about them, he was told that it was a highly secretive group of criminals. The existence of the group is only known to the select few, and is not being spread around, as it could cause a panic among the general population of the planet if it's discovered that there are people out there who are doing human trafficking, and literally no one knows who they are. Ash also found out that the group is named, 'The Shadow Legion', but that's all they know about it.
Ash decided then and there that he will do anything to find and capture, or if necessary, dispose of the members of the Shadow Legion.
For the next two days, Ash and the others didn't train because they didn't feel like it. At least Ash didn't feel like it, while Serena was just feeling down because of everything that happened.
As for May and Max, they were feeling worse of them all, as Swampy death was still on their mind, along with his burned and bloodied body lying in his own pool of blood. They didn't think they will ever see something like that, and even if they did, not when they were so young. They felt like their youth has been stolen from them, and now they don't know what to do, or how to feel.
Ash wanted to help them, he really did, but he just didn't know how. He has trained a lot for the majority of his life, and knows a lot of stuff, but one of the things he doesn't know, is how to comfort people. That just isn't something he has learned. In the end, he decided to leave them alone, and see what happens in the next few days.
XXX
It took Ash three days after Swampy's funeral for him to decide that enough is enough, and to start training again. Serena was happy to see that Ash is no longer sulking and that he has decided to train, so he can get his mind away from feeling guilt about Swampy's death, which she knew Ash couldn't really do anything about, even though he thinks otherwise.
Max and May on the other hand, still didn't feel like training, and Serena was starting to get concerned about them. Even Ash was slightly concerned, as he knew how they must feel after seeing something as scary as they all saw, but the difference being that Ash has already been thought stuff like that before, while the others didn't. He was actually surprised by how well Serena is holding herself, and Ash thought that she might be mentally very strong.
Right now, Ash and his Pokémon are running on the beach to get their blood pumping, before they start their early morning training, after which they will head for breakfast, before they continue with the training, as they have a lot of catching up to do since almost a week was wasted.
Ash is currently alone with his Pokémon because Serena decided that she will not push it with the training as much as he is, and will only start after breakfast. As for May and Max, they are not ready to train, and Ash decided to let them do what they want for now, but if in a few days they don't get better, he will have to call their parents and tell them what happened, since they didn't do that yet, as per May's and Max's request. They were scared that their parents will want them to go home and stop the journey, and they didn't want that, so Ash and Serena followed their wishes, but in case their condition doesn't get better, he will be forced to do what has to be done, and not what he or they want.
As Ash was running on the beach, he suddenly stopped as he saw someone climbing on the side of the cliff, and got interested in seeing who it was. He went toward whoever it was on the cliff, while his Combusken, Treecko and Mudkip ran after him, while Taillow flew behind him. The others were in their Poke Balls, as it would be strange to see Tyranitar and Aggron running on the beach, while Duskull and Feebas can't run at all.
XXX
The man turned out to be Professor Birch, and he was doing research on the Wingull's nest. Unfortunately for him, the Wingull didn't like a human snooping on its nest and flew in front of the man's face, scaring him to fall backwards from the cliff until he landed on top of a Loudred, which then screamed at Professor Birch, making him fall the rest of the way to the beach.
"What are you doing here, Professor Birch?" Ash asked while standing above the man, who looked at who asked him that, and recognized Ash.
Professor quickly got up, dusted himself off, and said. "Well, it certainly has been a long time, hasn't it, Ash?"
"It sure has," Ash said with a small smile, as the two shock their hands. "But what were you doing on that cliff?"
"Oh, I came on this island to do some research on the Pokémon," Birch said. "See those Wingull over there," Ash nodded, "they like to build their nests on cliffs like this one, and I was interested to see them from up close."
"That didn't end well for you." Ash commented, and Birch smiled.
"Well, there is always a danger in everything we do," Birch said. "It's no different in Pokémon research.
"But tell me, why are you here? I would have thought you and the others would have already left and be on the way to Slateport City if not there."
"Well, we decided to train for a while when we came here before Serena and I challenge the gym," Ash said, and Birch nodded, agreeing that training would be good instead of just barging into the unknown. Ash then sighed, before he continued. "But then there was an accident almost a week ago, and we've all been feeling really bad ever since."
"What happened Ash," Birch asked with a serious look on his face? "Did one of you got injured?"
"No, nothing happened to us," Ash said, then sighed again, and told Professor Birch everything that happened in the Mudkip swamp, from the beginning to the end.
"What are you saying, Ash," Birch asked in disbelief, and with wide eyes? "How could that happen?"
"I don't know," Ash said. "Everything was fine at first, we stumbled on the swamp, met Kenji, but then a Mudkip which lived there protecting the place came and told us about the poachers, after which everything went to hell.
"I should have never let Kenji go and face that poacher alone. I saw he has no Pokémon to defend himself, and yet I didn't stop him. The guilt has been eating me out ever since. I didn't even train until this morning, the same for the others, and while Serena is holding herself well, I'm worried about May and Max."
"Why?" Birch asked.
"This is the first time they saw something like this," Ash said. "The man they just met, they saw lying dead in his own blood, and this got to them heavily. I honestly don't know what to tell them, and have been thinking of calling Norman and Caroline and tell them what happened. Maybe they could help them."
"I wouldn't do that, Ash." Birch said with a pained expression on his face, making Ash's eyes narrow.
"Do what?" Ash asked.
"Call Norman and Caroline," Birch said. "If you do, May and Max will hear the bad news, and it could make them feel even worse than they do now."
"What bad news?" Ash asked, and wondered what the hell is going to happen next, because the last few days have been really bad.
Birch looked at Ash and wondered if he should tell him, but soon he realized he has to, so he sighed and started to explain. "Norman and Caroline have had a problem with their marriage for a while now, but they decided to keep it quiet because of May and Max. Unfortunately, it all went to hell not long after you left Petalburg City, when Caroline caught Norman cheating on her with Nurse Joy. She raised hell, and the next day she hired a lawyer and filed for divorce."
"Well... fuck." Ash said, as he placed his head in his hands, and closed his eyes.
"So you see why I think May and Max shouldn't find out about this right now," Birch said, and Ash nodded. "We need to find another way to make May and Max recover from the bad experience, and continue to travel with you and Serena. With any luck, they will stay in the dark about the divorce for a while, and what they experienced in that swamp will already leave their minds when they find out about it, so the problems won't 'pile up', so to say."
"You said 'WE'," Ash said, while looking at Birch. "Does that mean you will help?"
"Of course," Birch said. "May and Max are good kids, and I've known them since they were born, so I want to help. I just don't have any idea how. Do you have any idea?"
"Besides talking with them," Ash said. "Then no, nothing comes to mind."
"Well, I guess that's something," Birch said. "Where are they right now?"
"In the Pokémon Center," Ash said. "I started my early morning training, while Serena plans to start after breakfast. Max and May don't plan to train for now, and are just seating in their room, or outside on the sun, but aren't doing anything."
"Ok, then let's go there and see what we can do." Birch said, after which Ash returned his Pokémon in their Poke Ball's, and he and Birch went back to the Pokémon Center.
XXX
Ash and Professor Birch arrived in the Pokémon Center about 15 minutes later, and since it was breakfast time, Ash guessed that the others were in cafeteria, so the two went there.
Ash was right that Serena, May and Max were there, as he was able to see them right from the entrance to the cafeteria, so he and Birch walked to them.
As soon as Max and the girls saw Professor Birch walking toward them with Ash, their eyes widened in surprise, as neither expected to see the man there.
"Professor Birch, what are you doing here?" May was the one who asked.
Birch looked at May and Max, and saw that their looks were pained, and there was no happiness with barely any natural curiosity in their eyes, which is something you can always see with kids.
He sighed. "I came here to do some research, when I run into Ash and he told me what happened." May and Max flinched at his words, as Swampy's corpse immediately came at the front of their thoughts.
"Ash also told me that the two of you have problems getting over Kenji's death," Birch continued. "I want to help you with that, but you need to put effort on your part."
"I-I don't know what to do, Professor Birch," May said, drawing everyone's attention. "I mean, we saw someone die right after we met him, and it's been bothering me ever since. Swampy didn't deserve that. He didn't deserve to die, and I feel guilty because of his death."
"We all feel guilty, May," Serena butted in and said. "But you need to understand that there was no way we could have known that the poacher would go for the kill. That's not how poachers work. They hunt and capture Pokémon, but they rarely kill. This one did. We didn't know that, and Swampy died. But, as I said, there was nothing we could have done to prevent it."
Ash wanted to argue and say how he could have prevented Swampy from going to confront that poacher, but he knew that Serena would win the argument, as she was right about the fact that poachers rarely kill Pokémon, much less human, and there was no way to know that this particular poacher was a part of the Shadow Legion.
"It's not just Swampy's death that's been bothering us," Max said, while looking at the floor. "We might be young, but even I know that we will all die one day, and I know that Swampy was old and would have died one day regardless of what happened that day. In fact, I'm sure he would have preferred to die protecting the baby Mudkip then all alone in some bed when he gets too old to do anything.
"What's really been bothering me is his corpse lying on the ground all burned and bloodied. I just can't get it out of my head, and every time I fall asleep, I dream about that."
May nodded, confirming that she thinks the same way as Max, and has the same problem.
Ash, Serena and Birch were surprised to hear this, but also understood their problem. The fact is, May and Max are still kids no matter how much they would deny if one calls them that, and it's understandable that they have problems with letting it go after seeing something as horrible as burned and bloodied corpse of someone you just met, and thought of as a good person. It is something that would hunt the dreams of adult people, and Max and May are just 8 and 10-years-old.
"Well," Birch started to say, drawing everyone's attention. "There is a possibility for you to seek a council of a specialist who could help you with that. Of course, if you do that you would have to put a stop on your journey until you are better, and that could last a while."
Birch knew that it was risky to tell them this, because if May and Max actually decide to go and seek council, they will have to go home and there they would find out that their parents are divorcing, which could make their condition even worse.
He could have kept quiet, but Max and May obviously have a problem, and it's not wise to leave it untreated as it could develop into much bigger problem in the future.
Max and May were in deep thought, thinking about what to do, and if they want to listen to Professor Birch's advice, and seek the council of a doctor. They knew that if they do that, they will have to go home, which is something they don't want to do, as they want to continue their journey.
The two siblings continued to think about what to do for a while. In that time, Ash, Serena and Birch were just keeping quiet, and are waiting to hear their decision.
After about 10 minutes, Max and May came to a decision, though they made two separate decisions. May voiced her decision first.
"I have decided to continue to travel." May said, and in return got raised eyebrows from everyone.
"Are you sure about that, May?" Birch asked.
"Yes," May said. "I'm sure Professor. I think that traveling will help me more than if I were to return home and visit some therapists all the time until I'm better, which can last a while, as you said. But if I continue to travel, I will be seeing new places and met new people and Pokémon, and will train my Pokémon. All of that will keep me distracted, and I believe it will be better than being in one place."
Ash, Serena and Birch smiled at May, and nodded, showing they were happy by the choice she made.
Then, they all looked at Max, and waited to hear his decision. Max saw all of them look at him, and after a few seconds, he sighed and said. "I have decided to go home."
This shocked everyone there, as none expected it. In fact, Ash, Serena and Birch were sure May will be the one who will chose to go home, while Max will chose to stay and travel.
"But why," May asked? "I thought you wanted to travel with us, and learn from Ash."
"I did… I do," Max said. "But I think I need some time alone to think about all that happened, and seek help, as I don't think I'll be able to forget about it just by traveling and training like you think you will. Also, I do plan to return and travel with you after some time. I'll stay home for about a month or two, after which I'll return, since I assume by then I'll be better."
Everyone was silent for a little while, thinking about Max's choice.
Ash and Serena were sad that Max decided to go home for a while, and even though he says he will return after some time, they are not 100% sure he will.
May was also sad, but was also relived, as Max will get the help he needs. She didn't want to go home, as she was sure it won't help her one bit, but if Max thinks he will be better home, then he can go and she won't try to stop him.
Birch on the other hand was nervous, as he knew what's currently going on in May's and Max's house, and he knew that Max will not be happy when he finds out about it. And when he does find out, it might make his problem worse instead of better as he thinks it will. Of course, he could try to convince him to stay and travel with the others, but that would be suspicious to the others, and they might ask questions he doesn't want to answer, nor he really has the right to answer them. It was Norman's and Caroline's job to inform their children about their problem. He just informed Ash as he thought it to be a good idea, but he doesn't dare to say anything to May and Max.
"Well, if that is the decision you made, Max, we will respect it," Ash said, getting surprised looks from the others, though he didn't pay any attention to it. "When do you plan to go back, and how?"
"I don't know," Max said. "I guess I can call mom and dad, and tell them to wait for me in Rustboro City or Slateport City. I can just catch a ferry to there, and go alone, while you stay here."
"Actually, I can take you to Petalburg City when I leave in a few days." Birch said.
"Are you sure?" Max asked.
"Yes," Birch nodded with a smile. "I just have to do some more research here for the next two days, and then we will go."
The others agreed with that, and then they all ate their breakfast, while making plans for that day. "I'll continue my training after breakfast," Ash said, and Serena said she will join him.
Max and May thought about staying in the Pokémon Center, or just go out and watch Ash and Serena train, but Birch convinced them to come with him while he goes to do some Pokémon Research. Max was all for it, while May was convinced, so in the end, it was decided what they will do that day. As for the next day or two before Max and Professor Birch leave the Dewford Island, they will decided later.
XXX
On one part of the Dewford Island, a flying ship descendent from the air, and landed on the clearing in the forest. From inside of the ship came a man in red uniform along with a hood over his head. He was wearing a large smile on his face.
XXX
After everyone split up in two groups, Serena and Ash went on the secluded part of the beach to train, while Birch, Max and May went to the other part of the island, and walked toward the cave.
"So, what do you expect to find in this cave, Professor Birch?" Max asked as the three of them walked toward the entrance of the cave, similar to the Granite Cave.
"I think that this cave might have some wild Golbat," Birch said.
"Ok then, let's go and check it out," May said, and the three walked inside of the cave.
After a few minutes of walking, and some comments from Max how this cave is a bit different from the Granite Cave even though the entrance was similar, the group of three arrived at the end of that cave, and much to their surprise, there was a wooden door there. On each side of the door there were two lamps with fire in them, to provide some light.
"Why is there a door inside of the cave?" May asked, though no one answered. Instead, Max approached to it before he knocked.
"Hey, is anyone is there," Max called, but no one answered? He then turned the door handle to the side, and the door opened. "What the… it's unlocked." He said looking at May and Birch, who were confused.
"Let's see what's inside," May said, and pulled the door open, allowing the three of them to see inside. They were quite surprised when they saw a chamber, which sort of looked like a room, with green painted walls, a lunch desk with a single chair in the middle of the room, along with a small TV on the shelf right across from the door. On top of that, there was a book shelf on the right side from the entrance, a map of Hoenn Region on the wall left from the entrance door. Also on the left side of the room, there was a blue desk with a computer on it. There was a bed, and a small armchair, along with few other stuff like pictures on the wall, a few flower pots, and some boxes.
"Who the hell would have built all of this here," May wondered, while looking at the room. "Just look at this computer, and that TV set. This must have cost a lot."
"Yeah, and look at all of this books about Pokémon," Max added, while looking at the shelf with the books. "I'd say this place must belong to some researcher, but there are also books on battle strategies, and not just books on Pokémon research. So whoever owns this place, is not just researcher like you Professor Birch, but is also interested in battles."
"Interesting deduction, Max," Birch said, while also looking around. "And I must say I agree with you."
"HEY, get your hands of off that," a voice yelled, and when May, Max and Birch looked at where it came from, they saw a boy around 10 years of age glaring at them! On the floor in front of the boy was a Nincada, who was glaring at them just like its trainer. "Who allowed you to enter into my secret base?"
"Wow, that's a Nincada," Max said while looking at the Pokémon.
"A secret base," May added, while Birch apologized saying how they didn't know there was a base there in the first place, and were interested when they run into it.
The kid blew his top, and yelled at them to get out. He even sent his Nincada to use Furry Swipes at the siblings and the professor.
The three yelled, as they flew through the door, and started to run from the room. "Get out of here, and never come back!" The kid yelled after them from the door.
Few minutes later, May and Max were lying on the ground, while Birch was seating next to them. They were all tired from a few hundred meters long sprint they just went through.
"What's with that guy," May asked while taking heavy breaths. "He sure has a temper, doesn't he?"
"Well, we can't really blame him," Birch said. "We just entered in there without question, and he got angry."
"But who is he," Max asked? "And why would he build a secret base here?"
"I'm pretty sure he is a Pokémon trainer," Burch said. "As for why he build a base here of all places, that I do not know."
After few minutes, May and Max regained their breath, and so Professor Birch led them to the next cave. "Let's just hope there are no secret bases in that next cave." May commented, making Max and Birch laugh.
XXX
On the shore, close to where the cave May, Max and Birch visited just few minutes ago, a submarine came out to the surface of the ocean.
On top of the submarine, there were several people dressed in a blue and gray diving uniforms, and wearing diving equipment. They were led by a dark skinned woman with black hair and two light blue bangs. Her uniform is different from the others who were with her, as she was wearing long dark and light blue pants along with light and dark blue midriff long-sleeve top.
After few moments of looking at the island, the leading woman placed a diving gear on her face, and they all dived into the ocean.
XXX
A little over an hour after May, Max and Birch left the first cave they visited, and went to the other, they came out from that other cave, with Max commenting how he has never seen so many Golbat in one place.
"Golbat live in a caves like this one, so if you ever want to catch a Zubat or its line, the caves are the best place to look," Birch said to Max, who nodded. "Also, during the daylight, Zubat and its evolved forms will just stay on the cave ceiling without moving at all, and could be easier to capture. They also won't attack you during the day if you are simply passing through, but during the night, it's best not to find yourself deep inside of the cave, and if you must enter the cave, just stay as close to the exit as possible."
As the two were walking ahead, while May was behind them, May stopped as she saw something, and then called Max and Professor Birch. "Isn't that the guy who chased us from that cave earlier?" May asked the two, who looked at the kid who was seating on the rock, with his Nincada next to him.
"I think he is," Max said. "But what's he doing here?"
"Let's go and check it out," Birch said, and May and Max walked in front of him toward the other kid.
"Hey, remember us," May asked? "Sorry about earlier. We shouldn't have entered into your base, but we were just too curious when we saw it.
"But anyway, I'm May. What's your name?"
"Ahm, my name is Keanu," the kid introduced himself, before he looked away from the group.
"So, why are you here," May asked? "I thought you would have been in that base. It really is a nice looking place."
"Well, you see," Keanu started to explain how after he chased them away from his base, some people in red uniforms broke into his secret base, and chased him out. He doesn't know why they are there, nor he dares to go and check it out to see if they are still there or have they left.
"People in red uniforms," Birch thought out loud. He didn't know who they could be, though he wants to find out.
"Maybe they are like Team Aqua," Max suggested, and got curious looks from the others, including Keanu. "Remember Team Aqua, May. We saw one of them in Devon Corporation when he broke in."
"Right, that guy," May remembered. "But he had blue uniform, not red."
"Yes, that's why I think they might be two teams," Max said. "One is Team Aqua while the other is this one with red uniforms."
"That could be true," May said. "But what would they want with Keanu's base? Why did you even build that base there?" She asked while looking at Keanu.
"W-Well, you see," Keanu stuttered. "I-I haven't been able to win a single battle so far."
"What, really?" Max asked, and in return he got an angry look from Keanu, while May bonked him on the head. "Sorry."
"I love Pokémon," Keanu said. "But I hate battling because I always lose."
"Yeah, it's not funny to lose," Max commented.
"Now, it's got to the point I'm a big letdown to my Nincada," Keanu said. "So I built that base to train."
"How did you even do that," Max asked. "There are some expensive and heavy stuff there. I didn't think you could have done it by yourself."
"It wasn't easy, and it took a while," Keanu said. "But eventually I was able to do it, and I started to learn and train with Nincada, so we can become better, and win some battle."
Suddenly, May exploded, and yelled at Keanu how he can't win a battle without an opponent, that he needs to catch some Pokémon, train with them, and not only focus on one Pokémon.
"You are being too hard on Keanu, May," Max said. "Besides, he's been alone with no one to give him pointers. I'm pretty sure you would have been even worse if it wasn't for Ash and Serena who helped you."
May fell on her face as she heard this, and pouted.
Max sighed at May's antics, and then smiled at Keanu. "How about we help you train?" Max asked.
"Really," Keanu questioned with raised eyebrows. "You'd do that from me."
"Sure," Max said. "But first, we need to see who was it that took over your base and why."
"Ahm, I'm all for helping, Max," Birch said. "But I don't think it would be safe to go and mess around with some people we don't know. For all we know they are most likely criminals, and we would be in deep trouble if they catch us."
"But we can't let this go, Professor Birch," Max said. "Keanu worked really hard to make that secret base, and we can't let it be taken from him by some punks."
May agreed with her brother, and the two of them, along with Keanu glared at Professor Birch, making him nervous.
"Let's at least get to Ash first, and then with his help we can figure this out." Birch suggested, and May and Max looked at each other thinking if they should do that. Keanu was wondering who Ash is, and how could he make the retrieval of his secret base less dangerous.
After about half a minute of thinking, May said. "Ash and Serena are too far away from here. We would be wasting time, and by then who known what those criminals would do with Keanu's base.
"I think we should just go, and deal with this alone. I have all of my Pokémon, and Max has his Poochyena. Even Keanu has a Pokémon, so with all of us, we should be able to deal with anything."
Birch sighed, and seeing that there is no point in arguing with May and Max, he agreed to go and help Keanu recover his secret base from whoever took it from him.
Keanu was happy to have some help, and so the four of them went to Keanu's secret base, while not knowing what awaits them there.
XXX
When Team Magma broke into Keanu's secret base and chased him out from there, they brought in a big drill, which they are now using to dig a hole in the wall opposite from the entrance of the base.
The drilling have been going for a while now, until finally it was able to drill the passage through the cave, and broke into the chamber for which barely anyone knew.
Five man and woman in red and gray uniform followed the sixth man, and entered into the chamber, finding themselves in front of a big building with many lines on it.
From the top of the drill came out two small rockets, which embedded into the ceiling of the chamber, before they opened and cast light on the building giving the Team Magma members better view of it.
"Finally I have found the Cave of Origin," the leader of the small team said with a big smile on his face, and then ordered the others to check and see if the preparation for the entrance are in order.
Members of Team Magma went down to the base of the building with the help of the drill, which can also fly.
The leader approached the old stone altar, with many lines on it along with two circled holes on top, with two of the lines going through the circles.
XXX
Max, May, Birch and Keanu arrived at Keanu's secret base, and saw it was in ruins. "Oh no, my secret base," Keanu yelled, while looking ready to cry! "It's… ruined."
"Who could have done this," May wondered out loud, while also looking around.
"Hey, everyone, look at that giant hole," Birch said, walking in front of Keanu. The others looked at it, and Birch said he is sure that hole will lead them to some answers.
"Let's go then," Max said, after which, all four run through the broken wall, and followed the path to wherever it was going.
XXX
Further down into the cave, members of Team Magma were going all over the place searching something with some detectors, but so far are unsuccessful, as they can't find anything.
One of the members of Team Magma reported that they have detected several moving objects in the water coming toward them, while several others were coming from passageway in the cave.
XXX
The gang led by Professor Birch arrived at the end of the cave, and found the chamber with the building.
"Wow, what's with that building," Max asked in awe?
"Somehow I don't think that's a normal building, Max," Birch said, while looking at the so called building with surprised look in his eyes.
XXX
Suddenly, from the water below Team Magma, five members of Team Aqua jumped out and onto the land, while wearing diving gear on their faces.
"Mightyena, Shadow Ball!" Said the leading member of Team Magma's squad to his Pokémon who fired a dark ball from its mouth.
"Hydro Pump!" Countered the dark skinned woman from Team Aqua.
Carvanha shot from inside of the water, and fired its own attack, which clashed with Shadow Ball, after which both attacks exploded, causing a noise loud enough to be heard by the gang, who were on a floor above villainous teams.
"Well, well, what a surprise," said a dark skinned woman. "If it isn't Team Magma."
"In the flesh," leader of Magma's squad said. "It's nice to see you to, Team Aqua."
"We will be taking over from here and handle this," the woman said. "You and your team can move on to other matters.
"If it's possible, we would like to avoid the unnecessary fighting and just complete our assignment. Now go, everyone!"
The members of Team Aqua followed her orders, and run passed the magma squad leader, who just stood there with his Mightyena, and did nothing.
The two squad leaders were arguing the nice way, while May, Max, Birch and Keanu were watching and listening them from the upper level.
"It's Team Aqua," Max said. "The ones we met in Rustboro City. But these other guys, I didn't know about."
"I've heard of them before," Birch said. "In fact, I should have thought about Team Magma as the ones who took over Keanu's base the moment you mentioned Team Aqua earlier. I know the two teams are competing against each other for something, but no one knows for what. Though, I didn't think we would run into them here. We will be in big trouble if they see us."
"Don't you think we could take them on," May asked?
"I don't know," Birch said. "I have heard very little about them, so I don't know their skills. But regardless of their skills, there are quite a bit more of them then there are us, so we will be in trouble even if our Pokémon are stronger than theirs."
None said anything to that, and they all continued to listen.
"Flame one here," the Magma squad leader called to the others through their wireless communications. "Cary out your orders regardless of Team Aqua's infiltration."
"YES SIR!" Came the shouts from the other side of the communication line.
"The power we seek is here," the man from Team Magma said to his female counterpart from Team Aqua. "But the power you seek is not."
The gang wondered what power the man was talking about, so they listened carefully so to not miss something.
"I can say the same thing to you," The woman from Team Aqua said back. "Regardless which of our searches is successful, we will be able to control the power when we find it."
"Is that your way of telling me you brought the Red Orb?" The man asked.
"And what if I have?" The woman asked.
"We'll see," the same said, and his Mightyena growled at the woman, while Carvanha was ready to fight back and protect its trainer if necessary.
The two opponents glared at each other for a few moments, before the woman closed her eyes and sighed, surprising the man.
The gang was listening very carefully and were trying to learn as much as possible, so they can understand what the two members of Team's Aqua and Magma are talking about.
They heard the mentions of Red and Blue orbs but none of them, not even Professor Birch knew what those orbs were and what power they contain. All they found out is that they have some connection to the sea and the land, which was not very enlightening, as it could mean anything.
"This is flame two," came the voice through the communicator in Team magma's squad leader. "The search of all levels is complete! 'G', was not detected anywhere!"
"Roger," the man said. "All unites pull out, immediately."
"Sir, yes sir!" All the others chorused.
"Professor Birch, do you know what they are talking about," Max asked? "What is this power they are mentioning?"
"No Max, I don't know," Birch said with a sigh. "And I don't like not knowing, especially since Team's Aqua and Magma are interested in it. I will have to do some research on this once I return to the lab, and call some people to notify them."
"Haha," the woman laughed. "Well, Tabitha, it would seem this your team was mistaken this time." She said, but then she got the report as well, that said that Team Aqua was also wrong, and that what they are searching for is not there, nor is this place the Cave of Origin, instead only some shrine of worship built by ancient people.
"Understood," the woman said. "Now, disperse!"
"Roger that, ma'am!" She heard from the other side.
"So this wasn't the Cave of Origin after all," Tabitha commented.
"It would seem so," the woman said.
"Cave of Origin," Professor Birch mumbled out. "Where have I heard that name before?"
"Do you know something, Professor?" May asked.
"It's just that the Cave of Origin sounds familiar for some reason, but I can't remember from where."
All members of Team's Magma and Aqua came running toward their squad leaders, while holding Poke Balls in their hands, and looked ready to battle.
May, Max, Birch and Keanu tensed as they wondered what's about to happen, and how far will this go. They decided to just stay quiet, as they knew very well that Birch was right earlier when he said that they would be overpowered by sheer number of enemies, even if their Pokémon were on higher level than the villains.
The two squad leaders glared at each other, while the other foot soldiers glared between themselves. This went on for about half a minute, before Team Aqua squad leader pulled back, and decided it is not worth to battle.
"Return, Carvanha," she said, and Tabitha followed and returned his Mightyena.
Team Aqua then dived into the lake, and left, followed by Team Magma, who also left with their flying drill.
Team Magma passed right next to the gang, who were hiding behind a boulder and were unseen, which made them sigh in relief, as that means they won't have to battle.
"Well, they are all gone," Max said. "And we still don't know what they were looking for."
"I'll do some research on the Cave of Origin, and see what they are trying to pull," Birch said. "That name really sounds familiar, and for some reason I have a feeling I will not like it when I remember where I know it from."
"Maybe Ash knows," May nodded, and the others look at her. "He is an Aura Guardian, and I have learned that he seems to know a lot, so I'm sure he will know at least something about what Team's Aqua and Magma are trying to do, if not everything."
"Hm, I think you might be right, May," Birch said. "Ok then, let's go and talk with Ash. I really want to know what's going on here, and I won't have peace until I find out."
"Wait, what about you, Keanu," Max asked, as he looked at the boy, who was there with them, but was quiet all this time? "What are you going to do now when you secret base is destroyed."
"I don't know," Keanu sighed, and looked at the ground and at his Nincada, who was at his feet looking back at its trainer. "I guess I can build a new one. It will take us a while, but this place seems interesting, and we might make a use of it and train here."
"Well, it's certainly big enough to train here," May said, as she looked around. "You have land and water, plus the chamber is spacious enough to train Flying Pokémon, so I think you can do well to train here."
"I still believe that you need to battle someone, and not just train," Max said. "Training can make your Pokémon stronger, but it's through battle that they will gain experience, and you will be able to make some battle tactics which you can use in the future."
"Why don't the two of you have a battle, Max," Birch asked, and everyone looked at him, with Keanu's eyes widened in surprise?
"Right, I did offer earlier to help Keanu train," Max said, and then looked at Keanu, who was looking at him. "So, what do you say? Do you want to have a one-on-one battle? I only have one Pokémon, so I can't do more than that, unfortunately."
Keanu thought about it for a minute, before he cast a look at his Nincada, who nodded. In the end, Keanu agreed to have a battle against Max. They walked out of the cave first, though, as they didn't want to accidently damage anything.
"Poochyena, come on out!" Max released his Pokémon, and Keanu followed and sent his Nincada.
Professor Birch decided to be a referee, so he announced the match and seeing that both trainers are ready, he started it. "BEGIN!"