Cianwood City, Pokémon Center
Jackson took a stretch before going back to his writing, continuing off from where he wrote before.
"We continued to increase our ranking as a Rescue Team, eventually going from Rookie rank to Normal, and finally Bronze. The day after we reached that amazing rank, we got a mission from a Jumpluff we encountered before. She had asked Shiftry's rescue team to save her sibling Jumpluff from the Silent Chasm. However, that was several days ago, and he had not returned. Also, there were legends that a monster lived in that area, which scared Squirtle. Regardless, it was up to Team Blade to step in and rescue both Jumpluff and Shiftry. So it was off to Silent Chasm we went."
(Insert 'Storyteller' by TRUE, TV Size)
Opening
(Camera goes through a swirling rainbow mist, before reappearing flying along the open blue sky on an open plain. Leafeon appears, running along the open plains, followed by Squirtle,racing as fast as he can. Finally, Jackson the Torchic joins them, leading them in the center of the group. A Pelipper flies in from behind, before dropping a Rescue Team badge, with the logo 'Jackson in Johto: Mystery Dungeon arc')
Give a name to that nameless flower
(Jackson opens his eyes as he wakes up in the home base, with Leafeon waking up with him.)
So you can bear the coldness of being alone
(The pair walk out of the house to be greeted by Squirtle as he ushered them with him to the Pokémon Square.)
The more beautiful something is,
The easier it is to break
(In Pokémon Square, Jackson and Squirtle are talking to the Kecleon brothers on buying supplies, while Leafeon speaks with the town residents for information.)
So it's no longer fragile
(The trio stare at the bulletin board to see all the rescue requests, before Squirtle grabs one to start.)
Like adding a color to a clear body
(Showing off the groups of Caterpie and his family and friends, to the Magnemite, to Diglett and Dugtrio, to Absol.)
Beyond the pages I have read
You were smiling and welcoming me
(Showing off the teams introduced, such as Shiftry's team, Team A.C.T, and Team Meanies ending with Gengar's sinister grin, followed by Xatu spreading his wings out over the sunset peak.)
No matter when, no matter how often
Let's start a new world
We are the Storyteller
(Jackson leads the team through a rocky mystery dungeon, unleashing flames from his mouth, with Squirtle coming in and shooting a jet of water forward, ending with Leafeon finishing a Solarbeam at wild Pokémon, creating a dust cloud. The cloud vanishes, revealing the trio together, determined and pressing onward.)
Love, hope, envy and even the despair of today
(A group of weakened Pokémon in the dark saw the light come in, as Jackson and his team appeared, smiling as they come to rescue them.)
They will be fuel
Let them push you to be stronger
(The Rescue Team Badge shifts from Rookie level, to Normal, then Bronze, then Silver, and finally Gold, which shines brightly.)
Saving someone always comes at the cost of someone else's tears
That's so sad
(Inside the rainbow environment, Jackson is standing there, looking up at the floating Gardevoir, who smiles gently at him, while he looks back with a sad look.)
Ideal and fantasy
Will be mixed with a young instinct
(A dark scene with the images of Skarmory, followed by Zapdos, Moltres, Articuno, then Groudon, and finishing with Rayquaza flying underneath a falling meteor, all large before the trio of heroes.)
True me, reborn
Now
(The trio, fearless about the enemies before them, leapt in to fight them. The screen goes white, before the desk in Jackson's room in Cianwood Pokémon Center appears at daybreak, the light breeze gently flipping Jackson's journal of this adventure.)
Silent Chasm
After several floors to get through, Jackson, Squirtle, Leafeon, and Magnemite finally reached the bottom floor, which led to a wide, straight rocky path ahead.
"According to Jumpluff, this was the floor where her friend was at." Leafeon noted.
"Jumpluff's friend is supposed to be around here, right?" Squirtle asked.
"BZBZBZZ! Right ahead." Magnemite told the team, and they turned to see a Jumpluff approaching them, looking a bit nervous.
"We came looking for you." Jackson told the approaching Jumpluff, "Are you doing okay?"
"Yes… I'm fine, but…" Jumpluff answered.
"Great! Your friend is waiting for you." Squirtle said happily.
"Shiftry is in the back…" Jumpluff told them.
"Huh? Shiftry?" Leafeon asked as the others looked surprised. After the way they encountered him first, they assumed he would just high-tail it out of the request from Jumpluff, since it wasn't a high-paying job. But it turns out he was here, after all.
"Let's go to him!" Squirtle told the team, and they charged towards the area where Shiftry was, Jumpluff right behind them. When they arrived, they found him face down on the ground, barely able to move.
"Hey! Are you all right?" Squirtle asked.
"Get it together!" Leafeon told him.
Shiftry groaned before he answered, "Forget about me… Get away from here!"
"Get away?" Jackson echoed, wondering why he would say that.
Suddenly the sky grew dark around the place, and bolts of electricity coursed through the sky. A bolt shot down towards the group, pushing them away from Shiftry. Magnemite was started to spark a bit from the electricity in the air.
"Wh-what happened?!" Squirtle asked, panicked, "It's pitch-black! I can't see!"
"Guys… I don't think this a natural storm…" Jackson muttered, looking above.
There was a screech like a bird cry. It was loud and sent shivers down everyone's spine.
"It's coming!" Shiftry stated, as his body became surrounded in red electricity. It consumed him, as more lightning caused the four Rescue Team members to keep themselves even further away from him. This was followed by a black shadow descending from above, encased in volts that made it even more terrifying.
"Move aside, you! He dared to disturb my sleep!" The avian accused, its eyes glinting ferociously, "I have no mercy for meddlers! And that includes you!"
With one shocking surge of electricity, the team saw the Pokémon in full color. It was yellow and black, spiked feathers like lightning bolts, with a yellow beak and sharp eyes. It lifted Shiftry off the ground with its electricity, who hung limp in the air, before one final flash of lightning made him disappear.
"Sh-Shiftry's gone!" Squirtle gasped, shaking in fright.
"Leafeon, have any clue who this is?!" Jackson asked, "Cause I am getting the same vibes I got from Raikou back in Ecruteak!"
"You would. Raikou is the Electric-type among the Legendary Beasts." Leafeon replied, looking prepared to fight, "This one is the Electric-type among the Legendary Birds, their aviary counterpart, Zapdos!"
"You are well informed!" Zapdos replied, "Indeed, I am Zapdos! The embodiment of lightning! If you wish to save Shiftry, then scale Mt. Thunder." He made one last cry as thunder rain all about it, before one last flash, and he vanished, leaving the team alone, frozen in shock at what they just witnessed.
(Jackson writing) "Zapdos was an incredibly threatening force from our first encounter with him. Sure we were shaken up, but we still brought Jumpluff back to her friend. Even so, Shiftry needed to be saved."
"That was when we encountered Team A.C.T again, the ace team of the place. Alakazam was quite wise about Zapdos's capability, but we still wanted to go, despite his, Charizard's, and Tyranitar's notes of how dangerous it was, we still chose to go forth and take on Zapdos.
Deciding not to underestimate the power of a Legendary Pokémon, we went to Makuhita's dojo to train ourselves hard. We gained new moves for the mission. Regardless, Magnemite chose not to come with us. He was clearly outclassed in the electric department by Zapdos, so we agreed to leave him behind to hold down the fort. We had recruited other members to our team, and during one time, found a hungry Larvitar that we rescued. Being a Rock/Ground-type, he was perfect for our battle. So we chose him as we went up to Mt. Thunder…"
Mt. Thunder Peak
Jackson and his team had reached the summit of the mountain. The rocks around the area were yellow like the flash of lightning. They looked about, seeing the lightning in the sky.
"This is the summit." Squirtle noted.
"You doing okay, Larvitar?" Leafeon asked their new adventurer.
"Please. I'm doing fine!" Larvitar answered, "This mountain was nothing! After all, I am the pre-evolution of Tyranitar!"
'Boisterous about who he can evolve into, but he is strong, nevertheless.' Leafeon stated mentally with a sweat-dropped expression.
"Zapdos, come on out!" Jackson shouted, getting ahead of the team, "We're here like you said! We came to rescue Shiftry!"
Suddenly, there were forks of lightning, and in a great blast, Zapdos came calling, frightening Squirtle, while making Larvitar lose his cool a bit. Jackson and Leafeon, on the other hand, held their ground.
"I warned you! I have no mercy for meddlers!" Zapdos told the group.
"Not scared… You don't frighten me!" Squirtle whimpered, before finding the courage to come forth and shout, "Hey, Zapdos! We demand you release Shiftry!"
"That's right, cause we're Team Blade. A rescue team!" Jackson declared, the four team coming together to fight.
"You must be determined, to utter such words." Zapdos stated, "Then you shall answer… to my great and righteous fury! Thunderbolt!" He suddenly shot down lightning from above, raining down onto the battlefield, causing everyone to scatter but Larvitar, who charged in, taking the bolts with no problem.
"I can easily take all those Thunderbolts you can dish out!" Larvitar called out, "But how about this?! Rock Slide!" He suddenly produced rocks all above Zapdos, and rained them down onto the bird, causing him damage.
"You think that will stop me?! Steel Wing!" Zapdos shouted, launching forward with glowing metallic wings, causing super-effective damage to Larvitar, making him fly in pain. "Steel is only amplified by my electricity! They work together as one!" He shouted.
"So Zapdos has a counter for him." Jackson grimaced, "Still, Larvitar, recover and keep at it! We'll provide cover! Squirtle!"
"I'm on it! Water Pulse!" Squirtle shouted, shooting a compressed ball of water at Zapdos, who got caught in the attack.
"Time to get close in! Leaf Blade!" Leafeon shouted, leaping in and unleashing a slash with her tail, striking Zapdos at the neck. Despite it being not very effective, it did some damage that caused him to flinch.
"Shiftry's used a similar attack, but it is clear you have the more power!" Zapdos commended Leafeon, his body glowing with energy, "But you will still fall just like him! Sky Attack!" The Flying/Electric-type shot at Leafeon while encased in energy, and struck her hard, causing her to fly backwards, nearly fall off the edge of the mountain top.
"Leafeon!" Jackson shouted, getting in her path, and gripping the ground as he caught her with his body, stopping her from flying off.
"Thanks, Jackson…" Leafeon thanked him.
"We're not out of the woods yet." Jackson noted, "Time to try out that new move of yours."
"Right." Leafeon replied, getting up as Squirtle and Larvitar barely evaded Thunderbolts from Zapdos, unleashing a Rapid Spin and Chip Away combo that made Zapdos flinch, but strike them right back with an Ancient Power attack.
"Squirtle, get ready!" Jackson called out, "We're bringing out the sun!"
"You mean…" Squirtle realized, saying, "Got it!"
"Kay, here goes. Sunny Day!" Leafeon shouted, shooting energy high into the air, parting the storm clouds, and making the sunlight shine down onto the battlefield.
"The sun?!" Zapdos looked up in shock, "You parted my storm with the sun?!"
"The downside is that Squirtle's Water Pulse won't do so good here." Jackson noted, running ahead of Leafeon, "But the upside…" Leafeon then started to dash, and she shot right past Jackson in breakneck speeds, "Is that it gives me and Leafeon a boost!"
Squirtle and Larvitar looked amazed as Leafeon shot by them in a blink, the former saying, "It's so incredible! Leafeon's Chlorophyll ability is so amazing!"
Leafeon dashed about Zapdos, who was startled at not only how fast she was, but also how in control she was with her movements. "I can't…keep up!" Zapdos gasped, trying to swing his Steel Wings at Leafeon, only for her to evade the moves. He kept getting countered by Leafeon's Quick Attack, striking him over and over again.
"Evade, Leafeon. Fire Spin!" Jackson shouted, spewing flames from his mouth that swirled around Zapdos, burning him and trapping it in a vortex.
"This… will not stop me!" Zapdos growled, using electricity to purge the flames away from it.
"Nah, but this will!" Jackson called out, and Zapdos realized, too late, that the four opponents had him surrounded on all sides. That was when they unleashed all of their long-ranged attacks.
"Solarbeam!"
"Water Pulse!"
"Rock Slide!"
"Flame Burst!"
All four shot their attacks simultaneously, the sun causing Leafeon to shoot her Solarbeam quicker, and Jackson's Flame Burst being amplified by it. It caused Zapdos to shrill in pain from the combined moves, making it crash to the ground. Their last attack was a devastating blow to the Legendary Pokémon.
The team glared at Zapdos as it barely stood on its talons, too weak to fly. Leafeon's ears perked up, and she led everyone else as they saw team A.C.T appear right behind them, arriving on the scene to assist. However, upon realizing what had happened, they all looked shocked.
"Wh-What is going on?" Alakazam asked.
Zapdos was finally able to find its second wind, and get back into the air, charging electricity into its beak to fire off another move. Charizard flew in and got in between it and the younger rescue team. "Oh, you want more?!" He asked, "Then bring it on!"
Zapdos looked like it was about to fire its attack. However, it stopped producing electricity, and merely flew there, saying, "Enough! That's enough fighting. I've calmed down. Take Shiftry back." It looked to Jackson and Squirtle, who stood close to one another in the midst of what just happened, and said, "You kids… You've impressed me. But… things won't be this easy next time. I will go all out next time, so you'd best be prepared! Until then, you'd better hone your skills!"
"That's fine. I wouldn't mind another match with you, Zapdos." Jackson stated, "We'll get stronger, so we can be an even bigger match for you!"
Zapdos looked to Jackson, seeing he was serious about what he had said. Squirtle looked hesitant, but nodded in agreement. Zapdos huffed at his declaration of a rematch, before taking off into the sky, vanishing into the reformed storm clouds. In his place, Shiftry reappeared again, hanging from the red electricity binding him.
"Look! There's Shiftry!" Squirtle stated, as he floated back down to the ground. Team Blade and A.C.T gathered around Shiftry as electricity dissipated around him, making him limply fall to the ground.
"Are you okay?" Charizard asked.
Shiftry was somehow able to get to his feet, groaning in pain as he replied, "Uh, yeah… Somehow, I am…"
"I'm glad you're safe!" Squirtle said happily.
"But that was an eye-opener." Tyranitar noted, looking to Team Blade, Larvitar admiring him in awe, "Driving off that Zapdos."
"I agree. Charizard seconded, looking to Jackson and Leafeon in particular, "You're awfully strong for a plain Torchic. Same goes for you, Leafeon."
"Well, let's just say we have more experience in these sorts of battles than you think." Leafeon noted, smiling at the secret they were keeping.
However, Alakazam looked intensely at the pair, before saying, "I sensed it when we first met… Perhaps… You, Torchic, aren't a Pokémon, are you?"
Everyone looked shocked at this as Jackson asked, "Wait, how did you know?!"
"Jackson!" Leafeon called out. Beforehand, they chose not to tell anyone else about Jackson being human, as that might cause controversy. However, Jackson did have a blunt tongue for a swordsman.
"Well… he's not wrong." Squirtle answered Alakazam's query, "He was once human."
"What?!" Shiftry gasped.
"A human?!" Charizard followed.
"Is that possible? Can something like that happen?" Tyranitar asked.
"Yeah, I don't get it, either." Jackson replied, "I was traveling across the sea with Leafeon, got thrown into a whirlpool, and now I am a Torchic in a completely different world."
Squirtle then gasped, saying, "Wait! The people in the town square said something! They said 'Alakazam knows everything!' Sir, do you know why Jackson became a Pokémon?"
Everyone looked to Alakazam before he answered, "No. I can't determine that." Squirtle, Jackson, and Leafeon looked rather discontent at the answer, until he continued, "However, there is a way to unveil the truth."
"Really? How?" Leafeon asked.
"Make your way to the Hill of the Ancients." Alakazam instructed, "There, you will find a Pokémon that stares into the sun all day. A Pokémon who is said to see into the future. Xatu is his name. He should shed light on your puzzling friend."
"That makes sense. I have heard rumors about how Xatu are able to see into the future." Leafeon noted.
"Okay! So we should go see Xatu." Squirtle decided.
"Right. As soon as we recover and get ourselves prepared, we'll head to the Hill of the Ancients!" Jackson told the team, who nodded in agreement. Time to get some truths answered.
(Jackson writing) "I knew that Alakazam wasn't telling the full truth. One of the mental lessons I learned back in Ryouzanpaku was that you shouldn't take someone's words for granted. You should also look at their eyes, and hear their hearts. They can often tell the truth more than the mouth. Still, I felt like this was something I needed to let go. He didn't want to say something for a reason. So I decided to search for the truth myself… after we did some more rescues."
"We needed to improve our skills, and so we did, which resulted in us reaching Silver Rank, impressing a lot of Pokémon. We had only started recently, but we were still rising stars among rescue teams. With that, we chose to go and take off to the Great Canyon, where the Hill of the Ancients was at…"
Great Canyon, Hill of the Ancients
Jackson and Squirtle led Leafeon and Magnemite together to the end of the maze, noticing they had reached the top of the canyon.
"Yes! We finally made it to the top, Jackson!" Squirtle cheered, seeing their destination.
"So I see. So this is the Hill of the Ancients." Leafeon understood, looking about, before noticing something, and stating, "Look! Over there!" Everyone looked towards where Leafeon was staring, and saw what they thought was initially a totem pole of a bird. However, upon closer inspection, they realized that it was a Pokémon.
"BZBZBZZ! Confirmed the sighting of Xatu." Magnemite noted.
"So that's Xatu." Jackson understood.
The group approached Xatu as one, coming to a halt as Squirtle called out, "Excuse me? Are you maybe the Xatu we're looking for?" There was no response from the Pokémon. "Hello?" Squirtle called out. Nothing.
"Maybe he doesn't hear you?" Jackson asked, "Seems like he staring into space."
Squirtle tried calling out to him a couple times, even getting in his ear and shouting, but there was no response. "It's useless. He's not responding at all." Squirtle sighed.
"I've heard Xatu tend to be an intense focus like this, but this is next level." Leafeon argued, "Usually, it'll take something powerful to wake him up."
Jackson paused, thinking for a moment, before realizing, "Wait! I remembered a couple times when I became completely focused in meditation back home, my sister's silly idea would be to tickle me, and that would bring me out of it. Let's try that."
"Huh? Tickle him?" Squirtle echoed.
"Let's try it." Leafeon answered, going up to Xatu with Jackson. Using Leafeon's tail and Jackson's feathers, they begun tickling the Pokémon all over. However, there was no response.
"It's no good, guys. He's not responding." Squirtle sighed.
"Maybe a little shock will break him out of trance." Magnemite suggested, making the magnets on its body spark.
"NO! He's a Flying-type, so that would end up-!" Squirtle started, but this stopped when they heard Xatu snort. They turned to see him starting to giggle, before going into a hysterical laugh. The others sweat-dropped at this.
"He's laughing now?" Jackson asked.
"That is one delayed reaction." Leafeon muttered.
Suddenly, Xatu made a screech, causing the team to jump in shock, before he began to speak. "Witness it… The sinking of the sun…" He turned to the group, addressing them as he continued, "Indeed. I am Xatu. You discerned my true identity. You are not an ordinary sort."
"Guessed your identity?" Squirtle echoed, "That's a bit much."
"No. I can tell this." Xatu answered, looking to Jackson, "You there. You are no ordinary Pokémon. You are human, yes?" The team was rather amazed that he caught on so quick.
"How can you tell that?!" Squirtle asked.
"All day… I stare at the sun unblinking." Xatu answered, turning to the setting sun, "It gives me sight for all things. The past and the future, too."
"If you know, then why don't you explain things to us, Xatu!" Leafeon addressed him, "Jackson here is my trainer, but when we fallen by accident, we woke up here in this land, with Jackson as a Pokémon."
"She's right. I need to know why Leafeon and I were sent here." Jackson asked the future seer.
Xatu paused for a moment, before he began, "The calamities of nature. There have been many in recent times. They occur because the world's balance is upset. And your becoming a Pokémon… They are tied together. Inseparably so."
"Wait." Squirtle intervened, "Jackson becoming a Pokémon and… the Natural disasters… They're related?! What do you mean?! What does Jackson have to do with the natural disasters we've been seeing?"
Xatu didn't respond to this, but remained stock-still. "Sir, we beg of you!" Leafeon pleaded, "Why don't you tell us what is going on?!"
"There are bigger concerns… I am afraid…" Xatu spoke again, "The world's balance… It must be restored. Or the unthinkable shall befall our world."
"Wait… You're not saying…?" Jackson started, "This world… is reaching its doom unless we restore its balance?"
Xatu turned to the setting sun, and replied, "Every day, I see it. The same future every day. I dread it…"
"Xa-Xatu…" Squirtle whimpered, worried.
"I fear it… The world's destruction." Xatu finished.
"The world's destruction?" Jackson echoed, fearing that future, as well.
(Jackson writing) "I was dreading that future, and felt deep in my heart a desire to protect the world. But how was my reincarnation here the connected to the calamity. Was I responsible for it? Or was it something else?"
"The next day, we learned of a tale from the local townsfolk and Whiscash, known as the Ninetails legend, which they learned to be true. The tale was this; If someone touched the tail of a Ninetails, they would be cursed for a thousand years. However, a human did just that, and was about to be cursed by Ninetails. However, his partner, Gardevoir, stepped in and absorbed the curse herself, for the sake of her beloved trainer, who cowardly ran. Ninetails predicted that the human would transform into a Pokémon, and when he did, the world's balance would be upset."
"This story did stir us up, but Leafeon made us see reason. Jackson knew his past, and as such, knew he couldn't have been the human, relieving Squirtle. However, there was a sense of dread in the air, and we were about to find out what it was. Plus, it didn't help that the night before, Leafeon and I had a shared dream, where we learned the identity of the mysterious character in my dreams was none other than Gardevoir herself…"
"After a couple days since we met Xatu, I ended up learning that we weren't the only ones who learned of this. What we didn't realize was that Gengar of Team Meanies had also heard, and used it to his advantage to get his revenge on us…"
Pokemon Square
Gengar had just finished explaining about what Xatu spoke of, and how it is compared to the Ninetails legend, this riled everyone up, as they already were fearing the calamities happening about the world. Jackson, Leafeon, and Squirtle all listened in on this with anger at what Gengar was doing.
"Now now, people. There's no need to panic." He assured them, "Why, I think there's a way we can do something about this. Kekeh!"
"Wha-what can we do?" Snubull, one of the townsfolk, asked.
"Oh, it's quite simple, actually." Gengar answered, his perpetual grin on his face, "If the world's balance is upset by a human becoming a Pokémon, then if the human is gone, everything should return to normal, correct?" The crowd voiced their agreement, while Jackson's worries grew. Now he knew what the dreaded feeling he had was about.
"Kekeh! And that human is the rotten coward that abandoned Gardevoir, correct?" Gengar reminded, "I don't the human can complain about anything if we get rid of it." He then snapped his eyes on his target as he asked, "Isn't that right, Jackson?" The crowd drew its attention to Jackson, voicing their shock and wondering if this was true.
"W-w-wait! This is, like…" Squirtle stammered, "There's a good explanation for…"
"We weren't talking to you!" Snubull barked, "Hey, Jackson! Is what Gengar said true?! Are you the human?!"
Squirtle and Leafeon looked to Jackson, who looked down, thinking. It's not like he could lie about this now. He then looked up, and answered, "Yeah. I was human." This made everyone gasp in shock.
Gengar laughed as he said, "I can't believe you flat out said the truth, Jackson! That's how it is, fellow Pokémon. Let's get rid of Jackson and regain peace." He cackled as everyone's glares turned to Jackson once again, as Leafeon and Squirtle backed off.
"You're wrong!" Jackson replied, "I mean, yeah, I was human, but I wasn't the one from the Ninetails legend! Leafeon is actually my partner Pokémon, so she can vouch for me, right?"
"It's true!" Leafeon agreed, "Jackson was my trainer! He doesn't even have a Gardevoir, let alone met a Ninetails!"
Their words fell on deaf ears, as the audience was too riled up to listen to reason. Jackson looked to Gengar, who's grin was larger than before. He wanted Jackson to be the one who everyone turned their ire towards.
"Jackson, run!" Squirtle cried out. Jackson and Leafeon, seeing no reasoning here, turned and ran away with their partner, escaping the wrath of the crowd.
(Jackson writing) "We couldn't convince anyone. We wondered what to do. That's when Team A.C.T came and gave us a warning; run and discover the truth. The next time we would meet, we would be enemies. So, with aid from Magnemite, Larvitar, and even a few townsfolk who believed us to be good people, we fled as fugitives, just the three of us. Our goal; Survive, and learn who really was the human who would bring calamity in the world."
"Our journey was anything but easy. The natural calamities were everywhere, but we persevered, making our way through vast caves and mountains, until we reached reached a certain peak of a volcano…"
Mt. Blaze Peak
The trio of vigilantes finally made out of the Mt. Blaze's mystery dungeon, looking about the place. "Is this it? Is this Mt. Blaze's summit?" Squirtle asked.
"Leafeon, are you okay?" Jackson asked, looking to his partner.
"If those Pokémon before weren't activating the sun, I'd probably be a roasted Pokémon by now…" Leafeon sighed, beads of sweat coming off of her.
Squirtle joined her side as Jackson looked about, saying, "Still, pretty amazing. I've been to a volcano before, but I am not really bothered by it like I was before. Maybe it's due to being a Fire-type."
"And is it just me, or is the lava flow much higher than normal?" Squirtle questioned, "This might also have a link to the natural calamities…" His face went red as he grimaced and said, "It's like a furnace! I'm getting roasted!"
"Try being in my position." The Grass-type argued, "I don't want to spend any time in a place this dangerous. Let's get through this quick." The other two nodded in agreement.
Just then, the sky went dark around them, as a voice boomed out, "Halt! I can hear the mountain's screams… It is shrieking in pain… Someone is causing Mt. Blaze to writhe in agony! Is it you?!"
The three looked about in fear, as Jackson replied, "We're not the ones causing this! We're passing through, so let us be on our way!"
Just then, tornados of flames rose out over the lava, getting their attention. Someone flew into view, dissipating the flames with a wave of its wings. It was a bird with flaming feathers on its head, wings and tail, its body a yellowish hue. Jackson could feel a similar aura on it like he did with Zapdos.
"The mountain's rage is my rage!" The bird shouted, "I am Moltres! The warrior of fire I am! There is no forgiving those who befoul the mountain! En garde!"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Jackson shouted, but too late. Moltres unleashed a Flamethrower, causing the team to panic and evade the flames.
"Jackson!" Leafeon cried as she evaded.
"Leafeon, stay back!" Jackson called out, "This guy's a Flying and Fire-type. You are nowhere NEAR able to fight well against it!"
"I know, but still…!" Leafeon argued, "Moltres is on the same lines as Zapdos! I'm not the only one who has to be careful!"
"Yeah. I kinda figured that out." Jackson answered. His intuition about the Pokémon, "Squirtle, fight back!"
"Okay!" Squirtle shouted, "Water Pulse!" He unleashed a sphere of compressed water at Moltres.
"Agility!" Moltres shouted, going super fast to evade the attack.
"So fast!" Squirtle gasped, before getting struck down by Moltres's Wing Attack, sending him flying in pain.
"Leafeon, I take it back. We need your speed!" Jackson called out, "Join with me. Aerial Ace!" He shot forward, consumed in windy energy.
"I understand. Quick Attack!" Leafeon followed, going into high speeds to follow Jackson. Moltres turned and saw the pair come at it, but got quickly struck hard by the attacks they did together. They did this again and again, before Moltres shouted, "Enough!", and consumed itself in flames with a spin of its body and its wings, fending the pair off, before shooting at Leafeon with Flame Charge, body blowing her and causing super-effective damage.
"Damn it…" Jackson grimaced. He felt he used Aerial Ace too much for this one go, and recalled that Moltres did know the ability Pressure, meaning he was quicker to use up attacks a certain amount of times.
Leafeon tried to run away from Moltres, but the large bird was keeping up pursuit, and striking Leafeon with Flame Charge. She got back up, seeing Moltres come at her with Wing Attack, so she tried to counter with Leaf Blade. The attacks collided, but Leafeon became overpowered, and was knocked back. She was getting greatly battered, and scorch marks were on her fur.
"Moltres is surprisingly fast!" Jackson growled as he and Squirtle came together.
"We need to slow it down AND save Leafeon!" Squirtle exclaimed.
"I have an idea on how to slow it down. You focus on healing Leafeon." Jackson ordered, with his partner nodding in agreement, and they went to work.
Moltres was about to fire off a Flamethrower, but heard Jackson as he shouted, "Hey, overgrown fire buzzard, let's play with fire! Fire Spin! Jackson shot spiraling flames from his mouth, surrounding Moltres' body in them. This gave Squirtle the opportunity to toss an Oran Berry to Leafeon, which she snatched in her mouth. Her body glowed, and she was healed.
"You dare try to trap ME in flames?! The great Moltres?!" The Fire-type questioned, staring at the flames around it, before spinning the opposite direction of the flames spinning around it, dissipating them. However, the flames spun around it again, only this time… "The flames are spinning the opposite to how they were before!" Moltres gasped, realizing what was going on.
"Try to douse them as many times as you want! I can spin them any which way!" Jackson called out as he continued his flames, "Compared to my friend, Blaze the Cat, and Quilava, my flames aren't that terrific, but I've learned enough to even be a match for you, and stall you!"
"Stall me?" Moltres echoed, before getting hit by a ball of compressed water. Squirtle fired off another Water Pulse, and it made its mark, with no way to escape it thanks to Jackson's Fire Spin.
"There's more!" Squirtle called out, readying another Water Pulse.
"And I'll add my own powerful attack." Leafeon added, charging up solar energy from the moment Squirtle fired his first attack. She fired off a Solarbeam as Squirtle fired off a Water Pulse, both attack made contact with Moltres, causing it a lot of pain.
"Enough!" Moltres roared, swinging its wings so hard, the Fire Spin dissipated again. However, that extra effort exhausted it.
"Together, now!" Jackson shouted, and he unleashed his Aerial Ace at Moltres. Squirtle shot forward, unleashing Aqua Tail. Leafeon came in with a Quick Attack. All three attacks collided, damaging Moltres and causing it to crash to the ground, beaten by the trio.
Moltres struggled to get back up as it said, "I'm not done! I'm not finished yet!" It finally heated its body, forcing it to rise up again.
"Wait! Please listen!" Squirtle stopped it, "We're not here to cause any trouble. We were chased to this mountain… And you should know, this mountain isn't the only place that is suffering."
"He's right. Natural calamities are happening everywhere." Leafeon followed up, "But currently, we're not able to do much because we were branded fugitives."
"That's true." Jackson agreed, looking frustrated, "It sucks that we're unable to do anything to help Pokémon when they are suffering everywhere because of this."
Moltres looked at them, before folding its wings as it asked, "Do you say that sincerely?"
"It's true. Look at us, and believe what we say." Jackson told it, "Look into our eyes, and see the truth."
Moltres and Jackson looked at each other for a long time, to the point it almost looked like an awkward staring contest. Finally, Moltres screeched, making flaming tornados rise from the lava below, causing the three to look scared. However, once it died down, Moltres said, "Fine. I trust that you aren't lying."
"Thank Arceus…" Leafeon sighed, both she and Squirtle collapsing to the ground.
"I thought my knees turned to jelly." Squirtle whimpered.
"Thank you, Moltres." Jackson bowed to the Legendary Bird.
"You may pass. Get through Mt. Blaze." Moltres told them, "And… promise me this. Promise me that you will find the cause of the calamities that wrack our world, and stop the disasters from sowing more destruction and suffering."
"Yes. We promise." Jackson replied, as his allies regained their strength again, giving their nods of approval, "We've been on the run all this time, falsely branded for something we didn't do, and it is connected to the calamities. That's why we are running; to find the truth. The source of it all. After all, we are a rescue team."
"I will hold you to that promise." Moltres replied, "You've made me believe that you will honor it. As long as you do not forget… the courage you showed in facing me." It made one final screech, with more flaming towers appearing.
"I-Is there anything else?!" Squirtle questioned, scared out of his mind.
The flames died as Moltres answered, "No. I was only preparing to take off."
'Does he really need to do that to take off?' All three of them asked.
Moltres took flight, shouting, "Farewell!" With that, it flew into the volcano, and the flames rose up to conceal its presence one more.
(Jackson writing) "It was a tough fight, but we managed to convince Moltres so we could pass. Now, we HAD to find the truth, or else Moltres would come after us again. Despite how tired we were, we continued on, leaving Mt. Blaze behind. While we knew most Pokémon couldn't handle the area, we knew some could, like Team A.C.T. We pushed forward, shaking off any exhaustion we could."
"After several days of running, we finally reached the snowy fields of the world, and while it was freezing, we continued on. Fortunately, my belly at this point became basically a heating pad, and it was not only warm for me, but for my companions. They got a little too snug for me at this point. We thought we were alone, but we did catch a glimpse of a Pokémon eyeing us, which Leafeon noticed was an Absol. It seemed to be keeping an eye on us. Regardless, we continued forward, going through the frozen forest before finally making it to a hill in the heart of the forest, where we encountered…"
Frosty Forest
The trio were in the heart of the forest, looking about for any signs of more enemies about. They had encountered quite a few wild Pokémon, but no teams or members of the mob that pursued them before.
"We sure have traveled far into this forest." Squirtle stated.
"Indeed. It has been quite odd to be in a forest like this without feeling as much nature as I usually do." Leafeon pointed out, "Everything covered in snow and ice makes it difficult."
"Don't worry. I think we'll be able to get out of the forest if we get through this." Jackson assured her, looking off into the distance, "We're not too far off, actually. Let's keep heading out!"
The team started to make their way forward when they stopped. They suddenly felt as if someone was starting to call from all around them. They looked to one another, noticing that the voice didn't belong to any of them. Suddenly, the voice became audible to all of them. "Turn back. You may not pass."
"Who's there?!" Squirtle questioned, the trio looking cautiously about.
"You are forbidden to pass." The voice continued, snow starting to fall onto them, "If you persist in trying to pass, then so be it… But only after you have defeated me!"
Suddenly, there was a bright light among the snow, blinding the trio. "Ow! It's too bright!" Squirtle exclaimed.
"The ice around us is reflecting this light!" Leafeon noted.
"Get ready! We got incoming!" Jackson called out, as there was a swirl of snow gathering up in one spot in front of them. Suddenly, the snow gave way as someone cried out, and based on Jackson's feeling, it was a bird Pokémon on the same level as Moltres & Zapdos.
It had beautiful blue and white plumage, a fluffy as the fallen snow. It had a three-pointed crest on its forehead, a short beak, and a very long tail.
"I am Articuno! The warder of ice!" It introduced itself, "Those that enter the forest I shall destroy with all my might! Let us begin!" It screeched in declaration before shouting, "Blizzard!" With a wave of its wings, it blew a literal blizzard in the team's faces.
"GAAAH! I can't see!" Squirtle cried out.
Leafeon leapt high as Jackson took the attack head on. He shivered in the cold, but endured and roared as he used Flame Burst to blast through the Blizzard, hitting Articuno, ceasing the attack.
"Ice-types can't deal well with the heat. Well, got a lot of heat to work with!" Jackson shouted, "Fire Spin!" He unleashed a spiraling flame from his beak towards Articuno.
"You think I wasn't prepared for such a battle?" Articuno asked, "You assumed so little. Water Pulse!" It created a ball of compressed water from its beak, before firing it off at Jackson, who was stunned at the oncoming Water-type move, and got blasted hard by it, sending him flying.
"Jackson!" Leafeon and Squirtle called out, seeing him crash into the snow.
"You will pay for that! Quick Attack!" Leafeon shouted, dashing forward at high speeds towards Articuno. Squirtle saw her do this, and gathered himself up, tucking in its head.
"Ice Shard!" Articuno called out, shooting icy shards that streamed at high speeds towards Leafeon, who danced about it, evading the attacks, only to get hit by one stray one, causing a frosty explosion, and sending her backwards. She ended up sliding on the snowy ground, but was able to hold herself on her feet as she skidded to a halt.
Squirtle was fully ready, and launched forward, encased in a white aura as he shot headlong at Articuno, shouting, "Skull Bash!" His attack made contact with the bird, striking it hard, and making it flip around in the air, before regaining itself.
"You will pay for that!" Articuno growled, before getting blinded as the sunlight started to come out. Or rather, someone summoned out the sunlight. Leafeon did so, with Jackson at her side.
"Thanks, Squirtle. Now let's blade things up a notch!" Jackson declared.
"I think you mean let's BLAZE things up a notch!" Leafeon corrected, and the two charged forward.
"No matter what you do, it's pointless!" Articuno shouted, "Blizzard!" She swung her wings, sending a freezing storm towards the trio. Squirtle withdrew into his shell with Iron Defense, increasing his defenses. Leafeon and Jackson leapt high together, getting over the Blizzard, before the two prepared their long-ranged attacks.
"Flame Burst!"
"Solarbeam!"
The two fired off their attacks simultaneously, hitting Articuno hard, and sending it crashing to the ground, momentarily weakened by their combined attacks. Jackson and Leafeon landed on the ground as Squirtle joined them, all three of them looking at the fallen bird, who doom the attack a lot harder than it thought.
Squirtle stepped forward, saying, "Please, Articuno! We have to get through, no matter what."
"Please, we ask that you let us have safe passage across your land." Leafeon pleaded.
Articuno was able to find the strength again, and started to fly above them again as it shouted, "No! I cannot allow your passage!"
"Why? Why can't we pass?" Leafeon asked.
"The frigid forest's air… It has warmed considerably in recent times." Articuno explained.
"Warmed?" Jackson echoed, "But its darn cold around here, and this is coming from a living warm water bottle!"
"The flow of frigid air has been disturbed in the forest." Articuno explained, "Snow has started to melt. Snow is melting. Snow that has never melted before. This has never happened, even once. Then you appeared in the forest. Is this not your doing?!"
"I mean…" Jackson started, "Yeah, some battle with the wild Pokémon have caused me to use my Fire-type moves against them. Not to mention Leafeon using Sunny Day. And, yes, that has caused snow to melt. But still…"
"Don't toy with me! There have been more snow melting OUTSIDE of your battles!" Articuno snapped.
"Please, don't get angry with Jackson!" Squirtle intervened, "There have been a whole lot of things happening all over. It's not just here! Right now, natural calamities are occurring everywhere. The forest's frigid airflow would have been disturbed even if we hadn't come."
"Is that all? You expect me to believe that?!" Articuno asked, its tone saying how it didn't believe them."
"Please, we are searching for the truth. We swore even to Moltres on Mt. Blaze this!"
Articuno was taking in freezing energy into its mouth as it shouted, "Enough of your foolish talk! Prepare for your end!" It was about to fire when someone shouted, "Stop now!", followed by a black and white figure striking Articuno, causing it to fall back. It landed, and the heroes recognized it as the Pokémon that spied on them before.
"A-Absol!" Articuno gasped, recognizing it.
"There is nothing false in what they said." Absol told it, "Calamities are indeed occurring in nature everywhere."
"Is… is that true?" Articuno asked.
"Yes. I have the ability to sense natural disasters." Absol explained, "The calamities taking place now are of a special nature. I've never experienced such before."
"I've heard of this." Leafeon recalled, "Absol's are often known as the Disaster Pokémon because they appear in areas where such disasters occur. They often get mistaken for it, but that is absolute falsehood."
"Talking about being in the wrong place in the right time." Jackson muttered.
Articuno looked at Absol for a moment, before saying, "So, there are calamities besides this… Fine. I will choose to believe you. You may pass."
"Articuno!" Squirtle said with sparkling eyes.
"However!" Articuno intervened, causing Squirtle to yelp, "You must try to prevent the calamities from spreading. I'm counting on you!"
"We already promised Moltres, so adding this promise to the list is no biggie." Jackson replied. Articuno nodded in understanding, and with a screech, took off into the clouded sky.
"Whew. That was too close." Squirtle sighed.
Leafeon approached Absol, saying, "We appreciate all that you've done. You have our thanks."
Absol paused, looking to the team, before responding, "Rather than saying thanks, focus on stopping the calamities before they worsen. If they are left unchecked, worse will befall us… My instinct warns me so."
"I believe in them. An Absol's instincts are rarely wrong." Leafeon understood.
"I sensed the terrible power of the natural calamities…" Absol noted, "I was led here by my feelings of foreboding…" He paused for a moment, before saying, "I think it would be best if we combined forces. I will join you."
"Huh?!" The trio gasped in shock.
"You will? Really?" Squirtle asked.
"Really. To put an end to the calamities, cooperation is vital. Let me lend you my powers."
The trio looked to each other, with Leafeon asking Jackson, "Well, my trainer. It's up to you."
"We would be honored, Absol." Jackson answered, mentally adding, 'Plus, that horn on its head looks so cool! Like a crescent scythe!' Absol nodded and smiled in agreement, glad to join the team.
(Jackson Writing) "We now had a new ally on our side, and one that was skilled in battle, we continued on, searching for the truth behind all of the calamities. Who was the human responsible for bringing such disaster? And why was I getting connected to Gardevoir? But… if it hadn't been for her, then I would not learn the truth. For her, I was extremely grateful…"
Jackson looked up from his journal, thinking about the Pokémon, before closing his eyes, tearing up. To him, Gardevoir's story was a tragic one. And how it ended…was not what he wanted for her. She deserved better.