The day after earning the Jet Badge, Boe set out early, his mind still buzzing with the excitement of his recent victory. He left Mistralton City behind, heading north on Route 7. The route was a generally straight path surrounded by tall grasses and dense trees, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. The sky above was a clear blue, with the morning sun casting long shadows on the ground.
As Boe walked, he noticed the landscape slowly changing. The path began to rise slightly, and in the distance, he saw a structure towering above the treetops. As he drew closer, the Celestial Tower came into view.
The tower stood tall against the sky, its white stone exterior weathered by time. Its surface was rough and ancient, telling the story of countless years that had passed since it was built. Vines crawled up the lower walls, clinging to the stone as if refusing to let go of the past. The tower had an aura of quiet reverence, a place that demanded respect for the souls it held within.
As Boe approached, he noticed that the entrance was grand but simple. Two stone pillars framed the doorway, etched with faint patterns that had worn over the years. Inside, the atmosphere was somber. The air was cool, carrying with it the soft echoes of the past. Rows of memorials filled the room, tributes to Pokémon who had passed on. Boe couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as he looked around, understanding that this place was sacred to the memory of those Pokemon who had fallen.
A spiral staircase lined the walls, leading upward to the tower's higher floors. The wooden steps creaked slightly as Boe began to climb, his hand trailing along the stone as he ascended, ready to explore the depths of this ancient place.
As Boe continued to explore Celestial Tower, he noticed someone else wandering through the somber halls. The person wore clothes that were so plain they almost seemed out of place. A simple gray tunic, plain trousers, and worn boots made them look like they were trying to blend in, but the simplicity of the outfit only made them stand out more against the ancient backdrop of the tower.
The stranger wasn't really observing anything in particular. They seemed to be wandering aimlessly, their gaze never lingering on the memorials or the artwork that adorned the walls. Something about their presence felt off to Boe. It wasn't like the other visitors, who came to pay respects or find solace. This person seemed... detached.
As Boe climbed to the second floor, he caught sight of the stranger again. They were slowly making their way through the room, pausing occasionally as if unsure of what to do. Boe watched from a distance, curious but also cautious. There was something deliberate about the way they moved, even though it seems aimless at first glance.
On the third floor, the same pattern repeated itself. Boe stepped quietly, keeping his distance as the person wandered through the rows of memorials. The air grew heavier the higher he climbed, the weight of the tower's history pressing down. Boe couldn't shake the feeling that this person wasn't here for the same reasons as everyone else.
Boe reached the top floor of Celestial Tower, stepping onto the wide, open platform. The sky stretched endlessly above him, and in the center of the stone floor stood the massive bell. The bell gleamed in the sunlight, its bronze surface weathered by time yet still possessing a certain majesty. Intricate carvings adorned its sides, depicting ancient symbols of the Unova region. It towered over Boe, the clapper resting silently within. The bell was said to bring peace to the souls of departed Pokémon when rung, a tradition carried out by those who sought to honor their memories.
Boe's eyes then shifted to the mysterious person standing at the base of the bell. Unlike the usual visitors who would approach with reverence, this person was examining it closely, as if looking for something hidden within the ancient metal. Their fingers traced the carvings, and their head tilted in an unnatural manner, studying it with a strange intensity.
Intrigued and concerned, Boe approached cautiously. "Hey, what are you doing?" he asked, trying to keep his voice calm.
The person slowly turned around, revealing their face for the first time. It was scarred and worn, with deep lines etched into their skin. Their eyes were cold and unsettling, and their mouth twisted into a grimace. Boe took a step back, startled by the person's almost terrifying appearance.
"Mind your own damn business," the person growled, their voice raspy and filled with malice.
Boe's instincts told him to leave, but something kept him rooted in place. "I just wanted to say... this is supposed to be a peaceful place. You're meant to ring the bell to honor the memory of Pokémon who have passed on."
The person's eyes narrowed, and they let out a sharp, angry laugh. "Peaceful, huh? You think ringing this bell is going to bring peace? Back off, or I'll make you."
Boe took another step forward, his heart pounding. "There's no need to get aggressive. I'm just—"
Before he could finish, the person let out a scream of rage. In a swift motion, they reached for a Poké Ball and threw it to the ground. A dark, shadowy figure emerged from the flash of light—a Pokémon with a menacing aura. Its body was cloaked in black and gray mist, and it held a golden mask in its long, spectral hands. The mask bore a haunting human face, a remnant of its life before it became a Pokémon.
Boe's breath caught in his throat. The Pokémon was a Yamask, but something about it felt different, darker. The stranger sneered at Boe, their voice dripping with malice. "I warned you. Now, you'll regret sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
Boe's heart raced as the battle began. The eerie Yamask floated menacingly before him, its golden mask glinting in the dim light of the tower's top floor. The mysterious person sneered at Boe, their eyes filled with dark intent. In response, Boe reached for a Poké Ball and called out his loyal Servine, Olive.
"Olive, let's do this!" Boe called, and Olive took his place on the battlefield, ready to defend his trainer.
The Yamask made the first move, summoning a swirling, dark wind. The Ominous Wind howled through the air, pushing Olive back as he dug his tail into the ground, struggling to hold his position. The ghostly energy wrapped around him, sending chills down Boe's spine.
"Stay strong, Olive! Use Leaf Blade!" Boe shouted.
Olive's tail glowed with a bright green light as he swiftly charged forward. With a graceful twist, he slashed at Yamask with his tail, landing a clean hit. Yamask recoiled, but its eerie smile never faltered. The ghost-type Pokémon formed a pink, light blue, and dark blue fireball between its spectral hands and launched it at Olive.
"Look out!" Boe warned, but it was too late.
The Will-O-Wisp hit Olive, and flames flickered around his body. Olive winced as the burn began to take its toll, but Boe remained focused.
"Leech Seed, Olive!" Boe commanded.
Olive shot out small, glowing seeds that wrapped around Yamask, forming entangling vines. The seeds took root, draining energy from the ghost-type and returning it to Olive. Though the burn continued to weaken Olive, the Leech Seed provided him with some much-needed healing.
The stranger growled in frustration, their voice dripping with anger. "You little brat… You'll pay for this!"
Yamask unleashed another Ominous Wind, and this time the force lifted Olive off his feet. He was thrown into the air, spinning uncontrollably. Boe clenched his fists, guiding Olive with his words.
"Now, Olive! Leaf Blade as you come down!"
Olive twisted his body mid-air, using the momentum to power his next attack. His tail glowed once again, and as he descended, he slashed at Yamask with precision. The ghostly Pokémon staggered, weakened further by the continuous drain from the Leech Seed. As the last of the vines sapped Yamask's energy, the ghost-type let out a low wail before fainting, its form fading into nothingness.
Boe let out a sigh of relief, but before he could even speak, the mysterious person recalled Yamask into its Poké Ball. They glared at Boe with a look of pure hatred, and without a word, they turned and vanished into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as they had appeared.
Boe stood there for a moment, catching his breath and processing what had just happened. The eerie silence of the tower returned, broken only by the gentle sway of the bell in the breeze.
Boe stood outside the Celestial Tower, giving his account of the incident to the local authorities. The officers took his report seriously, scribbling down details about the mysterious person and their unsettling behavior at the top of the tower. Boe tried to stay calm, but the memory of that scarred face and the fierce battle with Yamask lingered in his mind.
"Thank you for your help, young man," one of the officers said. "We'll keep an eye out for anyone matching that description. Stay safe."
With a nod, Boe turned away, heading back toward the Pokémon Center in Mistralton CIty. Olive was in need of healing after the tough battle, and Boe wanted to make sure he was in top condition before continuing his journey.
Inside the Pokémon Center, the familiar hum of machinery and the soft glow of healing lights helped soothe his nerves. As he waited for Nurse Joy to finish with his Pokémon, Boe couldn't help but overhear a conversation between two trainers sitting nearby.
"Yeah, the museum in Nacrene City is massive," one trainer said, his voice full of excitement. "It's got so much information on Pokémon, history, myths… you name it."
The other trainer nodded enthusiastically. "Not to mention, it's where the Basic Badge is. Lenora's the Gym Leader there. She's known for her Normal-type Pokémon."
Boe perked up at that. The Basic Badge? He suddenly realized he hadn't earned that badge yet. He had been so focused on his journey through the region that Nacrene City had slipped his mind.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Boe walked over to the trainers. "Excuse me," he said politely. "I couldn't help but overhear. You mentioned the museum in Nacrene City? And that's where the Basic Badge is?"
The first trainer looked up and smiled. "Yeah, that's right. Nacrene City is known for its museum. It's a bit of a trek from here, though."
"Do you know where it is?" Boe asked, eager to get back on track with his Gym Challenge.
The second trainer pulled out a map of the Unova region and pointed to a spot on the opposite side. "It's in the southeast, over here. Quite a distance from Mistralton City."
Boe studied the map, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the distance. He had come so far, and now it seemed he would need to backtrack to earn the Basic Badge. But he wasn't deterred—he was determined to continue his journey and collect all the badges he needed.
One of the trainers noticed Boe's thoughtful expression and offered a suggestion. "Hey, if you're looking for a faster way to get there, you could ask Miles. He's the former Gym Leader here, and he loves to fly. He might be able to give you a lift."
Boe's eyes lit up at the idea. "Miles? The old man who works with Skyla?"
"Yep, that's the one," the trainer confirmed. "He's always up for a flight. You should ask him."
Excitement surged through Boe. With a quick thanks to the trainers, he grabbed his healed Pokémon from Nurse Joy, gave them all a grateful pat, and dashed out of the Pokémon Center. He couldn't wait to find Miles and ask for a ride to Nacrene City. His journey was about to take an unexpected turn, and he was ready for whatever came next.