A/N: Damn. Didn't plan for this. But I just banged this one out in two days.

How uncharacteristic of my usually torpid self.

Chapter 23

Azalea Town

Thank christ on a cracker for back rooms and confidentiality clauses.

I really don't want this getting out before I choose to let it.

The Azalea Town Nurse Joy examines the dormant Legendary with a sizable frown on her face. The Steel-type -who I've already mentally designated with the name 'Karn' in reference to the famous Silver Golem- is laid strewn out on a table, just as dead to the world as he was when I first found him.

It's obvious she has no idea what to do about him. Everything about the situation is outside her wheelhouse.

There's no wounds to treat. No blood pressure to take. No fluids to test. No anything to do.

The non-organic 'mon is just off.

Not even me pushing aura directly into the thing had any effect. I don't think raw aura was ever meant to act like a 'defibrillator' but I thought it might do something.

"I'm terribly sorry." The woman bows deeply at the waist, her voice slightly breaking. I don't think she's ever encountered a patient she could help less than this. "I just don't have any idea what the issue could be."

"That's okay, ma'am." In an odd reversal, I find myself being the one comforting her. "You did your best. It's an unusual situation for all of us."

If a general practitioner can't help…then the next move in principle would be to schedule a visit with a specialist.

Conveniently, my next Gym Match should be in Olivine against Jasmine and her array of Steel-types. It's…possible… she might be able to offer some sort of insight. As a counter-argument though, she's also pretty young and since Bugsy hasn't taken over Azalea yet, it makes Jasmine the least experienced Gym Leader in Indigo.

'Just because I'm doubtful though, doesn't mean I should dismiss her out of hand. It still might be worth it to bring her in on this.'

Hmm. Maybe I need to rearrange my itinerary a bit.

My original intention was to make it up to Goldenrod again and then book a flight over to Hoenn. Carter -the elderly gentleman I met- should have had ample time by this point to get my request ready. Or at least progress on it. Then I was going to swing back to Johto and finish my Gym circuit in the following few weeks.

With this new addition to my Pokémon on hand though…going to Olivine first might be preferable. Just so we can eliminate the possibility.

What we really need though probably -if I were to put a bet on it- isn't so much an expert on Steel-types…but rather on the Regi themselves.

And there's only one name I nebulously know of that fits that description.

Pyramid King, Brandon.

I really wish I knew more about him.

I know he was somehow involved with that 'Battle Frontier' thing in the show that I never watched. I know he popped in and out of Ash's storyline during both the 'Ruby & Sapphire' and the 'Diamond & Pearl' seasons. I know he had a Regirock as his team's ace and then later down the line captured the other two of the original trio.

That's about it. That's all I got.

With Hoenn as an official ally to Indigo though, our respective Poké Nets are somewhat connected. If he exists, I should be able to find at least something online about him.

Time to hit the computer and do some research.

Hmmm.

Well this is less than helpful.

Good news!

I've confirmed he exists. That's a win. We take those. He's got a stern faced profile picture with smoothed brown hair and a forest green suit with orange highlights near the collar. Exactly as I vaguely, vaguely, vaguely remember!

Bad news!

Everything on his trainer page is fucking redacted.

Trainer Name: 'Frontier Brain' Brandon
Trainer ID: XXX-XXX
Known Pokémon: XXXXXXXX, XXXXXXX,
XXXXXXXX, XXXXXXX
E-Mail: XXXXXXXX

You know what's sad? Even seeing just these scraps is because I have ever so slightly elevated permissions due to the original Brad working in Pryce's Gym for ten plus years. The old man never bothered with filing the paperwork to administratively downgrade me back to 'civilian scrub' after I left Mahogany.

Welp. Time to call in the big guns…

I flip open my phone and dial in to the most common number I use these days.

Do you think it's unethical if I ask my quasi-not-really-girlfriend to abuse her Elite Four authority to try and get me in contact with someone that another government is shielding?

No, right? That's not wrong. It's just…

Perks of the relationship.

...

…she is going to want to know why though.

Ugh. This might be a long phone call.

Oh, come on now, what the hell is all this nonsense?

Four Rangers in their black and red uniforms barricade the western exit of town leading out into Ilex Forest. A small crowd has gathered to grumble and complain -largely consisting of younger trainers- but for the most part they're being well behaved behind the erected metal fences.

"-and check back in the morning!" Ranger #3 speaks with authority into a megaphone. "For your own safety, disperse and return to your homes! If you are currently traveling, please visit the Poké Center to inquire about lodgings around town! I repeat, the pathway will not be reopened tonight!"

I slide up next to one of the slightly older men in the crowd. One of the local woodcutters if I'm not mistaken. Either that or the town's famous 'Charcoal Kiln' has started selling t-shirts with their logo on the back. "Something big going on?"

The man grunts. "Damn Rangers aren't lettin' anyone through. Not even those of us who've got a bloody contract to do. Someone reported an Alpha Pineco growing in the north-eastern end and they want the forest clear until they've dealt with it."

My eyebrow raises. 'A Pineco?' On the one hand, that sounds a bit dangerous considering the bagworm learns Selfdestruct at level six but also…they're pretty freakin' immobile as a species. When this man says 'growing in the north-eastern end' he's speaking very literally. It takes herculean effort on the Pokémon's part just to leave the tree it was born in.

And even then, it can't get very far.

The tragedy of having no limbs and a simply terrible center-of-gravity.

I ain't stopping for this shit. I got places to be man.

Pushing my way to the front, I wade past the throng of locals and two-badge trainers until one of the Rangers takes notice of me when I sidestep the barriers. "Sir! First warning!" An Ariados at his side flares up. "Back behind the-"

Ranger #2 grabs the shoulder of #1 and roughly pulls him back, his mouth suddenly tightening into a thin line as he looks at me. With his spare hand, he nudges a Poliwhirl to get behind his leg and I can see a fearful glint suddenly in his eye.

'Oh?' The action does get me to pause for a half-step, 'Oh ho ho!' before my grin turns perhaps a bit too cocky and I soldier forth.

'The man recognizes me!' Well that's just gonna make this so much easier then isn't it? Who needs 'negotiation' when 'intimidation' is working just fine?

Is it from the Lake of Rage tournament you think? From my viral video of the week against Clair? Did Ranger Madison put in a warning about me to her old pals who are still on the force?

Any option is fine because, regardless, they all mean the same thing. This man has Grundy living rent-free in his head. And he frankly don't want none of that smoke.

Man. The powers of being 'internet famous' sure do pay dividends sometimes.

Stop me if you dare 'red shirts'. Imma going this way.

A new fervor alights in the crowd as they see me stroll right past the guards without repercussion. Expletives are starting to being shouted and Ranger #4 is glaring daggers at me. A look of such pure contempt on her face that it circles back around and comes off as funny to me.

"Keep up the good work boys!" I toss my hand over my shoulder in goodbye as I disappear into the tunnel. "We're all rootin' for ya."

Ilex Forest

Bugs. Bugs. Bugs.

Bugs fuckin' everywhere.

From the Kakuna hanging in their trees to the Paras hiding amongst your knees. Say what you will about this place but even after the sun's down it's certainly never quiet. Something which suits me just fine. Anything less and I would consider it eerie.

A Pokémon filled forest isn't the same as a cave. Strange noises in the latter is scary. A sign of danger. Gives me the goosebumps just thinkin' about it. But in a forest all the constant chatter is more…soothing.

Like…walking through a field back home and hearing the crickets chirp.

These Bugs aren't here to bother me and I'm not here to bother them.

The first time I traversed through this area right after my second Gym Badge, I admit I got a little lost. Just for a bit. An hour or two. There's plenty of winding paths and side trails to explore and if you're not careful you will get your sense of direction all turned around.

Thankfully, after having already been through it once, I now know the secret for the quickest way to the exit on the other side.

Just hug the left side of the path and go straight whenever possible. Ignore all branching pathways and then fly or surf over the large pond when you get to it.
Follow those two simple rules and you can cut hours out of your trek.

It also puts you right on course to pass by the 'you-know-what' that's carefully nestled away in the forest's western side.

A ray of moonlight shines ethereally down into the clearing, illuminating Celebi's Shrine in its fluorescence. Staring up at the celestial body for a moment, I take note of its waxing phase and feel my thoughts briefly shift. 'Three more days. Three more days until it's Full and we can try evolution with Ma Ma again.'

The amount of Peat I've cobbled together from the slivers obtained in my last Rocket job do not inspire me with the greatest of confidences. It's about equal in mass to, say, an Evolution Stone, but the impression I got from the Hisui game is that it seemed like I needed a real honkin' chunk of the stuff. Not a half-assed palm-sized amount.

This isn't a glowing crystal rock of solidified type-energy. It's just some semi-solid wet dirt with a few unusual properties.

Nothing to do but keep trying though.

Regardless, that's all concerns for later. Right now we have a very small window to try something. A unique opportunity from the Rangers clearing the forest of all people beyond whatever squad it is they have up in the north.

I confess…I don't actually know what the protocol is for this sort of thing. Is there…perhaps some ritual I'm supposed to do? A chant or specific phrase?

Do I leave an offering of berries? Maybe light a candle?

I release the lifeless Regi onto the ground next to the little wooden structure. That's probably a good start. There's a little kneeling area for people to offer prayers so I guess I just…go for it?

Resting my legs down in the grass is… a bit odd-feeling to me. I've spoken generic prayers in the past. A little something to say like when I encountered the body in Dark Cave the other day. But I've never really prayed to someone. Not directly. At least not since I was a child attending church with my parents.

Are we supposed to bow? Lower our head down? I guess it doesn't hurt my chances.

"Please." I spoke simply, not knowing what words would serve me best. "Is there anything you can do to help him?"

...

A minute passes.

...

And then two.

...

Registeel remains as motionless as ever. Dead by all definitions except for my power telling me he's not.

...

Three minutes. My fingers tighten in the nearby grass. 'Come on...please.'

...

Four minutes. My impatience starts to get away from me. 'Come on! I'm literally on my knees here you stupid little onion!' Mud seeps beneath my nails. 'Stop chasing after Dialga's temporal leftovers for ten seconds and help a brother out! Don't you legendaries have some sort of honor code for each other?'

...

Five minu-Okay you know what fuck this. We tried. We goddamn tried and it didn't work. I climb back to my full height and return Registeel with a grumble under my breath. "Pfeh," My voice is low. "Some fuckin' 'Mythical' you turned out to be. Stupid little wood fairy ain't even a Fairy-type."

Gathering my things I begin marching my way out of the clearing when a towering explosion goes off in the distance! One that sends a column of smoke wafting above the north-eastern treeline.

Despite the fact that I'm sure it was super young and very low-leveled…it seems the Alpha Pineco did not go quietly into the night.

I roll my eyes and scoff derisively. "Fuckin' amateurs man."

Although he wouldn't know it for a long long time to come.

One of the Pokéballs on Brad's belt did splash green with a tiny blessing as he left the clearing that day.

But it wasn't the one belonging to the Steel-type who had been alone for so so long.

It was the one with the Water-type next to it.

Route 34

"It's you!" Picnicker Gina stomps right up to me and sticks her finger in my face. "You never showed up for our rematch! I told you we were fighting again in one week! Where were you!"

"H-Hold up!" Camper Todd jumps in, roughly shoving his classmate out of the way. "He owes me another first! Psyduck and I have been training hard and I just caught a super ultra strong Geodude! If anyone's gonna fight him again, it's gonna be me!"

"Ha!" Gina shoulder checks him. "A Geodude?! That's it? I'll have you know that on top of catching a second Hoppip, my Bulbasaur has evolved! I'm the better one to take him down!"

Todd growls angrily and sparks dance between the two. "No! It's gonna be me!"

"No! Me!"

"I'm first!"

"First to go second maybe!"

"Can I just cut in here as the only adult present and say I never agreed to any of this?"

The two middle-schoolers turn to me in unison. "You stay out of this! / You stay out of this!"

I raise my hands in mock surrender. "Fine fine. If you don't want to 2 vs. 1 Double Battle to resolve this thing then it's no skin off my bones."

...

*32 Seconds Later*

...

"Simon, you're on defense! Support Junior and let him take the lead!"

"Geodude, set up first with Defense Curl!"

"Ivysaur! Hang back and attack from a distance! Vine Whip!"

Goldenrod City

The dial tone rings for the nineteenth time and I tap my finger on the desk in annoyance, watching the little phone animation dance back and forth.

Please. I beg you. Don't ask me why international calls all have to be done via a registered computer at a Pokémon Center or equivalent Government building. I don't have a good answer.

Our cell phones may be less advanced than the cutting edge tech I left behind on non-Poké earth, but as a civilization we do have satellites. By all good sense, I don't see why I shouldn't be able to do this over a handheld.

'Maybe it's one small way to make it easier for the League to 'monitor' what its citizens are getting up to. Spying under the names of 'Safety' and 'Security'. That's a bit of a cynical thought. But I wouldn't put it past any Government to not get a tad 'Big Brother is watching you' if it becomes convenient.'

The dial tone count enters the twenties and I recheck my chart of the overseas time zones. Hoenn's relatively close to us globally speaking so I know I'm not calling in the middle of the night or something. And this is the 'business number' on his card, not the personal. Someone should be answering the damn phone. "Damn Carter…do you want these freakin' Smeargle or not?"

A picture finally snaps into place and music starts blaring through the desktops' crappy installed speakers, forcing me to lower the volume in a panic.
Courtesy in public places and all that.

"Hoh! Uh. Whoops! How do I- Um-" A massively zoomed in face blinks at me through the screen. "Carter! James?! Somebody?!" The giant face pulls back and looks rightward, revealing a scraggly beard over a blue shirt and a light-colored coat. "Carter! Someone's calling you over here!"

I meanwhile, am blinking a little dumbfounded at the digitally illiterate dolt - in a fucking paper cone party hat no less- who's apparently going around answering calls on computers that aren't his.

Because I'm about 90...maybe 95 percent sure…

That that's Professor Birch.

Wat.

"Oh, goodness!" The actual target of my call appears from offscreen. "My deepest apologies young Bradley! We didn't hear you calling!" He's wearing a similar brown suit to the one I first met him in and his magnificent moustache hasn't shifted a single hair.

Now if only I could get past the fact that he's dripping in rainbow confetti.

"You all having an office birthday over there?" I ask with a raised brow, already knowing it's probably false. Unless it turns out he really is that close of a friend to the region's premiere Pokémon expert.

The gentleman chortles merrily, taking a seat in front of the screen and dusting some of the colored flecks off his shoulder. "Not at all, my good lad. Not at all. Just a little get-together with some academic types to celebrate a long project finally baring some real fruit. A jolly good smack in the jaw to some naysayers who purported it couldn't be done! We'll put that all aside though. Should I assume you're calling because you've also met some success in life? Perhaps about our accord from a few weeks ago?"

I laugh. "Ha! In a minute, old man. In a minute. You can't just hit me with a teaser like that and then move on. What do you got cooking over there? Don't think I didn't recognize the man who first answered your phone."

The breeder takes a quick glance to his left and right, and then conspiratorially leans in. "Well, I'm sure you'll be able to read all about it in a couple weeks or so. No harm in sharing the scintillating details early. You see, after years and years of selective breeding, carefully tracking traits, failed results time and time once more-" His voice builds as he recounts his story, building up to a climax. "-my brothers and I have done what critics said was impossible! Successfully improving a Pokémon's inherent Ability!"

I blink and tilt my brow up. "What? You mean like…you've found a way to consistently breed for the Hidden Ability? One that's considered better than the typical one a species usually gets?"

Carter ruffles his moustache excitedly. "No son! No! Tell me, are you familiar with the two Pokémon Plusle and Minun? They're somewhat similar in appearance to the Pichu species that both our regions share." Seeing my nod, he continues. "We have a young Plusle in our facility right now who doesn't just boost the strength of any Minun it's partnered with, but does so with any Pokémon! Any at all! It's Ability isn't 'Plus'! It's 'Battery'!"

Oh. Well that is kind of a big deal.

"Now that we have a proof of concept there's so many avenues to potentially pursue!" The Hoenn man rants on, his hands gesticulating with passion. "Seedot who have 'Insomnia' rather than 'Early Bird'! Barboach with 'Simple' instead of 'Oblivious'! Slakoth with…anything else! The possibilities are there my boy! They just need the years put into them!"

My eyes briefly glaze over as I consider the idea of a 'Simple' Whiscash. 'Dragon Dance would suddenly be really really goo-' I shake the thought away. "That's…genuinely impressive, Carter. Like…Wow. Should I take that to mean you and your brothers aren't planning to 'break into the TM business' so much anymore?"

"On the contrary," The man puffs up. "Having as many revenue streams as possible is now more critical than ever! How many of those elusive pups did you manage to procure? Just one? Or did you succeed in finding two or three of the little nippers?"

I smile. "Four."

Now it's the older man's turn to blink for a moment. "Four?" He speaks dumbly. "Well then," he tugs on his jacket and straightens up. "I'm really going to have to arrange a good selection for you then, won't I?"

Preview for Next Time:

"What?" Brad shouts into the phone. "What do you mean they don't know where Brandon is?"

...

"Temple raiding? Where?"

...

"What do you mean they don't know where?!"