Pokémon: Storming Heaven's Gates

[Shuppet Master]

It's okay. I hate how they changed the name of that guy. It ruins the naming scheme o fthe Commanders. Although Charon is the name of Pluto's moon. Poor Pluto - first it gets demoted to dwarf planet, then even its name is nixed in a popular series. Boo.

Anyways, is the special reasons because Steel < Fighting? I mean, they are going to fight a Steel Pokemon soon...

I think Looker is pretty interesting too. I just got my copy of Platinum and he's not comic relief, even if he does show up now and again.

[Dark Sage]

What’s this? Can it be that “Storming Heaven’s Gates is alive and well?

Seriously, people, I never gave up on this fic. Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll say that I always finish what I start. And now that power has been restored to the security booth where I work, I have more time to write, and should be able to work on this fic far more often.

So, enjoy my Pokémon fic again. And you may be able to contribute to it again, if you’ve played Platinum. That’s just a hint, mind you, but you’ll see what I mean in a few chapters.



I have a lot of reasons to hate Ash Ketchum. After all, almost every time he and my parents met, he made them look like fools. And yet, I can’t help but admire him a little. Although he rarely knew what was going on, he had guts. Guts that let him take risks that led him to great things.

He challenged Sabrina for the Marsh Badge, even though he knew that failure would have resulted in being turned into part of her doll collection. After being saved by her father, most duelists would have run away and never gone back. But he persisted, and triumphed.

He was bold enough to stand up to Mewtwo, a Pokémon with a dim view of humanity. Mewtwo was stronger than any Pokémon he had, and smarter than he was, but with his very life at risk, he managed to convince the creature to leave in peace.

Not to mention the fact that Ash kept his Charizard on his team for the very long stretch of time in which it didn’t like him, and refused to obey his commands. Even I wouldn’t keep a Pokémon as dangerous as a Charizard on my team if it didn’t do what I said. But Ash was determined to come to an understanding with it, and he succeeded, after several attempts and several slight burns.

My parents’ enemy has inspired me to have the same guts and the same raw nerve. Not many trainers would have stood up to Palkia.

Someday, I plan to find Ash and thank him…

What will I do then? Will I seek revenge? I’m not sure. Much like Ash, I haven’t thought that far ahead in that plan.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO



Amazing Race

One thing that was common in the military was the chain of command. It was hard to understand if you weren’t actually in the military. It was even hard to understand if you weren’t an officer in the military. A common joke in the U.S. military forces was, the chain of command was so heavy, it took a Pentagon full of generals to pull it.

An example of chain of command worked like this. Say someone wanted to start a project. To get authorization, he’d propose the idea to his superior. Then, if that superior approved of the project, he’d propose the idea to his superiors. It would continue like this until it reached the officer who had the final say in the area that the project involved. Exactly how many levels it had to go through depended on a lot of things, like how high the proposed budget was, and what risks were involved.

Right now, General Volmer was doing something he hated, something that most men that were of a rank his high hated: reporting to his superiors.

The review board in the room consisted of three other generals. Two of them, General Richard Strauss, and General Abigail Chase, were the same rank as he was, Brigadier General. However, they were both far more decorated and had far more influence than he was, so he knew well enough to listen to them.

The third general was one who could actually pull rank on him. Major General Bronson Malloy, an officer known for having practically no sense of humor. Dealing with him was always an intimidating experience.

The three members of the review board were seated at three desks in front of Volmer, who was trying very hard not to be nervous.

“General Volmer,” said Malloy, looking at a clipboard, “we have received the report from the agents sent to observe the latest test runs…”

Volmer frowned. Agents? Spies was what they were.

“…and frankly,” said Malloy, “this controversial plan of yours is having some rather sad results.

“According to this, one Pokémon that was referred to as a… Slaking actually fell asleep in the middle of a dry run. Can you explain this?”

“Uhm, yes I can sir,” replied Volmer. “Slaking simply cannot help themselves. They are incredibly powerful, but they simply must rest every minute or two. With the amount of power they use, they need to… recharge. Pokémon experts call it a Truant ability.”

“I see…” muttered Malloy, with a frown.

He looked back at the clipboard.

“Another concern came with a Pokémon referred to as a Primeape. One of the supervisors tried to give it orders, and received a punch in the teeth.”

“Yes, I know about that,” said Volmer, now even more nervous. “As I attempted to tell that drill sergeant, several times, shouting in a Primeape’s face like you do to a human soldier is not a good idea. Primeape have bad tempers, and tend to lash out if you make them mad. Just ask any trainer who owns one.”

“I see…” said Malloy, frowning again. “Possibly the most disturbing thing here is this report that a… Rhydon would not cross a five-foot-deep channel of water, no matter how much it was urged and prompted.”

Volmer sighed.

“Sir,” he said. “Rock and Ground Pokémon are hurt by water. Rhydon is both Rock and Ground. It thus knows enough not to try to enter water.”

Then Chase let out a small laugh.

“Oh, this is wonderful!” she said. “You promised that these Rock Pokémon could stand up to any artillery short of a tank. Well, it seems that the enemy wouldn’t need a tank… All they’d need to mow your forces down would be a fire truck!”

“General Chase is right, Volmer,” said Strauss. “You can’t expect us to take your Pokémon Special Forces seriously if they’re going to have such obvious weaknesses. Soldiers cannot loaf off in the middle of a battle, and they cannot be afraid of water!”

“I’m… working on correcting the problems,” said Volmer.

“General Volmer,” said Malloy, “if the taxpayers knew where their money was going with many government projects, they’d be very upset. Projects that accomplish nothing productive become known as pork barrel spending, and the ones in charge of them end up taking the heat.

“We’ll see if you’ve corrected the problems when the next review comes to our desks. If you haven’t, we’ll have no choice but to cancel this project.

“You are dismissed.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Kitsune was in big trouble, and she knew it. She had slipped out of Officer Jenny’s handcuffs rather easily, but the shackles holding her hands now were much tighter.

She was back in the Grasp Building, in a room that Jessica had called the Last Chance Room. She assumed it was called such because it was here that a member of Rocket Reborn had her last chance to bargain (or maybe beg) before Jessica threw her in the prison complex.

She wasn’t very comfortable. Her feet were manacled to a platform that rose a foot off the ground, and her wrists were shackled to chains that were embedded in the same platform. Digger was standing by the door, casually leaning against it as he watched her.

Still, Kitsune was calm. She had been trained to be. She had resolved not to lose her cool in this conversation, no matter how one-sided it turned out.

Jessica walked in. Kitsune’s expression didn’t change, even though rage started to build inside her. Her sword… The sword that had once belonged to her father, that he had given to her after she had finished her training, was now on Jessica’s hip.

Jessica pulled it halfway out of the sheath.

“Katana blade…” she said. “Nice…”

“Be careful,” replied Kitsune. “You aren’t trained in its use. You’d hurt yourself far more than anyone you’d try to fight with it.”

“You know, you’re right,” replied Jessica. “Who needs a sword…”

A pokeball opened, and Palkia appeared.

“…when I have him?”

Digger crossed his arms and frowned in disgust. He shook his head.

“Now, start talking, princess,” said Jessica. “It’s your only chance of ever seeing daylight again… Why did you take the Nexus Rod?”

“I didn’t!” protested Kitsune. “Right before I was possessed, Dialga came and took it.”

Jessica crossed her arms and looked at her with a smug smile.

“Dialga took it,” she said. “A Pokémon his size just waltzed in there, stole the Nexus Rod from out of my backpack without waking us up or alerting the Pokémon who were watching, and just waltzed back out.

“You must think I’m stupid.”

“Nothing could be further from my mind,” replied Kitsune.

You blithering idiot, she thought.

“Why do you think I would steal it, anyway?” she asked.

“Well, let’s see…” said Jessica. “It has two big gems on it, you’re a ninja, ninjas are thieves… You do the math!”

“I’m an assassin, not a pickpocket!” replied Kitsune.

“Palkia…” said Jessica. “Maybe you can get the truth out of her.”

“Mmm,” replied Palkia. “Mmm-mmm!”

“Huh?” said Jessica. “No? You believe her?”

Palkia nodded.

“You think Dialga did take it?” asked Jessica.

“Mmm!” said the huge Pokémon, nodding again.

“Well…” said Digger, “if the big, scary monster says so…”

“Quiet, Digger!” shouted Jessica.

She turned to Kitsune.

“One thing before I unchain you…” she said. “Do you know what Dialga did with it?”

“Yeah…” muttered Kitsune. “He… Gave it to Starbuck. I think Starbuck is gonna go to the Spires himself to do something with it. He might even try to do the same thing with Dialga that you did with this guy.”

Jessica glared at Kitsune. She crossed her arms.

“Digger, let her go,” she said.

“I don’t think that’s wise,” replied Digger.

Then Jessica glared at him.

“Digger…” she said. “Do you like your job as my enforcer?”

“Uh... Yes?” said Digger.

“You know why you have that job?” she asked. “I’ll tell you why… Because you own Pokémon that are scary and intimidating. The prisoners down there know that even if they somehow get out of their cells, they’re gonna have to deal with your Pokémon.

“Well, guess what, Digger? Palkia is scarier than any Pokémon you’ve got. And he’s been around since the dawn of time, seen things that you couldn’t dream of. He’s smarter than you!”

As she said this, she jabbed him with her finger.

“Not to mention that he’s willing to do what I say. And once I have Dialga too, it’s not like I’ll need both of them on my team at once. So do what I tell you to do, or Palkia gets your job.”

Digger didn’t need any more prompting. He started to unlock Kitsune’s shackles.

“So, am I off the hook?” she asked.

“Not yet,” said Jessica. “I want to throw someone in my prison, and it’s either gonna be you or Mandy.”

Kitsune stepped off the platform.

“But… You haven’t caught Mandy…” she said.

“And it’s your job to do so,” replied Jessica.

She handed her the sword.

“I’m going to take the others back to the Spire to deal with Starbuck, his mother, and his girlfriend. While I’m gone, you find Mandy, and bring her back alive.

“If you succeed, she’s the one who goes to my prison. If you fail, it’s you.

“I think that’s fair, don’t you think? Don’t forget, the monetary reward for her is still available…”

“Alive?” said Kitsune.

“Uhm, uh…”

“Problem?” asked Jessica.

“Well, see,” said Kitsune. “I’m an assassin, Jessica. Bringing someone in alive is what a bounty hunter does. The two jobs take a completely different set of skills, and…”

“Then I suggest you take a crash course in them!” shouted Jessica, to her face.

Palkia growled.

“Don’t forget,” she continued, “you have until I get back… I don’t know when that will be, so I suggest you get started.”

She walked out of the room.

Kitsune looked at Digger.

“I only work here…” he said.

Kitsune covered the lower half of her face with her mask and glared at him. Then she walked out.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Where’s your mother, Starbuck?” asked Shadow.

“She went out to rent some all-terrain vehicle,” replied Starbuck, looking at all the things that were set out on the floor of the Center. The Spires isn’t exactly the right place for motorcycles.

“Now let’s see if we’ve got everything… Bottled water, K-rations, flare gun, flares, compass, portable tents, sleeping bags, battery-powered lantern…”

“Got batteries for it?” asked Shadow.

“I got plenty,” replied Starbuck. “Let’s see… Pokeballs, Pokémon remedies, extra socks, first aid kit, Bible…”

“Bible?” asked Shadow.

Starbuck picked it up.

“A little faith never hurts…” he said. “I think we have everything… You do have your toughest Pokémon with you, right?”

“They’re all ready to go,” said Shadow. “What do you think we’ll find there?”

“Hopefully, we’ll get a warmer reception than my dad did,” replied Starbuck. “Once mom comes, we’ll wait until six and then leave.”

“So we’re going to travel by night?” asked Shadow.

“When you journey through dangerous territory, it’s best to travel at night and sleep during the day,” replied Starbuck. “There are more dangerous things out there at night, and you don’t want to be asleep when they come out. So we’d best get attuned to it.”

“Maybe we should stock up on Dusk Balls then,” replied Shadow.

“Good point,” said Starbuck. “I’ll go pick some up.”

* * * * * * * * * *

As six o’clock neared, Kitsune wandered through the more rural parts of Blueberry Cove, carrying a briefcase. It wasn’t as glamorous here as it was uptown. Tattoo parlors and adult video stores were about, and prostitutes were on several corners. What infuriated her the most were the men who assumed that she was one of them with a unique theme. They quickly learned otherwise.

Her eyes fell on the shop she was looking for, a place whose sign had Chinese lettering.

She walked into a small curiosity shop, where an old woman and a young child were behind a counter, eating noodles with chopsticks.

“Po Sin,” said Kitsune, softly.

The old woman quickly got up. She went to a large shelf, and moved it aside, revealing a corridor behind it. Kitsune nodded to her, and went in.

“Hello, Kitsune,” said a cheery voice, as she went in. “Long time no see.”

The corridor led to a dim room where classical music was playing softly on an old-fashioned record player. Shelves lined the walls, full of bottles, flasks, and jars. The man who spoke was an elderly Chinese man with white hair.

“Seriously,” he said, “how long has it been?”

“About four months,” said Kitsune. “Look, Po Sin, I only came back because I need the best. I have a job that I can’t botch, and I can’t use the cheap stuff. I need the stuff that really works. I need your stuff.”

“Well, that’s what I’m here for,” said Po Sin, standing up. “What means of delivery are looking for this time, ingestion or injury?”

“Probably injury, but there’s a little catch,” replied Kitsune. “I need non-lethal poison. The victim has to be taken alive this time.”

“Hmm…” said Po Sin.

He looked at some of the flasks.

“Well, I’ve got this stuff…” he said, taking a jar down. “Guaranteed to put the average person to sleep for thirty minutes.”

“I need something a little stronger,” said Kitsune. “This target is definitely not the ‘average person’.”

“Well, Kitsune…” said Po Sin, “just how much are you willing to pay me?”

Kitsune held up the briefcase she had brought.

“It’s my life savings, Po Sin,” she said. “Almost fifty-thousand dollars.”

Po Sin looked at her in shock.

“Why?” he asked. “Why would you spend everything you have just to complete one job?”

“I’ll tell you why,” said Kitsune. “If I succeed, I’ll collect a bounty worth six million dollars. I won’t need it any more.

“But if I fail, I’ll be thrown into a dark prison that I’ll likely never get out of. If that happens, I also won’t need it any more.

“So… I’m willing to spend all I’ve got on the best non-lethal poison you have. Just make sure it won’t fail.”

Po Sin nervously moved a painting aside, one that hid a wall safe. He started to open it…

* * * * * * * * * *

Lisa had been good to her word to rent a durable all-terrain vehicle. The Jeep Wrangler would be tough enough to handle the rough terrain of the Spires. And after the clock passed six, they were headed out of town, with Lisa at the wheel.

“So how far is it to the Spires anyway?” asked Shadow, as they crossed onto the highway.

“I’m not sure as far as distance,” replied Lisa. “When Ishmael and I went there to face Gestalt, we teleported there.

“To estimate, I think we should be there by morning.”

“We’ll drive until nine, and then stop to eat,” said Starbuck. “I packed some sandwiches and fruit… We’ll eat the perishable food before we actually get to the Spires.”

“Living on hardtack and beef jerky…” sighed Lisa. “I knew that this whole adventure would have to have an ugly side.”

As they drove down the highway, they didn’t know that a Skarmory was following them from well behind, a small device mounted on its head.

From a vantage point, two other vehicles were parked. Jessica, Leo, and Sofia were in one, Dugan and Tony were in the other.

Tony checked a device that was built into his vehicle.

“It spotted them!” he said. “Unless two other trainers that travel in the same car carry a Blaziken and a Magmortar between them, it’s them all right.”

“All right…” said Jessica. “Your Skarmory can keep them in sight, so we won’t lose them. That will afford us the ability to stay out of sight.”

“Why don’t we just make a rush at them?” asked Leo. “Its five against one, thirty Pokémon against eighteen!”

“Leo, we have to be careful!” said Jessica. “Don’t forget, you and Kitsune have both been possessed by agents of the Twisting. Don’t forget, Dialga has contacted Starbuck personally!

“So… To avoid any more unexpected… divine intervention, we’ll be maintaining a low profile, ‘kay? After all, this isn’t a race.”

She looked at everyone.

“Let’s move out…”

* * * * * * * * * *

Nine PM.

Starbuck and company stopped at a rest area. It was time not only to feed themselves, but to feed their Pokémon, and let them stretch their legs.

Starbuck opened up his pokeballs, and let out Dawn, Dusk, Blaziken, Luxray, Ludicolo, and Donphan. Shadow opened hers, letting out Breloom, Magmortar, Gallade, Empoleon, Houndoom, and Gengar.

Lisa let out her Pokémon as well: Poliwrath, Shiftry, Infernape, Ampharos, Xatu… and Munchlax.

Starbuck was very surprised when he saw Munchlax.

“Mom!” he shouted. “I thought I told you only to bring your most powerful Pokémon. You only caught that guy a couple of weeks ago.”

“Not a bad Munchlax, though,” said Blaziken, rubbing his chin.

Starbuck looked at Blaziken. He was still a little unnerved whenever he spoke.

“I know, honey, I know…” said Lisa. “But I’ve been working very hard to train Munchlax. You’d be surprised at how much progress we’ve made. It’s become very powerful, and…”

“Mom…” said Starbuck.

He put his arm around his mother’s shoulder. He could see what was happening.

His dad owned a Snorlax, and like all of his Pokémon, it was one of the nicest creatures that ever lived. When Starbuck was a little boy, his dad’s Snorlax would let him use its belly as a trampoline. It was such fun…

And in the winter, after coming in out of the cold and snow, snuggling up in its big, soft arms was better than a cup of hot chocolate…

Those were happy times, times when Starbuck played with Snorlax, and also with Ninetales, Manectric, Golem, Gardevoir, Machamp, and Mightyena. But Ishmael had taken those six Pokémon with him on the mission that he had never come back from, leaving Snorlax behind. Like all of Ishmael’s Pokémon that had not gone with him, Snorlax took it hard. Starbuck eventually set them free, as Ishmael had given him the right to do so if he didn’t come back, hoping that they’d find happiness once again.

“Mom, even if it evolves into another Snorlax, it’s not going to be dad’s Snorlax,” said Starbuck.

Lisa sighed.

“I know…” she said.

They didn’t know that two sets of eyes were watching them through binoculars. Tony and Dugan were at another vantage point, keeping a close eye on them.

“Do my eyes deceive me?” said Dugan. “Or is that a Munchlax?”

“I don’t think your eyes are deceiving you, Dugan,” replied Tony.

He looked at Dugan.

“And unless my eyes are deceiving me, you’re getting another one of your bird-brained ideas.”

“Munchlax is a very rare and valuable Pokémon,” muttered Dugan. “And it evolves into an incredibly powerful Snorlax.

“And even better, Snorlax that evolve from Munchlax are more powerful than Snorlax that are born as Snorlax.”

“It doesn’t belong to you!” said Tony.

“Ah, did that ever stop Annie and Oakley?” said Dugan. “Did that ever stop the Iron Masked Marauder?”

Tony laughed.

“And where did it get them?” he asked. “You know, Jessica’s mom and dad may have been the sorriest members of the original Team Rocket, but they had one advantage over every other member… They were really good at staying out of jail!

“That is… Until the very end…

“So… I suppose you’re going to emulate Team Rocket and swipe that Munchlax. What will Jessica say?”

“She doesn’t even have to know,” replied Dugan. “We don’t have to report back for a while. This isn’t a race, as she said.”

* * * * * * * * * *

“Okay, people,” said Starbuck. “Let’s do a headcount… One, two…”

He counted all the Pokémon.

“Sixteen…

“Seventeen. Only seventeen?

“We’re one Pokémon short! Everyone check around.”

“Oh, great,” said Lisa. “Munchlax wandered off again…”

“You mean it’s done so before?” asked Shadow.

“Don’t worry,” said Lisa. “All we have to do is find the nearest Berry bush, and we’ll find it…”

[B]* * * * * * * * * *

[B]


Down the pathway, Dugan and Tony were hiding in the bushes. On the path, neatly arranged in a pile were a dozen pink Berries shaped like crescents.

“Now how does this work again?” asked Tony.

“Well, Munchlax love rich, sweet foods,” said Dugan. “As soon as it catches a whiff of those Mago Berries, it will come this way and gobble them up like candy.”

“So?” asked Tony.

“Well,” continued Dugan, “Mago Berries have a little side effect… If a Pokémon eats too many of them, it becomes dizzy and disoriented. It will be easy for us to catch.

“Here it comes! Quiet now…”

Munchlax wandered down the path.

“Okay…” whispered Dugan. “First it sees the Berries…”

“Munchlax!” exclaimed the Pokémon.

It ran to the Berries and started devouring them.

“Now it’s eating the Berries…” whispered Dugan.

Munchlax swallowed the last Berry. Then it licked its lips, and continued down the path.

“And now… it… walks… off… into… the… forest…” muttered Dugan.

“Brilliant plan,” said Tony. “I thought you were some researcher or something.”

“Well, I am…” said Dugan. “I’m just better with Pokémon that are mentioned in myths and legends…

“Hide!”

They ducked behind the bush, as Starbuck, Lisa, and Shadow started to walk down the path.

“Hold up,” said Lisa.

She bent down, and picked up a Mago pit.

“Well, he was here,” she said. “And I’d wager he’s not full yet. This way.”

As they left, Dugan turned to Tony.

“Okay, we’d better stop being so subtle,” he said. “We’ll catch up to that Munchlax, and grab it.”

“What if she tries to stop us?” asked Tony.

Dugan held up a pokeball.

“Don’t worry…” he said. “I happen to know of something that sends shivers down the spine of the wife of Ishmael Conrad…”

* * * * * * * * * * *

It didn’t take Munchlax long to find more food, and then some. Fifteen minutes later, he had come across a whole patch of Tamato Berries. These fruits were known for being incredibly spicy, but Munchlax was packing them away happily. His mouth and chin was sticky with the juice.

Dugan and Tony were watching it with puzzled expressions.

“Man…” said Tony. “I’m getting heartburn just watching it!”

“No matter,” said Dugan. “Let’s grab it.”

They stepped out of hiding, and crept up behind the Munchlax.

Then Dugan stepped on a twig. The Pokémon paused.

“Munchlax!” he shouted, dodging aside as Dugan made a grab for it.

“Come here, you little,” said Dugan.

“Munchlax, Munchlax, Munchlax…” cried the Munchlax, as he ran from Dugan.

Unfortunately, the chubby Pokémon wasn’t very fast, and Dugan eventually grabbed him with a tackle.

“Gotcha!” he said.

“HEY!” shouted a voice.

Dugan looked up, and saw Lisa standing ten feet away, with a scowl on her face. Starbuck and Shadow were behind her.

“What are you doing with my Munchlax?” she demanded.

“Munchlax…” said the Munchlax, which she could tell was Pokémonese for “help”.

“Ah, Dr. LeBaron,” said Dugan.

“Dr. LeBaron-Conrad,” corrected Lisa.

“Whatever,” replied Dugan. “I am Dr. Douglas Dugan, a Pokémon researcher like yourself.”

“Be that as it may,” said Lisa, “you’re still holding something that belongs to me.”

“Why must we argue, doctor?” asked Dugan. “We’re so much alike… We’re both intelligent, worldly… We have interests in areas that most folks don’t find interesting.

“In fact, I, like you, specialize in Legendary Pokémon.”

Lisa closed her eyes.

“As much as I’d love to compare notes with someone like that,” she said, “all I see right now is a thief who’s trying to steal my Munchlax. Now let it go!”

Dugan chuckled.

“Well then…” he said. “Since my attempt to sweet-talk you didn’t work… I’m afraid I have to cut to the chase…

“You see, I’m not only a Pokémon researcher… I’m also a Pokémon trainer of no small skill.”

Then he threw a pokeball out, apparently from under his sleeve.

“Mom, look out!” shouted Starbuck.

The pokeball opened, and a very large Pokémon emerged with a loud roar… It loomed over Lisa…

Lisa stepped back in shock… It was an Aggron.

And it was even bigger than the one she had subdued outside of Blueberry Cove recently.

* * * * * * * * * *

It was mentioned before, and it bears repeating. Aggron was a Pokémon species that Lisa LeBaron-Conrad found hard to accept, due to her conflicts with Team Chaos when she and Ishmael were young.

When the head of Team Chaos, a maniac named Faustus, wanted to kill a person, he had a unique method. He’d throw the condemned victim into an arena, where he’d be attacked and devoured by a larger-than-normal Aggron that Faustus had named Grendel.

Of course, normally, Aggron only eat metal. But Team Chaos had discovered that an Aggron that was hungry enough would turn carnivorous with the right prompting. An Aggron would die if fed only flesh, but Team Chaos fed it just enough iron ore to keep it hungry and willing to act as an assassin.

Eventually, Ishmael and Lisa were captured, and sentenced to this grim fate. Facing Grendel and with no Pokémon or any means to defend themselves, it looked like the end, until they were saved by a Team Chaos defector.

Ever since then, however, the sight of these stone and metal titans was enough to give Lisa pause. They reminded her of what may have been her closest call, a grisly doom at the hands of a man-eating monster…

* * * * * * * * * *

“Mom, stay back,” said Starbuck, “we can handle this guy…”

“Keep it away…” gasped Lisa. “I can’t…”

Then one of her pokeballs started to glow.

It burst open, and Poliwrath leapt out.

“Poliwrath!” it exclaimed.

“Poliwrath?” said Lisa. “You… You want to help me take care of Aggron?”

“Poliwrath,” said the Pokémon, nodding.

“Okay…” said Lisa. “Go get it!”

Dugan growled.

Poliwrath leapt at the larger Pokémon, and blasted a Hydro Pump from the swirl on its belly. Aggron sputtered and stepped backwards as the water drenched it.

“A little water can’t hurt!” said Dugan. “Show that frog what you’re made of with Metal Burst!”

“Poliwrath, brace yourself!” shouted Lisa.

Poliwrath did brace itself, as Aggron started to glow. It shielded itself as shards of metal exploded off of Aggron’s hide, striking Poliwrath and knocking it over.

Poliwrath slowly got up.

“That Poliwrath is one tough Pokémon,” said Shadow.

“I know,” said Starbuck. “Mom’s had it since before I was born.”

“Poliwrath…” muttered Poliwrath, looking at its foe.

Then it leapt up at Aggron, with its fist glowing. It socked the Steel Pokémon hard with a mighty Dynamicpunch. Aggron howled.

Aggron was still standing, but it was not in the best shape. It held its head, dizzy and teetering.

“Don’t let it beat you!” shouted Dugan. “Hit that thing with your Double-Edge!”

Aggron growled, and shook the fog out of its head. It looked at Poliwrath, and lowered its head, preparing to charge.

Lisa suddenly got her courage back. It was time to take this thing out.

“Take it down, Poliwrath!” she shouted. “Use Focus Blast!”

“Poliwrath…” muttered Poliwrath.

It put its hands together, and fired a ball of pure energy straight at Aggron, hitting it directly in the chest. Aggron, roared again, and teetered…

Then, the giant fell. It was out.

Dugan gasped in shock. He dropped Munchlax. Munchlax wasted no time, and ran back to Lisa.

“This isn’t over!” shouted Dugan, pulling out another pokeball. Tony also reached for a pokeball.

Then Blaziken and Breloom appeared.

“You really think you two can take all three of us?” asked Shadow.

Dugan looked at Tony.

“I really don’t like running away…” he whispered.

“We won’t be running away…” replied Tony. “We’ll be… Making a strategic retreat.”

Dugan recalled Aggron, and the two Rockets backed away from the trio.

“Strategic retreat…” said Dugan. “Okay, I can live with that…”

They ran into the woods.

Lisa sighed.

“Good work, Poliwrath,” she said.

“Why, thank you, Lisa,” replied Poliwrath.

Lisa was shocked.

“Did you talk?” she asked.

Poliwrath looked just as surprised.

“Why yes, I suppose I did,” he said. “I spoke in the human language… Awfully peculiar, isn’t it?”

His voice seemed incredibly formal, like that of an educated scholar.

“Shaymin’s gift!” exclaimed Starbuck. “It was given to Poliwrath!”

“Mmm, quite nice of the old chap,” said Poliwrath. “Well, now that we’ve gotten Munchlax back, I suggest we continue what we were doing… I believe our goal was to get to the Spires before daybreak.”

“I’m with the Pokémon,” said Shadow. “This detour has taken long enough as it is.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, Dugan and Tony were running through the forest.

“Man, that was a close call,” said Tony. “I hope…”

Then they stopped short.

Jessica, Leo, and Sofia were right in front of them.

“Uh… Hi?” said Dugan, nervously.

“Are you two pinheads trying to tell them that Rocket Reborn is following them?” asked Jessica.

“No!” shouted Dugan. “They don’t know we were from Rocket! Honest!”

“And you are very lucky that they don’t,” replied Jessica. “You could have risked everything merely to steal a rare Pokémon.

“Here me now, Dugan… Don’t let your lust for trophy specimens cloud your judgment. That was the mistake our predecessors made, and it led to their ruin.

“Now, get in the vehicles. We have to get to the Spires before them now in order to prepare.

“This has indeed become a race… A race that I intend to win…”



Coming up next:

The Spires await. And Starbuck meets the Guardian of the Stone Plate. This Guardian is unique among all the Guardians we have seen so far, because while he is a Pokémon, he is not the Type that the Plate he guards represents. And even more importantly, he knows information about Starbuck’s father.

Who is he? The answer will be revealed in “The Heavenly Forge”, coming soon.

[Shuppet Master]

So we see the final Pokemon whose Shaymin's gift was given to, but I didn't expect it to be a bog-standard Poliwrath. I guess Poliwrath is becoming the mascot of Pokemon.

Anyways, who was speaking in the intro? It couldn't be Lisa. Oh well, not like it matters.

Keep up the good work, Brian, and I'm glad SHG is still alive and well, I had all but given up on it.

[Dark Sage]

The person speaking in the intro was Jessica. Sorry if I didn't make that clearer. I thought when she said that Ash always made her parents look like fools, it was a givaway.

[MeLoVeGhOsTs]

Want more, the plot is thickening. Keep it up.

[Shuppet Master]

Sorry about that, I should have guessed that it was Jessica speaking in the intro. <_<

[Dark Sage]

What’s this? Updating both of my fanfics on the same day? You’d better believe it…



I consider myself an authority on Legendary Pokémon. As such, I’ve been lucky enough to have seen and interacted with many of them.

The first one was Celebi. I owe it a lot. It saved me from a terrible fate at the hands of Gestalt.

Recently, I saw Heatran, although unfortunately, it was in the hands of a nasty trainer. I saw Shaymin, and it gave one of my best Pokémon the gift of human speech. I also recently saw Cresselia, although it flew away before I could study it.

The only time I intentionally sought out a Legendary was the time I attempted to capture Giratina. I failed, due to my dire mistake in predicting what Type of Pokémon it was. I don’t know why it didn’t choose to chase me when I fled for my life, but I’m glad it didn’t.

And that leads us up to now… I’m on a quest to find the most powerful Legendary of all, the God of Pokémon… And the three of us are face-to-expressionless-face with a Legendary that I’ve never even heard of.

I’ve got so many questions… Will it have answers?

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE



Heavenly Forge

Starbuck, Shadow, and Lisa hiked up the hill.

“There…” said Starbuck, pointing up.

It was an intimidating sight. A very high stairway was build into the side of a mountain, which seemed to be an extinct volcano. At the top of the volcano, built into the mountainside itself, was a strange building made of black rock.

The three of them walked up to the stairway and received a surprise. The individual stairs were big. Each of them was almost three times the size of a normal step.

“Uh, Starbuck?” said Shadow. “Why are the stairs so large?”

“These stairs…” said Lisa. “They weren’t made for humans…

“They were made for something that’s about twelve feet tall…”

They looked up at the building.

“If the Guardian is a Pokémon,” said Shadow, “it’s gotta be a pretty decent-sized one…”

“This is the Stone Plate, remember?” replied Starbuck. “Rock Pokémon tend to be big.

“And this is not going to scare us away! Not when this Guardian knows something about dad…

“Let’s get going, people… I’m in no rush…”

Slowly, one step at a time, they started to climb the oversized stairway…

* * * * * * * * * *

Kitsune watched as Mandy went into a convenience store.

No way out, Mandy… she thought. I have you cornered…

Inside the store, Mandy found something that had caught her eye.

“Rage Candy Bars!” she exclaimed, taking the candy off the candy rack. “I haven’t had one of those since…”

She sighed.

“…since Jessica threw me into her prison… Well, if she wants me again, she’ll have to fight me until I…

“…drop?”

She chose that exact moment to turn around, and saw Kitsune aiming a blowgun at her.

Being a Battle Girl, Mandy knew enough not to waste time by saying anything to her. She dropped to the floor, and the dart shot over her.

“Damn…” muttered Kitsune.

She didn’t have time to load another dart. She dropped the blowgun and reached for the dagger in her belt.

Unfortunately for her, Mandy’s fist was in her face before she could use it.

A cruder fighter would have stuck around and hit Kitsune again. Or maybe would have tried to pin Kitsune to the ground and strangle her. But again, Mandy was smart. She knew enough to run while Kitsune was stunned. Blowguns and daggers in the hands of a Ninja were both likely poisoned… All Kitsune would have to do was scratch her with something sharp, even a ring setting or a fake fingernail, and the fight would be over.

As she ran, Mandy realized the grim truth of the situation…

She couldn’t run forever… Sooner or later, Jessica was going to catch her. If Kitsune failed, there would be more.

But she couldn’t let Jessica get ahold of the Heaven’s Pipe, she just couldn’t! She had to do everything in her power to make sure that it fell into Starbuck’s hands…

As she ran down the street, she started thinking of a plan…

She sighed. How she had wanted one of those Rage Candy Bars…

* * * * * * * * * *

Starbuck, Lisa, and Shadow climbed up the last step.

“I envy Pokémon,” muttered Shadow. “They get to relax in their pokeballs while their owners walk all over creation.”

“You know,” replied Starbuck, “I once read somewhere that that’s the whole idea about how pokeballs are used to capture Pokémon. If a Pokémon is injured, it will want to curl up inside a warm, comfortable place, and a pokeball fits the bill.”

“Yeah, well, Gestalt must have read the instructions wrong!” snapped Lisa.

“Sorry mom…” muttered Starbuck.

“Huh?” asked Shadow.

“Gestalt had created a special pokeball that could hold humans,” replied Starbuck. “Mom was the unfortunate recipient of one of them.”

“And it was anything but warm and comfortable,” said Lisa. “It was a nightmare. If Gestalt even had a soul, I hope he’s in some very unpleasant Hell right now.”

“Let’s not dwell on the past, mom…” said Starbuck.

They all turned to the front door of the building…

The door was made of stone, and was huge. It could easily admit the biggest of Pokémon. And there was strange writing carved on it.

“I recognize this writing!” exclaimed Starbuck. “This was the exact same script that was on that Golem statue in the Bunglewood!”

“The same script that’s in Snowpoint Temple in Sinnoh,” added Lisa.

Then the door slowly creaked open.

They looked into a very large room, lit by torches and fire pits. It seemed to be a large armory of some sort. Racks of old-fashioned weapons lined the walls; swords, spears, axes, and staff-weapons…

But what dominated the room was the huge device in the center. It was a giant forge, made of black stone, with a dozen bellows, equipped with anvils, hammers, and tongs that were twice the size of standard ones. The forge wasn’t lit right now – its fire was out.

“What is it?” asked Starbuck, in wonder.

And then, the forge lit. A roaring flame appeared inside it, the fire casting flickering shadows upon the walls.

Then they realized that they were not alone. Someone was behind them.

They turned around, and then looked up.

The Guardian – apparently the blacksmith – had come in.

* * * * * * * * * *

Mandy was at the Blueberry Cove bus depot. There was no sign of Kitsune for the moment. She had given her the slip, for now.

For what had to be the tenth time, she resisted the urge to buy a bus ticket on the next bus out of town. She knew she had more important things to do.

It hadn’t taken Mandy much money to rent a bus station locker. Unlocking it, she took the Heaven’s Pipe out of her satchel, which she had wrapped in bubble wrap and tape.

She shoved it deep into the locker, and locked it tight. Then she stashed the key in her bra.

Part one was done. Now she had to find a place to put the key where Starbuck could get it.

And she had the perfect place… She just had to pray that the person in question was still alive and still running the same business.

* * * * * * * * * *

The three humans looked up at the Pokémon. As they had expected, it was pretty big. It was actually closer to thirteen feet tall, and was about seven feet wide. It had no neck; its faceless head seemed to be part of its torso, and its bulky, hulking body didn’t seem to be made of either stone or flesh, but a strange combination of both.

In general design, it seemed to resemble the Regis, but radiated an aura of strength even more intense than Brandon’s three Pokémon were ever known to.

“Uh…” said Shadow.

The huge Pokémon walked past them, and towards the forge. It casually sat down on the front, as if it were some huge throne.

It didn’t speak, but they could tell it was looking them over, even though it didn’t seem to have any eyes.

Finally, they heard its voice in their heads. It sounded like the rumble of a small earthquake.

“You have come for the Stone Plate, Mr. Conrad?” it said.

“Uh, yeah…” said Starbuck. “You… You know my name?”

“I guessed,” replied the Pokémon. “You look just like your father…”

“Yes, yes!” exclaimed Starbuck. “What do you know? Do you know where he is?!”

“Patience…” said the Pokémon. “I know that he’s alive. What condition he is in, I am not sure…

“You might say it is a long story…”

“Look pal…” said Lisa. “We have the time. We want to know where my husband is!

“Who are you? What is this… smithy?”

“I’ll answer the second question first,” replied the Pokémon. “This is the Heavenly Forge, a device capable of creating tools of divine power.

“And I am the only blacksmith who is allowed to use it… I am Regigigas.”

Starbuck looked at the large Pokémon. Then he looked at Lisa.

“Regigigas…” he said. “Percival said that was the Pokémon that was in Snowpoint Temple…”

“A very long story…” said Regigigas.

It leaned back, and put its arms behind its “head”.

“It seems I have two tasks,” it continued. “Telling you what you need to know, and accepting your challenge for the Stone Plate. But my story is too long to tell all at once…

“I’ll tell you half of it now… Then we will battle… Then, once we are done, I’ll tell the other half.”

Starbuck sighed.

“I guess that’s the best we’ll get,” he said.

* * * * * * * * * *

Nick’s Nacks

Antiques and Memorabilia

The sign still hung over the door of the old shop, which apparently hadn’t changed at all in the past three years.

Mandy looked around, and then went in.

An old man was sitting behind the counter of the dusty, old shop. Nick was still there, as if he had never left his spot, still reading the sport’s section of the newspaper while the radio behind him played the oldies station. She did notice one change, however. Nick’s pet Glameow, “Tiger”, was now a Purugly. It still sat on the counter, half asleep and not responsive to much. (Mandy had never known it to get into a Pokémon battle.)

“Nick?” she said.

Nick looked up from the paper, and looked over his glasses.

“Mandy?” he said. “Is that you?”

He chuckled.

“I keep telling you Mandy… You’re gonna catch your death of cold dressed like that…”

Mandy sighed. Nick had never understood her outfit.

Mandy came over to the counter and pet Tiger. The Purugly purred.

“So, how are things going, Nick?” she asked.

“Ah, same old same old,” replied Nick, turning the page of his newspaper. “Grandkids all gave me golf balls for my birthday… Heh, I’m probably gonna lose them all the next time I play golf…”

Mandy took the key out of her bra, which now had a clip attached to it. She quickly fastened it to Tiger’s collar.

Nick likely wouldn’t notice it. He barely ever noticed anything.

“Well, Nick,” she said. “It was nice seeing you and all, but I just came in to say hi…”

Part two was complete. All that remained was part three, getting a message to Starbuck.

As she took her cell phone out of her pouch she glanced outside.

She would have to complete part three quickly…

Kitsune was in the street outside, and she clearly knew she was in the store.

* * * * * * * * * *

“So what’s the story, Regigigas?” asked Shadow.

“I’ll begin at the beginning,” replied the huge Pokémon.

It paused, as if to take a deep breath.

“In the beginning, Arceus shaped the world…”

“Uh, that may be a little too far back,” replied Starbuck.

“It is necessary,” replied Regigigas. “As I was saying, when Arceus shaped the world, it was a jumbled mess. The continents and oceans existed in a disorderly state. As both Pokémon and humans started to evolve, this crude arrangement of the landmasses was clearly insufficient to house them.

“So Arceus used his great power to construct the Heavenly Forge, the artifact you see behind me. He gathered pieces of a precious ore found in the hearts of stars, and shaped this ore in the forge, pounding it into shape, until he created a Pokémon that was almost pure strength. He breathed life into it…

“The Pokémon he created was me.

“He gave me the task of fixing the landmasses, and gave me free reign of the Heavenly Forge for aid in doing so. So I set to work…

“As material, I chose ice, rock, and steel, three substances that were stoic and unyielding. Using the Forge’s power, I crafted three servants in my own image, Regice, Regirock, and Registeel.

“Then I crafted a set of mighty, unbreakable chains. And then, I and my three servants fastened the chains to ourselves, and used them to tow the continents of the world into a more orderly arrangement.

“My job was done. I let my servants go on their way. I lived in this temple for centuries, watching the world pass by… To amuse myself, I forged lesser versions of the three Regis, and some of them can be encountered even today.”

“I knew it,” said Lisa. “The three Regis aren’t unique. That’s why trainers have reported encountering ones that clearly aren’t Brandon’s.”

“And then…” continued Regigigas, “something happened… A time came in human history when humans started to train Pokémon.”

It bowed its head.

“What?” asked Starbuck.

“Some Pokémon resist being tamed,” sighed Regigigas. “But other Pokémon welcome it. I was one of the latter. Immortal as I was, I was lonely, and I welcomed human companionship.

“I found myself a trainer… A young man not unlike yourself. He was adventurous and full of life, and together, we accomplished great things…

“I’ll even go so far as to say that we were friends, as Pokémon and trainers should be…”

“So what happened?” asked Starbuck.

“Isn’t it obvious?” asked Regigigas. “I am immortal, young Conrad. Humans, unfortunately, are not.

“Eventually, my trainer grew old and frail. He couldn’t be a Pokémon trainer any longer. Death claims every mortal, and it was no different for him.

“I mourned, but eventually, I found a new trainer. This time it was a young girl, bright-eyed and full of sunshine, just as full of life as my first trainer. I was happy again for awhile…

“But she was no more immune to her mortality than my first trainer. Eventually, the same thing happened.”

“I… see…” said Starbuck.

“It happened several times,” said Regigigas sadly. “And I couldn’t forget. My memory is long. In my mind, I could see all of them… I saw their young, happy, laughing faces, all full of promise. I remembered all of our victories and accomplishments… And I remembered each time I was hurt.

“Finally, I decided I would not be hurt again. I traveled to the place where Snowpoint City would eventually be built, where I ordered three Regis to help me build a great temple. Once it was completed, I went to the deepest level, and went into a deep sleep. I had intended never to wake up again. I would dream of my trainers if I couldn’t accompany them any other way.

“The years went by… Snowpoint City was built around the Temple…”

Regigigas paused. It didn’t go on. Starbuck waited for it to continue.

“Well?” said Starbuck. “Come on! This was just starting to get interesting!”

Regigigas stood up.

“I have told the first half of my story, young Conrad…” it said. “The second half will wait until after our battle…”

Starbuck sighed.

“Fine…” he said. “I suppose we use four Pokémon?”

“Not so fast,” replied Regigigas. “There is a vital house rule to this contest. Yes, four Pokémon apiece…

“However, all of your Pokémon and three of mine are forbidden to use any of their innate powers.”

Starbuck gave him a weird look.

“Well how the heck are they supposed to battle then?” he exclaimed.

Regigigas gestured to the numerous racks of weapons lining the walls.

“You’re serious?” exclaimed Starbuck.

“These weapons were specifically designed for Pokémon,” it replied. “Naturally, only Pokémon who can stand upright and who have hands are allowed.

“You were wise to come here with allies. I hope that they trust you enough.”

Starbuck looked at Lisa and Shadow.

“Mom… Shadow…” he said. “The only Pokémon I have that could do it is Blaziken…”

Lisa smirked. She handed him two pokeballs.

“Here…” she said. “I’m sure that Infernape and Poliwrath would be happy to help.”

Starbuck took them, and then looked at Shadow. Shadow sighed.

She handed him a pokeball.

“Here!” she said. “You can use Breloom… But I swear, if its hurt when you’re done…”

“I’ll do my best,” said Starbuck.

“Okay, Regigigas,” he said. “Let’s battle!”

Regigigas gestured, and a pokeball appeared in its hand.

“I’m as eager to start as you are!” it said. “My first choice will be Lucario.”

The pokeball opened, and a Lucario appeared in a burst of light. It was a head taller than Jamie’s Pokémon, and its skin was a darker shade.

“Huh?” said Starbuck. “That isn’t a Rock Pokémon.”

“I never said I was using Rock Pokémon,” said Regigigas. “After all, I’m not Rock myself.”

Starbuck sighed, and chose a pokeball. He tossed it, and Infernape leapt out.

The two Pokémon glared at each other. Then Lucario gestured with its right hand. A sword flew off one of the racks, and flew to its hand, where it caught it. Then he gestured with its left hand, and called a shield to that hand from another rack.

Infernape nervously looked at Starbuck.

“Infernape…” he said.

“Don’t be scared!” said Starbuck. “Uhm… Try to do just what he did!”

Infernape looked at one of the racks. Its eyes fell on a long, curved scimitar.

It pointed to the weapon, but it didn’t move. Lucario chuckled a little.

“It’s going to have to try harder than that,” said Regigigas.

“Lucario!” laughed the Pokémon in front of it.

Infernape gave Lucario a dirty look.

It did try harder, and then the scimitar flew straight to its hand. It leveled the weapon at its foe, and Lucario stopped laughing.

Infernape leapt at Lucario, and the two swords clashed together…

* * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, Mandy was listening into the receiver, but she was getting no answer. She had no way of knowing that Starbuck’s mobile had no way of getting a signal where he was.

Finally, Kitsune apparently lost her patience. She walked into the store.

“Did you really think you could hide from me?” she asked. “You weren’t hard to find, Mandy. When I asked people if they saw a six-foot-tall, muscular young woman dressed in a halter top and loincloth, it kind of sticks out in their minds.”

Mandy didn’t answer. She bull-rushed Kitsune. However, Kitsune dodged aside, and Mandy ran out the door.

She stumbled a bit, but she kept running. She’d just run as fast as she could… She’d try to keep away as long as possible…

Then she felt it… A sharp stab in her left buttock. She had been hit by a dart.

She tried to keep running, but the drug on the dart worked fast. Trying to run took effort.

Then a second dart hit her in the shin. Then another one in her thigh.

Sweat poured down her face and she started panting heavily.

She had failed… Starbuck would never find the Heaven’s Pipe…

Those were the last thoughts in her head before she collapsed.

* * * * * * * * * *

Back at the Heavenly Forge, both Infernape and Lucario dropped their weapons, and collapsed, exhausted from the effort.

Starbuck was very nervous. He had never seen a fight that brutal before.

He slowly recalled his Pokémon, as Regigigas did the same.

“I call my second Pokémon,” said the blacksmith. “Come out, Machamp.”

The pokeball opened, and then the four-armed Fighting Pokémon emerged. It flexed its muscles, and looked at Starbuck.

“All right…” said Starbuck. “I guess I’ll have to go with someone with more experience…

“I choose Poliwrath!”

He threw the pokeball, and Lisa’s Fighter appeared in a burst of light.

“Be careful, Poliwrath!” shouted Lisa.

“Don’t worry,” said Poliwrath, looking at the Machamp, “I’m quite familiar with this species… Ishmael had one, remember?”

Machamp growled a little.

Then it pointed to one of the racks, and a short sword flew to its upper-right hand.

Then it pointed again, and three more short swords flew to its other three hands.

“Four weapons at once?” exclaimed Shadow. “No fair!”

Poliwrath took a step back.

“Well…” it said. “If weapons are to be used, it seems a matter of simply choosing the one that gives you the most advantage… Such as one adequate for my lower center of gravity…”

“Well, you’d better choose fast!” shouted Starbuck.

Poliwrath looked around, and saw a large, hammer-like weapon, designed for use with two hands.

“Ah, perfect,” it said.

It pointed, and the maul flew towards it. It caught it and held it up in front of it.

Regigigas nodded, and Machamp rushed towards Poliwrath. It tried to stab at the swamp Pokémon with its swords, but Poliwrath rolled out of the way.

Then Poliwrath jabbed his own weapon upward, and slugged Machamp in the stomach with the business end. Machamp let out a loud “OOF” and tumbled backwards.

Machamp got up with an angry look on its face. It made a rush at Poliwrath again.

Poliwrath ducked down, and this time tripped the Fighter with the staff end of the maul. Machamp hollered, and skidded down.

Poliwrath wasted no time, and pointed the hammer at Machamp’s throat…

Machamp lifted its arms.

“Machamp…” it said, apparently yielding.

Regigigas pointed its pokeball, and recalled Machamp.

“That’s two for our side,” said Shadow.

Regigigas didn’t waste time again. He produced another pokeball, and it opened. This time, the Pokémon that emerged was another Fighter, or at least partially a Fighter. It was a Medicham.

The Medicham looked at Poliwrath, and Poliwrath looked back. Medicham pointed to one of the racks, and a slim, sharp rapier flew to its hand.

“Looks like Medicham is more of a fencer than a swordsman that relies on strength,” said Lisa.

Medicham gestured to Poliwrath with a beckoning expression.

“I never turn down an invitation,” said Poliwrath.

It made a rush at Medicham, and tried to swing its maul, at which point Medicham gracefully did a split, and slashed upward across Poliwrath’s chest. Poliwrath screamed and the three humans gasped.

“Okay…” said Poliwrath. “I guess that was a little sloppy…”

It tried to strike at Medicham with its maul, but Medicham dodged aside. It slashed with its weapon again, dodging from side to side as it did.

Finally, it cut right through the handle of the maul, and Poliwrath dropped it. It pointed its rapier directly between Poliwrath’s eyes.

Poliwrath sighed, and held up its hands.

“All right, enough,” said Starbuck. “I don’t want anyone getting killed here…”

He recalled Poliwrath.

That Medicham is quite the swashbuckler… he thought. I’d best save Blaziken for last…

He threw Breloom’s pokeball, and Breloom emerged.

“Breloom…” said Shadow, getting nervous.

“Don’t worry about it!” laughed Breloom. “I got it covered.”

To everyone’s surprise, Breloom called to its hand the exact same weapon that Medicham had chosen.

“Just leave it to me… You ever see The Mark of Zorro?”

The two Pokémon rushed at each other, and the two weapons clashed. Dodge, thrust, parry. Both Breloom and Medicham locked swords, as Shadow watched with incredible fear…

* * * * * * * * * *

Digger watched, as Kitsune dragged the unconscious Mandy into the room.

“Wow,” he said. “You actually did it…”

“Yeah…” said Kitsune. “I did… So I lived up to my part of the deal…

“You can lock her up, and then tell Jessica when she gets back that she can make the check out to cash.

“And by the way, Digger… I know you’re mad at Jessica… Keep in mind that a lot of members of Rocket Reborn saw me bring her in here, and they’ll vouch for me…”

Digger growled as she left the room.

Then he looked at Mandy.

He would do what Jessica told her too for now. But he had plans that he would enact soon after Mandy woke up.

* * * * * * * * * *

Medicham was struggling under the blows from Breloom’s rapier. Finally, Breloom made a thrust which disarmed Medicham, followed by a kick to Breloom’s mid-section that knocked it down.

“Very well,” said Regigigas.

Medicham retreated to its pokeball.

“Breloom has won that round…”

“All right!” cheered Shadow. “Breloom won! Regigigas only has one Pokémon left!”

“And that’s bad…” replied Lisa.

“Bad?” asked Shadow.

“Don’t you remember what the Guardian does in these battles when it’s down to its last Pokémon?” asked Lisa.

Shadow suddenly realized what Lisa meant, and unfortunately, so did Starbuck.

Regigigas slowly got up off of its throne. It suddenly seemed even bigger than it had been before. It shook its left leg, as if to get the numbness out of it.

“It’s been a while,” it said. “But I might even like this…”

Breloom took a step back. It was clearly a lot less confident now than it was before.

“Starbuck…” it said. “What do I do??”

“Try your hardest!” shouted Starbuck. “We’re still using weapons, remember?”

“On the contrary,” said Regigigas. “I said that all of your Pokémon and three of mine were not allowed to use their special abilities.

“I may make weapons… But I’ve never used them myself…”

Breloom made an honest attempt. He tried to strike Regigigas with the rapier. Unfortunately, it only shattered against the huge Pokémon’s torso.

Then Regigigas reached for Breloom, and its huge hand started to glow…

Breloom screamed as Regigigas grabbed it, and squeezed.

Then the titan released Breloom, who fell to the floor, unconscious.

“What kind of attack was that??” exclaimed Shadow.

“I have no idea!” shouted Lisa. “I’m guessing it’s an attack that’s unique to Regigigas…”

Starbuck quickly recalled Breloom.

He took out Blaziken’s pokeball.

It’s all up to you, he thought.

“GO!” he shouted.

Blaziken appeared, and formed a fighting stance.

“My, you are a big one, aren’t you?” it asked.

Regigigas cracked its knuckles.

“You sure you’re up to this?” asked Starbuck.

Blaziken pointed to an iron mace on one of the racks, and it flew to his hand.

“I can take it…” it said. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall…”

“Yeah, well, be very careful!” said Starbuck. “If Regigigas is anything like the three normal Regis, it knows Superpower! You do not want to be on the receiving end of that!”

“We’ll just have to see, won’t we?” replied Blaziken.

It leapt at Regigigas. The colossal Pokémon tried to punch Blaziken, but the smaller one deftly avoided it, and then clobbered it on the crown of the “head” with its weapon.

Regigigas seemed to be a little hurt. It held the spot where it had been hit.

“Seems it just got its bell rung,” said Shadow.

Blaziken closed in for another hit…

Then Regigigas socked Blaziken hard with a punch that seemed to have an aura of orange lightning behind it. Blaziken flew ten feet, and landed on its back.

“Yep…” said Lisa. “That was definitely Superpower.”

Then Regigigas started to glow with energy. Something was happening.

“It’s powering up for some mega-powerful move,” said Lisa.

“Hyper Beam?” asked Shadow.

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” replied Lisa.

“Blaziken, get out of the way!” shouted Starbuck. “Dodge!”

Blaziken clearly heard him. It looked up, as Regigigas lifted its fist, which was glowing with an aura of blinding light.

Blaziken dodged aside as the titan threw the punch. It missed Blaziken, but it caused the whole temple to tremble.

That was Giga Impact… thought Starbuck.

“Blaziken, watch him closely!” he shouted. “If that actually hits you…”

“I’m trying very hard not to think about it,” replied Blaziken.

Blaziken looked at its foe. Regigigas seemed a little dizzy, probably a result of using such a powerful move.

Blaziken wasn’t about to waste the opportunity. He ran up and clobbered the giant Pokémon again. Regigigas took two steps backwards, and held its head.

Regigigas looked at Blaziken. It lifted its hand again.

Then a sphere of energy started to form in it. The sphere started to grow…

“What’s it doing?” shouted Shadow.

“Why do you always ask me?” asked Lisa.

“I’m not gonna find out!” shouted Blaziken.

He leapt at Regigigas. As he did everything became a blur, as both Pokémon appeared to be consumed in an aura of energy. Starbuck screamed for Blaziken as the whole temple became overcome by the aura…

* * * * * * * * * *

“Uh, are we alive or dead?” asked Shadow.

She sat up. She and her two partners had fallen down, and they were both covered with soot. But they seemed to all be in one piece.

Amazingly, Blaziken, who was also covered with soot, was standing over Regigigas, who was on the floor and groaning.

“Whoa…” said Starbuck. “Blaziken… You beat him? How?”

“I dunno…” said Blaziken. “It was preparing some sort of powerful attack… So I just kept hitting it and hitting it…

“Until he fell…

“How the mighty are fallen…”

He tossed the mace to the floor.

Then Regigigas sat up.

“And a good thing it did,” muttered the huge Pokémon. “I… kind of lost control of my temper…

“Trust me, you did not want to see the end result of that attack…

“Blaziken… Do me a favor and help me up…”

Blaziken lent the much bigger Pokémon a hand, and helped it to its feet. Regigigas dragged itself back to the forge, where it sat down.

“Okay, we won!” exclaimed Starbuck. “Now finish your story!”

Regigigas sighed.

“Very well…” it said. “But I warn you…

“It may give you answers… But they may only lead you to more questions…”


Coming up next:

Regigigas does indeed finish its story, and it provides clues to the ultimate fate of Ishmael Conrad. Meanwhile, Digger has plans for Mandy before Jessica gets back, and Jessica has plans for our heroes. And if that weren’t enough, Starbuck and company go to meet with Dialga, hoping to gain a new ally. It’s all coming up in “Progress”, coming soon.

[Shuppet Master]

Pretty interesting rule, making the heroes' Pokemon fight with weapons instead of their attacks. They didn't realize that the attack Regigigas used on Breloom was its signature move, Crush Grip.

[Dark Sage]

Climbing the Stairway to Heaven

Starbuck, Shadow, and Lisa have met many odd characters on their quest to literally storm the gates of Heaven to confront Arceus. Many of these characters have been the Guardians of the Plates. Up to now, all of them have been Pokemon, and one has even been the Legendary Regigigas.

Only two Guardians remain to be bested – the ones who hold the Iron and Icicle Plates. These Guardians are the most mysterious of all. In fact, the Guardian of the Iron Plate is so mysterious, even I don’t know much about him! (Or her, to be totally fair.)

What do I mean? I mean I’m going to let one reader of my fanfic design this character! That’s right. Test your knowledge of Pokemon Platinum, and you may be able to create one of the most powerful servants of Arceus. But it won’t be easy, because these four questions are not very easy either.

The questions follow. Answer them, PM me the answers, and I’ll choose randomly from among those who get all of them right, assuming we have more than one.

I’ll be waiting, and so will the Guardian…

1. Where in Sinnoh can you find Elite Four member Lucian, aside from the Pokemon League?

2. What character in the game likes Rage Candy Bars?

3. What Pokemon species can be caught in the wild at a higher level than any other in Sinnoh?

4. What Pokemon does Looker use?


Seem simple? Well then, get going. This little contest does have a deadline. Get me your entries by August 31st. And good luck.

[Shuppet Master]

Gah, I have foregone Platinum for so long that I can't do this quiz. I only know the answer to the last question.

[Dark Sage]

Gee, I must have made the questions too hard, because I didn't get a single response!

I'll give the answers anyway...

1. Being a bookish type, you can find him in initially in the Canalave City library. You can find him there again every time you beat the Pokemon League. If you talk to him, he'll always have something interesting to say.

2. Professor Rowan. His weakness for candy is apparent from the beginning if you check out the refrigerator in his lab. After beating the Pokemon League, if you go to the basement level of the Veilstone City Department Store, you'll find him there, and before he talks to you, you'll hear him complaining about the Rage Candy Bars still being sold out.

3. You might have thought this was Arceus, but that would be wrong. Arceus is Lvl 80 when you confront him, and that isn't the higherst level Pokemon you can catch, althought Arceus is more than likely the most powerful one. The highest level Pokemon can be caught in the Resort Area. If you use your Super Rod, you might catch a Lvl 100 Magikarp (that's the "hidden ruler of the area" that the guy in the pool told you about). You can't get higher than that.

4. Croagunk. Although Looker does not battle at all during the course of the story, he uses a Croagunk to help catch Pluto at Stark Mountain.


Anyway, a new chapter will be up eventually. I'll think up a new way for audience participation.

[Dark Sage]

[I]I’ve beaten Regigigas, but my work here isn’t done.

The first part of its story was thrilling, but I must know the rest.

If this ancient Pokémon truly has information about my father, I must know it. Any clue I can follow, any lead I can use, anything at all that may help me find him is welcome.

It says it knows something… I must know it too.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE



Progress

Mandy had not been this depressed in a long time. Her situation now was even worse than the last time she had been in Jessica’s prison.

She was standing upright, in similar restraints that Kitsune had been put in previously, but the shackles and chains were heavier and more reinforced. She could barely even straighten up. Even worse, a steel muzzle was locked in place over her mouth. Digger had said that Jessica would demand silence this time.

The irony here was so thick… James and Jesse had been the most incompetent thieves in Team Rocket’s history. Butch and Cassidy had regarded them with nothing but disgust…

But in the end, it seemed that James and Jesse would have the last laugh on them after all. Their daughter was now a powerful crimelord who had tamed the Lord of Space, and could do more than even Giovanni could ever dream of… While Butch and Cassidy’s daughter, who had mistakenly thought that being such made her better than the daughter of those two fools, was nothing more than a failure…

She didn’t expect to survive much longer. Once Jessica got back, she expected to be tortured until Jessica was bored. Then she’d likely be executed.

For about the fifth time in the past hour, she told herself she wouldn’t cry. But she knew it was only a matter of time before she would.

She was rather surprised to see Digger open the door to room. He walked up to her, and carefully unlocked the muzzle.

She just glared at him for a minute. One thing she was definitely not going to do was beg.

“Come to gloat?” she asked.

“I like to think I’m above that, Mandy,” he replied. “Now listen closely. I don’t like you, and you don’t like me…”

“Then we agree on something,” she replied.

“But the thing is,” continued Digger, “I’m starting not to like Jessica even more. Ever since she got that… thing, she’s become power-hungry and tyrannical.

“Frankly, I think it’s driven her over the edge. Rocket Reborn is headed in the wrong direction, and I want her stopped.”

“Then let me out of this thing,” snarled Mandy.

“I don’t think I can do that,” replied Digger. “She’d find out if I let you escape, and then I’d be in your situation. I can’t take such a chance until I’m certain that someone can take her out successfully.”

“Then what sort of chance will you take?” asked Mandy. “What’s the point of telling me this?”

“I’ll help you a little…” said Digger.

He held up a mobile phone.

“This is yours, right?” he asked. “I’ll let you send a text message if you want.”

Mandy sighed.

“It’s the most I’m willing to offer,” said Digger. “And maybe I’ll go behind Jessica’s back and keep feeding you the stuff I fed you before, along with some vitamins, so your muscles won’t atrophy. But nothing more.”

Mandy frowned at him. This man was a coward. He was too scared to oppose Jessica, because he knew she would find out. And too scared to go to the cops, because he knew he would be arrested as an accomplice. He wanted out, but he wanted a safe way out.

“Fine…” she finally said.

Digger held up another key.

“No tricks,” he said, “or the deal’s off.”

He undid another lock, and gave her right arm some more slack.

Mandy looked at the phone. She could send a message to the police, but she had been a member of Rocket Reborn for a while before turning against Jessica, and she knew that the police had come to this building often, sometimes with search warrants. They had never found the places that Jessica wanted to keep hidden, and their searches had always been fruitless.

She did have one idea… Kitsune had stopped her from sending the message to Starbuck. Now was her second chance…

And it was her only hope…

She started punching the keys on the phone…

* * * * * * * * * *

Regigigas appeared to be taking some deep breaths.

“Well?” asked Shadow.

“Give it some time,” said Lisa. “It was just in a Pokémon battle.”

“Now where was I?” asked Regigigas.

“You were at the point where you had gone to sleep in Snowpoint Temple,” said Starbuck.

“Oh, yes,” said Regigigas. “As I was saying, I slumbered for many years. Snowpoint City was built around the Temple, and the Modern Age came. Pokémon populated the Temple, and if any trainers came to my resting place, they didn’t see me as anything more than an oddity.

“Then, one day, I heard the voice of Arceus calling me, rousing me from my slumber. He told me that a new trainer was coming to issue a challenge, one that I would accept.

“I didn’t want to. The thought of becoming attached to another trainer who I would lose again didn’t strike me as pleasant. But I could not disobey Arceus. So I waited, and the trainer came.

The trainer was unlike any I had ever seen. His Pokémon moved in almost perfect synch with him, and with each other. His skill was second to no human I had ever before encountered. After a lengthy battle, I had a new trainer.”

The ancient Pokémon sighed.

“Young Starbuck… That trainer’s name was Ishmael Conrad… Your father.”

“WHAT?” shouted Starbuck. “He was your trainer? Where is he? What happened to him?”

“I’m getting to that,” replied Regigigas. “Ishmael said he needed me for a special task. He needed to hunt for a specific Pokémon, one who lived in a realm where Evil reigned and the sun never showed. I believe the Evil might have been the Twisting. He doubted that even Dusk Balls would do the job.

“Then he showed me blueprints for a failed invention called a Night Ball, which had been stolen from Rocket Reborn in its infancy. Supposedly, these worked even better than Dusk Balls in darkness, but even the slightest amount of light, even a flashlight, would ruin their effectiveness.

“I understood… To correct this imperfection and make Night Balls that would work, I needed the Heavenly Forge.

“So, Ishmael took me here, where I fired up the ancient Forge. I took Black, Yellow, and White Apricorns, and melted them down using an ancient process, turning them into a special metal. Then I cast the metal, and forged the special pokeballs.

“In the end, I managed to create ten Night Balls. There was no way to test them, so I merely said I hoped they’d work. Ishmael took them, and then released me.

“I considered going back to sleep, but Arceus contacted me again, and gave me a new task. He told me to guard the Stone Plate, which was kept in this sanctuary.”

The Stone Plate appeared at Starbuck’s feet.

“And now that I’ve done that… I suppose I will go back to sleep. If Arceus ever awakens me again, I’ll do as he requests. Otherwise, I doubt I will ever wake up.”

“Just one question,” said Starbuck. “Did dad give any hints as to where he was going?”

“Not a one,” replied Regigigas. “But rest assured, your father is alive. He was my trainer, if only for a short time…”

It struck its torso with its fist.

“If a former trainer was dead, I would feel it in my gut.

“What are your plans now?”

“Well…” said Starbuck.

He picked up the Plate.

“We… uh… We kind of have to meet with Dialga. He asked us to meet him.”

Regigigas looked at them.

“Then your next destination is the abandoned temple two miles north of here,” it said. “Long ago, it was a monastery for a foolish cult of stargazers who attempted to summon Arceus. He sent a Tyranitar that wiped them out for their audacity.

“But the temple now exists as a focus of his power. Anyone holding Arceus’s divine heritage can channel its power through there. Be warned… Dialga is far more powerful than I am.

“I wish you luck. Now leave me…”

The three humans waited for it to say something else, but it didn’t.

“Come on, people,” said Starbuck. “It’s gonna get tougher from here on in.”

* * * * * * * * * *

As Starbuck and his group hiked away from the mountain, they didn’t know that Jessica and her group were watching from a safe vantage point with binoculars.

“Bad news, Jess,” said Tony. “I think that they’re heading for that place where you caught Palkia.”

“I think we should just attack,” said Leo. “We outnumber them five to two, and you have Palkia!”

“True…” said Jessica. “But if we wait, Starbuck might just capture Dialga.”

“And that’s a good thing?” asked Dugan.

“Oh, I get it,” said Sofia. “We wait until they’ve captured Dialga, when all of their Pokémon are tired, and then take care of them, and then take Dialga from them!”

Jessica looked at the pokeball that contained Palkia.

“Exactly,” she said. “After all… One is good… Two is better. Why do you think most of the original Team Rocket went in twos?

“Now let’s not lose them…”

* * * * * * * * * *

As Starbuck’s party hiked up the hill, Starbuck thought hard.

His dad apparently had gone after whatever was creating the Twisting. Possibly he thought that a powerful Pokémon, one that lived in a place where the sun never showed, was the cause of it, and that capturing it was the key to ending it. But the Twisting still existed…

His mission, whatever it was, likely failed.

He may be alive… But whether he was absent due to his free will, or being held prisoner by something, there was no way of knowing.

Shadow was the first one to break to silence.

“So, Mrs. Conrad…” she said. “What have you found out about Dialga after reading all those books?”

“He’s elusive,” replied Lisa. “In mythology, he shows up in the mortal world only at landmark periods of time. Solstices, equinoxes, the beginning of centuries…”

“Did he show up on New Year’s of the year 2000?” asked Shadow.

Lisa sighed.

“No, of course he didn’t,” she said, rather annoyed.

“What did I say?” asked Shadow.

“Shadow,” said Starbuck, “as much as smart people were laughed at and referred to as nerds for saying that the millennia actually began in the year 2001, creatures as powerful Dialga most likely respected it as the truth.”

Shadow turned beet-red.

“So… uhm…” she said. “Did he appear on Earth on New Year’s of 2001?”

“There were several reports of sightings of large Pokémon that night,” replied Lisa. “Any of them might have been Dialga, but it could be that many of the sightings involved Charizard, or Gyarados, or anything else big.”

“On another note,” said Starbuck. “Just what is Dialga capable of?”

“He’s supposedly a Dragon/Steel hybrid,” replied Lisa. “Most of his attacks aren’t documented, but one of them has taken on mythic proportions.

“Some legends say that when angered, Dialga lets out a bellow that can be heard for miles, which can actually rend a hole in the temporal field, laying waste to all before him. Some call this assault the Roar of Time.”

“There,” said Starbuck, pointing up.

The strange temple, the very one where Jessica had captured Palkia, was in front of them, a short way up the hill.

Starbuck sighed again.

“Why are powerful Pokémon always in dark, foreboding places?” he asked. “Who ever said that you had to find treasures in spooky temples? Why not flower shops or bakeries?”

“Well,” said Shadow, “I doubt that a movie called Indiana Jones and the Bakery of Doom would have been a success at the box office.”

Starbuck shrugged, and they hiked towards the temple. The sun started to set.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Anyone got a light?” asked Shadow, as they entered the main room of the temple. “It’s dark in here.”

As she said this, there was a flash, and the torches along the walls all lit up with flames.

“Oh, thanks,” she said.

Then she gulped.

“What am I saying?! This place is creeping me out!”

“Stay strong…” said Starbuck, as he looked through his backpack.

He took the Nexus Rod out of it.

“That’s the thing that Dialga gave you when he spoke to you in that dream, right?” asked Lisa.

“Yeah,” said Starbuck. “Now I just have to figure out what to do with…”

Then he was startled as the diamond on one end started to glow with incredible light.

A light formed on the far end of the hall, and the three humans saw two eyes forming. Starbuck recognized those eyes. They were the eyes that he saw in the dream.

“Dialga?” asked Starbuck.

“So you came,” said the Temporal Pokémon.

“Well?” asked Starbuck. “I thought you wanted a battle… Come out! I’ll face you…”

“That’s not the way it goes, young Starbuck,” said Dialga. “We will battle, but we will do so on my terms.”

The eyes faded away, and a portal of blue light appeared.

“You want me to go through that, huh?” asked Starbuck.

“Yes,” replied Dialga’s voice. “But choose only one Pokémon, and leave the others behind. One will be all you will need, I assure you.”

“Dialga expects you to fight him with only one Pokémon?” asked Shadow. “Starbuck… I think this is a trap…”

Starbuck looked at the pokeball that had Blaziken.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I think Dialga might have a different battle in mind, something other than fisticuffs.

“But just in case, I’ll bring my Pokémon who’s the best against Steel.”

He handed the rest of his belt to Lisa. Then he turned to the portal.

“Starbuck!” said Shadow.

“Yes?” he asked.

Then Shadow grabbed hold of him, and kissed him deeply on the lips.

After a kiss that lasted for about thirty seconds, she let go.

“We’ll be waiting for you, okay?” she said.

Starbuck didn’t know what to say. He could only look at his rival for a minute or two.

Then he turned and stepped into the portal.

* * * * * * * * * *

Starbuck looked around. The first thing he saw was that Blaziken had somehow gotten out of its pokeball and was standing beside him.

The place he was in seemed to be a twin of the room he had just left, but there was a big difference. This room was not in ruins. It looked almost new. Like the place he had left, it was lit by torchlight.

“Dialga?” he said, looking around.

“Welcome, young Conrad,” said Dialga’s voice, which was now much less intimidating. “I suppose you’re wondering where you are.

“Well, this complex is called Common Ground. It is a place where a deity can meet with mortals on equal terms. My divine powers are nullified here.

“Of course, you wouldn’t have been able to enter unless you had a chaperone. That’s why you were allowed to bring Blaziken.”

“Hold up,” said Blaziken. “You would have preferred him to come with no Pokémon at all? How would he battle then?”

“I never said there would be a Pokémon battle,” said Dialga. “You notice I’m not there to greet you… I was thinking maybe a game of hide and seek…”

“So you hide, we seek?” asked Starbuck.

“Exactly,” replied Dialga. “Find me, and I’ll happily join you.

“By the way, don’t expect an easy time… The entities who built Common Ground weren’t stupid enough to put themselves at risk whenever they had to use this place to meet with mortals…”

Starbuck waited a few minutes, but it didn’t speak again.

He looked around. There was an exit to the left, and one to the right.

“So, which way?” he asked.

Blaziken felt the air.

“I’m sensing an aura of power from that direction,” he said, pointing one way. “The other way just has a draft.”

“All right,” said Starbuck. “Whatever we do, let’s not get separated.”

They walked into the hallway.

The hall was long, was also torch lit, and along each wall were several stone statues of Arbok.

“Hold up…” said Starbuck.

He reached into his pocket.

“I’ve seen enough movies to know that statues in dark temples are bad news…”

He took out a coin, and tossed it between the first set of statues.

As he expected, fire shot from their mouths like flamethrowers. Anyone walking between them would have been burned to a crisp.

“Bingo,” said Starbuck, as Blaziken rubbed its chin. “Now what?”

“You know…” said Blaziken, “I seem to remember one of those movies… The hero got by a group of statues similar to these by simply outrunning them.”

“Outrunning them??” asked Starbuck.

“Well, the triggering mechanism likely needs a second to react,” said Blaziken. “If we just run past them really fast, they’ll miss.”

“That’s tough talk for a Fire Pokémon with strong legs,” said Starbuck. “What if I trip?”

“Well, the idea is simply not to think of that,” replied Blaziken.

Starbuck sighed.

He knew that a good trainer had to treat his Pokémon as partners and friends. But sometimes, he thought that he was giving his Pokémon a little too much slack.

“All right…” he said. “Just remember, this was your idea…”

He took a running stance. Blaziken did the same.

“On your mark…” said Blaziken.

“This isn’t a race!” replied Starbuck.

“Okay, okay,” said the Pokémon. “On three, one, two… three!”

They dashed off down the hall. At first the plan seemed to work. They rushed past the first two statues, and the flames shot well behind them. They rushed past the second, beating the blast to spare then as well.

But the third was closer, and the fourth closer still. At the sixth, Starbuck felt heat on his back.

Then the unexpected happened as they ran towards the seventh and last. Apparently, whoever had built this trap knew that someone would try this strategy. A pit was opening in the floor in front of them.

Starbuck started to panic. Stopping would put them right in the crosshairs of the last two statues, and not stopping would mean falling…

But as he finished this thought, Blaziken grabbed hold of him, and made a great leap. The two flamethrowers fired, and they soared over the pit.

They landed on the other side with a crash.

Blaziken sat up and held its chest.

“Admit it,” it said, “you’re glad I have those strong legs, aren’t you Starbuck?

“Starbuck?

“Starbuck! You okay?”

“If I say yes,” said Starbuck, sitting up and holding his head, do you promise we’ll never have to do that again?”

Blaziken chuckled.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Wonder where they got the stuff to build this place?” asked Starbuck, as they walked down another corridor. “The Sharper Dungeon’s Catalogue?”

They entered a new room. Three doors were in front of them.

“Feel anything?” he asked Blaziken.

“No,” replied the Pokémon. “He must be onto me…

“Seems we have to take one of these doors…”

“Wait…” said Starbuck.

He picked up a rock, and threw it though the center door. There was a flash as it seemingly passed through a curtain of energy.

There was a growl, and something threw the rock back.

“Lovely…” he said. “The doors are guarded…”

Blaziken nudged his shoulder, and pointed to the top of the door. There was an odd picture.

From left to right, there was a picture of a Charmander, then a “<”, then a circle, then another “<” then a picture of a Bulbasaur.

“Hmm…” said Blaziken.

“Those are ‘less than’ symbols!” said Starbuck. “Those pictures are clues as to what kind of Pokémon is guarding the door. If a Pokémon is ‘less than’ another Pokémon, its Type is at a disadvantage!

“The circle must represent the guard… If a Fire Pokémon is less than the Pokémon, and its less than a Grass Pokémon.”

“It’s a Water Pokémon,” said Blaziken. “Don’t want to mess with that one.”

Starbuck turned to another door. It had Treeko on the left, and Mudkip on the right.

“That one’s a Fire Pokémon…” said Starbuck. “But the third door…”

He looked at the last door. It had Totodile on the left and Cyndaquil on the right.

“There!” said Starbuck. “That’s a Grass Pokémon! Give it a Flamethrower!”

Blaziken pointed, and shot a burst of fire through the door. There was a scream…

A Sceptile staggered through the door, and then collapsed. Then it vanished. Starbuck and Blaziken ran through the door.

They found themselves in another room. Again, there were three doors.

Starbuck looked at one. There was a Bellossom on the left, and a Pikachu on the right.

“This looks harder than the last room,” said Blaziken.

“Strong against Grass and weak against Electricity…” muttered Starbuck. “That’s Flying. You don’t want to mess with that…”

He looked at another door.

This Pokémon had a Muk to its left, and a Houndoom to its right.

“That one’s a Psychic,” said Starbuck. “Something else you don’t want to take on.”

He looked at the third door.

Nosepass to the left, Dugtrio to the right…

“That’s Steel!” shouted Starbuck. “Get it!”

Blaziken blasted fire into the door, and there was a loud roar. A Steelix lurched out, and collapsed, then vanished.

Starbuck and Blaziken rushed through, and into another room.

This time, they were only confronting two doors. But when they looked at the pictures, they looked weird.

One of them had a Heracross on both sides of the circle. The other had an Aerodactyl on both sides.

“This is weird,” said Blaziken. “Pokémon that are weak and strong against one Pokémon at the same time?”

“Not necessarily weird…” said Starbuck. “Both Heracross and Aerodactyl are hybrids, and not the most common combinations…

“Heracross is Fighter/Bug…”

He thought for a minute.

“Psychics are strong against Fighters, but weak against Bugs!”

He turned to the other door.

“But the Type that’s strong against Flying and Weak against Rock, is Ice!”

“No problem…” said Blaziken.

He shot his flamethrower into the portal, and there was another scream. A Glalie flew out, and then crashed. Then it vanished.

Starbuck and Blaziken ran through. To their relief, they found themselves in a different hall.

Blaziken felt the air again.

“Good news!” it said. “I think I feel that aura of power again.”

“Good…” said Starbuck.

He looked ahead.

“It seems Dialga likes playing games with us… Well, we’ll play his game for now… Not like we have a choice…”


Coming up next:

Starbuck continues his trek through the temple. But even if he claims Dialga, Jessica is ready to strike, and she isn’t playing around any more. Next chapter, she makes a deadly move, and it may have unexpected results.

“The Trap” is coming next.

[Lord Almaz]

Alton Brown in ICA: "I've been gone, catch me up!"

Time to crack my Jeffery Steingarten knuckles and shamelessly riff the newest chapters.

"Progess" - well, you sure did make progress! Great chapter, and out of the box.
1: Mandy gets a chance to send that warning about Jessica, thanks to Digger. It looks like Rocket Reborn is starting to shatter due to Jessica's new pet.

2: So Ishmael captured Regigigas and then used him to create some Night Balls, then released him so he could go find the source of the Twisting? Sounds like we've got a lead! Now all Starbuck has to do is find the Twisting. Yeeeeah, easy peasy.

3: Whoa! I had sensed sexual tension between Shadow and Starbuck since the beginning (rivals but lovers trope, you know) and I was expecting the same thing you did with Francesca and Andy in your Yu-Gi-Oh crossover when Fran makes the first move. I can't wait to see his romance develop because I'm a sucker for that thing.

3: I like how Dialga agrees to join Starbuck if he wins a game of hide-and-seek. I don't think anyone could stand a chance against that Roar of Time in fanfic-reality. Of course, the hide-and-seek is in a dangerous trap-laden alternate dimension isn't as easy. <_<

4: I liked the whole "X is weak to Y which is weak to Z", especially the last one. People don't tend to think about dual-type Pokemon.

[Loupeitak]

Hey there! Long time lurker here!

Been following Ishmael in Pokemonese and now little Starbuck.

I love your fanfics because of all the effort you put into them making up awesome storylines, puzzles and riddles. I'm truly a fan of your work.

Just thought you needed some extra motivation to keep posting more chapters for all of us to enjoy.

Cheers!

[Dark Sage]

It’s me, Shadow. Why am I talking to you and not Starbuck? Well, it’s a long story…

Okay, actually it’s a short story. I did something dumb.

Starbuck and I have been rivals for a long time. All this time, I’ve had a crush on him, but I was never willing to admit. Not to me, nor to him. I doubted he would ever accept the advances of some leather-clad biker chick like me, and I didn’t want to expose my soft side.

But when he went into that temple to face one of the most dangerous Pokémon ever, I broke down and kissed him, showing my feelings for the first time.

It left me confused, and unsure… And that was only the first dumb thing I did. The second was a mistake that might cost me my life…

Someone… Anyone… Please help me…

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR



The Trap

“Soon as I get this fire started,” said Lisa, “we can toast marshmallows and make s’mores! How does that sound?”

“Wonderful…” muttered Shadow.

She was watching the place where the portal had been. Starbuck had been gone for about forty-five minutes.

Her Breloom and Lisa’s Poliwrath were sitting against the wall, watching their trainers.

“What’s wrong with Shadow?” asked Breloom. (It spoke in human language, as it rather liked doing so ever since being given the ability to.)

“She kissed Starbuck,” replied Poliwrath. “And now she’s unsure if she should have.”

“Ah, yes?” sighed Breloom, leaning its head on its hand. “The old unrequited love thing…”

“Human love is so fickle…” said Poliwrath. “When a species mates for life like they do, they should try to be more careful when looking for a mate. I mean really…”

“Uh, Poliwrath?” said Breloom.

Poliwrath looked up, and saw that their trainers were looking at them, not at all pleased.

“Busted…” said Breloom.

“I knew there’d be a downside to you guys talking,” said Shadow.

“Shadow, I know you’re worried about Starbuck,” said Breloom. “Don’t worry! He’s a tough trainer!”

“And he has Blaziken with him,” added Poliwrath. “Not a bad guy for a Fire Pokémon. I trust it completely.”

Shadow sighed, and looked back where the portal had been.

“I hope so…” she said.

* * * * * * * * * *

Starbuck and Blaziken walked carefully down the hallway.

Eventually, the hallway terminated in a door.

“No doorknob…” said Starbuck.

Then he touched the door, and it slid open.

They carefully looked in, and saw an odd sight. Two Pokémon, a Bellossom and a Shiftry, were sitting on a blanket cloth where a tea service and a plate of crumpets had been set up. The Shiftry lifted the teapot and poured it for the Bellossom.

“Uh…” said Starbuck.

The two Pokémon turned and noticed them.

“Bellossom!” gasped the Bellossom.

“Shiftry!” gasped the other Pokémon.

Both of them sprang up and ran towards the other side of the chamber, where there were two doors. Bellossom dove through the door on the right, while Shiftry ducked into the one on the left.

Both doors slammed shut.

“Heh,” said Blaziken. “Looks like they’re running scared!”

“Wait…” said Starbuck, raising his hand.

He looked at the two doors, which were apparently the only exits from the chamber.

“Let’s not rush into this…” he continued. “Dialga hasn’t been the most gracious host so far, after all…

“Likely, one of them fled… The other just went far enough to set up an ambush…”

“They’re both Grass,” said Blaziken. “I can take either.”

“Can you?” asked Starbuck. “You’ve been with my mom’s Shiftry… What’s its most powerful attack?”

Blaziken looked at him.

“Extrasensory,” he said. “Good point…”

Starbuck went to the door on the right, and opened it. It opened to a stairway going up.

“This way…”

* * * * * * * * * *

Outside, Jessica and her party were watching the temple with binoculars.

“It’s past midnight, Jess,” said Leo. “You’d think that if they got into a battle with Dialga, it would have made a lot of noise, maybe a lightshow…”

“Like what happened when you caught Palkia,” added Dugan.

“I know,” said Jessica. “I don’t like this…”

“Eh…” said Tony. “How come? If Starbuck didn’t catch Dialga…”

“Starbuck might not have had to ‘catch’ Dialga at all,” said Jessica. “If what Kitsune said is true, Dialga might join him as part of some deal.

“And that’s really bad news… If Dialga agrees to go with him without a fight, Starbuck’s other Pokémon and Dialga itself will be at the peak of their strength when they come out of there…”

“So what are we gonna do?” asked Sofia.

Jessica thought for a minute.

“When I give the word,” she said, “all of you make yourselves scarce…

“I’ll handle Starbuck personally this time…”

* * * * * * * * * *

Starbuck and Blaziken entered the biggest chamber yet. It seemed they had reached the center of the complex.

An altar was in the center of the room, made of stone and carved with elaborate detail.

On the altar were seven pokeballs.

“Welcome!” said Dialga’s voice.

“Dialga?” said Starbuck. “Where are you?”

“I’m in one of these pokeballs,” replied Dialga. “One more challenge for you to figure out. Just deduce which one.

“It’s the pokeball that you would have used if I had actually challenged you to a Pokémon battle when you came here. If you were smart, that is.

“You get one choice. Choose the right one, and I’ll gladly join you. I’ll even send one of the Pokémon you brought here home so I can join your party right away.

“One choice… Choose wisely. And Blaziken can help if it desires…”

Starbuck and Blaziken stepped up to the altar and looked at the seven pokeballs.

“These are Apricorn Balls,” said Blaziken.

Starbuck nodded.

He looked at them carefully.

“We can rule out the Lure Ball,” he said. “Dialga isn’t a Water Pokémon. We can also rule out the Moon Ball, since that’s for Pokémon that evolve with Moon Stones.”

“Not the Love Ball either,” said Blaziken. “I don’t think Pokémon this powerful have genders.”

“Right…” said Starbuck.

He looked at the Friend Ball.

“No, as much as I’d want a Legendary to like me, it’s not what I’d use if I were trying to catch one…”

He looked at the Level Ball.

“No, Dialga is probably more powerful than any Pokémon I have.”

“Then it’s the Heavy Ball or the Fast Ball,” said Blaziken.

Starbuck held his chin.

“I’m guessing the Heavy Ball,” he said. “Dialga is big and made of steel… It likely weighs a ton…”

He started to reach for it.

“Wait!” said Blaziken. “Are you sure?

“Dialga is the lord of Time… Wouldn’t that make it pretty fast?”

“Huh?” said Starbuck.

“I heard that Time and speed are related somehow…” said Blaziken. “Maybe Dialga has the power to move at incredible speeds… That would make a Fast Ball pretty useful…”

Starbuck thought.

“Okay, okay…” he said. “Let me think… It’s been a long time since I opened a physics book…

“Wait, I remember how that worked… According to Einstein, Time is relative. Speed can indeed affect how a person perceives it.

“Say we were both wearing watches set to the same time, and I traveled into space moving close to the speed of light. If you could somehow look at my watch, you’d notice that it was moving slower than yours. After five minutes had passed for me, an hour would pass for you.”

“So what does it mean?” asked Blaziken.

“Time is relative depending on the speed of the person perceiving it,” replied Starbuck. “So if Dialga was indeed moving so fast that Time was perceived differently for me than for Dialga, we likely couldn’t battle each other at all, because we wouldn’t be able to perceive each other!

“So the Heavy Ball is the right one.”

He reached for the Heavy Ball and grabbed it.

Then it glowed with a powerful aura of energy.

In a burst of blue radiance, a huge form appeared in the room, and Starbuck saw Dialga’s entire form for the first time.

“Well done, Starbuck!” chuckled the ancient Pokémon, its mouth not moving. “Einstein was a pretty smart human, I must say…”

“So…” said Starbuck. “Will you help me fight Jessica?”

“Indeed…” said Dialga. “Now… Let’s leave this stuffy temple.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Five minutes later, Starbuck exited the portal.

His belt of pokeballs was back in place, Blaziken was back in his pokeball, and the pokeball that had contained Ludicolo was gone, sent back to the PC system. In its place was the Heavy Ball containing Dialga.

“Starbuck!” said Lisa and Shadow at once.

“Hi mom…” said Starbuck. “Shadow…”

“Did you see Dialga?” asked Lisa.

“I got him,” said Starbuck, pointing to the Heavy Ball.

He looked at Shadow with a strange look.

“Look, people…” he said. “It’s two AM… Let’s camp here until morning. We’ll head back to Blueberry Cove and decide what to do then.”

Lisa nodded.

“Okay…” said Shadow, sadly.

* * * * * * * * * *

An hour later, Starbuck and Lisa were asleep, but Shadow was sitting up by the fire, unable to do so. She was still confused, still wondering why she had kissed him, and what it would lead to.

Eventually, she decided to get some air. She strapped on her pokeball belt, and walked out of the temple.

She walked down the steps, and looked at the night sky. The Spires seemed peaceful now, which was a change from what she had seen since getting here.

She was startled to hear a voice break the silence.

“Well, well, well,” said Jessica’s voice. “Seems someone decided to go out in the Spires alone…”

Shadow turned to face Jessica.

“Not the smartest thing to do,” said Jessica. “In fact, I would compare it to performing a root canal on yourself.”

“What do you want?” asked Shadow, with a snarl.

“None of your business,” said Jessica. “Where’s Starbuck?”

“He’s resting,” said Shadow.

She held up a pokeball.

“But if you want a Pokémon battle, I’ll be happy to oblige…”

Jessica chuckled.

“Why not?” she said. “My Pokémon could use an appetizer before going for the main course…”

She held up one of her own pokeballs.

* * * * * * * * * *

Jessica had soon regretted accepting Shadow’s offer. Shadow had fought harder than she had expected, and was a lot better than she had thought.

After losing three of her Pokémon, Jessica had enough. Now, Palkia had turned the battle around, and Shadow was in deep trouble.

She had only one Pokémon left, Breloom, and it was down on one knee, hurt badly.

“You’re pathetic,” said Jessica. “I’m just going to have to put you and that oversized salad garnish out of your misery.

“Palkia…”

“Shadow!” shouted Breloom. “Hold still…”

“What?” gasped Shadow.

Breloom shot a blast of spores from its cap, and they covered Shadow. Shadow coughed…

Then she collapsed, fast asleep. Breloom gave Jessica a dirty look, and then collapsed.

It turned to energy, and retreated back to its pokeball.

“Well isn’t that a fine how’d you do?” asked Jessica.

As she said this, Leo, Dugan, Tony, and Sophia came out of hiding.

“Why did Breloom do that?” asked Dugan.

“It clearly assumed I wouldn’t hurt someone who asleep,” said Jessica, in disgust. “Well, maybe I can’t hit her with Palkia’s Spatial Rend…

“But I know something else I can do. Palkia… Carry her…”

“Mmm-mmm…” said the huge Pokémon as it picked up Shadow.

“Keep watching the temple,” said Jessica. “I’ll be back in an hour.”

“Where are you taking her?” asked Tony.

“I’d rather not say,” replied Jessica. “I’d hate for you all to get in trouble for being an accessory to the fate that’s about befall Shadow…”

She walked off behind the next hill, with Palkia following.

“But that alone tells us too much…” said Leo.

* * * * * * * * * *

Shadow groaned as she slowly came to. Her throat was dry and her head was splitting.

Then she realized that those were the least of her problems. She had been seated on a crude, chair-shaped boulder, and her wrists and ankles were shackled to it by iron chains.

“WHAT?” she shouted. “What’s going on?!”

Then she looked up, and saw Jessica and Palkia in front of her. Beside them was a large, brass gong.

“So, you’re awake,” said Jessica. “Good… I figured you’d want to be awake when you die.”

“So you’re going to kill me?” sneered Shadow.

“No, I’m not,” said Jessica. “See, this is one of those gimmicky death-traps, like the kind you see in old comic books.

“You see, Shadow, as you know, Team Rocket used to have a base in the Spires. While here, they made an alliance of sorts with a very powerful Garchomp that they named Old Gnawbone.

“The terms of the alliance were simple. They’d give it a live sacrifice every now and then, and in return, it would keep intruders out of their territory.

“Anyway… Team Rocket is long gone… But I heard from someone in the know that Old Gnawbone is still around, and it will still come to get its offering if someone rings this gong.”

“You don’t have the guts…” snarled Shadow.

Jessica nodded to Palkia.

Palkia punched the gong, and a low tone echoed over the whole valley.

Jessica looked at Shadow with an evil smile.

“Okay, so you do have the guts,” said Shadow. “But if you’re expecting me to beg, forget it.”

Jessica shrugged.

“I can respect that, Shadow,” she replied. “Not that it will save you… I just respect it.

“Anyway… I’d love to stay and watch, but from what I heard, Old Gnawbone will likely attack anyone in this clearing when it gets here, and I don’t want to fight it.”

“You have Palkia,” said Shadow. “You’re worried about it getting hurt?”

“Heck, no,” said Jessica.

She lifted a pokeball, and drew Palkia into it.

“I’m worried about Old Gnawbone getting hurt.”

Then she ran, dashing out of the clearing.

Shadow started to struggle, but the chains held her tight. There was no way she cold break them.

She looked and saw that her pouch was still on her back, and her pokeballs were still on her belt. But she knew that all her Pokémon were unconscious, and even if she could reach her pouch, there were no cellular towers around her that could grant a signal to her mobile.

“I’m chained to a rock…” she muttered. “My Pokémon are out cold… I have no way to call for help…

“And a hungry Garchomp is going to come and make me into lunch.

“But on the plus side, I still have my sense of humor.”

Tears started to run down her cheeks.

“Oh, who am I kidding?” she sobbed. “I’m doomed…”

“Buneary?” said a voice.

Shadow looked up, startled.

“Who said that?” she asked.

She looked down, and saw that Buneary that had seemed intent on following Starbuck everywhere. Apparently, it had even followed them to the Spires.

“Buneary?” it said.

“Can you understand me?” asked Shadow.

“Buneary,” it said, nodding.

“Good…” she said. “Run back to the temple… Try to bring Starbuck here… Tell him to hurry!”

“Buneary!” it cried.

Then it turned and hopped away, as fast as its legs could carry it.

Shadow bowed her head and closed her eyes. She could hardly believe that her chances for survival had been placed in the hands of a little bunny.

In its lair, Old Gnawbone awoke, yawned and stretched. For the first time in years, it noticed that the sacrificial gong had been sounded, and curiosity was piqued in the Dragon Pokémon… Had someone left it a meal?

As it started to stir, Shadow prayed that Buneary would be enough…


And so we leave this chapter on the annoying literary device known as the “cliffhanger”. Will Buneary make it back to the temple in time? What if it can’t? Is there, perhaps, another factor that no-one expects?

With Dialga on Starbuck’s team, surprises lurk around every corner. There might be one next chapter. Stay tuned…

[Dark Sage]

Just when I think things can’t get any worse, they get worse. Now, however, I’m not sure.

I mean, I’m chained to a rock, my Pokémon are out cold, I have no way to call for help, and a Garchomp who once protected Team Rocket’s territory in exchange for offerings, who likely hasn’t been given an offering in years, has just been offered one – me.

And my one chance for survival seems to be a Buneary who is content to follow Starbuck to the ends of the earth for some reason. If it gets a message to Starbuck and he gets here in time, I might have a chance.

I guess it could be worse. I could have sent the message with a Slowpoke. But other than that, things have never looked grimmer, and my hopes are quickly fading…

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX



The Vow

I should have asked her for a blindfold… thought Shadow.

Shadow felt the sun on her face as it slowly rose, but she didn’t see it. Her eyes were shut tight. And even if she opened them, her vision would likely have been blurred by the tears streaming out of them.

She had heard low growling far in the distance a few times now. She was certain that it was Old Gnawbone stirring from its lair. It wanted breakfast, and it had apparently just been offered a delicacy.

She had considered screaming for help several times. But each time, she judged against it, knowing that it would likely attract the Garchomp faster. She knew that Ground Pokémon spent a lot of time underground, and they had excellent hearing because of it. Besides, she didn’t know if anyone besides Jessica would hear her. She had no idea how far this place was from the temple; she had been asleep when she was taken here.

As hard as it was for her to admit to herself, she was helpless. Only the intervention of a third party could help right now…

And the chances of one coming were very slim…

* * * * * * * * * *

If Buneary failed to get Starbuck in time, it wouldn’t be for lack of trying. It was hopping along in the direction of the temple… Well, the direction it hoped that the temple was in.

Buneary were not without their uses. Many little girls were excited to receive one as a pet. They were cute, soft, and cuddly, and were befriended easily. But when talking about powerful battling Pokémon, or even competent ones, Buneary was certainly not the first one that came to mind.

Their vital stats were mediocre. The attacks they learned were severely limited. And of the two Abilities they might know, one was actually a hindrance rather than a help.

Not to mention the fact that this one was now severely out of its element. The rocky, volcanic wasteland of the Spires was unfamiliar, not to mention frightening, to the forest-dwelling Buneary.

Still, Buneary wanted to help as much as it could. Starbuck may have told it to get lost several times, but it had been around him for so long that it had become attached to him in a strange way. It simply couldn’t explain it. Even though Starbuck was not its trainer, it had feelings for him that most Pokémon only felt towards the best trainers.

It ran as fast as its little feet could take it… And felt relieved as it saw the temple on the tall hill.

* * * * * * * * * *

Somewhere else… In a dark place…

A large, golden sphere materialized. A strange voice in a musical language came from it.

Three voices responded. Three smaller spheres appeared, and encircled around the larger sphere.

Then the three smaller spheres vanished…

* * * * * * * * * *

“Starbuck, wake up!” said Lisa, shaking Starbuck.

“Five more minutes, mom…” muttered Starbuck, who was half asleep.

Then he was shocked awake as a blast of water soaked him.

“WHA?” he gasped, getting up.

He saw that the water had come from Poliwrath. Blaziken was also standing nearby.

“What time is it?” he asked.

Then he looked around.

“Where’s Shadow?” he asked.

“We hoped you knew,” replied Lisa.

“She left at about three AM,” started Blaziken. “She took her Pokémon, so we assumed that she wanted to go hunt for nocturnal Pokémon…”

“But we woke up now,” added Poliwrath, “and she’s still gone.”

“Okay, everyone…” said Starbuck, getting up. “Let’s not panic yet…”

“BUNEARY!” screamed a voice.

Everyone turned as the little Pokémon hopped into the temple, quite out of breath.

“Ho boy…” said Starbuck. “What do I have to do to get you to stop following me, pal? Fly to Mars?”

Buneary gasped for breath.

“Buneary…” it said. “Buneary, Buneary…”

“Do you want something?” asked Starbuck. “Blaziken, can you talk to this guy? I can’t do what my dad does…”

“Buneary…” said Buneary.

“What?” asked Blaziken.

“Buneary, Buneary, Buneary!” shouted the Buneary. “Buneary…”

“Slow down!” ordered Blaziken. “There’s nothing worse than a Pokémon who stutters!”

Buneary sighed.

“Buneary…” it said. “Buneary…”

A look of shock came over Blaziken’s face.

“Yes, that is a lot worse…” it said.

“Buneary…” said the Buneary. “Buneary… Buneary!”

“Translation?” asked Starbuck.

“NOW we can start panicking,” replied Blaziken.

“Where’s Shadow?” shouted Starbuck.

“I’ll tell you on the way!” replied Blaziken. “You… move!”

It slapped Buneary on the behind, and the little rabbit ran out the exit. The two humans and two Pokémon followed.

* * * * * * * * * *

Shadow was startled as a loud roar echoed over the small valley.

“No…” she sobbed.

Buneary may have tried… But even if Starbuck got here, he’d come too late.

Damn you, Jessica… she thought. Damn you to the lowest pits of Hell… Damn…

But before she could complete that thought, she felt something…

Was she imagining things? Was something actually tugging at the chains holding her prisoner?

Some three things, apparently.

She slowly opened her eyes… Her vision was blurry, but through her tears, she did indeed see three little creatures pulling on three of her shackles.

Another roar echoed through the valley. The tears cleared away, and she saw the small Pokémon (she assumed) in full. They looked like three little fairies, each one with blue skin and two long tails. Each of them had a hood covering their heads; one had a pink hood, another, a blue hood, and the third a yellow hood. The one with the yellow hood had its eyes closed. All three of them seemed to be floating in mid-air, rather than standing on the ground.

She didn’t have time to ask questions.

“Pull harder!” she thought. “Do something…”

Then there was another roar, and a huge Pokémon appeared over the ridge in front of her. Shadow had seen Garchomp before, but this one was clearly more than twice the size of any she had ever seen. It was nearly eighteen feet tall, from stem to stern, and it had larger claws (proportionately) than the typical specimen.

Old Gnawbone looked at Shadow, and saliva dripped from its jaws…

“No!” shouted Shadow to the three fairies. “It’s too late! Run! Save yourselves!”

The three little Pokémon stopped. They looked at Old Gnawbone…

They stopped pulling on the chains, but they didn’t flee. They did the last thing Shadow would have expected them to do…

They flew up and confronted the huge Dragon Pokémon.

Shadow could not believe what she was seeing. Were these little guys crazy? Old Gnawbone was fifty times larger than they were! This was truly David versus Goliath, even thought there were three Davids.

Then another surprise came.

The one with the pink hood blasted a wave of energy at the Garchomp that Shadow recognized as Extrasensory. And Old Gnawbone clearly felt it. It howled in pain.

Shadow was dumbstruck. That little Pokémon had actually hurt this gigantic one?

It didn’t stop there. The one with the yellow hood let out the same attack, and the Garchomp howled even louder. Then the one with the blue hood screamed at the top of its lungs, and the Uproar caused the cliff face to crack and the huge Dragon to bellow in agony…

Through the ringing in her ears, Shadow remembered something…

When David fought Goliath, David won.

* * * * * * * * * *

Buneary stopped for a minute to catch its breath.

“Get the lead out!” shouted Starbuck. “Shadow doesn’t have much time!”

“Buneary…” gasped Buneary.

“No good…” said Lisa, sadly. “It used all its energy getting to the temple…”

Starbuck looked at his mother.

“No…” he said. “Shadow can’t be…”

“Buneary…” said the Pokémon, now in a much deeper voice.

Then Starbuck saw that its eyes were glowing…

Buneary glowed with an aura of pure light. It started to change shape, and tripled in size…

Starbuck realized now why it was so tired… It had been about to evolve!

The now evolved Pokémon stood up straighter. It now had larger, more developed legs, and its ears were very long, and worn down over its shoulders.

“Lopunny!” it exclaimed.

Having evolved apparently gave it a second wind, because it took off, now much faster than it ever could as a Buneary. Starbuck and his party ran after it as fast as they could…

And after turning two corners, they came to a surprise.

Shadow was alive, and still leaning against the rock, but the chains holding her had been broken. The Garchomp was lying on the ground about ten feet away from her, not moving.

“Uh… Hi guys…” she said when she saw them. “So, uh… It grew, huh?”

Starbuck looked at the huge Dragon.

“Is it dead?” he asked.

Shadow looked at Old Gnawbone.

“Well, if it is…” she said, “it would make one heck of a trophy…”

* * * * * * * * * *

After Shadow had recovered from the shock, they were trying to put as much distance between themselves and that clearing. The news that Jessica was here and she had tried to execute Shadow in such a matter was quite alarming.

“So just what rescued you?” asked Starbuck.

“Three little fairies with colored hoods,” replied Shadow. “It was the craziest thing I ever saw, three little pixies knocking down that huge Dragon. Heck, the attacks they used weren’t even ones that Dragon or Ground Pokémon are vulnerable to!

“I know it sounds weird, but…”

“Fairies…” muttered Lisa.

She took her journal out of her pouch, and skimmed though it. She looked at a page.

“Were these the ones?” she asked, showing the page to Shadow.

Shadow looked at the three pencil sketches depicting three Pokémon, which were labeled with three names: Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf.

“Yes, that’s them!” exclaimed Shadow. “Those are the ones!”

“The Lake Legends…” muttered Lisa. “The Mirages of Sinnoh… The Pokémon who gave humanity the skills they needed to evolve past a primitive state… Knowledge, Emotion, and Willpower…”

“Yeah, the philosopher in the Flower Paradise told the story,” replied Starbuck.

“But why did they save me?” asked Shadow.

Starbuck took the pokeball that contained Dialga from his belt.

“Maybe Dialga knows…” he pondered.

“Uh, big guy…” said Blaziken, nudging his shoulder.

Blaziken pointed behind them.

“Maybe we’d be better off asking them.”

Everyone looked, and saw the three Mirages floating in mid-air. They had apparently been following them the whole time.

“Uh, guys?” said Shadow. “I didn’t get a chance to say thank you… Thank you?”

The three Mirages cooed in a musical tone.

“They say ‘you’re welcome’,” said Blaziken.

The three of them spoke again, and Blaziken listened.

“Hard to understand…” it said. “Sort of an archaic and formal version of Pokémonese… But… I think they want us to follow them.”

“Then I think we’d better,” added Poliwrath. “When Legendary Pokémon make requests of mortals, it’s best to listen to them.

“Besides, it’s usually best to listen to any Pokémon that can trounce a Garchomp that big.”

“And I think I owe them one anyway…” said Lisa.

The three Mirages floated away.

“You coming, Lopunny?” asked Starbuck.

“Lopunny?” asked the Pokémon.

“I’m not promising anything…” said Starbuck, “but I am starting to like you a little…”

“Lopunny!” squeaked the Pokémon, as it hopped after them.

* * * * * * * * * *

Back at the sacrificial stone, Tony felt for a pulse in Old Gnawbone’s neck.

“No good, Jess,” he said. “It’s dead… And from the look of it, whatever killed it was packing some pretty serious firepower.”

Jessica sighed.

“I wanted to finish off Shadow in an ironic way…” she muttered, “but the joke was on me… Seems I’ve become a cliché…”

“Pardon?” asked Leo.

“You know how in movies,” said Jessica, “where the villain captures a hero, and instead of killing him outright, he does something like this, only for the hero to use the opportunity to escape?

“Seems I’ve turned into that tired old cliché…

“I didn’t think there was any way for her to escape, but as the great Harry Houdini knew too well, there’s always a way out.”

“Wasn’t he killed when one of his escape artist tricks went bad?” asked Sophia.

“That was a fiction that happened in a couple of movies,” replied Dugan. “He actually died of peritonitis.”

“Regardless,” said Jessica, “all of you, follow me…

“I know a way to take out all three of them in one blow…”

* * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, the three Mirages were leading the humans and Pokémon to an area quite off the beaten path. Lisa didn’t like the look of it.

“But the danger was past,” she hummed to herself, “they had landed at last, with their boxes, portmanteaus, and bags…

“Yet at first sight the crew was not pleased with the view, which consisted of chasms and crags.”

“Mom, please…” said Starbuck. “You know it makes me nervous when you quote from that poem…”

“Do I hear water?” asked Poliwrath.

“Water?” replied Blaziken.

“Running water,” said Poliwrath. “I can hear it…”

“Please…” said Blaziken, rolling its eyes. “There are no rivers in this place. There isn’t enough water to drown a Caterpie…”

Then the three Mirages turned a corner, and Blaziken was proven wrong. A tall, mountainside waterfall was running down the side of a large cliff, feeding a gleaming spring.

“When a Water Pokémon says it hears water,” said Poliwrath, pointing to Blaziken, “it knows what its talking about…”

Then the three Mirages floated right through the waterfall. Apparently, it hid a cave of some sort behind it.

“Lovely…” said Blaziken. “Now we’re gonna get wet…”

“You want to go back in your pokeball?” asked Starbuck, who was a little annoyed. “I’m sure Poliwrath would be glad to be our translator if you wanted to take a break.”

Clearly, having one of his best Pokémon talk was a mixed blessing.

Blaziken sighed.

“I guess a little water can’t hurt…” it said.

The three humans and two Pokémon waded into the pool, which was only a couple of feet deep.

“Lopunny…” whined the Lopunny.

Starbuck looked at it. He realized that it was rather deep for a Pokémon that was only three feet tall.

He picked up the Lopunny and carried it as they waded through the pool, and under the waterfall.

When they emerged on the other side, there was another surprise. Blaziken’s assumption that they would get wet was false. Their clothes were dry.

They looked around. They were in a cavern made up of luminous crystal, colored of all the hues in the spectrum. It was a beautiful sight, and they could only look in awe for a few seconds.

Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf cooed cheerily for a few seconds.

“What are they saying?” asked Starbuck.

“I think they said, ‘we’ve brought her’,” replied Blaziken. “But it wasn’t addressed to any of us…”

“Her?” said Shadow.

Then the crystals started to glow with an even greater light… An orb of golden energy appeared in front of them.

Then orb turned into what had to be the most beautiful Pokémon they had ever seen. Actually, they had seen it before, but not this close. It looked like a large, lovely bird, with wings and a tail shaped like crescents, colored pink, blue, and yellow.

“Cresselia!” exclaimed Lisa.

* * * * * * * * * *

Jessica stood in front of the vehicle. The all-terrain vehicle that Starbuck and his party had driven to the Spires and parked in this clearing.

She motioned to Palkia who was standing behind her.

Palkia made three slashes across the vehicle, and all four tires blew out and the engine caught on fire. It collapsed in a heap.

“There…” said Jessica. “Let’s see how much luck they have walking back to civilization.”

“Jessica, they’ll be dead within a day!” shouted Leo.

“Saves us the trouble of killing them,” said Jessica. “And saves us the trouble of having to deal with Dialga. A Pokémon will abandon a dead trainer, and we’ll just get it later.

“By the way people, if anyone objects, the same method for assuming leadership of Rocket Reborn is still valid…”

She held up a pokeball and recalled Palkia into it. Then she looked at everyone.

No-one said anything.

“Didn’t think so…” said Jessica. “Now let’s get home. The air in this place is starting to stick to me.

“I have someone who’s going to get me the Plates that Starbuck already found for us.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Cresselia started to speak. Its words were sung rather than spoken, in a beautiful tone like those of a mockingbird on a summer’s day.

“Can you understand it?” asked Starbuck to Blaziken.

“I think so…” said Blaziken. “I think it wants to speak to Shadow…”

Shadow looked at Blaziken. Then she looked at Cresselia. Then she stepped forward.

Cresselia started to sing again.

“My purpose was once to be a guardian,” said Blaziken, translating the Pokémonese. “I was set to guard the exiled Darkrai, to counter its darkness with my light. Darkrai caused nightmares to sleeping humans with its mere presence, and without me to keep this power in check, it would have run uncontrolled.

“But ten years ago, Darkrai and six other Pokémon known to humans as Legendaries vanished without a trace. I was a guardian with nothing to guard, and had no purpose.

“Since that time, I have roamed the world, looking for a trainer to call my own, one who I could identify with, one whose cause was noble and just.

“Shadow… I have been watching you as you have tried to combat the madness that holds the world of Pokémon in its evil grasp. I know that my search has ended.

“The trainer I hoped to find… Is you…”

Shadow gasped. She looked at Cresselia.

This lovely creature had rescued her because it wanted to join her team?

“This doesn’t make sense,” muttered Lisa. “Legend stated that Cresselia only accepted chaste maidens as trainers…”

Then she caught herself. She and Starbuck looked at Shadow, who looked really embarrassed.

“No…” said Starbuck in disbelief.

Shadow sighed.

“It’s not the sort of thing that comes up in casual conversation…” said Shadow. “I worked rather hard to keep a ‘bad girl’ image… Everyone simply assumed that I wasn’t… chaste… When the truth is…”

“You know, Shadow,” said Starbuck, “right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if you told me you were the reincarnation of Joan of Arc.”

Shadow looked at Cresselia.

“Do I have to swear to a vow of chastity?” she asked.

Cresselia started to sing again.

“It says only for as long as you want your partnership to last,” said Blaziken. “It is sure that you would never choose a mate foolishly, and should you find one wisely, it will wish you well before leaving.”

Shadow held out her hand. Cresselia’s eyes glowed.

“Uh, this may not be the right time for this…” said Lisa. “But can I ask something?”

Cresselia looked at Lisa. It nodded.

“You said that Darkrai and six other Legendary Pokémon had disappeared…” said Lisa.

Cresselia started to sing again.

“Seven powerful Pokémon, gone without a trace,” said Blaziken, translating. “In addition to Darkrai, Giratina, Mewtwo, Lugia, and the three Beasts of Johto, Suicune, Entei, and Raikou.”

“I see…” said Lisa.

Cresselia sang again.

“It says that if you stay in this cave for a while,” said Blaziken, “all your wounds and those of your Pokémon will heal.”

“Mine could certainly use that…” said Shadow.

She held up an empty pokeball.

“I’m ready when you are…”

Cresselia faded into the orb of golden energy again, and flew into the pokeball. The last traces of its song echoed through the cavern.

Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf cooed again, and then vanished.

* * * * * * * * * *

They sat talking in the cave for some time.

“Seven Legendary Pokémon vanish without a trace…” muttered Lisa. “Ten years ago…”

“I know what you’re thinking, mom…” said Starbuck. “That was around when the Twisting first started to appear.

“Do you think one of them might be responsible for it?”

“Well, I tend to doubt that Lugia is,” replied Lisa. “It always came across to me as a benevolent God of the Sea…

“The three Beasts seem unlikely too…”

“What are those guys?” asked Shadow. “Brothers? Partners? Rivals?”

“No,” replied Lisa. “Not even close friends. Although something seems to link them together, no stories in any mythology ever suggests just what that link is.

“But nothing about them seems to hint at anything sinister…

“But… Three of the Pokémon that Cresselia said vanished are ones of a… darker nature…

“Darkrai is the representation of darkness and nightmares. It inadvertently causes terror with its mere presence.

“Giratina is a Pokémon that supposedly represents Death. Rumor has it that it makes its lair in some alternate world that’s one giant graveyard.

“And Mewtwo… Well, its hatred of humans is well known.

“It could be that one of them created the Twisting somehow…”

“I have another theory,” said Blaziken.

They all looked at it.

“I think that these seven Pokémon knew something about the Twisting that other Legendaries didn’t,” said Blaziken. “Whatever it was, it scared them so much, they decided to get out of Dodge. They left for… someplace else…”

“Like rats deserting a sinking ship…” said Poliwrath.

“Where would they go?” asked Shadow. “How do you escape a plague that spreads across the world?”

“Shadow, I met Dialga in a place that existed in another dimension,” replied Starbuck. “There might be a lot of places that these guys could have gone.”

They didn’t speak for a few minutes.

“So what’s the plan now?” asked Shadow. “We have Dialga… We have the Stone Plate… We even have Cresselia.”

“But there are still two more Plates out there, and Jessica has three others.”

Starbuck thought for a minute. Shadow had a point. They had pretty much reached the limit of what they could do with the information they had.

“We’ll go back to Blueberry Cove,” he said. “Maybe an answer will just come to us.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, Jessica’s party was driving on the highway back to said city, and Jessica was speaking on her cell phone.

“Yeah, it’s me,” she said. “You’ll be glad to know I solved one of our problems…

“No, I didn’t get the other Plates. I’m working on that… But Conrad’s brat has been taken care of.”

On the other end of the line, General Volmer listened. As he did so, he was reading a field report that he had just been given.

“I see…” he said. “Yes… Hmm… Oh yes, that was quite ingenious, Jessica…

“No, no… No need to worry… I’m still doing my part… I’m curious, though… Just how are you going to get the Plates?”

He stopped to listen.

“I see… I see… Yes, quite clever…

“Okay, you do that… I’ll keep in touch…”

Volmer sighed as he hung up.

Then he started to make another phone call.


Coming up next:

It seems General Volmer has an agenda of his own. But what does this army officer whom Jessica is controlling via blackmail intend to do? Next chapter, Major Jane returns (well, at least one of them does, anyway) and the situation changes a great deal.

“Second Thoughts” is coming soon.



Hey everyone. Remember when I tried to have a contest for anyone who wanted to design the Icicle Plate Guardian? Well, since that one was apparently too hard, I’m going to try again.

In this chapter, Lisa was quoting a stanza from a poem that made Starbuck nervous. Your job? Identify the poem. It’s as simple as that. PM me with the poem’s title and author, and I’ll choose a winner at random from correct answers. The winner will be able to design the Icicle Plate Guardian.

Sound simple? It is! So get to it.

[Lord Almaz]

Well, I'm dead out - I have never even heard the poem myself.

So, Cressy going to be a part of Shadow's team as long as she doesn't get laid? And Shadow's a virgin? Neat plot twist - something tells me Lisa will be getting something of her own soon. I'm sure Romance doesn't count and I see Shadow and Starbuck getting a relationship going...

Also, Buneary evolved en route to save Shadow. Of course, Jessica did realize the old cliche and tried to stop them further, but now that our heroes have two legendaries on their lineup, I doubt that being starnded without a vehicle is going to hinder them much.

I'm sorry for not checking up on this story, Brian, but I've been busy lately. Good work!

[Dark Sage]

Volmer’s the name. I’m a general in the armed forces… Although that may not be the case for much longer…

Let me ask you something… Did you ever have a dream? A dream that became an obsession?

Ash Ketchum had a dream… He wanted to be the world’s best Pokémon trainer. His friend Brock’s dream was to be a Pokémon breeder. His rival Gary’s dream was to be a great Pokémon researcher, like his grandfather.

I had a dream once, but now I see that my pursuit of it has sent me down a dark path.

What I’ve done cannot be undone… But perhaps I can start to make up for it all…

My dream ends now… But hopefully, so will the nightmare.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN



Second Thoughts

“So, Shadow,” said Starbuck. “Tell me…”

The three of them were walking through the Spires, back to where they had parked their vehicle.

“You fought Jessica in a Pokémon battle… What Pokémon did she have?”

“I didn’t see all of them,” replied Shadow, “but she had some powerhouses.

“In addition to Palkia, there was a Hariyama, a Kangaskhan, and a Drapion…”

“Drapion?” asked Lisa.

“Yeah, a Drapion,” said Shadow. “Does that mean something?”

Lisa thought for a minute.

“Hunter J used a Drapion,” she pondered. “A rather powerful one… Jessica started Rocket Reborn after robbing Hunter J…”

“You think it might be J’s Drapion?” asked Starbuck.

“It’s possible,” said Lisa.

“That Drapion certainly didn’t seem to resent Jessica being its trainer,” said Shadow.

“Maybe when Jessica defeated J, it was impressed by Jessica’s power,” replied Lisa, “and it was more than willing to accept Jessica as its master.

“Besides… Hunter J never struck me as a trainer who respected her Pokémon…”

“You think Jessica has J’s Salamence?” asked Starbuck.

“I sure hope not!” exclaimed Shadow. “Salamence are incredibly dangerous!”

“I know…” muttered Starbuck.

* * * * * * * * * *

General Volmer sat at a desk in a darkened room, a desk lamp providing the only illumination.

He sighed as he leaned his head on his hands.

Years ago, he had an idea. His idea was to form an army of Pokémon, soldiers more loyal and far tougher than any human infantry, who’d be a terror on the battlefield.

But he knew that once his plan was complete, the armies of other nations would copy it. He needed a way to make it unique.

Against his better judgment, he entered a partnership with the leader of Rocket Reborn, a young woman named Jessica who said she would deliver Arceus. If his Pokémon regiment was headed by Arceus, it would be unstoppable and unmatched.

But a problem soon arose. As a military man, Volmer wasn’t used to working with people on equal terms. That simply wasn’t done in the army. In the army, you either gave orders or took them. As a General, he tended to give them more often. But Jessica quickly grew sick of being given orders by this old grouch. She had never joined the army, and did not like being treated like an inferior.

So Jessica dug deep, and found a secret that Volmer had spent several years hiding. She found how Volmer had accidentally let classified information fall into the hands of a terrorist group, and how he covered his mistake by letting an underling take the blame. Jessica told him that she would be giving the orders now, and if he didn’t like it, the MPs would get the information.

The thought of going to jail for both a security breech and perjury certainly did not appeal to Volmer. He knew what they did to crooked officers in prison. So Volmer grudging continued the “partnership”, and continued his project, trying to raise his battalion of Pokémon…

But now, the latest field report had come in, and it showed even worse performance than the last one. A Snorlax had stopped to eat bamboo shoots during an exercise. A Honchkrow had stolen a Captain’s golden bars. A drill sergeant had kicked a Charizard who had refused to get up, and was now in the hospital getting skin grafts for the third-degree burns he had received for the foolish act.

General Malloy always meant what he said, and when this report reached his desk, it would be all over. His Pokémon Special Forces project would be officially dead.

This, combined with Jessica’s claim that she has just left Starbuck and his two companions stranded in the Spires to die, had been too much for him. He had gone way too far into this whole deal. He was having second thoughts.

It was time to take action. He picked up the phone again.

“You there?” he said.

He listened.

“Good. Where are you?”

He listened again.

“Never mind why I want it done, just do it. It’s important.

“And it’s also an order.

“Okay then… I’ll talk to you when you get back…”

He turned off the cell phone. He knew that the last part was a lie. He never intended to talk to her again.

He put the cell phone in his desk drawer, and then got up.

He had other things to do.

* * * * * * * * * *

Kitsune was standing in front of Jessica’s desk in the Grasp Building, while Jessica was signing her name on a certified check.

“There you go,” said Jessica, handing it to her. “I believe six million was the agreed-upon reward…”

Kitsune took it, and placed it inside her gi.

“So, how’d it go, may I ask?” asked Jessica.

“Honestly, it was an experience,” replied Kitsune. “In the future, I think I’ll stick to what Ninja do best… Dealing with targets that an employer wants dead.”

“Well…” said Jessica, getting up, “maybe we can use those skills in the future. In the meantime, go deposit that check, and take the rest of the day off…

“As for me… Think I’ll go pay Mandy a visit…”

* * * * * * * * * *

As this was happening, Starbuck, Shadow, and Lisa were looking at the still smoking remains of their rented Jeep Wrangler.

“Uh… Mom?” said Starbuck. “You did get insurance for this thing when you made the security deposit, right?”

“Yes, I did,” sighed Lisa. “Unfortunately, we have other problems. I don’t think we have the ability to call Triple-A from here.”

“Jessica did this,” said Shadow. “Getting Palkia seems to have made her even colder than she was before.”

Starbuck looked down the road.

“How the heck are we going to get back to civilization?” he asked. “Walk? We’ll be dead within a day!”

Then he noticed something. Were his eyes deceiving him? Was a vehicle approaching?

“People…” he said. “I think Arceus may have just sent us a miracle…”

The three of them started waving and shouting as the vehicle came closer…

They calmed down a little when they saw what it was. It was another jeep, much bigger than the Wrangler. In fact, it was an army-issue jeep.

Major Jane was driving it.

“They don’t make miracles the way they used to,” sighed Starbuck, as the jeep stopped.

Jane glared at them for a few seconds.

“I heard you guys were stranded,” she said.

“Lovely,” said Starbuck. “Of all the people who could rescue us, it had to be you.”

“Don’t take it personal,” said Jane. “I only came here because Volmer told me to.”

“Volmer?” asked Lisa. “The guy who’s trying to train Pokémon for military applications? What does he care about the three of us?”

“Don’t know, don’t care,” said Jane. “I just do what he says. You want a ride back to Blueberry Cove or not?”

Starbuck sighed. This was clearly a different Jane than the one who had helped them gain the Zap Plate.

“Guess we have no choice,” he said.

They climbed onto the back of the jeep, and Jane started it up again.

* * * * * * * * * *

In another building in a military base just outside of Blueberry Cove, another Jane sat at a desk in a comfortable office. She had a rather cushy job, and was never one to complain.

A door behind her said: Admittance by Authorized Personnel Only.

She looked up as Volmer entered the room.

“General Volmer?” she said. “Can I help you?”

“Uh, yes,” he said. “I need to use the computer.”

Jane looked at him.

“Did you hear me?” he asked.

“Uhm, yes,” she replied. “But you know that you need clearance by General Malloy to have access to the classified files.”

“You haven’t gotten his e-mail yet?” asked Volmer. “Maybe you should check…”

“Well, I’ll check…” said Jane, turning to her laptop. “But even so, I’ll need more than an e-mail to…”

She never finished that sentence. As soon as she took her eyes off of him, he covered her mouth with a rag that he had doused in chloroform. She made a small groan, and slumped to the floor, unconscious.

Volmer had hated to do that. She’d likely never know why her superior officer had knocked her out and gained illegal access to the classified files. When she woke up, she’d call the MPs and report what had happened.

But Volmer knew he was going to jail anyway, so it didn’t matter what he did now. With a little luck, he could stop a greater evil from happening. To do it, he needed the information on those files.

He took a keycard from the chain that she wore around her neck, and scanned it through the door. It opened.

* * * * * * * * * *

Jessica looked at her prisoner. Mandy was still restrained the same way, and was looking Jessica straight in the eye.

“Nothing to say, Mandy?” asked Jessica. “Oh, that’s right, your mouth is held shut.

“Hmm… Without you able to talk, torturing you isn’t gonna be much fun…”

She pinched Mandy gently on the buttocks.

“Heh, still have buns of steel…”

Mandy just glared at her coldly.

“Tell me, something, Mandy…” said Jessica. “You’re a Battle Girl… You’ve survived Pokémon Dares, and even Pokémon Double Dares… I’m guessing you have a great tolerance for pain…”

She took something out of her pocket. It was a switchblade.

Jessica looked at her, and then flicked it open. Mandy made no reaction.

“Nothing?” said Jessica. “Well, let’s see if I can get a reaction another way.”

Then she pressed the point into Mandy’s exposed abdomen, drawing a drop of blood. Still no reaction.

She slowly cut across Mandy’s lower torso, cutting through the epidermis, leaving a scar ten inches long.

Mandy still only glared at her.

“Seems you’re pretty tough,” said Jessica.

She retracted the blade.

“But that’s only a start. It’s only gonna get worse from this point on…”

She turned and left the room, passing by Digger who was standing watch.

When Digger made sure Jessica was gone, he rushed into the room, and took out a small bottle.

“Let’s get some iodine on that before it becomes infected,” he said.

Mandy looked at him with an expression that simply said, “Why?”

“Call me crazy,” said Digger, “but I’m starting to become a little more optimistic lately…”

* * * * * * * * * *

It was two PM when Jane’s jeep parked in front of the Pokémon Center in Blueberry Cove.

“Well…” said Starbuck. “Thank you… If you ever want to tell us what’s going on…”

“Don’t call us,” said Jane, “we’ll call you…”

She started up the jeep again and took off.

Starbuck sighed.

“Better call Percy,” he said, reaching for his cell phone.

As he opened his cell phone, he was surprised to see that he got a text message.

“Hello?” he said.

He opened it.

“Guys, it’s from Mandy…” he said.

He read the message.

“Heaven’s Pipe… Nick’s Nacks… Tiger… Find… Urgent.”

“The Heaven’s Pipe?” asked Shadow. “Isn’t that what you asked her to look for?”

“Yeah…” said Starbuck. “Seems she found it…

“But Nick’s Nacks? Tiger?”

They walked into the Center.

“Oh, Starbuck!” shouted Nurse Joy, “I’m glad you’re here!”

“What’s up, Joy?” asked Starbuck.

“Some old guy came in and told me to give this to you,” she said, holding up an envelope. “He said it was important.”

“Old guy?” said Starbuck. “Anyone we know?”

“No idea,” said Joy. “He was wearing sunglasses and a trenchcoat with his collar turned up. He looked like he was purposely trying to hide something.”

The three trainers looked at each other.

Starbuck opened the envelope. Inside was a simple, handwritten letter.

Dear Mr. Conrad.

I have information you require, which you would be wise to listen to. I can not risk sending it via any means other than telling you in person.

Meet me at the Happy Daze Diner at midnight. It is your best interests to come.

The letter was not signed.

“Happy Daze Diner…” said Lisa. “I think that’s a twenty-four-hour place downtown.”

“Jessica likely thinks we’re still in the Spires,” said Shadow. “I think we can rule this out as a trap set by her…”

“We’ll figure it out later,” said Starbuck. “We have enough time now to find out what Mandy meant…”

* * * * * * * * * *

Fifteen minutes later, Lisa was sitting in front of the computer.

“Well, Google has nothing on Nick’s Nacks that pertains to Blueberry Cove,” she said. “I had thought it was a business of some sort, but…”

“Maybe it’s a business that doesn’t have a website,” said Shadow.

Lisa rubbed her chin.

“True…” she said. “But it likely has a phone…

“So maybe if we just check the yellow pages…”

She typed in the words into the search engine of the online phone book.

“Here we are, people… It’s an antique store in midtown.”

“Then that’s where we’re going,” said Starbuck.

* * * * * * * * * *

A bell tinkled as the door to the old antique store opened. The elderly owner of the store was still reading the daily newspaper, just as he was when Mandy had come in.

“Eh?” he said, looking over his glasses. “Afternoon… What can I do for you youngsters?”

“Uh, hi…” said Starbuck. “We were wondering… Do you know anyone named Mandy?”

“Mandy?” he asked. “Oh, Mandy… Yeah, she came in a few days ago… She didn’t stay long though… Kinda strange how it happened…”

“Strange?” asked Shadow.

“She seemed to have a little disagreement with some other young lady…” said the man. “Boy, she had weird clothes… Anyway, they both left in a pretty big rush…”

The three trainers looked at each other.

“I think Mandy may be in trouble…” said Lisa.

Then she felt a warm feeling on her leg. She looked down and saw a Purugly purring around it.

“Seems Tiger has taken a liking to you,” said the old man.

They all looked at him.

“Uh, excuse me,” said Starbuck, “did you say that this Purugly’s name was Tiger?”

“Yep,” said the man, turning the page of his newspaper.

Starbuck bent down, and examined the Pokémon.

“People,” he said, “in the words of the Greek scholar Archimedes…”

He held the key up.

“Eureka!”

“What is it?” asked Shadow.

“The key to a bus station locker,” replied Starbuck. “Odds are we’ll find the next piece of the puzzle there.”

* * * * * * * * * *

The three trainers looked at the locker whose number matched the one on the key, one locker among many at the bus station.

“Here goes nothing,” said Starbuck.

He fitted the key into the lock, and opened the locker.

He reached in, and opened the object that was wrapped in bubble wrap and tape.

Slowly, he unwrapped it…

The three of them looked at the weird device. The strange, ceramic flute, with a mouthpiece connected to a short, thick, blunt bore, with several small tubes protruding from it, colored sky blue with runes that were colored a different shade of blue.

“So this is the Heaven’s Pipe…” muttered Starbuck.

“So what exactly does it do?” asked Shadow. “It’s not like we know much about this thing…”

“Well, let’s start with what we do know,” replied Starbuck. “It was found at an archaeological dig at Mt. Coronet, supposedly inside the core of an excavated meteorite that split open when it was dug out. Its purpose was never discovered, the runes have no apparent meaning, and it didn’t seem to make any sound when it was blown.

“Eleven years ago, Butch and Cassidy stole it, but were arrested soon after. This wasn’t recovered…”

“Because they sent it to Mandy, apparently,” added Shadow.

“Yes…” said Starbuck, tapping his fingers on it. “Why? Why did they send it to their daughter? Why didn’t they fence it? Was no-one willing to buy it?

“Or did they find something about this thing that shouldn’t be known?”

* * * * * * * * * *

“You can’t imagine how glad I am to hear from you,” said Percival, as he listened to Starbuck on the phone.

“It was exhausting,” said Starbuck, “but I have the Stone Plate, and I’m sending it to you… Along with something else that may be of use.

“I was hoping you had other news.”

“Afraid not,” said Percival. “No-one seems to be able to find the location of the Icicle Plate and Iron Plate. And even if we find them, I don’t know how we’re going to get the Sky, Earth, and Draco Plates from Rocket.”

“We’ll see,” said Starbuck. “We may have a lead that we can follow. For now we have to wait until midnight.”

“Well, I think…” started Percival.

He paused.

He noticed that Francis was listening closely from the door to the room.

“I think things will be coming to a head soon,” he said.

Francis turned and left the door.

* * * * * * * * * *

One hour later, in Jessica’s office, she was speaking on the phone.

“Really?” she said. “How unfortunate…”

“Yes,” said Francis, who was on the other line. “Young Starbuck and his companions seem to have more lives than cats from Hell.”

“I assume he sent the Stone Plate?” asked Jessica.

“Yes,” replied Francis. “Should we go along with the plan?”

“Why not?” replied Jessica. “Are you sure it won’t be compromised.”

“Positive,” replied Francis. “I’ve known this man all his life. He’s a moron. Just send your people tomorrow morning, as you said.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Into the night, Starbuck, Shadow, and Lisa watched television in the Pokémon Center, watching midnight approach.

At eleven-thirty, they mounted their motorcycles, and drove to the all-night diner called the Happy Daze, where someone claimed to be waiting for them.

The place was quiet when they entered. Only a few late shift workers were still around.

Sitting in a corner, with his back to a wall, was an elderly man wearing sunglasses and a trenchcoat. He was sipping black coffee.

The three trainers walked up to the table.

“I think we’re the ones you’re looking for,” said Starbuck.

“That I am,” he replied. “Maxwell Volmer at your service…”

“General Volmer?” asked Starbuck, rather surprised.

Volmer sighed.

“I don’t consider myself a General anymore,” he said. “Frankly, I’m a disgrace to the uniform. I’ve made some terrible mistakes in my pursuit of a pointless dream, and gotten a lot of people hurt because of it.

“Let me give you some advice, Mr. Conrad… There are two ways to do anything life… There’s the easy way, and the right way. Most people choose the easy way. But the easy way only brings limited and temporary success. Only by doing things the right way can true success be achieved.”

“Is that all you wanted to tell us?” asked Starbuck.

“No,” replied Volmer.

He sipped his coffee and didn’t say much for a minute.

“I called you here because I know where to find what you’re looking for… The Icicle and Iron Plates…”

The three trainers looked at him. They sat down.

“Thing is, they aren’t in Toreen,” he continued. “They exist in extradimensional places, other realities. But these pocket dimensions are accessible from various places in the mortal world.

“You have to go to Cactus Flats. Specifically, to the landmark called the Needle’s Eye.”

“I know that!” said Lisa. “It’s a rock formation with a wind-worn hole clear through the center.”

“It’s a portal,” said Volmer. “To get to the dimension that houses the Icicle Plate, you have to ‘thread the needle’ crawl through the hole, facing west, while the sun is setting.

“This dimension is frigid cold, and it carries some sort of curse. You know Team Galactic?”

“Yeah…” said Starbuck.

“Supposedly, two of their Commanders, Mars and Jupiter, went to this place, and never came back. They apparently fell victim to the curse.

“But from what my research shows, you can protect yourself from the curse by carrying a Fire Pokémon with you, and making sure it stays conscious.”

He paused to sip his coffee.

“To get to the dimension where the Iron Plate is held, you must ‘thread the needle’ facing east, while the sun is rising.

“Unfortunately, I do not know anything about what this dimension holds. I doubt getting the Iron Plate will be easy.”

He sipped his coffee again.

“That’s all I know,” he said.

“And you’re telling us this because?” asked Starbuck.

“Because I hate what I’ve become,” said Volmer. “I want to make amends.”

He got up.

“And as soon as I make one final phone call, I’m going to turn myself in to the MPs.”

“Is there anything we can do to help you?” asked Lisa.

“I wouldn’t try,” said Volmer. “Don’t even mention to anyone that I spoke to you, in fact. You’ll just risk getting into more trouble.”

He said no more. He threw two dollars on the table, and walked out.

Starbuck looked at his mother and Shadow.

“Let’s go back and get some sleep,” he said. “I guess now we know what to do, at least…”



Coming up next:

What is Francis planning? We’ll find out next chapter, and after that, our heroes will encounter Leo again. For what reason and in what context is a secret. Things are getting tense, and the stakes are getting higher.

[Houndoom_Lover]

I decided to read this the way though, and I have one thing to say.

Show, don't tell.

You have been improving--chapter 27 blows 1 out of the water. But your dialogue is still weak. Put some emotion into it. Combine action with speaking. Instead of just having a Pokemon say its name and saying it said, elaborate the state of the Pokemon. It’s the same with your human characters. It feels like they're stating things in an outline, rather than caught up in their adventure in some parts.

The fanfiction overall has a YA-Older children feel to it. I'm not sure if that's where you want to go with it. I'll keep reading, don't worry, but I suggest you work on your prose for your next fanfiction.

[Lord Almaz]

After checking my last post and seeing it was Nov. 3, three months ago, and this being 2010, I hate to say that my newest
post is the first I make here in 2010. I feel like such a heel who cheated on his wife.

Anyways! Time to buy the roses and chocolate and make it up to you guys! (And no, I'm not saying that because Valentine's Day is a month away - I'll be lucky to even meet a girl, much less romance one, before I turn 40. )

I'm surprised the updates are slow here, maybe because of that new Shadowchasers fic. I like how Volmer suddenly turns heel and gives the location to the last two Plates. Also, it looks like Percival's about to lose the other Plates and there's a big showdown to come in Rocket Reborn base.

Great job, keep writing.

[Dark Sage]

Things have changed dramatically in recent days.

I’ve not only found several of the Plates, I’ve met a Legendary Pokémon, and convinced another to join my team.

But that’s not all. I’ve learned more about what happened to dad, and found the Heaven’s Pipe, although I’m not sure what it does yet.

The only problem is, Jessica has a Legendary Pokémon too, and it seems to have made her colder and merciless. Mandy has disappeared, and I fear the worst. She also made a potentially lethal move against us. We’d have likely been the subjects of a recovery mission if Jane hadn’t found us.

Our job has become more dangerous now... We’re getting closer... And the closer you get, the more chances there are of the ground falling out from under you...

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT



Next Level

It was five AM the next morning, at Percival’s chateau in Blueberry Cove.

Two men in trenchcoats stood outside the gate, impatiently tapping their feet. Then it buzzed, and swung open.

“About time,” said one of them.

They walked up to the front door, which quietly opened. Francis was standing there.

“What took you so long?” asked one of them.

“Do you want my help or not?” asked Francis. “If I wake him up, this is going to be a big flop.”

“I still say you should have cut his throat in his sleep,” said one of the men.

“I couldn’t!” growled Francis. “His personal chambers are guarded by a high-tech security system that even I can’t get by! It’s another thing he wasted his inheritance on!

“Just follow me... I can unlock the vault at least...”

They followed him into the house.

“You sure he won’t wake up?” asked the other man.

“He never wakes up before nine,” said Francis. “I’ve worked in this house since before he was born. If he ever showed an iota of intelligence, I would know.”

He led them through the hallways, and into a room with a large vault door.

“The Plates are in there,” he said. “Just open the digital lock. The combination is 12, 12, 15, which also happens to be Sinatra’s birthday. He admires him for some reason. I’ve seen him do it several times.”

One of the two men entered the code. The lock beeped. He gripped the handle.

The vault didn’t open. It held fast.

“Huh?” said the other man.

“Are you sure about that combination, pal?” asked the first man.

“Of course I’m sure,” said Francis. “Are you sure you got it right?”

“Yes, he is,” said a voice.

Francis and the three men froze.

“Thing is,” continued the voice, “I never told you, Francis, that entering the combination isn’t enough. The buttons are fingerprint-sensitive. I’m the only one who can open it...”

The two men reached into their coats. Then they heard the click of a gun.

“Drop them, now,” said Percival.

They slowly turned around, and saw Percival leveling a shotgun at them. The two men grinned nervously, and dropped the two Saturday night specials they had reached for.

“Guess I’m smarter than you thought, Francis,” said Percival. “I also never told you about the hidden security cameras in this room, or the fact that I was armed.”

“How... How did you...” said Francis.

“Know?” asked Percival. “Someone called my cell phone at one o’clock this morning. He didn’t give his name, but he said you were in league with some folks who were planning to break in this morning.

“Officer Jenny will be here in about five minutes, and that’s just enough time for me to ask one nagging question...

“Why?”

“Why?” asked Francis, with a look of fury on his face. “Why? You dare ask me why?

“Because ever since your father died, I’ve been forced to stand by, helpless, as the fortune he worked years to amass has been squandered by his spoiled brat of a son on these idiotic treasure hunts of yours! He knew the value of a dollar, but you...”

“Knew the value of a dollar?” asked Francis, in an even angrier tone. “He was the most miserly old miser this city ever knew!”

His voice was so forceful that Francis stepped back in shock.

“This house was an icebox in the winter because he wouldn’t pay for heat,” continued Percival. “It was a sauna in the summer because he wouldn’t pay for air conditioning! He once got so upset at how much haircuts were costing, he tried to cut my hair himself with a home barber kit, and the result was so bad, I was laughed at in school for three weeks!

“Christmas was misery in this house... He spent the whole day complaining about the fact that he had to give most of his employees the day off, he had to pay the ones who would work overtime, and that the banks were closed. I never got any presents, of course.

“It was his own thriftiness that finally killed him... When he got a bad chest cold, he refused to see a doctor or even stay home from work, not wanting to lose money. So his cold turned into bronchitis and then pneumonia, and he died from it.

“Come to think of it, he moaned about ending up in the poorhouse every time my pediatrician recommended that I be vaccinated, and needed ‘prompting’ from our insurance company to actually do it. I’m lucky I didn’t end up like him.”

He glared at Francis.

“His will had a condition in it...” he continued. “I had to agree not to fire you so long as you were able to do your job. If not for that, you’d have been looking for a new job a long time ago. You were rude to every friend and acquaintance of mine who ever came in here, just like he was. That was why he didn’t have any friends.

“I guess his will had that condition because you agreed with all his complaints, and he thought you’d make sure the money was well-spent. Well, all you seemed to do was bear me resentment until you decided to do this...

“Well, you certainly won’t be able to do your job while you’re in prison, Francis...”

Francis didn’t know how to respond to that...

* * * * * * * * * *

Four hours later, Francis was sitting in an interrogation room at the local police station.

The door to the room opened, and an Officer Jenny poked her head in.

“Your lawyer is here,” she said. “That was quick...”

Francis smirked. It wasn’t his lawyer. He had used his one phone call to call someone else.

The woman who entered the room was wearing dark glasses and had her collar turned up. But Francis knew it was Jessica.

“All right, Francis,” she said, sitting down at the opposite side of the table. “Mind telling me what went wrong?”

“Someone ratted us out,” replied Francis. “And before you ask, I don’t know who.

“Now, I know you’re likely going to just walk out on me and say it was all my own fault, but I want to ask you just how you plan to make me keep my mouth shut about this whole deal?”

“Pardon?” asked Jessica.

“Percival can’t prove that I was working for your group,” replied Francis, “but for time off my sentence, I could confirm his suspicions. That would be pretty bad for you, wouldn’t you think?”

Jessica looked at him.

“I don’t want to go to prison, Jessica,” said Francis, “and if I were you, I’d start working pretty hard to make sure I don’t...”

Jessica made a slight smile.

“Maybe you’re right...” she said. “Sit tight, I’ll handle things...”

She walked out of the interrogation room, dialing her cell phone.

“Yes ma’am,” said the voice on the other end, who was her driver.

“Start back without me,” she said. “I have to get back via a quicker route.

“And spread word around members of Rocket Reborn that I want to meet with everyone who has won a Pokémon Dare. If that doesn’t include Kitsune, I want to speak to her too.”

As she walked out of the police station, she tossed out a pokeball, and an Abra appeared.

“Time to move to the next level,” she said. “Teleport.”

The Abra vanished, taking her with it.

* * * * * * * * * *

Kitsune had indeed won a Pokémon Dare in her time, in fact she had won a couple.

So had Leo, Tony, Sofia, and three other members of Rocket Reborn. But no-one else. These battles weren’t all that common, after all.

All seven of them were gathered in Jessica’s office as Jessica was looking over something on a computer screen.

“All right...” she said, looking up. “Five million...”

“Five million what?” asked Sofia.

“That, my friends, is the bounty you’ll collect for bringing in Starbuck,” replied Jessica. “Three million for his mom or girlfriend.”

Everyone started to get excited.

“However,” added Jessica. “I want them alive. They’re of more use to me that way than as corpses.”

“Then why ask for folks who have won a Dare?” asked Tony.

“Not gonna lie to you,” said Jessica. “It’s not gonna be easy with Dialga in the picture. You’ve already seen how powerful Palkia is.”

Kitsune sighed a little.

“I know, Kitsune, I know...” said Jessica. “You’re an assassin, you’re better at jobs where the target has to be dead.

“Well, the offer still applies to you, but you’re lucky...”

She handed her an envelope.

“I have an another assignment for you, and it’s right up your alley. However, it will be difficult. The target is in a very secure location...”

Kitsune opened the envelope and looked at the papers.

“Don’t worry...” replied Kitsune. “The Kunoichi excel at such targets.”

“The rest of you are on your own as far as where to start,” said Jessica. “However, to be fair, I’ll be participating in this little hunt as well.”

“You talk as if it were a competition,” replied Leo.

“It is...” said Jessica. “Between us and Starbuck. It’s kind of like cops and robbers...

“Except the stakes have gotten so high, the losers might end up in a real jail if they aren’t careful... Francis already has, and he’s no longer on our team...”

She looked at Kitsune.

“...if you know what I mean. Now, let’s get started.”

As Leo left the room, he started dialing on his cell phone.

* * * * * * * * * *

In the Pokémon Center, Lisa walked in carrying a load of parcels.

“It wasn’t easy finding cold weather gear this time of year, people,” she said. “The only place in town where I could get it was a sporting goods place that sold skiing supplies. And even they thought I was nuts.”

“A lot of people thought the Wright Brothers were nuts when they were trying to invent the airplane,” replied Starbuck.

“Listen, people, you all heard what the guy said... The place where the Icicle Plate rests is cursed, and you need a Fire Pokémon to protect yourself...”

He held up a pokeball.

“I have Blaziken right here...”

Lisa held up a pokeball.

“I have Infernape,” she said.

“Magmortar here,” said Shadow.

They didn’t know that Leo was sitting at a table a few feet away, taking down notes.

Interesting... he thought. Starbuck’s going into a cursed location to find this Plate? And Fire Pokémon can protect you?

Hmm... Five-million is a lot of money, but they say knowledge can be worth a king’s ransom if used right...

If Starbuck does indeed have Dialga, a Pokémon battle may be dangerous... Unless...

He put his fingers to his mouth, and whistled.

“Eh?” said Starbuck.

His eyes narrowed.

“Leo... I see you’re out of the hospital...”

“I wasn’t there for long,” replied Leo. “Being possessed by a demonic entity might traumatize some people, but for me... Eh... Worse things have happened.”

“You must have had a pretty bad childhood,” said Starbuck.

Leo shrugged.

“Where’s Mandy, Leo?” asked Starbuck.

“Who?” asked Leo, raising an eyebrow.

“Mandy!” answered Starbuck. “She’s a Battle Girl? About six feet tall, muscular, blonde hair? Ring any bells? She’s missing.”

“And you think I did something to her?” asked Leo.

“The thought did cross my mind,” replied Starbuck.

Leo was about to say something, but then he stopped short.

Hey... he thought. Maybe I can BS this guy...

He held up two pokeballs.

“What would you say to a Pokémon battle?” he said. “Two Pokémon per trainer, working as a team?”

“For what?” asked Starbuck.

“Information,” replied Leo. “You beat me, I’ll tell you everything I know about this Battle Girl you’re asking me about...

“I beat you... You tell me everything you know about the Icicle Plate.”

“Not nice to eavesdrop, Leo,” said Shadow.

“Now, Starbuck...” said Leo, “I know that you don’t like my Rhyperior very much...”

“You’re right, I don’t,” said Starbuck. “But Blaziken was able to knock it out when you were possessed.”

“Yeah, well...” said Leo, “it’s gotten stronger since then, and I’ve even taught it a new move...

“But I’ll make you a little deal...

“I’ll refrain from using it... If you refrain from using Dialga.”

“Starbuck!” said Shadow. “You don’t have to agree to those terms. I mean, come on... Dialga could blow his Rhyperior into next week!”

“I know, Shadow,” said Starbuck. “And that’s why I can’t use Dialga against him.”

“Huh?” said Shadow, opening her eyes wide.

“Leo doesn’t have any Pokémon that are nearly as powerful as Dialga,” said Starbuck. “I could defeat him with ease by using him...

“But doing that is likely the mistake Jessica made with Palkia. She used it and became drunk with its power, giving her a great ego, making her think she was just as much a god as Palkia is.

“As much of a benefit Dialga would be, I have to save it until I truly face Jessica and have to deal with Palkia.”

Shadow looked at Lisa.

“When someone has a point, he has a point,” said Lisa.

“Very well, Leo,” said Starbuck. “I agree to those terms. No Dialga, no Rhyperior.

“We’d best go outside. Nurse Joy doesn’t allow Pokémon battles in the Center.”

I didn’t have to agree to anything to keep him from using Dialga at all thought Leo, who was now very upset.

And so begins another chapter in the life of Leonard Solsby... world-class idiot...

* * * * * * * * * *

Deception was one of the most important tools of Ninjitsu. As previously stated, for the Kunoichi, it was more important than it was for male ninja.

Kitsune was standing outside the police station in Blueberry Cove, having gotten rid of her “work clothes” in favor of jeans and a halter top, typical clothing for a girl her age.

She took a breath, and walked into the station, up to the front desk where an officer was working on a computer.

“Excuse me,” she said. “I heard someone was brought in last night... His name is Francis Nickerbe?”

“May I ask why you are inquiring?” asked the officer.

“I... want to see him...” replied Kitsune, with a sad tone. “He was an old friend of my grandfather... I think I might be able to help him with his situation...

“Tell him that Jessica sent me to help, and I’m sure he’ll see me.”

“Well, if you’ll just fill out this form,” said the officer.

He handed her a form on a clipboard.

“...I’ll inquire as to that...”

“Of course...” said Kitsune.

This wouldn’t be hard. She would use the information on one of her fake IDs to fill this out, as she had before. She was in no hurry...

* * * * * * * * * *

Starbuck and Leo stood fifteen paces from each other while Shadow and Lisa stood behind Starbuck.

Leo held up two pokeballs.

“Try not to get scared when you see my two Pokémon, Starbuck!” he laughed.

They both burst open.

“Come on out, Hariyama and Slaking!”

Starbuck stepped back in surprise as two Pokémon appeared who were literally huge. The first one was seven feet tall, almost as wide as it was tall, and vaguely resembled a large sumo.

The other one was just as big, and looked more like a big ape than anything else. It had tired-looking eyes, but still exuded an aura of strength.

“You think they scare me?” asked Starbuck. “The bigger they are, the louder they cry to their mommies when they get smacked!”

He threw out two pokeballs, and both Dawn and Blaziken leapt out.

“Dawn, fry that Hariyama’s synapses with a Psychic attack!” he shouted.

Dawn mewed, and blasted its mental energy at the huge Fighter, striking it in the forehead.

Hariyama didn’t even seem to budge. It crossed its arms, and chuckled.

“That is one tough Fighter...” said Shadow.

“Uh...” said Starbuck. “Blaziken...”

“Right...” said Blaziken. “I’ve got the big lug...”

It leapt at Slaking, aiming a fist for its gut...

Slaking held its hand out, and caught Blaziken by the forehead. Blaziken tried to swing at the larger Pokémon, but its fists didn’t connect.

Then Slaking gave it a solid punch, knocking Blaziken backwards.

“Espeon?” asked Dawn.

“Make that a big, strong lug...” said Blaziken, starting to get up.

Then Blaziken realized that Hariyama was looking at Dawn, and its big fist was glowing with energy.

Hariyama lunged at the much smaller Pokémon, obviously intent on smashing it flat. But Blaziken was faster. It leapt up and grabbed Espeon, and then rolled out of the way, just as Hariyama’s hand slammed into the pavement.

“Espeon!” exclaimed Dawn.

It blasted a Psychic attack at Hariyama again, and this time it seemed to hurt it a little. But it still didn’t seem to do much more than give it a bad headache.

Slaking growled, and pounced at Blaziken, hitting it with a punch so solid that even Starbuck could feel it.

That was Hammer Arm, thought Starbuck. I’m gonna need to think up a better strategy, because these two Pokémon are pretty tough...

* * * * * * * * * *

Officer Jenny led Kitsune into the interrogation room, where Francis was still sitting.

“So...” said Francis, “you’re Dr. Mayne’s granddaughter?”

“Yes,” said Kitsune, extending her hand.

Francis clasped her hand and sighed.

“I haven’t spoken to him in years...” he sighed. “Folks like me, him, and my old employer are a dying breed... Folks who knew that money didn’t grow on trees...”

“You know...” said Kitsune, “a lot of folks would tell such people that they can’t take it with them.”

“People told that to Percival’s father all the time,” muttered Francis. “You really couldn’t blame him for being thrifty...”

He wiped his brow.

“His own father had been ruined by amassing debts. The last thing he told his son was never to spend his money frivolously...

“Maybe he did take that advice too seriously... Amass a fortune and never enjoy it...

“Oh, it hardly matters now...”

He held his chest.

“Hot in here... What...”

Then he groaned, and collapsed.

Kitsune leapt up.

“Officer!” she screamed. “He’s fainted!”

In the next minute, a group of officers were in the room. A minute after that, they were applying CPR.

Kitsune, of course, had used the opportunity to leave. As she slipped away, she took off the ring on her finger, the one with a concealed needle that had delivered a lethal toxin.

She didn’t think that Francis would implicate Jessica in his crime at this point.

* * * * * * * * * *

In a two-on-two Pokémon battle, teamwork was the key to success.

However, Hariyama and Slaking had gone beyond simple teamwork, and were using a method that was more accurately described as “ganging up”.

Slaking was holding Blaziken in a grapple, while Hariyama was using Arm Thrust to sock it in the face. Blaziken already had a black eye forming.

Fortunately, they had turned their attention from Dawn.

“ESPEON!” it screamed, as it shot a more powerful Psychic at the Fighter. Hariyama roared and fell on its behind.

Blaziken growled, and gave Slaking a fierce elbow to the gut. The huge ape let go of Blaziken and fell backwards, holding its stomach.

“Okay, people, let’s try something else,” said Starbuck. “Dawn, use Helping Hand to give Blaziken a boost.

“Blaziken, use the boost to give that Hariyama a Blaze Kick! Aim for its gut, you can’t possibly miss.”

Dawn mewed a bit, and then its eyes glowed with blue energy. Blaziken glowed with the same energy.

It leapt at Blaziken, and hit the Pokémon sumo in the center with a burning kick. Hariyama grunted, took five steps backwards, and then collapsed on its back.

Then Hariyama vanished, retreating to its pokeball.

“All right!” shouted Shadow.

Shadow may have been pleased, but Slaking clearly was not. It roared and beat its chest in rage.

“Dawn, do the same thing!” shouted Starbuck. “Blaziken, use the boost to give that thing a Brick Break!”

Again, Dawn’s eyes glowed with energy, and the glow invigorated Blaziken. As slaking rushed at Blaziken, it slugged the huge Pokémon twice in the chest and then once in jaw. The third punch sent it hurtling backwards, and then landing with a crash.

Slaking slowly sat up... It looked a little dazed.

“Slaking?” asked Leo.

“I wouldn’t bother,” said Lisa. “I think it’s a little punch-drunk...”

Then Slaking curled up on the ground, and fell asleep. It started snoring loudly.

Leo started mouthing curse-words as he recalled the huge Pokémon.

“Okay, Leo, you lose,” said Starbuck. “Now, about Mandy?”

Leo sighed.

“I don’t know where she is now...” he replied. “But she and Jessica go way back... The two of them founded Rocket Reborn.

“Mandy was her second in command and her chief enforcer, until she tried to kill her.”

“She tried to kill Jessica?” asked Lisa.

“Challenged her to a Pokémon Dare,” replied Leo. “And saved her best Pokémon for last, a Garchomp.”

“Oh yeah...” said Starbuck. “I remember Mandy’s Garchomp...”

“Most folks assume that Mandy intended to kill Jessica by making the blow she’d be allowed by winning the battle lethal,” replied Leo. “But someone snitched on her... Jessica was prepared with an Abomasnow.

“We all figured Mandy was dead after that... We were all surprised when she showed up again.

“That’s all I know... Now if you’ll excuse me...”

As they watched him leave, Lisa rubbed her chin.

“You think Mandy is still alive?” asked Starbuck.

Before Starbuck could answer, his cell phone vibrated.

He looked at it.

“Well, if she isn’t,” he said, “someone is playing a pretty sadistic game with us...

“She just sent us another text message...”


Coming up next:

Searching for the Icicle Plate, Starbuck and company discover the final fate of Galactic Commanders Mars and Jupiter, and find that it wasn’t very pleasant. In this chilly realm where a curse threatens all who enter, one must be careful when choosing which Pokémon to battle with.

“Cold Storage” is coming soon.

[Lord Almaz]

Wow, Brian, great update! And it looks like Francis's attempt to transfer the plates Percival has to Jessica failed and he paid for it with his life. He he he.

Great double-battle, and I like Starbuck's reasoning of using Dialga to battle. This is all going to be epic when the two legendaries fight it out.

Keep up the good works, Brian! I'm still reading your stuff even if I do forget now an dthen. ^_^

[Dark Sage]

It's been a long time since I updated this fic. I want to assure people that it isn't dead.

Before I do, however, I have a small request. I would like whoever sent me the information for the character, Matt, to PM me. I would like to give him credit when the character appears, and I seem to have misplaced that information.

Don't worry, I have all the important stuff.

[Dark Sage]

Before I go any further, I’d like to give credit to MeLoVeGhOsTs for creating the character of Matt.


Several years ago, there was a group called Team Galactic.

It was founded by someone named Cyrus. Originally from Sunnyshore City and a quiet boy when he was young, he was smart and tech-savvy, but very withdrawn. When he grew up, he gathered a few people by claiming to have big ideas. These first members of Team Galactic had the titles of “Commander”, and were named after planets.

Common criminals flocked to Team Galactic, thinking they had found another Team Rocket. They never seemed to question that Cyrus never told them anything about what the organization’s actual goals were. Even the three Commanders seemed to think that they were trying to harness some new form of energy. A fourth Commander, who was recruited late, was motivated mostly by greed.

Cyrus plan remained secret until he actually put it in motion, and it was a terrible plan indeed. He intended to use the energy from the three Mirages of Sinnoh to harness the power of Dialga and Palkia, using it to remake the universe in his image.

The plan failed, and Cyrus left for... Where did he go? No-one knew. Commander Saturn tried to turn Galactic into a more coherent organization, while Jupiter and Mars went off to look for Cyrus. But later, they disappeared too.

Now, I have no idea where Cyrus is, I’m afraid... But I know what happened to Jupiter and Mars...

Let’s just say their current situation isn’t all too pleasant...

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE



Cold Storage

Twenty minutes earlier, Mandy was typing the text message onto the phone, as well as she could with one hand, while Digger held it.

Her accommodations were much better than Jessica intended them to be, thanks to her deal with her jailer. When Digger was certain that Jessica would not be in the building for a few hours, he would give her chains enough slack for her to lie down. It was the only way she could sleep and recover from the cramp. He would even massage her muscles occasionally and ease the soreness.

Still, she had spent most of the past week tightly chained in the standing position with her mouth sealed shut, and she couldn’t help but despise Digger. If he had any spine at all, he would simply unlock the chains so that they could both escape. But he was too afraid. Too afraid of ending up like Mandy was if he was caught.

“And... send,” said Digger, hitting the send button.

“Digger, I repeat my offer,” said Mandy. “Get the two of us out of here, and I know people, people who’ll make sure Jessica can’t get you.”

Digger sighed. He tightened the arm shackle and latched it in place.

“I can’t...” he said.

“What do you think is going to happen to you if Jessica finds out you’re giving me special treatment?” asked Mandy.

She tried to say something else, but Digger fit the muzzle back over her face, locking her mouth shut.

He shook his head, and walked out of the room.

* * * * * * * * * *

In the Pokemon Center, Starbuck was reading Mandy’s message over and over again.

“Jessica has bounty on you three. Don’t let her get Heaven’s Pipe. Don’t worry about me.”

The message filled Starbuck with worry and puzzlement. It seemed to him that Mandy was at Jessica mercy right now... But then, exactly how could she send these text messages? That was the big mystery.

As he pondered this, his mother and Shadow came into the Center.

“Okay...” said Lisa, putting a bag on the table. “I got some snacks for the train ride, and the train to Cactus Flats leaves in two hours. We should get there at about four PM.”

“The sun sets at about six-thirty this time of year,” said Starbuck. “That gives us plenty of time to get to the Needle’s Eye.

“According to what Volmer said, we have to ‘thread the needle’ while the sun is setting.”

“Starbuck...” said Shadow, nervously. “Are you sure you don’t want to try to find the Iron Plate first? I mean, Mars and Jupiter were pretty tough trainers... And if they went to this place and never came back...”

“We’re going to have to go there eventually,” said Starbuck. “Volmer also said that a Fire Pokémon can protect you from whatever curse makes this place dangerous.

“So the best thing to do is, keep your Fire Pokémon in its pokeball, and never use it. If we encounter Ice Pokémon... Well, they have other weaknesses...”

“Fighters, Rock, and Steel,” said Lisa.

“That’s right,” said Starbuck. “I’m prepared. Now, we have two hours... How about some cheeseburgers?”

* * * * * * * * * *

Cactus Flats. It had been a long time since Starbuck had been there, to tell the truth.

His Blaziken had been born there, on Calamity Jane’s ranch. Still, he wasn’t the kind of person who liked the desert much.

As the train rode towards the sandy expanse, he looked at his six pokeballs. One contained Dialga (which he knew he needed to keep in case Jessica showed up unexpectedly), one was Blaziken, and three were Pokemon that he had not used for a while. He had never thought he would be fighting Ice without Fire.

The last one was a Pokémon he had just recently obtained. He had a few misgivings about using it, but he felt it deserved a chance.

He guessed it would be a challenge.

* * * * * * * * * *

As the three trainers hiked towards the Needle’s Eye, a new concern came to light – or rather blocked the light. The sky had turned overcast. It didn’t rain often in the desert, but when it did, it poured. If it did rain, they’d have a hard time discerning when the sun was about to set.

Fortunately, the clouds blew away just as they walked up a rocky hill, where the Needle’s Eye, a rock formation with a large wind-worn hole right through the center, was situated.

“Okay people...” said Starbuck.

He shielded his eyes and glanced towards the sun. Already, shadows were lengthening.

“He said we have to crawl through the hole, facing west, while the sun is setting... So, we have to be facing the sun.”

“He said it’s frigid cold in this place,” said Lisa. “We’d better bundle up before going through the portal.”

“Let’s wait about ten minutes, okay?” said Shadow, with a nervous chuckle. “I really don’t want to be wearing a winter coat in this heat until it’s absolutely necessary...”

Nonetheless, ten minutes later, the three of them donned the heavy winter clothing, just as the sun inched towards the horizon. As they did, all doubt in their mind was erased as the hole became filled with a silvery portal.

“Quick!” said Starbuck. “You two first! I’ll boost you up, and climb after you!”

Shadow didn’t object, so Starbuck lifted her up, and she climbed through the portal, vanishing though it. Then he helped his mother up, and she followed Shadow.

Then he grabbed hold of the edge of the needle, and with a mighty heave, threaded the portal.

* * * * * * * * * *

Landing was quite a shock. Who wouldn’t be surprised to be in a desert one minute, and the next be on a surface covered with snow?

They were on a mountainside, with pine trees, snow on the ground, and snow gently falling from the sky above. It looked peaceful and serene, and the air was clean and fresh. Simply breathing it seemed to cleanse their lungs. It was hard to believe that this winter wonderland was actually cursed in some way.

“I kind of expected a blizzard,” said Shadow.

“I think we all did,” replied Starbuck.

He looked up, and saw a mountain path leading up.

“I think we’re supposed to go that way...”

Lisa took three collapsible walking sticks from her backpack and unfolded them. They started to hike up the mountain.

After walking for ten minutes, they saw two Pokémon in the middle of the path.

“Eh?” said Starbuck.

The first Pokémon was clearly a Purugly, but it was larger than the pet one they had seen in that antique shop. The second one looked like a big skunk, just as big as the Purugly, with a tail as big as itself.

“That’s a Skuntank...” said Shadow.

“Purugly!” said the Purugly.

“Skuntank!” said the Skuntank.

The two Pokémon turned around, and nodded to the three humans.

“Uh, I think they want us to follow them...” said Lisa.

“Should we?” asked Shadow.

“Well, we appear to be going in that direction anyway...” said Starbuck.

* * * * * * * * * *

As the three humans followed the two Pokémon up the mountainside, it got progressively colder, and the wind got bitter. Feelings of dread crept into their bones.

Finally, the Purugly and Skuntank led them to a cave entrance in the mountainside.

Starbuck nodded to his companions, and they went in.

Inside was something that gave them quite a shock. Twenty feet inside the entrance were two large blocks of ice... And each one contained a human figure trapped inside.

Starbuck went up to inspect the odd sight. It was two young women, one with red hair cut into bangs, one with violet hair tied in a ponytail. Their clothes looked like jumpsuits made from some space-age spandex...

And the insignia on the left side of their chests... The symbol of Team Galactic...

“I think we’ve found Mars and Jupiter, guys...” said Starbuck.

“Are they even alive?” asked Shadow.

“Oh, they’re alive,” said a voice. “They’ve probably wished they were dead a thousand times by now, but they’re alive...”

They turned and saw who had spoken. A young man was sitting on a shelf of rock tending a fire. He had piercing blue eyes and pale hair, and was dressed in a blue kimono, a scarf, and sandals. A Glaceon was sitting next to him.

“Uh... and you are?” asked Starbuck.

“Call me Matt,” said the young man. “In case you’re looking for the Guardian of the Ice Plate, that would be me...”

The all looked at him with a confused glance.

“I know,” he said. “You expected a Pokémon. Well, this place couldn’t be trusted in the care of a Pokémon.”

“What did you do to Mars and Jupiter?” demanded Lisa.

Matt added a log to the fire.

“I did nothing,” he said. “That’s what the curse of this realm will do to you. And frankly, it’s their own fault that it happened. Someone had told them about the danger and how to avoid it... But raw emotion and rage sealed their fate.

“You see, the two of them had always been rivals, even when Cyrus had first recruited them into Team Galactic. But when Cyrus was defeated, the rivalry turned to dislike of each other.

“The two tried to cooperate when they first tried to find Cyrus, but when they were beaten at Stark Mountain, they started to hate each other with a passion.

“They continued to look for Cyrus, separate from each other, but not having much luck. Then someone told Mars that he might have come here... Someone told Jupiter the same rumor.

“It was a false rumor. Cyrus was never here. But Mars and Jupiter met at that very spot. They started insulting each other, and insults gave way to a Pokémon battle...

“And sadly for them, they completely forgot that they had to keep the Fire Pokémon they had brought conscious in order to be protected from the curse. Only Mars’s Purugly and Jupiter’s Skuntank were spared. They leapt clear just as it struck their masters.”

“Purugly...” said Purugly, sadly.

“Skuntank...” said Skuntank.

“Listen to them...” said Matt. “The poor things... They’ve stood vigil here ever since. What Mars and Jupiter ever did to deserve such loyalty, I’ll never know. Purugly and Skuntank want you to help them. You can’t. I’ve tried. If you tried to chip away or melt that ice, it would freeze again, twice as fast.”

“So then they’re trapped here forever?” asked Shadow. “Good lord... They weren’t the nicest people, but... Well, it’s cruel!”

Matt hoped off the shelf.

“Freeing them depends on lifting a bigger curse,” he said. “Namely the Twisting. Listen up...

“From what I know, and I only know bits and pieces, really, in the early days of the Twisting, Arceus tried to combat it himself. But it tried to infect him.

“For one minute, Arceus was infected with the Twisting. He fought it off and recovered, which is fortunate, because if he hadn’t, he would likely have torn the Earth apart in his mad rage.

“Nonetheless, in the one minute he was infected with the Twisting, that one brief minute, his divine anger created two pocket dimensions – this one, and the realm where the Iron Plate is kept. Both realms are cursed with manifestations of this incredible anger.

“Only when the Twisting is defeated will the curses be lifted... And their victims be freed.

“Ironically, Pokémon are in no danger from the Twisting here... Humans, on the other hand... I was chosen to as Guardian because of my affinity to Ice as an element.”

“Must have been awfully lonely here...” said Starbuck.

The Glaceon leapt into Matt’s arms.

“Well, I always had my Pokémon,” he said. “I’ve been alone all my life, really...

“I grew up in a small village up in the mountains... When an avalanche destroyed it when I was twelve, I was alone. I met this Glaceon in the ruins of the village, and it took me to a cave, where I survived for two years.

“It was around then that I realized that Glaceon hadn’t been alone that day. A strange looking creature with white and light blue skin had come with it. The creature came back after two years to check on me, and gave me the Icicle Plate.”

He put down the Glaceon.

“I suppose that creature may have been some messenger of Arceus. I never found out for sure. So, I guess it’s time to fulfill the purpose he meant for me.”

“I get your point,” said Starbuck. “How many Pokémon?”

“Three,” replied Matt. “My Pokémon are all part Ice, as you might expect... Now, you’re free to use Fire Pokémon if you desire... But...”

Starbuck looked at Mars and Jupiter.

“Yeah...” he said. “That’s... probably not a good idea, right?”

He chose a pokeball from his belt.

“Well, let’s do it, then.”

Matt gestured, and an Apricorn pokeball appeared in his hand.

He turned to Mars and Jupiter.

“In case you’re wondering,” he said, “they can hear everything we say. They’re putting their faith in you, Starbuck...

“Aki, come out!”

The enchanted nut burst open, and a sinister-looking Sneasel emerged from it. It grinned at Starbuck.

“A Sneasel??” said Starbuck.

“What?” asked Matt. “Did I confuse you?”

“No...” said Starbuck. “I... just kinda expected something...”

“...bigger?” asked Matt. “Yeah, most people who expect to face Ice Pokémon expect some big, hulking monster, like Mamoswine, Walrein, and of course, Abomasnow.

“But I subscribe to the theory that bigger isn’t always better. My Pokémon are much more subtle than those brutes.”

“Okay...” said Starbuck, as he held out his pokeball. “Here goes...”

The pokeball opened, and the Pokémon that emerged was four feet tall, humanoid in shape, and wearing a tunic and boxing gloves. It looked at the Sneasel and took a few warm-up jabs.

“WHAT?” shouted Shadow. “Starbuck, since when did you have a Hitmonchan? You never used it when we battled...”

“I trained it for special battles,” said Starbuck. “I haven’t needed it in a match against you yet...”

The Sneasel took a fighting stance and lifted its claws...

Then it pounced at the Fighter.

“Hitmonchan, Bullet Punch!” shouted Starbuck.

As the Dark Pokémon pounced, Hitmonchan delivered an uppercut, clocking it on the chin. Aki fell backwards.

“Not bad,” said Shadow. “Starbuck knew that Bullet Punch can always get the drop on the opponent.”

“But it’s not the most powerful move,” added Starbuck.

“Aki, keep your distance,” said Matt. “All of its moves are close-quarter ones.

“Use Icy Wind.”

“Hitmonchan...” said the Fighter.

It shielded itself with its arm, as a gust of snow and ice blew towards it, chilling it to the bone.

“Wait for it...” said Matt.

Wait for it? thought Starbuck. Wait for what?

“Use Fire Punch!” ordered Starbuck.

Hitmonchan’s right glove burned with flame, and it aimed a haymaker at Aki...

“Go!” shouted Matt. “Meet it with a Counter!”

That came as a true shock to Starbuck. Hitmonchan’s burning fist connected with the Sneasel’s gut, causing it to groan, but a second later, a powerful backlash propelled Hitmonchan backwards and onto his back.

Matt waited to see if Hitmonchan would get up, but it didn’t.

“Looks like the first round is mine,” he said, as Hitmonchan retreated to its pokeball.

“Yeah, well,” said Starbuck. “I’ve got two more...

“And this next one is one of my best! Go!”

He threw the pokeball, it opened...

Another chill, a chill that felt like the grave, wafted over the field, as Starbuck’s Dusknoir hovered over the much smaller Sneasel.

“Ho boy...” said Shadow.

This Pokémon she definitely knew about. Starbuck reserved it for the final rounds of tournaments. It was tough, and very well-trained.

“Impressive...” said Matt. “I’d be scared... But one of my own Pokémon is even creepier.”

“Huh?” said Starbuck.

“You might see it later,” said Matt, as Aki bravely stood up to the Ghost.

But Aki didn’t get a chance to even make one attack. Dusknoir glared at it, and its Night Shade made it collapse.

“Hmm...” said Matt.

He recalled Aki to its Apricorn. Then he quickly took out another one.

“Hiko, come on out!” he shouted.

He tossed the pokeball, and a somewhat larger Pokémon emerged.

It was a Cloyster.

This may be hard... thought Starbuck. In more ways than one...

* * * * * * * * * *

Usually, visiting her prisoners cheered Jessica up, but not this time.

Something was definitely wrong. Mandy may have had an iron will, but no will was impossible to crack. She had suspected her to break down and sob by now, or at least beg a little. But still, despite how overwhelmingly hopeless it seemed her situation was, she was defiant as ever.

As she sat at her desk, she wondered if there was more to this than she knew...

The only one who has access to Mandy except me is Digger, she thought. Digger never struck me as someone who’d pull a double cross, but it isn’t impossible...

Maybe I should keep a closer eye on him...

* * * * * * * * * *

“Hiko, use Icicle Spear!” shouted Matt.

“Cloyster,” said the bivalve, and it shot five sharp icicles with the force of a machine gun at the bulky Ghost Pokémon. Dusknoir was made of ectoplasm, but the projectiles were as much cold as they were spears, so they still hurt.

“Take it down, Dusknoir!” said Starbuck. “Use Shadow Punch!”

Dusknoir let out a spooky moan, and floated towards Cloyster. However, Cloyster’s shell slammed shut. Dusknoir tried to punch it with its ghostly fists, and the shell rattled a little, but it didn’t even crack under the blows.

Dusknoir stopped, and looked puzzled...

“Icicle Spear again!” ordered Matt.

Hiko quickly opened its shell, and again fired five icicles. Dusknoir groaned as the shards knifed through it.

“Five shots again?” asked Starbuck.

“It’s an ability called Skill Link,” replied Lisa. “It’s guaranteed five shots.”

Starbuck thought for a moment.

“Dusknoir, use Ominous Wind,” he said.

Dusknoir’s single eye glowed again, and a dark, eerie wind started blowing through the cavern. Cloyster tried to close its shell again, but the weird attack was much harder to block than a simple strike from a fist.

Cloyster’s shell opened, and it looked sick.

“NOW!” shouted Starbuck.

Dusknoir pounced, and started hitting Hiko again with Shadow Punches. This time, they connected. The bivalve groaned, and collapsed.

Matt looked at his fallen Pokémon. He shook his head, and recalled it.

“That is a very powerful Ghost Pokémon of yours...” he said.

He palmed a third Apricorn.

“But, you know what they say... It takes one to fight one...

“Yumi, let’s go!”

He threw the pokeball, and an eerie, ominous chill permeated the whole room...

The Pokémon that appeared was small, but seemed to be a Ghost itself. It had no real limbs or any parts that seemed capable of movement – it looked like a sculpture, with a head on top with long downward-pointing flaps, and a cylindrical body. Its whole form was covered with ice crystals. It didn’t make any noise or seem to breathe. It just looked at Dusknoir in eerie silence.

Finally, the word “Froslass” came from it in a soft whisper.

“Froslass?” asked Shadow. “What in the world is that?”

She took her PokéDex out of the pouch on her belt and turned it on.

“Froslass,” it said. “The Snow Land Pokémon. The evolved form of Snorunt, it freezes prey with breath that is nearly -60 degrees F. What seems to be its body is actually hollow.

“What?” said Shadow. “I thought Glalie is the evolved form of Snorunt. Heck, I have a Glalie myself!”

“Seems there’s much about the world of Pokémon that even veteran trainers don’t know,” said Matt. “Yumi, Captivate.”

The Froslass’s eyes glowed, and Dusknoir groaned, as it felt its strength start to sap.

“Ho boy...” said Starbuck. “Try a Shadow Punch...”

Dusknoir tried to lunge at Yumi, but the Ice Ghost’s eyes glowed again, and a Confuse Ray struck the larger Ghost. Dusknoir teetered, and then rammed its head against the wall.

“Yumi, Ominous Wind,” said Matt.

The Froslass’s eyes glowed again, and the eerie breeze blew towards Dusknoir this time. It groaned and held its stomach.

“Okay, enough!” said Starbuck. “Return!”

Dusknoir retreated to its pokeball.

“Man, Starbuck better have one good Pokémon ready to fight that thing...” said Shadow.

Starbuck looked at his third pokeball.

I’m giving you a chance, he thought. Don’t blow it...

He threw the pokeball. The Pokémon slowly emerged.

Lisa and Shadow almost fell over in shock. It was that Lopunny that had evolved from the Buneary that had been following Starbuck around.

“STARBUCK?” shouted Shadow. “You’re actually using that crazy Lopunny?”

“Hey,” said Starbuck. “If it weren’t for this crazy Lopunny, we might never have found you.

“Don’t worry, I had some TMs lying around that I needed to use, and I figured why not?”

“I give you an A for creativity,” said Matt, “but being creative never won Pokémon battles.

“You get points for using a Normal Pokémon, but Yumi has a few non-Ghost tricks...

“Yumi, Captivate.”

Yumi’s eyes glowed, again, but Lopunny just looked it straight in the eye...

Then Lopunny leapt at the Ghost, and socked it squarely with a Fire Punch.

“FROSLASS!” screamed the Ghost, as it was propelled backwards.

“Tsk,” said Lisa. “Matt got sloppy... He didn’t even notice that he was up against a girl Lopunny...”

Matt’s eyes narrowed as Yumi slowly floated upward again.

“I see you and your Pokémon are serious...” he said.

The air started to warp.

“Well... Let’s up the playing field a little...”

* * * * * * * * * *

The wind howled. Snow came down in thick sheets.

Starbuck, Shadow and Lisa looked around. Lopunny shivered a little.

They seemed to be on the summit of the mountain, where the driving snow seemed to be energizing Froslass.

“Cold...” said Starbuck.

“You know what they say,” said Matt, who’s hair was whipping about in the wind. “Cold hands, warm heart.

“Now, let’s finish this battle!

“Yumi, Blizzard!”

“Froslass!” cried the Ghost. It stared at Lopunny, and a blast of chilling wind, snow, and sleet shot towards the small Pokémon.

“Lopunny, use Bounce!” shouted Starbuck.

“Lopunny!” cried the Pokémon. It made a great leap, launching itself high into the air, avoiding the brunt of the chilling attack.

Yumi looked back and forth. Then it was startled as Lopunny landed on it, kicking it in the face.

Yumi launched another Blizzard, and Lopunny shivered with cold. Frost appeared on its fur.

“You almost have it!” yelled Starbuck. “Take it down with a Shadow Ball!”

“Lopunny!” cried the Pokémon.

It put its hands together, and formed a sphere of pure darkness...

Then it hurled it at the Ghost, scoring a direct hit. Yumi cried out in pain, and collapsed on the ground.

The snow stopped, and the clouds parted. A cold sun shone down on the mountain of the cursed realm.

Matt bowed his head.

“You’re even more powerful than I was led to believe...” he said.

“You came here expecting a Froslass the whole time, didn’t you?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say I was expecting it...” replied Starbuck. “But it wasn’t a complete surprise. I had heard rumors of Snorunt’s alternate form, and I figured, what better place to find one?”

The Glaceon ran up to him as he recalled Yumi. It was carrying another Plate in its mouth, this one pure white.

Matt took it, and handed it to Starbuck.

“This part of your journey is over,” he said.

“So what about Mars and Jupiter?” asked Shadow.

“Like I said,” replied Matt, “they will only be freed once the Twisting is eradicated. I guess I can stay here and look after them for a while... It’s only merciful for someone to be here to comfort them.

“But actually doing anything to help them... That’s up to you...”

“Uh, Matt...” said Lisa. “You said that the place where the Iron Plate was kept is cursed too... Uhm...”

“I have no idea how...” replied Matt. “I’ve never been there. All I can say is, be very careful.”

He closed his eyes.

“Hike down the mountain and you’ll find the place where you entered,” he said. “Prepare all you like for your next endeavor...

“All I can say is... Good luck...”

And then, he and Glaceon simply vanished, like mist in the snow.

Starbuck rubbed his eyes.

He looked at Lopunny.

“Lopunny?” it said.

“Oh, I take back every nasty thing I ever said to you!” exclaimed Starbuck, hugging the furry creature.

He held up Lopunny’s pokeball.

“Go on, it’s warmer inside...”

The ball opened, and Lopunny retreated inside.

“Come on, people,” said Shadow. “It’s gonna be a long hike down this mountain, and according to my watch, it’s almost midnight back in the real world. We’d better hustle if we want to get back to the Needle while the sun is rising.”

It sounded like a plan, so they began their hike, going down the way they came.

Now, some people will tell you that going downhill is easy. It may be easier than going up, but to hikers, it often isn’t all too easy. Depending on the terrain, it can be rather tiring. The mountain was fairly large, and it took about three hours to get back to the portal.

And as they were going through it, Jessica had made up her mind. She was going to take a look at the records of the surveillance tapes for Mandy’s cell. Digger would be on duty at six... She’d talk to him about it then.



Coming up next:

The scavenger hunt continues, as the group heads to a second pocket dimension, a junkyard of scrap metal and broken machinery that is populated by odd constructs that look like Pokémon. And the man who invented them is here too, a crazy old man who has spent his whole life trying to build the perfect machine, but only succeeding once. The one successful attempt? It’s the Plate Guardian! “Nerves of Steel” is coming soon.

[Lord Almaz]

So the last two plates are guarded by guest characters, right? Interesting. ^_^

I am glad you updated this fanfic, it's really great. And the whole cursed dimensions thing in interesting. I can't wait to see the other dimension! And then... there's Jessica...

[macrylinda]

Hm... It seemed a bit too easy, honestly, to get the Splash Plate. However, it's still a Pokemon fic, and RPG laws do tend to dictate the early quest items are fairly simple to get.

But this actually raised a question for me I meant to ask before. You've made references to Ash and Gary, from the anime, and Wes and Michael, of the games. Does this fic take place in the universe of the games or the anime? The battles so far seem turn-based enough to make me think the former, but the lack of people named after colors and the addition of Ash and Gary seem to point to the latter. Can you shed some light on this?

Well, Hinoryu, this is mostly based on the anime, with the assumption that Orre and the personalities found there do exist in the world of the anime - I just assume just that Ash has never gone there. The Orre games were very RPG-based, so that isn't a very farfetched assumption.

Yes, the Splash Plate was obtained easily, but as you said, in RPG fashion, quest items are easy to get at the start. And consider this: Maybe the strange woman who was watching wanted Starbuck to take it. Try reading the chapter again with that in mind, and you might see differently.

[PikaKnight]

I'm new, I just got my account today in fact! Just so I could comment on your awesome stories! I loved Pokemonese and I love SHG to! Keep up the great work!

P.S. Are you still taking character ideas from people?

[Dark Sage]

Jirachi… Now there’s an oddity in the world of Pokémon. Even as a researcher whose specialty is legendary Pokémon, I’ve failed to find out much information about this one, who appears to, like Mew and Celebi, pack a great deal of power inside a small, cute form.

Here’s what I know. According to legend, Jirachi spends almost all of its time asleep. Maybe it lives all its life in a dream world of some sort. It’s impossible to tell. Every thousand years, it wakes up, and is awake for one week. During that time, it will grant wishes to anyone who asks. One doesn’t even have to state his wish to Jirachi – it seems to know what humans want, and grants their wishes, whether they want a new car or just a pastrami sandwich.

Anyway… Ash Ketchum witnessed Jirachi’s most recent awakening. He and his entourage befriended Jirachi, and saved it from some former member of Team Magma (whose attempt to awaken Groudon had apparently blown up in his face, making him the butt of his teammates jokes). Jirachi went back to sleep soon after, and everyone assumed that humans wouldn’t see it for another thousand years.

Perhaps they won’t. But Jirachi’s intervention seems to play an important part in the history of this strange realm where the Iron Plate is kept…
After all… I do believe that in terms of Type, Jirachi is part-Steel…

CHAPTER THIRTY

Nerves of Steel

Ask any Pokémon trainer, and he’ll tell you that learning how to cook using makeshift materials and supplies is essential. When you’re hunting for your quarry in say, Mount Moon or Ilex Forest, there aren’t any restaurants or even convenience stores nearby.
So it was that Starbuck got up early, with the sun not up yet, and started cooking bacon over a fire. Eventually, the smell roused Shadow and his mother, and they pulled themselves out of their sleeping bags.

“Remember people,” he said, as they nourished themselves. “When the sun starts to rise, the portal should appear in the needle again, and we have to ‘thread the needle’ facing east. That’s our doorway to the Iron Plate.”

“You sure you’re ready for this?” asked Lisa. “We have no idea what’s in there.”

“I think you’re scared,” said Shadow. “Scared that we’re going to be facing Steel Pokémon, and that we’re going to find a big Aggron in there.”

Lisa looked at her.

“Shadow…” she said. “Try to remember how scared you were when Old Gnawbone was looking at you… When you were tied up and left as its snack…”

“Mom…” said Starbuck.

“Uh…” said Shadow, nervously.

“It’s not a very pleasant memory, is it?” asked Lisa. “Well I have a similar memory, only in my memory, an Aggron that was just as big and mean as that Old Gnawbone was the Pokémon in question!”

“I see your point…” said Shadow.

“People… Focus…” said Starbuck. “Lest we forget that Jessica has a Pokémon that likely could eat Grendel and Old Gnawbone for lunch and then want seconds.

“We have to focus on getting that Plate… Fortunately, the Pokémon we brought to handle Ice Pokémon should work on Steel Pokémon too… Fire and Fighting Pokémon are both good.

“I just wish I knew what we were up against…”

* * * * * * * * * *

In Jessica’s prison complex, Digger unlocked the entrance and walked in.
His first thought was to go to Mandy’s cell and let her relax for an hour or two. She had been held upright by those chains since he left eight hours ago. (He didn’t dare relax the chains and leave the place unsupervised – if Jessica came in, it would be all over.)

He was surprised to hear the elevator recalled. Someone else was using it. And since only he, Jessica, and the other prisoners knew that it existed…

Better wait… he thought.

He waited. Sure enough, it was Jessica.

“Yes?” said Digger nervously.

“Digger…” said Jessica. “Have there been any problems with Mandy?”

She casually glanced at the screen that showed the footage of her cell.

“No…” he replied. “Why do you ask?”

Jessica looked at the screen again.

“This footage is recorded, right?” she asked.

“Well, yeah…” said Digger. “I save it for two months…”

“Give me the record you have of her cell,” said Jessica. “Since she was brought in here last.”

Digger shrugged.

He could do that. Jessica wouldn’t see anything uncouth. He had been sure to shut off the camera and fix the clock to erase any evidence that anything had occurred that she wouldn’t approve of.

He typed in something on a keyboard, and a DVD disk slipped out. He handed it to her.

“You’d best hope I my suspicions are wrong, my friend,” she said.

She walked back to the elevator.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Winter must be coming,” said Shadow. “The days are getting shorter… The sun is rising later…”

Then the first light of dawn peeked over the horizon. They looked at the Needle’s Eye.
And the wind-worn hole started to shimmer. A portal much like the first one that they entered the evening before started to form.

“Quick!” said Starbuck. “Like before!”

He gave Shadow a boost, and she leapt through the portal. Then he gave one to his mother, and she did the same. Then he dove through after them…

He landed with a crash.

“OW!” he said.

“What in the world…” said Shadow, as they looked around. “What did we land on?”

They had actually landed on a pile of junk. Looking around, there were mounds of scrap metal all around them.

They stood up. The piles – or more appropriately, hills – of scrap metal and junk seemed to continue on for miles. It was like they were in some gigantic scrap yard or recycling plant.

“Gee mom…” said Starbuck. “If there is an Aggron here, it would be in paradise. It would never run out of food!”

“Yeah, Mrs. Conrad,” chuckled Shadow, as they picked themselves up. “If we meet one, it would be too full to want to eat us!”

They looked up, and saw a hazy, smoky sky with no apparent sun… And they saw some something odd in the sky.

“Holy…” said Lisa.

Hovering in the air, at least three thousand feet above them, was what looked like a rather large house. It was kept aloft by a series of helicopter blades on its top, sides, and underside, which were spinning, and keeping the building aloft, hovering in midair.

“That’s impossible…” gasped Lisa.

They watched the impossible building for quite some time. It seemed to have once been a regular house, but several additions had been added onto it using metal. Whoever had made the additions clearly put practicality before aesthetic; the thing was downright ugly.
They stopped looking as something flew past their line of vision.

At first they thought it was a Skarmory. But it wasn’t. It was a robot bird shaped like a Skarmory, made of gears, cogs, and camshafts. It looked at them and shrieked, then flapped its metal wings and flew away.

“Good lord…” said Lisa. “That thing’s impossible too!”

“Uh, Mrs. Conrad?” said Shadow. “Someone around here seems awfully good at doing impossible things…”

As they looked around, they saw more of the strange robots. Some were flying machines, like the first one, some just as big, while others were no bigger than a small cat, and all sizes in-between. Other robots walked around the ground. Some looked like dogs and cats made from gears and sprockets, others were metal beetles. Some looked like little cars. Some even looked like animals but had wheels instead of legs. All of them seemed to be made of makeshift parts, jury-rigged from recycled material.

“This is too weird…” said Starbuck.

“What?” said Shadow. “These robots? They aren’t dangerous… Heck, they’re almost cute!”

Then all the robots stopped short. Then they all sped away, as fast as their legs, wheels, or wings could take them…

There was a dead pause. Then the ground began to shake…

As the three humans watched, a much bigger robot loomed over the hill in front of them. It looked like a giant wolf, at least twenty feet tall at the front shoulder, and fifty feet long from head to tail. Its feet had sharp claws the size of swords, and its mouth was full of razor-sharp teeth.

“Okay, that one’s not so cute!” screamed Shadow.

The three trainers did the only thing they could; they ran (which wasn’t easy to do on the uneven ground that was covered with junk). Unfortunately, the giant robot followed them.

Then they heard a voice.

“This way, this way!” it shouted. “Run!”

They saw what looked like another human up ahead, motioning them to follow. It wasn’t like they had a better idea, so they ran in that direction. When they reached the spot where they saw him, they saw a tunnel that had been dug into the ground, descending underground.

There was no time to think it over. They leapt into the tunnel.

They huddled in a dark cave as the huge robot passed overhead.

“You’ll be safe here,” said the man who had called to them. “That thing can’t possibly fit in here.”

A match struck, and he lit a lantern.

“Thanks,” said Starbuck. “We…”

And then they looked at the man who saved them in shock. He was not a man at all.

* * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, Jessica was bored. She was watching the footage of Mandy’s cell, which was about as interesting as watching paint dry. Of course, most of it was simply Mandy standing there, and she wasn’t doing much.

There’s nothing here… she thought. Maybe my suspicions were wrong…

Then she noticed something was happening.

Digger’s coming in… she thought. Feeding her, it seems…

She watched as Digger removed the muzzle. Jessica lifted an eyebrow.

Odd… she thought. No insults? No cursing? Has Mandy accepted that she’s finished?

She shook her head as she watched. Still nothing suspicious. Then she watched as Digger replaced the muzzle and left.

Stupid, she thought. You dropped the spoon on your way out! I should really yell at him for that…

Oh, who cares? Mandy could never have reached it, and even if she could have, she could never have used it to do anything…

She sighed.

After five more minutes, she had decided to turn it off. This was a waste of her time.

Then she froze…

The spoon had just vanished.

Jessica quickly rewound it, and watched that part again. One second the spoon was lying on the floor three feet in front of Mandy… The next second, it was simply gone.
She stood up.

“Okay…” she said, crossing her arms. “Clearly, Digger went in and removed the spoon… So why didn’t I see him do it?”

Obviously the tape had been tampered with. When Digger went in to remove the spoon, he clearly did something else that he didn’t want seen, so he erased the footage…

It was clear to Jessica now that her suspicions hadn’t been wrong…

* * * * * * * * * *

Starbuck, Shadow, and Jessica looked with wonder at the strange being. He was a machine too, but clearly of a better design than the ones they had seen outside.
His torso and limbs were thin and wrapped in tight black leather clothing. His fingers were long, and he had only four of them – including an opposable thumb – on each gloved hand.
His face was what made him look strange. It somewhat resembled a human one, with a hairless dome that became a forehead above two dark lenses for eyes. Lower on his face was a lipless mouth with a hinged lower jaw. A small ridge of metal that could be taken for a nose was between his eyes and mouth.

“Okay…” said Lisa. “You’re clearly an android of some sort… But you seem smarter than the robots we saw outside…”

“Oh, those other robots have intelligence,” said the android, his lower jaw moving up and down. “They just have no emotion.

“Leonis constantly builds them, but he rarely cares about them for very long after they’re finished. They obey him without question, but he doesn’t feel the need to give them orders that often.”

“Who’s Leonis?” asked Shadow.

“You don’t know?” said the android. “You didn’t come here to see him? Most folks who come here do so seeking his advice, but they rarely get it.”

“Uh, we didn’t…” said Starbuck. “We never heard of him… Who are you?”

“My name is Vello,” said the android. “And as for who Leonis is, you might say he rules this realm. He lives in that flying house you saw. Like I said, he built all those monsters…

“And he built me too…”

“Okay, this is weird…” said Shadow. “We expected Pokémon, not robots…”

“Pokémon?” asked Vello. “Oh, there are Pokémon here… In fact, it was a Pokémon who brought Leonis here…

“It’s a long story, but if you have time...”

“Definitely!” said Lisa. “I want to hear everything! I mean… Gee, it’s not every day that you see someone like you… I have a million questions…”

“I’ll try to answer some of them,” said Vello.

He let out a sigh that sounded like a bellows. Indeed, his voice seemed sort of like it was being focused though wind pipes powered by such a mechanism.

“Leonis was someone who, all his life, wanted to build,” started the android. “As a child, he saw visions in his head of those robots you saw outside and many others. As he got older, he studied engineering and robotics…

“But when he actually tried to build, he grew frustrated. He saw the mechanical wonders he wanted to build in his head, but he couldn’t make them reality. The laws of physics always seemed to stand in his way.

“He made a living by improving upon others’ designs, but that didn’t satisfy him. He wanted to invent, to make something unique and extraordinary. To amuse himself, he became a Pokémon trainer, specializing in the Steel Type… But even that bored him after a while.

“Then, one day, someone noticed his knack for Steel Pokémon. A seller of rare herbs told him that he had something that he could use to contact a powerful Steel-Type named Jirachi. A Pokémon who could grant wishes.”

“That’s impossible,” said Lisa. “Jirachi is only awake for one week every thousand years. Even if Leonis found its cocoon, he couldn’t have awakened it.”

“The old man said it was possible to request a wish from Jirachi without waking it,” said Vello, “by sharing its dream. He offered an herbal tea that you were supposed to drink before going to sleep that would do just that. Not for free, of course. Leonis was suspicious, but the temptation was too great. He bought the herb, paying a handsome price.

“And when he tried it, it actually worked. He dreamed that he was in the presence of Jirachi, and had only to speak his wish. His request was simple: ‘Send me and my laboratory to a place where my inventions will work.’

“And it sent him here. Even Leonis doesn’t know where this huge junkyard came from… Some people who come here think that some other reality uses it for a dumping ground, but…”

“We know,” said Starbuck. “It was created by Arceus, by his rage when he fought off the Twisting.”

“Interesting…” said Vello. “That would explain a lot…”

Vello thought for a minute. Then he resumed where he left off.

“Anyway, Leonis didn’t care where it came from; he couldn’t have been more pleased. He now had a seemingly inexhaustible supply of resources.

“Because he had the foresight to wish his laboratory with him, he could get started immediately. He opened his scrapbook to the sketch of a flying robot he had designed years ago, and in a matter of days, he built it. He was overjoyed when it sprang to life, and took to the air. Leonis had found a home at last. In this place, the laws of physics couldn’t stop him from pursuing his dreams.”

“I suppose that’s how he made his laboratory fly,” replied Shadow.

“How do you fit into this?” asked Starbuck.

Vello sighed again.

“I was a… failed experiment…” said Vello.

“No way!” exclaimed Lisa. “You’re smart! You talk! You think! You have emotion! You’re a practical miracle of science! Any robotic engineer would consider you the achievement of a lifetime!”

“Perhaps most of them would,” said Vello. “To Leonis, I was a disappointment. He labored long and hard to give me life… But he soon lost interest when he found I was nothing like him. I was unwanted, and neglected, so I wandered away.”

“Why didn’t you leave this pocket dimension?” asked Shadow. “Why stay here?”

“I have no choice,” said Vello. “You may have noticed, all of Leonis’s creations defy the laws of physics. They shouldn’t work at all under the established rules of the universe. In fact, they do not need fuel, and their joints need no lubricant.

“But there is a catch… They cannot function outside of this place. They become inert junk if they leave.

“I was built by Leonis… I have no loyalty to him, but everything else that applies to his other robots applies to me…”

“So if you were to leave…” said Shadow.

“You would… die…” said Lisa.

Vello nodded.

“But don’t feel sorry for me…” he said. “Now then… Like I said, I’d advise against trying to confront Leonis. He doesn’t care for visitors, and I doubt he’s completely sane anyway…”

“Well, we came to win the Iron Plate,” said Starbuck. “If Leonis is the Plate Guardian, we may just have to.

“I mean, you said he was a Pokémon trainer…”

Vello looked surprised.

“The Iron Plate you say?” he said, standing up. “Well, that’s different… Follow me…”

“So Leonis will accept challengers?” asked Starbuck.

“No…” said Vello. “Leonis isn’t the Plate Guardian…

“I am.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Vello lead them outside, and eventually to a large clearing that had been made out of the huge heaps of debris.

“Don’t worry about those robots,” he said. “They’ll keep their distance from this clearing.”

“I’m kind of confused, Vello,” said Starbuck. “You have Pokémon?”

“When Leonis came here, he lost interest in his Pokémon,” replied Vello. “He neglected them terribly. When I left, I took them with me; I doubt he even noticed.

“Eventually, something came to me in an orb of light, and gave me the Iron Plate. He told me what to do, and told me to accept any challenges for it. You might say, it gave my life purpose until now.

“Anyway, we’ll use two Pokémon apiece. And to make this interesting, we’ll have all four out at once. We’ll do it two- Pokémon-on-two.”

“Okay…” said Starbuck. “I suppose I can do that…”

“Good…” said Vello.

He held up two pokeballs.

“Here are my Pokémon! Lucario and Probopass!”

The pokeballs burst open, and two Pokémon materialized in front of him, one slender, and one bulky. One was certainly a Lucario, and it was about a head taller than Jamie’s Lucario.

The other was the rarely seen evolution of Nosepass, resembling a bigger version of that Pokémon with a red saucer on the top, and a bushy tuft of hair under its bigger nose.

“Ugh…” said Shadow. “There are some things that look good on a Pokémon, but a moustache is definitely not one of them…”

Still, she knew that despite Probopass’s comical appearance, it could be quite powerful if trained right.

“Here are mine!” shouted Starbuck.

He threw out two pokeballs, and Blaziken and Hitmonchan materialized in front of him.

Hitmonchan was feeling much better now. Starbuck had fed it his best recovery potions after the battle with Matt, and it seemed up to snuff now.

Even so, Blaziken looked at it with a look of concern.

“You sure you’re up to this?” it asked.

“Hitmonchan,” said the Fighter, nodding.

“Then let the battle begin!” exclaimed Vello.

Blaziken and Hitmonchan didn’t waste any time. They made a rush for the two Steels, with Hitmonchan’s boxing gloves burning with fire. However, Lucario and Probopass held their ground…

Lucario put its hands together, and formed a blue sphere in its hands.

“Hitmonchan!” shouted Hitmonchan.

“I see it!” shouted Blaziken.

It tried to dodge the projectile, but you simply can’t dodge an Aura Sphere. Blaziken stopped short and held its stomach.

Hitmonchan stopped for a second… Then it saw that Probopass was preparing an attack of its own, a crackling aura of electrical energy.

Hitmonchan shouted, and then threw itself in front of the new blast, which was naturally aimed at Blaziken as well. Then it lifted its fist, and the Zap Cannon was halted by a disk of energy.

“Thanks…” said Blaziken.

“Detect…” said Lisa. “Good thinking…”

“Yeah,” said Shadow, “but it likely won’t work a second time…”

“Go on the offensive you two!” shouted Starbuck. “Hit them now!”

Blaziken complied, and breathed flames at Lucario. The Steel Fighter grunted and fell on its behind. Meanwhile, Hitmonchan pounced at Probopass, and started pummeling it with a Close Combat.

“Probopass…” grunted the bulky Pokémon.

It and Lucario backed up and looked at their foes. Then they looked at each other.

“Probopass?” asked Probopass.

“Lucario,” said Lucario.

Then Lucario took hold of Probopass, and lifted it over its head…

“Huh?” said Starbuck.

Then Lucario hurled Probopass, hitting Hitmonchan. The Fighter barely had time to let out a cry of surprise as it was flattened under the heavy Pokémon’s bulk.

“Hitmonchan…” it grunted, and it pushed Probopass off of it.

Interesting technique, thought Starbuck. Vello is certainly some trainer…

Then Blaziken took an offensive of its own. He leapt at Probopass (who was understandably, a little stunned from the unorthodox move) and hit it hard with a Sky Uppercut. Probopass flew through the air, and landed in a pile of trash.

It seemed to be too much for Probopass. It turned to energy and flew back to its pokeball.

“Nice job!” shouted Starbuck. “You have Lucario outnumbered now!”

Then Lucario rushed at Hitmonchan with a punch so fast, it could only have been Extremespeed. It socked Hitmonchan in the gut, knocking it back ten feet, and knocking it out.

“Maybe not…” said Starbuck.

He recalled Hitmonchan to his pokeball.

The two Fighters looked at each other. Their eyes narrowed.

Then Blaziken punched Lucario, hard. Lucario responded by punching Blaziken back, just as hard.

Then both Pokémon started punching each other, Blaziken using Brick Break and Lucario using Close Combat.

“Man, this is like a Pokémon game of ‘gotcha last’!” shouted Shadow.

Both Pokémon paused to catch their breaths. Both of them were clearly exhausted.

“Lucario…” said Lucario.

“Oh?” said Blaziken.

Then he gave Lucario a push on the forehead. Lucario fell over on its back.

It waited for Lucario to get up, but it didn’t.

“Well…” it said, “it seems I’m the winner… Good thing too, because I was running out of moves…”

Vello chuckled.

“Indeed, you have won,” said the android.

It picked up an item, another Plate, this one silver in color.

“So… Which Plates remain for you to find?”

“Well, that’s the biggest problem right now…” said Starbuck. “We only need the Sky Plate, Earth Plate, and Draco Plate… But all three are in the hands of an enemy…”

“Then let me make one request before you leave to try to obtain them…” said Vello.
He paused.

“If you ever should meet Arceus, ask him to find a way to make it possible for me to leave this place.”

He looked up at the flying building overhead.

“Leonis may think of this junkyard as Heaven… To me it is a lonely and desolate Hell…”

“I can understand…” said Starbuck.

He took the Iron Plate, and then he and his companions turned towards the direction of the portal.

“What do you think, mom?” he asked.

Lisa also looked at Leonis’s lab, hovering above the realm.

“When it comes right down to it,” she said, “Leonis was a sorry excuse for an inventor.

“The true goal of an inventor should be to build something unique… Something that people have not only never seen before, but will likely never see again.

“When he built Vello, he succeeded.

“But in the end, it turned out he didn’t truly want a unique and free being. He wanted a duplicate of himself, identical in every way. He’s not just a poor inventor… He’s a hypocrite.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Two hours later, Digger was in Mandy’s cell again. Once again, he was helping her send a text message. This time, he had given her slack on her right arm, but had not removed the muzzle.

Then he was shocked as Mandy’s eyes opened wide, and she tried to scream something. Digger couldn’t possibly understand her muffled shouts…

But what she was trying to say became obvious as a huge claw – Palkia’s claw – grabbed him by the neck.

As he struggled in the choking grip, Jessica walked forward, with fire in her eyes. She glared at Digger.

“The one man I thought I could trust…” she muttered.

Digger tried to say something, but with Palkia cutting off his air, it was impossible.

“Don’t bother,” she said. “You’ve outlived your usefulness anyway, Digger.”

She made a slashing motion across her throat, and there was a loud snap. Digger’s body fell to the floor, his neck bent at an impossible angle.

Jessica looked at Mandy. Then she picked up the cell phone.

“So just how many of these messages did he help you send?” she asked.

Mandy was gagged, of course, and couldn’t answer even if she wanted to.

“You don’t need to answer me,” replied Jessica. “Cell phones keep records of text messages…”

She hit some buttons on the phone.

“And will you look at that? Digger wasn’t smart enough to delete them… Let’s see here…”

She quickly read the last two text messages Mandy had written to Starbuck. Her brow furrowed.

Then she tightened the shackle holding Mandy’s arm, and undid the muzzle around her mouth.

“Heaven’s Pipe?” she asked. “What the sam-hill is that?”

Mandy just glared at her.

“Answer me, Mandy!” demanded Jessica. “Or Palkia is going to do to you something worse than what it did to Digger!”

Mandy sighed.

“I can’t tell you something I don’t know, Jessica,” she said. “It was something my parents stole, that they seemed pretty anxious to get rid of, which Starbuck wanted for some reason.”

Jessica looked at her.

“Your parents…” she said. “Butch and Cassidy, right?”

Mandy looked at her in shock.

“What?” asked Jessica. “You want to know how I figured it out? Because they were the only other Rockets who knew that my parents existed! Every other member of the organization was so high-and-mighty, they considered my parents not even worth talking to.

“At least Butch and Cassidy took the time to acknowledge them, even if they insulted them all the time. And I figure it might have been enough for you to have tried to kill me all those years ago.”

She looked at the cell phone.

“Wanted to give Conrad a jingle, huh?” she said. “Not a bad idea…”

Mandy gave a look of shock again as Jessica speed dialed Starbuck’s number.

* * * * * * * * * *

At this time, Starbuck, Lisa, and Shadow were waiting for the train that would take them back to Blueberry Cove.

“Hello?” he said, answering the phone.

“Hello, Conrad,” said Jessica. “Guess who?”

“What do you want?” asked Starbuck, angrily. “How did you get this number?”

“It was on Mandy’s speed dial,” replied Jessica. “I found out she was sending you texts from her cell. She has guts.

“I also found out you have something called the Heaven’s Pipe. I must say, the name intrigues me.”

“You’ll never find it,” replied Starbuck.

“I’m more interested in a wager,” said Jessica. “If you agree to a Pokémon battle and ante up this Heaven’s Pipe, whatever it is, I might wager something you’d be interested in against it…

“Like say… Mandy’s life.”

Starbuck paused for a minute.

“What proof do I have that she’s still alive?” he asked.

Back at the cell, Jessica turned to Mandy.

“Tell him something,” she said.

Mandy shook her head.

“Do it!” ordered Jessica. “Or I’ll have Palkia give you a Spatial Rend in the face.”

Mandy shivered as Jessica put the phone to her ear.

“Starbuck don’t trust this lunatic!” she screamed. “I just saw her kill a man! She…”

Jessica yanked the phone away from her ear.

“That proof enough?” asked Mandy. “If you’re interested, meet me in the quarry outside Blueberry Cove tomorrow at noon. No police, or I’ll have Palkia turn her into pulp.

“My representative will meet you there. Let’s make this a special battle, shall we?”

“What did you have in mind?” asked Starbuck.

“A Junior Match,” said Jessica. “Three Pokémon apiece.”

Starbuck knew what a Junior Match was. All Pokémon used had to be in their first evolutionary form. Pokémon who did not evolve, like Tauros, were not allowed.

“I’ll see you there…” said Jessica.

Then she crushed the cell phone in her hand.

“You’re going to call in someone who specializes in Junior Matches, right?” asked Mandy.

Jessica quickly fastened the muzzle back over her mouth.

“That’s right,” she said, “but consider yourself lucky. It’s only for your parents’ sake that I’m giving you this chance, Mandy.

“You may find this hard to believe… But I have far more respect for them than you – or they – ever had for my folks.

“Palkia… Watch her for me.”

Then Jessica left, dragging Digger’s body behind her and leaving the huge Pokémon to guard Mandy. Mandy would have cowered in fright if it were possible for her to move.

These next few hours were going to be the hardest yet…


Coming up next:

The battle to rescue Mandy begins in earnest! Three Pokémon allowed each, and they can only be the first tier of their family line. It’s not going to be easy, especially since Starbuck only has one Pokémon right now that qualifies! Once again, being part of a team is going to pay off big.

“Minor League” is coming soon.

[Dark Sage]

I’d rarely ever compare myself to Ash Ketchum. He did a lot in his time.

Although some would have called him clueless and dimwitted, some higher power must have been smiling upon him, because he always stood at the epicenter of great conflicts and made a difference in them. I’m having a hard time making a difference in the one I’m in the middle of.

In fact, Ash would have no problem with a Junior Match. I simply can’t do it.

In order to do so, I have to call upon one trait that I do have in common with him, the fact that I have allies who trust me.

I have to trust them too… Mandy’s life depends on it.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE



Minor League

It was seven PM in Blueberry Cove, at the Pokémon Center. Starbuck sat at a table in the main room, next to Blaziken, and both of them were sulking. Four empty glasses that once held milkshakes were in front of them. Lisa and Shadow looked at them with worry.

Shadow was the first one to speak up.

“So what’s the big deal?” she said. “So you have to win a Junior Match? Why the big panic?”

“Because I can’t, that’s why!” replied Starbuck.

“Come on, champ!” said Shadow. “Your Pokémon are tough… Even if Jessica brings in a specialist, you can do this.”

“You’re damn right, my Pokémon are tough,” said Starbuck.

He sighed.

“That’s kinda the problem.”

“Huh?” said Shadow.

“What he means,” said Blaziken, ““is that he can’t battle in a Junior Match at all. He needs three Pokémon that are in their first evolutionary stage. And he’s trained his Pokémon too well… They’re all simply too powerful.”

“That may have been Jessica’s plan all along,” said Lisa. “Starbuck’s only recourse may be to go out and catch some young Pokémon. With three young Pokémon that he’s never used before against those of a specialist, he’s sure to lose.

“She’s playing dirty.”

“I wish I knew how Ketchum did it,” sighed Starbuck. “Two of his most powerful never evolved at all.”

He lifted up a pokeball.

“The only Pokémon I have that qualifies is this guy.”

The ball opened, and the Skorupi that he had caught in the Macintosh Forest leapt out.

“Unfortunately, I need three.”

He sighed again.

“Hold on…” said Shadow.

She rushed over to the Pokémon transfer machine.

“Shadow to the rescue!”

“Going to swap Pokémon?” asked Lisa.

“That’s right,” said Shadow. “I’ve got just the guy who can be a game-changer in the minor leagues…”

The Pokeball she had placed on the machine vanished, and a new one appeared.

“Take my Shuppet, Starbuck,” she said.

She handed him the Pokeball.

“I just started training it… It knows Shadow Ball, Psychic, and Night Shade… It’s not the toughest Ghost, but it will do.”

Starbuck was speechless. He slowly took the Pokeball.

“And here’s three,” said Lisa, handing him another. “Take Munchlax. It is rather tough, and I’ve been training it hard.”

Starbuck looked at the Skorupi and the two Pokeballs.

“People,” he said. “I think we may be able to do it…

“Mandy may just have a chance…”

* * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, Jessica was not in the best of moods.

She had been trying for hours to find information on this Heaven’s Pipe. After pouring over internet databases, microfiche files, and every piece of information on Dialga, Palkia, and Arceus she had in her archives, she had found nothing.

Mandy’s parents clearly found something that frightened them, she thought, and they sent it to her hoping to rid themselves of it…

But did that mean they knew what it did?

For all I know, this may be nothing more than some toy soap bubble pipe made for a spoiled princess, and I’d hate to risk letting Mandy go over that...

Lorenzo walked in.

“Ms. Franct is here,” he said.

“Send her in,” replied Jessica.

Lorenzo motioned to someone outside the door, and a six-foot-tall, blonde-haired woman wearing an overcoat and sunglasses, her hair tied in a long ponytail that reached to her waist, walked in.

“So,” said Jessica, leaning back in her chair, “Francesca Franct, I assume… Folks tell me that you’re a specialist in the type of Pokémon battle known as the Junior Match.”

Francesca nodded.

“Abra, Rattata, Bidoof…” she said, as she sat down. “If it’s never evolved, I can train it to be a powerhouse.

“But don’t take my word for it…”

She held up a Pokeball.

“Let me show you my secret weapon…”

The Pokeball opened, and what looked like a small Bellsprout popped out.

“That’s your secret weapon?” asked Jessica, with a frown. “If Mandy goes free because that thing is a dud, I might just put you in her cell…”

“It may look unimpressive…” said Francesca, “but I take it you have Pokémon of your own…

“Go on… See how one of them fares against this one…”

Jessica glared at her. Then she grinned.

“All right…” she said with a smile. “In all fairness, since you specialize in Junior Matches…”

She took out a pokeball, and pointed it at the Bellsprout. It opened, and a Drowzee emerged.

“Let’s see how good you really are…”

* * * * * * * * * *

The night passed without sleep for Starbuck, and he just knew that Mandy wasn’t sleeping either. He got up to a dismal, overcast morning. He sighed as he looked out the window.

At around eleven-thirty, he and his two partners began to head for the quarry outside of town.

“So we aren’t even going to call Officer Jenny?” asked Shadow, as their motorcycles pulled up to the edge of the old strip mine.

“Jessica said that she’d have Palkia kill Mandy if any cops showed up,” replied Starbuck. “Most likely, Palkia will be there somewhere…

“And while I do have Dialga with me, Jessica may not stop even if she makes good her threat. Palkia has made her drunk with power, remember? We can’t have some poor cop getting killed in the crossfire.”

The looked down into the old quarry. This place had once been used to dig up granite that was made into concrete, but they stopped when they hit bedrock. Very little remained of the old strip mine other than a big hole in the ground.

Looking down, all they could see was an Abra sitting alone in the middle.

Slowly, they walked down the steep pathway down into the quarry. The Abra took notice and sat up straighter.

As they reached bottom, its eyes glowed…

“Teleport…” said Lisa. “Jessica knows how to make an entrance…”

Jessica did appear, about forty feet away from them. She was dressed all in black leather, and wearing Hunter Jay’s flash blaster on her right hand. Six Pokeballs were on her belt.

“Right on time, I see,” she said.

“Where’s Mandy?” demanded Starbuck.

Jessica pointed up, and behind her. Starbuck looked up.

Mandy was at the edge of the quarry, being held there by Kitsune. She was helpless, bound by a straitjacket and leg shackles and gagged with the same muzzle. To make things worse, Kitsune held a knife at her throat.

“Let her go!” shouted Starbuck.

“Not yet…” said Jessica. “I need some insurance just in case a bunch of cops suddenly rush in here…

“Yes, I know, I told you that I’d have Palkia do the job… But with Dialga on your team, I’d rather have Palkia with me…

“Anyway… Mandy stays there until you win here from me. No threatening moves. Battle Girls are notorious for having thick skulls, but a fifty-foot drop onto this stone floor ought to crack it.”

“And that?” asked Starbuck, pointing to the flash blaster.

“I’m not stupid,” said Jessica. “If I have to kill her, I need something else to protect me. I’m not really sure if this thing will work on Dialga, but I’d love to find out, so keep it in its Pokeball, okay?

“Now, I showed you that I had my ante, so show me yours.”

Starbuck sighed. He reached into his satchel, and pulled out the Heaven’s Pipe.

“Interesting, interesting…” said Jessica. “Any chance you can tell me just what this thing does?”

Starbuck glared at her and shoved it into the satchel.

“Don’t press your luck…” he said.

“Of course…” said Jessica, with a nervous chuckle. “I guess you are a little upset about me wrecking your jeep while you were out in the Spires…”

“AND chaining me to a rock and leaving me as a snack for a Garchomp!” shouted Shadow. “Believe me, if you didn’t have Palkia guarding you, I’d…”

“Whoa, whoa…” said Jessica. “We can fight some other time… I believe we have a battle with a wager to take care of…

“Abra…”

The Psychic’s eyes glowed again, and Francesca appeared next to Jessica. Then Jessica held up a Pokeball, and Abra retreated into it.

“Hello,” said Francesca. “My name is Francesca, and I’ll be your opponent this afternoon…”

“Do you always wear sunglasses on a cloudy day?” asked Starbuck.

“Is that always how you start a conversation?” asked Francesca. “To be honest, I battled a particular nasty Electrode some years ago, and I was winning… But before I could knock it out, it used Explosion.”

“Ouch!” said Shadow. “Been there before!”

“It took me three days to regain my vision, the burst was so violent,” continued Francesca. “But ever since then, my eyes have been incredibly sensitive to light.

“But I digress… I’m sure you want to get this match over with as soon as possible… And I’m sure Mandy does!”

She chuckled.

Shadow backed off behind Starbuck and Lisa, and took two Pokeballs off her belt as Starbuck confronted Francesca.

“Three Pokémon each,” said Starbuck, “each one in its first form, right?”

Francesca nodded, and then held up one Pokeball.

“I’ll even give you the advantage…” she said. “I’ll show you what my first Pokémon is!”

She hurled it, and the small Bellsprout emerged from the Pokeball.

Jessica smirked and crossed her arms.

Whoa, I couldn’t have asked for easier! thought Starbuck. She sends out a half-Poison… And I’ve got someone who knows Psychic!

He threw his Pokeball, and Shuppet popped out.

“Bellsprout,” said Francesca’s Pokémon.

“Wait for it…” said Francesca.

“Psychic attack!” shouted Starbuck.

Shuppet’s eyes glowed, and it shot a wave of mental energy at the sprout…

…but to his unbelieving eyes, Bellsprout didn’t even flinch. The attack didn’t seem to harm it at all.

“What?” said Starbuck. “How…”

Francesca smiled evilly.

“That won’t work on this Pokémon,” she said. “But watch what its attack does to your Ghost!”

The Bellsprout’s left leaf became shrouded in shadowy energy. It leapt as Shuppet, and the Ghost let out a scream as the dark blade slashed across it.

“What the Hell?” shouted Starbuck. “How in the world did you teach that Bellsprout Night Slash? I didn’t think that was possible!”

“Uh, Starbuck?” said Lisa. “Last I checked, it isn’t possible…”

“Maybe not all is what it seems,” said Francesca.

“Shuppet, try Night Shade!” shouted Starbuck.

Shuppet nodded, and shot a beam of ghostly energy at the sprout. It grunted a little…

“Aw, too bad…” said Francesca. “Guess the jig is up…”

As the dark energy cleared, Starbuck looked with shock…

The Bellsprout was gone. Another Pokémon was in its place. One he had never seen before.

It looked like a small fox with black fur and a tuft of hair on its head.

“Who?” said Starbuck.

“Meet my Zorua,” said Francesca.

“I’ve never heard of Zorua…” said Lisa.

“Most folks haven’t,” said Francesca. “You can only find them in Unova, and even there, they’re so rare that most trainers can go their whole lives without ever seeing one!

“You see, Zorua use illusions to hide from humans, and the rare trainer that catches one can make use of that Ability. When called to battle, Zorua uses its Illusion to disguise itself as another Pokémon on my team.

“You made the mistake that so many of my opponents do, trying to use a Psychic attack thinking that it was a Poison Pokémon. It’s Dark… It’s immune to those attacks.”

“No fair!” screamed Starbuck.

“What do you mean ‘no fair’?” said Jessica. “Zorua is a Pokémon… It’s never evolved into its second stage… It’s using nothing that any other Zorua can’t use… I don’t see how Francesca could be called a cheater.”

Zorua leapt at Shuppet again, and the Ghost screamed as the Night Slash raked across it again.

Not a cheater, thought Shadow. But she is a dirty fighter…

Her Gengar was in front of her as she was kneeling down with her back to everyone else.

“You know what to do, right?” she said.

“Gengar,” said the Ghost.

Shadow handed it a Pokeball. Gengar took it, and put it in its mouth. Then it turned incorporeal, and sank through the floor.

Meanwhile, Shuppet had given its all.

“Shuppet, return…” sighed Starbuck.

Shuppet retreated to its Pokeball.

He took another one.

Okay, Jessica… he thought. I can play dirty too…

He threw the Pokeball, and Munchlax flew out.

“Munchlax?” it said, as it looked at its opponent. Clearly, it had never seen a Zorua either.

“Seems you have a pretty rare one too,” said Francesca. “Gotta admit, that’s not bad…”

“I know, Munchlax,” said Starbuck. “I’ve never seen one of them either…

“But… If you help me win this battle, we’ll order pizza tonight.”

Munchlax’s eyes opened wide.

“Munchlax!” it shouted.

“Zorua!” screamed Zorua in fright.

Munchlax charged at Zorua and punched it hard in the chin, knocking it over.

“That’s it!” shouted Starbuck. “Keep going like that, and we’ll have chocolate sundaes for dessert too!”

“Munchlax!” exclaimed the rotund Pokémon. It socked Zorua with its right, followed by its left.

“With whipped cream!” added Starbuck.

Munchlax gave Zorua one more solid punch, and it tumbled over falling at Francesca’s feet.

“Zorua…” it said, weakly.

“Well, that’s one way to motivate a Munchlax…” said Lisa.

Francesca frowned as she recalled Zorua.

“Okay, that was a neat trick…” she said. “Well… Maybe your Munchlax would like some salad with that pizza…”

She threw another Pokeball, and it opened. A Bellsprout appeared again.

“Huh?” said Starbuck. “Don’t tell me you’re pulling the same trick again?”

“No, she isn’t,” said Lisa. “Zorua can only take the form of a Pokémon on her team, remember? This is obviously a real Bellsprout.

“And don’t underestimate it… I once read that Ketchup faced a trainer with a downright savage Bellsprout when he fought in the Indigo League. It even defeated Pikachu!”

“I read about that…” said Jessica. “The Bellsprout knew karate or something… Ketchum won the match because he used a Muk… You simply can’t defeat a Muk by punching and kicking it.”

“They’re just being pessimistic, Munchlax,” said Starbuck. “Get it!”

Munchlax charged at the small Grass…

Then Bellsprout pointed, and a Razor Leaf hit Munchlax hard. It grunted and cursed in Pokémonese.

Still, it wouldn’t give up. It grabbed Bellsprout and hurled it hard to the floor…

“Bellsprout, Grass Knot!” shouted Francesca.

Oh no! thought Starbuck. Grass Knot does more damage to heavy opponents!

“Munchlax look out!” he screamed.

“Munchlax?” said the fat Pokémon.

Then Bellsprout made a thick bludgeon with its leaf, and slugged Munchlax hard in the stomach. Munchlax was propelled backwards with a clearly audible “OOF” and fell on its face.

Meanwhile, Shadow hit a button on her cell phone.

Let’s hope Gengar can manage it? she thought.

* * * * * * * * * *

“It’s all gonna be over soon, Mandy…” said Kitsune. “Doesn’t seem like Starbuck is gonna win…”

She half-expected Mandy to grunt or growl or something, but nothing came from her gagged mouth.

“What?” asked Kitsune. “Given up yet? I suppose it’s for the best…”

She was so occupied with her hostage that she didn’t see Gengar float out of the ground behind her. It spit the Pokeball out.

“Don’t worry…” continued Kitsune. “I am an assassin… I know over a hundred ways to kill a person, and a lot of them are painless… So when Jessica gives the order…”

She was interrupted by a tap on her shoulder.

She spun around, holding Mandy, ready to threaten her with the knife. However, she found herself confronting Gengar and Breloom… And looking directly into Gengar’s eyes.

She knew what it was doing, but it was too late… Gengar stared without blinking, and its Hypnosis took ahold of her. Kitsune slumped to the ground in a slumber. As she did, Breloom rushed forward, and caught Mandy.

Quickly, it undid the muzzle.

“Who? What?” she said.

“Just say… Starbuck sent us,” said Breloom.

Mandy looked in shock at the talking Pokémon…

Then she fainted.

* * * * * * * * * *

“You only have one Pokémon left, Starbuck,” said Jessica. “Make it a good one…”

Starbuck looked at his third Pokeball. He threw it out, and Skorupi emerged.

“Oh-kay…” said Francesca, as the two small Pokémon confronted each other. “This shouldn’t be hard…

“Seed Bomb!”

“Skorupi, counter it with Pin Missile!” shouted Starbuck.

Two volleys of projectiles shot from each Pokémon… Both of them hit… Two bursts of energy erupted at each point of impact…

When the smoke cleared, Bellsprout was clearly hurt, but Skorupi seemed to be energized. It was glowing.

“Bellsprout… Use…” started Francesca.

“Oh no…”

Skorupi stated to glow with even more energy. And it started to increase in size…

Within seconds, its glowing form grew from two feet long to five feet high. Before their eyes, it was evolving.

Then, with a roar, the mighty Drapion stood to confront the Bellsprout that was now cowering in terror.

“No fair!” shouted Jessica.

“I beg to differ!” said Lisa. “The official rules of the Junior Match say that if a Pokémon evolves in the middle of the battle, it is allowed to continue the current match.”

“I hate to say this,” said Francesca, “but she’s right…

“Don’t give up, Bellsprout, you haven’t lost yet!”

Drapion’s claw crashed down, flattening the small Grass.

“It has now,” said Shadow, with a smile.

“Enough with this,” said Jessica.

She gave Francesca a shove, knocking her over and knocking her sunglasses off. She took out a Pokeball.

“I’m taking over this show,” she said.

“What about our wager?” asked Starbuck.

“I’m cancelling it!” said Jessica. “I’m not going to let Mandy go just because that weird pipe might do something important! Kitsune, dump her now!”

She paused.

“Well?” she said.

“Jess, maybe you ought to look up there,” said Shadow.

Jessica nervously turned around. She saw Mandy standing there glaring at her with a look of hate with Gengar and Breloom, and Kitsune was bound with the same straightjacket that had been holding Mandy a few minutes ago.

“I called Officer Jenny too,” said Shadow. “She’ll be here in a few minutes…”

One of Starbuck’s other Pokeballs opened, and Dusk emerged. Then Shadow pointed one of hers, and Cresselia gracefully floated out.

“YOU have Cresselia?” gasped Jessica.

She chuckled.

“Who would have ever guessed that you were a chaste and pure maiden? Seems that leaving you for that Garchomp was more appropriate than I thought!”

Abra popped out of her Pokeball.

“Grab her!” shouted Starbuck.

Drapion and Poliwrath made a rush for Jessica, but Abra was too quick. The two of them vanished.

Francesca got up, and then pulled something out of her jacket.

“A gun??” said Starbuck.

“Stay back or I’ll shoot…” she said.

“I suggest you drop it,” said Starbuck.

“And what are you going to do about it?” asked Francesca.

“Dusk?” said Starbuck. “Kinda dark today, isn’t it?”

“Umbreon,” said Dusk.

Then a Flash from it covered the whole quarry. Francesca screamed, dropped the gun, and held her eyes. Starbuck grabbed her in a choke hold just as they heard the sirens.

* * * * * * * * * *

Mandy and Jenny were discussing things as Francesca and Kitsune were being hauled away.

“Oh, I’ve got plenty to tell you,” said Mandy. “You have a witness protection program, right?”

“You think we can bag Jessica this time?” asked Starbuck, as he walked up to Jenny.

“We have more than enough evidence to raid her office building now,” replied Jenny, “but I doubt she’ll be there when we do…”

“And we still need the Sky, Earth, and Draco Plates if we want Percy’s job to meet with any success…” said Starbuck.

“Looks like you’re getting an idea!” said Shadow with a smile.

“I am,” said Starbuck. “But first, we have to go to the Pokémon Center to heal…

“Then we have to find a place that makes some really good pizza… I have a promise to keep…”



Next:

Jessica is missing, and so are most members of Rocket Reborn. Starbuck decides that it’s time to finally confront her, but to do it, Shadow needs to draw her out.

When she finds Jessica’s Pokémon researcher Dr. Douglas Dugan, a battle starts that may do so. Shadow has Cresselia on her side, but Dugan has a Pokémon that’s equally strong… What will be the outcome?

“Pokémonology” is coming soon.

[Dark Sage]

Legend has it that Cresselia, the Lunar Pokémon, will only allow itself to be tamed by a chaste and pure maiden. Much like the mystic unicorn would only allow a virgin with a pure heart to ride it.

Everyone found it strange that I fit the bill, much less the fact that Cresselia actually came to me itself. In my career as a professional Pokémon trainer, I’ve always put on the image as a “bad girl”, wearing black leather and talking tough. I’ve always kept my true nature secret because, let’s face it… Good girls are boring, and bad girls get all the attentions.

I haven’t used Cresselia in a battle yet, and I can only hope that it is capable of a fight, because it’s time for a confrontation that may decide what ultimately happens. Jessica has blasted off just like her parents so often did, and we have to find her… We have to force a confrontation…

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO



Pokémonology

Never let it be said that Starbuck didn’t keep his promises.

As evening covered the city, they were in the Zippy Pizza Parlor. Liza’s Munchlax was chowing on a large thick-crust with everything, while he, his mother, Shadow, and Mandy, were sharing an extra-large with pepperoni.

Starbuck occasionally looked at the Heaven’s Pipe.

“So you never found out what it does?” asked Mandy.

Starbuck looked at it again.

He blew into the mouthpiece, but it didn’t make a sound.

“I tried that,” said Mandy. “Several times. I didn’t have any better luck. But it must do something.

“I showed that thing to Palkia when Jessica ordered it to attack me… And it refused to attack me. It seemed to think that it was some sort of holy relic.

“I don’t even know why I decided to show it… It was like a voice suddenly came to me, telling me to.”

“Well, we’re stumped,” said Lisa.

Then his cell phone rang. He looked at the number.

“It’s Officer Jenny…” he said.

He answered it.

“Uh huh…” he said. “Yeah… Okay… All right… Yeah, I’ll tell her…”

He hung up.

“Well, it seems that they raided the Grasp Building,” said Starbuck. “They found enough evidence to likely send Jessica to prison for the rest of her life…

“But Jessica and the rest of Rocket Reborn are gone… They dropped almost everything and split.

“Emphasis on ‘almost’. They managed to take their Pokémon and the three Plates they still have.

“The only leads we have are Kitsune and Francesca, and they aren’t talking yet.

“But there’s good news Mandy… Your Pokémon have been recovered, along with some other things that Jessica took from you all those years ago.

“Anyway, Mandy, if you really want witness protection, it’s your decision. You just have to go to the police station. As an alternative, Jenny will offer you an escort to the airport if you’d rather go to Sinnoh.”

Mandy sighed. She finished the last of her soda.

“People, I’d like to say this has been fun, but it hasn’t…” she said.

She got up.

“I’m going down to the police station to tell her that I’m taking the second option… It’s been so many years… I want to see mom and dad again…”

Starbuck said nothing as they watched her leave.

After all, he could relate…

He picked up his cell phone.

“Who are you calling?” asked Shadow.

“Percival,” replied Starbuck.

“It’s time that Jessica and I met face-to-face, and to do that, I’m going to need him to bring a few things…”

* * * * * * * * * *

The next morning at the Pokémon Center, the three trainers were discussing things over coffee.

“So just how are we going to find Jessica?” asked Shadow.

“Percival has an idea about how to find someone who might be able to find her,” said Starbuck. “We might be able to convince him to give her a message.

“Until then…”

Then the door opened, and Percival walked in.

“Ah, Mr. Conrad,” he said.

He turned to Lisa.

“Mrs. Conrad…” he said.

“Did you bring them?” asked Starbuck.

Percival reached into his pocket, and took out a pokéball. It was a special pokéball used to carry objects.

“The Plates we’ve found are in there,” he said. “But really, Mr. Conrad, if this goes bad, we may be even worse off than we started…”

“That’s a risk we’ll have to take…” said Starbuck.

“Well, on another note,” said Percival, “Candice was finally able to find someone who could decipher that message you found on the back of that Golem statue…”

“The one we found in Bunglewood!” exclaimed Shadow.

“Yes, that one…” said Percival.

He took out a piece of paper.

“It’s an odd passage that seems to give a hint as to how Regigigas was created by Arceus…”

He cleared his throat.

“The Colossal One known as Regigigas who crafted three in its own image was itself crafted by three, one who embodied Space, one who embodied Time, and one who embodied both and neither at the same time. Those three were created by the one known as the Alpha Pokémon. The labors of one created three, who created one, who created three again. In the cycle of the universe, acts of creation invariably lead to threes.”

There was silence for a minute or two.

“Well, Dialga embodies Space…” said Shadow. “Palkia embodies Time… But who the heck embodies ‘both and neither at the same time’?”

Lisa looked visibly nervous.

“We’ll figure that out later,” she said. “Percival, who’s this guy who might be able to get a message to Jessica?”

“Well, it’s a long shot,” said Percival, “but I found this business card in Francis’ room when I was moving the stuff out. You know, Francis, my butler who was secretly working for Rocket Reborn?”

Starbuck took it and looked at it.

Dr. Douglas Dugan



Pokémonology

An address placing him in Blueberry Cove was also on the card.

“I looked this guy up,” said Percival. “Apparently he has done extensive study on Legendaries, much like you have, Mrs. Conrad…”

“And it would stand to reason that Jessica has such a man on her payroll…” said Lisa. “After all, her plan does involve Arceus in some way…”

“It shouldn’t take longer than twenty minutes to write the message…” said Starbuck.

“And I’ll deliver it,” said Shadow.

“Are you sure,” asked Starbuck.

Shadow took a pokéball off her belt and looked at it.

“If this guy studies Legendaries…” she said, “maybe he’d be receptive if I let him study one firsthand…”

* * * * * * * * * *

The noon sun was in the sky as Shadow stood in front of a building near the edge of town.

It looked rather modern, and seemed to fit the description of a research laboratory. It was a one-story edifice, with a well-manicured lawn. The sign on the front said “Malvin Building; Research in Environmental Biology”.

Shadow hit a button on her cell phone.

“This seems to be the place,” she said into it. “Doesn’t look all-that sinister… Seems kind of like where your mother works, Starbuck.”

“Understandable,” said Starbuck. “We’ll be right up the road… If you need us, just shout.

“Wait, hold on… Blaziken wants to tell you something…”

Shadow paused.

“Shadow?” said the Pokémon’s voice. “Here’s a word of encouragement…

“Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Why thank you,” said Shadow, sarcastically.

She hung up.

Not very encouraging… she thought, nervously.

She didn’t know what to expect in this place… For all she knew, Jessica might well have been in there already… And she could still remember the battle…

She could still remember Palkia…

Still, she wasn’t going to back down. Her near-death encounter in the Spires had frightened her, but Cresselia had been what convinced her stay with this whole thing to the end.

She knocked on the door.

“Anybody…” she said.

Then the door opened by itself.

“…home?”

She looked inside.

She took a deep breath.

Percy had better be right about this guy, she thought. Otherwise, I’m going to be asking him for bail money when I’m arrested for breaking and entering…

She slowly walked in, and walked down a hallway. The place seemed to be empty…

A door at the end of the hallway had the name “Dr. Douglas Dugan” on it.

She tried the door, and it was unlocked. She walked in.

The smell of formaldehyde greeted her. She walked into a lab that she had clearly seen the likes of before; it was a lot like Lisa’s lab. There were biology specimens preserved in jars, anatomy charts, and strange equipment. A refrigerator was near the door.

She opened the refrigerator. It was full of cases of soda. At least five twelve-packs of cola and root beer.

Man… she thought. This guy sure must get thirsty…

She closed the refrigerator. Then her eyes turned to one strange, very large device on one end of the room.

It was an odd machine, with a strange generator taking up the top half. The middle part was taken up by a circular table with sixteen rectangular-shaped depressions arranged in two circles of eight.

Those are slots… she thought. Slots that are supposed to hold the sixteen Plates!

Then she noticed another part of the machine… Branching off from the side was a device that held a pokéball…

No, not a pokéball… It was a plastic toy that looked like a pokéball… But clearly, this part of the machine was meant to hold a real pokéball…

What the Hell is this thing? she thought.

She slowly backed away from it…

Then her eyes fell on a journal on a table.

Curiosity got the better of her. She opened it.

Inside were sketches of Legendary Pokémon. She had seen most of this before, in her frequent trips to Lisa’s lab. There were sketches of the three Legendary Birds of Kanto, the three Beasts of Johto…

Her eyebrow lifted when she saw a sketch of a Pokémon she didn’t recognize.

It looked kind of like a big, muscular genie with a long tail.

Above the sketch was a name.

“Landorus?” she said. “What is that?”

“A very powerful Legendary Pokémon,” said a voice.

She turned around, and saw who she assumed to be Dr. Dugan entering the room.

Shadow’s eyes narrowed. She had never actually seen this guy… But there was a nagging feeling in her mind that she did indeed know him from somewhere.

“Landorus is a Pokémon that figures prominently in the mythology of Unova,” he continued. “It is the spirit of plenty. Wherever it goes, soil turns fertile and crops become bountiful.

“My research shows that it is a Ground/Flying Pokémon, but it is far more powerful than any Gligar.”

Shadow shook her head.

“Then, like Gligar, it’s a living contradiction,” she said. “Ground/Flying simply doesn’t make sense.”

“Well, Shadow, the world is full of contradictions,” said Dugan.

He opened the refrigerator. Shadow tensed for a second, but then saw that he was only taking out a soda.

“You ever hear of Shogun Kaiamo Yoshi, who lived in Kanto around the twelfth century AD?”

“How did you know my name?” asked Shadow.

That seemed to take Dugan by surprise. As he opened the can of soda, some of it sprayed on him.

“Yeah, I’ve heard of Shogun Kaiamo…” said Shadow. “He was a madman and a tyrant, who liked to execute people by turning them into shish-kebabs.”

“Indeed, he was fond of impalements…” muttered Dugan. “He was also a Pokémon trainer, who had a fondness for the Flying Type… And he was known for whipping any servant who harmed one of his Pokémon.

“That’s the contradiction. He seemed to have almost no concern for human life, but he couldn’t abide the suffering of his Pokémon.”

“Look buddy, let’s stop beating around the bush,” said Shadow. “I want you to deliver a message to Jessica.”

“Jessica who?” he asked. “Jessica Simpson? Jessica Alba? Jessica Rabbit? I’m afraid I don’t know any of them…”

“Don’t play dumb!” snarled Shadow. “The Jessica who leads Rocket Reborn?”

“What makes you think that I associate with criminals?” asked Dugan.

“Mind explaining why you seem to know who I am?” asked Shadow. “Someone who worked for Jessica more than likely would…

“Not to mention that Jessica is trying to get all sixteen of the Plates, and that machine over there seems to involve them in some way…”

Dugan looked at her.

“You’re a Pokémon trainer, right?” asked Shadow.

“What?” said Dugan, with a laugh. “You want to make me a wager?”

“No,” said Shadow, “I want to give you a chance… You study Legendaries… Have you ever actually seen one? Up close?”

Dugan frowned. He had, actually… Palkia. But no, he had never had any hands-on experience in studying Legendaries, which had been a hobby of his for years.

Shadow held up the pokéball that contained Cresselia.

“I have a Legendary right here,” she said. “I’m not going to tell you who it is, but I’ll battle you with it if you promise to send the message. Certainly, someone like you would consider this the chance of a lifetime.”

Dugan fidgeted a little. This would be a chance of a lifetime… But…

“How can I be sure that you’re telling the truth?” he asked. “For all I know, that pokéball may contain nothing but a Rattata.”

“Then I’ll make it a Pokémon Dare,” said Shadow, “but a one-sided one. I have to forfeit my right to attack you if I win, but you don’t.

“Certainly, if this pokéball does contain only a Rattata, I’d lose for certain…”

Dugan looked at her closely.

“Very well…” he said. “I accept. But only two Pokémon apiece.

“We can do this out in the backyard…”

* * * * * * * * * *

“By the way…” said Dugan, as he held a pokéball up, “just so you know… I don’t have any Legendaries myself… But the Pokémon I do have aren’t lightweights… Not by a long shot…”

“I didn’t expect them to be…” said Shadow.

She looked at him.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” she asked. “An engraved invitation?”

Dugan smirked. He threw the pokéball, and it burst open…

The Pokémon that emerged was six feet tall, very muscular, and covered with armor. It glared at Shadow.

Shadow looked at it nervously. Starbuck’s battle with Sofia, who also had a Nidoqueen, was still fresh in her mind. She had battled an opponent who had one once before… It had been an experience she would have liked to forget…

She threw her own pokéball, and Magmortar leapt out.

* * * * * * * * * *

A short distance away, Starbuck and Lisa were watching as best they could. Starbuck was trying to get a close look with binoculars.

“Well, this Dugan fellow is clearly no rookie,” he said. “He just pulled out a Nidoqueen.”

“Then Shadow should have no problem,” said Lisa’s Poliwrath. “Cresselia is a Psychic, and as tough as Nidoqueen is, I’d wager that Cresselia is tougher.”

“Maybe, but Shadow is using Magmortar right now,” said Starbuck.

“Maybe that’s a wise choice,” said Blaziken.

“Now that’s an illogical statement,” said Poliwrath. “You’re only saying that because you have an affinity to fellow Fire Pokémon. Nidoqueen is part Ground, I believe.”

“What Blaziken means is,” said Lisa, “at least I think… Is that Shadow wants to save Cresselia because she believes Dugan probably has an even stronger Pokémon waiting.

“Maybe this is Shadow’s idea of a ‘rope-a-dope’…”

* * * * * * * * * *

Indeed, that had been Shadow’s plan.

Nidoqueen grunted in pain as Magmortar’s Flamethrower hit it in the chest, but overall, it seemed more angry than hurt.

“Nidoqueen, show that thing who’s boss with your Earth Power assault!” ordered Dugan.

Nidoqueen simply lifted a hand, and the ground trembled, erupting into a geyser of rocks and dirt. Magmortar staggered, and then fell flat on its face.

Shadow sighed, and recalled it back to its pokéball.

“You realize, Shadow,” said Dugan, with an evil grin, “I’m going to hold you to the wager you made…”

“Oh, don’t worry…” said Shadow, “the fun’s just starting!”

She threw out another pokéball…

With a shower of colored lights and a beautiful song, Cresselia emerged. The lovely Pokémon spread its wings and the whole yard seemed to brighten.

“Cresselia?” said Dugan, with a tone of disappointment. “Eh… Well, I guess that technically qualifies… I was kinda hoping for something a little tougher… Like Entei, or Suicune, or…”

“Cresselia, Psycho Cut!” shouted Shadow.

A fierce blade of mental energy shot at the Poison Pokémon, slicing across Nidoqueen’s chest. It screamed, and then collapsed with a crash.

“How’s that for tough?” asked Shadow with a grin.

“Oh, dirty pool…” said Dugan, with a scowl.

He recalled Nidoqueen.

“You kept your end of the bargain yes…” he said. “But I’m still going to win this battle and beat you senseless with my other Pokémon!”

“Just try it!” said Shadow.

Dugan threw a second pokéball.

“Go, Kingdra!” he shouted.

The pokéball opened in a watery burst. Floating in midair was another Pokémon, even bigger than Nidoqueen, resembling a sea horse with a dragon-like head. It was the rarely-seen evolution of Seadra, a powerful and resilient Dragon-Type.

“O-kay…” said Shadow, nervously. “Nothing I can’t handle…”

“Cresselia…” said her Pokémon, in a tone that sounded reassuring.

Shadow nodded.

Kingdra wasted no time. Its eyes glowed, and a Dragon Pulse shot from its gaping mouth.

Strangely, Cresselia didn’t seem too hurt by it, even though she had taken a direct hit by it.

Must be mind over matter, thought Shadow.

Cresselia closed her eyes, and started to glow with multicolored lights. Then Kingdra grunted in pain as the Psychic attack struck it hard. It was pushed backwards, and looked a little dizzy.

“Shake it off, stupid!” said Dugan. “What are the other Pokémon going to say when they hear that some rainbow princess beat you up?”

Kingdra growled a little.

Figures, thought Shadow. Folks like this really don’t care how much the Twisting has affected their Pokémon. If anything, they like Pokémon that are angry.

“Kingdra, Ice Beam!” shouted Dugan.

“Kingdra…” growled the Dragon.

Cresselia braced herself as a blast of icy frost from the creature hit her, sending shivers down her spine…

But she quickly shook it off, and glared at Kingdra.

“HOW?” shouted Dugan. “That Ice attack should have…”

“Uh, genius…” said Shadow. “Cresselia isn’t a Flying-Type…

“I mean, come on, shouldn’t you have known that? What kind of a Pokémon researcher are you? I mean I know a thing or two about your Pokémon… I know that it’s only real weakness is Dragon attacks, seeing as it’s part Water…

“But… being part-Water does make it vulnerable to certain attacks that Dragons are traditionally resistant to… Show him, Cresselia.”

Cresselia’s eyes glowed, and a pulsating blob of green energy started to form in front of her…

Then the Energy Ball turned into a blast of pure light, and it hit Kingdra hard, causing the Dragon to scream.

“You’ve got it on the ropes!” shouted Shadow. “Finish it off!”

Cresselia let out a cry in its musical voice, and let loose another Psychic. Kingdra was thrown backwards, hitting Dugan and knocking them both down.

Shadow waited to make sure that Kingdra was out. Then she recalled Cresselia to her pokéball.

She walked over to Dugan, and took an envelope out of her pocket.

“What…” said Dugan.

Shadow stuck it in his mouth.

“Give that to Jessica,” she said. “We’ll be waiting…”

Dugan growled as she walked off.

“Get off of me…” he snarled to his Pokémon.

He would give it to Jessica all right… After all, he wanted revenge, and Jessica likely could deliver it.

* * * * * * * * * *

A Chinese restaurant called the Chiu Yau Pong stood in an unassuming part of Blueberry Cove.

Dugan rushed in, past the customers, to the back room, and up a flight of stairs. This was Jessica and her inner circle’s hiding place since having to flee the Grasp Building, at least for the time being.

As he opened the door to the large studio apartment on the second floor, he found that Jessica wasn’t in a very good mood. But then, who could blame her? She had to abandon almost everything now that the jig was up.

“This had better be important,” she snapped, as Dugan came in.

“It is,” he replied. “I just ran into one of those brats… The one you tried to feed to Old Gnawbone?”

“You weren’t followed, were you?” asked Jessica.

Her hand rested on a pokéball; the one that held Palkia.

“NO!” he said. “No, I wasn’t…”

He tossed the envelope to her.

Jessica looked at her strangely. Then she tore it open.

She read the handwritten letter.

Jessica,

This feud has to stop, and I’m willing to meet you halfway. I can’t accomplish my goal without all of the Plates, and I’m willing to bet that you can’t accomplish yours without the same.

I propose we settle this between us once and for all… The wager is all of my Plates against all of yours.

Come to the place where we met last, at midnight. Officer Jenny will not be there, but I will be prepared in case of a double-cross.

Be sure to bring Palkia. I have someone who wants to see him.

Sincerely,

Starbuck

Jessica looked up. She reread the letter.

She picked up Palkia’s pokéball, and looked at it.

“So, Starbuck wants to bet it all on a battle between you and your ‘brother’…” she said.

“Seems he’s going to get his wish…”

* * * * * * * * * *

Next:

Dialga versus Palkia! And it may not turn out quite the way you think! A real Clash of the Titans is coming up…

“Cataclysm” is coming soon.

[Dark Sage]

I’m here…

I have the Flame, Splash, Meadow, Insect, Fist, Toxic, Zap, Spooky, Dread, Stone, Iron, Mind, and Icicle Plates.

Jessica has the Sky, Earth, and Draco Plates. I’m ahead of her, but I need all of them to reach Arceus.

I also have Dialga on my team, while she has Palkia. I’ve managed to avoid becoming drunk with its power, something that has clearly happened to her.

In order to end this, I’ve decided to take a chance, and invite her to a wager, which will likely result in a battle that was fated to happen since this started.

I can only hope that Arceus truly has smiled upon me… Because I’m going to need all the luck I can get…

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE



Cataclysm

Starbuck, Shadow, Lisa, and Percival were standing in the center of the quarry, where only a day ago, he had fought for Mandy’s life. The full moon shone down, with clouds drifting past it.

“Uh, Shadow?” asked Percival. “What time is it?”

“I think about five minutes since the last time you asked,” replied Shadow. “Keep calm, Percy… My Gengar and Starbuck’s Dusknoir are patrolling the grounds, and they’ll warn us if Jessica plans an ambush.”

“That’s not what I’m nervous about…” said Percival. “Are you really going to pit Dialga against Palkia, Conrad?”

“If I must…” said Starbuck.

“I’m pretty nervous myself,” said Lisa. “Pokémon battles are violent enough when one Legendary is involved… But two Legendaries fighting each other is the stuff that epic tales are made of.

“The mythology of Hoenn says that it was a fight between Groudon and Kyogre that shaped the continent… And it might have sunk into the sea right after being created if Rayquaza hadn’t stepped in and made them stop fighting.”

“This may be our only chance to get the three remaining Plates,” said Starbuck. “And Dialga told me that he wants to rescue his ‘brother’ from Jessica, so they might keep the violence to a minimum.

“Hopefully, the night will end with the Plates in our possession, Dialga and Palkia released, and Jessica behind bars.”

He was interrupted as two pairs of high-powered headlights shone down from above.

“Now that is the biggest case of wishful thinking I have ever heard,” said Jessica’s voice.

Jessica walked down the dirt path, followed by Leo, Sofia, and Tony. The three henchmen were each carrying one of the three Plates that Jessica had managed to hold onto. Jessica was carrying a duffle bag.

“I go your message, Conrad,” said Jessica, sounding pissed, “and as you can see, I have my ante… Now show me yours.”

“Percival…” said Starbuck.

Percival sighed, and took out the storage Pokeball. He pointed it, and the thirteen Plates it held appeared on the ground in front of him.

“Thirteen…” said Jessica, with a smile. “An unlucky number…”

“Before this gets started, Jessica,” said Starbuck, “I want to know why… Why do you want the Plates so much?”

Jessica looked at him.

“Why, to do what all Pokémon trainers dream of doing,” she said. “Become the greatest trainer in the world…

“You see, Conrad, Arceus is the God of Pokémon… Logic would say that he has powers over all other Pokémon.

“And I figured… If I could capture Arceus, I’d be the master of the God of Pokémon, making me, through him, the ultimate Queen of Pokémon!

“I’d fulfill a lifelong dream… I’d avenge my parents… She started by killing Giovanni, but she couldn’t defeat Ketchum… It’s up to me to get revenge on the world for treating them like garbage…”

She clenched her fist as she said that.

“You’re nuts,” said Starbuck. “Capture Arceus? How the Hell do you plan to do that?”

“He raises a valid point,” said Percival. “A legend states how thousands of years ago, a man named Damos tried to defeat Arceus using an army or Pokémon. He failed.”

“Damos didn’t have this…” said Jessica.

She lifted something up. In the light of the headlights, it looked like a pokeball made of solid gold.

“I call it a Divine Ball…” she said. “It’s a special pokeball which I’ve tailored specifically to capture Arceus. If it works, it will do the trick with one throw…

“But first… First, it needs to be fueled with energy taken from its intended target. A lot of energy.

“The sixteen Plates hold that energy…”

“The machine in Dugan’s lab…” said Shadow.

“It’s a siphon,” said Shadow. “I can use it to drain the energy from the Plates to empower the Divine Ball…”

“And the Plates?” asked Starbuck. “Will they even survive, or will they be consumed by this process?”

“Don’t know,” said Jessica, “don’t care… It’s not like I’ve had a chance to test it…”

“And how exactly will you get to the Hall of Origin if they are destroyed?” asked Lisa. “Don’t tell me you intend to do this siphoning process on Arceus’s doorstep?”

“My plan was for Dialga and Palkia to keep him busy while I did,” said Jessica. “However, you’ve been a constant thorn in my side, Conrad…

“So I’ll tell you what… Not only will I wager all my Plates against all of yours, I’ll be willing to make this a Pokémon Dare.

“Are you brave enough to risk facing Palkia’s wrath?”

A cloud covered the moon. A cold wind blew across the quarry.

“You bet I am…” said Starbuck.

“Then let it be war!” shouted Jessica.

She held up a pokeball.

“I’ll start with something easy… This Pokémon has been with me the longest… And it’s a much better fighter than that pampered one that bastard Giovanni had!”

She threw the pokeball, and a large, sassy-looking Persian leapt out with a growl.

She wants to toy with me? thought Starbuck. Well, fine… I’m willing to play for a while…

“I’ve got just the right Pokémon,” he said. “It hasn’t been with me for as long as yours, and I’ll admit, it has been annoying now and then…”

He threw the pokeball, and Lopunny leapt out.

“…but it’s got a good heart.”

“Lopunny?” gasped Shadow.

“Well…” said Lisa. “Beginner’s luck sometimes worked for Ash Ketchum…”

“You really want to fight on my team?” said Starbuck to Lopunny. “Prove it to me!”

“Lopunny!” squeaked the Pokémon.

It glared at Persian. The cat-like Pokémon smirked a little.

“Pitting a rodent against a cat…” said Jessica. “Nice one…

“Persian, give it a taste of your Thunderbolt.”

Persian crackled with electrical energy…

“Lopunny, counter it with a Thunderbolt of your own!” shouted Starbuck.

The rabbit squeaked, and two bolts of lightning flashed simultaneously. The two bolts of energy collided in mid-air, and everyone covered their eyes…

When they opened them, Persian and Lopunny were staring at each other with angry frowns. Lopunny cautiously walked to the left, while its foe moved to the right…

Then Persian pounced. Lopunny leapt in response, preparing to deliver a powerful Jump Kick…

It connected, just as Persian’s Slash raked it across the chest. Both Pokémon fell backwards, and landed on their feet.

Lopunny and Persian took some deep breaths as they looked at each other.

“Seems that bunny doesn’t know his own strength…” said Leo, nervously.

“Enough fooling around, Jessica,” said Starbuck. “I know what you want…

“So bring out your best, and I’ll bring out mine.”

Jessica chuckled. She held up Persian’s pokeball, and the cat Pokémon retreated to it.

“Whatever you say…” she said.

Starbuck quickly recalled Lopunny, and then his hand closed around another pokeball. Jessica slowly reached for another one...

At the same time, two pokeballs flew towards each other… Lightning flashed…

With two loud roars, the gods of Space and Time appeared, facing each other.

Dialga looked at its counterpart for a few seconds. Then both of the Legendaries’ eyes glowed.

Dialga was the first one to make a move, and it came suddenly. It let out a bellow that shook the whole quarry, and a stream of strange energy blasted from its jowls. Palkia roared as it turned into an explosive burst around it.

“What the Hell was that?” shouted Shadow.

“I think it was Dialga’s legendary signature move!” gasped Lisa.

“The Roar of Time?” gasped Starbuck. “I thought it was going to try to subdue Palkia!”

Palkia glared at its sibling with a look that could only be construed as hate…

“So, ‘brother’…” came a voice from Palkia. “How long has it been?”

“Not long enough…” came Dialga’s response.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for this…” snarled Palkia, as it rushed towards Dialga.

Dialga roared in pain as the Spatial Rend cut deep into its flesh.

All of the trainers watching looked in horror…

“Starbuck…” said Shadow. “You’ve been had…

“Dialga never wanted to save Palkia…”

“He just wanted to fight it!” shouted Starbuck. “These two hate each other!”

“Who cares!” laughed Jessica. “This is fun!”

Then she and her henchmen dove for cover as a blast of energy nearly hit them.

“Speak for yourself, Jessica!” shouted Sofia. “This was the worst idea yet!”

Thunder started to rumble overhead. Then violent lightning flashed.

Then a strong bolt struck the two cars, and the headlights shattered.

“You always were the weaker brother,” said Dialga with a snarl.

“I have one thing you’ll never have…” replied Palkia.

It grabbed Dialga by the throat.

“A pair of hands!”

As it started to strangle its counterpart, the lightning got worse, and the clouds turned blood red.

“This is no normal storm…” said Percival, looking up.

“He’s right…” said Lisa. “I have a sinking feeling that this may have been a mistake…

“Maybe the reason Dialga and Palkia hate each other so much is because Time and Space are too opposing forces. Bringing them together may have caused the cosmic equivalent of combining oil and vinegar.”

“What?” said Starbuck.

“Didn’t you hear what I said about what happens when two Legendaries battle?” replied Lisa. “Things may happen like what happened when Groudon and Kyogre happened…

“Cataclysm…”

“What is she talking about?” asked Leo. “Does she mean that this storm might destroy the city?”

Then a much bigger bolt of lightning shot from the heavens, striking the two battling Pokémon. It caused Palkia to break its grip, but they otherwise didn’t seem to care.

“It could destroy a whole lot more than that, pal!” shouted Starbuck. “Jessica, we have to stop this!”

Jessica looked at him.

“Don’t be a fool, Jessica!” shouted Starbuck. “You can’t rule the world if you’re dead!”

“I hate it when you make sense!” shouted Jessica.

She held Palkia’s pokeball out in front of her.

“Palkia, return!” she shouted.

A beam of energy shot out of the ball to recall Palkia…

But the huge Pokémon merely swatted it aside with a backhand slap, and turned back to its foe.

“It refused…” said Tony, with a gulp.

Starbuck pointed his pokeball at Dialga, but nothing happened. Dialga blasted its Roar of Time again, and the storm intensified.

“It was nice knowing you, Starbuck…” said Shadow.

“Let’s not give up hope yet, people…” said Jessica.

She threw down her duffle bag, and unzipped it. Then she took out something that looked like a metal sphere the size of a baseball.

“What the Hell is that?” asked Lisa.

“Something else I took from Hunter J,” replied Jessica. “It’s sort of a grenade that uses special energy that can paralyze the nervous systems of several Pokémon at once. Her notes said that it can stun a heard of angry Rhydon.

“Of course, it’s a one-use item, so I’ve never had a chance to use it, and I have no idea if it will work on Pokémon this powerful, so…

“Aw, Hell, just cross your fingers…”

She pulled a pin out of the grenade, and threw it… It rolled between the two titans…

As it went off, both Dialga and Palkia let out terrible roars that seemed to rip the heavens apart. Lightning flashed from what seemed to be a hundred places at once…

…and then it stopped. The two Legendary Pokémon were lying unconscious on the ground.

The clouds started to part, leaving the moon.

Starbuck sighed.

“Nobody move!” shouted Jessica.

They looked, and saw that she was wearing Hunter J’s flash blaster.

She leveled it at Starbuck and his party as she lifted Palkia’s pokeball, and recalled it.

“I’m taking the Plates, Starbuck,” she said, “and if you don’t like it, I’m just dying to see what happens when I use this thing on humans…”

“You were going to use that on Dialga if you lost…” growled Starbuck.

Jessica nodded.

“I’m not stupid, Starbuck,” she said. “I might have used this on you at the beginning, but hey… If I had won, seeing you torn in half by Palkia would have been fun…”

She slowly moved towards the sixteen Plates…

Then, to her shock, a pokeball was thrown at them, sucking up all sixteen.

Jessica watched as the pokeball flew back to its owner, who was standing at the edge of the quarry…

“MANDY!” she shouted.

“Yep, it’s me!” said the Battle Girl, holding the ball in front of her. “I’ll consider this restitution for the time I spent in your dungeon, Jessica!

“And this should prove once and for all, that my family were far better thieves than you and your folks ever could have been!”

“I’ll kill you…” said Jessica.

Then they heard sirens blaring.

“The cops!” shouted Tony.

“Starbuck may have promised not to call them…” said Mandy. “But I sure didn’t…”

Jessica looked at Starbuck. Then she took another pokeball from her belt.

“You may have all the Plates, Starbuck…” she said, “but you still need one crucial piece of the puzzle that I have...

“And you’ll never get it…”

She opened the pokeball, and her Abra appeared. It quickly cast its Teleport, and Jessica and her henchmen vanished.

Mandy slid down the side of the quarry wall.

“Mandy, I’m glad you showed up,” said Starbuck, “but I thought you were anxious to meet up with your folks?”

Mandy smirked, and handed him the pokeball.

“Bad weather off the coast of Sinnoh,” she said. “The boat that goes there was delayed.

“So I figure it wouldn’t hurt to help you out one more time…

“So what did she mean by, ‘still have something you need’?”

“She might have been right,” said Percival.

He unfolded a large piece of paper, a chalk rubbing he had made of the tablet that had detailed what needed to be done to reach the Hall of Origin. He cleared his throat and read.

“If you are brave, and pure of heart, seek the tablets that are sixteen in number. Take them to the top of the world, unleash the energies of Time and Space, and climb the Heaven’s Stair to the Hall of Origin, where the Alpha Pokémon watches over his children from the loftiest of heights, and sheds tears as the darkness spreads…”

He rubbed his chin.

“Energies of Time and Space…” he said.

“It means, we need both Dialga and Palkia,” said Starbuck. “We have everything we need… Except Palkia…

“Just great…”

“Wait…” said Lisa.

She took her glasses off.

“There might be a Pokémon that can act as a substitute for either of them…

“The only problem is… Catching it isn’t going to be easy…

“I tried once… And I failed…”

* * * * * * * * * *

Back at the Pokémon Center, everyone was watching Lisa, who had not spoken since saying those words.

“Mom…” said Starbuck. “You aren’t talking about Giratina, are you?”

Lisa nodded.

“What that Mismagius said to me makes sense now,” she said. “I remember what it told me…

“I’ll never forget what it said. It first spoke of a fight that ‘ended quite bad’.

“And then… It told me…

“I see in your past of a mission that failed, because your clever plans derailed.

“In your current quest, it will come again, that, my dear, is as certain as the rain…

“I see the prize is one you’ll need… Will you fail again, or will you succeed?”

“So you think it was talking about Giratina?” asked Shadow.

“What else could it be?” asked Lisa. “Giratina represents the third factor that defines the universe, Death. But in many ways, both Time and Space are required for Death to exist.

“It’s possible that Giratina can harness the powers of its brothers, and act as a substitute for either of them.”

“Whoa, whoa…” said Shadow. “This is heavy… Going after another Legendary Pokémon? One that you tried to catch before but couldn’t?”

“In all fairness,” said Starbuck, “she thought that Giratina was Dragon/Dark back then, and wasn’t prepared for a Dragon/Ghost.”

“Exactly,” said Lisa. “That’s one of the advantages of science. When you make a mistake, you learn from it…”

She sighed nervously.

“You sure you want to do this mom?” asked Starbuck. “I really can’t risk using Dialga to help you…”

“I wouldn’t trust that double-crosser either,” grumbled Shadow.

“It has to be done,” said Lisa. “I know how to get to the place where I fought it last time… It’s about a four-hour drive from here… We can start in the morning.

“Mandy… You’re welcome to come…”

Mandy sighed.

“Why not?” she said. “If I try to leave, something’s likely going to drag me back here again…”

“Then we’d best get some shuteye…” said Starbuck.

He handed the pokeball containing the Plates to Percival.

“Take these home,” he ordered, “and heighten your security.”

Percival nodded.

* * * * * * * * * *

The next day was chilly, with an overcast sky.

Starbuck and Shadow’s motorcycles drove down the highway, each carrying a passenger, Lisa with Starbuck and Mandy with Shadow. They didn’t say much.

At one point, Lisa pointed, and they pulled over by the side of the road, in a rocky area.

“I don’t see anything,” said Mandy, as they took off their helmets.

“It’s easy to miss,” said Lisa. “There…”

They looked to where she was pointing, and saw a small opening in the cliffside, barely large enough to crawl through.

“I’ll go first…” said Starbuck.

He got on his hands and knees, and crawled through the opening. He was quickly able to stand up… The cavern inside was bigger than the entrance suggested.

He turned on a flashlight, and then let out a small cry of shock as the light fell on a skull.

“Something wrong?” asked Shadow, as she crawled in.

Then she saw the skull.

“Oh…” she said.

Lisa crawled in.

“It isn’t a human skull,” she said as she stood up. “I think it might have belonged to a Machoke.”

Mandy crawled in last.

“Yeah?” she said. “Well, something still killed it…”

Starbuck shined his flashlight towards another side of the room, revealing a dark corridor leading in.

“Last chance to reconsider, mom,” he said, nervously.

“We may be lucky,” said Lisa. “I think Giratina may be asleep…”

Then a loud, ominous howl echoed through the cave.

“More like wide awake with a bad migraine,” said Shadow.

Lisa closed her eyes. She was just as scared as everyone else here. Maybe more so. But she was the adult here, and she was going to prove it.

“Onward…” she said.

* * * * * * * * * *

Next:

Will Giratina be willing to accept Lisa as its trainer, or will it put up a fight? Either way, this encounter will be on its own terms. In the next chapter, the Renegade Pokémon takes the group on a journey into the past of a madman… Or at least the past the way the madman perceived it.

“Fragments” is coming soon.

[Dark Sage]

As a Pokémon researcher, I’m used to seeing unusual things…

Still, there are some times in my life when I look around and say to myself… “What the Hell is going on?”

Times like this I encounter things that simply defy description.

I often wonder if things like this ever happened to Professor Oak…

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR



Fragments

The four trainers slowly and cautiously inched down the narrow tunnel, guiding their way with the flashlight. Strangely, Giratina (they assumed the roar they had heard had come from Giratina) was silent as they approached.

Eventually, they came to a large, open room… And to somewhat of a surprise.

They had expected to be met by a monstrous creature bearing terrible claws. But there didn’t seem to be anything in this cavern…

Lisa shined her light in front of her. There seemed to be a crude dais of some sort, almost like an altar, and two stone pillars to either side. The room didn’t seem to have any other exits.

“How did it get past us?” asked Mandy.

“It’s a Ghost Pokémon…” said Starbuck. “Maybe it just… you know, disappeared. But I never pegged Giratina for a coward…”

“So strange…” said Lisa.

She slowly walked up to the crude altar, and stepped onto it…

And then, to the shock of the three younger trainers, she vanished.

“MOM!” shouted Starbuck.

He rushed up to the altar, and he vanished too.

Shadow sighed.

“Here goes nothing…” she said.

She followed Starbuck, and vanished the same way as Mandy watched.

Mandy hesitated for a while.

The smart thing would be to not follow them, she thought. The smart thing would be to turn the other way fast…

She sighed, and ran towards the altar.

She hadn’t done the smart thing for a long time, and it wasn’t the time to start now…

* * * * * * * * * *

When Starbuck opened his eyes, he wished he hadn’t.

A shiver ran down his spine as he looked around the odd… Place where he was.

He was standing on a stone ledge (well, maybe it was stone, that was the best word for it) in a dark void, full of many more stone ledges, all connected to each other, some of them with stairways. Some of the stairways were very orderly, some were crude, and many of them were at odd or downright impossible angles.

Looking further from where he was, he saw stone platforms where odd-looking plants grew, and floating platforms throughout the void, some not moving, some moving slowly, others quickly.

“My God, it’s like an M. C. Escher painting!” he exclaimed.

“Where the devil are we?” shouted Shadow’s voice.

Starbuck turned around. To his relief, Shadow and Mandy were behind him.

“I don’t know where we are,” said Mandy, “but I don’t like it, and I want to go somewhere else very fast!”

Then Starbuck realized something.

“MOM?” he shouted, starting to panic.

“I’m down here, dear!” said Lisa’s voice.

The three of them looked down…

“Or, uh, maybe up here…” she said. “To your point of view.”

They looked up.

Suddenly, he started to think his sanity was in question. Another stone ledge was above them, and his mother was literally standing on the underside, looking down on them.

“Most peculiar…” said Lisa.

She rubbed her chin and looked at a vertical ledge that separated the two ledges. Cautiously, she walked to that ledge, and slowly stepped onto it…

…and quickly, her body turned ninety degrees, so that she was standing on that vertical ledge.

“Hmm…” she said. “Clearly gravity doesn’t follow the rules that we’re used to here…”

“We’re in some other dimension…” said Starbuck.

Lisa walked down the vertical ledge, and then onto the one that they were standing on, making another ninety-degree change.

“Yes, that is obvious…” she said. “Although I’m not clear where we are… Although, Giratina may have had something to do with it…”

“Maybe this is where it’s from…” replied Shadow. “If Giratina is Death, then maybe this what Pokémon perceive as Hell.”

“Well, I have heard stories about how Giratina is said to live on a world that exists… ‘Perpendicular’ to ours, if you will…” said Lisa. “A world on the opposite side of ours, relatively speaking…”

“Yes, that’s all nice to hear…” said Mandy, “but that doesn’t solve the big problem, which is how the Hell do we get out of here?”

“I don’t think Giratina brought us here to play bridge,” said Starbuck.

“Yes, that does seem to be a problem…” said Lisa. “Giratina is clearly very intelligent, and it must have had a reason for bringing us to its home…”

She was trying to stay calm, but it was clear from the tone of her voice that she was just as scared as her son and his young friends.

She sighed.

“Going back the way we came isn’t an option, it seems…” she said, “so we can only move forward…

“I’ll lead the way…”

The path they were on was short, before it led to a stairway that went down. After going down about a hundred feet (which made them very nervous, as there was no handrail) the stairway changed, and went up for the same distance.

As they reached the top, they were startled by a loud screech as a huge shadow passed over them.

“Nobody panic!” shouted Starbuck. “It’s trying to scare us!”

“It’s succeeding!” trembled Shadow. “It’s stalking and playing with us, just like the monster did in the Predator movies!”

“Interesting comparison,” said a female voice that they had not heard before.

They looked… And looked down. The voice had come from… A Glameow?

They looked at the small, cat-like Pokémon.

“Uh, hullo,” said Starbuck. “Who are you?”

“I am only a fragment,” said the creature. “Still, I should tell you that what your mother said was pretty much the truth… I believe that Cyrus explained it well when he was here…”

“Cyrus?” gasped Lisa. “The leader of Team Galactic?”

“The one and the same,” replied the Glameow. “Although he isn’t here now.”

“What happened to him?” asked Starbuck. “Did Giratina eat him?”

“How well-learned are you about genetics?” asked the Glameow, not answering the question.

“Uh, a little…” replied Lisa.

“As you know, a molecule of nucleic acids is a double helix,” said the small creature, “made up of two completely separate parts, DNA and RNA. Both of these parts are essential to the genetic make of the organism, but are kept entirely separate.”

“Lovely…” said Shadow. “We’re trapped in another dimension, and this talking Pokémon is giving us a biology lesson!”

“Just listen to me,” it continued with a sigh. “This is similar to how this world, which was called the Distortion World by a member of your species, relates to your world.

“You see, Giratina’s two ‘brothers’, Dialga and Palkia, represent Time and Space. In your world, those two concepts are well-defined and immutable.

“However, in the Distortion World, both Time and Space are not defined at all. They are mutable and ever-changing. Only Chaos rules this place.

“In a way, Giratina’s realm opposes the world of his brothers, the two worlds existing perpendicular to each other in a sort of cosmic balance.”

“Okay, that’s the ‘what’,” said Lisa. “So… Exactly ‘why’ did Giratina bring us here?”

Glameow pointed its paw forward, and they saw a door about a hundred feet in front of them, one that obviously wasn’t there before.

“You’ll have to pass through that door if you want to get anywhere here,” said the Pokémon. “Assuming you can reach it.”

Then it looked at them closely, and hopped off of the platform they were on.

“What?” said Mandy.

She looked over the ledge where it had jumped. All she saw was darkness below.

Somehow, she didn’t think that the small Pokémon had decided to leap to its death…

They all looked at the door.

“Assuming we can reach it?” said Shadow. “How hard could it be?”

She started to walk towards it.

“All we have to do is…”

Then, to her surprise, it wasn’t so easy. The door actually seemed to get farther away as she moved towards it.

Then, when she stopped to look at it again, she saw that she apparently hadn’t taken a step away from her allies.

“Okay…” she said. “Not as easy as it looks…”

“Let’s all make a go for it at once…” said Starbuck.

Unfortunately, that didn’t work either. They still didn’t manage to get any closer to it.

After walking for a minute, they stopped, and found that they were no closer to it than they were when they started.

“So now what?” said Mandy.

“Hold on, hold on…” said Lisa. “Time and Space are mutable here, right? In the real world, walking towards something will let you get closer to it…

“This is just a wild guess, but… Maybe in this case, we’d get closer to it by moving away from it.”

“That’s the craziest…” said Shadow.

“So crazy it may just make sense!” said Starbuck. “I’m going to try it…”

He looked at the door, and then slowly started to backtrack.

“It’s working, people!” he said, as he saw the door getting closer. “Follow my lead!”

They started moving away, and the door got closer, until finally, he could grab hold of the knob.

“Seems that in the Distortion World,” he said, “what doesn’t make sense can make perfect sense!”

He threw open the door.

* * * * * * * * * *



Tweedledum and Tweedledee
Agreed to have a battle;
For Tweedledum said Tweedledee
Had spoiled his nice new rattle.

Just then flew down a monstrous crow
As black as a tar barrel;
Which frightened both the heroes so,
They quite forgot their quarrel.

The words of that old nursery rhyme echoed through their heads as they entered a very strange room.

It was a brightly lit room, and looked like a child’s playroom. Colorful pictures were painted on the walls, and there were toys on the floor: a jack-in-the-box, a box of Legos on its side with some pieces spilled out, a Stretch Armstrong, three cute plushies depicting a Snorlax, a Charizard, and a Blastoise, and an undone jigsaw puzzle.

The disconcerting thing about the room was, the toys were very, very large. It took a while for them to see the apparent point… The room and its contents were scaled so that they were the size of the average four-year-olds…

“Well…” said Shadow, nervously. “This is a little better than that place we were just at…”

Then they realized something. The door they had walked through was gone.

“No other exit…” said Mandy.

“Clearly we have to use something in this room to get out…” said Starbuck. “Let’s see…”

He walked up to the large jack-in-the-box, and looked at it for a minute.

Then he took hold of the large crank, and started to turn it. The familiar tune of “Pop Goes the Weasel” started to play.

Then, as the lid popped open, a true shock came out. What emerged wasn’t a clown or anything you’d expect to come out of a jack-in-the box… It was a large, very angry-looking Onyx.

The four trainers backed away from the huge Pokémon as it glared at them.

Then, it shot flames from its mouth, and then scattered to avoid it.

“NO FAIR!” shouted Shadow. “Since when could an Onyx use Flamethrower!”

“Things don’t have to make sense here, remember?” said Lisa.

Mandy grabbed a PokeBall from her belt.

“It’s still a Pokémon!” she shouted. “We’re Pokémon trainers, and I think we all know how to handle an angry Pokémon…”

She threw the PokeBall at the angry Onyx.

“Toxicroak! Go!” she shouted.

The PokeBall burst open, and the burly Poison/Fighting hybrid leapt out.

“Hit that thing hard with Brick Break!” she shouted.

“Toxicroak…” croaked the Pokémon.

It slammed its fist into the huge Pokémon, causing it to shiver…

And apparently, it worked. The Onyx didn’t collapse, but dissolved into shimmering particles of light, leaving only the jack-in-the-box.

Toxicroak landed on its feet, and they looked at the large toy, which was now empty and apparently inert.

“Weird…” said Shadow. “At least we know that Type advantages still work here.”

Mandy held up the PokeBall, and recalled Toxicroak.

“Well, that was a bust,” she said. “Maybe we should try something else? The Stretch Armstrong, maybe?”

“I don’t think so,” said Starbuck. “I hurt myself using a regular one of those things when I was a kid.”

“Hmm…” said Lisa.

She looked at the jigsaw puzzle.

“Maybe solving this will do something…” she said.

She looked at the pieces.

“Going to need everyone’s help here, people…” she said. “It’s kind of hard to put one of these together when you don’t have the box to tell you what it’s supposed to look like…”

“Okay, start with the edges…” said Starbuck, as the knelt over it.

Eventually, they managed to fit two pieces together, and then a third. More followed, and soon they had the whole border.

The puzzle quickly took shape, and after about twenty minutes, the picture became clear: It was a picture of a gateway of some sort.

This suggested that the puzzle was, indeed, the key to leaving the room, so they continued, fitting more pieces into place, until finally, Lisa fit the final piece into place.

As she did so, the puzzle stood upright, against the wall, and then vanished, turning into a portal of light.

Lisa sighed, and the four trainers walked through it.

* * * * * * * * * *

To their shock, they seemed to be back in the Distortion World proper. The same void full of floating stone platforms.

“Hey, this is the same place where I didn’t want to be the first time!” shouted Mandy.

“It’s worse…” said Starbuck, pointing ahead of them.

To their shock, a river was running in front of them, which turned into a waterfall that ran up, which continued into another river that was flowing upside-down.

“Chaos?” said Lisa. “More like madness…”

“Call it what you will,” said a familiar voice.

They looked down, and saw the Glameow again.

“Look, fellah,” said Starbuck. “Just what is going on here?”

“You want to know what the deal was with that playroom?” asked the Pokémon. “I’ll gladly tell you…

“Giratina is both the ruler and a prisoner of this place. It was banished here by its two brothers because of its violent behavior. It can only enter your world for very brief times.”

“Dialga and Palkia banished it because they thought it was violent?” asked Shadow. “That’s the biggest case of the pot calling the kettle black I’ve ever heard!”

“Possibly,” replied Glameow. “No true Pokémon live here except Giratina. It lives all alone most of the time, and has become incredibly bored over the centuries.

“Giratina has very little imagination of its own, so to amuse itself, it reads the memories of any human that comes here, and creates fragments to amuse itself.

“That room you were in was a fragment of Cyrus’ past, a memory of his childhood.

“Cyrus’ childhood had toys that attacked him?” asked Lisa, with an expression of disbelief.

“Cyrus perceived his childhood that way,” replied the Glameow. “You forget how unbalanced he was.

“You see, Cyrus’ parents and nannies tried hard to raise him to be an intellectual, so they encouraged him to play with toys that were educational in nature, and discouraged him from playing with frivolous ones. Later in life, as he descended into madness, he began to view his childhood as much like what you saw.”

“That’s why a jack-in-the-box produced a monster,” said Shadow. “While a toy that actually required us to think showed us the way out.”

“You’re learning,” said the Glameow.

“You said that you’re a fragment too?” said Mandy.

“A memory taken from the mind of Cynthia, another human who was once here,” said the creature. “As a child, she was given a Glameow. It a pet she had as a little girl, her biggest inspiration to become a Pokémon trainer, and later become the Champion of Sinnoh.”

As the creature said this, another door appeared in front of it.

“Continue your journey…” it said. “There’s far more ahead…”

It vanished, and they were startled again as the loud scream echoed though the void and the huge shadow flew overhead again.

They ran to the door (doing so didn’t cause it to move away from them this time), opened it, and ran through it.

* * * * * * * * * *

They looked around. Now they were in a forested area, and the night sky was overhead.

“Okay, NOW where are we?” asked Shadow.

Lisa looked at a tree next to her. Then she plucked a shrub out of the ground.

“Given the flora…” she said, “I’d say Sinnoh was a safe bet… Or a place made to resemble it…”

“Which likely means that this fragment is also taken from either Cyrus or Cynthia’s memory…” replied Starbuck. “And I really hope it’s Cynthia…”

The brush in front of them started to rustle.

“We may find out in a second…” said Lisa, nervously.

To their shock – and relief – the Pokémon that leapt out was a cute one. A small, smiling creature wearing a colored eggshell on its lower half.

“TOGEPI!” they all shouted at once.

Then it was clear that this wasn’t only the incredibly rare Togepi. The markings on its shell were green (opposed to the ones on a regular Togepi, that were red and blue) and the parts of its body not covered by the shell were very tanned.

“A Shiny!” exclaimed Lisa.

“DIBS!” shouted Mandy, butting in front of them and grabbing a PokeBall from her belt.

“Mindy, WAIT!” shouted Starbuck.

“Wait, nothing!” shouted Mindy. “A chance like this comes around once in a trainer’s lifetime, Starbuck!”

She threw the PokeBall, and a very large Parasect emerged.

“You know the drill, Parasect!” she shouted. “False Swipe it!”

“Parasect,” confirmed the mushroom creature. The Togepi only smiled more as it lunged at it with a claw. Clearly, Parasect’s attack hit home, but it was hard to tell from Togepi’s expression just how much damage it had done.

Togepi started to wiggle its hands back and forth…

“Metronome…” said Lisa. “That could turn into anything, literally…”

And then it did turn into something… Razor Leaf. The sharp leaves shot at Parasect, and it let out a loud scream, tumbling backwards.

“Parasect…” it groaned.

The four trainers looked with disbelief.

“Parasect is part Grass and part Bug…” gasped Shadow. “And yet, Togepi almost knocked it senseless with a Grass attack?”

“Must be one strong little guy…” muttered Starbuck, looking at the small Pokémon.

“I want this Togepi…” snarled Mandy.

“Parasect, use Spore!” she shouted.

Parasect hopped onto its feet, and shook its back, throwing a cloud of poison dust into the air. This powerful attack never failed, and didn’t this time; Togepi fell into a deep slumber.

Mandy took a deep breath. She reached into her pouch and took an Ultra Ball from it.

“I have you now…” she said.

She was about to throw…

Then her hand trembled…

She looked at her allies.

She sighed, and pointed Parasect’s PokeBall, recalling it.

“Kind of does seem a little too good to be true, doesn’t it?” she asked.

* * * * * * * * * *

They were back in the void of the Distortion World again. The Glameow was in front of them again.

“Yes,” it said, “and when something is too good to be true, it usually is. Especially since I told you that Giratina is the only real Pokémon in the Distortion World.”

“Yeah, remembering that you said that was a big reason why I stopped,” replied Mandy. “Seeing that Shiny Togepi made me forget where I was for a minute.”

“A mistake just like one that you avoided making is what cost Cyrus his sanity when he was a young trainer,” said the Glameow. “He was tempted by an incredibly rare and powerful wild Pokémon that logic said shouldn’t have been there… Ignoring logic and giving into temptation was the worst mistake he ever made. The Pokémon he caught wasn’t what it appeared to be…”

“What was it?” asked Starbuck.

“Better you didn’t know,” replied Glameow.

“And what would have happened if I had caught that Togepi?” demanded Mandy.

“Be grateful you didn’t have to find out,” said the Glameow.

“Listen here…” said Lisa.

For the first time in a long time, she sounded incredibly annoyed.

“I’m getting sick of these dumb parlor tricks,” she said. “If what you say is true, and only Chaos rules here, then these ‘tests’ that Giratina is putting us through have no real meaning.”

“I never said they were tests,” said Glameow.

“So what’s the point?” asked Lisa, sounding angry now. “Is Giratina trying to gain more ‘fragments’ from our minds? Or does it just like watching us squirm for its amusement?”

The Glameow didn’t answer.

“Well?” asked Lisa.

“You’re very smart, Mrs. Conrad,” it said, now in a voice that was clearly male.

“Still, you can’t be all too smart…”

A dark, ominous, evil-looking shadow surrounded the creature as its eyes glowed.

Then it turned completely into a large shadow.

“You haven’t been able to see the truth even when it was right in front of your face!”

“Ho boy…” muttered Starbuck, as the shadow started to grow to enormous size.

Then before their very eyes, the true form of the Pokémon – yes, the Pokémon – loomed before them.

Giratina (as it was obvious now that it was indeed the infamous Renegade Pokémon) was hard to describe, and truly pushed the limits of what a Dragon Pokémon could look like. It had no limbs at all. Its thick, serpentine body had armored rib-like plates that resembled bone, an inhuman skull-like face, and six long, spiked tendrils protruding from its back, three to one side. It hovered in mid-air as it looked at the trainers, Lisa in particular, with empty eye sockets.

“What…” said Lisa. “It… It didn’t look like this before!”

Giratina looked at her for a minute.

“Do you know why I let you live the last time we fought, Mrs. Conrad?” it asked, apparently not acknowledging the last comment.

“No…” said Lisa, trembling. “But then… I really didn’t know that you could talk then either…”

“I’ve been a prisoner of the Distortion World for eons…” it said. “Trapped here in this dark, lonely, and mind-numbingly boring place!

“It’s enough to drive anyone mad… I’ve been able to foray into your world for brief times, sometimes for a few hours, and sometimes only for a minute, and those brief times where I was able to feel the sun on my face and breathe fresh air… That was the only reason I’ve kept my sanity for so long…

“You… I saw you as a possible way to escape permanently… I saw potential in you back then… But you were unprepared… You weren’t ready… So in hopes that you would return, I was merciful…

“I’ll give you one more chance…

“But I won’t be merciful if you fail again…”

Lisa looked at it and trembled.

Why? she thought. Is it counting on Starbuck, Shadow, and Mandy to put it out of its misery if it kills me?

Maybe it isn’t fully sane…

She trembled again…

“I’m waiting…” said Giratina. “Don’t give me a chance to change my mind…”

Slowly, Lisa reached for one of the PokeBalls on her belt.

* * * * * * * * * *

Next:

As a Pokémon researcher, I’m usually prepared. But I know that no matter how well-prepared you are, you can never prepare for every contingency. Even if you go over something a hundred times, the best-laid plan can fail because of something you never thought of. Even if there’s a one percent chance of something going wrong, that one percent might just happen.

I wasn’t prepared for a Dragon/Ghost hybrid the first time, because that wasn’t what I believed Giratina to be. I’m prepared for it now…

But am I truly prepared to catch this Legendary Pokémon? My second – and it appears, my final – attempt will show it I am.

“Second Chance” is coming soon. Let's hope Dark Sage can post it faster this time.