Chapter 500: Lake and Shadow (1)
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Lake Valor (Pearl's Side)]
On Pear's side, he began to scramble to his feet, trying to find his friends. Beside him was Dr. Footstep, also assisting. The man didn't even look shaken; he was already kneeling in the damp sand.
Pearl groaned, wringing out his orange scarf as he looked around frantically, "Dia? Ms. Berlitz? Azure? Anyone?!"
The lake was massive, a silver mirror reflecting the sky, but the shore they occupied was isolated by jagged rock formations. There was no sign of the others. Dr. Footstep exclaimed, his nose practically touching the ground, "Pearl, look at this! A masterwork! A masterpiece of emotional resonance!"
Pearl stomped over, his boots squelching as he yelled, "Doctor! We're stranded! We need to find Diamond and the Lady. Azure is probably looking for us by now if he landed safely. We have to move!"
Dr. Footstep hissed, holding up a finger as he explained, "Shhh! Silence, boy. You'll disturb the resonance. Look here. This footprint... It's a Staravia. But not just any Staravia. It's an angry one. Do you see the depth of the heel press? The way the talons dragged? This is a bird with a grudge."
Pearl yelled, his face turning a shade of red that rivaled his shirt, "I don't care about a bird's grudge! I care about my best friend who is currently missing!"
Footstep said, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Then you should care very much. Because where there is an angry Staravia, there is almost certainly a territorial Staraptor. And judging by the spacing of these marks... It's right..."
"SCRYE-EEEEEEH!"
The screech tore through the air, sharp enough to rattle Pearl's teeth. Above them, circling low, was a massive avian Pokémon with a predatory crest of red and black feathers. It looked down at them with eyes like burning coals.
Dr. Footstep said excitedly, his eyes twinkling with excitement instead of fear seeing the footprint, "See? I've been longing to collect a Staraptor's prints. They're so rare in this specific soil composition!"
Pearl reached for a Poké Ball as he argued back, "We are going to die, and you're thinking about mud drawings!"
But Footstep was already moving. The doctor placed a clean sheet of reactive paper on a flat rock and began waving his arms as he yelled, "Yoo-hoo! Over here, my feathered friend! Come show me your soul through your soles!"
The Staraptor, evidently offended by the doctor's antics or perhaps just hungry, folded its wings and dove. Its eyes narrowed…
*Fwp*
Pearl lunged, "Doctor, get down!"
*FWOOSH*
… but he was too late. The Staraptor didn't peck; it extended its powerful talons. In one swift motion, it hooked into Dr. Footstep's sturdy hiking vest.
Dr. Footstep cheered as he was hoisted three feet off the ground, "Aha! Close contact!"
Pearl instinctively grabbed the doctor's legs, "NO! Chimler, help!"
*Pop*
In a flash of light, Pearl's Infernape appeared. The fire-type leaped, grabbing Pearl's waist. The three of them formed a desperate human-Pokémon chain.
*FWP*
*FWP*
The Staraptor strained, its massive wings beating, kicking up a gale of dust. Pearl gritted his teeth, his muscles aching, "Let him go, you overgrown pigeon!"
He fumbled for his Pokédex with one hand, trying to scan the bird for a weakness. As the screen flickered to life, Dr. Footstep craned his neck as he asked, "Ooh! Is that the new model? Does it record the footprints? Let me see!"
In his enthusiasm, Footstep lunged toward the Dex. The sudden weight shift caused Pearl's grip on the doctor's muddy boots to slip as Pearl exclaimed, "Wait—NO!"
*SLIP*
Instead of falling, however, the Staraptor took the sudden decrease in resistance as an opportunity to surge upward. It banked hard, and because Chimler was still holding Pearl, and Pearl was now frantically grabbing at the doctor's belt, the entire group was yanked into the sky.
Pearl screamed, his legs dangling over the shimmering expanse of Lake Valor, "WE'RE FLYING! WE'RE ACTUALLY FLYING! THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
Dr. Footstep shouted over the wind, his hair whipping wildly, "Nonsense! Look at the view! From up here, we can see the 'fowlprints' in the clouds!"
Pearl stared at him, dead-eyed, even as they hung a hundred feet in the air, as he said in a dry tone, "Fowlprints? Seriously? A pun right now?"
*Fwp*
Pearl yelled as the Staraptor began to bank toward the center of the lake, "How does he feel, Doctor? Since you're the expert, is he going to eat us?!"
Footstep squinted at the talons gripping his shoulders as he muttered, "Hmm. The tension is relaxing. The grip is becoming... indifferent. I'd say he's getting bored. He'll likely release us soon."
Pearl looked down as he exclaimed, "Release us?! We're over a lake!"
The water looked like solid concrete from this height as he yelled, "Chatler! Come out and do something about its foul mood!"
Dr. Footstep chuckled at Pearl's joke in a casual tone, "Aha! You made a pun too! 'Foul' mood! Very good, Pearl!"
Pearl roared, annoyed, "IT WASN'T A PUN! DON'T DROP US!"
Below, he spotted a small, forested island in the center of the lake, pleading with Staraptor, "There! Drop us there! Aim for the trees!"
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Lake Valor (Dia's Side)]
On the southern shore of Lake Valor, both Platinum and Diamond were searching for their friends. Diamond sighed as he muttered, "... I hope my rice balls didn't get squashed."
Platinum asked, brushing her blue coat with a look of extreme distaste, "Is that your only concern, Diamond?"
She looked remarkably pristine for someone who had just survived a sand-tornado, though a stray leaf was stuck in her hair. Diamond beamed, then quickly stood up, his expression turning serious, "Of course, food is important after all!! The others... I don't see Azure or Pearl anywhere…"
Platinum said calmly, shielding her eyes, "They cannot have gone far. But look. Do you see those structures?"
But they suddenly heard a loud voice in the distance, startling them, "IT INTENDS TO DROP US?! DO SOMETHING, DR. FOOTSTEP!"
Platinum asked, cocking her head, "Was that… Pearl's voice?"
Before they could investigate further, nearby, the natural beauty of the lake was marred by heavy steel gates and yellow caution tape. Two men in clinical white lab coats and grey vests stood by a patrol jeep.
They caught sight of the children and immediately marched over, their expressions sour. The first scientist barked, "Hey! You kids! How did you get past the perimeter? The gates are triple-locked."
Platinum said calmly, stepping forward with the natural authority of the Berlitz line, "We were brought here by a tornado. We had no intention of trespassing on your... whatever this is. We are looking for our companions."
The second scientist sneered as he replied, "A likely story. This is Lake Valor. By order of Mr. Cyrus and the Universe Energy Research and Development Corporation, this entire area is off-limits to the public. That includes 'lost' brats."
Diamond frowned. He didn't like the way they were looking at Platinum as he asked, "Mr. Cyrus? The lake belongs to everyone. Why is it closed?"
The scientist replied, reaching out to grab Platinum's arm, "It belongs to the future of Sinnoh… Now, come with us. We'll have to interrogate you before we throw you in a holding cell."
*Slap*
Platinum recoiled, her eyes flashing as she slapped the scientist's arm away, "Do not touch me."
Diamond said bluntly, "The Lady said don't touch her."
His voice was unusually low, devoid of its usual slow, cheerful lilt. He stepped between the scientists and Platinum as he continued in an even tone, "We'll leave when we find our friends. Not before."
The scientist pulled a Poké Ball from his belt as he sneered, "Is that so? Cyrus gave us strict orders. No witnesses. Drapion, come out!"
*Pop*
A massive, purple, segmented scorpion-like beast materialized, its claws clicking with a metallic snips, "Draaaaa!!"
The second scientist added, "Kricketune, let's go!"
*Pop*
The cricket Pokémon appeared, crossing its blade-like arms prepared for battle, "DEEE-LEEE-LEEE-WOOP!"
Platinum warned, reaching for her own belt, "Diamond, be careful."
Diamond said, his hand already on a Poké Ball, "Stay back, Lady. I'll handle this. Lax, use the terrain!"
Diamond's Munchlax moved forward. Diamond pointed to a large, jagged boulder nearby as he commanded, "Lax, pick that up! Shield!"
Lax grunted and hoisted the massive rock over its head. The scientist commanded, "Kricketune, Fury Cutter!"
*Zooom*
The Kricketune blurred into motion. It struck the rock with its bladed arms…
*SHING-SHING-SHING*
To Diamond's horror, the sharp limbs sliced through the solid granite like it was warm butter. The rock fell in pieces, and Lax tumbled backward with a cry of pain.
Diamond gasped, "Lax!"
The scientist laughed, boasting proudly, "Foolish boy. My Kricketune's blades are sharpened on industrial diamonds. Do you really think a rock can stop us?"
Diamond narrowed his eyes. He didn't panic. He processed the information slowly, surely grabbing his second Poke Ball as he replied evenly, "If you want to cut things... try cutting this. Tru, join in!"
*Pop*
*RBML*
Diamond's Torterra smashed onto the battlefield, the earth shaking with a rumble. Diamond commanded, "Tru, Wood Hammer to block!"
*THUD*
The Torterra swiveled its massive head, intercepting the next Fury Cutter with its thick, bark-covered forelegs. The blades struck, but Tru didn't budge.
The scientist admitted with a sneer, barked orders, "Impressive. But Kricketune isn't just a swordsman. It's a conductor! Use Sing!"
Kricketune began to rub its arms together in a rhythmic, haunting melody…
"Melo-melo-melo-shhh..."
Platinum cried out, "Diamond, plug your ears!"
But it was too late for Tru. The Torterra's heavy eyelids flickered…
*THUMP*
Its massive head began to droop. With a final, earth-shaking THUMP, the continent Pokémon fell fast asleep.
Diamond shouted, "No! Tru!"
Meanwhile, the Drapion was circling behind Lax. Its tail, tipped with a wicked stinger, lashed out at Lax!
*WHIP-CRACK*
Lax barely rolled out of the way as the stinger shattered a tree trunk behind him. The scientist taunted the kids, "Your Munchlax is fast, but Drapion's neck can rotate 180 degrees. There is no 'behind' him."
*CRKCK-SNAP*
The Drapion's head literally spun around on its shoulders with a nauseating sound, its eyes locking onto Lax. It is prepared to lunge for a Cross Poison.
Platinum whispered, her hand on her Empoleon's ball, "This is bad…"
She couldn't let Diamond fight alone anymore. But before she could intervene, someone else beat her to the punch to assist. Suddenly, a strange, high-pitched cackle echoed from the sky.
"ZAP-ZAP-VREEEET!"
A bolt of blue electricity descended like a lightning strike, hitting the ground between Drapion and Lax. A small, orange orb of energy with blue-white plasma wings zipped through the air.
The scientist yelled, "What is that?!"
Platinum recognized it instantly, "It's a Rotom!"
The Rotom didn't wait. It opened its mouth and emitted a sound so loud the air itself seemed to ripple, "BWAAAA-VOOOOOOOM!"
Diamond covered his ears, "Uproar!"
*BVWOOOOOM*
The sonic wave hit the Kricketune and Drapion, blasting them backward. More importantly, the sheer volume of the noise acted like an alarm clock.
Tru's eyes snapped open, his sleep-induced haze shattered by the chaotic energy. From the clouds, a graceful shape descended.
*FWP*
A Togekiss, its white wings spread wide, glided toward the ground. On its back sat a teenager with a confident smirk, a Pikachu perched on his shoulder, and an Eevee nestled in his messy hair.
Azure arrived as said cheekily, wagging a finger at the scientists as Togekiss touched down, "Honestly, you two? Picking on kids? That's a major deduction in your 'Civilized Human' score. And I'm the judge."
Diamond and Platinum cheered in unison, "Azure!"
*ZIP*
Azure hopped off Togekiss, his Rotom zipping to his side, cackling and flickering between shapes as he apologized, "Sorry, I'm late to the party. The view from up there is great, but the company down here looks like trash."
The scientists snarled at him, yelled, "Who are you? Another brat playing hero?"
Azure's eyes sharpened. The playful tone remained, but there was a weight to his presence—the weight of a Champion as he replied, "The name's Azure. And you're standing on government-protected land, harassing a Lady of the Berlitz house and my friend. Rotom, let's show them how a real battle looks."
He looked over at Diamond as he grinned, stating, "Dia, you okay to keep going? Let's make this a double battle. My Rotom and your Tru."
Diamond nodded, a look of renewed determination on his face, "Ready!"
/////
[Sinnoh Region, Lake Valor (Pearl's Side)]
*THUD*
Back on the small, central island of Lake Valor, Pearl groaned as the Staraptor finally, unceremoniously, dropped them. He landed hard on the grassy ground, sand still clinging to him.
Dr. Footstep landed with a softer oof beside him, clearly knocked out and muttering incoherently about, "… the aerodynamics of a avian descent."
Chimler, tough as nails, merely shook its head, letting out a fiery puff of air from its nostrils. Pearl muttered, rubbing his backside, "Ow… my everything…"
He looked around. The island was small, covered in sparse trees and rocky outcrops, a tranquil haven after their tumultuous flight, as he muttered, "Well, at least we're not swimming back. Dr. Footstep, you okay?"
He prodded the still form with his foot as he uttered, "He's out cold. Good. At least he can't make any more 'fowl' puns."
Chimler gave a soft chitter, nudging Pearl with its head, as if asking what their next move was. Pearl sighed, pulling himself up, brushing off sand as he said, "Alright, Chimler. We need to find the others. Maybe they landed here, too?"
His eyes scanned the island, spotting a small, dark opening in one of the rock faces—a cave, partially obscured by vines. Pearl muttered curiously, "A cave, huh? Maybe someone's inside? Diamond, Platinum, Azure?"
He cautiously approached, Chimler padding softly behind him, its flame flickering. The entrance was narrow, barely wide enough for him to squeeze through. Taking a deep breath, Pearl ducked inside, hoping for a familiar face.
*WHOOSH*
*FLASH*
Immediately, he was overwhelmed. A blinding, pure white light, so intense it seemed to have a physical presence, emanated from within the cave, washing over everything. It even spilled out of the entrance, radiating outwards and illuminating the immediate vicinity of the island in an ethereal glow.
Pearl gasped, his eyes stinging, forced to shut them tight against the searing brilliance. His other senses kicked in. The air was cool and still, carrying a faint, sweet scent of ozone and something ancient, like untouched bedrock…
*SPLISH-SPLASH*
The ground beneath his feet was smooth, almost polished, sending a chill up his spine. A gentle, rhythmic sound echoed from deeper within, suggesting water. He slowly, cautiously, opened his eyes a slit.
The light was still immense, blurring his vision, but he could just make out a shimmering pool of water directly ahead, reflecting the intense glow. And in that pool, for just a fleeting second, he saw it.
A reflection. Not of him, or Chimler, or the rough cave walls…
But of a Pokémon.
A small, blue, pixie-like creature, its head adorned with what looked like a crown of three golden jewels, its eyes wide and knowing, filled with an ancient wisdom. It seemed to gaze directly at him from the water's surface, its ethereal form rippling.
Pearl gazed as he… Blink.
Pearl blinked, rubbing his eyes, trying to clear the lingering spots from the blinding light. When he looked again, the reflection was gone. The pool was still, reflecting only the pure, intense light from above, its surface unbroken save for the faintest ripples.
He stared, baffled, his mouth slightly agape, "Wha… what was that?"
He looked to Chimler, who merely tilted its head, its eyes wide, seemingly unaffected by the vision, but sensing Pearl's awe as he asked, "Did you see that, Chimler? A Pokémon… in the water?"
He shook his head, trying to rationalize it away as he thought, 'Too much flying, too much sand, too much Dr. Footstep's bizarre obsessions. Focus, Pearl. Focus on the mission. I got to find my friends.'
Turning, he made his way back out of the cave, the light fading slightly behind him as he exited the narrow opening. The fresh air felt good, a stark contrast to the otherworldly stillness within.
Dr. Footstep was beginning to stir, muttering something incoherent about, "Staraptor's talons having an excellent grip on the metatarsal bones, quite unlike a Pidgeot…"
Pearl ignored him, his gaze falling back on the cave entrance, still faintly glowing as he couldn't help but think, 'That reflection… it felt so real, so profound. A mystery I can't just dismiss…'
Pearl shook his head as he muttered, a new resolve hardening his expression, pushing away the weirdness for now, "Alright… First, find Diamond, Platinum, and Azure. Then… then I'll come back to this cave. I'll figure out what that was. I promise."
He took one last, determined look at the glowing entrance, a silent pledge made to himself. His friends came first, always.
*Ripple*
Unseen by Pearl, a faint, shimmering outline materialized within the cave entrance. It was Azelf, the Being of Willpower, its form nearly invisible, a slight shimmer in the air. Its eyes, identical to the ones Pearl had seen in the reflection, watched him leave.
Azelf gave an almost imperceptible nod, sensing the fierce determination and strong willpower radiating from Pearl, a powerful current in the boy's spirit. But more than that, it detected something else, something ancient and powerful, albeit faint, wafting across the lake from a significant distance – the unique aura of Arceus.
Azelf remained, a silent guardian, aware of the cosmic dance unfolding around Lake Valor, and the surprising thread of the Original One's power, unknowingly linked to Azure's Omni Ring, now actively engaged in a battle far across the water. Azelf tilted its head as it pondered curiously, 'Oh? The Original One's power… I detect it's nearby… how curious…'
/////
A/N: Well first let me say this I never expected to reach Ch. 500 in a story before. But man this pretty much beats my other stories in length and chapters. We've finally reached the 500 chapter mark!
Hope you like the chapter!