*Poke*
*Poke* *Poke*
*Poke* *Poke* *Poke*
My eyes flickered open as I groaned, feeling a constant prod against my forehead. Opening my eyes, I saw Zinnia standing over me, staring deep into my eyes. Quickly darting back, I went bright red, shouting. "What the hell!?"
"Wow, I was wondering when you would wake up. You sleep like a Snorlax." She complained, hopping back. "How ya feeling?"
"How long was I out for?"
"A day and a bit. Nurse Joy came and bandaged you back up to health."
"A day... A day!" I scream, jumping from the bed, pushing past Zinnia, and making it outside. I felt awful; I was out for a whole day while Zorua was all alone, lost or worse. "Mimi, I'm sorry, girl. I'm coming."
Zinnia met me outside, stretching and shaking her head. "Before you go charging off like a Tauros, I've looked for your partner Pokemon; I had no luck finding her."
Glancing at Zinnia, I refused to listen. "Of course, you didn't. You have no idea what she looks like."
"Your partner's a Zorua. I know what a Zorua looks like."
"Mimi isn't like the other Zoruas." I snap, looking around the small beach town and sighing. "Where are we?"
"Thought you'd never ask. Welcome to Dewford Town; your plane crashed just off the outskirts of the town. Lucky for you, I was in the area pursuing Rayqauza. You are not the first plane to be blasted out of the sky; it's gotten so bad they've banned it outright. In fact, the entire region is under lockdown."
"Then how was I allowed to pass over?"
"Good point. Maybe our communications have been jammed. But seriously, join the club. We have people far and wide here stuck." She points out. "All because of Rayquaza."
"Oh no! No, no! I don't think you understand the severe issue at hand here. I can't stay here! I have a tour to go, no!" A girl ranted; they sounded familiar, causing quite a scene. The rest of the town had gathered to see what the problem was. It didn't take me long to recognise the diva in question.
"What's her problem? We're doing her a favour here, saving her life, in fact."
Shaking my head, I smirked. "Trust me, of all the people who could wash up here. That's one girl you won't win in an argument."
"You know her? I'm so very sorry." Zinnia whispers.
"I do. She's a gym leader from Levincia of Paldea. Iono."
Iono quickly stopped her ranting as I caught her eye. Pushing through the crowd, her furious demeanour somewhat fizzled out. "Whoa, is my eyes playing tricks on me? A friendly face in this endless tyranny?! If it isn't the Champion of Paldea, my old pal Y/N!"
Zinnia raised an eyebrow looking at me. "You didn't mention being a Champion."
"You never asked," I respond, holding my hand out. "Long time no see Iono. I didn't expect to find you all the way out in the Hoenn region."
Iono smirked, rubbing her nose and nodding. "Yup, I'm currently in the midst of a world tour! I had just visited Johto and was finishing my final stop here when these losers refused to let me leave! I have fans in Galar waiting, you know! I can already imagine the backlash... And there's no way to create an apology video to avoid blame- I mean, give my sincere and deepest regrets out to my fans."
"Do you even know why they're stopping you from leaving?"
Iono shrugged her shoulders, spinning around. "Nope, I just assumed they're diehard fans. It happens. That's why I decided to skip Unova on this tour. Those wackjobs are crazy!"
"She has no idea."
"She has no idea."
"Iono, I'm not sure how you didn't notice, but you are banned from leaving because of the Shadow Rayquaza attacking anyone who flies in or out. How didn't you notice?"
Iono gave it some thought, humming to herself. "Well, I suppose I did get a ferry here from Johto, so that could explain it. Oh, but you're making no sense. There is no such thing as evil Pokemon, just evil trainers."
"Is she always this... Dense?"
"She's a streamer; I think it comes naturally to them. Iono, I must ask have you seen Mimi anywhere?"
"Your funny looking Zorua? No, can't say I have." She responds, clicking her fingers. "I just had the perfect idea. If I cannot broadcast this, I'll simply record this sensation. The world will love to see the return of the infamous Shadow Pokemon!"
"Return? This has happened in the past?"
Zinnia nodded. "I can't say much on the matter; the outbreak was a huge problem in the Orre region a few years back. But it never spread beyond that region. How it's spreading across Hoenn is anyone's guess. That's where you come in."
"M-Me? Am I getting wrapped up in another plot to save the world?"
"Another?" Iono asked. "Just how many times have you done that now?"
"Now?" Zinnia muttered.
"If we're counting this, three times now. Technically I also saved the past version of Sinnoh, so maybe four?"
Zinnia crossed her arms, looking more impressed by the second. "Then I do not doubt you're the one to help us. I think it's best to introduce you to the main man around these parts. You can talk all Champion stuff."
"No offence, Zinnia, but at this moment, Mimi is my priority. I saved Paldea and Sinnoh because I had unintentionally helped cause those world-ending events. I'm not some hero of justice running around fixing everyone's problems."
"Fine, fine. I ge-e-et it; I'm not forcing you to do anything. But if you help us with this Shadow Pokemon epidemic, we're going through; I'm sure we can do all we can to get your partner Pokemon back. Besides, you can't leave Hoenn until the skies are clear right?"
"Why are you making such good points?" I grumble. "Fine, take me to your friend already."
"Friend is a strong word. I wouldn't say I'm friends with this guy. To be honest, he really gets on my nerves." Zinnia moaned but shrugged it off. "But it's no problem. Knowing him, he's scouting for clues in Granite Cave. It won't take long; let's get a move on."
Leaving the town, Iono ran beside us, taking pictures with her Rotom Phone. "Your eyeballs are MINE—caught in my... Who am I kidding? It's not the same without a live audience. Who would be evil enough to take out the wifi to a whole region? It must be Team Rocket!"
"Those low-life crooks who steal Pokemon? Didn't they disband after losing to a ten-year-old? Twice?"
"Those would be the ones."
"Then wouldn't those lot fit that description?" Iono pointed out recording the group of crooks.
Zinnia and I looked at each other, nodding. "Team Phoenix."
A group of them was being ordered around by a strange-looking man wearing strange disco clothes matched with giant hair resembling a Pokeball. He was dancing to himself before turning his attention to his goons. "Fuhohoho! Hey, my posse! Have you rounded up Pokémon like I wanted?"
"He's... A character, alright." I whisper.
"It doesn't matter who he is. He's ordering those Phoenix grunts about making him a higher-up for the organisation."
"He might know where Mimi is!" I shout quickly, changing my tune and approaching the crooks.
"Hm? Stop the music! Sniff... Oh, oh, oh! I sense the pleasing scent of Pokémon; oh yes, I do! Maybe you're just a little hood." The stranger shouts, getting a good look at me.
"Boss! That's the kid the World Architect is after! The Trainer with the rare past Pokemon."
"Oh ho, is that so!? Are you one fine Trainer with the goods? How about you get with it and join my posse? Be one of us, and you'll soon be owning all the Pokémon worldwide."
"Everything about you makes no sense. But like hell, I will join your little boy scouts!"
"Fuhohoho! I thought you'd say that! You always had this smell to me, you see, that you would be our enemy. How I deal with a threat is to nip it while it's a bud yet. Fuhohoho! I'll be showing you my power now. Try not to be blown away by a sense of Miror B! Let the music play!"
Wanderer Miror B Wants to battle.
Clutching a Pokeball, I watched as the crooked man sent out Ludicolo, the two dancing in perfect rhythm, only throwing me off even more. "Is this a battle or dance-off... Luxio, let's end this quickly."
"Come now, my lovely, wow the world with your wonder! Use Rain Dance."
My determination to battle dwindled by the second as I was now drenched, glaring at the despicable man. "Luxio... Use Thunder."
Critical hit!
Ludicolo fainted, making the man stop his dancing shocked. "You messed up my rhythm! I just can't, no, I just can't do it!"
Iono looked at me, then back to Miror B, confused. "Wait. That's it? Weren't you doing your Gym Test, like, yesterday? You're really kicking butt out there!"
Miror B recalled his Pokemon eye twitching. "Oh, you, you, you! You make me so angry. I'm seeing red! Don't you dare think this is over! Just you wait and see! One of these days, with my elegant steps, I'll knock you sideways!"
"Let's go! Escape!"
The group of Team Phoenix goons made haste running away before any more could be asked. Scratching my head, I sighed. "That was a complete waste of time; I didn't even get to question the weirdo."
"I wouldn't write him off completely," Zinnia warned, hands behind her back. "I've researched the teams thrust together to form Team Phoenix. Cipher was one of them that Miror B was one of the high-ranking members back in the day."
"That bozo? I' unno 'bout you, but that guy was cramping my style." Iono whispered. "What a loser."
"She's always like this, the person you wanted us to meet?"
"Right this way, if you may." Zinnia echoed, showing us the way. Marching through granite cave, we made it to the bottom as the ancient cave paintings of ancient Pokemon blew me away.
"...Mm-hmm. So in the ancient world, their primal forms once held this much power...? The super-ancient Pokémon... What terrible strength... But this appearance here... It seems somehow different from Mega Evolution... Hmm. It seems my questions will not be answered today." The man turned around to see us. "Hm?"
"This one shows Primal Reversion... While that one shows Mega Evolution... I guess that proves it once and for all. Our great ancestors once lived here, too. The ancestors who passed me the knowledge of how to protect the world... How to avert the threat that will appear from space, as long was foretold... From a place higher even than the heavens." Zinnia adds, admiring the paintings."
"Zinnia, you brought the trainer you were talking about."
"Yes, sir. I sure do spoil you."
The man approached, shaking my hand. "It's always a pleasure to meet a fellow Champion; my name is Steven. I'm interested in rare stones, so I travel here and there. Today my journey brought me here, I was hoping to find some answers on our new neighbours, but alas, it's no use."
"You mean the Shadow Pokemon? That's what we're talking about, right?"
Steven smiled, hearing my question. "It seems we don't have to bring you up to scratch; Zinnia here tells me you can see Shadow Pokemon."
"Only the faint outline; it's faint like an echo fading out. But I can sense the pain the Pokemon goes through."
"I see, fascinating. I've heard of certain people holding such a special ability. But I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to put you to the test." Steven states, holding a Pokeball up; a dark aura oozed off it as it shook slightly. "Tell me... What have you seen on your journey with your Pokémon? What have you felt, meeting so many other Trainers out there? Travelling the world... Has it awoken something inside you? I want you to come at me with all that you've learned. This Pokémon will hold nothing back."
Stepping back, I was caught off guard but nodded in agreement holding a Hisui Pokeball up. "I'm ready."
"Good, because this Pokémon will hold nothing back. Come forth, Shadow Mawile!"