Hard Enough - Chapter 334 - Settling down in Shamouti!

“—really sorry I missed you, but I had this thing come up,” I said to the transceiver as I finished putting items into the fridge. 

Sabrina laid out on the lounge with brochures about the local hotspots along with the tourist destinations. Kirlia was shifting through them with a gleam in her eyes as Sabrina watched on. 

“Brock,” Oak tersely replied only to sigh sadly. “Well, I suppose if something came up, and you weren’t able to make it to perform this world-first research that you’ve revealed… I have no choice but to send everyone home.” 

I gave Oak a small glare. He was laying it on a bit thick there and if I had any say in returning to Pewter I might have caved then and there.

Thankfully, Sabrina had been the one to get me to Shamouti with ten of my pokemon and she wasn’t going to just up and return. 

Not after performing four long-range Teleports back to back.

“Samuel,” I replied, adopting a serious tone. “I have to be where I am. It’s important,” I stated firmly.

Something must have gotten through to Oak as he scrutinised me for a few moments before nodding. “Very well, I suppose I shouldn’t have been so gung ho about studying this new Eeveelution,” he said.

“There’s nothing stopping you from continuing if the family, and Sylveon are happy to have you and a few others there. I know Salvadore would welcome you in.”

“Well it might not be seen as polite,” replied Oak.

I gave him a very flat stare. “So it would have been alright if I was there?” I asked pointedly. 

Oak chuckled. “This and that are different things!” he said only to attempt a cutesy pose by bonking himself on the head and giggling.

I stared at him only to shudder. “I’m going to go throw up now, never do that again.” With that said, I put words to action and hung up on him. I exhaled out as much as I could to try and get rid of any lingering tension. 

Sabrina glanced at me. “Everything alright?” 

“Just dealing with pushy old men,” I replied as I slipped in next to her on the lounge. “This place is pretty nice.” I waved a hand around at the room we’d rented. 

Shamouti only had the one hotel and it was rather tucked away from where the shrine where the festival would be centred. 

“It’s quaint,” Sabrina replied, eying the fan that lazily spun around. Kirlia sniffed and raised her nose, indicating that she thought that it was beneath her.

I rolled my eyes. “This was the best set apartment they had. If we wanted a nicer place we’d have to commute from Pummelo or Kumquat.”

Sabrina wrinkled her nose. “I’m not that fussy.”

“Kiiiiir,” Kirlia whined, earning herself a light tap on the nose from Sabrina.

“She is that fussy I take it?” I asked.

“Yes, she’s rather spoiled having barely ever had to rough it,” Sabrina replied, ignoring how Kirlia was trying to glare at me. 

Kirlia squawked at this betrayal only to turn and lunge at Sabrina to play-wrestle with her.

Sabrina played along but quickly had her subdued. “Your siblings are rubbing off on her,” Sabrina said, earning a snort from me. 

“Nah’s she’s just aggressive like her trainer,” I teased. 

Sabrina and Kirlia both sat up, shared a look and then the pillows about the room rose as one.

I put my hands behind my head and grinned. “You’re only proving my—” the pillows began to lightly pummel me.

I waited until they were all in close and expelled some dark energy, causing them to stutter as the telekinetic grip vanished. Then I snatched them up and swatted Sabrina and Kirlia with one each.

The Pillow fight that resulted saw numerous pillows rupturing and bags of fluff floating in the air. I had once more claimed the couch but both Sabrina and Kirlia were on the floor.

“Using dark energy to make us be physical is cheating,” Sabrina said from her position on the floor. 

“Kir! Lia!” Kirlia agreed.

I sniffed. “Sounds like someone’s just bitter that they lost,” I replied which earned me a swat on the arm from Sabrina and an indignant shout from Kirlia. 

I chuckled and sat up. “Think you can do something with the feathers?” I asked, waving a hand about the room.

Sabrina’s eyes glowed and the feathers that had been floating around or clumped up shot back into damaged pillows that were quickly sewn shut as a needle and thread rose from Sabrina’s bag. 

A pair of pillows with another pile of feathers was set to the side and Kirlia approached it with a scowl as she tried to copy Sabrina.

The needle rose and shot into the pillow causing Kirlia to growl in frustration. 

“Slow first, slow is smooth, and smooth is fast,” Sabrina coached, earning a sigh from Kirlia as she followed through .

I watched them train idly for a few minutes before inspecting the map I’d gotten drawn up regarding Shamouti. 

With Sabrina’s warnings, I’d decided to take things seriously and had warned the Guardians about the potential situation coming to Shamouti, other agents had arrived or were due to arrive soon. The surrounding islands were also being investigated.

Well not Fire, Ice, or Lightning island. They were all far too dangerous. 

Sabrina had also announced that she’d ‘foreseen’ that there was another Legendary pokemon making its way around the depths of the watery currents of the Orange Archipelago. 

With her working as a convenient screen I was able to offer up a lot of unsubstantiated evidence and points of consideration for the Guardians that would draw either more questions, or worse not be actioned. 

With Sabrina on the case everything was given a moderate level of weight at least. 

The Guardians were specifically combing the nearby islands for any hint of a certain Lawrence the Third. Someone that had only previously come up as a minor pokemon thief and not a major player.

I wasn’t sure if that was a sign of skill on his part or something else. 

Regardless, all airspace around the Orange Archipelago was being closely monitored for any airships. 

Sabrina coughed and raised up the Prophecy that pertained to the upcoming event. 

Sabrina read it aloud. “Disturb not the harmony of Fire, Ice, or Lightning

Lest these Titans wreak destruction

Upon the world in which they clash

Though the Water's Great Guardian shall arise to quell the fighting

Alone its song will fail

Thus the earth shall turn to ash

O Chosen One

Into thine hands bring together all three

Their treasures combined tame the Beast of The Sea

From the trio of islands, ancient spheres shall you take

For between life and death, all the difference you'll make

Climb to the shrine to right what is wrong

And the world shall be healed by the Guardian's song…” she finished reading the page and laid it down.

“And you’re sure that in some manner Ash Ketchum is this chosen one that we need to turn to?”

I nodded. “It sounds weird but, it’s how things play out in the movies. Ash is integral in a lot of things, but this one? This is a big moment that locks in him and only him as being capable of dealing with the situation.” 

I shifted. “Any word from Mewtwo?” I asked.

“There’s been no interest. He doesn’t see it as his issue.” Sabrina flicked her eyes to my own watch. “Did you try messaging the other Legendary we know in Rota?” she asked.

I coughed and opened the message in question where I’d asked if Mew could help out.

Sabrina stared at the response.

“Lol?” she stated. Then she stared at me like I’d done something wrong. “Brock—”

“I didn’t teach it that!” I denied quickly. “It has access to the internet!”

Sabrina made a face at that and I could only nod. “Let’s just be thankful it hasn’t downloaded a bunch of online games. Then it would have nothing but a foul mouth.” 

Sabrina paused. “Is that transceiver still linked with your accounts?” she asked. 

I coughed. “I was able to have it limited.”

Sabrina stared and I raised my hands defensively. “It only has access to one hundred pokedollars a month. It can’t draw on anymore than that and the banking log-ins aren’t possible from that transceiver.”

Sabrina relaxed before giggling. “You’re giving it an allowance.”

That caused me to rub my chin in thought. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.” 

Sabrina shook her head. “Well, at least we’ll have Regirock.” 

“Yeah,” I responded. “If we wanted I could test him out against a juvenile Zapdos,” I suggested.

Sabrina shook her head. “That would just be cruel to Zapdos. Your Regirock is obviously ancient, it wouldn’t be a fair comparison. I think it is best to continue testing our own pokemon against it in one on ones going forward.” Sabrina bobbed her head in thought as a playful smile emerged. “That or introduce it to Visquez and watch the sparks fly.”

I snorted. “Sparks? Really?” 

Sabrina looked rather pleased with herself so I let the pun go without further comment. 

“We should probably check in with our prophesied Hero,” I mentioned. 

Sabrina giggled. “You can just say you want to watch your brother compete at the Trovita Gym.”

“Well that too,” I murmured before grinning. “From what I recall of this incident… Forrest is going to be a bit hot and bothered so it might take him a bit to earn this badge.”

Sabrina raised an eyebrow. “Why is that?” 

“Rudy is a bit of a romantic from what I recall,” I replied. 

Sabrina considered that for a moment before smirking. “He’s going to hit on Misty in front of Forrest isn’t he?”

I nodded and Sabrina rose. “Very well, we shall head to Trovita island!” A moment later we all vanished in a flash of Teleport and found ourselves hovering over said island. 

I glanced down at two islands. Mandarin Island South, as the large of the two, served as the southernmost island in the Orange Archipelago along with boasting a Trovitopolis which was a rather well developed city, along with a more sedate town by the name of Yambera which was located on the eastern part of the island. 

Trovita island was found within the bay of said city but it was far enough away that it took either professional swimmers, or well trained pokemon to reach the island.

Even then it wasn’t advised considering that Trovita island had numerous pillars of rock jutting from the ocean around it that Trovita Gym used, along with the whirlpools that could threaten anyone foolish enough to…

My mind caught onto the whirlpools. Hadn’t there been an issue with the whirlpools? Something about a little girl, my mind supplied. 

“Sabrina we should get down there,” I said. “I just remembered how this episode started,” I announced. “There might be a little girl in trouble!” 

That saw us plummeting through the skies towards Trovita Island.

As we drew closer a small spot of white and red flitting about in the water near the pillars of rock caught my attention. I didn’t even get a chance to point them out as Sabrina shot us towards the pokemon and the girl. 

We closed in and found that neither were in danger currently but they were playing awfully close to a few areas where there were definitely some whirlpools. 

I grimaced. “Hmmm, she’s kind of tempting fate isn’t she?”

Sabrina nodded, her eyes narrowing. “Hmm, she’s a rather wilful child it would seem.” Sabrina tapped at the side of her head. “She’s rather strongly projecting thoughts about how her brother was being a worrywart.” 

“Urgh, she doesn’t see the issue does she?” I asked, earning myself a terse nod.

“Should we let her experience the issue and then bail her out or…” I trailed off, not liking this. My own siblings were usually pretty quick to fall into line, but that was something I chalked up to them respecting me along with there not being the same boundaries to test in Pewter as there were on Trovita island.

“I’d rather avoid that entirely,” Sabrina said, lowering us further. “Excuse me, young miss!” she called out.

The girl turned in the water and glanced around only to blink as she looked up. When she caught sight of Sabrina and I floating in the air she gaped and she must have forgotten to keep treading water as a moment later she slipped beneath the waves.

Sabrina flicked her hand, and the girl bobbed back up, spluttering and gasping. “You’re! You’re floating?” gasped the girl.

“And you nearly drowned,” replied Sabrina. 

“Did not!” said the girl indignantly. 

Sabrina raised an eyebrow and the girl glanced away. “I was just surprised!” grumbled the girl. “I’m a great swimmer! I’m going to be a competitor at the Champion games in a few years! Believe me!” she shouted. 

The seel in the water loyally nodded and barked in agreement, earning a grin from the girl. 

“See! Seel believe in me!” 

Sabrina and I shared a look. “Oh dear, she’s a headstrong type,” I murmured.

“The worst sort,” Sabrina agreed with a nod.

I stared at Sabrina. 

Sabrina ignored the look instead focusing on the girl. “Well perhaps train somewhere safer,” she offered. 

“Nah! Danger makes me faster!” replied the girl. 

I sighed. “If we tell your family you were out here what will they say?” I asked.

“I don’t have a mum or a dad so good luck with that!” the girl stuck her tongue out.

It probably would have had enough people stuttering and apologising to the girl for the faux pas, but I just barreled through it, ignoring what that revealed. “And your brother?” I asked. 

If I hadn’t come through a few years ago for my own challenge I might have been worried as some gyms, specifically Heritage Gyms had a continuity of leaders with parents typically handing it down to a kid, or cousin or otherwise. 

The girl stiffened and I knew I’d hit on a winning argument. “H-he wouldn’t mind?” 

I hummed and glanced at Sabrina. “Well let’s go talk with him shall we?”

“Wait! No! He’s probably busy!” shouted the girl desperately.

Sabrina smirked. “Tell you what, we’ll put your swimming to the test, if you can beat us to shore we won’t tell you—”

“Ready set go!” the girl shouted as she took off to the shore. She swam with long clean strokes with a fairly powerful set of legs that was rather impressive.

For a young girl that was…

I snorted. “Are we giving her a headstart or—” we vanished into a teleport and reappeared on the beach. Sabrina then proceeded to lay out three beach towels and an umbrella. I glanced over and saw another set of towels and discarded items, indicating that someone else was swimming but I couldn’t see anyone so I dismissed it and instead watched the girl swim.

I offered Sabrina a drink of soda after a few seconds.

The girl hit the beach and sprinted out of the surf like a professional triathlete. She swept her wet hair around and grinned. “Heh that’ll teach that floating lady not to mess with Mahri the Mermaid!” she crowed as she turned back to the ocean. 

Sabrina drew a can of soda from her side and took a loud slurp.

Mahri turned slowly and stared at Sabrina. Her eyes took in the towels, the umbrella, and even Kirlia who had in the space of time we’d been here started making a sand castle.

“Bwuh?” Mahri recoiled. “How did you do that? Did you cheat?”

“No, I just was faster,” Sabrina replied. “You’re going to have to get better and we’ll have to tell your brother about this little adventure of yours.”

Mahri dropped to the sand. “I lost?” Her whole body twitched and spasmed as sobs began to overcome her little body. “Nooo, I can’t believe it! I never lose!” she rasped.

Sabrina took another languid slurp of her drink as Mahri continued to sob. 

I lay back, letting the sounds of a small child’s sadness wash over me.

Kirlia continued to build her sandcastle.

Mahri peeked at us through a part in her hair and growled. “Are you people heartless? I’m a sad little girl that you’re supposed to comfort!” she snapped. 

I snorted. “I give that performance a five out of ten.” I raised five fingers while keeping my other hand firmly clenched.

Kirlia shrugged as she gave Mahri a thumbs down.

Sabrina tucked her drink away. “I don’t care for you, and I find myself caring even less now. If you want to drown you can paddle back out there.”

That drew a cough from me as I hid a laugh. 

Mahir gaped. “You can’t say that!” 

“Can and did. You’re not very adorable and not all that clever,” Sabrina retorted. 

Sabrina made a shooing gesture with her fingers like she was seeing off a particularly stubborn person. “Go on now, go back into the whirlpool infested water with your pokemon.” 

The dismissive attitude only made Mahri madder. I flicked my eyes over to the side, noticing that our rather loud talk had attracted attention. 

Mahri didn’t notice as she stomped her foot. “No! I won’t!” 

“Good, you’re not good enough to swim there, and it would be dangerous,” stated Sabrina calmly.

“I won’t!” Mahri said only to glower as she realised what Sabrina was doing. “Wait, you’re tricking me! I am totally a good enough swimmer! I swim there all the time!” she shouted. 

“Is that so?” said another voice and Mahri stiffened as she turned to find that a much older boy was behind her. The boy crossed his arms and stared down at her. “I’ve told you before not to swim here and you’ve said you won’t. Have you been lying to me Mahri?” asked the boy.

“No! I haven’t so I just…” Mahri whipped a hand back to us with a scowl. “It’s her fault! She tricked me into confessing!” she declared. 

Sabrina sniffed. “It wasn’t hard.” 

Mahri made to shout something else only for her brother to drag her into a hug. Then he dropped to one knee so he was level with her. Huh, looks like someone has read some child minding books, I thought to myself. 

“Mahri,” the boy began. “I’ve told you not to swim there as people have drowned there! Good swimmers even! Some water types get dragged in as well but there are also issues with the occasional Sharpedo making it past the nets in the pillars so don’t swim here!” he said, holding the pose and meaning it. 

Mahri slumped, responding to the earnest fear in her older brother’s gaze. “Alright I won’t it’s just that this beach is one of the only that isn’t taken up by stupid tourists.” 

The older boy nodded. “Yeah, but don’t worry about the tourist season, it means they will be off to another island soon.” He stood and dusted himself off and I almost shot him a thumbs up in a show of brotherly support.

Then he locked eyes onto Sabrina and a small blush appeared.

Oh hell no. 

He took a step towards us starting to drop into a kneeling position at Sabrina’s feet when I leaned to the side and pushed my dark energy causing him to falter.

His gaze shifted from Sabrina to me. 

We locked eyes and he tried to exert his will only for me to hold it easily as I lightly shook my head in warning. 

No man no. Don’t try it, or I’ll crush you, I projected at him.

Kirlia stiffened and glanced from me to Rudy with a confused look, aware that something was going on but having no idea about the subtle conversation playing out. 

Sabrina bit her lips and held back a giggle, well aware of what was going on.  

Rudy swallowed and bowed his head. 

I continued to observe him for a moment only to slowly nod. “Nice to see a brother looking after their sibling like that. I’m Brock from Pewter City—”

Rudy jolted and his gaze snapped back up to me before he went white as a sheet as his eyes flicked to Sabrina. “—and this is my fiancée, Sabrina, and her pokemon Kirlia,” I said calmly. 

Rudy flicked his eyes back to me as his tongue darted out to wet his lips. “Hahaha, wow! Two big names of Indigo have come to Trovita!” He bobbed his head quickly up and down to us, even going so far as to offer Kirlia a quick nod. “I’m Rudy of the Trovita Gym!”

Sabrina inclined her head. “Well met,” she offered, earning a slight tensing from Rudy as he glanced at me. 

I offered a small nod of respect to him, our ‘issue’ was done now that he’d realised the line drawn in the sand. 

“I’ve heard good things,” I offered, giving the young Gym Leader an olive branch from the earlier scare. “I faced your predecessors in Gavin and Garen when I came through.”

“Haha Yeah! Gramps Garen and Gavin weren’t up for running the Gym and they offered it to the family that stayed on Trovita Island. I stepped up and took over two years back.”

“Good for you, I’m looking forward to how you go soon, my brother and his friends are set to arrive and challenge you today,” I said. Even as I said it I could hear Ash and Forrest’s voices. I leaned to the side, shading my eyes and humming. “That’s them now actually.”

Rudy turned, catching sight of the boys. I could just spot Misty at the back looking like she was staring at the ocean and wondering if she should just leap into it.

I chuckled as the Lapras expertly navigated the whirlpools and landed on the beach. The boys both jumped off and growled at the other, their hands twitching towards their pokebelts.

Oh? Looks like we were about to get a show.

“Go Exeggcute!” shouted Ash which caused me to sit up. That was new.

Forrest growled and responded by whipping out a pokeball of his own. “Let’s go Spyro!” he shouted as a very familiar Growlithe appeared. 

I watched as Forrest pushed his advantage with his fire type fully.

Sabrina clicked her tongue. “He needs to use Psychic attacks instead of just relying on grass attacks.”

As though he’d heard her Ash did just that, shifting the tempo of the fight with a well-timed Hypnosis before quickly following up with Leech Seed and Confusion to launch Spyro the Growlithe into the nearby water which got Ash the win. Forrest groaned and retrieved his pokemon only to stiffen when he caught sight of me.

“Bro?” he asked. 

“Sup little brother! I thought I’d come watch you challenge the local gym challenge, see how you handled it!” I called. 

Ash turned and waved. “Oh hey Brock! Oh and Sabrina’s here as well!” 

Misty who’d been ignoring everything going on behind us whipped her head around. “Brock and Sabrina?” she locked onto us and beamed. She threw herself off Lapras and sprinted towards us. 

“Brock! I’ve been working really hard with the items you gave me, but I was hoping I could pick your brain about—”

“What sweet radiance has arrived upon my island?” Rudy said, cutting in on her route to me while dropping to the ground. A bouquet of flowers was suddenly in his arms, held towards Misty who stared at them blankly. 

“Uhmmm? Hi there?” she offered back as she started inching to the side. “I’ve uhmm, got something to talk about… over there… with those people…” she said. 

I wanted to laugh, but after his earlier aborted attempt to woo Sabrina I just couldn’t enjoy it like I otherwise would have. Damn, but it was amusing, but it just didn’t feel right now.

To be fair to Rudy he was giving a charming smile and looked sincere in his efforts. Man was working what he had hard. “Please Mademoiselle? A name to call you by? I am Rudy Gym Leader of—”

“I challenge you!” declared Ash without missing a beat and allowing Misty to skip to the side as Ash inserted himself into the situation.

That got a snort from Sabrina and I. That was so typically Ash.

Forrest, who’d been glowering at Rudy, stepped forward. “I will also be challenging you!” he declared. 

Rudy grimaced, turning his head towards Misty who hadn’t quite cleared his line of sight. She went still in an attempt to evade his scrutiny. She obviously was hoping his sight was movement based. 

“Alright this is sort of funny now,” I whispered to Sabrina.

“Not feeling a bit like a hypocrite?” Sabrina teased. 

“Don’t you start. Headstrong girls remind you of anyone?” I asked.

Sabrina adopted a thoughtful expression. “None come to mind,” she replied innocently. 

I chuckled, recalling a scowling girl suddenly attaching herself to my Journey. The rest as they say was history.   

“You’re lucky you were adorable,” I teased.

“And now I’m beautiful,” Sabrina said smugly with a flick of her hair. 

Misty reached us before we could trade anymore banter. “So, about that… item?” she whispered. 

“We can discuss it later. We’ll go somewhere privately,” I said, flicking a glance to Sabrina who nodded. If Misty was making progress with her Mega stone this quickly she must have discovered a few tricks, that or she was a natural at this.

Still it would be interesting to see how she did.

Rudy must have gotten fed up with Ash and forest badgering him as he pushed Ash out of his personal space. “Alright! Enough! I can run the first part of the Challenge but I need to wait until tomorrow to use my pokemon if you make it through that as my pokemon got beaten by the latest challenger!” 

Ash blinked slowly. “Eh?” he asked. “Another challenger?” he asked.

Rudy got a giddy smile. “A beauty by the name of Jessifer!” he said with a hand over his heart.

Misty shot Rudy a slightly annoyed look. “Oh great he’s a playboy,” she muttered, earning another small chuckle from me. 

Still, Jessifer? Was that not one of the aliases that Jessie used one time? Or was I misremembering it? I had suspicions so I fired off a quick message. 

When a ping of a message arrived from the bag that I’d ignored when we sat down, I had an inkling of an idea about how things were about to play out. 

From the surf a metal contraption emerged. Everyone on the beach but Sabrina and I whirled around, their hands slipping to pokebelts with pokemon moments from being deployed.

Then the contraption revealed itself to be a giant Magikarp with numerous dents in it. From the side two aquatic pokemon popped out and Misty began to squeal with delight. “Oh my goodness, a Milotic and Gyarados!” she squealed, causing both pokemon to grin at her. 

Misty was just starting to make her way towards the pokemon when the top of the Magikarp sub opened and a trio of familiar faces popped their heads out. 

“Listen, I don’t care what you’re saying! The map to the sunken treasure was upside down!” growled an all to familiar nasally voice as Meowth hopped out of the sub. 

Jessie and James followed.

Ash tilted his head. “Team Rocket?” 

Jessie and James stiffened only to turn away from Ash and quickly don hats and glasses. They turned back seamlessly and smiled. 

“Jessibel!” Misty greeted and Jessie relaxed at the young trainer. 

I snorted. I should have known that if Ash was around Team Rocket wouldn’t be far off. Still, it was good to see them considering that they had their own part to play in the upcoming event. At least chronically they had.

The trio waved at Ash, Forrest and Misty.

Rudy waved back and Jessie cringed but replied with one in turn. 

That drew another snort from me and I stood up and waved. “Ahoy!” I called earning their attention. “How about you come ashore and we’ll see about getting lunch together?” I suggested. 

That seemed to be a good idea as everyone nodded. Forrest grinned. “Your footing it right bro?”

I rolled my eyes but nodded nevertheless causing both boys to perk up. 

Ash shifted only to sigh. “Shame there's not a Mr Mime’s on the island.”

Misty rolled her eyes. “Boys! Urgh! We’ll go to the local restaurant!”

“There’s only one!” announced Mahri as she pointed further into the island. 

Mahri led us to the place but made sure to skip back to Jessie and James, interested in them. “How deep can your sub go? I can swim down fifty metres! Can it do that?” she claimed with a proud puff of her chest. 

Meowth snorted. “More like five metres,” he whispered. 

Mahri glared at him but James stepped in. “That’s very impressive,” he offered, earning a beaming smile from the little girl who began asking all sorts of questions about the sub. 

Misty slid up to ask her own and I moved up to tap Jessie on the shoulder as Forrest and Ash made sure Rudy couldn’t join us by demanding to know more about the upcoming challenge.

“Sunken ship?” I asked Jessie.

Jessie coughed sheepishly. “We might have bought a sunken treasure map. We’re scouting the nearby coastline for any ships for treasure.”

“Ah,” I replied. “Well good luck with that.” I quickly opened up my Xtransciever and created a list of files on local threats such as the Team Aqua Subs, or how there was a Legendary pokemon circling the Archipelago with the currents.

Jessie began to look them over before grimacing. “Right, we’ll stay away from the currents. Good to know,” she replied only to sigh. “Guess we could investigate the destroyed research facility.”

“Oh?” I asked, my interest piqued. 

Jessie offered a shrug. “Rumour has it one of the companies from Kanto created a secret research base on one of the islands but it was kept secret. Lots of rumours around it but no one really knows where they set up base.”

“Huh, just rumours or something more?” I asked.

“Too persistent to be nothing, unsure if it will give us anything good though. Probably just a broken facility.” 

“Something about that tickles my mind but for the life of me I can’t figure out why,” I mused aloud. 

Honestly both suggestions were making my trope senses perk up but the hidden research base made me sit up more. 

Sunken treasure was good and all but I had plenty of money. If Team Rocket wanted that they could go right ahead.

The research base though? That could be a lot of things. 

I shared a look with Sabrina and she nodded. 

Looks like we were hunting down rumours.

“Prepare to lose!” Ash bellowed in Rudy’s face.

I chuckled. But first we’d watch my brother and his friends challenge the Trovita Gym.

[hr][/hr] 

A.N. Oh wow a hidden research base! Whatever could it be?

Thanks go to my Patreons for your continued support!

It also goes to Twmmy for proofreading this chapter!