Beyond the Adventure - A Pokémon Story

Chapter 9: Truths Revealed pt4

        For the remainder of the trip, Jess speaks with Liz on the phone.  I do not exactly listen in, trying to give them privacy, but some things cannot be helped and I notice a variety of emotions coming from her.  At one point, she even cries a little, something that really surprised me, with how rough around the edges she is.  I try to enjoy the sights, looking down at the ocean, spotting various Pokémon.  As we pass Seafoam Islands, I tap Jess on the shoulder, as she had instructed me to after giving her the phone.  She says goodbye, hangs up, and returns to the phone to me.

        “Thank you,” she says softly.  “But you must tell me; how did you know?”

        “She talks about you sometimes,” I answer.  “Based on what she’s told me, and things I learned about you, I put two-and-two together.”

        Jess smirks slightly.  “You’re pretty smart, for a kid,” she says.  “I approve of you dating my kid sister.”  Then she scowls at me.  “You better take damn good care of her, or you’ll answer to me, got it?!”

        “Haha, of course!” I laugh.

        Cinnabar Island comes into view on the horizon.  The cinder cone grows larger as we approach the island.  The entire city appears to be in ruin, solidified magma covering much of the land.  Jess’ eyes grow wide at the sight.  “When did this happen?!” she says, bewildered.

        I think on it, then suddenly remember.  “Oh yeah, I remember hearing about this on the news,” I say.  “It happened about a year ago.  They said the only thing that survived was the Pokémon Center.  Can’t say that does much good now, with the island in ruin.”

        Jess curses.  “I KNEW he couldn’t be trusted!”

        “Well, why don’t we take a look anyway,” I suggest.  “Never know.”

        Jess just shrugs.  “Fine,” she grunts.  She steers Articuno into a dive toward the island.  Darius follows suit with Talonflame.

        We find a clear piece of land and settle down.  Jess and I hop off.  Jess pulls Articuno back into its ball and clips it to her belt.  I greet Darius as he pulls Talonflame into her ball.  Jess looks around and shakes her head.  “There’s nothing here,” she sighs.

        “Let’s check out the Pokémon Center,” I suggest.  “Maybe we can find something there.”

        Jess just shrugs and the three of us head towards the center.  Along the way, I pull out Jaws’ ball and let him out.  He leaps out happily and takes a deep breath.  I smile and pat his head.  Once we reach the center, we walk up to the doors and they open.

        The interior is dark, but still intact.  Nothing appears damaged, but there is a nice layer of dust on everything.  Each footstep echoes through the building, resounding off the walls.  I notice a map on the wall and examine it.  As I study the island, I find what must be this “Pokémon Mansion” Jess is looking for.  It is a large building in the north-west part of the island.  I find the Pokémon Center on the island and memorize the route to the mansion.

        “Hey guys,” I call out.  They walk over and I show them the map.  “This looks like the mansion you’re looking for.  If we follow this path here, we should make it to where it was.  We might find something left over, it wouldn’t hurt to check.”

        Jess shakes her head, but still agrees to go.  “From above, it looked like this center is all that survived,” she says.  “I doubt we’ll find anything.”

        Darius agrees with her.  “I circled around before following you down,” Darius says.  “She’s right.  There’s nothing else.”

        I grimace.  “Well, I guess that’s it, then.  Shall we go?”