Love in the Time of Trepidation

Chapter 23: A Mountain

And so we have the end of the beginning...beginning... That's too confusing. Climax time! Chapter 23!

Chapter 23

A Mountain

"What we need is a battle plan!" Laventon was quick to exclaim. His bag, already bulky and stuffed with objects, was dropped into the dirt, and the professor began to dig into it. Abra floated closer as he did so, prepared to relay any and all instructions to Cyllene and the clans on standby. That alone inspired Laventon to continue speaking as he looked for his aim. "What we need to do is quite obvious: stop Kamado from reaching Volo, and in so doing, stop him from springing the trap that will bring this Giratina into the world."

"I don't think it'll be that easy," Adaman said, approaching Cogita's table so they could all make plans together. The woman observed them all, removing her book and beginning to drum her fingers upon it, waiting for the Diamond Clan leader to continue. "The commander has a head start on us, and he's out in force. Climbing Mount Coronet won't be easy."

"Ah, I see! So, this is where the great Mel-"

"Will you shut it? Our clan leaders need to decide the best course, and how to put your foolish brain to use." Lian's voice crackled over the waves, and soon it sounded like there was a tussle on the other side, the pair of wardens beginning to bicker. Irida sighed, but before she could snap, someone else must have, because a muffled thud later and all went silent.

Cyllene's voice was next to echo. "Please, continue. We've no time to waste. If you need a battle plan, it's best to come up with a quick one."

"Of course," Akari said. She spared a glance in Cogita's direction. "Volo intends to cause all of those negative feelings to resonate with Giratina, enough disturbances to open the seal placed on its dimension. It's obvious he plans to use the power of the Alphas to make it happen, judging by the captain's reports. We need to put a stop to that and rally the Security Corps the right way if we have any hope of making it to the top. Cogita, in the event we don't make it in time, would there be a way to stop Volo?"

The drumming atop her book continued, but when her eyes finally settled upon the flute still clasped in Akari's hand, she stopped. "I can't guarantee anything. No one has attempted what he is attempting before."

"If we even have an idea to work with, it would be enough," Irida said. More rustling was heard, but as the professor had yet to find the object of his search, it permitted them to continue.

"Then I can only go off of everything I've studied, and what I can surmise he's learned." Cogita opened the book on her lap, flipping through pages with a speed that showed how well she had memorized it. "Volo, like our clan, spent years poring over these texts, searching for the answer to why so many of our people's ruins were left abandoned. It's clear that in those studies, he latched on to Giratina. Perhaps, in some ironic way, he felt a kinship with such a Pokémon, though it's clear he sees it as a mere means to an end."

"Can we get to the point? Time's a-wasting here," Adaman said. For the first time since Akari had known them, though, Irida didn't snap back; there really was very little time left, and they still had much space to cover.

"You're right, I'm sorry," Cogita said, snapping the book shut once more. She leaned forward. "One thing is clear: Volo needs the power of all three to reach the Original One. Giratina's emergence into this world as the great equalizer will also tear open a road to other dimensions, existing far beyond this tiny world we live in. I doubt Volo cares about any of those others, but he will care for the dimensions in which Dialga and Palkia reside. From there, he'll use the Red Chain, a tool of the Legendaries once used to shackle Giratina, but is said to hold the power of the Original One."