Pokémon Journeys: A Star and A Wish

Stranded in The Depths

Once Lyric and Sora wake up the next morning, they immediately head to the airport in Nacrene City to fly north to Mistralton City, to a bigger airport with a commercial flight. They even met up with Ike and Reese.

Ike: Glad to see you made it.

Sora: Almost didn't if someone hadn't overslept...

Lyric: Hey, not my fault! The bed was holding me hostage!

Reese: I thought I told you to grow up... Guess some things will never change.

Sora: Haha. I don't think we've officially met. I'm Sora.

Reese: I'm Reese. A pleasure.

While the blonde Galarian was usually cold, she seemed to be in a rather good mood today. Perhaps she was happy to see Lyric out of his slump so soon.

Lyric: We haven't met either. Hi, I'm Lyric Soren, and I'm a Contest Coordinator!

Ike: Ike. I'm a Pokémon Trainer aiming to be the world champion.

While he didn't say much words, he definitely wasn't being hostile. Not the sort of introduction Lyric was expecting, to be honest. He was expecting him to be cold and unapproachable.

Sora: Looks like we're on the same plane then.

Ike: Let's get on now to avoid having to shove our ways on.

Reese: A capital idea.

With that, the group boards the plane, and soon, it was lift off time. As the plane took off, Lyric held Joker the Hisuian Zorua in his arms as he was placed on the window seat, letting Joker get a beautiful view overhead Unova.

———

Eventually, Lyric had fallen asleep on the plane as Sora read a book about the Paldea region he got from the airport. It was rather long flight, as it was now the next day. He read about Naranja Academy, the Terastal Phenomenon, and about a massive crater in the center of it known as The Great Crater of Paldea, or Area Zero to some. As Sora looked at the window, he saw the giant crater coming into view. He smiles, and shakes Lyric awake so he can see it too. The small boy blinks twice as he wakes up and looks out the window. The sight immediately put a pep in his step, as he puts his face against the window.

Lyric: Woah, it's huge!

Sora: Yeah. Apparently, it's been there since the region was named. It's also said to have been the origin of the Terastal Phenomenon.

Lyric: So cool! I wanna go down there!

Sora: Only people with authorized clearance can go down there. So it's likely we won't be—

As Sora was speaking, a sudden spike in turbulence hits the plane. Alarms on the plane start blaring and Lyric could see that they were losing altitude. And fast. But he couldn't say anything, as the sudden bump made him slam his face against the window, subsequently knocking him unconscious.

Sora: What was that?! Lyric?!

Captain: Attention all passengers! This is your Captain Skyla speaking! A sudden electromagnetic pulse hit our plane and knocked some of our equipment out of commission! Please remain calm, and I will attempt to land us as safely as possible! Please do not panic, stay seated, and hold onto your children and Pokémon as we brace for impact!

Ike: Well isn't this just lovely...?

Reese: Where could an electromagnetic pulse that big even come from?!

Sora: No idea...! But I'm not about to let this plane crash and burn! Come out, Azura!

Ike: Good call. Alakazam, go!