Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 59: Empty Lake

Canalave Library felt too quiet after Iron Island.

The shelves rose above us like old stone walls, and every book seemed to carry dust from a century I had not lived through. After Steel Manor, Mars, the Iron Ruins, and Spear Pillar's direction burning across the sky, the quiet made me more nervous instead of calmer.

Professor Rowan stood near a long table with Professor Berlitz beside him. Dawn's father looked relieved when he saw her, but the worry in his eyes did not disappear until he had checked Dawn, Piplup, and Mamoswine himself.

Dawn smiled softly while Piplup stood proudly beside her. "Dad, we are all right."

Professor Berlitz exhaled like he had been holding the breath since the first report from Canalave. "After hearing about the nightmares and Iron Island, I needed to see that for myself."

Mamoswine snorted behind Dawn, still large enough to make the library staff nervous. Dawn touched her side gently, reminding her that library floors were not training fields or Poffin paths.

Rowan watched that small moment with interest. "That is why I wanted all of you here. Everyone is finally present. Listen carefully. My research concerns Pokémon evolution, but the more I study it, the more questions multiply."

I looked at the old diagrams spread across the table. Some showed normal evolution lines, while others showed Pokémon that changed by stones, trade items, friendship, and strange conditions. Riolu's file was beside a page about aura, and it made me think of the Egg at Steel Manor.

Rowan turned a page with careful fingers. "Some Pokémon evolve. Others do not. Are immature Pokémon becoming mature, or is evolution something broader? If so, what do we make of Legendary Pokémon that do not evolve? Are they complete as creatures, or does the question itself fail?"

Daniel leaned closer to the book, eyes bright despite the exhaustion from Iron Island. "You are asking whether evolution is growth, transformation, or response."

Rowan gave him a brief nod. "Precisely. Sinnoh has three lakes, and each is said to hold a mysterious Pokémon. Data from those Pokémon may help us understand whether evolution connects to will, emotion, knowledge, or something stranger."

Lillie glanced at me. We both remembered what we had seen before. Lake Valor and Lake Verity were not just places on a map to us. We had seen the mirage-like presences there, and those memories felt more important after Cyrus stole the orbs.

"We saw something at Lake Valor," I said. "And at Lake Verity too, before all of this became so dangerous."

Rowan's eyes sharpened. "Then your group will search Lake Valor first. Gary, Palmer, and Jane are already near that side, and other helpers will inspect the remaining lakes."

Tox folded his arms, calm but not relaxed. "If Team Galactic is after old power, the lakes are not safe as research sites. They are targets. Treating them only as academic locations would be denial."

Professor Berlitz nodded slowly. "That is why we prepared medical supplies and evacuation plans before asking anyone to travel."

Dawn looked at her father with surprise. "You planned for injuries already?"

Professor Berlitz's expression softened. "After everything you told me, I stopped pretending research and danger were separate."

Daniel lowered his gaze toward one Poké Ball at his belt. "Then I should stop pretending distance always protects a Pokémon better than presence."

I noticed the small ball but did not ask yet. Daniel's face had the careful look he used when he knew he had delayed something because calling it caution sounded better than admitting fear.