Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 34: The Truth Revealed

"Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it. That's what someone once told me. As true as it is about many people, I've met in my many years, it surprised me the most the first time I saw something like this happen before my eyes. When I first heard this quote, I once believed it was nothing but the pessimistic teachings of a cranky old hermit who had given up all hope in humanity and society, opting for seclusion instead of emersion. But when I saw it, witnessed it...with one of the most surprising people in the world...I couldn't help but feel the same. Shattered—my faith in that person was anyway—and betrayed. Even at my current age, I still find myself hurt by this truth—I suppose even I would rather run from it than face it, even now. Then again, something like this, who wouldn't?"

"Well, I'm glad to hear he's all right," said Professor Rowan with a pleased look on his face, "I'll be sure his mother hears this right away—she'll be back soon."

Alyssandra smiled thankfully. "Thank you, Professor," she said, "It's been great talking to you again, even though we just saw you earlier this week."

"Well, I'm always happy to speak with you four," chuckled Rowan, "How was Cycling Road? Did you go to the caverns beneath the route?"

Alyssandra nodded. "Actually, I wanted to talk about that next," started Alyssandra, "Something really weird happened down there."

"What do you mean?" asked Professor Rowan calmly, stroking his moustache.

"Well, we got chased by a Garchomp because Sam captured one of its offspring," explained Alyssandra in a hushed tone, "And well...Jeremy fell down, that's when he hurt himself, and as he did, Sam jumped in front of him and tried to protect Jeremy from the Garchomp, and right before the Garchomp attacked him, it stopped and started acting as if Sam was his best friend. Is this normal for Pokémon? That thing was huge, and ravenous, I didn't think they could just turn around like that."

Professor Rowan looked stoically at the nearby wall, this time stroking his beard into a pointed shape, something he always did when something troubled him.

Alyssandra had noticed this back during Sam's battle against Gardenia the other day. He stroked his moustache in thought or habit, and his beard when troubled. This must've been something big—or maybe she was just overthinking this.

"Well, I can't really explain it," said Professor Rowan, with a small smile, "Perhaps it was distracted by Sam's necklace? Some Pokémon are soothed by shiny objects."

"Do you really believe Pokémon to be that simple, Professor?" asked Alyssandra, not pleased with that response.

Professor Rowan chuckled. "I'm sorry Alyssandra, I don't have any precedence in this matter to back it up with facts or research," explained the Professor, "I wasn't there to witness it, and I have never heard of something like this before. I wish I could be of more help."

Alyssandra sighed, she really didn't expect much—well she did, but she was getting ahead of herself. She expected that just because Professor Rowan was an expert, he had all of the answers; something she should've known was impossible.

"No, it's all right," she said, "I suppose it was a long shot anyway, besides—"

"Lyss! Guess who I just met at the dinner table!" cried Niya as she entered the call Centre.

Alyssandra turned around to face her but wasn't given the chance to answer as Niya responded regardless. "Professor Alexios! He's in there; he wants to see you and Sam! I told him Jeremy's out of commission right now so, he'll leave him alone...actually it seemed like he was most interested in seeing Sam—that reminds me, where is he?"