The Road to Tomorrow

The Road to War

I hope everyone had a good Christmas that was fun, light and enjoyable...because we're about to have a different kind of fun. I hope you all enjoy this final piece of the prologue.

The Road to War

Wind whipped around outside the Pokémon Center, sand billowing against the building's surface, forcing those who were outside to make their way inside. Even through the sandstorm, though, one could still see the remnants of Relic Castle, and its recently exposed entrances: a place of much research and discussion by the archeologists that had discovered the place. For Lionel, however, that place was wholly key, even if he couldn't get in just yet.

"Sir, it seems like the sandstorm should subside by tomorrow," a voice called to the leader of ARC and he turned to his group of four other agents. Each was bedecked in the same outfit as he: a duster and cloak to protect them from the raging sands. Had it been any other location, they would have looked wholly out of place with everyone that was gathered there. However, thanks to all of the tourists and other scientists that were gathered around being dressed in the same thing, they looked absolutely normal.

"Mm, good. We've been trying to get through for a while now," Lionel spoke, tearing his gaze away from the window and joining with his men. "How's our ETA looking, Derek? And drop the 'sir'."

"Yes, s...er..." Derek coughed a little, the man's Gengar giggling a little next to him. Lionel's eyes flitted over to the phones nearby, thinking about making a phone call before his subordinate could fully answer him. "Well, looking at the passages and the construction, I think it will take us about three or four days to reach the destination."

"Everything looks solid, too," called another of their search party. "No problems with cave-ins or anything of the like."

"Good, good..." Lionel mused out, rubbing at his chin for a moment and looking over the map his men had presented to him. This had been a long time coming, following up on a lot of rumors from a lot of sources. Their days of planning had not gone unnoticed by some in the Center, but most ignored them, too excited to visit the ruins. "Well, take a rest, everyone. We'll need it for a long trek."

"Of course! Victoria, lunch?" Derek asked, and their small squad of explorers broke up to do their own things. Lionel, for his part, approached the phone in the Center, glad to see that it was still in proper working order, despite the sandstorm. Swiftly, he punched in the numbers, and seconds later, two familiar and welcome faces answered with a smile.

"Lionel! How are you? What's with the outfit?"

"Surveying in the Relic Desert!" Lionel greeted Serena, his voice raising as the sandstorm picked up in intensity outside. Serena was just finishing off a pokepuff, one that didn't look very tasty by his estimations. Nevertheless, he felt it was good to see Ash and Serena again, the former waving at him. Seeing that, he chose to elaborate. "Haven't had much of a chance to call recently, but the League just gave orders to investigate a town elsewhere in the region, so I figured I'd call, since I'll be tied up with that sooner than later. Heard about the Champion Tournament, and your own little Showcase Spectacular. Impressive advertisement."

"Thank you," Serena spoke to the man. Lionel nodded, just as a rather strong sand gust battered the Center, causing the image of the married couple to waver. "We're glad you're doing well."

"All for the peace, ha ha," Lionel laughed out when there was a sharp ringing, coming from his waist. He looked down and grimaced. Aidan. Almost sighing to himself, Lionel looked at the married couple, paying particular attention to Serena, who didn't look like she was feeling all that well. It certainly seemed familiar to him, but deciding it wasn't his place, he spoke onwards without saying anything of note. "Whoops, guess I forgot to check in with Aidan. He's like a mother Combusken, always checking in on me. You two take care. Serena, you especially; you look pale. Get lots of rest."