Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 65: Tunnel to Celestic Town

"Celestic Town is an isolated, tiny little village located in the norther region of Sinnoh. It's not as far as Snowpoint City, but it's nestled within a small crater valley in the middle of the Mt. Coronet chain. Because of this, it's incredibly hard to get to, surrounded usually by fog, bad weather, and climbing hazards, as one must travel up the Mt. Coronet mountain chain to even reach the basin it sits in. In an attempt to drum up tourism, they opened up a Contest Hall in the small town. But it's special for another reason. Because of its size, isolation, and lack of visitors, it has remained largely unchanged since its foundation by the ancient Sinnoh Tribes. For as hard as it is to visit, it was a hub and veritable treasure trove for historians, researchers and archaeologists. Several were born, or lived within the town, one such professor was an old acquaintance of Professor Rowan, Professor Silas Yarrow, whom we had resolved to visit again once we reached the small town."

Sam and friends waited outside the Hearthome Cathedral as they waited for their surprising new benefactor.

Cynthia had messaged them the night before, requesting to meet them before the Cathedral the next day at noon. It was now a little past 12:30, and the summer's noon sun beat down hard on the group of teens as they waited.

They were surprised Cynthia had contacted them; for all they had met the former Sinnoh Champion only twice before—the second time was her coming to their rescue alongside Valentina.

Something in Sam wasn't surprised. Cynthia had been friends with Palmer, and once mentored under Professor Rowan, and even knew Sam's grandfather. Though Cynthia and Palmer were not as close as they had once been in their youth, it would make sense that, once Sam—the mutual factor between all of them—had popped up, that something would draw her back to her old friends and acquaintances.

A few minutes past half-past noon, Cynthia finally arrived. Smiling, smirking with all the confidence of a former Champion, with all of the friendliness of one's favourite aunt.

She greeted the teenagers and Pikachu warmly, and gestured for them to follow her.

When asked why the secrecy, urgency, and silence, she gently shushed Niya, and proceeded to lead the teenagers down to the side of the Cathedral, and down in the massive stone room that was once a supply cache centuries ago.

The room was last used as the waiting room during the Hearthome Tournament, and without all the people in the tournament down here, the room echoed more, and felt bigger.

It was darker than the last time Sam had been down here, as much of the lighting had been doused when the place wasn't in use.

Making sure they weren't followed, and that the room was empty, Cynthia had the teens congregate with her around the long, dark hallway that led to who-knows-where.

"This is the tunnel to Celestic Town," explained Cynthia, "I'm sorry for the secrecy, but I needed you here without the watchful eyes of Interpol or Team Galactic. And I don't hold as much power as I once did, in the Pokémon League. Most of what I can pull is clout, reputation and old favours."

"What's wrong?" asked Sam; the mention of Team Galactic had him worried.

"I am from Celestic Town, I was born there, but moved with my family to Twinleaf Town when I was young," explained Cynthia, "My grandmother still lives there. Nilama is her name, but everyone calls her Mama Lama. She's head of the small town there and comes from a long line of High Priestesses who still worship and deify the Legendary Pokémon of Sinnoh."

"You think Team Galactic's in Celestic trying to infiltrate the town like they did with Eterna City and get what they need to capture the Legendary Pokémon," concluded Niya.