Pokémon XYZ: Life, Death, Order, and Chaos (book 2 of the HBoD series)

Chapter 18: Blackout

"Why'd you drag us here again?" Alex complained as she tossed a rock against the glittering rock wall.

"Because," Robert grunted as he lifted a heavy rock. "I need a fossil."

"You're really trying to put meaning into catching them all aren't you?" Clara sat on a rock, looking bored.

"Not really," Robert said. "I just figured Professor Juniper might want fossil Pokemon that originated in Kalos. For research."

"Why are we the only ones doing the heavy lifting?" I asked, tossing a heavy rock to the side, scattering crystals that had fallen to the ground. 

"Because you're the guys," Clara gave a wicked grin. "Us ladies shouldn't do the mens work."

"So feminism is only in effect when it's in your favor," Robert set the stone down, moving towards a mine cart filled with rocks and minerals. 

"Figures," I said.

Clara shrugged. "I couldn't care less about all that stuff. Men are strong, women are strong. Each is more capable in one field than the other. If one doesn't want to follow that, fine by me. Life is life."

Alex snorted. "Your ideology is certainly sound."

"Fine with me," Clara leaned back against the rock wall, hands behind her head. 

"Aha!" Robert exclaimed, tossing rocks and minerals out of the mine cart. He dug in deeper before producing a piece of fossilized foot. A claw and a half were clearly visible.

"Let's see," Robert began scrolling through his pokedex with one hand. "Not big enough to be a Tyrantrum's, so it's pre-evolution maybe? Yeah, there we go."

"Tyrunt, the Royal Heir Pokemon and the pre-evolution of Tyrantrum. Its large jaw has incredible destructive power. Some theories suggest that its restored form is different from its form of long ago."

"We done?" Clara got up. "We were supposed to do our gym battles before you dragged us here."

"You didn't have to come along," Robert said, tucking the fossil under his left arm. "I'd like to stop by the Pokemon Center first though. Sending this to Professor Juniper shouldn't take too long."

"I actually should return my Pokemon back to Kukui," I said, tapping a pokeball on my waist.

"Why?" Clara looked at me, confused. "Your Pokemon from Alola are so much stronger than the ones you currently have."

I went over to where Froakie was sleeping next to Alex and picked him up, his large eyes opening sleepily. "Yeah, they are. But we journeyed together in Alola, deepening our bonds. But now that I'm here in Kalos, I'm able to develop more bonds with new Pokemon. I don't want to sideline my Pokemon just because they aren't as strong as the others."

Clara rolled her eyes. "To each their own."

"C'mon troop!" Robert placed a foot on a rock, pointing down the tunnel. "Let's move out!"

...

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU CALLED WHEN I WAS GONE!"

"Nice to see you too Hau," I said, putting a fist to the screen.

The dark skinned teen sighed and placed his fist where mine was, smiling like only he could. "It's been six months. Great to see you man."

"Heh," I rubbed the back of my head. "Same."

"Hey," I said, remembering something. "Gladion mentioned something about stray Ultra Beasts the other day. Any information?"

"None that aren't classified," Hau frowned, shoving his hands into his short pockets. During the six months since we last saw each other, Hau changed his appearance. He still wore his black tee, but now his shorts were white, longer, and baggier. He wore a flora patterned coat like Hala's, but Hau's was orange instead of yellow.