Route 118

I spend most of the morning training with Delenn on the beach. I even find a trainer or two to test her skills, she passed with flying colours. In fact she did so well she evolved!

With all the trainers on this coast exhausted I cross the water on Susan’s back to the other shore. Thinking about it along the way; this is probably the first time I’ve been able to surf on a pokémon and keep my feet dry in the process. I still kinda feel lazy about it because I’m a pretty strong swimmer, but pokémon surfing is so much quicker!

Hello Caldar!

- Huh? Steven?

It looks like Steven was travelling from up north. He looks a little different from last time we met. His suit looks sharper, I mean literally what with the metallic cuffs. A pin on his lapel catches my eye, I see the distinct colours of a keystone and this one has a star motif too, four of them can be seen in the jewel instead of the usual helix shape.

It’s been a while, I thought you’d left Hoenn by now. I’m glad you decided to stay a little longer, some weird things have been going on around here!

- Like what?

People have been disappearing, strangers appearing from nowhere and claiming to have lived here their whole lives, someone turned Mauville into a mall, the Sky Pillar changed shape around the same time Rayquaza vanished, oh and creepiest of all; people thought to be long dead are showing up and acting like nothing happened!

- Creepy…

A loud boom to the south grabs my attention, a large flying pokémon screams to a halt at the beach.

Shwahhn!

Latios!

- Latios?

I think he wants us to go with him.

Shwaahh!

Come on, Caldar!

Steven and I climb onto Latios’ back and he carries us at great speed to the south. All I can hear is the deafening roar of the wind as we go, I can barely keep my eyes open and I struggle to hold on.

Southern Island

Latios drops us off on this tiny island, sheer cliffs surround it and there’s a dense forest covering most of it.

I guess the problem is in those woods?

We head into the forest, it doesn’t take very long to find a small clearing under the canopy. In the centre is a small mossy stone plinth being closely guarded by a scared looking Latias.

Hyaahh…

- What’s wrong?

We’re not going to hurt you, Latias. What’re you scared of?

I hear rustling amongst the trees behind us.

- Who’s that?

Prepare for trouble!

Make it double!

- What?

To protect the world from devastation.

To unite all people within our nation.

To denounce the evils of truth and love.

To extend our reach to the stars above.

Jessie!

James!

Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!

Surrender now or prepare to fight!

Meowth, that’s right!

- The rocket gang!

A talking meowth?!

- What do you want?

Hand over the mega stone!

- Never! …What mega stone?

You! Guys it’s her!

But Meowth, that’s a boy. Though he does look just like her.

What are you two blathering about?

That twerp! He looks just like she does!

Hm, I suppose he does. But that doesn’t matter! He’s still a twerp!

- Hey!

If you intend to steal anything from Latias then think again!

Dem’s fightin’ words! Let’s use doze pokémon the Captain gave us!

Go Sharpedo!

Go Grimer! Hey, why’d I get stuck with the grimer?

Quit yer complainin’! I got nothin’!

- Go Susan!

Go Metang!

- Body slam the sharpedo!

Zen headbutt the grimer!

Use swagger on the lapras!

Mud bomb the metang!

Sharpedo shows off it’s swag to Susan, somehow causing her to smash into a nearby tree instead of attack. Metang channels energy into it’s forehead and strikes grimer with it, splattering grimer across the clearing.

Eee!

- Body slam!

Metal claw!

Slash the lapras!

Meowth are you going to…?

No way!

Sharpedo slashes at Susan with it’s sharp fins, Susan rears up and slams her weight onto sharpedo before metang moves in to slash away with it’s claws. Sharpedo’s rough skin causes little more than an irritation for Susan and metang.

- Ice shard!

Metal claw!

Slash!

Susan flings sharp shards of ice at sharpedo, one of which pins sharpedo to a tree.

Metang! Finish them off with a meteor mash!

Metang clenches a fist until it glows and punches the rocket gang high into the air, so far they vanish into the distance.

I think I broke a rib!

You didn’t have to take us with ya!

And you messed up my hair!

We’re blasting off again!

Latios enters the clearing, floats over to Latias and they embrace.

So Latios just needed help saving it’s mate from harm?

- No…

Hm?

- I mean, I don’t think they’re mates, they’re siblings.

What makes you think that?

- They reminded me of something, that’s all.

Shwaahh.

Hyaahh.

They both float away from the old plinth Latias was guarding. Looking at me, they both nod.

Looks like they want you to have whatever’s on that old pedestal.

I approach it and find a keystone sat atop the mossy plinth, I pick it up for a closer look. Inside the multicoloured stone are seven little stars arranged in formation. Looking to my left wrist, the mega bracer is still firmly attached and it looks like I scarred myself a little when I last tried to remove it. I size up the empty slot with the new keystone, it’s a perfect fit. It fits so snugly I can’t get it out again once I placed it in.

Congratulations. It looks like Latios is ready to take us back.

The flight back is a little easier to handle, I can see the beach we left from just ahead. I soon realise the air in the distance is looking suspiciously wobbly.

- Do you see that?

The beach? Yeah, we’re almost there!

Latios dips below the clouds and starts flying low over the water.

- No! The rift! It’s right in front of us!

What rift? I don’t see any-

We hit the wall at an extreme speed. Steven and Latios vanish instantly, leaving me falling almost horizontally through the air. I skim off the water a couple of times before being sent tumbling up the beach and eventually coming to a stop in some very tall grass.

Route 119

Miraculously none of my bones broke during that landing but I’m pretty much sore all over, no doubt I’ll be covered in bruises by tomorrow. I’m filled with mild dread as I check the time; it’s not even lunch time yet.

Caldar! Oh, you’re back again. Where did you go?

- I think I was in another rift…

You’ve got to be more careful! We’ve picked up a couple smaller rifts to the north of you.

- Wonderful…

I continue northwards, training the team as I go. After defeating some bird catchers Amber evolves!

Weather Institute

I notice a commotion in the building and decide to investigate. Inside is torn up somewhat from battle.

Ugh… those traitors…

The plasm goon looks to already be badly beaten.

Aha! Got you!

The rocket goon tries to grab me but a quick jab to the nose stuns him and flinging him into a nearby vending machine puts him out of commission. I make my way upstairs to find a galaxy grunt cartwheel past me from above and collapse into a heap below.

Making it to the top reveals a mix of aqua goons fighting eachother, one of the goons nearby notices and I raise my fist.

No, wait! I’m on your side!

- What?

The meleé quietens as one side claims victory, the ones still standing seem to be the aqua goons in the older uniforms. I approach the office.

Yarr! Shelly, what’s wrong with ye? Ye be wearin’ a ridiculous uniform and ye dyed yer hair too?

But I’ve always looked like this! And you aren’t Archie!

But I be th’real deal! Th’other dude be an imposter!

If you really are the Captain like you say you are then why are you against our goals? Why aren’t you helping us to awaken the super-ancient pokémon?

B’cause I already did it an’ it were a disaster! We almost destroyed th’world! These ‘ere scientists know all about what’ll happen!

- He’s right, and I doubt we just just simply ask Rayquaza to help out again.

Hmph!

Caldar! Long time no see! Ye be here t’ stop me imposter an’ his Aqua Alliance?

- Something like that, yeah.

We prob’ly don’t have long b’fore me imposter makes a move on Mt. Pyre an’ tries t’ grab th’ red orb. I’ll meet ya there!

Route 119

Stepping outside again I suddenly get that feeling I’ve just passed another rift. I turn around to find the Weather Institute in pristine condition, like it was just built yesterday.

I try not to think about it too much and just move on. I don’t get far before another familiar face greets me.

Hi Caldar!

- Bianca?

How’ve you been on your journey? I’m doing well. Hey, let’s have a battle!

- Sure…

Go Wailmer!

- Go Delenn!

- Giga drain!

Water pulse!

Delenn swiftly draws out all of wailmer’s energy from it.

Go Combusken!

- Delenn return! Go Susan!

Flame charge!

Combusken wreathes itself in flames and darts at Susan, bouncing off her shell.

- Surf!

Double kick!

Susan summons a huge wave from the nearby river, sweeping across the path and drowning combusken.

Go Shroomish!

- Ice beam!

Giga drain!

Susan fires a bright blue beam at shroomish, freezing it completely solid.

Woo! Exciting! I’m sure you’ll have what it takes to beat the Elite Four!