Chapter XXII: The Lonely Kakori Village, The Road To Valor Mountain, And Zetta's Ulterior Motive!
As soon as I head through the end of the forest, I meet up with everyone else. We find the village, but are blocked off, due to two rangers, who halt us. They wonder who goes there, and Melia explains who we are, and that we wish to gain passage through Kakori Village. One of the rangers wonders if she's heard her name before, and the other says that he heard it before, too. Melia says that she was there before, but had to leave on important business. She asks them if we can enter, and one of the rangers isn't so sure. She tells us that they have bigger problems on their hands, and the other says that there's this Carnivine wreaking havoc on Terajuma Island, saying that it's creating vines that are blocking the pathways between here and the village. However, Melia tells them that we solved that problem already, and unfortunately, that Carnivine is no longer... but no more problems should arise. The ranger is surprised, and calls us ruthless. Valarie asks them if we can just enter, because we've been through a lot. However, somebody arrives, and asks the rangers if they're being incompetent again. The rangers get scared, saying that it's Crawli. Crawli then orders the two to open the gates, and the two do. Just then, the gates open, and a green-haired person is on the other side. Xe recognizes Melia, and asks if it's her, and she says that it's nice to see xyr again, as she asks how xe's been. Crawli says that xe's been great, although it looks like xyr rangers haven't improved since she was here last. Melia is sure that they'll come around someday, and then turns to us, introducing Crawli to us. She explains that xe is the head ranger, and the Gym Leader of Kakori Village. Braixen introduces herself to xyr, and tells xyr not to forget her name. Valarie introduces herself as the Gym Leader of Akuwa Town, and Adam introduces himself, too. Aelita introduces herself to xyr, saying that she is the daughter of the former Sensei of Sheridan. Crawli sees that there's a lot of important people in this group, and assumes that we're all tired and stuff. Ummm... Whatever happened to my introduction? Xe then invites us to sit down and chat, and says that we all look like we have a lot to tell. Xe says that there's a vacant house northeast of xyr gym, and we can use that. Xe and Melia leave, and Aelita hopes that they have stuff to eat, because she's starving. She and everybody else head to the house, and I follow. However, from the two rangers, I learn that Crawli is nice, and that xe's actually blind. Xyr mastery of Bug-types has allowed xyr to see like a bug does, too, which is pretty impressive. I explore the town, and find a Help Center here! A ranger nearby tells me that somebody keeps putting flyers on the houses around here... What's creepy is that if one tried to rip them off, they'd feel a very cold chill down their spine... The ranger tells me that people have passed out because of this, and I find a flyer next to the Help Center, which says this:
"'Help those willing to be helped.' These are the words that are God, Arceus has blessed us with." -Angie
Just who is this Angie person? Whoever she is, she seems odd...
I look around the houses, and find some more:
"You all will be punished..." -Angie
I head into a person's home, and she asks me if I always walk into people's houses like this. She asks me if there's anything else I do, like break their pots, thinking that I'll find money in them. She tells me right now that she has no pots to be broken, nor are there any money lying in them. She then tells me to be a good little kid, and leave her house. Hello? Old lady, I'm a grown MAN! What the hell are you talking about, disrespecting me like I'm some little kid? HELL no! I will not stand for this! I then go to the door, but she says that I'm not even allowed in her house, asking me what makes her think she'll let me inside of her room. I leave, and also find a suspicious house, where its residents are silent. I also find that their home has a generator and some boxes, which could be suspicious.
I head into another house, where I learn about a Pokemon that can take things and put them into its own dimension with hoops. Hoopa, anyone? However, what the old man says is interesting:
"Long ago, the Aevium Region used to be one huge, intact region. However, one day, a war broke out between the people of Aevium. They were after something that could allow them to gain the knowledge to further their ideals. Much blood was shed on this day, and then suddenly, the earth shook. This mysterious white light flickered over and over until one final flash of light engulfed the region. When the light faded, almost 80% of the population were killed. I was a child during the time, but I remember that where the gym used to be was now gone. And a vast ocean engulfed the horizon. It seems as though my village was torn in two, and my parents were on the other half. I haven't seen them since that day... They're probably long gone by now."
I leave the house, and head to the vacant house where everybody is. When I head inside, Valarie tells Crawli that we need to know where Valor Mountain is, because it's urgent. Crawli understands, and says that it's not like Valor Mountain is off-limits, but... Just then, an earthquake occurs, and Aelita wonders what that was. Crawli guesses that Valor Mountain explained itself before xe could, and Braixen asks what xe means. Crawli explains that there is a reason why Valor Mountain is called Valor Mountain, and it's because the mountain can feel emotions. Adam is confused, and Crawli says that it can feel neutrality, anger, and sadness. Adam asks xyr if xe's serious, and asks if xe's really trying to tell him that a MOUNTAIN can feel emotions, and asks xyr what kind of assholes xe takes us for. Braixen says that she can't say that she totally believes it either, but stranger things have happened. Melia tells us that Crawli is telling the truth, and that she's talking from experience herself. Valarie trusts her judgment, and Crawli says that even though Valor Mountain isn't regulated, we should still be careful. Just then, somebody comes in, looking for Crawli. A familiar someone, in fact...
Just then, Rorim B. shows up, and scoffs, saying that Crawli has work to do. Just then, he recognizes me from before, and says that it's disgraceful in his village. he scoffs, and Crawli asks me if I've met Rorim B before. Rorim B says that we have, and that I've disgraced his presence back on the mainland. He says that he has nothing else to say to me, and Crawli asks him if he came in here to tell xyr something. Rorim B tells xyr to forget it, because he can't stand my presence anymore. He leaves, and Aelita and the others are shocked. Crawli says that Rorim B is a strange guy, but says that we should get going. Valarie says that we should, and thanks xyr. Everyone except Melia leaves, and lets it all out. She says that she is so glad everyone is gone for just a second, shocking even me. Melia says that acting like a leader is cool and all, but it is tiring. She asks me if she surprised me, and laughs. She tells me that she had to act serious for a bit, otherwise people don't take you seriously. She says that's something she learned while she's been away. She admits that this life is way more exciting than her life in Gearen, but being yourself doesn't really seem like a big thing until you have to be someone else. She gets up to leave, but at the door, she tells me that she trusts me the most, so she knows no matter who she is, I'll be right behind her. She then leaves, and I follow.
I wonder what she means by that?
I leave the house, and follow them into Route 5- Valor Path. I read the sign, and it warns me that there are falling rocks from Valor Mountain. I battle the trainers, and as I continue onward, rocks fall from Valor Mountain, as I was warned before. Heck, one rock falls dangerously close to this Pokemon Ranger, she doesn't even bother battling me! I continue onward until I reach a beach. I talk with one of the trainers, who tells me that she heard someone in the village uses soot from the grass to create flutes. The other trainer is just thinking about jumping on the ledges, but thinks it's risky, and gives up on crossing. I start to jump on the ledges, and I battle the trainers as I jump across ledges.
However, as I jump across, I see Eli and Sharon again! Sharon is trying to get Eli to jump, and says that it's not that hard. She tells him that he already got this far, and encourages him that he can get even further if he just thinks about it. Eli tries to say that he can't, and Sharon just tells him to jump because he'll be fine. Eli then tries to jump... but then falls in the water like an idiot, leaving Sharon disappointed. She says that she really, REALLY doesn't have time for this, and dives in after him, telling him to hold on. However, she hits her head on one of the ledges hard, and slowly swims down, then quickly swims away. I make it to the shore across the river, and I find an empty house. I leave the house, talk to the swimmer, and continue onward to Valor Mountain. I find a healing machine, heal my Pokemon, and continue onward.
I eventually meet up with the others, and find Zetta right in front of us! Melia is not surprised that Geara decided to send the weakest link to sort us out, and says that he's no match for us, demanding that we pass. Zetta tells her that she's a lot more annoying than when she was at Goldenwood Forest, and she says that she gained a voice and some skill. She tells him that he at least has one of those things: a voice. Zetta says that she's fierce and fearless, and says that now he knows where he got that from. Melia asks him what on earth he's talking about, and he shrugs it off, saying that he'll deal with her later. He reveals that I'm the one he was sent down here to test, and says that we should start the show. With that said, the battle begins.
You want a show, Zetta? Bring it.
Zetta sends out Absol while I send out IronFist, who almost knocks out Absol, who survives by an inch. IronFist finishes Absol off with a Vital Throw, and Zetta sends out a Shadow Chesnaught! I send out Charles, who weakens Chesnaught with Flame Burst. I then proceed to throw Pokeballs at Chesnaught, while Chesnaught knocks out Charles. I send out Sheep, and throw more Pokeballs until I eventually catch it! Zetta sends out Roserade, and Sheep weakens Roserade by paralyzing it with Thunder Wave and confusing it with Confuse Ray. However, Sheep is eventually knocked out by Roserade's Magical Leaf, and I send out Grimsley, having him use X-Scissor. Roserade snaps out of confusion, but gets paralyzed next turn when its on its last inch. Zetta sends out Weavile, and Grimsley smacks it with Smack Down twice to knock it out. Zetta sends out Vileplume, while I send out IronFist. Zetta must really love Grass and Dark types! IronFist Crunches Vileplume and Vital Throws it, but unfortunately gets knocked out eventually. I send out Nancy, and have her finish the job by striking with a critical hit Crunch, knocking Vileplume out. With Zetta's Pokemon defeated and Shadow Chesnaught snagged, I win the battle!
Zetta says that he never stood a chance, and says that he really dislikes me. He asks me if I think I'm better than him, and tells me to guess again. He then says I should have a gift, straight from Uncle Zetta. He contacts Geara, and tells him to activate the pillars. They activate, and we're all shocked as they ooze lava. Zetta turns to us, and says that we're through. Melia tells Zetta to stop, but then a pool of magma is formed as Melia tells us to watch out. Zetta wonders what our poor group will do now, and gloats that now there's no way to into the mountain, and now we have no way we can save Nim. Melia tells him to stop acting like he's important, and says that it's obvious they don't want us on the mountain. She says that we have what they want, and they have what we want, so he should spill the ulterior motive, now. Zetta calls her a smart girl, but dismisses her, saying that's none of her concern, and that we should worry about entering first. He wishes us good luck, and says that we'll need it before heading to Valor Mountain.
Melia gets frustrated, and Aelita wonders what we do now. Melia turns to us and says that this changes nothing. She tells us that we're getting in the mountain one way or another. She says that she could easily fly over this pit of lava, but going in alone would be suicide. Valarie wonders what we do now, and Aelita claims that she might have the solution... She explains that there was this book she read that detailed a way to surf over magma called Magma Drift. ARE YOU SERIOUS? THAT SHIT IS REALLY IN THIS GAME?! THAT IS AMAZING!!! I have a story about my experience with that, but I'll say that story another time! Unfortunately, it requires seven badges for it to be used. Melia wonders what Magma Drift is, but remembers of such a TM. However, she remembers it being too dangerous, so it was discontinued. However, she's sure we could find some retro shop selling it. As for the badge part, she asks if Adam or Saki would be able to battle me. Adam says that he doesn't mean to be rude, but he and I aren't exactly on the same level... Does that mean he's severely stronger than me? Melia sees that he must be in the double digits in terms of Gym Leader status. Valarie chimes in, saying that Saki is too strong for me as well. BITCH, if I could destroy Madame X, then I sure as hell can beat those two! Braixen tells us that there is a gym in Kakori Village, and bets that I will be able to get a badge there. Aelita remembers that Crawli is a Gym Leader, and Melia asks who's challenging the league. Aelita tells her that me and herself are currently challenging the league. Melia takes note of this, and says that it just so happens that she is also taking part in the Aevium League. However, she's willing to put that aside for emergency reasons. She says that leaves Aelita and I. She explains that gym battles take one battle every hour, so we'll have to decide on who gets the first battle. OH HELL NO, NOT ANOTHER BATTLE! However, Aelita surprisingly lets me do it first, saying that we'd waste more time arguing on who would go first. Melia settles it, and says that I will go first. Adam then decides that we should all leave because this area is incredibly unstable, and she doesn't want to be pummeled to the ground by a rock. Melia agrees, and says we should head back to Kakori Village. They all leave, leaving me behind. WHY THE HELL DID YOU GUYS NOT TAKE ME WITH YOU? OBVIOUSLY you care NOTHING for my safety!
I then head back the long way, and find them standing at the front of the gym. However, somebody at the front door tells us that Crawli isn't here, and Melia wonders where xe went. However, the girl can't tell us because she doesn't know where xe is herself. She tells us that xe used to have this secret area that only xe and xyr father knew about, and Aelita wonders where xyr father is. The girl doesn't know that either, but she does know xe loves to hang around Route 3 on the mainland. We huddle up, and Valarie wonders what the deal is. Melia tells her that xe isn't there, and Adam wonders where xe is. Melia tells us that Crawli left to go to xyr "secret base" on the mainland. However, as the name implies, it's secret. Braixen wonders what we do now, and Melia asks if we remember Crawli's father, the flamboyant-looking guy who entered the house. HOLD A MINUTE... RORRIM B... IS CRAWLI'S FATHER?! THAT MAN IS CRAZY!!! Melia tells us that he may know where Crawli is, and if we find him, we find Crawli. Adam wonders where he is, and Aelita says that we don't know that either, but we have a few guesses. Melia is about to take a guess, but Colin arrives, saying that he finally found us. Valarie wonders what's up, and Colin says that there are creepy tentacle things attacking the ship! Valarie realizes what they are, and everyone heads over there, and I follow.
Don't worry, help is on the way!
Current Stats:
Some of them leveled up quite a bit, and I completely forgot that Swoop was level 53, not 43. Beating Madame X does make a Pokemon strong like that. Anyways, I decided to rechristen my Rejuvenation name to Trevore as well, since I already did so for Reborn. A bit minor, but that's how I decided to do it.
Charizard
Name: Charles
Level: 45
Moves: Fire Fang, Wing Attack, Flame Burst, Dragon Rage
Greninja
Name: Grimsley
Level: 47
Moves: Bounce, X-Scissor, Smack Down, Surf
Murkrow
Name: P.I.M.P.
Level: 43
Moves: Feint Attack, Wing Attack, Night Shade, Assurance
Swoobat
Name: Swoop
Level: 53
Moves: Psychic, Substitute, Air Slash, Endeavor (Will get Calm Mind back though, don't worry!)
Ampharos
Name: Sheep
Level: 46
Moves:Confuse Ray, Power Gem, Thunder Wave, Discharge
Torkoal
Name: Tortimer
Level: 43
Moves: Flame Wheel, Curse, Flamethrower, Protect
Sharpedo
Name: Shawn
Level: 37
Moves: Assurance, Screech, Swagger, Ice Fang
Pangoro
Name: IronFist
Level: 43
Moves: Crunch, Rock Smash, Body Slam, Vital Throw
Mawile
Name: Nancy
Level: 44
Moves: Iron Head, Sucker Punch, Baton Pass, Crunch
Driftblim
Name: Kidnapper
Level: 43
Moves: Substitute, Minimize, Amnesia, Baton Pass