home

search

Chapter 17

  The Professor’s robotic copy nods.

  “The original professor had a dream… of a world in which ancient Pokémon might live alongside present-day Pokémon in harmony. But these Pokémon’s powers seem to stem from a primal energy of the ancient past… and this energy has proved too terrible. Their very existence brings destruction to the ecological bance of this modern age. The original professor would say that such destruction is a natural part of life. At present, the barrier around Area Zero is still working to keep the ancient Pokémon from escaping into the rest of Paldea. But we’ve begun to see Pokémon appear that can break the barrier-such as Great Tusk. Eventually they will break free of this walled garden known as Area Zero and run rampant across the Paldea region. And when they do, the rich and varied ecosystem of Paldea will be trampled to dust beneath their advance.”

  The professor buries her face in one hand.

  “I may have been created as a copy of the professor, and yet… I cannot seem to find the logic of allowing such a tragedy to occur. But any hope of preventing it would require overcoming the greatest A.I that the original professor ever devised. Carmina… you have become a formidable Trainer. Now use that strength you have gained to destroy… the dream Sada once cherished.”

  I stare in shock. This is DEFINITELY not what I was expecting.

  “… Alright. I guess I don’t really have a choice.”

  The Professor smiles. “I… Appreciate your willingness to help.”

  The elevator comes to a halt, and the professor shoves her hands into her bcoat pockets.

  “We have reached the lowest level.”

  The door slides open, and I follow her out into a room entirely made of Tera crystal. The only parts of the room that are obviously mechanical are the door, some weird device built into the ceiling, and a podium at the far end of the room.

  Robo-Sada steps over to the podium as it configures itself, two hexagonal rings rising to hang in the air as parts of the podium slide down into the floor.

  “Behold. This is the time machine we perfected using the power of the Terastal phenomenon.”

  I slowly approach, as the professor waits. When I join her, she smiles once more. It looks perfectly human, but there’s a ck of warmth in it that sends a shiver down my spine.

  “To stop the time machine, you will need to use the professor’s I.D, which has been embedded within the Scarlet Book. It was very like the professor to put the final key we would need in that book, of all pces. She loved that volume since childhood. If you pce the Scarlet Book upon the pedestal there, you will be able to stop the time machine. There is just one issue.”

  I frown. “Why is there ALWAYS a catch?”

  The professor fixes me with a stern look. “If you try to stop the machine, I will most likely attack you. Artificial being that I am, my own desires can be overridden by the system’s programming. Once that happens, I am afraid I will become no more than a battle machine, bound to defeat anyone identified as an obstacle by my code. My battling abilities are peerless. They are based upon analysis of all the battles carried out by the various Champions of the Paldea region. Having seen the bond between you and your Pokémon, however, I believe you can prevail. Once you have readied yourself for this fight, please pce the Scarlet Book upon the pedestal.”

  I take a few deep breaths, psyching myself up. Then, slowly, I draw the Scarlet Book from my bag and pce it upon the pedestal, before stepping back a few paces.

  A mechanical voice bres, “I.D confirmed: Professor Sada. Access granted. Initiating emergency shutdown… please wait… Access denied. Shutdown command overridden. Reinitializing…”

  An arm starts, and the professor steps forwards. “it is all up to you now, Carmina…”

  Then she falls to one knee as the voice bres, “A.I Sada switching to sleep mode. Activating offensive protocols…”

  The floor rises in great pilrs, raising the time machine out of my reach, with the Professor’s gynoid uttering three st words, the central ceiling component of the time machine spinning and opening like a flower.

  “Please… defeat me.”

  Then… a series of Pokéballs, just like the one she’d used to recall the aggressive Koraidon, rain down upon her. She catches one. When she speaks, there’s a strange energy in her voice, as if the ghost of the dead professor is piloting her.

  “….. At st… aT Last my draem is within mY reach… and you’re no7 getting in my way!”

  The professor’s eyes are glowing turquoise now, and I can see them shining even from my positon below her. If every Trainer I’d fought on my journey had a phrase like, “Trainer Nemona would like to battle”, then the A.I Sada’s would be ‘Has initiated a battle”. She lets the ball roll out of her hand, and a strange, bug-like creature bursts forth as I send out Garchomp.

  “I don’T KNow who you ArE, but you’RE NO7 getting in the Way Of my GoALs!”

  I fire off an Earth Power, taking a U-Turn in retaliation. Combat-mode Sada howls, “This is THE Power the ANCIent paST holds! splENDId, isn’t IT?!”

  This time, I try a Dragon Cw, and get hit with a Leech Life. Another Dragon Cw, and the Pokémon goes down. Next is another Scream Tail, the Jigglypuff clone thing, and I switch in Azumarill.

  A Py Rough from the Scream Tail isn’t enough to save it from going down to an expertly-aimed Liquidation, and then Garchomp comes back out to face off with the professor’s Flutter Mane, the Misdreavous’ ancestor.

  “Garchomp, use Dig!”

  While my ndshark burrows underground, the Flutter Mane can’t pinpoint its location, until Garchomp erupts out of the floor beneath it, smming its hard head into the Flutter Mane’s body and ;unching it with enough force to crash into the wall of the chamber, knocking it clean out.

  My Annihipe comes out to take Garchomp’s pce, as the Amoonguss-like Brute Bonnet is Sada’s next line of defence. However, Close Combat absolutely smashes through it, leaving the Pokémon insensate.

  A.I Sada cackles, “NoW THis is InterESTING. ChilD, Do you UnderSTAnd AnCIEnt Pokémon’s WEakNESSeS?”

  I send Garchomp back out to have it face off with the Magnemite-esque Sandy Shocks, with Dig being my chosen move. Garchomp indeed performs, burrowing out to grab one of the ‘legs’ of the ancient Pokémon, before smming it down and practically entombing it by burrowing into the ground with its prey.

  Finally, I switch in Azumarill to tangle with Sada’s st Pokémon, Roaring Moon.

  “EVerythING is ProCEEdinG witHIn my EXPEctaTIons. I’m AFraiD the CHAncEs of You WINning are ZeRO.”

  “Azumarill, use Py Rough!”

  Roaring Moon’s Stone Edge hits hard, and it even avoids Azumarill’s attack, but I simply try again, counting on Azumarill to handle the Earthquake. And… Roaring Moon… falls.

  A.I Sada shudders and jerks as threads of electricity flicker around her as she colpses to her knees. The ptforms sink back into the floor as the rest of my friends arrive.

  “Carmina!”

  Penny gasps as the professor hauls herself back onto her feet, hunched over and clutching one arm at the elbow.

  “What is this?!”

  Nemona adds, “Did you already beat all the baddies without me?!”

  Arven storms towards the professor.

  “Okay, out with it, you… who are you, really?!”

  The professor’s still jerking and twitching, before she speaks.

  “Th-thank you… f0r… everything… the time machIne… ha5 finaLLy… she ha5 finally… been 5t0pp3d…”

  Arven looks at the shaking, twitching professor.

  “You’re really not… my mom, are you…?”

  “Oh… look… h0w big you’ve… grown…” A.I Sada mumbles, slurring her words more now. “5o p-proud 0f y0u… my… s0rry… you w3re alone… for so long… Arv-”

  Arven’s face twists into a shocked, half-hopeful grimace.

  “M…Mom?!”

  The room turns red as arms begin bring, even louder than before.

  “SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE! SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE! THREAT TO TIME MACHINE DETECTED! THREAT TO TIME MACHINE DETECTED!”

  Penny csps her hands over her ears.

  “Wh-wh-whoa! What’s going on now?!”

  Nemona gasps, “is another army of Pokémon on its way here?!”

  Professor Sada raises her head in complete disbelief. “It… Cann0t B3!”

  “AN OBSTACLE IS PREVENTING THE TIME MACHINE FROM FUNCTIONING AS INTENDED. ACTIVATING PARADISE PROTECTION PROTOCOL TO REMOVE THE OFFENDING OBSTACLE.”

  A.I Sada gasps, trying to keep her words clear.

  “What? Was… keeping the time… machine running truly… all the professor… cared about?!”

  As Nemona tries to deploy her Lycanroc, the booming mechanical voice continues,

  “LOCKING ALL POKéBALLS EXCEPT THOSE REGISTERED TO SADA.”

  “Wait, what?!” Nemona stares in shock. Not even her strength can be counted on. And, if I were to try, I have no doubt my own Pokémon are trapped in their balls, too.

  “PROGRAM INITIALIZING… GATHERING TERASTAL ENERGY…”

  I stare as A.I Sada’s body… begins to crystallize, gleaming fragments poking through her clothes, starting at her feet.

  She looks at us as she tries to move. “I’m… sorry, children… this is too much for you… you must run!”

  She leans towards us, a hand out, mineral already repcing the limb as the crystal reaches her chest and neck.

  “A.I SADA DISABLED. PARADISE PROTECTION PROTOCOL INIATILIZED.”

  The time machine rises once again, the Paradise Protection Protocol fully taking hold of A.I Sada’s mind and body. I swallow.

  What do I do?! None of my Pokémon can leave their balls, and none of my friends can send theirs out, either! Whatever she sets on us, we’re screwed!

  What emerges from the ball the Paradise Protection Protocol drops… is the other Koraidon. It looks REALLY pissed. The only thing I can think of… is to try something crazy.

  “Okay, GO! RAIRAI!”

  I reach into my bag.., and use MY Koraidon’s Pokéball. I hope I’m remembering correctly. Arven DID say this Koraidon belonged to his mum, so... the BALL should be registered to her as well!

  I throw, shielding my face with a hand, and wait.

  “AGIAS!”

  AS Rairai bursts from its ball, I watch as it takes in the scene, understands, and then bzes with fming light, awakening its battle form!

  “AGIAAAAAS!”

  I shout, “Rairai! Collision Course!”

  Rairai’s ‘wings’ appear as it leaps, then sms down upon the angry Koraidon, punting it across the chamber. The Koraidon snarls, before Rairai bsts it with a Fmethrower, once, twice, and then uses Collision Course again, as Penny shouts at me to “Hang in there!”

  Koraidon shes out with Giga Impact, and Rairai manages to hold on as Arven shouts that he knows “we can do this”, I reach into my bag and douse Rairai with a Full Restore, before noticing my Tera Orb is shimmering. All the Terastal energy around here isn’t JUST going to the professor! Wrenching the glowing sphere out of my bag, I hurl it, straight at Rairai!

  “Go on! TERA BLAST!”

  Rairai’s body glows brilliantly, before unleashing an incredible beam of power, smming the Koraidon back and forcing it to fall, unable to keep battling as A.I Sada’s Terastal energy runs out. I hug Rairai, cheering, as Nemona, Arven, and Penny all stare, before bursting out into their own celebrations, as A.I Sada gasps, “H-how… How very astounding! To think that… you would manage to defy even the original… professor’s final predictions!”

  Arven calms down, and asks, “Are you back to normal?”

  As A.I Sada jerks and twitches, she smiles down at us. “Yes… a completely unforeseen outcome, even for an A.I possessing the most sophisticated technology ever conceived. Even on the brink of despair, you children did not give in and instead proved your worthiness: showing the wisdom to think for yourselves, the courage to hold faith in your friends, and the fortitude to do what had to be done. No matter how difficult your own pasts may have been… I believe you will be capable of walking whatever paths you choose for yourselves now. With pride. I thank you, Carmina. I thank all of you children. But… I am afraid that the time machine cannot be brought to a complete stop as long as I am here… it appears that I myself am a part of the system that ensures the machine reboots when stopped.”

  Sada’s twitching and jerking comes to a halt. Arven stares up at her. “Huh? Wh-what does that mean?”

  “I am sorry…You know, when I was watching you all on your adventures from down here, I felt a sense of…Jealousy. I envied you your freedom. The way that you came together, working in league with your fellows and caring for them…” She gestures to Penny.

  “T-the way that you sought strength and to better yourself, throwing all you are into your battles…” the professor indicates Nemona.

  “The way that you would face down even the greatest enemies to save that which you loved…” she smiles at Arven.

  “The way that you never ceased to seek-nor to fight for- a treasure all your own…” she stares at me, and I can see warmth in her gaze.

  “Agi gi!”

  “Ah, and the way you soared free through the very skies on those wings of yours… I wish that I, too, might be as free as you all- free to seek out that which I might treasure above all else. Not… bound.”

  Penny murmurs, “your own treasure…” staring up at the professor.

  “As long as I remain here, the time machine will not stop- for I am inextricably connected to it. So I’ve made a decision. I will use the time machine to journey to the world of the ancient past that I have dreamed of.”

  Everyone stares, and Nemona gasps, “What?! You can’t just leave now- right when we finally reached you!”

  A.I Sada smiles. “I am not going ONLY so that the time machine can be stopped. I also cannot deny my desire to see that ancient world for myself. Is this what it feels like to have your heart race with the thrill of adventure…?”

  Finally, she speaks to Arven, words meant for him alone.

  “Arven. I am sorry that I kept the truth from you for so long. I inherited all the thought and wishes of the professor, and so I understand better than any… your mother truly loved you.”

  “You… you can’t… you can’t just go and say a thing like that now!”

  “No? I suppose you’re right. I am sorry. Arven. Koraidon. Carmina. It is a little sad, but I’m afraid this is goodbye.”

  “Mom!”

  “Farewell, my free adventurers! I bid you adieu!”

  The professor rises into the air as the time machine spins and whirls, and then…. Vanishes. And, with her gone, the machine powers down and becomes totally inert.

  Arven stares. “How could you just… go? Mom…”

  I hug him, as Nemona asks, “Arven… you okay, bud?”

  Arven nods as I give him a warm squeeze.

  “Yeah… somewhere deep down, I… kind of already knew it. I knew that thing was fake, but… but it… when it said my name, using her voice and wearing her face… even if it was fake, it… felt real, you know. And so I… I just…”

  He shakes his head .

  “Sorry… I don’t know what I’m saying…”

  Penny reaches out and touches his arm.

  “That’s… that’s okay.”

  “Gias!”

  Nemona sighs.

  “I guess Koraidon is sad, too…oh, but that battle form! How cool is that? It’s so strong!”

  Penny gulps.

  “If it tries to nudge at me for a belly rub while it’s huge like this… I seriously think I’m gonna die.”

  Nemona double-takes. “Hey now, let’s not skip over the big win here! Carmina and Koraidon just saved all of Paldea!”

  Penny nods, pushing her gsses up her nose animatedly.

  “Th-that’s right! You both did amazing! Thanks, Carmina!”

  Arven awkwardly pats me on the back. “Yeah… that’s my bud Carmina for ya…”

  Penny turns to the only boy in our group.

  “You know, Arven… um… even though the professor’s gone… I bet she’s finally having a real fun adventure of her own in the past.”

  Arven starts to smile a little.

  “Yeah… thanks, Penny.”

  After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Nemona asks, “So… what should we do now, Carmina?”

  I look at each of my friends… the greatest treasure I could ever have hoped to find.

  “Let’s go home…”

  And, with that, we make our way back out of the Zero Lab, up to the top of Area Zero, and then catch a Flying Taxi to get us out of the crater, where Arven locks the gate to prevent anyone from wandering in unaware of how dangerous the Great Crater really is.

  As we walk down towards Medali, silence stretches around our little group. Nemona finally speaks up.

  “Okay! Everybody, listen up!”

  Penny looks towards her.

  “What is it?”

  Nemona grins mischievously. “Let’s take the long road home… and get a little more fun out of this adventure!”

  Penny’s eyes widen. Arven muses, “I’m… not really…”

  I grin. “Sounds great! If we can load up on snacks first, then I’m in!”

  Arven watches as the four of us, Rairai included, jog ahead, forcing him to move quicker.

  “Hey! C’mon, Carmina, not you too!”

  I stop, and all three of us beckon him to join us. Rairai circles back around and nudges the boy, encouraging him to give in to the friendliness, before acting like a snowplough and driving Arven over.

  “Ugh, OH FINE! I guess we’re doing this!”

  As we make our way towards Medali, through the city and heading for Mesagoza, we do indeed stock up on snacks, talking and ughing, and Nemona and I steal a few kisses, which causes our friends to groan about the ‘sickeningly sweethearts’ in their midst.

  A couple of days ter, once we’ve recovered from our little trip, I get a call over the school’s intercom.

  “Calling students to the Director’s office. Miss Carmina, Miss Nemona, Master Arven, and Miss Penny. Director Cvell would like to see you in his office.”

  I groan. Ugh, I guess he figured out we skipped two days in order to help A.I Sada and then didn’t hurry back to school…

  When I get to the Director’s office, I’m the st one to arrive. Arven grins. “Hah, looks like the heroine’s finally here!”

  The director’s standing in front of his desk. “Would you join us, Miss Carmina?”

  I line up between Nemona and Arven, wondering just how much trouble I’m in. Penny commiserates, “We’re in for an earful, aren’t we.”

  Nemona shrugs. “Guess we’ll find out soon enough!”

  The director shakes his head.

  “No need for concern, you two. I’m not angry in the slightest. I merely called you here to discuss your fine achievements in this year’s Treasure Hunt. You shut down the professor’s time machine and this prevented the ancient Pokémon from running rampant all across Paldea. Your actions were truly outstanding in every regard, and I couldn’t be prouder of you all. Though your decision to enter a strictly off-limits area was admittedly… regrettable.”

  Nemona grin. “Heh. You’ve got us there.”

  Cvell continues, “However, since this was necessary to protect Paldea and its precious ecosystems, I am willing to overlook that particur point.”

  Penny sighs, “Phew. So we’re not getting raked over the coals after all.”

  The Director turns to me. “Oh! Before I forget, Miss Carmina, there is something I would like you to have. Each of your friends has received one already, so this one is for you.”

  The object he hands me… is the strange purple Pokéball with the letter M on it.

  “This is a Master Ball. If used, you will not fail to catch any wild Pokémon, no matter the time, pce, or conditions. It simply cannot fail. This is the pinnacle of Pokéball technology.”

  I pack the precious Master Ball away in my bag. The Director turns to my friend Arven.

  “Oh, and, Master Arven… I am so sorry to hear about the professor. You have my deepest condolences.”

  Arven looks down. “Ah…well… yeah, it was pretty rough when I found out my mom had died… but weirdly enough, my head actually feels clear now. For the first time in ages. In the Great Crater, I got to learn a bit about my mom’s research, and what she was trying to achieve down there. I guess if you’re building something as mind-blowing as a time machine, that takes priority over showering your son with attention, huh? All I know is that I’m done feeling like some lost little kid. Done. Time to say goodbye and move on. I’m gonna enjoy every st day until graduation with my buds here- and Mabosstiff, of course!”

  The Director nods approvingly.

  “Well said, Master Arven. You truly are your mother’s son. Of course, I must remind you that you’ve nowhere near enough credits to graduate you’ll need to study frantically to catch up, but I have every expectation of your success.”

  Arven’s smile wavers. “wha-?!”

  The Director turns to face me.

  “And let us not forget the other good news! Our academy has a new Champion! Though we sadly cannot make your valiant deeds in the Great Crater known to the public, your new Champion rank, at least, should be celebrated throughout the whole school!”

  Nemona starts waving her hand eagerly. “Oooh! I know how we should celebrate! We should hold a Pokémon battle contest!”

  Arven groans, “Seriously? Could we not?”

  Penny chimes in, “Cssic Nemona…”

  Director Cvell strokes his chin. “A Pokémon battle contest, you say… while your own vested interests in such a venture are more than apparent, Miss Nemona, I think it’s a fine idea! But please understand that a rge-scale event will be quite beyond us. We’ve many other school activities to keep an eye on, after all…”

  A voice I haven’t heard in about a week fills the room.

  “Pardon my intrusion. I couldn’t help but overhear.”

  The Top Champion enters, a smile on her face.

  “The Pokémon League will, of course, lend a hand in organizing this contest.”

  Nemona and I gasp jointly, “La Primera?!”

  “Well, well! A most kind offer, Chairwoman Geeta.”

  Ms. Geeta smiles. “I do everything in my power to nurture young, up-and-coming talent. Though that’s not to say only the youth have potential when it comes to Pokémon battles. A former Gym Leader… the developer of the Pokédex app… this academy clearly counts many skilled Trainers of Pokémon among its staff. As such, my suggestion is as follows… Students AND staff should compete for the title of strongest Trainer at the academy!”

  Nemona gasps in delight, csping her hands.

  “Whooaaa! We’d get to battle the TEACHERS! You’d compete too, right, Primera?!”

  Arven frowns. “Is that even allowed? The chairwoman’s not part of the academy, right?”

  Penny crifies, “Aaactually, I think she’s the chairwoman of the school board as well as the Pokémon League…”

  Arven blinks.

  “Wait, for real? I mean, I knew she was on another level, but… wow.”

  Ms. Geeta smiles. “Thank you for the invitation, Champion Nemona. I would gdly take up your kind offer to compete alongside you all, but… I’m afraid my schedule is already packed tight with work that I simply must attend to.”

  Nemona pouts. “Awww! Can’t you free up some time somehow?”

  Ms. Geeta fixes ME with a look. “Well… I suppose I might be able to participate if Champion Carmina would agree to lend me a hand with my work…?”

  Aaaand now I’m getting Rockruff-eyes from my girlfriend as she silently pleads with me to give La Primera what she wants. Well, at least I’ll get some Brownie points if I say yes….

  “Where should I start, Primera?”

  “Much obliged, Champion Carmina. To get right to it, I would like you to go out and inspect Paldea’s various Gyms in my stead. Are they fulfilling their duties as beacons of strength and inspiration for all those aiming to achieve Champion rank? Or has their brilliance started to fade? To find this out, I ask that you bring your full might as Champion to bear against each of the Gym Leaders and test their prowess in battle. They are all Trainers of exceptional talent, handpicked personally by me. I do not expect you’ll find any cracks in their armour, so to speak, but… well. Consider it a formality. This will also provide the perfect stage for your first official appearance as a new Champion.”

  I hold a hand up to interrupt, but Ms. Geeta nailed exactly what I was about to say and smiles.

  “And of course, it has been made official news that our new Champion is not one to tolerate being filmed, recorded, or streamed, with dire consequences for anyone found breaking this rule.”

  Then, a mischievious little twinkle appears in La Primera’s eyes.

  “Since all the Gym Leaders will still be expecting me to carry out the inspection, I imagine they’ll have mustered their full strength. I daresay they’ll be more of a challenge than when you faced them before.”

Recommended Popular Novels