Chapter Text
The Pokemon League.
This…was not how Lizzie wanted to face the greatest challenge of her journey. None of the staff or Elite Four members had seen any sign of Team Plasma, and they wouldn’t let her explore the building for any signs of them unless she was challenging them. So, she had no choice.
Luckily for her, worry for your kidnapped friends combined with anger for the ones who took them was a great motivator in battle. All her Pokemon were more focused than they had ever been because they all knew that if they lost, they would have to start all over again. And that was time they couldn’t afford to waste. It was motivating enough for even her Larvesta to come in clutch during a particularly rough battle and evolve.
In the end, Lizzie couldn’t decide if she had made good or bad time, because by the time she reached Alder, N was already there, standing victorious over him. Lizzie didn’t remember much of their conversation, mostly because five minutes later, a giant freaking castle rose out of the ground behind the League, nearly shattering the building in the process as a large staircase crashed through the room they were in to let N ascend it.
…On the bright side, Lizzie had found the general location where Ingo and Emmet were likely being kept. Now she just had to find them in a giant castle; easy.
After leaving the gym leaders, along with Cheren and Bianca to deal with the remaining grunts and the Plasma Sages or whatever they called those old guys, Lizzie began sprinting through the halls for any sign of her friends and the stolen Pokémon. The place didn’t look like it had a dungeon, so they couldn’t be far. But luckily, after going through a couple of rooms, Lizzie found the jackpot; a room full of containers stuffed to the brim with Pokeballs.
“Arceus, did they get all these from the Battle Subway?” Lizzie murmured. “We’re gonna have to hold a bazaar just to return all these!” She gazed at the containers when her eyes fell on two somewhat familiar Pokeballs resting on top of one. She picked them up and released them, revealing two frantic and confused Pokemon that she recognized immediately. “Chandelure! Eelektross!”
The two Pokemon lit up and happily hurried towards her. “Hey!” Lizzie greeted, giving them pats. “You guys okay?” The two Pokemon nodded and started looking around. “I haven’t found Emmet and Ingo yet,” Lizzie said, making them deflate a bit. “But I know they’re here somewhere. Are the rest of their Pokemon here?”
The two nodded and moved back to the container where they dug out four more Pokeballs. Lizzie quickly released Excadrill, Klingklang, Archeops, and Durant to reassure them before returning all six Pokemon and safely tucking them in her bag. She didn’t need to draw attention to herself with six anxious Pokemon wandering by her side. She contacted Cheren and Bianca on her Xtrans, telling them where the stolen Pokémon were being kept and went on her way.
Emmet was pacing. He had been pacing for the past few hours ever since the whole room started to rumble before stopping. Finally, Ingo grabbed Emmet by the scruff of his jacket, “Emmet, please,” He said. “You’re making tracks on the floor.”
“I can’t help it!” Emmet protested. “Everything was shaking and then it wasn’t! Something happened! I need to know!”
“I want to know too,” Ingo said, gripping his shoulders. “But panicking and worrying isn’t going to make someone magically appear and-”
Knock knock knock!
“Ingo?! Emmet?! Are you in there?!”
Both twins perked up at the voice. “Lizzie!” Emmet ran to the door. “Yes, we’re here!”
“We both are!” Ingo joined his brother’s side. “How did you get here?!”
“Long story, but back up, okay? I’ll get you out!” Lizzie called. Ingo and Emmet backed away from the door and heard a Pokemon being released. “Alright Samurott, Razor Shell!” A blade of water swiftly sliced the door to pieces, revealing Lizzie and Samurott. “Guys!” Lizzie ran in and gripped their arms. “Are you okay?”
“We’re in perfect working condition,” Ingo reassured her.
“Though we were going a bit stir-crazy,” Emmet admitted. “Now I must know; where are we?”
“Oh, a castle,” Lizzie answered casually.
“A castle?!” Ingo exclaimed.
“Yeah, apparently it was underground the whole time and Team Plasma just raised it out of the ground,” Lizzie explained. “The poor Pokemon League is a mess now…oh! Almost forgot!” Lizzie reached into her bag and pulled out their Pokemon. “I think you’ll be wanting these back. They’ve been worried sick.” She released all six of them, and Ingo and Emmet lit up at the sight of their partners.
“You’re alright!” Ingo laughed as Chandelure, Excadrill and Klingklang nuzzled him.
“Thank goodness!” Emmet exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Eelectross while Archeops and Durant perched on him happily in some fashion.
“My friends Cheren and Bianca should be rounding up the rest of the stolen Pokemon,” Lizzie said. “So in the meantime, I’m gonna find N and give him a piece of my mind.”
“We’re coming with you,” Emmet declared.
“Huh?” Lizzie blinked.
“We never abandon a valued subway rider in need,” Ingo said. “It’s clear we need to teach Team Plasma a lesson for messing with our beloved subway.”
Lizzie smirked, “Well, can’t argue with that.”
They ventured further up the stairs of the castle, until they reached a giant stone room, with a long hallway leading up to a throne. Honestly, the moment Lizzie saw N sitting there, everything seemed to blackout. The next thing she knew, the Black Stone in her possession was floating and absorbing energy before transforming into the Pokemon Zekrom, the other legendary dragon parallel to N’s Reshiram.
The dragon asked for a battle, which Lizzie gave with Samurott and Volcarona. After an intense battle, she threw the Master Ball she had acquired, and Zekrom was hers.
“So Zekrom has chosen you,” N said. “The Hero of Ideals.” N released Reshiram behind him. “Now, once I defeat you, I can create the world I desire!” Lizzie frowned and let out Zekrom. The large Pokemon looked at her and gave a nod; despite being caught literally seconds ago, Lizzie felt it understood what had to be done.
The two dragons took flight and began their fight. Lizzie had battled N before, but this time he seemed more intense than usual. When N’s final Pokemon, Zoroark, came out, Lizzie had her Samurott, both Pokemon panting from a decently close battle. “Why can’t you just understand?” N muttered, his hat hiding his eyes. “Why can’t you just see the truth?!”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s true or not!” Lizzie exploded. “Forcing your beliefs, your ‘new world’, onto people isn’t going to work and it never will! People believe what they believe! It’s gonna take more than a big dragon to change people’s minds!” Lizzie clenched her fists as Samurott’s Torrent activated. “Right now, our beliefs don’t matter. Team Plasma has hurt a lot of people I care about…I’m not letting you, or Team Plasma hurt any of my friends ever again! FINISH IT!”
Samurott used Hydro Pump which hit Zoroark directly. At the same time, above them, Zekrom landed a Dragonbreath on Reshiram. The white dragon faltered and Zekrom grabbed it. Just as Zoroark fell, Zekrom slammed Reshiram to the ground, keeping it subdued. “It’s over,” Lizzie said firmly.
N stood completely still; he moved to Reshiram and fell to his knees. He was silent as he carefully put a hand on the defeated dragon while Lizzie returned Zekrom to its ball. “You know…when I first met you, and I heard your Pokemon speak…it surprised me,” He said. “Your Oshawott…it said it liked you, that it wanted to go with you…I had never heard any Pokemon say that before…”
“Then maybe you just weren’t listening,” Lizzie said. N looked back at her as she placed a hand on Samurott’s head. “You act like I’m the only one other than you that loves their Pokemon, but that’s not true. Everyone I’ve met on my journey so far loves their Pokemon and would do anything for them. If you listened to almost every trainer in Unova, you would have heard the same thing.” She lightly frowned as N’s childhood room flashed in her mind, “But…you’ve never been around people much, so you were probably too scared to listen.”
N shook his head as he returned Reshiram and started healing it, “...I got more and more confused the more I traveled,” He said. “Could it be that both sides are right?”
Lizzie shrugged, “You learn a lot when you travel with Pokemon; maybe, if you keep going, you’ll find the answer to that too.” A smile ghosted N’s face.
“After all that, do you really think you are worthy to share the name Harmonia with me?”
Before Lizzie could even register the voice behind her, an electric shock ran up her body. She let out a yell before collapsing, her body twitching, and an Eelectross stood over her, but not the one she knew. Samurott roared angrily but was quickly paralyzed the eel, and Ghetsis walked past her.
“What are you-” N’s protests were cut off as Eelectross subdued him with a shock as well. When had he…?! Lizzie peeked behind her, catching a glimpse of Ingo and Emmet. A Cofagrigus was behind them, two of its ghostly hands holding them up by the neck, keeping them from reaching for their Pokemon due to lack of air.
“You good for nothing boy…” Ghetsis sneered. “The whole reason we sought after the legendary dragons was to give MY Team Plasma more power! Power to control the masses!”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me…” Lizzie grunted as she lifted her head. “I was right…? You were just using him…?”
Ghetsis smirked, “Honestly, it was too easy; this boy is just a freak without a human heart.” He looked down at N descendingly. “After all that talk about putting your beliefs on the line, you lose to an ordinary trainer! You are nothing but a defective, warped boy who knows nothing but Pokemon!” Lizzie tried to get up, but Eelectross gave her and Samurott another shock, sending them back to the ground.
“Lizzie…!” Emmet choked, grabbing at the shadowy hand around his neck.
“I’ll admit, hostages were not part of the original plan; they’re nothing but a nuisance. We’ll take care of them easily.” Ghetsis said.
“Don’t you f-” Lizzie was subdued by another shock.
“In the meantime, I’ll take care of you myself.” Ghetsis and Eelectross hovered over her menacingly.
“Liepard, Night Slash!”
“Fluffy, use Crunch!”
Two attacks appeared from behind Cofagrigus, coming from a familiar Liepard and Stoutland. Ingo and Emmet gasped for breath as they were released, falling to their knees and Cheren and Bianca appeared by their sides.
“What?!”
That was the distraction Lizzie needed, “Samurott, Revenge!” Samurott charged, covered in red energy, and slammed into Eelectross, defeating it in one hit. “Guess taking all that damage was worth it,” Lizzie grunted as she managed to get up. She looked behind her, “Everyone okay back there?”
“We’re good!” Bianca waved while she and Cheren helped Ingo and Emmet to their feet.
“Pesky children…!” Ghetsis growled and snapped his fingers. Immediately, the three identical masked figures known as the Shadow Triad appeared around Cheren, Bianca, and the Subway Bosses. “Eliminate them!” Ghetsis ordered before looking at Lizzie. “I’ll take care of you myself.”
“Bring it on, old man,” Lizzie scoffed, spraying a Full Restore on Samurott. But a split second later, there was a flash of light of a Pokemon being released. The next thing she knew, something fluffy but hard had slammed her in the stomach, knocking the air out of her and sending her to the ground.
“LIZZIE!” Cheren and Bianca screamed, kept from reaching her by the Shadow Triad and their own Pokemon. A Bouffalant snorted viciously as it stood alongside four other Pokemon released by Ghetsis. Lizzie felt Samurott by her side, nudging her and trying to lift her up while she coughed and gasped for air.
“I’m done playing fair,” Ghetsis sneered. “I’m ending this once and for all.” He grabbed the Ultra Ball from N that held a freshly healed Reshiram and released it. The Pokemon towered over the fallen trainer, looking even more menacing alongside his six other Pokemon.
“Lizzie!” Bianca cried, tears pricking her eyes.
“Get up!” Ingo yelled.
“Please, get up!” Emmet agreed. “You’ve got to get up!”
“Are you really gonna let this guy beat you?!” Cheren demanded, his knuckles white from how tightly his fists were clenched.
“Get up, Elizabeth!” Ingo yelled again. “Please, please, please get up!” Bianca begged.
Finally, Lizzie shakily began getting to all fours. “C’mon, Elizabeth!” Ingo called. “You can do it!”
“Full speed ahead!” Emmet cheered.
“Beat him, Lizzie!” Bianca yelled as loud as she could.
“Don’t you dare hold back!” Cheren yelled.
“Alright…you wanna play dirty?” Lizzie got out the rest of her Pokeballs and released her entire team, including Zekrom.
Ghetsis didn’t seem troubled, until Reshiram suddenly vanished, having been returned to its ball by N. Ghetsis turned on him in a rage. “What are you-”
“Reshiram isn’t yours to control,” N said, his voice hard. “I’m not going to let it be used as a tool, especially by you.” Cheren and Bianca nodded to each other and rushed up to the main podium, releasing their Pokemon alongside Lizzie’s, leaving the Shadow Triad to Ingo and Emmet.
Standing side by side, just the way it should be, the Nuvema Trio commanded the attack. It was chaotic. Ghetsis’ Pokemon could all take a hit, resulting in two or three Pokemon from their teams dogpiling one in an effort to take it down. Simisear, Simipour, and Simisage all stuck together as a unit, battling together for the first time in what felt like ages. But even with their teamwork, it still took a lot of effort to take down two of Ghetsis’ five remaining Pokemon.
Finally, Ghetsis ordered his remaining three Pokemon, Bouffalant, Seismitoad, and Hydreigon to attack their remaining Pokemon. Serperior took a full-powered Fire Blast, Emboar was wiped with a Muddy Water, and Samurott was slammed with a Wild Charge. However, that was all for naught, as all three Pokemon remained standing, let out a cry, and began to glow green, red, and blue. Overgrow, Blaze, and Torrent had been activated at the same time.
“It’s over!” Lizzie yelled, and she and her friends stepped up.
“Rose! Use Heat Crash!”
“Serperior, Leaf Blade!”
“Samurott, finish it with Hydro Pump!”
The three Nuvema Pokemon’s attacks all combined as one, and Ghetsis could only scream in rage as his remaining Pokemon were completely wiped out. Ghetsis began going on some rant about how he was perfect, but Lizzie had enough. She walked right up and punched him in the stomach. Everyone gaped as the leader doubled over and Lizzie let out a breath, “You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to do that.”
As the gym leaders led Ghetsis away, Lizzie’s legs folded under her, her shaky arms barely supporting her. All that adrenaline had finally worn off; she barely even noticed that N had disappeared. Lizzie felt two pairs of arms wrap around her from behind and the side; Cheren and Bianca.
“Don’t you go fighting giant dragons or evil teams alone ever again!” Bianca wailed.
“You scared us to death…” Cheren said softly.
Lizzie sighed as she reached up and touched her friends’ arms around her, despite every bone in her body screaming to drop everything and sleep. “I’m fine…” Lizzie breathed, her eyes drooping closed. Her friends were so warm… “Let’s get out of here and just…sleep…” She murmured.
Cheren huffed out a laugh, “Sounds good to me,”
Emmet stepped forward and Bianca and Cheren helped Lizzie onto his back, “Full speed ahead,”
“Travel with care, Emmet,” Ingo warned. “Safety first and always.”
“Of course,” Emmet nodded with a smile.
Everyone slowly departed from the castle, and Lizzie just about passed out. When she woke up, she was in a hotel room, lying between a sound asleep Cheren and Bianca, like they were at a sleepover as kids again.
If you had told Lizzie that the next two years of her life would involve one of her best friends disappearing and traversing all of Unova to try and find him, she would’ve been concerned and confused.
After the defeat of Team Plasma, the Pokemon League needed time to rebuild, aka remove the giant castle that Team Plasma had so rudely left behind. Lizzie really didn’t mind; to her, that run of the Pokemon League didn’t really count anyway. Yeah, she had beaten N, who was technically the new Champion since he defeated Alder right before she arrived, but having the fate of the world on the line combined with two giant dragon Pokemon and a crazy old man trying to kill her and everyone she loved made the whole thing feel…not very official. Plus, the Hall of Fame wasn’t even in the picture when it was all over, so even if she wanted it to count, there was no record of her victory.
So that was that. But honestly, Lizzie was perfectly fine with waiting for another shot. She had gotten what not many trainers got during their journey: a practice run. Lizzie remembered her battles with the Elite Four vividly, which meant she could train properly to breeze right through them next time, leaving Alder as the challenge where anything could happen. But sadly, that would never come to pass.
It was only a few short weeks afterward that Lizzie received that fateful call on her Xtrans. She had smiled seeing that it was Ingo and Emmet. “Hey, guys-”
“LIZZIE!”
If her Xrans wasn’t attached to her wrist, she was certain she would’ve dropped it. “Holy mother of- what was that about?!” She exclaimed, glaring at the screen that showed…only…Emmet?
“Lizzie is Ingo with you?!” Emmet cried, looking distressed beyond measure.
“W-Why would he be with me?” Lizzie asked in pure confusion.
Emmet somehow looked even more frantic, “Oh no no no no no…”
“Hey, hey Emmet, take a breath, okay?” Lizzie said, now feeling scared herself. “Calm down-”
“Don’t tell me to calm down!” Emmet snapped. “I can’t calm down! Not when Ingo’s…! Have you seen him at all?!”
“No…Emmet, what’s going on?” Lizzie asked, now very concerned.
“I-It’s Ingo…!” Emmet said, biting back a sob. “Ingo…Ingo, he’s…!”
“What? He’s what?!”
“He’s gone, Lizzie!” Emmet exploded, tears coming to his eyes. “He went to inspect the tunnels three days ago and now he’s gone! Ingo’s gone…!”
Lizzie only remembered stumbling backward and sitting down.
Briiing! Briiing!
Back in the present, Lizzie jolted awake to the high-pitched ringing of her Xtransciever. Right, she had dozed off on her hotel bed and had a scarily vivid dream about Team Plasma; fun. She let out a tired groan, rubbing her hands over her face.
Briiing! Briiing!
“Alright alright…!” Lizzie grumbled rolling over and grabbing the device; she was not awake enough to squint at a tiny watch screen. She moved to the desk and brought out her laptop, plugging the Xtrans in before accepting the call.
“Heeeey!” Bianca waved happily on the screen. “I was hoping I’d catch you! Wow, your hair looks awful, did you just wake up or something?”
Lizzie snorted, “I did, actually,” She said, rubbing her eyes again.
“Did you sleep in your clothes again?”
“Force of habit,” Lizzie said. “Why the sudden call, Bianca?”
“What, I can’t check in on my best friend to see how she’s doing?” Bianca asked, pouting.
Lizzie smirked, “If I didn’t know you, I’d say you were lying and wanted something; fair enough.”
"Sooooo?” Bianca asked. “How are you doing?”
Lizzie nodded, “Could be better, but I’m not complaining; how about you?”
“Nothing new,” Bianca shrugged. “Professor Juniper is off with Lenora to see some new fossils, so I got the lab all to myself.”
“That must be fun,” Lizzie said. “How’s Chandelure doing?”
“Much better!” Bianca said happily. “Violet has really gotten him to open up, haven’t you girl?” A female Chandelure chirped happily in the background.
“Hey Violet,” Lizzie waved.
“I also saw Cheren the other day with Excadrill and Klingklang; they were training or something,” Bianca added. “They seem a lot more chipper too!”
“That’s good,” Lizzie said. “The search still hasn’t been going too well…”
“Still nothing?” Bianca asked, her face falling.
“Still nothing,” Lizzie confirmed, shaking her head.
“And Emmet?” Bianca asked sadly.
“He’s…hanging in there,” Lizzie said. “We’re still trying to help him find a balance; he’s either working himself to death or holed up inside. Elesa’s certain she’s gotten some gray hairs.”
“Poor thing…” Bianca shook her head. “I hoped he would have moved on by now.”
“It’s Emmet, that’s not going to happen until we find Ingo alive or…” The last word caught in Lizzie’s throat, and she swallowed. “I’ve checked every square inch of Unova and now…I don’t even know what to do next.”
“What are you talking about?” Bianca asked. “There is a place you haven’t checked, so-”
“No.”
“Aw c’mon, you didn’t even let me finish!” Bianca whined. “I don’t need to; it’s not happening,” Lizzie said firmly.
“That’s so unfair!” Bianca stomped her foot. “Cheren and I always make the effort to come to the mainland to visit you but you’ve never once come to visit us! And we’re the ones with busier schedules!”
“Hey, I’m busy!” Lizzie retorted.
“Busy by literally traveling everywhere! You don’t have a timetable like we do!” Bianca shot back. “C’mon, I know you miss us; and Blue and Green reeeeeally want to see Red again!”
“I know,” Lizzie sighed and her hand fell on one of her Pokemon. “Is Green there?”
“Of course! Oh, Greeeeeen~” Bianca vanished from the screen for a moment, and soon returned with an excited Simisage in tow.
Lizzie released her Simisear and pointed to the screen. “Someone’s here to see you.” Simisear looked at the screen and brightened immensely at the sight of his sister. The two Pokemon greeted each other happily.
“Blue is with Cheren right now, but I’ll let him know you said hi!” Bianca chimed in, Simisear chirping thanks. Lizzie smiled and rubbed her Pokemon’s head. “Don’t think this changes the subject,” Bianca suddenly said, her face becoming serious. “You just said you’ve run out of places to search, so you don’t really have a choice here!”
“Bianca, you know why I don’t wanna go there!” Lizzie protested.
“Yeah, and that excuse is gonna fly anymore!” Bianca said, puffing her cheeks indignantly. “Are you seriously going to let your personal issues keep you from looking for Ingo? Are you really going to let Emmet down like that?”
Lizzie gaped, “Oh…! Low blow, Bianca!”
“I didn’t want to resort to it, but you leave me no choice!” Bianca held her finger up and leaned in close to the screen. “You get on the next boat to Virbank City, or I’ll have Cheren send Feathers to fly over and drag you here!”
“Alright alright, I get it!” Lizzie relented. “Geez, when did you become such a mom?”
“Someone had to be the one to keep you and Cheren in line,” Bianca replied smoothly, pushing her glasses up. “Sooooo?”
“Like you gave me much of a choice,” Lizzie grumbled before sighing heavily. “I’ll get on a boat tomorrow.”
“Yaaay!” Bianca clapped her hands joyously while Green smiled excitedly. “Cheren and Ivy are going to be so excited; call me the second you get to Virbank City, I’ll meet you once you reach Aspertia!”
“Okay,” Lizzie said, allowing a small smile as Simisear seemed equally as excited. “See you soon.”
“See you!” Bianca waved, and Lizzie ended the call. Lizzie slumped in her chair and leaned her head back so she was facing the ceiling.
“Sim?” Simisear asked.
“Welp…looks like we’re finally doing it,” She said to Simisear. “We’re going to freaking eastern Unova…”
Just like she promised, Lizzie boarded a boat in Castelia City the next morning heading for Virbank. She tightly gripped the railing, shoving down any lingering emotions. Lizzie had avoided eastern Unova for…personal reasons.
Reasons that involved her deadbeat dad who happened to have a kid with another woman two years after he got Lizzie’s mom pregnant with her, unintentionally giving her a long-lost half-sister before he dropped off the face of the planet.
But desperate times called for desperate measures. She had combed every inch of Unova’s mainland and had come up with nothing; this was the only place left with anything left to offer. She stepped off the boat in Virbank City, called out Unfesant, and got to work after giving Bianca a call and a heads-up. It was a simple few days of investigating.
On the bright side, the place was so small it didn’t have much to offer, but on the downside…the place was so small, it didn’t have much to offer! Virbank City and the complex? Nothing. Floccesy Town and ranch? Nothing.
Finally, she reached Aspertia City, where Bianca was bouncing on the balls of her feet at the city’s entrance, her Emboar, Rose, by her side. Lizzie let Samurott out and their two starters hurried towards each other while Bianca tackled Lizzie.
“Hey Bianca,” Lizzie greeted, returning the hug.
“It’s so good to see you! Finally here!” Bianca gushed. She then turned to Samurott. “Nice to see you too, Whiskers!” She gave Samurott a hug. Samurott purred happily and nuzzled her, and Bianca dragged Lizzie into the city, their Pokemon following. She brought her to the lab, where Cheren was sitting at a table, Serperior by his side.
“Ivy, look who’s heeeeere!” Bianca called as she let Lizzie and Samurott in. Serperior lit up and slithered over to Samurott, the two giving a small headbutt in greeting. Lizzie then proceeded to release Simisear, while Cheren and Bianca released Simisage and Simipour. The three siblings ran over happily and joined in a big group hug, jumping around with joy. Lizzie smiled at the sight; it really had been too long since the three of them had just hung out like this.
They released the rest of the teams and let them go off and catch up while the three Nuvema trainers sat at a table. “Sooooo how are you liking the place?” Bianca asked.
“It’s small but it’s peaceful,” Lizzie admitted. “I can see why you guys moved here.”
“There are so many Pokemon here not found in Unova,” Cheren went on. “It makes gym battles pretty interesting, even though I’m stuck with that gym team.”
“C’mon Cheren, using your regular team would be unfair and you know it,” Lizzie remarked.
“And you're super good with kids,” Bianca added, turning to Lizzie. “You should see them; all the beginner trainers who come to the gym adore him.”
“Now that I’d love to see,” Lizzie said, making Cheren flush slightly and mutter to himself.
“So, how has your search gone so far?” Bianca asked.
Lizzie shrugged, “I’ve checked Virbank and Floccesy and have found nothing, so there’s only this place left. If there’s a hidden place I’m missing, better tell me now because I’m starting to run on fumes.”
Cheren sighed. “Lizzie...you’ve always been the idealistic one, but don’t you think that maybe it’s time to-”
“Finish that sentence, and I’ll break your nose,” Lizzie said with a scarily blank expression.
Cheren held his hands up in surrender, “Worth a shot.”
“We’re just worried about you, Lizzie,” Bianca amended. “You’ve been searching nonstop and taking care of Emmet for two years now; you’re the champion-”
“We’ve been over this, I’m not the Champion,” Lizzie said.
“Well, you should be!” Cheren countered. “You could’ve easily gone back and challenged Alder for the title; that’s what you’ve always wanted!”
“Yeah, that was before Ingo disappeared,” Lizzie shot back. “There’s been no trace of him anywhere in Unova, not even a…a body,” Lizzie forced the word out. “I can’t just keep going and challenge the Elite Four when Ingo could be in trouble somewhere. Besides, the title isn’t going anywhere, I’ll do it when I’m ready, it just won’t be against Alder.”
“But Iris has proven to be a really tough champion to beat,” Bianca pointed out.
“That will just make the challenge more interesting,” Lizzie replied.
“I know, but…this was your dream, Lizzie,” Bianca said sadly. “We just don’t want to see you give up on it.”
“I know, and I appreciate it, really,” Lizzie said. “But sometimes life doesn’t work out that way; I mean, you guys know that better than anyone. Two years ago, would you have believed that you would be Professor Juniper’s assistant and a gym leader?”
“Not in a million years,” Bianca conceded, her smile returning.
“But that still leaves you, Lizzie,” Cheren said. “We don’t want you to spend all your time on dead-ends.”
“I know, but…I can’t let Emmet down.” Lizzie lay her head on the table. “And honestly, judging by how the other places here turned up with nothing, I don’t know where else to look…”
Cheren thought for a moment, “Well…have you tried the Cave of Being.”
Lizzie blinked and lifted her head, “The cave of what-now?”
“It’s just outside Floccesy Town,” Cheren explained. “It’s kinda hidden, but it feels…you know…”
“Like something is hidden there,” Lizzie finished.
“Yeah; people around her talk about how they’ve seen Pokemon they’ve never seen before,” Cheren went on. “It’s only every now and then like they only show up during certain times.”
Bianca lit up, “Oh yeah! Professor Juniper has been looking into that place for a while now; it really has her stumped.”
Cheren nodded. “I know it’s not much but…it could be worth a look.”
Lizzie smiled and stood up. “Thanks, Cheren, I knew I could count on you. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“My pleasure,” Cheren replied and Lizzie headed out the door. “And Lizzie?”
“Yeah?”
Cheren exchanged a glance with Bianca. “Um…look, this is hard to explain but…we’ve met her.”
Lizzie frowned. “Her who?”
“Your sister.” Lizzie froze. “She’s a Pokemon trainer now, started her journey a few weeks ago; she challenged my gym and won,” Cheren said. “She had an Oshawott, Lizzie she…she’s a lot like you.”
“He’s right,” Bianca chimed in. “I met her too; I gave her her Pokemon…Lizzie, she really is just like you.” Lizzie was silent, her hat hiding her eyes.
“I know you don’t really want to hear about it,” Cheren went on. “But…if you ever come across her, you should say hi; I really think she’d like you.”
“You'd like her too,” Bianca added. “She’s fierce and free-spirited; she’s gonna do great out there, we know it!”
Lizzie turned away, but a smile was starting to pull at her face. “...I don’t want to interrupt her journey, but…I’ll keep that in mind if I see her,” She said. “Um…what’s her name?”
Cheren smiled, “Beth,”
Elizabeth and Bethany; Lizzie and Beth. Huh. Maybe fate was trying to tell her something. Lizzie exited the building. …And ten seconds later she returned, her cheeks pink, “Um so…”
“You forgot to ask where the cave is?” Cheren asked with a smirk. Lizzie let out an embarrassed laugh and Bianca giggled.
Lizzie checked her map one more time as she surfed across the water on Samurott. “It should be riiiiight…there!” A small island came into view, holding a large boulder with an opening. Lizzie stepped onto land, returned Samurott, and gazed up at the mouth. She took a deep breath; she didn’t want to say all her hopes were riding on this, but there was really no other way to put it. Breathing out through her nose, Lizzie slowly entered the cave.
The place was surprisingly spacious on the inside. Lots of water had gathered on the floor in large puddles, and Lizzie moved to the very center of the cave. It was dark and quiet, like any other cave, but as Cheren said, something felt…off. “Hello?” She called out. Then it happened. She sucked in a breath as she felt a mysterious presence like she was being watched by multiple pairs of eyes.
“Kyuuun!” A chorus of cries echoed around her, making Lizzie spin in a circle trying to find the source. She eventually came to a stop when she turned one more time and froze. Three small similar-looking Pokemon were hovering above her. One was green, one was pink, and one was yellow, all with twin tails.
“Wha…what are you…?!” She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen a Pokemon she had never seen before! Lizzie held up her Pokedex, but the screen came up blank. ‘No data found'. This was what she got for blowing off Professor Juniper on updating her Pokedex…
The three Pokemon floated around her, not looking hostile in the slightest. In fact, they looked…happy. The pink Pokemon moved closer and flew around her, chirping in greeting. “Uh, nice to meet you too,” Lizzie responded. The three Pokemon nodded in response; this was so weird. She never met any mythical or legendary Pokemon be this friendly before. It was almost like they were…expecting her. “...Do you know why I’m here?” Lizzie dared to ask. The pink Pokemon nodded. Lizzie’s heart began to race; she grabbed the opportunity and didn’t let go. “I’m looking for someone, a man, his name is Ingo-”
The three Pokemon nodded and chirped.
“You know who that is?” Lizzie asked, hope rising as the Pokemon nodded again. “W-Where is he? Do you know?!”
The Pokemon all smiled and began to glow. Lizzie blinked, and suddenly she was on the very top of the Victory Road. “Whoa, holy-!” Lizzie flailed, her arms flailing as she got her bearings. The three Pokemon floated around her and slowly rose higher into the air. They seemed to dance around a bit before stopping and raising their tiny paws. They were pointing to the north. “North of Unova?” Lizzie tried. The pink one shook its head; it flew higher and pointed harder. “North…beyond Unova…?”
The Pokemon nodded and her mind began to race. Lizzie looked at her Xtrans and booted up the C-Gear, pulling up the world map. Lizzie pinpointed Unova and began sliding the screen to move due north. She crossed the ocean…until she hit land. “Sinnoh…”
The three Pokemon all cheered. “Wait, Sinnoh? That’s where I have to look?” Lizzie asked, her voice rising with excitement. “He’s there? I’ll find him there?!”
The Pokemon all smiled brightly and flew in a circle, glowing once more. The next thing she knew, Lizzie was back in the cave. The three Pokemon gave a happy farewell and then vanished. Lizzie’s breathing picked up at the new revelation and she scrambled to exit the cave.
Unfezant flew her back to Aspertia City as fast as she could and Lizzie all but slammed open the doors to the lab, probably leaving a dent in the walls. “SINNOH!”
Poor Bianca and Cheren jumped about three feet in the air, Bianca dropping the coffee pot she was holding. “Geez, Lizzie-”
“Cheren!” Lizzie ran up and grabbed him by the shoulders. “Cheren, you mad genius, I could kiss you!”
Cheren barely had time to blush, “Wha-”
“The Cave!” Lizzie went on excitedly. “The Cave of Being! You were right! Three Pokemon appeared, Pokemon I’ve never seen before! And they showed me, they…! Holy sh-”
“Lizzie, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but take a breath!” Cheren exclaimed. “Bianca’s the hyper one here!”
“Are you okay?” Bianca asked, joining them.
“I’ve never been better!” Lizzie nearly squealed. “The answer is in Sinnoh, guys! I need to go to Sinnoh!”
Bianca lit up and ran to a desk, fumbling around for a notepad, “Tell us everything! From the beginning!” She said, her eyes eager.
Once Lizzie finished recounting her experience, Bianca shot up and grabbed a large book from the bookshelf. She flipped through the pages until she found the Pokemon Lizzie described; the mythical Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie. “I don’t get it,” Cheren shook his head. “Why would they come here, to that cave specifically?”
“I told you, it was like they knew I was coming!” Lizzie repeated. “They weren’t hostile or mistrusting like you’d expect super rare Pokemon to be, they were happy. And they reacted when I mentioned Ingo!”
“But why would Ingo be in Sinnoh?” Bianca asked. “I don’t know any Pokemon in Sinnoh that would kidnap someone.”
“And if it was kidnapping there would have been way more signs,” Cheren added.
Lizzie nodded, remembering the investigation when Ingo first disappeared. All that was left of him was his ID and Pokemon; no sign of a struggle, no note, nothing. “I guess that’s what I’m gonna figure out,” Lizzie said. “Does the Virbank dock have boats to Sinnoh?”
“Y-Yeah, but…Lizzie are you sure this is where he is?” Cheren asked.
“It’s all I’ve got to go on,” Lizzie answered. “Unova has nothing left for me to look for, so that means I’ve got to move on.” She planted her hands on the table, “I’m going to find out what happened to him,” Lizzie said, fire in her eyes as she gazed at the map of Sinnoh. “Even if I have to search the entire world.”
By the time Lizzie got to Emmet’s door, she had managed to curb her enthusiasm. She didn’t want to get Emmet’s hopes up, but then again, hers were up so… Lizzie shook her head and knocked on the door, “Emmet? I’m coming in!”
She entered the apartment and found Emmet sitting on the couch. He slowly looked up as she hurried and sat next to him. “Lizzie…?”
“Okay, I don’t want to get you too excited but…I found something.”
A spark of life flashed in Emmet’s eyes, “What…?” He slowly straightened.
“I went to eastern Unova and these…these Legendary Pokemon appeared before me,” Lizzie explained. “They teleported me and pointed me in a direction and I…Emmet…I think Ingo is in Sinnoh.”
Emmet frowned, “Sinnoh? But…why-?”
“I don’t know, yet , but that’s what I’m gonna find out,” Lizzie said. “I figured you should be the first to know.”
“I’m coming with you.”
It was so sudden that Lizzie almost missed it, “What?”
“I’m coming with you,” Emmet repeated, his voice actually at a normal volume.
“Bu…wh…what about work?” Lizzie managed. “I mean, I’d love it if you came but this is just kinda…!”
“Well, like you said, I have plenty of vacation days,” Emmet said, a smirk ghosting his face. “I can afford a trip to Sinnoh.”
Lizzie grinned and lightly punched his arm, “Atta boy!”
Three days later, Lizzie and Emmet were on a boat to Snowpoint City. As they neared Sinnoh, Lizzie and Emmet stood at the railing, Lizzie bundled up in warmer gear than her usual attire. Emmet had yet to smile, but he seemed more awake and alert than Lizzie had seen him in two years. “So, let’s head to the Pokemon Center first,” Lizzie said as they disembarked the ship. “Then…we’ll start investigating.”
“Very well,” Emmet nodded. “Full speed ahead.”
“Um, excuse me,” A voice stopped them. “...Are you Lizzie?”
The Unova trainer whirled around to see a young girl with black hair and yellow hair clips under a white hat, about a year or two under her. A Pachirisu was perched on her shoulder. “Uh, yeah, that’s me,” Lizzie stood.
The girl brightened, “So you’re the ones they told me about!” A second later, the three Pokemon from the cave appeared above the girl, waving happily.
“Whoa!” Lizzie started and pointed at them.
“This is Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie,” The girl introduced.
“Right…” Lizzie remembered the pictures from the book. “Uh, yeah, I’m Lizzie, and this is Emmet. And you are…?”
“My name’s Crystal,” The girl said before gesturing to the three tiny Pokemon. “So, these guys told me you guys were looking for someone?”
“My brother,” Emmet stepped forward, his eyes looking more focused than they had in ages. “Do you know where he is?”
“Uhh kinda,” Crystal tried.
“What does that mean?” Lizzie asked.
Crystal frowned, struggling to think about the best way to say it. “...How much do you guys know about the legends of time and space?”
…This was about to get super complicated…