Chapter Text
It was a few days later before Wes and Rui were ready to figure out where to go next. They had plans to head back to Agate but before then Rui approached Sherles while Wes packed their meager supplies “Um…can I ask a question?” she asked.
Sherles nodded “Feel free.” He said.
Rui hesitated before taking a deep breath “In Johto they only allow six Pokemon to be carried at a time. Is there a different rule here?” she asked.
Sherles paused, looking sad at that “Do you know why they have that in Johto?” he asked.
Rui frowned “I know it’s connected to the fact they are trainers.” She said.
Sherles closed his eyes “Once a person gets registered as a trainer they are given a trainer ID code and that code is what registers how many Pokemon you can have at a time.” He explained.
He then winced “In Orre our system is a little different but fundamentally the same. The one problem is we do have several criminals that have learned how to hack the system. Don’t get me wrong. It’s the one code amongst thieves is that you learn it on your own. And honestly? Even I admit for the rare few who have managed I haven’t yet found a way to fix it. Not even getting the help of the creator of the system in Kanto.” He said with a smile.
He then looked at Rui “I haven’t bothered asking Wes because that is an accomplishment he’s earned and I don’t want to take away that advantage. Not when it could save his life later.” He told her.
Rui looked thoughtful at that “How many have done this?” she asked.
Sherles pinched the bridge of his nose “Luckily only two that I know of in Orre. Though I can’t speak for the other regions. Wes was the first. The second was a curious old man named Greevil but he only has three Pokemon registered to him at current so I’m not to concerned. Only reason I know that he did it was because he tested it and briefly had seven but I am guessing they were either borrowed or released. Either way he's got more money than the whole region and I don't dare go after him when we are already in a shaky position and he's not doing any harm.” He said.
Rui nodded at that “Makes sense. Thank you. I’ve been wondering because I’ve never seen him use more in a battle yet I’ve also never seen him switch Pokemon.” She said.
Sherles nodded, waving her off “If you want the true secret I suggest you ask your knight.” He joked, waving her off.
Rui nodded, smiling brightly even as Wes entered the room with a knapsack over his shoulder, looking at the two of them suspiciously “What are you talking about?” he asked.
Rui just grinned “Nothing important.” She said mischievously.
She then grinned at Sherles “Thanks again. For all your help. Next time I’ll try not to break a window.” She said.
Sherles blinked at that before reaching into his desk “Actually this should help with that.” He said, tossing something to both of them.
They caught the items, Rui fumbling a bit with hers, before looking at them with wide eyes “These are…” “The keys to the building. My door is always open to the two of you” he said calmly.
Rui smiled sheepishly at that while Wes looked at Sherles with wide disbelieving eyes. He then hesitantly looked down to the keys “Why would you do this? A few days ago you wanted to arrest me.” He breathed.
Sherles gave him a smile “Rui is from out of town and her credentials are fairly standard. But I am choosing to have faith in you. Just promise me one thing. Don’t get yourself killed out there.” He said.
Wes nodded at that before bowing slightly “Thanks Chief.” He said softly.
He then glanced at Rui “Come on. I have some things I want to check.” He said.
Rui nodded, saluting Sherles playfully before following Wes out the door.
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They drove for about two hours on the motorcycle before Wes stopped, quickly getting off the bike. Rui blinked, looking at him in alarm “What’s wrong?” she asked.
Wes waved her off “It’s nothing. Just want to check something. Stay there.” He said as he walked several feet away from her.
He then pulled out a poke ball, glaring at it. Rui watched as he stood there for several minutes before letting out a shaky breath and tossing the poke ball. Rui felt like she had been punched in the gut. The Entei was even more terrifying now than before. She trembled, grateful that she was still sitting in the side car. If she hadn’t been she was sure her legs would have given out on her. She took a shaky breath, watching as the Entei looked around, assessing the area. Upon seeing Wes it growled but didn’t outright attack, just standing and waiting it’s orders.
Seeing that Wes sighed in relief, watching the pokemon with a furrowed brow. He then returned it silently, looking at the pokeball in trepidation. Finally he turned to Rui “Do you…know what this pokemon is?” he asked hesitantly.
Rui jolted at that before giving him a grimace of a smile “Yeah. Growing up in Jhoto the stories of the dogs are something of legend. Makes me so mad they would do something like this.” She said in anger.
Wes frowned at that, staring at the pokeball in hand. That made Rui pause before she slowly realized “Wes…do you know what this pokemon is?” she asked slowly.
Wes paused before letting out a breath “Sherles said…Entei? But I’ve…never heard of it.” He said softly.
Rui drew in a sharp breath at that before looking down “A long time ago a trainer entered a tower with his three beloved pokemon. While inside lightning struck it, setting the whole thing ablaze. His pokemon managed to get him out, losing their lives in the process before the rains could stop the raging inferno.” She said quietly, making Wes flinch.
He then turned to her while she leaned against a rock, looking lost in thought “It’s said that Ho-oh saw their actions and decided to reward the pokemon and thus revived them. Ho-oh created Raikou to signify the lightning strike on the tower. Entei to represent the flames that burned. Suicune to remember the rains that put the fire out. He made them immortal and the tale of legends. Even to this day there are still sightings of the dogs though most are…rumors. Grainy images, word of mouth. No actual proof. My mother always told me if I ever got to meet one of the dogs of legend I would be very lucky.” She said, glancing at the pokeball warily.
Wes let out a breath at that, looking down at the pokeball with a pained look “I don’t know how to fix this. All I can do is start by trying to purify it but I don’t…” he trailed off.
Rui gave him an understanding smile “Even in Orre I think people would balk at enslaving a legend. Just shows why Cipher needs to be stopped.” She said softly.
She then hesitated “Wes…Entei is one of the most illusive pokemon of my home region. What if…what if he’s not alone? What if they got the other two? Or Arceus forbid any other legends? What if they got Ho-oh?” she asked.
Wes frowned at that before sighing “All we can do is hope our luck does lay with Arcues and not Giratina.” He said softly.
He then groaned “This is not what I signed up for when blowing up the base.” He muttered.
Rui snorted “Tell me about it. I was supposed to make a simple trip to Agate to peacefully live out my life battle free.” She said wryly.
Wes grimaced at that “Sorry that you ended up involved with this. With me.” He said.
Rui just smiled “Well I’m not. After all if I wasn’t I wouldn’t have met you. You’re a really great person.” She said.
She then cocked her head as he looked down, refusing to meet her gaze, looking at him curiously “You…do know that, right?” she asked.
Wes shook his head “I’m a thief and a liar.” He insisted.
He couldn’t understand what everyone saw in him. Sherles, Rui, Eagun, Belluh. All of them. Then to his surprise Rui nodded “Yeah. And because of that you’re not the hero Orre wants. And if I’m honest? Not the one it deserves. But…” she trailed off, moving towards him to place a hand under his chin, directing his eyes to hers as she smiled sincerely “You are the hero Orre needs. I can’t do this without you just like you can’t do this without me. We’re a team, okay?” she asked.
Wes hesitated but nodded with a sigh “Thank you.” He whispered.
Rui grinned at that “Now no more sad faces okay? After all it’s getting better. I mean we freed Phenac and Pyrite. We saved the shrine at Agate. There’s nowhere left for Cipher to turn to.” She said.
She then turned, scrambling up the rock “All we gotta do is just stay sharp and defend where we need to. After all it’s not that big of a region.” She teased.
Wes gave a small smile at that, looking up at her with a hint of fondness “Come down from there before you fall.” He warned.
Rui stuck out her tongue “But it’s a great view! I can even see that compound in the distance. What is something like that doing out here?” she asked, turning to him in confusion.
Wes froze at that, his head snapping to her sharply before he bounded up the rock, his eyes immediately landing on the compound in question “There shouldn’t be anything out here.” He said in confusion.
He then let out a breath before nodding “Come on. We’re going.” He said, stuffing the pokeball in his pack as he leapt off the rock.
Rui blinked in surprise before scrambling after him “Where too?” she asked.
Wes frowned “We’re going to check out that compound.” He said, starting up the bike as she climbed in the side car. He then took off of the well worn road, heading the direction of the compound, his frown deepening as he neared it, seeing the electric fence. As he pulled up outside the entrance he frowned as he climbed off the bike, staring “This is new. Like…within a few months new.” He said softly.
Rui frowned at that “Are you sure?” she asked.
Wes nodded “Yeah. Not only that but this is insanely high tech for this region. Look at the entrance. It needs a security card to even get in.” he said with a frown.
He then bent down, studying the locking mechanism “Honestly I don’t even think I could hack this system. Not only that but I know this area. I used to train here. This wasn’t here last year. There wasn’t even the start of something here last year.” He said in frustration, trying to figure it out.
Rui hesitated at that “Do you think it could be…” she was cut off by a buzzing in Wes’s pocket.
Quickly the snagger pulled out his PDA, looking at it before his eyes widened “We need to get back to Pyrite.” He said.
Rui jolted at that “Are they under attack?” she asked.
Wes shook his head “No. Apparently Sherles managed to arrest Ferma and Wreath.”