Chapter Text
[AN EXPLANATORY NOTE: This is a small leather-bound book, like what we’d call a traveller’s notebook. It’s a faded brown colour, fastened with a tie made of the same material. The corner is embossed with the emblem of the Galaxy Expedition Team. There is a note on the flyleaf, suggesting that this is just one of several volumes. Unfortunately, this is the only one to have survived.]
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MONDAY
23RD JUNE 18XX
Galaxy Hall, Jubilife Village
I have not written in the last week, though I haven’t left the village even once! Time has flown!
Akari was released from the care of the Medical Corps yesterday. It has been 10 days. I’m jolly pleased to report that she should make a full recovery, though she’ll need clearance from Captain Cyllene, and a final check from the medics, before she can return to survey work. It goes without saying, but I was happy to sign my name to these precautions. The memory of that poor girl stumbling towards the village gate in a daze, her face half-caked in blood, will stay with me for some time.
Heaven knows, I’ve seen my fair share of dreadful injuries in the Survey Corps. But I must confess, after seeing Akari fall from the sky, and all the dangers she’d faced thereafter, I’d assumed her to be beyond harm. To have that illusion broken was a tragic thing. So, yes, I find myself feeling quite protective towards the girl, for now.
My own time has been consumed by trying to make some sense of what she saw at the peak of Mount Coronet. It’s no mere scientific curiosity this time: in listening to Akari’s fragmented tale, even though I was not there myself, I felt a deep sense of foreboding, as though the world itself may be in danger again. Every day since, I have looked to the sky. It remains blue, but I remain fearful! I know I may not be the bravest of fellows, but I'm no coward either. Not the type to get afraid for no reason, am I?
Akari spoke of a great shadow, thrice the height of a man, with legs, or wings, or perhaps legs that became wings? A creature made of darkness itself, able to change the shape of its appendages at will. She could not recall if it stood and walked, or if it flew, or what sort of face it had. It had attacked her, but ultimately spared her, for reasons unknown.
At first, she didn’t name the thing. Then, just a few days ago, she began to speak of “Giratina”. She told me that it dwells in some other world. I was reminded of the day we saw Mighty Dialga and Mighty Palkia. The day the Temple of Sinnoh was reduced to ruins. Could this “Giratina” be from the same realm as those two? If so, what is its domain, if not time or space?
Alas, the name means nothing to me, nor to any of the clan members I’ve been able to ask. If only I’d had the name sooner! Cogita was here only a day or two earlier, so I could have asked her about it, but I have not seen her since. She’s such an elusive lady, I have no idea when she may return.
I don’t wish to doubt Akari’s account, but I have not been able to determine whether she saw this creature before or after she struck her head. The medics said it was a nasty injury, and a wonder that she'd come out of it so well, but could it have muddled her recollection? Even more dubious is her insistence that the merchant Volo was commanding this entity. How could that be? How can such a thing be commanded at all? Though Akari captured Dialga and Palkia, they only submitted to each other, in the end.
Ah, but I am trying to think rationally, and not give in to the creeping dread that I
[The entry abruptly ends here, to be picked up again later. It looks like the writer forgot to finish the previous paragraph. When it resumes, the writing is messier, more urgent.]
We’ve been given clearance and we’re to leave shortly. I have chosen to go alone, with two guards from the Security Corps to make up for my lack of battling skills. It’s against protocol, not to have a surveyor with us. Cyllene seems convinced I will come to some harm. But I’m not willing to put any more of our young friends in this kind of danger.
I have not told Akari where I am going, for fear it might upset her.
[Between the pages, there is an inventory note of the same date – 23 June – signed by Captain Cyllene, authorising the release of supplies for an expedition to the Coronet Highlands by Professor Laventon. The list of supplies includes unnamed items of weaponry. The 'expedition purpose' section is blank. It was written on carbon copy paper. The other copy is missing.]
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MONDAY
30TH JUNE 18XX
The Highlands Camp, Coronet Highlands
I’m finally able to write again, after many tiring days on the road. The wagon was terribly bumpy during the day, and by night I was far too tired to pick up my pen. But now we are in the mountains, with the wagon far behind us. As usual, we shall be on foot from here!
All was well along the journey, besides the usual wild Pokémon that were easily dispatched by the Survey Corps guards – and even yours truly, once or twice! I’m glad to say that Cyndaquil and I are learning the ropes, though I’m still far from being a competent battler. I fear that my concern for this dear little Pokémon holds me back, for I hate to see Cyndaquil hurt, no matter how much he wants to battle. But he wishes to grow stronger, and I shouldn’t stand in his way!
The sun is sinking fast. I just had time to go and explore the ruins of Heavenward Lookout at the top of the hill. I’m recording this as I noticed something had changed, since the last time I came here. I have checked my previous sketches to be sure (see entry of 3rd March 18XX).
There were once two statues in the ruins, a Probopass and a Clefable. The Probopass is still in splendid condition. The Clefable had already fallen to the floor and was partly broken, last time I saw it, but now it’s smashed to smithereens. A pitiful sight!
There are marks on the stone, suggesting that this may have been a purposeful act. My current theory is that this was a Pokémon attack, though I can’t grasp why a Pokémon would attack an inert statue. I imagine that the unfortunate relic was somehow caught in the crossfire during a battle. Wild speculation, I know!
In any case, I’m certain that it could not be simple weathering, in such a short time, considering the long centuries over which that statue must have existed beforehand.
Settling down for dinner now. Already missing old Beni’s potato mochi. Very tired but all is peaceful.
An evening addendum: A strange but sweet discovery. There was a Pokeshi doll by the firepit! I asked the guards about it, but they didn’t claim it as theirs. It must have been left here by a previous traveller. I shall take it with me as a good luck charm.
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TUESDAY
1ST JULY 18XX
The Highlands Camp, Coronet Highlands
Blast and bother, what a frightful day! My newfound Pokeshi doll was no lucky charm at all! (This is a joke – as a scientist, I don’t believe in such things…)
We set out at dawn, after a small breakfast, down to the river and across the bridge towards Wayward Cave. The lanterns weren’t lit, so we stumbled around in the darkness for a while until we found one that we could light. My little Cyndaquil helped with that task. He’s learning to control his flames much better these days. I suspect evolution may be on the cards for my little friend soon!
On we went, but we weren’t even halfway through the labyrinth, when we were almost set upon by an Alpha Crobat. It’s very fortunate that we saw the beast before it saw us, but despite all our best efforts in battling, we had no choice but to flee as quickly as we could! Imagine that – the three of us, and our Pokémon, running for our lives in that cold, damp, twisting cave, with only a lantern to see by! Being so clumsy, it’s a wonder I didn’t fall and break my neck!
We were driven back, all the way to the entrance. It was only when we reached the light that the Crobat decided to give up its chase. A good few hours, and all that energy, wasted!
Feeling quite defeated, and hungry after our ordeal, we returned to the Highlands Camp with our tails between our legs. What could we do!? We healed our Pokémon and ate lunch while considering our options. The guards have short swords and spears, but even they are no match for the reach of an Alpha Crobat’s wings.
I’m determined to press on, somehow! But I’m beginning to see the pitfalls in venturing here without a single soul from the Survey Corps. They are so much braver, and more accomplished, when it comes to dealing with wild Pokémon. I am sure that, if I return so soon, and with nothing to show for the trip, Captain Cyllene will have a lovely, “I told you so,” waiting for me. She will not say it, of course, but her face will.
I wish Rei were here!
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WEDNESDAY
2ND JULY 18XX
The Ancient Quarry, Coronet Highlands
This morning, we had a fortuitous meeting. As we were packing and preparing to attempt Wayward Cave again, we were joined by Warden Melli of the Diamond Clan.
[There is a note in the margin: ‘On reflection, ‘joined’ is a strong word. He was passing by.’]
I asked him whether he’d heard anything odd lately, hoping he might shed light on the recent events at the summit. He said that he’s only just returning from a trip, and so he wasn’t anywhere nearby at the time. That’s a pity!
I didn’t give him the full details, but when I mentioned Akari, he grumbled a little. He said something along the lines of, “That damn girl, again? What was she doing this time?”
I wondered if he might soften up if I told him more about Akari’s ordeal, but I decided against it. It’s her business, and I don’t think this man is any close friend of hers with a right to know.
Melli wasn’t very forthcoming with offers of assistance, which is no surprise! But, since he happened to be travelling through Wayward Cave, he graciously agreed – with some sighing and rolling of his eyes – that we could travel with him. We encountered the Alpha Crobat again, but Melli dealt with it most impressively. He took a bow, we all applauded, et cetera, et cetera…
Once we reached Wayward Wood, it became clear that we were slowing “poor” Melli down. He wanted to reach the peak by close of day, which sounded jolly ambitious to me, but he knows the journey much better than we do, not to mention he’s a good deal younger than I am! Therefore we “set him free”, and let him continue without us.
With no camp nearby, we’ve taken shelter in the old quarry. It’s cold and uncomfortable. Bronzor everywhere. Cyndaquil and the others are keeping them at bay with fire, but we are burning (no pun intended) through healing supplies.
What a dismal place! The Bronzor are clanging away, and even the sound of my pen upon the paper echoes loudly!
Not sure if I’ll sleep much tonight.
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THURSDAY
3RD JULY 18XX
The Summit Camp, Coronet Highlands
The trek up the mountain always feels endless. Legs are quite swollen now.
I found a book in my tent.
More tomorrow. Can barely keep my eyes open and there is hardly any light to see.