PARAGON

  Hisui Incursion Arc [8]

  Chapter 60 : Galaxy Expedition

  As the seconds passed by, Ash began to notice slight differences between this man and Sylvester. Volo was slightly taller and his grin was far sharper. He also looked a bit younger, though Ash couldn’t tell by how much. And unlike Sylvester, who seemed to melt into Paragon Island's background, Volo seemed to draw attention just by standing there. Villagers clamored for a word with him from behind the wagons and even Cyllene seemed less formidable.

  Sabrina gasped in turn as she made her way up beside Ash and whipped toward him.

  Volo’s brow raised at her reaction. “A friend of yours, I presume? Sorry to disappoint you, madam, but I am Volo of the Volo Company.” He bowed.

  “Nice to meet you…,” she breathed. “I’m Sabrina.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sabrina,” Volo said, straightening. “And you are…?” He flicked his head.

  Riley strode up behind them. “Riley, sir.”

  “Well, then!” Volo clapped his gloved hands. “Three new friends already. This day has already more than paid for itself. Ah, and there’s the good Professor and his faithful honor guard!”

  “Well met, Volo,” Laventon said, shaking the man’s hand. “I trust your travels were safe?”

  “Nothing we couldn’t handle. Though…” He leaned closer and covered his mouth. “That certainly has my men a bit spooked.” He nodded at the rift over Mount Coronet.

  “Hah! Wimps!” Rei smirked.

  “Don’t let them hear that, young Rei,” Volo grinned.

  Akari tugged him away by the ear. “Don’t embarrass the Guardians!”

  “Not to worry, Miss Akari, their first impressions were flawless. You needn’t have any concern there.” Volo narrowed his eyes and turned back to them. “So you all are Guardians, huh? I’ve been to Rota a number of times. After hearing about your exploits, I’d very much like to keep a Guardian or two in my employ…”

  “Not a chance,” Cyllene snapped. “These three are already members of the Survey Corps.”

  Volo put his hands up defensively. “Haha, you’re as decisive as ever, Cyllene. Well, if that’s the case, I won’t try and poach them.” He peered down at Yura, who squeezed Sabrina’s hand even tighter as she looked away shyly. “And I see the little mouse is still in good health!”

  A furious shout rose from one of the wagons across the way and everyone’s attention turned in that direction. From here, it looked like an argument had broken out between one of the villagers and one of Volo’s men. Volo himself frowned and strode over, pushing through the crowd with ease.

  “What seems to be the problem, gentlemen?” he asked cooly.

  “The price of meat has nearly doubled since the last time you came and your man refuses to go any lower!” The villager, who wore a stained apron, yelled. “I’ve never dealt with this louse before! Where’s the usual one?”

  “Listen to him, boss!” the trader growled. “Tell him the price is true!”

  Volo placed a hand on his man’s shoulder. “Now, now, calm down. You must consider the customer’s position or a dialogue cannot be had.” Volo turned to the villager. “I apologize, sir. We’ve seen much turnover in the past couple of months due to conditions in the field so this man is new to the meat trade. I’m afraid the increase is no fluke. Considering your circumstances, I’ll make an exception this time and lower the price to the usual, but please be aware that the price may remain this high if the situation in Hisui continues as is.”

  The customer frowned and looked away. “I see. I apologize, then. I didn’t mean to call your honor into question, Volo. How about I pay one and a half times this time? We’ll make due until your next arrival.”

  Volo smiled. “You’re too charitable, sir. A rarity these days. Thank you.”

  Volo clapped his man on the back and rejoined Cyllene and company, who’d watched the exchange from a distance. He raised a brow and shrugged. “Such is business.”

  Cyllene’s eyes narrowed. “As expected. I don’t imagine meat is all that has become more valuable.”

  “Right indeed. Come, let us speak about it further within the Church. The list of impacted goods is quite long and I must see Leader Kamado.” He turned to the others. “Please, come with us. I must hear about your journey.”

  Before anyone could protest, he had sauntered off in the direction of the Church, leaving his men and wagons behind to continue their business with the villagers.

  Cyllene’s expression hadn’t changed yet Ash was well enough acquainted with her at this point that he could tell she was a bit miffed. Though then again, when wasn’t she?

  “Is that alright?” he asked.

  She pursed her lips. “It’s fine. You may tell him what you told the others.”

  So not a word about the future.

  As Cyllene followed after him, Laventon, Rei, Akari, and Yura glanced between each other but ultimately decided to tag along. Yura wasn’t letting go of Sabrina and the rest seemed to take Cyllene’s assent for themselves as well.

  “Kamado…,” Volo murmured, gazing across the table with concerned eyes.

  “Don’t pity me, boy, I don’t need it,” Kamado growled. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  Everyone was seated back in one of the Church’s meeting rooms, and though everyone else sat quietly and respectfully, Volo had his feet kicked up on the chair beside him and he helped himself to a bowl of berries that’d been furnished for him.

  “I was hoping I’d get to see the great Wyrdeer while I was here. I wonder if it still doesn’t like me…”

  Ash frowned. Wyrdeer?

  Kamado glanced at the confused faces of Ash, Sabrina, and Riley. “Wyrdeer is the protector of the Church. It lives within and watches over us.” To Volo, he said, “Wyrdeer shows itself when it wants to. I couldn’t say how it feels about you.”

  That must be how they knew we hadn’t communicated telepathically when we first got here, Ash thought. Wyrdeer…a pokémon I haven’t heard of before… Is it a psychic-type?

  As much as he wanted to find out, Ash forced himself to focus on the conversation before him. Volo was a veritable treasure trove of information and he’d be a fool to miss a single word.

  “Fair enough,” Volo shrugged “Now, where to start?” he said, swallowing. “I wanted to ask you about that rift first. I wasn’t in Hisui when it first appeared, but I heard about it quickly enough. I understand it’s been causing pokémon to run wild across the region.”

  “Yes. Though we’ve been lucky that the Alpha Pokémon have stayed away from the Sanctuary, at least until last week.”

  Volo glanced at Ash and the others but turned back to Kamado. “So you’re in the dark too, then.” He frowned. “My men are wary of it. They don’t want to get close to Mount Coronet anymore. And we’ve tripled our security forces.”

  “Have you encountered any Alpha Pokémon out there?” Kamado asked.

  “Luckily, we have yet to do battle with one, but my men have observed them from a distance. We’ve seen all the ones you’ve noted in the Fieldlands, but there are more across Hisui. A Hippowdon in the Mirelands. A Lumineon at the Coast. And a Froslass in the north.”

  Kamado shook his head. “Hisui has become infested.”

  “Wasn’t it always?” Volo smirked. “I wish I could say that was all but my men did stumble across a few more. I’ll provide the details later.”

  Cyllene crossed her hands. “So, what does that mean for the company?”

  Volo sighed. “What do you need?”

  “Metal,” Kamado answered immediately. “As much as you have. I’d like Sanqua to reinforce our walls even further before the snow starts falling in earnest.”

  Volo shook his head sympathetically. “Wood we have in surplus… But iron comes from the mountains. None of my men want to get near. Everything else we have comes from overseas. It’ll be expensive.”

  “We’ll pay it,” Kamado said.

  “It isn’t just iron. Most of the bounty from Hisui has become more difficult to procure. Even the trainers I hire from Kanto take one look at the Alpha Pokémon and decide it’s not worth the trouble. That’s made most everything here more expensive.”

  Laventon closed his eyes before opening them again. “How much tumblestone do you have?”

  The merchant frowned. “For pokéballs? Don’t tell me you plan to venture beyond the walls now. You can’t possibly be trying to catch one of those monsters.”

  “We already have.” Kamado motioned across the table. “Miss Sabrina?”

  Slowly, Sabrina unclipped the dented pokéball and raised it above the table to show them.

  Volo leaned closer and squinted. “Fascinating…” he muttered. He flicked a glance at Cyllene. “And you’re sure you won’t part with one of them?”

  “No.”

  Volo shrugged and leaned back. “I suppose I don’t personally have a use for creatures like that, though I’m sure someone would be willing to buy them. Some of the village chiefs down in Hoenn have…exotic proclivities.”

  “I’m sure,” Kamado drawled.

  In the modern age, that would be considered poaching, but Ash had already gotten used to Hisuian customs. What was of far more interest to him was the tumblestones Laventon had mentioned. He hadn’t considered asking how pokéballs of this era were made, but here was a resource he hadn’t heard of before. Apricorns were prevalent enough in modern-day pop culture, but these tumblestones were new to him. He’d ask the professor later.

  “The fish is still dirt cheap,” Volo offered. “Our southron fishmonger friends seem to have tamed the seas. Two of our brigs stink of Magikarp.”

  “Hmmm, those we can catch easily enough from our own rivers and lakes.” Kamado raised a brow. “Though, we have been going out less because of the Alpha Pokémon so maybe we’ll take you up on that.”

  Eating pokémon, too, was taboo in the modern day. However, even back in this time, Ash knew Magikarp was the only pokémon getting eaten. Pokémon skin was notoriously difficult to penetrate, and even if one could kill a pokémon, most species offered little to no nutritional value. In the present, pokémon were sold on the black market to wealthy eccentrics, but the overall populace had no use for them. Magikarp were the sole exception. Weak as they were, they were easy enough to kill with some effort and their meat was remarkably similar to ordinary fish. Since Magikarp were far larger than ordinary fish, they made an excellent food source here in the past when resources were more scarce.

  Ash had never partaken of pokémon flesh and he had no intentions to, but he couldn’t judge this society by modern standards. Curious, he glanced over at Sabrina and Riley but they were both flat-faced as well.

  “Anything of note going on in the other regions?” Cyllene asked.

  Volo pondered for a few seconds. “Not that I can think of. Nothing major since I was last here. Your rift is the most exciting thing I’ve seen this year.”

  “Remind me of the state of the world,” Cyllene said. “I’ve been so swamped in Hisuian affairs that I’ve forgotten most of it.”

  Like a laser, she locked eyes with Ash across the table, and Ash understood. Ah, she’s doing this for us. He smiled. So she can be considerate.

  “Oh, dear, you can’t be losing your memory at your age. This sanctuary will gain another Kamado,” Volo grinned, as Kamado looked on unamused. “Very well. Let’s see…last I was here…ah, yes. Kantonian settlers are continuing inland to the lands west of Kanto. It was just villages out there before the Calamity but they’re making a serious effort to develop the land in its wake. Rota’s influence continues to decrease. The Guardians can’t seem to replenish their numbers.” He glanced at the three ‘Guardians.’

  Riley nodded slowly. “Right…”

  “Hoenn is still recovering well from the damage inflicted by the Calamity. Its people have leaned into their marine lifestyle. Last I was there, they were constructing a village on the sea off their southern coast. There were also some islands nearby that I visited and several of them were inhabited by humans. Their villages worshipped pokémon and held strange rituals to honor their beastly kin.”

  Ash saw Rei and Akari and even Yura staring with eyes wide as saucers as they listened. Honestly, he was the same. Hearing about the world firsthand thousands of years before the present should have been impossible, and yet here he was, getting that exact experience.

  “Kalos is still in ruins. Unova is doing what it can but they were also devastated by the Calamity. Truthfully, I’m not sure Kalos will ever recover.”

  It will.

  Volo frowned as he picked around his memory for anything else. “Ah, right. We headed even further east on one particular voyage and arrived at a great continent. Surely you remember me telling you about this, Cyllene. It was a land even more dangerous than Hisui. We kept to the coast and didn’t stay long. Shockingly, there were people there, but… I don’t plan to return if I don’t have to.” He chuckled.

  Must be Paldea, Ash thought. Even in the present, Area Zero contained pokémon as feral as those from the Age of Carnage. This far back in time, perhaps the whole region was still teeming with them.

  “Hm, it rings a bell,” Cyllene drawled. She glanced at Ash, and Ash nodded. “Thank you. That will be all from me.”

  Kamado cleared his throat. “Volo, the Survey Corps is planning another expedition beyond the walls to depart shortly.”

  “Ooh, exciting. Did you want to tag along when we leave?”

  “No, this expedition is for the rift. They’re heading to Mount Coronet.”

  Volo raised a brow. “That doesn’t seem wise.”

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  “Ordinarily, it wouldn’t be. But now we have these three. They arrived on Guardians’ business but I intend to squeeze them for as much value as I can while they’re here.”

  Guess we’re not telling him we fell out of the rift. Ash smirked. Kamado really didn’t mince words. He didn’t care at all that they were sitting right there.

  “And how do they feel about that?” Volo asked, turning toward them.

  “Fine by us,” Ash said. “We were heading in that direction anyway.”

  Volo’s eyes narrowed. “Fascinating. What is it you’re here in Hisui to find? Perhaps I can help.”

  “Guardian relics. Artifacts of immense power hidden by the late King Aaron,” Riley said.

  “I see,” Volo nodded. “Well, I haven’t heard of anything like that, and I certainly would have.” He frowned as he recalled something. “Although…that reminds me. I do remember hearing from a Pearl Clan member just a short while ago that another man had come to Hisui from abroad and was seeking something similar. Some such relics or ruins.”

  Riley furrowed his brows and his face stiffened. “Where is this man now?”

  “Still in the Icelands, most likely. He was a capable trainer from what I heard and didn’t seem to be in any rush to move on before he’d finished poking around the north.”

  Ash, Sabrina, and Riley all glanced between each other.

  Could it be?

  “His name?” Ash asked.

  “I didn’t get it, unfortunately,” Volo said.

  “What pokémon did he have?” Sabrina asked.

  “I didn’t get that either.” Volo grinned. “Much of my information comes from hearsay, rumors in the wind. Such is the way of merchants like myself. I apologize I couldn’t be of more help.”

  Ash said. “I wonder if we’ll meet him on our travels…” Ash said, glancing at Cyllene.

  “The plans have already been finalized,” she said. “Taking into consideration the objective for this expedition and the provisions necessary to get you to the peak as soon as possible, the path you take will run through the Crimson Mirelands.”

  Riley leaned forward and opened his mouth to interject but Kamado put up a hand. “Not in front of our guest, please. Professor Laventon will have the final say once you’ve set off.”

  Laventon nodded solemnly.

  Volo glanced between them. “Oh, dear. I hope I didn’t cause any trouble.”

  “It’s no trouble,” Kamado said brusquely. “Let us continue.”

  The conversation went on into the evening, with Volo asking for details about their life in Rota and their journey to Hisui. Riley took over for much of it, and luckily they were able to dodge around most of the questions related to their actual arrival. Rei, Akari, and Yura all listened quietly, especially Yura who was hearing it for the first time. Around dinner time, Laventon and the rest excused themselves since the conversation had switched back to trade discussions. Kamado excused himself at the same time to go lie down.

  Over dinner at home, since the town’s center was roiling with activity now that the Volo Company was here, they discussed the particulars of the expedition and Laventon upheld Cyllene’s decision, though he didn’t sound as adamant about it as her. Rei and Akari begged to be allowed to go, as did Yura, but they were quickly and flatly denied.

  “Are you planning on bringing your other gauntlet, Sabrina?” Ash asked after swallowing a bite of rice.

  Sabrina reddened and cast her gaze down. “I haven’t been able to fix it…but I will.”

  “Do you really need it?” Rei asked, his mouth full of food. “I mean, nothing’s gone wrong this past week.”

  “I know…but just to be safe. I’m not even sure what’s going on with my powers now, but I haven’t used them at all since then.”

  “How come Ash and Riley don’t also have those gauntlets?” Akari asked.

  “It’s because she’s a sidekick!” Yura chirped with a toothy grin.

  Laventon raised a brow. “A psychic! I’ve heard of some humans possessing such an ability, but I’ve never met one. Are psychics like a variant of Guardians?”

  “Mm…yeah,” Sabrina said quietly, and Riley smirked beside her.

  That night, Ash, Sabrina, and Riley convened to discuss everything they’d learned from Volo. And another week later, the day of departure arrived.

  Ash, Sabrina, Riley, and Professor Laventon stood in front of the Sanctuary’s eastern gate, with a crowd of the Sanctuary’s citizens gathered behind them. Bulbous rucksacks were slung across all of their backs, and Pikachu sat upon Ash’s head, though no one feared him anymore. Sabrina’s single gauntlet whizzed around her wrist in an anxious frenzy, but the girl herself stood straight and stoic.

  Beside them, Kamado stood with his burly arms crossed, and Cyllene flanked him, looking as unamused as ever.

  “Are you sure you don’t want an escort out?” Volo asked, sauntering up from behind them. “I can spare some of my men.”

  “Thanks, but we’ll be fine,” Ash said.

  “Speed is of the essence,” Laventon chimed in. “We’re plunging headfirst into danger. Not somewhere we’d want to take your men.”

  Volo shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

  “Open the gate!” Cyllene called to the Security Corps members atop the wall.

  The door began to creak open, raising a haze of dust as the heavy wood scraped against the ground. Beyond the open door lay a rolling sea of cold grass, dark trees, glassy ponds, and Mount Coronet in the far distance, adorned with the rift as its crown. Thick fog clung to the base of the mountain, a sign of the approaching winter.

  Glancing at his comrades, Ash took a step forward.

  “Please keep the Professor safe, Guardians!”

  Behind them, one of the villagers had yelled out. And after him came a few more.

  “And please stay safe yourselves!”

  “We’ll be waiting for your return!”

  Ash smiled and waved, and Pikachu mimicked him, earning a few heart-throbbing squeals.

  Before they could advance any further though, Cyllene stepped in front of them. “You’re crossing the Obsidian Fieldlands and Coronet’s lowlands into the Crimson Mirelands and entering the mountain from the southeast. The Diamond Clan’s village is nearby so you can use them to resupply and acquire a guide if they have one. Ascend the mountain to the summit, find out what that rift is, and if you can, close it.”

  Riley nodded. “Understood.”

  “Laventon is taking point,” Cyllene said, meeting all of their gazes individually. “He is the leader of this expedition.”

  “We got it,” Ash grinned. “Hisui is your territory. You know it best.”

  Seemingly satisfied, Cyllene nodded and took a step back.

  “I suppose this is it, then,” Kamado said. He extended his hand. “If I don’t see you again, it’s been a pleasure.”

  “Please don’t say that, sir!” Laventon wailed. “We have every intention of returning safe and sound!”

  Kamado didn’t flinch, maintaining eye contact with Ash.

  Of course. He knows we’re from the future. Before we close that rift, we might hop into it…which means we really won’t see them again.

  Ash took his hand and shook it firmly. “Thanks for everything. We’ll get to the bottom of that rift, don’t you worry.”

  After shaking Sabrina and Riley’s hands, the four Survey Corps members faced the gates to the outside.

  “And now, the Galaxy Expedition, headed by I, Laventon, sets off!”

  The citizens of the Sanctuary waved and cheered as they departed. Laventon wore a proud smile as they left. It seemed they didn’t usually get this kind of fanfare. Especially lately, most likely, because of all the casualties. And word of the other three’s exploits against the fearsome Decidueye had long since spread through town. All and all, it was a hero’s departure.

  The doors rumbled as they closed behind them, and once they did, a quiet settled over the party. They were now outside, and it already felt colder.

  Wordlessly, they settled into formation. Ash and Pikachu stood at the front while Sabrina and Riley triangulated in the back, leaving Professor Laventon protected in the middle.

  Then, they broke into a brisk jog.

  Speed was key. With such a small party, threading through the wild pokémon would be safer than facing them head-on, and the faster they got to the Diamond Clan’s village in the east, the less they’d have to rely on the Supply Corps. Ideally, they wouldn’t need a resupply at all. Since their objective was so focused, their necessities were limited to food and water, which could easily be harvested from the land.

  Particles of snow swirled in the wind as they ran. Hisui stretched out before them like a grand painting come to life. Dark sentinels covered the grassy hills of the Fieldlands and indigo ponds and rivers speckled the landscape.

  Ash looked back. “Hand me your bag, Sabrina.”

  Sabrina did look a bit buried beneath her backpack but she was keeping pace. Her cheeks were red with exertion and from the cold. “Huh?” she panted.

  “You’re not as used to stuff like this, right? I’ll carry your bag until we reach our first rest stop.”

  “I can handle this,” she replied, her eyes downcast.

  “C’mon, just hand it over.”

  After a few seconds of hesitation, she slung it off and handed it over. Ash adjusted his own and slung one bag on each arm.

  “Just watch my back for me!”

  “If you’re not keen on physical exertion, we could have accommodated that in our plans,” Laventon said, his voice surprisingly clear for a man of his size.

  “Hey, Ash, I’m not too great with this stuff either, can you carry my bag too?” Riley asked.

  Ash grinned and faced forward. “Let’s move!”

  Since the Sanctuary was built on a hill, most of this initial stretch was slightly downhill. They were running alongside a shallow river that would take them to the Horseshoe Plains. That was where they’d have to dodge their first Alpha Pokémon: a giant Rapidash. Once past it, they’d continue on to the lowlands of Mount Coronet to a tunnel that’d lead them into the Crimson Mirelands. The full route had been hammered into everyone’s heads and Laventon had been on so many expeditions, he knew Hisui like his own backyard. The most uncertain part of the journey would come once they entered the mountain proper, something no one in the Survey Corps had ever done.

  The first attack came almost an hour after their departure. Pikachu’s presence was supposed to deter any curious pokémon, but it hadn’t stopped these.

  As they reached the foot of a hill, a Luxray across the river had glanced over at them, and after a few seconds of consideration, seemed to decide they’d be fitting prey. As it bounded across the ridge, it brought its whole clan of Luxio and Shinx with it, twelve in total.

  “We’ll handle it!” Ash growled, stopping in his tracks.

  “Do you want help?” Riley asked. “It’s a bad matchup.”

  “Nah, we got it. Protect the Professor! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt! Try and scare off the little ones!”

  Pikachu sailed into the air and ignited, before letting loose a jagged blade of electricity that carved its path through the lions’ numbers. Three Shinx and a Luxio yelped and reared back, but the others dodged or powered through. The eyes of the ones that got hit gleamed blood red with hatred.

  “Tougher than I thought,” Ash muttered. He’d expected Hisui’s wilds to be a cut above usual but he’d been hoping to thin the pack out a bit more.

  After checking behind him to make sure the others were far enough away, Ash grinned. Thunder rolled through the valley and white electricity began to drip from his forearms. As he pushed his hands forward, his palms turned a blinding white and wind gusted around him in a cyclone.

  As Luxray leaped over the river, its salivating maw opened and its body rippled with power.

  “Zap Cannon!” Ash roared.

  A crackling sphere of blinding electricity burst out from his hands and slammed into Luxray, knocking it out of the air and back onto the opposite riverbank. Its body smoked where the attack landed and the other Luxio and Shinx stopped in their tracks to check on their leader.

  Pikachu began priming another attack but Ash raised his hand. “Hold, Pikachu,” he said, his eyes trained on the Luxray.

  The Luxray staggered to its feet. It glared at Ash and snorted angrily, but after a few seconds of eye contact, it turned around and stalked away, limping slightly.

  Once they were gone, Ash exhaled, satisfied. “The Shinx line is pretty prideful. If you can best the leader of their prides, they’ll usually leave you alone.”

  Laventon crept over to his side cautiously. “Impressive… Even with ten Survey Corps members with us, I’m not sure we’d be able to defeat that Luxray so quickly.”

  “The Survey Corps usually surrounds wild pokémon to defeat them, right?” Riley said. “I imagine you have greater difficulty against numbers.”

  “Yes, though it’s not often we face singular pokémon, save for the Alpha Pokémon. Usually, they come in numbers just like that and we batter them with attacks indiscriminately.”

  “Disorients them, right?” Ash said as Pikachu jumped back on his shoulder. “That’d probably work too but I didn’t want to hurt them too badly if I didn’t have to.”

  Laventon sighed. “I wish we had that luxury.”

  Once they started moving again, they didn’t face any more attacks for the next hour. Staraptor, Staravia, and Starly watched them from the skies, Bidoof looked on from bushes and shrubs, and Budew observed as they chewed on the winter flowers that grew up from the hard ground, but none tried approaching.

  About a half hour after the Luxray incident, they entered a sparse forest. Various pokémon dashed out of their way as they entered, clearly not used to visitors such as these.

  Ash got a bit anxious as they jogged under the cover of the trees. The thin canopy blocked their view of the sky and the shadows of the trees held far better hiding spots than the plains behind them.

  “Left here. We’ll stop at that boulder,” Laventon wheezed and Ash changed direction accordingly.

  Ash slowed to a stop beside a large rock pressed against an unfortunate family of trees and leaned over, panting. He threw his backpacks to the ground and exhaled loudly.

  Riley handed a skin of water to each of them from his bag and they all drank in silence. Only Pikachu stood unexhausted, his ears up to detect anything interested in them while the rest were recovering.

  “I’ve never come so far in such little time,” Laventon groaned. “You three are something else.”

  Ash met Riley’s eyes and the Guardian glanced over at Sabrina, who then looked back at Ash.

  Unfortunately, Laventon caught on and he lowered his water. “What?”

  Riley cleared his throat and took several breaths. “There’s something we should tell you, Professor.”

  Immediately, Laventon’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, dear. Why do you look like Rei and Akari just before they’re about to tell me they snuck a second pokémon into the Sanctuary beyond the one we agreed to study?”

  Riley cracked a smile. “We have no intentions of mutiny, nothing of the sort, if that’s what you’re asking. But…well, the thing is…” He glanced at the others once more before continuing. “The truth is, I am the only Guardian among us three. But more importantly…Ash, Sabrina, and I are from two thousand five hundred years in the future.”

  Laventon blinked. “Pardon?”

  “Kamado and Cyllene are the only others who know, but we discussed it and figured it’d be smart to tell you as well.”

  “I’m sorry, just a minute,” Laventon said, waving his hand. “The future? What in the world are you talking about?”

  “The rift over Mount Coronet,” Ash said. “The truth is, we weren’t in Rota before falling out of that rift. We were, er, in Kanto, in a place that doesn’t exist yet.”

  Saffron City wasn’t built until centuries later.

  Laventon simply stared at him as if what he was saying wasn’t registering. He looked away. “I’m not sure I’d believe you if I hadn’t met you all when I did. But…I’m recalling our meeting at Prelude Beach. Your confusion…your mentioning King Aaron…your surprise at hearing where you were. I’d always thought your story was a tad strange, but I suppose…”

  “I’m sorry we lied to you,” Ash said. “But honestly we were pretty confused ourselves and we weren’t sure if you’d believe us even if we did tell you.”

  Laventon scratched his head. “I’m still having trouble believing you, but…” His head whipped in their direction. “Wait, you three are on this expedition to return home, aren’t you?”

  Riley nodded. “The part about a Guardian ritual gone wrong is basically true. We shouldn’t be here.”

  Laventon continued to gaze listlessly at the grass. “The future…,” he murmured. “That place you said you came from. I don’t suppose you’ll tell me the name?”

  “I don’t think that’d be wise,” Riley said.

  Laventon frowned, but nodded. “Well, first of all, I’m sorry this happened to you. I can’t even imagine how strange these past couple of weeks have felt for you all.”

  “Made easier by your hospitality,” Riley said.

  Ash took a step forward. “Professor, the truth is, we’d like to request a change to the plan. If you say no, we won’t ask again, but…” He steeled his gaze and met Laventon’s eyes. “The truth is, that man Volo mentioned…we think he may be able to help us get home.”

  It lined up too perfectly. A man from abroad seeking ancient relics. Perhaps he wasn’t looking for them, but hiding them. If Sir Aaron was here, then this was their best shot by far of getting home.

  Though Ash had tried persuading Cyllene of the merits of following the northern route into the Icelands, ultimately, she’d maintained her decision on the Mirelands route. Which meant Laventon’s assent was the only way they’d have any chance to meet him.

  Laventon’s brows hadn’t untightened since the moment they’d revealed the truth to him. “Who is he, do you think?”

  “A Guardian,” Riley said. “A Guardian relic called a Time Flower brought us here. It may be through a Guardian that we can return.”

  “But like we said, we won’t just abandon you out here,” Ash said. “And we have every intention of helping you guys close out that rift. But…we’d like to talk to that guy as soon as possible.”

  Laventon crossed his arms and closed his eyes. Where they were now, they’d essentially progressed the same distance for both routes. But once they started moving again, they’d have to pick a direction.

  “Fine,” Laventon said quietly.

  Ash brightened. “Are you sure, Professor?”

  Laventon nodded. “It makes no difference to me. I was of the belief that each of the two routes were roughly equivalent in danger. And at the rate we were just at, our provisions should last us until we reach the Pearl Clan.”

  Riley smiled. “I’m almost perturbed at how quickly you agreed.”

  “I can’t say I’ve never gone against Miss Cyllene’s carefully laid plans,” Laventon laughed. “And I want to help you three return home too. If you believe the man in the north to be of importance toward that goal, I have no reason to deny it.”

  Sabrina bowed. “Thank you, Professor.”

  “Of course! We’re all friends now, right? Plus, if it’s a Guardian like you say, I’d very much like to meet another as well.” Laventon raised a finger. “But no more plan changes after this. Miss Cyllene may boot me from the Survey Corps if I stray any further.”

  “We wouldn’t want that,” Riley smiled.

  “Ha ha, of course,” Laventon laughed. “But now, the Galaxy Expedition turns north, without delay!”

  Suddenly, the ground beneath them rumbled and a small sinkhole opened between them. All four jumped back and Pikachu’s cheeks crackled dangerously.

  A Shieldon burst up from the hole, quickly followed by two tiny hands.

  Yura’s head popped out a moment later, face and hair matted with dirt and sweat. “Hah…hah…hah…finally…fresh air.”

  She looked up and saw four speechless faces staring back at her.

  Next — Chapter 61 : Adventure in the Land of Legend

  I hope this chapter didn’t feel too rushed, but I wanted to get Ash and co out of the Sanctuary before year’s end.

  This will be the final chapter of 2024! Thank you so much to everyone who’s read this far, especially those who started reading this year! It was a big year for the fic, with the climax and conclusion of the Remnants arc and the completion of the first act of the Hisui arc!

  Since I’ll be out of town for Christmas, I anticipate the next chapter will come out around January 12th!

  Until then, Merry Christmas, and don’t forget to come back!!