Pokémon Stories at Amethyst Falls © Pokémon Stories

Kyogre and Groudon Arise

Part 3

By Tigerseye

I soared over houses and forests on the back of Latias, my indigo, feathery hair fluttering out behind my slightly tanned face. My silvery eyes glimmered as I beamed with joy, and my heart jolted with pure excitement as we swooped down low over Mauville City.

The sun was just still shining out into the cloudless azure sky, just sinking lower ahead of me, dazzling in my eyes. I clung on to Latios' soft, feathered neck as we continued to rise higher and higher into the warm air.

After thirty minutes more flying, Latias gently touched down outside the entrance to Lilycove City, on Route 121. The trees here were tall and straight, and the grass was long and silvery. I thanked Latias very much for my ride and returned it. The sun pounded down onto the pathway, warming my face and hands. The sky was cloudless and thick haze wavered on the horizon.

I entered Lilycove, pulling my suitcase. The city here was never still; people were always bustling around the market, trainers glancing excitedly at the posters on the Master Rank contest hall, and children running joyously in the streets.

I followed the sandy main path round to where Uncle Matthew and Auntie Melody lived. Their garden was bright and well-kept, and smelled sweet. Rainbow flowers waved in the warm breeze. I smiled and walked up the garden path to the front door. I knocked.

There was a scrambling noise from inside, and Auntie Melody came to the door. When she saw me, she beamed and gave me a hug.

'Hello Rosanna!' she said joyously. 'We haven't seen you in ages! Do come on in.'

Leon welcomed me with a rush-down-the-hall-into-me sort of greeting, and I returned it with a hug. The pale blue-themed hall was spacious and decorated mainly with plants and pictures.

'Zahra!' Auntie Melody called up the stairs, 'Rosanna's here!'

There was a hurried thumping as Zahra came galloping down the polished stairs with an expression of excited joy on her face. Her crimson hair flew out behind her and her maroon eyes sparkled.

'Hi!' she said merrily, and gave me a hug too. 'How are you? I can't wait for you to tell me all about how you've been doing!'

'Me neither!' I said excitedly, and grinned.

'I'll take your stuff,' Auntie Melody said kindly, her amber eyes glinting and her tawny hair fluttering around her face as she bent down to pick up my suitcase. Zahra sighed with happiness and glanced at me. I giggled and glanced back.

'What shall we do then?' she asked, looking around, grinning.

I remembered the brilliant idea that I had meant to tell her.

'Can we go upstairs please?' I asked politely, 'I need to tell you something.'

'Sure!' Zahra agreed. I followed her up the polished wooden staircase into Zahra's room. It was painted a light shade of orange and the furniture was light wood. The carpet was golden like ripe corn and soft as fur. Her yellow and orange checked curtains hung lightly from the golden rail over her large, sash window, which only caught the evening sun. Her room was very neat and tidy.

'Okay,' Zahra began, sitting on her bed. 'What was it that you wanted to tell me?'

'Well,' I said, sitting on the bed next to Zahra, 'It's a fairly long story but I'll tell you it as best I can.'

Zahra smiled eagerly, encouraging me.

'I went out to Petalburg Woods to do some training, and I found a Devon Researcher there who was looking for Shroomish. He asked me if I'd seen any and stuff, and I said I hadn't. Then, a Magma Member ambushed us and started asking for Papers, or something like that.'

Zahra's eyes widened, and she listened on intently.

'Then he launched into battle and I thrashed him with my Poochyena. Then he ran off, and the Devon Researcher ran after. I went to Rustboro and the President asked me to deliver a Letter to Steven in Dewford and gave me this Portable Pokémon Storage System in return. But on my way out, I saw the Magma Member again, running off, and the Devon Researcher was running after him again. I ran after and got the Goods off the Magma Member in Rusturf Tunnel on Route 116, and saved Peeko for Mr. Briney. Then I went to Dewford and gave the Letter to Steven in Granite Cave, and then I went off to Slateport to give the Goods to Captain Stern.'

'Oh, I've heard of Stern, he often comes down to Lilycove working on Submarine or ship projects. He and my Dad are quite good friends,' Zahra informed me. I nodded to show I'd listened.

'When I got to the Museum, I saw loads and loads of Magma Members waiting outside. They said that it was part of their new scheme, or something like that. Anyway, I went in and I got ambushed again! I beat them off with a combination of Poochyena and Grovyle, and then I gave the parts to Stern.'

'Wow!' Zahra commented. 'You're so lucky! I wish stuff like that would happen to me!'

I beamed. 'But that's not all. You see, I had this dream that Team Magma are going to steal the Orbs from the top of Mt. Pyre - you do know about the Orbs, don't you?' I questioned. Zahra nodded. I continued.

'And I think that they're going to capture Kyogre and Groudon to change Hoenn the way they want it - and you know what they're like!' I finished, and sighed.

Zahra gasped. 'Do you really think so? I suppose I can imagine them doing that kind of thing, but… How are we going to stop them?' she enquired.

'Well, that's where my plans come in,' I started, smiling again. 'Okay. So, we know where the Orbs are, right? So, tonight, we tell your Mum that we're going camping out on Route 121 tomorrow night, and then we sneak off, in the night, and get the Orbs! When we've got them, I've planned to take them back to my Dad - he'll know what to do. Team Magma will surely obey him. They're only a group of teenage troublemakers, after all.'

Zahra grinned with excitement and thrill. 'Yes! Brilliant!' she laughed, and gave me a friendly thumbs-up. 'You're truly amazing, you know.' I beamed happily.

Zahra got off the bed and began pacing around thoughtfully. 'We're going to need quite a few things,' she muttered, counting them silently on her fingers. 'It's a good idea to plan them for tomorrow - that way we won't get caught in a rush!'

'So, we need to get a tent ready,' I said, helping Zahra out and making a mental list. 'And some food, sleeping bags, water… I'm sorry to ask for all this!' I said.

'Don't worry at all, it's quite alright!' Zahra replied happily from the cupboard, where she was digging out two, comfy-looking sleeping bags from the bottom drawer. I grinned excitedly.

'And we can get the food later, can't we?' I wondered out loud.

'Yup,' Zahra confirmed.

'Erm…' I muttered to myself. 'So, where were we? Sleeping bags, food, water - Oh! We might need a tent!' I laughed sarcastically.

Zahra giggled. 'Don't worry, I've got one of those,' she informed me, and went out of her room for a minute. I sat and waited, fiddling with my indigo hair. Zahra came back in carrying a very heavy bag of waterproof tent.

'Wow!' I exclaimed excitedly, kneeling down at once on the golden carpet to inspect it, 'is this yours?'

'Yup!' Zahra answered proudly, 'I got it for my birthday when we were in Ever Grande for early Autumn. It sleeps two - which is perfect for us!'

'Oh great!' I said joyously, excitement making me tingle. 'So, I've got my Pokéballs and a change of clothes… Ah, there's my suitcase,' I noticed, seeing the familiar case at the top of the stairs. I delved in it to retrieve my Pokéballs, washing stuff and clean clothes. I put them in my bag and tightened the drawstrings at the top.

'I'll get the food that can survive in the cool bag until tomorrow,' Zahra said, and hopped down the stairs two at a time to get some of the provisions for our trip. I smiled to myself as excitement flooded through me. I had never done anything like this before; I hoped it would go well. I was finally going to get Team Magma once and for all.

Zahra came back in a few minutes with packets and boxes packed with food for the trip. Washed apples and oranges, chocolate bars and a pack of dried fruit. She had packed them in a cool bag to keep everything fresh overnight.

'I'll get cucumber and tomatoes tomorrow,' she added, sighing with relief as she put the cool bag heavily down on the floor outside her doorway. 'We won't need much if we're only going for one night.'

'Wow!' I said, looking inside the cool bag. 'This is going to be great! I can't wait to finally crush Team Magma once and for all!'

'It's going to be brilliant,' Zahra agreed. 'When shall we set off?'

'As soon as possible tomorrow afternoon, if it's okay with you,' I suggested. Zahra nodded.

'I'll ask Mum,' she said, leaving to hop down the stairs again. I followed, watching Zahra's crimson-haired head bob down the steps in front of me. I went after Zahra into the kitchen, where her Mum was wiping down the counter tops and listening to the radio. She was humming along to a popular song.

The kitchen was warm and the collage tiles on the wall reminded me of my Dad's kitchen. The tiles on the floor were white and looked like marble. Zahra disappeared into the kitchen.

As I stood waiting in the hall, I suddenly felt faint and dizzy. I gasped and grabbed onto the banister to stop myself from falling to my knees. An orange haze descended over my vision and my eyes focussed on objects beginning to form out of the mist.

I saw a tall mountain, growing as if formed my enormous hands, rising to a peak. I seemed to glide towards it, and it became clearer. I saw a silhouetted figure reach out with trembling hands to grab something resting on a stone table, right at the summit of the mountain. I suddenly knew where it was. It was the peak of Mt. Pyre.

Grasses waved in an inaudible wind as the figure reached out further towards two spherical glowing objects, breathing deeply as if she had been running, hair blowing across her face. I could see her eyes. They were filled with wonder, exhilaration. Her face was under lit with a magical glow…

There was an abrupt swishing sound, and the scene disappeared in a void as if it were drawn into a plughole. I stood still as a statue, eyes wide, breathing deeply. My hands were shaking slightly. My heart thudded in my chest as I heard Zahra's voice in the kitchen ahead of me.

'…Mum, Rosanna and I were thinking of going camping on Route 121 tomorrow night - we'll be back by the morning after - because we wanted to see if we could see any rare Pokémon at night. Is it okay if we have lunch and then set off?' she enquired.

'As long as you're careful, that's fine,' Auntie Melody agreed, and with a smile, continued cleaning the kitchen.

Zahra thanked her Mum and turned out of the kitchen. She opened the door and took one glance at me, and then her eyes widened.

'What?' I asked curiously. I was feeling calmer now.

'You look as white as a piece of paper!' she said. 'What on earth happened?'

I explained about the vision in hushed tones as we walked up the polished stairs back to Zahra's room.

'Whoa…' she murmured in awe. 'What do you think it means?'

'I… I don't know,' I answered shakily. I gave her a smile. 'But I'm sure it's not anything seriously bad. I'm probably just tired…'

'Tea should be ready soon,' she informed me, after we'd pondered over the events for a while. 'Shall we go outside for a bit? Leon is dying for someone to play catch with!'

So I lead the way to the garden this time, through the cool kitchen where the smell of home-made pizzas floated lazily in the air. I breathed in deeply and walked out through the patio doors into the bright, colourful garden where Uncle Matthew was weeding the large, rainbow beds and Leon was throwing a tennis ball around and running to pick it up. The sun was bright and the sky was clear as a jewel. A tiny aeroplane made its way silently across the afternoon sky, like a tiny silver cross on a necklace.

We played catch with Leon for a bit, throwing the tennis ball around and watching him launch himself across the springy lawn to retrieve it. Zahra suddenly had an idea and disappeared into the shed for a moment, and then emerged holding rackets, a shuttlecock and a badminton net.

It was really enjoyable that afternoon, playing badminton in the garden with Leon running around madly after the shuttlecock, and Zahra and I laughing so much at each other's pathetic shots that we almost fell over. Uncle Matthew and Auntie Melody bought the tea out on trays to the picnic bench. Zahra and I, breathless after running around in the sun for so long, sat down gratefully for our late tea and a drink of cool lemonade.

'Mmm!' I sighed, the smell of the pizza floating through the air. Zahra tucked in straight away, after giving her parents a grateful smile, and I followed suit. The salad we had with it was wonderful too. Leon had his own small plate of tiny pizza slices and sweetcorn.

When we'd finished tea, it was quite late. The orange sun was sinking towards the horizon; the very few wispy clouds were tinged pastel pink and gold. I took my plate into the kitchen, and then I thanked Auntie Melody and Uncle Matthew for the tea and said goodnight to them both.

Zahra and I both walked upstairs, and I collected my things from my suitcase. I went into the bathroom while Zahra tidied up and organised the stuff for our camping trip and had my bath. I had a quick, cool shower, dressed in my pyjamas, washed my face and cleaned my teeth. Then I went back into Zahra's room.

'I'll go and get my bath now,' Zahra informed me as she went into the bathroom carrying her pyjamas and towel.

'Alright,' I agreed. 'I'm just going to get the bed ready, okay?'

'Yup, you do that and I'll be back in a minute,' Zahra answered as she shut the white bathroom door and locked it.

I pulled the small bed out from under Zahra's, and went to the airing cupboard looking for clean sheets. I found them and put the pillowcase on.

As I knelt down to pick up the duvet, I suddenly felt a familiar feeling; faint and dizzy. An orange haze obscured my eyesight and the same shapes began to form. The peak of Mt. Pyre, the table, and the orbs. The girl was there, reaching out towards them…

I gasped abruptly as my mind was pulled from the vision, and the real world appeared. The swirling faintness thinned from my mind and I could see and hear as clear as before. Zahra entered the room.

'…Have you had another vision?' she asked, as I stared up at her. I nodded.

'It was the same as last time,' I explained, calming down. Zahra grinned.

'I love all this mysterious stuff,' she said excitedly. 'Are you feeling okay now? I'll help you get the duvet in the cover.'

When we had put my duvet in the cover, Zahra smiled at me and got into her bed. I crawled into my own, and soon fell asleep amongst the pale orange sheets.

*     *     *

It must have been quite early when I woke in Zahra's warm, orange room, because it looked like the morning mist hadn't cleared outside the landing window and the sun was glowing through it brightly. I rubbed my eyes and yawned, sitting up and looking around. Swablu outside sang sweetly in a melodious dawn chorus. Zahra slept on, turning over to face me, her eyes closed. Her crimson hair was feathered out on the pillow.

I sighed and lay back down. The things for our camping trip lay neatly stacked up in the corner of Zahra's room, against the pale orange wall. The yellow and orange checked curtains were drawn loosely and the window was open. The scent of dewy Hoenn mornings floated in the air. I recalled the visions. The details were still strong in my mind. The girl, the orbs and Mt. Pyre… Thinking about this made me reflect on how I had only got two faithful Legendaries by listening to some strange voices…

I had lost myself in thought so deeply that when Zahra finally woke up, she said 'Good morning' and it made me jump.

'Sorry!' I giggled, 'I had lost myself in thought!'

'Don't worry, that's alright - I do it all the time!' Zahra replied. She got out of her bed and put the covers neat, taking her clothes and going into the bathroom. I made my own bed and gathered my clothes from my suitcase. All my Pokéballs sat on my belt in my case, shimmering in the faint glow of the sun through Zahra's door.

When Zahra finished, I went into the bathroom and got dressed myself, brushing out my indigo hair. My silvery eyes twinkled in the mirror.

'Shall we get some breakfast?' Zahra suggested playfully after I had put my pyjamas back into my suitcase. I stacked it neatly with the other things.

'That would be wonderful,' I replied, smiling. I followed Zahra down the polished stairs where she led me into the airy kitchen. The patio doors were open and Leon was rushing around the garden with Auntie Melody, who was playing catch with him. Uncle Matthew was doing something on the computer in the study.

'Here's the cereal,' Zahra said, showing me the cereal cupboard. 'And the milk is in the fridge here…' she pointed, 'and the spoons are here with the bowls in the cupboard there.'

'Thanks Zahra,' I said. I got myself a bowl of crunchy cereal. Zahra helped herself and then we sat down at the table together. The sun was streaming through the open patio doors onto the floor.

'I'm really looking forward to this camping trip,' I said to Zahra, taking another mouthful of cereal.

'Me too!' she replied, 'I can't wait to see what types of Pokémon we can find at night.' And then she winked at me. I knew what she was thinking. She couldn't wait to thrash Team Magma with me either. But to tell the utter truth, I was really, really nervous. There were loads of them, and only one of me. But I knew that my faithful Pokémon would shine through. I had faith in them and they trusted me. Together we would be victorious.

'I hope we'll be okay,' I muttered, smiling nervously, voicing my exact fears. 'There's loads of Team Magma members and only two of us.'

'Oh, I'm sure we'll be fine. If we beat enough of them, they'll get the picture and we'll thrash them! I can't wait to see their faces…' Zahra lapsed into satisfied silence, finishing her breakfast.

The rest of the day passed quickly. The afternoon came, and I was tingling all over with excitement. The sun was shining in a cloudless azure sky, as always, and the gentle breeze lifted my hair as I sat on the stone patio, catching the rays.

'Right then,' began Zahra finally. 'I think we'd better be off!'

She went inside and up the polished stairs, with me following. There, neat in the corner of Zahra's room, were the belongings of ours we had waited so long to use. Zahra heaved the food bag downstairs and I took the two rucksacks with our clothes and swimsuits, towels and wash stuff in. Auntie Melody and Uncle Matthew came into the hall to see us off. Zahra quickly delved into the fridge and bought out some bottles of fresh water and some washed, raw vegetables. We were ready!

'Goodbye Uncle Matthew and Auntie Melody,' I said, giving them both a hug. 'Thank you very much for having me so far - I'll see you tomorrow!'

Zahra hugged her parents. 'See you tomorrow mum and dad,' she said happily. And then she opened the door. The scent of the warm, humid Hoenn washed in and took my breath away. It had to be one of the most beautiful smells ever.

'Goodbye girls!' called

With all my possessions in my bag on my back, I stepped out of the door and Zahra shut it behind her. The rainbow garden smelt lovely in the sun, the roses and colourful creepers hanging from around the doorway.

'We're off!' Zahra squeaked excitedly, stepping out of her garden onto the sandy Lilycove path. She waited for me walk beside her, and then we paced together, the sun falling on my face, warming my cheeks. The smells and sounds of Lilycove grew as we rounded the corner to the main pathway. I saw the almost-familiar market-place and saw the children running around and the trainers gossiping about contests. It was an amazing sight - almost like Slateport.

As we left Lilycove into Route 121, the sounds and smells faded and were replaced with the cool shade of tall trees and the scent of salt on the gentle breeze from the nearby sea. I could see the peak of Mt. Pyre in the distance, Wingull circling it. The haze made it appear ghostly, even in the bright shine of the sun.

'Mt. Pyre,' Zahra muttered, pausing as she observed it in the shimmering sea. 'I guess that's where we'll be going, huh?'

I stopped and turned next to her, my indigo hair fluttering in the gentle breeze. My silver eyes glimmered as I stared past Zahra's silky scarlet hair to the summit of the formidable mountain.

This time, the vision came on much quicker than I had expected and I saw it much clearer than before, as if Mt. Pyre was supplying it with strength. Though this time, the girl had got the Orbs, and was running down a stone staircase, her hair streaming out behind her, her breaths coming fast as she leapt over the long grass…

'Rosanna?' called Zahra. I snapped back to reality, seeing Zahra's face in front of me.

'Sorry,' I apologised quickly, 'It was another vision. This time it was stronger, and different…'

I explained as we made our way through the silvery grass. I could see the ridges of Route 120 in the distance, also shrouded in haze. The tall trees rose high and sturdily, casting cool shadows onto the ground. Cast iron fences neatly bordered the edges of Route 121. I followed Zahra to where we were going to set up our camp. We walked through a narrow path, and came to a large clearing.

'Here will be perfect!' Zahra announced, dropping her rucksack from her shoulders and putting the cool bag down.

'Wow,' I muttered in awe, looking around. Tall trees rose all around and the small path led to the main path of Route 121. The sunlight was dappled on the soft, dry ground. The air smelt of wild honeysuckle and I could hear Taillow singing in the distance, their songs mingling to a melodious chorus. It was like Petalburg Woods, but much lighter and warmer. 'Do you want me to help you set up the tent?' I asked Zahra, who was standing, smiling, with her hands on her hips.

'Yes please,' she replied politely, undoing the drawstrings on the bag with the tent in.

Together we heaved the blue, waterproof tent out of the pack and unfolded it. I put the poles together and Zahra found the places that they had to go in. She then tipped the pegs out of the fabric bag and stuck them in the loops of rope that held the tent down. Then, she undid the zip to the entrance.

'Finished!' she called round to tent to me, where I was making sure the pegs wouldn't budge.

'Well done,' I sighed when I returned to the front of the tent. 'That's a good job. Now we have a place to sleep!'

Zahra laughed. 'I think it's time for tea,' she suggested, kneeling down and delving into the cool bag.

'Thanks,' I said as she handed me some carrot and cucumber. We sat in front of the tent, the sunlight turning orange as the evening moved in. The Taillow songs faded as they began to roost, and the breeze dropped to almost nothing. It began to get slightly cooler.

When we had finished tea, I helped to clear up and then I got my sleeping bag out. I found my bag, and dug my hand into it, feeling for my Pokémon belt. I found it.

'Hey Zahra,' I called, 'do you want to see my Pokémon?'

'Yes please,' she answered as I came back into the tent holding Espeon and Umbreon's Pokéballs. I sat down on the floor next to Zahra. I smiled to myself. I had wanted to let them out for a long time.

'Go, Espeon!' I commanded, and she burst out of the Pokéball in a flash of light. Zahra gasped.

'She was my first ever and still is my strongest,' I informed my cousin, smiling at her awe. 'And here is my second strongest…'

I released Umbreon, who cried his magical cry and sat down next to Espeon. His sleek, black coat shone in the faint light from outside and his golden rings glowed. Espeon's coat shimmered magically. The ruby on her head sparkled.

'I got him for my birthday, just as I did with Espeon. I also have a Marshtomp, a Grovyle and a Combusken, but I thought it would be best to leave them resting until they're needed.'

Zahra nodded understandingly. 'Do you have any others?' she asked curiously.

'Yup, I have a Corsola, whom I use for Surfing and Diving, and then I have a Latias and a Latios.'

'Wow!' exclaimed Zahra, staring at me. 'Really? Where on earth did you catch them?'

'Well,' I began, 'it's a long story, but basically, I heard some voices a few months back, in my head, and I followed what they told me to do. It was tough at times, but I managed to pull through and I caught two legendary birds!'

'Whoa!' Zahra sighed. 'Do you think the visions have anything in common with the voices?'

'I'm not sure,' I answered. Anyway, it's getting late, I think we should try and get a little sleep before we go,' I said, unzipping the entrance to my half of the tent.

'Have you got an alarm?' enquired Zahra. 'We don't want to sleep all the way through!'

'Yes,' I confirmed, grinning. 'This is going to be so cool!'

'Oh…' Zahra murmured, looking down, 'can I just say something?'

'Yeah, sure,' I answered, curious. 'Go ahead.'

'Well,' she said, 'because you are involved in all this more than me, I think it would be better if you went alone. Then I can stay here and keep guard in case Team Magma come back ready to ambush you when you return. I don't mind, honest!'

'Okay then, if that's what you really want to do,' I replied. I gave Zahra a smile. She beamed back. 'I'll set my alarm for just before midnight then?' I suggested.

'Yup,' Zahra smiled. 'Good luck!'

'Thanks,' I said softly as I climbed into my sleeping bag. My bag with my Pokémon inside was safe next to me. Espeon and Umbreon curled up by my sleeping bag and slept, the soft, night breeze gently rustling the leaves on the trees outside.

Soon, I was fast asleep too, the odd Kecleon calling in the glowing, sliver mist of the night.

*     *     *

A high pitched bleeping bought me round from a light sleep at ten past eleven. I heard Zahra stirring slightly and hastily pressed the 'silent' button on my watch. I yawned, and rubbed my eyes, and then smiled as it all came back to me.

'Come on Espeon and Umbreon,' I whispered as they opened their eyes. Espeon's lilac coat glimmered in the light of the moon seeping through the tent's walls. Umbreon was almost invisible as he blended into the darkness of the night.

I quietly picked up my bag and unzipped the division between Zahra's compartment and mine. I smiled at her sleeping form as I tip-toed across the floor. I slipped out of the tent's entrance, silent as the clouds.

When I got outside, I saw thick mist swirling around my ankles, knees and waist. Kecleon calls echoed in the starlit silence. I grinned with sheer thrill as I swung my bag onto my shoulders and ran through the fog to Route 121, Espeon and Umbreon trotting after me eagerly.

'Come on,' I whispered again, turning my head slightly to check they were still keeping up. I dropped my run to a walk. They too slowed to match my pace.

The silver grasses waved in the night, drowned in mist. The silver fog cleared as I walked down the tree-bordered steps onto the Mt. Pyre Pier. I looked out to sea. The mist hid everything except the very highest summit of Mt. Pyre. That was where I was headed. The moon glowed eerily through the mist, making it silvery.

I rummaged in my bag, and found what I was looking for.

'Go Corsola!' I cried as I threw the Pokéball. Corsola burst into the water, bobbing up and down playfully as always. She called to me, smiling.

'Cor! Cor!'

'Right Corsola,' I began, 'we're headed out to Mt. Pyre. Can you get us there please?'

'Corsola!' she cried as she nodded.

'Good.' I climbed onto her back, and Espeon and Umbreon jumped onto my shoulders. It was wonderful to feel the familiar weight back there again. The cool, ghostly sea lapped at Corsola's white and pink body, but didn't disconcert her at all. She powered off into the waves, the scent of the night air running through my hair.

I shivered with pure nerves as the gigantic form of Mt. Pyre formed in the thick, silvery fog. Espeon and Umbreon shifted their grip, ready to leap onto dry land. Corsola called out quietly with determination. I gently patted her head affectionately. We were nearly there. I could tell.

We rounded a corner, and a flat shore of waving grass stood before the entrance of Mt. Pyre. The odd red flower peeked out from the grass. A rough path had been cut to the entrance, worn down more than anything. Many pairs of mourning feet had walked this way, when Pokémon were still buried here. The thought brought more shivers running down my spine. I smiled with thrill and excitement, and lifted my gaze to the summit of Mt. Pyre.

That's where I'm headed, I thought.

Espeon and Umbreon leapt off my shoulders and landed neatly, side by side, on the grassy shore. I climbed carefully off Corsola's back.

'Thank you very much for the ride,' I said to her. She smiled at me, her pink horns dark in the night. I returned her. Espeon and Umbreon sat on the ground, looking up at me. I took a deep breath and beamed down at them.

'Come on,' I whispered fiercely, 'we can do this!'

They looked me in the eyes, and I turned. They followed me loyally as I disappeared into the dark mouth of Mt. Pyre's entrance.

Outside, the moon shimmered on the sea's ripples as the fog cleared. Stars dotted the sky, twinkling like a Sableye's diamond eyes in the dark of a cave. The sea was almost as smooth as glass, dark and cool. Somewhere in the distance, a Shuppet's cry broke the silence as it echoed through the night.

*     *     *

Onto Part 4...

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