16Michael, even though he wouldn't admit it in front of Jovi, was scared too, but for a different reason. The high altitude and vast desserts of Orre would have made navigation a difficult task, good thing Michael had an upgraded PDA and Flygon have an internal compass. He was also worried that he may not make it in time to thwart Cipher. He said, "Don't be afraid, Sis. We'll be okay and make sure Cipher falls, this time. "Jovi gave a whimper, but soon stopped. She must have been afraid of Cipher. It's no surprise, most little girls like Jovi couldn't handle seeing Pokemon being turned into fighting machines.
Michael found himself thinking back to when he first saw a Shadow Pokemon. The fear he felt when he saw that Teddiursa with its eyes full of hate and the aura darkness. He shuddered to think what it felt like, being a slave of darkness. He vowed to make Cipher pay for their crimes, one hundred fold! He then turned his attention to Shadow Lugia. He remembered that the Shadow aura that surrounded that Pokemon was so strong that its skin turned black. When he told Professor Krane that Cipher caught a Lugia and managed to Shadow it, the poor doctor almost fainted. Michael knew that this was for a good reason, catching a Lugia taken a lot of guts, but Shadowing it must have took at least several "wills of iron" (if that's even possible) and pure cruelty.
Michael just realized he and Jovi were now flying near the edge of Orre and quickly snapped himself out of his mid-flight daydreams. Both brother and sister noted that they were flying over a dense forest, filled with wild Pokemon. He activated his PDA and examined his location. The machine read: "Johto, Ecruteak City". Jovi tugged on her brother's shoulder while pointing with her fingers.
"Look Michael! Look! Jovi found big towers!" The girl cried. Michael turned his attention to the two towers Jovi found. They were definitely both made of wood and seemed to have a traditional feel, something that was uncommon in the dessert. Back in Orre, most of the buildings were made of metal and concrete, and most of them were made just a few years ago. But these stood strong for hundreds of years. One tower was burned and ruined beyond repair, the other looked brand new. Michael smiled at the sight, knowing that these were just many of the new things they'll be seeing in their new journey.
Wartortle decided to ask Misty a few questions, hopefully ones that the human girl would understand. As he made his way toward the Ketchum home, he noted that Misty was pulling what looked like the remains of a bike. If you could call it that...The handles and frame were smashed to pieces, it seemed like something did The human-turned-Pokemon decided to silently walk up to her and slowly made him known. That was the plan, but the girl spotted him.
"Before you ask," Misty started. "Max inherited the ability to destroy bikes. I swear, Ash seems to be a curse to all bikes." This caused both of them to laugh. "Is there anything else you need?"
"War? Tole?" the human-turned-Pokemon tried to speak in human. Why is it that I can only speak human when Ash is around? He blushed and slowly backed away.
"Huh? Is something the matter?" Misty asked. She knew Wartortle could speak human, but why not now? "Can't you speak human?" Wartortle shook his head. "Do you think there's a reason why you can't speak human now?" Wartortle shrugged. "Well, I guess I'll see you at lunch." The girl said as the Pokemon walked in the house.
Wartortle entered the Ketchum household, planning to meet with Delia Ketchum. Wartortle was never formally introduced to Delia (or at all for that matter), so he figured it would be good manners to meet with her. When he made his way into the kitchen, the Pokemon saw a particularly helpful Mr. Mime and whom he believed to be Ash' mother. The two were cutting vegetables, mixing spices, and boiling water, the obvious combination for making a soup. How do I know they're making soup? The former human asked himself.
"Come on, Mimey, lunch is in about an hour." Delia Ketchum called.
Mimey made no hesitation to increase his efforts by chopping potatoes at the speed of light (not a reference to Team Rocket) with the exact precision of master chef. "Ya' got it!" The mine declared. As soon as the mime finished, he turned his attention toward Wartortle. "Hey, are you this Wartortle Ash told us about?"
So Ash told Mimey and Mrs. Ketchum about me? What else did he say? "Uh...yes!" Huh? I can speak human now?
Delia made it known that she was paying attention. "A wartortle who could speak human? I thought a talking Meowth was weird." She giggled for a bit. "So how did you learn?"
Wartortle sighed, knowing that Ash at least kept some secrets. "I don't know myself." I really don't want her to worry..
"I guess I can." Wartortle said. He carefully added a few teaspoons of salt, pepper, and other spices, unsure of how he knew how to measure them. He silently hoped that the spices he added didn't spoil the food.
"Can you help with lunch?" Mimey asked
Wartortle's mind was swimming with questions. What was the difference in each of his conversations with humans? Why does his language shift because of that? All the human-turned Pokemon hoped is the answer is something he wouldn't regret.
Ash and Max were finally heading back to the house. After a hard morning's worth of training, the two were ready to start a new journey on the road, League Tournament or not! This lunch was hopefully going to be a farewell party. The master and apprentice slowly pushed open the wooden door, making their way into the kitchen. The other travelers were already there, waiting for the student and teacher duo. A nearby table held several bowls of soup.
"Ash! Max! You guys are late for you own farewell party." Brock said.
"Hey Brock, I guess this is a farewell meal huh?"
"You said it." the Rock-type Gym Leader replied. Ash hastily grabbed the nearest bowl of soup and wolfed it down like he hadn't eaten in weeks. Pikachu grabbed a few bottles of ketchup and drank their contents. Beldum copied its master by putting its mouth (or at least what looked like a mouth) close to a ketchup bottle
Misty cracked a smile. "It'll feel good to be on the open road again...I wonder if I should do more than just walk all day, like do Gym battles, it would be ironic though, since I was a former Gym Leader."
"Maybe you should take part in some Pokemon contests with me. Then, you'll be my only rival, other than Drew, who isn't out for my blood!" May commented. She was happy for once that she wouldn't be the only girl on this trip anymore. Both of them laughed.
"Hey Wartortle!" An extremely excited Charmeleon called.
Meganuim, leader of Team Go-Getters, told her teammate, "We were waiting for you."
"Hey guys!" Wartortle said, noting that he was still speaking human. It was possible there was a reason for this shift and he was going to find out.
"Where were you?" Meganuim asked.
"Fixing lunch, Mrs. Ketchum asked me to." Wartortle replied.
Thinking quickly, Charmeleon grabbed one of the bowls of soup. After smelling it to make sure it wasn't poisonous, he devoured the soup, in a manner unlike that of Ash. "Wow! Where did you learn to cook? You never once cooked food when were in Pokemon Square."
Thinking Charmeleon must have been sarcastic or he lost what ever taste buds he had it a fire attack, Wartortle grabbed another bowl and tasted the soup for himself. And it actually tasted good! Wartortle wasn't sure where he learned how to cook himself, it wasn't instinctual, and so he must have learned as a human. One of the many questions I may never answer.
Max sat alone, listening to the conversations. Being the only kid, he never had many people around his age to talk to. He silently hoped that he would meet someone that he could be with. Even though he was now an apprentice, he wasn't a trainer just yet.
An hour passed and the gang was all set to go. Their bellies were full and their Pokemon were healed. Ash decided to bring his starter Pikachu, Growvile, and Phanphy. May was coming with Combusken and Munchlax, many because her Bulbasaur was staying at the lab. Brock brought Fortress and Mudkip. Misty had Corsola, Politoed, and Azurill. Max had only one Pokemon, Beldum and a few empty Pokeballs, which he hoped to fill in really soon.
The gang almost left the kitchen if they weren't blocked by none other than Professor Oak. "Come to my lab," he said. "There are a few things we need to talk about." And so, the gang followed the old man into his laboratory.
"Uh...Professor Oak, is there something wrong?" Ash asked.
Professor Oak sighed. "Indeed something is wrong. Do you remember the events yesterday; Pikachu was turned into a Pichu?"
"You don't have to remind me." The electric mouse said, not wanting to relive such an embarrassing moment in his life.
"During the raid, you said you encountered strange Pokemon who used attacks that used dark energies?" Oak said as the group nodded. "These are Shadow Pokemon, Pokemon with their hearts artificially closed off and charged by dark energy. The only group that has access to these is Cipher of Orre.
"Five years ago, Cipher and Team Snagem started what is now called the Shadow Incident. They used these Shadow Pokemon to dominate Orre. Then out of the blue, one of the members of Team Snagem revolted and attacked both Cipher and Team Snagem. He used a device called a Snag Machine to capture Shadow Pokemon from the gang members and used a statue called the Relic Stone to purify them, while a girl used her powers to see what Pokemon were Shadows and what weren't. He and the girl were responsible for the capture of one of Cipher's leaders, Evice. We don't know what happened to the heroes, but their deeds didn't go unnoticed.
"And now, Cipher has risen again and two more people taken up the mantle as "Snaggers", Pokemon trainers who snag and purify Shadow Pokemon. I am against stealing, but I am more against 'Shadowing' of Pokemon, so I can't say the Snag Machine is not needed. A room called a Purify Chamber is used to speed up the purification of Pokemon along with the relic stone. One of my former students is responsible for the creation of these projects.
"He told me that his Snaggers have been able to defeat Cipher in Orre, but now there is another problem. Cipher has left Orre, but moved into Kanto and now works with Team Rocket. But that's not the worst of the news. Ash do you remember Lugia?"
Ash would never forget that Legendary, not ever. He helped Lugia saved the world after all and also a younger Lugia in Orange Islands. "Yeah, what does Cipher have to do with Lugia?"
"Professor Krane has confirmed Lugia has been Shadowed. From all he gathered from Cipher, he says there is a chance Lugia may never be purified. Cipher calls this particular Shadow Pokemon XD001."
Ash was stunned. He felt an empty feeling is heart. He felt as though one of his friends has died and he only just found out. Brock, May, and Max never met Lugia, so they didn't understand the pain Ash felt. Misty knew because she was there when Lugia battled the three Legendary birds of Fire, Ice, and Lightning.
"Ash..." Professor Oak said. "Where there's a will there's a way. The Snaggers never managed to have snagged Lugia, but Krane believes we can purify him if they did. Krane also wants you and your friends to help the battle against Cipher." Professor Oak turned his attention towards the sky, noticing a Flygon making a descent. "And here are the Snaggers now."