Chapter 633: The Mystery of the Missing Fossil (1)
~Third POV~
[Unova Region, Morning, Nacrene City – Plaza]
The morning sun over Nacrene City didn't just rise; it seemed to bounce off the century-old brick warehouses with a vibrant, golden enthusiasm that matched the energy of the trio walking through the plaza. Nacrene was a city of art, history, and—to White's immense delight—exquisite shopping.
White squealed, her eyes sparkling as she pressed her face against the glass of a boutique window. Inside, a plush, ornate pet bed sat atop a mahogany pedestal as she said happily, "Oh! Look at this, Gigi! Look at the craftsmanship! It's perfect. It's elegant. It screams 'Star Power.' When we get to Nimbasa City for the Pokémon Musical, you'll need a place to rest your weary head after a long day of rehearsals!"
Gigi let out a cheerful cry, wagging her tail in agreement, "Tep-tep-pig!"
Black then shouted, loud enough to startle a flock of Pidove from a nearby rooftop in an annoyed tone, "White!"
Black stood a few paces behind, his face flushed with a mixture of impatience and exasperation. His hands were clenched at his sides, and his signature cap was pulled low over his brow as his patience was thin. White said dismissively, not even turning around as she contemplated whether the bed came in a shade of 'Starlight Pink', "Why are you shouting, Black? You're going to scare the customers."
Black bellowed, his voice echoing off the warehouse walls, "Because we've been here for three hours! 3! Hours! We finished our business at the Gym, the Museum was great, and we've already explored the forest outskirts! We should be on our way to Route 4! Nimbasa City is waiting! My Gym Challenge is waiting! My destiny as the Champion—!"
White finished for him, finally turning around with a huff, "—Is currently being delayed by a very important business acquisition."
She gestured wildly at the shop as she exclaimed, "The BW Agency doesn't just succeed on talent alone, Black. It succeeds on aesthetic! And look at that furniture! If I put that in the dressing room, the actors will feel like royalty!"
Black let out a groan that sounded like a dying Transmission. He looked toward the third member of their group for support.
Azure was leaning against a nearby lamppost, looking remarkably relaxed. On his right shoulder sat a Pikachu, its ears twitching in rhythm with the city's morning bustle. On his head, an Eevee was curled into a fluffy ball, and tucked into the collar of his jacket, a small Pichu (Mew) was peeking out with wide, curious eyes.
Azure chuckled, his eyes trailing from Black's red face to White's determined expression. Azure reached into his bag and pulled out a small, velvet-lined case as he said casually, "Take it easy, Black. A little detour won't kill the dream. Besides, you can't say the morning was a total waste for you."
Black's anger flickered and died, replaced by a sheepish look as he looked at the case. Inside were the various Battle Held Items they had purchased earlier. Black muttered embarrassedly, reaching out to touch the jagged, glowing red stone, "I guess you're right… Brav's going to have a lot more kick with this [Life Orb]. And the [Muscle Band] for Mighty… the [Charcoal] for Tep…"
Azure reminded him, ticking them off on his fingers, "And don't forget the [Wise Glasses] for Musha, the [Magnet] for Tula, and the [Silk Scarf] for Vee…"
The voice came from Azure's pocket. A Rotom dived out of his phone, its orange-plasma body cackling as it circled Black's head, and chimed in, "Bzzt! Don't forget the cost, Black-Master! That wallet is looking mighty thin! Bzzt-kt!"
Black snapped, though he knew the digital Pokémon was right, "Quiet, Rotom! I spent almost all the prize money I earned from those trainers on Route 3. But it's an investment! To be the Champion, you must have the best gear!"
Azure nodded, his expression softening. Then he asked curiously about the topic of training, "Speaking of Musha, how's the progress on her Hidden Ability? Telepathy is a tricky thing to wake up."
Black waved a hand dismissively, though his eyes shone with pride. He said proudly, "It's getting there. Yesterday, when your Gardevoir was out, Musha seemed to really pick up on the mental frequencies. Even Zorua gave her some pointers, though I think he was just trying to mess with her head."
A voice echoed directly into their minds, 'I heard that, human!'
Azure looked down at his shadow. A small, dark fox-like Pokémon with a mischievous tuft of red fur stepped out from the darkness. Zorua yawned, his blue eyes glinting with amusement. Zorua said mentally, 'I was providing 'expert consultation.' Musha's mind is like a big, soft marshmallow. Easy to poke, but hard to shape.'
Azure smiled. Black asked, looking around, "Where's Gardevoir now?"
Azure explained, ruffling the Eevee on his head, "Sent her back to Kanto for a bit. She wanted to share some of the Unova data with the rest of the crew back home. Charizard and the others get restless if they don't hear about our progress."
Black nodded, his mind already drifting back to the road. Then he tried to continue his conversation with him, "Right. So, since we're done talking about training and shopping, can we please go to—"
White shouted, pointing toward a shop called The Gothitelle's Wardrobe, "Wait! Just one more boutique!" They have ribbons that are supposedly infused with psychic energy! They don't wrinkle!"
*THUD*
Black's head hit the brick wall of the shop behind him with a dull THUD. Black groaned helplessly, "Someone just end me…"
Before the argument could escalate into a full-blown civil war, the sound of frantic footsteps shattered the atmosphere. The voice screamed in a panic, "Help! Help! Someone! Police! Anyone!"
The trio spun around. Running toward them was a man with wild, frizzy hair and a laboratory coat that was flapping in the wind like a flag of surrender. He was panting, his face pale with shock. Azure straightened up, his relaxed demeanor vanishing instantly. He asked the man carefully, "Hawes?"
Hawes, the husband of the Gym Leader Lenora and the curator of the Nacrene Museum, practically collapsed into them. He exclaimed in a worried tone, "It's… It's gone! Stolen! Right under our noses!"
Black asked, his hero-complex kicking into high gear, "What's gone?"
Hawes wailed, clutching his chest as he explained the troubling news, "The Dragon Skeleton! The centerpiece of the museum! One minute it was there, and the next—poof! Gone in the blink of an eye! And some of the smaller artifacts too! The ancient ores, the ceremonial stone… all of it!"
Azure's eyes narrowed. He then asked, "A heist? Lead the way."
/////
[Unova Region, Nacrene City – Museum]
The interior of the museum, usually a place of quiet contemplation and ancient whispers, was now a scene of chaotic despair. Hawes led them to the central hall, where a massive space stood where the majestic Dragon Skeleton should have been. Only the mounting brackets remained, looking like skeletal ribs themselves.
Hawes was already on a video call on a nearby computer terminal. On the screen, Lenora, the Gym Leader, looked stern, her brow furrowed in frustration. Lenora said through the speakers, "Hawes, darling, breathe. I'm on my way back. Just hold the fort. Did you see anyone?"
Hawes cried as he explained pitifully to his wife with a saddened expression, "None! Nobody! I stepped away to check the humidity sensors for the pottery room, and when I returned, the hall was empty!"
White stepped forward, putting a comforting hand on Hawes' shoulder. She said comfortingly, "Sir, please, try to stay calm. We have an expert on the case."
She pointed to Black. The boy had already taken off his hat. His Munna, Musha, was floating in front of his face.
*Munch-munch-munch*
Musha began to glow with a soft, pink light as she inhaled the "dreams" and thoughts clouding Black's mind. To anyone else, it looked like Black was falling into a trance, his eyes glazing over as he entered his 'Investigation Mode.' White explained to the bewildered Hawes what Black was doing: "He's clearing his mind. When Musha eats his distracting thoughts about the Pokémon League, his focus becomes razor-sharp."
Black's head snapped to the left.
He said firmly, his voice dropping an octave, becoming cold and analytical, "They went west… They weren't subtle, despite the speed. There's a lingering scent of smoke and… something old. They're still in the city outskirts, heading toward the Pinwheel Forest path. They're carrying a lot of weight—they won't be able to stay fast for long."
*Zoom*
Without another word, Black bolted. He was a blur of black and blue as he sprinted toward the museum exit. White yelled, "Black! Wait! You can't just charge in! What if there's a whole gang of them?"
Azure sighed, adjusting the strap of his bag. He said firmly in a tired tone, "He's right about one thing—we can't let them get to the forest. Once they're under the canopy, finding them will be impossible."
He looked at his shadow, then shouted, "Gengar!"
A cackle echoed through the hall as his Gengar, her purple fur shimmering with a ghostly, silver sheen, rose from the floorboards. She gave a lazy salute, her tongue lolling out. Gengar's voice was raspy and playful, "Hehehe~ What's the plan, boss?"
Azure commanded in a serious tone with a stern expression, "Stay here with White and Hawes. If any of the thieves are still lurking or try to double back for more loot, give 'em the 'special treatment.'"
Gengar grinned, her eyes glowing crimson. She saluted, replying, "With pleasure. I've been itching to use Confuse Ray on something that screams."
White looked at him, worried, and said in concern, "Azure! Be careful!"
Azure said, his voice already fading as he began to run, "Don't worry about us! Worry about the thieves. They have no idea who they just ticked off."
/////
[Unova Region, Route Path to Pinwheel Forest]
The paved streets of Nacrene City quickly gave way to the dense, towering canopy of the outskirts leading to Pinwheel Forest. Sunlight filtered through the sprawling oak and walnut branches in dappled, shifting patterns, illuminating the dirt path where dust was currently being kicked up in a chaotic storm.
"Hey! Slow down! I said, stop running!"
Black, barreling down the path at full speed, barely registered the warning until a massive, multi-segmented, insectoid blur shot out from the underbrush.
*THUD*
A heavy, rolling weight slammed directly into Black's midsection, sending the hot-blooded trainer tumbling head over heels into a patch of soft moss. Black groaned, flat on his back as leaves fluttered down around him, and said, "Oof!"
He blinked, shaking his head to clear the daze, and looked up. Standing over him was a massive, pale-green, centipede-like Pokémon with purple spikes—a Whirlipede. And perched calmly beside it was a man with vibrant, artistic-looking green hair, wearing a stylish, paint-splattered coat and a serene smile.
The man said smoothly, offering a hand to help Black up, "Ah, my sincere apologies. I only wanted to halt your momentum so we could converse. My Whirlipede here tends to be a bit... enthusiastic when commanded to intercept."
Azure arrived just a moment later, jogging up to the scene and breathing only slightly heavily. He paused, resting his hands on his knees for a second before looking up and saying, "Whoa... wait up, Black. You run like a Tauros is chasing you."
Azure straightened up, sizing up the green-haired man. The man blinked, surprised, before smiling brightly and introducing himself, "Hello, young man! I am Burgh, artist, and occasional amateur detective when the mood strikes."
Burgh gestured to his Whirlipede, which gave a cheerful hiss. He added firmly, "I offered to help poor Lenora look into this museum theft. Besides, I had a terrible case of artist's block this morning, and a real-life crime investigation felt like just the kind of inspiration I needed for my next canvas."
Black, having scrambled back to his feet, brushed the dirt off his vest and glared at the artist. He said dismissively, "Who cares about your art block? The thieves are getting away with priceless historical artifacts!"
Burgh tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. He couldn't help but comment in a curious tone, "My, my. Such fiery impatience. How do you know I'm not the thief? I could be leading you right into a trap."
Black said flatly, crossing his arms, "You're not the thief. Lenora called you. Plus, you don't look like you're hauling a massive stone dragon skeleton in your pockets."
Burgh chuckled softly. He commented with a curious expression, "Keen observation. Indeed, Lenora reached out to me shortly after the alarm was raised. We arrived via the western route at the same time."
Black narrowed his eyes, pulling his Pokédex from his belt with a swift motion and tapping the screen. The electronic voice hummed to life, "Venipede, the Centipede Pokémon. While it is usually docile, it is easily startled and can be quite cautious around larger bird Pokémon, preferring to keep its distance to avoid confrontation."
Burgh blinked in genuine surprise, looking down at his Whirlipede's previous evolution stage memory. He said in an impressed tone, "My word. You checked my team profile just now? You know a great deal about Pokémon biology."
Black stated proudly, puffing out his chest as Musha floated protectively over his shoulder, "Of course I do. I'm friends with my Pokémon. We talk, we train, and we understand each other inside and out. Every single one of us is working toward a singular goal: to win the Unova Pokémon League and become Champion!"
Black gestured grandly toward the treeline. He said in a proud tone and grin, "My Braviary, Brav, is out scouting the upper canopy right now! He might be big and intimidating, but he's got a heart of gold—even if Venipede is keeping its distance so as not to get too close to a flying-type predator."
Burgh smiled, a genuine spark of artistic appreciation lighting up his eyes. He said happily, "Fascinating. Your passion burns brighter than a Chandelure's flame. I can respect a trainer who treats his team as true partners."
Azure suddenly hissed, his hand shooting out to grab both Black and Burgh by the shoulders. He said quickly, "Shh! Get down. Look through the brush."
*Thud*
Both trainers instantly dropped into a low crouch, parting the thick fern leaves. Ahead of them, resting on a mossy clearing just off the main path, was an assortment of stolen goods.
Towering over the crates was the unmistakable, ancient bone structure of the dragon skull fossil, alongside several ornate, gold-trimmed urns and stone tablets. Black whispered, his eyes widening, "Unbelievable. They dumped a portion of the loot right here in the open. They must have panicked when they realized we were closing in."
*Humm*
Azure murmured, his blue eyes narrowing as he stared fixedly at a large, heavy stone coffin resting near the center of the pile, "Or, they didn't drop it by accident. Look at the dirt around the base of that sarcophagus. There are no drag marks."
Burgh leaned in closer, his artistic instincts flaring. His eyes narrowed, commenting in a cautious tone, eyeing the artifacts and surroundings, "Indeed... it almost looks as though it was placed there deliberately."
Black started, taking a step forward. He said firmly keeping his eyes open, "Let's just secure the items before—"
*CRACK*
Suddenly, a loud, echoing CRACK split the air.
Black froze. Burgh gasped.
The massive, ancient dragon fossil skeleton didn't just rattle—it shifted. Vertebrae clicked into place with mechanical precision, and the massive skull slowly, terrifyingly, turned on its pivot point, its empty, hollow eye sockets fixing their gaze directly upon Burgh and the others.
Azure clicked his tongue, a sharp sound of pure annoyance escaping his lips. He reached down to his belt, his fingers wrapping firmly around the smooth, polished curves of two Poké Balls with practiced fluidity. Azure muttered, standing up and spinning a Poké Ball effortlessly between his fingers, "I knew things were going way too smoothly. Looks like we've got company, boys. Get ready for a fight."
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A/N: Hope you like the chapter!