บท 176: EPISODE 66: Unexpectedly!***
"You do realize that we're walking with a grunt right?" Ethan whispers to her ears, as they walk in front of me.
"Relax Ethan, she seems calm. And besides, she's not on her uniform, which means she's off duty or something." Kris comforts confidently, leading the way through the cave while holding her trusty flashlight. Ethan sighs, having no choice but to agree with his friend.
Meanwhile, I gaze upon the two of them, wondering about their gossips. I wonder if they could be talking to me, or perhaps they're just chatting around, you know? Like lovebirds. Ethan has the look of a cautious Arbok, while Kris is completely the opposite. She's as confident as a Pikachu, and together with Ethan, they make good polar dynamics just like me and Charlotte, but nowadays, it looks like the both of us have changed a lot since our operations back in the Kanto Tower/Giovanni Industries.
"So, Luna? Does your family know about your occupation as a member of Team Rocket?" Kris throws a question right to my face out of nowhere, giving me a hard time to think of an answer.
"I... I don't have any family, but I used to." I reply, remembering the image of my mother Athena. Her image randomly appearing to my mind, makes me fragile and subtle all of a sudden. I feel the urge to sob, but I dearly avoid doing it in front of my... um, I'll just call them acquaintances.
"Oh, um... sorry.
"No, it's fine. A lot of people in Team Rocket used to question that to me, I'm used to it." I reply back, uttering an excuse.
From that simple conversation that randomly started from a question, the three of us remain silent, timid, and shy to talk to one another. We continue our journey through the vast mammoth(cave). Out of nowhere, an echo hollows around the stomach of the cave. The stalactites are like daggers, waiting to drop in order to pierce our skins. The crunch of rocks, produced by the stepping of our feet drives away the nearby rock Pokemons.
The smell feces and murky water irks our nostrils, to the point, it is necessary to cover them with our hands. Our hearts thump, and it happens more often as we enter the depths of this monstrous cave. It is as if we're walking inside a body of a foul beast wherein every sharp stone piercing through every direction are teeth with our shadows following from behind.
The so-called dragon Pokemon, still remains a mystery, lurking somewhere in a location hidden from our eyes. We then enter a portion of the cave wherein the only visible light is the flashlight Kris holds. Our body starts to shiver, not knowing what dwells in this darkness.
We act like students, trying to infiltrate an abandoned mansion wherein the apparitions of the dead mingle together. Our shadows are no longer seen, for they have blended with the never-ending darkness.
"This place is too much for me," Kris says in a frightened way, nearly dashing behind Ethan's back. A stone falls out of nowhere, producing a shocking noise. We are unaware of where it came from, but it startled us to near death. Even Ethan was petrified.
"You know what? You lead the way!" Kris instructs, handing over the flashlight to Ethan and hiding behind his back.
"Wh... Why me?!" Ethan queries, stuttering.
"You're a boy," Kris replies.
"Ladies first remember?" Ethan says sarcastically, giving the flashlight back to Kris. The two quarrel in front of my eyes, tossing the flashlight at each other. They argue, pointing who must lead the direction.
Meanwhile, I sigh, and go between them, quelling their argument. I then volunteer, saying, "I'll lead the way." I grab the flashlight from Kris and continue on with the conquest to search for Dratini.
"Hmph! You should be ashamed of yourself. A woman is braver than you." Kris pouts at Ethan, teasing him sarcastically.
The journey continues with me in the lead. Although scared, I do not believe in such things known as ghosts. Not as in the ghost type Pokemons, but the human kind of ghosts who wear cloaks of white, long frightening hair, and claws as sharp as knives.
As I walk, I try to stay as positive as possible. Thinking of happy thoughts such as rainbows and unicorns, driving the slight fear within me away from my body. Ethan and Kris remain as cute little children, scared of the dark, trying to show how brave they are yet failed to do so during sudden surprises such as wild Pokemons and falling stalactites.
"Dead end," I say, touching the walls of the cave. Looks like this is where the cave system ends. No extension, and what's worse? No Dratini. It's either the whole Dratini thing is a hoax or this search was nothing but a lousy expedition. Either way, I am disappointed very much.
"The end?! Not even a single Dratini? I've wasted my time here." Kris says in frustration.
"Not quite," I reply back, observing the strange stone. I knew it. After pressing an odd rock that stands out from the rest, the ground began to shake ferociously. The teeth of the vast mammoth collapse from above, setting for a collision course with us. These teeth could pierce us like daggers and knives. A single hit can make one bleed.
The dead-end is only part of the prize for as the earthquake persists, the wall in front crumbles into fragments of stone and boulders, revealing an unexpected yet glorious surprise. Once the quake stop, the scenery becomes clear to us. There is an underground lake hiding within this cave.
Pristine water, flowing within the asymmetrical ovoid shape of the lake. Surrounding the lake are scriptures of old, hard to comprehend by minds like ours. An illustration on one of the walls of the area could be seen.
A boy, holding a wing, very lustrous indeed. He seems to be extending the wing to the sky. Atop a tower this boy is, surrounded with five ladies somewhat similar to the Kimono women I met back in Ecruteak. The boy also holds a bell on his left hand. From the way I see it, he seems to be shaking it.
Above, at the skies, is an illustration of the famous legend, Ho-Oh. It appears to be descending towards the young boy, extending its glorious wings of gold. I wish I was the boy, meeting Ho-Oh in person would be an amazing opportunity for me. The most attention-grabbing factor of this portion is no other than the bell floating in the center of the lake.
It glimmers, attracting the attention of the three of us. It is completely similar to the bell in the old illustration. With an Azumarill, a Pokemon under the ownership of Kris, it swims to the center in order to grab the shining bell. It swims back to its trainer, gladly giving the bell to her.
"What... what could this bell be?" Kris questions to herself with curiosity.
"No matter what it may be, this bell is surely important for something. It obviously serves a purpose, but of what kind?" Ethan says. Observing and pondering upon the looks of the peculiar bell.
"I know, you can have this Luna." Kris offers, smiling towards me as she places the bell on my grasps.
"What?!" Ethan says in shock after seeing the actions of his friend.
"I believe this is for Luna, since she has helped us through this journey through the Cave of Gold. Although there are no Dratinis, just accept that offering as compensation as well. Hehe." Kris adds, not minding Ethan's shocked expression.
"Thank you." I greet, looking at the bell with awe.
"Kris that bell is not a toy for anyone to play with! It specifically has a purpose, and you just gave it to a criminal organization?" Ethan complains, pointing out Kris's mistake.
"Oh right, Luna. This bell is only intended for you, and not for your um, other leaders or governors within the organization. Will you promise me one thing? Please don't give that to anyone else. We are still unaware of its purpose and I sincerely gave that to you since I trust you.
So, Luna. Do you promise to keep that bell a secret from the members of your organization? Even to your closest friends?"
"You have my word," I respond, smiling with joy.
After a long time within the cave, we exit, inhaling pure oxygen once more. Outside, the arrival of dust has just commenced with the sun setting slowly while the moon rises on the other hand. The three of us part ways, I return to the city while Kris and Ethan return to their camp in order to do some training before challenging "She whose name must not be spoken of."
Back at the city, sitting on one of the benches which the bus station has to offer, I stare at the magnificent and lustrous bell, wondering for what purpose does it exist? It lures me every time I take a closer look, making me more astounded than ever.
"The bell, it's lustrous... it's... it's clear." I said to myself, gazing unto the object. Although there are no Dratinis, this object is a perfect replacement. I also vow to keep this a secret, pledging not to show this to anyone except to me or my Pokemons. Charlotte and Virgo, Cliff and the executives, my pilot Xeryll, they're all no exceptions to the promise I've made with Kris.
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