Secrets Revealed

Am I burning? Is this how it feels like? If I'm really being toasted now, it sure doesn't feel hot. It feels, odd. I can feel something grainy passing through my arms and puff… I spat out. Is that sand that's gotten to my mouth? I dared peek and was amazed. The fire didn't make it to me but instead there is a tornado of swirling sand all around me. Sandstorm, and a really strong one. It distinguishes Magma Storm and at the same time, obscures us from Shielah's view. So I was right. That pesky kid hadn't left yet. My view became clearer and I can now make out the spinning body of Golett where the center of the storm is.

"Come on, let's get out of here." Noel said as he tugs at my right arm and pulling me towards a hole that suddenly appeared behind me. Shaymin was scratching at my head that makes me wonder what it meant. Maybe he wants to leave too, but not just yet.

"So that's how it is for us then." I shouted. "You know, I sincerely hoped that the person I cared about is still within you. All those years, you've thrown it all away. But remember just one last thing. I will always cherish all those memories. You may have disregarded 'em all, but I wont." I added. I plucked Shaymin out of my head and hug it on my chest. "Let's go now." I whispered to Noel.

He silently led me to the hole where he and Golett came from. What an impressive use of Dig. I jumped into the hole with Noel and Golett right behind me and let my self slide into the darkness trying to forget this last encounter I just had with whom I consider as one of the most important person in my life.

---

"That's EF-ING Heatran!" Noel exclaimed for the nth time now. We travel the tunnel Golett created and ended up just a few kilometers outside Bluehill City. "And how in the world you caught a Shaymin?" he added. Because of the spontaneous bad events of the day, I was forced to spill out all the beans and told Noel everything from the very first time I met Shaymin.

"Yes, yes, that was Heatran in the flesh. And I didn't catch this Shaymin, he's not mine. I'm just protecting him." I explained patiently.

"And, and, that's Shielah of the GEF right? Why is she chasing you? And why the heck is she wearing Havoc emblem?"

"Isn't it obvious why is she wearing that?" I said toning down a bit. Darn, I sounded too bitter. But I think it worked for me because he suddenly stopped his barrage of questions, for a moment.

"You seem to know her too well." He said, not a question but an affirmation.

"I did." I answered shortly. It's still sour to me and I don't wanna talk about it. On top of it, I'm a bit worried. Shaymin's existence is getting widely known. 3 is very well proven to be a real bad number keeping secrets.

"I would keep it a secret, if that's what you were thinking." Noel said after a moment of silence. Am I being easy to read now? People seem to read me too well lately. "But you know, it wouldn't really hurt if people in our clan know. I'm pretty sure they will be helping you and Shaymin against those thugs chasing it. You know how our clan works right?"

"Maybe." is all I answered. Maybe he's right. I know Omega Ph is a good clan. It is run and governed by good leaders. That's why as much as possible I want them out of this problem. It's all on me. I know I'm in trouble, big time, and I don't wanna drag them into this.

The sun was shining high over the sky. I checked my Poketch for the time. 12:13pm. After all that happened I can't believe it is just high noon.

"So what's the plan?" Noel asked.

The plan, hmmm…I still need to go to Redhem town. They'll be expecting me there. Bluehill city has been a huge delay; I shouldn't have stopped there in the first place.

"Well, I'll be continuing my way to my job request. As for you…" I was saying but he cut me off.

"Don't give me that crap okay. It's pretty clear you can't handle this by your own. I just saved your sorry butt back there. Accept it, you need me. After all, it is standard protocol to go in a job request by partners unless you have senior or leader status in which case I don't think you have." Noel said. He was too much a pain, but he really got me out of that heavy mess.

"You're being too noisy. Just stop babbling already." I said as I started to walk toward the next town.

---

After an hour or so of walk, we reached Westport City. Nothing impressive with this town, just the typical high buildings and the most notable place here is the Port. The irony of it, it is in the west part of Omega Upper region and it has a port so people decided to name the town Westport. Pretty creative don't you think?

Noel was mumbling about how he is so much excited about this trip, that I wont regret that I let him come, blah blah, and I was like "go home" the whole time. But I had to admit it would've been boring if I have to walk through that alone. We haven't have lunch yet, but I packed some sandwiches that we ate on the way and that would have to suffice because we have a ferry to catch up. Yes. We need to cross oceans just to get to the next town. What a pain. My supposed departure schedule is 1:00pm but thanks to Shielah and friends, I arrive here quarter to two.

"I'm so sorry but the ferry going to Icyshore City has already departed. The next trip would be in eight hours." The pretty receptionist humbly said as I inquired whether we can board another ship to Icyshore.

"Eight hours? We have to wait for eight hours?" Noel exclaimed. I don't know where all his energy coming from but he sure still looks so pumped up even after that long walk.

"It's not like she can magically create a ship to carry us across right?" I said as I drag him out of the terminal. I found a bench nearby and sat. Shaymin appeared from its hiding place and sat on my shoulder.

"So what do we do now?" Noel asked stomping his foot. "We'll be so late with the schedule."

"Well, that would be my problem to think about and yeah, we are pretty much off schedule already, but I already got the remedy." I answered. "Come on; let's go to the Pokémon Center."

"Good afternoon boys." Nurse Karra greeted us as we enter the center. Nurse Joy's are all fictional characters from the TV shows, but we have real nurses attending the Pokecenter though their names and appearances vary on every town. And on Westport Hill, they have Nurse Karra. She is a few inch shorter than me. She has pale skin, blonde hair, green eyes and a very kind smile. She was wearing the standard white nurse gown and cap. There were no other trainers inside and the clinic is a bit quiet.

"Hi. Can we please make a video call?" I asked immediately.

"Of course, just go straight a head and you'll find the unit." Nurse Karra said showing us the hallway to the video phone.

"Thank you so much." I said as I headed towards where she pointed.

"Who are we gonna call?" Noel asked as he followed me.

"An old friend." I answered as we reached the video phone.

I typed in the number and waited for the screen to light up. One ring. Two. Someone picked up on the other side and the screen flickered into life showing us a boy the same of my age in checkered long sleeves and brown apron. His jet-black hair was neatly tucked behind his ears and his chinky hazel eyes looks droopy like he just woke up.

"Hello there Ronnel." I greeted.