Knowing that both his partner and his Pokemon were okay after the fall, Clive was able to return to taking the new sites around him. He recalled Umbreon to his ball, allowing him the opportunity to rest after such a long fall. The cave that he and his companions found themselves in was certainly extraordinary, and it was hard to believe that it could have been natural. Clive had never seen anything like the stones that the floors and walls were made of, which glowed independently with their own light. For a cave, the ceiling was very tall. Clive saw a few groups of Zubats and Golbats adjusting their positions after being disturbed by Clive and Yulia's fall. Another interesting feature Clive kept a mental note of was the curious stream of water that flowed through the room. It was extremely cold to the touch, meltwater from the mountain perhaps. It exited the cave somewhere, somehow, else it would pool indefinitely until the cave was completely submerged in the water.
Just what was this place, and was this really where the map was intended to lead them? If that was the case, then surely they would find something. They searched, painstakingly, amongst the glowing rocks and along the strange stream of water that flowed through the room. It was not until Yulia called to him, holding brilliantly silver bell, that Clive abandoned his own search. He took the bell, inspecting it for a moment before trying to ring it himself. There was no sound, and he felt no movement inside of the object. It was as hollow as it sounded.
The detective turned the bell in his fingers while he considered Yulia's question. "At the very least, it means someone else was here before. But I don't see any signs of a camp. Or... remains. The way this bell is crafted, it very much looks like the kind of bell used in older traditional Johtonian rituals. I've seen similar ones in Ecruteak City, for ceremonies honoring the legendary Pokemon that used to inhabit the Bell Tower... Wait..." He took a closer look at the bell, as if trying to will some sort of confirmation of his suspicions. "Yulia, has anyone ever really explained the history of the towers in Ecruteak City to you?"
Soon, they recounted one of the most important events in Johto's history. Clive, having lived in Johto his entire life, had no trouble recalling the information. He had heard the story told in hundreds of ways, through dozens of different forms. It referenced in movies, TV shows, and books. Museums dedicated entire wings to art depicting the event. The Kimono Girls, whose Clive elderly mentor had a very particular interest in, told the story frequently through interpretive dance and grand shows they put on with their Pokemon. Indeed, any Johto native was aware of the legend.
"The Burned Tower, once called the Brass Tower, and the Bell Tower, were constructed over seven-hundred years ago and had served as perches for the legendary Pokemon Lugia and Ho-Oh, respectively. After five-hundred fifty years, lightning struck the Brass Tower, engulfing the tower in flames. The people and Pokemon could only watch as the flames overtook the tower, lighting the night sky with its light. Only a powerful rain would douse the fire, but by then it was too late. The tower was destroyed. Lugia fled, with many believing it disappeared to the depths of the ocean. Lastly, three Pokemon perished in the wreckage." Clive paused to clear his throat, having lost himself in the story. The more he spoke, the more he let himself believe in the deliberate nature of the map leading them to the bell, and the possibilities the bell might bring. "Ho-Oh descended from the heavens and revived these nameless Pokemon into powerful beasts. Raikou, embodying the lightning that struck the tower. Entei, embodying the flames that burned the tower. And Suicune, embodying the rains that brought an end to the fire. All three owe their very existences to Ho-Oh"
The detective held up the bell between himself and Yulia one more time. "Ho-Oh, of the Bell Tower. That girl, she referenced the story of the towers. I thought she was only making fun of me and embellishing Phoenix's image, but... She came to make sure I arrested Sierra. She was at your apartment when it was sacked. She convinced you to that we need to follow the map, which she must have left on my desk. All to lead us here, in an otherwise empty cave if it were not for this bell. I think that whoever she serves, herself or otherwise, has bigger plans than we or Phoenix even imagined."
They mulled over their thoughts, for a time. Then, the ground began to shake beneath them again. Clive grabbed Yulia's arm instinctively and braced against one of the rock structures with the other. They had fallen through enough collapsing floors. However, the shaking eventually ceased. The Pokemon flying near the ceiling above them were restless now, screeching and flapping their wings heavily. This particular rumbling was unfamiliar to them, not routine to a life within these caves. Where could it have come from, Clive wondered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back in Blackthorn City, a trainer exited the Pokemon Gym with his head down. He had been bested by Clair, the dragon master, for a second time. There was no doubt in his mind that his Pokemon were just as strong as hers, but she had answers to his strategies before he could make the decision to deploy them. He needed to make his choices faster, for the sake of his dream to challenge the Elite Four and for the sake of his Pokemon. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud noise coming from the nearby mountains. From the same direction, clouds of ash and smoke rose, and large projectiles came crashing towards Blackthorn City. One large boulder eclipsed the sun above him as it crested in its trajectory, and its shadow grew larger and larger around the trainer as it came crashing towards him.
The trainer gasped when he was suddenly grabbed and his feet left the ground as he soared away from the Pokemon Gym to escape the crashing boulder. When he finally opened his eyes, he realized that Clair herself was the one who grabbed him, riding atop one of her Dragonairs. "What's happening?" He asked, but the gym leader only shook her head in response.
Back in Goldenrod City, a terrible thunderstorm had the entire city trapped indoors, many without electricity. The dark clouds seemed to come suddenly, covering the entire area and neighboring routes in a matter of minutes before rain and lightning descended upon everything. Those that were unfortunate enough to be outside when the sudden shift in weather took place, were unbelievably drenched, tracking heavy pools of water in whatever buildings they sought refuge in. Thunder roared incomprehensibly loudly as it struck the lightning rods of the tallest buildings in the city. The winds roared and howled, knocking over branches and powerlines.
Back the the GRPD, the Chief gathered everyone he could in the blacked out offices. No matter the conditions, they needed to make sure everyone would safely make it indoors, and he reflected as much in his instructions. Within the hour, the GRPD deployed teams to seek out anyone who may not have found shelter and get them to safety. Sirens blared as a signal to help people or Pokemon where help was, and several instructions to get to shelter blared over any radios and functioning speakers throughout the city. "Where's Clive and Yulia, damn it?" the Chief roared, turning to Natasha and Jean close by. They exchanged glances, both shaking their heads.
"We don't know," Natasha said solemnly. "Neither of them have been receiving any calls or messages. They were last heading to Blackthorn City to follow a lead."
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