PARAGON

  Unknown Enemy Arc [9]

  Chapter 95 : Fugitives

  Alola Region - Seafolk Village

  “The most powerful person in Alola…?” Ash scratched the back of his head, his face tinged with the heat of embarrassment. “You mean the richest, right? Sorry, I don’t really know anything about politics and that sort of thing.”

  In front of a child who must’ve been nearly half his age, Ash did not enjoy admitting his ignorance, especially to someone who looked up to him. He’d never been particularly ashamed of the fact that his Pallet Town education had never exactly measured up to his peers, but the disparity became glaringly obvious in moments like this. Though the Seafolk Village probably had a similar problem, so really there was no excuse. As much as Ash had tried to start keeping up with the news during his two-year training, even what he did catch he could hardly understand.

  “Not exactly,” Ezra explained, leaning forward in his chair.

  He’d been understandably reserved for most of their conversation, but every time it drifted back to his “work,” he lit up.

  “On the surface, someone like Zelda Leora, whose net worth is mainly tied up in investments, shouldn’t be the most powerful person in Alola. You’d think it’d be someone like the governor-general, or the king, or the CEO of some company.”

  It was taking most of Ash’s brainpower to keep up with Ezra’s explanation. At the very least, he did know that instead of a president like most other regions, Alola had a ceremonial “king” and a democratically-elected governor-general who took on the role of the primary executive. Not that Ash could pick either figure out of a lineup.

  “But because of her diverse portfolio, a lot of which consists of foreign investments, she’s the one who commands the greatest level of influence in Alola, and she ranks highly in a number of other regions too. Though most people probably don’t know that since she doesn’t really use her influence to do anything.”

  “What sorts of companies does she have a stake in?” Sabrina asked.

  Ash turned to her and smiled. Great question!

  Sabrina didn’t return the look, but she deadpanned facing forward.

  “She controls a significant number of shares in all the top companies of the world, so quite a bit of technology and finance type stuff. Hoenn is the closest region to Alola by proximity and diplomatically so that’s probably why she also has a bunch of those. Lots of defense and resource extraction firms there.”

  Sabrina nodded, and her brows twitched. “What about the Pokémon League? Or any other pokémon battle institutions?”

  Ezra paused to think. Up in the loft, Raichu seemed to be scanning its own memory as well.

  “Well, the League is privately-owned so I can’t say for sure, but I can’t imagine she doesn’t own any League stock.” Ezra spun in his chair and clicked around on one of his screens. “It doesn’t look like she owns a lot of any other battle institutions of note, not that anything is comparable to the League.”

  “What about the International Police?” Ash asked, his tone level.

  Ezra caught his meaning immediately. The boy turned to face his guests again, offering a sober stare. “Interpol is a pretty opaque organization, all things considered. They have their director and a handful of senior officers, but that’s really all we know about their leadership. Since they operate worldwide, one could assume their secrecy is due to the various regions involved not wanting to publicize their intelligence activities. But if we wanted to be more conspiratorial, we could assume their secrecy is due to corruption, or worse.”

  Ash locked eyes with Ezra. “And what do you think?”

  Ezra flinched under the gaze of his hero, but he did not break eye contact. “Before the report that named you a terrorist, I was leaning toward the latter. After, I’m certain.”

  Ash studied his expression a few moments longer, then cracked a smile. “I appreciate that.”

  “So basically, it’s possible that Zelda Leora runs Interpol?” Sabrina said.

  Ezra shrugged. “If she was, we’d never know it.” He frowned. “Is that what you want me to do? Try and find a connection between Zelda Leora and the International Police?”

  Ash glanced at Sabrina and found her already looking at him. Her metallic eyes glistened with inquisition.

  He’s just a kid, Ash thought. He didn’t sign up to be put on Zelda’s hit list. If he digs too deep, who knows what she’ll do. Based on what had happened to Cynthia, the risk could not be made, especially with how dangerously competent Ezra was.

  Ash shook his head. “No. We already have someone on that. But we do need to know more about Zelda Leora. Can you find out as much as you can?”

  Ezra didn’t even hesitate when he nodded. “Of course. I already have a bunch I can compile to give to you on a hard drive.”

  “That’d be much appreciated. But Ezra.”

  Again, Ezra stiffened.

  Even Pikachu stared Ezra down, as if to hammer his master’s seriousness home.

  “You see what they’re saying about us. You don’t have to do this. Just say the word and we’ll leave, and you’ll never see us again. I don’t want to wrap you up in something you’ll regret.”

  Ezra almost jumped out of his chair. “Are you kidding?! Of course I’ll help you!”

  He clapped his hands over his mouth and glanced around wildly upon realizing how loud he’d just been.

  “Of course I’ll help,” he continued, in a quieter tone. “You’ve seen this place. This is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me!”

  Raichu snorted in protest above.

  “And if it’s to help you clear your name, Mr. Ketchum, I’d happily put myself in as much danger as necessary.”

  Ash frowned. The light that sparkled in his eyes was even brighter than the screens behind him. Ash had met a handful of his fans over the years, but none as devoted as Ezra. And to think he was even willing to put himself in legal or physical jeopardy to help them…

  “Sorry for asking, but why are you such a big fan of me anyway?” Ash asked, trying not to sound like he was fishing for compliments, but he could feel a scowl from Sabrina off to his side. “I mean…why would you go so far for us?”

  Ezra blushed and wrung his hands. “I…I’m not really sure, to be honest. I guess…I just want you to know that there are people out here who support you… People whose lives you’ve changed just by being yourself. Before today, I didn’t think we’d ever meet, and I was fine with that…but since we did, I don’t want to let you down. You surpassed my expectations so many times every time I watched one of your tournaments… I guess I want to do the same for you.” He gave an embarrassed smile.

  Ash grinned and nodded. “Sounds good to me. But just so you know, you’ve already smashed my expectations multiple times.”

  Ezra turned a deep shade of red and he sputtered as he tried to find his words.

  “I’m going to leave Samurott here,” Ash continued. “Anything new you get you can deliver to him, and he can get it to us.”

  “How will he do that?” Ezra asked, curiosity pulling him from his swamp of pride. “I mean…I assume you guys will be moving around a lot…”

  “Sorry. Secret.”

  Gengar cackled within Ash’s head and he silently told the ghost to hush up.

  “Thank you, Ezra, really,” Ash said. “I know we have a giant target on our backs and you’re putting a giant target on you and your family’s back by helping us. I wouldn’t be here if things weren’t so dire, but…Zelda has us backed into a corner. I need to be as unpredictable as possible.”

  Ezra shook his head. “I’m proud to help you, sir. And I don’t think I’m the only one either. Not that I get out much, but based on what’s being said online, a lot of people are still on your side. I’m sure you’ve seen what your friends have been saying.”

  Ash shook his head. “No, we haven’t been able to keep up.”

  “There’s Champion Iris from Unova…a couple gym leaders from Kanto, Misty and Gary…I think their names were? A gym leader in Kalos, a couple top coordinators…oh, there was another former gym leader from Unova… Sorry, I don’t remember all their names.”

  Ash smiled fondly. “No worries, I know who you’re talking about. I’m glad the whole world hasn’t turned on us yet… Now we just need to clear our names before they do.”

  Ezra nodded. “I’ll do what I can to help!”

  Sabrina leaned closer to Ash. “Several boats off the coast are heading toward us. We should go soon.”

  Ezra blushed. “Sorry. Neighbors. They went out fishing this morning.”

  “Yeah, we’d better go,” Ash agreed. Pikachu chirped on his shoulder, bidding farewell to Raichu, but the Alolan mouse remained wary, offering only a subdued wink.

  “By the way!”

  Ash turned back just as he was about to leave.

  Ezra glanced frantically around the room. “Um…do you think you could sign…something?

  When they left the house, Ash’s smile vanished and the corners of his eyes sharpened. Silently, they stalked through the wooden docks of the village. No one paid them any mind, in part because of a mild mental wave Sabrina was emitting that discouraged anyone from recognizing them, but also because the denizens of the village were all elderly and likely hadn’t even heard Interpol’s broadcast about them.

  “Do you think he’ll actually be able to help us?” Sabrina asked as they were nearing the edge of the village.

  Ash pushed a waxy palm frond aside as they stepped from pier to soil, leaving the Seafolk Village behind. “I don’t know. If he can, great. If not, then I hope Anabel gets us everything we need.”

  Sabrina fingered her sleeve as they walked. Despite the heat and humidity, she was still wearing wool. “He seemed to like you a lot.”

  Ash shrugged. “He’s just a kid. I don’t want to get my hopes up too high. But I’ll use whoever I need to to get to Zelda Leora.”

  Sabrina stopped walking.

  Ash turned back. “What’s wrong?”

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  Her unflinching gaze, though meek, was shadowed by concern. “You’re turning dark, Ash.”

  He didn’t move. “Shouldn’t I? Cynthia’s been killed and we’re being blamed for destroying Rota.”

  Sabrina held her arm, and her feet, though planted firmly in the soft soil, looked like they wanted to take a step back. “I don’t like…this. Talking about ‘using’ people… It isn’t like you.”

  Ash looked away. “I’m only human too,” he said, his voice a low growl. “With the power I have, it’s taking a lot to keep myself from just unleashing.”

  Sabrina took a step forward, and Ash glanced back. “I understand. I just…want you to be careful. I don’t want this to destroy who you are… Who…” She blushed and looked away.

  Ash exhaled through his nose. “I just want to find her. Once we do, I’ll go back to normal.” He started forward again.

  “What will you do when you find her?” Sabrina called.

  When Ash turned back, Sabrina looked unusually small. Despite how powerful she was, now, she exuded as much threat as a child standing up to their parents for the first time. Yet her eyes still shone with hardened resolve.

  Ash approached her until there was scarcely a breath between them. His eyes met hers, and he noticed just how fragile they looked. Like one wrong word would shatter her like glass.

  “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I’ll be careful.”

  As he turned to walk away, she grabbed his hand and pulled him back.

  She looked the exact same as she had a moment ago, but now, she looked as unbreakable as obsidian.

  “You didn’t answer the question. What will you do when you find her?”

  Now Ash felt like the fragile one. Her question passed through him like wind.

  “I don’t know.”

  Kanto Region - Indigo Plateau

  Zinnia kicked a pebble down the path, but since there was no actual path, it hit an exposed tree root and bounced away. She scowled and trudged onward, searching for something else to busy herself with.

  Riley stepped over the root, being careful not to trip or fall into a patch of mud. They were walking through the forest surrounding the Pokémon League headquarters at Indigo Plateau, ordinarily unreachable except through Victory Road, but Zinnia’s Salamence and Riley’s Aerodactyl had been able to fly them to the mountain’s summit and place them just beyond the sight of any potential observers within the building. Now, they were going the rest of the way on foot.

  “Are you bothered by what Sabrina did?” Riley asked after he couldn’t stand the silence anymore.

  Zinnia moved her hand to her head but didn’t respond immediately.

  “Let’s just get there,” she eventually said.

  Zinnia’s gait increased, forcing Riley to walk faster so the gap between them didn’t widen.

  “For what it’s worth, I think it’s a bit inhuman.”

  Zinnia whipped around and glared at Riley. “Fuck you, what the fuck do you—“

  “Sorry, I just said that to get your attention. I don’t actually think that.”

  Riley put up a defensive hand but Zinnia didn’t turn around again until several seconds later. He breathed an anxious sigh. Maybe not the best idea…

  “It doesn’t bother me at all,” Zinnia said quietly.

  “It didn’t seem that way to me.”

  Riley saw Zinnia clench her fists and he wondered if she was going to whip around and punch him.

  “She could put a million needles in my head for all I care. But…” Zinnia unclenched her fists. “She could’ve at least told me.” Her steps became heavier, dragging against the grass as she walked, as if her frustration was flowing out of her through her feet. “It’s like she doesn’t trust us. All that time we spent together and she believes in us as much as she did Cynthia.”

  Riley wrung his hands. “I took it a different way. I think it’s the opposite. She cares for you all so much she never wants you out of her sight. Er, ‘sight.’ He mimed air quotes but Zinnia wasn’t even looking at him.

  “You have one too. You think she cares that much about you?”

  What she’d said was cold but it wasn’t like Riley hadn’t given it any thought. Back in Hisui, it’d been all too obvious who Sabrina cared about more between him and Ash. Though Riley himself was more attached to Ash than Sabrina as well. If and when things went south, they both fought to save Ash.

  “Hisui was an extenuating circumstance. I’m sure she put that needle in me for the sake of our collective survival.”

  “And?” Zinnia locked eyes with him. “Were you really telling the truth earlier? You don’t think it’s a bit inhuman?”

  Riley shrugged. “Like you, I would’ve preferred she told me, but it’s difficult for me to retroactively get annoyed. We fought and bled side by side. She is a sister-in-arms now as far as I’m concerned. I’d trust her with my life.”

  Zinnia scowled. “How friendly. Good thing Ash wasn’t here to hear that.”

  “Oh, please, I witnessed far too much of them in Hisui to antagonize him like that,” Riley smirked. “Not that they're dating yet, as I understand.”

  “Romance.” Zinnia shook her head. “Do we really have time for that right now?”

  “No better time than the present, especially in this line of work when death is such a lascivious bedfellow.”

  “Pisses me off that she’s gonna get a boyfriend before me,” Zinnia murmured. “Pisses me off even more that he’s gonna be dating before me.”

  “No one in Zinnia’s crosshairs?”

  Zinnia snorted. “No one but the Great Dragon.”

  “And what does one do after finding the Great Dragon?”

  Zinnia spun around and grinned. “Fight it, of course! After I beat it, I will have conquered the strongest dragon in history! Then, I’ll be a true Dragon Master!”

  “It’d certainly be difficult to argue otherwise if you were to accomplish a feat like that,” Riley agreed.

  “What about you?” Zinnia asked, slowing down and riding up alongside Riley. “If you get caught with us, it’ll be your face on the news next. What will your fianceé think?”

  “Oh, I’m sure she won’t mind. It may anger her that they’ll be blaming me for the attack on Rota, but she’s an understanding woman.”

  Zinnia squinted in disbelief. “What did you tell her before you joined us on the island?”

  “Well, after going through the whole Hisui story, I told her I was going to continue helping Ash, the same thing I told the other Guardians before we ended up in Hisui.”

  “She must’ve had a lot of questions about Sabrina.”

  Riley shook his head. “Oh, no. I vented even more to her than I did to you all about Ash and Sabrina so she’s well aware of my propriety. Plus, she met them both at Rota so she knows they’re good for each other.”

  “What’s her name again?”

  “Sarah.”

  Zinnia frowned. “I feel like I heard Ash or Sabrina mention her at one point or another.”

  “Makes sense. They met her before the attack happened. She…used to receive all guests to Cameran Palace… Of course now…”

  Zinnia ran a hand through her hair. “Sorry, by the way. About your home. We tried to stop it, but it just—“

  “Thank you, but it’s not your fault,” Riley said, cutting her off. “In fact, without you, we would’ve lost many more.”

  “It must’ve been hard.”

  Emerald rays shone between the leaves above, illuminating Zinnia’s face in seaglass sunlight.

  “Losing your home like that and then getting whisked off to Hisui before you even had a chance to process it. It’s not as bad, but a sickness swept through the Draconid Village when I was a kid…so I know what it’s like to lose a home.

  Riley eyed Zinnia and immediately realized it had taken someone she cared about. Maybe everyone. As far as he knew, the Draconid Village was still around, but home didn’t have to mean the literal place.

  “It was difficult,” he admitted. “But your friends helped me out a lot. Without them, I’m not even sure if I would’ve been able to muster the will to return to the present.”

  Zinnia smiled, pride evident on her face. “They’re your friends too. In-arms, or whatever.”

  “Hopefully, we don’t become friends the same way.”

  Zinnia sighed. “If it doesn’t happen here, it’ll happen down the line. Eventually, there will be a fight.”

  “I like our odds, to be honest. “A Platebearer, a psychic, a former Frontier Brain, a master of a legendary dragon, and a Dragon Master… Future Dragon Master,” he amended, upon seeing Zinnia about to correct him. “This Zelda Leora may have made the last mistake of her life incensing the Paragon Organization.”

  Zinnia’s expression darkened and she glared ahead. “Damn right.”

  The trees around them did not thin before the headquarters of the Pokémon League came into view. Pillars of royal bronze punctured the ground along a wide marble path that swept up a shallow incline, leading to the mouth of the fabled Indigo League, the only Pokémon League in the world that represented two entire regions. Dark ivy, dry brick, and dusty granite comprised the building itself, but its age was just a humble fa?ade for the global operation that unfolded from within its legendary halls.

  “So, how do you usually go about this sort of thing?” Riley asked in a hushed voice, crouched behind a bush next to Zinnia.

  Her eyes were narrowed and she seemed to be studying the building, searching for weaknesses as if it were an opponent on the battlefield. “Normally, we’d bust through the front door and take what we need.”

  “I doubt that’s an option this time.”

  “You don’t say.” Zinnia pulled a pokéball off her belt and enlarged it. “I’ll sneak in through a window or something and try and find the office of someone important. Zelda Leora wanted to know why the League was getting closer to the regional governments. I’ll try and eavesdrop or get some pictures.”

  She started to stand.

  “Wait!” Riley whisper-yelled, yanking her back. “What about me?”

  Zinnia scowled. “You’re not wanted, are you? Just walk through the front door. Who cares?”

  “Not just anyone is allowed in! I didn’t even go through Victory Road. It’ll still be trespassing!”

  Zinnia rolled her eyes. “You’re a Guardian, buddy. I’m sure they’ll understand. Tell them you’re there to petition them for more financial aid or something. The louder you are, the easier my job is.”

  Before Riley could stop her, she’d hopped away like a monkey, vanishing behind a throng of trees, leaving him alone with only the wind as company.

  Riley sighed and stood up, brushing the dirt from his pants. It wasn’t a bad plan at all. In fact, Zinnia was showing her experience in coming up with it so quickly. She seemed like the type to prefer working alone, but Riley would’ve liked for them to stick together. Maybe that was just his leftover instincts from his time in Hisui.

  Trying to look as confident as possible, he stepped out of the forest and approached the marble path.

  It was difficult not to feel self-conscious as he walked its regal expanse. Countless trainers had tread the same steps, but had only done so after surmounting numerous obstacles. Ash could have been one of them, in another life. With each step, it felt like Riley was stomping over all of their dreams.

  But perhaps that was simply reality. Dreams brought many trainers to Indigo Plateau, but just as many dreams had been shredded here.

  Riley and Zinnia were also seeking something transient, something they couldn’t quite name. Information? Evidence? A conspiracy? Their hopes might be similarly dashed.

  Surprisingly, the automatic doors slid open when Riley got close.

  It felt illegal to be seeing it, but the Indigo League’s lobby was a sight to behold. Velvet carpet hugged three tiered floors, all laced in frosted glass railing. The antique paintings that coated the vaunted walls still stank of myth, and the entire towering atrium reeked of oak and legend.

  As expected, a suited League official immediately approached Riley, hints of alarm just barely peeking out between the cracks in his professional veneer.

  “Master Trainer. We aren’t accepting any challengers to the Indigo League at this time. What brings you here today?”

  Riley took a deep breath, getting in “character,” if the truth could be called that. “Please forgive me for trespassing, sir. I am but a humble Guardian from the distant land of the late Rota. I am here to ask for your help.”

  The man frowned. “A Guardian? My deepest condolences, Sir.”

  Riley nodded respectfully.

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  “Ah…I do not. But if possible, I’d like to speak with the Champion, if that’s all right.”

  The man smiled nervously. “I’m afraid the Champion is away at this time, as is the Elite Four. You must have an appointment if you wish to speak with them.”

  The louder you are, the easier my job is, Zinnia had said.

  “I don’t have an appointment,” Riley said, raising his voice. “But given the recent report from the International Police, I’m sure you can understand my frustration. I must speak with the highest rankest personnel in the building immediately!”

  The League official’s expression hardened to stone. “You’re referring to an ongoing legal matter, Sir. The League extends its deepest sympathies to those affected by the Rota attack, but will not comment any further. If that’s all you’ve come for, I’m afraid I must insist on your departure.”

  Riley leaned forward. “A Champion of this League orchestrated the destruction of my home. I will not leave before I have answers.” The sneer that curled across his face did not come from hatred of Cynthia, but hatred of those who’d framed her.

  “An internal investigation is already well underway, patient Sir. Whatever role this institution may have played in any recent illicit activity, please rest assured our leadership is determined to purge it, root and stem.”

  Riley felt a bit bad for going so hard on the man just for doing his job, but he wasn’t going to get anywhere without throwing a bit of a tantrum.

  “This building doesn’t just house the Indigo League of Kanto and Johto,” Riley growled. “The League itself is headquartered here. Now take me to someone who can help me.”

  The man twitched, a bead of sweat running down his forehead. “As I’ve said, Sir, I cannot permit you to interfere in this matter. It is being handled directly…”

  The doors behind Riley slid open and Riley saw the League official’s eyes flick over. Relief washed over the man.

  The smell of pungent cologne and smoke wafted into Riley’s nose, and he turned.

  Standing before Riley, his arms crossed, black cape tumbling down his princely back, spiky sanguine hair swept by the wind, was Lance the Dragon Master.

  “Who is this?” Lance’s brows tightened.

  “A Guardian of Rota, Master Lance. He wished to speak with you…”

  Riley turned to face the Indigo Champion. “I am Riley, of the land of Rota.”

  The Champion’s eyes narrowed. “And I am Lance, of the Indigo League. Follow me. I happen to have a bit of time.”

  Next — Chapter 96 : Abyss and Summit