Day 13

Dear Diary,

It has been nearly 2 weeks since I fell from the space-time rift and landed in Hisui. In that time, I've been working alongside Rei to fill the Pokédex. So far, we've managed to get entries for a dozen Pokémon living just outside Jubilife Village. It all happens because of our teamwork; I distract the wild Pokémon with a battle or some food, and Rei quickly sketches the Pokémon in his notebook. Normally, I'd remember entries from the Pokédex and recall what they were called, what their typing was, and other important details. Other times, Rei is able to collect that data himself just by observing.

While we are working hard on completing the Pokédex for Professor Laventon, I'm still trying to figure out how to get back home. No one has given any helpful advice on where to even start looking. If I could, I would march up to Mount Coronet, the mountain where the strange crack in the sky is located, but I'm not allowed. There is a ranking system in Jubilife Village to ensure no one gets hurt. Apparently, when Commander Kamado built the village, he chose the least populated place to set up camp, ensuring the safety of the people who now live here. Strange to think they want to keep this a small village knowing what I know about the future.

Right now, my main focus is to rise up in rank, so I can travel to Mount Coronet to find a way home. I just need to find out some way to quickly do so. Staying at a one star rank is killing me!

Sincerely,

"Everly! What are you doing?"

I slapped the journal shut, not bothering to finish the entry. Looking up, I found Rei sliding into the seat across from me. He was right on schedule. Everyday was the same thing. The two of us would go out, find some Pokémon to add to the Pokédex. Once we added a few, we'd come back and go our separate ways until dinner, where we'd meet up at The Wallflower. I never asked where he went, nor did I ever ask for him to join, but I didn't mind the company. Unbeknownst to him, Rei was family, and it was good to get to know the infamous boy I would be named after.

Strange to think I never wanted anything to do with this guy, but there was something about him that made it hard for one to turn away. That didn't mean I was alright with sharing the same name as him, especially now that I knew him as a person.

"Nothing," I quickly said, shoving it in the bag around my waist. It was bigger than it looked, allowing me to store many Poké Balls, snacks, treats to lure Pokémon, and my journal. I started writing in it a couple days ago in case I could find some way to solve this whole time-space-rift thingy that dropped me here in the past.

Rei nodded his head as if he believed me, but his eyes said otherwise. I was surprised he didn't say anything about it; however, that didn't mean I wasn't shocked by his next words. "What is it like? Your old home. Do you remember anything before coming here?"

"Oh!" I exclaimed, looking down at Rowlet's Poké Ball that rested on my belt. Pokémon weren't allowed outside their Poké Ball which was sad because my new partner needed to be able to stretch his wings and fly. "Yeah, I remember everything."

"How different is it from Hisui?" he asked, leaning in and propping his chin on the heels of his hands.

"Very, I guess," I recalled, careful not to say anything that would make him realize that where I was from was just decades into the future. "So many people here are afraid of Pokémon, but where I'm from, everyone works alongside them."

Rei's eyes sparkled with amazement. "Pokémon and people working alongside one another? That sounds incredible! How does it happen?"

I carefully explained to him the different routes Trainers could go through, whether it was because they wanted to become the very best and became a Pokémon Master, or they wanted to help Pokémon reach their fullest potential becoming a Breeder. There were also Pokémon Rangers whose jobs were to protect the Pokémon or Pokémon Coordinators and Performers who wanted to show off their Pokémon's moves.

He listened, asking detailed questions about various routes and connecting them to different jobs that were here. I didn't always verify him, but from what he explained about the different positions people held here, it made sense.

For instance, the Survey Corps. Our job was similar to Pokémon Professors as we were gaining research. Yes, Professor Laventon was a Pokémon Professor, but like Rei and the professor reminded me numerous times; we work as a team. The professor couldn't do any of his work by himself. Unlike lab assistance that I had back home, Rei was working alongside Professor Laventon that, if something were to happen to the man or when the time was right, he, too, would become a professor.

It took everything inside of me not to reveal his fate that he, too, would become one as he was credited for the Pokédex.

There were some that seemed self explanatory, like how the Nurse Joy reminded him of the Medical Corps that was here, only, they didn't heal Pokémon. They only worked alongside people. Seeing that there was a place—or future—that'd treat people with the same type of kindness excited Rei.

But not as much as the Pokémon Rangers. Their job was to help keep Pokémon safe, which he explained sounded very similar to two clans that lived in Hisui. I was about ready to ask for more information as to what these clans were when Beni came over with our food.

"Did you hear the grave news?" he asked, taking me off guard. My eyes slid over towards Rei, who was side eyeing me as if to ask the same. "That frenzied Kleavor from the rumors, it ended up mauling some of our Galaxy folks who went out to investigate it this morning. The medical corps has had a hard time getting all the injured back on their feet."

Rei's eyes widened. "Wasn't Maki on that investigation?"

My attention snapped to Beni. The older man crossed his arms, shaking his head. "Only the Security Corps members who had a Pokémon went to check on it."

I felt myself breathe a bit easier. There weren't many people outside of the Survey Corps that had Pokémon. Why they'd all go and investigate a Pokémon that lived further away seemed beyond me. I mean, it wasn't like they actively tried to train their Pokémon. Except for Zisu. She was the Captain of the Security Corps and trained on the only training grounds daily. One would think others would follow their lead, but they didn't.

"Are you discussing the Kleavor attack from earlier?" We all turned our heads to find Professor Laventon walking towards us. "I did hear Kleavor has been behaving most erratically since he was struck by powerful lightning not long ago. Maybe it is time the Survey Corps steps up to the task. I'm certain we could handle things just fine!"

As dangerous as it sounded, I nodded my head at the idea.

Rei, on the other hand, protested, "But that Kleavor is said to be much stronger than even an Alpha Pokémon, isn't he?"

His words threw me off guard. I snapped my head towards him. My eyes glanced down to the hand that tightened around his red scarf; then flickered up to see the way he refused to make eye contact with Professor Laventon, even though he was speaking directly to him.

"You forget that the strengths of Pokémon are key items of information that we of the Survey Corps are duty bound to research! I believe with a good night's sleep and a fine meal, we will be ready for this mission," Professor Laventon exclaimed, sliding into the seat beside me. "Beni, I would like an order of your finest potato mochi please!"

Beni nodded his head and hobbled over back into his shop. Professor Laventon decided to take this time to debrief us both on what was going on, but I could tell in the corner of my eye, Rei wasn't interested. While we were going to eat, he didn't seem to touch a single piece of food. Seeing him like this made it hard for me to concentrate on what the professor had to tell us. There was something about clans, lords, nobles...none of it seemed important when Rei dropped his head and poked at his mochi.

I didn't bother asking for details or asked what he meant by any new terms that were thrown my way. If I had any guess, I'd figure it out eventually. I always did, like learning about the different Pokémon that I could encounter while I was doing my best to complete the Pokédex. There was more than just a Type-difference to Pokémon, but rather, their natural nature was much more of an indicator of how easy gathering information from them would be.

When Beni came back with the professor's food, Rei quietly excused himself, saying he wasn't very hungry. Professor Laventon tried to protest, but he was unsuccessful. My plate was empty, so it gave me the perfect excuse to chase after him.

My ancestor didn't even make it all the way to his cabin when I yelled, "Rei!" to grab his attention, causing him to turn around. Under the dark sky and dimly lit lamp posts, shadows casted over his face, but I could still see his lips pressed together and dark eyes avoiding mine.

It was as if he knew what was coming.

"Hey, is everything alright?" I asked once I reached him, in case anyone were to overhear.

He nodded his head. "Yeah, it's like Professor Laventon said; we'll need a good night's sleep before tomorrow's adventure."

I raised an eyebrow. "So, it has nothing to do with the Kleavor that attacked the Security Corps? You've been here longer, so I wouldn't be surprised if you were close to a lot of them."

"Not really," Rei admitted, looking back at the row of homes behind him. "I know you mean well, but could we not discuss this? I really need to get going." The boy turned to look at me, offering a smile. "Have a good night."

He only let me nod before he turned around and continued back to his home, a living quarter I was certain he was supposed to share with Professor Laventon; however, the man hardly made time outside his lab. Most people had to make room for others in their home. Jubilife Village did have the Construction Corps, but it was like the old saying, the Phenac City wasn't built in a day.

But seeing how fast the city was destroyed not long ago, it made me worried if Jubilife Village would meet the same fate. The only thing that gave me solace was the fact that this place would one day become Jubilife City, a place where a good number of contests were hosted every year.

My mouth tugged into a frown. Contests. To think I was supposed to make it back in time for the Jubilife City Contest. That appeared to become more of a lost dream than something that could become a reality.

I turned back to the place I was staying at, being greeted by the woman that was giving me a place to stay. She didn't linger on the topic long as she was too busy threading a needle into some fabric. It gave me the much needed quiet I needed to change into some comfier clothing and lay down on the mat that was provided.

Something's bothering Rei, I thought to myself. That thought didn't sit well with me.

(-o-)

The next morning, I wasn't awoken by the light that had seeped into the window. In fact, the sunlight didn't even make it an inch away from the window. My eyes squeezed shut to try and get a couple more minutes, but the longer I did, the more noise I heard from outside. It was strange. Jubilife Village was a quiet town, very unlike the bustling cities I'd travel to for contests. Yet, over the past two weeks, I had gotten used to the noiseless mornings.

I sat up, quickly changing into the navy jacket and matching pants I had worn everyday since I had been accepted here. My hands grabbed the red scarf and white bandana as I walked out the door. The time I took to get fully ready could wait as I needed to find out what was happening outside.

Standing outside were an unusual pair. The first was an older man with dark blue hair, but with blonde underneath. His blue jacket was similar to what I wore as a Galaxy Team member, only his dark blue coat was longer, simpler, and adorned with this fancy rope on the bottom of it. He had his arms crossed over his chest as he looked amused at the young girl standing in front of him.

She was probably the first girl that appeared to be my age, yet she didn't seem to have an ounce of common sense in her as she wore a strapless red shirt and white shorts. As simple as the outfit sounded, she still stuck out, not because she wore shorts during a time of year that one should've started to wear pants, but because of the huge red and white sash she had tied around her waist.

The girl curled her hands into fists as she stomped onto the ground. "Excuse me!? Are you suggesting that you make better use of your time than we make of vast Hisui's space‽"

The older man scoffed. "Better than some! It's a miracle you showed up on time, oh mighty leader of the Pearl Clan. I worried you'd get lost in your pointlessly vast space you're so fond of and never show up."

My eyes widened, surprised that neither had noticed that I was just standing there, pulling my scarf around my neck and adjusting the white bandana over my head, but then again, they definitely seemed too enwrapped in their argument to even notice anyone around them. Even if they did, they probably just thought I was too busy getting ready.

Regardless, I kept looking at the girl with the short blonde hair. She was my age, yet she was in charge of a clan? She must've been older than she looked.

More importantly, there were more people living here than just the Galaxy Team.

"Me? Get lost?" the blonde questioned, her face reddening in anger. "In Almighty Sinnoh's great gift to the Pearl Clan—in our world's very basis? You wish!"

The other man shrugged, turning his back towards her, facing Galaxy Hall. "I wish I hadn't let myself get dragged into some argument with you. Almighty Sinnoh, forgive me—what a waste of time! I'm off to Commander Kamada's office."

He didn't even wait for the girl to respond as he walked away. I turned my head back towards the girl, who was shaking in anger. She stomped her foot on the ground.

"I believe it was you who started this!" she shouted, though it was pointless at this point as he was already gone. As if realizing it, her body relaxed, and the girl shook her head, looking down at the ground, muttering. "The nerve of that man. He thinks because he is older, he knows more. I'll show him. One of these days, I'll show him I can be a great leader too."

She turned her head, her light blue eyes widening when she made eye contact with me. It was the first time she acknowledged anyone around her other than the man she was arguing with. Then again, it looked as if everyone in the village was used to the two arguing as they never gave the duo a second of their time. It was strange being that I had never seen these two in the village before.

Unless they came when I was out doing research.

I opened my mouth to introduce myself, but the girl flushed before running off after the man.

"You can always feel the tension when those two show up."

I turned around, finding Rei walking towards me. His mouth was set in a frown as he nervously fidgeted with the red scarf around his neck.

"Rei!" I exclaimed, remembering how closed he was last night. "About last night—"

He cut me off by shaking his head. I thought he'd say something about it, but instead, he decided to explain what had happened. "That was Irida, leader of the Pearl Clan, and Adaman, leader of the Diamond Clan. The two clans are grudgingly coexisting at the moment. Believe it or not, things used to be less peaceful."

"Less peaceful? Those two looked as if they were about ready to bite each other's heads off!"

Rei shrugged, looking ahead to Galaxy Hall, still refusing to make eye contact with me. Whatever was troubling him was still bothering him. I wanted to say something to make things better, but what? I did that last night, yet nothing happened.

Just what was going on that made Rei act like this? Was it the wild Kleavor? Was it someone from the Security Corps that was hurt?

What was it that was hurting him?

"We should follow them," Rei broke the silence. "If both of them are here, then what's going on outside of Jubilife Village must be more serious than we both thought."

Even though he didn't see me as he started walking towards Galaxy Hall, I nodded my head and followed suit. It wasn't much so because I was curious about the two—though, I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious to wonder myself as to what was going on—but rather to be there for Rei.

He was hiding something. Whatever Rei's secret was, I was going to figure it out.

Author's Notes:

Oh my goodness! I apologize for the delay! I am entering my final semester of college and boi! Is it kicking my butt! I've got a huge final project due in a month, so my mind has been focused on that project and that project alone! My goal is to make much more progress on this project this week, so I can get back to writing. But...only time will tell.

But yes! We are finally getting to the Nobles Arc! At the moment, I plan to not feature all of the Noble Pokémon (they will all be mentioned, I promise), solely to keep the story moving and get to some of the post game stuff. That may change, but with what I have planned, I figured I'd ask you all for your opinion, meaning this chapter's question will be one that helps determine the fate of this story...

Chapter Question:
What Noble Pokémon would you like to see make their appearance in detail in this arc?

Pokédex Entry: Kleavor | the Axe Pokémon
Type: Bug/Rock
Location: Obsidian Fieldlands

Picture found from Pinterest