Summary: When Satsumi's dad goes missing on a trip to investigate an ancient temple ruin, she decides to do everything she can to find him. She knows it won't be easy. Sickly for most of her childhood, Satsumi grew up sheltered and isolated, and even though her health has improved, she's still a timid, awkward girl prone to worry. Dealing with her new friends is almost as much of a challenge as dealing with her new enemy. But most troubling of all is the strange mystery which threatens to pull her under. What happened in that ruined temple so long ago? What does it have to do with her dad's disappearance? And what it Satsumi's connection to it? She'll soon find out, whether she wants to or not.
Update (04/17/17)-- Finished revising! Honestly, Interlude III presented the difficulties I expected, that is, there's still a lot of looking and turning and smiling. I'm really not sure how to avoid it since there is so much focus here on subtle gestures and facial expressions. But I do think it's better over all.
Table of Contents:
Prologue
Interlude I
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Interlude II
Chapter 4
Interlude III
I knew something was wrong when he didn't come home for my birthday. My mom told me not to worry-- “Maybe he just forgot what day it is; you know how your dad is,” she said, giving me a big smile. But I could tell she was only trying to make me feel better. She pretended everything was fine, that it didn't feel wrong sitting at a table for two at my favorite restaurant, or putting a third of my cake back in the refrigerator, or actually hearing the funny parts of my favorite movie because no one was laughing too loud. But her smile was too wide, and her voice was too high-pitched and bubbly. She kept turning her face away so I wouldn't see when her smile faltered. I kept glancing at her while we watched the movie-- no, not watched-- my mom's eyes were focused on the TV screen, but she was staring straight through it.
But I pretended, too. My mom was trying so hard to make me happy; I didn't want to make her worry about me. So I told her she was probably right, maybe something came up, maybe he was so busy he lost track of time. I could almost believe it-- my dad really was absent-minded, just like my mom had said. He'd forgotten her birthday once, a few years before (she'd really let him have it for that one).
It wasn't the first time he'd been away from home, either. My dad was a three-time Pokemon League Champion, and he traveled sometimes, giving speeches and exhibitions. But this time wasn't like the others. It started when Professor Ookido had come to our house one day the week before. There was nothing unusual about that; he and my dad had been friends since they were kids, and he lived nearby. But this time, it seemed like something was bothering him. His smile was too thin. When I answered the door, he mussed my hair and said, “Hey, Short Stuff,” like always, but instead of stopping to talk to me, he just asked where my dad was. I led him into the kitchen, where my dad was crouched down setting out food bowls for Pikachu and his other Pokemon. He looked up, stood, and said “Hi,” to Professor Ookido when we entered. Then he said, “Satsumi, why don't you go upstairs and clean your room?”
“My room's already clean,” I said.
Usually Professor Ookido would say something like, “Yeah, Loser, Satsumi's not a total slob like you,” but this time he didn't say anything. My dad leaned back and crossed his arms, looked me in the eye with a half-smile and one raised eyebrow.
“Ok, I'm going,” I said reluctantly.
I started to leave, but I was too curious about what Professor Ookido wanted. What did he seem so worried about? And what did it have to do with my dad? So even though I knew I shouldn't, I hung back and tried to listen. Then I heard footsteps coming toward the kitchen door.
As I ran to my room (quietly, I hoped), I heard Professor Ookido say, “She's about as sneaky as you are,” to my dad, which made me turn red.
That night at dinner, my dad told my mom and me that he had to leave on business for a few days. My mom asked what kind of business, and he shrugged and said, “Some archaeologists just finished digging up some ruins in the Nirakar region. Shigeru wants me to go check it out.”
“Ruins?” my mom said, her fork half-way to her mouth.
“Yeah, some temple in some mythological city or something,” my dad said. He shrugged again. “I don't know much about it, but Shigeru seemed excited.”
“Then why can't he go?”
My dad looked at me with raised eyebrows, and I turned my face toward my plate, embarrassed by my outburst.
“Shigeru has too much to do at the lab,” said my dad. “He has to get the starters ready for this years new trainers, remember?”
“Oh. Right,” I replied.
That made sense... but it didn't make me feel any better. I pushed my food around my plate with my fork so I wouldn't have to look at my dad.
“Don't worry, Satsumi,” he said, and I could tell from his voice he was smiling. “I'll be home in plenty of time for your birthday. Have I ever broken my promise to you?”
“No,” I admitted, feeling a little bad for doubting him.
I really was proud of him, and I'd kind of gotten used to him being away sometimes. I'd even stopped crying when he left. But I still missed him when he was gone, and he knew it. So he promised me he'd always be home for my birthday, no matter what. My dad had always told me that the day I was born was the most important day of his life, even more important than the day he set out on his Pokemon journey, or the day he won his first League Championship.
That's how I knew, deep down, that he couldn't have forgotten. Even if he'd gotten held up this time, he would've at least called. I knew my mom was thinking the same thing. She kept trying to call him, kept glancing at her phone. Her eyes lit up every time it rang, only to dim again when she checked the caller ID. I hoped I was hiding my disappointment from her better than she was hiding hers from me.
It was starting to get late when my mom looked at the clock and tried calling my dad one more time. When he didn't answer again, she sighed and headed upstairs. A minute later she came back down carrying something small in her right hand. She sat down beside me and handed me a box, a little bigger than my hands, wrapped in blue paper and pink ribbons.
“Happy birthday, Satsumi!” she said to me. “This is from both me and your dad. I was hoping he could be on the phone with us when you opened it, but... I guess he'll just have to miss out, huh?”
I nodded and smiled back the best I could (I hoped my smile didn't look as forced as hers).
“Go ahead, open it!” my mom said.
I tried to seem excited as I tore into the paper, but a chill ran through me when I saw what was inside. For a second, I just stared down at my own stunned expression in the blank screen of the new model Pokedex. Then I remembered that I was supposed to be excited and stammered, “Mom-- Wow! This is...”
“You like it?” she asked sweetly. “Your dad and I picked it out weeks ago; we think you're finally ready to begin your Pokemon journey!”
“R—really?” I stuttered.
My mom smiled (for real this time) and nodded.
“You've been a lot healthier these past couple of years,” she said. “I almost can't remember the last time you were sick. And your doctor says it's ok now.” She paused, then added, “Actually, you probably could've gone last year, but we wanted to wait and make sure.”
I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded. I'd been waiting for this day since I was a little kid. Growing up, my parents had told me countless stories about their adventures-- about all the places they'd traveled to, the people and Pokemon they'd met along the way (including each other), about the gym matches and tournaments they'd competed in, about their encounters with the “evil” Team Rocket... I'd make them repeat my favorites over and over, and dream about all the adventures I'd have someday on my own journey. What region would I travel through? What kind of Pokemon would I train? What kind of people would I meet? I spent hours imagining it all and couldn't wait for the day I could finally set out.
But my dreams got put on hold. I was born two months too early, and was sickly for most of my childhood. Fevers, ear infections, and (worst of all) respiratory illnesses-- it seemed like there was always something wrong with me. My parents and I hoped I'd be better by the time I turned ten, the age when most kids leave home to start their Pokemon journeys. And I was. I wasn't getting sick as often, at least, and when I did, it wasn't as serious (though I was still small for my age). But my doctor said I still wasn't healthy enough to travel on my own. My tenth birthday was miserable, and not just because I had a fever. I loved Pokemon at least as much as the other kids, but just because I got sick sometimes, I was stuck at home, while they got to start their journeys. It wasn't fair! Nothing my parents did to try to cheer me up worked.
“Maybe you'll be well enough next year,” my mom said.
“No I won't!” I sobbed. “I'll always be sick, and I'll never get to be a Pokemon trainer!”
I was frustrated and upset, but really, I hoped my mom was right. When she wasn't, I started to lose hope. Maybe I was just doomed, Pokemon-wise.
But now, after after all that time, after all that worrying and crying, my chance had finally come. I should've been excited-- I should've been thrilled. So why... why did I just feel so anxious?
“It's ok if you don't want to leave just yet,” my mom said.
I looked at her and shook my head, scolding myself for letting her see me worry.
“No, this is really great, thank you so much!” I rushed out. “I was just surprised, is all.” I paused, then added, “In a good way!”
She smiled warmly at me and tucked my hair behind my ear.
“Ok,” she said. “But you know there's no need to rush things. Take as long as you need to feel ready. One more year won't--”
“Mo-m, I'm really fine!” I said, pretending to be slightly annoyed.
She laughed and said, “Ok, ok! But I wanted to say that, anyway. Especially since...” Her smile faded and she stared at her lap.
That's what was bothering me: I was worried about my dad and didn't want to leave home without knowing he was safe.
“It'll be ok, Mom,” I said, trying to sound cheerful. “Dad'll definitely be home before then!”
My mom put her smile back on and said, “I'm sure you're right.”
For the next few days, we both tried to believe that I was.
My mom contacted the authorities in Eternia City the day after my birthday, but they couldn't find my dad. The police started an investigation, interviewed my mom, Professor Ookido, the archaeologists he'd talked to at the dig site. He'd been there, at least. The archaeologists said he'd come to the dig site the week before to explore the ruins. They hadn't let him in, though, and he'd gone back to his hotel in the city after a short argument. And then he just... disappeared. No one had seen him since that night, no one knew where he'd gone. All his stuff was still at the hotel.
The police wanted to investigate the ruins, see if he'd been back there, but first they'd need a permit. And that would take days.
With every day that passed, I lost a little more hope. Every night, I cried alone in my bed, trying not to imagine what might've happened to my dad. What if he was sick somewhere? What if he'd been kidnapped? That didn't seem likely, not when he had Pikachu and his other Pokemon. But they'd disappeared with him. I wished Pikachu were sleeping curled up next to me, like he always did when I was sick or sad. I hugged my Clefairy doll tight instead, but it wasn't the same. I wanted to crawl into bed with my mom the way I had when I was little and had a nightmare. But I couldn't let her know that I could hear her crying. I'd never felt so alone in my life.
Waiting to hear something about my dad was driving me crazy. The day for new trainers to leave on their Pokemon journeys was getting closer and closer, but I couldn't leave without him there, could I? That was just an excuse, though-- I was really just afraid. After all, what could I do about something even my dad couldn't handle? But just sitting around waiting for the phone to ring wasn't helping anything... And I knew deep down that I should be doing everything I could to find him. My dad had always been there whenever I really needed him. Like the time when I was little and got really, really sick, sicker than I'd ever been. He'd been away at the time, about to compete in the finals of what probably would've been his third Pokemon League Championship. But when I woke up in the hospital, he was right there beside me, holding my hand and stroking my hair. He'd even stayed home for a couple of years after that, just to make sure I was ok. My dad would do anything for me, and now that it was my turn to help him, I couldn't let him down. So I decided-- I'd leave on my Pokemon journey, and I'd find my dad, no matter what.
Every time I thought about leaving at home, I felt anxious and sick, which almost made me want to just get it over with. To distract myself, I read up on the Nirakar region in a book on my dad's shelf. That didn't help much, because it kept reminding me of him, but at least I felt like I was doing something. Maybe that temple or whatever had something to do with his disappearance; maybe I'd find some kind of clue in what I was reading.
I learned that Nirakar was an arid region Northwest of Kanto, across the sea. Much of it was desert, but the river that flowed from the mountain in the North made civilization possible; there were both big cities and small villages.
Historians from thousands of years ago wrote down legends of a great city they called “Paradisio” in the middle of the Nirakar Desert. Paradisio had tall buildings made of glittering stone, a man-made lake and canals, beautiful gardens and fountains. But none of them knew exactly where the city was, what people had lived there, or where they had gone.
For a long time, modern historians thought Paradisio was just a story. Apparently, historians from a long time ago exaggerated a lot and wrote down rumors as fact. There were no ruins in the Nirakar Desert. The story was impossible, anyway-- how could anyone build a city in such a dry place? How could they build such huge structures? How could they have used this “glittering stone” when there was nothing like that for miles and miles around? But lots of people still believed in it. They kept looking for it.
And then, fifty years ago, someone found something. It was just a stone poking out of the ground, but it was long, cubed, and pointy, obviously carved by someone. The stone turned out to be just the tip of a spire from a grand palace. Archaeologists dug up the city, which had been buried under the sand for all those thousands of years, just waiting for the winds to change and blow away the sand covering it up. At the time my dad's book was published, two years before, they'd finished with everything except the temple (which was called a “ziggurat”). Most of the buildings had crumbled and the lake and canals were dry, but it had once been just like the ancient historians had said.
No one in the present had been able to figure out who built the city, or how. There were lots of theories-- maybe the lake was fed from an underground water source, maybe they used Pokemon to build, maybe it was aliens-- but none of them worked to explain the city (well, except for the one about the aliens, maybe, but no one really took that one seriously). There was no evidence in the soil that there was ever a natural water source. And no tools for capturing Pokemon had been found. None of it made any sense. There was writing in the ruins that might have had the answers, but so far no one had been able to translate it. But linguists kept trying. Some were convinced the city was hiding a great power.
It sounded like exactly the kind of thing my dad would get involved in. Like the time he'd helped the legendary Pokemon Lugia save the world from destruction by the three legendary birds! I was five and sick with another ear infection the first time my parents told me that story. I remembered lying on the sofa with my head in my mom's lap and my feet in my dad's as they told me about how they'd arrived on the island just when the people who lived there were holding an ancient festival that celebrated a legend. My dad had started off just playing the role of the hero from the prophecy, but he'd ended up becoming that hero for real when a foolish Pokemon collector unleashed Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos. They caused a terrible storm with their elemental powers, but Lugia guided my dad through it so he could collect the three Orbs of Power and restore balance to the world. Yeah, if I wanted to find my dad, the Paradisio ruins were definitely the place to start.
It was two days before I left on my journey. I lay on my stomach on my bed, my head propped up in one hand, and my book in the other.
Suddenly, I heard, “What are you reading, Satsumi?”
I snapped the book closed and laid my arm across the cover, but I could tell by the look on my mom's face that she hadn't really needed to ask. If I'd known she could read the cover from my doorway, I would've closed the door.
“Nothing,” I said. “I mean, nothing special.”
My mom walked into my room to get a closer look, and I handed the book to her reluctantly.
“Nirakar Then and Now,” she read aloud, sitting down beside me. Her smile faltered, but her voice was still steady when she asked, “Are you reading this because of your dad?”
I nodded; there was no point in lying. I stared at my feet, which still didn't quite touch the floor, and said, “I'm... actually thinking of traveling there on my Pokemon journey.”
My face felt hot. I could feel my mom's eyes on me, and I wished she'd just say something. I hadn't meant to hide it from her exactly, but... I'd been waiting for the right time. Only, it never seemed to come. So maybe it was better this way.
Finally, my mom set the book on my bed and said, “I hope you're not planning to go looking for him.”
“I'm not!” I said, facing her. “Nirakar just seems like an interesting region, I want to see it for myself!”
She studied me carefully, and I had to look away; I knew she was too smart to be fooled by that. But I hadn't had time to think of a better answer. I took a deep breath, forced myself to look back at her, and started over.
“Actually... I do want to know more about the ruins. I need to try to find out what happened. And... I think I'd feel closer to him there.”
That was the truth, even if it wasn't the whole truth. My mom hugged me tight, and I laid my head on her shoulder.
“You're such a good girl, Satsumi,” she said. “You've grown up so much.”
After a moment, she released me, but kept one arm wrapped around my shoulders. She looked into my face and tucked my hair behind my ear as she said, “But you're still a kid. I don't want you getting involved in anything dangerous.”
You and dad did all kinds of dangerous stuff when you were kids, I thought.
“I know, your dad and me did all kinds of dangerous stuff when we were kids,” my mom said with a smile. “That's why I worry! I know a lot can happen on a Pokemon journey, even when you're not looking for trouble, and...” she trailed off and turned her face to the floor. “Just thinking of you in that kind of situation terrifies me.”
I leaned into her and wrapped my arms around her waist, and she pulled me close to her again.
“Don't worry, Mom,” I said. “I'll be ok. I'm not going to look for dad, and I'm not going to do anything dangerous. I promise.”
My mom pulled back but kept her hands on my arms, studied my face carefully. I couldn't look away, no matter much I wanted to, because then she'd know I was lying for sure. For a second, I was afraid she'd seen through me, anyway. But then she nodded and said, “Ok.”
My chest felt tight, and I had to fight back tears. I hated lying to her. But there was no point in making her worry, and I had to do this. Maybe I wouldn't even have to break my promise-- maybe my dad wasn't involved in anything dangerous at all, maybe it was just a misunderstanding, and he'd show up before I even left on my journey. When my mom left the room, I closed my eyes tight and willed it to happen.
Update (04/17/17)-- Finished revising! Honestly, Interlude III presented the difficulties I expected, that is, there's still a lot of looking and turning and smiling. I'm really not sure how to avoid it since there is so much focus here on subtle gestures and facial expressions. But I do think it's better over all.
Table of Contents:
Prologue
Interlude I
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Interlude II
Chapter 4
Interlude III
Prologue
I knew something was wrong when he didn't come home for my birthday. My mom told me not to worry-- “Maybe he just forgot what day it is; you know how your dad is,” she said, giving me a big smile. But I could tell she was only trying to make me feel better. She pretended everything was fine, that it didn't feel wrong sitting at a table for two at my favorite restaurant, or putting a third of my cake back in the refrigerator, or actually hearing the funny parts of my favorite movie because no one was laughing too loud. But her smile was too wide, and her voice was too high-pitched and bubbly. She kept turning her face away so I wouldn't see when her smile faltered. I kept glancing at her while we watched the movie-- no, not watched-- my mom's eyes were focused on the TV screen, but she was staring straight through it.
But I pretended, too. My mom was trying so hard to make me happy; I didn't want to make her worry about me. So I told her she was probably right, maybe something came up, maybe he was so busy he lost track of time. I could almost believe it-- my dad really was absent-minded, just like my mom had said. He'd forgotten her birthday once, a few years before (she'd really let him have it for that one).
It wasn't the first time he'd been away from home, either. My dad was a three-time Pokemon League Champion, and he traveled sometimes, giving speeches and exhibitions. But this time wasn't like the others. It started when Professor Ookido had come to our house one day the week before. There was nothing unusual about that; he and my dad had been friends since they were kids, and he lived nearby. But this time, it seemed like something was bothering him. His smile was too thin. When I answered the door, he mussed my hair and said, “Hey, Short Stuff,” like always, but instead of stopping to talk to me, he just asked where my dad was. I led him into the kitchen, where my dad was crouched down setting out food bowls for Pikachu and his other Pokemon. He looked up, stood, and said “Hi,” to Professor Ookido when we entered. Then he said, “Satsumi, why don't you go upstairs and clean your room?”
“My room's already clean,” I said.
Usually Professor Ookido would say something like, “Yeah, Loser, Satsumi's not a total slob like you,” but this time he didn't say anything. My dad leaned back and crossed his arms, looked me in the eye with a half-smile and one raised eyebrow.
“Ok, I'm going,” I said reluctantly.
I started to leave, but I was too curious about what Professor Ookido wanted. What did he seem so worried about? And what did it have to do with my dad? So even though I knew I shouldn't, I hung back and tried to listen. Then I heard footsteps coming toward the kitchen door.
As I ran to my room (quietly, I hoped), I heard Professor Ookido say, “She's about as sneaky as you are,” to my dad, which made me turn red.
That night at dinner, my dad told my mom and me that he had to leave on business for a few days. My mom asked what kind of business, and he shrugged and said, “Some archaeologists just finished digging up some ruins in the Nirakar region. Shigeru wants me to go check it out.”
“Ruins?” my mom said, her fork half-way to her mouth.
“Yeah, some temple in some mythological city or something,” my dad said. He shrugged again. “I don't know much about it, but Shigeru seemed excited.”
“Then why can't he go?”
My dad looked at me with raised eyebrows, and I turned my face toward my plate, embarrassed by my outburst.
“Shigeru has too much to do at the lab,” said my dad. “He has to get the starters ready for this years new trainers, remember?”
“Oh. Right,” I replied.
That made sense... but it didn't make me feel any better. I pushed my food around my plate with my fork so I wouldn't have to look at my dad.
“Don't worry, Satsumi,” he said, and I could tell from his voice he was smiling. “I'll be home in plenty of time for your birthday. Have I ever broken my promise to you?”
“No,” I admitted, feeling a little bad for doubting him.
I really was proud of him, and I'd kind of gotten used to him being away sometimes. I'd even stopped crying when he left. But I still missed him when he was gone, and he knew it. So he promised me he'd always be home for my birthday, no matter what. My dad had always told me that the day I was born was the most important day of his life, even more important than the day he set out on his Pokemon journey, or the day he won his first League Championship.
That's how I knew, deep down, that he couldn't have forgotten. Even if he'd gotten held up this time, he would've at least called. I knew my mom was thinking the same thing. She kept trying to call him, kept glancing at her phone. Her eyes lit up every time it rang, only to dim again when she checked the caller ID. I hoped I was hiding my disappointment from her better than she was hiding hers from me.
It was starting to get late when my mom looked at the clock and tried calling my dad one more time. When he didn't answer again, she sighed and headed upstairs. A minute later she came back down carrying something small in her right hand. She sat down beside me and handed me a box, a little bigger than my hands, wrapped in blue paper and pink ribbons.
“Happy birthday, Satsumi!” she said to me. “This is from both me and your dad. I was hoping he could be on the phone with us when you opened it, but... I guess he'll just have to miss out, huh?”
I nodded and smiled back the best I could (I hoped my smile didn't look as forced as hers).
“Go ahead, open it!” my mom said.
I tried to seem excited as I tore into the paper, but a chill ran through me when I saw what was inside. For a second, I just stared down at my own stunned expression in the blank screen of the new model Pokedex. Then I remembered that I was supposed to be excited and stammered, “Mom-- Wow! This is...”
“You like it?” she asked sweetly. “Your dad and I picked it out weeks ago; we think you're finally ready to begin your Pokemon journey!”
“R—really?” I stuttered.
My mom smiled (for real this time) and nodded.
“You've been a lot healthier these past couple of years,” she said. “I almost can't remember the last time you were sick. And your doctor says it's ok now.” She paused, then added, “Actually, you probably could've gone last year, but we wanted to wait and make sure.”
I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded. I'd been waiting for this day since I was a little kid. Growing up, my parents had told me countless stories about their adventures-- about all the places they'd traveled to, the people and Pokemon they'd met along the way (including each other), about the gym matches and tournaments they'd competed in, about their encounters with the “evil” Team Rocket... I'd make them repeat my favorites over and over, and dream about all the adventures I'd have someday on my own journey. What region would I travel through? What kind of Pokemon would I train? What kind of people would I meet? I spent hours imagining it all and couldn't wait for the day I could finally set out.
But my dreams got put on hold. I was born two months too early, and was sickly for most of my childhood. Fevers, ear infections, and (worst of all) respiratory illnesses-- it seemed like there was always something wrong with me. My parents and I hoped I'd be better by the time I turned ten, the age when most kids leave home to start their Pokemon journeys. And I was. I wasn't getting sick as often, at least, and when I did, it wasn't as serious (though I was still small for my age). But my doctor said I still wasn't healthy enough to travel on my own. My tenth birthday was miserable, and not just because I had a fever. I loved Pokemon at least as much as the other kids, but just because I got sick sometimes, I was stuck at home, while they got to start their journeys. It wasn't fair! Nothing my parents did to try to cheer me up worked.
“Maybe you'll be well enough next year,” my mom said.
“No I won't!” I sobbed. “I'll always be sick, and I'll never get to be a Pokemon trainer!”
I was frustrated and upset, but really, I hoped my mom was right. When she wasn't, I started to lose hope. Maybe I was just doomed, Pokemon-wise.
But now, after after all that time, after all that worrying and crying, my chance had finally come. I should've been excited-- I should've been thrilled. So why... why did I just feel so anxious?
“It's ok if you don't want to leave just yet,” my mom said.
I looked at her and shook my head, scolding myself for letting her see me worry.
“No, this is really great, thank you so much!” I rushed out. “I was just surprised, is all.” I paused, then added, “In a good way!”
She smiled warmly at me and tucked my hair behind my ear.
“Ok,” she said. “But you know there's no need to rush things. Take as long as you need to feel ready. One more year won't--”
“Mo-m, I'm really fine!” I said, pretending to be slightly annoyed.
She laughed and said, “Ok, ok! But I wanted to say that, anyway. Especially since...” Her smile faded and she stared at her lap.
That's what was bothering me: I was worried about my dad and didn't want to leave home without knowing he was safe.
“It'll be ok, Mom,” I said, trying to sound cheerful. “Dad'll definitely be home before then!”
My mom put her smile back on and said, “I'm sure you're right.”
For the next few days, we both tried to believe that I was.
My mom contacted the authorities in Eternia City the day after my birthday, but they couldn't find my dad. The police started an investigation, interviewed my mom, Professor Ookido, the archaeologists he'd talked to at the dig site. He'd been there, at least. The archaeologists said he'd come to the dig site the week before to explore the ruins. They hadn't let him in, though, and he'd gone back to his hotel in the city after a short argument. And then he just... disappeared. No one had seen him since that night, no one knew where he'd gone. All his stuff was still at the hotel.
The police wanted to investigate the ruins, see if he'd been back there, but first they'd need a permit. And that would take days.
With every day that passed, I lost a little more hope. Every night, I cried alone in my bed, trying not to imagine what might've happened to my dad. What if he was sick somewhere? What if he'd been kidnapped? That didn't seem likely, not when he had Pikachu and his other Pokemon. But they'd disappeared with him. I wished Pikachu were sleeping curled up next to me, like he always did when I was sick or sad. I hugged my Clefairy doll tight instead, but it wasn't the same. I wanted to crawl into bed with my mom the way I had when I was little and had a nightmare. But I couldn't let her know that I could hear her crying. I'd never felt so alone in my life.
Waiting to hear something about my dad was driving me crazy. The day for new trainers to leave on their Pokemon journeys was getting closer and closer, but I couldn't leave without him there, could I? That was just an excuse, though-- I was really just afraid. After all, what could I do about something even my dad couldn't handle? But just sitting around waiting for the phone to ring wasn't helping anything... And I knew deep down that I should be doing everything I could to find him. My dad had always been there whenever I really needed him. Like the time when I was little and got really, really sick, sicker than I'd ever been. He'd been away at the time, about to compete in the finals of what probably would've been his third Pokemon League Championship. But when I woke up in the hospital, he was right there beside me, holding my hand and stroking my hair. He'd even stayed home for a couple of years after that, just to make sure I was ok. My dad would do anything for me, and now that it was my turn to help him, I couldn't let him down. So I decided-- I'd leave on my Pokemon journey, and I'd find my dad, no matter what.
Every time I thought about leaving at home, I felt anxious and sick, which almost made me want to just get it over with. To distract myself, I read up on the Nirakar region in a book on my dad's shelf. That didn't help much, because it kept reminding me of him, but at least I felt like I was doing something. Maybe that temple or whatever had something to do with his disappearance; maybe I'd find some kind of clue in what I was reading.
I learned that Nirakar was an arid region Northwest of Kanto, across the sea. Much of it was desert, but the river that flowed from the mountain in the North made civilization possible; there were both big cities and small villages.
Historians from thousands of years ago wrote down legends of a great city they called “Paradisio” in the middle of the Nirakar Desert. Paradisio had tall buildings made of glittering stone, a man-made lake and canals, beautiful gardens and fountains. But none of them knew exactly where the city was, what people had lived there, or where they had gone.
For a long time, modern historians thought Paradisio was just a story. Apparently, historians from a long time ago exaggerated a lot and wrote down rumors as fact. There were no ruins in the Nirakar Desert. The story was impossible, anyway-- how could anyone build a city in such a dry place? How could they build such huge structures? How could they have used this “glittering stone” when there was nothing like that for miles and miles around? But lots of people still believed in it. They kept looking for it.
And then, fifty years ago, someone found something. It was just a stone poking out of the ground, but it was long, cubed, and pointy, obviously carved by someone. The stone turned out to be just the tip of a spire from a grand palace. Archaeologists dug up the city, which had been buried under the sand for all those thousands of years, just waiting for the winds to change and blow away the sand covering it up. At the time my dad's book was published, two years before, they'd finished with everything except the temple (which was called a “ziggurat”). Most of the buildings had crumbled and the lake and canals were dry, but it had once been just like the ancient historians had said.
No one in the present had been able to figure out who built the city, or how. There were lots of theories-- maybe the lake was fed from an underground water source, maybe they used Pokemon to build, maybe it was aliens-- but none of them worked to explain the city (well, except for the one about the aliens, maybe, but no one really took that one seriously). There was no evidence in the soil that there was ever a natural water source. And no tools for capturing Pokemon had been found. None of it made any sense. There was writing in the ruins that might have had the answers, but so far no one had been able to translate it. But linguists kept trying. Some were convinced the city was hiding a great power.
It sounded like exactly the kind of thing my dad would get involved in. Like the time he'd helped the legendary Pokemon Lugia save the world from destruction by the three legendary birds! I was five and sick with another ear infection the first time my parents told me that story. I remembered lying on the sofa with my head in my mom's lap and my feet in my dad's as they told me about how they'd arrived on the island just when the people who lived there were holding an ancient festival that celebrated a legend. My dad had started off just playing the role of the hero from the prophecy, but he'd ended up becoming that hero for real when a foolish Pokemon collector unleashed Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos. They caused a terrible storm with their elemental powers, but Lugia guided my dad through it so he could collect the three Orbs of Power and restore balance to the world. Yeah, if I wanted to find my dad, the Paradisio ruins were definitely the place to start.
It was two days before I left on my journey. I lay on my stomach on my bed, my head propped up in one hand, and my book in the other.
Suddenly, I heard, “What are you reading, Satsumi?”
I snapped the book closed and laid my arm across the cover, but I could tell by the look on my mom's face that she hadn't really needed to ask. If I'd known she could read the cover from my doorway, I would've closed the door.
“Nothing,” I said. “I mean, nothing special.”
My mom walked into my room to get a closer look, and I handed the book to her reluctantly.
“Nirakar Then and Now,” she read aloud, sitting down beside me. Her smile faltered, but her voice was still steady when she asked, “Are you reading this because of your dad?”
I nodded; there was no point in lying. I stared at my feet, which still didn't quite touch the floor, and said, “I'm... actually thinking of traveling there on my Pokemon journey.”
My face felt hot. I could feel my mom's eyes on me, and I wished she'd just say something. I hadn't meant to hide it from her exactly, but... I'd been waiting for the right time. Only, it never seemed to come. So maybe it was better this way.
Finally, my mom set the book on my bed and said, “I hope you're not planning to go looking for him.”
“I'm not!” I said, facing her. “Nirakar just seems like an interesting region, I want to see it for myself!”
She studied me carefully, and I had to look away; I knew she was too smart to be fooled by that. But I hadn't had time to think of a better answer. I took a deep breath, forced myself to look back at her, and started over.
“Actually... I do want to know more about the ruins. I need to try to find out what happened. And... I think I'd feel closer to him there.”
That was the truth, even if it wasn't the whole truth. My mom hugged me tight, and I laid my head on her shoulder.
“You're such a good girl, Satsumi,” she said. “You've grown up so much.”
After a moment, she released me, but kept one arm wrapped around my shoulders. She looked into my face and tucked my hair behind my ear as she said, “But you're still a kid. I don't want you getting involved in anything dangerous.”
You and dad did all kinds of dangerous stuff when you were kids, I thought.
“I know, your dad and me did all kinds of dangerous stuff when we were kids,” my mom said with a smile. “That's why I worry! I know a lot can happen on a Pokemon journey, even when you're not looking for trouble, and...” she trailed off and turned her face to the floor. “Just thinking of you in that kind of situation terrifies me.”
I leaned into her and wrapped my arms around her waist, and she pulled me close to her again.
“Don't worry, Mom,” I said. “I'll be ok. I'm not going to look for dad, and I'm not going to do anything dangerous. I promise.”
My mom pulled back but kept her hands on my arms, studied my face carefully. I couldn't look away, no matter much I wanted to, because then she'd know I was lying for sure. For a second, I was afraid she'd seen through me, anyway. But then she nodded and said, “Ok.”
My chest felt tight, and I had to fight back tears. I hated lying to her. But there was no point in making her worry, and I had to do this. Maybe I wouldn't even have to break my promise-- maybe my dad wasn't involved in anything dangerous at all, maybe it was just a misunderstanding, and he'd show up before I even left on my journey. When my mom left the room, I closed my eyes tight and willed it to happen.
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