Adventures in the Big Apple Ch. 25

Chapter 25 – Mystery of Liberty Island

Hilbert leaned on the railing of the deck of the ferry and glanced at the horizon, daydreaming about something I would never know. Behind him were Bosco, my dad, and I sitting on a bench enjoying the breeze from the Atlantic Ocean. I lay back on the hull and relaxed, thinking about the island's mystery.

After sanding off Johto Trio back in Manhattan Airport, we rushed to Port of Castelia for the ferry to Liberty Island. In Port of Castelia, each pier was individually nicknamed and frankly, Pier 4, the pier we boarded the ferry on, was named Liberty Pier. The island itself, according to the guide I found in the pier, was located just about 10 miles south of Castelia City. The island's only building is a lighthouse built about 200 years ago. The lighthouse, however, had never been used before. That got me thinking: Who would ever build a lighthouse without the intention of using it?

My Pokégear rung while I was relaxing almost fell asleep. I picked it up and the first sentence that came out of my mouth was, "What honor did I own to you, Little Miss, for you calling me at midnight?"

"Really funny, Max. Really funny," Platinum replied on the phone.

I laughed.

"The thing you asked me to look for, my father and I finally found it," Platinum continued, "It took us quite a while looking through the family's archive."

"You know, Platinum… You don't have to work yourself like that. I mean, it's midnight in Sinnoh right now."

"I do understand, but I do not want to let my dear friend like you down by making delays, do I?" Platinum replied, "Besides, father showed some interest on Liberty Island as well, so he offered some help."

"I believe you got something, didn't you?" I asked.

"As the matter of fact, I did find a book about the island in the library dating back sometime around 1800s," Sir Berlitz cut into the conversation, "Back when the Berlitz family first settled in Sinnoh, there's another noble family like our ancestors apparently settled in Unova region in the exact date of… 1859."

"1859? That's only 2 years before American Civil War!" I said in surprise.

"Exactly. In this book, it says one of the family members fought in the war and he was the one who ended it with the mythical Pokémon," Sir Berlitz continued, "And I have a description of that Pokémon right here. He's about a foot 4 inches, blue eyes, and a V-shaped ears. It's called Victini because he helped the forces the family member and Victini with won numerous battles and he was said to help bringing victory."

"A Pokémon who brings victory?" I repeated Sir Berlitz's words.

"Yes, to the one who Victini truly befriends and trusts," Sir Berlitz replied, "After the war, the family member brought the Pokémon back to Unova region and lived with the family, until…"

"Until what?"

"Until Victini's original trainer passed away. Right before he died, according to the book, Victini was hunted down by mobs all around Unova."

"Why was that?"

"Because Victini brought victory to whomever he's with, including people doing bad deeds."

"That sounds really terrible," I frowned and said.

"Indeed. So the men built a lighthouse in Liberty Island and stashed Victini in there, and after the men passes away, the family named the island Liberty to symbolize the peace and freedom. Since the family kept the secret by silence, their descendent didn't even know there's lighthouse with a Pokémon in it on the Atlantic Ocean because their parents didn't tell them about it."

"So are you telling me that Victini might still be in there?" I asked.

"It's possible. That poor thing hasn't been out to the world for over a century," Sir Berlitz replied.

"And I know the time he's coming back out to the world is today," I said with serious tone.

After the ferry docked on Liberty Island, there was something wrong about the place. The pier was crowded with tourists but no one seems to be able to get on the island.

"What's going on around here?" I asked one of the tourists.

"Some guy just came out of nowhere and blocked the way into the island," a man replied, "They threatened us if we try to get pass them they will pick a Pokémon battle on us!"

"So how many people here is Pokémon Trainer exactly?" Bosco asked.

"About half a dozen but no one wants to fight. There was a guy who tried to battle them. He lost and they took his Pokémon! Then everyone else is scared that they would take their Pokémon as well if they pick a fight with those gangsters…"

"Gangsters, you say?" Hilbert asked.

"Yeah, they called themselves Team Plasma or some sort…"

"Team Plasma," Dad sighed, "Why am I not surprised?"

"Do you think they are here to target Victini?" Bosco asked feeling worried.

"My money's on yes. Let's go!" Hilbert said and we squeeze through the crowd to the blockade. When the Plasmas saw us walking toward them, they tried to get in our way by stood right in front of us.

"Where do you think you are going? Our leader ordered no one is allowed to pass!"

"I say we can, now get out of our way," I said while one of the grunt stood on my way, staring at me.

"I don't have the mood to play, kiddo, turn around and leave!"

"What if I say I'm not?" I taunted.

"You really wanna force me to hit you?" asked the grunt taking out his Poké Ball.

"Maybe someone needs to teach you what does 'get out of my way' mean," I said throwing a Poké Ball, releasing Ethan. The grunts released a Purrloin and a Patrat, trying to fight me, only before hey can do anything, Ethan already dashed toward the opponents the moment they were sent out, ready to attack.

"Brick Break!"

Ethan's karate chops landed on Patrat the second I shouted out the command. Patrat was pounded on the ground, fainted. When Ethan turned around, he noticed that Purrloin was on mid-air, landing towards Ethan, with her claw opened. Ethan was quick witted enough to give her a Fire Punch before Purrloin could land a Scratch attack on him. She was sent flying to a flower bed nearby with smoke behind her.

The grunts were totally freaked out; they picked up their Pokémon and ran off. The crowd cheered at me for taking care of the blockade. I raised my hand to the crowd and said "thank you" several times.

"Gee, these people sure like you for helping them taking care of those junks!" said Hilbert looking at the crowd.

"I already get used to it," I replied, "Ever since I was cloaked as Hoenn champion 4 years ago."

"Max," dad asked suddenly, "Did you hear that?"

"Hearing what?" I said while trying to listen to the surrounding, there were some faint noises coming from somewhere.

"Is that… battling noise?" Hilbert asked.

"Looks like it, we better hurry," said Bosco. I nodded and we rushed around the lighthouse to the other side of the island.

It turns out that there are 2 security guards fighting 5 Plasma grunts, and the guards are in danger of being outflanked. Bosco and I immediately jumped into the battle with Ethan and Sam, taking over the battle. I'm not being arrogant, but those guys were completely no match against us. Within minutes, we captured all 5 grunts and the other 2 who just ran away from us hiding in nearby bushes.

After the securities took some rest from the battle, we helped them do some emergency medical treatment to their Pokémon.

"Thanks, guys," one of the guard said, "I don't know what would happen if you didn't show up."

"No problem at all," I replied.

"Those Team Plasma freaks tried to get their hands on the legendary Pokémon down in the basement…" said the other guard, "There's only the 2 of us on duty here on the entire island, there was no way we can defeat them without you guys…"

"Is there all the grunts we have here?" asked dad.

"Let's see… Oh no!"

"What's the matter?" asked Hilbert curiously.

"There's 2 more missing!" said the first guard, "They must be down in the basement!"

"Then we need to be there now befo-"

BAM!

A loud noise came from the lighthouse suddenly startled all of us, just when we were about to rush in, several red flares came out from the door. The next thing we know, 2 Plasma grunts ran out from the basement with fire on their…well, "rear." They ran around and keep shouting something we can't make out, and the fire gets bigger and bigger because the oxygen kept being fed in when they were running. Bosco asked Sam to used Water Gun on the grunts, soaking them as well as extinguishing the fire, than the securities tied them up.

"That should be everyone here," one of the guards said, "They must've startled the legendary Pokémon down there."

"Then we should get down there and calm him down," said Bosco.

"Are you sure you are going down?" the other guard worried, "He must be furious and angry now."

"We got it. We'll be back in a minute," I said.

"We are Trainers with lots of experience around Pokémon, so we can handle it," said Hilbert.

With confident in our mind, Bosco, Hilbert, and I walked down toward the basement under the lighthouse.