"Sigh, I wish Dante was with us. Without his luck, our haul decreased by more than half."
At the entrance of the Jungle Portal, Candace grumbled as she and all the other 1st year students exited. They had just finished their monthly expedition inside said portal. However, unlike the last two times they had entered the portal, the resources Candace's group got this time were noticeably less. And the only difference was that a certain someone didn't go with their group.
"Don't just attribute it to Dan's luck. It was also because of our lack of strength- that we had to be more cautious when exploring which led to us covering less ground than usual." Shinobu replied while absentmindedly feeding Mincinno in her arms with a berry they got from the portal.
"But our harvests are also lower in quality! When we're with Dante, we'd stumble upon trees full of ripe berries left and right." Candace whined. "Now it's already considered lucky if there's enough ripe berry on the tree for each of us."
"I wonder whether Dan has also finished his side of the exploration? With his luck, maybe he got a new Mega Stone again." Focalors said, making everyone pause in thought.
"I-it shouldn't be so exaggerated, right? A Mega Stone…" Kachina gulped. Getting something worth hundreds of millions of cash in just one exploration, surely Dante's luck also had its limits?
If Kachina knew how Dante became rich in the first place, she wouldn't have this doubt at all.
The four girls continued to speculate what outrageous things their missing team member might have gotten as they returned to the university. Shinobu had contacted him and received no reply, so they assumed he was still exploring the newfound portal.
Shinobu and Focalors shared a look. Before setting out, Dante had told them something as outrageous as seducing a Champion into joining them. Although they both felt it was impossible, but it was Dante! Shattering the impossible was only par for the course for their shared boyfriend.
When they entered through the school gate, they were surprised to see a crowd of students gathered sporadically around the area. All of them were constantly glancing in a certain direction, and after following their gazes, Shinobu and the others were surprised to find someone they knew.
Standing under a tree- seemingly waiting for them, was Furina. Beside her was the cold-faced Clorinde who stopped anyone who wanted to approach the world-class actress with a single glance.
"Sis, everyone, welcome back!" Furina's eyes lit up. She rushed forward and gave Focalors a hug, before doing the same one by one with Shinobu, Candace, and Kachina.
"Furina! You don't have to wait for us here." Candace said as she gave the petite girl a grateful hug.
"Hehe, I just missed you girls. And since I remembered you were coming back around this period, I thought I'd give you a surprise welcome back." Furina said with a laugh.
Shinobu, Candace, and Kachina teased and thanked Furina for the thoughtful gesture. However, in contrast to them, Focalors donned a more concerned expression.
Although her sister was acting like her usual enthusiastical self, she still noticed something amiss. For instance, Furina didn't even bother wearing a disguise when going out this time.
They all went together while telling Furina their adventure inside the portal. However, they had to reluctantly stop when they reached their dormitories.
Just when Shinobu was about to return to her dorm with Candace, Furina stopped her.
"Shinobu, can you go back with us to our dorm for a bit? I really need your input on a new script I'm writing. Pretty please~" Furina clasped her hands and asked.
"Sure?" Although feeling somewhat confused about why Furina couldn't seem to wait, Shinobu still agreed.
As someone who had a hobby of learning all kinds of knowledge and getting licenses, getting to use what she learned to help others was something she was happy about.
However, once it was only her, Focalors, Furina, and Clorinde, the atmosphere suddenly began to shift. Or more specifically, the joyful smile on Furina's face bled away to reveal deep worry.
"Furina, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Focalors quickly asked, stepping closer to her sister.
"L-let's talk inside. Promise me you two won't act rashly?" Furina said, stepping through the door which Clorinde held open. The way she acted made the two girls anxious.
"Did something happen to Dan?" Shinobu suddenly asked. He was the only reason she could think of for Furina to specifically include her in this conversation.
Furina bit her lips. "T-there was an incident inside the portal. A Pokemon rampaged and casualties occurred among the participating personnel."
"Casualties…" Shinobu murmured, before her eyes narrowed. "You know how strong Dan is- just a Pokemon rampage isn't enough to make you this worried. What really happened?"
Focalors also stared intently at Furina in anticipation for an answer. Furina glanced at the two of them, before continuing tremblingly.
"I'm still not sure what exactly happened. I've contacted Father and the family, but they haven't given me exact news. There was just a list of casualties and…and-"
Tears pooled in the corner of her eye, before she finished, "and Dante's name was among them."
It was as if a bolt of lightning suddenly struck Shinobu and Focalors. Furina's last sentence kept echoing in their heads.
Shinobu's eyes turned red and her breathing began to get ragged. Memories of her time with Dante surfaced in her mind.
No way! She refused to believe someone like him would die just like that!
"Is there confirmation of his body?" Unlike Shinobu, Focalors expression became eerily calm. She took out her phone to contact their Father while asking Furina.
"I-I don't know. But they sounded so certain of the news." Furina replied, a hint of a sob in her voice.
Focalors just nodded and continued to tap on her phone. Shinobu also composed herself. She similarly took out her phone and called out to the only one she knew who may know more about the situation.
"Erika, do you have any news about what happened in the Snowy Portal?"
"…ah. So, you've heard? I'm very sorry about Dante, Shinobu."
"He's not dead. Unless I see his body for myself, I refuse to believe Dan would just die like that." Shinobu said, taking a deep breath to calm herself down. "I want to know what happened inside. Please, Erika."
There was a moment of silence on the other side of the phone. Just as Shinobu was getting agitated, Erika finally replied. "Alright. However, the information I know is also limited. Let's meet at the entrance of the Snow Portal- I know someone who may know more about the incident."
Shinobu thanked her very much before ending the call. She looked towards Focalors, and saw that her friend/sister had also finished inquiring whatever it was at her home.
"Just like Furina said, the information we got is limited." Focalors said before Shinobu could ask, then, her voice became lower. "They could only confirm that the one behind this incident is very likely a Legendary Pokemon."
"A Legendary…?" Shinobu clenched her fist. Those mythical beings who were said to embody a natural disaster- they were involved in this?
She suppressed the doubts and despair forming inside her and set off towards the Snow Portal to meet with Erika. Focalors followed her, as well as Furina and Clorinde.
They rode on the two Dragonite in Focalors' possession (one her own, the other her father lent her) and reached their destination in no time. Unfortunately, they arrived too early and Erika was still not there.
What they did find were a multitude of people and Pokemon gathered near the entrance of the Snow Portal. Reporters, who might have gotten some news, were strictly blocked by strict-looking, official personnel.
Their arrival drew glances from both sides, especially with the way they were riding two Pseudo-Legendaries. However, after looking around and seeing no trace of Erika, they continued to hover above the air to wait for her.
It didn't take long before they saw Erika arrive riding on her Togekiss. The Grass-type Gym Leader signalled them to follow and they flew together towards a nearby hotel.
Shinobu and Focalors recognized the building- it was the hotel Dan stayed in before venturing into the ruins. He sent them a selfie of himself with it as the background just a few days ago- him riding on Ursaring while Pikachu and Eevee were perched on his shoulders.
The two girls simultaneously looked at each other, complicated emotions swirling in those eyes. He was clearly very alive back then. Why were they now investigating the possibility of his death?
After a while, their group landed on the spacious lawn beside the entrance. Focalors took back the two Dragonite and Erika did the same with her Togekiss.
"You must be Furina and Focalors. Shinobu told me much about you- I'm sorry we had to meet under this circumstance." Erika greeted with a polite bow.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Erika. We're very thankful for your help with regards to what happened to Dante." Focalors said, mirroring the bow. Furina echoed the same sentiment.
After the customary greeting, Erika didn't waste more time with pleasantries and led them inside the hotel.
As a Gym leader, Erika was very well-known. There was already a staff member waiting to serve her just after she walked a couple of steps. However, Erika politely but firmly refused their service and beelined straight for the elevator. Shinobu and the others followed suit.
They climbed up to the 18th floor, a floor exclusively for VIPs, and stopped in front of an ornately decorated door.
"This is…?" Shinobu asked probingly.
"It's where the informant I was talking about is staying." Erika said, before pressing the doorbell, "Don't get too surprised later."
With a click, the door opened to reveal…an Incineroar. It gave their group a glance, pausing particularly on Erika and Clorinde, before roaring towards the inside of the room.
"Sorry, just one moment." A female voice echoed from inside, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. Then, a figure with flowing red hair and wearing a skintight black outfit stepped into view.
Shinobu and the others were surprised. They didn't expect the informant Erika was talking about to be someone from the Elite Four- Mavuika!
While Furina and Clorinde was only surprised, Shinobu and Focalors were more excited. They both knew. Mavuika was the leader of the team Dante was assigned to. If anyone could tell them his current situation the best, Mavuika was the best candidate.
"Sorry about that, everything's just been in a rush these past few days. Come on in." Mavuika gave everyone an apologetic glance before ushering them in.
Once they were seated, Shinobu opened her mouth to speak when Mavuika raised her hand and stopped her.
"Erika already told me everything. This information isn't supposed to be disclosed to the public, but considering your relationship with Dante, I'll share all the non-vital information I know. Is that alright?"
Shinobu swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth and nodded. And with that, Mavuika began to retell all the important information she knew about Dante's situation.
She told them how Dante used only Eevee to knock down every Pokemon in their path and pave the way to the ruins. Then, he beat Shenhe in an arm-wrestling match and gained Alder's approval to join the vanguard team.
With three Champions in the team, as well as two Elites, combined with what Dante showed earlier, Mavuika had been reasonably assured regarding his safety.
Then, a massive earthquake occurred just a day after. It was so powerful they had to evacuate the non-combat personnel in fear of the ruins collapsing. What followed after was Alder leading the able-bodied members of the vanguard team to evacuate.
"And Dante didn't come along?" Shinobu asked, unable to contain herself.
"No, he didn't. Along with 7 other Trainers. Their team had encountered a powerful Pokemon at the end of the ruins, one that caused a massive chasm after just a single punch. We suspect their bodies have fallen inside that hole."
"Then doesn't that mean Dante could still be alive?!" Furina perked up from the side. Shinobu and Focalors also had the same thought, however, seeing the grim expression on Mavuika's face, they felt an ominous premonition.
"I thought so too at first. However, Alder," Mavuika paused, trying to organize her words, "from the clues he had gathered, he deduced where the punch landed. And that location…was very likely at the spot where Dante was standing."
"N-no…" Furina whimpered, her hands covering her mouth.
"Dan…" Focalors' eyes turned somewhat vacant.
"Even so, that doesn't confirm Dante's dead, right?" Shinobu suddenly cut in, her voice unlike the despairing ones of Furina and Focalors. "Have you gone back and checked the chasm?"
Mavuika inwardly sighed when she saw Shinobu's stubborn look. However, she didn't dampen the girl's enthusiasm and just answered her question.
"Not yet. With the strength that Pokemon had shown, we had to call for assistance from the Global Alliance. We're just waiting for support to arrive before we head back to search for any survivors."
"I-is that so." Shinobu bit her lip. Although she wanted to come along, she knew herself best. Even if she joined in, she'd just hold the rescuers back and decrease the chances of rescuing Dante.
Focalors also thought the same. She palmed the Pokeball that contained her Father's Dragonite. Her Father should be joining the rescue, right? She had to give Dragonite back to him- both for his sake and Dante's.
Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Mavuika thought for a bit before saying, "If it's any consolation, in addition to Dante, one of the Champions who came also went missing inside the chasm. So in addition to us, another country would exert their full effort during the search-and-rescue to find her."
A/N: Welp, there's still one chapter left in my stockpile but I'll stop uploading here for now. September flew by and I still wasn't able to write the one chapter which should have ended this story. By this point, until I finished that, then just consider Dante dead lmao