4 Ch. 4 A New Mystery

[Officer Jenny POV, Jenny's Office]

"Got it, is there anything else you need from me?" I ask.

"No, just make sure to keep an eye on him. Serena is investigating something in the area he says he was in, though we can't say for sure they're related. Please let us know if something comes up. We'll keep you informed as well," Calem responded.

"Ok, thank you, Champion Calem," I said just before he could end the call. There was something about that Marco guy that didn't add up. His profile data showed he's always been in the database, but the information… That showed he was practically a ghost, recently added to cover up another identity. The amnesia he's dealing with, and Joy's medical examination, scream foul play at several different levels. Add to that he's Paldean, a region that is still closed-off despite its recent joining with the Pokémon League, and I have a case that is way above my paygrade.

Champion Calem, despite how serious and detached he was, had always been one to get things done. This only grew after dealing with Lysandre, an effect that bloomed in all of us. Except, if I went to the Elite 4, they'd only get slowed down by bureaucracy. 

Despite their strength and political power, they were still hired by the League. Only the Champion, Augustine Sycamore, and unaffiliated Trainers were free to move around and investigate big things like this. Everyone else had to deal with nosy businessmen and politicians wanting to know if it was worth the time.

I sat with a sigh, a headache starting to form. I knew there was more to this than a simple Psychic-type being malicious. But I also knew that there was a lot that the higher-ups refused to let the public know. 

Well, if the Champion needed help, the Jenny clan would always be happy to deliver justice.

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[Unknown POV, PokéLeague HQ]

Calem sat in his chair, contemplating the decisions he would soon have to make. 

The phone call he received from Officer Jenny made him apprehensive. It wasn't all that long ago that Elio had told him about a danger he was warned about by Necrozma. Now, he had a person of interest with a seemingly forged League profile. Except, the Porygons and Rotoms used to investigate found that it was all legitimate. 

He was glad Serena was near the area already. She informed him about a spike in Infinity Energy in the area, a spike similar to that of the appearance of a high-tier Legendary. When combining the two sets of information, Calem could only guess at what was happening to the world. And that was why he called for a meeting among the Champions of other regions and their advisors.

The door to his office opened, the light momentarily blinding Calem as Professor Augustine Sycamore walked in. "Bonjour, Calem. It's good to see you."

"Hello, Professor Sycamore. It's been a while since our last meeting," Calem responded with a small smile.

"What have I told you about being so formal with me, mon ami?" Sycamore lightly chided his, at one point in time, sponsored Trainer. "You defeated Lysandre and stopped the Ultimate Weapon. If anything, I should be formal with you, monsieur Champion."

The two looked at each other before laughing at their ongoing joke. Sycamore soon stopped, however. Taking a look at the report Calem had on his desk, Sycamore proceeded to bring a chair next to the Kalos Champion and sat down.

"This is a problem," he concluded.

"I know," Calem said. "That's why I called a meeting with the others. I think this is gonna be a major event. One that will affect more than just Kalos or Alola."

Sycamore's face hardened at Calem's revelation. Just before he could respond, several lights flashed throughout the room. Holograms of people, of Champions and their advisors, appeared.

"Alola, how's it going Calem?" said a tanned teen with black layered hair spoke brightly. Next to him stood a tanned man with a goatee and a lab coat, his chest exposed because of the distinct lack of a shirt. 

"Oh, nice! It's the Masked Royal, innit," a brown haired girl with a green cap said, her Galarian accent shining through. Next to her stood a rather tall redhead in a brown trenchcoat.

"Really? Where?!" exclaimed the tanned man without a shirt, looking around nervously.

"Ha! Got 'em," a tall blue-eyed woman said, her long brown hair tied into two buns with the ends trailing down to her hips. Everyone else just chuckled, amusement evident in their eyes. Calem coughed, gaining everyone's attention.

"Thanks for showing, everyone," he said. "I've got a serious update."

"When don't you," a blue haired woman in a black dress shirt and pink skirt drawled. "Every time we hear from you, it's all 'We've got a serious situation' and not a 'Hey, let's all go grab a pizza and beer.'"

"Oi, some here are minors," the redhead sternly responded, earning a pout from both the blue-haired woman and brown-haired teen.

"Sonia is right, Dawn," a blonde-haired woman chastised the blue-haired woman. "It always ends up being something big, so at least listen before you start complaining.

"Fine," Dawn grumbled. "I wish you were on my side more often, Cynthia."

This caused almost every participant to laugh. Almost. Calem and Augustine were stone-faced the entire conversation.

"Oh shit," a man with gray eyes and black hair hidden by an iconic black and yellow hat said, his youthful voice echoing out. "If Professor Sycamore isn't laughing, this is serious."

Everyone then finally took notice of the esteemed professor's demeanor. The air filled with anticipation as the group waited for the Kalos Champion and Professor to begin explaining.

"Thank you, Ethan," Calem said. A screen brightened to show several images of Marco and the reports he had in hand. "I hope you all received the reports. We have three things this time."

The screen zoomed into one of the reports, written by Serena. Calem continued, "Elio, we took your warning to heart. Serana has noticed some sharp spikes in Infinity Energy in the unexplored areas. Earlier today, there was an increase in Santalune Forest. One that is consistent with that of Legendary activity."

The room's temperature seemingly dropped, tension growing in the room.

"That's not all," Calem continued. "Not too long ago, I received a call from the Officer Jenny stationed in Santalune City. She told me about a man who happened to come across some Team Flare agents who were mauled to death by a Pyroar pride. The man reported the agents to a Ranger, who then investigated and found a group of dead Rangers not far from the reported location. The man also reported not being able to remember anything. Nurse Joy's report concluded he did indeed have amnesia, but there was also lingering Psychic-type energy in his brain."

Before the others could say anything, Professor Sycamore took over the meeting. "I've also had several reports of pockets of unstable energy throughout Kalos. They have not been occurring very often, but they've been significant enough to impact some of my researchers' experiments. I've already asked Diancie for information, but I'm still waiting for that. Elio, have you heard anything from Necrozma about Ultra Space?"

"Only that Ultra Space was getting rowdy. Apparently many have been developing a sense of fear and dread that can't be explained. I think it may be better if we ask Hoopa," the tanned teen responded. This earned some hardened looks from everyone in the room. The Pasio fiasco was still rather fresh in their minds, though it was a battle-hardened man with a legendary red cap that broke the silence that ensued.

"I'll talk to Lear," Satoshi said, earning shocked looks from everyone.

"He actually spoke," Ethan whispered out.

While everyone was recovering, Calem turned to Satoshi and said, "Thank you. I know that's a sore spot for many of us. 

"As for the rest of us, we'll need to stay vigilant. Cynthia, do you mind getting information from Palkia about those pockets of unstable energy? It may be something affecting our spatial dimensions. I think that's all for now. Although, Professor Oak and Professor Magnolia, do you mind staying for a bit after? I have a question to ask."

With his final statement, everyone said their individual good-byes before logging off of the holographic projectors they used for these meetings. Professors Oak and Magnolia stayed to listen to Calem.

"So, my boy, you said you had a question," the legendary Professor Oak asked.

"Yes, thank you for your time. I wanted to know what your thoughts are on going through this man's memories. I want both of your opinions."

"Mind reading?! Are you sure you want to consider that, mon ami?" Augustine exclaimed. "You know that's not something to suggest lightly."

"Yes," Calem said. "He may have a lot of information on the Team Flare agents and the current happenings with Infinity Energy. In fact, whatever caused his amnesia may have been behind the spikes in Infinity Energy."

"Augustine is right, you know," Professor Magnolia said, "I can understand why, but to suggest it so quickly after these events have transpired… Have you met this person?"

Calem shook his head in response, letting them know he's had no contact whatsoever. "I want to wait and see if he can remember on his own, though I'm afraid something big may happen before that. If he's from Paldea, there may be a Legendary Pokémon that hasn't been discovered behind it. I'd rather have as much information as possible right now to better prepare"

"I understand your caution and sense of urgency," Professor Oak said, his voice heavy with the wisdom one could only gain from making a lifetime of mistakes. "However, we also don't know if there's actually something actively preventing him from remembering. 

"For all we know, it may be a simple case of Team Flare using a Psychic-type on him without his knowing. Whether there's a Legendary Pokémon we don't know about causing all of this, that's a very extreme case. I'd say have someone befriend him first. Let him develop a natural inclination to share any information with us. If you decide you must go through the poor boy's head, he must be aware and fully in agreement. Even then, you'll have to use my own Alakazam. It's better to be safe with such matters."

"Understood, thank you for your input," Calem said, taking a bow before the world's greatest Pokémon Professor in the world. "I won't do anything rash."

With a nod from the two professors, Calem and Augustine were left alone. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Augustine spoke. "Do you truly believe there is an active threat?"

Calem sighed, "That's the thing. I'm not sure, but everything is pointing to it. It's like when I first met Lysandre. Nothing about him was inherently evil or bad, but his demeanor and choice of words put me on edge."

"Yes, well, I'm glad you're being more vigilant about this than I was back then," Augustine said, his tone gaining a more wistful edge.

"Don't continue to beat yourself up, Professor. It's all in the past," Calem comforted him. "Besides, you helped get me into shape so I could bring him down. So in a way, you did stop him."

Augustine smiled, walking to a certain section of the wall and sliding it open. A two-tier cabinet, one tier filled with several amber colored drinks and the other with glass cups, were revealed to the professor. He filled two glasses half-way with ice before pouring in one of the drinks. He walked over and handed one to Calem.

"Paldea's Champions weren't available for this meeting, it seems," he said. They hadn't shown up to any meetings since starting their tenure as Champions eight months ago, a sign that something was happening in Paldea.

"No, they weren't. Wouldn't it be quite the coincidence if that was related to one Marco Pérez?"

Calem asked, his eyes one the drink he was swirling around.

"Quite the coincidence, mon ami."

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Alright, next vote. Should Marco travel solo?

Or should he have a traveling partner?

Or maybe a traveling team?