Dr. Mortimer Phene - In search of legendary pokemon Kyogre

31/12/2014

I will continue my account from yesterday. Having tracked Kyogre’s path to the Cave of Origin in Sootopolis I encountered Mr. Stone, Mr. Wallace the gym leader of Sootopolis and much to my surprise the remaining members of Team Aqua along with leader of Team Magma Maxie. Kyogre’s shelter is too deep for anyone to reach unaided. The Red Orb I have been entrusted to carry contains some of the ancient power of Groudon. Kyogre’s equal and opposite. It offered some form of protection from the swirling waves by the heat that it radiated. I entered the cave. Inside it was similar to the Seafloor Cavern, a series of water smoothed rooms but leading downward, forever downward in a spiralling pattern. The cavern quaked and shook at irregular intervals, testament to the Pokémon of legend within, and the lower floors were filled with a thick sea mist. The entire area shook and as I went deeper I could barely see at all. It was only after I took a step forwards and my foot splashed into water that I realized the lake I had been looking far was right in front of me. The shadow I thought was a stone resolved itself into the shape of the Kyogre in front of me. The large whale-like Pokémon opened its mouth, lined with sharp meat-rending teeth. Its eyes focused on me and it turned in the water in preparation to dive. The radio in the Dive Suit crackled and for the first time the channel was opened. Archie talked to me over the radio, saying that Kyogre was going to enter the deepest part of the cave to unlock its Primal Reversion.

With a deep breath I leapt forwards and gripped Kyogre’s dorsal fins. The water typed dived. Water rushed past me at incredible speeds and I was blinded. The pressure was incredible as Kyogre dived even deeper, all there was between me and a crushing death was the Dive Suit I repossessed from Team Aqua. The pressure held me against the legendary Pokémon’s back and I knew if I let go I would be lost in the waves. I held on as tight as I could and waited. Kyogre surfaced and the air pressure stabilized. These air pockets, ancient caverns from thousands of years ago must be burnt into the Kyogre’s brain as safe havens to breathe when under threat. There isn’t a being that can dive as deeply as Kyogre after all, even in this day. When it surfaced it was in a place that was older than cities. Crystals of blue gleamed all over the underwater cavern, shedding light into the darkness. Kyogre surfaced into the cavern and shook me off its back. The light of the crystals has led to the growth of strange lichens around the patches of light. The legendary Pokémon bucked and threw me off its back. I managed to swim ashore with the strangely heavy water of the lake clinging to my skin. The Kyogre drew the water up around it where it began to harden it a shell of salt. The air pressure shuddered against the Dive Suit as darkness built up inside the shell. Primal reversion…

I had no wish to harm Kyogre, even if the Pokémon of legend has no such compunctions. It is startled and defensive. If I battled it there was a high chance that any damage I did would make it even angrier. I selected a Pokéball as a flare of blue shone from within the darkness and the crust of salt shattered. Kyogre had grown to over double its size, nearly ten meters in length. Its formerly blue and red skin becomes a dark navy with the red skin flaring the bright yellow of deep-sea luminesce. The white underbelly became transparent, displaying the pulsing orange organs within. Kyogre is a predator in all parts of the seas, able to withstand the highest pressures and plunge into the deepest parts of the ocean. It can hold its breath for ten hours before returning to the surface to breathe. Kyogre even uses its elongated fins to drag itself briefly onto beaches in pursuit of prey. The rough rock roof of the cavern became obscured as the air trembled. Storm clouds started to form along the ceiling and crackled with electricity. Rain began to hammer down. Without the Dive Suit I likely would have bruised from the pressure of it. The raindrops ran across my mask and sprayed across the ground. Before Kyogre could muster and attack I sent out Beta to calm it with hypnosis. I crept around the side in an attempt to contain it.

The ancient water type’s body was marked with old scars from battle with whatever lurked in the depths. Its storm generating organs pulsed as it forcibly rang moisture from the air to bolster its water type attacks. Beta focused, his eyes a glow of psychic energy as he whispered ancient words to lull the massive whale-like Pokémon into docility. The flap of the wing-like fins started to slow and the Kyogre seemed to having trouble keeping its eyes open. Calling out an order to Beta the Gardevoir dragged energy from the water type, reducing its ability to fight. While its gaze was focused on Beta I managed to sneak around behind the wing and lay a hand on its side. In my pack I had a few vials of medicine capable of calming a Pokémon the size of Kyogre. While Beta focused his psychic might on keeping Kyogre calm I uncorked and administered a shot. The water type’s skin was thick and rubbery but the small pain broke Kyogre from its trance. It snapped and struck out at Beta. To Beta’s eternal credit he barely flinched as the Origin Pulse struck him. Instead he redoubled his efforts, pulling Kyogre back into a relaxed state. I depressed the plunger and ran over to him, treating the gashes on his front with a Hyper Potion. Kyogre flapped its wings lazily before with a bright flare of light it released the energy from its primal reversion. The light shone upwards, flooding the cavern and forcing me to cover my eyes. For a Pokémon of its size it would need multiple doses to put in fully under but I had judged correctly. One vial was enough to calm it. The rainclouds faded from the cavern all and hopefully from the cavern itself.

With Kyogre no longer causing the rain I had time to properly tend to Beta’s wounds. The green skin of his forearms has gone purple with bruising but thankfully there are no broken bones. Kyogre calmed after the shot, watching with dull eyes but making no attempt to relax or flee. After providing all the first aid I could to Beta I attempted to approach it. Kyogre no longer was feeling under threat after its rude awakening and seemed content to wait in the cave while I tossed Poképuffs into its large mouth. After being feed the ancient water type seemed to relax. I was even able to sketch it and perform a complete check-up. Kyogre is in good health and is estimated to be an adolescent. As usual there are no identifiable genitalia to determine gender. I nicknamed it Zeta and, after enough feeding and a few tentative pats, the Water Type Pokémon carried me back to shore. Once we surfaced the skies were calm, a sign Zeta feels at peace. They half beached themselves with mouth wide open while I emptied the last of the Poképuffs into its open mouth. Then Mr. Wallace, Mr. Stone and leaders of both Team Aqua and Team Magma entered the cavern and it dove under. I have not seen it since but I can imagine it has returned to the seabed to hunt. It may be years if not longer before it is ever sighted again. Yet for that one glorious moment I not only saw the Pokémon of my research thesis I was permitted to examine it and touch it and ride on its back. The feeling was indescribable.

1/1/2015

My thesis is completed with full record of my medical report on Kyogre and police statements regarding the situation. As per protocol I have sent in two digital copies and two physical copies and kept two of each for myself. Once my paper completes peer review the information I have gathered on Kyogre could be published. I have decided to keep updating this journal as it serves as a good record of what has happened to me in the region. Clean-up efforts are still underway but my reports have been filed and with the sentencing of Team Aqua the police do not require my presence until I am called to make a testimony during the trial. I had time to devote to the task of looking after Epsilon.

Today it was time for the bandages to come off and besides a crease in the feathers her wing is fully healed. Epsilon did a cheerful spiral in the air and nuzzled her way into my arms. With her wing repaired she can now fly in search of a new nest. However she didn’t seem to leave my side. With Delta I am capable of flight all over the region. The Salamance’s red wings are very durable and he does not object to carrying me long distances. I have returned to Mossdeep to speak with Mr. Stone regarding finding a new home for her. He has given me some valuable books on the Eon Pokémon and its environments. Isolated islands with high cliffs are favoured by the species, which displays dimorphism between male and female to the point which the ancient Hoenn people assigned different names to them (as a Latias Epsilon is female) but both members of the species prefer the sea-side cliffs for nesting and fishing. Hoenn is a region dotted with many islands, most small enough to accommodate the peaceful environment a pair needs to raise a chick. They mate for life on an island, the chick grows to adulthood then moves on to find an island of its own. The delicacy of this means that no Latias/Latios couple has ever reproduced in captivity. Remnants of the ancient culture destroyed in the war 3,000 years ago mark places the Eon Pokémon prefer to roost, a throwback to when they were kept as temple Pokémon according to contempory sources. Mr. Stone also observed the reason for Epsilon’s attachment to me is likely due to our initial encounter. Riding on Mr. Stone’s Latios caused its scent to rub off on my clothes, leading to Epsilon identifying me as a potential mate. As they mate for life Epsilon’s distress at my absence becomes more reasoned. As she is still young she is not completely tamed but our interactions have become a lot more awkward.

Mr. Stone suggested I head towards Petalburg to consult Mr. Norman. While the Gym Leader is hardly an expert on Latias/Latios he has good knowledge of the islands of the area. The new Slateport Ferry has been completed and is going on a Tour of the islands as its maiden voyage. Mr. Stone entrusted me with his complimentary ticket, stating he never cared for public events and he trusts me to put it to better use. I thanked him profusely and following our discussion rose on Delta to Petalburg. Mr. Norman kindly allowed me a map on which he marked a few likely locations. None of the islands he marked had any mineral wealth or other importance so the likelihood of tourists visiting was slim to none. The point of this voyage is the triumph of technology in creating the cruise ship, stops on each island would be swift before moving on to the next. I stayed at the edge of the ship for most of the journey while Epsilon flew alongside the ship and disappeared whenever she thought someone was close by. The time the ship docked I went to explore. The island was verdant but largely flat. There were no cliffs from which a young Lati chick could learn to glide. Epsilon cheerfully shed her illusion as soon as we were out of sight, zooming through the forest playfully and picking up twigs and interesting bugs to drop in my lap. Before long the cruise ship was ready to depart and Epsilon returned to cheerfully gliding alongside the massive construction. I crossed the island off my list.

I got lucky on the third island, this one with an expansive forest and a sea cliff. The map marked it as Southern Island. With Epsilon at my side I went to explore the cliff face and was pleasantly surprised to see a blue-feathered shape perched on the cliff. Epsilon seemed very interested in the Latios and, though the male Eon Pokémon was wary about me, the interest seemed neutral. I managed to carefully sneak away, giving the two some alone time while I explored the ruined temple. The structure is rather sturdy and many of the columns still remain. My ancient languages are a bit rusty but on the altar was engraved (as best I can translate)
“All dreams are but another reality. Never forget.”

On top of the altar was a curiously shaped flute with extended fins. It was in pristine condition for its age. I picked it up and gave it a test blow. The sound bubbled curious in my ears and Epsilon landed next to me and nuzzled my hand. Her Latios friend watched from a distance. Apparently they respond to the sound of the flute. I quickly reassured her that I didn’t need her for anything and, with a lingering backwards glance, I pocketed the flute and let her play. As time passed she looked back to me less and less until when the time came for me to leave the island she only noticed I had left when I was on the beach. She nuzzled at my chest for a moment before flitting back before she was spotted. I wish her my best; there is no chance of the ship returning to this island. I have kept the flute to remind me of her.

2/1/2015

I have returned to Sootopolis to challenge the gym there. The gym’s leader, Wallace, is the final Gym Leader in his region I must face. Once I have obtained all eight Pokémon badges I show I am qualified to face the Pokémon league. I am not sure if I wish to do; as confident as I am in the strength of my team I am no professional battler. My pursuit in Gym Badges has been solely to prove my credentials are a researcher. Many start their Pokémon training at a young age and so far I feel I have done a good job in keeping my Pokémon happy and healthy. Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Clear and Sunny…Without them I could never have gotten this far. If nothing else I think it will be good for them to reach that peak. I will decline a battle with the Champion though. I will have plenty of time afterwards to complete my research.

The Sootopolis Gym is situated on a neat little island in the middle of the central lake. As a town built into the walls of a caldera lake the only way in is either through flying or surfing. Nearly everyone has a Pokémon to Surf on so access is never any problem for the locals. Any visitor likely has their own way to get to the Lake. I spent a few moments relaxing with Sunny (he rather enjoys Surfing and I second the sentiment) before heading towards the Gym. However I appeared to have taken a wrong turning, direction never being my strong suit, and ended up at a different part of the lake. There were no houses built into the rock wall there, just a path of darker water under the crater’s rim where the ocean could get through. There I was surprised to find Zeta.

The Kyogre is looking well and the absence of rain fall means that they are relaxed in the environment. None the less I was surprised to see the Sea Basin Pokémon again. I kept enough of a distance to avoid startling the large water type and it did not notice me. Instead it waited around the area until a second shadow built in the water. To my surprise another Kyogre then surfaced. This Kyogre that I have nicknamed Iota displays a vibrant magenta coloration and appears larger than Theta. It appears to be a few years older but how many is unknown without tissue samples. The relationship between the two is unknown but it is a sign that Zeta has joined or re-joined a pod. Diving deep underwater to hunt abyssal prey it is a rare sight to see any Kyogre surfaced except when in pursuit of food. The two appear to be engaging in sunbathing to restore their core temperature after a long dive in the deep waters. While the thick layer of fat insulates Kyogre from most of the cold they have been documented to enjoy time cruising along the surface as well. I managed to get sketches of them both before they dived back under. It is a wonderful thing to see that Zeta is not only alive but, somewhere deep in the seas of Hoenn, there are more Kyogre out there.