Gold's POV

Three districts down.

The cold gold bracelet wraps my wrist with its spiritual weight. I really feel for Keldeo.

I hope people back home haven't forgotten about me. Unless they think I'm dead. Not sure what's better.

Keldeo had no one looking for it.

I don't know if someone is looking for me.

"So what's the plan?" Serena asks as we walk away from Lake Poliwag and back to Los Lumeles.

"Well Gold probably shouldn't enter the City," Green starts and I sigh.

"That means I'm travelling through the water," I frown.

"One last time," The brunette girl touches my arm for a moment. "Then onto the Ice District where all the water is frozen."

"Still water," I shiver. "If I'm going underwater, I might as well go through the sewers and return the sword."

"We'll stop by and distract Eric," Green adds. "Then we can meet by the gate."

I nod and we walk the rest of the way in silence.

I'm not sure anyone is looking forward to returning here. Even Ash's fists are clenched.

Soon enough the tall skyscrapers come into view above the trees.

This is where we part ways.

Green's POV

 Ash, Serena, and I watch Gold hesitantly walk into the river and disappear underwater. I tuck his gold and black hat in my bag.

"Let's hurry," Serena says and I nod.

We cross the copper bridge and find the solo house in the city. As usual, the hedges are perfectly trimmed and the flowers in full bloom. 

I just can't look at the house the same anymore.

The guards at the metal security gate let us through, clearly recognizing us from before. 

The flowers start to smell poisonous, telling us to turn around.

"Green!" Eric opens the door, engulfing me in a hug before we can turn around.

"Hi-i," I spit out, my arms barely touching him. "We thought we stop by on our way out."

"Stopping by?" The brunette fixes his sunglasses. "You don't want to stick around?"

"Sorry," I try to say with regret. "We need to keep moving."

"I have another District Leader to beat," Ash says with a hint of sass in his voice.

"Oh well," Eric crosses his arms. "I'll see you soon?"

"Of course," I smile, starting to turn around.

"Hey wait," His tan hand grabs my arm. "You haven't seen my sword anywhere have you? It's been missing the last few days."

I try to keep my body from shaking and I avoid his gaze.

"I was only in your room briefly," I shrug him away. "I don't remember seeing the sword though."

He pauses and I can feel the stare from underneath his sunglasses.

"Oh well," He laughs. "Serves me right for letting all those strangers in my house. We'll catch the culprit though."

"I'm sure you will," I force a laugh out.

"See you later," Serena ends the conversation thankfully.

We walk back through the city and towards the underwater tunnel. All of us stay quiet to avoid saying anything we shouldn't before leaving.

Hopefully Gold's stop was just as quick.

Gold's POV

The house shakes briefly, bits of drywall dust sticking to my clothes.

The closing of the front door I presume.

I could've used a bit more time guys.

It was too risky to put the sword back on the wall. Especially if Eric has already noticed the sword missing, so I just buried it under some clothes in the closet.

I left the hilt barely exposed so Eric will find it eventually. I can't imagine the witch hunt he'll start to find whoever stole it.

However, I can't leave until I replace the hole in the closet. It's becoming a little used up. The eroded edges of the cut have smoothed out, so the piece doesn't stay in place anymore.

I try to balance it on the edge but it's not working.

I use my fingertips to balance the piece of drywall but the slightest movement pushes it through and I need to try again. My hands are becoming sweaty and shaky which is not helping.

thump thump thump

Eric's footsteps are heading this direction.

I'm going to have to cut my losses. Surely Eric knows about the sewer entrance and maybe the piece fell out on its own.

I try one last time but the drywall falls onto the carpeted floor of the bedroom closet. The bedroom door opens and I drop down the ladder and run as fast as I can.

I'll call that a success.

Serena's POV

"It feels like forever since we've been here," I say as we arrive in the Capital.

"I guess it has been," Green agrees and leads us to her apartment. It's been a long a day of walking so the queen beds will feel nice tonight.

"Do you have to see Triton while we're here?" Gold asks, dried out after his swim around Los Lumeles.

"Maybe I should," She thinks out loud. "I'll figure that out tomorrow."

"We can go with you," I suggest. "He may want to hear how our travels are going."

"Mhm," The Elemente native nods.

"Do you know the next plate you need to find?" Gold asks but she shakes her head.

"Probably not the one in the Ice District," She says.

"Why?" I ask.

"The Ice District is one Elemente's military districts," Green explains but we continue to look at her for more. "That means there's a base and the people are generally more supportive of Triton."

"So the opposite of the Bug District?" I say and she nods.

"Exactly," Green finds her family's apartment building.

"Sounds lovely," Gold says sarcastically.

"It'll be fine," Green assures him. "I know the District well."

Before she can elaborate, the building receptionist stops us at the elevator.

"Green!" She calls the girl over. "Triton wanted to see you next time you're in the Capital."

"Speaking of," Gold says under his breath.

"Can you let me friend up?" Green asks and the receptionist nods. "We can go see Triton now."

"Good luck," Gold says and Eevee, back in her Eevee form, runs after him.

We follow Green like kids behind a parent as we head back outside. 

I don't remember getting a good look at the Triton building the first time we were there. Like the Triton's home in Los Lumeles, building is a bit of an understatement.

It's a modern day castle if I've ever seen one. A tall black and purple skyscraper stands at the corner of the square-like configuration of the Capital.

It rises above all others and has two sky bridges towards the two other towers we can see from here at the other corners of the city. Another bridge also goes towards the middle of the city towards a more traditional fortress styled building.

Quite the building to say the least.

A final battle location if I've ever seen one.

We definitely never crossed those sky bridges the first time we met the President so he must work out of the corner skyscrapers. The city sized fortress is his private home.

Purple sliding doors open and we walk into the building. The receptionists must know Green because they let her take us wherever we need to go. An elevator ride and bunch of hallways later, we make it to Triton's office.

The first thing I notice in the grand office is the display case of colourful rock plates. The pale Bug Plate sits in its new spot.

It's a shame it didn't get lost during its delivery here.

"Green!" The President exclaims and stands up from his grand wooden desk. "It's good to see you as well Ash and Serena."

President Triton is sharply dressed as per usual in his expensive dark purple fit. His black tie matches his short hair, a few grey strands peeking through.

"Hice to see you as well," I bow my head slightly.

"Well take a seat," He gestures to the large black armchairs in front of his desk. Each are cushioned and look quite comfy.

They squeak through the quiet office when we sit down.

"I'm glad I could grab you guys," Triton leans over the desk. "You've been quite busy."

"We have," Green laughs with some hesitation.

"I should thank you for your help with the Pokemon Hunters," Triton smiles. "It sounded like that was quite the dangerous situation."

Green's face drops. This might be the end of the journey.

"I'm glad we were there," I speak up.

The President raises an eyebrow. "Glad?"

"We were able to protect the village," Ash joined. "Without us there, it would have been way harder for them to defend Caventree."

"That's the benefit of having strong trainers around," I smile at Green.

"That's a good point," The President spins in his chair and looks out the window.

The window points towards the Bug District, the flowery first route ahead.

"That was the whole point of having military recruits travel around," Triton explains. "Except that program died out in a lot of Districts like the Bug District. Anyway, I didn't bring you here to shut down your adventure or anything."

I exhale a breath of relief, along with Green.

"As long as you all feel safe doing so," He looks mostly at the brunette girl.

"Of course," Green says quickly. "There's nothing we can't handle."

"Yea!" Ash cheers with her.

"I'm assuming it'll still be awhile until others are around to travel around the region?" I ask.

"You guys have shown that you can take of yourselves," Triton says. "But clearly it is not safe yet."

"Yea," I frown.

"But," He continues. "I am looking at holding some events in the Capital with some invited International guests."

"Really?" Ash questions. "A battle tournament!?"

"That's on the list," Triton laughs. "And one of those coordinator festivals. I hear you have a friend that may be interested."

"May can come?!" Now I'm screaming like Ash.

I've actually really missed her.

"Yes," Triton moves some papers on his desk. "It'll be a small event but I'm hoping it sparks some interest in a full contest circuit in the future."

"That's amazing," I play with the blue ribbon tied around my wrist. 

I'll be competing again.

"Now that we got that out of the way," Triton guides our attention to the large monitor on his desk. "Since you two are helping Green, I thought I'd show this to all of you."

On the screen is a map of a District I can't identify. It has a long green route that leads to an expansive yellow area. That area is surrounded by what looks like a forest.

"Your Dad told me you're going to the Ice District next so don't feel like you need to change your plans," He begins. "But the next plate I want you to look for is in the Grass District."

"We can go there after the Ice District," Green looks towards us and we nod.

"Great," Triton clicks his mouse. "We've checked a majority of the District and have not had it turn up. It is likely in someone's possession who is not cooperating or the Eternal Forest."

"Eternal Forest?" I ask.

"The largest explored forest in the region," Green says and the President nods. "There are routes through it but I've heard stories that the paths change overnight."

"It's true," The President nods. "Make sure you are prepared before you go in."

"Mhm," I nod. 

Sounds lovely.

"I've taken up enough of your time," The President announces and stands up.

I still can't get a read on the most powerful person in the region.

I know he's the bad guy in all this but the way he cares for Green and the way he genuinely wants to improve the region doesn't add up. 

He also doesn't seem to be hiding anything, the Arceus plates on full display.

"What are these plates for?" Ash asks and I nearly trip over my feet.

"Ash!" I exclaim.

Did he not get the memo?

"Haha Green must not have told you," Triton laughs and stops us in front of the display case. "I'm surprised you haven't come across them in your legendary adventures. They are plates of Arceus."

"Cool," Ash says.

"We better get going," I keep Ash from asking any more questions.

"I'm surprised you don't have Eric out looking for these," Green speaks up this time and I mentally facepalm.

"That boy won't leave Los Lumeles," Triton holds a hand to his forehead. "He doesn't think much past girls and partying."

Green stifles a giggle, knowing that's absolutely true.

"Thanks again for your work Green," Triton leaves us at the exit to his office. "These plates are vital to Elemente's safety."

But at what cost.