The Chasm

After nearly a week of straight training in the underground arena of Steven’s villa, May was exhausted. Her mentor definitely did his homework when choosing her teacher; Elesa was unstoppable as a wielder, blindingly fast and incredibly powerful. She drove May to the limit day after day in an attempt to help her master synchronization, a necessary skill for a young wielder and one that May seemed to have terrible difficulty with. Luckily, Elesa’s incredible teaching skills paid off, and May had finally gotten the hang of synchronizing with her partner, Kyogre.

After several successful ranged matches, Elesa had switched May’s opponent from herself to one of the girl’s own Pokémon: her Blaziken. A dual fighting/fire-type, Blaziken was an ideal match for close combat practice; the large bipedal bird was exceptionally humanoid and stood a good head taller than May, his powerful legs covered in bright, shaggy feathers. Blaziken’s thin, muscular arms ended in sharp-clawed hands, flames bursting from his wrists as he jived back and forth in anticipation of his Trainer’s move.

May knew from experience how fierce her Pokémon could be in a battle, yet she had somehow managed to beat him several times already; in hindsight, she figured her intense matches against Elesa had something to do with it. As she stood across the arena from her Pokémon May took a deep breath and gripped her staff tightly.

“You ready?” she asked, watching the runes on her staff pulse steadily.

“As always,” Kyogre replied in her head, “Let us defeat this overgrown chicken!”

“Alright, May, for this match I want you to subdue Blaziken in as few moves as possible,” Elesa said, leaning against a wall far to the side of the arena. “In battle, the fewer moves you allow your opponent to make equals more time you get to live. And Kyogre, no transforming this time, please; stay in weapon form the entire battle. Now go!”

Blaziken shot forward with blinding speed, his flaming fist poised to strike, but May expertly parried with the blade of her staff.

“Blay!” Blaziken shouted, swinging a massive leg towards her in a powerful kick. May countered with another swing of her staff, the steel blade clinging on Blaziken’s sharp talons as she deflected his attack. With the speed of a martial arts master Blaziken resumed his punches but May rolled behind him and swung again, forcing Blaziken to fall back to regroup.

Now on the offensive, May shouted and lunged at her Pokémon, striking him with a powerful overhand swing of her staff. Blaziken crossed his arms over his head to block and thrust a clawed foot towards May while she was in close, but the streamers on May’s staff jumped to life, lashing themselves around Blaziken’s leg and halting his foot only inches from her chest. May mustered all of her strength into a forceful upward swing of her staff, hoisting Blaziken high into the air with a shout and sending him tumbling across the arena.

“Very good,” Elesa commented, pleased at the level of her ability.

Blaziken quickly composed himself, regaining his footing before launching a billowing flamethrower from his beak. The flames jetted towards May, but this time she was far from helpless. Her blue eyes flashed red, and with a quick twirl and lunge of her staff she sent an enormous rush of water from its tip towards the incoming flamethrower. The waters consumed the flames in a burst of steam, continuing right on to their source and dousing Blaziken in a cascade of blue; he yielded, falling to the ground unconscious.

Elesa’s lone applause echoed over the sound of dripping water, pulling May from her empowered state. She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply as her eyes returned to their normal blue.

“That was very good!” her teacher congratulated, breaking her role as harsh instructor in order to hug her. “Now, while you beat him with a ranged move you did hold your own in close combat so I call that a win!” Her headphone cables moved of their own accord, wrapping themselves around May’s body in their own embrace.

“Thanks,” May smiled, now used to the strange sensation. “And it’s all thanks to you, you’re the best, Elesa! Steven’s going to be so proud of me!”

“Well you worked hard for it, that’s for sure. I’m just surprised it took you this long; you’ve got some incredible natural talent!”

May blushed, “Thanks; that’s really sweet of you to say!”

“It’s the truth! I’ve never met a wielder that was as naturally skilled as you before they were trained. I wasn’t even that good!”

May suddenly grew excited, “So, you know other wielders, then? Who?! What are they like?”

“Whoa there,” Elesa said, trying to calm her down, “Are you saying you haven’t?”

“No…” May said, dropping to the floor to rest. “Steven never introduced me to anyone else. Aside from him, you’re the only other one I’ve met.”

“There’s a reason for that,” Steven said, startling the both of them as he entered the arena.

“Steven!!” May shouted, happily climbing to her feet and running to hug him. “When did you get back?”

“Just now,” he smiled, patting her on the head. “And it seems my little student’s been busy; I hear you’ve learned to synchronize!”

May’s face squinted in pleasure as he rubbed her head, overjoyed that she had finally achieved his goal for her.

“I did,” she smiled proudly, “You should see me in action; I’m pretty amazing.”

“I’m sure you are,” he said, like a father congratulating his child. “And Elesa; thank you so much for your help. I knew I made the right choice with you!”

“My pleasure,” she bowed, her cables swinging, “I’m always ready to help! And it’s not like I could disobey a direct order from the Champion of Hoenn,” she muttered sarcastically.

Steven rolled his eyes at her wit, gazing around his beaten-up arena. “I see Blaziken has been doing his part as well…” he said, noting the Pokémon still passed out on the ground.

“Ooh, right,” May remembered, jogging over to her bag against the wall. While she took care of her Pokémon, Elesa slipped over to Steven and scooted up next to him, one of her cables rising and massaging his back.

“So, Steven,” she began, her voice syrupy, “Why is it you’ve kept this beautiful girl all to yourself? Don’t you want her to meet other wielders her age?”

Steven cleared his throat, “It wasn’t my choice to make,” he said, squirming uneasily as the cable slithered along his body, “Cynthia determined it would be best for only a select few to know the identities of the other children. And even then, not all of the identities were disclosed.”

“And why would she do that?” Elesa asked, glancing up at him and searching his face for any sort of tell. “It sounds to me like she’s pulling a few too many strings. She’s going to wind up getting her hands tied…”

Steven chuckled; not the sort of response she was hoping for.

“Sinnoh’s Champion is more than capable,” he said, stepping away from her. “What she says goes; and if she is truly pulling too many strings, I’d gladly step up and hold a few for her. You’d be wise to do the same.”

Elesa sighed, “It’s not a question of loyalty,” she said, her voice returning to normal, “We all know the side we want to be on when that day comes. No… the question is why she’s so sure that this generation is the right one from the prophecy. Even the goddesses seem hesitant, yet she’s unwavering in her belief. Why? What’s she know that we don’t?”

“You’re suggesting she’s being deceitful?”

“No, not deceitful; just… shrewd. Like I said, it’s no question of loyalty. But you should know there are some of us that feel things are a little out of place…”

“I’d be careful if I were you,” Steven said sternly, looking her straight in the eye. “That’s a dangerous path you’re starting down.”

“Um, Steven? I heard ‘be careful’ and ‘dangerous’; what exactly are you talking about?” May asked, having suddenly rejoined their conversation. Her voice was soft and timid, as if she were a child catching her parents in a heated debate.

“It’s nothing, May,” Steven said, still watching Elesa intensely. “Isn’t that right?”

Elesa shrugged. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped as her Emolgas glided into the room, circling their Trainer before perching themselves on her shoulders.

“Well then, if I’m no longer needed I’ll be heading upstairs,” she said, turning her back to the two of them. “I’ll be in the bedroom, May; please don’t disturb me.”

May watched her newest teacher disappear through the doorway, one of her cables forcefully slamming the door behind her as she left.

“Steven…” May started, expecting a sudden dismissal as a response. When none came she tried again, finally pulling her mentor from his thoughts.

“What’s that?” he answered, turning towards her. “Oh right, sorry, May, I forgot you were here…”

May pouted, upset that he could forget about her so easily. “Um, is something up between you two? Elesa seemed pretty mad…”

“She’ll be fine; just an argument over a difference in opinion is all.”

“Really?” she asked, looking up at him with concerned eyes.

Steven smiled and put a hand on her head, “Really. Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay,” May agreed as she hugged him tightly. She trusted her mentor completely, and the familiar feeling helped put her mind at ease.

“I have to say, your success in synchronizing came at a perfect time,” he said as they separated, “Cynthia’s decided it’s time for you to meet up with your friends.”

“Wait, she was the one who wanted me to stay here and train? I thought that was your idea!”

“Well…” Steven grinned, “It’s a funny story… You see, I was completely for the idea of you meeting up with your friends, but after you showed such promise on the Tidal, well… Cynthia decided it’d be better for you to finish your training rather than continue with your plans.”

“Humph,” May scoffed, “So you two are just running my life then, huh? I mean I can understand you; after all, you’re my Champion and my mentor, and I’m your student. But why does the Champion of Sinnoh seem to have a claim on me?”

“May…” Steven sighed, taking her under his arm, “Cynthia is the Champion of Champions. She’s above us all; it’s our job to do what she says.”

“But why?” May asked, “What makes her so special? What gives her the right?”

“Officially?” Steven chuckled, “She’s beaten all of the other Champions in their own Leagues, and has technically earned the title Champion for each one. But due to the Pokémon Association prohibiting one person from holding that title for multiple regions, she elected to remain Sinnoh’s.” He shrugged, “Honestly, that alone should be reason enough for us to follow whatever she says.”

“But, unofficially…?” May asked, curious as to what he was holding back.

“Unofficially, Cynthia is the strongest wielder by far, maybe even of all time. She could easily take down the best of us if she wanted to: Skyla, Flint, Clair, you name it.” He laughed again, “I think my longest training match with her actually lasted less than two minutes! She’s more brutish strength than me, faster than Elesa, more vicious than Lance, and more graceful than Caitlin.”

“So you just obey her out of fear?”

“Oh not at all!” Steven corrected, “We respect her. To most people Cynthia is a symbol of the strength and elegance of the Sinnoh region, a sort of role model for them to aspire to. To other people—people like us—she’s more than that. She’s our protector; our unwavering queen. It wouldn’t be far from the truth to say we all owe her our lives.”

May didn’t understand. “But what—”

“I think that’s enough for today,” Steven smiled, dismissing her question. “Are you hungry? I know I am! You did leave some food in the pantry, didn’t you?” he laughed.

May rolled her eyes at his humor; why did everyone think she ate so much? Coincidentally, her stomach was rumbling so she allowed her mentor to leave her question unanswered as she followed him to the door. But suddenly Steven paused mid-step, his hand resting on the doorframe. He didn’t turn or look towards her, but May could hear his voice turn somber.

“There aren’t many who know the extent of Cynthia’s history. I probably wouldn’t have known it myself if Professor Rowan hadn’t taken me aside during one of my trips to Sinnoh. Did you know her partner connected with her when she was just five? Must’ve been terrifying, all that chaos in such a young mind… But she was a true prodigy; Rowan even mentored her himself.” Steven laughed, “It’s funny, Cynthia had mastered synchronization before she was old enough to get her Trainer’s license, and by 14 she was Sinnoh’s new Champion, the youngest in history.”

May was silent, embarrassed for having talked down about someone Steven obviously held so highly, and a little jealous that it wasn’t her. She started to apologize but he interrupted her, saying something that would become the focal point of May’s curiosity from that point on.

“There are some decisions a person should never have to be faced with; decisions that you, I, or even Elesa could never even dream of making. But sometimes… sometimes even the hardest decisions have to be carried out, and Cynthia sacrificed everything to protect the world, even going as far as to…”

May jumped as Steven beat his fist against the doorjamb; Steven Stone was known for many things, but anger wasn’t one of them. But her shock gave way to sympathy when she saw him brush the corner of his eye, revealing his true feelings on the matter.

Steven cleared his throat, recomposing himself but still not facing her. “I’m sorry, May, but I think I’m going to turn in for the night, as well. Sorry for startling you,” he apologized. “It’s probably best if you leave for the mainland tomorrow morning; I’ll have the Tidal moored and waiting for you. Goodnight,” he added, leaving May alone in the empty arena.

◄►

Since the girls had taken the master bedroom—and Elesa had made it very clear she was not to be disturbed—Steven had retired to one of the guest bedrooms in his villa, leaving May free to ponder the statements he’d just recently made. After a short snack break in the kitchen, May had returned downstairs to do a bit of investigating.

The basement complex boasted a hefty computer system, one May had found on her first day in the house. Surrounded by the glow of six monitors, she was using her Elite Clearance badge to search the Devon Corporation’s databanks for information on Cynthia, a search that was proving to be less and less fruitful.

“Nothing…” she groaned, falling back in her chair. It wasn’t that there was a lack of information on Sinnoh’s Champion; in fact there were terabytes of data on the woman, but nothing May could find that sounded even remotely close to what Steven had alluded to.

She rubbed her eyes; the data she was looking for had to be out there somewhere. Someone other than Steven had to know the story. Who was it that had told him? Didn’t he say it had been a professor from Sinnoh..?

“That’s it!” May exclaimed, digging through the bag by her feet, “The professors all share data; they’re bound to know!!”

Flipping open her Pokédex May pulled a cable from its side and connected it to the computer, the green device taking control of the system.

“Access the Birch Labs Research Network,” May said aloud, her Pokédex responding and displaying the Research Network’s logo on the myriad monitors.

“Username and password required,” the Pokédex said, blinking a cursor on the login screen.

“Now to see if Lanette was actually telling the truth when she gave me this…” she said, pulling a crumpled scrap of paper from deep in her bag. Glancing back and forth from the paper to her Pokédex, May carefully entered a specific sequence of keypresses, taking a breath as she held down the final key. “Manual override,” she ordered calmly, “Code: Arceus.”

The monitors went dark as she lifted her finger off the key as the Pokédex completed her request, diverting all of its processing power into hacking the network. The little device made its familiar “BingBing” as the computer came back online, the monitors displaying a welcome screen.

“Manual override accepted. You now have full access to the Birch Labs Research Network.”

“It’s about time I got to use that,” May smiled, “Now, give me everything you have on the Champion of the Sinnoh region.”

Her Pokédex “binged” again, filling all six monitors with pages upon pages of data on Cynthia.

“Now we’re talking,” she grinned, eagerly sifting through the files. Most of them were news stories and articles chronicling her rise to Championship; as the youngest Trainer ever to earn the title the sheer number of articles was staggering, yet as May skimmed through them all something started to become more and more apparent to her. Every single story talked about the young Cynthia as a Trainer, about her Pokémon and about her progression through the league. But none of them—not a single one—talked about Cynthia the girl, about her history, her family, even her hometown. Every article, even the first ever written about her, seemed to lack even a simple biography.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” May said, baffled. “You’re telling me that no one’s compiled a bio on her?!”

Responding to her inquiry, the Pokédex brought another file to her attention, opening it on screen. Several pictures of Cynthia at various ages filled one screen, followed by a document titled “Personal History”. Crossing her fingers, May opened the file only to be filled with disappointment as her eyes were met with rows of blacked-out information.

“How is that even possible?!” she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in defeat as she sarcastically read off the report. “First Name: Cynthia. Last Name: Classified. Age: Classified. Address: Classified. Family: Classified. It’s like she doesn’t even exist!!”

She sighed, thinking aloud, “But she does exist… She’s Sinnoh’s Champion after all; people see her and interact with her every day. So why go through all the trouble to cover up her past? Wouldn’t it throw up a few red flags if a journalist couldn’t dig up even a scrap of her history…?”

May scratched her head furiously, “Aahh! This makes no sense!!” She sighed, resting her head back against her chair. “What about the other wielders? What about Steven? Is there data on him?”

Her Pokédex quickly responded, bringing up several files on her mentor. His bio appeared in direct contrast to Cynthia’s, completely clean and without a blackout anywhere on it.

“So it’s just her, then…” May nodded, affirming her suspicions. “Oh? What’s this..?” she added, noticing her own name listed under Steven’s. She clicked it, redirecting her to her own file complete with a myriad of pictures.

“I’m going to pretend this isn’t creepy at all…” she shivered, disregarding her instinct to close the page and instead leaning closer to the monitors. She looked it over, seeing that everything about her was in fact true and detailed.

“At least it’s nothing too personal…” she conceded, noticing yet another tab as she scrolled to the end. It labeled her as the “Third Child”, a name she’d never heard Steven use around her before.

“I wonder what that means…” May thought. She knew for a fact that Steven hadn’t mentored anyone before her, so she couldn’t be his third student. Maybe it didn’t have to do with Steven at all…

“What’s the significance of the term, ‘Third Child’?” she asked, her Pokédex retrieving even more data for her ever-curious eyes. Those eyes grew wider the more she read, finally closing as she reached the end of the page, completely overwhelmed.

“Sh—show me the other children,” she stuttered, her voice cracking while her head continued to spin.

Her Pokédex complied yet again, pulling up not two, not three, but five other pictures of individuals looking to be around her age, with several more numbers designated with question marks.

BingBing! “List incomplete; data collection is still ongoing.”

May’s eyes darted from photograph to photograph as she took in each innocent face, finally falling on one face in particular; a face she recognized all too well.

“No way.”