The Hunted Realm

[Mitsuki_SOS]

PLEASE READ DESCRIPTION FIRST.

BLAH for drama. xP

Okay, first off, this fanfic is rated, currently, PG-13 for violence and occasional swearing. It's a little hard to explain what this fic is about and in which general direction it's heading for. The first couple of chapters will be just the start, as it usually is. This is an action/adventure fanfic with a few genres to add in (like drama, comedy, etc.). Mainly it's action/adventure.

Note: This fanfic was posted on a different website, but now I'm starting to post it in lotsa places

Also, this is going to be a long fic with long chapters. This is just a warning to you now.

Brief summary:
A tragedy, now known as the Blood Feud, ruined the lives of thousands of people. Because of this event, caused by the vengeful Pokémon Mewtwo, Team Rocket is considered heroes because of their bravery in the battle. However, one year later, a girl named Hayley Jace—along with former Rocket, Asher Helmcruft—discovers who Team Rocket really is and what their plans are. Now the world is in grave danger and so are the Legendaries that roam it. They will have to go on a journey like no other to protect the world, the Legendaries, a mysterious rebelling team, mysterious accessories known as Plates, and all of these things which lead up to one astonishing truth and the key that answers it all: the Realm. The hunt has begun.

Below is the Pronunciation Guide

Spoiler

Hayley Jace -- HAY-LEE CHASE

Asher Helmcruft -- ASH-ER HELLM-CRUFFT

Lyla -- LIE-LA

Solis Stryder -- SOUL-IS STRY-DER

Arenglintine (Ren) -- AH-REN-GLIN-TYNE (REN)

Furor -- FUH-RORE

Jet -- JET

Aurion -- OR-EE-ON

Neal -- NEEL

Felix -- FEE-LICKS

Fayeze (Faye) -- PHASE (FAY)

Argyles (Lyle) -- ARG-EE-LES (LIE-ALL)

Kitty -- KIT-TEE

Ludicrous -- LOOD-EH-CRUS

Spike -- SPYKE

Terrence -- TERR-INCE

Jewelsie -- JEWEL-SEE

Scallop -- SCALL-IP

Gene -- JEAN

Dragoneilm (Dragon) -- DRAG-IN-ELM (DRAG-IN)

PS -- PS

Jacoby Herring -- JAH-COE-BEE HARE-ING

Alisa Bonnet -- AH-LIS-AH BON-NIT

Kendrick Hart -- KEN-DRICK HARRT or HEART

Passer -- PASS-ER

Cleanip -- CLEAN-EP

And I would put more on here, but the rest of the characters aren't expected to make an appearance for a long time (; I'd rather not spoil any others. Maybe after I put a few more up, I will.

[size=+2]PM List:[/size]





Okay, before you look at the miniature chapter list in disbelief, I must say that I've only planned up to six chapters so far. The fanfic is going to be extremely long, and I hope you trust me when I say that. I already have everything planned out. I just have to sort everything into each chapter, type the rest of the chapters and post them. There's going to be a lot of chapters :/ A lot. Thankfully, however, I've already got all the details planned out and written down. Well, not the descriptions, but the twists and the plot and everything like that. I'm going to sort the plans out into the chapters, name the chapters, and then I'll begin typing each of them and actually give it description and content. When I write some more chapters, then I'll post the progress. I'm waiting for reactions to this prologue, however, before I post the first chapter. I estimate that, for this fanfic (and Book 1 to a possible series), that this will have at least...umm...30 chapters. It's an estimate for now. There could be less or more, but I'm thinking at least 30.

Main details:

[size=+2]Genre: ADVENTURE/ACTION[/size]
[size=+1]Updates: Several chapters still being planned. Up to five chapters completed! This is just the prologue, but more will be posted once a few reviews are received ;3[/size]


Chapter list:

Prologue (continue scrolling, located in post) (Status: complete)
Chapter 1: Another Tragedy (Status: complete)
Chapter 2: The Great Capture (Status: complete)
Chapter 3: The Great Escape (Status: complete)
Chapter 4: The Meeting (Status: complete)
Chapter 5: Two New Towns Lead to a Rescue (Status: complete)
Chapter 6: Another Meeting (Status: in progress)
Chapter 7 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 8 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 9 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 10 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 11 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 12 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 13 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 14 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 15 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 16 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 17 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 18 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 19 (Status: being planned)
Chapter 20 (Status: being planned)

*The Hunted Realm*​

Prologue​

Not much was known about the Realm. Countless leaders and scientists had attempted to gain access to its forbidden entrance, but none have succeeded. Some said it was the sleeping place to the almighty Arceus. Others said it was merely just a fantasy, a legend that was born from Pokémon obsessions. Those who spoke of the legend as if it was unreal were mistaken.

The Realm was real. The Pokémon that resided in it were realer.

The clouds bloomed beds that contained the same substances used to make their plump, cottony appearance. Resting in these light beds was a majestic deer, surfaced with a milky white texture. Unlike a deer, this creature was not fragile or timid; he possessed the potential to be a God. At the ends of his long, thin legs were yellow nails, jutting out from where feet would usually be. It stood determinedly on all fours with a face that looked more like a helmet, a jagged horn merging from the features and pointing backward. Around its stomach area was a gleaming golden crest that acted more as a convening belt, piecing the halves of its body together with a firm clasp.

The godly Pokémon gazed down at the universe he had created, seeing the Pokémon world light up before his eyes, standing out from the rest of his creations. He knew that disaster was about to strike since this was his world after all, but that seemed of no concern to him at the moment. The Pokémon knew the people that roamed the land would recover from the oncoming tragedy.

What really concerned the Pokémon was the group behind it, plotting the world’s downfall. He had not faltered in creating the world and the Pokémon that helped make it, but why would someone even consider betraying him in this way? Why would anyone be willing to capture him—the unreachable, untouchable Pokémon—to obtain what they wanted most?

He couldn’t help but pity the humans. Most were innocent, but malice lingered cruelly in the others’ hearts. He could only stand by and watch the world fall into its demise.

Why did they seek the Sealed One? Why were they aiming to awaken his long forgotten brother?

The wise Pokémon knew this much: if the Sealed One was awakened, it would be the end of the world.

The Pokémon leaned back and watched the tragedy that had just begun, tearing his thoughts temporarily away from the disturbing one known as the Sealed One. What he saw made his heart ache.

[-*****-]​

Ash—appraised and created by the intensely burning flames—acted as a replacement for the eradicated soil, blanketing the smoldered grass in numerous piles of soot. Trees, overpowered by the forceful, uncharacteristically powerful hands of the wind, had no choice but to leap into the air after their roots were plunged and plucked from beneath them, forever torn. The sky was no longer visible due to the shield of smoke stretched over its momentous blue shade and the large glowing lantern known as the sun. A noise—thundering in volume, sleek in quality—impaired the polluted air, protruding a cornflower blue aura after its dizzying roar had reached all ears.

Beings with strong limbs and tight black uniforms scrambled through the smoke that had encircled over the damaged ground. Some carried machinery, which they spoke into with fear and anxiety, as if they knew that the end was near, that they weren’t going to live and desperately hoped someone would reach out to assist them. Others held weapons, ones that were constantly shot toward the sky, hoping to strike its desired target. A colossal roar filtered from nearby, almost as if it was warning them; the uniformed humans spoke faster into their machinery, urgency flaking off their terrified tones.

A genderless being—definitely not human—dove through the smoke, causing it to evaporate upon making contact. Its body was sleek and strong, dowsed with milky lavender. It looked oddly like a feline—a cat with no nose, a cat with the ability to stand on two legs instead of four. Once really looking at this being, however, you would say it bears more resemblance to a human. Its eyes were usually a mesmerizing shade of purple, though at the moment it sparked fiery red, glowing with rage, icy and cruel in substance. This being—this Pokémon—would spare no mercy.

“Lyla!” A boy dragged his body along the ground pathetically.

The Pokémon’s attention quirked after hearing the deep cry of the frantic male human calling out urgently to their loved one. The confused and enraged feelings catapulting through the Pokémon felt essential to it, almost like the feelings were its blood, but it knew what it was doing was wrong. Horribly wrong. So why did the Pokémon continue?

“Lyla!” The boy crawling along the ground, face tainted by char and stains of red, cried out yet again.

The Pokémon turned wistfully and slowly, as if to add more tension to the already tense atmosphere. A pit of regret settled into its chest, but as soon as it saw the boy garbed in black—a color of evil in the Pokémon’s eyes, the color his enemies would wear— all of that regret faded, as if it hadn’t even been there. The Pokémon saw who the boy was reaching toward, a girl who could barely move, her body looking like it had been painted in crimson blood. She, too, had a black uniform, though most of it was torn.

Rage consumed the Pokémon’s mind. He held out his hand awkwardly, dangling it. The girl’s body was abruptly covered in blue, an aura gifted from the psychic Pokémon. Then she screamed, revealing that the aura was crushing her, crunching against her brittle flesh, which was already plastered almost entirely with blood.

“NO! LYLA!” The boy reached out with his remaining strength, constantly wailing for the survival of the girl, begging the Pokémon to stop.

When the girl went completely limp from her hopeless struggles, the aura vanished, exhausted from its victory, but the Pokémon lingered, hovering in midair, seemingly larger up-close.

“I have dealt with you humans long enough!” The Pokémon screeched in a male human voice, yet its lips did not move. “Heed this warning or perish in ignorance: bring me infinite power or surrender thou treasures.”

With its final words, it vanished, leaving the area stirring with bitterness and sorrow, most of which coming from the boy—one of the only survivors—as he swore vengeance under his breath.

[-*****-]​

“We are live at the scene of Kanto’s tragic incident.” A tall, slender woman with tanned skin and a blond bob flashed across the screen, a microphone held tightly in front of her solemn face. “This is Debra Dasher on the scene in the obliterated Viridian Forest. It has been two days since the fatal massacre currently named the Blood Feud, but there is still a search occurring on the premises. Pokémon Centers have been in constant pursuit of locating survivors, though it has been shown that thousands are already deceased. There have been reported to be about three survivors at the moment, but they are searching for more. We have only gained a little information, but we will try to get as much information as possible.

“An unknown Pokémon went on a lustful rampage just two days ago. During that rampage, squads from former-felons Team Rocket attempted to stop the beast, but many were lost in trying to do so. Not only were many lives lost, but apparently before the Pokémon left, he spared a warning to those that lived. Our question is what was this warning? What did it mean? We will return with more news on this tragic tale momentarily.”

The television screen went blank. A tall boy with hair as dark as night and blue eyes as bright as the morning sky sat up in a stiff hospital bed. He winced and examined his body carefully, taking in the bandages that were wrapped firmly around several of his limbs, hugging his flesh. He felt weak and unbalanced, but his mind was all too clear, like a fog that had dispersed. His whole body was exposed to searing pain, but despite this, he yearned to stretch and relieve the tension that had built in his sore muscles. His bones (the ones that weren’t broken) popped painfully once he did.

“Asher, good morning.”

The boy looked up questionably to the voice and saw a tall man with long red hair and glasses that transparently covered his jade-green eyes. He wore a brown buttoned up jacket and long raggedy black pants that looked like they had been exposed to hard work. Although his smile appeared welcoming, it had no effect of pleasing Asher, who watched him both reverently and angrily, as if he was disappointed in this man but knew he shouldn’t be.

“Where were you two days ago? You were supposed to be there, in the middle of the fight! Your Pokémon team would’ve been useful! You’re one of the best in Team Rocket!” Asher spat. He coughed, showing he had overworked himself. His heart was racing as well, anger surging through the blood, into his hands that his fingers yearned to clench.

The man pushed his glasses up since they had begun to slide downward along his nose. “I wasn’t aware of what was happening, and I had important business to attend to. You should think twice before talking to your commanding officer in such a rude manner. I am pleased, however, to say that you’re still alive and operational. Everyone else is rather down, aren’t they?” He chuckled at his little joke.

“Why are you joking about that? It’s not funny! Lyla is dead! She’s gone! And I saw it right before my eyes! Damn that Mewtwo! Damn it!” Asher continued to curse until the man stopped him by holding his hand outward. The room seemed to spin as Asher realized the hand's position was dangerously close to his bandaged neck.

“Enough,” he growled, and pulled his hand back once Asher’s lips went into a hard line. “Now instead of yelling or wasting your breath, maybe you should focus on resting. You have an interview with Poké News.”

“An interview? About what?” Asher fumed. Just because he had to work under his commanding officer didn’t mean he had to listen to him all the time. Why was he giving out orders anyway when he was trying to recover?

“About Mewtwo’s warning. I’m going to tell you what to say and you’re going to say it. Is that understood?” His gaze was piercing as it stabbed menacingly in Asher’s direction.

“Why?” Asher narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“Because it’s beneficial to our cause. Understood?” The one-word question was rhetorical, but Asher proceeded to answering it anyway.

“Understood.” He stared blankly across the room, unable to think or move. It was too painful to.

“Now when do you think you could do that interview?”

“Now.” Asher slowly shifted himself to where the hospital blankets were off of him and his legs were pampered with cool air. He gritted his teeth, the pain too explicable and excruciating as it prickled from the inside and out.

“You’re not fully healed,” the man reminded him.

“I know, Solis, but I need to see something,” Asher said with impatience, grunting as he slid toward the edge of the bed, being careful about his injuries.

“What do you need to see? Do you want to see Lyla?” Solis shook his head, pitying him. “Why must you torture yourself, Asher? A trainee cannot handle this kind of anguish. It’s best if you forget about her.”

“If the reporter is there right now then we may be able to interview her if we get there fast enough. I have to see if Mewtwo really did kill her. I just have one question.” Asher was about to fold his hands, but the movement made him freeze, causing him to instantly regret moving in the first place. “If I do what you tell me to do, will we be able to catch Mewtwo?”

“Yes. We will.” Solis’s smile was reassuring, but there was something about the way his eyes glowed fiercely that made Asher become immediately suspicious.

“Fine. Then let’s go.”

It took time until Asher was roaming about, but with Solis's help he was successfully walking, though he couldn’t help the pain that stabbed through him whenever he moved. They argued senselessly with one of the nurses to let him out for a bit, and when she finally gave in, they ambled out of the Pokémon Center. By the time they got to the scene, Asher’s body felt like it had imploded with pain, and he was using any strength he had left to bar his pained screams. His commanding officer allowed him to sit on the ground and rest for a bit while he got a hold of Poké News.

Asher sat down carefully and painfully, trying not to stare at the dried blood smeared along the ash-covered ground. Most of the land was cleaner from when he had last seen it, but the haunting memories of that day cursed his mind and caused chills to flow like a river down his spine. His eyes closed and then scanned, searching for bodies or appearances that were familiar to him. He saw a few comrades he had worked with before lying peacefully on the ground. He was surprised he could even identify them because they were covered with soot, and it looked like before their death they had suffered severe injuries.

With a heartfelt glance, he peered away and noticed, with ripping anguish, that he sat in the same spot that he had been dragging himself on just two days ago. With high hopes, he searched the area in the best way he could, not caring for the pain, not caring that every time he moved his nerves would react sharply. He even began to walk, limping painfully in whichever direction he could. He got a pitying result.

No Lyla.

It was a strange thing indeed because he had seen Lyla that day, but suddenly he could not find her body, which means he couldn’t clarify whether she was dead or alive. Had they already begun to gather bodies from the scene? Had they taken Lyla for her to be cremated or put in a coffin?
The only remaining thing left to do was talk to that reporter, and Asher knew exactly what he was going to say now.

Why would you do this to her, Mewtwo, when she was the one that saved you? When she risked herself to save you? Damn you for doing this to her! was the last thing that flooded his mind when he saw Solis and the reporter approaching him.


---------------------
Claimer: Asher, Solis, the Sealed One, the Realm, Lyla, and Debra Dasher the reporter are all mine. I made them up.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of the Pokemon mentioned (ex: Mewtwo, Arceus, etc.). Pokemon belong to the ones that created it. Not me.
Feel free to critique, comment, etc.
This is just the beginning, and I know it was somewhat difficult to comprehend, but I promise everything will be understood in the rest of the story (; And, *sigh*, yes, I know. Some of the sentences written were quite bad. I'm going to have to work on my description :/ And prepare yourself because the next chapter is going to switch to 1st POV! BUM BUM BUM! Yes, I know. You're not supposed to switch from different POV's, but this is like...the 1st time and most likely last time. *holds up right hand* Scout's honor. I will, however, switch to 3rd POV occasionally. But then it'll switch automatically back.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed, and thanks for reading! Chapter 1 coming soon! IN 1st POV! Remember that!

 

[Sea Goddess]

hey pretty interesting. i'll be sure to follow this fic.

 

[Mitsuki_SOS]

Thank you xD I really appreciate that! 1st chapter is coming soon ;3

 

[Akiyama]

Yeah that's pretty interesting writing you got, written well but I can still find things I might think improvement can be done.

"He couldn’t help but pity the humans. Most were innocent bystanders that read the Jubilife Daily and engaged in battles everyday, but malice lingered cruelly in the others’ hearts. Malice that brings people to rob in plain sight, kill for valuables, and disregard all rules of social understanding. He could only stand by and watch the world fall into its demise."

It's description I'm talking about. You carry the reader through the story by these means and it counts. Just remember to describe needed things like sight, smell, sound, feel and taste. Things can get quite specific down to the name of something but that's alright just as long as I don't get choked by detail. However most writers are not getting enough detail so it helps to try putting in as much as you want then asking yourself "Am I choking myself trying to cram all these details in at once?" Then revise to perfect it.

Just remember that adjectives and adverbs can make you get lazy, prefer to use strong nouns and verbs to show the details of a scene.

Now I look forward to reading while I can. And always look for ways to desribe something, one method may work better for you than others.

 

[Mitsuki_SOS]

Ah, thank you for the very good suggestion!!! =DDDDDD I could easily make this story nothing but description, but I discovered that too much has led readers to not read any further due to boredom. So for now I'm just going to do a neutral amount of description, but I will go back and edit in some more information and description as you suggested. Thanks, Akiyama! =DDDDDD

 

[Akiyama]

I know nothing but description is boring, you lose the characters which fuel the story. Anyway thanks. Hmm just hope someone could give me such a good suggestive to my story.

Enjoy writing.

 

[Mitsuki_SOS]

'ELLO!
Once again, this is rated PG-13 (this chapter is pretty clean though) for violence and occasional swearing.
Sidenote: I promise you the story will get better. I've got everything planned out, and I'm excited just thinking about it. For extra suspense, I may put chapter 2 up, though in my opinion, the story doesn't start getting good until chapter 3...(or, really, chapter5...6...7...You get what I'm saying xD The first couple of chapters are just the start.) so maybe I'll put that one up, too. xD
IMPORTANT SIDENOTE: Pokemon will talk with these: <> For example:
He turned toward me and raised his head, saying, <We've got to get out of here.>
That way it's easier, and it's not as confusing. Anyway, enjoy the chapter! =DDDD
(On another random sidenote: I suck at chapter names >.<)

*Chapter 1*
Another Tragedy​

One year later…

Clouds as puffy as cotton were pasted along the calm azure sky, causing a cool shroud to befall the land, sending a misty wind to serenely peck along the open streets of Viridian City. The sun, unbidden despite the land’s desire for warmth, pronged a massive cloud rotating overhead, peeking out from the bare center of the crack, sending tiny rays to fend off the chilly, collected atmosphere of the day. The streets seemed wide but thinner for some reason, almost as if they had worked out overnight or their usual length had been reduced to a tiny strip. For whatever the reason, my feet weren’t doing a good job at rocketing over its pebbly surface. In fact, I should say that I tripped a few times…or a lot. It was more jagged from the usual, but I didn’t care. It was the least of my worries.

I had to stop a few times to grasp what I was actually doing. I froze in the middle of the street, confused and alarmed, wondering exactly where I was and where I was headed. Then my mind flooded with my location, and I understood exactly what was happening. A goofy smile lit up at the corners of my lips, feet plummeting forward again, accelerating to get to my desired location with just a little time left over.

My name is Hayley Jace, and I’m fifteen years old, living in Viridian City with my grandparents. I’m 5’6”, have long dark auburn hair and light green eyes. I guess you could say I was one of the students that didn’t try too hard because it took me years to get my Pokémon Trainer license. Whenever you turn thirteen years old, you take exams to obtain your license, but if you fail it, you have to take the exams again the following year. I failed the exams a couple of times, but I got extremely lucky on my fifteenth birthday. I was told that the reason I kept failing the test was because I have some sort of memory problem…and I forgot the rest of the explanation. See what I mean? It’s the whole reason how I don’t remember most of my childhood. Odd, isn’t it?

Anyway, I was supposed to be heading over to Professor Oak’s laboratory at the moment because today was the day I was going to receive my license and my starter Pokémon. My grandparents helped me debate over which one to choose out of the three: Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle. I was uncertain because I admired all three of the adorable Pokémon, but I was informed that Charmander was my best option because after all of his evolutions he would become the almighty Charizard.

My breaths felt shallow, lighter, but my chest felt like a weight had plunged into its center, so I leaned against one of the buildings nearby, cooling off in the shade while also trying to catch my breath. I was offered a bike to ride, but I had turned it down because of my beaming excitement. It was a rather stupid move, wasn’t it?

I brushed a strand of auburn hair out of my eyes and looped it behind my ear, peering upward with a cautious, defensive look, as if a predator was approaching me overhead. The grass was shaped by the indefinite wind, which continuously rocked against it, flattening the tops of its tall exterior, as if to bother whatever was rousing inside it.

“Shoot!” I cried suddenly, slapping my knee, as if to say duh! “I forgot Jet!” Jet was my grandparents’ Beedrill, which they had first caught as a little Weedle in Viridian Forest. They had told me the other day that I would have to bring Jet to get to Pallet Town—where Professor Oak currently resides—because of stray or wild Pokémon.

“It’s such a long way back,” I said with a sigh, talking to myself in disbelief. Nonetheless, I whirled around and traced my steps, feeling ignorant to have so foolishly gone without a bike and Jet.

My legs had just begun to function at a faster speed when the grass ruffled noisily from behind me, causing my attention to wane with fascination in its direction. I pondered which Pokémon could be filtering in its plant growth. A Pidgey? A Rattata? We had studied in class that these Pokémon often settled in Route 1.

A purple rodent flexed its way out from the ruffling bushes, maddened ruby eyes watching and front teeth poking outward from its mouth, looking sharper. Its tail was long and curved into a swirling loop as it stuck in the air. It stretched its front paws and hissed, warning me. A Rattata.

I stared at it with clear interest. I had never seen one up-close, and it looked exactly like it did in the books I read. Then I remembered reading about how cautious they were of their territory and how they would try to take care of a threat, but flee if the threat was too dangerous.

I gulped. Oh crap.

“Hey, little guy,” I cooed, trying to soothe it. “What’s your name?” I had taken plenty of classes on Poké Language, classes that taught you how to associate with Pokémon in their own language. It was a difficult class, but I had taken it ever since I first came to town, so I was pretty good at speaking with Pokémon.

The Rattata hissed, stepping forward, looking in no mood for useless chatter.

I frowned. A thought returned to my mind. Wild Pokémon often relied on instinct and didn’t use Poké Language, unless they were captured. Because of their instinctive habits, they often used body language to socialize instead. The only way I’d be able to communicate with this Rattata would be to capture it and then call it out. Otherwise, it would continue to hiss at me or even attack since that’s what its instincts told it to do. Unfortunately, I had no Pokémon or Pokéballs with me, (since I wasn’t allowed to have them without my license) so the only options I had were to cry for help—I doubt anyone was near—or run.

I picked running.

I had just begun to bolt when the rodent tackled me from behind, causing my body to fall forward and hit the ground. I yelped and clambered to stand, but the rodent whipped me with its tail, giving me a headache big enough to make me forget where I was.

I stared confusedly at the Rattata repeatedly attacking me—ow! He’s a strong one—and then I remembered where I was: in Route 1, on my way to Pallet Town to receive my license and starter Pokémon.

Should I fight back? Well if the Rattata saw me as a threat then he would run. It was worth a shot. But there was also a law that humans could not attack Pokémon head-on in the same way that Pokémon could not attack humans; Pokémon were the ones that were supposed to do the fighting against Pokémon.

Looks like I’m breaking some rules today, I thought, and swung my leg, slamming it into the Rattata’s side.

With a shriek, it flew and landed in the bushes. I listened carefully, hearing the soft pitter-patter of its paws fleeing into the distance.

I sighed with relief and silently gave the Rattata my apologies. Then I stood up and continued my route to Pallet Town, entering the small village with quick feet and an eager face. Small buildings with green roofs and a nice clean look were scattered over the town. The aroma in the air was fresh, like a scented candle that had just been lit. The trail I walked on was rough at first, but it seemed smoother once I applied more pressure to my feet and actually looked at where I was walking. I sauntered calmly to the very end of the town, where Professor Oak’s laboratory resided. I was about to grasp the doorknob when I squinted and saw a sign, reading on the front: “Closed for today.”

“Closed? How can a laboratory be closed?” I questioned aloud. Surely there must’ve been a good reason for this.

“Hi! Are you one of the students expected to pick up your Pokémon and license?” Words belonging to that of a male’s voice drifted from behind me, and as I turned, I saw a man of moderate height, shaggy brown hair and gray eyes. His smile was aged, and the laugh lines stretching from the side of his eyes proved that he was older than he looked, but there was a softness about him that made me relax.

“Um, yes sir…Are you Professor Oak?” I asked, eyeing him warily.

“No, no. I am, however, one of his successors. I’m Don León. Your name please?”

“Hayley Jace,” I answered.

“Ah, I see. Pleasure to meet you, Hayley. I realize you must be confused, but you see, today is a holiday—well, not really a holiday, but more like a day of remembrance, to those that lost their lives—”

“Wait, it is?” I stared with puzzlement, thinking that he was speaking nonsense.

He nodded. “Yes, today is in remembrance of an event that happened exactly one year ago. We call it the Blood Feud. Professor Oak decided to close his laboratory for the day. There will be a ceremony occurring in Viridian City, so that’s why he’s not here right now.”

“So he’s in Viridian City?”

“Yes, that’s correct. I’m sorry to say that you’ll be receiving your license and Pokémon tomorrow.”

“Really?” I groaned. “Oh this sucks.”

He blinked. “Yes, I suppose it does.”

I sighed. “I guess I’ll be going back to Viridian City. Thanks.”

“Oh you’re welcome. Come back any time.”

I waved goodbye to Don and entered Route 1 with disappointment, dragging my feet uneasily. What were the chances that today, the day I got my license and Pokémon, was the day of the Blood Feud? I suppose returning to town would be the right thing to do at the time.

I got back to Viridian with no problems, but as soon as I got there, I realized that the street was paved and completely covered by strangers and their Pokémon. Trainers, large and small, were accompanied by their loyal companions and partners, who kneeled or crouched beside their master with pure innocence and fidelity. I was about to ask the nearest person what was going on, but I recalled that Don mentioned that a ceremony was occurring in Viridian, in remembrance of those that lost their lives in the Blood Feud. How did the street get so crowded so fast?

“Are you here for the ceremony?” I asked the nearest person, who had, strangely, a Granbull perched by their side with a large slacking jaw and beady narrowed eyes, resembling a dog.

The boy I had asked, who had brunette hair and dark brown eyes, nodded. “Yes. I came all the way from Johto.”

“Really? Which city?”

“Goldenrod. It’s so sad, isn’t it?” He shook his head with his bottom lip puckered.

I blinked, calculating what he was talking about, and then nodded. “Yeah. The Blood Feud.”

“So many people lost their lives. Everyone heard about it; even Sinnoh heard about it, and it’s nowhere near Kanto. My best friend lost his father in that battle because he had business in Viridian.”

“I’m sorry for your friend’s loss. Wait, it happened in Viridian?”

He stared with bafflement at my dumbfounded expression. “Yes. You didn’t know that? It happened in Viridian Forest. The forest still hasn’t recovered from that battle. It’s still in bad shape.”

My face was flushed, and I was tempted to explain that I have a memory problem and the event was probably erased from my mind. “Oh. Well thank you for speaking with me. I must go now.”

“No problem.” His attention focused on the Granbull that leaned down before his feet, pawing at his trainer’s almost torn shoes, which had probably been damaged by the Pokémon himself.

I shifted through the crowd, apologizing to some of the Pokémon and trainers that I bumped into along the way, and eventually made it to my grandparents’ house, which I soon discovered to be locked. Sourly, I slipped my fingers under the welcome mat at the bottom of the door and found the spare key, slipping it into the keyhole and stepping into the house once it had opened. Everything was ordinarily the same—furniture scampered on top of wood-plated floors and unbelievable cleanliness featured in the house to where there wasn’t a speck of dust in sight. The only thing missing from the scene was my grandparents, who I guessed were at the ceremony.

I was about to dash up the stairs when a huge metallic cone-shaped dagger was aimed directly at my throat. I cowered fearfully. Once I realized who was there, however, the fear deceased from my trembling lips and a relieved smile took its place.

“Jet! Hey, Jet!” I greeted the Beedrill with thrill, and he stared at me silently until yanking his menacing daggers away from me, seeing that I was no longer a threat.

His eyes were bulging red, his body mostly yellow with about two or three black stripes striking through the bright color. His limbs were like black sticks, though his arms held the two large cone-shaped daggers he had been pointing at me earlier. The daggers were not as threatening as the dense, yellow stinger at the bottom of his hard shell. His immense translucent wings were what suspended him in midair as they constantly folded and flapped.

<I did not know you were back,> he said quietly, his voice on the brink of a breath. <I am sorry for almost attacking. Did you get your new Pokémon?>

“No, not yet. I’m going to have to get it tomorrow. Why didn’t you come with me?” I inquired, crossing my arms, ready to listen to his explanation.

<You were running, and I saw no need to catch up.>

“You mean you were too lazy to catch up?”

He lifted his arms upward, doing what I called a Pokémon shrug.

I laughed. “Okay, okay. Hey where are—”

<—your grandparents? They are at the ceremony. I was told to watch the house. Watching I am.>

I paused, hauling all of this information carefully. “Hey, Jet, were you with my grandparents at the time?”

<At what time?>

“During the Blood Feud.”

<I am afraid not. They, however, rescued me. My family was killed in the event. I never saw them again.> His voice became even quieter when saying the last sentence.

“I’m sorry, Jet.”

He dipped his head lowly and then raised it, cocking it to the side.

“What’s wrong? Do you hear something?” I glanced toward the door with unease.

He shook his head, antennas bobbing. <No, but I do hear the start of the ceremony. If you wish to attend then we must leave now.>

“Okay. Sure. Maybe we’ll even see Professor Oak.” I shrugged and led him to the door, opening it and allowing Jet to fly out before I closed it and locked it again.

I strayed from the regular path and sauntered to the crowd, a sea of faces gathered with their devoted Pokémon. I stood awkwardly at the back, though it was terribly hard to see from where I was. Jet didn’t have a problem with it, however, since he was floating at a high height, head pressed against his chest as he stared straight forward. I stood on my tip-toes and saw a sliver of what was happening overhead. A man stood behind a brown podium, blond hair sleeked back, blue eyes both piercing and captivating the crowd as everything fell into silence under his bellowing voice.

“Residents and visitors of Viridian City,” he began, his voice an inhuman roar as he spoke into the microphone, “we are gathered here today to recall an event so spiteful, so frightening that every region knows of its existence.” He paused, gaining a silent, dramatic gust of air in return. “The Blood Feud.
“As all of you are already aware, the Blood Feud was a tragedy this city has never endured until exactly one year ago. A rampaged Pokémon, revealed to be a genetically created Pokémon named Mewtwo, started destroying the city and the forest named after it. Many were caught in the battle, such as the noble heroes we call Team Rocket, and innocent citizens. Why did this happen? We are not certain of that answer. Perhaps Mewtwo went wild with rage. Perhaps he couldn’t control his savage heart. We are still determining the answer.

“For now, we present you with one of the only survivors out of approximately 3,567 people—Asher Helmcruft!”

For what would usually be an applause there was nothing but silence—silence as stale and cold as the expressions on everyone’s faces. Sadness was obscured, but stillness was shown as everyone took in a deep breath at the boy who now stood at the podium.

I took a hard look at Asher. He was thin, his dark hair untidy and—I had to admit, sounding stupid as it was—charming as it framed his slightly pale face. His eyes were striking and bright—an incredibly bright blue that I could pick out even if I was a mile away. His face was expressionless, allowing no emotions to leak—a perfect mask. I wondered how it was possible and how he could even do it, but then he looked away, his lip letting loose a twitch of annoyance as the crowd continued to watch him like he was some sort of exhibit or display.

“Hello, Viridian City.” He spoke with not as much as enthusiasm or strength as the man before him. Looking at him closely, it was almost as if he was ill from depression. His voice was filled with boredom and sadness, as if recalling the events was something he did always or it brought back harsh memories. “I come here to tell you that…the Blood Feud was the worst day of my life. Not only did I see the most evil, lustful, villainous creature to walk this land…but I saw someone, whom I loved very much, killed right before my eyes.” He gritted his teeth, his glower aimed downward at the microphone, fury flowing with cruel radiance from his firm gaze. “I saw many people killed before my eyes. Pokémon, creatures big and small, the kind of Pokémon you’d imagined wouldn’t ever be defeated, were killed right before my eyes. Lots of the trainees in Team Rocket, some of them being my comrades, were killed right before my eyes.”

His voice trembled, his eyes closing, almost as if to recapture what happened on that day. Then they opened, a few tears slithering down his cheeks as he spoke the next words. “Bottom line, many people were killed in that event, and that is why we must handle this so crucially. And Mewtwo…that bastard…that thing caused suffering to so many people. And then he has the nerve to say that if we don’t bring the Legendaries to him, we’ll all die!” He slammed his fist on the podium, causing the microphone to wobble slightly. Alarmed murmurs began to rise in the crowd. “So do you want to die?! Are you willing to sacrifice anymore people to that monster?! Would you want your Pokémon or your family to get killed?! We can put a stop to this! We can defeat Mewtwo!”

Loud agreements cheered in the crowd. Those against it were still murmuring. I stared at the podium with indecision. Jet swerved from above, and I could faintly hear him chuckling.

A tall man with long red hair and square-shaped glasses transparently concealing his emerald green eyes stood beside Asher, gently nudging him off the miniature stage. I couldn’t help but stare at Asher and the man, thinking that I had seen them before since they seemed so familiar. Team Rocket usually did business in the city, so that’s probably where I’ve seen them. Curse my weak memory.

The man with the combed back blond hair stood at the podium again, bowing his head as he said, “And now, a moment of silence.”

Silence swept the city, the crowd ceasing volume for the first time. I froze and kept as quiet as possible as the time ticked by. Then, once the moment of silence had ended, the blond man began to invite several people to the stage to share their loss. I listened to some stories and then, after about ten more minutes, clambered away from the crowd, trailing back to my home.

Jet hovered by me. <Leaving so soon?>

“This whole thing bothers me,” I said quietly, in a moment of concentration.

<Why?>

“I’m trying to figure that out myself.”

<Perhaps it is the sadness influenced by the survivor and his heartbreaking tale,> Jet said after a pause.

I shrugged. “Yeah, probably. Why were you chuckling?”

He paused and then chuckled. <I was chuckling because it is ridiculous.>

“Ridiculous?”

<Yes. Why would Mewtwo want the Legendaries?>

“For power maybe?” I suggested.

<Yes, I have considered that possibility, but think about it. If Mewtwo is so powerful as to destroy everyone if they do not bring him the Legendaries, why does he not just go and get the Legendaries himself?> Jet chuckled again, amused.

“Maybe he’s just too lazy like you,” I suggested again, smirking at how quiet he got after I said that. “I’m just kidding. I don’t know. But you do have a good point. The Legendaries are really powerful. Probably more powerful than Mewtwo.”

<Yes, so that explains why Mewtwo does not get them himself. However, if they are more powerful than Mewtwo, then we could just use them to battle against Mewtwo instead of capturing them for him. That sounds more reasonable, correct?>

I paused, nodding slowly. “Yeah, I guess so. But I’m against the idea of capturing the Legendaries.”

<Me too. That is why I believe that there has to be a reason for the Legendaries to side with us instead of capturing them. It is more reasonable,> Jet said, and then fell silent, his wings buzzing the rest of the way home.

I didn’t say anything to his response but thought carefully of his words instead. It really didn’t make sense that Mewtwo demanded Legendaries. Had Asher, perhaps, heard wrong? Or was Mewtwo just crazy? Crazy with power no doubt.

“Do you think they’re home?” I asked Jet, referring to my grandparents.

<I do not think so. I believe they are still at the ceremony,> he replied.

“Right. The ceremony isn’t over yet.”

I sat down on the couch and waited by watching TV. Lots of the news channels were airing the ceremony live and talking about it between intermissions, but I flipped through the channels until I found one that was often called the Discovery Channel, which was talking about Viridian Forest, probably in memory of the ceremony yet again. Jet perched himself on the empty side of the couch, making sure his stinger and daggers were in no danger of harming the furniture.

<You cannot avoid the memory of this day, it seems,> he pointed out, and I sighed heavily, turning off the television.

“Yeah, you’re right. Everyone seems deeply affected by this.”

<It appears so. The world must hate Mewtwo now.> He lowered his voice. <I know I do.>

I was about to question him on his remark, but then I remembered that he had also been a victim of the Blood Feud. He had lost his family, but he had also been rescued and saved by my grandparents.

<I do not mean to be rude or ill-mannered, but I have a question for you, Hayley,> he said abruptly, his voice so quiet it resembled a whisper.

“I don’t mind at all. What is it, Jet?”

<Why are you living with your grandparents and not your parents?> he asked. <This question has been haunting me for awhile now.>

I was about to answer, but then I remembered that I didn’t know the answer myself. Grandma had told me something long ago, but I forgot what she said. It was something about the Blood Feud, but I just didn’t remember.

Then a thought hit me.

“I think my parents were killed in the Blood Feud,” I muttered, pondering.

<They were?>

“I’m not really sure. I think they were. Grandma told me something long ago about the Blood Feud, but I just can’t remember what it is. My memory sucks.”

<Sucks it does.>

I rose. “Anyway, want to go back to watch the rest of the ceremony?”

He sighed. <What was the point of even coming back here?>

“Sorry. I’m just bored, I guess.” I smiled sheepishly. “And I really want to see if we can find Professor Oak. Maybe if we do I’ll be able to get my license and Pokémon right after the ceremony is finished.”

He sighed yet again. <Very well.>

We were about to exit the house when, what sounded like an explosion, occurred from outside, and the windows lit up for a fraction of second. I covered my ears during the noise and then scrambled outside, gaze scanning the land furiously.

A scorching ball of fire lied beside the crowd, which now looked like a bunch of screaming, panicked individuals fleeing for safety and shelter. The fire spread effortlessly along the ground, tainting the rich blades of green grass with heat and transforming them into ashes. Countless numbers of water Pokémon were aimlessly trying to put out the fire with as much water as they could conjure. The aroma drifting in the area consisted mostly of smoke, causing me to cough as my lungs were filled with its putrid contents. The heat emanated off the flames and warmed my skin even as I remained a distance away. I inhaled the smoke accidentally once again, tasting a revolting, acidic flavor, also reminding me of barbecue due to how smoky it tasted.

“What’s going on?!” I screamed, following to where Jet gestured.

I ran, all the while listening to the screams trenching the air.

“He’s back! He wants revenge!”

“Does anyone have a Legendary?”

“Someone please save us!”

“Mewtwo! It’s Mewtwo!”

“In the sky! Mewtwo!”

“He’s come back for the Legendaries!”

<Look!> Jet hissed, and pointed one of his thick daggers toward the sky.

I looked up fearfully, gasping and falling to my knees at what I saw.



----------------
Claimer: Hayley Jace, Asher Helmcruft, Jet, Solis, Don Leon, the Johto trainer, etc.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any kind of Pokemon. Pokemon belongs to whomever created it.

Yessshhh, this chapter was boring to write. That's why it's so short xD I tend to write boring-ish parts with not as much details involved. You'll see what I'm saying in some of the future chapters. Anyway, oohhhh what did she see? I'm probably going to put Chapter 2 up because I've already finished some of the chapters. We shall see >:3 Anyway, thanks for reading and please comment and review and stuff!

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

And Mewtwo…that *******…

No. Just no. To have a censored word removes the reader from the story and comes across as terrible writing. We have no swear filter here and we expect fanfics to respect this.

 

[Mitsuki_SOS]

No. Just no. To have a censored word removes the reader from the story and comes across as terrible writing. We have no swear filter here and we expect fanfics to respect this.

....Huh?

....WAIT! OH MY GOSH! I'm sorry. I just realized what was said. It originally wasn't censored. The site I originally posted it on has a swear filter, and it censored the word. I copy and pasted the chapter from that site and didn't realize to uncensor the words. I'm sorry Dx I'll go back and make sure there are no censors.

EDIT: Okie, it's been fixed. I'll have to go back in the future chapters and see if any of the other words were censored. Sorry about that! Thanks for pointing it out!

 

[Mitsuki_SOS]

Okie, I need more reviews/comments/suggestions. *puppy dog pout* Please? Haha just kidding xD Don't review unless you want to, but it would be greatly appreciated. Personally, as I've said before, I don't think the story starts rolling into action until chapter 3...or 5...or 6...or 7...Yeah, you get it xP

*Chapter 2*
The Great Capture​

A Pokémon resembling a cat standing on two legs was cloaked entirely with a whitish gray color, though it looked as if it gleamed slightly lavender. Its skin was shiny and unspeakably beautiful as the creature floated in the middle of the suddenly agonized sky. Its eyes illuminated cherry red, and its arms were outstretched toward nothing in particular, containing hands with fingers of three, looking more like rounded balls than fingers. Its tail was long and purple and curved up its back, just as burly as any other parts of its body.

“Death to all who oppose me!” Mewtwo screeched in an, surprisingly, English male voice, as deep as an adult’s.

There were few who stayed and gazed up at Mewtwo in awe like I was. Everyone was pretty much running at this point, escaping to a safer location since Viridian City was proven to be a deathtrap.

Staring at Mewtwo, I felt something surprisingly warm, like sheeting light, though my bones ached terribly, as if just staring at him had caused me pain. Jet’s hopeless cries did nothing to drown out the trance that compelled me, and as I remained ogling with fondness toward the cat-like Pokémon that remained suspended in the sky, his gaze grew bored and fell flatly over me, observing me with cruel, indignant eyes.

Then, without any explanation, he lifted his hands and dangled them in the air, closing his eyes for arduous concentration. I was too numb and frozen to really react to what was happening, but a blue shroud layered me, filling me with unbelievable warmth and familiarly, making the world seep into swirling blurs and emotions as meaningless as life itself.

“No!”

A force belted into my side, causing the blue shroud to dissipate as a figure pinned me to the ground with unwanted, punishable strength. I tried to force whatever was on top of me off, but my muscles felt deflated of power, and my body felt already too tired, as if I was still in the blue shroud and it had stirred me into a slumber, a slumber that I would’ve enjoyed to be in for eternity.

“Get off,” I said weakly, shoving against the figure on top of me. When I blinked back my drowsiness, I saw that the one who had tackled me and fastened me to the dirt in such a rough manner had been Asher Helmcruft, one of the only survivors of the Blood Feud, the one that had given a speech earlier today. His blue eyes were wide and stunned as they stared at me in a dwelling of amazement and shock.

Then he gritted his teeth, pulled me upward into his arms and hurdled across the field with natural speed. All the while I was struggling, determined to get out of his arms that felt as durable and solid as iron.

“Let me go,” I rasped, lashing my legs irately outward in an attempt to get him to release me.

“I don’t think so.” He dove behind a building, though it seemed like his elbows were the victim of his courageous dive since they hit the ground first. I wasn’t harmed in anyway, however, since he was supporting my weight with his muscle and still carrying me at least four inches off the ground. He settled me onto my feet and then peeked around the corner of the building, watching the floating terrorist Pokémon with exasperation.

“Damn that Mewtwo,” he cursed, and then glanced towards me. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, and I was feeling great until you showed up,” I spat, looking away angrily.

“Sorry, but that thing isn’t as soothing as it seems. It may be nice and soft at first, but it will end up crushing you. I know this because I’ve studied it. I saw someone get killed by it, and I don’t want to see that ever again.” He shuddered just thinking about it and stole another glance around the corner.

“Right. Well, shouldn’t we be getting far away from here?” I was about to question aloud why I was even still with him, but then I remembered that Jet was nowhere in sight. “Oh shoot! Jet!”

“Who?” He turned around and squinted at me, shaking his head in disbelief.

My eyebrows knitted together, puzzled. “What?”

“Nothing, nothing. What’s your name?”

“Hayley. And yours is Asher, right?”

“Yes.” He jerked out one of the Poké Balls that were on his belt and then pressed a button to increase its size. Then he threw it outward and it opened, a red beam launching from the core of the Poké Ball and materializing into a creature of moderate size, though it was a little low to the ground. The Pokémon summoned was welded and coated in a thick layer of steel and metal, the main part of its body rounded with jagged creases extending downward starting from the circle that was atop its head (or what looked like its head). It had two metallic spikes on each side of its body, looking like the ears of the Pokémon. Its arms were hulky and massive with three metallic thorns acting as fingers along the ends of them. The last thing I noted about the Pokémon was that its eyes were a beaming red, just as intense as the red beam that had materialized it.

“Neal, use magnet rise!”Asher instructed, words flaming with authority.

The Metang radiated a dazzling light and began to levitate absently in midair, looking stripped of worry or fears, tranquility infused in its metal muscles.

Asher beckoned to follow and began to lead me and the hovering Metang, named Neal, to a different area, one that was hopefully farther from here.

“Where are we going? We need to find my Beedrill, Jet,” I added before he could give me the answer to the first question.

<That is not necessary.>

I jumped with exhilaration at the sound of Jet’s quiet voice and smiled widely once spotting the big bee. He had snuck up from behind me, finally able to escape the field of terror of which Mewtwo still roamed.

<Sorry I am for worrying you.> He bowed his head and then stared wordlessly at Asher.

“He’s helping us. No worries,” I assured him and then shifted my attention toward Asher, who was getting more impatient by the second.

“Let’s go.”

He made a trail by sprinting, and I fought feebly to stay leveled with him. His speed was flawless, as majestic as a Rapidash, but that really didn’t help my clumsy feet, which were straining to keep up, already tired from five minutes of running. Neal the Metang was having no worries, and he was busily floating while also being sure to follow in the best way manageable. I assumed he was used to this sort of escape. Jet, like Neal, was having no problems, though he did pause a few times to motivate his repeatedly flapping wings, tirelessly moving.

I stopped, panting gruesomely, trying to catch my breath. “Where…are we…going…?”

“Far away. It would be safer at the base.” He groaned in frustration. “If you do not run I will be forced to carry you.”

“No thanks.” I jolted forward, expecting to outrun him now, but he was right by me the whole time that I thought I would be in the lead. How does he do it?

<Could Mewtwo be back for revenge?> Jet pondered while he flew hurriedly.

“Not likely,” Asher said, surprising me with his knowledge of Poké Language.

“He’s back for the Legendaries, or infinite power.”

“Infinite power?” I questioned, panting in-between.

He nodded. “‘Bring me infinite power or surrender thou treasures.’”

“Mewtwo said that?”

“Yes, and he translated, saying that he wanted the Legendaries.”

“So the Legendaries contain infinite power?” I thought over this carefully but then realized that my thoughts were causing my pace to drag, so I put a hold on things for the time being and continued to run with a blank mind.

“So it seems.”

<So it seems?> Jet peeked curiously at Asher, questions overflowing. Was he thinking of sharing his feelings about how ridiculous it sounded that Mewtwo wanted the Legendaries?

Once it seemed we were out of Viridian, Asher ordered us to hide in the bushes. I crouched low to the ground with my knees poking into my ribs, but I kept as quiet as possible despite the uncomfortable position. Jet settled onto the ground with his stick legs managing to hold him upright. He had a hard time not buzzing, however. Asher crept out of the bushes with Neal, and they disappeared for a while, leaving me and Jet alone in the leafy concealment.

<Can we trust him?> he asked warily, uncertainty flickering in his almost lifeless expression.

“We’ll have to for now. He saved me after all,” I pointed out.

<Even so, it is rather odd…Why is he assisting you? Does he think you are not threatening?>

I looked down at my thin body, recalling all my clumsy and weak moments, which, let me tell you, happened quite often. And let’s not forget my memory is worth crap.

“I don’t even consider myself a threat,” I murmured. “Maybe he just has a soft heart for people in danger.”

<Then why did he not rescue the other citizens of Viridian?> he inquired.

I sighed. “Okay, fine, point proven. But maybe he didn’t want me to suffer the same fate as…his loved one, I think? Maybe it brought back memories of what he saw, and he thought he should rescue me…maybe? I don’t know!” I cried, throwing my hands into the air with aggravation. “Why must you always be so questionable?”

Jet whipped his face out of view. <I am sorry to have bothered you, Hayley. It was unintentional.>

“No, it’s fine. I’m just freaking out right now I guess,” I said anxiously, biting my bottom lip.

<Explain it that would.>

“Explain what?”

<Why you are shaking.>

I swept a perplexed look down at my trembling body and saw that I was the one causing the bushes to dishevel.

I replied, flustered, “Oh sorry. I didn’t realize—”

“Hey, you! In the bushes! Stand on your feet!”

I stared with alarm through the entwining shadows and saw someone’s hand grope the bushes, rummaging their fingers along the ground, as if searching for an object. I pressed my back against a tree trunk and tucked my legs underneath me, paralyzed with fear as the man’s hand came within distance of one of my shaking feet. Jet was unbearably quiet and still like the trees, though they seemed more perturbed due to the abrupt change in the weather.

I almost sighed with relief once the man’s hand exited the greenery, but I was still too frightened to make any sudden movements. Where was Asher? Was he going to return soon?

<Hayley, we must run!> Jet cried out of the blue, and he ascended with torrential speed, stabbing a hole through the bushes.

I didn’t get to ask why he had done so, but I proceeded to following anyway, doing my best to keep up with his panicked, rushing wings. I probably wasn’t even taking his warning too seriously because I didn’t catch up to him in time, and I felt no fear rise within me. That’s why everything happened the way it did.

I was hastily running when something roped my legs and towed my ankles together, causing my body to somersault onto the ground with gravity the one to blame for my aching injuries. I groaned and tried to free myself of the vines now attached to my feet, but it was too late.

A net sliced over me, pinning me to the ground as my body battered inanely from beneath it, my strength pursuing escape.

Unfortunately, there was no way I was going to get out of this, and so I gave up, fear pounding excessively within me, causing my blood to flow more violently through my tired limbs.

Curious to see who my captor was, I peered over my shoulder and saw a giant yellow tulip-shaped creature with two huge leaves as arms and a mammoth leaf hanging over its head like an umbrella. Its wicked eyes were attached beneath the top of its fanged mouth, and I saw that the vine that bound me was one of its own, coming from its back.

The owner of this Victreebel hovered proudly over me, watching me with cruel eyes, almost as if he was jeering over a prize. Then I saw his gloved hand hold up a Poké Ball, pressing a button and recalling the Victreebel with two words, “Return, Sanit.” The Victreebel vanished in a brilliant flash of red light, returning to cradle in its round residence.

The net that cuffed me to the ground was lifted. I sighed with relief as I stood. Thank goodness. Now I could go find Jet and—

Tight hand cuffs gripped my wrists and detained them with a short chain. I didn’t get the opportunity to struggle, for someone shoved me forward, causing my clumsy feet to step over the other and let my body descend. I spluttered, angrily swearing underneath my breath.

“What is the meaning of this? Let me go!” I shouted, hating how I sounded like some whiny, demanding teenager.

“’Fraid not,” cackled a sleazy male, and hard hands forced me forward again after they had hoisted me on my feet.

“What are you doing?!”

“Just listen to what we say, girly, and we won’t hurt ya.” A few laughs roused from behind me.

“Where’s—”

“Shaddup,” the same male interrupted harshly and then jabbed something into my back.

I gulped. It was a gun. I knew now that I would listen to what these men would say because someone’s life was on the line.

My life. And what about Jet? Was he okay? Where had he gone? And Asher?

One of the scumbags wrapped a blindfold tightly around my eyes, prohibiting me from seeing. I walked blindly forward, stepping wherever they guided me. I couldn’t prevent this feeling of helplessness, but I had no choice but to obey if I wanted to live.

Why were they doing this? Usually when men did something as nasty as this, they had a particular goal in mind…

My faced pale. Oh crap! Was I going to get raped? No, no, they had guns…Didn’t rapists have guns? Didn’t they usually apply force to get what they wanted?

I started hyperventilating now as I walked, and one of the men from behind me suggested that I was at the start of a seizure. I ignored the grumble of voices in the best way I could, but nothing could drown out the anxiety of walking blindly while being held against your will by a bunch of strange, armed men who were probably rapists. Eventually the same sleazy man that had been talking to me shushed me, and I went into silence, barring my mouth shut.

What could I do now? If I tried to escape, I would probably get killed. But if I allowed whatever was happening to continue…

I shuddered. No, that wasn’t going to happen. But what other possibility was there?

I cursed my pessimistic mind and started thinking back to what happened with Jet. Obviously he had sensed what was happening, and in a panicked state had told me to run, though it seemed he had told me a little late. He had probably gotten farther than me, but knowing Jet he would be coming back (unless he was being too lazy again) to find me and, if he could, rescue me. As for what happened with Asher…it seemed like he had almost set me up. First he saved me and hid me in greenery that was farther from Viridian. Then he disappeared without warning. Well, as foolish as it was, I had fallen into a trap. Damn my naïve nature.

“Hey, don’t slow down! Keep walkin’!” a different man barked, and a firmer hand pushed me.

I gritted my teeth and continued to walk as instructed.

It took forever until we reached our destination, but when we did, the blindfold was removed from my gaze. The handcuffs, however, remained, shackling my shaking hands.

“All right, girly. Here’s how it works.” The sleazy man who had talked to me at first had combed back black hair and was wearing a black outfit. He stood with a strong stance in front of me. “You’re going to empty your pockets and hand over any items, Pokémon or whatever else you have. Got it?”

“Y-yes sir, but I don’t have anything.” I instantly regretted saying it.

“Sure,” one of them said sarcastically, barking a crude laugh. “Then let me just reach my hand into one of yer pockets and see for myself.”

Oh God.

I was backing away when the man placed his hand into my pocket and rummaged through it. Then, once seeing that it was empty, he pulled it out and stuck it into the other one. He clarified that both were empty until he ordered me to take off my shoes…and the rest of my clothes.

“What?!” I stared with a blushing face toward the smirking, sleazy men, all dressed in black uniforms. “I will not do that!”

“Look, girly, we don’t care if yer naked or whateva. We just need to see if ya have anything on ya. It’s strictly business,” he said, though I wasn’t convinced.

“I am not taking my clothes off,” I said firmly and stepped back, trying desperately to get the cuffs off of my bound hands. “Don’t any of you have Pokémon to clarify that I don’t have anything? Any with x-ray vision?”

One of the men in the back stepped forward and pulled out a Poké Ball. After enlarging it, he pressed a button, threw it forward and said just as a red beam shot from its opened center, “Come on out, Cade.”

A golden-colored Pokémon with brown plates covering parts of its body, such as its torso and arms, materialized from the red beam. It had long horn-like ears on top of its head and slit eyes that watched knowingly, as if its knowledge was vast. Its face was angular, and a long mustache-like shape stretched from its mouth area, extending outward. It grasped a spoon in each hand. Its clawed feet spread apart.

“Cade, examine this girl and see if she has any items or Pokémon on her,” the man instructed.

The Alakazam, named Cade, nodded and swept his eyes, which had begun to glow, up and down my body. I was more comfortable knowing that a Pokémon, who hopefully wasn’t perverted, had searched me instead.

When the Alakazam saw nothing, he turned to his master, shook his head and bowed. The man recalled him.

“Very well. Go on, girly.” A different man shoved me, and I stumbled. The men laughed in unison.

The first I saw of the destination was trees, numerous trees, crowded together. They forced me to walk in the midst of the trees, where a resting area waited eagerly ahead. The trees shaped into a circle, leaving broad space. This space was so spacious and clean that it made me wonder why there weren’t trees in it or why the grass was so shaven. The next thing that happened answered my question.

One of the men shifted away from the group and ran into the center of the space. Then he bent to the ground and looked like he was combing it softly, but I wasn’t sure because his back seemed to shield his actions. Once it looked like he finished doing whatever he wanted to do, he stood, took three steps back and watched. I watched, too, interested to see what he had done.

Half of the space looked like it had vanished, and in its place was a towering arena with an elevated entrance and a surface of iron. Up-close it was so giant that it stunned me at its remarkable size, but I wasn’t frozen for long since the men forced me ahead, thrusting me through the tall entrance.

Inside it was remarkably huge, much huger than the outside. Everything was paved with granite, the surface so sleek and smooth along the ceiling and floors. There were large containers scattered against the walls, small labels tacked to each side of them. Up ahead there were four elevators.
The men led me to the elevators and waited for one to arrive before pushing me into it and pressing A1. The doors closed heavily and the elevator began to descend.

I was tempted to ask if they did anything to Asher or Jet, but I knew if I asked such useless questions they would scold me or tell me to shut up. So I kept quiet and instead pondered what this place could be. It was like…a base. A base for what? Did a base really require such a monstrous size? It looked like some of the old bases Team Rocket were reported to have…but that was ridiculous. Team Rocket were heroes, not villains. The world relied on them.

The bing that echoed through the elevator told me that we had arrived, and the men eagerly pushed me through the opened doors. I stumbled ahead and tried my best to walk where they directed. It was so dark in this new room that I had difficult seeing, but there were lanterns decorated on the walls, illuminating the room faintly. I could vaguely see more containers across the room, stacked against the dimly lit walls.

“Who turned the lights off?” one of the men barked, and then a little click sounded from behind us, the lights flickering on.

I could see much clearer now. I saw large, room-like cells scattered toward the very end of the room. It was almost like a jail cell since there were bars trapping whoever was to be there.

I developed a sinking feeling. Oh crap. They weren’t actually going to…

“C’mon, stop standin’ around!” One of the men shoved me into one of the opened cells and then locked it once I was in. They laughed at me as I gasped and looked wildly around the caged room.

“You mean I’m being held prisoner?” I asked in disbelief.

“That’s right, girly. Now wait here for a coupla hours or so. Our boss has some words for ya.” The men laughed and entered the elevator.

“And don’t even think of escapin’! This room is bein’ guarded! Tough luck for you, girly!” another called, and the elevator shut.

I pressed my back against the wall and sunk to my knees. I was a prisoner. A freaking prisoner. A hostage. A captive. What was I supposed to do? Eagerly await the arrival of their boss? Who was their boss? What did they want with me?

I rocked back and forth. Then, feeling stressed, stood and began to pace. What happened to everyone in Viridian? Asher? Jet? My grandparents?

I rammed my fist into the wall, but regretted it almost immediately since pains swelled in my knuckles. The walls were made of steel it seemed.

“Stupid! Stupid, stupid, stupid!” I started whacking my forehead several times, though it didn’t let the foolishness in my thoughts evaporate. How stupid was I? I had fallen into a trap, an obvious one. Jet was fishy about Asher and was uncertain if we could trust him, so why hadn’t I just run?

I grasped the bars. They felt cool compared to my burning, flustered face.

I glanced uneasily to the outside of the cell. Who was guarding this anyway? Were they guarding it inside this room or somewhere else?

Then, answering my question, a chuckle roused from the shaded part of the room, and I cringed, backing against the wall with fear. I was expecting to see a trainer or someone similar to the men I had seen before, but instead I saw a Pokémon.

The Pokémon was strong and looked like a smoky wolf; its overcoat and legs were black while the rest of its body was gray. Its eyes were piercing red, and they seemed to dance with amusement when staring at me. Its left ear twitched, and the intrigued Pokémon combed it with its paw. Even though it was an adult Pokémon and was probably keen to inflicting damage, I absolutely adored it. It opened its mouth and revealed a set of fangs, sharp and dangerous.

<I was observing you from afar, but I could not help myself,> the Mightyena with a soothing female voice said. <Why were you calling yourself stupid?>

“B-because I fell into a trap,” I said, staring at her with wide eyes. She seemed kind for a guard. “Are you guarding me?”

She didn’t seem shocked that I understood Poké Language. <I was ordered to, yes.> The female Mightyena paused to lick her paw. Then she looked up at me curiously. <What is your name, human?>

“Hayley, Hayley Jace,” I answered. “Yours?”

<Arenglintine,> she answered, then paused. <Those close to me call me Ren.>

“May I call you Ren?”

She nodded and then placed her body onto the floor.

“Ren, did they tell you why they were holding me?” I inquired, scooting closer to the bars.

<I am afraid not. You were, however, important to them somehow. All I am allowed to do is obey. If you escape, I must either kill you or force you back into this chamber. It is the way things are.>

“You speak so formally, like my friend Jet,” I said, trying to forget how she said she would kill me if she had to.

Ren’s eyes tore at me inquisitively. <Tell me, is your friend a Beedrill?>

I blinked, surprised. “Yeah, he is. Why? Have you seen him?”

<Indeed I have. I saw some members wrestling with a Beedrill, who was apparently trying to get into the building. They eventually caught him.>

“I don’t know if we’re talking about the same Beedrill because Jet has already been caught. He already has his own Poké Ball,” I explained. If Pokémon were already caught, then nothing else could catch it—unless the trainer released the Pokémon from the Poké Ball.

<Ah, so then you are new to this.>

“New to what?”

<This organization. You do not know what they do or what they hold. They make objects, special objects. One of the special objects they make can catch Pokémon, even if they have already been caught and contain their own Poké Ball. They caught your friend with that special object. I believe they call it a Rebel Ball, though I am not certain. It is said to catch more efficiently.>

“Th-they make objects like that? What is this organization?” I asked, on edge.

<We have all been told not to speak its name.>

“We?”

<Yes. They call us Servers of Solitude. We are high-leveled Pokémon gathered into an elite force. I am apart of that force. We rule under the organization, the organization whose name must remain unknown.>

“Ren, why are you giving me so much information?”

Her tail swished against the floor. <I was told to guard you, and I am. It does not mean that I cannot socialize as well.>

I paused. Solitude…that was isolation or loneliness. Was Ren, perhaps, lonely? Was that why she talked to me as if she’d known me for such a long time? I could work this to my advantage.

“Ren, solitude is—”

<Yes, I am aware of the definition, and I am in no need of further knowledge. I am not lonely, and I am not talking to you so casually because I am ‘lonely.’ The reason I am socializing is for my reasons and my reasons alone. It could be simply that I am bored. Do not think that this organization is just using me or forcing me to do this. Truly, it is something I wish to do. This organization has given me great values, and I highly respect them. There is no need for further questioning.> She swiveled around to where her tail was facing me, clearly offended that I would think that she was lonely or that I thought the organization was just using her.

“I’m sorry if I offended you, Ren,” I said quietly. “I’m just trying to get some more answers.”

<Then I can give you nothing more.> And then she fell silent.

I waited silently against the wall, thinking carefully on the answers. This organization had a name that Ren couldn’t speak because she was sternly ordered not to speak it. They really didn’t want their name to be known. Perhaps they were criminals. That would make sense. And if Jet really had been caught, then where was he now? Were they going to make him apart of the Servers of Solitude and force him to do things in the same way they forced Ren? Had Asher been captured as well? I was going to ask Ren if she had seen anything else, but she made it clear that she no longer wished to speak to me.

I sighed, continuing to wait.

Then, in due time, a door to the very right opened and in stepped three figures. I watched curiously, expecting to see the organization’s boss. I saw three men come into view. They stood in the shape of a triangle, and the two at the back had their faces covered, their outfits fabricated entirely with black. The man who stood in the front of the two had long red hair and green eyes with square glasses in front of them. His hands were tied behind his back, and he looked like he was being forced to walk. I recognized him instantly. It was the man that had been by Asher at the podium, the one who was guiding him off the miniature stage. He had been captured too?

The two seemed hesitant in making the man trudge along, but they forced him ahead anyway, opening the cell and shoving him inside. The man stumbled but sustained a professional look when the cell door was closed behind him. He glared and grumbled, fidgeting with his tied hands. Then he looked questionably toward me.

“Well at least I’m not alone,” he muttered just as the door to the very right closed. “What’s your name?”

“Hayley. Yours?” I was relieved now that I wasn’t the only captive.

“Solis.” He growled. “These conditions are unreasonable. I must get out of here somehow.” His eyes formed into slits when he saw Ren, who was guarding the door in a firm stance. “You, Mightyena, are you patrolling us?”

<I am indeed, and I shall not move from this spot.> Ren turned her head away, finding Solis of little importance or threat.

He groaned in frustration and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. “There is no point in wasting energy. I will rest instead.”

I waited for him to move again, but when I was finally stripped of patience, I asked, “Do you know Asher?”

Solis raised his head, opening his eyes. “Yes, how do you know—” And then, once examining my face, he blinked and squared his shoulders, leaning closer to me with inquisitiveness. “My God, Asher was right.”

“Right?” I stared with confusion toward the intrigued man.

“Nevermind. Tell me about yourself, Hayley.” He stirred his arms, which were fastened behind his back. He seemed just as uncomfortable as I was in them.

I paused. “Well, I’m fifteen, and I was supposed to get my license, but today is the anniversary of the Blood Feud, and so instead I went to the ceremony. Well, that ended up getting interrupted by Mewtwo, so there was a little change of plans, and I have to wait to get my license. Asher saved me, hid me, and then I got caught.” I ended it early, finding no reason to go into deeper detail. I glimpsed toward him. "What about you?"

“I was in business on the terms of today's ceremony. I am a high-ranking commanding officer for Team Rocket. Asher and I were captured around the same time—about the time that he had left you probably—and they put me here. They’re interrogating Asher as we speak.” He grumbled something as he shifted, sliding his arms under his legs and causing his tied hands to appear in the front. I decided not to question his vague explanation to how he got captured and what happened in-between.

I did the same quickly so it was more comfortable and then arched an eyebrow. “You’re apart of Team Rocket? Oh, thank goodness. So this isn’t Team Rocket.”

He stared at me. “Of course it’s not Team Rocket. We wouldn’t do these unreasonable and awful things to people. It’s some other organization, but I can’t imagine which one.”

I gestured to Ren. “She knows, but she’s not allowed to speak.”

He rolled his eyes. “It’s comforting to know that some guard dog is more familiar with the situation.”

Ren growled, peering over her lowered shoulder, scratching one of her paws into the floor. She obviously didn’t like his comment.

Solis made a face at her but said nothing.

“So what does Asher do in Team Rocket?” I asked.

“Asher started out as a trainee, but he is my apprentice now. His Pokémon aren’t as skilled, but he has improved plenty. I’ve seen great potential in him,” he commented.

“Oh okay.” I rocked in place, unsure of what to say. There was something very odd and familiar about this man, but I couldn’t think of what.

“Any ideas on how to get out of here?” he asked abruptly, motioning toward the bars.

“I should be asking you that. You’re more skilled than I am,” I said with a sigh.

“Yes, I am, aren’t I?” I couldn’t tell if his smug expression was real or joking. His face transpired to utter seriousness. “Those containers…”

I followed his gaze and saw the containers that were backed near the wall, lying peacefully next to the bars, and right beside Ren’s guarded posture. The top half of the container was opened, revealing tiny Poké Balls that were packed all the way to the top. The only ways to reach or even grab the Poké Balls were if our hands were free. Then we could poke our hands through the gap the bars provided and grab one or two. I wondered how I didn’t notice the container there before, but I realized that it didn’t matter since I had been rather panicked.

Solis’s voice fell to a feeble whisper. “If you can untie this rope from my hands then I may be able to grab a few of those Poké Balls.”

I nodded, and using my cuffed hands, I started to untie the rope from Solis’s wrists. The rope came off because it had already been loose, most likely from Solis’s constant prying and fidgeting. Solis crept toward the bars, slipping one of his freed hands through and snatched a handful of Poké Balls. Before Ren could even notice he was already enlarging them and unleashing whichever Pokémon he had grabbed.

The Pokémon summoned were random: a Fearow, Qwilfish, Sealeo and a Granbull. The Fearow was tall and annoyed, spreading its feathers at an open range, squawking complaints and furious comments. The Qwilfish yawned and stretched out the spikes along its body as he confusedly watched us, wondering who we were. The Sealeo was tiny and kept nudging his whiskers, which were pale white compared to his light blue, slippery body. And last but not least, the Granbull was the same Granbull I had seen with the Johto trainer—large, purple and dog-like with a big jaw and bigger fangs to match.

The Granbull glanced toward me incredulously, recognizing me. <Hey, you’re that girl that talked to my trainer!>

I didn’t really have an opportunity to reply to her exclamation because I was distracted and frightened by Ren, who was barking furiously and clawing on the right door with her monstrous body.

“Sealeo, use—” Solis was about to snarl a command, but the Sealeo interrupted.

<My name is Terrence, and is it really necessary to yell?> he asked, flinching, as if Solis had somehow damaged his hearing or he was surprised by the sound of his own voice.

“Just freeze the bars,” Solis said, aggravated by the Pokémon. He took a swift glance toward the door, which Ren still clawed at stubbornly and determinedly.

Terrence, the Sealeo, winced again but did as told, exhaling sharply and seasoning the bars with chilly air. They went frigid and cold, now occupied with ice instead of metal. Solis kicked the bars, causing them to break, a hole now gaping, and a puddle of broken ice chunks scattered along the bottom.

“Come on!” Solis darted ahead, toward the waiting elevators. I followed quickly, beckoning for the Pokémon to do the same.

“Come on guys!” I called, attempting to tug the angered Fearow with my chained hands.

<Get your hands off of me! How dare you touch me! First I’m forced to be in that hell of place you humans call Poké Balls and now I’m being ordered by a bunch of filthy humans?! No!> The female Fearow cawed and shoved me with her sharp feet.

I glanced nervously toward the door Ren pawed at. She looked like she was getting ready to attack. “We seriously don’t have much time! Do you want to be captured again?”

None of them seemed to like my question. The Pokémon, minus the Fearow, scampered toward the elevator, which Solis was now holding for us, waiting patiently. I saw there was no point to try convincing the Fearow, so I grabbed the Pokéball I had released it with, apologized and then recalled it back into its Poké Ball. I snatched the other three Poké Balls, ran to the container, grabbed another handful of Poké Balls and then deposited all of them into different pockets. Once finished doing that, I sprinted to the elevator just as the door Ren had been clawing at burst open. I was in the elevator when I saw five or so men come running toward us with Ren in the lead.

<You shall not escape!> Ren screeched, and leapt forward, landing on top of Terrence, who wailed and rammed into the elevator wall, attempting to get the frisky Mightyena off of him. The elevator doors closed after Ren had landed, blocking the men and preventing them from entering.

The elevator began to rise just as the Granbull, Terrence and the Qwilfish all pounced on top of Ren, cornering her in the small movable space. She strained but could manageably knock them off, sending them crashing against the steel covering of the elevator walls. Her lips stretched back over her fangs, eyes writhing with fury. Ren’s stance was firm and even, showing that she meant business and she wasn’t going anywhere unless we were back in that jail cell.

<She’s good!> the male Qwilfish sputtered in shock.

<Yeah,> the female Granbull said, sounding envious of Ren’s unbelievable strength.

Terrence just whimpered, recoiling into the far left corner of the elevator.

Ren growled. <This is no time to be admiring my strength! You must all die, and I shall ensure that!> Her fangs seemed eager as they stabbed into the Granbull’s flesh, breaking the skin instantly.

The Granbull wailed and swiped at Ren, who forced her fangs deeper into Granbull’s purple flesh.

Panicking now, I fumbled for the Granbull’s Pokéball and recalled it. Then I recalled all of the other Pokémon, leaving just me, Solis and Ren inside the moving elevator.

“You fool!” Solis cried, scolding me.

“Hang on!” I reached into my other pocket and grabbed one of the Poké Balls I had snatched last minute. Then, pressing the button, I called out whoever was there…but to my surprise, there wasn’t a Pokémon inside it. Instead of releasing whoever was inside it, the Pokéball abruptly gaped open, shooting a red beam toward Ren, who shrieked as the capsule closed, pulling her in with it. Then the capsule pinged three times to reveal that it had caught Ren. I stared with alarm. The Poké Balls had turned out to be Rebel Balls. They really did catch efficiently!

“That was quite clever,” Solis said, sounding as relieved as I felt.

“Yes, but it was also an accident. Oh shoot she’s going to be so mad at me,” I said, breathing deeply, inserting the Rebel Ball into my pocket.

“It’s worth the risk.”

“Where are we headed?” I glanced toward the buttons specified in the elevator. The one pressed was labeled Lab 1.

“This is towards the very top of this savage place. It sounds like there’s an alarm going on through the building. All of them will assume we’re heading for the exit, but really we’re going to find Asher and then retrieve all of our Pokémon. Once we do that, we will head for a different exit, like a window. Then we will use our Pokémon to fly.” Solis nodded, reviewing over his plan carefully, deciding everything sounded right.

“Okay, that’s fine with me.”

When we arrived at Lab 1, the doors opened and we stepped out cautiously. Solis thoroughly checked the place until deciding that the coast was clear.

“Let’s look around.”

I nodded. Here we go.


---------------------
Claimer: I own Ren, Jet, Neal, Asher, Solis, Hayley, etc.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or anything affiliated with Pokemon.
TA DAH! Post your reviews and comments if you'd like! =DDDDD
Also, you're probably wondering how they managed to escape so fast. Hmm...I wonder why? Maybe 'cause Solis knows what he's doing. And how does he know what he's doing? That will be answered in Chapter 3 >:3 There's a reason for everything happening. Trust me.

 

[Mitsuki_SOS]

Okie, I need more reviews -.- Seriously. Please? Blah. I need to stop complaining. Sorry. Anyway, this chapter is pretty long, so bear with it. Enjoy! =DDDDDD

*Chapter 3*
The Great Escape​

Desks occupied empty space, while dust collected in areas that remained untouched. It was very dim in the old room with elderly equipment that looked like it hadn’t been used in years. Often the lights in the ceiling would flicker and it would cause me to react wildly, spinning out of control. Then Solis would gesture to the lights and notion for silence, which I wasn’t managing well.

“Maybe we should call one of the Pokémon,” I suggested, gesturing to the Poké Balls that I hadn’t yet used.

“Let me see them.” I handed them over willingly. His eyes slid over them fast, but they were quite sure in what they saw. “These two,” he said, holding up two Poké Balls, “aren’t occupied with Pokémon. And this one,” he said, gesturing to the last one, “is.”

“Are you sure?” I took a brief look at them, finding no difference.

“I’m very positive, but I don’t wish to risk us getting captured by releasing it here. Hold it for when we get to a safer location.”

“Right.” I started to follow after answering, but when the lights flickered again I jumped, causing the Poké Ball to slip out of my hand, producing a loud thud. “Oh crap! I dropped it!” I sunk to my knees and scanned the ground, looking for where the Poké Ball had gone.

“We haven’t the time! Let us hurry!” Solis shout-whispered, frustrated.

I sighed heavily and followed without protest, my intuition telling me something bad was about to happen.

And something did.

The ceiling lights went out. I yelped just as I saw a flash of light, shaped in a circle, dart across the nearest wall.

“Did you hear that?” a male’s voice, not belonging to me or Solis, drifted from one of the entrances to the room. “It came from over here.”

Solis’s hand covered my mouth, obviously knowing that I was about to make a sound. I exhaled shakily, thanking Solis for his great intuition; if his hand hadn’t been there, the noise would’ve lured the men toward our hiding spot.

Circles of light—I guessed they were coming from flashlights—slowly carved over the wall, searching thoroughly. I crossed my fingers and hoped the men would leave. How did they even find us to begin with?

“I found somethin’,” one of the men announced, and I held my breath. “It’s a Poké Ball.”

“That’s probably what made that noise. Release it and see what’s inside. Get your flashlight ready.”

“Right.”

The flashlights were directed toward one area now, lying about fifteen feet from where we sat numbly. Solis pulled me alongside him, quietly shifting on the ground now that the men were distracted. I followed restlessly, sidling my feet.

A red beam emanated the eerie darkness of the lab. At first there was no response from the men who had waited patiently for whatever was inside. But when their reactions came, my head swooped frighteningly in their direction, alarmed.

“What the hell is that thing?!” one of the men shrieked, and dropped their flashlight. I assumed the other one had dropped their flashlight, too, because now it was entirely dark.

My heart thudded as I crawled along the ground. What was it? It couldn’t have been a common Pokémon since the men hadn’t recognized it, but it had to be something that was at least known.

Then the voices of the men pierced the air in agonized, tortured screams, wailing with fear, inhuman pitches rising from usually deep tones. It sounded as if they were being strangled or stabbed, but whatever it was it was causing the men to react abnormally and dreadfully. One of the desks shook, vibrating, rhythmically going along with the men’s screams. One of the screams faded, and my heart dropped as I realized that he was probably dead. The other’s continued until he sounded like he was choking on something. And then, just as heart-stopping as the first one, the man’s screams cut off, though his was quicker while the first had drifted as an echo.

I held my breath and went still. Solis seemed to do the same. I wondered if his heart was pounding as much as mine was. Was the Pokémon going to come after us now?

I waited, waiting for the moment where I was consumed with torture, the moment where I would slowly die as the men had, the moment I would be so still that I wouldn’t have to feel for a pulse to know that my heart had gone.

But, thankfully, that moment didn’t come.

Instead we listened and heard nearly silent feet patter against the floor, growing distant. And then, bizarrely, we heard the elevator doors open and close, as if the Pokémon had waltzed toward it and requested to ride.
Eventually the lights flickered on, and I stood quickly, tracing my steps all the way back to the men, who lied on the floor with peaceful expressions. The only thing not peaceful about their expressions, however, were the bloodshot eyes staring wide-eyed toward the ceiling, making me question if they were really dead. (I guess it’s not really peaceful if their eyes are open in that way…) After Solis took a pulse, however, he confirmed their deaths. I stared at the dead men in shock, wondering if I should be feeling relieved or sad.

“What was that thing?” I asked, swallowing so loud that I was positive Solis could hear it.

“I’m not sure…but I don’t want to stick around to find out. Follow,” he ordered, flitting across the lab room with speed that matched Asher’s.
I dashed after him, running through the entrance the men had first come from.

Well that was a mistake.

The steel-covered room was huge and nearly empty, and it echoed our noisy footsteps. Toward the other side of the room stood masked men. All of them clambered in from the far entrance, scanning frantically. When they spotted us, they went hysterical.

“Prisoners! The prisoners! The prisoners are here!” they shouted, and ran hurriedly toward us.

I flinched and automatically pulled out one of the Poké Balls, calling out whoever was in there. Unfortunately, I picked the wrong one.

Ren appeared from the summoned Poké Ball, shaking all over with either anger or fear. I picked anger since she swung her gaze crossly at me, locking her jaw.

<You! You captured me! You caught me! You’re...! You’re…!> She continued to tremble, and I guessed that she couldn’t find a word bad enough to describe me.

“C-calm down. I don’t think we should fight here—” I was interrupted by one of the stampeding men, who proceeded to pulling out a Pokéball and throwing it. Out came a Mightyena, as mighty and smoky as Ren, but instead of a female it was a male.

The male Mightyena shook out its fur and stared questionably at Ren. <Ren?>
Ren’s expression softened and she peered toward the newly arrived Mightyena with welcome. <Furor!>

He took a step back, weighing her stance with uncertainty. <What are you doing on the enemy’s side…?>

<I am not on their side,> she scoffed, throwing a dirty glance in my direction. <This human named Hayley caught me with a Rebel ball!>

<A Rebel ball?> The Mightyena named Furor shot an empowering scowl toward me, growling as it stepped forward, paws embedding scratches to the floor. <Human, you’ve stolen Ren! You have…you have exposed her to your childish race! She may not come back to us because of you!>

<What?> Ren swiveled, looking horrorstricken. <What are you saying, Furor? Of course I can come back.>

<No. You cannot.> His gaze lowered heavily. <Those caught by the enemy…remain with the enemy. It is one of our laws, and we abide by the laws.>

<B-but I never went with this human willingly! She caught me without warning! There was no opportunity or choice! You…you cannot just…throw me…away like…trash.> Her voice trembled, whimpers exuding from her throat. She spoke the words hesitantly, as if she had a hard time saying them. Hearing her voice made me wonder if Pokémon could cry.

<I am sorry, Ren.> Furor reared on his back paws, tail sticking straight up as he howled. <This is the way things are. I do not wish for you to leave, but there is a reason for everything. We must balance.>

<Balance?> A shiver passed over fur. Her paws stiffened, tail flicking the air violently. <There is no balance! This world remains unequal as it always has!>

<I’m sorry.> Furor took a step back, bowing his head thoughtfully. Then he heeded to his trainer’s commands, springing forward and latching onto Ren’s trembling shoulders.

Several of the other trainers were talking into walkie talkie’s, calling for backup at the most. A few of them began to summon various Pokémon. Pokémon of all kinds rooted to the spot, waiting for their trainer’s instructions. Bottom line, we were outnumbered.

Ren tossed Furor off of her quickly, but he made a swift comeback, throwing his claws and stabbing them along her flank. She wailed and tossed him again, disappearing and reappearing behind him, clawing him to the ground. It looked like she was holding back in strength, and I saw remorse glimmer in her eyes.

Out of nowhere, I called out, “Ren, use bite!”

She glowered. <You do not command—> Furor abruptly tackled her to the ground, cutting her off. Then, surprisingly, she bit him harshly on the leg, causing him to screech and bite back. She bit harder, and her gaze met mine, waiting.

“Flip over!” I commanded, feeling authority thrust in my words.

She did as told, flipping over onto her stomach and edging Furor into the ground. Furor released his fangs from her fur, struggling to get her off.
“Bite him again and throw him further away from you! Into another Pokémon!” I shouted.

She bit him along the leg and whipped her head around, releasing the grip on his leg, causing him to fly right into a Noctowl that flew obediently by a different trainer. Ren skipped over to me quickly, kneeling by my side. Her eyes watched Furor, maddened with vengeance, or that’s what it seemed like. Furor limped toward his trainer, and the trainer recalled him quickly before more damage could be done.

“Awesome job, Ren!” I congratulated her happily, though the look she gave me was beyond any fury I’ve ever seen.

<Do not tell me I did an awesome job because I usually do much better, and if it were not for you, human, this would not have happened in the first place. Furor and I would not be fighting. Because of you, everything has gone into turmoil, so I do not need to hear any compliments or congratulations from you,> she snapped, whipping her head away and launching herself toward a Golbat that fluttered nearby. I decided not to command her since she was mad at me.

I looked over my shoulder at Solis to see he was battling using the Qwilfish and the Fearow. The Fearow was listening to Solis’s instructions, though it seemed like she was still giving him a hard time. The Qwilfish did its best to obey and often ran into a few Pokémon that remained idle. Its spikes had set the Pokémon off, and a battle started.

I gulped at how many men had crowded around. More Pokémon were being summoned, and they had begun to corner us. We were trapped and outnumbered, and there was no way we would win.

Solis recalled the Pokémon and gritted his teeth. “Back down. Now.”

I stared at him in astonishment. Was he actually ordering the men? Did he actually think they would listen to him? They would probably laugh at him in the same way they had laughed at me.

The men didn’t laugh or mock Solis in anyway. Instead they stared at him in fear.

One of them questioned, “I-is that…?”

Another squeaked, “H-he’s…!”

He’s what? I squinted and rubbed my eyes, making sure I was seeing right. The men were afraid, right? They sounded afraid.

“N-now, men! Move, move!” A chubby man tore through the stunned crowd, his face puffed up and hot, as if he had run a long distance. “I have come to take the prisoners! The master has requested to see them now.”

We obviously had no choice but to go since we were outnumbered, trapped and cornered. I quickly recalled Ren to her Poké Ball before things got out of control.

Solis trailed ahead, past the paralyzed men, who stared at him incredulously. I followed uneasily, ignoring some of the faces given to me by the disbelieved men. The chubby man led us to another elevator and pressed the very top button labeled Main Office.

I stood thinking in the elevator. Who could their boss be? Did it really matter? Well, yes, it did matter because whoever their boss was was the leader of this unknown organization.

When the elevator opened, the main office was in full view. The blinds in the windows were folded to where they blocked out the outside landscape. A large desk was tilted against them, multiple stacks of paper divided evenly on top of it. The scent in the air smelled like wet cardboard.

The chubby man looked questionably toward Solis and then cleared his throat. “The master will see you momentarily.” Then he trotted away.

The only other people in the room were the guards who watched the elevator, standing in front of it protectively, watching us with hounding eyes.

Solis paced and turned toward me. “So your name is Hayley, correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct,” I answered, peering toward one of the far doors, waiting for it to open and reveal who the boss was.

“What kind of Pokémon did you have, before they were taken up?”

“Well, I don’t really have any Pokémon because I don’t have my license yet,” I answered, “but my grandparents’ Pokémon, who is a Beedrill, was captured here. I need to find him.”

“Ah I see. And how long have you lived in Viridian City?”

“As long as I can remember…but I don’t have a very good memory, so that’s why I can’t remember any of my childhood.” I smiled meekly.

“I see…how far can you remember?”

“Um…” I paused. “Up to the past couple of months. Even then everything is really hazy. I don’t know why.”

“I see. And you’re saying Asher saved you before, right?”

“Yeah. Mewtwo covered me in this blue aura, and Asher tackled me before it could do any damage. Then he hid me in the bushes.”

“And how old are you?”

“Fifteen.”

“Hm. I see you can understand Poké Language. Did you study it before?”

I frowned before answering. Why was he asking me so many questions? “Yes, that’s correct. I studied it ever since I first came here.”

“And why do you live with your grandparents?”

“Well, I think my parents were killed in the Blood Feud. I’m not really sure though,” I said, lowering my gaze to the floor.

“Oh, well I’m very sorry for your loss. And what was your name again?”

“Hayley, Hayley Jace,” I said, wondering if he had a memory problem too.

“Right, right. Hayley Jace. Yes, thank you.” He tapped his chin and then slipped his gaze to the ceiling, almost as if he was thinking. “What do you think of the Blood Feud and Mewtwo?”

“Um…Well, honestly, I don’t think Mewtwo actually said those warnings. I think Asher must’ve heard wrong.”

He glanced quizzically toward me, eyes bewildered. “Really? Tell me your theory then.”

“I mean, it seems really ridiculous that Mewtwo would want the Legendaries. He said he wanted infinite power, right? Well, if he was really that powerful as to kill everyone, then why doesn’t he go and get the Legendaries himself?”
He nodded slowly, giving me a notion to continue.

“And, if the Legendaries really do have infinite power, we could just use them—with their permission, of course—against Mewtwo so that he would be overpowered. It’s as simple as that.”

“Yes, that is a very clever idea…Hm. Thank you for sharing that with me.” He gestured to the guards, who nodded and sprinted from their position to open the door.

I stared. What was going on? Did Solis just give the guards a signal? Why was everyone suddenly obeying everything he said?

A sinking feeling crept into my stomach. The guards opened the door and revealed a tied up Asher, who struggled and cursed under his breath, rubbing his wrists together, as if to set the cuffs on fire with friction. He looked up suddenly and caught sight of Solis, causing him to grit his teeth and curse at him lowly. The guards guided him over to us, but it was clear that Asher had no freewill.

“What’s…” I trailed off, eyes slowly settling onto Solis’s cold face and twisted expression. Was he…

“Let me introduce myself again. My name is Solis Stryder, and I am the executive and leader of this building, which works under Team Rocket. I am a powerful executive that is strong enough to be Giovanni’s successor.” He bowed, wicked smile coaxing his traitor lips.

“You’re…the boss?” My voice was hollow and monotonous, though the bewilderment of his betrayal hiding in it was about to come out.

“I am the boss of this building, but not of the organization. Meet my former successor, Asher Helmcruft.” He gestured to the struggling Asher, who was probably cursing his name right about now.

“So…you were never a prisoner, were you? You were just…acting.” I said this all slowly, the anger welling up in my chest, fists already shaking, as if I was suffering from an internal earthquake.

“Yes, that’s correct. I told the staff throughout the building that I would be acting as a prisoner in order to get more information. It worked, and I am thankful for your cooperation, Miss Jace.” He bowed again, and I wanted to knee him in the groin after seeing the smile extend even wider across his smug face. “I knew that you wouldn’t hand over the information willingly if I asked you in my normal role. So I took on the role of a prisoner in order to fool you. I’m thankful it worked.”

“So Team Rocket is behind this?” I glowered coldly, curling and uncurling my fingers continuously, readying a weak slug toward his arrogant face. “When I get out of here, I’m going to…” I trailed off, unable to find a threat worthy enough to say aloud.

“You’re going to what? Tell Poké News that Team Rocket isn’t the heroes they appear to be? Oh? And who will believe you? Remember, Team Rocket were the ones that fought in the Blood Feud to ‘protect’ the citizens so that no further damage would be caused.” He snickered. “I’d love to see you try making the public believe you.”

“You’re evil! Why would you do something like this?! Why would you trick innocent citizens into believing that you’re the good guys when you’re not?! What are you planning?!” I shouted, fighting against one of the guards who attempted to restrain me by locking my arms behind me.

“Oh, this plan of action was issued by the president himself. I merely suggested a few things. He’s the real mastermind behind this.”

“You bastard!” Asher shouted, and heaved one of his legs toward Solis, but the guards forced him to the ground, restraining him with muscle and, hopefully not loaded, guns.

“Remember, Asher, you were the one that wanted to follow in the footsteps of this bastard,” Solis said, and rolled his eyes, snapping his fingers toward the chubby man that stood favorably near by. “Gene, it appears we have a loose Pokémon in the building. It’s deadly, so be extremely careful.”

As Solis filled the chubby man named Gene on the details of the Pokémon who had killed the two men, my eyes slid toward Asher’s ashamed face, meeting his eyes. The bright blue in his eyes appeared overwhelmed, and as they caught sight of mine, they seemed more focused on me than anything else. I silently picked apart the emotions displayed in his face—grief, shame, anger and apology. I could give no reason for these emotions, but I knew that he must’ve been shedding a large amount of hate toward Solis at the moment.

How could I let Solis trick me so easily? His acting, I had to admit, was flawless, so there were possibilities that someone, who was hopefully less naïve than me, could fall for his tricks as well. It was so convincing that he had been a prisoner that I was still finding it somewhat hard to believe that he really was the leader of this building, this station. I believed his claims, but I just couldn’t believe someone would go that far as to get nearly useless information from a prisoner who was probably worth nothing. Maybe that’s how he got his position; he was willing to go far to get what he wanted.

I peered once again toward Asher, who had been watching me the entire time that I had been deep in thought. I mouthed a message to him: “I’m sorry.”

He mouthed back: “Not your fault.”

I mouthed: “This sucks.”

He rolled his eyes before mouthing: “No kidding.”

Carefully forming the words, I mouthed: “What now?”

His response: “They took my Pokémon, but don’t you have some still?”

It took me awhile to comprehend what he said since the gears in my brain ran a little slower than others, but I nodded and scooped one out of my pocket. The guards were too busy focusing on Solis to pay attention to what I was doing.

Quickly, I called out Ren, who lengthened her tail by doing a keen stretch. Her eyes fastened onto mine, narrowing. The guards noticed her instantly and tackled her, pinning her to the ground.

<What in the world?! Get off of me you oversized baboons!> she growled, and slipped out from underneath them, stabbing her teeth into each of their arms as a threat. <Stay away from me or I will severely hurt you!>

I guessed that the guards didn’t know Poké Language, for they tackled her again and tested her patience. She lost her cool instantly.

She bit them furiously and knocked them into the walls, going after the ones that had begun to restrain me again. Once the guards, and even Gene, were unconscious or severely injured, she howled and keeled upward on her heels.

Solis reached into his pocket, threateningly holding up a Pokéball. “Ren, that is unnecessary. Do not rough house. Let’s negotiate.”

<Negotiate?> She peered toward me. Then she glimpsed back toward him. <I am listening.>

“You may come back to Servers of Solitude with no consequences. You can have a new Poké Ball, and you no longer have to be with Hayley. Everything will go back to the way they were before,” he suggested, and I felt like a hole had formed in my gut. I knew exactly what she was going to say.

<Very well. I accept your offer.> She didn’t even hesitate. She trotted to Solis’s side and sat loyally beside him, gaze piercing mine.

What now? I thought. Were we going to be held in a cell for the rest of our lives? Would they starve us? Feed us to Mewtwo the next time he came around? No, they would do something far worse. They were probably going to kill us slowly by torturing us. Maybe they would even sacrifice us to that unknown, deadly Pokémon that had killed those men in the lab.

I was about to turn to Asher and tell him we were defeated when suddenly a cry of pain caught my attention. My head whipped to look at Solis, who had fallen onto the ground with Ren’s fangs sunken deeply in his shoulder. Whenever he struggled, she only seemed to bite harder, her face controlled with coolness while her eyes sustained rage. When she pulled away, Solis was curled up in too much pain to give any other reactions.

<Tell Furor that was meant for him.> She leapt toward me and Asher, her head bowing slightly as her leg bent to kneel. <I am in debt to you, but I do not have the time to explain why. We must leave.>

I was in shock. Was she acting? I couldn’t be sure, and I really didn’t have time to figure it out.

I thanked her and turned toward Asher, grateful that things were starting to change for our benefits. “Where did they put your Pokémon?”

“In Solis’s drawers,” he answered, and continued to rub his cuffs together.

<Allow me.> Ren gnawed on the cuffs until the metal fell apart from her grinding force.

Asher blinked and thanked her, feeling as astounded as I was. Then she did the same for the cuffs that latched my wrists together.

I ran toward Solis’s desk and tried sliding the drawers open, but they were locked. “I can’t open it,” I grunted, glaring.

“Gene has the keys.”

I ran toward Gene’s unconscious body and slipped my hand into his pockets. I pulled out a ring of many, many keys and then ran back over to Solis’s desk, inserting a random key into the keyhole.

Many useless keys later, I finally found the right key, and the drawer clicked open. I grabbed all of the shrunken Poké Balls and handed them to Asher. I browsed quickly through useless trash in Solis’s drawers, grabbing a few healing ailments kept in the compartments. Then I closed the drawer and beckoned Ren and Asher over to the elevator.

While we waited for the elevator to arrive, I glimpsed toward Solis to see that he was no longer in his cringing state. Instead his hands were crawling toward the Poké Ball he had dropped.

“No! Ren, attack him!” I instructed quickly, but it was too late.

Just as Ren bit him harshly along the leg, a gigantic figure materialized from the opened Poké Ball. It was a huge monster that was ten times my size with steel coated gravel making up most of its body. It looked like large rocks were what shaped its body, but the biggest part of its body was its swiveling head, which was also made of the steel gravel. Its mouth was tight and carved into a big sneer, and its eyes seemed like the only human thing apart of it. Ren was like a tiny speck in the giant Steelix’s shadow.

The Steelix jeered as his master commanded, “Remove this Mightyena and crush her!”

<With respect, sir,> the Steelix chuckled and swiped Ren into his rocky tail.

“No!” I cried, just as the Steelix had begun to squeeze her. Panicking, I snatched an unused Poké Ball from my pocket and pressed the button, holding it toward the Steelix. The Steelix was immediately caught in the red rays, and it didn’t even have time to react once it had been absorbed in the Poké Ball. I sighed with relief as the Pokéball pinged three times, confirming that I had caught Solis’s Steelix.

Ren panted heavily on the ground, unable to move. She rose slowly, gritting her teeth to withstand the pain that blazed through her. I was so relieved that she was still conscious, but the relief vanished once I saw Solis grasping another Poké Ball. I quickly held up her Poké Ball and recalled her before Solis could even press the button.

The last thing I saw before the elevator doors closed was Solis’s outraged expression and the words that came with it: “You will pay!”

Asher exhaled. “We finally got out of there.”

“Yeah…” I paced. “So…any explanations as to what happened when you disappeared?”

He sighed and scratched the back of his head. “Well…I went off to talk to Solis about what our plan of action would be. I told him I had gotten a few citizens in Viridian City to safety. He asked me if they had seen Mewtwo’s attack, and I nodded. Then he demanded where they were, and I told him in the bushes. He ordered some men to go out and search for them and then take them back to the base. I was confused from what he said, so I asked him what he meant. Then he knocked me unconscious. I woke later without any Pokémon or items. That’s all that happened.”

“And you used to work for him?”

He nodded and clenched his fists. “He’s a jerk. Worse than that. He’s an undeserving bastard. He’s used me countless times, and he continues to. I won’t let that happen anymore.”

“That’s good…” I trailed off, thinking of what else to say.

“What was this Pokémon he was talking about with Gene?” Asher inquired.

“Oh, I don’t even know much about the Pokémon. Just that it killed two men who had been searching for us and then used the elevator to get somewhere.” I shrugged. “I have no idea what it was.”

Red lights suddenly blared throughout the elevator, sirens wailing a dreary tune. I jumped at the sudden noise and almost toppled into the wall.

“It looks like we’re about to find out,” Asher said, bracing himself, locking his legs into a firm stance just as the doors opened.

I was surprised at how many things were happening at once. The ground floor Asher had chosen was filled with cloaked, screaming men and even a few women that blended in with the panicking crowd. Lots of Pokémon were scattered, some confused as they searched longingly for their trainers. It was obvious that this level was at a state of panic. Could it, perhaps, be the Pokémon?

Asher pulled a Poké Ball out of his pocket and stepped out of the elevator, calling out whichever Pokémon. It turned out to be a large, airborne dinosaur with huge flapping purple wings, a strong whipping tail, purple-coated skin, beady eyes and a mouth that opened to reveal a set of saw blade teeth.

Asher climbed onto the summoned Aerodactyl’s back—just between its wings—and offered his hand to me. “Grab on.”

“I don’t know. What if this unknown Pokémon is capable of flying?” I said anxiously, peering toward the fearful pack.

“I doubt it.” He beckoned and smiled. It held surprising warmth, and I almost immediately took his hand, steadying myself behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist, afraid that I would fall off. “Don’t worry,” he said assuringly, “you won’t fall. Now, Aurion.”

The Aerodactyl nodded and kicked off the ground, a surge of air causing tears to form in my eyes as it temporarily blinded me with blurs. Its wings flapped quickly and then steadily, controlling the air with its large tilted shape. Aurion waned, curving toward the right. This gave me and Asher an opportunity to glimpse toward the ground to see the unknown Pokémon.

Asher pointed toward one of the corners that the pack fled from. “Aurion, land near there.”

Aurion craned its head to look where Asher pointed and then nodded. <Mmkay.> It was a weird response to come from such a noble Pokémon.
He dove toward the ground, and I felt my legs beginning to slip, yearning to go behind me. I squeezed Asher tighter, hoping and praying that I wouldn’t slip off. Asher laughed, though it sounded like my grip was almost causing him to gag. I eased my strength and sighed with relief once Aurion pecked his feet along many crates that were piled on top of the other.

Once we were safely off of Aurion, Asher recalled him and stuck the Poké Ball in his pocket. Then he called out Neal, his Metang.

“Neal, use magnet rise,” he ordered, and Neal began to levitate just like earlier today. He peered toward me. “Aren’t you going to call out a Pokémon just in case the Pokémon tries to attack you?”

I shook my head. “I’d rather not let anymore Pokémon get hurt. Besides I don’t have much.”

He stared at me and blinked. “That’s really nice of you to sacrifice yourself for your Pokémon, but do you really want to risk getting killed?”
I shrugged. “Doesn’t matter to me.”

Neal stared with narrowed eyes at Asher. <I’m offended. So what am I? Your bodyguard? You don’t care if I get killed? Well I never!>

Asher ignored Neal and scowled at me, enraged by what I said. He didn’t say anything else, however, and instead pulled out a Pokéball, releasing a Pokémon from it. A big, round cerulean Pokémon appeared with glaring eyes, balled fists and a swirled pattern on its stomach. The Poliwrath glimpsed curiously toward Asher.

“Protect her, all right?” Asher instructed, pointing toward me.
I was about to protest but the Poliwrath kneeled before me and closed its eyes.

<Maiden, I shall protect you with all my might! I will not fail you!> the male Poliwrath said, speaking with what I assumed was pure seriousness.

Neal rolled his eyes. <Kiss-up.>

The Poliwrath scowled at Neal. <Your mom’s a kiss-up!>

Okay…so the Poliwrath—Asher told me his name was Felix—wasn’t as serious as I assumed him to be. But he seemed eager enough.

Asher, blocking out the screams the crowd continued to make, crawled along the piled crates, slipping off one of them and landing strongly on the ground. I did the same and strained my hearing, preparing myself for what I knew would be the worst. Neal whispered a chain of complaints, scolding Asher for what he said earlier, still insulted by Asher’s carelessness toward his safety. Felix was following by me like a knight; his chest puffed outward, fists ready for action.

Asher froze by one of the crates and kneeled to the ground, peeking around the corner. What he saw made him gape and recoil back to his hidden position, shaking his head with wide eyes.

“What? What is it?” I whispered, trying to peer over his shoulder.

“It’s…I don’t know,” he said, still alarmed.

“Well, can I see?” I asked with growing impatience.

<Please allow the maiden to see,> Felix said with a bow.

<And you wonder why we don’t like you,> Neal said, rolling his eyes.

“No, it’s…” He shook his head. “Not unless I know what it is.”

I sighed and gazed forward, seeing several dead bodies lying on the ground, containing the same look of horror the men in the lab had. I shuddered and turned away, but I couldn’t help the image that flooded my mind.
Suddenly something flashed. Darkness roused. I felt my body hit the ground hard, cringing. A scream ripped out of my throat, the sound tearing at the inner, garbled flesh. Images reeled in my brain. The first image I saw was blood, continuous blood spluttering outward from someone I couldn’t see. Then I saw darkness, and in the center of the darkness laid a mysterious Pokémon.

The mysterious Pokémon was one I’d never seen before. The shape it took reminded me of a cat or a dog, but once really looking at it I decided that it looked like a different kind of Espeon. Its ears were fluffy and large like those of an Espeon, and its tail was long and forked. Its paws were tiny and delicate, and it generally moved in the same way an Espeon did with the same colored jewel on its forehead. The only difference between this Pokémon and an Espeon was its fur, which was pitch black, and along its collar bone was a choker of red, almost looking like an engraved necklace. Its paws were wispy with swirls of darkness, the fur on top of its head was like a flame of white, but parts of it were wispy with black. And, last but not least, the last detail I saw of this Pokémon was its stunning, jeweled aqua eyes, entirely different from the adorable, soft eyes of an Espeon.
What was it? The shade, the texture carved into this Espeon was so familiar…What was it? It was something dark and mystifying that blended with this Espeon.

As I thought carefully of this, the different Espeon approached me, the wisps on its fur fluttering as it ambled gracefully, looking approachable and kind. When it was entirely in front of me, it made me think that I was in some sort of dream…or a nightmare.

Then it hit me. It was an Espeon mixed with Darkrai.

The Darkrai-mixed Espeon lifted its paw, as if to touch me. Before its fur could even brush me, I reached forward and brushed my hand along its black fur. A shiver passed through me. It was like grasping darkness, but the fur upon its body created a different effect, the soft texture bristling against my skin as my hand continued to stroke it, the will to stop never settling.

Suddenly the vision flashed and I was breathing heavily, lying against the crates with Asher peering over at me. I looked down, staring at the blood seeping into my shirt. I had bled? From what? Was that what I saw bleeding? I was the one that was bleeding? What happened?

I peered past Asher and saw Felix and Neal on top of something, though they didn’t give it the opportunity to stand or even rise.

Before Asher could even react to my consciousness, I stood suddenly and threw myself at Felix, peeling him and Neal off of the Darkrai-mixed Espeon.

“What are you doing?” I shrieked, and tenderly placed them to the side before bending down to check on the Darkrai-mixed Espeon. “Are you okay?”

Asher said something from behind me, but I wasn’t listening. I was too focused on the beaten Pokémon lying right in front of me.

It opened its jeweled eyes hesitantly, and I was instantly chilled by how breathtaking it was. How could anyone be afraid of such a beautiful, delicate creature?

The jeweled eyes held no emotions. It stared at me silently, not finding the courage to speak.

“What’s your name?” I asked gently. I waited for its answer patiently.

The Darkrai-mixed Espeon turned and swiftly ran away, toward the crowd of people who had yet to escape. The people it approached ran faster, screaming wildly.

Immediately, I bolted after it.

“What are you doing?!” Asher shouted, and I heard him running from behind me.

He caught up in no time, and when he did, he snatched my hand and tugged me, causing me to stumble. I fell face-first into the ground and spluttered, standing quickly and pulling away from him.

“No! Stop!” He tugged me again, and I turned to darkly glare at him.

“Stop it! I need to go after it!”

“Why? Why can’t you just let it go? It’s…a monster.”

My scowl deepened. “It is not. It’s just misunderstood. It means no harm, and I know it.” I was about to start running again when Asher squeezed my wrists tighter.

“No…please…I can’t lose you again…” His voice was disarrayed with madness and sorrow, eyes yearning for me to stay.

I stared at him confusedly. “Uh, what?” He seemed serious, but it made me wonder if this was some sort of flirting tactic. You could never tell.

He blinked and shook his head, looking away. “I-I’m sorry. You just remind me so much of her.”

“Her?” I arched an eyebrow and then remembered he had lost someone very dear to him in the Blood Feud.

His gaze quivered with grief. “Yes. Lyla.”

“Lyla?” A name that seemed so distant but sounded so familiar. Why did my skin tingle after hearing it?

He released the grip on my wrists and sighed. “I’m sorry. You can go.” Then his sorrow lifted, as if it wasn’t even there in the first place. In its place was a look of determination. “I’ll follow behind you. You lead the way.”

I nodded and picked up my fast pace from before. Asher followed by my side with Neal and Felix coursing by him.

I forced my way through the crowd and faintly saw the Darkrai-mixed Espeon pawing in the distance. The trail instantly cleared wherever she stepped as people piled into the elevators, indomitable for escape.

“Wait!” I shouted, and watched as she waited for an elevator to arrive, jeweled eyes seemingly anxious now.

I got to her just as the elevator appeared, and when the doors opened, she fluttered inside, only to run straight into Solis. I froze and stared at his bandaged leg and shoulder, the damage that had been caused by Ren. Asher cursed once seeing him and got Neal and Felix into position.

Solis glared. “It’s you two.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a Poké Ball, though once he saw the Darkrai-mixed Espeon, he swiftly backed away, knowing that she could be dangerous. He stepped out of the elevator, avoiding contact with her.

Before the doors could close, I piled into the elevator, Asher and his Pokémon doing the same.

“Don’t worry, we’ll send you a postcard,” I called out to the foolish-looking Solis, who stood in front of the elevator doors right before they had closed. Then I turned my attention to what was important.

The Darkrai-mixed Espeon cringed in a corner, shaking uncontrollably.
“It’s okay, I won’t hurt you,” I whispered, anxiously reaching my hands out toward her.

I could tell that she didn’t trust me no matter how soothing I tried to sound. Her calmness was still there despite her trembling body, and her black fur fringed an enormous shiver. She suddenly hissed, eyes bearing threat.
“I have no reason to hurt you,” I whispered, beckoning for her, telling her it was all right.

“Why don’t you just catch it if you’re so interested in it?” Asher asked sardonically, though I could tell that it bothered him that I was trying to socialize with a “monster.”

I glared at him. “If you didn’t notice, it’s a her, and she doesn’t want to be caught. I’m not going to catch her unless she wants me to.”

“That’s ridiculous. Would you catch a Legendary after it gave you permission to?” It seemed like he rolled his eyes. “I don’t understand you sometimes, Lyla.”

“Hayley,” I corrected him, and he flinched from his own mistake.

“Sorry…You’re just exactly like her—”

“What’s your name?” I asked her, interrupting Asher.

She stood frozen against the wall, no longer trembling. Then she crept toward me, slowly and carefully, still doubting that she could trust me. Willingly, she lifted her paw, and I touched it gently, an image flooding my mind, playing through my brain like film.

I stood, trapped in the vision she was trying to show me.

There were men with white lab coats standing over me, murmuring of progress or how the experiment was going successfully. They held lights to my eyes, momentarily blinding me as they felt around my body, combing my fur. (I realized later that she was showing me what happened through her own eyes in one of her memories.) Then they raised me and lifted me into a square-shaped space, looking almost like a microwave.

Darkness smeared my vision. Through the darkness I felt pain, causing me to scream in endless exhaustion and agony. I couldn’t feel anything other than the pain. Feelings were absorbed by the darkness, washing away the fear but leaving the pain to scar. Forever rolled by until darkness turned to light, but when light returned, I saw it through different eyes.

These weren’t my eyes. Whose eyes were they? I heard the men scream the name Darkrai, and I flinched. No. This didn’t happen. I was someone else? I was Darkrai?

I was given the freedom to walk without any assistance, and once I did, I went straight to a mirror, seeing the newly developed aqua eyes and dark fur. My reflection shook. This wasn’t happening. What about my brother? What would he say? He would say I was a monster!

I was brought back to reality once the Darkrai-mixed Espeon removed her paw from my skin. She watched my reaction with glistening eyes, eyes that looked like they were filled with tears, tears that she probably couldn’t cry.

I spooned this information. “So that’s what happened? They merged Darkrai’s genes with you?” I was guessing since that’s exactly what it seemed like.

She nodded.

“How did you end up in a Poké Ball? A Poké Ball that was in that container?” I inquired.

She touched her paw delicately to my skin again.

I was resting depressingly in a cage that the men had spitefully locked me in. I heard them say I was trouble, but I hadn’t rebelled against them in anyway. I have, however, tried escape and gotten nowhere in return, but it was always worth a shot—especially since my brother, Argyles, was gone, transferred somewhere far, far away. It was then, after I rested my chin into my paws that I saw someone dart into the room, and it wasn’t any of the white-coated men.

It was a boy with dark hair and even darker eyes. He was breathing hard, as if he had run from something. He had locked the door to the room and looked almost as if he was searching for somewhere to hide. That’s when he saw me.
He seemed scared at first, but then he approached my cage and smiled.

“You don’t want to be in that cage, do you?”

I didn’t feel the need to answer. Instead I stared at him in shock. Why was he talking to me?

“I’ll get you out of here,” he promised, and somehow managed to unlock the cage using a large dog. I felt I could trust him after that, even when he locked me in a red capsule.

“I’ll release you some other time,” he said, “but not right now.” Then the red capsule sucked me up in one red beam, and I was drifting cozily in an almost lifeless slumber.

Like before, her paw pulled away, her soft, sheltering fur no longer brushing along my sensitive skin. I was stunned into silence because I realized, after seeing that vision, who that boy was—the boy I had talked to, the one who owned a Granbull and had come all the way from Goldenrod to catch sight of the ceremony in person. He had probably gone through some kind of treacherous journey that had led him to the inside of a Team Rocket base. That was when he must’ve met the Darkrai-mixed Espeon and saved her before anything else could become of her. My question was who was this boy, and why did his Pokémon end up in one of the containers here? Were all of the Pokémon I had grabbed his Pokémon?

Before I could ask her anything else, the elevator shuddered to a stop, and the lights shifted with it, empathizing to a lower toned illumination. The Darkrai-mixed Espeon shivered, eyes gazing crisply toward the ceiling of the elevator, which continuously sputtered, inevitable to the elevator’s motion. It seemed almost as if she was expecting something to enter.

And, just like that, a ripping noise, like a saw slicing through metal, tore through the ceiling.

Asher swore and got Felix and Neal ready. I wanted to grab the Darkrai-mixed Espeon, but I was afraid she wouldn’t allow me to do so. Then, shockingly, she leapt around me and hid, staring at the ceiling venomously.

I watched a moderately sized weasel drop from a hole in the ceiling, containing mocking eyes, a sneer, extremely sharp claws and smoky gray skin. The Sneasel wasn’t necessarily enthusiastic to see us, but it was generally pleased about something.

<I was finally able to find you!> It gave a puff of relief and then talked into a little metal object that was cuffed to the pink feather-looking object on its head. <Master Gene, I have found them in elevator 3! Prepare the nets!> It snickered and clawed the walls, climbing back through the hole before any of us could grab it or attack it.

“Shit!” Asher screamed, and pressed one of the buttons, but the elevator did not budge to his control. Instead it was reeling upward, toward the Main Office I assumed.

“We need to get out of here,” I said mostly to myself. “Asher, do you have any kind of Pokémon that can claw through the floor?” I was talking fast, trying not to waste anytime.

“Yeah, but only these two can pack a punch. The others are injured.” He turned toward Neal and Felix. “Neal, use metal claw on the ground! Felix, put as much dints as possible by punching it nonstop!”

I had thoughts of calling out the Granbull or Ren, but I knew that both of them were injured and probably wouldn’t be very effective. I doubted Terrence the Sealeo could do good damage, and the Fearow would probably complain most of the time. The Qwilfish was small and probably couldn’t do much damage. The only one left was the Darkrai-mixed Espeon, and she was only doing minimal damage to the ground at the moment by swiping it with her claws continuously. I was thankful she was helping, but it surprised me in a way. Did she trust me already? Did she know our fate would be hopeless unless we did something?

Eventually Neal broke the flooring and got to the other side without feeling tired. The hole that had been made—help provided by Felix—was large enough for us to slip through. The only problem with slipping through the hole would be the bottomless darkness staring up at us from its center.

“Elevators have wires, don’t they? Let’s just grab onto them and pull ourselves down once we get through the hole,” Asher suggested.

We didn’t have time to think of anymore ideas because the elevator had stopped again. At anytime the doors would open, and we would be caught.

I turned toward the Darkrai-mixed Espeon. “Permission to catch?” I held up the Poké Ball.

She nodded and closed her eyes. I pressed the button and it sucked her in instantly. I waited for the capsule to ping three times before I minimized the size and slipped it into my waiting pocket.

Asher recalled Neal and Felix and shrunk all of his Poké Balls. Then, astonishingly, he offered them to me.

I blinked in surprise. “What are you doing?”

“You’re going down first. The elevator doors are going to open anytime now. Just in case I don’t make it through the hole in time, take my Pokémon. I’ll probably end up getting captured, and I don’t want that for them.” He pushed them willingly toward me, though difficulty glinted in his eyes, showing it was hard to part with them.

“I—I can’t just…” I sighed and slipped the shrunken Poké Balls into my pocket. There was no point in protesting. We didn’t have time.

“Go. Quickly.” Asher held my hand softly as I lowered myself into the hole, and once I got a good grip on the thick wire, he released my hand gently. I peered up at him from the darkness, knowing he could no longer see me. Why was he so hesitant and sad? Why couldn’t he have gone first?

He sighed heavily. “I couldn’t save you before, so this is my way of saving you now.” He closed his eyes.

I was about to remind him that I wasn’t Lyla and that I was Hayley, but I didn’t want to crush his spirits. Instead I whispered a shaky apology in the darkness and continuously lowered myself along the wire, holding on with all my strength. When I was about six feet downward, I heard the elevator doors to the elevator open. I wanted to climb back up and make sure Asher was guaranteed safety, but I knew that I would just be captured as well.

I gritted my teeth. Why couldn’t he come too? He deserved to escape more than I did.

Nevertheless, I lowered myself down faster, wondering just how long it would take me to get to where I wanted.

It was horribly dark in the elevator shaft, and I was almost tempted to call a Pokémon, just to see if anyone could form some sort of light. I decided that if I did call upon a Pokémon, I wouldn’t be able to hold onto it since I was using my strength to hold onto the wire. It would’ve been impossible to release a Pokémon while holding onto it and the wire. I would’ve fallen.

My hands became sweaty, and they slid along the wire, causing me to lower faster. All the while the wire burned my hand, making me yelp and shriek in the echoing darkness. I finally managed to stop myself minutes later when my hands were bleeding and sweat beaded down my forehead.

My muscles were weak when some of the elevator doors opened. What intrigued me was the fact that the elevator hadn’t arrived yet. I was struggling to stay on just below the opened elevator doors when someone peeked their head through the opening.

“Damn, none of the elevators are working,” a male said harshly. “Looks like we’ll have to use the stairs.”

When I heard them walking away, I quickly climbed up the wires and flew onto the ledge, pulling myself through the opening and onto the tile floor before the door could close. Panting and sweating heavily, I crawled along the floor and leaned against the wall, energy completely drained.

After I rested a bit, I looked swiftly around the area. It looked like a storage room of some sort with lots of containers and crates stored evenly together. I walked over to one slowly because of how tired I was and peeked inside. There were supplies and uniforms, all stacked together in an even row.

So now something convenient shows up, I thought bitterly, and scooped my bloody hand into the container, pulling out supplies and uniforms. I found a Team Rocket uniform my size and slipped into it hurriedly, covering my clothing with its dark fabric. Then I picked a size that I assumed was Asher’s—just in case he didn’t get captured—and placed it into the bag I had grabbed. The bag contained layers of pockets and compartments, which was particularly useful to all the Poké Balls I held and the new objects I snatched. Some of the objects were Poké Balls—well, actually, I bet they were Rebel Balls—, potions, super potions, full heals, etc. Whatever I found I grabbed.

After disguising myself and placing everything into the bag, I slung the bag over my shoulder and started toward the stairs that the other Rocket members had walked on. I was surprised how easily I blended in, but I didn’t let my surprise get the best of me as I maintained a sharp cool, one that fooled whichever Rocket that looked my way.

I went down several flights of stairs before I was at a different ground floor, one that wasn’t as chaotic as the one Asher and I had been on before. This floor was very casual and nearly empty with lots of space and a broad entrance/exit. I made my way over to it quickly and stepped out the door into the welcoming cool air of the night. The sky was open and dotted with stars, stars that beamed proudly in the sky with just a sliver of the moon shining.

I retreated to some trees and leaned against their bark. I would take a small break since I was still pretty weak from traveling through the elevator shaft. Then I would continue through the forest until I was far away from this place as possible. The next morning I would try to see where Asher was and if he had escaped. That’s all I would worry about for now.

I peered toward the sky again, tracing the patterns of stars, forming the different constellations in my mind. Where was I to go now that I was no longer in the Team Rocket base? I should probably return to get Asher or look for Jet or something along those lines. But the exhaustion in my body was causing my eyes to heavily droop, and I drifted toward slumber as I leaned profoundly against the trunk of the tree.

Maybe…I could rest…for a little bit…

[-*****-]​

I awoke in a daze. I tried to trace where I had seen the arena, but when I looked ahead all I saw was empty space. My mind was blank, and my muscles were sore. I started to wonder if it had all been a dream, but I looked down and saw I was still wearing the Rockets’ uniform, and I was carrying the bag filled with Pokémon and supplies.

Yawning, I stretched my arms over my head and leaned back against the tree. I wanted to fall back asleep again, but I had a mission: to find Asher. The only problem I faced now was the missing arena. I knew it was there, but it had somehow disappeared. How? Was I, perhaps, hallucinating and the arena really was still there?

I yawned again and pulled out a Poké Ball from the bag, pressing the button and calling out whoever was there. It was Terrence the Sealeo, his jutted teeth peeking out from his quivering mustache and mouth. He looked around.

<Where are we?>

“In a safer area,” I answered. “Don’t worry, you have nothing to fear.” I was about to pull out another Poké Ball, but I froze. “Do you have a trainer, Terrence?”

<Y-yes. His name was Jacoby. He was from Johto, but he got me from a trade,> he explained.

“Oh okay. Huh. Do you ever remember infiltrating a Team Rocket base?”

He jerked his head. “No. He only got me a couple weeks ago.”

“Hm. Okay.” I pulled out another Poké Ball and summoned whoever it was. It was Felix. The rounded blue fighter swung its arms and bowed formally to me, swirly stomach creased.

<Hello, maiden!>

“Um, hey, Felix. What kind of Pokémon does Asher have? Can you name them all?” I was too lazy to go through them and discover them myself. Besides, the others, he said, were injured.

Felix paused. <Lemme see…There’s me, Felix—the almighty knight—, Neal, Aurion, and…Scallop and Jewelsie.>

“Okay, so you’re a Poliwrath, Neal’s a Metang; Aurion is an Aerodactyl…What kind of Pokémon are Scallop and Jewelsie?”

<Scallop is a dus…duscl…> He started sounding out the word, eyes forming into slits as he tried to remember.

I caught on fast. “Dusclops?”

<Yeah! That’s it! And Jewelsie is the evolved form of that cat thing with the coin on its forehead.>

I started thinking again and, once again, figured it out. “A Persian?”

<Yeah, you’re really good!>

“Uh, yeah, I guess.” I called out a few more Pokémon by random, which ended up being the Granbull, the Fearow and Neal.

Neal stretched, his armored body not looking near exhausted, but you would think it would be since he had spent all that time clawing at the floor of the elevator. <Is it morning?>

<Duh,> Felix said.

The Fearow squawked. <I’m still with you, wretched human?! I’d rather be back in that round hell than be here with you! Who do you think you are, making me come out whenever you feel like?! You’re not the boss here! You’re—>

<Shut up! You’re giving me a headache, Ludicrous!> the Granbull interrupted, growling. It still had the wound Ren had given it before, and she was clutching it now with her paw, moaning slightly.

Felix looked slowly toward the Granbull. <Is that really her name?> When she nodded, he burst into laughter. <Wow! The name matches her well!>

<I’m surprised you even knew what that meant,> Neal said, and Felix shot back a rather unrehearsed comeback.

“What’s your name?” I asked the Granbull while I fished through the bag, searching for a potion.

<Kitty,> she answered.

Felix peered toward her. <You’re kidding.>

She glared, though brushed his comments away as he started chortling. <The master was very young when he named us. I was his first Pokémon.>

I had to frown. A Snubbull for a first Pokémon? One for a boy? That was rather odd. “How old is your master?” I began to spray the substance along her wound as I spoke it, causing her to flinch.

<He is seventeen,> she said. <He has caught a lot of Pokémon. I’m disappointed in him because of what he’s been getting himself into.>

“Like what?” I reached in the bag for another potion, seeing that the wound was more severe than I thought.

<He’s just been doing bad things. I thought he was acting more mature when he came to witness the ceremony, but I was wrong. It was for another one of his schemes—>

“What schemes?” I interrupted.

She fidgeted with her paws. <I don’t think I should tell you without his permission.>

“Okay, well where’s your master now?”

<I don’t know. He called me back when Mewtwo appeared. He said he had some unfinished business to attend to.> She shrugged. <I didn’t get to ask what it meant. He has, however, been meddling with Team Rocket.>

Her answers all came back to the question I continuously asked: why? Why was this boy named Jacoby meddling with Team Rocket? What happened after he said he had some unfinished business to attend to? Could he have gone after Mewtwo? Did he get captured? The questions swam in my head.
<Why don’t you call out some more Pokémon?> Neal suggested, and I nodded, pulling out a few more Poké Balls.

The ones I called out next, randomly, were: Ren, Aurion, and Jewelsie. Jewelsie had creamy fur with a lean body and perky ears open to its surroundings. Her tail swirled behind her, and the jewel gleamed brightly on her forehead. The only thing that really concerned me was the gash starting from her stomach and going to her back leg. She was having trouble standing by herself, so I quickly called her back. None of the healing ailments I had would work efficiently, so I would probably have to wait till I got to a Pokémon Center.

Ren wobbled and fell to the ground. She was still suffering from when Solis’s Steelix squeezed her.

“Are you okay, Ren? I’ve got some items that can heal you,” I said anxiously, peering at her twisted, cringing expression.

<I am f-fine.> She stood shakily but fell back on the ground.

Immediately, I pulled out some more ailments, trying to figure out which one would heal her. She was obviously suffering with pain, but most of the ones I got healed scratches or bleeding wounds. She had probably broken a bone.

I called her back without giving it a second thought and wondered which Pokémon were left. There was Scallop, the Qwilfish, Solis’s Steelix and the Darkrai-mixed Espeon. I wanted the opportunity to talk to all of them—especially the Darkrai-mixed Espeon—but I should probably leave them be. Besides, I had too many Pokémon wandering about at the moment.

I counted the Poké ‘Balls/Rebel Balls that I had gotten out of the storage room. I had about eleven. The ones that were actually loaded with Pokémon were five in total.

Wait, five?

I counted again. Yeah, there were five there.

“Felix, are you sure Asher doesn’t have anymore Pokémon?” I asked, uncertainty flashing across my face.

<Positive, maiden. Why?> He peered into the bag. <Oohh, I wonder why there’s so many.>

I grabbed a random Poké Ball and summoned whoever was inside. It ended up being Solis’s Steelix, but I instantly called him back before he could even finish materializing. I grabbed another random one, and it ended up being the Qwilfish. I decided to let him stay out and roam before I moved on to the next random Poké Ball. Then I summoned it, and what I saw surprised me.

“Jet?!”

The Beedrill buzzed knowingly through the air, peering toward me at the sound of its name. <Hayley?>

“Oh my gosh! How did you end up in the bag?” I peered toward Felix, searching for an explanation.

He shrugged. <Beats me. I dunno.>

<I’m surprised you even know anything at all,> Neal said tauntingly, and they began a chain of insults toward each other.

“What happened, Jet?! Tell me everything!” I wanted to hug him since I was so happy to see him, but it would be dangerous to hug a Beedrill since they had so many intimidating traits.

Jet buzzed and nodded. <I separated from you not long ago, Hayley. I had accidentally flown farther than you, and so I turned to go back and find you. I saw the large building and thought you were inside. When I tried getting in, I was ostracized, and they tried to restrain me. Then someone caught me, but I do not remember who. I apologize for what happened.>

“No, no, it’s not your fault at all! I’m just so relieved to see you!” I smiled cheerfully and gave him a rather odd air hug. He had probably been in the storage room from when I had been grabbing things Poké Balls, Rebel Balls and items.

He looked emotionless from my welcoming gesture. <Where is Asher?> He took a sweeping glance at the other Pokémon, not bothering to greet.

“He’s in the Rocket’s base, so we need to go back and get him.” I tightened my hand while pulling out a marker that I had gotten from the storage room. (Strangely, they had office supplies, too.) I began to mark initials along the used Poké Balls, labeling whose was who.

<Rocket? This is Team Rocket’s doing?> Once again, he glanced toward the other Pokémon, as if blaming them.

“Yes, and I was shocked to be honest. I mean, they were considered heroes, and to this day they still are. But they tricked us.”

<How?>

And so I sat down and started explaining to him everything that happened with Solis, the Rocket’s, and Asher. I even explained some of the Pokémon, some of them being Asher’s while others were Jacoby’s, the Johto trainer. Lastly, I explained to him about the Darkrai-mixed Espeon and what had happened inside of the Rocket stadium.

He nodded slowly. <Team Rocket has tricked people into believing they were heroes so that they would not get blamed for crimes in the future. They are obviously planning something sinister then.>

I nodded. “And they want the Legendaries for ‘infinite power.’ I can’t imagine what this ‘infinite power’ is though or how all of the Legendaries can access it.”

<I do not think that they’re just after Legendaries. I think they are after something else.>

“Yeah, probably.”

We fell into silence and watched the other Pokémon pace or talk freely, relieved to be outside of their spherical prisons. Soon, however, Neal approached me with a smart suggestion.

<I believe we should go to a Pokémon Center at the moment, for there are some Pokémon that are injured and require healing. I don’t think we can find Asher by just waiting around and hoping for this stadium to arise.>

I nodded. “You’re right. I’ll get Aurion to fly us to the nearest city. For now, all of you will have to remain in your Poké Ball.” One by one, I started recalling each Pokémon.

Once everyone had gone obediently back into their Poké Balls, I stretched myself onto Aurion’s back and grasped his sleek skin tightly.

“You won’t go too fast, right?” I peeked at his smirking expression.

<Sure. Of course I won’t. Anyway, what’s ya name?>

I frowned, finding it odd how the Aerodactyl had an inner city accent. “Hayley. Asher didn’t tell you?”

<’Fraid not. Now less get outta here.> He bolted into the air, slowly at first, the air a gentle breeze. Then he roared and soared ahead, boosting himself further with chilling acceleration. I held on in the best way I could.

The first city we saw was just a tad larger than Viridian, but the buildings were overall scattered, and I vaguely saw a gym in its center.

“Down there!” I shouted, jerking my hand in its direction.

He nodded and lowered, going slowly.

We landed by the entrance. The landing was shaky, but it was better than racing at high speeds through the air, which was a total nightmare in my opinion. I thanked Aurion and called him back into his Poké Ball before squinting my eyes and reading the entrance sign: “Welcome to Pewter City!”

Pewter? I was hoping we would see Viridian first, but I guess this worked.
I took a few steps into the city until being stopped by a few children walking by.

“Whoa! You’re apart of Team Rocket?” one of the bewildered boys asked, eyes bulging.

I looked down at the uniform I had forgotten to remove. Oops. “Y-yeah.”

“Oh wow! That is so cool! Can you show us your Pokémon?”

“Actually I’m kind of busy, so I can’t, so—”

“Please?” I stared into the innocent, pleading faces of the children and sighed. There wasn’t an option to say no to them.

Quickly, I pulled out a marked Poké Ball and called out whom the mark indicated. Kitty the Granbull appeared, shaking out her fur, which looked matted from the usual and rather tight against her bulky muscle and bones. Her gaze flitted questionably toward the children, but she put on a lovable, puppy expression that the children gushed over.

“Aw! It’s so cute!” one of the girls squealed. “You’re the only Rocket nicest enough to actually show us your Pokémon! The others just went away.”

“Others?”

“Yeah. There were lotsa others in a hurry. They’ve been all over the town since yesterday. I think it’s ‘cause of what happened in Viridian City.”

“Oh, okay. Where exactly did they go?”

“Everywhere.” The youngest boy pointed in all directions for greater emphasis.

“Ha, thanks.” I waved to the thrilled, ecstatic children and bounded first for the Pokémon Center since care is what the Pokémon really required at the moment. Then, when the Pokémon were properly healed and cared for, I would get to talk to a few of them, just to hear their side of the story and figure out what I should do. Who knows, maybe I’ll get some answers.

The Pokémon Center was as bountiful as it always was with dotted walls and benches pressed firmly against them, a few trainers taking the opportunity to sit and rest with their exhausted Pokémon. A television was hung resolutely along the wallpaper-pasted walls, couches huddled in a circular formation, all facing the same direction with trainers filed along the comfy cushions.

I strode toward the center of the building until a flashing news report caught my attention. My body churned with nausea, as if already knowing that the alert was going to make me ill or particularly upset. My tired legs seemed to sink flatly, as if finding the floor more comfortable than the stances my joints constantly placed them in. I limped to one of the couches while watching the television with interest, listening to the reporter’s words announce with a sense of urgency.

“We are live in Hoenn! There have been reports of disturbances by Lilycove City, where, reportedly, the legendary Pokémon, Groudon, is terrorizing citizens! Jillian Rebar is live at the scene!”

The screen flashed and showed a moderately tall woman grasping a microphone in front of her pressed lips, eyebrows folded upward, signaling the clear tension she found in her current location. Behind her, possibly miles away, was Lilycove City, terrain crafted with jagged rocks and clumped dirt, which was being destroyed by a giant red blob, the appearance remaining uncertain to where we couldn’t comprehend the precise details of the figure.

“Jillian Rebar here reporting a travesty like no other. Similar to Mewtwo’s attack yesterday in Viridian City of the Kanto region, Groudon has been rampaging nonstop and has already obliterated some of the main buildings of Lilycove. There have been restraints applied to Groudon, but he has not heeded to them.”

The screen flashed back to the other reporter, who took everything in anxiously, chewing her bottom lip as she said, “Erm—Jillian, could you get a little closer to the scene please? It appears like positive activity is arising from this tragedy.”

Jillian Rebar appeared on the screen again, her head whipping over her shoulder to look at the red blob in the distance, which had been beaten to the ground by the colossal mob trudging by it. She beckoned to the camera and hurriedly chased the scene, eyes still focused on the camera even as her feet guided blindly ahead. There were moments where she tripped, but she caught herself quickly and spoke between gasps. She arrived in Lilycove soon with a flushed face and drab cheeks, sweat beading bullets down her silky-toned skin.

“W-we…are currently…o-on the scene…” she huffed. “G-Groudon…appears to be…restrained…” She took shaky breaths and panted a few more times before straightening and hardening her expression, fingers wrapped so tightly around her microphone that her knuckles turned turnip white. Then she faced the scene, the noise surrounding the crowd blocking out her voice just a tad as she spoke. “Groudon is currently on the ground and holds no active movement!”

Abruptly, a scarlet beam plummeted from an unknown source and scarped down Groudon like food, absorbing his fallen body into whatever had threateningly devoured him. He vanished from view and went into what I assumed had been a Poké Ball, and as I waited, I became overly anxious. Had Groudon, one of the Legendaries, been caught? If Team Rocket were to catch it, then it wouldn’t be good news for us, but considering that Team Rocket doesn’t reside in Hoenn, perhaps Team Magma or Aqua had caught it instead. Still, that wouldn’t be good news at the moment.

Jillian Rebar waited in silence until an approaching girl with dimpled cheeks, rough green eyes and flat blond hair appeared before the camera; a round capsule with an “m” carved just above the button was gripped in her tiny palms.

“Oh my goodness! Ladies and gentlemen, Groudon has been caught by this lovely lady!” Jillian gushed over what happened as I stared in horror, mouth gaping as I inhaled large quantities of air. This couldn’t be happening. How could Groudon have been captured by this girl? Yes, she had a Master Ball, but…how did she get this Master Ball? Was she secretly working for Team Rocket? Team Magma? Team Aqua? My thoughts swam in endless currents of dismay.

“Young lady, what is your name?” Jillian held the mike expectantly to the girl’s mouth.

“Celia, and I’m so happy I caught Groudon! I didn’t want him to hurt anymore people!” She grinned broadly and did a childish squeal, making me question how old she was.

“Aw, well that’s very sweet of you, Celia. Now what are you going to do now that you caught this very rare Legendary Pokémon?” Once again, the mike was held expectantly in front of the girl’s lengthened lips.

“I’m going to give it to Team Magma because I want to put a stop to Mewtwo! Team Magma and every other team can help! I know they’ll save us all!” She grinned once again and jumped up happily.

There was no doubt she was secretly working for them. Even though all of those teams were viewed as heroes, it didn’t mean that someone would freely say that with such confidence and innocence. This girl seemed way too excited to be giving away a Legendary Pokémon she had just caught and giving it up to “save” everyone? Her lie was visible and hardly believable to anyone who analyzed it.

My eyes kept focusing on the single purple capsule held firmly in the girl’s greedy hands, hearing every lie she threw out to the news cast and imagining a tortured, struggling Pokémon lying within the depths of the spherical contraption. This girl had made everything obvious to everyone else in the world. She had stated simply that the teams could help and that’s why she was willingly giving up a Legendary Pokémon. Not only had her announcement been heard from all over the world, but now every trainer would be influenced to capture Legendaries and deliver them to different teams. Her optimism had triggered every trainer to hunt boundlessly for the Legendaries to put a stop to all these tragedies.

In other words, the hunt was just beginning, and the more I stood with a sagging expression and paralyzed limbs, the quicker time seemed to race. Why were all of the teams after the Legendaries? What “infinite power” did the Legendaries hold? Why did Mewtwo attack Viridian and then attack it on the same day one year later? Why was Jacoby involved with Team Rocket schemes? There was only one thing I knew for sure.

The hunt is on.


----------------------------
Claimer: Pehh, I'm too tired to type their names. *dies*
Disclaimer: Don't own Pokemon.
Soo yeaahhh. Chapter 4 coming soon! Hope you enjoyed it! This chapter seemed more like a beginning to me. Anyway, future chapters shall be better! =DDDDD Thanks for reading! Feel free to review or comment!

 

[The revolution]

It's written a hell of a lot better than I could ever do.
The story seems unique original and has its own mytho's (I think I didn't read it just skimmed)
Its big and thought out thats always good

But just one thing stick out in my mind that makes me want to write this post.

Mewtwo didn't hate humans after the first movie.
Did something happen to him?
Last I heard he was just chilling.
Maybe make a character based on mewtwo but not mewtwo?

I just don't think mewtwo would kill that many people or anypeople (after the events of the first movie) but I think this is independent from the animated cannon?

Keep it up looking good.(though I only skimmed it)


Read the first two

“Does anyone have a Legendary?”
Thats priceless


Whole thing is great only flaw I see is that its written and now on my t.v. seriousely this is awsome
A character who I asume is the missing girl from the beggining has a memory problem that is just freaking awsome. asher seems pretty badass. and i have no idea whats going on just like I am supposed to.

 

[White Len]

It's written a hell of a lot better than I could ever do.
The story seems unique original and has its own mytho's (I think I didn't read it just skimmed)
Its big and thought out thats always good

But just one thing stick out in my mind that makes me want to write this post.

Mewtwo didn't hate humans after the first movie.
Did something happen to him?
Last I heard he was just chilling.
Maybe make a character based on mewtwo but not mewtwo?

I just don't think mewtwo would kill that many people or anypeople (after the events of the first movie) but I think this is independent from the animated cannon?

Keep it up looking good.(though I only skimmed it)

Judging from the character list (I haven't read it. Don't have the time.), I think it's not animeverse so that gives Mewtwo plenty-a reason to hate humans.

 

[Mitsuki_SOS]

It's written a hell of a lot better than I could ever do.
The story seems unique original and has its own mytho's (I think I didn't read it just skimmed)
Its big and thought out thats always good

But just one thing stick out in my mind that makes me want to write this post.

Mewtwo didn't hate humans after the first movie.
Did something happen to him?
Last I heard he was just chilling.
Maybe make a character based on mewtwo but not mewtwo?

I just don't think mewtwo would kill that many people or anypeople (after the events of the first movie) but I think this is independent from the animated cannon?

Keep it up looking good.(though I only skimmed it)

Thank you!! I really appreciate all your comments! And crap >.> I can't answer that without giving too much away. It's completely different from the anime, trust me. It's like the community is just now being introduced to Mewtwo. I would explain more, but it'd give too much away Dx Thank you for your comments though! They're appreciated! =DDDD And yes, White Len, you are correct But like I said, if I say anymore, I'll be giving too much away. I'm sorry Dx Thank you for reading!

 

[Akiyama]

Review, chapter 3

Whew that's a long chapter took a while to read it all. What could have been done to cut it down would be cutting it into two chapters as to give more of a break for readers.

As for the whole chapter I believe that overall there was enough going on to give action but yet I didn't quite feel it most of the time. I get vague images of the setting around from your details about the scene. But the ******-mixed Espeon dream like scene went interestingly well with how it gave a backstory of that character. Remember that the characters carry the story so they should do it well. But as for characters that don't play a major role their views are not so important, and if described too much you begin wasting the big picture of the plot for smaller characters.

As for describing a scene/setting. Ask yourself what the mood is supposed to be. Like a negative mood would have the characters focus on the negative (depressing) things in a scene. Which could be the bars of a jail, losing in slight, and of course dark lighting for a dark time. Overall the objects, actions, and ideas in a scene would comment on the mood thus giving an even clearer feeling for what's going on.

Description shouldn't be flooded with adjectives and adverbs. You would use strong nouns with verbs to desribe a scene, person, place, thing, or anything else. Like describing what the lighting in a place does to a shadow of an object(s) which would also include the objects with the lighting at the same time. Specific names for objects, people, places and things does help in giving a clearer image because while virus means a lot of illnesses the common cold is just one common kind of virus that is better realated to than simply virus. You can even give specific names for the clothing on someone, chances are that cuts down a lot of word useage anyway.

Then when I reached the last part about the master ball I got interested in the upcoming plot. Wonder what's going to happen... Keep writing.

 

[Mitsuki_SOS]

First of all, dang what an awesome review o.o Second of all, thank you xDDD I really appreciate the review! And yeah, but the next two or three chapters are going to be...boring. Seriously -.- Chapter 7 is when the party gets started! Yeah! ...Forget I said that. Okie, anyway, thank you xDDDD I really appreciate it, Akiyama, and I shall heed to your advice!