The Future They Never Wanted
Author's Notes: A new Pokemon story from zombiehippie! YAY! Now, as you all remember, I did a story about a few years ago back in 2007, entitled Sharpedos! which was basically the story of the 1984 film Red Dawn only with Pokemon characters. Now, I'll admit, that's not my best work, because I wasn't original. At all. I'm still proud of it, since it so far is the only story on my account that I have actually completed, (there will be updates, and I do hope to complete every story, just have about a million ideas in my head all at once, so fret not!) Now, ever since then, I've at least tried to be original, but at least I give credit where credit is due, so I'm not a plagiarist. Plus, I'm not making any money off of these fics, so no danger of legal trouble. Now, in a way, I'm being inspired by Red Dawn again, what with the remake coming out this coming November, so I just wanted to tell a story that's been already told by many other people, but in my own unique way.
There are plenty of stories in the Pokemon section of this site, if you look hard enough, that is, telling the tale of Team Rocket growing militarily powerful, and Ash, Misty, Brock, and other characters forming a resistance movement. However, I've always wanted to try this myself, and I want to do something that hasn't been done in a story like this yet. I'm not going to flat-out tell you what it is, but I will give you a hint as to what it is. If you've played Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, it is inspired by a certain level in that game.
Anyway, before I get rambling here, I do plan on updating Secrets, Lies, and Love sometime, I've got the second chapter currently halfway written, just trying to get out of a writer's block with that, but I just wanted to return to the Pokemon section, which is where I made my debut and subsequent success, although I don't think that I have had a cult following of the site much as the likes of authors such as Classic Cowboy or those other ones who have since moved on to greener pastures outside of the Pokemon section. But I don't want to end up like one of them. One of my good friends on Facebook is actually Evan AAML, and like him, I'm deeply in love with my past, which is why I still love Pokemon to this day. So, this fic is dedicated to him, and to Neo Namco as well, although I haven't talked to him lately due to his not having a Facebook account. (Get one Aaron! Right now! Note to self: send him a message on AOL, maybe that'll get his attention.)
So anyway, let's get to the meat of things. This is an AAML story, so, yes, Ash and Misty fans, I'm writing one of those again. Sorry for making my Pokemon/Batman crossover Advanceshipping, but I thought it felt appropriate for some reason. So this is my apology to you guys.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo, Cartoon Network, Gamefreak studios, Satoshi Tajiri, and other respective owners. I also do not own Modern Warfare 2 (which parts of that inspired this fic) that game belongs to Infinity Ward and Activision.
Chapter 1: Why did this happen?
Nobody in the Kanto region could believe it. Especially not their national celebrity couple, Ash Ketchum and Misty Waterflower, who had just been married a week before it happened.
Team Rocket, which used to be nothing more than a pain in the ass of many trainers, (mainly because most of the operatives in their force were just as incompetent as Jessie and James or Butch and Cassidy) was now a true military threat. In an unexpected military coup d'etat, Giovanni had armed his black uniformed Team Rocket soldiers in which they secretly overthrew Kanto's free Democratic government, and established a Fascist dictatorship, with Giovanni declaring himself dictator, effectively rivaling the power of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. Giovanni had become the next generation of Adolf Hitler.
Every single day, the Team Rocket flag would be raised, and the new Rocket TV (hosted by Cassidy and co-hosted by Butch) would inform everyone in Kanto that Kanto would have a better future under their regime. Pro-Team Rocket propaganda was up everywhere. But an underground resistance movement was in full effect. Not very violent, but it was there. Public demonstrations were held in plain sight every day, which cost more and more lives of the Kanto resistance.
The leaders of the resistance, Ash and Misty Ketchum, Brock Slate, and various other people that Ash had met and traveled with over the years joined in, including Jessie, James, and Meowth, who had been branded as traitors for those few times during their stint in Team Rocket when they had to work with Ash and friends in order to survive, such as the St. Anne incident.
The Kanto resistance wasn't alone, however, as the Kanto Resistance had contacted the United Nations and NATO for help. President Barrack Obama had agreed to send arms and aid to the resistance secretly, with talks of possible U.S. invasion of Rocket occupied Kanto.
This is the story of how a simple change of power threw the whole world into war. It's a story of World War III.
The only outside help the resistance had was the United States and Great Britain. Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh had all put their national militaries on maximum alert in case of Rocket invasion. They were digging in, and were unable to send any help.
Gary Oak, former Pokemon Trainer, Researcher, and recently discharged member of the Kanto National Army, had used his training and expertise to train the Kanto Resistance how to fight, after joining a multi-national coalition in Afghanistan while in a joint U.S.-Kanto Army operation, Gary had helped capture Osama bin Laden, effectively ending the War on Terrorism.
The Kanto resistance had fought small skirmishes with the Rockets, and were hit and miss. Despite Butch and Cassidy calling out to the resistance, chastising it, and saying that resistance was futile, the resistance never surrendered. However, some battles they won, some they lost. No key members or their Pokemon had been killed, as they had all sent their Pokemon away to a safe place, promising to come back to get them when the war was over. Ash and Pikachu had had a tearful goodbye, not knowing whether it would be the final goodbye or not.
The bill had been passed by both the United Nations and NATO. American arms were to be secretly smuggled into Rocket occupied Kanto and given to the Resistance. Within a few days, countless M4 rifles and M240 heavy machine guns, grenades, M16A1s, and M19 pistols were all in the hands of members of the Kanto resistance. It was time to finally start using true, patriotic, red-white-and blue made weapons against the evil Rocket dictators.
This is where our story begins.
Kanto Resistance, Viridian City Branch Headquarters…
Grunting sounds were heard as a crowbar was being used by a man to pry open a crate marked US ARMY. Gary Oak, one of Ash Ketchum's most trusted lieutenants, was opening the crates that the United States had sent to all branches of the Kanto Resistance. It was time to really start fighting. Not only that, but Ash Ketchum had received word that US Congress had decided to give the go ahead for US forces in Kanto to help them fight Team Rocket. A United States Marine invasion of Rocket-controlled Pallet Town was on its way. Professor Oak heard it directly from President Obama himself. Not only that, but British SAS members were planning to invade Rocket controlled Vermillion City, whilst Canadian and Australian soldiers were to joint-invade Rocket controlled Lavender Town. A huge coalition, the perfect joint-operation. Could anything go wrong?
That's what Gary Oak severely doubted. He, along with the rest of the Resistance, were firm believers of Murphy's Law: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
Gary sighed as he looked at all these weapons. He had never wanted his life to go this way. He had never wanted to end up fighting in wars with guns and explosions. He loved Pokemon, wanted to study them, discover new ones. Now, Team Rocket wasn't just a threat to Pokemon, but to people as well. Things couldn't get any worse.
But they would tonight. A simple action would cause a domino effect, causing the world to go into war.
Gary was breaking rules. He hadn't got an order from Ash about this. He wasn't supposed to do what he was about to do. But Team Rocket agents killed his parents when he was a kid, and he had wanted revenge ever since he was a kid. Whilst other member opted out of his little plan, calling it reckless and dangerous and were waiting for official orders from Ketchum, Gary decided to act alone. Other members who had also lost loved ones to Rocket forces decided to back Gary up on this.
A few minutes later, after arming up, Gary and his squad snuck outside the headquarters. They came to a hill overlooking Viridian City. About to conduct an illegal operation.
Gary turned to his squad. "All right, everyone." He said. "We can get into a lot of trouble for this, but there is one thing we want to earn tonight, and that is sweet revenge." He stuck out his thumb and pointed toward the gym.
"There is a Rocket Member get-together down there, and Giovanni is in attendance. These members have kids of their own. Spare no one." Gary said. "Kill the women and children too. Then kill Giovanni as well. It will demoralize the Rockets, we will avenge our loved ones, and it will end the occupation. Cut off the head, and the body will die. We can then possibly avoid this war getting any uglier. I have no hate for the Americans, British, Canadians, and Australians, but if we end this war, we can stop it from escalating into a World War. Ash is a good leader…" Gary said, turning away and loading his weapon. "…but I'm better."
Gary and his squad then snuck down the hill and into the gym through the unguarded air vents, infiltrating the gym through the locker rooms. There were no guards, due to the fact that they were all at the party.
Gary and his squad got into the elevator, waiting for the elevator to open so they could do their work. After double-checking their weapons to make sure they won't jam and had plenty of ammo, it was almost time.
Gary closed his eyes. "God is with us." He said. The elevator doors were about to open. "Remember," he said to his squad mates, "kill them all."
Classical orchestra music was playing as Team Rocket members and their families all enjoyed their dinner. Kids were chatting, playing, and eating ice cream desserts.
All of a sudden, a woman turned around, saw the Resistance members with their guns, and screamed. That was the signal to start it. Gary and the rest of his men opened fire on the crowd, killing the men, women, and children. Team Rocket members scrambled to secure Giovanni, their families, and get weapons to fight back. Some Resistance members were also killed in the struggle. It was all over in a few seconds.
Gary had separated himself from the rest of the group. They could have been dead, for all he knew. He used his M4 to hold off any Rocket guards that were chasing him. "What am I doing?" he thought to himself. "Why was I so fucking stupid?"
Gary knew that doing this could get him expelled from the Resistance, but his only thought was staying alive and escaping the place. The mission was FUBAR (Fucked Up Beyond All Repair) and he knew it. Murphy's law was right, it had gone wrong.
Gary knew he needed a place to hide. He ducked into a nearby office. He was surprised to find out it was Giovanni's intelligence office. He decided that if he was to stay on good terms with Ash and the rest of the resistance, he would need something to bring back to them. And he found it pretty quick. A small computer machine that had official U.S. Government markings on it. It was probably an American machine that was reported stolen from the Americans by Team Rocket spies. Maybe if Gary got it back and gave it to the Americans, he would be in good standing with the Resistance.
Gary stole the stolen computer, and climbed out a nearby window. He saw a lone Rocket guard, alert, waiting for someone coming to attack the vehicle depot. Gary snuck up on him and knocked him out cold with the butt of his pistol. He then climbed into a nearby Rocket assault vehicle, hotwired it, and sped off, being able to successfully get away as all the Rocket guards were busy trying to hold off the surprise attackers.
Kanto Resistance, Pallet Town Headquarters, the next morning…,
Ash Ketchum slammed his fist down on the table he was sitting at with the rest of the leaders of the Kanto Resistance, including his own wife, Misty.
"GOD DAMN IT, GARY, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" Ash yelled, making Misty cry and Brock dive for cover.
Gary didn't move whilst he was being judged. Ash held up many different newspapers. He thrust a copy of The New York Times at Gary, with the headline declaring: UNEXPECTED MASSACRE AT ROCKET GET-TOGETHER BY KANTO RESISTANCE FORCES.
More newspapers were thrust at Gary. "ENGLAND!" Ash yelled, thrusting a copy of The Daily Telegraph at him: KANTO RESISTANCE BRUTES COMMIT UNNECESSARY VIOLENCE ON INNOCENT BYSTANDERS.
Another newspaper was thrust at Gary. "FRANCE!" Ash yelled, spitting like a rabid dog. Gary held up a copy of La Croix, (The Cross) La Résistance de Kanto commet le crime déplorable. (Kanto Resistance commits deplorable crime.)
Yet another newspaper. "GERMANY!" Ash exclaimed. Gary held up a copy of Der Spiegel (The Mirror) Kanto-Widerstand: Freiheitskämpfer oder Brutale Wilde? Eine Meinung. (Kanto Resistance: Freedom Fighters or Brutal Savages? An Opinion.)
Ash was out of newspapers (as I'm out of good head-lines, LOL!) and looking at Gary. Just then, Professor Oak handed Ash a slip of paper, which had to be a telegram. Ash read it, and said, "This court is adjourned!" Everyone in attendance began to boo at both Ash and Gary, at Gary for committing the crime, and Ash for not sentencing him. "I would like to see Gary in private, if you all please!" he called out.
Ash and Gary were standing outside in the wind and rain. Ash reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He pulled one out, lit it, and began to smoke. Ash only smoked once in a while, and that was when he really needed to calm down. Gary was standing around, scared. Ash wasn't that kid that he liked to tease all the time when they were younger. His years of traveling to and training to become a Pokemon Master only complimented his last few months of leading a band of ragtag resistance fighters and fighting for what he believed in. Ash had had it rough. His mother had been killed in a Rocket ambush. Now he only had his friends. Ash Ketchum, the orphan. Gary had teased him in the past by calling him the loser or the idiot, but he never thought he would see Ash, the orphan.
Gary knew why Ash had brought him out here. To shoot him. To execute him. Gary's stomach dropped at the thought of the idea.
"Ash." He said. "Go ahead and do it already."
"Do what?" Ash asked, dragging a little bit on his cigarette, before offering one to Gary. Gary waved his hands in decline.
"Aren't you going to kill me?" Gary asked.
"Why would I do that?" Ash said. "What good would that do me or the rest of the Resistance? That would probably prove all those newspaper's points."
"So, no execution?" Gary asked, sounding relieved at the though of at least being able to live.
"Nope," Ash said, blowing out some smoke from his mouth. "Expulsion."
"What?" Gary yelled. "Why?"
"Your grandfather was able to get in contact with President Obama shortly after your little stunt." Ash explained. "We explained that it was nothing more than just you, acting alone, for your own personal gain."
"Why?" Gary asked again, completely missing the point.
"The United States, Great Britain, and other countries such as that," Ash explained, dropping his finished cigarette and grounding the ember out with the bottom of his shoe. "are against people who do something like what you did. President Obama and the rest of NATO threatened to pull their support, until we explained it was you. They were willing to continue to support us, just as long as we took care of you. They called for your expulsion, or no help. No coalition invasion. No more arms supplied. Unless you, Gary Oak, were expelled from the Resistance."
"But I have the perfect bargaining chip!" Gary exclaimed. "Remember that important U.S. computer that was stolen by Team Rocket spies! I retrieved it! Let me talk to them!"
"I honestly don't give a shit about that stolen computer." Ash said a matter-of-factly. "You want to return it? Fine. Give it to the Marines when they come here and finally liberate this town. I have no use for it. I just want Kanto to be free again. By any means necessary. And finding that computer doesn't change the fact that, as of right now, you, Gary Oak, are no longer a part of this Resistance. In their eyes, you stooped to terrorism. And they don't negotiate with terrorists."
Ash turned around to walk back into the headquarters, but Gary stopped him. "Ash." He said. "Please. Give me one more chance." He begged.
Ash looked at Gary with a sad look on his face, until he reached over a tore the official patch of the Kanto Resistance off of Gary's uniform. He then walked back into the headquarters, leaving Gary out in the wind and cold. Gary stayed and listened for a while, when Ash informed them of Gary's expulsion, and that the coalition invasion was to happen in exactly 48 hours from now.
Gary wasn't sad. He was in fury. He wanted revenge. Not on Team Rocket, but on the people who looked down on him for doing what he thought was the right thing.
If only he could know how much pain his decisions would cause to people around the world.
Ending notes: I've decided to make this a crossover with Call of Duty. Why? Because some Call of Duty characters will make an appearance. Hope you guys liked this story; it is currently almost four in the morning as I type this up, and I need to get some sleep. Read and review!