Frozen in Time

A Pokemon AU

by Raikiee

Prologue

Unknown Island, Kanto Region

Clouds had overtaken the moon, and the stars were nowhere to be seen. Darkness had finally defeated light, and was basking in its glory, wanting to let everyone know. The entire Kanto region was invited to witness his new machine's first public appearance, and seeing how effectively it was performing at the moment, he decided that it was a complete success, and no more scientists would have to be fired. It would have been a great device to threaten the world with, but no. It was but a simple investment to allow him to finally remove his enemies (them) and all other possible threats once and for all.

According to reports he had received, most people were hiding in their houses. He suspected that they were scampering around, trying to figure out what happened, probably following his fake trail of evidence that would lead to them thinking that someone like Team Plasma or Team Flare or another villainous organization was the culprit. But they definitely would not suspect his organization. This time, he had been very careful, as to prevent anyone from figuring out.

And when they did, it would be too late. He would be unstoppable.

It had taken him a while to get the exact location of the island where a key component of his plan lay. It was not on the maps, and it had taken a lot of manpower (aka grunts) and ever more brainpower (courtesy of none other than himself) to find it. Only a select few of the highest-ranking members of the Pokémon Association, and therefore highest-ranking and most powerful leaders of the criminal underworld (some people participated in both) knew of the existence of the unnamed island, and only a select few of those people had any information about it. He had been awfully lucky to chance upon a security hole in the deepest trenches of the Association network while trying to bypass their rock solid firewalls, and had managed to sneak away copies of a couple of documents that caught his eye. Right now, he was peering through the window of the island laboratory.

Some might have deemed his current actions as suspicious, and should be reported to the police for whatever nonsense they believed he was doing. Certain people might even recognize him from the news, or even from previous encounters. Thankfully, under the cover of the night, now made even darker that usual, not even his gargantuan purple Nidoking and pale blue Nidoqueen were visible to the human eye, not that this island would be home to any prying eyes anyway. Everyone that was supposed to be here was busying themselves in the labs.

And if there were any, they wouldn't live to tell the tale. After all, dead men tell no tales.

This island was home to a group of master scientists, all hired by the Pokémon Association. The documents he had copied had stated that their current projects involved harnessing the power of the legendary Pokémon to create a weapon that would be able to eliminate anyone who opposed the Association, and more importantly, the members who allowed the creation of the lab.

The chairman didn't approve of it – in fact, he hadn't been informed of it at all, as the lab was created by his opposition, who wanted to use the weapon as leverage against the chairman and his supporters, even though the lab had been active since the start of the Dex Holders – but there were enough important members of the Association that the create the laboratory was legally allowed to function. And he was pretty sure the chairman spent most his money on hair products and services anyway. Many people all across the world had attempted to imitate his hair-do, but to no avail. There were even fanclubs dedicated to making the perfect Afro. Personally, he thought it was ridiculous, would prevent you from entering doorways properly, had high maintenance, and would only be helpful in situations like the one he was in now if you were pretending to be a bush. Not useful, and definitely not appropriate for a notorious crime boss.

He could probably go on and on about how silly and more importantly, how corrupted the Pokémon Association was, and how it was not fit to be the government at all. But he had other things to think about, more important things, like how he was going to steal the device that would solve all of his problems. The security systems in the lab were a huge obstacle he needed to overcome.

"I could use brute force – my Pokémon are all physically strong, although that would alert them of my presence too soon, stealth might not be the best option, but would prevent the PA from getting on my tail too soon, negotiation would not be effective, seeing as I am the villain…"

Unknown's Hideout, Kanto Region

"So, you say you have a proposition for me?"
A sigh came from the short man. He adjusted his hat, wanting to get this over with. He had to sacrifice a great amount of dignity to request something from the woman opposite of him, not that he had any left after that. And besides, she was scary, and would probably try and kill him if he asked for something silly. He hid his emotions with frustrated words. "Yes, idiot, that's exactly what I said. What are you, deaf? Because that would be a shame, for Team-"

"Zip it. Now, I would like to know what exactly are the benefits of this agreement, because I refuse to be tricked into freeing you without you giving me anything in return. I know you've been thinking about it. You're clever, and frankly, stupid enough to try to pull that off." The impatient tapping of a foot sounded through the room, telling the man tat she would not be dealing with any funny business.

But he wasn't offering any funny business – his proposition was very well thought out, was nearly foolproof, and would benefit both parties, at least for a while. Backstabbing was definitely planned on both sides, (it was inevitable, really,) but as of right now, they would be cooperating towards a common goal again. Almost like when they were teammates – no. They were two separate parties now, only working to benefit themselves, not caring much for the other.

"I've had a lot of free time since I was captured," he began, somewhat hesitant, but after receiving a 'go on' gesture, he continued more steadily. "And I was thinking that using your-"

Unknown Island Laboratory, Kanto

Sirens wailed, as the entire laboratory was bathed in flashing red lights. Smoke blew out of releasers installed onto the sides of the room. It resembled a fire, sirens blazing red; smoke billowing through the building. People on nearby islands would most likely think there was a fire, not a security breach.

"What's going on?" one man demanded, as he flailed around randomly, arms accidentally hitting some of his coworkers that were rushing by. He was recently transferred to the team on the island, and he honestly had no clue what was going on. Why were they in an emergency state? And, oh Arceus, why were the security measures hazardous to one's health?

The other scientists ignored him, focusing on more important matters – mainly the protection of their purpose here, and of course, self-preservation. They stampeded out like a herd of Tauros, ignoring everything in their way.

"Out of the way, Redwood.," a female scientist snapped as she pushed past him, clutching a stack of papers that were most likely important documents.

He could hear the roars of what he assumed were giant Pokémon, lots of yelling, and the shrieking of the scientists' Pokémon coming from outside.

A large brown Pokémon suddenly burst through the wall, tackling the woman, its tail knocking over a couple of tables. Papers flew everywhere, disappearing into the rapidly increasing smoke, and he swore he heard the snap of bones.

Through the smoke, he could see a figure standing next to the large brown Pokémon. A Kangaskhan, he realized. Kangaskhan were very powerful Pokémon, protective of their young and of their trainers, if raised properly.

The figure, a man in black, stepped closer. Professor Redwood frantically backed away, both from the man and from the smoke – he didn't want to die from smoke inhalation – until his body was pressed against a machine.

He glanced back.

It was the generator– no, his generator, he realized, the machine that was built to generate power for the device, the machine he was hired to build, to work on all those years ago.

Oh no, that man was definitely going for the machine, and the device it powered. He didn't know much about the device – his employers didn't think he needed to – but seeing how much energy the small machine required, and of course, seeing what the strange man was going to do just to get it, it would have to be powerful.

"You… I won't let you take the machine!" he cried, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead has he attempted to retain his composure. "This lab is property of the Pokémon Association! Villains like you don't stand a chance against them!"

"Who's going to stop me? The Pokémon Association? Please. The only ones who know what has just happened are you and I." The figure stepped closer. "The chairman doesn't even know this place exists!"

The scientist trembled. "The Association will stop you! You will be stopped!" He pressed against the cold metal, which was increasingly growing hotter, just like his body temperature. Although he had said otherwise, he really wished he had an Escape Rope right now. Then, he could get the heck out of here, like everyone else was smart enough to do, and not die.

He was probably going to die.

"Professor Redwood, is it?" the man was just a meter away from him now. "I hear you were the one who created this wonderful device you have so conveniently led me to. I had wondered where you had vanished to after the closure of the Power Plant. You were, after all, quite famous at the time for finding ways to produce large amounts of energy, weren't you?" The man stepped closer, and Redwood cringed.

He forced himself to lock eyes with the man, if only for a second. That one second felt like an eternity to him, as he was gazed upon by cold, unfeeling eyes, hoping to muster what fragments of his self confidence were left.

"Wh-what do you want? The device? You'll never have the means to power it."

The man scowled. "Care to enlighten me?"

His Nidoking burst in, holding the limp body of one of his coworkers. It waved the corpse around, before dropping it onto the floor, blood splattering everywhere.

He got the message. If he didn't tell, he'd end up like that.

Redwood took a deep breath. "Okay, the power source is hidden in…"

Viridian Middle, Kanto

"Melissa, could you please stay after class?"

Said girl whirled around, surprised. Teachers never asked her to do things. She was an average girl, with average looks, and average grades. Nobody really took notice of her, but she didn't mind. The substitute teacher, Mr. G, was different, apparently.

"Pardon?" she asked, unsure if her hearing was correct. "Did you ask me to stay after class?"

Her teacher nodded, motioning for Melissa to come over to his desk, so she did.

"Melissa, your father sent this." He held out a device that she could probably fit in her pocket. It was bright pink, a colour she didn't mind, but preferred not to use, and had dual speakers, a couple of buttons, and had a cat sticker on it.

She didn't think it was from her father.

"He recorded a message for you," Mr. G continued. "You should listen to it. I'll give you some privacy – you'll probably need it." The man left the room.

Melissa was relieved. She didn't know how it would feel if Mr. G had stayed. He seemed suspicious, creepy, and she thought he might be a child molester in disguise. What if this was actually a recording of- no, she would not go there. Bad Melissa, she chided herself.

She pressed what she believed to be the play button. At first nothing happened.

A deep breath came from the speakers. "Melissa, you need to give him the necklace. You know which necklace I'm talking about, but I'll clarify anyway." Another deep breath, like her father was nervous. He was rarely ever nervous, just like how she was rarely ever noticed.

"The necklace I gave you, and told you to keep safe, you need to give it to the person you gave you this, as soon as possible. I love you." The recording ended.

Melissa stared, not willing to believe what she just heard. The necklace? Why was it so important? And why should she give it to Mr. G?

The necklace was one of the only things she had left of her father, before he left on some 'secret government business', other than her disobedient Zigzagoon, Zagg, but the Pokémon didn't really count as a gift. He was more like a burden she had to carry.

A voice sounded from behind her. "So, are you done yet?" Mr. G.

Carefully she took off her necklace. It was oddly shaped, with green liquid sloshing around the vial that hung from the chain. She held it out. "Here."

Mr. G stared hungrily at it, as he took it out of her hands. Instantly, she regretted giving it to him. Anyone with a look like that was most likely dangerous.

He turned towards his desk, pulling out a huge suitcase, which she hadn't noticed before. She had just thought the large brown object was part of the desk, and she was never really observant about things she didn't care about, anyway.

As her teacher opened the suitcase, she slowly backed away, somewhat frightened. What was in there? Why did he need her necklace?

Inside was a large machine, and just by looking at it, she could tell her father made it. Mr. G opened a panel on the side, and slotted her necklace inside. Then, he pulled out a gun. She gasped.

"Clever of Redwood to hide you right under my nose. I've been looking forward to try this out. How about we do so now?"

A large blast hit her, and soon, she felt nothing.

Pallet Town, Kanto

Pearl was incredibly impatient. "I know this is rude, but when's Red going to get here?" He had been excited for this, but that was three hours ago, when they finished all the preparation. He was starting to get cramped in his hiding spot under the coffee table.

"He should be here soon," Yellow, who was hiding behind him, said, although she sounded somewhat concerned, and quite annoyed. She had been telling him that for the past hour, but Pearl still didn't believe her. He told her so.

"Red will be here!" I know it!" Determination filled her voice, and she glared at him with such force that he flinched.

Pearl sighed. "If he isn't here soon, I'm fining him a milli-" He stopped as he realized all chatter in the room had died down.

The door slowly opened, and Yellow gasped. "Red!'

Everyone jumped out. "Happy birthday, Red!" Confetti was flung, noisemakers made noise, cheers erupted, and it took great effort for Pearl not to shout "Finally!"

"What a surprise, although I doubt you were expecting me." A cold voice, not at all like Red, said.

Pearl stared. The man who was standing at the doorway wore a black suit, a black fedora, and looked like he had the same kind of fashion sense as Silver. "And who the hell are you?" he demanded, stepping forward. He had no idea who this man was, but seeing the reactions from his seniors, he could tell this man was no good.

Instead of responding, he raised a gun, and shot Pearl in the gut.

Pearl expected pain, or blood, but instead, his body began to fade, and legendary Pokémon replaced the other Dex Holders in his vision for a fleeting moment. He even thought he saw Red somewhere among them. Azelf's smiling face appeared, as the Willpower Pokémon embraced him.

Then, the world went black.

Silver panted. His hands shook, and he dropped the deadly object that he was holding onto the ground.

He'd watched his friends disappear into thin air. He'd watched his father offer to let him take over Team Rocket, to take over the world. He'd watched himself tackle the man, pin him to the ground, and shoot him in the head.

He'd killed his father.

He shuddered at the thought.

After shooting Pearl, all of the other Dex Holders ended up with the same fate. They vanished, faded away, and there was nothing left. No bodies, no ashes, nothing. They were all dead.

Except for him. His father made a proposition, he violently rejected it, and now the only one alive was Silver.

He didn't deserve it.

He voiced his thoughts. Repeating the words over and over again, he dropped to his knees. Tears trickled down his face. If Gold were alive, he'd never let him forget it, but now that he was- no. He wouldn't think about it.

"You're right, you don't deserve it." A female voice said from behind him. Silver knew that voice, and he absolutely detested the owner of it.

He whirled around. "What are you doing he-"

Suddenly, he couldn't speak. Words couldn't form, his voice didn't work. He couldn't move a muscle, and the world faded away.

"Did you do it?" the man inquired as he sat in front of a multitude of screens.

The woman snorted. "What do you think? Use your brain, and figure out why I have come back alive and without the police on my tail." She glanced at the screens. "What are you looking at?"

The man pointed at a screen. "Look. Giovanni was looking through these files."

The more the woman read, the more excited she became. "Come on now, let's go make us the most powerful people in the universe." She turned and fast walked away.

Hopping off of the swivel chair, the short man followed frantically. "Hey, wait up!"

So how was it?

Review, please!

-Raikiee