0. It Begins
~~~~~~~~

No! Let me go! The man struggled within the grasp of two stronger men. He tried pleading again. Please! It's not what it looks like! But his efforts were in vain. The two men only grabbed harder, continuing down the long white hallway.

You thought you could get away with escaping, huh? a younger man of about twenty stood in the path. His hair was a dark brown color, and his bright blue eyes flashed with excitement as they scanned the man. He, as well as the other three men, was wearing a uniform of black pants and a black shirt, with black boots to match. But he held more power, for he was the Admin of the Team Gen complex.

He stopped in front of where the two Grunts were dragging the man who had once pledged loyalty to Team Gen. The Grunts pushed the man down so he was kneeling to the Admin. You realize we're not changing our minds about you, the Admin said with a cool air. So why don't you tell me: what changed your mind?

Realizing his situation was hopeless, the man went for broke. Because you're a heartless bastard, that's why. He started seething with rage, but the Grunts managed to restrain him. Experimenting on Pokémon I don't mind. Creating new ones, fine; they're only beasts, I don't care. But now you're planning on experimenting on humans? Why? What the Hell do you plan on gaining from this?

Ditto, my friend, the Admin said, sneering at the man. We're after Ditto, and we're going to get them no matter what the cost. A sudden thought struck him. Smiling evilly, he said, Take him to The Room.' Let's see how he likes it.

The man blanched. No! Please! Anything but that! but still the Grunts dragged him past the Admin and further down the hall. The Grunts reached a door and opened it, pulling the man, kicking and screaming, inside.

The room was a simple one. Pretty much a white cylinder, it was about 20 feet in diameter and 40 feet tall. At the top was a glass dome, where other Team Gen members were. In the middle of the room was a single chair, like the kind in a dentist's office. Quickly the Grunts strapped the man to the chair. One of them pulled out a needle from under the chair. It was connected to a tube under the floor.

By now the Admin had climbed the stairs and was looking down into the room through the glass dome. Leaning on an unattended computer panel, he saw one of the Grunts, the one with the needle, look up. Showing his teeth slightly, the Admin gave the okay signal. Quick as a flash, the needle went into the man's arm. If the glass hadn't been soundproofed, the Admin would've heard the screaming as the man's DNA began to burn within him.

inserting the Ditto DNA was a stroke of genius, the Admin said to himself. I must be sure to promote that scientist. He looked down again and saw the body dissolving, becoming a pink blob as the black clothes fell around it. Soon the transformation was complete, and a Ditto now sat in the chair, completely dazed.

The Admin was turning to leave when he noticed a strange quivering coming from the Ditto. Leaning forward to see better he watched, with slight horror, as the jelly body suddenly exploded, sending a watery substance all over the room, including the nearby Grunts.

the Admin said, not very concerned at all. Well, nobody said it was perfect. I'll just have to make sure Seymour gets the formula right the second time. With that he turned on his heel and walked to the hallway, headed for the lab.

~~~~~~~~

I-I'm sorry, sirI don't know what went wrong, the scientist sputtered out. He was dressed in all black as well, but he also had a large white lab coat over it. I'll get a new one out in an-an hour, just be p-patient. He hurried around, furiously checking computers over.

Please, Seymour, the Admin said calmly, sitting on one of the lab tables. It wasn't like we lost a Ditto we already had. I'm simply asking you to revise the formula. It shouldn't be hard for a braniac like yourself, now should it? The Admin smirked, knowing how to play on others' egos.

Seymour stopped, his breath returning to normal. He felt a swell in his chest and said, proudly, You're right, sir. How long until you need it done?

About this time tomorrow. The Admin said, standing up. He turned to leave, saying, No rush, just perfection. But if you don't get it right this time he cast a menacing glance backwards, letting the threat hang.

I understand sir, Seymour said, his throat almost catching.

the Admin said, a little too happily. This time tomorrow, Seymour. I'm waiting to see your brilliance shine. And with that he was gone, out the door.

Seymour didn't sleep that night. He would have that formula done by tomorrow, and refused to sleep at all until the formula was in the hands of the Admin.

~~~~~~~~

So, any ideas? the Admin asked to his group of Executives. The 4 men and 2 women in the conference room had been discussing where to get more test subjects for the past half hour. Unfortunately, they had come up with nothing.

No idea at all? the Admin looked at all of them. Are you sure none of you want to, perhaps, volunteer with another display of disloyalty? The five other people looked horrorstruck at him, as if the idea would never cross their minds. Just joking, the Admin said a few seconds later, with a slight chuckle.

One of the female Execs stood up, adjusting her short skirt and navel-revealing shirt (a guy designed the uniforms, can't you tell?) before speaking up. Sir, what about kids?

What about them? the Admin asked, intrigued.

The Exec continued. Well, they're young. They might be more gullible. They might not ask as many questions. And also, a lot of people are saying how annoying kids are these days. She smiled nervously as she sat down.

so we want to get kids here, the Admin said, leaning back in his chair. Now how do we get them? That's the question. The words had barely left his mouth when another Exec stood up.

he said, we could lure them in with an ad campaign or something like that. His eyes glazed over slightly, and he put his hands up as if displaying a large sign. 'Be what you want to be.' His eyes snapped to refocus on the Admin. It's a perfect plan, sir.

I like it the Admin said. Get posters out immediately. Tell them to arrive at the Waiting Room' tomorrow at this time he checked his watch, one in the afternoon. Dismissed. With that everyone left the room, their hopes high.