Prelude
The lab was dark, empty of the usual brightness that illuminated the science equipment. There was no one there, the silence like an all-consuming power that seemed to take all the joy out of the place. Nothing hummed. Outside, there were only trees. Vines crawled across the once-polished windows, now coated with grime. For the first time in years, the door creaked open, slowly pushing away the dust that had gathered inside. A cloaked figure stepped inside, making footprints in the dirt.
"Charmander," he whispered, taking out a poke ball. Light streamed from it, and a Charmander appeared, illuminating the area. In the light of the Pokémon, the figure began to walk over to a bank of computers. The Pokémon barked. "Char," he said.
"I always knew you'd come back." Another figure stepped out of the shadows, silhouetted against the light. The first man lowered his head over the computers, not responding.
"This is where it all started, wasn't it? Doesn't seem it was only five years ago, does it?"
"And how many years' worth of damage have you done in that time, Koga?"
"I prefer to think of it as progress. And you know I couldn't have done it without you."
"What do you want?"
"I want you to help me." Laughter.
"And why would I do that, Koga?"
"Because if you don't, you're going to die." Out of the shadows stepped grunts, not just one or two, but seven, each with six Pokémon strapped to their belt. He sighed.
"Very well. But know that I will leave whenever I want to. And you can kill me." Koga smiled.
"Don't worry. I will."