Chapter 1: Principles
Seasons have come and gone since that fateful year. My only purpose was to look out for me and mine, not save the world. That is NOT my game, or the story I wish to be told. They portray me as a savior in this Pokemon world, having foiled Cipher's plan to annihilate the souls of Pokemon and transform them into mindless killing machines. I could care less honestly, but the circumstances were perfect for good 'ole me to be in the right place at the right…freaking…time. The story changes from mouth to mouth, although keeping the gist of events, but I long to tell my tale, the true story. I will set the world and Rui straight. I travel with my companions Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi. The two are a lively bunch, but the Espeon and Umbreon serve their purpose beautifully. My name is Wes, and I am not a hero.
"So we are going with the Cipher plan?" I caught a suspicious whisper from behind closed doors as I made my daily rounds at the Snagem base.
"Yes…if only for economics. Times are getting tough everywhere, not just Orre." I know that voice. It was our not-so-fearless leader, Gonzap. What foolishness has he pulled us into this time? I could only listen in anticipation at the conversation.
"You do realize sir…what the process does to pokemon? It seems a little-." Gonzap cut the grunt off.
"Cruel? Yes, it does…but it's only pokemon, right? Who cares?" What process could these guys be talking about? I'm all for criminal activity, but I could not bring myself to harm a pokemon…except Magikarp. I hate Magikarp with an eternal ever emanating passion.
"We have in our possession…the greatest snag specialist to ever throw a pokeball. Wes will relish the opportunity to sharpen his skills, for less pay of course." Gonzap chuckled, much to my irritation. The man's insufferable demeanor has worn thin.
"In fact, the very first pokemon to receive the treatment will be his! The power will make him unstoppable! Could you imagine how deadly THOSE two pokemon would be without morals? It gives me goose bumps." So not only will I be subjugated in this plan, but so will my pokemon. Faithful employee or not, I refuse to be screwed over.
"I don't think he'll like that…" the grunt squeamishly stated, and he was correct. I did not relish in the idea. I also did not like that this grunt knew more than I did, especially about a plan that seemed to revolve around yours truly.
"Does it really matter if he does? He has never disobeyed my orders before, so I doubt he will now. The guy simply does not care how far he has to go." The guy talked like he knew me. What a joke, but he was right about one thing. I really don't care how far I have to push the envelope, especially when proving a point, and boy…I feel the urge to prove a massive point right about now.
"If you say so boss…what's the next plan of action?" The grunt seemed desperate to exit the conversation.
"Well my boy…YOU will clean my sleeping quarters! I have urgent matters to attend to!" Gonzap stepped towards the door…the very door I perched my ear upon. I leapt and clutched an overhanging pipe. Gonzap opened the door.
"Hmm…I wonder if Wes is back…" Gonzap continued down the dimly lit hall, while I went completely unnoticed stretched across the ceiling.
"What an idiot…" I unhinged from my inauspicious hiding spot, not realizing that the grunt had not yet left the room. He stared at me in pure unadulterated terror.
"What tha' hell are you gawking at?" The grunt scurried past me, never making the slightest bit of eye contact. I sauntered down the opposite end of the hallway, formulating a game plan. I exited the poorly hidden base and hopped on my bike. The night sky trapped my vision for a few moments as I admired the red crescent moon.
"I bet Tsukuyomi would like this…" I reached for the pokeball housing my Umbreon and released him into the seat beside mine. We rode through the desert night, in no particular direction. This was our way of life since the beginning, and it has not changed for the years the three of us have journeyed together. I wouldn't replace the couple for a million bucks…and certainly not some unknown "power" Gonzap mentioned. There's no damn way.
"Tsukuyomi…we have business to attend to in the morning." The constant pressure of Gonzap drained my psyche to the point of contemplating mass destruction…or I just love being the badass in the room. Either way, Snagem gets their upends tomorrow…so help me Arceus.
My eyes refused to spiral into the darkness as my mind sorted through every weakness in the Snagem system…there was a lot…an unbelievable amount. The fact that the organization still exists lies on my sheer ability to capture pokemon to sell. So this black op should, by all means, go smoothly. I've seen Tsukuyomi sneak through a pack of Scyther with a red scarf around his neck. Those Snagem morons have no chance.
The hours passed…and still no slumber. Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu snored loudly in the passenger's seat as I gathered "supplies". It was almost cute, the two Pokemon cuddled together forming a perfect balance.
"I will need this…and this…oh DEFINITELY this…" I gathered my breach charges, along with my C2, stun bombs, and smoke grenades. This will be a nonlethal strike...only meant to attack Gonzap's wallet and pride. The conversation that still rang in my ears was the final straw; the man has used me for far too long. It's time to create my own…enterprises.
"Alright guys, wake the hell up! We got a mission!" Umbreon and Espeon fluttered their eyes innocently, hiding their true natures. Tsukuyomi yawned…directly in my face. Amaterasu cackled at the sight, placing her paws on each of my ears. She was a playful one, though her memories are filled with horror and sadness. I cranked the bike up, and drove toward my vantage point, a large boulder to the west of the base.
"Okay, here's the plan guys…pay attention!" Umbreon and Espeon pawed at each other's faces like two boxers in the midst of combat. They instantly perked up at my voice.
"I'm sure the grunt from yesterday has informed Gonzap of my eavesdropping…so walking through the front door may harder than usual. When we infiltrate the compound…damn it guys!" Amaterasu bit Tsukuyomi's ear in a successful effort to distract him. The pokemon initiated a bite-fight as I laid out my strategy. I had to forcefully grasp each and rip them apart, but they still swung at each other like two school kids in a playground brawl.
"As I was saying…when we infiltrate the compound Tsukuyomi, we will need to reach the vault containing the snag machine. As soon as THAT item is in my hands, we run for it. I will set timer charges along the way. Amaterasu, you will remain in the bike, making sure to not let ANYONE sabotage our getaway vehicle, got it?" The sweet Espeon nodded her head while Tsukuyomi and I leaped out of the bike.
"Let's go boy…" I grabbed my navy blue trench coat and proceeded to throw it over my black undershirt. It was a peculiar coat, with large straps buckling it together at my chest. It would prove to be a brilliant hiding spot for the many concealed weapons at my disposal. I made my way to the front checkpoint.
"Good mornin' there Wes! Let me swipe ya!" I handed over my super not-so-secret Snagem membership card to the lad with a heavy dialect and traditionally shaved head. He swiped the card into the system, his smile contorting as he read the screen.
"Says here that you are gonna need an override from Mister Gonzap himself! Sorry man I can't let ya through just yet!" His goofy grin returned as he handed back my card. I could not afford to waste this much time.
"Well, while we are waiting, you want in on a little secret there champ?" I motioned him closer with my finger, and he intently leaned towards me.
"What's tha secret bro?" He whispered as he inched his ear towards my face. The man's stupidity drew a sigh from Tsukuyomi.
"You are without question, the absolute dumbest guy I have ever had the displeasure to have heard speak." The guard made a double take. He blinked in confusion, finally drawing a sigh from me.
"…and Gonzap pays these people as much as me…" I crushed my fist into his temple, smashing his body into the window behind. He crumpled in the cramped guard station, allowing me to press the gate switch, and walk inside. The alarm remained silent. Tsukuyomi and I walked through the familiar corridors; our destination was the tech facility. A passcode would be needed, but I gathered through past experience what the phrase could possibly be.
"…GONZAPROCKSMYSOCKS…" The locks clicked open on the first try. My, what an uncompromisingly obnoxious human being was my…former boss. The fellas in the tech facility rocked the lab coats and glasses quite nicely, in my opinion, but they still had the same old Snagem common sense, or lack of. The scientists simply glanced in their peripheral vision at me, a rather imposing figure accompanied by an Umbreon. We strutted all the way to the tech vault, where I stored my own personal snag machine after work every night. The halls of the tech labs and main facility were LINED with explosives.
"Oh look Tsukuyomi…a giant metal door! Oh whatever will we do! It looks like our plan is all but foiled!" I chuckled as my hand dug into one of the many inside pockets of my coat. I revealed a breaching charge to the Umbreon, immediately causing him to step back. I placed the bomb, and then ran like a Doduo behind a corner.
"T-minus 5…4…3…2…1!" A crackling blast echoed through the base, triggering the anticipated alarm system. Umbreon and I swiftly darted into the vault, plucking the snag machine out of its restraints, and hurried through the research building.
"That was easier than taking candy from a baby, wouldn't you say Tsukuyomi?" My trusty Umbreon barked in excitement as we sprinted through the main corridors.
"Not so fast!" A load of stupid and slow grunts flooded out of the doors in front of me, reaching for their pokeballs.
"Really? You guys intend to battle me into submission?" I leaped onto a grunt's noggin, using their shiny domes as stepping stones toward the exit. Tsukuyomi simply ran across the wall like an arachnid. He could act foolish and silly sometimes, but the Umbreon sure could make me proud.
"See you guys on the flipside!" I shouted back at the dumbfounded group of gaggling grunts, until running into what seemed like a brick wall.
"Where in the HELL do you think you're going?!" Gonzap stood before me, blocking the front gates. I had come too close to fail now.
"Oh, hey boss! I'm just taking my snag machine out for a couple of field tests!" I grinned wildly at his furious expression, because I knew what was to come.
"Catch you later! No pun intended!" I propelled my boot into the man's crotch, rendering him paralyzed and helpless. I nonchalantly walked through the heavy door, Tsukuyomi close behind.
"Oh, and one more thing Gonzap…you might wanna consider changing your password from time to time. Having the same one for the arsenal AND tech facility just seems idiotic, and you'll see why in just a moment." I said, walking backwards towards my bike. I reached for the detonator in my coat, quickly hopping into my bike with Amaterasu fast asleep. I cranked the machine up, noticing Gonzap crawling out of the base. I unleashed another mischievous chuckle.
"I always thought you were completely incompetent...T-minus 5…4…3…" Gonzap's eyes widened to resemble dinner saucers. I spun out while driving off, detonator flying high like a substitute bird finger. I hope Gonzap witnessed the pressing of the button from the relatively short distance.
"Boom…" I felt a warm wind caress my spine, but was unable to look back at the carnage. Amaterasu woke to watch the flaming embers of the base fly hundreds of feet into the atmosphere. Umbreon and Espeon awed at the marvelous sight, not realizing what it meant for their…our lives.
