A/N: This is the first part of my first story on here. It's also an expiramental concept of using history to craft the setting of the story. The elements of history should be easy to spot so keep that in mind. The two actual main characters which should come in chapter 1 will be more original than the characters in the prologue. Please review, yada, yada, yada. If you have to critisize do it nicely. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon and in no way expect to earn money from this story. If I thought I could actually get this published, I would have gone to the owners with the idea... Man I'm poor...
Prologue
I shuddered as I realized what I was about to do. I was not just betraying my country, I was prepared for that, but I was also crossing the figurative line in the sand; the line between rebelling in an attempt to restore one's rights within one's own nation and breaking away from that nation all together through revolt. I took a deep sigh as I put pen to paper and wrote "When in the course of history it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands…"
The pen moved slowly as the young Pikachu put his personal decree of treason into paper. A much older Raichu watched from his side of the cave proud of the young Pokemon for finally taking a stand for his beliefs. Although an accomplished writer himself, this job needed to fall on the next generation. He had been there since the first seeds of dissent had been sowed, and had been responsible for planting more than a few of them. He was old though, and knew it no longer fell upon his shoulders. No…his time was over. He had lived twice as long as most were expected to during those times.
Besides, he doubted he could do any better than Thomas. The kid was definitely a genius in regard to words. Sure there were others who could write more emotionally, more fiery, such as that Zangoose, Paine, but this task didn't call for that. This needed clarity of thought, an elegance of speech that would last for generations, maybe even centuries.
"So how's it coming?"
"Good, Ben," Thomas said, "I've got a good feeling about this one."
Ben got up from the rock he was sitting on and began walking toward the entrance. "I'm going to go for a walk. Remember, if any loyalists or Crawdaunt soldiers arrive hide the document. We don't want to declare our treason openly…just yet."
"OK Ben," Thomas replied, too immersed in his writings to hear.
Ben strolled out of the cave and released some built up electricity into the clouds above him. He had been a successful scientist in his prime, as well as a writer and a battler, and was in fact the first electric type to figure out that rain clouds made the thunder attack more accurate. He watched as a bolt of lightning struck down from the clouds into the tree he'd been aiming for and smirked.
"Just as strong and accurate as ever Ben," said a Gallade as he walked into the clearing through the forest. "How's the document coming?"
"It's coming along fine and should be ready for the meeting tomorrow, Striker."
"Don't push the kid too hard, old friend. The Declaration is only the first step."
"I thought forming the army had been the first step."
"True, but this is the first time we've openly admitted to this being a revolution. Before, we were just trying to get our rights as citizens of the empire restored."
Ben's smug demeanor suddenly changed to that of worry, his old age showing through. "What if we're wrong Striker? What if we end up with a tyranny worse than that of the King's?" the Raichu said almost at a whisper.
"That may happen, but we'll never be free if we don't try. Our fellow pokemon deserve at least that. Besides, I'm rather sick of toasting to the health of that fat, spoiled Purguly of a Persian at every dinner. It hurts troop morale," the Gallade stated in a matter of fact sort of voice.
Ben smirked at this as his youthful demeanor returned. "You do realize that in the Empire homeland you would have already been beheaded, don't you?"
"But that would be a blessing if it meant not serving his royal ass all the time," Striker claimed, almost losing his straight face in the process.
"Ah, but what if the last thing you see is that ass?" Ben replied, laughter creeping into his voice.
"Than that would truly be a fate worse than death!" Striker stated before both burst into laughter.
Times like this were rare and would be rarer still as the uprising accelerated into a full blown revolution. Both the Gallade and the Raichu were expected to lead in the upcoming battles; Striker on the battlefield and Ben in the formulation of the new government, so it was best to get the jokes out of the way now.
Both looked up, however, as a Haunter floated through the shadows toward them; saluting the Gallade, before giving his message.
"General Striker, my scouts have detected three Wailord, each ferrying four brigades of Crawdaunt to the port seven miles up the coast. Sir…we have reason to believe they know the location of the delegation's secret meeting site."
"How is that possible Benedict!? Nobody, with the exception of the delegates and myself, know of the clearing's true location!"
"Are you absolutely sure they know where it is?" Ben added in.
"Yes, it seems that the information was leaked somehow, sir," the Haunter replied while hiding a slight grin in the shadow of the trees.
"I see…" the Gallade responded contemplating what he had just heard, "OK, split off the poison, dark, and ghost militias from the main force and march them to the valley six miles to the west of our present location. Once there set up defensive positions and protect that valley at all costs!"
"Yes, sir!" Benedict replied a little too enthusiastically, unable to hide the smile that spread on his mouth as he tuned to walk away.
After the Haunter was gone, Ben turned toward Striker saying, "You do realize the delegation hasn't used that location for over a year now?"
At which Striker replied, "Yes, but I have a feeling that the Empire will attack that location all the same."
"And why is that?"
"Because that's what I just told their number one informant."
"How do you know it's Benedict?" the Raichu asked, mildly shocked.
"We share quarters and he talks in his sleep, but him being a spy isn't the half of it…"
"Do tell," Ben said expectantly.
"That ghost is really messed up. He speaks of type purity in his sleep too, and seems to be extremely ambitious. Even if we win this, his betrayal is going to come back to haunt us. Ghosts are hard to kill. Even if they are pokemon…"
A/N: So there you have it. The prologue to The Republic. I feel like I really accomplished something today. Once again please review. I'm competing with my sister for the most positive reviews in a story. Don't spare me the negative ones, however, I still want to hear them. Next chapter we meet at least one of the main characters, so if you can't wait till then, too bad. I swear, no one has any patience any more.