Team Plasma's Pokemon Power Plot!
Imagine Colress's voice like Lloyd's from Code Geass. I hadn't watched Pokemon for a while, so Colress's actual voice got substituted with Lloyd's in my head.
Say welcome to my first 3 OCs in the series: Aaron, Shingetsu, and Kanashimi. They're all grunts with no particular role or backstory. Basically, they're there so I can name grunts and not call them "the first grunt" or "the pair of grunts" or "the group of grunts". You can imagine what they look like once I publish my book...heh.
Edit: DAMMIT I ALWAYS FORGET THE TRANSITIONS
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
The whirring of rotating capsules filled the room as gloved hands flew over a keyboard. A giant yellow tarantula was held inside one of them. A strange, brown x-shaped device was attached to it's forehead. It looked around in confusion and fear, fidgeting, as the scientist let a smirk creep over his face. "Ah, Galvantula," Colress drawled. "You will be my first test subject of the day. Congratulations."
In one swift movement, the EM wave projector turned on, and the device glowed yellow. Galvantula struggled for a moment, crying out, before stilling and narrowing it's now red eyes. "Galvan...vantula!" It pounded against the glass furiously, causing small cracks.
"Excellent," he purred. "Let's see if you can go even further."
He lowered the alpha waves a bit more and heightened the delta waves, taking the rage to the next level. The Galvantula shuddered violently before collapsing. Colress sighed. "It seems this one has a low tolerance. How disappointing."
"What have you done?" Aldith demanded, walking up to him. "I thought the agreement was not to kill any Pokemon."
"Ah, yes, but this one is simply unconscious. You can see it's breathing, can't you?"
Aldith's brow simply furrowed as an answer.
"Why do you care so much, anyway?" Colress inquired, adopting a carefree tone. "You are an admin of Team Plasma. We don't tend to think much about our Pokemon in general." Except for N. He always thought about Pokemon before himself.
"That's none of your business," Aldith snapped. "And anyway, I don't care much for them. I regulate standards here, however, and Pokemon research requires many restrictions."
"Yes, I know. Unfortunately."
A notification popped up on his screen. Sighing, he opened it without looking. "Yes, My Lord?" he asked, changing his voice once more to a more formal tone.
A hologram image of Ghetsis was projected into the air. "How is the research going?" he asked.
You should really take those cough drop prescriptions I assigned you. Your voice isn't sounding any less raspy. "Acceptably enough," Colress replied, adjusting his glasses. "The Pokemon in the vicinity that I assign will all be under our control. We can command them as needed, although right now I'm simply toying with them."
Ghetsis gave him a deadpan look. "We agreed that you would be in the continuous pursuit of higher achievements.
"My apologies. But I hardly slept last night- my sleeping pill stocks have been depleted- and so I'm a bit out of it today."
"Excuses are only ways of denying results. You can get some more pills later today. For now, just try not to fall asleep. Today is a pure work day, no breaks."
Colress smiled. "Normally, these days are my favorite."
Ash yawned. "It's such a disappointment that the Aspertia Gym wasn't finished yet," he sighed.
Iris rolled her eyes. "Yes, we've only heard about it 20 times in the past hour."
"Hey!"
"You're such a little kid! Just get over it!"
Cilan gave a helpless look to Pikachu and Axew. "If you ask me, they're both little kids."
Said little kids wheeled on Cilan. "No one asked you, Cilan!"
"W-why don't we just calm down and enjoy the scenery?" The green-haired boy offered.
They huffed simultaneously and continued walking.
"Amoon…"
Ash turned around. "Team Rock- Huh?"
Before them stood three Amoonguss, each with red eyes and threatening expressions. "Amoon…"
Iris blanched. "Watch out! Something's not right about them!"
"Amoongus!"
"They're using Hidden Power!" Cilan yelled. "Watch out!"
Iris and Cilan quickly jumped out of the way, but Ash tripped. "Ah!"
"Ash!"
"Electivire, use Thunder!"
Ash's head snapped up as a large yellow Pokemon zapped the sphere headed for Ash, effectively neutralizing it. "Huh?"
A mauve-haired trainer walked up to Ash. He wore an indigo jacket and long gray pants. He smirked at Ash. "I leave you alone for two months, and this happens? Pathetic..."
Ash's eyes were wide. "Paul…"
Paul then faced the wild Amoonguss. "Electivire, use Brick Break," he commanded.
"Electivire~!"
Within moments, the trio was knocked out.
Iris and Cilan exchanged confused glances as Ash bolted upright, grinning. "It's been so long! How are you? I like your new outfit! How's Electivire? Oh, right, he's here right now." He turned to the striped Pokemon, who was looking slightly flustered. "Hi! How are you? Oh, and how about Reggie, is he doing okay?"
Paul blinked, wearing the same expression as his partner. "Uh…"
Ash giggled. "I've never seen you at a loss for words, Paul! You always seemed to know just what to say." He relaxed slightly. "It's good to see you again."
Paul's face turned slightly red, and he coughed a few times. "Y-yeah. You too." He turned to Iris and Cilan awkwardly. "Who are you?"
"My name is Iris, and this is Axew!"
"I'm Cilan, a Pokemon Connoisseur!"
Paul nodded politely. "Nice to meet you." He turned back to Ash, stern composure regained. "We should get these Amoonguss to the Pokemon Center."
"Right! Yeah." Ash hastily picked up one, and Iris and Cilan held the others.
"Return, Electivire. ...Thank you." For some reason, Ash smiled at this, and Paul looked away again. "Let's go," he muttered, causing Ash to laugh.
Nurse Joy ran up to them, hair frazzled. "I'm sorry, but we don't have enough hands right now. How injured are they?" She gave a quick inspection of the mushroom-like Pokemon. "Audino! Please take these three and bring them to Waiting Area 3!"
"Audi!"
Paul, Ash, Iris, and Cilan looked about in fearful awe as an unconscious Tranquil and Leavanny were brought in to lay amongst the other Pokemon. "What's happened to them all?" Iris wondered. "Were they all mountain Pokemon, or ones who were attacked by mountain Pokemon?"
"Axew-yew…"
"Both," another voice intruded. The group turned around to see a familiar green-haired man standing behind them. "Though only one gets controlled, everyone gets affected."
"N!" Ash gasped.
"Come with me," N commanded, voice melodious yet stern. "I can't be seen here."
Paul wore a confused expression as they followed the man into the woods.
Once they left the city, the effects on N were immediate. His back straightened, a ghost of a smile crept over his face, and he was breathing slower. "Ah...that's much better."
Paul twitched as Ash stepped up to N, all business. "Alright, N. You said Pokemon were being controlled. Why?"
The green-haired man hesitated. "...Team Plasma."
"Team Plasma? Who are they?"
"They are...my...my enemies."
Paul frowned. Teams were usually evil in this world. So why did this N person seem unwilling to admit it? Did he have deeper ties with them than simple animosity?
"Oh, yeah! Sorry, Paul! This is N! We met him on the boat on the way here. He's really cool! He wants to protect Pokemon!"
N blushed slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "You flatter me. There are many who have done more impressive deeds than I."
His wary blue eyes caught Paul's, who started slightly. There was an intensity in them unlike he had ever seen. Somehow, he felt like he were drowning in an ocean, blue like the man's eyes. There's more than him that meets the eye.
Paul shook his hand politely. "It's good to meet you," he greeted.
"As to you."
Iris turned and looked at the mountain. "Team Plasma is controlling all the mountain Pokemon, right? That means they must be on it. We should go and see if we can find them."
Cilan adopted a thoughtful look. "There's an abandoned research laboratory at the top. Maybe they've taken up residential living in there."
N nodded. "I'll take you there."
"It's so peaceful up here," Cilan commented, as they walked up the mountain. "Shouldn't it be more chaotic?"
Paul eyed N carefully to see any sort of reaction, but there was none. Sighing, he decided to give up the silent interrogation for now. The man had been walking stoically for the past half hour.
"We can assume that Team Plasma is somehow controlling these Pokemon," he mused, subtly pleased to be putting his analytical mind to the test for the first time since his battle against Ash in the Sinnoh League. "But given how they haven't been announcing their plans to the public like most other teams, it seems their system isn't ready yet. They must be experimenting. And they would have to stop to write down data in between, which explains why nothing is happening right now."
N looked at him in barely hidden surprise as Ash grinned. "Yep, you still got it!"
Paul felt another blush rising and stubbornly forced it down. Ash...you made me more aware of my emotions when I met you. I'm not sure whether to thank you or hate you for that.
"I would have to be smarter than this if I want to beat you," he muttered.
Ash smirked. "I can't wait."
"Sexual tension aside…" N intervened nonchalantly.
"W-what?!" Paul nearly yelled, but stopped as he saw Pikachu, Axew, and some wild Deerling growling at them. Their eyes were red.
"They're acting like the Amoonguss!" Iris cried.
"Pikaa...chuuu!"
"Wahhh!"
"Watch out!"
Paul found himself with Iris, Cilan, and Ash against the cliff as N knelt down where they had once been. "N!"
The man's clothes were singed and slightly torn, and there were a few burn marks on his body. He was gritting his teeth in pain, and his breath was ragged.
Ash had a panicked look on his face. "Oh, no, not again!" He ran to N's side along with Iris and Cilan. "Are you okay? N? N?!"
Paul raced next to them, swiftly taking out an ointment from his jacket. He twisted open the cap and began spreading it on the wounds. "This should help the healing."
"Y-you don't-"
"Shut up and let me heal you," Paul muttered.
Ash managed a small smile in spite of the situation. "Aw, Paul, now you care about people~"
"You shut up as well."
N shakily stood up with support from Iris and Cilan. "I'm okay," he assured. "Let's keep going."
"Are you sure?" Ash asked worriedly. "Maybe we should get you back to the Pokemon Center-"
"No!" N snapped, before calming. "Sorry. But I'm fine."
"Pika…"
They all suddenly remembered the reason N had gotten hurt in the first place, and turned towards the yellow Pokemon. Pikachu was crackling with energy, and Axew had a blue, agitated aura surrounding it.
"Colress...this is your doing, isn't it? …of course. You never wanted to accept the preset limits."
Paul looked at N in surprise, but no one else seemed to have heard him. Probably his imagination. "Electivire!" He tossed out his signature Pokemon, who immediately assessed the situation and awaited orders. "Use Brick Break!"
"Vire!"
It moved to attack Pikachu, who quickly dodged out of the way before using Iron Tail on Electivire's head. The large Pokemon stumbled slightly from the sheer force of the hit, before it began to feel something in the air. "Electi...vi...vire!"
"Electivire! What's wrong?!" Paul shouted, panicking. "Return!"
The red beam glanced off the thick pelt as the Electric type joined the mountain Pokemon, eyes red.
Paul cursed quietly. He should have realized there it wasn't direct contact with Pokemon that allowed them to be controlled. Otherwise, how would Pikachu have gotten possessed? Electivire, can you hear me?! he internally screamed. Electivire!
I...I can't feel your presence anymore!
"What are we going to do now?!" Cilan yelped.
"Hah!"
A cube suddenly flew in front of them. It turned out to be sort of mechanism, as the top opened to reveal a satellite-like object. Out of came a peach-colored shield, which covered everything within the 30-foot radius. The Pokemon's eye colors returned to normal, and they looked around in confusion. The Deerling skipped away as Pikachu, Axew, and Electivire walked back to their masters.
"Pikachu, are you okay?"
"I'm glad you're back to normal, Axew!"
Paul looked around cautiously before bending down and rubbing his Pokemon's head. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, Electivire," he scolded gently.
"Awwwww!~"
"SHUT UP, ASH!"
"Excuse me…"
The group turned around to see Detective Looker with a grim expression on his face.
A notification appeared once more in Colress's machine, which immediately opened into several video cameras. They showed a few kids walking towards them, as well as a police officer. He sighed, turning off the EM waves, causing the Mienshao to collapse from exhaustion. "Oh, Aldiiitthhh~ you should see this."
The redhead walked in from a room a short distance away, with an inferior officer Aaron following behind. Her eyes widened. "So that nosy man finally found us."
"Precisely."
"It appears N is with them as well," Aldith stated.
Huh?
Colress did a double take and saw the green-haired man walking among them. Ignoring the pang in his heart, he nodded, fighting to maintain a carefree expression. "Ah, yes. Lord Ghetsis will be pleased."
Aldith gave him a look. "Do you still harbor old feelings for him?"
"Now, what would make you think that? You make it sound like I was a petty schoolgirl with a crush."
"You sure seem like one whenever N is mentioned." Aldith glared at him. "You begin to fidget, you get an strange expression on your face, and eventually you leave the conversation." By her tone, it was clear she wasn't talking about a crush of any sort.
"Well, maybe it's because I feel he isn't worth talking about." Colress returned the cold stare. "He goes against all of my ideals. I have no reason to be interested in a talk about him. Don't jump to conclusions, Aldith."
They had a heated competition of looks for a moment, before Aldith walked away. "Aaron, come with me," she commanded. "We will go out and meet the intruders. Doctor Colress, prepare to release your test subjects upon them when we lure them inside."
Colress frowned as he turned away, adjusting his glasses. "...understood."
"Here we are," N announced. "The research lab. Be careful from here on."
Colress...are you here?
Is Ghetsis?
"Halt!"
N's head snapped up as Aldith, Aaron, and Shingetsu came running out, clad in skintight black suits. They each held a Pokeball, which disgusted N. "You said your goal was to free Pokemon," he scowled. "And yet look what you're holding."
Was it just him, or did pain appear in Aldith's eyes, if only for a second? "N. You are to return to Lord Ghetsis."
"I've heard that phrase too many times," N replied darkly.
"Very well then. Liepard, use Hyper Beam!" she ordered, tossing her Pokeball into the air.
"Bisharp, use Metal Claw!" Shingetsu snapped.
"Cryogonal, use Ice Beam!"
Ash reacted quickly. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Axew, Dragon Rage!"
"Chandelure, Flame Burst!"
The attacks hit and neutralized each other, causing a small explosion. Looker was watching was a calculating expression on his race.
N frowned. You don't have to use a direct confrontation. Quickly, he leaped over the fence surrounding the research lab and went inside through the back.
It wasn't very long before more footsteps sounded behind him, along with shouting and the cries of Pokemon.
Get ready.
They approached the research lab quickly, where Colress, Barrot, and Kanashimi stood, facing the other way. They were expecting Aldith to lead them in from the other way.
Expect the unexpected.
Just as Colress turned around, N leaped into the air and kicked him in the chest, forcing the scientist to the ground. He then backhanded Shingetsu and wrapped his necklace around Aaron's throat, effectively choking him. "You should have planned for this, Colress," he reprimanded. "Aren't you a genius?"
Colress smiled as he wiped blood from his mouth, staining his white gloves red. "Hm...I suppose I should have. Perhaps I was a bit distracted."
His words caught N off-guard. Distracted? By what?
"If so, then this will only end badly for you," N stated darkly.
Aldith spoke into the microphone. "Attack them with all you've got."
In shock, N turned around to see multiple Pokemon, consisting of a Beartic, Scolipede, Galvantula, and Mienshao. All their eyes shone scarlet.
"Scolii!"
"Galvan!"
"Rragghh!"
"Mienn!"
N quickly dodged the attacks before looking towards Ash, Iris, Paul, and Looker. They're all okay. Thank Arceus. "So your technology has improved to this point?" he asked, eyes narrowed.
"Oh, it goes further." Colress smirked, pulling a small remote out of his jacket. He pressed the button, not aimed at N, but Ash.
"Ash! Watch out!" N yelled.
Ash tried to grab Pikachu, but he was too late. The x-shaped device had landed on Pikachu's forehead. It's eyes suddenly turned sullen, and as Colress walked over to his machine and moved some switches, the aura around it spiked dangerously. "Pikaa~!" it hissed.
"Pikachu! No, you can't fall under that scientist's control! Listen to me!" Ash wailed.
"Chuu!"
"Ah!" The kids and Looker scrambled away from the explosion caused by the massive Electro Ball.
"What power, what fury! Do you really think your Pokemon could reach such limits from only yourselves?" Colress leered.
"That's not what matters!" N shouted, fists clenching in frustration. He sprinted towards the scientist and drew back an arm, nailing Colress in the gut. The scientist flipped over N with surprising agility and proceeded to knock the breath out of him.
As the two adults engaged in close combat, Ash pleaded with Pikachu. "Please, Pikachu! Fight his control!"
Iris, Cilan, and Looker clashed with the controlled Pokemon. "Toxicroak, Poison Jab!" Looker shouted. He threw the EM cancelling cube in the other direction. It bounced and opened, however it disintegrated under the pure pressure of the EM waves. "It's completely overloaded," he murmured in shock.
Paul bent down. "Pikachu," he whispered. "Do you remember me?"
The threatening growl signified denial.
"I was his worst enemy." He pointed to Ash. Pikachu's stance relaxed slightly. "But I changed." The tenseness returned. "Because he became my friend."
Ash blinked in surprise, not able to come up with a teasing phrase. Paul was honestly surprised at his own words. Nonetheless, he continued. "And now, you are Ash's enemy. But you don't have to be. You can be his friend. You are his friend, Pikachu."
Ash knelt beside Paul in front of the hesitating Pokemon. "You've been my friend for so many years. Don't you remember our first day? I promised to protect you, and you saved me from the Spearow. We didn't like each other at first, but look how far we've come. Don't throw it all away, Pikachu." He raised his voice. "Pikachu!"
The yellow mouse hissed as it stood in place, straining to break free. "Pika...pika… pi!" The cross on his forehead shattered as Pikachu panted slightly, sweat sliding down the side of his face.
"I knew you could do it!" Ash cheered, scooping up his Pokemon in a huge hug. "You're the best!" He then turned to Paul with the largest grin he had ever seen. "Thanks, Paul!"
Paul opened his mouth to say "Sure, whatever", but found himself blushing bright red instead. Dammit! "Y-yeah." He scowled, and Ash smirked at him.
"Hah!"
They all turned to the source of the yell, which was surprisingly N smashing a button on Colress's machine. It must have been an off button, as the crosses fell from the larger Pokemon as well.
Colress corned the green-haired man against the machine, snarling almost ferally. "How dare you ruin my plans," he breathed, voice eerily calm despite his ragged demeanor. "You think you can just waltz in here and destroy my life's work, N. No...I won't allow it."
He reached for a large, silver drive and put it into one of his inside coat pockets, having regained his composure alarmingly fast. "We have all the data we need. Let's go, Aldith."
The scientist's eyes were blocked by the glare as he walked away, but not before pushing a red button. A timer appeared in front of the group, displaying two minutes and counting down.
"It's a time bomb!" Looker barked. "Get everyone out immediately!"
They just barely made it a few meters before the research facility exploded, leaving scattered debris and ashes behind.
"The experiment victim Pokemon will be feeling better given some time," Nurse Joy informed the group pleasantly.
Iris smiled. "Thanks, Nurse Joy!"
"Anything to help the Pokemon of this town."
As Looker reported the incident to Officer Jenny, Ash stood with Iris, Paul, Cilan, and N outside the doors to the Pokemon Center.
"...I guess I'll be leaving now," Paul spoke up awkwardly. "I need to continue with the gyms. Uh...good luck with Team Plasma. I'll help you if I can."
Ash gave him a heartbroken look. "Aw, Paul! That means we won't see each other until the Pokemon League!"
Paul waved his hands in front of himself, flustered. "Y-you don't know that! We might meet up before then. It all depends on what fate has planned."
Ash blinked. "...well, that's okay then! See you around, Paul!"
Paul smiled at him. "Yeah, sure."
Now it was Ash's turn to go red. "Y-you can smile?!" He waved his hands around in confusion, acting as though the world was ending. The boy attracted a lot of confused passerbys, to which Paul groaned in embarrassment. He turned and began walking away, hands shoved in his pockets.
"You should stop slouching, Paul! It's bad for your posture!"
"SHUT UP!"
Ash grinned cheekily at the remaining people by his side. "He is so fun to rile up."
Iris seemed to remember something. "Oh, yeah! Ash, who exactly was that guy? You seem to know him really well."
Ash tilted his head slightly, thinking. "Huh. I never did explain, did I? He was my rival back in Sinnoh. At first he was really mean and cold to everyone, including his own Pokemon, because he thought that was how they became stronger." He noticed N stiffen out of the corner of his eye. "But when he released one of his Pokemon, saying it wasn't strong enough, I recaptured it and proved that you can make your Pokemon stronger by caring for your Pokemon like family. After that, he changed into the loveable little tsundere you see today. He's still learning, but you've seen the little acts of kindness he's given to his Pokemon. Now they have a stronger bond than ever."
Cilan nodded. "Now that I think about it, you battled him in the Sinnoh League, correct? You had the most aesthetically pleasing and intense battle I have ever seen, and I wasn't even there in person! You were so into the fight! By the end you were both near-screaming! I'm guessing that the Pokemon Paul traded away was that Infernape with the powerful Blaze ability?"
Ash nodded brightly. "Yep, he's the one! I raised him from a Chimchar. He stands as one of my most powerful partners!"
"How poetic that the final battle was between Electivire and Infernape," N mused.
The trio looked at him in surprise. "Not that I don't agree, but I thought you didn't like Pokemon battles," Iris voiced. "How did you know?"
"I don't. However, as Cilan put it, that battle was unexpectedly intense and calculating. It drew all people's attention. I walked into a cafe right before your battle started, and it was playing on one of the small televisions. At first, everyone was making idle conversations, not really noticing. But as soon as Aggron used Metal Claw, all people and Pokemon alike gravitated to the screen. Even myself. You both poured your heart and soul into that battle. It was truly awe-inspiring. You weren't fighting just to win. You were fighting for your ideals, and everything you believe in. I could tell that much just from watching you."
Ash blinked. "...wow. I didn't realize we had such an effect on people."
"Oh, and Ash, I was wondering. Uh...would you mind if I traveled with you for a while? Just to the next city. I-I won't bother you much-"
"Of course!"
N looked up in surprise. "Hn?"
Ash rolled his eyes. "Really, N? You'd think we would just turn you down? We may have only known each other for a few days, and we may not know a lot about you. But we do trust you, and we think of you as a friend. So, if you'd let us be yours…" He extended his hand towards N.
N could barely process what was happening, and was tempted to just gawk for hours at the symbol of friendship Ash was giving him.
Somehow, his mouth moved on it's own, and he could feel his voice swelling up with emotion. "Thank you, Ash," he choked out. "I am truly honored."
Ash gave him an amused look. "To be friends with lil' ol' me? Wow, I feel special now." Iris and Cilan exchanged fond glances behind his back, both thinking about how Ash seemed to be the chosen one for everything, but only now did he feel special.
I have friends now.
My first friends in so many years.
I swear…
I will protect them with my life.
A/N: Contrast from last chapter? Maybe. I thought Paul would spice things up a bit. He's not gonna be appearing in the story again. Sorry.
