Pokémon: the Void

by Aster Williams

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for this plot

Warning: Possible explicit language, sexual situations, violence, sensitive subjects, triggers, dark themes, character death, etc. Includes hetero/homo/bi/pan/asexual situations. (May change to M later...but that will be decided on a later date).

(If you recently submitted an OC please quickly look over the rules/accepted characters featured in the Prologue)

CHAPTER ONE

"I know. I was there. I saw the great void in your soul, and you saw mine" - Sebastian Faulks

The meeting room was dead silent as each former leader sat at the rectangular table. The air was tense as it had been years since any of them had talked to one another, let alone seen each other in person. When each of them arrived in the building, they were shocked to find each other in the meeting room. Each of them had a seat and a card with their name on it, next to the card was a glass of water and a flower of their former team colors. Such emptiness and quietness was disturbing since they each expected something more extravagant, like how they use to run their base and team. Three sides of the room were painted white and the fourth wall was curved and made of glass, letting sunlight in the room and giving a beautiful view of the city. The floor was a reflective black tile and the ceiling was painted black, the lights were dimmed since there was no need to waste electricity. The rectangular table they were sitting at was made of solid wood, polished and painted to be a shiny black. The chairs were black and gray; they were comfortable yet so simple looking. In the end, everything looked sleek and clean yet so empty.

The sound of heels caught each of their attention, as the footsteps grew louder and louder all of them started to tense up. This was the first sound they heard since the long torturous minutes of dead silence. The door slid open and a man clad in black walked into the room. The men stared at the new man in awe, seeing how he carried himself with pride and confidence, something that they lost so long ago. The stranger took his place at the head of the table where a single purple dyed rose sat untouched. The man picked up the rose and pressed it to his lips before setting it down again, something that caught the six men off guard. There was a moment of silence before the stranger began to speak in a soft yet confident voice.

"I have been expecting each and every one of you, I am glad to see that everyone was able to make it. Upon attending this meeting, each of you will be given an opportunity that I think you should consider," the man began as he pushed his looked at each one of the six former leaders. His eyes seemed to peer into their souls as they were captivated by his voice and appearance. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath as to collect his words before continuing:

"I am offering you at another chance. Now this chance is different for each and every one of you, but there is one thing they all have in common. You cannot do this alone, you need people to follow you, and you need people you can trust. You each have lost something that have left each of you angered, saddened, frustrated, depressed, etc. One could say you have a void in your life you want to fill. What if I were to tell you that I am able to fill that void, that I am able to end your suffering and pain, that I hold the key to your salvation let's call it. I am no god nor am I a devil…but for each one of you I will be all you could ever want. I will provide the tools you need to give you another chance; all I ask in return is your services. Now, please stand if you are willing accept this offer…I should warn you that once this is made there is no turning back."

The six men looked at each other, wondering who would be the first to take this offer and who would be walking away. Moments past before a man with dark brown hair and hints of grey stood up, his dark brown eyes looked tired and stressed. Giovanni, the former leader of Team Rocket, decided that he had nothing left to lose. After his mother disappeared off the face of the earth and Giovanni was forced to disband the company and team he was born and raised into, he decided that he had nothing else to lose. He will give this opportunity as his last chance…maybe this time he will be successful. Slowly, each of the other five men –Archie, Maxie, Cyrus, Colress, Lysandre – had sum up the courage to stand up after Giovanni. The man cracked small sinister grin behind his mask as he clapped his hands together, with his smooth and charismatic voice he said ten simple words.

"Welcome to Team Void, your new family and new home."

The former leader of Team Plasma, Colress, entered his hidden room that was next to his new office. His eyes were heavy from the lack of sleep he had gotten ever since the disbanding of Team Plasma, something that he was against. For days, he spent every hour trying to continue the research he was so passionate about. When the news of Ghetsis's death - suicide to be more precise - spread through Team Plasma, many members started to leave. Slowly but surely Colress couldn't convince them that they would be able to continue researching without Ghetsis, despite going through a small depression himself. Colress refused to give up on the years of research he devoted his life to, so he drank caffeine and starved himself so he wouldn't lose precious time. Eventually he found that due to the lack of sleep, he would pass out every so often and would wake up forgetting what he was doing. Looking at his appearance now, he realized how much his body had aged. He had gotten thinner and his once fair skin had dulled down to a sickly pale, his face was flush from the lack of hydration and his eyes had dark circles under them. His hair was a mess, full of grease and uncombed for who knows how many weeks. He was surprised that he was even alive at all, with a sigh Colress dragged his body to the bed and found a pile of clothes and a white note on top. Curious, Colress reached down to read the note:

Welcome,

Refresh. Relax.

I have provided you a new uniform.

I hope it is to your liking.

Dinner will be in the Dining Hall at Six

-Null

Colress slowly stripped himself of his dirty clothes and put the new clean and crisp uniform, only to find he was almost on the break of tears. When he was putting his new uniform on, he started with the pants that were black and a little loose on him due to the lack of a healthy diet. He slipped on the turtle-neck, white, long-sleeved shirt that he tucked down into the pants and pulled the black belt through the belt loops. He then put on the boots only to have some trouble tying the laces with his shaky hands, then put on the black gloves that made him feel more comfortable. Though, that is not why he wanted to cry. He almost missed due to the sheets of the comforter being black, but he picked up the last article of clothing to complete his outfit. It was a black lab coat that was similar to the one that he once owned when he was a part of Team Plasma. On the left arm was a teal armband with a black stripe on the top and bottom of the band, in the center was the lettering 'L', something that puzzled him before he noticed a little name tag attached to the coat.

"Lead Researcher – Colress"

When Colress heard that he would be joining Team Void, he thought he would be demoted to a mere grunt. After seeing he would be a lead researcher, he almost collapsed against the mirror. He would be able to continue his research that he devoted his life for. Colress walked over to the mirror and wiped his eyes before adjusting his glasses, he was really going to be given another chance. After collecting his emotions, Colress was hesitant to even remove the coat but eventually took it off so he would wash up. He decided that a bath would be better for his skin rather than a shower, the thought of water beating against his tender skin wasn't ideal. It was then he realized how long he had been cooped up in that dusty lab. The water turned almost black and he had to drain and refill the tub numerous of times, but in the end he felt clean. The scent of the watmel berry soap and shampoo was a lovely scent as he found it was almost six o'clock.

As Colress made his way down to the dining hall in his new uniform, he found that the former Team Flare leader was behind him. Looking back he caught a good glimpse of the other's uniform; black, lace-up boots, black gloves, and black belt and pants tucked in. He wore a white, turtle-neck, long-sleeved shirt that seemed to cling to his body due to his build up frame, over it was a black jacket that seemed to resemble the one he use to wear. The difference was that was complete black and reached his mid-thighs, it was also unbuttoned and flowed behind him. Of course, Lysandre had an armband exactly the same as his, except the color was red not teal. Compared to what he originally wore, he looked rather slick and clean and less wild. Not to mention his hair was now slicked back and not as chaotic as it was in the past. Colress had to admit, that Lysandre did take care of himself during the disbanding of Team Flare. He was a bit jealous that the red haired man was able to keep such a fit body, but then again Colress was never one to have a large mass of muscles. Pressing his lips together Colress summed up the courage to speak to the taller man.

"You look dashing today Gh-," Colress started before he stopped himself. His cheeks to heat up as he turned his head towards the floor and his eyes widened out of sheer shock. Has it been that long since he had any human contact that he would start spitting out everything on his mind? It came naturally to him, yet he hadn't said those words since... Not able to face what Lysandre had to say back, Colress quickened his pace and practically ran to the dining hall to find that the others were sitting around a small round table and having a conversation. He glanced around the room to find that it was a buffet, something that he forgot existed.

Picking up a plate, Colress picked up anything that looked interested or good. He made his way to sit down next to Cyrus, who looked like he had gained some weight since Colress last saw him. Cryus's face look fuller and his arms were thicker from what Colress could tell. Not to mention the once luminous blue hair had dulled down to a silver-blue. Taking a look at the former Team Galactic's clothing, Colress wasn't actually wasn't shock to see what the other wore. He had the same black, lace-up boots, black pants tucked in, black gloves, and a white turtle-neck, long-sleeved shirt. He had a black tunic like coat that was sleeveless, showing that he was indeed wearing a long-sleeved shirt. Around his left arm was again the signature armband, but his was gold.

Colress pushed the food around his plate as he didn't really feel like eating. He was hunger, no doubt about that, but the food just didn't look THAT appetizing. With a sigh, Colress forced his body to take a bite as he feared someone would notice and call him out for it. Looking around the room, he caught sight of the former rival team leaders Archie and Maxie actually having a conversation without any arguments. This is was actual news to Colress since he heard that the two would always fight with each other. It made Colress crack a smile, since they were all going to be working together then it is good that those two are getting along.

Though something caught his eyes as he started to observe the two; Maxie was rubbing his wrists repeatedly and Archie had his hands on the other's knees with his face a little flustered from drinking. Maybe they became rather intimate with each other during these years when everything when away. Shaking his head he tried to not assume things so quickly, they may be just really close friends. Looking around, he couldn't help but admire their uniforms since it reminded him of their teams. Archie was wearing the standard black, lace-up boots, black pants tucked in and a long-sleeved, turtle-neck white shirt. He also wore black gloves and a black pirate-like coat, which just screamed Team Aqua; it made Colress almost smile. Archie also had an armband, which was blue in color, and wore a blue bandana around his head. Maxie on the other hand had the standard black, lace-up boots, black pants, and a white, turtle-neck, short-sleeved shirt, but he wore a black and dark gray ruqun - short skirted - that was tied with a black sash. Not to mention bandages on his forearms and calves, and black fingerless gloves. On his arm was the signature armband, but it was red.

Finally, Colress looked over to find that the former leader of Team Rocket was sitting next to Lysandre. Colress quickly looked down at his food and pushed it around, trying to seem busy. That embarrassing moment was too much for Colress to handle. Bowing his head, Colress sighed as he forced himself to take another bite of his food before daring himself to look over at Giovanni. The former Team Rocket leader didn't really stand out as much as Colress first thought. He looked like he was wearing his old Team Rocket business suit. Aside from the black, lace-up boots and the black gloves, his shirt was a button-up rather than a turtle-neck, and he wore a black tie that matched his black business jacket. Of course, he had an armband that was gray.

It didn't hit him that everyone looked vastly different from the last time he saw everyone, except for Giovanni that seemed to look the same as ever. Before he could even finish his thoughts, the doors opened to reveal the stranger that was most likely the man named Null. The first person that Null made eye contact with was Colress, and Colress froze in his spot. He felt like the man that was staring at him was staring right into his soul, as if he knew every dark secret that Colress had. The former leader of Team Plasma quickly darted his eyes down at his food, only to realize he had only taken two bites since he entered the room. He felt like all eyes were on him, and when he dared himself to look up he saw that he was looking right at him.

Fuck.

He jumped from roof top to roof top as he took sharp turns and looped around in circles so his scent was harder to trace. Behind him his partner in crime, a Zoroark, made sure no one was following them. Although they knew that the officers wouldn't notice until the morning, it was better to be safe than sorry. Taking a turn into a dark alleyway, the Fox finally slowed down his pace to a walk as they were in a safe place where they were sure that no one could find them. Adjusting the white fox mask on his face, the Fox untied his black hair and ran his fingers through his sweating locks. Blood Claw, his Zoroark, sat down and curled up in the corner of the alleyway so the shadow concealed him from wanders that may come their way. The Fox sat down as partly unzipped the black bodysuit that clung to his skin; his sweat was starting to irritate him. He let out a soft chuckle before he had to cover his mouth before he started to laugh almost hysterically. Blood Claw didn't flinch at the sudden outburst of laughter; he was use to this after all he grew up with his owner.

Ever since the departure of Team Plasma, the Fox and Blood Claw didn't really have anywhere to go. Ghetsis's suicide caused many of the grunts and members to disband unofficially, and the duo decided that there was no reason to stick with the fading team. They left for The City, one of the two ports of the Akuryo region, where they could start a new life and be a hit man for hire. Together they made a makeshift life of stealing, committing wet operations, traveling, and other things of the sorts. It wasn't a bad life style, but their wanted posters can be found almost anywhere in Akuryo. Despite this, it didn't really bother the Fox at all; he actually thought it was rather amusing. It's almost funny how he can literally get away with murder and the officers couldn't even track him down. He sighed and slid his back against the alley wall to sit down in a cleaner part of the road; they had a good six hours before they should move their location. Resting his eyes, the Fox allowed himself to get a few hours of sleep after all he was still human.

PING!

Blood Claw and his owner both snapped their eyes open to see a dagger a few centimeters from the Fox's cheek. Quickly scanning the area, to find no one in sight but they both knew that they were being watched. Attached to the dagger was a folded black piece of paper. Unfolding the paper, the Fox started to read what it had to say. It was obviously directed at him so there could be no mistake, his eyes slowly widened as he read every word it had to say. It started out something like this:

Dear Sir or Ma'am,

It has been years since Team Rocket, Magma, Aqua, Galactic, Plasma, and Flare ceased to exist...

Feel free to review, favorite, and/or follow. - DUke Aster Williams