Chapter Four is complete! And now, we can celebrate for having one hundred and one views! WOOHOO!
Oh my Arceus... The writer of my favorite Fanfiction of all time has reviewed my story... AND said it was interesting... *Faints from happiness*
Aaaaand I'm back! But seriously, seven reviews?! That's awesome! *Snoopy happy dance!* You guys are so cool! And Sushi4427, I read your profile page and AGAIN fainted from happiness! And thanks LaZeRsTaR, for being my first reviewer! I'm in a really good mood, if you couldn't tell!
Thanks you guys, you're all awesome. And thanks to the people who took the time to read it, even if they didn't write a review. And thanks to YOU for clicking on this link!
Now... Let's get to the chapter already!
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN POKEMON! OR ELSE ARCHEN WOULD HAVE A USEFUL ABILITY INSTEAD OF DEFEATIST!
It was all over the news.
"Plasma League Building burned down! Rebellion to blame?"
"A Revolt in Progress? Plasma League Building attacked and burned!"
"New crime gang burns Plasma League? Witness calling it 'Team Flame.'"
"Plasma League Building attacked! Twenty three casualties."
Their small escapade had made the headlines all over Unova, and some parts of Sinnoh too! It had made Rex excited about his mission, instead of being worried about all the attention he was gaining. It was pretty cool to see his (thankfully blurry) picture posted everywhere. In Almia, most of the people were so used to being saved that they'd never make such big a commotion as this. They'd usually just talk about it for an hour, then get on with their lives.
Almos was extremely worried, though. He was freaking out when the first news report came on in the morning. Rex had never seen his partner so stressed before. He'd literally had a panic attack when he saw their pictures in the newspaper. Lena, on the other hand, was loving the attention.
"Look at me! I look so badass." She exclaimed, pointed at her picture in the newspaper excitedly. It was true, Lena's blurry figure was kicking away a Sandile in an action pose, making her look very badass. The three were currently sitting on a park bench, scoping out the aftermath and seeing if it was OK to leave Accumula Town, or at least take off the trench coats, fedoras, and sunglasses that Almos had insisted they wear. People everywhere were talking about their stunt, so it didn't look like they'd loose the disguise anytime soon.
"Not s-so loud!" Almos hissed, covering Lena's mouth and glaring at her. "You don't want to blow our c-cover, do you?"
Lena pouted, pushing Almos' hand off her mouth. She just couldn't stop gushing about how she had made front page, and even in public she couldn't hold her tongue. "Sorry..." She murmured, looking ashamed. Luckily, no one had payed attention to her. "But Team Flame sounds so cool! I think it should be our official name, you know?"
"What do you mean, official name?" Rex asked, looking at her from over his glasses, just like he'd seen spies do in the movies.
Lena giggled at Rex, tilting her sunglasses down as well and making her voice sound deep and serious. (Well, as serious as she could be) "Every traveling gang of heroes has a name, it's in all the movies. We should be the Team Flame!" Lena bounced in her seat happily. Almos face-palmed, then turned to face Rex expectantly.
"I like it!" Rex exclaimed. It did sound pretty cool to him. "But what's really ironic is that they're calling us the crime gang while we're saving them from the crime gang." Lena giggled, nodding. After Team Plasma had taken over Unova, their official name had been changed to the 'Plasma League', but really only the press referred to them as that. Most people would just stick with Team Plasma.
"Well, if we are Team F-flame, then aren't we supposed to be a traveling group of heroes? We should be on the road by n-now," Almos said sarcastically. It was apparent that he didn't want to be near any more crowds for a long time, at least until the whole 'Team Flame' thing blows over. It was really annoying Almos that both his partner and Lena were taking it so easily. If people found out who they were, they'd be sent back home ASAP!
"Fine fine, hold your ponyta's!" Rex grumbled, making fun of his partner. Almos rolled his eyes, while Lena jumped up and smiled. "Then let's go!"
Almos visibly relaxed after they were away from any crowds and onto Route Two. He took off his glasses and fedora, tucking them in his pocket, and folding up his trench coat and placing it in his new backpack neatly. The trio had stopped for supplies such as backpacks and water bottles on the way out. Rex shed his disguise as well. Lena ripped her disguise off and shoved it into her backpack forcefully. Rex saw Almos flinch at her untidy behavior, and let out a little sigh. Rex always teased Almos that he was part Minninco.
"So, when are we going to take out the next building?" Lena asked, looking up at Rex with eager eyes. The two gaped at her. They were both exhausted, wounded, and should probably lay low for a few days so they don't attract too much attention. Lena had clearly never taken over a government before.
"I don't know," Rex said, exasperated. He looked the girl over. Her head and leg were still bandaged, she was as scrawny as a Bellsprout, and, after seeing her fight, she could be taken out by a Magikarp. He laughed to himself, which came out sort of like a giggle, "You're still in pretty bad shape. We're probably not going to take over any buildings anytime soon."
Lena pouted, and both the boys were glad for the five-seconds of quietness while they were walking down Route Two.
"Then train me!" Lena exclaimed, her head snapping up.
"Wait, what?" The two boys said at the exact same time, stopping in their tracks.
"Yeah! Since we're not doing anything, I might as well get better," She said, beaming like an idiot, "I wanna learn how to fight 'n stuff! And not just karate chop-punch ninja kick, I wanna learn how to be a trainer too."
How can she get better, when she doesn't even know how to fight?! Rex thought. Almos mouthed something that looked like 'NO!' over Lena's shoulder. Teaching the hyperactive fourteen-year-old probably wasn't the smartest idea, or at least in Almos' book. Rex, on the other hand, thought it might be a good idea to have an ally who could fight. He thought about it for a moment. "I dunno..." He said, sizing her up.
She gave him her signature 'Growlithe eyes', "Oh pleasepleasepleasepleaseple-"
"Fine, fine, fine! I'll train you to beat up the bad guys." Almos looked horrified, and glared at the redheaded boy. Rex looked at Almos apologetically, mouthing, "Not really!" when Lena wasn't looking.
"Yes! I'll do whatever you say, Master Rex!" Lena beamed at him, not realizing that Rex was just trying to get her to shut up.
"Uhhh... ok? Just lay off the 'Master Rex' stuff. It's kind of weird." Rex said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Ok, Master!"
Rex sighed, and the walk elapsed into silence. Route Two was very peaceful, the Pidoves chirping and Patrats scurrying around. Almos was enjoying it, Rex thought it was kind of nice, but their client didn't appreciate the silence.
"So... when are you going to train me?"
Rex threw up his hands in exasperation. This girl could be more annoying then a Zubat. "Later!"
Somewhere in the region of Unova...
"Rood, let me get this straight." Rood gulped, and nodded his head. He was standing in a dimly-lit room with the back of a revolving chair facing him. A green-haired man was sitting in the chair, gazing out of the only window in the room.
"Three children broke into the Plasma League's headquarters in Accumula town, defeated all of the Plasma guards, and then promptly burned the building into the ground?" The man drummed his fingers on the chair.
Rood gulped, and nodded again, a bead of sweat rolling down his face. It sounded absurd to the man in the chair.
"How, may I ask, is that possible?"
Rood cleared his throat, "They- well, caught us by surprise, and... um-"
"Enough." Rood stopped his stuttering immediately, bowing his head. "Now, I want every grunt to be on the lookout for these children. Give the order promptly, and I don't want to see you again today."
Rood nodded, breathing a sigh of relief, "Yes, Lord Ghetsis." He began to walk out of the room, before the man in the chair stopped him.
"Rood, on your way out, send N to me." The man turned his chair around, facing the sage with a glare.
"Yes, Lord Ghetsis." Rood quickly rushed out of the room, leaving Ghetsis to his thoughts. Ghetsis had a right to be called 'Lord'. Everyone was under his command, and a Lord has complete control. N wasn't the real king, though he may have the title. Ghetsis controlled the boy's every move, placing false ideals in his mind. Manipulating the other six sages was easy as well. They all feared him, and Ghetsis gladly used the fear to act as a 'puppet master' so to speak. They would do whatever he wanted, with almost no questions asked. He also controlled the public fairly easily as well. His speeches kept them a happy, mindless people that worshiped the 'Plasma League'.
Ghetsis had thought it would be a challenge, and he prepared for that well. He absentmindedly fingered the Pokeball that held his carnivorous Hydreigon. His most prized possession could murder brutally almost every trainer, ranger, or anyone else who would stand in his way. And Ghetsis wasn't afraid to do it.
"You called?" Ghetsis looked up to see a mass of green hair much like his. The pure green eyes, though, were so unlike his dark red ones. Ghetsis sighed, and turned his chair to face the boy better.
"Yes, N, I called to ask you about Unova," Ghetsis said, no emotion in his voice.
"What about Unova?" N said, his voice equally dull. The boy never showed emotion around Ghetsis, and Ghetsis frankly liked it better that way. Ghetsis never displayed any emotion to N, in hopes to make him a perfect 'puppet' so to speak. N had never displayed emotion to Ghetsis for as long as the man could remember, and took Ghetsis' 'suggestions' perfectly.
"Oh, just how the masses are fairing. How they are coping with our rule, and such."
"They are all fine, and accepting it with open arms. They have finally seen the truth in our ideal world." Ghetsis nodded. He frankly couldn't care less about the liberating Pokemon and such. Pokemon were tools of power. It was an absurd idea to think they had emotions.
"Good, good. And, how is the public fairing with the attack on one of our buildings?"
"They are taking it as an offense to our new reign."
Ghetsis nodded again, "And, no rebellions or uprisings?"
"No."
Ghetsis smiled, pleased with the boy's answer. He turned his chair away, and was about to demand that he be left in peace, when N interrupted.
"Except-"
"Except what?" Ghetsis demanded, turning his chair back sharply. There could be no 'except' in his reign, it must all be perfect. The smallest slip up could lead to their downfall, and Ghetsis was not going to let that happen.
"There were these three people... the day I was in Accumula Town." Ghetsis motioned for the boy to go on impatiently. "They didn't seem content with our rule."
"And how exactly is that relevant?" Ghetsis asked, slightly ticked at the boy getting him all wary for nothing, but another one of the King's silly cautions. He turned his chair to face the window again, taking a deep breath.
"It isn't. I just thought-" Ghetsis interrupted him with a flick of his wrist, signaling that he was done with the boy. N bowed his head, backing out of the room.
The boy was no different from Pokemon, just a tool to be used. N was just a chess piece in his plan, along with the other six sages and the rest of the grunts. He would have complete power, a world that was his and only his. Some could say that Ghetsis was a sadistic power-hungry maniac, and he would agree with no regrets. The dawn of Ghetsis' rule was drawing near, he'd just need a little more power to 'convince' the other regions. And then, the world would be his.
Somewhere in the region of Almia...
"So, let me get this straight," The Boss started, grinning like a maniac. The other ranger in the room, Devin, was a close friend of Rex and had known him since the two had gone to Ranger School together. Devin nodded, grinning also in a maniac-esque way. "Rex and Almos have already taken down one of the Team Plasma Headquarters, without getting caught?!"
"And it's was only their second day there!" Devin added, his spiky brown hair bobbing up and down as he nodded in excitement. The Boss gave a little whistle of appreciation. He knew there was nothing to worry, that kid was a natural!
"I told him he could do it," The Boss said proudly. Devin just kept grinning and nodding. The news report had reached the Ranger's base early that morning. The whole base had erupted into cheers at the sight of their friend's victory. Devin had personally thought that burning the place to the ground was a nice touch.
"Go get us some root beers, Devin, let's celebrate." Devin looked slightly shocked at the Boss' request, but grinned and nodded. Devin walked out of the room, slightly mystified on how The Boss was so ecstatic. He'd never celebrate a successful mission. This must have been a lot to him, Devin mused. Oh well, brownie points with the boss!
The Boss drummed his fingers on the desk, a small smile still plastered on his face. Rex was his only hope for saving Unova, and was so far proving himself to be useful. The Boss was never so relieved in his life. Unova had been waging war with Sinnoh for a month now, and Sinnoh had asked the rangers to stop it at all cost. The Boss had recently taken the position, and was extremely anxious despite his stone-faced exterior.
"Boss?" A cool voice wrenched The Boss from his daydreams. Standing in the doorway, he saw a tall girl with long brown hair braided into a ponytail. She was wearing the Ranger's uniform, but it looked scorched and extremely travel-worn.
"Ah, Maddie, I see your mission in Johto was a success." The girl nodded, her features pursed into a tight line. "Come in, what do you need?" The boss said, smiling. The brunette, Maddie, strode up to him and smartly slapped The Boss across his face.
The boss didn't flinch, he simply raised his eyebrow's at the girl's bold actions. She gave him a murderous look, about to live up to her nickname, 'Firebreathing Maddie'
"How could you do this?! Unova is as good as a war zone! If he's found out, he's as good as dead. How could you send one of your top rangers to-"
"Maddie!" He sharply interrupted, stopping her in mid-rant, "He'll be fine." She looked about to start another rant, so he repeated his statement. "He will be fine."
"How do you know that, huh?" Maddie challenged.
"Because he's Rex Kenzington." Maddie rolled her eyes at The Boss. It was then that The Boss noticed that there were tears glistening in her eyes. He stood up, placing a hand on her shoulder awkwardly. The Boss was never good at the 'comforting' stuff. "Listen, Maddie, who else do you know that could stop a volcano from erupting? Who else do you know that could take down the Rare Candy drug lords in Sinnoh? Who else-"
"Ok, ok, I get it! Only Rex could do those things." Maddie said, a small smile on her face. She and Rex had been friends, along with Devin, since Ranger School. They were all Top Rangers together, and still were the best of friends. She really cared about him; maybe a bit more then she let on. She just prayed that he would come back safely.
"Hey," Maddie said, turning towards The Boss, "Thanks for cheering me up." The Boss smiled, relieved that he had actually cheered the girl up. "Now, I saw Devin getting some root beer, any chance that I could be a part of this celebration too?"
The Boss smiled, "Sure Maddie."
At that moment, Devin came bursting through the doors with a cooler full of root beer. "Hey guys!" He said, grinning, "I brought some of my root beer."
Maddie raised her eyebrows at the size of the container. "Um... why do you have all that root beer?" She asked, concerned about her friend's drinking habits.
"Oh... Well, I'm too young to have regular beer, so I settle for this!" Devin grinned mischievously, waving the cooler in front of Maddie's face. No wonder he was so hyper all the time. Maddie socked him in the arm, a little harder then she meant too.
"Hey! Watch it, Firebreather," Devin warned playfully.
"Oh shut it, Devin." Maddie retorted, grabbing a can from the cooler and tossing two more to The Boss and Devin. The Boss nimbly snatched the can from out of the air, while Devin lunged for it, colliding with The Boss' desk on the way. Maddie laughed hysterically at the face Devin had made. Devin looked up at her angrily, before bursting into laughter as well.
The Boss smiled at them both, letting out a small chuckle at the Ranger's behavior. He normally wasn't one to participate in the personal affairs of Rangers, such as inviting them to have root beer in his office. As the Boss politely sipped his bubbly drink, before recoiling at the taste, he wondered what about him made him want to celebrate. He had never felt the necessity in an activity such as this. He came to the conclusion that since he was so relieved about Rex's success, he needed to share it with the boy's closest friends.
As the two friends laughed, and The Boss smiled at them, life felt good. Maddie felt confident that Rex was coming home, and Devin just was happy that he could get root beer with Maddie. None of them could predict what would become of their hero in the months to come.
And so... it ends with a cliffhanger(ish)! Not really, but it does leave you guys wondering, right? Well, I shall never tell, mwahahah!
Sorry that this chapter was kind of short, and took a long time to upload. I had testing week, and had almost no time to write, sorry! Sorry this chapter was kind of boring, but hey, I introduced two more characters. The next chapter will have more action, and be uploaded faster!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! Bye for now!
~Miss Optimism