Chapter 7: Darkness over Celadon

Final preparation have been completed. Ryoko and Mika are ready to depart. That is if Ryoko could get off the phone. "Hurry up already. We don't have time. We have to go now." Mika's patience was wearing thin.

"I got to go Haruka." Before he can say anything else Mika takes his PD*A and hangs up. "I was about to hang up. Who put an Ekans in your panties?" He crosses his arms and takes back his PD*A.

Mika raises a brow. "You want to say that again?"

"Not really." Ryoko quickly retracts his statement. "Anyway what's the rush? The city's not going anywhere." Ryoko didn't see the urgency.

"Everything is mission critical. I'm not going to blow an op because you were busy talking to your girlfriend." She calls out an Abra to teleport them to Celadon City.

Ryoko wanted to argue his point, but he knew it was pointless. Mika had far more experience than he did. This was undeniable despite how good a trainer Ryoko was.

The two teleport into Celadon City right in front of the Pokémon Center. Ryoko shivers ever so slightly at the sudden drop in temperature. "It feels like the weather just dropped thirty degrees." He's thankful he'd decided on wearing a light jacket. His whole attire screams Pokémon Trainer though. Light blue jeans with a thin black under shirt and red jacket with white accents and Pokeball symbol over his heart. He'd might as well be wearing a sign saying, 'Hey look at me; I'm a Pokémon Trainer.'

Mika herself dressed more like a researcher than anything with a modest black dress and a white lab coat. "Okay I'm going to begin investigating around town. You should do the same, scope out the security at the Game Corner. Also, be sure to act natural. Challenge the gym leader or something so people think you're a real trainer. With that I.D. you should have no trouble posing as a normal trainer just looking to get a gym badge." Her strategy is very calculated she thought on Haruka's level and higher.

"I got it," he walks off dismissing this after hearing it from her countless times before already. He meanders around the city a bit trying his best to look the part, but even Ryoko has to admit with his skin tone he stands out like a sore thumb. Though he doubts it'll cause any real scene. Unlike Orre, Kanto actually has law and order. Still Ryoko keeps to himself as he heads for the Game Corner.

He walks in and sees kids and adults of all ages playing the slots, roulette tables, and Voltorb Flip. Ryoko remembered to get a Coin Case before leaving as well as a few tokens. He takes one of the slots to the back and cranks the handle a couple times occasionally looking to the back where a security guard stood pretty much at all times. Whenever one was dismissed another was there to take his place. It's as Ryoko figured. If they'd ever want to access the old hideout they'd have to infiltrate at night or pose as maintenance staff. Which Mika's taught him that it's hard to argue the power of a maintenance uniform. Most people will just let you walk right on by if you look like just another janitor.

Ryoko can't deny Mika's already taught him a lot about being a spy, which makes Ryoko all the more glad he isn't one by trade. Still at least he knows she's more than qualified.

After winning a few coins he decides he's done with playing the slots and walks over to a roulette table to scope out the security of the building. Cameras in all the corners and an extra couple by the door to Rocket's old hideout. The Game Corner is probably using it to store coins and prizes most likely. So keeping it secure was still a priority.

Ryoko's seen all he needs to see. He does manage to win a few rounds of roulette too, so he takes his coins and walks. He doesn't alert any suspicion thankfully, but he does catch someone's attention.

"You're a pretty lucky guy." A woman's voice comes from behind Ryoko.

He practically jumps out of his skin, but does his best to hide his surprise. "Thanks, just a lucky day I guess." He turns to her and smiles casually, trying to act natural. Though he's not use to acting all causal and carefree normally either so it's especially difficult for him.

"My name's Mary, what's yours?" Now that Ryoko gets a better look at her and her distinctive purple hair. She wears a red jacket with a white stripe down the middle with black short shorts.

"Name's Ryoko." Ryoko politely shakes her hand and smiles cordially. "You come here often?" He decides to strike up casual conversation so he doesn't come off as suspicious.

Mary nods and smiles at all the different games. "I'm in here all the time. I haven't seen you around before though. A traveling trainer or did you just move in?" It's moments like these Ryoko's glad he prepped himself beforehand. Mika had him memorize his cover I.D. forwards and backwards.

"I'm just a trainer looking to take on the league. I'm from Lilycove City." Ryoko's glad everything is going over so far so good.

"Wow, I've always wanted to go to Hoenn. I've heard the contest hall in Lilycove is a sight to be seen." Mary definitely seems to be getting more interested in Ryoko which kind of worries him.

"Yeah, but I've never been much for Pokémon Contests. It's definitely a lot warmer in Hoenn than it is here though." Ryoko knows that much is true and Orre is disgustingly hotter than that.

"Sounds nice, if it weren't for my job I'd be visiting there more often." Her job and constantly spending her money at the Game Corner that is.

"What do you do?" Ryoko has no idea why he hasn't just dropped this conversation yet, but then again he never really gets to just talk to people outside of the agents in Cipher and that almost always winds up ending in business talk or going over plans. Even with Haruka sometimes they can't avoid talking about business around their respective bases. So this was actually a nice change of pace.

"I'm a gym trainer. Erika, the gym leader, has recently renovated her gym and hired a bunch of us girls to challenge trainers before battling Erika." This was something other regions have implement, but Kanto and Johto were a bit more old fashion that way. Still they've started updating in a big way.

"Sounds exciting. So if I wanted a gym badge looks like I'd have to go through you first." He smirks getting a laugh out of Mary.

"Looks like it, but you look pretty seasoned to me. Would you go easy on me?" She teases with a faux, innocent grin.

Ryoko chuckles, "Well I have to win my badge somehow. I can't play favorites." Ryoko joins in on the joke. He's definitely feeling a lot more comfortable so this was more or less good practice for him.

Mary looks at her watch, "Shoot, I have to get back to the gym now." She pauses before saying good bye. "Actually, you are trying to get your gym badge so why don't you walk with me back to the gym and set you up a battle with Erika?"

Ryoko nods, "That'd be great." He walks outside with her and braces himself once more for the chilling breeze.

Mary notices this and giggles, "You think this is bad? Try this in the winter where it's below freezing." Mary has naturally become accustom to it living in Celadon all her life. She points out a few of the local sites to Ryoko along the way. "Oh there's our famous department store." She draws special attention to that.

"Reminds me of Lilycove's." Lilycove's department store was generally held on the same level of popularity as Celadon's. While in true Ryoko knows very little about the actual store itself.

"So are you travelling by yourself Ryoko?" Her question does take Ryoko by surprise, but he handles it well.

"Yeah, just me and my Pokémon." He points to his belt of six Pokeballs.

"That's nice, do you have a girlfriend?" As her questioning grows more personal the lies get harder to keep up.

He panics and replies hastily. "No, I'm never really in one place too long to really meet anyone. Plus, the whole long distance thing." He says this, but in his mind he is apologizing profusely to Haruka. The problem was then he'd have to explain who she was, why she didn't travel with him, and it would just become one big, twisted pile of lies he'd have to keep straight. Mika taught him to keep it simple.

Mary nods, "I get it. I know it bothers some people. I dated a trainer once. It lasted a few months, but he started feeling the same way you do." Ryoko is beginning to worry if she was dropping subtle hints.

He does his best to avoid the topic though, "So what made you decide to be a gym trainer?" It's a job he's never really heard of since there wasn't a league in Orre.

"Well I've always loved battling, but I never really cared for all the work that came with being a gym leader so when the position opened I applied. Erika and I go way back too. So I got in pretty easily." Ryoko thankfully manages to distract her from her original point.

"That's cool, do you get a lot of strong trainers?" The small talk continues all the way to the gym.

Mary shrugs, "Sometimes, but most are kids. Before I came along Erika would get challenged all the time. Now we act as a filter in a way. If you can't beat us then you've got no chance against Erika." She smiles proudly and gives Ryoko a thumbs up. "Though I would never want to fight Erika's brother or their friend." The idea of it makes Mary uncomfortable.

"Who are they?" Ryoko is obviously not in the know.

"Well, Erika's actually an only child, but she treats him like a brother. His name's Tom. You've probably heard of him. He's the Indigo League champion and three time World Champion. Their friend's a girl named Tia. From what I hear she's making big waves in Johto." She kind of envied Tia for being so good after such a short period of time.

Ryoko cringes he had no idea Tom and Tia had connections to Erika or at least such a personal one. He puts on a brave face though, "Oh yeah, I've heard of him. Isn't he dating the Saffron City gym leader too?" He felt like Mei the way he was shamelessly gossiping.

Mary nods, "Yeah, he's pretty close with a lot of the gym leaders. Like the new Goldenrod City gym leader. She got hired on his personal recommendation." She then looks around and leans in whispering into Ryoko's ear. "Also, don't tell anyone I said this, but Erika told me she has Regigigas."

Ryoko finds this especially troubling. So many powerful trainers Erika knows personally can be quite problematic. Still this is good intel. "Wow I didn't know anyone actually caught a legendary Pokémon?" Which is a total lie.

Mary nods and continues divulging secrets. "Tom has Rayquaza too. Makes sense for like the strongest trainer in the world. Erika also has Celebi. I've seen him up close in person." She says proudly, but unknowingly feeding knowledge to the enemy.

"Wow that's exciting," as well as terrifying for Ryoko. "Well we should get inside." The door slides open and Ryoko politely side steps out of the way. "Ladies first."

Mary giggles, "Such a gentleman." Unbeknownst to her this was second nature to Ryoko. Growing up alongside Mei and Haruka. So the two ladies made sure to pound some manners into him. Though Ryoko has always had a good rapport with women somehow. The other Cipher agents around his age fawned over him. Haruka says he's really good looking, but Ryoko's never really put much thought into his own looks. Plus, his own girlfriend would be a bit bias on the subject.

He steps inside and is greeted by a very unfamiliar sight to the desert dwelling trainer. A whole greenhouse full of flora and fresh fragrances. The scent of perfume was a little overwhelming to Ryoko, but he toughs it out. This gym was like an oasis and then some. Never in his life had he seen so much plant life in one place. In the main lobby is a small counter with a woman selling various perfumes. The very same perfumes that were nearly suffocating him. Unsurprisingly, neither Haruka nor Mei wore perfume much. Being agents of Cipher it didn't give you many chances to be fashionable. Miror B. was a prime example of this. Though Lady Venus indulged in vanity and things like perfume. She wore very heavily though so it would also suffocating to him.

Mary notices his plight and giggles sweetly, "Not a perfume fan? That's fine, it doesn't linger in the gym too much. Just hope you don't have pollen allergies."

"If I do that'll be news to me." Another very uncommon sight in desert.

"You must avoid the upper levels of Lilycove's department store." That reminder jogs Ryoko's memory before he accidently blows his cover.

He chuckles nervously, "Yeah I guess I'm just like most guys." He scoffs, "Flowers and perfume. Give me something heavy to pick up and throw."

Mary bursts out laughing, "Calm down muscles." She makes note of Ryoko's pretty well toned physique. Cipher did require their agents being in top physical condition. So Ryoko is fairly muscular.

He just smirks casually, "Well let's get into the gym." He follows her through a giant lattice archway with all kinds of flowers and ivy growing on it. The interior of the gym is much the same. Lattice arches and pathways created a maze with potted plants blocking off various entries and pathways. Flowers of many different shades of pink, blue, and yellow surround the gym with its pastel blue wall with clouds painted on. "This place is very gender specific." He notes the all-female staff gathered around the front drinking tea. Including one woman in a decorative, floral yukata.

"I'm sorry do you want more blank steel walls and rebar?" She giggles and playfully punches his arm.

"It's cute." He says condescendingly

"Okay Mr. Man," she nudges his shoulder and runs over to the girls.

The woman in the yukata notices her and waves, "Welcome back Mary. You arrived just in time. We have a challenge coming soon."

Mary smiles as the woman pours her a drink, "Thanks Erika. I actually brought a challenger with me." She points back to Ryoko who stands idly while checking out the gym.

Erika smiles and walks over to Ryoko, "Welcome," she bows her head respectfully. "We appreciate your challenge, but there is one appointment ahead of you."

"Gyms take appointments?" Ryoko didn't know the system well, but that still seemed strange to him.

Erika nods, "Well younger trainers come in here all the time and since we've started having multiple gym trainers it gets a little overbooked. We'll find time for you though don't worry."

Ryoko shrugs, "I get it. This is my first gym battle so I don't know all the rules."

Erika nods, "Understandable, we have beginner teams."

Ryoko puts up his arms in protest. "Now I didn't say I was a beginner. I want to battle you all at your best." He didn't accept anything less.

Mary chimes in, "Ryoko's from Hoenn and a seasoned trainer from what I've heard."

Erika smiles, "Wonderful we don't get a lot of challenging trainers around here so this shall be fun."

Erika walks towards the back of the gym while the other trainers get into place. Mary waves for Ryoko to follow her. "I'm one of the last battles so will you keep me company until then?" She teases and winks at Ryoko.

He's not sure how to reply. "If that's allowed sure." He follows her as she gets into her spot. While Ryoko leans against one of the trees. He doesn't have a whole lot to do for the moment so it makes him wonder what Haruka is up to right now.

Back in Orre Haruka is doing what she does best. She looks over a pair of black sunglasses she had connected to a cord plugged into a computer. She sets them down and starts typing away at a keyboard. Around her is three different displays. One with a series of coding on it, another with a full spreadsheet of data and 3D models. The third remained inactive until a sudden ringing interrupts her.

Haruka groans and answers. "What Aiden?"

"Haruka, what the hell are you up to? My systems getting flags every few minutes saying someone is altering the database." He's more than a little annoyed with her tinkering.

"I'm not altering anything I'm just testing my new visors and I needed to pull Pokémon search results from the database." She pays him little mind while she types away.

"Does Ein know about this little pet project of yours?"

"No and if you would let me flash an instance of the database then we wouldn't be having this problem." She continues coding away and pulling data which triggers another warning on Aiden's end.

"There it is again. It's because you're using an unauthorized device that's why." He points from the screen to her sunglasses.

"Fine upgrade the permissions too. I would, but I know you'd get annoyed if I did." Aiden was in charge of more than just the sim. He controlled a good portion of Cipher's databases. From Pokémon to agents. Even their clearance levels were authorized by Aiden. Though even his system wasn't flawless. Haruka's true hacking prowess came to light one day when she decided to mess with her own authorizations. Giving herself Admin level clearance and helping herself to Ein's private lounge for almost a month before getting caught.

"Fine, give me the serial number of that thing." Aiden begins typing in a series of code himself while Haruka reads him back the unique identifier. He sighs when he sees the devices displayed name. "Aiden_is_a_loser real mature Haruka. What are you ten?"

She giggles to herself as she programs away. "That better?"

The name changes once more making Aiden's eyes widen and blush. "Haruka that's worse!" She quickly changes it a more official and technical sounding name. "Thank you. Also good for Ryoko." He just shakes his head hoping he can omit that piece of information from his head. "That'll be all then."

"Thank and please keep this between us."

"Why would I tell anyone that?" Aiden is still stuck on the rather disturbing name.

"I meant the project. Idiot." She whispers her insult to herself and ends the call. She continues programming and tests the glasses. She calls out one of her Magnezone to test it. She scans his data and gets pleasing results. "Okay stats, moves, and nature. Alright now we're getting somewhere." Suddenly the display glitches out and shuts down. "Damn, what's wrong now?" She checks the power source. "Fried," she sighs and pulls out the fried battery. She needed a more stable energy source.

She heads out into the hall and makes her way down a few secluded corridors and finds a small room mark, energy supplies. A very technical way of saying battery room sure, but it had various parts to fit mechanical devices and replacement parts.

She rummages through the various bins grabbing new pieces and a compact battery cell she is sure will help power her sun glasses. Haruka always loved little projects like these, it was fun to her. She would always find new and inventive ways to revamp old tech. It was a hobby and it kept her from getting bored between actual work. Plus it kept her mind off of other unfinished work. Like refining the shadowification process. A problem Ein has officially deemed, a problem for another day.

It hasn't stopped her from continuously doing research on the matter, but for the time being she wanted to focus on this project. This would be a huge technological leap if Cipher could make sleeker more streamlined versions of their current technology. She was one of the pioneers next to Aiden and Ein in the latest redesign of the Snag Machine. Another project she eventually wants streamline.

Haruka zones out thinking about this project and many others, and aimlessly starts grabbing parts. She snaps back to reality and decides to set them down. Her room was already clutter enough with parts and machinery, no need to add to pile. Ein even designated a small office space for her to work in since Haruka was constantly making things or hacking for Cipher. Like a lot of Cipher's other hackers she was susceptible to a bit of teasing for being a nerd. It didn't bother Haruka. She was a nerd and proud of it. Plus, it's not like she couldn't put them in their place with her battling skills and Ryoko always had her back as well. Even if he barely understood half of the things she did.

She makes her way back down the hall when she hears some bizarre whispering in one of the empty rooms. She presses her ear against the door and hears the voices more distinctly.

"Yes sir, we're well under way to get the full floor plans." The first voice speaks in a hushed tone.

"Our infiltration was successful. No one suspects a thing." The voice speaks softly as well. It's at this point Haruka peaks in and notices the two agents hunched over a small communicator.

"Very good, all is going according to plan then. You two cannot screw this up." The gruff voice speaks to them both with cunning authority.

Haruka's heard enough, "Oh look, we have Rattata sneaking around in here." She throws open the door and stares down the two spies.

"Crap we've been compromised!" The first agent freaks while the second remains level headed.

"We can take her. There's one of her and two of us." He calls out of his Pokémon while his partner in deceit does the same.

"What's going on over there?" The man speaks urgently. "Answer me!"

All he hears on the other end of the communicator is a series of shouts for attacks followed by a lot of banging and scream. Then silence. In only mere two minutes this all occurs before a voice finally speaks up into the communicator.

"So you want to tell me who the hell you are?" Haruka speaks in a tone sharp as a knife's edge.

The man on the other end laughs briefly, "I've heard you're good Haruka."

"How do you know who I am?" She thinks for a second and remembers his voice. "Wait is that you, Gonzap?"

"The very same. So you're choosing to interfere with my plans?" Gonzap doesn't seem irritated, but somehow intrigued.

"So what does Team Snagem, Cipher's little sister, want with our valuable intel?" She props her foot up on one of the double agents while she sits on a crate.

"What anyone wants: power. You can understand that Haruka. An intelligent and beautiful young woman such as yourself knows this." Gonzap seems to be buttering her up, but Haruka isn't biting.

"Creepy flattery aside, why are you telling me any of this?" She couldn't possibly understand why Gonzap would fully admit to under minding Cipher and trying to potentially take over. "Why shouldn't I just report you to Ein right here and now?"

"Simple really. You and I want the same thing. Power, not just strength or to be a part of a bigger collective. You want control and authority. The ability to lead your own organization and be the leader you're destined to be." He speaks righteously of his goals and ambitions.

"You're an idiot. You don't have nearly the man power or pull to organize an entire hostile takeover of Cipher. Plus, I highly doubt the rebels are supporting your grand, master plan. By the by, if these crack pots are the best Snagem's got then I'll stick with the winning team."

Gonzap laughs, "Like I said; you're a smart woman. You know the situation well. So that is why I'm glad we can talk. Join me."

Haruka laughs, "Yeah and betray my family?" Cipher was more than an organization. It was her life and her family.

"Betrayal? Oh no dear. Quite the opposite. I'm simply taking the initiative to weed out some of the less fit leaders. Your admins have lost sight of Cipher's true goals and ambitions. Help me and we can rule Orre the way it's supposed to be rules. In totality." Gonzap's ambitions and sweet words are starting to get to Haruka.

"Go on," she speaks with an intrigued grin.

"At a later time. For now, let's just walk away and forget this fight." He has more to say, but Haruka stops him.

"I'm going to stop you right there. Dumb and Dumber are getting shipped off to reeducation. You're little communicator stays with me. Next time we talk I'll decide if your deal is worth my time." Now Haruka sounds like the one in control.

Gonzap laughs whole heartedly. "Spoken like a true, evil genius. I appreciate your moxie. We'll be in touch." The line goes dead and Haruka quickly pockets the communicator in her lab coat.

She takes the two spies by the scruff of their necks and drags them into the hall. Two high ranked agents recognize her. "What's going on? What happened to these men?"

Haruka drops them and explains the situation. "I overheard these two talking. Something about getting floor plans of the base and giving them to some mysterious person on the other end of their communicator. When I discovered them they quickly destroyed the device and attacked me. Thankfully they were pretty weak so they were no trouble for me." Her statement is full of lies and half-truths, but the other agents are none the wiser.

"We'll take care of these two. You should fill out a report to Ein." They both grab a guy and haul them off as Haruka smiles politely before turning around and flashing a wicked grin.

Gonzap sits in a small, windowless office and smirks to himself. "The pieces are in place. What will my queen do next?" Something bigger was in motion here and it all seemed to be going according to Gonzap's plan.


Thank you all for reading and i hope you enjoyed. Please don't forget to leave a review with your thoughts on the chapter, the series, and the Pokemon Sagas Universe as a whole. Well the hunt for Mewtwo is finally beginning and I really wanted to explore the more stark contrasts between Kanto and Orre. With Ryoko's parts feeling much more like the world in Tia's Tales. Blending the themes which are still subtly different. Plus throwing in the events with Haruka, because I realized she wasn't get a lot of screen time so to speak.