"International Corruption" (Dawn's Perspective)

Dawn's team: Empoleon/Rapidash/Lopunny/Mamoswine/Togekiss/Lucario


We left the hospital in a hurry after dropping off Red; after all, we didn't want to keep May waiting. Ethan in particular looked almost ready to flat-out run all the way there. We hopped on our flying Pokemon, and headed to an abandoned shack we found on Route 4. Currently, we were holding Nate there.

As Ethan and I entered, we exchanged looks. He seemed very angry; I'd seen him moody before, but this was different. He was absolutely enraged.

I looked ahead to see may putting the last of our many locks on Nate. There must have been twenty-two different chains restricting his motion.

"Guys, I'm not sure he's locked up enough." Ethan joked.

May smirked. "Yeah, I know, but it'll have to do."

"What's the saying? 'Better safe than sorry'?" I chimed in. They both nodded in agreement.

May's eyes locked onto Nate. "So, how is this going to work? Do I try to punch him until he tells us why he did what he did?"

"We should use a psychic type as a lie detector." Ethan suggested.

"I have no psychic types, but Lucario has telepathy, and can sense if he lies via his aura." I offered. Ethan gave me a thumbs up.

"Go, Lucario!" I yelled. I threw the ball onto the floor, releasing my partner. I stroked the fur in between his ears.

"Listen. We need you to tell us if this guy lies. It's very important. You trust me, right Lucario?"

Lucario nodded. "Luuucarrrrrr!"

"Thank you."

I turned back to May and Ethan.

"Lucario is ready. Any estimation on when our guest will wake up?"

"None. We'll just have to wait for now." Ethan informed. He looked down at the ground before walking away.


An hour later, the severity of the situation began to creep up on me. I mean, I've been in danger before, but somehow Nate felt more dangerous to me than even Cyrus ever did.

"It might have just been the guns. Or…"

"….No. Cyrus was an evil mastermind, but his end goal wasn't to kill people, at least not specifically. This guy…we don't even know his motives yet, assuming he has any. All we know is that he's trying to kill us."

Suddenly, I noticed him stir. I walked over to him, and his eyes snapped open, almost mechanically. He stared at me for several minutes, and I saw a burning fire within his brown eyes.

"May. Ethan. Get over here." I called. They ran over immediately.

"Where am I?" Nate asked immediately.

"I'm not sure you understand…." Ethan began. May grabbed his head and made him look her in the eyes.

"WE ask the questions!" May finished.

Nate looked…unamused. "Ask whatever you want, but most of the information is classified."

"Let's start with 'why did you try to kill us, you sick bastard' and go from there." May snarked.

"You should already know the answer to that." Nate chided.

"Listen here, buddy…" Ethan began. He kneeled to Nate's level.

"We have absolutely no idea about anything. Now, normally, I like to keep a lid on things. I like to be the asshole who asks, 'You mad bro?" and laugh wounds and insults off."

Ethan suddenly punched Nate across the face as hard as he could. I could even see blood fly right out of Nate's mouth.

"But you tried to kill me and my friends! So I'm MAD, 'bro'! And you are either gonna cough up some answers or some more blood!"

Nate spit some blood out of his mouth.

"The international police is currently hunting down a group of scientists and their henchmen, coordinating for something called 'Project RéBurst'. I have been assigned to ki…ah….eliminate all of their associates. Including you." He said, with odd hesitation.

"Are you fucking joking?!" May screamed.

"…I…I don't follow." Nate replied.

"We are not part of such a group. None of us are even from this region." I answered.

Nate paused. His eyes widened for a bit, but then returned to normal.

"You're lying. Give me one reason to belie—"

I showed him my Pokedex.

"I got this from Professor Rowan of the Sinnoh Region. I don't know a lot of people who have them." I rebutted.

"No…" Nate whispered.

I leaned in a bit. "Hmmm?"

"O-oh g-god! OH GOD! NOT AGAIN! OH ARCEUS PLEASE NOT AGAIN!" He began screaming. He started thrashing against the chains, panicked and hysterical.

"Um…" May started.

"Tch. Let him thrash." Ethan snarled.


I paused, mainly because I was skeptical of what was really going on. There was obviously more here. Wouldn't we have known if he was an officer for the International Police? I don't doubt that that's really the case, but it seems like Red, our "mastermind", I suppose, had absolutely no idea, and he'd be the one to know. It stands to reason it was being covered up.

"I hate conspiracies." I thought to myself. A small smile appeared on my face before I looked back at Nate's torturous expression, causing it to fade as quickly as it came.

He didn't seem to be proud of his government or himself in the least. And how did someone so young become so skilled? Red normally wouldn't have won that fight; Nate just wasn't expecting him to have any skills at all. Red might have had a larger build, but Nate would outmatch him anytime else.

What I knew now is that I wanted answers.

"Lucario, try to use your aura to calm him down. I have a few more questions." I commanded. Lucario nodded, and as his eyes glowed blue with aura energy, Nate began to calm…somewhat.

"W-what else…do you want from me, huh?" He quavered.

"What did you not want to do again?" I asked. I looked him in the eyes.

"…"

"…kill innocents." Nate finally answered.

Ethan visibly rolled his eyes. "He's playing us."

I gave him a glare. "Lucario says he isn't."

I turned back to Nate. He was still panicked, but gazed at me with a confusion now.

"Why?" I asked,

"I never wanted to kill anyone," Nate said, breathing slowly, "but if I was going to be forced to, I decided I would only kill bad people…"

He suddenly started shaking again. "No no no…I've already said too much…."

A thought hit me. "Are you being forced to work for the government?" I asked.

He stared at me for what felt like an hour, before finally whispering, in the softest tone "Yes."

At this point, I looked back at Ethan and May. Despite my Lucario barking at them out of anger (he really hates it when people doubt his powers) to reaffirm that Nate was telling the truth, they both decided that everything he was saying was a ruse.

Now, I understood that they had very good reasons not to trust Nate, but I did. It was probably because they were closer with Red, and were thinking with their emotions. Red was badly hurt, and it was Nate's fau—

"Oh! Nate probably thinks he killed Red!" I thought. I turned to Nate.

"Hey, listen. You know that guy you were fighting?"

He nodded slowly.

"He's got some broken bones, but he's getting treatment at the hospital. He will be fine." I looked into his eyes, hoping a light smile would help calm him.

"R-really? He's okay?" Nate cried. I nodded, and he broke into tears.

"I'm…I'm so sorry…I hurt you all…" he sobbed.

"Listen…I can't say it's okay. But I don't think it's the end of the world, either. Let's try to move forward. It seems like the smartest thing to do." I assured.

*CLANK*

I heard the door slam, and saw that Ethan and May had left.

"Thanks for the support, guys." I thought sarcastically.

"Hey…can I ask you a question?" Nate said.

"Sure."

"You're Lady Berlitz, right? The Platinum Champion of Sinnoh?"

I found myself grinning that someone finally addressed me properly without having to be told.

"Yes. In fact, those were Ethan Gold, Johto Champion, May Birch, Hoenn Sub-Champion, and you fought Red Ketchum, Kanto Champion." I answered.

"So you're all the strongest trainers…"

"…"

"…"

I looked at him while he seemingly pondered something in his head.

"I think you're strong enough to help me!" He finally shouted.

"Help you?"

"Yes. Will…will you…ech, never mind..."

"Hey," I pouted, "don't leave me hanging! I've already said I would be willing to put the past behind us. I have work to do, so if you have something to say, say it!"

He took a deep breath. "Will you help me escape Interpol?!"


"Allow me to explain. I am the result of a government project known as Knight Birth, designed to create a perfect super-soldier by combining the genes of two of the agency's best spies." Nate began.

To be honest, I had a hard time believing that right away, despite Lucario insisting it was the truth. Even still, I kept listening.

"I was raised in captivity and never had a life of my own. To the outside world, I'm a…a 'Mister Perfect', but that was always a façade. I only have two secret friends who know the whole truth."

He stopped for a moment before continuing.

"I was eventually declared the best spy on the agency at the age of twelve. Those who questioned how someone as young as me could have been the best on the force were discretely executed."

"R-really? Just for asking? They wouldn't even try to lie?" I stammered.

"Lies can be seen through, and if that happens, it leads to investigations, which leads to secrets being revealed. It's…it's as sick as it sounds…."

He cleared his throat.

"But because of Hugh and Rosa, I know what the outside world is like! I know how most other people live!

I…I want that life!" He was screaming now, his true emotions finally on the table.

I looked at him for a while. Just…looked at him. He seemed so very different from the single-minded killer he appeared to be when we first met. He seemed like a normal human being.

Maybe I was being overly optimistic or gullible. Maybe he really didn't deserve my help, or maybe he somehow found a way to lie after all and I was getting talked into a trap.

But I wanted to help.

I began unbinding his chains, one by one by one. He stayed silent, looking at me—just looking at me—with this wondrous look, like this was all he could have ever wanted. I continued, and the last few chains fell off.

*CLANG*

He stood up slowly and approached me, almost skittishly. I, however, stepped back a bit. Eventually, despite my fears, I stood in place, and he got in close. Suddenly, his arms moved quickly, as if to attack, and I found myself flinching and mentally kicking myself for how much of a fucking fool I was and…!

He hugged me.

"Thank you…I know you haven't even started yet…but…but…thank you." He sobbed.

I breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled as I hugged him back.


We made our way to the Pokémon center, in inconspicuous clothing. After all, we wanted to meet with Red (preferably before the others did) and Nate needed quick healing. Doctors say that using Pokémon-Center radiation on humans is unsafe, but that is only true in excess, and Nate really needed to be put back in shape.

As we approached the front desk, I saw Nurse Joy at the counter.

"Hello, Nurse," I began, "I need to ask a favor."

Her face suddenly turned red. "Oh, if you must have your way with me…I guess we could go into the back room…" Nurse Joy stuttered. I facepalmed.

"Why did she think you meant sex?" Nate asked me.

"I said 'Hello, Nurse'." I groaned.

"How else would you greet a nurse? That makes no sense!" Nate argued.

"As much as I agree…have you just never watched a movie, or read a book?" I asked, jokingly.

"Only propaganda films." He answered. I frowned and bit my lip out of guilt.

I turned back to the nurse. "I just mean, can you use the healing-radiation on my friend? We're in a real hurry, and his hand is broken."

"Oh…" Nurse Joy grumbled, rather disappointed. She angrily pouted towards us.

"Well, what do I get out of it?"

"I'm filthy rich, so how about money?" I suggested, annoyed.

"…"

Twenty thousand Poke Dollars later, we came to terms.

*doo-do-doo-do-doo-do-DA!*

After the bell chimed, Nate was fully healed. He walked to me, a bit dizzy from the radiation therapy, and he sat down in a nearby chair. I handed him a bottle of water.

"Hey, uh, Lady Berlitz?" Nate asked.

"Yes?"

"I need to call Rosa and Hugh. Once we do this…they'll be in danger. They don't need to stay with us, but we will need to get them to a safe place."

I paused. "I don't know. Red has this…mission."

"Hmm?"

"You don't have to help. Er…but yeah, Red is gathering region champions like you and me to fight an evil threat of lethally dangerous thugs back in his home region." I explained.

Nate looked me right in the eyes. "Of course I'll help."

"But…it would mean more fighting."

"I would love to help, Dawn. I'm not a fan of going into battle, but at least it would be a battle against bad people…and one I'm fighting by my own…c-choice." He managed, choking up a bit at the end.

"Nate?"

"My own choice! My very own choice!" He cried. Tears fell down his cheeks as he looked at me with this childlike happiness on his face.

I felt so bad for him…


He called Rosa and Hugh, and told them to meet him at the Nimbasa City Pokemon Center. Afterward, we headed upstairs, where we found Red's room. We went inside.

"Red?" I called.

"Yeah, hey Dawn—" He started. He saw Nate.

"Behind you!" Red yelped. He grabbed his rifle and pointed it at Nate, but I put myself between them.

"Red! Wait! It's not what you think!" I screamed.

Red narrowed his eyes. He was clearly skeptical, but willing to listen, and he put his gun down.

"Then what is it?"

I told him everything about the government conspiracy, and how Nate has agreed to help.

"…I want to talk to Lucario." Red stated. I nodded.

"Lucario, spotlight!" I called. Lucario sprung out of his Poke Ball.

Red kneeled down before him.

"Hey there, fella. I'm Red. I'm a friend of Dawn's."

"Luuuua." He replied, nodding.

"Tell me, do you think that that man is dangerous?" he asked, pointing to Nate.

Lucario looked back at Nate, and nodded.

I bit my lip, but fortunately, Red continued.

"Do you think he is a good man?" Red asked.

Lucario gazed at Nate. His eyes glowed with supernatural aura.

He turned to Red and nodded again.

"And he was telling Dawn the truth?"

Lucario nodded a third time.

"Thank you. That's all I needed." Red said, smiling. I returned Lucario to its Poke Ball.

"Red, thank you for understanding. Ethan and May didn't believe one word of it." I beamed.

"Well, you're a good trainer, and Lucario is a psychic, objective viewpoint. I believed you; I just had to be sure."

I nodded. "Did they heal you?"

"Yeah. It still stings, but it'll do."

Suddenly, we heard a loud siren blaring outside.

"Nathaniel Duos Ebon! You are in violation of international law! Surrender now!" a voice called over speakerphone.

"Oh god…it's my handler…" Nate whispered.

"Don't worry, Nate. We won't let them take you." I assured, grabbing his shoulder. He smiled at me.

"We have hostages! Ethan Gold and May Birch are being held by us, and we will kill them if you do not cooperate!" Nate's mom…er, handler boomed.

"Nate, any ideas?" Red asked.

"N-no…" Nate mumbled.

I thought about it for a minute. There had to be a way out of this. It was just us, so we'd better—

Oh wait, no it wasn't!

"We stall for time until Hugh and Rosa show up. They can make a distraction, and then we save the day." I announced.

"Who?" Red asked.

"Nate's only two friends. I'll explain later." I stated. Red nodded, and the three of us slowly walked outside.


"On your knees." The Handler ordered. We all got on the ground.

"Hmm. It's sad, really. I actually began to like you, Nate. I don't think I will after the brainwashing. It might even reduce your effectiveness, but you've proven that it's necessary." She berated. She held up the gun to Red's head.

"Shoot me, you evil bitch!" Red snarled.

"Tch. Quite a mouth on you. But no, we still have to clear the area of civilians first." She remarked.

"Then I'll shoot you."

I waited, and began to panic. What if they didn't show up in time? What if they get caught and it's all in vain? I really couldn't see any other way out of this…

"Civilians out, ma'am." A soldier declared. The Handler smiled.

"Take note, Nate. This is what should happen to those who so much as dare to observe the international police."

*cli-CLICK*

I shut my eyes.

*BLAM!*

I opened them, and shakily turned to Red.

He was fine.

My head turned to the Handler.

There was a hole in her chest.

She fell to the floor, as all the other soldiers were attacked by various Pokémon.

"And that's me unleashing my rage." A dark haired boy quipped.

"Hugh! Thank god!" Nate yelled. Hugh helped us all up.

A girl dropped down from the sky off the back of a Braviary.

"Guys, c'mon!" She shouted. We all ran, and escaped the International Police.


We all gathered in Castelia City, in front of the nearby boat. Its destination was Kalos, and we had one more ally to pick up.

"Are you two really sure you're not coming?" Nate asked. Rosa and Hugh apparently had other plans.

"We got friends in high places, and an escape route of our own. Wouldn't want to be a bother." Rosa declared, smiling.

"Let's meet up sometime later, alright, Nate?" Hugh spoke.

"I would not have it any other way." Nate replied. They shook hands, and Hugh left with Rosa.

I turned to Nate. "They'll be fine."

He looked at me with a small smile. "I know."

"Are you two going to keep on gazing into each other's eyes, or are you going to come on?" Ethan snarked.

I blushed a little. "Shut up, fool's gold!" I yelled.

We all boarded the ship, and wondered what the future held for us.


To be continued…


Whew! This was a tough one! Nate is fun to write, but considering he's essentially an OC with how OOC he is, he's also really difficult to write because I have really no source to work with. Oh, and I run the risk of pissing off fans if I don't execute it well. (Heck, even if I do…)

On the subject of him and Dawn (don't lie, you thought it), despite not realizing what exactly I had done until after the fact, I do think this chapter qualifies as AU ship fuel. I'd need someone with a more objective viewpoint to really judge, but I'm hoping to god that they seem like they have (or at least have good potential for) real chemistry. I'm not necessarily going to ship them, but I do think they have the potential to be good friends and I want it to work.

On that note, if you're feeling especially dorky, like I always am, tell me who you might want to see get shipped! Are you a fan of BrendanxMay? RedxYellow? Ethan/GoldxRegigigas? RedxLeaf/Green/Blue in Japan? RedxGary/Blue/Green in Japan? Did I just spoil that Yellow will probably become a major character? Maybe, but with the disclaimer at the beginning of the fanfic, is it really a spoiler?

Yeah, I think Yellow is right up there with Sir-who-will-eventually-appear-in-this-fic Wally for being a maximum cinnamon roll. She's so adorable! I wanna take her home and put things in her mou—

Well, I'm going to stop before the accidental innuendo writes itself. For the record, I meant putting candies in her mouth. Like lollipops and cookies! Oh, and popsicles!

Guys? Why are you looking at me with such disgu—DAMMIT!

Well, enough digressing. Next region will only be one chapter rather than two, for the sake of variety, pacing, and because I feel like Serena would be willing to skip the foreplay and jump into the action right away. So, make sure you're nice and ready for that.

I'm not a pervert, I swear!

Thanks for reading, and for now, I take my leave.