Chapter 7: Radiant Light, Ominous Dawn

Location: Skies of New Bark Town

359 Days until Silver Conference

I woke up with a shiver when I realized that Caycee had stolen my blanket. I got up (making sure not to wake anyone else up) and headed over to Karen who was looking out the window. I approached her, and as if she knew what I was thinking she looked at me and said: "Please don't worry. Once we get to New Bark Town we will figure out a plan. Professor Elm is quite intelligent, and I invited someone else to help us as well." She looked down with an unsure look on her face. "If you would please, Grey, I would like you to take this. I looked at the pokeball that she handed me and looked back at her. "This pokemon was a dear friend of mine's. He raised it well, and no doubt that it will serve you just as well. I just ask that wait until we land to release it."

"T-Thank you," I said, stunned. "But I don't know if I can accep..."

"Please, Grey. This pokemon needs a trainer. And you will need a strong, experienced pokemon to add in your travels." Karen looked at me desperately and then said. A few months ago, a member of Team Radiance killed my friend, Sidney. He lost a pokemon battle to an Admin and this pokemon watched his trainer and teammates get ripped to shreds. He wasn't a weak trainer either. He was a member of Hoenn's Elite four. This pokemon is severely traumatized and needs a kind trainer who understands dark types to help it come out of its shell. After getting to know you the last few days, there isn't a doubt in my mind that this is what Sidney would want. So please Grey take care of him."

I looked down at the pokeball in my hands wondering what kind of pokemon was inside. I couldn't imagine watching all my friends get killed, and the fact that this was a pokemon didn't change that. I knew it would be tough, but I knew more than ever that Team Radiance had to be stopped. Karen walked by and I nodded. She smiled and said: "His name is Leo."

We landed within the hour, and we stopped to eat at a breakfast place a block from the lab. Karen and Brawly sat alone while the rest of us sat in a corner booth. Shortly after we ordered, Justin's egg began to twitch. We all stared at it, and Aaron jumped up and grabbed it in excitement. "Haha, I'm gonna be the first to see it hatch now Justin!"

"Give it back, Aaron! You might hurt it!" Justin yelled frantically, like an over protective mother. Timber grabbed the egg from Aaron, looked at it for a second and then handed it back to Justin.

"It's still got another day or two before it hatches. Don't get too excited just yet."

Aaron and Justin both sat down, while Zeji laughed. "Well if the kitchen here is out of eggs, I found a big one we can fry up." Zeji kept laughing, while Justin glared at him. O cmon Justin, I was just kidding.

After breakfast, the seven of us walked over to the lab. When we arrived, an awkward man in a lab coat greeted us. He pushed his glasses up, looked at us and said: "Hello everyone, I am Professor Elm, and this is my laboratory. Please come in." We all followed the Professor inside and into a boardroom on the far side of the main hallway. While we were walking, several pokemon walked over to us and started jumping on us. "Those are all starter pokemon that we raise hear for new trainers."

We kept walking, but a small Cyndaquil started tugging on Zeji's pants. "Quit it." He said as he shooed the pokemon away. When the pokemon decided to stubbornly continue playing, Zeji picked it up and moved it over to the other pokemon. "You stay there, I need to go inside." As Zeji walked towards the door to join us, the Cyndaquil began crying. Zeji looked at Professor Elm, who nodded in approval. "Fine you can come with me, but you have to behave." With that, Cyndaquil jumped into Zeji's arms.

As we walked in, a scowling face greeted us. The raven-haired man in the chair across the room was wearing a brown trench coat, as if he were expecting it to begin raining in the office. He forced a smile and got up to shake Karen's hand. "A pleasure to see you Karen."

"I wish I could say the same," Karen said coldly. "Everyone, this is G. He will be assisting us in our battle against Team Radiance. He is an exert when it comes to criminology." We all stared at the intimidating man before us who walked to the front of the room as we all sat down.

"If we are all here, I would like to begin." G looked at Karen who nodded. "Now then. We will begin by discussing Team Radiance's structure. As you know, there are three ranks within Team Radiance's organization. They have a massive army of low rank peons, as well as three highly tactical admins, and finally, their leader. No information is known about the higher ups, for any grunts we capture fail to reveal any information during interrogations. We do know that Team Radiance has a grip over Johto, and has even expanded into Hoenn. That is why you are here, Brawly. You are to report all Team Radiance actions in Hoenn to us." Brawly nodded and Aaron shot out of his chair.

"They're in Hoenn too? Why didn't you tell me, Brawly? I would stayed home and helped you."

"Exactly…" was all that Brawly said.

"If you would please sit down young man, I would like to continue." Aaron obliged and G began speaking again." The next thing to discuss is the Alpha Plates. The Plates are used to awaken, empower and control the pokemon, Arceus. As of right now, eight of the Plates are being held by Johto's Gym Leaders. As for the remaining eight, the Zap Plate is now in Team Radiances possession while the Toxic Plate is guarded in Violet Cities Bell tower. The Splash and Flame Plates are both guarded by legendary pokemon, and the four remaining plates are currently missing."

"Our goal is to gather as many plates as we can before Team Radiance. After we locate as many Plates as possible, we will storm Team Radiance's base in order to retrieve the Zap Plate." Justin clutched the egg each time the Zap Plate was mentioned. "In order to reach our goal as effectively as possible, each of us will have a different responsibility. I will study Team Radiance and locate their base. Karen, you will be in charge of locating the missing plates. Professor Elm will study the Plates to learn as much about them as he can. Brawly, as I said before, will return to Hoenn and will be in charge of gathering information there. Finally, you kids are to go collect the Plates from each gym leader, as only trainers with special permission are allowed to do so. Is everyone agreed?" We all said our different variants of yes.

"Good, now there is only one last thing to cover. Team Radiance's goal in awakening Arceus is to 'purify' all people pokemon. We don't know much but we do know that the plates are essential in creating new types of pokemon, and Team Radiance is trying to create a new obedient 'Light' type. That is all the information we have on the subject, as most grunts either are uninformed or blindly loyal to their cause." The man stood up. "Everyone is to begin their assigned duty tomorrow morning. That is all for this meeting, you are all dismissed."

As we all walked out, Karen and Brawly went to talk with G, leaving the rest of us with Professor Elm. "Come with me. I'd like to give you each something." The five of us followed Professor Elm. Justin and Zeji were clutching their egg and fire mouse, respectively, while Timber was speaking with Professor Elm.

Aaron stayed behind and walked with me, and I could obviously tell something was bothering him. "You alright?"

"Ya, I'm just worried about Hoenn. My whole family is there and all of my friends. I know brawly is strong, but Hoenn is in distress right now after an Elite four member was killed. I feel that this would only add to that." At that moment it became apparent that Aaron didn't know who had killed Sidney, and I felt that I should ask Brawly before telling him anything.

"It will be okay. If we stop them here then Hoenn will be safe as well. I won't let them gather the plates, Aaron." He smiled and nodded before heading off to catch up to Zeji. I knew I had to talk to brawly later, but now was not the time.

We arrived in a room filled with pokeballs and Professor Elm turned to us. "Karen told me about your personalities earlier, in order for me to gather up the supplies you would need."

"Supplies?" Zeji asked.

"Yes. Although we normally only give away starter pokemon here, this lab is built to research pokemon breeding, and as such we have many species of pokemon kept here. I decided to give each of you one pokemon based on your personalities and interests. For example, Justin seems to be a fan of electric types, so I decided to give him an electric type that would be rare to find in the wild. As long as we are on you Justin..." Professor Elm picked up a pokeball, "This pokemon is for you."

Justin looked at the pokeball with a smile and then handed the egg to Timber and Pikachu to me. He took the pokeball and tossed it to the ground. Out came a small, plasma-based pokemon floating through the air. Is this a Rotom, Professor?" asked Justin excitedly. "I can't accept something so rare."

"Nonsense, It will come in handy. Electric types have only one weakness to ground type moves. Rotom has the ability to levitate giving it immunity to such a weakness. This ability will come in handy during your contests. Next we have Timber."

Timber walked over to the Professor as Rotom floated playfully around Justin and Pikachu. "This pokemon is the perfect pokemon for a breeder, something perfect for you." Timber let the slimy pink blob out of its pokeball.

"Haha, I should have expected a Ditto. It's really is perfect for me," Timber chuckled and picked up the pokemon. The pokemon transformed into Rotom and the two started flying around their new trainers head. "Well Ditto, meet the rest of my team. Go, Chimchar and Meditite!" Chimchar popped out of its pokeball along with a blue and purple pokemon.

"Whoa Timber, did my brother give you his Meditite?" Aaron asked.

"Yup, I was trying to study the relationship between psychic and fighting type pokemon. Brawly offered me his Meditite to help with my research." Meditite ran over and jumped on Aaron, obviously remembering him. While they were playing, Zeji walked over to get his new pokemon.

"Your holding it," Professor Elm stated. "That Cyndaquil knew you were coming, and that's why it approached you. Your Spiritomb seems awfully shy, as are most Cyndaquil. Hopefully the two will come out of their shells together."

"Awesome, you hear that Cyndaquil? You're coming with me!" Professor Elm gave Zeji a pokeball returned Cyndaquil.

"My turn next!" Aaron exclaimed as he ran over and received the pokeball Professor Elm held out for him. Out came a small blue pokemon with a swirl on its stomach. "A Poliwag! Awesome!" The small pokemon jumped up to eye level with its trainer. "Heh, you're quite the jumper, aren't you?"

"As for you, Grey, my friend Mr. Pokemon is actually holding onto a pokemon he wants you to raise, but I heard that you received a pokemon from Karen earlier today, so why don't you let it out…"

CRASH! A huge explosion interrupted the professor. Alarms started blaring and a researcher ran in from the front entrance and said to us: "Team Radiance is attacking!"

We all began to panic as we returned all our pokemon to their pokeballs (with the exception of Caycee and Pikachu) and ran out to find people running out of the back exit. Professor Elm turned to us and said: "You all stay here." He then ran off in the direction that Karen, Brawly and G were in. The five of us stayed in as promised for a minute before we were found by Radiance grunts. They were all dressed in white, bearing large gray Xs on their shirts.

"Here they are, Lady Vera. The pokeballs are stored in here." The grunts cleared the way for a young woman wearing a bandana with the same X shaped insignia over her mouth.

"Please move you treacherous pieces of garbage," she said to us as we blocked the pokeballs. "Go Gengar!" The Ghost like pokemon jumped out and attacked us. "Use Shadow Ball."

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt." Justin called out.

"Caycee, use Punishment!" I yelled. The pokemon followed our orders but were both blocked by a powerful Shadow Ball. As we began to panic, a pokemon released itself from the pokeball that Karen gave me. "L-Leo, is an Absol…?" I asked in amazement of the clearly powerful pokemon standing before me. "Alright let take care of them Leo."

"That scar on its face, is that Sidney's?" Asked Vera asked as she started laughing. "That pokemon is worthless. Gengar use Focus Blast!" The ghost started charging energy in its hands.

"Leo, use Sucker Punch!" I yelled. Just as Gengar was about to release its attack, Absol jumped in front of him and tackled him in the gut. Gengar flew back and Vera screamed.

"Crobat use Cross Poison!" I hardly had time to think as Leo went flying back towards the wall and another trainer with Purple hair walked in wearing the Radiance uniform. "Oh Vera, I can't believe I needed to save you."

"I-I didn't ask for your help, Silver. You and your disgusting bat can go somewhere else. I found the pokeballs, so don't try to steal the credit."

"Don't be ridiculous, Mi Amor. I wouldn't dare take credit for your catch. But I'm sure the boss would love to know that your Gengar was taken out in one hit." Vera grunted, returned her Gengar, and left. "Now time to finish this. Crobat use Brave Bird." The large bat aimed to dive bomb Leo. And I was left with nothing to do to help.

"Umbreon use Protect!" Karen shouted as she shielded my pokemon. "Is everyone ok?" We all nodded and Umbreon began attacking on its own. "Umbreon can handle that so for now you must escape. Professor Elm is in the hall. He will show you the secret exit."

We all ran out after she forced us out of the room but then I saw someone I wasn't expecting. "Your…"

The man who stood before me was the same one who had approached me three days earlier about using dark types. "I warned you, Grey. Houndoom, Use Fire Blast!" Umbreon jumped in and saved me once again, apparently having defeated the Crobat. Unfortunately, it was to weak to withstand the attack and got knocked out.

"All of you leave!" G commanded us standing in front of everyone. "You must escape and take as many of the pokemon as you can carry." I tried to stay with him, but Karen grabbed me and pulled me towards the exit. We reached a room with an underground passage hidden in it and we all climbed in, the Professor concealing the exit as we left.

"G…" I said as I carried Caycee through the tunnel. "He didn't have to… we all had more pokemon."

"He didn't want any casualties. He did what he could to help," Karen said. "He is tough, don't worry. Did al your researchers get out, Elm?"

"Yes they are all safe, but unfortunately several hundred pokeballs were left behind. I shutter to think what Team Radiance is going to use them for, but it can't be good for us if they sent all three of their admins after us. In any case, this tunnel will lead us to Mr. Pokemon's house north of Cherrygrove City. It was always intended to be our home base, so at least we're heading in the right direction."

"Snea…" said Caycee weakly.

"You'll be alright Caycee, I promise. "

We continued walking for several hours before reaching the end of the tunnel. Professor Elm lifted the door, and we each squinted as we climbed into the home laboratory. "Is everyone alright?" asked an older man with a gray mustache. "I am Mr. Pokemon, and I will be sheltering you."

We all spent some time explaining the details of the attack to Mr. Pokemon. Afterwards everyone went to go eat, exhausted and distressed. Mr. Pokemon pulled me aside and brought me into a room with a small pool of water. "So your saying you met Seth before?" He asked, continuing on what I told everyone before. I felt the need to mention everything that happened on the boat, and Mr. Pokemon seemed to want all the details.

"Yes. He told me stop training dark types," I said as Raven flew around my head. Caycee and Leo were both resting along with Pikachu and Umbreon. "So why did you pull me aside?"

"It's because that boy Seth is my son, and as such I feel upset that I could not stop him. Seth also left something behind last time he was home, that he asked me to hide and protect. Come here Hunter." A small Houndour came crawling over to me and started licking me. "This pokemon belonged to my son before he headed off to join Team Radiance. Also know that this Houndour is the younger brother of the Houndoom you fought today. I would like you to bring Hunter along with you, as you two may be the only ones who can save Seth from what he has become. So please, save my boy."

"I will stop him. I can't promise anything more than that." I said, still bitter from the battle.

"Very well. Hunter, you will be traveling with Grey from now on. Please take care." Hunter barked playfully and licked me just before I sent it into its pokeball. "Why don't we go eat before the food gets cold."? The two of us walked out and sat down with everyone else. Mr. Pokemon told everyone that he gave me Hunter, but skipped the part about Seth being his son.

I slept next to my two recovering pokemon that night, and was joined by Raven and Hunter. It was nice sleeping in a huge pile, although I wished it was under better circumstances.

"Is G okay?" I asked Darkrai after I fell asleep.

"I cannot say…" Darkrai replied. "You battled wonderfully today. Please get some rest Hero."

And so I finished dreaming and went to sleep. I needed my rest to start my journey. A journey not only to become the ultimate trainer, but also to avenge the one who have been hurt. Amphy, and G as well.