Disclaimer; I do not own Pokemon.
Here is the results of the poll;
Poll Result
What should happen in Chapter Five of Sacred Illusions? I can't start it until I know.
1 Misty finds out the human and pikachu she fished out are actually zoura, who are running away from their mom.
20 18%
2 One member of the growlithe pack joins Ash's team.
17 16%
3 Nurse Joy gives Ash a chancey to help with the deception.
13 12%
4 Delia finds out her children are missing and leaves.
13 12%
5 The Pokemon Center is attacked by thieves.
11 10%
6 We cut back to what Gary is doing.
9 8%
7 Delia DOESN'T know they are missing and stays home.
7 6%
8 The Pokemon Center is NOT attacked by thieves.
6 5%
9 Misty doesn't find out they are zoura but does learn Ash is running away.
5 4%
10 The growlithe pack joins Ash's team.
4 3%
11 Other; please leave a message on what it is you'd like to happen in the next chapter. [many chapters from now doesn't count.]
1 0%
Unique Voters: 26
Now let's see how the chapter compares, shall we?
Warning: This chapter is really, really long. My sister has some advice; if don't have anywhere to go in an half-hour/hour, then read it. If you do, then wait. And this is for the fast readers. Also, I don't know how Law Enforcement and the like talks over the radio.
"This is Station 98 of Viridian City Fire, Search and Rescue calling for medical back-up. There has been an electrical blast *static* from Viridian City. The missing boy and growlithe pack has been found with *static* but are *static*. I repeat; they are unconscious. We need medical *static*."
"Station 98, you are breaking up. Please repeat what you have found."
"The boy's pikachu seems to be the caused the electrical explosion *static*"
"Station 98 you are breaking up."
"We need *static* the injured are *static* repeat; 30 spearow *static*a pika-*static* two hu-*static* and the missing *static*…"
"Station 98! Station 98, come in Station 98!"
*Static*
"Station 98, come in!"
*Static*
"Station 98, do you read me?"
*Static*
"This is Station 96 of Viridian City Fire, Search and Rescue. We have reports of a high level of static electricity in the area that is affecting our equipment. All known attempts for contact in the area have resulted in failure. Permission to scout ahead. Over"
"Station 96, permission granted. Medical teams are being sent to the area. Please try to stay in contact. Over."
"10-4. Over and out."
The radio went silent after that, leaving the only sound in the massive room is a cat's purr. The one who was listening to the radio has no authority over the matter but he likes to be prepared. He may not know the exact details as to what is going on, but he does know one thing…
"Well, my old friend?" a man in shadows asks. "What do you think?"
The cat has stopped purring and looks at him. To many it would seem as though the cat isn't aware of what its master is doing. However, they don't know the bond the two shares.
The cat tilts its head to the side, almost towards the door, before getting up and hiding. No words need to be said between them; the man knew exactly what his companion is implying. Without a word, the man in shadows presses a button on his desk.
"Tell the two employees they are needed in my office," the man says. The data of who he wants is sent out like a text message. "And send me updates on the captured poachers and the suspected thieves in the area."
"Yes sir, right away," a woman on the other end says. The line went dead as the man leans back into his chair, and turns to face the window.
The storm from earlier has quieted down, but it seems as though another one would be coming in later tonight or early tomorrow. For now there's a beginning of a beautiful sunset over the forest. The smoke from the fire is a bit troublesome, considering all of the wild Pokémon that lives there. He'll have to keep an eye on it, just to make sure the wild Pokémon don't come into town and attack.
A knock on his door brought the man out of his thinking. Without turning around to face the door, he calls out, "Come in." Shortly after, the door opens and two people walk in.
"You called for us?" one of the people, a woman asks politely. The man in the shadows doesn't say or do anything other than staring out of his window. The two people took their seats and waited for their boss to address them.
"What do you know about the thieves that have been threatening the city lately?" the shadowed man asks, still not looking at them.
"They have been targeting areas with either large amount of money or things of value," the other person, a man, says. "Police are stumped at who committed the crimes and why certain places have been attacked while others have not."
"The two main things that link the crimes is their use of Pokémon brute force and being quick," the woman added. "This usually results in major injuries, sometimes death, of witnesses and/or those who try to fight back, including law enforcements."
"And where do you suppose they'll strike next?" the shadowed man, their boss, asks, still not looking at them.
"The Pokémon Center," they both say at the same time. This time the man turns his head to them, well, as much as he could since he's still facing the window.
"Explain," he says skeptically. How did they get the idea the Pokémon Center would be attacked?
"There have been reports of poachers catching valuable Pokémon that has been taken by a trainer," the woman says. "Rumors are these valuable Pokémon are worth a fortune as well as severely injured. And since the Pokémon Center is most likely the least protected place, they would be in and out before the law enforcement can make it there."
"Not to mention the pattern of the thieves," the man added. "They only attack valuable areas that have the least amount of resistance and the least likely law enforcement can arrive in time to catch them."
Their boss says nothing. He's thinking about what they said and tries to think of other places the thieves might strike. Everything that came to mind, even his own company, pales in comparison to the Pokémon Center. He had to admit, to himself at least, it does seem to be the place they'll attack, given what changed to make it happen.
"Very well," he says, finally turning his chair around. "I'd like you two to grab your team and go there. If what you say is true, then the thieves would most likely attack tonight. When they do, if they do, I want you to call in and stall them. Now go grab your Pokémon and head out."
"Yes sir," the two says, though he could tell they are nervous. They head out, leaving him to his thoughts.
His trusted Pokémon comes back in and purrs. Absentmindedly he starts petting his companion while looking back outside. The fiery sunset does nothing to calm his mind with what he has learned.
"Mrowl?" the cat purrs. The man looks at the cat to see something that most won't think of as important. However, he knew exactly what his friend is trying to say.
"No, my friend," he says. "He isn't ready for something like this."
"Meow?" the cat says while tilting his head to the side. "Meow."
"I know he's the most powerful resource we have," the man says with a sigh. "But he hasn't learned to control his powers just yet. As useful as he could be, he would most likely kill them and we may never know who they are working for or how big their group is for a long time."
This time the cat stays quiet. He now understands his master's hesitant to use their most powerful ally against the enemy. However, their ally would need a field test, just to see if he could control his powers under something like this.
Perhaps the media would be a great distraction. Don't need to alarm the citizens just yet.
"Alright then, that's the last of them," a man from the Fire, Search and Rescue team says as they put the last growlithe into its Pokéball. "Now, Ma'am, are you sure you have told us everything?"
"Yes sir," the redhead girl says with a nod. "After the signal went out, I went to check the Pokémon and got worried with their injuries so I used the boy's Pokéballs to catch them. I figured they'll last longer if they were in there."
"Alright, but why his?" the man asks as someone else takes the Pokéballs and the boy to the Pokémon Center, without the media noticing.
"I don't know, I panic and wasn't thinking," she says with worry and frustration lacing her voice. "Are they going to be alright?"
"I'm sure they'll be fine, thanks to you," the man says sincerely. "Let me give you a lift to the police station so you can give your statement. Then I'll take you to the Pokémon Center to see them, alright?"
"Alright," the girl sighs. She hopes it'll go by fast so she could see them. She needs to see they are alright.
*line break*
*line break*
"Viridian City is in turmoil as a series of violent robberies has left people and Pokémon alike injured or dead. Police are stumped as to who these bandits are and where they'll strike next. Residents are ordered to keep a look out for anything suspicious and to call police.
"In other news, the fire one Route One is still burning out of control. Dry conditions and high winds are making it hard for firefighters to control. While it isn't in danger of spreading to Pallet Town, residents are urged to be prepared for an evacuation should it get past the containment area.
"While the cause for the fire is unknown at this time, police have found poacher traps and an abandon vehicle near Pallet Town, a few miles from the fire. Rumors are the poacher set the fire to cover up their wrongdoings when it backed fired. The poachers are in custody and are being questioned.
"We'll keep our viewers updated on these events when the information becomes available. Here's a look at the weather."
"The storm from this afternoon has past but another one is right on its heels. It is expected to arrive late tonight or early tomorrow. Travelers are advise to proceed with caution. If possible, wait out the storm in a nearby shelter."
The car radio clicks off. The driver of the car looks over at his passenger. "Is everything alright, Young Oak?"
"Fine," Gary says as he looks around. The sun is setting and the woods they are driving through glow in the harsh light. "How much longer is it?"
"We'll be in Pewter City in an hour," his driver answers. He looks at his passenger and sees a worried expression on the young man. "I won't worry about the fire. Your grandfather would make sure Pallet Town is safe."
"That's not why I'm worried," Gary says quietly.
"It's not?" the driver asks, a bit surprise.
"Ash is walking," Gary says as he checks his Pokédex. "I just hope he wasn't there when the fire started. Of course, knowing him, he would have been trying to catch a Pokémon before arriving to Viridian City."
"Your rival's fine," the driver says. "He's smart enough to know to avoid getting caught in a fire. I'm sure he's over in Viridian City safe and sound."
"I guess," Gary says before looking out. He wasn't convinced Ash is fine. In fact, he's pretty sure Ash is lost on that route because of the fire. Then again, the Fire, Search and Rescue teams would be able to find him. The Pokédex is design for many things, not just scanning Pokémon.
But would Ash know that? Would he know how to use it? If he doesn't… no, Gary, he's fine so stop thinking he isn't.
"So what Pokémon are you planning to use?" his driver asks, bringing Gary out of his thoughts.
"Huh? Oh! Um…" Gary says as he thinks about it. "The gym leader uses rock type Pokémon, so caterpie, weedle, pidgey and spearow are out of the question. Rock types are known for their high defense against regular attacks, so rattata is out. Kanto rock types are also ground types so my nidorans are probably out. That leaves mankey and squirtle as the obvious choices."
"You really thought this out, haven't you?" his driver asks with amusement. "It's no wonder you were able to easily defeat that trainer back there."
"The trainer with the samurai sword? Please," Gary scoffs. "He might have been a bug master in training, with good talent, but he focused so much on his strongest Pokémon, he puts all his cards, so to speak, on winning with just that one. Besides, he knows a lot about bug types and this forest, but he doesn't understand the other types very well."
"How so?" the driver asks, not really understanding it. But then, Gary was always the more observant one in his class.
"I only used squirtle in a two-on-two battle," Gary points out. "His pinsir would have won had the trainer thought to use his Pokémon's moves a little better. But his second Pokémon is just a joke! It is not even worthy for a proper battle! Now if he had worked with it, the Pokémon wouldn't have been so worthless and could have defeated my squirtle!"
"Well, I think being the grandson of the famous Professor Oak has something to do with it," the driver says. With his eyes on the road, he didn't see Gary tensing up. "You know, your grandfather was an excellent trainer when he was your age. It's no surprise you're his grandson."
"Pull over," he says harshly. The driver did as Gary asks and pulled to the side of the road.
"Is something the matter?" he asks as Gary grabs his bag and hops out of the car.
"I'm going to walk the rest of the way and train my Pokémon," he says. As he turns around and starts walking off, he says, "I'll meet you in Pewter City when I'm done."
"But…" the driver says in protest. However, he wasn't able to say anything because Gary turns around at him so fast, he couldn't remember what it was he was trying to say.
"Look, I have all of the supplies I need to last for a week," Gary says with controlled anger. "Gym Leaders are much stronger than the average trainers and I really need to prepare for my match. If any of my fans have a problem with it, just tell them I'm doing what every trainer should do; train my Pokémon!"
Gary left without problems after that. His driver just looks at the retreating boy, wondering what has happen. However, after coming to the conclusion nothing is wrong and Gary has a point, the driver drives to car away, leaving Gary to face the woods alone as the day comes closer to night. Now all Gary has to do is set up camp before it gets too dark.
Sounds of machines beeping piercing through the unconscious is the first thing Ash notice. The noise sounds louder than it should and causing Ash's head to hurt. The smell of the sterile room is the next thing Ash notices.
Soon, Ash's eyes open before closing when the harsh light burns them. Being careful and opening them slowly, Ash's red eyes landed on a pink blob. With a moan, Ash asks, "What happen?"
"Aside from having both smoke and water in your lungs, burns from the fire AND the electrical blast, you tell me," a stern female voice says from out of Ash's sight. Ash whole body screams in protest with just one little movement. "You're lucky Pokémon can take a lot of damage and heal faster than humans. Otherwise you would still be unconscious."
Having just woken up, it takes a little longer than it should have to process the words. Once the words have been process, Ash jumps fully awake with an alarm yelp, "Pokémon!"
"Don't go jumping so soon, young lady," the stern voice scolds. A white and pink blob comes into view. "You might be a Pokémon, but you still took too much damage for your level."
"I'm going to be your nurse," the pink blob says. "If you are felling up to it, I'd like to examine you."
"I, uh…" Ash says uncertainly. "The Pokémon? Rainbow?"
"Your brother is going to be fine," the white and pink blob says. "He has similar injuries as yours. He'll be out for the rest of the night, but his form is stable enough.
"As for the poached Pokémon… that's another story and one I'll tell you when you are well," she says firmly. "Now, how about we get you checked over?"
"I, uh," Ash says, still feeling uncertain. "Sure, I guess. What do you know about me?"
"If it'll keep you calm enough," the white and pink blob says calmly. "You are Ash Ketchum, one of the first Pokémon to legally be a Pokémon Trainer and sister to Rainbow Ketchum, your starter and fellow trainer."
"Rainbow's a Pokémon Trainer?" Ash interrupts in shock.
"He does have a license," the white and pink blob says while doing something. Holding something, she says, "Breathe into this.
"The two of you are quite young and haven't mastered you illusions, but in the ones you do know you are decent enough. While you are female and good enough being a human, you tend to lean onto being male. Is there a reason for this?" she asks as she does another test, hearing.
"Girls are afraid to get dirty while boys love adventures," Ash says as though it were obvious. The small vulpine ears twitched at the annoying sound. "I do like having my fur groomed, but if I had to take hours to look pretty just to lose it in a span of a few seconds I'd go mad."
"Far enough," the white and pink blob says. "You are license to be as either Ashton Ketchum or Ashley Ketchum. As Ashton Ketchum, you aren't allowed to use the Pokémon you have as Ashley Ketchum unless said otherwise. Can you look at the chart over there while I check your eyes?"
"Here are the results of the x-rays," a chancey says from where the white and pink blob was when Ash awoken. All Ash could see is another pink blob holding something. The white and pink blob ignores it, her, for now and is instead focusing on Ash's eyes.
"Hmm, can I see those x-ray pictures?" the white and pink blob asks while moving away. Ash takes the time to look around the room. Everything is mostly a light color, but they are blurred into each other that Ash is having a difficult time identifying what's what. "Ash, can you look at the chart and tell me the letters on them?"
"What chart?" Ash asks automatically. There was no chart, as far as Ash is concerned.
"Alright then," the white and pink blob says as she moves around. "I want you to answer this next question honestly; what do you see me as?"
"A white and pink blob," Ash answers honestly but is also confused. "Why?"
"And how clear are your thoughts?" the white and pink blob asks as the pink blobs walk around.
"It's still a little foggy," Ash says, thinking hard. Suddenly Ash's eyes widen in realization. "Oh! I… I shouldn't be seeing blobs. You should be clear…"
"Don't worry about it," the white and pink blob says soothingly. "You have been through a lot. Once you are well, we'll talk about it. For now, try to get some sleep. The chancey will be available in case you need anything."
The white and pink blob leaves Ash alone to sleep. However, sleep wasn't coming and Ash got very bored. Luckily a pink blob, that is most likely a chancey, has come in.
"Can I make a phone call?" Ash asks.
"The only phones available are the ones in the lobby," the pink blob answers. "You would have to put on your disguise before heading out, and I don't know the damage you have in that form."
"It'll be fine," Ash says before turning human. "I'm not planning on staying out for too long."
"The fire near Pallet Town has its citizens on edged as the firefighter struggle to contain it. Authorities are urging Pallet Town to voluntarily leave their homes for safety or be prepared for sudden evacuation. High Overnight winds are expected with a high chance of bringing embers of the fire towards the residential areas.
"Authorities are asking everyone in the area to avoid Route One until farther notice. Should travelers need to head either to or from Pallet Town then use the route closer to the sea on the other end of Pallet Town.
"The areas in immediate danger of the fire are the following; the housing district near the woods and Professor Oak's Laboratory and Pokémon Reserve. Firefighter are working hard to make sure these areas won't be affected by the fire.
"Stay tune for updates on the fire."
"Alright everyone," Professor Oak says as he turns off the radio he was listening to. Holding up some papers, he went to address the concerns to the local Pokémon. "I know most of you are either wild or listen to only you trainers. However, with the threat of the fire, I think now would be the best time to work together to save your homes."
The Pokémon that have gathered all agree with him. Not only do they want to protect their homes, but they have heard what started the fire and want to get rid of it. A natural fire caused by storms, they'll mostly ignore; but a fire caused by poachers trying to harm their own kind is something they won't sit by and wait.
They also agreed that Professor Oak is in charged, even though he's a human and, to the trained Pokémon, not their trainers. Professor Oak assigned certain Pokémon to certain teams; water, rock and ground are fighting the fires, fire and ghost are search and rescue, flying and psychic are keeping the smoke and embers from coming in, grass, bug and poison are clearing the dry areas and the electric are keeping the power going just in case, to name a few.
"Remember to switch with those on the reserves once you start to feel tired. We don't have time to waste to replenish lost energy," Professor Oak warns. "Stay with your partners at all times, call out if you are in trouble…"
The phone ringing in the lab causes Professor Oak to stop talking. Seeing as how it was the phone he told Ash and Gary to call him on, he turned back to the gathered Pokémon, who are either wearing or handing out handkerchiefs with the words "Team Oak" on them. "Dragonite would be in charge while I am busy. Dragonite, you know what to do?"
When his dragonite gave a confirm growl, Professor Oak hands over the papers and heads inside to the phones. The power in the lab is low since the fire has cut the power off and he's trying to keep the generators going for as long as they can. All of his research has already been taken care of, but he wasn't ready to let the lab burn down without a fight.
"Pallet Town Pokémon Research Facility and Reserve, Professor Oak speaking," he says as he sat down and answers the video phone, without turning on the video call. The video would take up extra energy they don't have… and he didn't want the caller to see his current state; a tired old man who doesn't have the situation under control.
"Professor?" a familiar voice asks timidly. The electric Pokémon nearby sense his urgency to turn on the monitor and applied the power needed. It didn't take long for the screen to turn on and reveal a raven hair boy, looking terrible and a tad bit uncomfortable.
"Oh my, Ash? What happened?" a concern Professor Oak asks once he saw the state the boy is in. "Please don't tell me you were in the middle of the fire."
"Wrong camera, Professor," Ash says. Professor Oak looks around, wondering just what the young kit is saying. Right behind him, one of the cameras is on.
"Whoops," Professor Oaks says as he starts typing on the keyboards. It doesn't take long before the camera angle changes to the right one. "Sorry about that. Now answer me; what happened to you and where's your brother?"
"He's, uh…" Ash hesitates, causing Professor Oak to be concern. Ash's illusions flickers a bit between being male and female despite the charms Ash has on. "Don't tell my mom."
"Ash, tell me everything that has happen. Please," Professor Oak says gently. He can't promise anything involving Ash's and Rainbow's mother, but he'll do what he could.
Ash notices he didn't promise, but knew the professor deserves to know what happened. Truth is, their mother should know, but with how protective she is, Ash doesn't want her to know and over react, preventing Ash from leaving home ever again. So, with the illusion settling on male, Ash told Professor Oak the story.
"So let me see if I got this," Professor Oak says once the story is done. "You went to catch a Pokémon while Rain rests. Then a spearow tells you he found Pokémon trapped in cages and after talking about your options, you caught them."
"Yes sir," Ash says, feeling nervous. Professor Oak is someone she looks up to. She doesn't want to disappoint him.
"As the two of you were about to leave, the poachers came back," Professor Oka says while rubbing his head. Already he could see where Ash and Rainbow went wrong. "And while the two of you were really quiet, the poachers had growlithe who then tracked you two down, start a fire to slow you down and chased you to a cliff where you jumped off."
"That is correct," Ash says, shaking slightly. Professor Oak can't tell if Ash is cold, just realized how close to death the two were or if there is something wrong. However, the nurse Pokémon is right there making sure Ash is fine.
"You don't remember anything after hitting the water, do you?" Professor Oak asks, though it almost sounds like a statement. "Not how you got out, or how you ended up in the hospital?"
"Well, not really," Ash says thinking. "I remember it was dark and wet, with flashes of lightning. I remember a rainbow and a golden bird flying through it. And there was a girl talking to me, but I don't remember what she said, or what she looked like. I don't even remember what the Pokémon I caught looked like, except hurt really bad."
"I'll look into it," Professor Oak promises. He looks at the electric Pokémon to see them switching out. He really needs to get off soon.
"Hey Professor?" Ash asks, causing Professor Oak to look back. "Why does Rainbow have a trainer license?"
"Well," Professor Oak says, slightly taken back by the question. "He did take the classes, and past the tests. I could issue another Pokédex for him with you as his starter, if you'd like."
"I'll talk to him," Ash says. Professor Oak didn't miss the sparkle in her eyes with the thought of Rainbow and her switching places. "How's our mother?"
"Delia is frightened right now," Professor Oak answers honestly. "She has no idea where the two of you are and with the fire being so close… It's very hard to keep her from realizing the two of you left."
"Can you try to keep her from coming until tomorrow?" Ash asks a bit frightened. "We need to rest the night, or else we would be far from here."
"I make no promises, Ash," Professor Oak says. "Your mother, despite how she's raising the two of you, is a very smart woman. Once she figures out you left, she'll stop at nothing until you two are home and safe."
"Hey mister!" an angry voice calls out. A red-head girl comes up with a charred bike over her shoulders. "You own me a new bike and two special lures!"
"Get some rest, Ash," Professor Oak says with a smile. "You'll need it if you want to avoid your mother."
He turns off the phone right then. The electric Pokémon couldn't keep it up much longer. He thought back to Ash's story. He has hoped Ash and Rainbow wouldn't have faced poachers until that day, but fate seems to have other plans. He could only hope they'll be able to rise to the occasion, like he believes they could.
"Alright, Team," Professor Oak says to the Pokémon gathered around. "Let's show that fire what happens when Pokémon come together for a single cause!"
The Pokémon cheers before heading outside. The ones whose job is to heal the injured went to their place and start to get the exhausted Pokémon the energy they need. The fighting types are carrying the heavy stuff and exhausted Pokémon away.
Fires can move fast if they aren't careful. Professor Oak hopes no one would get caught in the fire. He's ready to leave at a moment's notice and is making sure the other Pokémon are as well. Besides, buildings can be replaced and research can be redone but life cannot.
"That Officer Jenny needs to learn some manners," a woman with long purple-red hair says as she looks at the tread marks the motorbike left. "What if the Pokémon Center wasn't as empty as it is? She could have hurt someone!"
"Not to mention how hard it would be to get rid of it," a man with short blue hair agrees. "I can only imagine the cleaning bill it would bring up."
"Enough about that," the woman says. "We need to think about when the attack is going to happen."
"It would probably be a little later," the man says, looking at a small computer screen. "They need to make sure there are no officers in the area. I have already alerted our boss on the possibility of distractions to lure officers away."
"Hey, look at dat," a meowth says with broken speech. "Dat boy ain't no human."
"What makes you say that?" the woman asks while looking at the boy. "He looks normal to me."
"Dat's because you ain't looking at him," the meowth says. "He flickers in da light."
"That is odd," the man says, looking over at the boy. "Perhaps he's one of those new trainers types; Pokémon as Pokémon Trainers."
"Could be," the woman says. "If that's the case, perhaps we should keep an eye on him and see what he does."
At that moment, Nurse Joy comes out pushing a stretcher with a pikachu on it. The boy runs over to check the Pokémon. Nurse Joy seems to be scolding the boy, but the three are too far to hear what is being said. Suddenly an alarm sounds, causing everyone to jump.
"ATTENTION CITIZENS! THIEVES HAVE BEEN SPOTTED IN THE CITY! YOU ARE URGE TO STAY INDOORS AND IF CONFRONTED, DO NOT ATTACK! CALL FOR HELP AND WAIT FOR THEM TO COME! I REPEATE; IF CONFRONTED BY THESE THEIVES, DO NOT ATTACK, CALL FOR HELP AND WAIT!"
"It looks like they are starting the attacks," the man says as he looks on his small computer screen. It shows different dots moving around. The red dots are the places under attack, the blue dots are the officers, the green dot is them and the yellow dots are members of the local gym. Some of the yellow dots are going to these places to assist the officers, just as their boss wants.
"So, when do you think they'll attack us?" the woman asks, getting her Pokéballs ready.
Just then, the glass roof broke and ropes fall in. People slide down the ropes as the man, the woman, their meowth, the kids and Nurse Joy moves behind the counter. An imitating man lands and starts walking slowly towards them.
"I'm going to say, 'Now'," the man whispers quietly where only the ones around him would hear him. The woman slaps the back of his head but left it at that. Soon the man is right up at them.
"Good evening, Ma'am," he says to Nurse Joy. "I was hoping you could help us with something."
"It depends what it is you want," she says, keeping her ground. "And I do hope you'll pay for breaking the roof."
"I don't think you understand what's happening," he says with a chuckle that put shivers down their spines. "We're here to get some Pokémon from you. The ones that were poached earlier today…"
"Are not yours!" she says, standing tall. "This is a place of healing so unless you have Pokémon that needs healing, I suggest leaving!"
The thieves laughed as though they just heard a good joke. The blue hair man readies his Pokéball, knowing they wouldn't have much time. Soon the thieves stop laughing and the intimidating man, who they suspect is the leader, looks right at Nurse Joy and says, "You have some nerve, Lady, talking to me like that." The man gives a signal to his team that the group could only suspect means "attack them" and his men do just that.
"Cover us!" the blue hair man says as he opens the Pokéball. Poisonous gas comes spewing out as the man and woman pushes the others saying, "Move, move, move!" They were out of harm's way and the toxic fumes. The leader was too close to them but luckily he didn't grab them in time.
The red-head girl is not having a good day. The fishes weren't biting, a fire broke out, a boy and pikachu were fished out, growlithe chased them, a storm moved in, the pikachu uses the storm to power up its electrical attack, all of those injured Pokémon, her bike got fired, the interrogations, the ride from hell and now this! It makes her wonder what she done to deserve this.
That man had tried to grab Nurse Joy when the toxic smoke started coming out. However, she still had her bike and threw it at him to make sure he didn't follow. Seeing him get thrown back helped fight down the fear she was feeling.
"Where are we going?" she asks as she guides the boy, who can't see very well for some reason, and who is pushing the bed his pikachu is resting on. They had passed the rooms for injured Pokémon and she was surprised to not see any Pokémon in there. "And where are the Pokémon?"
"I pressed an emergency button telling all of the nurses to gather the Pokémon and evacuate them," Nurse Joy answers. "I also pressed an alarm for the police station. Help should be on its way."
"Don't bet on it," the blue hair man who sent out the toxic fumes says as he looks on a small computer screen. "Police are spread pretty thin already with all of the other break-ins that have occurred. If we're lucky, the closest ones would not be busy and would arrive in ten minutes."
"Ten minutes!" the girl says in alarm. "But that'll be too late! There has to be someone closer!"
"It'll have to do," Nurse Joy says as they reach the basement. "In here, quick!"
The group heads inside with a koffing bringing up the rear. Once inside, Nurse Joy closes the door and locks it. Then a heavy metal door slams down, trapping them inside. Once that is done, Nurse Joy turns on the lights and heads towards a corner that has a videophone and teleporter.
"This is a safe room design for something like this," Nurse Joy says. "All of the Pokémon are brought down here for transport."
"What about the Pokémon I got?" the boy asks. "Where are they?"
"They are in Pokéballs ready for transport," Nurse Joy answers while turning it on. "The more severe ones are in healballs. Every little bit to help heal is welcome.
"This is Viridian City Pokémon Center calling all available centers, please come in," she says into the videophone. "We are under attack and in need of help. Please respond."
"This is Pewter City Pokémon Center responding," another Nurse Joy says on the phone. "We are ready to assist in any way we can."
"This is Cerulean City Pokémon Center responding," another, yet familiar Nurse Joy says. "We are also ready to assist in any way we can."
"This is Vermillion City Pokémon Center responding," another Nurse Joy says as she joins in.
"This is Saffron City Pokémon Center responding," another Nurse Joy says as the screen starts to get crowded.
"This is Lavender Town Pokémon Center responding," another Nurse Joy joins in.
"This is Fuchsia City Pokémon Center responding," and another one joins.
"This is Cinnabar Island Pokémon Center responding," and another one says.
"This is Celadon City Pokémon Center responding," says another one.
"This is the Pokémon League Pokémon Center responding," says another one. This one smiles and says, "Looks like you got the Kanto clan together. Let's not do this again."
"I don't plan on it," Viridian City Nurse Joy says. "I'll send over the Pokémon. There isn't much you could do otherwise."
"How bad is it?" the Nurse Joy from Celadon asks.
"I'll start the transfer now and split it among you," she says, ignoring the question. The machine came to life and starts putting Pokéballs on the conveyer belt.
Suddenly a Pokéball pops open. A growlithe comes out and starts barking. It flinches when other balls pop open, revealing to be the growlithe pack that attack them! The leader glares at the first growlithe, who back down, before barking at the boy.
"Nurse Joy?" the boy calls out to the nurse. Motioning to the pack he says, "I think they want to help buy time."
"Alright," Nurse Joy says as she looks them over. "But once it becomes too much, you are going back into your balls and being transported to another Pokémon Center. Do I make myself clear?"
The growlithe pack bark in agreement. Nurse Joy takes their Pokéballs off the shelves then went back to the teleporter. It was working quiet well, until the power suddenly went out.
"What happen?" the girl asks while trying to look around. All she could see is darkness. "What's going on?"
"They must have cut off the power," she hears Nurse Joy says calmly. "Luckily we have a pika-power back-up."
Chanting of pikachu can be heard from somewhere nearby. Little flashes on light are seen before a steady stream of electricity take sits place. Soon enough the power went back on and Nurse Joy made sure things are running smoothly.
"Aw, what cute little pikachu," the girl says as she sees tiny pikachu running on a conveyer belt while releasing electricity. "I want one."
"These pikachu are trained especially for this situation," Nurse Joy says without looking back.
"Are dey trained to fightin'?" the meowth asks, shocking everyone but the two people. Oddly enough, the growlithe are growling at the door where the meowth is looking. Pokéballs began opening up, revealing the spearow flock from earlier.
"No, not really," Nurse Joy says carefully. The growlithe pack and the spearow flock seem to be talking before coming to a truce. "Why?"
"Cause der comin' tru," the meowth growls while getting defencive. The woman released her Pokémon, an ekans, while the koffing got into position. Soon enough, the door gave way.
"Ash!" Nurse Joy calls out. The boy picks up his pikachu and got to her side quickly. The two talked about something while the girl readies her Pokémon. She double checks the Pokéballs to make sure she has the right ones.
"No more games," the imitating man says as he came in. "Hand over those Pokémon or there will be trouble."
"You're not getting those Pokémon without a fight!" the girl says as she sends out her Pokémon; a goldeen. The thieves laugh at this. She could hear the boy, Ash, say "stupid humans" under his breath. Turning her head slightly, she could semi-see him right next to her. 'Did he just flicker?'
"Such brave words for a stupid girl," the man says. "Alright men, show these pathetic people why they should have just surrendered when they had a chance."
"Ash, get out of here," the girl says. Ash looks at her, wanting to protest but the girl shakes her head. "You and your pikachu need to get out. We'll be fine."
Ash huffed but his pikachu talked him into going. Luckily the Pokémon are causing a great distraction so he could slip by easily. Just as he was out the door, with the little pikachu following, the healballs started opening up, one of them in a magical fire.
"Okay, sis, what's the plan?" Rainbow asks once they were out of hearing. "Aside you didn't want to get into a Pokéball and sent to somewhere safe."
"There's no way I'm ever going to trust a human," Ash snarls.
"Should have thought about that when you wanted to leave," Rainbow says with a shrug.
"Can we help?" one of the little pikachu asks. "Since you are stable in a pikachu form, we may be able to overcharge your electricity."
"Would that even work on a zoura?" another little pikachu asks. "Technically he isn't a pikachu."
"He has a solid illusion!" the first one argues. "A solid illusion is almost as good as transform!"
"Yeah, 'Almost' being the key word here," another pikachu says before looking up. "Turn left."
The group turns left and found themselves in a dead end room. An empty patient's room if you want to be technical. However, they went quiet and hid in the shadows of the room. Good thing to as some of the thieves ran by.
"Okay, ideas?" Ash asks in the pikachu dialect as a whisper. She could hear them whispering among each other but could make it out. "Rainbow?"
"Don't take this the wrong way, Ash," her brother says softly. "But how good is your sight?"
"Not good," she admits. "I only made it where we are through smell and hearing alone. Why?"
"I'll get back to you on that," Rainbow says before he starts whispering with the small pikachu. It takes only a few seconds before he turns back to her. "Okay, we'll be your eyes. What we need is something to help charge me up."
"Why?" Ash asks. So far she doesn't like where this is going.
"We need to stun the thieves," he says. "Neither of us alone can do it and stay charged."
"So you need me to find something to keep you all charged?" Ash asks, trying to get it.
"No," Rainbow corrects, "just me."
"Not happening!" Ash says before standing up and leaving the room. She stops long enough for the pikachu and her brother to catch up. "If you want me to find something so you can fight, these little ones are fighting with you."
"Duck," a little pikachu says quietly and urgently. Ash not only went lower but she found what she thinks is a small wall to hide behind. Footsteps fall close by but never stopped before they fade away from where they had been.
"Everything has been trashed," a pikachu says sadly.
"Do you smell that?" one of the small pikachu asks in disgust. The other pikachu put their noses in the air and sniff. Almost immediately they all cringe in disgust.
"Ugh, it smells like burnt rubber," one pikachu says with its paws right up against its nose.
'Burnt rubber? Where had I smelled it before?' Ash thought to herself. She thought back to the room when she was escaping; the leader had that smell on him, so did the girl who yelled at her. She thought back farther, to just before they were attacked. "That's it!"
"What's it?" the others asks, looking at her. They fell into formation as she tries to get by the small wall. And they help her not to cut herself on any sharp objects.
"Burnt rubber! It's the girl's bike!" she says quietly. She tries to move around carefully but her senses are confusing her. She couldn't understand them when they are whispering to each other but now wasn't the time to argue. "Just help me find it."
"Is this it?" a pikachu timidly asks before crying in delight. "Hey, it has a light!"
"Quiet!" one of the pikachu whispers harshly. "You don't want to alert them to use."
"Just help me out with this," Ash whines. She's getting really tired of all of this. Or was she just tired in general? She doesn't know and doesn't care to.
It doesn't take long before everything was set up. Rainbow is sitting on the light while Ash pedals to create the electricity. The little pikachu gather around linking up, causing a close circuit. One of the little pikachu had left before coming back with a headband/lightbulb combo and placed it on Rainbow's head. Just as Ash was about to start pedaling, the air around them became… heavy.
'Are you in need of assistance?' a powerful voice asks. Ash and Rainbow can't tell if the voice is in their head or if it was spoken out loud. Something wearing some weird armor stood nearby. However, because it is so dark they couldn't make it out better than that. There is one thing they both know…
"Can you please tune down your powers?" Ash asks while clenching her teeth. "It hurts."
"No offence," Rainbow adds. "It's just overwhelming."
"And that's saying something coming from them!" one of the pikachu says, though it doesn't understand why they felt overwhelmed.
'I see,' the creature says while pulling in his powers the best he could. "I apologize." His dialect is pretty unique, and something Ash and Rainbow notice how similar it is to another Pokémon they know of.
"Are you related to Mew?" Ash asks. "Your dialect sounds very similar."
"In a sense, yes; I am mew's clone," the creature says. The energy he gives off implies he just realize something. "I do not know why I am telling you this."
"Can we talk after the bad guys are gone?" a pikachu asks.
"Good idea," Ash says. "Hey mew clone."
"Mewtwo," the mew clone says, correcting Ash.
"Mewtwo, how good are you with your psychic powers?" Ash asks while thinking. Of course, only Rainbow knows she's thinking about something. While he doesn't know what she's thinking, he knows it'll probably be good… or so crazy someone would wonder how it worked.
"Whenever I use my psychic powers, I release a strong residue that affects everyone around me, including dark types as you know," he explains while motioning to Ash and Rainbow. "Why do you ask?"
"Can you teleport the injured Pokémon to the other Pokémon Centers waiting to treat them?" Ash asks while starting to pedal. "These thieves are pretty terrible and the Pokémon need treatment as soon as possible."
"Plus it would make the thieves lose their goal and cause them to attack whoever is left," Mewtwo says, thinking it over.
"Unless we also take away the humans," Ash says while pedaling faster. The light on Rainbow's head glows brightly, but not stable, and the electrical current started flowing somewhat steadily.
"Very well, I'll do as I can," Mewtwo says. "However, should the ones in question refuse to leave; I cannot force them out without damaging them farther."
"That's fine. Just bring them here," Ash says. She wasn't really thinking about it. Everyone is in danger; this is a way to get them to safety. Besides, who'd be stupid enough NOT to get to safety?
The psychic ability is a very complicated subject to understand. Understanding and opening one's mind is very difficult. For those born with the ability, learning to focus and to keep a clear mind is the main difficulty they have to learn.
A child's mind could easily adapt to changes so long as the changes are subtle or low enough. If there is too much of a change, the child may never recover and would either be a threat to everyone around them or be alive but not. Such a thing is hard to see happening, and yet it does.
For Pokémon, their minds are already able to adapt, though some more so than others. It is in their nature, their very coding for survival. Those born with the powers grow into them and thus can harness them with little effort and effect on both their minds and their victims.
Mewtwo never had this. Being created in a lab, his mind matured while unconscious and thus he hasn't learned to control his powers when a little bit angry or frustrated or the like. Truth be told, he never really cared.
Not until he met these Pokémon. They are so young, so innocent and so caring. And while they don't care much for humans, they aren't going to leave them there to die. It reminds him of a forgotten dream he once had.
While the memory of the hurt is powerful and hasn't faded away in time, the love he felt was much more subtle, much more precious. It was that feeling he has now that makes him more conscious of his powers and his lack of control over them.
So, doing something he has never even thought of before, Mewtwo pulled his powers in and focuses of the individual subconscious minds of the Nurse Joys. Leaving the message was easy enough, though the one is Saffron City was a bit of trouble. Not because the Nurse Joy there was trouble, just the local psychic making sure he isn't a threat.
With that done, he went into the subconscious of the Pokémon and is surprise to find out some of the injured Pokémon fighting the enemy. He did a quick debate about leaving the fight to get healed. Some of the Pokémon don't trust humans and he had to plant a thought; nurses are to heal, not hurt.
The ones who can't fight any longer allows him to teleport them to safety. The ones who aren't badly injured and can still fight refuse to leave. All in all, they understand and don't mind it.
But one of them, the mind is a bit like his but not quite. It, she, is too hurt to keep fighting but something was driving her to, a sort of instincts. With the injuries she has, with how hard she fought and how broken her body is, he wasn't sure if she'll ever recover, let alone make it through the night.
He couldn't take her away, she's too weak and he isn't ready for that. Nor was he ready to take something so fragile and young. He isn't sure what it is, but he knows he should just leave it alone.
Aside from the half a dozen Pokémon, give or take a few, weren't leaving until all life have been evacuated. This poses a problem since he couldn't take those two Pokémon out. He made sure the half a dozen or so Pokémon wouldn't mind relocating and is silently grateful they agree.
Convincing the humans was a tad harder. The man and woman with the poison types and a meowth can't leave without disobeying orders. Nurse Joy wasn't going to abandon the center until everyone else left. And he almost didn't notice the girl if she hadn't contacted him.
It was interesting. Her Pokémon had taught her how to sense and communicate to someone with psychic abilities, though she doesn't have it herself as far as he knew. She seems to want to know about the boy and his pikachu, and he wasn't able to hide the fact of what they are doing. Her anger is something he doesn't want to face in person as she practically demanded him to take her to the boy.
Mewtwo made sure everything is in order before he teleport everyone to where they needed to be. However, once he did he realized one big mistake; the thieves have a psychic who read everything and alerted the team. They are on their way and they aren't happy.
He also learned they thieves had hooked up an illegal teleportation device that steals the Pokémon being transported to the other Pokémon Centers. Luckily he found the Pokémon they stole and teleport them to the other Pokémon Centers.
For those around him it only a few seconds for him to do everything. Thoughts in the subconscious moves rather fast compared to the outside. He didn't really have time to feel satisfied with what he'd done as something from outside his thoughts cut through them.
Ash felt like she couldn't breathe. Her lungs hurt so much and she couldn't get the air in. It made her stop pedaling just to try to catch her breath. However, that break causes the electrical current the pikachu and Rainbow had going. She was trying so hard to calm the fire in her chest she didn't notice when they got company.
"What do you think you are doing?" a familiar voice asks angrily. It had almost caused Ash to jump off the bike. Ash looks to where the voce came from and saw the girl right next to them. The man, woman, Nurse Joy and some Pokémon were standing behind her.
"What are you doing here?" Ash asks alarmed. "You were *cough* you were supposed to get out and be safe!"
"Sorry about that," the man says, though it doesn't sound like he's sorry. "But our boss ordered us to stay here."
"This is my center," Nurse Joy says. "I'm not allowed to leave until everyone is evacuated, including you."
"Like I was going to leave you here alone!" the girl says, still fuming. "Now answer my question!"
"We're trying to stun them," Ash says. "I *cough* I was trying to keep *cough cough* keep them charged up *cough cough*."
"Okay, one; your lungs haven't recovered from the smoke and water damage yet," Nurse Joy says firmly, "and second; these pikachu aren't trained for battle, they're trained for blackouts! They can't generate electricity without moving."
"That explains things," the woman says.
"But *cough cough* they… I… *cough cough cough*," Ash says trying to defend their actions but ends up in a coughing fit. The pikachu and Rainbow looks alarmed now, and sounds of the thieves getting closer echoes down the halls.
"Get off," the girl demands.
"What? *cough cough*," Ash asks, confused and feeling a bit light headed with all of the coughing she's doing.
"Get off the bike before you pass out," she says while pulling Ash off herself. Ash wasn't exactly strong enough to fight her and therefore allowed her to do it. Then, to the surprise of everyone, she hops on. "They just need a steady stream of electricity, right?"
"What…" Nurse Joy asks but the noises down the hall distracted her. It's not long before the thieves find them and everyone knew this.
"Every little bit helps," the girl says. "Goldeen, get ready."
"You too, Ekans," the woman says.
"Koffing, Meowth," the man says, though he doesn't elaborate.
The Pokémon, which consists of a golden hovering above the floor, a spearow, a timid growlithe, an ekans, a koffing and a meowth got into positions. The remaining chancey also got ready for battle, but more to heal than to fight. Finally, the girl pulls out two Pokéballs and threw them. What they reveal is a staryu and a starmie.
"No more "Mr. Nice Guy"," the lead thief says in a way he means death. At the same time more thieves comes in through teleport. The leader glares at them and says, "This time, this time I'm not holding back!"
The thieves sent out their Pokémon, most of them the group couldn't recognize. The one thing they all have in common; they look intimidating. And there are so many of them, a lot more than the defenders of the center, let alone what they were dealing with earlier.
"Every little bit helps," the girl repeats as she starts pedaling, pulling them out of their fear induced shock. A steady flow of electricity flow though the pikachu faster and better than when Ash had done it. The light on Rain's head glows bright enough to light the room and is stable.
The two sides stare at each other, one side growling threateningly and ready to rip their opponents to shreds while the other side is glaring right back and ready to defend. Neither side wants to strike first. All it took is one word from the boss thief for everything to go into chaos; "ATTACK!"
"What do you mean 'they just vanish'?" Officer Jenny asks over her radio. "Thieves don't just vanish into thin air in the middle of a fight without the goods!"
"That's what all of the units are reporting," a voice on her radio informs.
"But it doesn't make sense!" Officer Jenny says. "Thieves don't just leave if they believe they had the upper hand, which is what we did! And they shouldn't have disappeared without a trace; we had the help from the gym to make sure they couldn't escape!"
"Officer!" a male voice calls out, one that Officer Jenny recognize.
"Hold up, the Gym Leader wants to talk to me," Officer Jenny says before giving all of her attention to the man by putting her radio down. "Giovanni, I'd like to thank you for the help you have given us, despite the unexpected problems."
"That's what I want to talk to you about," he says in, a very rare, concern tone. "There are two members of my team I haven't heard from yet, and I can't contact them for some reason."
"Where were they station at? I could probably get one of my units to confirm their location," Officer Jenny suggests as she reaches for her radio.
"They were following a hunch they had on the next target and aren't at any of the known targets," he states. Officer Jenny looks up at him and motions him to continue. "They believed these are distractions to throw you off their true target."
"And what is their supposed true target?" officer Jenny asks, though she isn't thrilled about the idea one bit. Because if it is true then the thieves either got what they came for, or worse, they had some unexpected resistance and had called for backup. Either way, they may be too late to save anyone.
"The Pokémon Center," he says.
"I'm sorry, why the Pokémon Center?" Officer Jenny asks. "There isn't anything of… value…" She looks at the gym leader with relation dawning on her face. "They are after the poached Pokémon?"
"I'm not sure, but it looks that way," he says. "I have already sent my strongest Pokémon to assist, but I don't know why he hasn't contacted me yet."
"Get on," she says as she readies her bike. As the gym leader gets seated in the passenger car, Officer Jenny picks up her radio and calls in; "This is Officer Jenny with probable information on the whereabouts of the thieves and/or what they are after."
"Go ahead, Officer Jenny," the dispatcher says.
"Gym Leader, Giovanni, informed me of his two missing members and believes the thieves only attack these places to distract us from their true target; the Pokémon Center, where the two members are stationed," she says as she turns her bike on. "He and I are on route and would check out the situation. I am requesting backup to all available units as a precaution."
"Time of arrival?" the dispatcher asks. Officer Jenny turns on her sirens.
"Estimated Time of Arrival; three minutes," she says as her bike roars down the street.
"All units, head towards the Pokémon Center for a possible attack," the dispatcher says before Officer Jenny turns the volume down.
"Are you armed?" she asks while keeping her eyes on the road. Her passenger just holds onto the sidecar as she swerves out of someone's way.
"I have my best Pokémon on me," he says as he recovers from the sudden move. Praying they wouldn't hit anything, he adds, "They are the ones I trust in a situation like this."
There was something with how he says it that makes Officer Jenny question something. "But not your most powerful Pokémon?"
"He might be powerful, but he doesn't have control on his powers," the man says. "I had thought he would just take in the situation and report back to me…"
"But he didn't," she finishes for him. She steers out of the way of a car that ignored her sirens and ends up flying off a ramp. "This doesn't really lessen my nerves on this situation."
"My apologies," he says, though it sounds like he's still trying to recover from the unexpected flight. "But it is what it is."
"Is this Pokémon dangerous?" she asks as she takes a sharp turn down an alleyway to avoid traffic. "What kind of Pokémon is he?"
"Under normal circumstances, that information is classified," he says as though he rehearsed it, well, at least a part of it. "However, this isn't normal circumstances. Are you familiar with the concepts of clones?"
"Pokémon genetically altered to be more powerful than their natural counterpart, or reviving fossilized Pokémon?" she asks before turning the bike back into a street. She does have a feeling where this is going and she didn't like it.
"The first one," he says simply. "When he was… awaken," he hesitates, trying to find the right word, "from the cloning chamber, he lost control of his powers and blew up the lab he was in."
"What!" she cries in alarm… and nearly lost control of her bike. "What kind of Pokémon is he?! And how could you trust him if he did that?!"
"I design a suit to help with controlling his powers," he says while making sure he still had his Pokémon. "I have been working with him since and have seen the difference in his control."
"That doesn't tell me what he is," she says while reaching for her radio. "I'm going to have to call it in, just in case it gets out of hand."
"I thought as much," he sighs. "Are you familiar with my mother's obsession with a specific Pokémon and some of her more… inhumane experiments?"
"Yes, but what does it have to do…?" she says before realizing something. "You Have A Mew Clone!?"
"When I inherited my mother's company, it was one of the things I found out about and took control of," he says before grabbing the sidecar tightly as the bike swerve out of the way of a freight truck.
"So how dangerous is he, then?" She asks while getting ready to call in this information.
"Not as dangerous as you're driving," he says harshly as they swerve once again out of someone's way. Officer Jenny looks a little upset at that but wisely says nothing.
"This is Officer Jenny calling headquarters," she says once she was sure it is safe to talk on her radio. "I have disturbing information regarding Giovanni's Pokémon; a Pokémon he has sent to observe the situation but, like his two members, hasn't report back."
"We are listening," the dispatcher says after a moment of silence. Giovanni does nothing to stop her from sharing this information.
"The Pokémon in question is a genetically alter super clone from the Pokémon Mew," she says. "It has a history of not controlling his powers, but has since been trained by Giovanni for better control. I have been informed that he is less of a threat than my driving."
"Thank Acreus for small miracles," another voice says over the radio.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Officer Jenny says sarcastically.
"Officer Clyde, please report," the dispatcher says.
"Officers Clyde and Bonney are on route to the Pokémon Center and will arrive in two minutes," the other voice says.
"Officer Jenny, what's your status?" dispatcher asks.
"We are approaching the road that would take us straight to the center," She says as she turns her bike sharply onto said road. "We'll be there in less than a minute."
"Yes, and hopefully the Pokémon Center would be in one piece," Giovanni says as the center came into view.
Suddenly the Pokémon Center did just that; blew up. The shockwave from the explosion caused the bike to fly into the air and back a few feet, and windows from the nearby buildings to shatter. Luckily both driver and passenger only receive minor injuries. The bike was less fortunate.
"This is Officer Jenny requesting medical assistance," she says as she looks over to her passenger with a glare that says 'See what you had done' and 'you shouldn't have jinxed it'. "The Pokémon Center just blew up."
"This is Giovanni calling all available Viridian Gym members," he says as he looks around. "You are needed to help with the panicking citizens at the surrounding area around the Pokémon Center."
"All units please respond to an explosion at the Pokémon Center," dispatcher says through the radio. "Please proceed with caution."
"As the Route One fire rages on, authorities are asking residents to…" the radio clicks off before it was finished. Delia sighs as she finishes dinner and set up the table. While she hadn't seen her kits since that morning, she knows they wouldn't have ventured off into the unknown.
They aren't prepared for such a feat. The bed times stories she tells them of humans being cruel to Pokémon, disrespectful towards nature, and the dangers of the world outside even in a seemingly peaceful environment. The world is a cruel place. She made sure they understand that and wouldn't go off alone; without her.
And she won't let them leave. She knows their father would want them to be safe and protected. No matter what anyone else says, they are her children and she would kill everyone who tries to take them from her.
Shaking these thoughts from her mind, Delia reaches to her special whistle and towards the open window she lets its notes sing. She uses this to call her children back when it's time for dinner, or when she wants them back. It's perfect because only certain Pokémon can hear it so no one would notice the oddity.
Knowing she has a few minutes before they come back, Delia went around the house to tidy it up and finish what chores she neglected until now. Her children would come in and talk about their latest pranks. They would sit at the table and she'll ask how the battle with Gary went. Afterwards she'll let them play video games until it's time for bed.
But the few minutes turn to a half hour, then an hour when Delia begins to really worry. Her children have never been out this long when she calls them home. And with the fire so close, they wouldn't stay out too long, knowing she'll worry for them.
With that thought, Delia left her home to look for them. She asks her neighbors if they had seen Ash, since they don't know about Rainbow, only to have her heart fall when they said they haven't. Getting desperate, she thinks back to where her children like to play. But each area resulted in knowing nothing other than they hadn't been there. Finally she went back to the last place she saw them.
"We need to focus on the dry areas before the fire spreads there," she hears Professor Oak says as she makes it to the back where he is. She could see Pokémon running around in a controlled chaotic manner. Looking to the woods by the property she could see the flames of the fire. While it looks far enough away, she knew just how quickly fire can spread.
"Professor Oak, I need to talk to you," she says, trying not to get in the way of the Pokémon.
"Not now, Delia," he says as he corral the Pokémon to where they need to go. "I have to focus on this."
"Have you seen my children anywhere? I can't find them," she says, ignoring the fact he really needs to focus on the crisis happening.
"Delia," he says firmly while looking at her. The look in his eyes causes her to stop and actually listen. "Use your head; get inside your children's mind and think like they do. That's always something you preach to them, is it not?"
He doesn't wait to see what she does and went back into ordering the different Pokémon around. Delia couldn't hear anything or see what is happening around her. Her mind is so focus on what the professor said her body could barely do anything else.
She taught her children that the world is far too dangerous to explore. Rainbow took these lessons to heart, but Ash… she may have been female, but she was also the more adventurous of the two. When she learned her illusions, mainly her male human persona, she has been pushing the limits of their skills and what they can get away with.
Ash has always wanted to see the world, and to have friends. She always dreamed, and schemed, going as far as to becoming a Pokémon Trainer. Rainbow does what he could to protect his sister, even going as far as to being her starter…
Suddenly Delia knew just where her children have gone. Since Ash has her license, and Rainbow was willing to be a servant… but the charms she bought wouldn't have lasted long… As quick as lightning strikes, Delia wished she wasn't so blind and could hit her head against something.
She has left a bag full of charms. She had just though they were going to choose a charm and fight Gary, but she hadn't thought they would take the bag and leave! To make matters worse; those charms would only last a day or two each! That would be long enough for someone to realize what they are and catch them.
She brought herself back to reality and sees the flames of the fire once more. If her children were on that path when it started… she shakes the thought out before it could finish. Either way, her children would be in Viridian City. But since the road is closed, she's going to have to take a different, much longer route. As such she wouldn't get there for a few days, if things go well.
"I'll be leaving now, Professor," she says coldly as she turns around to leave. "However! I do expect my garden to be alive when I get back!"
What she doesn't know is how relieve Professor Oak is with how things went. She wouldn't know how he feared this encounter nor would she know just how far he would go just so her children can leave. All she knows is her children are in danger and she has to get them back, even defying the gods themselves if she has to.
She promised their father she would protect them. She has no desire to break this promise.
AN: Finally! This chapter nearly ended me! Are you surprised? Do you like it? When I said thieves attacked the center, I didn't mean TR.
Unfortunately I can't continue this story for a while. I am in the process of getting a job and won't have time for it until everything settles down.
Now, if wanting to see Delia in this chapter wasn't so popular, I would have ended the chapter right before Professor Oak, after Ash woke up. With that and how hard I struggled with this chapter, my sister doesn't want me doing polls again.
I'll be switching character point of views because I do like how it looks. Besides, we get to see that reactions of other characters to the same problem! I mean, we saw Gary so that's good... right?
I do need suggestions as to what the poached Pokemon are. I already got two of them but I need a few more. Hint; they can't be native to Kanto and Johto.