It was pure chaos in the lab. They were media hounds outside the door, files were astray, people were everywhere inside the lab, trying to find solutions or get new data. After around a week of this, Mesprit had gotten quite used to every new scientist that comes into the team, excited to help a real legend. Along with the scientists came the Elite Four, the Champion herself, Cynthia (whom Mesprit had already met and liked) and other regional Pokemon League members', most intrigues by the spectacle that Sinnoh is going through.
Mesprit herself had gotten to the paces of constant pestering from the curious scientist/high-level, high-importance trainer. At this point all she could do is a watch them and give answers as her powers' had been dulled significantly after some testing showed she had the same psychic output of a low-level Ralts. Mesprit's usual cheery expression masked the deep worry she actually held, wondering if she could ever get back her old body and not be stuck in some unwanted body for the rest of eternity.
Right now, she was walking in the massive outdoor arrangements for the studied Pokemon, who were curious to see the human form of one of their revered goddesses. Though in a teenage body, her aura was still that same as her Pokemon one, making it easy for Pokemon to realize who she was.
Of course, this could be used as identifier for... "others". Those others with a dark intent upon the world.
As she walked, she noticed a silver dot high in the sky but assumed it to be a news chopper trying to get a good wide camera angle of the lab compound, which had tents set up all around for the extra people who came. If she had payed slightly more attention, she would've seen around ten people jump from the helicopter, which had a red 'G' insignia on it.
Inside the main lab, Professor Rowan was looking at some data from the latest tests on the Emotion Pokemon, while Professor Oak watched along with his old friend. As they did, Cynthia was walking by, with some old tomes on the subjects of the many legendary Pokemon and the how they did their jobs along with other trivial facts. As she passed, she took a glance at the data and shook her head, knowing that some numbers' will not solve this problem but hard research will.
As she was leaving the room, one of the windowpanes shattered upon the impact of something being thrown through it. What it was was a small gas canister- a smoke grenade. As the room filled up with smoke, everyone became alert: Cynthia released her Garchomp, Rowan released a Staraptor and Oak sent out his Charizard.. Two of the other assorted gym leaders', Roark and Candice rushed in to help and released a Cranidos and Sneasel respectively. As they all watched for any sudden movements, a small group of Pokemon rushed through the smoke and what they all saw scared them all into running.
Electrode and Voltorb, all of which were ready to blow.
In one of the other areas of the lab, the combined explosion was heard by its occupants but before they could all react, another type of stun grenade flew through the window, this time a concussion grenade, disorienting all of them.
Back in the main room, the five of them were found to be okay behind a protect which was being held up by Rowan's Staraptor. When the shield came down, he walked forward to assess the damages, noting that much of the destruction was focused on the computer's.
"It seems whoever did this didn't want us having the data we have gathered. Sam, this is sabotage outright and I think I have an idea what group might have done this. Though they were disbanded five years' ago." the Sinnoh professor spoke to Oak before turning to Cynthia. Cynthia, I know you know what group I'm talking about.
Cynthia nodded before looking around, spotting the books she had been holding covered in soot, but rather intact. "It seems that Team Galactic want's us not to solve this puzzle..." She looked around, looking down both hallways for someone in specific. "Where is our special guest right now?"
Everyone looked at each other before Roark spoke up. "I think I saw her leaving the building out to the outdoor study area. She looked sort of out of it so I left her to herself... you don't suppose...?"
"That's she's in danger? Of course, we have to get to her quickly. Roark. Candice. You two come with me to search the eastern areas to outdoor area. You professor's can take the west side if you two don't mind?"
"That's fine, as long as we find her quickly." Oak remarked before Rowan nodded to him, walking down the hall towards the west exit, while the champion and two gym leaders' left for the east exit, not knowing what happened in the front hall.
Mesprit had heard the explosion and the loud bang a minutes after from the concussion grenade. Something was up and she wanted to know what. As she strolled back to the laboratory, on the path ahead of her, she saw someone leaning on a tree with a sly smirk on her face.
'It couldn't possibly be...'
"Remember me sprite? Five years ago you and your two siblings were caught without a fuss. And now, it's about to happen again. Only thing is, this time you have no chance at fighting back. I'm gonna enjoy this." the red-headed admin of Team Galactic, Mars stated with a mocking tone, descending into a sharp laughter afterward. Her appearance shell-shocked Mesprit, who was distraught at the reappearance of the admin and Team Galactic at a whole.
Mesprit could only then connect the dots on her current dilemma.
'This is no coincidence, she did this to me and now she's here to rub it in my face and take me in as some.. some sort of trophy! I've had it with this smug-head already and I've only just got to her.'
Mesprit walked up to Mars, who was still laughing before realizing her target was right next to her with a rather stoic look on her face. As Mars calmed down, she patted the Emotion Pokemon's head...
...only to get a fist to her nose. She heard a definite crack when Mesprit landed her punch. As she fell to the ground, Mesprit got above her and started to utterly maul her, turning it into a cat-fight rather quickly. As they fought, Mars' signature Pokemon, her Purugly, came out to see the two fighting but rather than help her trainer, she sat down and start to lick herself.
As the professor's searched their side of the large outdoor complex for studying Pokemon, they had encountered at least three Neo-Galactic grunts, who they knew were just trying to stall them. As they defeated a forth member, they heard behind them in the distance was the wail of police sirens, who were responding to the sudden attack.
"Despite the fact that some of the most powerful and respected trainers' in all the world right here in the laboratory, these people were brazen enough to try and capture her now. But I see they had a plan to split and distract us all in the first place. Clearly their leader is smarty than I thought." Rowan remarked to his colleague, who was focused on the path ahead for any signs of the legend. As they kept walking they saw a helicopter swoop down to a nearby clearing. Knowing this to be a bad sign, both men ran to catch up to the transport. On the other side, the trio of Pokemon League representatives also saw the helicopter and were bolting for it also, hoping to catch it before it gets away.
After a few minutes, the duo had stopped fighting- mainly due to exhaustion with no clear winner though two very clearly pissed off red spectrum haired women were very angry at each other.
"...So...you...you can... really... throw a... punch..." Mars said, tired from the short fight, not trained what-so-ever in hand to hand combat. Mesprit said nothing in response as she breathed heavily but did manage a scary glare at her enemy.
"For...a...spirit of... emotion... you are... a surefire...bit-" Before Mars could finish, she got socked by one last heavy blow from Mesprit, who then flew over due to exhaustion. Mars was quite bruised but knew she had won- and without help from her, "helpful" Pokemon, who was still licking itself. She picked up Mesprit and dragged her along. Clearly too angry to carry her and knowing her Pokemon who let her on its back, she was left to dragging.
Once she got a clearing, she pulled out her radio and called for the pilot to come down as she had her 'package'. As the helicopter swooped down, she saw a few police helicopters' closing in. Knowing that the rest of her team was not getting out without handcuffs, she told the pilot to fly off without the rest of her team. The only ones' on the chopper bound for the Neo-Team Galactic HQ were Mars, her Purugly who refused to be recalled and a knocked out Mesprit. As Mars looked below, she could make out the forms of the Professor's and the three League representatives. She smirked, knowing something well enough.
This changes everything on the playing field; from now own, Neo-Galactic held all the cards.
For once, their goals are in sight- now more then ever.
This is officially end of the Transformation Arc. Stay tuned for the Rescue Arc. Hopefully out before next year!
Please leave your criticisms and/or lack-of thereof.
Thank you M.T Pockets and Wish counselor for your reviews.
Goodbye for now...
