A month had passed since the trio's little Christmas gathering. Steve had come over later that day and had brought them some stuff, mainly holiday treats and something his mom cooked that resembled cookies… but it was supposed to be cupcakes, Dustin refrained from questioning the logic of Steve's mother's cooking. The four had a grand time, watching old movies on the TV and talking about what the New Year could be like, as well as what they'd be doing.
Steve had told them he was currently looking for a new job, as Wal-Mart had shut down after Abstract bought them out, now a new building was being built in place of the super store. Needless to say, both humans were pissed about this. Mainly Dustin cause now he had to drive further to get stuff, which he did not want to do.
Gas was fucking expensive… like, for real.
It was the month of February now, and it was a tad cold but not enough to keep the snow around. All of the snow had melted as soon as the New Year hit much to everyone's relief. Shoveling that shit was hard work, especially if you're in your underwear.
Dustin was sitting in the living room with both Pikachu and Pikette. Pikachu was curled up next to Pikette asleep as Pikette watched the TV. The news was on showing the coming forecast, as well as advertisements for things Dustin couldn't even hope to buy. "Ugh," the human groaned, "I hate rich people."
"Why's that?" Pikette asked, looking up at Dustin.
"Cause they have all this money and shit, and they go around flaunting it about buying all this expensive shit like sports cars and compounds or some crap like that." he told her, "makes me sick. I actually heard somewhere there's this bra," he started, "and it is literally worth two million dollars cause some dude stuck some rubies and diamonds on it or something."
The Pikachu laughed, "no way!"
"Yes way! Its legit and retarded, all they do is hold boobs in place." He said, "why have all that crap on it?! Just go to Stage or some shit, buy dem great value bras."
Pikette shook her head, giggling at the thought of a two million dollar bra. It was a ludicrous idea, "humans are strange things." She thought in jest.
"Meanwhile I'm struggling to feed myself with great value bread that falls apart just by touching it, and drinking tap water that's probably got some kind of virus in it," Dustin swatted at his knee, he saw a fly land on it. "I mean really now, this is why our economy is shit."
"I bet."
Dustin then heard the phone ring. "Holy flaming tacos batman!" he gasped, jumping over the couch and sliding across the floor to his phone, picking it up he answered, "yello~"
"Dude!" Steve's voice screamed over the phone, "I just saw some crazy shit!"
"Whoa, calm your crusty man titties!" Dustin told him, "What's going on? What did you see?"
"I just some saw state troopers beat on this dude in an alley!" the former Wal-Mart employee explained, "He wasn't moving when they were done I think they killed him!" he said, the sound of a car driving could be heard in the background.
"Holy crap, seriously?"
"Ye-" Steve was cut off as the sounds of gunshots sounded and car tires screeching, "Holy fucking shit!" he yelled over the phone.
"Steve, what's going on?!"
"Dude they must have seen me! Fucking cop car's after me and they're SHOOTING!" he yelled, more screeching tires and gunshots now. Dustin's stomach twisted.
"Get out of there!"
"Ahh shit!" the car tires screeched again, and the sound of metal crashing and shotgun blasts filled his ears. The noise ceased, and only background noise could be heard now. Dustin clutched the phone in his hand, his eyes wide as he heard cars pulling to a stop, and the sound of running feet.
"He's getting away!" someone yelled, firing their gun.
Rustling noise now, someone was picking up the phone, "Punk made a phone call… to Dustin? Let's pay him a visit after we get the other one." Then the phone line was cut.
Dustin almost threw up. He threw the phone down and almost flipped out. "Oh shit shit shit shit!" correction, he did flip out.
Pikette watched the entire thing unfold, she hopped off the couch and ran after the human. She found him in the bedroom with his gun lying on his bed and loading several clips. Her eyes widened, "Dustin, what's wrong?"
"Fucking cops shot at Steve! Ran him off the road, he got away but they're after him." he told her, finishing up with the clips and putting them into his pockets before grabbing a backpack out of his closet. "But he left the phone, and they're coming here, locked and loaded!" he nearly screamed, "I ain't taking no chances. We're getting out of here Pikette, right now!" the human then got up, put the gun into his pants and grabbed some clothes before shoving them into his backpack. He then ran into the kitchen and grabbed some water bottles and put them into the pack, fear running him now as Pikette ran over to Pikachu.
Pikette shook her awake, the Pikachu looked up at her friend and asked groggily, "What's going on?"
"We have to go," was all she said before getting off the couch, then to the three's horrors the door was beat on.
"State Police, open the door!" someone yelled, pounding on the door.
Dustin cursed in German, "shit!" he then switched to English. "One second~" he gestured wildly to both Pikachu and they started for the hall just as the door was blown off its hinges, sent flying into the wall as several heavily armed men entered the room. Their guns aimed at the human as several others descended on the Pikachu. "Hey get off of them!" he yelled, getting the butt of a shotgun to his stomach and sent doubling over, and he coughed as he fell to the floor hard.
The troopers bashed down all of the doors, yelling clear when the rooms were empty. One of the troopers stepped inside, the same one from before who first came here. He now donned a pair of authority like aviator glasses, and had a large revolver in his holster. He walked over to Dustin, "well well well," he started, kneeling down, "seems like you were lying to me."
Dustin said nothing as one burly cop held both Pikachu and Pikette by the scruff of their fur, the both tried to shock him but it had no effect on him. He just laughed. "How about, you and the brady bunch go fuck yourselves." Dustin growled, thinking of doing something stupid.
The state trooper elbowed the teen in the back hard, making him yell out. Both Pikachu cried his name in their language, "you best watch your mouth boy," the man warned him before standing up and walking over to the Pikachu, "so these are the rats huh?" he asked, poking Pikette in the stomach with his finger. She hissed at him, baring her teeth as sparks flew, "Whoo, feisty one she is." he laughed, eyeing her teeth. They were sharp and pearly white.
Dustin started to get up and just as he was about to tackle the officer one of the armored men grabbed him, "leave her alone!" the teen growled, "or I'll drop you!"
The state trooper turned around, pulling out a baton from his belt and walking over to Dustin, he nodded at the taller man who tightened his hold on the younger man. The man grinned then raised his baton before bringing it down on Dustin's head, smacking him. "I'd like to see you drop me!" He raised it again then hit him several more times in the face, and stomach making him yell out.
"You nasty hairy cunt!" Dustin yelled. Pain in his voice as the cop hit him again.
Both Pokémon tried to get out of the man's grasp, but he proved to be stronger than they were. Pikachu couldn't take this, the person who had helped her and Pikette was getting beaten by these police officers, and she couldn't do anything to help him. She watched as blood flew from him, and the lead trooper laughed as he beat him. She couldn't take any more. Pikachu felt something welling up inside her. Something powerful, she shook slightly as an enormous energy built up inside her small body.
Pikette saw her trembling, "Pikachu?" she asked, the Pokémon didn't respond.
No one had any time to do anything as Pikachu suddenly starting glowing a bright white, she growled deeply, "piiiiiiiiiikaaaaaaaaaaCHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"
Everything went white… and all they heard was an explosion.
Dustin felt a searing pain in his shoulder, and smelled smoke. He coughed hard before opening his eyes, "What just happened?" he asked, his voice hoarse as he saw the sky… He sat up, the pain in his shoulder getting worse as he moved. Looking around he saw his entire living room, kitchen and front of his house was gone, and the wood blown away from whatever blew up. His couch was burned into ashes. The walls were all but burnt away and charred, and other parts of the place were on fire. His TV was wrecked, and the officers were all out of it lying around the place covered in rubble.
Dustin spotted both Pikachu and crawled over to them, shaking them awake he coughed, "come on! Let's get out of here!" he said, spotting his backpack which somehow survived the explosion. He grabbed it and both Pokémon and ran outside. His car was still in one piece, thankfully. He opened the door and putting the Pokémon inside as well as his bag he started up his car and backed out of the driveway before seeding down the road out of there. Leaving behind his home, the only place he ever felt safe.
As he left the driveway Pikette shook her head, sending soot flying off of her, "what happened?" she asked, her eyes finding their way to Pikachu. She saw her turn white before the explosion… did she do that?
"I don't know Pikette," the teen admitted gulping down a knot as he swerved onto the highway, heading south down the road as smoke filled the air behind him. "I don't know." The ground shook as another explosion went off, whipping his head around he saw the remainder of his home explode, everything was gone except his backpack and car. "Motherfucker," he muttered, bashing the steering wheel.
Pikette turned to her small yellow friend and asked in her language, "Are you all right?" she asked her. Aside from a few scratches and some wood chips Pikachu appeared to be fine.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Pikachu answered, "a bit woozy but… I'm alright." She said, though a part of her was scared. What did she just do?
"Do you remember what happened? I saw you do something before the explosion."
The Pokémon shook her head, "I… I don't know." Pikachu shook again, out of fear this time. She sat down and held herself, suddenly feeling very cold despite the heat inside the vehicle. "What's wrong with me?"
"I think from not using your electric attacks for so long they built up?" Pikette guessed, not entirely sure herself. She had never seen a Pokémon her size use something so powerful, not that she could recall anyway. "I don't know Pikachu… but let's not worry about that now."
She nodded as Dustin sped up, the sun setting behind them.
It was nighttime now, and Dustin was still at the wheel. Hours had passed since they left home, and the county. Right now they were headed along an interstate. The moon was high in the night sky and shone down on the black woods of Arkansas. Wolves howled in the distance as the radio played at a low level, a report on the destruction of a home was playing instead of music.
Dustin's eyes were drooping and he felt tired. The roads were pretty barren, not a single soul was driving on the road except him, eventually he found a dirt road and turned off onto it, he needed to sleep or he'd pass out. As the car came to a stop he looked behind him at the two Pokémon, they were both sound asleep. Having fallen asleep a few hours ago, guess almost getting blown up will do that to ya.
"Man my shoulder hurts," he muttered to himself, looking he saw blood staining it. "crap." He opened the car door, being careful to not wake up the two Pikachu in the side seat as he stepped outside. The cold air was refreshing in a way, and the smell of the surrounding woods was calming. The car light came on, but it didn't affect Pikachu or Pikette in any way. Once he stepped outside he worked on taking his shirt off, but it hurt to move and yet he kept on until it was off, and he saw the damage. There was a small hole in his shoulder, about as big as half a dime. "Damn." He sat down on the car hood, using his old shirt to clean the wound. He regretfully didn't bring any medical supplies with him, he cursed his luck.
Looking behind him he saw Pikachu stir. One of her eyes fluttered open and she saw Dustin standing outside, curious she got up and crawled into the front seat and hopped outside. Dirt crunched underfoot as the cold air washed over her, "Pika?" she asked, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. When they did she saw something she didn't expect, Dustin's shirt was off but that wasn't what made her eyes widen, it was the scars cascading across his back and chest. Large deep wounds were crisscrossed over his back some looked like burns while others were lacerations and small holes about as big as a quarter.
"Uh…" Dustin grabbed his old shirt, "hey," he said, trying to hide his scars.
"Pika chu pi?" she asked him, gesturing to his wounds.
Dustin sighed, going back over to the car door and grabbing his pack before pulling out a new shirt and fixing his new injury. After tying is old shirt around it he put a new shirt on, this one black. "It's nothing." He told her, scowling slightly. "Let's get some rest while we can, we'll head out when light breaks."
Pikachu nodded solemnly and hopped back into the car, as Dustin took his place in the driver's seat Pikachu hopped into his lap. She said nothing as she curled up, snuggling up in his arms and closing her eyes. The teen smiled slightly as he held her close, closing his eyes, and drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
Daylight crept over the tree lines to the east, the bright morning rays waking up the teen in his car. "Fuck," he coughed lightly, his entire body ached and his shoulder hurt. Opening his eyes he saw the forest in front of him, he parked here last night. Looking down in his lap he saw Pikachu curled up, snoring softly. He smiled before running his fingers through her fur. It was still as soft and silky as ever. Behind him he heard Pikette stirring, "you awake?" he asked, looking in the backseat.
Pikette nodded, "Yeah," she said, sitting up and yawning. "Where are we?"
"Stopped outside of a forest," He looked around the woods, "for now we're safe… I hope." He honestly hoped they were safe, what was going on? He kept both of the Pokémon hidden from everyone, unless he was right and someone hacked into his webcam and spotted them both. And the state troopers, there was something off about them that plagued Dustin's mind, why were they so violent. Sure most of the officers he knew were dicks but never did they act like those officers he faced in his home.
"Maybe they weren't officers," Pikette suggested, jumping into the front seat with him. She looked up at Dustin and said, "Back when I was in this world, Chris kept me hidden as well. But I remember an FBI agent coming to his house and asking about a strange creature that was spotted in his yard," she recalled that event well, "as it turned out, the FBI agent who was called Summers, was actually part of a group called Sector Seven. They were after Pokémon in both my world, and Pikachu's world." she shook her head, "they Pokénapped Pokémon and experimented on them, turning them into weapons for war."
"Jesus," Dustin gawked, "that's… pretty shitty of those guys." He commented, "so what you're saying, is that these cops might not actually be cops, but a part of some… Sector Seven knockoff?" he asked.
The Psychic Pikachu nodded, "something like that," Pikette said, "who knows who they are."
Dustin reached into his pants pocket and pulled out his handgun, "well if they try coming after us…"
"You're going t-"
"They're not getting you guys…" he said, looking into her eyes sternly, "I don't care who they are. If they are trying to get you guys and do some stereotypical bad guy thing like turn you into weapons or something," he frowned, "I'm going to kill them."
Pikachu heard the whole thing, and was scared. She didn't move however as Dustin put the pistol away and gently lifted Pikachu off of him after opening the car door and standing up he placed her in the driver's seat before walking off into the tree line.
"Where are you going?"
Dustin turned around, "nature calls~" he sang before bounding off.
Pikette facepalmed as Pikachu sat up, "did you sleep well?"
Pikachu nodded, rubbing her eyes before asking. "Is he… serious… about killing?" she didn't feel too good about that, or the idea of him doing it just for their sake.
That was a question Pikette couldn't answer easily. "I don't know… he's angry right now Pikachu," she told her friend, sitting down next to her, "his home was destroyed, his best friend probably killed, and now we're all being hunted down." she sighed, "he has a right to be angry after losing his friend and home." Nodding her head Pikachu looked outside into the sky, she saw the sun that rose up was colored blood red. "Why is the sun like that?" Pikette wondered to herself.
Dustin by now had returned, and upon hearing what she asked he said. "They say… when a red sun rises, someone was killed on the night before… course that's from Lord of the Rings, but I think it's still true in some sense." His eyes scanned the horizon from where the sun rose, and his face fell, "… let's get going." He said before getting into the car and buckling himself in. Both Pokémon mimicked his movements, and buckled themselves in as Dustin backed out of the dirt road and got back onto the road.
The road south was long and tiresome, and so far the three hadn't run into any problems along the way. The roads were clear of vehicles, and the sounds of the radio were all they heard. Dustin had no idea where he was heading, he's never had to drive this far before so he had no clue what to expect. He felt tired and beaten, his home was destroyed and he had lost his best frie- "Dustin, look up ahead."
Dustin shook away the thoughts as he saw Pikette standing on the dashboard, her eyes locked on the small figure walking along the road towards him, he saw the person stick their hand out. He looked closer, and saw the unmistakable disgusting purple-orange colored jacket of Steve. "That limey fucker," Dustin spat, laughing as he sped up before pulling to a stop next to Steve.
He looked worse for wear, his clothes were burned in places and he looked like he was drug through the mud. "Dude, what the hell are you doing out here?" He asked Dustin, his arms held tight around his body.
"I could ask you the same thing! Get in here fool!" Dustin yelled at him, opening the door as both Pikachu hopped out of the way.
Steve sighed as he sat down, relieved to be inside of a warm car. "Thanks for stopping man, holy shit things got crazy." He then sat up and looking behind him he saw both Pokémon, "forgive me for askin' but why are they here? No offense though bro."
"Some shit happened man…"
And so, Dustin began explaining what happened. From the moment of the phone call, to the crash, to Dustin flipping out and packing up some things, to the Police knocking on his door and finding out about Pikachu and Pikette, the explosion and his house becoming nothing more than a pile of rubble "Steve," Dustin finished, "I honestly thought you were dead." Scoffing Steve punched Dustin in the arm, causing him to swerve and almost hit an oncoming car that started blaring its horn. "Bitch, I said don't punch me while I'm driving! Or so help me I will swerve this shit into a tree!"
"There's the old you," Steve laughed, "Dude, you know I can't die, I'm too awe~some!"
"Don't push your luck," Pikette told him, holding up a finger in a say so way, "you got lucky." She then added, looking at both humans with a firm expression, "We're safe for now, but who knows for how long. Those officers are probably dead, and if whoever sent them find that fact out, there's going to be more on the lookout for us."
Dustin sighed, nodding his head slowly, "you're right," he eyed a cop car pass by them, heading opposite of where they were going, "can't trust anyone but ourselves…" he said, eyeing the cop car through his rearview mirror.
"So what's our game plan?"
The brown haired teen though for a moment, he hadn't a clue. "Honestly… I have no idea." He told him, "I guess for now, we try and stay hidden. Keep heading on the road, until…"
"Until what?"
Dustin shrugged, not having a clue.
Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location
The sun was high in the sky above Star City. The city was bustling with activity as people drove through the streets and clogged the stores. Horns filled the air as traffic was clogging the roads and impeding people's progress which many despised, and wondered why they left home in the first place. Others silently raged behind the wheel, fighting back the urge to ram into the car in front of them and get to where ever it was they were going.
Near the interstate sitting in a beige colored town car sat a black suited individual donning a pair of black sun-glasses. His suit was pressed and clean, his hair was neatly cut, and his face clean shaven. He had a stern expression on his face as he pulled out a ringing phone, tapping the answer icon he held it up to his ear, "Seven here."
"Seven, this is command." A voice answered over the phone, it sounded digitalized and almost distorted, "The subject is arriving in the city in a few minutes."
"And?" the man asked, cracking his neck.
"Make sure he doesn't leave…" with that, the phone call ended.
The man grunted and put away his phone, depositing it into his breast pocket before getting out of his car and Walking over to his trunk. With the click of a button on a hand held device the trunk popped open without so much as hiss. Inside of the pristine trunk sat a large steel black case which sat over the spare tire, a logo of the letter S and the number seven were engraved on it with a black/red trim and hexagon. He reached down and opening the case, he grinned.
Back with Dustin and the others they were currently entering Star City. "Any particular reason we're in this hellhole of a city?" Steve asked, getting flipped off by the man in the next car, he responded with his own insult involving his fingers and mouth.
Dustin kept his eye out through traffic and he saw most of the cars were white and silver. He hated those colors, "We're just passing through, going down further south."
"Why south?"
"I… don't really know."
"Seriously?"
"It's better than going back into town and getting our asses shot up by the fucking coppers!" he nearly yelled, gripping the steering wheel angrily. A sigh escaped him, "Look… I don't know what the hell we're going to do, but for some reason heading south sounds like a good idea to me."
Steve said nothing, and opted to watch the cars instead.
Both Pikachu sat in the backseat under one an old jacket, it kept the hidden from any prying eyes outside. So far Pikette had no idea what their plan was, heading south didn't make any sense, but neither did the police attacking out of nowhere either. She pinched the bridge of her nose, "jeez."
"Pikette?" Pikachu asked quietly, "what are we going to do?" she wanted to know what they were going to do.
"I don't know… we're heading south into a city as far as I know, but…" she sighed softly, "Dustin has something planned I think."
Pikette felt Pikachu huddle closer to her, "I'm sure we'll be alright. Dustin and Steve will keep us safe," she then put her arm around Pikachu, pulling her close, "I… will keep you safe."
Pikachu smiled.
An hour had passed the the four had entered the city, but it didn't come without a cost. "Crap." Dustin banged the steering wheel, his eyes locked on the gas gauge.
"What is it?" Steve questioned, looking at his friend.
Dustin pointed at the gasoline meter, which was dropping to zero fast. "We're low on gas, and I don't have any money on me."
"Me neither… crap what do we do now?"
Dustin was about to answer when the driver's side window suddenly shattered and a loud pop sounded, sending glass into his lap as he jerked the wheel hard right, "Shit!" he yelled as everyone screamed. The car swerved out of control and slammed into a light post. Dustin smacked his head on the steering wheel hard, "FOR FUCKS SAKE!" slamming his back into the car seat he gripped his forehead as he felt torrents of pain, his head started swimming and everything started getting blurry.
Steve meanwhile shook his head and groaned, "Oh hell," he moaned, blood streaming down his forehead, "what happened?" he asked, looking at the cracked windshield.
"We crashed numb nuts, what the hell do you thi-" he couldn't finish as he started coughing. Blood flew from his mouth and covered the windshield and steering wheel. "Ow." holding his head he wondered what the hell happened himself, looking over at Steve he noticed a small hole in the passenger side door with a little bit of smoke billowing up from it. "I think we-" he didn't get to finish… again as a loud crack sounded from outside, and something impacted the driver's side door. "Shit! Get out and get to cover!" he yelled, opening Steve's door and shoving him out. Pikachu and Pikette both followed them.
Steve landed on the ground outside as another crack sounded, this one closer than before, "who the fuck is shooting at us?!" he yelled. He took cover behind a large blue mailbox as Dustin took cover behind his car.
Dustin shook his head, "I have no idea." He said, looking around. He noticed no one was around, no cars, no people. Nothing, it was deserted. Reaching into his jacket he pulled out his handgun, flipped the safety off and checked his magazine. "I don't like this Steve." He looked to the Pokemon, then back to Steve, "Get ready to fucking run when I tell you to!" They nodded, and waited… waited… waited… Dustin meanwhile crept over to the edge of the car, peering out he looked around the tall buildings and warehouses for any sign of the mystery shooter. Looking up higher he spotted a glint high above in one of the office buildings, "found you~" he sang quietly. Another crack sounded and he shot out of cover, "Run!" he yelled before aiming down the sights, pulling back the trigger he opened fired.
Pikette and Steve bolted down one of the alleyways, keeping close together as Dustin provided covering fire for them. However, Pikachu remained behind. She stood by Dustin's side and didn't budge.
Falling back into cover he saw her standing next to him, "Pikachu?!" he yelled as another shot from the sniper was fired. He cursed. Dustin had to get out of here now! Grabbing Pikachu he blindly fired behind him at the tower and ran into the alleyway where Steve and Pikette were waiting for him. "Let's get out of here now!" he yelled, running down the alley as Pikachu climbed onto his shoulder. Pikette trailed behind them with Steve, who was sluggish in his movements.
High above in the tower stood Seven. In his hands he held a rifle with a smoking barrel, it had a black finish and a long scope with a red lenses and a retractable stock. He ejected the clip and cursed silently, "I'm getting rusty." He commented aloud, loading in a fresh clip and picking up the rifle before turning around. He folded up the bypod and stepped over the dead bodies of the workers he had killed few minutes prior. "Thanks for letting me use this place gentlemen." He thanked before walking over to the fire exit.
Meanwhile back on the ground
The sun was beginning to set now, nighttime fell rapidly on the large city. The moon rose up behind the group of friends as all noise in the city ceased. Worry grew amongst them. Why was the city quiet, where had everyone gone, what was going on? Dustin walked in front of the group, constantly checking corners and keeping an eye out. He was suspicious, and worrisome. None of this made any sense. He couldn't grasp what was going on, and everything felt like it was spiraling out of control. Maybe this was it, maybe he had finally lost his mind and this was a horrible delusion he was experiencing… maybe he lost it long ago.
"Dustin?" Pikette asked, jumping onto his free shoulder, "what is it, what's going on?" she asked him.
"I do not know, Pikette," he growled under his breath, his fingers clenching around the handle of his pistol tightly. He was angered, his eyes showed it.
Pikette refrained from asking anything else. She just placed a paw on the side of his head before hopping off and joining Steve.
The teen sighed, so much was going on all at once he felt like his screws were loose. The cold wind wasn't helping any either, the jacket he wore helped to some extent but he could still feel the icy licks of the wind touching his exposed skin making him shiver. The others were the same, though they didn't show it. The weather seemed to have taken a turn for the worse, getting colder and colder as time went by. A loud boom sounded overhead, causing the group to look skyward. Up above several storm clouds had gathered into clusters of dark grey that loomed overhead with a perpetual darkness. Raindrops fell in small amounts before a full torrent fell from above. "Crap!" Dustin groaned loudly, running down the alley with everyone in an attempt to find shelter from the storm. "This just keeps getting better and better!" he thought as he felt darkness in his heart.
"Indeed," the voice returned, starting its ghostly whispers once more. "But that is not all~"
Dustin's eyes widened but he kept running. It couldn't be, the voice has returned. He shook his head. "Nope, nope, nope, it isn't back. You're imagining things." He told himself, shuddering softly from the cold icy rain pelting him from above. He put his gun into his jacket pocket and kept running, eventually spotted a door to one of the buildings. "Over there!" he yelled over the storm. Lightning and thunder sounded. Crackling and rolling above in the heavens.
Everyone followed him over to the door. He didn't wait and plowed through it, knocking the door open smacking it into the wall and sliding inside, where he slipped on a mop someone left on the floor and was sent flying into another wall on the far side. Once he smacked said wall everyone had already gotten inside the safety of the buildings, grateful to be out of the storm.
"Man that storm came out of nowhere!" Steve shook his jacket, sending water droplets flying everywhere. He followed up by shaking his head. "Jesus."
Dustin managed to get up into a sitting position and pulled out his pistol after checking it and giving it a once over he said. "Let's keep moving."
Pikachu and Pikette were similarly soaked, but after a quick shake of their bodies the water was flung away… and onto Steve who cursed loudly. They both giggled softly and followed the two humans through the building. The lights were on but dimly making it somewhat hard to see, but that didn't stop them from moving forward. Pikachu stepped out ahead of them and to their surprise used Flash to light up the darkened halls. Doors leading to various parts of the office building lined the walls all the way to the end. Most were offices belonging to workers while others were storerooms or break areas.
Steve couldn't help but feel something was wrong with all of this. His head hurt, his body ached and his mind told him something besides them was here. "Hey guys… do you feel that?" he asked.
Pikette nodded, she felt it to. Whatever it was… irked her. Pikachu seemed to feel it as well. Her stride was shaky and her eyes darted from side to side, as if something was about to pop out. She was unnerved, scared even at what might lie within this dark building. "I don't like this…" she thought to herself as the group arrived at a door leading into the lobby, "I feel… something…"
"I feel it to," Pikette agreed telepathically. Pikachu was startled but remained silent, "something is not right…"
The group entered the lobby, and was surprised to find it empty. The lights were on above illuminating the rather bland looking room. A solid brown carpet lined the floor from the bases of the walls and lobby desk which was painted a mahogany brown. The front doors were closed and locked. And no one was around to greet them. Dustin took point entering, holding his pistol at waist level with the safety off. Steve brought up the rear, him holding a pocket knife in his hand. His eyes scanned the lobby for any threats as his body shook, he dismissed it as the cold getting to him but he knew it was nothing but fear. His limbs shook and quaked and he felt beads of water and sweat dripping down his brow. "Okay, now what do we do?" he asked again his voice scratchy, "I mean we just lost our fucking ride to a goddamn sniper for shit's sake, and now we're stuck inside of this damn building with no idea what to do!"
"Dude," Dustin started, "calm down," he told him, his own voice was shaky and he was having trouble being calm himself. Being shot at was not something he wanted to get used to. "We just need to find a way out of the city, that's all. I'm sure there's a car outside we can snag, and I think the sniper dude is gone."
The group heard footsteps from behind-"am I?"-they heard. Whipping around with their weapons and attacks primed, they saw the man in black wielding his rifle which was aimed right at them, "hello."
Dustin aimed his gun at the Seven, "who the fuck, are you?!" he yelled, his voice echoing off the walls. Pikachu and Pikette stood on either sight of him, sparking wildly as Steve got into a stance with his knife.
The man made no expression whatsoever, he merely stated, "I am here to kill you, and retrieve the rats." He then looked at Steve, "this one can leave, or die… it is up to him."
Steve said nothing, he kept his stance firm. Dustin silently thanked him for not being a dick and pulling a douche move like bolting. Looking at the suit he growled, "Why kill me?" his eyes locked on the rifle, "what do you get from killing me? I'm nobody!"
"To some, yes." He stepped forward, still showing no changes in his demeanor. It was like he was a robot, the way he moved and talked like it was a prepared speech pissed Dustin off. "But to my… contractors, you're someone they need gone." To their surprise he frowned, "you know too much as it is."
That didn't make any sense, what did he know that would warrant getting his home destroyed and shot at? "Dude, I barely know how to work a damn toaster! What could I possibly know that someone would send out a MIB knockoff to hunt me and my friends down?" he asked in return. He was trying to stall for as long as he could so he could formulate an escape plan. He was pretty fast on his feet. Maybe he could shoot the gun and bolt for the stars he saw up ahead.
The man grunted, pulling back the bolt of his rifle loading a new bullet into the chamber. "My mission is to kill you, not play teacher." Was all he said as he raised his rifle, but before he could get a shot off his body surged with pain as over a thousand volts of electricity coursed through his system, spiking the nerves and causing him to yell.
Pikachu and Pikette joined forces and combining their thunderbolt they sent it flying towards the man, giving Dustin and Steve enough time to run for the stairwell door. Dustin kicked it open letting Steve run through, turning around he yelled, "Come on!" he gestured wildly for them to hurry, worried about what would happen if they ran out of juice.
Pikette backpedaled but kept pouring on the attack. Pikachu stopped hers and bolted as Pikette eventually mimicked her, running behind her and into the stairwell where Dustin slammed the door shut. "Where are we going?!" Pikette questioned, following everyone upstairs. "Do you have a plan?!"
"Kinda… okay not really just run! I'll improvise!" Dustin yelled, sprinting up the stairs two at a time. His legs burned and he quickly built up a sweat.
Pikachu ran to to her friend, worry building up inside of her heart. "We need to get to safety! We need to get out of here!" she all but screamed in her mind. Why were these things happening to her and her friends? They just wanted to live in peace. She just wanted to watch Tv with Dustin and Pikette, eat junk food and live her life. But now, something told her things were never going to be the same.
The way up was long and none of them had any idea how far they were going to go. They only followed Dustin, his eyes showing unsurpassable amounts of fear. His body quaked and his joints ached from running up the steel stairs. Eventually they arrived at an end to the staircase, as a steel cage blocked off any future ascent. Dustin hit the cage, "what the fuck!? We're not getting through this."
"Over here!" Steve opened a door, and inside he found a floor level that was under construction. "We can go through here… maybe."
The three turned around and decided to go for it as it was their only option unless they wanted to go downstairs with the moody sunglasses wearing sniper. Once they were inside of the construction area, they closed the door as Dustin and Steve blocked it off with some heavy barrels they found. The area they were in looked like it was undergoing renovation. The walls were exposed showing several wires and piping, and the ceiling was opened up as well as parts of the floor. Tables with schematics sat around, with some tools and equipment left behind by workers.
Dustin stood in the middle of the room, "Okay, now what?" he wondered to himself. He looked down at his pistol and checked it once more, unsure of how to proceed. He knew what he was going to have to do if they continued being chased by that man downstairs, and it troubled him. A banging noise interrupted the four, the man was at the door trying to get inside. "Shit!" he harshly whispered.
Pikachu powered up once more, her cheeks turning a bright yellow as a whining sound could be heard. Almost like a laser being used, she growled softly as Pikette said, "we should find a way to get out of this place, now!" she looked around, "I can think of one way, but it's a one way trip." She gestured to the window.
Steve and Dustin sweatdropped, "uh, I prefer living thank you." Steve said, shuddering at the thought of jumping down from the window. He ventured over to it and looking out he saw the street down below, they were very high up. More than he thought they had gone previously. The storm only made this look all the more dangerous.
For Dustin, the atmosphere reminded him of Left 4 Dead's No Mercy level during the hospital with the floor under construction. It was almost similar to it. "Now all we need is a Tank charging at us and sending us flying off of into the sky… oi."
Another bang sounded as Seven tried to force his way inside. Looking around the teen gestured to some creates nearby, with several brick piles situated nearby. "Quick, hide over there." he said, running over and sliding over as everyone took cover.
"What's the plan?" Pikette asked, listening to Seven try to bash down the door.
"We hide here, and if he ends up coming through I'm going-" he looked around until he put his gun down and picked up a brick, tossing it from hand to hand feeling the weight. "-toss this at his head an-"
"You're going to throw a brick at a highly trained killer sent to kill us?" Steve deadpanned, his eyes staring at the brick as if it was the most stupidest thing in the world. It was almost comical to think Dustin could achieve it.
"… yes."
Everyone face faulted to the floor.
As they got up Seven was standing on the opposite side of the door, an annoying expression on his face as he kicked on the door once more. "I hate kids." He muttered in thought as he backed up. He cracked his neck before charging at the door, putting all his weight into his run he smashed against the door surprisingly sending the barrels flying several feet and swinging the door open so hard it smashed against the wall. He stood up straight, and adjusted his tie before entering.
Looking around he saw the construction area, and grimaced silently. Too many places to hide and too many places for an ambush… He had his rifle slung over his back and opted to use his pistol instead. Reaching into his suit jacket pulled out a stainless steel desert eagle with a long barrel. He flicked the safety off and proceeded down the path designated for workers. Despite wearing sunglasses in total darkness he could see fine… somehow. Seven kept a close eye out, his ears tuned to any possible sounds that might deduce where the group might have hidden themselves.
"I know you're in here." he walked along the path, his dress shoes making a soft clump like noise as it hit the wooden floor. "You might as well reveal yourself now, and save us both the trouble." He kicked aside a can, it rolled across the floor echoing throughout quiet halls, "All you're doing is prolonging the inevitable."
Nothing but silence filled the area, furthering Seven's aggravation. Clenching the pistol's handle he kept moving forward. Little did he know that behind him, Dustin stood with the brick firmly in hand, it was comical how he was sneaking towards the hitman tiptoeing almost like a cartoon character. Everyone couldn't believe what they were witnessing. Dustin snuck up on Seven, and just as the man turned around Dustin flung the brick with full force towards the man's head, clocking him right in the nose and smashing his glasses into pieces.
"Un-" Steve started.
"-believable." Pikette finished.
"Boom baby! Right in yo face!" Dustin cackled, watching as the man fell to the ground. Blood began to flow freely from his now broken nose as he dropped his pistol. Dustin quickly retrieved it as everyone came over, "okay, now let's-" he was interrupted by a ringing noise.
Steve was breathing somewhat heavily as he eyed the man's jacket, "I think he has a phone." He knelt down and checked his, finding several clips to the man's handgun, a stick of mint gum, and a Blackberry. Holding it up he asked, "Should we take the call?"
Dustin took the phone. "Yolo." Was all he said before hitting the green button, holding it up to his ear he answered, "hellur?"
The former counter worker couldn't help but giggle silently, "Jesus Christ, Dustin."
Pikette just stared.
"Hello, Seven?" the voice on the other end asked, "what is wrong with your voice? What is the status of the subject?"
Dustin cleared his throat, "nothing sir," he said, trying his best to mimic Seven's own deep throaty voice. "Just… passing through the ghetto…"
"Whatever," the voice growled, it would seem it worked. "Once you've taken the subject out, I need you to rendezvous with our teams north of the city, near the old warehouse district. Look for warehouse fifteen." The man explained on the other end. "Once you've arrived we'll begin with sending you to the Kanto Region."
When the man said Kanto, Dustin's eyes widened. Gulping down the knot in his throat he asked, "When you mean Kanto, you mean…?"
"I mean the Pokémon World. Your next assignment is in the Kanto region, so get here fast… we only get one shot at sending you there, and our window is closing fast. Once it closes… it stays closed." The man then hung up.
"Wait… when he means Kanto, he means as in, Pokémon world Kanto?" Steve asked. His head tilting as Dustin turned around, "no way."
Dustin nodded. "Yeah he means it!" he told them, almost dropping the phone. "He said their window is closing fast." He looked behind him at Seven and saw the man still unconscious. "They were sending him there for some assignment." He couldn't believe it, there was a way back after all. "Maybe… just maybe," he looked down, "we can get you guys home…"
Pikachu walked up to him, tugging on his pants leg. "Pikachu Pi Pika?" she asked.
"She asked…" she looked up into the human's eyes, "are we… finally going to be able to go home?" her voice was dripping with hope.
He nodded slowly. "Yeah… just maybe…"
With that in mind, they tied up Seven using some conveniently placed Duct tape, and left the building.
After leaving the building they managed to find a working car, which happened to belong to Seven. The town car sat outside the entrance with the keys in the ignition, and a full tank of gas. After getting inside, Dustin started driving towards the warehouse district. The ride was anything but pleasant. Everyone sat in uncomfortable silence as the storm outside raged. As they drove Dustin thought about the way back to Kanto. It seemed too good to be true, whoever Seven worked for had a way to get into the Pokémon world… though from the phone call it was a one way trip, with no way back.
Pikachu was excited as evidenced by the smile on her face. Finally she would be able to return to her world, and quite possibly figure out who she is and return to her loved ones. The young Pokémon could barely contain her excitement. But for everyone's sake she kept it hidden as best as she could.
Pikette however was unsure. While she was relieved to be going home, the Pikachu was worried about the location they were headed to. If these men they were possibly about to encounter were anything like Seven, they were in trouble. Dustin got lucky with that brick move, somehow. But they were about to go up against several people to find a way back to the Pokémon world. Her eyes drifted up to the window, the rain pattered against the glass and thunder rolled across the clouds. Pikette could feel Pikachu's excitement, but wondered if the young Pokémon knew.
Everyone was excited to be able to get the Pokémon home, all except Dustin. He gripped the steering wheel as he maneuvered the car out of the way of oncoming vehicles. It would appear everyone was just now starting to come out. As he drove he felt something tugging at his heart, like something important was about to be ripped away from him and he knew what it was, Pikachu and Pikette. On one hand he was was happy that there was a way back after all, and he was going to do everything in his power to make sure that they could get home. On the other hand he didn't want either of them to leave, he grew attached to them over the past year and for once in his life he felt he had true friends. Sure Steve was his friend after all, but he felt closer to both of the Pokémon then anyone he's ever had the pleasure of calling friend.
He sighed softly as lightening streaks across the sky in a brilliant flash of light, illuminating the streets and buildings. Steve looked over at his friend and asked, "Hey dude… are you alright?"
"I'm… fine… don't worry about me…" the teen told his friend. Steering the car to the left he drove down a one way road leading to the warehouses. In truth he wasn't fine and Steve knew it, yet he said nothing. Dustin made a promise to both of the Pokémon…
And no matter the pain his heart felt right now, and he was going to see it through to the end.
Several Hours later
Despite the uncomfortable silence of the car ride the group of friends arrived near the warehouse district, all four sat in the vehicle staring at the warehouse numbers painted on the sides in a pasty white color. The one they were looking at was #13, two warehouses over was the location they were told to meet at. Dustin sat in the driver's seat, looking at the pistol he had kept for as long as he could remember. The stainless steel and black pistol was light, with most of the weight being located in the handle where the clip was.
"So," Steve started, holding the magnum Dustin took off of Seven. He looked more nervous than ever. "What's our game plan here? Just storm the warehouse," he held up the gun, his hand shook slightly from the heavy weight. "Gun's a blazing?" he asked, gulping down a knot in his throat.
Dustin nodded, "Yep… guess so…" he trembled slightly as he spoke, "I don't see any other way of doing this." He told Steve. "I doubt they'd want to talk this out, I mean we did take out one of their dudes."
Hopping into the front seat, Pikachu looked at Dustin and said, "Pi Pikachu!"
Pikette appeared seconds later beside her, and translated. "Surely there has to be some other way," she said, adding onto what Pikachu said. "This is ridiculous! You're both going to get yourselves killed!"
Swallowing hard, Dustin looked Pikette in the eyes. "I know…"
"Pikachu!" the Pokémon cried, jumping into his lap and grabbing his shirt. Her claws dug into the fabric, "Pikachu Pika!"
Dustin put his gun down, and picked her up before putting her back next to Pikette. "Look guys," he looked to both Pikachu, then to Steve before focusing back on the Pokémon. "I promised you two that I would get you both home…" A quick glance outside revealed the storm letting up, but not completely as rain still fell from above. "And this may be our best chance at doing it. I know the danger and I know what could happen but I'm still going to do it."
"Dude," Steve started, "this is some serious shit… we should call the cops o-"
"Call the cops?!" Dustin laughed. "You're serious? Don't you remember a couple of days ago, when you were almost killed by some cops. What good are they going to do for us? Who knows how far this goes up! The whole damn county could be corrupted!" Dustin shook his head.
"Oh yeah… forgot."
The brown haired teen sighed heavily, "We can't trust no one but ourselves…" he looked at Steve and his shaking hand which held the firearm. "Steve… look, you have more to lose then me… you should get out of here while you can, you can take the car back to town. They don't know you as much as they know me, anyone who knew us died in when my house exploded."
Steve just stared at him, unsure of how to react.
"I don't have anything left… my family practically disowned me. You, Pikachu and Pikette are the only friends I have." Dustin looked down, "I lost everything in the explosion back home. You should go…"
"You're really serious with me cutting and running?" he asked.
Dustin nodded, reaching for the gun Steve held. He plucked it out of counter worker's hands when he showed no resistance and said, "Just go man…" he told him, "go home, I can take care of this dude."
Pikachu was about to say Steve wouldn't do that… but stopped herself when Dustin got out of the car, she followed with Pikette. Looking back Steve hesitantly got into the front seat and closed the door. Her jaw dropped. Steve lowered the window, "sorry man…"
"Don't be…" Dustin held out his fist, "Friends for life."
Steve held out his fist, and bumped Dustin's. "Friends for life." pulling back their hands the window was drawn up and Steve pulled out of the alleyway, turning right down the road and disappearing out of sight.
Turning to look down the street towards the warehouses, he let the cold air was hover him. Dustin held up both of his pistols. The magnum was heavy in his grasp as opposed to his Jericho. He sighed before holstering the heavy pistol in his pocket. Luckily his pockets were deep. "Okay… let's roll." He said before walking forward.
Pikette stopped him however, "This is crazy, Dustin!" she told him, "We can find some other way."
"I honestly don't think there isn't any other way Pikette." The human told his friend, "If we don't try for this, you guys won't get home."
"Pikachu Pika!" Pikachu shook her head. She wanted to go home, but not if it meant her friend got seriously hurt. "Pika!"
The Psychic Pikachu nodded, "She's right, we don't have to do this!"
Dustin shook his head, "no… we have to!" he looked down at both of them, "that Hitman dude, and those cops… there are more of them out there, I just know it. It isn't safe here for either of you anymore. I can't protect you from a freaking army of trained killers and shit…" He turned around and started forward, "let's go."
With no more words said, they followed him as the air grew colder and snow began to fall.
The rain had continued pouring down in the streets of Star City. Icy cold air drifted through the streets frosting over windows and freezing up residents for blocks. The weather was supposed to be warm in the coming days so said the weatherman on TV, but it would appear Mother Nature had other plans in mind. She decided to batter the state, actually the entire southern part of the country with cold air and the possibility of snowdrifts and ice storms. People fled to their homes and turned on their heaters, in hopes they could stay warm. The warehouse district was the worse off as snow already started falling from above. The moon was blacked out by the thick clouds overhead, moving slowly towards the south like massive lumbering giants. Snow pocketed the alleyways quickly, already being several inches deep.
In this area, inside of Warehouse #15 several armed men stood near several people dressed in white lab coats and black suits. The people dressed in the lab uniforms carried around delicate looking tools and equipment moving them near what looked like a large steel platform connected to several thick wires that snaked around the room to large blocky generators and mainframes with hundreds of little flashing lights. Electricity hummed through the thick cables transferring power to something. The guards standing watch kept the place under lock and key, no one was allowed in or out. But like all defenses, there's always a crack somewhere. Speaking of cracks, on the far side of the warehouse near a wall vent someone was carefully unscrewing the cover from the wall o they could get inside… how they were doing it, was up to anyone's guess. Once the final screw fell to the floor with a soft ping, the person in the vent carefully moved the vent forward and carefully leaned it up against the wall before stepping out. The figure wore a tight black suit of sorts and a black cloak. Rom the looks of the suit in certain 'areas' it was a female. On the girls head she wore a pair of night vision goggles. Several small wires ran across said suit leading to a small leather pack which was held on the back, and had two P226 pistols strapped to her thighs as well as two knives.
The woman walked forward, and pulling out her pistols she aimed high and fire at the ceiling lights taking out each one in rapid succession. The guards startled turned around and fired their guns blindly in the darkness, only to miss and end up hitting several of their own. The girl flicked two switches on her pistols and what happened confused and disoriented several of the people. Bright intermittent flashes started emitting from her guns and caused the guards and personal to cover their eyes as it blinded them and prevented them from firing back effectively. Walking through the darkness she easily took out the guards, they could do little to protect themselves as this would be assassin took them all down with precise headshots. In just a few minutes everyone in the room was on the floor. She turned the flashing lights off as the glow of her goggles came on, she then hit walked over to a pair of breakers and switched on the emergency lights before disappearing.
Outside the trio of friends stood, petrified by the sound of gunfire from inside. Dustin held his gun in his hands, his hand lingering over the doorknob. He was about to open it when he heard the gunfire and yells. "Shit…" he had no idea what happened… did they turn on each other, if so then why? Or did they find someone like him and execute them? The teen hadn't a clue.
Pikette wondered as well. She looked up at Dustin and asked, "What was that?"
"No idea…" he could only guess at what could have happened. Swallowing hard he opened the door and carefully moved inside. Gun raised and poised in case whatever happened inside should repeat itself. The way inside produced what appeared to be a hall of sorts, dark grey concrete walls with small tube lights hanging above. Moving forward, he kept an ear out for any strange noises.
The Pikachu followed behind him. Given their keen ears and sense of smell they could detect anything before he did, and would warn him accordingly. Pikette was more experienced with situations like this and moved silently, Dustin practically forgot she was there for a few moments. Pikachu likewise tried to stay silent, but she didn't have much practice sneaking around with the possibility of danger lurking about. As least she didn't know if she did, but she recalled several dormant memories where she was doing something similar.
"I don't like this," Dustin thought, his eyes scanning the narrow hallway in front of him. There was little cover available should they run into someone with a gun. No doors or boxes, crates and the like were non-existent. Pikette no doubt heard what he was thinking, and gave him a mental reassuring pat on the back. It did little to sooth the paranoia he was feeling right now.
And if to add onto the paranoia, "Better watch out~ those two Pokémon behind you won't last long, because you'll eventually lose your mind, and attack everyone in sight~ in fact you're already losing it!"
The teen felt his head swim with an unexpected pain. His vision went white, and he was no longer inside of the vacant dark hall, but instead he was standing in what looked like a more twisted version of the hall. Rusty chains dangled from above and orange/red spots covered the walls and floors, the lights flickered and buzzed struggling to stay on. The air suddenly grew cold and ridged as an ominous sound could be heard that sounded like a generator, a deep rumbling noise that could be heard throughout the entire building.
"What the fuck?!" he cursed, holding up his pistol, only to find it was no longer there. Shocked he checked his pants. The other firearm was gone as well. Looking around he saw Pikachu and Pikette gone, their presence gone without a trace. It was like they were never there to begin with. "Guys? Where did you go?!" he called out, his voice echoing off of the walls. Ahead of him where he and the others came through he saw only darkness, a black void that seemed to swallow up the hall. The same could be said for the path behind him where he was originally headed. Turning around he tried to move but found his movements sluggish, like he was walking through deep mud. He fought against the feeling but found it difficult. Fear found its way into his mind and he started to panic. "Ok, just calm down… calm do-" he was cut short when he heard something smash against the floor ahead of him. His eyes growing wide, he tried stepping back but found he was unable to do so.
A thump sounded, a solid thump like someone falling down. Then another thump this one louder, closer, someone, or something was coming his way. Dustin fought against the invisible force holding him in place, but found everything was moving slower then he could think possible. Then he saw it. From the dark void of the hall he saw something snake its way towards him, something grotesque and out of a nightmare. The thing was disgusting. It was twisted and disfigured like a car crash victim, its arms jagged with bone like protrusions covering most of its appendages. Its head was smooth and black, like steel with several small round pussy orbs staring straight at him that glow a dark orange color. Long jagged claws stuck out from its arms, scrapping against the walls leaving deep indents.
He couldn't even begin to fathom the fear running through his veins right now. His heart felt cold, and his limbs grew numb with each passing second. "This has never happened to me…" he thought as the beast grew closer. "This is just me freaking out, nothing more." He told himself as the creature held out a claw towards him. It grazed his shirt cutting it without any effort at all and steam hissed up from the cut fabric, before touching his skin, and pushing forward. His body went into shock, and everything went black.
Then he felt something shock him, electricity coursed through his body and he opened his eyes. He coughed loudly and wheezed, looking around in fear for the creature. He saw nothing by the stately grey walls of the warehouse, and two yellow Pokémon. "What the hell happened to you?" Pikette asked him, her eyes showing worry, but not as much as Pikachu who looked on the verge of crying.
Dustin felt of his head and found beads of sweat stuck to his brow, he shuddered. "W-what?"
Pikette looked at him for a moment, examining him for several seconds before saying. "You just stopped moving all of a sudden, and when we asked you what was wrong you just fell back. Your eyes were wide, and you looked like you were about to have a heart attack. Pikachu got scared," she looked over at her, "and kinda shocked you, guess it worked cause you snapped out of it and well…"
"I'm… I'm sorry." He shook his head, "I… I don't know what happened." he did know, and so did Pikette. But she could sense he didn't' want to talk about it, so she left it be for now.
"We're talking later," Pikette told him through telepathy. "You can't hide anything from me."
"I know Pikette…" Getting up Dustin felt of the gun in his hand, it was still there. Thankful for that he moved forward as Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder, burying her head against his. He was glad for the comfort, he needed it.
The trio made it to the end of the hall and found a door leading into a large room. Several massive crates blocked any view of the other side so they had to walk around. All the while both of the Pokémon felt something was off, but then again the entire time since they entered this building they felt something off. When they reached the other side, they found out why. Sitting in the middle of the entire building shielded by crates was a massive platform, connected with several thick cables that were lying all around the room leading to an unknown power source. But that was not all that was there.
"Oh fuck." Dustin gasped, his eyes locked on the bodies lying everywhere. He walked forward, his gun kept high as he knelt down to one of the men wearing a lab coat. Dustin felt for a pulse and found none, he gulped. "They're all dead…" He couldn't believe this, who would do this?
Sniffing around Pikette looked at the machine, and found herself intrigued by it. "I wonder if this was what the guy on the phone was talking about, to send Seven to our world with." She pondered, hopping onto it an examining it.
"Could be," Dustin said as Pikachu joined her, "I see a lot of machinery here… but I don't know how to use any of it." He walked over to what looked like a control panel, several of the cables snaked their way to the platform and he figured maybe that was the trigger to turn it on? Looking at it, he saw several green buttons, a big red button and two levers. His face twisted in confusion, "Uhhhhhhh… da fuck?" He reached out and pressed a green button, nothing happened. "Okay… not the right button."
"Should you really be doing that when we're up here?" Pikette asked him, quickly getting off and scampering over to him. "Jeez."
Dustin hit another green button and he heard a whining noise and saw several small lights power up on the platform. "Oh… neat, that's one of the right ones… I think." He was about to hit another button when he heard a soft thump from up above, aiming his gun high he saw someone standing atop the crates, "guys… we got company."
Whipping around both Pokémon looked up at the figure standing on the crates. The female donning the skin suit and goggles, without any regard for the possibly consequences the woman leapt down off of the high stacked crates and landed before them, landing in a sort of crouch and one leg held out. Her arms were held outwards, and her goggle eyes were staring at the trio.
Looking her up and down the teen asked, "Who are you?" his hand shook and he couldn't help but feel intimidated by her appearance. She looked like something out of an assassin game to Dustin. The woman said nothing. "I asked… Who. Are. You?" he stepped forward, his finger just barely a hair's breadth away from the trigger.
Again, she said nothing but instead sprinted forward, pushing aside both Pokémon as she thrust her arm forward with her palm out. Once she made contact with the teen he was sent sprawling backwards, with a curse he rolled back and hit a crate.
"Bitch!" he yelled, getting up he coughed heavily before placing a hand on his chest. "Damn she can throw a punch." He thought, watching her carefully. "Let's see how well she can take a bullet!" Aiming his gun he squeezed off a round, but she dodged with inhuman speed, "what th-" she attacked him again. Front flipping towards him and grabbing his neck with her legs, she grabbed his gun with her free hand and flipped him over onto the hard concrete floor, "Fuck!"
Both Pikachu sprang into action. Standing side by side they both powered up and thundershocked the woman, causing her body to seize up and let go of their friend. But they shocked him to, by accident… maybe. Pikette ran over to Dustin as Pikachu used volt tackle on the woman, sending even more electricity coursing through her veins along with some serious physical injuries.
"Damn, that bitch got some moves in her." Dustin coughed getting up before feeling a surge of adrenaline. He looked at her and once he saw an opening he charged at her, throwing a wide haymaker at her face. His fist collided with her mask cracking it slightly and bloodying his his fist as she staggered backwards. "FUCK!" he shook his fist, seeing the split skin he grimaced. "Alrighty then!" he pulled out the cannon of a handgun, the weight was a bit much but he managed to line up his sights. But as soon as he pressed the trigger the assassin somehow sprinted over to him, pointing the gun away as the 44 Magnum round was sent flying wildly. It ricocheted off of the walls before hitting a large crate in the back, labeled explosive material. The crate exploded rocking the floor and sending several boxes flying and toppling over others. Fire started to spread.
Why there was a comical colored explosive crate in this warehouse is beyond anyone's comprehension.
"Damn it." Pikette cursed, she ran forward charging up an iron tail. She also added an electrical charge to it as she swept her tail horizontally instead of going for a vertical strike. Striking the assassin's legs she crumbled before spinning forward and slamming her hardened tail down on her stomach.
Pikachu shocked her hard, pouring all she had into her attack as the fire spread fast. Stopping her attack she cried, "Pikachu chu pika!"
Stopping her beatdown Pikette looked at the fire, it was spreading fast. The boxes and crates were all wooden and only added fuel onto the fire making it spread fast. She cursed, the fire had blocked off their original entry point, so there was no going back. She did a quick scan and found most of the exits were quickly being blocked off by fire and burning rubble. "Dustin! We have to find a way out of here now!"
Dustin looked around. There was no easy way unless they wanted to get burned. Then it struck him, "the machine!" he yelled, running over to the controls he hit the other green button. The machine powered up, "fuck yea." He then grabbed the lever as his eyes saw what looked like power distribution, "if my Stargate logic is right... then… this, should work." He looked to Pikette, "get Pikachu and get up there, I'll set this thing up and we'll get out!"
Pikette nodded and ran over to Pikachu, "come on!" she told her, grabbing her paw and leading her up into the platform as several beams from above fell, crushing several crates and opening up the ceiling. "Dustin, hurry up! The place is collapsing!"
"I know I know!" he yelled back to her, pushing the lever forward and adding onto the power. Once it hit the green, he figured that meant the machine was ready. "Alright! Time to get out of this hellhole!" he said, just as he was about to hit the button to turn the machine on full power he was tackled to the ground by the woman again. "Fucking hell, just die already bitch!" he yelled, throwing a punch at her mask again and recoiling from the pain.
"Pika!" Pikachu yelled, breaking out of Pikette's grasp and running over to him.
"Damn it!" Pikette followed her, they had to get out of here there was no time to waste!
Dustin wasn't having a good time fighting her off. She was stronger then he thought she was to begin with. The assassin managed to grab his arm and with one swift movement… she broke it, twisting it with a loud snap. "AHHH!" Dustin screamed. His arm felt like it was on fire, "You cunt muffin!" moving his leg he was able to get it around her neck as Pikachu jumped onto her, sinking her fangs into her flesh and making the assassin yell out. "Die bitch!" Dustin yelled, grabbing the 44 and aiming it at her. Pikachu jumped off just as he pulled the trigger, the kick of the gun was too much and it flew out of his hands but the damage was already done. The woman's head exploded in a rain of gore and leather, her arms slacked and she fell limp. Dustin kicked her off of him and crawled away, his eyes tearing up from the pain in his arm. "Damn it!"
"Pikapi!" she crawled up to him as smoke filled the ceiling. She caught one look at his arm and she gasped, "Pika… Pikachu!?"
[Play this song while reading all the way to the end: anadel . bandcamp track / red-sun Get rid of the spaces]
Inhaling sharply through his teeth Dustin said, "I'm alright, nothing a hospital visit won't fix." He laughed as his eyes drifted up. His eyes went wide when he saw a beam starting to break apart, and with a loud snap of the steel he yelled. "PIKACHU LOOK OUT!" he yelled, getting up and grabbing her before jumping out of the way.
"Oh no." Pikette slid to a stop before another explosion rocked the building, several crates and beams fell from above. The warehouse wouldn't last long. They had to get out now! She ran over to them, scared about what she was about to see. Once she made it around the control panel she saw the body of the assassin crushed by several beams, and Dustin… buried under crates and building debris. "Dustin! Pikachu!" the psychic cried. She ran over to the debris, tried to lift it and failed. "Are you guys alright?!"
Dustin groaned lightly, coughing as smoke started filling the lower floors. His opened his eyes as he felt pain cascading all over his body, waves of agonizing burning pain. He couldn't move at all. All he knew was there was a heavy weight on top of him. Looking up he saw Pikette struggling to lift the heavy rubble off of him, she could barely move it an inch. "P-Pikette." He said, his voice just barely above a hoarse whisper.
Ducking down she looked at him, "are you alright?!" she asked him.
"Just peachy," he groaned, trying his best to lift the rubble off of him all he could do was lift it just a foot off of the ground, and that was with one arm."I can't g-get this off." he told her, falling back down.
Another explosion sounded and more rubble fell from above. "Don't worry, I think I might be able to get this off!" she told him, charging an iron tail and jumping. She swung her tail down hard on the metal beam trapping her two friends. It didn't even make a dent. Pikette knew why, she used up most of her power fighting off the assassin. She tried again, and again and again but still nothing, all the Pikachu ended up doing was injuring her tail. "Damn it!" she screamed, tears threatening to spill over.
"Pikette," Dustin coughed. He pushed out something towards her, Pikachu's unconscious body. "Take her."
Reaching down the psychic lifted up her injured friend. She was out for the count, blood seeped from a small wound on her forehead and her fur was covered in dirt. She tried waking her up but she didn't make a sound, "Come on, we have to get you ou-"
"Just go." Dustin told her, looking her in the eyes as fire started to creep its way up to him from behind. The sound of steel and metal groaning and snapping made him grow fearful. "Just go, the thing is set… just hit the red button and you'll be sent back."
Pikette just stared at him. Memories of past missions came flooding back to her, ones of Chris. "No, no I'm not leaving you here!" she told him, sparking dangerously.
Another beam fell from above, crashing onto several boxes nearby. "Damn it, don't do this shit to me!" he growled at her. "Just get the fuck out of here!" he waved his good hand outward at her, "before something else falls and hits you."
She shook her head, tears falling from her brown eyes. "No!" she couldn't help it now, and started crying softly. "I can't…"
Dustin reached out, placing his hand on her head, she looked at him. He was barely able to hold back from crying himself, "look… you two… were the best thing that ever happened to me in my entire life." he told her, "I always thought, that I was going to die unhappy, stuck in some shitty hole in the ground." He rubbed her on the head, smiling slightly. "You two proved to me that things can change for the better." He coughed as he felt a sharp pain in his chest. "Ever since I met both of you, my life had changed ultimately for the better… You both became my best friends," he gestured to the bracelet he wore, then the ones they both wore. "We're best friends for life…"
Pikette looked at the bracelet on her arm. A symbol of true friendship he had gotten them on Christmas day, something that both she and Pikachu cherished. "Yeah…" she choked back another sob.
"I love both of you…" he cried, tears spilling down from his eyes. "I love both of you so much, it hurts." He pointed to the control panel, "now hit the red button… and get out of here… please... don't die in here with my sorry ass."
Pikette shook, her arms trembled and she wanted to break down. She set Pikachu down then ran over to the panel and hopped up, looking down at the button she hit it. What was left from the generators was directed into the platform, power was sent through the cables on the floor and into the regulators powering the machine up. She jumped down, and grabbing Pikachu she started for the platform. But not before turning back to Dustin, she looked down… inhaled shakily and said, "I… I love you too." She said softly as the platform shook violently. Then electricity arched up in a brilliant flash of light, dancing in the air before an oval like light formed in the middle.
Behind her the warehouse started collapsing, not wasting time Pikette ran for it with Pikachu in tow. She jumped through… and everything flashed white as the warehouse crumbled into pieces.
"Pikette…" a voice sounded in the psychic's ears. "Wake up, please!"
The Pokémon stirred and opened her eyes. Looking up she saw a clear darkened blue sky, the smell of trees and fresh air filled her senses and the sound of rushing water sounded nearby. "Pikachu?" she asked, sitting up and groaning, her head hurt tremendously. Pikachu was eyeing her worriedly. Looking around she noticed they were in a forest, with a very familiar atmosphere surrounding it.
"Are you alright?" she asked, sniffling. The blood from her head wound was long dried, being only crusty bits of dark crimson he clung to her darkened yellow fur.
"Yeah… I just…" she shook her head, "you alright?"
Pikachu didn't say anything. "Where's Dustin?" the young Pokémon asked. But something told Pikette she already knew the answer to that question.
Standing up she wiped at her eyes as she felt them get wet with fresh tears. She said nothing before almost falling over. She caught herself when Pikachu grabbed her. "Let's… leave, please." She croaked, trying her best not to cry again. She would have tried to walk herself but her leg had other plans, she was injured there and while she could heal rather fast she still needed a little help. Pikachu adjusted her grip on her friend, and started walking through the woods they were in. The air was clearer than the air on earth, so the machine must have worked.
Walking along Pikette fought back the tears. Eventually they came up on a small dirt road heading north and south. Turning left Pikette felt her friend stop moving, her body shaking. She was about to ask when a thought crossed her mind, something Dustin told both of them when they stopped for the night after fleeing his town.
"They say when a red sun rises… someone was killed on the night before."
She watched as Pikachu broke down, falling down onto her knees and clutching onto Pikette's form tight. The young Pokémon cried long and hard as her friend held her close to her chest, crying herself. For in the distance rising over the horizon…
Was a Red Sun.
~Fin
