Chapter 10:
Ash and Serena rushed out of the hotel, rushing over to the taxi stop, Pikachu gripping Ash's shoulder tightly as he ran to the stop. There, they hailed a cab. The cab arrived at the stop and the passenger door opened, the cabbie saying, "Where to?"
"We need to go to Professor Sycamore's Lab. Time is of the essence so we need to go the shortest route."
"Will do," the cabbie answered. "Get on in."
Ash and Serena then entered the cab and took their seats in the rear. They closed the door and then buckled their seatbelts. Once they were strapped in, the cab took off, heading south along North Boulevard.
The first part of the ride down North Boulevard was unremarkable. Normally, Ash and Serena would be gazing out the window looking at the scenery, but at the moment, they just wanted to reach Professor Sycamore's lab as quickly as possible. As the cab drove down the street, they noticed that the street seemed to be oddly desolate, which surprised them. While it was getting to be a little late, it was not the dead of night.
As they got further into the ride, they noticed that the street up ahead was cordoned off, police tape lining the street, blocking it to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The cabbie then turned on the radio and the report came in over the radio already in progress, "According to several witnesses, the attack helicopter made an attack run on Leaf and two Pokémon that were out. She retaliated by sending out her Venusaur, who shot down the vehicle with a single Energy Ball while her Starmie and Chandelure kept it immobile so the explosion would not rain shrapnel down on the people. Police are still on the scene and have cordoned off the street to any and all traffic. Vehicles and pedestrians are urged to use alternate detour routes until the scene has been cleaned."
"Well, that's it," the cabbie said, looking back at Ash and Serena, informing them of the situation. "Looks like we'll have to take a detour through the center of town. This may take a while if it's crowded."
Ash and Serena indicated that this would not be too much of an issue. They nodded and the cabbie turned the cab to the right and took the side roads around the crash site as he guided the cab towards Professor Sycamore's lab.
The trip to Professor Sycamore's lab did not take much longer. The cab turned back onto South Boulevard and continued south until it came to a building on the southernmost point of Lumiose City. Ash recognized this as Professor Sycamore's lab.
"And here we are kids," the cab driver exclaimed in anticipation. "That'll be two thousand Poké Dollars."
Ash handed the driver the money and then exited the car. He then went around to the other side and opened the door for Serena, taking her hand as she went out. "Why thank you, young sir," Serena said the air of a American southern belle. Wasting no time, the group rushed into Professor Sycamore's lab.
They rushed past the entry hallway and into the interior of the lab, where Professor Sycamore was sitting on a sofa, with Clemont, Bonnie, and Meyer, already present sitting on the sofa with him with Leaf standing near a corner away from the light. Ash could not help but notice the girl's smile as he entered. Ash and Serena were surprised to see Leaf present but they did not say anything. This was not the time to make small talk, and Ash knew that Leaf was not very good at making small talk, either.
As for Clemont and Bonnie, the younger of the sibling soon looked over at Ash and Serena and gave a mischievous smile. "So, how was your night out?" she quipped with a mischievous, and knowing, wink.
"It could have been better," Serena admitted, turning to give a mock scowl towards Ash. "A lot happened that I don't fully understand."
"I know I don't fully understand everything that happened," Ash told them. "I won't get into the specifics, but I had a strong feeling of things changing recently. And I mean very recently, like within the last hour or two. But that's not why we're here right now, is it?"
Professor Sycamore shook his head and Bonnie frowned, wanting to learn more about Ash and Serena's night. Sycamore motioned for Ash and Serena to sit, which they did. As they went to sit, though, Ash noticed Leaf looking at him appraisingly, as if she were trying to ascertain if something strange was going on with him. Once they sat, Professor Sycamore looked at each of them with a serious expression on his face.
"I take it you all saw the news report," he began.
Everyone nodded.
"What you probably don't know is that the report was quickly cut off and in its place were reruns of the Pokémon Showcase Master Class competition as well as some Gym Leader battles," the professor told them, causing Ash and Serena to gasp.
"That happened with another report as well," Leaf added. "There was a report of strange trees sprouting up in various regions around the Pokémon World. I talked to some of my contacts in Kanto and they confirmed that they've also appeared in the US, Russia, and South America as well."
"And that's not all," Sycamore added.
"What else happened?" Ash asked.
"This was not reported on the news. There was an attack on someone in Lumiose City not too long ago. An attack helicopter made an attack run on Leaf."
"We know," Ash stated.
"How do you know that?" Clemont asked. "We only heard about it recently from Sina and Dexio as they were listening in on police scanners."
"We passed the helicopter crash scene on our way here," Serena explained. "It's why it took longer to get here than we had hoped."
"The police had already cordoned off the area and we saw medical examiners remove the bodies," Ash added.
"Then you know that the attack was a failure," the Professor stated. "Leaf survived but we have no idea why she was targeted."
"Actually, we may," Clemont interjected, causing the group to turn to her. He then went over to a laptop computer and input a series of commands. "Before the report about the attack on the Pokémon League, there was another report on the world news. The broadcast in Lumiose City was cut off, but they couldn't cut it off elsewhere in the world. Watch this."
Clemont then pressed a single button and the screen came to life. The headline on the screen read, STRANGE TREES GROWING ALL OVER THE WORLD. Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova find strange massive trees growing in their regions. In the report, one of the anchors of the news was already talking to a reporter, who Ash recognized as being Gabby from the Hoenn Region. He looked to be standing close to Viridian Forest.
"This is Gabby, reporting live from just outside of Kanto's Viridian Forest. Even the Kanto Region has not escaped the grip of these new massive trees that have been growing for the past week around the world. I talked to Professor Oak, as well as Gary Oak, and they are as puzzled about the appearance of these new trees as everyone else is. Even Cynthia, the Sinnoh League Champion, and a researcher of mythology from various regions, has never heard of these types of trees before. In addition, the current Viridian City Gym Leader, Gary Oak, has told me that he has used a number of Psychic-type Pokémon to try to scan the tree and discover what is going on with it, but they were unable to detect anything at all, with Gary saying, and I quote, 'it's almost as if the tree, itself, was a form of Dark-type Pokémon. My Pokémon could detect absolutely nothing from it.'"
The program paused and Clemont continued speaking, saying, "There was more to this report than that. It went into various theories as to what the trees could be, but something strange stood out.
He then continued the story Gabby speaking once more, saying, "Numerous other Trainers report the same thing happening with the trees in the other regions as well. Several science groups and professors are studying the trees, or trying to, but this is being complicated by the fact that the trees now seem to be draining the life out of the ground around them. Reports indicate several Trainers ran close to the trees, only to feel a tingly sensation that is almost immediately followed by lethargy. They have said that had they not retreated, that they may very well have died there."
"Where have we seen that before?" Clemont asked knowingly.
"They just described the special abilities of Yveltal to a tee," Professor Sycamore stated.
"Yes, but the tree form is Xerneas's alternate form," Ash almost contested.
"We know," Professor Sycamore said, nodding. "This could mean anything, but with the attack on the Pokémon League, the failed attack on Leaf, and other anecdotal incidents, this means that Team Flare could be back."
"No 'could be' about it," Meyer stated. "They most definitely are back. And they're back with a vengeance."
"What do you mean?" Serena asked.
"After the lab was broken into and the Key Stones and Mega Stones were stolen, I tracked the thieves back to the old Lysandre Café and the Lysandre Labs in the basement. The lab was abandoned but it looked to have been evacuated in a hurry. Even worse, though, was the fact that they scuttled the base, almost taking me with it. If it wasn't for Blaziken as well as Diantha's timely arrival, I never would have made it out of there alive. Worse yet, though, is the fact that I think it was a trap. That jives with what we've seen from the attack on the Pokémon League, as well as the attempt on Leaf's life, though I did not know that Leaf was an enemy of Team Flare."
"She was probably just a target of opportunity that they did not want to risk having ruin their plans," the professor surmised.
"They may have targeted me because I engaged this Malamar Cult, killing one of them and forcing another to retreat. That's why I'm not currently onboard a supersonic flight back to Kanto," she added, looking over at Ash, prompting Serena to look worriedly at Ash as he was completely oblivious to Leaf's staring at him.
"That's not all that important at the moment," the professor interjected. "The scarier part is the report about Calem, Trevor, Shauna, and Tierno."
"What about them?" Ash, Serena, and Clemont asked in unison. Leaf also took an interest in the professor's prelude.
"They were found dead inside of Vaniville Town," Professor Sycamore answered. "It was apparently a murder-suicide, but I have my doubts about that."
Ash and Serena's eyes went wide with shock. Clemont and Bonnie's expressions mirrored Ash and Serena's, indicating that this was also the first time they had heard of this. Leaf merely gave a sigh, knowing that there were four more casualties in the fight against Team Flare.
"Calem…Shauna, dead?" Serena stammered, barely able to utter that statement. It was beyond belief her ability to imagine that two of her friends were now dead. What made it even worse was the fact that reports seemed to indicate that it was a murder-suicide. That was unlike any of them. "I don't believe it," she stated, having to hold back tears. "There's no way that it was a murder-suicide."
"I agree," Professor Sycamore agreed, nodding. "Calem had recently beaten Diantha in his Elite Four challenge and become a Champion. If anyone would be a threat to Team Flare, it would be him."
"What makes everyone think it was a murder-suicide?" Clemont asked.
"When investigators arrived, they saw that Calem had a stab wound through the heart, Tierno was beheaded, and Trevor had a stab wound through the head between the eyes," Professor Sycamore answered grimly. "The few news reports offered by Malva indicate that Shauna was the killer and that she took her own life after killing her friends. That doesn't explain why there were no marks on her and why her death was due to her neck being broken. It was twisted almost one hundred and eighty degrees. If I had to venture a guess, I would say that a Psychic-type Pokémon did it."
"But what Pokémon would do something like that?" Bonnie asked.
"The Malamar Cult," Ash seethed. "That brings me back to something else. While I was still in my room, I heard the sounds of battle on the roof of Hotel Richissime. When I went to investigate, no one was up there, but there were clear signs of a battle. When I looked over the edge, I saw the shattered remains of a Malamar on the sidewalk. Serena was staying in my hotel room, due to a bedbug infestation," he added quickly, "so chances were that the Malamars were trying to do something with Leaf."
"Probably mind control," Clemont guessed.
"They were," Leaf confirmed. "They failed," she finished, grinning.
Ash then began to grin almost with grim satisfaction, echoing Leaf's, something that was uncharacteristic for him, which was quickly picked up on by Serena, who cast a surreptitious quizzical glance over at him.
"Either way, it's a bad thing if the Malamar Cult is working with Team Flare," Professor Sycamore stated.
"More like was," Leaf interjected. Professor Sycamore cast a quizzical glance at the girl. Leaf then explained what he meant. "After fighting the Malamars on the roof of Hotel Richissime, I chased the surviving Malamar into an alley and found the bodies of two Malamars and that of an obese Team Flare Scientist."
"Almost certainly Xerosic," Ash surmised, Leaf's description fitting Xerosic to a T.
"I think that the Malamar Cult is dead," Leaf concluded.
"Then this could all be over?" Serena asked in a hopeful tone. She wanted nothing more than to have any dark business be over with so she could get back to her date with Ash. Still, she had that nagging feeling that it was not going to be finished so easily.
"Unfortunately, no," Professor Sycamore confirmed. "After Meyer arrived here to alert me as to what had happened at Lysandre Labs, I sent Sina and Dexio out to see if there were any more Team Flare members or activity since Meyer described fighting Team Flare Grunts at the entrance to the base. Both he and I are almost certain that even with Xerosic dead, that there's still Team Flare activity going on. After all, Lysandre's fate was never confirmed after Team Flare was beaten the first time. If he's still alive, I could easily see him being able to gather the remnants of Team Flare back together."
"But several Team Flare members stated that they only served Team Flare because they were mind controlled into doing it by the Malamar Cult, Malva being one of them," Serena said. "Without the Malamar Cult, many of Team Flare's more powerful agents won't be going back."
"And you believe that?" Leaf blurted, casting a skeptical glance over at Serena, causing her to blush and regret that she had spoken. Professor Sycamore shook his head, too.
"No, that was just a cover for the high-ranking officials and media personnel that were caught as members of Team Flare," he concluded. "If Lysandre's back, or someone with enough charisma and/or resources has taken the reins of Team Flare, the bigwigs will go back. After all, Lysandre wasn't shy about his endgame."
Ash and the others nodded. They knew all too well that Lysandre's final endgame was to destroy all sentient life save for the members of Team Flare and their Pokémon in order to create a beautiful world, which Lysandre thought was being destroyed, particularly with Earth having a key role in the Galactic Federation Civil War. And even then, not all Team Flare members would likely have made it had Lysandre been successful.
"So what do we do?" Ash asked.
"Right now, we wait for Sina and Dexio to report in," the professor answered. "They should be inside Geosenge Town at this very moment."
A knock soon sounded at the door. "Come in," Sycamore called.
The door opened and Professor Sycamore's assistant, Sophie, entered. "Professor, you've got a phone call."
"I'll take it in here," the professor told Sophie.
"Professor, it's Dexio, and he said he wants to speak with you alone, out of earshot of any of the kids."
A quizzical look crossed the professor's face, but he shrugged and said, "Fine, I'll take it in my office." He then turned back to the others and said, "I have to take this call. I sent Sina and Dexio on a mission to try and find out what was going on with Team Flare after Meyer came to me, to try to find out what they're planning. Maybe we'll learn something," he added hopefully. "I should be back soon."
He then departed from the group, leaving the kids and Meyer to talk amongst themselves. Leaf did not do much talking, though, simply listening to Meyer, his children, and Ash discuss the recent events. Seeing Meyer and his children talk brought back memories of her own father, and how she missed him. She did not let any of that show, though. Still, she had a bad feeling in the back of her mind, like something bad was about to happen.
Meanwhile, Professor Sycamore went over to his desk, which had a Holo Caster. He activated the Holo Caster and Dexio's face appeared on the screen. "Professor, I have news to report."
"About Team Flare?" Sycamore asked.
Dexio shook his head. "No, sir. This is a different threat, but one that is no less dangerous." Dexio paused as Sycamore looked at him sternly. He then continued, "Sir, there is a Pokémon Trainer codenamed Leaf that has recently entered Kalos."
"Yes, I know. She's here with me right now," Sycamore answered, wondering where Dexio was going with this line of questioning.
"You can't let her leave at all. She's a fugitive. There are outstanding warrants for her arrest from Kanto. She is wanted for theft and kidnapping for stealing her starter Pokémon as well as several items from Professor Oak, as well as for scamming a large number of people when she was young," Dexio told him. "She is even a person of interest in the murders of several people, some of them politicians, and Pokémon as well. Whatever you do, you can't let her escape."
"And you have evidence backing up these accusations? She seems nice enough to me." Professor Sycamore was skeptical of the claims, having met Leaf and viewing her as an even tempered person. She did not seem to be the person that Dexio was describing.
Dexio nodded. "I'm sending all relevant information to you now. Check your computer and have a your printer ready."
Sycamore went over to the computer and checked the files that Dexio had sent him. His face went white as he saw the evidence that had been gathered against Leaf. It all looked legitimate. There was no denying it. It seemed as if this Leaf was a criminal, and a very dangerous one at that. He then went back to the Holo Caster and said, "I've received everything. What do you want me to do?"
"I've already alerted the authorities in both Kalos and the Kanto Region of Japan. They're sending over some agents that were already tracking her as we speak. Just keep her in the lab. Whatever you do, don't let her leave. We may never get another chance to neutralize her threat."
"I understand," Sycamore answered, deactivating the Holo Caster and looking at the evidence once more. His eyes went wide. How could the girl in the back room with Meyer, Clemont, and Bonnie be a criminal, possibly even a murderer? First thing was first, though; he had to confine Leaf, while getting Meyer Clemont and Bonnie away from her she could not use them as hostages. To that end, he went over to a Holo Caster and dialed Sophie's comm code and said, "Sophie, prepare the Grass-type Pokémon that are in the main research wing. We're gonna need them."
Meanwhile, on the roof of a tall building on the other side of Lumiose City, a man looking identical to Dexio turned off his Holo Caster and grinned. He stood next to a computer monitor and looked into it. He saw the interior of Professor Sycamore's lab, the professor looking nervous as he went to go back and talk to Leaf and keep her in place so that the 'authorities' could pick her up. He then touched his wrist and the image of Dexio vanished, being replaced by a man in a black suit with a helmet that had an orange faceplate with a faint E on it. He put his hands to his helmet and removed it, revealing a man with orange hair and orange sunglasses. He then took out his cell phone and dialed Lysandre's number. After a few rings, the Team Flare Boss picked up and asked, "What is it?"
"Sir, you wanted me to inform you when Professor Sycamore was alerted to the dangers and 'crimes' of Leaf. I have just finished talking with him. He's going to keep her confined inside the lab until the authorities come to apprehend her."
"Excellent, I'll inform my acquaintances," came Lysandre's answer a moment before the line was terminated. Once the line was terminated, the Team Flare operative continued to look through the monitor and grin. Soon, the greatest remaining threat to Team Flare would be eliminated. And once she was eliminated, they would have no further meaningful resistance.
Inside Team Flare's Headquarters, Lysandre stood in the command center, a large screen framing the wall in front of him. He grinned as he received the information from the grunt in Lumiose City. He then hung up his phone and took out the little black book, looking for a certain number. When he found it, he dialed the number and waited for a few rings before the phone was answered. After a gruff greeting, Lysandre answered, "Greetings. You don't know me, and I've only heard of you in passing. However, I am well aware of your organization's feud with a certain Pokémon Trainer codenamed Leaf. Her capture would most certainly enhance your reputation in your organization, would it not?" He then paused as the speaker on the other end wondered why that was important. He then continued, "Well, I just so happen to know where she is, and that she is contained in a certain lab in the Kalos Region of France."
He grinned as an audible, and sinister, "We're listening," was heard on the other end of the line, coming from a female voice that would have been all too familiar sounding to Ash and his friends.
Back inside Professor Sycamore's lab, a bead of sweat formed on the Professor brow as he opened the door to the back room and saw Leaf standing calmly in a corner while Meyer conversed with his children, Ash, and Serena. When he entered, Leaf took one look at him and noticed that something was wrong. "Is everything okay?" she asked.
"Sure," Professor Sycamore answered in an unconvincingly cheerful tone, something both Leaf and Meyer were quick to notice, prompting Leaf to scowl and grow concerned. She fingered Starmie and Chandelure's Poké Balls but did not deploy them yet. If something concerned the professor, she did not want to cause him more anxiety.
"Meyer, may I see you for a moment?" Sycamore asked.
"Sure," Meyer answered, rising from the sofa and going over to the Professor. "What is it?"
"Not in front of the kids," Sycamore answered.
"Okay," Meyer said skeptically as he followed Augustine Sycamore out into the main room. Once they were in the main room, Meyer asked, "What is it?"
"Leaf is a criminal from Kanto," Sycamore answered plainly.
That drew a gasp from Meyer. "Are you sure?" he asked.
"Dexio sent over the evidence," came Sycamore's answer. He then produced the papers that showed the evidence against Leaf. "I checked it out, myself. It's legitimate. She's a criminal, a con artist, and possibly, even likely, a murderer. Dexio's already contacted the authorities. We just have to keep her here until they arrive to take her back to Kanto."
"Oh my gosh!" Meyer exclaimed. "Clemont and Bonnie!"
The two then made their way back into the room where Clemont, Bonnie, Serena, and Ash were talking about the recent events. They looked over at Leaf and saw that she was standing back, listening to them but not participating in the conversation, itself. When they saw her, they did their best to smile. Professor Sycamore then turned to face Serena and said, "Serena, may we see you for a second?"
Serena looked up at them nervously. Had they seen her and Ash kissing in his hotel room? Was their romantic encounter posted all over the internet and/or Holo Caster feeds? "Uh, sure," she eventually stammered in answer. She then rose to join Professor Sycamore and Meyer as they led her out into the main lab.
Out in the main lab, Serena looked at Professor Sycamore and Meyer quizzically. "Is there something wrong, sirs?" she asked, worried about the prospect of her visit with Ash being discovered.
Both men nodded. "Yes, there is something wrong," they answered.
Serena's heart sank as she dreaded that they were about to either admonish her for her visit with Ash, or tell her that the whole world now knew of that visit, or both. She was incredibly relieved when Professor Sycamore said, "Leaf is a criminal from Kanto. She is wanted for theft, Pokénapping, and is even a person of interest in some murders."
Serena almost heaved a sigh of relief when she heard the Professor's statement, ignoring the fact that her friends were trapped with a thief, Pokénapper, and a suspected murderer, though she managed to catch herself and make the sigh natural. She let out a gasp when she finally comprehended what the professor had actually told her. "What? Leaf's a criminal? But she's the World Pokémon League Champion!"
"We know," Sycamore replied. "I didn't believe it, myself, but Dexio sent me all of the evidence against her. It looks legitimate. Anyway, the authorities are on their way and they should be here within a few minutes."
"What do we do?"
"First off, let out Delphox," Professor Sycamore directed. "She knows Psychic, right?"
Serena nodded.
"Good. We'll use that to keep Leaf from letting out her own Pokémon. Without her Pokémon, she'll be much more manageable."
Serena nodded and let Delphox out of her Poké Ball. Delphox emerged from her Poké Ball and looked around, seeing Serena standing with Professor Sycamore and Meyer, wondering why she had been called out. Serena then took a deep breath before alerting Delphox to the situation.
"Delphox, Leaf is inside the other room with Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie. She went by the name Asuka Makinami, the Trainer we fought at Hotel Richissime; the same one who clobbered us," she chagrined. "However, we've just learned that she is also a dangerous criminal and quite possibly a murderer. Our friends are in there alone with her. We know what she can do if is able to let out her Pokémon from her Poké Balls. Fortunately, she is keeping them inside. When we go back into that room, you have to use Psychic to keep those balls closed and lock them in the process. Also, try to freeze Leaf's body as well the moment we go in. That's the only surefire way we'll be able to neutralize her threat until the authorities come to pick her up."
Delphox nodded and the quartet then turned to head back into the other room. Serena took a deep breath as she went to follow the men into the room, hoping that Leaf did not suspect that anything was wrong.
When they entered, they looked around and saw Leaf standing in the corner of the room while Ash was talking with Clemont and Bonnie. Serena saw Leaf focusing her gaze on Ash and she became alarmed, everything that she had heard from Professor Sycamore coming to the forefront of her mind. No longer was her concern about Leaf due to any potential romantic interest in Ash, now it was for his safety.
Almost as if she could feel the shift in the air, Leaf looked over at Serena, Professor Sycamore, Meyer, and Delphox quizzically, viewing a deployed Pokémon to be a prelude for some sort of trouble. Serena was immediately put on edge as she narrowed her gaze on the girl and her Pokémon.
"Is everything okay?" Leaf asked. "Why has Serena let out Delphox?"
Serena began to sweat as she did not have a good answer that would not draw suspicion from the World Champion. "Well, you see, it's because…" the Kalos Queen stammered.
"It's because we were doing some research on it and because we were concerned about being overheard by any Team Flare agents," Professor Sycamore answered casually.
"Is Team Flare out there?" Ash asked worriedly.
"Not now," Sycamore answered, calming the boy. He then cast a surreptitious glance at Leaf before continuing, "But we have to keep all options open."
"Then let me help," Leaf said, grabbing two of her Poké Balls, likely Starmie and Chandelure. When she tossed them into the air and called, "Starmie, Chandelure, come on out," though, the balls flew into the air but did not open. Leaf's eyes went wide with surprise as she went over to her Poké Balls to check on them. When she did so, she scowled, for she saw that the locks were activated. She then checked the rest of her Poké Balls and saw that the locks were active for them, too. She then went to unlock her Poké Balls when she felt a field of energy restrict her movements. The group looked over at Delphox and saw that she was using Psychic on Leaf. Ash gasped while Clemont and Bonnie looked on in curiosity and concern.
"What's going on here?" Leaf seethed, turning her gaze towards Serena's Delphox. "I always keep my Poké Balls unlocked. And why aren't you letting me unlock them? I'm trying to help you guys."
"Yeah, what's this all about?" Ash demanded, echoing Leaf's sentiments.
"Ask Leaf," Professor Sycamore answered.
Ash looked over at Leaf quizzically. She scowled at Professor Sycamore and then gave a quizzical look over at Ash, indicating that she was as in the dark as to why they would betray her as he was. She then cast her gaze back at the professor. "What are you doing?" she demanded.
"You know why you're being restrained," Sycamore answered grimly.
"No I don't," Leaf retorted angrily. "Please enlighten me."
"Let's start at the beginning," Sycamore began.
"Of what?" came Leaf's snide retort.
"Yeah, why's she being treated like a criminal?" Bonnie asked.
"That's because she is," Meyer answered.
The others gasped. They then looked back at Leaf. "Is that true?" Ash asked, not believing that Leaf, the World Pokémon League Champion, was a criminal.
"Of course not," Leaf scoffed. "They must be making this up."
"Apparently it is," Sycamore contradicted. "Anyway, let's start at the beginning."
"Again, of what?"
"Of why you called me and why you're really here," came his answer.
"I came because you told me to come here so we could discuss the people in the orange uniforms, who I now know to be Team Flare."
"Yes," the professor answered, nodding. "But the question, Leaf, is who are you?"
Leaf was taken aback. "I've already told you, my name is…"
"Asuka Makinami," Sycamore interrupted. "Well, you see, I've received some information about you from an assistant of mine in the field. I should have seen it the moment I heard your name was Asuka Makinami. Asuka was the name of a character from an animé series called Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Makinami was the surname of a character from a movie series version of Evangelion named Mari Illustrious Makinami."
"So you know pre World War Three Japanese pop culture," Leaf shrugged.
"In essence, your name is phony," Professor Sycamore said, ignoring Leaf's statement. "And in addition to all of that, you look more Caucasian than Japanese." He then stared at her, focusing on her blue eyes.
"What's your point?" Leaf asked.
"Who are you really?" Professor Sycamore asked, though he actually already knew the answer, or at least he thought he did.
"My codename is Leaf," Leaf answered. "And I am the World Pokémon League Champion."
"I know that," the Professor stated.
"And I told you why I came here, to find out about Team Flare. Now I know, and now I must go."
She went to make her way to the research wing's exit and leave the lab when the professor stood in front, spreading out his arms and barring her way. "Yes," Professor Sycamore answered. "However, you appear to have been the cause of quite a bit of trouble, yourself."
"Only if you're a member of Team Rocket," Leaf answered with a grin.
"Not only them," the professor countered, staring at the girl. "I've also learned that you have had an encounter with Professor Samuel Oak in the past as well."
Leaf's face darkened at the mention of Professor Oak's name. "Yes," she said, not denying it.
"You stole your starter, Bulbasaur, from him."
Ash's eyes went wide at the revelation. He looked over at Leaf, his mouth agape. "Is this true?"
"I freed him from the lab and he decided to join me on my journey," she corrected.
"That's not how the professor, or the higher ups in the Kanto Pokémon League saw it," the professor pressed.
"No charges were ever filed and even if they were, Bulbasaur, now Venusaur, has the right to decide his own path," Leaf answered sternly. "Professor Oak is just mad because I made a mockery of his grandson in my very first battle, as well as every subsequent battle I've had against him ever since."
"That's not how I see things," Professor Sycamore countered. "And there's also the fact that you conned a lot of people out of a lot of money selling useless items in your pre-Trainer youth as well as during the early parts of your Training career."
"I only went after members of Team Rocket, a criminal organization that has committed murder against both humans and Pokémon, my father likely being one of their victims!" Leaf contested hotly. It was clear that Professor Sycamore's line of questioning was getting to her. "What is this all about? Why are you not letting me leave?"
"I want to know if you're friend or foe!" Professor Sycamore answered just as forcefully.
"If you're an enemy of Team Rocket and this Team Flare, then I'm your friend," Leaf answered, staring him in the eye.
Professor Sycamore looked her in the eyes in return and his gut told him that she was, indeed, telling the truth and that she was, indeed, one of the good guys. However, Dexio was no liar and he had provided evidence showing that Leaf was a criminal and that she was wanted in Kanto in connection with those crimes. To that end, he went against his gut and told Leaf, "Sadly, that is no longer important. You are a criminal. And you will return to Kanto to face justice."
"Mind showing me the evidence that I'm as bad as you seem to fear?" Leaf asked, grinning. "Mind providing evidence that you aren't a member of Team Flare?"
Professor Sycamore frowned and brought out his Holo Caster. He activated it and showed her the evidence that had been gathered against her. Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie also took a look at the evidence and looked back at Leaf, their eyes wide with shock. How could she be this criminal that the evidence showed her to be when she had been nice enough before, if a little gruff at times. Pikachu took a look at the evidence but remained skeptical. There was something in Leaf's tone, as well as her smell, that indicated that she was telling the truth and that she was one of the good guys.
Leaf turned and examined the files and documents and scoffed. "You're an idiot," she stated plainly. "Show me hard evidence, not some electronic files that could easily have been forged or doctored. This wouldn't hold up in a court of law at all, at least not in United Earth."
"It's good enough for me," Professor Sycamore stated.
"And me," Meyer agreed. "It's harder to forge electronic documents than you think."
"And how do you know that those aren't merely Team Rocket documents?" Leaf roared. "I'm their worst nightmare! They've tried, and failed, to kill me on several occasions! You don't think they'd try to use the law to beat me, too? Heck, maybe it's even a con by Team Flare! They did just try, and fail, to kill me!"
Professor Sycamore and Meyer were not buying it, though. Sycamore and Meyer went over to a closet, fished inside, and came over with a length of rope. They came over towards Leaf so that they could bind her hands and feet. When they arrived, Meyer looked over at Delphox and nodded, indicating that she could loosen her grip on Leaf. The moment she did so and Leaf could move once more, she struck.
Lashing out with her hand, she jabbed her fingers into Professor Sycamore's throat, causing him to reflexively gag and drop the rope. She then reached into his pocket and took out a pocket knife, which she then threw at Delphox's head. The Fire/Psychic-type Pokémon broke her hold on Leaf for a moment to grab the knife and stop it from reaching her. That momentary lapse was all Leaf needed to kick Meyer in the knee, causing him to shout and fall to the ground. As soon as Meyer fell to the floor, the sounds of approaching vehicles and what sounded to be recorded sounds of sirens echoed outside. The authorities had arrived, or at least, someone pretending to be the authorities.
Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie stood there in shock as Leaf immediately made for the door. Ash, however, attempted to intercept her, interposing himself between her and the door. "Out of the way, Ash," Leaf warned. "I don't want to hurt you, but I'll go through you if necessary."
"I'm not lettin' you escape, Leaf," Ash retorted.
"You know that the evidence against me is trumped up," she continued. "I'm not your enemy. Don't make me one," she pleaded.
Ash was not listening, though. "Stop!" he commanded.
The girl could only look wistfully down at the ground. "So this is how it is," she lamented softly. She then lowered her shoulder and charged towards Ash, the boy assuming a defensive stance, ready to intercept her and fight her if needed. However, before she reached the boy, a bolt of lightning came from across the room and struck Leaf in the back. Electricity arced over the girl's body and Ash looked behind her to find Pikachu, tears welling up in his eyes as he fired the Thunderbolt on Leaf. Apparently, he must have befriended her earlier in the evening, likely during his tour. If only he knew what Pikachu did about the girl. Still, despite the assault, she was unwilling to surrender.
Doing her best to fight off the Thunderbolt, she attempted to crawl towards Ash, gazing up at him as she did so. Ash looked in her eyes and saw her pleading with him to let her go. He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Leaf," he said as she went over to her and pinned her to the ground. That was when Delphox focused on Leaf once more and used Psychic to put her into a chokehold. Leaf struggled against Ash's weight as she had to fight not only him, but also Delphox's Psychic. She fumbled around for her Poké Balls, hoping to unlock at least one of them before she passed out, knowing that her team could get her out of trouble. She was unable to do so, though, and she eventually fell unconscious, but not before seething, "You're all fools," she seethed. "I'm not the enemy. Team Flare is." With that, she fell unconscious, knowing that Ash and the others were dooming themselves.
Once Leaf was unconscious, Professor Sycamore rose and made his way over to her, grabbing the rope and he bound her hands and feet so that she would not be able to escape once she regained consciousness. He then reached down and relieved her of her Poké Balls, along with her backpack. He fished inside and saw more Poké Balls, along with some potions and Revives. He then looked back at the unconscious girl and shook his head. It was funny how it seemed as if she had been running away from her past only for it to finally catch up to her.
Soon, the doorbell rang. "That must be the authorities," Sycamore surmised. He then turned to the kids and admonished them, "You stay back here. We'll handle this the rest of the way."
Ash and the others nodded hesitantly. Professor Sycamore and Meyer then grabbed Leaf's arms and led her out of the back room and headed towards the main entrance. Despite the professor's admonishment, they followed the professor and Meyer as they led Leaf to the door. As they did so, she slowly regained consciousness. Her eyes opened slowly and she looked around for a second before she comprehended that she was being dragged towards the front door. A hard knock soon sounded at the door.
"Coming," the professor called, leading the girl towards the door.
When they reached the door, they opened it and saw three figures standing in front of them, one was male, another female, and the third figure's gender could not be determined, since he or she was bundled in several layers of clothing and was also short. Sycamore and Meyer figured that the figure was either a dwarf or a child agent. As for the other two, they were wearing plain clothes, though both had hats on. The features that stood out the most, though, were the colors of their hair. The female had magenta hair while the male had lavender hair. Leaf frowned as she instantly recognized the three as Jessie, James, and Meowth of Team Rocket.
"Hello," Professor Sycamore began. "May I ask who you are?"
"I am Agent Jessibella," Jessie answered.
"And I am Agent Jamison," James answered.
"And I'm Agent Theow," Meowth answered.
Leaf almost groaned as Meowth introduced himself. Professor Sycamore and Meyer, however, did not recognize them at all. Neither did Ash or any of his friends as they watched the proceedings. Leaf looked back at Ash and the others and inclined her head towards the Team Rocket trio, trying to get them to recognize them as the criminals that they really were. When she did not get a response, she shrugged.
"Do you have the girl?" Jessie asked.
"Right here," Professor Sycamore answered. Some of Leaf's misgivings must have gotten through to him, for he then asked, "Excuse me, but may I ask who you are affiliated with?"
"We're members of the International Police Force," Jessie answered.
"Great," Leaf said sarcastically. "Then you won't mind showing us your badges and photo IDs."
"We don't need no badges," Meowth answered harshly. "We're undercover."
"Then how do I know you're cops?" Leaf retorted. "Anyone can claim to be an agent of a police force. Without the proper badges and IDs, though, you're nothing but impostors."
"That's enough of this," Jessie answered as she glared down at Leaf and then at the professor. "Quiet her down. We don't want any trouble here."
"Yes, ma'am," Professor Sycamore answered. He then looked down at Leaf and pushed her down towards the ground. When she resisted and tried to flee, a Thunderbolt came from behind the group and struck her again, electricity arcing across her body, causing her to fall to the ground, her body still sparking.
The Team Rocket trio looked back and saw that Pikachu had shocked Leaf, they gave evil grins for a second. Ash then followed Pikachu, saying, "Good work, buddy."
Pikachu was not as thrilled as Ash, or Serena, seemed to be, though. The Rockets then waved back to Ash and Pikachu and called, "Thanks for the help. You have no idea how long it's taken us to find her, much less actually apprehend her. You have done the Pokémon World a great service today."
"You're welcome," Ash replied.
"Ash, you're an even bigger idiot than I thought!" Leaf croaked, trying to call to the boy. "They're Team Rocket: Jessie, James, and Meowth! They're the enemy."
Ash made no response, merely gritting his teeth as the two humans picked her up, with Meowth grinning as he tagged along behind them.
"We'll take it from here," James told Professor Sycamore and Meyer.
The professor and 'superhero' nodded and handed Leaf over to the trio. The trio looked at them and then asked, "And her Pokémon?"
"Oh," Professor Sycamore answered as he went back to grab Leaf's Poké Balls. He then handed them to the trio of police impersonators.
"Again, we wish to thank you all for your cooperation," Jessie stated.
"You're welcome," Professor Sycamore answered. "It was no problem."
Jessie and James then grinned as they took Leaf by each arm and dragged her towards their car, a beat up looking car with a magnetic light on top of it. There was no way she figured that such a car could pass for a police car. She gave one last dark look at Professor Sycamore, Meyer, as well as Ash and his friends. As she was being led away, she wished nothing good for any of them, but did not actively wish for anything evil to happen to them, either.
As they neared the car, Leaf eventually said, "Wait," canting her head towards the two humans as they were dragging her towards the car. "Don't I at least get a phone call?"
The Rockets stopped for a moment, glancing at one another. "Should we?" Jessie asked.
"Who could she call for help?" James asked.
"If we don't, though, de others may get suspicious," Meowth argued.
"He has a point," James conceded.
"Fine, miss," Jessie concluded. "You get one call. But I get to dial it."
Leaf nodded as Meowth then went to grab her cell phone from her watch. Once he showed her the watch, she told him, "Dial this number: eight-one-four, three six three, five six six four."
Meowth dialed the number as directed by Leaf, prompting the girl to suppress a grin. They were still as clueless as usual, almost as much as her twin brother. Meowth then put the watch to her mouth. "Hello," she heard a voice chime in. The voice sounded a lot like a bit like a person with a hint of a surfer's accent.
"Hi, it's me, Leaf," the girl stated.
"Hey Leaf, it's been a while since I've heard your voice. Anything I can do?"
"Uh, yes. Could you meet me in Japan? I'm coming over sooner than expected and I need to meet you when I arrive. Will you be there?"
"I'll be here waiting the moment you touch down," the voice at the other end of the line answered.
"Thanks," Leaf replied just before Meowth cut the line.
He then dropped the watch onto the ground, where Jessie then stomped on it. "Sorry, twerpette, but we can't have any rescuers tracking you, now can we?" Jessie whispered mockingly. She then tossed the other Poké Balls out onto the ground, leaving only the balls that had Leaf's Pokémon inside of them. They made certain to place seals on the balls so that they could not be opened even from the inside.
Once they reached the car, they shoved her into the back and closed the door, locking it, with the three of them getting in the front. Once they were inside, they closed the doors and started the car, the engine revving a few times before it actually started. Leaf almost laughed. It would have been embarrassing if the car had not started for the trio. Once the car was started, they began to ride off into the distance, taking the road towards the Lumiose Airport. As they drove, the two humans and Meowth removed their hats, revealing their true hairstyle and identities, with Meowth removing all of the clothing that he had worn.
"Well, that was easier than expected," Jessie commented as she drove towards the airport.
"Yes, it was," James answered, wondering if they should have been worried about the ease with which they had managed to capture Leaf. She was known as being one of the most powerful Pokémon Trainers in the world. He did not think that it would have been so easy for twerps like Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie to capture and subdue her. There had to be more to it.
"Well who cares?" Meowth proclaimed. "We got her. And with her, we got promotions!"
"Maybe to full-time Executives!" Jessie squealed in delight. She then turned on the radio and began listening to music, which just happened to be Serena and Aria's Moonlight Dance Party. As the Rockets listened to the music, they began to tap their feet. As they did so, they did not notice that Leaf was also tapping her foot, though it was not to the beat of the music, but to that of her own heart. After fourteen rhythmic taps, a small light on the side of her shoe flashed for a brief instant, indicating that the tracking device was active. All she could do now was grin, for Team Rocket would be in for a big surprise in the not too distant future. After all, why pay a significant sum of money for a spur of the moment ticket on an obviously expensive supersonic jetliner all the way to Japan when she can get Team Rocket to take her there for free, as well as take out some high-ranking agents in the process?
Not too far away, a probe hovered above, out of sight of the party below as Team Rocket took custody of Leaf and put her in the car. On top of another roof, a Team Flare Grunt sat on the tile floor with a laptop computer in his lap and a second Team Flare Grunt, this one female, standing next to him. The female Grunt grinned.
"Looks like those fools are taking Leaf away," she said with a grin, looking over the male Grunt's shoulders. "They're doing our job for us."
"Let's not get carried away, yet," the male Grunt cautioned. "I'd wait until she's in the air and out of the country before making our big push against the professor and those kids that are with him."
"You're probably right," the female Grunt agreed, nodding. "Besides, it appears as if Blaziken Mask also survived the destruction of Lysandre Labs. The boss won't be pleased."
"I'll let the assault force know of these events so they can call in reinforcements before they launch their assault."
The female Grunt nodded as the male Grunt went to work informing the assault force of Meyer's survival, with the female Grunt taking over at the controls of the probe as it followed Jessie, James, Meowth, and Leaf, wanting to make sure that the World Pokémon League Champion was out of the country before they made revealed themselves.