(A/N: Okay, despite this being a flashback, I decided to put a song into it since it'll make it even better. The name of the song is "Spectre Induction" from Mass Effect, which is an awesome game by the way. If you've never played it, I suggest you do, you'll be surprised by how good a game it is.)

Chapter 10: Welcome To Hell

"What? Why can't I come along?" Pikette asked. She and Chris were in their room, while Chris was dressing up in his proper dress uniform.

"Because Captain Peterson specifically asked for my presence only," Chris said. "Obviously it's important."

Pikette frowned. "Why is it that I always get the short end of the stick?" she asked.

Chris just smiled while scratching her behind the ears. "Don't worry, I'll let you know when I get back."

Once checking himself over, he then left for Peterson's office. Once he got there, he saw that there was someone else in the room as well as Peterson. "Ah, Johnson, you're here," Peterson said. He then looked to the other man, who seemed higher rank. "I'd like you to meet General Ortiz. General, this was the cadet I was talking about."

Ortiz then shook Chris' hand. "A pleasure to meet you, sir," Ortiz said. "Peterson has told me a lot about you, but I've also seen you in action. You fight like you've been in war before."

"Well sir, I have," Chris said.

"Ah yes, the Sector 7 incident," Ortiz said. "Most impressed by that. The fact you were able to take on so many battalions of soldiers by yourself sounds almost suicidal." Chris shifted awkwardly at the comment.

"Anyway, the General came and saw me because he wanted to make you an offer," Peterson said. "One you may not want to refuse."

"You may or may not know, but I'm in charge of a unit known as the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance Unit, or for short, "Spectres,"" Ortiz said. "The unit began about two years ago and it's been growing ever since. This isn't your standard SIP military unit. The type of missions you'd have to endure could easily have you killed."

"Well sir, I've had plenty of near-death experiences," Chris said.

"I don't doubt it," Ortiz said, smiling. "So what do you say? Are you interested in joining?"

It seemed like quite the offer. "How can I refuse?" Chris said. "General Ortiz, I would be honored to join the Spectres."

"I see," Ortiz said. *He then stood up. "Private Johnson, would you please step forward?" Chris then looked to Peterson, who just nodded to him. Chris then took a couple of steps towards Ortiz.

Ortiz then looked at him. "Realize that Spectres are not trained, they are chosen. They are the first and last lines of defense. When in the time of chaos, Spectres are the ones who put out the fire. Remember Johnson, I only came to you because of what you've shown me with your skills. I know you will not let me down." He then reached into his pocket and brought out a small case. Opening it, Chris saw that there was a badge with the Spectre seal on it. Taking it out, he then pinned it onto Chris' uniform. "Welcome to the Spectres, Private Johnson."

"I am honored sir," Chris said. He then gave a salute. "I won't let you down."

Ortiz returned the salute. "I don't think that's possible for you, Johnson," he said, smiling. "Now tomorrow, get ready for some real training..."

From what it looked like, Chris and Pikette were heading towards the furnace area, which helped run the entire facility. Perhaps if they looked, maybe they could get the power fully back online.

"It's gonna be like an oven down here, I'm sure of it," Pikette said. "And I have too much fur for that."

"Okay, so we may have to go through it, but it shouldn't be so bad," Chris said.

A couple minutes worth of silence then passed. "Chris, those Pokemon we saw," Pikette said. "Where do you think they came from?"

"Not sure," Chris said. "Most likely they came from Sinnoh, but then again I could be wrong."

"Hmph," Pikette said. "That Eevee had her eyes on you. I'm sure you noticed that."

"Yeah, I did," Chris said. That was the other thing he was gonna have to get used to, knowing that other Pokemon may find him attractive. "Pikette, you know I wouldn't do that."

Pikette sighed. "I know. I'm just, being a little weird. Don't worry about it."

If Chris didn't know better, he could've sworn he was sensing jealousy coming from Pikette. Why? He had an idea, but thought better of it.

"This must be where the generator is," he then said as they entered the next room. He then spotted it. Of course, it was surrounded by what appeared to be an electric fence. Not only that, but it appeared to be online.

"Wonder how we're gonna get past that?" Pikette said.

Chris then looked to her. "You're kidding right?" he said.

"What?" Pikette asked.

"It's an electric fence, Pikette," Chris said. "I think we can handle it."

"Chris, you don't know that," Pikette said. "I'm not even sure how many volts power that fence. We can only take so much."

"Whatever," Chris said. He then walked up to it. "Look, it can't be that bad-ahh!" He was then shot back and hit the wall behind him.

"Chris!" Pikette said, going up to him. She then stopped however, once she saw Chris getting up. Surprisingly, he was laughing his ass off.

"That was amazing!" Chris cried out as electricity was popping out of his cheeks. "I feel like I could run a marathon right now with all this energy!" He then looked to the fence. "I think I might have short-circuited the fence though."

"That's alright with me," Pikette said. Chris then decided to climb over the fence onto the other side. "Probably should let out that electricity," Pikette said. "I'm sure you know it's bad to have too much electricity stored up."

"No problem," Chris said. "Now let's get this generator back up and running." He then released the electricity he had inside of him into the generator. Suddenly, the generator started making a humming noise as it started up again. Soon, light returned to the room and systems went back online again. "Well, power's up and running again," Chris said. "Should make things a little bit easier for us now."

"We have to find an elevator," Pikette said.

Chris then decided that maybe Sadie could help them. "Hey Sadie, we're down here in the basement," he said. "We were able to get the power back online. You think you can pinpoint the closest elevator to us?"

"Wait, why are you down in the basement?" Sadie asked. "Nevermind, the closest is on the other side of the furnace room. But be careful, it's like an oven in there."

"My fears are coming true," Pikette commented, sighing.

"Don't worry Sadie, we'll be fine," Chris said before cutting the transmission. "How do you think she'll react when she sees me like this?"

"Well, she might freak out," Pikette said. "Or, she may not. Guess it depends if she's used to having her ex's being turned into Pokemon."

"Very funny," Chris said sarcastically. "I'm sure you would've liked if Pikachu had been turned into a human."

"Well, at that point in time, I would've probably still been attracted to him," Pikette said. "But hey, that's just me."

Chris just shook his head, trying to pretend that conversation did not even happen. "Okay, so we're gonna have to go through the furnace room, and it looks like we'll have to be quick about it as well."

They went through the next door, and ahead of them stood a large iron door. "I guess this is it then," Chris said. He and Pikette then went over to the door.

"Looks heavy," Pikette commented. "Maybe if we try pulling it together, it'll be easier."

"Great minds think alike," Chris said, nodding. They then together started pulling the door towards them. It moved little by little until it finally opened all the way and they were met with a blast of hot air.

"Holy crap!" Pikette said, looking inside. To say the room was big was an understatement. The room was huge. Not only that, but it also felt about 110 degrees in it as well. It rang with the sound of turbines turning, producing power to the entire facility.

"We have to do this," Chris said. "Stick by me, Pikette."

The humidity was almost unbearable as they started walking. Even with short fur, they quickly found themselves sweating. Despite all this, the ground was still cool somewhat for them to cross.

As they kept walking, the heat became more and more intense. "I think I see the door ahead," Chris said. He then stopped and looked behind. Pikette had her head down and was breathing heavily. "The heat's becoming too much to bear," she said. "I can't go on on my own."

Chris then went over to her. "Get on my back," he said.

"What?" Pikette asked. "No Chris, I-"

"Please, Pikette," Chris said. Pikette then complied and got on his back while putting her arms around his neck. "I'll be fine," Chris then said.

They then continued towards the door that was getting bigger and bigger. "You had to heal me and now you're helping me across the room," Pikette said. She then smiled slightly. "I'm becoming too much of a burden, aren't I?"

Chris just smiled at this. "No Pikette, you're just normal. You can't help that." And it was true. He was able to withstand the heat, but only because of his state.

Soon, they finally got to the other side of the room, and once the door opened, Chris laid Pikette down somewhere so she could rest. "We could both use a rest," Chris said. "But once you feel all ready to go, just let me know."

"I'm fine as is," Pikette said, getting up. "The temperature was just too much."

"Still, we could both use it," Chris said. It then became silent. After about a minute, he then sighed. "Listen Pikette, I've been thinking about this for some time. Maybe it was a bad idea to bring you along. I already put you in harm's way. If I wasn't quick enough, you could've died."

Pikette just looked at him. Then, she closed her eyes while smiling a bit. "I had a feeling you were going to say that," she said. "Look Chris, we've been through enough crazy adventures as is, and by now I know the risks I'm taking." She then opened her eyes again. "I admit, it was a rather life-or-death situation, but you know what they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Still, I appreciate you're always looking out for me, Chris."

"Pikette," Chris said.

Pikette then went up to him. "But you know, I almost could've lost you. The Orpheus operation, as bad as it was by itself, could've been so much worse."

"I consider myself lucky to have survived that," Chris said. "But, I rather say nothing more about that. We better get moving. That elevator shouldn't be too far from here."

"Right," Pikette said. "The sooner we leave, the sooner we can get out of here." However, as soon as Chris started to leave, Pikette found herself standing right where she was, not moving.

"What is this I'm feeling?" she asked herself. "It's something I haven't felt for quite sometime. Could I be... no, that's crazy."

"This feeling is something you must set aside," a voice said in her mind. "You know that it's not right."

"But how do I know it's not right?" Pikette asked. "It can't be a mistake. It can't be wrong, or judged against. I can't help it. I may be-"

"Pikette, are you alright?" Chris asked, breaking into her thoughts.

She then looked around and saw that Chris was a couple of yards ahead of her, looking at her with a concerned look. "Oh, sorry," she said. "I just became distracted, that's all." She then went along with Chris, forgetting now what was going through her head previously.

(A/N: Okay, so I didn't make it obvious, but I'm sure you can get the feeling or idea of what may happen next chapter. I'd give a hint, but it's too simple. Anyway, sorry for the wait. I actually came up with an new story idea, but I can't do it after I finish some of the stories I already have planned to do. Well, I guess that's it, so I hope you enjoyed the chapter and all.)

FoxMcCloud7921