Chapter Fourteen - The Oil Field Hideout! Kincaid's Return!

In Altru Park…

Alexa and Ryder approached a crowd of people standing before a stage in the centre of the park. A quartet – the Go-Rock Quads – was on the stage, happily facing the crowd.
"Hey, people, thanks for the turnout! And this is only a rehearsal!" Billy exclaimed happily, with his white electric guitar in hand. "I have good news! Clyde has returned to the Go-Rock Quads!"
The Who-Rock Quads? Ryder asked.
"They're from the Fiore region," Alexa whispered to Ryder. "I've read about them; they apparently used to be antagonists."
Ah, okay.
"Clyde has returned with new lyrics for everyone in Almia!" Garret declared, with his red guitar in hand.
"A cure for your worries, music fans!" Clyde began, bongos on hand. "I had to cool my head after getting sick from the lyrics provided by Altru Inc. But, hey, I'm back and better than ever!"
"What was wrong with Altru's lyrics?" Alexa pondered to herself, clearly showing suspicion.
Maybe Altru Inc doesn't have very good songwriters, Ryder answered sarcastically. Alexa came close to bursting out laughing.
"You have to keep it a secret, though!" Tiffany began, violin in hand. "Especially from Altru's VIPs! That's a promise to keep!"
"Speaking of Altru's VIPs, here they come!" Alexa stated loudly. Blake Hall, his green haired associate and two other Altru Inc employees made their way to the stage, as Alexa had stated.

The crowd made way for the Altru VIPs to make their way to the stage. The green haired associate approached the stage.
"I'm sorry to disturb you when you are clearly enjoying yourselves," he began. "But Mr Blake Hall, Altru Inc's magnificent president, will now take the stage." Ryder appeared to be growling at the green haired man. The man noticed this.
"Ryder, take it easy," Alexa whispered to him. Ryder appeared to be standing in front of Alexa protectively. The man faced the stage again.
"President Hall wishes to deliver a guaranteed historic speech," he continued. "Now, clear the way, please, everyone. This means you as well, Go-Rock Quads; you're in the way."
"What's this about? Nobody said anything about this," Clyde stated. Alexa started to become suspicious again.
"I do apologise. We would like a little time," the green haired man said politely.
"Well, alright then…" Clyde reluctantly agreed as he, Billy, Tiffany and Garret cleared the way to the stage. The two other employees made their way to the stage.
"Have you memorised the lyrics our president wrote specifically for you?" the male asked Garret.
The president's lyrics made Clyde sick to the head? He must be a terrifically poor songwriter, Ryder snarled.
"Something's going on here," Alexa whispered suspiciously.
"The Dream Energy, was it? Uh…yeah, we've got it memorised, absolutely!" Garret confirmed, somewhat nervously.
"You don't know how lucky you are," the female employee began, as she and the male employee stepped onto the stage. "You get to sing our new image song."
"Uh…thanks for that," Tiffany thanked unenthusiastically.
"Okay, if the band isn't enthusiastic about the song they're to sing, something fishy must be going on," Alexa whispered to Ryder.
My sentiments exactly. I just don't like Blake or his lackey, Ryder growled angrily.
Blake Hall made his way towards the stage. Noticing Alexa along the way, he squinted over at her and smiled at her as he passed by. Ryder got angry, remembering Hall's last gesture, but tried to maintain his cool. Blake made his way onto the stage.
"Greetings, Ladies and Gentlemen!" the associate began. "I present to you none other than President Blake Hall of Altru Inc! He has graciously taken the time so that he may speak to you in person!" he declared.
Yeah, I'm sure he has…and to make a move on my girl too, no doubt! Ryder growled.
"Wheeler, stand aside," Blake sighed.
Wheeler? What kind of name is that? Ryder asked himself in confusion.
"No idea," Alex whispered to Ryder.
That sucks, Ryder sighed. Wheeler stepped aside timidly.
"Good day, ladies and gentlemen," Blake began. "I'm Blake Hall, President of Altru Inc. Our history is the history of Almia. Altru has grown alongside you. Our partnership with you, fellow citizens, will soon reach seventy years. It's true, our seventieth anniversary since founding is soon upon us! On that day, to commemorate Altru's birthday, I will reveal a secret to you."
Boring! Can't we go find Keith yet?! Ryder complained quietly.
"I wish we could, but this could be important," Alexa whispered reluctantly.
"It is clean, efficient and limitless in supply," Blake continued. "Truly it is the energy of dreams! I assure you it will be exciting!"
"Super! Magnificent! Ah, yes, yes, yes, super magnificent!" Wheeler cheered.
"I, Blake Hall, hereby promise you a bright future for the Almia region!" Blake vowed. "On Altru's birthday, we have planned a massive commemorative event! You can expect a fun-filled day right here in Altru Park! Please do come see the Go-Rock Quads perform our new corporate image song! Fellow citizens! Our invitation goes out to you! Join us in our day of celebration with your families, friends and acquaintances!"
"Bravo! Oh, I say bravo! Undoubtedly a bravo-worthy performance!" Wheeler exclaimed delightfully.
Bravo worthy performance? Try giving that guy a styler and a mission, see how HE does then! Ryder fumed.
"Ryder, what does comparing Blake's delivery with a Ranger's work have to do with anything?" Alexa asked quietly.

Blake Hall left the stage and started to walk off. However, he stopped in front of Alexa and faced her.
"Ah, Alexa, you're looking as beautiful as ever," he complimented. "I see you've witnessed my speech today."
"Your delivery was clearly well rehearsed," Alexa commented. "I must admit, I am rather curious as to what Altru Inc has to offer for Almia's citizens."
"Ah, I'm certain you will be pleased with what I plan to unveil on Altru's birthday," Blake began, taking Alexa's right hand like he did before. "And if you stick around afterwards, perhaps we can get better acquainted."
She's 17 years old, for Arceus's sake! Ryder jeered quietly, but he snarled rather loudly. Blake looked down at the angry Lucario.
"Is something the matter with your partner Pokémon?" he asked curiously.
"He just wants to ensure my safety, that's all," Alexa explained. "He's like a big brother to me, very protective. Even though he's only three."
"And who can possibly blame him? I wouldn't want a beautiful girl like you to get herself into any kind of dangerous situation." He gently kissed the top of Alexa's right hand before releasing it. "I shall bid you adieu until we next meet." Blake then left the park in total, followed by Wheeler and the other two employees. Alexa was left stunned and blushing, holding her right hand with her left.
Why does he do that?! If my tail wasn't so bad, I'd show him not to mess with you, Alex! Ryder almost lost his temper in total.
"Hey, Ranger!" Clyde called out to Alexa. She and Ryder faced him in confusion and approached him. "You okay?"
"Uh…y-yeah, I'm fine…thanks for asking, Clyde," Alexa replied nervously. "This is the second time he's made that kind of contact with me, that's all."
"Doesn't look like your partner likes that fact," Billy observed, noticing Ryder's rage.
Understatement, pal. Understatement, Ryder growled.
"As I said to Blake, he's very protective," Alexa explained, petting her enraged partner. "He watches over me like I'm his little sister."
"How sweet!" Tiffany complimented.
"Thanks, Tiffany. Anyhow, I need to be on my way to help a colleague of mine," Alexa stated.
"Take care. By the way, what's your name?" Garret asked.
"Alexa," Alexa answered. "But that's my formal name. Feel free to call me Alex."
"Take care of yourself, Alex," Billy smiled.

A little later…

Alexa and Ryder – riding on a Staraptor – were flying above the ocean. Ryder appeared to be frustrated.
We would've been at Haruba Desert by now if Hall hadn't wasted everyone's time with his speech, he scolded.
"But don't you understand? There is definitely something going on with Altru Inc," Alexa began. "I mean, come on; Team Dim Sun are at large hypnotising innocent Pokémon and all Altru Inc care about is celebrating it's birthday! Blake acted as if Team Dim Sun is a work of fiction! I have a feeling that this new dream energy isn't what its title suggests."
Hey, Alex, isn't that Sven over there? Ryder asked, pointing to an offshore oilrig. Alexa could see Sven's trademark red hat in the distance.
"Yeah, that's Sven, alright," Alexa confirmed. "And Luxray too! They look troubled, let's see if they need help."

STARRRRRR!

"Huh?" Staraptor's cry attracted Sven's attention as he witnessed the large raptor Pokémon landing in front of him. It flew away, revealing Alexa and Ryder. "Alexa? Thank God you're here!"
"What's the matter, Sven?" Alexa asked.
"I think I'm on the trail of Team Dim Sun's hideout," Sven explained. "I was about to voicemail the Union to send someone over to back me up, but doesn't look like I need to now."
Alex, what about Keith? Ryder looked up at Alex with concern. Alexa looked conflicted, but she faced Sven confidently.
"I wouldn't mind investigating Team Dim Sun a little further," she stated. "Hopefully, something we find here might add up to my current suspicions about them."
"Alright, I'll voicemail the Union," Sven said as he got ready to communicate with his styler. "Voicemail, it's Sven here. I'm on an offshore oilrig, and I've got Alexs with me."
"Alexa? She's supposed to be going to the Haruba Desert," Hastings said in bewilderment.
"I can respect that, Professor, but please let me borrow her for a while," Sven continued. "This could well be Dim Sun's headquarters, it's an opportunity too good to miss. And don't worry, I'll personally bring her to the Haruba Desert once we're done here."
"Alright, Sven, but please look after her," Erma requested. "Her Haruba Desert mission is just as important as yours."
"Don't worry, Chairperson Erma, I won't break her," Sven teased. "She's made of tougher stuff than that. Thanks for letting me borrow her, I'll fill you in once we're finished." Sven ended the communication and faced Alexa. "That's how it is, Alexa, we're partnered up for this. Follow me." Sven and Luxray started to climb up a tall ladder. Alexa and Ryder followed on.

Atop of the ladder…

Alexa, Sven, Luxray and Ryder managed to get onto the next level. They saw a helicopter hovering over helipad, as well as a few familiar faces. Alexa was about to panic upon seeing Kincaid, but Sven quickly clasped his hand over her mouth and shushed her. He then moved behind the nearest wall and held Alexa in front of him as he looked towards the conversation. The conversation they heard was inaudible due to the helicopter's hovering. Ice, Lavana and a third man – dressed in yellow – entered the helicopter and it left the helipad. Kincaid told the other minions something before they left the area. Sven unclasped his hand from Alex's mouth and they moved into the open space.
"Thanks, Sven," Alexa sighed. "I would've given us away, I'll bet."
"No worries. Too bad we couldn't hear what they were saying, though. Let's go inside," Sven suggested. He, Alexa, Ryder and Luxray infiltrated the oilrig.

Inside…

Sven and Luxray immediately ran down the corridor. Alexa and Ryder were left astonished at Sven's eagerness.
"Sven, wait a minute!" Alexa called. "I guess we'd better go follow him," she sighed. She and Ryder gave chase.

They approached a door at the end of the corridor; it was closed, but Alex and Ryder were cautious as to what lay behind it.
"Wh-what are you doing?! What do you want!?" cried a familiar sounding voice.
"Isaac?!" Isaac's presence has greatly astonished Alexa and Ryder. They broke into the room, only to find Sven hassling Isaac.
"Alex, help! This guy's bothering me!" Isaac cried.
"Sven, leave him alone, he's a friend of mine from Ranger School!" Alexa exclaimed.
"You're kidding! How did a Ranger School graduate end up working for Team Dim Sun?" Sven asked in shock.
"What're you talking about, Isaac works for Altru Inc!" Alexa exclaimed in Isaac's defence. "Wait a sec…" Alexa began pondering to herself. She failed to notice a Dim Sun minion approaching her from behind. "Why would an Altru Inc employee be working in this dump?"
"Alexa, look out-" Sven – having noticed – tried to warn her about the minion behind her.
"G'aah!" The minion held out his left arm around Alexa's neck, which took her by surprise. The minion held Alexa close to him, as if to hold her captive.
"Don't worry, Professor Isaac, I'll save you from these Rangers!" the minion declared.
"Let her go, she's a friend of mine!" Isaac exclaimed.
"This Ranger is your friend? I bet he's forcing you to say that!" the minion accused towards Sven. The minion's grip on Alexa seemed to be tightening, as Alexa struggled to breathe properly.
"Hey, let the girl go, nice and easy, you're strangling her," Sven negotiated calmly. "Let's not be too hasty here."
"Don't tell me what to do, Ranger!" the minion fumed, setting up a Miniremo unit. He was about to type in a command.
Oh, no you don't! Ryder snarled angrily, forming a dark orb of energy in his paws. He extended his arms and released the purple beam from his paws; the beam consisted of purple rings all cluttered together. The dark beam hit the Miniremo and destroyed it completely.
"I give up, you Rangers are too much!" the minion panicked, pushing Alex away from him. As the minion fled, Sven, Isaac and Ryder ran over to Alexa.

"Alexa! You okay, girl?" Sven asked with concern. Alexa occasionally coughed and breathed heavily; the minion held his arm around her neck too hard.
"I think so…!" she panted. Isaac and Sven helped her onto her feet. Once on her feet, she took a few steady breaths.
"Alex, what did Ryder just do?" Isaac asked.
"That was his Dark Pulse attack," Alexa explained. "He knows three other moves; Aura Sphere, Dragon Pulse and Psychic."
"Anyway, Alexa, I think it's a good idea to take mushroom-head back to the union with us," Sven suggested.
"You'll take me to meet Professor Hastings? Yes, I'll go, I'll go!" Isaac exclaimed eagerly. "But I want to say goodbye to Mr Kincaid first. He's on the bottom floor."
Oh, boy! A chance for me to kick his ass in! Ryder rejoiced quietly as he appeared to be smirking with sheer delight, but with a lust for vengeance.
"If that's what you want, Isaac, we'll go with you," Alexa offered.

A little while later…

Sven, Alexa, Isaac, Ryder and Luxray approached another door at the end of the corridor. Sven had apparently captured a Skuntank, as it followed them.
"The elevator's in there?" Alexa questioned.
"Yeah, that's it," Isaac confirmed.
"Alexa, be a sweetie pie and check it out," Sven requested. Alex and Isaac faced him in shock.
"Why Alex?" Isaac asked.
"Because if there's a trap, I can help her out," Sven explained. "Besides, it's good manners to let the lady in first."
"You're quite the one, aren't you?" Alexa asked sarcastically, entering the room. The boys waited somewhat anxiously for a minute.

"Aaaagh!" Alexa got thrown out of the room by two of the several minions inside. The door closed and it locked. Isaac helped Alexa up.
"What happened in there?" he asked.
"Good news is the elevator's in there," Alexa began. "Bad news is they won't budge."
"I think it's time to flush them out," Sven suggested playfully. "Skuntank, do your stuff." The Skuntank walked into the room through the vent next to the door. A few minutes later…

GAAAAAAAAAAH!

The door burst open and the Dim Sun minions raced out all at once. Sven, Isaac, Alexa, Ryder and Luxray ran into the room while the Skuntank exited the room.

Later on…

Alexa, Ryder, Sven, Luxray and Isaac were running along an underwater corridor when Alexa's styler picked up a transmission.
"Vicemail, vicemail, it's me-"
"Keith? I'd love to chat, but we're kind of busy here," Alexa said hastily. "We're in Team Dim Sun's alleged headquarters and we're kind of underwater right now."
"You're my friend, yes? Then you-"
"Well duh I'm your friend, we established that at graduation!" Alexa stressed. "Look, I'll be there as soon as I can, don't get your shorts in a bunch!" Alexa ended the transmission.
"Vicemail? Is Keith messing with us?" Sven queried.
"That doesn't matter, I can find out from him later," Alexa began. "In the meantime, I want to find Kincaid."

In the next room…

"Hello, Kincaid! Missed me?" Alexa asked sarcastically as she, Sven, Ryder, Isaac and Luxray entered the room.
"Mr Kincaid, sir? You remember Alex, don't you, sir?" Isaac asked innocently. "She graduated from the Ranger School at the same time I did."
"Remember her? How could I forget her!?" Kincaid fumed. "What are you doing here, Alexa?!"
"Well, aside from wanting to set the record straight," Alexa began. "We thought you'd appreciate seeing Isaac again before he leaves for the Ranger Union." Kincaid noticed something in Sven's hand.
"Oh, come on! Professor Isaac AND the blueprints too?!" he exclaimed angrily. "Minions, retrieve the blueprints!"
"Uh oh…" the minions appeared to be heading for Isaac. He attempted to run off, but the minions were about to corner him. Sven stepped in to defend Isaac.
"Whoops! Not so fast, boys," Sven taunted. "I've got these chumps, Alexa, you go for Kincaid."
"With pleasure," Alexa complied, facing the enraged Kincaid. Kincaid had a Miniremo out in front of him and the hypnotised Gliscor from the cargo ship.
"Alexa, you always ruin my plans," Kincaid fumed. "Always ruining my plans and running in the hallways! I'm so sick of looking at you!"
"Aw, what a shame! And here I thought we could discuss this like adults," Alexa said tauntingly.
"You're 17 years old, for God's sake! 17! Yet you ruin my plans!" Kincaid shouted furiously.
"Look at the glass half full," Alexa suggested. "Better me being 17 than 10," she added mockingly.
"Alright, that does it! Gliscor, get rid of her right now!" Kincaid demanded. The hypnotised Gliscor charged towards Alexa, with its pincers open. Sven, although currently in the process of capturing a group of Nuzleaf, looked over towards Alexa.
"Alexa, watch out!" he warned.

GLIIIIIIII-scor?

The Gliscor was surrounded in a blue light and was held in mid-air. Ryder's right paw and eyes glowed in the same hue as he stood in front of Alexa protectively.
"I…is that what I think it is?" Kincaid asked, somewhat timidly.
"Psychic," Alexa confirmed bluntly.
This is what you get for trying to harm my sis! Ryder snarled at the Gliscor as it was held in mid-air.
"GLIIIIIII!" Gliscor cried out in agony as Ryder continued to hold the Pokémon in the air with Psychic. The Gliscor is eventually freed, but unconscious. "Okay, Ryder, show Mr Kincaid the attack you're yet to debut!" Alexa exclaimed. Ryder lowered his head and bends over to his right as an orb of green fire is formed in his gaping mouth.
One Dragon Pulse coming up! Ryder raised his head back and then unleashed the large pulse of green fire from his mouth. The pulse hit the Miniremo unit Kincaid controlled and destroyed it. The Gliscor was freed and it left the area. Kincaid snarled at Alexa and Ryder.
"Alexa…! I'll get you for this! Mark my words, you'll pay for having crossed me!" he vowed, escaping in a submarine. The submarine left the base.
"Mr…Kincaid?" Isaac appeared to be conflicted regarding the personality he had witnessed.
"Come on, Alexa, let's get out of here," Sven suggested.

Outside…

Alexa received a transmission on her styler. She, Sven, Ryder, Luxray and Isaac were heading towards a boat moored nearby.
"Voicemail, it's me, Hastings," Hastings began. "I've heard from Sven your investigation went well. We'll have Isaac brought here for his protection. In the meantime, I apologise for doing this over voicemail, but you're promoted to Ranger Rank 8, Alexa."
"Thanks, Professor," Alex said gratefully.
"Incidentally, Alexa, you should be heading for the Haruba Desert now," Hastings suggested.
"Don't worry, Professor, I'll take her there myself," Sven volunteered. "It's the least I can do to repay her for her help today." The transmission ended. Alexa and Ryder faced one another with worry; they feared that they delayed their journey to the Haruba Desert for too long.

To be continued…