Chapter 14: The Last Straw
Gonzap was furious. Someone had taken his Blastoise, his beloved Blastoise, and turned it into one of those Shadow Pokémon monsters. Though he was concerned with his Blastoise's current condition his goal for now was to exact revenge on the person responsible.
And he knew he would have to go far for that.
As Gonzap stormed through the halls many of the snaggers were following not-so closely behind. This was a day they all knew was months in the making...
And everything was about to come to a head.
Kirkland was busy speaking with Greevil about his breakthrough involving the shadowing procedure. Now that he had found and fixed the problem Greevil was interested in his discovery. He was just finishing his report when an angry-looking Gonzap burst into the room.
Kirkland: Ah, Gonzap. How did the...
That was all he managed to get out before his jaw had a meeting with Gonzap's fist, and while all the snaggers were glad to see Kirkland get what he deserved they knew that any further injury to him would cause serious problems for Gonzap in the long run. So, despite their desire to let Gonzap continue to beat on Kirkland, they ran into the room and pulled him off. Greevil stood between them, enraged that a fight broke out not only in his office but between two of his own employees.
Gonzap: I'm going to kill that son of a bitch!
Greevil: Enough! What the hell has gotten into you, Gonzap?!
Gonzap: Him! That son of a bitch turned my Blastoise into one of those damn Shadow Pokémon freaks!
Kirkland: Ah, so my little plan is working so far. Time to add fuel to the fire.
He got up, rubbing his aching jaw, and looked at Gonzap.
Kirkland: So, I see you got my little gift.
Gonzap: Gift?! What kind of damn gift do you call turning my Pokémon into a Shadow Pokémon?!
Kirkland: A great one if you ask me. In his current state he's more powerful than you could have ever made him otherwise.
Gonzap: To hell with that shit!
Kirkland: You don't like it?
Gonzap: No shit! No I want you to change him back... NOW!
Kirkland: I would if I could... but that's impossible.
Gonzap: What?!
Kirkland: The shadowing procedure is irreversible. There is no known was to undo it.
The snaggers holding Gonzap back noticed his body become slightly limp. The released him, seeing that he no longer had any desire to cause further harm to Kirkland. Instead, he appeared to be in a trance. Then, in a move that no one expected, he turned and started walking towards the door. Greevil, though, had other ideas.
Greevil: And just where do you think you're going?!
Gonzap stopped, but didn't turn around.
Greevil: Insubordination like that needs to be punished.
Gonzap: Don't bother...
Before anyone could say anything else Gonzap said two words that shocked everyone.
Gonzap: ... I quit.
And with those two words he left. No one knew what to say or do. However, Kirkland was smiling on the inside.
Kirkland: I'm finally rid of that fool. Now there's no one left to stop me.
30 minutes later Gonzap was in his quarters gathering his things. He didn't know where he was going to go but as long as it was far away from here he didn't care either. As he was packing the snagger that sparred with him entered his room.
Snagger: Are you... really leaving, sir?
Gonzap: You heard what I said back there. I meant every word.
Snagger: I... see. It's not going to be the same around here without you.
Gonzap: I know, but there's no way I'm going to stick around with that asshole for any longer than I need to.
The snagger was quiet for a while. Then, Gonzap remembered something the snagger told him.
Gonzap: Why don't you come with me.
Snagger: What?!
Gonzap: You said yourself that if I left there were plenty of snaggers that would come with me. So, how about it?
The snagger couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Snagger: You mean... you really want me to...
Gonzap: You and anyone else you can convince to come.
The snagger, too happy for words, left to find any other snagger that wanted to leave Cipher and follow Gonzap. While he did that Gonzap thought about what he would do now that he was out of Cipher. One thing immediately came to mind.
Gonzap: I hope they're in the mood to listen to me... though I wouldn't blame them if the weren't. Still, I have to try, if only to try and repent for the sins I committed against them.
Back at the Agate Village Pokémon Center Bix slowly opened her eyes. At first the events of the day had seemed like a dream, but the pain that surged through her body the instant she tried to move brought her back to reality. She fell back onto the bed, her eyes tightly closed as she tried to block out the pain.
Bix: Oh man! It feels like I got ran over by a herd of Donphan!
????: Bix! You're awake!
She turned towards the sound of the voice and saw a very concerned looking Ziggy sitting next to her. Once her saw her eyes open, though, his face became one of great relief.
Ziggy: I didn't think you'd ever wake up. How do you feel?
Bix: Didn't you hear what I just said?
Ziggy: Oh yeah.
While Ziggy was busy feeling foolish for asking that question Bix replayed the earlier events over in her head. Once she was done she looked at Ziggy, her face filled with amazement.
Bix: Ziggy... You defended me...
Ziggy: Huh?
Bix: When that Blastoise was about to finish me off... you jumped in front of that attack and defended me... you saved me...
Ziggy: It was no big deal. After all, that's what friends do for each other.
She couldn't believe how casual he was being. He just put his own life in danger to save hers and he acted like it was an everyday thing, even though this was something that never happened to her. Despite her body screaming in pain she forced herself to stand and walk over to him.
Bix: No big deal?! You risked your life... just to save me... I... you ...
Then, in a move that shocked Ziggy, she threw her arms around him in a loving hug, tears of happiness flowing from her eyes.
Bix: Never in my entire life has aonyone even done what you did! My own family didn't come to my defense! I was the runt of my litter and was forced to fight to survive, even when I was just a kit! That's why I was always so cold towards everyone I came across! But you, Ziggy... my dear, dear Ziggy... you and your friends have made this bitter alley cat feel something I've never felt before. You've made me feel cared for, like I really belong... You've made me feel loved...
Bix could no longer speak, her emotions getting the best of her. She instead was content just standing there, hugging Ziggy as tears flowed down her rosy muzzle. Ziggy wasn't sure what to do himself, but somehow he felt as though he needed to stay by her side. He wrapped his arms around her as best he could and held her.
Ziggy: It's alright. Everything's going to be alright.
While this was going on Neo, Sasha, Missy and Bandit were watching from the doorway. The four of them quietly walked out, leaving the two alone.
Bandit: My little brother sure is lucky.
Missy: I think they both are.
Sasha: I agree.
Neo: I'm glad they have each other. Maybe now things will start looking up for us.
At that moment Dante approached the group.
Dante: We've got problems!
Neo: What is it?!
Dante: It's Gonzap! He's coming back with a group of snaggers!
Sasha: He must be coming back to finish what he started!
Missy: I'm not so sure about that.
Bandit: What do you mean?
Missy: I can sense them coming and I'm not detecting any aggression coming from them.
Sasha: Then what could they be coming here for?
Neo: I don't know, but I'm going to find out.
Sasha: I'm coming too.
Neo: Sasha...
Sasha: I'm not letting you go out there alone. I'm coming and that's final!
Neo knew there was no use arguing with her now.
Neo: Alright, but if things get too dangerous I want you to head back here.
Sasha: Okay.
With that the two Pikachu left the Pokémon Center on their way to meet Gonzap and the snaggers at the village entrance.
Minutes later Neo and Sasha were standing outside in front of the village as the snaggers arrived. As they pulled up closer to the village Gonzap saw the two Pikachu seemingly waiting for them to arrive. Right then he knew what he had to do.
Gonzap: Sit tight, boys. This won't take long.
He exited his vehicle and approached Neo and Sasha.
Neo: I didn't think you'd have to guts to come back here.
Gonzap: I now you guys are still angry about what happened last time I came here, and I can't blame you for that either. But please, just hear me out.
Sasha: And why should we do that?
Gonzap knew this was the reaction he was going to get out of them, but he still felt as though they needed to hear what he was about to tell them.
Gonzap: I... don't have a reason. By all rights you shouldn't have to listen to what I have to say, but it's something I feel you need to hear.
Neo: And what makes you say that?
Gonzap: Because it involves your daughter.
Sasha: Gem?! What do you know about her?!
Neo: You'd better start talking... and fast!
Gonzap: I know where she's being held.
Sasha: Where?! Tell me!
Gonzap: There's a facility in the middle of the desert where Cipher does their research involving Shadow Pokémon. It's also where they carry out the procedure. That's where she's at right now.
Sasha: Then she's close by, right?!
Gonzap: Well it's a few hours away on foot, but I guess that doesn't matter to you two. I just hope...
Neo: What? What is it?
Gonzap: It just that... Kirkland said he made some king of breakthrough with the shadowing procedure. If he puts your daughter through that then I don't think there'll be any hope for her.
Neo: Then we have to get to her before that happens.
The two Pikachu turned to head back into the village. Halfway across the bridge they stopped. Neo then turned back towards Gonzap.
Neo: ... why?
Gonzap: Huh?
Neo: Why are you doing this?
Gonzap: I'm not real sure myself. I guess if I had a reason it's to somehow repent for what I've done.
Neo: I see...
Sasha: What will you do now?
Gonzap: Well, I've quit Cipher. Right now I'm going to try and find a way to get my Blastoise back to normal. After that... I don't know.
Sasha: Well, whatever you decide, I just want to thank you for telling us this.
Neo: Yes. Thank you.
Gonzap only nodded before returning to his vehicle and leading the snaggers away from the village. As Neo and Sasha watched them leave they both knew what they had to do now.
Neo: Come on. Let's go tell the others.
The two of them starting making their way back to the Pokémon Center.
Kirkland was eager to give the newly modified shadow procedure a test run. After making what he believed were the necessary changes he had prepared a Pokémon for the procedure. Now, all he was waiting for was for the final preparations to be made. After a few minutes one of the other scientist approached him.
Scientist: Everything is ready sir.
Kirkland: Good.
Scientist: Um... if I may sir, are you sure we have the correct Pokémon?
Kirkland: Oh, I am very sure.
Scientist: But it's just a Pichu, sir. What good would it do to shadow this one Pichu?
Kirkland: It will do plenty good.
He didn't give the scientist any opportunity to question him further before he activated the shadowing procedure. He then looked on as two robotic arms, each with a small laser on the end, descended towards a table where Gem was strapped down. The small Pichu looked up in horror, fearing what was about to happen to her.
Kirkland: Welcome to the family.
Moments later screams of fear and pain filled the halls of the facility.
Sasha's ear short straight up, as did her head. She looked around the room in a panic, as if something was there. Neo quickly took noticed of this.
Neo: Sasha, what's wrong?
Sasha: It's Gem! She's in trouble, in pain! I just know it! Neo, we have to go to her!
Neo: Alright. Everyone, I've told you what we know. Gem's being held in a Cipher base somewhere in the middle of the desert.
Shadow: If that's true then I may know where it is.
Neo: Where?
Shadow: I know there a base north of Phenac City. If there anywhere that's where I'd start looking.
Neo: Can you guide us there?
Shadow: With my eyes closed.
Neo: Alright, we've got our location. Now, who's coming with us?
Ziggy: I'm staying here.
Bandit: Worried about your new girlfriend?
Ziggy: Like you can talk, bro. Anyway, she still needs to recover... and I promised I wouldn't leave her side.
Bix: You're loyal to a fault, frizz ball... I like that.
Neo: That's okay. I understand completely.
Missy: I'm coming with you.
Retro: As am I.
Neo: Okay. Anyone else?
Skitters: ... I'll go.
Bandit: You sure about that, Skitters?
Skitters: Yes. I can't hide in fear forever.
Bandit: Well if you're going then I am too.
Skitters: Aw, that's sweet of you, Bandit.
Shadow: I want you two to stay here in case any trouble comes.
Dante: Understood.
Orion: You can count on us.
Neo: Alright. Let's get moving!
Bix: Give them an ass-kicking for me!
Neo: I'll give them two!
With the rescue party decided Neo and Sasha lead them out of the Pokémon Center on their mission, all the while hoping they would arrive in time to prevent any harm from coming to their daughter.
Things are finally looking up for Neo and Sasha. With the possible location of their daughter revealed they now lead a rescue party of their closest friends on what they hope will be the mission that will reunite them with Gem. But what type of resistance will they meet along the way? And will they arrive in time to save her? Find out in the next chapter of Fighting The Shadows!
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