Review Responses: AngelicWings24 - I miss it too...believe me. I'd try to bring it back, but considering how far in we are, you may have to suffer through seriousness before we get to the fun stuff.
harison86 - I refer you to Lt. Surge, also known as, "The Lightning American". Last time I checked, America was a country. Plus: My fic, my rules.
Hx2 - Well, it WAS meant to be a novelization, just not one that was entirely serious. Like I said, I wanted it to be lighthearted, but then it turned into...this. DAMN MY DESCRIPTIVE ABILITY! I juggled with the idea of having Black start with a Victini (which made this plot) or a Joltik (which would have made my intention a lot clearer). It's weird that you're saying all this. I thought I was getting less and less readers due to the serious nature. As for the crying thing, I'm sorry, but I'll never believe it. Anytime I've cried or seen someone else cry, it's always in the way that makes you guilty to having to bear witness to such a painfully sad scene. That's just my experience. It may differ for you, but not me.
Professor Yuki - We interrupt this review to bring you this football report. Seriously though, don't worry about me not mentioning Yuki. I rather enjoy using Yuki in the story.
Still not removing the songs, by the way.
Oh, and, please stop making the "Perry the Deinopuss" joke. Getting old...
Okay, I know what you're gonna say. Why are there no battles? Why is this so plot-heavy? I gotta have a boring chapter every once in a while. Just grab yourself a Pepsi and we'll get through it...possibly.
Chapter 21: Plasma's Plan
"Anything yet guys?" The police officer in training, Dustin, asked the three dog pokemon sniffing around at his feet. He was scratching his head, waiting for his mutts to sniff out Alicia for him. One of these dogs was orange-furred with streaks of black here and there as well as a tail and tufts of cream-coloured fur. The second pokemon was at least twice the size as the last one and was adorned with mostly black fur with an underbelly and snout of orange. This one also had white horns on his head along with white bands around his legs and his back. The third was covered with a gray coat, but his legs, upper body, inner ears, and face were adorned with black fur. Though I think this one was most intimidating due to the red eyes. "Nothing, huh?"
"Growlithe..." said the orange dog, shaking his head.
"GRRR," Dustin growled to no one in particular. "Come on out you Plasma scum! Face up to your crimes!"
"Dustin! There you are!" Dustin turned around, seeing a pair of people and a pair of bird pokemon coming his way. The first was Axel and White and the second was Axel's Noctowl and White's Ducklett. Axel was waving frantically at the junior officer, clearly out of breath. "Do you ever take a break?"
"I can't take a break! Not until I've taken that thief down! No one breaks the law on my watch!"
"Yeah yeah. Look, I'm not that fast a runner!" Axel said between sharp breaths. "But what do you think's gonna happen by running around aimlessly through the city, leaving me behind I might add?"
"I found some of her footprints! Take a look!" Dustin said, gesturing to where his dog pokemon were sniffing around. Axel and White glanced at the spot, each of them arching an eyebrow when they saw the small smudges on the ground that vaguely resembled a footprint. "Believe you me, these guys can track anything! Just give 'em a minute! They'll find Team Plasma!"
"So can I! They're right behind you!" Dustin blinked at him before turning around and pulling back a bit in surprise. His face went pink in embarrassment as he stared at the entrance to one of the towering skyscrapers more than a hundred yards away. The entrance was outlined with a pair of trees, behind which were two Plasma grunts, clearly trying in a vain effort to hide. "There! Can we stop with the running now?"
"They were...there the whole time...?" Dustin said with a look of disbelief. But he soon shook it off and gave a whistle, which brought his pokemon to attention. He then commenced running towards the building with the Plasma grunts.
"Dustin wait for just one-! GAH! White, let's go!"
"Bianca! Do you even know where you're going?" I asked as Bianca continued to drag me through crowds of Venipede. Tony sat on my head and Pignite was lagging behind us, desperately trying to keep up with his trainer. She wasn't exactly making it easy for him. I felt like my arm was being torn off at the speed Bianca was going. "We should slow down! I think we've passed that Castelia Cone shop about three times now!"
"Hey Black! Bianca!" I wasn't sure whether to be relieved or aggravated when I heard Ellen's voice yelling at me from behind. Bianca stopped when she heard this, allowing me to turn around and find my traveling companion riding on her Blitzle in order to keep up with Bianca. The zebra screeched to a halt a few feet away from us and knelt down so that his trainer could get off. She did so gracefully and gave Blitzle's ears a scratch, resulting in the dignified face turning a muffled pink under his fur. "Thanks Blitzle! Hi guys! What'cha doin'?"
"Looking for my Munna, have you seen her?" Bianca asked desperately as she took Ellen's hand in hers, shaking them roughly. "She's small, pink, and the cutest thing you've ever seen!"
"Say, Ellen?" I said, hoping to interrupt Bianca before she started the presidential speech that she had planned out for her Munna. "Weren't you chasing Alicia? What happened?"
"I lost her," she replied, pouting up a storm. "She's gotten a lot faster. Even when I got on Blitzle, she was too quick for me."
"MY LADY!" Blitzle shouted to the heavens, drawing our attention like an ambulance siren would. "I HAVE FAILED YOU! T'WAS THE FAULT OF MY INCAPABLE HOOVES THAT HAS PERMITTED OUR ASSAILANT'S ESCAPE! I AM CONTEMPTIBLE! MY LADY, MAY YOU RENDER ME A UNMERCIFUL PUNISHMENT! FOR I HAVE NEVER FELT SUCH SHAME!"
"Wha'd he say Black?" Ellen asked, simply staring at her Blitzle with no idea of the medieval drivel he had just spouted.
"I...have...no...clue..." I said, totally bewildered. All of Ellen's pokemon were strange personality-wise in my opinion. Most of the time, I was never able to figure out Blitzle's words, despite being able to hear them in (his version of) English. "I think the gist of it is, he's sorry."
"Aw, no Blitzle! It's not your fault," Ellen hugged her pokemon in gratitude, making the electric type blush slightly once again. "Alicia's always been really sneaky. She probably hid or something. Besides, I need your help to find her again. After all, we aren't just gonna be able to look up in the sky and find a clue."
Hold that thought. Because, just then, I looked up in the sky and gazed upon a clue. A rather large clue as well. A pillar of fire had been shot up into the sky, towering high over Castelia's skyscrapers and lighting up the night sky better than any firecracker ever could. The fire eventually faded, but a chorus of what sounded like wolves howling soon followed. Bianca, Ellen and I all turned to each other, blinked a few times, and then dashed forward. We rushed around the bend, into an alleyway that led to the other side of the buildings, onto Gym Street where the blast had originated from. We exited the other side and found ourselves face to face with a sight that made all of our mouths drop open in amazement. Yes, even Blitzle's.
Across the street from us were two Plasma grunts, leaning over their fainted Sandile and Purrloin. Standing across from them were three dog-like pokemon as well as the junior police officer, Dustin. Standing a fair few feet behind him were two others. White with her Ducklett perched on her head and Axel petting a wild Venipede in his arms, who looked all too happy to be there. His Noctowl was also also hovering just above him. I hesitated for a moment. A police officer, my rival, and the Johto Champion all together. After a few moments of fantasizing that in sitcom form, I zipped across the street, carefully slipping around any Venipede in the way. Tony clung to my hat, laughing all the while at the ride he was taking.
"Hey! White! Mister Igaul!" I shouted my greeting with the same amount of nervousness I have whenever I talk to either of these people. They whirled their heads around and looked at me with varying expressions. I'll be more specific. Axel was glad, White appeared mad. "Did you...do that?"
"Hm?" Axel grunted and gave me a confused glance before grinning and shaking his head. "Naw. Plasma was on the lookout, and Dustin here jumped at the chance to take them out. So White and I just sat back and enjoyed the show."
"Jak, Kara, Aidan! Way to go!" Dustin praised his Houndoom, Mightyena, and Growlithe. Unfortunately, as he distracted himself with his gratitude, the two Plasma grunts who had been momentarily paralyzed had gotten their bearings. The two scooped their pokemon into their arms protectively and proceeded into the building, giving Dustin a nasty glare before slamming the metal doors. Dustin realized his mistake seconds after this and catapulted himself forward, slamming directly into the doors with all his inertia. And for a second, he stood there, leaning against the door with all his might. Then he tipped over, obviously frozen with pain. "OW!"
Axel sighed along with White as he walked up to Dustin, walking past the officer's pokemon and placing the Venipede he'd been holding on the wall of the Plasma building. He knelt over and helped Dustin onto his weak feet, leaving the younger man to keep himself stable. Axel cracked his knuckles, peering into the door as if he could see straight through it.
"What is he doing Black?" Bianca and Ellen asked me in unison. I shrugged my shoulders. I could never figure out what Axel planned on doing. He always had something up his sleeve, I was just never sure what it was.
"What are you doing?" White and Dustin followed up as they questioned Axel in the exact same tone the girls had done so with me. Axel didn't answer. The only thing he was worried about was getting through that door. He tried the knob, but the clicking of his attempts were mere background noise to the puzzle. So he shook his head and stepped back a few feet, beckoning Ellen, Bianca and I towards the door. We gave each other a withering glance and did as instructed, managing to avoid all Venipede.
"Ah, doors," Axel began what I predicted would be a long-winded and pointless speech. "Annoying little things. Doors have bugged me since day one of my first journey. Boy, was that a long time ago. Heh heh. My hair was so short. But this isn't about my hair for once. Now then, there are two ways we can go about this. I can either use my pokemon at full blast and blow the doors open, which I'll admit would be the more entertaining option, or I could just use this."
Axel reached into his jeans' pocket, fishing out the same pen-like electronic device he had used on Tony's pokeball when we had first met. The word 'Silph' was still blazen across it. He pointed the device at the door and held down the button. The tip of the pen lit up and the door made a 'click'. Axel put his gadget away and tried the knob once again. This time, it yielded to him, allowing the sound of an alarm to rush through the entryway. We all gave Axel a look that said, "SERIOUSLY?" He countered with a shrug and a snicker, continuing inside. Dustin went right after him, his pokemon in hot pursuit. White went in next, and, of course, Ellen and Bianca felt the need to drag me inside as well.
Upon entry to this massive building, the alarm blaring in my ears shut off. It was okay, I didn't need it anymore. I was quite alarmed enough by what was in that lobby. There stood in this room a group of Plasma grunts (Alicia wasn't present) standing behind three elderly men in robes. The one on the left looked the eldest, wearing a set of blue robes. The one on the right looked almost as old, but wore brown robes. And in the middle stood the youngest and yet the most ridiculously dressed of the three. His robes were kept up with a set of armor which looked to have been built specifically for his shoulders. His robes were dual coloured (blue and yellow) with eye designs on each side. He had a device covering his eye which looked like an electronic eye patch. And to top of the pretentious feel I got from this guy, his long green hair had been manipulated to look like a crown, and not only that, but the Team Plasma symbol had been placed front and center on his outfit.
I wasn't sure why, but when I looked at this guy, a pit of boiling anger welled up in my stomach. Don't ask me why, I know it's a random thing to say, but it was true. My face couldn't help but squish itself into a glare when I looked at this guy. And I had absolutely no idea why. And if my sudden unexplained anger wasn't enough, I was getting another headache. It just flared up the moment I stepped into the lobby. It wasn't as unbearable as when I had had it back at the Nacrene Battle Club, but it was rather annoying. A beetle of pain was nibbling around inside my skull, and it was steadily getting worse. But back to the instant disgust for this man. It was almost instinctual when my feet seemed to take on a life of their own. I began sauntering over to the man, unsure of what violent act I would perform once I got there. I just knew he was gonna be bleeding when I was through.
"Hold it Blackster!" Axel said, holding out a hand to stop me. I halted and looked up at my hero, cringing as I saw his face. I swear, everything that's happened so far has been a day to the supermarket compared to the weirdness I saw when I looked in Axel's face.
Axel had...changed in the last few seconds. I had to back up a few feet when I saw it. It was so surprising. Before he had gone through those front doors, he had been grinning in a way that I had never seen a man grin before. With so much energy and happiness, I could've sworn I was staring at a beam of sunlight. But now...he was completely different. His eyebrows had been narrowed as much as I had ever seen them. I couldn't even see his intense stare anymore since he had angled his glasses to directly reflect the light, effectively hiding his eyes. And overall I just got a...darker vibe than I had ever gotten from the professional trainer. He had never seemed that intimidating, but now I was afraid of him. And I had never been afraid of this guy. He had (technically) been like a mentor to me. And here I was, shuffling away from him as if he were N or Yuki. Ellen grabbed me by the shoulders. I looked at her and she gestured at Axel. I rolled my eyes. Looks like she wasn't trying to console me. She was hiding from Axel int he same way I was. Even White was looking a little uncomfortable standing next to him.
But enough about Axel. Back to the weird guy with the green hair. I never thought I would meet two weirdos with green hair, but whatever. He was about to speak, and I swear that I've never met a person with a voice like his that made me want to throw up and punch someone in the face at the same time. He sounded so overly calm. He sounded like a commercial. The kind of commercial that tried to sell you something pointless and unnecessary.
"My word," the man began, "if it isn't the Johto League Champion, Axel."
"How kind of you to know my name," Axel replied as he crossed his arms, clearly not buying any of this advertiser's crap. "May I assume that you're Ghetsis? Commander and chief of Team Plasma?"
"Ghetsis...?" I said slowly, my headache spiking suddenly.
"Ah, the feeling of gratitude is mirrored, Mister Igaul." Ghetsis said, grinning kindly. "I see you've heard one of our public speeches."
"I'm afraid I got the cliff notes version. I'll make this short. I want to know who you are, what your so-called team is trying to accomplish, and what the point was in taking a pokemon from an innocent girl who treats pokemon better than you people seem to."
"I assure you, Mister Igaul, I do not command Team Plasma to steal pokemon in any manner. I prefer to make our cause known with words rather than brute force."
"And yet, earlier tonight I witnessed a certain member of Team Plasma steal a Munna from my friend Bianca. As they were playing. Not battling. And not only that, this same member of Team Plasma has tried, on multiple occasions I might add, to steal the Victini you see on this boy's head from him!"
"Meep!" I squealed, looking up at Tony's confused face as my best friend stared at the Team Plasma grunts with curiosity. I had forgotten that I hadn't put him back in his pokeball. Right before Team Plasma. I literally smacked myself that time for my stupidity. I took Tony into my arms and clutched his small form defensively. Ghetsis laughed in a friendly manner, which made me detest him even more.
"I'm afraid this is a misunderstanding. If ever we would take pokemon, it would only be from wicked people."
"THAT'S BULL AND YOU KNOW IT!" I jumped in surprise when I heard White exclaim this. She had remained rather passive as of late, like she didn't much care for this at all. But this was a rather bizarre display of emotion coming from her. "I'VE SEEN WHAT YOU AND YOUR SO CALLED TEAM HAVE DONE! I'VE SEEN THEM ABUSE AN INNOCENT MUNNA! THE MUNNA YOU STOLE! THEY'VE STOLEN POKEMON FROM LITTLE GIRLS! I'll believe you take pokemon from wicked people when I SEE it happen!"
"White, please." Axel said, attempting to calm her down with a hand on her shoulder. He then turned back to Ghetsis. "Ghetsis. You're not helping your case. Still, I'm gonna add to my line of questioning since you don't seem to be planning on giving me a straight answer. Why are you after Victini? And don't tell me that you hadn't ordered it. You're the leader, Ghetsis. Even if you didn't order the theft, you should know what these thieves of yours are planning."
"I apologize Axel. For the actions of some 'rebels' in my otherwise peaceful group of associates. They are simply devoted to this cause. Perhaps more so than the law could appreciate, but I do. However, rest easy, I do not condone these actions."
"You sure don't sound like it. If you aren't going to answer my questions truthfully, then I suppose I should do the talking. Sound good?"
"Mister Igaul, I'm sure that as gentleman we can discuss-"
"If you would, please be quiet. When you start talking, bad things happen. People abandon their pokemon, your teammates get away with thievery, and you get to look like a legitimate organization, all when you open your mouth. So before you say your fruitless speech, allow me to say mine. I'd like to start off by bringing attention to this very city. In Castelia City, there are a lot of people with differing lifestyles and ideas. We all think differently. Every last one of us. So I can't exactly berate you for your opinion. I would be just as dense as you. But I can tell you something that we all have in common. We all love pokemon. Hell, our whole world REVOLVES around pokemon. Your little speeches have gotten me thinking about my relationship with my pokemon." Axel's Noctowl landed on his shoulder, staring almost as hard at Ghetsis as Axel was. Axel rubbed the bird's head. "And then they told me that it was perfect as it was. We understand each other you see."
"Why that's quite impressive-"
"Not done yet. I'll kindly let you speak when I'm through with my last question. What you're trying to do...exactly what is it?"
"Ah ha ha ha. You are rather difficult to figure out. You are a man who can understand the words of pokemon. And yet, you are even more intelligent than I thought. I like intelligent people. And I suppose I could make you even more intelligent by informing you of what our goal is. Do not fear, we do not plan anything evil. Are you aware of the legend of the founding of the Unova region?"
"I'm aware," Axel said, continuing to stare daggers. "I did my homework before paying my visit here."
"I'm not," I followed.
"Me neither," Bianca blurted out.
"I'm clueless," White grunted in between her puffs of frustration.
"You'll have to let me know too," Dustin was right on time with his round of obliviousness.
"I know it." All heads turned to Ellen as she exclaimed this. She blushed when she realized that all eyes were on her. Who could blame her? She had never seemed like a history buff to me. Even Ghetsis looked surprised by this, and he didn't know Ellen. But all the same, the man laughed that sickeningly sweet laugh of his. Makes me gag.
"Very well young girl. If you could please enlighten these others."
"Um..." Ellen wasn't sure. So she looked at Axel, who currently held the most influence in the room. Axel nodded. Ellen saw this, took a deep breath, and began. And when she started speaking again, that was when my headache began to grow more and more. Before, it felt like an insect was chewing at my brain. Now it felt like there was a miniature Drilbur digging inside. "Well, there were these two dragon pokemon. One was black and one was white. No one could stand up to them. Anyone who opposed them would back off when they saw these pokemon bare their fangs and claws. These dragons were partnered with two brothers. With their partnership, they united the people and made the Unova region. For a while everything was nice and peaceful. But then the brothers realized that they had different goals. One brother sought truth, while the other sought ideals. The two broke out in a war that almost destroyed the region that they had worked so hard to create. They were equally matched and a victor was never declared. I don't really know what was meant by ideals or truth, but I guess that that is left up for poets and stuff, right?"
"Wow...Ellen...how...?" I stuttered while fighting back a headache. My amazement broke through all the same. I didn't know Ellen knew that much about Unova's origin. Like I said. She never showed signs of being a historian. And of course, all Ellen did was give me a wink and then stared back at Ghetsis.
"Yes, that is a brief summary," Ghetsis said while clearly attempting to hold back a laugh. "There is more to the legend, but I suppose it is irrelevant. We, Team Plasma, shall bring back one of those heroes and one of those pokemon once again to the Unova region! With that combination, we shall unite the hearts and minds of people and pokemon across the world. With that partnership, we will create the world that Team Plasma envisions for all creatures!"
"Now I'm gonna stop you right there!" Axel spoke up for the first time in a while. Ghetsis raised an eyebrow. Of course, Axel didn't seem to mind. "What you're saying sounds pretty unlikely. But for the hell of it, I better say what's on my mind. What you're talking about...wouldn't it just unite people and pokemon further in this bright little world of yours?"
"Ahahahaha! Yes, you really ARE intelligent aren't you?"
"I do my best. And now, at the end of our little conversation, you've managed to avoid giving me incriminating answers. Now that's impressive. Though I guess it helps that I can't spot a single grunt here who has actually committed a crime. An amazing coincidence, 'innit it? Especially since I can't arrest anyone who's done nothing wrong. I'd say you're doing your best to be intelligent as well. But I have to say something before you make your inevitable exit."
"Oh? What is that?"
"Give back Munna before I go 'bad cop' on you."
"Ah, yes. Forgive me." Ghetsis said with this smug grin that made me want to tear him apart even more. He turned to one of the grunts in the room, who bowed to him respectively. "That girl! Give her back her pokemon." The grunt nodded, pulling out a pokemon from her robes. She tossed it over to Bianca, who caught it with both hands and released the pokemon immediately. Munna, upon forming from the flash of light, rushed up to Bianca and nuzzled her affectionately. My heart melted at this scene (though my head still burned). Bianca and her pokemon just had a way of making you go 'Awwwwww' inside your head.
"Munna, you're back!" Bianca shouted in between sobs, hugging the living daylights out of her pokemon.
"Bianca! I missed you so much!" Munna cried out, shedding as many tears as her trainer. Pignite, not wanting to miss out on the love, wrapped his stubby arms around Bianca as best he could. For a moment we all stood there, staring at the tearful reunion. And then Bianca spoiled her own moment.
"Thank you!" she said gratefully to the grunt that had flung the pokeball at her.
"Bianca! What are you doing?" I screeched at the top of my lungs. Bianca and her pokemon didn't move. They were too busy hugging. I don't know if it was the headache, the anger, or common sense talking, but my throat was somehow amplified to twice its usual parameters. "You don't THANK the people who stole from you, you tell them to GET OUT OF YOUR FACE WHILE THEY STILL CAN!"
"I'm sorry," Bianca replied, hardly paying attention. "I'm just so happy to have my Munna back."
"Yes, the relationship between pokemon and humans can be very touching. But in order to free pokemon from foolish people, we will revive the legend of Unova! And win the hearts of people and pokemon. Good day."
"Hmph," Axel said, turning to us and casually stepping to the side of the door. "Come on guys. Let the cult leader through, would you?"
"WHAT?" Ellen, White, Dustin and I all exclaimed at once.
"You're just letting this bastard go?" Dustin asked, with a look of hatred that rivaled mine on his face. Axel simply shook his head.
"Like I said. These guys haven't done anything wrong. You're a police officer Dustin. You should know the law well enough. We can't hold the whole organization responsible for the actions of members of Team Plasma who aren't currently present."
"But-!"
"Dustin!" Axel shouted, sounding rather commanding now. Dustin dropped his attitude and looked disdainfully at the floor. "Out of the way."
Dustin gave a growl at Ghetsis, and for a moment, I thought he was gonna pounce. But the officer relented, stepping back towards me. White, with a frustrated and muffled moan, followed suit. Ellen and I had to drag Bianca and her pokemon out of the way. The grunts exited first, dashing past us into the night. The two old men who had been standing beside Ghetsis led their leader to the lobby exit; however, before Ghetsis himself could leave, Axel threw a hand out, stopping Ghetsis like he had me.
"However...Ghetsis..." Axel started to say, grinning slightly. "I have a friend. A friend in a very high place. This friend has been keeping an eye on you. And he will continue to keep an eye on you. I hope you remember this. Because my friend, will never...stop...watching. Step one toe into criminal activity, and I'll be on you like a Heracross on tree sap. Have a good day now."
"Thank you," Ghetsis said with no sign of having been swayed by Axel's words. He stepped towards the doorway, but before taking the final stride outside, he looked at me. My headache reached its peak at exactly that second.
I couldn't stop thinking about all that had been said. Especially the bit about the origin of Unova. When I heard that, my aching brain began a rising action of agony. And now it had become absolute punishment. But I stifled the urge to roll over in pain as I stared at this man who I seemed to have no pity for. I made the exception for this guy. He was totally worth it if it meant I could sneer at him the whole time.
"Young man," he said in that irritatingly considerate voice. "I sincerely apologize for the actions of the member of my team who is trying to take your pokemon. I assure you. I have no plans for it."
"I'm sure you don't," I replied, putting as much contempt into my voice as I could. Ghetsis gave me one last sickening smile and left. And as he did, my headache instantly receded. I don't mean gradually, I mean that my injured brain healed itself like magic making me breathe a sigh of relief, drawing the attention of everyone int he room. I didn't care. That headache was finally gone.
"GYAAHH!" Dustin screamed and stamped his foot on the ground in frustration. "I'm not letting them get away with this! There are more Plasma grunts in this building! I know it!" And with that, Dustin dashed over to the elevator at the opposite side of the lobby, hitting the call button repeatedly. Even before the doors had opened halfway, he plunged inside and jammed his finger against the inner buttons, the door shutting before it had even opened all the way.
"Aren't you gonna-?" White asked the question fragment while pointing to the elevator. Axel shook his head and...what else?
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Axel burst out laughing, returning to his normal self in a split second. We all jumped in surprise. He was certainly quick to do that personality swap. "Naw. He'll be just fine. You saw him battle White. Now then, time to-!"
His one-sided conversation was interrupted by the sound of his X-Transciever going off. Axel answered it, pointing the screen to his face and his face alone. But that hardly contained the mystery since he said who was on the other end two seconds later.
"Burgh! Hey dude, it's been forever!" Axel greeted the man who I remembered to be the Castelia Gym Leader. "What's up?"
"Axel, it's so good to see you! And is that your Noctowl I see on your shoulder! Oh, there are no words to describe that wondrous bond you two share!"
"Cut to the chase Burgh."
"Oh yes, of course. I'm sorry. According to my X-Transciever, you're in town! And rather close as well! Why haven't you called to say hi? Oh right, silly me. It must be because of all these Venipede! They've been causing quite a scare. Well, no worries. My friends and I have handled it."
"Your friends?"
"Yes. We've drawn them into the town gardens. I owe it all to their tremendous help. The mayor and I are making arrangements to get the Venipede back to their natural habitat. But we should get together and catch up! It's been so long my friend!"
"Yeah, sure Burgh! I got some friends here too. How does Café Sonata at 8:00 sound? My treat!"
"Oh, yes. Sounds incredible! I'll be there. Bring those friends of yours!"
And that's exactly what happened. One minute we were standing around aimlessly in plasma headquarters, the next we were sitting at a table in a very expensive-looking café (all without running into a single Venipede). My pokemon, Ellen's pokemon, and Bianca's pokemon surrounded the table. All of them eating a variety of pokemon food that the café served. The staff told White and Axel that it was okay for their pokemon to eat outside of their pokeballs as well, but they declined the offer, stating that their pokemon had already eaten. I felt uncomfortable in my seat. The air smelled of coffee (something I never found appealing until I was twenty) and the chairs were wooden and uncomfortable. But everyone else seemed rather elated. White only ordered the most expensive things...and eating all of them. Half the table was filled with her orders. And she was eating them all up like a trash compactor. And yet, I was the only one staring in disbelief at this. Everyone else was just happily enjoying their meals. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised at this point, considering the group I was in, but all the same.
"Sorry I'm late everyone!" I heard the flamboyant voice say as the empty chair next to me was suddenly filled. Burgh, the man with incredibly poofy hair had just sat next to me and was now holding his hand out for me to shake. I took it gratefully, and we shook. And I have to say, despite his spindly appearance, he had a firm grip. "Hi there, I don't think we've officially met yet. As you know, I'm Burgh, the bug type artist!" He said, clasping his hands together like an infatuated woman would at her wedding. "And, I'm sorry, what was your name?"
"Um...Black."
"Ah Black! So bold and so straight-to-the-point! Why, your pokemon must love you."
"MAMA!" Right on cue, I felt a blow to the stomach as Perry leaped onto me, licking my face as his tail wagged. Burgh just laughed as I silently groaned.
"You could say that," I retorted sarcastically, petting Deino softly atop the head.
"So Burgh!" White shouted, standing up from her place and pounding the table with both fists. She was grinning confidently and focusing directly on Burgh as he looked up from his menu. "Am I still on for my gym match tomorrow?"
"Oh, I'm sorry White," Burgh replied, "but I'm afraid I promised my gym match tomorrow to my other friend. He was so helpful in taking care of the Venipede that I simply have no choice. It was so elegant how he worked with his pokemon, his friends, and his rivals. It's the subject of my next work. I can battle you the day after tomorrow, if you so choose."
"Ugh. Fine. Guess I'll have to settle," White groaned, slumping back in her chair.
"Oh! Oh! Can I go next?" Bianca squealed as she thrust her hand up in the air. I stared at her in shock.
"Come on Bianca! I want to battle him!" I yelled, resulting in a shaking of the head from her as well as Burgh.
"Uh-uh-uh!" Bianca said sweetly. "I asked first!"
"I apologize Black!" Burgh stated sympathetically. 'But I can pencil you in for the day after the day after the day after tomorrow. It's a long string of gym battles, but I'm sure my pokemon are up for it. What do you think Axel? Rather poetic isn't it? Axel...? Where'd you go...?"
We all suddenly became aware that our party had been reduced by one. His chair was completely empty. In fact, the only thing indicating that he might have been there were a bunch of bills in the center of the table as well as a not that read:
'Sorry. Had a call that I couldn't miss. Here. Said tonight was my treat. Tell the waiter to keep the change.'
"So, what do you think?" Axel asked his X-Transciever as he strode through the night, the lights within windows of the skyscrapers giving him enough illumination to find his way. The cold chilled his bones, but he showed no signs of discomfort as he conversed with the small watch-esque device. "Team Plasma, think they'll show up to my tournament?"
"A place that filled with pokemon battles? Of course they will." The person on the other side of the conversation said with a monotoned voice. "Are you prepared?"
"Are you kidding? In just one week, my boat's gonna take off. And I hope...I have a good grasp on things." Axel looked up at the perfectly round moon and furrowed his brow. "Now, what was that you were saying about the Kanto Champion being in the region?"
End of Chapter Twenty-One.
Well, I said it would be faster, didn't I? I hope I didn't have too many writing mistakes. If I did, I'll be sure to fix them.
Anyway, I know I changed a LOT of stuff from the games. But hey, I feel I had to. Plus, different medium of storytelling, so I get to make exceptions and stuff. Also, did anyone notice Iris seemed to be missing from that whole thing? Also, that Venipede problem seemed to solve itself rather easily, didn't it?
Gee, I WONDER WHY!
….Damn, sarcasm is hard to pull off when you're writing it.
In the next chapter, IT'S CONTEST TIME (as Cilan would say) again here on It's Not Always Black and White!
Next Chapter: Ellen's First Contest