{On their way for Petalburg City, our heroes meets a trainer, which has just challenged Mario in the forest.}
In front of us was a boy, i think twelve years old, and with black Flattop hairstyle. He came out of nowhere, challenging me into a battle.
?: The name is Iwao! Nice to meet you!
Marios: I'm Marios, and this is Gardevoir! Now, why the sudden challenge?
Iwao: Oh, you know, a battle is always a good idea to test your power. You think you have what it takes to beat me and my pokemon?
Marios: Spirited i see. Ok then! I accept the challenge!
Iwao: Great! Then, let's get started!
Iwao throws his pokeball on the ground and a Graveler comes out.
Marios: A Graveler. In that case, Machoke, i choose you!
I throw the pokeball on the ground and Machoke comes out.
Iwao: A Fighting-type. Now that's what i call a challenge!
Gardevoir: Marie, are you sure about this?
Marios: I'm sure that he learned after the-
Gardevoir: He's doing it again.
Marios: Eh?!
I saw Machoke showing off his muscles. Again.
Machoke: See those guns? Then get ready to see them in action.
Gardevoir: For Arceus sake, stop already!
Marios: We have a battle to give, so get ready!
Machoke: Ok, ok, fine! But i must say that you make it too much of an issue.
Marios & Gardevoir: No we are not!
Iwao: Everything is ok there?
Marios: Nothing special! Ready Machoke?
Machoke: Ready to break some rocks!
Marios: Ok, we are ready, Iwao! The rules?
Iwao: One VS One!
Marios: Agreed! You can make the first move!
Iwao: Alright! Graveler, use Rollout!
Graveler curls itself into a ball and rolls toward Machoke with incredible speed. It successfully hits Machoke and throw him down while it continues to rolling away.
Marios: That was quick!
Iwao: It seems that we have the upper hand!
The rolling Graveler makes a turn and goes toward Machoke again while Machoke was trying to stand.
Marios: Use Low Kick!
While Machoke was down, he swings one of his legs around, and hits Graveler low. The hit throws the rolling Graveler high into the air.
Marios: Now jump and use Low Kick again!
Machoke stands up and jumps high into the air. Then, he kicks the rolling Graveler with an upside kick, throwing it hard to the ground, creating a crater by that way.
Iwao: What power!
Machoke lands safely on the ground, and then the Graveler jumps out from the crater, ready for more.
Marios: That was awesome!
Machoke: You thought otherwise?
Iwao: Wow dude, i admit it, that was a good hit! But the battle is not over yet! Ready for more?
Marios: Always!
Iwao: Graveler, use-
*Explosion Noise*
In the middle of our battle, we were interrupted by a loud noise that sounded like an explosion that came from somewhere in the forest.
Iwao: What was that?!
Marios: Let's go see!
We forgot about our battle and we all ran to where the explosion was heard. When we reach the point, we saw a Girafarig lying on the ground. It was unconscious and somewhat wounded. Then, we saw some men with black clothes along with a Shuppet coming toward the Girafarig.
Marios: Quick, hide!
We quickly hid ourselves behind from some bushes. The men in black approached the fallen Girafarig and started checking its body.
Marios: Wait a minute! I recognize those outfits, they are Psycho!
Iwao: The who now?
Marios: Psycho is an organization that wants to conquer the world. They are bad people.
Iwao: But what they want with the Girafarig?
Psycho Grunt 1: Thankfully it's fine. It is not in any danger. I guess it will wake up in an hour.
Psycho Grunt 2: Good work Shuppet, return.
The second grunt returns the Shuppet back to its pokeball.
Psycho Grunt 2: That's what happens when you're trying to escape, stupid Girafarig.
Psycho Grunt 1: Let's take it back to the base. Thankfully, it's not far from here.
Psycho Grunt 2: Yeah, i can't say that it ran that far after escaping.
The first grunt takes from the back of his belt something that seems like a steel plate. He throws the plate on the ground and then it becomes larger somehow.
Psycho Grunt 1: We better not lose more time. Now help me.
The two grunts lift the unconscious Girafarig and place it on the steel plate. Then, the first one pushes a button from the plate, and it suddenly the plate turns itself into a cage.
Iwao: What the...!
Marios: What kind of technology do that?!
Psycho Grunt 2: Ready.
Psycho Grunt 1: Then let's begin the transportation.
The first grunt pushes one button from cage's panel, and it somehow starts to levitate itself from the ground. Then they start to push the levitated cage in an unknown direction.
Gardevoir: We cannot let them just go! We have to save it!
Marios: I have a plan. But we have to strike the right time. Let's follow them for now. Have your Graveler ready, Iwao.
Iwao: Ok.
And like that, we started following them to where they were going the captive Girafarig. The forest's trees were a great cover for us, and helped us to remain unnoticed. After some minutes, the grunts stopped in front of a giant rock.
Iwao: A rock?
Marios: Wait.
One of the grunts goes close to the rock, and knocks it three times. The giant rock starts to move itself, revealing an underground entrance.
Marios: I knew it. This is the entrance to one of their bases.
Psycho Grunt 2: Ok, let's get in.
Marios: Iwao, now!
Iwao: Graveler, use Rock Blast!
Two light blue rings appear and spin around Gravelers's body. The rings then glow white and turn into two glowing white rocks that spin around Gravelers's body as well. Graveler then fires the rocks at the two grunts.
Psycho Grunt 1: What the-!
The rocks hit the two grunts, throwing them at the ground unconscious.
Marios: Wow, the plan was more effective than i though.
Iwao: Ok, and now?
Marios: We need something to tie them. You have any rope with you?
Iwao: Actually, yes.
Marios: Really?
Iwao: Good for climbing mountains and cliffs. It is a good exercise.
Marios: Anyway, take their clothes, their devices, and prepare to dress like one of them.
Iwao: Eh? Why?
Marios: Part of the plan. I'll explain later.
And like that, Iwao took their clothes and then he tied the grunts on a tree together.
Iwao: There's a problem.
Marios: What problem?
Iwao: None of their clothes are big enough for you. You are too tall.
Marios: It's ok, it thought something like that will happen. But don't worry, i have a plan for that too. Now, dress.
Iwao wears the grunt's clothes and now he looks like one them.
Marios: Good. We are almost ready.
Iwao: Ok. Graveler, return.
Iwao returns Graveler back to its pokeball.
Iwao: So, can you explain me what's the plan?
Marios: We'll sneak inside to their base, pretending that we are two of them. Then, we are going to find to where they keep the captured pokemon, and release them. And then, we will lead them outside from this hole, showing them once again the light of the sun. Of course we'll have to fight in the end to do that, but with the help of the other pokemon, it will be easy.
Iwao: Good plan. But how it is going to work if you don't look like one of them?
Marios: Just wait and see. Trust me. Hmm... Now that i think of it... Iwao, wait a moment.
I take out my Pokectional Phone, and start calling Professor Birch.
Professor Birch: Ah, it's Marios! How are you my friend?
Marios: It's Mar- Oh, anyway! Professor, i need your help.
Professor Birch: What's the matter?
I started explaining about the situation to the Professor.
Professor Birch: Psycho huh?
Marios: Yes, and we need to stop them as soon as possible. I need you to call the police to where we are, and arrest those people.
Professor Birch: Send me your coordinates and i'll tell to the police of the nearest town to come as soon as possible there.
Marios: Ok, thanks professor. And don't forget to tell them about me, ok?
Professor Birch: Ok!
After giving him our coordinates, i close the phone and put it back to my bag.
Marios: Ok, ready to play our role?
Iwao: Not quite, but pretty much yes.
Marios: Good.
Gardevoir: Marie?
Marios: What is it, Gardevoir?
Gardevoir: You believe we will find my family in this place?
Marios: We'll find it out soon. Just wait and we'll see.
Gardevoir: I hope they are here.
Marios: Iwao, let's move the Girafarig downstairs.
Iwao: Eh? Why?
Marios: We will have better success by that way. I think you understand what i mean. Don't worry, we are going to release it along with the others later. Now let's move!
And like that, we started pushing the cage downstairs, to the underground base of Psycho. I hope it will not be too difficult.
Gardevoir: Marie? Are you sure the plan will work?
Marios: Have a little faith, and you'll see soon. But remember, whatever i do or say, i want you two to remain calm, ok.
Gardevoir: Ok.
Iwao: Got it.
We continued pushing the cage downstairs, until we finally reached at the end of those stairs.
Iwao: Look at this place.
This place seems like those secret bases i was seeing in spy movies. Steel walls, advanced technology to the most parts, and lot of doors. Grunts were everywhere, busy with their jobs.
Marios: I'm quite impressed.
?: Hey, you there!
We looked around and saw three Psycho Grunts coming toward us.
Psycho Grunt 3: What is the meaning of this? Who gave you permission to let an outsider get in?
Marios: "Outsider"?
I grab the grunt from the upper part of his tuxedo and raise him up.
Psycho Grunt 3: Hey, what are you-
Marios: Silence! For YOUR information, i'm one of your newest superiors, you excuse of a grunt!
After that, i threw the grunt down on the ground.
Psycho Grunt 3: Ouch!
Marios: What a loser.
The other two grunts helped him to stand up.
Psycho Grunt 3: Wh-Who are you?
Marios: I am M, Psycho's newest admin! And i hope that you have a good explanation about why you allowed to one of our precious belongings to escape so easily from our base! Luckily we found it close by and captured it before it's to late.
Psycho Grunt 3: Wait a sec, if you're an admin then where is your uniform?
Marios: That? I was in a spy mission, and i had to put a good disguise on me.
Psycho Grunt 3: What mission?
Marios: Yeah right. Like a low rank grunt like yourself deserve to learn. Also, the boss doesn't allow me to share certain informations with anyone. Anyway, the boss told me to go and check certain bases, in order to see how things going around. I cannot say that i'm pleased after seeing you unable to hold a single Girafarig.
Psycho Grunt 4: Well, to tell the truth-
Marios: Silence! No excuses! Now, you two!
Psycho Grunt 4 & 5: Y-Yes?
Marios: Take that Girafarig back to its cell. And make sure this time that it will not escape. Move!
Psycho Grunt 4 & 5: Y-Yes sir!
Without losing more time, the two grunts take the cage with the Girafarig in it, and move it to where i suppose the cells are. I must make the grunt lead us there if we want to release all the imprisoned pokemon.
Marios: Now, as for you.
Psycho Grunt 3: *Gulp* Yes?
Marios: Since i'm new around here, i want you to show me every part of this base, right away! Understood or not?
Psycho Grunt 3: Yes s-sir! Right away sir!
Marios: Iwao, you will come as well.
Iwao: Oh, yes sir.
And like that, this stupid grunt started showing us the place around, thinking that we are members of the organization. Those people are so easy to deceive.
~Some Minutes Later~
Psycho Gunt 3: And this is the room where we keep all our trap devices.
Marios: I see. Well, i must tell that the tour goes well till now. What's next?
Psycho Grunt 3: Next is the prison room. The place where we keep the pokemon we caught so far.
Marios: Really, huh? Then, let's go see this little "collection". To tell the truth, i'm not waiting to see much.
Psycho Grunt 3: Believe me sir, we will leave you surprised.
The grunt was leading us to the prison room. When we get there, we'll have to release all the pokemon as soon as we can.
Psycho Grunt 3: Say, can i ask you a question sir?
Marios: It depends. What is it?
Psycho Grunt 3: Is this Gardevoir yours?
Marios: But of course. Why you ask?
Psycho Grunt 3: Well, pokemon like that are usually captured for experiments. I never waited to see someone in our organization having such a rare pokemon as their partner.
Marios: I'm a high-rank member of our organization, what did you expected?
Psycho Grunt 3: Well-
Marios: No one cares what you think! And better not make more stupid questions, or else...
Psycho Grunt 3: Y-Yes sir! I'm sorry sir!
Marios: Much better.
The grunt stopped making more questions and continued leading us to the prison room. I looked at Gardevoir, and i can tell just from the look on her face that she was troubled about something.
Marios: What's the matter?
Psycho Grunt 3: Hm?
Marios: I'm not talking to you! Now hush!
The grunt was silenced and continued leading the way. I get close to Gardevoir, making sure that no one will listen to our conversation.
Marios: Gardevoir, is something the matter?
Gardevoir: Well... To tell the truth you were kind of... Scary.
Marios: Really? You know that i'm just pretending the bad guy, right?
Gardevoir: I know. It is just that it reminded me about what happened to you in Mauville. I don't like it when i see you like that.
Marios: I see. Sorry for showing you my bad image again. I just want to make things right in order to free the pokemon from Psycho's grip. Who knows, we might even find your family here.
Gardevoir: You believe that?
Marios: Kind of. But having a little faith never hurts, right?
Gardevoir: I guess.
Marios: Now let's focus on our mission, and save the imprisoned pokemon. You agree?
Gardevoir: Yes.
Psycho Grunt 3: Here we are.
We stopped in front of a big, metallic door. The grunt pushed something on the wall beside the door, and then the door opened automatically.
Psycho Grunt 3: The prison room.
We walked in, and i couldn't believe in my eyes. Pokemon, Pokemon in cages everywhere.
Gardevoir: So many.
There are so many of those in here, that i can't count them. There are also a lot of grunts here that are guarding the place, and it seems that some of them are busy doing work on their computers.
Marios: Impressive. The place here seems to be quite organized. And look at all those pokemon.
Psycho Grunt 3: I was sure that you will like it, sir.
Marios: And how exactly the Girafarig escaped from here?
Psycho Grunt 3: The system had a short blackout, and the pokemon escaped just before the reactivation. Thankfully it was the only that escaped that very moment. We are making some checks at the moment to make sure that nothing like this will happen again.
Marios: I hope you're saying the truth, because i don't like liars. And you don't want to learn what i do to liars.
*Alarms*
Marios: What happened?!
That moment, a grunt comes from the door behind us, really anxious about something.
Psycho Grunt 6: We are in big trouble guys!
Psycho Grunt 3: What's the matter?!
Psycho Grunt 6: The police found our base and they get in as we speak!
Psycho Grunt 3: What?!
The police came just in time. Now, time for my plan.
Marios: All the units, defend the base at any cost! We must not let them reach this room! GO!
The most grunts left the room immediately, in order to go and defend their base.
Marios: We have no time to waste. We need to use plan H.
Psycho Grunt 3: Plan H?
Marios: Also known as plan Hypnosis. It is made for situations like this. All we have to do is to leave everything to my Gardevoir.
Psycho Grunt 3: Your Gardevoir?
Gardevoir: Me?
Marios: That's right. My Gardevoir is specially trained for that very reason. Her Hypnosis is so strong, that just her voice is enough to make any pokemon, slave of her will!
Psycho Grunt 3: Is that possible?!
Marios: Absolutely! With that power, we can use all the pokemon in this room, to defeat our enemies, and make them pay for invading to our base! The boss will be definitely proud of us! Tell to the grunts to be prepared. When i tell you, open the cages! Understood?
Psycho Grunt 3: Yes sir!
The grunt goes and tells to the others about my plan. At least that's what he thinks.
Iwao: What are you planning to do?
Marios: You'll see. Gardevoir?
Gardevoir: Yes?
Marios: When i tell you, i want you to say loudly, to every pokemon in this room, this.
I whispered to Gardevoir what she had to say, in order to make sure that everything will go according to the plan. Those grunts will pay for locking all those pokemon in the cages.
Marios: Got it?
Gardevoir: Got it.
The grunt approached me, informing me that everything is ready. Me, Gardevoir, and Iwao, we moved to the center of the room, surrounded by the many cages and the pokemon that are inside. The pokemon were looking at us. Some with fear, some with anger, and some were just wondering. The most of them seemed to be Psychic-type.
Marios: Ok, Gardevoir, you can start.
Gardevoir: Right.
Gardevoir moved herself a little forward and then she stopped.
Gardevoir: All of you! Listen to what i have to say!
She took the attention of all the imprisoned pokemon by saying that.
Gardevoir: You are all prisoners here, for who knows how long! And all that because of the greed of some humans! The most of them are evil, and they don't care what will happen to you all! You're all just objects for them, and nothing more! This human behind me, came all the way here, in order to give you the freedom you all deserve! And he wants nothing in return from you! He only wants you to be free! Free, once again! But it will not be easy, unless if you trust us!
She remembers everything i said to her earlier. Good mind.
Gardevoir: In order to free you, you must believe in us! Only then, we can help you escape from the grip of those fools, who putted you in this awful place! What you have to do, is to help us fool those fools! When the cages opens, remain calm and come to us! Stay behind us, and prepare to guide you out from this place! Let us guide you to your freedom! You will let us guide you?
All the pokemon started cheering after listening to what we had to say. They trust us. Mission almost completed.
Gardevoir: Thank you for believing in us! Be ready my friends, the cages will open soon! Stay calm, and be ready to follow the plan!
The pokemon cheered a little more and then they became silent, ready to follow the plan.
Marios: Nice work, Gardevoir. Now only one thing remains.
I turned to the grunts, ready to give my order.
Marios: Ok guys! You can open the cages now!
With the push of a button, all the cages opens, letting every pokemon to come out. All the pokemon came to us, ready to start your plan. The grunts approached us, quite surprised.
Psycho Grunt 3: Impressive. I don't have words. They are really hypnotized?
Marios: Yep. And they are ready to help us like i promised. Now let's go! It is time to make them pay.
All the pokemon were following me, Gardevoir, Iwao, and the rest of the grunts, on our way to meet the invading police. When we reach the spot, we saw the grunts and their pokemon fighting Officer Jenny, the rest of the police, and their pokemon.
Marios: Here we are. Now we need a way to stop the fight. You know, to take their attention and scare them with our great numbers.
Psycho Grunt 3: No need to worry sir. Here.
The grunts gives me a megaphone.
Marios: Where did you found that?
Psycho Grunt 3: I was responsible for the base today, so i need one of those.
Marios: I guess you're right. Anyway, let's get down to business.
I open the megaphone, ready to speak.
Marios: ATTENTION PLEASE!
After i said that, everyone stopped, holding their ears.
Psycho Grunt 3: You set the megaphone too high!
Marios: Really? Sorry, my bad. But at least we got their attention.
I gave the megaphone back to the grunt. Ok, it is time to end this.
Marios: Are you the police that were informed by Professor Birch?
Officer Jenny: And who you-!
Officer Jenny was looking at me carefully, and then at Gardevoir.
Officer Jenny: Wait, you're that Marios the Professor mentioned?
Marios: Yes. And i must tell you that you came just in time to help us with those foolish criminals!
Psycho Grunt 3: That's rig- Wait, what?!
Marios: Gardevoir?
Gardevoir: With pleasure.
Gardevoir's eyes glow and all the grunts on our side become surrounded by her Psychic. She then throws them at the grunts that were fighting the police. The grunts stand up, still wondering what is going on.
Psycho Grunt 3: What is the meaning of this?!
Marios: It is easy. Me and Iwao pretended to be members of your organization, in order to save those poor pokemon from your prison!
Iwao took off his disguise, revealing his normal clothes.
Marios: I cannot say that i found any difficulty.
Psycho Grunt 3: Grrr!
Marios: Now this is the time where you surrender! Unless of course if you want those pokemon behind me to get really angry with you.
The grunts seemed intimidated by the pokemon's great number and by their angry look.
Psycho Grunt 3: Fine, we surrender.
All the grunts raised their hands, showing that they decided to surrender. Mission complete.
~Some Minutes Later~
We were out of that hole at last. The grunts were all arrested, and some of the police were leading them with their vehicles to justice. Then, Officer Jenny approached us.
Office Jenny: Great work gentlemen. If it wasn't for you, we've couldn't find their base. This organization is casing us a lot of trouble. Many trainers lost their pokemon because of them.
Iwao: Speaking of which, what are you going to do with all those pokemon? Some of them must belong to other trainers as well.
Officer Jenny: Don't worry. We'll make sure that all the pokemon will return to where they belong.
Marios: That's great! Right Gardevoir?
I had no response.
Marios: Gardevoir?
I started looking around, but i see her nowhere.
Marios: Where is she?
I'm starting to really worry right now! That moment i saw her coming slowly toward us, having a sad look on her face.
Marios: Gardevoir!
I run to her to see what's the matter.
Marios: Is something wrong, Gardevoir?
Gardevoir: They are not here.
Marios: Hm?
Gardevoir: My family is not here. I looked at every pokemon. My family was not with them.
I could see some tears falling from her eyes. She was really hoping to find her family here.
Marios: Oh, come on now Gardevoir. Didn't i promised to help you find them?
Gardevoir: Yes, but-
Marios: Then you don't have to worry or feel sad. We are going to find your family in the end. Nothing changes that. Just have a little patience, and we will find them eventually.
She wiped her tears with her hands and she gave me a happy face afterward.
Gardevoir: You're right. I must have more faith. Thank you.
Marios: That's how i like you.
That moment her cheeks seemed a little red for some reason. Nah, i must imagine things.
Iwao: Is something the matter with your Gardevoir?
Marios: Long ago she lost her family because of those people. After learning more about those people, i gave her a promise that i will help her find her family. They must be still out there somewhere.
Officer Jenny: You seem to have great understanding about your pokemon. You must be really bonded with your Gardevoir.
Marios: Nice of you to say that. Thanks.
Officer Jenny: I'm the one who should thank you. You helped us much today. Now, we are one step closer to end this organization.
Policeman: Officer Jenny, everything is ready.
Officer Jenny: Good. It seems that it is time for us to go. I salute you Iwao, Marios.
Iwao: Bye officer.
Marios: Have a nice trip.
And like that, Officer Jenny and her men left the place, along with the pokemon we freed.
Iwao: Phew, what a day.
Marios: Yeah, tell me about it. But thankfully, everything went just fine.
Iwao: You know what? After seeing how you handled things down there, i realized that i still have long way before i can challenge you in a battle. I'll need to train more than ever!
Marios: I think that you overrea-
Iwao: Sorry, no time to talk, i must start training immediately!
Before i could say more, Iwao started running away.
Iwao: Bye, Marios! Have a nice journey!
And like that, he disappeared through the forest.
Gardevoir: What a weirdo.
Marios: Nah, he is just anxious, that's all. Anyway, let's not waste more time here. Petalburg, here we come!
And like that, we continued our way to reach Petalburg City, in order to follow afterward the route that will lead us to Fortree City.
Marios: You know something, Gardevoir?
Gardevoir: Hm?
Marios: If it wasn't for you, i could never be able to release those pokemon from their prison.
Gardevoir: Oh, come on, i didn't helped that much.
Marios: Yes you do. All those pokemon are free thanks to you. And many of those pokemon will be able to find again their old trainers. Gardevoir? I am proud of you.
Gardevoir seemed to be in shock for some reason.
Gardevoir: That's... That's the first time someone said something like that too me. Thank you!
Before i could react, she gave me one of her sudden hugs.
Marios: *Sigh*
I'll let it slide this time. What am i going to do with this girl?
{Kremant's POV}{Shadow Zone}
I was watching those two via a dimensional hole, like i was watching TV.
Kremant: *Laugh* Very good! Very, very good! And to think that i started to get bored! I wonder what will happen afterward. Well, we all know what they say here. To Be Continued!
[To Be Continued]