Aloha and good morning to you all! Mango here with another update! It's getting pretty crazy isn't it? I know what some of you are thinking? 'When is the Ultimate Weapon going to be activated?' Or some of you might be wondering; 'Which Legendary is in this one?' All in due time dear friends...all in due time. Also, yay! Skiddo's back! Yes, he will be getting some play time in. I know it's a bit late in the plot but eh, what can you do? Anywho, it's time to get things rolling, so why don't we just get right into it?!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon! All of its characters and content are owned by Gamefreak and Nintendo.
Chapter 36: Mobilization
A few days had gone by since the incident in the lab. During that time, Lucario and Skiddo trained seemingly without cease with the absense of Tadashi due to the nurse insisting he stay a bit longer. In no time at all, Skiddo had become a Gogoat. It was early morning, and Tadashi was already up, getting his bruises checked by the nurse.
"We're going to take off some of the bandages. There is still some bruising on your ribs but it's not as bad as it was previously..." The nurse said as she replaced some of his bandages and reduced the amount used.
The doors to the room opened and Lucario trekked back inside. Tadashi smiled upon seeing him. He quirked a brow when he didn't see Skiddo. A smirk crossed Lucario's visage as he knew what Tadashi was thinking.
'Ahem...Tadashi. It was a long and arduous training session, but now...I am proud to present to you, Gogoat!' Lucario said proudly, gesturing for Gogoat to walk inside.
Gogoat walked in with pride, showing off his horns as they were now bigger. Yes...fear the horns. He walked up beside Tadashi and the nurse who blinked in confusion.
"Is this Gogoat yours?" The nurse inquired curiously.
"Yep...while I was in here, he was with Lucario training. I asked them to continuously spar until he got stronger or evolved. I would have trained him myself...but Lucario knows how I do things so I just left it up to him..." Tadashi chuckled.
'So, who's next? Should I take Braixen out there? She's all that's left...well, there's Tyrunt, but I shudder to think of what will happen if he evolves without you being around...' Lucario said as an image of a rampaging dino-dragon filled his mind.
'I think I'll take care of those two, thank you for helping me with Gogoat though...I felt bad for sending him to PC so soon. He helped me out quite a bit...' Tadashi chuckled.
'I see, well...that's good...' Lucario smiled, glancing down at the other sleeping Pokemon at his bedside.
"Well, looks like you're all set Tadashi. Your right arm is as good as new and your left is healed as well. Just do us a favor and stop ending up so hurt all the time. I don't think your friends like it when you're all dinged up like you were," the nurse grumbled.
"Heh...yeah, sorry about that. I'll do my best to be careful, no promises though..." Tadashi chuckled.
Meanwhile, within the confines of Clemont's home, an eight way call was being held via an X-Transceiver. Since holo casters couldn't do that he had to revert to the other model of communication which in hind-sight was quite a bit more effective when reaching large numbers.
"Clemont, I want to know now...how are Tadashi and the others? Tell me truthfully, because the last time I saw them they were in my gym...and then I heard about them being captured. Please tell me they're okay..." Valerie said in a worried tone.
"They're fine Valerie, all of them are back now, they broke out of the lab...albeit in the strangest way possible. I don't remember humans ever being able to do that..." Clemont mumbled.
"So...what's the point of the call Clemont? I've got a bit of a busy schedule to keep...I was commissioned to take some photo's of some bug-types today and I would like to get that done soon..." Viola said as she folded her arms impatiently.
"Now sis, don't be that way, I know it's early but I am sure Clemont has a good reason to call...right Clemont?" Alexa stated, giving him a look.
"Y-yes...you see, there's a bit of a problem. Team Flare suddenly went inactive...it's puzzling. I can't figure out why...it's bugging me...er...sorry Viola," Clemont said with a nervous chuckle.
"So you want us to keep a sharp lookout, is that what you're saying?" Korrina inquired, glancing up at her grandpa who was standing beside her.
"Essentially, yes...I have a feeling we're going to need to help Tadashi and the others in this one. From the information I received from them, they've got some sort of crazy plan set up. According to what Tadashi told me...they had some sort of Evolutionary Ray or something like that and had previously used it on his Charizard which is why it went ballistic before. I don't know what they plan on doing with them...but I can't help but shake this foreboding feeling..." Clemont said nervously.
"I've had that same feeling as well...you are right to fear Clemont, for the future is bleak...should Team Flare go unchecked, I shudder to think of the consequences..." Olympia said as she looked away.
"This does pose quite a problem...though I don't know how I'm going to be able to help. I'm quite a ways off from all of you, and the conditions out here aren't exactly travel friendly. But, I can't sit by and let the situation get out of hand. If you need my help, you shall have it," Wulfric grinned.
"I must say, it's been quite a while since I had to fight outside of the gym...what do you think Gogoat?" Ramos chuckled, feeling the horns of Gogoat as they glowed green.
"Seems like ya want to help the whippersnappers out...alright, we're in," Ramos laughed.
"Well, I have been meaning to check up on Lucario and Tadashi...by the sound of things, they've gotten much stronger. Then again...so have we..." Korrina said with a smirk.
"I guess I could join in on the fun too. Sounds awesome, almost as awesome as a good climb...I could use a rush like that," Grant commented.
"You know I'll be there, I can't let this go. Team Flare needs to be brought down...they are a threat to everyone and everything..." Valerie said with a stern expression.
"It's settled then? We'll all meet up as soon as anything happens..." Clemont stated, getting a nod from everyone in the call.
"Understood Clemont, and thank you for calling us," Korrina stated as the others began to wink out.
"No problem Korrina..." Clemont smiled, closing the call.
Clemont's holo caster began to beep. He picked it up and saw that it was Looker so he answered it.
"Good morning Clemont, how did it all go?" Looker inquired curiously.
"They all agreed to help. As you said, we can't just sit by and watch a repeat of what happened previously. Had they not been able to break out...well, the world could have ended for all we know," Clemont muttered.
"Yes...it does seem that Team Flare's objective is that ludicrous...I am beginning to suspect that there is more to the story than we've been led to believe. There must be someone who knows about what's going on..." Looker thought as he stroked his chin.
"What about that exotic woman we saw that day? She seemed like she knew something, call it a hunch...but I think we should find her..." Clemont said, getting an affirmative nod from Looker.
"That sounds like a viable plan...if I recall, she is usually seen around Hotel Richissime meaning she's got some wealth to spread around. Any place that luxurious attracts that type of crowd. I'll start there...perhaps I can get some information out of her. I'll invite her to Restraunt Le Wow...it's an invitation most can't refuse," Looker smirked.
"I'll come too, Gym Leaders have special privileges...I'll be able to get in and do some recording...we'll use whatever we find to our advantage," Clemont stated.
"It's settled then, this afternoon you will accompany me there...and bring your sister too. It will make things look less suspicious if she's with you. Having children around seems to lighten the mood and put people relatively at ease..." Looker said with a faint smile.
"Well...I suppose you're right. Okay, I'll get ready..." Clemont said as he ended the call.
"What's going on Clemont?" Bonnie asked curiously, hugging Dedenne to herself as she spoke.
"We're going out to eat today Bonnie," Clemont smiled.
"Oh! Is it that really sparkly fancy place?!" Bonnie asked excitedly.
"Yep, now let's go get ready. Looker is going to meet us there," Clemont said with a smirk.
"You mean that strange man we were with three days ago?" Bonnie inquired.
"Yes...him, and he's not that strange, that's rude Bonnie, now go get ready," Clemont said firmly.
"Okay big brother!" Bonnie chirped happily as she dashed off to find an outfit.
Clemont sighed to himself as he went to his closet. This was going to be a rather interesting day. He could only hope it went off without a hitch. Otherwise, things would get real bad really fast. Not that they already weren't that way in the first place. He couldn't help but wonder what Tadashi and the others were up to. Perhaps he should explain the plan to them so they could get an idea of what to expect. Yeah, that's what he'd do. Then again...perhaps he ought to wait until after the meeting with that woman and Looker.
An hour passed by and soon Clemont and Bonnie were out of the room. Clemont was wearing a formal white dress shirt and blue tie which matched his sky blue pants and white shoes. Bonnie had on her cute little brown dress with the white frills that she liked so much.
"So, what are we doing afterwards Clemont?" Bonnie asked as the two walked down the sidewalk.
"After this, we're going to see Tadashi and the others so we can inform them about what we find. Looker messaged be about half an hour ago saying he'd managed to track the woman down and make the arrangements. She seemed more than willing to comply...considering Looker was paying for the meal. The woman has enough money to do so herself but he insisted he pay," Clemont stated as he and Bonnie came up to the restraunt. It had been a while since he'd been in there.
As he entered, he saw that the place was as elegant as usual. Many of the crowd were among the high class. Diantha often ate here and many hoped to get the chance to meet her. He didn't need to show the host who he was, considering everyone knew Clemont.
"Clemont? What a surprise, I wasn't expecting to see you here," Looker said as he walked up behind Clemont.
Clemont turned around to see Looker, escorting Gwendolyn in. Her arm locked with his. It seemed Looker knew how to be a gentleman. Looker wore his usual suited attire along with his trademark coat. Gwendolyn had on a matching green dress that was similar to the one she'd been seen in on their first meeting.
Bonnie's eyes went wide with delight as she saw how beautiful the woman was. She felt like a kid in a candy store.
"Wow! Pretty!" Bonnie chirped as excitedly, falling to one knee at the proclamation.
"You should marry my big brother!" Bonnie declared.
As she said this, a gloved mechanical arm reached out and grabbed her, pulling back back towards Clemont.
"Bonnie! How many times do I have to tell you not to do that? It's embarrassing," Clemont scolded her.
Bonnie pouted and crossed her arms as Clemont put her down.
Gwendolyn simply giggled at how cute Bonnie was being.
"I think it's rather adorable!" Gwendolyn laughed.
"Well, now that we're here, why don't we go to our table?" Looker said as he glanced over at the host who nodded and beckoned them to follow.
Clemont made his way to his own table a good distance from Looker and Gwendolyn. It was obvious that Looker acted as if he didn't know Clemont would be there. This was a delicate operation, considering that he had a sneaking suspicion that this woman was connected to Team Flare.
Looker and Gwendolyn sat down and their drinks were ordered first. Gwendolyn popped open a menu, glancing down at the many savory delicacies that were listed. Her attention was then drawn to Looker who was also contemplating his choice.
"So, Looker, to what do I owe this occasion? It's not often that an officer of the law asks a woman like me on a date, I must say I'm flattered..." Gwendolyn said with a sly grin.
"Call it whatever you desire, I assure you that it's much more than that. Call it a Q and A session...I ask questions, you give me answers..." Looker said with a smirk.
"Trying to learn more about me huh? Do I fascinate you that much...detective?" Gwendolyn grinned.
"Quite..." Looker replied as his drink came. He'd ordered a tall glass of red wine on the rocks to delude the potency.
Gwendolyn had ordered something a bit stronger. She took a sip of her drink and set it down before glancing back at Looker.
"So, what is it that you want to know? From what you asked me back at the hotel, it sounds like you are interested in finding out what Team Flare is up to..." Gwendolyn said with a devious smirk.
"You catch on quick. This will go a lot more smoothly...and it might keep you from ending up in prison if you tell me everything I want to know..." Looker said firmly, quieting down as their waiter came to them for their orders.
After taking them, the waiter took the menus and made haste to the kitchen to make sure the food was being prepared. Looker turned back to Gwendolyn who was fidgeting with the top of her dress. It was distracting to say the least.
"Ahem...as I was saying...I would like you to tell me everything you know about Team Flare. I doubt that it was a coincidence that you were sitting in that cafe. And also, you didn't seem too surprised when Tadashi blasted the door down with what appeared to be his hand. From that point on, I suspected you knew something..." Looker deduced.
"Was it that obvious? I thought I looked plenty shocked..." Gwendolyn snickered, lying of course, she knew she wouldn't be surprised.
"Plainly...now, talk..." Looker said firmly.
"Well, the line 'take me out to eat' doesn't really apply here as a bargaining statement now does it? Since you were nice enough to do this, I'll tell you what I know...but in exchange...you need to do something for me..." Gwendolyn winked.
"With all due respect...I think you're a beautiful woman, and I know that many a man would probably beg you to lie with them...but I'm not going to give in to that temptation..." Looker said firmly.
"Tsk, tsk, that wasn't what I was going to ask you detective. Though you are right, it would have been a good method to bargain with...however what I want is something entirely different. I think once I reveal this to you, you'll agree that the terms are fair..." Gwendolyn said with a smirk.
"Go ahead then...we've got some time to kill..." Looker said as their food came over.
Clemont was listening nearby and already had his recording device ready.
"You see, the man you found in the rubble all bruised with broken ribs and and fractured arms was my husband. I'll admit, I had joined him on his escapades with Team Flare, mainly due to the fact that he had money, and power...something I wanted of course. One has their objective and mine was certainly his wallet..." Gwendolyn said as she took a bite of her pasta.
"I don't see what that has to do with the situation at hand..." Looker said with a raised brow, taking in a mouthful of chicken.
"I'm getting to that. You see, that man, I met in Unova. I was one of the featured actresses in Poke Star Studios. My main role was playing the villain of course. It was rather thrilling to say the least. Anyway...he seemed enthralled with me when he saw my performances. I saw he had money and well, you can say it was 'love at first sight,'" Gwendolyn mused.
"The point is, that man had another woman he was married to at the time but after a few years of seeing me, he decided to divorce her to run away with me. The poor woman never knew until he told her in a letter he'd given. After the divorce was made final we got married soon after. Here's the kicker...I believe you know this woman by the name of Claudia. She has a daughter named Clarice..." Gwendolyn smirked.
Looker's face went rather pale. So this was the woman that Claudia's husband took off with. Why would anyone leave a beautiful woman like Claudia? Gwendolyn was equally gorgeous but her actions were deceptive.
"He is now imprisoned from what I understand? You know that he tried to kill Clarice by now I imagine. So, in exchange for the information I'm going to share, I want papers of divorce sent to him. Also...I want all of his belongings taken from him and all of his money transferred into my bank account. That should be a fair enough proposition...one you probably shouldn't refuse since the fate of this world as we know it hangs in the balance..." Gwendolyn said forebodingly.
Looker couldn't believe how greedy this woman was. She had used others for selfish gain, however...she herself had committed no crime that he knew of. Her records were clean when he looked at them. She had some serious character flaws however, and one of them was greed. He could arrest her for being involved with Team Flare, however...since she had much needed info and had never actually participated with the assaults Team Flare carried out, he couldn't cuff her since she didn't do anything initially wrong.
"Your request will be granted...now, tell me what you know..." Looker stated as he took another bite.
"Sit back detective, you might want to write this down because what I'm going to tell you...you can't afford to forget..." Gwendolyn grinned.
An hour went by as Gwendolyn explained the entire plot to Looker. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The Ultimate Weapon? A massive global genocide? As much as he hated to, he was going to have to agree to the terms she set for giving the information. Clemont and Bonnie were stunned to hear all of this as well. When Gwendolyn finished her explanation, Clemont stopped the recording.
'I've got to warn the other Gym Leaders...this isn't good!' Clemont thought as he finished up his meal.
"And you're sure that's the truth?" Looker said, masking the horrified feeling inside of him.
"Yep...that's pretty much it. If they're planning anything else I wouldn't know about it. I got what I wanted and left so there was no reason to stay," Gwendolyn shrugged.
"Well...thank you...I am grateful to you for sharing that with me. Now, if you are finished, I'll take care of the bill and we can be on our way. I will escort you back to the hotel," Looker said as he stood up, holding out his arm for Gwendolyn to take.
Clemont had already left and was frantically calling the other leaders. Soon, seven screens popped up beside his own, indicating they all got his call.
"Guys! This is bad. Really bad!" Clemont said as his hands trembled while holding the device.
"What's wrong Clemont, spill it!" Korrina said as she looked at him on screen.
Clemont hit the playback button on the recording device and linked it up to his X-Tranceiver so they could all hear it. When it stopped, everyone had the same reaction.
"We need to get moving...but we don't know where they are exactly. Gwendolyn said she hadn't been to their main base of operations as she mainly stayed in Lumiose. Her husband never told her about it, at least that's what she claims..." Clemont said, not exactly believing what Gwendolyn said regarding that matter.
"Well, we need to find someone who does, if that's what they're planning, we can't let them get away with it..." Viola said firmly.
"I knew something like this would happen, though I couldn't fully predict something of this magnitude...I was close. As for the Ultimate Weapon...I thought that was sealed away 3000 years ago. How they got ahold of it is beyond me..." Olympia sighed.
"Well, however they did it...it needs to be stopped. Clemont, go find Tadashi and the others. I suspect one of them must know something," Valerie replied.
"Got it, I'm on it!" Clemont said as he closed the conversation. He then turned tail and ran for the Pokemon Center in which Tadashi and the others were presumably located. Thankfully, he was able to locate them. They were all sitting at a table, laughing together as if nothing happened at all. Tadashi was the first to notice Clemont, and from the look on his face and the exhaustion he exuded, he could tell he'd come to them in a hurry.
"Hey Clemont, it's been a while...what's up?" Tadashi began.
"Oh not much, just had lunch...and found out that Team Flare consists of a bunch of psycho nut jobs who plan to destroy the world!" Clemont stated, frantically waving his arms.
Tadashi blinked in surprise and looked at the others. It was obvious that Clemont had a lot to tell them but condensed it for times sake.
"So...it's like I read after all..." Trinity sighed, shaking her head as she leaned forward in her seat.
"That file wasn't lying...which means Tiana will be...no..." Trinity said in a trembling voice. Victor put a gentle hand on her shoulder to try to calm her down.
"What file? What's going on Trinity?" Tadashi asked firmly.
"The reason I helped you all out...was because I discovered that I was being lied to. I already told this to you Tadashi...but Clemont doesn't know. They have my sister in a medical room in their main base. Her life fades daily and she is barely hanging on. If something isn't done...she will die," Trinity said, holding back tears as she spoke.
"I thought they were going to harness the power they'd collected to help her...and others...that's what I was led to believe. That's what I thought they meant by a more pure world, not some crazy genocide!" Trinity said as she slammed her fist onto the table.
"Trinity...I beg you...please tell me where their main base is located. I think there is a way to fix all of this..." Clemont said pleadingly.
"It's...it's in Geosenge..." Trinity stated.
Everyone's eyes went wide in almost perfect unison.
"But...we've been there. And there was no sign of a base that close. All they had were a bunch of...stones..." Victor said, remembering how abnormally large the stones were.
Tadashi remembered them as well. How could he forget? It was the second time he'd met up with Tyson...and where he first saw Lucario. Something wasn't adding up, but what?
"Are you sure, Trinity? I mean...Geosenge is such a peaceful town. And besides, there's nowhere for a base to be put...are you sure it's not somewhere else?" Clarice inquired with a skeptical look on her face.
"No...it's there, I know because I've been there. I was asked to deter you all away from Geosenge...some of our agents were nearby and we couldn't afford to have you find where we were...well, where they were now...I don't associate myself with them any longer..." Trinity sighed.
"Wait...you were with Team Flare?!" Clemont gasped.
"Correct...I was...but not any longer...they deceived me...and now they must pay..." Trinity grimaced.
At that moment, several holo casters went off at once. It appeared as though there was a message being broadcasted city wide. The face of Lysandre appeared and this did not look to be a message of good tidings.
"Citizens of Lumiose...it has come to my attention that there are several of you who seek to fight against Team Flare. We have come too far with our plans for anyone else to interfere. Therefore, the entire city will be purified of those who have not already joined us. This world shall be cleansed of all the fools who sully it with their filth. And as for a certain group of trainers...you know who you are...if you wish to stop us, come and find us. I know you know where I am now..." Lysandre winked out and the room went deadly quiet.
Clemont's X-Transceiver rang off the hook and he immediately picked it up. All seven screens, including his lit up.
"Clemont, we heard the message. It was broadcasted all over Kalos...we're on our way to Lumiose now!" Korrina stated, racing through what appeared to be reflection cave at this point.
"Please hurry! I have a feeling that they'll strike any minute!" Clemont said in a panicked voice.
"We're on our way!"
And it's about to get real! I'd like to give a shout out to PG-13 as a few chapters ago he probably unknowingly...put the idea in my head for the Gym Leaders to get involved. Either that or he did it intentionally. Anyway, so yes, you heard right. Lumiose is in trouble! How will they all handle it? Wanna know? Find out on the next installment of The Flames of Revolution!