[Cues: Pokémon FireRed/Leafgreen OST - Intro]

The Outsider's Insurrection

Indigo Iliad

Chapter 66: Planning is a Two-Way Street

Translated Pokémon Speech

Pokédex Entries/Computerized Voices/Flashbacks

Reference to an Accessory in the Games

-o-

(Crimson City | May 13th | 11:00a.m.)

"As the new bearer of the Number 1 Headband, it is your right to decide what to do with Naru and her cronies." Officer Jenny said humbly.

The crowd all looked hunger for blood, but Crimson did not want to spill Naru's blood. She deserved a penance…a humiliating one.

"Ok, her posse is to be expelled from the city and banished from entering both here and Mosswood Village. As for Naru, I feel she just work to appease everyone she is wronged. I leave that up to you, Officer Jenny, as long as she is now executed." Crimson said as Officer Jenny had only the cruelest grin.

"Wait, can't you ship me back to Japan?" Naru pleaded.

"Nah, you'd want that. So, stay…and suffer." Crimson said before leaving as she was dragged away. "You won't be seeing Japan again."

"You monster!" Naru screamed as he rolled his eyes.

Crimson was more focused in catching up with old friends and his crew at a little café for brunch. However, the news he got from Joe was a surprise.

"You're leaving the group?" Crimson asked as his fork clattered on his plate.

"Not permanently. I want to explore the old Power Plant…on my own." Joe affirmed.

Crimson raised an eyebrow only to calm down and smirk at him telling him that it was okay. Sissi insisted on coming with and Joe knew it was either his girlfriend or his bro.

"I mean, Joe, take Sissi with you, oddly enough I could use a…"

Joe was already gone thanking Rusty as Sissi followed along.

"When I get all eight badges…when this journey is over, I need to go on vacation with my girlfriends." Rusty remarked.

"Still surprised you even have three girlfriends. Not anyone can brag about bagging triplets." Crimson said as Samurai and A.J. looked impressed. "Either way, I'm going in to go through Rock Tunnel."

"Leaving already, you just got to Crimson City?" Samurai asked.

"I know, but I want to move my journey along. Rock Tunnel's a pain to go through at night anyway." Crimson said as A.J. nodded in agreement.

"I feel you. Training in there at night was a nightmare…thank Moltres for the highways for me to drive on. Still can't get into Saffron though." A.J. said sourly.

"But you have a flying Pokémon, Crimson? What's stopping you from flying there?" Dex Bulma asked.

That was a good point. There really was not anything doing so…plus there was not really any Pokémon he wanted to capture in the caves. He would not be caught with a Geodude, but he maybe wanted an Onix. Screw it, he thought, I'm flying.

"I'd like the check please!" Crimson said calling out the server.

"Oh, it's on the house for the number one wearer." The server said Crimson left a sizeable tip on the table for him. "Thank you sir."

"You're welcome." Crimson said about to send out Kimiko. "And I'll be seeing you two soon."

"If it's cool with you, could we just go through the tunnel together? Considering our bikes, it wouldn't be long anyway." Rusty requested.

"Bulma, anything I need to know about Rock Tunnel?" Crimson said putting Kimiko's ball to get out Red Bullet.

Rusty got out his bike as well as they started them up.

"Aside from it being a hotspot for Hikers, and hookups in the dark, no. Wait…it seems there's been one or two reports of Rocket Activity." Dex Bulma said as Crimson's eyes hardened.

Crimson decided maybe going through the cave would be worth it.

-o-

(Route 10 | May 13th | 12:00p.m.)

Joe to swap Tobirama for Percy, at least temporarily to ride on the water with Sissi. She looked at Joe's hardened and serious face growing rather concerned for him.

"Joe, talk to me, what's up?" Sissi asked.

"Something is calling out to me there. I can sense it…and I think Crimson caught on. Something…that's going to give me the run for my money." Joe said seriously as he had Percy race faster. "The Power Plant…"

"Just don't get yourself hurt." Sissi said hugging him from behind.

"I…I can't promise that like I can with how I feel for you." Joe said as they slowly came upon the landmass that housed the Power Plant lost to time.

Tall grass was near with one lone man there pacing in worry. A Poké Maniac…though he appeared as long-haired trenchcoat classic version. Joe returned Percy before swapping him back out before she and him confronted the guy. The Maniac, Motofumi, explained that he was helping his little sister, Hiroko, but he's outgunned.

"I only got one Pokémon, and as you can see from my small electrical burns. It did not work well." Motofumi admitted.

Joe took a breath sending out Nigiri, who upon seeing Joe's determined look, straightened up.

"Nigiri, there's a human lost within there. Can you find him?" Joe asked.

"Yes, darling. I can try." Nigiri said using her telepathy.

A few mere moments, Nigiri ceased and nodded. Sissi sent out Otto as the duo descended upon it with a crack of thunder in the air.

(A/N: Life can get in the way, but that's life for you. Regardless, it's been some way to start the year. Of course, by the time this is read, I posted up multiple characters. It's high time to kick this story into higher gear. The goal this year is bring this story to a close…only when it is completed.)