Chapter 18: Taen and the Perfection Cult
Once the seven people walk into the basement of the Jade Tower, they can see some equipment laying on the floor.
"So this is one of the Cultists' base?" Nora says, since they hear the news from the witchdoctor that they met back in the Black Market.
"It sure is really uneasy here..." Damien says.
But then they see a boy yelling, "Who is there? This area is off limits!" Just then, they notice that the same blue haired boy is standing in front of them and they are surprised.
"Taen?" Ash gasps.
"Oh, it is you. Ash, Lillie, Gladion, Nora, Damien, Emily and Alice...you are the ones who stopped our plan back at the Torren Game Corner." Taen says with a neutral tone.
"So they are the ones who stop the plan in the Game Corner in the Roggan Town?" Then another man wearing formal walks towards them. "Taen, hold on a minute."
"Sir?" Taen steps aside and then the man asks, "I suppose that you remember me, huh?"
"Of course, you are Rekura, the leader of the Perfection Cult, and we met back in Professor Sylvan's lab as well as getting a starter from you." Damien says, much to the three girls' shock.
"Wait, so that is where your Delta Blastoise come from?" Nora asks. "He is the one that gave you your Starter Pokemon?"
"It is true that I created them and even let them use them, but I can see you take care of them with great care." Rekura then turns dark and says, "As much as we are interested in you guys, but you are on private property. I am forced to ask you to leave. We are busy right now, and we really can't be distracted."
He turns around and says, "I don't much care for you guys myself, and if I had it my way, I'd get rid of you immediately. As a favor to my old colleague, Professor Sylvan, I'd rather do this the easy way."
Gladion says, "We don't really want to interfere with anything. We just want to get through! We heard there was a way into the Jade Tower from here. We really need to see the Augur."
"And why do would you two went to do that?" Rekura asks, starting to get curious about them trying to see the Augur.
"Because the Sky Cultist is coming for him! He is in big trouble." Emily says, trying to lie to him so that they can get an easy pass.
"Is he, now?" Rekura says coldly. "Tell me, why should I help save him? I am a cultist, more than that, I am a cult leader. Jaern has been after me for ages, why wouldn't I want him out of the way?"
Ash says, "But..." As Reukra turns around, he notices a box and then he has an idea.
"Actually, I take that back." Rekura says with a smile, much to their shock. "Since you guys have stopped our plan of selling Delta Species to the trainers, which means that you are strong opponents, and as a Champion of the Region myself, I can tell you are all talented."
"Wait, you? You are the Champion of this Torren Region?" Lillie gasps. "That does make sense since the whole league is taken over by the Perfection Cult according to Eduard from the Elite 4."
"Oh, did he say that? He might be a big mouth, but he is actually a useful member in the team. Then how about we strike a deal? I have a little project you can help with." Rekura says. "Taen, can you explain to them?"
"Sure, sir. You see, we aren't really a cult, there are legendary Pokemon we'd like, certainly, but none that we worship. Our group was founded in the pursuit of a single goal."
"Perfection?" Ash asks. "Since you are called that name for some reason."
"Yes," Rekura says, "A truly perfect Pokemon. One that is undefeatable, unconquerable. One with no counters, and no move or strategy to stop. All of our plans have been centered around this vision."
"So is Delta Pokemon a part of the plan of seeking perfection as well?" Nora asks.
"We thought certain Pokemon might be stronger with different types, different moves. And recently we decide to try something else." Rekura says. "And I assume that you can stay for a while?"
"But..." Damien tries to retort, but Ash says, "Damien, right now we are in a cult's base, so if we want to make a deal, we have to obey them at first."
"Ash?" Lillie gasps. "What are you talking about? Are you going to work with the cult right now?"
"I don't know why, but I have a feeling that I can trust them. I know for sure that they won't hurt us once this deal is over." Ash says. "Right now we just need to be patient."
Rekura says, "Thank you. Now if it is possible, may I take a look at your Z Ring on your wrist?"
Ash looks at Lillie, who nods back, then he gives it to Rekura and then Rekura goes to the computer and places it there.
At the same time, Taen decides to leave the room to the Black Market, but Alice chases after him as she wants some answers from him.
"Wait a second!" Alice yells as Taen turns around.
"Oh, it is you, what do you want?" Taen asks, since it is not normal for a girl to chase after him like that.
"I heard that you were a part of the Timeless, right? Why did you betray us and how does Kyruem listen to you? What are you planning?" Alice asks a lot of questions, and it causes Taen to be annoyed.
Taen tries to say in a cold tone, "And what do you care? Kyruem wants to be with me, is there any wrong with it?"
"Back then at the Game Center, it is you that calls Officer Jenny to our rescue, right? If you are a member of the Perfection Cult, why did you help us?" Alice asks. "I have a feeling, the whole betraying thing is just to make spying in the Perfection Cult much more easier, right?"
Taen is surprised that the girl figured it out herself, since the fact that he was spying in the Perfection Cult is the truth that only he and the leader Red should know. Taen knows that he can't hide anymore and he sighs, "Well, you are right...but deep down inside, I am not as brave as you."
"What?" Alice is confused. "What do you mean by that? What does it have to do with you spying at the Perfection Cult?"
"Your father is Jaern, right? He is also the leader of the Sky Cult, you already know that, so you have the courage to leave him as well as your sister, but...for me, I can't."
Alice asks, "What do you mean? What does it have to do with my father and our relationship?"
Taen turns around and says, "Reukra is my father, Adam was the one who told me this. I was shocked since I never knew my father since I was little, I haven't heard about my mother from both Adam and Reukra, so I assume that she is dead, and he is my only family left in the world. I can't leave him alone, in fact, I never will. This is why I decide to cut ties with the Timeless. I want to protect my father by being a fake villain."
Alice widens her eyes and she is confused. "Fake Villain? You mean...you disagree your father's ambitions, but you don't want to break the bond between a father and a son?"
Taen says, "Right now he doesn't know that I am his son. Now that you know the truth, I can only turn to you for help. Arceus has come to me one night, he tells me that I will help you guys in the shadows and he still let me be chosen by Kyruem, so I can try to keep my father safe."
"I see." Alice says with a frown. "In fact, I really don't like it as well. I also don't want my father to be gone from my life, but we can't stay with him anymore after Mom left. We become spies of the Abyssal Cult and the Darkrai Cult in order to gather information to defeat them after we leave...it seems like we have something in common."
"I know." Taen laughs a little. "Keep a secret will you?"
"You can count on me." Alice smiles at him before they go back to the others.
Back in the lab, Rekura finishes examine the Z Ring, he says, "Thank you for your cooperation, you may pass, the entrance to the Jade Tower is just up the stairs."
After he takes the Z Ring back to Ash, Ash asks, "What did you do to it?"
"I just want to know what a Z move is like." Rekura says. "Now that I have some answers, I should give you these as appreciations."
He opens a box and, much to their shock, there are 8 Bracelets with Key Stones embed on it.
Lillie gasps and says, "Wait, I know these things, they are Key Stones, which are capable of Mega Evolution."
"Yes, they are transported here from the Kalos Region, before I become a Cult Leader, I have some interactions with Professor Sycamore. Now they are no use for me, so take it."
After they take the bracelets, he says, "All the Mega Evolution you have used will be recorded into our computers, but don't worry, we are not spying on you. We only want data on Mega Evolution."
"Wow...thank you..." Damien says.
"Don't get used to it, I am not doing this for you. And you should accept these as well." He also gives out Delta Mega Stones for Lillie, Gladion, Damien and Ash, the Key Stone that he got from Reukra is actually the Eevite, which is the Mega Stone for the Eevee.
"Now I assume that you are in a hurry?" Rekura says.
"You are right." Nora says, "We have to go, we can't waste another time or else Rayquaza will be summoned."
"Yeah, let's go." Then the seven people leave the base. Taen looks at Alice's back and he says, "Alice...aren't you an interesting girl?" He starts to blush a little.
While they are running, Eve asks Alice, "So where were you this whole time? Ever since Ash has his Z Ring to Reukra to examine, you have disappeared."
"Sorry, I just want some answers from Taen, since he was a former member of the Timeless, and the fact that he still has Kyurem by his side, it makes me wonder what role is he playing in the cult." Alice says.
Emily says, "But still, I don't trust him, you are lucky that he didn't hurt you, but I think that he might have done something to Kyurem, or else Legendary Pokemon won't easily side with the members of the Cults."
Alice sighs, she can't blame her for thinking like that, it is also what Taen wants, so that him being a spy can continue being a secret. But right now Taen is not important, their father and the Sky Cult is what should be careful for now.
So if you have noticed, I did say that besides Nora, Lillie and Gladion, Ash will have four more OC companions, now you know two of them, but in truth, there are three already and you might know who the person is after seeing this chapter. And in my story, Perfection Cult is actually the least evil cult. I hope you enjoy it.
