Meanwhile…
"I see…" Lisa said with a serious expression on her face after her brother informed her about the Team Helix attack. "I am pleased to hear you all emerged from that event unscathed. At least physically…"
"What's up with those Team Helix jerks anyway!?" Lola asked in anger.
"Team Helix is a gang of ne'er do wells who commit crimes under the guise of their actions being for the good of science." The young scientist scoffed when she said that. "More like they use science as an excuse for their wrong doings…"
'Boy, doesn't THAT sound familiar…' Lana thought to herself.
"It's curious, though...Team Helix had never been so bold before," The nine year old scientist commented, stroking her chin as she thought. "I mean, they had pulled stunts similar to this in the past, but on a much smaller scale, and a lot of their focus was on stealing technical, computer or science equipment."
"Maybe they were starting off?" The animal loving twin suggested.
"It's possible...though there's also the issue of why they brought in two of their administrators into the job. They don't usually deploy such powerful members unless it's something important…"
"The police said the same thing," Girl Jordan commented. "Maybe there was a rare pokemon in the park?"
"I don't think so," The young pokemon professor. "We would have heard of such news in that case. And they were clearly going after pokemon, so it wasn't theft of technical equipment."
"Man, this is a stumper…" The tool savvy young lady said with a frown.
"Indeed. However, it is a matter out of your hands right now," Lisa said, turning her head to look at a second console. "I will alert the Elite Four and Pokemon Champion. They will work alongside the police in order to deal with them. In the meantime, I suggest you four steer clear of Team Helix whenever possible."
'Gladly…' The one son thought, not wishing a repeat of what happened earlier.
"Keep in touch, elder siblings."
"Of course. See you again soon," Lincoln said before Lisa hung up the video phone.
"This is beyond mysterious…" The little genius muttered to herself as she dialed up the Pokemon League leaders of Micha. "What are they up to? I do hope the Elite Four can ascertain what is up."
At that moment, the Elite Four were having a meeting at the Pokemon League building atop the Victory Spire in northern Micha. The purpose of this meeting was a number of issues, but they were currently discussing replacing Rodge as gym leader. Seated around the round table was Xythia, the mystical trainer, Cinder, the fire chief of Maple City, a woman with long blazing red hair wearing a scaly sort of singlet with shoulder armor shaped like dragon wings and a cape, and a short man in a pale blue and white flight jacket and an old time flight cap. He had a sheet of paper in front of him. "Hmmm. Pickings are kinda slim…" He said with a bit of a frown. "No one from Glenvale, and only eight eligible applicants…"
"It's still something, Edmin," Said Xythia. "Though that begs the question of how to choose who to become the next gym leader."
"Quite so. We wouldn't want to get a repeat of Rodge," Cinder agreed with a nod.
"I think I have an idea," The beautiful, armored woman said, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Why not have a series of tests?"
"What kind of tests?" Edmin asked curiously. "Pokemon battling, I assume…"
"Yes, but that won't be the only test. Rodge could battle like no other, but he lacked in all other areas. We'll also need tests of knowledge and character."
"Hmmm...not a bad idea, Goldscale," Cinder commented. Before they could debate any further, there was a beeping sound coming from behind Edmin and Xythia. They turned around just as Lisa's face appeared on a wall sized screen.
"My apologies for disrupting your meeting, ladies and gentlemen…" The young professor started.
"No need for apologies, Professor Loud," the mystical pokemon leader replied calmly. "How may we help you?"
"I have news of some recent Team Helix activities," Lisa replied with a serious look. "Just this afternoon, they took over a pokemon park, attempted to abscond with the pokemon residing within, and held a false competition in order to lure young trainers onto their clutches."
"Despicable…" Edmin spat in disgust. "Downright cowardly."
"I wholeheartedly agree. However, on this job, they had sent two of their administrative staff, one Nadia and one Arron."
"What!?" Cinder asked in alarm, rising from his seat.
"But why?" Goldscale inquired with a frown.
"Sadly, we don't know yet," The young mastermind admitted glumly. "It is fortunate that their scheme was thwarted before they could actually get away with any pokemon, but the reasoning for this escapade remains a mystery."
"...thank you for making us aware of this, Professor…" The armored woman said. "Have you told the Champion yet?"
"Not yet. I called you first, hoping he was there with you," Lisa explained.
"Sadly, no," The Maple City fire chief said with a sigh. "The Champion is out investigating something in Larchton."
"Did something happen out in Larchton?"
"A kidnapping, actually," A young man's voice sounded from the screen, though there were no visuals.
"Kidnapping!?" The members of the Elite Four and Lisa exclaimed in horror.
"Champion, please elaborate," Lisa said with a serious expression.
"Details are rather sparse presently. All I know presently is that the victim hailed from Kanto and was visiting Micha on a vacation," The Pokemon Champion of Micha replied.
"Vacation? With all due respect to Micha…" Edmin said while leaning back in his chair. "...but it's a pretty boring place to pick for a vacation."
"Do we know the identity of this individual?" The nine year old scientist inquired, paying no mind to the pilot's jab at their home region.
"Yes. According to the front desk staff, his name is Mr Fuji." Hearing that name seemed to trigger something in Lisa, as she suddenly looks alarmed. "And unfortunately, we have no witnesses to the kidnapping, as he was taken right from his hotel room, from what we can tell."
"Do we have an idea of when the crime took place?" Goldscale asked with a look of concern. There was a moment of silence in the room before the Pokemon Champion spoke up again.
"Not the exact time, but the hotel staff believe it was recent. He was seen in the restaurant around lunch time, and when his afternoon paper was delivered to him a little less than an hour ago, he was gone."
"Hmmm...this occurred around the same time as the incident in the Pokemon Park…" Lisa reasoned, her worry growing ever more.
"What was that, Professor?" The champ asked.
"Not too long ago, Team Helix had attempted some nefarious deeds in the Route 3 Pokemon Park. Fortunately, they were driven off," The young pokemon researcher explained.
"Do you think the two are connected?" Xythia inquired.
"You read my mind, Xythia...and I would ask you to refrain from doing so in the future," Lisa deadpanned. "But yes. I think it's reasonable to believe the two crimes are related, given the amount of police sent to the park from nearby towns and cities. Possibly a distraction, or a coincidence, it's hard to say without more information. Still, given the rumors I've heard centered around Mr Fuji...it would be very distressing if he were really in their clutches…"
"Rumors? What rumors are you referring to, Professor Loud?" The Pokemon Champion asked in a serious tone.
"I cannot say if they're true, but.."
Many miles away, in an underground bunker made of stainless steel and concrete, Arron and Nadia were striding down one of the hexagonal metal halls, walking in a stiff, rigid manner. Behind them were a small squad of the Team Helix grunts, who looked rather nervous. Up ahead was a large, steel door lined with blue light. As soon as they got close to it, it slid upwards to create an opening. Inside was a large room almost completely filled with computer servers, monitors, and a massive supercomputer taking up about a third of the room right in front of them. Seated in a large office chair usually associated with big bosses was a man with a beak like nose, bushy magenta hair, and a monocle on one eye. He was a stick figure of a man, in a large lab coat over a simple black suit. He looked over at the group as they entered with a stone faced, neutral expression.
"Ah. Chief Researcher. Chief Scientist. I trust you are here with the field report?" He asked in a flat tone.
"Yes, Director Darin," The serious looking scientist replied, stepping forward. "Our takeover of the Pokemon Park was a success and we were able to infiltrate it for pokemon collecting purposes."
"Good. Good," The director said with a nod and a light smile.
"Sadly, that is the extent of the good news, Director…" Nadia said, taking a step forward herself. "When we attempted to execute our catching contest plan, the trainers fought back harder than expected, and called the police. We were forced to flee without the pokemon…" Darin's smile quickly faded when he heard that.
"That is most disappointing to hear…"
"It wasn't our fault, Director!" One of the grunts exclaimed. "Our pokemon just weren't strong enough!"
"Logic denotes that, if your pokemon aren't up to snuff, it is your responsibility to train it up, or get yourself stronger pokemon," The science director responded coldly, glaring at him. "And let us not forget that I do not tolerate excuses…" The grunt in question cringed and tried to hide among his fellow minions. He then turned to look at the two admins.
"No excuses, Director," The exceptionally beautiful Chief Researcher responded firmly. "We miscalculated and, as such, the blame is ours." Arron nodded in agreement without saying a word.
"...and this is why you two are admins. You're smart enough to know to take responsibility for your failures. However, that will not spare you of punishment...and that goes for you lesser minds as well!" He snapped at the grunts, making them all jump. "For your failure and attempting to insult my intelligence with your pathetic excuses, you will all clean the whole facility, from the reactor core to the front truck depot. If the halls aren't shining when you finish, you'll start all over again. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Director Darin…"
"Good. Get to it," He demanded, pointing to the door. The grunts all scampered away, leaving the admins behind, standing as stoic as when they came in. When all the minions were gone, the Director turned back to Nadia and Arron. "So...were there a lot of police there at the time?"
"Quite so, Director," The stern faced man responded.
"Good. Good. It made the job in Larchton go much easier," He said with a sly smile.
"Sir?" Nadia asked in confusion.
"I had our elite agents head to Larchton to pick up someone with some important data we could use for our research." Director Darin pushed a button on the dash beside him and, seconds later, a trio of people in light gray and blue bodysuits, with visored helmets that completely covered their faces entered the room. Around their waists were belts with a series of buttons on the buckles. Judging by their body shapes, two were males and one was a shorter female. Only their hair was visible with their helmets on. One of the males had short, messy red hair, the next well combed green hair. The one woman among them had black hair, done in a ponytail. She had a file in her hand, which she handed to the director. "One Dr Fuji."
"Dr Fuji!? I thought he had perished in an accident long ago..." The Chief Scientist said, his stern expression giving way to one of surprise.
"So did we...and yet, here he is," Darin said, before handing the folder to Nadia. "I leave him in your capable hands, Chief Researcher." She grinned broadly as she took the file from her boss.
"I won't let you down, Director Darin," She said confidently with a salute.
"Excellent. Oh, and Nadia…" He added as an afterthought just as she was about to depart. "While I could care less how you choose to dress while you are on the field, I remind you that we are a science facility. As such, I expect you to dress like you work here, not like you're looking for a date. Button up your shirt." She squeaked in surprise as she hastily buttoned up the park uniform she had stolen. "Better. As you were."
"Yes, Director," Arron and Nadia both said together before they departed. As soon as she was out of his sight, however, she exposed her cleavage again with a huff before strolling off to find where this Dr Fuji was being held.
"Dr Fuji?" The Elite Four pilot asked with raised eyebrows.
"But he had passed away, did he not?" The elite trainer dressed as a witch inquired.
"So it was believed. Died tragically as a result of an explosion while performing a secret experiment," The little mastermind explained.
"Any idea what he was working on?" Edmin wanted to know.
"Edmin, what part of secret did you not get?" The armored elite trainer inquired in exasperation.
"Sadly, we have little information regarding the nature of this experiment. However, rumor has it that he had survived the accident, and hid himself away to live the remainder of his life…" Lisa continued.
"...under the name of Mr Fuji?" Cinder asked, looking a little confused. "Sounds pretty lazy to me, just dropping the title of doctor."
"I agree. However, these are rumors, and should be taken with a grain of salt," The nine year old pokemon professor stated.
"And regardless of whether they are rumors or not, the fact of the matter remains that he was still kidnapped, and possibly by Team Helix…" The Pokemon Champion responded seriously. "I will be continuing my investigation here."
"A fine idea, Champion. I will contact the spirits and see if they can provide any information," Xythia offered calmly.
"I'll take to the skies," Edmin said as he rose from his chair, pulling a pokeball from his belt.
"I'll join you, Edmin," Goldscale stated as she stood up as well. "I'll search down south, you search up north."
"Roger that."
"And I will get in touch with the police, see if they've heard anything unusual," The fire chief added, pulling out his phone.
"Excellent. In the meantime, I'll be scouring the internet for information," Lisa offered. "If anyone learns anything, don't hesitate to let everyone else know."
Lisa turned off her communication link with the Elite Four, but kept her link with the Pokemon Champion. "Champion, there's something else you should know."
"What's up, Lisa?"
"That Team Helix incident I mentioned...Lincoln, Lola, Lana, and Girl Jordan were nearly victimized during it…" She informed him solemnly.
"What!? Are they alright!?" The unseen Champion asked worriedly.
"As near as I can tell. The police arrived just in time to scare those ne'er do wells off before they could lose their pokemon." The Champion sighed with relief when he heard that.
"Good. I'd hate to think how Linc would react if he and his sisters would lose their pokemon…"
"You and me both. Here's hoping they never encounter those criminals again…" Lisa said.
"Yeah...here's hoping…" The unseen greatest trainer in the Micha region said, though he didn't sound too sure.
Back in Team Helix's complex, an bald elderly gentleman with large white eyebrows was sitting in a chair in a small cramped room. The only other things in the room were a simple folding table, and another chair. He was wearing a tan shirt with black pants, and had a calm, patient look about him. For some reason, his eyes were closed. He didn't seem to have a worry in the world when Nadia entered the room. She took one look at him and smirked, taking a seat in the chair opposite him. "Why, hello there."
"Good day, young lady," The gentleman said, looking up at her. "Might I ask why I was brought to this, if you'll pardon my saying, dismal place?" The Chief Researcher just kind of giggled at that.
"My apologies for the accommodations, Doctor, but there are many things we need to discuss," She informed him as she looked into the file she carried in her hand.
"Doctor?" Mr Fuji asked with a look of surprise on his face. "Madam, I am no doctor. I am but a man who cares for hurt or abandoned pokemon."
"As much as I love playing games, Dr Fuji, this is not the time for this game," She told him with a threatening tone, but a big smile.
"...ok, let's say you are right for a moment," The elderly man said, not in the least bit perturbed by this. "What exactly did you wish to discuss with me?"
"Back in Kanto, Cinnabar Island to be more precise, you were part of a team working on a pokemon cloning experiment," Nadia explained, relaxing a bit as she crossed one leg over the other. "Team Helix is VERY interested in that research, Dr Fuji. Tell me everything you know about this experiment, and you can get right back to your vacation. Otherwise, things could get rather...unpleasant for you."
"Hmmm. That would be quite complicated, miss. I trust you've done your research into that tragedy, did you not?" He asked her, to which she simply nodded in reply. "Then I suspect you already know that Dr Fuji was killed when something went cataclysmically wrong..."
"We have heard, yes," She replied, pulling two pictures from the folder. "However,Team Helix does its homework quite extensively, doctor…" She slapped the two photos on the table before him. The elderly man glanced down at the photographs. One was of him, of course, and the other of a long nosed man with curled white hair and a goatee. Apart from the hair and the nose, the two images looked remarkably alike. "We've done an analysis on your facial features, eye color, hair color, and it's almost a perfect match. The only difference is the nose, but getting a nose job isn't that difficult. Make no mistake. You ARE Dr Fuji." Mr Fuji simply stared at the two pictures for a moment before silently looking up at the woman before him. His eyes slowly opened, his expression going from that of a kindly grandfather sort to a calculating, business like look.
"So, you went through all this effort to get my research into pokemon cloning, did you?" He asked, still calm as you please. "Well, I do hate to disappoint you, madam, but I'm afraid it's impossible for me to give you this information." Nadia didn't seem upset by this revelation. In fact, her grin only grew.
"I was hoping you'd say that," She said. "It gives me the chance to have some real fun." She started to reach into her shirt again. "I'll make you wish you never refused to tell me."
"Refuse? Madam, I'm not refusing to tell you about my research," Mr Fuji said with a chuckle.
"...you're not?" The Chief Researcher inquired, looking confused.
"No. I am simply saying that it is impossible. After the tragic explosion on Cinnabar, I purposely had my memory of my notes and what I discovered erased," He explained as he tapped the side of his head. "I know the incident happened. I know I was there. I know how many perished as a result. However, all my work on cloning...gone."
"What!? But...how!?" Nadia inquired in shock, her smile fading.
"A simple matter, with the right psychic pokemon," Mr Fuji replied. "Which the financial backer for my experiment was all too happy to provide."
"A backer? So, someone else provided the money for the experiment, huh? Might have known," Nadia said, a slight grin returning. "Would it be safe to assume this backer would have had access to your notes? Possibly saved some of it?"
"I would be very shocked if he didn't. He is a very thorough man."
"And would you be willing to tell me who this backer is~?"
"Certainly, young miss," The elderly man said, which made the admin frown in a grumpy manner.
"...you're no fun," She groused sourly.
"Would it help if I told you in the form of a joke?" He asked her, almost as if he was taunting her.
"...just spit it out already…" Nadia said in huff, crossing her arms. "Who paid for your experiment?"
"Only one of the most powerful men in the Kanto region. You may have heard of him. His name is Giovanni." Chief Researcher Nadia's mouth hung open when she heard that; she had heard of Giovanni, and she didn't relish the idea of possibly messing with him. Her expression seemed to amuse the old man before her as he closed his eyes again. "Will that be all, miss?"
"...I suppose so…" The green haired woman said flatly before she stood up. "Stay here. We'll send someone to escort you out soon."
"Thank you, young miss. Farewell," He said to her while she rushed out of the room, shutting the door behind her. She knew the director wasn't going to like this, but she still had to tell him. When she returned to the nerve center of the complex (buttoning her shirt back up before entering), she found her boss facing the massive monitor hanging on the wall, speaking to a tall, slender, shadowy figure.
"-And we should have the data we require shortly," Darin said with full confidence.
"Excellent," A cold as ice voice replied. "It's good to know my investment hasn't been wasted."
"Director Darin," Nadia announced her presence, slightly nervous.
"Ah. Chief Researcher. I trust you have good news for us," Darin said as he turned to face her, his arms behind his back.
"Yes, Director...and some bad news," She informed him after a moment's hesitation. Might as well get it over with. "The first bit of bad news...Dr Fuji's memory of his research has been wiped. He has no recollection of his notes." She braced herself to get a severe dressing down for this. However, what she heard instead was:
"I see. That is standard procedure in our company as well," The tall figure on the screen said, with no hint of emotion. "Cleansing the memory, or eternal silence."
"...the good news, however, is that he was willing to reveal the name of the one who financed his experiment, and it's believed that he may have some of the good doctor's notes and papers."
"Well, that is something, I suppose. Who is it?" Darin inquired in a flat tone.
"...Giovanni," Nadia replied simply, making her boss flinch in astonishment.
"Hmmm. A very powerful man in the Kanto region, with a business empire as vast as my own...It shouldn't be a shock he had a hand in that," The man on the screen said.
"Quite so." The Team Helix Director commented, tapping his chin. "Nadia, it looks like you will need to take a trip to Kanto…"
"Y-yes, Director…" She replied, though she didn't like the idea.
"I will make all the arrangements, Chief Researcher," The man on the screen informed her. "As I will be going there myself on my own business, you will accompany me as my aide. I will get you into Giovanni's corporate headquarters. From there, you will be responsible for collecting the necessary data." The way he said that, it sounded more like a direct order than an explanation of a plan.
"Huh? Oh, yes sir," Nadia said, caught totally off guard, but maintaining her composure.
"Good. We leave in two days. I will send the details before the end of the business day."
"Yes, sir," The Chief Researcher replied with a nod before she turned to begin her own preparations immediately.
"You have good officers there, Director. Does what they're told and shows the proper respect for their superiors."
"Quite so, Mr Tavish," Director Darin replied before turning back to the view screen. "At any rate, once we get the data, we will begin prioritizing the cloning research, as well as collecting pokemon with the best traits for study."
"Excellent. I trust you will keep me up to date with progress on the project, yes?" The man called Mr Tavish inquired in the same cold, flat voice.
"Naturally...will there be anything else, Mr Tavish?"
"That will be all. Carry on, Director," Mr Tavish responded before the video feed cut out. With the conversation over, Darin pressed a big yellow button on the console before him.
"Elite Field Agent R, kindly escort Mr Fuji back to the surface and deposit him someplace well away from our complex," He instructed into a microphone.
"Yes sir," A female voice replied through the speaker. "Where should I leave him?"
"Surprise him. So long as it cannot be traced back to our laboratory, I couldn't care."
"At once, Director Darin."
A short time later, Mr Fuji found himself being led to someplace unknown to him. His eyes had been covered with a blindfold, but he could feel the breeze on his face and the sun shining onto him, so he could tell he was back outside. A firm hand was clamped around his wrist, leading the way over some uneven terrain. "Ok. This should be far enough," The elite member of Team Helix said, her voice digitally altered to sound like the worst autotune imaginable. She let go of his hand and roughly pulled the covering from his eyes.
He winced at the sudden bright light being introduced to his vision. When his eyesight recovered, he noticed he was mostly surrounded by hills larger than he was, save for the river to his immediate right. "If you head northeast of here, you will find Hazeltuckey. From here, you're on your own."
"I see. Well, thank you at any rate, miss," Mr Fuji said as he turned his attention to the masked trainer. "While I cannot say I think much of your organization's manners, I will say they at least keep their promises." The elite trainer didn't respond, instead tapping a few buttons on her belt. Before his very eyes, she faded from sight, much to his surprise. He glanced around, wondering if she was still around before he simply shrugged and started making his way to the nearest city.