Chapter 33: Red Meta
After losing Klepto, Happy and the group were in pursuit of trying to find him, only to run into E-Raticate, one of Doctor Sorbet's experiments, who was too tough for them to take down. Luckily, they managed to damage the creature somewhat, but only got separated once again, with only the children missing this time. As for Sorbet, he was in pursuit of E-Raticate to get it to go after the group once again.
As for where Happy and Charles were, they were in Block L, which was the place the Genetics Lab was. After they woke up, they spotted a door with a green bar above, which meant access was permissible beyond the area. Curious as they were, they wanted to look inside and entered the lab, which had a lack of scientists due to the escape of Project P-2.0. The area itself intrigued them with all sorts of things they never knew of before.
Charles: Whoa…! This place is...freaky…
Happy: Hey, Charles! Look at that weird thing in that blue tube! It's got an eye!
Charles: It looks kinda creepy…What if it's one of those experiments?
Happy: You're right…Hey, Charles…Do they actually use Pokemon to make those experiments?
Charles: I dunno. I've never seen it before.
As they continued looking around the room, they noticed a red Metagross contained in a tube by itself with no fluids inside. A keyboard was in front of its test tube, but with a warning saying "Do Not Release!" To Happy and Charles, this was something they considered to be strange. Why would there be a Pokemon they did not want to release?
Happy: Hey, Charles, it's a Pokemon!
Charles: It looks weird…But I don't think we should hang around here longer, Happy.
Happy: But, Charles, it's alone in there! I think this Pokemon might be a prisoner. I know! I'll release it!
He pressed a button on the keyboard, which didn't really do anything.
Happy: It didn't do anything.
Charles: Maybe it's a password?
Happy: But I don't know it.
Charles: Maybe we should leave…
But Happy was even more curious to know what kind of Pokemon it was, which encouraged him to look around until he noticed a table with a large paperwork stretched on it. It seemed to be old, as if it was around for hundreds of years and had the image of the red Metagross as some sort of blueprint. Whilst it contained equations that Happy couldn't read, there were some words he could read, thanks to Zamenza's educational training. Some words in particular he noticed were "Project Meta".
Happy: It says that it's called "Project Meta".
Charles: So?
Happy: I know! Maybe that's the password! Maybe it's "Meta"!
He rushed back to the keyboard and pressed the letters in order, which caused a hissing sound to be made. It confused the children as to where the source of the noise was coming from until the tube containing the red Metagross opened up. They were in awe at just how the Metagross appeared to be as they got up close with it. What intrigued them more was the yellow star on its face.
Happy: Is that a star on its face? I wonder what it does?
Charles: It's kind of intimidating up close…
The blackness in the red Metagross's eyes started glowing green circles, indicating its irises and it coming to life. It made Charles jump back and shriek in fear, hoping that it wouldn't kill him, but not Happy, as he was expecting some sort of response.
Charles: H-H-Happy! I-I-It's…alive…!
Happy: Hello there!
The Metagross responded back, although its voice was more robotic.
Metagross: …Booting up sector…Booting…Fully online. I see two creatures. I am…Metalchemist, a.k.a. Project Meta. Hello there.
Happy: Metuh…Meto…uh…I'll call you Mr. Red! It's easier for me. My name is Happy, and this is Charles!
Metalchemist: Mr. Red…I shall accept the nickname. How do you do, Happy and Charles?
Charles managed to shrug off his fear, knowing that Metalchemist probably wouldn't do any harm since Happy was treating it with respect.
Charles: Hey, uh…What happened to you? How long have you been in there?
Metalchemist: I have been in this lab for about 400 years. I was created by genius scientist Doctor Frappe for the sole purpose of being a superweapon used to destroy the world. Unfortunately, I possessed something that he hated, and that is kindness. He deemed me an absolute failure and shut me in this glass so that I may come to my senses.
Charles: A superweapon…? But are you supposed to be cruel?
Metalchemist: I was, but as I said before, I have something in my program, which is kindness, something that he hated. He and his descendants had turned me on and off again every time I was against killing Pokemon. It is nothing more than a mental prison to me at this point.
Happy: That's awful! I know! You should come with us, Mr. Red!
Metalchemist: I do not think that is the best idea. As of right now, I am certain that more Pokemon will find me and-
During their conversation, everything came to a halt when loud footsteps were heard coming closer towards them. They turned themselves around in the direction where it came from, meeting a large creature that they saw for the first time. Said Pokemon appeared to be a large Duraladon with a silver coated body, a green extension on its head, blue eyes and black bands on its arms and legs.
Charles: W-W-W-What is…that?! *whimpers*
Metalchemist: Analyzing…Analysis complete. Project Annihilator, a Duraladon with non-corrosive capabilities. Originally a genetically modified Pokemon that once lived among society. Typing is Dragon and Steel.
Charles: …Wait, "once lived among society"? This is a real Pokemon? As in, a "victim"?
Happy: Huh?
Metalchemist: Whilst plausible, it has long since shredded any ounce of compassion, meant to annihilate anything deemed a threat towards the organization.
Charles: Oh.
Happy: I wonder if it's possible to beat it…
Metalchemist: No. You two are not capable of beating it. It has the advantage in strength and can resist your attacks. I, on the other hand, can defeat it.
Happy: Aww…
Annihilator then roared loudly and ignored Metalchemist being there, attempting to attack the children instead with an arm. However, Metalchemist blocked the arm using a leg, stopping the attack effortlessly. The creature withdrew its arm and took another swing at the children, only for Metalchemist to stop it once again. It now saw Metalchemist as an enemy, focusing its attention on him instead. It decided to use its star-like indents and swung wild-like, which Metalchemist dodged with ease.
Since that didn't work, it decided to use its indents by pointing it at Metalchemist, firing cadmium bullets like a rapid-fire rifle. However, he raised his right leg, which drew the bullets towards it like a magnet. They attached to it, leaving no damage to him whatsoever.
Charles: I-Incredible…! He's really that strong!
Happy: Awesome!
However, the sheer display of power from Metalchemist triggered something in Happy, with him saying...
Happy: …But…
...
At the Senior Head's office, Brigadier Chan Way and Colonel Hummus were keeping their eyes on the monitor, in which some sort of activity was happening in Block L, preferably in the Genetics Lab.
Chan Way: What on earth…? There's two red dots in the Genetics Lab! And there's two yellow dots there as well, only theirs is larger.
As Hummus looked at the readings of the monitor, she was shocked beyond belief.
Hummus: Brigadier! Take a look at this!
She pointed at the screen, to which it displayed some names all too familiar to them.
Chan Way: Impossible! But the doctor isn't in the Genetics Lab…Which means…Those intruders have awakened Project Meta! This isn't good! He's not fully ready!
Hummus: It's not just Project Meta, but it also appears that his dot moved in with the other yellow dot, which is something quite strange. It can't be one of our members, since there's no activity from them in there whatsoever.
Chan Way: But…Who or what is Project Meta fighting…? (...Is it one of the doctor's projects…?)
...
From Block K, Baye, Tanner, Mr. P and Honori were in search of Happy and Charles, which was bizarre as to how they managed to get separated like that.
Tanner: I think they should be in the next block.
Mr. P: You think so?
Tanner: Either that, or they might've gotten lost.
Baye: I really hope that isn't the case.
Unbeknownst to them, Klepto was indeed watching them. This time, he had some help from somebody in achieving his objective. He knew that if he was invisible, he could split them up. His real target was Baye, the one responsible for getting him into trouble in the first place. So, he turned invisible, deciding to sneak up on them. As he got close enough, he delivered a kick towards Tanner's back, then punched Mr. P in the face and bagged Honori before scurrying off with a screaming Baye into another block.
Tanner: Miss Baye!
Mr. P: Miss Baye!
They heard Klepto's laughter, which grew quieter by the second until it was gone. For Tanner, he had to vent out his frustration somehow...
Tanner: *punches wall* Dammit! I let my guard down! I couldn't even detect his vibes! I've got to kick his ass!
Before Tanner could go after them, Mr. P stopped him in his tracks.
Mr. P: Tanner, wait. Calm down. Irrational thinking is what Klepto wants us to be. He's using dirty methods to divert us away from our objective.
?: And what objective would that be?
As they turned around, they were facing a familiar enemy. Well, to Tanner, that is. The Pokemon appeared to be a Dwebble with black whiskers and a goatee under his mouth, a scar over his right eye and a black shell with blue diamonds on it. He also wore a purple cloak, which was similar to another Pokemon wearing the same thing.
Tanner: Junior Chilli!
Mr. P: J-Junior…?
Chilli: That's right. Who do you think was behind that attack just now?
Tanner: So, it was you!
Chilli: To be honest, I don't really care about that dino girl. But since I've got you two all by yourselves, it's a thing I'd really enjoy fighting. Especially you, Tanner.
Mr. P: Do you know him, Tanner?
Tanner: Long story short, yes. Mr. P, go find Baye. I'll handle this.
Mr. P: Tanner, are you sure?
Tanner: Yes! Go after Klepto!
Chilli: Why not do as he says? I wouldn't mind it, although I imagine that you won't be successful in that.
Mr. P: What are you talking about?
Chilli: Oh, it's just that Klepto isn't alone in that endeavor. But I suggest you hurry. There's no need to wait.
Mr. P: …Alright. But stay alive, Tanner.
Mr. P then took off in the direction Baye was taken in, leaving Tanner to fight his old rival.
Chilli: Now then, let's get down to business like last time.
Tanner: I'm gonna kick your ass again, Chilli.
Chilli: Oh, no. Not this time. I've gotten stronger since last time. I'll show you. *laughs*
...
In Block F, Doctor Sorbet and his associate were down the hall on Project Program tracking down Project E-Raticate. Whilst doing so, he noticed some activity in Block L's Genetics Lab as the monitor on the back of Project Program's head started beeping.
Sorbet: Hmm?
?: What is it?
Sorbet: …W-What?! No! Who's the bastard that freed Project Meta?! I'll fire them!
?: Project Meta has been freed?
Sorbet: Of course! Oh! And, if you look here…
He pointed towards two red dots in the Genetics Lab, followed by two yellow ones.
Sorbet: Those red dots are the intruders. Whilst I was indeed tracking Project E-Raticate, I'm gonna have to make a detour.
However, his associate saw something headed their way, and within speeding distance. It wasn't clear enough due to the speed, but he still saw it nonetheless.
?: *points* Doctor Sorbet! Up ahead! I see something, and it's coming this way fast!
As Sorbet looked up from the monitor, he, too, was shocked, but before he could comment, it disappeared in a flash. Upon seeing it, he automatically knew what it was.
Sorbet: (...I see…) Don't worry. That was Project P-2.0. It's trying to avoid obstacles.
?: Obstacles?
Sorbet: Yeah.
?: Where is it as of now, then?
He checked the monitor, flipping through the blocks until he stopped at Block B, seeing the same yellow dot speeding down the grid.
Sorbet: It's in Block B.
He then looked to Block D, which featured another speeding yellow dot, only it was faster.
Sorbet: And now it's Project PZ on its tail. One thing's for certain. Project PZ is the fastest creature to be made.
?: But if it's after Project P-2.0, why is it having a difficult time getting to it?
Sorbet: Getting to it isn't a problem. It's the teleportation that's the problem. Remember, Project PZ can sense electromagnetic energy in the air, as well as psychic energy. As long as it does that, it will continue to hunt it down. I highly doubt that Project P-2.0 will keep up with its teleportation forever. Everything has a stopping point…But for now, my lab is in danger. Whoever's in there has freed Project Meta, and I'd like the bastards behind it to pay for disrupting an entire generation's work. I can't face my father and my grandfathers if their work was created for nothing…
...
Back to where Happy and Charles were, they were fighting against Project Annihilator with Metalchemist. Despite Metalchemist saying that he could handle it, Happy felt like he couldn't sit idly by and watch. He needed to get stronger.
Happy: …Hey, Charles?
Charles: Huh?
Happy: That thing's strong, but even though Metalchemist says we don't have the advantage, we've got to beat it.
Charles: W-What?! We can't! You heard what he said! We don't have the type advantage!
Happy: But we can't let him fight it alone! Charles…What's the point of Master Zamenza's training if we can't get stronger ourselves?
Charles: Hmm…I did want to shut those Pokemon up from Master Libre's school, so…I guess this is something we could do…
Happy: Charles…have we actually shown the extent of our true power yet…?
Charles: Huh…?
Happy: At the tournament…We never did show our true power…We only limited ourselves for the safety of others…So why do that now? Why not just show our true strength?
Charles: But…My Blaze ability…I was struggling, you know.
Happy: Even if so, it's probably us not giving it our all yet! We have to help Mr. Red! Let's defeat that creature!
Charles: *gulps* A-Alright…Let's do this…Together…
Happy: Right.
They both took a fighting stance whilst Metalchemist battled the creature. As it was coming around, it opened up its mouth, with sparks forming into a yellow orb before firing an electrified beam. As it went towards Metalchemist, the beam went straight towards the star on his face, as if it was acting like a lightning rod. The children dashed forward with arms ready to punch, focusing on the creature itself. Metalchemist noticed them approaching, which didn't help the situation as believed he told them earlier that he had it under control.
Metalchemist: Why are you children approaching? I believe I have the advantage here.
Happy: We know, but what's the point in sitting back?
The creature turned around to face them, which got on all fours and opened its mouth, breathing a stream of flames in their direction. They saw the flames and ran alongside it before jumping up and delivering an uppercut punch that knocked it on its back. Even Metalchemist was surprised by their power.
Metalchemist: …Incredible. Such children boast incredible strength. Perhaps I did not analyze them in terms of power instead of physical stature.
The creature, now serious, got back up and began swinging its arms, destroying glass tubes in the process and roared. To Charles, however, he had an idea.
Charles: I think I've got an idea!
Metalchemist: Do you have something?
Charles: Yeah!
Happy: Huh?
Charles began to inhale, then exhaled a stream of flames that was bigger than he ever did. The flames struck its neck, which didn't do anything for a minute until an orange, circular heat formed from the attack.
Charles: Yes!
Metalchemist: (...He burned a circular spot in its neck…I see now…) The spot that Charles left is where it can be struck!
Charles: Alright! Happy, go for the final blow!
Happy ran forward, but the creature pointed its indents at Happy, with Metalchemist rushing to his side at an even greater speed than before. As it fired, Metalchemist raised a leg, drawing the bullets towards him while Happy gained enough momentum to leap and kicked the cooled down spot, breaking it to form a hole. This time, Charles was by Happy, and joined kicks together to go right through the creature, creating a hole through its back.
The creature then stopped for a moment before cracks formed all over its body and broke apart, defeating it.
Happy: We did it! We beat it!
Charles: A-Amazing…! I…I didn't think we could do it…
Metalchemist: Impressive! You children are something else. How did you know that heating a spot and kicking through it would work?
Charles: I didn't. I just thought that it would burn since it looked like a Steel type.
Happy: But it worked!
?: So, you're the ones who freed Project Meta!
Before they could celebrate, they turned around to see Doctor Sorbet, who looked furious not at Project Meta, but at the children.
Metalchemist: Doctor Sorbet.
Sorbet: You know, I was expecting one of those fighters to have done it, but who would've guessed two children would do so?
Happy: You must be a bad guy!
Sorbet: I don't care if you're children. Since you destroyed one of my projects, I'll have to kill you both! And Project Meta, you'll be shut down once again after I get through with them…
...