What the Carmen team feared is happenning. A new pokémon had been created. How will this go ?
Voices were reaching her. Slowly, she opened her eyes. Where … where was she ? Her vision stabilized. In a tank full of water. Farther, silhouettes. Humans, in white coats bustling around like bees. Their voices were all exited. They were smiling at her. Were they … happy to see her ? One of them, small, with withe hairs in spikes and welding goggles approached and put a hand on the glass.
" I did it ! I created the ultimate pokémon !" she exulted.
" Created ?"
The scientists applauded.
" This is Ultimeevee ! Now bring my mind control device !" ordered Saira.
The pokémon behind widened eyes. Mind control ? So this human here intended to enslave her ? Was she created to be a puppet ? No, she wouldn't tolerate it. Her eyes glowed. Someone warned Bellum. An instant later, the glass exploded. Ultimeevee stood up. She was quite tall, 6,56 foot. White pelt with golden circles around ankles and wrist, two inversed green V on the chest, a long fluffy tail. Her eyes were of a deep blue. Bellum had jumped aside when hearing the glass cracks.
" Mind control device you said ? No thanks."
" It … it can speak ! " said someone.
Bellum tightened jaws. Her creation heard that. Without the device she'd never be able to control it. Better save time until she had her hands on it.
" I had no idea you would understand. This changes everything of course. At first, it was supposed to help you control your powers and stabilize your mind." replied Bellum, joining hands.
" I don't think I need your help for that." replied the pokémon.
" Well, you are a new born and the outside world could frighten you. My presence within you could reassure you, especially when all the informations about it will reach you. But since you can understand me, I'll explain it all to you."
Ultimeevee hesitated. True she didn't know anything, but her instincts whispered to not trust that woman. Bellum felt an assistant slipping her device in her pocket. Perfect. She'll just have to distract her pokémon then take complete control of it.
" How about I give you a first glimpse of the world, huh ?" suggested Saira.
She headed to a large bay window, of which she pulled the curtains up. Ultimeevee walked to it. The sky was of a deep blue, and a white coat was covering the landscape. It was beautiful. Behind, Bellum took her device. She put it on her head and activated it. The pokémon immediately felt her presence in her mind. She vividly turned to the human. She tricked her ! Saira smiled ironically, certain of her victory over the pokémon. However, Ultimeevee wasn't going to have that. Using her own powers she counterattacked. The window behind her cracked. Saira increased the power of her device. Ultimeevee did the same. For an instant it was a battle of will. Or so believed the VILE head thinking. She simply underestimated a detail. She had created that pokémon to be the strongest ever.
And stronger Ultimeevee was : she finally managed to break the device, sending a powerful psychic wave all around her. The scientist tried to stop her with tasers. But being electric that had no effect on her. Not like the electricity she sent back. Bellum called her robots in backups. An ice beam stopped them all. Ultimeevee began to burn the whole place. The humans rushed away from her. Getting through the walls, she blocked their way before spreading poison. Grass and vines covered a whole corridor. Ultimeevee used a tornado of sharp leaves against another waves of robots. Their cables cut, they fell. Now, where was her creator ? The pokémon tracked her presence. Bellum managed to exit her lab, when her creation gushed from a wall. She caught the human by the neck.
" So you believed you could enslave me, huh. Is that what all humans do to pokémon ? In any case, I won't let you enslave anyone, ever again."
Her psychic powers destroyed the evil scientist first, before the pokémon burned her. Ultimeevee turned her eyes to the sky.
" If all the pokémon are slaves, then I'm the only one who can save them."
She took off, under the horrified eyes of someone.
In Carmen's HQ.
" Hello people. I have some news. Our delivery granted us our return in Interpol." announced Julia, that morning.
" That's great." commented Carmen.
It was still a bit unreal to think that Coach Brunt had been arrested. But it was a big step into VILE demise. Maybe this would end sooner than she originally thought. What will she do once VILE behind bars ? Carmen admitted she never took time to muse on that. She'll try to look for her parents. And well, perhaps a certain inspector could be helpful. As she was grinning at the idea, her phone rang. It was Shadowsan.
" Hello Shadowsan, good to hear from you." greeted Carmen.
" Carmen, it's a catastrophe !" replied the man.
" Huh ? What's going on ?" worried the Argentina.
" Dr Bellum completed her experience. The specimen is alive, and not very friendly."
Carmen put her loudspeakers on. Shadowsan was currently in Himalaya, on his way to infiltrate the last lab, as planned. Alas he arrived too late : the pokémon had awoken, and greatly damaged the place. Not only that, but the former instructor saw it killing Bellum. He described the creature : a very tall Eevee, all white with golden circles and green V on the chest. The Japanese had just inspected the place, finding several corpses on the way. According to datas here, hat pokémon had been named Ultimeevee. It combined all known evolutions of Eevee, plus new ones, like ghost type, insect, poison, ground, rock, steel, dragon, flight and fight.
" All the pokémon types in a single one ?!" exclaimed Zack.
" This pokémon must be the hell strong." added Ivy.
" And it's in the nature ?" asked Chase.
" Yes. But there is worse."
" What can be worse than that ?" questioned Julia.
" I heard it. It can talk. Ultimeevee can display its voice, certainly through telepathy. Meaning it has a human intelligence. Stopping it won't be easy at all." revealed Shadowsan.
" A brand new creature unleashed in the vast world, without any guidance … who know what it will think of it and decide." said Carmen.
" Given how it started, nothing good I'm afraid." pointed Argent.
" You guys think we could … I don't know, talk some sense into it ?" questioned Chase.
" Capturing it will prove to be near impossible, we don't even know if the current pokéballs could keep it. And I believe this isn't the best way to prevent it from causing damages." admitted Sandiego.
" But … what if it doesn't want to listen ?" dared Julia.
A silence followed that question expressing their fear. In any case, they couldn't remain idly by. They had to track it. How was the question. Player was called, and had an explanation about the situation. He too was fearing what could result of this. He'll create an alert based on this pokémon description, that he would transmit to his group so lots of eyes could pin it down through cameras all over the world, or newspapers. Instruction to not try to capture it would be given as well. Now, all they could do was to wait. Julia suggested to determine a strategy once they would face that pokémon. Shadowsan announced he would be here in a few hours.
On the meantime, Ultimeevee had reached a village. The pokémon, aware of her ignorance about the world, had decided to observe first. She had little knowledge about herself, her powers, her nature and goal. Why did that human created her ? What were her intentions in doing so ? As far as she knew, she was the ultimate pokémon. But what did it truly mean ? She spotted a group of what she surmised to be young humans. Five of them, quite exited, showing to each other a red and white ball. They left the place. Carefully, Ultimeevee followed them from high in the air. The little group walked for a long time. They stopped in a plain. Some moments later, some of them launched the ball they were holding. Ultimeevee attended a pokémon capture. All the youngsters captured a pokémon before exhibiting it to the group. This done, two of them decided a pokémon battle.
" So the humans capture us, then use us for a fight ?"
That was strange for the pokémon, and not a good point for humanity. She saw pokémon being snatched to their environment, their home, everything they knew to be locked up in a tiny ball and forced to fight. A battle where they were injured. All of this, against their will.
" But how come they don't resist ?" wondered Ultimeevee.
She decided to watch more. She learnt that some humans used pokémon to catch others. Ultimeevee resumed her journey : in some places she witnessed humans fighting against each other. The harsh weather was also a hard discovery for her. Her powers allowed her to remedy to that, though. The pokémon travelled for days, observing pokémon and humans, but hiding from both. She attended some battles in arenas, a championship as well. She saw humans abandoning pokémon.
" It's the same everywhere : pokémon being caught by humans, to serve them. Is that our destiny ? No, it can't be. Pokémon aren't just tools."
She had to do something. Ultimeevee reached a country where she would rest for a while. This where Player had news from it.
" Heads up team. I have news from our wanted pokémon."
Carmen and Shadowsan called everyone scattered in the house. Once the whole team gathered, he explained that several people had apperceived an unknown pokémon : they described his size, the white pelt, Eevee shape. Apparently, last place seen : Calcutta. Carmen decided to go there. They had to confront that pokémon. Player knew she'd say that, and already booked a flight.
" I asked Interpol to provide us two Masterballs, just in case." warned Chase, the day of the departure.
He showed two purple balls. Carmen nodded : better be prepared indeed. What was this pokémon up to … Player had a possible clue. There was several reports of pokémon turning against their trainer. This could be Ultimeevee's handiwork, since it possessed psychic powers. And it was rather a bad new for our team : what if their own pokémon turned against them ? They decided to discuss the possibility. Carmen said they had to act by surprise. Hide their pokémon in case of an attack. Shadowsan mentioned it wasn't a bad plan, but would it be enough since Ultimeevee was certainly the strongest pokémon in the world ?
" He's right. Let's plan other mean of attack : you have irritating bomb if I recall ?" suggested Chase.
" Yes, good idea. That will reduce its field of action, and our pokémon will be able to attack without much trouble."
" Attacking at a distance is also safer, as long as it's not weak enough for a capture." pointed Julia.
" Grimer can also slow it down with his smell and poison." said Zack.
They nodded. The battle was in case the pokémon would be aggressive or not willing to listen to them. The plane landed. Here they go, going after the most powerful pokémon. The heat that welcomed them was heavy. They took the subway, then a bus to where Ultimeevee had last been seen. A plain, out of the town. The bus driver was surprised to have his passengers asking to be left here, in the middle of nowhere. Julia assured him that yes, they really wanted to go there. The driver shrugged, then left once everybody out. The team observed the place an instant : according to Player, people came here to capture pokémon. Carmen and Chase were the first to walk in here. For a moment, they met no living soul. Unbeknown to them, Ultimeevee was observing the group. She noticed the pokéballs at their belt.
As the group was advancing, they suddenly saw their pokéballs floating. All of them headed to the pokémon floating behind. Ultimeevee didn't wait for their reaction and fled, bringing the pokémons with her.
" No !" they all exclaimed.
They ran after her. Alas, the pokémon was too fast and disappeared in the horizon.
" No … our pokémon !" moaned Ivy, slowing down.
" Rox, Delphox, Minun !" said Carmen, stopping too.
" The hell are you waiting for ? Run !" said Chase.
" And how do you plan to retrieve her ? Can you fly by any chance ?" questioned Shadowsan.
" No one will take my pokémon from me unpunished ! Mine all got a chip, so let's go !" retorted the man.
He continued running. Carmen was impressed again : his determination seemed to know no boundary. Julia explained that she could track them via her tablet : where hers and Devineaux's pokémon would be, the others would too. This gave them hope, and they set out to join him. Or trying to, because in the siblings case they couldn't run for very long. Julia could keep up longer, but had to stop eventually. Only Carmen and Shadowsan were able to catch up with the inspector. Realizing that the rest of the group was missing, Chase reluctantly agreed to stop. Once at their level, Julia announced that their pokémon weren't on the move anymore. The inspector wanted to race again, but Carmen reasoned him : Ultimeevee had reached her destination and shouldn't have any reason to leave again. No need to hurry.
Farther away, Ultimeevee freed the pokémon from their pokéballs. Those discovered they were in a cave. Seeing their move of surprise when facing her, she reassured them :
" No need to fret, you're free now."
" What the hell is she talking about ? " questioned Rox.
" Where are our trainers ? " asked Blastoise.
" She took us away from them ! " exclaimed Espeon.
This constatation rose a wave of anger among the group. Ultimeevee was taken aback by this reaction : she had decided to free pokémon, and tried different methods. She challenged humans, requesting their pokémon in case of defeat, turned the creatures against them, and now was stealing them. Even if strong, she lacked experience and got defeated a few times. So, she somehow brainwashed the pokémon, rendering them aggressive and rebel. Ultimeevee believed at first she was given them back their free will. However, they were aggressive toward her as well. So now, she wanted to know more about her pokémon nature. She wished to understand why her kind was serving humans. And she honestly thought that they would be happy to retrieve their freedom.
" Aren't you happy to be free again ?" she asked, spreading arms.
" I had no idea we were prisoners." ironized Boltund.
" So you don't even know about your condition."
" And you don't know about irony. But you got some nerves, kidnapping us like that." resumed the dog.
What was wrong with those pokémon, thought Ultimeevee. Unless that being captured also brainwashed them. If so, she'd have to remedy that.
" I see. Don't worry, I'll help you being completely free. You won't remember this life of slavery." she declared, lifting a hand.
" She's about to erase our memory !" yelled Delphox.
They would forget they had trainers. All good moments, all trials they went through together, the affection shared would disappeared. No, there was no way they would allow that. Over their dead bodies.
" Everyone attack ! " exclaimed Minun.
The whole group sent an attack that could barely dodge Ultimeevee.
" What's wrong with you all ? I'm here to help you !"
" What's wrong with us ? What is wrong with you ! Who do you think you are to decide of our lives, you who's only some weeks old ! You don't know a single thing about pokémon and trainers, and you pretend to rule us ?" retorted Tara.
Her family and her friends agreed to that statement. Ultimeevee blinked. She absolutely didn't expect rebellion against her objective. Should she use more violence ?
" We are not prisoners nor slaves. Our trainers are our friends and family." intervened Blastoise.
" But … don't you miss living out in the wild, going where you want to and not forced to fight ?" questioned Ultimeevee, even more confused.
" If you think that living in the wild is better, then you really don't know anything." replied Tara, calmer.
A silence followed that sentence. Could it be that she was wrong ? That pokémon wasn't wrong when recalling her how young and thus ignorant she was. Perhaps she should learn more before interfering. She looked at the group before her.
" Then … can you tell me how it's like ? "
The group exchanged looks. That was what their trainers planned : discussing with her. That was the opportunity to solve this and prevent damages.
" Of course. First, what do you know about our species ? Pokémon in general ? " asked Tara.
" From what I could see, there's different types : water, fire, steel, insect … I could hear some names too. And … I know I'm not natural. I was created, I might be not a real pokémon. Thus, she sighed, you're right, I have no right to judge and especially about something I don't know about."
Ultimeevee saw pokémon being captured and used in battles, all without their consent. Thus her actions from earlier. Dragonite said that because she didn't have a good start in life didn't mean that her life had to be bad. She was a pokémon in their eyes, they didn't think for a second that she was a fakemon. Minun added that birth wasn't what mattered the most, her choices were.
" We'll each introduce ourselves to you, and for those who wish, our stories. Is that alright too folks ?" resumed Tara.
Collective nod. They laid or sat on the ground to be more comfortable. Tara started :
" My name is Tara, I'm an Arcanine, fire type. I was found by my trainer when I was still a Growlithe, the phase before that one. I was living in the streets, alone after a pack of Rockruffs killed my mother and siblings. I met Chase, that's my trainer's name, on a day of winter."
She had caught his scarf, and brought it to him. She had already interacted with humans and some had been nice to her. They met again several times when she was looking for food in the garbage.
" That was until the Rockruffs who slaughtered my family found me, and decided to finish the job. My trainer happened to be present and rescued me."
He just opened his car door, caught the Growlithe under the Rockruffs' nose and left. Chase took her to a center to heal her. He then asked her to be his pokémon.
" He offered me a better life. A roof, where I was sheltered from the cold, the rain, the heat. A place where I didn't know true hunger anymore. Where I wasn't alone, scared, I was loved and cared for. In exchange I help him in his job. I never regretted it. Let me tell you one thing : being a wild pokémon does not mean you don't have to fight. You have to for food, territory, against nature too."
Ultimeevee remembered about the bad weather she had to endure. Having a trainer spared pokémon from harsh conditions. Boltund was second to talk. He presented himself and his type before speaking of his past. He had been offered to Chase after he solved a case of theft for a wealthy family. However, what his trainer didn't know was that this family was in reality abandoning him.
" They were moving at the time the theft happened. They told me that they were entrusting me to another human, and I have to be a good Boltund. I didn't understood : I had always been a good pokémon, so why ? I discussed this with Tara, and she guessed it all. The very evening I met with Chase and Tara, I ran away. I didn't want to believe it. But when I came back home, nobody was here. The house was empty. What Tara said was true : I had been abandoned. "
Ultimeevee was listening with passion. Boltund resumed his story : depressed and lost, he stayed in the threshold of his house where Tara found him. Chase was postponing his departure while she was looking for him. Boltund expressed his distress, failing to see why this happened. He wanted to look for his family, but if they abandoned him once they wouldn't be thrilled to see him again. Tara suggested to give a chance to his new trainer, explained her own story and that he had a second chance. Finally, having nowhere else to go he went back with her. During a whole week he mourned over his previous family, until Chase suggested him some exercise at Interpol. That did him good, that erased his pain for some time. It was during a break, after he went back from a mission that he finally understood what caused him to be left behind :
" I was glad I had succeeded, and cuddled Tara in excitement. However, I sent her electricity. When she asked me why I was hurting her, I explained that in my joy I could sometime slightly electrocute. A common thing among electric pokémon. But it was the very reason I was abandoned. It all came back in a flash : the pain my humans felt, the scolds, punishments even. All those details I had found unfair at the time. I was hurting them and they simply had enough. Tara said I had to control myself, otherwise I wouldn't be able to stay with them either."
And controlling himself he did. He was now happy to have his family. Dragonite was next. He too, had a difficult life. Captured and sold to a trafficker who was mistreating him, he was very weak when Devineaux found him. Dragonite would never forget the sensation of his hand on his paw. It was warm, kind. The man wanted to take him to a center, but as weak as he was he might never make it. So Chase feed him first.
" I'll never forget that too : the food was delicious, and warmed my heart like nothing else. For the first time in ages, someone was nice to me. I could have hated humanity for what I've been through, but he prevented that. He showed me that kindness was possible. I healed. Then, I decided to return to my homeland. Alas, no one was here as they all had been captured. We were a little colony, only ten of us. I didn't want to stay here all alone, so I decided to find the human who saved me."
Chase was adamant to collect him because of his size. But then again, if he was to stay in his pokéball then it would be fine. Devineaux was letting him out every evening for him to stretch his wings. Then, he joined him in his job too : serving justice, now that was fitting his temper. Serperior concluded the team Chase story : he had been captured in the wild as a Snivy and peacefully evolved. He added that being with a trainer taught him to be stronger. He too, was glad to have a family.
" My name is Rox, I'm a Thievul, a darkness type. My story is similar to Tara's one. I too was found in the street by my trainer, when she was younger. I was persecuted by two Boltunds at that time."
Boltund snorted : no wonder he'd been so scared of him. Rox told Ultimeevee about his meeting with the young Sandiego, and how they trained together. He discovered cares for pokémon, learnt to be stronger and to persevere, he learnt to do good. Above all, he discovered love and friendship.
" A strong bond is created between us and our trainer. They consider us as their best friend, their confident, a part of themselves. They allow us to evolve, in every sense of the word, and to channel our strength." he said.
" I see." made Ultimeevee.
Delphox introduced himself. He was captured the classic way, as a way for Rox to not fight alone and protect him. Turned out that they mutually protected themselves. He added that Carmen was fighting the very organisation that created Ultimeevee. Carmen did what she could to stop those atrocious experiences on pokémon. Minun continued, he had not much to say as he joined Carmen right after Delphox, the same day. Carmen was a caring and brave human : he said that she too had a difficult beginning in the life, but she chose her own path. Raboot explained that he was coming from a breeding his trainer's parents were running, and so he was offered to her by them. Entering in Interpol hadn't been easy : they all thought he was too weak for the job. But his trainer always supported him. He knew that not because everyone said you're not in the right place meant that was true. He had to have faith in himself. Espeon's story was the same : as he was defending his friend his trainer was in trouble.
Julia believed in his skills, thanked him for his loyalty but taught him composure. Proving oneself was better than wasting time replying to annoying people. They earned respect that way.
" There will always be persons bad mouthing you, and you have to learn to ignore them as much as possible."
Blastoise's turn was next. His trainer, Ivy, was a poor orphan girl with only her brother left. They struggled to be able to buy themselves pokéballs, doing all kind of jobs. Crime was common for youngsters where she was living before. But she and Zack had decided to remain on the right path and strive for their goal : being race champions.
He was caught in the wild too, at the Squirtle phase. He learnt with the siblings that no matter where you came from, no matter your birth conditions it's up to you to make your way. Good or bad it was your choice, and you'll have to bear the consequences. As they did after an accident during a race, which in the ends lead them to meet Carmen. Grimer was the last to speak. He was perfectly aware that Zak didn't chose him, and it was an accident. His sister might not like him, like a lot of people and pokémon, but his trainer didn't give up on him. He knew he was useful during missions, and the rest of the team knew it too. The purple pokémon was taught that appearances weren't all : you'll still have to work to reach your objectives.
" You all learnt very valuables lessons with your trainers. I thank you for sharing that with me." said Ultimeevee.
" We hope that you understand better our relation with the humans. Not all are good, some are really horrible. But unless you are certain that a pokémon is mistreated then you mustn't intervene." replied Delphox.
" Yes, I think you're right. I'm sorry for taking you without your consent : real freedom is about being able to choose. But how will I know a human is good or bad ?"
" You're a psychic pokémon, probe their heart." advised Espeon.
Ultimeevee declared that she would return them to their trainers. As a gesture of god will, she didn't make them return their pokéballs. They all floated behind the pokémon. They left the little hideout they were in. Ultimeevee detected the humans far from where she met them first. And they weren't alone this time. Carmen's group had met with La Chèvre and El Topo. Dr Bellum's death reached the Faculty. After a visit in her lab, they had been aware of Ultimeevee's existence. Order to search for the pokémon had been given to those. Antonio had welcomed Bellums's death with a secret joy. His Phanpy was avenged. However, facing a very powerful pokémon wasn't in his to do list. There they were, when they stumbled upon VILE most wanted.
Our heroes were a bit concerned : they were pokémon-less at the moment. Sure, some could still fight, but against a pokémon different story. Ultimeevee arrived at that moment. The humans welcomed their pokémon with joy and relief. Ultimeevee observed the scene, being proved about that special bond her congeners talked about. Behind, La Chèvre called his three pokémon. Ultimeevee heard their aggressivity and turned. As Espeon suggested, she probed the trainer's heart.
" Not really good."
With a shape gesture of the arm, she sent him in the air. Then, Ultimeevee stared at Antonio. She saw images of what happened to his pokémon. His tears, sorrow, his cries over his Phanpy's corpse. How it happened. His love for pokémon.
" You're not that bad, compared to your companion. You're in the bad job, why don't open a shop or work in a pokémon center ?" she asked.
El Topo had a brief surprise hearing it.
" I also like stealing, it makes me feel alive."
" As alive as being with pokémon ?"
He lowered eyes. Then, noticing that he and his partner were outnumbered, he collected Jean-Paul and compelled him to leave.
" Hey, Ultimeevee." he called in his head.
" Yes, human ? "
" Stay with Carmen. She'll shelter you, and if you want to be free, and me too, then help her take down VILE. They want to take you back and use you."
" I thank you for the advice."
She turned to the group.
" You. How dare you steal our pokémon ?" growled Chase.
She probed him. Stubborn, impulsive, but good in general. He'd been worried about his pokémon, thus his aggressivity. Speaking of them, they all interposed between them, pleading for her.
" Huh ? Are you defending her ?!" exclaimed Devineaux.
" Your pokémon and I had a good talk. I had no idea about your relation : all I ever saw was pokémon being snatched from the place they know, from their family and forced to fight. But they explained me it had its perks too." intervened Ultimeevee.
The pokémon apologized for her action, thinking she was helping. Carmen had a breath.
" As far as I'm concerned, I think I can forgive you. You're very young and know nothing about the world. You did this out of a good intention, and realized your mistake in the end." she declared.
" And since our pokémon are pleading in your favour, we should listen to them." added Julia.
" Hmmm. Fine. Miss Sandiego is right, so I'll let it go for this time." accepted Chase.
His pokémon thanked him.
" So what should we do now ?" questioned Ivy.
" We were supposed to communicate with Ultimeevee, which our pokémon did. VILE is after her, so letting her alone isn't a good idea." made Shadowsan.
" My thoughts exactly. Would like you come with us, Ultimeevee ?" proposed Carmen.
Just like the other human advised. She still took the precaution to check the thief. Wow, generous, kind heart. Purity. Indeed, she should be fine with that one.
" Very well. You're a bright human, I sense I can trust you." replied the creature.
She advanced toward her. The other pokémon welcomed her in the team. Carmen warned that in order to leave the place discreetly, it would be best to place her in a pokéball. Ultimeevee hesitated. Rox advised her to accept, she could trust Carmen to free her as soon as they would be home. Plus, it wasn't so bad? and practical. The pokémon decided to trust her new friends, seeing some logic in it. Sandiego explained about the masterball and the reason they had that. Ultimeevee stayed still when the Argentina threw the ball. An instant later, they had a new pokémon in the team.