Chapter 24:

Infiltrate the Frigate

Location: PWT

"So," I asked as we walked to the PWT. "What would the Plasma Frigate be?"

"I don't know," Hugh replied. "A frigate is the name for a large ship, often used in naval combat. So, it must be-"

"I think it is," I said. Docked at the PWT, was the giant ship. The ship from the skies Flocessy Ranch. The ship from Castelia City. It was the same one. We were right to be concerned.

"I knew it," Hugh said. "It did belong to them! Urgh. I should have raided it when I had the chance."

"Well, we have one now!" I said. "But we have to listen to whatever that Colress has to say."

"And I'll join!" Mr. Cheren ran up. "I heard reports that Team Plasma were in the area, and I wanted to give you guys a hand."

Deciding that the more the merrier would work wonders, we headed onto the giant-black ship.

Location: Plasma Frigate

On board of the ship was basically like an old-fashioned vessel, or a pirate ship even. I couldn't believe we were simply being allowed to waltz right onto Team Plasma transport; there had to be some sort of trap involved. Around us, Team Plasma Grunts were watching us.

"Was this a good idea?" I asked Hugh.

"Yes," he said. "Now's our chance to take them down."

"Really?"

From a cabin, we heard a voice. A deep, male one. We also heard struggling.

"Who's there?" Mr. Cheren asked. "Come out and face us."

A man in a big black suit came out. With him, was Colress. "Well well well, some kids have come to play. If you want somewhere to go for recess, you should have stayed at that School that snobby old Rival of ours runs."

"Colress!" I shouted. "What's going on here?"

"I'm sorry… he said."

"Wait," I said. "Are you…" I reached for my Bag, but Hugh slapped it away.

"What are you doing?" Hugh snarled. "Now is not the time for referencing."

"Referencing what?" the man asked. "Go on, show us what you have there."

I hesitated. There was no way I was going to show that creep the only way of finding Hilbert. "There, cough cough, pills. Oh, I caught a bit of a cold in all the excitement of the PWT yesterday. I think I might go back to the Pokémon Center and have a lie down."

However, Team Plasma Grunts were blocking the entrance.

"Fine," the man said. "If you won't tell us, we'll have to beat it out of you."

A Grunt approached me. "Bring it on!" I shouted.

Rosa Vs. Plasma Grunt M

"I choose Trapinch!" I shouted.

"Grimer, go!" replied the Grunt. "Start with Mud Bomb!" Grimer made a ball of mud and fired it at Trapinch.

"Trapinch!" I yelled. "We can do it!" Before I could command a Bulldoze, I noticed it was scratching at the wooden surface.

"Rosa!" Mr. Cheren shouted. "I think Trapinch is learning the move Dig! Give it a go!"

"Okey dokey. Trapinch, Dig!" Trapinch went underground, making a hole in the ship. It dodged another Mud Bomb. "Now!" Trapinch came back above, and tackled Grimer. It was down in one.

"Grimer! Okay, you asked for it. Krokorok, go!" Out came the Ground Type.

"Thanks, Trapinch. Okay Azumarill, you're up!" It was Ground Vs. Water; I had the clear advantage.

"Krokorok, Swagger!" Krokorok crossed its arms and gave Azumarill a look. Azumarill got angry, then confused.

"No!" I shouted. "Give it an Aqua Tail!" Azumarill however hurt itself instead.

"Now Crunch!" Krokorok chomped down on Azumarill, who cried out in pain.

"Try another Aqua Tail!" Azumarill this time got a successful hit in! Krokorok was down in one!

"PLAAAASSSMMAAAA!" shouted the Grunt.

"I tell you what, Trapinch learned Dig at the right time!" I said.

"Don't celebrate yet," another Grunt said. "You have to take on me now!"

Rosa Vs. Plasma Grunt F

"Golbat, go!" shouted the Grunt, sending out a blue flying Pokémon with big-purple wings.

Golbat (ゴルバット)

062

Poison/Flying Type

Bat Pokémon

5'03" (1.6 m)

121.3 lbs (55 kg)

Flitting around in the dead of night, it sinks its fangs into prey and drains a nearly fatal amount of blood.

Zubat -Lv 22- Golbat

"Come out Trapinch!" I shouted.

"Okay Golbat, Wing Attack!" Golbat flew down to Trapinch and hit it with its wing.

"Trapinch, come back with Rock Slide!" Trapinch made rocks fall from the sky onto Golbat. It was almost finished.

"Now Confuse Ray!" Golbat sent out a wave that hit Trapinch; it was confused.

"Not dealing with this," I said, recalling Trapinch. "Growlithe, go!" Out came my Fire Type.

"Golbat, Swift!" Golbat fired yellow stars at Growlithe. Swift is a never miss move, so Growlithe just had to stay put. "And now Air Cutter!" Flapping its wings, Golbat fired streaks at Growlithe. It had to stand its ground again.

"Fire Fang!" Growlithe bit down on Golbat's wings as fire came off it.

"Urgh. Liepard, go!" the Grunt shouted. "Fake Out!" Liepard came out and jumped forward, clapping in front of Growlithe's face. Growlithe flinched. "And now Pursuit!" Liepard tackled Growlithe, knocking it out.

"No, Growlithe!" I shouted. "You asked for it. Go Trapinch!" I shouted.

"Liepard, Pursuit!" Liepard tackled Trapinch, but it wasn't very effective. That's because Trapinch was…

"Zorua?!" the man shouted. "Wait, could that be? Enough, stop the battle!"

The man walked over to Zorua. Upon seeing him, Zorua ran behind my legs in fear.

"It's alright Zorua," I said. "I won't let him lay a finger on you."

"There is only one Zorua who reacts to me like that; the Zorua belonging to… N. Where did you find this?"

"Team Plasma gave it to me!" I yelled. "The good Team Plasma! Okay, now that I've told you, who are you?"

The man gave a horrific smile. "Young girl, my name in Zinzolin. I am the new second in command at Team Plasma, and I have my own work to do, which Colress has done for me."

"I don't agree with Ghetsis!" Colress said. "Yes, I am happy to do work for you. But THIS is what you're doing?"

"Let him go!" Mr. Cheren said. "If Colress doesn't want to work with you, then he shouldn't!"

"I think it's time for you to leave," Zinzolin said. "You have two choices. Either, you leave by force…"

Suddenly, three men, dressed in black, surrounded us. It was the Shadow Triad.

"Or we leave you in peace, and you tell us what's in that bag."

"Fine," I said. I got out the Journal. "This Journal belongs to Hilbert. We believe you may have something to do with his disappearance."

"Rosa, what in the name of Arceus are you doing?" Hugh shouted. "Don't give him that!"

I gave it to Zinzolin. "Okay, now you know. Let us go in peace!"

"Fine," Zinzolin said.

"I'm sorry," Colress said. "It's… part of what I do. I am indeed part of Team Plasma."

"GET OFF OUR BOAT!" Zinzolin yelled, and we made haste.

Location: Driftveil City

"Good going Rosa," Hugh said. "You gave away your plan! Now Team Plasma will have our tracks covered, as well as the Journal!"

"Yeah, they have our plan," I said. "The Journal though? That's another story!" I got out Hilbert's Journal. "Did you really think I would give them the real thing? Nah, I bought a 200 Pokédollar one this morning and drew some childish drawings inside, including one of Ghetsis was the head of a Trubbish. That'll show them."

"Very clever!" Mr. Cheren said. Just then, in the distance, we saw the Frigate take off. It started heading north-west.

"It's heading towards Mistralton City," Hugh said. "And I'm going to follow them! I'm coming for you Purrloin!"

"Wait!" I said. But Hugh was already gone. "What am I to do with him? And Colress to. I guess I'll head for Mistralton tomorrow to. I need a rest though."

So, Colress is part of Team Plasma after all. But is he on our side? Is this a Rood kind of deal? I don't know anymore.