The eleventh floor of the Silph Company contained the executive meeting room. It was here that the major arguments and battles over the company's workings took place. The meeting table was unlike any other in the world. Only in Silph's executive room were there the best of corporate executives, business men, orators, and scientific geniuses seated together as one. The very room had seen countless battles and it was in store for many more in the very near future. Some of the best and brightest men and women walked this floor. Today they were joined by the janitorial staff. Silph was throwing a massive retirement party for its president, Tim Silph.
Sam looked in awe at the entire spectacle. Balloons and banners decorated the entire floor. Waiters serving cold cuts to everyone with pizza, soda, and chocolate cake to even the most unknown employees. More amazing than that was that everyone in the company seemed to be so happy and amiable. Some of the bitterest of enemies had now humbled themselves to the point where they could exchange in a casual conversation. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.
All of this seemed to be a tribute to Tim and what he had meant to the company. Everyone was able to, or at leas they seemed to be able to, put on a pleasant face for the retirement party, it was certainly no small feat. Sam walked towards the eleventh floor window and looked at Saffron below. How could Tim have possibly kept together a company so diverse and complex? Moreover, how could anyone hope to do it in the near future? Silph needed a new leader. A strong leader. The problem was that it would take a lot of internal cooperation as well. Getting some of the competing interests at Silph together would be no easy task. The company was very fragile that way. Sam felt a tap on his shoulder.
Sam turned around to face Gus, an elderly janitor that had been with the company since it was founded. Gus wore his usual worn attire; coveralls and a baseball cap. His face fit the profile of someone's grandparent. His hair was grayish white, and he had a mustache. The man was by no means gifted in the ways of science, but the wrinkles on his face and the gaze of his eyes suggested a warm sort of wisdom. With a slight movement of his index finger, Gus motioned for Sam to follow and led him towards the elevator. Obediently, Sam followed.
As the two entered the elevator Gus pushed the door close button quickly, but oddly didn't push the button for a floor after the doors closed. Reaching into his pocket, Gus pulled out a small silver object that Sam took for a key. Gus inserted it into a control panel in the elevator and all the lighting in the elevator went out.
"Sam, I'm sorry to carry you away from the festivities, but I need to have a talk with you," said Gus.
"Sure, what is it?" Sam said unassumingly.
"I've got a few things to tell you about the company. Your father is now retiring. Did he tell you why?" Gus inquired.
"Because he's getting older and he thinks it's time to step down and let someone new have the responsibilities?" replied Sam.
Gus let out a long and deep sigh and paused a few moments and then spoke.
"I was hoping your father was going to tell you himself. A lot of things have been going on within this company over the past few years that he has not told you for his own reasons."
"Gus, just what is so secret about this company. We're a pretty multifaceted, talented business and we have a lot of diverse people. I don't really see what's so clandestine about everything," replied Sam.
"Look Sam, I'm telling you this for your own good. The private executive discussions your father had with some of the board members weren't difficult just because of the issues themselves. They were difficult because some of the people, quite a few people in fact, opposed your father. Most of these same people are still in the company.
"Gus,"
"Listen, many times your father would leave late at night. He and I would exchange glances and I knew things were happening. He most likely retired because he feared for his safety. He probably got to know too much about what was going on. He never told me exactly because he didn't want me to know. You're going to get involved in this and you're going to have to find out as much as you can without them knowing about it," said Gus sternly.
"Gus, who is 'them'?" asked Sam.
"Look, you may think I'm crazy, and you've every right to think so. But you keep on your guard. It's likely they'll elect you the new president. Beware them. Find out who your friends and who your foes are. Your father is hoping you'll have better luck than he did. I wish I could do more, but I'm in no position to offer any help. Good luck," said Gus.
Gus reached for his key again, inserted it into the slot, and, after carefully turning it, the lights to the elevator came back on. He motioned for Sam to leave as the elevator doors opened. As Sam walked out and looked back he saw that Gus had quickly shut the doors behind him. The numbers above the elevator indicated that he was heading downward.
Sam was now faced with a million different questions, but he somehow managed to cement a smile on his face and turn and face the crowd again as though not a thing had taken place. It was amazing how long things could be going along as business as usual and then out of nowhere become more complicated. Sam had always enjoyed a rather simple way of life. He would just have to adapt, or simply ignore everything. Sam wished he could have done the latter, but he simply knew he couldn't.
---------------------------------
The inhabitants of room eighteen of the C building in the league trainer headquarters still did not slumber undisturbed. Marlow lay face up on a bunk bed as he stared upward in a dark room with glazed eyes.
"Conrad?" Marlow called out
"Yes?"
"Am I too sentimental and empathetic? I mean not only in just in battling, but in other things?" asked Marlow in a very sincere tone.
Conrad was actually taken aback by Marlow's directness. An inquiry so sincere deserved in return an equally sincere answer.
"Honestly, you're far too much so for my taste. Earlier today, you proved it," said Conrad.
"I know. I really do have a lot on my mind. I also don't carry it well," admitted Marlow.
"It's okay to be thoughtful, but you have to remember where you are. Whether you're right or wrong, it doesn't really matter. You're going to be struggling with philosophical stirrings while you get wiped clean by opponents who are only thinking about the size of their trophy and what to say to the reporters. You can't change anything right now. Keep a clear head. Your opponents could not care less about your cognitions or your intentions, they'll try and beat you any way they can. You're an excellent trainer, Marlow, and what's more an excellent person. That's why I'm telling you this," said Conrad.
"Conrad?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for putting up with me." interjected Marlow.
"Don't worry about it. You're about the only one your age who I can put up with," returned Conrad.
"Oh and one more thing Marlow," said Conrad, "I got the information for your battle tomorrow. It's going to be at 2:00. The guy your battling is named Joseph. Does that name sound familiar to you?
---------------------------------
"This league preliminary match will begin now. This is a second round league preliminary match. It will be a three on three battle with no time limit. From Olivine City and on the blue side is Marlow and he will be facing Joseph from Mahogany Town on the red side. Trainers begin!" voiced a loudspeaker.
"Tentacruel, go" said Marlow.
"Come out, marowak" Joseph said from the opposite side.
Marlow looked at the marowak sadly. Its trainer was about the same age as he was. From the look in his eyes, he seemed intent on battling tentacruel with his Marowak. Looking at the bone keeping pokemon, Marlow thought he would try something interesting. Perhaps he could prolong the match and give his opponent more of a chance if he had tentacruel use whirlpool instead of just blasting it away immediately. It seemed like it would be a kind thing to do, after all Joseph probably deserved a bit of a break after all of this anyway.
"Tentacruel, use your whirlpool," voiced Marlow in a hopeful tone.
"Marowak, give it an earthquake," returned Joseph.
Tentacruel quickly shot a blast of water just a notch in front of marowak's feet and then with all the skill it possessed, plunged into its own stream of water and began spinning until an aqueous tornado was formed Tentacruel took control of it and guided it towards Marowak, trapping it inside and covering everything inside. The ground began shaking violently, the tremor was coming from somewhere inside that wall of water.
A look of sudden surprise and horror crossed Marlow's face. This error would cost him dearly. One mistake was all it took. Marlow knew the outcome of what was to happen next. He sighed dejectedly.
"Tentacruel, surf."
"Marowak, finish it.
The whirlpool subsided long enough for the crowd to witness the jellyfish pokemon fire a straight blast of water. The volley seemed to be about the thickness of a tree trunk and it was highly pressurized. Marowak struggled under the sheer weight and power of the blast itself. As the liquid stream subsided, the bone keeper stumbled back to its feet. While still dripping, it caused the ground to shake once more. This time the earthquake was visible. As the rumbling increased, the whole area of land bulged up in a matter of seconds. The bulge was highly uneven and as more earth was forced to the surface, it compressed on tentacruel, pinning it.
"Tentacruel is unable to battle. Joseph now leads 3-2."
Marlow sighed to himself and frowned. It would not matter who he sent out next. Well, Marlow wouldn't send him out unless he had to and Marlow did not want to have to do that.
"Flareon, go," said Marlow as he tossed a ball onto the field.
The fire evolution of eevee was a more rarer sighting among competitive players. Many people deemed it ineffective strategically, but for finishing off a badly weakened Marowak, it would do fine.
"Flareon, flamethrower," said Marlow.
Joseph didn't even bother to give an order. Marowak was simply too slow to retaliate and its last bit of energy was scorched away. Joseph didn't seem phased. He reached for his next pokemon confidently.
"Cloyster, go."
Marlow frowned at the sight of his next adversary. He could not switch out with what he had left. He would have to use him. Could Marlow never be merciful? Was he doomed to destruction every time he tried to give someone a chance ot was he simply guilty of completely overestimating his opponent?
"Flareon, fire blast until you faint," Marlow said dejectedly.
"Cloyster, surf and do the same," replied Joseph.
Cloyster mechanically readied its surf attack. It suspended itself in the air within moments. Flareon readied a fire blast, but remained motionless, waiting for the right time to unleash it. Cloyster brought itself crashing down directly on flareon. The fire pokemon was phased, but as the water subsided it stood erect and shot out a gargantuan ball of flame that cloyster could not avoid. Cloyster rose to the air again for another surf attack as flareon readied another fire blast. Flareon did not fare as well as cloyster after that exchange. The next surf attack knocked Flareon unconscious.
"Flareon is unable to battle. Joseph leads 2-1."
Marlow momentarily was overcome in thought. Marlow always believed in doing his best, yet he was hypocritical in this belief. He never tried to battle for winning, nor did he really care about winning, he simply ended up winning. Marlow would always know why he would win, but he never ever had to go out of his way to win. Marlow was afraid of what he would become if he became obsessed with victory. In order to win now he would have to want to win. Marlow thought about giving up and ending the fight now. He wanted to be the person he wanted to be, but he didn't want to lose. He couldn't have both. Joseph wanted to win. Marlow didn't want to lose.
"Nidoking, go, amnesia," Marlow said with a voice of sudden boldness.
"Cloyster, surf it away," shouted Joseph.
Nidoking closed its eyes and cleared its mind of all distractions, including its opponent, who was now high in the air and moving forward at terrible speed. As cloyster struck nidoking, it was taken back, but it remained completely calm and focused while forgetting everything of the outside world. The attack did not seem to damage as much as it ought to have.
"Nidoking, continue," said Marlow.
"Cloyster, keep surfing," said Joseph.
When nidoking closed its eyes again, it seemed to be in another world. As cloyster rose up and came down again, its horned adversary seemed even less phased.
"Cloyster, again."
Cloyster obediently readied another surf attack, however this one did even less damage. Nidoking's eyes remained shut and its posture was perfectly relaxed. No assault seemed to disturb its meditation.
"Nidoking, rest," ordered Marlow.
"Cloyster, just wear it down."
Nidoking's eyes remained closed and cloyster attacked with another surf. This time something interesting happened. After cloyster's surf connected, nidoking's eyes flared open menacingly and it focused right on Joseph, and then at its opponent.
"Nidoking, thunderbolt," said Marlow softly.
Nidoking's body began to suddenly charge with electric energy and it sent a bolt diagonally upward and straight down onto cloyster. The shelled pokemon could not withstand such an attack and it fell unconscious.
"Cloyster is unable to battle. The match is tied 1-1."
"Alakazam, take it down," said Joseph.
"Psychic."
"Earthquake."
Focusing a powerful psychic blast, alakazam went first. Everything within a reasonable range of alakzam started to bend and refract and objects were manipulated in what seemed to be a different dimension. Nidoking was not phased. As the waves of psychic energy dissipated it shook the ground violently and it uplifted the earth just below alakazam. The physical hit was incredibly painful for the fragile psychic pokemon.
"Again."
"Again."
Another psychic blast came from alakzam. The metaphysical alignment of an entire area was twisted and altered and bent in a brilliant display of psychic power. Nidoking had boosted its defensive powers far beyond what alakazam could overcome. As the last wave of psychic energy faded, Nidoking retaliated with another earthquake, easily knocking alakazam unconscious.
"Alakazam is unable to battle. The match goes to Marlow from Olivine City."
Marlow immediately went to the other side of the arena and shook hands with Joseph. This time his compliments on the battle were actually sincere. Just as he was about to return into the dark tunnel of solitude, Marlow turned back to the audience. They were actually cheering for him. They were cheering for him, approving his victory. Marlow smiled and waved to them. Victory was actually quite sweet. He would have to choose it more often in the future.
Sam looked in awe at the entire spectacle. Balloons and banners decorated the entire floor. Waiters serving cold cuts to everyone with pizza, soda, and chocolate cake to even the most unknown employees. More amazing than that was that everyone in the company seemed to be so happy and amiable. Some of the bitterest of enemies had now humbled themselves to the point where they could exchange in a casual conversation. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.
All of this seemed to be a tribute to Tim and what he had meant to the company. Everyone was able to, or at leas they seemed to be able to, put on a pleasant face for the retirement party, it was certainly no small feat. Sam walked towards the eleventh floor window and looked at Saffron below. How could Tim have possibly kept together a company so diverse and complex? Moreover, how could anyone hope to do it in the near future? Silph needed a new leader. A strong leader. The problem was that it would take a lot of internal cooperation as well. Getting some of the competing interests at Silph together would be no easy task. The company was very fragile that way. Sam felt a tap on his shoulder.
Sam turned around to face Gus, an elderly janitor that had been with the company since it was founded. Gus wore his usual worn attire; coveralls and a baseball cap. His face fit the profile of someone's grandparent. His hair was grayish white, and he had a mustache. The man was by no means gifted in the ways of science, but the wrinkles on his face and the gaze of his eyes suggested a warm sort of wisdom. With a slight movement of his index finger, Gus motioned for Sam to follow and led him towards the elevator. Obediently, Sam followed.
As the two entered the elevator Gus pushed the door close button quickly, but oddly didn't push the button for a floor after the doors closed. Reaching into his pocket, Gus pulled out a small silver object that Sam took for a key. Gus inserted it into a control panel in the elevator and all the lighting in the elevator went out.
"Sam, I'm sorry to carry you away from the festivities, but I need to have a talk with you," said Gus.
"Sure, what is it?" Sam said unassumingly.
"I've got a few things to tell you about the company. Your father is now retiring. Did he tell you why?" Gus inquired.
"Because he's getting older and he thinks it's time to step down and let someone new have the responsibilities?" replied Sam.
Gus let out a long and deep sigh and paused a few moments and then spoke.
"I was hoping your father was going to tell you himself. A lot of things have been going on within this company over the past few years that he has not told you for his own reasons."
"Gus, just what is so secret about this company. We're a pretty multifaceted, talented business and we have a lot of diverse people. I don't really see what's so clandestine about everything," replied Sam.
"Look Sam, I'm telling you this for your own good. The private executive discussions your father had with some of the board members weren't difficult just because of the issues themselves. They were difficult because some of the people, quite a few people in fact, opposed your father. Most of these same people are still in the company.
"Gus,"
"Listen, many times your father would leave late at night. He and I would exchange glances and I knew things were happening. He most likely retired because he feared for his safety. He probably got to know too much about what was going on. He never told me exactly because he didn't want me to know. You're going to get involved in this and you're going to have to find out as much as you can without them knowing about it," said Gus sternly.
"Gus, who is 'them'?" asked Sam.
"Look, you may think I'm crazy, and you've every right to think so. But you keep on your guard. It's likely they'll elect you the new president. Beware them. Find out who your friends and who your foes are. Your father is hoping you'll have better luck than he did. I wish I could do more, but I'm in no position to offer any help. Good luck," said Gus.
Gus reached for his key again, inserted it into the slot, and, after carefully turning it, the lights to the elevator came back on. He motioned for Sam to leave as the elevator doors opened. As Sam walked out and looked back he saw that Gus had quickly shut the doors behind him. The numbers above the elevator indicated that he was heading downward.
Sam was now faced with a million different questions, but he somehow managed to cement a smile on his face and turn and face the crowd again as though not a thing had taken place. It was amazing how long things could be going along as business as usual and then out of nowhere become more complicated. Sam had always enjoyed a rather simple way of life. He would just have to adapt, or simply ignore everything. Sam wished he could have done the latter, but he simply knew he couldn't.
---------------------------------
The inhabitants of room eighteen of the C building in the league trainer headquarters still did not slumber undisturbed. Marlow lay face up on a bunk bed as he stared upward in a dark room with glazed eyes.
"Conrad?" Marlow called out
"Yes?"
"Am I too sentimental and empathetic? I mean not only in just in battling, but in other things?" asked Marlow in a very sincere tone.
Conrad was actually taken aback by Marlow's directness. An inquiry so sincere deserved in return an equally sincere answer.
"Honestly, you're far too much so for my taste. Earlier today, you proved it," said Conrad.
"I know. I really do have a lot on my mind. I also don't carry it well," admitted Marlow.
"It's okay to be thoughtful, but you have to remember where you are. Whether you're right or wrong, it doesn't really matter. You're going to be struggling with philosophical stirrings while you get wiped clean by opponents who are only thinking about the size of their trophy and what to say to the reporters. You can't change anything right now. Keep a clear head. Your opponents could not care less about your cognitions or your intentions, they'll try and beat you any way they can. You're an excellent trainer, Marlow, and what's more an excellent person. That's why I'm telling you this," said Conrad.
"Conrad?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for putting up with me." interjected Marlow.
"Don't worry about it. You're about the only one your age who I can put up with," returned Conrad.
"Oh and one more thing Marlow," said Conrad, "I got the information for your battle tomorrow. It's going to be at 2:00. The guy your battling is named Joseph. Does that name sound familiar to you?
---------------------------------
"This league preliminary match will begin now. This is a second round league preliminary match. It will be a three on three battle with no time limit. From Olivine City and on the blue side is Marlow and he will be facing Joseph from Mahogany Town on the red side. Trainers begin!" voiced a loudspeaker.
"Tentacruel, go" said Marlow.
"Come out, marowak" Joseph said from the opposite side.
Marlow looked at the marowak sadly. Its trainer was about the same age as he was. From the look in his eyes, he seemed intent on battling tentacruel with his Marowak. Looking at the bone keeping pokemon, Marlow thought he would try something interesting. Perhaps he could prolong the match and give his opponent more of a chance if he had tentacruel use whirlpool instead of just blasting it away immediately. It seemed like it would be a kind thing to do, after all Joseph probably deserved a bit of a break after all of this anyway.
"Tentacruel, use your whirlpool," voiced Marlow in a hopeful tone.
"Marowak, give it an earthquake," returned Joseph.
Tentacruel quickly shot a blast of water just a notch in front of marowak's feet and then with all the skill it possessed, plunged into its own stream of water and began spinning until an aqueous tornado was formed Tentacruel took control of it and guided it towards Marowak, trapping it inside and covering everything inside. The ground began shaking violently, the tremor was coming from somewhere inside that wall of water.
A look of sudden surprise and horror crossed Marlow's face. This error would cost him dearly. One mistake was all it took. Marlow knew the outcome of what was to happen next. He sighed dejectedly.
"Tentacruel, surf."
"Marowak, finish it.
The whirlpool subsided long enough for the crowd to witness the jellyfish pokemon fire a straight blast of water. The volley seemed to be about the thickness of a tree trunk and it was highly pressurized. Marowak struggled under the sheer weight and power of the blast itself. As the liquid stream subsided, the bone keeper stumbled back to its feet. While still dripping, it caused the ground to shake once more. This time the earthquake was visible. As the rumbling increased, the whole area of land bulged up in a matter of seconds. The bulge was highly uneven and as more earth was forced to the surface, it compressed on tentacruel, pinning it.
"Tentacruel is unable to battle. Joseph now leads 3-2."
Marlow sighed to himself and frowned. It would not matter who he sent out next. Well, Marlow wouldn't send him out unless he had to and Marlow did not want to have to do that.
"Flareon, go," said Marlow as he tossed a ball onto the field.
The fire evolution of eevee was a more rarer sighting among competitive players. Many people deemed it ineffective strategically, but for finishing off a badly weakened Marowak, it would do fine.
"Flareon, flamethrower," said Marlow.
Joseph didn't even bother to give an order. Marowak was simply too slow to retaliate and its last bit of energy was scorched away. Joseph didn't seem phased. He reached for his next pokemon confidently.
"Cloyster, go."
Marlow frowned at the sight of his next adversary. He could not switch out with what he had left. He would have to use him. Could Marlow never be merciful? Was he doomed to destruction every time he tried to give someone a chance ot was he simply guilty of completely overestimating his opponent?
"Flareon, fire blast until you faint," Marlow said dejectedly.
"Cloyster, surf and do the same," replied Joseph.
Cloyster mechanically readied its surf attack. It suspended itself in the air within moments. Flareon readied a fire blast, but remained motionless, waiting for the right time to unleash it. Cloyster brought itself crashing down directly on flareon. The fire pokemon was phased, but as the water subsided it stood erect and shot out a gargantuan ball of flame that cloyster could not avoid. Cloyster rose to the air again for another surf attack as flareon readied another fire blast. Flareon did not fare as well as cloyster after that exchange. The next surf attack knocked Flareon unconscious.
"Flareon is unable to battle. Joseph leads 2-1."
Marlow momentarily was overcome in thought. Marlow always believed in doing his best, yet he was hypocritical in this belief. He never tried to battle for winning, nor did he really care about winning, he simply ended up winning. Marlow would always know why he would win, but he never ever had to go out of his way to win. Marlow was afraid of what he would become if he became obsessed with victory. In order to win now he would have to want to win. Marlow thought about giving up and ending the fight now. He wanted to be the person he wanted to be, but he didn't want to lose. He couldn't have both. Joseph wanted to win. Marlow didn't want to lose.
"Nidoking, go, amnesia," Marlow said with a voice of sudden boldness.
"Cloyster, surf it away," shouted Joseph.
Nidoking closed its eyes and cleared its mind of all distractions, including its opponent, who was now high in the air and moving forward at terrible speed. As cloyster struck nidoking, it was taken back, but it remained completely calm and focused while forgetting everything of the outside world. The attack did not seem to damage as much as it ought to have.
"Nidoking, continue," said Marlow.
"Cloyster, keep surfing," said Joseph.
When nidoking closed its eyes again, it seemed to be in another world. As cloyster rose up and came down again, its horned adversary seemed even less phased.
"Cloyster, again."
Cloyster obediently readied another surf attack, however this one did even less damage. Nidoking's eyes remained shut and its posture was perfectly relaxed. No assault seemed to disturb its meditation.
"Nidoking, rest," ordered Marlow.
"Cloyster, just wear it down."
Nidoking's eyes remained closed and cloyster attacked with another surf. This time something interesting happened. After cloyster's surf connected, nidoking's eyes flared open menacingly and it focused right on Joseph, and then at its opponent.
"Nidoking, thunderbolt," said Marlow softly.
Nidoking's body began to suddenly charge with electric energy and it sent a bolt diagonally upward and straight down onto cloyster. The shelled pokemon could not withstand such an attack and it fell unconscious.
"Cloyster is unable to battle. The match is tied 1-1."
"Alakazam, take it down," said Joseph.
"Psychic."
"Earthquake."
Focusing a powerful psychic blast, alakazam went first. Everything within a reasonable range of alakzam started to bend and refract and objects were manipulated in what seemed to be a different dimension. Nidoking was not phased. As the waves of psychic energy dissipated it shook the ground violently and it uplifted the earth just below alakazam. The physical hit was incredibly painful for the fragile psychic pokemon.
"Again."
"Again."
Another psychic blast came from alakzam. The metaphysical alignment of an entire area was twisted and altered and bent in a brilliant display of psychic power. Nidoking had boosted its defensive powers far beyond what alakazam could overcome. As the last wave of psychic energy faded, Nidoking retaliated with another earthquake, easily knocking alakazam unconscious.
"Alakazam is unable to battle. The match goes to Marlow from Olivine City."
Marlow immediately went to the other side of the arena and shook hands with Joseph. This time his compliments on the battle were actually sincere. Just as he was about to return into the dark tunnel of solitude, Marlow turned back to the audience. They were actually cheering for him. They were cheering for him, approving his victory. Marlow smiled and waved to them. Victory was actually quite sweet. He would have to choose it more often in the future.