Chapter Two

Char sauntered forward a few paces. "Listen here, Somek or whatever your name is... I've only come for one reason."

Throwing out his Sneasel and Fearow, he watched as Somek threw out Gyarados and Claydol.

"Somek—I'm giving you an option. Join Cipher. Or I'll take every last one of your pokemon.", Char said, calm.

"What?", asked Somek, confused. "There's no way I'm doing that!"

"Fine then. So be it."

Char winded up a Snag Ball, and hurled it at Gyarados. In seconds, the ball flew back to his hand. Recalling Fearow, he immediately threw out Gyarados.

Somek stood in shock. "How did you do that?"

"I can do anything I want. Now, Claydol's next. Do you want to join now?"

"Never!"

"Fine then. So be it.", Char said repeating himself and smiling.

---

Several minutes later, Somek was out of pokemon. And being slowly backed toward the edge by the claws of Shining Sneasel.

"We could really use your battling skills..."

"I'll never do it.!"

"It's a long, long drop to the bottom... Are you.. sure?"

"Stop! Stop this!"

Char had never felt so good in his life. He remembered the days he stole and killed in cold blood, just to obtain the pokemon he wanted. And he remembered how good it felt.. He wanted to rekindle that spirit. He wanted to be Char again.

"Sneasel! Use your most powerful False Swipe!"

Sneasel jumped up, and with its Shining claws it slashed at Somek, sending him flying to the edge, just barely falling off.

Char just walked forward. As Somek pleaded with his weak eyes, his weak body unable to move, Char just lifted his foot.. And tapped him.

Somek went tumbling off the edge, to certain death. 'Perhaps the Admins would see him as he fell..,' Char thought.

Just then, said admins, Nascour, and many Mt. Battle trainers teleported onto the platform. Xia stood with them.

"How did it go, Char?", asked Nascour, noting the happy smile on Char's face.

"Somek wouldn't be convinced. But I do have all of his pokemon."

"What happened to Somek?", asked a random Mt. Battle trainer.

"He fell.", Char said calmly. "Just slipped right off the edge."

Sneasel smiled.

"Well, the pokemon are what really matters.", said Nascour, excited at the evil he was seeing in Char.

"Let's get out of here before the police shows up."

"Good idea. Xia?"

And with that, they were back at the mansion gate.

"Nascour, where are the new trainers staying?", asked Venus.

"On the lower floors. And don't worry, princess—you'll get a nice room.", Nascour jested, laughing.

"Humph! I had better!"

Filing into the mansion, the trainers and Admins sat down in the rather large guest hall.

Nascour stood at the front of the room with Xia, and Char sat next to him.

"Fellow Cipher!", he announced. "It is time to put in motion, the Shining Pokemon Plan. As I'm sure some of you have noticed, my Metagross, is a Shining Metagross. This pokemon is able to attack with the power of several Metagross! And it is all because of the Shining aura of power that surrounds her. You, fellow trainers and admin, will soon have bestowed upon your pokemon the same power. I have created, a Shining Machine. And with it, I will open the hearts of your pokemon and make them shine!"

A cheer erupted from the crowd.

Pushing a button on the wall, a panel opened and a large, oddly shaped machine emerged.

"So," Nascour asked, "Who's going to be first? Pick your strongest and only strongest pokemon."

Miror B leapt up. "My Ludicolo!"

"Fine then, we start with you.", said Nascour, placing the pokeball inside the machine.

Throwing a lever, the room filled with light, coming brightly from the machine. Soon it was too bright to keep one's eyes open. The light shined for about 10 seconds, and then faded.

Nascour removed the pokeball, handing it to Miror B.

"Reveal the pokemon to us!", Nascour demanded.

Miror B threw the pokeball down in the middle of the floor.

And what emerged, was different.

A golden aura surrounded an orange and blue Ludicolo, for a few seconds, before fading.

Miror B was in shock..

"It really works! Nascour, you've done it! It really works!", Miror B rejoiced. "Cipher is alive!"

"Cipher is alive. Now who's next?"

Several trainers stepped up.

Nascour busied himself trying to pick between the trainers, while Char just smiled.

Cipher was alive. And so was he.

End Chapter Two