Chapter Six, Nascour's Plan III, The Under and the New Enemy's Plans
(AN again! I have mixed feelings about this Chappy. I just feel that the story isn't as good as it was in the beginning, but I'm sticking with it. Bear with me, please. –DM)
"Enemy?" exclaimed Venus, simply mortified that something could stand in their way, especially since they seemed to be on a roll with their plans.
"Yes," said Nascour solemnly, eyes cold and serious. "We have reason to believe that the Shadow Pokemon plan has been restarted by a new organization led by Evice. We also have reason to believe that Gonzap and what remains of Team Snagem are working with him.
"So what are we doing about this, Nascour?" a bewildered Miror B asked. He knew very well what the Shadow Pokemon plan was capable of, as did all those who were members of the old Cipher.
"What we are doing, is not faltering. I say we continue on with our plan-"
Char interrupted. "What do you mean? We can't sit back and let them lure us into another trap like they did at the Shadow Pokemon Lab! We have to seek this enemy out, and crush them while their plans are still in the experimental stage! If we can destroy them while they're still weak, we won't need to fear them in the future!"
"Perhaps, Char, but did you ever think that maybe that is what they want us to do? And we don't have a clue where they're operating. And besides, if you abandon the plan now, everything we've done will be in vain! I say that we attack them once our admins are back in control of Orre's important areas. Once we have the advantage, we can strike! Besides, I have a feeling they won't be able to do any more advancing. It seems that they were using Ein's data from the Shadow Pokemon Lab to create new pokemon with modified abilities and color, much like our Shining Pokemon. But now that the lab is under our control, they don't have access to this data. They CAN'T make Shadow Pokemon without the lab." Nascour finished, folding his arms.
Char paused, thinking. Nascour had a point. "Fine then. We'll continue. But the second the admins are in place, we're going after Evice!"
"Exactly. Did everyone hear that? That is the plan for Cipher's movements."
Everyone in the room nodded, and Nascour once again spoke.
"Now, I know that our numbers here are depleting, and that is in fact, a good thing. It means we are closer to our goal."
"And closer to you being alone here with your boyfriend!" teased Venus, smirking.
Nascour would have blushed, but he was far too skilled in the art of ignoring his big-mouthed friend. He cleared his throat, dismissing the comment, and began again. "Our goal is to take over Orre's main areas and then 'poison' the region from within. Our 'infection' seeping through the land, soon there will be enough Cipher peons for a full-scale takeover. Once that stage is reached, nothing will be able to stop us! Now Venus, my friend, I know how you've missed your.. kingdom."
"Yes, how I've missed The Under! All my loyal subjects, serving me gracefully.. Not to mention they put my beautiful face up on a jumbo screen every day! I can't wait to go back, and be known as Lady Venus once more!"
"Well, I'll be happy to inform you that you'll be returned to it soon, how about tomorrow?" Nascour asked, knowing well the answer.
Venus resisted the urge to squeal in delight. "Oh, yes I can't wait! If that's the plan, then Nascour, I'm all with you!"
"Good! I hope everyone was listening! Tomorrow, we take over The Under! I'll give the instructions on the specifics tomorrow. For now, everyone get some sleep. Understood?"
A resounding set of confirmations was heard from the group, and they dispersed, shuffling off back to their rooms for the night.
Again, it was just Char and Nascour in the presentation room.
The Cipher bosses instinctively slumped back on the couch, wishing that this would be as easy as it first was.
But then, a feeling of, playfulness?
Char gathered himself into Nascour's lap, snuggling like a small child would against him. Arms wound around his neck, he pressed his lips to his cheek and smiled at him afterwards.
"Don't worry about anything Nascour. I told you, the Shining Pokemon have infinite power. Together with them, as our friends, we can't lose this battle!"
Nascour nodded at Char, who had rolled sideways and shifted, causing him to be splayed out across his lap. His curious hands roamed underneath Nascour's shirt..
"Now now, what are you doing little imp?" Nascour asked gently, seizing one of Char's hands and and pulling it to his lips.
"Oh, nothing.." said Char, dragging himself back up Nascour's body to seize his lips in a kiss. Not quite finishing the kiss, he whispered, part of his message finding its way into Nascour's mouth. "I love you."
Nascour beamed at Char and wrapped an arm around him, kissing him more deeply. "I love you too, Char. But come now, let's take this to our room. I think we can have certainly much more fun there…"
---
Later on that night, in Nascour's room, a naked Char lay on top of Nascour, the moonlight bathing their bodies in a nighttime glow.
Char was exhausted, and well spent indeed. He smiled to himself, and looked down at his sleeping love.
He knew that no matter what, Nascour would be his.
And no evil Cipher, no Shadow Pokemon, no nothing—would separate them!
---
Morning came swiftly.
Not because of any lack of sleepiness, no.
It was because of a certain Admin who opened everyone's communication lines at about 5:00 in the morning.
"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! Good Morning! This is Venus, and it's my takeover day! Everybody up! Rise and Shine for battle!" was sent to every Cipher in the mansion.
Including Char and Nascour.
The loud beeping was enough to send Char tumbling out of the bed, not expecting such a frightful noise, and he, and the bundle of covers on the bed lay in a heap on the floor.
Nascour, actually, tried to pretend he'd hadn't heard it, hoping to trick his body back into slumber but it was no use, he was awake. And mildly annoyed, to say the least.
"She's perky this morning…," said Char, gathering himself and standing up.
"She's always been like that. The days we aren't focusing on her she sleeps in to 10:00 and won't let anyone tell her otherwise. The day she's the center of attention, everybody's got to start up early! I swear, I don't know how Evice put up with this…," Nascour grumbled, fading out to randomly mumbled complaints.
"Well, I can't fault her, it IS her big day. So let's get ready for it."
Nascour nodded and smiled. "I wonder what I should wear today…?"
His only reply from Char was a pillow to the head.
---
After breakfast, all Cipher in the mansion were again, gathered in the presentation room. A map of The Under was displayed on the projector screen, and as usual, Nascour stood in front of it. Everybody knew what to expect. It was instruction time.
"Good Morning everyone! It's good to see we're all awake!"
"How could we not be?" came from the crowd. "We didn't really have an option, did we?" they finished, causing everyone to look at Venus.
She blushed. "I couldn't help myself, today's my day!"
"That's nice Venus, but Char and I both ask that you please refrain from such rash actions in the future. Remember that they could very well lead to your own downfall in battle."
Venus gave a quick nod before going back into 'listening mode'.
Nascour continued to talk. "Now, as you know, we're going to be continuing our campaign of Orre by taking one of it's key cities, The Under. This mission is very important, as The Under is a major city in Orre, and happens to lie directly beneath another key area. Pyrite Town. The home of the police. There is a way to get to Pyrite Town from The Under, and after our takeover is complete, Pyrite Town will be easy to take by surprise. Our objectives are as follows," Nascour said, pointing to a section of the map, "we must cut communications from The Under to Pyrite Town. This will require stealth, and quick thinking. I trust I can count on you for that, Char?"
Char smiled. "What I cannot do, Sneasel is more than capable of doing."
"Good to hear it. After communications have been cut, the main force will enter The Under, and take it over. The reason we're cutting communications is twofold. Number one, the Pyrite Police, while an almost pitiful threat, are still out there. If word was to get to Pyrite that we were in The Under, the Police, if smart enough, might trap us there. Now I'm not saying we couldn't overwhelm them in that situation, but I don't want to take the chance. Number two, our Pyrite takeover is meant to be an all out-surprise attack. If any word gets to them that we're in The Under, they'll be ready for us at the entrance to the town. I'd like to have a clean entryway into Pyrite Town, no obstacles. Everybody understand?"
A general affirmative answer was heard from the mass of Cipher, and Nascour looked again to Char.
"Communications with Pyrite Town are carried out in two places. The first is the Colosseum, where the fight record is transmitted. However, they could use their computers to send out an SOS if needed. The second, is the building known as the hideout of the Kids Grid—"
"The Kids Grid?" Char questioned.
"Yes, they carry out regular communications with Pyrite. I know for a fact that there's a Kids Grid station in Pyrite as well. In fact, you told me that. You'll need to disable their transmitter."
Char nodded, but it was a slow, uncertain nod. He didn't want to confront the Kids Grid. But an order was an order, and it was for the better of Cipher and he could pull this off without having to face them, right?
"Char? You can do this, right?" Nascour questioned, looking concerned.
Char wiped the uncertainty from his face. "I can do it." Char nodded once more for effect. "I can do it."
Nascour's concerned look did not fade instantly, but eventually was replaced with a look of determination. "Our takeover of The Under will be successful! Tonight we start!"
The gathered Cipher cheered. Nascour smiled. Char…sighed—but no one caught it.
---
It was late afternoon, and Char sat in Ein's lab, working on one of the computers. A map of The Under was displayed on the screen and Char was studying it carefully, Sneasel at his side.
"OK Sneasel, I believe that if we take the elevator down to the Colosseum, we can pass for regular battlers, What I need you to do, is freeze the computers with those icy claws of yours. Once the computers are frozen, we need to leave as quickly as possible. After that, we'll take the UFO to the Kids Grid building. All you need to do is destroy the satellite on the top of the building! Once that is done, we head over to the Pyrite elevator and signal Nascour. The rest, is simple. They'll take over in a matter of minutes and our only job is prevent people from escaping. Easy!"
"Sneasel!" Sneasel said happily, glad at the fact that he would be key in the mission.
"Sneasel?" asked Char, feeling off.
"Snea?"
"Is it just me, or are you too, felling bad about doing harm to the Kids Grid?"
"Sneasel! Snea."
Char could feel what Sneasel was saying. "I know. We aren't harming them directly, but think, when The Under is fully under Cipher control, Nascour is probably going to try to use them for our purposes. They're just kids. They don't need to be caught up in this kind of thing," Char said, looking Sneasel in the eyes.
"Sneasel."
"If only there was something I could do for them. After all, they were my friends…"
Char stopped talking and began thinking.
---
Night was approaching quickly, and the mansion was filled with the movement of the remaining peons. Everything was on a smaller scale, with the lower number of peons available, but the tension and excitement of the night was no less than times before.
The star of the night was still in her 'dressing room', brushing her hair and KitaKita's fur. (not with the same brush, of course!) She had to look absolutely beautiful for her 'performance'.
And while Venus sat idling—making herself pretty, Nascour, sat in his room, Xia with him.
"Xia. I'm worried about the new Shadow Pokemon. Do you think the enemy will show themselves at this mission?"
"Rrrrrr," Xia rumbled, blinking. "Rrrrrrrrrr…."
"Not sure? Well, we'll keep on alert. Char's capable. Together, we'll defeat any threat."
"Rrrrrr! Rrr."
"You're worried about Char too? Yeah, he didn't seem as enthusiastic about his mission. Do you think that he's going to fail me?"
"Rrrr!!"
"No, I didn't think so either," Nascour nodded to his pokemon. "He's capable, like I said. Everything will go fine.. everything will go fine."
An alarm clock went off on the desk.
"Time to get started, Xia."
"Rrrrr."
---
The scene was familiar. Nascour, Char, and Venus stood at the head of a mob of Cipher peons.
"Fellow Cipher!" Venus exclaimed. "Tonight we take over The Under! The brilliant plan goes as such! Our friend and boss—Char, will disable the communications of The Under! We'll wait at the elevator until we get his signal. Once the signal is received, we strike!"
Venus paused for a cheer. "Once The Under is secure, we'll begin our capture of pokemon and our recruiting of peons. The Under was a Cipher city once, we can change it back! Everyone with me?"
Another cheer. The plan was laid out.
Nascour stepped forward. "Is everyone ready?"
A loud 'yes' resounded from the crowd.
"Then let's go! Xia?"
A flash of blue surrounded the group.
Char braced himself. His hardest mission was straight ahead.
---
Char stood in the elevator on his way down. He had parted ways with Nascour and the others upon reaching the area, and now he was headed towards phase one of his mission.
A loud click was heard as the elevator secured itself at the bottom floor. The doors slid open slowly..
And Char stepped out.
Quickly locating the main computer, he had to come up with a way to disable it, and fast. The computer lay behind the battle receptionist's desk.
'Great,' Char thought. 'A lady's standing right in front of it!'
But Sneasel quickly figured out what to do. Motioning to Char with a claw, he walked forward to the desk. Sneasel almost immediately began to limp.
Scooping Sneasel up, he laid the pokemon on the desk.
"Excuse me miss.. But my Sneasel's not well. What should I do? I think it's leg is hurt, would you take a look?"
The lady was somewhat surprised by the color of Sneasel. "A pink Sneasel?" she said, shocked.
Sneasel, while the lady gawked, slowly snuck an arm down towards the computer panel. Transferring ice energy to the computer, it started to freeze..
Char was smart. He immediately struck up a conversation about alternate-color pokemon with the lady. It turned out that her father had studied them or something… That didn't matter. Sneasel was doing his job.
Finally, Sneasel withdrew its claw from the computer, and sprung to its feet.
"Wow, you're walking Sneasel! I thought you were hurt! You silly weasel… Guess I'll be going!"
"Oh," the lady said, smiling at Char. "Well, come back any time!"
"Sure!" Char said, smiling back. Exiting the building, he almost burst into laughter upon hearing the doors click closed.
"Good job Sneasel! One down, one more to go!"
"Sneasel!"
Stepping into the UFO, they were transported to the area right next to the Kids Grid house.
'Focus Char. All you need to do is break the satellite. It's not difficult,' Char reassured himself.
Approaching the building, Char pointed upward. "Can you jump up there, Sneasel?"
"Sneaseeeeeeeel!" Sneasel bounded to the top of the small building.
"Destroy that satellite!"
Sneasel's slashed its Icicle Spears against the piece of machinery, snapping the base shaft in half, causing the dish to fall off the building. A loud 'clang' was heard.
"Sneasel! Quickly! We need to—"
A small boy emerged from the building just then, shouting.
"Hey, what have you don—Char?"
Silence.
"What are you doing, big guy? Was that an accident?"
"No. Goodbye. Come on Sneasel."
Sneasel hopped down from the roof, following Char away from the building.
A small girl, holding a Shroomish, emerged from the building next. Running after Char, she yelled at him. "Char! Why did you break our satellite? We need that! Are you one of the bad guys now?"
Char tried to ignore her, but she wouldn't stop. He was about to tell her to shut up when he heard a shriek.
"Ayiieeeeee!"
Char whirled around to find that the girl had been grabbed by a dark figure, wearing a uniform that looked somewhat like the Cipher uniform. Only this uniform was solid black, and much more sinister looking.
"This little brat a friend of yours, Char?"
"Who are you? Put her down!" Char yelled at the dark figure.
"Me? You know me, but we don't have time for formal introductions. You may call me Dark Troop 01, and that is all I have to say! Time to fight, Char! Go, Slaking!"
Throwing a pokeball, a pitch black Slaking emerged, a dark purple glitter around its body. "Rrraaaaaaaaaaa!" it roared at Char.
Char had no time. He had to save the girl! Wait.. no, he had to defeat Slaking, forget the girl! No wait..
"Sneasel! Icy Wind!"
Sneasel leapt up, blasting cold air at the evil-looking Slaking. Slaking took the attack, and a blue glow shows stat reduction. But it was like it didn't matter, as the Slaking closed its eyes and Slacked Off. Then it began a Truant.
Sneasel was frustrated. Rushing up to Slaking, he emitted a strange sound, a powerful Screech.
Slaking writhed in pain, but quickly was over it, glowing blue again.
"Slaking! Swagger!"
Slaking moved strangely then, confusing Sneasel, and enraging it at the same time. A red glow surrounded Sneasel. Attack had risen.
Char knew this situation was dangerous. Sneasel was faster than Slaking, and Slaking didn't attack next turn. He had 2 attacks to fix this. What should he do…?
"Sneasel! Slash!"
Sneasel Slashed at Slaking! The attack criticalled, and Slaking was left close to fainting. Sneasel still stood in confusion though, eyes wild.
"Fine then! Slaking! Slack Off!"
"Sneasel, Snatch!"
Sneasel's eyes cleared, a sign that the confusion had worn off. Sneasel leapt up again, crossing its claws. Slaking began to sparkle… until the sparkle flooded its way toward Sneasel. Sneasel had stolen Slaking's healing effect, and now Slaking was one turn away from fainting.
The Dark Troop realized this. Quickly jumping to the UFO platform, he dangled the girl over the abyss.
"If you don't want her to get a front row seat in the Deep Colosseum, I suggest you call off your pokemon!"
Char froze. What should he do? The girl didn't matter, right? He had to capture the Dark Troop!
But…
"Fearow!" Char called, throwing out Fearow.
The Dark Troop abruptly let go of the girl, and Fearow dove for her. Seizing the girl's shirt in its talons, Fearow flew back to Char. Char turned around just in time to see the Dark Troop escaping via the same Pyrite elevator he was supposed to be guarding.
"Damn it!" cried Char.
The girl began to cry and the boy ran over to her, carrying her Shroomish. Char didn't have time to deal with them.
"Both of you! Go up the Pyrite elevator and get out of here! Now!"
"What's wrong with you Char? Why are you being so mean?"
"Go now! NOW!"
His voice scared them into listening. They raced for the elevator and escaped. Char knew that the Dark Troop would pose them no threat, as he had probably already escaped back to Gonzap and Evice.
He stood in thought.. when his communicator went off.
Flipping the device open, he was greeted by a miniature version of Nascour's face. "Char? Is everything alright? You didn't contact us."
"The enemy attacked me. Someone claiming to be a Dark Troop or something like that—they had a Shadow Slaking. It looked like the Scyther, but was definitely stronger. I managed to almost defeat them, but they escaped! You need to get in here right now! It's only a matter of time before they figure out that this wasn't just some street battle!"
Nascour's face went stern. "We'll be right down."
---
Nascour was soon at Char's side. The peons had split into three groups. One was escorting Venus back to her lofty 'palace', another was scouring the area for pokemon and recruits, and another was holding the Colosseum building hostage.
Char stood with Nascour, Xia, and Sneasel, recounting the battle to the two who weren't present for it, carefully avoiding anything that dealt with the Kids Grid.
"So he escaped, hmm?" Nascour said, eyeing the elevator to Pyrite Town. "He used that elevator, but I don't think anyone in Pyrite was alerted. With his pokemon in such a weakened state, he wouldn't want the police's attention."
"Yes," said Char, certain of what Nascour was saying. The Dark Troop wouldn't be posing them any more threat for now.
"So Char, all in all you did very well. The Under is ours! Venus should be coming on over the jumbo screen soon-"
"FELLOW CIPHER, AND CITIZENS OF THE UNDER!!!" A Cipher peon boomed over the speakers. "It is my pleasure to introduce your former and new leader, your favorite, your highness, Lady Venus!!"
A cheer erupted from the Cipher peons. The citizens of The Under, just stood in shock, until they cheered too. They couldn't believe that their Venus was back! And they cheered at the top of their lungs.
"Cipher's returned my loyal subjects!" Venus said as her face appeared on the screen. "And with them, I return to you!"
Another cheer, this one resounding through The Under.
"I know Cipher's absence has been hard on you, but do not fear, our presence here will be stronger than ever! We vow to return The Under to it's original, Cipher-controlled state, and with your help, the entire world will be in Cipher's control! Any formidable pokemon trainers should report to the main Colosseum building at this moment! It is time to rebuild Cipher's army! Those willing to serve their Lady Venus's wishes, report to the Colosseum building now! The time of Cipher is here! A new world is in the formation! Thank you everyone, and remember, I'm your Venus!"
The jumbo screen faded, but Char and Nascour continued to stand looking at it. Nascour was mesmerized.
"Look at our progress Char! In as little as one full day we can gather all needed force from The Under. Combined with the force from Mt. Battle—the force we're using now, and the force we'll gather from Pyrite Town, that should be enough to take over Orre—with its weak defenses! This land will be ours! Can you feel it Char? It's victory, and it's ours. Now let's return! Our Pyrite takeover tomorrow should go on without a hitch!"
Char nodded, weakly, and Nascour caught it. "Without a hitch, right Char?"
Char swallowed slowly, then forced a smile. "That's right. Without a hitch."
And as Xia began to teleport them, Char took one last glance at the elevator. Maybe the kids wouldn't say anything.
Maybe not.
---
Having returned to the mansion, it was now late. The peons and pokemon were all in their beds, and the two Cipher bosses were supposed to be planning their next move.
But neither Char nor Nascour felt much like working. Instead, they sat on the couch in the presentation room, snuggling and kissing.
"I'm so proud of you, Char," said Nascour, smiling. "You executed the mission perfectly. Except for that little snag, we're going to carry this out smoothly! Oh how I love it when my plans go the way they should!" Nascour beamed. He couldn't be happier.
"Yeah.. I'm glad. Soon Pyrite, and then Orre, will be ours," Char said, trying hard to not think of the Kids Grid.
"Yes! I can't wait. So let's turn into bed, the sooner we do the sooner the morning comes!" Nascour said, leaning down and kissing Char deeply. "Besides, I'm not done rewarding you.."
Char's smile became evil. "Well, by all means.. reward me." Char whispered back, licking his lips. If anything could calm his nerves, sex could.
The two hurried to their room, almost tripping up the stairs.
---
The next morning, before either Cipher boss could wake up naturally, they were rudely awakened.
BZZT BZZT! BZZT BZZT!
Nascour groggily reached for his communicator, and held it to his ear. "'Hello?"
A loud squawking was all Char overheard. But Nascour's face expression changed. From good, to horribly, horribly, bad.
When the communication ended, Nascour rose in bed, and Char did the same. Sternly, Nascour related what had happened.
"That was Venus. She says that police forces have entered The Under. It was a lucky move that we left the Shining Machine there yesterday, as they would have been overwhelmed by the force of the attack. Venus says this was no random attack, this was intentional. They knew we were there. Someone—tipped them off. Char, did anyone else escape from that elevator?"
Char was silent.
End Chapter Six