Mission Incompetent
Archie stood in the submarine dock of Slateport City. After years of waiting it was finally time for the awakening. He had the Red Orb thanks to his newest elite agent. He knew all that he needed to do in order to awaken Kyogre and he had the means in order to reach the underground cavern in which the beast was slumbering. He turned to his subordinates and began the speech he'd been waiting years to recite.
"My friends, we are on the brink of a new era. No longer will we have to suffer the injustices of a world ruled by land dwellers. Lord Kyogre will rise up from the depths and purge this world of all its impurities. We shall unleash our god's fury upon the masses and no one, not even Magma and their false god Groudon will be able to stop us! Onward my friends, TO VICTORY!"
James groaned inwardly. He knew that the moment of truth was coming soon and he hoped he was going to be able to pull it off. Even after his recent successes the years of failure still left a mark on his self esteem. He just hoped nothing went wrong.
…
Maxie stood at the foot of Mt. Chimney. The time was now. Soon his master would be awakened and the new age would be brought into the world. He was confident. He had the blue orb thanks to his new top admin. He knew the whereabouts of Groudon and he knew exactly how to awaken his master. He turned to his subordinates and began the speech he'd waited years to recite.
"My friends, we are at the dawn of a new era. Soon Lord Groudon shall be unleashed to purge this planet of the parasites of the deep. Groudon shall rise up and wreak havoc upon the oceans freeing the land from their watery hold. Groudon shall crush all who oppose his will including Aqua and their false god Kyogre. Onward warriors, TO VICTORY!"
Jessie was filled with anticipation. This was her moment to shine. All she had to do was wait for the exact moment throw the master ball and claim her prize. Nothing could go wrong and she would finally be back on top. She'd show that bitch Cassidy once and for all who was the better operative.
…
"What do you mean there's now submarine in Slateport?" Asked a very annoyed Ash "I paid good money for this ticket to Sootopolis and here I am stuck in Pacificlog Town. This is a nice place and all but I got a Gym badge to win."
"Listen sir." Said the receptionist at the dock's ticket counter. "We're sorry for your inconvenience, but there's nothing we can do. Someone stole the sub and I'm afraid the only way your getting into Sootopolis is if you swim there!"
"No need to be a smart ass!" Yelled Ash "That's all you had to say in the first place."
"I'm not the one who came barging up to the counter and yelling like an enraged Primeape!" Yelled the receptionist "You trainers think you can just run around and get whatever you want just because you have a few balls with monsters inside. Well guess what other people have jobs to do as well and don't need spoiled little trainer-brats like you messing up an otherwise pleasant day of work…"
The receptionist went on and on about how much her job sucked, her life sucked and last but not least how much Ash himself was the worst piece of trainer shit ever to walk the face of the Earth. Ash was used to it. He'd been stuck in this town for the last week because the submersible ferry from Mosdeep had malfunctioned. He was then told that there would be a submarine coming from Slateport to pick up any travelers going to and from Sootopolis. Now he was being told that the submarine, which was supposed to be coming from Slateport, was now missing. All in all it had not been a good week. Ash resigned to walk back to the Pokemon Center. I suppose I'll try calling home again. I wonder why I can't get an answer.
…
The undersea cavern which housed Kyogre was very cold and extremely damp. The cave was home to several Zubat and deep sea pokemon such as Speal and Chinchou. The terrain was very slippery and rugged. This of course did not bode well with James. He was using all his will power to keep from complaining about the lack of light and dangerous footing he was forced to endure. It was times like these when he missed the good old days of flying in a Meowth-head balloon chasing the twerp, staring at Jessie when she wasn't looking and her skirt rode up above her-
"Commander Jim!" Yelled Archie
"Sir, Yes sir!" Said James snapping to attention.
"Take some men and scout that tunnel over there." Ordered Archie
"Affirmative!" Shouted James. He picked some grunts at random and took the path he was instructed to scout.
This particular tunnel was a bit less treacherous then the others. It seemed to have some sort of light source at the end of it as well. James continued walking until he came to a very large cavern with several sapphires embedded throughout the walls. In the middle of the cavern was a very large and very deep looking pool of water. The pool was outlined in what looked like pure sapphire. A large shadow could be seen at the bottom of the pool almost invisible but clearly distinguishable if looked at closely.
'This must be it." Said James. He pointed to a grunt and gave an order. "You go and inform lord Archie of what we've found."
"Sir" The grunt gave a salute before running back down the tunnel.
It was almost time.
…
Mt. Chimney was a desolate place. There where smoke vents all throughout its immense caverns as well as bubbling pits of lava. The ground was over all solid but very hot. Only people with special gear and the strong Fire-type pokemon could hope to brave this barren wasteland. Team Magma traversed the volcano heading into the depths of the crater. Jessie was beginning to get annoyed. She had just bought these designer combat boots complete with stiletto heals and they weren't doing much as far as comfort. She missed the day when all the walking she had to do was in the occasional forest or field. She really missed the Meowth-head balloon.
The precession of Magma agents continued down the pathway to the bottom of the crater much to the dismay of Jessie. Can't they install and elevator in this hunk of rock. She complained to herself. The boss better appreciate all the hard work I'm doing just to get him a super-powerful pokemon. Wait super powerful pokemon?...I can capture this thing and use it to start my own evil reign! She smiled to herself at the realization that she could finally be on top of the world by capturing Groudon.
After about another 30 minutes of walking the group finally reached the bottom of the crater. Once there they found a large set of double doors embroidered with rubies. Maxie ordered some grunts to open the doors and after much struggling they finally managed to push them open to reveal a large room with several support pillars made entirely out of rubies. Sitting in the center of the room was a boiling vat of lava, surrounded by yet more rubies and housing an altar with an indentation for some kind of orb, was waiting for them. Maxie smiled triumphantly. "Today is the day!" He declared "Groudon shall arise and conquer!"
That's what you think. Thought Jessie as she withdrew the master ball from her jacket. The moment of truth is almost here.
…
("I see your thirty and raise you twenty more!") Exclaimed Bulbasaur
("I see your fifty and raise you twenty five!") Said Pikachu
"Yous two got nothing" Said Meowth "I see your seventy-five and raise you a hundred!"
("Fold") Said Croconaw. He hadn't been winning much at all this game.
("Me too") Said Bulbasaur ("I don't have enough chips to keep going.")
("I match your 175 Meowth!") Said Pikachu ("I have a royal flush!") Pikachu smirked Nothing could beat a royal flush. ("Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten, all Hearts!")
"Dat's nothin'" Said Meowth "Five of a kind! All Aces!"
Meowth began reaching for the pile of chips after laying down his cards. He got about an inch away from them before he was hit with a Thunder Shock.
("There's no such thing a 'five of a kind!' Cheater!") Yelled Pikachu. He looked at Meowth's cards and saw that there where three normal Aces and two very strange looking cards. One had an ornately decorated 'R' in the middle with an 'A' in each corner over a smaller 'R'. The other card had Meowth's smiling face in the middle with an 'A' in each corner over smaller versions of the center head. ("Who do you think we are Jessie and James?") Asked and indignant Pikachu.
"Will you guys cut it out!" Asked a very peeved Ash. He still couldn't get an answer from Pallet. He'd tried his mother, Gary and some other neighbors and he couldn't get an answer. "Meowth stop cheating you're setting a bad example."
"The kids are asleep so I can do what I want Twoip!" Said Meowth referring the ball of fur on one of the beds that was Dawn and Mune curled up together.
("Do you want me to send you blasting off?") Asked Pikachu ("Because I swear to Mew I will shock you so hard-")
"Pikachu leave him alone." Said Ash "Meowth if you expect to get any more free meals from me you'd better start showing a little respect. My name is ASH not 'TWOIP', got it?"
"Sure thing Twoi- er Ash" Said Meowth nervously. Being annoying was one thing but missing any more meals was down right out of the question.
("You still can't get an answer Ash?" ) Asked Pikachu after grabbing all of his winnings and shoveling them into Ash's Backpack.
"Nope." Sighed Ash "No one's answering I'm really starting to get worried. The last time I called it said 'number unreachable due to technical difficulties'"
Ash got up and flicked the TV on. It was now raining outside and there was no purpose in going out anyway. Pacificlog town was suspended over the ocean by several piers connected to each other by rope bridges. Apparently the main piers were secured to the sea floor by some type of metal beams, but Ash couldn't see them. He wanted out of this town as soon as possible. If the submarine transport didn't get fixed soon Ash was seriously considering going to Mauville and catching a chopper to Sootopolis.
A sudden news story caught Ash's attention.
"Reports from the Kanto region indicate that a town on the southeast side of the island known as Pallet has been…"
The TV was suddenly shut off after a strike of lightning hit the building.
("It wasn't me!") Said Pikachu noticing the glare Ash was sending his way.
Why did it have to happen now? What happened to Pallet?
…
Archie took the Red Orb and approached the alter overlooking the large pool. He placed the orb in the indentation and stepped back. The orb started to glow and the room suddenly took on a red hue.
"Kyogre!" Said Archie "I possess the Red Orb! Awaken and aid me with your divine might!"
The water began to ripple. Then the large shadow at the bottom began to become more distinct. Suddenly the pool began to ripple more violently and the room began shaking. Kyogre suddenly broke the surface. Kyogre looked around until it's eyes met those of Archie. The sea beast slowly swam to the edge of the pool stopping right in front of the Alter.
James realized that this could be his only chance. He withdrew his master ball from his pocket and enlarged it to full size. Without a second thought he threw the master ball straight for Kyogre. Kyogre still had its eyes closed and opened its mouth for a very large yawn. The master ball sailed through the air and went straight down Kyogre's throat!
James was shocked. Of all the ways for him to fail, and he knew there were plenty of them, that had to be the most humiliating he could ever think of.
Archie turned and glared at James. "Jim what the hell do you think you're doing?" He asked his voice seething with quiet fury "Tell me you did NOT just try to capture Lord Kyogre!"
"I didn't just try to capture Lord Kyogre, Sir!" Whimpered James in a most pathetic display of cowardice.
Kyogre now opened its eyes and upon seeing the Red Orb which was the symbol of its advisory it went into an unbridled rage. Kyogre unleashed a horrifying Water Spout that caused the roof of the cavern to rupture and gallons upon gallons of seawater to come pouring in. Kyogre floated out of the water and headed toward the whole in the ceiling, but not before inadvertently snagging a horrified James with one of its huge fins. James clung to the beast for dear life as it headed toward the rushing ocean water.
"Everybody get to the sub now!" Ordered Archie
…
Maxie held the Blue Orb in his hands and slowly secured it into the groove on the alter. The room was illuminated by a blue light and the rubies throughout began to glow a bright red.
"Lord Groudon!" Chanted Maxie "I have brought the Blue Orb! Awaken and lend us your power to so that we may smite or enemies!"
The vat of lava began to bubble violently and everyone closest to the edge abruptly jumped back. The lava vat suddenly erupted in a violent shower of molten rock hitting several unfortunate grunts and burning them to cinders. As the lava receded the large red form of Groudon could be seen standing on top of the lava as if it were dry land. He looked at his surroundings and met the eyes of the one who awoke him.
Jessie didn't hesitate to throw her master ball. The ball sailed through the air only to be burned to ashes by a sudden lave geyser from the side of the pool.
Maxie was in shock. "Jessica?" He said disbelief evident in his voice "You would betray me at this the time of the awakening?"
"I knew she was no good!" Said Tabitha, Maxie's right hand. "She always did look suspicious."
Their argument was cut short because Groudon set eyes on the Blue Orb, the symbol of Kyogre. The land guardian roared in outrage and called forth all of his power making the ground shudder violently. Groudon suddenly levitated a large slab of rock and jumped on top of it. Unfortunately for Jessie it was the slab had been the ground she was standing on. She shrieked and moved out of the way as the great red beast landed in front of her. Groudon seemed not to notice its passenger as it elevated the rock toward the top of the volcano.
The ground continued to shake even after Groudon had left the area. Team Magma tried desperately to get to the top of the crater before the impending eruption took place. They wouldn't be so fortunate.
…
The citizens of Lavaridge looked on in awe as Mt. Chimney erupted in a spectacular display of molten rock and burning ash. Thankfully for the small community, the wind was blowing to the west sparing their town a most horrible fate. They looked on in awe unaware of the horrible screams of pain which echoed through the caverns of the mountain as the lava rose toward the surface.
…
"Pick up…pick up…" Pleaded Ash to the phone.
There was a beeping tone before a mechanical voice came over the line. "We're sorry due to technical difficulties your call cannot be completed at this time. Please try again later, thank you."
"Damnit!" Yelled Ash as he slammed the phone down.
The power was out but the audio phone still functioned. He didn't know what the news report was going to say about Pallet, but since he could get no answer from anyone he knew in town he could only suspect the worst.
…
A/N: Well that's done. Hope it was at least half way enjoyable. As always please let me know what you think and I'll be sure to update as soon as I can.
Until Next Time…
