Blindly Searching

Clear blue waves rocked the boat to and fro. Speeding across the monstrous ocean, the white boat appeared like a swan. The boat jolted up and down at every wave that collided into the sides.

Red idled around the front deck of the small ship. Salty air rushed towards him and he gratefully accepted it. Being his first time on a ship, Red couldn't help but feel slightly jealous for the experience he has been missing this entire time.

Emily innocently approached the front to join Red. Her Zorua was nowhere to be found on her person for he didn't do so well in crowded groups. She placed her hands on the railing, taking in the breathless sight.

"Is that the first island," Emily abruptly said, pointing into the horizon.

Red needed to narrow his eyes before he could make the vague shape of a small island. "It's only been an hour and our first destination is insight," Red noted the distance between the Vermilion City and the Sevii Islands on the map and judged the journey to be at least a few hours.

"This boat seems to be made for the rough, rapid waves of this part of sea," Emily pointed out, having experience many boat trips in her lifetime. "It sails at a high speed to cut through the waves."

Red clung onto the railing after the boat unexpectedly lurched forward from a strong wave. "Let's hope our stop is this island," Red listlessly said, feeling slightly ill from the sudden motions from the harsher waves.

"Everyone, gather around the bow," Lance commanded pompously. Most of the crew was already in the front but a few passengers who didn't appreciate the intense sun grumpily exited the cabin to join. Facing the entire group as if he directly ordered them, he retold everybody the scouting parties.

"I'll remind everybody the groups once more," Lance's voice rang over the sound of insolent waves. "First island we are approaching will be investigated by Brock, Misty, and Lt. Surge."

The three gym leaders shuffled through the crowded deck to unite for their destination was quickly approaching.

Lance continued after they regrouped. "Next is Erika, Sabrina along with Janine," he revealed, his cape irksomely flapped behind. "The third will include the talented trainers Blue, Leaf, Emily and Red. You will investigate Kin Island and being there is actually two connected islands, we decided it will be best if you had one extra member," he explained himself for the uneven numbers.

Lorelei finished for Lance. "Me and Lance will land on the fourth which is actually my home island," she unnecessarily added.

"Are you sure you guys can handle it with only two people," Red tried to make sure if they were certain of their decision.

"Its smaller islands compare to the rest," Lance disinterestedly responded. "And we Elite members shouldn't be underestimated," he further added.

The boat abruptly screeched to a stop. They stopped next to a wooden deck that leaded to a small town. The first three gym leaders that Red ever faced hauled off the boat onto the deck.

"Remember to complete your search by 3 o'clock," Lorelei reminded.

"You can count on us," Brock determinedly said.

"See you guys later," Misty waved goodbye in a sprightly manner as if she was going on vacation at a tropical resort.

Red took a seat on the bench, preparing for the unforgiving waves that ravaged the islands. Leaf and Blue joined him on his bench as they awaited their stop. Emily sat down after the second group was dropped off at Boon Island. They didn't have to wait long to arrive on Kin Island.

Red thankfully jumped onto still ground. "Let's go guys," Red blazoned, feeling vigorous again.

"If trouble occurs, contact us," Lance parted them with those words.

"Yeah, sure," Blue indolently dismissed the talented trainer and headed off to the island.

Red along with the two girls bade the last two fighters farewell before heading off after the insolent Blue. No signs of civilization were yet seen but the presence of humans was present by the dirt pathway as well as one large billboard advertising the Three Island town ahead. Besides the tourism screaming advertisement, the land seemed untouched.

"Can't this stupid blotch of land be any more annoying," Blue griped, pulling the neck of his collar feeling his sweat make his clothes feel sticky against his humid skin.

"We will be there in a few minutes" Leaf assertively responded.

"Pft, I don't even know you decided to bring me along this stupid adventure," Blue began to rant. "I mean what does this have to do with my quest to become Pokemon Champion?"

"Shut your trap or I'll staple it close for you," Emily threatened, clutching Zexal once again in her arms. She waved her Zorua in a Marill disguise menacingly over Blue.

"Or how about you just leave me alone and stay far away from me," Blue huffed.

"Don't tempt her, Blue," Red spoke up. "She will attempt to stamp your mouth together."

"Oh look, the town!" Leaf placated the tension by directing everybody's attention.

Sure enough, the tress began to thin out and reveal a small town. The town made Pallet Town appear like a bustling city. Houses were sporadically spread across the empty field and on the tiny hills disrupting the terrain. The luxurious, exotic town the billboard marketed was nothing compared to the ghost town the group arrived. Not single soul seemed to stir within the village.

"Where the hell is everybody?" Blue asked the exceptionally good question.

"I don't know but I feel a loathing atmosphere weighing in on me," Leaf said disconcerted.

"Yeah, don't let your guard down guys," Red warned. He was about to scan the area for people with his aura but the clanking of metal on metal caught his attention. Red pinpointed the noise behind one of the brick houses. His friends tagged along to investigate the disturbance.

Around the corner an elderly man lay on his knees profusely sweating cold sweat. Scattered around the man were metal pots of various sizes which explained the earlier commotion. His eyes swept over the trainers and his attention immediately focused on the Pokeballs on their belts.

Throwing himself on the ground, he blatantly bowed before the group. "Please, I beg of you don't hurt. I apologize for being out," the strange man pleaded for his life.

"Oi, don't go acting so weak grandpa," Blue harshly talked to the frightened man.

"I apologize! I'll make sure to be quieter next time," he shot back, cowing in fear.

Emily stopped Blue from flapping his arrogant mouth by punching him right in the face. Ignoring the stiffed groans and angry curses, Red approached the man in a friendly manner.

"There is no need to be sorry," he heartily said, getting down to help pick up the pots scattered across the dirty ground. The old man froze in shock. He observed the group once more and tears began to dwell in his eyes.

"Actual Pokemon Trainers," he choked over his words. "Have you come to save us, young trainers?"

"Save you? From what exactly?" Leaf innocently asked.

"You don't know?" he asked shocked but didn't hesitate to answer. "The Xclus Clan has taken over the islands, claiming the land as their own and extorting us. They forced us to obey them with their brute strength. No one is strong enough here to stand up for them but perhaps you four can."

"Xclus clan," Emily murmured to herself.

Red paused, realizing the name was familiar. "Xclus clan…as the trainers who Team Rocket hired to imprisoned Sabrina in her own gym."

"Is that another batch of criminals you gotten yourself wrapped in by playing hero?" Emily sighed.

Red shook his head, finished collecting the pots and handed them to the poor old man.

"I appreciate it very much, young man," he gratefully said, accepting the weight. "But I also have a favor I must ask from you people," he added, throat constricting as to hold back his crying.

"Hm…what is it?" Red quietly asked.

The strange man dropped to the ground once more as if he were before a royal king, making Red drop a comical sweat droplet. "Please, I beg of you. Save my granddaughter!" he bellowed his request.

Emily sharply glared at Blue, seeing about to open his mouth but immediately closed it. "What happened to your granddaughter sir?" she respectfully inquired for more information.

"She…she went into the Berry Forest on the neighboring island even when I told her not to," he blurted. "But she still went and hasn't come back. Please go and rescue her if you can before...before they find her!"

"Get her? Who else is there?" Red scratched his head confused.

The old man's head shot with a face that had dread written all over it. "Some Xclus members are in that forest. I think they got my poor little Lostelle!"

Red felt his hero senses tingling. "Alright, we'll go," he assured the helpless man.

"But we don't have time to-" Blue was silenced by another brutal hit from Emily.

-"Will you ever learn not to aggravate, Emily?"- Zexal sighed.

"Just tell us where this Berry Forest is and we'll be on our way," Leaf said with a bright smile.

The weary man understood and led the group to the edge of the town. Arriving to a ravaged dirt path that led to the west, he pointed to it with a shaky finger. "Take this path and you will arrive to a wooden bridge that connects our islands. From there it is a short walk to Berry Forest but please be wary of the Pokemon that live there. Some like to cause mischief."

Red assured the man he will save his daughter and continued as the man directed with his friends. Sure enough, they soon came upon a rather worn out bridge that crossed the 12 meter gap.

"I must admit, this island has a unique ecosystem," Leaf randomly brought up. "Remind me Blue to have Professor Oak pay a visit to this place."

Blue tightly held the peeling rope for dear life, but still managed to look arrogant. "Why do always refer gramps as Professor?" he decided to focus on a personal conflict than the problem at hand.

Emily pushed Red to speed up who was the ahead of everyone. "Because she has respect for her grandfather unlike you egotistical jerk!" she yelled back.

"I wasn't even asking you," Blue barked back.

Leaf sighed. "Please ignore my stupid cousin's conceited remarks," she said once she crossed the bridge along with everyone else.

"I'll ignore them once he pleads me for mercy," Emily shoved her confounded Zexal into Red's arms and marched to the rope bridge that Blue was still crossing.

Blue stopped dead in his tracks. "What the hell are you doing? Hey get your grubby hands of the rope-oh god!" The sketchy bridge violently wavered as Emily shook the ropes with intense hate.

"Stop it, Emily!" Red exclaimed, throwing the Zorua to Leaf who almost missed the shocked creature. He pulled Emily away from causing a disaster but he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction of seeing the smug face Blue always kept quickly fade away.

Blue's face was painfully blue. His fingers burned from the scrapes he received from the trembling rope. He staggered to the edge with a nauseous look yet his anger could be felt dwelling inside of him.

"You-you almost killed me you damn devil!"

Emily ignored the shaken Blue and politely took back Zexal from Leaf. She continued on as if forgetting the earlier event.

"She can be a scary girl," Leaf admitted in a whisper to Red who nodded. They followed after the girl with Blue lagging behind them. The only positive thing that came out of the recent events was that Blue kept quiet and stayed behind to be far away from Emily.

"Oh, this must be Berry Forest," Red remarked, observing his surroundings. As the name implied, berries cluttered the bushes and littered the ground making it hard to maneuver. "But how will we find this Lostelle girl?"

"We must search the forest thoroughly," Leaf suggested the obvious answer. "But we must be wary of this other group of terrible people on this island."

"We should at least have asked for a description of this girl," Gary noted aggravated, shaking his foot lose from the snarls of a thorny bush. He murmured a few more quiet complaints as they continued to search for the young child.

They reached the center of the small forest when crying from a small child could be heard.

"Is that-the lost girl," Leaf strained her ears to hear.

"It's coming from deep in the forest," Red remarked jumping over an Oran berry bush to follow the wails. He came upon a small clearing. Lying in the middle of the area was a small pink haired girl.

Sitting on the ground, Lostelle cradled her head between her knees as a menacing Hypno stood over her with its glowing medallion. Having captured the girl under his trance, he controlled the girl's senses.

"Please…please stop," she weakly whimpered. She didn't dare lift her head since she was made to believe a heinous monster lurked near her. Distant voices mockingly laughed at her defeated state.

Red sent out his Pikachu to thunder bolt the Hypno he deem as a threat. The specially defensive Pokemon took the hit relatively well but lost his focus and broke the hypnosis.

-"Stupid brat,"- Hypno simply said before teleporting out of sight.

"Are you alright, Lostelle?" Leaf cradled the terrified girl like a caring mother.

The sobbing calmed down and Lostelle observed her surroundings with red puffy eyes. "Di-did you g-guys save me?" she squeaked, looking as harmless as Magikarp.

"It's alright," Leaf reassured her in a soothing tone. "The Hypno is gone and it won't hurt you anymore."

Lostelle silently nodded and observed the other trainers. She was helped to her feet and held on to Leaf too afraid to leave her side. She looked no older than five years old yet Red commended her for her bravery to venture into the forest by herself.

"Great, we got the girl now let's scram," Blue proclaimed acting as he did most of the work.

"We are not going to let you off that easy," declared a hooded figure who suddenly appeared in the clearing.

"And who the hell might you be?" Gary dramatically pointed at the new challenger.

The man was hooded in a dark blue coat with white edges, two white strings with spade-shaped pendants hanging down from the hood. He also wore simple dark pants tucked into laced boots. From the woods, three more men revealed themselves also adorning the dark clothing.

"I'm guessing you guys were the ones who sent the Hypno on this poor girl," Red came to conclusion.

"We told the people not to leave their houses and wander around, so we were just enforcing the law onto this trouble maker," he coldly replied. "I also wanted to test out the brain chemistry altering method our boss taught us but you guys had to step in."

"That's just cruel," Leaf snapped back, hugging the trembling girl.

"Then you Xclus clan guys need to be put in your place for causing so much trouble," Blue surprisingly retaliated.

Pulling back the hood to reveal a pale face man, he raised his Pokeball. "Don't take us so lightly child," he forcefully said. "Hypno, come back out!"

"Haunter go!"

"Muk!"

"Fight Drapion!"

A large purple scorpion-like Pokemon caught Red's immediate attention being a new Pokemon he has never seen before. He didn't have the luxury of scanning it for an entry in his Pokedex since the battle have already begun.

"I'll be taking on the psychotic Hypno guy," Blue declared already sending out his Blastoise to challenge the psychic type.

"Don't worry," Emily kindly said to the terrified Lostelle. "We won't let them land a hand on you again. We will defeat them! Vulpix, let's shows these assholes some manners!"

Vulpix cooed with agreement as she faced off against the Haunter. The disembodied ghost didn't deter her since she knew she had greater chance of winning sensing her trainer was serious.

Leaf held the girl behind her having sent her Ivysaur to fend off against the pile of gunk. Muk grew in size to try and intimidate his smaller opponent to no avail.

-"Don't think by increasing in size you can scare me that easy," Ivysaur snorted.

Red released his Pikachu left to fight the hooded figure who owned the menacing Drapion. Arms sprouting from its head, the odd creature waved its head side to side eager to fight.

"Drapion, Poison Jab!" shouted the opposing figure in a gruff voice.

"Don't get hit by it," Red ordered. "Thunder Bolt!"

Drapion scuttled towards Pikachu and sprightly shook his head. The pearl white claws glowed purple as they tried to catch his prey between them. Pikachu jumped to dodge the first strike that broke the ground. The second swing, Pikachu barely escaped by rolling under it. He shocked the scorpion Pokemon with a mighty yell.

Drapion staggered backwards in distraught. He swung his massive arms once more but Pikachu proved to be too nimble. The rodent sprung onto the extended arm and sprinted up towards the stunned poison type.

"Iron Tail!"

Pikachu launched himself into the air and spun around to bring down his tail onto the large, round head of Drapion. Drapion's tail shot forward in the blink of an eye. The pallid claws from his tail wrapped around Pikachu's waist with a grip that could crush an iron beam.

"Poison Tail the Pikachu into the ground!" the man ordered keeping his face out of the sun's rays.

Drapion activated his move with Pikachu still immobile and slam him into the ground with considerable strength. He didn't stop there when he brought him back up. With quick flick of his tail, he threw the helpless Pikachu into the air.

"Cross Poison to finish this!"

"Pikachu, don't give up just yet! Thunder Bolt him now!" Red yelled.

-"I…got it,"- Pikachu cringed in agony but managed to muster up the strength to store up electric energy. Drapion raised his weapons ready strike at the appropriate moment. Pikachu summoned forth a Thunder Bolt onto his foe.

Drapion let out a shrill cry as he was electrocuted. Eyes clenched he opened them up just to see a glowing foot sail towards him. A Mega Kick from Pikachu pushed the colossal Pokemon into the ground.

Drapion meagerly grumbled before fainting to the attack. Pikachu hopped onto the grassy terrain, lifting his head proudly and charged his body with electricity.

"What is it with these kids?" the un-hooded man shouted incredulously. His Hypno collapsed in front of his eyes while his comrades faced the same dilemma.

"Are you weak guys really trying to order around an entire island?" Blue asked. "I expected more from you guys."

"Just you wait! We are not the true power holding down the Sevii islands," disclosed the Xclus member.

"Of course, you guys don't have the strength to keep a single island under your control," agreed a new voice.

A tall man brushed off the twigs of his white jacket as he emerged from the forest. "This is no time to play around with kids of the islanders," Vladimir ran his hand through his pitch black hair, removing brushwood from the tangles. Violent piercing eyes swept over the opposing trainers.

"Vladimir, sir!" an Xclus member exclaimed. "These are people not from the island. We tried to capture them but they were too much sir!"

"Please, forgive us," another implored.

"So this guy is your boss," Blue said haughtily. "We will just beat you and we'll be on our way."

"Wait Blue," Red hushed him earning an annoyed groan. "This guy is part of Kuraisora. I faced him before!"

Vladimir made no facial expression as he observed Red. "…ah, I see you're the boy from Pokemon Tower," he slowly realized the red clad trainer was Red. "But your Pikachu is still a small rodent. It should be a Raichu by now."

"I don't need to have evolved Pokemon in order to remain strong," Red proclaimed his Pokemon shouting in agreement.

"But you needed to get stronger," he stoically said, approaching the group. "Because you should have realized that the next time we met, I'll be forced to kill you."

"Not if we can help it," Leaf stepped in, her Ivysaur leaping in front of her.

"Don't count me out yet," Emily declared taking her stance.

-"I won't allow you to hurt my friends!"- Vulpix determinedly cried. Fire crackled around her tiny body.

Vladimir didn't flinch from the strong opposition. He waved his hand in the air, gesturing the clan members to back up. "I seriously don't have the time to be messing around with a bunch of brats," he threateningly said with a harsh scowl. Tongue like venomous snake he declared, "I will take you all out with one hit. Crobat, Gengar, Beedrill, and Toxicroak, demolish these troublesome kids!"

Vladimir threw four Pokeballs straight into the air. His Pokemon appeared in the same order he shouted their names. All familiar Kanto Pokemon except for the dark blue frog-like creature that held the blood red claws menacingly and sent unsettling stared from its black dots for pupils.

"Wolfsbane!" Vladimir shouted as if it was a command.

Red registered the body language of Vladimir's trainer Pokemon. "It's a combo technique!" Red warned alarmed. "Combine our strength to defend the attack, and keep in mind this guy likes to use dangerous toxins."

Pikachu felt his skin craw as he remembered the painful hours he spent from the poison in his body. –"You're not getting me again!"-

"Ivysaur, Leaf Storm!"

"Vulpix, Flamethrower!"

"Rhydon, Fire Blast!"

"Pikachu, Thunder Bolt!"

The respective Pokemon completed their random set of orders and miraculously managed to make the combo effective. Ivysaur fired a frenzy of spiraling leaves that got caught in the massive electricity energy blast to strengthen the attack. Following the storm of leaves, a Fire Blast enlarged fired by the sluggish Rhydon. Flamethrower met the moving flames to push it even faster.

Vladimir's own Pokemon acted accordingly. Crobat swiftly flew to the back of his comrades. Gengar spat out a sludge bomb along with Beedrill's Poison Sting and with Toxicroak who inflated his vocal sac like a balloon before contracting it to be able to open his mouth. Vile sludge escaped the poison Pokemon's throat to join with the rest of the venomous filth. Crobat increased the deadly combo's speed with a whirlwind.

The electrified Leaf Storm slashed through the poison moves, detonating the sludge bomb, and hacked the defending pokemon. The burning fire handled the stray Poison Sting and scorched the remaining Pokemon. The poison that exploded within the area flew backwards raining onto the unexpected Xclus members.

"You idiots, dodge!" Vladimir yelled at his admirers.

"AH! A giant Caterpie!" one of the guys bellowed, falling to the ground with a bewildered expression.

Another man collapsed to the ground, clutching his should in pain. "Get this Ratticate of my shoulder before it eats my arm off!" He slapped his shoulder even though there was nothing there.

Those fools! There is no helping them once they come under the intense hallucinations that my poison mixture from my Pokemon, Vladimir realized.

-"Oh you're not getting away!"- Pikachu adamantly shouted. He electrocuted a fluttering Crobat who tried to escape the incredible power. His fried target plummeted to the ground

The rest of Vladmir's were knocked out for the count. Well, except his Gengar who held on by sheer will. Vladimir expressed his dissatisfaction with the little facial expressions he mustered. He shrouded his face with an aggressive look and held out his palm towards the kids.

"Gengar, redeem yourself with Dazzling Gleam."

Gengar's body flashed, damaging all four Pokemon at the same time. He faltered feeling his burns irritate him. He met his end and floated onto the ground and collapsed. Vladimir stared at his fainted Pokemon in disbelief.

"No, this can't be-I…" Vladimir bitterly said. A vine lashed out towards him and ensnared his entire body. He gritted his teeth in sour defeat. He lifted his head to face them with an intense glare. "You are all going to dearly pay for this humiliation."

"Cap it, purple eyes," Blue snapped back.

"Don't let him go," Leaf ordered her Ivysaur who held the tight grip around Vladimir.

Red marched up to Vladimir. "But now that we have you, you are going to tell us where the base of your operations is located," Red determinedly said.

The Kuraisora member slyly smiled. "Ha, you expect me to turn against Kuraisora? Betray my loving partner? Betray my dream?" he spat into Red's face. "Just go to hell."

"Alright, I'll handle the interrogation," the easily agitated Emily stepped up. "You are going to tell us where your headquarters is or...Vulpix will splatter all that poison over your smug face."

Vladimir disdainfully chuckled. "Threatened me? You kids don't have the guts to do so."

"Oh yeah," Emily defiantly said. "Vulpix, bring me that poison with your Extrasensory technique."

Vulpix's eyes brightened up with blue light as she used psychic powers to lift a batch of purple gunk from the ground. Grunting on the ground, one sick-looking lackey rolled his eyes to see the vile sludge lift up from the ground.

"Pft. Do you think you could frighten me with my own poison creation?" he said mockingly. "I'll make it clear, I won't ever tell you where Kuraisora is!"

"Fine, Vulpix! Make this guy tell us where Kuraisora headquarters is!" Emily rashly ordered.

Vulpix summoned the venom to rise higher. A frightened scream came from the only conscious member.

"Please…please don't hurt me!" the eccentric man shouted in fear. Before his eyes he saw a large sludge monstrosity that towered over him with devilish eyes as the sky took on a harsh red hue.

"What's with that guy?" Blue asked.

"A hallucination," Vladimir hissed under his breath. "The toxins are able to induce vivid hallucinations if the target is still alive. Damn, why did he have to be conscious?"

"Excellent," Emily said, leaving Vladimir for the hallucinating man. "I bet you will tell me where Kuraisora base of operations are."

The eerie sludge monster spoke to the Xclus remember in a demonic voice that boomed inside his head. "Yes, yes I'll tell you anything, just don't hurt me!" he shouted back cowering in fear.

"Don't talk you idiot!" Vladimir barked at his subordinate yet in his mind knew it was futile. The poison was nearly impossible to neutralize in his state.

"Tell me where is Kuraisora?" Emily sternly asked.

Twitching uncontrollably, the man responded," It's on Navel Rock! Between Chrono and Floe Island! There-there it is! Now leave me alone you monster!" he let out his last scream before blacking out from intense fear.

"That is some crazy shit," Blue remarked on the man's condition. "Imagine if we were hit instead."

Vladimir cursed his underling's pitiful betrayal. "But you four won't be able to take down the entire group," he reasoned. "Though, I wish I could be there when the members crush you with overwhelming power. Especially you, Ember's brother."

Red perked up at his brother's name. "Do you think I'll be that easy to beat?"

"And neither is Ember," he scoffed. "He is after all declared as the strongest member of our group disregarding our leader of course."

Red couldn't help but feel some pride but a mixture of anxiety also manifested. "I'll defeat him, even if it is the last thing I do."

Vladimir lifted his head, dead serious look directed at Red. "We won't fail. We have been waiting so long for this moment and a bunch of naïve kids won't stop us from accomplishing it," he strictly stated. "True peace will come."

Red glared back at the defeated rogue trainer. "We will see soon. Tie him up with a rope and let's report to the other guys." He ordered his friends as if they were disciplined soldiers.