[Cues Carpenter Brut - Division Ruine]

The Outsider's Insurrection

Indigo Iliad

Chapter 35: Welcome to the Underground

Translated Pokémon Speech

Pokédex Entries/Computerized Voices/Flashbacks

Reference to an Accessory in the Games

-o-

(Route 5 | April 17th | 3:30p.m.)

"I'm quite surprised that you asked me to teach you how to fight." Crimson remarked as Misty looked serious about what she had asked.

"I'm going to be real with you here. Team Rocket is going to send people after you and seeing that I'm going to be traveling with you…I want to know how to at least defend myself." Misty said earnestly.

"Well then, who am I to refuse that? What's your experience in unarmed combat?" Crimson asked. "I need an idea of what you know so I can make plans on how to train you."

"One basic self-defense class for a few weeks. I'm kind of interested in getting a fighting style using my legs like yours." Misty said interested.

"Well then. Let's get to work!" Taeko said tossing his biker jacket aside.

-o-

(Tanoby Town, Seven Island | April 17th | 4:00p.m.)

A short cruise and Joe had already been missing Sissi. Rusty chuckled at the man who would never seem like the type to be hung up over a girl. As they pulled into port, the two looked at the town which was carved into the ruins with a bit of an artificial island. The two walked off the boat and into town, which they realized they were in the sights of a mountain of a man. Six-feet-tall, dark skin, a tapestry of muscle, dark raven hair, and electric blue eyes that stared into them. He stood in a sleeveless red dogi, a black martial arts belt around his waist, white headband, and sandals.

"Damn." Joe said flatly.

"Deron. Must you scare the fresh meat?" Selphy said walking up.

Deron leapt off the roof onto the ground, and he looked them over.

"I see a surging and welling strength with you." Deron said looking over to Rusty. "Reminds me of what I saw in Braydon."

"Well consider we've fought with Crimson, it rubs off." Joe said curtly.

"Oh yes, you two. The friends who fought with him in the tournament. Impressive showing. I'm Deron Storm, the Seven Island Gym Leader." Deron said with a bow.

Joe and Rusty gave their introductions, and Rusty immediately asked for a battle.

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline. Unlike most gyms, I do have a bit of a restriction. Six badges minimum to face me." Deron said with a sigh. "Seeing I'm a "secondary" leader, I get to have that restriction."

"Well that's just great. Maybe we could go catch Pokémon around the idea." Joe remarked. "Anything to do in town?"

"Well, there's the ruins around this town to explore. And if you go up Sevault Canyon, you'll make it to the capital, Quest Town. Go north, and there's Trainer Tower and X Inc. You'll find Trainer Tower more interesting." Deron suggested.

"Guess we're going hiking." Joe said getting his and Rusty's bags.

"Going through the canyon will take you a week and change." Selphy said taking off her sunglasses before looking at a message at her phone.

"We'll be fine!" Rusty said excitedly. "I need a new Pokémon in my arsenal anyway. Midori's been working too hard."

"And I still need a new Pokémon to replace Lapras." Joe remarked.

"If you two want, you can come up the Gym. I happen to breed Pokémon and hold training sessions for combat." Deron said cracking his knuckles. "I'd love to have you."

"You're on." Joe said. "I've seen my fair share of fights."

"Yes, I heard of your tussle with those cultists." Deron said with a smirk.

"You might not have enough time to go through the whole canyon. I just got a message from the professor. She wants to meet you." Selphy explained.

"So, Professor Ivy's back in town?" Deron asked.

"Who?" Joe asked as Rusty perked.

"Professor Philena Ivy Miji. She's the regional professor for the Sevii Islands. She's also among the first female Pokémon Professors. She would have the first, but she was held back a year. She graduated alongside Professor Aurea Juniper and Dr. Makomo Fennel." Rusty said off the top of his head.

"Never heard of her still." Joe said as Rusty sighed.

"She was also a bikini model." Rusty said. "She was in an issue of Pokémon Pals. Found this in the Pokémon center back in Six Island. She posed with those other two I mentioned."

"You have it?" Joe asked.

"What? No, I left it back in the center." Rusty remarked.

"Look…you two got two days." Selphy said dryly.

-o-

(Route 5 | April 17th | 6:30p.m.)

Misty fell on her butt feeling rather sore panting as Crimson helped her up. She was put through some of the basic of his fighting style, mostly the legwork.

"Not bad for a first time." Crimson said giggling a bit. "But you're soon have to wear weights like me."

Crimson exposed his hidden weighted bands explaining their purpose and Misty was floored that he was moving all about while wearing about 250 pounds. Misty straight up asked if he was an alien.

"Hey, the humans in Dragon Ball could do it too. It just takes place to get used to. You start small and work your way up." Crimson explained.

"Count me out." Misty panted. "I don't really need to be a hard-hitter, speed is my deal."

"Either way, we should get moving. The way to Saffron's blocked so…Underground Path?" Crimson suggested as got back on his jacket.

"At this time? We shouldn't. Creepy characters hang out down there." Misty warned.

"I wouldn't worry. I got my blade and my Pokémon with me. I can be pretty scary." Crimson said sending out Fawn. "Besides, you can sit on Fawn while we go through."

He returned his bike to his capsule before pocketing it as Misty jokingly thanked Crimson for the gesture being getting on her.

"Pleasure to have you abroad." Fawn said kindly.

"And she's so polite." Misty said sweetly rubbing Fawn's head.

The three walked over to the door to the Underground Path and went on in.

[Cues: Final Fantasy VI – Slam Shuffle]

Down the stairs, Crimson checked Dex Bulma for information. For one, both paths were connected into a giant cross which to Crimson was a bit of a good thing. He could easily go to Celadon, if he wanted to clip Erika early. He did learn that the place was a den for the homeless, lawless bouts, and prostitutes. The Underground looked a lot bigger than he'd thought and it actually reminded him of the Goldenrod Tunnel in the games. Well, if it was expanded to a city and mixed with grunge.

"Feels a Pokémon version of Gotham's underbelly." Crimson thought as they walked through the dim lights. "Smells like one too."

Graffiti was on bits of the walls, small bits of trash on the ground, and people in wormlike sleeping bags were abound.

"It's as bad as I thought." Misty said in a low voice.

"It could be worse." Crimson remarked as they were stopped by one guy. "A gang of thugs could run the place. Scum Team Rocket doesn't like."

The two looked around expecting something, but nothing came. It was a bit of relief as they moved on down the path. Crimson promptly let out both Jett and Morticia to be guides for any dark areas given Jett can see in the dark and Morticia can raise her energy to provide light.

[Cues: Sonic the Hedgehog OVA OST – From the Land of Darkness]

As they came in closer, they saw a light before coming to see the center. A rather large underground city that Crimson was completely caught off-guard for. The way that they came through was a roadway leading down into that city. A city of tall buildings, bright lights, and a dark feel of grunge.

"What the hell?" Misty said with her jaw on the ground. "Ok, what is this place?!"

"Dex Bulma?" Crimson asked.

"You're looking at Sepia City or Old Saffron. To make the long story short, Saffron was originally going to be built underground to preserve the nature that was above ground. But plans fall through when due to the actions of a pair of drunks burned the nature down. That pair was banished to the underground, and it grew to be a place where the poor ended up. Over time, Sepia grew and it's famous for its market, casinos, and nightlife. Ironically, it's one of the richer cities in Kanto. It's essentially the Las Vegas of the Pokémon world with a bit of Hollywood." Dex Bulma explained.

"By Arceus, it's massive." Morticia said as Crimson took Misty off Fawn.

"Yeah, you'll need your bike for this." Jett said adjusting his shades.

Crimson let his bike out of his capsule, fluffed his jacket, and returned Fawn and Jett thanking them for the help. Crimson got on as Misty took on the back.

"Morticia, think you could possess the bike?" Crimson asked.

"I could try." Morticia said attempting to.

It somewhat worked giving the bike an eerie purple shadow as Crimson started his motorcycle up. Crimson excitedly drove down into the city below. Not far behind, a familiar trio was also arriving into the city having followed them missing one of their key members.

"When did Crimson get a motorcycle?" Jessie asked.

"I don't like ta look of this place." Meowth said with a groan wishing he was with James in the balloon.

"Don't be a scaredy-cat." Jessie said.

"You don't get it, Jessica. This place…is my hometown." Meowth said with a groan.

(A/N: No, not reposting the team stats. Nothing has changed about them yet. And yes, I do plan to touch on Meowth's backstory. There is going to be some changes but keep similar beats. All I can say is his backstory also ties into the story of Sepia Town. Prepare for feels. On a side note, Professor Ivy's coming into the fray soon!)

Ending Theme: Cowboy Bebop – The Real Folk Blues (ending version)