[Cues: Pokémon FireRed/Leafgreen OST - Intro]
The Outsider's Insurrection
Indigo Iliad
Chapter 64: Mossgreen Village, Something Happens
Translated Pokémon Speech
Pokédex Entries/Computerized Voices/Flashbacks
Reference to an Accessory in the Games
-o-
(Mossgreen Village, Route 9 | May 12th | 8:00p.m.)
[Cues: Hey Arnold! OST – Thinking it Over]
"So, Crimson? I need to know something…do you know a Madame Boss?" Rusty said as they pulled into the quiet village.
Crimson's face looked of worry as he rolled to a stop getting out his phone. He needed to make a call.
"Hey, Melvin. I need a favor." Crimson said explaining what he needed. "Yeah, thanks."
Crimson hung up and a few seconds after his cell phone rang playing the instrument of the Team Rocket Motto. He took it up putting in on speakerphone.
"I didn't think we've heard from you." Meowth remarked.
"Yeah, well. I wouldn't be calling to check up on you. I need your help…just to ask about Madame Boss. I need to confirm something." Crimson said.
"Ugh, I remember her. Honestly, I don't even think the old Boss liked her. She was always so mean comparing me to my mother…" Jessie snarled. "I don't even know if my mother is alive or not…."
"I…can at least tell you what I know that she was sent on a mission to go after Mew in South America. I can't exactly pin if she's alive or not, but if I can access a database…I can see if she still is sending reports." Crimson said.
With the confirmation in tow and getting Jessie's number, he hung up.
"So, we have two assholes to deal with?" Joe asked.
"Sort of…" Crimson said with a sigh. "Right now, let's just set up camp or find an inn."
[Cues: Spongebob Squarepants OST – Eastside Story]
Mossgreen. What a depressing place, Crimson thought. The boys had returned their bikes to their capsules walking into town. The place gave off the air of desperation that made Sepia look like paradise. The incoming rain did not help. The gloomy setting and weather made Crimson feel like a detective in the old movies. He took off the camo cap in favor of his Grey Fedora with a Pidgeot feather on the side. The feather he could picked up from Ash's.
"The rain made this place what was mossy and green only wetter and colder. Walking through this tiny village, the rejected outskirts of a bigger and brighter city. All around, I see stories of those who lived hard lives." Crimson thought, monologuing to himself. "We had split up to find a place to stay just in case. Now I walk alone on these streets, just exploring hoping something finds me."
Hands in his jacket's pockets, he silent gazed around before noticing someone. He had a feeling he would have seen her given it was her village.
"It was ironic, she was similar to Tenten but with more forgettability. Similar clothes…just with moss green hair and red eyes. I wonder if it's Cassandra or Kiyomi. This world was a bit of an even mix. Regardless of her name, she had look of worry and fear in her eyes. Carrying that Paras in her hands like it was her lifesaver."
Crimson stopped inwardly monologuing to see someone approach her. Unless the people of this village, this woman was dressed a bit nicer…clearly not being from this place. Crimson recognized her than Cassandra/Kiyomi.
"Another mirror from the DCAU? How many of them are here? And from the look of Candice, she isn't here for a friendly visit?" Crimson said to himself.
He moved in closer to listen in.
"Kiyomi, I believe we need to discuss the matter of your tribute." Candice said with a sneer.
"But I already paid that to Lord Narusegawa!" Kiyomi said worriedly.
"I know. This is for me, so I don't decide to convince her to punch you across the sea to the next region over…or you can join your grandmother. Or I could take your Paras off your hands. I could sell it." Candice said darkly as Kiyomi held Paras closer to her chest. "Tell you what, I'll even battle you for him."
Kiyomi knew that was an empty gesture as Candice sent out a rather intimidating Machoke.
"Hold it!" Crimson said coming out of the shadows. "I see you're a gambling woman, so let me take her place in battle. Unless you're unconfident in your abilities."
Candice laughed at this before accepting Crimson's offer, thinking he was an easy mark. Crimson used the Dex to check the level…35. He decided on Chuka and sent her out.
[Cues: Final Fantasy VI OST – Battle Theme]
"Look at the size of that mushroom!" Kiyomi thought. "The purity, the quality!"
"Crush that weak bug with Superpower!" Candice said as Machoke glowed bright blue.
Machoke flexes its muscles to increase power and its body becomes outlined in a light blue aura before firing a blast of energy only for both Crimson and Chuka to roll out of the way in sync as the attack exploded near them.
"Chuka, Aerial Ace!" Crimson said as Chuka rushed toward Machoke.
"Wait, wha-" Candice said as Machoke took a hit from Chuka. "Machoke, grab Chuka and get your Revenge!"
"I don't think so! Chuka, Cross Poison!" Crimson said as Machoke grabbed her.
"Haven't you learned not to touch a lady without permission!" Chuka said slashing Machoke's face with glowing purple claws.
Machoke hissed from the pain holding his face only for Chuka to use Metal Claw to sweep at his legs causing him to fall on his back.
"Damn it!" Machoke screamed on his back.
"Get up and use Mega Punch!" Candice said as Machoke raised a glowing fist.
Despite getting hit in the face with the force from a Superpower Pokémon, she remained steadfast and followed through Crimson's call for Giga Drain stabbing Machoke draining energy from hit through her claws. Candice for Machoke to get her off with Low Kick, but Chuka had countered with Aerial Ace. With Superpower having lowered Machoke's defense, Chuka's Aerial Ace was something he could not tank. Machoke was down.
[Cues: Spongebob Squareparts OST – Eastside Story]
Candice looked shocked over actually losing. Shocked enough to not see Crimson rush in with a cold fist for her face sending into the cold wet ground. The hat he wore falling off his head with his face illuminated by the moonlight.
"You?! You're the-gurk!" Candice said as he grabbed by her collar.
His crimson-colored eyes glaring down her brown spheres.
"Now, here's what you're going to do. You're going to go back to the hole you crawled out of. You breathe a word I'm here, and I will personally see it Miss Candice that NO ONE will find you, your Pokémon, or your body! Now take your Machoke and beat it." Crimson said as Candice nodded.
He shoved her away from him. She returned her Machoke and bolted. One could hear the clacking of heels as she vanished into the night.
"Your hat." Chuka said giving back to Crimson.
He got back on as the rain let up for the moment.
"Thank you…" Kiyomi said nervously.
"You're welcome." Crimson said stroking Chuka's face a bit before returning her.
"Wait, I…could you please help me?" Kiyomi asked.
"The desperation was clear on her face-Ok, I need to stop before I made it a habit. Honestly, this place just sets such a low mood that I'm trying to make it exciting." Crimson thought before asking what Kiyomi wanted.
"Your Parasect. How good are the mushrooms she makes?" Kiyomi asked as he had his eye on her.
"Fairly good. She's well cared for after all." Crimson said as Paras sighed.
"This weather sucks." Paras said dourly.
"Ugh, what an emo." Crimson thought.
"You're a trainer, right? Candice never flinches like that…are you from Crimson City?" Kiyomi asked.
"No, Pallet. Crimson's my name, though Kiyomi." Crimson said. "Mind explaining about that woman though?"
Kiyomi suggested they get out of the rain and led him to her home. He followed her and found himself sitting at a table drinking tea with her.
"Ironic, for one who's seemingly named after the place, that they don't know about it. In times before the modern age, the strongest warrior would wear 'The Number One Headband'." Kiyomi said only for Crimson to interrupt.
"Wait, so like in Afro Samurai? The headband grants believed to bestow various things including Godhood, Immortality, Supernatural Powers, Great Knowledge, and all that jazz. The One who wears the Number One headband is said to rule the world but to become the Number One you must kill the current Number One. Am I right?" Crimson asked.
"That's…actually pretty similar. The headband supposedly makes you one…one with likes of legendary Pokémon and can draw out your latent power. And while the band used to be determined who ruled Kanto…that was long ago. Now, it's more limited to Crimson City. Lord Narusegawa's a foreigner from Japan…she's a cruel and spiteful woman. She's managed to keep the headband because of her monstrous strength and temper. She taxes the people of Mossgreen and she's…the reason I no longer have my grandmother." Kiyomi said morose.
"She killed her?" He asked.
"The stress did." Kiyomi remarked. "At the moment, I'm trying to make medicine, but my Paras just doesn't make the quality of mushrooms…plus him not exactly being very strong doesn't help. I need the mushrooms of a Parasect and you've raised a big one. I could really use the mushrooms it grows."
Crimson sipped at his tea.
[Cues: Cowboy Bebop OST – Road to the West]
"I know I can't pay you with money, but if it's ok…I can pay with my body." Kiyomi said with a blush.
Crimson had something he wanted to say, but he decided to save that for later. For Kiyomi had bought desperation she was willing to show. She had his attention as watched her, and she nervously began undressing. Plain white wraps around her modest chest and a pair of ordinary panties. As this went on, Crimson found himself monologuing in his head again.
"She was pretty average…at least out of the girls and women I've hung around, let alone slept with. I took up her offer, she was desperate for those mushrooms. I was never going to get a chance like this again. I actually took her right on the table. From the way she moaned, I could tell she was wound up too. You could normally tell. She was affectionate to say the least, craving my hands on her supple breasts or my lips on her neck as I thrusted deeper into her. She trying to act all professional about it…but she's not doing a good job given she's clearly a sexual lightweight. Good thing, I carried a rubber for my magnum."
Crimson panted as the table rattled. Kiyomi's pale skin was lit up through the dim light.
"Sorry, I might look a bit plain, a bit scrawny…and a bit bushy. I hope this is enough for as many mushrooms as you can spare." She said clenching down on him. "Oh…I'm about to cum again."
"It's fine. I don't really mind all too much." Crimson said feeling his climax coming.
"We had finished at the same time…it's been a while since I've had a load taken off. Poor Kiyomi looks drained."
Crimson pulled out getting the condom off of him being a flash of ki to disintegrate it. Crimson got out a plastic bag full of Chuka's tochukaso putting it on the table.
"You know…they happen to be a bit of a natural aphrodisiac. And I do munch on them raw or cooked." Crimson remarked.
Kiyomi took up the bag getting up off the table as Crimson got back on his pants, socks, and shoes.
"Thank you so much." Kiyomi said. "I'll be able to make a ton of medicine with this."
[Cues: Cowboy Bebop OST – Cosmos]
"About that, I want to make an offer to you. You want to restart your business and I could use a medic. You see, I happen to have connections. I can get you out of this village…if you really want to." Crimson remarked.
"Connections? What, you apart of Team Rocket?" Kiyomi asked.
"What? No. I'm way too good for those bungling turds." Crimson said. "I'm the leader of the Black Dragons."
"The Black Dragons? I don't really pay much mind to the rumor mill…I don't even have a television because of the taxes. But I do remember such a group being mentioned at the tavern, but they said the leader was injured severely." Kiyomi said befuddled.
"Reports of my injuries were greatly exaggerated." Crimson said with an eye roll. "But about my offer?"
"If you can get me out of this village, then I accept. But there's something I want you to do." Kiyomi remarked. "I want you to take back the city and the Number One Headband."
"Don't I need the Number Two Band to challenge her?" Crimson said lightly joking.
"What? No. Anyone can challenge the Number One, but you usually have to get through their entourage first. Narusegawa might be strong, but she is…a coward hiding behind that group." Kiyomi remarked.
"Well then, it's a good thing I didn't come alone." Crimson remarked. "I'll deal with her. I promise."
"I'd ask for Round 2, but…I'm a bit sore." Kiyomi said sheepish. "Plus, Paras needs a feeding."
"Give it a few of these." Crimson said giving her a few Rare Candies. "See if it evolves after eating that…I need to make a call."
[Cues: jinsang – night breeze]
Crimson left for outside as the rain had fully cleared up leaving a cloudy night sky. Crimson sent out Chuka and plucked two tochusako off of her before eating them. He stroked Chuka's face gently as she scuttered off to a nearby tree to siphon a few nutrients. Not that she hated Pokémon food or human food, but she did feel like that getting some nutrients off a tree. Crimson made Dex Bulma check on his teammates.
"This is Stocking, assface. We're fine." Dex Stocking mewled.
"This is Tashigi. We're safe, and can't you not be so rude, Stocking!" Dex Tashigi said before Dex Bulma cut the communication line.
He could have sensed them out, but the Dexes would give him more assurance. Next was calling Mitsune. She answered the phone with a yawn.
"Moshi moshi, Konno residence." Mitsune said sleepily.
"It's Crimson, and I need your help. Are you aware that Narusegawa's in Kanto?" Crimson affirmed.
Any booze that was in her system evaporated, any exhaustion vanished for the moment, and Mitsune's eyes hardened.
"I need information. Mitsune, I'm well aware of your ties to Hina City in Japan…don't ask how. I have met one of your former associates, Motoko. She was on the St. Anne coming to some faraway region." Crimson remarked.
"Wait, Motoko's in the regions too?" Mitsune said before sucking her teeth. "Damn it. Naru…shouldn't even be here."
Mitsune took a long swig of what Crimson assumed was booze.
"To make it short since you know some of the details. My landlord was coming to a boiling point with…the poor treatment he got. I now regret it, but back then…I left to save my own skin. I had discovered that Keitaro was amassing evidence…he had apparently discovered that Naru was planning on trying to get him arrested through a sexual assault allegation. Naru had me, Motoko, and manipulated Su into the plan. I was in it at first for the money until I found out he knew about the plan. When I snooped and found what he had on me…I knew I had to bolt. I had practically bolted to pack and get out of there. I had left that night, only warning Su to get out before it was too late. I never looked back after that." Mitsune explained.
"What happened with them?" Crimson asked.
"I don't know the details about what happened to them as I was busy atoning to my family. Once that was done, I moved here, and you know the rest." Mitsune remarked as Crimson explained what Motoko and Naru were up to. "So, Motoko's a trainer on her own? Interesting. And Naru? She's ruling a city. Look, I'm pretty sure you can take her if she's still using the same old, same old. She's the type to punch first, ask questions later. You? You got a good brain on your shoulders."
"Thank you, Mitsune." Crimson said. "Have a good night."
He had hung up and Mitsune decided it was high time to call someone he had not spoken to in a long time. As for Crimson, his final calls were to Ash and Roulette. He called Ash to ask him for his hand in a job. He had pegged Ash to pick up Cassandra and take her to Cerulean along with the suggestion to not go to Crimson City. Ash had asked why, and Crimson simply said something was going down…something bad that he and his friends have to handle.
"Besides, I trust you and Pidgeot to get Kiyomi out of the village and safe in the city." Crimson remarked. "I can't ask Gary."
That seemed to get Ash to accept. He had called Roulette to arrange Topaz to escort Kiyomi to Beige Town and for Roulette to put money down on a storefront property there. With it all set, he hung up as Chuka scuttled back. He returned her and went inside. Kiyomi was still naked and cleaning up the mess.
"Hey, everything's set. I have a guy coming to pick you up tomorrow morning. His name's Ash, and he'll be picking you up on his Pidgeot. So be ready to go. I have something for you." Crimson said giving her three Great Balls. "Here, you can use those to get some more Pokémon."
"Thanks." Kiyomi said with a sigh. "Good luck dealing with her…"
"Don't worry. I know her weaknesses quite well now." Crimson remarked. "Just focus on getting yourself out of this town. I managed to arrange for you to get storefront property in another town. You'll be able to live there and work on your store. All I ask for is 15% of the profits and regular rent payments."
"You have a deal." Kiyomi remarked.
-o-
(Mitsune's Home, Kanto Route 16 | May 12th | 10:30p.m.)
Raichi and Fearow looked at their trainer with worry as she had the phone in her hand just staring it for the last ten minutes. She swallowed her fear as she dialed the number.
"Hello, this is the Hinata Sou, manager speaking."
"Hello, Keitaro. It's been a long while." Mitsune said nervously.
"Kitsune…I wonder where you ended up. Is this a call for money?" Keitaro said pensive.
"No, and it's Mitsune now. I've shed those habits when I left the apartments." Mitsune said firmly.
"Is that so? Well, congratulations." Keitaro said still a bit pensive.
"As much as I like to say this is a call to catch up and apologize to you. But…there's another matter. I need to ask about Naru." Mitsune said worriedly. "I fear I and my friends may be in a spot of danger."
"Naru? That psycho." Keitaro said as Mitsune explained what she knew. "Oh…damn it. I should have just gone to the police to get her arrested."
"What was the fallout, if it's okay to ask?" Mitsune asked.
"Well, I confronted Naru and Motoko with eviction notices. I wanted to evict Su, but I realized I could maybe talk her down if Naru and Motoko were out of the way. Naru threatened to report that I sexually assaulted her, but Su apparently revealed that Naru planned to make a false allegation. The little gaijin was hoping to use this to convince me to let her stay while throwing Naru under the bus. Let's just say, a certain someone didn't take it well. Shinobu just exploded on Naru." Keitaro said with a chuckle. "No joke, she cracked Naru's skull with a teapot and tossed her down the stairs. Motoko just took the eviction and left with her things. I think Shinobu scared her off. Long story short, I knew that Naru was still in the city and that her bad habits were catching up to her. She just suddenly left the country a long while back. Now Motoko, well…all I know is the Aoyama money sent me a check and an apology. They wanted to sweep this under the rug. I could have gone to the police for her too, but honestly…Motoko's no longer in Japan and not my problem."
"What about the others?" Mitsune asked.
"Well Sara now idolizes Shinobu. Shinobu's grown a lot more confidence in herself. Mitsumi's getting better, but she blames herself for enabling Naru. Su's matured a bit. And me…I've shifted to get into art school. I realized that archaeology is more of a hobby for me and that art is my passion." Keitaro admitted warmly.
"Keitaro, I am sorry this all that to happen. I should have a better person…I let all this get out of control." Mitsune said guilty.
"It's ok. We walked out the storm better people. I forgive you." Keitaro said as Mitsune breathed a sigh of relief.
"By the way, did Naru get stronger?" Mitsune asked concerned.
"All I know was before she left the city, she was haunting a gym ran a bōsōzoku. That place got busted by cops not long after she left the country." Keitaro said before thinking on it. "But it's late…I'll call you if I get anything."
Keitaro hung up and Mitsune flopped on her bed. Raichi came up rubbing his trainer's back which brought her comfort. Fearow got to its perch as Mitsune was able to drift off to sleep.
(A/N: Most of the Love Hina backstory was inspired by the number of fanfics I had read in my time. Those who have read as much will catch on the little details. For those wondering about Motoko, while she seems to be a Karma Houdini, that's not the case. Remember being a Pokémon Trainer makes you an adult…something that her family is going to use to their advantage. Next time, we go to Crimson City. Two characters make their return!)