[Cues: Pokémon FireRed/Leafgreen OST - Intro]
The Outsider's Insurrection
Indigo Iliad
Chapter 72: Back in Business
Translated Pokémon Speech
Pokédex Entries/Computerized Voices/Flashbacks
Reference to an Accessory in the Games
-o-
(Lapis Town | May 15th | 7:30 a.m.)
Morticia was the one to wake Crimson up. He groaned out as he rubbed his eyes. Misty was snuggled up next to him, and he affectionately rubbed Morticia's cheek.
"Thanks. Go check on the maid, I need breakfast." Crimson said sheepishly as Morticia phased through the walls. "Misty, it's time to wake up."
Misty slowly awoke as Crimson went into the shower to wash himself up. Misty got on the bathrobe nearby that clearly a bit too big for her.
-o-
Outside the Tower, the rest of Crimson's friends were coming up to the Triton wearing similar clothes to yesterday. This time Rusty did wear a hat, a simple black sports cap. As the hungry trio got up to the front desk, Rusty fluffed his jacket.
"Excuse me, sir. We're looking for our friend, Crimson. He said he was coming here on business." Joe said.
The front desk called to leave a voice message and told them to wait. Crimson did not come out from Lil' Swish did come out an elevator trotting over to the group.
"Hey, little guy." Sissi said scratching his cheek.
"Morning. Crimson's busy grabbing something for Misty." Lil' Swish said. "Come."
They followed the Espeon up to the Crimson's room there as Mary was placing the order for breakfast.
"Look, I can't cook at the moment seeing that there's only enough groceries stocked for one, and he has gues-Hold on, one second." Mary said putting the phone down as Lil' Swish led in the rest. "And who are you?"
"Friends of Crimson. The rest of his band." Rusty said cheerfully. "Haven't I seen you on television before?"
"No. Nope, you hav-" Mary said defensively.
"Oh my gosh, you were Stephanie is Cybernetic Soul! I loved that show!" Sissi squeed. "You were near Kadic during filming."
"Ugh, you were that spoiled brat that was on the director's ass to make you an extra. I almost thought you blew him when he said yes." Mary said crassly.
"Wait, how the hell did Crimson get an act-a former actress as a maid?" Joe asked.
"Luck of the draw." Mary drawled. "Now, what do you want for breakfast? I need to finish the order."
-o-
The Triton came with its own shops, namely a clothing one. Apparently formed in case of 'emergencies' the rich could complain about. He had bought himself snazzy clothes that he was quickly able to change into. He came out looking like Spike Spiegl with a black leisure suit with a blue shirt, a dark red tie, a long dark red trenchcoat, and Lupin III-inspired brown boots. He slipped on his gloves and shades from yesterday as he came up back to his apartment after getting a few things. Before he left, he had found a few things of his father's…namely prototype translators. He just had to pick up a few parts to finish them.
He walked into his penthouse seeing his friends and Pokémon gathered at the dining room eating breakfast.
"The gang's all together." Crimson said warmly.
"Breakfast is on the table." Mary said taking the bags to put aside.
Crimson took his seat and opened the cover to reveal white rice peppered with black pepper, miso soup with spinach and natto, a rolled omelet with cheese and various veggies, roasted naan bread with garlic, and roasted Tepig sausages.
"Damn!" Ursaring said as Tank licked his lips.
"Don't even think about asking me for any of this, Tank." Crimson said before ripping into the food.
"Nothing beats a traditional breakfast." Rusty said chowing down on his Oyakodon bowl with shredded carrots.
"Mhm." Misty said getting into her seafood natto and rice.
Sissi silently sipped her coffee. She and Joe opted for something fluffier to eat. Gibassiers of decadence paired with honey, bacon, and fruit. Mary stuck what she preferred for breakfast.
"All right, I should catch you up on what you missed, Mist." Crimson said.
"I fought a legendary Pokémon." Joe remarked. "And Rusty and Crimson fought off Team Rocket. One of the grunts we know died and became a ghost Pokémon."
"Wait, you can die and become a ghost Pokémon?!" Mary said before choking on her yogurt.
"If anything, he got lucky to dodge the afterlife. Pretty sure, he didn't want to end up there given he was a shitty person." Crimson remarked. "Moving on, we need get to Fuchsia City before the end of the week. Team Rocket is doing a deal selling Cubone Skulls. We're on our way to put a stop to that."
"And what are we going to do the skulls though?" Sissi asked.
"I don't know, but I just don't want Team Rocket to profit from that." Crimson affirmed.
The group all finished their breakfasts making plans because returning all their Pokémon save for Tessa.
"You be good for Mary now, Tessa?" Crimson said ruffling her fur.
"I'll keep an eye on the place…after a nap." Tessa said going into the living room to sleep on the rug.
"I'll be going to the trophy garden. I need to see if I capture another Pokémon." Mary said getting up. "And don't worry, I made some purchases to get some supplies."
"Trophy garden? I'm down." Rusty remarked.
"Sissi, Mary, I would like you to stay for a moment." Crimson said. "And Misty, one of the bags has some clothes for you."
Crimson went upstairs with one of the bags and quickly got to work on the prototype pieces his father left. With a few parts he bought, what was lying around, and Dex Bulma's help…he had formed a few more translators, at least three.
"Not bad. I assume for Sissi and Mary. Who's the third one for?" Dex Bulma asked.
"Not anyone just yet. Something for me to work on and improve on." Crimson said getting up. "I don't know if these will do, but I have to test them out." Crimson said getting his sword and his bag on his back.
He came down to his friends with a mirthful look.
"Sissi, I want to say I want say that I have decided to share with you some of my technology. The ones me, Misty, Joe, and Rusty have are my father's work, and this one…" Crimson said showing her a translator. "It's one I was able to build."
"You…you're giving me one of these." Sissi remarked taking it up. "Crimson, thank you."
"Hey, if you're going to be rolling with us. It's the least I could do." Crimson said before giving a pair to Mary. "And you'll need this to ensure you can handle my and your Pokémon's needs better."
Sissi and Mary both put them on.
"Thanks boss." Mary said with a curtesy. "I'll guard this tech well."
"Good, I'll be rearing to go back on the road with my friends." Crimson remarked. "Thank you Mary, for your services. See ya soon."
"As you were, Master." Mary said.
Misty came out in the new clothes with a pout. She stood in yellow shorts, a matching buttoned shirt, white ankle boots, flesh-colored stocking, and a loose red jacket.
"I mean, you wear it well. But I think Sissi would fit Faye better." Joe said thoughtfully. "Actually, style the hair and splash some makeup, Sissi could pull a convincing Faye."
"And what made you think this was a good idea?" Misty asked Crimson.
"It covers the same amount of skin your normal clothes do." Crimson said justifying it.
Misty wanted to fight that, but she could not really come up with justifiable argument against that seeing she did practically spend most of her time in tank tops and shorts…and swimsuits.
"By the way, are we flying there?" Rusty said. "Fuchsia City? I figured it'd make sense for us to be flying our way there given the circumstances. The client TR got just wanted the Cubone skulls. And whoever has the skulls has to have a line to the boss himself or the client. We just need to get to that line early enough to sever it."
Crimson looked at Rusty and facepalmed as that was a smart plan and he was just thinking of just driving there.
"That's actually a good idea." Joe said.
"But how fast are they going to need to fly to get there?" Misty asked.
"If I can make a suggestion, if you can get some Starf Berries, Sitrus Berries, and Salac Berries to blend with some water and a pinch of sugar, you should be able to make a speed empowering energy drink for your Pokémon. There's the possibility of them getting the shakes from it after though." Dex Bulma said sounding concerned at the end.
"Probably a sugar crash." Dex Tashigi said worriedly.
"I wouldn't worry, they got a secondary flier…right?" Dex Stocking said.
"I need a second flying type. Maybe a Pidgeot or is that too cliché…no wait what am I thinking of rather its cliché or not, bastards can Mega Evolve!" Crimson thought.
Mary made the call for Room Service to bring it up. Once they did, Crimson tipped the person delivering before closing the door. Products in hand, he gave them to Rusty who got to work on it with Mary. It took time, but eventually it was ready, and they were all on the four.
"It's so weird to just be able to have a conversation with you now." Sissi said sitting on Jian.
"Well now I can't get away with making jokes about you being heavy." Jian said as Sissi glared at him. "Hey, I have to carry your ass. Joe, I don't mind. I don't see you using that fairy of yours."
"All right, all right." Joe said rubbing Jian before getting on in front of Sissi. "No need for bickering."
"We got a job to do." Crimson said on Kimiko.
"Ah, isn't today just a lovely day for flight?" Alta Maria sang.
"First time I'm flying with a human on my back….great.." Swanna said sarcastically.
"Just try your best." Misty said to assure him.
Mary had the try with four shot glass that she gave the Pokémon a drink. Jian twitched before taking off to the skies in a rush of adrenaline. So did the others.
"Bye Mary, take care of yourself!" Crimson said hanging on tighter.
"Now, I think it's time I visited the trophy garden." Mary said as her Ursaring raised an eyebrow.
"And why do you need to go now?" Ursaring asked.
"I need a big strong MALE Pokémon." Mary said with a devious smile. "I looked it up that around some circles that they made good company on lonely nights."
And that's how Ursaring found herself numbly going with Mary to the garden.
-o-
(Kanto Route 15 | May 15th | 8:40 a.m.)
[Cues: Pokémon FireRed and Leafgreen OST – Routes 12-15]
One hour and forty minutes of nonstop flight. The feeling was thrilling only for them to have their sugar crash at the worst possible time. At least the route gate broke their falls….
"Good work, Alta Maria!" Rusty said a bit dazed and rubbing his butt.
"Thank you, dear~" She sang tired.
The team got up rubbing their sore bits before returning their Pokémon. Crimson decided he may as well make the call to Mitsune. However, that call turned really fruitful.
"You've been following them! Well shit, you just made my job even easier!" Crimson said with a grin. "Whe-Payment? All right, how much do you want?"
When he heard the request, he sighed. He would have said no or haggled, but she was his mind plus she had put herself at risk.
"50k. Fine, I'll have it given to you after I ensure Team Rocket's little deal is dealt. Where are they?" Crimson said before she told her. "You're not serious…well…ok, thanks."
He hung up and his team looked at him.
"They're hiding in the Safari Zone, apparently they sneaked in. I got a description on both and recognize one of them…Cassidy." Crimson said as Rusty snorted. "And no, let me deal with Cassidy. I gave this bitch enough chances."
As the group climbed down off the gate onto the ground, Crimson's phone rang, and he answered to hear it was Roman.
"You alone?" Roman asked.
Crimson looked to his crew gesturing for them to go on ahead as he took the call.
"Now, I am. What's up?" Crimson asked.
"I heard one of your boys popped a Rocket Grunt by the name of Butch. That true?" Roman asked.
"Oh yes, Rusty did. The poor bastard became a Ghost Pokémon." Crimson said darkly.
"Please tell me you caught it!" Roman exclaimed.
"Nah. I have a good ghost with me, plus he has a trainer now…a Channeler in the town he terrorized." Crimson said as Roman laughed.
"Well, I want to inform you that you earned a bit of money. There's a bit of a bounty on his and Cassidy's heads, dead or alive. I preferably wanted them alive." Roman remarked before Crimson explained the scenario. "I'll be damned, you're right on the money. Well make sure she's alive…I'm sending Neo to retrieve her. No issue there."
"I gave her a chance to walk away from the Rockets, Jessie was smart enough to take it and run. She's not. Do your worst." Crimson said. "And about that reward money, how much for Butch?"
"50k." Roman said.
"Send it to the residence of Mitsune Konno. I owe her some cash. Pleasure doing business." Crimson said as Roman hung up. "Now, let the game begin."
Crimson ran after his friends.
-o-
(Fuchsia City | May 15th | 9:00 a.m.)
[Cues: Thelonious Coltrane – Bang My Head]
The city of passionate pink was aglow with various flowers of varying pinks. Despite the peaceful look, the city was known for being a foothold for ninja in its distant past. Semi-modern and semi-traditional, this coastal town had it made. What he walked into was a town clearly having a festival of sorts…one celebrating its past and it's Pokémon. Crimson felt a wild west/feudal Japan feel from the way the festival stands were set up. He bought a sedge hat from a stand and put it on really feeling like a samurai on the lonely road.
"You! The kumojin!"
Crimson turned to see to his surprise, one of the Ninja Boy trainer class, but this one had notable blue hair that reminded Crimson of someone.
"And what do want with me, brat?" Crimson said icily.
"To defeat you and claim your blade. Stories have been told about you, how you are feared across Kanto and its underworld. They call you many things…" He said slowly getting people's attention. "a Pokémon in human flesh, a prodigy swordsman whose enemies are left either injured or dead, the Son of the Sevii Outlaw…but I, Hiromichi Laramie, will be the one to…"
"I thought you look familiar…" Crimson said interrupting him. "But look, you know what I am capable of. I literally fought the Hateocracy and straight up slaughtered them alongside my friends. Considering they WERE the most dangerous among the sea of assassins. You know I'm behind the Elite Four on Team Rocket's shit list. What do you bring that makes you think you can step it to me?"
"Because none of them sported an ancestral blade like mine?" Hiromichi said unsheathing his ornate katana. "With this and the training from my master, I will beat you."
"I believe your master would not rush blindly into battle. A ninja calculates his odds and knows when to pick and choose his battles." Crimson said drawing his own. "Do you really think fighting me now when you have not yet beaten your master or when I have not beaten the Rockets will benefit you? Are you that selfish to want to give the Rockets the means to continue their control?"
That struck a chord and Hiromichi sheathed his blade as did Crimson.
"My apologies. You're right…I was so zealous that I neglected to think." Hiromichi said.
[Music Ends]
"What's going on here?"
There she was. Lara Laramie. Though, she spoke with Kansai accent which considering the dub, made fitting sense.
"Oneesan. It was just a misunderstanding." Hiromichi said running past her.
"What's going into him?" Lara asked.
"I wouldn't worry." Crimson said. "I just need to catch up with my friends. After all, I'm new in town and want to see the sights."
"Well, welcome to Fuchisa's own Shinobi Pre-Summer Festival." Lara said kindly before leaving.
He caught up to his friends asking them what their plans were. Most of them wanted to check the festival, so he left them to it to go to the Safari Zone. But he went to find Lara.
"Excuse me, Lara Laramie?" Crimson said getting her attention. "Yes, I'm afraid I'm in a bit of a need of your help."
"Help? What for?" Lara asked.
He had to request a less open place given the circumstance which led him to be at the Laramie family ranch.
"Ok, what I need help with is access to the Safari Zone without a time limit, there are agents from Team Rockets hiding in there as we speak. Now, they're not here for stealing Pokémon…no, they're hiding in wait for someone who will be coming here come Wednesday." Crimson explaining removing the sedge hat. "And you can say, I've been a hunter for Rockets."
"You're Crimson! I've heard a ton about you and your reputation." Lara said gob smacked. "I didn't think that was really you…until I saw the eyes. I'm a bit of fan."
"Then, can you help me out?" Crimson remarked.
"Only if I can come with you to help. I've always wanted to see you in question for myself. My little brother obsessed over you." Lara said as Crimson sighed.
"He tried to fight me in the street earlier, but I promptly pointed out how stupid of an idea that was." Crimson said. "And I'll accept your condition."
"Also, while you're in that. No capturing of any Pokémon, you're on business." Lara warned.
"Fair enough." Crimson said.
Lara called for trusty Ponyta and was about to get on only for Crimson to stop her.
"Wise not to. Save your Pokémon's strength for a fight." Crimson said getting Red Bullet out of its capsule. "Come on."
Lara returned Ponyta to its ball and got on back behind Crimson holding on tight. Crimson took off for the Safari Zone while Dex Bulma let the others know what was going on.
-o-
(Kanto Safari Zone | May 15th | 9:15 a.m.)
"And why the hell are we hiding here instead of a hotel?" Cassidy complained.
Her partner simply slapped her before grabbing her by her collar glaring at her to be quiet. Considering all Cassidy did was whine, the grunt was just tempted to just shoot her and go the deal herself. Not like Giovanni intended on keeping Cassidy alive anyway.
"If you whine again, I'll give you a reason to cry. Now go do something productive, I want to finish my song. I want to continue to perfect it." The grunt said going back to her Spanish guitar.
Cassidy stormed out of the tent rubbing her sore cheek fuming. She wanted to deck the bitch, but she had guns. Apparently, this grunt preferred them over Pokémon. Bullet, as they called her, was rarely used on active missions because of this, but her competency and no-nonsense demeanor was what got her put on the job. She was an odd woman who preferred carrying her weapons in her guitar case with her guitar. On top on all of all the crap Bullet put her through, she was given limited supplies being a measly flare gun.
Butch was gone…and to make it worse, her Pokémon were taken. She had to 'earn them back', her boss said. Not like he had any intention of handing them back, she thought. She knew this was do or die.
"This is bullshit! This is all that damn kurombo's fault! Why the fuck did he have to exist and ruin my life? Butch's dead because of that fucker!" She screamed in anger.
She knew that last part was not really true. Bullet saw fit to tell her with a bit of glee about the details of Butch's death. Frankly, she still blamed Crimson even if it was Rusty who did it.
(A/N: Misty's back to the traveling team, everyone. I could not keep her out for too long given this is still Kanto after all. As for Bullet, she's going to be an interesting character for a one-time threat. Let's see where the chips fall. As for Lara, her episode of origin hasn't happened yet and I'm saving it to take place in-universe later. Let's continue this arc everyone.)