Chapter Fourteen: More Bang for your Buck

Alaska could feel her breath escape her as she clutched onto Paige, watching the strange man in dark clothing as he took a step forwards, and she quickly realised this was the most scared she had ever been in her life. The robotic Beedrill she knew they would be able to take down, but Alaska had no idea how to unarm a man with a gun in a crowded room who also had an evolved Pokemon that could take hers down.

"Fakes, are these Mr Hansom?" The man said, taking a step forwards, and Alaska quickly registered one key fact about him: it was not the man that stood behind her in the Beedrill's nest. It was someone else who had a secret agenda, someone who it seemed wanted the fossils. Alaska reminded herself to tell Paige I told you so later, but she simply stood still and silent for now, wondering how she could get out of here, along with Mark and all the others cowering museum-goers scattered throught the room.

"That is quite a pity," the man said as he walked forwards, now only a few feet away from Alaska, staring towards Mark. The handsome man glared back at the man, doing his best to keep his composure, but Alaska could see beads of sweat running down his skin in fear. However, she was also now able to see what the man looked like. His skin was very pale but was also spotted with filth and scars, and his eyes were hidden behind darkened glasses. His lips kept twitching and curling as he stood there, breathing deeply towards Mark. The black clothes he wore were dirty and tattered, and Alaska couldn't help but wonder where this filthy person had come from, and wheter he was some deranged homeless junkie like the type her mother would cross the road to avoid.

"It is such a shame: I made a special trip to come here and get the fossils, hoping you would have found them by now," the man sighed in an airy, overdramatic manner. "Maybe you aren't the adventurer you used to be… oh well, I must go to Mt Moon myself. I could have taken your Pokemon, but your Kabutops and Omanstar aren't quite what I'm looking for."

"What, I thought you hadn't brought them back to life!" Alaska gasped, and than gasped again as she realised the attention was now on her: Mark staring fearfully at her, and the strange man turning towards her with a smile on his face. Paige's talons cut into Alaska's skin as the Pidgey seized up, and Alaska felt the same way as the armed man walked forwards, revealing stained yellow teeth as he smiled down at her. He didn't say anything, just smiled, and Alaska wanted to reach out and punch him.

"I thought you just meant Aerodactyl," Mark explained quickly. "We brought a Kabuto and Omanyte back to life, and were working on an Aerodactyl and more experiments when the eruption happened."

"Than that's when I stole the fossils from someone's car," the man explained, smiling down at his Electrode as if it was a glorious thing. "Silly little Marky here didn't lock up properly, so I managed to sneak in and steal them during a tiny little fight, and than buried them in Mt Moon so I wouldn't lose them if my base was ever found. Unfortunately, I never made it back, so I thought I would pop by here and see if they were around here before I went to grab them."

"Let me guess, you were too busy living under a rock to go get them?" Alaska snarled, unable to stop herself. Mark and Paige gasped as the man's face fell into a scowl, and before Alaska knew it his hand was flying through the air. She gasped as it smashed into her face, dizzying her and sending her careering back against the wall.

"MANKEY MAN MAN!" Darwin yelled in protest, but the man simply laughed and held the gun up towards Mark's temple before he could act out. Silence fell across the room as Alaska felt her face, tasting blood inside her mouth, listening as several people trapped in the room began to sob. Why wasn't someone around to help them? Surely somebody must have come up the staircase and headed towards this exhibit, only to find the scene at hand and race back to get help. But no one was there to help, and Alaska lay on the floor staring towards the gun, Paige jabbering away besides her ear.

"If you insult me again, or your Pokemon try anything, I will scatter Mr Hansom's brains across this lovely wall," the man hissed through his smile. "It seems there is no other need for me to be in here, so I think I will leave now. But Electrode will stay here, and if anyone tries to leave, he will electrocute everything in here," the man explained, and on cue Electrode began to spark threateningly, causing more people to whimper and cry. "I am just going to grab some of the technology downstairs to help me with my process, then we will be out of your hair and you can sell your stories to the woman's magazines or become addicted to drugs, whatever helps you cope," and the man turned and began to laugh as he walked past Electrode, his gun still pointed towards Mark. Fear was seeping through Alaska as she watched him go away, but she knew she couldn't let him achieve his goals. There was something seriously wrong with this man, but she was getting the idea Mark knew who it was and had dealt with him in the past, as the handsome man had fear in his eyes that was possibly worse than Alaska's. She had to do something to help, and a plan was already forming in her mind.

"Quick Attack on the gun, now," Alaska hissed to Paige. She heard her gasp and turned her head to see the Pidgey's eyes had doubled in size. Alaska reached out and stroked her feathers, giving her a smile she hoped would mask the worry in her eyes. "You have to, its our only hope, and I know you can do it!" Paige relaxed at the calm words, and together the two looked around the room: the elderly women were shaking horribly, the female of the couple was crying, all the children were sobbing wrecks. Paige knew she had to do it, and she gave Alaska a nod.

"PIDGE!" She screamed before rocketing forwards at an alarming speed, energy engulfing her. Electrode spun around to watch her, glowing yellow to fire an attack, but it was too late: the man turned around as Paige smashed into the gun, making it scream as his fingers snapped, and the weapon spun away towards the wall.

"KEY MAN!" Darwin screamed, and ran forwards with hands raised. A powerful Karate Chop smashed into Electrode before it could locate Paige to fire at, and the oversized PokeBall struck a display, electricity shooting out. The case exploded, sending glass and bits of wood flying around like shrapnel, screams echoing everywhere as people dived for cover.

"Excellent job," Mark said, heaving Alaska up for one hand and throwing two PokeBalls with the other. There was a burst of bright light, and suddenly a great furry, furious Primeape and the hideous and threatening Pinsir had formed, their appearances causing a few more screams from the old ladies.

"STOP THEM!" The strange man screamed as he ran for the gun, but Darwin bounded forwards and brought another Karate Chop down on his shoulders, sending the man sprawling to the ground.

"Brick Break and ViceGrip NOW!" Mark screamed, and turned towards Alaska before checking if the moves had been executed properly. "Alaska, you need to get these people out of here, now! Take them down to the lobby and alert the guards! I can hold Gideon off, just go!"

"I think I should stay," Alaska replied, storing away the fact this man's name was Gideon. "The guards are more likely to listen to you, and I imagine the people will just an official like yourself more than a teenage girl!" This wasn't really why Alaska wanted to stay: she wanted to prove herself to, well, herself. After being rejected by Brock before, Alaska needed to show that she was able to kick some serious butt, even if she only had two unevolved Pokemon. She was a powerful, thoughtful and strategic trainer, and stood just as much of a chance as Mark did. Alaska was surprised he didn't protest, simply sighing and nodding.

"You are probably right. Besides, my Pokemon aren't that well trained anyway, despite what I like to think," Mark said with a hint of a sexy smile. As if on cue, Electrode released a powerful Electric attack as Primeape threw him across the room. The bolts caused more glass to explode and people to scream, and the lights all flickered on before bursting as well. "Good luck, I have a feeling you can do this."

"Thanks," Alaska replied, and looked around to try and find her Pokemon: Darwin and Paige were both chasing after the man Gideon, who was throwing bits of fossil at them as he ducked their attacks.

"EVERYONE MOVE!" Mark yelled, and he ran forwards, Primeape and Pinsir going from battle mode to helping mode as they ushered the people forwards. Electrode was embedded in the interactive screen, growling and unleashing more Thunderbolts at the passing people. Mark picked up the gun as he ran and fired it towards Gideon, but the madman ducked behind a case that shattered as the bullets smashed it.

"Paige, Steel Wing on Electrode, now!" Alaska shouted as the last of the people ran away, Mark yelling out in the distance. As Alaska moved slowly towards Gideon, grabbing a fossil as she did so for a weapon, Paige quickly flew forward with her glowing silver wings.

"Trode Elec Elec," Electrode sparked, trying to fire towards her, but Paige was too speedy and dived towards it. Alaska watched as the Steel Wing struck with such force that Electrode became dislodged, smashing into the wall before rolling forwards, unconscious.

"Brilliant work there Paige!" Alaska called out in delight, and turned back towards where Gideon should be, based on how Darwin was dancing around one case. However, a sudden white light began to glow behind her, and Alaska turned around curiously. Paige was shining a dazzling white, resting on top of the banner which had managed to remain intact during this whole incident. Alaska's jaw dropped as Paige's wings began to spread, her body almost doubling in height and width, her claws getting longer, her plumage growing longer, before glowing the brightest white yet.

"PIDGEEEEOOOOTTOOOO!" Was the cry that followed, and Alaska's face lit up as she stared up at the banner, Paige the Pidgeotto nestling there with wings outstretched and a proud smile on her face. Dazzling yellow and pink plumage grew out of her head and rear, giving her a very elegant look, matched by her silky brown and cream feathers and serious black eyes. Alaska couldn't believe this was happening, and completely forgot about Gideon as she ran forwards in delight, Paige swooping down into her hug.

"Congratulations, this is so awesome!" She screamed, and the two old friends stayed in their hug, Alaska remembering back to when she got Paige three years ago, never imagining her turning from anything other than an adorable little Pidgey.

"Maaan!" A cry shattered their hug, and Alaska and Paige looked up in time to see Darwin soaring towards them. Alaska quickly caught him and turned back towards the bullet-damaged case, Gideon know standing there looking furious, a black PokeBall in his hand that Alaska didn't recognise.

"You are a fool to have gotten involved in this," he hissed as Electrode was brought back. "You are now involved in a game bigger than anything you could have possibly imagined, and I hope you are prepared for the consequences for your actions today!"

"Um, let's see... I stopped you from killing anyone or from getting the technology you were planning on stealing… I can live with that," Alaska said with a smile as Paige and Darwin tensed up on either side, but Gideon simply smirked.

"Your jokes won't save you in the end, and I know where else I can find the technology I need," he snarled, and suddenly pulled something from his pocket. For a moment Alaska thought it was a gun and gasped, but looked down at the black leather suitcase Gideon had pulled out.

"What's that: notes for how to dress badly and a packed lunch from your mum?" Alaska asked, and Paige and Darwin twittered.

"No, actually it's a bomb," Gideon explained, and Alaska and her Pokemon froze in shock, causing the strange man to laugh. He pushed a button on the suitcase and threw it towards the middle of the room, and than pressed a button on his watch. "You have about a minute. I hope you make it out alive, I would like to kill you with my bare hands," Gideon snarled before suddenly glowing a white much like Paige's evolutionary light. There was a blinding flash and when Alaska blinked, the man was gone. She cursed under her breath, wanting to have defeated him here and now, but there were more pressing matters to deal with and she turned to the bomb. Alaska could imagine a ticking sound coming from something that was otherwise rather harmless looking, and she felt sweat trickle down the back of her neck, fear swell up inside of her.

"Alright, I'm not touching that thing, so I suggest we just run screaming and flailing," she said, and Paige and Darwin nodded, and they moved quickly. Alaska had never been particularly fast, but she found some energy as she sprinted forwards, Paige flying above and Darwin jumping alongside. She knew they would get out of the room and towards the stairs, but getting closer Alaska could hear the noise of all of the days customers moving down below, and came to a halt at the top of the staircase: it would undoubtedly be blocked, meaning she wouldn't get completely out of harm's way in time. Alaska needed to get off this floor quickly though, and looking around, all she could see was the balcony that lead towards the open atrium.

"Shit!" She screamed, looking fearfully back towards the waiting bomb, wondering if she had any time left at all. "We need to get down but I don't know how!" Alaska stared at her Pokemon, not wanting to lose Paige after she just evolved, or Darwin and his strength, or lose now, before she had even won a battle…

"Mankey Man Man Key!" Darwin suddenly jabbered, and Alaska looked up, wiping a tear away as the Mankey grabbed the colourful shield they had passed on the way into the exhibit. Darwin raced forwards, holding it up, moving towards the balcony.

"That's insane!" Alaska screamed, knowing what he was suggesting, and wanted to shout something else, form another plan. But a loud, rapid ticking was sounding behind her for real now, and Alaska knew the bomb was about to go off. "Oh what the hell: we'll die one way or another!" She ran forwards and grabbed the shield, resting it on the edge of the balcony and cautiously climbed in. Paige grabbed her shoulders and Darwin leapt in, and Alaska stared over the side. Her heart stopped and leapt up into her throat as she realised she would fall two whole storeys into the large crowd of people gathering below. She was die and possibly take some people with her… it was madness… who in their right minds would do this, even to save their own life…

"MAN!" Darwin screamed, and jumped on the shield, causing it to tip and sending Alaska's stomach up into her throat, joining the scream she released as her whole tipped, the shield beginning to fall.

Than the bomb exploded.

Alaska couldn't see it, but she felt the heat rise up above her as the shield fell, felt the force of the wave as it struck the shield, but than blanked out to everything else as the shield began to spin. Alaska couldn't even scream, feeling her head and brain bounce around, all her organs being rearranged, her bones clattering together. She could feel something around her shoulders, and for a moment she thought it was something hitting her from the bomb, but Alaska realised it was Paige pulling on her, trying to control the shield. In her spinning, blurry vision, Alaska could see people screaming and running, flashes of giant orange cloud that was stretching across, concrete and marble flying everywhere.

Than, as quickly as it had started, Alaska found herself upright, the world back to its right proportions, and could hear and feel Paige's long wings beating as she tried to steady them. The crowd was running out of the way as the concrete smashed into the ground, and Alaska realised they were probably all running away from her. She then realised that Paige was losing control, and they were now heading straight for the admissions desk.

"MOVE IT!" She screamed, before clutching the metal and shutting her eyes.

"KEEEEY!" Darwin screamed in delight, clearly enjoying the experience.

"OOOOTTOOO!" Paige screamed in horror, clearing not enjoying the experience.

The force of impact shuddered through Alaska's body. She heard wood shatter and felt things battering against her, felt the shield being torn away, felt things tearing her clothes and cutting her, and finally felt relief as Alaska rolled along the floor, finally coming to a rest against something.

Alaska groaned as she opened her eyes. People were screaming and running all around, causing a great deal of noise she didn't need to deal with. She glanced around to find the majority of the admissions desk had been destroyed by the falling shield, which now looked fairly dented. Paige was resting against a swivel chair breathing deeply, while Darwin danced excitedly on the spot, clearly enjoying what happened.

"Well… that was interesting," Alaska mumbled, getting to her feet and swaying slightly as she did so. She watched as more people ran past, and looked up towards the section of balcony she had fallen from, which had now been blown apart. "That was a bloody long fall," she said, and Paige grunted in acknowledgement.

"Ma'am, you need to leave, now!" A familiar voice said, and Alaska turned to see the same person who had greeted her before was behind her, dust from the falling concrete across her uniform. Alaska simply gave her the foulest look she could manage, not wanting to deal with anything after what had just happened. She deserved to be thanked for helping to save people and congratulated on managing to survive, not get hurried outside by some museum tart.

"I think I deserve a refund," Alaska snapped, pushing a button on the still intact till and pulling fifty dollars out. "It wasn't really worth the money after all," she added with a touch of acid, leaving the woman with her jaw dropped. Paige and Darwin laughed as they got back on Alaska's aching shoulders, and she turned and headed for the door. She wanted to sit down and think about what had happened. She wanted to find Mark ask what the hell was going on. She wanted to go on her laptop and post about the roller coaster like fall she'd just gone through.

But mostly, Alaska wanted to find Brock and defeat him. She was pretty sure she was ready for him now.