Chapter 5 Mosswater Industrial Part 1

After getting inside the facility, they smelled a lot of stinky water.

Julia: This place smells terribadtastic!

Florinia: The observed wine hue is indicative of exorbitant levels of pollutants. Estimated toxicity: 90+%.

Fern: So they're polluting the lake as well as committing arson. Either way, they're still the bad guys. We gonna do something about it, or are we just gonna stand here sniveling?

Florinia: (Looks at the data on the screens) Rather than a source of active pollution, this facility appears to be collecting data on the water, and-

Just then, the screens seem to be forced to shut down, much to their surprise.

Julia: Waitwaitwait, where'd all the teenywords go?!

Florinia: Data purge suspected. Hypothesis: Facility operatives have begun procedural deactivation of non-critical systems to avoid divulging gathered data and information.

Fern: Then let's stop twiddling our thumbs and get moving already. We don't exactly have the privilege of stealth after a certain someone announced our presence by blowing up the entire front door.

Julia: (Rolls her eyes) What, am I just supposed to NOT blow things up?! Don't be ridiculous!

Ash: Okay, stop with the arguing, looks like we have two paths to go right now.

Florinia: The most efficient course of motion through the facility for thorough investigation and reclamation of the property necessitates a similar bisection of the party.

Fern: (Annoyed) Could you try speaking English for once?

Ash: Come on, even I know what she's saying. She said we should split up.

Julia: Sorry about this, Ash. But, Rini will come with me! We'll take the side route! You'll go with Fern. Try not to let his attitude get to you~

Fern: Excuse me?

Ash: Don't worry about it. Let's go already.

Florinia: (Turns to Ash) Proceed with caution.

Fern: I always do, Sis.

Florinia: You were not the intended recipient of my previous statement. Permission for you to be life-endangering reckless: Granted.

Then both Julia and Florinia leave, Fern sighs as he turns to Ash.

Fern: As you can see, she didn't get enough hugs growing up. Not my problem. Well, Ash, looks like it's you and me after all. (Notices Ash's neutral face) Come on, smile! You're lucky you have me to carry you. Just try not to slow me down, got it?

Ash: More like you'll be the one slowing us down.

After getting into the only door, they hear a voice from the second floor.

?: So, the esteemed guests of honor have arrived!

They notice a blue-haired man sitting on the chair looking down from above, he seems to be amused at the whole situation.

?: I know they say you should knock before you enter, but I don't think they quite meant for you to knock the entire door in! Kind of you to announce your calling though- Not that it was entirely necessary when we already got a tip that the police had found just this place-But kind nonetheless! (Stands up and types on the computer) Gives us ample time to drop a few bippity-bop-bop- bop buttons aaaand... (Turns off the screens) Data was released to the wild. Bye-bye data!

Ash: Who are you?

Ace: The name's Ace, by the way! First rate agent, statistician, systemic admin, master magician- And professional dead end to meandering little vagrants like yourselves! In the first place, you should know that I'm more steamed than a sauna that we have to go around dumping all this carefully-collected information! I mean, sure, it'll be on the network. Who doesn't use cloud storage these days? But still, it FEELS bad! How could you do this to me? And there's so much to go through and delete! These file transfers say it's two hours remaining! Wait, two minutes! Nope, three hours! Who knows how long it'll take? So if you could just stay there in place, stand right there- Yes, just like that, silly expression and all- for just some time more...We'd be much obliged."

Ash: And what if we don't?

Ace: I suspect you won't, though. Grunts! What an unfortunate name, by the way. Isn't that disrespectful? But if you wanted to be called something else, you should've been better. Anyway- Little grunts, please slow our guests down! Buy me enough time and I'll buy your wages another day!

Then he is nowhere in their sight, and both Ash and Pikachu seem to be very annoyed.

Fern: What the hell is their problem? I was expecting some kind of sinister team; not a spring-picked fruits basket. Let's just get up there and wipe that stupid smile off their face.

Then they find an elevator and they have to find a 4-number passcode for it.

Fern: Figures they're going to have some kind of pathetic security. Let's look around the lower floor. Bet there are other greenlit consoles we can try and scrounge some data from before they toss it.

They start to search around the area and battle some grunts. A lot of the grunts are trying to stop Ash and Fern, but both of them have already sent out their Pokemon. Just then, Ash's Pokegear rings.

Pokegear: Machines whir in the background.

Ash: What does that mean?

Fern: You really don't know anything, huh? Expected from a loser like you. Let the amazing Fern tell you, that means your Electric attacks will be powered up.

Even though Ash doesn't like his attitude, he grins and has Pikachu use Thunderbolt on all of them, causing them to be defeated with ease. As for Fern, he is helping Ash deal with the Ground Type Pokemon with Rowlet's help. After the grunts are knocked out, they turn on the computer.

Ash: So the last number is 9, that's good to know.

Fern: (Looks at the other computers) It was nice of them to not delete the file names too, but is that really all we can get?

Ash: I guess so. Let's find the other computers.

Both Ash and Fern rush toward other computers, and they find out the passcode is 3179. After typing it, they open the elevator and step inside, only to find that the door is shut.

Fern: Looks like there're only two floors.

Ash: Then the second floor is the only option.

But just as the elevator arrives, the lights seem to turn off.

Fern: Hey, what gives?

Ace: Sorry, little wannabes! I'm afraid the power's been cut on your little hit-and-rescue operation! The 'trapped-in-a-box' trick gets them every time! Be good little fledglings and stay put there until the show is over and we've dealt with your Gym Leader friends, will you?

Ash: Like hell we will! Get us out of here right now.

Ace: Oh- well, that's awkward, because, you see- You don't actually have a choice in the matter? It was one of those rhetorical questions, you know? Don't worry, little one. You'll figure those out eventually. Why don't you think about it while you're trapped there? Actually, better idea! You two are obviously strapping young lads with a sense of justice and urgency. I know you just got here and this offer usually comes closer to the climax, but let's just get it out of the way now! Would you consider joining us?

Ash: What do you mean? Join Team Meteor?

Ace: Our methods might not be popular- and that's kind of the point, you know? But I promise you this, little heroes, we're the ones looking out for this region. We come with great insurance and a family plan! Give it a think, yeah?

Fern: Let us out of here and I'll tell you exactly what I think!

Ace: Mmmmmmmm... (Fakes to think) Nope! I'll come back and check on you once we're all cleaned up though, so until then, just stew on it!

Just then, they find that the elevator is shaking, Pikachu quickly rushes inside Ash's cap for safety.

Fern: Ugh, there's Julia-

They also hear some voices outside of the elevator.

Grunt: Agent, the front wing has been destroyed! The Gym Leaders are coming up!

Ace: Tch, just when we'd gotten a break. I suppose I'll deal with this myself! Hang tight, you two!

Just then, the elevator's lights are back up, and the door is slowly opening.

Florinia: Primary security is overridden. Elevator power restored.

Ace: Uh, no you just did not! That's MY security station, woman! Drat!

Fern: (Smiles) I guess Flobot can be good for something occasionally. Let's hustle, Ash.

Ash nods as they all step out of the elevator, only to see Ace being surrounded by both of them and Julia.

Ace: Double drat! One, I could take. Two's a fair bout. But three's a whole crowd~ And four is right out! Consider this a tactical, if temporary, retreat! The commander will have orders, I'm sure. TTFTT -

Ash: What?

Ace: Ta-ta for the time! Please feel free to show yourselves out at your own leisure!

Just then, he throws a card and the card creates a smoke bomb, when the smoke is cleared, he disappears and the gate is shut.

Julia: (Bangs on the gate) Hey, get back here so I can blow your face off!

Fern: Hah! What a coward.

Florinia: (Finishes checking the computers) Meteor Headquarters confirmed beyond the gate.

Julia: So then it's just a matter of opening it! I'm sure Electrode could blow this up too, but I'm starting to run out of Revives here...

Florinia: This facility's digital security system appears substandard. The primary firewall has been accessed. Only a secondary one remains. A brute force attack should be sufficient. Please hold.

Julia: Brute force? Rini, I don't think we're gonna be able to punch through the door! Buuuuuut, they were responsible for blowing up the station and they were planning to hit my Gym too, right? I bet they'd let us borrow their boomies if we asked really nicely! And maybe punched them in the face! And then asked nicely again! If we can get those, I can get us past here no problem-o! Ash, think you can find where they keep the explosives?

Ash: Maybe? (Thinking) These guys are crazy...

Florinia: A facility map indicates a storage room behind a security lock on the north side of the premises.

Julia: There, I bet that's where they are! If you can do that, we'll be in easily!

Florinia: (Rolls her eyes) Why is combustion your solution to every obstacle?

Julia: Cuz it's fun for the whole family!

Fern: Tch, whatever. I, for one, don't care to stand around all day while Flobot plays with computers.

Julia: That's the spirit! For once Fern says something I agree with! Quick, Ash! To the boom-mobile!

Ash can only sigh as they rush to find the bombs for Julia to blow up the door, but Ash secretly hopes that Florinia can be quick to open the door without the use of any explosives.

Just like the other computers on the first floor, some of the data are deleted while the others have numbers for the four-number passcode. After searching for a while, they manage to get the four-number: 4862.

After opening the door, they find the explosives on the ground.

Fern: I guess this is it? Why is it green? Whatever- if she needs more firepower than this, I think she's going to be under arrest.

Ash: For once I agree with you. (Takes the bombs and rushes towards Julia)


Here is a new chapter, and unlike E18, we have a new character in the story, Ace, the Magician. He is really annoying but fun, just like one of the characters I am planning to introduce in the future chapters. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be the conclusion to the attack.