Lumiose Power Problems
Alec's POV
Still going through the Lumiose Badlands, the group was hoping to be out soon. "Once we get through this area, we'll be close to Lumiose City," Serena said, looking at her guidebook. Clemont then caught up with Luxio, who was helping him out.
"You good Clemont?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Clemont answered, sounding a bit exhausted.
"When we get to Lumiose City, let's have our battle right away," Ash told him.
"Sure. You got it," Clemont responded.
"Well let's get out of the Badlands first. That's kind of important," Alec remarked.
"Fair enough," Ash said.
The group stopped for lunch shortly after. "I'm really hungry," Bonnie complained.
"It's almost ready Bonnie," Clemont told her.
"Make sure you eat a lot buddy. You can't battle on an empty stomach," Ash told his partner.
"Geez Ash, calm down. We're not even in Lumiose City yet but you're acting like you'll be battling in a few minutes," Alec commented.
Alec then picked up a whiff of smoke. "Clemont! It's burning!" Bonnie shouted. The other three looked to see that what Clemont was cooking was indeed burning. Most of it had black scorch marks on them.
"Hard as a rock-type," Bonnie complained, poking at her food.
"Sorry about that Bonnie," Clemont said, rubbing the back of his head.
"This isn't like you at all. Are you alright?" Serena asked.
"I guess I got lost in thought," Clemont answered. Alec looked at Clemont before sharing a look with Ethan.
[He's worried, isn't he?] Ethan asked Luxio.
[He's been acting odder and odder as we've gotten closer to Lumiose City,] Luxio admitted.
After they finished their meal, the group continued on there way. "Is it just me or is it getting hotter out here?" Alec asked as he was so hot that he had to take off his jacket.
"It does feel that way," Ash admitted.
They then noticed a facility in the distance. "What's that?" Ash asked.
"That's the Kalos Power Plant," Clemont answered.
"My big brother designed that place," Bonnie stated. That surprised everyone but Clemont, who looked a bit embarrassed.
"Not exactly, I just helped with the programming," Clemont pointed out. "It works by taking energy from the sun using satellites then sending that energy back down here as microwaves. It's then stored in a superconductor ring before being distributed," Clemont explained.
"Yep, that makes sense," Ash said.
"Wait, you understood all that sciencey stuff?" Alec asked.
"Yeah. Science is so amazing that it just made sense," Ash answered. The whole group except Ash sweatdropped at his response.
"I know, let's check the power plant up close," Serena suggested.
"Yeah! Then maybe we'll come across some rare electric-types," Ash added.
"It's possible," Clemont stated.
The group then headed for the power plant which turned out to be on the other side of a ravine connected by a bridge. "It looks like a secret base," Ash commented.
"A little bit," Alec added.
"That's odd. That antenna is normally pointed to the sky so it can receive energy from the satellites," Clemont said, pointing to the antenna, which was pointing to the ground.
"So do antenna's feel sad too?" Bonnie asked.
"Could the place be doing a dia-what's-it?" Alec asked.
"It's diagnostic, and it's possible," Clemont said.
"We should check it out," Ash suggested.
The group agreed and headed towards the power plant. As they got close, Pikachu, Dedenne, and Luxio started acting strange. Electricity was sparking from them all acting like their heads hurt.
"What in the world is going on? I'm starting to lose what they're saying," Alec wondered.
"How can that happen?" Serena asked.
"I wish I knew," Alec admitted. Instinct started to take effect as Alec's hand slipped down to Tank's ball. Pikachu, Dedenne, and Luxio then brought themselves to their full height and started to walk towards the power plant.
"Where are you going?" Ash asked them.
The three electric-types then turned around and used electric-type attacks on them. Alec immediately grabbed Tank's ball and threw it. The Torterra appeared and took the moves, shrugging them off. The three then ran towards the plant.
"What's gotten into those three?" Serena wondered.
Alec then saw Ethan's ears perk up. [Duck!] he shouted. Alec shouted a warning and immediately dove to the ground with the others not far behind him. Something then zoomed over them, heading towards the plant as well.
"Where are you going?!" a girl's voice shouted behind the group. They turned around to see one running up with a Swampert. She was about Alec's age with bright blue eyes and brown hair that went just past her shoulders wearing a white shirt, a purple sleeveless vest, brown pants, and black socks and shoes.
"What's going on?" Alec asked as she ran up to the group, panting.
"I don't know. One moment everything was fine then suddenly my Magnezone popped out of its ball and flew in this direction. When I tried to stop it, it attacked me. I would have been electrocuted if Lagoon hadn't come out," she answered, pointing to the Swampert.
[I wish we knew what happened to Magno,] Lagoon said worriedly.
"We just had the same thing happen to us," Ash said.
"They were heading towards the plant, so we'd better get moving. Return Tank," Alec said. As they made their way to the plant, the girl introduced herself as Cassidy from Hoenn and returned Lagoon.
When they got to the plant, they saw a ton of Pokémon in front of the plant, all staring at the metal doors that go into the plant. "Look at all of them," Serena said.
"They're all electric-types too," Clemont added.
"That can't be a coincidence," Cassidy stated.
"Yeah. Somethings going on and the plant has something to do with it," Alec added.
The doors then opened and all the Pokémon gathered entered. "Pikachu!" Ash shouted.
"Dedenne!" Bonnie shouted at the same time. The group ran to the doors, but they closed before they could get to them.
"What do we do?" Serena asked.
"We can fly over," Alec said as he grabbed Soar's Poké Ball.
"I wouldn't advise that. We're dealing with electric-types and they could knock us out of the sky if we aren't careful," Cassidy advised.
"Any idea on how to get in Clemont?" Ash asked the tech-wiz.
"Give me a moment. I only saw the blueprints for this place once so I'm trying to remember," Clemont said as he dove into thought. "That's it. This place has giant air vents. We can slip in through those."
Clemont led the way down the ravine to where two large air vents sat. "Kay, come on out Frogadier!" Ash shouted as he threw the Poké Ball. "See those vents? I need you to stop one of the fans," Ash ordered.
[You got it,] Frogadier replied. He threw some of his frubbles into one of the blades, stopping it.
"Watch your head," Clemont said as he started walking down the pipe with the others following him and Alec put his jacket back on. As they made their way down the vent, it started getting smaller forcing the group to crawl. "These vents run through the whole plant, so we should find something if we keep moving," Clemont said as they approached a small light source.
"The workers are down there?" Clemont suddenly said as he got to the vent.
"Are they alright?" Alec asked.
"They appear to be tied up," Clemont answered.
"Is somebody up there?" a voice asked which Alec assumed was one of the workers. Clemont, Bonnie, Ash, and Serena then fell through the vent and on to the ground. Cassidy, Alec, and Ethan then climbed out themselves.
"Who are you? Are you one of them too?" the same worker asked.
"One of who?" Ash asked.
The worker didn't answer Ash as he and the other two looked at Alec. "Champion?! What are you doing here?" another worker asked.
"Champion?!" Cassidy asked in surprise, looking at Alec.
Alec rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "I might have forgotten to mention I'm Kalos' Champion," Alec admitted.
"You definitely did," Cassidy muttered as the rest of the group undid the rope holding the workers.
"This plant has been taken over," the first worker said.
"A trio of hijackers consisting of a man, a woman, and a Meowth," the second worker continued.
"Not only that, but the Meowth can talk," the first one added.
The group, except for Cassidy, immediately knew who had taken over. Cassidy then snickered. "Are you sure you all weren't hit on the head. Pokémon can't talk," she said.
"This one can. We've encountered this group before," Alec told her.
"Team Rocket," Ash cursed.
"So that's what they're called?" a worker asked.
"Yeah, but how did they get in here?" Alec asked.
"We let them in thinking they were in need. They got the drop on us and before we knew it, we were tied up. They said something about aiming the antenna at the ground which would allow them to catch electric-type Pokémon. We tried to protest but an Inkay knocked us out. Next thing we knew we were in here," the worker explained.
"So that's why the electric-types are acting so strangely," Serena stated.
"Do you know where they are now?" Clemont asked the workers.
"They're probably in the power plant's control room," the second one explained.
"It's right next to the superconductor ring," the first one added.
"So can you tell us how to get there?" Ash asked.
"The route isn't complicated, but they've locked every single door between here and there," the second worker said.
"We can open them from the secondary control room, you just leave the doors to us," the third worker said.
"Alright. Then the rest of us will handle the electric-types and Team Rocket," Alec finished.
"But first, we have to get out of here," Ash said, looking at the door out of the room.
"We'll break it down. Let's go Eve!" Cassidy shouted as she threw a Poké Ball to let out an Espeon. "Use Psybeam!"
"Ethan, Dark Pulse!" Alec shouted. The two attacks fired into the door, sending it flying.
After getting out of the room, the workers told the group which way to go and explained their plan to free the Pokémon. They unlocked the doors and the group soon reached the superconductor room. "Please stand by. We're opening the door now," one of the workers said through a panel. The door slid open and they quickly entered the room and found hiding spots.
Ash looked around and whispered/shouted, "Pikachu! Hey, Pikachu!" But Pikachu's ears didn't even flinch.
"There's Magno," Cassidy said, pointing to one of the Magnezones.
"You sure?" Alec asked.
"A trainer knows her Pokémon," Cassidy resorted. Alec merely nodded in response.
"I demand you twerps butt out!" a voice that sounded like Jessie's shouted threw a speaker.
"You may think you're hiding, but you're as obvious as your dumbness," James added. The group then realized that they were seen. "And it's game, set, and match for the team in the team in the driver's seat."
"We've got a mountain of electric-types and that's pretty neat," Meowth added.
"Get ready, they'll be ranting for a bit," Alec muttered to Cassidy as he grabbed Tank and Super's balls and activated them as Ash grabbed one of his.
"So get used to the taste of defeat," Jessie stated.
"From this moment forward the Kalos Power Plant is under our control. Of course, that means one thing, we're controlling Lumiose City as well," James stated.
"And if you try, we'll totally turn the city into panicville," Jessie added.
A holo screen then appeared near the group showing Lumiose City. Team Rocket had shut down the traffic signals, halted elevators, and worse yet, they shut down power to the hospital and Pokémon Center.
Alec wanted nothing more than to send Team Rocket flying again, and Ash was clearly wanting the same thing. But their hands were tied.
"Alright, we'll do as you say," Ash said as he put away his Poké Ball and Alec and Cassidy did the same.
"Good choice, you're not so dumb," Meowth commented.
"With all of Lumiose City being held hostage, all you can do is keep being twerps," James added.
"I think they bought it," Cassidy whispered.
"You ready Clemont?" Ash asked Clemont, whispering as well.
"Almost, we need to buy a bit more time," Clemont answered.
Alec looked towards the current, which was still blue. Once it turned red, Clemont would reverse the current which should release the Pokémon for a short time.
Panels then opened in the rooms revealing satellite dishes in there. All the electric-types then turned on the group, eyes glowing red and sparking electricity.
"That's bad," Alec muttered.
"Alright, we've got this," Ash said. Clemont, Serena, and Bonnie then went to cover.
Pikachu then jumped up and used Thunderbolt on Ash, but he held his ground. Alec then saw what he believed to be Cassidy's Magnezone move forward and aimed Thunder at Cassidy, but she was looking at Ash and Pikachu.
"Cassidy! Look out!" Alec shouted as he tackled into her causing the Thunder to pass overhead.
Alec started to get back up when he realized what position he was in. He felt his face redden as he got off of Cassidy and helped her up. "Thanks," Cassidy muttered.
Alec didn't say anything, and he'd probably be a mess if he tried. He instead looked over to Ash and saw that he was close to Pikachu, trying to snap the mouse out of Team Rocket's control. Luxio then jumped in and tackled Ash away from Pikachu.
"Stop it!" Clemont shouted as he ran up to Luxio.
"Clemont! What are you doing?!" Alec shouted. Luxio then used Thunder Fang on Clemont, electrocuting him.
"Luxio, it's me," Clemont said to his Pokémon. Luxio responded by amplifying his attack on Clemont.
Alec then noticed that the other Pokémon were preparing to attack as well. "This is our chance, we have to knock them out," Cassidy said. Alec nodded as he grabbed two Poké Balls. "Lagoon, Cotton, battle stance!"
"Tank, Super, let's go!" Alec shouted. Alec's two Pokémon were let out and Cassidy's Swampert and Altaria were out as well. Alec immediately noticed the Mega Stone around Cotton's neck. He looked at Cassidy for a keystone and found it on a bracelet that he hadn't noticed before.
"Lagoon, Ice Beam! Cotton, Dragon Pulse! Eve, Psybeam!" Cassidy ordered.
"Super, Psychic! Tank, Leaf Storm! Ethan, Dark Pulse!" Alec shouted at the same time.
With Super's Psychic holding the other Pokémon still, the other five attacks found they're marks causing a small explosion.
The room then turned red as the superconductor adopted the color. Clemont, still being shocked by Luxio but seemed to be getting through to him, put the Aipom arm on the ground and shouted. "Luxio, use Discharge!" Luxio obeyed and electricity went all over the place, shutting down the conductor and the satellite dishes.
The Pokémon's eyes returned to normal and they looked around confused once they recovered. Bonnie ran up to Dedenne as Pikachu jumped into Ash's arms.
"Magno!" Cassidy shouted as the Magnezone flew up to her.
Clemont then fell over, but Luxio caught his trainer. "You alright Clemont?" Ash asked with concern.
"I'm alright. I can't thank you enough Luxio," Clemont said. Luxio then glowed blue just as the superconductor activated again.
"Is that…" Cassidy started. The light then cleared as Luxray appeared.
Clemont climbed down for Luxray's back and electricity swarmed around the ground. "Luxio evolved and learned how to use Electric Terrain!" Clemont shouted. The electricity from Electric Terrain went up and attacked the dishes in the walls, destroying them.
"Alright! Now that Electric Terrain's active, that'll really power up electric-type moves," Alec stated.
"Everybody, let's go!" Ash shouted. All the electric-types that Team Rocket captured then fired on the control room. The resulting explosion blew a hole to the outside, likely sending Team Rocket flying.
Once everything was settled, the group went outside and met up with the workers. "I'm truly sorry that sections of the plant were destroyed," Clemont apologized.
"Don't be. Not a problem," the first worker said.
"Because of you, Lumiose City is safe," the second worker added.
"And don't worry about Lumiose City. The subsections are more than capable of powering the city till someone from the Kirkland Corporation's Construction and Repair Branch arrives to help repair everything," the third worker stated. Alec flinched a bit when he heard a bit of his father's company, but the workers either didn't notice or didn't react. Alec had honestly forgotten how big his father's influence reached across Kalos.
"That's good to hear," Ash said, giving a quick look at Alec.
"Well, I've learned something from you today Ash," Clemont told him.
"I didn't do anything. We were able to get all the Pokémon out of there thanks to you," Ash pointed out.
"He's right. You were really amazing," Serena stated.
"You were the hero today Clemont. You should be proud," Alec told him.
"Thanks. It's nice to know you feel that way," Clemont replied.
A helicopter was then pulled out onto the nearby pad. "I'll be heading to our main offices in Lumiose City to tell them what happened," one of the workers told the other workers as he got on the helicopter. Clemont then walked up.
"Would it be possible if I came with you to Lumiose City?" Clemont asked, surprising the gang, except Cassidy, who looked like she didn't know what was going on.
"Sure, if you want," the worker said.
"Clemont, what are you doing?" Ash asked him.
"I think it's time I headed back to Lumiose City," Clemont answered.
"Then we'll go along," Ash said.
"No," Clemont said, stopping Ash. "I'm just not satisfied with where I am. I wanna go home and train hard before you come to the Lumiose Gym and challenge me. Then I'll give you a battle worthy of a gym leader," Clemont explained.
"I see. But I'm still not going to lose," Ash stated. The two shook hands before Clemont turned to the twins.
"Serena, Alec, look after Bonnie for me, would you?" Clemont asked.
"You can count on us," Serena answered for both of them.
"I'm not a little kid! I'll be fine," Bonnie said, trying to hold back tears. Something told Alec that this was the first time in a while she'd been separated from Clemont.
"I know you will," Clemont said, reassuring his sister.
Clemont then boarded the helicopter and it took off, heading for Lumiose City. "So Cassidy, where are you heading off to?" Alec asked her, trying to keep a blush off his face.
"I'm on my way to Snowbelle City to challenge the gym there. But I'll join you on the way to Lumiose City," she answered.
"That's great! It'll be nice to have another girl my age," Serena said.
"Wow, I know where I stand," Alec muttered sarcastically, causing Ash and Bonnie to laugh.