Pernicious Hyde
Chapter 0: Project Hyde
"How are the subject's vitals today?" A woman in a lab coat inquired, gazing into a large tube filled with a vibrantly shining violet fluid, various wires and sensors covering the body of an unconscious Lucario. Strange, sown incisions were all over its body, some clearly healed and left as minor scars with others appearing more fresh and recently doctored. On its arms were strange, small black letters and numbers that had been clearly tattooed on. They read: HS-099, signifying its status as some sort of subject for study. A man, also in a lab coat, walked over to a computer terminal clearly connected to the machine, immediately typing in code to bring up a chart. The woman walked over to read them, a sigh immediately leaving her lips.
"What happened to Subject 098? Weren't the main trials supposed to be performed?" She asked, the man shrugging his shoulders, regret plastered on his face.
"Unfortunately, even with the genetic altering, Subject 098 rejected the Hyde serum injection and was forced to be terminated. The subjects negative symptoms were similar to that of Subject 075: Uncontrollable twitches and spasms, consciousness restlessly flickering, symptoms of intense pain and suffering even when not under stimulation and of course the swelling and imploding of it aura. The trial lasted 10 hours and was very disappointing to watch. This Subject has adjusted molecular and genetics to try and better accommodate the changes. We also integrated bio-organic nano machines into its mind via injection to help with intelligence and thought structure. We attempted on the last one as well, but we didn't add as much of everything to the last Subject," the man quickly explained, a smile curling on the woman's lips as she placed a hand against the containment vat.
"I see...so we're attempting to make it smarter to better compensate control...interesting. I do say I pity the poor creature...all the adjustments you made must've been agonizing for it...oh well, you know what they say, if it's for science, its for the best," the woman exclaimed, the male doctor chuckling softly.
"Indeed. So, whenever you are ready I'll activate the sequence for the Hyde injection," the male doctor stated, moving to the terminal. The female doctor crossed her arms and gazed over the subject more intently, it's eyes beginning the flicker with life as they slowly opened. A growl came from the tank as the Lucario's eyes began darting around in a panic, it's body trembling as it fought against the numbing agent keeping it's actions stable. Noticing this, the female doctor smirked, her eyes now gazing in amusement.
"Alright...you may begin," the female doctor called, the male doctor quickly typing in commands into the prompt. Several mechanical arms dove into the container from above the Lucario's head, all of them with filled syringes, the tubes connected to them filled with a neon blue liquid. All at once, the arms latched onto Lucario's ankles and wrists and with a few key strokes, the syringes all snapped into Lucario's skin, causing it to howl soundly with anguish. It's body began to tremble violently as the various sensors begin to cause shocks all over its poor body, the violet solution now bubbling vigorously with life. As the fluids began to pump into Lucario, it's muscles began to jerk and swell, loud cries managing to breach the glass, it's eyes growing bloodshot from the sustained stimuli.
After another five minutes of the experimental hell, the machines all stopped, as if having the power suddenly pulled. Sensors indicated that it was still breathing, displaying its vitals on the monitor. It's eyes flickered open and closed, the iris of its eyes now having changed to a vibrant moon yellow hue at a glance. The Lucario soon grew silent, the vitals still stabilizing as it fell into slumber.
"Wonderful! Alright, let's let the poor thing rest for now, we'll start the main trials tomorrow," the female doctor said with a nod, the male agreeing with her. Soon, darkness filled the room, the blinking lights from the machines being the only things finding their way through the dark. Hours into the night, Lucario's eyes opened, pain still coursing through its system.
"What...happened...? Why do I hurt so much...?" The Lucario thought to himself as he gazed out into the darkness. To so much as engage in moving a muscle proved painful as it tried to move, causing him to whimper a number of times from stubborn attempts. As the night continued on, Lucario began see shadows jumping at him from beyond the glass, vivid hallucinations that began to make him panic, flinching and growling fearfully every time. It was soon clear that sleep would prove impossible, his mind constantly creating constant visual trickery all through the rest of the night.
Lucario's eyes latched onto the door as it began to open the following day, the lights of the room blinding him as the sprung to life. It was the male doctor coming in, what appeared to be a collar dangling off his wrist and a cup of coffee in his other hand. The doctor analyzed Lucario carefully, quickly noting the yellow pigmentation in its eyes as well as spasms in its muscle from over stimulation the day before.
"Alright Lucario, so far things look good for you. Hopefully the trials today will prove fruitful since I personally find all these adjustments and trials painful for you. I may be a scientist, but deep down, I do have ethics, unlike Professor Laure, who sees you as just a guinea pig," the doctor said with a sigh, placing the collar on the table as he took a sip of his coffee. I wheeled his chair up to the terminal to check the vitals and mental thought processing overnight to see if there were any bad incidents. Lucario's golden eyes slowly opened, watching the scientist type of a storm on his keyboard.
"What...did you do to me...?" a growling voice sounded in the scientist's head, causing him to stop what he was doing. He looked around a for a second before looking up at the Lucario, whose eyes were slowly opening and closing.
"Did you...just communicate with me Lucario?" the scientist asked, Lucario giving him a weak nod in response. The scientist's eyes lit up with joy, quickly recording the beginning of their conversation in a separate document window.
"What...did you do to me...?" Lucario repeated, growling once again. It's tone sounded quite hostile, but the expressions it was making was still docile.
"We injected you with a fluid we called Hyde Serum, its purpose is to allow you to change between your current and mega form without the use of a mega stone. We have also injected your mind with nano machines to enhance your intelligence to the point of being able to physically speak. Are you experiencing anything like muscle twitches or pains?" the scientist replied, Lucario pausing and closing it eyes to process what was said.
"It hurts to move...my arms and legs that had spikes put into them yesterday are very sore. My head also hurts, but it's not the same kind of pain as the rest of my body. Why are you hurting me so much...?" Lucario gruff voice sounded weak as it closed its eyes again, the scientist sighing but smiling due to the strong communication bond they were forming.
"It's all in hopes to make mega evolution a regulated evolution instead of one that is temporary. We believe by turning mega evolution into a more natural evolution, we can use such studies to improve the life of actual people who are disabled, well, that's at least what they've told me. I promise I won't let anymore injections take place, but your muscles will be sore for a time. Today however, we're going to let you out of the tube to try and trigger a mega evolution. We don't anticipate that it will be permanent, but we do hope it's at least possible. We will start when Professor Laure arrives," the scientist enlightened, Lucario sighing within the fluid filled tube.
"I see...if it means that I won't hurt anymore, I'll do anything..." Lucario replied pitifully, its arms and legs spasming in short periods. The scientist recorded the whole conversation, sliding his glasses up on his nose. He had heard there were a number of species of Pokemon that could communication telepathically, but they were always psychic types. The scientist decided that it had to do with its ability to generate and read auras of people and other Pokemon.
"Do...you have a name...?" Lucario asked as the scientist stood up to move to a small terminal connected to the tube.
"I am Professor Adell, but you may call me Max," he replied. With a few keystrokes, bubbles began to fill the tube, Lucario's muscles relaxing as it they all caressed its body. The two remained silent during this process, and after another hour, Laure finally came into the room.
"How's the subject doing today?" Laure asked, Max putting on a pleasant smile as he looked up at Lucario, whose eyes opened to gave at him.
"Fantastic actually. He's experiencing pains in his limbs and head, but he said the limbs are much worse off than his mind," Max replied, Laure's eyes looking at him like he was a bit mad.
"It...told you all of this?" Laure inquired, Max giving her a nod as he stepped away to let the enzymes cure what wounds Lucario had.
"We actually held a conversation about an hour ago. It seems the nano machine injections in its mind as made itself not only more self aware, but able to comprehend human speech. He's also aware that we are running tests today and said we have is full cooperation as long as we don't purposely harm him further," Max said with excitement, Laure sighing and rolling her eyes at his childish replies, but smiled none the less as she walked up to the tube.
"I guess that means he's ready. Alright...I'll go arrange the testing facility, you keep talking with your buddy and prepare him properly," Laure teased, Max shrugging it off as she left. With a few more keystrokes, the fluid in the tank began slowly draining, leaving Lucario to sit at the bottom as it finished draining. Air jets then filled the tub to dry Lucario, who was still wincing periodically. After he was dried, the tube then retracted into the floor, Lucario slowly raising to its feet.
"I'm sorry but I need to put this collar on you. It's to keep you from going out of control so you don't harm anyone or yourself. I know it's not nice, but please bare with us," Max said, Lucario giving him a nod as it sighed, walking up to him. Max carefully placed it around his neck, buckling it on tight.
"Alright...follow me," Max said leading Lucario forward. Lucario seemed to display some balance issues, but the more he moved, the more stable he became. Observing his surroundings, Lucario noticed various rooms like the one he was in, horrible sounds coming from them. It was clearly Pokemon that were also being experimented on, but Max's kind aura seemed to be enough to soothe his nerves. Max entered in digits into a keypad, which opened the sliding metallic door. Inside appeared to be a Pokemon arena like one would see in the Kanto region. Max showed Lucario where to stand before giving him a gentle pat on the head, wishing him luck and that he would be watching over his battle. Lucario gave him a nod, allowing the young scientist to leave and join Professor Laure in the boots above.
"Begin trial 1," Laure said, a scientist appearing the cross from Lucario. He threw a Pokemon onto the starting line, a burst of light filling area. Upon the glows disperse, a Hitmonchan appeared. It immediately began bouncing up and down, loosening up its limbs as it threw a few jabs to warm up. Max turned the microphone to himself, ready to give Lucario a small pep talk.
"Alright Lucario, you may experience a pinch in your neck, do not be alarmed, its to help stimulate your evolution. It will only be used should you show resistance to natural means, understood?" Max asked kindly, Lucario turning to booth and giving it nod before facing off against the Hitmonchan. The scientist in charge of the Hitmonchan began issuing commands, Hitmonchan moving in on Lucario to begin the confrontation. At first, Lucario struggle to handle the lightning quick jabs from Hitmonchan, but as he took blows, he began understanding what he was meant to do. He began to fight back, his sore limbs struggling to land a strong hit as he was forced into a defensive position, dodging as many blows as it could.
"Alright Hitmonchan, hit it with Close Combat!" the scientist ordered, Hitmonchan's focus tensing up as it made a quick dash at Lucario. Lucario tried to defend the blows, but they were too quick, each of them pounding into Lucario with max precision, launching Lucario back against the wall of the arena with a loud thud. Lucario laid upon the ground for a moment, but when one of the sensors on the collar began recording activity, a series of readings began to fill the screen of the computer. The aura readings began to drastically rise, a visual aura beginning to consume Lucario as it slowly returned to its feet.
"Wonderful! It got back up after its health was depleted!" Laure said with joy, the Lucario's eyes now glowing with a vibrant golden light. Hitmonchan got back into a fighting position, its nerves picking up as the Lucario returned to the starting point. Max's mind began filling with violent yells and enraged thoughts, causing him to fall to his knees and hold his head, crying out painfully. Max shouted for Lucario to stop, but it refused, growling loudly as he was completely consumed by a raging blue aura that roared in the room. The blue aura dispersed in a massive explosion of energy, the room and electronics quaking as Mega Lucario emerged from it. Max began yelling out painfully, clenching his ears as he clearly writhed in pain.
"DESTROY! KILL!" Lucario's gruff roars filled Max's mind as it began its rush at Hitmonchan, seemingly vanishing from sight until a vicious, energy imbued palm landed on Hitmonchan's chest, sending it flying off its feet and into the steel door the scientist came from, denting it.
"Incredible! These readings are off the charts!" Laure shouted cheerfully, disregarding her coworker who was clearly suffering on the floor. He continued to scream for Lucario to stop as it tried to attack the scientist in the chamber, Laure immediately engaging the collar's control system. Shocks began to shoot through Lucario, forcing it to yell out in immense pain, to which Max mimic'd against his will, spasming on the ground as if he were being electrocuted. Lucario's form dispersed as the dust settled, Lucario returned to normal, wincing in pain as it fell to a knee. It suddenly growled out loudly, Max's screams of agony suddenly flooding its thoughts. It immediately turned back to the booth, trying to find a way in to check on Max, but was denied entry.
"MAX!" Lucario called out verbally, Laure immediately taking note of Lucario's speaking as it tried to bang the steel door down.
"I-I'm OK Lucario...I-I'm just in a lot of pain...please...calm down..." Max's voice rang weakly, Lucario immediately calming its nerves.
"What...happened...? Why are you hurting?" Lucario's concerned toned filled Max's mind, Max trying to think of the best way to convey what happened.
"I'm sure you're aware that Lucario like yourself often bond to people with their aura. Since we've been communicating, it seemed I bonded with you in this way. So when you went into your mega form, you lost control, which filled my mind with horrible growls and yells that were running through your mind. When we used the collar on you, I also felt your pain..." Max explained, Lucario quietly nodding in response as it sighed heavily, calming its nerves.
"Begin trial 2," Laure commanded, Max looking up at her with terrified eyes, to which she blatantly ignored as the scientist threw out the next Pokemon. This time the light dispersed and revealed an Arcanine, roarings proudly as it emerged from its ball. It immediately leapt at Lucario, who appeared to be weakened as its legs shook. Lucario tried to jump away, but Arcanine sunk its fangs into Lucario's arm, igniting in with flames. Lucario growled out loudly, trying to rip its arm away as the flames consumed its arm. Arcanine let go causing Lucario to fall off its feet, its chest heaving heavily as it tried to catch its breath. Arcanine suddenly was engulfed in flames, its trainer issuing it to use Flare Blitz. Lucario used the wall as a crutch to stand, only to be smashed back into it with a vicious explosion of flames.
"We have to stop this Laure! You're going to kill him and me!" Max pleaded for Lucario's life, but Laurel simply shrugged her shoulders, dismissing his words completely.
"Trials aren't to be interrupted, you know this..." Laure replied, fumes lingering off of Lucario from the fiery impact. The raging blue aura began to form again, quickly raging into a wild fire which caused Max's screaming fit to return at high volumes, the aura dispersing again to reveal that Lucario had gone mega once again. A massive, painful roar filled the arena as it charged the Arcanine, a sadistic smile on its face as it started landing blow after blow into the Arcanine, it's howls of pain fueling Lucario's vicious blows. Arcanine went to bite into its arm, but instead was struck with a force palm to the side of his face, knocking it off its feet to have it slide along the ground.
"I NEED MORE VIOLENCE! I NEED MORE BATTLES!" Lucario roared angrily to the heavens, Max's screams reaching a pinnacle until suddenly he went silent. As Max's voice faded to nothing, Lucario's mega form immediately dispersed, as if an off switch had been flickered. Lucario shook his head, immediately trying to smash the door down again as it cried out for Max to respond, being met with silence.
"Initiate final trial!" Laure demanded, Lucario immediately striking the door as hard as he could, his determination causing his eyes to glow and for the wildfire of an aura to return once again before the scientist could send out the next Pokemon.
"MAAAAX!" Lucario screamed, finally blasting through the door with a vicious force palm, quickly entering the room in mega form. Laure tried to use the collar again, but as it began to shock him, he used his new found power to reach up and destroy it, letting it drop to the floor before glaring at Laure, immediately charging up an aura sphere. With a loud flash of light, the whole booth exploded outward, a loud boom shaking the facility. Breathing heavily, Lucario then saw Laure face down on the ground, blood pooling from beneath her. He then looked around for Max desperately, finding him on the ground, bleeding from his mouth, his eyes vacant as they stared lifelessly at the ceiling.
"No...Max..." Lucario sobbed, tears misting in his eyes as tried to shake Max awake lightly, soon realizing it was pointless. As he came to the realization that the only nice person in this entire establishment was now dead, quickly figuring it was from his aura going out of control. Unable to handle his emotional state, he growled wildly, his aura roaring through the the entire arena like a blazing fireball, consuming everything.
"In the news today, a medical research station associated with Macro Cosmos was discovered in shambles. There were no traces of life as the facility was scavenged, everything electronic natured in complete ruin. It is undetermined at this time as to what caused the destruction and we advise everyone around the Hammerlocke area to take caution. As we discover more about the facility we will update our report. Now for the weather..." the TV within the Hammerlocke Pokemon Center said, several trainers standing and watching as they awaited for their Pokemon to be healed.
"Destroyed huh...sounds like there was some fishy stuff going down in that place," a young trainer said, adjusting his hat as before moving a seat, a girl that was with him was called to the counter, thanking the staff as their Pokemon were returned to them on a tray.
"My guess is that they were experimenting with the whole power source thing and it back fired on them, serves them right," the girl replied handing one of the trays to the boy who immediately stashed his poke balls away in his bag. The girl equipped hers to her belt and smirked at him, giving a nudge on the shoulder.
"You aren't scared are ya?" she teased, the boy sighing and shaking his head.
"No, no, not really scared...I just hope we don't run into anything crazy in the wild area..." the boy replied. Both of them readying themselves to leave.
Emerging from the destroyed facility, Lucario looked around and saw nothing but a grassy field as far as he could see, a vast number of Pokemon spread all across the landscape. He sighed heavily, unsure of what he was to do now as he immediately took to the field, sudden, violent urges flaring up and down in his mind as he found a place to rest, hidden by brush and terrain.
"I...should destroy other facilities...and kill bad people..." Lucario growled to himself, his sore and overexerted body finally giving out, leaving him to fall into slumber.