Technology is the future of mankind, it is the potential to advance unnaturally. However, no person is truly ready for it until it has been forced upon them. People don't take nature for granted until they notice the absence of it, people don't take into account their humanity until it's been ripped away from them.

That is the reality Aaron Barsony has had to live with for the last couple weeks. Laying in bed, doing monotonous checkups every day. Helping to become acquainted with his new limbs, but they don't understand how it actually feels. The doctor asks, "How does it feel?", and he responds with, "It's fine.", that's a lie. With no way to let out his pent-up emotions, he keeps to himself. Wearing a monotone mask over a cloud of silent anger.

The day finally came when he was to be freed from the hospital, his salvation from this unproductive hell had arrived. He was allowed to walk on his own, sitting up straight in his bed to plant his feet on the floor. The metallic thud of his soles making contact with the ceramic bothered him, it sounded like someone dropped their mobile device. In the beginning, it felt as if he was balancing on two sticks that refused to obey his body. After physical therapy, he's overcome that obstacle. However, this infuriates him because he could not feel the floor. He couldn't judge it's temperature or if his feet were making contact. All he had was the fact that he was standing straight.

He walked fine for the most part except the few instances he would trip and be caught. He was fortunate to have his mother there to help him, falling over every few steps is annoying to deal with. What he wasn't prepared for was the outside world. The sun blinded him, the sound of civilization outside the hospital whelmed him. He is wearing an extra set of clothes brought to him by his mother, a purple t-shirt and black jeans. This did not obscure his mechanical right arm and scarred face. His mother turns to him and smiles, telling him, "Let's go home."

No, he didn't want to go home. He wanted to find the bastards that did this to him and rip them to shreds. Aaron lets out with a disappointed tone, "Yeah, sure…". Serena didn't want to leave her son behind, taking his hand as she guided him through the streets of Lumiose. As they cut through the center by Prism Tower, Aaron noticed the damage from his previous bout already repaired. At least something got repaired.

He was tugged along by his mother, interrupting his train of thought. He began to look around, observing the reactions of the pedestrians they passed. He didn't know what he was expecting to begin with, the passing glances of each person was filled with disgust and pity. He frantically looked around, more people began to stare with disdain. Parents covering their children's eyes, shielding their sight. Why? Am I that hideous?!

This is ridiculous, this is outrageous. He's being alienated by everyone because of his appearance alone. He used to be another civilian among the masses, and now he's the laughing stock of the city. This is what he's been reduced to: a freak, unable to fit back into society.

"Mommy! Mommy! That robot looks really cool, can I take a picture?" Begged an unsuspecting child nearby. Aaron's heart stopped for a moment, a machine, is that what he is to this kid?! That was the worst insult to his human pride thus far. Serena turns to her son upon hearing this, her brows lowering when she sees Aaron with a shadow cast over his eyes as he grit his teeth. The child's mother spoke, "Don't say that! That's not nice."

"But mommy, it looks so cool with that robot arm and-" That kid thinks I look cool?! The kid crossed the line, as he whips towards the child and snaps, "I'm as human as you, you stupid piece of shit!" His outburst silenced everyone nearby, a few people stopping while others continued forward. The child's face twisted into fear as he began to whine with tears streaming down. This shocked both mothers as Serena grabbed her son's hand and shouted, "Aaron!". Dragging the teen forward to escape the embarrassment.

It was a drawn out walk to their household, unable to avoid the scrutiny brought on by Aaron's appearance. Once entering their home, Serena turns to her son with a concerned expression and raises her voice, "Aaron, I understand you're frustrated, but you need to calm down." Aaron choked up, it was almost an insult to tell him to calm down as if completely disregarding his current state. He exclaims, "Calm down? You want me to calm down after THAT?! I can't even go outside without being treated like a bastard!"

Serena got offended from hearing her son swear at her but chose to remain silent and put her feelings aside, "People just aren't used to how you look. We'll all get used to it." Aaron began throwing his arms to express his frustration as he complained, "Like hell they will! That kid said I look like a damn robot!" Serena sighed with exhaustion, pinching her nose and mumbling to herself, "If only your father was here…"

"The hell's he going to do, huh? Come back home from work finally and see me?" Aaron began to mimic his father in a demeaning way, "Ah, gee, son. Sorry I wasn't there for you, my work was more important to me." Serena bit her lip in distaste of her son's words and protested, "I won't let you say another word about your father like that. You don't understand his wo-"

Aaron cut his mother off, barking, "What even IS his job? You never tell me." The mother stood silent, not answering his question. "There it is, again! You dodge my question every time, you don't tell me anything, and then you expect me to be all forgiving and shit for my dad who let me get mutilitated for reasons I don't know?!"

"That girl has been after you since the beginning. All of them were. That's why I want you to calm down. Seeking revenge won't do you any good, you barely survived as is. Just leave it to Andres and the authorities to handle this situation-" Aaron's pride was damaged, as he exclaimed:

"Now you're saying I'm incapable?!" The mother shook her head, denying, "That's not what I'm saying, but I want you to stay out of it now. They think you're dead and it's best to keep it that way so you don't show up on their radar."

Aaron still didn't get the message as he complained, "I am sick and tired of being a liability! Stop treating me like one!" Serena was losing her patience with her son, furrowing her brows as her once caring and sympathetic tone shifted to that of an authoritative tone, "in this moment, in THIS situation, you are. You just got out of the hospital bed, not even used to your new body yet and you're already thinking of going out into the field. Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds? You need to recover first and foremost, that is not a suggestion, that is me telling you the facts."

Aaron took a step back, understanding he's frustrated his mother. He dropped his head in defeat as he mumbled, "I'm sorry, mother.." Serena exhaled, relaxing her nerves as she placed her hands on her son's shoulders and reassured, "the time will come when you get to play your part. Now isn't that time. Please, I hope you can understand my concern."

"Yeah," said Aaron through his teeth, suppressing his fury for the time being. The doorbell rang, catching the family's attention.

"This is the police, I'm hearing reports of cyborg activity from within this household." They heard Andres' voice from the other side, Aaron rolled his eyes out of annoyance and responded, "You came to the wrong house for that, go away."

"Ah, but how am I supposed to do my job otherwise?" Aaron opened the door to reveal the man in his black officer attire, arms crossed. "Sorry about the joke, kiddo, thought I'd lighten the mood." Aaron expressed his disappointment as he said to the man, "I'm not amused."

"Neither am I." He turned towards the mother and greeted her, "I'd like you two to come with me to the station. There's something I'd like to show you two."

Andres provides the family a ride via his police vehicle. It was a brief drive to his workplace. Upon exiting the vehicle, they spent a moment taking in the enormous station. A multi-story building that put Lumiose's hotels to shame. Personnel traversing the property with their partners that varies from Pokémon to colleagues. Andres closed his vehicle door, telling the two to follow him.

They entered through the main lobby which provided them access to every other part of the building. Other officers welcomed Andres as he arrived. After passing the vibrant lobby, they stopped in front of a "personnel only" door with two pads connected to one another. Andres placed his right hand on the appropriate pad and looked into the other as a green light emitted from it, scanning him. The door unlocked, allowing them to pass. They were taken into a pale hallway, following their escort who took them to his office.

Keeping the same color as the hallway, the room was detailed with shelves and drawers that had old picture frames hanging up on the walls along with several holographics projecting images and even videos. On his desk was the usual but the most noticeable thing was a woman with curly, brown hair and dull brown eyes who smiled towards the camera. Aaron had no idea that the officer had a relationship, he'll keep it in mind.

They took a seat, Andres cutting right to the chase. Andres wasted no time in sharing the details he explained to Serena, getting the boy up to speed. Aaron regained a bit of his pride understanding their fear of him to the point of wanting to neutralize him. Aaron remembered a detail Olivia said to him prior, he described, "That bitch, Olivia, said something about my asshole dad being out of the way. What does he have to do with this?" Andres eyed Serena, giving her a strange look because of the disrespect. Serena dropped her head and shoulders to display her exhaustion.

Andres replies, "Is that so?"

"Does that mean he's dead?" Andres got up out of his seat, denying, "Not exactly." He moved towards his shelf and began to look through his collection. "The truth of the matter is: we haven't heard anything about your father in quite some time. It's concerning but with what you just told me, I think you've helped give me more evidence for a theory of mine."

"And that is?"

Andres pulled out a holographic of a Deoxys and stared at it. "In the few weeks you've been incapacitated, we've had reports of attacks in several villages. Upon further research, I discovered a correlation between these locations. In each of these villages, there are frequent reported sightings of legendary Pokémon. My theory is that these extremists are responsible for these attacks. However, if that is the case: that complicates things because it goes against everything we've understood about these monsters."

Serena says in response, "How horrible, these people really are insane." Aaron had a different response, clenching his fist as he gave himself an idea. Andres continued, "fortunately for me, I have a lead. How about we pay a visit. We will make him pay for ruining your special date." He concluded with a hint of sarcasm and a cringe-induced grin.

They were taken to the prison hall of the station, each cell is blocked off by an angular white wall with a keypad in the center and a small square window to look inside. There are small holes in the doors allowing for air circulation and communication with the prisoner. After surfing through the hall, they discover 's cell. Andres looks inside to see the man laying in his bed, staring at the ceiling like a corpse. Andres raised his voice, " , so good to see you. Let's talk."

"Go to hell." He responded, refusing to change his position. Andres continues, "I'm here to talk with you about your cyborg friends, I have a few questions regarding them."

"What cyborgs? I don't know what you're talking about."

"Is that so? Then explain how you managed to steal a mechanized suit." Andres pauses to let the man respond, but was met with silence, "That's right, you can't. You had to have been working with someone, a certain someone with a target. I want you to tell me who that target is and why."

Erick remained steadfast and stubbornly replied with, "I'm not talking." Andres let out an annoyed sigh, reaching for a dial on the cell door and threatened, "Well, , if you refuse to cooperate: you leave me with no other choice." The officer turned the dial, causing the light in the cell to shift to a bright red. This got the inmate's attention as he sat up from his bed and asked, "What is this?"

"In a few moments, the temperature will rise to extreme levels to the point you sweat. It will stay at that temperature for as long as you like until you need water. The thing is: I won't give you water until you choose to cooperate, so it's up to you on how you want to handle this." Erick got up from his bed, calling the threat a bluff. Andres turned away, passing along a piece of advice for the inmate, "Whenever you're ready: just hit the stop button. We'll see how long you can last, Mr. Stewman."

Serena questioned the officer, asking him, "Isn't that a bit inhumane?". Andres looks to her and assures her, "Kind of, it's the nicest and the most efficient method of torture we are allowed to utilize. It works a good majority of the time, and we stop if it goes on for too long." Andres motioned for the family to follow him. However, they were cut off by the laughter originating from a nearby cell. The laughter died down and a voice with a hoarse tone commented, "Look how humanity has fallen, so weak and fragile. Relying on petty technology to do our work for us. Humans should rely on their own strength, nothing artificial. You're getting soft, Andres."

Andres' physically expressed his uneasiness upon hearing the voice, furrowing his brows as he faced the cell of origin. Aaron's interest was caught, looking towards his mother whose expression changed for the worse as well. Aaron asked, "Who is that?" No response, Andres marched to the front of the cell and looked inside. The officer looked as if he tasted something sour as he looked inside, displeased by the sight. Aaron hurried to his side to catch a glance of the inmate and raised his eyebrows in awe.

The cell contained an older man, it was difficult to tell the specific age due to his face being obscured by a black bandanna from the nose up. He had an angular, chiselled jaw with an partially unshaven beard and a wicked smile plastered across his face. The man sat on his knees in the center of the room, appearing very relaxed. Andres called out, "Do you need something?"

"Freedom, not for me, but for all of humanity. The time will come when we become pawns to the technology you crave. We must eliminate it, it's a parasite! The boy is already a victim to it, you just don't know it yet." Andres got annoyed listening to the man preach, raising his voice, "You know something I don't, Firewall?"

Firewall chuckled to himself, letting out a husky growl before answering, "Oh, I understand more than you think. I will not be silenced! I embody a belief, an ideology. I am not the only one, so long as I live, my work will continue!" Andres rolled his eyes, having lost his patience with the man in front of him and walking away. The officer hurriedly motioned for the other two to follow him immediately, wasting no time in leaving the area. The man didn't stop rambling, preaching on and on before he called out to Aaron, "Boy! Do not become a puppet to society, grab ahold of your destiny and make it your own!"

Aaron's face lit up, turning back expecting the man to be behind him but still in the hallway. Serena ushered the boy forward, denying him his chance to look. It took a little bit for them to return to his office and once inside, Aaron felt the need to ask:

"Who was that guy?"

Andres positioned himself in front of one of his shelves again as he began to look for something, explaining to Aaron, "He's a maniac who goes by the name Firewall. His real name's Keith Rogers but he's long since discarded it."

"What did he do?"

"He has an immense hatred for today's society and its reliance on technology. He believes humans are strong as is, claiming to believe in nature, not technology. He started a revolution, attempting to flip the world on its head and almost came close to destroying it. We needed help from someone to take him down and finally lock him up. He's been locked away for around twenty years now."

Aaron continued with his questions, "What's up with the bandanna on his head?". Andres revealed a helmet that was stored on his shelf. It is a dark brown helmet with an elegant but sharp design, with a slit across the top to act as a visor. Painted onto the helmet is a white skull fitted to the front. The officer answered, "It's a part of his Firewall alias, he's insistent on keeping his face hidden and only acting as 'Firewall', to him, Keith Rogers is dead. He uses masks to obscure his face, using them as a representation of himself."

Aaron took a fascination to the design of the helmet, asking to hold and inspect it himself. Andres permitted this with caution, handing the helmet over to the boy whose eyes lit up with excitement upon seeing the reflection of his red eyes bouncing off the visor. It dawned on him, the words Firewall preached to him earlier. No one else understands, the only person that understands is that maniac, surprisingly. The words he spoke connected with Aaron, it was like a breeze of fresh air for the boy as he allowed them to sink in. He was right, Aaron had to take ahold of his life, he refused to be a bystander. He has the power, HIS power, to make a difference. It's up to him to make it, Firewall may be a maniac but he has the right idea about society. Technology will become the downfall of mankind, but if Aaron uses his power, he can save the world.

The teen puts the helmet on his head, his eyes visible through the visor as they shone a bright red. He covered his horrid face in place of a more suitable mask that represents him. Yes, Firewall is right, his work will continue. Only, it will be done Aaron's way, as he sees fit.