3. Accumula Town Square
We arrived in Accumula Town a little earlier than we expected. The town was very busy and Ghetsis immediately dispatched Wilhelm to book us rooms in the hotel. Our outlandish outfits drew attention, but we were used to that by now. Ghetsis touched my arm, prompting my attention.
"Rex, I would like you to announce us," he said.
"Me?" I asked, taken aback. "But Wilhelm... he does that!"
"I will instruct you again. Listen, the difference between a good leader and great one is how they use their resources. Wilhelm has a calm, level head. He is able to carry out orders and successfully accomplish goals. Nothing excites him and he is excellent at mastering his fear. He also has a loud voice, which made him the most logical choice for the task; however, I have discovered a new talent in my group. I can now use Wilhelm in a manner he is better suited for, and shift this task to you."
"I am honored," I said. I was, too, in a way. I was pleased that he was still interested in teaching me. The memory of his praise still warmed me and filled me with confidence.
I looked at the elevated platform that rose in the center of the town square. These little rises were not uncommon in Accumula. The people who built the city did so with the ancestral memory of crushingly deep snows. Any sign of any importance was built on a rise and all the houses had tall stairways leading to the front door, so that the inhabitants could not be snowed inside.
I started toward it with confidence, but I stopped when Ghetsis called my name.
"Rex! This is also practice. This time, I want you to remain in control of yourself. Remember, this is just an announcement. Tell them who we are, inform them that I will be speaking at twelve o'clock, and thank them for their time and hospitality. That's all."
I nodded. Ghetsis dismissed me with a wave and I climbed to the top of the little rise.
It was strange to be elevated above the rest of the crowd. It brought to mind the days of my youth, as my pokémon and I toiled together to raise the majestic Black Tower to the sky. Looking down from the steel bones, I always felt detached from the rest of the world. It was thrilling at times, an indescribable rush of power, but it was also lonely. It felt like that now, here on this little hill.
I shook myself mentally. Those days were long gone. I would never subjugate another living creature to my will. Now I had a different calling, one that was going to start here.
People were beginning to stare. Only tourists climbed these hills, and even tourists did not dress like I did. I did not have long, though. Eventually they would remember their manners and then it would be awkward for them to acknowledge me. I had to talk now, while they were still curious.
"May I have your attention please?" I bellowed in my foreman's voice. It was still loud and commanding, despite the fact that I had not used it in over a year. It had its desired effect instantly. People looked at me and my words faltered. I looked for Ghetsis in the press. He was where I left him, speaking quietly to Candace. He was not even watching. He expected that I could do this. I took a breath. If I let him down, he would not teach me. I had to so this, so I plowed ahead.
"Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we are Team Plasma. We have traveled to your city today to spread the message of pokémon liberation."
Grumbling arose at this, and some people turned away. Others still looked curious.
"Introduce, announce, thank. Introduce, announce, thank," I repeated to myself. Introduction was done, now on to the announcement.
"Our honored Sage will be speaking here at noon. We ask that you please attend and listen to the message that will affect you and the pokémon that you carry. All are invited to hear the words of our sage."
I could see people starting to lose interest. Had Wilhelm's announcements taken this long? Either way, I decided to move to the close of my message.
"Citizens of Accumula, we thank you for your time. We sincerely hope to see you again, here at noon, when our honored sage will speak. Thank you."
I retired from the rise as quickly as I dared. People were watching me, and that made me uncomfortable now that I was down here with them. What if they asked me a question, like the man from yesterday? What if I could not answer it and another pokémon was sentenced to eternal slavery because of it? Had my words held conviction? Had I stuttered? I could barely remember what I had said. What if I was not loud enough?
I spotted Ghetsis and the others with relief, but I had a dread of Ghetsis' review. What if I had utterly failed? Would he be disgusted with me?
I pushed my way through the crowd to Ghetsis' side. The Sage looked pleased.
"Ah, Rex. Good. Everything is proceeding according to plan. There is still time. We will go to the hotel and unpack. I plan to spend the night here," he said.
We both nodded. We fell into formation with the ease of long practice. I was a little put-out that Ghetsis did not acknowledge me. I had been nervous up there. I may not have been ashamed of my beliefs, but having the attention of so many people was a startling experience. Ghetsis treated it like nothing, and again I admired him for it. I could not help but wonder how long it would be until I could be that confident.
By the time we reached the hotel, I had managed to convince myself that Ghetsis was right to ignore my performance. It had only been my first try, after all, and though it got the job done, it lacked the finesse that I hoped to achieve. One day, I would do Ghetsis' part. Until then, I had so much to learn!
Helena was in the front, so she opened the door for Ghetsis and held it for the rest of us. I heard Justin yelp and say something rude. Helena marched straight-backed away from him and he rubbed his arm moodily. Apparently there were still hard feelings from earlier. I shook my head ruefully. That was my fault. It was sobering to think that my words had caused that kind of rift between those two. They had gotten along fine before. "A very incendiary method of speaking," Ghetsis had commented. I had been euphoric when he said that, but now I wondered if that was a complement or a caution.
I went upstairs with the others. Ghetsis stayed behind to talk to Wilhelm. I wondered if Wilhelm was angry that I had taken over one of his duties. Wilhelm was so stoic that it was hard to tell.
The girls went to their room and us guys to ours. I volunteered to unpack while Marcus and Justin alternated between napping and washing up. Wilhelm came in a little later. He had to prepare Ghetsis' room and attend the Sage before he could unpack and relax.
We did not have long before noon. Ghetsis had us all assembled in the lobby at twenty 'til. It was his "pre-game pep-talk," as Marcus called it. The girls giggled together while Marcus and Justin looked bored. Wilhelm was stoic, as usual. I was eager. Any chance to watch Ghetsis in his element was a treat for me.
"As usual, I would like to commend your work. Through us, Team Plasma's message has reached many and, today, it will reach many more. I know that this is a difficult task, wearying for both mind and body, but I remind you that it is only through such trials that we are made strong. Like a sword of old, through fire we are tempered and all impurities burned away. You cannot see yourselves as I can, but already you are changed," Ghetsis said, meeting all our eyes at once and radiating a warmth that made me shiver yet want to draw closer to him. He continued, "The hesitation, the uncertainty, the confusion, every day I watch these flaws draw away from you. When I chose my party, I selected only the best. My standards are high, my expectations daunting, yet none of you have disappointed me. Between the strokes of my instruction and your own desire to succeed, you've made yourselves ideal, bright blades, sharp with the truth of Team Plasma."
With his words he singled us out, and seemed to speak to every one of us individually. At the same time, I could not with any certainty say which words were aimed at whom. I flushed with pleasure. Even though he had not said it directly, I just knew that he had seen my efforts on the little hill today. Beyond that, I knew that he had approved and he was proud of me.
Ghetsis smiled at us all and continued, "I see an ideal world, where all truths are realized. Every day, this world grows closer. Every day, I see the world I want... the world Team Plasma wants, take a step toward us. I am proud to say that I see all of you reaching for it just as I do. When that day arrives, when Unova's hero unites the region under eternal peace and prosperity, people and pokémon alike will remember your efforts. They will speak of you with praise and honor, but they will never hold you in as high an esteem as I do. You honor us all. Plasma!"
"Plasma!" we all chimed in heartily,
We filed out of the hotel with smiles on our faces and solidarity in our hearts. Even Helena and Justin smiled at each other as we fell into formation as our banners snapped smartly in the breeze. We made our way to the plaza without mishap. Marcus and Candice planted our banners in the yielding soul, and then fell in line with the rest of us. I watched the crowd gather in anticipation. It was a larger one than the one Ghetsis had spoken to before. Soon, all these people would bask in the true knowledge of my lord N. Ghetsis stepped forward.
"My name is Ghetsis. I am here representing Team Plasma. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to talk to you about pokémon liberation."
As usual, exclamations went up from the crowd at this, but this time none of them seemed unfriendly. Two young trainers in the back watched us in bewilderment instead of with the usual hostility. Another youngster in the front watched Ghetsis solemnly. This boy had his black hat pulled so far down that I was amazed that he could see at all.
"I'm sure most of you believe that we humans and Pokémon are partners that have come to live together because we want and need each other. However... Is that really the truth? Have you ever considered that perhaps we humans... only assume that this is the truth? Pokémon are subject to the selfish commands of Trainers. They get pushed around when they are our 'partners' at work. Can anyone say with confidence that there is no truth in what I'm saying?" Ghetsis asked.
This crowd really was receptive. While the majority of them only looked more confused, they still looked troubled. I saw fear on a few faces, and a look of fleeting pain on at least two. Of the two kids in the back, the one looked as confused as most of the crowd. The one with glasses looked pensive. The boy in the black hat ducked his head, his expression unreadable. His hair was green, I noticed. Why was that familiar?
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, pokémon are different from humans. They are living beings that contain unknown potential. They are living beings from whom we humans have much to learn. Tell me, what is our responsibility toward these wonderful beings called pokémon?"
Again the quiet voice. Again it carried even to the edges of the crowd. This time, many people had lost their defenses. I could see it in their eyes. So many bright eyes, looking up at Ghetsis and my Lord N's truth slowly crystallizing behind them.
"Liberation?" said the boy with glasses. He may have found the courage to speak first, but I did not like the disturbed look that was on his face when he said it.
Apparently Ghetsis agreed with my assessment. He looked over at the boy and nodded once before returning his full attention to the crowd.
"That's right! We must liberate the pokémon! Then, and only then, will humans and pokémon truly be equals. Everyone, I end my words here today by imploring you to consider the relationship between people and pokémon... and the correct way to proceed. We sincerely appreciate your attention."
There, again, was our cue to leave. Marcus and Candice pulled up our banners while the rest of us separated and made Ghetsis his space inside the formation. Our movements were quick and sharp, but my attention was caught by the boy in the black hat. I knew him. I knew I knew him. He watched us without any trace of emotion in his blue eyes. It was only when he looked at Ghetsis that a spark of longing lit his features. Ghetsis did not even seem to notice the boy. On cue we marched away as one, the confused crowd staring after us. I felt cold suddenly. How could I forget those blue eyes? While I had never seen them yearning, I had seen them lit with righteous anger and then with contempt. I had seen them when Lord N freed my pokémon.