Chapter 22
Thunderstruck
Earth 26, 2048, 3:08PM
3rd person POV
As the portal closed the team was silent, before them layed a vast desert, the sand dunes stretching out as far as they eye could see.
Cassie turned around and threw down a large pack. She kneeled down and unzipped it, revealing a plethora of supplies. She motioned to the bag with her hand and said, "Alright, all of you shift. The target is just over that ridge, you go first and scout around the base, we'll watch from the top and come down to help once you signal us, then will start the attack together."
Everyone, saving Nixullium shifted and got in line as Cassie and Jake put go-goggles on them, protecting their eyes from the sand. Nixullium flinched when Cassie told him to shift, his hand instinctively rubbing the leather cap covering his stump. His face contorted into a sharp snear.
"And who left you in command?" He growled, scratching at his stump.
"We have the most experience, the most training and Connor chose us to be." Charlie said bluntly. She took notice of his consistent scratching.
Nixullium shook his head and reluctantly shifted into a albino Houndoom, revealing even more scars than in his human form, although his jacket still fit. He allowed Charlie to give him the goggles before walking over the hill with Layla, Alveri and Lucina in tow.
Cassie and Jake took position on the top of the ridge and pulled out binoculars. They followed the other four as they dug/ climbed over the base's fence. It was clear this facility was unprepared for an attack.
"Hello, who's there?" A male voice said from behind them. Cassie and Charlie shifted instantly, a Pokémon of this world would probably be more accepting of a legendary Pokémon than a human.
An Excadrill came over the ridge only to see two Raikou waiting for him.
"Well I'll be damned, you guys are still around?" The Eexcadrill said surprised.
"Um, yes?" Cassie said, trying to sound as official as she could in pokespeech, she was rusty and hoped she didn't mess up.
"After that whole mess three years ago y'all vanished, I'd reckon your kind was gone fer good," he continued.
"Well, clearly were still kicking." Charlie responded.
"Good to hear, I reckon y'all are fixin to rough up them bandits down there, good luck. They stole some gemstones from the foreman's collection, if ya can return em to the Drilbur mine I'd mighty appreciate it" he said before burrowing underground and leaving.
The two of them gave a sigh of relief and shifted back, it seemed as though Nixullium had already begun the attack, however it had just taken a turn in the wrong direction, there were 5 tanks leaving the factory.
"Idiot, I told him to be stealthy and then allow us to join them before attacking,You get them out of there!" Cassie ordered her brother.
"What about you?" Charlie asked.
"While you get them to a safe distance, I'm gonna get a lightning storm going to fry the place in one go." She explained before running off and jumping into the air, dematerializing into a bolt of lightning.
"I hope you know what you're doing sis'." Charlie mumbled before shifting again and rushing down the hill.
'This is bad.' Nixullium thought as he breathed fire at a tank, melting it to a puddle but burning his throat. Layla, Lucina and Alveri were holding out, but it was clear the Vaporeon, Gardevoir and Haxorus wouldn't last forever.
All of a sudden, a bolt of lightning struck the ground in front of them, a Raikou jumping in the fight shocked everyone present.
'Get on!' Charlie said via telepathy.
The four shifters stood their for a moment, their jaws slightly agape, but they regained their composure and returned to their human forms, Nixullium visibly panting. They hopped on just as black could began to swirl overhead.
Charlie ran as fast as he could, his four passengers struggling to hold on. They arrived back at the top of the hill only to see a massive barrage of lightning blasting the base. It hit a fuel tank near the center and the entire place was consumed by a massive explosion.
A final lightning bolt hit the ground in front of them, Cassie appearing out of it. The Mason twins shifted back and pressed a button on their watches.
A multicolored portal appeared and they entered, clearly wanting to leave the desert before talking. Their first mission was a success, but the leaders had revealed their secret to all of the team.
Earth 97, 2048, 5:38 PM
3rd person POV
"A most unsettling development..." Giovanni said as Calrok handed him the photo. All that could be seen was the black scorch marks and charred ruins of the mining operation.
"I want to know my next course of action, Sir." Calrok asked. This short notice meeting in Giovanni's meeting tower was clearly impromptu with them being the only people in the room.
Before Giovanni could respond a shadow rocket grunt ran in holding a tablet. Giovanni's four robed guards took notice of the pistol on his side holster and clutched their swords slightly tighter.
"Sir, I need you to see this!" The grunt said before stopping dead in his tracks. Realizing he had just interpreted a meeting made him give a deep gulp.
Giovanni frowned and said, "I don't appreciate interruptions, but if it is truly that, important give here."
The grunt handed him the tablet with a shaking hand, it showed Earth 63's neo genetics complex in Unova with a massive hole in the front lawn. The hole was billowing smoke and clearly lead to the underground labs.
"Cyrus is attempting to call you." the grunt stammered.
"You were right to interrupt me, you are excused." Giovanni said while waving towards the door.
"Yes sir, sorry sir." The grunt apologized before running out of the tower.
"Incoming transmission." The base's central computer said.
"On screen." Giovanni calmly ordered.
The monitor above the door on the opposite side from Giovanni and Calrok activated. Revealing Cyrus wearing his traditional white vest and combat pants. However a ballistic vest was over his torso. Screams and gunfire echoed in the background.
"I need a portal now!" Cyrus demanded.
"Cyrus what happened?" Giovanni asked condescendingly.
"I'll tell you later, GET ME OUTTA HERE!" Cyrus yelled.
"I'll give you a portal once you explain what happened, summarize the problem." Giovanni explained.
"Dr. Kassar broke out, she overwhelmed the psychic barriers and got a guard to let her out! She sabotaged the hatchery failsafes. I can't control the betas, you said my powers over dark matter would subdue them!" He explained in a hurried voice.
"Hmm, they should, but I suppose Dr. Kassar's powers have a stronger influence over them then you." Giovanni assumed, his voice unnaturally casual.
"Ok, GET ME OUTTA HERE!" Cyrus yelled even louder as the screams and gunfire drew closer.
"No." Giovanni said bluntly.
"WHAT, YOU BACKSTABBING PIECE OF-" Cyrus was cut off by Giovanni muting the phone on Cyrus's end. He could still hear Giovanni but he couldn't say anything to him.
Giovanni shook his head.
"You have failed me for the last time. The United Regions will be there in no less than three hours. That gives you plenty of time to decide whether you should allow yourself to be captured or feed yourself to the betas. I'd imagine they'll be far more merciful than the Allegiance interrogators. Farewell Cyrus."
Cyrus went wide eyed as Giovanni cut the connection, it was over. Cyrus was no longer a member of team shadow rocket.
Chapter Edited And Proofread By FXCF.