POKEMON: HEART SOUL ADVENTURES
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Chapter 54 - A Dangerous Inmate
The world of Pokemon is known for its inhabitants' friendliness and niceness. Certainly, it is not a world where life is always easy, being populated with fantastic creatures gifted with incredible powers, and filled with impervious places where nature dominates... but one thing that can be said in its favor is that most people are open, generous and willing to help others.
Unfortunately, 'most' is the key word here: after all, criminal organizations such as Team Rocket, Teams Aqua and Magma, Team Galactic and the more recent Team Vicious do exist, and there are trainers who care nothing for their Pokemon and simply use them as a means for gaining power and glory for themselves...
And then, there are even worse people. People who, while rare, have the power to make that colorful and optimistic world into a darker and drearier place. Luckily, even in the world of Pokemon there are officials who stand guard and try to stop such criminals before they can do much damage... and also prisons to keep the most hardened criminals in check.
And it was in one of the most high-security prisons that someone who used to be one of the most powerful men in Sinnoh now languished, slowly stoking the fires of his own hatred and rage - Grings Kodai, a corrupt businessman who, only a few months before, had been for all intents and purposes, the ruler of Crown City, in the eastmost part of the continent. Thanks to his TV network, his connections and - unknown to everyone - his power to see the future, which he had obtained from a fateful encounter with the Legendary Pokemon Celebi, Kodai had managed to gain incredible wealth and power, and had been feared and respected by everyone who had ever been in contact with him.
But until a few months ago, few people were truly aware of who Grings Kodai actually was - an evil and ruthless man whose cruelty knew no bounds. Not content with being one of the richest and most influential men in Sinnoh, he wanted more and more... and he would not hesitate to commit murder or even to re-enact a catastrophe that had almost destroyed Crown City twenty years before! Luckily, thanks to the intervention of Ash and his friends, as well as the little Zorua they had befriended, the mad businessman's plan had come to light, and Kodai had quickly been neutralized and arrested.
And now, the man who had been a powerful and feared business tycoon was sitting on a crudely sculpted wooden bench in a lonely prison cell, dressed in a striped uniform with a single number embroidered upon it, angrily chewing on the tasteless concoction that the prison guards called lunch, and thinking back on the succulent dinners he had back when he was the owner of Crown City...
"Hmph... curse Ash Ketchum and those brats... because of them, I was robbed of everything I had! Such an outrage... me, the great Grings Kodai, rotting in this smelly hole..." he growled, right after swallowing anothe bite. "And it's all because of those blasted kids! To Hell with them all! With them... and with that accursed Zoroark! How dare she throw a wrench in my plans?"
The man slammed the half-empty bowl of food on the table in front of himself, causing it to wobble for a second before going back to his monologue. His passive expression was gone, making place for a disquieting, vengeful grin as Kodai's thoughts turned to an even darker place.
"But I will have my revenge! You can bet on that, Ash Ketchum, nobody can cross me, Grings Kodai, and get away with it! I... I will destroy you! No! Death is too good for you, and it's a mercy I won't give you! Before I destroy you... I will make you sink into despair! I will destroy everything you hold dear... your family... your friends... the place you were born... and that insignificant Pikachu of yours! Nothing will be left of you! You will become nothing but a distant memory! And I, Grings Kodai, will return to being the most powerful man in Sinnoh! No, in the whole world! I will get everything back! Everything and more!"
Kodai balled his hands into fists and chuckled madly, savoring the grisly revenge he was planning to take, and seemingly unaware that he was in a maximum security cell, and his chances of escaping were next to nonexistant. In fact, his would remain nothing but a lunatic's feverish dream, except that something unexpected was going to happen in his future...
A prison guard passing by at the moment stopped in front of Kodai's cell to listen to his ramblings, and took a quick look inside. He was able to see the former owner of Crown City bent on his table, his body shaken by histerical evil laughter, and understood that the time he had spent inside had not quenched his desire for revenge - if anything, it had made it worse.
A victorious grin appeared on the supposed prison guard's face. That man was exactly who they were looking for. All they had to do was enact the next part of the plan. It was a small step forward, but was that was going to be very significant for Team Vicious' plans!
"The boss was right, this Grings Kodai fellow is a loose cannon. But as long as we can pint him in the right direction, he will be very useful!" the Team Vicious agent disguised as a prison guard murmured to himself. "Good. All I have to do is give the boss all the coordinates, sit back, and enjoy the fireworks."
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"My, my, you certainly have lived some pretty exciting adventures!" Erika commented in admiration, after Ash, Misty and Brock had told her what had happened in their journey through the Sevii Archipelago. "And this Team Vicious does sound really dangerous to me! Do you think they're behind the sudden reawakening of several Legendary Pokemon in Johto?"
"That's what Professor Oak thinks, at least..." Tracey answered, as he sketched Erika, Jasmine and their Pokemon on his notebook. Erika's Bellossom was every match with her graceful trainer, though he did think it was somewhat strange for a girl like Jasmine to be accompanied by a Pokemon like a Magnemite... "That's why he came all the way to Johto with us, so he could investigate this along with his pupil, Professor Elm. We're just here to lend a hand, and discover something more."
Jasmine nodded, gently stroking her Magnemite. "Yeah, I see what you mean... if you ever need help, do not hesitate to call on us! We aren't exactly experts on Legendary Pokemon, but a fellow Gym Leader of mine knows them very well!" she answered. After thinking a little about it, Ash remembered who the Steel-type expert was talking about.
"Oh! Of course... you're talking about Morty, right?" he asked. "He's the Ecruteak City Gym Leader... he and his Ghost-type Pokemon gave us one heck of a time!"
Misty and Brock nodded, agreeing with their friend - even though, in Misty's mind, Bugsy and his Bug-type Pokemon would certainly be the toughest challenge in the Johto League! Still, Jasmine had something to add to that. "Yes, and not just him, Ash... there's also a friend of his that has recently returned to Johto after a long journey, and he's a world authority on Legendary Pokemon! His name is Eusine, and he's already helped several trainers dealing with runaway Legendaries!" the brunette answered. "Anyway, I'll try to get in contact with Morty right away, and I'll see if you can meet him at his Gym. I'm sure he will help you on your quest."
"Thank you, miss Jasmine..." Ursula said, bowing slightly. "And... I'd like to ask you a question, if you do not mind. Since you're a Pokemon coordinator just like me, I thought you could help me."
Jasmine blinked and turned to the girl with the spiralling pigtails. "Hmm... oh, right, I recognize you! You took part in the last Sinnoh Grand Festival, right? I must say, I was impressed with your moves! You have trained your Pokemon quite well."
Ursula smiled haughtily. "Good to see someone with taste." she commented, before clearing her voice. "Anyway, I had another reason why I came all the way to Johto. I was looking for someone who could teach a few more moves to my Pokemon, so that I might get a better placement in my next competition."
"Well, coordinator competitions are becoming popular, here in Johto." Jasmine answered. "It all started a few months ago... they started out as low-key enough, but they quickly gained popularity. Even my friend Erika and I have discovered our passion for these contests!"
Ursula nodded. She did know that Jasmine had recently entered the world of Pokemon coordinators, but that Erika was a part of it as well, that was news to her. Well, so much the better, the peach-haired girl thought to herself. Erika looked like she would be an even better teacher. "I see... that's interesting to know! And... do you suppose you can help me improve my technique? Of course, I intend to pay you well."
"No need for that at all!" Erika answered gently. "First off, my family is rich. And second, I do not need payment to help someone. Ash's friends are my friends as well, after all."
One of Ursula's eyebrows twitched nervously, and a funny indignated expression appeared on her face. How was it, that everyone mistook her for a friend of Ash's? She was only with thembecause, whether she liked it or not, she was neck deep in this matter already, and wanted to help solve it. That, and she hoped to become skilled enough to defeat Dawn in their next competition. "Ugh... fine, fine, I won't argue with that! But then... you aren't going to ask that I pay you back for your help?"
Erika winked and smiled cunningly. "Actually, there is a favor I would ask of you..." she said, before producing a small, light blue crystal bottle from an inner fold of her dress. "See, I'm not just Celadon City's Gym Leader, but also the owner of its largest perfume shop! And I would like to expand my business here in Johto as well! How about you give me a little publicity? You won't regret it, and this perfume feels perfect for an elegant young lady such as you! By mixing the pollen of a Gloom and a Roselia, I managed to obtain an irresistible scent! Please, try it out!"
Ash chuckled at that. "Hehehee... you know, Ursula, you should accept! Erika is rather... passionate about perfume!" he said, remembering how he had been banned from a Gym challenge because he didn't like her perfume.
"Pikachu!" the yellow mouse squeaked in assent.
Before Ursula could protest or get away, Erika walked up to her and sprayed her with that odd transparent liquid! For a moment, Ursula felt nothing... than a piercing scent, sweet and bitter at the same time, flowed into her nose and struck her right in the brain, obfuscating her thoughts for a few instants! Ursula stepped backwards in confusion. It wasn't a nasty scent, and indeed it was very nice... which was kind of the problem! It was so strong and pleasant, that the girl felt like the scent was overwhelming her senses!
Ursula's eyes turned into a pair of comical spirals, and the haughty Sinnoh coordinator soon dropped to the ground in a dead faint! Ash, Pikachu and their friends had felt how strong Erika's new perfume was... and they were keeping a safe distance from her!
"Glad to see you like this perfume!" the Grass-type expert commented seraphically! "So, how about it, dear? Would you like to take some with you and make it know around Johto?"
Jasmine scratched her cheek and sweatdropped. "Er... Erika, I'm afraid that's not exactly what Ursula meant to say..." she commented. Pikachu waved a hand in front of himself to chase away the stunning scent, and whispered something to Ash in his typical language.
"Pika-pikachu!"
"I'm not sure what you said, Pikachu..." Ash answered, taking a look at the still-fainted Ursula. "But whatever it is, I guess you're right..."
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"Phew... I really needed a breath of fresh air..." Ursula murmured after taking in some salty air, in an attempt to shake off that feeling of drunkenness. "Darn... what sort of perfumes do they make, at Celadon City? I thought I was going to die there!"
"Hey! I did try out Erika's perfumes too, you know!" Misty protested. "And they were wonderful! You have no idea what you're missing out on!"
Ursula unsheathed her typical noblewoman smile. "Hmmm, is that so, now? I must deduce that I am surrounded by people with pedestrian tastes, am I not? Hohohohohooo!" she exclaimed, putting a hand in front of her mouth, and letting out a short, piercing laugh!
A vein popped up on Misty's forehead. "Ugh... for your information, miss Ursula... Brock and I know a thing or two about perfumes, thankyouverymuch!" she growled, knowing she was lying with a straight face!
"Hey, as Ash once said, sometimes you just have to say things with convinction!" the redhead thought to herself. Ursula appeared not to be truly convinced anyway - the young heiress shrugged, making it clear that she was only pretending to believe her.
"Fine, fine... I won't insist!" she said, her hands behind her head. "So, do you already know where to go next? I don't exactly like to just run around without a plan..."
"Well... there are several places we can stop at on our way to Ecruteak City, and we should be able to discover something more on what's going on when we stop there." Misty answered calmly. "After all, I believe several people have seen some Legendaries running around Johto... and we should also try to contact that Eusine guy Jasmine told us about. I think he's the one best suited to ask informations to."
"I see..." Ursula answered. "Well, fine with me. While you're preparing, I'll see about training my Pokemon a little and letting them shake off the cobwebs. See you later, dear!"
Ursula waved at Misty and walked away, nose in the air, and leaving the redheaded Gym Leader undecided on what to think about her, once again. She never knew what exactly she could expect from Ursula - she'd have throttled her at times, and at others she could see that the rich Sinnoh heiress had several redeeming qualities. To think, she was going to be one of their allies in this adventure...
"Oh well... I'll try and roll with this!" Misty said to herself, holding her Azurill. "After all, Ursula isn't that bad... if she wasn't such an arrogant snob, I guess we could even be friends. And I hope she likes MooMoo Milk. If I recall, there is a farm near there..."
"Hey there, Misty!" Ash greeted her. "You talkin' about that farm we went to with Whitney right? I remember that pretty well... that was when I got the right idea to face her Miltank!"
The redhead turned to Ash and Pikachu, smiling brightly. "Hi, Ash! Hi, Pikachu! Hehee... yeah, I remember that pretty well! That milk was just about the best drink I ever had! Anyway... how are things? What are Brock and the others doing, at the Gym?"
Ash rubbed the back of his head with his still-usable arm. "Well... nothing out of the ordinary, I guess... After Brock stopped trying to hit on Erika or Jasmine - with a little "help" from Croagunk, I might add - he, Tracey and the girls started chatting, and Jasmine showed Brock and Tracey the places where the most important sightings had taken place. Just as we heard, they were mostly around Ecruteak City... though there have been rumors of a few sightings in Mahogany Town and around the Whirl Islands."
Misty nodded. "Both places known for their legends and folklore... and the Lake of Rage is near Mahogany Town too." she said, remembering the dangerous adventure they had lived there. It was fortunate that Lance had lent a hand, helping them save the Magikarps from Team Rocket's ambitions - and getting a brand new Shiny Gyarados in the process. "By the way, Ash, do you feel up to this new mission, after all? I'm afraid Team Vicious and that despicable Hunter J will show up again soon, and they will play for keeps."
"Pikachu pi..." Pikachu answered with a nod. "Pika pika pi, pikachu!"
"I think Pikachu wanted to say thatwe'll cross this bridge when we come to it." Ash answered, with Pikachu nodded and smiling at that. "For now, well... I'm looking forward to this stupid cast coming off! It's been almost a month since that day in Quest Island, and I'm kinda getting sick of it..."
"Hehehee, didn't you say your left hand was more than enough to throw Pokeballs?" Misty commented sarcastically. "And that you'd have learned to kick Pokeballs open if need be?"
"Azu!" her Azurill chirped.
Ash wrinkled his nose, looking at his casted arm. "Yeah, but having both arms is still better!" he answered.
Misty chucled again, and cleared her voice. "Which reminds me, we should call Pallet Town too. We should tell your mom, Dawn and the others that we have arrived safely and everything is okay. I know they'll do well without us too, but I'd like to be sure of that."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu answered, just as Brock walked out of a door behind them. "Pika pi! Pika pikachu, pika chu!"
"Hey, guys!" Brock exclaimed as he walked up to his two lifelong friends, an hand up in greeting. "Just saw Ursula walking to the Gym to take a few lessons... how are you holding up?"
"Hello, Brock!" Ash greeted back. "Well, nothing really special. Pikachu, Misty and I were just chit-chatting... so, what about Jasmine ed Erika? What are they saying?"
"Jasmine has just called Morty at the Ecruteak City Gym..." Brock answered, his glance going to the green plains just outside Olivine City, and then to the famous lighthouse. "Looks like Morty has several news to report. Namely, a few news about Lugia and Ho-oh, the most powerful of Johto's Legendaries... other than Ho-oh's sightings arund Tin Tower, there are news he'd like to discuss with you guys."
"Pikachu?" the electric mouse answered, just as curious about it as Ash and Misty.
"I'm not sure what that might be... but I think we should discuss it with Morty and that Eusine guy..." the young aspirant breeder answered. "Still, we'll have to tell professor Oak and Professor Elm about this, and we'll have to start packing up. I think it would be a good idea to depart tomorrow morning. I'm afraid we cannot afford to waste too much time, right now."
"I see..." Misty answered, her Azurill taking a more serious demeanor. "Then, I will take the time to organize my team. It will be a dangerous journey, I'm afraid, and I wouldn't want Azurill to risk so much."
"Azurill!" the small Pokemon exclaimed in assent, his tail moving as if to say he wasn't afraid of fighting as well. Misty seemed to be surprised for a moment, then she smiled and petter her youngest Pokemon.
"Fine, Azurill, you will fight too. But try not to overdo it, okay?" the redhead answered. "Fine. Let's just hope everything goes well. Dunno about you, guys, but I'm having a bad feeling about this..."
"No prob, Misty! I think you just need some rest!" Ash happily exclaimed. "This time, everything will go smoothly... and we'lls olve this issue before long!"
"Pika pi?" Pikachu asked, feeling that his trainer's tone of voice didn't have its usual competitive edge to it...
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Meanwhile, in Professor Elm's lab, a rather plain-looking building in Olivine City's main square, only a few minutes away from the harbor... the scientist and his mentor were observing the results of Elm's recent studies, especially a few charts that indicated unusual migrations of Pokemon, most of them going towards Whirl Islands or the Lake of Rage. There were other places in which odd events had been reported, but those two were the main issues.
"Hmm... I see... an unusually high concentration of Seel, Spheal and their evolved forms near Whirl Islands, the place where Lugia estabilished his lair..." Oak said, taking a good look at the chart that showed the migratory routes of the Water-type Pokemon. "And then, you're telling me that several Pokemon normally living in the Ice Path have gotten up to Mahogany Town and the Lake of Rage... and that the Magikarp living there are getting more aggressive, even before evolving into Gyarados. That's pretty much what happened with Team Rocket a few years ago..."
"Exactly, professor..." Elm answered. "Plus, one of the three Legendary Beasts of Johto, Suicune, has been seen near the Ice Path, and it is quite probable that he is somehow connected with the Pokemon's mysterious behavior..."
"I see..." Oak answered, before thinking back on something he had heard a few months before. "By the way, Elm... do you happen to know where Suicune was last sighted, before this strange situation happened? Did he happen to be near a town in Sinnoh?"
His pupil appeared to be surprised for a moment, asking himself the reason for that question before nodding silently. "Yes, professor Oak, I can confirm that." he answered. "To be exact, Suicune was sighted nearby Crown City, a town in the far east of Sinnoh, along with Raikou and Entei. His sighting coincides with the arrest of one Grings Kodai, an influential businessman and television tycoon who had been discovered to have been plotting against the town itself. I don't know the details, but I'm sure that the Legendary Beasts of Johto had much to do with it."
"I see." Oak answered. "I was asking because there is always the chance such elements might be useful. Anyway, leaving this particular aside. There is something that makes me curious... here, near Cianwood City."
The elder scientist pointed at a place near the westmost part of Johto - a small mountain range that separated a plateau from the city itself. When Elm reached his teacher, wondering what he meant by that, Oak cleared his voice and continued. "Here, in this place... you have noted a massive migration of Pokemon that have never been seen before in Johto. Is this part of the recent events too?"
"Oh, that!" Elm answered, chuckling jovially at that. "Well, no, luckily that's not part of the whole thing going on with the Legendaries... you see, recently, a rich and eccentric man from the Orange Islands decided to build a Safari Zone here in Johto, much like the one in Fuchsia City, in Kanto, but allowing for more... customization, I guess you could say. Several Pokemon were imported from Hoenn and Sinnoh for the opening of the new Safari Zone... and they managed to breed true and give birth to independent Pokemon communities! The new Safari Zone is quickly growing in popularity, and a new city is being built around it, too."
"This is news to me. Guess one learns something new every day!" Oak answered jovially. "Perhaps, once this situation is under control, I will have to take a good look at it."
Someone knocked on the door right after he had said that, and the two scientists turned away for a moment from their studies. Just as Oak expected, Ash, Pikachu and their friends - except Ursula and Tracey - entered the lab and greeted them. "Oh, here you are, kids! We were just looking at some pretty interesting things." Oak said as he greeted the three friends, Pikachu and Azurill. "So, how did it go? Is Olivine City to your liking?"
"Well... several things changed, ever since we last came here!" Brock answered, looking out of the window and to the blue sea outside. "We met Jasmine once again, we were lucky enough to meet Erika, the Celadon City Gym Leader, as well. As it turns out, the two of them are friends, and both are interested in Pokemon coordinating! Ursula stayed at the Gym to learn a few things, and Tracey wanted to make a few drawings, now that he had a chance."
"I understand." Elm replied. "To be fair, Pokemon contests are getting popular here in Johto, and our Pokemon League is even thinking of organizing a special event, inviting coordinators from all over the world."
"I understand. Pity May and Dawn aren't with us right now, they sure would have jumped at this chance." Ash stated. "Anyway... we have decided on our next destination, and we'll depart for Ecruteak City tomorrow morning. The Gym Leader, Morty, and one of his friends should be able to tell us more about the recent sightings of Legendary Pokemon."
"Good to know that." Elm answered. "Alright... we'll start tidying up the lab, since work is pretty much over for today. As soon as Tracey and Ursula are back, I'll fix up some dinner, and then we'll go to bed early. Tomorrow will be the start of a new and long journey for you..."
"We know that well." Misty answered... just before Azurill jumped off of her and landed gracefully on the floor, then turned to Pikachu and wagged his spherical tail at him, as if trying to tell Pikachu to come play with him! "Wow! Hey, Azurill, is it just me, or you're pretty energetic today?"
"Azu, azu! Azurill!" ripete il buffo topolino d'acqua... e Pikachu, dopo aver fatto un sorrisetto quasi di sfida, saltò giù dalle braccia di Ash e raggiunse il suo piccolo amico.
"Pika pikachu!" he squeaked confidently. Then, he turned to Ash, explaining what they had just said to each other. "Pika pi... Pika pikachu pi, pikachu pi pika!"
"Ah, I see! Heheheee... guys, looks like Azurill would like to play hide-and-seek with Pikachu and some of our Pokemon! What about it? I think it's only fair for him to have some playmates!"
"You're right about that!" Brock answered, pulling out two of his Pokeballs. "Alright... Gible, Happiny, come out, it's time to play!"
The small landshark and Chansey's pre-evolved form appeared near Pikachu and Azurill, while Misty sent out a few playmates for them as well. "You'll get no argument from me! Mantyke, Psyduck... time to have fun!"
The small manta ray appeared right away in front of his trainer, waving his fins in joy... but the psychic duck, as always, misunderstood what Misty meant and, as soon as he was out of his Pokeball, fired a Water Gun attack on the first target he saw... which happened to be Brock's Gible, who gurgled in confusion as the water jet splashed him in the face!
"Psyduck!" Misty exclaimed, facepalming as her duck-like Pokemon ceased his attack, and Gible shook the water off of himself! "Ugh... just when I think I can't be surprised anymore at this stupid duck's idiocy, he goes and surprises me!"
The group, the Pokemon included, laughed at Misty's snark, except for Psyduck who kept holding his head with both hands and cast a clueless look at the annoyed Gible!
"Psy-ay-ayyy?"
"Gible gible..." Gible grunted angrily.
oooooooooo
It was a night just like any other in one of Sinnoh's most secure jails, with just a few clouds obscuring the moon, and the guards for the night turn getting ready to switch turn with their colleagues and get a few hours of well-deserved rest...
"Yaaaawn! Man, Todd, these night shifts are the worst, aren't they?" One of the guards asked his colleague. "I mean, standing still for such a long time and waiting for anything to happen... Frankly, I don't see the point, since no one ever tries to get close, ever."
"I know, but it's still a job we have to do." his companion answered in resignation. "And anyway, well, look at the bright side: if no one gets close, then we don't have to worry about intruders. Which means that our job is pretty light, all things considered. And the pay isn't bad either."
The first guard shrugged, having to admit that his friend was right. "Okay, you have a point on that. Well, that means we'll just have to keep our eyes open and try to... huh? Hey, hold on... what on Earth is that?"
"What? What do you mean by 'that'?" Todd asked, following the direction his friend was pointing to. There was something wrong with the skies above the jail... a huge stormcloud seemed to be getting closer, accompanied by a disquieting buzz that was growing louder and louder, like the engine of a huge machine. It was plain as day that it wasn't a cloud at all... but rather, some sort of flying vehicle, under which several lights were lighting up, as if to say that the target had been acquired! More prison guards, along with several Growlithe and an Houndoom, gathered in the courtyard, but it was all too clear that they wouldn't be able to do much against that monstrosity...
"Curses..." one of the guards exclaimed. "What... what is this thing? Where does it come from? We never heard anything about it!"
"I have no idea..." another guard answered. An Houndoom wearing a spiked collar growled fiercely at the flying machine as it flew down, apparently about to smash through the building's side! "But... I don't like what it's about to do! I'm afraid that..."
He couldn't complete the sentence before the prison yard was shaken by a tremendous impact sound as soon as the flying machine rammed the side of the building! The walls were not robust enough to hold against such an impact and crumbled as if it was made of chalk... and just a few seconds later, the noise of the engines was drowned out by thealarmed shouts of the guards, and by the cheers of the inmates that swarmed out of their cells and tried to take advantage of the situation to regain their freedom!
"Darn! That's just what I was afraid of!" the guard with the Houndoom exclaimed. The Dark/Fire type was now furious, spewing forth gouts of unnaturally hot flames at the flying machine, but his courageous attempts were useless against the behemoth. At that point, there was precious little the guards could do to stop the intruders... and the Team Vicious grunt were already storming the prison complex, freeing the prisoners!
"Quick, we need backup, and quickly!" another guard said as he ran to the closest communicator, activating it by pressing a rapid succession of buttons. "All units, intervene ASAP! Try to let as few of them as possible get away!"
"We'll do all we can..." another answered, a pair of Growlithe following him. "But I'm afraid there isn't much we can do anyway, at this point..."
oooooooooo
At that point, several Team Vicious grunts, led by Hunter J herself and by her ferocious Salamence, was boldly advancing in one of the corridors. The mighty dragon was making short work of any Pokemon bold enough to try and stop their advance, and the masked individuals could proceed unimpeded, opening the cells as they went, and letting out several criminals in order to cause even more mayhem. They continued on their way for a while, until they arrived to a cell guarded by a single warden... one that nodded to J as soon as she was in sight.
"Here he is." the false warden - actually a mole planted there by Team Vicious - said. "Our man is inside this cell, though I suspect he'll need to be convinced."
"That I can take care of." J answered, before adressing her underlings. "You, keep freeing the inmates, and if you can get some of them to join us, all the better for us. I, for my part, will need to be persuasive with our honored guest."
"Of course, ma'am!" one of the grunts exclaimed. J's subordinates quickly dispersed to carry out their mission, and the cruel huntress received the cell keys from the fake warden, and inserted them in the appropriate keyhole. A few seconds later, the door to the small cell opened with a screeching sound, and she looked at the inmate - a man in his forties wearing a plain prison uniform, with short violet hair and a blond fringe on his forehead, and a ferocious glare in his eyes. He was sitting at the cell's table, and was glaring suspiciously at the newcomers. There was no doubt about it... that was Grings Kodai, the former de facto owner of Crown City!
"The infamous Pokemon Hunter J graces me with her presence, huh?" Kodai asked, standing up from his seat. "What do you want from me?"
J raised her hand in an assuaging gesture, while her Salamence folder her wings on her back. "Have no fear, Mr. Kodai. We are Team Vicious, the new rising star amongst Pokemon organizations, and we are here to make an alliance with you." she answered, effortlessly sustaining Kodai's cruel glance.
"An alliance?" he answered with a frown. "As I am... I have little that would interest people such as you."
"Oh, but that's where you're wrong, Mr. Kodai. You have much to offer us." J answered with a malicious smirk. The faint lighting made the woman's face look even more sinister. "See, we've gathered information on you, and we do know that you used to be the head of a large financial empire... which was thanks to the prescience powers you had gotten from Celebi, if my sources are correct."
The evil business tycoon frowned even worse. "You... know what happened twenty years ago in Crown City?" he asked. "How is that possible?"
J shrugged. "We'll have time for details later, Mr. Kodai." she affirmed. "I'm just going to say that, as we speak, Team Vicious is looking to enlarge the ranks of its recruits. This place was the ideal one to look for people who lived on the edge of society, so to speak, and who would be eager to contribute to our cause. I am willing to bet that, at the moment, what you care about the most is returning to be the head of your financial empire and get your revenge on the ones who ruined you."
Kodai chuckled cruelly. "Hehehee... yes, of course! Returning to how I used to be, in other words. And how do you plan on doing that? How are you supposed to give me back the powers I obtained from Celebi? Twenty more years will have to pass before the right conditions are met. You seem not to be as well-informed as you believe."
"Don't worry about such details, Mr. Kodai." J answered. "In fact, there could be another chance for you to regain your powers. See... our leader is rather knowledgeable on Celebi, and could help you regain your powers. He could even help you become more powerful than you used to be. In short order, you'd be able to return to being the head of your financial empire... and with some help from us, you'd be able to become not just the ruler of Sinnoh, but one of the most powerful men in the whole world. Under Team Vicious rule, you'd become so rich and powerful you would hardly believe it now."
Kodai said nothing, but by just looking at his face, J could tell that he was getting closer to being convinced. The vile huntress decided to go in for the kill, and convince him once and for all.
"And were you to join us, not only we'd let you recover your money, your empire and your prescience, not only we'd allow you to get richer and more powerful than you already were..." she went on. "But we'll also allow you a chance to get some well-earned revenge on Ash Ketchum and his friends, who have become thorns in our side as well! I'm sure that certainly got your attention. Am I correct?"
A diabolic grin appeared on the evil executive's face, as he was eager to get his revenge on Ash! "Ash Ketchum... Ash Ketchum, huh? The mere name fills me with bile! That filthy brat ruined everything! If only I could get my hands on him... I want to destroy everything he loves, and I want to see him suffer before I strangle him with my own hands!" he exclaimed with a maniacal smile. "Hehehehee... and you're giving me the chance to do so? You don't need any more convincing! Alright then, we're on the same side, Hunter J! Get me in contact with your boss, and tell him that I accept!"
The vile huntress smirked as well. "I knew we could meet in the middle, Mr. Kodai."
oooooooooo
A few minutes later, Team Vicious' flying machine was already taking off again, bringing Grings Kodai and all the inmates who had thrown their lot with the evil organization along. What had just a few moments before been an high-security prison was now a gutted wreck that had nothing of the menacing aura it exuded. A few policemen and Pokemon Rangers riding Pidgeots or other large, powerful Flying-type Pokemon were trying to intervene... but at that point, there was nothing that could impede Team Vicious from escaping, and soon, they were able to rise up in the sky and give their pursuers the slip, leaving the representatives of the law in the midst of a semi-deserted prison lot, the walls crumbling and almost half the inmates escaped.
A feeling of defeat had overtaken the wardens, the Rangers and their Pokemon. One of the most dangerous men in Sinnoh had escaped prison... and ad joined forces with one of the most dangerous nascent crime organizations around. All things considered, it really looked like hard times were afoot...
"And to think we complained about nothing happening here, huh?" One of the wardens snarked disconsolately...
oooooooooo
"No, no,no... That's not it, this is not how you do it!"
It was late in the evening, but in Olivine City Gym, someone was still working hard. To be honest, it was a certain snobbish Sinnoh coordinator who was trying to teach her Pokemon a few new showings, under the careful guidance of both Erika and Tracey. The young Pokemon artist, joined by his Azumarill, Venomoth and Dunsparce, was sitting by the side of the training field, watching with great interest... but his Dunsparce seemed to be a little bored, and was wagging his drill-like tail from side to side, with a disinterested expression...
"Duuuuuun?" he asked lazily.
Tracey gently stroked his youngest Pokemon. "I guess you're getting bored, huh, Dunsparce? I guess you aren't really a fan of the flash and colors of a Pokemon contest." he asked, which prompted the odd-looking Normal-type Pokemon to nod and move his vestigial wings.
Jasmine walked up to Tracey, accompanied by a Magnezone, the last evolved form of a Magnemite - a large Steel/Electric type Pokemon that seemed to be made up of three Magnemites fused together, with three inexpressive eyes placed at its sides and in the center of its main body. It had a pair of horseshoe-shaped magnets attached tothe lower part of its body, acting like hands of sorts, and a short, straight golden antenna on top of its bdy, emitting electrical sparkles.
"I see Ursula is giving this training all she's got... surpassing Dawn must be an important goal to her!" The Steel-type expert commented. "Though, I'm afraid Erika isn't really looking too impressed. Truth be told, I never pegged Erika for such a stern teacher."
"Neither did I." Tracey answered. "Ever since training began, Ursula did some pretty impressive combinations, but Erika never really seemed satisfied. And my Dunsparce here is starting to get bored..."
"Dunsparce!" the odd-looking Normal type chirped, wagging his tail as he crawled towards Jasmine's Magnezone, looking more lively all of a sudden. The magnetic Pokemon blinked in surprise, as if wondering what Dunsparce was trying to do... and Dunsparce quickly answered by hopping towards it like an happy dog! In its surprise, Magnezone lost altitude and wobbled under both Tracey's and Jasmine's surprised glances...
"I think Dunsparce found a playmate..." Tracey commented with an amused chuckle.
In the arena, Ursula's Plusle and Minun were trying to repeat a dance number of sorts that Erika's Bellossom had shown them. The girl with the spiralling pigtails was looked tired and frustrated, but she was still trying to cheer on her Electric-types.
"Okay, Plusle... you move to the right and try to spin faster!" she instructed them. "You, Minun, keep your balance! And now... use Spark, both at the same time!"
Squeaking in perfect synchronism, both Pokemon pirouetted and unleashed a powerful blast of electricity from their small bodies, creating a spectacular dance of crackling miniature thunderbolts, weaving a blinding mosaic of light for a few seconds! A satisfied Ursula nodded in her Pokemon's direction... but she seemed disappointed and almost insulted when she saw Erika shaking her head, as if saying that it wasn't going like she would have liked...
"No, still not there yet." the Grass-type explained. "You're still running into the same mistake, my dear. Your technique is good, even great I'd say, but..."
"But, what?" Ursula reacted, fed up with hearing that she was still falling short. "If you have something to say, why don't you just come out and say it? Am I doing something wrong? What am I supposed to do better?"
Erika sighed as Ursula picked up Plusle and Minun, who cuddled to her. "I'm afraid you still don't get what I wanted to say." she affirmed. "Technically speaking, you and your Pokemon are doing great, but... it's your attitude that is the problem. I can see that you care for your Pokemon a lot, and they care for you as well... but you are forgetting the right spirit for a Pokemon competition."
Ursula blinked. "I'm not following."
"What I mean is... right now, all you care about is defeating your rival." Erika explained. "It is clear that you aren't really concentrating on the performance itself. But you forget that a Pokemon contest's real meaning is not to defeat your opponent, but rather, to allow your Pokemon to fully express its potential, to show its talents and use it innovatively, surprising the audience, and the Pokemon themselves! You, on the other hand, are only thinking of your rivalry with Dawn, and this is clouding your thoughts. The same goes for your Pokemon. This is not how you'll really show the best of what you have."
Ursula did not answer, but simply frowned as she held her Pokemon.
"Anyway..." Erika sighed. "It's getting late now. You should go back to Ash and the others for today. We'll continue next time, and I hope you'll show me a Pokemon coordinator's true spirit."
"Fine, fine..." an annoyed Ursula answered...
...only to be hit and knocked out by a speeding Magnezone on the run from an over-excited Dunsparce!
There was the sound of a gong at the impact, and Ursula was knocked down, her eyes turning into spirals and a large lump appearing on her head! Jasmine's Magnezone landed in a spiralling trajectory and closed its eyes in resignation as Dunsparce jumped it and began cuddling on it!
"Magnezone, are you okay?" Jasmine asked her magnetic Pokemon. "Really, Magnezone... how many times will I have to tell you not to go speeding over the arena when people are training?"
"Zooooone..." Magnezone murmured, as if trying to say it wasn't its fault...
"You too, Dunsparce, you shouldn apologize to poor Magnezone... and to Ursula too." Tracey told his Pokemon, gently picking him up. "You okay, Ursula?"
The girl was lying on the floor in a daze, with both Plusle and Minun trying to fan her, and she giggled angrily to herself. "Heh... hehehee... what a way... to start my Johto journeys..."
There wasn't much Venomoth and Azumarill could do but shake their heads in disbelief...
oooooooooo
TO BE CONTINUED...
Author's note: Slapstick knows no gender. Sucks to be Ursula. I like her, but I do enjoy seeing her knocked down a few pegs.
More to the point though... Grings Kodai, the biggest slimeball ever to appear in the Pokemon anime, is back and has thrown his lot in with the Iron Masked Marauder, Hunter J and their lackeys. And it's not hard to guess who stands at the top of his list for revenge.
Well, I don't think I need to say anything else for this chapter... next time, we'll see a bit more of Paul (ugh!) and we'll see how Ash and his friends handle another problem coming their way!