Flinky: Hello world! It's Flinky.

Red: Wow, that was a long time. About ten days.

Flinky: Like I said, I had finals. But no their over, and I can probably update either faster or have longer chapters.

Leaf: Well that's one upside.

Flinky: Anyways, I now feel like a true author on this site. I got my first purely negative review!

Michael: You sound way too excited.

Flinky: Probably. Now, I have a lot to say about this review, but first, thanks to Disneywriter for the critique. It seemed much less hostile then the other one.

Flinky: Now for woo's review. Where to begin...

-RANT ALERT-

Flinky: First, let me say, I understand a lot of where your coming from, and know that I made a lot of mistakes through this. This is my second story and I'm still learning how to be a better writer. I also like how you gave reasons and specific examples rather then just saying "it sucked".

Flinky: That being said, it's time to have some rebuttal. Brainwashing. A lot of it will be explained in later chapters. It's barely a 1/4 of the way through the story. I ask though if anyone found it suspicious that Leaf's supposed brainwashing level-thingy was at 87%, but she helped Team Rocket. Second point: Brainwashed leaders. First of all (and this isn't much of a spoiler, but if you don't feel like it skip to the next chunk of dialogue), I will be following the Adventures manga for if a gym leader is with Team Rocket.

Flinky: As for people like Brock and Misty, I offer you this. Anyone high up in Team Rocket (especially the higher-ups), are corrupt and want power. Giovanni would very likely have to brainwash them anyways. If you have to brainwash them, wouldn't it make more sense to have someone who is a natural leader?

Flinky: I'm getting tired of writing this but I'll try to press on. I honestly have no excuse about the characters lack of emotion, Omni, the whole Arceus-thingy, or cities being easy to release. I will, however, fix these attributes in later chapters.

-END OF RANT-

Flinky: Sorry if you didn't want to read that. Time to get on with the story!


Red's Pokémon on hand:

Ignite (Charmeleon)
Moves: Flamethrower, Metal Claw, Dig, Smokescreen

Blacklight (Umbreon)
Moves: Shadow Ball, Quick Attack, Bite, Assurance

Omni (Mew)
Moves: Every one except Judgement

Blade (Scyther)
Moves: X-Scizor, Wing Attack, Bug Buzz (egg move), Slash

Driver (Sandslash)
Moves: Dig, Magnitude, Swift, Furry Cutter

Shadow (Zoroark)
Moves: Night Daze, Foul Play, Night Slash, Furry Swipes


"What city are we going to?" asked Blue.

"Vermillion, I think. Red, is that correct?" Leaf responded.

"Dunno. Navigation is Michael's job," I said.

"Yep, but it's kinda complicated. I don't think that we're ready to take on Saffron, and there's a old passage we can take that goes directly under it. But it hasn't been used since Team Rocket came in."

"Sounds like fun. Any issues with it?" I asked.

No one had any problems, so we went down the route to the entrance of the passage, and along the way, Blue found and caught a Growlithe.

The rest of the walk was uninteresting. The shack which contained the entrance to the underground road was locked, but was opened by Ignite's Metal Claw. Once inside, there was just a dark, dusty wood passage. Omni's Flash lit it up, and we walked. Frankly, it was boring. Blue didn't even complain. Speaking of Blue...

"Hey Blue."

"Yea?"

"I've been meaning to ask you, how did you catch Manaphy?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"I said how I caught Omni."

"Fine. It was during the attack on Cerulean City. Me and Leaf were separated so I was looking for someone on our side. I came across the remains of the town's facility-"

That is one of the few Rocket buildings I don't have much an issue with, because that's where I met Ignite.

"And saw the little guy in a cage. I busted it open with a rock, and let her go. After that, Silver picked us up and you know what happened from there on out. When we were all done and everyone was at the center, I went for a walk to see the city. I found Manaphy following me, so I asked if she wanted to come with me, and she said yes."

Wow. Blue helped out a Pokémon and didn't force it to come with him. Blue has changed, a bit. I'm thoroughly convinced he's bipolar given his mood swings, just like I have ADD and this paragraph went all over the place.

"Well, okay then," I said. "Speaking of legendaries, Omni, I have a question for you."

"What?"

"You said a while ago that you didn't want to be inside a Rocket building, but you never said why."

Omni shuddered a bit, before saying "They made me do things."

"Like what?"

"Have you ever wondered why trainers as strong as Lance and Cynthia are just Giovanni's slave?"

"I thought that they just pulled a dirty trick to knock them out, and put them into the blood-brainwash stuff that they did to Leaf?"

"No" She cringed. "Sorry, this is really difficult for me."

"Omni, if you don't want to tell me, that's fine. Plus, I already have a rough idea."

"No, I have to get it out. Team Rocket, they brainwashed me."

"What?" asked Michael.

"How?" said Leaf. She was concerned, seeing as she was brainwashed by them too.

"It's really fuzzy. I came in to a base to destroy everything that was there. I hate Team Rocket as much as you do. Anyways, when I got in, I was attacked by a robot. My psychic moves didn't work. It felt like using one on a Dark-Type. They put me in a cage made up of a light thing that I couldn't break through. I remember seeing a purple Pokémon with a long tail, and that was it. I went unconscious."

"What happened then?" I asked.

"I was saved by being defeated."

"Someone beat you in a battle?"

"Yea. His name was Red."

I'm not one for plot-twists like that, so just say I was moderately shocked.

"When he fought, he knocked me out, but used up a lot of his Pokémon. He carried me through the building, and just as we reached the outside, Giovanni attacked Red. I was just waking up, and was able to fly away, but Red was too weak to escape."

So that's what happened to Red. There was still some questions though.

"But why does this make it so you wouldn't want to be in Rocket buildings?"

"I don't know what they did, but I grow exhausted fast in those places. From what I've heard, they control Pokémon using radio waves-"

"Like in Goldenrod city, right?"

"Yea, how did you know?"

"Gold told me back when we were in the bunker place."

"Well, it drains my abilities and will very fast."

"What do you mean your 'will'?"

"If someone tells me to do something, I'm more likely to do it."

"Okay then. I think that's all of my questions," I said.

Michael said, "Should only be five more minutes."

"What's the strategy this time, o' great leader Red," Leaf said, playfully.

"Dunno. I heard that there's an important seaport there."

"What about it?" asked Blue. "Are we going to hijack a boat there and crash it in-"

"NO!" we all yelled in unision.

"I was going to say the docks. What were you think- ohh." He paused for a bit. "Let's drop this conversation."

"Yea," said Leaf.

After a little more walking, we finally found the exit. There was still a small walk to Vermilion, but it wasn't that bad.

Blue said "You know, we still need to figure out our plan of attack. The lighthouse was a disaster, and I do not want to repeat it. Also, if Silver didn't show up, the attack on Cerulean would've failed."

Michael looked at his map, then opened up a small booklet in his hand.

"Oof, this will not be easy. If the executives are just former gym leaders, which every one has been so far, then that means that this one is run by Lt. Surge."

"So?" I said. "Lt. Surge sounds like a military person. Having him on our side would make things easier."

"Well, that's the issue. Lt. Surge won't ever be on our side. He was loyal to Team Rocket from the beginning."

"No brainwashing?" asked Blue, who was shocked.

"Yea. On top of that, the area is more loyal to Team Rocket then Cerulean or Pewter. Assuming that we were to take down the tower with Surge's help, there's no guarantee that the public will want to leave Team Rocket."

"Great," said Leaf.

"Well, why don't we start an uprising from the public?" I said.

"How do you suppose we do that? Team Rocket actually gives this area some rights," said Michael.

I lifted up a Pokéball and threw it in the air (without sending out the Pokémon inside). Everyone got the message.

"The biggest reason why Team Rocket needs to be overthrown. Trainers and their Pokémon," said Leaf.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," said an unfamiliar voice behind us.

We turned around to see a man with a white shirt, black cap, and long green hair.

"Who are you and why are you following us?" I asked/demanded.

"Aggresive I see."

"And arrogant," I added.

"Well, my name is N. As for why I'm following you, I wanted to see the great Poké Underground for myself."

"Well thank you. We'll be taking signatures after we finish our strategy meeting."

"Well, I wish to talk to you first. Why are you fighting Team Rocket? They give citizens everything they need to live, there's no crime, there's even media, yet you hate them."

"Well," I said. "You heard us before. Trainers and Pokémon. Team Rocket doesn't allow the two to meet, and that's just not right. Pokémon and humans need to be together, yet all Team Rocket does is use them as tools."

"Which is exactly why they need to be separated," said N. "As long as a Pokémon is with a human, the Pokémon is going to be taken advantage of, used, and abused."

"Not really," I began. "I'm not one for this corny type of stuff, so I'll make it quick. Pokémon are trainer's friends. The only reason you think that every one of them is messed up is because the only trainers are part of Team Rocket."

"Perhaps. How about we test that then. I propose a battle. No reward or punishment for losing, just a battle. I wish to see if what you say is true."

"Challenge accepted," I said.

Michael, like always, volunteered to ref.

"This is a battle between N and Red. Each side may use one Pokémon. The battle is over when that Pokémon is unable to continue. Trainers, please send out your Pokémon!"

"Go, Ignite!" I yelled.

"Zoroark, I need your help!" said N, much calmer than me.

Our Pokémon came onto the makeshift field.

"Battle, begin!"

"Zoroark, Night Daze!"

"Dodge it Ignite, then counter with Flamethrower!"

The attack missed, but when Ignite struck Zoroark, it just dissapeared.

"What?" I asked.

"Red, tell me, do you know what Zoroark's ability is?"

It hit me. Zoroark was making an illusion.

"Okay Ignite, you'll have to use other senses. Try listening for Zoroark. When you hear him, use Flamethrower there."

Ignite nodded and closed his eyes.

"Let us see if that shall work. Zoroark, Focus Blast!"

A blue sphere came out of nowhere. Ignite was grazed, but still okay. Immediately after that, Ignite fired a Flamethrower, but didn't hit anything.

"One more Night Daze, Zoroark!"

Another attack came from out of no where, but hit Ignite head on. He was knocked out.

"Charmeleon is unable to continue, making Zoroark the victor, which means the victory goes to N," Michael declared.

"Red, I heard your Pokémon speak during that battle," said N. It took me a while to think about what he said, since I was thinking about why I lost.

"Huh? Oh, wait...you can hear Pokémon speak?"

"Yes. Your Pokémon seemed different though. As if, they liked battling."

"Well, that's because they do. All of my Pokémon are determined to become stronger, for one reason or another."

"And what are those reasons?"

"I'll let them tell you. Come on out everyone!"

I sent out everyone I had except for Omni, to not cause a commotion, but it may not have been the best idea to include Shadow on my current team.

"It seems that your Zoroark dislikes you. A lot."

"Well, I caught him for a different reason. Hold on a sec…"

I had Glow use Sleep Powder to stop Shadow from running away.

"He does that whenever I let him out. Now, like I was saying, Zoroark was a thief. My Pokémon caught him in the act, somehow, and I have him on my team to straighten him out."

"That's impossible!" said N, angered. "A Pokémon acting on it's own will would never rob a fellow Pokémon."

"Hold on a sec," said Leaf as she took out her dusty from never being used.

"Okay, right here," she said, pointing toward an entry on Zangoose, then one on Seviper.

After looking at it, N said "They...they kill each other?"

"Yep," said Michael. "Sorry, but some Pokémon can be just as bad as humans."

"Maybe. Yet, they are not happy right now. And I need to fix that."

"Well, you can start by helping us stop Team Rocket," said Leaf. "Red has a Pikachu who was experimented on by them."

"Sorry, but I don't think I can work with a trainer such as yourselves. It pains me to see injured Pokémon, and your main way of fighting does exactly that. Forcing the ones who you claim to be your 'friends' fight."

"You know what? I give up. Just do whatever you want, we really couldn't care less," I said, losing my patience.

"You seem to be irritated. Is something the matter?"

"I just don't see how I can explain to you why my Pokémon fight, seeing as you disregard any point that we make. So I give up on explaining."

"Well, I am sorry for bothering you. I will be on my way." With that, N walked the opposite direction from us.

"Red, you didn't have to be so rude," said Michael.

"Sorry, but he really gets on my nerves. Almost all of my Pokémon fight on their own will, and he thinks I treat them like slaves! It pisses me off!"

"Red, just stop," said Leaf. "Everyone has one idea or person that just makes their blood boil. Michael's is shadow Pokémon, Gold's was Team Rocket's Pokémon abuse, and it seems like yours is people who think that you hate your Pokémon."

"Come on Red," pleaded Michael. "He literally met you about ten minutes ago."

After taking a deep breath. I calmed down.

"Okay. Thanks for that. Now, about Vermillion…"

"I really don't know," said Leaf.

"We need to figure out something," said Blue.

"Well, like I was saying before N came, we can use Pokémon to convince the public."

"I guess, but how would you do that?" asked Michael.

"A couple demonstrations, perhaps?" I suggested. "We could go into town and show off our Pokémon."

"That could work," said Leaf.

"I'm on board," said Blue.

"Do we have to do it in front of a crowd?" asked Michael. I forgot he was afraid of public speaking, or something like that. I don't really keep track of this stuff.

"You don't have to talk," I offered. "But this seems like a good place to rant about shadow Pokémon."

That got Michael going. I know that he hates the concept of shutting the gates to a Pokémon's heart, and that hatred is much bigger than his fear.

"Alright, I'll do it!" said Michael, enthusiastically.

"Good," I said. After that, it was five more minutes to Vermillion.

It was very stereotypical of a dictatorship city. There was a lot of smog, the only color was different shades gray (please don't think of this as a reference), and a couple helicopters were circling the area. Great. In retrospect, I don't think they've has ever done something to us from one, but it wouldn't hurt to stay on the safe side.

Then, our clothes stood out like a sore thumb. Red, green, yellow, and black (even though he's called Blue) wouldn't be ignored for long. This was not going to be easy.

We set off, completely ignoring the stares we got. No one from Team Rocket noticed us ye-

"Hey, it's those kids from Poké Underground! Get them!"

Nevermind. We took that as our cue to run, but when I looked back, I didn't see any grunts. The people who were chasing us were citizens! This is even harder than I thought.

"Shedninja, use Protect!" I called, as Omni disguised as a Shedninja, came out and put up a barrier. It held them back for long enough so we can get into an alleyway. Unfortunately, that's when Team Rocket came.

"Ekans, get those kids!"

"You too Grimier!"

The two grunt's Pokémon came out and proceeded to attack us. Michael was hit with a small Poison Sting, but it didn't hurt him that much. Leaf used her Vulpix to knock them out while I used Blade.

After the grunts ran away, I asked Leaf, "Is it just me, or has the grunts been getting weaker?"

"It's more like we're getting stronger and they're neither getting stronger or weaker."

"Okay then."

"Hey guys?" asked Michael. "What are we going to do? I don't think a demonstration will work now, and the tower is run by a true rocket."

"Yea, we're kinda screwed," said Blue.

"And it won't take long for more grunts to come after us," said Leaf.

"Thank you for making this situation even more difficult," I said, sarcastically.

We really are in trouble though. One choice is to retreat, but then Team Rocket beat us. The tower is out if we can't convince the executive to join us. The citizens are just as loyal. Then, it hit me.

"Let's…"


Flinky: Now, I know I left off on a cliffhanger, and after not updating for longer than normal, it looks bad. However, a new policy that I'm following on this story is that I will never have a cliffhanger and a late update. That's just not fair to you guys.

Red: Thank you.

Flinky: You're not a reader though...

Red: I am whatever I want to be.