Please review…It keeps up my spirit and it racks in the updates….
"Welcome you three, we have been expecting you," The blonde haired woman acknowledged when Leaf, Gary and Ash entered the room. Three other people looked over; a blue-haired girl with a white beanie placed over her head, a blue-haired boy with a cap similar to an army beret, and Barry the boy with the messy blond hair.
Cynthia looked over at her bodyguards and gave them a signal to leave. The six stood uncomfortably for a moment, fidgeting and looking over at each other at the same time. They had no idea what Cynthia was about to say, nor did they had any idea why they were here in the first place.
"Well, you all do seem nervous," Cynthia said with a slight smile and motioned her hand to signal that she wanted them to sit down on the well-furnished leather chairs. Ash sat down lazily, letting the leather envelope him.
"Hello Dawn. Ash. Lucas. Barry. Leaf. Gary."
The six of them exchanged looks, surprised that Cynthia, the President of Sinnoh, had known their names so precisely. She even glanced at the person she was acknowledging.
"Now I know all of you guys are very confused and surprised about being here but there is a reason."
Suddenly the room became silent. Deathly silent.
"You guys are chosen to fulfill a prophecy. A prophecy that has been in place longer than time..."
Bzzz! The sound of a bullet broke the calm, peaceful atmosphere. The six stared in shock as Cynthia's body fell slowly backwards into the chair her eyes deathly still. Her chest wound was bleeding profusely and even the doctors and bodyguards that rushed in at the second the bullet was fired could not save her.
"The President is dead." A doctor pronounced grimly, gently placing Cynthia's head back onto the chair. Paramedics scurried to the site and placed the corpse on a stretcher, taking Cynthia to final rest. The people in the room stood mindlessly for a moment.
"Search the area! The intruder must not be allowed to live!" The command bodyguard finally barked at several armed men.
The group was still soundless, still horrified at the scene that had just taken place. Cynthia had just been talking to them a few minutes ago but now she was dead. Gone. Forever. Ash shivered at the dark stains of blood, and held back tears for the fallen leader. Even though Ash had not known the President that well, he knew she was well-liked. Not a single person who had tended to her dead body held a face without tears. Who had killed her? How did they get in to this tightly-secured place? Only the most trusted of people were allowed in the President's residence.
Gary, while still fidgeting nervously, finally spoke, "Well, it seems like we got a complication."
After interrogation by the police, the group finally decided to introduce themselves to each other. Dawn, Lucas and Barry were all childhood friends from Twinleaf Town, a small community south of Sinnoh. They all quickly made friends, except for Leaf, who thought that the other three were brats.
"So guys, why do you think she called us over?" Dawn asked the other five. They were sitting in the lounge, waiting for their next orders.
"To promote us?" Barry suggested.
"No, that can't be. She said that we had to fulfill some prophecy…" Gary murmured, while drifting off into deep thought.
"Well, no use in asking now. She's gone," Lucas replied, still a bit shaking from the incident.
Leaf just gave Dawn a glare that meant that she did not want to reply, so Dawn just ignored her. Ash was looking down at his feet shyly when Dawn asked him,
"Well, how about you Ash. Got any ideas?"
"Maybe…maybe she saw something special in us," Ash mumbled dumbly.
"No way, Sherlock," Leaf said, rolling her eyes.
There was a knock on the door and a messenger came in, looking quite ecstatic.
"Leaf Green, Dawn Berlitz, Lucas Todd, Barry Palmer, Ash Ketchum, Gary Oak. You have all been promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Please follow me to the official ranking room."
"I was right!" Barry shouted excitedly, "You guys all owe me a million bucks!"
He sweatdropped when he got various stares that meant "shut up". Still, even Barry was quite surprised. Never in the history of warfare had a rookie been promoted to lieutenant, let alone six at the same time. The group walked for a long time, finally arriving in front of a big, fancy looking door. Commander Drake will be leading the ceremony for ranking up the six. The ceremony was quite glum, with only the seven of them there. They were all given a medal, and an officer uniform. They were all given a platoon of forty soldiers, and were all part of a division, giving them a total of two hundred and forty soldiers. All six of them were all beyond the stage of belief. They looked at their medals for a second, and then realized their huge responsibility. Drake must have read their minds because he added,
"You guys have a lot of work ahead of you. Personally, I do not understand why Cynthia made you six, lieutenant."
They all didn't understand either and walked to their designated helicopters, where it would take them to their new regions.
"Well, guys, nice meeting you for two hours," Dawn said half-sarcastically, acknowledging Ash, Gary and Leaf.
"Hope I never see you again, weird-hair color bitch…" Leaf said, purposely making Dawn hear her.
Dawn fumed but ignored her. Gary gave Ash a hug and a pat on the back, and finally waved goodbye as he boarded his helicopter. Dawn gave her friends hugs as well, and she left the place soon after Gary. Barry and Lucas gave each other a modest handshake and waved to Ash who was still wondering where everyone was going. He looked at his note that he had been given earlier, and realized that he was assigned to Helicopter B, the one heading back to Viridian City. He sighed finally realizing that Gary and the others had just parted with him. The only one left was Leaf, who was slowly pacing to C, which was going to Vermillion City. She glanced back at the staring Ash, and quickly flicked up her finger and climbed onto her helicopter. She grinned as soon as she realized that Ash didn't know what the middle finger was, and kept on doing it. She stopped though, when Drake arrived. He gave a suspicious glance to Leaf, who calmly closed the helicopter door and ordered the pilot to ascend. Slowly but surely, her copter pulled out of view. All that was left was Ash, and an impatient pilot.
"Ash," Drake said, walking up to him. "I am taking a ride to Viridian with you; I must report this tragic incident at once."
Ash nodded, and followed the bearded man onto the copter.
Ash had only been away from Kanto for two days, but he still felt a pang of nostalgia as they landed in the ever-familiar, Viridian City. Drake opened the door, and while smiling slightly, said,
"After you, Lieutenant Ketchum."
Ash stepped out into the warm, sun-covered lawn, breathing in fresh air at last. He wished that he was still back in Pallet though, with his mom. But no, he had to be a lieutenant. Why did Cynthia even choose him? Still dumbfounded, he walked into commander quarters. There were booing when he came in, from the same people he had tested with earlier. They were shouting mean insults, such as number 57 go to hell, why is one of the dumbest people our leader, teacher's pet, and such. Drake did the best he could to stop the yelling and swearing, but couldn't stop the verbal pain that was killing Ash inside.
Why, Why did she choose me? Ash kept repeating into his head as he walked through a seemingly endless hallway. Finally, he reached the end, with a tired Drake, who had finally managed to push the crowd away along with security.
"Well, Lieutenant Ketchum, here are your quarters. There's the telephone over there so you can give orders to the PA crew to announce something. The bed already has sheets and covers. Don't worry. This is your own private room. Just be sure to lock your door. We don't want anyone to be getting in. Your orders on what to do are on the desk in the corner. I won't be in this outpost for a while so please, if you have any questions, do it now," Drake finished, making eye-to-eye contact with Ash, trying to make sure that he understood. Ash nodded vigorously and gave Drake a wave signaling goodbye. Drake in turn, slightly put up his hand too, and left. Ash stared around his room, gathering in his surroundings. His room was big, spacious room with wooden tiles. The desk was brand new, and the bed sheets were very clean. Now Ash understood why everyone wanted to be a lieutenant. You live in one of the best condition rooms! Private quarters to add on! Ash flopped down onto the soft bed and noticed the Pokeballs on his belt. He had forgotten that he had even had them, and quickly pushed the button and threw them into the air. Out popped a small, blue dog-like pokemon with a black stripe across its eyes and black paws, and a yellow rat with a lightning shaped tail. They stared at their master happily, glad to be out.
"Pikachu Pi Pi," The Pikachu said as if introducing himself. The Riolu just nodded and gave Ash what seem to be a smile. Ash stared in awe at the two strange creatures, glad to have companions. Suddenly there was a thump on the door and shouting began to occur. The same insults Ash had heard earlier. Somehow, his Pokemon knew the pain it was causing him, and went into action. Riolu opened the door to the crowd of twenty or so, all with their Pokemon, ready to fight the outnumbered two. Pikachu and Riolu stood bravely in front of Ash, ready to do whatever it takes to support their new master.
"Stand down privates!" A new voice barked and a man with spiky hair and tan skin appeared in front of the room.
"Lieutenant Brock!" They whispered to each other in shock, wondering why the famous leader was doing here.
"Insubordination will not be tolerated! Fifty pushups now!" Brock ordered sharply. The rookies groaned, and got down on the ground ready to begin their torture.
"Is that complaint I hear? Another fifty pushups! And another someone stops!" He looked in approval when everyone had clamped their mouths shut. Their Pokemon had already retreated into their Pokeballs, afraid of the new stranger. He then turned to Ash and smiled.
"Hello Lieutenant Ketchum. I am here to teach you everything I know to keep your army in prime condition."
"Army?" Ash wondered out loud.
"Yes your army also known as your squad or platoon. We like to call it our army. It makes us sound more superior," Brock said while chuckling a bit. Ash just nodded along, paying no attention to Brock.
"Well, well, well. You sure do have some mighty fine Pokemon. Two rare ones as a matter of fact," Then Brock's face turned serious, "By the way Ash, the Sinnoh command had a message for all six of you new lieutenants. Here."
Brock handed Ash a professional-looking envelope with the Sinnoh and Kanto Alliance symbol on top, a Mew and an Arceus joining hands. Ash fumbled with the envelope trying to open it. Riolu, Pikachu and Brock sweatdropped when he finally got it open. Ash then peered down at the rookies, mentally enjoying the pain that was going on through the recruits. The privates still doing the push-ups looked like they were almost going to die, but kept on going. Brock then shouted,
"Okay girls can stop. Boys continue."
"Hey," Came a voice from the crowd. "That's sexist!"
"What is your name soldier!" Brock suddenly barked, a bit angry at someone disobeying orders.
"Private Gran Williams, sir. I am a female and I declare that men and women are equal in strength," She said while effortlessly doing her push-ups.
"Okay girls! Do fifty more as your fellow comrade here so wishfully commands," Brock said, nodding in approval at Gran. The girls were not so kindly and stared daggers at the person that gave them an extra fifty. The guys had already finished their girly pushups, and stretched on the floor, exhausted. Brock ignored them and asked Ash,
"Well, what did it say?"
"Basically that we six should have all got two Pokemon instead of just me, that there was just a mistake, and they will be sending an extra one to those who do not have one," Ash answered.
"That's strange, the command usually never makes these careless mistakes…" Brock commented suspiciously but shook it off.
"Anyways the supplies will be arriving soon. There will be grenades, guns and all that fun stuff. Remember the sacred code though. Pokemon killing is strictly forbidden even during warfare."
Ash nodded at the familiar law, that everyone in the entire world known of. Pokemon were unique creatures that did the job of their master, but were not evil. Guns cannot kill Pokemon even if tried, because an ancient spell protected them from that sort of thing. The only way to get rid of a Pokemon in battle is a plain old simple Pokemon battle, where the Pokemon can actually lose their life. Pokemon killing Pokemon is natural, and not at all forbidden in the Pokemon world.
Riolu and Pikachu sat patiently through the whole several hours of training for the humans. Ash along with his platoon ran miles, leaped through the obstacle course, swam, and above all, learned how to use their weapons. Their weapons were standard-issued, a M16A3 with a built in laser scope. Ash, being a lieutenant was issued a XM8 and a Desert Eagle, much to the envy of his subordinates.
"Okay soldiers, good job. Now get some rest, tomorrow you're getting up early!" Brock ordered when they were finally done. The teenage soldiers grabbed their weapons and other items and scrambled to the showers and to their rooms. Ash had already returned Riolu and Pikachu back into their Pokeballs, and they were already fast asleep. Ash gave Brock a goodbye wave and left for his room. Flopping down on the soft cozy bed he finally began to get the rest he had long been awaiting for.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I know its late but late is better than never! Anyways Read and REVIEW!