Chapter 15: The Big City

"If anything, you three got done here really fast" Raiden said "So you should go to the City right next to here. Find the Area Leader there and fight him. He's a bit spacey, but Roland is one amazing battler. There's an entrance to the City straight through this handy dandy hidden compartment right here." Raiden smacked a spot on the wall and it opened revealing a hidden doorway.

"Thank you very much, Raiden." Kai said as she entered through the doorway.

"Its no problem" Raiden said. "I need to contact HQ now, it seems we'll be having to either use less power from now on, or we won't have power at night. We'll see. Goodbye you three, and good luck to you all."

The City was a fantastic place to visit. There were Skyscrapers on all sides, and it all looked really cool and futurisitic. The buildings were all metallic and you could see the electricity running through them as the power moved upwards through a clear cable. It was, overall, a huge place. The thing was, though, there wasn't a soul around. Not a single person was walking around. It was like there was this amazing, technologically advanced city, and no one around to enjoy it, which, in itself takes away from the whole experience of the big city for us.

"Where do you think everyone is?" Lyss asked

"I have no idea... this is strange..." Kai said

"You're telling me..." I responded

We kept on walking around, not running into anyone or anything. It seemed deserted. We rounded the corner and there is when we saw it. A large crowd of black hoodies with white hoods and the upside down hourglass symbol. There were many of them. Maybe around two hundred gathered in that one spot. It was unbelievable. In that one spot were so many Team Cataclysm members. It appeared that they were gathering to hear a speech of sorts. Could it be one from their leaders perhaps?

"Shh..." We heard across the way. On the opposite side of the street, tucked away at the edge of a barely visible ally, was a young man who looked to be in his mid-twenties. His eyes were a dark green and his hair was red and cropped fairly short. He wore faded brown denim jeans and a dark blue shirt. He carried a rather large duffle bag with him. He motioned for us to come over their quickly and try not to be seen by any of the crowd their. We went over as fast as we could. Luckily, their backs were to us.

"Are you Kai, Lyss, and Andrew? The three trainers Raiden said were coming?" the man asked

"Yes" the three of us whispered in unison.

"Good. My name is Roland. I'm the Area Leader of the City. As you can see, this city seems to be inhabited by me and Team Cataclysm members. Not sure how it got to be this bad... guess I spaced out a little too much... man I really gotta stop that, its such a bad habit, ya know? Anyways, where was I... Oh! Right! Those grunts out their have assembled. Apparently they have an important announcement from the teams Second-in-command. I know they have Zapdos, Celebi, and Darkrai. I also learned that they have the Light and Dark Stones, meaning they can summon Reshiram and Zekrom if need be. Luckily they have yet to find the Legendary Pokemon I'm keeping watch over. I guess I hid him really well. Anyways, I guess I should shut up now, it looks like their speaker is here."

And it was true. A man dressed ver differently from any Team Cataclysm member I had ever seen, grunt or royal, walked up onto a stage and approached a microphone. He wore a simple red t-shirt and red sneakers. His jeans were clean, simple blue denim jeans. He wore red fingerless gloves on his hands. But what made him truly different was his mask. The mask was pure white with an intricate flame pattern on it that started from the bottom left corner. There were only two small slits for eyes and no visible mouth. From the back, the mask had a large orange and red mane that reached all the way down his back, giving the appearance that that was his hair, when, in reality, his real hair was somewhere underneath it all. On the forehead of the mask, barely visible from where we were, was the Team Cataclysm Insignia, the upside down hourglass. His overall attire wasn't too terrible. He wasn't terribly old, either, maybe late twenties or early thirties, and his build was fairly lean with some muscle, none of which is very intimidating. But that mask. The mask was truly frightening. That mask made him seem like he was someone to be feared.

"Good evening, fellow members of Team Cataclysm" the man said, speaking into the microphone. I could already tell he was someone who was good with words just from that one sentence. He had spoken it so slyly, yet in a way that grabs your attention no matter what you happen to be doing. Every single one of the two hundred some members immediately ceased what they were doing and looked right at him. He had the attention of everyone present.

"As you all know, I am Red, your second-in-command. Our fearless leader has asked me to come speak to all of you. Now, unfortunately, we have many members missing, but I know that they are in the care of the rest of the Royals. Being that I trust Silver, Sapphire, Diamond, and Black, I can say that the rest of our members are in very capable hands. On to more pressing matters. You all have been called here today. As you know, our plan is already well in motion. As of yesterday, thanks to my lovely colleague, Lady Sapphire, we have acquired the Legendary Bird of Electricity, Zapdos. This is quite a stepping stone for us, because, now, we will be able to generate as much electricity as we need to go through with our plan. As you also know, Lord Diamond has obtained both the Dark and Light stones for us, Count Silver flawlessly captured the legendary Celebi, and Master Black successfully captured Darkrai, although it did come at the cost of our Darkness Area base. Although, some sacrifices, such as one of our best bases, are necessary for our plan to go ahead in full force. As you know, we only need two more of the legendary Pokemon to finish our plan. We know one of them is here in this very city. Hidden amongst the technologically advanced buildings is a powerful Legendary Pokemon that we need to to finish our plan. Our leader is almost done. I know that many of you know this already, but I will say it anyways: All five of our Royals, myself included, are on our way to gaining entrance to the final tournament of this League, as is our leader. Now, many of you have already been eliminated from the tournament, but those of you still in it, we encourage you to keep fighting and try and get in. The more members we have in the final tournament, the better it will be. As soon as the tournament starts, our plan will be in full effect. Now, the informative part of my speech is done. The next part is to be your assignment. We know that there is a Legendary Pokemon in this very city. We task you to find it. With all of you looking, we know that we can find it before the sun sets on this day."

The four of us were so engrossed by his speech that we really had no focus on what was going on. He was someone who had such a way with words. He was intimidating, yet moving somehow. We couldn't focus on anything else. Let alone the face on the trashcan that was staring right at us.

Wait, what?

I looked again and there it was. A pair of beady black eyes and small line for a mouth right there on the trashcan. It was... well it was strange to say the least. But that's when the real trouble began. The face and the trashcan morphed into a tiny purplish-pink blob with that same face on it. It didn't seem like a problem, except, it was. The blob began to let out a loud scream. Every member turned around and looked at the screaming blob.

"Well well" Red said. "It appears as if my Ditto has found some intruders hiding in the alleyway. I believe you all know what to do. Along with your assignment of finding the Legendary Pokemon, you must eliminate the intruders as well. Dismissed."

"Come on then, they'll be looking here first. We have to go, and I mean now." Roland said grabbing Kai and Lyss as he began to run off. I ran right behind him, not looking back at what was behind us. We all ducked behind another building to take cover from the crowd that was following us.

"Well... that was really unexpected" Roland said. "What should we do?"

"I don't know..." Lyss said

"There they are!" a male grunt said as he ran towards us. He sent out a mean looking Weezing as more grunts followed suit and sent out their Pokemon.

"Well then..." Kai said "I guess we need to fight. Come on out Serperior! You too Medicham and Pachirisu!"

"Kai, what are you doing?" I asked

"Sometimes, a fight is unavoidable. In this case, its my turn to fight. You three, though... I'll be fine, just go on."

And with that, we left our gypsy friend behind.

We kept running and running. We really didn't have much of a choice when it was two hundred to four and it didn't seem like we would be have much luck due to their large numbers. Kai was very brave to battle them while we escaped.

I could hear more of them coming, so I opened the first door I saw and ran right in. The only problem with that was that now I had just separated myself from Lyss and Roland.

"Looks like I got myself in a real mess this time..." I said as I heard the sound of numerous Team Cataclysm grunts run right past. "Let's see where I ended up."

I looked around the building I was in. It seemed like a really small place even though it was in such a big city. I thought I had gone into a really big building, but this place was tiny. There was a desk with tons of papers scattered all over it and on the floor, too. It looked as if no one had been there in a long while. I went to the desk and started opening the drawers to see if I could find some way to contact my friends, but I didn't find anything. What I did find, though, was what lead me onward. There, right underneath the top of the desk, was a button. I pushed the button and a section of the wall behind me opened up to a massive glass elevator. I stepped in and hit the top floor button. I figured I could see all the chaos around me if I made it to the top. I also thought it would end up being a good place for me to lay low for awhile until things calmed down.

The elevator took me up and up and up. I could see the various floors as I passed by them, each dark and deserted with papers scattered everywhere, much like the first floor. The elevator dinged and I stepped out to what seemed to be a lab. There were microscopes and test tubes all along several tables with more papers scattered all over. I picked up one of the papers and read a long complicated equation on it. However, none of this was able to capture my attention more than what was in the back.

At the very back of the dark, abandoned lab, was a large tube bigger than me. It was lit up and had a strange green liquid flowing through it. But what was in the tube was what was truly amazing.

It had a metallic purple body and seemed very insect-like in appearance. It had two large, red eyes and a vent-like mouth on its saucer shaped head. Its arms and legs were thin and pointed. On its back was a powerful looking canon mounted on its back.

"Genesect" I whispered as I saw the Legendary Pokemon. It seemed to be in a state of suspended animation, so it wouldn't be attacking me anytime soon. But still... Genesect... The Pokemon that's supposed to be the perfect blend of technology and Pokemon... right here.

I looked at the shelves next to the tube and there were four disk drives. One light blue, one light red, one light yellow, and one white. I knew that Genesect was known to power itself up using disk drives, so these must've been those. I picked all four of them up and pocketed them. I had no idea why, I just felt compelled to. As soon as I pocketed the last one, the white one, I heard the elevator ding and open up.

"So, you came up here did you?" asked the all too familiar sly voice that could capture the mass of people from earlier. I turned around to face him. There was that mask again. That mask was now forever etched into my mind as something to fear. "Just look out the window. We have your two friends. They put up a fight, but we did get them. I do think the boss will be happy to hear about our new captives, however, you we really just seem to find as an obstacle. The gypsy knows all about the myths involving every Legendary Pokemon, and the other... well, I think the boss will be happy with her. As for you, Roland, take care of him."

"As you say, sir" said Roland as he stepped out from behind Red.

"I'll be back for Genesect as soon as he's done for" Red said as he stepped back into the elevator and went down.

"So, you were working for Team Cataclysm the whole time... And here I thought you Area Leaders were people I could respect" I spat at Roland

"Team Cataclysm has my best interests at the moment" he said "But as of right now, think of this battle as your Area Leader challenge against me. Come on out Skarmory." Roland sent out a large bird made entirely of steel with sharp silver and red wings.

"Alright then, if this is how its going to be... Let's go Ampharos."

"Skarmory, use Steel Wing"

"Ampharos, use Charge!"

Ampharos began to charge up electricity within him as Skarmory swooped down at him, his wings now a dark silver color.

"Now, Discharge Ampharos!"

As Skarmory got closer and the attack was about to connect, Ampharos let loose all the electricity he had just stored up. Skarmory fell to the ground, struggling to get up now.

"Finsih this up Ampharos, use Charge Beam"

Ampharos fired the powerful beam of electricity at the grounded Skarmory. Skarmory went down once again, unable to get back up.

"Well then. You are just as good as the other Area Leaders have said. Return Skarmory. I think this battle will be interesting indeed. Go Ferrothorn." A strange, metal plant Pokemon covered with metal thorns and with three large vines that ended in claw-like extensions materialized.

"Can't you see that this is wrong? I'm going to defend Genesect from you and the rest of Team Cataclysm if it kills me. I'm not going to make the mistakes I made with Celebi or Darkrai or Zapdos. Ampharos, use Thunderbolt."

Ampharos let a large amount of electricity loose and directed it right at the Ferrothorn. Ferrothorn shook it off as it if were nothing.

"Ferrothorn use Power Whip." The middle vine of Ferrothorn's glowed a bright purple as it brought it down with incredible force, hitting Ampharos dead on. "Finish with an Iron Head." Ferrothorn then rammed right at Ampharos with its head glowing silver. I had to recall Ampharos now.

"Fine then, I'll beat whatever you throw at me with only my next Pokemon, just you watch. Come on out Blaziken! Let's finish this for good!"

"Ferrothorn, Iron Head"

"Blaziken, this one's easy, Blaze Kick"

As Ferrothorn's silver headbutt came at Blaziken, Blaziken cloaked his legs in flames. He gave a swift kick right on Ferrothorn's head. Despite some minor injuries from Ferrothorn's Iron Barbs ability, Blaziken was mostly unharmed. Ferrothorn, on the other hand, was down in one shot because of its unfortunate double weakness to fire-type moves.

"I see, so you're still fighting, and fighting hard. Return Ferrothorn. I just want you to know this though: Team Cataclysm will get Genesect. Even if I lose, there are many others out there, and I'm sure you don't have enough revives and potions to fight all of us. Go Magnezone." Roland sent out a large, floating Pokemon. It looked like a flying saucer with a magnet on each end. There was one large eye in the center with two smaller eyes close to the magnets. It had an antenna on top that glowed with electricity.

"Come on Blaziken, another Blaze Kick!"

"Magnezone, use Zap Canon"

Magnezone sent out a large blue ball of powerful electricity and shot it right at Blaziken. Blaziken took his flame cloaked legs and broke through the attack, hitting Magnezone.

"Magnezone, attack with Thunder"

"Blaziken use Flare Blitz!"

Blaziken cloaked himself in completely in flames and began to charge at Magnezone. Magnezone let loose the largest bolt of electricity I have ever seen. It hit Blaziken dead on, but he kept going. He rammed right into Magnezone. When the flames cleared, I could tell that the recoil damage from the attack combined with the intensity of Magnezone's attack combined to deal a great amount of damage. Magnezone was having trouble staying afloat. Both of our Pokemon were now really worn out.

"Blaziken, finish this with Sky Uppercut"

Blaziken did a fierce uppercut with an incredible amount of force. Magnezone hit the wall. Roland recalled it. I recalled Blaziken, seeing how tired he was from the last two battles.

"That's enough. We're finished here" Roland said. "You win."

Roland walked up to me. As he got right in front of me, I felt a sharp jab in my stomach.

"Now listen to me and listen to me well" Roland whispered into my ear "Don't worry about your friends, I'll help them. We're going to have to let them get Genesect, its the only way to track what they're doing. I'm sorry, I am so very sorry I have to do this to you, you are an excellent trainer. Never forget that. I'll see you soon."

I felt a something small fall into my pocket and then a powerful blow to the back of my neck, and then I was out.

I woke up by the a fire in the forest.

"I see, you're finally awake. Good." said a familiar voice. I turned and saw the familiar face of the young spiky red-haired teen I had met once before.

"M-Michael?" I said as I tried to sit up. My neck and gut were still really sore from the blows Roland had delivered to me.

"Yeah, glad you're okay. I had to wait for Team Cataclysm to clear out of there with Genesect before I came and got you. You've been out since Tuesday. Its Saturday now. You probably need to eat something. Here." he explained all of this as he prepared a bowl of soup and handed it to me. I gladly took it and began to eat it.

"Do you know what happened to my friends? Kai... and Lyss..."

"Captured. They're at the mercy of Team Cataclysm now."

"Now here's my next question..." I said as I finished the last of my soup. "Will you help me get them back?"

"I've been traveling alone up until now, but never been far behind you, and even in some cases, as it was with the Forest and the City, not too far ahead of you. I will help you get your friends back. I've dealt with Cipher in my home region of Orre, I'm pretty sure I can take these guys."

"Thank you Michael..." I said, weakly, partially due to the state I was in, partially due to losing my close friends. I reached into my pocket and felt what Roland had dropped in there. It was his badge. I took it out and examined it. It was pure silver and had an image of a city on the horizon. I took out my badge case and put it right next to the Generator Badge.

"Sure" he said. "Now, get some more rest. We'll leave back to HQ in the morning, we still have more Area Leaders to challenge while we search for Team Cataclysm."

"I heard that they're going to put their plan into full effect once one of them wins the Tournament at the end of this competition."

"Well, looks like we just have to win it all then."

A/N: So, here's the latest chapter in my story. I hope you like it. I really tried to make this chapter really good, because, well, its important for the overall story. In other news, I'm trying to think of a way to introduce the Fairy type (as much as I don't like it... like seriously, couldn't they call it something cooler? I mean, Light type is still a great option!), so bear with me here. I really hope you guys like this chapter. Also, I want honest reviews, please, no stupid reviews that have nothing to do with my writing or the story. Other than that, any feedback is greatly appreciated.

End of Part One