Me: We're back! Sorry we've been gone so long.
Crow: Yeah, Nutcase had a little writers block for this chapter.
Gantz: I'm glad I came back from my vacation when I did. The idea in this chapter Nutcase used was one I forgot about entirely.
MMSB: If you are all wondering about what Gantz means, he went on vacation to San Antonio some time ago, and then later spent time with his dad. He only just got back the other day.
Servo: Yeah, and he gave us a rude awakening too when he returned.
Me: Just be glad my pokemon weren't the ones that made all that noise Tom. My Rampardos cold have don a lot more damage than Gantz's Infernape. That reminds me, I gotta get a Nintendo USB port sometime so I can finally get WiFi for my DS. Then you and I can finally battle one another, Gantz.
Gantz: That would be a treat. But for now, we have to start the next chapter.
Ace: Ok, I got the food, and don't worry I got caffine free soda for myself this time.
Otto: Good.
Wally: Time for fanfic sign, mates!
Chapter 40: Riolu's Mysterious Gift
Over the next few days, the group arrived in New Bark Town. They met with Prof. Elm, whom was told everything about Clay and his friends from Prof. Oak. Elm, like Prof. Oak and the other pokemon researchers, was entrusted with Snag Machines in the case pokemon were to be used as weapons like when Cipher started the Shadow Pokemon plan. As a result, Clay and several of the others were now abl to combat the DR pokemon as effectivly as Brock and Ash. They also checked in with Professor Oak on the phone, who was kind enough to upgrade everyone's pokedex seeing as how the heroes were encountering pokemon more commonly found in the Sinnoh Region.
Clay then checked in with Professor E. Gadd on the DS Horror. When the small professor appeared on the top screen, E. Gadd was seen in his pajamas. He then asked himself, "What time is it? Oh my, 10:30 AM!? I overslept!"
Clay then said, "Anything wrong professor?" E. Gadd then said, "Oh, I'm sorry. I was up late last night working on an important experiment for when you and your friends come home to help with the Subcon restoration effort, but I stayed up too late. Anyway, how are things?"
The professor poured himself a cup f coffee as he listened to Clay's report on the current situation. Clay said, "Well, things have been kinda quiet on our end since Donkey Kong and Diddy arrived. Although, the other day, someone who resembled a goth version of Crow's human form was stealing pokemon. Crow nearly wound up in prison, but we cleared his name. The imposter got away sadly, and the stolen pokemon were sent to the Dentes Rhohos so they could be made into more DR Pokemon."
Professor E. Gadd then said, "Oh my, that's horrible! How are the DR Pokemon you have in your care att he moment?" Clay smiled, and said, "We met a powerful mythical pokemon named HO-OH, and he used his powers to restore the DR pokemon we captured into the pokemon they once were. We met a couple of new onse since then, but nothing major has come our way."
Professor E. Gadd then said, "Ah, that's good to hear. I hope you kids finish up soon. The Subcon restoration team really needs the help of the Mario brothers." Clay then said, "Got it professor, over and out." Clay turned off the DS Horror, and rejoined the group as they talked about their next move.
In the distance, Branz was spying on the heroes. Branz put away his binoculars, and said to a shaded figure behind him, "Ok, here's the plan: You go in and blend in with those idiots. Fool them into thinking you're the one whom you say they are! Lure them into the ambush we set up, and they'll be done for!" A laid-back, yet sinister voice replied with, "You've got it Master Branz."
Branz then said, "In order to make this look convincing, I need to make a little light show." Branz held a paw to the sky as he created a burst of light overhead. This was not unnoticed by the heroes. When they began coming in to investigate, Branz made a second, identical burst of light. He then said to his minion, "Ok, my part's done, now go and bring them to me and the rest of the pack!"
Branz disappered in a burst of dark flames as the figure he spoke to walked out from the forested area he was hidden in. The figure was revieled to be a human with brown hair, a bright red jumpsuit, and sneakers. The nametag on the jumpsuit had the word Gizmonic as well as the name Joel Robinson. Joel had a sinister smirk, which vanished when the heroes arrived.
The robots were the first to react. Servo said, "Joel!? What are you doing here!?!" Joel then said, "Professor E. Gadd built another one of those teleporter pods, and I came to see how things were going."
Joel noticed Riolu was looking at him intently. Joel gave the pokemon a subtle glare before Clay said, "Well, it's a good thing you came along. The robots need a little fixing up." Servo then said, "Yeah, my hoverskirt needs a little tune up. I haven't been as mobile as I usually am lately."
Crow then said, "And I seriously need some 10W30. I've been a little stiff in the arms, and my neck's been cramping up a little." Joel stammered a little, saying, "I-I left my tools back at the lab, sorry guys..."
When Joel walked with the others back to Prof. Elm's lab, Crow said to Servo, "It isn't like Joel to forget his tools..." Servo then said, "Yeah, how could he forget his tools and your oil?" Cambot then said, "He's probobly had some other things on his mind." Servo then said, "Maybe your right."
Later, the team was getting ready to head to their next destination. They decided to check the Ruins of Alph to try and secure it so the Mushroom Kingdom visitors could get home with the help of the Unown.
As they traveled down the road to Cherrygrove City, Joel said he heard about a shortcut to Violet City from Professor Elm. Ash then said, "I don't remember hearing about any shortcut to Violet City..." Brock checked his map, and said, "According to the map, there isn't one at all." Joel then said, "The map is obviously outdated. The shortcut was put in a few weeks ago. It'll help cut the time by at least half."
This was welcom news. Ash, Brock, and Misty had gotten lost several times along the way to Cherrygrove before getting to Violet City. This shortcut was welcome news to them Riolu was suspicious however. 'Why am I so suspicious about this guy?' Thought Riolu. 'He's the guy who built these robots, so I should be able to trust him. Why can't I get that feeling of unease out of my mind...'
Riolu got his chance to relax when the group stopped to rest their legs from all the walking. Riolu decided to take a page from Zane's book and decided to meditate to calm himself. During this time, his senses hightened, but along with it, his suspicion about Joel grew. On instinct, he brought his head up, and without opening his eyes, stared at the group. He saw a peculiar blue aura surrounding everyone but Joel. The aura around Joel seemed unholy, and evil. Riolu then regained his senses, and said to himself, 'What was that about!? What was with those auras around everyone, and why was Joel's different?'
Riolu decided that he'd best keep an eye on Joel for now. The suspicion Crow and Servo had began to grow as Crow said, "Something isn't right, Servo. My eyes say I see Joel, but my judgement protocols say something isn't right!" Servo then said, "I believe ya Crow. Just a minute ago, I tried to offer him some waffles, and he turned them down! Joel loves waffles, why would he turn them down!?"
Normally Cambot would be skeptical about the discussion at hand, but Cambot realized Servo had a point. Joel would never turn down waffles. It wasn't until Clay called Prof. E. Gadd to check in with him once again did anyone realize something was amiss.
When Clay checked in with E. Gadd, he saw Joel working in the background behind the aging professor. Clay's face was a mixture of shock and confusion. He was snapped out of it when the professor said, "Clay? What's wrong?" Clay looked back towards the others, "Joel" in particular, and then said to the professor, "Excuse me for a minute professor."
Clay walked up to the robots, and told themwhat he found out, and the robots added to his evidance with their gut feeling. Riolu overheard, and realized his suspicions were correct. That's when Servo said, "How do we get this phoney Joel to confess?" Clay then said, "Leave it to me."
Clay pulled out the DS Horror again, and quietly spoke to E. Gadd, and Joel to tell them Clay's idea. That's when Clay walked up to the fake Joel, and said, "Say Joel, Servo told me you once planted a fake memory in Crow's mind a long time ago as a joke. The joke was something about an acronym regarding Crow's name, but I forgot what it was, could you tell it to me again?"
The fake joel was sweating profusely. That's when he said, "Uh, Crazy Robotic Obsolete Wackjob?" Clay, Crow, Servo, and Cambot glared at the fake Joel, then Clay pulled out the DS Horror, turned up the volume to it's highest setting, and that's when the voice of the real Joel said, "WRONG! IT WAS CYBERNETIC RADIO OPERATED WOMAN!!!!!!!!!"
Everyone stared at the DS and back at the fake Joel, and that's when the fake Joel said, "Damn, my cover's blown!!!!!!" Riolu hit the fake Joel with a Quick Attack, which threw the imposter into a tree. The fake Joel then morphed into a little blob with the markings o a DR pokemon. That's when Max said, "It's a DR Ditto!"
Kooper then said, "Well that explains things. I learned these guys can chane their DNA structure to look like any creature they want. They can even morph into inanimate objects too."Servo then yelled, "GET HIM!!!!" Servo was the only one to actually charge the DR Ditto, but he put up an incredible fight against the pokemon as the two kicked up a large dust cloud, thus obscuring everyone's vision.
When the dust cleared, there were two Tom Servos! Crow smirked, and got a snag ball ready in his new snag machine, and said to the two Servos, "Ok, here's how we tell em' apart! Servo, what's in your underpants collection?"
One of the two Servos chuckeled evilly, and then yelled, "342 pairs of coton boxers and NO duplicates, 78 pairs of silk boxers, 702 pairs of high-cut briefs, 55 pairs of low-cut briefs, 7 banana warmers, 1 pair of home of the whopper brief, and 1 knitted pair of Joe Naimith slingshot brief prototype!!!!!"
While everyone, plus the now revealed fake Servo, were stunned by the contents of Servo's underpants collection, Crow quickly captured the DR Ditto. Servo then began yelling, "I WON!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!! WOO WOO WOO WOO WOO!!!!!!" Servo kept on cheering himself on as Jessie said, "I don't see why we need any Servo at all..."
Servo kept on cheering until Riolu bashed him with his tail to shut him up. Zane then said, "Thanks Riolu. Bubble gum head was getting on my nerves." After Servo quieted down, Luigi said, "What do we do now? We can't keep taking this shortcut... That's when Diddy said, "I have an idea!"
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Much later, the DR Ditto walked into the ambush area, disguised as Joel once more. This time, it dragged a large box behind him. Branz had invited Kale out to declare victory for their race, but he and Branz and several other DR pokemon walked out of their hiding places wondering about the box. The DR Ditto said, "I decided to take a little creative liberty in sealing the meddlers in this box to literally hand over to Master Kale as a present."
Branz smiled at hearing this, and said, "Well, you didn't do as you were told, but you still accomplished your mission. I'll give you points for creativity." Kale smirked, and then asked, "Can you open the box so I can rub defeat into the faces of those fools?" The DR Ditto seemed hesitant, but remembered what Chicky the Mightyena said to him before he was forced to drag this box over.
Flashback
"If you even THINK about telling that traitor, Branz about what's in that box, I'll rip you apart!"
End flashback
He stood back as Branz and the other DR pokemon crowded around the box as Branz opened it up. Just before the box opened up fully, Kale said, "You kids thought you could defeat us. Now you will face the fate that all other people shared when they thought they could defeat us! Prepare to di-"
Kale stopped talking when the box opened enough for everyone to see the contents of the box. Branz and the rest of the group saw what looked like over a dozen wind up toys designed to look like spherical bombs with white eyes painted on. Branz said, "What the hell is this?" Kale's face paled, as he knew what these things were.
The toy-like object in Branz's hands began beeping loudly, and the fuse on it's head lit up. The others in the box followed the first. Kale then yelled, "Drop that at once Branz, and everybody run!!!!" It was too late. The Bob-Ombs exploded, and the blast was strong enough to blow them clear to the other side of Johto. As they flew, Branz and Kale said at the same time, "I'LL GET THOSE BRATS FOR THIS!!!!!!!"
After that, the DR Ditto said, "I'm deeply sorry Masters..." He was then recalled by Crow, whom he along with everyone else watched the fireworks go off when the Dentes Rhohos went flying off over the horizon.
To be continued...
Otto: HAHAHA! Nice finish!
Ace: Say, wasn't the ability Riolu had the same as the ability used by Lucario in Pokemon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew!?
Me: Yeah, that's the one!
Wally: Now I'm beginning to see why the Dentes Rhohos were afraid of Riolu.
Gantz: There'll be more aura reading in the future. BTW, I liked the aura you gave the fake Joel. And I see Servo's underpants collection is finally revealed.
MMSB: That is just wrong man...
Servo: Says the robot built to look and act like a certain Echidna who's obsessed with a giant emerald.
MMSB: (punches Servo out of the room)
Servo: (cries)
Crow: Oh, good one MMSB!
Me: Hang on Servo! R&R everyone! (rushes off to help Servo)