Journey to Destiny: The Story of a Pokemon Trainer

by Joseph Ehlle

An epic Pokemon fanfiction, following the 5 year journey of prodigy Pokemon trainer Joseph Ehlle from novice trainer to gym leader, with his Vulpix, Flamefox. 90 chapters, originally written from June 2001 through December 2002.

83. Chapter 82: Machines of the Gods Part 2

Chapter 82 – The Machines of the Gods

Part Two: The Water God and the Machines of the Gods

As we waited for Martin, Simon, and Scyther to return, I paced back and forth. May said, "It wasn't your fault, Joe. You had no way of knowing it was a setup." I said, "I know. But you saw how easily those NIDOs took her down. We don't know how many more there are. I don't even think Simon and Martin are going to be enough help. This situation looks really hopeless." Suddenly, a voice said, "Then perhaps we can help." We looked up to see a vortex open just feet away from us, and out came Suicune. He said, "I've been waiting for the day that I could redeem myself in your eyes, and it looks like that day has come. And I brought along some friends." At that, our 4 renegade MechanPokemon friends came through – Marc, Maury, Mel, and MechanCharizard. Marc said, "It's good to see you both again!" I exclaimed, "It's been a long time! You're all a sight for sore eyes!" Just then, my Kadabra also materialized. He said, "I heard your call for help, Joseph. As I promised to you, I am here." May said, "This is great! With all of you helping us, rescuing Ho-oh should be a breeze!" Maury walked up to May and said, "I missed you." She replied, "That's sweet, Maury. I missed you, too" as she hugged him and scratched under his horns. Martin, Simon, and Scyther returned from their spy mission, and Simon asked, "Where did these Pokemon come from?" Suicune walked out from behind the others and said, "We're here to help!" Simon exclaimed, "You're Suicune! A legendary Pokemon! Wow, this is an honor! I take it you're speaking to me in my mind, with psychic power?" Suicune replied, "Correct." Marc walked up to Simon and said, "It's a pleasure to meet more of Joe and May's friends." Simon jumped back and exclaimed, "You… you talked! Your mouth moved and words came out! But how?" I said, "I think I better explain. You see, Marc, Maury, Mel, and MechanCharizard are not real Pokemon – they're highly advanced robotic Pokemon created by Team Rocket. But they were created with artificial intelligence, and they questioned Team Rocket's evil ways, then chose to rebel. These 4 are our good friends." Simon was ecstatic! "When I first heard about Team Rocket's robotic Pokemon, I had no idea how advanced you actually were! This is astounding! You 4 represent the highest standard in robotics I've ever seen!" MechanCharizard, in a prideful tone that reflected his personality all too well, replied, "Well, we should be! After all, we WERE constructed by some of the most brilliant scientific minds on the planet – even though their intentions were evil." While Simon, May, and I continued to talk with the good MechanPokemon, Suicune walked over to Martin and they stepped away from us for a minute. Martin said, "I wanted to thank you for not telling them that I've been following them and keeping an eye on them." Suicune said, "I always keep my word. As I told you, your intentions are honorable. You have a good heart, Martin Frost. They are fortunate to have a friend like you." Martin said, "Thanks, but I think they're even more fortunate to have friends like you and the 4 MechanPokemon." Suicune then said, "I need to discuss something important with Joseph." At that, he walked back over towards me. I saw him approaching, and I really wanted to talk to him, so I stepped away. Marc saw Suicune approaching, and said to the others, "We'd better give them some space." As I approached him, he lowered his head and looked down. I asked him, "Suicune, I was wondering – what did you mean before, when you said you were waiting for the day that you could redeem yourself in my eyes?" He replied, "For what I did to you and your Pokemon back at the Tin Tower, in Johto." I said, "Suicune, you were under the control of Team Rocket. You had no choice, no control over your actions. I can't hold you accountable for what you did, because I know it wasn't you. In fact, I've been hoping to run into you again for a long time now, to tell you there are no hard feelings." He replied, "You are very easily forgiving, but I do not deserve it." I said, "Suicune, if it's forgiveness you're looking for, you've always had it, although I really see no reason it's necessary." He said, "There is something that you don't understand. If Ho-oh hadn't used her recover technique on your Pokemon afterwards, if I had succeeded in capturing her… your Pokemon would not have survived my attacks." I felt a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I simply said, "Oh", as I stopped myself from losing my own balance. Suicune had his eyes closed, and what looked like teardrops formed from his eyes. "If you wish to revoke your forgiveness, I'll understand" he said. I was speechless – after all, it was a humbling revelation. But it was also humbling to see this mighty, legendary beast so full of sadness and remorse for what he'd done to us, even though it wasn't his fault. He said, "I tried to stop myself. I tried so hard to resist. But I wasn't strong enough! I should have been stronger! I just wasn't strong enough!" I said, "Suicune, Team Rocket is an insidious, despicable criminal network! You have no idea what May and I have had to deal with from them. They did to you one of the worst things any human could do to another living being – they USED you! What you did, no matter how tragic things could have turned out, was not your fault! My forgiveness still holds, Suicune! I want you for an ally and a friend – and I could really use your help rescuing Ho-oh! Please – stop feeling this remorse and accept my friendship!" He opened his eyes, raised his head up to me, and said, "Thank you." I stroked his fur and said, "You're welcome, friend. Now come on. We've got to rescue Ho-oh and give Team Rocket a severe butt-kicking!" He actually laughed at that, and we joined the others. May, Simon, Martin, the 4 renegade MechanPokemon, Kadabra, and our Pokemon convened in the middle of the lush jungle. Martin and Simon told us about what they found – Scyther led them to a hill that overlooked a large, Team Rocket headquarters building, hidden along the edge of the island. Outside the building, in an open grass field, stood about 200 NIDOS. "So what's the plan?" May asked. I replied, "I don't know! You heard what Martin and Simon saw – there's an entire army of them! And Ho-oh couldn't even dent 2 of them! How are we supposed to stop all of them?" Martin said, "They must have a weakness we can exploit!" Then he looked at Simon and said, "You're the computer expert! So how do we stop an army of mechanical Pokemon?" Simon answered, "Well, according to the readings I got with my laptop, each NIDO has a self generated shield. I think I can create a signal that can disrupt the shield harmonics. The only problem is that since there are so many of them, the signal would have to be sent from a pretty powerful source. We'd need someplace to broadcast it from." Martin said, "I saw a satellite dish on top of their headquarters building." Simon replied, "That's great, but how do we get in?" Martin said, "Leave it to me! You just work on that disruption signal!" I interrupted, "But even if we get in, how will we stop the entire NIDO army? There are only 4 MechanPokemon on our side, and a couple hundred of them! And our Pokemon would be no match for that many NIDOs, even without their shields." Marc said, "He's right. The material the NIDOs are constructed from is impervious to Pokemon attacks. Without the shielding, we'll still need brute force to damage them. Once their inner circuitry is exposed, then Pokemon elemental attacks, such as fire, water, and electric can do some damage. But as long as their skin is intact, the only ones who stand a chance against them are Suicune and the 4 of us." Suicune interjected, "I can destroy a lot of them with my powers, but past experience has shown me that even I can be outnumbered and outpowered." May asked, "What about Kadabra?" Kadabra replied, "Even I can only do so much at once – and I don't have the psychic resources of the underground cavern of the Unown here to help me." I said, "Then maybe there is no hope." Suddenly, we heard a rustling in the foliage, and all looked to see the island tribal elder emerge. "Greetings" he said. We all felt like we'd been caught red-handed. I said, "I… I can explain everything! You see, this is Suicune, the legendary Pokemon, and…" He held out his hand in a gesture for me to stop talking, and said, "There is no need. I know who you are. The legend is being fulfilled – the water god and the machines of the gods will rescue the fire goddess from the mechanical army of darkness, assisted by a Pokemon trainer who walks with foxes of fire." I said, "But… that's just a coincidence. Besides, it's my fault Ho-oh was captured in the first place." He replied, "Perhaps… and perhaps not. But it doesn't matter. You are the one – of this I am sure of!" I said, "Yeah, some chosen one. How am I supposed to take on the 'mechanical army of darkness' with my Pokemon? They could be seriously injured, or killed." He said, "There might be a way. Follow me, all of you." I looked at May, Simon, Martin, and the others, and we followed. The 4 of us, the 4 good MechanPokemon, Suicune, and our Pokemon followed the elder deep into the jungle.

He led us to the middle of the island, and we stopped in front of a huge, ancient structure, a vault of some kind. He said to me, "This vault has been sealed for millenia. Legend says that only the chosen one will have the key to open it." I said, "But I don't have any keys with me." He said, "But I think you do. The 'key' is the quill of a feather of the sun goddess!" I exclaimed, "The Rainbow Feather!" and shuffled through my backpack to get it out. He said, "Stick the pointed end of the feather into this hole." There was a hole surrounded by ancient writing of some kind, and the crest of the sun goddess. I stuck the point of the feather in, and said, "It's worth a shot!" The writing and the crest began to glow, and the large rock doors slowly opened. "Should we go in?" I asked. "Yes", the tribal elder answered. We all entered, including our Pokemon, Suicune, and the MechanPokemon. Inside was a huge chasm, hewn from rock. Along the wall, there were sets of beautiful golden armor – each set was under a different Pokemon icon. The Pokemon icons were a Vulpix, a Ninetales, a Tauros, a Scyther, a Jolteon, a Vaporeon, and a Kadabra. Then there were 5 more sets of armor further ahead, each set under different Pokemon icons, this time an Arcanine, Tauros, Golem, and Charizard. The 5th set of armor was under an icon of the water god, intended for Suicune. The armor also had on it either the elemental symbol of the corresponding Pokemon, i.e. fire for Vulpix and Ninetales, lightning for Jolteon, water for Vaporeon, or else it had the crest of the sun goddess, such as Tauros and Scyther's armor had. "No way! This is unreal! Those are MY Pokemon!" I exclaimed, in shock. The elder said, "Then you truly are the chosen one." I shot him a glance and said, "You did this, didn't you? You put corresponding armor for my Pokemon!" He replied, "This vault has been sealed for thousands of years. The people of the sun goddess knew it would be you! The armor is strong – it is made from a rare alloy that makes it's wearer impervious to all Pokemon type attacks. At the same time, it allows it's user the strength to take on something as strong as, say, a mechanical Pokemon." Further down the corridor, I saw it – a sword hanging on the wall, with the crest of the sun goddess on it, and human chest armor. The elder said, "This sword is made from the same material as the armor." Marc said, "That should be strong enough to cut through a NIDO." I asked, "You really think so?" May jumped in and said, "No! I can't accept this! Joe, you can't take on the NIDO army! It's not safe!" I said, "I'm sorry, May. I have to." She said, "There must be someone else. This must be a mistake! It just can't be you!" and she began to cry. I said to everyone, "Give us a minute." They returned to the room where we had entered, and I walked up to May. "I'm sorry, May. I'm sorry you have to be mixed up in all of this. But this is something I have to do. I'm responsible for Ho-oh being captured, and I have to help rescue her." May said, "I know, I know. I just wish it didn't have to be this way." I said, "Me too. But I really think we'll win!" She said, "Let me come with you in the battle! I want to be at your side!" I said, "No, May! This is my battle. There's no armor for you or your Pokemon. I'd be devastated if something happened to you out there. Besides, I really need you to help Simon and Martin infiltrate the building! That will be dangerous enough, but not half as dangerous as taking on the NIDO army!" She said, "Remember who you're talking to. Trevor and I subdued a lot of Team Rocket members in Johto. Dangerous, maybe, but I can handle them! You just be careful out there!" I said, "Thanks, you too." And we hugged.

We joined the others in the next chasm, where Simon and Martin were helping outfit my Pokemon with their armor. Each Pokemon had a headpiece, which protected their cranium, but each allowed space for the ears, to stick out, except Tauros', who had armor that covered his horns, as well, making them sharper. The headpieces had eyeholes, and covered from the upper muzzle to the back of the head. Flamefox's and Firestorm's had holes for their hair to flow through, as well. Vaporeon's armor also covered her neck fin, making it look like a golden sun, and she also had tail armor, which turned her finned tail into a fearsome weapon. They each had chest armor that went around the back, and armor that protected their hips and lower backside. They each had foot armor, as well, which somewhat varied by Pokemon. Flamefox's, Firestorm's, Vaporeon's, Jolteon's, and Scyther's had retractable claws. Tauros' did not, but his sufficiently covered his hooves, making them even harder and stronger. The MechanPokemon's armor was much the same, except Mel's and Maury's did not have retractable claws, either. Simon and Martin came over to me and said, "There's a problem with Tauros – he won't let us put armor on him." I looked over at him. I could sense what he felt – Tauros took great pride in his own strength and didn't want to admit weakness by wearing armor. I walked over to him and said, "Tauros, I know how you feel, but we're not battling ordinary Pokemon here. Even Maury is wearing armor to battle the NIDOs. I don't want to see you get hurt." Maury walked over, in full body armor, and said, "Come on, my Tauros friend. Put on your armor and we shall battle side by side." I said, "Please, Tauros, do it for me?" He grunted, then nodded, and allowed me to put on his armor for him. My Pokemon all looked so noble in their golden armor, and Marc looked even more noble than usual. Everyone left the vault except me. I stood there, looking at a reflection of myself on the sword I now held, wearing my chest armor. Marc, in his full body armor, walked up behind me. "Are you all right?" he asked me. I said, "Yeah, I guess. I don't know… I'm a little afraid. Actually, a lot afraid." He smiled and said, "I know you must be. The odds look grim. But I'll be at your side to the end, and so will the others. We won't allow harm to come to you. Together, we can do this." I turned to him and said, "Thanks, Marc" and petted him on the side of his head, where there was fur not covered by the armor. For a mechanical Pokemon, he sure seemed human to me.

We joined the others outside, and we all headed through the jungle and back to the hill overlooking the Team Rocket headquarters building. I said to May, Martin, and Simon "Okay, here's the plan. You three will circle around to the back of the building through the woods. Then Suicune, Marc, Maury, Mel, MechanCharizard, my Pokemon, and I will create a distraction by lining up on the hill overlooking the building. Hopefully, that will get the attention of most of the NIDO army. You guys will have to infiltrate the building, and Simon will have to get the signal into their computer and sent through the transmitter before we actually begin to battle the NIDOs. There won't be a lot of time." Martin said, "Don't worry, Joe. We've got you guys covered!" With that, the three of them headed through the woods to circle around the headquarters building. All I could do was wait until I got their call on my Pokegear. My Pokemon, the MechanPokemon, and I watched to see what was going on down below. It looked like the NIDO army was all lining up. This was perfect! In about 10 minutes, my Pokegear rang. "Joe, we're ready!" Martin said. I answered, "Okay. Here goes nothing!" Marc, Maury, Mel, MachanCharizard, Suicune, and my Pokemon moved out, and lined up on the hill, in plain sight of the NIDO army. I then rode up, on Tauros' back, and we stood in the center. The NIDO army and a Rocket scientist looked up at us. "What the…" the scientist began to say, and he began to walk with the NIDO army in our direction. The last couple NIDOs left the perimeter of the building to join the rest. At that, May, Martin, and Simon ran up to the back door. "It's locked! Electronic locking system!" Martin said. Simon replied, "Allow me!" and hooked his laptop up to the electronic lock. He proceeded to override the system, and unlocked the door. "Piece of cake!" he said. The three of them entered the building. "We have to find the transmitter room, fast!" May said. Simon said, "This way!" and ran upstairs. Martin asked, "Are you sure?" He answered, "Pretty sure."

The NIDO army stopped just 40 feet away from us and the scientist addressed me. "I don't know who you are, but you and your armored and renegade robotic Pokemon friends are no match for these NIDOs. Surrender yourself now, and there won't be any trouble." I answered, "I don't think so." Then he addressed Marc and the other 3 renegade MechanPokemon, "And you! I thought we'd seen the last of you four! What a pleasure this will be for the boss! He already has Ho-oh – now he'll have Suicune, and his four renegade MechanPokemon back." Marc replied, "Never. We'll fight you to the end." The scientist said, "Oh really? I think there's someone you might wish to meet who might just change your mind." At that, a second mechanical Arcanine came walking up from between all the NIDOs.

Meanwhile, May, Martin, and Simon found the transmitter room, but it was a metal door, again locked electronically. Simon again overrode the system with his laptop, and the door opened. Inside were dozens of Rocket operatives. One of them said, "Hey! You can't be in here!" At that, the operatives all ran at the trio. May and Martin took position, and Martin said, "Fly like a Butterfree, sting like a Beedrill!" May nodded. The 2 began to use their impressive martial arts skills against the Rockets. A few released Pokemon to battle. Martin released Kat, Slash, and Tails. Kat and Slash shadow-balled several Koffings, Muks, while Tails, Amber, Redfur, Fiona, and Inferno fire spun and used flamethrower on Raticates and Arboks. Fierymane assisted Martin and May, hitting Rocket agents with her front hooves, while Raichu paralyzed other Rocket agents with his electric attacks. The room of Rocket agents was down shortly, and Simon got his laptop hooked up to the Rocket headquarters mainframe. He relocked the door first. "That'll keep out any trouble", he said, before beginning the signal upload into the Rocket computer mainframe. "How long will this take?" May asked. "Hopefully not too long" Simon replied. Suddenly there was a slamming at the metal door. "I think we have company", Martin said. He released his Feraligatr, Simon released his Charizard, and May released her Blastoise. The three Pokemon held down the door which was being slammed and dented in, while Martin stood and pressed his back against it. "Hurry, Simon!" May exclaimed. Simon said, "Its gonna take as long as it's gonna take!" Just then, a NIDO fist crashed through the door between Martin's legs! He looked at it, then looked at Simon and said, "Simon, now would be a good time!" Simon said, "Okay, it's uploaded! I'm sending the signal now! I hope this works!" At that, he clicked on the mouse.